Page 29 of Total Abandon

“Like this.” I twist in my seat and trail the backs of my knuckles down her bare arm, my lips twitching as her eyes go wide and goosebumps sprout in the wake of my touch. “And like this.” I lift the same hand to trace the line of her jaw, coming to rest with her chin gripped between my thumb and forefinger.

“Okay,” she breathes, her face so close to mine now, I can feel her sweet breath.

When did I lean in? “And maybe even like this.” Against my better judgement, I dip my head with the intention of brushing a chaste kiss over her lips. But the moment her mouth meets mine, a spark flares brightly between us. She sags beneath my touch slightly and a strangled, soft moan escapes her throat. It’s a siren call to my libido and I find myself mindlessly pressing my lips roughly to hers. Slim fingers find their way to my hair, gripping me to her as I groan and trace my tongue over those plush lips. She opens up like she was made for me, and I waste no time thrusting my tongue into her mouth. My first taste of her is heaven—sweet, hot, and wanting. No thoughts of why I shouldn’t be doing this exist in this moment, only this woman. And how I want more. How I want to ravage her with everything I’ve got in me. How I want to rip off this stupid little dress and take her right here.

She matches every swipe and flick with her own tongue. I grip her silky hair in my hand, angling her head the way I want it so I can take her deeper. My other hand trails down the soft skin of her back and she arches into me with a soft mewl. My cock strains painfully against my zipper. The heat of her breasts pushing against my chest sends a shock of heat across my skin, straight to my groin. My hand has a mind of its own, slipping down her legs and hiking up the fabric of her skirt so I can trace every inch of those long, shapely legs, all the way up to…

She moans, breaking our kiss to tip her head back and bare her throat to me as my fingertips crest over the hem of her lace panties. I want to record that sound and play it on a fucking loop. I grit my teeth and grunt, staring at her delicate, flushed features.

It’s the momentary reprieve I need to realize what the fuck I’m doing, and I freeze. “Fuck,” I growl, removing my hand like I’ve been burnt and dipping my forehead to her heaving chest. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I grapple with my self-control, and she seems to as well as she stills, her fingers tightening in my hair.

“Zeke,” she breathes—a shocked word of warning.

“I know,” I grate out. “Just give me a sec.” We sit there like that for a few beats, both panting, and I’m sure both a little shell shocked at how wildly out of control that got. Pulling back with a herculean effort, I blow out a deep breath and remove my handsfrom her. She jumps away a foot and smooths a hand over her mussed hair as I readjust myself in my pants with a wince.

“That was…” I run a hand through my hair, pushing it away from my face.

“Yep, got it. Mistake. Shouldn’t have happened.” Her voice is curt, but still a little unsteady.

I turn to look at her, annoyance appearing like a heavy rock in my gut. “If things were different—”

She laughs, cutting me off. “Zeke, if things were different, I wouldn’t go near you with a ten-foot barge pole. You’re a womanizer with commitment issues—a walking, talking red flag.”

I blink, and then scowl. She’s not wrong, but I’m not used to being rejected and it stings. I’m about to bite back but stop myself. Nothing can happen between us anyway, so what’s the point? Not only is she my employee and will go back to being only that when I have enough dirt on my father, but she’s also not the type of woman to settle for what I can offer. No, this is a woman who would want it all. And hell, she deserves it too. But that’s not what I do.

“Well, that’s settled then.” I nod and train my eyes on the raised partition at the front of the car while I gather myself. This is a business deal and nothing more, Guerra. “By the way, have you decided on a pet name?”

“What’s wrong with honey buns?” She’s back to teasing and I’m relieved to be back on surer ground.

“No one will believe I would ever allow someone to call me honey buns.” I snort, casting one raised brow her way.

She smirks and twists her lips in consideration. “Sweetums?”

I groan, dipping my head back. “Hard pass on that one too.”

“Okay, how about…” She taps her lips with a finger. “Love bug?”

“For the love of god,” I mutter under my breath and her tinkling laugh bounces around the car.

“Why don’t we just improvise in the moment? I’m sure I’ll think of something masculine enough not to dent your enormous ego.” She sighs good-naturedly, and I can’t help but smile.

“That sounds like a terrible plan.”

Chapter 15

Tilly:How is life holed up in a luxury penthouse with an enigmatic billionaire?

Chloe:Harder than one might think.

Tilly:Oh? ;)

Chloe:Are you seeing Logan again?

Tilly:Nice try, why is it hard?

Chloe:You know why.

Tilly:I do, but I want to hear you admit it.