The Tycoon's Seductive Revenge(31)

“Nothing’s been decided yet,” Mayor Flemming inserted calmly. “There’s plenty of time to discuss things over dinner.”

Marquell grunted. He busied himself with tapping the ash from his cigar into an ashtray. Read: conversation over.

The sexy sound of high heels on a bare floor met his ears. Carter turned.

He nearly fell off his stool.

Two words described Ellie. Smoking. Hot.

The slit up the side of her black dress flashed a peek at her long legs. Legs he envisioned tangled in sheets and entwined with his as plunged inside her. His pulse spiked.

Overheated and aroused, he fought the urge to throw every man out of the room. Because after he got her alone, he’d carry her to the long table, tear off the tablecloth and let everything fall to the floor. He’d lay her down and consume her like a feast spread before him. Then he’d make love to her with the untamable force swelling inside him.

All night, baby. You’re so mine .

When Ellie’s gorgeous amber-colored eyes met his, he forgot to breathe. Until his chest started searing. Something in her step, in the way she held herself with poise and self-assurance, told him she was on a mission. And that mission was him .

Carter sighed. He was in for a long night.

Because what he wanted right now had nothing to do with sound investment decisions, or revenge, or her surrender—and everything to do with his craving for this woman. Mind, body and soul.

That was a problem. It meant he was losing sight of his purpose.

Exiled from the daily grind of financial reports, property inspections, building codes and the art of the sale, he could find plenty of reasons to stick around on the island. He wanted to reclaim Ellie. She would be his to possess.

As his mind shifted into territorial realms, Carter recognized the last piece of his plan had just fallen into place.

Tonight he’d issue his ultimatum to her.

Instinct told him it was time to reap the rewards the Montgomery family had denied him, back when he was underprivileged and unimpressive. The time had come to seal the deal and enjoy his revenge.

As she drew closer to the bar where he and the other male guests loitered, he noticed a diamond-shaped cutout in her dress, positioned at her cleavage, leaving little to the imagination.

Running a hand through his hair, he exhaled slowly. Oh yeah, this should get interesting .

“Gentlemen,” Ellie greeted.

Judge Avery raked a lecherous gaze up and down her form, surreptitiously removing his wedding band and sliding it into his suit pocket. “Miss Montgomery, you look beautiful this evening. What can I get you to drink?” Then, to James, he said, “She’s on my tab.” James nodded.

Unfaithful prick . Carter took a long taste of his scotch on the rocks.

“Something decadent,” Ellie replied, berry lips spread in a stunning smile.

“Espresso martini?” the judge suggested.

“Perfect.” She laughed, her head thrown back to reveal the lovely arc of her neck.

Carter fought the urge to kiss up and down its swan-like curve, right there in front of everyone. And leave marks from his five-o’clock shadow that told them she was already taken.

“I’ll have another,” Carter told James.

The only reason Avery had his position as judge was because, like the mayor and councilman, he possessed old money that came with old favors. None of them earned it or did a damn thing to deserve it. Carter tasted disgust at the back of his throat.

“Make it neat,” Carter told James, who poured his drink without ice.

Avery slid closer to Ellie and cupped her elbow. “We never see you at the Tavern Inn beside the courthouse. Lovely girl like you needs to get out more.”

“Is that an invitation?” she asked.

“It is now.” He was feeding out of her hand.

Ellie kept him guessing. “I’ll have to see when I’m available.”

Avery grinned like a gambler who’d hit the jackpot. “I’ll reserve a table for this Saturday.”

Rolling his eyes, Carter turned his back to them. He shrugged in the stiff fabric of his suit that felt unaccountably tight against his shoulders.

“Another,” he flagged James.

“Where’s our invitation?” Councilman Ward quipped on behalf of himself and the mayor.

“Sorry, boys. She’s mine this Saturday. You’ll have to get in line.” From there, they each jockeyed for position to land a spot on her calendar.

Pathetic . Carter removed his suit jacket and tossed it on the bar. None of them cared to get to know her. They just wanted a night between her thighs.

They’ll have to get past me first .

A moment later Russert Montgomery entered, drawing everyone’s attention. He pasted a smile on his face. “My good friends. Welcome to an evening at the Montgomery Hotel. Let us know how we can accommodate you in any way.”