Utter Cupidity

by Toni L. Meilleur

  “Miss Brea Saunders, is that you?” came the slightly southern voice of the biggest pain in the ass in the whole world. Brea stopped cold and found herself staring at the very ancient Mr. Forbright.

  “Hello, Mr. Forbright.” Brea stammered. Tonight just took first place as the worst night this year so far.

  “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be off acquiring my merchandise?” The tall, thin, brunette on his arm with glassy eyes that spoke of her being heavily illegally medicated, zoned her gaze onto Jordan.

  “Miss Saunders is working, Forbright. I requested her presence this evening in exchange for information on the paintings you speak of.” Jordan smiled. It did not go unnoticed that he had referred to him as Forbright. This evening was getting better and better.

  “Why, Cupid, I didn’t know you’d be here tonight. Hell, I just heard you left here the other night with three of our club sisters to have a wild weekend.” He winked conspiratorially at Jordan, who seemed to pale at the information.

  “Well, you know how things get blown out of proportion, Forbright. Believe me. I did not have a wild weekend with those women. Now if you’ll excuse us, I believe Miss Saunders here wanted to take a walk by the water.” Jordan seemed as if he wanted to get away from Mr. Forbright more than she did. As soon as they were out of earshot she abruptly stopped and turned to him.

  “What’s this Cupid business and how well do you know Mr. Forbright?” Was he squirming? Did he look just a little bit uncomfortable?

  “They call me Cupid here. Many people here go by alter ego names, it’s fun for them. As for Mr. Forbright, I know him from this club. It’s where he met his wife, who of course was serving drinks at the time.” He smirked at that one.

  “Why didn’t he just ask you to sell him the paintings then?”

  “Unless a person is infamously known, we don’t ask the occupation of guests here. He doesn’t know I sell them.”

  They arrived at the edge of the water. It was breathtaking. The lake was completely smooth like black glass. A swimming raft was barely illuminated by the lights from the shore.

  “Care for a swim?” he asked, looking at her. Then he did something unexpected. He pulled her close to him and his mouth descended toward hers. She could have stopped it at any moment, but she didn’t. She just watched his beautiful lips descend and she tilted her head up to accept them. The moment her lips made contact with his, all her insides melted like ice cream in a broiler. She pushed her body closer, melding it against his hard body. His tongue swept inside her mouth, tasting, dueling, daring her to respond, and now that all common sense had left the building she saw no reason not to comply.

  Her fingers went to his confined hair, yanking the leather tie out. His hair fell around her fingers and she tangled them deliciously in the curls, pulling his lips closer against her own. His hands traveled with ease under the large sweatshirt finding their way to her breasts. Gently he caressed them. Electricity seemed to pulse between their bodies. She could feel his arousal sandwiched between them and she began to grind herself against it. It was her own wanton moan that jerked her back into reality. She broke the kiss, realizing with horror that she had abandoned her own agenda for the evening. She wanted to turn him off from her, to keep it businesslike. Instead, she found herself masturbating against him and returning his hot kisses.

  “Would you like to take a swim now?” he dared her, his breathing uneven. It did great things to her self-esteem to know he was just as affected by that kiss as she was, though his arousal had already driven that point home.

  “Why does it seem like you goad me on purpose?” she inquired, debating if she wanted to take him up on his silent dare.

  “It’s the hard shell you have around you. I want to be the one who cracks it.” He looked serious as he said it.

  “You don’t know me, Jordan.”

  “That’s what I’m trying to remedy. If you allow me.”

  “You just want to get laid,” she responded boldly. Brea was never really one to mince words.

  “Yes, I like to get laid. But I assure you this isn’t about getting laid. I really want to get to know you. You’re not like other women. That intrigues me.”

  “All men say that to women. But thank you for being honest. I’m not sleeping with you.” Brea took off her sweatshirt, not looking at him, for if she did she would lose her nerve. “I will go for a swim however.”

  She could feel Jordan’s, gaze glued to her as she brought the sweatshirt over her head. Her nervousness made her feel like a little girl, and at the same time a very desirable woman. She used one foot to pull one slipper off by the heel, then the other one, and she stepped back, not looking at him once. She gripped the band of her pants and pulled them off. Brea now stood there in a plain bra and panties and looked at him.

  “Am I to swim alone then?” she challenged.

  Brea watched and swallowed as his chiseled chest was revealed before her eyes. His six-pack abs were sculpted. He, too, toed off his shoes and wasted no time at all sliding his pants off. He obviously had no problems going commando. He stood gloriously naked in front of her. He could have been a statue, his body was perfection. His loose hair blew back and Brea unconsciously stepped forward.

  She ran her fingers along his chest and body as if she were blind. She heard his sharp intake of breath. She’d never had a man react to her like this before. Jordan expertly pulled the straps of her bra down, then reached around her to unclasp it. He stared at her body as the bra fell at their feet. Her nipples stood erect and she wanted so desperately for him to take them into his mouth. She eased her underwear down and stepped out of those as well, revealing her most intimate parts.

  “By the gods you’re beautiful,” he choked out, looking into her hazel eyes. Even in the dim light Brea tried to hide her vulnerability as she stood naked before him.

  “So are you.” She smiled shyly then, as she looked at the most male part of him, still aroused and almost pointing at her. Then it was her turn to act without warning. She turned, flashing her firm, rounded bottom before she splashed into the lake and squealed from the coolness of it. Jordan soon followed.

  As Brea swam out to the raft, she tried to quell her swirling thoughts. He was beautiful and she wanted him, on the other hand he was trouble. Her body was just as wet from his touch as it was from the lake. It was a struggle of pure will not to drop to her knees and take that glorious cock into her mouth. No, that would start something she didn’t want started. He was a business contact, a means to an end. She couldn’t get involved with Jordan Areson. Of course, this was all fine reasoning if she wasn’t stark naked with him right behind her. What the hell was she thinking taking his challenge? She was enjoying herself, she had to admit begrudgingly. It was like he had some inside track to her personality. He knew the right things to say. He took her to this beautiful, exclusive club complete with a lake. He liked the same music she liked.

  It was eerie, but as she reached the swim raft she could barely hear him swimming behind her. His strokes were perfect, almost silent as he cut through the water toward her. She heaved herself up and found herself shivering. Within seconds he was next to her.

  “I have enough body heat for the both of us,” his deep voice wrapped around her senses, already warming up her body. She nodded when he sat behind her. His body, though wet, was warm.

  “You’re as toasty as a warm blanket,” she commented, clamping her lips shut when she felt his cock nestle between them, impressive and aroused. His strong arms came around her and one hand played with her nipple. Tomorrow she would wonder what madness came over her to allow him such access to her body.

  “I bet there are parts of you much hotter.” He laughed, a sexy sound rumbling from deep within his chest.

  Brea didn’t reply as she sat there, melted against him, feeling an energy from him that seemed to magnify itself in her. “What if someone finds our clothes?”

  “Then I think it will be pretty obvious what we�
��ve done and they’ll give us privacy.” He pulled her closer, until she stopped shivering.

  “This is crazy.” Brea breathed deeply then let it out slowly.

  “What is?”

  “This, us—swimming naked. I don’t do these things.”

  “Maybe you should try to have fun more often then.”

  “You sound like Lindie.”

  “She sounds wise.” Brea could hear the smile in his voice.

  “She’s too trusting.”

  “Perhaps you’re not trusting enough.”

  Brea stiffened in his arms, then scooted away. “Trust is earned, not given. I’m ready to leave now.”

  “I’m sorry if I offended you. I only meant—”

  “I know what you meant. This between us tonight should have never happened. I don’t even know you that well.” Brea jumped off the swim raft and headed for shore.

  Cupid cursed silently to himself as he dove in after her. He could have easily overtaken her but he knew she was trying to work off her anger, so he held back. She’d been hurt. That much was obvious from the hard veneer she put on. It would take a lot to knock down her walls. He found himself wondering if he should continue this. He shook his head and banished the thought. Artemis said once the chosen woman agreed to marry him she would erase her memory. Did they have a right to play around with her life like that? How could he ask her to trust him when he had ulterior motives?

  For the first time that night, Brea was glad she’d worn the large sweats. Not only did they go on easily despite her being dripping wet, they were warm. Even the dark pink bunny slippers warmed her cold toes. Her anger, however, held her in the grip of its heat. How dare he judge her? He had no idea what she’d been through. Was she supposed to trust anyone who had large amounts of testosterone? Not likely. This was her just desserts for letting her guard down. All because a man was unnaturally handsome and sexy. She knew Jordan had made it to shore and was behind her dressing. She tapped her bunnied feet in impatience. When she saw he was dressed, she stalked around the house. Brea stiffened slightly as his hand somehow found its way to the small of her back and guided her toward the valet.

  The whole drive home was in utter silence. Twice he tried to apologize; twice she glowered at him refusing to speak. She felt him glance her way and still she kept her gaze glued to the dark scenery as it flew by. Finally, the dreaded silence ended as they pulled up to Mr. Forbright’s cottage. Brea let herself out before he could get out of the car and slammed the door. She could feel his stare as he watched her until she entered the cottage. He even stayed there until she’d clicked on all the lights. Brea sighed. He was wasting his time. She could never see giving him another chance.

  Seven: Mending fences

  Brea lay in bed refusing to face the day. She had tossed and turned all night thinking of the gorgeous naked guy she had swum with last night-and probably overreacted to. The fact that she was lying here regretting her actions spoke volumes she didn’t necessarily want to hear. She didn’t know him, and no matter how many times she told herself she didn’t want to know him, she saw it for the lie that it was. This wasn’t purely professional. There was something about him—something intrinsic that was attracting her like a moth to a flame. A very big flame—a big gorgeous blond flame. With incredible abs and baby-soft hair and intense blue eyes… Arrrgh! What the hell was wrong with her?

  She stared off into the far right corner of the room as something shiny reflected in the sunlight. A silver, beautifully spun spider web glittered in the sun. Brea could see the small, colorful spider in the middle of its web. Though Brea was not an arachnid expert, even she could see this was no run-of-the-mill house spider. It looked too exotic. Brea suppressed a wave of panic that surfaced when she realized the spider could be very poisonous. Her gut instinct told her it wasn’t. Momentarily distracted by the spider, all thoughts of Jordan escaped her mind as she climbed out of the bed and walked with caution toward the corner, keeping a careful distance in case it was a jumping spider.

  “Well, hello there,” she cooed at the spider. “What kind of spider are you anyway?” Upon closer inspection it was gorgeous. She was no spider-lover but even she could appreciate the almost iridescent colors on its back. For a second she considered getting a shoe and killing it. “How about we make a deal, little one? You don’t bother me and I won’t bother you.” She looked at it a second longer before Jordan invaded her thoughts again. “Well, I’m up now, I might as well get dressed,” she mumbled.

  Five minutes later, she sat at the polished oak table in disgust. Lindie always woke up way too happy. It wasn’t normal. Everyone should be protesting getting out of bed to work or do some other heinous chore that required them to get up. But no, not Lindie, she danced around with her iPod earphones in, blissfully happy at eight in the morning. When Lindie spotted her sitting at the table she yanked out the earphones and plastered herself in the seat across from Brea.

  “I didn’t hear you come in last night, how’d it go?” Her almond-shaped eyes bore into Brea’s with unabashed curiosity.

  “We went to an exclusive club, swam naked, got into an argument and then came home,” Brea responded matter-of–factly. She walked to the couch then plopped down.

  “You swam naked!?” she squealed. “Oh my God, is his body as sinfully gorgeous naked as I imagined it to be?”

  Brea blushed, knowing Lindie hadn’t been the only one imagining him naked. She, however, got to see the real deal and he was mighty impressive.

  “I have no idea what you imagined, Lindie, but yes, he was perfect if you go for that sort of thing.” Brea tried to sound nonchalant but the image of his aroused cock danced around in her brain.

  “Oh, I’m so proud of you—wait.” Lindie paused recalling Brea’s words. “You got into an argument? What on earth could you have argued about? You were naked for God’s sake!”

  “He—well I might have overreacted to a passing comment he made.” Brea tumbled out, her face getting hot. She’d reacted badly.

  “You, Brea? Overreacting? To something a guy said? I can’t imagine.” Lindie got up and flopped down next to Brea. “You gotta stop doing this, hon. I know Terry hurt you, I was there for you, remember? But Terry wasn’t representing the whole male population, just the assholes. Fine representation by the way.” Lindie got the smile from Brea she had been going after. “Just have some fun for once. Don’t think about long-term relationships or past involvements. Think about having fun.” She leaned her head until she and Brea’s were touching.

  “I screwed up. He probably won’t even sell me the paintings now.”

  “No, if I read him right he’ll come back stronger than ever. I could see he marked you, Brea. He wants you.”

  “You have a very romanticized view of the world, honey. He didn’t get what he wanted last night, he won’t come sniffing around here.”

  The knock at the door stopped all conversation. They both sat up straight and looked at each other. Lindie had a huge smile on her face.

  “I bet that’s him,” she whispered as if he could hear her through the thick door.

  “This early in the morning? I think not. Does he look like a guy like who gets up this early?” Brea whispered back.

  “If you don’t answer that door, I will.” Lindie whispered fiercely. Another rap on the door echoed in the cottage. Lindie and Brea eyed each other until Brea broke the connection and went to answer the door. She took a deep breath before turning the knob and opening the door.

  Jordan stood there with his hands behind his back and the sexiest grin ever.

  “Good morning, Brea.” His deep voice made her belly do a flip. He was dressed in a pair of nice-fitting jeans and a T-shirt, almost her exact clothing twin.

  “Good morning, Mr. Areson,” she said in her best professional voice. She wanted to start off fresh, professionally. She heard Lindie snort loudly from the couch. Jordan raised his eyebrow in surprise.

  “I thought we dispensed with the forma
lities. I intend to keep addressing you as Brea and hope you will continue to call me Jordan.” He smiled, letting his gorgeous dimples sucker her into a smile as well.

  “Fine, Jordan, how can I help you?”

  “I was under the impression we could help each other.” Still smiling, he brandished the items from behind his back, a steaming cup of coffee and a plain white paper bag. “Breakfast. Coffee and a bagel with French onion cream cheese. I do hope you like bagels and cream cheese.” He looked at her in question.

  “It’s my favorite on-the-go breakfast.” She was stunned. How did he do that? How did he know exactly what she liked and what she didn’t? For reasons Brea couldn’t explain, the spider in her bedroom flashed in her mind, Brea pushed it to the back. She accepted the coffee and bagels, loving the feel of the hot container as it warmed her fingers. “Is this some sort of peace offering?”

  “Yes and no,” Jordan replied, watching her as she sipped at the warm coffee. He appeared mesmerized for a moment. “I thought I could provide a peace offering as well as a bribe.”

  “Bribe for what?” Brea was catapulted into suspicious mode.

  “I was wondering if you’d like to assist me in my store today to look for the paintings you’re trying to acquire. I could do it alone, but it would take longer and I am a little ashamed to admit I sometimes have trouble staying focused on a task.” Brea took her time responding.

  “Sounds fair,” she said at last. Truth of the matter was, she was wary about being alone with him. He did things to her resistance that she didn’t like. Or rather, she did like it. That’s what bothered her. But she was determined to stay in control. She never ran from anyone or anything and she wasn’t going to start now. “Let me tell Lindie—”

  “Lindie already knows. Have fun!” Lindie called from the couch. Sometimes Brea could really strangle her best friend. She turned to throw Lindie a death look before stepping out of the cottage and closing the door behind her. She could do this; she could be around Jordan Areson and not act like a complete slut.