The Millionaire’s Ultimate Catch (7 page)

“I’ll do that.” He took the small washcloth from her hands and flipped it over a towel bar. “I can do a better job with my hands.”

She nodded. His hands against her body heated up her inner vibes. Zack had a knack for making her feel sexy with a glance, a brush with his fingers, or in this case, simply standing two inches from her.

Suddenly her throat felt dry. She leaned her head back
and allowed the water to trickle into her mouth. Then he kissed the side of her neck. She almost drowned, whether from the water or from her nerves awakening under the sensual waves rolling through her body.

His fingers played with her hair, sliding the strands behind her ear. He delivered another scorching kiss to her mouth. She didn’t mean to but couldn’t help digging her nails into his back. His mouth claimed hers with no hesitation. His desire spoke its own language, full of sensual hunger and passion.

She heeded his call with her own demand for his erotic touch in her most sensitive sweet spots. No words were necessary as she pressed against his muscular frame.

His tongue danced and stroked her mouth, conquering, dominating, taking possession of her willing mouth. But she wanted that seeking tongue to bathe her, play with her, stir her into a frenzy. With her back against the cool tile, she guided his face to her breasts, which perked up with anticipation.

When his mouth descended on her nipple, she swore that she momentarily zoomed into another dimension. She hooked him with a leg, pinning him to her as he continued to introduce his tongue down the length of her body.

She wanted to exclaim but couldn’t. Her mouth opened, but only to moan as he tenderly kissed around her belly button. She pinned her hands against the tiles for some type of anchor. When he gently parted her legs, she did cry out. Her inner thighs trembled as his fingers meandered toward the apex of her legs.

Then he touched her with a slight brush of his fingertips, as if introducing himself to the sensitive lips. He stroked, stirring up her response to a rapid boil. She
didn’t think he could be so cruel as to play with her opening, skirting the area with a teasing touch.

Yet he upped the stakes when he accompanied his probing fingers with his tongue.

She hissed. Her mind no longer pretended to keep a coherent thought. Zack had managed to send her body into Defcon 3.

“Don’t hold back, honey.”

“I want you inside me.”

He kissed her and sucked her folds with a suction that drove her to stand on her tiptoes.

“Please,” she begged.

His fingers replaced his tongue. She knew where he was headed, his fingers slid along her walls to the destination that he probed with soft pressure.

“I can barely hold on.” The air in her lungs felt as if in short supply.

“I don’t want you to.” He flicked her clit with his tongue. “There will be time for me to pleasure you in other ways.”

Without warning, he increased the friction inside her. Her moans grew louder. Her hands grabbed his head. She wanted to cry out for him to stop but also to scream for him to continue. Her body arched, straining against the last remnants of control.

“You’re stubborn.” Zack kissed her inner thigh.

Well, that did it. Her release coerced by her complete surrender shook her body until she had to close her eyes. She had to let out the guttural scream. She had to stay on her tip-toes until the last pulsing orgasm throbbed to cessation.

As a finale, Zack kissed her gently between her legs.

“
I
hope you’re not going to the event like that.” Chantelle hovered in the doorway with her hand on her hip.

Naomi looked down at her dress. The long midnight-blue dress with silver edging carried a high-end designer’s name. She looked up at the younger woman. She was already nervous. Chantelle’s critique didn’t help.

“You look plain. Nice body and all, but we’ve got to brighten you up. I’ll go get my makeup.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be leaving?”

“Yeah, but you’re a fashion emergency.” Chantelle hurried down the hallway still loudly exclaiming her disgust.

Naomi spun around in front of the full-length mirror, examining each angle. Frannie had accompanied her on the shopping spree, delighted that she’d agreed to stay
and attend their fundraiser. She’d only agreed to wear this dress over the pantsuit choice if Frannie allowed her to pay.

“Okay, sit down over here near the lights.” Chantelle produced an oversize compact of every color imaginable.

“I don’t want to look like a paid escort.” Naomi looked at some of the extreme shadings with distaste.

“Trust me.”

Naomi raised an eyebrow as her eyes scanned Chantelle’s face, noting the eyeliner that seemed too thick, the fake lashes that made her look in constant surprise and the glossy lips.

“Close your eyes. You don’t have much time. I heard Mom downstairs getting on Dad’s case because she’s ready to go.”

“I’m not going with them.” Naomi fought the urge to open her eyes as the eye shadow was applied with swift strokes.

“Oh. Is my dear brother coming to take you to the fundraiser? I may have to stick around to keep an eye on both of you.”

“You’ve done enough already.” Naomi had dodged all Chantelle’s questions about her overnight stay. She knew that her blushing didn’t help.

“Naomi! Zack’s here.”

“Coming!” Naomi responded.

“Keep still for a few more minutes. I’m almost done. You need a killer lip color to add the final touch to my masterpiece.” Chantelle took a step back and handed her a mirror. “Darn it, I’m good.”

Naomi looked at her reflection and was stunned into silence. The face staring back at her bore little
resemblance to her plain face with its sharp angles and prominent features.

“Knock ’em dead.” Chantelle hugged her tightly. “I’m going to miss you. I hope you keep in touch.”

“I promise. You go be a good student and don’t give those professors a hard time.”

After Chantelle left, Naomi turned to the bigger mirror and examined her appearance one last time before she headed downstairs. Now they would be going out officially as a couple. A short-term assignation that she knew would end the day she left Washington.

“You look fantastic.” Zack whistled softly. “That gown is stunning. It’s hugging you in all the right places.”

“You look like you’re going to make a meal of me.”

“That’s not quite what I’m going for.” He grinned with pure, sexy mischief.

The gala event attracted the press and the upperincome social strata. Naomi used her mental calming exercises as they pulled up in front of the entrance. She waited for Zack to open her door to make sure that she had him at her side.

She’d been afraid that she was overdressed and the makeup too dramatic. The women put those thoughts to shame. She silently thanked Chantelle for the finishing touches.

“Shall we?” Zack rested his hand on her lower back.

Naomi walked through the entrance, noting the curious glances cast her way. She was with an eligible bachelor. “I think that I may be an impediment to many women’s plans for you.”

“Too bad for them.” Zack’s hand slid purposefully
along her back, settling on her hip. “Maybe I should leave no doubts.” He kissed her neck. “You smell good.”

“Stop. Everyone is watching, even the reporters.” Naomi stepped away from him. “I think they want to talk to you.”

Zack didn’t appear interested in being cornered by any reporter. The photographers, on the other hand, didn’t seem concerned with getting an interview. Instead, they photographed every angle as they crossed the entrance to the event.

Inside, the noisy din from outside was replaced with the music of an orchestra and several people already on the dance floor.

“Let’s mingle a bit, and then I’m going to whip you around the dance floor.”

“Whoa. I can do a lot of things. Dancing isn’t one of them.”

“That’s because you haven’t had a partner like me.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“No argument there.”

Zack lived up to his promise, introducing her to businesspeople. All the names ran together. She knew her presence drew curious glances and pointed questions, but she stuck close to Zack to avoid any mini interviews. Her plan didn’t stop the cameras from snapping in her face. She was afraid to eat anything in case there was a candid shot of her stuffing a meaty appetizer in her mouth.

“Zack, good to see you here.”

“Jamison.” Zack nodded.

“And who is this beauty?”

Naomi felt Zack’s arm tense under the jacket. Despite
the pleasantries, she could practically feel Zack’s strong dislike for the man grinning in front them.

“Naomi, meet my business associate, Tom Jamison.”

“More like partner, my dear.”

Now that wasn’t what she’d expected to hear. How did Zack wind up with a partner who caused such a reaction? “Hello.”

“All my pleasure.” He kissed her hand, which she promptly slid out of his warm grasp.

Jamison turned to Zack. “We have to talk. I’ve scheduled a meeting with a few of the council members. They’re really interested in our plans. If we talk to them, they’ll be our biggest supporters.”

“But I’m not in agreement with the plans. I said it once and I’ll say it again. Might not be a good idea to have us talk to the council members.”

“Do you know how much I’ve put on the table to make this meeting happen?”

“That could have been avoided if you’d stuck to the original plan. Instead you bring your friend into the mix without consulting me.” Zack seethed. He turned his attention to Naomi. “Naomi, could you excuse me? Why don’t you go chat with my mom over there.”

Zack waited until Naomi hesitatingly left his side before he returned his attention and fury to Jamison. “Do you really want to have this discussion here?”

“Yes. We can take it outside to get away from this noise parading as music. Zack, there are millions of dollars at stake. I wondered why I haven’t been able to reach you. Now I see what has held your undivided attention, but business still has to be conducted. We’re running out of time.” Jamison flashed his hands as if he were a conductor. Rings and a gaudy watch decorated
his fingers and wrist. The ensemble went with the odd blue suit that made him look like an aggressive timeshare seller.

Zack headed for the door with Jamison in tow. He chose the far side of the property where only a few people were out smoking. Plus, he didn’t want any nosy reporters or colleagues picking up the scent of a conflict.

Jamison lit a cigarette and inhaled until it was burned halfway down. “Okay, this doesn’t have to turn into World War III. I want Lassiter on board. If he’s in place, we can go after the permit for the complex.”

“But that’s riskier. More money has to be tied up, and we have other projects. Plus, I don’t think the city needs another mega-mart complex. Look around you, there are tons of empty strip malls.”

“So now you’re into city planning?” Jamison stepped in closer, his eyebrows meshed into one. The frown firmly in place highlighted the cold seriousness in his eyes. “Yes or no?”

“No.” Zack stared back. He didn’t expect any of his projects to go smoothly. The last thing he wanted was a rift, but he wasn’t about to sell his soul for success.

“Then we need to discuss our next steps.”

“I suggest we take the weekend to sleep on things and meet in the office on Monday.”

Jamison gave a curt nod and spun on his heels. Zack watched his retreat with his posture rigid. But he wasn’t the only one who was upset. He didn’t know what this meant for his future business.

He headed back into the building. With an effort he shook off the residual anger. He scanned the room looking for Naomi. An apology was certainly needed, since he’d so abruptly parted with her company. His
parents were on the dance floor, while Naomi was seated at a table watching them.

In an exaggerated, deep drawl, he asked, “May I interest you in a dance?” He eased closer to her, staying behind just enough that she couldn’t see him.

“Oh, I don’t think so. Thanks for asking. I’m waiting for the man who I came with. Sorry.”

He liked the fact that she didn’t bounce out of the chair for any guy. He cleared his throat to get her attention.

Before he had time to tease her, someone grabbed him by the elbow and spun him. Oh, no, it was one of the Patterson twins. Lavinia had to be one of the most tenacious women he’d ever met. Her over-the-top exuberance had turned him off then and it most certainly wasn’t appropriate now. His mother referred to her and her sister as the country-club twins. His exaggerated exploits with them had now gained legendary status.

“Let’s dance, Zack. Like old times.” Lavinia tiptoed to look over his shoulder. “I’ll bring him back when I’m done, sweetie. We’ve got unfinished business.”

Zack followed Lavinia to the dance floor. He knew better than to call attention to her. The woman lived to be melodramatic and the source of tawdry gossip.

To make matters worse, Lavinia, clearly under the influence, promptly glued her body against his. She ground against his hips with more sultry moves than needed for the song or for him. Zack took a step back and pulled her arms from around his neck.

“I think you need to slow down on the alcohol.”

“Why did you leave, Zack?” Lavinia blinked as if it helped clear her thoughts. “We were having fun. I would have settled down…with you.”

“Lavinia, we were not a couple. We hung out. In a group.”

“You like my sister more than me. Everyone likes her more than me.” Lavinia’s arms swung out in wide circles, causing him to duck.

“Are you here alone?” He’d had enough. He wasn’t going to be able to get through to her while she was in this state. When she was sober, for a short window of time, she’d be embarrassed over her behavior, only to repeat the cycle.

Their group had been made up of former high school friends who went to college together. Now everyone had grown up and moved on. Lavinia couldn’t quite get to that place. He’d tried to help without getting sucked into her fantasies.

“I came with someone.” Lavinia looked around the room, swaying and she reached out for his hand to steady herself. “Maybe he left,” she muttered.

“I’ll call you a cab to take you home, okay?”

She nodded. Her mood swing had now settled to a low. “Mom will be up waiting.”

Zack felt sorry for the twins’ mother, who was always there to catch her daughters and sweep up the mess. He slipped his arm around her waist and led her off the dance floor to the lounge area, which wasn’t private but had fewer onlookers. Quickly he made the necessary phone call and arrangements. He didn’t leave her side until she was in the cab.

With Lavinia taken care of, he hurried back into the reception. Naomi was still seated at the table. As he approached, he noticed her erect posture, stiff and disapproving as she looked up at him.

He leaned in for her ears only. “If you don’t mind, I
think we should go.” He noted how she’d moved away from him.

She nodded but didn’t take up his attempt to assist her.

Zack remained quiet, not sure what part of the night he needed to defend. So much had gone wrong. Yet he looked forward to getting out of the harsh lights and equally harsh company.

“I’ll meet you out front. I need to powder my nose.”

Zack nodded. The chill between him and Naomi could keep an iceberg frozen. He’d seen her keen gaze on him when Lavinia draped herself over his body. She didn’t have to worry about his intentions.

“Zack, why was that cheap floozy all over you?” His mother smacked his arm. “Do you think that was appropriate behavior? What about Naomi?”

“What about Naomi,
Mom?” He was still angry over his meeting with Jamison. His mother’s scolding was like salt in a gaping wound.

“Don’t make me pop you upside your head. I thought you learned better manners than that from your father. Paul, is this what you did?”

“Zack,” Paul Keathley interrupted and led Zack away from his mother.

“Dad, don’t start,” Zack said wearily.

His father waved his hand impatiently. “Look, I’m hearing some rumblings among the council members. Frankly, it doesn’t sound good.”

“Like what?” Zack’s stomach clenched.

“The plan is to audit your proposal and determine whether you can come through on the project. Something I need to know?”

“No. I can handle this.” Zack raised his hands to
reinstate the boundaries. “Tell Mom I’m taking Naomi home.”

“Let’s talk tomorrow.”

“Sure,” Zack tossed out over his shoulder.

Naomi tapped her foot. She’d already examined her nails, looked in her pocketbook for a nonexistent thing and resisted the urge to run out of the building to catch a cab. The evening had started off on such a bright note but spiraled into something out of control. Mainly, Zack had pushed her out of his life when it proved inconvenient. She’d listened to Chantelle’s stories about her brother’s outrageous love life. He was like the bad boy of the Northwest region. Apparently, some women came back for more.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. My father wanted to talk to me.”

“I’m ready.” She walked beside Zack waiting for their car to be brought to them.

“Are you feeling cold?”

Naomi stopped rubbing her arms. She shook her head.

As soon as the car pulled up, she jumped into the passenger seat before he could help. Remembering his complaint about clingy women, she was darn sure not going to present herself like that to him.

After all, they’d had a great time, but no discussion about what was to come next. As soon as she left Seattle to return home, she’d be spending hours in the gym and with her trainer. Her body had taken a beating, but that couldn’t stop her. She had to be in tip-top shape before the next season. In between the hectic schedule, where could she insert her personal life? Always looking at the practical side of things, she had to face the fact that
she’d be returning to her life. The life of a professional athlete wasn’t friendly toward settling down and having a family, especially when the distance between the couple was the biggest obstacle.