Fresh Temptation: Barboza Brothers, Book One Read online

  “Oh, get over yourself. So, how about lunch today?” Rhonda waggled her eyebrows at Cara.

  “How rude.” Gary scoffed. “I’m standing right here.”

  Rhonda sighed. “Oh, you can come too, I guess.”

  “Great,” Gary said. “Cara? You in?”

  “Sure,” Cara said. “You guys pick the restaurant.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Rhonda smiled and walked past Gary to go back to her office. “I have a few things to do before we leave. Meet you guys downstairs at noon.”

  As soon as she left, Gary stepped outside the door to make sure Rhonda was out of earshot, then he reentered Cara’s office and shut the door.

  “Okay, she’s fishing,” Gary said. “That’s why I invited myself to lunch, to make sure you don’t say anything.”

  Cara smirked. “I didn’t mean to tell her anything, I swear. She looked at my computer—”

  “No, no, no. I didn’t mean you were untrustworthy. She’s just that nosy. She’ll trick you.”

  “I don’t get it. Why is this such a big deal to everyone around here? It makes me uncomfortable.”

  “It’s because of Alexis Whitt. I’ve suspected for a while she has some spies around here but I don’t know who they are. Could be Rhonda. Either her, or someone in accounting, I think. Someone who sees purchase orders and human resources activity.” He stared off at the wall, suddenly deep in thought. “Yeah, it’d have to be.”

  “So, that’s why I have to be careful who I talk to and what I say? Because Alexis has spies around here?”

  He shrugged. “Well, that, and the fact that Mr. Barboza’s always a topic of conversation. I mean, think about it. He’s young and single. Of the three partners here at Monarch, he’s the only one who doesn’t have a whole department reporting to him. He has me, and now you.” Gary chuckled. “Believe me, rumors were flying when he hired me, too.”

  “You mean, people thought…you and him?”

  “Yes.” He nodded. “Yes, they did. And it didn’t help that I made the mistake of telling someone how hot I thought he was.”

  Cara laughed out loud. “Oh no.”

  “Yes.” Gary let out an exasperated sigh. “I won’t make that mistake again. The rumors were already going but I sure didn’t help. That’s when I found out how much Mr. Barboza likes to stay out of the office gossip. He doesn’t care what people say until it affects him somehow, and one of the other partners mentioned it to him. That’s when he sat me down and told me he didn’t have time for drama and he expected me to keep everything private in this office.”

  “He actually approached you about it?”

  “Yes. But the odd thing is, he thought it was kind of funny that anyone thought he and I were an item.” He chuckled for a few moments then cleared his throat. “We had a similar talk before you started. He wanted to make sure the rumors were kept to a minimum. He said it was to keep you from feeling uncomfortable around here.” He smiled. “Mr. Barboza cares very much about your comfort.”

  Cara put her elbows on her desk, palms against her forehead. “I don’t know what to think, Gary! This is crazy! A few weeks ago I didn’t even know him and now I work for him? He cares about my comfort? Whatever that means.” She groaned. “And he wants to take me on an overnight trip.” She looked up at him. “Tomorrow. I’ve only worked here for a week but he wants me to travel with him, tomorrow? What’s going on? Is it because of Alexis? He wants revenge on her that badly?”

  Gary shook his head. “Honey, I really don’t know what to tell you.” He winked. “But if I were you, I’d be on the plane tomorrow.” He reached for the door. “I have to go take care of a few things before lunch. See you at noon.”

  Cara’s first instinct was to calm her nerves by calling Marcy, but she could already hear Marcy’s voice saying, “Loosen up and take the trip.”

  Maybe she’s right. Cara felt her palms sweating as she imagined being alone with Victor in close quarters.

  Chapter Nine

  Silence. Two whole minutes of silence had passed since either Cara or Victor had spoken a word. Neither had anticipated the sexually charged thoughts that would go through each of their minds as they sat across from each other on the small plane.

  To distract herself, Cara spread out the Lochmere file on the tiny table between them and pored over the documents for the tenth time. Every time she looked at him, Victor was either staring at her or gazing out the window like he was annoyed with her.

  Do I want him to make a move? That was the question she pondered since yesterday morning’s meeting…including a very restless night; she had lain wide awake for hours, tossing and turning as fantasies consumed her.

  Victor put his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “You sure you don’t want a drink? It might help.”

  “No.” Caught off-guard, Cara gasped under her breath. Every time he moved she caught a subtle hint of his cologne. It didn’t seem like his usual scent. It smelled more sensual and earthy, like he had worn it just to seduce her.

  Cara swallowed hard and repeated herself. “No. I shouldn’t drink before seeing a client. I don’t hold my liquor well. I would hate to make a bad impression.”

  “Ah.” A corner of Victor’s mouth turned up. “Well, the flight will take another two hours, and our meeting is another hour after that. You have plenty of time to rest and get back to normal before then. You can even take a nap, if you want.”

  Although she had been assured the pilot could not hear them, paranoia caused Cara to quiet her voice. “Oh really? Is that your thing? Get me to pass out and then you’ll do whatever you want to me?”

  Victor’s amused eyes narrowed. “I’d rather have you awake.”

  “Are you serious?” Cara sat up straight, trying to appear indifferent to his advances. “You really just brought me here to hit on me? I’m good at my job and I’d love a chance to prove that.”

  “I know you’re good at your job. I wouldn’t have hired you otherwise.” Victor placed his glass on the table and took a seat beside Cara, carefully sliding an arm behind her back. “I tire of games very quickly, querida.”

  Instinctively, Cara turned to face him. She held his gaze for only a moment before the want in his eyes became too much to bear. When she felt his fingers stroking her face, she shut her eyes tight, determined to keep the promise she had made to herself the night before.

  Just. Let. Go.

  Maybe Victor’s intentions didn’t matter as much as she originally thought. How many times in her life would something like this ever happen to her? Why should she try to fight it when her body was already shouting yes?

  Cara’s heartbeat quickened when she felt his hot breath against her forehead. His fingers traced a line under her jaw then down to her collarbone. They had almost reached the top of her breasts when they turned back, running up to the nape of her neck.

  Victor tilted Cara’s face up to his and kissed her.

  Her deep moan was squelched in his kiss. His mouth was bolder than their previous encounter. In the light of day with no one around to distract her, she sensed his desire. His lips were sneaky and possessive, matching her every move. His tongue slowly crept between her lips as he unbuttoned her jacket and slid it off one shoulder, exposing the camisole she wore underneath.

  Cara’s hand was on Victor’s back, her fingers digging against his shirt to feel his sleek muscles. There was nothing stopping her now. She had forgotten how wonderful it felt to give in to a man. To be absorbed in his smell, his taste, his strength. Why was I fighting this? She relaxed her jaw to let his tongue plunge inside as deep as he wanted.

  His hands moved all over, from her hair to her breasts to her thighs. She shuddered when he parted her knees, as if she was surprised. He changed course and went back up to her breasts, cupping one of them as he pulled her closer with his other arm.

  They continued to kiss as Victor undid her top button, then the next, giving his hand enough space to move into her blouse.

  �
��Oh!” She gasped when she felt his fingers graze her hard nipple.

  He broke the kiss. His lips went to her ear. “I’m sorry if I’m moving too fast. I can’t help it. You drive me crazy.”

  “It’s okay,” she whispered in a breath.

  “Good.” Victor’s mouth met hers again for a brief moment, then moved to her neck.

  Cara’s head fell backwards to give him room. His lips lingered there until she moaned, “Yes.” He kissed her collarbone, then kissed further down until his mouth replaced his hand on her breast.

  “Oh!” She didn’t realize he had maneuvered her nipple out of her bra until she felt his soft lips against her skin, followed by the gentlest bite as he took her hard peak in between his teeth. “Oh my God!”

  Inside, Victor smiled at her cry of pleasure. His longing mouth savored her plump breast as he undid another button.

  Cara did her best to stifle the pleas that wanted to leave her throat. Victor had awakened feelings she forgot her body was capable of. Suddenly she wanted him everywhere. On top of her, inside of her. It no longer mattered if someone might hear.

  And then, his hand slid across the slippery material covering her stomach.

  “Oh no.” She gritted her teeth.

  Victor’s mouth let go of her breast. He chuckled. “What the hell’s this thing? A girdle?”

  “I prefer the term ‘body shaper.’”

  He groaned. “I swear, you women. You don’t need this thing, Cara.”

  She let out a tiny whine. “Yes, I do.”

  “No, you don’t.” He lifted his head to look in her eyes. “And to think, you wore this, knowing I was going to get you naked today?”

  She gulped. Her voice was soft. “Well…I didn’t…know…exactly…”

  He sighed. “Is it okay if I peel you out of it?”

  Cara stammered, suddenly feeling very much on display. “Um…I don’t know…”

  Victor grinned. “It’s okay. It’ll be my bedtime project. Releasing you from this horribly constrictive device.” With his eyes fixed on hers, he moved his hand down to her knee and quickly made his way up her skirt to cup her heat.

  “Ooh!” Cara bit her lip and closed her eyes, now remembering how good it felt to have a man touch her there.

  “Relax, querida,” he whispered. He pulled a latch on the side of her chair, slowly leaning her backward until she was lying down.

  Cara opened her eyes and stared straight up at the ceiling as he pushed her skirt all the way up to her waist and pried her knees apart, wide. Her eyes stayed on the ceiling. She was afraid if she looked at him, she would wake up and realize it had all been a daydream.

  His fingers went back and forth across the fabric between her legs. “How does this thing work? Are these snaps?”

  She winced with embarrassment. “Yes.”

  He chuckled. “Well, this should give me some easy access then, shouldn’t it?”

  In seconds he unfastened the three snaps that secured her undergarment, then pried them apart. “Mmm,” he said. “I’m glad you’re wearing nothing underneath. I was afraid there might be another barricade.”

  When she felt his gentle finger trail through her wetness, she let out a moan and spread her legs further, welcoming the man who was more of a stranger than a boss. For so long, she had every reason to resist any man who wanted her like this. And now, all she could think about was letting him inhabit every part of her. “Please, take me…”

  Victor’s fingers were soft at first but then grew urgent as he obeyed her breathy response.

  “More, yes. More.”

  The words were quiet, barely escaping her mouth like she had no power to stop them. The more she moaned, the faster his fingers went. It had not been his intention to be so intimate so quickly, but he couldn’t help himself. Not after feeling the need pooling between her thighs, and the way her hips moved against his hand as he rubbed her faster.

  Victor fought the urge to use his tongue, choosing instead to save that for later tonight at the hotel. For now he was more than happy to watch the passion on her lovely face as his fingers moved faster and harder to please her.

  When he sensed she was nearing climax, he dipped his fingers inside her.

  “Yes!” she shouted.

  He kept his fingers there and used his other hand to rub her tiny nub.

  “Oh yes!” Cara bit her lip to try to keep herself from screaming, but her attempt was unsuccessful. She was no match for those skilled hands of his. Her sounds filled the tiny plane as her climax overtook her.

  He reached inside his pocket for his wallet and quickly retrieved a condom.

  She tilted her head up just enough to watch him unzip his pants, then unroll the condom down his shaft. Smiling, she let her head fall back into place against the padded seat.

  Victor cradled a hand under each of her thighs to position himself perfectly.

  “Is it okay if I do this?” His firm head was at her opening, begging for entrance.

  As soon as she said, “Yes,” he plunged inside and stayed there, still, until she opened her eyes to look at him.

  “Cara,” he said, “I didn’t expect us to move so quickly, I swear.”

  “It’s okay.” She smiled. “I want this.”

  He nodded and whispered, “I want you.”

  Victor cradled her thighs as he moved between her legs, meeting her soft flesh over and over until his release many minutes later.

  When he finished, he reached for her arms and said, “Sit up, querida.”

  She sat up. He was still perched between her legs on his knees.

  He put his arms around her and kissed her, his hands roaming her back and her hair.

  She met his kiss with passion, now completely unashamed that she was half naked and still wearing her body shaper. She tightened her knees against his hips as her hands roamed his back.

  When he pulled away, he whispered in her ear, “You’re so beautiful.”

  Breathing heavily, she whispered, “Thank you.” She stopped herself before telling him she now realized just how much she needed what he had given her.

  Several minutes later, after collecting themselves, Victor sat beside her and draped an arm around her shoulders. “So, let me guess what you’re thinking.” He cocked a brow. “You can’t believe you just did that with your boss.”

  “Wow. You’re a real mind reader.” She smirked, then chuckled softly.

  He sighed. “If it helps, I can’t believe I just did that with an employee.” He rubbed her shoulder. “But I don’t regret it. Not for a second.”

  “Good.” She nestled against his chest. “Neither do I. At least, not yet…”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Cara took a deep breath and sat up straight, slightly away from him. “I still don’t understand what’s going on here. And maybe I never will.”

  “Don’t question it. Just let yourself enjoy it.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m trying to do.” She hesitated for a moment, then added, “But, for the record, I want you to know that I don’t exactly enjoy being a pawn in anyone’s game.”

  Victor’s face scrunched up in a bewildered expression. “Wait a minute. Who said you’re a pawn?” He put one finger under her chin and turned her face to his, looking deeply into her eyes. “I already told you, I don’t play games.”

  “Then what am I supposed to think about all this? I know we’ve already had this conversation but after what just happened, I think maybe it bears repeating—”

  He placed two fingers against her lips. “No. When I want something, I’m not shy about it. And I want you, Cara.”

  She waited until he took his hand away. “Just tell me once and for all. Is this because of Alexis?”

  He let out an exasperated groan. “Please don’t mention her name to me again. Besides, how does me sleeping with you have anything to do with her?” He shrugged and glanced randomly around the plane. “Is she here, hiding somewhere, listening to
us? Do you think I’m going to call her and tell her what we did? Do you think there’s a hidden camera and she’s watching from somewhere on the ground?”

  “Oh God, I hope not.”

  He laughed heartily for a long moment. “No, there’s none of that. How would any of this affect her? If I were trying to make her jealous I could do that without taking advantage of you on a private plane.” Under his breath he muttered, “I already know she’s jealous. She saw us at lunch last week. Gary told me she called the office.”

  “Should I be scared of her?”

  He blew a scoffing breath out of the side of his mouth. “No. Absolutely not. If she ever contacts you, let me know. She has nothing to do with Monarch Enterprises and there should never be a reason for her to even come inside the office, unless it’s another attempt to torment me like she did at the dinner.”

  “The dinner?”

  “Yes, the charity dinner. Where I met you.”

  “Oh.”

  “I told you, I wasn’t there with her. She planned that all by herself.” He shook his head. “I was so pissed off about it that night. She just wanted everyone to talk about us and think we were back together.”

  “Why did you break up? It wasn’t that long ago, was it?”

  Victor sighed. “I’d rather not go into detail. Suffice it to say, I’m glad it’s over. We were never right for each other.”

  “Then why were you with her, at all?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. It seemed perfect when we got together. And on paper, it truly was perfect. I’d spent so much of my youth working hard, busy trying to make something of myself. I guess I was afraid life would pass me by and I’d forget to settle down and have a family. Getting married was always on my list of things to do before I turned thirty, and I’m thirty-one now.”

  “You say ‘thirty’ like it’s so old.”

  “I don’t mean it that way. It’s just that, time goes by way too fast. If you’re not careful you can let years go by without accomplishing any of the things you thought you’d accomplish. That’s my biggest fear. That I’ll wake up one day and wonder where it all went. When I die, I won’t be taking my investments or my penthouse or my sports car with me.” He stared off thoughtfully at a window. “I want to leave a legacy.”