Chapter 7
Vanessa
Very few men surprised me and I was forced to admit I was enjoying spending time with Christian.
I could blame the atmosphere including his perfect selection of music, Adele and Rhianna my favorites, or the incredible colors of the afternoon sky while surrounded by crystalline rolling water.
I could even pretend simply allowing myself the freedom from a day of work was a possibility.
And I had to admit the food was fabulous as well.
But the truth was that the time spent with the powerful man without either of our defenses on high alert was the reason. The few hours of conversation had gone easily and without reservation, and I’d found myself laughing several times.
He was much more personable than I’d given him credit for, answering my ridiculous questions under the guise of increasing the likelihood of finding the right person for the job.
Favorite movies and foods, types of activities planned. Sports events. Concerts. We’d covered the bases.
I’d had one too many glasses of wine, which was likely the reason I’d allow my guard to fall in the first place.
While I’d caught sight of the captain and at least three other crew members, one of which had removed our plates without saying a word, he’d been true to his promise, creating a fabulous lunch. Evidently, the man had hidden talents.
“Favorite color?” I asked.
“Red. I can tell that’s yours as well.” He leaned back in his chair, swirling his drink as he studied me. We’d taken residence at one of the outdoor tables, enjoying the cool breeze.
“Yes, but this isn’t about me.” I chewed on the pen cap as I peered at my questions. “What is your preferred method of relaxation?” With the pen still in my hand, I took a sip of wine.
“Well, sex, of course. Raw, unbridled, and very sweaty acts of fornication that leave you desperate for more.”
I coughed, spitting out my sip of wine. Thoroughly embarrassed, I grabbed my napkin, blotting the dribbles from my cheek while giving him a sour look in the process.
He laughed. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“I don’t embarrass that easily.”
Leaning over, he curled his hand, brushing his knuckles across my cheek and instantly every nerve ending stood on end. Again I found it difficult to breathe. “Your face is red, a beautiful shade that complements your skin tone.”
What could be said about me that I allowed myself to become lost in the moment, ignoring the red flags from earlier? A subtle yet very audible sigh left my lips and the setting sun was unable to hide the twinkle in his eyes.
When I didn’t move, he cocked his head and rolled his thumb across my bottom lip, tugging slightly.
I remained breathless, blinking several times as tingling sensations shattered a portion of my resolve.
My nipples were taut, easily seen through the thin material of my blouse.
I resisted folding my arms across my chest while he remained with his eyes locked on mine.
“I’m just a little warm,” I said. While not a lie, my body’s state of increased and way too explosive heat had nothing to do with the outside temperature. I sensed he knew it by the wry smile he wore.
“I would like to think I have something to do with that, Wildcat. You’re quite beautiful when you blush.
” His fingers tickled my jaw as he pulled his hand away.
He sat back in his seat, his huge figure commanding the chair like he did with everything and everyone else. “Have I answered all your questions?”
“I… I should have enough to make an informed decision.”
“I hope you’re leaning in the direction of providing me with assistance. I think we can work very well together.”
“While I won’t make any promises, there’s a good chance I can successfully find the right person for you.” Was I leaning toward accepting the job? Maybe.
“Good to hear. Now, will you do me the honor of answering a few questions I have?”
I licked my bottom lip where he’d laid claim before I knew what I was doing and he caught the nervous gesture, the grin turning into a smirk. “Of course. I’m certain you need to ensure you’re comfortable with my firm as well.”
“Mmmm… Something like that.” He took his time before asking me the first question, increasing the anticipation. Finally, I couldn’t take the hesitation any longer.
“Would you like me to tell you more about Perfect Pairing?” When I shifted back and forth in my seat, my pussy throbbed as it had done several times during the afternoon.
“I know everything about the corporation, Vanessa. I assure you that if I’d thought your firm or your leadership wouldn’t be adequate, I wouldn’t have walked through your doors. I have scruples and requirements that I will not budge on. Not for anyone.”
There was the hint of the other man, the one who took from others to garner his wealth. I swirled my finger around the rim of the wineglass, a tool I’d used before to keep from opening my mouth with a nasty retort.
“Ask your questions, Christian. Now I’m curious what you need to know.”
He took a deep breath. “What makes you tick? Money? Power? Love?”
“Not money. At least not in the way I can tell your hefty bank account does for you. Yes, it’s necessary to pay bills and ward off issues, but I don’t need to be a billionaire to make me happy. Power is in the mind and love is definitely not something I believe in.”
“Then what, success?”
“Perhaps. Maybe the freedom to enjoy the fruits of my hard work while respecting others. Their needs. Their wants.” Perhaps I was throwing another barb in his direction. I sensed he knew it, another look of amusement just below the surface.
“Understood. What about personally? If not love, then what provides you with the most joy?”
“That’s easy. Good friends.”
“And personal pleasure?”
Another moment of heat was already crawling along the base of my neck. “Great books and a nice glass of wine.”
He laughed. “You’re a tough woman, but I can respect that. What about passion? Do you crave enjoying moments of personal indulgence, satisfying the carnal need we all have buried deep inside?”
Was he flirting with me? Wait. We’d passed that point hours before, tiptoeing around physical attraction that would never mean anything.
I was the one who leaned forward this time, folding one arm on the table as I stared him directly in the eyes.
“Few men understand what a woman truly desires. They fumble around trying to figure out the woman they’re with, satisfying themselves without noticing the clues given to them on a silver platter. ”
I wasn’t certain why I was playing with fire, but I refused to back down.
“You might be surprised, Wildcat. For example, I sense you crave being able to completely let go, feeling thoroughly uninhibited in surrendering. You crave roughness, a man who’s as demanding as he is capable of providing what you need.”
“And what do I need?” The rapid thumping of my heart was becoming annoying. As a smile crawled across his face, my pulse roared in my ears.
The rush of heat even more explosive than before, I squeezed my legs together in hopes of ignoring the intense throb.
Christian was a disaster waiting to happen.
A handsome, seductive, and commanding disaster.
“You need being controlled and disciplined both during and after you’ve surrendered all of yourself without reservation. You deserve the freedom to give up the reins if only for one night.”
I hadn’t realized he’d also leaned forward, his statements little more than a husky whisper.
Trembling, I hated my body’s reaction to him. The offer was subtle but pointed and he was waiting for my cue. Was he wrong? No, and that’s another reason I was furious my pussy continued to throb. Just the controlling tone in his voice alone was enough to create sinful images.
I wasn’t entirely immune to having a one-night stand.
I’d done so once in my life, but as with most impetuous decisions, it hadn’t turned out well.
Yet even with my single sordid action, which had been so out of character, I considered myself a good girl who would never consider what I knew he was offering.
Filthy sin.
Not just raw and unbridled as he’d mentioned, but something more sadistic, an indulgence that would leave me not only breathless, but sore and aching for days.
The images floating in my mind had turned primal, boosting needs I hadn’t known existed.
No, the truth was that I hadn’t allowed myself to acknowledge them.
I’d driven men away for so long I had no idea how to crack open the door to the woman inside.
Work had been more important. Opening and growing my company had captured all my time, burning every desire in the long hours and sleepless nights.
Admitting I wanted nothing more than to let go, to share a few hours with an absolute stranger was unimaginable.
Up until now.
He smiled in a way that allowed me to know he was completely aware of what I was thinking.
“You haven’t answered the question, Vanessa.”
“No, I haven’t.” There was no reason to be nervous around him, yet all my senses were heightened. I was completely thrown by what to say. Whatever words I used could give him the wrong impression.
Then what was the right impression? I had no idea.
“You should know I’m not a patient man.”
“Why don’t we stick to business, Christian? I think you and I both know whatever this is won’t go anywhere and could possibly get in the way of your needs.”
When he checked his expensive watch in front of me, I was pulled into another heightened moment of irritation.
“Am I boring you?” My tone was more demanding.
“Even on your worst days, which I doubt you have, you could never be boring, Wildcat. I was checking the time for a single reason.”
“And what is that?”
“As of this moment, I’m not married. Fake or not and no matter what tabloids you’ve scoured over to find additional reasons to hate me, once I am I won’t be seen with or touch another woman.”