guests are arriving."
Heat replaced the cold. Her cheeks flamed. She suspected he said as much to scrap the edges of panic he must've seen, but now she'd have to go through the entire night with her sex aching. Turnabout was fair play.
"Noah, ask me what I'm wearing under this dress."
His gaze shot to hers and narrowed. His thigh brushed hers, sending sparks of need to her core. "What are you wearing under that dress, baby?" he asked in a rough, tight tone that skittered along her nerve endings.
"Not a thing. I'm commando."
"You're?? He ran his fingers through his wavy, blond hair. "Fuck, Raven."
Because he kept darting his gaze between her dress and her eyes, sucking in a breath when she'd told him what she wasn't wearing, she screwed with him a little. "Those were my sentiments. Figured going commando would make access easier. This is one of your favorite dresses on me, too, right? Does it drive you nuts that I'm commando?"
"Stop saying commando. I'm about to make us the gallery's focus by turning you into an exhibitionist."
She threw her head back and laughed. God. Zero to happy in ten seconds. Only Noah could do that for her.
Sliding off the desk, she wove around him. "I promise not to say the word commando anymore tonight, or remind you that I'm commando under my dress."
He closed his eyes and shoved his hands in the pockets of his expensive charcoal-colored suit. Tailor made for him, he looked attractive and like the wealthy man he was while wearing it. She wanted to peel it from him slowly, licking his exposed flesh along the way.
She stopped in the doorway. "Are you coming?"
"Not at the moment, but I'll rectify that later."
Unable to help it, she grinned. "Death by innuendo. Hell of a way to go."
He unclenched his jaw. "Go. I'll be down soon, when other parts get the memo and I'm presentable."
No way could she pass that one up. "You'll be down soon and I'm commando. Falling into my plan perfectly."
He growled her name and she left. Damn. She couldn't wait for tonight.
Hours, too many hours later, the showing was a success. Raven leaned against the wall and sipped her champagne as the last of the stragglers lingered. She knew exhibiting Wesley Freemont's work would pay off when he strode into her office six months ago. A good-looking black man, he was oddly charming with people for an artist. His underwater stills were incomparable. The public thought so as well. They'd sold out of every print.
Nicole ventured over and leaned on the wall next to her. She clinked her champagne flute to Raven's. "Here's to a successful exhibit. Where do you want to go for drinks afterward?"
It had become tradition for her and Nicole to have a celebratory cocktail after a showing. She'd forgotten. Glancing at Noah, she bit her lip. He was talking to Wesley, the artist of the night, so of no help to her. Much as she loved Nicole, she had been waiting all night to get Noah alone. And naked.
"I knew it." Nicole straightened. "I knew it. You're sleeping with Noah."
Raven glanced around, but thankfully no one was looking at them. "Do I have it tattooed on my forehead?"
Nicole flipped her long, blonde hair over her shoulder. "No, but he's been watching you all night like you're a forbidden dessert, and you haven't moved about the room without checking his position. When did this happen?"
Raven hadn't realized they'd been that obvious. "A few weeks ago. Friends with benefits, so not permanent."
"Why? I mean, you've been besties since college. After all this time, it seems kind of??omantic. I've wondered why you two didn't hook up sooner."
Raven took a sip of champagne to cool her dry throat. Romance was not their style or their intention. He'd wanted her, now he had her. It was two people colliding for sexual release. Those were the terms. Except the deadline in one week loomed closer every minute, and the thought of walking away left a hole in her chest. He'd opened her to a whole new part of herself she didn't know existed, but could she let down her guard with other lovers? Did she even want to?
"It's just sex," she rasped, staring into her glass. Why in the hell did that feel like a lie?
"Bet it's damn hot." Nicole sighed and slumped on the wall, her tone playfully sad. "I always hoped he'd look my way someday and take me. Now that he's been with