He smiled, nodded. Not quite certain what to do next, which wasn’t something he was used to.
She made her way over to the couch, sat on the opposite end. Grossing her legs, she let the robe fall so that her thigh was visible. Bas couldn’t tell if she had anything on beneath it.
“I still can’t believe Arnold,” she mumbled. “He is very persistent, isn’t he?”
“Yeah. He appeared to be very eager to talk to you.”
Gaea scowled prettily. He thought she looked beautiful without makeup. It made him think about the feel of her soft skin.
“I guess I’ll get this over with. “ She picked up the receiver, placed it to her ear, then dialed Arnold’s number.
As she listened to Arnold, she swung her lower leg, and his gaze moved down to her feet. Bas didn’t have a foot fetish, although he knew of at least one among his circle of friends that did, but the way her toes looked with the hot pink polish, the elegant curve of her arch, sent a very intriguing message to the lower regions of his body.
He crossed his own legs, regretting that he hadn’t put on a pair of pants. Bas had never really thought about how exposed one could feel to be dressed only in boxers. Nice boxers, sure, silk, bought by an ex-girlfriend at Neiman’s, but even so, they didn’t leave a lot to the imagination.
“We’ll be there at three,” Gaea stated, “and I’m positive that Ivana can fix everything. That’s why we paid big money to hire her. Everything will be perfect tonight, I promise.”
His gaze traveled from her feet up to her ankles, trim, dainty, up her well-shaped calf to her firm thigh. Somehow, it was more of a turn on than if she’d been completely nude. Maybe not. The idea of her unclothed, sitting so casually on the sofa, talking to that creep of a boss, made his problem even worse. He prayed she didn’t ask him for something to drink, or write with, because standing would be almost impossible and most assuredly, uncomfortable.
“Bas was only thinking of my best interest,” she stated. “He knows what a tough week this is going to be, and how much I need my rest. I know if your wife were here, she’d do the same.”
He looked up to see Gaea smiling at him, a furtive grin that made him think she’d definitely gotten over her apprehension from last night. Maybe he was just too hopeful, but deep down, he didn’t think so. It was an unsubstantial guess, but with the robe, the exposed leg. It all added up.
Being the man of action that he was, he bravely scooted over on the couch. Not enough to actually touch her, but their hands could have met in the middle.
“I’ll call Ivana, and I’ll let you know if there’s an issue, okay? If not, I’ll see you at the Reunion Tower.” Gaea hung up the phone before turning to look at him. “Sorry about that.”
“No problem.”
“I wanted to talk to you about last night.” She hesitated, glanced downward, then back at him. “I really had a wonderful time.”
“So did I.”
“But I was a little scared, too. I wasn’t anticipating this. You. It’s been a long time since I…”
“I understand.”
“I really hope you do. Because I don’t want you to think it was something you did.”
“Thank you.”
“As a small apology, I’d like to buy you lunch. Would you be okay with that?”
“Consider your apology accepted. Where are we going?”
She wavered again, but this time, she didn’t look away. “Here. Room service. And I was thinking about breakfast instead.”
“Oh.”
“I don’t have to be anywhere until three.”
“Okay then.”
Her grin turned up the temperature about one hundred degrees. “Maybe, after we eat, we can have dessert.”
Bas tried to think of something clever to say, but his brain had stopped working. Dessert. Hell yeah. He wondered if he could talk her into having dessert first and breakfast second.
Blissfully full on breakfast ham, eggs and English Muffins, Gaea watched Bas take his last bites of pancakes, contemplating what she was going to do next.
The meal they’d shared had been secondary to the flirtatious dance they’d started just after she’d ordered room service. Every word had been abundant with meaning, and she couldn’t help noticing that while Sebastian’s boxers were a nice silk material, they didn’t do much to hide his excitement. Speaking of which, her robe couldn’t hide the state of her nipples, evident by Bas’s repeated stares.
To be honest, Gaea was as aroused as she could ever recall being, her mind racing off on journeys of sensual fantasy that became more erotic as time ticked by. However, she was thankful that she’d been persistent that they eat. Not only was she refreshed, but the suspense had built and built. Now it was time for dessert. She laughed.
His eyebrows rose.
“It’s nothing,” she responded. “Just aimless thoughts.”
“You don’t want to share?”
She rose from her chair and walked over behind him. “Of course. But not my random odd thoughts.”
He’d donned a bathrobe for the waiter, but thankfully, he’d taken it off as soon as the server had left, so he sat almost naked.
With so much scrumptious flesh to explore, she wasn’t sure where to start. Putting her hand on his broad shoulders, she let her hands drift down his chest as she leaned forward, her breasts just brushing the back of his head as her eyes drifted closed and her fingers did the exploring.
His quick inhalation was her first hint that she’d chosen wisely, and his hardened nipples the other. She’d be willing to bet that his shorts were fitting tighter as she encircled his nubs. Gaea had caught on to how sensitive he was there last night. A feeling she could totally relate to.
“Gaea, holy hell. What are you doing to me?”
Sebastian’s voice was barely more than a gnarl as he stopped her torture by grabbing her hands. He stood, turned around, places those same hands on either side of her face and angled toward her for a gentle, deliberate, long kiss.
He tasted of surgery syrup with a hint of coffee, and she wished that she had eaten something more tantalizingly sweet herself. Although, he didn’t seem to mind.
With the contentment of her plan to boost her prowess, she opened her mouth without reserve to let him in, and in response, she grew more brazen with her own touch.
Bas moved closer to her, rubbing against her, allowing her to feel what she was doing to him. He looked forward to another round, this time with nothing to hold her back.
Craving Bas was something she’d never felt before with anyone else. Why exactly, she couldn’t put her finger on. A whole wealth of things, she supposed. His physical attraction had a little to do with it, a wonderful perk. For the most part, though, it had to do with the man himself, his one-of-a-kind approach toward life, his fortitude, his eroticism. As the word came to mind, Bas moved his hands down to her belt and loosened it, letting her robe fall apart.
It felt exhilarating and wicked to be naked like this. They weren’t in the bedroom, and it wasn’t nighttime. His hands touched her breasts, cupping them gently, making it hard for her to breathe.
“You’re incredible,” he stated softly just before he nuzzled her neck. “So astonishingly exquisite.”
“As are you,” she replied, barely cognizant of the words when her senses were under such wicked attack.
Bas kissed his way down her chest until he reached her left nipple, which he took between his teeth, just holding, not biting. Then his tongue flicked back and forth very fast, focusing on the super responsive flesh, and she arched into him with pleasure.
Gaea’s hands reached for his hair, snaking through the soft strands, grasping him to hold herself steady as he moved to her right breast to repeat his torment.
Then, just when she was positive she couldn’t take another second, he dropped to his knees in front of her.
He placed a kiss to the indenture right above her navel, then just below. His hands traveled to her thighs, putting slight pressure so
she opened them. Knowing what he was about to do made her tremble with eagerness, but he was not to be rushed. Bas proceeded his slow decent, swirling his tongue on her bare skin, tasting her, nipping her with his teeth.
All she could do was gasp and hold on as he reached the juncture of her thighs. Kneeling there before her, she moaned as his devilish tongue entered her, taking slow, long licks, his own sound of pleasure merging with hers.
He didn’t waste time; instead, he found the sensitive bud at the heart of her and repeated his trick with his teeth, taking the tiny nub with extreme care, then flicking, licking, giving her goose bumps, making her quiver, coaxing a loud moan from her as he went on and on relentlessly until, in a shorter time than she thought possible, she cried out with an orgasm that almost rendered her unconscious.
So intense were her spasms that he lost his grip, and when she finally opened her eyes, still gasping for breath, she found him looking up at her, watching as if it was the most captivating and phenomenal thing he’d ever seen.
“Oh my word,” she rasped.
Her body continued to quiver, and she realized with a guilty conscience that she still had his hair in her fists. She released him, but before she could apologize, Bas was on his feet. A heartbeat later, he trailed his hands down her sides until he cupped the back of her thighs, then she was up in his arms, her legs wrapped around his waist, her arms encircling his neck.
He kissed her as he walked her across the room, the taste of her on his lips exotic, sensual, tantalizing. A second later, she was falling backwards, coming to rest on the couch. He studied her as he moved away to find protection, his eyes dark, sultry, erotic.
“I want you to come again,” he stated. “I need to see you come again.”
Words failed her as he joined her on the couch, then she felt the gratifying pressure of his erection as he sought out her opening. When he found it, he thrust so hard, her head hit the armrest, but the sensation barely registered. She was too busy crying out at the satisfying sensation of completeness, of fulfillment.
Then with a slight adjustment, he started his onslaught, languidly at first, building in strength and speed. The way he rubbed against her, by some delicious coincidence, his length caressed her swollen nub, wrenching another orgasm, more powerful, if possible, than the first.
Sebastian’s gaze never faltered, his eyes never shut, and she made every effort to keep from closing her own. They peered into each other’s souls as he thrust into her deeper and deeper, repeatedly, until finally, he fractured, and every muscle in his face, in his body, tensed to a point of frenzy, and then he shouted, a lengthy, inarticulate yell of release.
After several quivering breathes, he opened his eyes again. Bas kissed her. She felt the underlying desire in him slowly dissipating. Gaea could still feel his body quivering as much as her own as he shifted them to their sides while keeping them joined. She was quite steady. More than she expected to be.
He placed a kiss on her forehead. The small gesture touched her deeply. They didn’t talk. There was no need to. A single thought replayed over and over in her mind. Completeness. Gaea felt complete. She could relive this memory for a long time to come and get by. Yet, if Bas agreed to her plan, every time the two of them did get together, it would be earth-shattering and mind-altering. That would get her through the period of separation. Yes, her plan was perfect. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his gently.
Perfect.
Bas spent the afternoon resting. It was difficult to believe Gaea had to work. If she felt anything near what he did, she must be a total mess. After that mind-boggling encounter after breakfast, they’d showered together, which in turn, had led to other things. He was pretty damn pleased with himself. Exhausted, but proud.
He’d decided to eat an early dinner at a nearby Italian place, careful not to get any food on his suit. Afterward, it was a quick ride to the Reunion Tower and the dessert-and-jazz party.
The guests wouldn’t begin to arrive for another hour, so it was a little bit of a headache getting past security, but they finally paged Gaea, and she came down to meet him. Absolutely beautiful again, this time in a dress that, to his eye, was green, but she informed him it was actually emerald. He didn’t care. She looked stunning, and he felt like a million bucks.
Some things would never change, and for that, he was thankful. The Reunion Tower still had the contemporary plush look with a revolving dining area, breathtaking views of the city, including the Victory Park area, and some of the best damn jazz slash blues performers he knew of. Tonight, one of his favorites, Norah Jones. Gotta love it.
“I missed you,” he stated as soon as they were out of earshot of any meandering workers.
She smiled. “Believe me, I would have preferred to stay in the hotel room with you.”
“I would take that as a compliment, but I hear an undertone of irritation in your voice that I have a feeling has to do with Arnold.”
She nodded. “He’s tailing me, torturing me nonstop about how incredibly rude you were. He advised me to break up with you before you turn ‘rogue” on me. I really think he wants me to knock you over the back of the head, tie you down to a block of concrete, and toss you into the Trinity. But he will accept it if I break up with you.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, he’s persistent.”
“Unfortunate for me. I just wish he would give it a rest. You would think a man like him would know that desperation is never attractive.”
“I’ll do what I can to keep him away from you, but it’s going to be difficult.” He leaned forward and nuzzled her neck. “You smell so damn edible.”
Gaea trailed her hand down his neck. They turned at the same time to meet in a kiss that reiterated to him just how lucky he was.
“How long do we have to stay at this hoopla?”
“Till the lights come on.”
“Do you think anyone would notice if I, say, hit the fire alarm in a couple of hours?”
“Funny.” Gaea kissed him quickly on the mouth. “Very funny. But I need you to be at your best tonight. Go find my boss and shadow him, okay?”
“With pleasure.”
“I’ll come find you when I can.”
“I’m holding you to that.”
She exhaled softly. He started to walk away but stopped. “One last thing. You still owe me a dance. I didn’t get the last one you promised. I plan to collect tonight. Especially with Norah Jones performing.
“Okay. You have my word. Now I need to get back to work. I know.”
“Be sure to think of me.”
Touching his chest light, her expression grew serious. “I’m sure I will. That’s all I’ve been doing lately. Which isn’t good at all. This week has to be flawless.”
He leaned closer to her until her gaze met his. “We’re good,” he whispered. “So you don’t have to worry about me right now. I know you need to take care of things. I don’t mind being put away temporarily. I’m here for the duration.”
“Thank you,” she replied, and he could see she meant it. “I’ll do my best. But you’re not easy to put on the shelf until it’s convenient to bring you down.”
“I’m struggling to see how that is a bad thing. No, I’m kidding. I meant it. The place looks sensational, you’re the most gorgeous woman in Texas, and everyone in the world is going to go out and purchase Marcella Girardi clothing. So just relax and go with it, my love. You’ll be impeccable.”
Gaea kissed him one more time, only this time, she dawdled. When she walked away, it was struggle not to follow. Better instead to use his energy to find Arnold. The little stool pigeon.
Gaea sat at a table near the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, but her gaze wasn’t on the impressive view as she circled the dance floor, the bar, or the banquet tables as the party goers partook in the festivities. Even she had to admit, this was one hell of a party.
The restaurant, possibly the most chic in Dallas, shimmered. The floors and walls had an elegant
finish and tasteful color scheme with full-length mirrors between narrow wall panels covered in mahogany-colored satin. The cherry-red carpets blended perfectly with the tan leather-upholstered chairs. Crystal, especially the magnificent chandelier above the dance floor, made everything and everyone in the space incandescent.
The slide show presentation, running continuously on the wide screen above the performance area, was the best she’d seen of its kind, worth the long hours of hard work she’d put into it.
Marcella Girardi was having one heck of a send-off, and the celebrities were out in full force. From her position, she could see Erykah Badu, Jared Padalecki, Beyonce Knowles, Matthew McConaughey, Loretta Devine, Jensen Ackles, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Usher Raymond, and Renee Zellweger. But none of them held her attention; she only had eyes for one man.
There he was. At the edge of the bar, staring right back at her. The most handsome guy in the room.
He lifted his champagne glass in tribute, took a sip, then put it carefully on the bar behind him. Bas made his way toward her, gracefully dodging models, waiters, drinkers, reporters. The closer he came, the faster her heart raced. Everything about him, the way he looked in his suit, the very way he moved, all finesse and pure sex appeal, made her feel as if this was her first date. It was insane, really, for it to hit her so quickly, so hard, but it was absolutely indubitable. He passed the last barrier to join her at the table. Bas lifted her hand and kissed the back.
“I believe you owe me a dance.”
She glanced at the performance area. “What are we going to dance to?”
“You’ll find out in just a moment.”
Gaea made a promise she couldn’t back out of, but she did hope that she wouldn’t make an utter fool of herself. She was sort of lacking when it came to the rhythm department. Gaea could keep the tempo of anything by Mozart, but beyond that, she was totally hopeless. Dancing was an activity to be avoided by her. But tonight, being in his arms would be worth it.
Because Norah Jones had taken a break, they were alone on the dance floor. All around them, the room reverberated with laughter and conversation. None of it really registered with her.
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