Brody - Ellie Masters Page 0,79

pad of his thumb against my lips. “Pleasure later.”

Pleasure later.

There’s no going back. This is happening between us. On the other side lies complete and utter devastation. When I fall, it will be a devastating drop on the other side, but that’s okay.

All I want is one more night with Brody La Rouge.

One night to fulfill a lifetime of fantasies.

I’ll deal with the aftermath later, because despite what he says, I don’t trust Brody La Rouge.

We walk to his car in silence, saying nothing as he opens the door to help me inside. I buckle in while he walks around to the driver’s side. Brody shifts in his seat, saying nothing as he adjusts himself in front of me, except for the smoldering look he gives me while he does. There’s a promise there, and I can’t help but squirm in my seat.

Conversation is minimal as we drive. It’s not until we hit I-80 that Brody breaks the silence.

“Let’s work on your pitch.” His fingers grip the wheel: strong, confident, and in charge.

“Okay?”

He huffs a small laugh. “Relax. Asher already sent the wine. Notices went out to the chefs. It’s not a cold pitch. Several of Sterling Enterprise's eager interns are already setting everything up. All you need to do is close the deal.”

“I’ve never done anything like this.”

“Here, let me show you how I would do it.” Brody leans back and he takes in a deep breath. A change comes over him as he shifts into business mode. Or rather, aggressive mogul mode. He’s dominating in his personal life, but even more so in the professional arena. It’s no wonder he does so well, with that commanding tone, the overwhelming confidence, the desire he instills in others to follow his lead.

For the next hour, Brody coaches me on what to say, how to approach people, and ways I can maximize the impact of my pitch. His people already reached out to the chefs, letting them know about this exclusive opportunity to partner with Atwood Estates. Sample bottles were delivered days ago, without my knowledge, to establish confidence in our brand.

I didn’t even know this was being done. Evidently, after our Monday meeting, Brody made all this happen. By the time we pull up to the event space, I’ve been thoroughly coached and prepped. Brody’s played the eager enthusiast all the way to the negative skeptic.

“You ready to kick ass?” Brody reaches over and squeezes my thigh. His touch detonates all my nerve endings, instantly waking up my body.

Explosive? Check.

Incendiary? Check

Devastating? No doubt about that.

I bite down on my lower lip and rein in my body’s response to his touch. I don’t know what it is, but I feel alive, electrified, and looking forward to something for the first time in a very long time. Relief floods through me. No longer worried about the consequences, I accept my decision with open arms.

“You’re beautiful.” Brody reaches across and brushes a lock of hair from my face. “And mine for the night.” His simmering gaze sends delirious licks of pleasure sweeping through my body.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” And I’m not talking about getting through this event. I’m thinking about what comes after—the collision of our bodies as we finally give in to our mutual attraction.

“Let’s do this.” The heated look in his eyes drugs me with dark desires, turning my craving for him into the addiction I never overcame. My pulse jumps wildly as my foolish, overly eager heart quickens.

Yes, let’s do it.

Thirty

Brody

I don’t know what the hell just went through Grace’s head, but the air sizzles as the latent sexual energy between us sparks and ignites. The valet opens her door and helps her out while I tamp down the primitive reflex which demands I snap him in half.

No man touches my woman.

I toss him the keys as I take her in hand and tuck her against my side. She’s not leaving my sight, or my side, until this evening is done.

I touch her constantly. A sweep of my thumb across the back of her hand. A bump of our shoulders as we head inside. I release her hand, but only to press my palm against the small of her back to guide her inside the event.

The heated look in her eyes matches the desire in mine. She leans into my touch and allows me to guide her around, introducing her to those people who will skyrocket her small vineyard into the next century.

Everything about her intoxicates me, from the