Seducing the Heiress (6 page)

Chapter 6

“W
hat the...? Robert, you scared the hell out of me,” Farrah yelled, looking up at him. Her right hand had already reached for the handgun she kept on the side of her seat. “Not to mention you could get shot sneaking up on me like that.”

Farrah's dress was pulled up and gathered between her legs. From Robert's vantage point, he had a clear shot of her thighs and legs and she knew he could see that her breasts were rising and falling a lot faster than normal. Farrah could only hope that he thought the adrenaline spike from his sudden appearance was the reason instead of the arousal he always provoked in her whenever he was around.

Robert laughed, as though he found the idea of her shooting him funny. He took Farrah's hand, helped her out of the car, taking her keys in the process and locking her door. Instead of returning her keys, he pocketed them, intertwined their hands and led them toward an area in the garage she recognized immediately. It was a space that was both crazy and special to them both. They would rendezvous there when they wanted to take a few private moments without so many eyes or cameras on them.

“Where are we going?” Farrah asked, only to confirm her suspicions as they passed the bank of elevators leading to their offices.

Robert stopped and pulled her against him, allowing her to feel what she was doing to him. He gazed into her eyes and said, “You know where we're going,” before taking her mouth in a kiss that demanded so much more. Robert ran his hand up her back and under her hair. He released her lips, raised her hair and began to kiss and suck gently on her neck. He kissed his way along the edge of her jaw and ran his tongue across her lips before capturing her mouth again. He reluctantly released his hold and pulled her along with him.

“We can't,” she said breathlessly.

“Yes, we can.” Robert retrieved his security card key from his pants pocket and swiped it in front of a black security box that unlocked the door to a small storage room.

Robert pulled Farrah inside and closed the door. He switched on the light, gently pushed Farrah against the door as he lowered his head and consumed her mouth. Farrah never felt so overwhelmed and out of control as she did whenever she was with Robert. She pressed her body against his and her arms flew up and around his neck. Farrah's fingers buried themselves within his silky, blond-streaked, sandy-brown hair and her hips led Robert's in a synchronized dance that soon had her body screaming for the barriers between them to be removed...quickly.

Robert picked her up and out of her shoes, raising her dress in the process and allowing Farrah to wrap her legs tightly around his waist. With little finesse, Robert unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, freeing himself. With manhood in hand, Robert slid past the lace that covered her core and thrust deep inside of her, but stilled instantly. Farrah's instinct to move was stamped down by Robert's applied weight.

“Damn it,” Robert said as he started to pull back.

“What?” Farrah asked on a frustrated gasp, gripping his waist to keep him in place.

“Please tell me you're still on the pill.”

“Of course I am,” she said, raising her hips and forcing him into a downward thrust.

Robert took Farrah fast and hard, whipping them both into an out-of-control frenzy just the way she liked it. As she felt her body build into what promised to be another amazing orgasm, Farrah moved her hips in a manner that had Robert picking up the pace, ensuring that they would both reach their peak simultaneously. As they both tipped over that blessed cliff, Robert captured the sounds of their release with another mind-blowing kiss.

Robert rested his forehead against hers as they waited for their breathing to return to normal.

“That was—”

“Insane,” Farrah supplied on a gasp.

Robert raised his head and gazed into her eyes. “That was incredible, and you are so beautiful.”

Farrah felt Robert start to come alive again. “Put me down,” she whispered.

Robert extricated himself from her body before he reluctantly obliged her request. Farrah pressed down her dress while Robert adjusted himself back into his pants.

“I can't believe we're here again,” Farrah murmured, shaking her head.

“Why? It's perfectly private. You know I'm the only one with a key, and there aren't any cameras here,” he explained.

“That's not what I'm talking about and you know it,” she snapped, reaching down to pick up her bag. “This is why we have to stay away from each other.”

“Why?”

“This can't happen anymore,” she said.

Keep it together...keep it together.

“I don't understand why not. We obviously still want each other.” Robert took a step toward her, but she threw up her hands to stop him.

“Physical attraction only lasts for so long, and we still have to work together. We can't let any bad feelings that may come from our...from this situation between us,” she said, waving a finger back and forth between them, “affect our ability to work together.”

“It won't—”

“I know, because we're ending it now before we get in too deep, something neither of us wants,” Farrah said, fighting hard to keep the emotion out of her voice. “Once the divorce is final, we can forget this ever happened. Just go back to the way things were.”

“You really think that's possible?” he asked.

“Of course. We're adults...not to mention
professionals
. We'll get past this and things will get back to normal. My keys, please,” she said, gripping her bag's handle with her left hand, while offering the palm of the other. “After all, we have clients to protect, not to mention a pretty big case to prepare for. Besides, it's just sex that's between us, right?”

Robert looked down at her and offered up a small smile that disturbed her because it didn't quite reach his eyes. “Right, it's just sex,” he conceded, placing the keys in her hand.

Farrah gave a wordless nod, turned and walked out the door, leaving Robert standing in the middle of the small storage room.

Who are you kidding? It was far more than just sex...at least to you, anyway.

Farrah made it up to her apartment and into her bathroom, where she quickly removed her clothes. She opened the shower door and stepped under the warm spray, thanking her lucky stars for the automated shower system. Farrah didn't care that it had cost her thousands of dollars. The body jets, the ability to pipe in music, and the fact that the shower turned on at just the right temperature thirty seconds after she pushed a button made it money well spent.

Farrah stood under the oversize showerhead as the water rained down and the side sprays pelted her body. She relaxed into the wonder of wetness for a few moments, when she suddenly felt another presence in the room. Fear was not something that entered her mind. Her nipples tingled; an instant later, moisture pooled between her thighs. Her body knew exactly who the newcomer happened to be.

Farrah smiled and without turning and delivering the scolding that she knew she should, she simply said, “You just going to stand there and watch, or are you going to join me and loofah my back?”

Robert's deep baritone laugh set her body on high alert, anticipating what was to come.

Farrah turned to face him as she continued to wash herself. She watched his utility belt hit the travertine floors, followed by his boots and socks. His shirt was next, then the pants and finally his Calvin Klein underwear. Robert opened the door and joined her under the spray.

“I came by to drop off my copy of your house key,” he said, taking the soap out of her hands. “I figured you'd want it back.”

“So, instead of waiting for me to get out of the shower, or better still giving it to me later—like at the office or in a couple of days when we leave for New York,” she asked, snickering as she enjoyed the sensation of his hands roaming all over her body, “you decided to watch me take a shower?”

“Yeah, that basically sums it up,” he said, leaning down to kiss her.

Farrah covered his mouth with her right hand. “It's just sex...an almost-divorced couple just saying goodbye kind of thing. Closure, so to speak...agreed?”

Robert stared into her eyes, and the corner of his mouth curved upward slightly. “Two people finding a little closure tonight. We'd better not waste a second.”

Robert kissed Farrah gently on the lips. He used his index finger to raise her head skyward. “Close your eyes, sweetheart. Enjoy the sensation of me and the warm water,” he said, kissing the corner of her mouth and down her chin to her neck. He nibbled and licked where her neck and shoulder met, one of her favorite spots. Robert ran his tongue along her collarbone before moving down to the valley of her breasts.

“Hmm...yes...” Farrah caressed his hair and slid her hands down his back.

Robert greedily pulled and teased her nipples as though his life depended on it. He raised his head and stared into her eyes. “You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen,” Robert said softly, his voice cracking slightly.

“I want you,” Farrah whispered.

“And you'll have me...all of me,” he promised before dropping to his knees. He placed her right leg over his shoulder, gripped her butt with both hands and began kissing and stroking her center. Farrah's head fell back; she seized his shoulders, flexed her muscles to stay upright as she enjoyed the most sensual shower she'd ever experienced. She knew she shouldn't allow this to happen because her heart would pay a heavy price for it, but if this was it for them, Farrah was determined to savor every second.

* * *

The next morning, Farrah was so busy reading over several reports regarding Alexia's activities that she didn't even notice when Robert entered her office. Wordlessly, he handed her a large manila envelope.

“What's this?” she asked, putting the pen back in a holder and taking the envelope in her hands.

“It's what you wanted...our divorce papers.”

Farrah felt a sharp pain in her heart.

“Oh,” Farrah replied, swallowing the lump that had mysteriously lodged in her throat. “So Fletcher got them filed okay,” she said, trying to keep her tone as flat as possible.

“Yes. That's your copy.” Robert placed his hands in his pockets. “It's been signed by the judge and everything. Now we wait.”

“Wait?”

“Yes, thirty days...well, twenty now, and it'll be done. The divorce will be final,” he explained nonchalantly.

“Yes, of course,” she said, shaking her head.

“So that's it,” he added.

“No more Mrs. Gold,” Farrah murmured.

“You were never Mrs. Gold...not really,” Robert responded.

Farrah fought to keep her emotions under control as she felt tears well in the corners of her eyes. She rushed over to the bar and removed a small bottle of water from the mini-refrigerator.

Farrah casually wiped away a tear before she asked, “Care for something to drink?”

“No, thanks. I have a lot to do before we leave for New York. Hopefully, you're up to speed on all of Alexia's New York escapades, because I'd like to hit up a couple of her old spots when we get there.”

Having reined herself in, Farrah spun to face Robert and gave him a wan smile. “Back to business,” she said before returning to her desk and taking another swallow of her water. “Of course I'll be ready.”

“Good.” Robert started to leave.

“Robert, please wait.”

He turned and faced Farrah, his features expressionless for the first time she could remember.

“Thanks for being so...discreet regarding this whole situation.”

Robert frowned as he stared into her eyes. “Did you think I wouldn't keep my word?”

“No, that's not it at all. I just know it wasn't easy and I...I want you to know how much I appreciate it,” she said, breaking eye contact. Farrah picked up the envelope and held it to her chest as though it was a love letter from a long-lost friend, when really it was a world of change that she wasn't quite ready for. She would be more careful. If and when she got married again, it certainly wouldn't be based on losing a bet and allowing friends to goad her into it. And, it seemed, it certainly wouldn't be with Robert Gold.

Robert's eyes dropped to the envelope and his frown deepened. It was obvious that he'd noticed how tightly she held it.

“Well, I might as well put this away,” she said, leaving the desk to open the wall safe hidden behind the picture above her bar. She moved a jewelry box to the side and placed the envelope inside. “That's that.”

Robert gave her a quick nod and disappeared from her office almost as fast as he had come.

Farrah spent the rest of the afternoon immersed in her work. With the exception of her sisters, she knew it was the one thing that would keep the emotional whirlwind she was currently experiencing in check.

Chapter 7

R
obert stood next to Farrah in the living room of an immaculately decorated suite in the Towers of the Waldorf Astoria in New York two days later. The soft blue-and-beige linen sofa with matching wingback chairs and a stone-and-glass-top coffee table with modern, upscale accessories that accentuated the classic colors made for a very romantic setting. The crystal vase filled with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, sitting next to two stemless wineglasses and a crystal bucket holding a bottle of Moscato d'Asti chilling on ice, only enhanced the scene.

Robert could feel Farrah's glare burrowing into the side of his face and he silently cursed his body for responding to her. It had only been a few days since he'd touched her and he still hadn't been able to bring his need for her under control. If anything, his desire was more like a marathon runner getting that second wind to sprint the last few meters to the finish line.

“You did this, didn't you?” she accused through narrowed eyes.

“Did what?” Robert replied, trying and probably failing to sound innocent.

“You know what,” she said, placing her hands on her hips. “You intentionally had them place us in the same suite and set up this whole romantic seduction scene, didn't you?”

“No, I didn't,” he said, walking over to the flowers and wine to retrieve the card that lay between them. “Shall I read the card?”

Farrah folded her arms under her breasts and gave a quick nod.

Robert opened the card and read it. “Welcome to the Towers at the Waldorf Astoria. Have a drink on us and enjoy your stay. It's signed
Management
.” Robert tossed the card back on the table and grinned.

“Fine, what about our accommodations? I
know
Paul didn't make these arrangements.”

“Neither did I,” he said as he walked over to the fully stocked bar and retrieved a beer from the mini refrigerator, hoping to keep Paul's antics under wraps. If there was one person who was in his corner, it was Paul. Well, actually two if he counted Momma Penny. “Want one?”

“No, thanks,” she said, giving him the evil eye.

Robert swallowed down half his beer. “Look, I didn't ask for any of this,” he said, using his beer bottle to point around the room. “But it has two bedrooms, so you can have your space and I can have mine.”

“With only a living room separating us.” Farrah dropped her hands.

“You trying to tell me you won't be able to control yourself or something? Is that what you're saying?” he asked, trying to hold in a smirk because he knew it would infuriate her all the more.

“Absolutely not! I can control myself just fine. Anyway, we'll only be here for a couple of days, if that. As soon as we can find Alexia's contact and chase down who hired her, we're out of here.”

“Good.” Robert finished off the last of his beer and placed it in the trash.

Farrah remained quiet, and only a simple nod acknowledged her agreement. But her eyes... There was something going on with her eyes that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Was that...sadness he picked up on? What did she have to be sad about? She was getting exactly what she wanted, right?

Robert picked up his suitcase. “I'm going to get a little work done before we have to leave for the play. Will you be ready to go at six?” he asked, staring down into her eyes.

“Six is fine,” she said, then quickly turned away from his gaze.

Robert turned and walked into his bedroom and closed the door. He leaned against the door and let out a murmured word that he couldn't quite say in polite company. Robert had witnessed the unshed tears that Farrah was determined to hide from him. He wanted to go to her, confess everything, but he knew she wasn't ready to hear it yet. And since he only had one chance to get it right, he was going to force himself to stay the course or he'd lose her altogether.

Robert walked over to the small desk where he lifted the receiver from the phone's cradle and pressed zero. “This is Robert Gold. Please connect me with Barry Bishop.”

“Barry Bishop.”

“Bishop? Gold. Thanks for the room upgrade, but how'd you know I was coming?” he asked, leaning against the desk.

“I saw your name on my VIP list and you know I have to make a fellow hotel owner comfortable,” he replied, laughing. “You'd never let me live it down if I had you hovering somewhere in the basement.”

“Thanks. The flowers and wine were a nice touch.”

“Anything for you, Gold. Can we do anything else for you?” he asked, his enthusiasm clear.

“No, thanks. I'll return the favor next time you're in Vegas.”

“I'll look forward to it,” Barry Bishop replied.

Robert disconnected the call and his cell phone rang. “Yeah, Fletcher, what's up?” he asked, as he moved to the blue, king-size salon bed where he dropped his suitcase.

“Did you give Farrah the divorce papers yet?”

“Yesterday,” he replied as he retrieved his shirts and underwear from his suitcase and placed them on the bed.

“And...”

“And nothing. She took them and put them away, just as I suspected she would,” he explained.

“She didn't even look at them?” Fletcher asked, surprise evident in his voice.

“No, why would she?” Robert shot back, slipping the shirts in the dresser drawer. “It was uncontested, and now as far as she's concerned, it's finally over...just like she wanted.”

“I know, but—”

“No buts. Your part in all of this is done.” Robert pulled out his shaving kit.

“What now?” Fletcher asked.

“Now you just keep your mouth shut and I'll take care of the rest. Trust me, I have everything under control.”

Sure you do.
Robert disconnected the call and headed to the shower.

* * *

When Farrah watched Robert retreat to his bedroom, her heart sank and tears stung the back of her eyes, all while her body screamed for attention, the kind of attention that only Robert could supply. “So much for worrying about him crossing the line,” she murmured. Farrah hurried past the beautiful flowers, the chilled wine and Robert's tempting door, and right into her bedroom, where she was immediately struck by the room's glamorous décor. The beige walls, glass-faced nightstands, and large crystal chandelier that hovered over gold-and-cream bedding with matching drapery, invoked old Hollywood glamour, reflecting a style similar to her own apartment's.

Farrah placed her overnight bag on the bed and went into the oversize bathroom and smiled. The marble floors, two-headed shower with high-end finishes and Jacuzzi tub big enough for two were too inviting to pass up. Farrah turned on the water and added several of the designer bath beads offered by the hotel. She reached behind her back and stopped. “Why the hell not,” she said to her reflection. She returned to the living room and retrieved the bottle of Stella Rosa Moscato d'Asti, uncorked its top and poured herself a glass.

Farrah took several sips as she returned to the bathroom. She placed the bottle and her glass next to the tub, turned off the water and started the jets. She unzipped her dress and let it fall to the tiles. Matching lace bra and panties soon followed and within seconds, Farrah was enjoying that sweet spirited wine and resting her head against the tub's built-in pillow. Between the water and wine, Farrah's eyes drifted shut. She allowed her body to become limp and pliant, letting the water do the work of putting her in a relaxing state. Her mind drifted back several days to when things between her and Robert had “officially” ended.

The memory and pain of Robert's exit jolted Farrah forward, splashing water everywhere. “Get a grip,” she admonished herself. “Time to move forward. He clearly has.”