Читать книгу Montana Seduction - Jules Bennett - Страница 13

Three

What was she doing here? Stella had more pressing things to do than to stare at the seam of the closed private elevator doors leading to Dane Michaels’s penthouse suite...with a chilled bottle of prosecco in hand, no less.

Maybe she should’ve brought a nice cab instead? Or bourbon. Hadn’t he mentioned a bourbon earlier?

“This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever done,” she muttered.

What was she thinking? Just because one mysterious, sexy rancher sauntered in to rescue her, she got all excited and aroused and suddenly couldn’t control her desires.

She didn’t have time for desires or sexy attractions. Yet here she was heading straight toward both.

The faux wooden doors slid open with a soft whoosh. Stella immediately took in the fitted tee stretching across broad shoulders and well-worn jeans over narrow hips. Dane’s hair was wet, making it seem even darker than before. He’d shed the plaid shirt and, mercy’s sake, this rancher certainly did the whole hands-on thing. That body made it very clear that he didn’t just stay in some office writing checks for his employees.

Clearly Dane had freshened up while she still looked like the haggard mess she’d been since this morning. She should’ve at least changed, but she hadn’t even considered removing her dress and knee boots.

She’d been too busy arguing with herself over why she’d let this virtual stranger affect her so. Maybe she’d been smitten by his white knight routine, but she couldn’t just dismiss how ridiculously handsome he was, nor could she ignore how her entire body seemed to tingle with a rush of arousal whenever he got close.

There was something rough and rugged about him. When he’d mentioned a ranch...well, toss her a set of chaps and mount up because that was just flat-out hot. Plus, she’d never ridden a cowboy.

Oh, ranchers and cowboys were all throughout Montana, but none had interested her and she spent most of her time with men in suits who only pretended to know the ranching lifestyle. They’d never do anything labor-related that might mess their suits or smudge their manicures.

Dane rested his hip on the back of the leather sofa in the living area and greeted her with a crooked grin. “So you are a risk taker.”

Stella merely held out the bottle of wine and shrugged. “What can I say?”

“You can say that you’ll stay awhile.”

He didn’t stand, didn’t move toward her. He simply relaxed there like he was giving her total control, yet that leveled, dark gaze told her who really called the shots. Hadn’t she come to him? How could he be so powerful, yet not a bit demanding or even making a move?

The way he stared at her...

Like a lion inviting his prey and she was positive she wouldn’t mind being feasted on.

Stella stepped into the spacious penthouse suite. The views never got old, and even from the doorway she could see across the room and stare out the wall of windows. Even in the dark, there was a soft glow coming up from the valley and casting mysterious shadows all over the mountainside.

Lara Anderson had seriously thought of everything when she’d built Mirage on the side of the mountain. No expense had been spared and that’s what made Mirage such a magical escape.

If all of these guests opted to come here and get away from their daily stresses, why couldn’t she do the same...even if for a short time.

The high-beamed ceilings and dark wood floors made the space appear more like a glorified cabin than a room in a resort. The crackling fire called to her. The stunning feature of the fireplace with its stone surround extending to the high ceiling seemed so inviting...so romantic. No, that was the hot guy that seemed romantic. And she’d brought the wine.

This was too easy. Sex was easy. Seduction was easy. Giving in to hormones and not giving a damn about tomorrow or consequences would be so...liberating.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have that luxury of a one-night stand. But flirting and unwinding with a sexy stranger was dangerous ground that she couldn’t help but want to dance on tonight. Just one time. That wouldn’t hurt anything, right?

“I didn’t think you wanted to take a risk.”

Stella offered Dane a smile. “I’d say this one is harmless.”

Though she knew a man like Dane was anything but. Yes, this was taking a huge chance coming to his room, but, well, her father couldn’t control every move she made. She didn’t have to justify her personal life to him. All she had to do was prove herself worthy of keeping Mirage and having him sign the property over to her at the end of this six-month experiment. She had only three months to go.

“Harmless isn’t a word people usually use to describe me,” he countered, his dark eyes half-hidden behind lowered lids. That husky voice sent shivers racing through her.

Maybe they didn’t use harmless, but the word that seemed to embody Dane Michaels was definitely potent. She hadn’t even tried to rationalize the hows and whys of this man and her instant attraction to him. What would be the point? Nothing would come of this...whatever this was. Besides, this was fun. When was the last time she’d done something simply because she wanted to? Every move she made had a purpose and an end gain.

Dane crossed the space, keeping his gaze locked on hers. The snap of the fire behind her filled the silence and added to the allure of the moment. The mysterious man, the late hour...the sexual tension.

“Why don’t you go have a seat,” he murmured. “I’ll take care of everything.”

Everything? As in...

He slid the bottle from her grasp and she suddenly recalled why she was here. Wine. Not orgasms.

Relax, Stella. Don’t make a fool of yourself.

One glass of wine and then she needed to go. Because if she stuck around much longer, she may come across as desperate and not the kick-ass, independent woman she’d fought so hard to be.

“What time will you start back to work in the morning?” he asked as he came over with two very generous glasses of wine.

She wasn’t much of a drinker, so if she sucked down all of this she’d likely end up draped over the rug in front of the fire before long. And since “drunk Stella” lacked impulse control, she’d probably be posed in some “come and get me” style that would surely embarrass her once the buzz wore off.

“I’ll go back down about five.”

Dane settled next to her on the leather sofa and glanced to his watch. “That’s in five hours. When do you sleep?”

“When I have time.”

Which was rarely. If she could go through these next few months on no sleep, she totally would. There simply wasn’t enough time in the day. She had to keep all these balls juggled in the air. Dropping even one could prove fatal for her goals.

“Have you always put so much pressure on yourself?” he asked, taking a drink and then putting his glass on the raw-edged table.

“I don’t see it as pressure,” she retorted. “There are things I want and failing isn’t an option.”

“You’re the manager of a picturesque mountain resort. What other goals could you possibly have?”

Stella stared into her wineglass. “Not everything is as it seems.”

Before she revealed too much, she took a sip and closed her eyes as the fruity flavors burst in her mouth. She couldn’t suppress the sigh that escaped her. That was a great bottle she’d grabbed from the wine cellar.

When she lifted her lids, Dane’s gaze had dropped to her mouth and...had he shifted closer?

Arousal churned through her and she couldn’t even blame the wine considering she’d just taken her first sip. The seclusion at this late hour and the roaring fire might be impacting her, yes, but not the wine.

“Do you want something more than Mirage?” he asked.

Stella set her glass next to his. The intimate image had her biting on her lip for a just a second before shifting her focus back to him.

“Mirage is all I’ve ever wanted,” she explained. “My father bought the resort several years ago and I’d heard the story of the lady who had built this, relentlessly pursuing her dream. A single mom who pushed through and built something so dynamic and spectacular just hit me, you know? I didn’t grow up with my mother, but I just felt pulled toward this strong female, even though I’d never met her. I knew I wanted this business to be mine. My father has plenty of companies around the globe, but this is the one I want.”

Dane’s eyes seemed to grow even darker, his jaw clenched, but he remained silent. She’d started talking and hadn’t even considered that he probably wanted a short, quick answer.

“Sorry,” she said with a soft laugh. “I didn’t mean to ramble.”

“Never apologize for going after what you want.”

Stella’s smile faltered as she swallowed. “And what is it you want, Dane?”

“That’s not so difficult to guess.”

Oh, he wasn’t subtle. And yet, something about the way he didn’t quite come out and say it, but let the implication hang heavily in the air packed an even sexier punch.

“And do you think I came here for sex?” she asked.

“I think you came here because you wanted to know what would happen once we were alone.”

“We were alone in the kitchen,” she reminded him, clasping her hands in her lap to prevent them from trembling—or reaching for him.

“Not like this.” He eased forward, never taking his eyes from hers. “You might not want to take risks, but you can’t help yourself. The resort, me... You want to know what it’s like to fully throw yourself into temptation and ride out the challenge.”

How did he peg her so easily when she’d met him only hours ago? And why did her entire body stir with each low, rumbled word that slid through his lips?

Because she wanted those lips on hers, on her body. The need crashed through her and took hold like nothing she’d ever experienced.

“I try to have a little more control than that—I’m not as reckless as you make me sound.” Or at least that’s what she tried to tell herself. “And I’d never take a risk with this resort. Mirage is my life.”

“You’re quite the professional,” he agreed. “But you still took a risk by taking it over. Business isn’t for the faint of heart.”

“You sound like my father,” she murmured.

Dane placed his hand on her knee. “Does he also tell you what a stellar job you’re doing?”

Stella eyed those tanned, rough fingers against her dark skin. The hem of her dress proved to be no barrier as the tip of his pinky slid beneath the fabric.

“He, um... No. No, he doesn’t.”

Mercy, how could Dane carry on a normal conversation? Her body was revved up and she was about to start begging. She really shouldn’t deprive her body so long from such a basic, necessary need.

Stella reached for her glass and took another sip. “Let’s not bring my father into this.”

His hand inched a bit higher, then his thumb slid over the bottom button of her dress as if he would pop it open at any moment.

“Agreed. Everyone should stay out of this room except us.”

Stella took another sip and set her glass back down. “We’re not having sex.”

“Not yet.”

She couldn’t stop her smile. “At all,” she clarified. “I can’t afford to get caught up in anything but work right now.”

Dane’s eyes crinkled in the corners as he smiled. “Yet here you are.”

Well, he had her there. Stella laid her hand over his and for a split second—okay, maybe more—she wanted to slid it on up and show him exactly how he could alleviate her stress. But she held his hand firmly in place on her bare thigh.

“I don’t even know you,” she stated. “Clearly there’s chemistry, but I can’t get sidetracked by a sexy man who came to my rescue.”

“I obviously wasn’t looking to get sidetracked, either, but there’s nothing more I want than to lay you out in front of that fire and give you exactly what your body is aching for.”

The man knew all the right words to say. There should be some major red flags going up. A stranger coming in at the exact time she needed someone, the fact he knew precisely what to say and just how much to press without being a jerk...

No matter the flags, she honestly couldn’t find a flaw here.

Stella reached for her glass and tipped it back, taking every last drop of her favorite wine. With a soft clink, she set the glass back down and came to her feet. Dane’s hand fell away, and he rose, as well.

“I should get to my room and attempt a few hours of sleep.”

Dane brushed her hair from her face, letting his fingertips feather across her jaw. Something flashed through his eyes a second before he curled those same fingers around the back of her neck and pulled her mouth to his.

Stella didn’t even try to fight the kiss...why would she? They’d been building toward this moment since they met—did it matter that was only a few hours ago?

Besides, a kiss was harmless. Well, most of them were. A kiss from Dane Michaels was powerful, toe curling, panty melting, and instantly had her mind on sex. The way his body lined perfectly with hers, the way his lips coaxed hers apart, eager for more, only had her more than ready to take him up on his offer.

The wine had gotten to her just as she’d thought it might. She swayed against him, reaching up to clutch his bare biceps. Those were rancher arms. No sedentary job could produce muscles so firm, so...magnificent.

Dane eased back and Stella whimpered. Damn alcohol. She’d never whimpered or begged for any man, yet she’d just done the first and was closing in on the second.

“I’ll check on you tomorrow,” he told her. “If you need me, you know where to find me.”

When he released her, Stella had to concentrate on staying upright. She hadn’t had nearly enough time with him. She wanted more of that whiskey-soaked tone, that dark gaze, those lips and hands on her.

Straightening her dress, Stella pulled herself together and crossed the suite to the elevator. Dane came up behind her, practically pressing her against the doors. Stella closed her eyes and inhaled that spicy, masculine scent.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The whisper in her ear, the warmth of his breath on her skin had her shivering and with the way his chest was pressed to her back, there was no way he missed her body’s reaction to him.

Stella risked a glance over her shoulder. “I look forward to it.”

And then she fled back to her room where she replayed over and over the entire evening from the moment Dane stepped into the dining room to the moment he sent her entire body up in flames.

So why didn’t she just give in and let him douse them?

No. The real question was, how long would she make them both wait?