God, she had been distracted, and much more than she should’ve been. Her hormones were firing like the Fourth of July.
“I can’t remember the last time I sat and watched the sun go down here,” he said.
“Being the best lawyer in Nevada must keep you really busy.” She took a sip of wine. They sat quietly together for some time. She glanced over at one third of the trio that she couldn’t stop thinking about. Brandon. Being with him for the past couple of days was turning her into a hot mess, which was the last thing she needed right now.
Unable to hold back any longer, she said, “Tell me the truth, counselor. You’re not interested in me, are you?”
* * * *
Brandon’s jaw clenched. Shelby had mistaken his sheer act of will from keeping his hands off of her to mean something else. Ever since kissing her, he couldn’t stop thinking how great it would be to sample her lips again, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to stop there. One more kiss would send him down the slippery slope far past what was ethical. “You’re my client. Of course I’m interested in you, Shelby.”
She nodded and sighed. “That’s what I thought.”
Oh God, I’m such a jerk. Just had to say “client,” didn’t you, Champion?
Why was he still holding back when he knew she was the best woman he’d ever known? He didn’t want to screw this up. Justin was right about what Shelby needed. His little brother was much smarter about her than he was. Alex seemed to be on board with trying the Wilde life, which was different for all of them. For Shelby, Brandon was willing to give it a shot, too. Hell, it might even work. He loved his brothers, trusted them, and the truth was he couldn’t risk losing her.
“You didn’t let me finish.” He touched her cheek. “Perhaps words won’t convince you.”
“Aren’t words an attorney’s best weapon?” she asked coyly.
“In the courtroom, sweetheart, yes. Here? Well, let me show you my best.” He leaned in and pressed his mouth down on hers, taking what he’d been craving ever since his first taste—her lips. He devoured her, hungrily sweeping his tongue over her lush lips, relishing the sweetness he tasted from her gloss. With his focus completely on Shelby, he deepened his possession of her mouth with his tongue. As he placed his hand at the back of her neck, he enjoyed seeing her blue eyes close and feeling her tender sigh vibrating on his mouth.
His invasion moved even more forward, far past her lips, tangling their tongues together. He wanted her like mad, more than he’d ever wanted anyone in his entire life. No one before, not even his ex, could hold a candle to the impact Shelby had on him. He should have all his focus on one thing, the murder case, but he didn’t. The trial was in a month. That wasn’t a long time to build a defense. He would ask for a new date. He’d get one. More time. That was what he needed. More time with Shelby.
He left his chair and stood right in front of her. Looking down at her, his pulse seemed to concentrate between his legs in his cock and balls. He cupped her chin and gazed at her. “Stand up, baby.”
She nodded and did.
Before he knew it, he had removed her top and bra. Out of his mind with lust, he caressed her gorgeous, round breasts with his fingers.
“Brandon,” she whispered, tracing her delicate fingers along his jawline. “You’re quite convincing.”
“You have no idea, baby, but you will before the night is over.” With every fiber of his being, he wanted her, wanted to sink into her, wanted to pleasure her until she screamed his name over and over.
Bending down, he moved his mouth over one of her nipples where his hand had just been. He sucked on her, delighting in the moan that left her lips.
“Yes. Feels so good.” Every one of her wanton groans were like drops of gasoline on his roaring fire that had his cock straining in his jeans.
Continuing to sample her chest with his mouth, he moved his hands to her jeans. He had to get them off of her. Nothing would stop him from having all of her. Not the case. Not his ethics. Not a fucking thing. As a strong possessiveness rushed through him, he shoved her pants down to her ankles.
“Brandon,” she whispered.
Hearing his name on her lips drove his lust even more. There was no logic left in him. He was firing on instinct alone now, and what that demanded was another taste of her sweet mouth.
“You want me, Shelby?” He had to hear it from her lips.
“More than anything,” she confessed.
Again, he crushed his lips to hers. Now that his lust was out of the gates, holding back would never be possible again for him. Her quivering mouth and sweet tongue were proof of her response to him. Yes, she wanted him, and by God, he wanted her.
She blinked several times. “You sure do know how to make your point, counselor.”
“That was just my opening, sweetheart.” His balls were so heavy and his cock was so hard just by the scent of her sweet aroma wafting up to his nose. She reminded him of honey and of days in spring. Shelby was life itself, vibrant and exciting. “I’ve got a whole lot more to make my case.”
“What case is that?” she asked.
“That I’m completely insane for you, Shelby.” He lifted her up in his arms. “By the time you experience my closing arguments, you’ll be convinced of that, sweetheart. Trust me.”