Torn:Billionaire Bachelors Club #2(25)

He hasn't really been around lately, so I'm surprised he's noticed.

"I keep tabs on everything where my daughter is concerned." Another  pointed look delivered by the man who I'm thinking might be  my-gulp-father-in-law someday. How I can even think that way blows my  mind. "That she even gave you a chance despite knowing what you wanted  shows me she somehow saw beneath your surface."

Agreed. She's perceptive, my Marina. Smart and strong and beautiful and sexy as hell.

"I want to give her the bakery," I blurt, clamping my lips shut as soon as the words leave me. I hadn't meant to admit that yet.

"I think that's a good idea." Scott doesn't even flinch at my admission. Like he knew I'd planned it all along.

Strange. But perceptive. Kind of like his daughter.

"I want to keep it in your family. Give her the bakery as a gift, though  she'll probably freak out if I offer it as a gift," I say, muttering  the last few words.

"My daughter is full of pride. Sometimes it's foolish, sometimes it's  not." Scott smiles. "I'm sure she'll be very appreciative of your  generous gift."

"And wary," I add with a shake of my head. "She'll probably think there are strings attached to it."

"Are there?"

"Not at all." She loves the bakery. It's a part of her and her aunt, and  I hate to see them lose it. "It means too much to her, and I can't let  it slip out of her fingers."

"That right there is exactly why I'm ready to sell you the property.  Though I can't deny there are financial reasons as well." The grimace on  Scott Knight's face is unmistakable. "We've suffered these last few  years. The economy hit the family businesses so hard, it's been a  struggle to recuperate. I held on to the bakery and the buildings that  surround it specifically for Marina and my sister-in-law for as long as I  could. I know they both love it. I couldn't stand the thought of taking  it away from them."

He just earned points for that admission.

"And now that you've confirmed that you want them to keep the bakery, I  know my decision to sell to you was the right one." I'm guessing I just  earned points as well.

"I want to take care of her, that's all," I say, stunned that I'd even  admit such a thing to her father. But it's true. I want to provide her  with what she wants, what she needs. There's something about her that  makes me want to give her everything.

"That's an admirable trait," he says carefully.

Damn. I didn't mean to turn the conversation in this direction, but I  guess I can't help it. Marina has slowly seeped into my world, and I  can't imagine her out of it. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't say  anything about me giving the bakery to Marina just yet," I say, because  damn it, I want to be the one to tell her. "I want it to be a surprise."         

     



 

"Of course. I completely understand." The smile on his face is small but there. "She'll be thrilled."

Hell, let's hope so.



Marina

"I MISSED YOU today." I snuggled closer to Gage, feeling like the  clingy, simpering girlfriend, but for once I didn't care. I did miss  him. I hate it when he goes to the city for business. I hate it worse  when he's gone for a few days at a time, though that hasn't happened  often. I love having him close.

Like right now, the both of us are naked in bed after an extremely  sweaty bout of reunion     sex. So we were apart for less than twenty-four  hours; it's still considered reunion     sex in my book.

Sighing, I turn my head and kiss his chest. Feeling his still-thundering  heart beneath my lips. I've got it so bad for this man, it's  ridiculous.

Ridiculously scary.

"I missed you too," he says, his deep voice gravelly. He's trailing his  fingers up and down my arm, his touch soothing. Arousing. Closing my  eyes, I get lost in the moment. Being with Gage helps me forget all my  troubles. My nagging mother, my failing business, all of it slips away  until I can only focus on Gage and how good he makes me feel.

"How was San Francisco?" We hadn't bothered with the preliminaries when  I'd shown up on his doorstep not quite an hour ago. He'd taken my hand,  dragged me inside, and proceeded to strip me of my clothing and kiss  every bare inch of my skin.

"It was . . . fine."

Hmm. I glance up at him to see his eyes are closed, his brow furrowed. I wonder if he's keeping something from me.

"Who'd you meet with?"

"Investors. No one important," he answers quickly. Tipping his head, he  kisses my forehead, his lips lingering, making my eyes shut again. "I  don't want to talk about business."

He's definitely hiding something. But what? I don't get it. Maybe he had  a bad day and doesn't want to focus on it. Maybe he's in secret  negotiations with someone and doesn't trust me enough to let me know  what's going on.

Ouch. That hurts far more than I care to admit. I know we haven't been  seeing each other very long, but I've become closer to Gage than any  other human being on the planet. I didn't think this was possible. When I  first learned of him, I hated him on sight, and I didn't even know him.

Now I'm falling for him. Scary.

"You should come with me sometime." When I don't say anything he  continues. "To San Francisco. We can stay a few nights at the apartment I  keep there."

"And what? Never leave the bed?" I tease.

He chuckles, then kisses my forehead again. "I could take you out."

"Maybe I don't want to go out." I tip my head back so I can see his handsome face. "Maybe I like keeping you all to myself."

Leaning in, he kisses me, soft and damp. "I like keeping you to myself, too."

"See? We don't need to go anywhere. We don't even have to leave this bed. We could stay here forever," I say.

He moves so fast I burst out laughing. He's over me, his hips pressed to  mine, his growing erection nudging against my belly. Just like that he  wants me.

And just like that, I want him too.

"Didn't we already do this?" I murmur before he kisses me deeply. Our  tongues tangle, my brain empties, and I'm done with thinking. Talking.

All I can do is feel.

Feel his mouth on mine, already familiar yet delicious. The velvety  glide of his tongue, the way his hands roam my body, the thrust of his  cock against my belly reminding me he wants me. Again.

It's a heady, exhilarating sensation, knowing how much power I wield over Gage Emerson. He wants me always.

I feel the same way.

"You're probably tired," he whispers against my lips, one large hand cupping my breast, his thumb playing with my nipple.

I arch into his palm. "It's still early."

"And sore," he continues, rearing up so he's on his knees between my  spread legs. He grips the base of his erection and brushes the head  against my sex, making me gasp. "I sort of lost control with you  earlier."

He'd pounded inside of me hard. My orgasm had been intense. But like the greedy woman I am, I want another one.

Now.

"I liked it," I murmur, reaching out so I can touch him. I race my hands  over his chest, down his stomach, until I'm touching his cock and  making him groan. "Grab a condom, Gage."

He wastes no time, reaching for the stash he keeps in his bedside table  and tearing one open. I watch in fascination as he rolls it on, loving  how he moves, how he handles himself. He's a beautiful, sexy man and my  heart literally fills with happiness knowing he's my man.         

     



 

All mine.

"I wanna make this last," he whispers, sounding a little desperate as he  grabs hold of my hips and flips us over so now I'm the one on top of  him. "Give me a show, baby."

Smiling, I lower myself on him, until he's completely imbedded inside of  me. He settles his hands on my waist, holding me there, his eyes  glowing with some sort of unfamiliar emotion that makes my heart race.

He's looking at me like he can't get enough of me. And that's scary. Exciting.

Frightening.

Slowly, I start to move, trying to prolong it but already feeling  anxious. He grips my ass, lifts up so he can take a nipple in his mouth  and suck it, and I groan, tossing my head back as I slip my hands into  his hair and hold him to me.

"You're beautiful," he whispers against my skin. "So goddamn beautiful I can't believe you're mine."

I feel the same way. The same exact way. I know my parents don't  necessarily approve of us together. I know the way we met was sort of  unusual. I didn't like him very much. I don't think he liked me either.

But the connection between us can't be denied. We're in so deep I don't  think I ever want it to end. And I never think that way. I don't think  Gage does either.

He leans back against the pillows, the satisfied smirk on his face  downright arrogant as he watches me ride him. I increase my pace, gather  my hair up in my hands and hold it there, sitting up straight so he can  get that show he wants. Thrusting my chest out, I let go of my hair,  shivering as the strands slide all over my breasts, tickling my hard,  still-damp nipples. I shift forward, taking his cock deeper inside my  body, and the agonized groan that leaves him makes me laugh.