Heat stained Susie’s cheeks and she snatched the garment from Amanda’s hand. “It’s not what you think.”
Except that it was. Susie had done naughty and erotic things with Chris last night and didn’t regret any of it. In fact, she was damn glad he’d joined her in the pool.
“Don’t bother,” Amanda scoffed. “The truth is written all over your face. Please tell me it was Chris and not Dane.”
“It was Chris,” Susie admitted. “I couldn’t sleep so I went for a swim. He couldn’t sleep either.”
“So…you didn’t sleep…together. Good for you, girl. Chris is a terrific guy and any girl would be lucky to have him.”
Susie couldn’t argue. From what she’d seen Chris worked hard, loved to compete, and treated people with respect. He’d certainly managed to get under her skin in only a few days. She couldn’t get him off her mind, constantly thinking about him.
“I don’t have him,” she denied. “I would call things casual at this point. We’re just spending time together. It may go nowhere.”
Although she was ready to admit she was thinking about a future with Chris in it. He’d quickly become part of her day to day life.
“I just want you to forget about Dane. It’s not him you really want anyway. You only want what he represents.”
“I’m beginning to understand that. There’s nothing wrong with it though. After all, how many more chances will I have to really do something crazy and out of character?”
Amanda laughed. “Um, your whole life? There’s no statute of limitations on fun, Suze. Seb and I do some pretty wild things together. Find someone that takes your breath away and makes your pulse pound. Then you’ll know you’ve got the right man.”
Chris made her feel that way but she wasn’t ready to confess yet. It was too new, too fragile. “I don’t think men like that grow on trees.”
Whatever Amanda was going to say she didn’t get a chance. Tracy burst into the room apologizing for being late with Dane right behind her.
“It was my fault.” Dane exchanged an intimate look with Tracy, his arm around her shoulders. “I kept her too long on the beach.”
Tracy’s cheeks were pink, her hair windblown, and her legs and arms covered in sand. Whatever they’d been doing Dane hadn’t thought to bring a blanket or a towel.
Amanda shook her head and brushed at Tracy’s arm, sand falling to the floor. “I think you should head upstairs and take a shower. The seamstress is late and we can have her do your dress last anyway.”
Tracy looked up at Dane from under her lashes. “Well, I could use a shower if you’re okay with it.”
“Just don’t be gone too long,” Amanda cautioned. “We need to get the dress stuff done today.”
“No problem,” Tracy said hastily, still looking at Dane. “I’ll be back in say…an hour?”
An hour? There was no reason a quick shower to rinse off some sand should take an hour. Unless, of course, said shower was not being taken alone.
Looked like Dane had a new conquest.
Susie could swear she saw Amanda roll her eyes. “That’s fine. We’ll see you then.”
Amanda and Susie watched as the two retreated hand in hand. “If we see Tracy before dinner I’ll be shocked,” Amanda stated. “Dane had that gleam in his eye. That predator look he gets around an attractive woman. Heaven help Tracy.”
“Did you warn her like you warned me?”
“I did. Obviously it didn’t do a thing because she’s currently getting naked with him right now, I’m betting. But she’s a grown woman and makes her own decisions.”
“Wait,” Susie protested. “I’m a grown woman too. How come you don’t take that attitude with me?”
“Tracy’s been around the block a time or two. You? You haven’t even traveled to the corner yet, let alone the other three streets. You need someone to advise you when it comes to men.”
“That’s what I was trying to do. Have some fun this week.”
“I’m all for it as long as it’s not with Dane,” Amanda retorted. “Chris is a much better proposition.”
“Chris is a good guy.” Susie nodded in agreement but was still a trifle miffed at being treated like a child. “But he could hurt me too.”
“He could but he better not.” Amanda smiled and shook her finger at Susie. “Besides, it’s too soon for your heart to be involved.”
Susie wasn’t so sure about that at all.
Chapter Seven
‡
Two days later Susie knew she was in big trouble when it came to Chris. They’d spent as much time together as possible with all the pre-wedding activities that were going on. To her surprise it had been more than just awesome sex. They’d talked and really become closer. She’d found they had more than simply a zest for life in common. They both liked history, the Tampa Bay Rays, the beach, and had an affinity for reading thrillers.
Tonight Amanda and Seb were having dinner with some of the out of town guests so the wedding party was on their own. Chris had left her a message earlier today that she should dress up and be ready for a special evening. Just the two of them.
Five perfect words she loved hearing. Funny how she’d barely noticed Dane these last few days. He’d already moved on from Tracy and was now squiring around another attractive woman that worked at the resort. In reality, Susie had had a lucky escape. She wouldn’t have been happy with a fling with Dane, she saw that clearly now. Her emotions had to be involved as much as her private parts. Dane had been a holdover from her teen years that she hadn’t yet put away. This week she finally had.
Smoothing the fabric down over her generous hips, Susie surveyed her appearance in the mirror. The strapless black satin dress was a simple design that hugged her curves without being too risqué. She’d paired it with matching black high heels and a simple black choker with a cameo at the base of her throat. She eschewed any other ornamentation preferring to keep the look clean and elegant. With that in mind she allowed her long hair to fall into waves around her shoulders, remembering how Chris liked it loose so he could run his fingers through it.
A quick knock and then her door opened slightly. Tracy stuck her head in, a smile on her face. “I think the limo downstairs is for you. Lucky girl.”
Limo? Were they going to the resort or perhaps another part of the island? Either way, they hardly needed a limo to get there. They’d been traveling the last few days in the owner’s four-door Saab.
“Are you sure? It’s probably for Amanda and Seb.”
Tracy opened the door wider and shook her head. “Nope. The driver specifically asked for Ms. Langtree. That’s you. Wow, I wish I could meet a guy like Chris.” Tracy sighed and leaned on the door frame. “Dane does stuff like this too. He just doesn’t do it for very long. I think he has a short attention span.” Tracy wrinkled her nose.
“Did he hurt you?” Susie had to ask. It could very well have been her in Tracy’s shoes.
“No.” Tracy shook her head. “I knew what I was getting into with a guy like him. He’s like a roller coaster. A thrilling ride but it’s over before you know it. Just as well. Hills, valleys, and twisting turns wouldn’t be something I could take as a steady diet.”
“Not to mention the upside down loops.” Susie laughed and picked up her small velvet purse. “How do I look? Good enough for a limo?”
She stood back and did a nervous pirouette. Chris was obviously pulling out all the stops tonight. It was sweet but she would have been just as happy with a picnic on the beach.
“Gorgeous. Knock him dead, Suze,” Tracy cheered as they descended the staircase. “And I won’t wait up.”
Probably wise. Susie was desperate to get Chris alone tonight. They hadn’t been able to make love yesterday with all the wedding preparations going on and she was finding that one day without him was too many.
The limo was at the curb and the driver touched the brim of his hat and opened the door. “Good evening, Ms. Langtree. Lovely night for a dance.
”
Susie slid into the seat and the door closed behind her. A dance? They were going to a dance somewhere on the island?
The car pulled away smoothly and she sat in the backseat trying to see out of the darkly tinted windows to get some idea as to where they were going. She wasn’t surprised when they pulled up to the front entrance of the resort. If there was any sort of large function on the island it would be located here.
The door opened and the driver extended his hand. “Miss?”
She let him help her out of the limo and then stood uncertainly at the entrance to the resort. Chris was nowhere in sight and she didn’t know what to do or where to go.
“This is for the elevator.” The driver pulled what looked like a keycard from his pocket and held it out to her. She took it from him and looked at the surface. The name and logo of the resort were printed on it.
“Thank you,” she said, still not sure where she should go. She moved toward the doors and they magically opened, a smiling doorman on the other side.
“Ms. Langtree?” he asked and she nodded. “Your party is waiting for you. You can take the elevator over there.”
He pointed to a set of doors that were roped off and she breathed a sigh of relief that Chris was somewhere in the building at what looked to be a private party.
“Thank you,” she said again and walked to the elevator, sliding the key card into the slot. The doors opened with a soft swish. She stepped inside and the doors closed before she felt the car begin its ascent.
The floors lit one by one until she reached the highest floor. The penthouse suite. Swanky party they were attending, but then most on this island weren’t destitute. The doors swished open one final time and she stepped out into an opulent apartment. Marble floors, expensive fabrics, and crystal chandeliers that screamed of conspicuous consumption. Susie’s own home boasted a microfiber sofa and love seat that had been chosen because she liked the color and they were easy to clean.
“You’re here.” Chris stepped out from behind a doorway and she sucked in a breath at how incredibly handsome he looked tonight. Dressed in a black tuxedo, he looked the epitome of the suave, dapper partygoer.
“I’m here but I’m not sure where I am,” she confessed. “The driver said something about a dance. Is there a party here tonight? Where is everyone?”
Other than some soft classical music playing from an unknown location there wasn’t any sound to be heard. She couldn’t see anyone else either. Were they early?
“It’s just us.” Chris moved closer, a box in his hand. “And there is a dance here. I remembered you said you didn’t get to go to your prom. So I thought we’d have the prom here tonight.” He held up the box. “I even got you a corsage.”
Tears stung the backs of her eyes and she put a hand over her mouth to stifle the sob that caught in her throat. He didn’t think what she’d told him was stupid or pathetic. If anything he’d gone out of his way to make her dreams come true.
And what a dream date he was.
“I can’t believe you did this.” The words came out choked and hoarse but he understood them. He smiled and pulled open the box, a corsage of orchids in his hand.
“I want to help you put to rest all the things you think you missed so you can move on. Now hold out your wrist, Susie Q.”
Her hand trembled as he clipped the corsage to her left wrist. She lifted the flowers to her nose and breathed in their heavenly scent, tears on her lashes. “They’re perfect. This is perfect.”
“Now don’t cry because we have to have our prom picture taken. We’re prom king and queen, you know.”
She was giggling and crying at the same time. “We are? I doubt I would have won that honor at my own prom.”
Chris grinned and leaned down to drop a kiss on her nose. “Then aren’t you glad you waited until now to go to your prom? It has benefits.”
“It certainly does,” she readily agreed, thinking she was glad she’d waited for the perfect prom date. “I’m afraid to ask what else is happening tonight but I will anyway.”
“We’ll have dinner,” Chris answered easily. “Then the king and queen will do the first dance. Then when we’re done dancing I’ll do what all lucky guys do on prom night.”
She was really liking the sound of this. “And what would that be?”
“Take off their date’s prom dress.” His voice dropped several octaves and the deep tone sent shivers up her spine. “Of course we won’t be doing it in the backseat of a car. Unless you want to. I was thinking we’d spend the night here.”
“A luxury suite and a sexy guy? It sounds like heaven.” She felt those pesky tears welling up again. “Thank you, Chris. I really don’t know what to say.”
“You’re welcome. It’s probably not a macho thing to admit but I had fun organizing this with a little help from the concierge. I thought you might be on to me this morning.”
“I had no idea. None. You’re a man full of surprises, Christian Rhodes.”
“I’m just trying to live every moment to its fullest,” he grinned. “We have that in common. Now let’s go get our picture taken. The photographer has brought in a really cheesy backdrop. I think the theme is Under the Sea or something like that.”
“I hope it’s hideous. Let’s go.”
Linking her arm in his, she let him lead her deeper into the suite. Chris was a man that could make dreams come true.
And she had a very good idea how to thank him.
*
Pictures taken, dinner done, and now Chris and Susie were dancing slow to If You Leave Me Now by Chicago which he had on good authority was a great prom song. She looked adorable with her prom queen tiara slightly askew and a flush on her cheeks. He’d second guessed himself about doing this a dozen times but a conversation with Amanda had sealed the decision.
“Go for it,” Amanda had said fiercely. “She’ll love it. I promise.”
So far that seemed to be the case. They were swaying to the music, their bodies brushing and sending streaks of heat straight to his already hard cock. There were so many things he wanted to do with – and to – Susie but he needed to be patient. This moment was for her.
“I love this song,” Susie sighed, her lips curved into a blissful smile. “I doubt they would have played this at my real prom.”
“You could have requested it,” Chris suggested with a laugh. “But I’m glad you like it. I thought it might be too old and you would tell me you’ve never heard of the band Chicago.”
“I like older music and I like Chicago, especially their early stuff. I grew up listening to my parents blare Blue Oyster Cult and Tina Turner, so you could say my taste in music is eclectic.”
The smile disappeared for a moment. She was thinking about her mother.
“You were an amazing daughter and your mother lived a good life, Susie.”
“I feel badly for my father. He seems so alone. I wish he would find someone. He’s still young and has a long life ahead of him.”
“Sometimes if we’re lucky we find that one person,” Chris said as gently as he could. “No one else will do after that. Maybe your parents were soul mates.”
Until recently Chris would have said the idea of soul mates was a bunch of bull but after spending time with Susie he wasn’t so sure. She seemed made for him in every way.
“I think they were.” The smile was back and blinding in its beauty. “They really were happy together.”
“They never fought or anything?”
“They fought.” Susie rolled her eyes and laughed. “Boy, did they fight. But never for long and they always made up afterward. They were both strong-willed people.”
The song ended and his hand slid up her back to tangle in the silky hair at the nape of her neck. “We’re gonna fight now and then, Susie Q. I like giving orders and getting my way.”
“I’m not always going to do what you want me to do.” Her hand rubbed his shoulder as if to smooth over the message. “I have a mind of my
own and I can be pretty stubborn.”
“I think you know how to get around me. The one place I need control the most is in the bedroom. There are many things I’d like us to try. If you’re willing, that is.”
There was a definite sparkle in her green eyes. Susie was intrigued.
“Such as?”
Her tongue darted out to wet her lips and his groin tightened in response. She was nervous, which was a good thing. He wouldn’t want a woman who dove headlong into a D/s relationship without some caution. She, however, was someone who wanted to experience life and all it had to offer.
“Bondage. Impact play. Those are my two favorites and a good place to start,” he replied, watching her reaction closely.
“Impact play? Do you mean like a spanking? You threatened that before.”
Susie’s breathing had sped up and her chest and face had turned pink with arousal.
“A hand spanking, or maybe with a paddle or a crop. There’s also a flogger or a cane. Each one gives a different sensation. You’d have a safeword so if you wanted to stop at any time all you’d have to do is say it.”
“What would my safeword be?”
“Anything you want it to be.”
Susie grinned and rubbed herself against him, making him muffle the groan the friction elicited. He ought to spank her just for that.
“How about stoplight? Is that okay?”
“Perfect. Are you sure you want to do this? I like sex the vanilla way too,” he assured her. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
“Vanilla?” Susie giggled and shook her head. “That’s a funny way to describe it. I like the flavor vanilla but sometimes I like something more. The fact is I trust you enough to explore this. It’s kind of fascinating really.”
Chris pulled her close and bent his head, capturing her full soft lips with his own. He took his time, letting his tongue rub and explore before finally breaking the kiss. She looked soft and sleepy, her eyes glazed over.
Diamonds and Revolvers Page 6
