Grabbing my keys, wallet, and phone, I head out of my office, shutting the door behind me. As soon as I’m in the elevator, I push the button for the parking garage. Without thinking, I tap the call button on the phone, and after three rings, her soft voice comes across the line.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Rossi, I’ll be at your place to pick you up for our dinner in twenty minutes. I trust you’ll be ready?” Her silence makes me smile. I love to challenge a woman, make her think, heat her blood, and make her body quake. It’s not how big your bank balance is or how hard you can fuck her. It’s how you make her quiver with a whispered word or a small gesture.
“Mr. Donovan—”
“I take that as a yes. See you soon.” I don’t wait for her to respond. Instead, I hang up as the elevator doors slide open, depositing me on the ground level. Once in the driver’s seat, I settle back, start the engine, and turn on the radio.
My body is tight with tension, sexual tension, and I am definitely planning on releasing it on the statuesque woman this evening. Dinner, a bottle of champagne, and my fingers trailing over her tanned, silky skin.
A perfect night.
Chapter 8
Elisabet
When the knock comes, my heart leaps into my throat. This isn’t a date, I remind myself, but my body doesn’t agree. I take a deep breath before opening the door. Once it swings wide, my gaze drinks in the man before me. Rome Donovan is the epitome of sex. He’s raw, primal, and he’s standing on my doorstep.
“Ms. Rossi,” he says in that rich baritone that seems to caress my skin as much as it savors my name. “You look lovely.” Those eyes, the color a blend of blues and greens, trail over me. Slow and methodical. From the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Fire blazes in them, and I know my choice of dress was a good one.
The black and silver of the knee-length sleeveless dress hugs my curves. I’m by no means skinny. I’ve always been self-conscious about my appearance, but the way Rome’s gaze pierces me, I don’t just feel beautiful, I feel like a rare gem. Exquisite and striking.
“You don’t look so bad yourself, Mr. Donovan.” I smile, offering him an olive branch. He didn’t need to take me to dinner. This could’ve been done in his office, but I decide right then and there I’ll enjoy tonight.
His suit jacket is black with a silver tie against a charcoal shirt. His slacks match the jacket, and they hug his muscular thighs like they’ve been custom made just for him. When my eyes reach his face, a satisfied smirk graces his lips. Caught staring at the man I’m meant to be doing business with.
“Since you’re ogling is complete, shall we go?” He gestures with his head. His dark tousled hair makes my fingers tingle. I want to run my hands through the dark curls.
“I don’t ogle, Mr. Donovan,” I retort, stepping out of my hotel suite into the hallway. Once I’ve ensured the door is locked, we head out toward the staircase, which will lead us down to the exit. His body is close to mine. So close, in fact, I can smell his spicy cologne wafting toward me. It’s a scent I’d love to bathe in, to smell on my clothes after he’s pinned me against the wall.
Shaking my head, I allow him to open the door for me. When the fresh air hits me, I find my body cooling, only until his fingers find the small of my back. He guides me with the slightest of touches toward his car.
“Tonight, I trust you’ll enjoy the dinner for what it is,” he murmurs in my ear. His lips feathering along my hair, causing goosebumps to rise all over my body.
“And what is that, Mr. Donovan?” I ask, fearing his answer, but also needing it. Hungry to be wanted by a man again, I turn to him, waiting for more.
“Time to get to know each other,” he says simply, but there’s desire dancing in his eyes, and I know this is so much more than a damn business dinner.
“Why is it that you need to get to know me? All I’m doing is buying property from you. After that, there’ll be nothing more between us.”
“Oh, I beg to differ, Ms. Rossi,” he says, casting a quick glance my way. “Or can I call you Elisabet?” He coos my name in his thick English accent, which only accentuates his full lips as he pronounces it. The way he says it sends a warm shiver over me.
“You’re welcome to call me by my first name, but since this is a business dinner…,” I respond, allowing the words to trail to nothing. His eyes shimmer in the dimly lit car. Amusement. Mischief. And desire.