Best Laid Plans Read online

  But Jackson just rolled her eyes. “He’s harmless. He just wanted to dance.”

  “What he wanted was to get a look down your dress,” he said drily.

  Jackson sighed, and Cameron bit back a curse. He wasn’t going to mess this night up. Not with Jackson standing in front of him in the sexiest dress he had ever seen. She could have worn some uptight business suit tonight. Instead, she’d worn that dress knowing they’d go to this event together. Knowing he’d see her in it.

  “Are you off the clock?” she asked.

  Cameron nodded and looked out at the dance floor. A man a little older than him was holding a beautiful woman in a long red dress. His hands rested on her hips as they moved slowly to the music. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear, and the woman turned to him and smiled like he was the only thing that mattered in the world.

  It had been a shitty night, and all Cameron wanted was to hold Jackson like that right now. He wanted to breathe in her scent and feel her breasts against his chest. Hell, he wanted a lot more than that, but at this point, he was desperate enough to settle for a dance. And he hated dancing. This was only more evidence of how screwed up in the head he was over this woman.

  “I’m so sorry I was in the way tonight,” she said.

  He frowned. “It’s my job to deal with any circumstances that arise.”

  She was quiet. Cameron took a steadying breath and turned to Jackson. She was watching the other couples, too.

  “You wanna dance?” he said roughly.

  Jackson studied him for a moment. “Are you asking me?”

  “Yes, I’m asking you.”

  Smooth, asshole.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled.

  She glanced around the room, and he followed her gaze. It was a discreet crowd, used to attention, used to blocking out everyone else around them. Perfect. He took a step closer and ran his hand down the smooth, bare skin of her arm.

  “We’re surrounded by people with royal titles and Academy Awards. No one here gives a shit about you and me.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “If you want to dance, let’s do it.”

  The corners of Jackson’s mouth turned up. “You really are a charmer, Cameron Blackmore.”

  “So I’ve been told.”

  He could feel his own smile growing. Hell, he could stand here and talk to her all night just to hear the next sassy remark out of her mouth. But when she looked up at him, she hesitated. As Jackson’s deep green eyes blazed further into him, her smiled faded, as if, in that moment, she could see just how twisted up he was about her.

  He didn’t turn away. Instead, he took one hand out of his pocket and held it out to her. His voice came out low and uncertain.

  “Will you dance with me, Jackson?”

  Her eyes flicked to his hand, and his heart pounded harder. If she said no, it would hurt like hell. He was dying to touch her, to have her sweet body pressed against his.

  Cameron moved a little closer. “Whatever you want tonight, I’ll do it better than anyone else.”

  Jackson closed her eyes. Maybe she was imagining the same things he was. Then her gaze met his and she nodded. “I already know that.”

  She lifted her soft hand, and his closed around it. If he had any say in this, he wasn’t going to stop touching her for the rest of the night. They walked onto the dance floor, side by side, and Cameron stopped in the middle. The slow, sensual music filled the room. He turned to face her, their bodies so close to touching. He placed one of her hands on his shoulder, then the other, before slipping his arms around her and pulling her against him. In case there was still any question about what kind of dancing this would be.

  Cameron looked down at her and raised an eyebrow. “You’re...shorter tonight than you were yesterday.”

  “Why, Cameron, how sweet of you to say so,” she said drily.

  The corners of his mouth turned up. “There’s more where that came from, Ms. McAllister.”

  She let out a little laugh, and he studied her for a moment. “Why wear high heels at all?” he asked. “They can’t be comfortable.”

  “A small woman makes a man feel powerful,” she said. “But a tall woman?”

  Cameron chuckled. “I’m not touching that one.”

  “Fine,” said Jackson. “You don’t have to respond. But if I wear heels, I get more respect. Nothing makes a CEO listen like a woman who’s taller than him.”

  Cameron nodded slowly, weighing her words. “Okay,” he said. “I can see the logic. But it doesn’t always work that way.”

  Jackson raised an eyebrow at him. “Really? You, the guy who hulks around growling at anyone who isn’t doing what you want, you don’t think size matters.”

  He smirked and leaned slowly toward her. “I never said size doesn’t matter. But there are other things that can bring a man to his knees.”

  She gave him a bemused look, then rested her forehead on his arm. He moved his hands to the swell of her beautiful, round hips. And he pulled her even closer. Their bodies were flush, and her breasts pressed against his chest, spilling out like two delightful presents just for him.

  This was heaven. Her body moved against his, and he responded. His hands traveled lower over her hips, every move playing out under his fingers. He buried his face in her hair and took a long, deep breath. And another. She sighed, and her body melted even closer. The word more echoed through him. Her hands moved up his shoulders and behind his neck, slowly weaving through his hair. He was more attracted to this woman than was wise. Maybe he didn’t even care anymore. His heart pounded in his chest, begging him for more. Guests chatted, cameras flashed and glasses clinked around them, but everything was muted by this slow, sensual dance, with Jackson’s body pressed against his.

  The song ended, and they stopped. Jackson’s eyelashes fluttered open, and her hands slipped from his neck. It was over. He let go of her, but neither of them moved apart. Her breasts rose and fell against him in short, erratic pants.

  “One more night, Jackson.”

  She shuddered against him. He breathed in her scent again. His heart pounded harder, ready to explode, and thank God his suit coat hid the growing bulge in his pants. Was she going to turn him down, right here in the middle of the charity event dance floor?

  “I’m not playing anymore, Jackson,” he said in her ear. “This is real.”

  He straightened back up, and slowly she lifted her gaze to meet his. Her deep green eyes shone with heat and wonder.

  “Yes, Cameron,” she said. “One more night.”

  * * *

  On the ride back to his building, he couldn’t keep his hands off her. He was so far gone, and they hadn’t even started. She laid her head against his chest, and her hand rested high on his thigh. Whatever she’d had around her shoulders had fallen away, revealing the low cut of her dress. He moved his hand in slow circles up and down her side, and she arched into his touch.

  Tonight would never be enough. If she were his, if she stayed, he could wake up to her every morning, hold her every night and lose himself in everything she had to offer. Or whatever the hell she wanted. He could introduce her to all the dirty things she was curious about. And then some.

  But Jackson wasn’t his. She was flying back to New York tomorrow with no plans to return. And he couldn’t get himself on a fucking airplane to save his life. Cameron gritted his teeth. He’d think about that problem later.

  They pulled up in front of his building, and he helped her out into the warm night air. The car drove off and left them standing together under the starry sky. Jackson looked up at him, her eyes wide.

  “What are we doing, Cameron?”

  He chuckled. “Whatever you want to do.”

  Jackson smiled a little, but she glanced away. Damn. If she was talking about what they’d do once they got up to his bedroom, he could whisper a li
st of dirty ideas, just to see if she wanted to try one. The electricity that had sizzled between them for the last two weeks was threatening to spark out of control. Each time they gave in, it grew even more explosive between them. And neither of them was backing away. Yet he got the sense that wasn’t what she was asking about.

  His smile faded. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

  Maybe that wasn’t completely true. Back on the Opera House dance floor an idea had flickered to life inside him, and now he couldn’t let go of it. More. He wanted more. So what if they lived on different continents. So what if they had only known each other for two weeks. Being with Jackson trumped every single obstacle he could see.

  “I guess it doesn’t matter,” she said. “I’m leaving tomorrow.” She blinked a couple times and gave him a tight smile that hit him straight in the gut.

  He rested his hand on the smooth skin of her cheek. “All of this matters, Jackson.”

  No, he didn’t feel like doing anything dirty at all. He just wanted her, plain and simple. He wanted to spend the night with his body over hers, her bright green eyes staring into his as they lost themselves in each other.

  He looked at her for a long time, thinking everything he wanted to say. That this was so far past just getting each other off. That he was trying his hardest not to beg her to stay. That he wanted her to sleep in his bed every night so he could wake her up in creative ways every morning. How did he want all these things when they had never even spent a full night together? Maybe they would tonight.

  She was watching him so intently, as if she were trying as hard as he was to figure out what mattered and why. He had to make tonight matter.

  Cameron kissed her softly. “Let’s go upstairs, sweetheart.”

  He took her hand and led her inside. He turned the key to the penthouse suite, and the elevator doors closed behind them. Jackson leaned against the back wall of the elevator, and he came up to her, covering her body with his. She tilted her hips against his hard length and he buried his face in her neck and inhaled. She smelled like heaven, some spicy, flowery shit that was driving him crazy. And then there was just Jackson, whose scent was now so imprinted on him that he’d probably still get hard twenty years from now if he found himself close enough to her.

  “You know what I want?” he breathed.

  She laughed. “I can guess.”

  “You’re wrong.”

  She turned to him and raised her eyebrows. “What is it, then?”

  He swallowed. “I want to make love to you so long and hard that you miss your plane tomorrow. And the next day. And the next.”

  There. He’d said it. Cameron watched her expression. Her gaze was soft and her mouth was parted, but she didn’t say anything. Maybe that was a good thing.

  “Stay the night, Jackson,” he whispered. “Just to see what it’s like.”

  Cameron’s heart pounded, but he didn’t move. She closed her eyes, and when they opened again, the dreamy look was gone. She wrinkled her brow. “I don’t know. I—I didn’t bring clothes. Or a toothbrush.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  Was that a yes? If she stayed the night, he could show her what he had known that very first time in her hotel room. That this was different.

  The elevator came to a stop, and the doors opened. He found her hand and squeezed it. She dropped her purse on the hall table and stopped. He came up behind her and rested his hands on the soft curve of her waist.

  “Does this mean I’m going to see your bedroom tonight?” She smiled a slow, seductive smile that pushed away all thoughts of the future.

  “Is that what you want?” he asked, pressing a kiss on her shoulder.

  “Yes.” She gave a sexy sigh.

  “Good.”

  And Cameron needed to get there right about now. He dipped down and hooked his arm under her knees, lifting her up. Jackson sucked in a breath and laughed.

  He carried her through the hall and set her down in the doorway. Jackson walked across the bedroom to the French doors that opened onto his balcony. The white walls twinkled with the harbor lights. Thank God his cleaning service had come the day before.

  “It’s beautiful here, Cameron,” she said. “You’re a really lucky man.”

  Cameron shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m feeling pretty lucky right now, but it has nothing to do with my apartment.”

  She turned around and smiled a little. That dress was killing him. It was classy and sexy and showed off all the good parts. Which was basically everything. Jackson’s smile grew wider.

  “You know what I thought of when I put on this dress tonight?” she asked.

  Cameron shook his head.

  “I thought it might be a fun dress for a striptease.”

  She spoke these last words in her low, husky voice that gave a jolt to his already hardening cock. He nodded, not trusting his voice yet.

  “You want to see me do that?” she asked softly.

  “You have to ask?” He chuckled. “Hell, yes, I want you to strip for me.”

  Jackson bit her bottom lip. “I’ve never done anything like this. It might just look silly instead of sexy.”

  Cameron shook his head. “I’m going to find anything you do sexy, Jackson. You should know that by now.” He let his gaze drift down her body. She had to know just how much he wanted her, no matter what she was doing. He met her eyes again and smiled. “If you can make me laugh when I’m this hard for you, all the better.”

  She licked her luscious lips and gestured to his bed. “There. Please.”

  Cameron took a few leisurely steps to the bed, slowing this game. He sat down on the edge and rested his forearms on his thighs. She slipped off her shoes and padded over to stand in front of him. He looked up at her.

  “No touching,” she whispered.

  He smiled at her. “What about touching myself?”

  Her eyes flared with a mix of surprise and heat. “Oh,” she murmured. Her eyes darted down between his legs. “Yes. In fact, I want to see you make yourself come while you’re watching me.”

  “Oh, fuck,” he muttered, squeezing his eyes shut as his erection surged against the zipper of his pants. His heart pumped hard against his chest. He was going to come way too soon if he wasn’t careful. “Just give me a moment.”

  Cameron took a deep breath and stood up. He brushed a kiss over her lips and moved past her, heading for his closet. He slipped off his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt, trying to calm himself down. This was getting hotter by the minute, and they weren’t even touching yet. He walked back over to her and unfastened his pants.

  After spending the last two weeks hiding his interest in the office, he could drink her in slowly. This was his own private fantasy world, tailored perfectly to the two of them. He eased back onto the bed.

  Her gaze dropped to the bulge in his pants, and she smiled.

  “Okay, here goes,” she said.

  She turned around and moved aside her hair. The dress fastened behind her neck, and she fumbled with the clasp for a moment before the two silky straps fell over her shoulders. Cameron stared at the soft, bare skin of her back. She looked over her shoulder, and her smile was more seductive this time.

  She turned around. Her hands still held the two straps of her dress that had fallen over her shoulders and down her arms, revealing the tops of her breasts. She let the fabric fall a little farther until he could see the hint of her nipples.

  All night she hadn’t been wearing a bra.

  Cameron reached into his pants and took himself in his hand. Jackson’s gaze followed his hand, and her eyes widened. He eased down his pants and let his erection free. His tip was already wet, and he rubbed his palm over it.

  “Keep going, sweetheart,” he said.

  Her eyes darted back up to his, and he drank in all her want, the need that
he hoped went beyond physical satisfaction.

  Jackson slipped her thumbs under the satiny black fabric and rubbed her nipples in slow circles. Her breath caught, and she teased harder. Cameron gave himself a couple rough strokes and moaned. She let the straps fall so the dress hung at her waist, revealing the most beautiful breasts. His mouth watered as he imagined taking one in his mouth and playing with the other. There were so many things he wanted to do with her nipples, much dirtier. His hand moved faster as pleasure rushed through him. She took her breasts in her hands and squeezed, and his cock throbbed hard in his grip.

  “I’m close,” he ground out.

  “Good.”

  She teased her nipples and watched him get himself off for another few beats. Then she turned in profile and found a zipper hidden on the side of her dress. Slowly, she pulled it down, revealing more and more of that creamy skin. He was going to come any second now. She shifted her hips and guided the silky material down her thighs to the floor. All that was left was a pair of lacy red panties. He swallowed hard, fighting against the building surge.

  Jackson stepped out of the dress and within his reach. She watched over her shoulder as she slipped her fingers into those lacy panties. Just as she bent over to lower them, her gaze opened into something raw and vulnerable.

  Everything exploded in a frenzy of euphoric bursts. He kept his gaze fixed on Jackson, her eyes wide, as he let out a torn cry and emptied himself into his hand and onto his stomach. His whole body contracted, and he growled out her name.

  Seconds passed. Or maybe minutes. Cameron tried to kick his mind back into gear.

  Jackson stepped forward and caressed the back of his neck. “That was really...” she faltered. “Thanks for playing out this little scene of mine.”

  He hung his head. It was incredible. He had seen other women strip before, and none of them had gotten him going like this. Not even close. But this was probably the wrong time to bring up other naked women.

  How could he make her understand? Just carrying out their fantasies wasn’t what made this little strip show good. She was the one who brought this beyond teenage jack-off dreams into something much more for him.