9
" And from what I remember about our casting meeting, his eyes kept circling back to you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said in as light a voice as she could manage, as if they were joking about something that would never, ever happen in a million years.
“Well,” George said after a pause that was just a little too long for her comfort, “I think we both know that if the beautiful and talented and filthy rich Smith Sullivan is smart enough to try to stick his hands up your skirt, you won’t stand a chance.”
She hated knowing her friend and colleague was right, hated it so much that as she grabbed a stack of notes on her desk, she tried to put a stop to all of his nonsense by saying, in her sternest, most businesslike tone, “If you’re done speculating over whether or not Smith Sullivan wants to stick his hands, or any other body part, up my skirt—or if I have strong enough superpowers to resist him—perhaps we can now discuss the details of Tatiana’s recent commercial offer.”
A creak from her office doorway made her finally lift her gaze from her paperwork…to stare straight into Smith’s amused eyes.
Oh, God.
Oh, no.
Could he have heard what she’d just said? About her skirt, and his hands, and…
Yes, she realized with a hard thunk of her heart as it careened down to the bottom of her stomach. Of course he’d heard every last word of it.
Why else would he look so amused…and, quite possibly, delighted?
“George, I’ll need to call you back in a few minutes.”
“Oooh, you sound tense. And more than a little breathless. A movie star must have walked into the room.” George was obviously giddy over it. “Why don’t you just leave your phone on speaker so I can hear his voice—just in case he says all those naughty things I know we’re both hoping he’ll say.”
She hung up on Tatiana’s agent and immediately stood up so that she and Smith would be on even ground. Well, as even as they could be, given the six or so inches he had on her even in her heels.
“You didn’t need to hang up so quickly for me,” he drawled in a voice that didn’t try to be sexy. It just was.
“I know how busy you are,” she replied. And it was true. As star, director, producer and screenwriter of Gravity, she wasn’t sure how he’d managed more than a handful of hours of sleep a night since production began. And yet, he didn’t look the least bit tired. Instead, he looked even more handsome than he usually did.
Clearly, he wore smug well. Because she knew damn well just how smug he had to be feeling after what he’d heard her say to George. "
― Bella Andre , Come A Little Bit Closer (San Francisco Sullivans, #7; The Sullivans, #7)
11
" Lie. She needed to figure out how to tell a convincing lie, damn it.
Only, what came out instead was, “Well, there’s sort of this guy who’s interested, but since I already know it’s not going to work out, I’ve been trying not to encourage him.”
She only realized what she’d said after her words came echoing back into her ears a few seconds later. Thank God Tatiana was off getting a facial, or she would surely have been peppering her with twenty questions. Like who the guy was…and why Valentina hadn’t so much as mentioned anyone during the past few weeks that they’d been in San Francisco.
Not to mention the fact that Valentina’s definition of “trying not to encourage him” clearly needed some work after the night—and morning—she’d spent making love over and over again with Smith. "
― Bella Andre , Come A Little Bit Closer (San Francisco Sullivans, #7; The Sullivans, #7)
12
" Their gift-wrapped packages continued to pile up when they finally reached the floor he’d been waiting impatiently for. The music was quieter on the fifth floor, the displays even more elegant, the colors softer to complement the very expensive lingerie on display.
Valentina’s flush said it all, even before she spoke. “I can’t think of anyone who needs something from this section of the store.”
He let his gaze move over her flushed cheeks, her full lips, her too-bright eyes. “I can.” He moved close enough to slide the tips of his fingers over her hand in the barest of touches. “The next time I see you in silk and lace, Valentina, I want to know that I’m the only man who will ever take it off you. "
― Bella Andre , Come A Little Bit Closer (San Francisco Sullivans, #7; The Sullivans, #7)
14
" Valentina.” His low voice thrummed over nerves stretched taut. “Those files you asked for are in my office.”
“Great,” she managed in what she hoped was a calm, even voice. “I’ll get them from you—”
“Now.”
There were no files. And even if there had been, she certainly could have waited to get them until after he and Tatiana finished shooting their next scene. But something told her it was either follow Smith into his office now…or risk him doing something in front of everyone on set that would have eyebrows rising and tongues wagging.
She could see he wasn’t in the mood to wait too long for her to make her decision, so she quickly said, “We’ll be right back,” to their sisters and led the way to his office. She could feel his eyes on her, the subtle sway of her hips feeling more pronounced beneath the heat of his gaze, every sensitive area of her body already responding to him without so much as a touch.
She’d barely stepped into his office when she heard the door close—and lock—behind them.
“Smith.” She slowly turned around to face him. “Lori never would have said that if she knew you were the guy I’ve been—”
He waited, one eyebrow raised…and her stomach twisted at the sure knowledge that no matter what she said, she was only going to hurt him again.
She couldn’t say they were just sleeping together, because she couldn’t deny that what they had shared had been more than that. So much more. Even though she’d been trying as hard as she could to convince herself that it wasn’t.
“I don’t know what to call what we’re doing,” she said softly. “Actually, I tried to find you this morning in your office so that we could talk.” God, she hated admitting it, but he had to know. “I don’t know how to handle how fast everything has been moving between us. And even though every day I tell myself it’s the last time, things between us just keep getting—”
“Strip.”
Words stalled on the tip of her tongue at his rough-edged command. "
― Bella Andre , Come A Little Bit Closer (San Francisco Sullivans, #7; The Sullivans, #7)
15
" How, she wondered, unable to do anything but stare at his beautiful face and body with helpless longing, was he able to make passionate love to her one second and get back in character again just seconds after? It was one of the reasons she’d never wanted to be with an actor. She couldn’t stand the idea of just being part of another scene he was playing to the best of his ability.
Only, when he looked into her eyes, she realized with stunning clarity that although he was again wearing his character’s clothes, Smith wasn’t the least bit in character. Because instead of the billionaire from the firm staring at her, instead of Smith Sullivan the movie star, or even Lori’s brother, the man who stood before her was her lover. One hundred percent.
Hers.
The realization of just how completely he’d given himself over to her left her staggered even as he said, “Since I know my sister’s going to want her answer before she’s through with you, you can let her know that your guy is definitely still putting in his best efforts for your heart. "
― Bella Andre , Come A Little Bit Closer (San Francisco Sullivans, #7; The Sullivans, #7)
16
" Lori and Smith were heading over to his office when she grabbed his arm, grinned widely and said, “You’re Valentina’s mystery guy that she can’t shake, aren’t you?”
Knowing Lori was completely beside herself with glee at realizing he was Valentina’s un-boyfriend, Smith muttered, “This is making your day, isn’t it, Naughty?”
“Are you kidding? This has just made my year! "
― Bella Andre , Come A Little Bit Closer (San Francisco Sullivans, #7; The Sullivans, #7)
18
" A raw curse left his lips at the most beautiful sight he’d ever had the pleasure of witnessing.
Her mouth curved up at his crude language. “How’d you know that was exactly what I was hoping you’d say when you saw me wearing another one of your gifts?”
“You’re the gift,” he told her, meaning it so deeply he could hardly get the words out.
She seemed to wobble on her heels for a moment at the emotion in his voice. But then she was coming toward him and, as if in slow motion, she dropped to her knees between his legs. She didn’t reach for his belt buckle, but simply pressed her mouth to his in a soft kiss that stole his breath, even as the sheer knowledge of what was coming had him almost losing it.
Sweet Lord, he was never going to survive this. They’d have to find someone to take over for him on the movie because he was going to die of pleasure tonight.
And he wouldn’t have it any other way. "
― Bella Andre , Come A Little Bit Closer (San Francisco Sullivans, #7; The Sullivans, #7)
19
" So, what are the stakes for this little game?”
She raised an eyebrow. “You want to turn a friendly game of miniature golf into a bet?”
“I’m a guy. It’s what we do,” he said, his dark eyes sizzling with wicked intent.
She rolled her eyes. “At least you recognize how ridiculous you are, acting so competitive about a fun game.”
“Do you really mean to tell me you and Tatiana aren’t the least bit competitive with each other? Or that you haven’t tried to rig the windmill hole to close at least once before her ball could get in?”
She laughed at his far-too-insightful question. “Well, maybe there was that one time she ‘accidently’ slipped on a ball in front of my shot that was sure to be a winning hole in one.”
He shook his head. “Little sisters are a pain in the butt, aren’t they? But then again, I’m sure you got her back for that, didn’t you?”
She gave him her most innocent look, before saying, “Who knew putting Vaseline on a golf ball would make it nearly impossible to hit straight?”
“Now that I know how much the win means to you,” he said through his laughter, “I may have to do a full body search for any hidden jars of Vaseline before we start playing. "
― Bella Andre , Come A Little Bit Closer (San Francisco Sullivans, #7; The Sullivans, #7)
