The Temptation (Filthy Rich Americans 5)

As a driver, he had excellent reflexes and he demonstrated them now. There was barely a moment of concern in his expression. “I invited both of you.”

“Right. Unless, as you said, Vance was too busy to join us.”

His face didn’t change, but the sudden rise of his shoulders gave away that Niko was nervous. He turned his head to the side, looking for an exit and conveniently avoiding looking at the other man.

Vance’s posture had stiffened, and the wolf lurking beneath his surface began to emerge. He stared at Niko like he’d destroy him . . . and he would relish every minute while he did it. He put an arm around my waist and pulled me up against him. It was surprising and possessive, sending sparks radiating down my legs.

He issued the words in a voice as strong as steel. “I’m never too busy for Emery.”

I swallowed hard. Shit, he sounded so believable.

And I wanted it to be true.

“Yes. Well,” Niko said, “it sounds like our schedules won’t work, so maybe another time. I need to get back to my table.” He motioned to the simulator and set his gaze on me. “Good luck with your race . . . Emery.”

I held my smile with clenched teeth as he walked away. He continued to swagger like his dick was huge—although I’d put good money on it being average at best.

Vance’s mood was unreadable, and I fiddled with the purse in my hands.

“Let’s get some air,” he said finally.

There was a stone side patio attached to the lounge, and I followed him as he marched toward the glass door. When he reached it, he pulled it open and held a hand out, gesturing I go through first.

Such a gentleman. What the hell was he doing with me?

I stepped outside and instantly shivered in the night breeze. One side of the patio overlooked the ocean, and waves rumbled against the rocky beach below. No one else was out here, but music and laughter from a nearby yacht drifted up toward us.

Otherwise, it was quiet, and Vance seemed to be deep in thought as we strolled toward the edge of the patio. I hadn’t seen this version of him before. His confidence had flagged considerably. “If Leitner asks you for drinks again, will you say yes?”

Was he kidding? I laughed. “Um, no.”

“Why not?”

“Because, unless you forgot, I have a boyfriend. Did you have a little too much to drink tonight?” I teased.

“Maybe.” He didn’t smile. He was so serious, it was sobering, and he said it like he was delivering bad news. “I . . . like you.”

I paused, unsure of what was happening. “Oh.” His simple statement made my heart race. I said it softly, like I was shy to put it out there, even when it was the truth and he’d already taken the leap. “I like you, too.”

He pressed his lips together as he turned to face me and gripped my shoulders. His strong hand on my bare skin made warmth surge through me. Why did he look so distraught? “I made a vow. You didn’t.” He grimaced. “I doubt Leitner did either.”

I blinked, and then I parted my lips to tell him he was being silly, but his hands moved, sliding gently up and down my arms to help keep me warm. The action disabled my brain.

“I’m asking you to wait,” he said.

Oh, man, I couldn’t help myself. “You’re asking me to . . . not sleep with Niko Leitner?” I widened my eyes, pretending this was an impossible task. “What about other people, though? Can I sleep with them?”

“No,” he growled, unamused.

Fire flashed over his face at the idea, and I wasn’t cold anymore. The goosebumps dotting my skin were entirely his doing. His gaze drifted down to my mouth, studying the way I drew in sips of air.

“You told me this could be real,” he said, “if I wanted it to be.” His gaze slid back up to mine, and I nearly drowned in how deep his eyes became. “I’ve decided I want that.”

And like he’d probably been trained his whole life to do, he took without permission. His mouth dropped down to seal over mine and claim me as his, regardless of if I wanted it or not.

But, oh, how I wanted it.

His kiss was blistering. It seared me from the inside out, and within seconds I was melting into him, greedy for more. How in the world did he do that? Just the meeting of our mouths and his tongue slicking over mine pumped steam through my body. It twisted around me in ropes of desire, binding me like a maiden to the bow of a ship.

“Fifty-seven days,” he murmured between kisses. “Will you wait that long for me?”

There was no other answer. “Yes,” I breathed.