After her hand had struck his handsome face—he didn’t pull her hair, call her a whore or tell her to invite her friends over for some girl-on-girl action. No, this was like nothing she’d seen in the Manuel Coq de la Grande movies. Or like anything she’d experienced with the guys in the city. Warner just looked down at her with disgust and disappointment. Was it a mistake to hook up with him? At dinner, when she’d taken his hand, she’d hesitated. It would be a night like no other.
She could run a Fortune 500 company, no problem. She could be a boss. She could be a friend. However, real intimacy could ruin her. Part of her, rich with desire, wanted to cuddle with Warner and try to redeem herself. Another element wanted to run for the door. Leave a note stating she’d fallen ill and returned home to New York.
Damn this press conference.
Her eyes squinted as the French Riviera sun came through the windows. Warner moved, letting her know he was awake. Taddy rolled over. He was staring at her. His face searched for an answer from her, for what had happened last night. She didn’t know what to say. “Good morning, Big Daddy.” Taddy forced a publicity-perky voice.
“You wanna talk more about last night?” Warner folded his hands over his eight-pack, straightening the sheets out below him.
“Not really.” Attempting to roll over to face the window, she hoped to go back to sleep. Taddy didn’t want to tell him that she was scared.
He pulled her body into him and brought her face to his. “You sure do act as if you have a penis.” The hypnotic smell of his sex struck all of her senses.
“Ha ha, funny.” She’d get a strap-on if he got into role play, but something told her he wouldn’t. Be strong, Taddy. You can do this. You can tell him you don’t wanna get hurt. You can’t get close to him.
Warner kissed her on the forehead. “We have about two hours before your press arrives. Let’s order some breakfast and—talk.” He stroked her chin, letting her know it was okay to open up.
“Blah! Talking is overrated,” she said and pulled the sheets back, giving Warner’s nakedness a once-over. Still muscular. Still gorgeous. Yum. She lowered her face down to his crotch.
“No way, Brill.”
But his stiff dick said, “Go for it, Red.”
Stroking his shaft, she admired his cock as it rose to the sunrise. Her fingers spread wide as she gripped his girth and ignored his words. She licked his penis’s fine slit while eyeing his sweet face.
With a sharp inhale and a bite to his lower lip, he fought the urge to fuck her. She could tell. His mind wanted to talk. His body wanted to screw. He issued her a pouty, frustrated face. “Do you always slap men across the face?”
“Not always.” Taddy winked at him jokingly, but he was serious. She wasn’t up for a heart-to-heart. Taddy laced her tongue over his mushroom head and jacked him.
He throbbed in her hands. Warner stretched his arms out. His developed biceps popped. “You’re going to talk to me before we’re through here. I wanna know why you think it’s okay to hit me. I mean it.”
“I mean it.” She mocked him, shaking her head to say, no way, no how. Now his cock was in her mouth. The thickness stretched her lips. This is all I need. Her mouth circled his beautiful dick. She raked her nails up and down his veiny shaft.
“Red, you want forgiveness?”
“Yes please.”
He jolted, stiffening his legs and holding her hair back from her face. “You’re beautiful.” Warner massaged her back.
Taddy took him entirely. His pubes brushed against her nose. Her tongue edged to his scrotum. She sucked harder, tasting him. Salty.
“So good.” Looking behind her, she pumped him in her hand. His pre-cum spun like silk.
“Fuck, Red.” He swung her legs over his chest, putting her body on top of him and into a sixty-nine position. “I’m hungry for you too, baby.” His hands spread her tush apart. Warner’s tongue came at her notch as retribution for the behavior she’d given him last night. His lips and morning scruff danced around her sensitive skin, sending a chill over her entire body.
“Eat me out, Warner. Rock my world with your tongue.” She squeezed her nipples, forgetting their sensitivity. Shit.
“Red, I wanna punish you, but I can’t.” He drove his fingers deep inside her asshole, stretching it out while he nipped at her hard nub.
“I want you to.” She held on to his balls with her right hand, driving him farther down her throat. Please don’t fall in love with me. I screw everything up. I always have. I always will. She turned to face him.
“You wanna be on top?” He reached for a condom from the nightstand, tore the foil packet open and slid the rubber over his shaft.
“Please.”
“Giddy up, cowgirl.” He held out his hands and gave her balance as she faced him.
She brought herself onto him. “Now we’re talking.” Her sex was sore from last night so she put her feet down flat at his side, squatting, and rode him gently. Warner felt good inside her. Leaning back, she took to his cock better than she had yesterday. I love having you inside me. Bucking, Taddy rode him harder than she’d expected.
“Shit, Red, amazing.” He held on to her waist, guiding her but letting her do her thing.
Pressing her palms against his chest as he went in deeper, she felt him swell inside her. “I could get used to this.” Taddy paused, covering her mouth the second the “future words” slipped through her lips. Her fears felt stronger than ever. What is wrong with me?
Warner yanked her hand down from blocking her mouth. “I want you to talk like that.” He pulled her closer. “Say it again.”
Her voice caught in her throat. Her heart pounded in her ears. “I can’t.”
He thrust under her, causing her to bounce forward, and caught her face in his hands. Warner kissed her then demanded, “Say it.”
“Ummm.” She paused, still uncertain. Taddy looked deep into his eyes for encouragement.
“For me.”
“I could get used to you, to us.” Taddy felt her eyebrows arch up. Who talks this way?
His face colored fiercely. “Woo-hooo. I’m excited.” He plunged his dick hard under her, sending a chill, followed by a fast prickle of her skin all over.
“Ouch—Warner.” Tempted to slap him, she raised her hand but stopped herself.
Shaking his head, he declared, “Punishment time.” Warner rocked up inside her, faster. Grabbing her hands, he pulled them behind her back. He lifted his ass off the mattress, burying himself inside her as far as he could. “Look at me, Taddy.”
She rode him. He restrained her hands at her backside. As her breasts bounced in cadence, Taddy felt somewhat liberated. Yet her mind resisted. I have to let my guard down. I have to go with this.
Smiling, she started to enjoy the hold he possessed over her. Her scalp tingled, more sensitive than ever, her cunt fired up for him. “I’m coming.”
“Yeah, Red.”
“Big Daddy.” She kept her eyes open, remembering his orders from before. Letting her body fall into his, she came all over his dick. “That…was amazing.”
“We’re not done yet. My turn.” Warner sat up, releasing her from cowgirl ecstasy and moving into missionary, your-fuck-it-stick-is-too-large-for-my-twat position.
“Control freak.” She wanted to spank him.
“I am not. I want to look into your green eyes when I come.” He thrust in.
“Can I slap your tush?” she asked, flattered he knew what color her eyes were.
“You can spank my ass. You can even strike my dick. But don’t ever hit my face.” He kissed her and drove in faster.
“Shit—Warner.” Her muscles loosened and then contracted again. Shit, shit, shit.
“When you’re on top, staring off into space, I’ve lost you.” Warner pumped harder and harder.
“You’re intense.” She raked her nails over his chest. “You know it?” She put her hands over his shoulders, anticipating his jackhammer ride.
“
And you aren’t?” Lifting her body off the bed, he thrust so far up her cunt she nearly saw stars.
She screamed. Her slit leaked more and more. “You are driving me crazy.”
He kept pumping. “I’m going to come.” He pulled out. “Where do you want it?”
“Where do you think?” She ripped his condom off and received him in her mouth. His cum felt hot as it surged down her throat. It tasted sweeter than last night. Rest must’ve given him time to refuel.
From the bed’s edge, he stood and lifted her over his shoulder.
“Warner!” Her face smacked his backside. She pushed her hands against his muscles so she wouldn’t hit her mouth.
“Shut it.” He tightened his grip around her ankles. “My girl needs a bath before her press conference.”
In the shower, the steam came up, comforting her skin.
Lowering her to the floor, he insisted, “Let me wash you.”
Feeling better, she stepped in next to him and closed the glass door behind her. Taddy wrapped her hands around him, and hugged him tight. “I’m sorry for smacking you.” She leaned in and pressed her lips onto his.
He took her into his arms and kissed her back, loving her with his tongue. He reached over and grabbed the shampoo, lathering a coconut smell in his hands. “Why did you behave so aggressively last night?”
“Scared, I guess. I’m not used to this.” She was relieved the shower sprayed her face. It disguised her tears.
“Get used to it.” He palmed the shampoo into his own hair, washed and then rinsed. He held her under the water to rinse.
“You make us sound—easy.” She lifted her hands up. He washed over her responsive breasts. Then he slid the cotton cloth between her vagina and asshole.
“Don’t make us hard, Taddy.” He squatted down, scrubbing her legs as she lifted each foot, holding on to his shoulders for balance.
Taddy tried to smile. “I’ll do my best, I promise.” She’d give one hundred percent. She wanted, needed and perhaps finally deserved someone like Warner.
“We’re going to continue this talk after the conference.”
She left his room to go upstairs to change. From the look on Warner’s face, he thought she might not come back.
A part of her agreed with his fears. She didn’t want to be vulnerable.
Chapter Sixteen
A 1910 Hourglass Figure
Warner thought Taddy’s idea for Hôtel du France, which was located on Promenade de la Croisette, to be genius. Taddy was more familiar with the property than his shareholders. Erected as a three-hundred-fifty-room luxury resort, Hôtel du France had opened in 1910. It was inspired by a famous French courtesan named Madame Diana la Chatte. Hôtel du France’s building structure, if looked at from an aerial shot, resembled la Chatte’s hourglass figure. Originally, the yards had been landscaped with lush gardens, which the previous owners had destroyed in the 1970s. Today it was just grass.
A Côte d’Azur woman, la Chatte had risen to fame dancing burlesque at The Follies. Taddy’s strategy was to declare the property a historic landmark—she’d filed the paperwork yesterday—and to have the lawns restored back to what they’d look like when it opened.
Taddy had presented him with the idea to come up with Cannes’ first all-inclusive adults-only retreat for lovers. Adult guests reserved for this season would receive a VIP invite to stay at a discounted rate the following year. The guests booked with families this season would remain on the hotel’s lower floors while couples only stayed in sensual-themed suites at the top. It would be a modern-day Club Med for the French Riviera with first-class service as the property would play up the Madame Diana la Chatte history. Future plans for the property included new uniforms created by Lex Easton from Easton Essentials and press trips for editors from overseas to bring their lovers. Baden Cosmetics had agreed to brand a new line of spa and body products under the Hôtel du France name. Brill, Inc. was projecting the property’s largest moneymaker to be the adult-themed, all-inclusive wedding package with featured honeymoon incentives.
Warner stopped the work he was doing for his trip to Asia on his laptop when he heard a knock at his door.
You returned. When he opened the door, Red came back into his suite. She’d readied herself in her own room one floor below and looked stunning. Her hair was up in a bun. She wore a tight miniskirt, high heels and a blouse that showed a little cleavage. “Why is your hair up?” He frowned.
She spun around, giving him a show. “When I need the journalists to take me seriously, I wear it like this.”
“Cute.” He walked over and kissed her. Hmmm, peppermint. “You could shave your head and you’d still be gorgeous.”
“I doubt that. Warner—why aren’t you dressed?” She scrutinized his bathrobe. “We have to be down in the main ballroom in about forty minutes.”
“This is your show. I don’t need to be dressed.” He sat on the sofa and kicked his legs up. “I’ll see you back upstairs after it’s over. I’ve prepared your going-away present, otherwise known as our talk.”
A gasp escaped her perfect lips. “What are you talking about? You’re the one giving the presentation.” She opened the closet and pulled out a suit. “Let’s go. I have to head downstairs for a sound check.”
“I never agreed to talk. I don’t do media interviews.” He crossed his arms and slouched back in the seat. “I assumed you’d speak.” She couldn’t be serious.
“Why else would I want to prep you last night?”
“I hoped ‘prep’ was cover talk for us getting to know one another. I assumed those notes were for you, and I approved them.” He didn’t budge. No public speaking.
She gritted her teeth. “That’s rich, Warner. The media came to meet you. They could give a rat’s ass about this hotel or me. You are the star.”
Flabbergasted, he said, “Is that so?”
“The minute I let on to the journalists you’d be presenting, they agreed to come.” She pulled the confirmation sheet out of her folder and held it in his face. “How do you think we got this many reporters to attend?”
“I don’t want to be a part of it.” Arms still crossed, he met her eyes without flinching.
“You’re an odd duck.”
“Am I?”
“You’re the only CEO from a major corporation who isn’t the brand’s spokesperson.” She tightened her wristwatch as if the show would go on without him.
“Not true. There are several…” He just couldn’t name any off the top of his head.
“Huh?”
“Taddy, we may need to renegotiate our agreement.” He wanted her to stay longer.
“What do you mean?” Seemingly annoyed, she was in work mode and didn’t plan on him not going along with this.
“The deal where we agreed you’d make some phone calls and turn this around.”
“Concluding with a press conference in which you were to speak.”
“No, Miss Brill.”
Eyes rolling, she stammered, “You’re right, I’m wrong. I screwed up. I just assumed you’d speak.” Taddy boldly met his eyes. “What are we going to do? People don’t want to hear from me.” As the room became silent, she walked over and sat on his lap. Her hands cupped his face.
“You’ll figure it out.” Warner teased.
“Why are you afraid?”
He shrugged. “If I put myself out there, my life opens like a book.”
“So?”
“People will start calling me for interviews, assuming they have access.”
“Your company will never grow if you don’t,” she affirmed.
“Truman Enterprises is the third largest resort chain in the world.” What more could a guy want?
“Why not number two? Or number one?” she asked, eyebrows rising.
She made a good point. Truman Enterprises had come close to slipping to number four in the last few months. “I’ll agree to speak today if you come to Asia with me.” Hope filled him.
“I can’t. Today is Monday. I have presentations in New York for my client Neve Adele and I’m hosting my charity ball. I have to go home and prepare.”
“The reality TV star?”
She gave a nod. “We’re pitching her lifestyle line. It’ll take a lot of my time.” Regret washed over her all-too-flawless complexion.
“I’m leaving for Asia after I wrap up here. I’ll be gone for the month.”
“So, let’s get together in the fall?” Her eyes narrowed. “Or we could take another stab at New Year’s.”
No way. I’m not going to let you go. “Come with me to Japan.”
“Warner…I have a business too. I have over fifty employees who I’m responsible for. I love my job. My company is who I am. I can’t just neglect it.”
“I’m sorry I asked. It’s unfair.” He found a perverse pleasure in her independence. In the past, his girlfriends had jumped at the chance to drop everything and follow him around the world. Not Taddy. He’d finally met his match. “Why don’t I come see you in New York on my way East after Cannes?”
“You mean it?” Her voice rose in surprise.
“After today’s conference, I’ll ride in the limo with you to the airport. Leave your rental here. I’ll see to its return. We’ll work on coordinating our schedules then.” He wanted more alone time with her, no distractions or complications. They needed to talk.
“A ride with you would make me very happy.” She kissed him. “You still nervous about speaking?”
“A little.” He squeezed her hand. “But I’ll do it because you asked me to.”
“Would you care for some public speaking tips?” She reached down for his dick.
“I’ve heard Brill, Inc. is the best at giving advice.” Warner took her hand as she slid off his lap and knelt down beside him.
“First, visualize yourself giving the speech in your head.” She opened his bathrobe and stroked him. “Similar to how you’re visualizing me giving you pleasure.”
“Hmmm.” He grabbed his sac, striking his penis with his palm. Always raring to go, his dick saluted to attention.