The Broken One (Corisi Billionaires, #1)(35)

Head held high, I walked through Teri’s office and told her I’d be back in an hour. I felt the material of my skirt move against my bare ass and a slight breeze tickle my sex as I stepped out of the building.

Like a caress.

Oh.

I checked my expression in my rearview mirror when I got in. My cheeks were flushed, and there was a spark in my eyes I wasn’t used to seeing. I felt sexy and like I had a naughty secret I could share or not—it was up to me.

I finally understood.

Underneath my conservative clothing—I was kicking it.

The confidence it gave me stayed with me all the way to the restaurant, where I parked my car beside the spot where Sebastian was leaning against his. It buoyed me all the way to him.

One long, hot look.

Without even exchanging a word, he pulled me closer and lowered his mouth to mine. It was the kiss I’d waited my whole life for. I melted into it, gave myself over to it. Hot and demanding, talented and teasing. I let him in, tasted him as eagerly as he tasted me.

His tongue taught me the true wonder of what a French kiss could be. I felt claimed, adored . . . wanton.

When he raised his head, I was wet and ready—hungry, but not for a salad.

His hard breathing told me he was as affected as I was.

“Hello,” he said in a husky voice.

“Hi,” I said in a similar tone.

“Full disclosure, I had to see you today. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“Full disclosure, I ditched my underwear in the trash.” He gave me an odd look, and I tensed as I thought of how he could have taken that. “Not because I’m still sick. Nothing like that.”

He looked as if he was holding back a laugh, and I groaned. “Can we rewind? I can’t believe how bad I am at this. I just wanted to be more like the women you usually date.”

Whatever else I might have added flew from my mind as he claimed my mouth again. His hands went to my ass, grinding me against his excitement. I moaned with pleasure. Oh God, yes.

He kissed his way to my ear and growled, “Don’t. I like you just the way you are.” With that, he plundered my mouth again and kissed me until I was ready to spread my legs for him right there in the parking lot. His hands tightened on my ass, and he broke off the kiss long enough to say, “But I love that you’re bare for me. Love it too much. If we’re actually having lunch, we should go in.”

Lunch?

Oh yeah, lunch. Right.

This was how I’d always yearned for it to be—uninhibited, wanton. I didn’t want the moment to end.

I pulled his head down for one more deep kiss, savored the shit out of it, then stepped back and smoothed my skirt. “Okay, now I’m ready.”

He pushed off his car, offering me his arm like we hadn’t just mauled each other. I took it and loved the feel of his muscles beneath my hand. A quick check of my hair confirmed that it was still reasonably in place.

His attention on me as we walked electrified me. I’d never felt so desirable—or desired. Young. Sexy and on the arm of a man I would have written off in the past as out of my league.

No leagues. I remembered what Erica had said. Just a man, a woman, and sexual tension so palpable I could only stare blankly at the hostess when she asked how many we were. My thoughts spun. Now that I’d seen Sebastian again, my choice of restaurant was disappointing. The way I felt would have been better matched to a more intimate setting—dim lighting, quiet tables. Instead, we were seated on opposite sides of a booth in a bustling dining room. The promise of a free meal if we weren’t served our food in twenty minutes or less reminded me that my hour-long lunch would be over too soon.

We both ordered light sandwiches and water. I would have eaten sandpaper without complaint as long as he continued to look at me as if I were the only one in the room. I fought an impulse to grab his hand, drag him out of the restaurant, and proclaim that I had a menu of things I wanted and none of them were food.

Exciting.

Terrifying.

Amazing.

After the water was delivered and our server walked away, Sebastian asked, “So is your house crazy now with all those puppies?”

I spun my glass of water between my hands as I bought time before answering. Ava and I had sent him a gift. It made sense that he would send her something. “I didn’t give your present to her.”

Those intense gray eyes of his gave little away. He searched my face for moment, then said, “Too soon.”

“Yes.” I struggled to come up with a way to explain it without making it awkward. “She’s never seen me with anyone . . . men, I mean. Not that I’ve dated women. Not judging that choice, just saying that I’ve never.” I took a sip of water to shut myself up.

He had that half smile back. “You’re careful with who you introduce her to. I respect that.”

Feeling calmer, I chose my next words more carefully. “She already likes you because you returned Wolfie to her. I don’t want her to get attached in case—”

“In case this goes nowhere.”

We sat there in silence for a moment—long enough for me to kick myself for my obvious talent for killing a mood. A moment ago we were all over each other. There had to be a way to bring that back.

Feeling inspired, I slipped my foot out of my shoe. I’d read about frisky feet happening below tables. The booth would provide some cover. I raised my foot with enough enthusiasm that when my little toe connected with the leg of the booth I swore. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”