Innocent in New York (7 page)

He chuckled, the sound humming through her, delicious and addicting like the wine they shared moments ago. His lips skimmed her collarbone, then descended further. Sophia knit her fingers in his hair, her soft tug exposing her growing plead.

"Have you let anyone suckle your gorgeous breasts before, Sophia?" he asked, lowering almost too slowly, all in control and with purpose.

"Yes," she managed. "I didn't enjoy it." Though, his gaze on her breasts did things to her. He wasn't even touching her, yet her skin tingled, her back arching lightly in a small, badly hidden effort to get closer to him. He was in perfect control of her body. He smiled, his gaze flickering up to meet hers.

"Did they bite you, the men you dated?"

Her lips parted in small gasp. He was so straightforward. "Yes. It hurt. They didn't listen." Teeth; she didn't like teeth on her.

He nodded. "I won't hurt you. Though, I promise to show you the pleasures of a bite once you're ready." His eyes glinted as the promise hung in the air. The idea should turn her off, as she had never enjoyed that in the past, but he managed to erase that doubt. He dipped lower, and her eyes fell closed just as his mouth covered a peak. Pleasure ricocheted through her when his hot tongue rolled over her nipple, alternating the pressure. He anchored her with a strong hand on her waist to keep her from lifting off the bed. "I'm in no rush, princess," he said, his gaze snapping to hers. "Take what I give you."

Control yourself
is what he meant
.
Sophia took deep gulps of air and nodded when his dominant voice reemerged. It coated her skin with goose bumps. He started over again, letting his tongue dance over her nipple in a slow approach, coaxing it with his tongue. He moved over to her right breast and repeated the maddening action. The attention she received made her breath quicken. The kiss he planted on the nape of her neck earlier, the small spot below her ear, her breasts, and between her legs, were all connected, streaming a building sensation. She felt her hips rise, something she couldn't control, and her last piece of clothing felt oddly confining. He pressed his tongue against her nipple harder, squeezed her breast with his hand, and a breath hitched in her throat. She was so close, her fingers of one hand twining into his hair harder while her other clutched his shoulder.

"No." He stopped, causing her to cry out in anguish.

She opened her eyes, feeling her climax waning. Confusion and disappointment clouded her mind.

"I
love
the way you pant for me, princess, and how much you want to come," he paused and kissed her stomach, "but I'll give you something better." He trailed kisses down her smooth stomach, to the dip of her bellybutton, and continued downward toward her heat.

"What are you doing?" Her shocked squeal seemed to please him, adding life to his already mischievous eyes. He hooked his thumbs into the top of her underwear and pulled them off.

"I'm going to taste you."

"Taste — taste me?" Sophia mimicked. He wasn't even asking, his hands urging her thighs apart and exposing her completely. His gaze fused straight at her most intimate part.

"You're so wet for me," he breathed, kissing her inner thigh and nipping at sensitive flesh. A shiver raced through her, only a teasing introduction. "You're more than ready, but I still want to feel you on my tongue."

"Oh God." Sophia closed her eyes. Her inner muscles clenched and unclenched around nothing. She would have had an orgasm if he hadn't stopped touching her breasts earlier, and she was damn sure she could climb over the edge by just his words and delicious low voice alone.

His hands dipped beneath her ass, angled her and then his mouth was there, his tongue traveling along her slit in an unhurried pace.

"Oh!" Sophia's fingers grasped the bedsheet. "
Oh…
" His mouth moved slowly, suckling her clit and moved to run his tongue along her slit again. While he seemed to be in no hurry, tasting her as if she was his favorite treat, Sophia's heart was near combusting.

"Don't come yet." He took his tongue off her, just when she was about ready to scream. Sophia wanted to cry, her entire body tense with need. He knew it — he knew it so damn bad. The relentless teasing made her eyesight dither and made the shivering never cease while he brought her closer and closer to the edge where he proceeded to slow down. She understood; she was utterly his, and she would only come on his terms whenever,
if ever
, he saw her fit for a reward.

Feeling the rush of an orgasm sink back and disappear, she bit back a whimper. Something had to give. She reached her hand down, her pitiful need getting the best of her. She wouldn't need much stimulation. He stopped her. She strained, she writhed, but his grip didn't waver as he kept her wrist tight against the mattress, his dark gaze glinting with humor from her despair.

"James," she moaned, needing him — needing more of him.

He let go of her and moved two fingers to her entrance, swirling them around and around. She tried to push forward into his touch, yet he withdrew. Tears gathered in her eyes, while his alit with wickedness. "Please," she said, holding his gaze.

"What?" he asked, tipping his head to the side.

"I need you to," she paused to breathe, "I…I…"

"Yes?"

"Fuck me, please fuck me," she groaned and tipped her head back into the pillow and away from him. He didn't give her time to find embarrassment. He pushed in one finger, in a slow, filling thrust, preparing her for him. Another joined and he kept up that measured movement until her breathing grew louder, quicker, and then he delved inside further, while his mouth went back to lap at her sensitive clit. A few thrusts later and Sophia cried out with the rise of her orgasm. She arched, writhed, panted, and when she felt as if she was going to faint, James let her find ground again. Her inner muscles still clutched around his digits while the last of her orgasm simmered down, and only then did he free his fingers from her trembling sex.

"That was exquisite," he hummed, his voice thick and urgent.

She panted, watching him climb back up with a satisfied smirk on his lips. "Are you ready for me, Sophia?" he asked, his hips sinking between her thighs. His skin felt too nice brushing up against hers, and she tilted her hips automatically in invitation. He leaned in to kiss her on a spot below her ear that made her quiver beneath his weight, creating an intimate sensation that reiterated between her legs. "I'll take as much time as you need," he promised as he cupped her chin, stroking his thumb across her warm bottom lip.

She nodded, unable to express any words. She felt him poise by her entrance and her gaze flew up to meet his, and as if waiting for that connection, he breached her. With a steady hand on her waist keeping her still, he sunk inside of her, one slow inch after the other. He stilled completely, brushed hair out of her face, and kissed her. Her eyes were wide, and her fingers white from the pressure she put on his upper arms.

He touched her jaw and drew the pad of his thumb across her bottom lip. He stayed like that to let her get accustomed to him. "You're gripping me so damn tight," he murmured, placing warm kisses down her jaw. "Are you all right?"

He reached up to cup her breast, circling his thumb over her hard nipple. She shuddered, the spike of pleasure taking away some discomfort. "I think so," she whispered, looking at him warily. She wriggled beneath him, causing him to groan and lift up. Nodding at the silent request flashing in his eyes, she sucked in a breath and sunk her teeth into her bottom lip when he withdrew and pushed back in. He repeated, again and again ever so gently, turning her whimpers into soft moans.

His slow thrusts deepened. He lifted her hands above her head and smashed them into the pillow, his fingers twining with hers.

"James," her eyes widened, his name a whisper from her lips.

He kissed her, drowning her moans, and using his thighs to open her legs wider to take more of him, all of him.

"Oh, God," she breathed, her eyes closing. A building sensation started spreading, making every part of her tingle. He kissed her hard and deep, taking complete control of her. She moaned, lifting her hips to meet his and he took the invitation to move faster. They rocked together, reaching for a new high.

"Come for me," he said, tilting his hips just right, sending fire through her, and his command — his demanding dark gaze — sent her spiraling overboard. It took her several minutes to come back down to earth again, to be able to take in her surroundings. James lay on his side, his gaze trained on her. He brushed her stomach, fingertips leaving scorching trails in their path and Sophia buckled and cried softly at the wisps of pleasure he arose in her. Her eyelids fluttered, her gaze threatening to sink into darkness, and he stopped. Her chest still heaved on her intakes of air. James kissed her temple and brushed a few strands of hair out of her face.

He wrapped her in a cool sheet and scooped her closer. "Sleep, beautiful," he ordered and kissed her forehead. The comfort of his arms wrapped around her guided her into an easy slumber. She wasn't good for much else anyway.

"You know Gallagher's coming in, right?" Chris asked when she almost ran into him in the lobby after prepping a conference room. His pop-up visits did not amuse her, especially not this hectic Tuesday.

"I know. I've ordered a driver to JFK." Lunch couldn't arrive soon enough. The clock neared seven, and she had to work until ten — maybe eleven. The fourteen-hour workday would wear her out, but she felt energized by the thought of meeting James for a late lunch at seven. While she enjoyed their night together last Friday immensely, this short date was perfect in-between hectic workdays — for the both of them.

"They like to travel the city, you do know that?" Chris followed her. Sophia knew everything there was to know about Gallagher. He and his wife were jetsetters and usually when they arrived at their hotel, they wanted out to see the life the city offered. She loved them because they were always so energetic and interested in the city. Business came in second to them, and it was refreshing. Sophia had a driver ready to take them to whatever location they wanted once settled in, and she'd made a reservation at Chloe, the trendiest sushi place in the heart of New York. She knew how much they enjoyed that place. Sometimes it annoyed her when Chris acted as if he knew more about the visitors than she did. It couldn't be further away from the truth and he'd be in the dark if she ever chose to leave the hotel.

"Yes, Chris, I've met the Gallaghers before. I have everything taken care of."

Chris nodded at that. "Good. That was all."

"You're welcome," she muttered after he left her before heading for her purse. She had promised meeting James and time was running out. She didn't bother buttoning up her coat, her steps quick down the street. A soft drizzle of rain brushed her cheeks and she glanced up at the barely-there rainy pearls drizzling from the dark skies above the skyscrapers. He stood by the luxurious restaurant
Arielle
; the most sought after spot in the city. Only the wealthiest had a chance at getting in there and even then, it'd be a battle. She had more than once been whisked away by reviews popping up in magazines, making the place sound like a lush piece of heaven where no one was allowed to enter. They were strict on photos of both the place and the food, always keeping up their secretive style. She tore her gaze away from the lovely façade of the restaurant and focused on James.

His whole face lit up at once when she reached him, and then he looped an arm around her waist and leaned in for a kiss. Supported with her hands against his chest, she reveled in the slow kiss. The brush of light rain against her skin turned warm instead. She sighed, watching him for a moment before leaning back.

"It's good to see you." He brushed a few damp drops off her cheek.

"You too!" She smiled, lips still tingling from their kiss. Realizing it was her lunch — her very short lunch break — she said, "Where do you want to go?"

"How much time do you have?" he asked, his gaze moving toward Arielle, just casually located there by his side. She knew James would have no trouble getting in.

"Arielle?" Sophia's mouth dropped when she moved her focus to the building. "I have another idea." She touched his arm and motioned for him to follow. There was no way they'd be able to get a table, order, and eat in half an hour at Arielle. Sophia smiled, practically seeing his brain churn. Where else could
they go? "Live a little."

His lips quirked and she took that as a yes
.
She broke his gaze and started walking toward her workplace. Catching up with her, he slipped an arm about her waist and tugged her close. Oh, she liked that.

"My idea of a lunch is getting
away
from work." He gave her a skeptical look as they crossed the buzzing traffic, heading straight for Herrera's Palace. She ignored him and encouraged him along to the grand building.

"I have this place I go to once in a while. You'll like it." Sophia beamed, pulling him toward the reception area.

"Sophia."

She spotted Agnes after having just helped some guests. "Oh, Agnes!" Sophia paused, giving her brightest smile in her friend's direction.

Agnes's eyes narrowed and Sophia could see that
mind-x-ray
sweeping procedure take place. She kept from mentioning she was taking James there for lunch. Agnes was bound to say something ridiculous no matter who listened.

"Just showing James our new conference rooms on the third floor," Sophia decided, and thankfully two customers arrived in front of her desk.

She slowly turned her attention to the guests and Sophia let out a breath.

"I'll be right back." Sophia left James by the elevator while she took a quick detour by the kitchen where she grabbed a few sandwiches, muffins, fruits, and couple of water bottles, then put everything into a bag and brought it back to James. Sophia stopped, finding him leaning comfortably against the wall while talking to two tall women, posh looking with their pencil skirts and sleek hair. Sophia could see them smile. One of them brushed a few loose curly strands away from her face, using a delicate flicking motion over her shoulder. Totally flirting. And that twisting thing with her foot was fooling no one.

"Want me to kill them?"

"Agnes!" Sophia spun toward her, finding Agnes glaring at the two women. "Are you stalking me?"

"Yes."

"You don't have to worry about me, all right? And you have new customers." She pointed in the direction of her counter.

"Fine!" She turned and began walking away. "Let me know if anyone needs killing. Or a spell."

"Yeah, thanks," Sophia muttered. The moment she turned toward James again, his gaze lifted to her. He smiled, straightened, and walked right by the two brunettes after saying a few words to them. They watched him stroll over to Sophia, and their surprise turned into direct glares.

"I didn't mean to interrupt."

James lifted an eyebrow. "You didn't. Where did you want to go?"

"Up." She headed over to the elevator and pushed the call button. "You do know that they were flirting with you, right?" she asked, sending him a sideways glance.

"They wanted to talk business. One of them had been to one of my conferences."

"Right." Sophia nodded. "
Business
."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were jealous." He cracked a smile.

Sophia scoffed, avoiding his gaze while watching the numbers on the elevator decline. "If you must know, I have twenty minutes left of my lunch."

"All right," he said, but she could still feel his gaze on her. "New conference rooms?" He moved closer to her as the elevator announced its arrival.

"I made it up. If I said I was taking you here for lunch, Agnes would have said something obscene and sexual. I know her too well. I couldn't risk it." Sophia pushed the top floor button.

James chuckled, and in a fluent move he moved closer and leaned over her, making her heart thump. "For what it's worth, maybe she'd be onto something." He lifted his hand to her throat, letting the back of his fingers graze her skin. "Because I would
love
," his touch skimmed the gentle dip of her collarbone, the side of her breast, "to devour," he continued further, very gently tracing her ribs and lowered to her stomach — making her muscles tighten — "your," his fingers curled around her hipbone, eliciting a soft, helpless cry from her, and sliding down lower, "lunch. What's in this?" His hand shot toward her brown paper bag crumpled in her fist and pried it free. He gazed inside it and grinned. "I
love
muffins."

Sophia felt dizzy. She leaned her weight against the elevator and watched him through hazy eyes as they reached the top floor. She didn't want to, but forced herself to move outside.

"You're evil," she said over her shoulder, leading him through the lush cream-colored hallway to the end where they turned to a set of stairs leading upward, to an outdoors area with a glass coupe shielding them. The edge of the glass lined the circled top of the building, giving them a spectacular view of New York at night.

Sophia sighed and turned toward him with a smile. "Here.
The
only place you can go think during work." White marbled floor stretched all around. A large fountain stood in the middle, spewing water from angels accompanied with rich plants. Scattered around were benches that reminded Sophia of those found at a French bakery.

James lips peeled into a grin, walking further into the dome. "Not bad." He nodded, eyes sweeping over the place before moving to the glittery evening sky. "This is fantastic." The large city suited him. He had New York at his feet; the whole world at his feet.

"Well," Sophia walked closer to him, "it's not as nice as the view from your apartment, but it's something."

"This feels better."

She took his hand and led him to a bench and sat down. "These are five star sandwiches." She rummaged through the paper bag. "The bread is made out of Italian flour, baked with Greek virgin olive oil, and freshly squeezed lemon from the coast of Sicily. Here." She passed him one.

"Mm, I
love
five star sandwiches from Greece and Italy." He accepted the one she held out for him. "What is it really?"

"No clue," she laughed and picked up hers. He did the same and they both chomped down on their food. "I'm sorry it's not more
dinnery
," Sophia said after taking a sip from her water bottle. "This is usually my dinner when I work late."

James smiled, glancing at his half-finished sandwich. "I don't mind. I'm not much of a dinner person anyway."

Sophia frowned, "I thought you'd be a regular at Arielle."

"Nah," he shook his head, "I just thought you'd like it."

"Thanks for thinking of me."

"Perhaps some other time, huh?"

"Definitely. When I won't get stared at." She grimaced when she glanced down at her clothes. Beneath her coat she wore black — 100% polyester — pants combined with a white shirt with a dash of a hotel logo for finishing touches. The last place she'd go was to a fancy restaurant.

"I'm not sure if that's possible."

Sophia's head jerked up. "Excuse — oh," her mind started working again, unable to find any form of distaste on his face, "
oh.
You meant that as a compliment." She touched her palm to her forehead with a wince.

"Yeah." He grinned, reaching his hand to her to push away a fallen curl. "But that was great."

"I'm such an idiot."

He seemed to contemplate that statement, and then he nodded. "Only once in a while."

Unable to keep her smile from forming, she leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Thank you — not for agreeing I'm an idiot, but the other thing."

"Calling you beautiful?"

Sophia's heart leapt and she immediately searched his face for a sign that there was a joke in there somewhere.

He sighed, moving his hand to cup her chin. "I call you beautiful but you don't believe me." His gaze raked over her face. "There's one thing you have to understand about me," he said, and held her attention completely, "I never lie."

Sophia swallowed. "You never lie." His irises held swirls of deep brown, luring her in. She wondered if they kept secrets as deep as they appeared to hold.

"Stop overthinking," he said, eyebrows resting low, his gaze pinning her, and she recognized that look; that demand.
Spread your legs. Come for me.

He leaned nearer, and she breathed in the barely-there scent of his cologne and felt her pulse drum a hint faster. He claimed her lips, and her eyes fell closed. Slowly, their lips parted, and their tongues met. Her pocket vibrated, making her groan.
Not now.
Please not now.
Just when it started getting good, he left her lips despite her efforts. He slipped his hand into her pocket and pulled out her now singing phone.

"You have an alarm." He handed it to her, humor evident in his eyes. "Complete with
The
Imperial March
."

She shut it off. "Yeah. I suspected I'd forget the time."

"Good call," he laughed.

If it wasn't for the fact that she awaited guests, she'd stay right there on the bench with him. Frowning, she stood up and collected her things.

"I wish I could keep you here longer," she said, glancing at him.

"Likewise," he said with a sigh, snaked his arm around her waist, and led her back to the elevator. "How long did you say you have to work?"

"Eleven, I think."

"And you started at nine this morning?" he frowned.

Just the thought of the added hours made her tired, especially after a similar rush yesterday. "There are a lot of extra guests coming in. It'll be fine."

"You have longer workdays than I have. He does things like this without question?"

"It's how he is." Sophia shrugged. "I don't plan to work here forever, but right now I just have to go along with him."

James nodded, his stare snapping from her to the doors when the elevator reached the main floor with a
ding
.