The VIP Room (55 page)

Tanya gaped at her. She obviously knew who Mrs. Chadwick was, because she didn’t immediately spew rage at her.

Strong hands circled Leah’s waist and pulled her up, out of Tanya’s reach.

“Are you all right?” Marcus’ deep voice wrapped around her, as warm as the arm pulling her back against his chest.

“I’m fine. Let me go.”

He ignored her. “Mrs. Chadwick is something. I’ve had a crush on her for years.”

She looked up at him, found him smiling. “I like her. She’s so genuine. That’s a rare quality. Marcus—let go of me. I need to finish this.”

“Slap her down.” He whispered a number in her ear. Leah felt the color drain from her face. “It’s all right, gorgeous. I can afford it.”

She stepped to the auctioneer. “I have one last bid.” The entire foyer was deadly silent, everyone watching her. She bit back a smile as Mrs. Chadwick gave her a thumbs up. She glanced over at Marcus, took a deep breath, and looked right at Tanya when she spoke again. “Fifty million dollars.”

The crowd went wild.

The auctioneer shouted in the mic, finally getting their attention. “Quiet! I need to close the bidding. Do I hear fifty five?” Everyone looked at Tanya. She was so furious she shook, but she didn’t say a word. “And, fifty going once, going twice—sold to the lovely lady in blue velvet for fifty million dollars!”

Marcus picked her up and swung her around, grinning like an idiot. Probably from relief. He set her down, and stepped to the edge of the stage, taking a bow as the crowd applauded and hooted. God, he was beautiful, and he had a good heart on top of it. All that money would go straight to the charity, and he wouldn’t even blink when he authorized the transfer.

That thought shredded the last of her anger. The real Marcus stood on that stage, smiling as he waved at the crowd. She may get her heart ripped out of her chest, but if she didn’t take a chance, step out of the shadow of her past, she’d spend the rest of her life there, nurturing hurts that she needed to let go.

She had a feeling Marcus would help her do that.

Leah shifted her gaze in time to see Tanya stalk through the foyer, hissing at anyone who got in her way. They hadn’t seen the last of her.

Marcus grabbed her hand and pulled her along the stage and down the steps, not stopping until they were in a dark corner, hidden by dusty red curtains.

“You paid for me, gorgeous.”

“No—you paid for you.”

“Semantics.” His hands curled around her waist and drew her in, until his breath brushed her lips. “One night, with me. Whatever you want.”

She could barely think with him so close. But she did remember her condition. “With—clothes on.”

“Of course, Miss Frane.” He kissed her cheek, and kept going, until he reached her ear. “Clothes will stay on.” One hand brushed the side of her breast and she gasped, heat shooting straight to her core. “It will be quite the challenge.”

God help her. She was in trouble.

Big trouble.

M
onday came much faster
than Leah wanted.

She had spent the weekend hiding in her apartment, her phone turned off, dreading every minute that passed, bringing her closer to her inevitable face-to-face with Marcus.

One night. She would have one night with the former bad boy. One night that would rock her world, and probably shatter her heart.

She stood outside the office building, took a deep breath, and smoothed her hand over the front of her suit. For today she chose a black double breasted jacket and the matching calf length skirt. With black boots covering the rest of her legs, all she had showing were her hands and her face. If she could have covered them without looking like a freak, she would have.

“Just do your work, Leah, and avoid him as much as possible.” Thinking of him led to thinking of what happened between them. Heat flushed her cheeks—and everywhere else, damn him. “Ice water,” she whispered, and pushed the tall glass door open. “Lots of ice water.”

She managed to avoid Marcus most of the day, since he was in meetings with the board of The Hawkins Group. All she had to do was type this last letter and sneak out before he—

“You look hot, Leah.” She froze, the deep voice sending a wave of need through her. Before she could stop herself, she looked up at him. Those blue eyes were more intense without his glasses. “There’s no need to wear that jacket in the office. I’m not a tyrant when it comes to dress code.”

He gestured to his rumpled blue button down shirt, jeans that hugged every inch of him. Every inch. She blushed when she realized she was staring at his crotch.

God help her, she had it bad.

“Mr. Hawkins. I was just finishing—”

“Please join me in my office.”

She swallowed. “Of course, Mr. Hawkins.”

After a long drink of ice water, she wiped her hands on a tissue, made sure every button was buttoned, and grabbed the biggest notepad she could find. It was the closest she had to armor against him.

He ambushed her the second she walked in.

Those graceful hands closed the door before he took the notepad away from her, caught her around the waist and pinned her to the wall.

“You didn’t return any of my calls.”

“I—I was busy this weekend.”

“Did I scare you, Leah? That was never my intention. You’re the one in control.” His full, kissable lips moved closer. She never felt less in control. “I missed you.”

God help her. “Mr. Hawkins—”

“As much as I hate it when you call me that, I have to say, it turns me on.” He showed her exactly how much when his erection pressed against her belly. Even with the layers of clothing, she felt his heat, his need. “You drove me crazy in that gown on Friday night, but you all covered up like that has my imagination on overdrive.”

He tossed the notepad over his shoulder and reached for her waist, his thumbs caressing her belly. She sucked in her breath, his touch sending waves of need straight to her core. Then his hands slid down, spreading over her hips. In spite of the fear coiling through her, she wanted him—more than she did at the auction. Her body throbbed at the thought of him buried inside her—that long, thick length driving her to a shattering climax—

“Mr. Hawkins.” She barely heard her whisper. “Please let me go.”

He must have heard the fear she fought to hide, because he backed away.

“Leah—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—damn it.” He ran one hand through his hair, looking as frustrated as she felt. “I know about your former fiancé.”

Heat scorched her face, and she was so mortified she could barely speak. “How?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Tell me. Please.” She had to know who to protect herself from, who was spreading the story behind her back.

“I overheard two of my employees. They understood by the time we finished our discussion that no one else will know about it. Ever.”

“Oh, God.” Panic shot through her. “You threatened them, didn’t you? Marcus—”

“I would have done the same for anyone who works for me. Privacy is sacred, and our personal lives are not fodder for the gossip queens.” Those two words told Leah exactly who he overheard. “It was a pleasure to put those two in their place, and have a damn fine reason to do it. Leah.” His deep voice caressed her name, as gentle as the fingers tracing her cheek. “You deserve so much more than a former playboy, but I want you. In my life, any way I can get you. I can’t promise I won’t hurt you, but I do promise I will do everything in my power to keep you from being hurt. Give me a chance.”

She stared into his dark blue eyes, her heart pounding so hard she was sure he could hear it. After a few shaky breaths, she managed to pull herself together enough to answer.

“I want that, too,” she whispered.

Marcus took the rest of her breath away by kissing her.

His hands slid under her ass and he lifted her, groaning when his erection pressed into her heat. Leah wanted him—God, how she wanted him—but she gradually eased herself out of the kiss that was melting her brain, and fought to catch her breath.

“Leah—”

“Not here. I have my one night, Marcus.” He smiled, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “With clothes on.”

“I remember the condition, gorgeous.” He kissed and licked his way up her throat, and she was throbbing by the time he reached her ear. “It has to be tonight—I can’t wait any longer than that. I have plans. You have no idea just how creative I can be when presented with a challenge.”

Oh, she had a good idea. He had her panting, on the edge of an orgasm, and she was fully clothed, his hands nowhere near bare skin.

“Tonight,” she whispered. “I’m good with that.”

“Thank God.” With a frustrated growl he captured her lips again, rocking against her, his tongue sliding over hers at the same teasing, erotic pace.

A knock on the door stilled them.

“Mr. Hawkins?”

God—it was Kyle, the security guard from the lobby. The security guard Leah had to walk past every day. Marcus eased back, leaned his forehead against hers, and took a few deep breaths.

“What is it, Kyle?”

“Sorry to disturb you, but there’s a huge delivery downstairs, and they won’t leave it without your signature.”

Excitement lit his eyes. “Tell them I’ll be right down.” He waited until Kyle’s footsteps faded, then kissed her, with enthusiasm, before he lowered her to the floor. “My new toys are here.”

“Wait—not the gaming computers?”

“Yes.” He kissed her again, and tangled his hands in her hair, ruining her neat bun with his clever fingers. “Come down with me, Miss Frane, and help me check the inventory.”

She smiled up at him. “It is my job, Mr. Hawkins.”

His laughter rumbled through her. After a last kiss he took her hand, detouring to grab his glasses off his desk. When he slipped them on her heart did a flip—he looked so damn sexy. She could almost forget he had more money than God, and was her boss.

That was a detail they’d have to talk about. Tonight.

She shivered at the thought of what might happen. What she wanted to happen.

Marcus led her to the door, and let go of her hand to pull it open. He looked a little more rumpled than usual, but none of the other women in the office would notice. While he made his way across the waiting room, Leah took the time to redo her bun. That would be noticed—and she didn’t need any enemies. The women here were already jealous that she was his assistant; any whisper of scandal and they would make her life hell.

When she bent down to retrieve the now creased notepad, she saw Marcus at the elevator, his fingers tapping the plate above the call light. He glanced over his shoulder, like he knew she was watching him, and winked at her. She swallowed, warmth spreading through her, centering around her heart. Lord, was she in trouble.

He stepped into the elevator, and braced his hand on the door frame. “Coming, Miss Frane?”

“I’m on my way, Mr. Hawkins. Did you need the invoice?”

“No.” A smile spread across his dangerously handsome face. “I have an eidetic memory.”

She fussed with the notepad to cover the blush heating her cheeks. By the time she reached the elevator she was a bit more composed—until the door slid closed and Marcus trapped her against the back wall.

“Is this going to become a habit, Mr. Hawkins?”

“God, I hope so.” He tossed the notepad over his shoulder—again—and leaned in to nibble her earlobe. “I have a vivid imagination to go with that memory, Miss Frane.” The way he said her name made her shiver. She felt him smile against her cheek. “And I have imagined you in so many different scenarios. All with your clothes on.”

“Oh, God,” she whispered. What had been meant as a deterrent had become a challenge for him.

He captured her lips before she could say anything else, kissing her until she couldn’t think straight. Only the weight of his body kept her upright, her legs as steady as rubber. He must have been counting floor dings—by the time he freed her and they made themselves presentable, there were two floors until they reached the lobby. Marcus picked up her notepad and handed it to her, the gleam in his eyes leaving her jittery.

“I plan on bringing the packing material home with me. So many things one can do with bubble wrap, and packing tape.”

Her knees nearly buckled.

Smiling, Marcus strode out of the elevator. “Coming, Miss Frane?”

Any second now.

She clutched the notepad and followed him toward the pile of boxes. It was going to be a long day.

Tonight. She could last until tonight.

One night with Marcus Hawkins was worth the wait.

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