CHAPTER FIVE
‘S KYLAR ? ’
Lost in a sensorial haze, Skylar kept her eyes closed as she breathed in the balmy air, savouring the sultry scents of salt and heat and musk. She’d just had sex. For the first time. Outside in a garden, mere metres from a gathering of some of the most rich and powerful people in the country. Sex with Zane deMarco in fact. The guy she loved to hate. And as he was still holding her, still inside her, there was no escaping that reality.
But she didn’t want to escape. She wanted to stay right here, for good. Because even though he was heavy, she was somehow floating in a rapturous state unlike anything she’d known. She felt weightless and lax and utterly relaxed and she didn’t want it to end.
‘Skylar?’
There was a tone in his voice that she didn’t recognise. Opening her eyes, she saw he’d eased up onto his elbows and was staring down at her. The haze she’d been enmeshed in slowly dispersed and in her reluctant return to reality, a top-to-toe tremble racked her body.
‘You’re cold,’ he said gruffly.
That hadn’t been a shiver but an aftershock of epic proportions. Hardly surprising given the intense experience her nervous system had just endured. She’d gone from first intimate touch to triple orgasm in minutes. Searing, sweet minutes that she ached to savour. She still didn’t want it to be over.
But too carefully, too swiftly, he levered himself off her and stood. He wasn’t smiling any more. There wasn’t any of that smooth tease she’d expect—in fact, he looked as awkward as she felt as he turned away to haul up his trousers.
Did he regret this already? Doubts flurried in. She’d been inexperienced. Maybe it hadn’t been all that for him.
Her heart was still thundering as she sat up and awkwardly swung her legs to stand. She’d lost some coordination and the crumpled silk dress that had been bunched around her waist now slid to the grass as she half stumbled to her feet.
Great. Now she was fully naked—aside from the high-heeled sandals that made little difference in getting her anywhere near his height. Zane bent and retrieved her dress from the ground before she could think to beat him to it.
He frowned and gave it a shake and frowned. ‘I don’t know how we got grass stains...’ He lifted it higher so he could see it more clearly in the fading light. ‘Not grass. Blood.’
Horrified, Skylar bent her head, letting her hair hide her face and half her super-sensitive body while she took a deep breath.
But Zane spoke again before she could. ‘You have your period? Do you need me to get you some—’
‘I’m fine. It’s fine. I’m not—I don’t need anything.’ Except a magic wand with which to vanish. Instantly. Only they didn’t exist so she was going to have to bone up and deal with the reality. Bluntly. Honestly. Matter-of-factly. The man was so comfortable around women that he thought nothing of discussing something she found deeply personal.
‘But—’
‘I was a virgin,’ she blurted. ‘Don’t worry about it.’
‘A what?’ He stared at her and crushed the dress in his hands. ‘A what ?’
She licked her lips nervously. ‘First-timer. Let’s forget it.’
‘You were a virgin?’ He snatched a breath and repeated it again. ‘A virgin ?’
Her annoyance returned. Which was good. ‘Say it again, you might understand it next time.’
‘A... You...’ He drew in another breath. ‘I’ve never taken anyone’s virginity.’ He stared down at her grimly.
‘I guess there’s a first for everything.’ She winced.
He dropped her dress back to the ground and ran his hand through his hair a couple times. ‘You shouldn’t have—what were you thinking ?’
‘I wasn’t. Obviously. Same as you.’ She cleared her throat. ‘If it’s such an issue, just forget it ever happened.’
‘Forget?’ He threw her an astounded look, which morphed to furious in a nanosecond.
She wasn’t sure why he was suddenly so angry. But as he stalked towards her, Skylar held her stance, crossing her arms but wincing inwardly at her nudity. He stopped three feet away, shrugged off his shirt and held it out to her.
‘Put it on,’ he ordered after a moment.
At her continued hesitation he grew more grim. ‘Do you really want to walk back through that party with all those people in a crumpled, stained dress and have absolutely everyone know exactly what we’ve been doing?’
She snatched the shirt from his hand and slid her arms into the sleeves. It was still warm from his body and it hung to her mid-thigh and it smelt of him and she shivered again. His jaw sharpened but he said nothing more.
She bent and picked up her bag. ‘I’ll—’
‘Come with me.’ His grip on her wrist was firm.
‘Come with you where ?’ she demanded curtly. ‘I’m not going through that party like this either .’
‘Come with me to a “where” with privacy. A shower. Food . Drink .’ He muttered beneath his breath. ‘And more damned clothes.’
He led her through that garden to a different gap in the hedge, then walked up the path to the palatial house next door.
‘We can’t just walk into someone else’s house,’ she whispered, scandalised as he boldly led her up the path.
‘We’re not. We’ve been on my property this whole time.’
‘What?’
‘That orchard is on my side of the boundary and this is my house.’
She yanked her arm free of his hold and whirled to stare at him. ‘Since when is this your house?’
He simply sidestepped around her. ‘Since a month ago.’
Once more she wished for the magic vanishing wand.
He opened the door with a singular touch to a small tech pad. The house was stunning. Comfortable and homely. The furnishings cosy and somehow not what she would’ve expected from Zane deMarco, ruthless corporate raider. But Zane deMarco, as a teen, housebound while recovering from injury, might have wanted something exactly this comfortable.
He was watching her sardonically. ‘I bought it furnished.’
Right. Of course. This was someone else’s sense of happiness and intimacy. He was corporate raider Zane now, through and through.
‘Come on.’
He didn’t seem able to look at her for long. Her self-consciousness grew. She probably looked a sight. Loose, her hair hung to just below her buttocks and was no doubt tangled. His white shirt was smudged and creased and also hung to below her buttocks. But it was only because of her lack of clothes that she was still here, grudgingly going along with his suggestions.
He led the way down the hallway and up the stairs and she followed him mutely. He walked her into a gorgeous bedroom.
‘You need to have a shower,’ he grated. ‘Get dressed. Warm.’
Huh, she was boiling already.
‘Wait here a moment.’
It was less than a minute before he was back and handing her a bundle of sweats. She took them from him but he paused. He stared at her for a long, long moment. The heat that had overwhelmed her so instantly earlier now resurged. For a split second she hoped he was about to tumble her to the bed they were standing beside.
‘I’ll take the other shower,’ he said tightly. ‘Don’t even think about vanishing on me.’
He turned his back on her and stomped out so quickly her head spun.
It was one of those showers that had nozzles pointing in every direction that gave her a whole-body massage effect. It was the second-most sensual experience of her life. She lost track of time again before coming back to herself and turning the water off hurriedly.
She needed to get out of here. She’d get changed. Get back to her little motel. Get space to get her head around everything. Because she’d royally screwed up. Yet she couldn’t quite regret it.
She plaited her hair to keep it out of the way and pulled on the sweatpants. They were so big she had to roll the waist over several times. They were definitely his. And definitely turning her on. Too hot to bother with the sweatshirt he’d put on the pile, she slid on the white T-shirt. It hung like a dress so she knotted the hem, but it made little difference. He’d swamped her in his clothes—hiding her few curves. She couldn’t look less sexy and yet her sensual awareness of him couldn’t be higher.
She’d had sex with Zane deMarco. Fantastic. Unforgettable. Fiery sex. And all she could think was that she wanted more. Right now in fact. But he clearly didn’t because he hadn’t been able to get away from her fast enough. Which was mortifying. Wasn’t he supposed to be some insatiable playboy?
That’s when she finally remembered just who and what he was. Mr One-Date Wonder. The man took what he wanted and moved on and she was such a fool for forgetting for so long tonight.
Red alert, red alert, red alert.
Zane paced in the kitchen. What the hell had just happened? And how had that just happened? Yeah, he liked sex and honestly got it easy enough, but that was the fastest he’d gone from saying hi to being horizontal. It had been the merest of minutes. And with Skylar Bennet? Petite, perfect student Skylar?
The one he’d wanted long ago and not been allowed. The one who’d said nothing as her father had torn shreds off him—rejecting him as so many others bloody had. Even when he’d just made his first million.
So tonight, when he’d seen her looking at him with those judging eyes, it had all come flooding back and something had snapped. He’d wanted to best her. He’d wanted to win. And he had. In fact he’d just won her virginity beneath his damned cherry tree!
And how the hell had she still been a virgin? Because honestly, thinking back on that encounter when they were teens, he’d figured she was about the only woman he’d ever met who might have a sex drive to match his...she’d gone up in flames so damned quick. But apparently, she’d never gone all the way? What the hell ? How could he have been so wrong? Had she been saving it for someone? But that didn’t make sense when she’d just gone headlong into hedonism with him in seconds. And why hadn’t she said anything—warned him? Because that hadn’t been the gentle initiation he’d have given her had he known. That had been fast and physical and he was furious with her for taking that risk with him. He did not want to think that he might have hurt her.
But the fact was he hadn’t even had the restraint or patience to bring her the extra few paces into his house and to privacy and clean sheets on an actual bed and with a whole night ahead of them. There’d been nothing but desperate urgency on a damned narrow sun lounger. He’d had to have her then and there and she’d been five steps ahead of him the whole way...
It had been his hottest moment in months, years—ever—and he wanted it again. Now. The second he’d got her inside his house he’d got hard all over again. He’d had to gruffly hustle her into the guest wing and go take an ice-cold shower. It hadn’t worked. He still wanted her. He would give almost anything to linger over her in his big bed right now.
Except she didn’t like him. And he didn’t like her. And this had been one massive mistake.
He stopped pacing and leaned against the counter, staring out at the ocean though it was barely visible now under the night sky. But all he saw was her heart-shaped face and deep brown eyes. Not to mention those plump lips that could go full pout—the sort you could just sink into. And then there was the dimple. It didn’t show with a polite smile, nor a restrained smile. But it did with a satisfied post-orgasmic smile. His body went hard as a rock all over again. He reckoned the dimple would show with laughter too. Part of him really wanted to test that theory. But he clenched his fists and summoned restraint. There couldn’t be any of that now.
Because he’d finally remembered all the stupid plans he’d made today and this was the worst timing imaginable. He wasn’t supposed to be fooling around at all let alone with someone horrifyingly innocent. Someone who he didn’t even like ...
But the second he’d seen her in that perfect white silk number he’d forgotten everything. Including that bloody bet.
He’d screwed up. Royally.
Skylar cautiously ventured through the immaculate house that screamed sultry summer energy. It was the perfect place to laze at the beach and indulge in long sensual nights. A heavenly holiday destination, and it honestly just made her angry with him all over again, for buying something so damned perfect that he probably was going to sell in mere months.
She paused on the threshold of the kitchen. He was leaning on the counter, looking out the window, his arms stretched wide in an echo of that night all those years ago when she’d seen him on his balcony. He looked as lonely. But he must’ve caught sight of her movement because he suddenly turned and his expression smoothed as he walked towards her.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked with soft intensity.
An unfamiliar emotion clogged her throat.
He walked closer still—until he could take her face in his firm hands so she couldn’t look away from him. Couldn’t avoid answering him.
‘Are. You. Okay?’ His pale blue eyes glittered with fire.
For another second she was unable to utter a thing. She swallowed—hard—as she realised the source of his concern. He didn’t want to have hurt her. ‘Yes, I’m okay.’
In fact she was far better than okay. And she was melting because he was so close and she wanted his mouth on hers again. She wanted everything all over again and his concern only made her attraction to him stronger. But he released her and stepped back.
Desolate, she watched him walk away. She didn’t want this to be over. Yeah, she was that tragic. But he’d moved on while she’d lost sight of everything—of why she’d even come here tonight and what it was she truly wanted. Suddenly she was mad with herself for losing her aptitude, her capability. She was no less than he—she didn’t need to be cosseted .
‘Are you?’ she called after him sharply.
He paused and glanced back. ‘What?’
She walked over to where he stood frozen in the centre of the kitchen. ‘Are you okay?’
His eyes widened. ‘Of course.’
He looked shocked she’d asked.
‘Because I didn’t mean to give you a fright,’ she added calmly. ‘And I wanted what happened between us.’
‘Right. You know I had worked that one out...’ He frowned at her. ‘But what I’m not sure about is why you really came to that party in the first place.’
It was her turn to freeze. It all came back—Helberg. Her colleagues, their future. Indeed, her career—the one she’d worked so hard for. The company she desperately wanted to be saved was teetering on the brink of destruction and the man wielding the sword was now standing right in front of her.
‘I can’t stay the night here.’ She glanced away from him.
‘I’ve not asked you to.’
‘I’ll call a car.’
‘The likelihood of you getting any kind of taxi tonight is nil and you know it. I’ll take you anywhere you want once we’ve talked.’
‘There’s nothing to talk about.’
‘Sure there is.’ He watched her closely. ‘What did you really want from me tonight, Skylar?’
Her heart stopped, then pounded faster than ever. This was not how it was supposed to go at all. She’d meant to find out all she could about his plans for Helberg—not find out all about his performance in bed.
And he knew, somehow, that there was more to her appearance tonight. So she might as well just ask him now. Straight-out. She had literally nothing left to lose. ‘I wanted to find out your plans for Helberg.’
He stilled. ‘What?’
She’d surprised him. ‘I know you’re interested,’ she said firmly.
‘Indeed I am,’ he answered too smoothly. ‘Very much.’
‘In Helberg ,’ she said primly, because he was prevaricating now and she wasn’t falling for his false charm. ‘I don’t know what you’re planning with those guys but I know it won’t be good. Not for the company, its customers or its employees.’
He stepped closer. ‘What guys?’
‘I saw you this morning. In Manhattan. At that health club.’
He was visibly taken aback. ‘You saw me with Cade and Adam?’ His jaw tightened. ‘Were you spying on me?’
‘Of course not.’ She was offended. ‘I was getting a coffee on my way to work. The cafe isn’t far from the office.’
‘The Helberg office? Don’t tell me you’re still involved with them?’ He gaped at her. ‘Do they actually pay you now or are you still one of their interns?’
‘Of course they pay me now,’ she said stiffly, outraged.
‘Well, I hope they it’s a lot given you were headed there first thing on a Saturday.’
‘There’s a lot to be done.’
‘Certainly is.’ He frowned at her. ‘Have you ever worked anywhere else?’
She glared at him, not seeing the relevance.
‘Loyalty at the cost of your own career?’ He shook his head dolefully. ‘You really are far too much of a pleaser.’
‘So what are your plans?’ she asked determinedly. ‘I don’t think you three were there talking about that article in Blush .’
‘You’ve seen that ?’ He was taken aback all over again.
‘Hard to miss if you have a phone,’ she said.
He leaned back against the bench and folded his arms, watching her acutely. ‘Why don’t you think we were talking about that?’
‘Because you don’t care what anyone says or does or thinks about you.’
There was a moment of total silence. A moment in which the world seemed to shrink as he stared right into her soul with those ice blue eyes.
‘You think you know me, Skylar?’ he asked softly.
‘You’re saying you do give a damn?’ she countered.
He stared at her a second longer than released a pent-up breath. ‘I like being my own person. It’s liberating. It enables me to make the decisions I want to make. I’m not held back by obligations to others. Unlike you.’
‘You think I’ve been held back?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘Caring—giving a damn about others and what they may or may not think has never held me back. And fulfilling a duty—repaying a debt—is important.’
‘It’s stifling,’ he dismissed her.
She stepped up to him, toe-to-toe, in her bare feet. ‘Helberg shouldn’t be ripped apart by a bunch of sharks.’
‘A management buy-out isn’t going to happen,’ he said bluntly. ‘Is that what you’re hoping for?’
It was exactly what she would have hoped for once, but the current management had proven themselves incompetent and it wasn’t going to happen. She needed a better buyer.
‘You’re right, of course,’ Zane suddenly said. ‘We’re all interested in acquiring Helberg. Which is why you came to this party. Why you sought me out tonight. Are you that concerned about your job that you offered yourself as a virgin sacrifice?’ His smile wasn’t kind. ‘Should have negotiated terms first, darling.’
‘I was no sacrifice and I didn’t tangle myself in that tree deliberately.’
‘So what was your original plan in coming here tonight?’
She didn’t know. She was an idiot. She’d never really had the confidence nor skill to pull this off. It had been the most ill-conceived plan ever. Employment contracts she could do, but taking on Zane deMarco?
He seemed to take a little pity on her. ‘I’m not working with Cade or Adam on this,’ he said. ‘We each want it for our own reasons. Fortunately we’ve worked out a way to settle which one of us is going to get it.’
‘Really?’ She was sceptical. ‘You’re such arrogant control freaks I’m astounded that you’ve found a way to do that.’
The smile that slowly creased his face was devilish. ‘Well, we billionaires tend to nail creativity.’
‘Oh?’ She wasn’t going to inappropriate places in her head again.
‘Yeah.’ He watched her closely. ‘We’ve made it the prize of a bet.’
‘A bet ?’ She gaped. ‘What are the terms?’