by Laura Conway
“How’s that deal in Estepona?” James asked. “I can put more money in if that will speed things up.”
“There might be a problem with it. I have to go out there tomorrow.”
“What? How big of a problem?”
“There’s some concern over the boundaries... This deal might not happen.”
“Typical,” James said with a soft laugh. “Just when I’m ready to make my first big move in real estate, things go pear-shaped.”
“There’ll be other deals. You can’t get too attached to a particular property.”
“I know, and I have a lot to learn. I was already cashing those checks.”
“If this apartment complex doesn’t work out, I have two back up options that I’ll go over with you. The margins aren’t as good, but they’re still two solid deals.”
“Hey,” Carley said, wrapping a towel around her waist as she joined them. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”
“Not at all,” James said with a smile. “I need to go talk to the captain though. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“You didn’t feel like jumping in?” Carley asked her when he was gone.
“I was considering it, but then I had a few glasses of champagne, and I thought... I better not.” She did have a black bikini on underneath her khaki shorts and black tank top, but she got caught up chatting and drinking.
The sky behind Carley was dyed in shades of reds and pinks with the lights of Malaga in the distance. Andrea watched Carley remove the towel from her waist to dry her hair. As she leaned forward, Andrea couldn’t keep her eyes off her breasts. She cleared her throat and took a drink of champagne to keep herself from staring. She couldn’t remember ever being this attracted to another woman. If this yacht wasn’t so crowded, she would have found a quiet corner where she could back Carley up against the wall and kiss her. Last night seemed like days ago. She was desperate for round two.
When Carley finished securing the towel around her waist again, she looked up and caught Andrea checking her out. She lifted her eyebrows, a smirk on her lips.
“I really wish you hadn’t gotten out of bed this morning,” Carley said with a seductive smile.
“I’ve been regretting it all day.”
Andrea almost slipped her arm around her waist, but she hesitated and left her hand by her side. She didn’t know why she was so reluctant to give in to this attraction. It was out there. It wasn’t a secret, but it was all new to her. She was used to keeping her distance, to not becoming too attached, and that was when there was no reason to be so cautious. Andrea just knew what she was like. Work would always come first.
This time, she did have a reason to be concerned. Even if Carley didn’t leave to continue traveling in four months, she eventually would, wouldn’t she? Andrea wanted her to stay, but at the same time, she didn’t want to hold her back.
She just wanted to stay in Nerja. For the first time, Andrea would have been happy to forget about business for a few more days. If this problem with the apartment building in Estepona hadn’t come up, she might have considered it. That was the point of being your own boss.
“Well, I promise that when we do eventually get back to bed,” Carley said, her hand lightly resting on the small of her back, “It’ll be worth the wait.”
“I have no doubt about that,” Andrea said, leaning in to kiss Carley. It was just a soft kiss, but it left her body tingling, wanting more.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Even though they were out on the water and the moon was shiny brightly overhead, the night air was warm. Carley slipped on a pair of jean shorts and a gray tank top after her swim.
She was glad tonight’s party was casual. She wasn’t used to seeing Andrea dressed down in shorts and a tank top, but Carley couldn’t take her eyes off her. Her hair was tied back in a messy bun and her designer shades hid her eyes, but Carley caught her checking her out while she was toweling off, and she’d done her best to play it cool, biting her lip to keep herself from smiling.
Carley never really had self-confidence issues. She’d always looked after her body and kept in shape, but seeing the way Andrea looked at her, sent her confidence through the roof. Carley had never been with anyone who almost seemed to crave her body, and last night she’d felt sexier than she ever had.
As much as she wanted to get back to their hotel room, Carley was enjoying herself. She’d had a few glasses of champagne, and she chatted with Mark for a while. He slipped something into their conversation about how difficult it had been to convince James that he was worth a second date and how reluctant he’d been to date someone younger than him. Carley didn’t know if that bit of information had been for her benefit, but at least she was past that point. She didn’t think she had to convince Andrea that the fourteen years between them meant nothing.
They had bigger problems though. Carley would happily stay in Marbella, but she still didn’t know if Andrea would even want that. There was always going to be their difference in lifestyles and income. Carley had no intention of figuring out how to increase her income either. She’d always been happier having experiences rather than things. If she could afford to live and keep taking photos, she’d be more than satisfied. Finding Andrea was just another example of serendipity gracing her life.
Carley looked around her. She hadn’t seen Andrea in a while. She must be on the upper deck. Carley grabbed a fresh glass of champagne and turned to find the stairs.
“Hello.”
Carley almost ran into Stephanie, sweeping her arm out to the side to avoid spilling her glass.
“Hi,” Carley said, hoping that this conversation wouldn’t last long. She’d liked Stephanie the first night they’d met, but since then, she wasn’t so sure. She had this lechy vibe, and she didn’t seem to care that she was with Andrea now.
Stephanie stood beside her with their arms touching. There was no need to be that close. No one else was around them.
“I give it three months,” Stephanie said, bringing her glass to her lips.
“What are you talking about?”
“You and Andrea. Three months tops.”
Carley’s eyebrows rose. “From now or in total?”
“In total.”
“So, you think we won’t last another month...”
“Andrea is difficult and once the initial excitement wears off, she’ll get bored. She always does.”
Carley’s jaw clenched. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but stopped before she said anything, and Stephanie kept going.
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt,” Stephanie said, her hand lightly resting on her forearm. “I don’t have the same addiction to work that Andrea has, and I’m considerably wealthier.”
“I don’t care about money.”
Stephanie laughed. “Of course, you don’t. Just remember that you have options. You’re a beautiful woman, and you deserve better than Andrea.”
Carley left Stephanie standing there. She didn’t want to cause a scene, and if she had to listen to any more of what Stephanie had to say, she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep her mouth shut. Carley shook her head as she climbed the stairs. Stephanie and Andrea were definitely not friends, just competitors.
“There you are,” Andrea said, excusing herself from the conversation she was having. “James said we’re heading back to shore in a few minutes, so...”
“Anxious to get back?”
“Maybe...”
Carley tried to forget about what Stephanie said. She was just trying to split them up, either because she wanted Carley for herself or maybe out of spite. Either way, Carley couldn’t let her words get to her.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Andrea filled a tumbler with ice and poured herself a generous helping of whiskey. Carley was in the shower. She said she wanted to freshen up after being in the ocean.
Andrea brought her glass out onto the balcony and took a seat on the gray sofa. It was a warm enough night that she was comf
ortable in her shorts and tank top. The sounds of the waves hitting the shoreline below were the only thing she could hear.
She’d been looking forward to getting back to the hotel all day, but now that they were here, Andrea was restless. Carley was unusually quiet on the way back from Malaga Port. Maybe she was just as nervous about tonight as Andrea was. She hoped that was the reason. If it wasn’t, Carley was probably having second thoughts about whatever this was. Maybe she was thinking ahead to tomorrow and wondering how they were going to work together or if they even should.
Andrea had been thinking about that too. Maybe she should find another P.A., but then what would Carley do? She’d probably go back to working at her father’s pub. Andrea knew she could find someone else to do the job, but she didn’t think she’d ever find someone else she could trust the way she trusted Carley. That had always been the most important thing for her, having someone that she felt safe with, someone who wouldn’t undermine her business or steal from her like Jessica had.
Surely, they could continue working together. The lines between their personal and professional lives would inevitably blur, but did that really matter? As long as her business ventures weren’t neglected, what difference did it make?
“Hey,” Carley said as she slid open the glass door and stepped out onto the balcony. “Sorry that took so long, but I wanted to dry my hair.”
Andrea moved over, giving Carley room to sit down beside her. Carley’s blond hair was straight, and she had it swept across one shoulder. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, but she didn’t need it. Her skin glowed from the sun she got today, making her blue eyes even brighter.
“I was tempted to join you,” Andrea said, angling her body to face Carley.
“You should have,” Carley said as she reached for her hand, holding it in her own on her lap.
Andrea held her gaze as Carley traced a pattern in the palm of her hand, and she nearly shuddered at that simple touch. She didn’t know what it was about Carley, but she’d never met anyone who made her feel so much with so little.
“Come here,” Andrea whispered as her hand left Carley’s to cup her neck. She parted her lips against Carley’s in a slow, tender kiss, and for the time being, Andrea’s worries slipped away.
Kissing Carley left room for little else in her mind. When she was in her arms, Andrea forgot about the deal in Estepona that was about to fall through. She forgot about the fact that she was fourteen years older than Carley. She wasn’t worried about Carley leaving to travel the world. The only thing she thought about was wanting more.
Carley’s tongue found hers, deepening the kiss, and Andrea wished she wasn’t holding her tumbler. She pulled away for just a second to place it on the floor, and as she straightened up, Carley was swinging a tanned leg over her to straddle her waist. For someone who loved being in control, Andrea couldn’t believe how much of a turn-on it was to have Carley on top of her like this.
Andrea tilted her head back as Carley leaned in, cupping her cheek as she pulled Andrea into a heated kiss. Carley’s tongue slid across her own, and Andrea moaned into the kiss, one hand slipping underneath Carley’s tank top, the other on her ass.
Carley moaned softly as Andrea’s hand slid up her bare leg and underneath her cotton shorts to grab her ass. Andrea could feel Carley’s hips start to rock, and as much as she wanted to make her come, she didn’t want to put on a show for anyone else. They were out on the balcony where anyone could see them.
Andrea broke their kiss. “I don’t like the idea of having an audience... And I definitely don’t want you to try to be quiet. Let’s go inside.”
“Okay,” Carley said, pushing herself off Andrea and reaching for her hand to lead them back inside. “I liked being on top of you like that,” she said as she eased Andrea down onto the sofa in the living area of their suite.
Andrea’s jaw clenched as she watched Carley lift her tank top over her head. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and Andrea used every ounce of her willpower not to pull Carley down on top of her. Instead, she stared at Carley as she leaned forward to slide her shorts, along with her panties, down her legs, her breasts swaying as she resumed her earlier position.
This time Carley only straddled Andrea’s leg though, her knee already pressing against Andrea’s sex through her shorts. As Carley got comfortable, Andrea clit pulsed against the pressure her knee provided.
Just as Andrea lifted her hands to touch her gorgeous breasts, Carley’s hands intercepted hers, pinning them against the sofa as she leaned in to capture her lips.
Andrea moaned as Carley’s lips parted her own, finding her tongue as her own hips rolled against Andrea’s bare leg. Carley’s knee moved with every rocking motion, grinding against Andrea’s sex.
Andrea had to break the kiss. She was so close.
“Come with me,” Carley panted, her hips moving a little faster now.
Andrea tried to answer her, but she couldn’t seem to form words. She was so agonizingly close to getting off, and all she wanted to do was touch Carley, to cup her breasts, play with her nipples, grope her ass, but Carley’s hands still pressed hers into the sofa, her body weight keeping Andrea’s hands on either side of her head.
Carley groaned, her lips on Andrea’s neck as her hands slipped away from Andrea’s, her hips rocking harder now. Andrea’s hands were on Carley’s ass, encouraging her to use her thigh to get off. Carley hung onto Andrea as her body shook, her knee digging into Andrea’s sex, giving her the release she needed.
Andrea cried out as they came together, her hands on Carley’s ass, pulling her down onto her thigh while Carley clung to her, her body trembling as her orgasm pulsed through her body.
Carley dipped her head to find Andrea’s lips. She kissed her passionately until she needed to break the kiss to breathe. Andrea slid her hands up her back.
“Oh my God,” Carley sighed, brushing her blond hair away from her face. “I can’t even...”
Andrea smiled up at her. “I think we should move this to the bedroom.”
“You might have to carry me,” Carley said with a laugh as she struggled to get to her feet.
“Who’ll carry me?”
Carley shook her head as she found Andrea’s hand and led her over to the bed, pushing her back against it. Andrea gazed up at her wondering how she ended up being topped again. This woman was something else.
Chapter Thirty-Five
For the first time in her life, Andrea was reluctant to get back to work after a few days away, and to make things worse, the Estepona deal was officially off. She went to the apartment complex that morning instead of going home and met with the current owner, but there was no way they were going to resolve their boundary issues anytime soon. Andrea withdrew her offer and moved on to the other two buildings she’d been looking at.
They were on their way to one of the properties now in Benalmadena. She glanced over at Carley who was sitting in the backseat beside her as her driver took them east along the coast. Carley was the image of professionalism. Not once during the day did she reach for Andrea’s hand or kiss her. She didn’t know how Carley did it because all she could think about was being alone with her again.
Before they went to Nerja for the wedding, Andrea would have said that Carley was technically working for her around the clock. Her day didn’t start and finish at a set time, but that could change now that they were trying to balance working and a relationship.
A relationship...
Andrea had given up hope she’d ever end up in one of those. For some people, it seemed like a requirement. They couldn’t function without sharing their life with someone, but that had never been Andrea. She’d always been independent, putting business and family first.
She’d already told Carley that she wasn’t great with relationships, but she had a feeling she was going to have to remind her again before she did something stupid, and that would inevitably happen. The few relationships she had been in had ended badly for one reason or ano
ther. Stephanie had cheated on her, but Andrea had always worked too hard, and that had been the downfall of all her other brief relationships.
Andrea never felt like putting work aside for someone else and already she was craving more time with Carley away from business hours. Maybe this time things could be different. She found herself thinking about how they could make this work whenever she had a free minute, and the easiest solution she could come up with was setting clear boundaries. Carley would be on the clock from seven to seven with just the exception of days when they were traveling, but for the most part that could work.
I should just talk to Carley...
That was the last thing that Andrea needed, to start making assumptions about what Carley did or didn’t want. She’d talk to her about it this week and sooner rather than later.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Carley walked alongside Andrea as the real estate agent gave them a tour of the apartment complex. He was a local who knew the area well and spoke to them in Spanish. They’d viewed a selection of apartments from one-bedrooms to the penthouse units and now they were being shown the pool area.
Carley had already been on dozens of viewings like this. She’d lost track of the amount of properties that Andrea had seen since she started working for her a little over two months ago. She knew what to look for and what were red flags for Andrea.
To some people all the details that the agent threw at them could seem boring: the square footage of the different apartments, the market occupancy, the tenant screening process, but Carley was fascinated by it. She’d always loved watching those real estate shows whether they were about flipping houses or buying an investment property, and now she was right in the middle of all that.