He smoothed the mass of her damp hair to the side and let it fall over her left shoulder to reveal her nape. His fingertips brushed her sensitive skin. “I found it.”
So lost in the way he looked at her, touched her, she had no idea what he meant. “Found what?”
“Tattoo number four. A small rose.” He traced the outline and her legs became wet noodles. “Why a rose?”
“My mother. Her name was Rose.”
He kissed the artwork softly, and her head lolled to the side. He pressed himself into her, and she grew slick from the feel of his hardness.
“I feel like I’m taking advantage of you,” he whispered at her temple. His breath bathed her in warmth and her nipples peaked.
“You can’t take advantage of the willing.”
Omar slid his hands around her neck and ran his thumb over her lips. They instantly parted, and he dipped one thumb inside, and she nipped him gently.
“Shark bite?” He pressed his length against her, rubbing softly until her eyes darkened and her breaths came quick.
“Do you know how much of a turn-on it is to watch you seduce me?” She’d never had someone make love to her while they locked eyes in a mirror. Major turn-on.
He slid his hands down her neck and past her shoulders to cup each of her breasts in the palms of his hands. His thumbs rubbed her peaks in agonizing slowness.
“Would it be taking advantage if I kissed you here?” He nipped her shoulder.
She shook her head, mesmerized at their reflection in the mirror. To watch him touch every part of her while she could feel it… She shivered.
“What about if I touched you here?” His warm palms slid down from her breasts and cupped her mound, leaving a trail of goose bumps. She grew wet from his touch.
Devi laid her hand over his and moved it between her legs. “You can even touch me here and you wouldn’t be taking advantage.” She turned around in his arms and rubbed against him. His erection pressed into her belly. “My turn. Am I taking advantage of you by rubbing you here?”
“No.”
“How about here?” She licked her fingers slowly and then slid them over his nipple, rubbing and pulling with a variation of pressure. His heartbeat pounded against her fingertips, and she pressed tiny kisses to his chest. His dusting of hair tickled her chin and her nose, the sensation adding to the pleasure coursing over her entire body.
“Like you said, you can’t take advantage of the willing.” Omar lifted her chin and kissed her mouth. Slowly, tenderly.
She’d never get enough of him. “You make me feel so alive.”
Devi had never been one to hide her feelings. Her entire body, her mind, everything… She felt new. Free. She always told it like it was. Always. She couldn’t fight her feelings, and if she didn’t say something, she’d burst.
She opened her mouth, and Omar took it as another invitation to invade her senses. She surrendered her lips as he continued his caressing with his hands. A couple of nights ago he’d been urgent and rough, tonight he seemed to linger over every part of her body as he touched, licked, and kissed.
Their lovemaking felt different. As if they both wanted—needed—to take their time and learn everything about the other. Fully enjoy each other.
…
God, she drove him crazy.
From the remembrance of her mother that showed her caring, giving heart, to the way she laughed and teased him. His body ached for her. He craved her touch as much as he desired to touch her. He’d never been so playful and intimate with a woman. He couldn’t think. He didn’t want to. He anticipated the sex as much as he anticipated making her laugh, feeling goose bumps devour her flesh, hearing her groan in pleasure and laugh in delight.
Sex had become more than sex. With Devi it’d become fun, addicting. He trailed kisses over her shoulder, loving the way her body responded to him. The way his body responded to her. He wanted to take his time and never let the moment end.
“You’re beautiful, Dev.” He’d become more attracted to her than he’d ever thought possible. Was addiction to another person even possible?
If he wanted a woman in his life, she’d be the one he’d want.
“Omar,” she whispered against his mouth and pulled back. Her hands caressed his cheek, and she soaked him up with her eyes. “You know I don’t hold anything back. I’m always up-front.”
His breath hitched. Whatever she was about to say would be a game changer.
“I want you to know that I care about you. Omar, I’m crazy about you, and I think you’re crazy about me, too.”
“I am crazy about you.”
She smiled and her eyes gleamed. “I wasn’t looking for a relationship, but I don’t want whatever this is between us to end after this week. We need to see where this goes.”
The tension in her body filled his hands. She’d put herself out there. She’d stopped breathing and bit her lip as she waited for his response.
“I don’t know what the hell’s happened, but the last few days have been incredible.”
“I think we should…” They both said the same words at the same time and laughed.
“Go ahead,” she said. Her body sank against him as she released her breath.
“I think we should go with the flow. Live in the moment, Devi. Let’s see where this takes us?”
“So we’re in agreement?” Her face glowed.
“Whatever this thing is between us, I don’t think we can stop it after one week. Even if we tried. And I have a confession.”
“I love confessions,” she whispered.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about our conversation the other day. The one about family. You’re right. I’m going to see what I can do about mending fences. Starting with my mom.”
She hugged him, rubbing her cheek against his chest. “That makes me so happy. Family is important. I think once you clear the air with them, you’ll find happiness comes easier.”
Hell, he’d found happiness with her. “For now, I want to concentrate on making you happy.” Omar picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. He laid her on the bed, and she worshipped him with her eyes. “Tonight I’m going to make love to you slowly. I’m going to savor every look, touch, taste, and feel of our bodies coming together.”
“I like that.”
She held out her hand, and he gathered her in his arms as he sank down onto the mattress beside her. So warm, soft, giving. He took her mouth with his, sliding his tongue over her lips, caressing her cheek, and trailing a line down from her chin, past her throat, and between her breasts to trace a light circle around her areola. Then he bent and took the darkened, puckered skin into his mouth, nipping her gently when she gasped. He had to force himself to take things slow, because he could already feel the urgency in his blood.
Devi sheathed him in a condom as he kissed her mouth, her throat. He took his time getting acquainted with the way her body moved against his. How she arched into him when he touched her nipples. The way she shuddered when he kissed her neck and found that sensitive spot right below her ear with his tongue. And the part he savored the most, the way she whimpered when he slid his fingers into the soft folds of her sex and she bowed toward him.
He splayed his fingers over her belly, the heat between them burning his flesh. Devi grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him close, parting her legs in invitation as he slid over top and hovered above her cleft. Her body trembled beneath him, and he slowly entered her, holding her gaze.
Her neck arched back and her lips parted.
His body shook as he plunged in and out of her snug heat. Tonight they’d added another element to their lovemaking. He cared about Devi. He had no more secrets. She could be the woman who would claim his heart and make him hers.
And he was okay with that.
Her soft murmurs of desire made him want to satisfy her, and he pushed into her harder. Faster. She lifted her hips, groaning his name, gripping his back, and raking her fingers over his skin with
every thrust.
Her body tensed, and he grabbed her rear, pulling her hips up higher and thrusting deeper as she contracted around him.
Unable to control himself a minute more, he thrust one final time as she shook beneath him, coming apart, crying his name.
Omar shuddered as Devi ran her hands over his back, smoothing the bunched muscles along his shoulders. He fell against her, taking her mouth gently with his as he rolled onto his side.
“Omar Esterly, I have the biggest crush on you.” She pressed her forehead to his, and he bit her nose playfully.
“Devi Boss, not as big as the crush I have on you. Have I told you today that you’re beautiful?”
She sighed and rested her cheek on his chest. “Your heart is beating so fast.”
“It’s beating for you.”
He could feel her smile as he hugged her tight. She then lifted her face so he could take her mouth in a soft kiss.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a crush on a girl. And he definitely didn’t remember ever feeling this good about it. Devi held so many roles in his life, and he felt complete. She’d been his friend, assistant, fake fiancée, and now his lover.
What if their affair led to something deeper? Would he ever consider a wife? Family? With Devi anything seemed possible.
Life couldn’t get much better.
…
Devi shifted position on the lounger by the infinity pool. She frowned as she opened the Word file and looked over her notes on the investigators she’d listed. Her choices had been narrowed down to three after she researched one and found he’d retired.
No matter. Once they arrived back home, she planned to meet up in person with the ones on her short list and make a decision.
Excitement over getting the search started had her adrenaline pumping, and she couldn’t keep her legs from swaying side to side. Wouldn’t it be amazing if the P.I. found her father within the next few months? And wouldn’t it be even more incredible if she could meet him and learn all the answers to her questions? More importantly, what if they stayed in each other’s lives?
She slid her sunglasses back up the bridge of her nose and gazed out over the pool to the ocean beyond. Omar had been in his meeting with William for over an hour. She’d taken the opportunity for some alone time. Although she could hear the others enjoying the larger pool, she didn’t regret her decision to spend time over here.
She smiled, flipped her laptop closed, and leaned back and sighed.
Last night had been incredible. Making her confession had lifted a weight off her chest. And when Omar had confessed his crush, that silly giddy feeling curled her toes and sent shivers across her skin. Yep, this week has been incredible.
And to think that after the week ended, their fling would continue. Who knew where it’d lead?
Wait until she talked to Cass and told her that she’d finally given up her heart. Life was definitely good.
She closed her eyes and soaked up the sun. The warmth left her limbs heavy, the sounds of nature filled her senses, and she began to drift off.
A squeak from over her shoulder told her that someone had opened the wrought-iron gate that surrounded the pool. She opened one eye and turned to spot William making his way toward her. He wore a pair of plaid swim shorts and had a towel hanging around his neck.
He eyed her closed laptop and smiled. “Don’t tell me you’re working?”
“I just finished. But don’t worry, Omar isn’t a task master. I was just doing some research.”
“Mind if I join you?”
“No. Please.” She waved to the lounger beside her, and he dropped down into the cushion with a sigh.
“Going for a swim?”
“I owe myself a few laps.”
“You’re all done with your interviews?” She glanced behind him, hoping to see Omar.
William nodded. “For now. Omar headed up to your room. He mentioned making an overdue phone call to his mother.”
Her day had just improved, if that were possible. “Now that’s great news.”
“So, are you enjoying the week so far?” He slid the towel from around his neck and flung it over the arm of the lounger.
“I am. I think everyone is.”
“Good. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep everyone busy for an entire week.”
“No worries there.” They shared a smile. “I don’t envy you the task of making a decision. There are too many great candidates to choose from.”
He sighed and leaned back into the chair, resting his head. “Life would be easier if someone else could make the decision for me.”
She bobbed her head. “I can imagine. But, you know what, William?”
He raised his brow, urging her to continue.
“I don’t think you can go wrong with whoever you choose.”
He grinned. “You mean you aren’t going to plug Esterly Financial.”
She shrugged one shoulder. “I can’t say enough good things about Esterly, and Omar in particular. He’s a wonderful boss, and I know he works hard for his clients, but of course I’m biased. He won’t do you wrong, but I get that impression from the others, too. I’m not much help, am I?”
He sat up and threw his legs over the side of the lounger so that he sat facing her. “I like hearing your opinion.”
“Then I’ll give it to you. If I were you, I’d base my decision on personality. Who do you get along with the most? Who do you enjoy talking with? Which person do you share the most in common? All these factors are going to be to your benefit because you’ll have a very personal relationship with whoever handles your financial future. You’ll have to mesh on more than a business level.”
William nodded but remained quiet. His brow creased in thought as he rested his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands together.
“I don’t think there’s any other way to make the decision with the applicant pool you have to choose from.” She bit her lip. Here she sat talking to a prospective client—one of the biggest Omar had ever pursued—and she couldn’t keep from speaking her mind.
William rubbed his chin, smiling. “I appreciate your honesty. I think you’re right. I’ve given myself a tough group to choose from.”
“Like I said, I don’t envy you your decision.”
“From the moment I met you, I liked you, Devi. It’s refreshing for a man like me to be treated so normally. I appreciate your honesty. I don’t get it often.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m sure most people are your yes-men.”
He laughed. “Exactly. Your honesty is refreshing.”
“All due to my grams. She taught me to shoot from the hip.”
“Sounds like a smart woman. You remind me of a woman I knew long ago. She was a straight shooter, too.”
“It’s a good trait. Well, most of the time.” She laughed.
“Your accent tells me you’re not from around here? Where did you grow up?” His easy smile and relaxed shoulders told her he wasn’t making small talk but was really interested. Or maybe he’d decided on Esterly Financial but wanted information on Omar’s staff, too.
“In sunny southern California. You?”
“Born and raised in North Carolina. And how did you end up here?”
“After I finished school I moved to the east coast in part to work with Esterly, and in part to look for my father.” Devi liked William, but she surprised even herself by sharing the detail about her father. The fact that her upcoming search had been on her mind for days now had to be the reason, because she didn’t usually share details like that with everybody.
His eyes widened with interest. “And did you find him?”
“Not yet. I’m a little slow on the trigger due to money, but I think I’m about ready now to hire a P.I.” She tapped the laptop. “Which is what I was doing. I have it narrowed down to three choices.”
“Good for you. How does your mom feel about it?”
That familiar ache at the mention o
f her mother filled her chest. Her hand automatically flew to her neck, and she thumbed the locket on the chain. “My mom died when I was born—”
William squeezed her hand. His warm touch was sympathetic and reassuring at the same time.
“I’m sorry, Devi. I didn’t mean to bring up something that obviously still upsets you. Forgive me?”
She nodded. “I’m sorry. I have a hard time talking about her. I never got the chance to know her, and it’s a tough subject for me.”
“I understand.”
“Thank you.” She slid the locket back and forth across the chain. The little link to her mom had always given her comfort.
William’s face paled slightly. “Was that necklace by any chance your mom’s?”
Her hand stopped. How’d he guess that? “Actually, yes.”
“It’s very unusual.” He reached over and lifted the locket in his palm, turning it from front to back.
“She got it when she went to school out here. It’s a rose locket, and the funny thing is that—”
“Her name was Rose?”
Devi’s brows bunched together and she shot forward in her seat, grabbing his hand in her suddenly clammy one. “H-how’d you know?”
“I had a suspicion earlier—because you look a lot like her, but I believe I knew your mother, Devi.”
Chapter Sixteen
Devi’s heart skipped a beat. She took a shaky breath and dropped his hand. “Did you know her from school?”
William nodded. He closed his eyes and brushed his fingers through his salt and pepper hair. Devi didn’t miss the slight tremble.
“Did…would you maybe have known my father then, too?”
He scrubbed his hands down his face and met her steady gaze.
“What do you…?” Her words fell away, and she studied William with new eyes. For the first time she really looked at him. Not as a business contact, but as a regular person. His thick, graying hair that had once been a brown-black like her own. His athletic frame topped with broad shoulders, his strong chin, angular nose, and gray eyes.
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