Chapter 20
The kiss was hard and punishing as we stepped into the elevator. Heated beyond words. His desire spurred mine higher as he picked me up, nestling his shaft against my heat and pressed me against the cold metal walls. He tasted of bourbon and steak as I kissed him back.
“Where have you been all my life?” His voice was a whisper against my skin as he trailed his kisses down my neck.
His hands clutched my ass, and my legs wrapped tightly around his waist. The elevator doors opened and he carried me out.
The sketchbook fell from my hands, and he lifted his heated lips from my dampened skin. His smoldering eyes held mine. The rise and fall of his chest matched mine, and we barely made it to the bedroom before we became engulfed in flames.
I knew I should stop him. Point out the obvious. In tangled sheets, we weren’t helping anyone, but I was lost in the spell he had over me. The feel of his touch and the taste of his skin. He was an addiction I craved.
Gently I slid down his body. My heart raced. I was done waiting for life to find me. I grabbed the hem of my shirt and lifted it over my head, only breaking eye contact for a mere second. The color of his eyes deepened with desire before his gaze dropped to my chest, caressing me.
I dropped my shirt to the floor.
I reached behind my back and unhooked my bra, letting it slide down my arms to the floor next to my shirt.
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” I said, reaching for the button of my jeans.
He rested his hand over mine, stilling the movement, and gave me a wickedly sexy grin. “I can take it from here.”
And he did. Several times until I was left sated with tingles all over my body.
I lay in his arms. Comfortable like I’d known him forever. When nothing could be further from the truth.
“Was Riley being honest?”
Harlon exhaled hard and turned to kiss my temple. “Yes. Although Derek Fields and Manny didn’t have to make up lies.”
I caressed his stomach, drawing circles over the hard planes.
“Do you think Riley is behind all this?”
There was a brief pause before he answered. “I don’t know if he’s got the smarts to pull it off,” Harlon said, staring at the ceiling. “Riley and his dad were opposites. His dad was looking for ways to exploit the business, or, as he would say,take it into a more lucrative place.Riley was more comfortable in the creation aspect. He holds several patents to some ingenious dog harnesses and other things. I don’t see him street smart enough to pull this off, much less having the stomach for it. I would never peg him for attempted murder, no matter our history.”
I went to slide out of the bed when he pulled me back in and rolled until I was on top of him. “We need to get ready for the party.”
“We will, but first there’s something we need to talk about.”
I raised a brow.
“Even if my sister shows up at the party, stay with me. Don’t go back.”
“Harlon, you hardly know me.”
“I know what makes you tick without even reading your mind. I think I just proved that.”
I licked my lips. “What’s my favorite color?”
“I don’t know.”
“How many sisters do I have?”
“I know what you’re trying to do. I’ll learn those details over time. Just give us a chance.”
“You don’t even know me,” I said, meeting his determined gaze.
“I know enough.”
