Tired of being alone and even more exhausted from fighting her attraction for the man, Cate pressed her cheek against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Do you trust Inspector Brandt?"
“I think she was telling the truth,” he said. “We can have Dmytro run a query on her account to verify that money went to the charity.” He tipped her chin up and stared down at her, one hand still stroking her back, causing her insides to burn hot.
For him.
He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “Why don’t you get your shower first?”
Her arms tightened around his waist. “Why don’t you come with me?” she whispered.
Draco stiffened, his brow creasing. “Into the shower?”
“No, for a swim in the Limmat.” Her lips twisted. “Of course I meant in the shower.” She raised her hands to rest on his chest. “Look, I’m not asking for commitment. You don’t have to say yes. And if you do come with me, it doesn’t have to mean anything.” Her fingers curled into his shirt. “I just want to be held. To make love. To matter, if only for the night.”
“Cate, I?—”
Her throat tightened. “Don’t want to?” She stepped back, her hands still on his chest, her heart thudding hard in her chest. “That’s okay. You’re under no obligation. I just thought... I understand. It’s okay. I’ll just grab my things and be done before you know?—”
Draco gripped her shoulders. His mouth came down over hers, cutting off the imbecilic flow of humiliating nonsense. It didn’t shut down the rise of tears in her eyes.
Hard at first, almost punishing, the kiss changed and went deeper until his tongue swept hers up in a sensuous dance.
Cate melted against him, her hands lacing behind his head. She rose onto the balls of her feet, leaning into him, wanting more. Wanting his skin against hers, nothing between them.
The nagging voice in the back of her mind told her it was a mistake.
She didn’t care. Cate desperately wanted him inside her, on top of her, touching every part of her body and reminding her that she was a strong independent woman, capable of making her choices, good or bad. No regrets.
Those would come later.
Chapter 9
Too soon,
Too soon.
A voice in Draco’s head chanted the words of caution, even as his hand slipped beneath Cate’s shirt to caress a breast. He needed to prove he was worthy of the long haul, not just a hit and run. He’d hurt her. He couldn’t stand it if he hurt her again.
Draco’s conscience warred with desire.
Desire won.
Draco bent, clasped the rounded globes of her buttocks and lifted.
Her legs wrapped around his waist, pressing her sex against his swelling cock. His lips left hers to claim her neck and lick a path to the thumping beat of her pulse at the base of her throat.
Cate moaned, and her head rolled back, exposing more skin for him to taste and flick. He carried her into the small bathroom, kicked the door shut, and sat her on the narrow countertop, then spun to turn on the shower and adjust the temperature.
When he turned back, her gaze captured his, and her hands rose above her head.
Draco reached up to capture her wrists in one hand, holding them together while he trailed his other hand down the length of her arm.
Cate shivered the way she always had when he got to a spot that tickled.
Her little shiver was like a blowtorch to his rising desire, sending red-hot flames through his body.
Releasing her wrists, he gripped the hem of her blouse and dragged it up over her head before tossing it aside. She wore a black lace bra that plumped her small breasts, making them ripe for tasting. Intrigued at the prospect of running his tongue over the lace, he leaned over her and captured one of her nipples through the lace of the bra and gently nibbled it until it hardened into a tight round bud.
Cate reached behind her back and unhooked the bra, letting the straps slide off her shoulders.
