Another shrug. “Just a start-up, and it’s not entirely mine. There are other investors. I’m not even sure if it’s going to last a year. It could all blow up in my face.”
Just a start-up. In this zip code.
Viv found herself wondering if she’d gotten in over her head. Judging by his clothes and his self-confidence, she’d already pegged the guy as wealthy and successful. She hadn’t, however, banked on him being a one-percenter. She’d had experience with a few überwealthy men. They were usually spoiled, and could be petulant when they didn’t get what they wanted.
Of course, Damien was going to get what he wanted, as was she. And considering he wasn’t an arrogant jerk, she suspected he was only moderately well-to-do, which suited her just fine.
He glanced at his gold watch. God, his hands were strong, yet elegant. Every inch of him was a mix of masculinity and grace. Again she found herself comparing him to the other men she’d interacted with recently, and found them all lacking.
She wanted him. Badly. And she didn’t want to wait any longer to have him. Those dozen—or thirteen—orgasms were practically screaming for her to hurry things along.
“It’s after five. Early dinner, or more drinks?” he said, his tone silky, as if he could read her mind.
“I don’t want my senses dulled the least little bit tonight,” she said, the words almost purred. “So let’s skip the next round.”
She noted with satisfaction that his hand shook the tiniest bit. He might be Mr. Calm, Smooth and Seductive, but he was definitely affected by her. God, it was good to feel the surge of feminine power that pushed up through her. It had been too long since she’d allowed herself to play this sexual game. She’d once played it very well, and was glad to know she hadn’t completely lost her touch.
Dropping a few large bills on the table, Damien rose from his seat and walked around to pull her chair out. He didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. They were both caught up in the excitement of what was about to happen.
Viv had had a few one-night stands over the years, but none had ever excited her like this. Knowing she would never see him again after tomorrow had forced away all her inhibitions—what few there were. There was a special kind of freedom in realizing she could do, have, take or give anything she wanted from the sexiest man she’d ever met. There would be no embarrassing run-ins in days to come, no wondering if he’d call, no stressing over whether he’d thought she was good. Nothing but wonderful memories of a night she was already sure she would never forget.
It was the perfect treat she could give herself as consolation for her lousy day, week, month, summer and year.
Not that anybody would ever complain about having Damien Black for a consolation prize.
As they exited the bar, he put his hand low on her spine again and she shivered. Her jacket was slung over her arm now, and only her silky, thin blouse separated her skin from his. Her nerve endings sizzled and sparked at the faint brush of his fingertips on her body, and she almost arched her back, wanting to invite him to keep exploring downward. His big, strong hand would cup her rear end perfectly.
“The hotel restaurant is great, but the room service menu is pretty extensive, too,” he murmured, his voice sounding a bit strained, as if he’d be disappointed if she said she wanted to eat in the restaurant.
She hadn’t even considered that. “How’s the room service breakfast menu?”
“Also extensive.”
“Then we don’t have to leave your room for a good fifteen hours, do we?” she said, certain it would be ages before they got around to eating anything resembling food.
His hand dipped the tiniest bit lower, and his laugh was low and sultry.
Crossing the foyer, Damien offered a short nod to a staff member who hailed him. Beelining for the elevators, he cast one hard glance over his shoulder, and the staff member backed off. When a ding signaled the car’s arrival and the door slid open, she noted the interior was empty. Viv breathed a sigh of relief that no one was waiting to board it with them.
They entered together, in lockstep. The moment the door swished closed, he moved close...close enough that his breath fell upon her cheek. Holding her jaw, he tilted her face up and bent to brush his lips against hers.
Sparks erupted at that faint connection, and she quivered, melting against his body, drawn to him as metal was drawn to a magnet.
“Protection?” he asked, his voice low. He seemed the type who preferred to get business out of the way up front, and she appreciated that about him, too.
“I’m on the Pill,” she replied. “And I have no communicable diseases. I had to get a physical for my job, and I haven’t been with anyone in forever.”
He stiffened and stepped away. “Forever?”
Laughter burst from her lips as she realized he’d momentarily thought she meant she was a virgin. Good lord, after the conversation they’d just shared?
“Five months is kind of forever for me. I haven’t gone that long without sex since I lost my virginity to Ollie Winpigler in the computer lab in eleventh grade.”
His tension eased. “Ollie?” His frown deepening, he added, “In the computer lab?”
“He was a nice guy—a total computer geek, not at all athletic, which was why I chose him. He flew under my brothers’ radar. Any of the jocks who tried to get with me found themselves up against the Callahan defensive line and none of them could make an end run around it.”
Huh. Maybe that was why she preferred smart, sexy guys to beefy jocks. And maybe that deep-down disinterest had communicated itself to her coworkers in recent weeks. She didn’t think she’d done or said anything to throw down a gauntlet, to make them compete for her. Was it possible they were competing because they sensed her innate disinterest in their type? It bore considering.
Or maybe not. They were horny, spoiled jerks, and she was an attractive, available woman. End of story.
He cleared his throat. “Should I be worried about these brothers of yours? They’re not going to burst into my room and try to sack me from the ten yard line tonight, are they?”
She appreciated that he’d continued her play with words. He was clever, as well as smart. “Well, we’re all close, but they do live hundreds of miles away. I don’t see them nearly often enough. I haven’t been home since Christmas, though I am going next month to my parents’ anniversary party.”
“So nobody’s nearby to defend your virtue?”
“Nope, you have me completely at your mercy.” She stepped closer, putting her hands on that hard chest, toying with the buttons of his crisp, white shirt. “As to your original question...I’m protected and healthy. So if you’re clean, too, bareback is fine with me.”
Although a pleased smile widened those masculine lips, he also groaned, as if he’d suddenly imagined plunging into her, all heated strength to wet sheath. No barriers, nothing but hot, slick pleasure.
“Thank God I’m not a teenager and I don’t go around with a rubber in my pocket. And, uh, I can say the same. I haven’t been very active lately, either.”
Curious, she watched him, wondering if he’d explain.
All he said was “It’s complicated.”
“As long as you’re not cheating on somebody else with me, complicated is fine,” she said, presenting him with her one unbreakable rule. She’d noticed he wore no ring, so she wasn’t truly worried.
Some women might believe she had no boundaries, but she’d borne witness to what one of her brothers’ affairs had done to his marriage and family. Seeing the devastation the big, dumb idiot and his trashy girlfriend had wrought on her sister-in-law, nieces and