Insatiable Read online

  And yet, it was her that he wanted. A simple, ordinary woman with an abundance of curves. A woman who struggled to fit into “off-the-rack” clothing, who constantly second-guessed herself and who preferred a comfortable old pair of jeans and T-shirt to fitted, custom-tailored dresses and heels. And he didn’t just find her attractive, he wanted her so desperately that he was willing to give up a company just to have her—one that he had taken great pains to acquire.

  Ava knew that she should feel flattered by it all, yet she couldn’t stop wondering why her? What was it about her that appealed to him so much? What could she possibly do for him that hadn’t been done better by another woman? The woman who ran in his circles weren’t just beauties, but likely far more experienced with men.

  She closed her eyes, forcing the negative thoughts away like she had taught herself to do many times over the years when her insecurities took hold.

  Why not me? I am a good person, loving, kind and honest. I deserve this just as much as anyone, she decided as she settled back against the sinfully plush seats of the limousine. It may be only business, but damn it, she’d enjoy every second of it. If she was to have a man like Jonas Marks to herself for a week, then she was sure as hell going to make it a week to remember. For both of them…

  ****

  He checked in quickly, and within minutes they were heading up to the exquisitely appointed suite, one of the most breathtaking rooms Ava had ever seen. The bed itself was like an entity of its own—a mass of pillows set on the king-sized, silk-spread expanse of the sinfully beautiful mahogany wood frame. Ava took in the beauty, turning around to find Jonas locking the door, his eyes locked onto hers.

  They were alone. Finally. The very thought should have frightened her, but instead, it was electrifying. Was this the time of reckoning? Would he want to take her now, the first chance he got, or would he take his time?

  “You must be tired from the journey.” He moved away from the door, unbuttoning his top shirt buttons as he loosened his tie.

  “Would it matter if I was?” Ava asked, standing still in the middle of the suite. He came forward, standing close enough that when he looked down into her face, she could see the golden flecks in his piercing eyes.

  “I’m not the unfeeling, ruthless bastard you think I am.”

  His gaze lowered to her parted lips, which trembled in anticipation beneath his darkened stare. Ava felt her eyelids flutter to a close, expecting to feel his lips claim hers and satisfy her hunger for him, but instead he only kissed her forehead, holding her tightly in a sweet embrace.

  “I know we have an arrangement, but I’m no savage, Ava. I’ll let you get some rest and freshen up from the trip. I have an important meeting in the morning anyway, so I’m going to need some sleep.” He smiled, drawing away from her.

  Ava was shocked—unsure as to what to do. She hadn’t expected this and wasn’t sure she was even comfortable with the softness of his touch or concern for her wellbeing. Heated, rough passion, she could handle. That was tangible, with meaning and purpose, but this sudden concern for her, his gentleness and control. She didn’t know what it meant, or how to respond to it.

  Don’t, Ava. Don’t let him fool you, she warned herself. Keep your guard up and never let yourself forget that you are dealing with a man who nearly destroyed your family.

  She had to be strong. Now wasn’t the time to let her heart guide her or deceive her into thinking that this was something that it was not. She’d agreed to trade her time and body for the chance to restore her family’s business. That was all she cared about. She had to be ruthless, and be willing to take what she needed from the dangerous billionaire without any concern for how he felt or what he wanted.

  So maybe I’m not so different from Jonas Marks after all, she thought.

  ****

  Ava was sleeping soundly when he returned. He’d left the room several hours ago, after he’d showered and changed. He said something vague about having to see to some matters with Carly before the meeting tomorrow, and that he’d work in his assistant’s room so that Ava could rest without disturbance.

  Once she was sure he was gone, she’d slowly undressed, then indulged in a leisurely soak in the majestic marble tub in the bathroom. She’d been almost reluctant to finally rise from its scented, warming depths. She’d spent almost an hour in the bath, and still he hadn’t returned. Finally, she unpacked, retrieving her lace and satin lingerie, which she’d carefully chosen to wear as it highlighted her curves while hiding the imperfections. As she got dressed, she caught a glimpse of her naked frame in the mirror and paused.

  Standing in front of the full-length, gilt-framed glass, she viewed her reflection in a way she had never before. She had always been her own worst critic, noticing only the imperfections and blemishes, wishing she could be someone else, hating all that she saw. But today, as she stood in front of the long mirror, she saw someone almost unrecognizable to her. She had always been full-figured and had never known what it meant to be skinny or even slender, but today she didn’t look at the flare of her hips, her rounded belly or the sway of her breasts with disdain. Instead, she thought about how much Jonas wanted her, how he desired her so desperately, and how when he looked at her, he saw more than just a plus-size woman. She could see that in the way he watched her move, the hunger burning in his eyes.

  She turned to one side, and then the other one last time before backing away from the mirror and dressing slowly, with intent. She considered how his lips might feel on her neck, his hot breath washing over her skin. Or how it would feel to be in his arms once again, wrapped tight in his strong embrace, allowing him to do all that he pleased.

  A woman would have to have dry, bloodless veins in her body if she claimed not to find him deeply attractive. Every time he was near, it was hard not to look at him, or to feel turned on by his effortless magnetism. She’d felt it from the second she’d set eyes on him, smiling and offering to rescue her from Kirk’s bumbling hands and heavy feet. And while she should possibly feel guilty or ashamed for what she was about to let him do to her, she could only feel a rush of excitement at the thought. Oh, yes, she would give herself almost completely to him. He could have anything he desired from her but one thing that she would fight to protect. Her heart.

  ****

  She was drawn slowly from a deep sleep by soft lips trailing skillfully down her nape.

  She was lying on her belly, her face muffled in the pillow. The sensation of warm, silken lips leaving a molten path across her exposed back slowly began to register and her eyes snapped open.

  The room was as dimly lit as she’d left it when she’d settled in soon after she’d bathed, and now there seemed to be a definite glow surrounding her, warming her, inch by inch. Or maybe that was just the feeling of Jonas’s mouth on her skin, trailing lingering kisses over her exposed back.

  “Ava.”

  It was so like an erotic pronouncement, the one word filled with an undeniably intense declaration of intent that made her shiver. Ava lay on her belly, her face turned to the side and muffled within the pillow she now clutched. Jonas was now above her, his hands propped on both sides of her as he continued his tender, heated foray of her shivery skin with just his lips.

  “You smell delicious,” he growled wolfishly, drawing in a ragged breath, a seductive smile playing on his lips. “I want to taste every inch of you.”

  Ava shuddered, and she was sure that this time he would feel the way her whole body tensed and then eased itself beneath the searching, passionate tracks his lips made down the sensitive ridge in the middle of her back. From the waist down, she could feel her body melting, her inner thighs turning moist. And from the waist up, she felt herself grow heavier, tighter, as her breasts grew fuller and taut with an aching need she could not deny. She could feel her nipples pressing almost painfully into the mattress, and moaned.

  She felt him move away, and curious, she turned onto her back, leaning on her elbows as she watched, unable
to speak while he started to undress.

  He obviously had no qualms about his body, as silently, holding her gaze almost mesmerizingly, he unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside, followed by his pants. Ava swallowed hard, unable to look away.

  He was magnificent. Every inch of him like highly polished gold, and ripped to almost marble-like perfection. She’d never seen a more beautiful body, his shoulders broad and strong as the rest of him. A well-defined chest and flanks that narrowed into a perfect arch.

  He was making her forget to breathe—again. He smiled at her, his eyes hooded and dark. Ava trembled, wanting him to devour her but terrified that he may push her beyond the boundaries she was desperate to keep him from. The desire that swirled in her belly frightened her, and she felt her defenses weaken.

  “I want to devour you,” he murmured into her hair before pulling back to face her, his eyes dark and wild.

  She knew she should take it slow, but her traitorous body had a mind of its own, her nipples hard, hard breath moving through parted lips.

  “Touch me.”

  The words were out of her mouth before she could contain them, her heart pounding so hard it felt ready to explode in her chest.

  “Is that what you want, Ava?” His voice was low, the sound like crushed gravel.

  In one graceful motion his mouth descended on hers, claiming her lips, his fingers making quick work at the buttons on her blouse.

  “Yes,” she pleaded, her head thrown back, neck exposed.

  She felt the snaps of electricity travel outward at the touch of his hands, coalescing in the pit of her stomach, and she couldn’t stop herself from groaning.

  “You’re so beautiful” he replied, his eyes never leaving hers as he unbuttoned the rest of her blouse, casting it away. Within seconds his mouth had found her breasts, kissing the exposed tops, his lips brushing her hot skin. She felt the flick of his tongue across her nipple, moving from one to the other, as he hands reached up to cup them firmly.

  His hands moved behind her, skillfully, fingers playing over her skin, unclasping her bra. It fell away, leaving her hardened mounds exposed, giving him free reign.

  “Oh, Jonas,” she breathed, helpless. Any insecurity she felt melted away, replaced with an urgent need to be possessed by his hungered touch.

  She reached out, holding his face in her hands, looking into the bottomless blue depths of his eyes, matching the intensity of his desire with her own desperate need. She wanted him to claim her, to rekindle the fire he had started in her during the first dance, to take his pleasure any way he wanted.

  “Tell me what you want, Ava.”

  She nodded, unable to speak. Her breath was coming in short, helpless gasps as he swept her along with him, his body awakening sensations in every nerve ending of her body, his hands and mouth kissing, biting and licking her breasts.

  “I want…I want you to take me. Have me however you wish. All of me.”

  He held her gaze for a moment before pulling her down to him so that he was on his back, her lying half naked on top of him. He reached around and pulled at the waistband of her pants until he had tugged them down to her knees. She moved quickly to kick them away, finally naked, held tightly against his lean, muscled body.

  “Ride me.” His hands were everywhere on her body, racing across her back, squeezing and kneading her flesh between his fingers. “Now.”

  She wanted to do what he asked, wanted to do it so very badly it frightened her. But suddenly her insecurities returned and she found herself held back by her fears. She looked down into his hooded eyes pleadingly and found his gaze merciless, feral in its command.

  “Ava…”

  The warning tone was enough. She would obey.

  She arched over him, the heat between them almost scalding. He lay there expectant, and she took her time, moving slowly, ever slowly to his lips. Her eyes fluttered closed against the dark flush of arousal on his face. He was already ablaze for her and she was entranced, mesmerized, almost lost in the fury of his desire. She wanted to taste him, their bodies tangled.

  Her mouth melded sensually over his. No tongue, just her lips tugging and nibbling on his. His breathing was harsh; she could hear it in the background of her own quivering breath as with every taste of his soft lips, she felt a coil winding tightly inside her belly. She framed his face with her hands and deepened the kiss, taking him with a feminine roughness that made him growl in surprise. She never wanted to stop. Kissing him felt perfectly sinful, his lips moving over hers, his tongue feather-soft against her lips. Pulling away, she looked down at him in the dim light.

  “I’m afraid of what you’ll do to me.”

  He reached up, his fingers weaving into her hair, forcing her mouth to crush his own.

  “I won’t do anything you don’t want.”

  She buried her face in his neck, her lips trailing down to his shoulder.

  “That’s what scares me most. That I’ll want it all.”

  He lifted her from his lap, twisting her body carefully, gently setting her back down on the bed as he hovered above her.

  “Then take it all.” His voice was rough, wild. He leaned forward, his hands reaching behind to cup her ass, squeezing her cheeks. His eyes were that of a possessed man, blazing with unbridled lust.

  She ran her fingers down his broad chest, muscles rippling beneath her fingers until she found the head of his cock, hard and ready. He growled as she squeezed it in her hand, rhythmically tightening and releasing her grip.

  He moved against her, his hard body lighting a searing fire that roared inside of her. Ava’s eyes traveled over Jonas’s face, pleading for him to take her. He recognized the need, her silent scream for more.

  He entered her slowly, his first thrust filling her completely, making her suck in a long, deep breath, exhaling in a low gasp. He held himself above her, every thrust drawn out until she anticipated his rhythm and matched it.

  “Oh, God…” she whimpered, watching the wild edge in his eyes mellowing.

  Their bodies moved as one, long, slow strokes, fueled by passionate, desperate kisses. He returned his attention to her breasts, sucking them greedily, continuing his thrusting, his lips traveling over her curves until they reclaimed her lips.

  “So beautiful…”

  He broke away from her mouth with a gasp, head burying into her shoulder, his breath hard and quick, rasping into her ear. Ava ran her hands over his shoulders, her fingernails digging into his back, holding him to her, struggling to control the wild passion that had him moving faster, thrusting harder, building a crescendo.

  When they came it was with a force that surprised them both, and it took Ava’s breath away. Their bodies arched against one another, the intensity of their movements increasing, their bodies insistent, wanting more.

  “Ava…”

  She felt him release, the pounding and pulsing of his thick cock as he came inside of her, every muscle taut. His voice cracked, his ragged breath a cry of pleasure mixed with torment, his dark desire spilling deep inside of her.

  The point of no return came quick and hard and he pounded feverishly into her, his hips lost in a powerful dance. Ava felt her body grow tense, the vibrations of desire washed across her body, her pussy wet and on fire. She shuddered violently, her body yielding to his as she was swept away by a powerful orgasm, her forehead covered in sweat, her hips rising to meet his final penetrating thrusts as his cock pumped the last of his seed into her.

  He shifted quickly, exhaustion setting in, and he moved away before he crushed her beneath his body, the mattress sagging from the weight of his frame.

  Ava gently ran her hand down the length of his chest, fingering the thin patch of hair before cradling her head against him, listening to his hypnotic breathing before moving away, her head resting on the soft mattress, eyes glued to the ceiling above. After a long time he rose on one elbow, turning to his side so he could look down at her, lovingly tracing a forefinger along her cheek.

&
nbsp; “You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met before, Ava.” He leaned over, slowly brushing his lips against hers. His kiss was soft and sweet yet still burned with desire, his lips pleading with her to understand the meaning of his words, but she refused to.

  “No regrets,” she whispered in response. “One week is all we have. Let’s enjoy every minute of it with no regrets.”

  ****

  By the end of the night, he’d made good on his promise of absolute pleasure and satisfaction—never more so than at that point when he’d untangled her from his arms, lowered his face between her thighs and slid his tongue down to her silky folds. Ava remembered how she’d arched from the bed, stiffening with a sharp, sweet agony that rumbled deep inside her belly. And he was so relentless, giving her no time to recover as he took her from one peak of ecstasy to the next, repeatedly tonguing her molten slit, sucking on her engorged clit, and working his fingers steadily deep inside of her.

  Her body came alive, and before long she was screaming out his name and he replied with a loud, approving groan. Then, without warning, she felt her body quiver before fiercely exploding. One minute she’d been writhing beneath the onslaught of his tongue, and then suddenly, a burst of light exploded in her vision and then she came, her body filled with unstoppable bliss, relief flushing her skin, hot desire reaching deep into her core.

  He’d ravenously continued pleasuring her, his hands holding down her convulsing thighs while he forced her to endure the most incredible orgasm of her life.

  It took awhile, but she soon calmed down and became suddenly aware of his urgency. She had opened her eyes and seen him arched in readiness above her. The muscles of his arms braced on either side of her were rigid, and she could see how taut he was.

  “I need to know that you want this,” he husked, his face tight with the power of his wish to claim her. He gently stroked her hair, his fingers trembling. His jaw was clenched tight. He was desperate for her, but she knew he would not take her until she followed him into the darkened waters of desire.