Once in the car, Stewart removed the velvet box from his jacket and extracted the large yellow diamond engagement ring. “Miss Conway.” His blue eyes softened. “Tori, in two more days this agreement will be irrevocably sealed. Thus far, I’m not disappointed. Allow me to place this ring on your finger as an outward sign of our mutual arrangement.”

Was I expecting a declaration of love and devotion? What we were doing was an agreement—a contract—and the sooner I accepted that the better. I squared my shoulders, steeled my gray eyes, and extended my left hand. “I signed the contract, and I accept your ring.”

His brows lifted. “You may want to work on your enthusiasm, my darling. In a few minutes we’ll be on the rooftop of the Beach Club, which I’m sure you recognize as one of the most exclusive private clubs in Miami. I anticipate seeing many associates, perhaps even some of your esteemed stepfather’s colleagues. While some of this is for show…” He leaned closer. “…because I am so looking forward to showing you off—as I’m sure you’re keenly aware—there’s more than an element of attraction. As I’m introducing you this evening, I want you to remember what I plan to do with you tonight.” His lips parted slightly and brushed my suddenly blushed cheek. “As I take a drink of my wine, I want you to know, I’m imagining drinking you.” He nuzzled my neck. “As I’m inhaling the aroma of our perfectly prepared meal, I’ll be anticipating your sweet scent. When the food hits my tongue, I’ll be thinking about my tongue inside of you, with your sexy legs wrapped around my face.”

Oh my God! I knew I was getting wet just listening to him.

“Tonight,” he went on, “when I have you back at my penthouse, I’ll be doing what every man whom you meet will want to do, what they will envision doing, what they will be doing with their wives but imagining my fiancée. You, my Tori, are stunning.” His hand found the hem of my dress and moved under the soft material toward my thighs. “Tonight and every night I’ll be the envy of every other man. You’ll be starring in their wet dreams while you star in my every fantasy.” His fingers inched upward. In a mere inch or two he’d learn for certain that I followed his instructions. “Spread your legs for me, Tori.”

The car we were riding in wasn’t a limousine. There was no partition between the two of us and Travis, no sound barrier. My eyes darted to the rearview mirror. With the setting sun, Stewart’s driver wore sunglasses. The dark lenses covered his eyes and his expression, keeping the focus of his attention hidden.

“Tori,” Stewart’s tone was more demanding. “Don’t make me ask you twice. Spread those beautiful thighs. Give me an appetizer, a promise of what’s waiting for me.”

His words shouldn’t have been turning me on, but they did. I knew with a shift of my legs he’d find the wetness he sought. Once again, he’d gotten me totally aroused with only his words. “Oh, Stewart…”

“Shush, Tori, moan into me.”

I shifted my legs farther apart, as his lips covered mine. It was our first kiss, the first time his tongue danced with mine. Yet that was not what had my attention; my entire body ignited as his fingers plunged between my swollen folds. I widened my thighs more to give him better access. Within seconds, the world disappeared and all that mattered was his touch and his kiss. When he found my clit, I did as he’d said: I moaned.

Our sounds intermingled as he removed his hand with an approving hiss, and cooed near my ear, “Yes, so wet, always so wet.”

Oh my God! I wanted more. I wanted my mountain. As he brought his fingers to his mouth my cheeks blushed.

He spread my arousal on his lips and licked. “Just a taste of sweetness.” His eyes shimmered. “Later, I’ll dine.”

What was happening to me? He was making me want things I’d never even considered.

My knees wobbled as Stewart led me from the car into the Beach Club. Then, as if nothing had just happened, he greeted the maître d’ and led me toward the private elevator. Once alone inside the elevator, he brushed his nose against my neck and whispered. “Nothing here will taste as good as you. My darling, I hope you don’t mind if we skip dessert.”

I’D NEVER BEEN so busy and yet done so little. What Lisa didn’t do for me, she had someone else who could. The next two days flew by in a flurry of rush and wait. The days were monopolized by fittings, primping, and beautification. My long, dark tresses were highlighted, not in shades of blonde as I’d imagined, but tints of chestnut and lowlights of mahogany. When sunlight hit my hair, the various shades came alive in a truly surprising array of color. My skin was moisturized, waxed, hydrated, and massaged. Cosmetologists spent hours applying and teaching me to apply just the right amount of makeup. With the guidance of Zhen, a cosmetologist, I became an expert at creating the most dramatic eyes.

The wedding dress that Lisa had chosen—yes, she said that she argued with Stewart and won, not allowing him to see it until the wedding—was stunning. Before my first fitting, it was close to my size. By Wednesday afternoon, it fit like a glove. The flowing chiffon and fitted bodice worked together to create the perfect look for a destination beach wedding.

I’d also learned a little more about my fiancé. Though his homes were in Miami, his hotels were all over the world, and thus he spent quite a bit of time traveling. He said there would be times he would travel alone but probably more times he’d want me to accompany him. Though he never truly demanded, the way he asked, the way he inquired, left me little room for debate.