"Really? I would think a nice hot soak before bed would help take the pressure off landing your next big client," he said.
I leaned on one hip and tapped the toe of my other foot. "Funny, I thought the same thing, except I imagined you might like a nice long soak to ease your sore muscles. But, if you prefer sleeping at your gym, I guess that's up to you."
He scowled and planted both his feet. He took up a fighter's stance every time he was uncomfortable. "I told you, Kya, I don't need your charity or your bribes. I'm perfectly comfortable at the gym. I've slept in worse places."
I could hear my boss' advice in my head – The way to a client's signature is through his stomach, or if you're feeling it, through his pants.
"The chef said something about mushroom cap appetizers. I'm hungry, are you?" I asked. I headed back to the main room and found the appetizers artfully arranged on a silver platter. I picked one out and held it up to Fenton's frown. "Here, taste this. Let's forget about business for a while and enjoy ourselves."
He opened his mouth and accepted the savory bite. A shiver ran up my arm and tingled down my spine as his bottom lip brushed my fingers. "Delicious," he said and licked his lips.
The only way to break off from staring was to grab another appetizer. This time, it was a hard slice of cheese topped with a light dab of mustard and sprinkled with thyme. I held it out to him on a napkin, but Fenton stepped closer and opened his mouth again. The corners curled up as I gave in and fed him a second bite. I stood transfixed as he savored it slowly.
"My turn," he said. He selected another slice of cheese and brushed my hand away as I tried to take it from him. "Trust me, it tastes better this way."
I let him feed me the fragrant bite. My senses jumped as the perfect blend of flavors touched my palate and he brushed an extra flake of thyme from my bottom lip. I sunk to the sofa and took a long sip of my wine.
The chef cleared his throat. "Dinner is served."
"Excellent," Fenton said. He gathered up the silverware and both plates. "Smells great. Thanks. I think we can take it from here."
He left the chef holding out a chair for me and returned to the sofa. Fenton set the dinner plates down on the coffee table and picked up a mushroom cap appetizer to feed me. I opened my mouth to accept the taste, unable to deny my growing hunger. As I chewed, I caught the blonde chef's eye and blushed. All I could do was nod. He packed up his cases and left before I could swallow.
"I hope I ordered the right thing," I said.
Fenton nodded and picked up a complicated remote. A few buttons later, the lights were dimmed, the fireplace flickered warmly, and a slow song drifted out of hidden speakers.
"I love steak," he said.
I gripped my knife hard enough to hide the tremble in my fingers and cut a small piece. Fenton accepted the bite, sliding closer to me on the couch to catch all the juices. My mouth watered as I watched him.
He closed his eyes. "So good," he sighed.
My lips tasted the peppered char of the steak as I leaned in and kissed him. Fenton's blue eyes flew open then closed on another delicious sigh. The heat of his lips warmed me from my toes to the tips of my ears and when he pulled back to look at me he laughed.
"Ms. Allen, are you blushing?" he asked.
"It's the fire," I lied. "It's a little too warm. How about we move back to the table?"
"And let you cross back over to business? I don't think so," he disagreed. "I think I'm starting to agree with my coach. He doesn't believe business and pleasure should be separate if they come together naturally. It’s like holding apart magnets, just a waste of energy standing in the way of something like that."
This time, he kissed me and it was a deep, plunging taste. The hunger in my core sharpened, but it was not for any of the delectable food set out in front of us.
"So you'll stay?" I asked.
Chapter Fourteen
Fenton
Her green eyes were so hopeful. Kya's lips curved in a smile more tantalizing than any of the food so far. I had to kiss her again. Underneath the pepper and cherry of the dark red wine, there was the addictive taste of her. As my tongue lapped deep in her delicious kiss, I pulled her onto my lap.
She came willingly. Her hands gripped my shoulders as she wriggled closer. I could not get enough of her. This was exactly what I needed. Her hunger for me, a long stretch of private hours, and her satin lips pressed against mine. Her fingers tangled in the hair at my neck and pulled me deeper into the kiss.
I swept my hands up and down her back. Gripping tightly at her waist, I pressed her to me. Then, my hands roved again from the soft material of her dress to the silk of her warm skin. Her legs were bare, and her high heels already kicked off onto the floor. I could run my hand up the length of her. I could brush aside the chaste hem of her dress. I could have Kya and finally get her out of my system.
Unless she's just doing this for the endorsement deal, I thought.
The jagged thought cut a pause in our kiss. I took a swig of wine to cover it up. When I caught her lips against mine again, I let a dribble of wine escape. I moaned when she lapped it up. Is she seducing me or is it the other way around?