“And nothing. We’re both in the same place. It’s no easier for me than for you. If it were, I wouldn’t be here. I’d be—”

“Sleeping with some bitch in Paris.”

“Right. So obviously this is something we have to deal with, although if you don’t mind, I’d like to do it in five minutes.” He dipped his head. “Someone else might buy all their condoms and neither one of us wants that.”

“We could go to another pharmacy.”

“Or we could be at my place fucking.”

She grinned. “When you put it like that.”

“You always were eager,” he said with an answering grin.

“I was thinking reasonable.”

He bit back his critical dissent and smiled. “I couldn’t have said it better. Now be a sweetheart and let me get out of this car.” He glanced at his watch. “They might close soon.”

She watched him lope across the sidewalk, stiff arm the door open, and stride to the back of the small shop. He walked right up to the counter and said something to the elderly customer the clerk was serving, giving them both a dazzling smile. The elderly man laughed and stepped aside. The salesclerk fluffed her hair as she listened to Dominic’s instructions, her eyes wide, clearly caught in his force field. Dominic pointed and chatted with the elderly man while the clerk cleared her display of condoms, then he helped her shove the boxes into two bags.

Leaving a bill on the counter, Dominic waved and bolted for the door.

“Nice old guy,” he said, entering the car, pulling the door shut, and dropping the bags on the floor. “The clerk was a little slow, but hey”—he held up his thumb—“success.”

“Do you have enough?” she inquired sardonically.

He grinned. “Don’t want to run out. Remember, I’ve seen you in action, babe. More, more, and more is your motto.”

“I hope you’re not complaining.”

“No way. Thrilled, excited, champing-at-the-bit enthusiastic. How’s that for an uncritical endorsement of your sexual appetite?”

“That’s better.”

“You haven’t even seen better yet.” Leaning forward he rapped on the privacy glass and the car immediately picked up speed. Falling back against the seat, he pulled Kate into his arms. “Have I mentioned how much I missed you?”

“Once or twice.”

“In about ten minutes, I’m going to show you how much I missed you.”

“We don’t have to wait.”

“Yeah, we do,” he whispered, bending his head, kissing her forehead lightly. “I have plans.”

“Good. Because now that my assignment is done at CX Capital, I’m on vacation.”

His dick really liked the sound of the word vacation.

She noticed his surging erection and pleasure flooded her senses. Reaching over, she cupped his balls, gently squeezed, and watched the burgeoning swell beneath his linen trousers. “I don’t want to wait,” she whispered, moving her hand to his zipper.

“You never do.” He lifted her hand away. “Luckily, I can help you out.” He eased her back on the seat.

“I want you though,” she pouted.

He smiled and, leaning over, nibbled on her bottom lip. “I’m yours, baby. But ten minutes isn’t long enough for me. Not after I’ve waited so long. So let me help you relax a little. Something simple, quick”—he bit her lip—“satisfying. Don’t say no.” He stopped her with a finger on her mouth. “You know I don’t like that word.”

Jesus, he only had to look at her like that, talk to her in that softly threatening way and she turned liquid inside, was instantly primed and quivering.

“Just say yes, baby. And I’ll make you feel good.”

She nodded.

His brows rose.

“Yes,” she said and watched him smile.

After a quick glance out the window, gauging their progress, estimating their time to the trading station, he slipped off her shoes, unzipped her slacks, and eased them down her hips and legs, along with her panties. Kneeling on the car floor, he spread her legs and bent his head. As his tongue slid over her swollen clit, he heard her breathy little sigh and smiled.

Jesus Christ, she made him happy.

Kate slid her fingers through his silky hair and with a low, throaty groan, wholeheartedly gave herself up to the ravishing, unequivocal pleasure. To the delight, contentment, and seething lust that was all wrapped up in one vital, indispensible man.

Then Dominic slipped two fingers deep inside her, found her precious nerve center, and measured it with his fingertips with such delicacy she thought surely she would expire with bliss. But he made it even better, like he always did, fiercely better, flame hot, sensationally better. Until finally, desperate for release, she uttered a wild, frenzied cry and climaxed with the hot, gloating, over-the-top pleasure only Dominic conferred.

SEVEN

When they reached the trading station, Dominic helped Kate with her clothes, escorted her into the main house, and came to a halt in the entrance hall. “Tan will show you to the conservatory,” he said with a glance at the young man who’d opened the door for them. “Give me a minute to clear up a few things.”

She shot him a spiking glance, tinged with suspicion. “I hope that doesn’t mean you have to hustle some woman out of your bedroom,” she said under her breath, not as cavalier as Dominic when it came to staff who were close enough to hear.