Jessica walked through the small boutique looking for an unusual nail polish to bring back for Melanie, but it was difficult to find something that her friend didn’t already have. She considered the bottle of blue polish with gold and purple flakes which the clerk told her was brand new, but Melanie tended to order a lot online and often before they were available in the stores.
Finally, she decided on a designer brand name, remembering that Melanie hardly ever indulged in the expensive brands. It was only fifteen dollars, but for an avid collector like Melanie, that amount for a bottle of polish added up fast.
Her phone chimed and she pulled it out and read the text message.
Need you back at four.
It was the second day of their trip, and they had started early and had been in meetings all day. After lunch, Dane had given her a break and told her to go see the city while he met one-on-one with the president of Bright Lights.
She located the higher-end polishes and found one in her price range—a pretty shimmery lilac—made her purchase, then headed back to the client’s office.
When she walked into the office, Dane sent her a broad smile, telling her all had gone well.
Then they met with the senior staff and Dane answered some of their concerns, but it seemed merely a formality. Afterward, the president invited them to join him and a few others from his team for champagne and hors d’oeuvres in a swanky restaurant.
Jessica allowed herself only one glass. This was still a business meeting and she wanted to stay sharp. After about an hour and a half, the others excused themselves and soon she found herself alone with Dane.
He poured her another glass of champagne. “This is cause for celebration. I’ve been working on buying this company for six months now.”
“Congratulations,” she said, lifting her glass.
He tapped his tall flute against hers, then they drank.
“You were a part of making this happen, so congratulations to you, too.”
She smiled impishly, feeling the warmth of the bubbly alcohol washing through her. “So do I get rewarded for my diligence?”
His eyebrows arched as he sat back in his chair. “Are you angling for a bonus?”
“I guess I am, but I’m not thinking money.” She slipped off her shoe and with a boldness she didn’t know she possessed, she slid her foot forward until she felt his shoe, then glided up his leg. As her toes ran along his inner thigh, he coughed.
“This is highly inappropriate,” he said.
“I thought you sometimes enjoyed inappropriate.”
He stilled her foot with his hand, but she pushed past and found his crotch, then stroked him, feeling his shaft harden immediately. Tremors of awareness rippled through her at the feel of his solid column.
“Jessica, you have to deal with the fact that Rafe has dropped back into your life. You were in love with him—maybe still are. You need to figure that out before we can continue with whatever it is we have between us.”
“Why? What we have is just physical, remember?” She pressed her foot against his erect cock, longing to hold it in her hands, then lifted her other foot and squeezed him between both of them. He looked in pain.
“Mr. Ranier, you don’t look well. I think we should get you up to your room.”
As she slid her feet away, she tortured him with a long, firm stroke.
Fire burned in his eyes, but not the kind she’d hoped for.
“You require some severe disciplining, Miss. Long,” he growled under his breath.
His menacing expression unnerved her.
“Yes, sir.”
“Stand up and give me my jacket.” Even though he spoke quietly, his tone vibrated with authority.
She stood up and grabbed the jacket that he’d draped over the back of a neighboring chair earlier, then handed it to him. He’d need it to hide the erection that would be all too visible when he stood up.
He snatched it from her as he stood up, then carried the jacket draped in front of him as they walked. Barely suppressed anger emanated from him.
There were people with them in the elevator on the way up, then she followed him down the hall to his suite.
He jabbed his keycard into the slot, then unlocked the door.
“Get inside,” he commanded.
She skittered through the doorway, barely able to catch her breath. She had never seen him so angry and she wondered what he intended to do. The air around her seemed to vibrate with his authoritative presence.
And a shiver of anticipation danced along her spine.
Despite her nerves, her eyes widened at his suite. Her room was nice, but this was impressive, and gorgeous. Huge. Open and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. And the air was sweet with the fragrance of flowers from the fresh cut arrangement on the table.
“Oh, it’s lovely.”
“Never mind that,” he snapped. “Get over here.”
At the stormy expression in his eyes, she wondered if she’d pushed things too far. Warily, she walked toward him. He grasped her shoulders and turned her around, then took her arm and gruffly walked her across the room. Was he going to throw her out?
But she found herself facing the window, then being bent over the back of the couch. Her hands flattened against the fabric to steady herself, then felt Dane’s hand smack across her rear.
“Oh,” she exclaimed in surprise.
“You were very bad. Now you’ll have to accept your punishment.”
“Yes, sir.”
The feel of his hand smacking across her clothed behind was titillating, but not enough.
Then she felt her skirt shift. His hand glided up the back of her thigh, then across her naked buttocks. She still wore a garter belt and thong every day as instructed by him. The feel of his warm hand on her flesh sent heat coursing through her.
His other hand found the button of her skirt and released the zipper. Her skirt slipped to the floor, leaving her ass naked to him. He smacked her, then again. Her flesh tingled. He smacked again and she moaned.
She felt herself twirled around, then his arms wrapped around her and his mouth covered hers. His tongue delved between her lips in a full assault and she melted against him.
Then he tore his mouth away. “F*ck, Jessica, I was trying to be sensitive to the fact you’d need time. I knew you might want to call it off between us. I didn’t want to mention it yet, because I thought it would just pressure you.”
She cupped his crotch, then stroked up the length of his cock and squeezed. “Then I pressured you.”
“God damn it, woman.” He stepped back, out of her reach, his hot gaze searing her.
His loud, ragged breath filled the room and she wasn’t sure whether to stand there, or flee to her room while he collected himself.
Then he drew in a deep breath and his body relaxed as he regained complete control. But the fire remained in his eyes.
“Strip. Now,” he commanded.
Her eyes widened, then she worked hard to suppress a smile as she unbuttoned her blouse and slipped it from her shoulders. When she reached behind her to unhook her bra, he stopped her.
“Let me.” He stepped toward her and she turned around. His fingers played along her skin, sending electricity along her nerve endings, then her bra loosened. He dropped each strap from her shoulders.
“Turn around.”
She turned to face him and he reached for the lacy bra and drew it from her body, then dropped his heated gaze to her naked breasts. Immediately, her nipples puckered. He cupped her breasts and lifted, then caressed them. She sighed at the feel of his big hands covering her.
Then he stepped back and she shed her thong.
“The rest can stay,” he said as she stood in only her stockings, garter belt, and black high-heeled pumps. “Now,”—he unzipped his pants and pulled out his big cock, swollen and in need of attention—“you caused this. I think you should deal with it.”
She stepped toward him. “Yes, Mr. Ranier.” She wrapped her hand around the kid–leather-soft skin surrounding a rock-hard core, and squeezed.
He rested his hand on her head and pressed down, so she sank to her knees. The plush carpet was soft on her knees as she settled in front of him. She stroked him several times, then brought his tip to her mouth and licked him. He groaned as she wrapped her lips around him and drew his plum-size head into her mouth. She licked and sucked a little, then took him deep. He twined his fingers through her hair and pulled her deeper still, then guided her head forward and back.
“Oh, f*ck.” He stiffened and hot liquid gushed into her mouth.
She continued to suck until the flow stopped, amazed at how quick it had been to bring him release.
Now would he send her away? Not that he’d ever left her unsatisfied before, but this time she really had defied his wishes and manipulated him into this.
But he grasped her shoulders and pressed her backward as he lowered himself to the floor. She found herself on her back with him sliding his arms under her thighs and lifting her pelvis.
“I did promise you foreplay.” Then his mouth covered her and she moaned.
He licked the length of her slick slit, then pushed his tongue inside. As heat washed through her, she felt his fingers slip into her, too. Then his tongue found her *. Wild sensations fluttered through her as he licked and stroked her.
“Oh, Mr. Ranier, that feels so good.” Her fingers glided through his hair, then she clutched his head to her as he sucked her *. Waves of pleasure swelled through her and she moaned as he propelled her to ecstasy.
She arched against him and rode the wave to heaven.
When she finally collapsed on the floor, he swept her up and carried her to his bedroom, then placed her on the big bed. She watched him strip off his clothes, then he prowled over her, and she felt his hot, hard cock pressing against her.
“God, I want to f*ck you so bad.” Then he thrust forward, filling her with his huge erection.
“Oh, yes.” She clung to his shoulders, loving the feel of his hard shaft inside her. “Please f*ck me, Mr. Ranier. Make me come.”
He groaned and thrust into her. Again and again. His big cock stroked her with his length each time he drew back, then propeled forward again. She gasped as he drove deeper still. Her breathing accelerated.
He nuzzled her neck. “Are you close?”
She nodded, then knowing he liked her to say it, found her words. “Yes, sir. I’m,”—she gasped at another deep thrust—“very … ah … close.”
He nipped her earlobe, sending her close to the point of no return, then murmured in her ear, “Tell me when you come. And use my name. Call me Dane.”
Then he thrust deep again, just as his finger found her *.
“Oh, I’m coming.” Pleasure swamped her senses. “Dane. You’re. Making. Me.” She moaned. “Come!”
He drove deep and she felt his liquid heat gush inside her.
He kept thrusting, building her pleasure even more. Her orgasm went on and on, then he spiraled inside her and she gasped. “Oh, Dane.” She gasped and wrapped her arms tighter around him. “Oh, yes.” She nearly fainted at the exquisite pleasure he gave her.
Finally, it ebbed and she sucked in air as she collapsed against the bed.
“Oh, my God, that was,”—she pushed her hair back from her face—“sensational.”
His lips found hers and the passion of the kiss surprised her. His tongue stroked deeply as his hand caressed her face. He rolled her onto her side, then drew her close to his body. Her head rested against his muscular chest, his heart thumping under her ear.
She was tired, and she’d had a little too much champagne, and she definitely didn’t want to think about what all this meant, so she just nuzzled against him and allowed herself to relax until soon sleep took her.
* * *
Dane woke up and instantly knew he was in trouble. Jessica’s face was pressed against his chest, her soft breath caressing his skin, her warm naked body so close, acting like an aphrodisiac.
Damn it, he couldn’t be falling in love with the woman his brother loved. It was idiocy. It would ruin everything he’d done to mend fences with Rafe.
He could tell the instant she woke up … and stiffened in his arms.
“Good morning, Jessica.” His lips brushed the top of her head.
“Good morning, Mr. Ranier.”
* * *
Dane’s arm tightened around Jessica’s waist and she felt herself rolled back, then she gazed up at Dane Ranier, him gazing down at her in turn, his large, masculine body covering hers.
“Not Mr. Ranier. Call me Dane.” His deep blue eyes bored into her, demanding acquiescence.
Her breath caught and she nodded. “Dane,” she said breathlessly.
Then his lips brushed hers. Coaxingly. Until, with her heart pumping erratically, hers moved, too, as she was swept away by his sublime tenderness. His tongue swept into her mouth and she opened, welcoming him. Wanting him to devour her in this loving onslaught.
He deepened his kiss and her arms slid around him, pulling him closer, wanting to eliminate any distance between them, wanting to absorb him into her body. Her need for him grew so intense, she thought she’d die from the ache in her heart.
Then his lips slipped away and she wanted to protest, but he kissed along her cheek, then nuzzled the base of her neck, sending tingles of joy flooding through her.
He eased back and gazed at her body. Her breasts swelled and her nipples elongated. He smiled and stroked a finger down the middle of her chest, between her breasts, then over one mound to the tight nipple at its peak. When he touched it, ever so gently, she gasped. He leaned forward and licked the hard nub, then gently took it in his mouth and drew on it lightly. The exquisiteness of his touch made her want to weep. His tongue swirled over it and she arched forward, needing to be even closer to him. Needing to be completely possessed by him.
“Oh, Dane. I need you.”
He drew back his head and his simmering navy eyes caught on hers. She could see a depth of longing there she’d never seen before.
“I need you, too,” he murmured.
His hand stroked down her belly toward his swollen, rock-hard cock, then she felt his hardness press against her. She widened her legs, opening for him. His mesmerizing gaze holding hers captive, he pressed into her. His masculine member, so thick and hard, filled her in an exquisitely slow glide forward. Her body opened for him, welcoming him.
Once he totally filled her, she clung to him, holding him close, nearly gasping for air.
This felt so right. It was nothing like the thrilling, highly erotic lovemaking they usually enjoyed. This was deep and poignant. Leaving her vulnerable and open.
With his gaze still holding her captive, he began to move, his big member sliding back, then slowly propelling forward again. Filling her with his thick, hard length. Filling her with a joy that threatened to overwhelm her. She could feel tears well in her eyes.
She said nothing, but she knew her eyes laid bare her soul. Oh, God, she loved this man. He had to see it.
She moaned and her eyelids fluttered closed as he glided deep. She squeezed him as he withdrew and then he pushed inside again. Her whole body thrummed with vibrant pleasure.
“Dane, yes.” She tightened her arms around him as he drove into her a little faster, but still excruciatingly slower than she wanted. Until the buildup started, and the pleasure turned to joy. Then blissful sensations shuddered through her.
She sucked in a breath, hovering on the edge. “Dane, I’m going to—”
But his lips covered hers, preventing the words, as he thrust again, flinging her to ecstasy. She moaned into his mouth and it was as if he swallowed her joy, then jerked tight against her, groaning his own release.
But he kept driving into her, faster now, driving her pleasure higher. Extending her orgasm until she lost track of time. With a sense of wonder, she rode the wave of sensation, gasping and moaning until reality faded away.
* * *
Dane stared at the prone, still body of Jessica below him. The woman had fainted in his arms. He’d heard of such a thing, but never experienced it before.
His cock was still deep inside her and he so wanted to stay that way with her snuggled close against him, but it didn’t seem right. He drew away, his member sliding from the warmth and comfort of her body, and he sat on the bed beside her and stroked her cheek.
“Jessica, are you all right?”
Her eyelids fluttered open and she gazed at him. Oh, God, the warmth in those eyes—that was there now and had been during their intense lovemaking—told him more than he wanted to know. More than he could allow.
Those open, expressive green eyes of hers radiated with love. A love he felt burning in his own chest.
A love he couldn’t allow.
* * *
As soon as Jessica woke up, she felt the absence of Dane’s body next to hers. After their poignant lovemaking earlier this morning—when she’d fainted, no less—Dane had wrapped her in his arms until she’d fallen asleep again, cozy in the protective cocoon of his embrace.
Her stomach quivered at the thought of what had happened between them. Could it be that Dane was falling in love with her? Was she falling in love with him? But this wasn’t supposed to happen. She’d only wanted a physical thing. No commitments. No feelings getting in the way.
After what Storm had put her through, she wasn’t ready to get involved again so soon. And, oh, God, she still had to deal with Storm when she got home. He seemed to want to pick up where they’d left off and she couldn’t just ignore him. How was he going to react when he found out she was involved with Dane?
She pushed aside the covers and stood up, then showered and towel dried her hair. After brushing it out, she slipped on the terry cloth robe the hotel supplied and walked from the bedroom to the main area of the suite. Dane sat at the table reading a newspaper, a thermos jug of coffee in front of him.
Even though she couldn’t see his face, the sight of him set her heart thumping. Maybe she hadn’t wanted to fall in love with him, but this morning had been wonderful. She’d felt so cherished and … loved. Maybe this wasn’t a bad thing after all.
“Good morning, Dane.”
He lowered his newspaper and folded it, then set it on the table. "What happened to calling me Mr. Ranier?"
She smiled. “Yes, Mr. Ranier.”
She gazed at him, remembering the warmth of his arms around her, the passion of his kisses this morning, and she wanted to leap into his arms.
He sat there impeccably dressed in his suit and tie, and she wore only the terry cloth robe, with nothing underneath. She could just open this robe and stand before him, and he would doubtlessly order her to her knees to take care of his body’s natural reaction.
She walked to his side and rested her hand on his shoulder, needing to touch him.
“Maybe we should talk about what happened this morning,” she ventured.
His gaze locked on hers, flat and expressionless. The way he’d look at an employee. In fact, with a harsh glint, as if she’d displeased him in some way.
She drew her hand away and walked around the table, then drew in a calming breath as she sat across the table from him.
He shrugged. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
She gazed at him over the thermal jug as she poured coffee into her cup. “What happened this morning was different than what we’ve done before. It was … I don’t know … deeper. I think we should talk about how our relationship is changing.”
He leaned forward. “Jessica, I’m your boss. You’re my assistant. We have a sexual relationship but it’s a no-strings-attached affair that either one of us can walk away from any time we wish. What more is there to discuss?”
Her heart stammered at his cold words.
“Unfortunately, the change of setting seems to have blurred the line for you, but let me remind you what you originally proposed. This is a physical relationship only.” His gaze slid down her body and lingered at the tie at her waist. “If you’d like to drop that robe and f*ck right now, I’m happy to oblige, but don’t read anything more into it than shared sexual release.”
Her hand slipped to the front of her robe and she had to stop herself from pulling it tighter around her.
He glanced at his watch. “In fact, we’re running short of time. Go to your room and get packed, then meet me back here. You’ve got twenty minutes.”
“Packed? But I thought we were here until the end of the week?”
Dane’s lawyers were flying in today to join him while they finalized the details of the contract negotiations.
“I am. You, on the other hand, are going back to the office. I’ve arranged a driver to take you to the airport, then someone to meet you at the other end.”
* * *