With too many thoughts in his head, plagued by his imagination and libido, he decided he needed to get out of the room and do something to take his mind off Sarona. Maybe a trip to the hotel gym would help to work off some nervous energy. Changing into gym attire and snatching up a towel and a bottle of water, he left in search of respite.
• • •
Shelia had decided to indulge herself with a late evening visit to the hotel pool. On her way to her room she passed the gym and glanced through the large window that served as an outer wall. She saw David on a treadmill, running hard in an all-out sprint, his body gleaming with perspiration, his muscles hard, taut, and tempting. His tall, golden-bronze frame, his wet, bouncing curls and long legs clad in form-fitting shorts spawned latent memories of sweaty sheets and tangled limbs, and she shuddered with memory at the sight of his body in fluid motion.
He knew she was there; he’d seen her reflection in the mirror. Shelia had been in hot pursuit since their arrival, and she was nothing if not persistent.
“Hi,” She breathed in her sexiest voice. “It looks like you’ve been working hard; you’re all … hot … and sweaty. Are you about done?” she asked, a hungry look in her eyes and pouty lips pursed in practiced perfection.
“Actually, yes, I am,” David said as he reached to turn off the machine and began to towel himself dry. “What brings you here this time of night?”
“I was taking a late-night dip in the pool. Had I’d known you were here I would have asked you to join me. It might have been like old times, with the exception of swimsuits.” Her throaty laughter filled the room as she alluded to times together spent skinny-dipping in his private pool after midnight. Still eyeing his body hungrily, she made a not-so-subtle move to stand in front of him and reached up to stroke his chest, letting her hand drift lower to pause at the waist of his running shorts.
“You do remember those midnight dips, don’t you?” Her gaze scanned his face and body appreciatively, in search of an encouraging response.
She didn’t bother concealing her obvious desire. She wanted him, and she wanted him to know and remember. David remembered those same midnight dips, acknowledged her look of lust, tolerated her touch … and felt nothing. He wasn’t surprised. He hadn’t felt anything for Shelia or any other woman from his past in months. His attention and attraction had been for one woman and one woman only.
“Yes, I remember,” David responded with an icy smile, skillfully capturing her wrist and restraining her hand from exploring further. He took Shelia by the shoulders and put her off to one side so he could step back and pointedly place the treadmill between them. His actions were deliberate. He wanted her to understand that things were different now. He no longer had an interest in what was once between them. It was all in the past, and the past was where he wanted to leave it.
“What’s going on, David?” Sheila’s irritation was obvious. “Why do you persist in playing this game of yours? Why are you acting like you’re no longer interested in being together?”
“It’s not a game, Shelia, and I’m not acting. I told you months ago the situation was no longer working for me. I lost interest. It happens. You need to accept it, let go, and move on.”
“Accept it? I’m supposed to simply give up? You actually expect me to give up? You can do that — forget we were together? I don’t understand, David. How can you act so cold, as though the time we spent together never happened, like we never existed?”
“I’m not denying we ever existed. It was fun while it lasted, but what we had was just sex, Shelia, nothing more. Either of us can find ‘just sex’ anywhere, with anyone. I’ve realized I want more out of a relationship than merely the sexual aspect. Sure, you and I had great sex, but we never had intimacy. I want a chance at having both, or, at least something more than what we had together or what I’ve experienced with every other woman I’ve been with.”
She laughed at his revelation. “But sex is what you’re good at, David,” she purred. “Why complicate a perfectly good relationship with ‘something more?” He refused to respond and merely continued to give her a cold stare.
“God, David, you sound like a woman!” she snapped, annoyed that he was unresponsive. “And where do you expect to find ‘more’?” She sneered. “Certainly not with Sarona Maxwell.”
“Whatever I do, and whomever I do it with, is none of your business, is it?” David replied, irritated with her doggedly persistent interrogation and annoyed she’d brought Sarona into the conversation.
“Don’t be silly. Of course it’s my business!” she snapped. “I hope you don’t think I’m going to just step aside simply because you think you’ve had some sort of revelation. We’re two of a kind David, you and me. We’re superficial and shallow people, uninterested in depth or dimension. We belong together.”
“What do you want, Shelia?” he asked, quiet anger underlying his question.
“I want us to pick up where we left off, or start over, at whatever point you want, I don’t care. Let’s just end this ridiculous standoff and get back together.”
“That’s not going to happen. I told you, I’m not interested.”
“You’re not interested?” she repeated, her voice rising distinctively. “I’ve got news for you. I don’t know who you think you’re dealing with, but I’m nothing like those other women you’ve played with, or used and dropped! I won’t be put on the curb like yesterday’s garbage, and I won’t be ignored!”
Shelia was nearly shouting, her voice on the verge of hysteria. She abruptly turned on her heels and walked away, her face flaming red and her back ramrod stiff.
David watched her stalk off, painfully aware of the anger radiating off her body in waves. He was relieved she’d left, but he knew this wouldn’t be the end of it. He had an uneasy feeling he’d be seeing her again, and he knew it would bode nothing but trouble when he did. Dreading the prospect of another unwanted confrontation, David gathered up his towel and water bottle and left, his quest for solitude ruined by Shelia’s unexpected appearance and tantrum.
• • •
Thursday
His initial sense that time was of the essence was reinforced by the knowledge it was passing much too quickly. And now, with a mere two days left, his sense of urgency was more pressing than ever. Right now, he was worried. He didn’t know what to expect after his stunt from the night before. He’d spent the entire night tossing and turning, praying he hadn’t blown his chances. He counted on the fact that she hadn’t slapped him silly as a good sign, or at the very least encouraging.
He’d intended the kiss to be light and subtle, an open invitation and enticement to explore and experience more of what he could offer. But his plan might have backfired. Much like playing a game of chess, he’d taken a calculated risk. He replayed last night’s kiss over and over in his head, reliving the powerful sensations of desire and need that had coursed through his body and left behind the feeling of molten heat. His mind was stuck in perpetual rewind, captivated by the memory of her soft full lips, her mouth open and inviting, and her response — white-hot. If he were asked, he’d swear he’d felt his blood boil.
Her fragrant smell of sweet, spicy musk was embedded deeply and lingered in his nose. That one, brief kiss had stirred his senses and set his body on fire, and had left him with a hard-on the size of Texas — a hard-on that had lasted all night and was still achingly evident today. Even now, though he knew his system probably wouldn’t survive the impact of seeing her again, he searched the room anyway, hoping for a glimpse.
It was the midmorning break before lunch, and he had taken up position in what had become his customary observation point, once again using the hotel décor to hide himself from view. His eyes were dark, brooding, and inscrutable as he located Sarona and watched her from across the room. Like a tiger, he was a predator studying and stalking his prey. He was acutely aware that he had only two nights to get Sarona in his arms and into his bed and to realize his dream fantasy of
the past six months. His agitation brought to mind the sudden visual of the giant hourglass from The Wizard of Oz, a vivid reminder of how little time he had left. After last night’s kiss, his desire and determination had kicked into overdrive.
• • •
She knew he was there somewhere in the crowd watching her. She didn’t know where, but she’d swear she could feel his eyes on her. She told herself she was being ridiculous, that no matter what Joyce had said and no matter what conclusions she’d come to in the middle of the night, she needed to keep her head on straight and forget about David Broussard.
This whole thing was insane! The man spelled bad trouble with a capital ‘B.’ Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t suppress the sensation evoked by the memory of his kiss, or the thrill of feeling wanted and desired. And he did want her; he made no secret of it. She knew that even though he was sexually attracted to her, it could all be just a game to him, but unfortunately for her, game or no game, she wasn’t beyond feeling lightheaded at the prospect.
Rushing back toward her class, Sarona nearly had a heart attack as an arm snaked out from behind a large potted tree and grabbed her. A quick, firm pull forward had her chest-to-chest and face-to-face with familiar, laughing brown eyes. She was so taken by surprise, she forgot to register the outraged indignation she was sure she should have felt. Instead, she was immediately overcome with an electric pulse of anticipation, and she ignored the protest surging to her lips and allowed those amazing arms and beautiful eyes to pull her in and wrap her up in instant euphoria.
“What do you think you’re doing, David?” she whispered as she pressed closer, her face automatically and expectantly turned upward, waiting for the delicious, silken touch of his lips, the taste of his mouth, and the demanding, unrelenting fire generated by his touch. She melted into him and let herself go liquid in his embrace.
“I’m stealing a kiss,” he whispered back.
• • •
She was livid! Shelia nearly choked at the sight — the two of them embracing and kissing! They were obscured by one of the many potted trees located throughout the hallway but from her vantage point she was able to recognize them and witness the sickening sight for herself. It wasn’t enough that he ignored her and made her beg for his attention, or that he embarrassed her in front of her friends. Now he publicly humiliated her with another woman! This was more than she would stand for. Something has to be done, she thought to herself as she turned and angrily stalked away.
• • •
David felt like a teenager back in high school, waiting for the final bell to ring. Waiting for the afternoon session to end was grueling. His mind was filled with all things Sarona, and he was impatient to get back to her.
He’d spent his afternoon reliving today’s unexpected kiss and the unforgettable feeling of her body melded to his. He hadn’t expected his immediate response to her when he saw her again. As she passed, his hand reached out as if with a mind of its own. She hadn’t hesitated, hadn’t pulled away. This kiss was more intimate and more exciting, stolen in secret, in hidden recesses away from prying eyes.
He took advantage of the unexpected, and while Sarona was caught off guard, he asked her out. He’d played dirty and pulled out all the stops. He’d resorted to out-and-out seduction to get her to agree, and he wasn’t repentant. He was prepared to use every tactic in his bag of tricks, if he had to. Though he had to cajole, convince and virtually beg, he had gotten her to agree to meet him for dinner. This was no minor victory. It was a triumph and an enormous step toward his ultimate goal; to get Sarona to surrender herself into his capable hands.
“Go out to dinner with me, Sarona,” he’d whispered in her ear while his lips skimmed along her neck, brushed against her cheek and softly planted a string of kisses on her lips, from corner to corner. He’d cradled her in his arms and held her close to his chest while he whispered in her ear.
“Say yes, Sarona.”
“What?” she’d stammered.
“Not what — yes. Say yes.”
“I don’t know, David. Maybe we should slow down — give ourselves a chance to catch our breath. Things are going a little too fast for me.”
“I don’t want to catch my breath, Sarona. I want to lose myself in the moment, in this moment. I want to stay right here, breathless, until I have to succumb to the need for air. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re on a very tight schedule. We don’t have the luxury of time to indulge ourselves in safe and sane reactions. All we have is right here and right now, to do whatever we want. There isn’t any time to waste on indecision and uncertainty. I know what I want. I want to spend whatever time I have left here with you. Tell me you don’t want to do the same and I’ll let it go, I won’t pursue it any farther…but I won’t believe you.” He’d looked into her eyes, the light of hope burning brightly. The amber color shimmered and glowed and beckoned her in, and she found herself falling and drowning in that limpid pool of primal desire.
“Say yes, Sarona,” he’d whispered as his lips and teeth gently grazed and nibbled at her mouth. His heart beat so strongly she could feel the vibrations of it pulsating from his lips to hers. “… please … say yes.”
• • •
Sarona was nervous about being alone with David. She was both appalled and thrilled by her reaction to him whenever he touched her. She blamed his combination of good looks, erotic smell, and charming personality for her loss of good common sense. Being with David was like walking through a minefield; it was a dangerous, explosive situation.
She’d tried to talk herself out of the date. She wanted to call and make some excuse, but nothing believable or plausible came to mind. There was nothing she could offer that would disguise her reason for other than what it truly was — cowardice. Sighing with resignation, she gathered her purse and wrap and left for the appointed place and time, her stomach knotted with excitement and trepidation.
• • •
Shelia sat at the bar, attempting to drown her anger in as many vodka martinis as the bartender could make and as fast as he could make them. She was desperately trying to erase the sight of David kissing Sarona from her mind. Unfortunately, the alcohol made the memory more vivid, more real.
It seemed as though time stopped while she’d stared in absolute horror at the scene that had played out in front of her. She’d stared in shock at the way he’d held her and at the look on his face as he’d pulled her close and kissed her. It was like looking at an old, black-and-white romance movie and watching the hero get the girl. She saw something on his face and in his eyes she’d never seen before, and it made her heart stop.
He looked … happy. This could not be happening! When she turned and stalked away, she’d been so furious she’d skipped her afternoon session altogether and went directly to her suite. She’d started drinking as soon as the door closed behind her, fueling her fury and rage to a dangerous point of eruption. Her mind was alternately consumed with feelings of denial and a plot for revenge.
She spent the entire afternoon trying to hatch a scheme to get back at David, but her thinking was too muddled by the alcohol to develop a clear plan of vengeance.
Eventually, one possible solution finally managed to peek through. He had a reputation; everyone knew he was a player who thought nothing of using women for recreational sport. Maybe Sarona didn’t know about his history. Maybe she was stupid enough to fall for his tricks, and it would serve her right if he used her and left her like he’d done with all the others. She refused to go away quietly, remanded to his list of discarded and forgotten conquests. It would be her pleasure to ruin his plans and expose his game.
Thoughts of retribution still ran high in her head as she sat at the bar waiting for the others to join her. Ellen and Linda were the first to arrive, and each took a seat on barstools next to Shelia. She listened with half an ear to the conversation that went on around her. Her mind was distracted as she scanned the lobby, hoping to see David. She would confron
t him and give him one last chance to come to his senses. If he didn’t, then she would reveal her intentions to expose his notorious reputation to Sarona.
She was considering going to his room when she saw him standing near the hotel entrance, anxiously looking at his watch as though he were waiting for someone. He was obviously dressed for a date, and her anger flared again as she assumed he must be waiting for Sarona.
Her assumptions were confirmed when Sarona appeared, similarly dressed and moving in David’s direction. Shelia was suddenly overcome with outrage, and the fire of jealousy and resentment streaked through her blood. With her eyes focused solely on Sarona and without conscious thought, she lurched off her barstool and moved forward with her mind hell bent on confrontation.
• • •
They had agreed to meet in the hotel lobby at six o’clock, then walk or catch a cab to one of the restaurants in the area. He’d done some checking and had decided on a quaint little Bistro, popular for its food, its wine, and its intimate atmosphere. He was anxious to spend more time with Sarona, and he wanted her all to himself, without outside interruptions or interference.
David watched her approach. She was gorgeous. Her hourglass figure, sultry eyes, delicious caramel colored complexion, and dazzling smile were all wrapped up in an amazing dress that showed just enough leg and cleavage to be sexy, alluring, and classy, dressed in a double-layer silk dress with gathered waist, green print, and multicolor beaded detail. The fitted bodice emphasized her bust, flaring at the hips down to a hemline with a rippling effect around the knee. She wore open-toed sandals with three-inch heels, the color of sage with matching purse and shawl. He was again reminded of vintage Marilyn Monroe posters, and his cock came alive and stood at attention at the sight of her.
• • •
Sarona saw David waiting for her, so tall and so unbelievably handsome in a dark blue silk suit, an aqua blue shirt and a dark blue and black print tie, with a very large grin upon his face. Damn, he looks good, she thought as she moved toward him.
Prelude to a Seduction Page 8