Hamilton guffawed outright.
“Thanks babe,” he told her, azure eyes gleaming with tender affection as he added, “I daresay, though, that you do not need a rich man’s gifts to make your own fortune in life. I have every confidence that you someday will play every major stadium, and claim your own place at the Rock’n’Roll Museum—where I will be taking you tomorrow, and on a private guided tour—this owing to the fact that Dad and I are personally acquainted with the museum owners.”
Callie grinned.
“Now why does that not absolutely shock me?” she asked with a chuckle, adding more seriously, “You rock, Babe.”
She took in her breath as her lover surged forward to seize her lips in a passionate kiss, his full, moist mouth rubbing against hers in smooth, massaging motions.
The couple’s kiss deepened as their tongues entangled and their lips smacked together, and Hamilton reached forward to stroke Callie’s back in long, loving strokes.
“Mmmmm,” he purred soft and sweet against her lips, pressing his hard massive chest against hers as his magical hands smoothed his way up to her sturdy shoulders; easing her back with a gentle motion into the divine softness of the bed beneath them.
He frowned in confusion moments later, as his lover broke their kiss; springing from the bed as she told him, “Now baby, I know that we’re stuck right square at the center of the most romantic city in the world—well, aside from Paris and London, of course, but I’m not sure what those two cultural bergs offer in terms of those ace slot machines. We should remember, though, that we’re meeting our parents,” she paused here, feeling her cheeks flush as she amended quickly, “I mean to say, your father and my mother, for dinner this evening at Club Tropicale. So, considering this, I really think that we should refrain from starting something that we won’t be able to finish.”
Hamilton shrugged.
“Well as much as I do like to take my time when I make sweet love to you,” he grinned with a playful wink, “I do believe that our dinner engagement is more than three hours away.” He paused here, adding as his eyes flew wide, “I don’t need to take quite that much time, babe. I’m pretty sure that, if we work together as a team, we can indeed accomplish everything we need to in less than 180 minutes.”
Callie rolled her eyes heavenward.
“I’m pretty sure that, if we work together as a team, we can indeed accomplish everything we need to in less than 180 minutes,” she repeated in a rote, robotic manner. “Once a high finance executive, always a high finance executive—huh, Sanders?”
Hamilton laughed.
“Only on weekdays, from 9 to 5,” he reminded her, adding as he reclined his firm muscled body in a pose of blatant seduction against a sleek covering of whisper soft lavender silk, “Any other time, baby, I am nothing more than Callie Bradford’s shameless groupie and willing love slave.” He paused here, adding on a whisper as he began to unbutton his black velvet jacket, “Take me, baby. Just have your way with me.”
For a moment Callie stood still and transfixed beside the bed; watching with admiring eyes as her salacious lover blatantly seduced her; holding her gaze as he revealed just a bit of his hard, bronzed pecs.
Suddenly her pulse raced with desire for the man she saw before her; and even as she struggled to tear her gaze away from his perfect chest, which he now flexed for her pleasure, to the aquiline eyes that now narrowed to sear her with a sultry gaze that reeked of seduction.
“Come to me,” he whispered, holding his hand out to her. “Let me make love to you, my darling.”
Callie froze, her heart racing in her ears as she felt herself captured by his smooth voice, his peerless beauty, and his flawless pose.
Finally, though, she took a deep, sustaining breath and tore herself away from him; retreating into their adjoining master bathroom as she said over her shoulder, “Look babe, we just spent several hours on a plane and I am feeling supremely dirty and sticky—and not in a good way. You’re already clean and dressed for dinner, and I would like to be in a similar state when we go down to meet Harry and Jama for supper. So with that in mind, I would like to check out the other room in our master suite and take a bath. A cold one. Alone.”
With this rather stiff declaration she retreated with haste into the master bathroom; taking just a moment to admire the sleek gold brocade walls and brass handled faucets that accented this luxurious space.
“Wow, this place is swank!” she exclaimed through the door that—of course—also came complete with a shiny brass handle. “Prior to this trip, most of the hotels where Mom and I stayed offered nothing more than free toothpaste—trial size. And, if you landed the Deluxe Suite, a cupful of mouth wash to boot.”
Callie smiled as she heard the deep, sonorous laughter that resounded through the surface of the door that stood between them.
“Get used to being spoiled rotten, babe,” he told her. “Because that’s exactly what I plan to do to you, for the rest of our natural lives.”
Callie’s grin broadened and her heart warmed as she considered these kind, meaningful words; phrasing that just officially intensified her already hot desire for the stunning, remarkable man in the next room. So now she needed that ice cold bath even more. Blast that stunning, remarkable man in the next room. Blast him, big time.
Soon she immersed herself in the circular marble tub that formed the centerpiece of this upscale bath, her curvaceous, fully made form immersing itself in a pool of clean, cool water.
First she grasped the vial of lavender that sat in a gold toiletry tin poised at the edge of the tub; sniffing its appealing scent as she next reached for the cake of translucent designer soap that she used to wash and cleanse every part of her body.
“This soap probably costs more than my yearly tuition at grad school,” she thought vaguely, nonetheless savoring the succulent feel of this luxury soap—and the soft velvety washcloth that applied it—as both coddled and cleaned her skin.
She froze as she heard a soft knock resound from the bathroom door.
“Any chance you need me to wash your back?” She had to smile at the sound of Hamilton’s hopeful voice as it permeated through the surface between them.
“Nope,” she replied, chuckling in secret at the long, anguished sigh that met this concise answer.
Her frivolity faded moments later, as she wrapped herself in the terrycloth robe that hung from her gold encased shower rod and stepped out of the tub; emerging from the bathroom to find her dejected lover hunched on the edge of the bed—regarding her with a sad stare as she made her way into the room.
“Hey,” she frowned, going immediately to set beside him on the bed. “We’re about to go to dinner at one of the most exclusive restaurants in the world, in one of the most glamorous and exciting cities in the world, and—to use the most ancient and blatantly trite phrase in the universe—you look like you just lost your best friend.”
Hamilton shrugged.
“Not my best friend, but perhaps my lover,” he told her, adding with a shrug, “I don’t mean to pressure you, Callie—I’d never want you to do anything you didn’t want to do. I would never hurt you, baby—please understand that,” he paused here, adding as he probed her with a penetrating gaze, “It just concerns me that, after being drawn together by such an irresistible force, after spending so many passionate nights together—and days, and mornings, and an occasional nooner thrown in here and there—you seem reluctant to be with me now. Why, baby?”
Fixing him with a soft, sad smile, Callie wrapped a loving arm around Hamilton’s broad shoulders, her tone soft and gentle as she assured him, “Please know, baby, that my feelings toward you have not changed in any way. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you, darling.” She paused here, adding as she pursed her lips in a nervous, self-conscious manner, “but seriously babe, our parents are in the next room.”
Hamilton nodded.
“Our parents are indeed in the next room—on their honeymoon,” he reminded her, a
dding as he rolled his eyes heavenward, “What in the heck do you think they’re probably doing right now? Repeatedly, and in every known position possible.”
Callie cringed.
“You’re talking about our parents here,” she reminded him, adding as she made a face, “To use yet another trite and outdated term—I do believe I’m going for a record here—Eeeeuw!!!!” she paused here, adding more seriously, “Of course I realize that, much like us, Harry and Jama are very much in love—and are, in all likelihood, expressing that love for one another in just about every way possible, to phrase things in a slightly more subtle manner. Even so, I couldn’t help but notice Mom’s face at the check in desk, when we asked the clerk to change our reservations. You do know, of course that—when Mom and Dad first booked their honeymoon trip—they booked two separate rooms for you and me.”
Hamilton nodded.
“Indeed they did,” he agreed, adding quickly, “But that was before you and I even knew each other, baby. You and I did not grow up together and we never had a brother/sister relationship. We are two consenting adults who met and fell in love. That’s it, and that’s all that matters.”
Callie snorted.
“If only it was that simple,” she told him, adding with a sad frown, “The fact is, though, that I made my own mother cry on her wedding day. How could I do that?”
Hamilton looked at her for a long moment, then said in a low, gentle voice, “And how did you feel, Callie, when you first found out that your mother was going to marry my father? With your strength and spirit, you probably didn’t cry—but I wager you felt like it, didn’t you?”
Callie nodded.
“Well of course I did,” she admitted. “All of my life, all I ever knew was a happy, peaceful family life that involved my mom, my dad and me. He was her first love, her only love, and I just couldn’t picture her with anyone else—even after Dad was gone. I mean, logically I understand that she is still a young, vital, attractive woman in need of love and affection, like everyone else. Emotionally, though, I just couldn’t accept it.”
Hamilton chuckled.
“And as you well know, Darling, I couldn’t accept it either,” he reminded her, adding as he chucked her chin, “That’s why I acted like an arrogant, entitled jerk the first time that we met. And as I recall, Miss, you were about ready to throttle me at the brunch table.”
Callie laughed.
“Boy was I ever,” she acknowledged, adding as she rolled her eyes heavenward, “And isn’t it ironic? Our parents were so worried that we would spend the rest of our lives hating each other.”
Hamilton guffawed outright.
“Irony, thy name is Hamilton and Callie,” he agreed, adding with a smile, “It wasn’t you that I hated at all, or even your mom—who I now adore, by the way. It was the idea of seeing my father with someone other than my mother. How could they do this to us, Callie? How could they break the hearts of their own children?”
Callie shrugged.
“They couldn’t help it,” she reasoned, holding her hands out in an expressive gesture. “They fell in love.”
Hamilton nodded.
“Ah, that is exactly what they did. And does that sound familiar, Callie?” he asked, arching his eyebrows heavenward. “We, much like our parents, are two consenting adults who fell in love. And just as we came to accept the relationship of Harry and Jama, so they will come to accept us. And, seeing as to how they allowed us to tag along on their honeymoon, I’d say we’re off to a pretty good start. Doncha think?”
Callie rolled her eyes heavenward.
“Sheesh, I hate it when you’re right,” she told him, leaning forward to plant a big, wet kiss squarely on his lips. “Another fact that I know to be true; they probably will not allow me admittance to a five-star restaurant dressed in only a robe. So I’d better get dressed in the moderately fancy duds that I brought along for the trip.”
She froze as Hamilton met these words with a slow, mysterious smile.
“Well if you take a look in our bureau, my dear, you will find a dress that, I daresay, is more than a bit moderately fancy,” he informed her.
Her eyebrows arching in a show of keen curiosity, Callie just short of sprinted across the room and ripped open the cherry wood bureau that formed a far corner of their suite.
She gasped outright as she saw a sight that stole her breath: a splendorous ivory hued gown of pure silk embroidered with rich patterned threads of lovely, lustrous gold.
A shiny brooch of scarlet red was woven into the high collar of this foot length frock, which she grabbed with a gleeful whoop before ducking into the bathroom.
Moments later she emerged a woman transformed; her robust figure draped in a luxurious frock of pure, beauteous silk, her fire red hair piled atop her head, and a rarely worn coat of ruby red lipstick adorning her mouth; one that set her new brooch off to glorious effect.
She smiled as Hamilton let loose with a long, slow wolf whistle; meeting her entrance into the bedroom with a round of applause as she curtsied regally in response.
“So what are you waiting for?” she asked him, heading for the door in broad, confident strides as she added over her shoulder, “Let’s go chow down!”
Hopping up off of the bed, Hamilton shook his head as he followed his love to the door.
“Dearest, one does not ‘chow down’ at Club Tropicale,” he informed her, adding as she shot him an annoyed look over her sturdy shoulder, “Except for Callie Bradford, of course. She is free to ‘chow down’ anywhere and in any manner she chooses, with my loving blessing.”
Chapter Two
Soon Callie found herself ensconced in a beautiful, exotic other world, a nightclub that bore a strong resemblance to a distant tropical haven.
The walls of Club Tropicale came emblazoned with detailed, rainbow hued murals that depicted sparkling bronzed beaches and rolling azure seas; both bathed in rays of golden sun beneath a lush, gem blue sky. Its domed ceiling glowed in a surface of lustrous bejeweled gold, and boasted a circle of brass bordered chandeliers painted with images of merpeople at play beneath the surface of the sea; overseeing tables adorned with shimmering satiny coverings glowing in ebullient shades of teal, azure and greatest gold.
Personally escorted to a table that sat at the center of the eatery, Callie and Hamilton smiled as they saw the glowingly happy couple that already occupied this space.
“Hey Kids!”
Dressed in a sharp, royal blue dress that seemed culled from the finest satin, Jama Bradford also wore a glimmering diamond necklace around her slender neck; one that brought out the highlights in her sleek dark hair and soft, creamy skin.
“You look beautiful, Mom,” Callie praised her, leaning over to kiss her mother’s cheek as Hamilton pulled her cushioned chair out behind her.
“Thanks!” her mom enthused, adding as she gestured with pride in the direction of her shiny new bauble, “Check out my newest gift from Harry.”
Leaning over to inspect more closely the luminous gems gathered in a sparkly strand around her mother’s neck, Callie nodded with approval as she said, “Beautiful! Good job, Harry!”
She shifted her gaze now to Harry Sanders, her new stepfather. Likening his son like a mirror image, Harry was also a tall, blue eyed brunette with an impressive muscular physique. Although graying at the temples and boasting of worry lines just beneath his eyes, she had to admit that Mr. Sanders still cut an impressive figure at the age of 58; and although his looks were generally enhanced by his dazzling white toothed smile, the faint, forced smile that he gave her now was markedly more reserved.
“Thank you, Callie,” he addressed her in a polite but formal tone. “And I see that you, too, are wearing a gift; the one that I know for a fact my son spent an inordinate amount of money on—I saw the bill.”
“And may I say it was worth every penny,” Hamilton praised, taking his own seat even as he ran an admiring glance down the length of Callie’s fully made form, “Doesn’t s
he look absolutely ravishing?”
Jama nodded.
“She does indeed,” she agreed, adding as she handed velvet bound menus to her two guests, “But then again, my daughter is always wondrous.”
Harry nodded.
“Wondrous…and pretty distracting, considering my son’s recent attendance record at the office,” he admitted, adding as he turned to look his son directly in the eyes, “Look Hamilton, we brought you and Callie with us on this trip because we want you to enjoy yourselves—and that’s exactly what we hope you do. Just be aware, though, that when we return home I need you present and ready to work at our company. I’m grooming you to be vice president; but before you claim that title, you have to earn it first. You can’t just ride around town in the Mercedes, impressing your girlfriend—who also happens to be your stepmother’s daughter—with trips to the country clubs that I got you into in the first place and oodles of fancy gifts.”
Hamilton gasped.
“Father, I cannot believe your rudeness and impertinence,” he scolded his dad, adding as he made a broad gesture in the direction of a frowning Callie, “You owe Callie an apology.”
Jama nodded.
“Indeed you do,” she agreed, adding as she shot a condemning look in the direction of her husband, “I hate to say this, Harry, but you’re beginning to remind me of—well, you, back when I was your secretary and before we got to know each other outside of work.” She paused, adding as she looked a chastened Harry straight in the eyes, “You know, back when my playful pet name for you was the Son of Satan and that’s on His Good Days? Now I know it may be difficult to accept the fact that these two are dating, but the fact remains that we love our children. And the young lady of whom you spoke so disrespectfully just happens to be my world.”
ROMANCE: THREESOME : Billionaire Brothers' Party (MFM Menage Romance) (New Adult Contemporary Threesome Short Stories) Page 57
