“Ray? Ray.” Barker knew the second call was unnecessary. He could tell she was asleep by the slow steadiness of her breathing. A quiet chuckle followed closely behind his smile, despite the fact that he probably should have been a tad irritated that she’d just laid waste to his plans for having his fill of her gorgeous body that night. Instead of irritation, he felt a sense of possession, followed swiftly by adoration.
During the span of the year in which he’d gotten to know her, he had consistently fallen more deeply for her. Sure, the initial attraction had been sexual. It was insanity that any man could spend time with her and not imagine what it’d be like to know she was his.
He stood then with Ray wrapped around him like a child. Her long legs curled about his waist, her head tucked in the crook of his neck as she dozed. She whimpered a bit as he took the first steps from the living room.
“It’s all right, sweet. We’re goin’ to bed.” Barker put a kiss to her head as she nuzzled it deeper into the side of his neck.
“Bed.” She sighed.
Barker’s chuckling resumed as he carried his provocative lady from the room.
* * *
He woke before she did and vowed he’d see that she got more rest while they were in Switzerland. It had to be exhausting running not one but two businesses. Especially two such different businesses. Between the budding dance studio and reimagined nightclub, she had to be doing more than burning the candle at both ends. By then, the candle had surely been extinguished.
Ray began to stir in her sleep and Barker knew she’d be waking before long. Until then, he satisfied himself with skimming his knuckles along her back and hip. He had awakened just before daybreak to check the mail and news—part of his morning ritual. When he returned to bed, Ray didn’t awaken but wrapped herself around him like a vine. Barker wasn’t the least bit driven to doze off—he was way more interested in holding her, watching her as she slumbered.
She stirred more when his fingertips grazed the curve of her breast, accessible where it crushed the side of his torso. Her lashes fluttered a bit more actively the closer she came to waking. Once she did, Barker tugged her hair and waited on her eyes to meet his.
“Was I sleeping?”
“Don’t you remember?” He laughed. “You were out long enough.”
Ray took stock of her position and saw that she was virtually nude but for the chiffon-fringed satin panties she wore. Barker had opted for more clothing, she observed. He was dressed in gray fleece sweats, slung low on his hips, hinting that he wore nothing underneath. Ray felt her body react with a reflexive throb. Sensing that he could feel her reaction, she began to retreat from her spot wedged against him.
“I should go.”
Barker knew as much. Eli had kept him posted of her travel plans. She was heading out later that afternoon, embarking on the eight-and-a-half hour flight to Zurich, followed by an additional two hours via train.
Still, there was time and he was selfish enough to occupy as much of it as possible. He squeezed her hip before she managed to put too much space between them.
“You need to eat,” he said.
“No time—”
“It only seems late.” He steamrolled her objection. “It’s not even eight thirty.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“That’s surprising. We didn’t eat much at the party—or after it.”
There wasn’t much Ray could say to counter that. She was certain that her stomach had started to growl fiercely before she’d even drifted off to sleep hours prior.
“You don’t even have your clothes.”
Naturally, that seemed to be the most viable argument. Gaze flaring, Ray sent a quick look around the bedroom, noting as she did that the space managed its share of relaxation amid starkness. She suspected that had much to do with the sparse yet compelling artwork adorning the walls and the single glowing lamp among several in the room.
There was no blinding sun streaming in yet. Chances were strong there wouldn’t be, given the day was expected to be overcast and cold. Her eyes settled briefly on the worn, yet finely made chairs and sofa in search of her things. There was no sign of them.
“Would you have me leave naked?”
“I wouldn’t have you leave at all, and definitely not before you’ve had your breakfast.”
“And I need to be naked for that?”
“No.” Barker pushed off the mass of pillows at his back and pounced. “You need to be naked for this.”
He smothered any of her budding protests with a deep kiss. Ray’s mind cleared of any such insanity, and she let herself melt back into the pampering mattress that had cradled her through the night. She gasped in the midst of it when Barker caressed her steadily tensing sex hidden beneath the middle of her panties.
Ray arched and opened herself to accommodate a more thorough caress. It was one Barker withheld until she punished his shoulder with a soft yet demanding blow. He needed only to slip his middle finger past the side stitching at the crotch of the satiny undergarment to ignite pleasure that seemed to shoot directly into her bloodstream.
The sensation plagued her with the most delightful vibrations. Greedily, her intimate muscles flexed and squeezed about the invading finger. When Barker broke their kiss to tend to her breasts, she bit her lip to quell the swirl of gasps and moans that flooded her throat.
What sounded like a sob did burst free, however, when Barker lost whatever patience he’d been working with. He yanked aside her lingerie with such force, the material ripped clear up the middle. He offered no apology and only plied Ray’s body with kisses that moved progressively lower, until his divinely gifted mouth was skimming her bare mound.
His nose treated her clit to a few lazy rotations before he sucked hard on the super sensitive nub. Ray shuddered even as she thrust herself eagerly against him. Barker left her wanting more, abandoning the still achy batch of nerves for the treasure beyond. He kept a hold on her thighs, keeping them spread so that she was secure in the position while his tongue plundered mercilessly and thoroughly.
“What about my breakfast?” she gasped.
A faint touch of Barker’s laughter followed, and then his voice rose ragged and muffled. “Mine first,” he said.
Chapter 10
Klosters, Switzerland
Fall and winter had never been high on Ray’s list of favorites. Though she’d grown up in Miami, where the time of year passed in a barely noticeable glimmer, the allure of it hadn’t struck even after her move to Philadelphia. Ray knew it wasn’t exactly the weather and the difficulties its harshness could render that fueled her indifference. More so, it was what the time of year signified.
Fall and winter meant the holidays. Holidays signified joy—the joy of family, to be more precise. Ray knew precious little about the joy of family. The colder times of year usually served as a harsh reminder of that fact.
As she looked out from her train window, with its frosted edges, she thought that perhaps this place was just otherworldly enough to dispel those reminders. Klosters, with its frigid climate and stunning, snowcapped views, was a top destination for the world’s elite. The spot catered to royalty and celebrity alike. Travel by train, cable car or bus was common. Klosters was home to just under five thousand residents, not including the influx of winter guests who craved its superb skiing environment and amenities. Much of its economy depended on the tourism industry. Ray could see that it was an industry worthy of the support it received.
The train stopped at Klosters Station, in Klosters-Serneus. At first, Ray was too enthralled by the visions of sheer brilliance before her eyes to tune into the fact that she had actually arrived at her destination.
“Mademoiselle?”
One of the station’s attendants had called to her. Ray read his observation, noting that he seemed to be familiar with finding visitors new
to the area all stricken by the same sense of wonderment. The slender attendant escorted Ray to the exit of the quiet, lavish car. His kind eyes and warm smile overshadowed the severity of his uniform and perfect mustache.
“Careful on the final step,” he said. “The ice is even less forgiving than the snow, regardless of the footwear.” He nodded approvingly to the stylish yet sensible pair of ski boots Ray sported.
Though another attendant waited to assist her from the bottom step, Ray took exceptional care. The last thing she wanted was to spend her time infirmed amid such beauty. The sun was high against a spectacular cerulean-blue sky. It kept its distance from the fat white clouds also occupying the heavens and struck the unending snow drifts with a blinding intensity.
The effect was so riveting that Ray squinted in spite of the sunglasses she wore. The Alps were reverent—gargantuan in the way they towered above the village. It was a beckoning sight that she could have enjoyed for hours.
Unfortunately, it was too damn cold to sit there and be mesmerized. Blessedly, her ride to the chateau had arrived. Her bags were quickly loaded, and she was ushered into the warm interior of a BMW SUV. She could feel the warmth thawing her chilled bones within seconds of settling onto the seat.
Inside, she found a generously stocked mini bar complete with a tall, silver thermos of cocoa. She helped herself to one cup of chocolate decadence and then another. She was halfway through her third cup when she noticed they had traveled beyond the village. In that area, she realized there was more distance between the properties. The outlays were magnified in size and luxury. The SUV took a sharp curve, and she could see through the windshield what was to be her home for the next several days.
Ray scooted to the edge of the seat, a gloved hand tight around the passenger-side headrest. She gawked at the approaching image. It was an eye-catching creation of snow-covered wood and multicolored stone. Wide double doors were etched with a hand-carved design—a Celtic symbol of sorts that lent a decidedly old-world feel to the construction.
The non-conversational, but not unfriendly, driver escorted Ray inside before he went back to fetch her bags. Her accommodations may have shrieked old world from the outside, but the interior was a study in contemporary welcome. The polished hardwood flooring was decorated with generous rugs, thick and richly designed. A fire greeted her from a grand stone hearth. The flame glowed vividly in the sunken living room, despite the sun that still glowed superbly outdoors.
Ray found that the windows were high in that part of the house. She guessed it was necessary to hide the gleam she knew firsthand to be blinding off the snowy environment. Spotlights shone from beneath protruding panels along cream-toned walls. She tried and failed to hide a yawn. Already, the invitation to tuck into pampering coziness weighed on her heavily. A long L-shaped sofa with beige cushions and a smattering of tan and chocolate pillows appeared as a perfect oasis for a catnap. Admirably, she pushed aside the need, wanting to explore the amazing space for just a while longer.
The driver had returned and quickly deposited the bags in what looked to be a compact cargo elevator. “Your things will await you in your suite, Mademoiselle,” he said. “For your first night with us, our premiere chef, Hilda Luzane, will arrive in a few hours with your welcome meal.”
“Oh, that—that’s wonderful, thank you.” Ray was truly impressed and eager to enjoy the coming treat.
“It’s a service we are happy to provide nightly and for breakfast, as well,” the driver continued. “Mademoiselle need only call in her request.”
Ray nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
The driver gave a curt nod, yet his demeanor radiated welcome. “You will find phones in each room, all with direct lines to the caretaker’s cottage—we passed it on the way in. Again, you need only call us with any questions or if there is anything else you require.”
“I will, and thank you again.” Ray offered the man another nod and grateful smile.
The driver graciously declined the tip she offered and made his way out. Once Ray was alone, she removed her coat and gloves while moving farther into the chateau. She smiled, observing the glasses waiting along with a bottle of red left open to breathe on the credenza just past the living room entryway.
Lamps were plentiful and washed the place in flurries of golden light. Delight multiplied when Ray wandered into the home theater that was furnished with deep oversize chairs that summoned sleep. Again, she pushed back those needs but knew her ability to resist had run dry when she arrived upstairs and found her bedroom suite.
The bed was a verifiable masterpiece that occupied its own alcove, with two sides fully devoted to windows overlooking the snowy cliffs and valleys. Drawn in, Ray took a seat at the head of the bed and surveyed the view. She thought of how much Clarissa would love it there. Elias had made a fine choice.
With a start, she reached into her back pocket for her phone. Eli answered on the second ring.
“Hey, everything okay?” His response was warm yet expectant.
“More than okay. This place is amazing.” Ray turned to sigh over the view. “I only wanted to call before I got lost in luxury and forgot.”
“Guess that means I made the right choice,” Eli noted and then followed up with a laugh.
“It’s perfect! If Clari doesn’t accept your proposal, I’ll personally take her in to have her head examined.”
“Thanks again, Ray,” Eli said, following more laughter. “So you’re sure everything else is okay?”
Ray waved a hand. “Please, I’m fine—I’ve got everything I need, so stop worrying. They’re even bringing me a specially prepared dinner in a few hours. I’m gonna look around this place a little more and then maybe take a nap. There are lots of really great places for one in this house.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it all together then. I’ll leave you to it.”
“Oh! Eli? Um...have you talked to Clari? I mean, is she...uh...sincerely pissed at me for traipsing off on another vacation so soon?”
Eli chuckled a little before answering. “She’s actually relieved you left.”
“She is?”
Again, Eli chuckled over her evident disappointment. “She said she could tell you were still worn out from the Bahamas. She figures a few days away with no preplanned outings will do you well. A vacation doesn’t feel like much of a vacation when there’s an itinerary to keep.”
“Amen.” Ray sighed, looking back over the vivid skies and village from her vantage point on the bed. “It’s really an unbelievable place, Eli.”
“Thanks. Listen, you get some rest, all right?”
The connection ended, and Ray enjoyed the view for a while longer. She had every intention to get up and explore more of the house, but decided to stretch out first. She told herself she only wanted to take in more of the view, but sleep visited within minutes.
* * *
Night had fallen when Ray woke. She frowned, but not out of confusion as to her whereabouts. Instead, she lay there cozy in the decadent bed, trying to decide whether she really wanted to get up or just call it a night and burrow under the bed’s thick linens.
In the end, it was her nose making the final decision. Her nostrils flared, having captured a whiff of something sensational in the air. Ray felt her jaw muscles react as well, clenching in response to the fragrance of beef and baking bread surging through the house.
She pushed herself up, glad she felt a lot more rested than she had before her nap. She hadn’t bothered to change beforehand, but decided the least she could do was to get comfortable before diving into what was sure to be a dynamic meal. She had never had a meal prepared specially for her by her own personal chef, and she planned to enjoy the experience in comfort.
Ray moved on downstairs, attempting to be modest in a long, olive-colored flannel robe and matching fuzzy socks. The robe was only in case her cook was still o
n the premises. Otherwise, she was prepared to feast in the cut-off tee emblazoned with the word Showstopper stretched across her bosom. Rounding out the outfit were a pair of flannel shorts.
She yanked off the robe when a scan of the kitchen confirmed she was alone. Her doting chef not only left dinner, but also a large fruit basket with a card telling her to enjoy the meal and to call if she required anything more. Ray hugged herself while marveling over the slice of sheer perfection that had dropped into her lap. She abandoned the robe on one of the high suede stools along the bar that was fashioned behind the cooking island. She then focused on the kitchen itself. She hadn’t expected the area to be outfitted in the same rich wood paneling as the rest of the house.
The effect was an eye-catcher, to be certain. Along with the wide cream-and-chocolate tiled flooring and black chrome appliances, the space was both functional and inviting. Soon, though, it was the appearance of another alcove that took the majority of Ray’s attention. She observed the small table set for two, and a quiet approving smile tugged at her mouth. The kitchen was apparently on the same side of the chateau as her bedroom, for she was once again overlooking the mountainside. There was only a glimpse of the village below, however. The kitchen had a more direct view of the mountain range.
Ray’s curiosity peaked and then dipped when she again observed the second place setting. Prepare for the unexpected, she supposed, and felt her stomach growl as if in response. She was moments away from turning to fill it, when the reason for the additional place setting revealed itself.
She smiled. A subtle, yet very appealing fragrance had lilted in along with the aroma of dinner. For Ray, there was no mistaking it. “Let me guess,” she said. “Chef Hilda made all your favorite dishes.”
“Not all,” Barker said from where he stood behind Rayelle. “Some of my favorites can’t be replicated.”
Instead of moving closer, Barker leaned on the cook island. “I didn’t plan to surprise you too much. I was hoping for just a little touch of it, though.”
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