“Right. Okay.” Tate offered her his hand as she slid her feet to the floor. “See you tomorrow, Tom?” she asked.
“Sure, tomorrow,” he muttered, not even bothering to look at her. Piper frowned, unwilling to admit that her feelings were kind of hurt. Placing his hand on the small of her back, Tate guided her out of the kitchen.
“Wow, what an asshole,” Tate commented a little too loudly just before they pushed through the doors. Piper had no doubt that Tom had heard him. “It’s a good thing you aren’t interested in him for more than his culinary skills.”
21
“What was that about?” Piper hissed as she followed Tate down the long and winding hallways leading toward the elevators. “And where are we going? I thought we had ‘work’ to do.” She glanced behind them to the room reserved for tomorrow’s conference. The doors stood wide open and she could hear the sounds of people moving around inside. Honestly, what was he up to?
Tate jammed the button and the elevator doors slid open almost immediately. “That’s what I said.” She stepped inside the car, completely suspicious of his motives now that she was alone with him. It hadn’t escaped her notice that he kept conveniently showing up whenever she was with Tom. He was up to something, but what?
“So…” Piper dragged the word out, waiting for him to explain himself further.
“What?”
“What do you mean what?” Piper asked, growing frustrated. “You told me we had work to do, but it’s pretty obvious that there is something else going on here. So, what’s on your mind? And don’t say work, because it’s obvious that is not what you dragged me away for.”
Tate rounded on her, crowding her against the back wall where he towered over her. “One, I didn’t drag you anywhere. You came willingly. Two, I wasn’t lying when I said there’s work to do.” He took a step back, his rolling his shoulders back as he worked to compose himself. “Look, you were right. I did have another reason for dragging you away.”
“Aha!” Piper jumped on her heels, pointing a triumphant finger at him. “So you admit that you dragged me.”
Tate smirked. “Honestly, you make me sound like some sort of caveman. Had that been the case, you would be unconscious and completely at my mercy right now. And trust me,” he said, his voice growing husky as the words fell off his tongue and he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. “I can think of so many things to do to you, and you wouldn’t be complaining about any of them.”
As close as he was now, Piper had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. The fire she found in them made her body tingle, and she swallowed thickly, wanting to step into his arms and lose herself in his sensual promise. “I doubt that,” she murmured, not wanting him to know how much his words were affecting her. The nearness of their bodies crackled with energy and Piper couldn’t stop from calling up the mental pictures of Tate driving into her from behind. When he talked to her like that, when he looked at her as if he could devour her, she was powerless to resist him. She hated the effect he had on her, but she loved it too.
Tate’s eyes dilated and she felt a jolt of electricity pass between them when he reached out to grasp her hips. He pulled her up against him, forcing her hands up to his chest to brace her as she crashed into him. “You doubt me?”
Already beginning to lose herself in his ocean blue eyes, Piper managed a weak response. “Can’t doubt what I already know.”
The fierce look of possessiveness Tate unleashed on her made Piper’s knees tremble. Desire consumed her and before she knew what he was doing, before she could even consider stopping him, Tate’s mouth crashed down on hers.
Threading his fingers through her hair, Tate grabbed fistfuls of it in both hands as he plundered her mouth, robbing her of all breath as he licked at her lips and sucked on her tongue. Piper moaned loudly, the breath rushing out of her as he slammed her back against the wall, pressing his hard lines into her soft curves as he groped every last inch of her body.
Pushing his knee between hers, Tate forced his way closer, completely obliterating her personal space. Still gripping her hair in one hand, he released the other to let it wander lower. Skimming down her neck, he followed the path of his fingertips with his lips, stopping to nip and suckle her pulse point until she was gasping for air. When his hand came to rest over her right breast, he lifted his head to look into her eyes.
“You’re so hot, baby,” he whispered, massaging the turgid peak. Piper whimpered, her hands clenching the material of his shirt and pulling him closer. She couldn’t seem to get close enough. “So damn sexy.” He pinched her nipple through the soft cotton and Piper sucked in a gulp of air, desperate for more of his touch. “Tell me you want me,” he commanded, dipping his head again to run his tongue along her collarbone.
Despite her compromised state of mind, Piper knew that she couldn’t give in. She couldn’t tell him what he wanted, because that would give him far more power over her than he already had. And he did have power over her; she would be the last to deny that. Every time he looked at her, she melted. Every time he touched her, she exploded. Tate might have total command over her body, but she would never let him command her heart.
“Piper,” Tate murmured against her skin as he travelled lower. His mouth left a wet trail as he closed in on her breasts. His hand slipped further down her body, finding the hem of her shirt and lifting it to slip underneath.
She knew she should stop him now. Some part of her reminded her that this was neither the time nor the place, but another part of her, one she wasn’t too familiar with but was suddenly eager to get better acquainted, wanted this. It fed on the excitement that came with the danger of getting caught. She just couldn’t help herself.
Allowing Tate to touch and taste freely made Piper’s head spin. She was dizzy from arousal and already so close to the edge that it was unreal.
Tate’s fingers teased the top of her pants, his knuckles gliding back and forth, the rough skin gently abrading her stomach. Her muscles clenched and Piper bit back another moan as she anticipated having his fingers touching her where she needed them most. But he held back, refusing to satisfy her craving for more.
“I hate these fucking pants,” he growled, toying with the button closure. “Why won’t you wear skirts anymore?”
“Because you want me to,” Piper returned breathlessly. In her foggy, sex addled mind, Piper knew that was because she liked to challenge Tate. She would never just give into him, even though that was exactly what she wanted to do.
“Tease,” he accused dipping down lower and biting one hardened nipple through the cotton covering it. Piper gasped, the sudden sting of pain only serving to heighten her pleasure. “You don’t like making things easy, do you?”
“Not when it comes to you.” Piper’s head rolled back and forth, her need growing almost unbearable as he manipulated her body, coaxing forth an almost overwhelming response that she wasn’t aware she was capable of. Standing there in the middle of a moving elevator, one that was probably equipped with cameras, Piper was a knot of frenetic energy, dangerously close to combustion. “Tate,” she mewed, clasping the back of his head to draw his retreating mouth back to her breast, her mouth. She didn’t care which; she just wanted it on her.
“Piper,” Tate said slyly, his eyes sparkling with deviltry. He dipped his hand between her legs and massaged her clit through the thick jean material. Piper quivered, just as she always did when he touched her. He was playing with her now, driving her to tell him what he wanted to hear, and it was working. “Say it, baby. Say it and I’ll give you what you want. What we both want. I’ll fuck you up against this wall where everyone can see,” he growled, reminding her of the precarious situation they were in.
She wanted to say yes. She needed to say yes, but just as she opened her mouth to speak, the elevator began to slow its assent. Popping her eyes open, Piper glanced over Tate’s shoulder to the lighted panel. They were two floors away from their destination but the elevator
was definitely stopping. Realization dawned. Someone was about to board the elevator.
“Tate,” Piper squeaked, panic grabbing her. She pushed against his chest, getting nowhere. Tate surrounded her, refusing to back off. Piper’s heart crashed in her ears as the elevator came to a smooth stop.
Jerking her head to the side, Tate allowed her to brush his hands away, but remained inappropriately and uncomfortably close as he braced himself against the wall, his powerful arms hemming her in. Short of kneeing him in the sack, there was nothing she could do now. Time had run out.
Smoothing her hair and righting her clothing as best she could, Piper forced herself to look calm, though her insides were performing a full on gymnastics routine.
The doors slid open and in stepped a middle-aged couple. The woman had long, flowing black hair reaching down to the middle of her back and rich, deep-set green eyes. The man who entered behind her was tall with salt and pepper hair and a matching mustache. Quickly sizing up the situation, they smiled softly, a hint of knowing humor crossing their expressive faces. Piper smiled back sheepishly and dropped her eyes to Tate’s chest, wishing that he would just back the hell off already. Instead, he remained a solid wall of masculinity shielding her from prying eyes.
For a moment, Piper was grateful that she had him to block the couple’s view of her. She could tell they had their suspicions about what they had interrupted, but as she let her gaze fall to the pronounced bulge in his pants, she knew that if Tate stepped back to give them a full on view, any doubt they might have would be instantly washed away.
Embarrassed at the situation, Piper glared up at Tate. How did he do this to her? How did he always manage to turn her mind into mush?
His answering smirk only served to pique her anger. Letting her mean streak take over, Piper pinched him in the side, causing Tate to jump slightly. The couple behind him glanced back curiously.
Not one to let things go, Tate’s eyes narrowed, letting her know that he was up to something. Before she could figure out what that was and defend against it, Tate jabbed her in the side, hitting her where she was most ticklish.
Piper leaped sideways, her back crashing into the wall with a heavy thud. She was grinning, her silent laughter screaming in her ears. Game on.
Her arm shot out, her fingers digging in under his arm. Tate squirmed, trying to disengage, but she followed his every move until he grabbed her hand in his fist and forced it back to her side, holding it firmly in place.
His eyes were dancing with laughter, and when he lunged at her, burying his face in her neck, she was completely unprepared. His assault consisted of teeth and tongue, setting off her ticklishness like nothing else. Piper exploded into a fit of giggles, crushing her head against the side of his as she tried to still his assault. They were so absorbed in their playing, they didn’t even notice when the elevator slowed to a standstill.
Someone cleared their throat. “Excuse me,” the man said. “Is this your stop?”
Tate pulled away to address him. His face was red from exertion and his eyes looked slightly glazed as he made a quick assessment and found them to indeed be on their floor. “Yes it is,” he responded. “Thank you.” Grabbing ahold of Piper’s hand, he tugged her along behind him.
“Have a good evening,” the woman told her as she stepped off onto their floor.
Piper blushed furiously seeing the amusement shining in the woman’s eyes. “Um, thanks. You too.”
“Which one is yours?” Tate questioned, hauling her down the long corridor.
“Third door on the left.” Piper had to jog to keep up with him. When they reached her room, she dug her key card from her back pocket and Tate promptly snatched it from her fingers.
The moment Tate slid the key card and the green light appeared, he swung open the door and shoved her inside, kicking it closed behind them. Piper backed up as he advanced on her, driving her deeper into the room.
22
The suite was small but comfortable, outfitted with a simple patterned sofa and chair positioned against one wall and an armoire housing a large flat screen television opposite it. Nestled in the corner was a contemporary wood dining outfit that she knew she would never use.
But none of that mattered just then.
Clinging to one another, tongues tangled together, hands everywhere, they stumbled down a short, narrow hallway, past the functional kitchen area and into the bedroom where the massive king-sized bed waited.
Stopping just inside the room, the bed at her back and Tate’s imposing figure at her front, Piper felt completely vulnerable. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but this wasn’t like the other times they had sex. This time felt somehow…different. Maybe it had something to do with the buildup. Every other time they had simply jumped into the sex without much time to think it through. This time around they had plenty of time to realize this was probably a bad idea, but Piper didn’t want to think beyond the here and now. She wanted to follow what her body wanted, and what it wanted was to be devoured, for Tate to make good on his promise.
Shifting gears, Tate moved past her, leaving her standing at the foot of the bed while he pulled back the covers and fluffed the pillows that would be crushed and tangled in a few minutes anyway.
A swarm of butterflies fluttered their eager wings in her belly. Was she really going to do this? After all her talks with Shelia about how the two of them would never work out, was it really wise of her to let this happen again?
Fear was gradually beginning to take root in her gut and its nasty brother Doubt was whispering in her ear—she wasn’t pretty enough, tall enough, and certainly wasn’t slim enough for a guy like Tate’s rich and selective palate—she could never hold him.
But then, Tate had never given her reason to think any of those things, so she forced the poisonous thoughts away. No more doubt, she vowed. From here on out, she was going to be the confident, gutsy, wanton woman her friends had pushed her to be. It wasn’t about being a floozy or a tramp, but a step toward taking back control of her life, determining her own course, and navigating it successfully in the face of adversity. If she could learn to hold her head high, without apologies, then she could do anything.
Well, she wasn’t going to apologize for this. She wanted Tate and he wanted her, it was that simple.
Finished turning down the bed, Tate turned to her with a slow smile. His eyes slid over her lazily making every cell in her body come alive. The longer Tate stood there inspecting her, making no moves to undress her, Piper grew increasingly antsy. Was she supposed to do something? Why was he looking at her like that?
Tate scrubbed two fingers over his stubbled chin. “Take your shirt off,” he instructed.
Piper’s eyes widened. He expected her to undress in front of him? Here, now? In the daytime? Good Lord, it really shouldn’t be a problem considering everything they had already done together, but she had never been completely nude in front of him before. Or anyone for that matter. Even Tyler had only seen her within the confines of a night darkened room. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of her body; it’s just that she had never been completely comfortable in her own skin. Ugly Duckling Syndrome she thought they called it.
One of Tate’s brows arched up. “Piper, is something wrong?”
Yes, there was something wrong! He wanted her to undress in front of him while he just stood there and watched, judged. What if he didn’t like what he saw? She didn’t think she could handle it if he rejected her.
She was driving herself crazy with this line of thinking when in reality, Tate wanted her. Nothing could be clearer than that. The erection straining behind the zipper on his pants spoke for itself. If he saw something wrong with her body, he wouldn’t be so eager to get his hands on it.
Right.
I can do this. I can’t do this. I can do this; she warred with herself, until Tate repeated his question. “No,” Piper said, terrified, but resolved to do as he asked. She wanted this, and what kind of girlfriend would she
be if she didn’t make little concessions like taking off her clothes for him?
Wait.
Girlfriend?
Where had that thought come from?
Shaking the disturbing thought away and reminding herself of the little promise she had made just seconds before, she took a moment to breathe deeply, and straightened.
Flicking her hair over her shoulder, Piper lifted the t-shirt over her head, revealing the pink lacy bra beneath. Watching his face closely, Piper tried not to let the blank expression he wore ruffle her. Not knowing what he was thinking was utter torture.
She let the material slip from her fingertips and fall to the floor.
Tate stared at her breasts, then further down. His face was expressionless, leaving her with no idea of whether he liked what he saw or not. “Now the pants.”
I can do this, she reminded herself as shaky fingers pulled at the button on her jeans and she stepped out of them. She felt incredibly exposed standing there in her bra and underwear. Thank God I decided to match today.
Tate wet his lips and took a step toward her. “Very nice, Piper.”
She felt herself blossom under his praise and almost tore off the rest of her clothes just to hear more of it.
Tate stopped just in front of her, so close she could feel the heat from his body on her skin. He smelled like soap and spices. The combination took her back to the first night they met out on the dance floor. Just like that night, she wanted to throw herself on him and kiss him senseless.
Reaching out, Tate trailed his fingers lightly across her flesh, starting at her wrist and working his way up to and over her shoulder, then down her chest where he circled her nipples through the thin fabric of her bra until they pebbled.
“Hmm, sensitive,” Tate observed. Bending down, he wrapped his arm around her waist and his mouth around her nipple, suckling it through the lacy material. Piper bit back a moan and her legs turned into jelly. She loved when he did that. All too soon he released her, and she had to fight to stay upright.