A Tropical Rendezvous: A BWWM Interracial Bad Boy Billionaire Multicultural Romance (African American Romance) (9 page)

“You went to business school?”

She gritted her teeth at his incredulous tone. “Don’t sound so surprised. They still let black people and women into MBA programs.”

“I didn’t mean anything like that, but if you have your MBA why do you do…this?”

“I’ve made at least a hundred grand a year for the past three years. Sometimes more and sometimes less, but that’s my base and I make my own hours. No eighty hour work weeks for me, no rat race and no cutthroat office politics.” She stared at him. “Not all of us are lucky enough to be born into a corporate empire, you know.”

Dax had the grace to look embarrassed by that. “I suppose you’re right but it seems too fleeting.”

“Why? Because I don’t have the backing of someone you deem appropriate? If I did, I would be limited in what brands I could accept and highlight.” She stood and began to walk.

Dax frowned and caught up with her. Was she right? Had she figured out a way to be in the business world without all the downsides? He didn’t think so, but he was willing to listen. “Hey I’m sorry. I guess I’m kind of traditional.”

“Old school,” muttered with a smile. “It’s fine. Kurt told me you were stuck in the past. I just had no idea how much.”

“Hey! I’m not that bad.”

“Oh yeah? I just bet your idea of marketing still involves expensive spreads in magazines, big ads in newspapers and billboards.”

He wanted to kiss that smug smile right off her face. “Maybe.”

She stopped and looked at him with a serious expression. Then she burst out laughing. “Oh. My. God. You’re an old man!”

Dax moved her out of the path of the foot traffic, his hand riding low on her back. “I am not, and keep your voice down.” Her body shook with laughter, pressing her plump breasts to his chest. “I just like to stick with what works.”

Norah took a step back and studied Dax. He had a great body for trendy clothes and his look, well it was one the ladies would love. Hell, she loved it in these plain clothes. She reached out and wrapped her delicate hand around his wrist. “Come with me.”

“Where are we going?” He could have stopped her if he wanted, but Dax kind of liked the feel of her hand wrapped around his wrist.

“To your car, silly. Now keep up!” She pulled him through the throng of people, dodging jugglers and painters, crafters and dawdlers. Ten minutes later they were at the parking garage that held his car.

“How’d you know I parked here?”

Norah rolled her eyes. “Covered parking, valet and security. Plus it’s like twenty bucks just to park here. Where else would you have parked?” She laughed at the blush that stole over his face and ears and the affronted look. “What does it matter, we’re here now. Lead the way,
Mr. Hollingsworth
.”

He groaned at the husky way she said his name, like Marilyn Monroe. With a hand to the small of her back, Dax ignored the heat and guided her to where his sleek silver car was parked. He held the door open for her and grunted when she called him a gentleman. “Yeah, get in.” The last thing he heard was the sweet sound of her laughter as he closed the door.

“Your mama raised you right, Dax.”

He ignored the tension in his chest at her words. “Yes, she did. She would be happy to hear that.”

Norah picked up on his tone right away and placed a comforting hand on his bicep. She squeezed it. Twice. “I’m sorry, Dax.”

He shrugged and gave a sad smile. “Thanks. It was a long time ago.” He started the engine and put a hand on her thigh. “You’re not how I thought you’d be.”

She batted her lashes at him. “You mean shallow and narcissistic?”

He squirmed uncomfortably, making her laugh. “Yeah.”

“No worries. You wouldn’t be the first suit to think so and you won’t be the last.” She turned her gaze out the passenger window.

Dax frowned. He didn’t like the hurt that undercut her blasé words. “Well I’m not too proud to admit when I’m wrong. And I was so, I’m sorry.” He stroked her leg, laughing when she placed a hand on top of his to stop his groping. “So where am I going?”

“Shopping.” She smiled. “I’m going to show you up close and personal, what I do.”

“Nope. No way, Norah. Don’t even think about it.” Arms crossed, Dax looked down at her,  his grey eyes stormy in protest.

“Come on, Dax. Live a little. This will look hot on you.” She gave him her best puppy dog eyes, pouting her lips slightly until he gave in. Just because she had no plans on seducing him or being seduced by him, didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy some harmless flirting.

He raised an eyebrow to let her know he was aware of what she was doing. “The only way I’m trying that on is if you come into the dressing room with me.” Her eyes widened and he knew he’d won, giving her a smug smile.

“Fine,” she said, snatching up a few more shirts and marching purposely into the dressing room.

When Dax caught up with her, Norah was sitting on the bench inside the larger than normal room, holding up one of the shirts. “You’re nuts you know that?”

She shrugged with a small smile. “I’m just trying to prove a point. If you want to let me ogle you while I do it, that’s fine by me.” Her big, toothy grin made him laugh. “Chop, chop,” she clapped, holding the shirt out to him.

“You’re bossy.”

“Well I
am
the boss.” And she couldn’t wait to see what he looked like under that green shirt. Would his chest and abs be as tan as his face or slightly paler? Would he have the well defined muscles of a gym rat or sleek lines of an athlete? Her gaze remained fixed on his strong hand and long fingers as they gripped the hem of his shirt.

“My eyes are up here, sweetheart.”

She met his gaze but not before enjoying a slow leisurely gaze up his rippling abs and sculpted chest muscles. “I know.”

Dax’s laugh was loud and booming as it bounced off the dressing room walls. He yanked the shirt from her hands and pulled it over his chest. When his head popped through the hole, Norah was standing in his face and her hands roamed his body sensually. He swallowed hard. “What are you doing?”

She chuckled. “You’re such a guy. I’m fixing your shirt.” She pulled the zipper half way up so it opened at his collarbone and folded the cuffs once before shoving them up to expose his forearms. Norah stood back to look him over. “Yeah see now you look sexy.”

“And how did I look before?” She shrugged and began to pull the shirt off. “I got it,” he shoved her hands away.

“You have a good starting point but other than today, you dress like a man twice your age.” She took the shirt he handed her and gave him a burgundy button up. “Now this.”

“No.” He shoved it back at her, but Norah was persistent. She pressed her body against his until he was against the wall holding his breath. Her breasts scraped against his bare chest and he hissed out a breath. Her smile knocked him for a loop and when he regained his ability to think and speak, she had the shirt draped over his shoulders.

“Arm,” she instructed without giving him a chance to think. He obeyed and again when she repeated the command. “This color will bring out your eyes and enhance your dark coloring,” she told him as she buttoned the shirt, leaving the top two undone. Studying him again, her head bobbed up and down. “Oh yes,” she breathed.

Dax tried to slow his racing heart but the combination of her proximity, her sweet flowery scent and the dark lust filled gaze she sent his way, was too much. “I’m sorry,” he told her as he closed the gap between them, which took all of two seconds.

“There’s no reason,” she began but her words were cut off by the soft but intense feel of Dax’s lips on her own. One hand tangled in her hair and angled her to deepen the kiss while the other cupped her backside and pulled her in close. The kiss began as an explosion and turned into a cataclysmic event that rocked her down to her marrow. He made love to her mouth, squeezed her ass and filled up each of her senses until her entire world in that moment, was him. Unwilling to be a passive participant, Norah let her hands roam his body, first curling her fingers into the ebony locks at the nape of his neck and moving down to his bare back and ending at his backside. But her eager hands couldn’t stay still, caressing his chest and abs, savoring the feel of his hard body under her soft hands.

Dax swallowed her moan and pulled her tighter against him, letting her know just how much of an effect she was having on him. He groaned and bit her plump bottom lip when her hips ground against him. “Norah,” he whispered and pulled back to look at the stunned expression on her face.

“Dax,” she breathed. “That was one hell of a kiss.”

He smiled at the way her fingers ghosted over her lips as though she could still feel his mouth on hers. Good because he could still feel it too. “I’ll say.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you still sorry?” She would be no one’s pity kiss.

“Hell no. Now that I have a taste of you, I’m willing to risk your anger for another.” It was the truth, he realized as his chest heaved up and down. That kiss had—literally—taken his breath away.

Norah first one step back and then another until she nearly tripped over the long cloth draping where the door should be. “Shit,” she muttered as she began to fall but Dax’s arms grabbed her and pulled her flush against his chest. Again. “Hi,” she stammered.

“Hi,” he smiled and dropped a chaste kiss on her mouth. “Are you running away?”

“Hell yes I am. I am not having sex with you in the dressing room of a high end department store.”

He chuckled. “How about a luxury boutique dressing room?”

She shook her head, letting her hands continue to roam his naked chest. “No. I need to get out of here before we do something really inappropriate.” She pushed the curtain aside and stepped back, giving him one last lustful look before walking away.

“Damn,” he muttered, stunned as he dropped down on the bench. Norah Tompkins was more than he thought. She was smart and beautiful, feisty and sensual. And he wanted her.

***

Loaded up with nearly a dozen bags, Norah and Dax filled his trunk and backseat, making the trip back to her place. “You’re such a snob. You only wear HOLLINGSWORTH?”

“I don’t, actually. But I can’t appear in your videos wearing another brand, Norah.”

“Hmph,” she said, smiling to herself.

“What did you do?”

“Me? Nothing,” she said innocently, unable to hide the smile creeping across her face.

He didn’t believe her but he had more important things on his mind. “So, about that kiss.”

“What about it?”

“I’m going to need to do that again. And again.” He smiled and turned to her. “But first I’m going to take you out. How about tomorrow?”

Norah didn’t face him when she answered, her gaze stayed focused on the city beyond the window. “Let’s see how the rest of today goes.”

Dax frowned, not liking that answer at all. “If you say so.” He drove silently for a few blocks but it was killing him, her silence. “So what are you going to do to me?”

“I’m going to have my way with you,” she deadpanned.

“You should have lead with that.” He smiled and it only grew when she couldn’t contain her laughter.

“The things you say sometimes, I swear.” She opened the door and got out, meeting him at the trunk. “You ready to be putty in my hands?”

Dax planted a kiss on her forehead. “I have a feeling I already am.”

Norah sucked in a breath and looked into those grey eyes, burning so hot they looked like melted silver and threatened to burn. She knew she was in trouble with Dax Hollingsworth. Maybe he would love her so good he would ruin her for other men. Or maybe,
probably
, he would break her heart. “Come on Casanova, we have work to do.”

Hours later Dax was exhausted and happier than he’d been in a long time. Norah was a pro, of that he was certain. She planned everything out and she had a clear vision for each video. Her production value was high and her smooth, velvety voice was easy to listen to. Hell, it was the voice of his fantasy woman. Every word dripped from her sexy mouth and it was like a shot to his groin. “No more, Norah. I beg of you,” he pleaded from behind the screen in her bedroom.

“One more outfit,” she promised as she handed him the final outfit. “You’ve done great, Dax. Trust me.”

“Why are there boxer briefs in here and why are they something other than HOLLINGSWORTH?”

She laughed at his suspicious tone. “Relax grandpa. The underwear is a gift from me because I think they’ll look awesome on you. You can leave them in there if you don’t want them,” she said and returned to the studio.

He hadn’t meant to offend her and actually he thought it was a pretty sweet gesture. One he didn’t deserve, but couldn’t help smile about as he thought about her words.
They’ll look awesome on you.
He joined her for the last video and twenty minutes later he was in her bedroom again, removing his clothes again when an idea struck him. Dax went in search of Norah. “You’re right,” he told her standing in the doorway so he was lit up from behind, “they do look awesome on me.”

Norah looked up. “Sweet hell,” she exhaled, looking her fill of him. “You are one beautiful man.” Her gaze raked over his body until she vibrated with need and her core tightened at the sight of the growing bulge front and center. She stood and walked over to Dax, placing her hands on his chest and caressing him all over. In a bold move, even for her, Norah let her hand slip inside the boxer briefs and wrapped her hand around his silky erection. “Excited too.”

Dax growled and tunneled his fingers in her hair, attacking her mouth and throat and shoulders with his mouth. His kisses peppered her body, untying the bow at the back of her neck so her dress folded over at the waist. “Beautiful,” he told her when he caught sight of her beautiful brown breasts. “Do these nipples taste like chocolate or berries?” He didn’t wait for an answer, just cupped one breast and pulled the hardened nipple into his mouth, sucking hard until she cried out. He picked her up and moments later tossed her down on her bed and crawled up her body.

“Dax,” she moaned as he kissed up her legs and torso, having at her breasts again. She kept her gaze on his movements, gasping when he sat back on his knees to remove her dress and then her underwear. The way he looked at her naked body, with such reverence had her sucking in another breath. “Dax.”

“The way you say my name drives me crazy,” he told her and bent to blow on the wet heat glistening between her legs. Then he sucked as much of her into his mouth as he could, alternating between rough, intense sucks and soft gentle pulls. His tongue licked and licked and when she thought she would die from wanting him he sucked her clit into his mouth and scraped the sensitive bundle with his teeth.

“Dax!” She cried and shook under his slow moving tongue, gentling bringing her back down. “My turn,” she grinned and reached for him, but Dax hopped off the bed before she could.

“You want it? Come and get it.”

Norah shivered at his words, arm crawling to the end of the bed and licking her lips while he watched. “I’m here,” she said in a husky voice she didn’t recognize.

Dax smiled, stepping closer and closer until her tongue swiped across the tip. He groaned. Her warm hands at the back of his thighs was too much, but when she pulled him deep into her mouth, those soft wet lips dragging across his cock was too much and he thrust deep. He stilled in case it was too much, but her hands urged him forward again. “Fuck, Norah,” he cried when he felt the back of her throat. “Enough,” he growled and stepped back. “Lie back,” he told her.

Norah obeyed and felt moisture drip down her opening and slide down  her ass. She squealed when he grabbed her ankle and pulled until her ass hung off the bed. Dax leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss that took her by surprise while he entered her in one long thrust. “Dax,” she cried and wrapped her legs around him, urging him deeper.

“Oh fuck, Norah. You feel so good, baby.”

“More,” she moaned, nipping his ear.

Dax reared up and grabbed her ankles so they were on either side of his head. He caressed her legs gently as his thrusts sped up, went deeper until she was completely full. Faster and faster he went, like a machine until Norah’s cries were incoherent and keening. He heard her moan his name over and over as she tightened around him. She squeezed until her body went taut for several long seconds until he pinched her clit and she fell apart.

“Fuck, Dax!” She shook and quivered as her orgasm went on and on under the onslaught of his pounding thrusts. Finally he stilled and she felt the streams of his seed splash against her quivering walls. “Goodness,” she moaned, smiling up at him with sleepy eyes.

“Oh fuck,” he growled and fell on top of her, rolling them over so she was on top of him. He bit her throat and soothed it with a swipe of his tongue. He moaned when she spasmed around him again, feeling himself grow hard again.

“Already?”

He laughed at her wide eyed expression. “Is that a problem?”

She pushed on his chest until she sat up and looked down at him. “Not if I get to be on top,” she told him and circled her hips until he cried her name.

Then they both passed out.