To stop herself from shaking, Mia took some slow, deep breaths. She fisted her hands behind her back, digging her nails into her palms for strength. This feeling of letting go had never happened to her before. Her body was out of control. She wanted this man.
“Shh, don’t look so worried,” he murmured, reaching forward to caress the side of her face. His thumb grazed her lower lip, and she couldn’t help but snuggle against his tender embrace. “There’s no need to be nervous, Mia. Nothing will happen that you don’t want to happen.”
The doors to his private elevator opened, and she knew they’d arrived. She could see an inner hallway leading to several other rooms.
“You trust me?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Then come. I’ll fix you a drink and then show you my art collection.”
When he led her into the open-plan living area, Mia stopped suddenly, her jaw dropped in amazement. Chrome, glass, and leather tastefully furnished the interior. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows took up two walls and gave an unprecedented view of Manhattan. It glittered magically against the backdrop of midnight sky.
“Trent, this is simply fantastic.” All her nervousness suddenly vanished as she stared in wonderment at the view.
“I kinda take it for granted. May I offer you a drink, Mia?”
“A vodka with a little ice will be just fine, thank you.” She couldn’t drag her eyes away from the vibrant scene outside. Reluctantly, she turned and looked at the beautiful apartment once more. It was so different, so much better than the one-room condo she lived in. She knew then that this beautiful man was out of her league. Trent was even wealthier than she’d imagined. Any ideas about him accepting her lowly status vanished. He wouldn’t look at her twice if he knew the truth about her humble origins.
“Here.” He handed her a glass. “Help yourself to ice. I’ll be back in a moment.” He pointed to a pad and pencil. “Before I forget, write down your telephone number, too.”
Once she was left alone, she stared at the notebook. Quickly, she jotted her telephone number down. There, it was done. The die was cast. When he found out the truth, that would be it. She felt sure he wouldn’t want to know her.
Mia dropped two cubes of ice into her vodka and then wandered around the palatial living space. Everywhere she looked, beautiful pieces of art were evident. It was like an art gallery in itself. She lifted a bronze sculpture, admiring its beauty, and then realizing its worth, carefully replaced it.
The walls were adorned with incredible paintings. She particularly liked a seascape watercolor by the English artist Turner. When Trent returned, she was staring, totally absorbed by its beauty. “I can see you like that one,” he stated matter-of-factly, bringing her back to reality.
“The colors are simply divine. It’s a truly wonderful work of art, but,” she sipped at her vodka, “aren’t you worried about theft? I hope you’re well insured, Trent.”
“Naturally.”
“I admire that you have them on show and not hidden away in some hermetically sealed room or vault. So much art is bought, only to disappear forever. Kept out of sight so its beauty can never be appreciated by the world.”
“You sound like you disapprove of private collectors.”
“A little. I think a painting’s beauty should be enjoyed by everyone. Rich or poor.”
When Trent came and stood beside her, she managed to drag her eyes away from the Turner and look at him. She swallowed hard. She knew that look. The way his gaze consumed her. He took the glass from her trembling hand and placed it beside her on the table. Then he gently caressed her face with his fingers. “You’re so very beautiful, Mia. Far more beautiful than any of these paintings, and you’re real, too, a real-life flesh and blood woman.” He leaned in, feathering tiny kisses to her mouth as though he tasted her. She braced her back against the wall in an effort to still her trembling body.
With her limited knowledge of men, she knew he would be a skilful lover. He had an air of quiet self-assurance that only came with maturity. If only for tonight, she wanted to know everything about Trent Mavers. When she wound her hands around his neck, he pressed her more forcefully back against the wall. His hips ground erotically against hers, bringing the hard swelling of cock in close contact with the groove of her pussy.
Mia let out a gasp at the sexual pleasure rippling through her body. He showered kisses down to her neck, working his way to the lobe of her ear. He tasted her with his tongue and then spoke in a deep, seductive voice. “I want to make love to you. You’re so beautiful.”
She stared into his eyes. They appeared dark and aroused, the pale amber irises barely visible and complimented by the thickest dark lashes she’d ever seen. He was so close she could see them curling against his cheeks. With a finger, she traced his sensual lips. “I want you, too, Trent,” she whispered huskily.
He clasped her hand and drew her finger into his mouth, sucking it hard against his tongue. The exquisite sensation made her heart beat into overdrive. The feeling only intensified when he looked deep into her eyes. He stared at her for what felt like an eternity, his gaze slowly caressing her. Holding her breath, she waited.
He traced his hand down her cheek, and then he kissed her possessively, driving his tongue deep into her mouth. His one hand cupped the nape of her neck as he pressed her harder against the wall.
As he whispered against her ear, she felt his warm breath fanning her neck. “Mia, nothing would give me more pleasure than to hear you purr.”
Chapter Five
Trent carried her into the bedroom. All the time she clung to him, running her hands through his hair. The hardness of his cock felt almost painful. He’d never wanted any woman as much as he wanted Mia, but there was no way he’d rush this. A woman of her rare beauty and charm was meant to be savored, and he would savor her very, very, slowly. In his younger days, he’d always ignore foreplay altogether. Now as a more mature, experienced man, it was something he prided himself on. Foreplay could be just as satisfying as the sexual act itself.
Her eyes looked huge as he unzipped her dress and slipped it from her shoulders. He knew it was the combination of sexual arousal and intense wariness. This excited him immensely. It made him feel even more powerful and in control. When she stepped from the dress, he breathed in. Mia had a fantastic body. With long legs, her feminine shape tapered into a slim waist and then blossomed out to full, pert breasts, all neatly secured in sexy, red underwear. Her pale blonde hair cascaded onto her shoulders. He brushed it aside as he lowered his mouth to her neck and caressed her soft skin. A small whimper escaped her lips when he teased the delicate flesh with his teeth.
He whispered low, “You have a lovely body. I adore it.”
Her hands shook as she slowly started to unbutton his shirt. He loved the delicate feel of her fingers, so gentle, so feminine as they brushed against the bare flesh of his chest. When she finally freed the last of the buttons and began pulling the shirt from his waist, he stilled her hands and smiled at her. “You’re in a hurry.”
“You’ve got more clothes on than I have. I’m just evening things out.” She smiled sexily and flicked him a sensual look.
“Okay, but I’m in no hurry.”
“That’s what you say now.”
He smiled at her flippant remark. Obviously the men she’d known before him had all been young and immature because he had no intention of hurrying, as she would soon find out. She began peeling the shirt from his shoulders, and he helped her finally remove it. He threw it onto a nearby chair and then turned back to her.
Her gaze devoured every inch of him, scanning every muscle. He was proud of his physique and did plenty of workouts to keep it that way. Mia reached out and smoothed her cool hands over his naked flesh, running them up his torso to feel the smattering of hair there.
He stopped the motion of her hands. “Now it’s my turn.” He unhooked her bra and cast it aside as he pressed her down onto the bed. She had the most beautiful nipples. The tips were so pale they almost blended into the color of her skin. He lapped at one with his tongue and enjoyed the rush of air that parted her lips. Her whole body arched up off the bed as he sucked hard on the sensitive nub.
“Oh, Trent, that feels so good.”
He pressed his hand against her panties, feeling her soft, feminine mound. She whimpered and lifted her hips in response to his intimate touch. Her eyes were closed, and he kissed her full, pouting lips, pressing his hand harder into her pussy. Immediately she squirmed, wanting more.
“Open your eyes, Mia.”
When her gaze connected with his, he could see the raw passion darkening the pale blue irises. He smiled and then slipped his hand inside her panties, enjoying the way her pupils dilated even more. With his index finger, he sought the budding nub of her clitoris and slowly circled it. Her lips parted as she gasped for air. He teased her clit between his thumb and forefinger and then dipped his finger deep into her wet pussy. She writhed against his hand and moaned out loud.
“Oh, Trent.”
“Mmm, so wet, Mia. You’re such a naughty girl.”
“You’re making me feel naughtier by the minute.”