by C. R. Moss
“Oh? So you don’t?”
“Well…in a way....” She shook her head, embarrassed he might have thought her to be in something more glamorous than her current position. “I do work in a casino, but not in gaming. I’m on the service side as a cocktail waitress. I work the floor, serving drinks to the gamers.”
“That’s not bad. It’s honest work.”
“True, but it taxes the body. It’s been nice being on vacation and giving my arms, legs, and feet a break.”
He stopped at a small gate with a key pad and tapped in a code. The metal gate swung open without a creak or groan and closed silently behind them. They followed a stone path, canopied and walled with palm trees and thick green plants and bushes, to a quaint, beachfront villa. The warm colors of the sunset sparkled on the darkening blue and turquoise Caribbean water.
Pink flowers and large green leaves threaded wood trellises along each side of the arched doorway of the white, clapboard-sided building. Palm fronds on the tall trees surrounding the house and property rustled. He slid a key into the lock. “Here’s our place for the evening. I hope you find it agreeable.”
With a quick flick of the handle, the door swung open upon an elegant, spacious floor plan, streamlined and contemporary in design, with neutral colors throughout. She stepped into a foyer, with her eyes lighting on a circular, beige and cream-colored marble table in the middle. The matching travertine floor gave the interior an Old World charm. A grand room with couches, chairs, and a fireplace sat beyond the foyer. Two halls stretched off the sides of the entryway.
Evan closed the door then wrapped an arm around her waist. His delightful wood and leather scent enveloped her. The crown of her head came in line with the top of his shoulder. Strong. Tall. Handsome. Another desire-filled wave surged through her. She couldn’t deny the chemistry between them, even if it was just on her side. She’d have to thank Heather for setting her up and write a glowing testimonial to Madame Eve for her great taste in men. Her date led her down the hall on the right to a sitting area adjacent to a bedroom.
“Beautiful place.”
“Yes, it is. This resort is one of the highest rated on the island and claims the best in villa suites. But I’m not here to do a sales pitch, right?” Evan winked. “Come. I have something for you in the bedroom.”
Chapter Three
Already? He directed her into the adjacent room. An elegant pile of ribbon wrapped boxes lay on the bed. Presents?
“Go on. Open them.”
She stared at him and her expression must have been baffled because he picked one up and handed it to her. “Really?” She quirked a brow, still disbelieving they were for her. When was the last time a guy had given her anything? Forever.
Gift in hand, she sat on the bed and freed it from the pretty red and dark gold striped ribbon. Inside lay a sparkly, glacier blue dress. The color of my eyes. A quiet gasp exhaled over her lips. The next revealed some lacy lingerie, a lighter shade than the dress and perfect to wear under it. She pictured him touching the fabrics that she’d soon wear, thought about how he’d unwrap her like she did the gifts. The last box held a pair of silver stilettos.
“Wow.” A pathetic show of appreciation, but she was at a loss for words. The imagery had revved her libido, making it hard to form coherent thoughts.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he said slow and easy. “I took the liberty of finding out your sizes. I wasn’t sure what kind of outfits you’d bring on the trip and figured, if we were going to spend the night together, we may as well do it right. Oh, and before I forget….” He opened a dresser drawer and pulled out a black velvet box. Holding it before her, he opened it to reveal a chunky diamond necklace, accompanied by matching earrings and a bracelet.
Shocked by the extravagance, she clutched her throat. “I…I can’t accept these gifts. It wouldn’t be right.”
“The dress, lingerie, and shoes are yours. I insist. The jewelry is on loan and the villa’s butler, Jacinto, won’t be back until the morning to return the pieces to the store so you might as well make use of them.” He closed the lid and placed it on the dresser.
“I don’t know.” She shook her head. Was he paying her for being here? Creepy prickles scraped along her body and senses.
“Look, when I’m able, I like to shower the women in my life with presents.”
“Women?” Gwen pushed the dress from her and crossed her arms over her stomach. “How many girlfriends do you have right now?”
His flirtatious chuckle filled the room. “None. The only women in my life at the moment are my mother, grandmother, sisters, aunts, nieces—”
Gwen threw up a hand. “All right, I get the point.”
“I saved up special for this evening. It’s not every day a person uses a high-end matchmaker to find a date. And, just so you’re aware, this is my first and probably only time. Like your cousin did for you, my uncle set up this gig for me. We may as well make it special, right? So, let’s get ready to go out. I have a great place I want to—” A trill from his pocket announced an incoming call. He pulled his smartphone out and glanced at it. “Work call. I have to take this.”
The moment he stepped out of the room, she breathed deep, glad to have a moment to herself to calm the rush of adrenaline flooding her system. The clothes and shoes weren’t cheap. Far from it. She’d worked long enough in casinos and walked by so many luxury retail stores she recognized quality—designer—when she saw it. How could she put on the outfit? What if he’d spent all his savings? Months’ worth of salary on clothes and a room just to please some stranger for one night?
With careful handling befitting a piece of art, she removed the dress from the box. She skimmed the silky fabric of the gown with her fingertips, gazed with longing at the bead and crystal detailing that curved down one side. Did she deserve such a beautiful garment? Why not? She worked hard for a living, rarely ever treated herself to anything. She’d wear the outfit, be extra vigilant of what she ate and how much she moved and give it back at the end of the night. Then he could return it to the store and get his money back.
Evan’s muffled voice on the other side of the bedroom door rose and fell. She sighed again. Just go with the flow and enjoy the time here. Quit overthinking the situation. You’re in a gorgeous location with a sexy man and this will give you an interesting story to tell the women back home.
Resolved to give him a chance, she undressed, then slipped into the bra and panties. Evan returned to the room as she finished hooking up the last satin garter to the silky thigh-high stocking.
“I’m sorry. I should have waited outside until you were ready.”
She glanced over at him. He might have apologized, but his fiery gaze stated something different. “Don’t be. I’m not embarrassed. The outfits I wear for work are almost as skimpy and revealing.”
“Ah.” He moved over to the closet. “You won’t mind if I get changed then, would you?”
“Nah, go for it.” She faced away from him and admired the dress’s beadwork. Behind her clothes and hangers rustled and clacked. She held the pretty gown against her body to view herself in the dresser mirror.
His gaze caught hers in the reflection. He’d stripped down to a pair of short, black boxer briefs, which enhanced the color of his tan.
“Do you like what you see?” His sinfully rich, accented voice carried across the room.
Heat filled her cheeks. With a hard gulp, she nodded, not able to take her focus off his beautiful body. Each toned muscle created a wonderful form, from his defined deltoids and biceps to a six pack abdomen she could wash a shirt on. She chuckled internally. Her descriptive thought pattern may have been cliché, but appropriate all the same. He strolled over to her, his tall form of rippling muscle closing and destroying the buffer between them.
“I hear your fantasy is to be on a tropical island.” Evan glanced off to the left where a large picture window framed the beach and water. “We have that part covered.” He stood behind her, the
ir bodies an inch—maybe two—apart, returning his gaze to hers in the mirror. “That you wanted to be picked up by a handsome guy and by the looks I’ve been getting from you, I seem to have your approval.” Brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, he whispered, “And that you wanted to be in a private location for an erotic assignation. Isn’t that so?”
Images from vampire movies she’d seen over the years filled her mind. He may not have been a vampire, but he was just as sensual as one. What spurred on thoughts of Nosferatu? His voice? His confident moves? He inclined his head, his gaze transfixed on hers in a mesmerizing stare, almost daring her to deny the attraction. His mouth, so very close to her throat, let slip wicked hot breath against her skin. If he were a vampire, this would be the part where he’d bite her. She pushed the fictional thoughts aside, desiring reality, welcoming him to kiss her…lick her…suckle on the curve where her shoulder met her neck. She leaned back, bare parts of her skin encountering the hard planes of his chest.
“Shall we…?” His voice rumbled in his chest and against her back.
Shall we what? her mind screamed as sexual tension warred with her logic. She swallowed hard again. How much of her fantasy did he know? “What else did my cousin write in my profile? I mean in regard to my fantasy?”
“Why? Is there more?”
Gwen froze, trying to keep her expression neutral since he still fixated on her via the reflection. She couldn’t tell him, didn’t want to tell him about the rest of her silly dreams. His uncle had paid for his set up just as Heather had paid for hers. He’d said he’d saved up for the room and outfit. It wasn’t like he had money and could fulfill her whole fantasy, so why bring it up? She shook her head. “No. No there isn’t.”
“Well, okay then.” Evan kissed the top of her shoulder. “Put the dress down.”
She laid the gown on top of the dresser, hiding the black box he’d left there before his call.
Evan rubbed his stubbled cheek along her neck and up to her ear where he placed a light kiss. He grasped her hips and spun her around. Before she could take another breath, he planted his lips on hers.
He cradled her face in his hands and explored her mouth with his tongue. The lingering hints of woody bitterness with an underlay of chocolate met her taste buds. He must have had one of the darker beers at the bar before meeting up with me. She deepened the kiss.
Gwen grasped his upper arms, happy to find they were as solid and tight as she’d believed them to be. He released her face, wrapped one arm around her, and traced his free hand down her torso to her lacy panties. Tingles along her skin trailed in the wake of his soft touch. He slipped his fingers under the tiny bikini-like underwear then cupped her pussy. She gasped at the friction of his fingers gliding between her folds.
Spikes of heat prodded her low in her gut with each insertion of his fingers, his palm rubbing her mound and fine hairs. Gwen wrapped her arms around his neck, nibbled at his lips and tongue, purred from the pleasure he provided with his hand.
Evan broke the kiss, traced her jaw with his tongue. “Feel me, Gwendolyn.”
More than happy to oblige, she smoothed a hand down his hard chest, glorying in the definition of his muscles, how they shuddered beneath her fingers. Inch by inch, she finally met the patch of hair peeking out from his underwear, and mimicking his actions, slid her hand between his skivvies and skin. Gwen circled around his cock and stroked him in time with the motions of his fingers within her. Desire pulsed through her fire-hot body. She pressed her face against his chest, playfully bit his pectoral as she rode his hand. Within moments, her breaths increased and a warm buzz raced through her. Muscles she forgot she had rippled, clenched, sizzled with electrifying pleasure. It’d been so long since her last man-stimulated orgasm, she milked the experience for all it was worth until all the tremors subsided.
With a groan, he released her, pulled her hand off his cock, and pecked her on her forehead. “Finish getting dressed, luv,” he spoke through hard puffs of air. “I’m going to step into the bathroom and get ready myself.” Evan placed another quick kiss on her lips, grabbed his clothes, and disappeared into the other room.
In a bit of a daze and feeling more relaxed than she had in ages, she basked in the erotic sensations whizzing through her body. If Evan were that good with his fingers, what could he do to her with his cock? Grinning, she slipped into the powder room to freshen up and put on the gown. Clean and dressed, she whipped her hair up into a bun, thanking God she had a hairclip in her purse.
Minutes later, Evan returned dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt, and a gray tie that brought out the blue-gray of his eyes. “Lovely.” Offering his arm to her, he smiled. “Are you hungry?”
“Yes, in fact I am.” For more of you.
Chapter Four
Evan held her hand as they strolled through the courtyard to the restaurant. The heels of Gwen’s new shoes tapped in quaint rhythm on the cobblestone path. He wished he hadn’t made the arrangements for dinner or the surprise afterwards. He’d much rather have stayed in the room with her. She responded beautifully to his touch, and if his fingers could elicit such a reaction, he couldn’t wait to see how she’d melt with his cock in her. Maybe during his surprise later if his luck held firm.
The young girl at the hostess stand pretended to check the register as if she didn’t know him. In his preparations for the date, Evan had alerted the restaurant staff to treat him as a regular customer and not someone who signed their checks. Normally, with one-night stands, informing the women of his identity wasn’t a problem. Just saying his name was the best pickup line ever. Evan really didn’t want to lie to Gwen about his livelihood and who he was. But when it came to longer-term relationships, he liked to be cautious, make sure the women were into him and not his bank accounts.
Long term? He mentally shook his head. There I go again. Hoping this will be something more than a one-night fling.
The hostess directed them to a lone table on the patio overlooking the pool, beach, and turquoise-colored Caribbean Sea. Tall white candles lined the low walls, tea lights grouped on shiny gold pads shaped like lily leaves floated on the pool. Gwen’s gorgeous blue eyes widened as she took in the setting. It pleased him to see her appreciative view of what he’d set up for them, to have a female in his company who seemed appreciative, period. She acted like it was Christmas, and he’d given her exactly what she wanted.
“What do you think?”
The smile on her face mirrored her words. “It’s great. Is all this for us? Just for this date?”
“The butler and I made the arrangements, yes. And a three course meal, based on your favorite foods listed on the profile, has been prepared, too.”
“Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.”
Her approval warmed his heart. He’d have to thank his uncle for doing this for him.
As planned, a bottle of champagne with a bowl of strawberries arrived at the table before the first course. She took a sip of the bubbly drink as he did. He fed her a berry, then popped one in his mouth. The sweet and tart blended well. Next time they had champagne and strawberries, he’d order some dark chocolate as well.
Next time. Their date was a single event. But his mind and body fought the reminder. Realizing he’d miss her when she went home, the warmth he’d been experiencing cooled. Too bad she didn’t live on the island or close by, like in the Florida Keys. Sure, he could visit her in Las Vegas, but timing with his projects and work made long trips difficult.
The meal came and he settled back to enjoy her pleasure. The waiter placed an appetizer of calamari and bruschetta with tomato and basil on the table. Minutes later, he followed with the main course of roasted chicken breast with fingerling potatoes and pine nut-crusted asparagus. For dessert Evan had had the pastry chef whip up some creamy tiramisu dusted with Dutch cocoa. Each time Gwen took a bite, a rapturous expression lit her face. He wanted to see that look in bed with him.
Like the wispy evening breeze, the conversation sta
yed light and easy with some discussion on where they’d lived as kids, about their future desires…love, marriage, children. He found Gwen easy to talk to, very down to earth. Calling her pretty didn’t do her justice. Better to say gorgeous…stunning. Every time her eyes that sparkled with enjoyment caught his gaze, his heart skipped a beat. The trace of laughter in her voice calmed his work-addled mind, soothed his soul. If only she’d stay. If only they could be together longer.
If only.
Inside, a jazz quartet tuned their instruments and struck an opening chord. The slow, sultry music emanated from small speakers hidden throughout the pool area.
“Come dance with me.” He extended his hand.
When her fingers grasped his and she rose from her chair, sexual excitement curled in his loins. He controlled his carnal response. Everything in good time.
Evan led her a few paces away from the table then swept her into his arms. He smoothed his hands along her back, the tips of his fingers in the delicate indentions on either side of her spine, until they came to rest in the curved area right above her cute ass. She pressed against him, rested her head against his shoulder while they swayed to the music.
He circled her around the pool area once. With every step, the erotic sway of her hips pressed her crotch upon his. Heat throbbed in his veins, dismantling the thin discipline he had over his instinctual male urges. As the song ended and fed into the next one, he stopped the dance, unclipped her bun, and threaded his fingers through her long locks. Gripping her hair, he tilted her head and claimed her lips with his own. Immediately, she reciprocated, her lips traveling over his, nipping, licking, tasting. And, boy did she taste good—all sweet and buttery from the dessert they had finished. Powerful and impenitent, he all but consumed her. She aroused him as no one else ever had, and he’d never longed to be with a woman more, to touch her, feel her curves, bury himself deep in her warmth. His cock hardened at the visions of spending the night with her.