He was just thrusts away from coming. Reaching around her torso, he pulled her toward him, wrapping an arm around her waist. Darryl flipped her onto her back and climbed between her legs. He grabbed her behind the knees and pushed her limbs forward, raising her hips to make his penetration easier. Camryn gasped loudly as he lined himself against her and pushed forward, reentering her slick hole with one deep thrust. Gripping her buttocks, he lifted her easily, thrusting himself in and out of her, Camryn meeting him stroke for stroke. She reached her orgasm then and her taut muscles gripped him tightly, forcing him to fire like a cannon deep inside of her.
Falling against him, Camryn savored the sweetness of each tremor, every muscle in her body feeling like melting jelly. Nestling herself against his chest, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep, Darryl’s arms wrapped tightly around her.
* * *
“So what have you decided, Camryn?” Kenneth questioned, his eyes meeting his daughter’s stare.
The two were sitting with Darryl and Mason over breakfast, reviewing an issue with the electrical construction for Boudreaux Towers. With the details settled, Kenneth was ready to move on to the next item on his agenda.
“I’m sorry, Father,” she responded, a confused expression crossing her face. “What have I decided about what?”
The man stared at her with a raised brow. “About Dubai. Have you made a decision?”
Darryl turned to stare at her as Camryn cut her eye in his direction. “Dubai? What about Dubai?”
“You haven’t told Darryl yet?” Kenneth admonished. “Are you even considering it, Camryn?” He leaned forward in his seat, staring at his daughter intently.
Camryn rolled her eyes as she reached for her chicory coffee and took a swig. “No, Father, I haven’t had a chance to tell Darryl.” She paused and took another swig of her drink. “Darryl, I need to talk to you about an opportunity that’s recently come up in Dubai. Before my father’s announcement I was hoping that we would discuss it at lunch today.” She glanced nervously at Darryl.
His expression was stunned. “Please tell me you’re not talking about the new Shorouk Al Shams Compound.” Darryl said.
Camryn eyed him with surprise. “You’ve heard about it?”
“Anybody in the industry worth their salt has heard about it. The architect that wins that job will be renowned around the world.”
Kenneth nodded. “Camryn received an invitation from Sheikh Muhammad himself to submit a proposal and design. They want her to fly to Dubai next week to survey the site and meet the royal family. From what I’ve learned, she’s one of three architects they’re considering. I know one of them is the team that did the world’s tallest hotel.”
Darryl jumped up excitedly. He grabbed Camryn around the shoulders, lifting her from the chair and spinning her around. “Baby, that’s wonderful!”
“Congratulations!” Mason chimed in.
Camryn held up her hands as Darryl set her back on her feet. “Hold on for a minute. Yes, it is exciting, but with everything going on I don’t think it’s a viable option right now.”
“Camryn, you cannot pass up this opportunity,” Darryl exclaimed. “The top architectural firms in the world have created designs in Dubai. The Burj Al Arab, that tallest hotel, is just the beginning!”
“I’ve spent time there,” Mason said casually, “and it is something. It’s the epitome of luxury and opulence. One of my most memorable hotel stays.”
Darryl nodded. “Let’s not forget the man-made islands just offshore! And isn’t Dubai where they have that underwater hotel?”
“Yes,” Camryn responded, “it’s the Water Discus Hotel. It’s surrounded by a coral reef with twenty-one rooms that are like ten meters below the surface and look out on the ocean floor. And that is exactly why I’m still thinking about it! This is a huge project! And whatever I come up with is going to have to outshine every other building in Dubai.”
She took a deep breath and held it before continuing. “I still have responsibilities to Boudreaux Towers. Then there’s the wedding, Darryl. We also have house shopping, not to mention moving. It’s just too much, honey!”
Darryl grabbed her hands, kissing her palms and fingers. “If you pass this up, please make sure it’s only because you don’t want to do it. If you want this, Camryn, we can figure out a way to make it work.”
She stared into his eyes. The look he was giving her was promising, and it said that there was nothing the two of them couldn’t accomplish if they put their minds to it. As she glanced from her father to Mason and back, both men seemed to be giving their support, as well.
She took another deep breath.
“Do you want this, Camryn?” Darryl asked.
“I don’t know. I... Well...it’s...” she stammered.
Darryl persisted. “It’s a yes-or-no answer, Camryn. Yes or no. Do you want this amazing opportunity?”
She paused as she met his gaze and held it, her head bobbing up and down against her shoulders. “Yes!”
Darryl grinned widely. He tossed Mason a quick look. “Big brother, do you think we can borrow your plane next week? Camryn’s going to Dubai!”
Chapter 15
Darryl was resting on Camryn’s living room sofa, his legs stretched out across the furniture. Unwinding, he sat with the latest Walter Mosley novel in his lap and a frosted bottle of Guinness stout on the end table at his elbow. Standing in the doorway of her living room, she couldn’t begin to fathom how she’d gotten so lucky. Darryl made her laugh and she always felt comfortable in his presence. The man loved and supported her and she had absolutely no doubts of his affection.
Camryn had to admit that she was excited about the future he’d fantasized for them: partnered in business, in marriage and in life. Darryl wanted children and until he’d shared his dreams of raising two little mini-Darryls and a teeny-weeny Camryn, she hadn’t given any consideration to babies in her life. Now she was excited at the prospect of carrying his child and raising his children, although she’d joked that she would only settle for two teeny-weeny Camryns and one mini-Darryl.
They’d already committed to their first home together, a six-thousand-square-foot bungalow on Jefferson Avenue. The home inspection had been a win-win for the sellers and for them, and they were on schedule to close escrow in two weeks. Darryl planned to move in first. They’d decided that Camryn would not move in until after the wedding. But there was still the negotiation of space, the acquisition of new furniture and the blending of their personal items that needed to be accomplished.
Boudreaux Towers was in its final stages. The exterior of the building was done and finished, the contractor and his crew focused on the building’s interior. They no longer had to contend with inclement weather, so the construction schedule was tight. Darryl spent more time on-site than he did in his office. Both their days started early and most nights by the time they reached home, it was past time for bed.
They planned to exchange vows on New Year’s Eve. Both she and Darryl loved the idea of starting their lives as a married couple during the holidays, when their family and friends were celebrating together. Despite her father and Darryl’s parents wanting them to have a large wedding, they had decided on an intimate gathering of immediate family only followed by a large reception that would include family, friends and close business associates. It was the holiday event everyone wanted to get an invitation to and planning that spectacular celebration came with its own challenges. Camryn was grateful for Darryl’s sister. The woman was a lifesaver as far as she was concerned.
So considering that the two of them were already pressed for personal time to get things done, she was still at odds about how she was going to balance an international project in the mix. Especially, if she was being honest, an international project that she really wanted. If she were to win the bid to
design the multibillion-dollar retail and housing complex in Dubai, it would be the pinnacle of her career. The fact that she was actually being considered simply blew her away.
Camryn believed Darryl when he said that they could figure it out. She trusted that if anyone could help her make it happen, Darryl could. Standing in the doorway, her arms wrapped around her torso, Camryn felt herself smiling warmly, completely enamored as she stood watching him.
Strolling into the room, Camryn moved in behind him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She hugged him tightly and pressed a damp kiss to the side of his neck.
“Hey,” Darryl said. He tilted his head to kiss her lips. “Is everything okay?”
Camryn nodded. “I wanted to apologize to you.”
“For what, baby?” Darryl said. He pulled her around the side of the sofa, holding her hand as he guided her to sit in his lap. “What did you do?”
She met his gaze and smiled. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she hugged him again as she leaned her head against his broad chest. “I’m sorry that you had to hear about the Dubai invitation from my father before you heard it from me.”
Darryl nodded slowly. “I’m glad you brought that up. I was going to ask you why you kept that from me.”
She shrugged. “I really wasn’t trying to hide it from you. I’ve just been so overwhelmed with it all.”
“We have a lot going on. Do you want to postpone the wedding?” Darryl queried.
She shook her head vehemently. “No, I don’t! I can’t believe you’d ask me that.”
“Baby, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t get married at all. I’m saying that we could just delay the wedding and get married in the spring. Or get married after you’ve finished designing the Dubai building. We have options.”
“No, we don’t. We have a wedding planned for December 31 and that’s when we’re getting married. Don’t think you’re going to leave me at the altar, Darryl Boudreaux!”
Darryl laughed. “Yes, ma’am!” he said as he leaned to kiss her lips. “I can’t wait to marry you, Ms. Charles!”
Darryl shifted his body so that she could recline easily with him. “So, tell me more about the project.”
“You really know as much as I know. The building has been commissioned by the reigning sheikh. Whoever is selected will report directly to the royal family. I’m thinking that if I win the bid, I’ll have to stay in Dubai for a short period of time, but probably no more than two, maybe three months in the beginning. Boudreaux Towers should be completed by the time we get to that stage and you’ll be able to come to Dubai with me. You’d want to come with me, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course!”
“Because I wouldn’t want us to be away from each other for that long, Darryl. I couldn’t do it if I thought it would mean we’d be separated.”
He kissed her again. “Well, let’s go to Dubai. We’ll see what they’re proposing. You submit your bid and design and we’ll make our decision after they award you the contract.”
“What if I don’t win?” Camryn said, her eyes widening. “I mean, I might not get the job.”
Darryl smiled. “Do you really believe that?”
“Anything is possible, Darryl,” Camryn answered.
He shook his head, lifting his book back into his lap as he went back to his reading.
“Is that how you do me?” she said teasingly.
Darryl chuckled. “You have work to do. So go design the building of the century.”
“I am not going back to the office tonight,” Camryn noted. “Not tonight.”
Darryl nodded his agreement. “You don’t have to. Why don’t you go look in your spare bedroom.”
“My spare bedroom?” Camryn said curiously. “What’s going on in my spare bedroom?”
Darryl shrugged. “I guess you have to go look,” he said, a curious expression on his face.
Camryn gave him a look as she jumped to her feet. Darryl followed behind her as she headed down the hall to her rear bedroom. Since moving into the home, Camryn hadn’t bothered to do anything with the room. It had become storage space, catching everything Camryn had needed to tuck away from public view.
The door to the room was closed. With her excitement rising, she paused, her hand on the doorknob. She tossed Darryl a glance over her shoulder before turning the latch and pushing the door open. Her smile widened tenfold.
Darryl had moved all her clutter from the space. He’d replicated her office space, decorating the room with a large conference table, a drafting table, a comfortable sofa and images of her favorite artwork. She turned to meet his gaze as he stood in the doorway watching her take it all in.
“Of course,” Darryl stated, “we’ll set up office for you in the new house but I figured if you’re able to work from home more easily, then that might help take some of the pressure off of you.”
Camryn threw herself into his arms and kissed him, her lips dancing sweetly over his. “Darryl Boudreaux, I think I love you!”
He grinned broadly. “Camryn Charles, I know you love me,” he responded.
She grinned with him. “Yeah, I think you’re right. In fact, sir, I’m pretty sure that I am truly all yours!”
* * *
The Boudreaux jet was waiting for them on the tarmac. Within minutes of their boarding, the pilot cleared them for takeoff.
“Wow!” Camryn exclaimed. “Your brother has a really sweet thing going on here!” she said as she peered out the airplane’s window.
Darryl laughed. “Mason’s definitely living large,” he said.
Camryn settled back in the leather seat. “Very large!”
“My brother has worked exceptionally hard for all his success. I’m really proud of the old guy.”
“All of your family is quite impressive.”
“They’re your family now, too, Camryn. Everyone really loves you.”
Camryn smiled brightly, having no need to say a word.
The estimated travel time from New Orleans to Dubai was some twenty-plus hours. They were scheduled to stop in Spain and then Turkey before landing in the United Arab Emirates. Camryn was excited about the venture, although the possibility of what it might mean for her future, and for Darryl’s, was slightly unnerving. Darryl’s exuberance was fuel enough for them both.
They talked for the first few hours, confirming wedding details, hypothesizing about the outcome of the election and sharing tales from their youth. Camryn had drifted off to sleep first, nothing but snow-white clouds cushioning their travels and her dreams. Darryl had dozed off with her, delighted to see her finally rest. She’d been working nonstop for the last few days trying to put everything into place. He was exceptionally proud of her, knowing that her talent knew no bounds. He also knew that she was nervous and he was doing everything in his power to calm any anxiety she might have been experiencing.
Midtrip, Camryn had pulled him into the plane’s restroom, claiming that she had a problem that only he could handle. Minutes later she inducted him into the Mile-High Club, the two of them making love to each other in the stall. Falling asleep a second time, neither woke until the flight attendant announced their landing in Barcelona, Spain.
They lunched at the Café de L’Academia, the delightful restaurant highly recommended by Mason and Camryn’s father. Under different circumstances it might have been difficult to find, but thanks to Mason and Maitlyn, a car was waiting to escort them to their destination.
Darryl ordered for them both and Camryn thoroughly enjoyed the duck pâté and truffle toasted sandwich. They had the Spanish version of crème brûlée for dessert. The meal was wonderfully leisurely and sitting outside beneath the warm sunshine boosted her spirit. When they left, there was a fiesta in the little square and they took a brief moment to join in with the dancing. By the tim
e they returned to the airport, the jet had been refueled, both the pilot and copilot were rested, and they were ready to take off. Some six hours later they were enjoying dinner in Istanbul. Mason and his staff had arranged for them to spend the night so that they would be well rested when they arrived the next morning in Dubai.
A representative of the royal family was there to meet them at the airport. His name was Sami and he was a charming personality dressed in the traditional long-sleeved white robes and headscarf, or kaffiyeh, of his Bedouin ancestors. His English was near perfect and he chattered on nonstop as he helped them navigate through the Dubai airport and maneuver their way through customs.
Camryn was in awe of the facility, a contemporary mass of stainless steel and glass. Before escorting them to their hotel, Sami gave them a tour of the city, chauffeuring them in a polished silver-gray Bentley. Dubai was a jaw-dropping oasis of stone and glass and marble and concrete. Twice the size of London, England, it was a dazzling display of wealth and riches. Camryn couldn’t begin to imagine how she was going to compete.
“It’s fantastical,” she said, meeting Darryl’s gaze as they pulled up to the infamous Burj Al Arab. A testament to human ingenuity, the hotel was Dubai’s equivalent of the Eiffel Tower, towering over every other building in the world. The couple exchanged glances when Sami told them the hotel’s rooms rented for a minimum of $17,000 per night and that the sheikh had arranged for them to stay in one of their luxury suites, the accommodations coming with a private manservant and white Rolls-Royce for their exclusive use.
As Sami checked them into their room, Darryl couldn’t help but whisper that Camryn’s design for the new compound had to ensure the country’s, and its ruler’s, position on the global map. The level of sheer decadence required to maintain the standards of the land would be a tall order for any architect to meet.
Camryn nodded her agreement. “I know. I realize the crazier the idea, the better,” she said. “It has to be over-the-top!”
Darryl could see her mind spinning and he ran a warm hand across her back, patting her gently with pride. When they were checked into the hotel and settled in their room, Sami filled them in on their schedule.
Truly Yours Page 12