After all, what could happen there?
Three gyrating songs later, Jason pulled Lauren into his arms as a slow song came over the loudspeaker. She stiffened almost imperceptibly before sighing against him, a light sheen of perspiration adding an extra glow to her skin. The musky scent reminded him too quickly of sex. Of course, that tended to be a common thought for him whenever he saw Lauren, much less pulled her close.
She was temptation personified.
The dance made for the perfect chance to move forward with his plan to persuade her while holding back a while longer. He wanted her in his bed with no regrets this time.
He rested his forehead against hers. “Thank you for being so great this evening.”
“Just holding up my end of the bargain.” Her legs brushed lightly against his, her breasts pressed to his chest.
Okay, so maybe this hadn’t been the brightest of ideas, after all. But hey, in for a penny—
“You really are amazing, and not just in a work setting. Do you know that?” He angled to skim his mouth against hers. Holding. Not so long as to make a sideshow event of things, but long enough for her to soften against him as he grew hard against her. Her lips tasted like a sweet ripe cheese and the lime from her water. And he didn’t want to stop.
A couple jostled them and he eased his head away with more than a little regret.
Lauren looked up at him through thick eyelashes. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
Her voice came out husky and sexy, her chest rising and falling faster against him.
He slid his hands low along her waist, his finger aching for a more thorough exploration. “I only kissed you.”
“You call that only a kiss?”
Her words revved the adrenaline zinging through him. “I do believe you complimented me.”
She swatted his chest lightly, her cheeks a pretty pink. “You know full well what you were doing, what that was doing to me.”
“You liked the kiss.” He nestled her closer.
“Again, obvious.” She swayed against him. “My body turns traitor when it comes to you. So are you trying to seduce me?”
Too obvious would lose the day here. He needed a more subtle, more romantic approach. “Who said a kiss has to lead to bed?”
She blinked back at him, surprise stunning her quiet.
“What?” He tucked her away from the crowded floor toward the outer edges, away from the speakers. “You disagree?”
Lauren shook her head quickly. “I don’t disagree at all. I just didn’t expect to hear something like that from you. From a man.”
“I can assure you I am most definitely a man.”
“I know.” She rocked her hips lightly against his erection pressed undeniably against her soft stomach.
“Kissing you—” he brushed his mouth against hers lightly with promise “—brings me much pleasure.”
And torment. But he didn’t want to lose precious ground here by mentioning that.
MC’s CFO—Ash—strode past on his way to dance with his longtime girlfriend, a local law student. Did Ash remember that not more than three weeks ago right here at Rosa Lounge, they’d both declared themselves confirmed bachelors? Of course, Ash already had a failed marriage behind him.
Jason thumbed his wedding ring, reminding himself of the importance of patience. Keeping Lauren here in San Francisco required finesse. They’d already gone the route of jumping each other’s bones at warp speed and that had not ended well for him.
He did not repeat mistakes.
The band cranked up the pace and Jason linked fingers with Lauren, leading her away from the increasingly packed space. He ducked closer to her ear. “Want to drive up to Twin Peaks for a romantic view of the city, perfect place to make out? I promise not to take advantage of you on our first date.”
She snorted a laugh. “It may have escaped your notice, but we’ve already had sex.”
“Believe me, I noticed.” And remembered. And wanted more. Which meant sticking to his plan. “I take it that’s a no to making out. Damn shame.”
Her eyebrows pinched together in confusion. “Jason, I don’t understand you tonight. I’m not sure what you expect or want—”
“Shh.” He pressed a finger to her lips. “And by the way, nobody asked you for sex tonight. I’m an ad man, remember?You need to pay close attention to my words.”
He stepped back and kissed her hand before letting go. “Thank you for a most enjoyable dance, Mrs. Reagert. I’ll think about you all night long… while I’m sleeping in my chair.”
Two restless nights later, Lauren mingled at the MC dinner party. As unsettled as she was in her personal life, this business party did remind her of all the things she enjoyed about her job, the wheeling and dealing, the exchange of ideas with the best in the industry. She thrived on it.
Of course, that provided a whole new layer to her frustration.
Because this party also reminded her of all the reasons she wanted and needed to go back to her business in New York City, especially when her body screamed even more loudly for satisfaction with Jason. He was tormenting the hell out of her with his “accidental touches” and surprise kisses at every turn. Her skin felt on fire.
The live band segued from the swing music they’d played during dinner to classic rock. She wasn’t sure she could hold out through another dance with Jason. Except it wasn’t just on the dance floor where they were so in synch. In the upheaval of the past few months, she’d almost forgotten what an awesome team she and Jason made professionally. Tonight’s gathering brought that all back to her.
Swaying to the beat, she nodded her thanks to the congratulations zinging from all sides as she made her way to the bar for a refill on her water. For the first time this evening, she and Jason worked opposite sides of the room, dinner finished, the mingling and dancing just beginning to crank into full swing. She felt his eyes following her, though. Her copper satin dress swished around her legs, each brush teasing her already overloaded senses, the beaded top suddenly itchy and un-comfortable against her breasts. God, she so needed to get her mind in the moment and off the way Jason made her feel with just a look.
The dinner party—catered by Wolfgang Puck’s local Postrio—was being held in an exclusive yacht club that sported a fabulous view of San Francisco Bay. Through the wall of windows, she could see the Golden Gate Bridge through the mist.
It was one hell of an impressive party, from the five-star dinner to the A-list guests, everything running smoothly, thanks to Brock’s ever-efficient assistant zipping to and fro.
Growing up in Connecticut, Lauren had wined and dined with influential families and major players in political circles. Even so, she was impressed. Maddox had pulled out all the stops.
With her nausea totally abated, her appetite had kicked into full gear. She could well enjoy everything from the crusted Alaskan halibut to the sweetheart plum dessert. Too bad she couldn’t pack a doggy bag.
For another picnic in front of the fire? She shook off the memory.
The best of California wines flowed. Not that she’d been able to drink any, but the fragrant bouquets wafted through the room, mingling like the high-end guests. She sipped her sparkling water with lime.
“Mrs. Reagert,” a voice called from behind