“Are you okay with being here?”
“I guess. I wish you would have said something though.”
“You said I should surprise you.”
“Yeah, a surprise as in what restaurant we were going to. This is entirely different. I’ve never been to something like this before.”
“You’ll be fine, and you look incredible. I have to put in an appearance at dinner. After that, if you feel at all uncomfortable or you really don’t want to be here, just let me know and we can leave. I promise.”
“Alright. I’ll try to keep an open mind.”
Anthony got out of the limo and helped me out. He took my arm and escorted me into the hotel. We walked into a huge ballroom and I was suddenly fidgety. My hand went to the necklace that he’d given me earlier. I was afraid it was going to fall off or something.
We went straight to the bar that was set up on the far side of the room. The bartender didn’t look twice when Anthony handed me a drink. It was red and fruity and very tasty. If I had too many of these, I’d be drunk in no time.
As we made our way around the room, people stopped and talked to Anthony. He introduced me every time, but there was no way I was going to remember any of them. To be honest, I was a little overwhelmed by the whole thing. When they announced dinner was to be served, he led us to a table.
I stiffened a little when I saw his parents were already sitting there. This was the first time I’d seen his father since I learned what he did.
“How lovely to see you again Karma,” his mother said. “You look stunning tonight.”
“Thank you,” I said. I had no problem with his mother. She seemed to be nice enough. His father on the other hand was a different story.
“Have you been to something like this before?” she asked me.
“No, this is a first for me.”
“A little overwhelming isn’t it?”
“Yes,” I said with a little smile.
“It gets easier,” she said, returning my smile.
At least, I could say one thing about this event, the dinner was amazing.
After the plates were cleared, there were a few speeches about the charity and the sponsors were thanked. They announced the silent auction then the music started. Anthony held out his hand and we went to the dance floor.
“How are you doing?” he asked me.
“So far so good.”
“I’m proud of you for sitting at the same table as my father.”
“I didn’t want to make a scene and I actually like your mom.”
“I appreciate that.”
We danced for a few songs then went to look at the silent auction items. It was crazy what was donated, and the donation amounts were even crazier. One item I really liked was a gift basket of imported Belgian chocolate, but the current bid was a thousand dollars. Who the hell was going to pay a thousand dollars for chocolate?
Once we’d looked over all the items, we went back to the bar. Anthony handed me a glass of champagne.
“I put your name on a few items,” he said, and I almost spit out the champagne that was in my mouth.
“Are you crazy?” I whispered furiously. “I don’t have money for that. I can barely afford to be at school. I’m on a scholarship, remember.”
Anthony started laughing. “I love it when your feisty side comes out to play. I planned on paying for anything you might win, and I thought you’d like to see a donation made in your name.”
“Oh,” I said. “Well, I feel like an ass now. That means, we need to stay until they announce the winners, right?”
“Yes, but that’s not for another couple of hours. I have an idea on how to pass some time?”
By the look on his face, I was pretty sure I knew what he had in mind.
“Come with me,” he said.
I eagerly set down the glass I was holding and took his hand. We went out a door in the back of a room that led to a hallway that seemed to be filled with smaller rooms. He went straight to a door and opened it. I followed him in. It appeared to be a small conference room, but before I could really look around Anthony had me backing up and on the table. He pushed up my dress and ripped off my panties. The next thing I knew his mouth was between my legs and didn’t care where we were.
His strong tongue worked quickly, and it took no time at all for me to come. I was trying to catch my breath when I heard the familiar rustle of a condom being opened. He pulled me to the edge of the table and entered me in one hard thrust. I knew I should be quiet, but a loud moan escaped my mouth.
I looked up at Anthony and watched where his gaze was focused. He couldn’t take his eyes off where we were joined. I watched as his dick went in and out of me at a pace that would have me coming quickly after that last orgasm.
The fact that we were both still fully dressed only added to the hotness factor right now. I let my head fall back against the table and let the sensations take over my body. I could feel that I was about to explode again.
“I’m coming,” I told him as a warning.
That only made him move faster and harder. I slammed my hand over my mouth when my orgasm hit me because I knew I couldn’t be quiet if I didn’t. A few strokes later, Anthony came, accompanied with several words I couldn’t understand.
He pulled out of me, disposed of the condom and helped me off the table. I found some tissue to clean myself up a little.
“You owe me another pair of panties,” I told him, grinning as I picked up the ones, he’d torn off of me.
Anthony grinned in return. He took the panties from me and put them in his pocket. “I’ll buy you a hundred pairs if we can do that again.”
I laughed. “I have no doubt we’ll do that again. That was amazing.”
“We could have gotten caught,” he said.
“That was half the fun,” I said, with a laugh.
“You’re crazy in a good way, Karma. I love it.”
“You know, I’m going to have to go back out there with no panties on.”
“Yes, and it’s going to drive me nuts until I can get you back to my place and get you naked.”
I shivered at the tone of his voice. “I’m going to hold you to that,” I said, with a grin.
We left the room and found a restroom to check my appearance. Other than looking a little flushed, you’d never know I’d just had hot sex in a conference room at a fancy hotel.
Back in the ballroom, we danced and mingled until it was time to announce the silent auction winners. I watched as names were called, checks were written, and prizes carted off. I really wasn’t expecting to hear my name so when it was called, I was shocked. Anthony took my arm and walked me up to the front. He’d put my name on the Belgian chocolate for five thousand dollars. I was stunned at the number, but if he was crazy enough to do that the least, I could do was accept it. He wrote a check and I picked up the basket.
“Five thousand dollars for chocolate?” I asked, as we waited for the limo.
“No, five thousand dollars to a children’s charity. The chocolate was just a bonus.”
I shook my head. “I still think it’s way too much, but thank you.”
“How about you thank me in the limo?” he said, as his hand slid under the long slit in the side of the dress.
I grinned because I’d always wanted to have sex in a limo. “Your wish is my command.” This was just going to be the icing on the cake. Tonight, hadn’t been what I expected, but I’d had a great time.
****
Bodie
Sunday morning, I walked into More Than Just Beans to see Tiffany. She was helping a customer, so I just sat down at a table near the counter. My phone dinged; it was a text.
Tiffany: That’s Troy
I looked up and saw a pleading look on her face.
Me: Is he trying to ask you out?
Tiffany: Yes. He’s not getting it. Help me please.
Grinning, I quickly came up with a plan. I knew he hadn’t seen me come in because he was too foc
used on Tiffany. I got up and walked behind the counter like I owned it and went straight to Tiffany. I pulled her into a hug and kissed her.
“Hey baby, I missed you this morning,” I said, loud enough for Troy to hear.
I could tell she was shocked, but quickly figured out what I was doing.
She turned on her sexy voice. “You know I would have liked to stay in bed with you all day rather than go to work.”
I chuckled. “When you’re done here, you’re all mine.”
“Can’t wait. Now get out of here,” she teased. “You know you’re not supposed to be behind the counter.”
“And you know I can’t resist you. But I don’t want to get you in trouble again. Can I have my usual please?”
“Of course, baby. I’ll bring it out to you in a minute.”
I kissed her again and let her go. It took everything I had not to start laughing as I walked back to the table. Troy’s mouth was hanging open and he looked like he couldn’t leave fast enough. Tiffany handed him his coffee and he left. Then she brought me a muffin and something hot to drink.
“You’re terrible,” she said, grinning as she joined me.
“It worked didn’t it,” I said, returning her grin.
“I can’t believe you kissed me, twice.”
“I wanted to make it believable.”
“I don’t think we should kiss again unless it’s an emergency. It was weird.”
That made me laugh, loudly. “Well, there goes my plan of asking for a friends with benefits relationship.”
She smacked my arm. “Seriously, Bodie, it was weird.”
“I agree, but it was all I could come up with. By the way, if you use that sexy voice on someone, I’m sure they’ll do whatever you want them to. It was hot.”
This time it was Tiffany who started laughing. “Oh my God, you can’t say things like that to me, that’s just wrong.”
I had to laugh, too, because she was right. We talked until another customer came in. As usual, she had a box of muffins for me and I handed her too much money on my way out.
****
Karma came into class Monday morning with a smile so big, I think might have been permanent.
“Wow, someone’s in a good mood today,” I said, as she sat down.
“Only four days until we leave for St. Lucia. You have no idea how excited I am.”
I chuckled. “I think it’s pretty obvious how excited you are. Do you know where you’re staying?”
“No. Everything is going to be a surprise. I can’t wait.”
Even though I hated the thought of her going anywhere with Anthony, I was happy for her. I don’t remember being that excited for anything in a long time.
“So,” she said, “did you make plans for Spring Break yet?”
“No. I’ll probably just hang out. Dad said something about getting in some time at the office so that might be an option.”
“I can’t believe you’re not going to party it up somewhere.”
“Major is going to Tulsa with Kayleigh. You’re going with Anthony. Zach and Chad have family things, so why would I go alone? Where’s the fun in that?”
“I see your point, but still, working with your dad? That doesn’t really seem like a break.”
“At least, I won’t be sitting here.”
The professor came in and started class. He announced a quiz on Friday and the whole room groaned. I had a feeling that was going to happen a lot with Spring Break only a few days away.
About halfway through class, I glanced at Karma. I could tell she was paying attention to the professor, but she still had a smile on her face. Right then, I wished it was me who was making her smile like that.
****
“Yo, dude, what’s up?” Major said, when I walked into the dorm later that day.
“This week is going to suck. I think I’m going to have a test in every class.”
“Same here. I guess it’s their way of making sure we’re still paying attention before the break.”
“You looking forward to going to Tulsa?”
“Sure. I mean, I don’t know how exciting the place is actually going to be, but I am looking forward to seeing Kayleigh get excited about showing me stuff.”
“When are you leaving again?”
“Friday night. I wanted her to be able to spend as much time as she could with her Grandma.”
“Was Kayleigh upset when she found out Karma wasn’t going home?”
“I think so. She says she’s happy for her, but deep down I know she was disappointed. What about you? Did you decide if you’re going to work for your dad?”
“I probably will. But I might take a couple of days and head to Mexico to do some surfing.”
“Lucky bastard. I know there’s no surfing in Tulsa.”
That made me laugh. “We’ll be hitting the waves here soon enough.”
I went to my room to study, but my heart wasn’t in it. So instead, I opened Instagram on my phone and went to Karma’s profile. There were a few new pictures, but the one that caught my eye was of her in a blue evening gown from Saturday. She looked incredible, so of course I saved a screenshot of it. Yeah, I wasn’t acting like a stalker at all.
Making myself put the phone down, I went back to my studying. A few hours later, I was hungry. Major was gone, so I decided to order in some Thai food. While I waited, I went back to the picture of Karma in that dress. Before I thought too much about it, I sent her a text.
Me: You looked incredible in that blue dress on Saturday
Her response was immediate.
Karma: Stalking me again?
Me: No. A picture of you popped up on my feed.
Karma: Sure, it did. And thanks, I felt like a princess.
Me: Why were you so dressed up?
Karma: Anthony took me to a fundraiser for a children’s charity.
Me: Did you have a good time?
Karma: Ya. He even bid a ridiculous amount on a basket of chocolate for me.
Me: Lucky you
Karma: I thought so
Karma: Aren’t you supposed to be studying?
Me: I was. Waiting for my food to get here.
Karma: What did you order?
Me: Thai
Karma: Did you get enough for me?
I laughed at that.
Me: No
Karma: Asshole
Me: Why does that make me an asshole?
Karma: You know I like Thai food
Me: So? It’s not like we eat together every day.
Karma: True. But I’m hungry.
I laughed again.
Me: Come over. I’ll order more.
Karma: Yay! You’re the best!
Me: Ya, ya, see you in a few minutes.
I called the Thai place back; doubled the order and told them I’d give them a big tip if they got it here in a hurry. Hanging up, I shook my head. We weren’t even in a relationship and I was wrapped around her finger, but I couldn’t help but smile that formed on my lips.
Chapter 32
Karma
By the time classes were done Friday afternoon, I could barely contain my excitement. I’d been physically in class but mentally I was already on a beach.
Our flight left at 5pm, but we wouldn’t get there until the next afternoon. I said bye to Kayleigh and told her to give her Grandma a hug for me.
My bag was already packed and at 2:00 I was downstairs waiting for Anthony. I was early, but I couldn’t sit in the dorm and wait. Luckily, he was early, too, and I grinned when I saw him walking towards the building.
“Hey beautiful,” he said, hugging me. “Ready?”
“I’m sooooo ready.”
He chuckled as he picked up my bag. “Let’s go then.”
The drive to the airport seemed to take forever, but in reality, it was only about thirty-minutes. We went through security and found the terminal we were leaving from. I was too restless to sit so I started to wander. I found a coffee place that looked
good, so I got a caramel latte and a croissant.
Anthony was on the phone when I got back to him, probably with his father. I had the feeling that he was a little upset that Anthony was taking the week off. He walked away to finish the call and I opened the Instagram app on my phone. I took a picture of me at the airport and posted it. I laughed when I saw Bodie was the first one to like it.
“Everything okay?” I asked Anthony, when he came back over to me.
“Yeah. My dad’s not too thrilled with me. But I don’t want to talk about him right now. I’m going to share the first surprise of the trip. We are flying first class.”
“Really?” I couldn’t stop the smile. “I’ve always wanted to fly first class. This is so awesome. Thank you.” I threw my arms around him, nearly knocking him off the chair.
“If you’re this excited about first class I can’t wait to see your reaction when we get there.”
“Ooooh, now I’m really curious to see what you have planned.”
Finally, it was time to board. We were the first ones on the plane and Anthony was kind enough to let me have the window seat. We were served drinks in real glasses while the rest of the passengers boarded. Of course, I had to post it on Instagram. I was sure I was going to be doing that a lot over the next week.
It was going to be a long flight with a couple of stops, but being in first class was going to make that so much better. About an hour after takeoff, we were served dinner then I put my headphones in and picked a movie while Anthony worked on his laptop.
Over the course of the next few hours, we changed planes, I slept, then we changed planes again. I watched the ocean out the window and when we started the descent to St. Lucia I could hardly sit still.
The small plane landed, and we were the first ones off. We were greeted by someone with a sign that said Pagano. After getting our luggage, we went with the sign guy to a car that was waiting for us. All I could do was stare out the windows as we drove through the island. It was so different from anything I’d seen before and I couldn’t wait to explore it. Eventually, the car pulled up to a house.
Diving in Deep (A Bay State University Novel Book 2) Page 22
