Bound to You (12 page)

Watching Sophie in action made me proud. While I was all nerves, trying to exude the confidence that rode my back on a daily basis, she seemed to always know the right thing to say. The right conversation started when a topic began to fade away.

Just watching her work made me think of Marcus. Forever the professional. He'd probably work these guys into a buying frenzy.

Sophie's right hand brushed against my hand that lay on the floor. She quickly took a drink of water. When her hand came back down, I scooted mine closer until we touched again.

She flashed me a side-glance.

I feigned innocence. I was nothing but an angelic lamb, after all.

Our hostess arrived to let us know our entertainment had arrived. Now that I didn't expect. Two Japanese women entered into the room, both of them dressed in beautiful kimonos. Elaborate pins decorated their finely coiffed black hair. They approached us and bowed before the woman who carried an instrument took a place in the corner.

The woman in front of us, her lips painted a delicate red, greeted us. “The ladies of the
Ran
troop are pleased to travel from New York to entertain our esteemed guests.” Her movements were slow, yet fluid, as she began to sing to us. I didn't understand the words, but I couldn't help but be pulled into the tale she told through her music.

While we sipped hot tea from tiny cups, I relaxed and enjoyed myself. For once ignoring the man across from me who held the fate of my mission here. By the time the singer was done, I couldn't help but join Sophie in applause.

“She's very talented,” I remarked.

Nakamura nodded in agreement.

Once the performance had ended and the two women left the room, my nervousness dissipated a bit. Our first course arrived, a serving of hot seafood soup, and I ate everything, even if I disliked the taste.

Keep smiling, Xavier.

Over and over again I reminded myself this was the easy part. I waited for Nakamura to ask me questions. I left my eagerness outside the room and my efforts paid off when he asked about my goals for his facilities. “For the past two years, I've been impressed with research performed by your head researcher, Dr. Hideo Tanaka. Through our joint efforts, we could increase the 2500T's processor speed by eleven percent. The profitability margin would be favorable on both ends.”

While I continued to speak, Nakamura nodded. When his drink was emptied, Sophie, fast as a whip, got up to refill his cup. Much faster than Ichiro, I may add.
Atta girl.

The drinks and refreshments kept coming. Even as the door opened and an attendant came in to deliver our second course, a large platter of Chilean sea bass with black bean sauce, I kept going.

I was deep in my flow when suddenly Sophie stopped cold in the middle of pouring a drink for Ichiro. The sliding door to the dining room was still open and her gaze locked on a point outside of the room. For some reason, her face went ashen and she put down the teapot
.
Without any further words, I watched my assistant get up and bolt from the room.

“Sophie?” I turned to look in the direction she faced, but there was no one there in particular.

The moment the door closed after her, I rose to get up, but Nakamura extended his hand to stop me.

“Is something wrong with your assistant?” he asked softly.

My whole body stiffened, but I kept my mouth shut instead of making excuses.

Ichiro glanced toward the door. “She didn't even excuse herself.
Women
like that—”

“Just stop right there,” I barked to Ichiro. I wanted to knock him on his ass, but I checked myself. “I'm sure Miss Ashton had a good reason for her departure. I don't know you personally, but you shouldn't assume all women behave like that.”

“Perhaps she should have—”

I stiffly turned to my host, ignoring Ichiro. “I've enjoyed dinner with you so far, Mr. Nakamura, but I refuse to sit here and let your staff member disrespect mine.”

I got up without a second thought, gave Nakamura a deep bow, and left the room.

Contract be damned.
Even I had standards.

Sato is here.

But that couldn't be him. He was in Japan.

The moment I stepped out of the room, he was gone. My eyes scanned the noisy dining room, but he wasn't there. Just countless diners—a large family enjoying supper in one corner drew my eye but none of them was him.

Yet when I hurried down the hall toward the entrance, I saw him again speaking to the hostess and I stopped cold. Sato hadn't changed much. His back was wide and his stance assured. His hair was longer, though, cut in a bit of a style that was more Asian than American.

As if pulled by a magnet, I rushed to the door. I had to have my say. He'd have to know how much he hurt me. Sato's name sat at the edge of my tongue, but I never got a chance to speak. He was out the door into the night.

He'd left me again.

A couple walked past me, the man briefly bumping into me. “Excuse me,” he said politely.

Reality hit me like a freight train careening off its tracks.
The room. I'd left the dining room.

Dizziness slammed my senses. I rushed to the bathroom until I hit the cool, tiled wall. From there, I leaned back, letting the cool air from a vent hit my face. My stomach churned painfully. Stirring to the point where I'd purge everything I'd eaten.

Oh fuck, I'd messed up big time.
I'd left the room right in front of Nakamura.

I'd left right in front of
my client
.

My insides cringed from such a horrible error. What the hell was I thinking, doing that to him?

Damn you, Sophie, for choosing your feelings over your work.
I'd never done such a thing before and shame filled my face.

Somehow I'd have to walk back into that room and face Xavier. He was most likely furious over what I'd done.

Instead of moving, though, I waited for my rapidly beating heart to still. For the sweat along my brow to cool. What I'd done flashed through my mind again and again, kicking me in my already aching gut.

You fool, what if you've cost him the contract?

Somehow I washed my hands and forced myself out of the bathroom. I couldn't set up a new business in the bathroom, that was for damn sure. Time to put on my big-girl breeches and save face.

I'd prostrate myself on the floor and ask for forgiveness if necessary.

I marched out of the bathroom, confident that I could do this. The moment I reached the private dining room door, my hand hovered over the sliding door handle.

Just open the door.

Yet, I couldn't imagine facing Xavier right now. I didn't have much of a choice, though.

The door was opened and Xavier stood there, his mouth set in a hard line. Instead of speaking, he grabbed my wrist and led me out of the restaurant.

When we reached the steps up to the entrance, I released Sophie's arm before I let my growing anger get the best of me. I clenched and unclenched my fists, but I couldn't shake the rising feeling that everything I'd worked for had gone horribly wrong.

I finally turned to her, but she wouldn't look at me. I waited for the Sophie I knew to speak—to explain what the hell happened—but she didn't.

Above us, the sky was completely dark and clouds were foreboding with the promise of a thunderstorm. Sophie ignored the sight, her arms clasped to her sides.

“I deserve an explanation,” I finally said.

Her mouth opened, then closed. Frustration shot straight lines across her brow.

I scratched the back of my head and my fingers dug into my scalp to ease the growing tension.

“Damn it, Sophie, I don't know what happened back there, but you can't just leave like that.” I reached for her, but she flinched. “And what did you see—”

“I feel like a fool,” she interjected.

I let out a long sigh. I had frustrations of my own and I wanted badly to vent. To tell her she was fired. That she'd never work in the service industry again.

But I didn't.

The growing wind blew her hair toward the west. The tendrils begged me to grasp them. The strong woman who had led me to this point seemed to have crumbled away and all that was left was the real Sophie.

“This isn't going to work,” she said softly.

“Wait a minute. I'm confused.” I gestured toward the restaurant. “We messed up big time, but that doesn't mean the fight is over.” Sophie might've ended my deal for good, but I'd be damned if I let anyone talk about her that way. Deal or not.

She twisted toward me, a wave of anguish washing over her face. “I don't mess up like that. Ever,” she snapped. “I was stupid and I made such a dumb mistake when I left.”

The words kept tumbling out of her mouth even as the first raindrops hit the tops of our heads. “I didn't think about the contract or you or what you wanted.” She swallowed deeply. “It's over. In a minute, you're going to walk away and
anything
that we've agreed to earlier today will mean
nothing.
”

When she finished, she continued to blink from the raindrops.

I took in her beautiful face before I rested my palms on her cheeks. She trembled and I couldn't resist leaning in to kiss her lips. “I'm right here. I haven't gone anywhere. I'm mad, I will admit, but I don't give a fuck about what they think. I walked out of there because I was worried about you, not them.”

Uncertainty touched her eyes so I silenced her doubts when I kissed her again. She tasted like sake. A savory dry taste. My tongue darted out briefly to brush against hers and the moment the tips of our tongues touched I couldn't get enough of her. If I had to, I'd kiss her all night until she didn't have any doubts. No matter how much our clothes became soaked or who passed by. Her hands snaked up my back. My lips trailed up to her chin, tasting the rain before I turned to look at her again.

“Do you remember the offer you kept making me?” she asked.

I nodded.

“I think I'd like those drinks tonight, Mr. Quinn,” she whispered.

We didn't say anything to each other as we walked across the street to my apartment, but I kept glancing at her. The way her wet hair clung to her scalp was so sexy. As the elevator rode up, I couldn't help looking at the way her nipples poked out of her dress or the way her chest rose and fell. There was no way in fucking hell I wanted those drinks. I wanted Sophie. I wanted her in my bed underneath me and I wanted her crying out my name.

By the time she woke up the next morning, she'd have absolutely no doubts that I was the man who wanted her and that I was the man who wanted to be with her tonight.

Once we were inside the apartment, the storm really began to pick up and lights flashed outside the drawn curtains. We stood there in the middle of the living room staring at each other.

“Whatever happened to that drink, Mr. Quinn?”

“What would you like to drink?”

“I'd say water,” she touched her damp curls, “but I've had plenty of that so far. How about some of the green tea I left in your fridge?”

I slowly smiled. “Where did you find that stuff? It tastes awful.”

I shifted to fetch her a drink, but her arms snaked around my waist to hold me close. She pressed her cheek against my shoulder blade and sighed. Her body warmed my back and feelings I thought I'd suppressed since Rosalie passed away rose to the surface. How long ago had I felt longing and inner peace? Years, unfortunately. Tonight wasn't just about me or what I wanted. I placed my hand over hers.

“No drink?” I asked.

She shook her head.

“Your clothes are soaked through, you should take them off.”

“And I'm sure you'd like to be the one to take them off.” She added space between us I didn't like so I turned to face her.

“I have an IUD,” she said. “Have you got condoms?”

I nodded, glad to get that business out of the way.

I moved left as she moved to the right—almost as if we circled each other.

“Take off your shoes,” I said.

She did it slowly and I did the same.

“So no pretenses?” she asked.

I shook my head. “We could do some elaborate talk. I could tell you something romantic about what you'd like to do to me, but we both know why we're here. There's something you need and I want to give it to you.”

She sucked in a deep breath. “Please…give it to me.”

A fire spread through my bones just hearing those bold words from her. Her hands rose to undo a button, but I stopped her by scooping her up in my arms. No more conversation. We needed to use our mouths in other ways. I took two steps at a time up to the second floor. By the time I got to the top, our mouths met again. The kisses were hungry. Feverish. She didn't even give me time to place her on the bed—she ripped my shirt open and tossed what was left to the side. Her blouse got the same treatment as I threw it over the railing and the shirt sailed down to the floor.

Next, I unbuckled her cuffs. Waiting was damn near impossible for me, but I waited to see if she'd protest. She didn't. I wanted to see her without a stitch of clothing on.

“I can't wait to taste you,” I whispered.

Slow down, Xav.

I hungered for her more than I should have. Over and over again, I tried to slow down as I sampled the skin along her neck, but I couldn't stop myself. I wanted to touch her everywhere. Watch every reaction she made.

My tongue swirled along the sensitive points until I encountered her collarbone. Her scent was ever so sweet and delicious, urging me to descend until I encountered her bra. That came off, too.

I made quick work of her panties and soon enough Sophie stood before me. Beautiful, elegant, and sexy. Her pert pink nipples would get my attention soon enough. I lowered my head, taking as much as I could into my mouth. She moaned with each hard suck.

My hands were everywhere, reaching to touch and sample every curve. She was mine tonight. I could take my time and explore every inch of her.

She tried to reach for me to unbutton my belt, but I would have none of that. “Please let me,” she begged.

“Don't move an inch.” There was no need to rush and I wanted to see her come first. I pushed her back onto the bed and covered her body with mine. Damn, she felt so good. I ran my tongue along the underside of her breast, my nose gently brushing against her. Every shiver she experienced made me want to do more. Like dip my tongue in her navel.

Like dip my tongue in her pussy.

When I parted her thighs, I met no resistance. I trailed kisses along her hip bones, growing hungrier and hungrier as I approached her sex. I hovered over the seam along her lips. Just watching her quiver down there was amazing. It was as if she was a rope, stretched taut and waiting to be released. Gently I sampled her. A lick here. A teasing suck there. Her thighs clenched around me and she moaned. When she got close, I pulled back.

“Please, Xavier,” she begged.

She'd come soon enough, but she wasn't ready yet.

I inserted two fingers into her wet channel. Her pussy pulsated against my fingers. Her back arched and she cried out my name.

With one hand on her stomach and the other holding her legs open so that I could taste her, I could feel the trembling of her stomach muscles. The contracting and clenching, in time with the soft moans from between her lips. She was getting close again, practically ready to come, but then she reached for me.

“Xavier…”

I pulled her hands away. “I told you not to move.”

I got up. From my drawer I pulled out two silk ties. These would be nice enough to do the job I wanted.

“Up against the headboard,” I said.

She quickly complied, scooting upward while she watched me. She seemed so small near such a huge bedpost. From the first day I met her, I imagined seeing her like this.

Gently, I tied each of her wrists to the headboard.

“Does it hurt, sweetheart?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No…”

I had to take a step back to see how beautiful she was. With the added distance between us, I could see the feverish pitch in her eyes. The tension in her limbs as if she reached for me. She waited to be possessed.

You could have her like this forever if you opened up and let her love you.

But I didn't need forever. Life wasn't a guaranteed thing, and yet, as I approached her again, I couldn't shake the need to want forever with Sophie.

She kept perfectly still with each step I took to the bed. Her gaze never wavered. Silence in the room stretched out as I crept along her body, feeling her twitch when our bodies came in contact. I couldn't resist smiling at her while my nose drifted over her clit.

“Please…”

If I pressed her there, she'd come. “Please what? What do you want me to do to you, Sophie?”

She squirmed, her hips bucking toward my hand.

“Tell me,” I asked again.

“I need you. I want you.”

“And who is going to make you come?”

“You will.”

I discarded the rest of my clothes. The condom went on next.

She waited patiently without words.

So I gave her what she needed and caressed from the soft skin below her breasts to the firm muscles on her slim legs. She shuddered beneath me and the ties flexed as she pulled at them to reach for me. All the while, I watched her face and enjoyed the way her legs wrapped around my hips as if she never wanted me to leave.

I watched her face while I slid into her warmth, taking in the molten heat of her eyes and passionate way her fingernails bit into my shoulder blades. This was where I truly wanted to be, over her, inside her, feeling her heart race as quickly as mine.

Never would I have imagined myself being tied up in Xavier's bed.

And yet, once he was inside me, I didn't want this feeling to end. The tension in my clit spread everywhere. Much faster than I was ready for. Tighter and tighter. The delicious stretch along my rib cage up to my arms only intensified.

My climax came fast and hard.

But he kept going, filling me again and again. All I could do to hold on to him was wrap my legs around his hips and accept what he gave me.

Delicious pleasure coursed up my spine, drenching me with his sweat as he filled my body again and again. He nibbled my neck while I tasted the salty sweat on his skin.

As he climaxed, his harsh cries of pleasure warmed my skin and I loved feeling the heaviness of his body on mine.

Using his elbows, he propped himself up, but his forehead continue to rest in the crook of my neck. Moments like this I wanted to reach out and run my fingers through his hair, but with my arms bound all I could do was imagine it.

Soon enough, though, he reached for my wrists and untied me. The delicious burn in the muscles along my arms felt good.

“You all right?” he asked me.

“I think you know the answer to that question.” I was probably smiling like a fool.

He chuckled and briefly his head lowered to kiss my nose. My face was warm. Even after what happened he knew how to make me feel special. “I don't know why I waited so long to do this to you.”

I knew very well why it took us so long to do this. We both had doubts, and just like him, this was new territory for me. With Sato everything had been private from the get go. With Xavier there were no boundaries.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.

“So did you actually have plans to give me that drink?”

With a devilish grin, he left the bed. I watched his ass as he made his way down the stairs. I stretched out under the covers, enjoying this moment. I only had a second to briefly close my eyes before I heard him coming back up the steps. Even with the dim light from a lamp downstairs, I could make out his beautiful form. His walk was so graceful, so self-assured. Without a stitch of clothing on I could make out every single muscle. Xavier Quinn was a beautiful specimen.

But as he got closer to the bed, I noticed something in particular. There was a scar along his kneecap. On such a perfect body it wasn't hard to miss such a thing. What had happened to him? Was he in an accident of some kind? As he got closer, I couldn't see any other scars and the line was perfectly straight. Almost as if it was cut from surgery. Had something happened to his knee a long time ago?

I took the bottle of water he offered with a smile. “What happened to you?”

I reached out and brushed my fingertips against his knee.

He shrugged. “It's nothing.” He turned away as if that would be the only answer I'd get. I tried to broach the subject further, but he ran his hands from my arm over the curve of my hip and down my leg.

“There's so many other things we could be doing,” he remarked. “I'd rather be looking at you. I'd rather be inside you.”

I couldn't stop smiling. “I can't think of a reason to tell you no…”