by C. J. Thomas
“I know, right? If you haven’t already checked out the view from the pool, you should.”
I was pretty sure people were enjoying the view of the pool and not the other way around last time I was there. I frowned. “Wait, how do you know so much about his place?”
Sadie crossed her arms over her breasts. “You do know nothing has ever happened between Liam and me, right?”
“So you said.”
She typed out her combo on the locker’s keypad. “He sometimes does shoots at his place. Most anything with water is done there.”
“Is that where he did your reflection shot?”
“You got it.”
It was one of my favorite shots of Sadie, even though you couldn’t see her face. The stylized shot of her curves just peeking above the water; the ripples distorting part of the image really drew you in.
“Sauna?”
Still covered with the towel, I dropped my shorts, then thong, to the floor. “Let’s do the steam one. The dry sauna burns my throat.”
A fresh blast of steam filled the space as we walked into the stark, white room. With two levels of white tiles lining three of the four walls, just wide enough to lay on, Sadie and I spread out on the left. She wiggled her towel down to her waist.
“Come on,” she said, as I made sure my towel remained firmly tucked in so I wouldn’t accidentally flop out everywhere. “Loosen up some.”
“You just got me to go to your hell-on-two-wheels class so I think I’m getting there.”
Steam sat in the air, so thick that it took a moment to realize someone lay on the opposite side.
“Now that’s how you wear a towel,” Sadie whispered to me.
The woman lay stretched out across one of the oversized towels. Her slender body was completely naked except for the hand towel draped over her face and dark hair. She moaned as though we’d woken her, then propped one foot on the tile, exposing a dark swatch of hair on her pubic bone. Her breasts, clearly real, shifted as she made herself comfortable.
A burst of steam filled the room and I sighed as I let the warmth relax me.
Sadie scooted back until her bare shoulders touched the tile. “Okay, so now you’ve got to tell me the details.”
I pointed to the woman resting on the opposite side of the steam room.
Sadie waved off my protests. “Spill.”
“Let’s just say, it’s been hot.”
“Like, steam room hot?”
“Like, you and Luke in a steam room hot.”
Sadie shivered. “Now we’re talking.”
“But I haven’t heard anything back from him since this weekend and we don’t have anything else planned.”
“Oh. Ouch.”
I held my towel together as I ran a hand through my damp hair. “I’ve had a lot going on so I get it if he doesn’t want to bug me, but I’d rather hear from him than not.”
“You never know what’s going on with him, too.” Sadie spread open her towel so that I was now the only covered woman in the sauna.
“That’s necessary, huh?”
Her boobs perked up as she raised her arms to give her back a good stretch. “Completely.”
“I know you’re right. Should I call him? Just show up again?”
“He rocked you, right?”
“Oh yeah.” It came out more as a moan than words. I crossed my legs, remembering the other woman in the room.
“Then you can do whatever. He’s probably asking himself the same damn questions.”
“Just like you’re jumping on talking to Luke, huh?”
This time it was Sadie who elbowed me and pointed to the woman.
I’d forgotten about this being the place he taught. “She’s probably asleep.” I hoped. I smiled to myself and unconsciously tucked the corner of the towel tighter against my breasts. “He . . . likes to take charge.”
Sadie elbowed me. “Holy shit, that’s hot.”
“Ow! Watch it. Those things are bony.” I scooted over. “I don’t want to look too desperate.”
“No chance.” Sadie gave me her mile-wide smile. “He’s dated a lot of models, but I think Liam is serious for the first time in his life. For him, that’s a big deal.”
The woman turned her head to us, clearly interested in the steamy gossip of the steam room.
“It’s not exactly the best timing for me.”
“Are you kidding? It’s so obvious every time I see you two together that he is crazy about you. That doesn’t happen for Liam. I bet you money that you’re the first meaningful connection he’s had.”
The woman across from us sat up just as a new burst of steam filled the room. Her perky breasts bounced as she removed the towel draped over her head.
“Paisley?” Sadie said, though I was surprised she could tell who it was through the dense fog.
Paisley sauntered up to us like she wasn’t completely naked. “Pretty sure you wouldn’t know meaningful if it bit you in the clit!”
CHAPTER 31
Liam
“Your tea,” Randy said, my doorman—and as of five minutes ago, also my butler, apparently. “Caffeine free.”
“It’s nine in the morning. I need a boost to deal with all of this.” Sitting at my dining table, I pushed at the nearest stack of papers relating to the ICE immigration issue. Every paper stood out in contrast with the rich, black surface, making the piles that much more intimidating in my mind, even when I shut my eyes.
“I made what tea you had left,” Randy said. “This will help you keep your mind and body clear.”
“Let me guess, you drank all my good stuff?” I tried to keep the growl from my voice. Had I had my coffee or tea or anything with a bit of caffeine, maybe I would have succeeded.
“You did suggest to share it with the staff.”
“And by staff I didn’t mean only you, Randy.”
He shrugged, letting my banter bounce right off. “I am here first every morning.”
“I’m sure the pool girl just loves you.”
He flashed me a smile. “Indeed she does.”
“Not touching that one.”
“Probably best.” Randy turned to leave, thought better of it, and said, “For what it’s worth, I hope you get this worked out.”
Even though I gave him hell about the tea, Randy had always done odd tasks for me. Most recently, to gather as much information about extending my non-immigrant visa. I held up a form that appeared to give the ability to extend my deportation. A sliver of hope passed through me. “Is this still valid?”
“Sure . . . if you’d opened your mail when they sent the first notice.”
“Don’t start that again.” I waited for him to leave. Instead, he pulled out the chair to my right, and sat.
“Here, you’re mixing everything up.” He rearranged several of the piles, then pointed to one. “You asked me to look into this and see what your options are.” Randy’s heavy brow drew together.
I told myself that I didn’t need to worry yet and held up my hands. “I’ll pay you the overtime.”
“That’s . . . not what I’m concerned about.” Randy blew out a breath and my stomach knotted. “This is all the research I’ve put together in case you had any questions.”
“I’m not interested in research. I want to know my options. What can I do to extend my visa?”
Randy sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. The defensive move made his forearm muscles ripple. “Nothing. I reached out to all the names you gave me.”
“Then I’ll—”
“You calling them won’t do any good. You have good connections and they like you, but they can’t help with this.”
As Randy talked, I thumbed through his notes. He’d done all he could, and then some. “There has to be something . . .”
“Sure, if you want to get married. Starting a family is about the only thing you can do at this point.”
Dammit. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to find out about Paisley and the bab
y. God, it wasn’t like I even knew if it was mine or not.
I rubbed my face, trying to scrub those thoughts from my head.
Randy scooted back from the table. “Anything else you need from me?”
“Start contacting specialty transportation companies.” When he gave me a questioning look I said, “I’ll want to have most of my studio sent over to Switzerland.” I went through a list of things for him to start working on.
It wasn’t easy having him shift his focus from helping me stay to helping me leave.
Randy opened my front door to leave, then turned back. “For what it’s worth, it’s been good working for you.”
Ten minutes later, I sat sipping my cold, caffeine-free tea, staring at the stacks of papers all telling me the same thing. One of my next to-dos should be to get the word out, but that would make all this real. It was one thing to ship a few things over—another to tell everyone that I was leaving.
Sure, a few knew already, but most didn’t. Especially not Tessa.
And it wasn’t something I wanted to—or could—keep from her, but she didn’t have to know right away. It would be on her mind and taint everything. Given everything she’d been through recently, worrying about me leaving her was the last thing I could burden her with.
I raked my fingers through my hair. As I went through the papers Randy had collected, feeling the weight of my hair on the back of my neck annoyed the hell out of me. I grabbed one of the rubber bands securing a group of envelopes together and wrapped it around a few times into a ponytail. I hated wearing my hair like this and doing so told me just how shitty I felt right about now.
The last time I pulled it back was after my parents’ funeral.
Before I knew it, I’d be calling Randy to send up a gallon of ice cream. Of course, he’d probably send up a sack of apples or something, telling me he’d eaten all the ice cream. That was sure to send me over the edge.
I pulled out my phone, knowing there was only one thing that could truly turn this day around.
“Hello, Liam.”
I smiled at Tessa’s warm voice. I liked that she didn’t try to make it sound all cutesie like some models did. I liked that she could be real with me. The more she talked, the more I wanted to listen. She was my last true escape.
“I need to head out to Greenwich to be there for Dani this weekend,” she said.
I realized how much I wanted to see her, to know she was doing better. I couldn’t just take her word for it over the phone. I needed to see her . . . to taste her again.
“ . . . but I can do an early dinner.”
I smiled. “I was thinking the same thing.”
CHAPTER 32
Tessa
“This way.” The man held out a muscular arm.
“Thank you—” I frowned, realizing I hadn’t gotten his name and he didn’t wear a tag.
“Randy,” he said as he opened the door to Liam’s patio area.
My eyes immediately went to the lounger Liam had me pinned to the last time I was here. Looking at it again—not being completely exposed this time around—my analytical mind assessed the angle and height of the building and I realized it was probably unlikely anyone actually saw me.
But just the idea of being naked and wanting before, in this exact spot, made me blush. Legs spread, my wetness dripping down Liam’s fingers as he plunged them into me over and over . . .
I followed Randy along the wall of windows to Liam’s loft and thought about screaming where anyone—even Randy—could have heard. I could feel my face growing hotter.
Thankfully, the sky was just dark enough for Randy not to see.
I still needed to get back to Dani. She sounded down when we spoke this afternoon. She tried to cover it up but I could tell something was wrong. She said that she was going out with friends this evening. I reminded myself to not crowd Dani too much and push her away right when she needed me the most.
Randy led me alongside the pool. I still hadn’t swam in it, and I couldn’t see there being time tonight. I began to wonder just where Randy was taking me as there didn’t seem to be anywhere else to go but over the side of the building.
“Step around here, Miss Douglas.” He pointed to a winding stairwell fixed to the back side of the building that led to the roof.
“Good thing I’m not afraid of heights,” I said, slightly gripping my purse as I began to climb.
“Don’t think Mr. Rising would have taken such a liking to you if you were.”
It took me a moment to remember Liam’s last name since he usually just went by his first. I supposed when you had over a billion in your bank account, you became the Madonna of your name.
Then Randy’s words finally sank in and I smiled at the idea of Liam taking a liking to me. Everything between us kept getting more exciting—and not just in the sexual way. That, too, was more than I’d ever imagined—and my imagination did tend to roam.
My thoughts trailed off as I stepped off the stairwell. The roof was covered with tea lights. A narrow walkway of floating candles dropped in glass vases lined a curved path for me to follow, ending with a circular table at the back corner of the roof. Behind the satin tablecloth, stood Liam.
From all four sides, the New York City skyline lit up the night, officially making this the most romantic night of my life.
I suddenly felt out of place in Sadie’s outfit and wondered if Liam had seen me wear it before. While she had been gracious enough to let me pick out a few things now and then, she didn’t exactly give me the run of her closet. I smoothed out the solid black dress, completely plain except for the single zipper down the front.
Seeing the large vase of what had to be no less than three-dozen roses, and Liam in a three-piece gunmetal suit, filling it out like only he could, I whispered to Randy, “Are you sure I’m not under-dressed?”
He gave a hearty belly laugh and I wondered just how my question came out so amusing. “Don’t think that’s the point.”
“I guess not.” I blushed. This was getting ridiculous. Considering his work, Liam knew his way around the nude form. But that didn’t mean I was used to Liam’s level of sexuality—yet.
The candles flickered as a warm gust of wind swept across the roof and straight up my skirt, reminding me of my little surprise for Liam. Thinking about him and what he may have planned made me wet, which made going commando even more stimulating.
“Anything else I can get you?” Randy asked Liam as we reached the table.
Even as Randy spoke to him, Liam kept his eyes on me. His steady gaze made my choice to forgo panties even more exciting than I anticipated.
“No, I think—wait, yes.” Liam looked around the vase, then looked behind the basket resting on the far end of the table. “There is a small box on the kitchen counter.”
Randy raised a brow.
“It’s important,” Liam said, then chuckled once Randy disappeared down the stairs. “Retrieving things is not in that man’s blood.”
“He doesn’t really seem the type.” I set my purse on the table, then took in the place setting Liam had prepared for us. Except for the basket, there was no trace of food on the roof.
“My chef will bring dinner up when we’re ready,” Liam said, seeming to read my mind.
“You have a personal chef?” I asked, though I wasn’t surprised. Liam probably also had a personal trainer, shoe shiner, and pilot as well. The only thing that Liam seemed to do all on his own was photography, which, above most everything else, seemed strange that he wouldn’t have an assistant or something. Maybe that was his way of keeping his passion his own.
Liam shrugged. “She usually brings in premade meals every few days. But we really aren’t here to talk about my eating habits.”
“Suppose not.” I smiled and again took in everything he’d prepared for us. “This is really amazing.”
He tucked a stray lock of my hair behind my ear. Though completely cliché, the move sent shivers down my back. “You are amazing
.”
“How many times do you plan to make me blush tonight?”
“The evening’s just getting started.”
“I’m in trouble,” I said. “Aren’t I?”
“Very.” Liam wrapped an arm around my back and pulled me against him. I could feel his hard cock though his slacks and I moaned softly.
His eyes flashed and he leaned in. “It turns you on, doesn’t it? Knowing how much you turn me on?”
“Yes.” My voice came out breathy. My body felt light and floaty, as though the breeze might just pick me up and carry me away and the only thing tethering me here was his arms around me. “Don’t let me go.” I forced my mind to focus and gave myself a mental slap. “Didn’t mean it to come out that way.”
Liam chuckled again and pulled me tighter against him. “Don’t plan to let you go.”
My stomach fluttered and swooped with his words. I wanted to know more, to know just what I meant to him.
A loud throat-clearing broke the moment and we turned to Randy.
“Your box, as . . . requested.” Randy handed him a blue box about the size of my fist—too big to be the scary sized box of a ring and far too early for that sort of thing anyway. But still, I couldn’t help but wonder what he could have purchased for me.
“Thanks, Jeeves.”
Randy sneered but couldn’t quite suppress the laugh when he said, “That will be all.”
“That’s supposed to be my line, you know,” Liam called out but Randy was already halfway down the stairs. “Can’t find good help these days.”
I watched as the top of his head disappeared. “Pretty sure you wouldn’t have hired him if he wasn’t the best.”
Liam set the box, wrapped in a simple silk ribbon, on the table next to my silverware.
“Open it when you’re ready.”
“And if I’m ready now?”
“Then I hope you’re not too hungry.”
“Depends on what I’m hungry for.”
Liam glanced to another corner of the roof where what could only be called an outdoor bed with oversized pillows sat waiting for us.
“I see you’re prepared.”
