AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why did you run, Julia?” he murmurs.
His breath tickles my ear, prompting a low shiver through my center. Body heat radiates against the back of my sweater and we’re suddenly so, so close to each other.
“You said you wanted me again,” he continues, his voice low and rumbly. “And then you ran.”
“Because you were done with me,” I remind him, hating the memory—the humiliation. “You got what you wanted and immediately told Davis.”
When he doesn’t respond, I shut off the faucet and pause, waiting cautiously for his next move.
“Fuck,” he grits softly, drawing out the word. His chin grazes my shoulder, moving gently like a caress. “We got our wires crossed, Ridgeway.”
“How so?” The question comes out acidic, accusatory.
“I texted your brother so I could fuck you without the deal lingering over our heads, not to collect my payment.”
I freeze at first. The explanation is too simple to be a lie. “You wanted to fuck me again. No deal, just me,” I clarify—and hold my breath, waiting for a response.
“Just you,” he murmurs, tickling the shell of my ear. His body presses against mine again, much stronger than a graze this time.
Relief strikes me and the residual embarrassment fades—and then annoyance mounts when I realize we could have avoided the day’s animosity if I hadn’t fallen asleep. He wasn’t throwing me out; he wanted me as much as I wanted him.
Shit.
“Suck it up and tell me you want me, Julia,” he urges, confidence and derision rich in his tone. His hand shifts on the counter, thumb brushing against the pinky on my left hand. The gesture is so slight, and yet indescribably sexy. Anything more deliberate wouldn’t have the same tension behind it.
“Why would I do a thing like that?” I reply, my voice soft.
“Because you do,” he replies knowingly, and another brush of his body sends soft waves of anticipation through me. “You want me. I can see it when you look at me. You can’t resist undressing me with your eyes every time I enter a room. You’ve got it bad. So say it, Julia. Tell me you want me.”
“And if I do,” I begin slowly, turning my head so I can see him over my shoulder, “what happens?”
His expression slides into pure seduction and his gaze drops to my mouth. He wets his lower lip with his tongue. “Anything you want,” he offers. “Anything.”
Anything.
“So if I ask you to tie me up and pour wine over my naked body before you fuck me senseless…that’s what I’ll get?” I jab, speaking sardonically so he can’t mistake my comment as serious.
“Anything. And I’m a man who can quite literally give you anything. Haven’t you realized that yet?”
Want rushes through me, no matter how cocky and arrogant his words are. I swallow hard, scrambling to recall if a man has ever had this effect on me before. He’s overwhelming and exciting all at once, but all those sensations pale in comparison to the power of my disorientation. For once, I have no clue how to handle a man—and it terrifies me.
“All you have to do,” he continues, “is ask.”
He’s toying with me. I know it—and I don’t hate it.
Sure enough, when I turn around he’s watching me with amusement and hunger in his limitless blue eyes. His gaze traces my face, dips down to my body, and returns to meet my eyes once more. I take in the look of focus he wears—the look I’ve seen on magazine covers and articles about this illustrious and mysterious business titan. He’s so indescribably striking. Confident. Powerful. All I want is to fuck his striking, confident, powerful brains out.
He wants it too—and we could have a lot of fun if we’re both game.
“In that case, I’m going to bed,” I assert.
We both know I’m lying.
***
Half an hour later, I’m in bed stark naked and glaring at the wooden beams that run across the ceiling. Frustrated, I shift and the flannel sheets brush over my nipples. I’m tingling. Anticipation courses through me, making every sensation more pronounced.
Where. The. Fuck. Is. He.
