Page 13 of After-Party Consequences

Rather than looking appalled, Cade’s gaze sharpened, and the heat in his eyes flared. The hot brick between her thighs started to pound.

‘Just to be clear, Charlotte.’ A confident smile curved his lips. ‘No one’s going to be grading you on your performance in my bed, either.’

‘Good to know,’ she mumbled.

Fabulous, Charley. Why not just tell him you’re a terrible lay without telling him you’re a terrible lay?

‘And I happen to be a goal-oriented overachiever who always rises to a challenge,’ he added. ‘So we’re good.’

A laugh burst out of her mouth, his comment so arrogant it somehow managed to be self-deprecating at the same time.

‘And let’s not forget an ego the size of Pluto,’ she said, the knot of embarrassment in her throat releasing.

‘Yup,’ he said. ‘Which, luckily for you, happens to be well-earned.’

She was still chuckling as she climbed into the passenger seat—and the hot, liquid rush of anticipation gushed into her panties.

It was a thirty-minute drive from the Broussards’ place to Cade’s condo in the Embarcadero. It might as well have taken ten years.

Cade kept his eyes on the road, inhaling Charlotte’s intoxicating scent—which had been torturing him all evening—as he wound through the leafy suburbs of Marin County, passed over the Bay on San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge, then took the 101 through the Presidio, up and down the famous streets of Pacific Heights and Nob Hill and into the built-up areas of downtown. By the time he pulled into the parking garage behind the Ferry Building, the tension in his gut was on a knife edge...

The vintage R&B station he’d found on the radio had done nothing to chill the heat in his gut ever since Charlotte had climbed into his car.

Hell, ever since she’d agreed she wanted him, too. And then told him, with that wary candour, she was no sex goddess—which had to be code forAll the guys I’ve slept with have been selfish bastards.

He hadn’t lied. He loved a challenge. And he had always been goal-oriented, plus the chemistry between them was nothing short of explosive.

But the hunger which had gripped him ever since they’d danced together had only got worse over the last couple of hours. He had to get a handle on it before he got her naked if he was going to make good on his promise and show her a good time.

He switched off the ignition. Marvin Gaye’s sweet soul voice dropped into a charged silence. The heat surged as Charlotte released a careful breath.

‘San Francisco is a beautiful city,’ she murmured. ‘How long have you lived here?’

‘I don’t,’ he said. ‘I mostly live in Manhattan, but I keep the condo for when I’m working on the West Coast, because I hate staying in hotels.’

‘So do I,’ she said. ‘It was one of the things I hated the most about modelling. Having my home in a suitcase, being constantly jet-lagged, ordering bar snacks off room service menus because I hadn’t eaten all day and that was all I could get at stupid o’clock in the morning. Watching the light blinking on the smoke detector, unable to sleep...’ The nervous rush of information cut off abruptly, and she sent him a self-deprecating smile. ‘The soulless grind of luxury living has to be the epitome of first-world problems for the spoilt little rich kid I was then, right?’

Her defensiveness, though, told a different story. He’d dismissed her as a spoilt brat that night, just like everyone else, but he could see now it must have been tough getting thrust into that whirlwind when she was still a kid.

‘Were you spoilt?’ he asked. ‘Or just young and unprepared?’

She let out a hollow laugh. ‘Who knows.’ She shrugged. ‘But I’m glad that girl is long gone.’ Leaning across the console, she cradled his cheek. ‘Are you finally going to kiss me now, Landry?’

He chuckled, the moment of introspection dispelled on a wave of want. Placing his hand on her waist, he dragged her closer and whispered, ‘You don’t have to ask me again, Charlotte.’

He captured her lips at last. She tasted sultry and sweet. But when her mouth opened on a shocked sob, the kiss went from provocative to carnal in a heartbeat.

He feasted on her, cupping both cheeks, and threading his fingers into her hair to release the soft mass from the chignon which had started to collapse while they danced.

He angled her face, and she opened for him, allowing him to thrust deep and take more. But as she tried to get closer, the seat belt restrained her.

He lifted his head, traced his thumb over her flushed cheek. ‘How about we take this upstairs. Making out in a car is overrated.’

‘Good plan, Galahad.’

He jumped out and headed round the hood to meet her at the passenger door. But as she got out, he scooped her into his arms.

She laughed. ‘Nice catch.’

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