She hadn’t slept well. She’d barely slept at all! So why was she here, in his office?
The sales contracts had all been signed, her clients were eagerly packing up their homes with the generous moving allowance given to them by Steele Industries, she’d even seen construction teams moving into the neighborhood. Everyone was happy. Everyone was moving forward with their lives.
Again, she had to ask herself why she’d come over here. Nothing in her life made sense right now. She had forty-two cases on her desk that she needed to focus on. Why had she dropped everything this evening to come here?
“Ready?” Bryce asked when he stepped out of his office.
Quinn practically jumped out of her skin. His assistant had said that he was in a meeting but would be out shortly. So why was he coming out of his office? She’d been facing the other direction, needing to see the man coming from the conference room at the other end of the hallway, bracing herself for his presence.
“Ready?” she asked, blinking up at him, startled once again by his size and his intensity. What was it about this man that just…knocked her sideways? “Ready for what?” she asked carefully, not wanting to commit to anything. “I just came here to…to thank you.”
“Let’s go,” he interrupted and put that strong hand to the small of her back. Quinn debated for all of a fraction of a second whether to go with him or to resist. But that hand wasn’t allowing any resistance and, in the end, her feet seemed to carry her forward.
But once they were in the elevator, she stepped backwards and glared up at him. “Listen, Bryce, I’m not sure why you think I’m here, I just….”
He turned around, the elevator whisking them to the ground floor but his eyes stopped her words. “We both know why you are here, Quinn.”
She shook her head, furious with him all of a sudden. “Don’t even think that we’re…”
“Going to dinner to celebrate?” he finished, moving closer.
Frozen, she looked up at him, astounded that he’d shifted their conversation so quickly.
His laugh told her that he understood exactly where their argument had been heading. “You assumed I was taking you home for sex, didn’t you?” he asked softly. The doors to the elevator opened and he shook his head, tsking at her as he took her hand and led her out of the building. “You have a very dirty mind, Quinn,” he said and nodded to Daryl who had the limousine waiting with the doors opened.
Quinn grumbled as she stepped into the back seat, wondering how she’d fallen into that trap so easily. “You set me up for that, didn’t you?”
He laughed. “You set yourself up for that. You should have seen the look on your face when I stepped out of my office. Pretty classic, my beauty.”
She sighed and crossed her arms over her stomach. “Listen, there’s really no reason for dinner. I just came over to thank you for the contracts you gave my clients.”
“It was beneficial for both parties, Quinn.”
She lowered her hands to her lap but her fingers curled into small fists. “Yes, but many corporations try to take advantage of people like my clients. They aren’t stupid and they aren’t rich. They are good people who work hard. They want a fair deal. You gave that to them. It is rare in their world.”
He looked at her and she couldn’t quite decipher his thoughts. The man was excellent at hiding his thoughts and feelings.
Daryl pulled up outside of a beautiful Spanish restaurant and she peered out the window. “We’re eating here?” she asked, awed by the elaborate exterior. “I’ve wanted to try this place for a long time.”
He stepped out, and turned to offer his hand as she exited. “Why haven’t you?” he asked as he tucked her hand onto his arm, leading her into the restaurant.
“Too expensive,” she told him, trying to pull back, but he wasn’t allowing that.
“Quinn, come into the restaurant, sit down, talk to me and have a glass of wine. You don’t have to eat anything, but I haven’t eaten in too long and I’m liable to get back into that vehicle and eat you if you don’t get me food.”
With that threat, she practically dragged him into the restaurant. “Table for two,” she demanded of the hostess.
“Good evening, Mr. Steele. It is an honor to have you here for dinner tonight,” the hostess greeted with a lingering smile.
When the beautiful blond woman in a tiny dress and stiletto heels looked Bryce up and down, Quinn stepped in front of him, glaring at the hostess. “He’s not on the menu, honey.”
The hostess pulled back, horrified by what Quinn had just implied so brazenly. But Bryce only laughed softly behind her as he wrapped a strong arm around her waist, kissing her neck to reinforce her words in front of the hostess. “Well done, my dear,” he said as both of them followed the obviously miffed hostess to the table.
“Thank you,” he said as he took the menu. Quinn’s was set to the side of her plate instead of handed to her. An excellent snub, which Quinn ignored.
The dinner was wonderful, despite the hostess’ pouty attitude. They dined on all different types of tapas and, by the end of the meal, Quinn was laughing, shaking her head at some of his construction stories.
When the meal was cleared away, she looked up into his eyes. “I’m going to take the bus home from here,” she told him.
Bryce ignored her, covering her hand, which was resting on the table. “You’re not going home on the bus, Quinn,” he told her firmly.
“I’m not getting into your car, Bryce,” she replied with equal conviction.
“Think not?”
She shook her head, pulling her hand away. “No. Because I know where you think this night is going to end.”
“I do?”
“Yes. You might be playing the gentleman now, but don’t you dare try and convince me that something else isn’t on your mind.”
He shrugged. “It’s going to happen, Quinn.”
Her fingers trembled as she shook her finger, as if the action could reinforce her words. “Not if we control ourselves.”
“Why do we need to stop now? All obstacles are out of the way. Your ethics are clear.”
It wasn’t her ethics she was worried about, she thought silently. It was her heart. “I just don’t think we should get involved.”
He leaned forward, taking her fingers gently. “We already are involved, Quinn. If you don’t think that’s true, then you’re deluding yourself.”
Since she’d just had the same thought, she didn’t deny his statement. Instead, she focused on trying to keep the evening on a businesslike footing. “When do you start demolition on the buildings?” she asked.
He laughed softly, but at the same time, his thumb rubbed against her wrist. She tried to turn her hand so that he couldn’t feel her racing heartbeat, but he wasn’t releasing her hand.
“We’ve already started.”
That surprised her, but she grasped onto the conversation as a lifeline. They discussed the schedule and the process of demolishing older buildings fascinated her. Apparently, the buildings needed to be gutted first. It seemed a bit odd since she’d always thought one could just…blow up a building or push a bulldozer through it and level everything. Apparently, that wasn’t the case.
For the next half hour, she listened and asked questions about the process. But mostly, she just enjoyed the deep, smooth sound of his voice, loving the way it caused her to relax even while the tension increased between the two of them.
She had to escape, she thought. This was getting out of hand. But the realization that she’d never see this man again caused her to continue to come up with new questions, doing anything she could to extend her time with him. The case was over. They definitely didn’t run in the same circles. So this was their last meal, their last conversation.
“We need to leave,” he said softly, pulling her fingers into his hand again.
Quinn jerked upright, looking around. The other tables were still filled, so it wasn’t too late. She glanced down at her watch, shocked to discover that they’d been talking for over two hours.
“Right!” she gasped and reached for her purse. “I’ll just…”
He laughed. “Don’t you dare try and pay for your half of the meal, Quinn. You couldn’t afford it anyway.”
She knew that he was right, but she still took all of her cash out of her wallet, handing it to him. Or trying. He wasn’t taking the money. “Bryce, I’m not letting you pay for my portion of the meal.”
He simply rolled his eyes and took her other hand. “Come on, Quinn. We’re leaving.”
She harrumphed, determined to sneak the money into his pocket somehow. He’d find it when he wore the suit next time and she’d have won. With a spring to her step, thinking she was going to win this argument eventually, even if he didn’t know she’d won, Quinn followed him out of the restaurant. As always, Daryl was standing there, ready with the open door and an umbrella handy, just in case. It wasn’t raining so they were able to easily dive into the back seat.
Once again, Quinn scooted over to the opposite side of the vehicle. When he stepped in as well, he looked at her with an amused expression. “Think that’s going to work?”
She pasted an innocent expression on her face, her hands folded demurely over her knees. “Do I think what’s going to work?”
In response, he leaned forward, taking her hand in his, and with a gentle tug, Quinn went from sitting opposite him to sitting on his lap.
“That’s better,” he replied.
Before she could argue with him or even to have the presence of mind to move off of his lap, he was kissing her. That was the end of every thought, every argument. Quinn simply melted into his arms with a sigh of relief.
Short lived relief! Apparently, the kisses she’d shared with Bryce before were tame. Controlled. No longer!
She could barely keep up, her mind not functioning as his mouth slashed over hers again and again. Quinn was overwhelmed and…relieved? No, that wasn’t the right word. She wanted him. With this kiss, it was exactly what she needed. To touch, to feel. To know him, just one more time.
So instead of analyzing this moment, she lost herself, giving herself permission to enjoy this break in reality. This was what she wanted, and if she were being completely honest with herself, this was what she’d anticipated. Hoped for.
She wasn’t aware of the vehicle moving, nor when it stopped. She was only conscious of Bryce and the way he was holding her, touching her. She didn’t want this moment in time to stop. She wanted to absorb every feeling, every sensation with this man. Because she knew this was her last time with this man, her last time to feel his strong arms around her and feel his magical embrace.
Her hesitation was gone. She’d deal with the pain of heartache tomorrow. For tonight, Quinn was going to make it the best moment of her life!
She wasn’t aware of the vehicle stopping but she whimpered when Bryce stopped kissing her. “Come with me,” he commanded, lifting her up. She was standing on the sidewalk, the cool, night air hitting her skin. She didn’t want the coolness. She wanted his heat. She wanted to burn up with his kiss. So when he stepped closer, she instantly moved into his arms, no argument this time. No resistance.
She felt him moving backwards, but wasn’t aware of the reasons why. She only knew that this man, his touch, and his kiss, were what she needed more than her next breath. He tasted better than chocolate!
He lifted his head and she felt like growling, but then her eyes focused and Quinn realized that he was leading her into his building. Gripping his hand, nervousness hitting her hard, she followed him, debating the wisdom of this all the way in.
But as the elevator doors closed them into a cocoon, she looked up at the man. Not kissing him. There were most likely security cameras and she didn’t want to give the guards a show, but her eyes didn’t stray from his, her heart pounding because she knew what was going to happen as soon as those doors opened up again.
When they did, he pulled her roughly into his arms and she went willingly, kissing him with everything she was feeling, everything she wanted from him. No longer was he the only one demanding. Quinn wanted him and she wasn’t going to hold back any longer. This was her one night with him. Her one time to discover what it would be like to make love with Bryce Steele. She was going to take it, banish all thoughts of risks, worries, and tomorrow.
Tonight was the only thing that mattered now.
He shifted, his body pressing her back against the wall and she loved it because the movement gave her more of him against her body. Quinn shifted her breasts against his chest and sighed with both happiness and frustration as the friction caused electric shocks to spin from her nipples right down to her stomach.
“Quinn,” he growled, lifting his head, but then he only moved his mouth to her neck, his teeth scraping against her pulse and causing more shivers to light her up. “You want this, right?” he demanded, his hands moving to her hips, lifting her up against him. “Tell me you want this, Quinn!”
Quinn stared up at him. Did she want this? Yes!
What was she thinking? Why in the world would she want this? From him?!
“Yes!” she gasped, surprising both of them with that answer.
She didn’t have time to contemplate that response. She was lifted up against the wall and he was kissing her again. “Say my name,” he groaned as he pressed her legs apart with his knees.
Quinn gasped since his hard body was now leaning against hers. It should feel wrong. She should be smothered, overwhelmed. But she wasn’t! She felt…alive! Perfect! Better than she ever had before!
“Bryce,” she whispered, afraid of saying his name too loudly. Wasn’t what they were doing forbidden? Shouldn’t she feel wrong?
It didn’t matter and it didn’t feel wrong. It felt so right!
He carried her…somewhere…kissing her, making her crazy, making her forget everything except for this man’s broad shoulders, his hands cupping her bottom in a way that made her feel soft and feminine. She wanted to press herself against him…just like…yes!
“Do it again,” he told her.
He put her onto something solid, but she didn’t have a chance to look around, to get her bearings. All she could do was hold on as her denim jacket was ripped off her arms. A moment later, her tank top was whipped over her head and then his hands were touching her breast. Where had her bra gone? Oh – it was still on her, he’d simply tugged down the strap, pushing the material away so that he could…
Quinn screamed when his mouth covered her nipple, biting and teasing, sucking at the sensitive tip until she yanked his head away. She couldn’t catch her breath, couldn’t seem to think. And she didn’t care as long as he continued to…
His mouth moved to her other breasts and she screamed out, arching her body against the hard wall behind her. She was on a table of some sort, which freed up his hands. Dangerous. Thrilling!
She heard something tear but had no idea that it was her underwear being ripped off. All she knew was that he was pressing her back, his large hand against her chest while he bent lower. When his mouth touched her core, she screamed again. It was shocking at first, but then…oh my!
Her hands grabbed his head, her legs moving wider as his other hand moved between her legs. One finger, then two and she gasped as his tongue lashed at her. Too much! Not enough! She couldn’t handle this!
“Stop!” she sobbed, but her hands were holding his head, demanding more. Even her body was pressing against his mouth, demanding that he give her something, anything, to make this ache go away. “Oh, don’t stop!” she cried.
And he didn’t! It took only a moment before she felt the most blinding pleasure take over her whole body. The pulsing, throbbing, blissful pleasure was shocking and wonderful and…beautiful!
Slowly, so tantalizingly slowly, the pulsating beauty of that moment simmered, then stopped. Her body was still humming, but she leaned her head against his chest as he carried her down the hallway. She wasn’t aware of anything, just his strong arms, and his powerful body.
The soft mattress against her back had her opening her eyes. Bryce was standing up and she curled her body slightly, enjoying the sight of his tanned skin slowly being revealed to her hungry eyes.
“Bryce,” she sighed with happiness.
More ripping sounds and, as she saw his chest, her eyes feasted on all of the muscles there. At that point, she couldn’t stop herself from moving onto her knees. Almost compulsively, she reached out, needing to touch him, to feel and explore those muscles.
Once again, she was lifted up into his arms, those steel bands wrapping around her, and she lifted her legs, needing that contact with him once again. But this time, she felt something more. With his hot chest pressing against her overly sensitive nipples, the fire was an inferno once again. Just moments ago, she’d been sated, happy. But with his skin touching hers, it wasn’t enough anymore.
Her legs were around his waist and he was tugging at her nipples, his tongue lashing and driving her crazy. She heard something rip and then he was laying her down again. Something hard was pressing into her and she shifted, wanting that, feeling herself being filled up and it was so perfect! So amazing!
Bryce had known that this woman would be like this. She was on fire. She was sensually passionate and still strong, giving all of herself to him. When he pressed into her, going deeper with each stroke, he had to close his eyes because she felt so incredibly good! So tight, so hot and wet and perfect!
She shifted, feeling too tight suddenly. He opened his eyes and looked down at her, realizing that she wasn’t enjoying this as much as she had been a moment ago. Freezing, he held her gently, shaking his head to clear the lust that was driving him so that he could understand why she was…ah hell, she was crying! Just a single tear, but it still tore at him. “Honey, when was the last time you had sex?” he asked gently, still moving back and forth inside of her, and yes, the churning, gut wrenching need was still there, but tempered now, by her inexperience.
“Honey,” he soothed, his body stilling even as he pressed fully into her heat. “When was the last time?”
When another small teardrop escaped from those gorgeous eyes, he felt like a monster. “Quinn, this wasn’t…”
She shook her head, all of those silky locks shifting against his bed and he was distracted. “Just after law school,” she whispered, trying to hide her eyes. “Go ahead and…finish, okay?” she asked with a shaky voice.
He couldn’t help the movement of his hips, but he saw the surprise in her eyes when he did that. So he tried it again, hoping that…
Yes! He felt her nails dig into the skin on his shoulders, felt her body press against him. “Quinn,” he groaned when her legs lifted, wrapping around his waist and pulling him in deeper. He moved gently again, feeling her body tighten slightly. Her eyes widened this time and he shifted once more, moving slowly and watching in case he hurt her again. Her fingers tightened once more and he breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that she was just unused to the movement. “You okay?” he asked, one hand diving into her hair, feeling the silk as the locks slipped through his fingers.
“I think so,” she said and he shifted once more. Her eyes widened again and, when he moved to the left slightly, she gasped, her body stilling before she moved her hips again.
“Tell me when you’re okay,” he soothed, still shifting slowly, allowing her body’s lubrication to come back, to help her out. She’d been so wet before, but now, she was…hell, he shook his head when she lifted her hips to meet his next shallow thrust.
“Deeper, please,” she said, closing her eyes as she turned her face towards his hand.
He pressed his erection deeper into her tight sheath, relieved when he felt her slick heat once again. She was coming back, getting into it again. “Better?” he asked, his voice coming out as if he’d just ran a race.
“Much better!” she sighed, and he pulled his hands lower, lifting her hips up to meet his next thrust. Still slow, gentle, he pressed into her, watching her body arch into his.
“Do that again!” she begged, gasping when he followed her instructions. “Again!” she pleaded.
At that point, Bryce took over, thrusting slowly, but deep into her body, watching her carefully, but losing a bit more control every time her body thrashed against his or when her hips lifted, meeting his thrust. Moving faster, he shifted his body until he knew that he was hitting that sensitive nub, ensuring that she found pleasure in this act.
“Please don’t stop,” she gasped as he went deeper with each thrust. The way he was pressing against her, every thrust felt like a jolt of lightening. It was intense and she wanted to press harder, deeper. “Oh, please, don’t stop!” she cried out, desperate now. Frantic!
And then she was there! The waves! The throbbing pleasure that just wouldn’t stop! It was harder this time, her body screaming out as she held onto him, unaware of her nails scratching down his back as she arched against him. Over and over again, the pleasure hit her. Vaguely, she was aware of his own growl, of the way he pulled her closer, freezing for a long moment. Then he collapsed against her and it was the most glorious weight. Quinn wrapped her arms around him, sighing with a blissful happiness she never knew existed.
He’d moved away and Quinn couldn’t take the separation. She needed to feel him, to have her body against his, feeling his skin against her own. That experience…it had been…incredible!
“You okay?” he asked, pulling her higher against him so that she was draped more fully over his body. His hands smoothed down her back until they were resting against her bottom and she shivered, but couldn’t work up enough energy to tell him that his hands on her butt weren’t appropriate. So she sighed and kissed his chest, her hand resting over his strong heartbeat.
“I’m good,” she whispered back to him, snuggling closer as she inhaled the incredible scent of his skin. “Really good.”
And then she fell asleep.