Slowly, meticulously, his hands moved to release the hooks and fasteners of the dress. His eyes didn’t break contact with her. It slid sensuously down her body until it pooled at her feet. Leaving her wearing only the black panties and Jimmy Choo heels, her breasts bare from the cover of the dress.
“Whoa, Carrie you are so beautiful,”
At that moment Carrie did feel beautiful and desired. Feelings that she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
She leaned forward, initiating their kiss, taking control. She stepped out of the dress and led him over to the bed. Yes, she was ready to share her body with this man. The bow tie was already loosened and she slowly unbuttoned the white covered buttons of his shirt. Pulling it free she exposed his bare chest to her touch. Leaning over it was her turn to trail soft kisses along his collar bone and muscular chest. His hands covered hers as he unbuckled his belt, the zip slowly slid down over his hardness.
“Let me get this or things will be over before we begin”
Carrie laughed
“I’m glad you find it funny” he growled and tumbled her onto her back. She shrieked with laughter.
“I’m very sensitive,”
“That’s good to know, thanks for the advance warning”
He removed his trousers the shoes and socks quickly following until he stood just in his black boxer shorts. Her eyes swept at him from top to toe, unaware that she had bit her bottom lip. The Doris Day voice was back in her mind. “Oh My!”
What a body. His torso appeared muscular from working out, her eyes following a sprinkle of chest hair down to his groin. She gulped.
“Like what you see?” He joked and walked over to the edge of the bed.
“Yes, I do,”
He raised her leg holding onto the spikey heel of the Jimmy Choos and loosened the strap removing each sandal from her feet. His hand smoothed along her ankle, his finger briefly rubbing against the scar from her ankle surgery to thigh slowly setting off goose bumps on her skin in anticipation. The butterflies in her stomach were going crazy. All she wore now were the tiny black panties and the diamonds. From knee to thigh he scattered kisses until he reached those panties. A finger hooked under the miniscule lace and he pulled them down. Naked only the diamonds remained. She forgot to breathe and the air gushed out of her lungs.
“Is this what you want Carrie? I don’t want to rush you?”
Under his heated gaze she felt desired and feminine all rolled into one.
“Yes, this is what I want but I don’t have any protection? I’m not on the pill or anything”
“I will take care of that,” he opened his wallet and took out a condom placed it on the bedside table. He joined her on the bed and they began to kiss again. Their love making although not as frantic as their earlier kisses it was still as intense. A tangle of arms pulling at each other, her hands in his hair as their kiss deepened.
“Carrie you are so beautiful”
There was an excitement building within her and it was shocking how quick the momentum grew. As he lay on the bed next to her she hooked a leg around his hip, pulling him closer. Her foot rubbing against his calf. She could feel his hardness against her thigh. Her hand moved down to rest on his hip. Their kisses were becoming wild with need. His tongue plunging into her mouth thoughts fleeting through her mind that if this was what a kiss could do to her what would it be like to be physically joined to him?
His hands were working their magic again and she knew that without even the most intimate of touches that her body was about to go off the Richter scale. His mouth on her neck biting softly, promising more. Who knew that the touch to her neck could be so erogenous? A sound escaped her, a soft almost mewing noise as she trembled as his hand moved lower. It skimmed the top of her thigh, pulling her closer and the tip of his straining cock nudged against her.
“Oh Nico,” was all she could manage, all words had ceased to leave her sensory overloaded brain. “Are you ready Carrie?”
Again he rubbed against her, the length of his hardness impossible to ignore. “Yes” she shivered in anticipation. “I want you inside me”
He flipped her onto her back and drove into her in one move. No hesitation, no turning back for either of them. She gasped as his thickness filled her. The momentary pain fleeting as this intimacy had been absent for so long for her.
“I’m okay,” she said as he stopped moving. But still he stopped.
“What’s wrong?” She asked. Was it that long that she had forgotten how to be intimate with a man?
“No I just want to look at you as you come, I wanted to do this all night, every time you brushed against me as we danced this was all I could think about. When I knew earlier all you were wearing under that dress were those tiny panties, how you tormented me thinking about you naked.”
Again and again he thrust into her. The motion gaining as they frantically tumbled and twisted on the bed. How it happened she didn’t know but Nico was on his back and she was on top. “That’s right, ride me baby,” His fingers digging into her hips as he controlled the thrusts, pulling at her ass. His hands reached out to her to pull her head forward into a deep kiss. The electricity was building within her and she was so close. So close to oblivion. She broke the kiss and cried out. Nico trailed kisses between her breasts, his mouth biting the soft skin. His hand between her thighs as he found were she ached for his touch. It was happening, building inside her as his fingers rubbed and pulled then she tipped over swept away. Wildly he pulled her against him once, twice, she lost count before he too cried out. His shout filling the air. Her exhausted body slid down and she lay on his chest. His arms held her tight against him as their laboured breathing began to slow.
“Oh my god, we didn’t use protection!” she exclaimed. “We did Carrie,” he slowly moved her off his body and she could see the evidence.
“But when? I don’t remember”
“I will take that as a compliment,” he softly laughed. They shared a tender kiss before he retreated to the bathroom. She watched his retreating butt, tanned and firm. Oh My! When he left the room she shot off the bed and quickly slipped under the sheet. For some reason after their passion she was feeling extremely embarrassed. She pulled the sheet over her head. Oh what had she just done?
“Hey Carrie, you okay?” oops she hadn’t heard him return. Cringe.
“Yeah,” she sat up on the bed the sheet almost tucked under her chin. In her head a million questions raced through but she didn’t voice any of them.
To her surprise he lay back on the bed next to her and pulled her into his arms.
“Come here you,”
Her head lay on his chest. “I’ve never seen you this quiet.”
“I can be quiet,”
“Mm it’s not like you, but let’s get a little sleep for now,”
Still lying across his chest, she thought sleep would elude her but within minutes she was proved wrong.
She awoke a while later, their bodies spooning together, her butt rubbing against his hardness. Oh boy! His hand resting on her breast his fingers needing. She gasped as he pulled gently on her nipple. Inside she felt a flutter begin again, a welcome sensation.
“So you are finally awake, good because you’ve been shaking your ass against me for the last half hour”
“Oh sorry about that!” she said laughing. “I think we can remedy that for you!”
The sun was up a few hours later when Nico was preparing to leave. The rooms were all equipped with coffee makers and Carrie was familiar with the machine having used it many times during her stay. She had made Nico a coffee whilst he dressed. She wore the fluffy towelling robe, sipped her own coffee and sat on the sofa. Trying to show outwardly that she was sophisticated enough to have a few hours of passion and then say goodbye. Inside she was torn between asking him to stay and pushing him out the door. Carrie had removed the beautiful jewellery and returned it to Nico disbelief that she had worn it the whole evening even throughout their lovemaking.
He slipped the jewellery into his pocked. “I guess you won’t be going for a walk this morning,” He had picked up his watch and was fastening it back on his wrist. A distinctive Patek Philippe watch with its black strap and platinum face which no doubt cost thousands of dollars.
“No I think I will sleep a little later, catch up on what I’ve missed, I leave in a few days so I might even pack some of my things away, you know boring stuff.” Babbling, I’m babbling.
“That sounds like a relaxing day, we usually have dinner around seven, I will come for you a bit earlier if that’s okay,”
“Yes, I’d like that”
Several kisses later Carrie closed the door, putting the do not disturb sign on the handle. She leaned against the closed door and looked over at the very rumpled bed. She tried to smooth the sheets out of their tangle before lying on the bed she tried not to think of the last twenty four hours and what a whirlwind it had been. Her brain tried to compartmentalise what had happened. The Cinderella make over, the dance and her hours of passion with Nico. There would be time enough later for recriminations but now she was sleepy. She could smell his cologne on the pillow.
Oh what had she done?
Nico quickly sent an email to Robin. Although it was a little after 05.30am the time would be of no difference to her as she was used to being on call working at Devanti Group. Subject field – Diamonds.
“Robin, have an invoice sent for the diamonds on loan, I will authorise payment for it from my personal account”
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Conversation ebbed and flowed around the dinner table with glasses chinking over the occasional laughter that carried over the other diners. Carrie felt the nerves that had almost crippled her earlier slowly ease. She took a sip of the wine, her hand holding onto the stem a little longer than necessary. When she woke that morning for a brief moment she wondered if it had been some erotic dream those hours spent with Nico but the aches of her body told their own tale. It was a delicious ache. A naughty ache. But after she lay in the bath tears slid down her face. Had she betrayed Rob by sharing her body with Nico? She didn’t feel like Rob’s widow anymore and that scared her. She was contemplating cancelling the dinner and that’s why the nerves were kicking in. Nico had texted her through the day keeping the conversation and tone light. She debated what to wear and was glad for the millionth time that she had packed her favourite dress and shoes. Her emergency back-up outfit. She would have worn her hair in a chignon or loose bun but there on her neck the tiniest blemish were Nico’s teeth had grazed hers. She would have to warn him of how delicate her skin was. That’s if there was a repeat? Did she want a repeat? Oh hell.
She wore her hair loose but not as full or glamorous as the previous evening. Nico arrived early and they walked along the beach. No Beau to accompany them this time. Carrie held her shoes in one hand and Nico’s hand in the other. A walk to the house that should have taken ten minutes had slipped to thirty. Interrupted with sneaky kisses that they both tried to contain before they got carried away.
“You are impossible Mr Devanti, I need to make myself presentable before we join your parents.” The walked along passed the private jetty to a security gate. Nico entered the code and the gate swung open. She was aware that security cameras discreetly observed them entering the property. Nico showed her where she could freshen up and clean her feet free from the sand. When she stepped back out in the garden Nico was waiting with Beau. The dog jumped to see her and she rubbed his ear. “Hello boy, what a lovely surprise” she smiled at Nico. They walked back through the formal gardens and the swimming pool towards the stairs at the rear of the house. “I’ve got something to show you first,”
“Is that the same as show me your etchings Mr Devanti, I’m sure we are already late for dinner”
“I think you are very happy with my etchings but alas no, I have something else to show you but I’m sure you will be equally if not more pleased”
Along a corridor and again passing many doors Beau at their side. She would get lost, this place was a maze. Opening a door Carrie was met with the sight of her much loved Auntie Belle. Belle always looked immaculate not a hair out of place in her perfectly bobbed brunette hair. She had grown it again and it suited her petite features. They spoke weekly, skyped, emailed and texted but this was the first time in almost six months that she had seen her Aunt face to face. Hugging her Aunt she looked at Nico and mouthed “Thank you”.
“I will take this one back, say your goodbyes Beau, give you two sometime to catch up”
Carrie had a final pat to Beau goodbye.
“Oh Belle, it’s so good to see you,”
“Carrie darling, you look so well and refreshed, this place is a tonic for you or is it just the rather yummy Nico?”
“I love it here in the Cape and I eh like Nico a lot, there you have your answers”
After catching up on all the latest Reynolds family news Nico had returned.
“How do you want to play this out? Do you want to disclose you are family?”
“No I think we should take the reactions just as they are,” Belle offered.
“You can do this Carrie” she mentally coached herself again for the thousandth time that night. When she was first seated she was overwhelmed with the noise of introductions and the many names that were given. But years as a corporate wife had schooled her and she had her own code for remembering names.
To her right, Richard Worth retired banker, smug, arrogant and totally disinterred in her lowly status as only a guest. Eyes on everyones ass she remembered from the previous night. Easy to remember his name, Richard = Dick!
To her left, this was an easy one, Gino Devanti. Nico’s father and a charmer to boot. Very witty and Carrie was enjoying his stories.
Next to Gino, socialite, gossip and family friend for aeons, Chessy Mills. Chessy had very white teeth = Smiles.
Next to Smiles, Nico’s brother Paolo, young and a little immature. She tried not to judge a book by its cover as he was very different to Nico. The spare to the Devanti empire after Nico being the heir = Spare.
Next to Spare, at the head of the table and family matriarch – Mama Devanti, Dorothea – Thea to family and friends or Dorothea until you earned that right. To Carrie the jury was out on that one. When introduced the previous evening she had called her Mrs Devanti.
Sitting directly opposite the table to Spare was Mr Smiles or Chessy’s significant other but he was introduced as Chessy’s partner.
Next to Mr Smiles, a welcomed friendly face, her Auntie Belle. Fresh from LA that day. Belle gave her a quick wink, whilst looking completely absorbed in her conversation with Mr Smiles.
Next to Belle, Mrs D, the banker Richards’s wife. Already on her third glass of wine and Carrie couldn’t blame her being married to ‘Dick’ she would be too.
Almost there.
Next to Mrs D, Nico and Paolo’s sister Chiara, the spoilt but much adored baby of the family. She was very pretty but wore a petulant bored look on her face. She had the same olive skin as Nico, brown eyes and had perfectly arched eyebrows. Carrie was impressed with their perfection. Long black glossy hair tumbled around her shoulders. She wore a bold black and white animal print dress which probably cost thousands of dollars but it reminded Carrie of an outfit for Cruella De Ville of 101 Dalmatians = Cruella.
Next to Cruella, Paolo’s girlfriend – Miss Spare as she couldn’t remember this one’s name.
Finally, Nico, who had last night, treated her like a modern day Cinderella. Surprising her with the dress and the amazing make over. Not to mention the incredible night of passion that they had shared. She felt heat rise to her cheeks as the thought of his mouth on hers. Thinking back on the night the scenes replayed in her mind. Phew! Time for another drink of her wine.
“Oh maaaannnn!” she whispered under her breath.
“Don’t you think Carrie?” Nico interrupted her X-rated train of thought.
“Sorry Nico, I was mi
les away” damn him, he knew exactly where she was!
Their gaze locked and held. There was something about Nico that drew her like a moth to the flame. She had shared her pain with him, opened more than she could back home. She was finally healing. She loved their walks along the beach before the day began with Beau. Her trip was coming to an end. It would soon be time to go home.
Their shared look of intimacy and heat was witnessed by more than one at the table.
Belle watched as her niece blushed under the gaze of Nico. What a change in Carrie from the bruised and emotionally battered young woman that she knew. Yes, there was sadness in her eyes but it invited you to learn more and to help her heal. Not to avert your own eyes at the raw pain. Belle recognised the black Donna Karan wrap dress and her sexy Christian Louboutin shoes. She looked as though she was from this world and not an outsider.
Dinner was almost over and Carrie found to her surprize that she had enjoyed the evening. Gino was charming and spoke of his Mama who was currently on a cruise with friends, a sprightly 75 year old and fiercely independent. This Carrie knew from her talks with Nico but she didn’t disclose this.
“She would have loved to meet a fellow Scot but unfortunately she is not back in the Cape for another month”
“Your Mama sounds great fun. Just like my Nana Reynolds back home. I love visiting her. She is in a nursing home now as she won’t live with anyone in our family. Refuses all requests. She says she has a better social life with the other residents and that living with family would curtail that. Says we fuss too much around her for her liking.”
“Oh Carrie, I would love for them to meet up – sounds like they are independent kindred spirits!”
Carrie laughed at that prospect. Nico looked at her and they shared a smile.
“Carrie, do you know my brother has another name for you?” silence falls across the table.
“I have no idea what you are talking about Chiara” she dismissed.
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