Zander sat in the limo, next to Effie, his mind in a tangled twist. He really liked her…as in starting to crush, hard. She had sass. Strength. He knew it was too soon to have feelings like this, but he couldn’t help himself. Clearly, she was in a different level than Trisha, or anyone else he’d dated for that matter. Smarts, compassion, a gorgeous body and face—she had it all. Well, everything except a love for the outdoors, but I have a plan. I intend to introduce her to my world.
He blinked, realizing he called it “my world.” Not “my past.”
“You want anything to drink? Eat? I’ve got snacks in here.” He flipped his hand toward the mini-bar.
She smiled and shook her head.
“Are you okay? You’ve been stone silent for the last twenty minutes.” He forgot himself and ran his bio-hand through his hair, wincing when a few strands caught on the metallic finger joints.
“I’m fine. I’m looking forward to seeing where you live,” Effie said, politely.
“This isn’t an interview,” he barked.
Her face fell, and he cringed.
“I’m sorry…,” she began.
He cut her off with a groan. “Please don’t apologize for my jerk outbursts. I’m the one who’s sorry.”
A slight smile played at the corners of her pretty mouth.
He toyed with the idea of pulling her close and kissing her until she couldn’t think straight—until he couldn’t think straight—but resisted. His mouth felt dry. He started to reach for his backpack to retrieve his flask of whiskey but thought better of it. I should slow down with the drink.
“Did you…did you like the kiss we shared by the river?”
She huffed out a lungful of air. “Are you kidding?”
“Not really,” he said, the detritus of insecurity bobbing to the surface. “Did you like it?”
“My body is humming from that exchange. I’m still on a soaring high from it. But…” She glanced away.
“But what?” He leaned forward to conceal his stirring erection.
“But, nothing,” she said, shaking her head. She chewed on her lower lip. “Yes, I really, really liked kissing you.”
“Does that mean you’d like to do it again?”
“I’m not sure,” she said, glancing away.
His jaw grew slack. Are you fucking kidding me? He strummed the leather seat, contemplating his whiskey flask again. “What, exactly, aren’t you sure about?”
“The contract didn’t mention kissing.”
“We’re adults,” he said, growing exasperated. “People bend the rules all the time.”
Christ, it’s like I’m begging.
“I don’t want to be used.” She toyed with a lock of her hair.
“Neither do I,” he snapped. His head dropped backward. Idiot. When he brought it up, he said, “Look. I enjoyed the hell out of kissing you.” He leaned closer and wound a lock of her hair around his finger, gently tugging. “I’d like to kiss you again.” He swallowed, unused to being so hesitant around a woman. Before his accident, he always knew his cues, what to say and when to act. Now he felt almost blind. Fucking Trisha.
“Well,” she said, licking her lips.
“Is that a yes or a no? I can’t tell. Just use your words and say it. I’m not a mind reader,” he said, in a snarling tone of voice.
She jerked.
“Fuck.” He really wanted that flask.
Leaning away from her, he reached for the backpack.
“Yes. Yes, I’d love to kiss you again.”
He stilled. His eyes narrowed.
“Yes, I want to kiss you.” She turned slightly to face him. “Right now, if that’s what you want.”
She said things to him like every move was up to him. I guess that comes with paying for her service. Still, he’d take what he could get. He honestly couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this horny. Bringing his human hand to her soft cheek, he caressed her silky skin.
“Would you sit in my lap?” he said, wanting to feel her pressed up against his rock-solid cock.
“Sure, if it pleases you.” She stood, dutifully, like a Geisha, and straddled him, hissing when her sex pressed against him. “Shit. You’re hard.”
“I am. You’re a very pretty woman.” Wondering why his mouth was so damn dry, he swallowed again. Leaning his head back against the seat, he snaked an arm around her neck and drew her close. His body ignited from the feel of her tits against his chest, her sweet, hot pussy against his dick. “Come here,” he said, pulling her head toward his.
She slanted her head to fit their mouths together. And then she kissed him. Man, did she kiss him. Little Miss Inexperienced with the Outdoors surged with heat and want.
His hips rocked into her insistently.
She moaned into his mouth. He knew she felt it too…the power of their connection.
He brushed his fingers up and down her spine. It surprised him how natural it felt to be touching her. She responded to him and it didn’t feel like an act. It sure wasn’t part of the contract.
Staying connected to his lips, she writhed, like a cat, into his touch. Her hands fell to his shoulders.
He deepened the kiss, letting his tongue explore her mouth, which tasted of sweet peppermint and unexplored desire. He could get lost in Effie D’Archangel—simply forget about all the bullshit in his head and lose himself in her.
She sucked on him, drawing exquisite pain.
His arousal began to peak. Wait, I can’t be diving into sex with her. We have a contract. This is a business arrangement. He pushed her away as gently as he could.
“Did I do something wrong?” she asked, eyes wide.
“Hold up a minute.” Eyes squeezed shut, he sucked in his breath and held it, forcing his arousal to heel. When he opened his eyes, he collided with her hypnotic green gaze. Damn. She’s casting her spell on me. “Sorry. I, uh…I didn’t want to come.”
Without a word, she nodded, and lowered her mouth again, fitting perfectly against his.
His resolve to honor the contract withered. Gripping her tight, he tugged her on top of him as he lay back, stretched out on the seat.
She began grinding her lovely little pussy against his dick. Wriggling back and forth, soft moans emerged from her throat.
“Shit, Effie, if you keep that up, I’m not going to be able to hold back.”
“Is that a problem?” she said, pressing her hands against his chest. “You feel so good.”
He clutched her hips, slowing her grind. “It is if I want to keep your and my clothes clean, as well as the seats,” he said, with a chuckle. “The back of the limo has limited cleaning supplies.”
“Oh, right.” Her hips stilled. She studied him for an excruciating second, kneading his chest absentmindedly. “Want me to…” She rolled her lips between her teeth and shook her head.
“What were you going to say?” he said.
“I just wondered if you’d like it if I…” She swallowed.
“What? Just fucking say it,” he said, his patience wearing thin.
“If I did this.” She lifted his shirt, tugging it up. Then, she took the tie off her braid and finger combed her hair out to a glorious mane. With a flip of her head, she trailed her silken strands up and down his belly and chest.
The gossamer touch felt exquisite. Zander hissed and tensed his belly. Even Effie’s hair might trigger an orgasm.
His torment ended at the sound of Antonio’s voice. “We’ve arrived, Mr. King.”
Effie tossed her head back and sat up. She scrambled off his lap like the paparazzi might show up any second and start snapping shots.
He righted himself, chuckling. “No one’s going to see us. We’re in the garage.”
“Oh,” she said, finger-combing her hair. “A garage. Of course.” A shy smile danced across her face.
Antonio opened the door.
Effie exited, with Zander following.
A violent war of emotions clattered about inside, as he trekked to the elevator. Does Effie even like me? She’s hot one minute, hesitant the next. Is her behavior all part of the contract?
Only one way to find out. He would cook her an excellent meal, and then he would see if she wanted to break some rules. Because, hell, everyone knew that rules were made to be broken. But that damn contract. I gave her a way out. What if she wants to take it? The memory of his sick behavior after he quit Trisha for good bobbed in his head like a dark ghost. And worse, what if I lose my shit?