Chapter Eleven #2
“Give him a chance, okay?” Olivia whispered as Clark came to retrieve her and her husband spent a couple of seconds speaking to Oakley. “He’s worth the effort.”
Rachel wished she were in a place where she could risk her heart. She waited while Oakley made his final rounds. People loved him. But how could they not? Her pulse quickened as he walked toward her. “Ready?” he said.
“Yeah.” She followed him to the elevator, which whisked them to the penthouse level.
Rachel removed her keycard. “Would you like a nightcap?” Oakley asked as they walked down the hall. “I find it takes some time for me to wind down, so the butler left some chamomile tea brewing. There’s also some assorted nuts if you’d like to partake.”
She felt the same wired tension he did. “Some tea actually sounds wonderful. If you don’t mind?”
“Of course not. Just come through when you’re ready.”
With that, he unlocked his door and stepped inside.
Rachel went into her room, kicked off her heels and opened the interior door between their rooms. She stepped through, joining him.
Rachel tried to ignore how housekeeping had unfolded the couch into a bed.
Oakley had thrown his suit coat over the back of an armchair.
He was in the kitchen, and he came out carrying a tray covered with two ceramic teapots, a plate of nuts, and some soft pitas and hummus. There were also a few chocolate truffles and an assortment of shortbread cookies, and two bottles of water. He set the tray on the dining room table.
Rachel’s stomach rumbled as he helped her into a chair. “That looks good.”
“It’s all the butler or kitchen staff. That’s one reason I like this hotel, when it’s not canceling reservations, that is.” He passed her a small dessert plate and a cup. When she reached forward, the mirror on the wall showed how the dress shimmered. She caught him staring.
His lips lifted guiltily. “I do love that dress.”
“Me too. I almost don’t want to take it off. Speaking of, I’ll need your help with the zipper later.”
“I can do that.” He pointed to the teapots. “That’s the chamomile and that’s the hibiscus.”
“I’ll take the hibiscus.” She reached for the pot and poured the crimson-colored water into the teacup. “I’ve always liked fruit teas. Lemon-flavored are good, too.”
He poured the chamomile tea into his cup. “This one works like magic and will help me sleep. Thanks for sitting with me. Helps me burn off the energy from the night.”
“It was a great evening,” Rachel said. “Everything was so well done this weekend.”
“We did have a few hiccups,” Oakley reminded her. “You had to deal with a few minor mishaps, like when the programs didn’t arrive on time.”
“Yes, but nothing that wasn’t quickly resolved. You have great people working for you who love their jobs and it shows. It made my part easy.”
“Do you enjoy your job?” Oakley asked curiously.
“I do,” Rachel confirmed. “I’ve had a great few weeks and am looking forward to many more.”
“That’s good to hear.” Oakley reached for some almonds and chewed thoughtfully. “I want you to be happy. The office will grow once I make a permanent commitment to relocate everyone. It’s such a process. Fortunately, Clark and Olivia’s kids aren’t in school yet.”
“What about relocating the headquarters to Emerald Ridge and keeping a satellite office in Dallas? You could let those who want to relocate move over the course of the next year rather than do a huge move that feels rushed.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ve been actually toying around with it and would love to hear more about your suggestion. But not tonight. Work topics are banned.”
“Then what’s left?” She discovered the chocolate was delicious.
“Allie? How was she when you checked in on her?”
Rachel spread some hummus on a pita. “Great. Taylor said she’s had no issues and that she had a ball at the family picnic. She sent pictures.” She popped the bite into her mouth and reached for her phone. She scrolled to the pictures. “See?”
Oakley leaned into her space. “Look at her. So cute. She’s having so much fun.”
“She was. My baby girl loved the bubbles.” Rachel swiped to show him more pictures.
“I’m glad you didn’t have to worry.”
“Taylor’s been a godsend. Have you ever hit it off with someone immediately? Like you knew you’d be friends and could see yourself with them long term?”
“Yes. You.” The words hovered in the air. Then he reached for a shortbread cookie. “Ignore that. We’re being professional.”
“We can say we hit it off professionally. We work very well together,” Rachel said, trying to release him from the faux pas.
Oakley groaned. “We weren’t going to talk about work, and obviously I can’t hold a conversation without making things personal. What about that weather we’re having? We got lucky this weekend, huh?”
She appreciated what he was trying to do. “We can be friends,” she said. “And on that note, since we have brunch in the morning, perhaps we should call it a night. But I am going to eat another of these chocolate truffles first.”
“I’ll be sure they box them up so you can take them with you when we leave.”
She took the last sip of tea before Oakley offered her his hand. Taking it steadied her as she stood.
“Zipper?” he asked.
“Yes, please.” She lifted the hair off her neck and presented him her back. He unhooked the clasp and slid the zipper down. She heard his hiss of breath as he stopped above her bra strap.
“Sorry.” His husky voice revealed he was as affected as she.
Rachel turned. His eyes had darkened and his jaw twitched. “Oakley.” To her own ears his name on her lips sounded like a plea.
“I’m holding on by a thread,” he admitted. “You have to know how much I want you. I don’t think I’ve ever been so jealous of a man as I was of Cody tonight. He got all the dances.”
“Except the last one.”
“I wanted to be the only one,” he told her, his desire clear. “I know it’s wrong and that’s not what you want.”
The only thing she wanted was his lips on hers, and while it might be a mistake, she had the feeling that if she didn’t kiss him, she’d regret it.
She’d probably regret it either way, so why not risk a little?
Her mom had once said that life was too short not to eat the cupcake, that tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed.
“Kiss me,” she told him, her arms weaving their way around his neck.
Unlike their first kiss, which had been a cataclysmic crashing of two souls destined to meet, this one started far gentler.
It was an exploration in restraint, a tender expedition of nipping and suckling and teasing.
She tasted and savored. She inhaled his breath, let his tongue caress hers.
Time was a friend, allowing them to enjoy the journey without worrying about the destination.
Her hands threaded through his hair, while his circled the curve of her waist, fingers tracing the raised threads of the shimmery flowers before slipping beneath the fabric to stroke the skin of her back.
When she met his gaze, his desirous eyes reflected her own hunger.
He wanted her as much as she wanted him.
Before he spoke, she silenced him with another kiss, going even deeper.
Her heartbeat pounded in her chest, the thump-thump matching the pace of his.
She was teetering on the edge of something she couldn’t stop or take back, nor did she want to.
Unlike with Mitch, this was different. Definitely better, and totally delicious and decadent.
She wanted him for more than passion. His sexiness went beyond his looks.
It came from his kindness. The way he put others first. How he cared for his family.
The way he treated Allie. He was the total package—handsome looks and a generous and loving heart.
Longing flowed through her as he slid her dress from her shoulders until it pooled at her waist. She stood in the silver lace bra the saleswoman had insisted she buy, and Rachel was grateful for her insight as Oakley sucked in a ragged breath.
“You are so beautiful. I want you so much,” he rasped, and hearing the trembling urgency, Rachel believed him.
She’d never thought of herself as beautiful before, more like average at best. Yet right here, right now, she felt boldly confident as he traced one of the thin stretch marks with his fingertips. He kissed a trail along her neck, then his hand came and cupped her breast through the lace.
His magical touch lit something inside her, stoked a fire from the embers of that past into something that raged through her.
His kiss captured her lips and her tongue couldn’t help but want more, darting into his mouth to explore the taste of him, which was wine and whiskey and all things delicious male.
He only pulled his mouth from hers to slide his lips down over her flesh, finding her breasts.
Her bra fell to the floor. Her chest rose to meet his exploration and her hands clung to his back.
“I want you,” he said. “I want your skin on mine. Your body beneath me.”
The part of her brain that screamed that this wasn’t wise found itself overruled. “Yes.”
His hand massaged her lower back, the electrifying tingles shooting from head to toe. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.” She would figure things out in the morning.
Worry about tomorrow then. Tonight she felt as if she might die if she didn’t have him, which while sounding extreme fit.
She wanted to heighten the heat burning between him.
Feel him everywhere. She began to undo the buttons on his shirt, revealing a rock-hard, sculpted chest begging to be touched.
She dropped her lips to his smooth skin, delighting in his sharp intake of breath.
Her fingers moved lower, wanting to feel all of him.
She explored his body, until he took back over and scooped her into his arms. He lay her gently on the bed and stripped her bare.
“Comfortable?”
“I’d be more so if I wasn’t the only one naked.”