Vanilla On Top (16 page)

I notice the Latin guy standing near a band poster, pretending to be absorbed in reading it. Asshole. What am I, stupid? I bet he’s waiting to talk to her when she emerges.

Not to be outdone by some smooth talking barfly, I advance down the hall and wait for her outside the ladies room. I’m perfectly aware my behavior is abnormal for me. I’m not going to stand here like some girly chick and analyze it. I’m accepting that I want to haul Heather out of here by her hair, and do my best to resist it.

In a few minutes she pulls open the door and steps into the hall. “Tony?”

Without thinking, I grab her and pin her to the wall, covering her smaller frame with my broader one. Softly I run a hand down her arm to twine my fingers with hers. I press forward with my hips and a small gasp escapes her.

“Do you have any idea what watching you dance is doing to me?”

She shakes her head slightly and stares into my eyes. I lean in and capture her mouth, branding her with my heat through our lips. My erection springs back to full mast and I hear a roaring in my ears as the blood pumps to my groin.

I pour my pent up frustrations into the kiss, silently pleading with her to understand how twisted up inside I feel. My left hand slides through her hair and fists, releasing some of the passion coiling in my muscles with action. The tug on her skull surprises her and her mouth opens to comment. Whatever she was about to say is locked inside as I tug harder, lifting her chin.

The exposed flesh of her neck calls to me and I assault the dewy skin with a shower of kisses, growing firmer and longer with each one as I progress.

She moans and her hips thrust off the wall to meet mine. I make my way up to her ear, nibbling her earlobe for a moment before I speak. “I want the world to know you’re mine. I want every man out there to know you’re taken.”

A gasp of surprise sounds from her. “But—”

“No buts.” I kiss her again, this time with more tenderness as I release the punishing grip on her hair. “And you know what else I really want to do right now?”

“What?” Desire makes her voice tremble.

“I want to tell you to get down on your knees.”

Chapter Seventeen

Heather

My heart pounds, feeling like it’s ready to rip its way past my ribs and fall onto the floor. The look on Tony’s face is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. Barely-leashed desire wars for dominance over the cool, collected man dressed in a suit.

The idea that I’m the one who’s wound him up feels like a jolt of the most powerful drug through my system.

“Do you now?” I hear myself say, in a soft sexual purr. “And what would I be doing on my knees?” I take my free hand and run it down his stomach, dipping lower to cup his engorged length through his slacks. “Would you be spanking me or commanding me to take you in my mouth?”

A shudder runs through his muscular frame and I feel giddy. Giddy with the power of my sexuality.

A harsh breath pushes out of him, fanning my cheek. “I’d have you start with your mouth.”

Even though he’s pleasured me many times with his mouth, I haven’t had a chance to return the favor. Anticipation pumps through my veins at the thought of teasing him beyond what he can handle.

I stroke his cock and whisper back, “I’d like that.” His shaft lurches in his pants.

Why am I still in this bar? I’ve spent most of the night with Carla and she’s here with other friends. Would I be a total bitch if I bailed? I don’t think so. Decision made, I push away from the wall, moving Tony at the same time.

“Let’s get out of here.”

The heat and painful longing in his expression is all the response I need. He manages a nod and we weave through the crowd to the dance floor, hand in hand. I wave to get Carla’s attention. After a few tries she spots me with Tony. I motion that we’re leaving and she gives me a thumbs up.

A smile creases my face as we turn to leave. I’m relieved Carla isn’t pissed and ecstatic to have a revved-up Tony. The sheer animal magnetism pouring off him is a heady experience. I’ll be lucky not to pull him into an alleyway on the way home and ravish him on the spot.

As fortune would have it, a cab stands outside, the previous passenger still leaning in the window to pay. Tony snags it when the man finishes and we head to his place since it’s closer.

Unlike where I live, his building borders Central Park. The elaborate foyer and impeccably dressed employees make this place more like a hotel than an apartment building.

Tony sees my face and says, “It’s not my unit. It belongs to Apollo. Nice, eh?”

I walk across the polished marble, inset with an intricate design in the center of the room, and mutter, “The understatement of the year.”

We ride to his floor, Tony restlessly shifting his weight from side to side the entire time. I try to smother a smile, not wanting him to think I’m amused at his heightened passion.

One warm palm slides down to cup my bottom, caressing the curve accentuated by the leather. His inquisitive fingers trace the middle seam down, until he’s pressing against my heated core. My breathing changes and soon the smile is wiped right off my smug face.

I jump when the door dings open, now just as eager as Tony to get inside. He fumbles with the keys and finally opens the door. The lights click on and I get the vague impression of a large space with an open floor plan done in neutral tones. Before I have a chance to see more, the door slams and I hear the rasp of a zipper behind me.

Tony stands fully dressed, leaning against the wall, with his thick shaft cradled in one hand. “Heather, are you ready to get down on your knees?”

His voice sounds strained and commanding at the same time.

I comply, sinking to the polished marble foyer at his feet. Heat flares to life in my middle, surprising me that I’m enjoying him in control as much as when I was. I toss my hair back over both shoulders and coyly look up at him through thick lashes. “What would you like me to do?”

Last night was incredible. I teased Tony to the point of no return, right next to the front door. His orgasm was so explosive, he called out my name and yelled, a rough and guttural sound that sent shivers down my spine.

We spent the rest of the night making love as if we’d been separated for a year. Tony whispered to me before he fell asleep, mumbling about how he wanted no doubt left in my mind that I was
his
. He also wrung a promise out of me in mid-coitus—a promise to see him every night during this merger, no matter how late I worked.

Apparently my late hours and closed mouth on the buyout have left him off balance. What will happen when next Friday rolls around and we announce Parkerson will be fighting to stay independent? Will our fleeting romance be over? Will he hate me for betraying his trust? Worse, will he think I used him this whole time as a distraction?

It’s scary how fast I’m falling for this man, and falling hard. Saying goodbye next Friday would tear me apart. There’s got to be a way around this, besides telling the truth and getting fired. I just can’t see it yet.

Tony twitches in his sleep and his arm tightens around me.

You could quit your job. That might help.

I discard the idea the moment it appears. I might care a lot for this man, but I don’t intend to lose my livelihood on a ten-day old relationship. Where would I be then? Monetarily dependant on Tony like all those other women before me? No thanks. How long would we last then? A month, tops?

Tony stirs behind me and his hand creeps down, angling across my stomach. His questing fingers delve between my folds, gently touching my inner lips, encouraging them to respond. I stretch and nuzzle my bum closer to his hips, eager to wake all of him.

Our passion feels unrushed now, the fervor of last night banked to a steady bed of coals. He gently stokes the rising flames of our desire, eventually rolling me to my back and snuggling between my thighs, making me feel more worshipped with his attention than any man ever in my life.

I open myself and my heart to him, eager to enjoy every moment, no matter what next week brings.

We climb out of bed around ten and I get a chance to examine his apartment more carefully. It has two big master bedrooms with their own baths, a fully equipped study, and a huge living room that connects to the dining area and gourmet kitchen. Wall to wall Brazilian cherry hard woods, everything done in basic neutral tones, leather couches, heavy wood pieces.

For sheer size and location alone, it’s pretty impressive, but also kind of…dull. He mentioned it was company owned and I can see it. There is nothing here to tell me more about the man I’ve grown to love.

A pit opens in my stomach once the admittance crosses my thoughts. Caring about a man more than he cares about me has led to disaster in the past. Previously I’d lose myself in them, eager for any moment they had to spare for me. My love was taken for granted and used to control me.

But you let it happen, didn’t you? Never standing up for yourself or what you wanted. Never expecting more than they’d be willing to give.

All of that is different now, or so I keep telling myself.

Tony makes me breakfast and insists on serving me in bed. As I’m sipping coffee, he hands me a brightly wrapped gift. My mind starts whirring. Could it be diamonds? He casually mentioned something about treating previous women to Vegas and diamonds.

Do I fall in the same category as them, or do I stand out at as someone different? Apprehension fills me as I reach for the package.

“Why do you look scared, Heather?” Tony flops down on the bed next to me. “I swear—it won’t explode.”

A tentative smile crosses my face and I slide a finger under the tape, unwilling to tear into the gift like a grasping harpy. The box is way too big to be a diamond bracelet. I’m sure I’m safe.

“Come on…,” Tony urges, a little-kid glee about him. “You’re killing me here!”

With a grin I rip open the package to see a stunning Nikon D4 camera. “Holy crap! You bought me a professional camera?” I squeal with delight and bounce on the bed, laying the box aside carefully to launch myself at Tony. I wrap my arms around his neck and plant kisses all over his face while he laughs. “I think this is the best gift I’ve ever received in my life!”

“Wow.” Tony holds me in his arms and returns my kisses. “I can’t wait to see how you react when you see the new lenses.”

“Ohmygod! Show me now!”

As we drive to Hoboken, Tony’s hand leaves the gearshift of his BMW to find mine. A gentle stroke of his fingers down the back of my hand draws a shiver of want through me. I glance at him while he’s driving and catch a small smile on his face. He feels it, too.

His eyes dart to me, then return to the road. The heat in his eyes caresses me for a split second, leaving me aching for more.

A big part of me worries I’ve got to stand tall and protect my heart, or it will be crushed under the charisma of this man. Breakfast in bed, the camera any serious photographer would love to own, and an amazing lover. As I squirm in my seat, hopeful he doesn’t sense my arousal, the realization that I’m already too far gone sucker punches me in the gut.

How will I handle this whole week without spilling my guts to him? What will I do if he leaves me?

You’ll survive, just like you did when your parents died, and just like you did when you were dumped by Jimmy and Rick.

We pull up to a tall, grey stone building, its façade of ornate masonry appearing well preserved. A mew of despair escapes me when he cuts the engine.

Who the hell falls in love with a man in less than two weeks? What the hell am I going to do?

“Are you okay?” Tony’s brow furrows and he places a hand on my shoulder.

I nod and bolt out of the car, eager to take a breath of fresh air and clear my head. I can do this. I lock a hand around the camera housing, hoping I gain some strength in the next five seconds. I can
pretend
I’m not afraid of what I’m feeling and act normal. He probably doesn’t feel the same and spouting out what’s on my mind could very well drive him away. My brain whirs, searching for a suitable reason for my actions. I come up with nothing.

Tony’s door shuts, the muffled sound jarring me while I try my best not to hyperventilate. He joins me on the sidewalk, a worried look on his face. “Were you getting car sick?”

Grateful for a logical excuse for my wacky behavior, I latch onto it. My head nods like a berserk bobble head doll and a lie spills from my lips. “Yes. Only a little at the end.”

Tony runs a soothing hand down my back. “Want a glass of water? Or would ginger ale be better? I could run to the store to get some.”

Tension eases out of my shoulders. “I think the fresh air is all I need.” I raise my new camera and take a few shots of the building’s exterior. “Tell me a little about the place before we go in.”

Tony’s face lights up with interest, a look I haven’t seen on him when we’ve spoken about work. “I bought it four years ago. It was the third apartment building I’d ever purchased and the only one I’ve held onto over the years.”

My eyebrows creep up my head. I had no idea he owned real estate. At my look he continues. “Not what you expect from a corporate raider?” He shrugs. “I’m not the norm, I guess. Most of the guys I work with either piss their money away on expensive toys, habits, women, or try their best to master day trading. If there’s one thing my mom taught me, it’s that real estate may go up and down, but it’s the best way to earn over the long haul.”

“Your mom? Not your dad?”

Tony leans on the hood of his car, pulling me with him. “I don’t talk about it much, but my dad was a complete loser.” He holds my free hand, focusing on our entwined fingers while he speaks. “It was my mom who raised my two brothers and me. She kept us together as a family long after my dead-beat dad died.”

I turn to look at him, sorrow welling inside me. “I’m so sorry, Tony. I had no idea.”

He looks up at the building, lost in his thoughts, oblivious to the street noise around us. “I told you he drank. Well, he also gambled. Got mean when there was no booze left, too.” He touches the scar on his chin and my heart seizes in my chest. His father must have given it to him. “He lost our house and every dime we had. I swore I’d never be like him.”

That explained the long hours and intense work ethic. “How old were you when he died?”

“Fourteen. I was the oldest. Heart attack at forty-five. Drank himself to death. My mom worked, but for a while we lived in a shelter. She was determined to keep us together and not put us in foster care. I started working after school to help out. Did clean up at construction sites and ran errands.” He gestures to the building with his chin. “Never thought at the time I’d be where I am today.”

“Really?
I’m
not surprised.”

His gaze drifts back to me. “Why do you say that?”

“You obviously worked your ass off, determined to prove to yourself you’d never be like your dad.”

A sad smile curves his mouth as he steps away from the car and tugs me toward the door. “And when is enough, enough?” He unlocks the main door and we step into a small vestibule with mailboxes.

“What do you mean?”

“There’s got to be a time when I stop trying to prove myself, right? When I’ve finally earned enough money to feel secure.”

This conversation has taken a turn I never thought it would and I’m not sure what to say. I have no idea how much money he has and I’m wondering how rude it would be to ask. Does it matter? I search inside myself and realize it doesn’t.

I plant a soft kiss on his lips. “Only you can decide that.”

He shakes off the melancholy surrounding him and gestures to the elevator. “There’re four units per floor. The fifth floor is all mine. Want to see it?”

I take a shot of the hallway and old elevator, then step forward to press the up button. “I’d love to.”

He slips his hand into mine once more and I’m overwhelmed with the feeling of completeness. He feels like home.

On the ride back to Manhattan, we’re both quiet. There’s an easy feeling of peace between us, and a comfort in our silences that wasn’t there before. Tony showed me every project in the building he’s worked on with pride pouring out of every pore. Some jobs he’s been the general contractor on, hiring experts, others he’s done himself.