Designed by Desire

by Pamela Yaye

  “Do you like that, baby? Do you want me to make you wet again?”

  “We...we... just finished....”

  There was a catch in her voice, a sultriness that turned him on. Looking out their private window, Collin saw laser lights flash in the air and bounce off the walls inside the nightclub. It illuminated the faces of the dancers, the bar, the scantily dressed servers weaving their way through the crowd and the sleepy expression on Brianna’s face.

  “Don’t tell me you’ve had enough.” Raising his eyebrows, he drew a finger down her shoulder, along her hips, then slowly he dipped it between her legs. “Baby, lay back and close your eyes because I’m just getting started.”

  Chapter 6

  “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty. Room service is here.”

  At the sound of Collin’s voice and the feel of his gentle caress on her cheek, Brianna opened her eyes. They had spent the past few days together and had been intimate on several occasions, but every time Collin touched her butterflies flooded Brianna’s stomach. Yawning, she shifted lazily on the living room couch in his extravagant penthouse suite. Curious to see how long she’d been sleeping, she snuck a glance at the wall clock hanging above the chestnut-brown desk.

  Her eyes widened and her lips parted in surprise. Brianna couldn’t believe she’d dozed off less than an hour after waking up in Collin’s king-size bed or that she’d slept for half an hour. That’s because round two knocked me out, she thought, hiding an indulgent smile.

  After putting on some jazz and lighting dozens of candles, Collin had scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the master bathroom. He’d run her a bath and, to Brianna’s delight, joined her in the large Jacuzzi bathtub. But what was supposed to be a relaxing, soothing soak turned into the most erotic hour of Brianna’s life. They’d laughed and played, splashed and teased, and when Collin parted her legs and plunged his erection deep inside her, she’d groaned and cursed and shamelessly begged for more. Decorum had deserted her as she abandoned herself to the pleasure of his kiss, his powerful thrusts and his sensuous words.

  Brianna shook off her thoughts as Collin stood above her, a boyish smile playing on his lips. “Let’s eat outside on the balcony,” he proposed.

  Seeing him, standing at the foot of the couch shouldn’t have caused her to moan inwardly, but it did. Twice. She couldn’t help it. Collin was more than just a chiseled face and a rock-hard body; he was a chivalrous, romantic, affectionate man who knew how to treat a woman in and out of the bedroom.

  “You go ahead,” Brianna said, snuggling deeper into the thick white blanket keeping her warm and toasty on the couch. “I’m too comfortable to move.”

  Collin pulled her to her feet and nuzzled his stubbly chin against her cheeks and ears. “Baby, you worked up quite an appetite this morning, and I’d hate for you to faint on me, especially in light of what I have planned for you this afternoon.”

  Brianna softened. Just like that. Every time Collin called her “baby,” her insides turned to mush. No one had ever been this affectionate toward her, or gone out of his way to please her, either. Being with Collin was a heady feeling, one she already knew she could never get enough of.

  The balcony was less than ten feet away, but Collin slipped his arm around her waist and led her through the sitting area and out the sliding-glass door. Sunshine shone down from the sky, birds chirped and the scent of freshly baked pastries sweetened the air.

  Collin pulled out Brianna’s chair, and when she sat down, he squeezed her shoulders. Despite her protests, he loaded her plate with croissants, gourmet cheese and enough Italian sausages to feed a family of five. “There’s no way I’m going to be able to finish all of this,” Brianna said, pointing at the massive spread. “You put way too much food on my plate.”

  “That’s what you said last night at dinner, but you finished your entrée and mine, too!” Collin winked at her. “Eat up. We have a full day ahead of us, and you’re going to need your strength.”

  His gaze gripped her, refused to let her go.

  Brianna sucked in a quick breath. She knew that look, knew exactly what was on Collin’s mind. It had been like that ever since they’d made love for the very first time, and her desire for him grew stronger every time they touched. Sightseeing, club hopping and making love had become the norm, and Brianna cherished every moment they spent together. Four days ago she’d spotted Collin under the dim, sultry lights inside the Carrousel du Louvre, but he was so laid-back and easygoing, Brianna felt as if she’d known him all her life. That’s what was going to make saying goodbye so damn hard.

  “I’d like to take you to Gargilesse this afternoon for the Wine Harvest Festival,” Collin said, picking up the teapot and filling her mug with ginger tea.

  “It sounds like a lot of fun, but I can’t. I’m flying out tonight at eight.”

  “We can be back in plenty of time for you to make your flight.”

  “I still haven’t packed.”

  “And you’re sure you can’t stay in Paris for just a few more days?” he asked, reaching across the table and taking her hand in his. Locking eyes with her, he tenderly caressed her fingers and the length of her palm.

  Brianna smothered a moan. He was touching her there, at the spot on her wrist that turned her on. And as his fingers stroked her up and down, ever so gently, Brianna had to remind herself to breathe.

  “I was really looking forward to taking you today.”

  “Why?” she asked, regarding him closely.

  “Because it’s a small, romantic town with breathtaking views and the best wine in all of France. The locals say you haven’t truly lived until you’ve been to Gargilesse, and I want to see for myself if the town lives up to all the hype.”

  “I wish I could go with you, but I can’t. I have to get back to the States. Work is calling.” It was true—she did have pressing business to attend to at RHD—so why did the thought of leaving Collin, a guy she’d known for all of four days, make her heart ache and her eyes tear?

  Feeling foolish for letting her emotions get the best of her, Brianna picked up a piece of cheese, popped it into her mouth and slowly chewed.

  “I’d give anything to have twenty-four more hours with you,” Collin said.

  From across the table, their eyes locked. To lighten the mood, Brianna said, “I have Sunday dinner at my parents’ house every week, and if I’m not at their place tomorrow by noon, they’ll send out a search party for me.”

  “If you were my woman, I’d do the same thing.”

  His smile made her melt, reducing her to a puddle at his feet.

  Brianna heard a phone ring from inside the suite and wondered if her brothers were calling her cell again. Her family had been checking in with her all week, and even though Brianna knew they had no idea what she was doing or, rather, who she was doing in Paris, every time her cell rang her heart jumped up into her throat.

  “That’s my phone,” Collin said, putting down his fork. “Do you mind if I get it? I’m quite certain this is the call I’ve been waiting for all morning, and if I don’t pick up, my assistant will have a panic attack.”

  “Not at all. Go ahead. I should be going, anyway. I have a ton of things to do before my flight, and it’s almost one o’clock.”

  “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

  Brianna watched Collin walk inside, her heart and mind in turmoil. Their rendezvous was over, and it was time to go, so why was she prolonging the inevitable?

  Because these past four days with Collin have been magical, and the thought of leaving and never, ever seeing him again is killing me inside.

  Emotion clogged her throat, making it impossible for her to swallow another bite of food. She took a sip of her ginger tea, but the lump in her throat remained. Her feelings were all over the map, so conflicted and confused she couldn�
��t think straight.

  What else is new? I haven’t been myself since my marriage fell apart.

  Since the divorce, she’d felt ashamed and alone, as if she didn’t fit in anywhere. Her friends had taken sides, and not only did Team Rick think he was a saint, they were lobbying aggressively on his behalf. They encouraged her to give him another chance, to reach out to him.

  But Brianna couldn’t.

  They were over, done for good, and she’d rather join a convent than take her ex-husband back. In the past few days, she hadn’t thought about him. Hadn’t relived every second of that life-changing summer night or the explosive argument they’d had in the hospital, either. Being with Collin made Brianna feel alive, like a brand-new woman. And she wasn’t ready to return to the real world just yet.

  Or to leave Collin’s side.

  He had a way of making her forget everything, including the pain of her past and her fears about the future, and if she thought she could get away with spending another week in Paris, she would. But her parents would know something was up and would probably send Kyle and her other brother, Daniel, to come get her. And Brianna couldn’t imagine anything worse than her brothers showing up at the hotel to escort her back home.

  With a heavy heart, Brianna looked out at the sky and inhaled the clean, crisp fall air. Sitting there soaking in the breathtaking view of Paris helped to clear her thoughts and to soothe her mind.

  “I’ve been told nothing compares to the views in Gargilesse. It’s all lush green hills and deep-blue skies as far as your eyes can see.”

  Brianna smiled when she saw Collin standing by the sliding-glass door. The serious, somber expression on his face twisted her heart. He looked so...so...vulnerable, so helpless, like a lost little boy who didn’t know where to go. Brianna wanted to take him in her arms, but she didn’t have the confidence. Throwing herself at him in the bedroom was one thing, but playing the role of the caring, doting lover under the bright morning sky was another. “I have to run.”

  “But you didn’t finish your food.”

  Brianna’s legs were shaking harder than her hands, but she rose to her feet and walked over to Collin. Her mouth was bone-dry, and she could feel beads of sweat dribbling down the inside of her white cable-knit sweater.

  This was it. Goodbye. The last time she’d ever see Collin, or hear his voice, or taste his kiss, or feel his delicious touch. “I had a nice time....”

  And I wish I didn’t have to go. I wish I could stay here with you forever.

  Brianna was stunned by her thoughts and the intense emotions she was feeling inside.

  “Me, too, Brianna. You’re incredibly captivating and beautiful.

  “So are you.”

  Collin cocked an eyebrow. “You think I’m beautiful?” He touched a hand to his chest and flashed an impish grin. “I’m touched. I had no idea.”

  They laughed, and for a moment Brianna forgot her sadness, her unease, the butterflies in the pit of her stomach.

  “Have a great time in Gargilesse, and don’t drink too much,” she teased, raising an eyebrow of her own. “You know how you get after too many glasses of pinot grigio.”

  Collin wore an innocent smile as he folded his arms around her and drew her close. He touched a hand to her cheek and murmured into her ear. “I thought you liked aggressive, take-charge men who know how to have a good time.”

  Not men, Collin, just you.

  * * *

  Their lips touched, tenderly at first, then with urgency. As they stumbled back inside the suite, stroking and fondling each other, Collin made a startling discovery. He was smitten with Brianna. Taken with her. So far gone, he’d spent the past four days showing her around Paris instead of searching for the perfect site for the next Childs Corporation hotel.

  “I want you again and again and again,” Collin breathed, burying his hands in her thick, lush hair and inhaling her floral scent. “I just can’t get enough of you.”

  “I feel the same way, and I hate that I have to go.”

  “Then don’t. Stay with me.”

  If my friends could see me now they’d call me a punk, Collin thought, caressing Brianna’s face with one hand and palming her breasts with the other. He knew the label didn’t apply, but the word whupped flashed over and over in his mind, tormenting him.

  Collin wasn’t soft, and he wasn’t a pushover. Not in business, not in his personal life and certainly not when it came to the ladies. But he’d be the first to admit meeting Brianna at the hotel bar had rattled him, thrown him off his game. He couldn’t get enough of her kisses, her sultry moans and her lively, infectious personality.

  “We better stop,” Brianna said, breaking off the kiss. “Or I’ll miss my flight and feel the wrath of my father and brothers.”

  Nodding, he released his hold. Collin wanted to make love to Brianna one last time, but he didn’t want to push his luck. He’d had her in every position imaginable, in every square foot of his suite, and he wanted his last memory of their time together to be of holding Brianna tight, sharing soft kisses and caresses with her.

  “I have something for you.” Collin slowly released her and went into the master bedroom. When he returned, he was carrying a thin white box tied with an elaborate red-satin bow. “Go on, open it.”

  “You didn’t have to get me anything.”

  “Yes, I did. Because of you I have had a very enjoyable week.”

  “I really hope you didn’t buy me something expensive—”

  “Thanks to you, I’m rich, remember?” He lowered his mouth and stole a kiss from her luscious lips. “I won big when France beat Spain, and since I still have plenty of moolah to throw around, I decided to spend it on you.”

  A smile dimpled her cheeks.

  Collin watched as she took off the cover and pushed aside the white tissue paper. Brianna gasped and furiously shook her head.

  Confused by her reaction, Collin frowned. He didn’t know if Brianna gasped because she was thrilled or because she was appalled. “Do you like it?” he asked, studying her face for clues. “You’re always wearing scarves, and I thought this one would look amazing on you....”

  Brianna couldn’t get her bearings. All she could do for several seconds was stare at the vintage silk scarf. It was Chanel, one of her all-time favorite designers, and the bold, signature print was striking. Not only was the scarf a rare find, but it was also ridiculously expensive. Brianna reached out and drew her fingertips along the soft, lush material, marveling at how it felt. “I—I can’t believe you bought this for me,” she stammered. “How much was it?”

  Collin set the box on the side table beside the couch, took out the scarf and swathed it around Brianna’s neck. He tied a loose knot at the end, then used it to pull her close, right up to his chest. “Do you like it?”

  “Yes, very much.”

  “Good, that’s all that matters.” He brushed his mouth against her ear and over her cheeks before devouring her lips.

  Brianna closed her eyes and murmured into Collin’s mouth. His tongue was sweet and inviting, and gave her a rush that sparked delicious tingles way down below.

  “This is it, then, huh?”

  Too choked up to speak, she blinked and nodded her head. What else could she say? I want to see you again. Can I please, please have your phone number? How do you feel about dating long distance? Brianna couldn’t bring herself to ask the questions burning in her mind. She’d gone into this affair with her eyes wide-open, and knew it was too late in the game to change the rules. The only thing left to do was to grab her things and leave.

  “If you change your mind about going to, Gargilesse, just ring my suite and I’ll come back to get you.”

  Brianna stared up at him, a teasing smile on her lips and an innocent expression on her face. “You really love your wine, don
’t you?”

  “Among other things.” Collin’s words were full of innuendo, and his grin was a lethal mix of mischief and lust. His eyes slid past her lips, down her chest, and lingered between her thighs. “I want you to stay.”

  His words came out in a thick, desperate growl that betrayed his hunger.

  “I can buy you a first-class ticket home,” he said, his voice a whisper against her ear. “Stay with me, Brianna. I promise to make it worth your while.”

  Lust coursed through her body. Brianna was tempted and could think of nothing she’d love more than spending the day with Collin, but she knew her time was up. She’d already extended her trip once, and if she tried it again her parents would be up in arms. They’d know something was up, and Brianna didn’t want anyone—not even Azure—to know about her steamy Paris affair. Besides, she didn’t know Collin’s last name, or where he was from, and would hate for her cousin’s wife to think that she was a tramp.

  And if word ever got out that she’d had a fling in Paris, her parents would be mortified.

  “Take good care of yourself,” she said in a voice she’d never heard pass through her lips before. “And thanks for everything.”

  Collin gave her another kiss, then slowly released his hold around her waist. Clearing his throat, he nodded and slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Have a safe flight.”

  “I will. Goodbye, Collin.”

  Before her tears broke, Brianna rushed out of the living room and collected her things from the side table. Glancing over her shoulder, she waved and flashed the best smile she could manage. Then, she turned and walked out of the suite and out of Collin’s life forever.

  Chapter 7

  Brianna didn’t remember walking back to her hotel suite or climbing into the private car that drove her to Charles de Gaulle Airport, and when she boarded her family’s jet three hours after leaving Collin, thoughts of him still plagued her mind. The time they’d spent sightseeing around Paris, holding hands and stealing kisses was now a deeply cherished memory, one Brianna couldn’t escape no matter how hard she tried.