by Sandy Loyd
Dress and shoes finally on, she straightened and floated in his direction. She came up to him, presenting her back. “Could you?”
Could I what? Take you in my arms and never let you go? Yeah, I could do that. He shook himself, realizing she meant for him to do up the zipper. He kissed the top of her shoulder near her neck.
“Wouldn’t you rather stay here?” His broken voice was filled with emotion.
He raised his head and tugged at the zipper before turning her around, his gaze feasting on her beauty and poise, as regal as any queen’s in her confection of navy blue. The gown showed off her figure to perfection. The capped sleeves off the shoulder connected to snug material that hugged her breasts and met the gown at the waist, where it gathered to flow the rest of the way to the ground.
The rich color dramatically highlighted her pale features. Her skin glowed. The makeup she’d sparingly used brought out eyes that sparkled blue-green, like Caribbean waters. Sapphire earrings and a matching necklace completed her look, an exclamation point of jewels directing attention to her bare neck and shoulders.
His mouth met hers, melded, and worked to convince her with kisses to remain here with him. To hell with the rest of the world.
“Please, Dev.” She pulled away. “My parents will notice if we don’t go downstairs. Please?” She met his gaze with pleading eyes. “What’s a couple of hours of mingling? Then, the rest of the night will be ours, I promise.”
Her soft voice wafted past his ears. Dev melted. He’d do anything within his power to please her, he realized. If a few more hours give or take was something important to her, what could he do but agree?
“Promises, promises, Judith. I’ll hold you to yours.”
He brought her hands to his lips and said, letting the adoration he felt show in his eyes while looking into hers, “You’re a vision to behold tonight. I’m going to have trouble keeping my hands to myself, keeping lewd and lascivious thoughts at bay.”
Judith beamed. “I do feel like a fairy princess.” She gave him an appraising scan and grinned. “Come on, my handsome prince, we have a ball to attend.”
“Lead the way.” Dev bowed. “I’m yours to command, my princess.”
Chapter 15
“Hurry. We’re already late.” Judith grabbed Dev’s hand and pulled him off the elevator.
“And whose fault is that?” Dev asked, chuckling.
She saw heat in his eyes when they connected with hers. She felt beautiful.
Of course, he was just as beautiful. She was used to seeing formally dressed men. It pleased her to note that his tuxedo fit him as if created specifically for him. She admired the distinguished and dashing figure he made walking next to her. She felt proud to be the woman at his side tonight.
The two entered the courtyard. Judith stopped and looked around.
The mid-August night air was dry and cool, perfect for dancing under the cloudless, star-filled sky. As they walked further into one of the ballrooms, she smiled, sending silent kudos to Alicia.
The room was magical. She certainly knew how to stage a production. And that is exactly what this was, a major five-star production. The theme, A Taste of Italy, came out in every detail from banquet rooms made to resemble Italian palazzos to the courtyard, with its many fountains. The orchestra played soft dinner music as guests milled about, talking and finding their tables in the act of seeing and being seen. There were several tables outside, but most were inside.
The Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Ball appeared to be a huge success. The hefty price of admission—$1,000 per ticket—didn’t stop anyone from attending. The amount of money earned made it one of the biggest fundraisers of the year, and it was so well attended because Alicia Morrison obviously put on a great party.
As Dev led her through the packed room, Judith tried not to gawk. She hated functions like this where an air of boredom typically permeated. No one appeared bored tonight.
They approached a large group just as James stepped up to Dev and the two shook hands.
“You remember Stacy, don’t you?” After introductions, James said, “Keep your eyes open. I can only stand here and chat until I see my mom and then we have to break up. She’s spouting a notion about me circulating to make sure everyone is having a good time.” He grinned. “Don’t be surprised if you’re both recruited. I hate playing the role, so I only do it when I see her.”
A waiter approached with a tray full of drinks.
“Red wine, right?” Dev reached for a glass and handed it to her before grabbing another.
“Yes, thank you,” Judith murmured, glad to have the wine to hide behind.
She sipped and continued her silent observation of the event unfolding, enjoying the show.
In one circle, an annoyed woman was trying her best to recapture a man’s attention. His interest had wandered to another man chatting next to him. In a group to her left, someone was obviously working to curry favor from another, while he talked nonstop. The man he was trying to impress seemed anything but. There were those couples that had eyes only for each other and other couples that had eyes for everyone else except their partner. That these different scenes played out within a stone’s throw from where she stood caused a laugh to break free.
Dev, about to say something to Stacy, turned to her with raised eyebrows and a question lighting his eyes.
“Nothing, I’m just enjoying myself,” she said. “I feel lucky to be here with the most handsome and debonair man in the room.”
“A compliment deserves a compliment.” He smiled warmly. “You are by far the most beautiful woman present.” He then turned to respond to something James had said, but not before encircling an arm around her waist and hauling her closer in a proprietary move.
Judith’s smile inched a little wider. Sipping wine, she surreptitiously observed Dev. So polished and sure of himself, a dominating presence even while surrounded by leaders, he was completely in his element. In a room where the best and the brightest from the Bay Area mingled, he stood out. Judith could only marvel that he was the one to break through her wall of reserve she’d put up all those years ago. Happiness welled up inside her when they all advanced toward their table because dinner was about to be served.
“You remember my mother, Maggie,” Dev said, just before helping Judith into her seat.
“Nice to see you again, Judith.” Maggie grinned, then introduced her date, and the evening progressed as waiters hurried around to serve the first course.
Judith picked up a fork and knife to cut her steak. Even though it was typical banquet fare, there was nothing typical in the food’s preparation or delicious taste as wine and liquor flowed. While eating, too caught up in the many different conversations going on around her, she was amazed at how everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
The orchestra began playing a livelier tune.
Dev stood.
“Would you like to dance?”
“Yes, thank you.” She set her napkin aside.
“If you will excuse us,” he said to the group before helping Judith out of her chair. “It’s time to work off the meal.”
He led her out to the courtyard before pulling her into his arms. “This is what I’ve wanted to do for the past hour, simply hold you in my arms.”
Warmed by the sentiment, Judith looked into his smoldering eyes and could only agree.
The music eventually faded and another man quickly cut in.
Judith smiled at Dev’s polite, “I think this is a good time to follow Alicia’s edict and dance with a wallflower.” Yet his expression, as he stepped away, said he didn’t like seeing her in another man’s arms. He was clearly handling it with more grace than he felt.
This happened too many times to count during the next hour. By then, Judith was dancing with a gentleman she’d never met, Bob Hemings, one of the directors on McAllister, Inc.’s board. Since he seemed important to Dev’s business, she remained courteous, despite his annoying habit of brushing a
gainst her breast every chance he got. She leaned as far away as possible from him without insulting him.
“Dev sure pulled a fast one, snapping up the building on Hyde Street without telling anyone.” Having gone beyond irritated minutes earlier, she was about to yank out of his reach, yet stopped when he added, “McAllister’s board members aren’t happy about his leaving the company out of a deal that’s doubled in value, and the work isn’t even done yet.”
“What are you saying?” Her gaze searched his. “McAllister, Inc. bought the building.”
“We all wish.” He snorted. “Dev didn’t go through his company, he bought it himself.”
“That’s impossible. My contract’s with McAllister, Inc.,” she said.
He shrugged. “It shouldn’t matter for you. You’ll be paid no matter what. However, the corporation is out the profits that only McAllister himself will now reap. Of course, there’s not much we can do about it. He was perfectly within his rights to take on such a risk.”
She wasn’t worried. Not about being paid. But the idea of Dev misleading her niggled inside her brain. She’d have to ask him about it.
When the jerk brushed against her, using her distraction to his advantage, she swallowed a nasty retort. If he did that once more, she’d stomp on his instep. She breathed a sigh of relief when the music died, quickly stepped away, and thanked him politely.
She turned, almost bumping into Dev. She offered a welcoming smile yet, when their gazes locked, the anger blazing in his eyes caused her to retreat another step.
“Bob, go and play your games elsewhere,” he said in a menacing growl. “And stay away from Judith.”
Without a word, Bob skulked away as fast as a rat deserts a sinking ship.
“I’m sorry, Judith. I should have known better than to let that man get close to you.”
Judith smiled. She’d never viewed this chivalrous side of Dev.
The music started up again as James appeared.
He clapped Dev on the back. “It’s my turn.”
When Dev’s look turned mutinous, James laughed.
“Come on, Mac. What’s one more dance?”
Judith threw Dev an apologetic look while James led her away.
“Looks like things are going well. I’m happy for both of you, Judith.” His grin spread, reaching ear to ear. “Of course, you picked the wrong man.”
Judith’s grin matched his. “You’re a good friend.” Then, remembering what Bob Hemings had said, she frowned. “James, who owns the building we’re working on?”
“What?” James’ startled expression told her he hadn’t expected the question.
Watching his expression morph into guilt, her eyes narrowed. “Does McAllister, Inc. own it, or does Dev own it outright?”
James hesitated. “Dev owns it. Why’re you asking?”
“Curiosity.” She shrugged. “Dev’s always given me the impression that his company owns it. I was just wondering why he would buy it and then keep it a secret. Do you know?”
“You’d better ask Dev that question,” James said, clearly uncomfortable with the subject. “So, have you solved the problem with the dye lot variations in the wood flooring?”
“I know you really don’t want to get into the flooring problems on the project right now. I’ll drop it.”
James sighed. “I’m that obvious?”
Judith laughed. Still, his unease was unsettling. While the dance continued, her mind spun.
When the music died, James returned her to an impatient Dev.
“Thanks for the dance.” He bent and kissed her cheek before turning to Dev. “She’s all yours.” Then he sauntered off.
She felt Dev’s strong arms wrap around her.
Chills ran down her spine when she heard him say seductively, “Time’s up, I can’t wait anymore. I’ve lost my patience watching too many men ogle and grope you. James was the last straw. It’s my turn.” He danced them toward the entrance of the courtyard. His arms tightened and he pulled her closer, nestling her head in the crook of his shoulder. She could feel his desire between them.
Before Judith forgot what she’d learned about his company, she leaned away. “Dev, I need to talk to you before we go upstairs.”
Slowly, he shook his head as his fiery gaze heated her insides. “Later. The time for talking is over.”
His lips found hers and all thought fled, replaced with sensation as he continued his dance of seduction. As his mouth moved over hers, she wanted nothing more than to return his kisses. She could stay this way all night—he felt so good.
When the music stopped, Dev released her lips. Then, taking her hand in his, he brought it to his mouth, forcing Judith to look into his heated eyes. Warmth enveloped her.
“We’ve done our duty to Alicia. Come on,” he whispered. “Let’s go up to the room.”
~
James found Stacy and stood a few feet away observing Dev and Judith’s last dance. As Dev led Judith out the door, and probably to sexual ecstasy, he couldn’t help but feel a stab of envy. After fifteen years of friendship, he’d never been in this position. He’d always been the one with everything Dev didn’t have. The tables had somehow turned and his friend had something he may never have. It was obvious to anyone watching, they were in love. Turning to Stacy, he sighed. Why couldn’t she be the one to hold his interest? For an ephemeral moment, he felt lonely. Shaking it off, he took Stacy into his arms for a dance, charming her, forgetting his maudlin thoughts.
Chapter 16
“Come here,” Dev murmured, pulling her closer, when the elevator doors closed and gave them temporary privacy. His hands traveled up and down her back. He bent to take her mouth with his. Judith’s arms wrapped around his neck and she moaned softly. Blood rushed south. His patience for finesse was nonexistent, his resistance shot to hell, and even though he knew the short ride would last mere seconds, he had to get as close to her as possible.
When the doors opened, Dev didn’t notice right away.
The doors closed as he lifted his head. It took a full moment before coherent thought returned.
Damn! He never should have touched her until he got her to the room. He quickly pushed the button, grabbed Judith’s hand before the now opened doors closed again, and practically dragged her behind in a rush to get to their suite.
He ran the key through the slot and, once inside, wasted no time in spinning her around and hurriedly unzipping her dress. The sleeves slid down her arms, and he pushed them down even faster. When free of her hands, he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, leaving the dress in a pile of blue on the floor along with her shoes.
He’d already undone his tie, so he quickly shrugged out of his jacket. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he pulled off his shoes. He stood up, undid his cummerbund and pants, and let them slide to the floor.
“What?” He paused before stepping out of them and caught Judith watching his movements. She laughed. He grinned and joined in. “Just getting rid of the impediments. Come here.”
In one fluid motion, he had her pinned beneath him while his hands stroked. He used a gentle touch along with his mouth to both soothe and stimulate. She had the most velvety body. All softness with exactly the right amount of curves. He’d never get enough of touching her. He’d never tire of kissing her. He’d never have his fill of her.
His head moved higher until their mouths were almost touching. He grazed, softened his lips to match hers. When she protested aloud and he felt her fingers shoving through his hair, yanking him closer, his mouth became more insistent, more urgent.
He broke contact and nipped his way along her chin to her ear, while his hands continued leisurely caressing. He spent a moment on her lobe, using wet sloppy kisses to drive her wild, knowing he was succeeding considering the low sounds of satisfaction coming from her lips.
“See what you do to me, Judith,” he whispered. He moved so his full erection covered her heat, accentuating his meaning, allowing her to feel what h
e felt. “I’ve been hard, watching you all night long as other men danced with you, and I’ve thought of nothing but this.”
“Don’t stop,” she said, writhing beneath him, exciting him further. He stilled…so close to the edge of the erotic precipice. The need to drive into her overwhelmed him. He pushed up on his elbows, closed his eyes, and reached for control. He didn’t dare move.
Judith began unbuttoning the studs on his shirt. In three impatient moves, Dev was naked.
“Your turn,” he said, pulling Judith’s slip over her head. After divesting her of bra and panties, he trailed kisses where the undergarments had been, his hands following with sure strokes.
Dev gently pushed her into the pillows. Her eyes burned with an intensity he’d never noticed before, drawing him closer. For long seconds, he couldn’t tear his gaze from hers, not wanting to lose that mental connection.
“You are so beautiful,” he murmured an inch above her. His lips brushed her kissable, puffy mouth, not quite kissing. He was sinking fast. “I’m dying to be inside you!”
“And I need you inside me.” Her soft plea surrounded him with a pull that reached into his soul and he almost exploded. Her voice became stronger, almost a growl, as she demanded, “Now.” Then her hand went around his neck, pulling him closer, clearly not satisfied with his almost kisses. Her demanding mouth sucked the last bit of restraint right out of him.
His touch went lower and, hoping to prolong her pleasure, he caressed inside her, almost losing his resolve when the sounds of her orgasm roared past his ears.
At that point, he couldn’t contain his own hunger. For ten long years he’d waited and he couldn’t wait another second. He positioned himself above her and thrust. Meeting the barrier he least expected, he stopped. Dev fought the pleasure, but was lured back into the vortex of her sexual spell. Judith wouldn’t let him retreat.
His control snapped. The woman was too tempting. She was his life, his salvation, and finally, she was his!
All he could do was move with her increasing the speed and intensity.