He raised a bemused brow. ‘Mind...?’
She smiled through the desire. ‘I settled your tab too.’
He looked surprised. ‘You did?’
‘I did.’ His reaction amused her. ‘Do you always look this surprised when a woman pays her own way?’
‘I can’t say I’m used to it.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘Well, welcome to the modern world.’
He laughed, the sound husky and amplifying her already spiking libido.
‘Point made,’ he said, placing his hand in the small of her back and stirring up a truckload of nerves. ‘Shall we go?’
She grinned up at him. ‘Unless you want this modern woman to throw you over her shoulder and carry you out, I suggest we do just that.’
His laugh deepened and the desire to kiss him, to feel that excited resonance against her mouth had her on fire.
Soon, Jennifer!
She forced her legs to work and they headed to the lift, noticing that this time the attendant chose to avoid looking at her all together. What a nice change.
Even nicer still, the hand on her back started to wander, his fingers moving to caress rather than hold, his heat penetrating the thin veil of her dress and making her tremble.
He bent his head, his mouth hovering close to her ear, ‘Are you cold?’
She fixed her gaze straight ahead, fear that she would set upon him and give the attendant an eyeful making the glass doors suddenly riveting. ‘No.’
But two can play at that game, she told herself, sidestepping in front of him, just enough so that she could conceal her hand as it made contact with the front of his thigh.
He gave a sharp intake of breath, his thigh tensing beneath her splayed fingers and making her smile in satisfaction. Payback!
He was a delight to explore. The strong rigidity of muscle flexed as she stroked upwards, circling from his outer thigh to the inner—
His hand shot to her arm, his fingers gently gripping her in what she assumed to be a silent message to behave.
No chance.
As the lift descended she teased and coaxed until his hold eased enough for her to reach her target—his very tip. Lightly she brushed up and over. He hissed against her ear and her belly coiled with exquisite heat.
She traced around him, revelling in his growing reaction, coveting his size, his girth, his length...
She filled her hand and squeezed. He bucked within her palm, a cough erupting from his throat, and her smile grew as the lift came to a gentle stop.
Before them the doors opened, and she released him with a playful tap, stepping forward to exit with the attendant. He followed close behind.
The private hallway was deserted. Sounds of the busy city reached them from outside, but the windowless entranceway blocked it all from view.
‘Have a good evening,’ the attendant said, stepping back inside the lift and pressing the button.
She watched the doors close and the lift start its ascent, waiting for the attendant’s eyes to be out of sight so she could—
Whoa!
Startled, she found herself being spun into him, her eyes and mind barely registering his hold before he was propelling her back against the cold marble wall, his lips coming down to crush her own. He pinned one hand to the wall above her head; his other running up and down her side in brutal exploration.
Heat exploded within her, the ache between her legs flaring with such force she wanted to cry out as she kissed him back, her hands thrusting through his hair, her tongue delving into him, fighting with his own as she desperately sought more.
But he tore his mouth away, pressing his forehead against hers, his ragged breaths sweeping down her front. ‘You are a tease.’
‘You started it.’
She yanked him back to her. He obeyed for a split second, his tongue flicking teasingly into her mouth, and then he was breaking away to travel down her neck, his teeth nipping and grazing with dizzying effect.
‘God, yes!’ she cried, head arching back, hands invading his jacket as she strove to feel every bit of him. The hard muscles of his chest twitched and flexed as she explored—smoothing, clawing, pulling at his shirt.
The hand at her side reached the hem of her dress and he shoved it upwards, his fingers gripping the underside of her thigh as he lifted it, forcing her to wrap her leg around him.
He raised his head to gaze down at her, his hand tracing the band of her stocking, tension working in his jaw. ‘You’re dangerous.’
‘You like?’ she said, trying to focus through the haze.
‘Love.’
He twanged the suspender and she gave a heated shrug, shoving a hand through his hair. ‘It’s a power thing.’
He growled, the sound animalistic, lighter fuel to her raging heat as his mouth reclaimed hers and both hands took hold of her thighs to lift her entirely against him. The cool air swept over her damp panties, followed sharply by his rock-hard cock, its trouser-clad presence driving against her. She bucked with delight, her mouth breaking free to let go a frenzied moan.
‘I’m losing my mind,’ he said into her collarbone, feasting on her skin as he thrust her upwards, bringing the valley of her chest to his face, his hot breath and slick tongue creating an insane combination that had her breasts pleading for him.
But suddenly he froze.
‘Shit.’
She looked down at him, her body writhing, her lungs struggling for air. And then she felt it—the phone in his jacket vibrating into her thigh.
‘It’ll be my driver,’ he said, his voice gravel-like and rumbling through her.
‘Of course,’ she breathed, fighting for control over the insane rush and thriving off it all the same.
Shaky, she lowered her legs and he helped her, waiting until she was safely on her feet before shrugging his jacket into place and fishing out his mobile.
He stepped back, tapping at the screen and raising it to his ear, his other hand trying to put some order back into his hair. The sight made her smile. She’d done that to him. He’d let her. They’d both lost all control and the realisation was exhilarating.
She worked to straighten out her clothing, her hair, her racing body. All the while telling herself she should be grateful for the interruption, that indecent exposure wouldn’t go down well for either of them.
But the thrill of it. Of him. In public—here and now... It appealed too much.
‘On our way.’ He spoke into his phone and then cut it off, slipping it back into his pocket and turning that sexy, fuck-me-now smile on her as he offered his arm. ‘You good to go?’
She nodded and hooked her arm in his. ‘Let’s be quick about it.’
He gave a laugh and together they strode down the hallway and out of the building.
Directly outside, on the congested street, squeezed into a parking space she could scarcely believe it fitted into, sat a pristine black limo, its driver waiting at its rear. He straightened as he set eyes on them, and she knew for certain that this was the driver he had spoken to.
If any doubt had remained over what Darren had told her then it would’ve been wiped out now. Yes, he was definitely CEO material. A very successful CEO at that.