Her chin jutted out and her gaze met his again. “I’m not looking for long-term, Jared.”

He didn’t know what she wanted him to say to that one. The phrase “long-term” wasn’t even in his vocabulary.

She took a deep breath when he didn’t speak.

“So…yes, to your offer. I’ll help you look for a site for your spa but if either of us decides the situation’s not working, we agree to let the other walk, no questions asked.”

He dismantled his grin before it could start. “Agreed.”

It was her turn to look surprised. “That was fast.”

“I know a good deal when I hear it. Now, are you ready to leave?”

She stared at him for several seconds, contemplating. Then her lips curved in a sweet smile. “Would you like to come back to my place for a drink?”

Triumph had his own grin bursting out. “Absolutely.”

Jared rose before she could change her mind and reached for her hand to help her from the booth. Her fingers curled around his, reminding him of how they’d curled around his cock earlier today.

He wanted her. And hopefully by the end of the night, he’d have her.

Ten

“So I thought you might want to consider featuring local products in your spa.”

He took a sip of the wine she’d handed him and liked the idea almost as much as the wine.

“There are several wineries in the area and a world-famous microbrewery down the road. There are organic farms for fresh produce, dairy farms, and honey growers.”

“Sounds like you and I are on the same wavelength. I’ve considered some of the same things. And I’m interested.” Mostly in her, though her ideas were sound. Yes, he knew they’d have to talk business eventually but not tonight. Tonight, he wanted to talk about her. “How long have you lived here?”

She slid onto the couch next to him, which he took as a good sign, curling her legs under her and inching her skirt almost over her knees. Not enough skin to be indecent, just enough to tantalize.

“Granddad bought the property when I was in my second year at college. He didn’t want to travel as much as we had when I was growing up, and he finally decided to open the shop he’d been talking about for years. After I graduated from college, I came home to help run it. I’ve been here ever since.”

“You don’t miss traveling?”

She gave an indecisive shrug. “I still do when I need to. What I enjoy is finding treasure in someone’s dusty attic. Tracking down the perfect piece for a client. I enjoy the hunt.”

“Gets your blood flowing, does it?”

Her lips curled in a seductive smile, the look in her eyes smoldering. “I find it stimulating, yes.”

Holy hell, his skin felt too tight for his body and his cock throbbed with desire. “What else do you find stimulating?

Her eyebrows gave a little shrug. “You.”

The burn in his blood turned into a full-blown forest fire. “Then come here and let me stimulate you.”

Instead, she leaned back against the arm of the couch and stretched her legs toward him. “Are sex and business all you think about?”

“Not just sex. Pleasure. There’s a difference. Sometimes there’s not much pleasure in sex. Sometimes sex is strictly business. But pleasure encompasses a whole spectrum of activities, not just sex.”

“Sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this.”

“You’ve seen the Salon. I personally chose every piece of furniture, every fabric, every piece of art and accessory. We didn’t stay long enough for you to get the entire Salon experience.”

Her eyes narrowed. “And what would that have entailed?”

“Sexual freedom. Whatever fantasy you could have dreamed up, I could have made come true.”

“You didn’t exactly give me that option.”

“No, I was uncharacteristically selfish that night.” And he wasn’t about to sit here and analyze his reasons for that now. “But I’m willing to make that up to you.”

“Oh, really?”

“Absolutely. Tell me what you fantasize about, Belle.”

Her smile faded as her gaze sharpened. “Is it all just fantasy with you?”

“No, it’s about the pleasure. Fantasy is just a way to attain pleasure.”

“And what do you fantasize about?”

“Right now, my fantasies involve you and whipped cream.”

She laughed as he’d intended because he’d sensed her thoughts shifting away from the moment. “And if I told you I actually have a can in my fridge…”

“I’d say take off your clothes, sweetheart.”

She drew in a deep breath, as if he’d shocked her. Or like he had reached between her legs and stroked her.

“And what if I want you to do the same?”

Now, that was an interesting question.

He was usually the one in control, the conductor, as such. He planned the games, and sometimes he even paired the players.

His life was all about control, professionally and personally. He knew exactly why he needed it. Made no excuses for it.

None of his friends and lovers thought any less of him for it. Hell, they expected it. He was the son of Glen and Helena Golden, the product of blue-blood old-money Philadelphia. He’d been born with the silver spoon in his mouth and a fortune in his bank account.

“I’d say I think we can work something out.”

Her head tilted to the side, as if trying to get a different angle on him. “Do other women let you get away with this much control?”

Yes, actually, they did. “They know I’ll deliver.”

He let her think about that for a few seconds, watched her bite on that full bottom lip as she contemplated.

Then she sighed. “I live in a small town, Jared. People gossip. I don’t want to be the subject of that.”

The thought slid through his brain that maybe she’d had enough gossip earlier in her life. He was still considering putting Dane on the trail of that mystery. But that didn’t have anything to do with now. “You’re young and unmarried, Annabelle. Why shouldn’t you be free to have a sex life?”

She didn’t say anything in response to that but he saw her expression firm, as if she’d come to a decision.

Her chin tilted up. “I’m not looking for a relationship. I’ve got a business to run.” She held up a hand as he opened his mouth. “Just hear me out. I want you. I can’t deny that and I don’t want to. The heat between us is something I’ve never experienced. So yes, I want to explore that. But I also don’t want a sexual relationship to interfere with business.”

“You won’t have to worry about that. I’m capable of keeping the two separate.”

She didn’t hesitate. “Good to know. I want you to strip.”

The command in her tone made his balls tighten with lust, his stomach clench in need.

He’d never let another woman control his arousal before. But there was something about this woman, something that made him want to relinquish the tight hold he had on his own desire. Something he’d never wanted to do for anyone else.

He reached for the top button on his shirt, and her gaze dropped to watch his hands as he slipped the tiny discs through their holes. He didn’t rush but he didn’t make a strip tease out of it either.

Just before he reached his waist, he pulled the tails out of his pants and released the last button. Shrugging the shirt off his shoulders, he tossed it at the nearest chair.

Then he let his gaze drop deliberately to her sweater.

Taking the hint, she reached for the hem of her top, pulling it free of her waistband, and exposing an inch of creamy flesh. His lungs tightened as she wiggled just the tiniest bit and revealed her slightly rounded stomach.

By the time she’d uncovered the black lace demi-bra cupped so lovingly around her breasts, his chest ached with the effort to draw in air. His gaze fastened onto those firm mounds, practically salivating at the slight jiggle as she pulled the sweater over her head. Her beautiful red curls bounced over her shoulders and spilled down to caress her curves.

Beneath the bra, her hard nipples peaked, nearly poking through the lace, tangible evidence of her desire.

He lifted his gaze back to hers and watched her eyebrows lift.

“Your T-shirt, too,” she said.

With one hand, he reached behind him and pulled the white cotton over his head, dropping it on the floor.

Her gaze swept with blazing heat across his chest, searing him as if she’d reached out and touched him. He took a breath, trying to tamp down a little bit of his raging desire, just so he didn’t go caveman on her and start ripping away her clothes.

But just the thought made him hotter still.

“Now your skirt.”

She smiled as she reached for the zipper at her side. He heard each tiny tooth release with a metallic snick, every one causing his heart to trip heavier in his chest.

She had to lean back and lift her bottom off the cushion to get the skirt over her hips, wriggling a little and making his body temperature shoot up another ten degrees. When she got the skirt past her hips, his gaze locked onto her black garter belt and black lace panties.

Damn, he loved a woman who wore garters. They reminded him of the erotic art they both collected. Such a sensualist’s touch. He wondered if she wore them all the time or if she’d deliberately worn them for him?

He wanted her to have worn them just for him.

By the time she’d drawn the skirt down her legs and let it fall to the floor, his hands had curled into fists at his sides. He wanted to reach for her, wanted to pull her over him so he could let his hands roam all over those soft curves.

Instead, he let his gaze trace the lacy straps that connected to the silky stockings then back up to the string bikini panties lying low on her hips. Beneath the lace, he saw the faint outline of the soft triangle of hair on her mound, knowing what he couldn’t see was bare skin. His fingers remembered how soft she’d been between her legs, how silky.