He didn’t say a word. He merely enfolded her in his arms, and melded his mouth to hers. She was shocked. She was thrilled! She was relieved. She really did collapse. Her legs folded, but he was there, holding her high and tight against him. His mouth was warm and gentle, filled with the taste of coffee and…familiarity. Ah, yes. She remembered this kiss. She curled her fingers into his shirt. And to think that she was nervous about—
What was he doing here? She just hung up with him. He was across the country. This can’t be Nick, but she couldn’t think straight, especially with the way he kissed her so thoroughly. Maybe she was going crazy. Maybe she was hallucinating. She whimpered into his mouth.
He pulled away, then grinned down at her. “Remember me?”
“What…what are you doing here?” She reached up to touch the hard planes of his face, to prove to herself that it really was him, and he really was here.
“The same thing that you are.” His lips tilted in a lazy smile, which made her heart skip a beat. He turned his head slightly to graze her fingers with his lips.
“You’re in Boston. I just talked to you…how did you know where I…how did you know what—”
“You really don’t get it do you?” He lazily covered her face with light kisses. “You’re mine tonight, Maureen. Bought and paid for.” His eyes remained on hers while realization dawned.
“You mean…you?”
“I’m the highest bidder.”
“But how did you know?” She looked away, “I…God I didn’t want you to know.” He led her to the sofa, where he leaned across her to turn on the lamp. She blinked in the sudden brightness, and stared up at him in awe.
“Sit down.” She did, because her legs were still unsteady. He sat beside her, and took her hands in his.
“I knew who you were. From the very beginning.”
“How?” Maureen’s voice was thin, barely audible.
“Maureen, I read the papers and listen to the news just like anyone else in this town. Did you think I wouldn’t know who you were? Did you think that those eyeglasses were enough to hide your amazing eyes?” His voice rose in irritation, and she lowered her eyes.
“I hoped you wouldn’t know. You were in Boston most of the time, and so…”
“You made national news, not just local.”
She glanced at him, but then snapped her gaze back to their clasped hands.
“But before that,” he continued. “I’d talked Lottie into bringing you out to dinner at Tito’s.” She searched his face then, but his grin wasn’t dishonest, it was mischievous.
“Why?”
“I wanted to meet you. You intrigued me.”
“Intrigued?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
“Not repulsed?”
“Never.” He sealed the statement with a kiss. A kiss so gentle and stirring that she opened her eyes only when he pulled away. She’d melted into the back of the leather sofa.
“Aunt Lottie knew…all along?”
He shook his head. “She knew I was interested, but she couldn’t rig the outcome, that would be illegal.” He laughed. “Oh, no. I had to sit by my computer just like every other horny bastard out there, upping the bid and hoping to God that Lottie would close it before someone else got in.
“I can’t believe this. Lottie knew today, and she wouldn’t—”
“I swore her to secrecy. I wanted to surprise you. Did it work?”
She nodded in amazement and laughed. She still couldn’t grasp this turn of events, but he was here. She wasn’t alone with a big clumsy oaf, or a homicidal maniac.
“But…your conference?”
“I left yesterday. I flew back last night. Now, why don’t you show me how much you’ve missed me?” he said with a devilish grin.
Reenie answered with a sensuous smile. She stood on suddenly very sturdy legs, and dropped her purse to the floor. She reached up into her hair, and slid the long pins free, allowing her hair to fall over her shoulders.
Nick stood, reaching up into her heavy auburn strands. He dragged his fingers through the wavy tresses, he seemed fascinated by the many colors that slithered between his fingers.
“I feel like I know you so well. We’ve talked about everything on the phone. I know so much about you, but this is the first time I’ve just…ah, touched you.” He pulled her against his chest. He tucked her head beneath his chin, and breathed in her hair.
“You touched me outside the bar that night.”
“I didn’t touch you like this. I manhandled you. I’m still a little pissed at myself for that night, but I couldn’t help my… ah…baby, I feel your heart beating so fast against mine. Are you scared?”
“No…no.” She laughed at the ridiculous question. “Nick, I’m thrilled. I’m excited. I’m so happy, but I’m not scared. I know you won’t hurt me, just…teach me so I know how to please you.”
“Ah, Maureen,” he groaned. She felt him swallow before he continued. “I know you think I’m only after sex. I bungled it when I touched you that first night. And then I couldn’t keep my mind out of the gutter when we talked on the phone, and I can’t seem to keep my hands off of you now, and then there’s the money.” He swore, then tightened his arms around her. “Just know that I’m happy simply holding you like this. Don’t feel like you have to do anything else. I don’t want you to worry tonight, or whenever you’re with me. I’ll never force you to give more than you’re willing to share, and I’ll never be disappointed. Understand?”
Maureen nodded into his shirt. She didn’t trust her voice. How did he know what she wanted to hear? The clenching sensation in her chest was so sharp it almost hurt. She nuzzled his shirt again.
His hard-muscled chest rose and fell with each deep breath. The sound of his heart beating was yet another thrill. She pulled slightly away, leaning against his arms that were wrapped around her waist. The wedge of skin that showed above his collar intrigued her. She traced the triangle shape over his collar bone, and back up to his throat. She knew he was watching her, and it gave her a powerful jolt of courage.
With one hand, she released the first button on his shirt. She touched the skin revealed with the other. Then another button slipped free. Each inch she exposed made her mouth water. His chest was smooth and tight. His pectorals were carved with a deliciously masculine curve. When his shirt was open to the waist, she pulled the tails from his slacks, and spread his shirt open, pulling it over his shoulders to gather at his elbows
“Oh, that’s nice,” she murmured, then pressed her lips against his chest. His hands were still linked at the small of her back, and she could feel his muscles tightening.
His spicy cologne teased her senses. She nibbled and licked a path across his chest. Her hands skimmed across his shoulders, over the peaks of his dark nipples…she couldn’t touch him enough. Pressing her palms against the bare skin on his arms, she pulled away yet again for a better look. “I love the way you look.” She swirled a finger around one nipple, then she eyed his thin belt. Did she have the guts to go further? She ran her fingers down the expanse of his chest, below his navel, then slipped her fingertips beneath the waistband.
Hissing a string of curses, he grasped her wrists and pulled her hands back to his chest. He kissed her on the tip of her nose. “Come.” He shouldered back into his shirt, but left it open. He kept her hand in his, and led her down two steps, across the huge room, and up three other small steps where the bed was set on a platform backed by the huge window. It had been turned down, revealing luxurious white bedding. Her breath caught in her throat when she imagined them lying together.
“I don’t think I told you how much I missed you yet.”
She loved the way his hands felt hard and strong on her shoulders. She felt so utterly feminine against his masculine frame. She couldn’t stop touching his chest; it was at eye level, and so damn sexy.
“Feel free.” She took a step closer.
“You were on my mind the whole time I was gone. When I should have been concentrating on my meetings and presentations, all I could think about was getting back here. I really was supposed to stay another day, but I couldn’t miss this.”
“Didn’t you have any fun at all?” She bared her throat to allow his fevered kisses.
“Some of the others would meet in the hotel bar, but I had to get to my room each night to call you.” He spoke between pecking kisses along her jaw.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not.” He deftly unfastened the clasp at her nape. Her dress drooped down, baring more of her back and cleavage.
She probably should feel self-conscious, but all she wanted was to feel his skin against hers.
“I like your dress.” His words were hot against her ear. “Is there a zipper or—”
“Just another snap.” He found it, then took the material on her shoulders in his hands and peeled it off of her. Once free of her arms, the fabric pooled around her feet. His gaze dropped to her chest. The construction of the dress didn’t allow for a bra, so she’d gone without, hoping it would give her confidence a boost. Now, as his eyes devoured her, and he didn’t say anything for so long, she felt the first twinge of nervousness.
“Jesus,” he groaned. One long finger came around to trace the shadows her erect nipples cast on her abdomen in the dim lighting. “You’re so fucking beautiful Maureen. For weeks I’ve tried to imagine what you would look like, but…damn.”
She relaxed at his obvious approval.
He set her away from him so his gaze could forge a path down her stomach. Her pink lace panties seemed to fascinate him. There wasn’t much to them, they rode well below her navel, and one thin string secured the front panel to the thong in the back.
He dropped to his knees in front of her, brought both hands to cup her bare buttocks. Maureen cried out, and grabbed his shoulders to steady herself. He pushed her back toward the bed until she sat on its edge. When he lifted his eyes to hers, they were smoldering. She caught her breath, and smiled shyly, and he returned her smile with one anything but shy. He dragged his hands around to her thighs. His thumbs drew hypnotizing circles on her skin.
He sat back on his heels, and took one of her sandaled feet in his hands. With ultimate care, and with his gaze holding hers captive, he unwrapped the strap from her ankle, then slipped it from her foot in a long sliding movement, pausing to kiss each toe reverently.
That done, he kissed his way back to cover the pink fabric of her panties with his open mouth. His hot moist breath came through the airy material, and hit her with an almost violent force.
One finger slid beneath the elastic leg, the back of his finger brushed her swollen lips in an electric sweep. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take before he touched her. When he inhaled, the rush of air against her flesh proved how wet she’d become, her juices coated her and chilled.
“You smell good. I know you’ll taste good baby.” Even the vibration of his voice against the supersensitive tissue crackled like static.
“Please,” she squeaked, then drew a deep breath and tried again. “Please Nick.”
In answer, he slid his finger from beneath the lace, and cupped a breast in each hand. In the next breath his mouth had enfolded one erect nipple. She arched her back and released a long shuddering moan. She dug her fingers against his scalp, holding him tight against her breast. She knew that all he would have to do was touch her throbbing clit and she’d be lost. She almost reached down to touch herself when he pulled her to her feet, breaking away from her breast to cover her mouth in another passionate kiss.
“I knew it. I knew you would feel good, taste…mmm” He batted her earlobe with his tongue. “You taste so good.”
He released her, and she stood swaying with unfulfilled desire for only a moment before he pulled the robe over her shoulders. She peeled her eyes open, not realizing when they’d closed, and looked up into his gorgeous face, set in a determined expression.
“What…what are you doing?”
He glanced up at her for a split second, then returned his attention to sliding her arms into the heavy sleeves. After he’d tied the sash at her waist, he shot her a smile.
“Are you hungry?”
She whimpered, trying to form words of outrage, but he just turned away from her, and strode to the table. One side of the table had been set for two, with three sterling domes. She followed him in a dream-like state. She hadn’t even noticed the table had been set until now.
“I had an early lunch.”
Maureen sat dumbly in the chair he’d pulled out for her, and watched him in awe.
“I just ordered a variety finger food, I hope you like it.”
It was a variety. There was sushi, vegetables with a creamy dip, rolls of sliced turkey and roast beef, cucumber sandwiches, and bruschetta. He served a healthy portion of each onto his plate, then picked up hers and looked at her pointedly.
“Uh, just some bruschetta please.”
He placed several slices onto her plate, then filled both of their glasses with a dark red wine.
It was quite a few minutes later before her body stopped humming enough for her to be able to bite into the crisp bread. He dug in without apology.
Was it to be torture? Was he the most sinister of all serial murderers, who would kill his victim with unconsummated desire? He licked his fingers, totally comfortable as she sat beside him in nothing but her panties and robe. He looked so dangerously sexy with his white shirt hanging open over his toasty-brown chest. She counted the ripples to verify the six-pack. When her eyes dropped below his belt, she saw that he wasn’t as unaffected as he seemed. His erection poked against his black slacks, tenting the fly.
She smothered a smile.
If he planned on torturing her, at least he was similarly uncomfortable. How could she complain about Nick taking his time? Surely only a confident and giving man would take the time to woo her even when her capitulation was guaranteed. Besides, wouldn’t she feel rather guilty about a two and a half million dollar date that took all of thirty minutes? And he really did look hungry.
She took another bite. The bruschetta was really delicious, as was the wine.
When she’d unlocked the door to the suite, she didn’t know how she would last even an hour, and now she wanted tonight to last as long as possible. She tried to forcibly bank the flames of her flaring hormones, and enjoy the meal. It was hard, though, when each time their eyes met an arc of smoldering need would reach out and sizzle her. The more she tried to keep her eyes averted, the more difficult it became.
She hadn’t finished half her glass before he refilled it.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“Why would I want to do that?” He smirked.
“To take advantage of me?”
He didn’t answer, his smirk simply simmered. He could have said that he didn’t need to get her drunk. He could have said that she signed a contract, and she was his for the night. He didn’t say either, but his crooked grin widened.
She took another long drink.
He gestured toward the clock. “I told you I’d talk to you on Friday at the usual time.”
“I’m still a little amazed at what you did. And the money…” She blushed. She shouldn’t have brought it up, but she might as well jump in with both feet. “I didn’t realize you were…that you had—”
“It’s old money. It was getting moldy in the bank anyway.” He tilted her chin up with one long finger, and leaned in to pierce her with his mocha gaze. “I didn’t tell you about my wealth because I knew it made you uncomfortable. I admit I don’t know what it’s like to live the way you grew up—counting pennies, or to have to make the choice between food and heat.”
“Don’t tell me I’m a charity—”
“I didn’t mean to imply that.” He held up a hand. “But knowing that you walked into this room willing to give it all up means a hell of a lot to me Maureen. I had already resigned myself to the fact that you could have very possibly ended up with another man tonight. I knew that if I didn’t get the final bid, I would have had to let some other lucky devil have this night with you, and I’d see you tomorrow, pretending it didn’t tear my heart out, but I would have done it. Even if you never told me about this little episode in your life, I was ready to start an amazing relationship with you, which incidentally I still am interested in pursuing,” he said as an aside, making her heart flutter like a caged finch. As magnetic as Nick was, she pulled her attention away.
“I almost wish I did come in here to call it off with some other man. I don’t want to feel guilty every time I see you after tonight, or feel like I owe you—”
“Listen to me.” He cupped her chin and got in her face. “You signed this contract, and so did I. We’re both adults here, and I’m not going to hold anything over your head.”
“But I came in here to break the contract. Especially now…I don’t want your money.”
“That money is nothing to me, do you hear? I’ll make it up within three months, I won’t even miss it. Right now you mean more to me than any currency. Understand?”
She nodded, as much as his tight hold would allow, wondering how much he must have if he wouldn’t even miss two and a half million dollars. Yes, his wealth did intimidate her. She suddenly felt silly imagining his man-cave.
She giggled. “I guess you don’t live in a van down by the river then?”
His grip turned into a caress, and his smile returned. “I live in a very big, very empty home.” She looked down again. “I also have an apartment in Maui you might like, and the house in Vail which is just for fun.”
“You…” She shook her head. She’d been conned. “I thought you were telling me your dreams, what you wanted.”
“One hazard of being born wealthy is the fact that there isn’t anything I want that I can’t have. One way or the other. Sometimes it can be a dangerous thing, but that’s who I am. I thought I told you. If I want it, I get it.”
She raised an eyebrow in a challenge. She looked pointedly at the last tiny cucumber sandwich, then back at him.
They reached for it at the same time. She shrieked, trying to keep the slippery sandwich from falling apart, while keeping it away from him. Just when she thought she had it, he forcibly took it out of her hand, amidst a lot of laughter. It was okay though, because he fed it to her one small bite at a time, until her lips touched his fingers.
“Your mouth drives me crazy.” He moved in to speak the words against her lips. Her white-knuckled grip on the arms of the chair was all that kept her from melting and sliding onto the floor.
He drew his tongue across her trembling lower lip, then along the top one, pausing at the bow to trace it carefully, as if he would be chastised for coloring outside of the lines.
She could have pulled him closer, she desperately wanted to feel his mouth on hers, but the sweet caress of his tongue was too delicious to forego. She whimpered in surrender, and her eyes fluttered closed.
“We can save dessert for later if you’d like.” Each movement of his lips as he spoke soothed her quivering mouth.
“Yes, let’s.”
Now he would take her to bed. Her heart pounded, knocking a pagan beat against her ribs. He straightened, and offered his hand to her. She placed her small hand in his much larger palm, and allowed him to help her to her feet.
“You haven’t even seen the hot tub that’s in the bath.” Hot tub? Was he crazy? She cast a longing glance at the wide bed, but he didn’t see.
He led her through the wide arches, then behind an ornate door to a bathroom that was larger than some apartments. Marble tile covered every conceivable surface, its color and texture varied to give the room the appearance of cleanliness as well as warmth. Sure enough, a marble hot tub sat in one corner, beside which two enormous towels were warming.
“Go ahead, climb in.” He started the jets with a flick of the timer on the wall. She looked up at him apprehensively.
Forget for one minute that she was wound so damn tight she was about to spring. “Like this?” She spread her arms to indicate that she didn’t have a suit. He considered her for a moment.
“I’d lose the robe if I were you. Would you like some help?”
She looked pointedly at his clothes. “Will you be joining me?”
“Do you think there’s room?” He untied her belt and parted the heavy collar. One nipple peeked through the opening, and he groaned hungrily. “I love your body, baby. I love what it does to me…Christ, I can’t wait to feel what it’s like inside you.”
“Then don’t wait.” She reached for his belt. Her fumbling fingers were able to pull it from its clasp. Before he could stop her, if that would be his intent, she flipped the button through the hole and dragged the zipper down.
“Shit, baby. Touch me. Touch me until I die from the heaven of it.” His hands gripped her shoulders, holding her with an iron grip
She looked down, his blue boxer shorts barely concealed him, the tip of his penis poked from behind the elastic. She’d never touched a man’s bare cock, but there wasn’t a hesitation in her touch, she slipped her hand beneath his underwear and circled him with bold fingers.
His body jerked, but he didn’t stop her. She looked up at him. His eyes were pinched shut, his teeth gnashed together in either extreme pain or pleasure.
She released her hold on him only long enough to peel away his pants and boxers in one move, and they dropped around his ankles. His groan was animalistic, almost frightening. He dug his hands into her hair and pulled her mouth to his.
Her caresses grew bolder. She explored his smooth shaft, his rough balls, even the slit in the end where a drop of moisture pearled.
She was relieved when he covered her breast with one hand, and her aching mound with the other. Yes, finally…relief. She squeezed, just enough for him to feel the pressure, then she pushed down. Back up, then again, harder.
He took her mouth with a voracious appetite. His tongue darted inside her mouth with a desperate stabbing. Maureen lost control when he slipped a finger inside her wet entrance.
“Yes…oh Nick that feels good, don’t stop.”
He’d been teasing her since she set foot in the suite. Every touch, every kiss…even his easy conversation over their meal was enough to wind her up like a tight spring.
“Do you want to come, Maureen?” He spoke low against her ear. She moaned incoherently, her hand still working on his stiff cock.
His fingers swirled inside her. One? No, two…maybe three fingers…she didn’t know, and she couldn’t look; she couldn’t open her eyes against the pure pleasure that ran through her veins. The familiar tingling-weakness flooded her belly, and sizzled to her toes. She matched his tempo, trying not to hurt him with her frantic dry pulls on his dick, as his pace slowly increased. Each stroke of his fingers brought her closer to the edge. Her hips worked against his hands almost of their own accord. Her entire body was out of control, the only focus was this man in front of her, and the pleasure he could deliver. One long flick of his thumb against her clit, and she gasped. She felt her body weaken, then surge into undulating spasms. He released her breast to reach around her hips and press her against him, trapping her hands between their bodies.
“Ah…you’ve done it,” he groaned seconds before she felt the hot sticky ejaculate spit against her breasts, belly and hand.
He kissed her hungrily. She continued caressing him, even though his cock grew softer. His kisses softened along with it. He pulled away slightly, and shook his head.
“Poor baby, you were wound so tight.”
She ducked her head in embarrassment. That was true, Once again she’d come after only a few strokes of his magical fingers. Was this how it was with every man? Or did Nick hold some sort of power over her? She didn’t even explode like that on her own. Of course her body had been ready for this for hours. No, days.
Maybe weeks.
“Now we need a shower before the hot tub.” He winked, then tilted his head to look into her face. “What’s wrong?”
“I wanted to feel you inside me.” She stuck out her lower lip.
He laughed and tweaked her lip. “Baby, we have all night. We have all weekend. If I’m lucky, we’ll have a hell of a lot of time.” He took her hand and walked across the bathroom to turn on the shower. He wasn’t the least bit self-conscious of his nudity. She loved watching the way his muscles moved beneath his tanned skin, much like a powerful mountain lion’s stalking gait.
They stood under the rain showerhead, but the soap was lost and forgotten as tongues danced across each other, and curious hands found and delighted.
And later, Maureen thought she might slip into a desire-induced coma, and drown in the bubbling water of the hot tub. Nick didn’t touch her intimately, but they sat across from one another, and he took each of her feet onto his lap to massage them with his very strong, very capable hands. She rested her head against the edge of the Jacuzzi; she’d draped her hair behind her to let it dry.
“So you wanted to feel me inside you, huh?”
“Mm hm.” She closed her eyes so that he couldn’t read her mischief. “But now I’m satisfied, and I think I’ll just go to sleep.”
He stood, letting the water rush down his body. The movement startled Maureen, and she opened her eyes. He glared down at her as if she was a disobedient child, but his stern face lost some of its effect when she saw his hard cock waving with his motion and dripping water. He calmly bent down to retrieve a towel, then he scooped her up, and trailed hot water through the bathroom door.
Maureen laughed with sheer delight, and threw her arms around his neck. His skin was clean and hot. She licked the water from his shoulders. He set her down beside the bed and used the towel to dry her. Rather than brusquely rubbing, he pressed the plush towel against her, dabbing the water off. He dried himself with much less ceremony, then tossed the towel aside.
With a hungry fire burning behind his amber eyes, he again lifted her with one hand beneath her knees. He laid her in the middle of the bed, smiled down at her, and smoothed her dark hair across the white pillows.
“God, you look so good lying beneath me.” He studied her for a long time, one arm bracing him up, the other trailing the backs of his fingers across her flesh.
“You look good leaning over me.” She followed one bulging vein along his muscled arm.
He reached for the covers, and enfolded them both. He snuggled against her before kissing her slowly. He nibbled her lips, he licked her teeth, he sucked on her tongue. When she sighed in pure joy, he laughed.
“Sweet dreams.” He laid his head beside hers, and pulled her against him.
He was going to sleep? She couldn’t believe this. “No!”
“Yes,” he mumbled, drawing one leg up to cover hers, and one hand proprietarily on her left breast. “The hot tub made me sleepy too, now be quiet.”
“Nick!”
“Hm?”
“I…I don’t think you understand the…uh…” Lord, his hand felt good on her breast. When he rubbed it like that, so soothing and…
“Understand what, Maureen?”
“How hard it is.”
“I understand how hard it is.” He pressed his arousal into her thigh to prove it. “Are you that anxious to seal the deal? Once you have me, are you going to run screaming out of here and rush home?”
“No…oh, no that’s not it. It’s just that…I’ve been waiting for weeks, and then…and now you’re here, and—”
“Shh.” He laughed, that sexy predatory laugh that curled her toes when she heard it. “I’m not going anywhere. I want to sleep beside you. I want to feel you move when you dream, I want to wake up with your legs tangled in mine.” He kissed her neck below her ear, then rested his cheek against hers. “I know that you think I’m in a hurry to get inside you, and I am. And maybe if I didn’t force myself on you that first night, maybe we’d be fucking like rabbits right now.” She felt the crease of his cheek when he smiled against hers. “But I’m not going to rush this. I want you to know for sure that this isn’t about sex. This whole night’s been like one long orgasm for me. It started when you walked through that door, and I don’t want it to end.”
Maureen loved the intensity with which he spoke. She loved to see that fire burning behind his eyes. And the way his jaw worked when he was being serious. God he was…what did Lottie say? Oh yes…decadent.
“If I died right now, I’d still die happy. Even if I never got to taste the heaven between your thighs.”
“Nick,” she groaned.
“Shh, go to sleep, love. I’ll be here when you wake up.” He scooted beneath her to ease her onto her side. He pulled her back against his chest, and breathed out a long sigh of contentment.
So this was the big deal about spooning. His breath on her nape, the pressure of his chest against her spine. She tried to entice him to stay awake and finish what he’d begun by circling her hips against his rigid flesh. He only chuckled, then used a firm hand below her navel to steady her. A little devil whispered in her ear and she took that hand in hers and tried to bring it down to her clit. He would have none of it. He wouldn’t budge.
“Stop it, or you’re sleeping on the couch,” he snarled.
Maureen lay still, in shock. There was no way she could sleep. With him beside her, naked as the day he was born, but with a grown man’s hard on? Not to mention the fire raging in her loins?
Sleep? No way. But after cursing his stubborn Y-chromosome to no avail, and with Nick’s steady breathing and secure embrace, she actually…eventually…did sleep.