Page 33 of Enemies with Benefits

My laugh emerged shakily. ‘You’re assuming I would’ve let you.’

Just like last night, his lips explored the pulse in my neck. Shivering in delight, I angled my head, granting him access.

‘My negotiating skills are exceptional, Wren. I’m sure we would’ve come to some agreement had I stayed. But no matter. I have a new proposition for you. One I’m sure will satisfy us both.’

My arsenal was depleted. I had very little to fight him with. But he didn’t need to know that.

‘What is this proposition?’ I asked, my insides dipping alarmingly at how much I wanted to know. How much I hoped it was something I could agree to.

Yeah, my head definitely needed examining.

He held on to me but eased his torso away from mine. ‘You’re brilliant and sexy. You’ve driven me insane thus far but I don’t think I’ve hidden the fact that I want you. Hell, at this point it goes beyond want.’ His eyes burned into mine as he inhaled slowly.

My throat dried at the raw, potent need in his voice. A tremble commenced inside my belly as he continued.

‘Don’t think I haven’t noticed you still haven’t given me a clear-cut answer as to whether you intend to work with me or not. But I have a way I think we can co-exist for the immediate future. A way that might make working with me a little more bearable?’

I didn’t think there was any way forward that wouldn’t incite my family’s disapproval but I held back from mentioning it. Somehow, discussing family feuds in this moment felt...wrong. ‘I’m listening,’ I said.

He dropped his forehead to mine. ‘You know I’m dying to fuck you. And I know you’re not completely immune to reciprocating.’

I couldn’t deny it. ‘I think you got your answer last night.’

He gave a lopsided smile. ‘Even though you also invited me to leave several times?’

I raised an eyebrow. ‘You annoyed me. And I’m complicated.’

‘Well, maybe this is one thing we can agree on. I’m great at giving you orgasms, despite withholding one last night.’

A husky laugh left my throat. ‘Are you seriously tooting your own horn?’

He shrugged, an arrogant gesture that was so completely natural I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d been born with it. One hand trailed up from my waist to rest beneath my chin. His thumb rubbed my lower lip and I felt his erection jerk against my belly. Heat arrowed between my legs, making my core wet and needy as I waited for him to elaborate.

‘Okay, here’s the deal. For every six hours you devote to this deal, you get an orgasm.’

My mouth sagged open. ‘I...what?’

His head dropped and delivered a hard, quick kiss before drawing back. Hazel eyes stayed on mine, his easy manner belied by the fact that every word out of his mouth held fierce determination, a promise to deliver on what he was offering. ‘I think it’s a better way for us to relieve our frustrations, if you like. Why scream with anger when you can scream with pleasure?’

I refused to examine why I wasn’t completely outraged, why, contrary to every scrap of common sense I possessed, I was held rapt and completely aroused by his proposition. ‘Let me get this straight. You want to buy my cooperation with orgasms?’

That wicked little smile tilted one corner of his mouth again. ‘I want us to make love, not war,’ he offered.

I raised an eyebrow. ‘Wow, are you sure you’re not on some two-for-one deal on clichés?’

His fingers dug into my waist to pull me closer still, ensuring I felt his hard cock against my belly. I shuddered, unable to help but push back, revelling in the power and promise of him. I was racked with mounting need; my gaze darted to the shiny expanse of the conference table.

Jasper followed my gaze and laughed. ‘We can christen our new agreement right there, if you want, sweetheart.’

I swallowed, unable to believe that I was contemplating this absurdity. The excuse was that I’d arrived here with very little option but to continue to work with Jasper for the time being. Loyalty to my family dictated that the prize of working with the Mortimer Group was forbidden to me as a personal career choice, but while I was contract-bound to work with him, was it wrong to help myself to the cherry on top when he was freely offering it?

Between the mess Perry had left the company in and pressure from my mother, I didn’t plan on dating anyone soon. Jasper’s proposition ensured that we could work relatively friction-free, while enjoying a side benefit we both wanted.

The promise of sex lit a fuse in my blood. Before I got completely carried away with it, the question that’d niggled at me for the last hour rose again. ‘Is this suggestion of yours inconveniencing anyone else?’

His brow knotted. ‘What?’

‘Are you dating anyone, Jasper?’

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