His Seductive Proposal: A Touch of Persuasion / Terms of Engagement / An Outrageous Proposal. Maureen Child

chose not to retract it, even in her own private discourse.

      Kieran’s body was perfect. Even the smattering of scars that were part and parcel of the hard physical labor he performed only served to make his physique more interesting.

      She saw him reach for a condom, and her heartbeat accelerated.

      Extending his hand, he challenged her. “Will you do the honors?”

       Eleven

      Kieran waited, amused and impatient, as Olivia fumbled with the condom. The earnest intent on her face filled him with tenderness and another feeling not so easy to diagnose. He brushed aside the unfamiliar emotion and concentrated on the physical.

      While she labored, he played with her breasts displayed so temptingly in front of his face. He tweaked a nipple, noticing with interest that his gentle pinch washed her face with color. A similar firm caress on the other breast deepened the crimson.

      Olivia finished her task, her face damp with perspiration. “There. All set.”

      He tested the fit and nodded. “Good thing I brought a dozen.”

      “A dozen?”

      The strangled squeak in her voice made him chuckle despite the fact that the skin on his penis was tight enough to cause every vein to bulge. He’d been in this state, in varying degrees, for over an hour now. In fact, he might set some kind of damned record for extended foreplay.

      Not that he hadn’t enjoyed himself immensely. God, she was sweet. And hot as a firecracker. Though she probably didn’t see it in herself, she was one of the most innately sensual women he had ever met.

      With his hand, he positioned himself. “You ready, honey?”

      Her eyelids were at half-mast, her lips swollen from his kisses. The skin at her throat bore the marks of his passion, and her nipples puckered as if begging for his kisses. He leaned up and obliged, just as he thrust as hard as he could manage into her welcoming heat.

      Their foreheads actually bumped together.

      “Hell,” he said ruefully, the pain giving him a moment’s respite from total insanity. “Rub my head.” His hands were clenched on her curvy ass, and he had no plans to let go.

      She kissed his forehead. “Poor baby.”

      Her innocent motion seated him more deeply. “Hold still,” he said through clenched teeth. “Damn it, I’m about to come.”

      “Isn’t that the object of this exercise?”

      He groaned, caught between incredulous laughter and the imminent explosion in his loins. Had any woman ever made him experience both in such measure? His heart caught, and he buried his face in her neck, panting, trying to stay the course. “You’re killing me.”

      Reaching behind her, she found his sac and delicately played with him. It was like being hit by a lightning bolt. He lost control of himself, of her, of the entire flippin’ situation.

      Pumping his hips wildly, he thrust upward again and again, deaf, blind, mute… except for the caveman grunts that were all he could manage. Olivia clung to his shoulders as he fell to his back. Her breasts glided across his face, sweet-smelling, soft and warm.

      God, he never wanted to stop. He wanted to mark her as his, to stake a claim. She found his lips and kissed him. That was all it took. He shot so hard that his balls pulled up, a vise tightened around his forehead and he saw nothing but blackness and yellow sparks for long, agonizing seconds.

      At last, he lay spent, Olivia draped over him like a weary nymph.

      “Good God in heaven.”

      She nodded, her breasts smashed against his heaving chest, her cheek resting atop his thundering heart. “I hope you’re in good shape. I’d hate to have to call the concierge for the number of the closest cardiac center.”

      He stroked her ass, deciding he might never move. “You’re something else, Olivia Delgado.”

      One eyelid lifted and then fluttered shut. “Mmm…”

      “Don’t go to sleep on me.”

      “Is that literally or metaphorically?”

      Given her current posture, it was a fair question. “Either, I suppose.” He yawned and stretched. “Any idea what time it is?”

      “Do we care?”

      “I may not have been entirely truthful.” When she stiffened in his arms, he could have kicked himself for his unfortunate phraseology. “I promised we could do this for twenty-four hours, but I think I’m going to need sustenance.”

      “Room service?”

      He patted her butt. “I was thinking of something a bit more upscale. After all, we are in the greatest city in the world. We should go somewhere incredibly expensive and over-the-top.”

      “And you know such a spot?” She slid off him, sat up and clutched the sheet to her chest.

      Her sudden modesty was baffling. But then again, he never claimed to understand women. “I’ve heard Jacob talk about a place he likes.”

      “Jacob, the strong silent doctor? Somehow I thought he was above us mere mortals who need to eat.”

      “Jacob has his weaknesses. New York style cheesecake, for one. He’s usually here in the city for medical conferences every year or so. In fact, he did a consult at Lenox Hill Hospital last Christmas.”

      “He’s scary smart, isn’t he?”

      Kieran grinned. “Oh, yeah. Perfect score on the SATs. Four years of college in two and a half.” He paused, and cocked his head. “Do we have to talk about my brother any longer, or can I interest you in a shower?”

      “I’ll race you.”

      He was treated to a delicious view of Olivia’s backside as she dropped her only covering and darted into the bathroom. When he followed her, she was already hidden from view, water running. “Room for two?” he asked, stepping in without an invitation.

      When Olivia sputtered with maidenly affront, he grinned. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

      Olivia discovered that even a man who slept in grass huts and swallowed the occasional disgusting, edible bug could drum up romance if he put his mind to it, starting with a tuxedo that appeared as if by magic, delivered by a uniformed bellman.

      When Kieran strode out of the bedroom clad in crisp black and white, fumbling with a bow tie, her breathing hitched. He was gorgeous. No other word to describe him. “Help me with this damned thing,” he said. “They’re a necessary evil, but I’m out of practice.”

      She stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck, deftly folding the fabric into the desired configuration. “Out of practice?” She nipped his earlobe with her teeth. “I don’t think so.”

      He turned and scooped her off her feet, twirling her in a circle before setting her back down. “I love reviews from satisfied customers.”

      “Customer? Good grief. Am I going to get a bill for services rendered?”

      “I haven’t decided yet. This afternoon was only my warm-up. I’ll have to let you know.”

      He slid his hands beneath her hair and steadied her head while he dove deep for a hungry, forceful kiss.

      On tiptoe, Olivia clung to his forearms and tried not to get the vapors. Kieran Wolff was like hundred-proof whiskey: guaranteed to go straight to a woman’s head.

      The night was clear and relatively cool so they decided to walk. The restaurant Kieran had chosen was only a couple of blocks away on a side street around the corner from East 76th.