He dipped his head and put his lips close to her ear. “Do you take back what you said about me being a mama’s boy?”
Dani turned her lips to his ear but for a second she said nothing, keeping him in suspense. Then her whisper came, strong and bold and defiant. “Never.”
“Wrong answer.” With a growl he captured both her wrists with one hand and pinned them above her head then he lowered his head, his lips coming closer and closer till they were just a hair’s breadth away from hers. “Last chance,” he whispered and his warm breath tickled her lips.
“Never,” she whispered again and then moaned as his mouth descended on hers, locking her in a passionate kiss from which there was no escape. He was in total control, his lips holding hers prisoner, his tongue tantalizing at first, testing her, teasing her then growing more masterful until she was gasping beneath him.
Still holding her immobile Storm released her mouth to slide his lips down her neck and over her collarbone. There he feathered her skin with butterfly kisses that had her squirming for a different kind of release.
Dani arched her back, wanting more of him. His sweet torture was driving her crazy. Her ni**les, now hardened points in her bra, were crying out for their own release, clamoring for his mouth, his lips, his tongue to caress and to soothe them. She sighed when his mouth slipped lower to kiss the tops of her br**sts and then he was sliding his free hand down the front of her blouse, loosening buttons until he opened the shirt wide, exposing her lacy bra and bare midriff to his heated gaze.
Only then did Storm release her wrists. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered then cupped her br**sts in his palms, his thumbs making tantalizing circles over her ni**les as they poked through her bra.
Dani was panting now, and he must have decided to take pity on her because he hooked his thumbs in the top of each bra cup and pushed them down below her br**sts, exposing them to his view.
Dani almost cried out when he sucked a puckered nipple into his mouth, massaging it with his tongue, rolling it until she writhed in sweet agony. Then he moved his lips to the other and the hands he’d just freed reached up to cradle his head and pull him into her.
When he lifted his head she groaned and reached for him, wanting even more.
With a smile he pulled out of her arms then he began unbuttoning his shirt. As his hands deftly loosened button after button he spoke. “You’ve got condoms, right?”
The words were like a glass of cold water thrown in her face. Condom? Dear God, what was she doing? It had taken his words to slap sense back into her brain. It was like she’d been in a trance. But now she was herself again and she was not going any farther.
Dani sat up and shoved Storm off then she shot up off the couch.
“What’s the matter with you?” His face registered shock and confusion.
“I’m not doing this,” she muttered, dragging her bra back in place and quickly doing up the buttons of her shirt. As soon as they were done she lifted her head. “I’m your fake fiancée remember? Fake. That means no sex."
“But we just-”
“I know and I was wrong to let things get that far but you can get your shirt back on. This is were it ends.” Dani’s voice was cold. She knew she sounded harsh but her words weren’t only for Storm, they were for her, too. How the heck had she let things get that far? She, realist that she was, should have known better.
Storm was one of the richest men in the country. He’d hired her to do a job and she’d gone falling in infatuation - because that was all it could be - with him. He was dangerously handsome, with his raven-black hair curling wildly and his dark eyes that seemed to read into your soul. She’d fallen under his spell but now it was time to break free.
She had to remain professional. She could not afford to be used and then discarded once he got tired of her. Because that was what they did, these tycoons. To them, women like her were nothing but toys.
She was glad she’d remembered that before it was too late.
Storm’s clothes were back in order now and he was standing there, scowling at her, obviously annoyed by her sudden change of heart. “Do you want me to leave?” he asked through clenched teeth.
Dani sighed then nodded. “I think that would be best.”
Without another word Storm turned and walked out of her apartment, closing the door firmly behind him.
Dani felt the fight seep out of her, leaving her trembling and drained. She sank down onto the sofa and put her hands to her mouth as she fell into deep thought. Had she just ruined her opportunity to give her brother the help he needed? Had she just messed up two chances by quitting her job with Tony and then practically ordering Storm to keep his hands off her?
Propping her elbows on her knees, she dropped her chin into her cupped palms. After what had just happened would Storm even call her again?
Damn and double damn. Storm slammed his palm against the steering wheel and blew out a frustrated breath. How could he have been so dumb?
He should have known better than to give in to his attraction to Dani. Of course she would be upset. He should probably be grateful she hadn’t slapped him for coming on to her like that. He’d hired her, discussed money, and then had gone and practically taken advantage of her. Now she was probably feeling like he’d used her. Jeez, what if she thought he’d assumed he’d bought an all-inclusive package?
He shook his head. He honestly didn’t know what had come over him. It was probably because he’d never felt so comfortable in a woman’s company as he did in hers. She’d had him quilting, for Christ's sake, and he’d loved it. He’d probably have enjoyed it just as much if she’d pulled out a basket of old socks and told him to start darning. It wasn’t the task that had him on a high, it was the company.
He blew out his breath in a sigh. He wanted Danielle Swift. There was no denying that. The problem was she obviously didn’t feel the same way.
He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and stared through the windshield of his Ferrari. Now he was faced with a nagging question - after what had happened, would she want to go through with his plan? He could easily think of twenty women who would jump at the chance to play this farce with him. But the only one he wanted was her.
It was not an easy task, admitting that to himself, not after she’d thrown him out of her apartment. But it was the truth. Now there was only one thing left to do. He had to apologize.