Chapter 6

“No.” Somehow, she found the strength and courage to say the word. Her senses were swimming, her body so hot, she feared that any minute now, she was going to burst into flames.

Her nipples were aching, and her center was so tender and sensitive she could barely keep still. But she reached for something deep inside her and managed to say no.

Richard stared at her for a few pulsing minutes. His eyes were emerald hard with desire, his face tensed. He was still holding her pressed against him and could feel the imprints of her nipples branding his chest. He had never been so hard in his life, and he guessed he should be congratulating himself, or maybe it should be her.

His blood was feverish, his body burning with desire, and she was refusing him. There was no doubt that she wanted him too. It was not just one-sided. He was experienced enough and was certainly not a goddamn fool not to read the signs. She wanted him, maybe not as desperately as he wanted her, but it was there.

His eyes drifted to the swollen lips that were parted and wet from his kisses. She tasted like nothing he had ever experienced before. He could still feel her essence on his tongue. His want had turned into a raging need that was not going to be ignored.

“Why not?”

She pushed against him, but he held firm, his eyes demanding answers. “I am sure you are not accustomed to being turned down–”

“I am not,” his voice was curt. “But this is not about my ego. You responded–”

“I did.” She was becoming agitated; he could tell by the restless way she moved against him. “It’s natural. You are a man of the world–”

His laughter was harsh, his face hard and taut. “You are implying that’s what this is. Just an automatic response to my expertise.”

“Yes. No.” She shook her head. “I don’t know. But I cannot do this. I am sure there are women lining up to be with you–”

“I already told you I want you.”

Her eyes flashed. “And you always get what you want.”

“Not always, no. No one does. We are not blushing teenagers. We are adults and nothing is wrong in acting on our feelings. And you feel something, deny it all you want.”

“I had not planned on doing that. Yes, the attraction is there, but I cannot afford to be careless. I have to be pragmatic.”

“You think I am going to hurt you the way that asshole you were engaged to did.” His eyes glowered with anger. “I simply want the chance to be with you in an intimate manner.”

“And I told you I can’t.”

“You mean you won’t.”

“Won’t then. I am sure you will get over whatever it is you are feeling.”

He wanted to shove her away from him. He was not used to this. She was making him resort to pleading with her. He was not the most patient of men. He had always had women at his beck and call, and now that he was almost middle aged, he did not have the patience for coyness. But he had a feeling that was not what she was doing.

She had been through a hell of a lot, and he should be giving her some sort of consideration. But he wanted her more than he had ever wanted another woman before. The need for her was so intense that he could barely stand it.

“You need time," he acknowledged grudgingly. “I will give you a week–”

“No.” she shook her head. “All I want to know is if this is going to affect the contract.”

His mouth tightened, and his eyes flared. “You think I would fire you because you refused to go to bed with me? What the hell kind of businessman do you think I am?” His growl had her flinching.

“I am sorry–”

“I don’t need your goddamned apology,” he told her tightly. “I need to feel your naked body against mine. I have a feeling we would be great together; all I am asking is that you give me a chance.”

“No!” She pushed against him. “I cannot be with you. You are–” her fingers curled into his sweater. “You are high profile. I am just a simple–”

“Dammit!” He shook her lightly. “Yes, I am in the public eye and my work often consumes me, but ever since I laid eyes on you in that restaurant, I felt something, and it has only gotten stronger.”“Restaurant?” She gave him a confused look. “What restaurant?”

“You were at Bianca’s meeting with some woman, a relative, I think. I was upstairs and noticed you the minute you arrived. There was something intriguing about you, and I could not take my eyes off you.”

She was shaken by that and felt her heart somersaulting inside her chest. “She was my sister.” She whispered.

“The conversation was intense,” he continued, his eyes on hers. “I could tell there was tension there–”

“She– uhm– she wanted me to forgive her.”

He nodded. “She betrayed you with that spineless bastard.”

She stared at him, her eyes wide. “I– it’s difficult to talk about.”

“And I understand.” His voice was earnest. “You don’t have to mention it; I would prefer if you never talked about that son of a bitch. I want to pulverize him for causing you pain.” His hands gripped her biceps.

“Let me make love to you, Collette. Let me make you forget and put it behind you. Use me to get over your pain.” His face was harsh with passion. “Christ, I am not accustomed to begging, but here I am, doing just that. I cannot allow you to just leave without making a commitment.

I will give you a week–”He pressed his lips and shook his head. “And even that is going to kill me.” His expression softened, and she didn’t resist when he curved a hand around her cheek.

“Let me heal you with my body. I am availing myself to you, to be used in any way you choose.”

“For how long?” Her voice was husky, her body swaying toward him unconsciously. She was hypnotized by not only his words but his deep voice as well.

“I cannot put a timeline on it. All I know is that I have never needed anyone the way I need you.” His thumb stroked her bottom lip slowly, sending shards of desire throughout her body. He was evoking feelings inside her that she never knew existed.

When she was with Trevor, their love had been a love that was gentle and uncomplicated. She was not heavy on experience when it comes to sex. Trevor had been her first, and she had remained faithful to him.

After years of trying to come to grips with the hurt and incredible pain, she had ventured out, but it hadn’t worked. The sex had been a disaster, and the guy had accused her of being cold and frigid. She had tried one more time and it had been the same.

After that, she had convinced herself that they were right. She had obviously lost whatever sexuality she had possessed and not even bothered.

But now, she was feeling this raging fever inside her that was swamping her. She felt alive, more than she had ever felt in her entire life. And she was frightened by the intensity of it.

“I can’t.” She whispered.

“You can.” His fingers gripped her chin, a determined look stamped on his attractive face. He was not prepared to let her get away by running from him. Bending his head, he brushed her lips with his and felt the tremors racking her body.

“Let me love you," he whispered, his warm breath an evocative reminder of what his tongue had done to her mouth.

“Please stop," her voice was faint, her breathing ragged.

“Say yes.” He nibbled on her lush bottom lip and had her sighing raggedly. Realizing that she was not resisting, he used his tongue, just the tip of it, to soothe the slight sting.

“Please.” He punctuated each word by sliding his tongue inside her mouth. His hand drifted to her derriere, pressing her against his center. She was slender, but her curves were pronounced. He ran his hand over the material, wanting desperately to get rid of it so that he could get to her skin.

She opened her mouth, helplessly, her body arching toward his. She was starving. It had been a very long time for her, and even before now, she had never experienced anything this potent or this delicious. He was barely kissing her and yet, she felt as if she was being burned from the inside out.

“Say yes," he repeated thickly. “I am losing control here Collette. You are about to drive me out of my mind.” He kissed her deeply, his tongue plunging into her mouth with a suddenness that had her clinging to him to steady herself.

She returned the kiss with all the pent-up emotions she had kept under lock and key. Suddenly she was bursting with so many emotions, she could not contain them.

Her body ached to be taken by him; her skin felt as if it no longer belonged to her. She was feverish with a need that was beyond her.

Wrapping her hands around his neck, she gave into the feelings swamping her and pressed herself against him.

He felt her resistance slipping away, and with a tortured groan, he gathered her close, his hands racing up and down her back. He walked her backward toward the sofa and, without ending the kiss, pressed her down until he was on top of her.

His tongue made carnal love to her mouth. His long body was stretched out full length on hers, his rigid arousal pressing into the snug warmth of hers.

Lifting his mouth from hers, he stared into liquid dark brown eyes and felt as if his heart was bursting through his chest.

“Let me love you.” His voice was like rough velvet and touched her skin softly. She did not respond, at least not verbally, but her body was moving restlessly beneath his, giving her wordless assent.

With a ragged sigh, he lifted the edges of her sweater, pushing it up slowly over her bare torso. The minute his fingers touched her skin, he felt the rivulet of passion surging through his body.

He plucked the sweater over her head, his head bending to stare at the black see-through lace covering her generous bosom. Hunger, such as he had never experienced before, pommeled him. Flicking the clasp, he eased the thin straps off her shoulders and sucked in a breath when her breasts sprang free.

“Please.”

His head lifted to stare at her.

“You are beautiful," he told her thickly. “Surely you know that?”

Without waiting for a response, he bent his head and nuzzled at the nipple. Fire shot through her body at an alarming rate and had her gripping his shoulders. He took his time, even though the lust was raging inside his body.

Using his tongue, he circled the tight bud slowly, concentrating on the pointed flesh that was begging to be suckled. Seizing the pebble-hard flesh, he sucked it into his mouth.

Her body arched off the sofa, fingers digging into his shoulders.

Her cries echoed around the room as he drew the bud into his mouth and ravished it hungrily. He felt like a man who had been starving for a very long time and was now presented with a sumptuous banquet. He forgot about finesse and allowed the emotions chasing through his body to take over.

By the time he had switched to the other nipple, she was a quivering mass beneath him. Their clothing became constricting and in the way.

Letting go of the nipple, he made short work of taking off his sweater and the white undershirt. Collette, who was still in a whorl of passion so intense, she couldn’t bear it, was subjected to a chest so magnificent, it had her gasping.

Muscles rippled and bunched on the skin-tanned to a light brown. Dark brown hairs covered the impressive flesh and had her mouth watering. Dragging her eyes from the impressive sight, she stared at him and found him watching her, his eyes bright.

“I need you naked," he rasped.

She nodded, words failing her.

Hunkering over her, he worked the skirt over her slender hips and felt the gut punch as he stared at the scrap of material barely covering her sex. He quickly tugged off the skirt and sat on the edge of the sofa to work her boots off and then her stockings. When she was completely naked, he rose and toed off his shoes.

His hands went to his belt, his eyes trained on her face as he tugged it out of the loops. He reached for his zipper and her eyes stayed there until he worked the pants over his hips. Her eyes flew to his face at the bulge inside his underwear. Her breath was strangled inside her throat.

He correctly read the fear in her eyes and lowered himself over her.

“No.” He captured her face between his palms. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”

“It’s been a long time.” She whispered.

“How long, baby?”

His voice was rough and tender and set her heart aching.

“He- he was my first, and after he did what he did, I tried with two others, and I couldn’t–”She bit her lip but continued. “It’s been five years.”

Richard stared at her in abject shock, his body going still.

“Please stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?” he asked thickly.

“Like I am a freak.”

“Far from it," he whispered hoarsely. Bending his head, he rubbed her lips open, tongue driving into her mouth with an intensity that shattered her control. Her body arched to meet him and his plan to romance her went to pieces. It had to be now. If he did not have her, he was going to die.

Reaching between them, he used trembling fingers to guide himself at her entrance. Taking his time, he entered her slowly, an inch at a time. She was moist, the walls of her vagina hugging him tightly and pulling him in.

His tongue plundered hers as he eased more into her incredibly tight sheath. He went still then, his mouth leaving hers as he stared at her. His chest was heaving, his body hot. Nothing had ever felt this good. He had merely wanted a physical relationship, but it had turned into so much more.

“Am I hurting you?” he asked thickly. His throat was so tight, he could barely get the word out.

“No,” her voice whispered. He had dislodged the pins that had been holding her tidy chignon together and her hair was spread out over the pale blue cushions.

“I promised that I wouldn’t. Do you believe me?”

She nodded.

“Collette–”he couldn’t continue. Dropping his forehead on hers, he moved slowly, holding his breath and striving hard to retain control. “I don’t want to come yet," he chanted profanities, his mouth moving over her forehead and then her cheek.

His body was coated with a thin sheen of sweat and he knew that very soon, he was going to explode. Reaching between them, he touched the sensitive mound and had her going rigid.

“Relax baby," he groaned. “I want you to cream all over me. Come for me darling," he crooned against her mouth.

As if in response to his command, she did. The climax came from deep inside her soul and seemed to shatter every part of her body. Her fingers made grooves in the flesh of his back. She bowed her body and flung back her head, grounding it into the cushion. He ravaged her throat, her neck, and her collarbone. The climax dragged sobs from her.

Her head twisted on the cushions; her body palsied. Lifting his head, he cradled her face, his fingers gentle, his expression indescribable. He wasn’t able to hold back his own orgasm, and it pulsed and ebbed through his body, sending shudders racing through him.

He called out her name, burying his face in the softness of her neck. He came endlessly, pouring his seed at the mouth of her womb, his body driving into hers with a force that drove her up against the padded arm of the sofa.

Sensations were still racing through her body long after the climax had spent itself.

Shifting slightly, he turned onto his side, bringing her body against him. His arms held her tight, and for several minutes, neither of them said anything.

Her face was crushed against his chest, and he could feel her warm breath on his skin. His fingers strummed her back slowly, and he wondered what she was thinking. A wry smile touched his lips. This was not some casual hook-up. He was not going to be looking for a replacement after this.

He had spent his entire life being self-sufficient and now…

Bending his chin, he stared at her. Lifting one hand, he shifted the hairs off her forehead, but still, she refused to look at him. The last thing he wanted was her regret. He had rushed her after promising to give her time.

“Would you look at me?” he asked softly.

“I can’t.”

“What we did here was–”

“Careless.”

He stiffened at that. “I was going to say amazing.”

She lifted her face then and he saw how much she was avoiding looking into his eyes.

“Collette–”

“Let me go, please.” She whispered.

“No, dammit.” He jerked her chin up, forcing her to look at him. “You are not going to tell me that you are having regrets.”

“It shouldn’t have happened.”

“Why the hell not?”

“I am so ashamed.”

That threw him for a moment, and then the anger came.

“What the hell for?”

“I couldn’t control myself.” She bit her lip.

“Neither could I, and I am not ashamed of anything. Certainly not what happened between us.” His expression softened. “I know what you must be feeling–”

“No, you don’t.”

“Then tell me.” His hands cradled her face. “Are you afraid I am going to end things–”

“There is nothing to end! Please, just let me go.”

“No, dammit. Not until we hash this out," he ground his teeth in frustration. After sharing something as wonderful and potent as the lovemaking, he couldn’t believe she was still putting up resistance. “Look, you need time to process–”

She grabbed that. “Yes. I need time and space.”

“How much time?”

“Two weeks.”

“No–”

“One week, then.”

“You want me to give you a week?”

“You promised.” She reminded him desperately. She had to get away from him. His very nearness, what they just did was beyond her, and she needed time to recoup and think. She had never done anything like this before, and she was bewildered by her wantonness with a perfect stranger.

“I will call–”

“No,” she said swiftly. “Please, just give me the week, and don’t call me.”

He stared at her for so long, she held her breath wondering if he was going to say no.

“Alright," he conceded. “One week and no communication.” He tried to smile at her teasingly. “What if I need to speak to you regarding the account?”

“Send me an email.”

“Collette–”

“Please!” her voice rose, and she had to take a breath to steady herself. “I-I just need some time. I am not used to this.”

His hand cradled her cheek, and she held her breath, wondering if he was going to kiss her. If he did, she wouldn’t be able to leave. And she had to. She must leave now.

“You never have to be afraid where I am concerned.” His quiet reassurance almost made her weep. “I am never going to hurt you.”

“Please let go of me.”

He considered holding her captive. Something told him that she was frightened and if he allowed her to leave, she would try and avoid him. But he was not going to let that happen. He was going to hound her, using threats and bribes, if necessary, but he wasn’t letting her go. He would grant her the week and after that, all bets were off.

Sliding out of her was the most difficult thing he had to do, and he did it swiftly, turning his back on her so that she could get dressed. When they were both clothed, he walked swiftly to open the doors. She would have passed him without saying anything, but he gripped her arm and kissed her roughly. “One week," he whispered hoarsely.