Taught by the Tycoon by Shelli Stevens

breasts and saw the tips had hardened beneath the slinky fabric. There was no possible way to wear a bra beneath the dress. The urge came to bend his head and draw one nipple into his mouth, fabric and all.
    She wouldn’t stop him. He knew this without a doubt. Already he could imagine her hands in his hair while he sucked on her.
    But all in good time. And before he took her, he would hear her confess to the elaborate charade of pretending there was another man.
    He removed his thumb from her cushiony lip and then slid his hands into the pockets of his tuxedo trousers.
    “ That is what you can expect from any red-blooded billionaire such as myself.” He gave a wry smile. “Though I believe any heterosexual man on the planet would have a similar response, whether rich or poor. Especially with the way you look tonight.”
    Confusion flashed across her face and then comprehension. As if she just remembered the pretense she’d created.
    “Lesson two,” he went on casually. “Don’t look at prices.”
    Her cheeks went red. “I don’t—”
    “You do. You searched for prices on the menu last night, as if they would magically appear at any moment, and did so while searching for shoes and dresses today.”
    She slid her gaze away and didn’t deny it. “I have trouble spending that much money on things.”
    “But a man such as myself will not hesitate to spend money on the woman in his bed.” He tilted his head slightly and gave her a gentle look. “We can easily afford to do so and often enjoy it. You please us in so many ways, and we in turn would like to find a way to please you. So I’d advise you to become comfortable with the practice.”
    “There are more ways to please us than with money.”
    “Yes, and I’m quite aware of those too,” he drawled lazily.
    Her eyes widened. “That’s not what I meant.”
    He couldn’t help but laugh. “I realize that. I was teasing. Do not fret the money bit.”
    Still she looked anything but comfortable, and the realization charmed him more than it should’ve. The women he’d dated in the past had no qualms about him buying them gifts, or them spending his money. Some who’d been around past a few months had even asked for an allowance as if they were some child doing chores. Those relationships had ended quite quickly after.
    “I suppose those are enough lessons for the moment.” He offered her his arm. “Shall we go?”

 
     
     
Chapter 9
     
     
    Rachel stared out the window as the Rolls Royce maneuvered through the streets of Manhattan.
    Her heart rate was still about double what it should be, and her bottom lip still tingled from where Damiano had touched it. Even now, as she darted her tongue out to wet it, she swore she could almost taste the faint saltiness of him.
    For a moment back at her apartment, she’d almost been convinced he was intent on seducing her. He’d stepped entirely too close and his voice had dropped an octave, all while describing taking her against a wall.
    Of course he’d only been making the point of what might happen with Samuele. But she hadn’t been thinking of anyone else at that moment, she’d been thinking about Damiano. Her mind and body had come alive to the possibilities. To the what ifs .
    Which was absolutely stupid. She knew better, so why was she letting her mind go there? It had been a lesson. Maybe a bit of an invasive lesson, but one nonetheless.
    If there was one thing she was certain of, it was that Damiano had never been interested in her sexually. He would never blur that line between business and pleasure. Besides that, she was so far from his type it was almost funny.
    The car slowed before coming to a stop.
    “And here we are. I hope you’re not too nervous?” he asked, arching a brow.
    “I’m a little bit,” she admitted with a small smile. “But I promise not to get sick on the other guests, if that’s what you mean.”
    Shock flickered in his gaze for a moment, before the edges of his eyes