Rowan playfully licked my lips, seeking entrance. I groaned and opened my mouth. He plunged his tongue inside to tangle with mine, devouring me in the same way he did with his eyes. Wholly, completely. I slid my hands through his blond hair, gripping his head and tilting it to deepen our kiss. Strong arms wrapped around my waist and dragged me close until our hard bodies collided. I rubbed my aching cock against Rowan’s, and the friction made me growl against his mouth. My lips roamed over Rowan’s jaw, licking and kissing until I reached the spot just below his ear and gently bit down, tasting the salt on his skin, sucking the tender spot until Rowan moaned.
Then suddenly I was pushed, Rowan flipping us until my back hit the patio door with a bang. Neither of us paid any attention to the sound, too lost in each other to care. Our mouths found each other again and it was even better than the first taste. I slid my tongue around his, sucking on it, imprinting his sweet taste on my memory.
“Drew,” Rowan whispered, and slowly I lifted my head to stare into his eyes. I drowned willingly in Rowan’s blue depths.
And I was right. It was unlike any kiss I’d ever had. It was a fierce merging, a flash of lightning that bolted through my body and melted my core until I was nothing but desire. We both lunged at each at the same time, our lips smashing together, our hot kisses growing frantic, our hands roaming urgently with the need to get as close as possible. We kissed like we’d never have the opportunity again, neither one giving the other a moment to breathe until finally Rowan reared back and gasped.
“You’re driving me out of my mind,” Rowan murmured against my lips. “These past weeks, you’re so close, but I can’t get near you. And then today, when you stepped out of the sea, all wet and sexy, I nearly lost it.”
“I know the feeling. You’re all I see,” I whispered, the darkness of our surroundings enticing my boldness.
“That kiss was…” Rowan moaned and licked his swollen lips.
I smiled. “A kiss is too tame a word for what just happened.”
Rowan leaned in and plundered my mouth again so thoroughly it left me lightheaded. When he finally pulled back, a small smile graced his swollen lips. “Good thing you hadn’t taken down the mistletoe.”
I looked up and then smiled at Rowan. “Isn’t it?”
When our eyes met, any trace of humor vanished. Kissing released the last tether on our tightly controlled desire for each other, and I wasn’t sure how I’d keep my feelings hidden from now on. A bold impulse took hold of me, and I wanted to run with it. Yes, there was a lot at stake, but everything had shifted. Something this good couldn’t be wrong, could it? Mixing business with pleasure was a recipe for disaster unless we treaded carefully. I readied myself for the unknowns that lay ahead. I just hoped Rowan was willing to take that leap of faith with me.
FIFTEEN
ANDREW
Kissing Rowan was all I could think about. I spent my free time in the shower, jerking off to the memory of Rowan’s taste, of our naked bodies in the sauna, and other fantasies that played out in my mind. But when I was back on duty, I kept to my best behavior. At least until his family departed.
Tomorrow I was leaving for my three-day break to Saint Martin. Nothing but sun, sand, good food, and hopefully, great sex. That kiss sparked a plan, one that would give Rowan and I exactly what we wanted. Now all I needed to do was convince the dealmaker to buy in. So, after dinner, I wandered up from the staff quarters to Rowan’s office, knocking on the door gently.
“Come in,” Rowan yelled and then looked up when I entered. “Oh, it’s you.”
“Were you expecting someone else? I can go away,” I teased and made to turn around.
“Don’t be bloody ridiculous. Sit down and close the door,” Rowan murmured.
“I’d like to talk to you about something very important, but I need you to listen to everything I have to say first, then you can give me your answer. And if you aren’t interested, just say so. Is that okay?”
“Of course, ask away.” Rowan leaned back in his chair and smiled.
“I’d like to make you an offer.”
Rowan reared up and leaned forward. “Excuse me?”
“An offer. This isn’t one of your usual deals, but here it is…” I wiped my sweaty palms on my shorts and took a deep breath. Fuck, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so nervous. Rowan stared at me with those mesmerizing eyes of his, and I temporarily lost my train of thought.
“I’m going to St. Martin for the next three days, and I’m inviting you to join me at my hotel. We step off this yacht tomorrow morning, at which point I’m not Andrew Slater, your assistant, and you’re not Rowan Carter, my boss. We’re just Drew and Ro. We get this,” I said, pointing between us. “Out of our system, in the privacy of the resort. But as soon we step back on board on January 3rd, Drew and Ro are done. No flirting, no lingering stares, and not so much as a hint of anything except work until my last day. Three days. That’s it.” My heart was lodged somewhere in my throat as I waited for Rowan’s response.
“Can I make a counteroffer?”
“No. It’s a take it or leave it deal.”
Rowan’s eyes swirled with heat. “Do you guarantee satisfaction for the three-day period?”
My lips pursed as I tried to stifle a laugh. “I’ll do my best. But the three-day period is not obligatory. You have the option of returning anytime you want. Both parties need to agree on that clause.”
“In that case, I accept.” Rowan nodded and licked his lips. “You make a very attractive offer.”
“I learned from the best.”