A Matter of Trust: London Calling Book One (12 page)

Bennett stared back, his features oddly fierce before he took her mouth in a hard kiss, stealing her breath with sudden intensity. She returned his kiss, but hesitated, momentarily surprised by his raw male hunger. She slipped her hands behind his neck and stroked them down his back, unconsciously gentling him as before in one long stroke.
 

He stilled. Then he copied her caress by running his hands along the length of her thighs, where she had tensed in silent confusion. He smoothed his fingers over the fine cotton covering her core, quickly moving away to tease the delicate lace edges when she froze. Startled, she locked eyes with him, knowing his had never left her face.
 

He leaned down and grazed her lips in a soft kiss. “Please.”
 

Devon nodded, then felt his hand slip inside her panties to cup her. One long finger slowly rubbed up and down, then returned to circle the hidden nub that throbbed in painful pleasure. Closing her eyes, she let her head fall back, sensual bliss overtaking her.
 

She parted her lips as Bennett lightly outlined her mouth with his tongue. When he paired the movement by slipping a finger inside her, she sharply arched her back, dragging her breasts along his torso and grinding her pelvis into him. He thrust his finger back and forth before adding a second, and rubbed the heel of his palm against her while he stroked.
 

Locking her ankles around him, she gasped while clutching his shoulders and rocking into him. Eyes opening wide, she looked to him in silent entreaty.

Bennett pivoted to his shoulder to tear the filmy cotton panties away from her. He pulled her further down into the couch, which caused her skirt to bunch up completely, leaving her legs unencumbered. Abruptly, he reared back, and before she realized what he was doing, both legs were hooked over his shoulders and he lowered his head down her body.
 

“No.” He stilled. Breathlessly, she said, “Please.”
 

He stared hard at her, and she felt the heat in her face spreading to her neck and chest. She twitched beneath him, uncomfortable with his prolonged scrutiny. As she started to shift her leg, Bennett licked one erect nipple, and then bit it. Shocked, she bucked and peered down into devastating navy. Then he turned his attention back to her breast and suckled hard, causing her to dig her fingernails deep into his shoulders as she fought to hold herself steady. He eased off only to give attention to the other breast. Just when she thought she’d die with pleasure, his fingers were inside her again, thrusting in time with the sucking rhythm of his mouth.
 

There was no build up, just an abrupt shattering that caused a high cry to break from her lips before she was cut off with the bruising pressure of his mouth. The pulsing contractions continued as she pressed up into him, desperately seeking his solid strength to ground her. Devon felt close, connected to him. Her normally busy mind blanked except for the profound link she felt weaving between them.
 

As she came back down, and her breathing returned to something closer to normal, she felt Bennett’s erection pressing into her. She reached down, cupping his girth before roughly chafing his length through his pants. He reared up, gripping her hand with steely strength to stop her.

“I’m too close.”
 

“Then let me help.” She smiled, so sure of this moment. Of him. “I want you.
All
of you, Bennett.”
 

He gentled his hold, but kept her hand in his while he sat up on the sofa. Turning, he looked first at her face, then down her body, and back to her eyes. Embarrassed, Devon shifted but Bennett clasped her wrist before bringing it to his lips for a soft kiss on the underside.
 

With fingers that barely touched her skin, he rearranged her blouse to button it and helped pull her skirt back into place. Confused, Devon could only stare as he adjusted his own clothing before sitting back down next to her. He stared down at the floor, his knees spread with hands loosely clasped between them. Taking a deep breath, he turned his head to look back at her, a faint line creased between his brows.
 

She abruptly focused. Hastily, she straightened and stared ahead, letting the full import of the past moments soak in.
 

He’d withdrawn. He didn’t want her.

And she had fallen at his feet. She shuddered, realizing how close she’d come to full intimacy with him. He’d tried to let her down gently. But she’d capped it all by practically begging him to sleep with her.
 

This could simply not be any worse.
 

What had happened to keeping him at a distance? Keeping him as far away from her, her father, and her past as possible?

The thought of John Sinclair steeled her spine. He’d taught her control and discipline, and she was never more grateful for it than in this moment. Ruthlessly, she summoned up her mantra from weeks ago.

I can never have Bennett Sterling.

She would repeat that as many times necessary to pound it into her thick skull. But right now, she needed to get Bennett out of her house. Again, she drew the needed strength and skills from her father. Although she’d turned her back on his world of games and grifts, preferring academia, she wasn’t opposed to a little manipulation when it was necessary.
 

It was necessary.

“Well. This is awkward.” Summoning a smile, she said, “I think this is when the British would think it’s proper to offer tea. I hope you don’t mind if I don’t?”

Standing, she took a couple of steps to the doorway, hoping he would take the hint. She desperately ignored the fact that her panties and bra were lying somewhere out of reach, likely in pieces. Although mortified, she was determined to brazen out this horrific farce to the bitter end.
 

“Actually, I do mind. Tea would be wonderful. Let me help.”

***

He handily reached over her to hold open the door to her galley kitchen as she preceded him. Bennett watched as she assembled the cups, saucers, and teapot for the tray, her hands moving in jerks. As she slammed the kettle on the stove, he was sure he heard a mumbled curse.
 

Bennett stuck his head in the refrigerator to muffle the laugh threatening to burst free. “On second thought, maybe we should have something to cool us down.”
 

He emerged with a bottle of champagne. Inspecting the bottle, he declared, “Ah! Perfect! Quality but at an affordable price. Just as I’d expect from one of my top economists.” Smiling widely as she opened her mouth to protest, he swiftly popped the cork and directed her to fetch some flutes.
 

“Honestly, what are you
doing
? We are not celebrating!” Devon rounded on him with the glasses, looking adorably flustered and out of sorts.
 

Bennett concentrated on pouring the champagne while hiding a grin.
 

“Sure we are. Here, take it.” He handed her a glass, then tapped the rims and waited for her to sip.
 

“To the beginning of you and me.” She gasped, but he continued. “And the end of your cotton panties.”
 

Choking, Devon slammed her glass down. “You insufferable ass! We haven’t
begun
anything, you—” stuttering, she came to a halt, unable to finish when he pressed a finger to her lips while laughing over the rim of his champagne.
 

“On the contrary. You think you know why I called a halt tonight, but you’re wrong. We both know you would have regretted frantic sex on your couch.” At her attempt to speak, he pushed his finger more firmly against her lips. “And
I
would have too. No, Devon. Our first time together will be as special as the occasion deserves. As
you
deserve. And this
is
the beginning for us. Believe it.” Leaning over, he replaced his finger with the soft promise of a kiss.
 

Before she could respond, the kitchen door swung open, startling them both.
 

Standing in the doorway, with her white bra dangling from his finger, Dominic Martin looked from Devon to Bennett. “
I hope I’m not interrupting
?”

CHAPTER EIGHT

“J
UST
WHAT
THE
hell were you
thinking
?”
 

A full day had passed. While not exactly calm, Devon no longer felt as bloodthirsty towards Dominic, a man she’d known most of her life. He stood near the exact spot where he’d flippantly destroyed her evening. Last night, she’d seen his satisfied smile when Bennett stormed out in a fury of explosive misunderstanding. She wanted an explanation.

He fidgeted. “Personally, I don’t think you should be on a high horse. After all, it was
your
bra, no? In the sitting room? I was gentleman enough not to mention your panties, but I really think John raised you better than—”
 

He didn’t get to finish the thought before Devon smacked her palm, hard, across his cheek. His face jerked to the side before he had time to catch himself. Gratified, she eyed the reddening mark. Her tone was quiet, belying the force of her slap and the fire darkening her eyes to pewter. “What
business
, what
right
do you think
you
have to come in here to judge or criticize me?”

Rubbing the imprint she’d left, he avoided her eyes. Pacing away, he strode over to the nearest window to gaze out before turning back to her. His chest rose on a deep breath before he answered. “Because I l
ove
you. I don’t want you to get hurt.” He returned to her, clasping her shoulders to stare into her eyes.

She sighed, holding him off. This was a conversation long overdue.
 

She’d been focused all her life. Gifted with numbers, and eager to please, she’d first devoted herself to family. Her particular skills worked well, it turned out, with their particular goals. Later, she’d continued to help while shifting her attention to school, knowing she wanted a different future for herself someday.
 

Now, she was on the way to that future, out of the game. But all of that single-minded attention had come at a cost. There’d been no time for Devon, not as a woman.

Her family saw her as naive, sheltered.
 

She choked back a laugh. In personal matters, yes. But she wondered if Bennett would see her as innocent if he really knew her.
 

Dominic shifted, calling her attention back to him.
 

“Listen to me. I’m not a child anymore. You can’t walk in here and treat me like one.” She reached up a finger to press his chin down so he’d meet her eyes. “I’m a grown woman, Dom. You’ve made things very awkward for me.”

“Devvie, I’m sorry. I really am. You threw me off. I only want the best for you. I don’t know this guy.” His face was reddened, but no longer from her slap. “I don’t see how
you
can know this guy very well. You’ve only been over here about five minutes.” When she looked at him in reproach, he shifted again, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Give me a break. You’re like a sister to me.”

Reluctantly amused in spite of her frustration, she patted his arm. His hangdog expression reminded her of the time he’d knocked her out of a tree when they were ten. She’d broken her wrist and milked his guilt for all she could get. If memory served, she’d bagged her first iPod.
 

But she could never sustain being angry with Dominic for any real length of time. It appeared this would be no exception. He was family, and no matter how far she moved away, her loyalty was fierce. That didn’t mean he was completely off the hook.

“Oh, all right, enough with the sackcloth and ashes. But I should make you apologize to Bennett. Otherwise, I don’t know what he must be thinking.”

“Wait.
What
did you say his name was?”

It was Devon’s turn to look embarrassed and awkward.

“Bennett,” she mumbled.

“Speak up, Devvie. Because I’m not sure I heard you.” Dom’s voice was stern, hard.

“Bennett.
Bennett Sterling
, okay?” She said it loudly, staring him down.
 

Dominic walked out of the kitchen, leaving her to gape after him before following closely behind. She trailed him into the sitting room, watching as he paced the length of the small room twice before slumping onto the couch, legs sprawled.
 

“Please tell me you didn’t just say that.”

“I can’t.” She eyed him as he looked anywhere but at her. “Don’t you think you’re overreacting just a little, Dom? I’m the one with the problem here. Thanks to
you
.”

***

Dominic shook his head, cursing himself for not seeing that the man in Devon’s kitchen last night had too much confidence and arrogance to be some average guy. It fit perfectly that he was Bennett Sterling. He was the man in charge of Sterling International, Devon’s future, and if things progressed to plan, Dom’s next client.