The Billionaire's Demands (A Boardrooms and Billionaires Series Book) (Entangled Indulgence) (9 page)

“Perhaps.”

Silence wrapped around them, the only noise the low purr of the limousine, and Camryn thought she’d overstepped. So it was a surprise when Booth spoke once again. “My father’s a difficult man, which I’m sure you’re well aware of since he tried to sabotage the relationship between my brother and your sister. Hell, you had to spend two hours with him at dinner a few weeks ago. You got a face-to-face preview.”

“And a follow-up phone call.”

“What?”

She’d wanted to tell him about the call from West since she’d fielded it, but something had held her back. Any time she thought to bring it up it felt out of place and she didn’t want to make more of it than it was.

Yet
not
saying anything had begun to feel like something, too.

“It wasn’t that big a deal. He just called me and gave me some instructions for how I should handle my speech to your sales team.”

“He had no right.”

“I suspect your father pokes into many things that aren’t really his right.”

“You’re spot on the mark with that one.” He nodded and she saw some of the tension fade out of the brackets around his eyes. “What did he say, though?”

“He’s threatened by the two of us, though I don’t know why.” She’d originally resisted the idea that West saw her that way, but after a call full of innuendo and accusation, she didn’t think she was off the mark.

“I can give you two reasons. Your sister and my brother.”

“What do they have to do with it?”

“My father hates anything he can’t control. And Nathan’s always sat at the top of that list. Add on the fact that he tried to sabotage their relationship, and you have a situation that he wasn’t able to control, influence, or bully his way through.”

“Yes, but he and Nathan had no relationship to speak of. Why suddenly start butting in now?”

“Who knows what his reasons are.” Although his tone was casual, Camryn didn’t miss the way Booth’s fingers tightened against his thighs. “Maybe it’s guilt. Maybe it’s jealousy. Maybe it’s just an innate need to go in and screw things up. Whatever the reason, his inability to influence Nathan is a thorn in his side.”

Although she knew she kept her personal feelings close to the vest and normally allowed others their own counsel for the same reason, Camryn sensed there was something Booth was trying to articulate. “You seem to get along with him just fine and you handle him pretty well, despite all his stubborn, headstrong behavior.”

“I’ve spent my life working for him. Even before I ever graduated, I was a part of the company. I’ve got a love for it—the pace and the energy and that electricity in the air as we output work every day. It gets in your blood and doesn’t let you go.”

“I understand that. There’s a definite rush seeing a new project get off the ground or holding a brand-new issue of a magazine, fresh off the presses. You get to do that every day with a major daily newspaper.”

“Exactly. There’s nowhere in the world I can go that people don’t know the
Financial Journal
. Nowhere in business the name isn’t respected. Do you know our journalism has exposed scandals that could have cost shareholders billions of dollars? Or that we act as a public watchdog to the SEC and other governmental financial organizations globally?”

“Few understand the real power of the fourth estate.”

“That’s the real reason I put up with my father. Why I continue to put up with him even though I’ve expanded to other businesses. Nathan’s accused me more than once of being under his thumb, but I’d have left long ago and not looked back if that were the only reason to stay. I have a real contribution to make to the
FJ
and I won’t walk away.”

Camryn looked at him—really looked at him—and saw the passion he spoke of in each and every line of his body. “You love it.”

“God yes. Don’t you?”

She thought about what she and her sisters had built—or rebuilt, as it were—and realized that what she truly loved was how her work life had more deeply cemented the relationship with her sisters. “Yes, I love what we do. But for me, the work became synonymous with my relationships with my sisters. I found a way to be with my family while also exploiting my talents. Sort of a professional and personal win-win.”

“Has it changed?”

“Has what changed?”

“The work. Now that Keira and Mayson are both married.”

“No.” Camryn was quick to brush the question off before she stopped herself. “Actually, that’s not quite true.”

How did she explain it?

She was happy for her sisters. Happy for their lives and the new direction both were moving. So how did she explain the feelings of being left behind without making it seem as if she begrudged the two women she loved more than her own life?

“Things
are
different, but fortunately, our core relationship is the same. And I’ve just had to come to understand that the things we used to do like shopping or lunch at the drop of a hat or standing weekly dinners aren’t so spontaneous anymore. They need a bit more planning than they used to.”

“There are some that argue spontaneity is overrated.”

The slight overtones of melancholy faded at his words and Camryn couldn’t hold back her grin. “Then they’ve never been spontaneous.”

“Is that so?”

Camryn saw the light in his eyes—and his intent—for the briefest moment before he moved. And then she was wrapped in strong arms and pulled against a broad chest that was deliciously impressive, even through the layers of his suit jacket and crisp white dress shirt. “I…I think so.”

“Well, then. Maybe you can show me.” His words were a murmured whisper against her lips before he claimed her for his own.

The heated moments earlier on the pier had nothing on this kiss, Camryn realized abstractly before she stopped thinking and allowed Booth to drag them both into the abyss. For the life of her, she couldn’t quite understand how moments that were long and languid with need could be so insistent.

So
urgent
.

With his mouth pressed to hers, Booth’s tongue slipped through her parted lips as one hand shifted to caress her jaw. The intimacy of the moment—and their merged breath—only reinforced that strange understanding that had seemed to beat between them from the first.

Although their interactions had been limited, every moment in his company was comfortable. Familiar. Even while the distinct notes of
discomfort
played underneath, making her fully aware of the increasing attraction she couldn’t deny.

As his lips moved with masterful precision over hers, Camryn had to admit she was quickly coming not to care. Why deny something that felt so damn good?

With that thought foremost in her thoughts, she shifted her hands from where they lay pressed to his chest to slip underneath his suit jacket, fisting the material of his dress shirt above the waistband of his slacks. Hard muscle bunched underneath her fingertips, thick and ropy with strength. Desire flooded her limbs at his hard, masculine frame, and need burned her blood. She wanted this man.

The subtle arguments she’d made to herself over the last several weeks—that anything physical would be too complicated or messy or ultimately heartbreaking—seemed very far away at the reality of being in his arms. His strong, clever fingers floated over her body before coming to rest against the side of her breasts. With determined movements, his thumbs ranged over the achy fullness of her breasts before teasing her nipples into hard points.

Fire burned under her skin where his body tempted hers through the layers of material, and she abstractly wondered where these sensations had been all her life. Yes, she’d been touched before, but never had her body reacted with such abandon.

With such desperate craving for the man who touched her.

Booth’s lips curved over hers and she couldn’t hold back the corresponding smile. “I think we’re here.”

“What?” She scrambled back, her brain desperate to catch up with her pounding heart. The sheer disorientation—and that very hard transition from hot and bothered to grown-up and responsible—pounded through her with flustered panic.

“We’re at the restaurant. I think Pete just knocked on the door.”

The pleasure that had suffused every inch of her body faded at the reality that she was making out with Booth in a restaurant parking lot. With potential business partners waiting inside.

“Oh, God.” She scrambled for her clutch, digging for a small packet of tissues she kept inside. “Wipe your mouth.”

“My mouth is fine.” He cracked a rather large grin as if to prove his point.

“We were making out and I had on lipstick.”

“A beautiful shade to be sure, but I rather like the way your lips look right now. And for the record”—he smiled and chucked her under the chin—“I don’t think I’ve made out in a car since I was eighteen.”

She brushed off the sweet words, that confused, sexy disorientation still riding her hard. “How do my lips look?”

“Perfect.”

“Oh no.” She kept one hand on his body, holding him at bay as she flipped open the small mirror of her compact with her free hand. The abundantly clear evidence she’d just been thoroughly kissed reflected back at her. “We can’t do that again.”

“Oh, yes we can.”

Before she could protest, Booth dragged her back against him, that same crazy urgency smacking her square in the head once more as he pressed a hard, possessive kiss to her lips.

When he pulled back, the teasing grin had faded, replaced with a predatory glint in his eyes that was nearly feral. “Now we both have something to think about through dinner.”

…

Booth couldn’t stop thinking about her. Or her mouth. Or the gorgeous, lithe lines of her body.

He’d only intended to kiss her to disprove her point about spontaneity, which made it that much more incredible how she’d managed to turn the tables on him. While he’d had no doubt the woman was filled with a rare and passionate heat, he also knew full well she kept a tight rein on her emotions. What he’d glimpsed earlier at the pier had been nothing compared to the hot armful of woman who’d sent his senses reeling in the back of the car.

The businessmen they were meeting hadn’t arrived yet and he used their few remaining, private moments as the hostess escorted them to their table to keep a firm hand on Camryn’s back. He didn’t miss the light flush that suffused her cheeks or the subtle tremor he sensed under her skin when he brushed her bare shoulder after helping her to her seat.

Their hostess departed after taking their drink orders and Booth willed his raging hormones down several hundred notches. The subtle flush had faded from Camryn’s cheeks, replaced with a calm mask that was as intriguing as the passion.

“You look ready to conquer the world.”

“Is it that obvious?” Her fingers abstractly resettled her silverware next to her plate, but other than that small, subtle shift, she could have been preparing for a standard staff meeting, she was so calm and poised.

“Actually, I’m trying to take pointers. I’ve never seen anyone walk into a major business meeting looking as calm and collected as you.”

“It’s just a meeting and they’re just people, Booth. I’m looking forward to talking to them. Learning about their business. A bit about them as well.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” She leaned forward and reached for her water glass, her glance thoughtful, as if she searched for the proper words. “The men we’re meeting with have flown over five thousand miles for this dinner. They’ve grown up in a different country and a completely different culture than mine. I realize it borders well into geeky territory, but I’m excited.”

It was hardly geeky and more than a little fascinating. Although he’d been privileged to travel the world since childhood, Booth didn’t think he’d ever considered himself excited to meet someone new.

“You’ve traveled throughout your life, haven’t you?”

“It was one of the things my mother always insisted on. Oddly, it was one of the few things my father not only agreed with her on, but took an interest in as well.”

Booth was prevented from remarking on that cryptic glimpse into her childhood by the arrival of the rest of their party. He smiled as introductions were made, allowing Camryn the lead. Fascinated, he watched as she moved through the elaborate ritual of the business card exchange before they all took their seats for the meal.

Booth settled in for the evening and prepared to watch her as she engaged with their guests. While he hadn’t doubted her words, in the ensuing hours, what had been increasing attraction on his part expanded, adding even more layers and dimensions than before. Yes, she was a beautiful woman, but there was a quality to her beauty few women of his acquaintance had. A soft smile perpetually hovered around her face, widening in welcome as she met someone new. She engaged in discussion—genuinely and with interest—and people responded to her.

She charmed the two businessmen and Booth couldn’t help but feel charmed and captivated as well.

For reasons he didn’t fully understand, their relationship had managed to acquire an uncomfortable number of observers. His brother. Camryn’s sisters. His father. Even Sinclair had a piece of the action. For a woman used to fading into the background, her emergence into the spotlight was bound to be frustrating.

In spite of those things, she pushed forward, that bright, vivid smile firmly intact. She humbled him. Intrigued him. Inspired him. And maybe, if he looked down deep in his heart, he might even feel something more. Something that tickled the back of his mind and whispered it might be love.

Chapter Seven

Booth wasn’t sure if it was the enjoyable meal, the easy conversation, or the celebratory glass of champagne they shared in the car, but where there had been a subtle wariness in Camryn in their previous interactions, all he saw as he helped her from the limo was a bright, easygoing lightness that projected off of her in warm waves.

“Care to join me for one more cocktail?”

“I’d love to.”

They took the elevator to The Lounge, the San Francisco skyline spread out before them as they took a seat at the windows. Within moments, a waitress had greeted them with a small bowl of light bar snacks and a promise to return with their drink order.

“Are you excited about Hawaii?” Camryn shifted back from the window, her attention fully focused on him. “It’s hard to believe it’s here already. When you invited me to speak it felt like there was still so much time, yet here we are.

“So I realize it’s basically paradise, but what made you pick Hawaii?” Camryn said.

“It’s both beautiful and functional. Despite the acres and acres of paradise at your fingertips, the hotels know how to do major conferences. And my father loves it, so it’s easy to keep him engaged in the event.”

“He likes Hawaii?”

“With a passion. He’s already there with my stepmother, staying in their condo for a few days.”

“Which either means he’s out of your hair or he’s ahead of the game, causing trouble out there.”

Booth laughed at that, and her astute assessment, before nodding. “I’ve had more than a few e-mails over the last week, full of him barking out orders. I’ve learned to ignore the bluster and only reply to the stuff that truly matters. I also sent my stepmother a tersely worded e-mail ordering her to send him off to the golf course. I think she was all too happy to oblige.”

The lightness of the moment faded as their gazes caught and held. With tentative fingers, Booth reached out a stroked her bare shoulder. “Nathan asked what my intentions were.”

The hazy sheen that filled her eyes faded at his comment. “When? Where?”

“I spoke with him earlier. He was very concerned that I don’t hurt you.”

Where he’d heard the light overtones of need in her voice, all he heard now were the distinct notes of steel. “I don’t think it’s any of his business.”

“Families have a funny way of making things their business.”

“I suppose they do.”

With an abruptness he didn’t expect, he watched as Camryn shuttered her emotions. That feminine awareness winked out of her gaze and she straightened in her chair. “And there’s some of the mess I’ve been talking about. He’s got no right poking into my business. Or our business, as it were.”

“You’re upset.”

“No.” She shook her head as she reached for her glass. “No, I’m not, actually. I just think his need to be overprotective was unnecessary. I’m sure he meant well. That doesn’t mean I need him looking out for me.”

“He cares about you.”

“It’s none of Nathan’s business. I told my family I was here on a business function. They have no idea I’m contemplating sleeping with you. Yet he’s still poking his nose in.”

Every brain cell he possessed had suddenly, narrowly, focused on her words—specifically,
I’m contemplating sleeping with you
—and all he could imagine was Camryn in his bed. Despite the immediate needs of his body, desperately willing him to focus on that one telltale comment, Booth fought to focus on the bigger picture. “He cares about you.”

“And I’m a grown woman who can make my own decisions.”

“Why are you so bothered about this?”

“Because. It’s exactly what I expected to happen. My sisters find happiness and they’re practically shoving me at you to find happiness of my own. And now my brother-in-law’s in on the act?” She stood up and his vision of an enjoyable evening in each other’s company rapidly vanished. “It’s none of their damn business!”

He stood as well, anxious to calm her ruffled feathers. The green dress still clung to her skin like a lover and the heated flush in her cheeks only added to the picture of a vibrant, desirable woman. “What are you so afraid will happen?”

“I’m not like them. I like my world neat and orderly. I like being in control. I’ve no interest in giving that up.”

How had the conversation gone off course? They were talking amiably about their families and he made a casual comment about his brother and now here they were, in the middle of an argument that seemed to have no answers. “No one’s asking you to give up control.”

“Of course they are. I like the life I have and I don’t need interference from anyone else.”

“I don’t think you were entirely honest with me before.”

The heat in her cheeks faded slightly as confusion stamped itself in her dark eyes. “About what?”

“A sense of spontaneity. The moment you let yourself think, those shields come up and any sense of impulse vanishes. Where’s that responsive woman from the limo? The one who obviously desires what’s between us as much as I do?”

“You know, Booth, just because you’re not getting laid tonight doesn’t mean your amateur psychological theories have any merit.”

“We’ve had an amazing evening. Why are you trying to sabotage that? Diminish it?”

“Booth—” She broke off, that same delicious flush from earlier creeping once more into her cheeks.

“I’m serious. What’s this really about?” He reached for her hand, satisfied when she didn’t snatch it away. “And don’t tell me you’re really afraid to start something between us because my brother asked my intentions.”

“Why are you pushing this?”

“Because I want you. And I want to spend time with you. And I enjoy your company. They’re all entwined in my mind. Those are my intentions.”

With deliberate slowness, he leaned forward, pressing his lips to the shell of her ear. A light shudder racked her shoulders and he reached for her hand to capture it beneath his. “And what are
your
intentions, Camryn?”

“I don’t have any.”

“Oh come on, now.” Booth ran his thumb over her palm, gratified when her hand clenched under his. “You have to have some intention. Something that you want, perhaps?”

Her pulse kicked up, evident under the pads of his fingers, and her voice held the slightest quaver when she spoke. “I told you I’d accompany you to Hawaii to speak at your sales conference. And in a few days, once my responsibilities are over, I’ll go home.”

He lifted her hand and pressed a light line of kisses over that sensitive flesh, satisfied when another one of those sexy shudders quivered under her pale skin. “What’s between us is inevitable. Basic.
Elemental
.”

“You say that like we don’t have a choice.” Her voice was breathless, the hushed tone only reinforcing his point.

“I want you. Don’t you feel the same?”

“Yes. But—”

Booth felt the change almost immediately. Where she was on the verge of giving in, suddenly, she pulled away. Need and longing were stamped so clearly in her eyes it almost brought him to his knees.

“We have to be practical.”

He fought to keep his tone light, even as his body argued for more. “What happened to ‘spontaneity is a good thing’?”

“There’s spontaneity and there’s stupidity.”

“Well then.” Her barb hit its mark and he took a small step away from her.

“Look, I didn’t mean it that way.”

“What did you mean, then? Explain it to me.”

“I’m traveling with you on a business invitation. I’m speaking to your company in a couple of days. I’m not sure mixing business with something…personal is a good idea. Not here.”

Disappointment was a punch to his gut and he knew she saw it on his face. With the Harrison control he was known for, he pushed it all away. “I respect that.”

“You do?”

“Of course. There are two of us in this relationship. Your wants and needs are as important as mine.” He took another step back and kept his hands at his sides. “Promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Think about what I said. There’s something between us. Something I happen to think could be really, really incredible.”

“Sex usually is.” The words were a muttered mix of frustration and annoyance, and he couldn’t help but smile at the honest reaction.

Despite his attempts not to touch her, he did reach forward and take her hand. “I like you for all of you. And while I happen to think the sex will be incredible too, I want you to understand I see more of you than the beautiful woman sitting opposite me.”

“Most men are irritated when their, um, sexual aspirations are left unfulfilled for the evening.”

“I’m not most men. And I’m going to prove it to you.”

…

Booth’s words still echoed in her mind a half hour later as Camryn reread the same paragraph of a book she’d brought with her.
I’m not most men
.

That was for damn sure.

The bigger question was why she was lying in her bed, alone with a book, when that amazing, incredible man was lying alone in his.

Her eyes caught on the green dress where she’d hung it on a hook near the closet. She’d taken advantage of the small steamer the hotel room provided to remove any wrinkles from the evening and at the evidence of her handiwork, Camryn let out a hard chuckle at herself.

“Damn, McBride. Even on vacation, you’re perfectly pressed. The no fuss, no muss girl.”

The thought galled her. Tonight she had an opportunity with a vibrant, interesting, sexy-as-hell man. So why did she let the opportunity slip through her fingers?

What was she really afraid of?

Her thoughts slipped, unbidden, to those dark days after her mother’s diagnosis. She’d been so happy. Fresh out of school with her future bright ahead of her and a relationship that had meant the world to her. Even now, she could recall the moss-green color of Matt’s eyes. Their quiet moments together when she felt that she was the only woman in the world.

But once her mother got sick, he hadn’t tolerated her absences from Boston where they were living, hadn’t understood how badly she needed to be in New York with her family. And in the end, she’d made the only choice she could. She moved back to her family—without him—and she bricked up the pain in her heart with work.

Work never disappointed. Never argued. And when you managed all of it in neat, orderly stacks, it was ever faithful and ever accepting of your time.

Did that make her cold and empty? Probably.

But it also kept her heart safe.