Worth the Risk Read online

  She’d wondered more than once if he had demons to drown as well and threw himself into his work to avoid them.

  “Burning the midnight oil again, I see?” He smiled and leaned against the edge of her desk.

  “Not quite.” She glanced at the clock on her desk phone. Just past eight. She should probably head on home soon. “Just trying to wrap some stuff up before I leave.”

  “You sure are dedicated.”

  “So are you,” she reminded him with a smile. If she wasn’t so caught up in Hunter aftermath she could become interested in Marcus. Maybe.

  He shrugged. He wore a slick Armani suit, his blue printed silk tie by Worth. Chestnut-colored hair and warm brown eyes that twinkled when he smiled…he was definitely attractive.

  But she was too preoccupied with thoughts of a certain dark-haired man who sent her private, smoldering looks every chance he got. Despite her wishing that he wouldn’t.

  “We always seem to be here after hours together, don’t we?”

  She nodded slowly, turning her attention to her computer and closing out of the various programs she kept open throughout the day. “Some people are still lingering.”

  “Yeah, Hunter’s still around.” Marcus jerked his head toward Hunter’s office, which was behind them. “Have you talked to him about Los Angeles yet?”

  “Los Angeles?” She frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Ah, whoops. I guess I just inserted my foot in my mouth.” He smiled sheepishly. “I’ll let him explain it to you.”

  Curiosity—with a healthy dose of unease—slipped down her spine. What in the world was Marcus talking about? She hoped it was nothing bad. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Again a flash of the easygoing smile and he shifted his position, slipping closer to her. “So I was thinking. Maybe we could get together sometime after work and grab some dinner.”

  Oh. Was he asking her out on a date? She couldn’t believe it. They’d worked together for a year and he never once flirted with her, not really. And now he was trying to ask her to dinner? Was she wearing an invisible sign that said, “ Help me forget a certain man—ask me out, I’m desperate”?

  “That sounds nice,” she said hesitantly, not wanting to encourage him too much. Not that she would mind going out with Marcus, but she definitely didn’t plan on taking it any further than just that—dinner.

  “What are you doing right now? Tonight?” His smile remained easy, but a new light lit his gaze. Worry. Nerves. Just seeing it made her feel bad.

  How could she give her planned answer without letting him down? “Ah, I don’t know about tonight, Marcus. I’m tired. It’s been a super-long day.”

  “We could go somewhere close,” he suggested hopefully.

  “She can’t make it tonight.”

  The dark, threatening voice sounded just behind them, and they both whirled around to see Hunter standing mere feet from her desk. He appeared ready to tear someone apart. All threatening, blustery man as he clenched his hands at his sides, his black suit making him look even more ominous.

  “Oh, really? Why can’t I?” He wasn’t her keeper. How dare he butt into their conversation?

  “I need to talk to you.” He pressed his lips into a thin, firm line. He wasn’t going to budge. Fine, neither was she. “Now, Gracie.”

  “It’s all right.” Marcus pushed away from her desk. “We’ll go to dinner another time. Good night, Gracie. Hunter.” He nodded once in Hunter’s direction as he nonchalantly strode out of the room and toward the hall.

  She turned on Hunter as soon as Marcus was out of earshot. “Why did you do that?”

  His gaze narrowed and he stared her down like a hawk hovering over its prey, zeroing in for the kill. “Why did I do what? Discourage you from fraternizing with another employee?”

  If she could stomp her foot and throw a tantrum, she would. He brought out the immature brat in her, and she hated that. The man drove her absolutely insane. “That you would even say those words to me makes me want to slap you.”

  He smirked. “I didn’t know you liked it rough, Gracie.”

  Her arm reared back automatically, but he caught her by the wrist with his fingers, stopping her palm from making the connection with his cheek. She shook with a flood of emotions, the main one being pure rage. “You bastard,” she whispered.

  Hunter immediately looked contrite. “I’m sorry.” He gentled his grip on her wrist, his thumb sweeping along her pulse, sending a scattering of goose bumps across her skin. “I didn’t mean to make you so upset.”

  “You interrupted our innocent conversation by acting like a possessive, jealous lover.”

  “Maybe I am a jealous lover.” Hunter looked pained that he made the admission and he shook his head, as if he could dismiss it. Make his words disappear. But he couldn’t. They still reverberated through her, stunning her silent. “He was trying to ask you out.”

  “And I was trying to refuse him.” God, why had she said that?

  “Why?”

  She didn’t have an answer for him, was too afraid to confess the truth. And wouldn’t he love hearing that she wasn’t over him yet? Not that she’d given herself enough time. Three weeks wasn’t nearly enough.

  A lifetime might not be enough.

  His thumb swept over her flesh again, a slow, tantalizing caress that made her tingle. “Tell me why, Gracie.”

  She cleared her throat and very carefully extracted her wrist from his hold, purposely ignoring his demand. “You said you wanted to talk to me?”

  His gaze hardened and she knew she’d angered him. Luckily enough, he let it go. “Come to my office. We’ll talk there.”

  “If you’re looking for privacy, there’s no one around who can overhear us.” She glanced about the empty room, the cubicles long abandoned by her fellow employees. She hadn’t caught a glimpse of the nightly cleaning crew who came around at this time yet either.

  “I’d rather discuss it in my office. I have something I need to show you.” He turned and headed toward his office, leaving her no choice but to follow. She locked her gaze on his long-legged stride, how proud and tall he held himself. He was a leader. Magnetic, handsome, commanding—Hunter Worth pushed all her buttons and made her want.

  Him.

  She barely withheld the growl of frustration that wanted to escape her at the thought.

  “Sit down.” He waved at the chair that sat close by his desk as they entered his office, and she did as he asked, fuming that she could follow his demands so easily. He shut the door, reminding her that she was completely alone with him, and then settled in the chair behind his desk. “While in London last week, we held extensive meetings in regards to the Worthwhile line.”

  She nodded solemnly, wondering where he was going with this. She already knew about the meetings. That had been the reason he’d gone to London in the first place.

  “We’re going to hold a huge launch party for the spring line with a runway show at the Beverly Hills store.”

  “The store Rhett is in charge of?”

  His mouth hardened, his eyes darkened. She had the distinct feeling Hunter didn’t like his younger brother much. “That would be the one. I plan on going to the location late next week to check it out, see what we’re working with. I’ve never been to that particular store.” He paused, his gaze meeting hers. “I want you to go with me.”

  She stiffened. Did he want to take her so he could get her back into his bed? “I don’t know…”

  “You’re one of my most valued members on the marketing team and you’re in charge of the Worthwhile spring launch. I need your opinion while on this trip.”

  “How long will we be gone?’ She sat up straighter, wishing her spine was made of steel. Maybe it would give her a hint of courage, make her feel stronger, able to deal with this…this curve ball Hunter had thrown in her direction.

  It was as if the man purposely kept her off center.

  “Two, three da
ys tops.”

  “I see.” She swallowed hard, glanced about the room. Anywhere but at Hunter. “Are you asking me to go because you’re jealous of Marcus?”

  He slammed his fist on top of his desk so hard she jumped in her chair. “I am not jealous.”

  “Right. So your over-the-top reaction meant nothing.” She dared look up to watch as he leapt out of his chair and rounded the desk to stand just before her. Tilting her head back, she met his gaze. Saw all the anger swirling in their blue depths.

  “If you want to screw around with Marcus, then I can’t stop you. Who am I to care what you do with your off time?” His eyes blazed as they stared into hers and she refused to look away.

  “You scared him out of the office.”

  “I did no such thing.”

  She laughed and shook her head. “Stop pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

  Hunter leaned over her, resting his hands on each arm of the chair, boxing her in. She shrunk back, not because she was scared, oh no. More like trying to get away from his scent, his warmth, the very delicious essence of him. But seeing her move back only pressed him forward, until his face was directly in hers.

  “Are you flirting with him to make me jealous?” The deadly thread in his voice made her shiver.

  “I’m not that immature,” she retorted.

  “Really?” He cocked a brow. “You never showed any interest in Marcus until after we were—intimate.”

  The word conjured up all sorts of images. Her naked in his arms, his tongue drawing wet, warm circles around her hard, aching nipples…

  “I didn’t encourage his behavior.”

  “Look at you, all prim and proper. ‘I didn’t encourage his behavior’. Is that what you say about me? Us? Did you encourage my behavior?”

  He was desperately jealous. And if the throb of his pulse at the base of his neck was any indication, he was also really upset. “I—I—”

  “Did you want to have sex with me, Gracie? Or were you merely doing it because you thought it was what I wanted?”

  “What are you saying?” He was purposely trying to confuse her. “Are you trying to get me to admit that yes, I wanted to have sex with you and no, I don’t regret it? Because if you are, fine, you’re right. I wanted it. I wanted you. And I don’t regret it either. Does that make you feel better?”

  Her breath came in ragged spurts after her abrupt confession, and she swallowed hard, wishing she could swallow the words and make them disappear. They stared at each other silently, regret hitting her full force and she pressed her lips together. She should’ve never said that. Why did he always push her so much? Of course, she wasn’t over him yet. Couldn’t get over him, as loathe as she was to admit it.

  Damn him.

  “I don’t regret it,” he whispered harshly. “If I had my choice, it would happen again.”

  “Why?” She shook her head and closed her eyes. This was crazy. They were playing with fire and she was the only one who would end up getting burned. She was putting everything at risk. Her job, her emotional state, her future…all of it for a man who could charm her panties off with a few sexy words and a smile that made her burn.

  “Why? I don’t know why. I can’t explain it. When I’m not with you, you’re all I think about.” She opened her eyes at that revelation. “And when I’m with you, it takes everything inside of me not to just reach out and do this.” He swooped in.

  And kissed her.

  Christ, she tasted good. Like sweet, honeyed woman and lush, sensual promise. It was a big mistake, pissing her off, pissing himself off and then kissing her. He’d promised he would leave her alone.

  But seeing her with Marcus had set a fire deep in his belly that couldn’t be denied. And thinking she’d actually encouraged Marcus’s flirtations? That had nearly sent him into a full-bodied attack on a man he considered his friend.

  Hunter couldn’t dwell on it now. He had Gracie where he wanted her. Their mouths connected, their tongues tangling. He hadn’t even touched her yet, kept his hands firmly on the arms of the chair and he nearly collapsed to his knees when she pressed forward and wound her arms around his neck.

  It was a sign of acquiescence. That she wanted him and wasn’t going to deny herself any longer.

  Thank Christ. He’d been silently begging for this since she slipped out of his bed early that Sunday morning after the most momentous night of his life.

  “Hunter.” Hearing her sweet voice whisper his name sent a bolt of lust straight through him that settled in his hardening cock. “We shouldn’t do this.”

  “You want to.” He kissed her, then pulled away, watching with satisfaction when she followed him with a tilt of her head. “Just as bad as I want to.”

  She didn’t deny it, allowing him to kiss her again. “Don’t talk, baby,” he whispered against her swollen, damp lips. “Just feel.”

  The agonized moan that sounded from her tore at him, drove him on. He fell onto his knees with a hard thud and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in as close as he could get her. Attacking her throat, he licked and nibbled the elegant length of her neck, pausing at the open part of her shirt, breathing in her delectable scent.

  Floral and a hint of sultry promise, her scent drove him wild. He tore at the buttons of her shirt, undoing them with shaky fingers. Whipping her shirt away from her torso, he drank in the beauty of her clad in only a pale cream bra. The garment was simple, no lacy adornments, no little pearl or stone accents or bows made of silk. Just creamy satin lovingly cupped her beautiful breasts.

  He tugged the cups down, exposing her to his gaze. Pretty pink nipples came into view, hard little points that begged for his touch and he gave in. They were eye level and unable to resist, he drew one into his mouth, sucking it deep, swirling his tongue around her aroused flesh.

  “Oh God.” She sunk her hands into his hair and held him there. Opening his eyes, he glanced up at her, meeting her gaze. She watched, her lips parted, her eyes glowing in the dim light of his office. He released his lips’ hold on her nipple, then darted out his tongue and circled once. Twice. Slow enough to draw a breathless whimper from her.

  His cock strained against his trousers, and he reached with one hand for his belt buckle, undoing it with a quick flick of his fingers. All while he still laved attention on her abundant flesh, alternating between each breast until he had his pants undone and sagging off his hips.

  She wore a skirt as usual, thank the Lord above, and he slipped a hand beneath the fabric, along the outside of her thigh, skimming his fingers on silky-soft skin. Shoving the hem of her skirt up her thighs, he revealed her matching cream satin panties. Noted the damp spot on the front of them and felt a surge of satisfaction.

  “We shouldn’t—” she started to say, but he pressed his index finger against her parted lips, silencing her.

  “Let me,” he whispered, drawing his finger along the plump softness of her lower lip. “Let me make you feel good.”

  “Hunter, we’re in your office. Oh.” She quit her protesting when he slipped two fingers just between her lips, and a sensual glow lit her gaze. She teased the tips of his fingers with her tongue, and he groaned when she drew them deep inside her mouth, sucking them much like he imagined she’d suck his cock…

  His entire body tightened at the image.

  He ripped his fingers from her mouth and wrapped his hands around her waist, positioning her just so. “No one will see us in here. We’re all alone,” he reassured, his voice tight, his blood running hot. He was going to take her right here on this chair. Fuck it, he couldn’t wait any longer.

  Rearing up on his knees, he shoved down his pants with one hand and pulled her to the very edge of the chair. He pushed her panties down her legs as she kicked, her toes connecting with his thigh, and he grunted.

  Their gazes met, and they both laughed, coming together in a rush of heat and hands. “I—I don’t have a condom.” If she turned him away now, he wasn’t sure
what he’d do.

  “I’m safe. I’m on the pill,” she whispered. “Are you safe?”

  “Yes.” He would never lie about that. And he’d pull out before he came. Just to be safe. Grasping the base of his erection, he guided himself inside her, filling her so completely she gasped at the contact.

  Her tight, velvety heat clasped around him, and he closed his eyes, gritted his teeth. Desperate to find some control, he breathed deep. Counted slowly to five before he opened his eyes.

  She lay sprawled in the chair, her legs spread, shirt open, her bra tugged beneath her breasts. Her hair was in her face, her cheeks were flushed.

  He’d never seen a more beautiful sight.

  Carefully he took her, slowing his pace, watching with fascination as he pushed inside her body. His chest ached at the beauty of her, of the two of them connected, and he increased his pace, excitement racing through his blood when he heard her encouraging moan.

  “Faster, Hunter,” she urged and he met her gaze, saw the intensity there glowing in her eyes. “Please.”

  Leaning in, he took her mouth in a savage kiss and pumped over her, inside her, driving again and again into her welcoming depths. She quivered beneath him, her breaths quickening, her little hands frantic as they fluttered over his shoulders and back and he knew she was close.

  Maybe just as close as he was.

  Giving in, he took her fiercely, powering into her with the savageness of a feral beast. He should be more careful, treat her more delicately but it was as if something foreign took over him. And took her over too—she didn’t protest, in fact, she seemed to encourage him and when he felt her inner walls clench tight around him and heard her gasp of pleasure, he let the orgasm he’d been staving off wash over him completely.

  No time for him to pull out. No room for regret now. If only he could convince her to feel the same.

  Chapter Six

  “Who’s the hottie?”

  “None of your goddamn business.” Hunter smiled at his brother and turned away from the woman Rhett was blatantly checking out.