Mastered by the CEO (Mastered By #4) Read online

  He knew she was edging to talk about the merger.

  He stood up and cleared away her empty plate, then poured her a coffee. He’d ordered decaf because the instructions the doctor had given him said to ensure she got lots of rest. She added sugar and cream. He picked up the two cups and carried them to the sitting area. She followed him into the room before he could go back to help her to the couch.

  He knew he was being overprotective—she could walk on her own—but he didn’t want to take any chances.

  He said nothing and sat down beside her on the couch. He pressed a button on the remote control sitting on the side table and the large television mounted to the wall came on. He selected a movie, some current romantic comedy he knew she’d probably like, and settled back in the couch.

  She sipped her coffee and placed it on the table, then settled back, too. After twenty minutes, her head was drooping sideways. She was going to get a sore neck that way, so he slid his arm around her and drew her close to his body, her head resting against his chest.

  She felt damned good there.

  When he knew she was sound asleep, he scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom. As he laid her on the bed, he realized he shouldn’t leave her to sleep in her clothes. She wouldn’t sleep comfortably in a snug, straight skirt, a bra binding around her chest and garters pinching her thighs.

  He smiled. She probably wasn’t actually wearing garters, but a guy could fantasize.

  He unfastened the top button of her blouse. When his fingers moved to the second button, his gaze lingering on the newly exposed skin, just barely showing the swell of her breast, he hesitated.

  What the hell was he doing? Once he got her blouse off, would he unfasten her bra next, exposing those beautiful breasts of hers? His cock swelled at the mere thought of seeing them again. Then would he strip off her skirt and take off that garter belt she might or might not be wearing?

  And would he stop there, or would he peel away her panties and gaze at her sweet pussy? Would he be able to stop himself from touching her? From waking her up and seducing her?

  He couldn’t do that. It wouldn’t be right. She was in his care right now and the one thing he seemed to need to protect her from the most was himself.

  He squeezed her shoulder. “Rachel, wake up.”

  She turned her head to the side, her soft breathing still slow and steady.

  “Rachel,” he said a little louder.

  “Hmmm?” She turned to him and her eyelids fluttered open. “What?”

  “You fell asleep. And that’s good. You need to get a lot of sleep. But right now, you should change into something more comfortable.”

  She glanced around the room. “Oh,” she said sleepily, “I don’t have anything here.”

  He stood up and grabbed his pajamas from the dresser drawer and set the top on the bed beside her.

  “Here, put this on.” He helped her sit up. “Do you want help?”

  She shook her head. “I can manage.”

  “Good. I’ll be back in five minutes to make sure you didn’t fall asleep in your clothes again. Okay?”

  She nodded and he headed for the door. He timed exactly five minutes, afraid she’d just roll over and go to sleep again, but when he tapped on the door, she called for him to come in.

  When he stepped inside, she was sitting on the bed wearing his silk pajama top. His gaze fell to her long, shapely legs, then to her shiny, chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves. He longed to run his fingers through it.

  While he’d waited, he’d changed into the pajama bottoms and it didn’t escape his notice that her gaze fell to his naked chest. He smiled as he saw heat flickering in her eyes.

  “Good. Now get some sleep.”

  “Where are you going to sleep?” she asked, looking a little nervous.

  “Right here.”

  He almost laughed at her widened eyes.

  “But—”

  He walked toward her and her eyes widened more, but he simply grabbed the extra throw on the end of the bed and walked to the fireplace.

  “In the chair,” he said as he sank into the easy chair and rested his feet on the ottoman. “Good night.”

  Then he turned off the light.

  * * *

  Rachel was intensely aware that King was sleeping only a few yards away. She didn’t think she could fall asleep knowing he was so close… afraid he’d climb into bed with her… Wishing he’d slide in beside her and wrap her in his big, protective arms.

  God, she’d missed him.

  But she was an idiot. She couldn’t start up with King Taylor again. He’d bought her company. He was surely going to fire her. Why wouldn’t he?

  She’d always been a frustration to him. The sex between them had been great, and that’s probably the only reason he had put up with her. But if she’d stuck around long enough for that attraction to burn out…

  She’d done both of them a favor by leaving when she had.

  But that didn’t stop her from longing for him. From dreaming about him. Wishing she could experience even one more time in his arms.

  Idiot.

  She stared at the ceiling, trying not to think about their naked bodies entwined. The feel of his lips on her neck… gliding down her chest to her breast… his tongue gently nudging her nipple.

  She rolled over. Too suddenly. Her head began to ache.

  “Are you all right?” he asked in the darkness.

  “Fine, thank you. Just rolling over.”

  She closed her eyes, knowing she’d never fall asleep.

  She drew in deep a breath. Relaxed her body. Felt her limbs grow heavy. Imagined the darkness cocooning her in a soft blanket of sleepiness…

  * * *

  “Rachel?”

  Rachel started to wakefulness. It was dark and it had been a man’s voice saying her name.

  “Who is it?” She wasn’t sure where she was. She could make out a shadowy shape in front of her as her eyes grew accustomed to the scant light in the room.

  “Do you know who I am?” the voice asked.

  “King?” Of course it was King’s deep, smooth-as-silk voice.

  “What’s my last name?” he asked.

  She frowned. “Taylor.”

  “And what’s your name?”

  “Why are you asking me my name?”

  The bedside light turned on and King grasped her shoulders gently.

  “You were in an accident and have a concussion. Do you remember?”

  “A concussion?” The car accident. “Yes.”

  “So answer the question.” His charcoal eyes were filled with concern. “What’s your name?”

  “Rachel Clark,” she answered obediently.

  “And where are you now?”

  “I’m in your suite. At the Concord Hotel.”

  In fact, she was in his bed. And he was sitting beside her, his broad, naked chest so intensely masculine she could barely stop herself from stroking it.

  “Good girl.”

  She liked him calling her that. She gazed at him, wishing he’d reach out and stroke her hair. Wishing he’d touch her.

  Kiss her.

  His eyes blazed with heat and for a moment she thought he might.

  But he leaned back. “Now you can go back to sleep.”

  Was he kidding?

  He turned off the light and moved away in the darkness.

  She lay back and closed her eyes again, her head aching with a dull thudding pain. But the sleepiness from her traumatized body overtook her and she drifted off again.

  * * *

  King settled back in the chair, but sleep didn’t come. The thought of Rachel in the bed only feet away… naked under the loose-fitting silk top…

  Was the heat he’d seen in her green eyes actually there or just wishful thinking?

  He watched her in the soft moonlight, struggling with his fully alert and aroused body as he tried to calm down and sleep. If only he could pump his cock to relea
se, then maybe he could sleep, but he wouldn’t do that with her in the room.

  He finally did doze off, only to be awakened by the sound of a woman whimpering. His head jerked up and he glanced toward the shadowy shape of Rachel’s reclining form in the darkness.

  She tossed her head to one side, her body arching.

  “Oh, King,” she moaned. “Ohhh…”

  Fuck, she was having a sex dream. A wide smile claimed his face. About him.

  He couldn’t help himself. He pushed aside the blanket and stood up, then walked toward her, his heart pounding.

  Her soft moan thrummed through him, setting his body pulsing with need.

  “Yes… Oh!” She sucked in a breath, then moaned again.

  Fuck, was she actually going to orgasm?

  He slid onto the bed beside her.

  Could he really just lay here and watch her? He was mesmerized by her sweet face, so beautiful in her blissful state.

  His hand fell to his cock, wrapping around the aching column as need throbbed through him. If she came, he wouldn’t be able to help himself.

  Maybe he should just wake her up right now. She might be a little embarrassed, but he wouldn’t let her know he knew what she’d been dreaming.

  He pulled his hand from his aching member and grasped her shoulder. “Rachel, wake up.”

  She murmured a protest as he tried to pull her from sleep.

  He moved close to her ear. “Rachel.”

  Her eyes opened and the way she gazed at him, her eyes blazing with desire, took his breath away.

  “King.” She smiled. “I was dreaming about you.”

  “Were you?”

  She nodded as she snuggled closer. She pressed her hand to his chest, her delicate fingers sending goose bumps across his skin.

  “It was a very hot dream.”

  Her hand glided across his chest, over his nipple—sending need spiking through him—then moved downward. He clamped his hand over hers as it approached his hard, aching cock.

  “Rachel, do you know where we are?”

  She glanced around. “We’re on a business trip together. In your room.”

  “We don’t work together anymore. Remember?”

  “We don’t?”

  “No. You stopped working for me five years ago.”

  Her eyes flickered back and forth in confusion.

  “We had a meeting today, but you hurt your head, so I brought you back to my suite to keep an eye on you.”

  Her eyes widened and she shook her head as things fell into place.

  “You bought Brenier Electronics,” she whispered. Her eyes, still wide, but now filled with pain. “You’re going to fire me.”

  His stomach tightened. He wanted to reassure her, but what could he say?

  At his hesitation, she frowned. “I know. We can’t talk about it yet.”

  His heart ached and he pulled her close to him.

  * * *

  A part of Rachel wanted to pull away and run. To get as far away from him as possible.

  But his strong arms felt so good around her. So comforting and warm.

  She couldn’t blame him for wanting to fire her. He had to do what he felt was best for his company. The fact she needed this job wasn’t his problem.

  Damn, she didn’t want to think about any of that. In fact, with his solid body tight against her, she could barely think at all. Her body was already fully aroused from her dream. Blazing with need for him. She’d longed for him for the past five years, never really getting over him.

  How could any man ever live up to King Taylor?

  She let the worries slip away as she melted against him, letting the soothing feel of his arms around her calm her. The heat of his hard, muscular body triggered her arousal anew. Her breasts were pushed flat against him, the nipples aching.

  In the dream, his hands had been all over her. His lips and mouth exploring her most intimate places. Then his big, thick cock had glided inside her, making her moan out loud.

  Oh, God, had King heard her moaning in her sleep? Did he know she’d been dreaming of hot, primal sex with him?

  She snuggled closer to his chest, realizing that right here, right now, she didn’t care. She slid her hand down his stomach again. Her fingers glided over his thick bulge before he managed to stop her this time.

  He pulled her hand away, but… God… his cock was hard as iron.

  He wanted her too!

  She pressed her mouth to the base of his neck, feeling his pulse against her lips. She nuzzled, then kissed under his raspy chin, loving the feel of his stubble against her cheek, then under her lips. She dragged her teeth across it.

  “Rachel…”

  She wrapped her hands around his head, his silky hair gliding through her fingers, and drew him to her, then planted her mouth on his.

  He drew away. “Rachel, we can’t…”

  But she’d found his cock again, squeezing him gently, and he groaned.

  “I want you, King,” she murmured.

  He covered her hand, but didn’t pull it away, clearly struggling.

  But when she stroked him, he grasped her wrist and drew her hand away.

  She wouldn’t let that deter her. She wanted one more time with him. Wanted to feel his big body over hers.

  In hers.

  She sat up and unbuttoned the pajama top.

  “Rachel, don’t…”

  But then she dropped it from her shoulders, baring her breasts to him, and his charcoal eyes burned like hot embers. She took his hand and pressed it to her breast.

  * * *

  The feel of her firm breast cupped in his palm was too much for him. So soft and round. He wanted her… so badly it was excruciating to hold back. His cock throbbed with the need to be inside her.

  But he couldn’t. She’d been hurt. She was vulnerable. He couldn’t take advantage of the situation for his own pleasure.

  Seeing the need in her eyes, though, he knew he couldn’t just walk away. So he cupped her head and drew her in for another kiss. His tongue swept into her mouth, seeking the sweet warmth. Her tongue met his and the two danced together as he pulsed inside her. Then he drew her tongue inside him and suckled. She moaned softly.

  He drew his mouth away and gazed into her eyes.

  “I want you to make love to me,” she murmured, her eyes burning with need. “I want to feel you inside me.”

  He shook his head as he stroked her hair back. “I won’t do that, sweetheart. It wouldn’t be right.”

  Disappointment washed across her face, followed by determination. She wanted what she wanted.

  But before she could take the lead, he pressed her back until she was lying down, her luscious breasts pointing at the ceiling. He gazed at them, a long, lingering perusal while she watched him avidly.

  “But I will do this.” He pressed his mouth to her neck, loving the feel of her silky skin under his lips. He planted light butterfly kisses down her neck, feeling her body quivering beneath him.

  He traveled up the swell of her breast until he found the luscious bud at the tip. He opened his mouth around it. The feel of her in his mouth, her nipple swollen like a small, sweet cherry, triggered a hunger in him so deep he didn’t know if he’d be able to hold back. His cock twitched painfully.

  He suckled, drawing the small cherry deep, the pebbled flesh of her aureole against his lips.

  She forked her fingers through his hair, pulling him tight to her. He suckled and licked her delightful nub until she was moaning softly. Her lips played against his head, her soft breath sending his hair fluttering. He lifted his head and captured her lips, deepening the kiss until she was pressed flat to the bed, his body over hers, his tongue deep in her mouth.

  God damn, he wanted this woman.

  He released her lips and captured her other nipple, then sucked in deep pulses.

  “Oh, yes.”

  He licked her, a heavy stroke with the flat of his tongue.

  Then he asked, “What
was it you called me earlier?”

  “King?” She looked confused.

  “No. When we were taking business.”

  “You didn’t let me talk—”

  He sucked hard on her nipple and her words stopped abruptly.

  “The only other thing I called you,” she said breathlessly, “was Mr. Taylor.”

  “Yes, that’s the one. Call me that now.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  He gazed at her, his eyes sizzling. “Do I look like I’m kidding?”

  “Uh… No, Mr. Taylor.”

  A slow smile spread across his face. “Good.”

  He cupped her breast, her hard nub driving into his palm, then he slid his fingers underneath the soft flesh and stroked her cherry-top with his thumb.

  “Oh, yes.”

  He pressed his mouth to her ear. “Yes, who?” he whispered, squeezing her nipple between his fingertips.

  She sucked in a breath. “Yes, Mr. Taylor.”

  The move was designed to put a little distance between them, but the hotness level just rocketed up several degrees.

  He cupped both her breasts, savoring their softness, then stroked one hand down her flat stomach. When he reached her panties, her breathing was erratic. He gazed at the tiny scrap of fabric and smiled.

  “Such a small barrier to a luscious treasure.”

  Then he tucked his fingers under the elastic and peeled them away. Now her pussy, so sweet and completely shaven, was exposed to him. He touched the outer flesh on one side, gazing at her in awe.

  “Open your legs for me, sweetheart.”

  Her thighs parted, exposing more of her folds. He touched the soft flesh—on the outside only—gliding his finger down one side, then up the other.

  “Do you like me touching you like this?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  His laser gaze locked on her. “Yes, what?”

  She drew in a breath, gazing at him as if he was someone totally different. But heat simmered in her eyes.

  “Yes, Mr. Taylor.”

  He smiled, despite the painful ache of his cock. Hearing her call him that was a powerful aphrodisiac. Not that he needed one with her splayed before him, ready and willing to give him anything he wanted.

  He parted her folds with his thumbs and stared at the slickness glistening on the small petals inside.

  “Damn but your pussy is so pretty.”

  Then he touched the wet flesh with his fingertip. He stroked down, then up. She murmured softly. When he drew his finger away to look at it, it glistened with her juices. He couldn’t help himself. He put it in his mouth and sucked. The taste of her jolted his body to a hyper state of arousal. He had to use all the control he could muster to stop himself from climbing on top of her and sinking his hard, aching cock into her velvet depths.