Merger to Marriage (Boardrooms and Billi - By Addison Fox Page 0,4

wanted the invitation implied in her words, but needed to give her a final opportunity to say no.

“A more private place to continue our conversation.”

…

The ride in the elevator had been quiet, but anticipation hummed between them with a loud, nearly-audible throb. He felt it in his veins, and knew Elizabeth’s pulse pounded as heavy as his. Could feel it where he ran a thumb over her wrist, just beneath their joined hands. Need pounded, dark and heavy in his veins, the anticipation of what would come almost painful in its intensity. God, how he wanted this woman.

She stepped off the elevator before him, and again he was captivated by the gentle sway of her hips as she strode toward her door.

“Don’t you live in New York?”

“I do.” She glanced back over her shoulder as she keyed in her room card. “But I thought it would be easier to get a room for the evening and enjoy the party as late as I wanted to.”

“Very smart.”

“Practical.”

“Here’s to practicality.” He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her neck, the soft spot beneath her hairline beckoning him like a lodestone. A light sigh drifted up from her lips and Holt reached around her to open the door as the unlock light blinked green. “After you.”

She drifted through the doorway and turned toward him, her arms reaching for his neck. Holt pulled her close as the heavy door swung closed behind them. His fingers found purchase in the soft silk at her waist and he moved one hand to settle along the slim column of her spine. “Are you sure about this?”

“Mm, yes, very sure,” she whispered before pressing her lips to his. When she showed no concern about taking things further between them, he relaxed, pulling her close.

He deepened the kiss, more than encouraged by her eager response. Seeking a moment of clarity, he lifted his head while locking his gaze with hers. He ran soft fingers over the exposed skin of her upper arms and wondered at the subtle sense of panic, throbbing in counter-point to his aching body.

“Holt?” Questions filled her eyes and, unwilling to let them take the form of words, he leaned forward and captured her lips once more, ignoring whatever warning bells his subconscious was intent on ringing.

He ran his hands over her long, slender form, reveling in the subtle strength of her. Long and lean, her body was a graceful mix of athletic curves and feminine beauty.

“Make love to me,” she whispered against his ear. Her warm breath shot sparks straight to his groin and his already-hard body tightened painfully.

“How can I resist?”

He felt her lush lips curve into a smile as she pressed them to his mouth. “You can’t.”

With movements designed to prove her point, the arms she’d wrapped around his waist loosened and her hands came around to the front of his slacks. He felt her fingers on the enclosure and drew in a hard breath as they darted below the waistband, brushing against his erection. Her hand slid lower until her fingers wrapped around the hard length.

“I think I’m very glad you caught me in the lobby.”

He ground his body against her hand.

“And I’m glad you were standing in the lobby, waiting to get caught.”

With gentle movements, he reached for her hand, drawing it from his waistband and into his own. “There will be time for that in a bit. First, I think you’re wearing far too much.”

He walked her backward toward the bed while his hands roamed around the edge of her dress. Once he had a grip on the delicate material, he stripped the long column of silk from her form, exposing her bra and panties. Her nipples had already pebbled under the pale lace of her bra and he reached for her breasts, palming both in his hands, intoxicated by her beautiful curves. Those tight points hardened and her eyelids dropped to a sultry half-mast as he worked her flesh. Her back arched, bringing her breasts in closer contact with his hands, and pure male satisfaction beat through his veins at the heavy breaths that escaped between her lips.

Before he could reach for the clasp himself, her hands were at the back of her bra. “Touch me. I want to feel your hands on me,” she whispered as the garment fell away, exposing the full measure of her breasts.

The heavy weight of them filled his palms, and he again reached for the bright pink nipples. While he continued to