Clementine (25 page)

The entire fundraiser was in full swing; people milled around greeting friends and acquaintances
as the orchestra played soft music from the stage. Addison could see Holden standing with a few doctors at their table. He was speaking with a smile, yet all the while continued to scan the room looking for her. A moment later Addison watched Jessica walk up and give him a quick hug. They spoke for only a moment before she continued on to her table. Addison knew she should go back to Holden but she found herself wanting to watch him from afar instead.

Addison was taken aback by Jessica’s confessions. Until then, Addison hadn’t let herself think about how truly crazy it seemed that Holden had chosen to be with her. Addison watched as countless women walked by
him allowing their gaze to linger longer than necessary, and yet he didn’t even seem to notice. Why did he find her interesting enough to pick out of all the rest? Like an apple on a tree, Addison was one girl among many, and she couldn’t figure out what had set her apart in his eyes. She’d fallen for him a year ago and had deluded herself into thinking she could live her life separate from him. It was time to finally succumb to fact that she’d never been completely whole without him in her life.

When the lights began to dim Addison realized she’d been frozen in place for far too long.
Oh shoot
. The fundraiser auction was about to begin and she had to fast walk back to the table so she wouldn’t interrupt the elegant woman about to give a speech. She slid smoothly into her seat while everyone’s attention was turning to the speaker on stage and when she looked up Holden’s eyes were locked on her.

“Is everything okay? I hope my sister didn’t scare you away,
I didn’t know she’d be here,” he whispered, wrapping his arm around the back of her chair.

Addison was still in shock from the last few minutes and she knew she couldn’t look him in the eye just yet, scared of what her own would reveal. She nodded and offered a weak smile, her eyes glued to the stage. She could feel his gaze on her
still; his warm brown eyes seemed to penetrate the very marrow of her bones. She knew he wasn’t happy with her response but she felt like every emotion was colliding within her – excitement, fear, happiness, shock – and if she spoke they would all come tumbling out and now wasn’t the time. He picked his hand up off her chair and ran it reassuringly along the back of her neck. The innocent touch left a trail of fire on her skin and she found herself biting her lip, trying hard to concentrate on the stage.

“Just know that I’m the luckiest man in this room,”
he whispered before finally turning his attention to the speaker. Even though his gaze was now locked on the auction taking place, his hand drifted down to her leg under the table. The silky fabric of her gown did nothing to prevent his searing touch from possessively claiming her leg. Addison reached for her wine, needing something to distract her from how much she wanted the man sitting next to her.

Chapter 29

“Our next item up for bid
is a one of a kind design consultation with the award winning architect team at Design+Trace.” The auctioneer bellowed on stage as the tuxedoed waiters began passing out plates of appetizers to each of the tables.

During the fundraiser’s four course meal, Addison had only one thing on her mind
: Holden’s hand absentmindedly caressing her leg beneath the table. Each circle his finger completed sent her stomach into a new wave of somersaults, but Addison still forced herself to eat a few bites of each course, not wanting to let the decadent food go to waste. She indulged in seared lamb shoulder with fruit mostarda, apple jam with sweet breads, and delicious dark chocolate truffles, all the while enthralled by his touch.

There were no fireworks in the moments that unfolded during that fundraiser dinner. The ground didn’t shift, nor did any stars fall from the sky. Holden didn’t ride up to her on a white horse
. Addison simply decided to let go. To jump off the bridge, knowing that Holden was waiting for her at the bottom. He’d jumped in long before her and until that moment he was patiently waiting for her to join him. She subtly shifted her gaze to his profile, taking in his cleanly shaven chin and confident cheekbones.
I love this man.
He sensed her eyes on him and turned to her with an inquisitive glance.
Time to be brave.
She leaned in close to him, letting his mix of body wash and cologne ensnare her senses.

“I bought a few new
delicates
while we were at the mall yesterday, they fit perfectly under my gown tonight,” she spoke, hoping she sounded half as seductive as she was attempting to be.

She heard him take a sharp intake of breath as his gaze fell lazily down the length of her slinky gown. He was undressing her with his eyes as a slow, sexy grin spread across his lovely face. He carefully tightened his hold on her leg, dragging his hand an inch higher. Addison knew she was plunging into a dangerous game she wasn’t sure she could win, but it seemed only fair that they both be uncomfortably distracted for the remainder of the event.

“Addy… I think you know exactly what you’re doing to me right now,” he spoke, his eyes heavy with desire and something a bit more dangerous as he watched her tongue nervously dampen her lips, “and believe me, my strength and resolve have been worn down far too much these last few weeks... I’d hate for you to make a
scene
in front of all these people.” His hand bolding inched up her thigh letting her know exactly what kind of scene he was hoping to make.

“
7,500!” shouted Dr. Richards a few seats away, causing Addison to jump a mile in the air.
Oh, god.
She’d completely forgotten about the auction going on around her. Holden let out an easy laugh, causing Addison’s blush to deepen even further. She cast him a wicked look, and was rewarded with the sexiest wink she’d ever seen.
Wooow… can we get this auction going a little faster? I’ll gladly go into debt buying all the items if it means I’d get to be alone with this man sooner.

“$8
,000,” Holden raised his arm causing Addison’s chin to drop.
Wait.
What’s he bidding on?
She heard gasps and sporadic claps from the crowd.

“$
8,000, going once, going twice. SOLD,” The auctioneer shouted, pointing to Holden. The room erupted in applause and the spot light flashed across their table. Addison sat, her mouth still agape when Holden finally turned to her.

“You’ve never been skiing before. I saw a weekend getaway to Aspen on the auction list and figured it was about time you learned how,”
he explained confidently.
Oh, right when you put it like that it seems so simple… not.

It was almost two hours later
when they were finally making their way toward the exit with a gift package for a weekend getaway to a ski lodge in Aspen, Colorado in tow. Holden’s hand was on the small of her back, teasing the bare skin that her dress’ triangle cutout exposed. Addison was silent, simply reveling in the deliciousness of his touch as they stepped through the crowd.

“Want to finally tell me what Jessica talked to you about?” he asked,
bringing up his earlier inquiry. Addison paused, realizing she had only a moment to decide how much she wanted to confess. She hadn’t yet decided what she would divulge to Holden about her encounter with his sister. He’d spoken so little about her; Addison didn’t know if it would upset him that Jessica divulged such intimate information.  They’d taken it slow the past two weeks, and even before Jessica’s mention of Holden’s love it felt like this night had been building up over the past year and a half, she didn’t want to ruin his mood now.
Just when everything is good…

She decided to leave out Jessica’s warning
.

“She just wanted to meet me. I’m actually glad she sought me out because now we got the awkward first meeting over with. I mean, I still have some major
groveling to do because everyone knows that you have to win over the boyfriend’s big sister,” Addison laughed.

He smiled, “Nah, I bet you did great. Besides, I’ve already buttered you up to her
enough; she’d be crazy not to love you.”

Hopefully loving me runs in your family,
she thought as they finally made it to the ballroom door. The flow of guests bottlenecked at the exit as they all milled about, chatting and waiting for the crowd to thin. It was then that Addison heard a familiar voice a few feet away.

Stacy was standing near
the exit with a group of nurses from the hospital, oblivious to Addison’s presence. She’d forced herself into a skintight siren red gown, ensuring that every pair of male eyes made contact with her ample amount of exposed flesh.
Somehow I’m not surprised.
Addison knew she’d be in attendance but had forgotten about her until that moment. She would’ve successfully avoided her the entire night if it hadn't been for the congestion of people attempting to leave. As they continued to head towards the exit they were inevitably pushed toward Stacy's group. 
Oh thanks, Fate.
As they passed, Addison took a deep breath, preparing for the unpleasant storm about to ensue.

“Oh, hi Dr. Taylor.”
A nurse standing in the group greeted Holden. Addison watched Stacy stop her conversation mid-sentence following her friend’s gaze to Holden. In that instant, Addison wished someone around them was carrying a video camera. She would have paid good money to re-watch Stacy’s jaw drop as her eyes fell on Holden’s arm wrapped protectively around Addison’s waist.
Checkmate.

“Hey gu
ys,” Holden nodded to the group. “Did you have a good night? Wasn’t the food great?” he asked kindly. There was a splattering of head nods as everyone agreed.

“You’ve all met my girlfriend, Addison, right?”
he asked politely. A few of them had the decency to say hi or nod to her, but the girls closest to Stacy simply chose to stare daggers instead.
Charming.
The tension emanating from Stacy could have been cut with a knife.

Holden raised an eyebrow and looked between Stacy and Addison
. Addison shrugged in his arms and looked away.
I don’t want to be part of this.
Catching the hint he waved goodbye to the group and pulled Addison toward the door.

“Remind me to steer clear of Stacy from now until forever,”
he said, leaning in for a kiss and erasing any sour feelings Stacy had just cast over the night.

“Done."
She breathed a sigh of relief.

Their walk to the car
took much longer than it should have as they continued to stop and kiss in the swanky lobby of the hotel, on the front steps of the building, on the sidewalk against a street lamp, and finally, leaning against Holden’s Range Rover as he tried to unlock the door for her. Each kiss grew exceedingly possessive as they responded to each other’s desires. Words didn’t seem necessary as they collided with one another, pouring every unspoken word into each kiss. His hands were tangled in her hair as he pinned her to the passenger door of the SUV.

“I’ve wait
ed so long for this moment,” he murmured, trailing kisses from her ear down her neck. “My sweet,” he paused, seductively pulling her earlobe between his teeth, “sweet,” he continued, nipping at the base of her neck before gently kissing the exact same spot, causing her to melt in his arms.

“Clementine.”

Addison felt like she couldn't
look in his direction without spontaneously combusting, so instead, she allowed her gaze to take in the passing cars as they drove in content silence to Holden’s house. Her fingers were laced with his and they lay resting innocently on her lap. She looked down and studied the way his hand seemed to engulf hers in a confident grip. Being with him like this, after so long, felt right and she was trying to soak up every moment of their car ride; she knew she’d want to remember every second of the night.

Chapter 30

Addison watched Holden
slide his house key into the lock while she stood a few inches away, trying to compose her thoughts.
We’re here. We’re outside his house. We’re going to have sex. He is going to have sex with me. He is a freaking sexy doctor and he wants to have sex with me.
He pushed the door open and turned toward her, presenting her with one of his breathtaking smiles. She stood on the threshold of his house, on the threshold of the night, soaking in his confident stance.
How am I the only girl he’s mentioned since college?

He reached out and offered his hand for her to take, but before she let herself take it, she decided to allow all of her insecurities and nerves about the night hang on the doorframe. That way, when she stepped inside, she could match his confident smile with one of her own.

Her heartbeat spiked as they walked into his foyer, knowing each step she took brought her closer to the finale of their evening.
Mind-blowingly good sex.
The dark stained wood floor creaked ominously under their feet and hopeful silence hung between them. She’d expected to go straight to his bedroom, but instead he surprised her by leading them toward the kitchen. He released her hand and sauntered over to the black refrigerator, grabbing a drink. Each movement he made seemed painstakingly slow and she wished she could just grab the bottled water out of his hand.
Are you kidding me right now?
She stared at him expectantly across the white marble kitchen island as he tilted his head back and took a long swig. He noticed her watching him and he gave her an inquisitive glance, his eyes glowing with amusement.
You smug bastard.
She narrowed her eyes at him lightheartedly.

“Thirsty
, Addison?” he asked, cocking his head to the side, teasing her.

“Not for water,” she murmured
under her breath, watching her fingers tap the marble countertop.

He knew she was nervous and yet, he was enjoying teasing these last moments out of her. He placed the bottled water on the counter and undid the tie of his tuxedo, pulling it out from under his collar. She picked her eyes up from her fingers and watched his movements, entranced by his grace. He unbuttoned the top of his shirt, letting her eyes finally feast on the tanned skin that lay beneath. Resting his hands once again on the counter, he paused, as if waiting for her next move.

“Tell me what you want, Addy,” he commanded huskily, challenging her to say the words.
You. I need you.
When she didn’t answer him after a beat, he began slowly walking around the island toward her like a predator stalking its prey. She didn’t move. She was frozen in place, her eyes concentrating on the black sheen of the wooden cabinets in front of her. His hip fell against the marble countertop as he leaned toward her, invading her every sense. She couldn’t answer him; his presence seemed to overpower every nerve ending in her body. Her chest rose and fell in quick successions as his bright brown eyes studied her profile.
Why am I a complete wreck, yet he seems to be so self-composed?
She closed her eyes briefly, trying to clear her thoughts... However, she never got to chance. Holden reached his talented hand up to her shoulder and trailed the back of his finger achingly slow down her arm.

“You have the most
tantalizing skin,” he said softly, continuing his seductively sweet path.

She was completely ensnared by his touch, a ghost of a smile hiding behind her lips.

“
Holden
,” she pleaded, needing so much more from him.

She felt his grin against her neck as he leaned in to place a soft k
iss at her nape. She shuddered, her breathing becoming shorter at the cruel game he was playing. He controlled all of her pain and pleasure in that moment. The air between them was palpably charged as she reached out to grasp the kitchen counter to steady herself.

Holden shifted behind her, his hands never leaving her delicate skin.

“I want to see those
delicates
you so cruelly mentioned to me earlier,” he murmured against her ear, not waiting for her reply. His hands found the zipper of her silky gown and he slowly unzipped it until her entire back was exposed to him. She let her head fall forward as if the weight of it was too much for her to bear.

“Black lace,” he groaned, fingering the back of her new stra
pless bra, making her insides quiver. Holden’s hands selfishly trapped her body against the kitchen island. His fingers laced with hers on the marble, holding her steady before him. Without her gown acting as a buffer there was no way to control the current running through her as his warm breath hit the delicate skin between her shoulder blades.
Ahh...

His
mouth ran down her elegant back, taking his time claiming each inch of her as his own.

“For such a beautiful angel, you pull off black so well
,” he continued seductively, reaching to kiss down her spine.

His words.
The combination of his touch and passionate declarations forced her to grip the marble island harder, trying to gain control over her body’s reaction to him. She knew she was at the mercy of his whims. Each place he touched left her ignited with longing and she wasn’t sure how she’d be able to survive until morning. She was about to fall to pieces and the night was young; Holden hadn’t even removed her bra.

She decided then, that instead of letting Holden have complete control over the night, she’d take her fate into her own hands for a few minutes. She swiveled out of his grasp, noting the inquisitive expression she’d elicited from his beautifully sculpted features.
See how it feels?

“You
asked me what I want, Holden,” she proclaimed boldly, as she walked to the door of the kitchen and glanced back at him. She never looked away from his scorching brown gaze as she continued to unzip her gown, letting it fall in a pool at her high-heel clad feet. Wagging her finger seductively, she watched him instinctively lick his bottom lip as she turned and began to walk toward the bedroom. She could hear his dress shoes on the hardwood floor behind her but she resisted the urge to turn around.

Deep breath
s.

When she’d made it to his bedroom she walked toward the
bed and turned toward the doorframe with nervous anticipation, knowing he’d be following her in any second. She’d positioned herself so that the back of her legs hit the bed frame and the soft blankets ran against her bare back.

A moment later
Holden stepped into the door frame and paused momentarily, drinking her in with his eyes. She was standing before him, feeling sexier than she ever had in her life. Holden was the head resident, the confident genius, and she enjoyed taking the control out of his hands. She wondered how long he’d let her keep it as she took her bottom lip into her mouth and crossed her arms, studying the way he looked in his tuxedo. It was as if he had just stepped out of the pages of GQ, his tousled hair and dark eyes caused a warmth to grow within her.

The fervent expression on his face beckoned to Addison, almost calling her bluff in the bet she was making with herself in that moment. Sh
e closed her eyes for a second and concentrated on the air flowing in and out of her mouth. When she opened her eyes again, he hadn’t moved an inch and she realized then, that he was waiting for her to make a move.

Dammit
, inner sex-goddess you need to wake up.

His gaze was unwavering and the longer she stood in her matching black lingerie set, the more intense it became. She slowly began to walk toward him until her face was inches away from the crook of his neck. She could smell his wonderful cologne and she made a point to refrain from touching him as she let her warm breath fall onto his neck. She tilted her head up, sensing he was about to reach out for her but before he could, she whispered, “Close your eyes.”

He looked down at her with a playful gleam, but there was no denying the hunger she was creating within those dark brown eyes. He didn’t protest. A moment later his long lashes fell against his cheeks and her inner sex goddess rejoiced.
Now what?
She slowly reached up and slid her hands underneath his tuxedo jacket, pushing it from his shoulders.  She slid it down his toned arms, taking her time before tossing it onto the bed. She turned back toward him and slowly began to unbutton his shirt. Just as she was about to push it from his shoulders as well, she paused.
Why not let this drag on a little longer,
she thought, loving the control that was seeping through her fingers as she held his desire in her hands. She didn’t see the harm in teasing Holden to his limit, knowing that soon he would push beyond hers.

She glanced
up to Holden’s face and his confident smile was gone, he looked completely relaxed. His beautiful lips were parted slightly and she couldn’t resist the urge to reach up and claim them as hers. He tasted like Holden and she liked it. She didn’t let the kiss linger though, and as he began to wrap his hands around her waist she
tsked
and gently set them back by his side.

“You don’t get to touch me yet, Dr. Taylor.”
She could tell it was killing him to stand still but she knew it’d be worth it. For so long she’d had to pretend he wasn’t hers and she wanted to relish the fact that he was standing before her completely at her mercy.

She stood on her tiptoes in her heels and began placing featherlike kisse
s on the side of Holden’s mouth, his strong jaw, the dip in his neck, and the sensuous curve of his collarbone. She knew each barely-there kiss was creating a slow burn within them and Holden’s audible moan only served to fuel her momentum. She kissed her way down his torso and just as she approached his pelvis she surprised him by standing up and taking his ear gently between her teeth instead.

In the next instant Holden opened his eyes and wrapped his hands around Addison’s arms. The movement surprised her and she instinctively tried to pry herself from his grasp, but it was hopeless. Holden was much stronger than her and her teasing had just
provoked every bone in his body. Standing there with his arms securely around her, wearing nothing but a tailored pair of tuxedo pants, Addison thought she might lose it.
Oh my, how is this my life?
She tried to calm her heart as it threatened to burst from her chest. He half carried, half guided her back to the edge of the bed until her bottom was pushing back against the plush blankets. She wavered on her feet when he pulled his arms away, as if her body didn’t know to support itself without Holden’s embrace. He took a step back, running his gaze down her body, taking in every curve her lingerie exposed. She felt like he was the big bad wolf about to eat her alive.

“
My Addison.” His voice sounded raspy, filled with desire. His hand reached behind her back and with one deft finger he undid the clasp of her bra, letting it fall to the floor. She rolled her head back and closed her eyes, unable to keep them open while his tongue licked from her ear down to the exact spot where her neck met her shoulder. He blew warm air along the trail he’d just left and the combination shot tingles down her entire body. His hands massaged into her delicate back muscles, attempting to convey his need for her. He trailed down and softly nipped the bottom of her neck and Addison let an innocent cry escape her lips.

“Holden.
I can’t. I need...” She couldn’t seem to form a sentence in her current state.

He continued to kiss and nip his way across her chest as his other hand found the top of her black lace panties. She couldn’t concentrate on anything but dig
ging her fingers into his back, urging him to continue his search of her body. She’d never felt so wanted in her life. His expert fingers skimmed the strap of lace that lay over her hipbone, forcing the fabric to the floor.

His breathing became even more labored as his eyes took in her body, now fully exposed to him. Her face flushed under his desirous stare but she fought the urge to cover herself.

“Lay back on the bed, Addison,” he ordered, his commanding voice filling the silence, and she found her body responding instantly. She sat back, slowly scooting towards the center of the king size bed. His hungry gaze didn’t break from her body as he pushed his tuxedo pants and boxer briefs to the floor, finally allowing her a view of his unbelievably sexy body. He was a mix of hard muscles and elegant proportions, almost taking her breath away.

“I must have been really good in all of my past lives,”
she joked as he crawled on top of the bed, inching towards her. She stayed leaning back on her elbows as his body folded on top of hers. The initial shock of their skin melting together sent waves of sensation through her body. The juxtaposition of his toned body and her soft curves only served to intensify the moment.
Oh my... God.

“You and me both,
babe,” he replied before reaching down to kiss her greedily, forcing her lips apart with his tongue, taking no prisoners.