Seduced by Fire (4 page)

When the first notes sounded from the nearby violin, the executive excused himself and took his wife’s hand.

“She always insists on dancing the first dance,” he explained.

Daniel waited until the older couple made it to the dance floor. Then he stood and held out his hand to Julie. “Dance with me?”

She didn’t hesitate, but silently took his hand and came to her feet.

For the most part, Daniel could take dancing or leave it. He would join in when the situation called for it. Other times, he would sit out and people-watch. But tonight, outside of wanting to hold Julie, he had another purpose in asking her to dance.

You could tell a lot of information about a person by the way she danced. There were the obvious things: grace and agility. But Daniel was looking for more from Julie.

They settled themselves onto the dance floor, one of her arms around his shoulder, her other hand held gently in his. He slipped his free arm around her waist and pulled her close. As he began to move, she followed.

“Thank you for coming with me tonight,” he said.

She settled farther into his arms. “Thanks for the invite.”

“Can you do dinner next week?” He had the group meeting Thursday night and the play party Friday night, but he was free on Saturday.

“Yes.” She smiled up at him as she answered.

They could work out the details later. For the moment, he only wanted to hold her. She was an astute dancer, following his lead, her body answering his movements. It told him what he had been looking for, and now it was far too easy to picture her body answering his in a much more intimate manner. Would she be as pliable in bed? Dare he hope?

He wanted to ask if she was staying the night at the hotel, but he didn’t want to come across as a jerk who only wanted her for one thing. The truth was, he didn’t just want to go to bed with her; he wanted to get to know her. For now, he would ignore the side of himself that whispered it would do him no good to get to know her if she didn’t share his sexual desires.

He had dated so-called vanilla women before. It was adequate. Filled some of his needs. But he knew that it could never be truly satisfying to him unless his sexual partner genuinely submitted to him. At least in the bedroom.

The woman in his arms might test that need. If they continued on their current path and he found himself even more attracted to her . . .

Well, that was something they would have to explore later.

“You seem far away all of a sudden.”

Yes, he had been and that was a travesty with such a remarkable woman so close. “Forgive me?”

She pulled back slightly and gave a sly smile. “Maybe. If you make it up to me.”

Forget about getting to know her better. When she teased him like that, all he could think about was dragging her off the dance floor and taking her upstairs.

He risked sliding his hand a bit lower down her body so his fingers brushed the top of her ass, and pulled her toward his groin. “Don’t start something you’re not ready to finish.”

“I’m not a tease.”

“Didn’t think you were, just wanted you to know you’re playing with fire.”

She pulled his head down and whispered in his ear, “Would you like to join me in my room for a drink?”

•   •   •

J
ulie didn’t know what had gotten into her. Probably it was the combination of being dressed up in the gorgeous gown her sister had given her, Daniel, and the dancing. Not to mention, Sasha’s words from over a week ago replayed in her mind all night. She still felt like her friend’s insinuation that Julie wasn’t suitable for Daniel was a challenge of some kind.

All night she’d been basking in the heat between them, acutely aware of the overwhelming powerful maleness of him. He brought out a part of herself she’d rarely experienced. He made her bold. And the way he looked at her? As if she were a rare treat he wanted to savor. Or possibly devour in one bite.

He walked behind her as they left the elevators and moved down the hall toward her room. His hand never left the small of her back, a subtle reminder of his warning downstairs. He was fire and she could either accept his power or not, but he would make no excuses for what he was.

“This is it,” she said, stopping in front of her door.

“Allow me.” He took the key from her and unlocked the room, holding the door open and letting her pass.

Nervous excitement bubbled in her stomach. He looked so
male
in the middle of the room. So
there
.

“I actually don’t have anything to drink,” she admitted. “We can order room service or raid the wet bar.”

He started untying his tie. “No problem. I’m not really thirsty.”

He slipped the tie from his neck, placed it on an end table, and started removing his cuff links.

Dear heavens, was he going to strip down just like that?

He nodded to the couch and smiled as if aware of a joke she wasn’t in on. “Have a seat, Julie. I won’t bite. I’m just getting comfortable.”

There were moments that defined your life. Julie knew that. The day she decided to get her MBA. The afternoon she and Sasha found the building they eventually remodeled into the shop. Somehow, she knew, this moment with Daniel was another one.

She was a woman who took what she wanted and in that moment, she wanted Daniel.

“Good idea.” She walked to where he stood and turned so her back faced him. “Help me get this off, will you?”

“Julie.” His voice was a warning. And a promise.

“I just want to get comfortable.”

His hands brushed her shoulders, teased the nape of her neck. She barely had time to take a ragged breath before his lips replaced his fingers and he pressed a soft kiss on the top of her spine.

“If I help you get the gown off, I’ll have you naked and beneath me on that bed in less than ten seconds.”

“I certainly hope so.”

The hands on her shoulders tightened. “There are . . . things you don’t know about me.”

She turned back to face him, met his eyes. “Are you a deranged serial killer?”

There was a smile in his response. “No.”

“Do you kidnap small children?”

“No.”

“Are there any outstanding warrants for your arrest? Does anyone have a restraining order out against you? Have you jumped bail?”

“No. No. And no.”

“Do you have a condom with you?”

“Damn straight I do.”

“Then that paired with what I already know about you is enough.” She turned around again and lowered her neck to give him better access. “Will you help me with the gown?”

He didn’t unzip it immediately. Instead, he placed several kisses along the bare skin of her back. “I’ve wanted to taste you all night. All week.”

She trembled at the feel of his mouth on her, at the sound of his words. He’d been thinking of her just like she’d been thinking of him.

“You taste even better than you did in my fantasy.”

Instead of unzipping her, his hands went to her hair and gently removed each pin. Her hair fell in waves around her face and she moaned in pleasure when he rubbed her scalp, his fingers easing away the soreness of having it up for so long.

“That feels good,” she said, thrilled to have her hair down and even more thrilled at his touch.

“That’s my plan.”

Ever so slowly, the zipper slid down, gradually exposing her to him. His lips followed the path until finally coming to a stop at the small of her back. Two large hands gently pushed the gown from her shoulders.

She turned around as the silken material slipped off her body. The gown didn’t allow for a bra, so she was topless when she faced him. One by one, she undid the buttons on his shirt. “I believe your ten seconds are up.”

He took her hand in his and placed a kiss on her palm. “There’s been a change of plans. Rest assured, though, I’ll still have you under me at some point.”

She couldn’t wait to feel him above her, pressing into her. “Then you better let go of my hand so I can finish unbuttoning your shirt.”

He hesitated for the briefest of moments, but then his easy smile came back. “I suppose it’s only fair since I undressed you.”

Quicker than before, she undid his buttons. The shirt fell away, revealing his hard chest. She ran her hand down the sculpted muscles. “My, my, my. Looks like someone works out.”

“The better to fuck you, my dear.”

Her knees quaked at his dirty talk. She loved a vocal man. “Really? I would have thought that depended on another part of your anatomy.” Her fingers drifted to his waistband.

“When done correctly, it’s a whole body activity.”

How long had it been since she’d been with someone who really knew what he was doing in bed? She couldn’t count in months; years would be closer to the truth.

She started to drop to her knees, but he stopped her.

“Not tonight, Julie.”

She looked up, puzzled.

“My plan is for this to actually last longer than ten seconds,” he said, but something else lurked behind his expression.

Without explaining further, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Softly. As if she were fragile. Little by little, he backed her toward the bed, so she sat on the edge of the mattress wearing only a tiny pair of panties.

He stood above her, his fingers swirling over her chest, lightly brushing her nipples. He dropped his mouth to one and gave it a gentle suck. Her back arched, silently begging for more. Asking to be taken deeper. To be engulfed.

“Lie back,” he said, his voice low and commanding.

She obeyed, situating herself on the bed with her legs hanging over the side. He was still standing, his hands lightly brushing over her body. Rougher than a tickle, his touch teased her mercilessly. Desire pooled between her legs, but that was the one area he avoided.

“Please,” she begged, lifting her hips in silent invitation.

“Some part of you feeling neglected?”

“You did say it was a whole body activity.” She playfully pouted.

He chuckled. “I did, didn’t I? How rude of me not to involve all your parts.”

His finger teased the leg of her thong. Her legs shook. She felt desperate for him to touch her. One glance revealed him kneeling between her legs. She watched as he hooked a finger inside her underwear and slowly pulled it off.

Naked under his gaze, she didn’t feel exposed. She felt powerful and needy and wanting. Oh so wanting.

“Please,” she said again.

“Is your pussy feeling deprived?” He trailed a finger up her thigh, inching closer. Drifting away.

“Yes,” she said, not caring that her voice sounded like a whine.

“Keep your legs spread nice and wide for me.” He pushed them farther apart. “Just like that.”

Bending down, he placed a single kiss on her upper thigh. Then he wrapped his arms around her waist and licked her slit, the scruff of his upper lip brushing her clit.

Her hips jerked off the bed and she fisted her hands frantically in his hair. “Yes.”

He was warm and big and the craziest combination of rough and tender. He would nibble her almost playfully while his hands roamed her body. He blew a stream of air across her clit while at the same time pinching a nipple slightly.

She muttered curses under her breath.

But just when she was coming close, right as she teetered on the edge of orgasm, he pulled away completely, leaving her achy and alone. She peeked out of one eye. He stood by the bed, panting, rummaging in his pocket.

He found the condom, shoved his pants down, and then ripped the package open. She didn’t see much before he covered himself, but what she saw looked downright delectable.

The ache between her legs pulsed impatiently. She wanted him. Wanted him badly. And from the looks of it, he wanted her just as much.

He crawled onto the bed with her, his toned body taunting her. She wanted to take her time exploring it, but at the moment what she wanted more was for him to fulfill his promise.

He didn’t disappoint her. Without saying a word, he came up over her, spread her legs even wider, and positioned himself at her entrance.

“Does your pussy need even more attention?”

She tried to wiggle in an effort to draw him in, but he held her waist still and when he spoke, his voice was low and unyielding. “I asked a question.”

“Damn it, Daniel, yes.” Her eyes closed in anticipation.

“Look at me,” he said, and when she did, she saw her need echoed in his eyes.

His gaze stayed locked with hers as he oh-so-slowly pushed inside. It had been a long time since her last boyfriend and she felt every delicious inch Daniel gave her. The stretching felt so good, she whimpered.

He stilled. “Are you okay?”

She could have howled at the loss of his pressing forward. “Don’t stop, feels too good to stop.”

As if that was the signal he had been waiting for, he held her waist and thrust to the hilt with one push. He held still for a moment and she took a few breaths to accustom herself to the size of him. He didn’t move his lower body, but leaned over and kissed her.

“Damn, you feel good,” he whispered against her lips.

“Let me make you feel better,” she said with a shift of her hips.

He answered with a shift of his own. “Like this?”

The sweet ache of him moving inside her, the hypnotic push and pull, was too much. She closed her eyes in an attempt to contain the sensations he created. His arms held her tightly while he settled into a pounding rhythm. Her own hands found purchase on his backside and she scratched the clenched muscles of his ass.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he ground out.

She obeyed, and when he slid even deeper, she hissed in response. There were no words then, just their breathing, his grunts, and her cries of pleasure. He dropped a hand between them, and began to circle her clit with a fingertip.

Her hips bucked; it was too much. “Oh, fuck, yes, Daniel, yes.”

“I want to feel you come. Come hard and fast all around my dick.”

She already was, it started low in her belly, concentrated itself between her legs, and then shot outward, encompassing her entire body. She was only slightly aware of Daniel’s last few thrusts, of his body stilling within her as he came, and his sigh of satisfaction as he rolled them to their sides.