Lush Curves 5: Undertow (3 page)

I hadn't seen Aolani yet, and was itching to introduce her around. She'd seemed so distant over the last day or so, and I couldn't put my finger on why. Perhaps it was just nerves about this night. After all, this was her career debut as a model and photographer's assistant, and as much as this night meant to me, I knew it was just as crucial for her. She had every reason to be proud, and every reason to be anxious as well, although her work spoke for itself.

Despite the nagging sensation of old memories that being home always dragged up, I knew I was about to turn a corner in my life. After tonight, I'd go to Aolani and hold her in my arms. If I could find the courage, I'd ask her to stay with me here in Edinburgh for another week or so, not as an employee, but as my guest, enjoying my home with me before getting on with her next projects. I also hoped afterwards to get her to stay on at my company--to keep modeling, if she was willing, and to keep Thomas in line. Perhaps with more experience, she could take over for him.

More than anything, I wanted to see her happy, smiling beside me, taking in everything she'd earned and blossoming because
of her hard work and natural talent. She deserved all of that, and so much more.

And despite not knowing how to be with someone, not after Fi, I was going to give it all I had. Perhaps in that week together, not working, but just enjoying one another's company, I'd figure out how to live again.
How to love.

How to tell her what I already knew--that I loved her.
That I needed her in my life.

I realized with a start that I had downed my champagne already. Keep a clear head, Gavin. This is your night. Don't let your nerves overcome you.

The doors at the end of the ballroom opened, and my heart leapt in my chest as I saw Aolani enter the room. Heads turned, the investors admiring her before taking in who she was--who she must be. Her hair fell in luxurious curls down bare shoulders, her body perfectly silhouetted in a slinky red dress, hugging her curves. She wore a crimson flower above her ear, and when she smiled at the crowd, I put a hand to my heart, unable to help myself. God, what that women did to me.

A few people applauded upon recognizing her, the crowd
murmuring their approval as they glanced at the banners bearing her likeness and back again. Aolani beamed at them, moving gracefully into the crowd, shaking hands and smiling in a sensual way that made my cock stir in my trousers.

At that moment, all I wanted to do was whisk her back to my
room and make her mine--to thrust myself inside of her and hear her scream my name--but I knew this was her moment to shine. I would not take that away from her.

I moved toward her, making my apologies as I pushed through the crowded floor, wanting to congratulate her, to tell her we were a hit, that the investors
’ reviews of her work were positive, but at that moment, I saw Malcolm enter behind her, looking roguishly handsome in a dark jacket over jeans, a tuxedo shirt untucked and wrinkled, making him look like the rock star he so wanted to be.

He moved toward Aolani and put his hand on her back. I stopped where I was when I saw her turn and smile at him, her eyes full of laughter
, her soft lips parted as she looked at him.

What the hell had I missed? When had she and Malcolm gotten to know one another?

But before I could ask any questions, the CFO was tugging on my arm, ready to introduce me to his wife. I shook my head, telling myself to calm down, that nothing was wrong.

This was my night, and duty called.

***

Aolani

The Gala was a blur of faces, of me shaking hands and trying not to give away just how anxious I was to be on gigantic advertisements, my body bared before this room full of strangers. I smiled, trying not to panic as eyes flitted first to the ads, then back to me. Oddly enough, everyone seemed impressed, wringing my hand with real e
nthusiasm and congratulating me instead of jeering or frowning, as I’d half expected.

Thing were going to be okay.

Malcolm’s presence at my side was a relief—a friendly face in a sea of uncertainty. Once, I saw Gavin across the room. His back was to me, and he was laughing, caught up in conversation with a silver haired man and his elegant blonde wife. I turned away, not wanting to think about what was to come later. I just wanted the night to stretch on and on so that awful moment where I told him we were through would never come.

I hugged Sandra and congratulated Thomas. Both were beaming from ear to ear, pleased with the reception the campaign was getting.

I don’t know how long I stayed, only that it was long enough. Malcolm took my hand and led me out into the night air, and before I knew it, we were at a bar, laughing together in the dim light.

We sampled whisky together, him telling me the difference between whiskey with
an ‘e,’ and whisky from Scotland without, pouring some water into the glass of amber spirits to release the aroma.

I sipped, suddenly understanding why Gavin loved the stuff, but the thought of him made my heart
ache, so I drank deeper. I’d have to see him sooner or later, and then I’d have to end it for good.

It was better to put it off. To savor this night, what was left of it, while I
could. To enjoy myself. After all, where was the crime in that?

Malcolm took me to another bar, this one a tiny wood-paneled hole in the wall, then another, more modern with martinis and young folks mixing in dim lighting.

By the time we were wandering back to our hotel, I was holding onto his arm for support, giggling like a schoolgirl, my mind pleasantly fuzzy and my body warm. I realized I was wearing his jacket once again, and snuggled deeper into it, smelling the intoxicating smell of his cologne, musky and wild, and so unlike his brother’s.

“I don’t want to go in yet,” I said, looking up at him.

He glanced down, smiling that roguish grin of his and put his arm around my shoulder.

“
Fine by me, lass. Let’s have us a walk, then.”

He thinks I’m gorgeous
, I thought.
He wants me. Wants to be with me.

I leaned my head on his shoulder as we walked into the rose gardens behind the hotel, getting lost in the twists and turns of the path between the bushes, the fragrant scent of the flowers surrounding me, making me feel, just for a moment, along with the stuffing in my head, and the brightness of the stars overhead, that Malcolm and I were alone in a fairyland. A place where time didn’t matter, and I could linger, outside of all responsibility, all fear
; all obligation.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I was looking up at the sparkling night sky, but when Malcolm spoke, his voice quiet and husky, I looked up into his eyes.

“Not as beautiful as you are, Aolani.”

I should have rolled my eyes at his obvious line. I should have smiled and pulled away and suggested we walk back to the hotel. I should have remembered his brother, and the talk that still needed having. But instead of all of these sensible things, I stayed right where I was, caught up in the sight of him, so beautiful in the starlight it was almost painful to look at him.

When he lowered his mouth to mine, I didn’t resist.

His warm lips on mine made my mind go blank, and the soft hiss of his breath as I kissed him back made me feel helpless to turn back. He pulled me closer, his arms strong around my back and waist, running along my curves as he held me. His tongue tasted my lips, gently probing, and I opened to him, tasting him back, the sensation of our mingling kiss making me moan.

God, it was good to be wanted.
Really
wanted by someone who wouldn’t mind telling people we were together. Who wasn’t ashamed to be with me. Whose heart was free to love, instead of caught up in a mysterious past.

His hands moved lower, cupping my ass and crushing me to him. I wrapped my hands in his hair as our kisses deepened, and a fire built deep inside of me. I could taste the whisky on his tongue and feel the hardness of his erection growing against my stomach. He ground against me, and I groaned, wanting him. Wanting this.

Malcolm growled against my lips, sounding like a wild man as the sparks flew between us. Through the haze of excitement and arousal and alcohol, a tiny voice inside my head told me that soon there would be no going back. This was something I couldn’t undo, and I was nearing the point of no return.

The rest of me didn’t care.

I was too hurt. Too angry. Too in love with the feeling of being wanted again. Of being cherished, if that’s what this was. Through the fog in my head, for the moment, I was hard pressed to tell the difference.

Malcolm pressed me back against the
stone wall at the edge of the garden path, then lifted me up onto the wide railing. I wrapped my legs around him, whimpering as I felt his hard cock press against me through his jeans.

“God, Aolani,” he breathed.

His lips were on my neck, then, moving lower as I arched back, shivering at his touch. A deft hand cupped my breast, kneading it lightly in a way that made my nipple pebble against his palm. Malcolm ground against me, and I felt my core ignite, my body needy and hot in a way it hadn’t been for days.

His shaft rubbed against my clit
again and again, and I bit my lip, moaning loudly as pulses of flame licked through my veins. When he kissed between my breasts and thrust harder against me, I gasped as I came undone, my body shuddering against him as he held me close. For a moment, my mind was all light, all color, all explosions and fireworks as I convulsed, my pleasure overwhelming everything—but then, I was transported back, back to a kitchen on a gently rocking boat, the smell of curry wafting in the air, the feel of Gavin Fletcher between my legs, the bite mark on my breast, and I felt a tear sliding down my cheek.

This was wrong. So wrong, it made my head
spin.

“I… I can’t. Oh, God,” I said.

Malcolm still held me, but now he looked into my eyes, his brow furrowed. “Okay. Okay… no problem. What’s wrong?”

“I’m so sorry,” I breathed. My head was still spinning, but now I felt sick rather than buzzed.

“Aolani,” Malcolm began, but just then, a dark figure rounded the corner at a jog.

“Aolani?
I’ve been looking everywhere for-”

Gavin Fletcher’s voice met my ears, and I cringed
as he stopped short looking at the scene before him--my legs still wrapped around his brother’s waist, my arms still tangled around his neck.

He moved closer, out of the shadows, and I’ll never forget the look on his face as our eyes met.
It was a look of shock and utter despair, like someone had ripped his heart out of his chest and held it up before him, showing it to him. Mocking him.

He shook his head and turned away, moving back through the bushes
like a man in a daze. Malcolm pulled away from me and called after him, but I didn’t hear his words. All I could see was Gavin’s pained eyes, his face gone pale in the starlight as he looked at me in his brother’s arms.

What the hell had I just done?

***

To Be Continued...

Look out for the next installment of LUSH CURVES, coming soon!

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About the Author

Delilah Fawkes is the bestselling erotic romance author of "The Billionaire's Beck and Call" series, selling more than 150,000 e-books in 2012.

She's known for sizzling romances with
red hot alpha males you'll fall in love with and strong women who make them swoon. If you like your romance gripping, fast-paced, and dripping with sinful love scenes, you've got to check out what Delilah has to offer.

Delilah Fawkes always delights in bringing you the very best in erotica and erotic romance!

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Other Stories by Delilah Fawkes:

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Bound by the Viking (A Reluctant BDSM Erotic Romance)

Teaching Him: The Droid Who Loved Me, Part 1 (
Sci Fi Erotic Romance)

Wanting Him: The Droid Who Loved Me, Part 2 (
Sci Fi Erotic Romance)

Needing Him: The Droid Who Loved Me, Part 3 (
Sci Fi Erotic Romance)