The Very Rich Man (The Very Manly Series Book 3) Read online

  Every part of his body responded to her touch and wanted more. He let his hands slide down her back to her butt and squeezed. Her little moan triggered his inner animal. He asked, “Yes?” and held his breath for her answer.

  Chloe nodded. “Yes, please.”

  Chapter 5

  Darian growled and began a full frontal sexual assault. He held her against his body, parts of him ready for her almost too soon. He enjoyed her gasp when she felt his erection and smiled before tracing her lips with his tongue. She moaned and pulled his shirt from his waist. He pulled her further into his room, stopping when the back of his legs hit the bed.

  She broke contact long enough to lift his shirt up as far as she could. He let her remove it while he focused on her blouse. Chloe grinned, helping him. Her neutral colored bra looked a little threadbare and he grinned. “I take this is unexpected?”

  “Very. Otherwise, I’d have brought my sexy stuff.”

  He pinched the back of her bra and laughed when she gasped. She held her arms crossed in front of her, frowning at him with a twinkle in her eyes. He lifted her chin and murmured against her lips, “You are your own sexy stuff, woman.”

  “Wow. I like that.”

  “So do I,” he said while she let him remove her undergarment. Darian pulled her flat against his bare skin. “Perfect.” He let his hands slide from her back to front, thrilled to caress her curves. “Even better.” His fingers caressed her nipples and he grinned at her gasp. When she traced a line from his throat to his belly button, he said, “I’d like more.”

  As he cradled her breasts, Chloe tugged at the front of his pants. “I’d like everything.”

  He kissed her a little rough, and not breaking contact, undid her slacks. She shivered and he smiled against her lips. He let her clothes fall, inhaling sharp as she freed him from his pants. Her hands searched for and found him, his heat warming her cool skin. He knelt just enough to reach the bed covers and tug them off. His movement didn’t break their contact and he grinned.

  She smiled back at him and let go long enough to push him onto the mattress. Soon, she had him naked. He took the chance to watch her strip her remaining clothes, too. He took her outstretched hands and brought her to him, catching her as she tripped a little on his shoes. She blushed and he fell a little more in love with her. Darian lay back, stretching her out against him. He kissed her for a few moments before rolling her over. With her pinned under him, he leaned away to look at her flushed face. He felt her knees part and reached down between them. Her body, hot and wet, was ready for him, so he caressed her while inching inside. “I’m clean.”

  “I could use a shower.”

  He laughed much louder than he’d expected at her. “I mean…”

  “I know, and so am I. We need protection, though. I’m not on the pill.”

  Darian sank in, letting her envelop him. He stayed put. Her snug heat stimulating enough for the moment. “In a minute, I promise. I just need this.” When she nodded, he stared into her eyes as he began moving. Gently at first before letting the thrusts grow rougher. She gasped whenever he bottomed out deep inside of her. He knew his size was adequate, but not porn star proportions. Still, he loved her reaction as he hit her limit over and over again.

  She wrapped her legs around his waist and he stopped. The pressure to climax hurt his entire groin. A pulse went through him, letting him know he’d almost gone too far. “Let me….”

  “Sure,” she sighed.

  He scrambled for his wallet and the condom he kept there. Soon, and with a little bit of hurried fumbling, Darian went back to her. He kissed her, staying on his elbows as he returned to her sweet heat and his thrusting.

  “Amazing.” She pulled away a little, and moaned into his mouth.

  A shiver went through him. “I agree.” His lips rested against her ear as her legs went around his hips. He took the hint to go deeper and sped up the tempo, holding his breath a little to keep his climax at bay. Her gasps every time he fully immersed in her didn’t help his control. He needed her to climax so he could reach his own relief. “Come on, baby.” He dug his fingers into her hair, and whispered into her ear. “I need you, Chloe.”

  Her fingernails dug into his back as her back arched. When she let out a long moan, he felt her body clench his where they joined. “Hell yeah,” he yelled before remembering where they were and the thin walls. “Damn it all,” Darian ground out between clenched teeth as ecstasy flooded him. He stopped cold, unable to move thanks to the intense pleasure. She started lifting her hips to his and a second wave washed over him. He took her hint and resumed his own motions. Her hands moved from his middle back to his waist, then hips as her legs let go. He lifted a little to watch her face as she came a second time.

  Chloe’s eyes finally opened and she smiled. “Wow.”

  “Yeah.” He rolled onto his back to let her breathe. “You were amazing.”

  “Thank you, so were you.”

  Darian turned to see her grinning at him. He didn’t want to leave, but shrinkage being what it was, he had to. “I need to go and I’ll bring you back a wash cloth if you want. Don’t go anywhere.”

  She chuckled. “Okay.”

  He went to his own bathroom, sneaking a peek at Chloe. She was gathering up the blankets and sheets he’d thrown off. By the time he’d disposed of the condom and returned, she’d fallen asleep. Darian smiled, glad she had stayed in his bed. He tossed the damp cloth back into the sink. Careful to let her sleep, he eased under the covers and cuddled up close to her. He drifted off, wondering how the most vanilla sex he’d ever experienced had also been the best.

  Chloe woke up but kept her eyes closed. This had to be a dream because she lay on a fluffy little cloud, her head pillowed by angels’ feathers. Noises through a wall pecked at her ears like a chicken’s beak and she peeked out through her lashes. Where? She sat, looking around her. Last night…Darian…the hottest sex ever. Not her boss! She was smarter than that. She shook her head and buried her face in the pillow.

  Her need for air overpowered her embarrassment and she turned over. He wasn’t here. She listened, hearing him and another male approach, talking. One door closed, and the bedroom door opened.

  “You’re awake,” he said, peeking in. “Are you hungry, yet, or do you need more time?”

  Breakfast smells reached her and her stomach growled. “I’m starving, but might need a minute.”

  “Sure. I cheated you out of a bubble bath last night. So I’ll go run one while you gather things and meet me at your bathroom. Sounds good?”

  She grinned at him. “Sounds perfect.” As soon as he disappeared, she hopped out of bed and grabbed all her clothes and shoes. She looked and he had extra towels so she grabbed one to wear.

  Chloe crept down the hallway. She paused when she found him fussing around with the serving cart in the kitchenette. “I could almost skip bathing for the coffee.”

  “Don’t. You’re faster than I am. Go ahead and run your bath, extra bubbly, and I’ll bring you food and drink.”

  “Is that a comment on my smell?”

  He laughed. “No, it’s letting you treat yourself.”

  “All right.” She liked how easily she amused him, and in a good way, too. Not the usual tripping over her own feet way. Or knocking down something. Chloe began filling the tub, using bath soap for bubbles. She breathed in deep, enjoying the gel’s rich aroma. The entire hotel not only looked but smelled like pure luxury. A crafty woman would have put everything in her overnight bag yesterday and let housekeeping restock more for her to swipe again today.

  She grinned, discarding the towel, and sank into the suds. The bubbles covered her. She saw too late the control for the jets was an arm’s distance away. A knock sounded at the door before she could reach for the knob. “Yes?”

  “Are you decent?”

  “Yes, sort of.”

  He eased into the room. “Damn, I knew I should have hurried.” He held a coffee for her and a small
bowl with a fork or spoon in it. “Stay put. I brought you breakfast.” He put the drink on the ledge beside her and the fruit cup next to it.

  “Thank you!”

  “There’s more waiting. I figured this would take the edge off.”

  “Perfect.” She sat up, arms crossed to cover her chest.

  “Do you want me to hit the jets for you?”

  “Sure, that’d be great.”

  “Before I do and the noise starts, I have emails to check, a couple of miles to run on the treadmill downstairs, and a shower before we check out. I’d like to take you around to all the tourist traps before we fly out.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “Take it easy. Text if you need anything.” He grinned when she arched her eyebrow. “I mean later, when you’re out of the water.”

  “I knew what you meant.”

  “Right.” Darian hit the button for the jets and they roared to life.

  Her muscles began relaxing and she sighed. Before he left, he kissed the top of her head and closed the door behind him. Chloe took a sip of her coffee and held onto the cup as she leaned back. She turned on the television, halfway watching the national news and halfway thinking of how to add a TV to her tiny bathroom. She couldn’t afford the soap from here but could add the luxuries. Especially if she put the toilet seat lid down and got an extension cord. She laughed at the idea.

  Too soon, her coffee and fruit cups were empty and her skin wrinkled. She turned off the news and the jets, and drained the water. The suite seemed empty, too quiet, as she dressed and towel dried her hair. Chloe went out into the main area to find the rest of her breakfast under the metal cover. Everything still smelled wonderful, so she popped it in the microwave just as the main door opened.

  “Hey! How was it?”

  “Wonderful. Better than your run.”

  “Not your thing, huh?”

  “I’ll run if a bear is around.”

  He chuckled. “That’s a good time to start training, sure. I need to hop in the shower. Care to join me?” Darian gave her a side glance, grinning. “I’m kidding. The City takes priority.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. I’ve left a city guide for you to look through. Pick your top places to see.”

  He gave her another kiss, this time on the side of her mouth. Chloe sighed, torn between dragging him to bed and seeing the Statue of Liberty. “Go, before I decide to stay here for the rest of the day.” She watched as he went to his own bath, the microwave giving her another reminding beep. She ate in a hurry, using the chance to check her own emails.

  By the time he returned, she had the dishes stacked and her bag packed. He wore a dark blue polo shirt under a white sweater. She liked seeing him in jeans. Besides the obvious sexy way he looked, she’d not under or over dressed compared to him.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes, I have my bag packed and the guide is in my purse.” She picked up her belongings, putting the straps over her shoulder.

  “Where are we going first?”

  She followed him to his room as he retrieved his own luggage. “I thought maybe Tiffanies.”

  “Wow! You don’t mess around, going right for the gold.”

  Chloe laughed. “The diamonds, too. I’d always heard about it, saw advertisements in the upscale magazines in the library. I guess I just want to see the Tiffany blue in real life.”

  “I don’t blame you a bit.”

  “Plus, it’s on the way to the Empire State Building.”

  “It is.” He ushered her into the elevator and they rode down. As they exited, he asked, “After the Empire?”

  “The World Trade Center memorial, of course, and then the Statue of Liberty.”

  “Just a minute. Wait here.” Darian went to the driver of a black sedan.

  She couldn’t hear what either man said. It took her by surprise when the driver got back into the car and drove off. As Darian approached, she asked, “Is everything all right?”

  “Absolutely. It’s faster for us to walk, so I had him go on and park until we’re ready for him.”

  “Oh. Is that going to be a problem?”

  “No, of course not. You let me worry about transportation today, okay?”

  “I’ll try.”

  He chuckled. “Good.”

  The traffic, people, and older buildings mesmerized her as they walked. She glanced at him a couple of times, amazed he knew exactly where they were going. Chloe shook her head, certain she’d be lost in the city’s maze of a grid in minutes.

  “We’re here.” He stopped in front of a rather short and narrow building.

  She looked up to see Tiffany & Co etched in the stone above the door. “Oh wow! I can’t believe this!” Realizing she sounded like a rube, Chloe tried to act casual. “I mean, how very nice.” She walked in when he opened the door for her, the bright shimmers of the gemstones overwhelmed her. They’d decorated for Valentine’s Day already. “It’s beautiful.”

  “What is?”

  She smiled as his breath tickled her ear. All of the cases called to her and she didn’t know where to go first. “Everything.”

  He laughed. “I might have known you’d be impressed. Women usually are.”

  “And you’re not?” She tilted her head to have him follow her. The display in front of them glittered with jewelry resting on the velvet. “Who wouldn’t love all the sparkles?”

  “You have a point. They are pretty.”

  She glanced to see Darian just as interested in the rings and matching bracelets as she was. “Have you ever bought anything here before?”

  “Once, for a girlfriend. She said no, so I ended up returning it.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Thought about using it for the next gal, but the ring had bad karma.”

  “How many women have you proposed to?”

  “Good morning. Have you been helped?”

  They both looked up at the clerk. Darian responded first. “Not yet.” He turned to Chloe. “Did you want a souvenir from here?”

  “Absolutely.” She asked the girl, “Do you have anything with the trademark blue on it?”

  “We have several classic pieces in the Return to Tiffany’s collection. They’re over here.”

  She followed, slowly while staring at everything in between. So many diamonds and almost everything was silver. Chloe wanted one of everything she saw. “How does anyone decide on a single item?”

  The clerk smiled. “Many can’t.” She reached in and pulled a necklace with a double pendant. The silver metal glowed in the store lights. “I think you’ll enjoy this. It’s sweet, understated, and has our signature color.”

  “I’m already in love.” She bit her lip before saying, “I’m not sure, though.”

  Darian nudged her. “Get it. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

  The girl smiled. “This is very affordable. Still, it sounds like you have a budget.” She tipped the box to let Chloe see the price.

  “Sadly, I do. Budgets are practical and painful at the same time.” Chloe smiled at the girl. “I’ll take it.”

  “Is that everything, or can I show you more?”

  He spoke up first. “Show us a lot more. She’s never been here and I’ve only been a couple of times.”

  “Wonderful! Is there something you’d like to see in particular?”

  Chloe turned to him. “I’d like to see what sort of engagement ring you bought.”

  “Oh?”

  He had that suspicious expression on his face and she grinned. One night didn’t mean a wedding the next day. “Don’t be afraid. I’m just thinking it had to be spectacular, coming from here.”

  His expression eased a little. “It was. And I wasn’t scared.”

  The salesclerk leaned in. “Do you know the collection?”

  Darian shrugged. “Not particularly. The original diamond was two carats and I had them bump it up to four.”

  “A very nice choice. Solitaire?”

  �
��No, it had flanking diamonds. Made the larger ring look like a flower.”

  “I think I know what you’re talking about.” She crooked a finger. “It’s over here.”

  Chloe trailed behind both of them, drinking in every jewel. She glanced up when the clerk disappeared into a door. Soon, she returned behind the counter and asked Chloe, “Would you like to try it on?”

  “What? Oh wow.” She glanced at Darian to see if her doing so would bother him.

  He shrugged. “Don’t look at me. Go ahead. I’m never getting that ring again.”

  “Thanks. Nice to know I don’t have a chance at something like this.” She smiled at the clerk. “I’d love to try it on and dream of a more agreeable man.”

  Darian snorted and moved on, looking at the other jewelry. “Good luck with that.”

  Chloe and the clerk gave each other a “Men!” glance and laughed. Chloe took off the ring, gently giving it back. “I love it, of course. But it’s too big for me to wear every day.”

  “I completely understand.” She locked the item back in the cabinet. “There are a few rings over here with a sleeker feel to them. Women with active lifestyles enjoy these.”

  “That’s no good for you, sweetheart,” called out Darian. “You should look at the soaking in a tub all morning instead of going for a run with me rings.”

  The clerk choked back a laugh. “Either way, these are less likely to snag your sweaters.”

  She examined all the rings. Most were simple bands with diamonds set into the metal. A trio of bands caught her eye, their hammered metals set with smaller stones. The blue and pink gems were pretty. She moved on until one spoke to her. “May I try this on?”

  “Ah, yes. This is one of my favorites, too.” She handed Chloe the ring. “It’s eighteen carat gold with almost .2 carat diamonds. While not as brilliant as the prior ring you tried on, it is beautiful in its simplicity.”

  The gold warmed her skin. “The infinite loop of diamonds even makes my skin prettier.” She turned her hand one way and another to catch the light. “Too bad you don’t have a tiara. My face could use the help.”