by Jill Sanders
“Ben!” Bella cried out. She shoved her body between the two men. She was still only dressed in a white tank top and those sexy boy shorts while he stood fully dressed for work. “He was helping me,” she said, shoving her hands into her brother’s chest. “I fell and he was bandaging me up.”
She held up her hands to her brother and then motioned to her knees, where he’d placed the bandages over her red and bloody skin moments before.
Ben jerked his eyes away from Calvin’s face. After seeing the bandages, he relaxed. “Shit.” He pushed his hands through his hair and looked back to Calvin. “Someone had said...” He sighed and closed his eyes.
Knowing his best friend had, for even a moment, believed that Calvin could hurt Bella, or anyone for that matter, stung worse than his bruised jaw. Still, he knew Ben wasn’t thinking straight. He’d probably heard that his sister had been injured.
“Sorry, man.” Ben closed his eyes. “Dude, she’s my sister.”
Calvin felt his heart fall and nodded. “I know.” He couldn’t stop the guilty look nor could he deny the attraction he felt for Bella.
“If you two… chauvinist pigs are done...” Bella said, storming over to yank her leggings on quickly. He reached out his hand to steady her when she almost fell over, but Ben rushed to her side to help her. Calvin stepped back and averted his eyes from the sexy pink underwear. Bella slapped her brother’s hands away and, after covering herself again, bent over to pick up her boots and jacket. “Now, if the two of you are done trying to control my life, I’m heading upstairs for a hot bath.” Her eyes landed on Calvin, and he shrunk back as her eyes narrowed at him. Then she turned to Ben. “I am my own woman. What I do and with whom I do it is none of your business.” She stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her.
“We fucked that up.” Ben sighed as he ran his hands through his hair again.
“We?” Calvin asked.
Ben turned on him, and he could see all the anger and worry was gone. “I’m sorry,” he added quickly. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. I’d heard that she’d been hurt and well… she’s my sister. You know how that feels.”
The words stung more than the punch had, so he nodded. “I kissed Bella yesterday,” he blurted out. “So, I deserved it.”
Ben’s eyes narrowed, then he closed them and took a couple of deep breaths.
“She’s right. It’s none of my business. So, whatever,” he said when he opened them again.
Calvin balked. “That’s it?”
“What do you want? I’ve already punched you.” He motioned to Calvin’s bruised jaw.
Calvin reached up and wiggled it for good measure. “Yeah, but you hit like a—”
“Careful,” Ben warned with a chuckle. “We both know who punches better between us.”
Calvin shut his mouth. “Fine, but like I said, I deserved it and more. You’re right, she was alone with me in nothing but…”
“Don’t mention it.” Ben moved closer to him and he flinched for show. “Ever again. Tell you what, just promise you won’t hurt her.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Because if you do, there’ll be a lot more than a hurt jaw to show for it.”
“What are you saying?” Calvin asked.
“I’m not saying anything.” Ben moved towards the door. “Except…” He glanced back at him. “Watch out for her and don’t piss me off.” He turned and left.
Calvin sat on the edge of the desk and replayed the last hour in his mind. Remembering Bella’s words had him thinking he was in bigger trouble than he’d first believed.
He decided to check out the garden himself and stepped outside to the heavy rain. He took his time going over every inch of the grounds. From what Gavin had told him about where he’d found Bella’s phone, he gauged that someone could have hidden behind a large hydrangea tree without being seen. To be honest, there were so many hiding places in the gardens that a dozen people could be hiding from him at that very moment.
He went back inside and spent the next hour scouring the guest list. He ran the standard security checks that he used for new hires on some of them.
He didn’t think there could be a paparazzo in the bunch, but then again, he didn’t think people registered to stalk the famous. By the time the dinner hour rolled around, he figured he needed to head up and apologize to Bella. He’d heard from Stacey that Bella had ordered room service for lunch. He didn’t expect her downstairs for dinner either, but he looked for her the entire meal.
Before he was due to head out on the ferry, he climbed the stairs, thinking of exactly what he was going to say to her. He stood outside of her door for a few minutes, coming up with the right words, and was just about to knock on her door when it flew open.
She stood there in a pair of black leggings and a light gray sweater that almost went down to her knees. The sweater hung off one shoulder, exposing the soft skin to his view.
“I wondered how long you were going to stand out there,” she said, leaning against the door.
He dropped his hand and cleared his throat. “I, um, wanted to apologize.” He tucked his hands in his pockets. When she didn’t respond, he shifted his feet. “For earlier.”
“I can choose whom I’m with and whom I’m not.” She narrowed her eyes.
He swallowed and nodded. “Yes, ma’am, you can.”
She smiled quickly, grabbed his tie, and pulled him into the room. He was so dumbfounded that he didn’t fight her. Hell, what she was doing didn’t even register until her lips were covering his as she pushed him up against the door to her room.
Then his brain shut off completely as her mouth slanted over his and her soft body pushed against his. His hands moved up to her shoulders, holding her. He wasn’t sure if he was pulling her closer to him or pushing her away, since he could no longer tell up from down.
She mixed everything up in his mind. All his carefully laid plans flew out the window when she kissed him. When he tasted her, he completely lost control.
“Bella,” he said between breaths.
“No, don’t think,” she said as she leaned back, her eyes meeting his. “Tell me you don’t want this as much as I do,” she said with a slight warning.
He couldn’t lie to her, but he doubted he could find his voice and just shook his head.
“No?” she asked, tilting her head. “No, you don’t want this.” She waved her hand between them.
He took a deep breath to clear his mind, but he got a whiff of her sexy perfume and groaned. Instead of answering, he reached for her and pulled her close. This time it was his turn to take control. Her body pressed up against his, and he reversed their positions until he had her up against the door. Her hands moved slowly over his shoulders.
His mouth moved over hers and then moved down her neck. He pushed her hair to the side, giving him better access so he could trail kisses down to her exposed shoulder. He nudged the sweater down even further and then pulled the long hem of the sweater up and over her head. She was completely bare underneath, and he almost came instantly seeing how perfect she was. Dipping his head, he trailed his tongue over her, enjoying how her nipples peaked for him.
Her fingers dug into his hair as she held him to her skin.
“Cal,” she sighed and arched even more against the closed door. “Please.” She reached for his shirt and winced when she bunched it in her injured hands.
“Here.” He pulled away and took her hands in his, looking at the bandages he’d placed earlier. Lifting her palms up to his lips, he placed kisses on each one before stepping back and pulling off his shirt for her.
Her eyes ran over him, and he could see the heat as she sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. When she reached out and brushed the back of her hand down his chest, it was his turn to arch into her touch.
“Bella.” He meant it as a warning.
She looked up into his eyes and reached for his hands, then she walked him towards her bedroom. He’d been in the room many times. He
’d been in almost every room at the resort for inspections.
The large bed appeared as if she’d napped in it. Its blankets were pushed back and there was a laptop sitting on the small desk across the room. He noticed she was a tidy guest.
She stopped at the foot of the bed and turned back to him. His eyes moved back to her perfect breasts, and she chuckled.
“God.” He closed his eyes. “I can’t think when I’m around you.”
“Good, now you know how I feel.” She wrapped her arms around him and pushed her naked skin up against his.
He sighed at the feeling of her soft skin against his. He could feel her nipples poking him as he ran his hands over her soft curves.
“Touch me,” she said. She laid her lips on his collarbone.
He couldn’t have denied her at this point. She’d brought him far beyond his breaking point.
“Tell me you have protection,” he groaned as her mouth ran over him.
“Nightstand.” She flicked her tongue over his flat nipple.
“Thank god.” He buried his fingers into her hair. When she ran her mouth over his stomach, he sucked in his breath. “Bella,” he warned, trying to nudge her away.
“Shush, I’m hungry.” She smiled up at him.
“Vixen.” He chuckled as she reached for his belt. She tossed it across the room, and he laughed. Then she bit her bottom lip while she unzipped his slacks.
“You’re going to kill me,” he warned.
“Good.” She slid his pants down. “My god,” she sighed as his erection sprang free. His eyes closed as she ran her fingers softly over him. He couldn’t help jumping slightly when she laid a soft kiss over him.
When she ran her tongue from the base of his shaft to the tip, he growled and gripped her under her arms before flipping her onto the bed. She laughed and reached for him, but he pulled back. He grabbed her leggings and slowly slid them down her legs as he bent over and trailed his mouth over the smoothness of her legs.
When she was free of all clothing, he yanked open the nightstand drawer and pulled out a condom. “There is a god,” he said as he came back to her. Instead of sheathing himself and embedding himself in her slickness, he bent between her legs and ran his mouth over her. She cried out his name when he flicked his tongue over her pussy.
Her hands buried in his hair as he lapped at her, enjoying the sweetness of her.
“You taste so good,” he groaned as she wrapped her legs around his shoulders. “Come for me,” he said softly. “I can’t wait to taste you on my tongue.” He slid his tongue into her slickness as she arched her back and gripped the comforter. The soft sexy sounds she was making only had him growing harder for her.
“Yes,” he encouraged. “Let go,” he said as he slowly slid a finger into her. When he felt her tense and cry out, he smiled at the richness of her and enjoyed it for a moment before pulling back and sliding on the condom.
“Look at me,” he said as he settled between her spread legs.
“Calvin.” She wrapped her arms around him. “Please.”
He smiled. “Hold onto me,” he begged as he slid slowly into her. She was tight and warm and everything he’d ever dreamed she’d be.
When they started moving together, he bent down and kissed her until he exploded for her as she cried out his name again.
Chapter Eleven
She was floating on a cloud. God. Had she ever had sex as good as this before? No. Not even close.
She smiled up into the darkness and stretched her arms over her head.
“Now you’ve done it,” Calvin said from beside her in the darkness of the room.
“Hm?” She turned slightly to see his outline.
“How am I going to explain why I missed the ferry?” He rolled over and his hand came up to rest on her waist, slowly moving over her hip, causing her to want him again.
“Surely you work late all the time?” She moved closer to him and ran her hand over his chest, wincing slightly as her palms stung. She wished she didn’t have the stupid bandages so she could feel him under her skin.
“I do, but since there aren’t any big groups here currently, it’s going to be obvious why I stayed behind. Especially since word got out about Ben finding us… earlier.”
“Word got out?” She frowned and stilled.
“Yeah,” he sighed. “Linda happened to be passing by the office when everything went down. She overheard it all and, well, everyone who works at the resort knows what happened.” He glanced around and shrugged. “I wouldn’t be surprised if someone saw me coming up here earlier.”
“So.” She shrugged. “Who cares?” She relaxed slightly. “I mean the entire world believes that we’re lovers already.”
“True.” He chuckled as one of his hands moved up to cup her while the other moved lower. “So, what you’re saying is… we shouldn’t fight this.” He touched her and her eyes slid closed as he slid a finger into her again.
“No.” She enjoyed the feeling of him pinching her nipple as he entered her with a finger over and over.
“Do you like that?” he teased.
“Yes.” She moved slightly when he nudged her legs wider.
“How much do you like it?” he asked. “If I was to…” He pulled his hands away and she made a soft noise. He chuckled and returned his hand to between her thighs. Then his mouth covered her breasts, and he sucked her nipple and rolled his tongue around it.
“This,” he said, “right here. You taste like cotton candy.” She chuckled and pushed her fingers into his hair. His mouth moved over her as she heard him open another condom wrapper. She’d been lucky she still had a box of them in her overnight case.
Just before he slid it on, she moved swiftly until he lay beneath her. “My turn.” She smiled down at him, taking the condom from him.
He held still as she ran her mouth over him, down his chest, stopping to enjoy his flat nipples and all those sexy muscles, which were covered with a light dusting of dark hair. When she took him into her mouth, he tensed while his fingers dug into her hair.
“My god, Bella.” He groaned as she moved up and down his length, enjoying how hard he was, how perfect he felt.
When he nudged her up, she sat up and slowly slid the condom over him before climbing to sit across his thighs.
His eyes raked over her, then he reached up and touched her breasts as he pulled her down onto his full length.
“Perfect,” he sighed as she embedded him fully in her heat. It was even more perfect than before.
She had expected him to fall asleep after such a perfect moment, but just as she was drifting off to sleep, he rolled out of the bed.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to leave?” she asked.
“Yup,” he sighed as he slid on his shoes.
She must have fallen asleep. He’d turned on the hall light so as to not wake her. She’d only woken when she’d reached for him and found his side of the bed cold.
“It wouldn’t do if I showed up to work in the morning in the same clothes I wore today.” He chuckled. “Besides, I’ve already texted JT.” He glanced at his phone. “He’s going to pick me up in five minutes.” He stood up, leaned over the bed, and kissed her. “Go back to sleep.”
“Calvin,” she said as he turned away.
“Hm?” he asked from the doorway.
“I don’t regret being with you,” she said with a smile.
He nodded. “Me either. Night,” he said as he left.
She snuggled back into the bed, pulling the pillow he’d used close to her face to enjoy the lingering scent of him as she fell back to sleep.
She woke to her phone chiming and was going to ignore it, but then it exploded with notifications.
Groaning, she rolled over and grabbed it, yanking the cable from the charger as she peered at the screen, blinking a few times until her eyes adjusted.
She sat up quickly and gasped. With shaky fingers, she swiped through the images.
When her phone ra
ng in her hands, she jumped and squealed, then answered it when she saw Maggie’s face appear on the screen.
“Tell me this can be controlled,” she said before Maggie could say anything.
“I was hoping you’d have some insight as to what we could do to stop this,” Maggie replied with a sigh.
Bella glanced at the clock and estimated that it was just past five in the morning for Maggie.
Sitting up, she pulled her iPad to her lap and flipped it open. “Is it everywhere?” she asked.
“I’m afraid so. The sun isn’t even up here. All the notifications woke me.” She heard her agent yawn.
“Well, there’s nothing we can do right now. Get some more rest. I’ll think it over and see what I can come up with.” Bella closed her eyes and wished she could go back and kick Michael in the balls the last time she’d seen him.
“Okay, if you need anything…” Maggie added.
“Outside of a hitman?” she joked, causing Maggie to chuckle. “Call me when you’re fully awake.”
“Will do,” Maggie said before hanging up.
Bella scoured the full interview Michael had given an online magazine, which had gone live first thing that morning.
She didn’t know what upset her more, the fact that he disclosed some of the stuff she’d said to him or the fact that he accused her of harassing him and stalking him.
When her phone rang an hour later, she had almost worked herself into a panic as all the hate comments started flooding in on her social media.
Her brother’s voice did little to soothe her as he tried to convince her that it would blow over and that she should do her interview.
Maggie had suggested the same thing, but she didn’t think that fighting fire with fire was the road she wanted to take. Besides, Michael was an established Hollywood staple. She was only an up-and-coming singing star with one successful album under her belt. Why would anyone believe her story over his?
The things he’d said in the interview made it seem like she was a nutjob. When asked about the picture of her and Calvin on the boat, Michael had laughed it off as a stunt to throw the media off her crazy trail. He produced some of her text messages to him, which were taken completely out of context. He even tried to convince everyone that the texts were from that same day she’d been on the boat with Calvin.
