In Her Wildest Dreams

by Rochon, Farrah

  “She didn’t deserve a minute of your time, Gavin, let alone years.”

  “Nearly four years, to be exact,” he said. “But I don’t want you to pity me. What happened with Whitney was only a part of why I left Technology Concepts.” He fiddled with the artificial sweetener packets on the table. “The stress of running the company was slowing killing me, Erica. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it. But I was thirty-three with hypertension and ulcers in my stomach. I knew the hostile takeover was coming and tried to fight it off for two years, but in the end, I figured it wasn’t worth it. I saw my dad die of a heart attack at fifty-nine. I didn’t want the same for me.”

  “And now you get to make chocolates for a living,” Erica said, trying to lighten the mood.

  Gavin grinned, but his expression quickly sobered again and his gaze returned to the sweeteners he’d rearranged by color in the holder.

  “I did what I had to do, and in the end, it was the best thing for me.” He looked up at her. “You want to know what else was the best thing for me? Discovering Whitney’s treachery on my own. I’m not sure how I would have felt if someone had told me about it.”

  She knew what he was saying, but Erica wasn’t ready to concede her point. “But what if you hadn’t discovered it, and two years later, you were still with her while she was also with that other guy?”

  Gavin shrugged. “I don’t know how I’d feel,” he said. “But I still don’t think it’s your place to say anything to the wife. You could break up a marriage. That’s not what Your Wildest Dreams is all about.” He held his hands up. “I’m not telling you how to run your business. I just want you to be prepared for the fallout.”

  She reached over and captured his wrist, giving it an affectionate squeeze. “There you go taking care of me again,” she said.

  An incredibly wicked smile lit up his eyes. “And the night’s just getting started.”

  Chapter Nine

  “I had no idea the Your Wildest Dreams experience was so much fun,” Erica said as she snuggled closer to Gavin in the gondola that floated along Bayou St. John in New Orleans’s City Park.

  “I can’t believe someone as thorough as you would not have tested out your own services,” Gavin said.

  She shrugged. “A few of the vendors have offered, but you know how busy I am. I’ve never had the time. I won’t turn them down again, though,” she said. “That dinner was absolutely amazing, and this is the icing on the cake.”

  “I’d have to disagree.” Gavin pulled her closer to his side. “The icing on the cake will be spending the night in that hotel room with you.”

  His words caused a shimmer of awareness to cascade down Erica’s spine. Gavin must have felt her stiffen.

  He nudged her arm. “I’m joking, Erica. You know damn well I’m not going to pounce on you as soon as we get to the hotel.” He tilted her chin up so that she could see his face. “I’m the same Gavin,” he said. “Nothing has changed.”

  “Everything has changed.”

  “No, it hasn’t,” he insisted. “We’ve been teasing each other like that ever since we met. And how has today been any different from a typical day together? We’ve spent the evening talking about work, just as we always do.”

  “But tonight we’re going to share a hotel room,” she pointed out.

  He let out an exasperated sigh. “I would be lying if I said I would be fine with us going to the hotel and sleeping all night long, Erica. You know I want more than that. But you also know that whatever happens is entirely up to you.”

  Leaving the decision up to her didn’t help ease the anxiety twisting in her stomach. Despite everything within her telling her that she could trust Gavin not to hurt her, a tiny part of her heart was still unsure.

  Thanks so much, Mom.

  They paddled to the edge of the water and were helped out of the boat. A car awaited them, ready to drive them to Manor Royale. She’d received a call from Beverly Jones this afternoon, letting Erica know that she would be able to provide the seven rooms needed for the remaining Your Wildest Dreams Valentine’s Day experiences. She also offered Erica a free night’s stay so that she could try out the hotel’s services for herself.

  Moments after her call with Beverly Jones had ended, Erica had received an email from one of her other hotel contacts, informing her that a large company that had planned to participate in the upcoming convention had pulled out due to an emergency at their headquarters, and several hotel rooms had opened up. Apparently, Beverly Jones’s change of heart had resulted from a need to meet her guest quota.

  As they settled in the back seat, Gavin took Erica’s hand and entwined their fingers. He’d done so numerous times before, but tonight it felt different. Real.

  But it also felt…right.

  The realization washed over her, easing the anxiety that had, to this point, hampered her enjoyment of what had been one of the most relaxing, entertaining nights she’d had in ages. Erica snuggled closer to Gavin and allowed herself to be consumed by the magic of the night she had created. For the first time, she truly understood why people came back to Your Wildest Dreams over and over again. This night had been one to remember.

  And it wasn’t over yet.

  Deliciously wicked butterflies flittered around her stomach at the thought of what was in store.

  She and Gavin arrived at Manor Royale. They were quickly checked in and, within minutes of their arrival, were at the door to their suite. The hotel didn’t use keycards, but still relied on old-fashioned keys. It felt more quaint than outdated.

  Gavin opened the door and stepped to the side so she could enter ahead of him. Erica walked into the room and fell instantly in love with the décor. The room looked as if it sprang forth from an old photo of turn-of-the-century New Orleans. The Louis XVI bed was adorned with delicate cream-colored lace bedding. In the bathroom were plush robes and slippers embroidered with an M and R for Manor Royale.

  Gavin popped open the bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket on the ornate secretary table. After handing Erica her glass, he settled in beside her on the elegant sofa, stretching his arm across the back. Erica scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder.

  “Thank you for joining me,” she said. “Tonight has been wonderful.”

  “Better than a date with some guy you met on the Internet?”

  She looked up at him. “Is that even a question?” she asked with a laugh.

  “There’s only one bed,” Gavin noted after a pregnant pause.

  “Yes,” Erica acknowledged. She took a sip of her champagne.

  “So,” he said. “Have you—”

  There was a loud knock at the door.

  Gavin’s brows rose. “You expecting anybody?”

  Erica shook her head. Setting her glass on the marble-topped side table, she walked over to the door and opened it, finding Beverly Jones standing out in the hallway, flanked by two young ladies dressed in white uniforms and carrying massage tables.

  “Welcome,” Mrs. Jones said. “Just so that we both know there are no hard feelings, I wanted to throw in a couple’s massage. I suspect it would add to any fantasy night experience Your Wildest Dreams dreams up,” she said.

  The two masseuses came into the room and within seconds had the matching massage tables side by side.

  “Well, this is totally unexpected,” Erica said. She turned to Gavin. “Umm, do you want to go in the bathroom first?”

  “Unless you want to go together,” he said.

  Her eyes widened. She looked over at the two masseuses, who looked back at her with knowing smiles. Erica speared Gavin with a look and between clenched teeth said, “No, you can go first.”

  His brows lifted, as if to say “you’re sure?” Then he shrugged and went into the bathroom.

  Erica brought a shaky hand to her forehead. She was reeling at the thought of Gavin stripping out of his clothes on the other side of the bathroom door. She fidgeted with the pewter picture frame on the secretary and
did a poor job of making small talk with the masseuses. A few minutes later, Gavin came out with the robe draped over his solid frame, the belt tied loosely at the waist.

  “Your turn,” he said, his deep voice drizzling down her spine. She had no doubt she would spontaneously combust before the night was through.

  Erica walked passed him, and the arm of his robe brushed against her arm. Her heart nearly stopped beating, and her overly sensitized skin pebbled with goose bumps.

  Oh, yeah. Spontaneous combustion, here I come.

  ***

  Erica stretched her legs out on the chaise longue and took a sip of her champagne.

  “I’ll be honest,” she started. “I wanted to punch Beverly Jones in the eye when I opened that door and found her standing there, but that was one nice surprise. It’s been ages since I had a massage.”

  “Hmm…” Gavin murmured.

  “What?” She looked over at him.

  “I’ve been told that I give a good massage.” He held his hands up, fingers splayed. “One of these days I’ll show you that these hands can make magic outside of the kitchen, as well.”

  Delightfully naughty thoughts swirled through Erica’s head. Even though her muscles still held the pleasurable ache from the massage she had less than an hour ago, she was tempted to request the special Gavin Foster treatment.

  “Oh, wait.” Gavin snapped his fingers. “I forgot that I’ve got a surprise of my own for you.” He walked over to the ornate Louis XVI chest and opened the cabinet door.

  Erica sat up straight as he returned with a small picnic basket. “When did that get in there?”

  “The hotel manager likes me a lot more than she likes you,” he said. “She allowed me to stash this here before I met you at the Windsor Court.”

  Erica choked on a laugh. “Maybe you should negotiate my hotel deals from now on.”

  “I’d consider it. But we can discuss new business arrangements another time,” Gavin said. “We’re supposed to be in the midst of a fantasy night, remember. And any fantasy just wouldn’t be complete without chocolate.”

  “I knew it,” Erica said. She reached for the basket, but Gavin pulled it away.

  “That’s not how things operate in this fantasy.” He gestured with his head. “Scoot back.”

  She obeyed, scooting up the chaise longue until she butted against its high back. Gavin sat on the edge, setting the basket on the floor next to them. He pulled out several containers and placed them on the small round table next to the chaise. The smile on his face blossomed as he uncapped one container to reveal a silky serving of chocolate ganache. Its rich scent enveloped Erica’s senses.

  “That smells amazing.”

  “It tastes even better,” Gavin promised, his voice deep. Sensual.

  He lifted the lid on the other container. It was filled with deep red pitted cherries.

  “This is going to be good,” Erica said.

  “You have no idea,” Gavin replied. He dipped a cherry into the container and swirled it around, coating the fruit in the satiny smooth chocolate. He held it up.

  “Ready?” Gavin asked.

  Erica nodded. She tilted her head back and parted her lips. Gavin lowered the cherry into her mouth. She ran her tongue around it, lapping up the chocolate before biting the fruit off of the stem.

  “Umm…delicious.”

  “Can I get a taste?” His deep voice brushed along her skin.

  She stared at him for several moments before she nodded, knowing exactly what he would do. Gavin leaned over and captured her mouth in a kiss that took her breath away. His tongue invaded her mouth, licking a bit of chocolate from the corner of her lips before plunging inside. He dipped his tongue in and out, jousting with hers, eliciting a moan from deep in Erica’s throat.

  “Do you know how long I’ve wanted to kiss you this way?” he asked.

  She shook her head.

  “Yes, you have,” he accused. “I’ve wanted it just as long as you have. I won’t let you pretend that you haven’t felt this, Erica. We’ve danced around each other since we first met, ignoring this attraction. ” He tilted his head to the side, his eyes searching hers. “Why?” he asked. “I want a real answer this time.”

  “That’s easy, Gavin. You were with someone else.”

  “So, why didn’t you say anything after I left Whitney?”

  She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “That’s easy, too,” she said. “I didn’t want to lose you as a friend.”

  His expression softened. “That would never happen,” Gavin told her. “Ever.” His eyes brightened, shimmering with a mixture of understanding and pure, unadulterated sin. “But now you’re going to get the best of both worlds. You’ll get both a friend and a lover.” He picked up the containers of chocolate and cherries. “I think we should move away from this nice furniture. This may get messy.”

  “You promise?” she asked without thinking. Erica covered her mouth, a surprised gasp escaping.

  Shivers of anticipation cascaded down her spine as Gavin pulled her hand away and pressed a kiss to her palm. He nodded, his grin full of the promise she sought.

  They moved to the area of open floor where the masseuses had set up their massage tables. Gavin placed a pillow on the floor and instructed her to lie back. Erica complied, situating herself on the floor and turning her body over to him. He played it like a maestro. With very little effort, he had her out of the lounge clothes she’d slipped on after her massage and stretched out before him, wearing nothing but her bra and panties.

  “Good God,” Gavin whispered.

  He dipped his head and ran his tongue over her nipple. The sensation of his wet tongue penetrating through the sheer fabric caused Erica’s stomach to clench.

  With a roguish smile creasing his lips, Gavin pulled one of the bra cups down, releasing her breast. He picked up a cherry, coated it with chocolate, and swirled the velvety sauce around her nipple. His eyes smoldering with need, he lowered his head and circled her nipple with his tongue, lapping up the melted chocolate from her breast.

  Erica’s back arched off of the floor as a whimper escaped her throat.

  Why on Earth had she fought this for so long?

  She ran her hands underneath the hem of Gavin’s shirt, dragging her nails up and down his spine.

  He stopped just long enough to pull his shirt over his head and shuck off his pants. Then he knelt above her on all fours, dipped his head low, and traced his tongue up her chest, nipping at her collar bone, running his tongue up the column of her neck. Erica felt his erection gliding up her belly and moaned softly. It had been such a long time since she’d felt this way. It seemed so right, so natural, to have Gavin here with her, taking her on this sensual journey.

  He lifted himself slightly off of her and cupped her jaw.

  “I need to know how far I can go, Erica.”

  “All the way,” she answered.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, the caution in his voice touching her heart. “You won’t freak out on me tomorrow morning and run away like you did after I kissed you?”

  “No,” she said. She turned her head and kissed his palm. “I won’t. I promise. I want this, Gavin. I want you.”

  The heat in his eyes turned to fire as he captured her wrists and pinned her down. His tongue continued to assail her body with its onslaught of sensual exploits, traveling south, until he reached the spot between her legs. Gavin gripped her hips and lifted her to his mouth. When his lips closed around her, Erica’s body started to quake.

  She congealed into a massive heap of sensation, her entire being soaring as Gavin relentlessly worked his tongue and teeth on her. She lifted her head, peering down at him as his head moved between her thighs. Erica ran her hands through his hair, gripping it when his tongue plunged deep.

  By the time he was done, her skin was humming in satisfaction, nearing the spontaneous combustion she’d predicted. She was completely spent, ready to do nothing more than sleep for at least
a day.

  Then he donned a condom, fitted himself between her legs and entered her.

  And that urge to sleep went out the window.

  Chapter Ten

  Gavin clenched his jaw against the urge to roar with pleasure. That’s how damn good Erica felt surrounding him, milking him. He tasted her on his lips, her deep, musky flavor intertwined with the sweet chocolate. She tasted better than anything he could ever develop in his kitchen. And she was all his.

  Forever.

  Gavin was determined to make sure he was the only man who ever had the pleasure of tasting her magnificent body again.

  He plunged into her welcoming heat, his body becoming one with hers.

  He knew she would feel this way, like heaven. He’d imagined this more times than he could count, and not surprisingly, it was better than anything he’d ever fantasized about.

  Erica wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him tighter against her. Her aggressiveness elevated his ardor to a fever pitch, urging Gavin to drive deeper into her. He buried his face against her damp neck as he plunged over and over and over again.

  Finally, with a cry that tore out of his throat, Gavin came in a rush of white hot light, sparks flashing behind his closed eyelids. His body shuddered, trembling with the force of his release.

  He collapsed onto Erica, quickly rolling off of her and pulling her on top of him. He wrapped his arms around her, running his hands up and down her soft, moist skin. Just a few short years ago, Gavin had not even allowed himself to think that he could feel this kind of love again, but he was there. This was as real as it got. And he was never letting go.

  ***

  “You know,” Gavin said. “The bed would be a lot more comfortable.”

  “But then I would have to move,” Erica said with a laugh. She perched herself up on one arm and fed Gavin a piece of chocolate.

  “Mmm…this is good.”

  “You act as if you’ve never eaten your own chocolates before.”