Page 59 of Reckless King

When I work up the nerve to peek up at Tate, the familiar amused glint in his eyes makes it clear my actions answered for me.

I rack my brain for a safe topic that will douse the heated tension simmering between us. “How are sales for Genesis-1 going?”

The corners of his lips turn up, but he answers. “They’re going well. Past our initial projections, so I’d consider it a success so far.”

I nod a little too enthusiastically. “That’s good. Is it because of your marketing?”

He tilts his head and watches me, his gaze moving lazily over my face. “The sustainable features are a big draw. The luxury market in New York is always hungry for innovation. We’re interested in whether we can replicate the same interest in other markets.”

He raises his glass to his lips, his throat working in a way that’s far too sexy as he swallows.

I must be watching a little too closely because he lets out a low laugh. “Are our sales of Genesis-1 really what you’re thinking about right now? Or do you have something else on your mind?”

I wet my lips because, god, every word out of his mouth only makes mine go drier.

His pupils flare in response, and he brings a hand up. He leaves it hovering a fraction of an inch away from my cheek, as if he’s deciding whether he should touch me. The heat radiating from his palm warms my skin and sends my pulse skyrocketing.

“Maybe you’re thinking the same thing I am,” he says.

My breathing quickens next, almost matching the speed of my pulse. “What are you thinking?”

His eyes are locked on mine. “I’m thinking about how you felt when you came on my fingers. I’m thinking that I want to feel it again.”

“Tate,” I breathe. His words triggering an ache deep inside of me.

Finally, his hand makes contact, hot against the side of my face. Then he slides it into my hair, tangling his fingers in the strands and tugging just enough to send sparks racing over my skin.

Angling in, he brings his mouth so close that his lips graze the shell of my ear. “If I were to pull the hem of your dress up and slide my fingers underneath your panties, would I find you wet?”

Frozen to the spot, I let out a shuddery breath. Even though I was thinking about this just a few seconds ago, acknowledging that I’m attracted to him, that I want what he did to me before, that I might want more, leavesmevulnerable. Not him.

“Should I find out?” he murmurs.

I think I whimper out loud, but it’s so noisy in here I’m not sure.

But the way his lips curl up at the corners and his eyes darken further tells me I must have, and he obviously heard it. His handbarely skims my hip, touching but not touching. “If you’ll let me, I could make you feel good again, butterfly.”

“Tate, my man.” A loud voice close by has me almost jumping out of my skin. “Fancy seeing you here.”

When the owner of the voice appears beside us, Tate lowers his hand casually and turns to the intruder, wearing a smile that would have a more observant man backing away in a hurry.

“Aaron. What a pleasant surprise.” His icy tone contradicts the sentiment.

The man’s beady eyes run over me, snagging on my cleavage, and he licks his lips. Then he turns his attention to Tate. “We’re here celebrating a win. We took over Paladine Construction today.”

From the ruddiness of his cheeks and his overly bright eyes, it’s obvious that he’s been celebrating a little too enthusiastically.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

Aaron puffs his chest out, looking smug. “We wanted to keep it under the radar until it was done.”

“I guess congratulations are in order, then,” Tate says, looking perfectly composed, even as tension radiates off him.

“Indeed.” Aaron grins. “Maybe I can buy you a drink later.”

Tate’s expression is less than inviting. “Maybe.”

When Aaron moves on, Tate leans close to me again, but the heat from a few minutes ago has cooled. “I need to make a quick call. Do you want to come with me or stay here?”

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