An Improper Deal(35)

And with every touch, a potent longing pierces me. I don’t know why this man makes me feel this way. It’s not the length of time since I last had sex. I’ve gone without before, I’ve felt attraction before, but those were pale shadows of what he arouses in me. It’s as though I’ve been drinking water all along, mistaking it for wine.

I go on autopilot, hoping nobody will notice. Somehow my brain commands me to smile when it’s appropriate and nod when required. By the time the server places dark chocolate mousse in front of us, tension winds through my body like piano wire. I’m so hypersensitive that the soft fabric of my dress seems to scrape my skin every time I breathe.

I pick up my fork and take a small bite of the dessert, but other than the fact that it’s soft, nothing registers. I’m too tightly strung to notice. From the others’ reactions though, the mousse must be decadent, a stairway to gastronomic heaven.

“Isn’t tomorrow a school day?” Elizabeth says, glancing at her slim platinum watch.

“I don’t go to bed that early.” Nonny polishes off the chocolate mousse on her plate, licking her lips.

“No, you’re right,” I say. “It’s time we got home.”

Something passes between Elizabeth and Elliot. “I’ll take her home,” Elizabeth says.

“You don’t have to bother,” I say.

“Ryder’s letting me drive his Ferrari,” she says casually. “I’m pretty sure it’s more fun now that the traffic’s died out some.”

Nonny’s eyes go round. “You drive his Ferrari?”

“Until he gets back, anyway. You want a ride?”

She spins toward me. “Oh my gosh, can I go with Elizabeth? Please?”

I want to tell her no, but the word sticks in my throat. My sister’s eyes are brighter than the sun, and she’s clasping her hands together in unconscious prayer.

Elliot leans over. “She’ll be fine. Elizabeth is an excellent driver.”

“I promise she’ll get home in one piece,” Elizabeth says.

“Yes, and I’ll go straight to bed when I get home!” Nonny adds.

“Har har. You’ll be too busy texting your friends about the experience. But okay. Ten minutes of texting and then straight to bed and to sleep.”

“Deal,” she says, even though her mouth is slightly pursed.

Elizabeth stands, says her goodbyes, and Nonny follows her out around the blue oceanic wall.

I nurse my sparkling water. “What is this about really?” I blurt out. The question’s been in the back of my mind during the entire dinner.

“Meeting the family before the deed,” he says.

“Your parents—”

“No. Hopefully you’ll never meet them.”

I stiffen, but put on a smile. My throat is tight. It’s absurd that his words cut so deep. Good god. I know he thinks the best I can be is a cleaning lady or a stripper or a hooker. Just because he’s marrying me temporarily—in what’s obviously going to be a rushed ceremony—doesn’t mean that’s changed or he actually has any respect for me. He’s just a crazy rich guy with some weird eccentric need I know nothing about.

I don’t think his half-sister does either from the way she reacted—well, didn’t react— to “Gigi”.

He leans closer. “Don’t read anything into it.” Something dark passes in his eyes as his breath feathers over my lips. “Like you said earlier, it’s just a year.”

His hand closes around the back of my neck the exact instant his mouth fits over mine. He tastes me with slow licks, and there’s a sound deep in his throat like I’m the most sinful dessert he’s ever had. His fingers stroke the sensitive skin at the nape of my neck, and shivers race over me. He possesses my mouth with absolute surety—it’s a given that I’m his. His dominance pulls at me. I tilt my head so we can fit better, and I can get a better taste of him.

There’s fiery liquor underneath the decadent chocolate and something dangerously primitive and untamed. My body responds to the last with unabashed hunger. Even as he consumes me with a kiss full of lush heat, I too am devouring him to fill the void inside me, driven by a need I’ve never felt before. I strain to get closer, desperate for more of him. My nipples pucker and peak, and the slickness spreads to my inner thighs.

“Damn, you’re hot,” he grinds out. His mouth is back on mine as his big hands push at the hem of my dress; he pulls me over, onto his lap, my legs positioned indecently on each side of his thighs.

His hands knead my ass through the thin fabric, and the touch only inflames my already heated body. My nerves tingle there; I had no idea my butt was this sensitive. The cool air against my already overheated clit and sex drives me crazy. The contrast only sharpens my need.