The Billionaire's Jackpot: Betting on You Series: Book Four (9 page)

With her phone in hand, she headed back to the couch when she heard it again, louder, more defined. This time it was an unmistakably deep, playful bark. Looking around again, she noticed a door slightly ajar that appeared to lead outside. KJ wasn’t one who ever considered herself easily scared, however the ride up to the sixtieth floor in a glass elevator had made her legs tremble, though she’d covered it well by playing off her shoes were killing her.
Not a total lie.
The thought of now being outside of the penthouse that high up wasn’t something she was sure she was ready for.
I think I watched too many action movies where someone falls or is pushed to their death
. With a soft, nervous laugh she wondered if it was too much to ask that they stay inside the entire time.
Probably.
Hearing Blossom’s playful bark again, KJ closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and summoned all her courage.
Please let it be enclosed.
Opening her eyes again, she headed to the open door.

The rooftop looked entirely different from what she had envisioned and absolutely opposite of what the inside of the penthouse had looked like. An elaborate lush garden surrounded a softly lit stone waterfall. She would have been tempted to sit on one of the many chairs and enjoy the serenity of the moment, but once again Blossom’s bark called to her. Following the wooden plank pathway, she found her way to an open area. There was a sight worth waking for. Drew, standing with his back to her, wearing only swimming trunks. She was about to call out to him when she watched him throw a football in the opposite direction. Off to the side, she saw Blossom take a running leap into the air and catch the football before plunging into the pool.

Walking over to stand behind Drew, she said, “I was worried that I’d left you two to fend for yourselves, and you might be bored.” KJ laughed as Blossom exited the pool and came right over to sit in front of Drew, dropping the ball at his feet. “Guess I called that one wrong.”

Drew ignored Blossom, turned to KJ, and wrapped an arm around her waist. “You were sleeping so soundly I didn’t want to wake you.”

That she had been.
If only I could always sleep like that.
“Thanks. Guess I had a touch of jet lag.” Picking up the football, she tossed it for Blossom. Never being good at sports, the football didn’t have the pretty spiral effect and land in the pool like it did for Drew. Instead it went far to the left, bounced off a potted plant, causing it to come crashing to the ground before it found its final resting place, a bed of assorted flowers near the wall.

Deep laughter filled the air. “Good throw.”

Way to go.
“I’m so sorry. I can’t believe it did that.” Stepping away from him, she tried to head to clean the mess she had just made.

Drew reached and took hold of her hand, pulling her back to him. “Leave it. I’ll take care of it in the morning.”

KJ wasn’t used to anyone taking care of her, not for big or small things. She and her sister had been on their own for most of their adult lives. Usually, it had been the way they’d liked it, each choosing their own path—she, the Marines, and her sister, an exotic dancer. “You have a high-risk profession, and someone could grab you off the street getting out of those clubs so late at night,” KJ had told her. Never had she worried about her sister falling ill and losing the battle to cancer.
Life can be so damn unfair
. All those years of nagging her about what she should do instead of just loving her for who she was and enjoying what time they had.
Hindsight. I hate being so alone all the time.

Unconsciously her brow furrowed, and unspoken pain filled her eyes as she fought hard against the tears, refusing to let them fall.
He didn’t bring me here for this.

His expression softened. “Are you okay? You’re very quiet.”

Faking smiles and pretending to be happy was something she had become very good at. Even in the Marines she had mastered the skill of presenting what others wanted to see. Control. Strength. Detachment. Drew wasn’t as easily fooled as others had been. It was like he could look into her eyes and see right into her soul. It was unnerving to say the least. If she turned and met his gaze, she knew the truth would be revealed. Keeping her back to him, she answered, “Just admiring your beautiful garden and hoping I didn’t kill any of the flowers.”

“Glad you like them.” Still she didn’t turn. “Katherine, there’s no harm done.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly. Raising his mouth from hers with an irresistibly devastating grin, he winked suggestively at her. “Since you are rested,” he nodded in the direction of what appeared to be a Jacuzzi hot tub in the midst of trees, “care to join me?”

Would I ever.
It was the perfect distraction she needed right now. She didn’t know what life was going to be like when she got back to Napa, but for now . . . “I don’t have my suit on.”

His lips curled, looking over her seductively. “Even better.”

With his hand still on her waist, he led her away from the pool to the waiting hot tub. Standing amongst the trees that provided privacy from onlookers from the towering skyscrapers above, KJ watched Drew as he removed all his clothes in a deliberately slow and sensual manner. Each movement was meant to excite her, and it did. He was magnificent, pure male perfection—broad shoulders, muscular biceps, chest, and abs. Her eyes raked boldly over him only to stop when she saw his manhood coming to attention. KJ had to fight the overwhelming need to reach out, touch and taste him. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips.

Pulling her gaze away, she raised her eyes to meet his. Only then did she notice he was watching her intently. Her body ached for his touch. KJ reached for the bottom of her T-shirt and lifted it over her head, tossing it into the pile of his clothes on the floor. Unsnapping her shorts, slowly she unzipped them and wiggled her hips so they slid off.

Drew was photographing her with his eyes. The smoldering flame she saw in his eyes only elevated her own desire.

Reaching one hand behind her back, she unhooked her black lace bra and let it drop, exposing her full breasts. His hand reached out to touch them, but she stopped him, not breaking their gaze. KJ put a thumb on each side of her matching lace panties and bent over seductively as she removed them.

When she stood upright she stepped closer to him. This time he didn’t attempt to touch her; he waited, watching. Each time they had been together he’d given her so much. This time she wanted to be in control and give equally to him.

Her hands ran gently over his shoulders, down his arms, and back up again. With just her fingertips, she traced her way across his chest and over his solid abs.
Sweet perfection.
Dropping to her knees, she wrapped her fingers around his hard shaft. With the tip of her tongue, she licked him slowly, deliberately, from the base to the head and back down again, loving the taste and smell of him. Her lips curled as she heard a low husky growl escape him.

Drew tangled his fingers in her hair, moving it from her face so he could watch everything she was doing. “Are you trying to kill me?” His voice was husky with need.

Opening her mouth, she guided him between her lips. A passionate fluttering arose between her legs as she sucked him, pressing her tongue hard around him then flicking it before taking him deep within her throat again.
God, he tastes so good.
Her own moans vibrated around his pulsing shaft. Taking her free hand, she cupped his firm butt bringing him even closer to her.

“Oh, that feels so damn good.”

His words encouraged her to suck harder, take him deeper, increasing her pace hungrily. The more he moaned the bolder she became, almost losing control herself. His body tensed and his hands pulled her away from him. “If you don’t stop now . . .” he gasped, his breaths coming quick as he struggled for control.

Looking up at him she could tell he was on the brink of losing control, and she loved the power it gave her to drive him crazy like he had her. She had never done such things before, but she wanted him, wanted to taste more of him. Once again she guided him back to her mouth, her head tipped enough to watch him while he watched her. His hands gripping her hair no longer fought her, but he now pumped his hips to meet her mouth. The faster she went the wilder it became.

“Oh God, baby, that feels so good.”

She could feel his body tensing again.
Yes, give it to me. Let me taste you.
He held her head to him, her tongue pressed firmly against his shaft. Her own moans were muffled by his cry of her name, “Katherine. Katherine.” His body shuddered and jerked as he released his hot juices into her mouth. She swallowed everything he had to offer. When there was no more, she released him from her hold.
Drew, you have a way of breaking down all my inhibitions. And I’m loving it.

Drew swept her easily into his arms and laid her on the edge of the Jacuzzi’s adjoining table. “That was . . . amazing. Now let me repay the favor.” His hands on her hips leisurely caressed their way down her outer thighs then to her knees where he urged them to open wider, giving him access to her most private parts. His gaze dropped from her eyes to her shoulders, slowly and seductively drifting downward. Her pulse quickened in anticipation. Kneeling down between her legs, his gaze as soft as a caress, he blew on her inner thigh. A brief shiver rippled through her.

“Please, Drew.”

He didn’t stop. “Please, what?” he asked, blowing again, this time on her core. “Tell me what you want, Katherine.”
You, she thought immediately, surprised by the intensity of her thought.
She knew it was more than just a physical need growing within her.

She reached for his head, but he pulled back just out of her reach. The intensity of the need was unbearable. KJ needed to feel his lips on her now. “Please. I can’t take it. Kiss me, Drew. Kiss me there. Now.” Her voice trembled with a want so great it hurt.

Drew fulfilled her request placing a soft kiss on her folds. Each kiss exploring deeper. His tongue entered the slit and flicked her clit sending shivers of delight through her.

“You taste so sweet,” he murmured against her hot flesh.

His strong hands clenched her buttocks, pulling her closer to him while his tongue teased her more intimately, darting in and out.
Oh God, this feels so good.
When she thought she couldn’t take any more, he slid a finger into her hot center while he sucked her clit. She inhaled sharply at the contact, her heart thudding wildly. “Drew, I need . . .”

His tongue increased its assault, nipping, and licking while he fingered her with two fingers. He had taken her to heights she had never known, and the sweet torture of holding her there prolonged the prize till it was almost unbearable. When she thought she would die from pleasure, she tightened around his fingers. Arching her back off the table, her body shook with uncontrollable waves of her climax. “Drew. Oh God, Drew.” Her cries echoed through the cool night air as she grabbed his shoulders trying to wiggle free. He didn’t stop. Instead his fingers stroked her faster, harder. It was sweet torture as he circled her clit with his tongue again and again in a rhythm that brought her to a second orgasm, then a third. Tears of absolute pleasure rolled down her cheeks. She was gasping for breath. He removed his fingers and kissed her lightly on her inner thigh. Never had she been devoured so intimately nor had she let a man take complete control of her satisfaction.
You’re the only man I’ll ever let do that.

Every ounce of strength was spent. She couldn’t utter a word. Lying there, only his name echoed in the black stillness of her mind.
Drew.
KJ remained absolutely motionless for a moment.
I couldn’t move if I tried.

Drew must have sensed she was spent. Gently he picked her limp body up into his arms and stepped into the Jacuzzi. Her heavy lashes that shadowed her cheeks flew open as her body came in contact with the hot bubbling water. “Trust me, your body will thank me in the morning.”

Trust him?
KJ wasn’t exactly sure why, but she had done so from the moment they’d met, a connection to him like she’d never experienced before. Quickly she chastised herself for actions this past week so out of character for her. What did she really know about him? They’d only met a month ago and here she was traveling almost three thousand miles to stay with him in his penthouse.
And loving it.
Her mind was a crazy mixture of hope and fear as she reminded herself that no matter how mind-blowing the sex, or how sweet and thoughtful Drew could be, it was all going to end in two short weeks, and she and Blossom would be back in Napa.
Alone
.

Drew pulled her to sit on his lap so the jets of water didn’t hit her tender flesh. “Close your eyes and relax. I’ve got you.”

For now.
Whatever it was about him, she had to conquer her involuntary response to the tender loving care he continued to bestow on her. Tonight she had no such strength. Resting her head on his shoulder, her lashes fluttered and closed.

Drew didn’t want
to move. Having Katherine asleep in his arms was a damn good way to end one hell of a great night. Gently with the back of his left hand, he traced her high cheekbones, exquisitely dainty nose, and lips soft and delicate like a rose. As he did so, the corner of her mouth turned upward. She stirred slightly, snuggling up closer to him, but she didn’t wake.
Sweet perfection.

She was so much more than her beauty. Katherine wasn’t like the other women he’d slept with. He’d never entangled his emotions like he had with her. She spun a delicate web, and he found himself trapped in it. Being with her was like playing with fire. It was dangerous, and someone was going to get hurt.
Yet I can’t stop myself.
He had never had a female guest over before, never mind for two weeks. When he’d invited her, it had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. He could have easily gotten out of it by not bribing the Chief of Staff, but once the invitation was given, he wasn’t about to let anything or anyone stand in the way of her joining him.
It didn’t mean anything.
He tried telling himself again and again it was only a physical attraction. He could acknowledge that her independence and lack of neediness appealed to him.
She hasn’t asked me for anything. Perhaps I’m reading this wrong and she can see this is only a physical thing too.
Yet there was no denying it, there was more.
I’m not looking for more.
That didn’t please him at all. He may have let her into his home, but his heart was another matter—not up for negotiation.