Any Way You Want It (Brand Clan #2)(49)
“C’mon, Rem. I have to go.”
“Go where?”
“To lunch with your sister. Weren’t you paying attention?”
He frowned. “You told Mona you were staying for lunch.”
“Only to prolong the conversation.” She grinned, blowing her hair out of her eyes. “Now let me up. You’re heavy.”
He reluctantly lifted off her and stepped back, then pulled her upright.
As he zipped up his pants, she tugged down her skirt and straightened her shirt. With her hair tousled and her face flushed, she looked every bit like a woman who’d just been f*cked.
He wanted to strip her naked, spread her out on the desk and do unspeakable things to her with his mouth and his still-throbbing cock.
He settled for kissing her deep and hard, as deep and hard as he’d just been inside her body.
As he drew away, she opened dazed eyes and stared up at him.
He smoothed down her hair. “You’re going to London with me.”
She blinked slowly, then frowned. “I thought I told you I’d think about it.”
“You have,” he said implacably. “You haven’t stopped thinking about it since I asked you. So I’ll make it easy for you. You’re going.”
Her frown deepened into a mutinous scowl. “You know I don’t like being told what to do.”
“Then do without being told.”
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
He stared her down.
She smirked, giving him a mock salute. “Thanks for the quickie, sailor. Bon voyage.”
As she pivoted on her heel and stalked off, Remy lowered himself into his chair.
When she’d nearly reached the door, he drawled casually, “Do you know if Noelani has ever been to London?”
Zandra froze, her back going rigid.
Remy waited.
As he watched, she spun around and stalked back across the room, those magnificent eyes flashing with fury. Slapping her palms down on his desk, she leaned over and snarled, “Sometimes you can be a real *.”
“I know.” Remy leaned forward, bringing his face so close to hers that their breath mingled and he could see her pupils dilate. “And this * wants to spend every damn moment he can with you.”
That disarmed her.
Her face softened, her eyes flickering with something warm and tender. She stared at him for several moments, then swallowed hard and stepped back.
“Fine.”
“Fine what?”
“I’ll go to London with you.”
His chest expanded with joy and relief. “Thank you.”
She shrugged a shoulder, feigning nonchalance. “I was planning to go someplace anyway. Might as well be someplace I love.”
With someone I love, Remy wanted her to add. But he’d take what he could get for now. “We leave on Tuesday morning.”
“All right.”
They stared at each other, then she glanced at her watch. “I’d better not keep Rocky waiting. You know how she hates that.”
“I know.” Remy smiled. “Have a good lunch.”
“You, too.” Her lips twitched. “Give my apologies to Mona.”
“Will do.”
Zandra held his gaze another moment, then turned and strolled from the room, swinging her perfect ass as she went.
Only when she was gone did Remy allow a broad, delighted grin to sweep across his face.
Leaning back in his chair, he folded his hands behind his head and swiveled toward the window. As he gazed outside, he saw nothing but blue skies and sunshine.
He could only hope it would stay that way.
Chapter Fourteen
On Saturday Remy and Zandra braved the heat and crowds to attend the Taste of Chicago, the city’s annual outdoor food festival held in Grant Park. They strolled leisurely through a procession of vibrantly colored tents set up by more than seventy local restaurants. Musicians performed from various stages throughout the park, serenading festivalgoers with a medley of pop, country, blues and Latin music.
Mouthwatering aromas wafted thickly through the air, luring Remy and Zandra to sample an exotic array of cuisine ranging from goat with saffron rice to pork-stuffed banana dumplings. They fed each other, laughing as they licked fingers and lips, sharing a delicious kaleidoscope of flavors.
Too absorbed in each other to mind the throng of people or sweltering humidity, they wandered to the gourmet pavilion to watch cooking demonstrations by some of Chicago’s best chefs and sommeliers.
Afterward they met up with Roderick and Lena at the Petrillo Music Shell, where they all stretched out on a huge blanket to enjoy a concert. As the band performed, Zandra lay between Remy’s long legs while Lena lay between her husband’s. Lena wore a soft, blissful smile as Roderick gently rubbed her stomach, marveling at their unborn child growing inside her.
As Remy ran his fingers through Zandra’s hair and massaged her scalp, a delicious languor spread through her veins and melted her bones.
It was one of those perfect summer days that made it impossible to have a care in the world.
When the band took a break, Zandra smiled at Roderick and Lena. “Have you guys decided on any baby names yet?”
A warm look passed between them.
“We’re still tossing around ideas for a girl,” Roderick answered.