I could start on her panties. They were tight and cute—like the rest of her. She had slept in them. Her wet shorts were still drying from the gondola ride. God, she was killing me.
“Do you think that’s why I’m here? For the story?” She breathed deeply when I peeled them from her legs.
“No, but I want to make sure it’s part of our arrangement.” This was exactly why I stayed away from reporters, but damn if this one didn’t have me.
“And what if I say I can’t do that?” Her eyes said she was testing me. It was the part that drove me crazy the most. She didn’t back down.
Her hands trailed over my chest, dipping farther below my waist until my eyes closed. Her movements were designed to make me tremble. It was working.
“Then we might have a problem, Miss Paige.” I choked on the words. She was dangerously close to having this over before it even began. I rolled on my back, taking her with me.
She looked at me, her hair falling around my face.
“Everything is off the record?”
“Completely.” I gripped her hips, bringing her against my body, letting her feel what she was doing to me.
“And what happens when I get back to work and I have to follow up on the resort you’re building? You realize I’m still on the business beat.”
“I didn’t say you can’t do your job. You just can’t report anything you learn when we’re together.” I worked the silky tank off her arms and threw it on the floor. My fingers worked the clasp on her bra.
She gasped as her bare breasts rubbed against my chest.
“It’s going to be complicated. I don’t know if I can separate things like you do.”
I gently tugged on the skin on her breast with my teeth, watching with hungry eyes as her nipple puckered. She leaned forward and my tongue lashed against it. I grinned when she sighed.
“Tell me now if you can’t do this.” I slid on my back, taking all of her in my mouth. She bowed under the pressure of my tongue. I stopped abruptly and moved to face her. “Because I can stop things.” I focused on her eyes. She was drowning in lust, her body writhing for more. I pulled her knees apart. I had no doubt how she’d answer.
“I don’t know that this is completely fair,” she whispered. “You’re the one with all the power.”
My hands dropped to the side, flattening on the sheet. “It looks like you’re the one on top, girl.”
Her teeth grazed the side of my ear. “This is all off the record?”
“All.”
I inhaled sharply when I felt her pull me inside. My hands gripped her hips, but she quickly pushed them off, shaking her head.
“No,” she toyed. “My turn.”
“Is this your answer?” I groaned as she sank warmth and fire on me. We were both on the verge of diving into a place where words were useless.
Her mouth crushed against mine, and she murmured a yes.
I smiled, knowing these were my favorite kinds of negotiations.
I buttoned my shirt and waited for Sydney. It didn’t matter what girl I was with, the getting ready routine always seemed to be the same—it took an eternity. I could buy three companies by the time a woman was ready for dinner.
We had reservations at eight at a five-star restaurant a few blocks from the hotel on the Riverwalk. She didn’t need to know I was scouting one of the chefs for the resort. I found opportunities where I could. It wasn’t worth an overnight trip for two morning meetings alone. When Mark mentioned the chef had started at the restaurant, I knew it was another reason to make the drive.
I looked at my watch again. We were close to being late when I heard the sound of high heels behind me. I turned to see her emerge from the bedroom.
Her hair was long and loose over her shoulders. I liked it down. The green dress hugged her breasts, but the skirt bounced out, short and high on her thighs.
“Wow. You look beautiful.”
“I didn’t really pack for a fancy dinner. It’s just a sundress. You sure it’s ok?”