The Love Game

“So do I.” Tyler carried his empty plate and glass to the sink. “You were right about dinner. You were right about a lot of things.” His voice was smooth, like the first touch of a long seduction.

“That’s always nice to hear.” Iris took the dishes from Tyler and loaded them into her dishwasher.

“I’m serious. I think you know I’d wanted to work with a bigger company.”

“Keep bringing that up and you’ll ruin the mood.” Iris escorted him to her living room and silently invited him to join her on the sofa.

“Pete Kimball has never given me the high level of customer service you’re giving me.” Tyler sat beside her on the sofa. “You’ve treated our company’s product launch as more than just another contract. You’ve even gotten to know our associates.”

Warmth filled Iris’s cheeks. “It was your suggestion that I work from your office.”

“But it was your warmth and caring that built those relationships.”

Tyler’s praise was gratifying even as it made her uncomfortable. “I’m glad you’re satisfied with my work.”

“Not just satisfied.” His dark eyes searched hers. “I couldn’t have gotten this far without you. And now with this crisis, I’m glad you’re at my side.”

“We’re in this together.”

Tyler watched Iris’s lips form the words. He, Xavier and Donovan had been a team for years. They’d helped each other get through college. They’d worked on projects together at Anderson Adventures. But there was something so erotic about the image of him and Iris being a team. It was mesmerizing, hypnotizing. Tyler leaned toward Iris, his eyes still on her lips. He groaned as he brought his mouth to hers. He tasted her sweetness. Swallowed her sigh. He tightened his arms around her, shifting even closer. Her warmth wrapped him like a caress. He released her lips and buried his face in the curve of her neck. He breathed her in. Citrus and vanilla filled his lungs and clouded his mind. Her scent transported him to a darkened room in a posh hotel where he’d finally given in to what he wanted.

“Iris.” He whispered her name.

“Yes, Ty?” Her voice was more sigh than words.

Tyler’s body stirred. He lifted his head and gazed down into her steamy coffee eyes. “Thank God I found you.”

Her eyes softened. Iris swayed toward him. She covered his mouth with her own as though needing to drink his declaration. Her fingernails bore into the muscles

of his back. Desire sparking inside him blazed white-hot. His mouth no longer tasted and explored. It demanded and took. He wanted to watch her. He needed to feel her. He ached to taste her—all at once.

Tyler tore his mouth free. “You’re going to kill me.”

“You’re doing the same.” Iris’s laugh was soft and shaky. “At least I’ll die happy.”

Am I dreaming? Could it possibly be true that the computer nerd had found a woman who was brilliant, beautiful and crazy for him? “I couldn’t be any happier.”

Her lips curved into a wicked smile. “Give me a moment.”

His laughter ended on a groan as her hands moved over his torso. Iris’s fingers trembled as she plucked at his shirt’s buttons. Tyler brushed her hands aside to help her. He unfastened his shirt, then took her back into his embrace. Iris slipped her soft, slim hands beneath his shirt and caressed his bare chest. Her touch was magic, stirring a desire in him more potent and powerful than anything he’d felt before.

“So hard. So strong. A fantasy.” She moaned the words into his ear.

Tyler’s muscles shook with need. “I dreamed of you before I knew you.”

He gave her one last hard kiss, then gathered her into his arms. He looked down into her startled eyes. “Bed?”

With her directions, he made quick work of carrying her up the stairs and to her bedroom. The entire time, Iris licked, kissed and caressed him, adding to the desire already raging through his blood. He wanted her now. He wanted to be on her, in her, around her.

Tyler crossed into her room. In his peripheral vision, he had an impression of gold and blue, and lots of books. But his focus remained on the queen-size bed dominating the space. He released Iris beside it. With haste, he helped her remove her clothes as she helped him. Moments later, they stood nude.

Tyler cupped the side of her breast in his palm. “Lovely.”

“You, too.” Iris fixed her gaze on his torso. She raked her fingertips from his chest to his hips. His muscle flexed toward her.

Somehow they ended up on the bed. She sprawled on top of him like a soft, light blanket. Tyler caught her beautiful face between his hands and deepened their kiss. He’d had a dream like this once. It had come true in San Diego and again now.

He rolled them over, balancing on top of her. “Let me love you.”