Hard As Ice (Fortis Series 1) (13 page)

Evan climbed farther onto the bed until he was on his knees. He spread her legs apart so he could position himself between them. Bending down, he rained light kisses down her stomach, stopping to dip his tongue in the well of her belly button. Nia arched her back. He slid his finger deeper into her wetness, brushing her clit.

She groaned, gripping the sheets beneath her with tight fists.

He loved how unrestrained she was. How hot she felt. He brushed his lips lower until his tongue replaced his fingers, licking her tender bud.

“Oh God,” she moaned.

He delved deeper, pressing a little harder, circling the sensitive flesh with the firm tip of his tongue. Her hips bucked, begging him wordlessly. Evan wanted to give her everything. He took his time licking, sucking, stroking every fold of her sweet, satiny flesh. She smelled like soft, sensuous vanilla. Tasted warm and sweet. He wanted more.

Spreading her legs wider, Evan urged her knees to bend upward. She was all his. He stroked into her tight sheath with his thick middle finger. Nia was now panting softly. Christ! She was so hot and tight. He stroked into her again, sucking at her clit with soft pressure. Her body quivered.

“Evan!”

He looked up at her body, loving the flush of her skin, the look of sharp arousal on her face.

“What?” Evan demanded, his voice deep with his own building desire. He added a second finger, pumping into her with increased speed.

“So good!” she panted.

She was so incredibly beautiful like this, creeping closer and closer to orgasm, that he could watch her forever. Every groan from her throat and shiver of her body sent lightning bolts down his spine, tightening his balls until he was close to spontaneous combustion. But he clenched his jaw, holding back his need to be encased in her sweetness. Her pleasure was all that mattered.

Evan returned his focus and his mouth to her feminine bud, finding a rhythm with fingers and tongue that had her moaning and begging for more. There was a moment of tight stillness, then Nia came with hard, shuttering intensity. Her body pulsed around his fingers, slick and molten. God, it felt amazing. He could barely wait for her body to quiet before he was throwing off his towel and rolling on a condom.

Back between her legs, he draped them over his thighs. Her body was dewy with sweat.

“Nia,” he whispered.

She slowly opened her eyes, now glassy and sated.

Gripping her hips, Evan slowly stroked into her with his stiff, thick cock. They both groaned.
Delicious.

He tried to go slow, take his time, give her a chance to get warmed up again. But Evan got lost in her. Again. He forgot about everything but the feel of her tight satin gripping his length like a glove. Being inside Nia was like nothing he’d ever felt before, nothing he thought could exist. It was all-consuming, turning Evan from a man of calculation and control into a primal being that could only feel.

Over and over, he buried himself into her, savoring every stroke yet desperate for completion. Her name dripped off his tongue like a chant until the sharp blades of orgasm dug into the base of his spine. He groaned harshly as the climax ripped through him, robbing his body of all control. Incredibly, he felt Nia’s body pulse around him, joining him over the edge, adding to the intensity until he felt weak in the aftermath.

When he came to his senses, their bodies were entangled with his draped over hers. She was running her fingers up and down his back. He sighed with contentment, lingering in the moment for a long as possible.

“What was that?” Nia finally asked after some time.

Evan knew exactly what she meant, and didn’t pretend otherwise. They had shared something unusually intense and connected. Something unique. He really wished it wasn’t.

“I’m not sure,” he replied honestly.

“Well, you weren’t kidding about your talents.”

He was so grateful for her sense of humor at that moment, and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“I’m glad I didn’t disappoint you.”

“No, I’m definitely not disappointed. But I am hungry.”

“Hmm. Well, I did try to warn you,” Evan mused.

“I’ll make you a deal. Why don’t I cook and you focus on the other things you do so well,” she quipped, wiggling out from under him to sit at the edge of the bed.

“How could I turn down an offer like that?”

Evan rolled onto his back and laced his fingers across his stomach. That now-familiar sense of sexual contentment still surrounded him, and he held on to it for a few more stolen moments. With his eyes closed, he felt so lazy, he could easily sleep the rest of the morning away. Something he hadn’t done since college, except while lying in a hospital bed, knocked out on pain medication and antibiotics.

Something tickled at his ribs. He scratched the spot, instantly awake and alert. Then it brushed around his ear. Evan swatted at it, holding back a smile. He felt the shift in the air as the offending presence approached the side of his head again. With a swift reach, he grabbed Nia’s hand by the wrist and pulled her on top of him. She squealed in surprise.

“I thought you were still sleeping,” she gasped.

Evan opened one eye to peer at her.

“So you thought you’d take advantage of my vulnerability, huh.”

She tugged at her wrist, still trapped in the vise of his loose grip.

“You, vulnerable?
Please!
”

He closed his eyes again.

“I think I’ve just been insulted.” She twisted some more to get her arm free, but Evan held firm. “I did fall asleep. What time is it?”

“Just after nine o’clock,” Nia confirmed. “I only came to tell you that breakfast will be ready in about ten minutes. Instead, I’m attacked and held against my will.”

“My apologies,” he mocked, releasing his hold to gently brush along the soft skin on the inside of her arm. “But you know what they say about sleeping dogs.”

She used the opportunity to roll off the bed and stand at the side.

“Oh, so you’re a dog. Good to know.”

Evan sat up, stretching widely, unconcerned with his nakedness. He could feel her eyes running over him.

“That’s not such a bad thing, is it? Loyal, reliable, protective, well trained. So what if I drool a little.”

Nia rolled her eyes, and he chuckled.

“Ten minutes if you want a hot breakfast,” she stipulated, turning on her feet to walk out of the bedroom, sashaying her sweet ass in a pair of snug jeans.

“Damn, you’re bossy in the mornings.”

She was gone without responding.

He allowed himself a satisfied smile, and headed into the shower, suddenly famished. A hot breakfast sounded amazing.

When he entered the kitchen a short while later, wearing worn jeans and a T-shirt, Nia was laying out plates of food on the small round table. There was French toast, bacon, and scrambled eggs. The last dish had roasted potatoes, seasoned and crispy on the outside. The delicious smell of brewing Brazilian coffee filled the room. Evan was tempted to rub his eyes to make sure it wasn’t a mirage. Jesus! He had hope for toasted bagels, maybe some eggs.

“I hope you’re hungry,” she stated, grabbing dinner plates and cutlery.

As expected as her lover, Evan pulled her into his arms from behind and snuggling into her neck with a string of kisses.

“Starving,” he mumbled, then took the dishes out of her hands to set them on the table.

“Good. I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so . . .”

“It looks fantastic, Nia. But you didn’t have to go through so much trouble.”

She shrugged, as though it was nothing.

“Eat before it gets cold,” she instructed.

“Yes, ma’am.”

They ate in silence. After the energetic sex and rigorous run, his appetite was at its peak. He finished two full servings without any effort and it was delicious. Nia only shook her head in wonder.

“Coffee?” she finally asked when he sat back in his chair, chewing on the last chunk of potato.

“Hmm,” Evan agreed. “I’ll get it.”

He stood up and took their empty plates over to the sink.

“How do you take it?” he asked, taking out two mugs from the cupboard.

“Just with cream, please.”

Evan made their drinks, loading his up with cream and a good spoonful of sugar.

“I hate to get serious, but we should talk,” Nia stated as he rejoined her at the table.

She took her cup from him and took a small sip. Evan did the same, then sat back in his chair, his legs extended out in an effort to seem unaffected by her statement. Whatever she wanted to discuss so seriously could not be good. He was suddenly very resentful of a situation in which he might be forced to lie to her further.

“Sure, about what?” he replied, sipping hot brew again.

“You know what. Your father’s collection,” she clarified, as though there could be nothing else of importance between them. “We need to confirm when my team and I can complete the catalog. Unfortunately, we have a big auction happening in three months, so there’s very limited availability. Either we do your work very soon, or we may have to push it out until near the end of the summer.”

Evan appeared unfazed, but his mind was analyzing her response. He had anticipated her wanting to ask about the direction of their relationship, what his plans were to see her in the future, or maybe even discuss the unnerving level of intimacy they’d shared. It’s what he wanted her to be thinking about as a part of the seduction. That’s how she would drop her guard, and share details he needed to solve his mission. Her focus on work and their business agreement was unexpected.

“How soon?” he asked casually.

“Later this week, if not early next? I know that might be challenging, so we can also look at other options. We have several consultants in the D.C. area who could—”

“No,” he stated firmly before she could finish the thought. “I want you to do it. Later this week is fine. How long do you need?”

She seemed surprised by his decisive response.

“I think a day should be enough, maybe two at the most.”

He nodded.

“We’ll go to Virginia on Thursday, stay for a few days. I’ll have Sandra make the arrangements. I was intending to fly home for the weekend anyway so you’ll have plenty of time.”

“Okay,” she agreed, somewhat reluctantly.

“Good. Now that we have business taken care of, let’s get on the road.”

By eleven o’clock in the morning, they were driving across the island. There was an unusual energy between them that Nia couldn’t quite put a label on. At first, as they drove in silence, only interrupted by the occasional short discussion, she thought it was just her. The intimate connection they had shared the night before was still fresh in her mind, and she was preoccupied trying to understand it.

She looked over at his profile speculatively. He glanced back. Nia smiled then turned away to stare out the passenger-side window at the beautiful landscape. She could feel his gaze on her occasionally, but she resisted meeting his eyes again. Her nature was to be transparent, ask direct questions, say what was on her mind. Yet this time, Nia held her tongue. She needed time to decide what this weekend really signified for her before taking Evan’s intentions into account.

It was a big question. A week ago, Nia would have said maybe it would be nice to date someone regularly. Nothing serious, just a guy to do things with, like see a movie or try a new restaurant. Maybe even attend the occasional work event. In her head, sex was optional in the scenario, not essential. It was hard to find a man who was enjoyable company but also able to stir any chemistry. Pretty much impossible to at this point in her life. The expectation for
great
sex? Unlikely, since as of a week ago, Nia didn’t even know what that really meant.

Today, the term
great
was insufficient. Even the word
sex
seemed too simple. Evan DaCosta was a physical and mental experience. Based on her racing heartbeat and nervous tension, he was threatening to become an emotional one as well. Nia was not ready for that.

Somewhere on Cape Cod, as they walked through the Memorial Day weekend crowds, Nia realized that she wasn’t the only one who was preoccupied. Evan was polite and charming, even attentive. He held her hand as they strolled around the city, touched her back or arms to keep her close. But he seemed pensive, as though his thoughts were elsewhere. For a moment, she wondered if he were struggling with the same concerns she had about where this weekend could lead, then quickly dismissed it. He was a busy man with a big job. His concerns probably had nothing to do with her at all.

They stayed in the Cape area for an early dinner, then arrived back in Boston shortly after eight o’clock in the evening. Evan parked in front of her place then walked her inside the building, carrying her weekend bag. He stopped in the open doorway of her apartment, placing her bag on a stool in the corner. They faced each other.

“In case I didn’t mention it, I’m really glad you joined me for the weekend,” stated Evan as he brushed the back of his hand gently along her cheek. “I had a really great time.”

Nia let out a deep breath.

“So did I,” she replied.

He brushed his finger over her lips, dipping between them.

“The thing is, I really want to kiss you right now.”

Unable to hold back her response, she licked the pad of his thumb with her tongue.

“What’s stopping you?”

“If I do, I might not be able to leave,” he explained without any hint of teasing. “I have an early morning meeting.”

Nia knew what he was saying, what he was asking. This was her opportunity to draw a line for herself, put a break on the madness. But she looked into his eyes and read the need he made no attempt to disguise.

“Maybe, you can just stay for a nightcap,” she suggested.

“Hmmm,” he mumbled. “Since you’ve twisted my arm.”

Evan pulled her into his arms, and kissed her lightly, followed by another series of sweet, gentle pecks. He rested his forehead against hers for a few seconds then stepped away.

“Are we talking coffee, or something stronger?” he asked. She let out a deep, disappointed breath, trying to recoup from the sparks he had lit of in her body with just that brief touch.

“I would love a cup of coffee. But I have some wine if that’s what you prefer,” she suggested.

“Coffee’s good,”

“Okay, give me a minute to unpack, then I’ll be right back,” Nia told him as she picked up her travel bag. The thought of the beautiful yellow dress getting any more crushed gave her hives.

“Take your time. I’ll make the coffee,” he replied, already walking into her apartment to seek out the kitchen.

“Okay. There’s ground beans is in the cupboard beside the sink,” she called after him. It felt pretty strange to have a man strolling through her place.

“I’m sure I can figure it out,” he replied back.

Nia went into her bedroom and quickly took everything out of the bag. Most of the items went into the laundry, but she gently hung the new silk dress in the closet.

The garment bag from the Cape Cod boutique was also still in her luggage, folded neatly at the bottom. Nia took it out, removing the sales receipt before tossing the bag in the trash. Then she paused, looking more closely at the slip of paper.

There was an American Express credit card slip attached to the back of the invoice, yet Nia clearly remembered paying for the dress with her Visa. In fact, she didn’t even own an Amex card. Puzzled, she looked at the card information, noting the name imprinted on the bottom.

“Evan?” she called as she walked through the living room to the kitchen.

He was on his cell phone, but hung up as she walked toward him.

“The coffee’s ready,” he stated.

“You know that store where I bought my dress for the charity event on Saturday? The yellow one?” she explained. “I’m looking at the receipt, and there’s been some kind of mistake. They charged it to your credit card. How is that even possible?”

Evan put his hands in the pocket of his jeans, his legs spread in a wide stance.

“It wasn’t a mistake. I asked them to.”

She was still holding up the receipt, but froze at his statement.

“What? Why?”

He shrugged, completely unfazed.

“I wanted to.”

Nia looked at the receipt then down at the floor. A flood of annoyance swept over her. She clenched her jaw and turned away, walking over to her computer desks on the other side of the kitchen. There, she removed her checkbook and a pen, taking her time writing out the details of the purchase.

She walked back to him with her back straight, head high, and handed him a signed check. He didn’t even look at it.

“Nia,” he repeated, now with a dismissive attitude.

It annoyed her even more.

“Take it, Evan.”

“What’s the big deal? I bought you a dress for the party. It’s nothing.”

Nia clenched her teeth.

“The big deal is that you had no right.”

He folded his arms across his chest and raised his brows sardonically.