by JB Duvane
And I couldn’t wait to show Amber my world.
Especially when I watched her sparkling eyes scan the room. She was spectacular. And I couldn’t wait to see her under even more impressive lights than these.
Neither of us were even remotely hungry so we headed straight for the bar at the back of the room. A stage had been set up on the left where a band played random covers that sounded familiar but held little interest to me. Amber looked like she was really enjoying herself. What I enjoyed more than anything else was watching her reaction to the surroundings. I couldn’t wait to impress her with all the surprises I had in store.
When we reached the bar I grabbed two flutes of champagne and turned to hand one to Amber, standing close to her while she took her first sip.
I watched the tightness in her shoulders melt away with that simple act. I imagined all of the tension she had bundled up inside unwinding slowly with what I had in store for her. I couldn’t stop my mind from wandering to her soft body moving underneath mine as I entered her and made her scream my name. My cock twitched and started to harden again with that thought.
No. Not here. Not yet. I thought to myself as I took a long drink from my glass.
“It’s good,” she said, keeping contact with my eyes.
“If you like this, I can’t wait to show you what’s in my cellar.”
“Wine cellar?”
“Yes,” I said, smiling at my own private joke. “Among other things.”
Chapter Four
Amber
Damon grabbed two more glasses of champagne off the bar and handed me my second. I’d only planned on having one drink, but now that I was with Damon, I honestly didn’t care about anything.
I hadn’t planned on staying long. In fact, I really did think I’d wind up hiding in Christie’s car for the majority of the evening. But now, with Damon looking down at me and standing so close, I wanted to stay much longer, as long as I was with him.
With each sip of champagne I became more and more relaxed. I hadn’t realized it, but I’d really been on edge earlier. First, the anticipation of seeing everyone, then Maggie Dayton fawning all over Damon and simultaneously giving me a dig over my dress. I knew it was silly, but it made me feel kind of inadequate. But all of that seemed like hours ago.
"Where are you staying tonight?"
I was caught off guard by the question. I knew he wanted to leave soon but my mind hadn’t quite gone that far yet. It hadn’t even occurred to me that Damon would wonder where I—or both of us—would be sleeping.
He seemed to notice my hesitation to answer. “What I mean is, do you still live here in town? Or are you at a hotel? I'm at the Lakeshore near the promenade."
“So you’re out of town now?” I asked, avoiding the original question.
“Yes, out of town.”
I was starting to like this game of his. The seductive question and short answers that kept both players on their toes. He sure played it well. “What about that wine cellar of yours, then?”
“It’s there. In my house. Are you interested in seeing it?” Damon’s eyes sparkled with anticipation while he waited for my answer. I was starting to feel woefully out of my league.
“You still haven’t answered my question.”
“I still live here. So I’m staying at my place … here in town.” I could feel my cheeks flushing.
“Well, we’ve had our drink,” Damon said. I could feel his hot breath on my neck as his face inched closer to mine.
"You want to leave? Right now?" I was a little embarrassed with the way my voice cracked, but everything about him was intimidating. I couldn’t believe this was the same Damon Andrews. He had barely touched me and my panties were soaking wet. And things had been dry as the Sahara down there for so long I’d forgotten what that even felt like. I closed my eyes and believed that his voice alone could probably make me come. Then I thought about his fingers running down my spine and his hands grabbing my ass; thoughts I’d had more than once over the last ten years. When I opened my eyes again he was staring down at me, his lips just inches from mine.
Suddenly memories came flooding back to me. Memories of his intensity and the way my body used to tingle all over whenever he was near. I remembered one time in particular, watching him when he was reading in the cafeteria. For the most part he held the cover down and I couldn’t see it, but there was one moment when he moved the book up and I saw the name.
It was called The Story of O. I didn’t know anything about it then, but ran across it years later when I was in college. When I devoured the book in one sitting, I couldn’t help but think about him. While I read, I pictured Damon doing every one of the things that were written about in that book, and I imagined that he was doing them to me.
And looking up at him in that moment, I blushed when I realized that’s what I’d wanted for years. Almost as if I’d been waiting for him.
A screech in the PA system cut through the buzz of the crowd and made me jump. It was a bit of a relief, though. I had no idea what to think of Damon. Of what he wanted with me. As I downed the remainder of my glass, I wondered if this was going to be a one-night thing. I thought maybe I could do that—something casual. He lived in another town, so the chances of this going anywhere were pretty much nonexistent. And for some reason that thought gave me more courage. I didn’t have to worry where this was going, or if he would eventually hurt me like all the other guys. I decided I could just let myself have fun for once.
A blonde woman was helped up onto the stage by one of the band members. She wore a stunning gown that twisted around her with every movement and threatened to split at the seams more than once. After she hoisted herself up, she walked over to the microphone that had been dropped on the floor, picked it up, and tapped it to see if it was on. The dull thud echoed throughout the room.
"Hello, fellow Jaguars!"
Applause rang out from the crowd, with some of the former football players and cheerleaders giving a roar of approval. It felt like a pep rally all over again.
"Thank you all for coming out tonight. It's so wonderful to see everyone again. I'm not very good at speeches so I thought I would let the pictures do the talking for me. I thought it'd be nice for us to remember what brought us here today, so I made a slide show that'll hopefully bring back some memories. Thanks everyone. Keep drinking and eating, and go Jaguars!"
Another cheer from the crowd, then the lights dimmed as a screen lowered from the rafters and the slide show started up. The band on stage continued on with slower versions of the top-forty-from-ten-years-ago covers they’d been playing.
Damon gave me an alarmed look and shook his head and I couldn’t help myself from busting out laughing.
He took my glass and set them both down on the bar, then grabbed my hand.
"You want to skip school with me?"
I smiled and that was all he needed. Damon pulled me through the darkened room toward the exit, weaving his way through the crowd.
Just before we slipped through the doors, I turned and watched as the first slide appeared on the screen. It was an image of the woman who had been on stage with her friends, of course. The chances of either of us showing up in any of those pictures was close to zero, so there was no point at all in staying. Especially not with the way Damon was making me feel.
I hadn’t felt anything even close to what he was bringing up in me since … well, since high school.
Things were getting interesting very quickly. I’d gone from dreading setting foot in that damned reunion to thanking my lucky stars that Christie made me come with her, all in a matter of hours. And now I was giggling while escaping through the parking lot with a man I barely knew, but simultaneously felt like I’d known all my life.
I wasn't used to making these kinds of rash decisions, although I supposed Damon was the one that had actually made this one for me when he grabbed my hand and led me out. My lack of an answer to his question was clearly taken as agreeing to flee the pa
rty with him, which was oddly comforting. I didn’t want to admit it, but I secretly liked the way he took charge, and I wondered how far that controlling attitude extended.
The comfort and overwhelming bliss that surrounded me as he wrapped his fingers around mine was too good to break away from, even though it was reaching a scary level of intimacy for me. Still, it didn’t matter where Damon was headed at that moment; if he was taking me, I was coming along. I was going to close my eyes and let him lead me.
His grip was sturdy and strong, with just enough pressure that I knew he was in complete control.
"I can’t believe we’re doing this,” I said, starting to pant. I wasn’t out of breath because we’d been walking quickly, although for each long stride of his, I took two quick steps. I was breathing heavy because of the excitement and exhilaration of feeling free. Normally, I would have sat through something like that god-awful slide show out of politeness, but I felt like such a bad kid running out the way we did. It felt like the two of us were in on something together. Our great escape.
“You better believe it. There isn’t enough money in the world to make me sit through something like that. I have no interest in reliving those awful high school years.”
We came to an incredibly shiny, black car with tinted windows and I felt like I was in some kind of a movie when Damon opened the passenger side door and held it open for me. I paused for a moment before I climbed inside, turning and looking up at him in the moonlight. I was already starting to feel things I didn’t want to feel for him and the look in his eyes scared me.
"Trust me, we made the right decision."
"You seem awfully sure of yourself." I turned and ducked down into the soft leather seat of the luxury car. I watched him walk around the front and wondered what the hell happened to him. I realize that I didn’t know him very well back in high school, but now he was like a completely different person. He’d become the kind of man I’d always dreamt about. It was as if he’d walked straight out of one of those romance novels I read every night.
“It happens a lot.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Being sure of myself. It’s what I do now.”
“Oh,” I said, taking a hard gulp.
I sat there and wondered how sure Damon was about me. I wondered what kind of plans he had for me when he got me back to his hotel. He pulled a phone out of his pocket and texted someone, then started the car.
I rubbed my legs together under my dress, the friction causing them to clamp together tightly. I was dripping wet and could feel the excitement traveling up and down my thighs. Every single word that came out of his mouth made me want to hop right in his lap and all I could do was hope that he couldn’t see how aroused I was.
As the car pulled out of the parking lot, I looked at the side-view mirror and watched my old high school drift off into the distance. I couldn't help but be happy about this adventure, but silly thoughts kept spinning around in my mind. It had been so long since I’d been naked in front of a man and I was afraid I wouldn’t measure up. I had no idea what kinds of women Damon dated, but something told me he was a hot commodity.
“You’re awfully quiet over there."
I continued to look out the window so that I could have an excuse to avoid his gaze.
“Just checking out the scenery.” I realized too late that I was gripping the sides of the leather chair and when I let go my palms were covered in sweat.
“What scenery are you checking out? It’s pitch-black out there. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything’s fine.”
“By the looks of those sweaty palms I’d say everything isn’t fine. Am I making you nervous, Amber?”
I didn’t want to ruin everything, the moment or this night, but I suddenly felt like things were going way too fast.
"I just … I don't want you to get the wrong idea."
"Wrong idea about what?”
I bit my lip and continued to look out the window. I wanted to explain, but I felt like no matter what I said I’d come off as a tease. I didn’t know why I couldn’t just let things happen. Why I couldn’t just close my eyes and let him take the lead. I wanted to so badly, but once my brain started in with its monkey antics again, my adventurous side shut right down.
I knew it was just stupid fear. And the thing I was suddenly afraid of the most was how much I wanted to be with him.
“Will you look at me?”
I let out a deep sigh and turned my head to meet Damon’s eyes.
“What’s the matter? Did I say something wrong?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just … this is all happening so fast. Hopping into your car and heading straight to your hotel. I don’t do things like this.”
He smiled and gently put his hand on my thigh, which sent a bolt of lightning straight to the wet space between my legs. I sucked in my breath and gripped the seat again. All I could feel was the tingling sensation where his hand was touching me. That and my heart just about pounding out of my chest.
"Relax. We're going to my place. That's all. We won’t do anything you don’t want. I promise. Do you always worry so much or is this a special occurrence?"
I laughed nervously and took a deep breath when his hand slid off my thigh. “It’s pretty special. I haven't been out with a guy in quite a while."
"That's surprising. You're funny, incredibly beautiful, smart. What's stopping you?"
What’s always stopped me? I didn’t want my life to sound as pathetic as I knew it did, so I lied. "I've got a lot on my plate right now. You know, juggling a lot of different things. Too many hobbies, too much work." I almost cringed at what was coming out of my mouth. I felt like one of those people at the reunion, yammering on and on about nothing real. What I really wanted was to hear more about what he thought of me. Funny, beautiful, smart? It almost knocked the wind out of me to hear him say those words.
"What about you?” I asked. “You said you’re single too. How come?”
“Hold that thought. We’re almost there.”
“We’re almost to the hotel?” I said, looking out the window.
“We’re almost to our next stop.”
“What do you mean next stop. We’re not going to your place?”
The car turned off of the freeway and onto the exit for the airport.
“Wait, I thought you said you were staying on the promenade. We’re headed toward the airport.”
“I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“What?”
He turned into the airport parking lot and passed multiple cars that were unloading at the curb.
“What’s the surprise?”
That word put me a little on edge, especially since I wasn’t a fan of flying, or anything having to do with airports in general.
“Just keep your pants on,” Damon said with a sexy grin. “We’re almost there.”
We headed past the parking lot and turned down a side lane that took us to the back of the airport. Damon flashed something to a guard in a small booth and a gate went up.
We drove right onto the blacktop where the massive airplanes were parked, one even taxiing next to them toward the runway. Whatever reason they were headed in that direction, I hoped it didn’t have anything to do with flying. The odds were probably against me, though. Damon didn’t seem like the type to take a joy ride on an airport runway.
Damon calmly wove his way down marked lanes, weaving around the mammoth silver jets and luggage trollies. Another security attendant stopped him, checked his plates, then waved him through to another runway. This one had a sleek, silver jet waiting on it with its engine running. Damon drove up to the airstairs and turned the key, cutting off the engine. “Here we are.”
“What do you mean? What are we doing here? Are you a pilot?”
He smiled and raised an eyebrow, like he had a lot of secrets, this one being just the tip of the iceberg. “No, but it is my jet. Come on, let’s go.”
He got out
of the car before I could respond. Just about everything that came out of his mouth now put me in a temporary state of shock. He walked around the car and opened my door, then held out his arm.
I pulled myself together and stepped out onto the airport blacktop. “Wait, you own a jet? Are you serious?”
“I own a lot of things.”
He turned and led me to the stairs that were attached to the jet, but stopped short when my feet refused to take another step.
“Wait a second,” I said, sounding angrier than I’d intended. “You’re going to need to explain this to me.”
Damon sighed. He turned to me as another plane took off in the distance.
“Look, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, but I wasn’t interested in letting anyone at the reunion in on my private life. I have a lot of money, Amber.”
“Oh,” I said, trying to comprehend how much money he’d have to have to own his own jet.
“Come inside with me, please,” Damon said, taking my hand again. “We’ll be much more comfortable in there.”
“Speak for yourself,” I said under my breath. I wanted to ask more questions. Instead, I followed Damon up the stairs and stepped inside the first private jet I’d ever encountered. And when I did, I started to understand just how rich Damon was.
Everything was stark and perfect. White walls and carpet with plush furniture upholstered in black leather. The cabin of the jet was larger and more expensive than my entire apartment. There was a massive, flat-screen TV that took up an entire wall and a mirrored bar in the corner with top-shelf alcohol; bottles of aged scotch that cost triple my monthly income.
Dumbfounded, I ran my fingers across the soft leather seats. Then I wandered past them and into what looked like another room. I couldn’t speak. It was a master bedroom with a sunken Jacuzzi and a full bathroom.
This had to be a joke. This couldn’t possibly be his. They were breaking in, that was it. Or this was a company jet and he had arranged this all for a laugh.
