Roman-1(Lane Brothers, Book 5)(59)

“Keeping myself occupied while you work? Spread your legs, dove, and get to work.”

By the time I have three decent preliminary sketches for the canvas I am drenched in sweat, and my hands are shaking so badly I have no other option but to call it a night and set the pad down.

Vincent, of course, has been taunting me mercilessly by stroking himself and licking his lips while looking at my sex. Controlling my rolling hips and not grinding myself into the velvet pad beneath me has not been easy, but I’m proud to say I lasted long enough to actually get something done.

“I-I’m done for now,” I say in a breathy whisper, licking my lips nervously when he smiles and sits up, rolling to his feet with a grace I didn’t expect from a man of his size.

“Good, then come here, dove.”

I step shakily from my perch and go closer, my breath stalling when he closes the distance and stops with his erection kissing the skin at my navel.

“May I kiss you, dove?”

He asks it so earnestly and in such a quiet tone that I’m almost fooled into believing he’s asking me instead of stating a fact. I nod anyway and sigh when he bends and fuses our mouths in a soft, close-lipped kiss that is tender and sweet.

He deepens it, flicking his tongue along the seam for entry only when I sigh. When his tongue touches mine, dueling softly, I open myself fully and lean closer, wanting a deeper connection and the feel of his skin against my own.

He pulls back instead and smiles before pecking a kiss to the tip of my nose.

“Get dressed, dove. I need to feed you and then drop you at home. I have a meeting I can’t miss.”

He leaves me gaping and enters what I assume is a closet. Is he really… I stop flapping my lips and scramble into my clothes, a little mortified to be dismissed this easily considering the hard-on he’s packing.

When he comes back out, dressed in a grey three-piece suit that does nothing to hide his tantalizing body, I am waiting, my bag held protectively against my chest and a scowl on my face.

“Oh, dove, don’t look so put out,” he groans, pulling me into a hug. “You’re not ready for that yet, and to be honest, I’m enjoying this. I don’t usually date, and I find that I look forward to dinner and whatever it is that people do on dates. With you.”

I can’t believe I’ve turned into the man in this scenario and am now pouting because he’s denying me sex, while he seems to be going all Rachel McAdams on me.

This is the first time a guy has turned down sex to get to know me. The feeling is novel and so strange I can’t stop a giggle from bursting free.

“Oh my God, this situation is so wrong I don’t even know what to say right now.”

I feel him chuckle and hug him back, absorbing the vibrations beneath my cheek.

“Dinner and then work for me. I’ll see you tomorrow at six?”

I nod and allow him to pull me downstairs. I’m not really hungry or in the mood to sit across from him while I pretend to eat and not eye fuck the man, but as I expect, Vincent does not take no for an answer.

“You’re awfully bossy for a guy who hasn’t even sealed the deal with me yet,” I point out, taking a bite of my roast lamb.

“Haven’t I then, dove?”





Chapter Seven




“Tell him I don’t want it,” I snarl through clenched teeth, my fingers so tight around the phone I feel my knuckles pop.

“Cecelia Rose Bennet, you will not hurt your daddy’s feelings by throwing a gift back in his face. You refused our help with college and living expenses. You will not refuse him this.”

I groan and roll my eyes to the ceiling, knowing what’s about to come. Mama is the queen of manipulation, and when she can’t just fool you into doing what she wants, she brings out the big guns.

Guilt.

“You know he just about cried last month when you didn’t come home for Macy’s birthday. I don’t even want to tell you how low he was when you said you wouldn’t be here for his big Halloween shindig.”

Another groan slips out, and I open my eyes to see Bee laughing at me from her perch on the sofa across from me. Bee loves it when my folks call, because for some unholy reason I start talking all Texas cowgirl and forget complete words.

You know what they say: you can take the girl outta Texas…

“I already have plans for Halloween, Mama, I told you that weeks ago. Besides, I’m not flying all the way over for just one night, it’s silly. I’ll be over for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

“Fine, but if you can’t see fit to visit your own family more than twice a year you can at least accept your daddy’s gift without being such a brat.”