High Seduction (12 page)

Erin was a mess of emotion, all tangled up with urgent sexual desires that needed to be dealt with right now. Only she wasn't sure exactly what she wanted to do with herself.

Watching Devon and Alisha fool around shouldn't have driven her so crazy. Or maybe that wasn't the truth—Devon was a good-looking guy, Alisha good-looking as well, and seeing them together was far better than your typical porn-star mash-up. But seeing them getting turned on had been far more exciting than she'd expected.

For one second she'd wanted to slip over to the opposite side of the table and join in. Add her touch to the hand stroking Alisha—and girls weren't the normal go-to for Erin's turn-ons, but they'd been so into what they were doing. So intent on finding pleasure that the situation had just screamed for Erin to be a part of it.

She'd been so wrapped up in her pondering that she missed what Tim said to the driver.

“We're not staying at the hotel with them?”

Tim shook his head. “You agreed I could take you somewhere else. Three days of R and R on my dime. If you'll allow me.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles.

Erin could no sooner stop the shiver that rocked her than stop the blood from rushing to her erogenous zones. “You did catch the part where I said I needed a shower and some sleep?”

“And food. Don't worry. I'll make sure we cover all the bases.”

The heat wasn't just there inside her. Tim's gaze drifted over her face, more than a touch of anticipation clearly there for her to witness. “You're acting twelve. You'll be making comments about hitting a home run next.”

“Anything to score with you.” He winked at her groan. “Don't worry, I intend sex to be involved, but I'm exhausted as well. I'll be a perfect gentleman until we've both recovered.”

Erin ignored the fact that the driver could hear them. After Alisha and Devon's little scene in the restaurant, being overheard talking about sex wasn't nearly as risqué. “The idea of you being a gentleman makes me laugh.”

“Gentleman pirate?”

She chuckled softly. “That I could see. You scoundrel.”

He leaned her head against his chest and cradled her close. “At your service. It's what scoundrels do best.”

She thought she'd fall asleep, what with the winding roads and the long day of travel and work. Instead she found herself awake but relaxed, the steady beat of his heart under her ear. The rhythmic touch of his fingers as he stroked her braid. Fingertips light on the strands as it hung down over her shoulder.

Outside the grey sky filled with clouds, harsh against the deep green of the evergreens on the mountainsides. They were out off the highway and headed into the higher ground of the island. “So not into Victoria City?”

“What's that?”

Erin rested a palm on his chest and held on lightly. “I thought you'd take me into the big city. Find us a fancy hotel so you could impress me.”

“Too easy. And too much like being back living in a tourist town. Banff is great, but I want some time away from the constant influx of strangers, even if we're a couple of them.”

Good point. “Rustic cabin in the woods?”

“Just about.” Tim pointed ahead of them.

Erin leaned forward to follow the line. “Holy shit, Tim. Rustic doesn't mean castle-sized.”

“I do everything bigger.” Tim laughed when Erin's hand curled into a fist, and she playfully tapped him on the chest. “I can't help it. I've been gifted in so many ways.”

“Gift of oversized ego, that's for sure.” Erin stared out at the rapidly approaching estate and wondered why she wasn't screaming harder about being kidnapped. “Tell me what is this mansion we're headed to. Because that doesn't look like a hotel.”

“It's a private residence. Someone I know who has a few places, and offered for me to stay anytime I wanted.”

Oh, right. She gave him a look. “You just happen to know someone who just happens to have a place on Vancouver Island that is like a million-dollar setting, and without even calling, we're going to be welcome for a few days?”

“Multibillion-dollar.”

She snorted. “You are so going to have to tell me what you've been up to over the past years.”

“Making friends.” He shrugged. “There's a lot of money in and around the oil industry. In this case, though, knowing how to save a man when he was having a heart attack during a visit to the platform got me the connection.”

“Oh, that makes sense.” Erin relaxed a little. “He got sick while doing a tour of the station, and now he's eternally grateful to you?”

“Something like that. Add in the fact I'm a charming fellow, and I get invited to a lot of parties.”

“I bet you do.” Erin eased back. “Fine. I'll trust you.”

Utter silence followed the statement, and panic threatened to rise in Erin.

Trust. She pretty much had always trusted him. Except when her actions had led to his one shitty retaliation. For the rest, when things had gone sideways, it had been far more about her fears than him doing anything wrong.

Far more about losing control and losing herself.

The car pulled up to the front of the long drive, stopping under the protective roof of a massive overhang. A few lights were on in the house, and a well-dressed young man came forward to open her door and offer her a hand.

Erin waited silently, a little uncomfortable until Tim joined her.

“Is Matthew home?” Tim pulled Erin to his side, soothing her fears with his confident approach.

“Unfortunately, you've missed him. He'll be home tomorrow.”

Tim held out his hand. “Timothy Dextor and Erin Tate. Matthew said for me to drop in. We'll be staying for three nights.”

The man shook hands. “I'm Jason Lord. Let me help you with your bags, and I'll show you to the sunroom. You can relax while I see about getting your suite prepared.”

“I'll deal with the taxi.” Tim gestured for Erin to go ahead. “I'll be with you in a minute.”

Jason extended his arm, and Erin wrapped her fingers around the cool black suit with hesitation. “There's not a problem with us stopping in unannounced?”

“Mr. Haven enjoys the spontaneity of new guests,” Jason assured her. “I'm sure he'll be delighted.”

Then Erin got lost in the three-storey ceiling and massive roman columns arranged in a circle around the grand foyer. “Holy shit,” she whispered. “We're not in Kansas anymore.”

Gold. Textiles. Dazzling colours and comfortable leather. It was like watching
Homes Beautiful
, international version, only instead of being on the TV it was right freaking there in front of her.

She was a little shell-shocked by the time Tim joined her in the sunroom. An unpretentious name for a room the size of her main floor that was filled with greenery and exotic blooms.

“You comfortable?” Tim grabbed a bottle off the side counter and poured sparkling liquid into two fluted glasses waiting there.

Erin's jaw snapped up as she fought to find words. “What the hell is going on, Tim?”

He shrugged. “I told you, Matthew and I go back a ways. He's got money, and I like spending it for him. We get along fine.”

“So Jason isn't off summoning the police right now?”

Tim shook his head and handed her a glass, the stem cool against her fingers. “Of course not. I'm sure he left the room and immediately phoned Matt to make sure we were on the up-and-up, but seriously. Think about it, Erin. Would anyone really show up out of the blue and announce they were staying for three days if they hadn't been invited?” He raised a brow. “Right? I mean, that would take more chutzpa than even I've got.”

“True.” Erin accepted the glass and sniffed cautiously. “Only you have to admit this is far outside my usual lifestyle.”

“I don't live this way on a daily basis, either. Makes it more enjoyable when I do.” Tim raised his glass to her in salute. “To three days of luxury and relaxing.”

Their glasses touched, and a crystal click echoed off the walls. Erin could no longer hold back her grin. “To three days of decadence.”

The flash of desire in his eyes promised that their time would be enjoyable for many reasons.

Heat trickled up her spine as Tim strolled through the room, but she answered his casual comments with matching nonchalance.

For the past month he'd done everything he'd said he would. He'd let her be in charge, hadn't pushed for more in the bedroom than what a typical vanilla couple would enjoy. And he was talented enough that she'd had fun. But—

The look of ecstasy on Alisha's face only a few hours earlier had changed things. Rocked the world that Erin had been fighting to maintain—a world where she didn't step outside the very clear boundaries she'd set.

Yet the longing to accept more from Tim was real. While that scared the hell out of her, Erin tucked up her fears and let the other side of her desires escape.

Maybe it was wrong, but for this short while, in a new and somewhat unreal setting, maybe the rules she'd been following so closely for so long could be slightly bent. Maybe, as with Alisha and Devon, there was a place for her to simply take what it was that gave her the most pleasure.

Now she had to work up the courage to let Tim know the rules were temporarily changing.

CHAPTER
12

Jason led them up a staircase that could have fit in any royal manor, the wood surfaces polished to a sparkling shine. All the while the man at Erin's side distracted her more than the opulence glittering around them.

He waited for her to enter the room first before accepting a key from their guide. Tim closed and locked the door silently behind them.

If she'd thought Tim's condo was over the top, this remote palace was another step up the incredible scale. Only the carpets and leather couches and gilded-framed mirrors didn't have a chance when she was fixated on something far better. Tim stood at her side, his fingers playing softly with hers as they stopped in the center of the living room.

“Our backpacks look very out of place,” she noted, retreating to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“Backpacks don't care.” He grinned. “Come on. You said shower and sleep, so let's get ourselves a little of that. Jason informed me he'll send up breakfast, and Matt should be back sometime well before noon.”

“Lovely.” Erin twisted her fingers together before deliberately jerking them apart. Bullshit if she would turn into some wilting flower just because she was about to ask for . . .

God, am I really going to ask for . . . ?

Tim tilted his head. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing.”

He caught her hands in his, calm and reassurance in his presence. “Trust me. Matthew is a great guy, and we're not going to be kicked to the curb in the middle of the night. Or staked in our beds, or anything weird.”

Erin took a deep breath. “I trust you.”

She stepped away slowly, his gaze still pinned to her as she separated their fingers. Then she lifted her hands and undid her top button. Pulled the fabric free from her pants.

“Erin?” The word was a smooth, low rumble that teased her senses and heightened her anticipation. His smile kicked up a notch, the concern fading away.

Her heart didn't seem to be beating properly, and the air in the room seemed very thin.

“I trust you,” she repeated, shedding the fabric and letting it fall to the floor. The button on her waistband was undone, the zipper lowered slowly. Tim didn't move until she'd eased the material over her hips. Then he held out a hand and supported her as she stepped away from the pile of clothing left behind.

Naked but for her bra, panties, and socks.

All the stress of the moment vanished as she looked down at the specifics of what she wore, laughter escaping in a somewhat hysterical burst. It was the
least likely to be considered sexy
outfit she'd ever seen. A serviceable bra, plain undies, and a pair of the thickest socks she owned that she'd dragged on this morning before first light. “I picked the best day to decide to do this.”

Tim held her fingers in his and refused to let her go. Instead he moved closer and lifted her chin. His blue eyes danced as he examined her. “And what exactly are you doing?”

Her pulse skipped. “Trusting you.”

His volume dropped even further. A sheer whisper that scratched along her nerve endings and made them tingle. “Not enough. Erin, why are you stripping down like this? Did you want to make love?”

The bastard was going to make her say it. After all the time they'd spent together during the past month, she should have expected he wouldn't simply take over at the first gesture on her part.

Her breasts rose and fell rapidly with each shaky breath, yet his gaze never fell below her chin as he observed carefully.

Waited for her to respond.

Erin closed her eyes to shut out all distractions. “I want you to take control. I don't want to be in charge of what we do, and I trust you to make these days special.”

A soft stroke slid over her cheek and chin, then his lips brushed hers. “Open your eyes, kitten.”

She obeyed, lifting her lids to discover him only inches away as he gazed lovingly at her.

He stroked her cheek again. “I agree to one day. We take one day, and then we see where we're at. What do you think?”

The offer surprised her. “You don't want . . . ?”

Tim paused. “I want the best for you, Erin. I don't want you to feel pressured or upset if you change your mind. So let's take twenty-four hours and see how we feel. We're adults, we can talk things through. Make right decisions at the right time.”

Unexpected as his suggestion was, something inside her lightened. A fear lifted as if attached to helium balloons, floating off her. “I agree.”

He curled his hand around the back of her neck, his strong thumb stroking the sensitive place where her pulse once again pounded out a rapid rhythm. “Safe word the same as always?”

She nodded.

“Say it.”

Sympathy twisted her smile. “I was trying to save you a cringe.”

Tim eased in and kissed her, his laughter brushing her skin as softly as the contact between their lips. “I'll survive. Say it.”

“Spider.”

His involuntary shudder wasn't funny, but it was. Erin cupped his face in her hands and kissed him tenderly.

His hands circled her waist, palms warm on her bare skin as he separated them a few inches. “At least you know I'll never say it unless we're in dire straits.”

He looked her over for the longest time as her anticipation rose. When he finally moved, it was to slide a strong hand down the back of her leg until he knelt at her feet.

Blue eyes trapped her, his smile growing by the minute. “Thank you for trusting me, kitten. Now lift your foot.”

Erin rested her hand on his shoulder for balance as Tim carefully removed her woolen socks. “You're serious?” she teased. “Only a Newfie would have a woman at his command and go for her socks.”

“Living in Newfoundland does not make a soul a Newfie.” Tim stroked her calf as he settled her foot carefully on his thigh. “Besides, 'tis not the Newfie in me, but the Irish. I'm after your dainty dancing feet.”

Erin moaned as he dug his thumbs into her tired arches. “You can have them. I'll dance prettily for you if you promise to rub me right.”

He surprised her, standing and scooping her up. “Rubbing you right is definitely on the agenda.”

Erin caught hold around Tim's neck, snatching glimpses of the rooms they passed en route to wherever he was carrying her. “Not to be changing the topic, but Mr. Matt the billionaire? What does he do exactly? And how big is this set of rooms they put us in, because this is crazy. I'm going to get lost finding the bathroom in the dark.”

“Matt owns a refinery or two. And you won't get lost.” Tim swung her to the floor and held her until she found her balance. “I'll show you the way.”

Another gorgeous room to admire, only Tim gave her no time. Instead he had her stripped naked and under a cascade of warm water before she could utter a single word about overdone but fantastic bathing areas.

She lifted her hands to remove the elastics from her hair, waiting for Tim to join her.

Only as she combed her fingers through her braids to loosen them, Tim didn't strip down any further. Instead he stood and watched her, his gaze easing over her like a hungry cougar eyeing his dinner.

“You having a shower?” she asked. “There's definitely room for two in here.”

Waiting for him to make the first move was going to drive her crazy.

* * *

The temptation was to jump in right away. To follow her into the shower and use his hands and mouth and cock to work her into a state of utter exhaustion. Sated and fucked to oblivion. But as much as his body screamed for him to follow through on his carnal impulses, that wouldn't highlight the truth he desperately needed her to realize.

She might have given him control, but she was ready to wrest it back at a moment's notice. He knew it, and that was the battle to be won.

Twenty-four hours to prove that here, in the bedroom, she wanted him. More than wanted—she
needed
him to call the shots. It wasn't nearly long enough to put everything in motion so all the dominoes fell the right way.

But he'd do his damnedest.

“I'll shower later.” Tim leaned his hips against the thick granite counter and got comfy. “Right now, I'm enjoying the show.”

Water cascaded down her torso and made her skin glisten. The smooth curves of her breasts, the scooped indent of her waist. She teased her hands up her body to briefly cup her breasts before stepping back and lifting her face to the spray.

Tim admired her muscular body, calves and thigh muscles flexing briefly as she shifted position. Strong biceps, firm shoulders. All of her strength contrasted beautifully with her softer womanly curves. Dark nipples pulling to peaks in spite of the heated water washing her clean.

She knew he was watching.

Erin twisted her back to him, lathering shampoo into her hair. Sections draped over her shoulders, and he itched with the desire to grab hold. To tangle the long strands around his fingers as he made fists and held her in position. The long line of her back arching toward him as he pumped into her.

Soon.

The scent of coconut drifted out, and he laughed. “You're already good enough to eat. You don't need to add to temptation.”

“It was that or tea tree oil,” Erin commented as she faced him again. “I'd prefer to smell like an exotic drink.”

“Summertime. The scent of a hot day, lying in the sun with nothing to do but listen to the ocean and let the sun bake your senses.”

“Oh, poetic.” She crossed her arms, framing her breasts perfectly. “I'm clean. You want the shower, or what?”

Tim didn't answer. Just stepped barefoot into the enclosure with her and ignored her gasp of surprise. Everything he wore was instantly soaked as he crowded her against the tiled sidewall, fully clothed to her naked skin.

She tilted her head and met his kiss full on. Accepted his hungry assault as he took possession of her mouth. He kept his hands pressed hard to the wall on either side of her head to stop from clenching her. To resist the urge to shove her to her knees and drive his cock into her mouth.

The feral animal inside him wanted to seize and control. The man took what she would give, and waited.

He pressed harder, his body alone pinning her in place. Kissing continued. Passionate bites and licks as he moved to torment the tender section under her ear. All the while he refused to allow her to retreat.

Erin moaned, a gasp of longing and anticipation. She'd caught his shirt and held on tight, her strong fingers squeezed into fists. She couldn't move him, and he wasn't about to leave, but she held on just the same, struggling to make the connection between them more intimate. She wiggled, but her hips only shifted minutely from side to side.

Tim slowed his kisses and dragged in a breath of air. “You want more?”

“Yes,” she hissed, desperately attempting to make him do something.

He was on to her game. “You want to come?”

“You decide. Bastard.”

Tim laughed. “But you seemed determined to get something here. Shall I take what I want? Or give in, and let you have your way again?”

A string of curses scorched his ears before she paused and let out a long, slow breath.

Then relaxed.

All the tension she'd been fighting him with washed away, as if flowing out of her limbs and down the drain. Her tight-fisted grip on his shirt loosened, and she rested her head on the tiles, eyes seeking his.

He nodded slowly.

Tim ran his hand down her side. He caressed her hip, then caught her under her knee and lifted the leg upward. “Wrap it around me,” he ordered.

Her body was open to him, and as he leaned back slightly, there was enough room to sneak his fingers between them. Just far enough to separate the folds of her sex and tease with a fingertip as he kissed her. This time the hunger between them was different. He took control, and she accepted what he gave her. Savoured it. Eased her neck back so he could dance attention on the sensitive curves, lave his tongue in tiny circles as he headed toward her ear.

All the time he kept his fingers moving. Increasing pressure on her clit, firm thrusts of his fingers into her wet core.

She shivered as he sucked on her earlobe. “God, I'm getting goose bumps in the shower.”

“You need this,” Tim breathed softly. “Letting go makes every part of you more sensitive. When I stroke your skin”—he brought his left hand down her collarbone, over her nipple, until he caught hold of her hip—“you don't just feel it where we connect. The sensation dances all over, like an electric pulse. A net of intense pleasure. When I touch your clit, you know I can make you come. But every part of you wants my touch. All of you craves my attention.”

“Yes,” she whispered. This time the word meant so much more. There was no command in it, just sheer desperate desire.

Tim adjusted them slightly so the water fell over her, keeping her warm as liquid splashed freely over her breasts, the fine spray like a thousand tiny fingers caressing her skin.