Trapped with the Tycoon(27)

“I’ve always used protection, and I’m on birth control.” She tipped her hips, enough to nearly have his eyes roll back in his head. “What about you?”

“I’m clean and I’ve never been without a condom.”

She quirked a brow in silent question. Braden eased up enough to claim her mouth at the same time he thrust into her. That instant friction, skin to skin, no barriers, was so new, so all-consuming, he wanted to take a moment and just...feel.

But Zara started moving, starting those pants as she tore her mouth away and gripped his shoulders. When she tipped her head back and bit her lip, Braden was absolutely mesmerized by the woman who’d managed to have complete and total control over him. So much so he was letting her into his private life, into his home. He’d never brought a woman into his bed.

Zara was different. He’d known it from the moment she’d stepped into his office. And now she was his. Would he ever let her go?

The thought of losing her chilled him, but he refused to think on that now.

Braden slid his hands up her soapy sides and cupped her breasts. Sliding his thumbs back and forth earned him another groan as she arched her back.

“Look at me,” he demanded. He needed her to see him, to see them. Every primal part of him suddenly took over. “You’re mine.”

Those wide eyes locked on to his, and her mouth opened in a silent cry as he quickened the pace.

“Say it.” Braden went back to gripping her waist, holding her still so he could gain back control. “Say you’re mine, Zara.”

“Yes,” she cried. “Only yours.”

When his hand dipped in the water and touched her intimately, she shattered all around him. Braden would never tire of seeing her come undone, of knowing he caused her pleasure. This was his, she was his. No other man would experience Zara so long as Braden was around, because he wasn’t kidding and he hadn’t been swept into the heat of the moment when he’d demanded she say she belonged to him.

Just as her trembling stopped, Braden squeezed her waist and let himself go. Zara leaned down, whispering something into his ear. He didn’t grasp what she was saying; it didn’t matter. This woman in his arms was all he needed for tonight, for tomorrow.

And now Braden was starting to wonder if she was the woman he needed forever. If she was, how the hell would he ever be able to build on anything when their initial meeting was all based on a lie? On him using her?

As Zara lay spent against him, Braden knew one thing for certain. He either needed to let her go once he searched her home, or he needed to come clean with how they’d met in the first place.

Either way was a risk. Would she understand? Would she see that he’d had no choice in the matter, but once he’d gotten to know her all bets were off?

She had to understand, because Braden refused to lose her. Having her walk away wasn’t an option.

* * *

Someone smacked her bare backside.

Zara jumped, twisting in the silky sheets and thick duvet. Sweeping the hair out of her eyes, she glared up to see Braden staring down at her, a wicked grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

But he was holding a cup of coffee. “That better be for me,” she grumbled, reaching for the mug. Jack clawed at the side of the bed until Braden lifted him up.

“Of course. I also managed breakfast.”

He reached to the nightstand and presented her with a plate. Zara eyed it before pulling the napkin from the top. A laugh escaped her.

“I know full well you do not stock s’mores Pop-Tarts in your house, considering you hadn’t had them before I introduced you to them.” She plucked one off the plate as she took a sip of the steaming hot coffee, black, just the way she liked it. “So how did you manage this?”

He cocked his head and raised his brows as if her question was absurd. Of course he had someone go out in this ridiculous weather just to get her a box of Pop-Tarts. The idea warmed her more than it should. It was a box of processed junk that cost a couple bucks, but he’d done so out of...what? Love? No, he didn’t love her, but he obviously cared for her.

“Hurry up and eat,” he told her. “I have another surprise for you.”

With the Pop-Tart between her teeth, she narrowed her eyes and bit off a hunk. Jack stretched out on Braden’s pillow next to Zara. “What?”

He stepped back from the bed, and she took in the sight of him wearing—a ski suit?

“I hope you brought warm clothes. If not, I’ll find something for you. Laney most likely has some clothes in her old room.”

“Where are we going?” she asked, a bit nervous at how energetic he was this morning. Apparently the two times he’d woken her in the middle of the night hadn’t worn him out.

“Just eat, put on warm clothes and I’ll go see what else I can find.” He leaned down, kissed her on the forehead and eased back just enough to look her in the eyes. “Trust me?”

Zara swallowed, nodded. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

Something flashed through his eyes, but just as quick as it appeared, the image was gone. Braden nodded down to her plate. “Eat up. You’re going to need your energy.”

“After last night, I’m exhausted.”

His mouth quirked up in a grin. “Compliments will get you everything.”

Zara rolled her eyes. “Easy there, tiger. Your ego is showing.”

“My ego is never hidden,” he countered as he walked to the door. “I’ll have a heavier coat and thick gloves for you downstairs. Meet me by the front door in twenty minutes.”

Zara gave him a mock salute, which earned her a chuckle as he walked out and closed the bedroom door behind him. She had no clue what he had planned, but obviously something outside. Was Braden an outdoorsy type? What did she truly know about the man she was falling for?

She broke off another piece of her pastry and smiled. She actually knew quite a bit. He was loyal and he was caring, though he’d never admit it. Family meant everything to him, and he wanted his own one day. He may have a reputation as a hard-ass, a man to be feared in the business world, but the Braden O’Shea she saw was loving.

Zara finished her breakfast and coffee, then set her dishes on the bedside table. She unplugged her phone from the charger and checked messages. Then she wished she hadn’t. Three texts from Shane asking if she was all right. The first one was a simple question, the second was more demanding and the third was flat-out demanding. Arrogant jerk. Without replying, she laid her phone back down and started getting ready for...whatever it was she was doing this morning. She had emails to get to, but for now she wanted to be with Braden because he’d gone to the trouble of surprising her, and he seemed excited. Zara didn’t know if she should be scared or worried.

The sooner she got dressed, the sooner she’d find out what Mr. O’Shea had planned.





Seventeen

“You’re kidding.”

Bundled up like an abominable snowman with layers upon mismatched layers, a bright yellow cap on her head and red snow boots, Zara stared at Braden as he knelt down in the knee-high snow and started forming a ball. The man may be a ruthless businessman, but this playful side was just as sexy and appealing.

“Do I look like I’m kidding?” he shot back over his shoulder. “We’re building a snowman. Get down here and make balls.”

Zara snorted. “You’re going to freeze yours off,” she muttered.

“Cute. Now help me.”

Surveying the pristine blanket of snow, Zara squinted her eyes at the glare from the sun’s reflection. She shoved her gloved hands into the pockets of Laney’s old ski coat. Apparently she’d had some old things in her closet, and Braden claimed his sister wouldn’t care.

Zara wasn’t sure what had her more scared, the fact that she was getting in deeper with this family or that Braden was showing her his playful side.

It was the snowman. Something so simple, so traditional hit her right in the gut.

Braden glanced back over his shoulder, then pushed to his feet. “You’re frowning.”

“You probably did this all the time growing up,” she stated, looking at the mound he’d started. “It’s ridiculous how something like this freaks me out.”

Braden stepped closer, peered down at her until she met his gaze. “You’re supposed to be having fun. I want you to experience all the simple things, and I want to be the one to experience them with you. For now, we’re starting with a snowman. Maybe later we can make snow cream or have hot chocolate with little marshmallows.”

What did he mean he wanted to be the one to experience things with her? Was he thinking long-term? Was he saying he wanted something permanent?

“Where are we going with this?” she asked.

Braden braced his hands on her shoulders. “Wherever we want.” He nipped at her lips. “But right now, we’re making a snowman, and we’re going to have fun. Then I’m going to kick your butt at a snowball fight.”

Zara laughed. “You can try, but don’t take inexperience for weakness.”

“Is that a challenge?” he asked.

“Consider yourself warned.” Zara took in a deep, cool breath and sighed. “Now, let’s get to making some big balls.”