The Wilde Side (27 page)

She slid the lobster meat into her mouth and chewed the tender morsel, trying not to read too deeply into Scott's comment ... as if he wanted her to see her father in that same light in terms of
them
.

But that wasn't something she wanted to think or talk about tonight, so she kept their conversation on track. "I've heard mention that my father is interested in hiring your company for more restoration work."

He nodded as he turned his attention to the lobster on his plate. "Yes, and I hope it happens. Getting awarded this initial job at the hotel has been great for Nolan and Sons, and has restored my confidence about tackling bigger restoration projects, as well."

She was taken aback by that revelation about him, that he'd harbored doubts about his ability to be successful. "You're one of the most confident men I know!"

"When it comes to some things, yes," he admitted easily. "But a few years ago I made a huge estimating mistake on a job we were bidding that ended up costing Nolan and Sons a small fortune and nearly bankrupted the company. That incident put a pretty big dent in my self-esteem, and as a result I've spent the past few years trying to build Nolan and Sons into a thriving business, in hopes of proving to my father that I can handle the company and make it grow and prosper."

She sat back in her seat, stunned by everything she was hearing, not to mention how closely his insecurities paralleled her own. "I had no idea."

He shrugged, as if it was now all in the past and no longer a hindrance. From across the table, his gaze met and held hers. "What I've come to realize is that no matter how much I believed I'd disappointed my father, he never blamed me for that mistake.
I've
been the one punishing myself and sacrificing my own wants and needs because I was so intent on doing the right thing that nothing else mattered except for gaining my father's respect again."

She was keenly aware that their conversation had taken a very personal turn, one that reflected her life, as well. What Scott spoke of also applied to her past and the
mistake
she'd made with Greg. His blackmail attempt had cost her parents not only financially, but emotionally, too. She'd carried the burden of disappointing her mother and father and had spent the past few years trying to make up for the scandal that had nearly destroyed her family's reputation – even at the expense of her own happiness.

"But you know what?" Scott continued, his voice low and deep, comforting even. "I had my father's respect all along, or he never would have kept me in charge of the company. It's just taken me some time to realize that. And now I'm ready to be a little selfish and focus on me and what I want, now and in the future. And one of those things is being with you."

Her heart thundered in her chest as she stared at him. The caring look in his eyes was so powerful and all-consuming, the emotion shimmering between them nearly palpable. What he'd just said to her, what his words asked for was a commitment from her in return, a responding answer that would chase away the doubts lingering in his expression.

This amazing man undoubtedly held her heart in his hands, but her mind was spinning from all that he'd revealed, along with her own confusing thoughts about her own life and future she knew would take more than a few short moments to sort through and resolve. She didn't want tonight to end up in a heavy discussion about all the insecurities and fears she'd harbored for the past few years and how they'd affected such a huge part of her life. There would be time enough for that later.

So, instead, she whispered a response that would hopefully give Scott what he needed, and turn the too serious mood into a more seductive one, as well.

"I care about you Scott, so much it scares me." She smiled tremulously. "And you're here with me now, so let's make the best of it."

"That I am," he murmured, and much to her relief he let the subject fade to black. "You ready to take this into the bedroom?"

Was she ever. Heat and desire infused her entire body, along with a heady dose of excitement, too. "I thought you'd never ask."

He grinned at her enthusiasm. "Then let's go," he said, and lifted the magnum of champagne from the silver ice bucket to take with him.

Scott followed her into the adjoining room, enjoying the provocative sway of her hips as she walked and the flirtatious way she glanced over her shoulder with a come-hither look in her eyes. It was enough to make him hard with wanting her, in carnal, illicit ways he'd never taken another woman before.

But his physical need for her was merely an extension of the love and affection he wanted to give to her, if only she'd let him.

Out in the dining room, he'd revealed a huge glimpse of his past, of the man he'd been and the man he'd become. He'd given her a whole lot to think about, but now it was a matter of giving her a night she'd never forget, a night of hot, erotic passion and deep, abiding emotion that would leave no doubt in her mind how he felt about her. In this bedroom, he'd give her everything he had, because there was no telling what tomorrow, or the future, held for the two of them.

What he did know for certain was whatever happened after tonight would be entirely up to her.

She glanced from the large bed that had been turned down, to the black silk ties he'd draped across the pillow, then back to him. A delicate brow raised questioningly. "What's this?"

"Your fantasy," he said, and set the bottle of champagne on the nightstand for later before coming to stand in front of her. "Do you remember the conversation we had on the phone when you were in San Francisco? You told me that you'd often thought about being tied up and being forced to submit to a man's sexual whims. And that once I had you restrained, you'd let me do whatever I wanted to you."

Her eyes dilated, and her breathing deepened. "Yes, I remember."

"But you also told me that it excites you when you think about being the dominant, aggressive one," he said as he trailed his fingers over the plump swells of her breasts and watched as her nipples puckered tight against the fabric of her dress. "So, here's the deal tonight. The choice is yours. Would you like to be the one tied up and surrendering to
my
forbidden, erotic desires, or would you prefer that I'm the one who's restrained?"

She laughed, the sound breathy and undeniably aroused. "Make it tough on a girl, why don't you."

He cocked his head, refusing to make any of this easy on her. "Which will it be, sweetheart?"

She bit her lower lip, and her smoldering gaze searched his. After a moment's thought, she raised her hand and pressed her warm palm against his cheek, her touch gentle yet oh-so-enticing to his senses. "I want to be yours tonight," she said huskily. "Any way you want me."

His groin pulsed, and it took every ounce of control he possessed not to rip the dress from her body and take her right then and there – hard and fast and deep – until they both came on a scalding rush of heat and she screamed his name as she came. He'd taken her that way before, knew how wild and explosive demanding sex with Ashley could be.

He wanted this time to be different. He wanted this time to be a slow, gradual buildup to a fiery culmination of pleasure and unforgettable satisfaction. He wanted her need to be as sharp as his own, wanted her emotions at an all-time high when he finally joined their bodies intimately and made love to her.

But the journey getting there was going to be all about seduction, temptation, and her ultimate acquiescence.

With that in mind, he strolled to a chair in a shadowed corner of the room and settled himself comfortably in the cushioned seat. Then he issued his first command. "Strip for me."

It was an easy enough order, and she was quick to oblige him, probably because it gave her the opportunity to tease him, which she did exceptionally well. A sultry smile curved her luscious mouth, and her lashes fell half-mast as she slid the straps of her dress down her arms and bared her gorgeous breasts to his gaze. With a shimmy of her hips, the rest of the material slid down her long legs, and all she wore beneath the dress was a pair of black lacy bikini panties that would have tempted a saint to fall to his knees and commit a cardinal sin.

He was definitely not a saint, but he did have a whole lot of sinning in mind tonight. And obviously, so did Ashley. Still standing in her sexy high heels, and with her hair a silky cloud around her face, she looked like a man's wet dream come to life.

She lifted her hands, cupping the heavy weight of her breasts in both palms. She pinched her erect nipples lightly, rolled the taut tips between her fingers, and sighed in pure, unadulterated pleasure. Then she moved on, sliding one hand down her flat stomach, her stance widening as her fingers disappeared beneath the scrap of fabric covering her mound. She touched and stroked herself and tossed her head back and moaned as her hips gyrated against her hand and fingers.

Jesus
. Scott's cock twitched hard inside his pants, demanding to be released – demanding his fair share of attention of touching and stroking. God, he felt like a voyeur watching her, but she put on one hell of a show, and he had to remind himself who was in charge, that he was the one calling the shots and she was supposed to do
his
bidding tonight.

"Come here and undress me," he ordered gruffly.

It took a moment for her to drift back out of the self-indulgent fog enveloping her, but once her gaze regained some focus and she seemed steady on her feet, she approached where he sat. She knelt in front of him in a very submissive position so unlike the strong, self-assured woman he knew Ashley to be. But her compliance made for a very potent fantasy – for both of them, he knew.

She started with his shoes and socks, removing both before tugging his shirt from the waistband of his trousers and pulling it over his head and off. She pushed his legs apart, moved in between to get closer, and caressed her soft hands over his naked chest. His nipples stiffened as she plucked at them.

A low growl erupted from deep in his throat, and he threaded his fingers through her hair and brought her mouth up to his. Their lips melded and tongues tangled as he kissed her hungrily, taking and tasting greedily. He smoothed his flattened palms over her bare, silky shoulders, glided them down the slope of her back, and his stomach muscles clenched when he felt the soft cushion of her breasts pressing against his belly.

He dropped his head back against the chair as she trailed hot, moist kisses along his jaw and neck. Her generous mouth drifted lower, the nip of her teeth and the sweep of her wet tongue creating a path of fire down the length of his chest and torso while her fingers fumbled with the button and zipper on his trousers.

She managed to undo both and dragged his pants and briefs down his legs and off in one smooth motion. She settled back between his spread legs, her lips softly parted, her eyes a deep shade of green and glazed with desire and anticipation.

She gazed up at him, sprawled completely naked in the chair. He was fully, painfully erect, his shaft thick and jutting. While she watched, he curled his fingers around his cock and stroked himself just as she'd done moments before in front of him. She licked her lips, looked up at him beseechingly, waiting so patiently for his next command.

He recalled that phone fantasy once again, remembered what he'd asked for and what she'd given him ... in his mind only. Now he wanted it for real.

"Take me in your mouth and suck me," he rasped.

She pushed away his hand, replaced it with her own, and squeezed the length of him gently, but firmly, in her grasp. His jaw clenched, then released on a low hiss of breath as she enveloped him in the warmth and wetness of her mouth and swallowed his shaft as deep as she could. Then she began to suck him more eagerly, more deliberately, and the slick pressure of her lips and the hot texture of her tongue sliding along his sensitive flesh sent his entire body into sensory overload.

He groaned and shuddered. She was too damn good, and it had been too long, and he knew he wouldn't last much longer with her giving him the best head he'd ever had in his life. Fisting his hands in her hair, he gently pulled her away, and she whimpered at the loss.

"Let me take you all the way," she said.

His body screamed
yes
, but he wasn't ready for that particular ending just yet. "When I come, I want to be inside of you." He let the silky strands of her hair sift through his fingers as he released her. "Go lie down on the bed."

She hesitated a few heartbeats, then did as he asked. He waited a couple of minutes before joining her, until he had himself, and his raging erection, under complete control again. Only then did he join her up on the bed and start on the second phase of the fantasy.

He straddled her hips, and leaning over her, he grabbed one hand and tied that wrist to the headboard with the silken sash, then secured her other arm. She looked so fucking beautiful, exquisitely so – her lithe, supple body all his for the taking. But more than that, he wanted her love, her trust, her belief in him.

Trailing his fingers from the pulse beating rapidly at the base of her throat down to her breasts, he rubbed his thumbs slowly over and around her tight nipples, eliciting a strangled moan from her. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"Yes."
Her gaze was soft and hot and needy. "I want this, and I want you."

"I'm yours," he said, and probably would be for the rest of his life, with or without her in it.