He slowly stood from the table and came around to where she sat. He extended his hand to her, she took it, and he gently tugged her from the chair. He then eased closer to her, deliberately brushing their bodies, certain she felt the evidence of his desire for her when he did so.

  She didn’t know it, but being seduced by this Steele was a three-step process. TLC. Tempt. Lure. Conquer.

  “Say it again, Sloan.” He wanted to make sure she understood what she was saying. He had a feeling that, in the end, she wouldn’t be his conquest; he would become hers. The thought of that didn’t bother him.

  “I said, try me, Mercury.”

  He still needed to make sure because there was no going back. “Do you know what trying you entails?” Maybe he needed to let her know that trying her meant doing it the Mercury Steele way.

  “Yes, I know.”

  She thought she knew, but he definitely had a few surprises for her... He knew his expression had instantly become predatory, wolfish and seductive. He then wrapped his arms around her waist. First up was tempting her. Giving her a sampling of what to expect.

  More than ready to get his plan of seduction started, he leaned in and slanted his mouth over hers, knowing this time it wouldn’t stop with a kiss.

  Eighteen

  Sloan fought back a moan. What in the world was Mercury doing to her? Kissing her this way? Raw and possessive. They had kissed before, several times, but she’d always managed to keep up with him. Now he was leaving her far behind. But that wasn’t all he was doing.

  How had his body seemed to sink deeper into her when they were standing up and still fully clothed? Yet she felt the hardness of his erection pressing against her, scoping out the best spot for entry. Since there was only one possibility, she figured it was his way of trying to drive her mad. And it was working.

  Never had any man taken this much time with her. No rush job like Carlos. Mercury was taking his time driving her wild with desire. It was a degree of desire she hadn’t known she was capable of feeling. She was so wrapped up in their kiss that she hadn’t known he’d opened the buttons to the front of her top until she felt the air hit her chest. How had he managed that when their bodies were pressed together?

  And then he was finally releasing her mouth and taking a step back. She opened her eyes to find him studying her breasts like they were a piece of art. When he used the pad of his thumb to caress a nipple, she could actually feel heat flowing between her legs. Did he have any idea what he was doing to her?

  Her breasts were sensitive and one of the erotic points in her body. She’d tried to get Carlos to pamper them, and he refused, saying he was a between-the-legs man. That was when she’d decided to make him one and done. But Mercury was indulging her breasts as if he’d known how much pleasure she would get from him doing so. And she was getting pleasure.

  “You like that, Sloan?”

  Unable to speak when his thumb moved to the other breast, she merely nodded her head.

  “I knew you would.”

  How had he known? As if she’d spoken that question out loud, he said, “A man intent on pleasuring a woman makes it his business to know what turns her on. By the time I’m finished with you, I will know every erogenous zone on your body.” And with that said, he leaned in and sucked a nipple into his mouth.

  Sloan fought back a scream when his tongue hungrily lapped her nipple. If he only knew how he was making her feel. Maybe he did know. He’d pretty much said he was an expert when it came to seducing a woman, and it seemed he hadn’t been lying.

  No longer able to fight back a scream, she let it rip. Sensations tore through her, more powerful than any dreams she’d had. Never in her wildest dream could she have imagined this. Never.

  Before she could recover, Mercury had left her breasts and was kneeling in front of her. Through dazed eyes she saw him jerk down her shorts. Was he shocked to discover she wasn’t wearing any panties? She didn’t have time to wonder because that was when he used his hands to widen her legs. The next thing she knew, his mouth and tongue had invaded her.

  Heaven help her.

  Was he trying to kill her? His tongue pushed inside her, then licked her like she was his favorite treat. She grabbed his head to push him away, and then when sensations began rippling through her, she tightened her hold and moved her hips back and forth against his mouth. The more she did, the greedier he became. Was she telling him in a chant not to stop?

  Another orgasm tore into her and she screamed again. Her body trembled inside and out and she still held firm to him, tossing her head back and sucking in air. It was only when the last spasm had left her body that he eased back up to his feet and kissed her, letting her taste herself on his tongue. How scandalous.

  He released her mouth and she opened her eyes. The look in his almost had her coming again. Never had she seen so much desire as she did in his green depths. “Sloan?”

  It seemed as if he’d breathed out her name. “Yes?” she said, barely getting out the single word.

  “I’ve just tempted you. Do you know what’s next?”

  He’d done more than tempted her. He had to know that. She’d never known temptation to be anything like this. “No, I don’t know what’s next.”

  “Lure. I want to lure you to your bedroom to finish what we’ve started. My plan of seduction is a three-part process. TLC. Tempt, lure and conquer. Now to lure you.”

  She watched as he crooked his finger and began walking backward. Not caring that she was naked and he wasn’t, she slowly followed him, going where he lured and knowing what he had in store when she got there would be worth it.

  * * *

  Mercury was convinced that never had luring a woman to her own bedroom been so freaking awesome. He was walking backward, so it was a good thing he remembered the layout of her place. Sloan was holding his mind hostage.

  There was just something about a naked woman following you with a look in her eyes that all but said, I can’t wait.

  Neither could he, especially while allowing his gaze to roam all over her, from head to toe. She had a beautiful body with curves in all the right places. Her breasts were perfectly formed and the area between her legs was a gift from heaven. Not for the first time he thought she had that refined walk that mothers were sending their daughters to Brittany’s etiquette school to perfect.

  When they finally reached her bedroom, he glanced around, noticing the changes in here as well and the dominant color. Blue, blue and more blue. He smiled. However, the decor of the room wasn’t what was on his mind.

  He wanted to get a naked Sloan in her bed and join her there.

  “We’re here,” he said, slowly walking over to her. “I lured you into your own bedroom.”

  “Conquer is next, right?” she asked when he came to a stop in front of her. He could see the pulse rapidly beating in her neck and he felt her anticipation. He liked that.

  She had no qualms about what they were about to do. Neither did he.

  “Yes,” he said, sliding his hand between her legs and loving the fact that she was still wet. “Do you know what that entails?”

  “No. Tell me.”

  He had no problem doing that. “Now I want to make you come while I’m inside you.”

  He watched her features when his fingers eased inside her. She was so hot and the expression on her face was just as heated.

  “You have your clothes on,” she said, like she was just realizing that fact.

  “Not for long.” He then stared at her and realized just what she’d come to mean to him over the past few days. More than he’d wanted. More than he was ready to admit.

  “You’re ready for my final part of seduction? Conquering?” he asked her.

  “Yes.”

  “Good. I’m about to give you all the pleasure any one woman can handle.” While saying those words he moved closer so his body could brush against her naked one. Specifically, he wanted her to feel just how hard his erection was for her. “It wants you, Sloan.”

  “And I want it, Mercury.”

  He smiled. Then, sweeping her up into his arms, he moved toward the bed.

  * * *

  When Mercury placed her in the middle of the mattress, he leaned in and placed a finger at her chin to lift her gaze to his. Sloan’s heart beat hard at the look she saw in the depths of his green eyes.

  “You have no idea how much I’ve thought of you these last four days, Sloan. How hard I’ve been fighting my need for you or how many nights I’ve gone to bed dreaming of being inside you. At this moment I need you with every breath flowing through my lungs.”

  His words, spoken so seductively, caused every part of Sloan to come alive, to want him as much as he’d just said he wanted her. No man had ever expressed a need for her the way he’d just done. Then he released her chin and moved away from the bed and she watched. She knew what they were about to share would be one of those incredible experiences that she would remember forever.

  She pulled herself into a better position to watch what he was doing, not wanting to miss a thing. Her gaze followed Mercury’s fingers as they went to the buttons of his shirt. As he eased each button free, she saw his chest and the curly hair covering it. She tried hard not to moan in total admiration at the sight but found it impossible.

  He looked at her when he tossed his shirt aside. “You okay, Sloan?”

  How could he ask her that while standing there shirtless with a body that could make a woman drool? “I think so.”

  “Well, I hope so. Are you changing your mind about anything?”

  Changing her mind wouldn’t be happening. “You don’t have to worry about that, Mercury.”

  He smiled as his fingers went to the zipper of his pants. She couldn’t help it when her breath caught. It seemed every nerve ending within her came alive as he slowly dragged down his zipper and then proceeded to ease down his pants and black briefs over a pair of powerfully built thighs.

  She’d never seen a naked man before. Carlos didn’t count since he’d undressed in the dark. But now she saw Mercury and knew without a doubt he was beautifully made. Seeing him in the flesh had her in a sensual daze. She lowered her gaze to his middle and shivered all over. He was big. Real big. Extra, extra big.

  “It will be okay, Sloan,” he said, then proceeded to sheathe himself with a condom.

  She moved her gaze to his eyes. She hoped so. Had he seen the distress in her face? When he strolled back toward her she didn’t have time to think any more about what he might or might not have seen. No man should have such a sexy walk.

  Placing a knee on the bed, he whispered her name and then reached down and drew her naked body to his, connecting their mouths. The moment his tongue slid inside her mouth she knew what to do. She hungrily latched on to it, following his lead and returning the kiss with the same intensity he was using. The feel and scent of him were drugging her mind.

  She felt him lowering her to the bed cushions without dislodging their mouths, and she experienced the moment he positioned his body over hers. Then she felt his erection right at her opening. He released her mouth to look down at her, locking their gazes together as he slowly began easing inside her. Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around him. Drawing in a sharp breath, she felt a quick moment of pain. Then he thrust into her. She drew in a deep breath, feeling him deeply.

  “You okay?”

  She tightened her arms around his neck. “Not sure I could ever be better.”

  Her response pleased him if that smile was anything to go by. Then he began moving, slow at first, as all kinds of delicious sensations overtook her. He established a rhythm for them, one she thought was destined to drive her mad with desire.

  Just like with his kisses, she began following his lead. She moved her body in sync with his, arching her hips and grinding her thighs. Each one of his thrusts seemed to ignite even more passion within her, and when he increased the pace of the strokes, she broke eye contact with him to toss her head back and forth and from side to side.

  He leaned in and whispered naughty words in her ear. Her entire body shuddered when he described in intimate detail what they would do all night. Then his thrusts became even more powerful, going even deeper, and she became lost in the pleasure.

  Over and over again he pushed her to the edge, and before she could fall, he would whip her back again. Why was he torturing her this way? She called out his name in protest, and that was when he whispered in a husky tone, “Let’s come together, baby. Always together.”

  His words seemed to trigger something inside her. She screamed his name at the same exact moment he hollered hers. He threw his head back. His thrusts kept coming and she kept taking them, loving the way her body exploded under his.

  At that moment she knew she had fallen in love with Mercury. It didn’t matter if he loved her back or if this was only a seduction by a Steele.

  It only mattered that she loved him.

  Nineteen

  When Mercury opened his eyes, it took him a moment to remember where he was. Definitely not in his own bed with all this frilly, lacy stuff covering the bed with curtains to match. At least he approved of the color blue.

  He then glanced down at the woman in his arms. He smiled, loving the feel of the warm body tucked beside him, with his legs thrown over hers. Sloan was still sleeping, which wasn’t surprising, considering all they’d done through the night. His goal had been to give her all the pleasure she could handle, and it seemed she’d been able to handle a lot. He’d figured she would tire out, but she’d been determined to keep up with him. His Sloan had discovered that, when it came to sex, he had endless energy. He wholly appreciated her efforts.

  His Sloan?

  He closed his eyes, not wanting to think of her or any woman as his. Needing to push the thought from his mind, his gaze scanned the room. He liked her decorating ideas. She’d been busy this weekend. She probably hadn’t thought of him at all, but he had thought about her. He hadn’t known a woman he’d met less than a week ago could have such an impact on him. But she had.

  His gaze returned to her. She looked beautiful while she slept, but then, she looked beautiful while being made love to, as well. More than once he had watched her come, and the way her features contorted in pleasure filled him with so much enjoyment.

  Glancing at the clock on her nightstand, he saw it was close to eight in the morning. It had not been his intention to spend the night, but things had turned out that way. He had no complaints.

  “Good morning, Mercury.”

  Her sleepy-eyed smile was beautiful. She was beautiful. He thought about how they’d met and everything that had transpired since. The woman had entered his world on a series of misadventures. But he would gladly experience them all again if he could be assured that he would have another night like the one he’d shared last night with her.

  “Good morning. Are you okay?” He knew he’d asked her that a lot, but her well-being meant everything to him. She pulled herself up, fully stretching, seemingly not at all bothered by her nakedness. If it didn’t bother her, it certainly didn’t bother him. In fact, he liked looking at her sexy body.

  “Yes, I’m wonderful. You were wonderful, Mercury.”

  He’d heard that before from other women, but hearing it from her meant a hell of a lot. “Thanks, and you were wonderful, too.”

  “You’re just being kind because I didn’t know what I was doing most of the time. I was basically following your lead.”

  And she’d done a good job of it. “Trust me—you were wonderful.”

  His words brought an even brighter smile to her lips. “And just to think last night was the first time I’ve ever had an orgasm.”

  He blinked. “Excuse me?”

  “I said I never experienced an orgasm before last night. Couldn’t you tell?”

  No, he couldn’t, considering she’d had her first one with him while his mouth had been on her breasts while in her kitchen. “Are you saying Cunningham dropped the ball? No pun intended.”

  She laughed. “None taken since Harold and I never shared a bed. I would suggest it, thinking it would be the thing to do since we were engaged, but he wasn’t interested. Of course, I eventually discovered why. He was into a relationship with someone else. At least he wasn’t trying to sleep with the both of us. Some men would have, you know.”

  His mind was reeling at what she’d just said. “You weren’t a virgin last night, right?”

  Hell, he hoped not. He’d never wanted to be any woman’s first, thanks to his mother’s lectures and her psychological analysis of what that meant for a woman. According to the Principles of Eden, a woman never forgot her first guy. She would remember him forever. He hadn’t wanted to be remembered by any woman that long.

  “Virgin? Heck no. I had sex with Carlos in college once. It was awful.”

  He nodded. “Carlos was your boyfriend?”

  “Yes, at the time. For me it was one and done.” She broke eye contact with him to glance over at the clock. “And speaking of time, I need to get up and get dressed. Eli is dropping by at nine. I have extra toiletries under the vanity in that bathroom.”

  Did she want him to leave? There was only one way to find out. “Will this be a private meeting between you and Eli?”

  She glanced back at him. “No. You’re welcome to stay if you want. Like I told Harold that night, you already know most of my business anyway. I’m surprised Eli didn’t mention anything to you.”

  Was she kidding? Sloan evidently didn’t know how Eli functioned as an attorney. His brother operated on a strict code of ethics. When she’d hired Eli, his by-the-book brother wouldn’t share any details of his findings without her permission. “He didn’t, but that’s fine as long as you don’t have a problem with me being here.”