Free Cherie's Silk by Dena Garson Page B

of his abs and chest and
his growing erection was more than evident. Parts of me were giddy and begged
for more.
    “You just keep coming to my rescue, don’t you?” I murmured
as I let myself lean against him. When I turned my head Mason’s lips brushed
against my ear, sending another wave of goose bumps down my spine.
    “I do what I can.” Without letting go, he added softly,
“You, Miss Barnett, are a bundle of contradictions.”
    “How so?” My fingers itched to touch the hint of razor
stubble I could see on his cheek and chin.
    “At the office you’re very dedicated and serious. I was
surprised to find you here at what some people would call a frivolous waste of
a weekend. The company isn’t reimbursing the conference fee, so you had to want
to come on your own.”
    I turned so I could face him but thankfully he didn’t
relinquish his hold. “I happen to like several of the speakers.” I shrugged one
shoulder. “That’s why I came.”
    “But most people wouldn’t have guessed that about you.
You’re always very numbers driven, very analytical. It’s a nice contrast.”
    I shrugged again, not knowing what else to say.
    “Then there’s your attitude toward people.”
    I frowned. “What about my attitude?”
    “Again, you’re very analytical and serious. With most people
you’re very direct, right to the point. You don’t mind challenging anyone if
your data tells you something different. Some people find that unnerving.” He
tapped me lightly on the nose with one finger. “I, personally, find it
refreshing.”
    The frown melted into astonishment as I continued to listen
to him.
    “I’ve seen you around Ruby and Gina when you’re laughing and
joking. It’s amazing. I’ve often wondered what it would be like to be the one
to make you light up like that.”
    My heart pounded against my chest. I couldn’t have torn my
gaze away from his if a herd of cattle stampeded down the corridor.
    “I don’t light up,” I whispered hesitantly.
    He leaned back so I could see more of his face than just his
lips. Which was probably a good thing since I was mesmerized by them at that
moment.
    “You do,” he said with a smile. “It makes me wonder how much
brighter it would be if I were to see you when you came.”
    I gulped. “I—”
    This was Mason I was talking to, for God’s sake! My mind
kept telling me Mason couldn’t possibly care less about me except to the extent
that I challenged his conclusions or provided resources he needed to finish his
projects on time.
    Mason lowered his gaze to my lips. I had to resist the urge
to lick them now that they felt like all the moisture had been sucked out. “I
bet sex with you is just another contradiction.”
    Trying to act casual while I stood in the circle of his
arms, I shrugged noncommittally and asked, “Why do you think that?”
    He leaned closer, close enough that his five-o’clock shadow
brushed against my cheek and my ear, sending a million goose bumps down my leg.
His lips were just a breath away as he whispered, “You have this wholesome,
good-girl appearance. But I bet that you’re as passionate in bed as you are
when you’re grilling someone on their data. I get a hard-on every time I hear
you talk about exponential growth.”
    I gulped and pushed away enough so I could read the
expression on his face. “How—” That was the moment I realized Mason had
maneuvered us farther into the dark alcove behind the plants, out of sight of
the main walkway outside the conference arena.
    Heat rushed through every part of my body when I realized I
was completely alone with Mason. It was a good thing he hadn’t removed his arm
from around my waist because my legs had turned to jelly.
    “You don’t know that about me,” I exclaimed, hoping it
didn’t sound as much like a squeak to him as it did to me.
    He smiled a devilish grin and reached up to tuck a stray
piece of my hair behind my ear. “No, I don’t, but I’d love to find