He nodded.
She tilted her head, placed a finger to her chin and gazed at him steadily. “I’ll stay with you for seven days and six nights. I’ll smile and act like I have some semblance of admiration for you.” She paused then slipped from between him nd the wall. “But I will not sleep with you. For that you’ll have to hire a professional. And if you call the police I’ll tell them you propositioned me for money.”
Linc had turned to face her and couldn’t help but gape while she spoke. The more he looked at her, the more alluring she became. She’d been pretty enough to catch his attention from across the room at the frat party. That’s how she’d ended up in his bed. And now, he could hardly focus on his so-called business deal as thoughts of having her back in his bed nagged at him. The strange thing was, in the very back of his mind, if he allowed himself to admit it, there was something else bothering him about Jade and her appearance at his casino.
She’d countered his offer with one of her own. He had to smile. That was precisely what he would have done. “Did I proposition you before?” he asked out of curiosity.
“You said that was the past. We’re not here to talk about the past. Remember?” Jade stood perfectly still mentally willing her legs not to shake and her voice not to crack. She had to get away from him or else all her thoughts would have turned to mush, as his tongue moving sinuously over her sensitive skin had raised the room temperature several degrees already. “This is a job and those are my terms.”
She’d deal with her traitorous body later. Right now she needed to deal with Mr. You’re-in-debt-to-me-so-you’ll-do-whatever-I-say. He might run a big, fancy casino and he might be filthy rich and he might even be too handsome for his own good, but he would not control her or her emotions ever again.
He smiled. Not a happy smile that reached his eyes, but a half smile that gave a slight peek of straight, white teeth. He slipped a hand into his pocket, pulling her gaze instinctively to his midsection. He was still hard, all of him. She licked her lips at the memory of his rigid erection between her thighs.
She took another protective step back although he hadn’t made any motion toward her. “So,” she began a little shakier than she wanted to sound. “Do we have a deal?”
If it were possible Linc would swear her counter-offer had increased his desire for her. The simmering heat at his groin wanted him to accept the deal on the table even though it didn’t include that certain satisfaction he was aiming for. She’d backed up to his desk now and was leaning against it, her hands gripping the edge, her breasts heaving, beckoning him.
Without another thought he moved closer until his erection pressed against her belly again. She leaned back, possibly to escape the inevitable. Still he leaned closer until his lips hovered above hers. His tongue stroked her top lip. She moaned. He traced the bottom lip. Her nails scraped the top of the desk. Then he covered her mouth, pressing his tongue against her lips until another moan tried to escape granting him access. Delving into the warmth Linc allowed himself a taste of the days ahead.
Memories came flooding back as his tongue, thick and hot, grazed hers, pulling her deeper until she had no choice but to cooperate. Jade felt as if she were drowning and he was her only lifeline. He controlled the kiss, controlled her, his mouth moving seductively over hers evoking a fresh wave of heat that centered between her legs.
He was thick and hard against her and she wanted nothing more than to spread her legs and let him in. The ache in her center increased as he pushed against her. He wanted her to feel him, to want him. He knew what her reaction to him was, just as he’d known all those years ago.
He’d kissed her before. Her senses froze, her heart pausing as she recalled the differences between now and then.
His tongue probed deeper, stroked more boldly over hers. Dizziness enveloped her as she clung to the wondrous feel of his hot tongue mingling with hers. Desire swept through her like a raging storm leaving her weak and submissive—two emotions she absolutely despised.
Then as quickly as the kiss had begun it ended. He pulled away. “It’s a deal.”
Leaving her, Linc moved around his desk. He pulled out the top drawer then retrieved a card. He reached into his back pocket and extracted his wallet. He handed her two cards. “This is the key to my penthouse here at the casino and this is a credit card.”
When she’d regained her senses from that kiss she looked down at what he was giving her. “What’s the credit card for?”
“There will be a formal party on Saturday, luncheons throughout the week and various other activities. You’ll need a wardrobe.”
A bit insulted by his words she frowned. “I have clothes.”
“I’m sure you do. Think of this as your uniform for the job.”
Oh, he was a smug something, an arrogant and self-assured brut that she would cut down the very next time he thought to touch her. She’d do this job because her sister’s freedom depended on it. But that was all this week was about.
With a sly smile she took the cards from him. “I love a shopping spree.”
“Then by all means enjoy yourself. I have meetings the rest of the afternoon. We’ll have dinner in the room and we’ll leave for my parents’ estate in the morning.”
“Where do they live?” Eight years ago she’d known nothing about him except his name and that he was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. She wasn’t surprised that a part of her still wanted to know more about him.
“Northeast of the city limits. It’s a horse ranch, one of my father’s new hobbies. Do you ride?”
She looked at him, and noted the hint of desire still shadowed in his eyes. He wanted her and to a certain extent he’d gotten her. She’d be at his side for an entire week. She’d made it clear that she wouldn’t sleep with him, but she wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to make him suffer the same way she had. “Wouldn’t you like to know,” she said with a half smile before sashaying out of his office.
The moment the door closed Linc let out a long, slow moan. He’d never been this hard, this excited over a woman before. When he’d kissed her he’d thought of nothing else but ripping her clothes off, getting his mouth on those breasts, those nipples that he’d felt harden beneath him. Did she ride? She had ridden him that night with the experience of a shy virgin. He’d coaxed her until she’d found her rhythm, until she’d driven him so wild he’d had no choice but to end the sweet torture.
She would ride him again, he thought, his hand resting on his erection. She would definitely ride again.
But that was for later. For now he had to handle some details. He had never taken a woman home to his parents and his brothers would surely get a kick out of the first time. Lifting the receiver he dialed his youngest brother’s number.
“Speak to me,” Adam answered in his deep, cheerful voice.
“It’s Linc. We need a conference.”
“What’s up?”
“It’s about this week.”
“Cool. Hold on. I’ll connect Trent.”
After a few clicks all three of the Donovan brothers were on the line. The Triple Threat as they’d been dubbed. Each one of them, Lincoln, Trenton and Adam, separated by two years each, possessed bone-deep good looks, quick minds, huge bank accounts and the ability to make any woman whimper with need. They were also confirmed bachelors. A fact that had long since plagued the women of Nevada.
“What’s going on?” Trent asked first.
Adam answered, “I don’t know, big brother initiated the conference.”
“I wanted to give you guys a heads up. I’m bringing someone with me this week.”
“Home? You’re bringing a guest home with you?” Adam asked.
“Yes.”