A Taste of Passion ; Ambitious Seduction

by Chloe Blake

  He shrugged off his jacket in the now sweltering room. “You had every right. I want to explore what’s raging between us. I like you, Kamilla.”

  The lack of reaction didn’t give him hope. “I’m sorry I reacted so harshly. It’s habit. One I need to break.”

  Unbuttoning his shirt exposed the gift the surgeons had left him when he’d been six. He looked up to see her watching him, at least her face held an expression of interest. “I was born with a congenital heart defect where the aorta narrows and the blood can’t get pumped to the rest of the body as well as it should.

  “Since I was pretty much okay, they wanted to wait until I got older to see if they needed to do something about it. They weren’t looking to do surgery on a toddler, and some people can live their whole life without it bothering them.”

  “You weren’t one of them.”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t eat or play like I should’ve, because I suffered from fatigue. I was the smallest in my kindergarten class, too.”

  Her upper lip curled. “I’m having a hard time believing that.”

  “It’s true. The cardiologist took me to surgery. The first time, he did it without cutting me, but something went wrong and he had do an emergency open-heart surgery later that evening.” He rubbed the scar and looked back in his mind. “I don’t remember much, but I do recall waking up in pain and crying. I’m sure recovery for a kid is easier than for an adult, but it’s still a rough process.”

  The sympathy in her eyes was clear. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

  “Thank you.” He extended his arms out wide. “As you can see, I’m now physically exceptional.”

  She laughed. “And humble.”

  “My parents spent years trying to control my environment. Attempting to make my life easier at school and home. I got mercilessly teased by my schoolmates because the teachers babied me.”

  “I can see how that could get a kid made fun of.”

  “By the time I reached junior high school, the tables had turned. I was the same size as the others and even bigger than some. I had no difficulty showing those kids just how strong I’d become.”

  Pleased by her laughter, he continued. “My parents laid off, too, especially once they noticed how determined I’d became to do things on my own and excelled.”

  She pointed a finger at him. “Now that sounds like you.”

  “I work hard for everything I have because I can.” He assessed her. “Does that make sense?”

  “Why did you get so upset when I asked you about it?”

  He sat back in the couch. “People can be jerks when it comes to thinking they know who I am.”

  The muscle in her jaw jumped as she sprang up. “Excuse me for being a jerk. Thanks for explaining. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Before she could take a step, he inserted himself in front of her. “I didn’t mean you. As much as I love being my parents’ son, it can be hard when people try to use me to get to them. I sort of get defensive when my name or the fact that I have money comes into the conversation. Do you understand?”

  She glared up into his eyes. “Sort of.”

  “Anyway, it’s become habit to put people in their place. I shouldn’t have done it to you, because you have every right to know.”

  “Why?”

  “I mentioned earlier that I like you.”

  “Why?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Because you ask questions as if you’re four years old.”

  She smacked him on the shoulder. “I’m serious. You could be trying to make a play for the partnership by softening me up or something. Or you could be manipulating me to get back into my pants. Or—”

  “I could’ve realized just what an amazing woman you are. How incredibly intelligent, beautiful and kind. Need I mention this attraction? It’s not an everyday occurrence between two people and I’d like to explore it. And besides, tell me you think anyone can soften you up enough to make a play for the partnership without you knocking them off at the knees.”

  Her eyes glittered when she smiled. “You’re right about that. One more question while you’re being open.”

  He braced himself for the worst. “Shoot.”

  “You could’ve worked anywhere. Why did you choose Peterson, Benton, Monroe and Lanner?”

  Not a difficult question after all. “Because of Monroe.”

  “Not the nicest man in the world, but he’s one of the best in corporate law.”

  Leonardo nodded. “Like you, he worked his way up from the ground. As a black man, it wasn’t an easy accomplishment, especially when he had no one to support him. He’s friends with a few people on my mother’s side of the family, so he’s seen me grow up. He knows I work hard, not living off the laurels of my name. Other law firms would’ve promoted me just to have the Astacio name as an attachment. Not Monroe. If I were to ever become a partner in his firm, I’d have to be worthy.”

  “The only way to prove yourself. I get it.”

  Of course she would. “Are we okay?”

  “Only if you promise me one thing.”

  I should make love to you and take you to the heights of pleasure? Gladly. He took a step backward to prevent himself from grabbing her. “What?”

  “You’ll talk to me instead of shutting me out.”

  “I can try.”

  With a brisk nod, she pivoted toward her room. “Have a good night.”

  Disappointment speared him once he realized that the conversation was over and he wouldn’t be seeing her again until the morning. “You, too.” My love.

  Chapter 19

  A thirty-minute warm soak in the Jacuzzi tub and Kamilla still couldn’t relax. A roller-coaster ride with an eighty-degree drop was less dramatic than what had happened tonight. Transitioning from a state of possibly loving Leonardo to not being able to stand him, and then back to caring for him again. This was why she preferred being in the middle of a relationship. At least it tended to lack turmoil. Mostly.

  He’d been so open with his story and his declaration of how he felt.

  She’d stopped counting the number of times in the past hour she’d gone to her door to storm over to his room so she could throw herself at him. What would be the harm? They’d already had sex once. So why couldn’t she just go out there, knock on his door and invite herself in?

  What if he’d changed his mind and didn’t want her anymore? Or what if she got addicted to his loving and he left her for someone else?

  The phrase he’s not your ex kept looping in her mind. By staying in her room, she remained emotionally safe, yet sexually frustrated. She opened the first of the wooden panels separating her from Leonardo and marched out. Backing down as she saw the single barrier to getting to him, she turned and headed for the kitchen. Maybe a mug of hot chocolate might help calm her.

  She screamed when she tripped over something as she passed the couch.

  Strong arms holding on to her didn’t shut down the fear as she struck her captor.

  “Kamilla, it’s me.” Leonardo’s voice penetrated and soothed.

  She backed away and turned on the side lamp so she could lambaste him properly. “You scared the crap out of me. What are you doing here, sitting in the dark?”

  “Couldn’t sleep.”

  His voice came through a little muffled as her focus caught attention to his shirtless body. Her mouth watered at the wide expanse of muscular chest, shoulders and abs she could grate cheese on. Coming back to her senses, she flung her gaze from the small disk of his nipples to his eyes. “Um...uh...me neither.”

  The lout didn’t even pretend to ignore the effect he had on her. He stalked toward her. Kamilla tried to hustle away, but her feet refused to move.

  Close enough for her to feel the enticing masculinity he emitted. Raw need possessed her. She couldn’t resist
anymore. In a rush she leaned forward and covered his lips with a hard kiss. Without hesitation his arms banded around her and pulled her to him as his tongue delved into her mouth.

  Her tongue found itself dueling with his in a battle that mimicked the verbal slayings they tended to engage in. And yet it wasn’t enough. She stroked her hands up the hard planes of his body until she clung to his neck, bringing herself flush against him with a moan of satisfaction.

  He gripped her ass and lifted her off the ground. She needed no more prodding to wrap her legs around his waist. Their movement to his room barely registered as he tore his lips away from her mouth to suck a spot on her neck that had her legs flexing to ensure he didn’t leave her.

  Ignited by his exclusive scent, she grabbed the sides of his head with both hands, bringing his mouth back to hers to dive into his heat. Relishing the taste of whiskey and the sultry feel of him, she brushed her hand against his head. Her feet slid to the floor when he released his hold.

  He separated them long enough to undo the tie of her robe. “I wanted to strip that dress off you all night.”

  She’d wanted the same. “Do you want me to go put it back on?” She teased in what she hoped was a sultry tone.

  His eyes blazed as he slipped off the robe to reveal a simple navy blue satin nightie, which reached past her knees. “What you have on is better.”

  She looked down to find her nipples beckoning him. He zeroed in, rolling the peaks between his fingers. The throbbing heat at her center was almost too much to endure. He slid his fingers beneath the straps of her gown and lowered them until her breasts were free.

  Her world went dark for a moment when he caressed her breasts in his large hands.

  She had no doubt they were doing the right thing. The only thing that could happen at this point in time. She went for the elastic waist of his pajama bottoms and circled her fingers against the rim. The heat in his eyes goaded her. Her vision got a little blurry when he kneaded one breast while sucking on the other.

  She slid his pants down only to find he wore no underwear beneath. She licked her lips as she remembered the mind-shattering orgasm his hard length had once induced from her.

  He smoothed the nightgown over her hips and thighs, leaving her wearing absolutely nothing. He looked into her eyes and gave a lopsided, wolfish smile. “Were you expecting me, or do you always sleep without panties?”

  She reached for him and wrapped her hand around his length. His eyes fluttered closed. “I’m sure that’s not the most important thing on your mind right now.”

  His lips worked their magic on her mouth as she stroked him. “I have to get a condom,” he whispered. She nodded and let him go, scoping him from broad back to a narrow waist, a tight behind to thick, muscular thighs. Perfect. The unzipping of a bag drew her attention. He removed a box from the side pocket and opened it.

  She blinked at what she saw. Stepping in his direction, she plucked the individual packet from his hand and reached for the box. Removing the other two condoms, she held up the one she liked best. “Blue is pretty, but I’d like a red one. You have a way of setting my body on fire.”

  His answer was to slam against her and kiss her as if it were the only thing they had to do. She couldn’t focus while he touched her, so she backed away, tore open the packet with shaky fingers and slid the condom onto him as he watched. The moment she finished, he lifted her. She wound her legs around him and pressed her chest against his, finding his strength to be an aphrodisiac.

  She kissed her way along the side of his neck, up to his ear, where she rimmed the shell with her tongue as he backed her up against the wall. Ready and wet for him, she loosened her legs, looked down and reached between them to guide him into her. She screamed at the exquisite invasion of his hard thrust. Better than she’d remembered. When he paused, buried deep inside her, she looked into his eyes. The concern in them brought her mouth onto his as she clenched her inner walls around him to let him know he hadn’t hurt her.

  Withdrawing, he slammed into her. His moan of pleasure turned her on as much as being filled by him. He became her world. She absorbed the full length of him over and over as she held onto his sleek, sweaty shoulders. Still inside of her, he moved backward until he sat on a chair. Stabilizing her legs on either side of his strong thighs, she slid up his length and then back down. Slow at first, and then she sped up their rhythm. Lifting his hips he drove himself deep into her with every thrust. All it took was the hard suckling of her nipple and she exploded all over him as she called out, “Leo.” Not able to clear the other syllables as she came. Kamilla clamped onto his shoulders, digging her nails in as he thrust up into her hard and fast. He set off another out-of-body orgasm as he came with her name on his lips.

  Collapsing against him, she panted as she kissed his salty shoulder. Licked his neck and ended up at his lips. The kiss was so sweet, she started rotating her hips on him again.

  He chuckled. His large hands held her hips still. “You’re going to get us into trouble if you keep moving.”

  She whimpered in disappointment when he slid out. She hung on as he held her close.

  Leonardo pulled away first, lifting her onto her gelatinous legs as he gazed into her eyes. He hooked an arm beneath her legs and lifted her, movie-style. He walked to the bed and laid her down. After a lingering kiss, he covered her with the sheet and comforter. With a brush of his lips to her forehead, he headed to the bathroom, leaving her with one thought: Why didn’t my stubborn ass do that sooner?

  Chapter 20

  Leonardo startled awake when something kicked him.

  “Get the elephant.” Kamilla said in a forceful tone as she flailed on the bed. “He’s not himself and he’ll feel bad if he hurts anyone.”

  He watched her for a moment, expecting her to open her eyes and start laughing. Deep, even breathing met him. What was that all about? Should he wake her up?

  “Kamilla,” he whispered. No response on her now peaceful countenance. He stroked the side of her smooth cheek, feeling overwhelmed by her beauty. They’d made love last night. His body stirred as he recalled just how he’d felt plunging into her.

  Just like the first time, she’d been volcanic. Smiling, he recalled her choice of the red condom over the blue one. He’d have to thank his brother for the gag gift. It had made the chore of protecting them sexier and added a bit of fun to their lovemaking.

  He studied her. So peaceful. Would it be a bad thing to wake her up so they could do it again? As he contemplated the question, he stroked his hand down the satiny-smooth skin of her arm.

  A smile spread across her full lips before her eyes opened. Her scream may have pierced his eardrums.

  With her hand on her chest, she breathed hard as she glared at him from a seated position. “What the hell?”

  “You’re the one who kicked me out of a sound sleep. Literally.”

  She blinked down at him and giggled. “Oh. I’m sorry. I talk and move in my sleep.”

  “Would’ve been nice to know before we slept together.”

  The strap of the nightgown she’d put back on slid down her shoulder. He had difficulty tearing his gaze away from her covered breasts. He reached out for one when they puckered.

  He looked up into her eyes as he rubbed her nipple with his thumb. Her groan replaced any comment she’d been about to make. Lying next to each other, they kissed. Nothing sweet like their last one. It was meant to tell him how much she wanted him. Maybe almost as much as he did her.

  He slid his hand lower, over the satin of her gown. He reached the hem and pulled it up, making sure to skim his hand along her thigh. “Why didn’t you just sleep naked?”

  “I’m not comfortable sleeping without clothes. I grew up in foster care, remember. Never any privacy.”

  Wishing he could make it up to her, he slid his hand over her hip until he cupped her mound. “I may have t
o break you of that habit. It’s just you and me.”

  Her coy smile made him harder. “I made a concession with the panties.”

  “It’s a start.”

  Her side of the conversation ended when she moaned as he slipped a finger through her folds and circled her sensitive bud. “You’re so wet.” He slid a finger into her, drew it out and then sent a second in with the first. “So slick. Do you like that?” He watched as her eyes closed, her neck arched back and she simpered. “You like it.”

  She wound her hips against his hands. “When the hell did you become so talkative?” She tugged the gown up to expose her breasts. “I think your mouth has something better to do.”

  He laughed as he lowered his head and obliged. It didn’t take long before she squeezed her thighs together as she quivered with her orgasm. Nothing could be as gorgeous as her coming apart. The opposite of the controlled woman he knew.

  He reached for the box of condoms on the nightstand. “What color?”

  “Huh?”

  “Or I have glow in the dark, flavored and pleasure shaped, whatever that means.”

  She levered herself up onto her elbows. “Where did you get these condoms? And how much sex were you expecting to have?” Her eyes went wide as she reached for the sheet to cover herself. He held her hand still, keeping her exposed. “Did you think I was a sure thing?”

  “No. My brother put them in as a gag gift of sorts. He has a warped sense of humor.”

  She resembled a statue as she studied him.

  Naked physically, he may as well expose himself emotionally. “You’re the one person in my life I can’t predict, Kamilla. When I think you’ll go left, you shoot straight up. If it hadn’t been for my brother, we would’ve used the condom I keep in my wallet.” He held up a finger. “One wouldn’t have been enough.”

  That got him a small grin before she got on her knees, dragged her gown over her head and kissed him. When she pulled back, she looked down at his erection and licked her lips. “You’d have to leave the bed to get the flavored ones. Let’s use the yellow one. For now.”