Page 120 of Filthy Hot Billionaire
It appeared we were at a standoff, and he was evidently waiting for a response.
“I just need a little more time to decide.”
“You and I both know Knox isn’t a patient man.”
No, he wasn’t.
“I’ll call him.” I glanced over at my cell phone plugged in on the nightstand.
“Or…” Kieran took a few steps toward me. “You can get out of bed, and we’ll go see him.”
“No, thank you.” I let the words hang dramatically. “I’d prefer”—I met his stare, felt incredibly helpless beneath it, overwhelmed by this insane desire for him—“not to.”
“That’s not an option, love.”
This argument was getting me nowhere, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. “I’ll need time to get ready.”
“I’ll wait.”
Something in his heated gaze emboldened me. I’d long ago stopped jumping when people summoned me, and I had no desire to pick up that bad habit again. But my rebellion was fueled more by the embers igniting within me.
“Why didn’t he come himself?” I asked, curious as to why Kieran was doing his bidding.
“He’s a busy man.”
Of course he was. Knox Montgomery was the king of his own empire. He’d taken the company his father had started, and he’d turned it into a dynasty. And somehow, he had the capacity to focus on Delta June’s, building it into something I doubted my father had ever dreamed it could be. I certainly hadn’t.
Because it was apparent Kieran wasn’t going to leave me to my own devices, I dragged the sheet up, wrapping it around me as best I could before exiting the bed. I knew I flashed him a couple of times in my hasty attempt to cover myself, but I didn’t care. I hoped he got an eyeful, and I hoped it made him burn the way I did.
I started toward the bathroom but slowed as I passed Kieran. I stopped, looking up at him for a moment, unsure what I wanted to say but knowing it should be something. I needed to stand up for myself, to tell him that I wouldn’t let him or Knox bully me into deciding until I was ready.
The words wouldn’t form, my attention on the smooth, perfect contours of his lips. I took a deep, shuddering breath in an attempt to calm my nerves. And when Kieran’s finger curled under my chin, I was taking another.
“You are beautiful, Em.”
I could see the sincerity in his eyes, but it wasn’t the only emotion lurking there. Heat. Passion. It glittered bright and powerful, making my heart thump harder.
I suddenly took a step back, then another. I was retreating for the sake of self-preservation because I wasn’t nearly as bold as I pretended to be, but Kieran didn’t let me. With every step, he moved forward until I was trapped between his big body and the wall.
“You don’t realize it yet”—his knuckles trailed over my cheek—“but you hold all the power here, Emily.”
I snorted. “You haven’t been around me long enough to realize that’s not true.”
“It is now.”
He was closer, although I wasn’t sure that was even possible. I had no choice but to stare up at him, to watch the glint in his eyes as he looked at my mouth. That tingling sensation I’d felt the first night I met him at the club … that stirring of lust spurred by physical attraction … it returned with a vengeance. My body was reacting to him, heated, aroused.
His big hand cupped the side of my face, and I held perfectly still despite the urge to lean into him, to grasp on to that slight touch. It still felt surreal to be touched like this. For most of my life, no one had touched me. Ever.
I could see it in his eyes. Kieran was maintaining control, although he claimed I had all the power. I felt helpless as he leaned in closer. Close enough I could smell the subtle hint of his cologne and the sweet scent of spearmint on his breath.
“Emily.”
The way he rasped my name filled me with liquid heat. That throbbing was back, starting in my breasts and working its way south until it settled between my legs. Knox and Kieran were intensifying this arousal I’d been plagued by for so long. And despite the fact I’d been with both of them yesterday, it was as though they’d never touched me before. I wanted it, craved it.
When Kieran leaned in, I was right there with him. Eager, hungry, waiting for his mouth to cover mine. And when it did, I expected him to devour me like a starving man. Only he didn’t. His lips merely brushed mine softly until I found myself leaning into him. That was when his tongue caressed my lips.
The next thing I knew, he was making love to me with his mouth. He was gentle, almost reverent, as he explored my tongue with his, his fingers sliding to the back of my head, cupping my skull as he tilted my head for a better angle. Soft and gentle turned more insistent, as though he realized I was giving in and he wanted to take back control. I let him, unable to resist the lure of his domination.
