“Understandable.”
“You lied to me.”
“No. I only told you my first name.”
He nodded slowly. “That’s true. Maybe we made assumptions.”
“I can’t be held responsible for that.”
“Still. You know who your father is and what that means. You should have told me up front.”
“And get denied, again, just because my father is Arturo Barone? I’m done with that.”
He nodded once and finished his drink. “Come here,” he said.
I raised an eyebrow. His expression was intense and commanding. I finished my own drink, set it down, and then stood. I walked slowly toward him.
He took my hand and pulled me into his lap. He grabbed my hair close to my skull and held me firm.
“Is this how you end all of your business meetings?” I asked him, smiling.
“No. This is just for you.”
He kissed me hard then, that same passionate kiss as the night before. I melted into it, letting him take me. I kissed him back, tongue moving along his, our lips moving in sync with each other. I let his taste slide into my mouth and I could feel how soaking wet I was, how badly I needed him. That thrill was back, running down my spine, glowing in my core.
He tipped my head back and kissed my neck.
“You want power,” he said softly.
“Yes,” I gasped.
“I want your body. I want you to give it to me willingly.”
“You have me.”
“Not yet, I don’t.” He kissed my neck then gently bit my lower lip. “But I will.”
His phone began to ring. We stared at each other for a moment. Then he released me. I stood up as he stood and pulled his phone from his pocket.
“Excuse me,” he said, stepping into the other room and answering.
I was so frustrated. I couldn’t believe he walked away from me just to take call, but that frustration only heightened my desire and anticipation. I’d never wanted to be taken so badly before, and yet this was the most important business deal of my life so far. I couldn’t decide if giving myself to him was going to ruin what could be an incredible partnership, or if it could only make it stronger.
He returned a minute later. “I’m sorry,” he said. “That was Ethan. There’s an important case that needs my attention.”
“I understand.”
He quickly walked to me, took my hips, and pulled me against him. He kissed me long and slow before looking me in the eyes.
“We’ll do this again.”
“We will.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
We went to the door together. He opened it and I stepped out.
“Think about what I offered,” I said to him.
“I’ll be thinking about how fucking hard I am right now, and how badly I wanted to slide my cock between your perfect legs.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Think about that, too.” I turned and left.
I wanted him to watch me as I walked away. I didn’t look back as I got onto the elevator and headed downstairs.
Wyatt Carter was an interesting man. He didn’t trust me, that was obvious, but he wanted me anyway.
And I felt the same way. I couldn’t trust him, not entirely, but I needed him. I believed working with him could make my organization the strongest in the city, and finally end this absurd war.
The problem was, I couldn’t decide the cost of doing business with Wyatt. Maybe it was as simple as sex, one passionate night and that was it.
Or maybe I’d be giving him something much, much more important.
7
Wyatt
I got downstairs and Ethan stepped out of an alcove. I nearly had a fucking heart attack.
“How’d you beat me down here?” I asked him.
“I have my ways.” He grinned at me.
“Fucking shit, Ethan. You’re a creepy guy sometimes, you know that?”
“Thanks, Wyatt.”
I sighed. “What’s the emergency?”
“We have Myers.”
I paused, surprised. “Where?”
“Warehouse downtown.”
“Since when?”
“Twenty minutes ago he got picked up.”
“Well, okay then,” I said, smiling. “Let’s go.”
He nodded and we headed outside. The driver was there waiting for us already. We got into the car and he pulled out without needing directions, probably already briefed by Ethan.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Louisa, though I needed to concentrate. She was intense and attractive, the sort of woman I never thought I’d actually meet let alone actively want and court.
But more than that, her little business proposition was so tempting.
I believed her when she said that she wanted more power and wanted to control the city. I understood where she was coming from, though it was from the opposite end of the world than me. Still, regardless of original motivations, we both wanted the same thing, and we were both in a position to help the other.