The train pulled out behind them. Standing on the platform, Ben took her hand. Her palms were damp, one of the few signs she was nervous about this seduction. The desire between them was mutual, but he could tell by her question she wasn’t as secure as she’d have him believe.
The only way to convince her was to show her. Without hesitation, he swept her into his arms and off her feet.
“What do you think you’re doing?” The note of outrage in her voice was rendered ineffective by the upturned corners of her mouth.
He couldn’t draw his gaze from those wet lips. “I’m answering your question. Hell, yes, I want you in my bed,” he said and lowered his lips to hers.
Her touch was warm and welcoming at first and immediately turned hot and devouring. The gloss let her coated lips slide over his in an erotic caress the likes of which he’d never felt before. As he stroked the heated recesses of her mouth with his tongue, she massaged his lips with hers. Every stroke sent blazing darts of fire to his cock.
But they were in a public place where he was sure they were creating a free show. With an agonized groan, one echoed silently by each part of his body, he somehow managed to lift his head and rest his forehead against hers.
“Not bad.” She sounded out of breath and extremely pleased.
“Yeah, well, I did my best.”
Her eyes met his and those sweet lips turned upward into a grin. “I’ll be damned. It works.” She traced his mouth with her fingertip, sending his already-overheated body into a frenzy of need.
“What’s that?”
“I bought this lipstick just for you. The slogan read, ‘Color stays on your lips, not his.’” The pad of her finger lingered on the center of his bottom lip, teasing him with a featherlight touch.
He couldn’t resist and grazed her skin with his teeth. He tasted warm, salty flesh—tasted Grace—and groaned.
“We’ve got to get out of here,”
she murmured.
“No kidding.” He started for the exit of the subway, ignoring the curious onlookers and the occasional snickers. He knew he’d taken the caveman thing too far, but this woman drove him to utter distraction.
“I can walk.”
“I’m sure you can.” He continued through the turnstile and up the short flight of stairs.
“But you have no intention of allowing it?”
He answered with a short grunt and kept walking.
Considering that sexy outfit she wore and the stares given her by other men, she should be glad he hadn’t banged her over the head and dragged her home by her hair the way his primitive ancestors would have. No doubt she’d intended to rouse his more savage instincts with this plan, and she’d succeeded. Now, she could live with the consequences. They were only a short block from the building. The faster he got her home, the better off they’d both be.
She threaded her fingers through his hair. “You know, if you insist on keeping this up, I might as well enjoy it.”
He recognized the playful threat in her words. “Go ahead. Your enjoyment is exactly what I have in mind.”
She nestled her face between his chin and shoulder. The fragrant scent of her hair assaulted his senses. The soft feel of her skin and her warm breath against his neck gave him a preview of what was to come when he got her alone. Cool sheets, warm bodies, the sensual glide of damp skin—his over hers, hers over his.
He swept her through the open door to the lobby of the building and past the chuckling doorman.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever live that down,” she said.
He laughed. “And I’m certain it’ll do wonders for my reputation.”
She shook her head. “You’re going to have to pay for that.”
“Promises, promises.” He hit the button on the elevator. Thankfully, it opened without delay. He stepped inside and the doors glided to a close behind them.
No sooner had he pressed the button for their floor than she nuzzled close to his cheek again, only this time, she bit down on his earlobe, sending shock waves through his system. His heart pounded hard in his chest, a fast and furious beat of arousal and anticipation.
By the time they got to the hall outside the apartments, he could barely stand the wait.