Constant Craving [Rapture Island 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (2 page)

Straightening again, he looked toward the window. “Julianna’s coming. I’ll be out of town for the next few days. I’ll see you early Saturday morning. Be good.”

Kelsey frowned as she watched him go, trying to convince herself that his habit of telling her to be good didn’t arouse her. She knew he did it on purpose and tried not to show any reaction, but it became more and more difficult.

Turning in her chair to look out the window, Kelsey watched Gabriel bend to kiss Julianna’s cheek.

She and Julianna had met several years earlier, when Julianna moved to Philadelphia and got a job at a decorating firm a few blocks away.

Since then, Julianna opened her own firm.

She met Gabriel when he hired her to redecorate his offices, his club, and then his home. They’d become friends, and had remained friends ever since.

Julianna had met Gabriel one day for coffee in Kelsey’s coffee shop, and introduced them.

Gabriel had come in at least once a week since then.

Since the first time she saw him, Kelsey wanted him. She knew by the hunger in his eyes that he wanted her, too, but after learning from Julianna the kind of sexual encounters he preferred, Kelsey knew that things between them would never work.

With a sigh, she watched Gabriel slide into his expensive car and got up to get coffee for Julianna.

Julianna reached the table just as Kelsey did, looking happier than Kelsey had ever seen her. Tall, blonde, and stunning, she drew attention everywhere she went.

Kelsey always felt like a brown mouse next to her. Setting the coffee in front of her best friend, Kelsey picked up her own. “I hate you.”

Julianna threw back her head and laughed. “I know. If I wasn’t going to be busy screwing my two husbands senseless on my honeymoon, I’d love to be a fly on the wall when you finally give in and let Gabriel show you just how great you two can be together.”

Kelsey smiled, but shook her head. “Julianna, we’ve talked about this. I think my first encounter warped me on men.”

Julianna scowled into her cup. “That wasn’t an encounter. You were fourteen years old and in a foster home and one of the kids tried to attack you in your sleep. He got a bloody nose and black eye for his efforts. Hardly what I’d call a good experience, but it shouldn’t keep you from what you could have with Gabriel.”

“You don’t know what I could have with Gabriel.” Turning her cup on the napkin, Kelsey met Julianna’s look of frustration. “First of all, the few men I’ve dated—”

“Few? Two—and neither one of them could have been called
men
. The only reason you even went out with them is because you could control them. Don’t let that asshole keep you from trusting Gabriel. He’s a good man, Kelsey. I wouldn’t have introduced you to him if I didn’t believe that.”

Kelsey looked around to make sure no one could hear them. The coffee shop had almost emptied, but she didn’t want Gina or Len to hear her.

“Have you thought about what you told me about him? He’s a
Dom
, for God’s sake. What the hell makes you think I would be any good at submitting to him? What makes you think I even
could
?”

Julianna grinned. “Don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it, honey.”

A laugh escaped before Kelsey could prevent it. “You’re biased.”

One of Julianna’s fiancés, Nick, was a Dom, and Julianna wasn’t the least bit shy about saying how much she loved submitting to him.

Smiling, Julianna inclined her head. “You bet.” Leaning forward, Julianna kept her voice low. “Don’t sell yourself short, and don’t pass up the chance to get to know Gabriel better.”

Kelsey sat back, shaking her head and smiling. “You want to tell me about the clothing I’m supposed to wear? I hope Gabriel didn’t spend a lot of money on it. Maybe he’ll let me reimburse him.”

Julianna laughed. “Not a chance. He had such a good time designing them. I watched him pore over fabric and beads for hours. I wouldn’t offer to pay for them if I were you. It would only insult him. As for the design…I think I’ll let you see that for yourself when you get there.”

Kelsey finished her coffee. “I hate you.”

Julianna grinned. “Yeah, I know, but you won’t after you spend the week with Gabriel.”

Getting to her feet, Kelsey blew out a breath. “I hope Gabriel and I are still friends after this week. I’d hate the thought of never seeing him again.”

Kelsey met Gabriel’s appreciative look with a glare, one that seemed to amuse him. Now that she knew what she’d be forced to wear the entire time she was here, she understood why he hadn’t wanted to tell her.

The sexual tension between them could be cut with a knife.

The low hum of arousal humming through her veins grew stronger every time she looked at him.

Every time she felt his gaze.

Every time he touched her.

A constant craving that grew stronger each time she saw him.

She’d known that coming to a place called Rapture Island was just asking for trouble, but she hadn’t had much of a choice. She wouldn’t have missed Julianna’s wedding, or a chance to spend time with Gabriel, for the world.

She hadn’t counted on how strong his effect would be on her, especially dressed so provocatively, and with his attention focused on her for such an extended amount of time.

It was heaven, and it was hell, because she knew she could never be what he wanted.

She hadn’t been able to tear her gaze away from him for more than a minute or two at a time since he’d picked her up that morning, and she didn’t want him to know how desperately she wanted him. Drawn to him, she’d been aware of every shift in his body, every change in his expression.

God, she ached for him
.

He looked exceptionally handsome in his tuxedo, but it didn’t really matter what he wore.

Tall and amazingly built, he looked like every woman’s darkest fantasy. From his shining black, overlong hair, to eyes like glittering onyx, he had a look of decadence about him that made her mouth water and every erogenous zone tingle with awareness. His sharp features might have been carved by the angels, but the devious intent shining in his eyes was pure devil.

She didn’t know how a man could appear both powerfully masculine and elegant at the same time, but somehow Gabriel managed it.

She always felt inadequate and naïve around him, and couldn’t help but wonder what a man like Gabriel saw in her, especially since she’d made it clear that she wasn’t a submissive.

The look in his eyes as they moved over her, though, made her feel as if she was the most desirable woman on earth, and made her believe that something wonderful could happen between them.

It was a heady feeling, and one that created a need inside her that couldn’t be ignored.

It was also too dangerous for her well-being.

His eyes moved over her, creating an overwhelming rush of sensations through her, making her shift restlessly and wish she wore something that covered her a little more.

As soon as she arrived on the island, she’d been forced to change into the most revealing outfit she’d ever worn before, an outfit that every woman who visited Rapture Island had to wear.

What amounted to little more than two pieces of fabric, one covering her breasts and the other wrapped around her hips, it barely covered her. Knowing that only the clasp between her breasts and one low on her left hip kept the material in place made her feel entirely too exposed.

It was a good feeling, though, especially when she saw the appreciation in Gabriel’s eyes each time he looked at her.

The knowledge of her vulnerability and arousal shone in Gabriel’s eyes, his gaze lingering on the jeweled clasps as if he wished they would unclasp themselves then and there.

The thought of being naked and under Gabriel had given her many sleepless nights, especially since learning she’d be spending the week here with him, the need for him becoming so unbearable that even masturbating no longer satisfied her.

She could only imagine how much it would amuse him to know how badly she wanted him, and wanted the erotic pleasure his eyes promised. Hiding it from him became increasingly difficult as the need for him continued to grow, especially when he watched her with those sharp, hooded eyes.

God, she wanted him!

Turning away, she swallowed heavily and struggled to sound composed. “Stop ogling me. I feel foolish enough in this ridiculous outfit.” She suspected that he could see right through her, the knowledge that she couldn’t fool him exciting her even more.

He challenged her, and over the last few months had managed to sneak through her defenses, leaving her feeling exhilarated.

Appearing nonchalant became increasingly difficult.

Standing on the balcony of the luxury hotel, and conscious of Gabriel’s searching look, Kelsey looked out at the turquoise-blue ocean and the white sand and thought that this place had to be the closest thing to paradise she’d ever experience.

Without Gabriel here, she knew it wouldn’t be half as appealing, and not nearly as exciting.

He was her own private paradise—and her greatest weakness.

Unable to resist, she turned her head to look at him, Struck again by the hunger glittering in his eyes.

Gabriel’s dark, elegant brow went up, a faint smile playing at his sensuous lips, lips she’d imagined moving over her skin with an expertise that she knew would leave her helpless and wanting. “No. I’m not about to stop looking at you. It’s not a ridiculous outfit. You knew the rules of this place when you agreed to come here.” He offered her a glass of the delicious wine their hosts had provided, his voice lowering and becoming more intimate.

“You knew that coming to Rapture Island meant that you would have to wear the appropriate clothing I think you look amazing—even better than I imagined.”

Kelsey couldn’t help but finger the silky material of the revealing skirt she wore, the slide of it over her overheated skin driving her nearly mad. She had to be very conscious of the way she walked when wearing it because without panties, she faced the very real fear of showing her pussy and ass to anyone nearby.

The thought that Gabriel knew that she wore no panties aroused her even more.

The almost continuous island breeze made being exposed a very real possibility, and although she didn’t want any of the other men present to see her, she found herself moving in such a way that would draw Gabriel’s attention.

She didn’t even realize she did it at first, and then struggled not to, but the lure of having Gabriel’s gaze on her naked flesh proved too irresistible to ignore.

Narrowing her eyes, she slid a glance at her best friend, Julianna, who was dressed in a similar outfit for her wedding to Nick and Steve, the owners of this island.

And the men who made the rules about what women were permitted to wear here.

They’d dressed Julianna in white and gold, with crystals that caught the light, sending flashes of glittering light every time her friend moved.

Kelsey had to admit, she’d never seen her friend look so beautiful, or so happy.

“Julianna’s obviously in love, and I wouldn’t have missed her wedding for the world, but did she really have to get married
here
?”

Gabriel grinned, his eyes moving over her. “Where else would she get married? Her new husbands own this island.” With a hand at her waist, he pulled her closer, pointing into the distance. “See that construction going on over there?”

Kelsey tensed, the feel of his hand on her bare skin sending warm, tingling heat outward until it seemed to encompass every erogenous zone in her body.

She’d thought his touch on her hand overwhelming in the coffee shop, but it proved to be even more potent now, so incredibly sensual that she almost turned in his arms and pressed herself against him. The struggle to remain stiff cost her, but she knew better than to want something she couldn’t have. Gripping the railing until her knuckles turned white, she stared into the direction he pointed and tried not to think about the heat pouring off of his body in waves.

She tried not to think about the feel of his body brushing against hers, or the slide of his silky hair over her shoulder.

“Yes.” Her voice came out as a croak, and she had to clear her throat before speaking again, too aware of his hard, hot body against hers. “What is it?” She stepped away and turned to face him, slightly surprised, and unbelievably disappointed that he’d let her.

Gabriel gaze narrowed, the pride and amusement in his sparkling eyes unmistakable. His eyes glittered with the knowledge of her reaction to his touch, the satisfaction in them putting her on the defensive. “It’s the resort we’re building. Nick and Steve needed a partner, and I was more than happy to invest.” His smug grin made her pulse trip. “We’re going to make a killing.”

Kelsey already knew about the resort from Julianna, but she hadn’t realized Gabriel would be a part of it. “Julianna told me about it. It’s some sort of place for Dominants and submissives to vacation, isn’t it?” Grimacing, she looked around and tried not to think about the number of women Gabriel had dominated. “Like this hotel.”