Worth the Risk (7 page)

“Sit down.” He waved at the chair that sat close by his desk as they entered his office, and she did as he asked, fuming that she could follow his demands so easily. He shut the door, reminding her that she was completely alone with him, and then settled in the chair behind his desk. “While in London last week, we held extensive meetings in regards to the Worthwhile line.”

She nodded solemnly, wondering where he was going with this. She already knew about the meetings. That had been the reason he’d gone to London in the first place.

“We’re going to hold a huge launch party for the spring line with a runway show at the Beverly Hills store.”

“The store Rhett is in charge of?”

His mouth hardened, his eyes darkened. She had the distinct feeling Hunter didn’t like his younger brother much. “That would be the one. I plan on going to the location late next week to check it out, see what we’re working with. I’ve never been to that particular store.” He paused, his gaze meeting hers. “I want you to go with me.”

She stiffened. Did he want to take her so he could get her back into his bed? “I don’t know…”

“You’re one of my most valued members on the marketing team and you’re in charge of the Worthwhile spring launch. I need your opinion while on this trip.”

“How long will we be gone?’ She sat up straighter, wishing her spine was made of steel. Maybe it would give her a hint of courage, make her feel stronger, able to deal with this…this curve ball Hunter had thrown in her direction.

It was as if the man purposely kept her off center.

“Two, three days tops.”

“I see.” She swallowed hard, glanced about the room. Anywhere but at Hunter. “Are you asking me to go because you’re jealous of Marcus?”

He slammed his fist on top of his desk so hard she jumped in her chair. “I am not jealous.”

“Right. So your over-the-top reaction meant nothing.” She dared look up to watch as he leapt out of his chair and rounded the desk to stand just before her. Tilting her head back, she met his gaze. Saw all the anger swirling in their blue depths.

“If you want to screw around with Marcus, then I can’t stop you. Who am I to care what you do with your off time?” His eyes blazed as they stared into hers and she refused to look away.

“You scared him out of the office.”

“I did no such thing.”

She laughed and shook her head. “Stop pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

Hunter leaned over her, resting his hands on each arm of the chair, boxing her in. She shrunk back, not because she was scared, oh no. More like trying to get away from his scent, his warmth, the very delicious essence of him. But seeing her move back only pressed him forward, until his face was directly in hers.

“Are you flirting with him to make me jealous?” The deadly thread in his voice made her shiver.

“I’m not that immature,” she retorted.

“Really?” He cocked a brow. “You never showed any interest in Marcus until after we were—intimate.”

The word conjured up all sorts of images. Her naked in his arms, his tongue drawing wet, warm circles around her hard, aching nipples…

“I didn’t encourage his behavior.”

“Look at you, all prim and proper. ‘I didn’t encourage his behavior’. Is that what you say about me? Us? Did you encourage my behavior?”

He was desperately jealous. And if the throb of his pulse at the base of his neck was any indication, he was also really upset. “I—I—”

“Did you want to have sex with me, Gracie? Or were you merely doing it because you thought it was what I wanted?”

“What are you saying?” He was purposely trying to confuse her. “Are you trying to get me to admit that yes, I wanted to have sex with you and no, I don’t regret it? Because if you are, fine, you’re right. I wanted it. I wanted you. And I don’t regret it either. Does that make you feel better?”

Her breath came in ragged spurts after her abrupt confession, and she swallowed hard, wishing she could swallow the words and make them disappear. They stared at each other silently, regret hitting her full force and she pressed her lips together. She should’ve never said that. Why did he always push her so much? Of course, she wasn’t over him yet. Couldn’t get over him, as loathe as she was to admit it.

Damn him.

“I don’t regret it,” he whispered harshly. “If I had my choice, it would happen again.”

“Why?” She shook her head and closed her eyes. This was crazy. They were playing with fire and she was the only one who would end up getting burned. She was putting everything at risk. Her job, her emotional state, her future…all of it for a man who could charm her panties off with a few sexy words and a smile that made her burn.

“Why? I don’t know why. I can’t explain it. When I’m not with you, you’re all I think about.” She opened her eyes at that revelation. “And when I’m with you, it takes everything inside of me not to just reach out and do this.” He swooped in.

And kissed her.

Christ, she tasted good. Like sweet, honeyed woman and lush, sensual promise. It was a big mistake, pissing her off, pissing himself off and then kissing her. He’d promised he would leave her alone.

But seeing her with Marcus had set a fire deep in his belly that couldn’t be denied. And thinking she’d actually encouraged Marcus’s flirtations? That had nearly sent him into a full-bodied attack on a man he considered his friend.

Hunter couldn’t dwell on it now. He had Gracie where he wanted her. Their mouths connected, their tongues tangling. He hadn’t even touched her yet, kept his hands firmly on the arms of the chair and he nearly collapsed to his knees when she pressed forward and wound her arms around his neck.

It was a sign of acquiescence. That she wanted him and wasn’t going to deny herself any longer.

Thank Christ. He’d been silently begging for this since she slipped out of his bed early that Sunday morning after the most momentous night of his life.

“Hunter.” Hearing her sweet voice whisper his name sent a bolt of lust straight through him that settled in his hardening cock. “We shouldn’t do this.”

“You want to.” He kissed her, then pulled away, watching with satisfaction when she followed him with a tilt of her head. “Just as bad as I want to.”

She didn’t deny it, allowing him to kiss her again. “Don’t talk, baby,” he whispered against her swollen, damp lips. “Just feel.”

The agonized moan that sounded from her tore at him, drove him on. He fell onto his knees with a hard thud and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in as close as he could get her. Attacking her throat, he licked and nibbled the elegant length of her neck, pausing at the open part of her shirt, breathing in her delectable scent.

Floral and a hint of sultry promise, her scent drove him wild. He tore at the buttons of her shirt, undoing them with shaky fingers. Whipping her shirt away from her torso, he drank in the beauty of her clad in only a pale cream bra. The garment was simple, no lacy adornments, no little pearl or stone accents or bows made of silk. Just creamy satin lovingly cupped her beautiful breasts.

He tugged the cups down, exposing her to his gaze. Pretty pink nipples came into view, hard little points that begged for his touch and he gave in. They were eye level and unable to resist, he drew one into his mouth, sucking it deep, swirling his tongue around her aroused flesh.

“Oh God.” She sunk her hands into his hair and held him there. Opening his eyes, he glanced up at her, meeting her gaze. She watched, her lips parted, her eyes glowing in the dim light of his office. He released his lips’ hold on her nipple, then darted out his tongue and circled once. Twice. Slow enough to draw a breathless whimper from her.

His cock strained against his trousers, and he reached with one hand for his belt buckle, undoing it with a quick flick of his fingers. All while he still laved attention on her abundant flesh, alternating between each breast until he had his pants undone and sagging off his hips.

She wore a skirt as usual, thank the Lord above, and he slipped a hand beneath the fabric, along the outside of her thigh, skimming his fingers on silky-soft skin. Shoving the hem of her skirt up her thighs, he revealed her matching cream satin panties. Noted the damp spot on the front of them and felt a surge of satisfaction.

“We shouldn’t—” she started to say, but he pressed his index finger against her parted lips, silencing her.

“Let me,” he whispered, drawing his finger along the plump softness of her lower lip. “Let me make you feel good.”

“Hunter, we’re in your office.
Oh.
” She quit her protesting when he slipped two fingers just between her lips, and a sensual glow lit her gaze. She teased the tips of his fingers with her tongue, and he groaned when she drew them deep inside her mouth, sucking them much like he imagined she’d suck his cock…

His entire body tightened at the image.

He ripped his fingers from her mouth and wrapped his hands around her waist, positioning her just so. “No one will see us in here. We’re all alone,” he reassured, his voice tight, his blood running hot. He was going to take her right here on this chair. Fuck it, he couldn’t wait any longer.

Rearing up on his knees, he shoved down his pants with one hand and pulled her to the very edge of the chair. He pushed her panties down her legs as she kicked, her toes connecting with his thigh, and he grunted.

Their gazes met, and they both laughed, coming together in a rush of heat and hands. “I—I don’t have a condom.” If she turned him away now, he wasn’t sure what he’d do.

“I’m safe. I’m on the pill,” she whispered. “Are you safe?”

“Yes.” He would never lie about that. And he’d pull out before he came. Just to be safe. Grasping the base of his erection, he guided himself inside her, filling her so completely she gasped at the contact.

Her tight, velvety heat clasped around him, and he closed his eyes, gritted his teeth. Desperate to find some control, he breathed deep. Counted slowly to five before he opened his eyes.

She lay sprawled in the chair, her legs spread, shirt open, her bra tugged beneath her breasts. Her hair was in her face, her cheeks were flushed.

He’d never seen a more beautiful sight.

Carefully he took her, slowing his pace, watching with fascination as he pushed inside her body. His chest ached at the beauty of her, of the two of them connected, and he increased his pace, excitement racing through his blood when he heard her encouraging moan.

“Faster, Hunter,” she urged and he met her gaze, saw the intensity there glowing in her eyes. “Please.”

Leaning in, he took her mouth in a savage kiss and pumped over her, inside her, driving again and again into her welcoming depths. She quivered beneath him, her breaths quickening, her little hands frantic as they fluttered over his shoulders and back and he knew she was close.

Maybe just as close as he was.

Giving in, he took her fiercely, powering into her with the savageness of a feral beast. He should be more careful, treat her more delicately but it was as if something foreign took over him. And took her over too—she didn’t protest, in fact, she seemed to encourage him and when he felt her inner walls clench tight around him and heard her gasp of pleasure, he let the orgasm he’d been staving off wash over him completely.

No time for him to pull out. No room for regret now. If only he could convince her to feel the same.

Chapter Six

“Who’s the hottie?”

“None of your goddamn business.” Hunter smiled at his brother and turned away from the woman Rhett was blatantly checking out.

“Well, well, well.” Rhett laughed and shook his head. “Sounds like I touched a nerve. A girlfriend of yours?”

Hunter didn’t reply. Mostly because he didn’t know how, since Gracie was most definitely
not
his girlfriend.

A woman he thought of nonstop, yes. A woman who drove him wild in bed and knew how to satisfy him with both her body and her mind, oh yeah. But could he say she was his girlfriend? Could he proclaim to the world they were involved and in a relationship?

No. And that hurt more than he cared to admit.

“You’re not making a claim on her, huh? So she’s up for grabs?” Rhett grinned, the bastard. Rhett was baiting him and, damn it all, Hunter was falling for it.

They stood near the entrance of the Beverly Hills Worth flagship store, both of them watching as Gracie walked around the perimeter of the building with a tablet clutched in her hands, taking notes with furious little taps of her fingers.

“No, she’s definitely not up for grabs.” At least, not for Rhett. Hunter would give anything to grab her at this very moment. She looked amazing, wearing a simple, navy blue, sleeveless sheath that clung lovingly to her slender body. Sophisticated New Yorker in the Southern California sunshine, that was his Gracie.

Hunter scowled. No, not
his
Gracie, though he wished she was.

Possessiveness rose in his chest, and he squashed it down. Going He-Man while in front of his irritating brother wouldn’t look good. And it’d give Rhett more ammunition to use against him later.

“That’s too bad. She’s a nice change from the usual blonde, plastic Barbie dolls that troll the store,” Rhett said, his gaze running admiringly over Gracie yet again.