I tapped the card. “She’s waiting for your call. Naturally, she’ll need a great deal of leeway to accomplish all this by the deadline I’ve set, but I know you can keep her in line and supervised.”
Auggie’s head hadn’t stopped nodding and a smile of authority was on her beautiful face. I really hated to manipulate her like this, but I had no choice. Auggie was the sort of woman who, when harnessed, could easily pull her share of the weight. If crossed, she would be hell to deal with and I preferred the passion of the former to the misery of the latter. It was a gamble, but it paid off. I hoped.
It wasn’t over, though. “So, why is Mother screaming your name with curses all over the house? What on earth did you do to her?”
“I have no idea, honey.” The lie tasted sour. “I’m guessing maybe she thought she had a puppet in Jervis and now he’s leaving. A little mudslide in her kingdom of power, perhaps?”
Auggie bought this, her eyes dropping to her twisting fingers. “I’m sure that’s it. She doesn’t like anyone to upset her power equilibrium. God only knows what she holds over Jervis, but whatever it is, it’s going to waste now.” She grabbed both my hands and kissed my fingers over the table. “Worth, I’m so proud of you. I had no idea all this was going on in the back of your head. I can’t wait to get started!”
Then her eyes darkened for a moment and she asked me in a softer voice, “Worth… all this is a lot to hand over to me. Do you honestly believe in me enough to handle it or are you trying to keep me busy while you do something more important?”
I felt the rock drop into the pit of my stomach. Everything in our future depended on my next few words. “Of course you can handle it, Auggie. Do you think I’d put the bulk of my inheritance into your hands if I didn’t think you capable?”
That seemed to satisfy her as she smiled with assurance and then whispered in my ear. We left the café and found a room at the Hilton. The ache in my groin was quickly erased as Auggie found new uses for her mouth and fingers. I laid back against the pillows and watched her face as she took my cock into her mouth. Her breasts brushed my thighs, and her hair fell forward. It formed a curtain I longed to part so I could watch every movement.
Her mouth was hot, tight. Her teeth scraped over my sensitive flesh. I arched into her as she cupped my balls. “Stop,” I breathed. “Not yet. Don’t want to come yet.”
She lifted her head and smiled, a sexy curve lifting her lips. When her tongue flicked out and stroked up my length, I nearly exploded.
Eyes gleaming, she climbed up my body as a predator would stalk her prey. Taking the condom from my hand, she turned to roll it on. My fingers found her breasts and she moaned as I pinched her nipples. Fascinated, I pinched them again.
I wanted to taste her. Devour her. Take and give to her. Feast on her body and let her feast on mine.
“Give me your hands,” she whispered, and I held them out, ready to give her anything. She held them like reins as she hovered over me, taking her time. Then I felt her, felt everything as her body lowered and consumed my cock an inch at a time.
So wet. So tight. It took all my control not to come immediately. She smiled down at me and began to move.
Up and down she rode me, our fingers grasping, our eyes connected as we raced toward the edge. I loved this woman. Cherished her. Needed her like my lungs needed air. She was my greatest blessing.
She cried out as she came, her body spasming over and around me. But she didn’t stop. She rode on, her hips frantically rocking back and forth.
I was close. So close. My balls tightened, begged for release. I waited, watching her beautiful face as another orgasm built within her.
When she came, I turned us, flipping her on her back. Her legs wound around me as her arms circled my neck. “Love you,” I growled as I plunged in deep over and over. Then I was there. My body tightened, pulse pounding, vision growing dark around the edges as semen raced from me and into her.
I collapsed onto her, then lifted on an elbow to release her from my crushing weight. But she pulled me back down, her lips on mine, our bodies connected.
“I love you, too,” she whispered against my lips as I rolled us onto our sides. Her breath was warm on my face as she kissed me. And I kissed her. And I counted my blessings for this woman.
There, holding the woman I adored in my arms, I thought I had the world under control. I’ve never been more wrong in my entire life.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Auggie
I floated home that morning, having left a rumpled but empty bed as Worth left for work. I lounged a bit and sipped coffee and juice, making notes on my phone regarding what had to be done next.
I called the architect. She agreed to meet me for lunch and I quickly scooted home for a shower and a change.
Beverly Dexter was prompt and even as she approached, I was struck by her beauty. She moved like a gazelle, long-legged and rhythmic and my instincts were immediately on fire.
We shook hands and I invited her to sit down.
“How long have you known Worth?” was the first question out of my mouth.
She seemed a little suspicious by my question but then apparently decided she would be dealing with me from now on so she may as well form a good relationship. “He only called me last week. Are you two an item?” she asked, taking me by surprise.
It peeved me that she should begin questioning me before she’d even shown me the plans. I just looked at her, and she must have gotten the message because she opened a tube and rolled out blueprint paper across the table.
“He’s very good-looking, you know,” she began. “I could get close to that very easily.”
Was she freakin’ insane? She had a huge customer in Worth and even if she was as stupid as she was beautiful, she had to pick up on the fact that Worth was turning things over to me. Therefore, I must be involved with him and wouldn’t like her intimate remarks.
“You’re his secretary, right?” she suggested boldly.
I was so astounded at her behavior, I decided to let her dig her own grave. I nodded.
She looked relieved. “Oh, lucky girl. Wish I were in your shoes… well, actually I’d rather be in his bed,” she gushed, brushing her hair back from her forehead. “What’s his type?”
This was going to be fun. “Oh, I really couldn’t say but most of the women I’ve seen him with are tall, dark-haired, long legs… actually a lot like you now that I think of it,” I baited her.
“Really?” she gushed, her fingers now stroking her bottom lip. “Where does he like to hang out? I mean… where could I sort of accidentally run into him?”