Chapter Thirteen
“What do you think a first date with a billionaire is like?” Diane asked.
Clara leaned back in her chair, looking around the small office. “I haven’t a clue.”
“Helicopter tour of the city?”
“Plane ride to Rome for authentic Italian?”
“Ooh unlimited Sephora shopping spree.”
“And we have our winner.”
Diane chuckled. “I’m just amazed this is really happening.”
“Me too. Though who knows. I might get home tonight to find he’s changed his mind again.”
“Do you think he would?”
Clara shook her head. “I honestly don’t know. He was pretty clear that if we did start this, there were no guarantees.”
“Is that okay with you?”
She held up her hands. “What are my options here? I don’t need him to give me a ring in order to go out on a date. We can start slow. Keep things casual.”
“You don’t have a casual bone in your body, and even if you did, this is your best friend we’re talking about here. Nothing will be slow or simple.”
“Maybe you’re wrong. Maybe this will all work out for the best.”
Diane sighed. “Not to be a pessimist but I think I’d want a little more to go on than, ‘Hey baby, let’s hop into bed together, but wait, don’t read too much into it.’”
“He’s a brand-new dad. Somewhere out there is Hunter’s mother, and that’s a shoe just waiting to drop. There’s a lot going on in his life right now.”
“Yes, there is all that.” Diane leaned forward on the desk. “But there’s also the fact that Walker has never been serious with a woman in his life. All I’m saying is be careful and make sure you know what you are getting yourself into.”
“I promise,” Clara said, pushing to her feet. “Walk me back to my desk. I need to finish the last paragraph of my article and it’s all yours.”
“Music to my ears.”
Together they left the office and started down the hall that led to the open cubicles Clara worked in.
“Do you really think it’s a good idea to start a relationship right now?” Diane asked as they walked.
“No,” she replied. “But if I keep waiting for the right moment to see if we will ever be more than friends, I might wait the rest of my life. Isn’t it better to take a shot, even if it ends poorly?”
“I don’t know. You’re not exactly a leap-before-you-look sort of girl.”
“I am this time.” She smiled at one of their passing coworkers. “I’ve got next week booked off with vacation days. I’m sorry about the timing. I know I was just off for a few days when my sister visited. I don’t mean to leave you hanging twice.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Diane said with a wave of her hand. “It’s not like this is a usual situation.”
“Do you have anything else you need me to work on before I head out today?”
“Nah, just the article and you’re free to go on your ill-conceived yet probably incredible date with the hunky CEO. I expect full details tomorrow.”
“I will give you a call,” she promised.
“Once the sheets cool, right?”
Clara rolled her eyes. “It’s just a date. Who knows where it will lead?”
“Bed. It will lead to bed.”
“Or maybe we’ll take it slow.”
“It’s been ten years. Any slower and the two of you would be glacial.”
“I love our chats. So motivational.”
“Just put a condom in your purse is all I’m saying.”
They reached Clara’s desk, and she patted her friend on the back. “I’ll be fine however this shakes out. Promise.”
“You’d better be. I can’t hunt down a billionaire. Can you imagine the jail time?”
“Don’t worry about that. We can always hide the body.”
“See? This is why we’re friends.”
Clara laughed. “Go away and let me get to work, or I will have nothing to tell you tomorrow.”
“Fair enough. Good luck tonight.”
“Hopefully I won’t need it,” she said, dropping into her chair. She pulled up her draft as Diane walked away, but it was hard to concentrate on the task at hand. All she wanted to do was hand her work in and rush back to Walker. There was no stopping the silly smile on her face when she thought about last night.
And when she thought about tonight, the smile just got wider. For better or worse, it was finally time to open the Pandora’s box they’d been avoiding for years.
Despite her words to Diane, she really hoped she knew what she was doing.
“You’re not going to give me a hint about where we’re going?” she asked Walker as they sat in the backseat of his car, his driver taking them downtown.
“You’re really struggling with this idea of a surprise.”
“I like having all the facts.”
“You get this is supposed to be fun, right?”
With a smile, she leaned over as far as her seat belt would let her. “It is fun.”
He pressed a light kiss to her lips. “Just wait.”
Sitting back in her seat, she grinned out the window. When she’d come home from work, Walker had been waiting. He hadn’t tried to get out of their plans as she’d half expected but had ordered her upstairs to change as fast as she could. He’d ushered her out the door, past the excited Emily who’d agreed to stay late to babysit, and down into his waiting car.
“We should probably talk about this. Lay some ground rules. Figure out how this is going to work.”
“Or,” he countered, “we could go out and have a good time together. Order some drinks, make out like teenagers, and stop worrying about the future.”
“Doesn’t sound too bad,” she agreed as the car slowed.
Getting out, she looked up at one of the most popular jazz clubs in the city.
“But you hate jazz,” she said when he came around beside her.
“I do. It’s just noise as far as I’m concerned.”
“And you hate to dance.”
“Those of us born without a sense of rhythm usually do.”
She turned to him. “Then why are we here?”
“Because,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist. “You love jazz and I love any excuse to hold you.”
Her heart fluttered. “Do lines like that normally work for you?”
“What lines?” he asked, dipping his head. “I’m just being honest.”
She sighed as he kissed her, smiling against his lips.
“Come on.” Catching her hand, he led her into the bar.
As soon as they stepped inside, the music swept over them. A live band played while a crowd already gathered before them. Some people swayed to the music while others filled the tables edging the perimeter. Waitresses dressed all in black rushed about collecting orders and waiting tables.
“Dance or sit?” he asked.
She grinned. “You should know the answer to that.”
With a mock groan, he allowed her to tug him into the crowd.
“Thank you,” she said as bodies danced around them.
“I know what you like,” he replied.
“This is your version of hell.”
“Not really.” He spun her into his arms, one hand going to her back while the other clasped her hand. “I think jazz is growing on me.”
“Oh, it is, is it?”
His gaze dropped to her lips. “Mm-hmm.”
A lightness filled her as they danced to the music. It wasn’t like this was their first time spending an evening together. As much as he loathed dancing, she’d even managed to get him on the dance floor every few years. Usually on her birthday when he couldn’t say no.
But it wasn’t two friends hanging out this time. It might be the start of an actual relationship, and that knowledge had her heart racing in her chest.
“You know why I don’t mind dancing tonight?” he asked her.
“Why?”
“Because now I can do this.” The hand on her back slid lower as he pulled her in close. She stared up at him, his mouth tantalizingly close.
“It’s a nice new perk,” he said.
“Gotta say I’m a fan.”
“Yeah?” He danced them in a circle.
“We might be making a mistake, you and I,” she said. “But it feels good for the moment.”
His gaze caught hers. “I’m sorry I can’t give you the promises you deserve.”
“I’m not asking for any.” They swayed together. “I know you never expected to have a family, and now Hunter is in your life. You never thought to settle down, and now our friendship is morphing into something we’ve avoided for years. A lot is changing and while you run headlong after new technological advancements, you’ve never been good with big adjustments in your own life.”
He looked away.
“See?” she breathed. “I know you, too.”
“And you’re still standing here,” he teased.
“Always.”
The humor slid off his face.
“Whatever happens with us, we can’t lose what we have.”
She smiled at the serious tone. “I’m not sure we can control that,” she replied. “But we can try like hell.”
“That’s a plan I can get behind.”
“Then dance with me,” she said. “Let’s worry about the rest later.”
The music changed, and with a grin, he spun her out onto the floor and then back into his arms. Tossing back her head, she laughed. No matter what came next, in this moment all she felt was joy.
…
“I didn’t think you had it in you,” Clara said as they unlocked the front door. “Dancing for hours. Look at you.”
“I couldn’t disappoint on our first date, could I? Besides, I had to make you forget about Tim.”
“Poor Todd. I’ll have to let him know there won’t be a second date.”
“No?” he asked, kissing her neck from behind.
“Though maybe I should thank him. A little dose of jealousy seems to have done wonders for you.”
“I wasn’t jealous.”
“Sure.” She glanced over her shoulder.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Not much.”
“Uh-huh.” She pushed the door open and walked inside.
“Welcome home,” Emily said, coming into the hall. “How was your night?”
“Very fun,” she replied. “How was Hunter?”
“Good as gold and now sleeping like an angel.”
“Thanks for watching him,” Walker said.
“It wasn’t any trouble.” She glanced at her watch. “Though I should be off. The baby monitor is on in the living room.”
“Thanks again for the help,” Clara said as Emily tossed her coat on and opened the door.
“Anytime,” she said before slipping from the penthouse.
Clara stared at the closed door behind her for a moment. With Emily gone and Hunter settled, there was no one to interrupt them again.
Take things slow. This is all new territory. You don’t have to rush into anything.
Except she really wanted to rush with every fiber of her being.
Walker leaned back against the hall table, watching her.
“We should probably, uh, go to bed,” she said.
The corner of his mouth quirked. “No arguments here.”
“I meant our own beds.”
“Did you?”
She opened her mouth and closed it, feeling adrift. As if sensing her unease, he took pity on her and pushed himself off the table. “The way I see it we have two options.”
“Which are?”
“Option one, we say good night, go to our separate rooms, and take this slowly.”
“Or option two?” she whispered.
He reached out to cup her face, pulling her close for a searing kiss. “We do that. A lot. Personally, I vote for option two,” he murmured against her lips.
“You’re a persuasive negotiator.”
“It’s how I made my millions.”
She pressed her hand to his chest, feeling the hard planes beneath her palm.
“Grab the baby monitor,” she said.
His grin widened as he left her long enough to get it from the living room. Returning to the hall, he stopped at the foot of the stairs and held out a hand to her.
Make your choice. Do you want to jump down the rabbit hole? It might lead to heartbreak.
But some things were worth a little pain.
Crossing to him, she slipped her hand into his.
Together they climbed in silence. When they reached the upper landing, she pulled him toward her room and away from the sleeping baby.
She backed into the bedroom, pulling him with her. Moonlight streamed through the wide windows she hadn’t drawn the curtains over, so she didn’t bother with the light switch. As much as she wanted this, darkness gave her confidence.
Walker closed the door behind them and set the monitor by the bed. When he turned back to her, she couldn’t hide the shiver that raced down her spine. There was no denying the naked lust on his face, and she could barely believe it was for her. All her.
His gaze ran down her body with a slow thoroughness that left her breathless.
“See something you like?” she asked.
“Sweetheart, you have no idea.”
“Just so you know, the feeling is entirely mutual.”
“Really?” With a grin, he reached for the hem of his shirt and tugged it over his head. “How about now?”
Her mouth went bone dry at the sight of his naked chest.
“Oh yeah,” she purred. “Much better.”
In fact, the sight of him went a long way toward banishing her nerves. Walker never hesitated to go after what he wanted. Maybe tonight she could take a page from his book and just enjoy the ride, to hell with the consequences.
If all they’d get was one night, she’d make the most of every second of it.
“Two can play this game,” she said.
And reached for the zipper at the back of her dress.
…
Had he ever seen anything as beautiful as Clara?
She pulled her hair over one shoulder to unzip herself, and Walker could barely hold still as the material around her shoulders gapped.
There was no uncertainty as she wiggled her curvy body and sent the navy dress he’d drooled over tumbling to the floor.
“Damn,” he breathed as her body came into view for the first time.
A black lace bra cupped the full breasts he couldn’t wait to taste. Matching panties completed the set and left her naked of anything else. She put a hand on one cocked hip and waited for him with an arched brow.
But he was not a man to be rushed. Giving himself a moment to enjoy his first sight of her, he let his gaze wander over her luscious body. His mouth watered at the thought of all the things he couldn’t wait to do to her. All the ways he’d make her scream out his name.
He barely realized he was smiling when she let out a little laugh. “Should I be worried about the way you’re staring at me?” she teased.
“Worried? No.” Giving in to his desires, he drifted closer to her. “Should your toes be curling in anticipation? Absolutely.”
“Someone’s confident.”
“I’m not just a genius when it comes to computers.”
She laughed, her expression wide and open. “Big words.”
He reached her side. “I’ll prove them.”
The humor slid off her face. “Please do.”
Loosening the reins on his self-control, he cupped her cheek and drew her closer.
Clara’s breath hitched as her palms touched his chest. Her fingers fluttered over his bare skin before she ran them down the muscles of his abdomen.
Christ, do it again.
He wondered if she heard how hard his heart pounded when she touched him. If she had any idea of how he was fighting against his instincts to toss her backward onto the bed.
He’d had this dream dozens of times over the years, and now the reality was so much sweeter. Bending lower, he ran his lips down her throat, gratified to hear her breath come out as a quiet gasp. The small sound had him hard as iron in a second. A fact that wasn’t helped by the delicate touch she ran along the waistband of his trousers.
“Beautiful,” he whispered against her skin as he guided her backward.
“See now, that’s just what I was thinking,” she said, sliding her hands back up his chest as he waltzed her toward the bed. “How could you keep all this from me?” She drew little circles around his chest as she spoke.
“Sorry,” he said, unrepentant.
Rising to her tiptoes, she brushed her lips over his. “Make it up to me.”
With a growl, he threw away any desire to be a gentleman and encircled her waist with his hands. She let out a little squeak as he tossed her onto the wide mattress. Her hair flew around her face as she bounced on her landing. Had he ever seen a sexier sight than Clara batting back her curls to look up at him with surprise in her eyes, clad in nothing more than some black lace he couldn’t wait to shred?
“Come here,” she said, getting to her knees on the edge of the bed.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Nothing could tear him away from her side. Not now when he was finally in the one place he’d always wanted to be.
When he moved within range, she hooked her fingers around his belt loops and pulled him closer.
“Mmm,” she purred, staring up at him. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything look as tasty as you do.”
“Is that so?”
“Mm-hmm.” She pressed a hot kiss just below his navel, running her tongue along the tender skin. “But I’d love to see a little more.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged,” he replied as she unzipped his pants. There was a siren light in her eyes. He wouldn’t be able to stop her even if the thought had drifted through his mind. As it was, he just wanted her to move faster.
Clara, however, was content to take her time. She dropped kisses along his waistband, her mouth moving ever closer to the part of his anatomy he most wanted to feel her breath against.
Slowly, far too slowly, she pulled the material down, leaving only his boxers. Walker kicked out of his trousers with a hast that was probably less than sexy but he didn’t care. All that mattered was the feel of her little hands on his body.
A new smile curved her lips. One he’d never seen before in all their years together. One he’d bet only lovers would ever see. And it made her radiant.
His heart thumped in his chest at the sight of the hungry, excited little quirk of her lips. Ten years later and he was still learning about her. His Clara was a riddle he’d never be able to solve. Not even with a lifetime.
But damned if he didn’t want to try.
“This is new,” she said, running a finger over the length of his cock through his boxers.
“I assure you, it’s not,” he replied.
“New to me,” she amended.
He leaned down to kiss her, her fingers still curled around his length. “Tomorrow you won’t be able to say that.”
“Good.”
He drew back to see her eyes on his, a hope within them that made his breath catch.
Has anything in my life ever felt this right? He doubted it.
Her eyes still on his, she slid his boxers down. He kicked away the last piece of his clothing and stood silently before her. That deep chocolate gaze ran over ever inch of his body as she studied him as thoroughly as he’d studied her.
“Wow,” she breathed her final verdict. “How the hell can you have a body like this when I’ve seen the junk food in your cupboards?”
“Just blessed,” he said, climbing onto the bed.
She scooted back to make room for him. Or tried to.
Catching her ankles, he pulled her toward him as he rose over her.
“Much better,” he said, settling between her legs.
“Yeah?” She arched a brow as she lazily draped her arms around his shoulders. “I’d think a smart man like you would want to make a few more adjustments.”
Grinning, he drew his lips over the tops of her breasts. “I could think of one or two.” Rolling her to the side, he deftly unhooked her bra with one hand.
“Smooth,” she teased, stripping the material from her arms.
The sight of her breasts, however, burned away any response he might have had. He stared down at her, wondering how the hell he’d gotten so lucky. This was a body he looked forward to worshipping.
“Mine,” he growled, catching one rosy nipple in his mouth.
Clara hissed out a breath as her head rolled back. Fingers delved into his hair, urging him closer. He ran his tongue over the sensitive skin, enjoying the taste of her in his mouth. Reality was far better than any fantasy he’d ever had of her. With her laid out before him, he couldn’t decide what he wanted to focus on first. Like a kid in a candy store, he was overwhelmed at the bounty lying before him. And he intended to savor ever inch of her.
“I’ll never get enough of you,” he promised, raining butterfly kisses down on her face.
She giggled, batting him away, but there was no ignoring the utter joy in her expression when she gazed up at him. “Fine with me,” she said.
Pressing a kiss between her breasts, he slid lower, running his mouth over the exposed skin.
“Walker,” she murmured when he lapped at her navel.
“Hush,” he whispered. “Indulge me?”
“You don’t…you don’t have to do that.”
He chuckled even as he nipped at her thigh. “Have to? Sweetheart, I can’t imagine anything more satisfying than making you scream my name.”
He glanced back up at her to see a blush staining her cheeks. “I’m not really all that loud…”
He laughed. “Challenge accepted.”
“No, I didn’t mean—”
He ran his hands between her thighs, gently pushing them open. “I know what you meant. Relax, Clara.”
She nibbled on her lower lip for a moment before he felt the tension in her legs ease.
“Good girl,” he purred, kissing her inner thigh.
He took his time, playing with the sensitive skin he could reach. Her breath quickened as he drew one finger along the slit of her panties.
“God,” she gasped.
“Not a nickname I’d refuse.” Hooking his fingers across her panties, he slid them down her legs.
Look at her. All wet and ready. Just for me.
Something primal rose within him as he gazed at her. Clara was his. No matter what happened in the future. Tonight, seeing her like this, it was all worth it. They couldn’t have gone on as they had been for much longer. He never would have been able to hide his need for her forever.
And now he didn’t have to hide anything. He could touch her as he wanted. Taste her. Make her cry out for him.
She was his in a way no one else ever had been. And he had a sneaking suspicion, no one else ever would be either.
And he fully intended to enjoy the revelation.
…
This is real. This is happening.
Clara could barely credit it. But here she was, spread naked before Walker. His lips ran up her inner leg, making the butterflies in her stomach do freaking summersaults.
Walker is touching me this way. He’s—
His tongue traced along her slit, nearly sending her arching from the bed.
Reaching out blindly, she fisted her hands in the bedsheets under her. It felt wrong, as if she was doing the forbidden, and yet there was no ignoring the fact that wrong had never felt so deliciously right. Was this why people did stupid things with people they shouldn’t? Were they all chasing after this feeling? Because she worried sex with Walker might just be a lifelong addiction.
She bit her lip as his tongue encircled her clit, one finger sliding into her.
“Walker,” she breathed, rolling her hips against his clever mouth. He touched her with sure fingers, knowing how best to make her writhe with need. Every stroke of his tongue made the lust within her burn brighter. A mewling sound escaped her as she tried to hold the need in. He seemed to take the sound as encouragement, adding a second finger to the first.
“Please,” she cried, squirming as he played with her. “I need you.”
She’d never needed anyone with the desperation she needed him. Was this the feeling she’d been missing for so many years? She should have known Walker would be the answer. They’d always been closer than normal friends. Always clicked in a way she’d never been able to replicate with anyone else. It made sense that connection would extend into the bedroom, too.
“Dammit, Walker,” she shouted as he grazed her clit oh so gently with his teeth. Pleasure shot through her, pooling between her legs. As good as he was making her feel, she wanted more. Wanted something more substantial than his wicked tongue.
“Please, please, please,” she said, pulling at his shoulders to bring him back up to her. “I can’t wait any longer.”
His grin was pure male. “Maybe I like making you wait.”
She reached down, encircling his hard cock with her hand. “I’m all for playing,” she said, pumping her fist over him until he groaned. “But right now, I want to feel you inside me. Can you really tell me you don’t want that, too?”
He dropped his head against her collarbone as she rubbed her thumb over the crown of his cock. “I’m ready for you,” she whispered into his ear. “So hot and wet. Do you really want to make us both wait?”
“That would make me a very dumb man,” he panted.
“And we both know you’re brilliant. Prove it.”
Dropping a kiss on her shoulder, he moved off her and fished his pants from the floor. Pushing up on her elbows, she watched him rifle through the pockets with a desperation that had satisfaction spiraling through her.
“Got it,” he said, pulling a condom from his pocket.
She laughed as he came back to her. “Your pocket, hmm? Guess I was a sure thing.”
He kissed her with a burning intensity. “I was hopeful. One thing I’ve learned in my career is to be prepared for anything.”
“Is that so?” She twined her arms over her head and pushed her breasts up against his chest.
“But I could never be prepared for you.”
The soft words froze her teasing. She looked up into his serious gaze and realized he wasn’t joking.
“Me too,” she said, her humor and excitement stalling for a moment. Cupping his face between her hands, she kissed him softly. “I can plan for everything. Every twist in a story, every lie in an interview. But nothing could ever make me ready for this. You break all my rules, Walker, and I love you for it anyway.”
He stilled over her and she realized what she’d said. “As a friend, I mean.”
“As a friend,” he agreed. “We are excellent friends.”
“The very best.”
“I look forward to getting even closer.” A salacious grin crossed his face as he unrolled the condom onto himself.
“Can’t wait.” The words were strangled as he shifted her under him.
“No going back in a second,” he said. “Are you sure about this?”
She ran her fingers over his jawbone. “I want you,” she promised. “I’m sure if you are.”
“Haven’t you realized?” he asked, kissing the tip of her toes. “You’re my fantasy come to life, sweetheart.”
Catching her gaze with his, he pushed forward into her.
Clara gasped, throwing her head back at the feeling of him filling her to the brim. Her body stretched to accommodate him until he was fully seated within her.
“Christ, you’re tight,” he groaned, his fingers digging into her hips.
“Again,” she sighed.
Taking her lips with his, he withdrew only to thrust back into her.
Clara moaned against his mouth, wrapping an arm around him as he rocked into her. Each stroke sent pleasure rushing along every nerve ending. She’d never needed anyone like this before. Bending her knees, she pulled him in deeper as they moved together with a rhythm that felt too right.
“More,” she breathed, throwing back her head so he could run his mouth down her throat. He bit the skin at her nape, making her clench around him.
“Come on, Clara,” he whispered in her ear. “Take what you need.”
She bit her lip, closing her eyes as the pleasure swamped over her. She was so close. Just a little more and she’d break apart in his arms.
And she didn’t want to miss that moment. Opening her eyes, she stared up at her best friend as the best orgasm of her life crept closer.
“Don’t stop,” she begged.
“Never.” His promise was immediate.
Stroke after stroke sent her higher until she trembled on the edge, her climax so close she could almost taste it.
“Clara,” he cried, her name a benediction on his lips.
The sound of his need sent her over the edge. With another thrust, her orgasm crashed over her, forcing his name from her lips in a helpless cry.
He drove into her a few more times before his hoarse shout joined hers. Wrapping her arms around him, she held on as pleasure flooded every inch of her, making the world spin before her eyes.
As the tingles of her aftermath tickled along her senses, she turned her head to see the man in her arms. He’d collapsed half on top of her as his own climax had overtaken him.
Now he opened his eyes to meet her gaze, satiation clear in his expression. Shifting, he rolled to the side so he wouldn’t squish her, but she didn’t want to let him get farther than that.
“Hey,” he said as they panted together.
“Hey,” she replied to the man who was her best friend and suddenly, so much more.
Pulling her closer, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you,” he whispered.
Closing her eyes, she cuddled closer. If anyone deserved gratitude it was him. He’d opened this door for them and despite what might come with the dawn, it was a night she’d never forget.
Here’s hoping it was also a night she’d never regret.