Warner hated seeing Taddy leave. As their time neared the end, he feared she’d put her walls up as demonstrated the previous night and earlier that morning. She’d agreed not to make things hard, but fear had been etched on Taddy’s face. Her issues may be deeper than I guessed.

“Let’s roll.”

“Are you sure you can’t stay in Cannes longer?” Be with me.

“I’d love to, but I must get home.” She kissed him. “You promise you’ll come see me in New York before you go to Asia?”

“Yes.” The limo pulled into the parking lot. “My driver is here. Thank you for letting me take you to the airport.”

“I’m happy to spend these moments with you.” Her hands shook when she held his arm.

The chauffeur collected her leather roller bag.

“Careful with my belongings, please,” she ordered.

“Oui, Mademoiselle.” His driver placed the bags in the trunk.

“After you.” Warner took her hand and helped her into the car. She stepped into the limo. Damn, he was going to miss her. It was inconceivable to have separation anxiety from someone he barely knew, but the twists in his stomach proved otherwise.

He got in with her, hoping she’d sit on his lap.

Taddy didn’t. He could tell that after the conference, she’d snapped back into work mode. She was Taddy Brill. He’d lost his Red. The second the press conference started, her face had changed to what he’d seen at the police station—a woman on a mission to rule the world.

While they drove, Red accepted calls, fired off e-mails, and thumb-punched text messages from across the limo. He’d not seen her so serious earlier. She was now taking calls and treating him as if he didn’t matter.

He, too, was a busy man. He owned eleven hotel, resort and spa brands on five continents. Truman Enterprises covered upscale, mid-market, and budget…but he’d mastered the art of delegation. His assistants coordinated assistants, and those assistants also had staffed assistants. Taking time off was part of creating balance. Taddy, on the other hand, hid behind her business.

“Did you see The Observer this morning?” Taddy asked.

“No, why?” When would I have the time? Err…she’s avoiding our talk.

Red handed him her tablet computer.

Adjusting the screen to eye level, he read, “Manhattan Gay Socialite Thor Edwards in Line to Inherit Great-Grandmother’s $90 Million Manhattan Mansion.”

“New York City has room for mansions?” Did she want him to buy her the property and kick the Thor dude out? Warner could. He would if he was given the time for their relationship to develop. Whatever she wanted.

“It’s an eighteen thousand square-foot townhouse in Greenwich Village. You’ve heard about Thor, haven’t you?”

“No.” He returned the mobile tablet to her.

“He’s sorta NYC-famous. My vice president, Blake Morgan, and Thor are best friends. We all went to Avon Porter Academy together. Thor’s an eccentric gay, and a riot.” Taddy returned her view to the screen and kept typing. “I must secure this project.”

“Why?”

“I want to publicize his new house after he guts it for gilded renovation. Architectural Digest would love having Thor for a cover story.” She offered him a head-spinning stare.

“How many clients does your firm manage?”

“About a hundred or so campaigns run monthly, why?” Eyes fixed on the screen, Taddy didn’t look at him when she replied. He hated that.

“Isn’t that enough?” Warner wanted her to take some time off in the near future, not induce more work.

“Look who’s talking.”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’tcha think you have enough hotels, enough spas? Jesus. What’s with your comment?”

“I wasn’t implying—” He knew better than to have asked. Warner hadn’t known her long, but the guarded game she was playing with him in the limo ride wasn’t hard to figure out. Taddy was going to go back to New York, burying herself in her career and forget all about him. That much he assumed.

“What?”

“Never mind.” Warner couldn’t care less what she did with her clients. Her shtick wasn’t to make more money. Riches didn’t motivate Taddy, although he hadn’t pinpointed yet what did. Her work ethic was impeccable and respected. When she stepped out to greet the journalists, they had pounced on her for attention. Taddy Brill was famous and could’ve run the press conference without him.

“Why are you sitting so far away? Come here, Red.” He tapped his palm over the bucket seat next to him. For just a second, his thoughts were on the night before. God, her hungry body hugging his and then her tight ass being broken in had felt heavenly.

“In a second, darling.” She blinked up at him, gracing him with an intense green flash of her eyes. “Let me finish this e-mail to Neve before we get to the airport. Blake managed her account over the weekend, but she needs a little bit of Taddy-time.”

Why is she going cold? “Have your assistant take care of it.”

“Kiki is in Utah this week, remember?”

“Right.” Damn.

“Without Kiki there to be my filter, the office keeps forwarding me all the communication.”

“That’s your last email. Then I have you all to myself until we get to the airport.” He understood her desire was to be in demand, to feel important, to get the job done. He got that much from her. However, did she know he needed her, too? Right this very second!

“Yes, darling, you’ll have me.” She tapped her gemstone-incrusted timepiece for amusement and added, “For one hour.”

They were nowhere close to the airport. Taddy’s flight departed from Nice. With enough time, he’d listen and she’d talk. But how? She avoided talking to him. Really talking. He figured Taddy was similar to a man in the way that, to get her attention, he’d have to use sex. If he was going to get her to open up, he’d need to turn her on, wind her up, and let her unravel, telling him what it was like to be in that head of hers and how she felt. He must know before she got out of the car.

He pushed the privacy button. The see-through partition glass separating them from the driver suddenly frosted opaque. The rear windows soon followed, giving them complete privacy. We’re close, Taddy, to your feelings. Let me touch you again. We’ll make love…

“You fogged the screen?”

“Ahuh.”

“Why?”

He grinned. She knew better than to even ask.

“Not here, not now, Warner.” Taddy’s started typing faster. Her PR firm’s time was up.

“Right here, and yes, right now.” He slid off the leather seat onto his knees. It was finally the moment alone he’d imagined since that morning when they were last together. He figured approximately one hundred and eighty minutes had passed since he’d caressed her last.

“I told you, Neve’s up for a huge licensing handbag deal. I promised to counsel her today, and I have so much to do for my Candy Land Ball. I should’ve worked this weekend.”

“Stop.”

“I’m kicking myself.” Taddy crossed her legs when he crawled closer to her. She pointed a long finger in a no-no motion about two centimeters from his nose with her left hand.

“No more work chatter, young lady.”

“Is the ‘no shop talk’ agreement starting right now? Shall I set my watch?” Taddy kept typing with her right hand, trying to buy more time.

“Take off your Rolex.” He kissed her left hand that beckoned him to depart. He wanted her to forget about the time. It should stand still for a while. “Turn off the cell and mobile tablet, too.” Licking her fingers in a playful way, he bit her gently with his teeth. I could eat you. I will have you. Forever, my Red. He sucked on her pointer finger. She tasted as she always did—über-feminine and mischievous. Warner pulled her closer into him and farther away from her work. “You’re not flying to New York.”

“I’m not?” Her copper eyebrows arched in surprise.

“Nope,” he confirmed, nesting into his favorite spot—between her legs. “My intention is to keep you to myself for as long as possible.” Warner knew he was selfish.

“Why would you want to do such a thing?” Her lips curled, perhaps with an unexpected revelation.

“Greedy, perhaps. I’m in no frame of mind to share you with anyone.”

“Don’t you want to hear what I’m in the mood for?”

“I have my assumptions,” he hinted, rubbing her inner thighs. “You have no temper to have fun with your Big Daddy this afternoon.”

“Don’t put words in my mouth.” Taddy was turned on. He could tell by her neck, which blushed for him.

“Wanna know what I want to put in my mouth?” Rolling his sleeves up, he didn’t wait for her to respond. He spread her legs with an authoritative force. I want inside, Red. He hooked his middle and ring finger around the silk panties. Warner stared, waiting to continue.

His Red nodded with enthusiasm.

Bit by bit, as if releasing white doves to the heavens, he pulled her undies down. Balling the lusciousness in his right hand, he decided he must. I can’t help myself. It’s my drug, my crack…you. Eyes closed, he buried his nose against the soft material as it tickled his nostrils. He inhaled one shallow take. Aaah.

Her tuberose scent lingered on her lingerie.

“Warner, I’ve never seen a guy sniff a woman’s—”

“I love your smell. Pure Heaven.” With each whiff, his dick grew and ached for an escape from his pants. I’m high on your perfume, on you.

“Let me.” She leaned forward and unzipped his linen slacks to half-mast. It gave him some breathing room.

Red spread her legs wide. Blush-to-roseate wonder met his gaze as he stared. Fucking yes. Her flesh felt smooth to his touch. Taddy’s swollen cunt had subsided from the previous night’s love fest. “Red, look at you.”

Debauchery magazine, along with her folder marked “Baden Cosmetics”, fell to the floor. She’d pushed her work to the side.

Was she giving in?

Unbuttoning her jacket, he held her luscious breasts hostage. She licked her fingers assuredly then played with her nipples.

Now we’re talking, Red.

Arching her back off the car seat, she removed her top and dropped it on the floor behind him. Then she unhooked her fuchsia floral lace bra.

“No,” he commanded. “Those are mine.” Her breasts were semi-exposed and perfect. He wanted to suck on them—later. Patience. One Taddy dessert at a time.

“Will you be unwrapping my tah-tahs?” Through her bra, she massaged her left areola. Goading him, Taddy repeated those actions on her right. Her dark, pinkish nipples hardened through the peek-a-boo scalloped trim.

“Yes, Red, but I have unfinished business to attend to down here. Then I’ll get to your tah-tahs up there.” He leaned in closer, lifting her exquisite, long legs over his shoulders.

She hunkered her tiny ass further into the limo seat, no doubt ready for him to eat her out. Once he started, he couldn’t stop until he had tongue-fucked each and every opening of her able-bodied self.

In all-inclusive Warner Truman style, this included, but wasn’t limited to, French kissing her razor-sharp mouth, lashing his tongue over her quick-to-wet crack, and deep-diving his tongue down her very disobedient ass, all with the hope she’d be a little more communicative with him.

Warner rubbed his wet tongue over her clit, humming to vibrate her flesh.

“My God, Warner.” She tightened her body around him as if she were a starfish anchoring itself to a rock after being lost at sea.

He’d be her rock if she’d let him. Please, let me.

She tugged at his hair. Her nails raked his scalp, pushing his face in farther, deeper. “Keep going. Go. Go. Go. That’s it. Yes. Spoil me.”

Pulling back, he affirmed, “I want to spoil you.”

“You do?” she panted, pressing her calf muscles into his shoulders and urging his tongue to go in further.

He replaced his mouth with his middle and ring finger so he could talk to her. “Will you let me spoil you, Red?” Driving his digits deep inside her, he hoped to make her his one way or another. Before they arrived at the airport, he hoped to have her where he wanted her, relaxed and talking. Really talking.

“I’ll try.” Unclipping the hair tie from her naysayer bun, she released her ginger waves.

With her cunt swelling, he zigzagged his fingers up and down, enjoying her body’s quiver. Body heat building, her face trembled. “Don’t stop.” Her almond-shaped eyes closed, savoring his efforts.

He laughed. One thing was certain: Taddy possessed a sense of humor about sex. It was her intimacy that he’d work on with her. If she’d let him.

You ready to talk to me, Taddy?

After sliding his fingers from her wetness, Warner licked his tongue along her folds. Fucking beautiful. With each lick, he gave her hot skin a little blow to cool her down. “I want inside.”

“Fuck. Shove your cock in me. Give me.”

He laced his dick with her essence. The wetness created friction in his hand. His erection thickened. “I can’t wait to make love to you again.”

Although she was seated and composed, he could tell she was about to break loose. Her ceramic brick walls were beginning to break down.

Come on, Red. Let me see you. The real you.

As Warner knelt over her, his reflection stared back at him from the opaque window. He didn’t care if people found him handsome or not. He wasn’t conceited and he usually didn’t study himself in a mirror—ever.

His muscular build reminded him that while Taddy stood tall and fit, she was slender by comparison. He didn’t want to ever hurt her by becoming too aggressive in bed. She could ride him cowgirl-style anytime she desired. Taddy had tensed up each time he’d placed her on her back and stared deep into her eyes.

Had he crushed her? He made a mental note to treat her with care. Especially right that minute, because she seemed extra sensitive. Maybe she was torn over her work responsibilities and her desire to stay and play longer.

Red’s warm hands pulled his slacks to the floor. “I love your dick.” His cock slid into her two-handed grip.

Yes! I want your sex, but we must talk.

“I want you so bad, Warner.” She was being bossy but in a cute way.

“Music to my ears.” His cock came down over her Vogue-editorial-worthy face. “Tell me again. Tell me you want this, Red. Tell me you want me.”

“I want you, now.” She cupped his balls and they swelled tight.

“Not yet, Red. I must have a kiss.” He leaned down, tracing his tongue alongside her full bottom lip.

“That tickles.” She giggled.

“Good.” He loved it when she laughed. He traced his tongue over her top lip. Convinced she’d let her guard down, he said, “It’s time we talked.”

“Fuck first. Talk afterward.”

The limo accelerated as they hit a bump. They must’ve made it across town. Soon, they’d be at the airport.

Warner gripped her chin in his hands and butterfly kissed her right cheek with his lashes. He hoped to make her laugh again.

After their tongues waltzed, he confessed, “You were on my mind throughout the conference. I was giving the speech, but my thoughts were racing over Taddy Brill.”

“Honestly?” She gave off an unfamiliar shyness he’d not seen on her before.

“Definitely.” You are clueless, Taddy, when it comes to how I feel about you. He kissed her again and again, holding her face in his hands, inhaling her tuberose.

“This is on my mind.” She grabbed his hard-on.

“What else is on your mind? Tell me.” He encouraged her to be verbal. She’d tried to shut him up so many times during their lovemaking that weekend. He adored it when she talked dirty to him.

“I haven’t eaten lunch yet today.” Taddy unfastened her pavé diamond karat white gold bangle from her dainty wrist. After placing her jewelry to the side, he kissed her hand. She wrapped her fingers halfway around his penis.

“Are you telling me…?”

“I’m telling you I’m hungry for you. I devoured you for breakfast, and I’d like to order the same for lunch.” She stroked his cock harder. Her lips slipped over the sensitive tip of his dick. His penis’s slit rested, right there, at the edge of her mouth. Taddy traced her tongue in one—two—three long strokes along his shaft and tugged down on his nuts.

“Baby, you make me happy.” Warner leaned forward, giving in to temptation. He pushed his stiffness into her mouth. She gagged, a little. Panicked, he looked down to see if she was okay. Taddy grinned. His hands held the back of her head and guided her. However, he didn’t push because he didn’t want to offend her. “Red, did you hear me? I said you make me happy.”

Lost in him, she answered, “Yes, darling.” Her suction increased as she tugged harder on his nut sac. She spread her legs wider.

“You want this, baby?” He leaned further into her mouth. Hearing her inhale—she became breathless—he pulled out.

Pissed as a teething baby whose father had taken her pacifier, she argued, “Don’t take what’s mine away from me.”

“Am I yours?” Waiting for her answer, he unbuttoned his oxford, tearing at the white plastic closures. How many buttons does this shirt have? At last, his shirt fell to the floor. He was naked in his stretch Maybach with the most beautiful woman in the world, and he didn’t want to fuck. No, they needed to talk.

“Perhaps.” She went back to his cock, licking, pumping, and sucking with a frantic stride. Taddy loved a career challenge, but could she take a personal one?

His nuts swelled tighter. The air-conditioning blew on his ass cheeks, which were held tight in Red’s grasp.

Her acrylics felt like meat hooks in his flesh. He couldn’t move. He didn’t dare.

She sucked harder.

He’d waited months to find her, and he’d loved having her with him that weekend. She couldn’t leave.

He gripped her face. “Taddy, stop. I’m going to—”

The limo’s intercom chimed.

“Monsieur Truman, we’ll be arriving at the airport in about ten minutes,” his driver voiced over the limo’s speaker.

Warner withdrew from her embrace. “Thank you, driver.” He turned the intercom off and kissed Taddy again. “You make me insane with desire.”

“Ahem.” Her sourpuss face returned.

“We need to talk.”

“No, we need to have sex.” Taddy grabbed his hands, guiding them under her red mink bra straps. She unleashed their beauty in one fell swoop.

My, my, my. He knelt back down and admired Brill panorama.

Her pear-shaped breasts in his hands looked as perfect as a fifty-eight-facet diamond. If the Gemological Institute of America would have graded Red’s breasts, they would be, without question, “FL” for flawless. “I love your breasts.”

“They haven’t changed much since this morning. Do they still turn you on?”

“Very much so. I’m in awe each time I see you. It’s a new experience every time. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. You’re all I need.” He looked up at her.

Taddy’s mouth fell open as her eyes glistened.

He cupped her face in his hands. Get real with me, baby.

Shaking off her confusion, Taddy gave him a PR-diva smile. “My tah-tahs say thank you for the compliment.”

“Taddy…” Damn your intimacy issues. He’d get her to open up, one way or another. His attempt to make love in the car had seemed like a good idea, but hadn’t worked out too well. She’d come close, he could tell. Taddy just might start to trust him. He’d love her if she’d let him. “I promise I’ll come see you in New York. I will.”

She reached forward, holding on to him. “I don’t want to be a clingy girl, but for the first time in my life…I’m weak over you.”

“Why can’t I be stronger than you?”

“Vulnerability is foreign to me.”

“Order a passport for your emotions.”

“Meaning I don’t like it.” She massaged his biceps. “I’ve taken care of myself since I was a kid. I don’t want to need you.”

“But I need to want you,” he comforted. “Let’s celebrate us.”

Taddy wiped her eyes and admitted, “I’m scared, Warner. We hardly know one another, and already my stomach is upset. I’m dizzy. I’ve never felt this way about anyone, ever.”

“Good to hear, Taddy.” Their feelings were becoming mutual. He held her hands in his. They felt warm.

“I shouldn’t be talking to you like this. It’s not good for me.” Taddy shook her head and her lips trembled.

“Why do you fear us? What’s the real reason? Tell me.”

“No.”

“Is it your family?” Warner pressed.

Her eyes narrowed. “I can’t explain.”

“Yes, you can and will.”

Taddy swallowed loud enough for him to hear. Her eyebrows rose, maybe with the revelation he was being serious. She offered, “In time, Warner. I don’t want to frighten you.”

“Nothing you can say will make me run away. I promise I won’t hurt you. I want to get to know you better.”

“I want to spend more time with you, too.”

“We can go at whatever pace you’re comfortable with, as long as it’s forward.”

“Backward would suck.” Taddy huffed into a laugh, but it didn’t come out convincing.

He pulled her into him. “Do you remember last night, at dinner? When I said you hadn’t felt a man’s touch in a while?”

“Yes.” She buried her face in his chest.

“I can also tell you haven’t experienced love. Not in a long time—if ever.”

“No, you’re right.”

“You deserve to be loved. Please, let me show you.” He drew her face to his and kissed her. “I’ll show you if you let me.”

“I’m needed in New York. I’m…” Shaking her head, she closed her eyes, unable to finish her words. Taddy didn’t mean what came from her lips. He knew her rebuttal was bullshit. She wanted him just as badly as he wanted her.

Warner shushed her and held her in his arms as they pulled into the airport. When the limo arrived, he got dressed, stepped out with her and walked her as far as airport security would let him. He’d promised Taddy he’d come to New York on his way to Asia. He gave her the keys to his penthouse, his personal assistant’s name, and contact information in Manhattan. Warner guessed she’d never use it. She was Miss Millionaire Independent, but he hoped those ‘strings’ would provide assurance that they’d continue this new relationship.

I want her to be as excited about ‘us’ as I am. But she radiated terror. His words had meant nothing to her, he could tell. Taddy’s media world was built on hearsay and things that might not ever come into reality. Her personal life was about action. And he’d realized in the limo that talking to her wouldn’t do either of them any good, because she wouldn’t listen. She had to be shown.

I’ll give you action, Miss Brill. Like you’ve never seen.