by Erika Rose
“No, I’m on holiday. Why, were you hoping there would be a rogue press photographer that would catch us together?” Fawn joked but as soon as she did she saw the expression on Danny’s face. It was clear that was exactly what he had hoped for.
“Right.” Danny said awkwardly knowing he’d been caught out.
Dread settled heavily on Fawn’s shoulders knowing for sure Danny had only asked her out hoping to be photographed. At least with Seth she knew he didn’t care about the publicity.
He didn’t care about her fame or her money, he only cared about her. Fawn Di Maggio.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back.” Danny said into the awkward silence that had befallen the table.
And Seth wouldn’t run away when things became awkward Fawn thought as she watched Danny rush to the men’s room.
A movement across the table caught her eye and she turned back surprised to see Danny’s chair was pulled out roughly and swiveled around before Seth straddled it, resting his arms on the back of the chair before smiling at Fawn ironically. “I see you got your space and your time to write.”
As his steel grey eyes bore into hers, Fawn felt shame over lying to him but it was quickly replaced with the quiver of anticipation whenever Seth was near.
Yet she wouldn’t give into her body and its desires. “Yes I did thank you. Last time I checked I was free to decide with whom and where I have my dinner.”
He looked as good as the first time she saw him. The black t-shirt he wore stretched over the muscles of his arms. Stubble glinted gold on his skin, and Fawn couldn’t help but wonder if it would scratch or tickle if she kissed him now. His eyes held the danger and excitement that had made her invite him to her room that first night as he watched her. He ran his tongue over his lower lip. She could feel warm heat pool low in her belly at the action.
When he spoke again his voice was lower, the anger clear. “You’re free as a bird Fawn; it’s the lying I don’t appreciate.”
“I didn’t lie.” Fawn lied easily, hoping to come across impassive. “I merely realized I did have time for dinner tonight and chose another companion.”
“Bullshit!” Seth barked in low voice over the table, before reaching for her hand. “You chose to go out with Danny because he’s safe and because you don’t tremble when he touches you.”
Fawn tried to suppress the bolt of desire at the touch of his hand. “That is not true. I chose to go out with Danny because he’s not a self important spoiled little rich boy. He actually has a job.” Fawn bit back.
“A job? Danny is a bum surfer and his dad’s a drunk. He only works in the fishing tackle shop about one shift a week to cover their rent.” Seth watched as surprise and anger collided on Fawn’s face. “Besides if you have a problem that I don’t have an official job, why didn’t you say so? I just spent all day at the hotel working, just because I don’t have a title and working hours doesn’t mean I don’t work Fawn.”
“You still get to do whatever you want because you don’t need the money and daddy’s the boss.” Fawn whispered furiously as she snatched her hand from his grip.
“Yes Fawn.” Seth said taking her hand in his again before meeting her eyes. “You also don’t need the money and yet you do what everybody else wants you to?”
Seth let go of her hand and rested his arms on the back of the chair again watching her.
“Don’t be mean Seth.” Fawn said softly.
“You’re the one that lied to me to get out of a date, now who’s being mean?” Seth challenged.
“I’ve been with guys like you; I know this isn’t going to work.” Fawn hissed trying to convince Seth as much as herself.
“How do you know? Did they get you? Because I get you Fawn.” Seth’s voice grew softer, his eyes burning with desire across the table.
“You don’t get me.” Fawn said softly.
“You and I both know money isn’t everything. There are things money can’t buy Fawn. Things like trust, loyalty, desire, passion and destiny. All things you and I need but know no matter how much money we have, we can’t ever buy them.”Seth said watching her.
Fawn wanted to argue the point but knew she couldn’t. With his steel grey eyes Seth had looked into her soul and learned of her deepest desires and darkest fears.
Feeling rattled by his revelation Fawn stood up and grabbed her clutch. “I can’t do this with you.” She said as she shoved her chair back in.
“What about Danny-boy?” Seth mocked not moving from his seat.
“Screw you Seth.” Fawn hissed before storming out of Rosi’s.
CHAPTER 10
Seth had bided his time from across the restaurant. He had watched Danny all but drool over Fawn. It had been hell keeping his temper in check, but he knew he had to wait for the right moment.
As soon as Danny had stood up he knew his moment had come. He wanted Fawn to realize she had made a mistake, not send her running into the hills. What was it with him when he was around her? He fumbled like a toddler over a pebble beach whenever he looked into her azure blue eyes.
He watched her all but run out of Rosi’s and caught Cayden’s questioning look from across the room. He wouldn’t allow her to run out on him without an explanation.
He shook his head at Cayden before he pushed off the chair and walked towards the door not even aware of Danny approaching the table with a confused look on his face.
As he walked out of Rosi’s the balmy evening air rushed to meet him. He knew Fawn probably came with Danny but if she ran out it meant Dom was somewhere close. She would probably head to the parking lot to find his car.
He made his way around the building to the parking lot. The lights adjacent to the building shone brightly onto the cars, but Fawn moved further away into the darker part of the lot where the lights barely reached and the shadows grew long.
He quickened his pace, afraid she would leave with Dom before he had a chance to stop her. Seth didn’t plan on rushing over to her hotel suite for the second time in one day.
Fawn waited next to a dark sedan Seth would bet belonged to Dom. It had security written all over it. Dark car, tinted windows. Nondescript expensive model.
“Fawn!” Seth called as he scanned the parking lot for Dom and failed to find him.
Fawn turned and saw him approaching him. She shook her head as he neared. “Don’t Seth, please? I don’t want to fight.”
Seth closed the short distance between them and brushed a stray strand of sable hair from her eyes. “Neither do I.”
Fawn looked towards her shoes, avoiding his eyes.
Seth softly lifted her chin with his forefinger, meeting her eyes. His heartbeat quickened, his manhood stirred at the feel of her soft skin and his mouth went dry with hunger for her. “I’m sorry if I was rude; it kind of bruised my ego to find out you brushed me off to go out with Danny.” He smiled at her foolishly.
“What’s wrong with Danny?” Fawn asked exasperatedly.
“Nothing.” Seth grinned at her. “But he’s not me.”
“Seth.” Fawn said softly as she tried to pull away from him.
Seth saw the hesitancy in her eyes, but he felt the heat between them. He needed to be sure.
He softly stroked his forefinger along her cheek bone, as Fawn’s breath hitched he had his answer.
That was why she had cancelled their date. She too was troubled by the chemistry they had.
“This frightens you doesn’t it?” Seth whispered against her mouth.
Fawn stepped back until she was against the car. “It doesn’t frighten me. I just don’t like it.” She took a breath and narrowed her eyes. “I don’t like you!”
Seth laughed, a sonorous sound travelling through the empty parking lot.
Fawn watched him, confused by the outburst.
As his laugh came to an end he grinned cockily at Fawn. “No honey, that’s the problem. You like me; you don’t like what your body does when I’m close to you
.”
Fawn took a breath; Seth could see the objection in her eyes but continued before she could speak. “You don’t like that I get you. You don’t like how your body tingles with anticipation when I step closer. You don’t like the heat pooling between your legs right this minute. And most of all you don’t like that I already know you well enough to know all of that.”
Fawn jutted her chin defiantly. “Just because you know that doesn’t mean I’ll allow you back into my bed.”
A ruthless sound escaped Seth’s mouth. “No, Fawn it doesn’t. It just means that I won’t come willingly. The next time you want me to make love to you; you’ll be begging me to. That way I know you won’t have regrets again.”
With that Seth moved closer, closing the short distance between them. His left hand slipped through the curtain of ebony hair, tilting her head before his mouth descended on hers.
He felt her hesitate, as she opened her mouth to protest Seth swept inside. He stroked her tongue with smooth erotic strokes, testing her texture and taste.
As he teased her mouth, he could feel her resistance slipping, but she was still hanging onto it by a thin thread. A thin thread Seth intended to break.
He pushed her flash against the car before pressing his body against hers. Leaving her no room for escape. He felt her soft curves give against the rigid planes of his chest.
His right hand moved to her thigh, slowly Seth ran his fingers up the side of her thigh until he reached the curve of her breast when he felt the thin thread snapped.
Fawn threw her head back. “Seth.” Her fingers tangled in his hair as she pulled his head toward her neck.
Seth obliged. He nipped and kissed the soft slope of ivory skin. She tasted as good as he remember. Sweet and seductive.
Urgency overwhelmed him as her hands and body started to urge him on. She pressed her chest against him, as her hips bucked forward to meet his straining manhood.
Seth groaned against her collarbone and nipped it, hard. Fawn moaned into his hair before her hand reached around and squeezed his behind.
Without thinking Seth grabbed her by the waist and lifted her. Her legs automatically opened for him, circling his waist as he pressed her back against the car.
His erection firm against the heat of her core.
Fawn gasped he pressed himself against her.
“You don’t like that this happens when I touch you.” Seth growled before taking her mouth with his own.
“Shut up and kiss me.” Fawn urged before kissing him urgently. All memory of resistance forgotten.
Seth allowed her to take the lead as his hands felt the muscles of her thighs bunch underneath his hands as they circled him.
What he wouldn’t give to take her now against this car? Shit! They were still in a parking lot. Reality slowly started to seep through the haze of passion.
Seth softened the kiss and slowly lowered Fawn when he heard a throat cleared behind him.
“Miss?”
Seth kept his back to the voice, shielding Fawn from its view.
Fawn cleared her throat and straightened her dress in the shadow of Seth’s body before stepping around him. “I’m fine Dom. You can wait in the car; I’ll be there in a minute.”
Dom nodded at Fawn before giving Seth the death stare again. He moved around the car and swiftly shut the driver’s door behind him.
Seth’s breath was still coming in shallow gasps as he watched Fawn. Desire had clouded her eyes; her lips were swollen from his kiss. “Do you pay him to give guys the death stare?”
Fawn giggled before answering. “Actually Dom’s got such a small heart, but it helps that he intimidates over eager men.”
“I’ll say.” Seth said more softly before stepping towards Fawn again. “Poor guys can’t blame them though.”
Fawn smiled shyly at Seth. “I’m really sorry I cancelled our date. Danny seemed nice.”
He slowly ran his forefinger over her bottom lip. “What? I’m not nice?”
Fawn’s breath hitched and her eyes fluttered closed at his touch. “You’re dangerous Seth…” Her voice trailed off as she watched him.
Seth slowly shook his head. “I could say the same about you, but you know what they say?”
“What?”
“Danger is irrelevant to the rush it gives you.” Seth said levelly when Fawn started laughing.
“I’ve never heard that before.”
“Because it only applies to us.” Seth said evenly as his eyes never left hers.
Fawn stepped towards the passenger door, regret shining in her eyes. “I’ve got to go, Dom’s waiting.”
Seth grabbed her hand softly. “You still owe me a date.”
Fawn smiled sadly. “You think that’s a good idea?”
“I won’t get into your bed unless you ask me Fawn. All I’m asking for is the date you agreed to.”
Fawn nodded hesitantly.
“Let’s make it a day date tomorrow, that way the mystery and magic of the night won’t befall us.” Seth held his hands to stars, watching her with a smile.
Fawn laughed. “Fine. I’ll be ready at noon.”
Seth nodded and started walking backwards, away from her. “I’ll see you then Fawn Di Maggio.”
Fawn looked surprised at his use of her full name, but only nodded before getting into the car.
As Dom pulled out and turned into traffic Seth wondered what it was about Fawn that had him fumbling over his words and losing control of actions. It was like he couldn’t control himself when she was around. Hopefully tomorrow he would learn what power she had over him, and maybe he would find out if he held the same power over her.
CHAPTER 11
The salty breeze licked at Fawn’s face as she stepped out into the mid afternoon heat. She couldn’t help but smile at Seth who grinned cockily at her as he pulled her along to his car. True to his word, he had picked her up exactly at noon for their date.
A date Fawn had thought of cancelling again ever since she had agreed to it the night before. Her body had been burning from his touch, aching for release and yet she still knew she needed to be careful.
Whenever she was close to Seth it felt like she was playing with fire. The hot flames teased and licked at her, warning her of the danger, but enticing her with the magic of it.
He was wearing a simple t-shirt and board shorts today. Fawn couldn’t help but notice the shapely definition of his legs, with the light sparkling of golden hair. Even though Fawn knew his age, he seemed younger and more carefree today. He was boyishly excited about their date.
He smiled at her secretively before opening the door for her, and pressing a kiss to the inside of her palm. “Thanks for coming.”
He gunned the engine and roared out of the hotel parking lot, growling at Fawn as the engine purred. Fawn couldn’t help but laugh recklessly at his enthusiasm.
They drove though town towards South Hampton and Fawn could swear the envious stares aimed her way were more because of her companion than her fame. Apparently Seth had some fame of his own in the Hamptons.
She could understand why. His chiseled jaw hinted at strength, his generous lips spoke of sensuality. His grey eyes could flicker with humor and darken with passion in a heartbeat. As the wind lifted and tossed his overly long blonde hair that normally brushed his collar, Fawn couldn’t help but smile at his only hint at rebellion.
This was a man she could fall in love with and for that reason alone, Fawn couldn’t allow herself to be caught off guard around him.
She was certain he had some elaborate romantic date planned for them, even though it was the middle of the day. Butterflies flitted in her tummy at anticipation of what he had planned even as she promised herself she wouldn’t be affected.
When he pulled up to a single story house on the beach, Fawn was momentarily confused.
As Seth switched off the engine he turned to Fawn with a boyish smile. “We’re here.”
>
Fawn looked around confused hoping to see a restaurant, a boat, anything that didn’t mean she was going to spend the afternoon alone with Seth in this house before she asked. “Where exactly are we?”
Seth laughed as he got out of the car and moved around to open her door. “We’re at my house. I thought you might be tired of hotel and restaurant food after living on it for a week.”
Fawn raised her eyebrows dubiously. “So what, you’re going to cook? Besides I’m used to living off hotel food.”
Seth opened her door and held out a hand to help her step out. “No don’t be ridiculous, I can’t cook. We’re having ourselves a grill on the beach.”
Fawn was touched by his consideration, but couldn’t help but tease him. She bit her bottom lip and said quietly. “Seth you do know I’m vegetarian?”
She watched his face fall as he ran a hand through his hair. “Actually I didn’t. But don’t sweat it; I’m sure we can find some berries and nuts for you to eat.”
Fawn burst out laughing watching him trying to think of a solution. “I’m kidding Seth.”
Seth growled softly before picking her up and swinging her around. “You nearly spoiled my perfectly planned lunch.” He set her down not letting go of her hand and led her to the house.
As they stepped inside Fawn couldn’t help but feel honored that he brought her to his home. She learned more about Seth in the first few minutes in his house than she had after spending an entire night making love with him.
Even though his appearance seemed messy at times, his home was meticulously clean and organized. For a moment Fawn thought it had been pulled together for her sake, but small touches hinted that Seth was an organized person.
The kitchen was to the right, the black marble counter clear of clutter. The glass fronted cabinets were neatly stacked with crockery inside.
To the left was the living room. Three oversized leather couches surrounded a coffee table. There was a large flat screen mounted above the fireplace, currently playing soft reggae music.
He had a remote caddy standing in the centre of the coffee table, ensuring the remote controls never lay around. There was a basket beside the fireplace with carefully folded blankets, making them easily accessible on cold days.