Path to Passion

by Nana Prah

  The glimmering gold dress with adorable capped sleeves had called out to her even though it was more revealing in the chest area than she was accustomed to and only reached to the top of her knees. The dress had glided over her curves as if it had been designed solely for her.

  The other two pieces were day dresses. Since she’d worn her travel-home outfit to roam New York, she appreciated Miguel’s thoughtfulness at providing her with more. The man certainly knew how to take care of a woman. He’s had enough practice. That snide voice couldn’t have been hers.

  Sure he’d been seen with more women than she found comfortable, but he’d changed. He’d said he had. The media thought so, too. But what if he’d been going out with the women under different guises like he’d done with her? What if he was still trying to date every female in the world? Her included? And then once he had her, he’d dump her?

  She’d quivered in fear at the thought. Yes, she’d fallen for him, but he wasn’t hers. No matter what happened, she’d have to remember that. At least they had these next few weeks together while getting her club set up. It would have to be enough.

  They stepped out the limo in front of the brightest building Tanya had ever seen. The white paint reflected the bright multicolored lights waving around. “This is different from New York.”

  Miguel placed a hand against her lower back, sending a tremor through her. She felt both protected and sexy. Maybe she should’ve taken that first slinky low-backed jumpsuit she’d refused to try on. At least then he’d be setting her skin ablaze with direct contact and not just through the thin material.

  Miguel had surprised her with another costume. She detested the thick sideburns, and the dreaded contact lenses were in place, making his eyes a cool chocolate brown. At least he’d used a thinner mustache this time. His curls were covered with a stylish white brimmed hat that matched his bright red suit, and a shimmery white silk shirt exposed chest hair she longed to glide her fingers through. A thick gold chain completed his look.

  “Are you sure they’ll let a pimp in here?” Tanya asked.

  He laughed. “Look around, I fit right in.”

  A scan of the people waiting in the long line to get into the club told her he was correct. At least for the guys who seemed to have left their college days behind years ago.

  Miguel, Carlos Diaz for the night, went straight to the door, spoke in fluent Spanish to the bouncer and without question they were let in. She had no idea which shocked her more, the chameleon she was hanging out with or the bright colorful lights in the club that assaulted her. The exterior should’ve been enough warning.

  She assessed the first floor, expecting something different from the clubs they’d been to in New York. The enthusiastic dancers gyrated to a reggaeton song blasting as she and Miguel made their way up the stairs. Nothing stood out that she’d want to implement in her club. She reminded herself of the great name she’d come up with and had yet to share with Miguel.

  In the VIP section, she settled into the couch. When Miguel sat so close their knees touched, she forgot what she’d wanted to tell him as the heat from his body seeped into her.

  “What can I get you to drink?” the server asked. For the first time, it was a male, and yet he still ogled Miguel as if he wanted to take him home.

  No such luck, buddy. Why did it bother her so much that everyone wanted her man? He’s nowhere near to being my man. It didn’t stop the jealousy from making her scoot closer and placing a hand on his knee.

  She glanced up at Miguel for a moment and had trouble swallowing when even through the contact lenses desire flared from his eyes and landed in her lower belly.

  “A drink?” the server repeated.

  “Two sparkling waters,” Miguel said while still holding her captive with his gaze. “Unless you want something stronger.”

  What she wanted was to get out of the noisy club and continue the relaxing day they’d shared. Her mind wrestled with the idea of seducing him. She’d never done it before and was scared of his rejection, but her body longed for him to make love to her. The way he’d touched her all day told her he’d be receptive, but she’d thought the same thing back in college just before she’d gotten shot down.

  Tanya shook her head, releasing herself from his hypnotic effect. “It’ll be a while before I drink alcohol again. Water is fine.”

  They didn’t speak while absorbing the ambiance of the VIP area. The owners had spared no expense in furnishing the place. The leather seats reeked of money. That’s not the way Miguel wanted to go with their club. She sucked in a sharp breath. When had she started considering him as a true co-owner?

  “So what do you think?” he asked.

  “It’s nice.” She leaned in closer, taking in the citrus-and-sandalwood scent emanating from him. “To be honest, they all seem the same. Large space, good lighting and a DJ that can get everyone on the dance floor.” Her jaw dropped open. “Is that Emilio Stewart?”

  Miguel flicked his gaze in the direction she was drooling toward. The megastar sat surrounded by a gaggle of women fawning over him. “Sure is. I’d go over and say hi, but he doesn’t know me as Carlos. We used to hang out back in the day.”

  She ordered her mouth to close. “Each of the clubs had stars or musicians popping in, and you claimed to know them all.”

  He shrugged. “It was part of the party brand I created for myself back then. I’m rich and popular, and it was just as good for them to be seen with me as it was for me to be seen with them. Win-win.”

  “And that’s why your birthday party will make Destiny skyrocket.”

  “Destiny?”

  She nodded enthusiastically. “The name of our club.” There was that joint pronoun again.

  “Try again, sweetheart. ‘Destiny’ isn’t it.”

  The server came over, set down their drinks and took off. Tanya presumed the scowl she directed at him wasn’t inviting for more flirtation. “Why not?”

  He took a drink of the water. “I’m just not feeling it.”

  One day, she’d be able to shoot laser beams from her eyes, but for the moment, a narrow-eyed glare would have to suffice. “What if I am?”

  “I’m taking veto power.”

  She sighed, knowing the name wouldn’t adorn the front of her club. “Which you’ve done for each one I’ve presented.”

  He stood and reached a hand down to her. “Come up with an acceptable one and I won’t reject it. Let’s dance.”

  Answering the call of the beat, yet still annoyed with him for his arrogant behavior, she ignored his offer. Standing on her own, she sauntered ahead of him to the dance floor. Her irritation faded when he stepped up behind her, placed his hands on her hips and leaned into her.

  Her body responded by moving to his initiated rhythm, loving that even though the music was loud enough to blast an eardrum she still heard the groan he emitted.

  * * *

  After their first club of the night, Miguel couldn’t grind up on Tanya again. He’d never known such frustrated desire for any woman. With her luscious, curvaceous body, she’d set him on fire. He’d cut the club tour short, ending after the third because if he didn’t get her into his bed soon, he’d explode.

  Who knew that wanting to make a woman completely his would jack up his desire for her? He craved her touch. Three years ago, he would’ve been freaked-out, but now he was ready to have her in his life full-time. Would she accept him after what he’d put her through? He’d told her how much he’d changed, but did she believe him?

  For Tanya, he was more than willing to prove himself.

  “How about ‘Thrive’?” She threw it at him as they stepped into her room.

  Laughing, he pulled off his hat and pushed his fingers through his hair, releasing the curls. “Isn’t that the name of the second club we just came from?”

  “Exactly. It works for th
em so it will for us, too.”

  He stepped into her space. Even after all the dancing they’d done, her honeysuckle fragrance still lingered enough to entice. “That’s not how it works.”

  She moved backward and propped a hand on her hip. “What do you suggest we call the place, Mr. Rebrander, since my ideas aren’t good enough?”

  Her skittishness didn’t make seducing her easy, but it made him happy. She had to be feeling the heated attraction drawing him to her. After the way he’d reacted to her dancing against him for the past two days, she had to know he wanted her. “I didn’t say the names weren’t good—they just don’t strike me as right.”

  After raising her hands into the air, she let them drop to her sides with a light smack against her thighs. “I can’t read your eyes with those horrible contact lenses in. Please take them out.”

  “Come with me.” He offered his hand. She didn’t reach for him. “The condoms are in my room.” He’d taken a risk with his directness.

  Her face scrunched into an expression of pain for the briefest moment before she snorted and crossed her arms over her chest instead of running into his arms like he’d expected. “If you’re going to have sex with one of the women who tried desperately to catch your attention at the club then you’ll need to go get them.”

  Dropping his hand, he looked her straight in the eyes. “You’re the only one I want to be with.” Tonight, tomorrow, forever. He hoped she could hear his heart screaming out to her. They’d be good together. But how could he articulate it without her thinking he was crazy? They’d only gotten reacquainted over a few short weeks. Was it enough time to know she was the one person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with?

  Yes.

  He could see her mind vacillating on the decision. Just when he swore she was about to agree, her eyes narrowed. “Are you playing a joke on me, Astacio?”

  With no other way to prove how much he wanted her, he got into her face and touched his lips to hers. No sweetness existed as he delved his tongue into her mouth and she gasped in surprise. No teasing as he’d expected their second-chance kiss to possess. Passion drove him to glide his tongue against hers. His heart swelled when she grabbed his shoulders and dragged him even closer as she responded.

  He groaned as he angled her head to drink in more of her. Her hands found their way into his hair and rubbed his scalp. Heat flared in his groin. With the strength of a thousand men, he broke off the kiss and panted while he once again held out his hand. “It’s you I want. Come with me.”

  This time, without hesitation, she clasped his hand and he could’ve floated out of the room with her. Not wasting any time, he swooped her up and marched to the door.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she held on tight. “Put me down. I’m too heavy.”

  “Not for me. Remember back in college when I gave you that piggyback ride? I’ll always be able to carry you.”

  She relaxed her grip and rested her head on his shoulder. She felt so right with her body against him.

  He reached down, opened the door, and they left her room. “Reach into my inner breast pocket for my keycard and open my door,” he said seconds later when they reached his place.

  Inside the threshold, he set her down and peppered kisses along her neck, stopping at the bounding pulse to suck the sensitive flesh. Her whimpers of pleasure drove him to grasp the hem of her dress and pull it upward as he savored the exquisite salty taste of her skin.

  And then it came to a crashing halt as she pushed his hands away when he’d touched her hips.

  Dazed with desire, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

  Her husky voice turned him on even more. “I like my body.”

  “I do, too.” He smiled and reached for her, but she eluded him with a step backward.

  Holding her hand to her belly, she rubbed the area. “I worked hard to lose all that weight and I’m proud of my accomplishment, but I’m not perfect. If you’re expecting to see hip bones and abdominal muscles, you’ll be disappointed. And...” She swallowed hard and looked down at her shoes.

  Not letting her get away again, he framed her face with his hands and tilted her head up at him. “What is it, baby?”

  She sucked in a shaky breath. “Broderick was the last man I slept with, and that was a year before he asked for a divorce.” Her gaze held his as if she needed him to know the absolute truth. Miguel steeled himself for whatever she had to share.

  “He was an attentive husband, maybe overly so at times, and had tried to anticipate my needs. He made our marriage almost perfect, but, our intimate life was boring and infrequent. At first, I thought it was my body, so that took a toll on me psychologically.”

  His teeth hurt from clenching his jaw. The selfish bastard should’ve been honest with her from the moment he’d found out he was gay instead of stringing her along. He knelt before her and kissed her belly through her clothes as he gripped her hips.

  His hands roamed to her perky breasts and palmed them. Getting to his feet, he found her nipples through her dress and pinched them. Her sharp inhale made him harder. He grabbed her ass and slammed her into him. “Do you feel what you do to me?” He ground himself into her lower abdomen. “I find you irresistible. Beautiful. When I’m with you, I think about making love to you. When we’re apart, my mind is occupied with being around you. I...” He stopped himself from professing his love. He doubted she’d believe him. “Crave you. Desire you. Need you. Ever since college. No matter what’s under your clothes, I’ll still want you. I promise.”

  Looking into his eyes, she nodded, and at that moment he became the happiest man in the world.

  Chapter 19

  “I hate that you have to hide your eyes,” Tanya said, trying to put on a casual air while watching Miguel remove his contact lenses at her insistence. Her stomach did a cycle of clenching and looping. Were they really about to have sex? How could they not after the impassioned declaration he’d just made.

  He turned toward her. Had he really removed the contact lenses? His eyes were still dark, dilated with desire as he came toward her. Her heart hammered. This time there was no trying to justify or back out. She was in love with the man and no matter what happened, she’d accept it for the rest of her life.

  Closing the space between them, he placed his hands on her waist and squeezed. “I explained the necessity of the disguises.” His brows creased together in concern. “Don’t you believe me?”

  This uncertain man wasn’t the same arrogant one she’d known years ago. He had never doubted himself or that anyone else would, either. And yet his humility made him even sexier. With a newfound boldness, she looped her arms around his neck. “I do, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

  As a response, he kissed her. She couldn’t get enough of the full soft texture of his lips and melted as he dipped his tongue into her mouth. She responded like a woman who’d been starved from her favorite food for years, tasting, savoring and laving him up as if it would be her last opportunity.

  In the back of her mind she became aware of them moving, but didn’t realize they were next to the shower until the sound of water penetrated.

  “I don’t want to be apart from you for a minute,” he moaned as he tugged at her lower lip. “So we’re going to take a shower together.”

  Stiffening, she tried to back out of his arms with a fierce head shake. She’d never showered with anyone before—that was just too much physical disclosure.

  Miguel wouldn’t allow her to slither away. “I see I’ll have to convince you about how beautiful you are.”

  “Oh, I know I’m beautiful.” He wasn’t the only one who could be cocky. “I’ve never had a problem with my face. My body, on the other hand...” She pivoted toward the bedroom in an attempt to escape.

  He tugged her close and when his lips landed on her neck and lapped at her skin, her knees l
ost all structure and she clung to him.

  “Mmm. Salty and delicious.” He nipped at her shoulder. “So you’d like me to lick you clean? I can work with that.”

  Her eyes flung open at his proposal and she huffed out a breath. The damn man knew how to get his way in all things. “Fine.”

  That’s all he needed to reach down to the hem of her dress and slide it up her body, exposing her thick thighs, purple lace-and-satin panties hugging her wide hips, stomach, nipped waist and lace-covered full breasts. Miguel sucked in a breath as she chewed on her bottom lip.

  “We might just skip the shower. You’re amazing.”

  His words settled something within her heart, bringing her a sense of relief. Her panties became even wetter with her desire. Pleased, she smiled wide as she pointed to the running water. “Maybe we should hop in before an environmental protection representative comes after us.” Never in her wildest dreams would she have guessed she’d be comfortable enough to crack a joke while in a near-naked state.

  She was so caught up in staring at Miguel as he stripped that she forgot to take the rest of her own clothes off. He’d filled out since she’d seen him shirtless back in college. She reached out and ran her hand along his chest and down his bicep, eliciting a hissed inhale. When he pulled down his trousers and boxer briefs, her mouth went dry as she witnessed what had poked her as they’d danced.

  Hypnotized with an incredible need, she reached for him. Instead of allowing her to touch, he grasped her wrists and kissed each of her palms. “Let’s get you naked.”

  He unclasped her bra and slid it down her arms, freeing her breasts into his awaiting hands. Before she understood his intention, he bent and pulled one of the hardened peaks into his mouth. She whispered his name as she dug her nails into his shoulders, fearing she’d fall with the ecstasy. He switched to the other and her body went insane, arching her back and holding his head in place. She never wanted the pleasure to end.