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“What do you want, Demetri?” she asked when she finally found her voice.

“You,” he said, sucking the sensitive skin of her neck until she trembled. He gently shoved her arms aside and cupped each breast with big hands. Using his thumbs, he stroked her pouting nipples. More heat pooled between her legs and her knees grew weak.

“Why?” she managed hoarsely.

“Why not?” he asked. “We are both healthy, unattached adults. We are hot for each other. Why not take advantage while I am here?”

She could think of a thousand reasons. Like the ocean of tears she’d shed after they’d parted. Like the dreams he’d crushed and the heartache he’d caused her. Like his cruel accusations and mistrust.

But right here, right now, her body didn’t care. It craved the satisfaction he could give her. It had been so long. Her hips undulated against him, bumping against his erection until he moaned deep in his throat. He spread kisses up her neck to the tender underside of her jaw.

Crystal turned in his arms and clutched his head between her hands. “We’re fools for playing with fire,” she insisted.

His response was to capture her mouth with his own. His lips smothered her tiny whimper of surprise and pressed against hers with hungry force, rubbing and coaxing. When she didn’t rebuff his kiss, he thrust his tongue between her teeth and she realized just how badly she wanted to taste and re-explore him. Sucking his tongue deeper into her mouth, she sunk her hands into his thick hair to hold him closer. He moaned and the sound vibrated through her body to the pit of her stomach. Passion exploded, hot and fierce.

Demetri’s hands slid to her buttocks and cupped them firmly, lifting and positioning her against his erection. When he ground himself closer, she rolled her hips and rocked against him, loving the feel of his hard frame. They groaned into each other’s mouths as a savage desire quickly had them in its grip. Soon they were forced to gasp for air.

“I could take you right here and bury myself in your sweet depths. You want it as much as I do,” he said in a heavily accented tone. “But that would not begin to appease me. I want you in my bed. For hours. Maybe days or weeks.”

The dark hunger in his tone was like a splash of cold water in Crystal’s face. The fact that he was right about their totally unacceptable lack of restraint shocked her to stillness. She struggled to catch her breath, wriggled out of his grasp and put some distance between them.

Chest heaving, she stared at him in astonishment, berating herself for being such an idiot. What was she thinking? Making out like a hormone-crazed teenager when she should be hosting the most important event of her career? The thought of what her guests would think of her behavior chilled her overheated body.

“I need to get back inside.”

Demetri ran a hand through his hair, straightened his tie and jacket, his gaze never leaving her. “Esai theili. You are a coward.”

Crystal bristled. “I am not, but this is neither the time nor place to discuss it.”

“Because your foundation needs funds if you are to keep your job?”

“Exactly,” she replied.

He stared at her for a long, pregnant moment. “I’m prepared to donate whatever you need to secure the foundation’s finances for the next five years.”

She sucked in air, her heart still pounding and her eyes widening in amazement. That kind of donation would cost him millions. Was he playing some kind of twisted game with her? There had to be a catch. “Why?”

“Why not? I’ve done the research. It is a reputable, effective charity and a valuable tax write-off for my corporation.”

She knew it to be true. Considering his wealth, a few million in charitable donations meant very little to his empire.

“Just a business decision?” she asked.

“I also have a personal interest.”

“What personal interest?”

“You, for one,” he said. “I am expanding my business interests into America, and you are an American. We are former lovers, so it makes sense to ask your help with the social scene. How does your slang go? You rub my back, and I rub yours?”

His voice grew lower and more intimate with each word, as if back-rubbing meant frolicking between sheets.

“Scratch,” she said breathily. “You scratch my back.”

He nodded, accepting the correction. During the time they’d been lovers, she’d often teased him while teaching him Americanisms, but he’d never taken offense. She noticed he still didn’t use many contractions, but his speech wasn’t quite as formal as it used to be.

“You’re offering to donate millions just to be introduced around the city?”

Arrogance tinted his next response. “No. I expect a lot more for my investment.”

“What exactly do you want for your money?”

“Your undivided attention while I am in New York. I want you by my side and in my bed.”