Chapter Four
What the hell was she thinking?
Kelli should be telling Landon to pack his suitcase. They should be heading to the new room the resort had provided. She certainly shouldn’t be reaching for the shoulder straps of her dress and slipping the strips of material down her arms, but his assertion that this was only for one night was something she couldn’t possibly turn down.
One night of bliss.
She didn’t want to wake up tomorrow with the regret of not having enjoyed the time given to them.
They were both aware that they ran in different social circles. She wouldn’t fit into his life, and he wouldn’t want to live in hers.
We have our fill, and then we can walk away satisfied.
“After we are done, you need to allow me to do my job,” Kelli stipulated, wanting to clarify that she still had an assignment to complete. “That means listening to what I say from the moment we leave this resort to when I see to it that you’re safely on that flight to Los Angeles.”
“I can handle that,” Landon conceded rather confidently, shedding his shirt and not hesitating to reach for his belt buckle. The rise of his right eyebrow told her that there was a but to that concession. “But as I said…you’ll have to let me be in charge tonight.”
Kelli would have loved to say that the humidity in the air had risen, but the heat she was experiencing had nothing to do with the temperature and everything to do with her reaction to his words.
Yes, she was his…for tonight.
“Come here.” Landon had waited until she’d stepped out of her sandals and her dress had fallen to the floor. It wasn’t the kind of material where she could wear undergarments. It had been a struggle to conceal her holster, but she’d been able to make it work. As it was, she wasn’t about to let her weapon out of arm’s reach. “You can put your weapon underneath the pillow…where your hands will remain until I say otherwise.”
This attraction Kelli had for him was only growing stronger with each passing minute as she realized that there was more to him than what was written in his dossier. The men she dated tended to defer to her decisions, and Landon was anything but a submissive type.
Kelli forced her trembling knees—which weren’t only unsteady due to the remaining adrenaline rushing through her bloodstream—to move until she was standing in front of him. She truly thought he would reach out and touch her, but he stood there in all his glory with his hands at his sides and a penetrating stare, which allowed him to see more than she would have preferred.
“We should get started.”
Kelli’s movements weren’t as graceful as she would have liked them to be as she crawled onto the bed, slipping her holstered weapon underneath the pillow as he’d instructed. It was very liberating to lie down on her back and lift her arms to gently rest them on the goose down pillow.
Her breasts were now exposed to his scrutiny. From the hunger darkening the deep color of his eyes, she could see his approval. He wasn’t even touching her, yet she was becoming even more aroused by observing his passionate, intense demeanor.
“Spread your legs.”
Landon was giving these short, terse commands and she was involuntarily obeying. It was hard to explain, even to herself, but this was what her body and mind needed to balance her everyday life.
Kelli allowed her knees to fall open to his inspection. She couldn’t stem her quick inhalation when the backs of his fingers softly ran up the side of her knee, over her hip, and around her breast. What made his light touch even more exhilarating was how he never once broke eye contact with her as he explored her body.
Her responsive reaction when his warm hand settled over her mound took them both by surprise. She brought one hand down with the intention to wrap her fingers around his wrist, only to find that he had done so with hers.
“Arms up on the pillow,” Landon murmured as he settled over her, leisurely seeing to it that she was positioned like before. He slowly descended until all she could see were his penetrating dark eyes…right before his lips closed over her clit.
“Landon!”
Kelli arched her back and dug her fingers into the pillow, completely aware that she was quickly on the verge of an orgasm. He was doing something amazing with his tongue, but he wasn’t consistent enough with the concentrated pleasure to send her over the edge. It was pure torture, yet there was something freeing to hand over her will and allow him to decide the route she would take to reach her destination.
Landon had taken two fingers and slowly inserted them inside her pussy. His fingers were crooked in such a manner that each stroke swiped across that sweet spot, taking her even higher than before…but not enough for her to break. Was it possible to even soothe the extreme state she was in? She hadn’t realized she’d started to close her legs to try and make him do more until he caught her in the act.
“Open to me, little siren, or I’ll keep you like this for hours.”
A crashing wave of desire washed over her as she whimpered in his conquest, wanting more than anything for him to grant her that elusive orgasm. She had to literally force herself to separate her legs even farther than before in order to control her movements. The cool air rushed over her clit right before he added a third finger to her pussy. The varied temperatures sent her straight to that torturous height she couldn’t seem to step off in her need to acquire that elusive orgasm.
The sweet anguish became even more so when Landon took his tongue and lightly traced her clit in circles, causing the swollen nub to throb in time with her heartbeat. It wasn’t enough. She cried out when all pleasure ceased. It was as if time stood still.
“Turn over,” Landon directed rather harshly, his rich tone telling her that he was just as affected as she was by their passion. “Elbows and knees.”
Kelli managed to do what he asked, though her limbs were weak with desire. She’d just gotten into position when she heard the tear of a foil package. She wasn’t sure where he’d gotten another condom, and she honestly didn’t care.
Need consumed every part of her. She leaned down on her elbows instead of her hands, just as he’d asked. It was then she realized this position would give him leverage while allowing him to enter her with ease.
Kelli didn’t even have time to brace herself for his thrust. He’d settled in behind her and slammed his cock into her until there was no more room.
She was full.
The burn of her adjustment was seconds behind, but by that time Landon had already pulled out. He thrust back into her, instantly rubbing that sensitive area with his cock and triggering a tidal wave of pleasure. By his third stroke, she was screaming his name.
So this was paradise…
*
Landon stared at the last paper in front of him that would close the deal of the century for his father’s legacy. His signature would give their company the edge they needed to move into a brighter future here on the island, yet his John Hancock would bring to fruition this trip…and his brief affair with the beautiful woman currently standing across the room from him.
They’d fucked all night long.
By morning, it had turned into more than just another casual encounter.
He knew it, she knew it…yet their lives were on different paths.
“I was sorry to hear about your competitor,” Matthew Campbell stated as he set his coffee cup down on the conference table. He adjusted his tie before addressing this morning’s news. “We’d heard rumors of Mr. Pynaker’s business dealings being rather underhanded, which was one of the many reasons we chose to go into business with you and your father as a sole partnership. We prefer to keep our distance from his kind. Last night’s attempt at stopping this particular deal crossed the line, and I was glad to hear the individual who tried to break into your room was eventually apprehended.”
Landon forced himself to sign his name by the large X, thus concluding his business in Aruba. He then quietly laid the borrowed pen on the stack of papers before pushing his chair back and extending his arm in acknowledgment.
“Let’s just say it was very satisfying to learn that the man and his female partner from last night decided to cooperate with the local police about their involvement with Curtis Pynaker.” Landon shook Matthew Campbell’s hand before nodding his appreciation toward the real estate agent who’d brokered this amazing deal. “The man will ultimately get his due, and both of our businesses will continue to flourish. It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Matt.”
“Same here, Landon.”
“I’m needed back in the States directly,” Landon informed him, buttoning his suit jacket, “but my assistant will be in touch regarding the initial funds for the renovations we spoke about during the week. Once you’ve settled on a general contractor, we can get things started.”
Matt made some notations on his notepad before addressing a couple of things that could easily have been done over the phone in the coming days, but Landon appeased the man by staying a few minutes longer to tie up loose ends. It wasn’t long before he was standing before Kelli, still amazed by the change in her demeanor.
This woman standing before him with her hair pulled back at the base of her neck and wearing a pantsuit where her jacket concealed her weapon was not the same woman who was in his bed last night. No, that femme fatale was simmering just below the surface and he wanted to be with her again.
“I had my assistant check on my flight. There are still seats available if you’d like to accompany me to Los Angeles,” Landon offered, watching her closely as they walked down the long corridor to where the elevator banks were located. “I’ve heard that Curtis Pynaker is posting bail, so we can’t be too careful. I might need protection all the way home.”
A small smile began to form on Kelli’s sensual lips, reminding him of how she looked after achieving her third orgasm last night. His cock stirred as they came to a stop in front of the elevator. She pressed the down arrow without looking his way, alerting him to the fact that she would stick to their agenda. He had to wonder if she was afraid she’d change her mind.
“Curtis Pynaker’s movements are being monitored and you just closed your business deal.” Kelli looked up at the red numbers ascending in order, purposely avoiding his stare. “I’ll see to it that you make it on your flight and then I’ll return to Washington, D.C. My next assignment is in Iraq.”
Landon couldn’t help but grit his teeth upon hearing what her next assignment entailed and the fact that it would take her out of the country. It wasn’t that she couldn’t take care of herself, but there were other factors involved that she might not be able to control…just as he hadn’t been able to control the lengths to which a business rival would go to in order to prevent a merger that resulted from today’s signing.
“My father was right about something,” Landon confirmed, reaching out to ensure that the elevator doors stayed open long enough for both of them to step inside. He pressed the button that would take them to the lobby before continuing. “Our corporation is growing and becoming more competitive. We’re going to need to hire a security staff and someone to oversee some of our future ventures.”
“I’m sure you and your father will choose your employees wisely.”
Landon wanted more than that, and she was well aware of that fact. He reached out and hit the switch that would bring the elevator to a stop. Sure enough, the cable lines caught and held them fast as the emergency stop switch rang a warning. He was quicker, backing her up against the laminated wall and trapping her in between his arms.
“Last night wasn’t enough.”
“It has to be for both of us,” Kelli whispered somewhat woefully, finally lifting her lashes to reveal her blue eyes so clouded with indecision. “I signed a contract with a government contractor, and I have to see it through. I have a reputation to protect.”
“There are ways to—”
“It doesn’t matter if there are loopholes in the agreement.” Kelli lifted her hand and pressed her cool palm to his cheek in her bid to gain his understanding. It wasn’t working and his anger started to simmer. “I gave my word. I won’t go back on that now. Besides, you seem to forget that I followed your every move this past week. I remember distinctly overhearing you discuss employer and employee relationships. You don’t cross that line, Mr. Smyth. I’m not the only one with a reputation.”
I gave my word. There were so many facets to Kelli’s personality. He hadn’t come close to seeing and learning them all. He would have enjoyed getting to know her better, but there were obligations she needed to fulfill. He understood that more than most.
“It was truly a pleasure, Ms. Garrett,” Landon murmured before he gently pressed his lips to hers in farewell.