Page 29 of Landry
The sudden invasion had her gasping, her fingers digging through his thick hair. The kiss took on a ferocity that left them stunned. He wanted to feel her; he was dying to feel her flesh against his. Her breasts were mashed up against his chest, the nipples boring a fiery path through his skin.
Tilting his head, he changed the direction of the kiss, deepening it. Desire as white-hot as lava roared through their bodies.
It was not enough. He needed her lying down so he could explore. Dragging his lips from hers, he gripped her hair in one hand so that he could trail fiery kisses down the side of her neck and her throat. His tongue lingered on the pulse beating wildly. He could feel her heart pounding. The evidence of her desire for him was his undoing. Lifting his head, he stared at her lips swollen by his kisses. He was as hard as steel.
"We'll take my car. I'll have someone drive yours back to my place." he said thickly. There was no doubt in his mind that she would come home with him. Not after this.
"No!" she found the will to refuse him, even though to her shame, she desperately wanted to say yes. The man could kiss! she thought dazedly. He knew which buttons to push to have her in a puddle at his feet. But she couldn't simply roll back the clock and forget what she had gone through years ago. She would be a fool to do so. The conviction strengthened her resolve even more. Pushing away from him, she pressed the alarm and unlocked the vehicle.
"Kady-Ann." His deep voice had a note of puzzlement that gave her a pause.
Whirling to face him, she had to quell the urge to brush back the thick lock of hair that had fallen over his forehead. "You cannot expect me to simply fall into your arms like a ripe peach, do you?"
His thick brows lifted arrogantly. "You just did."
Humiliation and anger stormed through her and it took that to banish the incredible desire coursing through her body.
"Well, call it a lapse of good sense." Her eyes flashed at him. "Don't you dare touch me."
"Afraid?" he taunted, his face rigid with impatience and despair. He wanted to force the issue. Christ Almighty! He could still feel the imprint of her slender curves against his. He could also swear that her nipples were branded on his chest.
"I'm not afraid of anything." she told him heatedly, wrenching the car door open.
"Then prove it. Come home with me."
The look she sent him could have pulverized rock.
"Go to hell." she slid into the driver's seat with a grace that he recognized.
Shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket, he wisely stepped back and watched as she peeled out of the parking lot.
"I'm already there." he mouthed softly. When the guard materialized from the shadows, he almost snarled. Deciding it would not do to take his anger and sexual frustrations out on the hapless man who was simply doing his job, he turned and walked back into the building.
***
For the next few weeks, she made sure she was not alone with him. It was now normal for him to come to the office for meetings. And he worked fast. As soon as the deal was finalized and the notice put in the papers that the airline was under new management, things started rolling along. And rolling was the operative word. Her assistant, Helen, grumbled that the man was like a typhoon, sweeping everything along in its wake.
Kady could objectively admire his take-charge style and stamp of authority that got things done. The former board members, old men who had been there for ages, were forced to retire. The board had been a 'men's club,' with no women allowed. Landry changed that and informed her that he was leaving it up to her to choose the appropriate people to fill the role. He would be part of the board, of course, and a few key people from his company.
The name would be changed to 'Supreme Airlines,' something which surprised her. She had expected him to use his own name. When she had voiced her opinion, he had simply told her that it was not necessary. Just like that and nothing else. The man was unpredictable. He made her acutely uncomfortable whenever they were in meetings.
She would look up from her device to see him watching her, a slight smile lurking around those sensual lips, and she had a feeling he knew she was uncomfortable. He made her hot and breathless, and it would take considerable effort on her part to concentrate on what was being said.
He was true to his word and the only people who were let go were the upper management staff, the ones who were not contributing. The place itself was getting overhauled: the offices repainted and the old worn furnishings in the reception area and conference rooms, replaced by the shimmering gold and green he had chosen along with her help. He was using their PR firm to put the word out that the place was under new management.
He was there at least once a week, but Kady made certain to stay clear of him. Once when he was there for a meeting, he caught her by surprise by arriving thirty minutes early and catching her in her office.
She had been putting the finishing touches on a report before heading to the conference room, when he just walked in.
"Helen, I'm almost finished here. Please tell me they have not arrived yet," she called out, not looking up.
"She's not at her desk." His deep voice had her jolting and going rigid.
"Landry." Her heart fairly rapped against flesh and had her going warm. He was leaning on the door, his arms crossed over his chest, muscles rippling. "You're early."
"And you've been avoiding me."
"I don't have time for this." She tried to be firm but was afraid her voice came out sounding weak.
