Page 69 of The Charmer's Gambit
I rolled my eyes. “Cocky, sir.”
His hard length twitched inside me. “Cocky indeed, gorgeous.” He pressed another kiss to my neck and rolled off the bed to dispose of the condom. His slacks were zipped and belted again when he joined me on the bed with a warm washcloth. Why was it so sexy to be naked around a fully clothed man? I jolted when he pressed the damp towel to my core, and shuddered as another aftershock hit me.
“So sensitive,” he mused, rolling me to my back. His lips brushed mine while he continued to soothe me below. “For the record, I don’t care what you call me. I just wanted to prove that I could convince you to call me whatever I liked.”
“Uh-huh.” I stretched like a lazy cat and sighed. “I hope you don’t need me to work tomorrow, because I think you broke me. All I want to do is lie in bed and fuck all day.”
His deep laugh warmed me. “Maybe we can plan a getaway for after the acquisition meetings and do precisely that.”
I brightened at that idea. “Really?”
“Sure. We can go wherever you want after we’re done this week.” He kissed me on the nose and smiled. “I’m yours to do with as you please.”
“Oh?” I lifted a brow. “Is that a promise?”
“Absolutely.”
I liked the sound of that, but it made me wonder. “Why the condom, then? Unless... Is there a reason we need one?” The not-so-random thought soured the moment. We’d yet to discuss his previous relationships, and he definitely had experience. Females practically threw themselves at his feet. Like those women at the hotel last month.
“One of the things I adore about you is the ability to read emotions from your beautiful eyes, but I’m not sure I like the one looking up at me now.” He went to his elbow to stare down at me. “I’m healthy, Rachel. My last checkup was a few months ago, and you’re the only woman I’ve been with since. But I wasn’t about to fuck you without protection in the heat of the moment, not without proper consent.”
“I gave consent.”
“Yes, in a pleasure-induced state, darlin’. Not the same.”
I bit my lip, considering. “Do I want to know how many women you’ve been with?”
His sigh answered my question before his words. “No, but I can tell you a number if you need it. What matters more is that none of my previous relationships, whether brief or otherwise, compares to what exists between us. I’ve never felt this way about anyone except you, and I sure as hell have never tried this hard to win a woman over.”
I snorted. “That’s because all the others likely fell to their knees with a single command.”
He smiled at that. “Maybe true, but not you. I like that you made me work for it.” He palmed my cheek and kissed me lightly. “But yes, I’ve been with other women and I’ve dated, but nothing long term. None of them were right for me, and I found myself loving my company more than them. You’re different. For the first time in my life, I’m with someone I value more than Mershano Vineyards. You’re not just some random woman to me, Rachel. You never have been, nor will you ever be.”
My heart warmed at his words. “I think you like me, Mershano.”
He traced my lower lip with his thumb. “I think you like me too, Dawson.”
“I do,” I confirmed. “Maybe a little too much.”
“That’s impossible,” he returned playfully. “I’m very easy to adore.”
“Oh, here we go with the arrogance again.”
“Do you need another lesson?”
My thighs squeezed together at the promise underlining his tone, and since his hand was still lounging down there with the washcloth, I knew he felt it. “I need to eat first,” I whispered, my stomach grumbling in agreement. His thorough fucking had left me half-starved after skipping dinner. “But afterward, maybe you could make your point without a condom?”
His eyes glittered at that. “It’s a promise, gorgeous.”
27
Unknown Number
Watching Will in his element all week left me respecting the man even more than I already did. He handled each acquisition meeting with a professional poise I admired while he charmed everyone with his easy candor. It was no wonder the vineyard owner wanted to work with him. Four days of meetings, and the deal was pretty much done. I’d emailed copies of the paperwork back to Janet for her review, but so far she hadn’t found any issues. If all went according to plan, the merger would move forward as soon as next month.
I jumped as Will grabbed my ass. “Mershano!” I chastised, laughing.
“In a dress like that, what the hell did you expect?”
