Billionaire Bad Boys of Romance Boxed Set (10 Book Bundle) (87 page)

“No.” I pulled the cellophane wrapper off the flower bouquet. The stems were wound in a rubber band. I started unwinding it.

“Really? Not at all?”

“Not at all. Why should I be jealous?” Getting impatient, I grabbed a knife from the drawer and sliced the rubber band. As the blade cut through the rubber, it nicked my thumb. I winced, dropped the blade, and lunged for a paper towel.

He grabbed for me as if I’d just sliced my arm off with a machete. “You cut yourself.” He caught my hand to inspect the life-threatening injury.

“It’s just a little scratch. I’ll be fine.” Pulling my hand from his, I turned on the tap and stuck my bleeding appendage under the water. “As you’ll recall, I was the one who approached you about becoming a Premier member. My goal is to find you the woman of your dreams, your future wife. I can’t be jealous.”

“Yes, so you’ve said.” He took my hand in his again. With a free hand, he grabbed a fresh paper towel and patted my hand dry. I tried to ignore the sensations pulsing through my body at his gentle touch and focused attention.

Gosh damn it, why did he have to be so sexy and sweet and attentive? Why?

Once again, I pulled my hand free. “It’s fine. Just a little scratch.” Trying to pretend I wasn’t getting warm all over, I found the box of bandages I kept in a cabinet and flipped open the lid.

“You keep bandages in your kitchen?”

“I…yes.” I swear my cheeks were burning so hot they were about to blister.

“If I’d known you were prone to cutting yourself, I would have done that for you.” He jerked his head toward the flowers.

“I’m fine.” I oozed on some antibiotic ointment and glued on the bandage. “Good as new. See? Now, should we get going?” I scooped up the flowers and dropped them in my makeshift vase.

“Sure.”

“Thank you again for the flowers,” I said as I fiddled with the arrangement before grabbing my purse. “They really are beautiful.”

“Glad you like them.” Placing a hand on the small of my back, he escorted me outside, into an unseasonably crisp early evening. “It’s a little chilly,” he said as we strolled down the sidewalk toward his parked car. “Are you warm enough?”

“I’m fine.” Actually, thanks to his lingering touch on my back, and the heat of his earlier attention to my cut finger, I was quite warm. I sank into a leather seat that felt as if it had been molded to fit my body perfectly. Once I was settled, he rounded the front of the sleek black car and folded his frame into his seat. And within minutes the vehicle was prowling the streets, carrying me off toward the west, toward an unknown destination.

“Are we flying in an airplane on this date?” I asked, trying to sound casual but failing.

“You didn’t enjoy the flight.” His lips curled into a half-smile that did all kinds of strange and exciting things to my insides.

“No, I didn’t. I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay. To answer your question, no, there will be no flight tonight.”

“Thank goodness.”

His laugh was low and rumbly and sexy. “I’m sorry if it was such an unpleasant experience. I’ll keep your aversion to flying in mind for the future.”

For the
future
? What future was that? We weren’t going to have a future—beyond my working to help him find the future Mrs. Tevin Page. “It wasn’t my favorite part of the night.”

He slanted one brow. “What was?”

I could answer that question easily. Could, but wouldn’t. My favorite part was the walk on the beach. Specifically, my favorite part was that incredible kiss. What a kiss that had been.

I said, “The food was delicious.”

“The food?” he echoed, his voice flat.

“Yes. What did you think I would say?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I kind of got the impression you enjoyed some other things more than the food. In fact, as I recall, you didn’t eat much at all.”

“Well, that was because of the flight. The food was really good, and different from anything I’d ever tasted before.”

“Interesting.” After a beat, he added, “I hope you’ll find something a whole lot more enjoyable tonight than a few bites of beans.” He slanted a wicked grin my way that made my insides simmer. “My pride is at stake here.”

There was a whole lot more at stake than he thought.

Chapter 6

This time it
wasn’t a plane. It was a boat. A huge boat. I would suppose it would be called a yacht. It was all white and shiny. And the main living space was very lavish, furnished like a luxury apartment--gleaming woods and smooth, buttery leather as far as the eye could see.

“Wow,” I said as I wandered through the space, fingertips dragging over surfaces. “This is some boat. Let me guess, it belongs to…?”

“My uncle,” he finished. “Do you feel the same about boats as you do about planes?” my host asked me as he shadowed my movements, lingering close but not too close.

“No, not at all. I actually like boats. I love water.”

“Ah, then that is something we share in common.”

“One thing,” I echoed. “That’s probably the only thing.”

He caught me in a corner, next to a window, his bulky body blocking my escape. “I’m willing to guess there’s more than one.” His eyes glittered. I’d seen that sparkle before. My body warmed. A tingle swept through me.

Oh yes, I’d seen that sparkle before.

He’d sparkled like that at me.

And Alexis.

And Katarina.

And at least a dozen other women.

Pushing on his chest, I tried to duck past him so I could put some distance between us. My move backfired.

He grabbed my wrists, his grip like a vice. “Why do you keep running from me?”

“Because…” I couldn’t speak, dammit. Why wouldn’t my tongue work?

“Because?” His head tilted a little, so did his brows.

“Because,” I repeated. My throat was suddenly very dry. I coughed.

He angled slightly, putting his face closer to mine. “Are you scared of me, Daryl?”

“Why would I be scared of you?” I rasped.

“I don’t know.”

I flexed my wrist. “Please let me go.”

He didn’t let me go.

“Please,” I repeated. My gaze locked to his, and the air left my lungs in one slow, painful wheeze.

Completely ignoring my plea, he leaned lower, audibly inhaled. “You smell so good.”

“Stop it,” I snapped, anger displacing irritation. This guy had a lot of nerve, getting so pushy like this, crowding me, seducing me, messing with my head.

“I’m paying you a complement.”

“No you’re not. You’re playing games. I saw how you acted with those women at the mixer. All sexy and strong and sparkly. Just like this.”

“Sparkly?” he echoed sounding confused.

“Yes. Sparkly. Your eyes.”

Those freaking sparkles flashed brighter. “Ah, so you
were
jealous.”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“Yes, you were.” He bent lower still. Now his mouth was next to my ear, and his warm breath was caressing the side of my neck. Goose bumps prickled my shoulders and back. “If you want to know the truth, I didn’t like any of those girls,” he whispered.

“So you say. Your pants said otherwise.”

He laughed, and the low vibration hummed through my body. Oh God, it was so insanely powerful, heat pooled between my legs. “Okay, so certain parts of my anatomy liked them. But others did not.”

“Why? Every one of those women is smart. And successful. And, obviously, they’re beautiful.”

“I can’t say why I didn’t connect with any of them. There was just…something missing.” His lips grazed the side of my neck.

My entire body stiffened. “There are others.”

“Hmm?”

“Other women.”

He nipped my neck and a shiver swept up my spine. “Tell me what you like, and I’ll introduce you to more women. Better women.”

“Okay,” he murmured against my skin. “Um…I like brunettes. Who are ambitious. And beautiful, of course. But she needs to possess natural beauty, the kind that glows from within.”

“You sound like you memorized that from some stupid book,” I said, shivering again.

“Are you cold?” his lips slid up to the sensitive spot under my ear. “You’re shivering.”

“No. I mean, yes. I’m cold.”

“I can take care of that.” Straightening up, he shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. “Better?”

No. That wasn’t better. Now his scent was filling my nose. That was all I needed--another sensation to add to the many that were already overwhelming my system. “Yes, thanks,” I said.

At least he’d let my wrists go.

My gaze jerked from his face--he was looking a little flushed--to the stairs leading up to the deck. “I…think I need some fresh air.”

“Sure.” He walked very close as we made our way to the stairs and then up them. On the deck, I went to the railing and looked out over the water at the beautiful sunset. The sky was painted in hues of indigo and salmon, and the low-hanging sun was reflected on the rippling surface. I saw no other boats. No other people. It was quiet. Peaceful. Serene.

I dragged in several long, deep breaths.

Tevin leaned a hip against the railing, close to my hand. “I could spend months out here, if I was given the chance.”

“By yourself?”

“Maybe. Life is different out here. You can live every minute. They don’t fly past you.” He smiled, shook his head. “That probably doesn’t make any sense.”

“Actually, it does.”

Our gazes locked.

My heart skittered around in my chest.

“Daryl.”
His head tipped, moved down. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but dammit, I want you.”

At the sound of torment in his voice, I threw my arms around his neck
. He hooked an arm around my waist and whirled around so I was backed up against the railing and his body was holding me there. His mouth descended upon mine, his tongue shoved its way in, and within seconds, I was writhing against him.

A little groan vibrated against my chest, echoed in our joined mouths. In response, a pulse of erotic heat washed through my body. Swirls of desire curled in my deepest parts, making me tremble. I felt myself losing control. My mind was shutting down, my senses focusing on just one thing. One need.

More. I needed more.

It was my turn to moan now, as Tevin cupped my head and held me in place. He deepened the kiss, tongue stroking deep inside my mouth, filling it with sweet, intoxicating flavor. Within seconds I was ready to surrender
to the fierce heat simmering through my body. My knees were getting soft, wobbly. My heart was thumping so hard it almost hurt. And the heat was nearly unbearable. A whimper slipped up my throat as I hooked my fingers into claws and raked them down his chest.

He broke the kiss, stared down at me with eyes full of male hunger. “I’m sorry,
Daryl. I can’t let you go now. I won’t.” He scooped me off my feet.

We kissed again
as he carried me back down the stairs. Once we were inside a bedroom, he set me on my feet, but I was too shaky to stand. I hung onto his neck, arms wrapped tightly, and lost myself in another demanding kiss.

Oh. My. God.

I had been kissed lots of times, but never like this, like he was staking a claim, conquering me. His mouth did things to mine that made me breathless and eager for more. And his hands, they did too, as they slowly explored my body, one inch at a time. I felt my knees start to buckle then his strong arms catch my waist. Still kissing me, he walked me toward the bed. I stumbled as I followed his lead, eyes closed, head spinning. He was holding me. He wouldn’t let me fall.

I felt myself being lowered down, and then the mattress was under me, and his large, strong body was over me, bent legs straddling mine. The sound of water lapping at the side of the boat blended with the husky rasp of our deep breaths, creating a sexy song that only amplified my need.

Oh God, I wanted this man. I wanted him desperately. But I shouldn’t. I was going to regret this.

I licked my lips, and his gaze locked on my mouth. “
Tevin?” I whispered.

The corners of his lips
curled. With his free hand, he cupped my breast. The air blasted out of my lungs, and my spine tightened. That only pushed my boob into his hand more. His lips parted slightly, and I stared at them, wishing I could taste them again.

“Kiss me,” I
pleaded.

“I’m the one who
gives the commands.” He squeezed my breast, and I whimpered. I had never had sex with a man who was so domineering. It was insanely sexy. Thrilling.

And a little scary too.

What was I doing?  What the hell was I doing?

“Undress,” he demanded, sitting upright to give me some room to move.

But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I was frozen. I was confused. I was torn.

His brows furrowed.

Every inch of my body was vibrating with need, I wanted Tevin so badly. I wanted him to touch me, to kiss me, to stroke away this horrible ache pounding through my body. But I couldn’t let that happen. And I couldn’t let this go on for one more minute. If I did, how would I ever face him again? How could I watch him fall in love with some other woman? How?

Pushing my shoulders off the mattress, I said, with my heartbeat pounding in my ears,
“I…think I should go. Now.”

He fisted my wrists,
and down I fell, flat on the mattress. He pinned them down, above my head with one hand and stroked my cheek with the other. “You don’t want to leave.”

I was dizzy and conflicted
. And, ohmygod, my body was burning so badly. I shook my head.

My inner muscles clenched, and I felt the slickness of my damp panties. He was right.
I didn’t want to leave. But that didn’t mean I was ready for this. “I…I…should…”

Continuing to hold
both my wrists, he let the index finger of his free hand take a little trip down my body. It meandered between my breasts, down my stomach, lower, over my covered mound to one thigh. My skirt had scooted up so it wasn’t hard for that finger to find its way under the fabric.

“Tevin.”

“Tell me to stop and I will.” His fingertip grazed the sodden crotch of my panties, and my face heated but I didn’t tell him to stop. I knew I should. But I couldn’t. “Wet.” He curled his finger, working it under the leg band. My sex heated even more. I knew what he was going to do. I knew what was coming, but still an electrical current charged through my system when that first touch came. He eased his hand out from under my skirt, lifted it to his mouth and slipped his index finger between his lips. “Sweet. Delicious. I want more.” Still holding my wrists with one hand, he pushed my top up, and I watched his expression darken with hard male hunger as more and more of my skin was exposed. By the time he had the garment up under my chin, I was squirming and my whole body was burning. Hot and cold. Tight. And breathless.

I should leave. Right now.
Tell him to stop. Say it!

He turned his attention to my breasts
, hooked a finger under the bow sewn between the cups of my bra and gave it a tug.
“Time for this to go.” He slid a flattened hand under my back. With a snap, my bra was unhooked. And in a heartbeat, it was gone, and my hands were back up over my head, I was struggling to pull them free so I could cover myself. “Beautiful,” he murmured as he weighed each breast in his hand. His fingertips flicked over my nipple and little blades of heat seared through me, straight to my core.

I watched
him touch me, torn, confused, overwhelmed. My body craved this man’s touch like never before. This was so new to me, this almost unbearable need. I was hot and tight all over. My panties were sodden. My head was spinning.

“Let’s get rid of the rest.” Without releasing my wrists,
he tugged my skirt over my hips.

As I lay there, letting him take off my skirt, I thought,
I need to leave. Right now.

As he pulled my panties down, I thought
, this is a big mistake.

A
nd as I was finally left lying on the bed completely nude, I thought,
if you don’t stop this now, you’re going to get hurt
.

But then he
touched my face and looked at me with those dark eyes, and I couldn’t think about anything but having him inside me, filling me, stroking away the ache between my legs.

He’d done it.

I had surrendered.

Somehow, he must have sensed my decision.
Before I realized it, he was undressed. I had never seen such a beautiful man in real life before. His skin had a healthy golden glow to it. The slanted sunlight coming through the window struck the surface, emphasizing the deep groves cutting his stomach in flexing, rippling sections. His chest was mostly smooth-skinned as well. Only a few dark coarse hairs curled in the center, between the world’s most scrumptious pecs. His shoulders looked strong and able, as if they could carry the weight of the world. And his arms were thick, biceps and triceps bulging as he moved, tattoos glistening in the weakening sunlight.

I was staring at my dream man. And, shock of all shocks, he was staring down at me as if I were his dream girl.