“Dash, buonasera!” the doorman said with enthusiasm.
“Buonasera, Luigi. Come stai?”
“Bene, bene!”
The two men chatted in Italian for a few moments before converting back to English.
“What are you doing in town?”
“I’m here on business,” Dash replied.
“Let’s get together for a game of boccie before you leave.”
“I’d love to, but this is a quick trip. Next time I’m in town, you’ve got yourself a match. I need to redeem myself from the last time you won,” Dash said, chuckling.
“Deal!” Luigi hugged Dash, then stepped aside and let them in.
“Who was that?” Lark asked, yelling over the pulsating beat of the music.
“That’s Marco’s son. We’ve known each other since we were boys. His dad used to bring him to the mill during the summer and we would play boccie in the yard. Luigi used to beat me back then and he still does now.”
Dash took hold of Lark’s hand again and weaved his way toward the dance floor. The club was buzzing with people gyrating to the rhythm of the DJ’s pop music.
“Oh, I just love this song!” Lark started waving her arms in the air as she danced around, twirling her body as she moved.
Dash kept pace with her, all the while watching as her hips swayed to the music. The night had taken a completely different turn. Dash had had no idea they would wind up in the middle of a nightclub dance floor. Dash was seeing a completely different side of his boss and he loved the transformation.
“Would you like something to drink?” Dash asked once the song was over.
“No, thank you,” she shouted. “I just want to dance. I haven’t been out partying in so long that I almost forgot how good it feels to lose yourself in the music.”
Dash watched as Lark closed her eyes and danced as if she were the only person on the dance floor. One song blended into the next as they kept pace with the beat. He wanted to pull her close, but didn’t. Dash decided to follow Lark’s lead. He wasn’t going to assume that her dancing mood meant she was ready for a romantic rendezvous. At the moment he was content just being with his beautiful boss.
Chapter 9
Lark knew it wasn’t the wine that had her in a joyous mood... It was Dash Migilio. He was proving himself to be everything she wanted in a man. Not only was he gorgeous, but he was smart, thoughtful, talented and accommodating. As she danced, Lark thought about Darcy’s rule of maintaining control and not letting a man know you were interested. That philosophy had worked in the past, but Lark was still single and the years were quickly ticking by. She couldn’t continue putting her biological clock on snooze if she wanted to have a family.
Lark opened her eyes and kept them on Dash as their bodies moved to the beat. The more she watched him, the more she realized how much she was falling for the young designer. Even though he was at least ten years younger than she, he was mature beyond his age. If Lark was ever going to find love, she would have to take a leap of faith and trust that Dash felt the same way.
Here goes, she thought as she danced closer and draped her arms around his neck. Lark searched his eyes, trying to get a read on him as she suggestively moved her body against his.
Dash didn’t shy away. He took her by the waist and hugged her tightly.
Lark exhaled. She felt safe and secure within his arms and she let her inhibitions go. Although the beat of the music was fast, they began slow dancing to a rhythm of their own. Lark closed her eyes and rested her head on Dash’s shoulder. She was so close to him she could smell the scent of his masculine cologne. Lark nuzzled her nose closer and took a deep breath. She then felt Dash’s hand caressing the back of her head. He weaved his long fingers through her hair, gently massaging her scalp. His touch was relaxing and stimulating at the same time. Lark was quickly becoming aroused. Instinctively, her hips started to move against his groin.
Thoughts of doubt began crowding her mind. What are you doing? He’s your employee. He’s too young for you. He’s already taken.
She took a step back. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered in his ear.
“For what?”
“You have a girlfriend and I shouldn’t make advances toward you.”
Dash closed the gap between them, pulling her back into his embrace. “I’m not in a relationship. You can advance all you want.”
“What about that picture I saw...?”
“On my tablet? That was my ex. What we shared is long over. I’m free to be with whoever I want, and I want you.”
Lark was elated to hear those words. Her leap of faith had proved not to be blind.
“Question,” Dash yelled above the music. “Are you straight? I mean, you’re not bisexual, are you?”
“Not at all! I’m only into men. I have no interest in women,” Lark responded.
“Good. I’m not judgmental or anything. Whom a person sleeps with is their business. It’s just that in the past I was left in the dark about certain things. Enough about that though.”
Dash leaned in and introduced his mouth to hers. She didn’t hesitate to return his kiss. Lark was oblivious to the people around them. The urgency she felt for him at that moment took precedence over any feelings of embarrassment. She could taste the wine on his lips. She was becoming intoxicated by his tongue as he explored her mouth. Lark’s hips began grinding against him once again, searching for signs of excitement. She moved in even closer and felt his manhood tightening against her. She closed her eyes and held him tightly around the neck. Lark could feel the heat emanating from her body. She was on fire. The intensity between them was getting stronger by the second.
“Let’s get out of here,” Dash whispered in her ear, taking her by the hand.
He just read my mind, Lark thought, following closely behind Dash as he cut a path through the pulsating crowd of dancers.
Sexual tension continued to fill the air on the ride back to the hotel as they sat closely together in the backseat. Lark wanted so badly to straddle Dash and grind suggestively against him, but the driver was within mere inches of them. She secretly wished for a glass partition so they could continue with their heated foreplay. Lark looked over at Dash and bit her bottom lip. She was finding it difficult to control herself.
Dash touched her mouth and rubbed her lips with his finger. He then parted her lips and Lark began slowly sucking his index finger as if it were covered with honey. She quietly and slowly brought his long finger in and out of her mouth, being careful not to make any slurping sounds, all the while staring directly into his eyes.
Dash removed his finger and traced the outline of her lips. “I love your mouth. It’s perfectly shaped.”
Lark exhaled. “Thanks.”
He leaned in and gently kissed her. “I couldn’t help myself.”
Lark mirrored his move by kissing his lips. “Neither could I.”
They didn’t exchange any more words—only lustful looks—until they were back at the hotel. They waltzed through the lobby and held hands as they waited for the elevator to arrive. Once the doors opened, they stepped into the empty car. Dash pressed the button for their floor and then pinned Lark against the mirrored wall, firmly pressing his body against hers.
Lark could feel the urgency in his pants as she rotated her hips, matching him move for move. She clung to him as they kissed passionately, hungry for one another.
The doors opened and they stumbled out, drunk with desire as they made their way down the hallway arm in arm. When they reached her door, Lark reached inside her purse and produced the keycard. She inserted the card into the slot and opened the door. She stepped inside, but Dash hesitated.
“I’ll be right back,” he said.
“Where are you going? I thought you... I mean...I thought we were...”
Lark stood in the doorway and watched Dash quickly sprint down the corridor to his room. He went inside, and before she had time to cool off, he was running back to her.
“Thought we might need these,” he said, holding up a few condoms between his thumb and index finger.
“Oh, yes, we will. Now get in here!”
“Whatever you say, boss lady.”
“Whatever, huh? I like the sound of that.”
Lark flipped on the lights and stepped inside as Dash made his way into the room, closing the door firmly behind him. She kicked off her shoes and slipped her dress over her head, leaving a trail of clothing as she made her way to the bed. Lark eased onto the king-size bed and leaned against the pillows, striking a pose in her low-cut bra and black lace thong.
Dash went to the nightstand and put down the condoms. He began unbuttoning his shirt, but stopped and stared at Lark. “Molto bene!”
“You like?”
“Very much. Like I’ve said before, you are simply perfect!”
Lark smiled and watched as Dash stripped down to his snug black boxer briefs. Her breath caught in her throat as she eyed his sculpted body. His pecs were well-defined. His abs rippled underneath his golden skin, and the bulge between his thighs was hard to ignore. He was indeed an Italian masterpiece, much like the statue of David.
She spread her legs and crooked her finger. “Get over here now!”
“Yes, boss lady.”
Dash didn’t hesitate. He crawled onto the bed like a panther en route to his prey.
Lark wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him in closer. It had been way too long since she’d had a man in her bed, and Lark was well overdue for some heated lovemaking. She slowly moved her hands down the length of Dash’s back, feeling the contours of his muscles. She stopped at his tight ass and began massaging his cheeks. Lark didn’t stop until she felt him growing exponentially against her. She reached down and rubbed his engorged penis, feeling the outline of the bulbous head through his cotton underwear.
Dash rolled over to his side and slid off his boxers, unleashing his lethal weapon.
Lark stared at him with lustful eyes. “You’re so big.”
Dash took firm hold of his shaft and waved it at Lark. “And it’s all for you.” He then took a condom from the nightstand, tore the wrapper with his teeth and rolled the condom onto his manhood.
Lark watched impatiently. She could feel her juices flowing in anticipation of making love to him. She didn’t have to wait long—Dash resumed his position, covering her body with his.
He held her leg to his waist and kissed her neck as he slowly and gently entered her. “You’re so tight. Am I hurting you?”
“No, it feels good. Don’t stop.”
Dash continued inching into her and didn’t stop until he was all the way inside. He picked up the pace, pumping deeper and deeper.
“Oh, yes... Dash... Yes...yes!” Lark closed her eyes and grinded back against him. Their rhythm caused the headboard to bump against the wall in Morse code−type taps. Lark interpreted each tap as saying, Take me... Take me...now! He was making such good love to her that a tear escaped her eye. Their connection was better than she could have ever imagined. Lark wanted to prolong their first time together, but she could feel her arousal increasing. She arched her back and moved her pelvis even closer to Dash. Their skin-to-skin gyrating was driving Lark wild. Her head thrashed back and forth on the pillow. She couldn’t hold back any longer.
“I’m...coming...”
Before she reached the pinnacle, he stopped suddenly and pulled out.
“What are you doing? I was on the verge of...”
“Turn over,” he said, his voice husky with lust.
Lark stared into his eyes and could see his want for her. She flipped over onto her stomach without questioning him. Dash was in control and she was enjoying every second of it.
He picked up where they’d left off. Dash held her hips, brought Lark to her knees and entered her from behind.
Lark bucked back against him as he eased his rod deeper and deeper into her wetness. She then moved her body in a circular motion, grinding against his hardness. Each passing second brought her closer and closer to the brink of ecstasy.
She leaned forward and bit into a pillow to keep from screaming. This young man was rocking her world, bringing her into a state of ecstasy she had never experienced before.
“Does it feel good, baby?” Dash asked, lightly tapping her rear end with his hand.
“Yes...yes!”
Dash picked up the pace, making the headboard knock against the wall even louder.
Words escaped her as she surrendered to his manhood. Her body tensed and she eased down onto the bed as she came. She shuddered and trembled from the heated climax. Neither said a word. They lay silent in each other’s arms with their eyes closed for a moment, enjoying the aftermath of their explosive, mind-blowing sex.
Chapter 10
After disposing of the condom, Dash rolled back into bed and eased under the covers next to Lark, who was staring up at the ceiling. She seemed to be in a daze. Dash put his arm around her shoulders and she rested her head in the crook of his arm.
“Are you all right?” he asked after a few minutes.
Lark sighed. “Oh, I’m better than all right... I’m fantastic! I never knew sex could be so good.”
A broad smile lit up Dash’s face. Pleasing her had been his sole objective, and from the exuberant lilt in her voice, he had done his job and then some. Dash wanted to be the only man Lark desired. He turned his head and kissed her on the cheek.
“There’s much more where that came from. Tonight was just a prelude,” he said with confidence.
“A prelude, huh? Aren’t you the cocky one.”
“I’m not cocky. I’m secure. I may be young, but trust and believe that I know how to make love to a seasoned woman like yourself.”
“You surely do.”
Dash watched Lark’s face brighten with the afterglow of good sex. He hadn’t expected the night to unfold as it had, but he was elated by the turn of events. Dash had often wondered what making love to Lark would be like. Now he didn’t have to speculate any longer. The reality had been far better than the fantasy, and he wanted more.
Dash slipped his hand underneath the covers, down her taut stomach and between her legs. He peeled back the folds of her vulva and inserted a finger into her canal. She was still wet, and her moistness was turning him on. Dash plunged his finger in and out of her repeatedly, while fingering her clit with his index finger. He leaned up on his elbow, threw the covers back and increased the pace. Dash was digitally pleasing Lark and delighted in her pleasure.
She moaned, thrashing her head back and forth on the pillow.
He watched his finger going inside her and coming out covered with her juices. He switched fingers and licked his come-covered digit.
“You taste so good.”
Lark didn’t verbally respond, but her body was speaking volumes. She was arching her back and bucking like a young steer.
Dash didn’t stop plunging until he heard her screaming...
“I’m coming. I’m coming! What...what...are...you doing to me?” she asked, her words coming out in spurts.
“I’m just making sure you’re totally satisfied, that’s all,” he said, a wicked grin on his face.
“Oh, no worries there,” she responded after she had recovered.
“Good. That’s what I want to hear.”
Lark curled over on her side and Dash moved behind her, holding her snugly around the waist. Dash closed his eyes and listened as Lark’s breathing became more and more relaxe
d. Before long, they had drifted off to sleep.
* * *
Dash awoke with the sun, slipped out of bed, found his clothes on the floor and quickly dressed. He stood at the edge of the bed and watched Lark rest peacefully. He could have stared at her all morning, but he had moves to make. Dash eased the door open. He turned around, giving Lark one final look before leaving.
Back in his room, Dash arranged for the driver to pick him up, then showered and changed clothes. Before he and Lark returned to the mill later that day, Dash was planning an impromptu romantic lunch. They would be in Florence only a few days and he was anxious to show Lark his hometown.
The car was waiting out front. Dash hopped in and spoke to the driver in Italian, telling him the address of his family’s estate, which wasn’t too far from the hotel. Traffic was light at that time of the morning, and the car whizzed along until they entered the wrought-iron gates of Villa Migilio, a twenty-acre estate complete with an olive grove, lemon trees, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, an eight-hole golf course, a guest cottage and a pool cabana. The main house was a bone-colored, one-hundred-and-fifty-year-old, two-storied villa with a terra-cotta tile roof. Lush ivy wove its way down the south wall of the home, cascading like a green waterfall.
The car pulled up in the graveled circular driveway. Dash dismissed the driver for the day before stepping out and making his way inside. The foyer was tiled in ivory marble, and from the entrance he could see the grand staircase with an ornate gold banister, which led upstairs to six bedroom suites, each with their own balcony.
“Mama! Mama!” Dash yelled, as he walked through the living room with its opulent furnishings and artwork. His parents were art collectors, who had amassed a fortune in original oil paintings over the years.
“Dashie! What are you doing here?” A short, chubby woman came through the swinging kitchen door and embraced Dash in a bear hug.
“I have business at the mill. Where’s Mama?”
Season for Love Page 6