by Kelly Alexis
Maybe it was the wine, or the hot bath, or the fact that no hands other than my own had touched my body in months, but my heart began beating faster as the blood rushed through my veins. Each stroke, each feathery brush over my increasingly sensitive skin took me further. I writhed, automatically lifting my pelvis.
Erika must have picked up on the signals. I felt her hands slide to my inner thighs, inching upward, barely skimming over the swollen lips of my labia.
I heard myself moan, my eyes still closed as waves of pleasure rose inside me, building and growing until…
Erika slipped her fingers between the velvety folds, gently stroking my swollen clit.
The orgasm burst through me, and my back arched, lifting off the table. I was overwhelmed by the sensations flowing through me. As the fog slowly cleared and reality returned, I sat up so abruptly, I almost knocked Erika over. The reality of what had just happened struck me. I grabbed the blanket and pulled it up to my chin. Embarrassment washed over me, and I could feel my cheeks burning. "I-I'm so sorry. I don't know how that happened. It's just been so long since—"
"No worries. I'm here to make you feel better." Erika wiped the oil off her hands on a towel.
"I haven't—you know."
"You've never been with a sheila before, have you?"
I swallowed, not wanting to say anything that would insult Erika, but I had to be honest. "No," I admitted. "Not that I think there's anything wrong with it, but I'm not a…uh…I like men." I rushed to add, "It felt really good, but it was just…unexpected. Maybe I was hypersensitive because I've had no real sex for months. I mean, would you want someone who was killing you from the inside touching you?"
"I would never let any bloke or sheila touch me under those conditions. When I meet someone I'm really attracted to, I've been known to change teams for a game or two." Erika shrugged. "It's a long season, you know. You, Samantha, are a very attractive woman. It's okay if you want to give the male gender another go." Her eyes twinkled as she added, "Honey, in my professional opinion, you need one. Right away. He can massage you where I can't go, without a toy. You're ripe and ready for some hot, mindless sex."
The suggestion was the last thing I expected to hear. "I don't think so. I'm not looking for another relationship anytime soon."
"Who said anything about a relationship?" Erika pulled the elastic band out and shook her head, sending her golden mane tumbling around her shoulders. "Haven't you ever had sex just for fun?"
I didn't even have to think about my answer. "Not really. In college, the guys were always so quick, I barely noticed it had happened. And then Kevin, well, he wasn't the most attentive lover."
Erika leaned closer. "Listen, I know a bloke who's quite a looker. I haven't sampled him personally, but I've heard he can put a smile on your face"—she wiggled her golden eyebrows—"and a few other places, too. He's here, and I think he's exactly what you need to make you forget Kevin and any other bloke you've ever been with."
"Are you setting me up?"
"Breathless is a place where your past life ends and a new life begins. You know how you eat a piece of cheese between wines at a tasting? Just think of him as a delicious, forbidden bite of cheese. Taste it and enjoy. It will make you forget your last glass of wine and look forward to the next."
"I don't know; I don't think so." I couldn't imagine myself having mindless sex. I had never been promiscuous.
"Why not? What's waiting for you when you get home?"
"Not much. A move, and maybe find a job. I could go back to marketing. I was good at that. Then try to reconnect with my friends."
Erika's chuckle was harsh. "I'll bet you lost most of them in the divorce. And the ones you have left are all twos."
"Twos…fuck. They're all twos," I muttered in agreement. "Not much you can do with threes."
"Well, there is, but you're not ready for that yet, are you, love?"
I laughed at the suggestion. If I couldn't imagine having sex with a strange man, two people at the same time was unthinkable.
Erika took a drink of wine. "This wine is smashing, but you need to drink a lot of water to wash the toxins out of your body. There's bottled water in your refrigerator. And you really must treat yourself to a wonderful dinner in the restaurant. The chef here is brilliant."
"I don't know. Maybe room service tonight."
"You're kidding, right? I won't take no for an answer." She walked to the nightstand and picked up the room phone. "The maître d' is Dimitri," she told me while she punched in some numbers and waited. "He moved here just two years ago from Estonia. He still speaks with a strong accent, so he can be difficult to understand." She turned her attention to the phone. "G'day, mate. It's Erika. Yes, I'm doing well today, thank you. You will have a special guest this evening, Samantha Ingalls. Please seat her with Mr. Thorne. That's right, Frisco Thorne. Yes, I agree. Thank you, Dimitri. And I owe you a shot of Reyka. I haven't forgotten. Hooroo." She hung up the phone.
"Hooroo?" I echoed.
"It's Aussie for good-bye or see you later."
I shook my head. "I don't think that's a good idea. I'm afraid I'm not very good company."
"He's excellent company. If nothing else, he'll make you laugh. And next to sex, you need a good laugh."
I couldn't argue with that. But still, I hesitated.
"Look, give it a burl."
"Give it a what?"
"It means give it a try. Worst case, you'll have a good meal with a fetching bloke. If you're chicken, then tell Dimitri you want to sit alone. At Breathless, you're in control." Erika held up the blanket so I could get off the bed and put my robe back on. "Okay?"
I tied the sash around my waist and sighed. Erika was so enthusiastic, I felt bad turning her down. Plus, I was still pretty embarrassed about my totally inappropriate reaction to the massage. "Okay, I'll give it a burl."
"Brilliant." Erika folded the bed and reloaded everything back on her cart. She gave me a quick lesson on the intercom system. "Call me, and the next massage will be more…generic." She winked. "Let me know how it goes tonight."
I managed a wry smile. "I will. Thanks. I feel amazing."
"Hooroo." Erika waved and pushed her cart out the door.
I returned to the bathroom, dropped the robe to the floor, and stood in front of the full-length mirror. I rarely looked at my own body. As a kid, I'd been too tall and too thin, and I'd tried to dress to hide it. In college, I filled out and my five-eight height hadn't been as ridiculously out of proportion to everyone else as it had been in high school. But I still felt awkward.
I turned and twisted, checking for physical imperfections. Kevin had always been quick to point out a flaw or suggest I lose a couple pounds. I didn't see anything that would attract this Frisco guy, so it would probably be safe to sit with him tonight. It wasn't like it was a date or anything. Just dinner. No big deal. Even that made me nervous. "You've been out of it for a long time, girl," I muttered out loud. "Frisco? What kind of name is Frisco? Sounds fake. Like a stage name or something. Nah, I'm not a Frisco girl. I'm not anyone's girl."
Chapter 3
It was eight o'clock by the time I descended the grand stairway that led to the resort's lobby. I chose a tight silver-sequined dress that stopped a few inches above my knees to give me courage. I liked the way lights reflected off it, as if I was on the red carpet at a Hollywood premiere. While the elevator would be less effort, especially in my three-inch Christian Louboutin pumps, I chose the stairs for the exercise and to calm my nerves.
It also gave me time to look around and grow comfortable with my surroundings, step by step. Each person I passed, I wondered what his or her story was. Had her spouse emotionally crushed her, or were there physical wounds? Was he a victim of being cheated on, or had he been the cheater? Or were they here just to soothe their soul or find their bliss, like me? Each time, I met the person's gaze and smiled, trying not to give them a clue about my own personal demons.
As I neared the
bottom, I almost turned and fled back to the safety of my room. But Erika's voice echoed in my ear. "Give it a burl." Strange expression, but maybe it was good advice, at least for one night. Besides, the smells coming from the dining room were pulling me toward it like a magnet. I realized I was really hungry, something I hadn't been for several weeks leading up to the court date.
"Good evening, Miss Ingalls. I'm Dimitri," the smiling thirtysomething man greeted me as I hesitated in the doorway of the restaurant. His black hair was close-cropped, his smile broad, his physique toned under his tuxedo, and his accent charming.
I loved the mixture of nationalities I'd met today. It gave the place an international flair, almost like I'd entered a neutral country. "Nice to meet you, Dimitri. Uh…how did you know who I was?"
Dimitri beckoned me closer with his index finger. I moved next to him behind his maître d' stand. "Do not tell Mr. Ryan or Miss Cramer that I showed you this." He pointed his mouse button to a spot on the computer screen that looked like a small gold key, similar to the one for my room, and clicked. "There."
I glanced at the screen in surprise. It was my picture, apparently taken in the lobby when I'd entered a few hours before. "Very sneaky, but impressive. You have to keep up with all the guests?"
"It's easy when they're as beautiful as you."
I felt myself blush, but I waved off his compliment. "I'm sure you say that to all the ladies."
"Only the pretty ones," he assured me. "Are you dining alone tonight?"
After a slight hesitation, I nodded. "Yes, alone."
Dimitri leaned closer as he picked up a single menu. "Miss Erika thought you might want to dine with Mr. Thorne." He nodded toward a table in the corner.
I allowed my gaze to slide in that direction. A man, about my age or a few years older, dressed in a black tux with a red rose in the lapel, sat alone. His shoulders were broad, but the expensive suit fit perfectly. He was buttering a dinner roll and not paying any attention to the hungry stares of all the women in the room. His tobacco-brown hair was neatly trimmed but long enough to be combed back from his face. Even though he was elegantly groomed, he had a rugged look with a tan earned by spending time outdoors and not in a tanning bed or a spray booth. His jaw was square and clean-shaven, his nose straight and strong, his teeth white and even as he bit into the roll. My stomach did a strange little somersault.
"Attractive gentleman. No?" Dimitri asked.
It was clearly rhetorical because the man was gorgeous. Of course, he was probably dumber than a bag of marbles. "At least on the outside," I agreed with a nonchalant shrug to show that I wasn't really interested. But the fact was, I kind of wanted to check him out to see if he was as perfect as he appeared to be.
"Then, as you are enjoying your meal, you can get to know him to find out if your first impression is accurate. You will sit with him, yes?"
"Wait a minute…I'm not sure."
"We are very crowded tonight, Miss Ingalls. It will be at least another thirty minutes for a table to clear. I can check to see if they have room in the bar," he offered, picking up the phone and punching a number into the keypad. He waited a moment, then returned the phone's receiver to the cradle. "It's busy; I'll call back in a few minutes."
I stood there considering my options. Wait and eat alone or sit now and eat with a stranger. To my horror, my stomach growled, and I hoped Dimitri hadn't heard. Apparently, the decision was made for me. My hunger pangs outweighed my fear of spending a couple of hours with a drop-dead-gorgeous man recommended by a beautiful woman who had nearly recruited me, albeit temporarily, for the other team. Maybe I did need to spend some time with an interesting man. Hopefully, this Frisco dude wouldn't bore me to tears. "Okay, Dimitri. You win." I gave him a knowing smile. "As I suspect you knew all along."
"Without risk, there is no reward." He picked up another menu and returned my smile. "Follow me, please."
Dimitri led me to the corner table. Very aware that several men, and even a few women, were checking me out as I crossed the room, I was doubly glad I had selected the silver dress for this evening. I needed all the confidence it brought. I'd bought the dress to wear to Kevin's country club's fall charity dance, but for some reason, I had been suddenly disinvited after the divorce papers were filed. So much for friends sticking by me. Other than a couple of old college friends, I really had no one. Translation: I had nothing to lose.
Not wanting to seem too eager or too desperate, I avoided eye contact with Mr. Thorne until Dimitri introduced us formally.
"Miss Samantha Ingalls, this is Mr. Frisco Thorne," the maître d' announced with a flourish.
Frisco stood and flashed a warm, engaging smile. His sky-blue eyes twinkled as he dipped his head in a slight nod. "Miss Ingalls, it's a pleasure to meet you. Erika told me you arrived just a few hours ago and would be eating alone. Will you please join me?"
His smile was infectious, and I found myself smiling back as I extended my hand. "Thank you. I'd love to."
Instead of a shake, he gave my hand a gentle squeeze that was somehow far more intimate. When I pulled my hand back, it was still tingling from his touch. He pulled my chair out, and I was glad to have the momentary distraction of sitting and picking up my napkin to regather my composure. "Thank you," I murmured.
"You're welcome," he replied solemnly.
Frisco returned to his seat while Dimitri handed me a menu, then handed one to Frisco. "Our chef has a number of specials tonight, as well. Your waiter, Rory, will go over them for you. I'll give you time to look over the menu." He motioned for a server, who immediately came to the table and filled our water glasses. "May I get you something from the bar this evening?" Dimitri asked.
"Please bring us your reserve wine list."
"Certainly." Dimitri gave us a courtly half bow and left.
I always hated the first few awkward moments when I met someone new. Tonight, it was compounded by the fact that we would be spending the next hour plus together. I took a sip of water and asked, "So…Frisco? Family name?"
"Nothing that respectable." He seemed a little embarrassed to admit, "My mom loved soap operas. Apparently, there was a character on General Hospital whose name was Frisco Jones. She said she was watching the show when she went into labor."
I chuckled. "You're lucky she wasn't watching The Princess Bride. You could have been Prince Humperdinck Thorne."
One dark eyebrow lifted in amusement. "Or Inigo Montoya Thorne. That has a certain ring to it."
I laughed out loud. I liked that he had a sense of humor.
"You've got a great laugh," he told me.
I shook my head, unnerved by the comment. "Thanks. I haven't had much to laugh about lately. Tell me more."
"About me? Same old boring story as everyone else. My mom ran off with some actor in summer stock. We should have known she was into show-biz people with the whole General Hospital thing. My dad had died a few years before, so I went to live with my aunt and uncle, who were apiarists."
"Beekeepers? Ever get stung?"
"Are you kidding? I looked like I had a bad case of acne from when I was six until I learned how to properly handle the bees."
I laughed again. "That is certainly not a boring childhood."
"Seemed normal at the time."
"So, you grew up appreciating nature in a weird, painful way?"
"Big-time. They had horses and chickens. At night, I played with my Legos and my chemistry set. It was a pretty normal life, more than I had ever had with my parents."
"Sounds like your aunt and uncle had a big impact on your life."
"They did. They had no kids of their own, so I guess we needed each other. They even paid for a degree from Princeton. Pretty awesome people."
"Princeton! So, the nature boy has a brain," I commented, impressed.
"I thought it would be interesting to live out on the East Coast for a change," he replied, minimizing his accomplishment.
"So, are you here because your marriage brok
e up, too?" I asked cautiously. I didn't want to open any wounds or talk about something uncomfortable, but I was curious.
Frisco glanced at me with a strange expression before answering. "Never married. You?"
Okay, now I was confused. "I thought most of the guests were here to get over a bad relationship."
"I am. I just wasn't married."
"Oh." I nodded. "When did you arrive?"
Dimitri returned before Frisco could answer. "Mr. Thorne, your reserve wine list." Dimitri handed him the wine menu.
"Thank you, Dimitri. We'll check it out and get back to you."
"Very well." He departed, leaving them to choose their wine and make their menu selections.
"Does it have a limo chardonnay listed?" I laughed at Frisco's confused expression.
He searched through the ten pages and shook his head. "I've heard of house wine, but never limo chardonnay."
"I don't know its real name, but it's excellent wine, smooth and buttery, not too oaky with just a hint of apricot."
He closed the wine menu with a snap. "Then, limo wine it is."
A waiter appeared immediately. "Good evening. My name is Rory, and I'll be your waiter. Have you made a wine selection?"
"Please bring us a bottle of the chardonnay Miss Ingalls was served in the limo on her way here today," Frisco ordered with confidence as if there was nothing unusual about his request.
"Certainly, sir. Chef has several specials tonight." He went over each one in detail. "I'll be right back with your wine to take your order."
"What looks good to you?" Frisco asked.
I caught myself staring at him and flushed at his question. He was, without a doubt, the most attractive man I'd ever seen and certainly not dumb as I had imagined. He exuded a powerful masculinity without seeming intimidating, and I felt that same rush of blood through my veins as I had earlier during my massage, only hotter. Oh, dear God, I wasn't going to embarrass myself here, too, was I? My poor horny body was completely out of control. I realized he was looking at me, waiting patiently for my response. "Uh, what would you recommend?"