One Sizzling Touch Read online

  She should be shocked at the way he talked to her, but oddly enough that reaction didn’t come. Instead, she looked at him with interest. Many men had tried to pick her up, but Zach was different. He wasn’t overbearing or slimy. On the contrary, he seemed to be having fun, as if he didn’t expect that their exchange would lead to anything.

  “How versatile?”

  The words had just slipped out. She wanted to slap her hand over her mouth, but instead she felt paralyzed.

  Zach laughed out loud and threw his head back. “Touché!” His laughter was as disarming as his next words. “Thank you. Sometimes I need somebody to put me back in my place.” He exchanged a look with Lance. “Right, Lance?”

  Lance grinned and then addressed her. “Even he can’t always get what he wants. About time somebody told him.” He started to draw a beer from the tap. “Even though he’s a nice guy.”

  Zach rolled his eyes. “Really, Lance? A nice guy? After all the money I’ve spent here, you stab me in the back like that?” Despite the accusatory words, Zach smiled and bent closer to Rochelle, lowering his voice in a conspiratorial tone. “Don’t listen to him. I’m not nice. I’m a real bad guy without manners or sophistication. No woman is safe from me.”

  Rochelle couldn’t suppress her laughter.

  “Do you see, what you’ve done now?” Zach mock-complained to the bartender. “Now she isn’t even taking me seriously.” Zach emptied his whiskey.”Do you understand now, why I never try to pick up a woman in my local bar?” He jerked his thumb in Lance’s direction and grimaced.

  Rochelle grinned at Zach. “Yeah, with that kind of hurdle it’s totally a waste of time. I understand.”

  When he grinned at her mischievously, she ran her eyes over him once more. Yes, he was hot, good looking, but there was something that was even more important: to laugh and joke with him had pushed her problems into the background for a moment. And that was exactly what she needed right now.

  “May I buy you a drink, Zach?”

  He looked at her in surprise. Then he smiled. “Don’t tell me you’re trying to get me drunk so you can do whatever you want to me.”

  The idea suddenly sounded very tempting. After all, she needed to unwind and relax. She grinned. “Would that be so terrible?”

  “I’ve had worse happen to me.”

  3

  In the mirror that hung over the bar, Zach watched as Rochelle brushed a strand of hair from her face. For an hour they’d been laughing and talking about inconsequential things, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  The soft waves of her long, chestnut hair caressed her shoulders, and he could imagine running his fingers through it, burying his face in its fullness, and inhaling the scent. Her green eyes glowed invitingly whenever she laughed at him. Her beautiful white teeth were the perfect contrast to her red lips, which he could, only too vividly, imagine roaming his body.

  However, it wasn’t only her beauty that fascinated him. Her openness and infectious laughter were just as enticing. She was self-confident and bright, character traits he appreciated in a woman, because he was sick of women who lacked intelligence and relied on their bodies to attract men. Rochelle represented a challenge—a woman with a sexy body that made his cock twitch with excitement and a mind that appealed to him on an intellectual level. But at the moment, it was his cock that ruled him, and that need had to be satisfied.

  “Would you like to have dinner with me?” He smiled at Rochelle.

  She met his gaze and leaned closer. Her hand touched his forearm. “You don’t really want to go for dinner, do you?” Her lashes fluttered.

  He stroked his fingers over the back of her hand and enjoyed the tender touch of her silken skin. “Aren’t you hungry?”

  He sensed how his voice had gotten hoarse and was aware that she had noticed it, too.

  “Oh, I’m hungry.” She squeezed his arm. “But not for food.”

  Zach swallowed hard. Fuck, wasn’t that what he would normally say? Slowly he moved his head closer to her until only a few inches separated them.

  “Maybe you’ll allow me to help you satisfy that hunger.”

  “Only if you don’t mind. I don’t want to be pushy.”

  He covered her hand with his and squeezed. “I don’t mind at all. As for you being pushy, that kind of encourages me.” He slid forward on his barstool and allowed his knee to slide against her thigh. “Not that I need a lot of encouragement right now.” He lowered his gaze to his groin, where his erection was already tenting his dark slacks.

  Rochelle laughed softly and brought her mouth to his ear. “Then maybe we should get out of here, before something explodes.”

  Zach turned his head. “Lance, check please.”

  Then he pulled his credit card from his wallet and threw it onto the bar, before turning back to Rochelle. He brushed one hand through her hair and caressed her nape. “Looks like I’m breaking my rule tonight.”

  “The rule about not picking up a woman in your local bar?” She chuckled. “No worries. You won’t have to find a new watering hole after this. This is the first and last time that I’m gonna be here.”

  He grinned. “In that case…” He bent to her ear and inhaled her intoxicating scent. “…I hope you’ll allow me to strip you naked, so I can bury myself in you. Or did I misunderstand your offer?”

  A suppressed moan came from Rochelle. “No, that’s exactly what I want.” A short hesitation. “As long as I’m allowed to strip you, too.”

  “Oh, I sure hope you do.” He brushed his lips over her earlobe. “There’s a good hotel around the corner.”

  Even though Zach didn’t live far away, he had no intention of inviting Rochelle back to his place, because as soon as women saw how luxuriously he lived and how wealthy he was, they became a little too attached. And he wasn’t looking for a relationship right now. There was enough chaos in his life. He didn’t need a woman to add to it. Particularly not one as beautiful as Rochelle, who—should he spend more than one night with her—would probably make him lose his head and throw himself into a torrid affair, taking his focus off his business. And right now with the upcoming investigation by the SEC he needed to keep a cool head.

  After Zach had settled the bill, he led Rochelle to the door. As he opened it, he saw Lance’s grinning face reflected in the glass. The door fell shut and Zach put his arm around Rochelle’s waist. He felt her shiver and hesitate. Immediately he pulled her into the shadow of the next building.

  “If you’ve changed your mind, that’s okay.” With his knuckles he caressed her cheek. “I want you, but if you don’t want me, then I’ll put you in a taxi and send you home now.”

  She lifted her hand and brushed her fingers through his hair. When her fingernails touched his scalp, he shuddered involuntarily and had to close his eyes for a moment.

  “I don’t want to go home,” she whispered. “I’d much rather feel your naked skin against mine.”

  “Rochelle,” he murmured. “I would love to kiss you now, but I’m afraid that we won’t even make it all the way to the hotel if I do that.” He pressed her against the wall to let her feel what she did to him.

  “Then I can only hope that it’s not far to the hotel, because feeling you like that turns me into a tigress who wants to dig her claws into her prey.”

  He pulled one side of his mouth up to a smile. “If you want to play out that fantasy in a few minutes, I’m game. I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to be mauled by a tigress.”

  Zach stepped back from her and took her hand in his. At the end of the block he turned right and led her to the entrance of the hotel. It was quiet in the elegant lobby. He motioned to the comfortable armchairs.

  “Why don’t you wait for me here while I get us a room?”

  She nodded. “Hurry.”

  He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it. Then he walked to the reception and addressed the front desk clerk behind the marble counter. Within minutes he had the key card
to a room on the twenty-fourth floor in his hand.

  “Is the gift shop still open?” he asked the clerk.

  The young man looked past him and smiled. “On the way to the elevators to your left. You’re in luck. They’re closing in five minutes.” Then he cleared his throat. “I wish you a good night, sir.”

  Zach nodded and pivoted. He saw Rochelle rise from her armchair when she noticed him approach. He took her hand and walked in the direction the clerk had indicated.

  “Wait at the elevator for me. I have to quickly get something.” He motioned his head toward the gift shop, then whispered in her ear. “Unless you are prepared and have something on you.”

  She looked up at him. “I wasn’t planning on…”

  “No worries,” he interrupted. Oddly enough he liked the fact that she had no condoms on her. So she hadn’t been in the bar to find a stranger to spend the night with. Just as he hadn’t planned it either.

  In the shop he went straight to the cashier and pointed to the display behind her. “A three-pack of Trojans please.”

  The elderly lady smiled and ran her eyes over him. She took the package from the rack and scanned the price. When he paid, his gaze fell to the open door and the corridor beyond, where Rochelle stood waiting at the elevator bank.

  “Have a nice evening, sir,” the cashier said and handed him the condoms, which she’d placed in a neutral brown paper bag.

  “Good night.”

  Rochelle’s gaze was on him when he approached. The doors of the elevator opened. Rochelle went inside ahead of him and Zach followed. He pressed the button for the twenty-fourth floor and waited until the doors closed and the elevator started ascending.

  They were alone. Every obstacle was gone. Nothing could stop him now. Without a word he shoved the condom package into his suit pocket and took a step toward Rochelle. She knew what was about to happen. Her eyes confirmed it just as her heaving chest did. She stood with her back against the wall and lifted her chin to welcome him.

  “I promise you’ll enjoy this night.” Because he would make sure that she enjoyed their lovemaking just as much as he did. He always treated his lovers well, even though he sometimes turned a little wild in bed. And with Rochelle he could easily imagine setting the sheets on fire, because he could virtually see the passion dance on her skin. And judging by the way his cock twitched though they weren’t even naked yet, he knew they’d be perfect for each other in bed.

  Zach pressed his body to hers and sank his mouth onto her red lips. Her breath bounced against his and he inhaled the scent. Her lips were warm and soft.

  “Zach,” she murmured, and the vibration of her voice sent a pleasant tingling sensation over his skin.

  Then he felt her arms come around him, and he took her mouth in a passionate kiss. He got lost in it, tasting her lips, her yielding tongue; exploring her. With powerful strokes he showed her what he wanted from her, how much she aroused him. He couldn’t suppress his moans. Just as he couldn’t stop his hips from undulating, his groin from grinding against her rhythmically. But Rochelle didn’t seem to mind, because she caressed him eagerly and pressed her body against his in a show of wanton abandon.

  Rochelle’s hand slipped to his butt and she pulled him even harder to her. If she continued like that, he’d come right here in the elevator. But he couldn’t let go of her. He didn’t have that much self-control left. Maybe it had just been too long since he’d been with a woman. His work had kept him too busy.

  The elevator stopping on their floor was his salvation. When the soft ping announced their arrival and the doors opened, he finally managed to release Rochelle’s lips.

  He looked into her lust-drenched eyes and liked what he saw there. She was just as drunk from the kiss as he.

  “I’m glad I bought a three-pack. We’ll need it.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “I hope it’s enough.”

  4

  Rochelle barely heard the door to the room fall shut, because Zach was already pressing her against the wall, continuing where he’d left off in the elevator.

  Damn, the man could kiss. Like a conqueror he explored her with his tongue and his lips. Not to mention his hands that ran over her body in a sensual caress. Not like an awkward schoolboy, but an experienced man who knew exactly what a woman liked. Not too demanding so he didn’t come across as pushy, but not too hesitant either, rather in a way that awakened every cell in her body. His tender touch made her want to surrender to him.

  When he stroked over her breast, he released her lips. “You like that, yeah?”

  “Mmm.” She couldn’t even find her voice, because his kiss had robbed her of all her senses.

  “You feel good,” he continued and covered her neck with kisses, while his hands were busy peeling her out of her jacket.

  Impatiently she helped him and let the jacket drop over her shoulders and fall to the floor. Relieved, she took a breath of air. When she lifted her head, she caught Zach’s lusty gaze roaming her torso. Then their eyes met and she felt his hands on her, opening the buttons of her white blouse.

  “Beautiful,” he whispered and finally released the last button, before freeing her of the garment.

  With both hands he stroked over her bra-covered breasts and her exposed skin. The contact made her tremble with excitement. She barely had time to get used to the sensation, because he was already opening the zipper of her skirt. A moment later that piece of clothing dropped to the floor, too. On such a warm summer’s day, she didn’t wear any stockings, only silk panties.

  Zach moved his face to hers and smiled. “May I ask you for something?”

  She tilted her head to the side. “What is it?”

  He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out the condom package and tossed it on the bed. “I love to be stripped by a half-naked woman. It turns me on.” He took her hand and laid it onto his tie. “Would you do that for me?”

  She had to smile and started untying the knot. Was it really so easy to arouse Zach? Whether it was true or not, the fact that he found her desirable made her feel like that: like a temptress. And maybe that was exactly what she needed tonight.

  Slowly she loosened his tie and tossed it to the floor, then she slid the jacket over his shoulders and threw it on a nearby chair. Through his shirt, she felt his muscular chest, and it sent a shudder down her spine. She liked a man who took care of his body.

  Button after button she opened and exposed more and more skin to her gaze. Only a light dusting of hair covered his chest, just how she liked it. His skin was lightly bronzed, and there wasn’t a single unnecessary ounce of fat on his torso.

  Drawn to the picture of male perfection she lowered her head to his chest and brushed her lips over his perfect skin.

  Zach moaned.

  “You look good,” she praised him and caressed his skin with her lips and the pads of her fingers.

  “Undress me all the way.”

  She moved her hands to the waistband of his pants and eased the button open. The zipper slid down almost by itself. Rochelle pushed his pants down his slim hips and let them drop to the floor. He kicked off his shoes so he could step out of his pants completely.

  Rochelle lowered her gaze to his black boxer briefs. The soft fabric hugged his body tightly, showing the erection hidden beneath. Big and long, his cock curved upward.

  “All of it, please,” he demanded, his voice hoarse.

  She covered the bulge with her palm and felt his hard-on pulse in her hand.

  “Rochelle!” Zach ground out and threw his head back, while he pressed his cock harder into her hand. “Oh God, that’s good.”

  “Skin on skin is even better,” she promised and pulled his boxer briefs down, until she’d freed him entirely and the garment joined the other clothing on the floor. But she wasn’t done yet. She crouched down and lifted his foot off the floor. She took his sock off, then repeated the same action with the other foot.

  When she looked up at him, she saw him watching he
r intently. Like Adonis he stood there, naked and perfect. She loved the sight of him. No man had ever looked at her with such undisguised lust and passion. She lifted herself on her knees, but instead of standing up, she reached for his cock and wrapped her hand around the hard flesh. He jerked at the unexpected touch.

  “I’ve never sucked such a beautiful cock before,” she said and bent closer. “May I?”

  He let out a ragged breath. “Are you serious?”

  She licked her lower lip. “Mmm.”

  “Only if you promise me something,” Zach hedged.

  “What?”

  “That I may lick you, too.”

  She met his intense stare and felt her clit pulse in anticipation. Zach really looked more than keen on pleasuring her like that. Not as a quid pro quo, but because it turned him on. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Good.” He stroked his hand through her hair. “Then take my cock into your beautiful mouth.”

  Rochelle brought her mouth to the tip of his erection and licked her tongue over the velvet-soft head. A moan issued from Zach’s lips, accompanied by a sharp intake of breath, while his body seemed to tremble.

  She lifted her lids to look at him and collided with his heated gaze. A bolt of energy charged through her and ignited her insides. Without severing her gaze, she closed her mouth around his cock and took him deeper.

  “Oh God, Rochelle, you’re driving me wild.” He reached for her and caressed her cheek with his fingers.

  Involuntarily she closed her eyes and sank down on his erection until she could go no farther. She tried to loosen her jaw, but she couldn’t take any more of his hard length.

  “Slowly, baby, I don’t want to hurt you.” Gently Zach pulled his groin back, and his shaft slipped halfway out of her mouth.

  With both hands she pulled him back, while running her tongue along the underside of his cock. Slowly, she began to pleasure him. She alternated between using her tongue and pulling him deeper into her mouth and sucking harder. Zach moved in the same rhythm as she and thrust into her mouth over and over again. His hands were on her shoulders now, though he didn’t force his tempo on her, but allowed her to lead.