The Beast Loves Curves Read online

  He held her hand a little longer than necessary. Abbie had to pull away. She couldn't contain the tremor in her limbs that his vibrant touch seemed to set ignite inside of her. Where was the beast? And why did Ian Campbell have to be so damned compelling?

  Of course he's charming. Try to remember that he goes through women like you've been going through tissues. Use and discard. Use and discard. Focus, Abbie, focus.

  She used her best professional voice as she queried, "Would you like to go over what you expect."

  He waved her toward a chair in front of his desk before he seated himself behind it. "Right down to business, huh?"

  "I thought that's what you wanted. You did hire my company for a purpose." God...she sounded uptight. She sat in the comfy leather chair and tried not to squirm, wishing he could direct his intense blue-eyed stare at something other than her. She felt like she was being dissected, his attention focused entirely on her.

  "You're nervous. Why would a woman as talented as you be nervous?," he asked in a curious voice.

  "Because I've heard that you're extremely difficult to work with," she blurted out the truth before she could censor herself. She hadn't meant to, but maybe it was better that way. She was tense and she needed to be at ease to do her best, creative work.

  She started as his huge, booming laughter filled the room. She knew she was gaping at him, her mouth opening and closing like a landed fish...but she couldn't help herself.

  *****

  Ian tried to stop himself, but he couldn't hold back the laughter that welled up inside of him at her unexpected comment. People didn't usually give him honesty. They told him what he wanted to hear.

  As he got himself under control he choked out, "The beast?"

  "That's what they say?" She looked uncomfortable now.

  He was still smiling as he answered, "You shouldn't listen to everything you hear, Abbie. That was a rumor that was circulated deliberately by some employees that were fired for good reason." He propped an arm under his chin as he stared into her jade green eyes. "However...I'm definitely no angel. I learned to grow up after my accident. It changed my priorities. But I was a complete asshole. I'm pretty sure I probably still am at times."

  Ian almost groaned in disappointment as she crossed her arms over her chest. He had been so enjoying the view of those plump, ripe beauties. The woman was completely stunning. Her rounded cheeks were glowing and her startling green eyes were pinning him with a direct, challenging look that few dared to send his way. He wanted to reach out and touch that perfect skin to find out if it was as silky as it appeared. His cock was hard just from watching her. Those delicious lips were made to be kissed and that curvy body would be perfection against him. He definitely had to stop thinking about those beautiful black curls spread over his pillow.

  "If you say you're an asshole, you're probably not." She had a sassy look on her face now and her eyes flashed.

  He felt like a beast. Right now he'd like to play the big, bad wolf to her little red riding hood and gobble her up. "That's interesting deductive logic."

  She shrugged. "Common sense. Most men who are assholes wouldn't admit it." She sighed as she appeared to visibly relax. "Tell me about your project, Ian."

  And so he did.

  *****

  Ian Campbell was dangerous to a woman's mind and body.

  It hadn't taken Abbie more than a day in his company to decide that Ian was nothing like the beast she had imagined. He was an even bigger threat. He was an alpha male sometimes, but completely likable and sexier than any man ought to be.

  She pounded the computer keys and tried to concentrate on changing something on the site. She had been working closely with Ian for a week and every day she found him even more fascinating. Every day she had a more difficult time resisting his easy charm, quick wit and ultra masculine appeal.

  Abbie stretched her legs out on the leather couch and turned her laptop computer to a better position. She had started wearing jeans and a sweater. Ian had insisted she be comfortable and make herself at home while she worked. This had turned into a dream job, and working with Ian was a joy she had never imagined when she had taken on the project.

  Surprisingly, they shared many common interests. They laughed a lot, sharing their history, likes, dislikes and anything else that popped into their minds.

  She had never shared the humiliation of her break up with Tim, but Ian had asked about boyfriends. Abbie had simply told him that she had broken up with someone a short time ago. When he asked why...she clammed up. She couldn't share that with him. No matter how easy he was to talk to, it was still a raw wound and demeaning as hell.

  He was open with her, telling her about life before his accident and about the changes he wanted to make in his life. She cringed at what he had suffered in the hospital. She wished she would have known him then. At least she could have been around for him as a friend.

  She didn't think he had been the beast that everyone thought he had been before his accident and she wasn't sure if she would have liked him or not...but she certainly liked him now.

  Everything...absolutely everything about him was sexy. Sometimes he stood a little too close. All he had to do was bump against her and her panties were wet. Truthfully, all she had to do was hear his voice and she was moist. The man was a walking fantasy. She fantasized about him during the day and had wet dreams about him at night. She knew she was in a bad way. Ian Campbell wasn't someone who would be interested in her. He flirted...but that was just his charm.

  She was touched by the reason he was opening the foundation. Leo was a friend that Ian had met in the hospital that would never walk again after a horrible accident. When Ian had talked about Leo's undaunted courage and his love for his adoring wife and children--she had cried like a baby. She had told Ian that she would have done the website for free if Bill had contacted her directly. Ian had blown it off, saying he would rather pay her because it meant keeping her close and having her company.

  God...she hated it when he said things like that. Her face flushed, her breath grew hot and shallow. Abbie knew she absolutely could not take him seriously.

  She need to finished the site. She couldn't spend much more time with the man before she jumped him. Her brain might be saying "no" but her body was saying "take me."

  Abbie nibbled her lip as she concentrated her effort on correcting a problem on the website. She had enjoyed having total creative freedom on this project. She was a programmer, but building websites was really her favorite thing to do. She loved the process and the challenge of making a site that would touch people enough to donate funds for a worthy cause. Ian had given her the information and she had done everything. She had even written the contents.

  "Did you know that you get a little crinkle between your eyes when you're concentrating?" Ian walked into the room with that oh-so-sexy smile that turned her blood hot. He was dressed in his usual jeans and body hugging t-shirt.

  "I do not," She shot back with an answering smile.

  "You do." His blue eyes pinned hers. She could swear they were filled with desire...but she knew better.

  "It's very sexy." He leaned over and brushed his lips to her forehead. "It tempts a man to want to kiss it away."

  She came very close to wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him senseless. There was only so much teasing a woman could take. "Stop being a flirt. I have work to do." Her answer was nearly breathless. Get a grip, Abbie.

  "I don't think of it as flirting. It's attempted seduction." He answered in a husky voice.

  Abbie's heart fluttered as he kneeled beside her. "I'm working on something right now. I'll have to show you the site later. I'm hoping to finish today."

  "Then I guess I'll have to distract you so that you don't finish," he whispered low in her ear.

  He was slightly behind her and she could feel his warm breath caress her sensitive ear. She shivered as his tongue darted out to tease her ear lobe and his hands dropped lightly on h
er shoulders.

  How easy it would be to just lean back against his massive chest and give in to the desire that had been burning inside of her all week long. If she wasn't so insecure...she might have. Ian was a hard man to resist when he was flirting.

  He doesn't really want you.

  "You need to let me work, Ian. You're distracting me." Her body was vibrating with tension.

  "Am I, Abbie?," he asked as the back of hands slid along her exposed skin at the top of breasts and collarbone and his tongue trailed over the tight muscles in her neck. "God, you're skin is so soft," his strangled comment vibrated along her neck, sending tingles of awareness through her whole body. She stopped breathing as his large fingers stroked over her breasts. Her nipples were hard and she was sure he could feel them, even through the material of her lacy bra and light sweater.

  It has to stop, Abbie. He's never gone this far.

  She bit her lip to hold back a moan as he circled her swollen nipples, stroking a finger over each hard nub.

  She let out her pent up breath, careful not to moan. Shit. It was too much. Her panties were soaked already and he had barely touched her.

  His hands continued tormenting her breasts as he swung around to face her. His eyes were hot and wild. "So ripe, so lush. Are you wet, Abbie? Do you want this as much as I do?"

  Before she could answer, his lips lowered to hers. Her breath had been coming hard between her lips and they were open and ready for his invasion. He brushed aside her computer and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her flush against him. He groaned into her mouth as his tongue swept in and tangled with hers and her breasts met his solid, muscular chest.

  She gave in. She promised herself it would be just for a moment. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her hands tangled in his coarse, thick hair.

  She let herself drown in sensation. His mouth was hot and demanding, his tongue working in a sensual rhythm against hers. The wet slide was erotic and scorching, making her whole body quiver as she felt his power and will overwhelm her.

  He took her mouth over and over while his hands roamed her body, molding her against him. They moved sensually from her back to her hips, sliding under sweater.

  She moaned as he stroked the bare skin of her back, leaving a trail of fire wherever he touched.

  Oh shit. This had to stop. She couldn't take anymore. Her heart was hammering and every part of her was primed and ready for his possession.

  Yanking her mouth from his was like ripping her heart out. It was physically painful and she felt her core contracting, vibrating with need. Every part of her reached out for him even as she pulled away. She pushed on his chest, trying to move away from him.

  "I can't do this, Ian. Please." Her voice was begging him. She felt desperate...she was desperate.

  He backed away, his chest heaving to catch his breath. He rested his hands on his thighs. They were both panting as their eyes met. She almost pulled him back. God help her...but she wanted him so badly, even if he was only playing with her.

  He looked as needy as she was, his eyes burning and hot. She looked away from him. "Please don't do that again. It hurts," she whispered breathlessly. She hadn't meant to say it, but she ached. Her body was wound tight.

  He took her hand and brought it to the front of his jeans, pressing it along his groin to feel a hard, large and very erect cock. "I know the feeling, sweetheart," he answered, his voice tortured.

  Abbie looked up at him, her body humming. He really did want her. She was feeling the evidence against her palm. She wanted to rub her hand along it, play with it. He was incredibly hard and engorged. "You really do want me." For just a moment, Abbie was filled with the wonder of having a man like Ian desire her.

  "Was there ever any doubt?" His voice was dry and incredulous. "I've been panting after you all week like a eager puppy. My cock has been hard since the first day we met."

  He was serious. He wanted her.

  Before she became swamped in her own needs, she reminded herself that she was the only available female in the house below the age of sixty. The man probably hadn't gotten laid since before his accident. He could have any woman he wanted, but she just happened to be available. Maybe even a chubby woman looked good to a guy that was horny.

  Tears threatened, but Abbie held them back. If she gave in to Ian Campbell he would break her heart like no man ever had. Her break up with Tim would be like a paper cut compared to the damage Ian could do to her.

  "I just can't, Ian. I'm sorry." She wasn't doing a one night fling with him. It would destroy her.

  He stood, his eyes going flat and cold. "It's fine. I shouldn't have gotten carried away." He moved to his desk chair and grabbed up his running shoes. "I have to go out for a while. I have an appointment at the hospital."

  His tone was casual, but Abbie knew how he hated the hospital. He had laughingly told her once that he couldn't go near one anymore without trembling with fear. "I'll go with you." Her heart reached out to him automatically.

  "You will?" He looked confused, amazed by her offer. "It's only for testing, Abbie. You don't have to go."

  She gave him a reassuring smile. "I want to...if you want me to go with you," she answered shyly. "I'd like to think we've become friends, Ian."

  "Sweetheart, you've become more than just a friend to me," he drawled in a self mocking voice. "But if friends is all I can have...I'll take it. If you're coming with me you have to let me take you out to dinner afterwards. Anywhere you want."

  "You don't have to bribe me, Ian. I want to go," she answered, teasing him. She didn't like to see him sad or tense.

  "I insist. We have to eat." He didn't look at her as he continued to pull on his shoes.

  She laughingly named the most expensive restaurants in the city. It was one that she had never been to personally. She made a decent income, but it was way over her budget.

  He nodded as he stood. He walked to the couch and looked down at her earnestly. "It's one of my favorites."

  She shook her head as she laughed up at him. "I was joking, Ian. Do you think I'd go to a place like that dressed like this. They wouldn't let me step through the door." She waved her hand over her well worn jeans and sweater.

  "You look great to me. I'd let you in." His eyes raked over her thoroughly, giving his statement a whole different meaning. "Besides, I already know they'd let you in." His eyes met hers with a devilish twinkle.

  She swallowed hard, trying to contain her lust. He was so difficult to resist when he was being a naughty boy. She crossed her arms over her chest as she met his mischievous look with a doubtful one of her own. "You look awfully full of yourself. I'm sure they have a dress code even if you are Ian Campbell."

  He reached out his hand to pull her up beside him. She took it, shivering at the power in his grip as he easily pulled her from her seat on the couch.

  He didn't let go of her hand as he pulled her along behind him to the door. He paused as his hand met the door handle to answer, "They do have a dress code. But it hardly applies to me. They would never turn us away."

  She gaped at him. "Oh, God. You really think you're that superior."

  "Nope. Not superior at all." His grin was wicked as he pulled the door open, his eyes never leaving hers. "But I do own the place."

  She choked on her laughter as he pulled her out the door. She smacked him on the shoulder. "You're completely evil, Ian."

  "Not as evil as I'd like to be," she heard his barely audible murmur.

  He laughed and joked the rest of the afternoon as they completed his visit to the hospital, but she felt him squeeze her hand a few times as they entered. She squeezed back in reassurance.

  When they finished he wanted to take her to his restaurant. She argued that she was supposed to get her choice.