Page 79 of Wicked Rush

“You seem to be having a little trouble with the concept of trust. Do we need another lesson?”

“Maybe,” she said with a flirtatious lilt to her voice. His dick hardened, her eyes flashing to his.

“How long?”

“Soon after I started working at Emerson Industries. The girls, they all knew who you were. I was working. For Chase.”

“You got with him, right?” Lars regretted the jealousy that laced his words.

“I told you. We didn’t have sex. I dated him. Big difference.” She cocked her head, keeping eye contact. “You and I…this is something else.”

“Something else.”

“Complicated. Intense.”

“True.”

“The first time I saw you…I’d just started working there,” she said, changing the subject. “I passed you in the hallway, and I can remember I was in a hurry, following Chase around like a new puppy. Your arm accidentally touched mine, and I turned back, like just a second, and I remember thinking, who is that guy?”

Lars slid his hand around the nape of her neck, his thumb trailing behind her ear. He brushed his body against hers, closing the distance between them. The temptation to taste her was great, but he resisted. He tilted her head backward, and his lips hovered over her delicate neck. Warmth radiated from her skin, her feminine scent ingraining itself in his memory.

“I…I couldn’t ask him who you were but then I heard the rumbles in the lunch room about the sexy playboy, Lars Elliott. The rumors about the adventurer, Garrett’s dangerous friend…he dated a different woman every week, could be cocky. That kind of guy…he wasn’t for me. But then…” She gave a sigh as his lips grazed over her ear.

“So you didn’t care for me?” He fought the urge to take her.

“No, but I…I didn’t know you. It was when I heard you speak…Oh God.” She sighed as Lars’ fingertips glided down her chest, untangling the tie of her robe. He cupped a firm breast, caressing her creamy flesh. “I was inspired. You…you were amazing. How you described the journey, how difficult it was on the way down the mountain, but you never gave up.”

“No, you should never give up. Practice makes perfect.” Lars shoved the fabric down her arm, letting the robe pool onto the floor.

“That’s when I knew.”

“What’s that?”

“I needed to meet you, but then I never got the chance. Not until the beach. When I saw you…you have no idea…I never wanted to send you away. You have to believe me.”

“You’re beautiful,” he told her, pressing his lips to her shoulder.

“I wanted you so much,” she confessed.

“I’d give anything to keep you here with me. If you could stay…” As he kissed her neck, he caught sight of Seth returning. “How far are you willing to go?”

“You make me want it all.” Her response came without hesitation.

His eyes met Seth’s. He’d push her final limits, make love to her all night, and give her up in the morning.

“Hey.” Seth approached, set his beer onto the floor and flicked a switch on the wall. The gaslit fire pit roared to life, illuminating the dimly lit solarium.

“Our little Brae is gorgeous, isn’t she?” Lars smiled.

“She’s amazing,” Seth replied, his tone sultry.

“But you know,” Lars held out her hand, stepping back so he could view her. She blinked at him with a hazy smile, “she’s been very naughty. Didn’t trust me. Didn’t tell me the truth.”

“True.” Seth gave a broad smile.

“She needs to learn that I will always take care of her. We both helped save her that day on the beach.” Without warning, Lars scooped her up in his arms. As he heaved her over his shoulder, she squealed, kicking her feet. His cock hardened to concrete as the sensual plan formed in his head. “Settle, sweetheart.”

“Lars…what are you doing?”