She was mesmerized by his mouth against her hand. “Thank you.”
“Shiloh … I can’t tell you how sorry I am that our project didn’t work out. I’mnotsorry that we spent all that time together, and I think you know why.”
His words made her stomach warm and her sex quiver. She met his gaze, desire sweeping through her. She felt tongue-tied. Benoit leaned over and brushed her lips with his. “You can’t deny this thing between us,” he murmured. “It’s in everything we talk about, everything we do. I want you, Shiloh, and I think you want me too. This doesn’t have to be complicated.”
But it is complicated,she wanted to say, but couldn’t form the words. And before she knew it, they were in his car, racing to his penthouse. Everything in her was telling her to stop it, that having sex with this man would not be a good idea.
But,God,she wanted him. As he drove, his hand was on her stockinged thigh, his fingers stroking her gently, and all she wanted to do was to grab that hand and push it between her legs.Feel how much I want you, Benoit.
By the time they had reached his penthouse, Shiloh was quivering with excitement, and Benoit, grinning almost triumphantly, pulled her into his arms, his mouth seeking hers hungrily. God, that kiss … Shiloh felt light-headed and almost delirious as he swept her into his arms and carried her into his bedroom.
She tugged impatiently at his tie, discarding it and using her frantic fingers to unbutton his shirt. As she pushed the fabric apart, she sighed happily. His chest, broad and well-muscled with a fine scattering of dark hair, was solid and masculine—not waxed and buffed like so many of her ex-boyfriends had been. Benoit noted her admiration with a grin, then his hands were under her T-shirt, pulling it over her head. Her breasts, small and firm, had no need of a bra, and his mouth found her nipple as he reached under her short skirt and ripped her panties from her.
Shiloh could barely contain her desire as she freed his large, heavy cock from his pants and stroked it until it quivered and jerked in his hands. Benoit lifted her and moved so her back was against the wall, then he thrust deeply inside her, making Shiloh cry out with pleasure. Benoit fucked her hard, his hips slamming against hers, his mouth rough on hers. Shiloh tasted blood, but she didn’t care. Her fingernails clawed at his back and her teeth nipped at his bottom lip as his cock drilled deeper and deeper into her. She felt him come a heartbeat before her own climax hit; his cock pumping cum deep, deep, deep inside her as she called his name over and over.
They tumbled to his carpet and began again, Benoit taking a moment to remove her skirt now, grinning down at her. “Guess what we’re going to do … again?”
He went down on her this time, his tongue lashing around her clit, his fingers digging into the flesh of her hips as he tasted her. Shiloh trembled and bucked beneath him, begging him to fuck hernow. Benoit acquiesced, almost brutal in his taking of her, dominating her body completely.
She was still awake when, finally, Benoit fell asleep in her arms. Shiloh’s mind was reeling, her body sated. It had been a night she had never expected or dreamed of, but what surprised her more than anything was Benoit. He was a masterful lover, yes, but just now he had fallen asleep in her arms, totally vulnerable and totally unafraid to be that comfortable with her. She could barely reconcile those two sides of him. She stroked his hair back from his face. He looked almost boyish in the moonlight. If he was like this with her … how come he kept his guard up with other women? How come he hadn’t sent her back home after they’d had sex? Every preconception she had about this man was being blown out of the water.
She just hoped the other shoe wasn’t about to drop.
Maceo was surprised to see Alex at the gallery when he and Ori returned after their vacation. Alex was chatting to Lucia when the couple arrived, and Alex hugged them both. Maceo bore him off to his office while Ori stayed behind to talk to her friend.
“You look wonderful,” Lucia said admiringly. “Naples and Maceo obviously agree with you.”
Ori chuckled. “I can’t argue with that.” She lowered her voice. “Why’s Alex here again?”
Lucia shrugged. “I think he feels lost and wants to be around his friends.”
“Doesn’t he have a job?”
Lucia smiled. “When you’re as rich as Alex, other people do your work for you. Besides ...” She studied her friend. “Don’t you like him?”
“Of course, I do,” Ori rolled her eyes, flushing slightly. “It’s just when he looks at me, I feel as if he’s not seeingme,you know?”
Lucia rubbed her back. “Hardly surprising, but don’t worry about it. Alex is one of the good guys.”
Ori nodded, sitting down at her desk and hesitating before calling up a website on her laptop. “Have you seen this?”
She showed Lucia the news story. Her stepfather was really milking the death of his son; now Tyson was publicly accusing the facility where AJ had died of neglect and wrongful death. “My son’s death won’t be in vain if I can stop these jokers from telling vulnerable people that they can help them. Where’s the regulation? Where’s the training?”
“Oh God,” Lucia groaned. “Is it possible that your stepfather could become more of an asshole, or has he reached his limit?”
“Oh, there’s no limit on it,” Ori said through gritted teeth. “Look, I’m going to say something. I’m tired of Tyson blaming everyone else for his own failures.”
Lucia looked worried. “Ori … are you ready to go up against him? I mean, really ready? Because he’ll try to destroy you.”
“Let him try,” said Ori defiantly, lifting her chin. “Both he and I know I could bring him down once and for all. I won’t play my whole card, just enough to irk him. Give him enough rope, etc. It won’t be hard.”
Lucia mulled this over. “Ori … have you told Maceo what you intend to do? Not that you have to,” she added hurriedly, as Ori frowned at her.
Ori sighed. “I have. He’s not happy about it, but I have to do something for myself. I won’t hide behind Maceo’s position or wealth. It’s up to me to take Tyson down. For AJ, if nothing else.”
“Seems like you could do with someone on the East Coast to help out.” Both women started as Alex spoke; neither had seen him return. He smiled at Ori. “I could be your conduit, Ori. It might help you not to be in the same country as that asshat, butIcan keep an eye on his movements.”
Ori half-smiled. “I’ll think about it. Thanks, Alex.”
