“After the dinner, tell me what you want,” he said gruffly. “Be very sure.”
“I know what I want now,” she said with a boldness she didn’t feel. “Do you want me? I mean me, not just sex.” She didn’t know why, but that seemed important. She didn’t want him picturing one of his little blonde heiresses while he was in bed with her. That was a matter of pride.
He took hold of her wrist and pressed her hand against his chest, against his raging heartbeat. “Does that feel like I want you?”
“Yes,” she whispered. She looked down and saw, very clearly, the outline of his rigid erection pressing against his jeans. She swallowed. There was no room for her to be timid. He wouldn’t want a shy little virgin in his bed, that much was obvious from the type of women he chose to date. Which meant she’d have to be a confident virgin, a virgin who could fake more experience than she had. Well, experience she might not have, but she had desire.
She slid her hand down his chest, moved her palm to cover the hard ridge of his arousal. He let his head fall back, his breath hissing between his teeth. “So does this,” she said.
“Careful,” he groaned. “Or neither of us will be making it to dinner.”
A sliver of pleasure wound its way through her, along with a surge of adrenaline. This was a new kind of power, power she hadn’t anticipated. She’d assumed, because of the way her mother behaved, that when it came to sex, men held all the cards. But she knew now that wasn’t true. Right now, holding him in her hand, she was in control. She was the one driving him crazy with desire, pushing him beyond his control.
“Well, we can’t have that. I’m really looking forward to dinner.”
He leaned in, pressed a kiss to her neck, to where her pulse was fluttering rapidly. “I’m looking forward to dessert.”
The flickering light from the bonfire, the lingering heat from the day, combined with the slow, seductive music, made Lily feel like she was under a spell. Maybe she was, because she had no idea what sort of magic had bewitched her into thinking she could have a no-strings relationship with Gage. But even now she wasn’t afraid, not even after having time to reflect on what it would mean for her. What it might make her feel.
She wanted him. Why should her dysfunctional childhood keep her from having something she wanted? She’d never given it that sort of power in any other area of her life. In fact, she’d been determined to overcome it no matter what. But when it came to men, she’d let it hold her back.
It wasn’t as though there were any missed opportunities she regretted, no men she wished she’d been able to take the chance on. But if she didn’t find out what it was like with Gage, she knew she would regret that. It would be a holiday romance. Not even a romance, it would be nothing but holiday sex. She would find out what it was like, satisfy her curiosity, satisfy the flame that burned low in her body, and move on. And so would he.
They were adults, there was no reason they couldn’t be adult about it. No reason at all.
She looked at Gage, at the way the orange flames highlighted his sharp cheekbones and angular jaw. He was such a gorgeous man, and she’d kissed his perfect lips. Anticipation made her feel restless, edgy. Needy.
Soon she would know what he looked like without clothes covering his amazing body. Soon, every part of him would be hers. To explore, to touch, to taste.
“I think this is an amazing investment opportunity you have here, Mr. Forrester,” one of the board members, she wasn’t sure which one, said.
“It is,” she said, sitting up straighter. “And what Gage is doing here goes well beyond simple tourism. He’s offering a true, authentic experience, with as little or as much luxury as the guest would like to experience.”
The older man gave Gage a sly smile. “Not a bad idea, Forrester, getting your PR specialist so sweetened up.”
Gage scooted closer to Lily, looping his arm around her waist. “Lily has more professional integrity than anyone I’ve ever met. Myself included. Our relationship has nothing to do with the quality of her work. I’d recommend her business to anyone.”
Lily was shocked to hear Gage give her such an emphatic endorsement, and she said as much when the members of the board were either too intoxicated to pay attention, or had gone back to their rooms.
“It’s true,” Gage said, shrugging. “You’re great at what you do. My attraction to you has nothing to do with how well you do your job.”
“And when our relationship is over you’re planning on pawning me off? Professionally speaking, I mean.” She hated the insecurity in her voice, hated the slight quiver that made her sound weak. What did it matter if he was planning on letting her go? As long as her next job paid as well, it didn’t matter whether she stayed with Forrestation or not. She’d done a wonderful job for his company, and there was ample evidence of that.