Peeling my fingers from her hip, I send my free hand drifting up her torso, to settle around her ribs. Then I swipe a slow, sensual thumb over her nipple. She tenses, then warbles out a shaky sound of desire.

  “Hearing you gets me hot,” I mutter in her ear. “You going to make more noise for me, princess?”

  A little whine escapes her parted lips. I’m not sure if that’s a yes or no. Her only other response is to close her eyes, her lashes fluttering against her rosy cheeks, while I cradle her breast in my hand.

  What I don’t hear is a protest. So I keep going.

  “Yes, just like that,” I encourage softly. “I’ve imagined you naked for me, so pretty and needy, pink and writhing, legs spread as you beg me. Will you tease me about my humility then?”

  “Yes,” she breathes as she lays her lips on my neck and kisses her way up. “Always.”

  I would laugh if I wasn’t so busy shuddering under the soft drag of her mouth against my skin. Every breath I take is infused with her scent, strong in the crook of her neck, where I can’t resist sampling her with my tongue. As I pinch her nipple through her dress, I trail my lips over her graceful shoulders, skim her collarbones, then taste her flesh down to the top of her strapless dress.

  The soft material is in my way.

  I walk my fingers along her back and slowly lower her zipper.

  “Xavian…” Her breathy voice doesn’t tell me whether she’s objecting or pleading.

  “Do you want me to stop?”

  “I should.”

  “But do you?”

  Corinne grips the front of my coat. “No. Kiss me.”

  Desperately, I slant my mouth over hers and yank on her zipper. She gasps as I tug down her dress. Her breasts pop free. And I gape.

  She’s got a perfect pair—round, pert, and topped with dusky nipples that make me groan out loud as I nudge her onto her back. “Princess…”

  Her eyes widen. “What are you doing?”

  “Getting my mouth on you.” I nuzzle my way up the valley between her breasts, drowning in her pooling scent.

  “But we’re not”—she struggles for breaths and thoughts—“alone.”

  “The doors are closed. No one will interrupt us for the next seven minutes. Let’s see how good I can make you feel,” I murmur against her nipple before I suck it into my mouth and take a long pull.

  Her eyes widen. Her spine arches off the table. Her head slides back with a moan.

  “Xavian…”

  I’m too busy dragging my tongue over the taut tip and absorbing her delicious shiver to answer. Instead, I shift my focus to her other breast, its peak stabbing the air in a silent cry for attention. I wrap my lips around it and tug, skimming my fingers under her dress and up her thigh, until I’m teasing the lacy edge of her panties.

  I press my thumb over the gusset and groan.

  She’s soaked.

  “You shouldn’t…” She squirms. “Not here.”

  Does Corinne think I’m going to relegate touching her strictly to the bedroom?

  “Right here,” I insist against her rigid nipple. “You’re going to come for me.”

  Her breathing picks up pace. “But—”

  “Your body is safe, princess.” No one will see what’s mine.

  Slowly, she melts back into the table, biting her lip. “My heart is racing.”

  “You afraid?”

  “I should be.” Slowly, she opens her eyes and meets my stare. “But I’m not.”

  “Good. Let’s get rid of these.” I tug her panties down her legs and stuff them in my pocket.

  “Give those back!” She tries to sit up.

  “No.” I urge her down again and kiss up from her breast to her lobe. “I want your pussy bare and waiting for me.”

  A shocked little sound escapes her throat. Fuck, this is hot, especially when her hips wriggle in silent pleading under her chic, oh-so-demure dress.

  Gently, I suck one of her nipples between my teeth. She gasps and twists, clutching my arms like I’m her only grip on sanity. I slide my hand over her mound and groan. Goddamn, she’s hot. Swollen. Slick as hell. Next time, I’ll get my stare on that pussy. My mouth, too. I’ll make her scream.

  For now, I run my fingers through the slick valley and settle them over her hard clit. She lets out a shocked breath. I smile. I’m just getting warmed up…

  As I slowly circle her nub, her hold on me tightens. Her eyes widen with something near panic. Her hips dance in a rhythm that begs for satisfaction.

  This won’t take long.

  “Xavian!” she keens out.

  “That feels good, princess. Doesn’t it?”

  “So good. Oh…” she pants. “So…oh, my gosh.”

  Fuck, her arousal is contagious. Our stares fuse. A moan slips from her pouty lips. And all I can think about is having her naked in my bed so I can spend all night finding every way possible to make her come.

  She’s close now. Her thighs tremble. A flush blooms across her chest. Her breasts rise and shake with each sharp inhalation. She’s so damn beautiful. I want to spend a year corrupting her. No, a decade. Fuck that, a century.

  I pinch her clit. Her cries turn louder. Her whole body jolts. Her flesh turns steely between my fingers.

  Watching her desperately seek the orgasm I’m about to give her is fucking intoxicating…

  “Oh. Oh!” Her eyes slide shut. “Oh my—”

  “Eyes open. Look at me.” When she goes over, I want her to know exactly who’s heaping ecstasy on her.

  Her lashes flutter up, leaving helpless, dilated eyes focused on me as if I’m her entire universe. “I’m going to…”

  “Come?”

  “I can’t stop it.”

  “Don’t. Give it to me.”

  She bites her lip as if she’s trying to stay quiet, but she pants once, twice… Suddenly, her body jolts and bucks. She lets out an urgent wail that surely resonates through the adjacent kitchen and drifts to the dining room. That should probably make me happy. But I’m focused solely on Corinne, especially when the last of her feral cry ekes from her fuckable mouth just before she wilts back to the table.

  Holy shit, that was hot. How the hell am I going to make it home without every single person in that packed restaurant seeing how hard I am? And what will I do when I get her home? I promised I’d give her a couple of days before we have sex.

  I’ll die. My brain won’t survive because all my blood is trapped in my cock.

  Finally, Corinne catches her breath and blinks up at me, stunned. If that’s all it takes to make her speechless, spending time with her and convincing Parker we’re in love will be the time of my life.

  But now I need to show her off, while she’s flushed and disheveled. Reluctantly, I help her to her feet and flip her around, nuzzling her neck as I zip up her dress. “Let’s go.”

  She shudders, legs wobbling, as she braces on the table. “I-I need a minute to fix my hair and lipstick and—”

  “That doesn’t work for our plan, princess.” I spin her to face me and offer her my right arm. “Hold on to me.”

  Corinne bites her lip. “Everyone out there will know what we just did.”

  “Yep.”

  She closes her eyes. “It’s embarrassing.”

  “It’s perfect. All those people will see that you’re satisfied. The story will get back to your brother, too. Now take my arm.” I hold it out until her fingers curl around my gray coat—a stark contrast to her pale hand and the glittering diamond on her ring finger. “Let’s give the folks a show.”

  Slowly, I slide the doors to the dining room open. Everyone turns and stares. Beside me, Corinne clutches my arm.

  People reach for their phones.

  Smiling smugly, I make a spectacle of wiping her lipstick from my mouth before burrowing my face in her neck. “Look happy.”

  Her lips curl up into something loopy and lopsided. “Like this?”

  “Perfect.” I lead her forward, dropping a kiss on her exposed shoulder. “A lot of cameras capturing the moment…”

  “They aren’t even trying to be discreet.”

  “No. After tonight you’ll be infamous, too.”

  “I already feel that way,” she groans.

  “We’re just getting started.”

  I lead her down the steps and through the dining room. Every gaze is glued to us, even the waitstaff’s. When the path between chairs narrows, I urge Corinne ahead of me, planting my hands possessively at the small of her back.

  “Press your left hand to your chest like the evening has been overwhelming,” I murmur in her ear.

  She complies. “It has.”

  More people snap pictures. I can’t resist laying another kiss on her bare shoulder.

  She shudders. “You have to stop doing that.”

  “Why?” The path to the front of the restaurant widens again and I wrap my arm around her.

  She blinks up at me. Her eyes are still dark with passion, her lips swollen from my kiss. “I’m shaky. Every time you touch me only makes it worse.”

  The feeling is mutual. “I can’t wait to have you all to myself again.”

  “Xavian…”

  She’s going to remind me that none of this is real. Logically, she’s right, but if we’re both feeling it, is it really still a lie?

  Dangerous thinking. I need to stay on plan.

  I lift her left hand from her chest and kiss her palm, making her shiver again. “Don’t worry. The photo op is almost over, princess. Just one more conversation, then we can leave.”

  “Good. All I can think about is how wet and naked I am under this dress.” She shifts uncomfortably.

  I grin. “That’s consuming my thoughts, too.”

  Before she can rebuke me, we reach the foyer and Duke appears. “I hope you enjoyed your dinner.”

  “The best I’ve had in a long time.” I let the innuendo linger as I skim my fingers up and down Corinne’s hip. It’s a delicious reminder that her panties are in my pocket.

  “Excellent. And you?” Duke turns to Corinne, undressing her with his stare for a split second before his practiced smile shifts back into place.

  I restrain the urge to punch him for daring to eye-fuck what’s mine. But she isn’t. We have a mutual purpose, and for that I’ll get the pleasure of having her in my bed. But she’ll never belong to me.

  I shelve the annoying thought.

  “It was wonderful,” she breathes.

  “I’d be hard-pressed to say whether my fiancée or I enjoyed it more. Ms. Emerson and I just got engaged.”

  “Congratulations,” Duke offers smoothly.

  “Thank you.” She smiles, flashing her ring.

  “I’ll send you home with a bottle of champagne to celebrate. If you’ll give me a moment, I’ll grab it and your dessert so you can be on your way.”

  “Thank you.”

  Once he’s gone, I cup her shoulders and tip her chin up to me. “You’re doing great.”

  “How long do you think it will be before Parker sees pictures of the engagement ring?”

  “My guess? He already has. Any regrets?”

  She shakes her head.

  People are still watching, so I swoop down and kiss Corinne breathless for the cameras, crushing her lush mouth under mine. I’m sure more pictures are being snapped…but I don’t care. I’m fixated on tasting her sweet lips.

  A nibble isn’t enough. I latch my hand around her slender neck and tilt her head to take me deeper. She clutches my shoulders and presses her body to mine. Her touch travels through every part of me like a live wire.

  I’m contemplating which nearby wall I can press her against and work my hand under her dress to pet her bare pussy when someone clears his throat.

  With a growl, I lift my head.

  “Your dessert.” Duke hands the bag packed with dry ice to Corinne, then gives me a chilled bottle. “And your champagne. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

  When the restaurant owner pivots away, my sanity returns. “One more thing.”

  He faces us again. “Yes?”

  “Princess, get the valet to bring my car around.” I hand her the ticket. “I’ll be right there.”

  Corinne looks confused, her stare bouncing back and forth between Duke and me, but she nods. “All right.”

  A hostess opens the door for her and the Hawaiian evening swallows Corinne up. She’ll start getting recognized in public soon, so I don’t dare leave her alone for long.

  I turn back to Duke. “Do you keep surveillance footage of that private room?”

  “We have to. Video only, no audio. But we’ve hosted corporate parties where drunk executives get handsy with the waitstaff—”

  “Understood. But this was my fiancée and me…spending time together.” This footage being leaked would bolster our story, but it would also embarrass Corinne. I’d like to spare her that.

  Duke’s plastic smile returns. “Naturally, I’ll make sure your privacy is protected.”

  “Send me that footage and delete your copy.” I don’t want it in his spank bank, either. I reach in my pocket and peel off a few hundred dollars. “For your trouble.”

  He shakes his head. “Nothing that camera captured is worth ruining my business. Tell me where to send it. I’ll purge mine immediately. You have my word.”

  That’s the best I can do. I tuck my cash away and hand him my business card. “I appreciate your discretion.”

  And if Duke doesn’t follow through, I’ll come down on him like a house of bricks.

  “Of course. You’ll have it in your inbox before you reach home.”

  “Thank you.” I make my way outside where Corinne is thankfully standing alone as the valet pulls up with my car.

  “What was that about?” she asks. “Everything all right?”

  We’re no longer on display, but that doesn’t stop me from taking her hand after I tip the guy and help her into the passenger’s seat. “Just buttoning up some details. We’re good.”

  “Tonight went well, right?”

  “It couldn’t have gone better.” I mean that.

  As I toss myself behind the wheel and take off, I try to focus on our next steps, on managing the narrative. If I don’t get in front of the messaging, Parker will—and we’ll have an uphill battle. But all I can think about is whether Corinne will let me give her another orgasm tonight.

  She sighs in relief. “Thank goodness it’s over now. All those people staring was nerve-racking.”

  “You can relax.”

  “Now that no one is gawking at us, yes.” She smiles—until her phone, tucked in her small purse, buzzes.

  “You going to answer that?”

  Corinne shakes her head. “It’s either Parker or my bestie, Ash. I don’t want to listen to my brother rail; he can wait until I’m ready to talk.”

  “And Ash?” I think I remember her name when I skimmed Owen’s report.

  “She’s probably calling to ask if I’ve lost my mind. She knows when I’m dating someone, so she’s fully aware that I barely know you. I’d rather not lie to her.”

  “Is she tight with your brother?”

  She scoffs. “Ash thinks he has a stick up his behind. She’d gleefully shove it deeper if it didn’t mean touching him.”

  “I like her already.”

  “We’re total opposites.” Corinne grins fondly. “Her favorite words all start with F. She tells me constantly that I’m too polite and that I try too hard to make everyone happy. I hate fighting, and I usually give in to cut down on strife.”

  “And that’s not Ash?”

  Corinne shakes her head. “A lot of people—especially men—consider her a ball-busting something that rhymes with itch. But she has a sweet side…once you dig for it.”

  I’ve dated a few like her. I usually enjoy sparring with them. But my “fiancée,” now nervously smoothing her dress over her thighs, is making me work for it in a different way. Bashfulness isn’t something I’ve been attracted to in the past, but I’m fascinated now. What would it take to make her throw caution to the wind and give herself to me, body and soul?

  “What about you? I don’t know much, other than what you’ve told me.” That’s not strictly true, but close enough.

  She nods. “I don’t know a lot about you, either.”

  “That won’t fly at our engagement party.”

  “You’re right. But we can’t use sex to ‘learn’ each other.”

  “No.” I turn to her through the shadowy car. “You enjoyed the orgasm I gave you, though. Admit it.”

  “It was good.” She shrugs. “I’ve given myself better.”

  Is that the new bar I have to hurdle to impress her? No problem. “Then I’ll try harder.”

  She freezes. “Wait. I-I wasn’t challenging you.”

  I just smile. Even if she didn’t mean to, I’m determined to dazzle her in the future.

  At a stoplight, I check my emails. Duke’s pops in with a large attachment that must be the surveillance footage. Lisa texts to inform me that she just dropped off everything from Corinne’s hotel. She put the suitcase in my bedroom and the case of beads and craft items in a spare.

  Perfect.

  I darken my phone and pocket it as the light turns green. “Since we have to get to know each other before tomorrow, we should start exchanging information. What do you drive?”

  “That’s your first question, my car?”

  I shrug. “It just came to mind.”

  “My brother’s hand-me-down.”

  “That old red Honda?”

  “You know it?”

  “Hell, yes. We had more than a few four a.m. runs for food in that piece of shit.”

  “After a lot of alcohol?”

  I don’t think of Parker fondly anymore, but the memories…yeah. “Those were good times.”

  “Is that why my car still smells faintly like vomit on a really hot day?” She slants an unhappy glare at me.

  “I plead the Fifth.” I grin.

  “I’m not surprised.”

  “Where were you born?” I ask.

  “Greenwich, Connecticut.”

  “Close to your grandparents’ place?”

  She nods. “Just a few miles away. What about you?”