without them.
âNew ground rules, then?â he said against her cheek.
Izzy automatically reached hands out to circle his neck, instantly recalling his broadness, the way it had felt to touch him, as if it had been yesterday and not weeks ago.
âWellâ¦â she whispered into his hair ââ¦this will not be a relationship. No going out on dates, no meeting my friends or âheaven forbid- my parents. No grief. My work comes first.â
His lips grazed her neck and she realised she was gabbling and forced herself to focus.
âAnd when itâs over, we draw a line under it and go our separate ways. This isnât going to be friends with benefits. I have friends. Itâs just going to beâ¦wellâ¦
benefits
.â
She felt him smile against her neck.
âAgreed,â he whispered, his breath warm on her skin. As he slipped a hand beneath the silk of her skirt, across the sensitive skin of her thighs, Izzy felt rough bark press against her lower back. His lips moved to meld against hers, his other hand tangling in her hair as he explored her mouth softly with his tongue. His fingers crept higher, caressing their way to the tops of her thighs and she drew in a quivering breath as his fingertips teased their way beneath her panties. Her eyes were squeezed tightly shut but she felt his mouth smile against hers in response to her reaction.
âNot here,â she squeaked. âIâm supposed to be working.â
Yet even as she spoke the party seemed to fade to the edge of her consciousness.
Her traitorous body squirmed against him, wanting more. Her hands betrayed her, sliding lower, and she felt him catch his breath as she traced her fingers over his erection. He let out a guttural moan that filled her with excitement as she caressed him. As she began to tug at his belt, all thought of networking floating away like smoke from the firepit, he used his free hand to catch both her wrists, stopping her distraction so he could focus on her properly.
His fingers teased beneath her skirt, pulling her panties free and stroking gently at her swollen entrance until she was writhing and desperate for him to slide them inside her. He made her wait, holding her wrists lightly together at the base of her spine, revelling in indulging her completely. When he had her twisting against him, breathing hard, his hand slick with her desire, he eased his finger deep into the silken warmth of her, adding a second finger in response to her gasp, then a third, moving slowly and steadily now, his thumb circling her most sensitive spot, rhythmically moving until he felt her climax approaching in the tension of her body and the deep moan that escaped her throat. He replaced his mouth against hers, letting the sweet hiss of her breath mingle with his as he tipped her over the edge.
He was back in control. The feeling of power deep inside him as he brought her to orgasm made him want to take this further, have her again right here and now. He made himself hold back. He would make her wait now, play this out the way
he
wanted to. And when he walked away this time it would be on his terms and he would have no need to look back. He would exhaust this misplaced physical desire for her and then his mind would stop dwelling on her and he could move on.
âWhat about you?â she asked, trying to catch her breath. âThat didnât seem fair.â He was straightening his clothes, the expression on his face like the cat that had got the cream, finished it, and gone back in for seconds.
âPlenty of time for that,â he said.
She straightened her dress and ran a hand through her hair, wondering if what sheâd just done might show on her face.
âI need to get back to the party,â she said, moving back towards the garden, opening the gate. âYouâre such a bad influence, Iâm meant to be networking.â
He followed her, hands in his pockets, relaxed smile on his
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