“So the ‘scheme’ with Marcus and Hennessey was a setup?”
“It was a litmus test—and you passed perfectly. In fact, you’ve exceeded every expectation since you walked in the room.” He pulls me closer. “Wanting you, though, shocked me. But I can’t shake it.”
“Mr. Force, I—”
“If you’re going to spend the night in my bed, you should start calling me Chad.”
I blink. “A night in your bed?”
“Are you going to lie to convince me you don’t want me as much as I want you?”
It goes against my grain to be dishonest. Sure, I’ve told an occasional white lie. I’m human. But pretending I’m not interested in burning up the sheets with him would be a colossal whopper. “No, Chad. I won’t lie. I wanted you the minute I laid eyes on you. But that doesn’t mean us having sex is a good idea.”
“You’re right; it’s probably terrible. But it won’t stop me.”
If I’m being honest, it probably won’t stop me, either. But… “I came here for a job.”
“No matter what happens tonight, you’ll have a formal offer tomorrow. A good one because you have a bright future with Force Financial. Tonight, however, you don’t work for me…”
He’s got a point, even if it’s a technicality. He doesn’t date, and I’m not looking for a boyfriend. Maybe we could do this tonight, consider it an itch scratched, then carry on with our professional lives.
I wriggle closer. “Point taken. When are you going to kiss me?”
His low, wicked laugh as he cradles my face sends a shiver up my spine and anticipation sizzling my blood. “This fucking instant.”
Before I can even draw in a breath, he settles his lips over mine. Chad doesn’t bother with testing, teasing, or probing. As he does in business, he swoops in with decisive, measured action designed to inflict maximum devastation to my senses. His big hand snakes through my hair, tugging at the scalp until he positions me exactly where he wants. Then he delves deep into my mouth as if he owns me.
His commanding hold makes me melt. I cling to his broad shoulders, my head drowning in his musky male scent. When his tongue brushes mine, I throw myself—and all caution—into the kiss, sliding, curling, entwining with him. Keeping my wits proves impossible when his free hand slides from my cheek, down to thumb my hard nipple through the gossamer nightgown in a barely there touch. It’s so unlike his ravenous, animal kiss I can’t process the avalanche of sensations.
Everything about this man unravels me. Sure, he’s hot. But he’s also smarter than hell and he speaks my language—ambition, money, passion. He’s unapologetically a shark…but he’s also got a core of honor. I’m not looking to fall in love or anything, but his kisses make me witless and his touch makes me damn glad I’m a woman.
With a flick of his fingers, he slides one of my spaghetti straps down my arm. His lips follow, blazing a path across my skin as he tugs my breast free of the nightgown. Cool air sweeps across the sensitive tip before he envelops it in the brutal heat of his mouth.
My legs turn unsteady, forcing me to cling to him for support. “Chad…”
“Hmm, sweetheart.” He licks the stiff peak before trailing his lips up the side of my breast. “You are perfect.”
The appreciation in his voice says he doesn’t just mean I have a nice rack, though he certainly seems to think so when he reveals my other breast with a groan. Ruthlessly, he sucks it into his mouth. I let loose a cry and tip my head back in offering.
But there’s still too much clothing between us. I have to lose this nightgown now.
As I wriggle my arms free, Chad shoves the garment down my hips and away from my body. Suddenly, I’m standing in front of him, wearing nothing but a pair of tight pink panties with little black bows at each hip.
He peruses his way down my body. “I can’t wait to get my mouth all over you.”
I reach between us, tracing a path down the ridges of his hard abs, then curl my fingers around the stiff, sizable bulge through his underwear. “I’m assuming I’ll be allowed to return the favor. Equal opportunity and all…”
At my touch, he hisses out in pleasure. “Absolutely.”
He seizes my mouth again, his kiss ruthless as his hands wander my body. One palm cups my backside and hauls me against him again. The other lifts my nipple to his lips for an impatient pull on my flesh. His dark head bending to me while his lips pluck at me undoes me.
Under the onslaught of desire, I sway precariously, tumbling onto the bed. He falls beside me, rolling to his back and hoisting me up to straddle his body. I sit back against his erection, and the feel of him, hot and hard against my aching pussy, has me wriggling and whimpering.
“Look at you.” He caresses my nipples again before he feels his way down to grip my hips and grind against me.
Another moan falls from my lips. “You’re overdressed, Chad.”
He sends me a devilish stare. “Lose your underwear and I’ll lose mine.”
“You think this is a negotiation?” I rock against his erection again.
Chad hisses as his body tenses and he gets harder beneath me. “Everything is.”
“You realize I’m on top—literally.”
His laugh isn’t comforting. “Your position isn’t necessarily an advantage.”
“Sure it is.” I fit my fingers under the waistband of his boxer briefs and tug, exposing the big, bulbous head of his cock, and thumb the sensitive flesh before shoving the cotton lower and gripping his length tightly. “See? I have the…situation in hand.”
He drags in a rough breath. “You may think so, but your attempt to take control will fail.”
“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”
“Henry Ford? You’re quoting a business titan while we’re getting busy?” He seems amused.
“They’re good words to live by.” I stroke him faster. I nearly have him where I want him.
Until he proves me wrong by lifting me and dragging me up his body.
“What are you doing?”
“Innovating.”
“What?” I breathe out as he settles my knees on either side of his head.
An instant later, he shoves my panties aside and stares at my pussy. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”
“Steve Jobs?” I vaguely remember the quote.
“Yes.” His low voice drips with approval and sex.
Surrender isn’t in my nature, but when he skims my begging clit, my spine nearly dissolves. I can’t rub two thoughts together. I can only moan.
Chad settles my pouting flesh over his mouth and rakes his tongue through my slit. The sensations are electric as they zap me with pleasure. I start unraveling with the next stroke of his tongue and sink down, fully opening myself to him. My head slides back. My fingers pluck at my desperate nipples. My desire ratchets up. In that moment, I’m not above begging.
“No comeback?” he asks as he flicks my aching bud with his tongue again before sucking it into the hot heaven of his mouth.
“No,” I pant. “God, you’re good at that.”