gilet, is hugely talented.’
‘I have no idea what a gilet is and I don’t care.’ James’s voice rumbled in her ear. ‘That explains the how—you left out the why and when.’
Of course he wouldn’t leave it alone. ‘The why is because I had a lot of time on my hands; Morgan and Noah fell in love and they were—are—inseparable. Noah and I get along really well but I always feel like a third wheel when it’s just the three of us.’
‘Know that feeling. They exchange these long looks and I just know that he’s thinking about getting her into bed. It freaks the hell out of me, especially since I prefer to think of Morgan as not having had sex, ever.’
Riley had to laugh at that and couldn’t resist the urge to tease him. ‘Well, I have it on very good authority that she is having lots and lots of lovely, creative sex …’
‘You’re a cruel woman, Taylor,’ James moaned. ‘Why does that turn me on?’
Riley blushed. ‘Anyway …’
‘Anyway, you were telling me about this place.’
Riley shrugged. ‘I was lonely and I’ve enjoyed every second of teaching these kids. I was thinking of doing something similar when I get back to Cape Town.’ She felt James stiffen and knew what was coming next.
‘I know that you love your job and I get that you might be missing Morgan’s friendship, her attention. But how is going back to Cape Town the solution? I just don’t understand what’s motivating you wanting to move, Ri.’
‘Can’t you just accept the fact that I know it’s the right thing to do?’ Riley demanded.
‘No. I can’t. Because I don’t think it is. Because I really believe in the saying that “wherever you go, you take yourself with you”. Running doesn’t make things go away; sometimes it just exacerbates the problem.’
Maybe. But she was stuck between a rock and a hard place, the devil and the deep blue sea. Either she stayed in New York in a job she loved, in the orbit of a man who seemed to enjoy her company now, but as soon as they slept with each other—because they couldn’t hold out for ever—the chase would be over and he’d get bored and break her heart. Or she could leave and not see him for very long periods of time which would—drum-roll, please—break her heart.
Sucks to be you, Taylor.
AS HE BADE the last of his guests goodbye, James couldn’t believe that the party he’d—well, mostly Riley—had prepped and planned for was over, that it was scarcely a week until Christmas and not long before Riley walked out of his life and headed back to Cape Town. How was he going to function in NYC without her?
And why did the thought of needing her feel like a punch to his heart? He didn’t need her, he told himself; he just liked having her around. When she went, he’d be fine. He always was.
Why didn’t he feel convinced?
Riley stepped out of her backless shoes and groaned. ‘Arrrgh. Gorgeous shoes but they hurt like hell.’
James pulled down his black tie and tugged at the button on the collar of his white dress shirt. ‘You looked gorgeous tonight, Ri. Did I tell you that?’
Pleasure sparked in her eyes. ‘You did but I don’t mind hearing it again.’
‘And the musicians were perfect and the food was wonderful.’
‘You’re full of compliments tonight, Moreau. You feeling all right?’
But he wasn’t in the mood for teasing. He placed a hand on her shoulder and stroked her arm from collarbone to wrist. ‘Thanks for doing this, for being here tonight. It was fun and you stayed.’
Riley licked her lips. ‘I stayed because it was fun.’ She stepped back and bit the inside of her lip. ‘I should go … or maybe go and make coffee or … something.’
Or something … like coming to bed with me, James thought. He knew he shouldn’t, but his body was tired of being denied, of listening to his super-cautious brain.
‘Or something. Could that something be a kiss?’
Riley’s eyes widened. ‘We really shouldn’t, James.’
He placed his hands on her hips and gently pulled her towards him. His heart soared when she practically fell into his arms in her eagerness to get closer to him. ‘So tired of shouldn’ts and couldn’ts and musn’ts,’ he murmured. ‘I think I should and could and must kiss you … everywhere. Tell me you want to do the same.’
‘I want you … I always want you …’
James nibbled her jaw and inhaled her perfume and immediately felt heady. ‘That’s a good start … keep going.’
Riley groaned and he sighed. ‘But I don’t think it’s a good idea, James.’
‘Don’t think, not tonight.’ Because tonight she was his and he intended to make very sure that she knew that, understood that.
He placed a hand on her heart and her nipple under his hand reacted immediately, instinctively. ‘Your heart is pounding and your skin is flushing. You do want me. Don’t deny yourself—don’t deny us. Don’t think. ‘
Her eyes drifted over his body, darkened, and he knew that she liked what she saw. Her puckering nipples were a pretty good giveaway as to how turned on she was as well. He stepped closer to her, his fingers dipping down and lifting the hem of her dress to her thighs so that he could slide his thigh between her legs, creating a little friction, a lot of heat. Passion clouded her eyes as her hands came to rest on his chest. He brushed his thumb against her lip, over the throbbing pulse point in her throat, across that pointed nipple.
‘Dammit, Jay. That feels so good.’
‘You feel so good. You are the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. I can feel your heat on my leg and I bet that if I put my hand between your legs, Ri, I’d feel that you’re wet.’
Riley let out a breathy whimper.
‘You are, aren’t you?’ he demanded.
‘Mmm.’
‘Look at me, honey.’
Heavy lids lifted and … those eyes—God, they killed him. Deep, dark, passionate. ‘Wet for me?’
‘Mmm.’
His erection jumped against the fabric of his black suit trousers. ‘Let’s go to my room, Riley. Let me love you.’
He thought he heard Riley say, ‘One last time,’ but then he heard nothing as all his blood headed south as Riley walked over to the bigger of the two couches, dropping her dress as she walked away. She clapped her hands and the overhead lights went off and the fairy lights on the Christmas tree provided the only light in the room. He just stood and looked at her as she stood in front of that tree, naked except the tiniest silver-grey thong. His eyes crossed and he wondered who was seducing whom. As long as he lived he’d never forget what she looked like, perfect skin bathed in
