Solace in Scandal (32 page)

The stud wanted to be turned loose.

Closing her eyes, she took off the reins. Her hands worked him, rubbing and gently squeezing. Dropping her head, she began an insistent suction.

He jerked, pressing deeper into her mouth. She was surprised, but she relaxed her throat and took him. Reaching over his head, Alex caught at the cushions. His muscles flexed as his hips rolled.

‘Look at you,’ he growled. ‘All professional and businesslike in that suit.’

What she was doing wasn’t very businesslike at all.

His head rolled back and the ligaments in his throat pulled tight. ‘So damn hot.’

He lost control then, and Elena loved it. She loved that she could do that to him, push one of the world’s most feared business leaders over the edge, knowing that she’d catch him.

They moved together, his hips thrusting upwards and her head bobbing down. He took her mouth with authority, and she sucked him in deep. He was getting harder, impossibly thicker. She could feel the energy snapping all around them. He was trembling against her lips.

His hand cupped the back of her head, and the clip that held her hair loosened. The strands spilled forward, draping over his lap. They caressed his belly and his hips, and he let out a shout.

His body arched, locking in a chiselled pose. Warmth hit Elena’s tongue and she lapped it up. The connection was hot and wet. Intimate and naughty. And so private it made her ache.

She needed this. She needed them. Together.

He finally sagged back onto the cushions. His eyes were narrow slits that glittered bright. He was still for a dangerous moment, and she saw the wolf lurking.

She let out an excited squeak when he pounced.

* * *

Alex wanted more. He wanted all of her.

He followed her to the floor and manoeuvred her so that she was kneeling with her back to him. There was a rending sound as he yanked up the skinny black skirt.

‘Ah,’ she gasped.

‘Katrina can fix it,’ he growled.

He pulled the skirt all the way up to her waist, but stopped when he realised what he’d uncovered. He spread his hand wide over her bottom. The material didn’t cover all of her curves, and it was snug tight. ‘The leather?’

She moaned, and her bottom wiggled into his palm. ‘I wanted to feel strong and confident.’

He slid his fingers under her panties and traced her curves to her hip. ‘I see how these would do the trick.’

She squealed when he tugged the leather outwards and let it snap back into place. Reaching around her, he unbuttoned her jacket. Her hands were already there. Together, they worked it off. The expensive garment flew across the room, leaving her in only a sexy bra.

He cupped his hands over her breasts, lifted them even higher. It was a pretty picture, with his necklace settling deep within her cleavage. The paw print was like another touch of his upon her, one she accepted eagerly.

He used his weight to bend her over the sofa. The necklace dangled, but the bra held her breasts tightly.

It could stay.

‘I need you,’ he murmured into her ear.

‘But you just …’

He was already hard again. She’d been gone from his life for too long. He’d thought he’d learned about the intricacies of time during his stay at Otisville. He’d thought he’d understood how it could expand and contract, but he’d entered a time warp when she’d walked out his door. Seconds had turned to minutes. Minutes became hours. And days?

There had been too many.

Her skirt was hooked around her waist. He left it, too, going straight for the panties. He yanked them down. Her body jerked and her curves jiggled.

He stripped her and assumed the position behind her.

She liked it this way. He remembered how her body had clung to his, outside on the balcony of the manor.

Using his thumbs, he spread her delicate lips. She was pink and swollen, already wet and waiting for him. What she’d done had excited her, too.

He aligned himself and thrust.

She let out a cry of surprise that quickly slid into a moan of pleasure. He held himself deep, letting her become accustomed to the feel of him again, but she didn’t need time. Her knees worked wider and her back curled. She pressed into him, and he groaned.

She was a tiny thing, but there was no doubt any more who had the upper hand.

He grasped her hips and began to rock. ‘I love you,’ he whispered.

He picked up the pace, thrusting harder. Her hands clawed at the cushions and latched onto a pillow.

‘I love you,’ she moaned right back.

She was so tight, so greedy, his control slipped another notch. There was no way he could last. She had him on a hair trigger already.

He felt himself tightening and he reached underneath her. Jamming his hand between her body and the sofa, he approached her from the front. His fingers slipped through her wetness until he found the nub that brought her so much satisfaction.

He rubbed his fingers over it, and her body bowed. She gripped him tighter, and Alex felt himself starting to come. He pinched that delicate bud between his thumb and forefinger, and she shot to the front. Her body was clenching from head to toe as he spurted into her, and their combined pleasure heightened each other’s.

Alex sagged over her, rent but replete. He’d already gone one round in the gym this morning. After going a second round with her, he’d be doing well if he could crawl to the bed.

In fact, he just might curl up on the sofa with her here.

The idea that he could do so made him happier than he could say.

‘OK?’ he whispered into her hair.

‘Mmm. That was an even better graduation present.’

He turned her in his arms. They sat together, naked and dishevelled on the floor of his penthouse. The coffee table had gotten bumped aside, and his notebooks were spilled everywhere. The computer bag was balancing precariously on the edge.

Grunting, he leaned forward and pushed it so it was more secure.

She snuggled against him. ‘It’s OK. My boyfriend can fix those.’

He combed out the tangles in her hair. ‘Boyfriend’ sounded kind of silly for what he was to her, but he kind of liked it, too. It sounded innocent, like a fresh start.

He hugged her against his chest. ‘Damn, Siren. We did it up good that time.’

‘I missed you.’

He hooked her hair behind her ear. He’d missed her more. He had the deepest urge to take her away, to bundle her up and escape the world. It was an impulse he knew he couldn’t follow any more.

‘Where did you go?’ he asked. ‘I was worried about you.’

A curious look crossed her face. ‘I was at the lake house.’

His neck whipped around so fast, he nearly got a crick. ‘You went back to Bedford? James said he took you to the airport.’

She bit her lip and her flushed cheeks turned a little pinker. ‘I took the helicopter. James picked me up.’

A laugh escaped him. It just bubbled up from out of nowhere. His people were more loyal to her than they were to him.

Then again, he’d ordered them to be.

‘I hope that was OK,’ she said.

He ran his hand down her back. It was more than OK. She was half-dressed, tousled and sexier than ever. She could have anything she wanted when she looked at him that way. ‘It’s fine. Why do I get the feeling Leonard had some part in this?’

She traced circles on his chest. ‘He and Marta have heard my presentation so many times they probably have it memorised.’

Alex shook his head. He trailed his fingers down to the necklace she still wore. She’d never really left him. She’d been at Wolfe Manor the entire time. She’d been busy making it a home.

‘Did I ever say congratulations on your achievement, Dr Bardot?’

She smiled. ‘I don’t remember. It’s been kind of a busy day.’

He gave her a fast kiss. ‘Get ready for more, baby. I’m going to throw you the biggest graduation party ever.’

The night of Elena’s graduation party, Wolfe Manor sparkled like a jewel. The gates had been opened and visitors were welcomed from far and wide. White lights glimmered in the trees that lined the drive all the way from the main road to the house. It was lit up, too, with violet sashes adorning the necks of the wolf statues that guarded the front door.

The press had been allowed inside the gates to film the comings and goings of celebrities and power players. Their positions were strictly monitored and one who had tried to explore further had already been escorted from the premises by security. A chosen few from respected news organisations like
Time
,
Fortune
and
Entertainment Weekly
had been allowed access beyond the doors.

Caroline Woodward, unfortunately, had not been on the guest list.

Unbeknownst to Elena, the fourth floor of the manor housed a ballroom. The festivities were being held in the massive open space with gorgeous hardwood floors and French doors that opened onto the top-floor veranda. Women in gowns looked like princesses as they climbed the never-ending staircase out front. Friends and acquaintances mingled on the landings in between. Security had the rest of the house blocked off, and all doors, for once, were closed.

The sheer size of it all was still rather stunning. Anyone who was anyone had fought for an invitation. Wolfe Manor hadn’t been open to the public in decades, and the party was the event of the season.

Elena stood at the head of the room in a casual receiving position. She’d greeted friends and strangers alike, and she was happy about that. She wanted Alex to get back to his old life.

The one he’d had before everything had come tumbling down around him …

She gave him a soft wave, and he was finally able to escape his discussion with a congressman.

He kissed her temple.

‘Are you having a good time?’

‘The best.’

The event was being catered by Jean-Georges, somewhat to the dismay of Marta. Instead, the cook had been given the honour of making the cake. It was stacked four tiers high and frosted in NYU’s school colours. Matching purple-frosted cupcakes filled the rest of the table. Her mother had provided those.

Music was provided by a DJ, although several stars of the music industry were in attendance. Many of Alex’s colleagues and upper-crust friends were starting to come out of society’s tightly grained woodwork. The two of them had their supporters and their enemies. The press had split two ways. Half thought that the new software Wolfe Pack had in development was genius. The perfect way to salvage their reputations and make the best of a bad situation. As Elena had guessed, though, the other half thought it was a ploy, a way to make money hand over Ponzi fist.

That still irritated them, but she and Alex were finding ways to cope better with the bad attitudes. They could put up with a lot now that they were together.

She smiled when Dr Walters came up to shake her hand.

‘Congratulations again.’

‘Thank you, Professor.’

He shook his head and his wire-rimmed glasses wobbled on his skinny nose. ‘When your young man here called me in to consult at Wolfe Pack, I really didn’t have much to offer him. Little did I know that you had the answer. You’d shared bits and pieces of your work, but I didn’t have the opportunity to see the full picture until your presentation.’

Alex looped an arm around her waist. ‘It was a surprise to both of us, Professor.’

‘A welcome one. This is setting some in the economics field on their ears.’

Elena bit her cheek. She was running into naysayers there, too. One thing was certain. People always had their opinions and they were willing to voice them. Loudly.

‘Well, I’m happy to join the debate.’ She gestured to the table full of cake. ‘Please, enjoy yourself.’

She looked about the room. That was what she was enjoying most about the party. Dignitaries were mixed with Wolfe Pack developers. A group of her classmates was gathered around a Yankee pitcher, and a television actor was getting cosy with Jorge over in a dark corner.

‘I had no idea this was up here,’ she admitted. ‘A ballroom.’

She thought they only existed in old stories.

Alex took a drink of his champagne. ‘It hasn’t been used in years, not since my parents were alive.’

She smoothed his lapel. ‘Thank you for opening it up again for me.’

‘I can’t think of a better reason.’

He looked so sexy and mysterious in the tuxedo, she could hardly keep her hands off him. She’d already failed once in that regard, ripping it off him about an hour before guests were scheduled to arrive. A blush heated her cheeks, and she hooked her hair over her ear.

A big part of her couldn’t wait to get him alone again. As much as she’d encouraged him to rejoin the world, she wasn’t accustomed to having so many people around. She’d never been comfortable with the limelight, but it was a role she was going to have to get used to. If he had to attend society parties again, she was going to be at his side.

‘Ms Bardot, hello.’

Elena spotted a familiar face. ‘Dr Hoff, I’m so glad you made it.’

It was the veterinarian from the zoo. She looked fantastic all dressed up, with her hair in an up-do. The woman held out a present. ‘I know these are supposed to go in the gift room, but I wanted to give it to you myself. It’s from everyone at the Grey Wolf exhibit.’

‘Oh, that’s sweet.’ Elena set her empty champagne glass on a passing waiter’s tray. A few people near her turned at the sound of ripping paper. The gift was flat and rectangular. Elena could tell it was a picture, and she hoped it was of Siren. When she opened the box, tears dampened in her eyes. ‘I love it.’

The veterinarian helped gather the torn pieces of paper so she could get a better look. The photograph was of more than just the wolf pup. It was a picture taken on the day the wolf exhibit had been dedicated – before things had gone so dreadfully wrong. There she was with Alex and the little black wolf pup. The shy little thing was snuggled up tight in her arms, but its head was tilted back to enjoy the scratching Alex was giving its ears. The photo was simple and sweet, and Elena cherished it.

‘Thank you,’ she said, giving the woman an impulsive hug.