Ignite Me (A Burning Desire Novel) (30 page)

I glared at her, “That’s between me and him.”

“Jesus, pull back those claws Clea.”

Landon stood between us and pulled me to my feet, “It’s
not that I’m not enjoying this, but we do have to leave in less than an hour
and I’d like to take you up on that offer baby.”

“I’ll be back in an hour then.” Mario conveyed our
attention.

“No need for that, I’ll be driving Miss Dane. Just check
with Miss Seiter when she will be ready for you to pick her up, we have prior
arrangements.”

Mario acknowledged, greeted us, and made his way out.

“Thank you.” I said as we got inside the bedroom.

“For what?”

I grinned at him, “For Mario, for caring so much about my
comfort.”

“Don’t ever thank me for another man again, and for loving
you.”

I was about to answer, when he cut me off by unzipping my
dress, “Now, about that shower?”

As I stepped out of the elevator car– I gasped in
surprise – admiring the work that had been done in such a short period of
time. I left the office less than five hours ago; the decorator’s team hadn’t
made any work on the space. Passing through the glass doors that led to our reception
desk, a bright canvas illuminates the whole area with dynamic ads – the
ones that inspired the world – back from the forties and up to the late
nineties.

It was creativity at its best – especially back then
– when people didn’t have the means to do things as we did with
technological advances, but managed to innovate and create something to inspire
decades of generations to come.

Our boss had the idea of theming the party with a little
twist. Instead of dressing up with outfits, he chose to arm us with what really
mattered in the business of advertisement. The whole office space was converted
into an art gallery, with hundreds of canvases portraying the first ads ever made
by big companies. From the first soda ad to the promotion of women labor, it
was an astounding setting.

Browsing the crowd around me, I slid my arm under Landon’s
and smiled at him. I could tell he was impressed by the atmosphere – I
mean who wouldn’t – it was portrayed perfectly. Brooke walked to us with
her gorgeous smile and Chanel vintage dress. She didn’t stop blabbering about
it for a whole week.

“Hey you two.” She beamed at Landon, and offered me a
kiss, “What took you so long?”

I returned her contagious grin, “Traffic is insane out
there. You look fabulous.”

Bowing in front of me, she walked to Landon’s side and he
courteously offered his arm to escort her. “Let’s put an amazing end to an
amazing year, and hope for a new one with more challenges and awesomeness.” Her
eyes sparkled with excitement.

“You’re still joining us for Landon’s after party right?”

“Like hell I am – I have a date too.” She said with
a wink.

Watching Landon taking control over the whole party, I
couldn’t help being proud, and weirdly, envious of the woman who dated him.
Then it hit me – That’s you, you lucky bitch. He was genuinely charming,
courteous, and very, very attractive. The guests were hanging on his every
word, especially women. He spoke to everyone who would come up to him, and I
ended up cruising the party with Brooke and Liam.

I spotted his dark, scorching gaze watching me and the
feeling alone sent goose bumps all over my skin. I stopped listening to Brooke
for a moment, rethinking about the shower. He made it count, several times. His
tongue skimmed over his upper lip, the gesture was so dark and discreet, my
insides clenched and unraveled. I loved him – I loved him wildly.

“Creep alert.” Brooke snapped her fingers in front of me,
and I realized she was referring to our client, Mr. Thomson. He didn’t stop
calling me, sending me a Christmas basket to both my office and my apartment.
It was a little too much, and when I told Brooke about his several attempts,
she agreed with me.

I started walking to Landon, but it was too little, too
late. Mr. Thomson stood in front of me. I thought the man wore too much eau de
cologne for my taste, but he did look very elegant in his suit. His eyes
traveled all over my body, the way he studied me, made me feel unsettled and
very uncomfortable.

“Miss Dane. You look ravishing.”

My body stiffened when he leaned in to kiss me.

My voice was small, “Thank you, Mr. Thomson.”

“How is your evening going? Excited about the New Year?”

I shrugged, searching for Landon behind Mr. Thomson tall
silhouette, “Very.”

“I got your e-mail with the latest update; but to tell you
the truth, I can’t help feeling that it might be more suitable if from now on,
we schedule meetings to talk communication strategies.”

I nodded, “I’m sure we can arrange something.” I said
reluctantly with a weak smile.

“I’m sorry – How rude of me – You’re here to
enjoy your evening, and here I am boring you with work details.”

I shook my head, “It’s fine – I don’t mind talking
about work.”

“I’m sure you don’t – you are a lot like me in that
area – you are invested in your work.”
 
He paused and picked up two flutes from a waitress passing
through, “Don’t think I didn’t notice you send me some e-mails sometimes at
four in the morning.” He said as he handed me a glass of champagne.

I had a feeling there was another meaning to his
insinuation, I just offered a weak smile and chose to move on.

“Don’t take it the wrong way – I appreciate how
dedicated you are. I happened to be awake once or twice when I got your e-mails.
It just made me feel…” He smiled, “Less lonely, I guess.”

I grew more uncomfortable with his last comment,
especially with the way he whispered the last words as if we had established
some kind of intimacy.

I jumped up at the feel of Landon’s arm sliding up my left
shoulder. I looked up at him, even with my excruciating six inches designer shoes;
I couldn’t level with his gaze. He didn’t give any attention to the man
standing in front of me.

“It’s almost midnight baby.” He grinned at me and murmured
to my ear, “What was Miss Seiter’s saying again? The way you spend New Year’s
Eve is the way you’re going to spend your year.”

“Something like that.” I giggled.

I remembered what was his first thought when Jenna said
that. His eyes sparkled suggestively. I adored how much he desired me, it made
me feel beautiful.

“I’m sure there’s some place in here where we can arrange
something.”

I gasped at his indecency, “We own the night baby.”

Mr. Thomson cleared his throat and extended his hand to
Landon, “Mr. Davis. Pleasure meeting you again.”

Landon offered a brief handshake, “Likewise, Mr.?”

“Thomson. Amory Thomson.”

He was clearly doing it on purpose, he knew damn well what
his name was, but he was playing the cocky bastard card.

“I didn’t know you two were still together.”

I frowned, “What would make you say that?” I didn’t
process the words, or my tone for that matter.

He shrugged, “I just assumed…”

“You assumed? Based on what?” I cut him off, feeling
confident with Landon’s presence.

Mr. Thomson backed away with a little bow, “You’re right.
Please accept my apologies.”

He turned to Landon, “Mr. Davis.”

Landon nodded silently – his eyes were dark and
hard. I poked him as people started counting down to midnight.

“Look at me baby.”

His eyes connected with mine, and we both muttered the
countdown, “Four, three, two…”

“Happy new year.” I spoke against his lips as cheers and
loud music echoed around us.

My first wish – if I had any wishes at all –
was a life with Landon. I could picture myself with him five and ten years in
the future. It was a feeling I’d never experienced before.

“I love you Clea Dane.” He breathed out as he held me in
his arms, “Don’t you ever forget that.”

We drove to the Meatpacking
district in the middle of a seemingly endless line of car rush. Alec had
managed to convince Landon to attend a secret underground party, just like they
used to do back in their college boy days. I was seduced by the idea of seeing
Landon in such a different display. He was only playful when we were alone, and
even then, his domineering ways always took over.

We were riding in my brand new car;
Landon wanted to show me how thrilling it could be and how arousing it was. I
really didn’t see the appeal; sure it was powerful, and smooth, but that was
also the way a pair of Manolo Blahniks would make me feel.

The only thing I loved about
the piece of insanely expensive metal was the way my man looked while driving
it. He was enjoying it; his eyes were a blazing dark gray, focused on the road
ahead. He looked so young and free, as if he ruled the whole world.

“Let’s try something else,
shall we?”

The engine roared loudly and it
vibrated through me. Landon pulled my hand to change gear and something
suddenly shifted in me. My core tightened. I glanced at Landon; he managed to
get ahead and was heading to the Williamsburg Bridge. I had the strangest feeling
ever, my blood raced through my veins, provoking an adrenaline rush.

I could feel his gaze skimming
over my body, and it sent another surge of blood flood to my brain. My heart
was racing the car’s rhythm.

Crossing the empty bridge, the
engine roared again. I had no control over my body when I felt the need to grab
him – not even subtly – I just started stroking him, my mouth was
dry, eager for the feel of him inside my mouth. I was focused on every muscle
of his body – every twitch – the sensation was out of this world; I
lost all ability to think about anything else other than the smooth vibrations
of the vehicle, and what it was stirring inside me.

“Oh baby.” He groaned, “I can
tell how much you want this. Are you wet?”

I nodded with a low moan,
“Ahuh.” I breathed out as I applied some more pressure.

“Show me.” He demanded softly.

I bit my lip, enticed by the
burn in his eyes, “Are you sure?”

“Only for me, right?”

I acquiesced.

“Then I want you to slid two
fingers slowly between your legs and push inside your tight, delicious little
pussy.”

I followed his instructions,
letting my hand skim over my nipples, and down my stomach. The dress was very
short; I pulled the dampened piece of fabric and slid my fingers. Moaning
loudly, l clenched around myself, pushing against my wall.

“Ok stop. Let me taste you.” He
ordered.

I thrust my fingers deeper,
seeking more of the pleasure I was getting. There was nothing moot about it, I
had his voice to guide me, even when silent, the way his eyes watched me, blazing,
demanding, and full of desire.

I moaned his name loudly –
unfocused by the heightened sensation – trying to concentrate on the
movements of my hands, grasping his hardness, and feeling the blood pulsing
forcefully through the wool-silk blend of his pantsuit. I was a hot ball of
pure wanton, stroking him and myself as if my life depended on it.

“Enough.” He snapped, pulling
my hand from between my thighs, “I said…” He brought it inches from his mouth,
his gaze fixated on me, “Let Me Taste You.”

Squirming, I pushed my fingers
closer to his lips, “Only for you, baby.”

He slowly pulled his tongue and
licked the tip of my fingers, holding my hand with his strong grab midair
between us.

“Too little, too late, baby.”
He bit my middle finger all the way down and up again, “You’re grounded –
No orgasm for you until I decide otherwise.”

I eyeballed him, “But that’s
unfair – It’s your fault – and this damn car.” I whined unable to
accept the idea of waiting any longer.

“You ignored me.” He shrugged
pulling my other hand up to kiss it gently, “You got greedy and unfair, not
me.”

Making a U-turn, he drove us back
to our initial destination. I knew he was serious, and I couldn’t shake the
feeling that somewhere, deep inside my subconscious, I was provoking him into
doing that. I wanted to beg for it, I missed it.

I chose not to comment,
enthralled with his reaction, and anticipating the rest of the night. Landon
drove hastily. He was silent for a long time. I watched him, trying to decipher
what he was thinking about.

“Do you miss it?” I asked
hesitantly.

“Miss what?”

“What you did with her?”

He turned to me, searching for
my eyes. I didn’t hesitate when I continued, staring into his beautiful
confused eyes, “The crops, the excitement, getting off that desire I saw in her
eyes.”

I hated thinking about those
images again, “I’ve never seen such a thing.”

“I did.”

“You did?” I echoed with a
small voice.

He nodded and looked back in
front of him, “I’ve seen better… more passionate, sincere, and powerful.”

The stab of disappointment was
too much for me to handle. The pain I felt was nothing I’ve experienced before.

“I don’t need to tie you up to
see that hunger or constant envy.” He breathed out, “Yours is so honest, no
shame or vindictiveness.”

I felt the air leaving my lungs
in a rush, he meant me.

“You’re beautiful and sexy. I
love watching you squirm, aching for my touch.”

We came to a stop outside a
building, there was no line, and the street was deserted and dark. I frowned at
him.

Unbuckling his seatbelt, he
leaned down and fisted his hand in my hair, “Look at me.” He rasped, “You don’t
see it do you?”

I stared at him, confused “See
what?”

“What we have – what we
share.” He declared, “You are mine. Why would I want anything else?”