As I urged her to sit on the sofa beside me, I reached up and touched her chin, brushing my thumb lightly over the faint silver line in her skin. “How’d you get the scar?”
She took a sip of her tea, then placed the glass on the end table. I placed mine beside hers.
“I fell out of a swing when I was four. Had to get a few stitches.” She smiled sweetly. “I have quite a few of them. Scars, that is. I was what my mother called a wild child, never sitting still, always getting into things.”
“Just curious,” I said, “but why the lack of floor covering?”
She blushed and giggled. “I’d been hoping to renovate but got ahead of myself.”
Well, that explained some of it.
“Care to tell me why you’re moving?”
Her eyes dropped to the floor. “Not really, no.”
I wasn’t sure why I allowed her to hide from me, but I sensed she still needed some space. One of these days, she would open up. Hopefully when she fully trusted me with her secrets. For now, I had no choice but to let it go.
“So, are you considering the job offer at Chatter?”
Her eyes widened. “I am, yes.”
“Good.” I leaned back, getting comfortable, hoping she would relax. “Regardless of whether you accept, I’d like to hire you.”
She frowned. “But I thought you only needed me in the interim if you were going to be without an agent. If you’ve come to an agreement with Chatter, doesn’t that change things?”
“I’ll still need someone to go over the contract Landon’s having drawn up. Being that we’re going into business together, it’s pertinent we get it right the first time. Doing business with friends is tricky. More so when we’re dealing with a ridiculous amount of money.”
That explanation seemed to settle her. “Oh. Of course.”
I grinned. “Unless you’re not taking on additional clients in the meantime.”
She blushed. “Don’t be silly. Yes, I am.”
Clarissa was nervous. I’d noticed she didn’t have an issue when it came to sex, but when the topic turned to personal details, she tended to sink into her shell.
Neither of us spoke for what felt like an eternity. The energy between us continued to swirl through the room, the sexual chemistry strong enough I could practically taste it. Although I hadn’t initially intended to move fast with Clarissa, I couldn’t help myself. I’d waited so fucking long for this moment, to spend time alone with her, to have her undivided attention. The other day at the restaurant, as well as earlier on the plane had been a mere tease. I wanted to taste more of her.
“Come here,” I urged, reaching out and snagging her wrist.
Clarissa scooted closer.
“On my lap, pet.” I kept tugging until she was right where I wanted her, straddling me with her skirt laid out over her sexy thighs. Although I liked the outfit, I wanted to see more of her. In fact, I wanted to see all of her.
I slid my hands up her thighs, inching beneath the skirt until my fingertips curved around her luscious ass, my hands cupping her hips while my thumbs brushed over the smooth skin of her thighs. I looked up at her, taking a moment to enjoy her nearness, the warmth of her against me. My dick came to life, unable to ignore the sweet submissive pressing down on me.
“God, you’re beautiful.”
Her eyes were locked with mine and I could tell she was trying to determine whether I spoke the truth or not. I willed her to see my sincerity, to know that what I felt for her was genuine. This wasn’t simply lust. It was a hell of a lot more than that.
“Kiss me, sunshine,” I whispered, freeing one hand so I could brush her hair back from her face.
The few kisses we’d shared had been innocent, chaste even. Even during our scene on the plane, I hadn’t kissed her and it was all I could think about.
I didn’t move, allowing her complete control as she leaned down and brushed her lips against mine. Had she hesitated at all, I would’ve known where I stood. However, there was nothing remotely cautious about the way her tongue slid over my lower lip. And when I pulled her head closer, our lips fusing together, I knew without a doubt I was going to taste more of this woman tonight.
The kiss lingered for long minutes while I kneaded her thigh and ass with the one hand still hiding beneath her skirt, while the other cupped the back of her head, holding her close. The longer we remained like that, the more vocal she became, moaning softly as she pressed down against my hard-on, our tongues dancing together.
Finally, I pulled back, cupping her face in my hands as I met her gaze and held it. “I want you to know my intentions weren’t entirely pure when I had you invite me over.”
