“Don’t make me regret it,” the woman muttered.
Liam didn’t bother to reassure her.
This day had been a lesson in frustration, taking its toll on his nerves. He wasn’t in the mood to play nice.
“You have a room?” he instead demanded.
Giving a snap of her fingers, Sasha glanced toward the hostess who hurried forward with a small key card.
“Here.” She pressed it into Liam’s hand after a short hesitation. As if she was having second thoughts. “She’s fragile.”
Liam frowned. “I have no intention of hurting her.”
“What do you intend?”
He narrowed his green eyes that were lightly flecked with gold. “You’ve done your part, now butt out. This is between me and Holly.”
“Dios.” Sasha scowled, studying his grim determination. “I hope I haven’t thrown her from the frying pan into the fire.”
“Oh, she’s going to get burned,” he purred, his blood heating at the thought of at long last getting his hands on the stubborn woman. “And she’s going to like it.”
Done with the small talk, Liam simply walked away.
He’d wasted a year.
He wasn’t wasting one more second.
With the ease of a man who carried with him a natural, ruthless authority, Liam moved through the crowd that parted before him. The music pounded and the lights created a dazzling display, but he barely noticed. His attention was locked on the woman who was dancing far too close to a bare-chested idiot with bulging muscles and a death wish.
Coming up from behind, he leaned down to speak directly into her ear.
“Hello, princess.”
He felt her stiffen before she was whirling around to regard him in shocked horror.
“Liam.”
His lips twisted with rueful amusement. If his ego wasn’t rock-solid, this woman would have ground his pride to dust over the past twelve months.
The thought had barely passed through his mind when he was distracted by the sight of her slender body barely covered by a tiny sheath of silver lamé.
That had to be Sasha’s doing, he wryly concluded.
His sweet Holly was more of a buttoned-up, straitlaced kind of woman.
“Are you having fun?” he drawled, making no effort to disguise his interest in the amount of flesh she was flashing.
Predictably, her chin jutted to a militant angle. So stubborn.
“I was. What are you doing here?”
Liam flicked a glance toward the male behemoth who moved to stand at Holly’s side.
“Go away.”
The male scowled. “What the hell?”
Liam allowed the stranger to glimpse the savage predator just below his polished surface.
“Now.”
Instinctively the man backed away, swiftly swallowed up by the females who surrounded him like a school of piranhas.
Christ.
“Hey, we were dancing,” Holly protested, her hands on her hips.
Liam’s gaze lingered on the plunging neckline of the barely-there dress.
He’d always suspected she was hiding something wonderful beneath her starchy suits.
Now he knew…
Perfection.
“How much have you had to drink?” he abruptly demanded.
“What business is it of yours?” she countered, her eyes flashing with golden fire. Shit, she was beautiful. “I’m not on the clock.”
He stepped closer, his hand cupping her face. He had to touch her.
To feel the satin heat of her skin beneath his fingers.
“Tell me.”
Her lips flattened, as if debating whether to refuse to answer. Then, when his expression assured her he wasn’t going to back down, she gave an impatient shrug.
“I’ve had one margarita. Satisfied?” she ground out.
A smile curved his lips. He’d had to make sure she was capable of thinking clearly.
No way was he going to be accused of taking advantage.
“Not yet.” His thumb traced the lush promise of her mouth. Damn. How many nights had he tortured himself with thoughts of those lush lips wrapped around his cock, sucking him dry? He went hard as a rock. “But I intend to be.”
She stiffened, but she made no effort to pull away. “Look, I’ve had a really bad day and I’m not in the mood—”
“I know,” he interrupted.
“What?”
“I know you’ve had a bad day and I’m here to make it better.”
Her eyes widened. “You? I don’t think so.”
She took a sharp step backward, her expression wary. Liam, however, didn’t miss the pulse at the base of her throat that pounded at frantic beat. It wasn’t fear that was making her heart race and her eyes dilate. It was good, old-fashioned lust.
His cock pressed against his zipper, the pleasure/pain forcing him to choke back a groan.
Dammit. When he climaxed it was going to be with some part of Holly wrapped around him.
Fingers. Mouth. Pussy.
It didn’t matter which.
“Get used to it, princess,” he warned, watching as her tongue peeked out to wet her dry lips.
She took another defensive step backward, her cheeks flushed.
“Why don’t you go do whatever or whoever it is you’re here to do?”
“What a fabulous idea.”
He reached out, grasping her by the waist. Then with one smooth motion he had her tossed over his shoulder and was headed toward the back of the club.
CHAPTER TWO
What the hell?
Holly tried to grasp what was going on.
It’d been shocking enough to have Liam suddenly appear.
Like the day hadn’t been crappy enough? Now the man who’d been the bane of her existence for the past six months had to ruin her brief attempt to enjoy a wild, carefree night?
And worse, he was acting as if he was some Neanderthal who’d just crawled out of his cave.
A surge of belated outrage raced through her. Curling her hands into fists, Holly pounded them against Liam’s broad back.
“Put me down.”
Without warning he reached up to give her a light smack on her backside.
“Hold still or I’ll spank that delicious ass until it’s rosy,” he said, his hand lingering to soothe the sting.
Holly’s mind went blank.
Did he…
Was he…
Holy shit.
A sharp-edged desire ripped through her, stealing her breath.
She wasn’t stupid.
She’d recognized the instant attraction that had exploded the first time they’d met at a charity event last year. Hell, it was hard to miss your entire body going up in flames from a mere handshake.
But she had already been dating Ted and she wasn’t going to allow her hormones to lure her into a relationship built on passion.
Her mother had.
For all the good it’d done her.
She’d ended up with an unwanted child with a man who could barely remember her name.
No thank you very fucking much.
And her caution had been proven right when Liam had somehow managed to convince Vigo to sell him the company that the older man had promised to Holly.
Bastard.
The attraction hadn’t disappeared.
Hell, they could barely stand next to one another without setting off sparks.
But she’d fiercely ignored her sizzling responses while he’d watched her with a mocking amusement that set her teeth on edge.
Certainly he’d never threatened to smack her ass.
“Have you lost your mind?” she demanded.
“From the moment I caught sight of you.”
“Where are you taking me?”
His pace never slowed. “Someplace we can talk in private.”
Oh lord, had Liam realized she’d been jilted and decided she needed his particular brand of sympathy?
??
?I don’t want to talk.” She gave his back another whack, nearly breaking her fingers. Damn. She’d known he was all chiseled, lean muscles. Unlike Ted, he spent his lunch breaks at the gym, not at five-star restaurants. But still…he was as hard as a rock. “I want to dance and drink and have a good time.”
“Okay, we don’t have to talk.”
“Fine. Then take me back.”
His fingers gave her ass another squeeze, the heat from his hand searing through the thin fabric of her borrowed dress.
“You said you wanted to have a good time.”
Her breath was wrenched from her lungs. It felt good. So damned good.
Distracted by the excitement jolting through her body, Holly nearly missed Liam halting next to a security guard to whisper something in his ear.
It wasn’t until her head bumped against his back as he began to climb the steps that she realized he was headed to the upper floors.
“Liam, stop,” she muttered. “These stairs go to the private rooms.”
“I know.”
The pounding music began to fade as they reached the second floor, a soothing hush wrapping around them as he headed toward the end of the hall.
“They’re for people who want to—”
Her words faltered as he halted in front of a door, then astonishingly, produced a slim key card so he could push it open.
“To what, princess?” he pressed as he stepped into the room, kicking the door closed behind him.
With a soft click, the lock slid into place, and something dark and utterly dangerous slid through her.
A need. A hunger that terrified her.
“Dammit,” she breathed. “I’m not in the mood for your condescending sense of humor.”
Slowly Liam lowered her to her feet, his fingers gently pushing her long hair from her face.
“You think I’m condescending?
She shivered, feeling oddly lightheaded.
It had to be from being carried around like a sack of potatoes, she told herself.
It couldn’t be because she was alone in a sex club with Liam Freaking Conner. Or that her ass still tingled from his touch…
“I’m well aware you think I’m a silly, worthless brat who was given her position because her father is Vigo Angeli,” she forced herself to rasp. “I’m just a joke to you.”
His eyes narrowed, his hand moving to cup her chin. “Don’t tell me what I think. You have no idea.”
She jerked free of his disturbing touch, turning to take a quick survey of the room.
Holy…shit.
She didn’t know what she’d expected, but it wasn’t this.
The room looked amazingly normal with an opulent crimson and gold décor that gave off a Chinese vibe. A four-poster bed dominated the center of the floor, and next to it was a large black lacquer cabinet that no doubt held all sorts of strange devices.
The only thing to indicate that this was anything but an upscale hotel room was the wooden X that was nailed to a wall. Padded handcuffs hung from a bar just above the polished boards, and beside it was a low shelf where half a dozen different whips were arranged.
Another dark thrill jolted through her, making her pussy wet and her nipples harden with an unwelcomed anticipation.
The knowledge pissed her off.
Dammit. She was furious she’d been hauled up here by a man who devoted his life to making her miserable.
Right?
“How did you get a key to this room?” she demanded.
He shrugged. “The usual way.”
Oh. She blinked. He’d reserved the room? Maybe even scheduled a partner who was looking for a meaningless hookup?
“Good god,” she said, refusing to examine why she felt so…disappointed. “You’re into this stuff?”
He prowled forward, looking indecently gorgeous in the muted light.
“I’m into pleasure.” His voice deepened to a low invitation that brushed over her skin, making her shiver. “However my partner prefers to experience it.”
“Yeah well, good luck with that,” she muttered, unconsciously backing away. Suddenly he seemed to fill the room with his raw, savage energy. “I have a cold margarita and a half-naked man waiting for me.”
He continued herding her backward, his eyes a dark emerald as he studied her with a searing intensity.
“I’m a gambler, princess. I never depend on luck to get what I want.”
“And what do you want?”
“You.”
***
Liam watched in satisfaction as Holly bumped into the rack. Precisely where he wanted her.
Not that she appeared ready to capitulate to their mutual need, he ruefully admitted. She’d devoted the past year to denying her desire for him.
He was going to have to strip away her layers of defenses before he could find the passionate woman he knew was waiting for him.
Thankfully, he was damned sure he was going to thoroughly enjoy the process.
She licked her lips, her breathing ragged even as she tried to pretend she wasn’t completely turned on beneath her anger.
“Am I being punked?” she demanded.
He reached to grasp a strand of her dark hair, smoothing it between her fingers.
It was glorious, but he wished she’d left it up.
For the past six months he’d watched Holly enter her office with her hair pulled into a tight bun and her beautiful body covered by a tailored power suit.
And every day he’d fantasized about pulling the pins from the silken strands to watch it spill down her naked body in a cascade of ebony.
Later, he silently promised himself, adding it to the growing list of desires he intended to fulfill.
“Punked?”
She bit her bottom lip, making his cock twitch.
“Sasha is determined to make me forget about—” Genuine pain darkened her eyes.
Shit.
“Your ex-jackass?” he snarled, his entire body vibrating with fury at the mere thought that this was supposed to be her wedding night.
“Ted,” she snapped, as always rushing to the bastard’s defense. “And I wouldn’t put it past Sasha to arrange this ridiculous charade.”
“This doesn’t get any more fucking real, princess.” He didn’t bother to disguise the dark possession in his voice as his hand lightly circled her throat. Any pretense she didn’t belong to him was over. “It has nothing to do with Sasha or that bastard who thought he could claim what’s mine.”
Her lips parted, shocked acceptance rippling over her face.
That’s right, he silently urged. Look into my eyes and accept that you belong to me.
“This is just crazy,” she breathed.
His hand slid down, smoothing the tiny strap off her shoulder so the neckline dipped down to reveal one rose-tipped breast.
No bra.
Hell.
Liam sucked in a harsh breath, feeling as if he’d just been sucker punched.
How many times had he pictured this woman naked? Enough times to make him begin to fear he was some sort of creeper.
But nothing—nothing—could have prepared him for his first true glimpse.
She was perfect. A warm, satin, living work of art.
“Don’t try to pretend you don’t feel it,” he husked.
Her breath rasped through the air. “Feel what?”
He palmed the soft globe, his thumb circling the tender nipple. Instantly it hardened to a tight nub, blatant proof of her eager response.
“The heat.”
Unable to resist temptation, he dipped his head down and traced the nipple with the tip of his tongue. She gave a strangled moan, her hands lifting to land against his chest. He stilled, waiting to see what she would do. One push and he would back away. She’d been through the wringer today. He wasn’t going to add to her distress.
But she didn’t push away.
Instead her nails curled into his chest until he could feel a delicious prick of pain.
&nb
sp; “The excitement,” he continued, catching the tip of her nipple between his teeth. She hissed in pleasure, her back arching as he twirled his tongue before once again sinking his teeth into the tender flesh. “The hunger.”
She quivered, her voice thick with need. “All I feel is anger.”
“Liar,” he growled, his hand tugging the other strap off her shoulder to expose the breast still hidden beneath the lamé.
“God.” Her nails dug into his chest, her head tipping back to rest against the rack.
Suckling her with growing urgency, Liam gave a tug on the swath of fabric that passed for a dress, groaning as it slithered to the ground.
“Admit that you want me,” he commanded.
She shook her head even as her fingers tangled in his hair. “You think you’re so damned irresistible.”
Liam lifted his head, his gaze taking a slow, thorough survey of her slender body.
His cock twitched, fully appreciating the sight of her dressed in nothing more than a white lacy thong and silver stilettos.
Oh hell.
As much as he wanted to spend the entire night seducing this woman, he knew he wasn’t going to last long.
“Only to you,” he muttered, his hands tracing the curve of her waist to linger on her hips, just above the tiny white bows that held the thong together. His entire body clenched with white-hot anticipation. Shit. She was going to be the death of him. “Do you think I missed all those covert glances when we’re working together? Or how your pulse races when I touch you?”
She gave his hair a tug. Just hard enough to make him shudder with bliss.
“Because I hate you.”
“No.” He leaned in to kiss her with a stark demand. Enough. She wasn’t going to be allowed to hide behind her resentment any longer. “You might hate the fact your father sold me the company you assumed would someday be yours.” His lips skimmed along the stubborn line of her jaw. “And the fact I won’t allow you to twist me around your little finger.” He discovered a hollow beneath her ear that made her tremble with need. “But you don’t hate me.”
A strangled moan was wrenched from her throat.
“Didn’t you just warn me that I wasn’t allowed to tell you what to think?” she growled. “Right back atcha, buster.”
“Then tell me, princess.” His tongue traced the shell of her ear. “Admit that you want me.” He nipped her lobe. “That you want this.”