Mr. Temptation

by Rachael Stewart

  ‘Are you asking for another demonstration?’

  His eyes flashed. ‘Are you offering?’

  She nibbled on her lower lip, a startling spread of heat kick-starting in her gut.

  How can you need him so bad, so soon?

  ‘Perhaps.’

  His gaze swept over her front, his depths dark and hungry. ‘It’s cruel not to wear a bra, you know?’

  She daredn’t look; she could already feel the hardening peaks pressing into the fabric of her dress, doing their own job of pleading. ‘It is?’

  He lifted his palm to cup one small mound and she whimpered over the lightness of his touch, the ache blooming just beneath.

  ‘Yes.’

  His other hand mimicked the move, palming her other softly, and then he rolled his thumb over the stiffened peaks and her breath caught, her body swaying with the power of his caress.

  ‘So responsive,’ he murmured.

  Her head started to spin over the dizzying sensation, her lids fluttering closed as carnal heat flooded her body from top to toe. ‘God, that feels good.’

  ‘Hmm...turn around,’ he drawled, and she floated into doing his bidding, her body lying back against his for support as his hands kneaded her breasts through the thin fabric of her dress. He lowered his head, his mouth brushing against her ear. ‘Open your eyes, take in the great outdoors, the freedom to feel, to let go in the open.’

  She did as he asked, the sun beating down on her flushed skin, the birds singing in the trees, the rolling gardens stretching out as far as the eye could see... It was salacious, it was risky, and it was everything she craved.

  ‘Come.’ He nudged her forward to the walled edge of the overgrown pond and stilled, one hand slipping from her breast to trail down her front. ‘Take off your underwear.’

  A thrill ran through her blood as she bent forward, shimmying them down, a breeze mixing with her wetness and taking her to another level. She lifted the skimpy lace and he took it from her, slipping it into his pocket. ‘Raise your skirt.’

  The throb between her legs was a full-on punching beat now. It hurt so much she wanted to service her own need there and then, but doing as he asked was pushing her to the edge, was too good to let it stop.

  She gathered up the fabric, bringing it to her hips as his fingers stroked up the backs of her thighs, over the curve of her bottom. ‘So perfect.’

  She gave a small sound. It wasn’t outright dismissal, but it wasn’t agreement either.

  ‘You are,’ he whispered against her ear. ‘Don’t doubt it.’

  His fingers hooked around her front, one hand separating her folds, parting her to the air, to his touch, as his other hand dipped within, gathering up her wetness and bringing it back over her clit. A spasm shot through her and she rocked against him, a flurry of heat spreading out from where he stroked her, sending her hands clawing at his thighs behind her for support.

  ‘That’s it, baby.’ His erection pressed into her back, his breath rasping as he dropped his mouth to her neck, nipping at the sensitised skin and driving her crazy. But she needed more, she needed him, she didn’t want to lose it without him.

  ‘Please,’ she begged.

  His caress over her clit slowed. ‘What is it, baby?’

  He was teasing her, coaxing out sounds that she barely recognised as herself. ‘I want you.’

  ‘Right here?’

  ‘Now.’

  He gave a low chuckle and nudged her legs apart with his feet. ‘Drop forward.’

  Excitement swelled, the ache intense as she bent over the wall and he fisted the fabric of her dress above her back, his free hand working his fly undone.

  ‘Do you have...protection?’ she asked over her shoulder, a moment of clarity hitting as she pleaded with him to say yes. She couldn’t imagine hitting the rewind button. Not now.

  ‘Of course.’ He slid his hand into his back pocket, pulling one out and using his teeth to open it.

  Of course—he knows you’re a sure thing.

  ‘So sure of yourself, aren’t you?’ she teased, ignoring the spark of hurt that came with that acknowledgment and watching as he extracted the condom, his smile one of boyish arrogance, making her tummy flip-flop.

  Be grateful he is prepared and you’re not having to back-pedal, that you get to have your fill.

  Still, it wouldn’t hurt to goad him for it...

  ‘If I wasn’t bent before you half-naked,’ she said softly, ‘I’d put you in your place.’

  ‘You’re the one being put in her place,’ he said, slipping the empty packet back into his pocket and spanking her playfully.

  Or at least it should have been playful but instead it made her bite her lip, a whole other fantasy taking over.

  And he read her, his expression turning dark, his eyes dropping to where his cock rested against her behind, his free hand caressing the spot he’d just tapped. ‘If I wasn’t so far gone already, believe me, I’d go there.’

  His eyes burned into where their bodies met and she swore she’d come just looking at the desire etched in the lines of his face. He grasped at his cock, sheathing himself before sliding between her legs, rocking forward against her pussy, slickening himself on her wetness, rubbing against the tip of her ache, feeding it, coaxing it higher.

  She moaned, her body writhing to manoeuvre him to her entrance, her head flying back as her fingers bit into the stone of the wall.

  ‘Fuck me,’ she begged.

  But he slipped away, his fingers returning to delve inside her, coating himself with her wetness, testing her readiness. And then he withdrew, slipping them upwards, between the crease of her bum, finding the cluster of sensitised nerve-endings around the tiny, puckered opening—fuck.

  Her legs quivered beneath her, the startling caress new to her and intense. He pressed inside and she moaned frantically, barely comprehending the wicked sensation firing through her, ricocheting through her walls. And then his cock was at her pussy, thrusting deep, his free hand coming around to her front, finding her clit, rolling over her. Every bit of her came alive, teased by his expert attentions, too much to focus on a single one. Pleasure worked its way through her entirety, tensing up her muscles, and she couldn’t rein it back; it was out of her control, her climax tearing through her, shattering her apart in seconds.

  His hands flew to her hips, holding her steady, gripping tightly as he rocked into her with his own cry of completion, the sound mingling with the birdsong and so carnal she wanted to fix it in her mind.

  She straightened against him, her hands reaching behind her to cup his head to her neck, clasping him to her. His breath rasped into her shoulder, his body shuddering with his extended release, and she revelled in it, her prowess, her hold over him.

  ‘If that’s how you put a woman in her place,’ she whispered into his ear, ‘you can definitely do it more often.’

  He chuckled against her, the sound stilted by his winded state.

  ‘To be honest...’ he wrapped his arms around her middle, holding her tight ‘... I think you had me in my place.’

  She laughed her approval. ‘I could get used to doing that.’

  And then she stilled, a chill sweeping through her body.

  There will be no getting used to anything. It’s a short-term deal, remember?

  ‘What’s wrong?’ He raised his head, angling in to get a better look at her face, but she avoided his eye, moving away to right her clothing and allow him the freedom to sort himself out.

  ‘Nothing,’ she managed to say squarely. ‘But we’d best get moving if we want to get to property two in good time.’

  She started back inside, feeling bad that she’d left him cleaning up, but she didn’t want to ruin the moment any more than she already had.

  You’re in this for short-term fun. Remember that.

 
Him getting wind of any longevity she had in mind would certainly put an end to any future fun.

  And she wanted more. A whole lot more. As much fun as he was willing to give.

  * * *

  ‘Can you clear my schedule for Friday, Diane?’

  Daniel gave the instruction to his PA and ignored the twitch to one brow that said again.

  ‘Of course,’ she said smoothly. ‘What would you like me to block it out with?’

  He pulled at his collar, suddenly hot. ‘House-hunting.’

  Up went the other brow, but her eyes returned to her monitor. ‘What would you like me to do about Mr Lee? I have him flying in from Singapore Thursday in preparation for the meeting you had scheduled.’

  ‘Ah, skit, was that for Friday?’

  How could he have forgotten?

  They were negotiating a takeover bid. It was a big deal and should have been top of his list. ‘What time is the meeting?’

  ‘Nine.’

  ‘Okay... Okay, keep it in, but clear me for the remainder.’

  She nodded and tapped away, freeing him to head to his office and deal with his blunder in private.

  Two weeks and he hadn’t been able to concentrate properly. Two weeks since Zara had come into his life and every waking moment had become about her. Property viewing taking over half his schedule, although fucking was the predominant use of that time. Every viewing, it didn’t matter how many times they’d been at it, they’d screw. There was just something that came over her when she got all enthused about some little feature, regardless of how small, and he would crack, unable to keep his hands off her.

  And as far as the houses went, truth was he’d seen plenty that he liked already and was willing to offer on. What he wasn’t ready for was the end of their working relationship. Without property viewings, their relationship didn’t exist. No relationship meant the end to their sex life and the idea left him cold.

  He wasn’t bored, he wasn’t sated, if anything his need had got stronger, his desire to be with her an uncontrollable force that had him doing crazy-ass things like almost shafting his next big takeover.

  He raked his fingers through his hair and dropped into his seat, his head arching over its back as he tried to make sense of it. And promptly gave up. Going deep was never his thing. He didn’t dwell on the peculiarities of emotion; it was a wasted effort. He only acted on them. And acting on this right now meant keeping her very much tied to him for as long as he desired.

  He took out his mobile and dialled her number.

  She answered in two and he smiled.

  She’d been waiting for him.

  ‘That was quick.’

  ‘I was sending someone a message when it rang.’

  ‘Oh, yeah.’

  Her laugh rippled down the phone, teasing a smile from his own lips. God, she made him feel light.

  Light? What the fuck did that even mean?

  ‘So, a bit of bad news,’ he said—and it was; he didn’t want to delay seeing her another second. ‘I can’t do all day Friday. I have a meeting first thing that can’t be moved.’

  ‘Oh.’ Her disappointment nagged at him down the phone, mirroring his own, and then she was back to being all professional. ‘Well, it’s no problem. I can reschedule for another day.’

  ‘Can you just push it to midday? I’ll be done by then.’

  ‘Leave it with me. I’ll rethink the viewings, stick to the city and that way we can still get two in.’

  He grinned. ‘I like your thinking. And why don’t I take you to dinner in the evening to apologise for messing you around.’

  ‘Dinner?’ He heard her breath rush and his own surprise sparked—an evening dinner? A date? It was hardly inside the perimeter of what they’d shared so far. But it would spark interest. Press interest at that.

  ‘Sure, why not?’ he said. If she was happy to risk it, he sure was.

  Only, she hadn’t answered; in fact he wasn’t even sure she was still there. ‘Zara?’

  ‘You mean, like the dinner we were supposed to have that first night?’

  He laughed. She was right—they’d never left her office, so caught up in one another as they’d been then. And still were. More so even. And what was that about? ‘Yes, an actual dinner out this time, or we could stay in, again?’

  It was her turn to laugh. ‘I’d love to, but I can’t.’

  His gut sank and he straightened against it, his hand taking up the soft basketball he kept by his desk, squeezing it as he asked levelly, ‘Can’t?’

  ‘I’m busy.’

  Busy—doing what?

  He wanted to press, but really what business was it of his?

  ‘Okay,’ he said, and an awkward silence extended. If not for the subtle sound of her breathing he’d think she was no longer there.

  ‘You could always...’ she began and broke off.

  His hand stilled around the ball. ‘I could always?’

  ‘Well...you could come with me?’

  Not another guy, then.

  Relief swamped him even as he tried to rationalise it away—it made sense he wouldn’t want her seeing someone else while they were sleeping together. Perfect, rational sense. It didn’t mean anything more.

  Since when have you been jealous of anyone though?

  ‘Daniel?’ It was her turn to bring him back to the call.

  ‘Would you like me to?’ he asked, parking his unease and focusing on what he wanted in the here and now.

  ‘Only if you want to. It’s an awards thing. I’m not up for any, the business is too new, but it’s good to show your face among the people in the industry and the reporters.’

  ‘The reporters?’ So there were going to be press? Did she realise the potential consequences of that, especially after she’d made it clear how she felt about him—no, not him, his public image?

  ‘Yes, a few.’

  ‘And you’re okay with that?’

  ‘If you are.’

  ‘Excellent.’ He was so frigging relieved she wasn’t going out with another guy, so happy that she was willing to be seen on his arm in public, he’d take anything. And what the hell was that about? The question erupting again and coming far too frequently of late. ‘It’s a date, then.’

  ‘A date,’ she said softly.

  He bit into his bottom lip, a weird excitement rippling in his blood. ‘See you Friday.’

  ‘Friday.’

  ‘Bye.’

  ‘Bye.’

  Hang the damn phone up.

  ‘Looking forward to it.’

  ‘Me too. Goodbye, Daniel.’

  She cut him off and he lowered the phone from his ear, staring at it as if it were the crazy thing. Not him.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  ZARA SCANNED THE road outside her office and smoothed out her dress for the umpteenth time, her tummy fluttering with anticipation, nerves, excitement, the works...

  He was due to collect her any minute, Peters doing the driving as per his usual request. But now she wasn’t sure whether it was because of the higher class of vehicle or because he wanted the freedom to fully enjoy the ride. Either way, she wasn’t complaining.

  She’d seen him Monday, Tuesday, spoken to him Wednesday and yet she felt as if she’d been starved of his presence. She’d even left her phone on charge in the living room the previous night to avoid texting him from bed. Her inability to get him out of her head, particularly when she got beneath her quilt, making the temptation too much. And she didn’t want to appear needy, the fear of sending him running never quitting.

  But you are needy...permanently.

  She let out a shaky breath, a familiar sense of panic welling. She knew it wasn’t a good sign, that she was getting in too deep.

  He was still the Swedish billionaire and sworn bachelor that no w
oman could tie down. Even if he had spent every spare moment of the day outside work with her the last two weeks, including weekends, her viewing schedule as heavy as his calendar would permit. She was surprised he’d afforded her as much time as he had. Julia herself had even made the same remark when she’d called by with flowers to thank her for her help.

  In fact, his sister had even gone as far as to comment on how different he seemed in general. How good it was to see him out of the press. And then she’d lain the blame at Zara’s door and not so subtly suggested that maybe she’d been wrong to warn her off him. That maybe she was good for him after all.

  But nothing had changed. Not really.

  No matter how much she hoped it to be the case, he still wasn’t asking for more. Their desire still burned strong and it was that which kept him hooked, out of the public eye and with her. And it was also that which meant she wasn’t getting anywhere with the property hunt. She wasn’t pushing him into a decision and, although he seemed amicable enough to all the properties, he didn’t seem close to offering. He seemed far too interested in prolonging their time together and, as much as she wanted that too, she couldn’t put her business in jeopardy for it. She needed to secure some sales and if not with him, with other clients, else what was she even doing?

  She gave a sigh and checked her watch. He was late. She pondered texting him—no, too desperate. And, if she was honest, she’d give any ordinary client at least fifteen minutes before chasing, so fifteen it would be, maybe even twenty.

  Twenty-two came and went; she frowned, the fluttering in her belly taking a dive.

  He’s probably just held up.

  She opened her bag to take out her mobile as a glossy black Sprinter pulled up in front of her, the kind you expected to pull up just before a grand bank job, and she looked at it curiously, watching as its doors opened seemingly of their own accord.

  Daniel!

  Her lips lifted, happiness swelling as he stepped down onto the kerb, and she had to stop herself racing to him, keeping her stride slow and steady as the fluttering became an exploding bubble inside.

  ‘You look too good to waste on house viewings,’ he whispered against her ear when she paused before him, his eyes scanning the surroundings. She was used to that manoeuvre now, knew he was assessing their company, gauging friend or foe. They’d not appeared in any article yet, despite their growing intimacy in public. But tonight, tonight was a whole other story. Tonight there were sure to be press and they had both accepted that risk.