Hot Pursuit Lily Ashford (c) 2005
Hot Pursuit Lily Ashford Published 2005 ISBN 1-59578-165-X Published by Liquid Silver Books, imprint of Atlantic Bridge Publishing, 10509 Sedgegrass Dr, Indianapolis, Indiana 46235. Copyright © 2005, Lily Ashford. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author. Manufactured in the United States of America Liquid Silver Books http://LSbooks.com Email:
[email protected] Editor Corina Calsing Cover Artist April Martinez This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.
Chapter One Damn, he had a fine ass. Katerina Berkley turned in her seat, staring as Blake swaggered into the conference room. He took his place at the head of the table and cocked a brow, silencing the ruckus without a word. Not only did his ass make her mouth water, but that aura of command practically screamed, “Fuck me.” Oh, she’d love nothing more than to walk up to him and impale herself. Too bad he was her boss. Kat snuck another glance at him as he shuffled through some papers. This was her second month as an intern at Tabor and Hamilton, but only her first week with Blake Richards as managing partner. Their previous supervisor, La ura Carlen, was pregnant and on leave for the rest of the summer. Blake had been assigned to them in her stead. Not a good choice, because every time Mr. Sex God walked into the room, every female went into heat. It was a never-ending catfight. Only one pussy could win. Kat fully intended for it to be hers. “Okay, people, time for more research. ” His voice was deep and utterly masculine; a slow burn pulsed through her body. His steel grey eyes flashed as he spoke, intensity and passion sizzling in their depths. Little wonder he was considered one of the best corporate lawyers in the state. Once he had his target in his sights, he focused with deadly aim. Kat wanted to be that target. God knew she had done everything to put herself in his path. But he treated her with professional civility. She pouted inwardly at the thought; very rare was the man who wasn’t tempted by her. And she’d take a walk through hell on a Sunday if he didn’t eventually succumb to her, because they all did. Always. **** “Any questions?” Blake leaned back in his chair, glancing from face to face. Nine interns, all under his charge. He sighed. How had he gotten stuck with baby-sitting duty? Since no one spoke, he nodded curtly and stood. “Well, then, get to work. I expect this finished by Friday. ” He watched as they scurried out of the room like frightened rabbits. Except for one, Katerina Berkley. She lingered at the table, slowly gathering her things. She was, hands down, the smartest of this crop. Her razor-sharp mind sliced a case down to the bare facts. He had no doubt she could negotiate a deal as shrewdly as any lawyer in the firm. And she was gorgeous, to boot. Therein lay the problem. Whenever she was in the room, Blake couldn’t take his eyes off her. When she spoke, her low, dulcet voice filled him with yearning. For weeks, he’d watched her, relieved there was distance between them. But he’d never imagined having to work with her, thinking Laura’s supervision kept him safe. Now temptation taunted him, laughing in his face and heating his blood, stoking his burning lust with every day that passed.
She rose to her feet with fluid grace and shook her head, tossing her hair back. The lush, auburn locks tumbled around her shoulders, and all he could think of was the flaming tresses flowing over his pillow like molten lava. She nodded to him and smiled, her full ruby lips parting over white teeth. His body hardened, and he clamped down on a surge of rising desire. She was an intern and not his to take. Still, her shapely legs drew his gaze as she sauntered out the door. He drew a deep breath. Three weeks and she would be gone. Surely, he could keep his lust in check for that long. **** Kat made a point to visit Blake every day, to be alone with him in his office for at least a few minutes, because if all went according to plan, he would end up in her bed. It was that simple. She wanted him, and she would have him, one way or another. He might resist, but she would win, in the end. She’d noticed him her first week at the firm. One hazy morning when the card scanner hadn’t let her through, he’d reached out from behind her to use his own. She’d glanced up to thank him only to find herself drowning in a pair of eyes the color of smoke after a raging fire. But they’d burned her, still, even if the flames were banked, and she knew he’d felt the jolt of lightning that had raced through her, as well. But there was no chance to get to know him. He only passed her cubicle every now and then, turning to sear her with a glance of veiled promise. When he’d taken over supervising the interns, those heated looks had become deliberately muted. He tried to conceal his own longing for her body, though she knew how her presence affected him. She understood such a game was dangerous in the closer quarters the y now occupied, but her desire overpowered anxiety, and she tried her best to lure him into a bout of passion. Kat peeked into Blake’s office as she walked past. He stood eye to eye with Marina Russell; the tall, stunning brunette was another intern in Kat’s batch. Apparently, he wasn’t particularly pleased with her, because he was speaking softly and briskly, a tone most learned to fear. But Marina missed the hint. “What exactly is it that you don’t understand, Ms. Russell?” “This case. It’s drudgework. I didn’t come here for this.” “It’s due diligence, Ms. Russell. Tedious, but necessary. We all do it, and you will, too. Without complaint. Is that clear?” His posture was stiff and rigid. If Marina wasn’t out of his office in the next five seconds, Kat had no doubt Blake would see her decapitated. She took a step forward. Blake looked up. His stormy gaze held a deadly warning. He clenched his hard jaw, and his chiseled features appeared strained. Marina turned, and her expression filled with contempt when he r eyes landed on Kat. Arching a brow, she walked out of the room, brushing past Kat without a word. Kat glanced at Blake. His steel- grey eyes moved over her body, piercing her like the point of a sword. Oh, my … she wanted his sword to pierce her. She wanted to rip off that impeccable Armani suit, tackle him to the ground, and take him inside her, to pump and thrust until his big body was slick with sweat and his muscles taut and poised for release. And finally, when she gave him permission, his orgasm would tear through him, wrenching a strangled cry from his throat. “Ms. Berkley? ”
She snapped out of her reverie. “Oh. I wanted to ask you about the Ricer case.” “What about it? Are you going to tell me you want more of a challenge?” He sighed and reached up to massage his neck. He looked exhausted. It was all she could do not to ask him if she could help. Moisture soaked her panties. Surely some of her tender … ministrations … would assuage his tension. She flicked her tongue over her lips and perched on the edge of his desk. “Could you look over this for me? Laura asked me to draft a few clauses in the Ricer contract, and I don’t know if I’ve done…” “Let me see.” He cut her off and took the paper from her. Furrowing his brow, he skimmed it quickly. He handed it back to her with a nod of approval. “This is good. Very well done.” He smiled slightly. “Could you do me a favor, Ms. Berkley? ” He turned and walked back to his desk, taking a seat behind the stacks of paperwork. She lifted her brows. “Of course.” “Go find Ms. Russell and explain how you wrote that. She doesn’t seem to get it.” She grinned. “Well, as I recall, she didn’t do very well in our contracts class.” He grunted and shook his head, obviously irritated. “Figures.” “I’ll show it to her right now. ” Kat turned and strolled to the door, feeling his eyes on her. “Let me know if you need anything else.” She shot a naughty, suggestive smile over her shoulder and walked out of the room before he could say a word. **** Late that night, Kat sat in her cubicle, typing furiously. Her stomach growled, because she’d skipped lunch. Instead, she had taught Marina how to structure a contract, something the other woman should have learned long ago. Marina had been hostile, but she had listened. “Don’t you have a life?” She looked up, startled. Blake gazed down at her from the other side of the wall, resting an arm on the top of the partition. He lifted a corner of his mouth. Kat stared. Since when did Blake smile? “It’s ten o’clock, Ms. Berkley. Why are you still here?” “I was just doing a bit of research for the Ricer case.” “Ah. And this can’t be done tomorrow?” She shrugged and turned back to her computer, but it was hard to concentrate with his powerful presence heating the air around her. “I really have nothing else to do, so I may as well finish it.” Blake stepped into her cube. “I find it quite hard to believe that you have nothing to do. No one’s waiting for you? ” Kat met his gaze. “Nope.” Her smile was slow and seductive. “What about you? ” “No.” She raised a brow. “Well, then. ” Blake was silent for a moment. “I wanted to thank you for talking to Ms. Russell. She revised that contract until it was just about perfect. Of course, she whined about it while she was giving it to me, but I seem to be getting that from more than just her.” “Well, I know there are a few who feel they aren’t doing the work they expected to.” “But you need to learn the basics, first. You’ll get to the complications in good time. Too soon, if you ask me.” He reached up to rub his temple, suddenly looking even more
exhausted than he had in his office. “Are you all right?” Surprise flickered across his handsome face, but it faded quickly. “Fine. Just a little tired.” He sighed. “If you want a complicated case, take a look at the Barrett deal. It’s driving me crazy. ” She wrinkled her brow. “Oh. Well, can we help?” She grinned up at him. “Marina would be thrilled.” “I can imagine,” he drawled, “but she’d undoubtedly botch it.” Kat crossed her arms across her chest. “I wouldn’t.” His hard mouth curved. “I’m sure you wouldn’t, Ms. Berkley, but you know the rules regarding high-profile cases.” “Hmm.” She pouted. Suddenly, she realized that somewhere in the past few moments, Blake had moved closer. He was so close that the scent of his cologne surrounded her. She rose smoothly to her feet. A few more inches, and her body would be pressed to his … she looked up. Oh, no, she certainly wasn’t the only one affected by the close proximity. His silver eyes burned with desire. She tipped her head back and touched her lips to his. Blake stiffened, but he didn’t try to push her away. After a moment, his arms slid around her, and he pulled her to his chest. A door slammed in the hallway, and his hand froze on the small of her back. Feeling his anxiety, she tried to withdraw, but to her surprise, he deepened the kiss. Electricity shot through her as his tongue deftly parted her lips and plunged inside her mouth. She dug her fingers into his hair and rose on her tiptoes to devour his hard mouth; with a moan, he lifted her in his arms. The deep sound thrilled her. She had him in the palm of her hand. Finally, she broke away, gasping for breath. Blake’s hair was mussed and his tie askew. She reached up to straighten it. “Well, I don’t suppose I can call you Ms. Berkley, anymore, can I?” She smiled and traced a finger over his sculpted lower lip. “I suppose not.” “Katerina, then? ” She laughed, low and silky. “God, no. Only my mother calls me Katerina.” She glanced up into his searing silver eyes. “It’s Kat.” He lifted a brow. “Kat?” His fingers brushed her neck and trailed down her arm, coming to rest on her waist. He lowered his mouth to her ear. His warm breath tickled her skin, and she shuddered. “Well, Kat, you’re one impressive little pussy. ” And she had found her tom. **** Blake slammed the front door and made a beeline up the winding staircase to his bedroom, unable to form a coherent thought. How could he? That damned woman was driving him insane. A fucking intern! This was going to get him fired! So why didn’t he care? It had taken iron control to restrain from tearing her clothes off and plunging his cock deep inside her. God, he’d felt her breasts straining against her soft blouse. She wanted him, too. He walked into his bedroom and removed his tie, suit jacket, and shirt. He was sweating. That’s how badly he needed her. Jesus, no one could blame this mess on him.
She’d kissed him, not the other way around. She was a brazen temptress, and she knew it. He dropped his trousers and freed his cock, still hard and erect from the heated encounter. He stared at himself naked in the mirror. The light from behind him threw his image into the shadows. A massive, well- muscled man gazed back at him, a taunting glint in the silver eyes. He succumbed. He watched himself flinch as he took his thick cock in his hand, his thumb fondling the swollen head. A low moan escaped his throat. He stroked himself slowly, imagining the feel of her skin, the way she would look in his bed. His breathing quickened and the air grew heavier around him. If only he hadn’t gone to her cube tonight… But she lured him to her; with every word, every smile, she meant to entice him. And it was working, dammit. They’d been on the brink of discovery; anyone could have walked past and seen her in his arms. She had even pulled away from him, and he had gone after her. The little hussy was playing with him. And he enjoyed it more than he dared admit. He squeezed his cock and grunted, his strokes growing harder and faster. How would she react if he locked his office door and ripped her clothes off? He envisioned her ripe breasts springing free of the restrictive black suit. Her drenched, throbbing pussy would be his to explore once he rid her of that skirt. But then … the skirt was barely there, anyway, so damned short he had no trouble imagining what was underneath. Every glance at her legs gave him an instant hard-on. He couldn’t help wondering what they would feel like wrapped around his waist as he fucked her against the wall. He groaned, arching his hips into his hand. Blake glanced at himself in the mirror. His face was flushed and contorted as his fingers pulled and tweaked his cock; his breath rasped harshly in his ears. He felt his release coming. Squeezing his shaft ferociously, he shouted as his seed spurted out. He had never watched an orgasm before, but it amazed him. His body coiled like a lion before the fatal charge. His cock literally jerked from his grasp as it spewed forth a stream of milky liquid. Blake collapsed against the dresser, leaning on it for support. The charge had left him exhausted and gasping for breath. **** “You’re welcome, Mr. Ricer. Always a pleasure.” Blake shook Walton Ricer’s hand as the elevator doors slid open. Ricer stepped inside, and Kat stepped out. She glanced at Blake and nodded before turning and walking across the hall towards the glass doors. As she slid her card into the scanner, he caught up with her. Her citrus perfume intoxicated him, and he had to remind himself to speak. “So Ricer’s going well.” “Great.” An awkward silence fell between them. They strolled across the receptionists’ area and down the corridor, neither saying a word. He glanced at her; a thick lock of flame hair hung seductively over her eye. His body hardened. He longed to taste her lips, but… “Can I speak to you? ” She raised her gaze to his. “About what?” Blake shrugged and rubbed his neck. “Uh, last night. I just … you know it’s not
exactly permissible. I mean, we shouldn’t be…” “Of course.” She tapped her foot, clearly impatient. Her tone was flat and uninterested. “There are a lot of things we shouldn’t do, Blake, but they happen. ” She glanced at her watch. “Can we talk about this later?” He inclined his head to her. “I suppose.” “Good.” He felt a tinge of hurt surprise as she hurried away. She hadn’t even let him finish his sentence. It was true that they should not be pursuing their pleasure together, but after that heated kiss, did she really expect him to keep his distance?
Chapter Two A little after eleven the next night, Kat peeked into Blake’s office. He sat at his desk, engrossed in paperwork. “Hi.” He looked up. “Weren’t you going to start leaving earlier?” She smiled. “You’re still here.” “I have to be.” “And I don’t?” He barked a laugh at that. “I appreciate your work, Kat, but we discussed this already. Go find a life.” She looked at him, not taking her eyes from his. A flicker of confusion passed over his face. After their encounter today, it was clear he hadn’t expected warmth and lust in her gaze. Ah, she was naughty. “I’m quite happy with mine, thank you. ” Her hips swayed as she moved towards him, and she noticed the grey eyes fasten on them. Oh, he wanted her. It was in the way he was watching her now … as if he wanted to pounce on her. She smiled slightly. Little did he know, she was the one doing the pouncing. “So what are you doing? ” She purred, curling up in a chair across from his desk. “Looking over your research, actually.” He brought his hand up to obscure his mouth. “You were a history major in college?” She picked up a pen and fiddled with it. “Yes. What does that have to do with anything? ” “Did you like it?” “Loved it. I still read straight history for the fun of it.” Blake laughed. “Doesn’t surprise me. You pick up the smallest details. You’ve quite a subtle eye.” “Thank you. ” She twirled the pen between her fingers. “What was your major?” “Economic policy. Hated it and wanted to major in lit, instead.” “You? Really?” He inclined his head. “I know. No one would expect it, now, but I could have been a fantastic English professor.” He shrugged. “My father thought law school would prove more lucrative in the long run, and here I am. ” “Here you are.” Her voice dropped a notch as she contemplated him. “Here we are.” “Kat…” Slipping out of the chair, she rounded the desk and leaned towards him; his large palm cupped the back of her head, his mouth claiming hers in a hot, possessive kiss. “Unzip your pants,” she murmured against his lips. “Here?” “Yes, here. Now. I want you inside me.” She didn’t need to say it again. The zipper rasped, and his cock sprang out, fully erect and ready for her. With her eyes fastened on the huge shaft, she gracefully reached into her purse on his desk and withdrew a small square, quickly tearing it open and
handing the contents to him. “You planned this?” he panted, his fingers moving deftly. She smiled. “Not planned, exactly … let’s just say I hoped.” He hauled her onto his lap and feverishly pushed up her skirt. Kat pressed her mouth to his as he tugged on her soaked panties. Blake clasped her hips and lowered her onto his shaft, gasping as he entered her. She slid her tongue into his mouth at the same pace that his cock penetrated her body. Slowly, she began to thrust. Closing his eyes, he leaned back in his chair and lifted his hips to drive deeper into her. His thighs were rock hard under her backside. She entwined her fingers in his hair and swiveled her hips. He moaned. She pulled back from his mouth to glare at him. “Quiet.” His eyes snapped open, his expression bewildered. “What?” Kat placed a finger to his lips. “You aren’t to make a sound. And you aren’t to come. Not until you have my permission. ” “But…” “Shut up.” She leaned forward and kissed him savagely, cutting off any protests he might have. His large hands cupped her derriere, his thumbs circling slowly over her skin. Kat grabbed the back of the chair and began to move again, lifting her hips up and down, her tempo frantic as her passion intensified. She dug her nails into the leather as her muscles contracted around his shaft. Glancing at Blake, she saw his lips compressed in a thin line, and his face twisted with pleasure, red from the effort of restraint. Suddenly, shocks of pleasure seized her body and she cried out, clutching his wide shoulders, her body shaking with release. She gasped to regain her breath, leaning her breasts against his chest. His shirt was damp with sweat. “Now, Blake!” She didn’t know what she had expected, but it wasn’t this. His body leapt beneath hers, his bucking hips nearly dumping her out of the chair. He groaned deeply, his voice hoarse and roughened by passion. His cock wrenched, and he came in a hot flood of seed she could feel through the shield. Blake gathered her in his arms and leaned his chin on her shoulder as he caught his breath. She ran her fingers through his dark hair, pressing soft kisses to his temple and cheek. She had accomplished her goal much sooner than she’d anticipated. After nothing more than a kiss… The pussycat had won this round again. **** Blake stared at his computer in disbelief. It was late in the afternoon, and he’d spent the whole day in meetings with Ricer’s people. And now, not only was he supposed to handle that and the Barrett deal, but he’d just been assigned to another sale. He leaned back and ran a hand over his face. The next week would be one long series of negotiations for Barrett, only to end with a frantic night of preparing for a meeting with this new client. He sighed and rose from his chair to walk to the window. The sun blazed hot and brilliant in the cloudless sky. Rubbing his neck, he stared out at the scurrying people on the street far below. Ricer would be done by next week, but the other two deals were to be executed by the end of the month, and he had no idea how he was supposed to handle
them at once. He turned back to his desk and, through his open door, caught a glimpse of a woman strolling down the hallway. His cock stiffened when he noticed the tousled waves of flame hair. “Kat!” She started at the sound of his voice, but pivoted on her heel and strolled into his office, her full lips curving into an enticing smile. “Hi.” Her husky voice sent daggers of heated lust through his body. He recalled the feel of her soft ass on his lap, her slender hands clutching his hair as she thrust wildly … his cock tightened further, and he swallowed a groan. Kat laughed softly. His blatant need was reflected in her emerald gaze. “If this place weren’t so damned crowded…” Blake drew a labored breath. “If only.” She closed the door and moved to his side, leaning down to press her lips against his in a quick kiss. As she pulled away, Blake glanced at her, surprised. He had expected awkwardness, hesitation, something other than this. But Kat seemed completely at ease with the fact that they had had sex the night before, right here in his office. He’d driven her home, afterward, and her hand on his thigh had made him delirious with desire. He’d been tempted to join her in her bed, but the hour was late, so he’d dropped her off and gone home. He sighed and shifted in his chair, remembering the long night of staring up at the ceiling, his body tormented with longing. * Kat bit back a giggle as he squirmed. She, too, had spent the night dreaming of him, wanting him surrounding her, again. But it was amusing, seeing her normally formal and professional boss all hot and bothered. She wanted to suggest that taking off his shirt might help but didn’t think he’d appreciate that. “So what are you doing tonight?” Kat raised a brow at the bold question as her fingers undid the top two but tons of her blouse. Blake wasn’t the only one getting hot. “Depends on why you ask.” He shrugged, apparently speechless all of a sudden, as his eyes followed her movements. “Well, I’m having dinner with my sister.” Kat smiled. “Jillian’s a heart surgeon at Lakeport General, and I don’t get to see her often. ” “Lakeport?” He visibly tore his gaze from her breasts. “Does she know a Dr. Kerry Richards?” Laugher gurgled up in her throat. “The black-haired Goth with the motorcycle?” Blake pursed his lips, equally amused. “That would be her,” he drawled. Kat giggled uncontrollably. She’d met the other woman only twice, but Jillian went on and on about her wild escapades. Kerry was the hospital prankster. “Is she a cousin or something?” “My little sister.” Kat’s jaw dropped, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Kerry is your sister?” She stared at the perfectly groomed, impeccable man before her. He was all posh city style, and Kerry … Kerry thrived in pool halls and biker bars. From what Kat knew of her, she was very sweet, but as different from her brother as champagne and keg beer. Kat stammered. “But she’s … she’s…” “Crazy. ” His lips curved in a fond smile. “Yes.”
“But brilliant, and completely committed to her career. Don’t let the hair fool you. I wouldn’t have agreed to put her through med school if she hadn’t been seriously dedicated.” Kat raised a brow, perching on the edge of his desk. “You put her through med school?” He nodded. “Remember what I told you about my father?” “He wanted you to become a lawyer?” “We didn’t have much money when I was young, but he had big plans. I took out loans for college and law school, and I didn’t want Kerry to have to deal with all of that.” “That’s very considerate.” He shrugged. “It’s just the two of us now. Only right I look after her.” He picked up her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. The warmth of his lips sent a shiver through her. “What about you and Jillian? Any others?” She nodded and traced his palm with her fingertip. “Two brothers, but both are still in college. Jillian’s the oldest.” “Ah, well, I…” The phone rang, cutting him off. He glanced at the caller ID. “Shit, Kat, it’s Barrett. I have to take it.” She slid off his desk, pressing a kiss to his temple. “Go for it, but take the night off, okay?” **** That evening, Kat sat at a table in the corner, sipping a glass of water. She’d deliberately brought a magazine to look through; Jillian was always late. She glanced at her watch and then at the door, just as it opened. Jillian smiled and thanked the hostess before prancing across the room. Her blond hair was swept up in a messy bun, and her generous breasts swelled in a low-cut wraptop. All of Jillian’s male patients thanked their lucky stars for more than her well- honed operating skills. “Kit-Kat. You look magnifique, darling. ” Kat grinned at the childhood nickname and brushed her sister’s cheek with a kiss. “So do you, Jelly.” She sniffed. “Is that a new perfume?” Jillian laughed as she slipped into her seat, carefully placing her sleek leather bag on the chair next to her. “Dario brought it from Milan when he went home last month. ” Her Italian boyfriend was a neurologist at Lakeport. Gorgeous, but painfully proper in Kat’s opinion. She was bored after a mere five minutes in his company. Unlike Blake … now there was an exciting man. “What’s so funny, Kit?” “Oh, nothing.” She took a sip of water. “Pick the wine.” Jillian didn’t need to be asked twice. In a flash, she’d chosen a fruity Italian red and dinner items for both herself and Kat. Kat didn’t mind; she was long used to Jillian making decisions for her. She knew her sister meant no harm but was merely bossy by nature. And men wondered where Kat had gotten her dominant streak. A lifetime of submitting to a controlling sister and parents had produced a simmering lust for power that had to be unleashed in some aspect of her life. “So.” Jillian tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear. “How’s the internship going?”
“Pretty well. I’ve gotten top marks almost every week.” “No surprise, there.” Jillian beamed like a proud mother. “How are you? ” “Can’t complain. Had a couple of surgeries this week, and both went well. And,” her eyes lit. “Dario told me he’s taking me home with him next month. ” “Did he say why? ” “No. I’m not sure, but I suspect…” “That he’ll ask you?” Kat squealed. Jillian nodded, laughing. “I hope so. We’ll see. He keeps hinting at the future, you know?” She giggled. “He sends me roses every Monday morning at the hospital.” “Cute.” Kat paused as the waiter came with the wine. “Oh, by the way…” “Yes?” Jillian picked up her glass and glanced at her inquiringly. “Have you seen Kerry Richards, recently? ” A ringing laugh answered her. “That girl is adorable. I had to operate on a little boy the other day. Only eleven years old…” Kat’s brow furrowed. “I’m sorry. ” “Oh, he’s fine. But that morning, he kept yelling at his mother because she forgot his teddy bear at home, and he wanted something to hold while he was waiting for surgery. But neither of his parents wanted to leave him alone.” She smiled. “So what did Kerry do?” “No idea.” “She took their keys, got on that crazy motorcycle of hers, and got the bear. And, she came back with about five other toys that she’d picked up at shops along the way, plus a huge bouquet of sunflowers from the gift shop.” “That’s so sweet.” “I know! I have no idea how she managed all of that on her bike. You’d never expect it from a thirty-year-old woman who walks around with a Mohawk.” “No, you wouldn’t.” Kat took a sip of her wine. “Has she ever mentioned her brother?” Jillian looked up. “Blake? Of course. She thinks he hangs the moon. ” She grinned. “From what I’ve heard, he’s a perfect gentleman in every way. And the pictures … apparently, he’s handsome, too.” “Oh, he is.” “You know him?” “He’s in charge of our crop at Tabor.” Jillian laughed again. “Well, knowing you when there’s a hot man around, I’m amazed you can concentrate, much less score top reviews.” “I heard he put her through med school, ” Kat remarked. The waiter came with their dishes. Jillian leaned back. “Yes, after his first few years as an associate, he didn’t want her to have to take out loans.” She picked up her fork. “Their father was ambitious on their behalf, and Kerry says Blake encouraged her to follow her passion, since his father wouldn’t let him.” “He wanted to be a professor,” Kat continued, twirling her own fork and cutting a neat bite of fettuccini. Jillian nodded. “Why are you so interested in him, anyway? ” “No reason. ”
Her sister raised a brow. “Now, that I don’t believe. You always have a reason.” A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she took a bite of lasagna. “Methinks you have a little crush. ” A flush heated her face. “Not exactly…” She forced herself to meet Jillian’s gaze. The dark blue eyes widened; Jillian dropped her fork with a shriek. A few diners turned to look at them, and she lowered her voice. “Please tell me that you didn’t do what I think you did.” Kat looked away, knowing the answer was stark in her eyes. “Oh, my God. Kat, why do you always have to … can’t you be with someone, just once, without causing a scandal? ” “You just said he was a perfect gentleman. ” “Yeah, fine, but he’s your boss! If this gets out, you could very well be banned from getting a job…” The anger slowly ebbed out of her, compassion taking its place. She reached over and patted Kat’s hand. “No man is worth that, Kit-Kat.” “I know, I know. I just … can’t stay away. It’s like I’m addicted to him.” “I’ve had to do open heart surgery on people who lived on french fries, and let me tell you, even the worst habits can be broken if the stakes are high enough. ” Kat took a thoughtful bite of her pasta. Blake wasn’t a habit she wanted to kick, not yet. **** Kat stood nude in the open window, letting the breeze cool her body. She took a sip of ice water from the glass on her nightstand and sighed contentedly. The air was warm and heavy, a perfect, balmy summer night. Her cell phone’s shrill ring interrupted the peaceful moment, and she put the glass down, grumbling. “Hello?” “Hello, my little fire-goddess.” A wave giddiness rose within her. He was calling her at home? She may not be the typical fawning woman, but even she thrilled in a man’s pursuit. She put on her best indignant Southern drawl. “Excuse me? I think you’ve got the wrong number, sir. I’ll be happy to direct you to operator assistance.” Blake growled into the phone. She giggled. “How was dinner?” “Fine. We had a nice long sisterly bonding session. ” Not to mention a chat about him, but she wasn’t going to reveal that. “Where are you? ” “In my bed. Witho ut you, unfortunately.” Kat smiled. “Are you naked?” “Of course. You think I sleep with clothes on? ” “I was hoping you didn’t.” “Do you? In a slinky bit of silk?” She laughed. “Nope. Same as you. ” “Oh. ” The sound was hoarse. “So what’s going on? ” “I just … wanted to see what you were up to.” She felt herself grin. “I was just about to go to bed, actually. I’m planning on
dreaming about you. ” She turned from the window and crossed the room. “You can plan dreams?” “I can. ” Kat lay down on her bed among a pile of silk pillows. “Don’t you want to know what I’m going to do to you? ” “Tell me.” His deep voice was suddenly tight. She flipped onto her back and ran a hand down her stomach. “Well, after I’ve kissed you until you can’t breathe, I’m going to trail my lips over your jaw and down your throat. You’ll be naked, of course, and your hands will be bound so you can’t move. Maybe in the grass in a moonlit garden. ” “And?” “And, my mouth will move down to your chest, and I’ll swirl my tongue around and around your nipple, biting gently now and then. I’ll lick it until you beg me to stop. Your cock will be huge, by that time, but I intend on ignoring it.” Reaching down, she fondled her clit and gasped softly, imagining the exact size of his shaft. “Really?” He sounded strained. “Really.” She exhaled. “So much more to kiss and feast on, after all. Your shoulders … God, they make my mouth water, even now. Your chest, your fingers … my tongue has a variety of choices.” His frustrated groan fired her passion, and she slid a finger inside herself. “I’ll scatter kisses over your stomach and thighs, maybe give your balls a squeeze.” She inserted two more fingers. “Would you like that, Blake?” “Yes,” he grunted. “What else would you like?” Her fingers slowly thrust within her hot sheath. “Your mouth on my cock.” He gasped. “Now. ” “Hmmm. I’d have to consider it. I mean, I wouldn’t want the rest of you to feel neglected…” “Kat…” It was a breathless plea. “Well … first, I’ll have to turn you over and trail my lips down that broad back and see if your ass is as hot as I think it is. I’ll run my nails along the backs of your thighs…” “Please.” “Oh, eventually, I won’t be able to help myself. I’ll have no choice but to take you into my mouth. ” He groaned. She could see his large hands squeezing his magnificent cock as she spoke to him. The thought of him masturbating to her voice made her even wetter. “I’ll run my tongue around the tip and lick you and nip you to spice things up. Maybe nibble a bit. And then, when you’re almost painfully swollen, I’ll suck as hard as you can possibly stand.” He emitted two strangled sounds, somewhere between a groan and a shout. She envisioned his hips rising helplessly off the bed. “And then, still sucking, I’ll take you all the way in, until you hit the back of my throat.” He dropped the phone. She heard it hit the mattress as his orgasm crashed over him with an intensity that even she could hear. He gave a loud, ferocious cry; she imagined his hips arching smoothly into the air as his immense cock lurched and burst, releasing a flood of seed… Her own thrusts quickened with his deep bellow ringing in her ears.
His harsh breaths cut through the silence; closing her eyes, she saw him lying spent and depleted, his bronzed skin coated with delicious sweat. She inhaled sharply, raising her own hips to meet her fingers; her sheath was soaked and pulsing. She neared the edge … she just needed a little push. After a long moment, he picked up the phone, obviously trying to control his breathing. “Kat?” He gasped. “Yes?” “May I taste you, now?” “I wish you would.” Her muscles tightened in anticipation. “Can I run my tongue around your clit until you’re screaming for me to suck?” Kat moaned and tugged on her nub, feeling his mouth in place of her fingers. “Oh, God, yes.” “I want to feel your wet pussy against my mouth, Kat, your sweet silken honey on my tongue.” Her pace intensified as he spoke, his deep voice low and hypnotic. “I want to suck you until I wring the last drop of nectar from your lovely body and hear yo u scream as you explode.” Her hand tightened on the phone. She shrieked as her body shuddered, her climax tearing through her like the explosion Blake wished for. Convulsions rippled like fire through her muscles, and hot liquid pooled between her legs. “Blake?” She whispered, her voice trembling. “Kat?” “Sweet dreams.” She heard the smile in his voice. “I’ve no doubt they will be, beauty. No doubt.”
Chapter Three The next afternoon, Blake cornered Kat in the copy room. She bumped into him and smiled, a naughty grin lighting her face. “Well, if it isn’t the man of my dreams?” He smiled and raised a brow. “Is that so?” “Well, last night’s dreams, at least,” she whispered, reaching out to run a finger over his tie. Blake had to admit he’d enjoyed their conversation last night, as well. Very few women were as diversely talented as Kat. “Are you busy right now?” His palms skimmed her hips; he shouldn’t be touching her like this, not here, but he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her. He glanced at the door from time to time, keeping an eye out for any intruders. Her smile was almost sheepish as she slipped her fingers into the collar of his shirt, tugging lightly. “Well, I was actually about to head home. You said the other night that I should…” “No, you’re right. I did.” He gave her a slight nod. “Go ahead, then. Never mind.” Kat bit her lip and glanced up, heat flashing in her gaze. “Are you sure? If there’s something you need, just tell me.” Blake hesitated. “I have another case, and it’s just…” “We’re allowed to help?” Her fingertips stroked his throat. He closed his eyes, a faint smile touching his lips. “Not really, but I could use a hand.” Her fingers curved around his neck, and he rolled his head to the side. They were playing with fire; anyone could walk in on the tender scene, but her touch felt so damned good, he didn’t want her to stop. “Well, then, ” she purred. His eyes popped open as her other hand slid inside his jacket to run down his stomach. “What should I do?” She pulled back, her gaze fastened on the bulge in his trousers. Blake drew a sharp breath, sorely tempted to tell her to close the door behind her and strip. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus on work. This new case was highprofile, and he was sure that the other partners wouldn’t approve of an intern assisting him. But Kat was definitely smart enough to handle it. An idea was forming in his mind. “Maybe it’s best if we … don’t do it here.” “Oh? ” He met her gaze. “How about my place?” Kat laughed. “You know that sounds exactly like a bad pick-up line.” It was his turn to smile sheepishly. “Maybe. But seriously, Kat, it could be productive.” Her wicked grin was all the answer he needed. **** Kat pulled into the back parking lot of Wilde’s Adult Toy Shop. She’d never been there before, and her inquisitive nature prodded her to explore. She walked inside and
glanced around. There were the standard displays of passion creams and cock rings. Vibrators and clit stimulators were behind the counter, along with an extensive array of riding crops. One had some nasty looking spikes at the end. Kat wrinkled her nose. That was a bit much, even for her. As she examined the bondage gear, her eyes fell on a pair of pink leather handcuffs. She gasped and hurried over to them. They appealed to the girly side of her, cute and frivolous, but perfect for the job at hand. Kat was a dominant, by nature; she’d always known it. Strangely, she wasn’t drawn to submissive men, but to men like Blake: powerful, aggressive men, whom she could dominate and control. It was ego. She wanted the glory of mastering a man who would normally claim and subdue a woman. And that was the irony. Most of them were interested in conquering a woman, not being conquered. It was a challenge to persuade them to obey her, and she loved a challenge. Oh, certainly, she’d subdued men before, but not one held a candle to Blake. And never had a man been forbidden to her, until now. The illicit factor merely whetted her appetite. She envisioned him tied to her bed, his impossibly handsome face contorted as she brought him to pleasure. His immense body shook as he tried to delay his climax. Liquid pooled between her thighs at the image. Kat picked up a second pair of the handcuffs, determined. Tonight, Blake would beg for mercy. **** Kat hopped out of her car and sauntered up Blake’s driveway. After ringing the doorbell, she stared up at his enormous house. It was a two-story Georgian style manor, with windows lining the top floor and the entire face done in red brick and pristine white stucco. Tapping her foot impatiently, she rang again. “I’m coming,” his deep voice called. She raised a brow. “Are you, really?” The door opened. “No doubt I will, if you have anything to say about it.” Kat grinned and walked inside. “Damned stra…” The words died in her throat. Her jaw dropped. Blake stood utterly, gloriously naked before her. Not a stitch of clothing adorned him. His potent gaze scorched her as she slowly perused his magnificent body. His powerful chest, ridged stomach, and his erect, jutting cock. She drew a shaky breath. “Well, this is … quite the welcome. Do you always answer the door wearing nothing? ” “Only for you, beauty. ” A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. “I was about to step into the shower when you rang, and I didn’t think you’d mind such a casual reception. ” She laughed. “Of course not. If I had my way, you’d be naked even at the conference room table.” His smile disappeared, and she immediately regretted the words. They had only reminded him of the reality of their affair. “Can I get you a drink?” His voice held a hint of formality. Ironic, in his nude state. “Sure. A glass of wine would be nice.” He nodded curtly and turned. She followed him through the marble foyer into the vast living room, glancing around in awe. Her entire apartment would fit into this huge space, with room to spare.
Blake switched on another light, returning her attention to him. She ran her tongue along her lips, mesmerized by the way his back rippled with power. Massive shoulders narrowed to a lean waist, and the dip right above his firm haunches called to her. Oh, yes, that’s where she wanted her wine. She wanted to knock him to the floor and lick that bronzed expanse of skin. Blake handed her a crystal goblet of ruby liquid. “Thank you. ” She said, attempting to sound demure. He lifted a brow at that, the slight smile returning. “I just got back from the gym, so I’m going to go take a quick shower. Make yourself comfortable.” Kat nodded and watched him strut towards the winding staircase. His walk oozed sex appeal. He moved like a predator on the hunt. A few minutes later, she heard the faucet turn on above her and closed her eyes, imagining Blake under the hot spray of the shower. She could see droplets of water glistening on his skin, sliding down the hard planes of his body, could hear his deep groan as the heat eased the tension in his muscles. Kat wandered over to the shelves in the corner and skimmed her fingers along the spines of the books. From Dickens to Dante, he had all the classics. She smiled: even Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. And from the look of the edition, it was dearly loved. She slipped it out of its place and curled up on the couch. By the time Blake reappeared, Kat was on her second glass of wine and deep into the first chapter. He cleared his throat, and she looked up, startled. A pair of well-worn jeans encased his muscular legs, contrasting with his crisp white dress shirt. His brown hair was still slightly damp, and his feet were bare. “You like Bronte?” She laughed. “Well, of course, I do. You’re the shocker. Most guys think it’s nineteenth century chick- lit.” He shrugged his broad shoulders and poured himself a glass of scotch. “I told you, I should have been an English professor. I can appreciate good literature.” “Even Jane Austen? Girly as you can get.” Blake took a sip and contemplated her for a moment. “I have to admit that I’ve always sympathized with Darcy. ” She sat straight up. “Sympathized? He was a total jerk from the start.” A flicker of a smile touched his face. “He’s a man, Kat.” “Bull. That’s no excuse to be a prick.” “Well, Elizabeth wasn’t exactly welcoming,” “Oh, come on, he made her feel like the scum of the earth. ” “She laughed at his every move. Most men don’t take that kind of thing lightly.” Kat put down her glass and stared daggers at him. “Most men don’t degrade women for their income, Blake. A decent man knows most women are insecure enough without their help.” He raised a brow. “Then you aren’t ‘most women,’ are you? ” That caught her by surprise. “Well, no, I’m an exception. ” “Yes, you are.” His deep voice lowered, and his piercing gaze sent shivers up her spine. She forced herself to take a sip of wine; her body responded to his glance and she had to work to form a coherent thought. “Still, until he realized his love for her, he was a
jerk. And hell, even then. ” “And she was still cold to him.” “Because of the way he told her. Besides, she loved him, even though he’d scorned her. That can’t be easy. ” “Ah, see? She had a reason. ” He gave her a pointed look. “Some women are cold just for the hell of it.” Kat shook her head, ignoring the deliberate provocation. He strolled to the coffee table and lifted a sheaf of papers before taking a seat on the couch next to her. Kat put the book aside. “So what is this about?” “Well, Barrett wants to sell their menswear division. The numbers weren’t high enough, so they’ve decided to focus on women’s apparel. ” She nodded. “Okay. So who’s buying?” “Holton and Roth. ” “And these are their statements.” She nodded to the papers. “Okay. ” She picked up a stack and began to sift through them, making notes here and there. Rising from the couch, she settled on the floor and leaned her back against the base of the leather chaise. Blake began on his own work, and only the rustling of paper and scratching of pens broke the silence. Kat could feel the heat radiating from his body. She squirmed as she wrote, longing for him to fill her. This was torture; Blake sat only inches away, probably hard for her, and here they were, working as sedately as an old married couple. She stole a glance at him; his brow was furrowed as he sifted through the papers on his lap. He raised his glass to his lips, and she nearly melted, wanting to lick the droplets off his beautiful mouth. She pressed her pussy against the hard floor. The pressure on her clit only increased her burning lust. * She wasn’t the only one affected by their nearness. Blake’s body throbbed as he tried to concentrate on research. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye: she wore a thin, almost sheer, teal blouse, and he could make out her bare skin through the shadow of the silk. He wanted to tear it off and sample her charms, as he had in his imagination the other night on the phone. He wanted to feel her breasts, taste her nectar… Swallowing hard, he wrenched his gaze from her. The numbers and charts before him did little to cool the fire in his loins. Nearly an hour later, she tossed the papers aside with a sigh. Raising her arms above her head, she arched her back to work out the kinks. Her breasts pushed against her shirt as she moved, and Blake gave up any semblance of control. He leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. The pen slipped from her fingers. She groaned against his mouth and slid her hands into his hair, pulling him closer. Blake kissed her fiercely, molding her soft lips to his as he lowered himself down beside her. He wanted to devour her. He bore her to the floor and trapped her underneath him, relishing the softness of her body. Her legs wrapped around his waist and she arched towards him. Blake raised himself on his forearms and stared down at her. Her crimson lips were swollen with his kiss, and her emerald eyes were glazed with passion. Her hair spilled around her in a beautiful, tangled mass of silk. She reached up and began to unbutton his shirt. He slid
his hand beneath her to tug off her blouse. Two tiny lace triangles covered her full breasts; the thin material barely passed for a bra. He unclasped it and tossed it aside, not taking his eyes from the generous globes. Her nipples were erect and straining. His mouth watered. He wanted to taste her, but a wood floor wasn’t the best place for this. He sighed and reluctantly rose, holding out his hand to help her up. “Let’s find somewhere more comfortable.” “Like?” Her voice was husky. “My bedroom. ” “Ah. In that case.” She walked, quite unsteadily, back to where she’d dropped her purse and rummaged through it. After a moment, she pulled out two pairs of pink handcuffs. He raised a brow. Kat laughed softly. “Okay, let’s go.” She ran a hand down his bare chest; the light touch sent fire through his veins. He swept her into his arms and bolted for the stairs. In his bedroom, Kat wriggled out of his hold. He watched as she pulled down her short skirt and nodded at his jeans. He tore them off and advanced towards her, but she held up a hand to stop him. “Lie down. ” “Why? ” She waved the cuffs. Blake sat on the edge of the bed, panting. “You’re going to use those on me?” She lifted a brow. “Well, why do you think I bought them? ” “Because they’re pink?” Kat ignored him and placed a hand on his chest, pushing roughly. He lay back, staring at her. She grabbed his arm and closed one set of cuffs around it, securing his wrist to the bedpost. After doing the same with the other arm, Kat slowly walked around to the foot of the bed and glanced at his face. “Blake, where are…” “Top drawer.” Kat opened the drawer and grabbed a condom before slowly walking around to the foot of the bed. “Now, you know what the rules are. You are silent and in control of yourself. ” She ran a sharp fingernail down the sole of his foot. “Is that understood?” When had he lost control of the situation? Wasn’t he supposed to subdue her? Certainly, no one had ever tried to conquer him, before, especially with pink handcuffs. The woman was crazy. “Blake? Are we clear?” She repeated with a tinge of annoyance in her voice. Blake nodded, too dazed to argue. “Good.” Kat climbed onto the bed and gave him a tiny smile. When his gaze fastened on her, she tore open the foil and slowly, torturously slipped the latex over his shaft; he drew a sharp breath as her delicate fingertips brushed against him. Tossing the wrapper aside, she reached up and cupped her full breasts in her palms, slowly running her thumbs around her nipples. His mouth watered as he watched them harden; he wanted to taste them, suck them. She leaned forward and pressed the erect peaks against his chest, and he felt it in his cock. Turning her head, she swept her hair along his stomach; the strands flowed over him like spiced ginger, setting every nerve tingling with sensation. His skin was unbearably overheated. He swallowed the moan rising in his throat.
A clear challenge smoldered in her eyes. With her gaze pinning him to the pillow, she gave his cock a quick squeeze and straddled his lap, lowering herself on to him. He gritted his teeth as her tight pussy stretched to envelop him. She braced her hands on his chest and raised her hips. The heated walls of her channel slid sensuously against his shaft. Her hips moved rhythmically; she thrust smoothly, clenching her muscles around his erection. Blake arched his back, pushing his cock deep inside her. She gripped him tightly, her sheath pulsating around him. His breathing grew ragged and harsh. He fe lt his cock straining, but he made no sound. He would not give her the pleasure of triumph. Suddenly, her hips stilled, and she slid off him, sinking to her knees on the bed. He stared at her. Was this just another method of torture? His cock throbbed; he spiraled towards ecstasy, and yet, she sat there, coolly gazing at him. Blake did not speak; he could not, as per her orders. Frustration surged through his veins. He wanted to bellow at her and command her to satisfy him, but he lay silent and miserable. And then she placed her hand on his thigh. His muscles tightened. She slowly ran her palm down his leg and up again, back and forth, in a sedate, unhurried manner. His agitation mounted. This woman was evil incarnate. She lowered her mouth to his and kissed him hard, placing her other hand on his shoulder, pressing him deeper into the mattress. The softness of her lips made him shudder. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, and she pulled away immediately. He swallowed an exasperated groan. Squeezing his thigh, she leaned over and fastened her hot, wet mouth on his nipple. Blake drew a sharp breath. Her tongue laved the peak and swirled around it, sending waves of pleasure through him. Her hand on his leg moved up to his shaft. She fingered it lightly, fondling the huge, swollen head. Her teeth nipped his erect nipple, and he gasped. She soothed the bite with a swipe of her soft tongue. A mighty shout formed in his chest, the deep sound rumbling through his throat. Blake clenched his fists, trying desperately to suppress it, to keep his control. The ache in his cock was agony; he was on the verge of explosion. And she knew it. Her thick lashes veiled her eyes, but he knew she was watching him intently as her tongue passed over his nipple. The vixen was deliberately taunting him, pushing him to his very limits. Her fingers trailed down his massive length and tweaked it gently. His body jerked. The shout rose to the surface and parted his compressed lips, bursting from his mouth. His engorged cock erupted violently, his back arched in an almost painful spasm as he spent himself. He lay gasping, his muscles quivering in the aftermath, his skin damp with sweat. Her nails pressed lightly to his thigh. He glanced up. Shit. Her emerald eyes were hard and cold, her full lips set in a grim line. “You disobeyed me.” She spoke calmly. “I’m sorry … I couldn’t hold it. I just cou…” He cut himself off. What the hell was he doing apologizing to one of his interns? She could play her little games all she wanted to, but at the end of the day, he was in control. Apparently, she didn’t agree. She climbed to her knees and freed his wrists from the posts. “Get up.” He raised a brow. “Now?” “Now. ” Kat slid off the bed and marched toward his closet. He sighed and rose gingerly, his
body aching from the orgasm. Reaching down, he removed the soaked sheath from his shaft and left it bare to Kat’s view. There was no mistaking the heat in her eyes as she followed his movements. “Stand in front of the mirror.” “Why? ” “Did I give you permission to question me?” Blake indulged her, dutifully taking his place in front of the full- length mirror mounted between two massive windows. Luckily, the curtains were closed. Kat returned shortly. A muscle flexed in his cheek when he saw what she held. A belt. “Just what are you planning on doing with that?” She lifted her brows at him. “You came before I said you could. You’ll be punished accordingly. Now, raise your arms.” He didn’t like the sound of this, but he obeyed. She moved his arms so that his elbows pointed forward, his hands joined behind his head. It was an uncomfortable position that strained his neck and shoulders, but he didn’t dare speak. He heard the belt behind him, hissing through the air. The cruel blow struck his backside; pain shot through his body, and he clenched his jaw. He would not relent, not this time. The strap struck again, and he drew a sharp breath at the agony. “Ah, here we go.” “What?” He hissed through gritted teeth. “Look.” Her reflection in the mirror pointed. He glanced down and watched his cock rise. She cracked the belt a third time, and though he flinched, he was mesmerized. His shaft swelled with every slap of the leather. When he was as erect as she desired, she tossed the belt aside. Reaching around him, she grasped his cock boldly. Blake gasped. He watched her in the mirror; she stood on her tiptoes, and her soft lips brushed his ear. “You’re going to come, again, and you can be as loud as you want.” Without relinquishing her hold, Kat stepped in front of him and turned to face him. “Touch me.” Blake lifted a hand to her sheath. She was slick and pulsing. He slid a finger inside her and she gasped, her hand tightening on his cock. He groaned. * As Blake’s finger thrust within her, Kat squeezed and stroked his shaft. He was enormous in her hand, and he grew larger by the moment. A thrill went through her; she had subdued and conquered him. And now he stood before her, obeying her will. Suddenly, his finger withdrew, and he gently pinched her clit. Kat shrieked as his fingers tweaked and rolled the nub; she clenched his length with both hands. His knees nearly buckled. They came in unison, her scream mingling with his sharp cry. **** Late that night, Blake lay wide-awake. He had never relinquished power to any woman. He just wasn’t that sort of man. Kat had bound and mastered him, and yet she captivated him; it didn’t make sense. He felt her hand skim his back.
“Blake?” She whispered in the darkness. “Hm?” “You’re still awake?” “Can’t sleep.” The sheets rustled as she rose to lean over him. “Why? ” His mind raced as he searched for a response. “Sore.” Well, at least that wasn’t a complete lie. “Oh. Poor baby. ” There was concern in her voice, but no guilt. Her soft lips pressed against his nape. “We can fix that.” Blake smiled to himself. She was such a paradox, this woman, so hard, and yet, so tender. And just maybe … that was it. That quality attracted him and held him in thrall. The sheets rustled as she slid out of bed. She switched the bathroom light on, and he heard her rummaging around. In a few moments, she walked out and climbed in beside him again. She turned him over on his stomach and slathered a cool ointment on his tender skin. He began to groan but cut himself off. Kat laughed in his ear. “It’s okay, darling.” After she had finished, she kneaded his neck and shoulders until he felt himself relax. At some point, he drifted off to sleep, sated and replete.
Chapter Four The next afternoon, all Blake could think about was getting Kat into bed again. He had allowed a few of the interns to sit in and observe a meeting with Ricer to review his firm’s contract. Kat sat at the end of the table, not facing him, thank God. Even so, he glanced at her every few minutes. The brilliant sunshine danced in her flaming hair; it was as if a halo blazed over her head. But she was no angel. She was temptation itself. This morning, she had woken him with a kiss and a steaming cup of tea before she’d left for her own apartment. There had been no talk of another tryst and no mention of the future, but it had felt damned good waking up to her lips on his. He needed to possess her, again… “Richards!” His head snapped up. Ricer looked irritated. Blake drew a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the case. “How many are we going to have to fire?” Blake sighed. “Almost ten thousand. We tried to make concessions to save them, but…” “Did I ask for concessions? No. I’ll sack them.” Ricer flipped a page and skimmed through the rest of the contract. “And the price? Can they honestly not give me better than this?” Kat broke in. “They originally only agreed to half that, Mr. Ricer. We talked them up.” He removed his glasses and peered at her. “I’m supposed to be satisfied with that?” “Mr. Ricer, I personally think their price is quite generous. I don’t know what you expected, but…” “No buts.” He rose to his feet and scowled at Blake. “Richards, I’m coming back at the same time next week, and I want more.” He picked up his briefcase and stalked out of the room. Kat met Blake’s gaze. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. ” “I may bungle a contract or two, but at least I don’t kill deals.” Marina’s voice was smug. Blake glared at her. “She didn’t kill it, Marina. He’s really pushing it, anyway. The offer is almost charitable; I’d take it, if I were him.” He nodded to them. “Well, I have to go call Wexler and see if he can’t go any higher. I suggest the rest of you get back to work, as well.” He glanced at Kat, cocking a brow and signaling her to follow him to his office. He led her down the corridor and allowed her to precede him, closing the door behind them. “Have a seat.” Blake motioned to a chair. He waited until she complied before continuing. “We never got to finish that conversation. ” “Which one?” He sighed heavily as he settled behind his desk. “Outside the elevator, you didn’t let me finish my sentence.” His mouth twisted. “This affair is spinning out of control, Kat,
and I just don’t know how we’re going to…” “I know. ” Kat interrupted him. “I know we shouldn’t, but … I don’t want to stop, Blake. Do you? ” He felt a pang in his chest at the suggestion. No, he wanted to be with her. Something about her kept him coming back for more. “No, I don’t.” “Then what’s stopping us?” “The fact that it’s against policy. ” She reached over and cupped his cheek with a tenderness that made him weak. “I’m sorry. But I can’t help myself when it comes to you, Blake. I’m perfectly willing to damn the rules.” “For what? Hot sex? ” * Kat stared at him in surprise. She definitely caught an unexpected trace of hurt in his voice. “Well, I … I suppose it’s a bit more than that…” “I care for you, Kat, but I am not about to sacrifice my career for some wild fling, fun as it may be. If that’s all it is, then we should think carefully about pursuing this.” She nodded mutely. He was right, of course, but was it just a fling? Suddenly, she wasn’t so sure. **** “Oh, come on, Jelly, I’m sure he didn’t mean it.” Her sister muttered something incoherent. Kat was sure it wasn’t complimentary. Poor Dario was in for it, tonight. Blake leaned over the edge of her cube. She raised a finger, signaling she’d only be a moment. “Talk to him, hon. He’ll explain, and if you don’t like it, just borrow his belt.” Blake raised a brow, at that. She ignored him. “Fine. Make him pay, and call me later.” She turned off her cell phone and tossed it onto her desk, looking up at Blake expectantly. “You do like belts, don’t you? ” Though the office had nearly emptied for the weekend, he kept his voice low. “Of course. How else can I get a man to obey? ” Her breasts went warm and heavy at the thought of Blake succumbing, again. “Mm, we’ll have to find out.” He grinned, white teeth flashing. “Want to grab a drink? There’s a place downtown where I guarantee no one will find us.” “I suppose…” He gave her a droll stare. “It’s Friday night, Kat. What were you planning on doing?” “You?” His gaze sharpened. “Exactly. Let’s go.” “A Friday night date? A bit too conventional, if you ask me.” She laughed as she tossed files into her briefcase. Really, though, the notion was rather frightening for a woman who avoided relationships at all costs. The scariest part was that she didn’t mind. She almost welcomed it. “As I said, it had better be something more than a quickie affair if we’re going to persist.” He ran his fingers through her hair. She grasped his hand and kissed his palm. “We’ll see.”
**** Before she knew it, she and Blake were ensconced in a cozy nook at a small pub she’d never noticed before. Blake ordered a cognac for himself and a sherry for her before sitting back in his chair. “So.” “So.” She traced her finger around the rim of her glass, gazing at him through her lashes. He’d removed his jacket and tie and unfastened the top button of his shirt, but she wanted to see more. “Are you planning on staying in the city after you get your degree?” She nodded. “I’ll find a job and do the standard time. Work my way up to partner, if I’m lucky. ” She wrinkled her nose. “It seems like such a boring life. I mean, I really never thought I’d end up a lawyer.” “No?” She giggled. “No. When I was little, I wanted to be a jockey in the Kentucky Derby. ” He raised a brow, obviously baffled. “Really? Do you even ride horses?” “Of course! I was a dressage champion; I won first in state three years running. ” She grinned proudly. “My horse, Lightning, was a thoroughbred stallion. All the other girls had geldings, but I couldn’t bear to do that to him.” She took a sip of sherry before speaking again. “Besides, I like my rides aggressive and unpredictable. Never know if he’s going to bolt at the scent of something in the woods.” Blake just stared at her, a corner of his mouth slightly curved. She stifled a laugh; amazing what the simplest conversations could turn into in Blake’s presence. Slipping off her shoe, she hooked her foot beneath the leg of his trousers. “So tell me about you. Football jock?” His eyes had glazed, slightly. “No, actually. I was the dork with glasses that used to sit around with my nose buried in books.” “You?” It was her turn to stare. “I don’t believe it.” “It’s true. The football players hated me; we had a mutually contemptuous relationship.” “Wow. And you had glasses? Who knew?” The man was probably drop-dead sexy in them, too. “Still do. I’ll have to show you, sometime.” He smiled. “And when I was around twelve, my father got me into the Wall Street Journal. He and I used to play the market, together. We never made much, but it taught me a lot.” The smile faded. “He passed away while Kerry was in med school. Heart attack, which was pretty ironic, but if his doctors couldn’t do anything for him, it’s unlikely that she could have.” “I’m sorry. ” She squeezed his hand. “And your mother?” “Still living in the same house I grew up in. Kerry and I visit her about twice a month. ” “She lives around here?” Her foot rubbed against his bare leg. He nodded. “About a half hour drive.” She smiled wistfully. “I haven’t seen my parents in six months. They call every weekend to update me on the state of the puppies.” “Puppies?” She laughed. “My mother is a veterinarian, and she and I have the bad habit of bringing home strays, new ones every week. My father gave up protesting years ago.”
“Is your apartment here filled with them, then? ” “Oh, I wish! I’m not allowed to have pets in my building, and really, with my schedule, it wouldn’ t be fair to them if I did.” * A comfortable silence fell between them. Blake watched her tongue flick over her lips, his breath catching. She took a sip from her glass and caught his eye. “What are you thinking? ” He shrugged. “I was just distracted by your tongue.” Her foot ran up his leg. “And what’s going on under the table.” She grinned. “Good thing I wasn’t sitting next to you at the meeting with Ricer.” “You’re already so damned distracting that I could barely concentrate.” “Oh, I noticed.” She touched a finger to his lips, her voice lowering to a purr. “Were you daydreaming?” “Of course.” He kissed the finger. “About how beautiful you were in the sun, and how much I’d rather take you to bed than sit there with that asshole.” She laughed. “I think he picked up on your hostility.” His lips twisted as he raised his glass. “He’s really starting to piss me off. ” “Me, too. He’s not even worried about how many people this is going to affect.” She shuddered. “What an awful man. I can’t stand him.” “And he won’t listen to anything I say. I told him it was worth a compromise, and he got defensive.” Blake sighed. “I feel for his employees, but I almost wish he’d just sign so I wouldn’t have to deal with him.” “I hope I didn’t make it worse.” He shook his head. “You read my mind.” His mouth curved. “Still, you may have shocked him. I don’t think he expected opposition from an intern, especially a woman. ” Her brows rose, and she straightened, indignant. “Why is it surprising for a woman to speak intelligently? ” “He’s from an older generation, remember.” His smile broadened. “I’m not surprised, beauty. On the contrary, I’m proud. You stood up to a very powerful man. Not many people—men or women—have that kind of nerve.” But Kat was no ordinary woman. And he now knew, for certain, that this was no ordinary affair. **** Kat watched the night blur past the window, feeling the heat of Blake’s body next to her. She snuck a glance at him; she’d always wanted to be naughty in a cab, but couldn’t imagine Blake cooperating. Oh, well; only one way to find out. Scooting closer to him, she brushed her lips against his hard jaw, letting her fingers trail down his chest. “Kat.” He growled; his expression held a hint of warning. “What?” “Not here.” Totally uptight, just as she’d suspected. Well, she’d fix that. “Relax, darling. I just want a little kiss.” He turned his head to give her a perfunctory kiss, but of course, it couldn’t remain that way. As soon as his mouth touched hers, an electric current passed through her. He clasped her about the waist and dragged her onto his lap, his tongue forcing its way past
her lips. This was more like it. She reached down and idly stroked the rising swell in his pants. Blake groaned against her mouth, kissing her frantically. His hand slid inside her skirt and cupped her throbbing wetness through her panties. So engrossed were they in each other, they didn’t hear the taxi driver trying to get their attention. He called rudely over his shoulder. “Hey, horndogs, this is the first stop.” Kat’s lips curved in a slow, feline smile. “Why don’t you come up for a bit?” “Well, I couldn’t possibly refuse the best rider in the state, could I?” **** Sunday night, Blake lay in his bed, tired and irritable. Yesterday, he’d woken wrapped in Kat’s arms, warm in her bed. He’d left her to join an ex-client in a tennis match and had ended up with a twisted ankle that had spoiled the entire weekend. His foot was elevated on a cushion and ached mercilessly; he knew it would not let him sleep tonight. He lifted the other pillow to his nose and closed his eyes as he inhaled the pungent scent of grapefruit flowers. Kat. The tart, seductive fragrance gave him an immediate erection. She was all he could think of. He wanted her here with him, wanted her silken skin against his. He sighed, but it was more than that. He wanted to be with her, to see her smile and hear her speak. There were traces of her everywhere. A tube of her lipstick sat on his nightstand, and her empty wineglass was in the living room. He glanced at the pink handcuffs that still hung from his bedposts. They were somewhat feminine and fanciful, and though she had used them to bind and torture him, they were hers. He couldn’t help smiling at the memory. The woman was a firecracker, a shameless hellion who enticed him to sin. As he shifted, a sharp pain sliced through his ankle. He moaned. If only she were here. He longed for her mere presence to comfort him. Oh, shit. He was getting … attached. He was actually starting to imagine what having her in his life would be like. All of his talk about this being more than an affair … it was becoming reality. She drew him to her like no lover ever had: her wry humor, keen intelligence, sudden tenderness. He simply could not get enough of her. She was warm and wild and beautiful, not to mention skilled in bed. Blake turned onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. He knew he should have called her yesterday. He should call her, now, to let her know he wouldn’t be at work tomorrow. But that automatic urge to speak with her, his need for her, it frightened him. She was still an intern and under his supervision. And for as long as that was true, any honest relationship between them was forbidden. **** Kat peeked into Blake’s office Monday morning only to find it empty. She frowned. Strange, Blake never missed a day of work. “He just called in sick.” Kat turned around. Elisabeth, Blake’s secretary, stood
behind her. “Oh. Well, I hope he’s all right.” She nodded, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “He said he’d be back tomorrow. ” “Okay. ” As Kat walked back to her cubicle, Marina approached her. “He’s not here?” “No, he’s sick.” The other woman laughed. “Well, too bad. A day without sucking up is a day without sunshine.” Kat rolled her eyes and walked on. “Do you suck anything else for him, Kat? He does like you a lot.” She turned to meet Marina’s gaze. “Because I don’t botch jobs, Marina. I do it right the first time.” She gave her a pointed look. Marina’s eyes hardened; she pivoted on her heel and stalked off. Kat sat down at her desk and tried to push the unpleasant encounter from her mind. She spent the afternoon working steadily. Every now and then, she looked up, expecting Blake to come over and chat for a bit. She’d never realized how accustomed she’d become to his presence. When he wasn’t there, she missed him. She missed the teasing banter and the way his silver eyes sharpened with desire when they landed on her. No one else got that look. Besides, he had never mentioned feeling ill. Was he all right? She felt a pang of concern. When the sun dipped over the horizon, Kat lost her patience. She had to speak with him. After she had made certain that no one could overhear, she picked up her cell phone and dialed his home number. He answered on the first ring. “Hello?” “Blake?” “Kat. How are you? ” His voice sounded oddly flat, but maybe that was because he wasn’t feeling well. “I was going to ask you the same thing. Elisabeth said you called in sick?” “Yeah, I twisted my ankle at the tennis courts, but I’m fine. I’ll be in tomorrow morning. ” Her brow furrowed. “Is it bad?” “Well, it hurt too much to come to work today, but it’ll get better.” Kat lifted a lock of hair and twirled it around her finger. “Okay. ” She glanced around. “Do you want me to come over tonight?” He hesitated, and she felt a twinge of hurt in her chest. “Kat, I should say no. We shouldn’t be doing this.” Her stomach dropped. Was he breaking up with her? “Blake, I…” He cut her off. “But I want you to. In fact, there’s nothing I’d like more.” She exhaled, relieved. “Excellent. Around seven? ” “Yes.” “Okay, see you then. ” Kat hung up, shaken by her strong emotions. **** Blake answered the door fully clothed. “Well, this is rather disappointing. Not nearly
as nice a reception as I received last time.” He smiled slightly and motioned for her to enter. “Sorry I’m a bit late,” she said as he closed the door behind her. “Not a problem. Would you care for a drink?” “I’ll get it myself.” She wrapped an arm around his waist as he limped toward the living room and helped him onto the couch. Blake sank back with a soft groan. He was silent as she walked to the bar, and she wondered what he was thinking. As she opened her mouth to ask, he spoke. “So. Did I miss anything important?” She poured them each a finger of brandy and passed a glass to him. “Barrett’s bankers called. They’re worried that the price is too low. ” “It’s always too low, isn’t it? Never enough. ” His mouth twisted bitterly. “But I spoke to Thayne at Holton and Roth, and they won’t go any higher. I tried my damnedest.” She moved behind him and ran a hand through his hair. “I know you did.” He sighed heavily and leaned against her. “Anything else?” “Marina threw a fit over her performance evaluation. ” “But she’s not doing all that well. What did she expect me to say? ” Kat smiled. “I don’t know. I don’t talk to her if I can help it.” Her fingers trailed along the side of his neck. “So what happened? Did you go to the doctor?” He shook his head. “It’s just a sprain.” He turned to look at her, clearly a bit embarrassed. “I admit to clumsiness; bad landing. ” Kat laughed. “You, clumsy? I’ll believe it when I see it.” She put down her glass and walked over to where his massive foot rested on a pillow. There was a white bandage wrapped tightly around his injured ankle. She lifted it into her lap and inspected it, prodding gently. It was badly swollen, and she could see tinges of black and blue outside the binding. Kat ran her thumbs across his arch and lightly rubbed his sole, careful not to hurt him. He sighed with pleasure. After a few minutes, she glanced up at him. He was watching her intently, tenderness mingled with desire in his eyes. “What is it?” He shook his head. “Hard to believe such a hellion could be so sweet.” “Oh. ” She felt her face heat, suddenly as giddy as a girl. Blake held out his hand. She went to his side and helped him rise. “Come with me, kitten. ” “Kitten? ” He grinned. “More of a tigress than a kitten, but…” The smile disappeared as he gazed at her; his jaw hardened. “Even the fiercest predator can be tamed” * Blake limped into the guest bedroom, his playful humor gone. No, he wasn’t up for a cute, witty game of seduction. Before he was finished with her, his tigress would indeed be nothing more than a docile kitten. “We’re in here, tonight.” “Why? ” “Because I said so.” His tone brooked no argument. But Kat pressed on. “A twin bed?” She stared at him, incredulous. “You expect me
to have sex on a twin bed?” Blake was in no mood for her protests. “Yes, I do.” He passed her a fierce glower. “On your back, woman. ” Her brows shot up, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “And if I refuse?” She nodded at his foot. “Not much you can do about it, is there?” He glared at her for a moment before hobbling across the room and picking her up with one arm. Agony shot through his ankle at the added weight, but he clenched his jaw to keep from crying out. She would bend to him, dammit. He dumped her unceremoniously on the bed. “I succumbed to you. And now you will submit to me. Is that clear?” She nodded as if in a daze. “Good. Don’t move.” He shuffled to the dresser to grab the notorious pink handcuffs and a couple of silk ties he’d borrowed from his closet. As Kat would say, he hadn’t planned on bedding her today, but he’d damned well hoped for it, so best to be prepared. Tossing the handful on the bed, he stripped his shirt off and dropped his pants. * Kat stared up at the ceiling, stunned. Blake was not a submissive man by nature, that much was obvious from the beginning, but he had been subservie nt to her because she had demanded it. And now he wanted the same of her. A shiver passed through her body. What would it be like, at the mercy of such a man? The thought terrified her. She would be entirely dependent on his whim; he could do whatever he pleased with her. Fear rose in her throat. There was a reason she was dominant; it was much better than being under someone else’s power. This could be heaven or hell. “What are you going to do?” He gave her a droll stare. “What do you think?” She slowly sat up. “Blake, I should tell you…” She bit her lip. “I’m a little scared.” He looked up from rolling a condom on; the domineering mask immediately dropped from his face. “Of what?” She hesitated. “Of being … under a man’s command.” He glanced at the handcuffs, obviously confused. After a moment, understanding dawned in his silver eyes. “You’ve never been the one bound before?” Kat nodded. “I just can’t bring myself to; I know it’s not fair.” Blake sat down beside her. Two warm fingers slipped under her chin as he raised her face to his. “Do you trust me?” She opened her mouth to say she didn’t know but ended up surprising herself. “I think I do.” “Are you sure?” His smoky gaze was serious. “Just say the word, and…” Kat stared at him for a long moment. He looked back at her, his expression gentle. She raised a hand to his cheek, and he turned his head and pressed a soft kiss to her palm. Kat smiled, her uncertainty ebbing away. No, Blake wouldn’t hurt her. She could trust him. “You let me tie you up and whip yo u.” She took a deep breath. “I think I can handle this.” A corner of his mouth rose in a slight smile. “If you’re certain…”
“I … I have been wondering what it’d be like.” He contemplated her for a moment, then leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. “I promise I’ll take it slow. ” Her eyes widened in mock alarm. “Not too slow. ” He laughed, sounding relieved, and kicked off his trousers with a wince. “There’s my vixen. I was afraid my Kat had turned into a pussy. ” He lovingly undressed her, pulling her skirt off as she wriggled out of her shirt and bra. Dragging her panties down, he threw them across the room. His eyes fixed on the apex between her legs, and he inhaled sharply, his cock visibly thickening. Kat obediently raised her arms, and Blake handcuffed her wrists to the bedposts. He lifted her foot and glanced at her, a question in his eyes. At her nod, he looped the tie around her ankle and secured it to the wooden post. He repeated the action with the other leg and perched on the edge of the bed to look down at her. * Blake could not speak as he stared at her, lying bound and helpless in his bed. Her fiery hair flowed over the pillow; her milky skin contrasted sharply with the black silk sheets. Since her ankles were tied, her legs were spread wide open, allowing him a glorious view of her feminine cleft. He longed to plunge himself into that dripping, heated channel. His cock was on fire; he could feel it straining for freedom. But first, he would torment her until she screamed with pleasure. * Kat held her breath as Blake pressed soft, lingering kisses to her leg, making his way upward. He swept his tongue across the sensitive skin on the inside of her thigh, and she drew a sharp breath. He licked his way up to her throbbing mound, tracing the folds gently. His hands slipped underneath her to cup her buttocks. When his tongue delved inside her, she clenched her muscles around it. He moved faster, showing no mercy. Kat arched her hips toward him, spreading her thighs further. His mouth closed on her nub, and he sucked hard. The fierce tugs sent shudders through her body, until a cry ripped from her throat. She thrashed wildly; the bed shook as she pulled at her restraints. But still, he did not relent. “Blake…” she gasped. Her body throbbed, the ache between her legs unbearable. He glanced up at her. “Perhaps I should forbid you to speak, as you did me.” His teeth nipped gently at her clit, and she shrieked. “No,” he whispered. “No. Your voice drives me insane.” He placed a hand on either side of her and trailed kisses up her stomach. “I could never stand to silence you. ” Kat stared at him as he loomed above her. His silver gaze smoldered with fierce desire. His body was poised atop hers; she could feel his cock throbbing against her thigh. Closing her eyes, she waited breathlessly. She had no control over what happened, now. It was up to him. His hard mouth pressed roughly against hers, his tongue parting her lips with one stroke. She tasted her own sweetness in his mouth. His heavy weight pinning her to the mattress was nearly enough to make her come. Kat cried out when his cock finally plunged into her body. He thrust urgently, knowing exactly what she needed. His arms pulled her close to him, and he held her tightly as he drove into her, over and over again. Kat longed to hold him, to wrap her legs around his waist. As if he could read her mind, he pushed deeper and harder. His harsh
breaths rasped in her ear as he moved. She raised her hips and claimed his mouth in a bruising kiss. She hit her peak suddenly. Waves of molten heat rushed through her, and her screams ricocheted off the walls. Blake’s guttural cry followed; his cock burst in a flood of scalding seed, and he collapsed, lying upon her for a long moment as they gasped in the hazy aftermath of passion. After a while, Blake rose and freed her. He gathered her in his arms, holding her against his chest. “See, kitten? Surrender isn’t so bad, is it?” He whispered in her ear. Kat was speechless and trembling from her climax. She raised his hand to her lips and laid a kiss on his fingertips, one by one. No, surrender wasn’t bad. It could be very, very good.
Chapter Five Ricer had finally agreed, not only to the price, but also to saving three thousand jobs. Blake felt immeasurably lighter. The contract was signed, and both sides were satisfied. “Excuse me?” He looked up to find Marina in the doorway. “What can I do for you, Ms. Russell?” She tucked a lock of russet hair behind her ear. “I’d like to speak with you. ” “About?” “This.” She held up a sheet of paper. “It’s my review. ” “Ah. What did you need explained?” She closed the door behind her and stalked towards his desk. “I wanted to know why I have ‘satisfactory’ to Kat’s ‘excellent’ in almost every category. ” “Because she has consistently performed at an exceptional level.” “In the office?” Blake’s head snapped up. “Yes, in the office.” His voice was deadly quiet. “Hmm. Are you sure she hasn’t put in some private performances?” “I beg your pardon? ” He was taken aback for a moment. “Ms. Russell, do you realize that you’re speaking to your employer? This line of questioning is entirely inappropriate.” “And your favoritism isn’t?” His jaw clenched. “I do not appreciate your implication. And further, if you’re here to dispute your review, then by all means, continue, but I’ll not discuss someone else’s.” “Especially Kat’s?” Her tone was meant to provoke his temper. And it worked. Blake’s blood simmered at a slow boil. “These are very serious allegations, Ms. Russell, and I’d think twice before voicing them again.” Marina’s smile was thin and didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Of course, but I wonder…” “What?” He asked sharply. “What it would take to match her score.” She passed her tongue over her lips. “I’m sure I could … perform as well as she does, if not better.” The seductive hint in her voice made him feel sick to his stomach. “Ms. Russell, you are treading on extremely thin ice…” She shrugged her slim shoulders. “I was just asking. I want better evaluations, and I’ll do what it takes to get them. ” “Work harder.” He forced the words past gritted teeth, trying to restrain his anger. Her tinkling laugh answered him. “Oh, I’ll work for you. Just let me know what you need me to do.” Blake’s lips thinned with fury as she winked at him before flouncing out of the room. How had she guessed? And how dare she coolly assume Kat’s reviews were due to their relationship? He laced his hands behind his back and began to pace the carpet in a brisk, agitated manner. What if Marina wasn’t the only one who suspected something? What if others found out? He didn’t want Kat ruined over a scandal such as this. He had never anticipated that his lust would grow into something more. He needed her in ways he had never needed
anyone, but if their relationship was exposed, it could destroy everything: his career, his reputation. Frustrated, Blake stamped his foot against the floor. And cursed vividly. In his temper, he had entirely forgotten his injury. Now, pain flooded his leg, radiating through his body in an agonizing reminder. He gasped for breath as he limped back to his desk and sank into his chair. Groaning softly, he slipped off his shoe and drew his foot up, gingerly massaging his ankle. He closed his eyes and remembered the way Kat had done the same thing, the other night. His kitten … she had cared for him so tenderly. His heart clenched. When he had bound her to his bed, apprehension had flickered in her eyes, but she had given herself to him, had trusted him, and he cherished her trust, her courage. Blake sighed. He needed her, and he suspected she felt the same way. Her gaze softened when she looked at him, and not only from desire. But there was nothing to be done. It was over, for now, at least. **** Kat poked her head into Blake’s office. “I heard Ricer signed.” She grinned. “Congratulations.” “Thank you. ” He hesitated. “Kat … we need to talk.” Her muscles tensed. She didn’t like his tone. “About?” Blake sighed. “Close the door, please.” She did and came to sit across from him. “What, Blake?” “Marina came to speak with me.” “And?” “And she … made some accusations.” He met her gaze. “She knows, Kat. Or at least suspects.” Blake closed his eyes briefly. “We’re going to have to end it. We sure as hell can’t risk anyone else finding out.” “But…” “Kat, if she suspects something, we can’t continue.” He sighed. “You’ll make a very good lawyer, someday. I don’t want that put in jeopardy. ” But I love you. Kat narrowed her eyes and pushed the thought away. If he was forsaking her, no way would she ever admit to her feelings for him. The bastard could rot in hell. After all they’d shared, he still cared more about his career than her. So be it. “Fine.” He raised a brow. “Fine? Kat, we knew from the beginning that unrealistic expectations were…” “I wasn’t the one who insisted on more than a fling, Blake. I never wanted a relationship with you or with anyone.” Her words must have cut him, because he swallowed before speaking. “Well, I don’t regret it, Kat, but this wasn’t the wisest decision on our parts.” He sighed. “I enjoyed every moment with you, beauty. ” She shrugged. “If this is how you want it, then I don’t have much of a choice.” She nodded curtly. “I have work to do. I’ll have the SEC filings for Barrett ready by tomorrow morning. ” Tears threatened, but she’d be damned if she cried in front of him. She bit her lip and stalked out of the room. *
Blake’s chest ached with guilt as he watched her walk away. He had no right to treat her so coldly. She hadn’t done anything wrong, but he could not risk both of their careers for an affair, regardless of his feelings. Blake closed his eyes for a moment. Every time he thought of parting from her, anguish threatened to fell him, but he had no choice. He had to let her go. If Marina told the other partners, he could lose his job and Kat would surely be dismissed, perhaps with a permanent black mark on her record. **** “Maybe I should report him.” Jillian paced the kitchen, her eyes snapping with fury. “Jelly, no! He’s not…” “He took advantage of you. ” “No, he didn’t. I started the whole thing.” Kat reached out and grabbed her sister’s wrist. She almost regretted telling Jillian. Her sister was fiercely protective, and it had taken all of Kat’s pleading to keep her from unleashing her wrath on Blake when she’d found out what happened. “It shouldn’t have passed fling stage, if he knew he was going to do this.” “But how could he have known? ” She sighed, tucking a strand of loose hair behind Kat’s ear. “He made you cry. You never cry. ” “Dario’s made you cry plenty of times, and you agreed to marry him.” She nodded at the diamond winking on Jillian’s finger. “Because I love him.” “And I love Blake.” Jillian jumped back as if she’d been burned. “Oh, no, you don’t.” “I do.” Her voice trembled, and Jillian wordlessly pulled her into a tight embrace. She loved him, but she hated having to sit in the conference room and watch as he handed out assignments, forced to mask her feelings. The first man she had ever allowed to master her… He did not even try to speak to her alone, and she never caught him staring at her with thinly veiled desire in his eyes. Ah, well. Soon, she could go back to law school and put Blake behind her. She scoffed at herself; that would be no easy task. They lived in the same city, and it was probable she would run into him every now and then. She swallowed a rising wave of tears, refusing to let them consume her. If he could move on with his life, than so could she. After all, it had begun as nothing more than an affair. Too bad it hadn’t ended that way. **** Blake sat on his bed, dazed. He stared at himself in the mirror, just as he had all those weeks ago, the night Kat had first kissed him. The memory of her lips and the pleasure they had driven him to that night haunted both his dreams and waking moments, and every thought of her brought pain with the lust. In such a short time, things had changed drastically. He’d gone from wanting her to having her to losing her. That night, he had been consumed by desire, but tonight, he was filled with guilt and love and utter misery. There was no Kat to saunter naked out of the bathroom and demand to know why he still had his clothes on. No Kat to smile wickedly and undress him when he insisted he was too tired. He fell back on the bed, sighing deeply. Heated nights of wild, passionate
sex; random, exciting conversation; it was all gone for good. Their brief interlude had been nothing but a moment of fantasy amid harsh reality, and now it was time to return to the workaday world. And crushing loneliness. **** The shrill, persistent ringing did little to motivate him to work. It was late morning, and Blake sat at his desk, staring at the phone, reluctant to pick it up. But Elisabeth wasn’t there to intercept the call, so he had no choice. He picked up the receiver with a sigh. “Blake Richards.” The listlessness in his own voice made him wince. Jesus, he must sound like he hadn’t slept in a week, which was true, but no sense in advertising. “Blake? Matt Kerns from Barrett.” From the internal legal team, if he remembered correctly. “Ah, how can I help you, Matt?” As he listened, his muscles gradually tensed. Anger and disbelief battled in his gut. He clenched a fist around the arm of his chair until his knuckles were white. “Of course we didn’t know anything about it, Kerns. We would never…” Matt cut him off, speaking quickly and reassuringly. “You can be damned sure that I will take immediate action. I’ll let you know afterward.” Blake hung up the phone, absolutely still. For a few moments, he was unable to fully process the conversation. Drawing a deep breath, he rose to his feet and slowly walked out of his office, trying to shed his shock. The conference room was packed with interns, all chatting gaily as they prepared to leave for lunch. He glanced at Kat out of habit. She cut him instantly, glancing away as if she were entirely indifferent. He gripped the edge of the door as pain lanced through him, but he wasn’t here to speak to her. Blake found the one he was seeking on the other side of the room. “Ms. Russell?” Marina looked up from the end of the table. “My office, immediately. ” Hope and fear lit her eyes; she tossed a glance of triumph in Kat’s direction. He tried to refrain from looking at Kat, himself. God only knew what she thought was going on. But he couldn’t help himself. As he walked out, he looked over his shoulder. Her glare was frosty, but she betrayed no surprise at seeing him leave with Marina, and that hurt even more. **** Kat felt his presence before even turning around. He was behind her as she slipped into her cubicle. She turned coolly to face him. “Did Marina please you? ” Her voice was silken and brimming with icy contempt. “What are you…?” He stared at her, dumbfounded. She shrugged. “Take one and move onto the other, the gentleman’s code. From the way she pranced from the conference room, it looked like the whole ‘breaking up for your career’ thing was just a cover.” She pouted mockingly. “You were bored of little old me … needed some variety, did you? ” The confusion in his silver eyes flashed to shocked hurt, and she knew she’d wounded him. Visibly swallowing, he stepped back as if to walk away. She turned to her
desk and was about to sit down when his hand closed around her wrist. She glanced over her shoulder. Blake’s jaw was clenched tightly, and the pain in his gaze ebbed away as he realized she was deliberately trying to upset him. When he spoke, his voice was low and carefully controlled. “I sacked her.” Alarm flooded Kat’s body. She jerked her hand from his as all pretenses fled. “What? Blake, you can’t do that. What’s stopping her from ratting us out?” “She could be convicted of a felony, Kat.” “What?” Her voice was a bit louder than she intended. His eyes narrowed. “I just got a call from one of Barrett’s lawyers. They found out yesterday that a substantial amount of their stock passed into the hands of an M. Russell. They had no idea who it was until one of their lawyers confessed to helping Marina acquire it.” “What is that supposed to mean? Did she…” “The story all came out this morning. The young lawyer felt guilty and confessed to his boss. He had an affair with Marina and together, they secured a lot of illegal shares. He was fired immediately for being instrumental to insider trading, and Marina is clearing her desk, as we speak.” He spoke briskly and ruthlessly. Astonished, Kat reached behind her and turned her swivel chair around, sinking into it. “Wow … I … I don’t know what to say. ” “There’s nothing to say. ” He sighed. “But at least she can’t tell anyone about us. After what she did, no one’s going to take her word over mine.” Kat nodded slowly, still stunned. “I have to call the law school. No doubt she’ll be expelled.” He sighed, obviously not looking forward to the conversation. She watched Blake as he walked toward his office. The set of his shoulders was tense, and he was noticeably shaken. Kat was depressed, too, and surprised at both of their reactions. Marina had helped drive a wedge between them, but, still, this was monumental. Marina could go to jail for her crime. No one had expected or hoped for such a grave turn of events. **** A summer storm was brewing outside. Kat listened to the wind whip through the trees as she sat shivering in the bathtub. The water had gone stone cold, long ago, but she couldn’t muster the energy to get up. A well-thumbed copy of Wuthering Heights lay on the tiled floor. She was nearly finished with it now, and she’d thought to read it, tonight, but the memories of Blake had been so strong. She’d put it aside and turned out the light to linger in the still water, letting the hours slip past unheeded. She sighed and turned to glance out the small window. The leaves rustled, and a crack of white lightening split the dark sky, followed by booming thunder. When she was a child, she and her father had sat outside on the doorstep during thunderstorms, letting the rain soak their skin and watching the fierce beauty of nature. She’d inherited her wanderlust from him. During the summers, the two of them had flitted from country to country. She’d loved to discover and explore new terrain, to do things she’d never tried before. When she was older, that same lust for constant excitement had driven her from man to man, with no thought of the future. But with Blake, she had finally found her anchor,
someone who made her want to commit, to stay. He was intense, but that wasn’t what held her, because intensity burnt out quickly. But his tenderness, his warmth and wit … those qualities were far less perishable, and he lavished her with them. She had grown to cherish their bond and, suddenly, it was severed as if it had never been. Even with Marina gone, there was no going back, for them. What was the point, after all? As Blake had said, if Marina had suspected their affair, others might, as well. And more important, she obviously wasn’t Blake’s first priority. That knowledge stung, and tears spilled from her already swollen eyes. If he thought his precious career, his money, his status could keep him warm at night, so be it. Nothing she could say would change his mind.
Chapter Six By the night of the farewell reception, Blake had come to the end of his patience. He ached for Kat. Even passing a casual word with her caused a pang in his heart; he missed her. She had grown quiet and withdrawn in the days since their parting. Though her work was still top- notch, the spark had gone out of her eyes, and he hated himself for being the cause. Well, perhaps he could fix that, tonight. When she saw what he had for her, she just might forgive him. He strolled to the bar and ordered himself a drink. The firm had rented the ballroom of a nearby hotel for the festivities, and quite a few of the partners had shown up for the event. An open bar always drew crowds. Cradling his glass in the palm of his hand, Blake glanced across the room at Kat. She was stunning in a strapless black cocktail dress, which hugged her lush curves. The soft swell of her breasts threatened to spill over the top, and the hem ended an inch above her knees, leaving her shapely legs bare. She threw her head back to laugh at something Elisabeth said, and longing struck him a solid blow. Smiling, the two walked over to join a group of interns. Well, former interns, now. He smiled at the thought. Maybe that meant they had a future. Their affair was no longer forbidden. He was free to love her. And he did. The knowledge did not frighten him as he expected it to. Rather, it gave him a deep satisfaction he had never known before. Now all he had to do was convince her she belonged with him. **** Kat looked up. He was watching her. She could feel his gaze from a distance. She scanned the room, searching for him. There. He stood by the bar, his potent silver eyes fixed upon her. She watched him raise his glass to his mouth and take a sip of scotch. Her body heated. She stared at the massive hand that held the snifter. How it would feel gliding over her skin… His eyes caught hers and a corner of his sensual mouth rose. In a daze, she excused herself and made her way towards him. He inclined his head to her as she approached. “Enjoying yourself?” She nodded. His presence made her weak with desire. She had yearned for his touch for so many nights, and now he stood so close that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. “Are you? ” He shrugged and took another sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving her. She cleared her throat and tried again. “So. This is the end.” He sighed. “Kat, I…” “Save me your pleasantries, Blake.” Her civility melted to anger and hurt. She anticipated everything he would say and was in no mood for his standard lines. “We had a good run, and now it’s time to move on. Don’t reduce what we had to clichés, please.”
She glanced at the dance floor, where a young male intern was motioning to her. Even as her body begged her to stay, she yearned to run from the pain in her heart, a pain that intensified with every moment he stood beside her. “I’ll see you around, Blake.” Blake narrowed his eyes. “Are you not even going to listen? ” “What could you say? We’re done. You have your career; I have school. We’ll get over this, in time.” Her voice didn’t quaver even once. She was impressed with herself. If only he knew how badly she wanted to touch him, to feel his arms around her, again. Kat drew a deep breath and turned to walk away, but his low voice stopped her in her tracks. “Come with me, Kat. Please.” Glancing over her shoulder, she caught the expression in his eyes: stark vulnerability. Her traitorous heart softened, and Kat left her empty glass on a nearby table. When he offered his arm, she accepted, following him out of the crowded room. He led her down the darkened corridor and into a maintenance elevator. “Where in the world are we going?” “You’ll see. I need to speak with you privately, so we’re going where no one else will look for us.” Blake turned to her, his eyes soft, and raised her hand to his lips. The doors slid open. At his gesture, she preceded him, and they walked through another darkened hallway. Neither spoke until they came to a steel door with “Entry Prohibited” embossed in capital letters. Blake gripped the knob and pushed the door open. “What are you doing?” He turned to her and grinned. “I was prohibited to enter you, too, but I did it anyway. ” Kat rolled her eyes and gave him a hard smack on the shoulder, a slight smile tugging at her lips, despite her resistance. She brushed past him. And froze. The stone terrace was bedecked with flowers. Strings of blooms masked the ugly metallic railings, and petals lay scattered on every surface. She felt Blake’s warmth behind her; his arms came around her waist and he pulled her close to him. After stiffening for an instant, she relaxed in his embrace. How she had dreamed of him holding her… “What … what are all the flowers for?” “For you, kitten. I thought I’d give you a farewell of my own. ” She narrowed her eyes. “You call me that again, and I’ll have no choice but to claw you.” He laughed, and the sound rumbled through her. “And there’s the tigress again. I thought she’d gotten lost in the jungle.” Kat glared at him and broke away, walking towards the ledge. Pressing her hands against the cool stone, she gazed at the starry sky. A light breeze ruffled her dress, and she shivered. So this was it. Goodbye. Tears rose in her throat. It was irrational to feel this way; she knew it had to end, but some part of her had hoped… “Kat?” He spoke softly, his voice concerned. Leaning over the edge, she stared down at the cityscape below. She sniffled, not wanting to face him. He clasped her waist and turned her around. “Kat, what is it? Why are you—?” “I’ll miss you, ” she blurted out, before she could stop herself.
He looked pained and hopeful, all at once, as he tucked a loose stand of hair behind her ear. “You don’t have to.” “What the hell are you talking about?” “You said … you said we’d get over this.” He tenderly traced the line of her cheek, and his voice dropped a notch. “I don’t think I will, Kat. Nor do I want to.” Kat stared up at him. A ray of moonlight fell across his chiseled face, and his silver eyes blazed in the darkness. “The flowers are for your departure from the firm, not from my life.” He hesitated for a moment. “I’m sorry about breaking it off because of Marina, but I panicked when I thought she knew. I didn’t want to lose my job, but that was before I realized … losing you was worse.” When she didn’t reply, he tilted her chin upwards. “And I hope you know I never got involved with her or anyone else; I wouldn’t.” The raw pain in his voice forced her to speak. She really had hurt him with her thoughtless accusations. “I’m sorry about what I said, Blake. I know you wouldn’t do that, and I … I was just trying to hurt you as you’d hurt me. I’m sorry. ” Blake cupped her face with his hands. “I was hoping you’d stay with me, Kat. There’s honestly no reason to end this. I thought there was, but … I’ll give up all of that nonsense to have you back.” Warmth rose in her chest; he gazed down at her with such tenderness in his eyes. “And I … I love you. ” “Oh, Blake, I love you, too.” And suddenly, that was all that mattered. Uncertainty and anger drifted away as his lips descended on hers in a fierce, possessive kiss. She gave herself up to it, yielding to him. She’d given him her body, but now she gave her heart. A rush of love surged through her, and for the first time, she allowed all of herself to be conquered. The End About the Author: Born a hopeless dreamer, Lily Ashford always knew she would write romance, but she never imagined a foray into the darker waters of erotic fiction. That said, the water’s steamy and sensual, just as she likes it. Her stories are by turns funny, dramatic, and at times, otherworldly; but always, there is a deeply emotional relationship at the core.
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