Bait: Alpha Billionaire Romance Boxed Set (7 page)

“Nolan.” It came out as a throaty groan as I broke away to lick the side of his neck where his pulse throbbed. He exhaled as I began to trail little nips from his neck to his collarbone. He tasted fantastic. The groans he emitted made my nipples harden. I could feel my panties dampen as my pussy clenched in anticipation. God. If only he’d slide his hands down and ease the unbearable ache with his fingers.

His hands ran down my sides, coming back up and cupping my full breast through the layers of fabric, finding my erect nipple. It hardened further. So hard it became painful as he used his fingertips to trace the outline. Nolan unbuttoned the first few buttons of my plaid, flannel shirt and slid his hand inside. The feeling of his skin upon my skin was almost too much to bear. I whimpered as he pinched my nipple and rolled it between his fingers.

“Oh God, you’re so beautiful, Charlie.” He stared like he was drunk. Drunk on the sight of my body. Of me. Reaching out, he lifted one nipple toward his mouth, pulling it in, sucking gently. “I can’t believe you’re a lawyer. Who would have known what was hiding underneath those layers of tailored tweed?”

A pathetic moan was all I could manage as he lowered his head and sucked my other nipple, using his tongue and teeth to tease it. “Do you want more?” he whispered.

I clung to his neck for dear life.

“Say you want more,” he demanded huskily.

“I want you,” I breathed, getting lost in the passion. Lost in his scent. Lost in the sensations taking hold of me.

Lost.

“I want you, Nolan. I can’t deny it anymore. I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you in the meeting room that day.” An admission. Something I’d never been brave enough to do before at a moment like this.

Desperately, I pushed myself against him, eager to feel his touch. I wanted him to take me. I wanted to feel all of him. I wanted him to sink deep inside me over and over. I wanted to belong to Nolan Banks.

He surprised me by picking me up as if I weighed nothing and carried me back to the living room. He laid me gently on the couch. “I’m going to make you feel so good,” he growled as he opened the sash of my robe, pulled it from me and tossed it to the side. He finished unbuttoning my pajama shirt then peeled it off my shoulders and down my arms until I was naked from the waist up. He reared back and sucked in a breath. “Charlie. You’re exquisite.”

I blushed and looked away, but he wouldn’t let me be shy. Nolan cupped my chin in his strong fingers and forced me to look at him. His other hand hooked into the elastic waistband of my pants and tugged. Once they’d joined the sleepwear party on the floor, he crawled that same hand up my inner thigh, but stopped at the juncture of my thighs. Avoiding the place I wanted him. Needed him.

“Say it, Charlie,” he rasped. “Where do you want me to touch you?”

“There,” I whispered, taking in the intensity of his gaze. Owning it.

“Not good enough.” I could feel the warmth emanating from my engorged pussy and the longer he waited to put his fingers in my slick heat, the wetter I became. My silence caused him to remove his hand and bring it back up to my breast. I’d only had one boyfriend in college and he’d never made me feel like this. Like my skin had been turned inside out and all my nerve endings headed straight south to my throbbing clit.

He pinched my nipple hard as I cried out over the punishment for my silence. I wasn’t used to dirty talk. Not that I couldn’t or didn’t want to, but I’d been as conservative in my love life as I’d been in every other area. But Nolan Banks wasn’t going to allow it. He would evoke every sensation, every emotion I possessed. He set my skin on fire as he traveled down with his mouth, his tongue dancing over my body, taking his sweet time. When he reached my thighs, he lingered there, kissing and licking me. Inching closer and closer. When he stopped, I allowed my eyelids to flutter open.

“I’m waiting, Charlie.” I felt his warm breath.

“Touch me, Nolan,” I moaned. “Touch my clit.”

I bucked up, throwing my hips up to meet his fingers. I wanted to feel it. Every single sensation leading to the most spectacular release of my life. I needed to touch him so badly. I slid my hands through his hair as he continued to tease me. His fingers circled my clit and I thought I would melt right then. But instead of melting, an explosion. “Please, oh God, it feels so good—” I shuddered as the final wave subsided. I wanted to feel his mouth on me next, but I couldn’t say it. Yet.

“Good girl.” Nolan’s warm breath answered. “Get ready, Charlie. I’m going to make you scream.” Before I could answer, his tongue flicked my clit, diving deep into my folds, licking me up and down like he couldn’t get enough. Could I possibly orgasm again so soon? My whole body quivered as ripples of desire ran through me. I felt as if I was on fire. Like Nolan Banks had consumed my entire soul.

As Nolan’s tongue begin to speed up, devouring me with intensity, I moaned. A long, slow sound on a heated breath. “Oh God, Nolan, I need you … please don’t stop.” It was happening. I was going to come again.

I wanted to melt right into the leather couch. He’d turned me into jelly. I would do whatever he wanted. Nothing had ever felt this good. He sucked, licked, and lavished his tongue on me as if I were the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted. I pressed myself hard against him as he dipped it inside me. Widening me, Filling me. He had me moaning, whimpering, and pleading.

I screamed as he gave my clit one more demanding lick. My climax began to build as he pulled it all the way in his mouth and sucked hard. Stars burst behind my eyes as I bucked up against him and came fast against his mouth.

“You taste so sweet.” He crawled up and laid on top of me, levering his weight to balance on one strong arm. His hard cock strained against his thin cotton pants. I reached down and stroked him. He felt so good in my hands. Straining and powerful. And huge. Oh God, I wanted to fuck him so badly.

“You want me,” he said. “You’re a naughty little girl. So surprising.”

I nodded. I wanted him to go deep within me, plunging inside of me until I was coming so hard I couldn’t breathe. I wanted to dig my fingernails into his back as he climaxed, losing control because of me. I wanted to break him. Possess him until he wanted me. Only me.

His hard eyes locked on mine as he reached down and peeled off his pants, freeing his massive erection. He lowered himself on me as I gripped his hips. In one smooth motion, he entered me. Spearing me. Ripping me apart physically and emotionally. I gasped as his cock filled me, realizing I would
never
be the same.

“You feel so good.”

His fingers dug into my hips as he continued to glide in and out, my pussy stretching to accommodate his girth. I spread my legs wider, wrapping them around his waist tighter. Wanting him deeper. Deeper inside my body but even deeper inside my heart.

“You’re so tight. So hot,” Nolan gasped as he ran his free hand through my hair and braced his weight with the other.

I loved the way he felt inside of me. So full. So right. His rhythm sped up and I matched him stroke for stroke. Our climax building, slowly at first, then with an urgency I had never felt before. The pressure of reaching for something. Something deeper than pure release. I couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Nolan, I can’t wait.”

“Let go, baby girl.” Nolan plunged inside of me hard as I came and ground into my engorged clit. I grabbed onto his hair as I bucked up against him. I didn’t want this feeling to end. Nolan climaxed with me, his thick cock pumping his own release inside of me.

For a moment, neither one of us moved. We struggled to breathe as he collapsed on top of me in a sweaty heap. Oh God, what had I done? Realizations of what had just happened hit me hard. I’d just had sex with my boss. I had sex with Nolan Banks.
The
Nolan Banks.

I pushed him off of me.

“What’s wrong?” Nolan asked.

“I have to go.” I jumped up and reached for my pajamas and robe, throwing them on as fast as I could. I stood and searched for my moose slippers. I’d walk all the way back to my apartment like a crazy person on the sidewalk if I had to. I needed to get the hell out of his penthouse.

“What did I do?” he demanded. “Charlie, I don’t know what I did wrong.”

He stood there next to the sofa, arms askew in a questioning pose. Looking stricken. Looking like I’d hurt his feelings. Was that even possible?

“We shouldn’t have—” I finally found my slippers and jammed my feet in to them, causing the felt antlers to sway back and forth.

“Don’t fight this, Charlie.” His hand was on my shoulder, trying to stop me from leaving. “Don’t run away from what’s happening.”

“Please, I just need to leave,” I said as firmly as I could. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was going into a full-blown panic attack. I could feel my skin redden and prickle. I didn’t want to do this in front of him. I needed fresh air. I had to get out of here. Now.

“We can make this work, Charlie. Please … I don’t want you to go.” He followed me into the foyer. My pulse quickened and I felt like I might pass out. Terrific. Just what I needed; to embarrass myself even further in front of someone who fucked untold numbers of women in this very apartment every night of the week. And here was Charlene de Monaco, a lawyer, acting like a high school cheerleader. My heart pounded out of control. My ears started to ring. Oh god, what did I do? I was such a fucking idiot to come here and put myself in this situation.

But that was just a pathetic excuse. Because deep down, I’d wanted it. Wanted him. Grasping at something I’d never been able to have and never would again.

“Charlie, honey. What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” Nolan tried to wrap his arms around me. I pushed him away. “I’d die if I ever hurt you.”

“Please, I need to go home.” Tears welled in my eyes. I tried to stop them. I couldn’t and one lonely drop escaped and trailed a lonely rivulet down my flushed cheek.

“Okay, at least let my driver take you home.”

More tears threatened to fall, but I wouldn’t let them. I hissed in a breath and used everything within me to stop them from escaping. “Nolan, we can’t ever do that again. I don’t want to ruin anything. My job—”

“It’s okay,” he said, his voice low, like he was speaking to a frightened child. “Nothing has changed.”

He was wrong. Everything had changed. We couldn’t take it back.

“This is all my fault.” Nolan took me in his arms. “I shouldn’t have rushed you.”

“I’m not one of your one night stands. We have a professional relationship.” I said, gulping for air. “You need to forget this happened.”

“Charlie, you know that’s not true.” He kissed my forehead, his lips lingering there. “I promise you that this means more to me than that. I would try to tell you how much, but you’re not listening, not hearing me. You’re scaring me.”

“I have to go. I’m sorry.” I pulled away and reached for the handle of the door. I was in the hallway in just a few seconds. I hid my face so he couldn’t see how destroyed I was. Or worse, how much I wanted to run back to him.

He blew out a long breath and I heard the frustration that went with it. “Okay, I’ll call you in the morning. We’ll talk more before we leave for the Winter Ball.” Nolan pressed a button on the intercom, calling for his driver. “Henry will meet you downstairs.”

I rushed down the hallway for the elevator. Just before the doors slid shut, I saw Nolan standing about ten yards from me, making sure I got safely on the elevator. I had forgotten all about the Winter Ball tomorrow night. How the hell could I pretend everything was okay? This was the most ignorant decision I had ever made. It had cost me my self-respect and made me feel decidedly stupid. I just hoped it wouldn’t cost me my job.

Chapter 11

The moment I became conscious the next morning, I replayed the previous night in my mind. I’d had sex with my boss. Spine tingling, toe curling sex. The best of my life. Three orgasms. Three. Nolan Banks was an overachiever. My body flushed at the memory and I ran my hands over my fevered skin.

“Dammit!” What the hell did I do? I’d never felt so conflicted in my life. Rehashing the evening, part of me quivered with delight at the remembrance of his touch. The other part of me wondered where to go from here. One thing was for certain. I’d never forget it. For the rest of my life, I’d pull it out of my fantasies every long, lonely night to savor over and over.

Then I remembered the Winter Ball. With Nolan. Tonight.

“Shit!”

Seemed all my big brain could produce this morning was a string of curses as I remembered I didn’t have anything to wear. I knew from looking through pictures of last year’s ball on the New York Society web page that it was a black-tie affair and the women wore elegant gowns that cost thousands of dollars. My best dress was a little black chiffon number that I bought on sale at Macy’s last year. That wouldn’t cut it. I could max out my Visa card and buy a gown at Neiman Marcus. It would take me a couple years to pay off, but it would be worth it. I would look amazing. I could go a step further and have my makeup and hair done at the salon this afternoon. A knock at my bedroom door startled me.

“Are you decent?” Melissa asked.

“Come in.”

“Whatcha doing?” She sat next to me on the bed. Like she had a sixth sense. Like she
knew.
“We haven’t talked in a while.”

It was true. Between the late hours at work and Melissa spending more time at Kyle’s place, we hardly saw each other. I blew out a breath and just spat it out. I told her everything. The kiss. The sex. My post coital walk of shame. Why deny it? Melissa was so good she’d verbally beat it out of me anyway. I just saved us both the drama.

“Oh my god,” she said, her voice as giddy as a little girl. “How was it? I bet it was good. He’s so fucking hot.”

I blushed. Not wanting to talk about the intimate details of the most spectacular night of my life. Even with Melissa. “I don’t know. I’m having second thoughts about everything. Tonight is the Winter Ball. I have nothing to wear and I want to look good on Nolan’s arm. I can’t disappoint him. In spite of everything.”

“That’s not a problem,” she assured me and crossed her legs. “There’s a second hand store in Soho that rents evening gowns. You’ll only pay a couple hundred dollars and a dry cleaning fee. Problem solved.”

The idea was appealing, but I really didn’t want to wear a hand-me-down or anything that was last season. I wanted to shine. Just this once.

“It wouldn’t hurt to just go take a look. I have the day off. I’ll go with you.” Melissa jumped off the bed and took a bow. “I’ll be your personal fairy godmother.” She twirled in place and waved a fake magic wand over the top of my head.

I chuckled. “Okay.”

The doorbell buzzed.

“I’ll get it.” Melissa walked out the bedroom calling over her shoulder, “Coffee is on. You look like you need a cup.”

I stretched out, noting the strange soreness between my legs. Whatever I decided to do about hair and wardrobe, I needed to get busy. I only had a few hours before Nolan was supposed to pick me up. I grabbed my robe and headed to the bathroom to take a quick shower.

“Charlie!” Melissa yelled, coming fast down the hallway. She almost bumped into me. Holding a large white box in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other, she said, “This was just delivered for you.” The poor girl was nearly out of breath.

We went back to my room and she laid the stuff on my bed.

“Who’s it from?” I asked, but already knew the answer.

I ripped open the card attached to the large white box while Melissa sniffed the bouquet of white and peach roses.

For my princess. I’m sorry I hurt you and I’ll do anything to make it right. See you at eight.

Nolan

I opened the box and rifled through a mound of white and gold tissue paper, recognizing the Bergdorf Goodman logo emblazoned on it. The most beautiful evening gown I’d ever seen was nestled inside the box. I pulled it out and gave it a little shake. Melissa gasped.

It was a floor length ivory gown with intricate gold beading.

“Try it on.” Melissa hopped up and down as she clapped her hands together. “Right now.”

I stepped out of my PJs and with Melissa’s help, I slipped the gown over my head. She zipped up the very low back. In fact, I didn’t know what kind of undergarments I could even wear under this thing. Going commando was more than my nerdy, chess club loving heart could take. Staring at my floor length mirror, I sucked a breath in. It fit me perfectly.

The neckline plunged a few inches past my breastbone. The waist was cinched with rows of gold beading, and the gown gathered in a mound of fabric at my feet. How in the world did Nolan know it would cling to my curvy body like a glove?

“You’re gorgeous,” Melissa said. “You’re going to knock his socks off tonight.”

I hoped so. God, could it be possible?

“There’s more,” Melissa panted.

Also inside the box was a pair of matching shoes, an evening bag, and a necklace and earrings encrusted with diamonds. Actual real diamonds that probably cost three times my salary. I picked up the necklace and draped it around my neck.

“I take that back.” Melissa laughed. “You’re going to knock his pants off!”