The Billionaire's Demands (A Boardrooms and Billionaires Series Book) (Entangled Indulgence) (12 page)

“Is that so?” He relaxed slightly at the comment. A bit of idle speculation wasn’t out-and-out gossip. Add on they were two single adults, free of attachments, and people would speculate even if they didn’t have a damn thing brewing between them.

So let them speculate.

Booth leaned in, his words whisper-soft against her ear. “Does this mean you’re open to some snapping?”

“People may get ideas in their head.”

“Let them.”

She did turn at that, surprise that he’d push the issue here, especially in front of his staff, more than evident in her widened eyes. “This isn’t the time or the place.”

“Maybe it is.”

“We’ll discuss this later.”

“With a walk on the beach.”

“Booth.”

“Say yes, Camryn.” An urgency filled his words—one he was helpless to hold back.

In a strange repetition of their conversation on the plane, Booth was surprised to realize that once again he was asking her to say yes. And just like their conversation on the flight, he was filled with a deep satisfaction when she agreed, that one small word emitted on a breathless exhale.

“Yes.”

…

The lights of the hotel faded in the distance as Booth and Camryn walked along the beach. The heavy lap of waves echoed around them, and the night sky overhead was bright with stars.

“It truly is paradise here,” she said. “It’s probably good Hawaii is so far away from the mainland. If it were close, no one would ever want to leave.”

“Did you enjoy the luau?”

“What a great way to kick off the conference. It was fun and lighthearted and it got people mixing and mingling. I loved the hula dancers. What about you?”

“I loved watching you watch the entertainment.”

She stopped and turned toward him. “You’re not going to back down, are you?”

“Do you want me to back down?”

“No—” Whatever else she was about to say faded as the heavy lap of waves punctuated the silence. On a light sigh, she continued. “No, I don’t want you to back down, but I do think discretion is in order.”

Booth wanted to press her but he wanted her to come to him—all on her own—even more. With deliberate movements he came to a halt, turning to face her. “You have to know what you’re doing to me. You’re like a drug in my system, so powerful that I can’t think about anything else for wanting you.”

“I know.”

“How do you know?” His words came out sharper than he intended and in that moment Booth had to acknowledge just how close to the razor’s edge he walked in his need for her.

“I see how you look at me and all I can think is that must be how I look at you.”

“How’s that?”

Her hair blew around her face in the light breeze off the ocean, moonlight sheening her skin in a soft glow. The confusion and subtle sense of mistrust that always kept her wary in his presence faded as the ocean crashed in the background. Whether it was his imagination or the overwhelming need he had for her, Booth had no idea, but in that moment he sensed—no, he
felt
—a change.

Like the ocean tide that would erase all traces of them walking on the sand, her doubts seemed to fade away as well, acceptance washing away everything else. “Like you’re the only thing I can see. I want you. I’m not convinced it’s a good idea, but so help me I want you.”

Booth didn’t even know he was holding his breath until it came out on a heavy rush of air. He dragged her into his arms, the long hours of waiting for her finally over.

Her lips met his and as she opened her mouth, welcoming his tongue to tangle with hers, he tasted the sweetest victory.

Chapter Nine

For a decision that had filled her with endless questions over the last several months, Camryn was amazed at just how easy it was to say yes to Booth. She moved into his arms and pressed her body to his, his muscled frame a feast for her senses.

Male power radiated off of him in waves, the heat of his skin at odds with the sweet night air that swirled around them both, and Camryn reveled in the contrast.

He made love to her with his mouth, lips, and hands, his teeth and fingers drawing the most exquisite sensations. Camryn had the abstract worry they might be discovered, but a quick glance over his shoulder indicated they were alone on the beach. Secure in that knowledge, she used the moment to her advantage. With seeking fingers, she slipped a hand beneath the waistband of Booth’s shorts, his sharp intake of breath against her lips empowering her to be even bolder. With deliberate movements, she gripped the length of him, pumping his straining flesh with her hand.

“Camryn—” He whispered her name out on a heavy moan and she maintained the pressure, satisfied by the immediate transformation in his composure. The arms that held her grew tight as he struggled against the demands of his body, and the thick lines of his chest pressed against her breasts, hardening her already-sensitized nipples where they brushed against him.

“We can’t do this.” The words sounded as if they were dragged from his lips and despite his protests, he pushed his body against her, grinding into her palm.

“I thought this was your idea?” She smiled against his lips, pleased when he reached out and nipped at her with his teeth.

“Vixen.”

“I find I’m rather enjoying the role.”

On a sigh that held a world of wanting, Booth reached for her wrist, staying the motion of her hand. “You’re making me crazy, but we can’t do this here.”

“Spoilsport.”

“Practical. What I want to do to you is going to take a lot longer than ten minutes.”

“Here’s to that.”

His smile was broad and decidedly wicked, the white of his teeth reflecting back at her in the light of the moon. “Actually, here’s to us. And a very large bed.”

They stumbled back toward the hotel and Camryn was amused to find her footing was off-kilter as her body shook with unfulfilled need.

“This way!” Booth’s whisper was loud, drawing her attention as his arms pulled her off the path they walked back to the hotel.

“Where are you going?”

“To my bungalow.”

“An entire bungalow? My, my, it’s good to be the boss.” The tease was light and airy and for the briefest moment Camryn marveled that it was her saying the words. When had she traded in her deliberate-all-the-angles personality for this playful, flirtatious attitude?

The evidence was as clear as the large man who wrapped himself around her.

Booth.

It had all begun and ended with Booth.

He made her see herself differently, and she liked what she saw. Liked the woman who was ready to throw caution to the wind for a round of sex on the beach. She and Booth
fit
and she was done passing up her chance at seeing just how well they fit. She’d worry about the rest of it when she got back to New York. For now, she was taking full advantage of some good old-fashioned Hawaiian relaxation.

Booth fumbled with his key card and had the door knocking heavily back on its hinges as he slammed it open with his fist. Before she could tease him for his impatience, her world went horizontal as he lifted her off her feet. “What are you doing?”

“Hedging my bet.” He pressed a quick kiss against her temple.

“On what?”

He stopped at the doorway and stared down at her. In the moonlight reflecting in the room, Camryn saw a world of emotion branded across his face. “I don’t want you to come to your senses and run.”

“I have come to my senses.”

“Oh?” Those emotions changed, morphing into a quick flash of disappointment.

“Oh yes. And there’s no way I’m going anywhere.”

…

Satisfaction bloomed in Booth’s chest. Over the last few months—and certainly the last few days—he’d almost felt as if he were trying to wear Camryn down, and that couldn’t be further from his intentions. She fascinated him and he believed they had something special between them. He only wanted an opportunity to see just how right he was. And how right they could be together.

Music that must have been left on by the hotel’s turndown service played softly from built-in speakers, weaving a spell around them. He pulled Camryn close once more. “You nearly killed me on the beach.”

“I should try my hand once more.” He laughed at the pun, amazed he could even crack a smile his body throbbed so desperately for release.

As she collapsed in the circle of his arms, her own laughter shaking her shoulders, he was struck yet again by how different he felt when he was with her. Certainly sex was supposed to be enjoyable, but this had the added dimension of being comfortable all while being sexy as hell.

It was a potent combination.

“I think you’re wearing too many clothes.” He reached for the zipper on the back of her vibrant print dress, trailing his fingers over her spine as he parted the silky material. She shivered but stood proud and tall when the silk fell from her body, pooling around her feet. “Are you cold?”

“No.”

“Why the shiver?”

“I’m a little nervous.”

He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss against her lips. “Me too.”

The realization shocked him, but Booth knew with absolute certainty his comment was true. He
was
nervous. And excited. And so desperate for her he wasn’t sure he could hold out as long as he wanted to.

“What do you have to be nervous about?”

“I’ve got a beautiful woman in my arms and my body’s about to go off like a fourteen-year-old. And I’ve got a beautiful woman in my arms and I don’t want to mess this up. And, well, I’ve got a beautiful woman in my arms.”

He saw her smile spread, full of feminine knowledge and power. Unlike earlier at dinner, this smile reached her eyes, those warm orbs golden brown in the subdued light of the room. Booth pulled her close, moving them both toward the bed. As he felt the edge with his leg, he dragged the covers down before pressing her into the sheets.

“You’re still wearing too much.”

“You’ve got on more than me.”

“Not for long.” He shucked his clothing quickly, careful to drop his shorts in easy reach from the bed, then came down next to her, stretching out along her body.

“Booth.” Her hand was gentle on his face as she traced the line of his jaw with her fingers. The sensation was tender yet erotic, and he marveled at how everything between them was a new sensation. More unique—more
Camryn
—than any experience of his life.

“What, baby?”

“Why us?”

He shifted, rising up fully on his elbow to look down at her. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing. I’m sorry. It’s silly.”

“Not if you asked it. Come on. What’d you mean?”

A light blush suffused her cheeks and he saw how vulnerability painted her face in tight lines. “I was just curious—”

“Yes?”

“Why us. And why now.” The light pink riding her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of rose. “I’m sorry. This is dumb and I’m ruining the moment.”

“You’re not ruining anything.”

“I’m certainly not helping anything either.”

He sat up, this time pulling her with him until she was tucked under his arm. “Would you rather we not do this?”

“No!” Her answer was so immediate—and so absolute—he could only wonder what else might be bothering her. “So what’s the matter?”

“I just can’t believe you want to be with me.”

“Can’t believe…” Booth broke off, his words fading as he thought about their morning. “Does this have anything to do with that asshole Patrick Martindale?”

“Not directly. But, well, a little bit.” Camryn took a deep breath and he watched her gather her strength. When she finally spoke again, her voice was crisp and clear. “I’m sorry to bring him between us. Patrick certainly wasn’t my first, but he was the most recent. And at every turn I came up lacking in his eyes.”

That reticence he’d sensed earlier in her tone finally had an explanation and he was pissed he hadn’t laid the guy out when he’d had a clean shot. “Because he’s an asshole.”

“While I appreciate that assessment, it doesn’t change the fact that I spent an awfully unpleasant year losing a part of myself again.”

Again? The question was quickly obliterated as a dark haze descended over his vision and Booth fought to keep his perspective. This moment was about Camryn, not what he’d like to do to punch that wanker’s face in. “I wish I could change that. Wish that you could see the vibrant, beautiful woman that I see. And if I’d known how deeply he’d hurt you I’d have laid him out this morning.”

“The Ritz-Carlton frowns on that sort of thing.”

“Not when you tip big.”

He felt her mood lighten immediately as her laughter built once more. The shoulders that had stiffened under his arms loosened and the hesitancy he’d seen faded as if it had never been. “You’re amazing. I’m sorry that anyone, anyone at all, made you forget that for even a moment.”

“I’m sorry I brought that here. Between us.”

“I’m not. You don’t have to hide from me. Not your thoughts. Not anything.”

Camryn reached for him, pulling his head toward hers for a kiss. Booth drank her in, her sweet flavor the most sultry aphrodisiac. “Touch me, Booth.”

He made quick work of her bra before sliding his hands lower to the waistband of her panties. He dipped one finger beneath the elastic on an unerring quest for the slickness at the apex of her thighs. Her warm heat surrounded him and Booth couldn’t hide the feeling of being the conquering hero as he slid a finger inside the tight walls of her body.

“Booth!”

Even as his own body strained for release, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to turn her as crazy with need as he was. “Turnabout is fair play.”

Moments spun out between them, long and lazy with need as Booth watched Camryn take her pleasure. The golden brown of her eyes grew darker as her pupils expanded, telegraphing her desire, even as her body grew tight with her need for release. And then the moment broke, her body taking her over the edge.

Booth watched in awe as pleasure suffused her features. Her chest flushed a delicate shade of pink and her head lay on the pillow, a riot of dark curls framing her face. He trailed a line of kisses up her body.

Camryn’s voice was husky when she spoke. “You really are the perfect host, you know that?”

“How so?”

“You provide luxury accommodations, all the food and drink your guests could ask for,
and
you provide orgasms on demand. Are you available for parties? I bet we could even write a few articles on you for
Modern Woman
.”

“You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

…

True to Booth’s promise, Camryn realized quickly that he was far from finished having his way with her. Fortunately, she was not only up to the task, but she had a few tricks up her sleeve as well. With a quick shift, she had him on his back, straddling his hips.

“Smooth move, McBride.”

“I can be even smoother.” Camryn leaned forward, allowing her hair to fall over his chest. She saw the stark need that covered his face just before she leaned forward to press a trail of kisses over his chest. The hard points of his nipples highlighted his arousal and she flicked her tongue over each one before moving on down toward his stomach.

A light trail of hair fascinated her as she moved lower before being met with the full evidence of his arousal through the silky material of his briefs.

“We’ll need to remove these.” She moved quickly, but carefully, and had his briefs down his thighs and over his calves before tossing them aside.

“Impressive.”

“To borrow your phrase, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Booth must have sensed her intent because his strong fingers gripped her shoulders and dragged her back up his body. “I want you so bad I can’t see straight. You spend any more time down there with your mouth that close to my body and our evening is going to come to an awfully untimely end.”

Once more, the reality of how she affected him rose up to swamp her with pleasure. Add on how freely Booth shared his praise—and how honestly he told her how he felt and what she did to him—and Camryn knew her illusions about simply having a fling with the man were deeply misguided. She’d be lucky to get out of this with her heart intact.

“Are you with me?”

His words penetrated her thoughts and Camryn knew she’d never been more ready.

He reached up once more and captured her lips with his before neatly turning her over onto her back and capturing her body with his. The long, hard length of him pressed against her thigh before he leaned off the bed to reach for his shorts.

The quick crinkle of the condom packet echoed in the room before he put it on, then positioned himself against her body. “I want you so badly, Camryn.”

She wasn’t sure if it was the words, or his use of her name or the very real weight of him seeking entrance into her body, but a well of emotion opened up and all she could do was nod her agreement.

The desire that had been building for months was finally given free rein and Camryn allowed herself to follow wherever it led.

Booth filled her, then began to move with long, sure strokes. The same pleasure built as before, only this time there was another layer. Another dimension. His large body, rising and falling over hers, the light slap of their flesh, and the need that tightened every one of his muscles made the experience deeper.