Stephan drummed his fingers thoughtfully on the table. “Well–”
“As you said, our families go way back,” Sebastian said, willing to grab on to anything to gain an edge. “So for the sake of family…”
Because the man frowned, his next words took Sebastian by surprise. “One week,” he agreed.
“Thank you. You won’t be sorry,” he assured the older man.
Now he just had to fulfill his promise.
They headed back to the cottage a short while later in silence, Ashley obviously sensing his need to think. Once back, Ashley excused herself to change, and he poured himself a glass of red wine, leaving one for her as he settled on the front porch in a comfortable outdoor chair.
He sat, drinking a delicious glass of red wine, his cell phone on the table in front of him. Ethan had called a few times during the day and again this evening, and Sebastian had ignored him, not wanting to tell his brother he had no news. He certainly didn’t want to let Ethan in on the fact that Stephan Romano wanted to cancel their contract and bring in another company to take over.
Production was still working on the existing issue, and Sebastian was trying to find out where the money had gone that should have been available to buy new materials. Although he should feel relieved about the extension, and he did, he was also on edge, knowing how much of the family’s future sat on his shoulders. A week wasn’t much time given what they needed to do. He wanted to buy himself another day before he filled Ethan in.
He took a sip of wine and stared up at the night sky, stars dotting the inky blackness above. He’d wanted the chance to prove himself to Ashley and to his brothers, and now he had it. A definite case of be careful what you wish for, he thought, swirling the liquid around in the glass.
“Hi.” Ashley’s voice broke into his thoughts.
He glanced up to find her walking toward him wearing a short light blue robe, belted loosely around her waist, giving him a luscious view of her cleavage and her long legs as she drew closer.
He placed his glass down on the table beside him and extended a hand. She slid her palm against his, and he pulled her onto his lap, the scent and the heat of her arousing his already stimulated senses.
He’d been waiting for her for what felt like longer than just the past half hour, and she was finally going to be his.
Chapter Seven
“I still can’t believe what happened with Stephan,” Sebastian said to Ashley, finding that her presence took away the edge of anxiety that had been riding him since dinner. “He really intended to pull the contract from Knight Time Technology and he’d have had every right.”
She met his gaze, hers steady and sure. “But you handled it really well. You were self-assured and confident. You gave him what he needed to see, and he has no idea how fragile the situation really is.” She placed her arms on his shoulders. “You’ve got this,” she said in a reassuring tone.
Her faith in him after everything they’d been through was humbling and much needed.
He grasped her hand. “We’ve got this. Starting tomorrow, we need to dig deeper.”
She nodded. “But tonight–”
“Tonight is for us.” He needed her and he intended to have her.
She tipped her head and started in for a kiss, but before she could press her lips against his, he stood with her in his arms and headed inside. He kicked the door shut behind him and made his way to his bedroom, lowering her to her feet, her body gliding along the hard length of his cock that was thick with desire.
“Sebastian.” She reached down and cupped him through his slacks, her palm pressing against his erection, and he groaned.
He grasped her wrist and brought it up over her head. “You don’t want things to end too soon.”
A seductive smile pulled at her lips. “Of course I don’t, but you wouldn’t deny me a feel would you?”
He leaned in and slid his lips over her neck, grazing her with his teeth.
“Trying to distract me?” she asked, her body trembling. “Because it’s working.” She hooked a foot around his ankle and used the anchor to rock her pelvis against his, her softness in all the right places brushing along his hardness.
“Dammit,” he muttered. This woman was sugar and spice, tempting him with all the facets of her personality, and now she was teasing him. Testing his restraint.
It was time he took over this seduction. He grasped her shoulders, turned her around, and reached for the tie on the robe, undoing the silk and slowly lowering the garment down her shoulders, revealing creamy white skin.
Leaning in, he pressed his lips to her bared flesh, feeling the way her body trembled at the feather-light touch. He slid the sides over her arms and let it fall to the floor, leaving her clad in a sexy pair of black lace panties and a matching bra that he could only see from behind. The indentation of her waist enticed him; the soft curve of her ass had his palms itching to cup, his mouth watering to taste.