The Deal

Her footsteps slowed. She didn't look back.

"Naomi, please!"

She drew to a halt.

His heart thundered. Never before had anything been as important as this – as to how he handled this. But he was lost, lost in his need for her. And he couldn’t even begin to know how to act until he saw her eyes. Groveling wasn't in his nature, but he'd do it for her.

When she turned around she was focused, stern almost.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with that. Please, let me make it up to you." All week he'd craved her presence, her complexity, her pride, her lush feminine body under his. It was an addiction. Her submission was the deepest pleasure he'd ever known – she was the most precious thing he'd ever known. If he lost her now, he'd lose everything.

"You were in a meeting. You don't have time to deal with this."

"Is that why you were leaving? Because I have all the time in the world for you, meeting or no meeting." It was the truth. He used to be strict about devoting his attention to the main event, and work came first. Naomi was his main event now.

She nodded her head then looked past him, toward the elevators. "You have unfinished business with that woman."

He could feel her pulling away, and it tore him apart. "The only business I have with Clara is agreeing my time with Toby."

Her beautiful mouth pursed. It made him want to kiss her.

She shook her head, avoiding direct eye contact by looking beyond him towards the elevators. "Perhaps it's too soon for you to be involved with anyone else."

How beautiful she looked with her chin lifted and defiance in her eyes. It made him want her all the more He hankered for her, a raw, primitive need rising in him. He was getting hard. He wanted to fuck her, right now, to show her how much he wanted her. It took a huge effort to remain rational, to handle this maturely. "Are you suggesting I'm on the rebound?" he asked. "Because that’s way off the mark, I assure you."

Her gaze focused on his chest, then wandered over his torso. "It's more about drawing a line."

Reciprocated desire was there in her eyes.

"The line was drawn long ago. The only reason she's here today is to collect Toby. He spent the night with me so she could attend a function." He could see her relinquishing the fight. She wanted to fuck too. He took a risk and stepped closer.

Her lips parted. "Lucas…"

It was a warning, and a plea. Need shone in her eyes, but she was ready to bolt. He closed on her, his hands on her shoulders as he looked into her eyes.

He leaned in and spoke beneath his breath. "I want to be alone with you, right now. I need to be inside you."

Her pale skin flushed. She swallowed. "You said we'd meet tonight."

"Circumstances have altered the plan." He stroked her upper arm through her jacket. "Last night you told me you couldn't wait for this moment, when I touched you and claimed you for myself."

She wavered then whimpered, her eyelids fluttering down.

"I need to hold you, Naomi. I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too, but…"

He looked deep into her eyes, savoring the surprise he found there. She was confused and angry, but arousal also shone in her eyes. Her lovely mouth was slightly open, and he couldn't resist kissing her. To hell with the onlookers.

She moaned softly, but then relinquished, reaching to clutch at his lapels as he invaded her mouth, seeking its damp warmth while craving to invade every part of her.

"Oh, Lucas," she murmured as he drew back. "What are you doing to me?"

Everything. "This way."

He walked her toward the reception, one hand on her back reassuring her.

The risk of bumping into Clara coming down with Toby challenged him. He nodded at the security guard on duty at the reception area. It was a man he knew well. "Craig, can I use your office for a few minutes?"