Page 82 of The Charmer's Gambit
“I won’t be here, Rach,” Mark interrupted as he pocketed his phone. “I only dropped by to give you an update, and I assumed in person would be better. After I turn Miss Summers down, I’ll be heading home.”
“Good luck with that,” Evan replied as he pulled my best friend into his arms. It seemed he was as bad as Will in terms of all the necessary touching. “She negotiates brilliantly,” he added warmly.
“I do,” Sarah agreed.
“I’m not concerned,” Mark replied. “In any case, you’re safe, Rachel. Finally. And your brother and I will be monitoring the situation personally for any changes.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, hugging him. He kissed the top of my head, just like Caleb would, and let me go.
Will observed the exchange with a heated look and mouthed,Two minutes, when I didn’t move right away.
Right.
Naked.
Bed.
“Enjoy dinner,” I called over my shoulder.
32
The Relationship Proposal
My suit felt heavier than normal, and restricting. I popped a button off my blouse in my haste to unfasten it, then ripped the rest of it over my head once it was loose enough. My skirt hit the floor next, followed by my camisole, bra, and underwear.
The majority of my clothes were in Will’s laundry room, a result of spending the last several weeks abroad and only returning five days ago. That meant no stockings for me today, much to my lover’s amusement. He’d spent half the morning admiring my exposed calves as I walked barefoot around his office.
Will appeared in my peripheral vision as I turned, his shoulder propped against the doorjamb. He held a glass of wine and observed me through hooded eyes. “You’re not on the bed.” His deep rumble warmed me in all the right places.
“But I am naked.” That deserved at least a few points in my favor, if not more.
“Indeed you are.” He didn’t move from the door, just caressed me slowly with his gaze, up and down, not missing an inch of my exposed skin. His thumb swept over his bottom lipas he considered me casually. “So tell me about the Charlotte opportunity.”
“Seriously?” I asked, shocked that he wanted to discuss thisnow. “I’m naked.”
“Yes, and I’m loving the view, but I also want to know about your potential move.”
“Do you want me to get dressed again?” I couldn’t help challenging him. It was in my blood, and I enjoyed it far too much.
“Try,” was all he said.
I wanted to, if only to prove that I could, but my hands refused to move. The idea of putting clothes on seemed counterproductive, and I rather liked the way he was looking at me. All heat and possessiveness masked behind an expression of benign interest. It fascinated me the way he could control his features and allow only the barest of emotion to color his gaze.
“The Charlotte office,” he prompted, that thumb still tracing his lip. I wanted to bite it, but I focused on his statement.
“It’s not a big deal. I just wanted to know if it was even possible to transfer, and Janet confirmed. That doesn’t mean I have to.”
“Not a big deal,” he repeated, his tone incredulous. “Says the woman who adamantly told me how much she didn’t want to move when I tried to recruit her for Mershano Vineyards.”
“Yes, but things are different now.”
“Why?” One word spoken with such confidence that it made my knees weak.
“Well, for one, I’m naked.” Definitely had clothes on during all our previous discussions.
He grinned at that. “Yes, you are, and beautifully flushed, too, but go on.” His tone had lowered to the one he reserved for the bedroom, and my body responded as it usually did. My breasts swelled and my nipples hardened, and the spacebetween my legs ached with a need only he could relieve. “Rachel, why is it different?” he asked again when I didn’t readily reply.
“Becausewe’redifferent.” God, my voice sounded strained, and he had to hear it. He knew his effect on me, and although I never told him, he also knew I loved this power play in the bedroom. I craved it. His being clothed while I stood naked before him only heightened my arousal, and it didn’t help that I could see the outlines of his strong planes beneath the tight cotton shirt. “If you don’t fuck me soon, I’m going to scream.”
