A Taste of You (13 page)

“Mr. Lambourne’s penthouse is at State and Walton, Miss Kelly.”

I knew where that was, and I knew it was one of the priciest addresses in Chicago. Oh, my. I took a deep breath and glanced at the outfit I’d changed into. I’d taken a quick shower and put on a red bustier and matching red thong. The bustier was stretch satin with underwire cups embellished with pleats and jacquard lace that put my breasts on full display. I remembered how turned on William had been by my breasts, and I wanted that same effect tonight.

I’d pulled a lightweight, wraparound sweater over the bustier, skinny jeans, and my black stiletto booties. Beckett would have more than approved. Instead of my pea coat, I threw on my vintage, black leather motorcycle jacket. I wanted William to see a different side of me. I wanted him to know I was as into him as he was into me. And I wanted him to see a woman who was more than ready for hot, mind-blowing sex. I was giddy with anticipation, ready to do whatever William asked. I knew that whatever we did, it would feel amazing. He hadn’t yet touched me without turning me on. I was ready to feel him inside me, ready to take the next step.

“This is it, Miss Kelly,” Anthony said.

We pulled up to an imposing building, and I knew we had arrived. My pulse kicked, knowing William was nearby. The drive was circular and made of cobblestones. Anthony drove around a fountain and manicured shrubbery before stopping in front of an impressive door. The city was freezing, but this place had green bushes and flowing water in the fountain. The building was lit with warm, inviting lamps, highlighting the white stone exterior. I might have gaped longer, but Anthony opened my door and offered his hand.

I stepped from the SUV, and a uniformed doorman greeted me. “Good evening, Miss Kelly. Right this way please. Mr. Lambourne is expecting you.” He led me from the main elevators to a private elevator and pressed a code, causing the doors to slide open silently. “This will take you directly to Mr. Lambourne’s residence. Have a good evening, Miss Kelly.”

“Thank you.” The doors slid closed, and I turned around. As elevators went, this one was posh. It was rich wood and gold accents. The embellished metalwork around the mirrors and the frosted glass gave it an air of elegance. I watched the numbers on the elevator as it took me silently to the fifty-sixth floor. It came to a smooth stop, and my heart pounded painfully in my chest.

Breathe, Cat. Breathe.

The doors slid open, and William stood there looking good enough to eat. He wore his jeans and little else. I stared at his chest, stunned by the gorgeous physique. This was a man who worked out regularly. His chest was defined and toned with a smattering of dark hair, his abs hard and chiseled. I wanted to run my fingers and my tongue all over that chest and feel his muscles bunch beneath me. My gaze tracked down to the waistband of his jeans. I saw a thin line of hair—a glory trail that led to what I am sure was his amazing cock. His jeans hung off his hips in that way I loved, highlighting his sexy V muscle. If I’d conjured a man from pure fantasy, he wouldn’t have looked better than William. The man was scorching.

I looked into his eyes and pulled in a labored breath at the hungry expression I got in return. He looked predatory and famished. There was something incredibly arousing about being his meal for the night.

My gaze flicked behind him, and I gasped. I had forgotten to look at the penthouse, but it was every bit as stunning as William. It was huge, ridiculously spacious, and behind William were windows twenty feet high that showcased the glittering lights of the city and the black expanse of the lake in the distance.

I couldn’t keep my eyes off William for long, and I drank him in again. My core was throbbing. I licked my lips, finding my voice to say hello, but he didn’t wait. He took two steps and swept me into his arms, my legs dangling. The heat of his chest warmed me as his mouth came down over mine, kissing me deeply and passionately, claiming me completely. He took my mouth without apology, without any hint of the gentleness he’d shown earlier. This was raw and carnal. I could feel his need as his tongue swept inside my mouth, and I twined my tongue with his, mating with him in the most primitive way. Our tongues slid and licked and tasted. I took his deeper into my mouth, sucking lightly until he groaned.

He broke the kiss for a moment and set me down. He put his hand under my chin and tilted my head back, so I was looking directly into his eyes. “I thought maybe you had changed your mind. That was the longest ten minutes ever.”

I laughed, and part of me thrilled that I’d kept him waiting. “A girl needs time to get ready, you know,” I replied.

Our eyes were still locked, and I could see his need smoldering. “Are you sure about this, Catherine?” he asked gently.

I didn’t know where any of this was going to go, but I knew I absolutely wanted to be here and I was ready. “Yes,” I said, unable to contain my smile.

William grinned in relief and said, “Good. I can’t wait to get you naked.” He picked me up again and carried me into the master bedroom, and then his hot mouth was on me again, blocking out any thought but that of what he was doing to me.

At some point, my feet were on the floor, but I clung to William for support. My head spun, and I was on fire. I needed him more than I’d ever needed anything. I couldn’t get enough of his mouth and his kisses. I ran my hands over his hard, sculpted back around to his sleek abs and back up through his thick hair. The more I touched him, the more I needed to touch him. His skin was so warm, so alive. His hands were all over me, sliding my jacket off and moving my hair off my neck so he could kiss the tender flesh behind my ear. I shivered and moaned in response, feeling myself grow wet.

“I have to have you, Catherine,” William’s voice was throaty in my ear.

“Yes,” I all but begged. “Yes.”

He pulled off my sweater and groaned when he saw the bustier. “What you do to me, Catherine. You have no idea.” But I wanted to find out.

His hands slid over the lace and down to the waist of my jeans. He unbuttoned them and pushed them over my hips then removed my shoes. It was erotic, watching him perform that task. Such a small thing, but it turned me on. My jeans pooled on the floor, and he lifted me again and laid me on his bed.

For a moment, he stared at me. The look in his eyes was so filled with need I all but squirmed with my desire for him. I reached for him, but he shook his head. “I want to look at you. God, you are so fucking beautiful.” His gaze met mine. “I’m going to make you come so hard, Catherine. I’m going to make you scream my name.”

I was ready to come just from the way he was looking at me, and then he bent and kissed me, kneeling on the bed and pushing my legs open. His hands were everywhere, tracing hot, delicious tingles of pleasure wherever he touched. “Your skin is so soft,” he murmured into my shoulder. “It’s like silk.” His deft fingers unclasped my bustier, freeing my breasts to his hot gaze and his hotter mouth. He tongued my nipples, sucking and rolling them until I arched into him, impatient with need and mewling with desire. His mouth could make me feel a thousand sensations from sharp pain to gentle soothing to a raging need for an orgasm I could already tell would be explosive.

His lips left my breasts, and I made a cry of distress. I could barely stand not having his mouth on me, but he was kissing his way down my belly now. “You smell so good, Catherine.’” He slid a hand under my thong and peeled it off. I rose to my elbows and watched—I knew he liked it when I watched—as he trailed his hands to the apex of my thighs. “You’re pink and perfect here too. I love how wet you are.” His fingers teased between the folds of my sex, and I felt this thick thumbs spread me open, baring me completely. He knew I was watching, and he gave me a wickedly sexy look before I felt his tongue on me. He took his time and explored every inch of me with his mouth, laving my folds and circling my opening until he plunged inside me, gentle at first then more demanding. He licked me with long, perfect strokes. I writhed with pleasure now, my hips lifting to his demanding mouth. Sensing my need, I felt his hot tongue on my throbbing clit. He sucked on it, and then I released in powerful waves, shattering and feeling the pleasure surge through me. I fell back, breathless, letting the sensation wash over me.

Then in an instant, William’s mouth was on mine, his lips crushing and slippery from my arousal. I was writhing beneath him, ready for him to take me when he whispered in my ear, “Catherine, do you want me to use a condom? I can, but I’m clean. I already told you.”

“No, we’re fine,” I managed to say, my voice breathy with desire. “I’m ok. Please, please, I can’t wait…”

“Good,” he groaned in my ear. “I want to feel every part of you.” His body covered mine, and he braced himself above me. I was naked, but he still wore his jeans. I reached between us and unbuttoned him, pushing them down, freeing his cock, and then William did the rest, kicking them to floor. This was the first time William had been naked with me, and I couldn’t resist exploring him. My hand dipped between us. He was big, and I circled his hard shaft, feeling its thickness. William groaned, “Fuck that feels good, but I need to be inside you. Now. You’re ready for me.”

And then William was over me, pushing my legs farther apart, pressing at my entrance. He thrust into me in one long stroke, and I moaned from the new onslaught of pleasure. He was so thick and hard, and I winced—it had been so long since I’d been filled so completely.

“You are so wet, Catherine, so tight. I can feel your greedy muscles clenching around me, taking me in.” He thrust harder, and I dug my fingers into his back as my pleasure mounted. “I want to make you come like you’ve never come before. I can already feel how hot you are for me. You feel so good around my cock.” He growled in my ear as his body took mine, stroking in and out until I didn’t think I could take more. But I knew I would. I wanted more, and he gave it to me. Just as I adjusted to his rhythm, he changed it, swirling his hips with a skill that left me in awe. He was pressing just the right place inside me, and I moaned, paralyzed with pleasure as my body tingled with a thousand new sensations.

“I can feel how hungry you are for me, Catherine. I want my cum inside you.”

“Yes.
Please
.”

I was arching against him, pressing my hips up and into his as he pumped into me. Then he pulled back, and I felt his fingers on my clit, circling my sensitive bud. I couldn’t hold back, even if I’d wanted to, and another blinding orgasm slammed into me. “William!” I screamed his name.

“No control with you, Catherine,” he ground out through clenched teeth. I felt him swell and thrust deep, and then his hot release filled me. My own climax still pulsed, and I felt my walls clutching him as he came.

Holy.

Holy.

Shit.

Eleven

I woke feeling sore, but pleasantly so. I stretched, and my muscles protested. I’d used muscles I hadn’t known I possessed last night. I opened my eyes and reached for William, but the bed was empty and cold. Frowning, I rolled over and grabbed my jacket from the floor. I tugged my cell out of the pocket and squinted at the screen. It was barely seven o’clock. It was also Monday. I supposed billionaire moguls might have to be at work by seven on Mondays, but after the night we’d shared, he could have texted. I had two texts—one from Beckett and one from my mother.

I ignored both and sat, dangling my legs over the side of the bed. The floor was bare of carpet, and it looked cold. What I really wanted was to snuggle under the covers and go back to sleep. I’d gotten little sleep. The first time had only been a warm-up for William. The man had stamina and endurance. I think at one point I asked if he took medication, and he laughed and gave me another orgasm. I lost count after three or four. I blushed, remembering all the ways he’d had me—we’d had each other—last night. I think he knew my body as well as I did, and it was a strange feeling. Only Jace had been that close to me.

I hadn’t wanted to give William so much of myself, but he had a way of surprising me. One moment he’d be aggressive and possessive, ordering me to come, and the next moment he was tender and gentle, coaxing me, moving so slowly I ended up ordering
him
to make me come. William had skills that I could hardly fathom. It was obvious he’d been with a lot of women. But, strangely, he hadn’t made me feel like one of many. With him, I felt I was the only woman he’d ever touched. He seemed enraptured by my body and my reactions to all he did. It was as though he thought only of me—what I would like, what I wanted and needed.

It was a heady feeling, being treated like that by a powerful man. It was dizzying to be treated that way by any man, and I knew I could get used to it. I could so easily fall in love with William Lambourne.

I had to be careful. I mean, I hardly knew him.

And then I realized I was alone in his penthouse. I didn’t want to go back to sleep. I wanted to explore every inch. I’d been so wrapped up in William I hadn’t done more than ogle the penthouse before falling into William’s arms.

Now, I had time to really look. The bedroom was decorated in a sleek, modern minimalist style. Everything was white and grey and light wood. No pictures hung on the walls. No books sat on the nightstands—nothing personal anywhere in the room. The rumpled sheets were grey, and the coverlet was off-white. On each natural wood nightstand stood a metal lamp with a large white, bulb-shaped shade. A white modern chair was off to one side, and on the other, white curtains spanned the wall. I rose, wrapped myself in a sheet, and walked to the windows. The floor was not cold, as I’d expected. It must have been heated. I stood in front of the curtains and pulled them open. I’m certain there was some sort of remote that opened and closed them, but I didn’t know where it was.

Sunlight streamed into the room, highlighting its starkness, while outside I had a view of downtown Chicago. The sun was just rising, the city lights still twinkled weakly, and the frozen lake sparkled in the distance .The whole wall was floor to ceiling windows, and the view was breathtaking.

I heard what sounded like a door open and close, so I headed back to bed. Just as I sat down, William walked in, carrying two smoothies. He wore shorts and a T-shirt and looked as though he’d been working out. I would have thought we’d had enough of a workout last night. He smiled when he saw me and held out one of the drinks. “Good morning, beautiful.”

I loved it when he smiled. He didn’t do it often, but when he did, it made me catch my breath.
He
was the beautiful one. And he was bringing me breakfast. I didn’t see how it could get any better.

William sat on the edge of the bed and gave me a slow, lingering kiss—the kind of kiss that made my toes curl. Before it could go farther, he pulled back and caressed my cheek softly, reverently. “The best way to start my day is with you in my bed.” He looked directly into my eyes, and his gaze penetrated. I knew he meant every word.

“Last night was amazing,” I breathed.

“I agree. I’d like to start every morning like this.” He set his smoothie on the nightstand. “I want to see you as much as possible, Catherine. In and out of bed.” He grinned.

His grin was infectious, and I laughed, but my laugh hid my uneasiness. I wasn’t ready for how fast this was moving. Where was the legendary commitment-phobe?

“We just met.” I said. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” I would have climbed out of bed and ended the conversation there, but he touched my cheek again.

“I’ve been thinking about a million ways to make you come since you dropped your camera bag in front of Willowgrass last week, Catherine.”

“I think you made a good start last night,” I said playfully, hoping to lighten the conversation.

A lump had caught in my throat. Had he really been thinking about me as much as I’d thought about him this past week? His eyes, a molten grey this morning, burned into me, and I could feel myself panic. This was moving so quickly.

“I’m serious. I want to see more of you, Catherine. Only you. I’m not interested in any other woman, and you said you weren’t seeing anyone else. We can be exclusive. Starting right now, we are exclusive.”

“Wait, wait, wait!” I’d never been ordered to be exclusive, and I wasn’t certain I liked it. And then a part of me liked it more than I wanted to admit.

“Is there someone else?” His eyes had turned stormy again.

“No. I’m not seeing anyone else, but I told you at Willowgrass, I’m not relationship material. The sex last night was great.” It had been way more than great. I definitely wanted more time in William Lambourne’s bed, and I knew I’d told myself I wasn’t a casual kind of person, but that didn’t mean I wanted to define everything so quickly. Why couldn’t we just see where things went? “A relationship is a lot more than sex.”

“You can’t fight what’s between us,” he said calmly. “I know you feel it, Catherine. It’s electric. I don’t want it to end. I want more of you. And you should know I always get what I want.”

My body flushed with warmth at his words. I’d always been an independent woman, but something about the way he took charge was a major turn-on. He knew what he wanted and didn’t waver. Amazingly, what he wanted was
me
. I could see what that would entail. He’d had me driven here last night, brought me breakfast, and before we’d had that awful date, he’d sent me that dress and the lingerie and the bracelet…

This was a man who knew how to take care of a woman, and I could get used to being taken care of like this. One of the hardest things about losing Jace was having to do everything on my own, make all the decisions, take care of all the problems that arose from broken air conditioners to flat tires. William would make those stresses go away.

But for how long? I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a pattern. After all, he did have that commitment-phobe reputation. “What about the Lara Kendalls of the world, William?” I said, thinking about the women who’d glared with envy when we’d been at the Art Institute. “I’m sure there are legions of tall, leggy blonds scattered all over the city who sat where I’m sitting now. I don’t know what I’m up against.” I thought of Jace. “And neither do you.”

“I’m not innocent, Catherine,” William said, his gaze unwavering. Nothing I said made a dent in his confidence. “I can’t change my past, but you are the only woman who has ever been in this bed. That’s what you’re up against.”

I shook my head. I couldn’t believe what he was saying. He’d never brought another woman to his bed? My belly did a slow roll, and I trembled.

“It’s different with you.” He caressed my cheek, calming me. “You’re different. I want to keep feeling the way I feel when we’re together. It’s addictive. I don’t want it to stop.” The way he looked at me with those hard blue eyes told me this was non-negotiable. It would not stop. Then his gaze softened, and I saw, for an instant, another side of him. A side I could love.

“This is unchartered territory. I’ve never done this before.” His vulnerability made me come undone. Behind his eyes was much more to this man. At that moment, I wanted to wrap him in my arms and never let go.“I’ll never get enough of you, Catherine.”

My head was spinning. It was all too much. “You don’t even know me. And nothing has changed since Friday.”

“
Everything
has changed. I’ve tasted enough to know I want you. Only you. They’ll be no one else—for either of us. No other men, Catherine. That’s an absolute for me.”

And that commanding tone was back. It both irked me and made me hot. I could see I wasn’t going to win this battle—but did I really want to? “Well, I
absolutely
can’t see you tonight. I already have plans.”

He smiled, that cocky smile that made my heart trip. “I’ll give you tonight, but I won’t be able to stay away for long.” His hand trailed over my bare shoulder. “And you’ll be hungry for me sooner than you think.”

His touch, the velvet in his voice—I wanted him again. Which was ridiculous. I was still sore from the night before. But I could feel myself giving in to him. I was exasperated with myself for being so weak and exasperated with him for…well, for being William M. Lambourne. “This is crazy, William. I haven’t agreed to anything. Like I said, we hardly know each other. I don’t even know your middle name.”

He stood and pulled his T-shirt over his head. My mouth went dry as I saw his hard, defined abs in the sunlight. He slid his shorts off and started for the bathroom. I stared unashamedly at his toned ass. When he looked over his shoulder, he said, “It’s Maddox.”

I made myself take a deep breath. I couldn’t believe a man like William
Maddox
Lambourne wanted me. He was so gorgeous, and I’d had him all to myself last night. He was right. I wanted more. I wasn’t certain what I’d agreed to this morning, but I absolutely felt the charge between us. It was undeniable and addictive.

And it scared the hell out of me.

William emerged from the shower, looking and smelling fantastic. I watched from the bed as he finished dressing in a black custom-cut suit. I loved a man in a suit. That was one thing Jace had never worn, except to our wedding. William looked right in a suit. He looked as though he belonged in that world. And as I watched him slide his jacket on, I wanted nothing more than to take it off him again. He grinned, as though reading my thoughts. “I hate to leave, but I have a meeting I can’t reschedule.”

“I’ll get dressed and out of your way.”

“No.” He shook his head. “Stay as long as you want. Cook will make you whatever you like for breakfast.”

I blinked. There was staff here? Had they been here all night or just arrived this morning?

“And George will take you home or wherever you want to go. If you change your mind about tonight, just stay.” He crossed to the bed and gave me a long kiss. “I’d love to come home to this… to you.” And he was gone.

The offer was tempting, but I had meetings I couldn’t reschedule as well. I’d lazed around enough and made myself get up. I felt odd knowing there was staff here, but they obviously had orders to leave me in peace. I decided to shower and snoop a little. William was such an enigma. I was hungry for any little bit of information about him. I padded to the bathroom, which was huge, similar to the bedroom, decorated in whites and greys. Large fluffy, white towels hung on chrome towel racks. A double vanity in the same natural wood as his bedroom had been placed along one wall. It had white, square basin sinks and stark, rectangular mirrors above. Between them, where in my bathroom a pile of toiletries would have cluttered the space, was a white figure of a shell. There was no evidence William had just been here. No towels on the floor. No water on the vanity. No toothbrush lying about. I turned and studied the huge sunken tub and the walk-in shower behind glass doors. It had a shower with half a dozen heads and a bench where two people could sit. It was empty of shampoos, body washes, and washcloths.

Did William really live here? I opened one of the medicine cabinets, and there was the evidence I’d sought. His toiletries were in perfect order, but at least I had proof that he actually had a toothbrush, toothpaste, and razor. There was a bottle of cologne, sans label. I sprayed a bit on my wrists and closed my eyes when the scent wafted to my nose. This was definitely William’s. The scent made me think of sex.

I took a quick shower, playing with the controls, so I sampled all the showerheads and their settings. And then, wrapped in a towel, I left a wet trail across the heated bathroom floor to William’s closet.

If I’d envied the bedroom and the bathroom, it was nothing compared to what I felt when I walked into the closet. It was enormous—the size of a small studio apartment. Everything was wood and built-ins and soft lighting and flattering mirrors. Racks and racks of shoes lined up perfectly. Glass doors showcased suits and shirts and trousers hanging in perfect order and arranged by color. There was storage above, hidden by drapes, and a rolling ladder so that it was easily accessible. In the center was an island filled with drawers. It made a comfortable space to toss change or a watch, but it was clear of clutter. I could not imagine how one man—one person—could have so many clothes. I opened one of the drawers. I had to tap it, and it slid open slowly and soundlessly. Cashmere sweaters were folded perfectly inside. I ran my hand over them, feeling their softness. I lifted one and put it to my nose. It smelled clean, but there was a hint of William there.

I walked around the island and saw the first piece of clutter—the diamond cuff I’d returned the night of our date at the Art Institute. It sat in a decorative marble bowl on the island, glittering softly in the warm light. Here, too, were several sleek picture frames. I peered at the photos—a man who looked like an older version of William, a beautiful woman who clearly adored the man, and two boys. One was William. I would have recognized those eyes anywhere. And the other must have been his older brother. There was definitely a family resemblance. William looked about ten or eleven, and the other boy was closer to thirteen or fourteen.