Page 15 of Draco's Defiance

Something about Draco was electrifying. It had been from the very first moment she’d laid eyes on him. Yes, he’d stepped in to save her at the bistro, but the compelling connection she felt between them was more than only that. Going home with strangers was more than just out of character for Moira. It had never happened before. Draco’s presence had shifted something in her head. His magnetic blue gaze made it seem as though anything was possible.

“I like to play.” He chuckled, his hand sliding up her suit jacket until his fingers skimmed over her exposed collarbone. “I’m good at it, too.”

Draco.

She wanted to speak his name again, but couldn’t justify the deed. She was a grown woman. She couldn’t agree to be there with him and then keep bleating his name like a demented wind-up toy. She had to make up her mind. Was she in this sexual liaison or not? Did she want to gobble up the man towering over her, or politely decline while she still had the chance?

“Do you do this often?” She blurted out the question, finally meeting his piercing gaze and regretting it in an instant.

There, in his blue eyes, seemed to be the answer to every riddle she’d struggled to comprehend. Though the logical facet of her mind knew it wasn’t true, knew she was easily smart and capable enough to find herself a new role in a better firm, with improved opportunities... in that moment she wished he would just scoop her up in his arms and take those problems away. He seemed adept enough to easily accomplish the task, even with his apparent lack of legal knowledge.

“Are you asking if I’ve brought other women here?” A half-smirk lit up his face, although he balanced the potentially provocative expression with that same hypnotic purr that could easily lull her into bed. “Because if the answer’s yes, then I’ll be honest, Moira. You’re lovely, but you’re not the first.”

“I didn’t think I was.” She’d guessed that much. Everything about his demeanor suggested he was a connoisseur of casual sexual encounters. He appeared to be the consummate playboy, with his perfect smile and fast cars, but the care he had shown her in the last few moments conveyed a more tender and intelligent man. “I just wondered if this was normal for you, because it’s so far away from my norm that my head is spinning.”

There, she’d at least tried to articulate how she felt. Let him do whatever he wanted with the information.

“This isn’t my first time.” His hand shifted to her chin, his fingers brushing over her skin. Each stroke stoked the passion inside of her, igniting feelings that had possibly laid latent for years, but had never surfaced before. “But being here with you is different, Moira.”

“Oh?” Was that croaky voice hers? She hardly recognized her rasping tone. “Why different?”

“Because of you.” He grinned, running his tongue salaciously over his white teeth. “Because you are so different from the other women.”

“Am I?” Surely, this was all just a yarn designed to coax her out of her clothes before she could listen to his legal concerns, and damn him, at the rate he was going, it would probably work.

“Oh, yes.” He shook his head with a smile. “The women I bring home normally are pleasant enough, but they’re not especially bright.” He sniggered, sliding his hand around to the back of her neck. “They don’t inspire much conversation.”

“You mean, you just fuck them?” How was she supposed to concentrate when he was holding her that way? All she could think about was the thumb caressing her nape and how good it would feel caressing other, needier parts of her body.

“That’s right.” Pressing himself against her, he leaned his forehead to hers gently. “I just fuck them. I don’t care for their opinions, don’t listen to what they have to say, and I never, ever bring them back here before midnight.”

“Wow.”

So, she really was different then? There was an odd gratification to that analysis. She hadn’t expected it.

“So?” Skimming his lips over hers, his gaze fluttered closed as he drew away. “It’s your choice, Moira.”

Her heart thundered as he created space between them. She hadn’t anticipated the sense of loss she’d feel without his touch.

“What choice?” Lost to the frenzy of sensation, she was struggling to keep up with what he was saying.

“What happens next.” He shrugged, although his small smile suggested that he knew all too well what her answer would be. “Do you want that drink?” He motioned behind him to the bar. “And, after your expert counsel, do you want to stay and discover how strong my furniture is?”

Chapter Six

Draco

SHE WAS ADORABLE. HER sense of overwhelm was obvious as her gaze darted left and right. Draco knew what she wanted, just as well as she did, but he wanted to hear her say it; needed the words to echo in his head before he claimed her.

Sure, he’d be happy to tie her up and make her submit, but as he’d admitted already, Moira was different to the other woman he’d played with before. Those differences required a change of tack on his part. She needed something different to bring her to the game, an angle that he’d never played before, and looming over her, he was thankful for that. He was certain it was those differences that had drawn her to him, her intelligence, as well as backbone that had enticed. She deserved a special approach.

“I do want this.”

He sensed that she was more shocked by the declaration than he was. Their chats had been relaxed and playful, with a couple of her remarks bordering on the salacious. There was definitely a sexual woman begging to climb out of that sharp suit. Draco was more than happy to lure that temptress out of her.

“I just don’t recognize this version of myself.” Her brow rose at the admission.

“Well, I for one, am pleased to meet her.” Reaching for her hand, he pulled her against him, noting how she went without a fight.