CHAPTER EIGHT
Lara sighed with relief when they left the building at the end of the first day. It’d been exhilarating to begin with, walking in with danger in tow. That’s how she secretly thought of Draco. Dangerous. And he was. Just as well she was in charge.
“Day one, done,” she commented as they stepped out onto the busy London pavement.
“We were pretty much ignored.” Draco glanced at her as they walked side by side to the tube station.
Was he bored? “No, no, we weren’t.”
“What were you expecting?”
“I’m just glad it went smoothly. Like you said, we’ll be part of the furniture by day two. They won’t notice what we’re up to.”
“You liked the idea of the risk though, didn’t you?”
Startled, she stared at him unable to think of a response.
He smiled. “Don’t fret, the level of risk is set to get even higher, soon...”
The look he gave her right then set her alight. And they’d be in close proximity, all night. Anticipation flooded her. She tried to rein it in as best she could, knowing she ought to be thinking about business. The trouble was the moment she’d met him, Draco’s appeal had outshone the business endeavor in a heartbeat.
They were just about to get on the tube train when he got a text message.
She glanced over and caught the name ‘Jackson’ on his phone screen. His forehead was heavily wrinkled his handsome mouth pursed. “What’s up?”
“Someone I was hoping never to hear from again, asking for a meeting.”
Tension immediately gripped her. His frown broke, and he tucked the phone inside his jacket pocket as he turned to her and smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, it won’t intrude on our joint project.” He reached his hand over and squeezed hers. It was at tender gesture, but Lara was unnerved. Was it a girlfriend he’d heard from?
“Do I need to be concerned?”
“No. Just an old acquaintance bugging me.”
She couldn’t help herself. “A girlfriend?”
Draco chuckled, “No.” He seemed amused and she wished she hadn’t said anything. “Just some guy I know from my hacking days. We’ll have to reschedule our dinner date though,” he added.
“You’re canceling?”
He shook his head. “Hell no. It shouldn’t take more than an hour. Wait for me?” His eyelids lowered and he gave her a simmering hot look, full of promise.
“I guess I can amuse myself for an hour.”
He made a sound like a growl in his throat. “I guess you can.”
“I’ll head back to the apartment.”
“I’ll be an hour behind you, tops.”
“Okay. I’ll pick Chinese take out for us and keep it in the oven.”
“In that case I’ll grab a bottle of wine and see you at home.” With that he hugged her against him, made a growling sound in her ear, and headed away into the crowd, striding in the opposite direction to their train.
Lara stood there, wavering at the edge of the platform. Where had he gone, she wondered.
What if he took off? Or maybe he’d already done that. Changed his mind. Surely not? Now they’d actually begun and he’d been seen at work, she didn’t want to let him out of her sight in case he had second thoughts, but he’d just pecked her on the cheek and left. It’d seemed like a natural response to a genuine text message. No sign of regret or backing away. Maybe that’s what way he’d do that, she didn’t know him.
When the next tube train pulled in, she got in.
As planned, she queued for take out and popped it in the oven back at the apartment. It felt weird now, being there alone. She was glad he’d called it “home” though, that tickled her.
While she waited, she set the table, turned on the TV and watched the news. After that she had a tidy out in her bag. When an hour had passed she found herself watching the clock and got up to have a look around the apartment.
Walking along the corridor to the bedrooms, she realized she didn’t know which of the two rooms Draco had chosen to sleep in. She’d left some of her stuff in the master bedroom. Grabbing the door handle she peered in for signs of occupation. She didn’t have to look far. Not surprisingly, he’d made himself at home in the master suite. She’d slept in that bed a couple of nights ago. It hadn’t occurred to her to point it out to him. Some of her stuff was lying about though, surely he’d noticed that? Apparently not. The bed was in disarray, pillows all on one side, and the fancy burgundy and gold quilt half strewn on the floor.
Grabbing her night things and the clothing she’d hung in the wardrobe, she moved them to the spare bedroom, running back and forth as quickly as she could.
Each time she went back into the master suite her attention went back to the massive bed. It seemed to pulsate with the same sexual suggestion he did, stimulating her senses, creating sexy images in her mind—images of Draco, naked and beckoning to her. After seeing him in the tailor’s changing room, those pictures presented themselves far too readily.
Why in god’s name had she decided to stay the night here? It was going to be impossible to sleep with him so close by. She should have gone to Naomi’s place again, to the safety of her friend’s sofa and just called by early tomorrow on the way to work again. Trust him, in other words. Can’t, she thought to herself. After all, she didn’t eve don’t even know where he’d shot off to.
It had to be done. She had to stay over and that meant ignoring the tide of desire hampering her logical self every time she looked at him or they got into close proximity. Quickly closing the master suite door, she turned away, even more flustered than she’d been before. She’d just closed the door on the smaller, second bedroom, when Draco’s voice behind her made her stop.
“Lara?”
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw him looming large and male in the subtle lighting in the corridor. His jacket was over his arm and his tie was adrift. Something was amiss. “I was just .. tidying. Are you okay?”
“Yes, sure. It turned out to be something and nothing.”
Thankfully he didn’t notice how flustered she was.
“I put the wine on the table,” he added.
He strolled closer and she got a better look at him. His hair was awry and he had a preoccupied look in his face. What had gone on? “You look stressed.”
“My little sister, Sky, is hanging out with someone she shouldn’t be so close with.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I’ll speak to him tomorrow. Right now I’m going to quickly grab a shower. Two minutes, tops, I promise.”
As they passed, he briefly embraced her—as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do so. It felt that way.
Smiling, she went to the kitchen and served the food.
When he strolled back in he looked at the food on the table hungrily. He was wearing jeans and t shirt. His hair was dripping wet and the shirt clung to the heat of his body. Butterflies in the pit of her belly fluttered into life.
“Tuck in while it’s hot,” she said and shot off to fetch glasses.
Over the meal he talked about the database issues. It was a blessing he was interested in it. She’d worried he might find it boring, but he seemed genuinely enthused. “I’d rather start from scratch with a newly scripted system and bring the data across. It’ll take a bit of time but the new system won’t have any bugs or errors in it.”
“Whatever you think is best. It would be great to complete the cover job, as well as the secret project.” She set the take out dishes on the glass topped table and brought plates and cutlery.
Draco opened wine and poured it.
He hadn’t asked her if she was staying over. She’d mentioned it the day before but now she worried it was unwise. What if he really disappeared though? He could do that anytime, get up from his desk and walk out never to be seen again. She had a story ready for that. They’d had a row, split up. What a tragedy.
Over the meal he acted natural, and she was grateful for it. She hadn’t decided for sure about staying. There was the spare bedroom. It was difficult to put it entirely out of mind, giving the he was, the way he looked and how hot it made her.
They chatted about the office, the flaky human resources staff.
“Do you think they judge you because of your family connection?”
“Definitely. It’s human nature. They’re definitely a bit off about us, you know, like we’re interlopers.”
“Interlopers,” he repeated with a laugh. “More like they’re worried we’ll expose they’re crap.”
“We don’t have to do that do we,” she asked quickly. “Can’t we just present a better records system and walk away at the end of the placement? It’s not the main goal, after all.”
He studied her a moment before replying. “You’re the boss, we can handle it whatever way you want.”
“Well, I don’t want anyone to lose their jobs or anything.”
“What about your brothers, if they don’t figure it out and you show them up?”
“They won’t lose their jobs.”
He gave a dry laugh. “Those two could probably sell the family silver and get away with it.”
She was about to respond then thought better of it. He was right, they were privileged. Even me, she silently agreed. She smiled and brushed it off as quickly as she could, unable to trust herself to do or say the right thing any more.
Thankfully he looked as if he regretted his comment and changed the subject.
“That was a great meal,” he said, pushing his plate away deliberately.
“Next time I’ll cook for you.”
“Sounds good.” He was eyeing her up, not thinking about food, that was obvious.
She shot him an accusing glance.
He tipped his glass at her.
Long after the meal was done they sat there, sipping wine and talking about everything from their favorite foods to favorite books, the mutual arousal building to fever pitch as they eyed each other across the table. Lara did nothing to break it, she didn’t want to. She wanted to feel his lips on her again those strong hands holding her against him.
“Would you rather be elsewhere, hacking into new ground, other mega corps, maybe?” She asked the question knowing he’d say no, knowing they were both cherishing the slow burn between them.
“Absolutely not.”
“I’m glad. I thought maybe you’d get bored, helping me out with my project.”
“I’ll get bored with the project, but you’re making that so much easier for me to endure.” The look he gave her was both suggestive, and seductive.
She almost suggested they move to the seating area, but it immediately made her think of the night before, the kiss, and how he’d made her feel. Was this wise?
“I’ve been thinking. Working on the database is basically a cover, but it’s going to be safest if I hack into the real stuff at night, remotely, from here. I can plan it during the day, learn my way around the intranet, as necessary.”
“Okay…but when will you sleep?”
His yes twinkled mischievously. “Luckily I don’t need a lot of sleep. I manage a couple of hours, most nights.”
Pictures of him strolling around the place at night, half naked, invaded her mind. The thought of him being here, working, while she tossed and turned in the guest room trying unsuccessfully to sleep was too worrying. “Really? You’re not just saying that?”
“No. It’s one of a couple of gifts I have.”
She took the bait. “And the others..? Presumably hacking is one.”
“Nope. Not a gift. I had to work hard at that to begin with.”
“So you’re going to keep me guessing?”
“I should shouldn’t I?” Every comment was flirtations. “I have a photographic memory.”
“Intriguing. Anything else I should be aware of?”
“I’ll let you discover any other hidden talents for yourself.”
“Now there’s an offer.”
He flickered his eyebrows.
Smiling, she ran her finger around the top of her glass. It felt as if they were negotiating a deal, facing each other with the solid breadth of the table in between.
He put his wine aside and studied her. “When do you let your hair down?”
Startled by the question, she didn’t reply.
“You remind me of one of those women in the movies. You know you’re looking at a beautiful actress even when she’s hiding it, before she lets her hair down and takes off her glasses.” His intense green eyes were locked on and lethal.
Was that a compliment? Lara wasn’t sure. She felt stripped bare. Draco already figured her out, he knew she acted a certain way to appear as normal a girl as possible. Not a nut job with a wild scheme to get into her father’s good books. It struck her how funny it must be to someone like him. “Are you laughing at me?”
With brooding eyes, he denied it. “No.”
Her pulse raced. “Just teasing, huh?”
“Yes, teasing you.” His gaze raked over. His mouth quirked, as if he were thinking of something intimate.
“What makes you think I ever let down my hair?” Instantly she wished she hadn’t said it, because it sounded as if they really were talking about sex.
“You haven’t so far, while we’ve been together. I want to be there when you do it for the first time.”
Arousal hung heavy in the air between them, like static in the atmosphere.
“I know what you’re thinking” she replied, “and you’re right my office armor helps me feel more at ease in that environment.”
He gave her a slow nod but thankfully he didn’t look smug about it
“You’re pretty sharp,” she added. “It proves you might be the man for the job.”
“Oh I’m your man all right.”
Before she could respond he stood up and walked around the table, sitting next to her instead. He stroked the length of her hair. “I’m glad you’re staying tonight.”
Her fingers clasped the edge of the table, anxiety flooding her body. It was lust but it was rolled up with anxiety about what she was doing. “I doubt I’ll sleep much.”
Why on earth did I say that? she wondered, expecting him to make some smart remark that would make her even more embarrassed.
Instead, he cupped her cheek in his palm, looking at her with a tender expression. “Try not to stress about the project. We’ll get through it together.”
His voice was low and husky and said as much about sexual desire as it did business concerns.
Her heart tripped. “This bit wasn’t in the contract, the kind reassuring bit.”
He smiled. “You know I’m attracted to you, Lara. You knew it from the moment I caught you stalking me.”
He was so direct. It embarrassed her, even though he was right. She laughed. “I wasn’t stalking you. Well, not exactly.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “You noticed me looking back though, didn’t you?”
“Yes” Anticipation knotted inside her.
“It was mutual from the beginning.” His eyes blazed.
She nodded. She had to squeeze her thighs together in an effort to control the desire burning inside her. “I can’t let anything get in the way of the project.”
“Of course not.” His gaze was so intense it was unsettling. “We’re off the clock for a while now, surely?”
She nodded.
“I want you,” he stated. His comment was so blatant she stared at him, her skin tingling wildly.
“I see,” she managed to respond.
“I haven’t made you uncomfortable, have I?”
“Not in a bad way.” She smiled, determined to speak to him as an equal despite the overwhelming effect he had on her. Determined also to capture the magic of the moment and the magnetic tension between them. Everything had become more intense, every breath, every heartbeat, every mutual glance.
Meanwhile he looked at her as if he were deciding how he intended to have her. “Maybe I can help you relax?”
They stared into each other’s eyes. She felt as if her entire being was riveted to the moment, afraid to acknowledge how much she wanted him, and yet afraid he’d walk away and leave her on the precipice.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “Maybe you can.”
He stood up, stepped behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. He kneaded them, firm but gently. Her eyelids felt suddenly heavy, her body liquefying. A pleasured moan built up inside her and suddenly escaped her open lips, because those magic touches of his melted any final shred of doubt or resistance, stoking the fire between her thighs, making her yearn for more contact. Her head dropped back and she reached up to touch his hand where it rested on her shoulder. “That’s good,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
His free hand went to her hair, where he teased strands of it free.
It was oddly breathtaking, as if he was actually undressing her. She turned to look at him and meet his gaze. “You want me to let it down?”
He nodded and stepped back giving her room to move.
Rising to her feet she turned to face him, stepping away from the table. Unclipping her hair, she let it fall down around her shoulders. It reached as far as her chest when she shook it free.
Draco reached out and touched the loosed tendrils, weaving his fingers into her fine hair. “Beautiful.”
“I clip it up because it’s so fine.” It suddenly crossed her mind she didn’t know what underwear she had on. Not her sexiest, the pink set with a faint butterfly print. Could be worse.
“I haven’t had a lot of experience,” she whispered. Now it was going to happen, she had to get it out there in case his expectations were high and she embarrassed herself.
“Are you a virgin?”
“No. I’ve got past that point.” She laughed softly, desperately trying to sound nonchalant. But she could hear the nervousness in her own words. “The guy didn’t take a long and I…”
Suddenly she wished she hadn’t mentioned it. Silence emanated from beside her on the sofa. When she dared to turn and look at him, he smiled reassuringly.
“What a loser. If I had the honor of taking you to bed, the best part would be witnessing you come, making it happen.” His voice was husky and sexually charged.
Lara squirmed on her seat. His words were so direct, so arousing, and the look in his eyes equalled it. More than that he was a man in control, and it melted her, turning her insides to liquid heat. “Oh lord, now I’m embarrassed I even told you.”
“Don’t be.” He covered her hand with his own squeezing it. “It’s better I know.” Moving his hand tucking her hair behind her ear so he could look at her. “You’ll be safe with me, and we’ll take our time.”
“You’re still willing to take me on?” The simmering heat in his eyes assured her he wasn’t backing off, quite the opposite.
“Oh yeah.” His voice seemed deeper still, as if made gruff by the tension between them, the erotic promise. “I’m going to make you come, repeatedly” he added. “I’m going to watch you enjoy it.”
He stood up and put out his hand.
Lara stared up at him, trying to hold it together. The way he instructed her was extraordinarily arousing and when she took his offered hand and rose to her feet, she trembled, her skin hot and damp.
He could tell. She saw the recognition in his eyes.
Closing until he was right up against her, he put one finger beneath her chin, and looked into her eyes. “Don’t be nervous.”
He kissed her tenderly, and before shed even opened her eyes she found herself swept up into his arms. She latched her arms around his neck, hiding her face against his chest as he carried her.
When she saw the master suite bed, however, a moment of sheer panic hit her. How had it come to this? This was meant to be purely business. But the erotic tension between them had condensed into something extraordinarily intimate, something that made her melt into a puddle of desire in his arms. Would she regret it? She could only hope not, because it was going to happen.
He set her on her feet by the bedside.
Stepping behind her, embracing her from behind, he stroked her hip bones as he eased her in against him. The hard lines of his body at her back made her knees buckle, but he was holding her, locked against him in his strong arms, and she wilted.
Lifting her skirt, he stroked the surface of her panties, making her sensitive places cry out for more. The feeling of his fingertips easing inside the lacy fabric stole her breath away.
With trembling fingers she undid the buttons on her shirt.
“No.” He covered her hands with his, stopping her. “I’ll undress you.”
The insistence in his voice made her legs weak. She wavered, the desire to flee battling with her growing need. She wanted to be with him, could scarcely think of anything else. Her core ached to experience it, to feel his thrusts.
Taking his time, he removed each and every item she was wearing, until she stood there, naked, right by the bed.
“Do you um, have something?”
“I told you I’d keep you safe, didn’t I?”
Tentatively, she slid one hand around the back of his neck. The other, she pressed flat against his chest. His hips moved against her, pressing into her body, letting her feel him.
The size of his erection left her in no doubt how ready he was.
He looked at her with those intense eyes and nodded at the bed.
She sat restlessly at the edge, breathing him in.
He pulled his t-shirt up and over her head. When his hand went to his button and fly, she glanced away. Once he was naked, there was no ignoring it. He was huge, hard and ready. Tearing open a condom packet, he rolled the rubber on inside his fists, an action that made her leap with expectation inside.
With effort, she took action, lying on the bed.
As he climbed over her, his mouth descended to hers, and he kissed her again. She invited his kiss deeper, a moan of longing escaping her. A trickle of moisture seeped from inside her, dampening her thighs. Allowing his hand between her thighs, she knew there was no turning back. Once she’d admitted it, her body responded to him more wildly. Arching her hands over his muscular back, she gripped and scratched at him, frenzied with need.
He chuckled. “You want this, too.”
She nodded—barely—mesmerized by him
With one hand between her legs he brushed his fingers back and forth over her clit, then moved deeper. Sensation swarmed over her, surfacing as high as her breast and throat. She could only focus on the intense feelings he was causing in her. Her breasts rolled, fully exposed, the nipples peaked, then gasped when he probed deeper.
“I want to be inside you, badly.”
She stared up at him. “Please Draco, I want you.”
His mouth curved in a subtle smile as he explored her intimate places with his fingers, testing her. “I can tell.”
The look in his eye claimed her to the core. He thrust his thumb inside her opening, then took it to his mouth and sucked her juices from it. Watching him do that strangely intimate thing, she whispered his name. He traced a wet fingertip around her right nipple. Following it with his mouth, his teeth grazed the skin. A fever of longing raced under her skin. Unable to hold back, she sank into the pleasure beneath his masterful fingers.
He ran an accusing finger down one side of her damp folds, and up the other side. He moved his hand. Captured between his fingers, her clit pounded in ecstasy.
It was too much. Her head rolled on the pillows, her cheeks flaming.
“Don’t be embarrassed. Enjoy.”
He bent his head to lick and kiss her swollen, sensitive clit again. She all but melted on the spot, crying aloud. His tongue roved back and forth, stroking her into a frenzy. He was driving her crazy. The more she moaned, the more he probed.
In a sudden, heart stopping rush, she came. He teased her still, and another rolling orgasm hit her.
He rose up and pulled her body nearer with a jolt, positioning her hips, one hand stroking up and down his erection.
She swore and closed her eyes when she caught sight of its size again, her body clenching. Her eyes flashed open when he lay over her and eased the head of his cock inside. The sudden sense of fullness made her writhe on him.
He lifted her hips in his hands nudging his knees beneath her bottom, lifting her, and worked his length inside her.
Hot fluids ran down between her thighs. Stretched to capacity, she could scarcely breathe. Pleasure and need pounded in equal force.
“Please, Draco,” she whispered, her voice low, desperate.
He nodded at her, “You okay, you ready?”
“Yes, take me..!” Embarrassed, her face flushed hot.
He seemed to like it though, grinning at her as his body found its rhythm.
“Oh god, that’s so good!”
Each thrust led him deeper inside her, stretching her to receive him, sending her senses reeling.
Gasping, grappling at him with her hands, she urged him on.
The muscles in his arms flexed as he rose up and drove into her with determination. Each time he thrust she moaned aloud. Each time his hard cock crushed against her deep inside, ecstasy soared through her. He arched over her, his face in her hair, then slid his hand lower, to where they joined. Her breath came ever quicker with each stroke. Her body bowed against his.
His mouth at her neck kissed then grazed her flesh. At the juncture of their bodies, his fingers applied pressure to her clit.
Another climax hovered.
A wild cry rose in her throat.
Pleasure ebbed and flowed, then spangled through her.
“Lara...” He stilled. “Oh God, you’re so hot. Lara, you’ve got me.”
She felt his cock jerk, over and over.
Then his arms around her, holding her, keeping her safe while her sense still reeled. Burying her face in the crook of his neck, Lara rode it out in bliss.