“No, you go ahead,” she urged. “I’ve had my political fill for the day.”
“I’m sure you have.” Griffin gave Felicia a quick kiss on the cheek. “Mother, I hope you caught the news conference regarding the wonderful work Felicia and her team did solving the country’s recent medical mystery.”
Lin acknowledged her son with a slow-building wide smile before turning to face Felicia. “I most certainly did. I have no doubt about what a capable doctor and medical investigator you are,” she said, offering Felicia quick nod of her head.
Griffin kissed Felicia on the cheek again before saying, “I’ll be right back.”
* * *
Felicia nodded and accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She wasn’t sure she’d heard Lin correctly when she’d complimented her on her work at first until she noticed that her smile had actually reached her eyes and she’d offered her a respectful nod.
“I really do commend your work ethic,” Lin repeated, accepting a small plate of hors d’oeuvres that was being passed around.
“But not much else, right?” Felicia replied, looking at the obstinate woman over the rim of her champagne glass, swaying to the up-tempo song the band was playing.
Lin tilted her head slightly. “You don’t think that I believe you’re good enough for my son.” She bit into a shrimp-and-cheese combination. Felicia remained silent, hoping that would be enough of an answer for her. “Well, you’re right. He’s my son, and I don’t think anyone is.”
“Except Jia.”
Lin scoffed. “Jia knew what she wanted and was prepared to do whatever she felt was necessary to get it.”
“Like give up her life.” The words flew out of Felicia’s mouth before she could stop them.
Lin smirked. “Oh, my dear, Jia doesn’t have a life, other than the desire to be someone’s wife and mother. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, it’s just not the only thing.”
Felicia frowned. “I don’t understand.”
Lin sighed, as though having to explain her words to a child. “As Alyia grows, you’ll feel the same way. No one will be good enough, no matter how wrong you may be.”
Felicia’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
Lin waved and smiled at everyone that passed, and for some reason they all seemed to know better than to interrupt. “My son’s feelings for you make him weak. Just as my and my husband’s feelings for each other make us weak.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Felicia murmured, staring down into her glass.
“Not at all, when it’s reciprocated. You see, my dear, my husband and I fought wars to be together and I believe my son would go to war with, and for, you, if that’s what it took to have you. Actually, both you and Alyia.”
“Again—”
Lin brought her half-curled index finger to her lips. “What I’m not sure about is...are you willing to fight just as hard for him?” She let that settle a moment before adding, “Anything less would be unacceptable for him...as it should be for you. Being a wife and a mother doesn’t have to be the only thing. While in my opinion it should be the main one, it just can’t be the last thing.”
Felicia brought her glass to her lips, slowly sipping the bubbly concoction while absorbing the woman’s words, weighing them against the choices she would soon have to make in her own life.
“I see my determined son headed your way, so if you’ll excuse me,” Lin said before sweeping away, leaving a hint of jasmine scent behind along with much for Felicia to ponder.
Griffin approached, removed the glass from Felicia’s hand and placed it on the nearby table. He led her out onto the dance floor filled with Atlanta’s movers and shakers as he maneuvered his way to the center, where he pulled Felicia into his arms. “They’re playing our song,” he whispered in her ear.
Felicia leaned her head back, looked into Griffin’s eyes and asked, “We have a song?”
“We do now.” His hand snaked around Felicia’s waist as her hands climbed his chest, coming to rest around his neck. Soon their bodies moved slowly to the band’s rendition of The O’Jays’ “Forever Mine.”
Griffin’s growing response to their movements made its presence known. Felicia’s body was reacting in an all-too-familiar manner that he easily provoked. When the music came to an end, Griffin looked into Felicia’s eyes, resting his right hand on the side of her face. “Let’s get out of here, baby,” he said, his voice husky.
She was too aroused to respond with anything more than a nod.
Griffin intertwined their hands and walked off the dance floor, but before they could make their escape, their path was blocked by a determined-looking Dr. Trent Green.
Trent held out his hand toward Felicia. “May I have this next dance?”
Felicia could feel Griffin stiffen at her side; she squeezed his hand, but kept her eyes on Trent. “We were actually about to leave. Maybe next time.”
“Of course,” Trent said, dropping his hand.
“Good evening, Dr. Green,” Griffin said with a small smirk before heading in the direction of the exit.
Felicia glanced around the room as they made their escape, spotting Lin Kaile, who raised her glass and offered her a small nod. Felicia accepted the encouraging gesture with a smile.
Griffin led Felicia through the lobby and out to the waiting limousine. “Thanks for not going all caveman on me,” Felicia said, smiling up at Griffin as they stood next to the car.
“It wasn’t easy. The idea of you in any man’s arms other than mine is hard to handle.”
Felicia cupped Griffin’s face in her hands. “You don’t have that to worry about.”
Griffin covered Felicia’s hand with his, brought it to his lips and kissed her palm. “I know, baby. Tonight you’re all mine.”
Felicia shivered at the thought. Betty Wright’s “Tonight Is the Night” popped into her head. Unlike the woman in the song, Felicia wasn’t nervous and all her tremors were related to her desire for Griffin. While she had no idea what lay ahead for her, she couldn’t wait to find out.
Chapter 27
Griffin helped Felicia into the limousine but remained outside the vehicle. “Everything all set?” he asked his driver.
“Yes, sir.”
“Great, give me five minutes and take off,” he instructed.
Griffin slid in next to Felicia in the limousine and captured her hand between his. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“I got us a room for the night at a hotel down the street. Ms. Ellen is aware of where we’ll be if she needs us. But if you’re not ready...”
Felicia leaned forward and kissed him gently on the lips. “I’m ready.”
Griffin buried his hands in Felicia’s curls as he devoured her lips, moaning into her mouth. Felicia pulled at Griffin’s shoulders like she couldn’t get close enough to him, and the movement had Griffin fighting for control. He had to be gentle and wanted the night to be special; Felicia deserved that. The thought of being the only man to ever have her made completing that task even harder. Griffin battled his desire to take her in the back of the car and forced himself to stop when he felt it pull away from the curb.
After a few short minutes they walked into the presidential suite of the Glenn Hotel. Griffin studied her face and movements, watching for any signs of hesitation on Felicia’s part.
“Wow, this is gorgeous.” Felicia entered and placed her purse on the bar as she admired the beautifully decorated room. The cream-and-gray high-backed sofa and matching chairs in front of the wood-burning fireplace were a romantic complement to the cathedral windows allowing in the lights of the city to flow in.
Felicia picked up a bottle of wine lying on a bed of ice in a silver bucket on the glass table. “Very nice.”
�
��I hope so,” he said, walking up behind her. “Shall I pour?”
Felicia pushed out a breath and turned to face Griffin. “Later.” Felicia took a step back. “Mind if I get comfortable?”
“Of course not. The bedroom is over there,” Griffin turned slightly to his left and pointed to a closed door. When he turned back, he found that Felicia hadn’t moved and was staring up at him with glassy eyes. “Are you okay, baby?”
* * *
Felicia felt eerily calm in spite of her pounding heart. She offered Griffin a half smile and said, “Yes, I’m fine, but I don’t want wine clouding this moment. And I don’t want to be in a room away from you when I do this...”
She removed her earrings and bracelet, dropping them on the table. Felicia reached to the side of her dress and slowly lowered the hidden zipper. The wider Griffin’s eyes became, the bolder she felt. “You see, I’ve never done anything like this before and I want to experience every minute of it.” Felicia’s dress fell to the floor and she stood in a La Perla strapless, white-lace bra and panty set.
Griffin sucked in an audible breath and Felicia bit her lip as she wrapped her index finger around the string on her right hip.
“Don’t,” Griffin whispered, his voice cracking. “Before we go any further, I want you to know that I’m in love with you. I think I have been since that first day you ran into Dr. Jacobson’s class.”
Emotions she couldn’t name engulfed her and a lone tear slid down Felicia’s face. “I think that’s when I fell in love with you, too.”
A slow, sexy smile spread across Griffin’s face and Felicia trembled. He walked up and circled Felicia, coming to stand behind her. Griffin swept her hair to the side, removed her choker necklace and placed it next to her other jewelry before kissing her behind the ear. He slid his tongue down her neck to her shoulder, where he kissed her again. Griffin placed his hands over hers and held them at her hips. “Please, let me take it from here.”
Felicia leaned back into Griffin, raising her arms and wrapping her hands around his neck. “Whatever you want, baby.”
Griffin used his left hand to caress Felicia’s breasts while sliding his right hand slowly down her stomach and under her panties. His fingers slid through the damp curls covering her sex several times before slipping first one, then another, inside her.
“Oh, yes...yes.” Felicia’s hips met each slow, deliberate thrust of his hand as she moaned his name.
“Let go, baby...just let go. For me...only me,” he whispered, increasing his strokes.
“Griffin...oh, Griffin.” Felicia’s voice mounted from a harsh whisper to a full-blown, high-pitched scream.
Felicia’s knees buckled and Griffin swept her off her feet and out of her heels. He carried her to the bedroom, placed her in the center of the bed and removed her bra. Griffin quickly divested himself of his own clothes, removing condom packets from his pocket and tossing them on the bed.
Griffin hovered over Felicia like a helicopter. He used his tongue and lips to explore Felicia’s body from navel to breasts, where he paid extra-special attention. He sucked and teased her nipples while his fingers played between her legs, sending her over the edge before he even removed her panties. As Felicia lay gasping for breath, he rolled on the thin veil of protection before sliding down her body. Griffin used both hands to raise her hips as if he was about to enjoy his favorite meal. He untied the ties of her panties with his teeth and slowly removed her essence-soaked cloth, allowing the aroma of arousal to fill the room.
“I’m crazy about you, Felicia.” Griffin kissed her virgin lips, using his tongue to reintroduce himself to her sex. While every male instinct demanded that he claim what was now his, Griffin knew he had to make sure Felicia’s body was ready for the invasion he’d soon unleash. He teased with his fingers and tongue, the taste of her like the sweetest of fruit.
“Please, Griffin...show me...baby, please...”
Griffin rose and stared into Felicia’s eyes as he held himself at her entrance. “I love you.”
“I love you...”
Griffin slowly pushed into Felicia, stopping long enough for her body to adjust to his size and girth. “Don’t stop...please, baby. Don’t hold back,” Felicia cried, wrapping her legs around his waist.
He kissed her as he thrust forward, pushing through that silken barrier. Felicia sucked in a quick breath and Griffin stopped. “Are you okay, baby?”
“Oh, yes...yes,” she sighed, raising her hips to meet his downward thrust.
* * *
Before long they’d found a comfortable rhythm that made stopping nearly impossible. Felicia had never felt so fulfilled before and she knew she’d never get tired of that feeling. Too soon, her body tensed and claimed its release, causing Griffin to race forward toward his own final satisfaction.
As they both lay quiet on the bed, Felicia’s mind raced. After everything they’d just done, Felicia still wanted him. How could she have ever thought she could stay away from this man? She ran her hand through the fine, sweat-soaked hairs on Griffin’s chest and smiled. She lowered her hand and grabbed his shaft and began to caress it, paying special attention to its tip. Within moments Griffin sighed and his eyes slowly opened.
“Don’t poke the animal unless you want to get poked back.”
Felicia laughed, looking up into his eyes as she continued to stroke him. “That’s the idea, baby.”
“It’s too soon, my love. Your body needs to recover. I didn’t hold back that much,” he told her, stroking her face with his right hand.
Felicia may have been a virgin, but there was one thing she was pretty sure she could do and couldn’t wait to try. Felicia giggled. “I wasn’t talking about me,” she said before sliding down Griffin’s body and taking him into her mouth.
She sucked, pulled and teased Griffin with her tongue, enjoying every moment of it. It was as if she’d just discovered a new treat she was determined to savor.
“Damn, baby...so...good.” Soon he tried to free himself. “I’m going...to...oh...baby.”
Griffin’s words only seemed to motivate Felicia more. She continued to pull and suck until Griffin finally exploded. Felicia felt a powerful level of satisfaction that she never knew was possible.
Griffin pulled Felicia up into his arms. “Please tell me you’ve never done that before,” he panted between breaths.
Felicia burst out laughing. “Absolutely not.”
Griffin kissed Felicia and held her until they both drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
The next morning Felicia woke to her name being whispered and the smells of vanilla and honey rolling off Griffin’s body. Since his hair was wet, Felicia assumed he’d already had his shower. Griffin leaned across the bed and whispered, “Good morning, baby.” His voice sent waves of desire throughout Felicia’s body; her nipples responded instantly.
Felicia used the sheet to cover her mouth. “Good morning,” she murmured through the sheet, fearing a bad case of morning breath.
Griffin pulled the sheets down and kissed her forehead. “That’s better,” he said, smiling.
Felicia sighed.
“You have twenty minutes to bathe before breakfast arrives,” Griffin ordered.
Felicia sat up in bed, her long, curly hair falling forward, covering her breasts. “What?”
Griffin scanned her face before his eyes zeroed in on her breasts. “Damn, you’re beautiful. Sweetheart, you need to soak.”
Felicia moved her legs and realized why he’d say such a thing. She bit down on her lip. After everything they’d done last night, how could she be embarrassed? “That’s your fault,” she reminded him.
“Damn right,” he proudly declared. “I talked to Ms. Ellen and Alyia’s fine. I told her we would see them sometime this afternoon. Late afternoon.”
“Did you,
now? So what do you have in mind?” she asked, giving him a sexy smile.
“You’ll see. But first, you bathe and then we eat.”
Griffin left Felicia alone and she made her way to the bathroom, her muscles protesting with each step. She reached for the toothbrush and realized it was hers. In fact, all the toiletries that lay in front of her were hers. Just as the realization set in of what Griffin must have done, he knocked on the door.
“Yes,” she sang.
“I thought you’d like a little java while you soak.” Griffin handed her a cup of coffee.
She accepted it with a big smile as she took a sip and said, “Chocolate mocha with whipped cream... My things... And I assume there are clothes somewhere here, too? You really thought of everything.”
“I tried to, and I had a little help,” he admitted.
“Ms. Ellen?” Felicia used her tongue to swipe a dollop of whipped cream.
“Yes. We can’t have you leaving this hotel in your party dress as though you were making the walk of shame. There is no shame here.” Griffin kissed her on the temple. “Now, enjoy your bath. When you’re done, put on the robe that’s on the bed and meet me in the living room.”
Felicia noticed he was wearing the same robe and smiled as a warm feeling of anticipation spread through her body. She followed instructions, allowing her muscles to recover and prepare for what she knew would be another robust round of lovemaking. She couldn’t wait. Though, they still had one pretty big hurdle to jump before they could find any semblance of happily-ever-after. The conversations with Lin and her own mother featured prominently in her thoughts as she also thought about her recent conversation with Dr. Stacy Gray and her boss Steven. Felicia sighed. “You know what you have to do.”
She stepped out of the tub, wrapped her hair in a towel and dried off. She went to the bedroom and found the large white robe lying on the bed. She enveloped her body in the robe, placed her cup on the dresser and reached for her phone. Felicia dialed the number that had been captured in her memory and within seconds her call was answered. “Good morning, it’s Felicia. I’m in.”
Tempting the Heiress Page 18