Angela felt warm all over, not just because of how Gael pressed himself against her back, but the words he uttered reached her core. He wasn't only saying lines to flatter her. She knew he told the truth because she'd notice that his eyes were always on her, watching her every move even if he was across the room full of people.

She wanted to play with him. Turning around, she rested her hands on his shoulder and held his gaze. A small hint of a smile danced on her lips. "You're so sweet… If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to get in my pants."

Gael paused, and then a slow smirk appeared on his face. He shamelessly raked his heated stare down her body, openly checking her out. "I'm really…really…trying to get in your pants."

"How honest…"

"Is it working?"

Angela was now beaming. "I'm not sure. I think I need a little more convincing."

He cocked a brow and studied her expression. The way he bore his eyes on her made her feel slightly conscious, but she didn't look away, and neither did he. Gael moved closer; her breasts flush against his chest as he planted his hands on her tiny waist. One hand came up to the back of her neck, and he lowered his gaze on her lips before bringing it back up. "I'm a businessman, Angel. Convincing is what I'm good at. I could show you right now…"

Ever so slightly, he pressed his growing erection against her abdomen, and her lips parted. She swallowed. Glancing around, Angela tried to check if people were looking in their direction. Everyone seemed to be busy minding their own business at the party, but she caught a few stares thrown their way. They had been curious about her because she was Gael's date—no, girlfriend. She wasn't embarrassed by how close they were with these people around them, and she felt challenged by his offer. How could he possibly "show" her?

"Here?" she probed.

He continued to stare, his eyes never leaving hers.

Looking back at him, she said, "I don't think that's possible here, Mr. De Luca. So many eyes…"

"You think I care what they think, Miss Su?"

"I'm sure you don't… But you wouldn't put me at risk for public indecency."

He chuckled. "You're right; I don't. I also don't like to share."

Angela subtly scraped her nails on his neck and then lightly stroked the base of his head. "Then I guess you can't convince me."

The sensation of her delicate fingers on him was like light feathers trying to poke a sleeping bear. His jaw clenched at the same time that his dick twitched at the sound of her seductive voice. Gael knew she wasn't trying to sound sexy, but fûck—her voice just now tempted him like a "come-hither" tone.

"I'll just have to tell you then," he said.

Her eyes dilated as though the thought of him telling her what he would do to her excited her. His girl liked it dirty, and it's been too long that he started feeling like a monk. Just this morning, she'd told him they'd take it slow. But being around her nearly 24 hours a day was so damn hard.

She didn't respond. She was waiting, and he took it as his cue. So Gael leaned down until his lips brushed the shell of her ear and spoke in a sexy, hot voice that Angela wanted to drown in.

"Ever since I saw you again after days of being a thousand miles away… I couldn't stop thinking about how good you always feel with your body pressed up against me. So many times, I nearly lost control and just wanted to rip your clothes off, bend you over and sink inside of you without restraint."

The sound of his low voice was erotic, causing Angela's eyes to involuntarily close. A soft gasp escaped her lips as he continued to talk dirty to her.

"But that's not all I want to do to you, Angel. If we were alone right now, I'd slip your panties off. You're wet for me right now, aren't you, baby? I bet if I run my fingers down your pussy you'd be soaking."

Oh. My. If Gael didn't do that right now, she'd grab his hand and make him.

He kissed the skin below her ear and a wave of current shot between her legs. Angela shivered. His hand moved above her ass and squeezed. Hard. And he pressed his hard-on against her more. It felt so good, she didn't care if people watched.

"Fuck," he breathed. "Just the thought of that makes me even harder. I close my eyes and I see you naked. Wet. All ready. All mine. I'll feel your body up… Lay you down… Spread your legs wide and bury my face between them. I'll make you come so hard with my tongue, my mouth, my fingers...you'll scream my name until New York trembles."

She had to squeeze her thighs together to ease the throbbing of her sensitive flesh. She swore that if he continued, she'd finish right there.

Angela was panting and nothing was even happening yet. Damn. Gael wasn't playing.

He leaned back enough to be able to look at her. Her eyes were hazy, and his gaze dropped to her parted lips. She looked so sexy when aroused. He wanted to claim those lips and breathe her in.

The sound of cheers around them pulled them from their little world, and they realized that the countdown was about to start. Angela and Gael didn't break away from their positions—her hands were still on his neck, and his arms were wrapped around her waist. They looked up and watched the ball on the pole that's slowly descending. And everyone began to count.

"10… 9… 8… 7…"

Almost at the same time, the two tore their stare away from the ball and back to each other's eyes.

"6… 5… 4…"

Their gazes were intense. It was as if looking at each other was enough to warm them up in the cold winter night.

"3…"

Angela's eyes dipped to his lips.

"2…"

And Gael leaned in, aiming for hers.

"1"

His lips covered hers, and relief washed over her body. The kiss was fervent and needy—totally not New York City Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop appropriate—but that was the least of their worries.

Their tongues sought each other as he tugged her hair and tilted her head to an angle he wanted, deepening their kiss. She forgot where they were. All her senses flew away, feeling like she was floating in the air, and tingles reached her toes.

Pops of fireworks above them brought them back to earth, and Gael reluctantly broke the kiss. He didn't want to stop, but he had to lean back slightly, or he'd take her right there on the rooftop—consequences be damned.

"Angel…" he whispered and pressed his forehead against hers.

Angela slid her hands down the collar of his tux and tugged him closer. "I want you now…"

Gael looked her in the eyes and saw the desperation in them. His hardened length painfully strained in his pants. They better be on the same page. "I thought you said we're taking it slow?"

"Screw slow. You can't tell me all those things and expect me to just forget about it. I need...those now."

The corner of his lips curled up. "Thank fûck. Let's get out of here."