The Billionaire's Demands (A Boardrooms and Billionaires Series Book) (Entangled Indulgence) (8 page)

“Yes, it would.”

Booth moved in, narrowing the space between them on the rails. Before he could bend his head and finally satisfy the urge to taste her again, she shifted the conversation. “So what about you?”

“What about me?”

“How’d you end up in financial journalism?”

Booth let out a low sigh as the moment evaporated and turned to focus on one of the smaller sea lions, jockeying for position among a group of neighbors. “It’s something I’ve had a natural aptitude for. Writing about numbers.”

“It’s a dry subject.”

He turned to her and wasn’t surprised to see a smile hovering at her lush mouth. “You think?”

“To your credit, though, you make it interesting. And now under your editorial leadership, the entire paper is interesting, cover to cover.”

“Thanks.”

“I mean it. You’ve made financial news something attainable and practical, without dumbing the content down.”

While he’d originally thought their time on the pier might give him an opportunity to further prove there was something between them, it was a heady feeling to find himself seduced.

Her compliment—and her seemingly effortless ability to understand one of the things that made him tick—touched him. The bright smile faded, her mouth straightening into a grim line. “As usual, I’m way too critical, offering up opinions no one really wants or needs to hear.”

“I was thinking a bit differently.”

“Oh?”

This time Booth refused to lose the opportunity to satisfy his need to taste her again. He planted his hand on her lower back to keep her in place. “It’s nice to hear a compliment that reinforces one of the ways you see yourself.”

“Those are nice.” She whispered the words against his lips as he leaned in toward her, his mouth a breath away from hers.

“More than nice, I’d say.”

Any further comment was unnecessary as his mouth covered hers and he finally took what he’d wanted so desperately for the last several weeks.

Her lush lips softened under his and he felt the muscles of her spine flex under his fingers. He shifted them against the rail so their bodies were flush against each other, then used the change in angle to tilt her head back and deepen the kiss.

And once again felt the tables turn when her tongue sneaked out to mesh with his.

Hot liquid need rushed his veins as the seduced became the seducer. His already-sensitive body tightened and he felt every touch of her hands like an exquisite brand upon his skin.

The play of their tongues was carnal and a series of bright flashes exploded behind his eyes when she sucked his into her mouth. Unwilling to be bested in their erotic battle of wills, he lifted a hand to her neck, holding her in place as he plundered her in return. He felt her hands fist in the material of his shirt, just above his waist. Desire punched through him with demanding urgency and it was only a particularly loud shout from one of the sea lions that had him pulling back.

What was he thinking?

While he wanted her desperately, he prized his self-control at the very top of the list of personal attributes. And for the last several minutes, all he’d wanted to do was rip off her clothes and devour her in public. With deliberate movements, he released his hold on her arms, but did reach for her hand, linking their fingers.

“I’m sorry. This is a public place.”

“No one’s paying us all that much attention.” She pointed toward a group of sea lions that had begun some rather diverting antics, falling off their wooden slats and pushing at each other. A row of kids screamed in glee a short distance away. “I’d say the sea lions are definitely the main attraction.”

For all the resistance she’d put up thus far, Booth was pleased to see how breezy and unaffected she was by his he-man behavior. On impulse, he couldn’t resist poking at her unflappable cool a bit. “If I’d continued kissing you, darling, I can promise you we’d have become the main attraction.”

“Talk, talk, talk, Harrison.” She waved a breezy hand in the air. “You’re all talk.”

…

Camryn wasn’t sure what she’d done with the practical, “all business all the time” woman who normally lived inside her body, but she’d firmly fled under the direct and appreciative stare of Booth Harrison, only to be replaced with a softer-spoken woman who had suddenly developed the ability to flirt.

She still couldn’t believe she’d kissed him so publicly on the pier. She also knew that she would still be kissing him if he hadn’t developed some sudden sense of propriety and decorum.

Booth interrupted her still heated thoughts. “Where to next?”

“I saw a line of shops on the other side of the pier. Want to get some dessert?”

“Cotton candy or fudge?”

“Both.”

“I like the way you think.”

“Why do you think I forced myself to have the salad for lunch?”

They followed the milling lines of tourists back down the pier, the barking—and the smell—of the sea lions fading as they walked. Booth pointed toward a large group of people gathered around a street performer. A heavily made-up clown was tying balloons for a group of awestruck children. “The magazine article’s a good idea. I don’t think I’ve ever done this before. Or if I did, it’s been too long to remember.”

“Oh, I don’t know. The smell of those sea lions alone would leave a sense memory that would be hard to forget.”

“Fair point.”

Once again, that subtle flash of awareness that there was something underlying his words struck Camryn and she used the easy camaraderie they’d sunk into to probe a bit. “You didn’t do a lot of trips as a kid?”

“We did very elegant trips to Europe where we ate in high-end restaurants and visited museums. And then my mother and I would spend a month on the Harrison yacht, docked along the Mediterranean Coast.”

“A most excellent experience, I’m sure. My family’s summers weren’t all that different, but at least we got out a bit.” She added a small smile. “We didn’t go to Europe every year.”

His gaze was directed somewhere in the distance and, she suspected, his thoughts as well. “It was excellent and I’d hardly deserve any sympathy for such a life, but it was awfully boring most of the time.”

She couldn’t quite shake the image of a very privileged little boy, trapped on a boat for an entire summer. While certainly not a hard life, it couldn’t have been all that stimulating. It was also further proof of an idea she’d realized long ago: prisons came in all shapes and sizes, and no matter how lush or lovely they were, they still meant you were trapped.

Chapter Six

“Do I need to ask your intentions?”

Booth nearly choked mid-swig on a bottle of water as his half brother’s voice came booming through the phone. The thinly veiled warning in Nathan’s voice had Booth up and pacing his hotel suite. “When did you suddenly become a Boy Scout? Or a grandfather?”

“When I fell in love with the greatest woman in the world and developed an equally strong yet brotherly affection for her two sisters. Besides, my best friend already went hound-dog and got Mayson pregnant. I figure I’d better hedge my bets a bit earlier with Camryn.”

Booth couldn’t hold back the good-natured smile, even as his brother’s words hit a bit close to the mark. “Holt never could be trusted.”

“Obviously. But since not only has he made an honest woman of Mayson, he’s so besotted with her it reflects off of him like a mirror, I’ve decided to cut him some slack.”

“How generous of you.”

“What can I say? I’ve mellowed.”

Where his first reaction to that statement would have been a snort of derision, Booth knew the statement was 100 percent true. “You have.”

“Hard to believe, I know.”

“It’s a definite improvement.”

“But it doesn’t mean I’ve gone completely soft.” With a tenacity Booth had always been slightly envious of, Nathan neatly shifted the conversation back to his earlier question. “So I repeat my initial question. What are your intentions toward Camryn?”

“I’m not looking for your approval.” Booth squeezed the bottle in his hands and willed his voice to stay calm. In control. “I enjoy her company. I want to get to know her better.”

“Wrong answer.”

“I don’t want to get back to that awkward place between us but I won’t back down. She’s a dynamic woman and I’m interested in her.”

“Asshole.”

“Takes one to know one.” The easy camaraderie had been hard-won, but the few moments with his brother were more than welcome after a difficult week of planning for the conference, his usually heavy slate of meetings, and the typical head-butting with his father.

They were even more welcome considering not even a year ago they were barely able to be civil to each other.

“What do you think of the proposal I sent you on the Vegas property? You interested in taking over the entertainment portion?”

Booth was more than interested, and he’d spent the last two weeks running the numbers in his spare time and trying to figure out how quickly he could staff up to take advantage of the opportunity in Nathan’s new hotel project in Sin City. “I’m interested, but I want to put a full business plan in place. You’ll have it late next week.”

The quiet on the other end was absolute for the briefest moment before Nathan spoke. “Look, Booth. I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I’ve come to you because you’re the best. Your production company is more than impressive on its own. When you factor in the fact that you’ve built it all while helming the largest financial newspaper in the world, well, it’s extraordinary. It’s good business sense for me to partner with you on this. Assuming you want in.”

“Hell yeah, I want in.”

“Then sign the papers. We’ll figure out the business plans later. I’ve no doubt you’ve got a damn fine one.”

“Thanks, Nathan.”

Nathan’s voice was husky when he finally spoke. “I’m glad we got here. Damn glad.”

“Me too, brother. Me too.”

Booth hung up the phone and tossed it on the bed. He’d already unpacked and hit the hotel gym, but he was restless for the evening to get started. A quick glance at the clock indicated another hour before he and Camryn were supposed to meet up, and he toyed with the idea of calling her and asking her to be ready early so they could grab a drink.

Give her some space.

The thought chafed, especially since he considered himself a man of action, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Lunch had given him hope he might finally prove to her his interest was real. That what was between them was real.

If she’d just drop those thick walls, so full of stubborn resistance and, he suspected, a past hurt. When she stopped thinking about being serious and in control—today with the sea lions, for example—he saw those glimpses of a happy, carefree woman who reached for what she wanted.

But then she reeled herself in, tamping down whatever it was that made her happy.

He wanted to see that happy, carefree woman. Wanted to hold her in his arms and explore the passion that lived and breathed between them. When you really got down to the nuts and bolts of it, he just wanted
her
.

…

The green dress she’d been so confident of earlier in the week now had Camryn’s stomach in knots as she stared at herself in her full-length hotel room mirror. What had she been thinking, bringing something like this outfit to a business dinner? She had a closet full of beautiful, elegant business suits, all of which would have been appropriate for this evening. A hapless glance toward her open suitcase brought the same satisfaction as the last four times she looked.

None.

Each and every carefully folded item in there was already earmarked for the time in Hawaii and she knew full well the green dress would be even less appropriate while helming the microphone at the sales conference.

A quick shot of tears slammed the backs of her eyes and she took a deep breath, fighting them back with sheer will and determination. God, why did she always feel so out of her depth? When it came to her business decisions she never questioned her instincts. Never ran from a good fight.

But here? In her personal life?

She was an unholy mess.

The light buzz of her phone pulled her attention from the mirror—and off the dress—and Camryn reached for the device as though it was a life preserver. “Camryn McBride.”

“Are you wearing the green dress like you promised me you would?”

A hard laugh burst from her chest as Sinclair’s voice pummeled her ear. “Of course I am.”

“I’m three thousand miles away and I can hear the wheels turning in your head that the dress is inappropriate.”

Camryn fought the urge to pull the phone from her ear and give it a goggle-eyed stare.
How did he know
? “There are no wheels in my head, turning or otherwise.”

“There
are
wheels and your nose is growing, but I’m not going to quibble. Switch to video so I can see how beautiful you look.”

Camryn made the quick adjustment on her phone as Sinclair’s slender features came up on the flat screen. A light sigh escaped his lips before they spread in a broad smile. “Gorgeous. Abso-fricking-lutely gorgeous, woman. Pull the phone back and give me the full view.”

She did as he ordered, oddly bolstered by his sweet words and wolf whistles.

“What shoes are you wearing?”

“The strappy Pradas. Just like we discussed.”

“Oh Lord.” Sinclair fanned his face. “Gorgeous and sexy. If I weren’t so in love with my Joe you could tempt me to switch teams.”

The nerves were back, only this time a rising note of panic joined them. “This is a business dinner, Sinclair. I’m not supposed to look like some tramp.”

“As if.” Sinclair let out a heavy snort. “You look like you could conquer the world, and in that ensemble you’re going to look damn fine doing it.”

The frustrated tears she’d barely held back earlier flooded her eyes once more, but this time they were layered with gratitude and an overwhelming sense of relief. The appreciative coos still echoing through her phone flashed over to a tone a drill sergeant would envy. “Don’t muss your makeup. You can cry later, if you must, although…”

Sinclair left the words hang there and after a small sniff she took the bait. “Although what?”

“I’ve known Booth Harrison a long time. He’s not a man who misses an opportunity. Ever.”

“What does opportunity have to do with anything?”

“Oh, darling.” Sinclair shook his head before pointing a stern finger at her. “One look at you in that dress and the man would be a fool to let you out of his sight.”

…

Booth paced the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, willing his raging nerves to calm. He’d interviewed heads of state who had caused him less anxiety than waiting for this one tiny slip of a woman. A quiet hum filled the elegant lobby, but he was barely aware of it as visions of their afternoon—especially that kiss on the pier—dominated his thoughts.

She was an amazing woman, full of more facets than the most brilliant diamond. She had brains, beauty, and a subtle elegance that managed to reach up and grab him by the throat. He also couldn’t deny that he simply and unequivocally enjoyed her company. Starting with their early flight, straight through their post-lunch tourist adventure, the conversation had flowed smooth and easy. From her grasp of business to her ability to dissect the Bourne movies, to the latest thriller she’d read and couldn’t stop raving about, Camryn McBride was the whole package.

When had he become so smitten with her?

The elevator doors swished open and smitten ratcheted straight on to kicked-in-the-head-infatuated as she stepped off the elevator, one long, elegant leg visible through the slit in her gown.

The air coursing through his lungs—air he’d never given much thought to—stuck in his chest and had his mouth gaping open like one of the freshly caught fish he’d seen on the pier today. The urge to touch her was so intense his fingers nearly burned from wanting as he moved toward her.

“Good evening, Booth.”

He leaned in to kiss to her cheek, shifting at the very last moment to press his lips lightly to hers. Her mouth opened on a small O of surprise and he lingered briefly, captivated by the light rush of her breath as it fanned his lips before pulling away. “You’re beautiful.”

Her dark eyes softened at the compliment. “Thank you.”

“While I’d like nothing more than to skip out on this evening, I don’t think our guests would appreciate being stood up.” He settled a hand at her waist, unable to resist touching her. “Shall we go?”

“That’s probably best.”

Camryn looked up at him and his mouth went dry at the raw hunger he saw in her gaze. He fought to control his raging emotions, even while he’d like nothing more than to turn them both around and walk her straight back to the elevator and up to his suite. “The car’s outside.”

Pete was waiting for them and had the door open and ready for them as they approached. “Mr. Harrison. Ms. McBride.”

“Good evening, Pete.” Camryn’s warm smile lit up her face and Booth was struck once more by yet another facet of her. She was such a warm woman. Reserved, yes, but even the quiet exterior couldn’t hide her innate warmth.

He watched, captivated, as she gathered the material of her dress to slide into the limo. The simple peek he’d had of her legs in the hotel lobby broadened as he caught a fuller glimpse of her slender thighs, and erotic images punched him in the gut with swift fists.

Camryn, naked in his arms, those long, toned legs wrapped around his waist.

Camryn, writhing beneath him as he kissed a path down her inner thigh.

Camryn, wrapped in his arms as they fell into a deep sleep after making love.

It was the last image that caught him up short. When had he begun thinking of waking up with her?

Booth didn’t miss Pete’s knowing gaze—even as the man’s face remained stoically polite—before he climbed into the car. Nor did he miss Camryn’s subtle scent that filled his senses as he slid in next to her.

“Are you all right?”

“Fine.” Booth fought the urge to drag at his tie. “I’m fine. Why?”

A slight frown marred the corners of her mouth. “I don’t know. You looked stricken, all of a sudden. Like something happened.”

Something had happened, all right. Yes, he wanted her, but when had he begun to think of her with some degree of permanence? “Just preparing my sales pitch.”

The frown vanished, replaced by a broad smile. “I should have known. The urge to vanquish and conquer is never all that far from your thoughts, is it?”

He held back a choking cough—she had no idea how close she’d come to hitting the mark, even if the conquering part had nothing to do with business. “You know me. Work, work, work.”

“Do you enjoy it?”

The question caught him up short and Booth twisted from their side-by-side positions so he could really look at her. “It’s my life.”

“That wasn’t my question.”

“I suppose I do. I mean, it’s a living. A damn good one.”

“And you’re still avoiding the question.”

Booth sensed something else underneath her words and couldn’t hold back a question of his own. “Why is it so important to you?”

“I’m curious about people. Curious about what makes them tick and why they make the choices they do.”

“And you think I’m making the wrong choice? Working for my father? Running my own business interests?”

“Hardly. I was just curious if you had any fun doing it.”

…

Camryn wasn’t sure why she kept pressing the issue—Booth’s daily job satisfaction was hardly her concern—but now that she had the bit between her teeth she wasn’t willing to let go until he answered.

“Work isn’t exactly fun but it does have its moments. This week’s meeting in Hawaii is a perfect example of that.”

“No, it’s not always fun. But it’s not drudgery, either. Or it shouldn’t be.” She smoothed the fabric of her dress, well aware this evening fully constituted one of the things she loved about her job.

His smile—the one she thought of as his glamorous flash for the media—was firmly in place. “Perhaps that’s the difference between working for my father and working with your sisters.”