Then, he went indoors to his kitchen, returning with a silver spoon, which he held out to her.
She looked up, a touch surprised. ‘Oh. Thanks.’
Her thumb brushed over his knuckles as she took the utensil from him. Her breathing faltered, a tinge of colour staining her cheeks at his unabashed interest. Again, he tried to smother his wild senses when her gaze swept down, depriving him of the vital connection.
Stepping around the sofa, he took the opposite end, and watched as she ate her sweet.
Two bites in, Seve crossed his legs to hide the effect of what the spoon continually disappearing into her mouth did to his libido.
Dios mio.Perhaps it was time to call up a past flame, take care of his physical need with a night of vigorous sex so he could think more clearly.
His last visit to Cardosia four months ago had driven home the urgency of his actions, and left room for little else. But now he had a solution within reach he couldn’t be distracted by—
‘Six months.’
Although he knew what she was referring to, he still raised his eyebrows. He told himself he wanted to make sure they were on the same page, but underneath that prompt, there was a burning need to hear her voice. To keep her engaged. ‘Six months?’ he echoed.
Her green gaze flitted over to him, then rushed over his body before returning to the view. But he hadn’t missed her quickened breath when she glanced at his torso and crossed legs. She took her time to swallow before she spoke.
‘The oversight period. I want to review it every six months.’
He shook his head. ‘Fifteen months.’
Her eyes returned to his filled with more fire. ‘No. Ten months. That’s six times over the course of five years. That’s non-negotiable.’
He would see this intriguing creature every ten months. Possibly pick her incredible brain on ways to better improve the dire conditions in Cardosia. Keep the lines of communication open.
It was a sensible option he would be a fool to dismiss.
Are you sure that’s all it is?
He gritted his teeth, intensely irritated with the unrelenting inner voice. ‘I will agree to ten months, as long as it’s done on site.’
Her spoon, holding another delicate concoction, paused halfway to her mouth as she considered his addendum. It shouldn’t have been sexy. He didn’t have a sweet tooth in his body, and yet he found himself leaning forward, swiping a crumb off the corner of her fork with his thumb and tasting it. ‘Just so we’re clear, that means I want you in Cardosia. In person. No exceptions.’
Her hand trembled a little, her eyelashes fluttering as she raised the morsel and closed her plumps lips over it. By the time her tongue flicked out, Seve was fully erect, the pressure in his groin unbearable and every square inch of his body on fire.
God, he needed to get laid. Like yesterday.
Again, she chewed and swallowed before she answered, keeping them both waiting. ‘I can do that. Cardosia is in a beautiful part of the world.’
Pride and determination burst to life in his chest. ‘Sí.I intend to do everything in my power to ensure it stays that way.’ From afar, though. Returning home roused his demons to life.
Seve knew that was the moment he had her total agreement. It was also probably when he should’ve ended their meeting. Driven her home or, better yet, called his twenty-four-hour car service and placed some vitally prudent distance between them.
Instead, he pulled out his phone and dialled a familiar number. He finished the five-minute conversation to find her staring at him.
‘You’re getting the contract documents drawn up right now? It’s almost midnight,’ she stated in surprise.
‘I have lawyers on retainer in several time zones in the world. My New York lawyers are standing by to get started.’ He paused, his gaze drifting over her face with a hunger he was unaccustomed to. ‘Do you wish to get the ball rolling or do you need to get your beauty sleep?’
Her chin went up, mild outrage in her eyes. ‘Don’t pigeonhole me with stereotypes, Mr Valente. Doyourequire beauty sleep?’
The way his senses were rampaging, sleep was the last thing on his mind right now. ‘Not at all,pequeña,’ he murmured. ‘I can go all night.’
He stifled a groan as colour rushed freely and enthusiastically up her neck and into her cheeks. He clenched his fist tighter, fighting the need to stroke her skin, feel that gush with his fingers. ‘So can I,’ she tossed out in a defiant, breathlessly husky voice.
Seve dragged a hand through his hair, sadistically tugging on the strands to better concentrate his mind. The sexual chemistry between them was insane but Cardosia was more important.