All or Nothing at All
Page 20
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“You’re so damn beautiful,” he growled, his teeth scraping against her hard nipple. “Give me more. Don’t hold back.”
“Tristan, oh, God, it feels so good.”
He pulled down her bra and sucked on her nipple, adding another finger inside of her. With controlled motions, he played her, bringing her slowly to the edge and keeping her there, until her clit throbbed with need and her teeth sank into her lower lip, her head thrashing back and forth as she reached desperately for climax.
His blood roared in his veins, and he knew he couldn’t take another moment. “Let go, baby. Come for me.”
He rubbed her clit and bit down on her nipple at the same time.
She screamed, jerking in his arms as the release washed over her. He cursed and studied her face, drinking in the shocked satisfaction, reveling in her response to his touch. He kissed her again, murmuring softly against her lips, taking her down with care.
She collapsed on his lap, still holding him. Tristan wrapped his arms around her and held her just as tight, not wanting her to regret a single act they’d done together. She’d surprised him with her erotic surrender mixed with the pure honesty she always reflected. It was a heady combination.
“Are you okay?” he asked, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
“Mmm,” she murmured against his chest.
“I don’t know if this is a good idea.” He stroked her, and she purred like a cat, and all he could think about was how fast he could make her come again. “We work together. My brothers would freak. My father would kill me. Baby, I don’t know where this can go between us, and I don’t want to hurt you. I’d rather die than hurt you.”
“I know. But I can handle it, Tristan. Why can’t we take it slow and see what happens? We don’t have to tell anyone. It can be our secret.”
“Is that what you want?”
He held his breath. His head warned him if he took this road with her, everything could change. But something in his gut drove him forward: a need to dive deep and discover everything this woman had to give. He waited for her answer, swearing that if there was even a glint of wariness, he would let her go.
Slowly she raised her head and treated him to a sexy, sleepy smile. “What I want is for you to do that again.”
So he did.
“The parking garage is that way. We can walk to Carmine’s,” she said, interrupting his thoughts.
He got himself together. This was about business. Not stolen kisses in attics or hot memories of bringing her to climax as she sat sprawled on his lap. He needed to bring his A game to Cushman, and he didn’t intend to let his little head dictate the next couple of hours.
“Got it.” He parked. She climbed out of the car, hitching her purse over her shoulder and smoothing down her black skirt. They walked the few blocks to the popular Italian place, known for good Chianti, generous family-size portions of food, and solid service. He tried not to notice the way her skirt hugged her lush ass or the stretch of those muscled legs, flexing due to her high strappy heels. She’d put her hair up in a bun today, reminding him of a sexy librarian he ached to mess up.
He was sure she wouldn’t appreciate his thoughts.
They walked inside, where Adam was already seated. The dining room was richly decorated, from the glittering chandelier to the numerous portraits of celebrities and the sprawling wooden bar that took up half of the front room. Adam stood up to greet them. The man was a dynamo when it came to real estate, preferring to sweep up good property and trust builders and design teams to increase the value. “Adam, good to see you again,” Tristan said. They shook hands with mutual respect. “I’m so glad we’re able to work this deal together.”
“Me too. Sydney, you look wonderful as always.” He pressed a kiss to both of her cheeks in the European manner. With his neatly trimmed goatee, dark hair, and muscled body, he was known to turn a woman’s head, then keep her attention with his intelligent conversation. He’d already ordered a bottle of wine. “I started off with a red but can easily order a bottle of white if you prefer.”
Sydney smiled. “Red is perfect, thank you.”
They exchanged polite chitchat, then Adam swung the conversation to business. “I love that I finally got an investment property in Harrington. Lots of activity going on, especially after the Rosenthals moved there. You’re close to New York, near a marina, and have a pick of artsy stores. Plus there’s money. Everything I want to invest in.”
The Rosenthals were a celebrity couple who’d filmed a movie in Harrington and hired Morgan to build them a custom dream house. She’d done the job side by side with Cal and become an even bigger name in home design. Now Harrington seemed to be the new buzz city for the up-and-coming.
Tristan hated thinking about his small town getting overrun, but he also understood that if he helped with the design and locations, at least he had input. Sydney smoothly cut in. “It’s a great place to live,” she said. “Problem is good land is getting scarce, especially around the harbor. Buying up the Bakery block to renovate a string of custom houses that look upscale is a brilliant idea. Tristan and I already solidified the plans for the first three houses, and we’re ready to move forward. Were you able to go over the cost estimates we sent?”
Adam nodded. “Yes. I love the designs and being able to work with local suppliers. But I’m not sure if that’s going to work out. I’m thinking of going with the Builders Loft warehouse out in Jersey. They were able to offer a very competitive proposal.”
Tristan’s radar began to ping. He knew Cushman always threw a curveball, and this one was a biggie. He’d given them the sample, hooked them like a fish, then reeled Pierce Brothers in. Sydney wouldn’t have been prepared for such a strategy. New York had taught him about the ruthlessness and touch of greed within the property development segment.
The waiter dropped off platters of stuffed artichokes, calamari with marinara sauce, and salad, then smoothly retreated.
He decided to wait it out, hoping Syd would have time to wrap her mind around Adam’s challenge. Tristan hoped he wouldn’t have to dive in to save her, and be forced to engage in the main contest that all males knew best:
Who had the biggest dick.
Sydney filled her plate, nodding thoughtfully. “I understand why you’d be concerned, Adam. Working with an established warehouse definitely drives down costs, but then we’re missing out on the big picture and the true goal of this project. Hiring local brings in a unique perspective, product control, quality, and the loyalty of the town. Depending on one warehouse to complete all eight houses is risky.”
“Tristan, oh, God, it feels so good.”
He pulled down her bra and sucked on her nipple, adding another finger inside of her. With controlled motions, he played her, bringing her slowly to the edge and keeping her there, until her clit throbbed with need and her teeth sank into her lower lip, her head thrashing back and forth as she reached desperately for climax.
His blood roared in his veins, and he knew he couldn’t take another moment. “Let go, baby. Come for me.”
He rubbed her clit and bit down on her nipple at the same time.
She screamed, jerking in his arms as the release washed over her. He cursed and studied her face, drinking in the shocked satisfaction, reveling in her response to his touch. He kissed her again, murmuring softly against her lips, taking her down with care.
She collapsed on his lap, still holding him. Tristan wrapped his arms around her and held her just as tight, not wanting her to regret a single act they’d done together. She’d surprised him with her erotic surrender mixed with the pure honesty she always reflected. It was a heady combination.
“Are you okay?” he asked, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
“Mmm,” she murmured against his chest.
“I don’t know if this is a good idea.” He stroked her, and she purred like a cat, and all he could think about was how fast he could make her come again. “We work together. My brothers would freak. My father would kill me. Baby, I don’t know where this can go between us, and I don’t want to hurt you. I’d rather die than hurt you.”
“I know. But I can handle it, Tristan. Why can’t we take it slow and see what happens? We don’t have to tell anyone. It can be our secret.”
“Is that what you want?”
He held his breath. His head warned him if he took this road with her, everything could change. But something in his gut drove him forward: a need to dive deep and discover everything this woman had to give. He waited for her answer, swearing that if there was even a glint of wariness, he would let her go.
Slowly she raised her head and treated him to a sexy, sleepy smile. “What I want is for you to do that again.”
So he did.
“The parking garage is that way. We can walk to Carmine’s,” she said, interrupting his thoughts.
He got himself together. This was about business. Not stolen kisses in attics or hot memories of bringing her to climax as she sat sprawled on his lap. He needed to bring his A game to Cushman, and he didn’t intend to let his little head dictate the next couple of hours.
“Got it.” He parked. She climbed out of the car, hitching her purse over her shoulder and smoothing down her black skirt. They walked the few blocks to the popular Italian place, known for good Chianti, generous family-size portions of food, and solid service. He tried not to notice the way her skirt hugged her lush ass or the stretch of those muscled legs, flexing due to her high strappy heels. She’d put her hair up in a bun today, reminding him of a sexy librarian he ached to mess up.
He was sure she wouldn’t appreciate his thoughts.
They walked inside, where Adam was already seated. The dining room was richly decorated, from the glittering chandelier to the numerous portraits of celebrities and the sprawling wooden bar that took up half of the front room. Adam stood up to greet them. The man was a dynamo when it came to real estate, preferring to sweep up good property and trust builders and design teams to increase the value. “Adam, good to see you again,” Tristan said. They shook hands with mutual respect. “I’m so glad we’re able to work this deal together.”
“Me too. Sydney, you look wonderful as always.” He pressed a kiss to both of her cheeks in the European manner. With his neatly trimmed goatee, dark hair, and muscled body, he was known to turn a woman’s head, then keep her attention with his intelligent conversation. He’d already ordered a bottle of wine. “I started off with a red but can easily order a bottle of white if you prefer.”
Sydney smiled. “Red is perfect, thank you.”
They exchanged polite chitchat, then Adam swung the conversation to business. “I love that I finally got an investment property in Harrington. Lots of activity going on, especially after the Rosenthals moved there. You’re close to New York, near a marina, and have a pick of artsy stores. Plus there’s money. Everything I want to invest in.”
The Rosenthals were a celebrity couple who’d filmed a movie in Harrington and hired Morgan to build them a custom dream house. She’d done the job side by side with Cal and become an even bigger name in home design. Now Harrington seemed to be the new buzz city for the up-and-coming.
Tristan hated thinking about his small town getting overrun, but he also understood that if he helped with the design and locations, at least he had input. Sydney smoothly cut in. “It’s a great place to live,” she said. “Problem is good land is getting scarce, especially around the harbor. Buying up the Bakery block to renovate a string of custom houses that look upscale is a brilliant idea. Tristan and I already solidified the plans for the first three houses, and we’re ready to move forward. Were you able to go over the cost estimates we sent?”
Adam nodded. “Yes. I love the designs and being able to work with local suppliers. But I’m not sure if that’s going to work out. I’m thinking of going with the Builders Loft warehouse out in Jersey. They were able to offer a very competitive proposal.”
Tristan’s radar began to ping. He knew Cushman always threw a curveball, and this one was a biggie. He’d given them the sample, hooked them like a fish, then reeled Pierce Brothers in. Sydney wouldn’t have been prepared for such a strategy. New York had taught him about the ruthlessness and touch of greed within the property development segment.
The waiter dropped off platters of stuffed artichokes, calamari with marinara sauce, and salad, then smoothly retreated.
He decided to wait it out, hoping Syd would have time to wrap her mind around Adam’s challenge. Tristan hoped he wouldn’t have to dive in to save her, and be forced to engage in the main contest that all males knew best:
Who had the biggest dick.
Sydney filled her plate, nodding thoughtfully. “I understand why you’d be concerned, Adam. Working with an established warehouse definitely drives down costs, but then we’re missing out on the big picture and the true goal of this project. Hiring local brings in a unique perspective, product control, quality, and the loyalty of the town. Depending on one warehouse to complete all eight houses is risky.”
