I nodded.
“Let me see.”
I would have just lifted the edge of my shorts so he could see the band of my panties, but I thought I’d go for something a little better than that. So I took my time undoing the buttons to my shirt and opened it up to show him my pink lace bra with the little bow in the center.
“God.” He stared at me, then moved swiftly to turn on the Range Rover and rev the engine. “We are definitely not in Kansas anymore.”
* * *
Josh
* * *
I couldn’t drive fast enough. I could barely keep my hands on the steering wheel and had to will them to stay there and not roam over to the stunning blonde woman who sat next to me with her shirt open.
Twice I nearly ran the car off the road because I was staring at her, and I almost drove past the house.
The minute we parked I jumped out of the car and reached for her. We didn’t even close the doors, I just picked her up and carried her inside the house while I ravaged her beautiful lips with kisses.
Pure emotion propelled me, and the more I kissed her the more I wanted. I wanted her, all of her, now and forever.
How had I managed to control myself all these weeks? How the hell had I managed such will power?
We made it to the living room where I lowered with her to the floor. I backed off her shirt, revealing her daintiness and perfect frame. In the small window of time we had to catch some air, she tugged at my shirt and I managed to pull it off over my head. I kissed the soft skin of her neck, which was just as I remembered. Smooth like cream, with the promise of everything amazing. I kissed my way down to her breasts and stopped as I remembered the last time I’d had this opportunity. My want was worse now by a hundredfold. But still I realized what going further would mean for us. What it would mean for her. In the back of my mind it dawned on me that she’d seen me here in this house with other women. Not even one, but two. Several times, and that was not that long ago.
Allegra and bed friends.
She was concerned about that when she moved in, and I knew what she thought about me in that respect. I didn’t want her to think that she was just another woman in my bed. I stopped kissing her and pulled away.
Concern filled her beautiful face as she looked at me with wonder in her large green eyes.
“What’s wrong?” she asked with that smooth softness that spoke to my soul. I knelt before her and cupped her face.
“I don’t want you to think that this is just about sex.” I shook my head. “I want you, all of you. Not just this part.”
My words seemed to surprise her. She looked back at me with an awe-filled expression, her eyes heavy with emotion.
“You have me, Josh.” She smiled and took my hand. “I want this.” She waved my hand, mimicking what I did and said to her weeks ago when she moved in.
I smiled, feeling happiness I thought I’d never experience burst within me.
“What is that?” I widened my smile.
She giggled as I kissed her cheek. “I don’t know but my heart wants it.”
I stopped and stared at her. Now that was different to what I’d said and meant so much more. I knew it when I met her that I’d never met anyone like her before, but what I didn’t realize then was that I’d never met anyone who I could feel this way about. And my feelings for her had deepened as time went by. All it took was seconds, just a handful of seconds, and she’d go deeper down the pathway she had created into my heart.
“My heart wants you too.”
She smiled sweetly. “Then make love to me, Josh.”
I looked at her and thought I’d love to do nothing more. It would be the first time that I’d ever made love.
“With pleasure.” I kissed her again, and when I did I knew there was no turning back. But mostly I knew that I was going down a path that would propel me in a direction I’d never gone before.
As she molded against my body, I smoothed my hands up to her breasts and squeezed her gently. Soft moans escaped her lips and drove me insane.
I picked her up again, deciding that I wanted her in bed where I could devour her. But not mine, hers. My room was tarnished with the past and needed to be cleansed before I could take her in there. She was surprised to see that I’d taken her to her room, but we didn’t waste time with that. I set her down in the center of her bed and captured her lips again. Then with one snap I undid the clasp in front of her bra that held it together. Her beautiful breasts spilled out in their heftiness and my eyes glued to her nipples. Pink like the finest strawberries, round and firm.
I pulled down her shorts to reveal the beauty of her hips and the artistically sculptured masterpiece of her fine legs.
The extent of her ethereal beauty did indeed rival all the angels. This woman wasn’t just beautiful, she was the description and definition of perfection.
I kissed my way down and smoothed my mouth over her left nipple, drawing her in and getting lost within the passion that surrounded us.
* * *
Amy
* * *
I had never been looked at like that before. As if I were perfect and the most desirable woman in the world. Even if I wasn’t, that was how Josh made me feel.
I arched my back as he sucked my breasts and took his time to explore my body. The passion that consumed me paralyzed me within the deep clutches of its grasp and I lost awareness of time and space, everything. Shivers rushed over my body as he ran his hands over me.
I wanted to have my own time to explore him too. I wanted to kiss my way across his chest and run my hands all over his glorious muscles, but my strength failed me. His touch alone was too much for me, and I got lost in his kisses, losing my mind to the passion that took me.
He paused for a moment to remove his clothes and reveal the impressive length of his cock. All I could do was stare at the glorious vision of him, standing before , basking in perfection.
Everything turned hotter and more intense when he took hold of me again. He parted my legs and I shifted so he could remove my panties. That was when my mind went straight to oblivion. I sucked in a sharp breath as he held my waist and slid into me, huge and thick, then began pumping slowly, easing deeper into my core.
A deep groan was ripped from his chest as he went even deeper, stretching and filling me. I cried out from the impact and arched my back as he increased his movement, then I became lost in the fire that licked at my skin, blazing over it in ripples of wild energy.
“Baby, do you want more?”
Want? No, I needed more.
“Yes,” I cried with desperation.
Josh gave me more, hitting all the right places deep within me.
His grip tightened around my waist and he straightened so he could go faster.
Harder and faster, deeper. Over and over again until I felt the hard wave of orgasm tumble through my body. It vibrated my entire being in response and rocketed overlapping waves of pleasure.
It scorched my body clean. I cried out again. Then everything became an intense blur of orgasmic ecstasy, Josh kept going.
Tremor after tremor shook me, robbing me of my breath as I tried to scream out his name. I writhed against him, hot and wild, then one last soul-shattering, bone-tingling orgasm reverberated through every part of me, robbing me of my senses.
I thought I would pass out from it, and from the tingling, fiery sensations that pricked at the ends of my nerves. It was too much. Much too much.
When he cried out in pure pleasure I knew he could feel it too. He clasped my hips, pulling me into his final thrust, hot and powerful just like him. Every muscle tensed as he came.
We were both breathing hard, and I was covered in sweat from the sexual heat.
He lowered next to me and pulled me towards his chest. I rested my head against him and listened to the thunderous beat of his heart.
“Baby.”
I lifted my head and looked at him. I tried to smile but I was breathing too hard. “Yes baby,�
� I replied.
His smile widened at my response. “We have a lot of time to make up for.”
I couldn’t agree more. I giggled as he kissed me.
* * *
I had made several attempts to get up, but Josh wouldn’t allow me to leave the bed. Now he was making it even harder by taking his time to trace a line of slow fiery kisses down my neck while he slid his palm across the flat of my stomach, drawing me even closer to him.
“Josh.” I giggled as he nibbled on my neck again. “I was supposed to start work four hours ago.” There was a chance it was more than that, but I’d kind of lost track of time.
We’d made love all night and several times since then. It was like we couldn’t get enough of each other and had become slaves to passion and the primal desire to have more.
It was intoxicating, and overwhelming.
I had to admit that I didn’t actually want to get up, either, but we had a lot of things to do today, and he had training. I also had to get back to the rep at Calvin Klein to let them know Josh wouldn’t be doing the advert.
“Josh we’re at work.” I should be given bonus points for my attempt. He answered by running his hands over my breasts and pausing at my nipples. I pulled in a breath against the pleasure I felt.
“I want you again, baby,” he whispered against my ear, burning my skin with his heated, sexual breath.
I wanted him, too. “You have training, and we’re…working.”
“Well princess, looks like I’m your boss and you’re sleeping with me.”
“No, I want us to be professional at work.” Maybe I was crazy. I moved away and giggled as he reached to grab me.
“Amy, that idea went to hell hours ago.” He was right, and that was the last ounce of will power I had left. I allowed him to pull me back into bed, into his arms where I molded against him.
“Just enjoy this.” He kissed me. “I’ve waited weeks to have you like this.”
His words made me melt. I’d waited, too, and withheld myself from the pleasure of him. I wanted to enjoy him, and I did as he took me all over again
The weeks that followed were all the same, we were always together, and burned with desire.
I’d just about managed to finish my dress, which looked beautiful and perfect in every way. Instead of the original red I’d chosen for the first dress, I selected a baby blue satin and silk mix and came up with a different style to its predecessor. I swapped the slim line and chose an A-line with a bodice, which I decorated with rhinestones, to make it look more fairytale-like. There was an endless flow of length in the skirt in keeping with the Dior signature style.
Every dress I’d made had a different inspiration behind it. This one was the first to have any form of sentimental value to me, because it was a gift from Josh. As I’d made it, thinking of him fueled my imagination.
The day came for the showcase and I was so excited I couldn’t contain myself. I was also nervous. It felt like riding one of those crazy fairground rides that whipped around, twisted, and turned you. Thrilling, but yet at the same time you knew that something serious could happen. That was how I felt now.
Hilda and Gabriella came around to do my hair and make-up, and they did a remarkable job. By the time they were finished with me, even I had to admit that I looked like I’d just stepped out of a magazine. Gabriella gave me a knotted up-do and left a few tendrils about my face to give that wispy effect. The back knots I had created with a mixture of French and waterfall braids. Hilda decided I had to have smoky eyes and chose to blend the smoky shades with a soft blue to complement the dress. It gave my skin that dewy look and enhanced my high cheek bones with a darker color.
I felt fantastic. Fantastic in every way. I was grateful for the friendships I had with Hilda and Gabriella, and I was feeling great about Josh. Being with him was beyond amazing and I was happy. For the first time in my life I was actually happy. A massive addition to that was that Mom’s surgery had been booked for next week. She was doing much better and Dr. Carson said he felt confident that the surgery would be a success. All being well, Mom would be healthy in no time.
Everything was working out.
“You look stunning,” Gabriella complimented.
“Ay, definitely, chica,” Hilda agreed.
“I just hope I get it.” I smiled.
Hilda took hold of both my hands. “You will. I can’t believe you made this dress. It is simply amazing.”
I smiled.
“Baby! A man could perish waiting on you.” Josh called out from downstairs. He was with Riley watching TV. He’d taken a break from his training to come back and see me before I left.
“Amy’s coming,” Hilda called back.
“You can’t rush perfection,” Gabriella added with a laugh.
“Tell her she’s perfect enough already.”
I giggled and rushed out of the room, excitement bubbling within me for the night ahead, and for him.
He was about to continue his tirade when he turned from the TV and saw me . His words became lost and all he did was stare.
“Wow, you look beautiful,” Riley complimented me, nodding with that gentle sparkle in his eyes.
It was Josh’s expression, though, that really took my breath away. He’d seen the dress as I’d made it, watched it being put together from scratch, and knew all that it meant to me.
He got up and stretched out both hands to take mine and held me, his eyes never leaving mine as I gazed at him.
“You look like an angel,” he breathed. I noticed he’d called me that a lot over the time that he’d known me.
It meant a lot that the best thing he could find to compare me to was an angel, what could be better than that?
“Thank you.” He gave my hands a gentle squeeze then pulled me in for a hug.
I rested my head on his chest, wishing he was coming with me. I could have definitely used his strength tonight. He had to train, though, and as we’d both been terrible with our timekeeping recently there was no way he could cancel or anything like that. I understood. Hilda and Gabriella were going with me , so that wasn’t too bad. I just wished he could come too.
“Thank you for making this possible,” I said against his chest. I tried to breathe in that assuring scent of him that calmed me and made me think of him. It was a woodland musk that reminded me of the open forest.
He ran his hands across my back. “Anytime, Amy.”
“This means a lot to me, Josh.” I lifted my head so I could see him again.
“I know, now go win their hearts. I’ve already booked your celebration dinner.” He smiled.
“Josh, that’s like jinxing it.” I laughed.
“It’s not. Also we haven’t exactly been on a date yet.”
I thought a moment and it occurred to me that we hadn’t.
“A date, with Joshua Mancini. Wow, now I’m nervous.” I fanned myself as he laughed.
“Hey, I’m the lucky one here.” He leaned forward and kissed me lightly. Josh always placed me on this pedestal, as if I was this perfect being, but he didn’t need to.
“Me too,” I told him, whispering against his lips,
“You’re doing something crazy to me, Amy Rose.”
I knew what he meant; I felt like that too. “I know the feeling.”
* * *
The grand hall of the Pegasus Hotel was filled with all sorts of officials. I had forgotten what the fashion world could be like. Filled with extravagance, glamour, and beauty. Bursting with talent and creativity.
There were fifty applicants competing for one of the new designer positions. Fifty. At application stage I knew there were a few thousand who had applied. They’d whittled it right down to a mere fifty. Soon that would be five.
It was a rigorous process, anxiety-filled and nerve wracking. It could make me mad if I thought about it because there was some real competition here.
For the first hour each applicant had to display their design across the runway, pausing at
each point of interest for the camera. Not everyone had chosen dresses or even evening wear, but there was a good number of people who had. I chose it because I felt it could display my talent the most and allowed me to be creative with something that would matter. Celebrities wore Dior evening wear all the time. I wanted to show that I could deliver the standard expectations, and meet all the requirements and qualities a celeb would go for in choosing a dress.
The next part of the showcase involved talking about the design and the inspiration behind it. For that I spoke with my heart.
The dress that got destroyed was designed to represent what I thought they would like. It was in keeping with what I’d seen before. This one did the same but it was different. It was inspired by how I felt about Josh.
This dress was priceless, and for that I spoke about hope and courage, of coming back strong from something that could break you down, and of taking chances to see where they could lead. That was what I’d seen in Josh, and that was what inspired me. My heart spoke and I hoped it was enough.
The evening was intense, but not as intense as the final stage of the night when I had to stand with the host of other talented designers and wait for my name to be called out if I was selected.
While I waited, I thought of my life and how hard it had been. I’d always had to fight. I had to accept that if I wanted something, I had to take that leap of faith and fight for it. I’d been through so much to get to this stage.
“Amy Rose.”
I’d heard my name but couldn’t remember why it was being called.
The presenter called my name again and my heart leapt into my throat as realization filled my soul.
I looked past the girl next to me, who’d designed a nineteen-twenties-style Gatsby dress, and over to the presenter who was beaming at me. I shook as he put his hand out and beckoned me to move across and stand with the other two designers who had been selected.
Play of Love: The Gladiator Players Box Set Page 19
