SilkenSeduction (15 page)

Her fingers trembled when she finally found the courage to
lift the folded piece of stationery.

Temair,

Meet me at the Good Food Café in Times Square.

I’ll be waiting there for you.

Evan

Her heart raced.
Idiot.
She slid out of the bed and
headed for the shower. Excitement brewed in her gut. What did he have planned?
She couldn’t wait to find out. It was probably something special since this was
their last day together before he had to return to London. Temair froze with
her hand on the hot water knob. Their last day together burned bright behind
her eyes. She swallowed hard against the pain that threatened to ruin her mood.

No. She shook herself. This had been the best week of her
life. And if this was all she had with Evan, then that would have to be enough.
She fought the tears, refusing to cry. He’d awakened a whole new person in her
and she wasn’t about to turn back into the pitiful soul she was before he’d
fucked her into a better place. A broad smile split her lips at that thought.
Yep. He’d fucked her into becoming a different person all together. One who
knew what she wanted and went for it.

She sighed heavily. Today she intended to enjoy every moment
of Evan as if it were her last. Because truthfully, it probably was. Temair
quickly showered, dressed and exited the hotel room. Early on a Saturday, it
wasn’t a problem having the doorman flag her a cab.

By the time she reached Times Square, the morning crowd
bustled along the streets. It warmed her heart to see Evan sitting at a booth
beneath the window inside the Good Food Café. It made finding him easier. He
stood when she entered.

Evan wrapped her in a hug and kissed her cheek. “Good
morning. I hope you slept well.” The simmering look in his eyes pierced her
soul with sexual need.

She grinned up at him. “I did. And you?”

He guided her into the seat across the table from him. “I
have no complaints in the sleep department.” He leaned close to her ear as he
helped scoot her chair in. “It helps being totally sexually exhausted.”

Temair couldn’t have wiped the broad smile off her face if
she wanted to. “I’m glad I could be of assistance.” When he got comfortable in
his seat, she asked, “Why were you up and out so early?”

“I had a work-related errand to run.”

The waitress arrived carrying a coffee carafe, filled their
cups and took their breakfast orders.

“Anything interesting?” Temair questioned then took a sip of
her coffee.

“I think so.” He nodded. “What would you say to signing a
contract with Lyndsay Enterprises to design a whole new spring collection?”

Temair nearly choked on her coffee. Her hand shook as she
lowered the cup and set it in its saucer. Leaving her gaze on his, she had to
know one thing before she answered. “Are you offering me this because of what’s
been going on between us this week or because you like my designs?”

From the intense look on his face, she knew he chose his
words carefully before speaking. He reached for her hands and held them in his.
The tender caress of his thumb to her knuckles soothed her angst, but not
completely. She had to know if she earned this contract on merit or sex. “Evan,
which is it? By design or by sex?”

“Temair, I’ve wanted to ask you this all week but never
could find the right moment. Every time I’m near you, the sight of your sexy
legs, your gorgeous body and beautiful smile turn my brain to mush and redirect
my every thought on getting you into my bed.” When he paused, he lifted her
hands and kissed each delicately.

Instant moisture pooled in her pussy and she wanted nothing
more than to crawl across that table and kiss him senseless. But business was
business. She willed her libido to back down. Pride in her work took precedence
at the moment. He licked his lips nervously.

“From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew I wanted you in
my bed. The fact that you are a genius with gemstones only adds to my desire.
Temair, you have a gift that I want my company to represent.” He tugged her
toward him and leaned so their faces were as close as possible across the table.
“The fact that you know how to satisfy my every sexual urge is not the reason
I’m offering you this contract. It’s your professional talents I want to
broadcast to the world. Your
other
talents I intend to keep selfishly to
myself.”

Heat rose up her neck to blossom in her cheeks. He leaned
his brow to hers and grinned. “I love it when you blush. Even after everything
we’ve done with one another, you still have that ounce of modesty that I find
so alluring.”

Temair kissed him. When they parted, he asked, “Is that a
yes to the contract?”

She sat straight, leaving her hands clasped in his. “I’m not
sure I can accept your offer. It might be a conflict of interest with Zuma
Watches. I signed a contract with them that incorporates several of my gemstone
designs.”

Evan’s smile broadened and those dimples deepened, causing
her nipples to pebble at the sight. Damn, she loved his smile, sexy dimples and
all. “That shouldn’t be a problem. The reason I had to leave the convention
early was my company was in negotiations to buy Zuma Watches. It wasn’t until
the day before I left to come visit you that I learned you’d signed with them.
So signing with me won’t be an issue. You can do both without a legal hitch.”

Her lips trembled. This was a dream come true. With Lyndsay
Enterprises supporting her designs, she would go global. Damn. This was a lot
to absorb before she’d had a full cup of coffee.

The waitress returned with their orders and topped off their
cups. Temair absently picked at her food before she answered. Evan leaned
forward and looked up into her face as she stared at the fork, poking the eggs.

“Well,” he asked, “what do you think?”

“Can I give you an answer after breakfast?” Her voice shook,
but she actually did need a chance to think it through before she jumped at the
offer.

“Okay.” He nodded.

Neither spoke until the meal was over, the check was paid
and he escorted her out into the middle of Times Square. Every humongous
billboard overhead was alive with advertisement but one. A large empty black
screen stood ominously quiet next to the one sporting Deidre Delaney’s latest
creation. Though she tried to stop it, jealousy controlled her tongue as she
spun to face Evan.

“Did you offer a similar contract to Deidre?”

His brows pursed as he leaned back, staring oddly at her.
She knew the moment he caught sight of Deidre’s oversized marquee. His
expression softened and he gently clasped her by the elbows, holding her in
place facing him.

“Temair, you’re so damn sexy when you’re jealous.” He
emphasized his meaning by tugging her into a hug and pressing his pelvis
against her lower abdomen. His hard-on couldn’t be missed. His fingertips slid
under her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. Sincerity shown within their
depths. “Deidre Delaney is not contracted with Lyndsay Enterprises. And I swear
to you, I never touched her legs or any other part of her. It’s you who has me
harder than granite right now.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

His finger touched her lips, stilling her babbling. “Temair.
I can’t promise you more than one day at a time. I’ve never envisioned myself
settled down, living in a house with a picket fence. That’s just not me. I love
to travel and explore. If that’s enough for you, would you consider splitting
our time between New York and London? I want you with me. I want you in my bed,
on the floor, in the shower or anywhere else you’ll have me for as long as this
lasts. Is that good enough for you? Can you accept me as I am?”

“And exactly what are you?” she teased gently, brushing her
hip against his hard-on.

His eyes closed and he swallowed hard before he opened his
eyes and leveled a molten-hot gaze directly on hers. “I’m a sexual deviate in
need of a phenomenal fucking by the amazing woman in my arms.”

“Well, Mister Sexual Deviate,” she stated huskily against
his lips as she ran the back of her hand up the front of his pants. “Let’s get
you back to the hotel where we can alleviate the situation before it becomes
too painful.”

His eyes widened. “Is that a yes to the contract?”

“Yes.” She nodded.

Evan wrapped his arms around her and kissed her as if they
were the only two people standing in Times Square. Several people applauded,
but they didn’t care. When they finally broke apart, he reached into his jacket
pocket, pulled out his cell phone, pressed a button and said, “It’s a go.”

He disconnected the call and dropped the phone back into his
pocket. Confusion sparked her curiosity when she asked, “What’s a go?”

He spun her around to face the darkened billboard. Slowly it
lit up and she nearly sank to her knees. Her name was in lights above several
of the watch designs she’d already turned in.

Lyndsay Enterprises is proud to present the latest in
fine jewelry

O’Hara Designs

“Oh my god, Evan, you did this.” She nearly toppled over as
she turned to face him. Tears of joy skittered down her cheeks.

“No, baby. You earned this. I’m just the lucky man to have
found you.”

Temair kissed him with all her heart. He’d convinced her age
was just a number and in their case, numbers weren’t important. He was the
perfect man for her.

Also by
Tara Nina

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MacKinnons 1: Curse of the Gargoyle

Cursed
MacKinnons 2: Eyes of Stone

Cursed
MacKinnons 3: Cursed Laird

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Delights

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Night Prey

Portal to
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Print books by Tara Nina

Arian’s
Angel

Cursed
MacKinnons 1: Curse of the Gargoyle

Cursed MacKinnons
2: Eyes of the Stone

Cursed
MacKinnons 3: Cursed Laird

Double Dilemma

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multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or
paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic
reading experience that will leave you breathless.

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