Untouched (8 page)

Bailey led us to a table with three empty stools; two of which were situated side by side. Bailey and Raina assumed those two leaving me to sit at the end. Taking our seats, we passed the dealer some bills in exchange for chips. I was seated at the end of the table, meaning I would be the person the table relied upon for a payout. I hated sitting here because if you caused the entire table to bust, the nasty looks are thrown your way like knives.

The first two hands were easy wins, not requiring any type of strategy due to the cards being dispersed in favor of the table. I’d play a couple more hands and stop before I caused anyone at the table to lose and toss the blame my way, besides I wanted to play craps. Blackjack was my second favorite table game but the exhilaration factor was missing. Jackpot winners on slot machines may be the loudest individuals in the house, but nothing was quite like the collective excitement that builds at a craps table.

Another bout of cheers erupted to the right of the blackjack table. I glanced over and immediately found Aiden; standing beside the bar speaking with Adam and Blake. He was his normal gorgeous self, although there was nothing normal about his level of hot! He was dressed in white slacks, white dress shirt – top buttons undone with no tie and a sky blue dress jacket. He looked perfect; casually standing with his arms crossed, laughing. Obviously uninterested in the conversation with Adam and Blake, he casted a series of fleeting looks about the room; his eyes finally resting on me…our eyes momentarily glued to each other. I severed our connection and stood to grab my chips. Without a word to Bailey or Raina, I made a beeline for the bar. I knew I needed to talk to him but I needed a drink to calm my nerves and my libido before approaching him.

Three drinks later, I was standing at the craps table – another delay in the inevitable conversation I was to have with Aiden. After four lucky rolls of the dice, I’d started to relax and enjoy myself again; until an unwelcomed player joined the opposite end of the table.

He tossed several bills toward the pit and the dealer shouted “check change one thousand.” He waited on approval from the pit boss and slid Aiden’s chips to him. How would he have money to toss around like that? I was fully aware of his mediocre salary and he didn’t earn nearly enough to risk one thousand dollars of it. Maybe he saved every dime for those times when he wanted to throw caution to the wind.

I was still the shooter and the stickman slid the dice back to me as he announced that the point was nine. I grabbed them and placed them side by side with the four and the three facing up and tossed them to the end of the table. 

“Nine. Shooter rolled nine.”

The players quickly scooped up their winnings as the stickman pushed the dice to me again. I repeated my normal setup of the four and the three and tossed the dice toward the opposite end of the table. They bounced off the back wall and landed on nine again. Cheers erupted around the table. I would have enjoyed this much more had Aiden not been there…watching me. His eyes lingering on me, he told the dealer to place all of his chips on nine. What was he doing? I grabbed my drink from the waitress and absorbed the enthusiasm around me. The stickman hadn’t passed the dice to me yet because of all of the new bets that were being placed. This was the part where I would always crap out- everyone upping their bets based on a few lucky rolls. I decided to stop while I was ahead as I hated when such a huge build-up resulted in massive disappointment. After the dealer stopped taking bets, the stickman pushed the dice towards me and I shook my head and motioned for him to pass them to the person beside me. 

“No, you should finish your roll, you’re on a hot streak,” said the person to my left.

I shook my head and looked over to see that it was Greg. “Too much pressure,” I told him.

“Miss Cason, I have a lot of money on you and from what I’ve seen you do extremely well under pressure.” Aiden had walked around the table and was now standing beside me. 

I looked at him and glanced around the table at the expectant faces and reached down to grab the dice.

I sighed. “Ok, but this is the last time…whatever happens, you asked for it.” 

I was about to toss the dice.

“Wait, aren’t you forgetting your dice ritual?” Aiden asked.

Huh? Oh, quite frankly yes, I had forgotten, given the intensity of my emotions, which were tremendously heightened given his proximity. Damn, he smelled good. I smiled as I pictured the image of a mindless cartoon character involuntarily floating as her nose led her to the most exquisite of smells. That’s exactly how my responses had been for this man, mindless and involuntary. I situated the dice with the four and three on top, tossed them and closed my eyes awaiting sounds of disappointment but was relieved and shocked when I heard cheers instead. I opened my eyes to the excited faces around the table. 

“Nine! We have a hot shooter tonight folks,” the dealer announced as he began swiftly distributing the winnings. 

“I knew you could do it,” Aiden whispered in my ear.

Just like I’m sure you knew you were going to fuck me. I thought to myself. I turned toward the table. 

“Ok, that was the last roll for me everyone.” I reached over the top of the table to collect my winnings. 

There were several compliments shouted–“good shoot”’,“don’t go”,“one more roll”-as I stepped back and walked away, relieved that I made that last nine and was placing some distance between Aiden and me.

I grabbed an agenda from one of the hors d’oeuvre tables and saw that it was almost time to assemble on the upper deck for dinner. Entering the sky lounge, I was immediately taken to a different venue. The lighting was not as bright as on the main deck, allowing the moonlight to spill into the room. Massive windows encircled the room providing a fantastically calming view of the moonlit water. Dining tables were arranged throughout the room, enclosing what resembled a recessed stage. Positioned on the left edge of the stage was a lectern embossed with the Odyssey’s logo. I looked for the table designated for RPH executives only to discover we were to be seated by departments. Damn. I hurriedly scanned the room for my departmental staff in hopes of manipulating the seating arrangement. I spotted Raina and Bailey walking in and was about to approach them as Adam appeared asking me to start the evening’s festivities as he had decided to present the closing statements for the event. Before I could object, I saw that Zoe, Raina and Bailey had taken their seats at our table, as had River and Josh. There were only two chairs left, leaving Aiden and I sitting beside each other. Damn! Was Adam determined to keep getting me fucked?

CHAPTER SEVEN

I half-heartedly walked to the center of the room toward the lectern. I spoke with Blake and Adam until it was time to begin. The room soon filled as the other staff gradually filed in. I approached the microphone and asked that everyone take their seats. My communication to everyone was brief- including a welcome, purpose and applause for a job well done. Blake followed my introduction with details on the company’s growth and overall progress of the year’s strategic plan.

I ultimately returned to my table and saw that Aiden had been seated. Reluctantly, I assumed the available chair. The waiters began circling the room and commenced with drink and dinner orders. As our waiter detailed the preparation for the veal francese, Aiden leaned toward me and I stilled immediately.

“I didn’t have a chance to tell you that you look absolutely gorgeous tonight,” he whispered.

“Thank you,” I replied, relaxing marginally. I was expecting something much more overt given today’s indiscretions. I removed my phone from my handbag and checked that it was on vibrate before I placed it on the table. I wanted to keep close contact with April until we had both reached St. Barts; I also wanted to be aware of any last minute flight changes. Hopefully the app for the airline was no longer having update issues and I would be able to receive up-to-date information without calling the airline directly.

I noticed Aiden fidgeting with his phone as the waiter approached to take my order.

My phone flashed a light indicating a notification. After giving my order to the waiter I saw that I had received a text. It was from Aiden.

*As beautiful as you are in that dress, what would it take to get you out of it?*

And it started. So much for my miniscule hope that he would back off now that he had gotten what he wanted.

*Let’s not start this agai
n.*

*Is that an order or just a suggestion from one co-worker to another
? *

I waited a few minutes and decided to reply.

*I’m not interested in playing games with you. Today was a mistake. You should forget it happened. I have. *

*The only mistake was not fucking you harder.*

I dropped the phone in my lap and shifted nervously in my chair, my hands intertwined repeatedly as I attempted to think my way out of my predicament. I browsed the room, corner to corner, as if I was waiting for something, someone.

I decided to ignore him and not entertain his wayward thoughts. As I placed my phone on the table, his hand found my thigh. I gasped and Bailey looked towards us, I smiled at her and she thankfully redirected her attention to the center of the room.

I was on edge as it was and the heat from his hand sent a stream of suggestive sparks directly to Virginia. She was such a traitorous bitch! I struggled to adjust my leg in the opposite direction of Aiden, hoping to remove his hand without the others noticing the impish exchange. Aiden replied by holding tighter, his fingers firmly grasping my thigh. I glanced awkwardly at him, hurling a warning glance that he coolly ignored as he directed his attention to Raina and Bailey.

“Are you ladies enjoying the evening?” he asked, casually sliding his hand higher, pushing my dress up. I was absolutely fuming but had no idea how to free myself of this position. I picked up my phone and sent him a text.

*You are seriously pushing it! Remove your hand from my fucking thigh!*

A few moments later, he checked his phone and replied.

*If I were pushing it, you would know it. That was made fairly obvious earlier. Besides, my hand is very comfortable, I think I will keep it where it is.*

Bastard! 

Bailey, Raina and Aiden dove into a conversation about the party, gambling and the yacht. I reached down to pry his hand from my thigh but there wouldn’t be a way to move his hand without my jerking it away and causing the others to notice. What had happened since yesterday to cause him to be so unrelenting and forceful with me? I reached down and pinched him; surprised when he responded by pinching my thigh in return. I jerked my leg slightly at the unexpected sting and realized he would not release my thigh until he was good and ready. I nervously surveyed the room to determine if anyone had noticed the weirdness at our table. There was obviously nothing discreet I could do about it. I had to endure the irritation and deal with him later in private.

I turned to face the others, defeated. Giving up, I placed both hands on the table and joined the conversation. Raina was filling us in on her plans for her upcoming vacation to Hawaii with her family. After five minutes or so of idle chatter, our drinks arrived and I immediately took a sip of my vodka cranberry. The waiters brought our meals a short time later and I was offered a refill which I gladly accepted.

The alcohol was beginning to affect me; I noticed I was less anxious about Aiden sitting next to me so I continued drinking and enjoying the meal. Aiden’s hand was still on my thigh; occasionally he made soft circular motions. I pretended not to notice hoping he would see that he was having no effect on me and remove his damned hand. No such luck.

Dessert was being served and Aiden began his assent up my thigh. I drew in a quick breath and slowly exhaled as his hand slid over my thigh between my legs. I nervously appraised the room, terrified that someone could see what was going on. Everyone was oblivious, including the five people at our table. He gently pushed my legs apart, allowing him access to his target. He slid my panties to the side and began slowly circling my clit just as I was removing the fork from my mouth. I bit down…hard. I let out a gentle whimper and five sets of eyes were on me.

“This is very good,” I said, hoping to cover my blunder.

“I’ll bet it’s delicious,” Aiden said. He leaned over and whispered, “I would love a taste.”

He continued circling and teasing; I was soaked. So much for my whack-a-doodle plan of showing him that he wasn’t getting to me. I clinched my thighs and he responded by pinching my clit. I looked at him pleading hoping he would stop. He obviously took mercy on me and slowly removed his finger as I placed a bite of my Frozen Haute Chocolate onto his plate. Everyone was too engrossed in conversation to notice when Aiden slipped his finger into his mouth.

“Delicious…tastes even better than I imagined.” I was too turned on to give his impudence the attention it deserved. Virginia clenched tightly as the thought of his tongue doing unimaginable things to me flickered in my head.

Before I could reply, Adam’s voice came over the speaker system detailing the events for the remainder of the evening: dancing, drinking and more gambling for the next two hours as we headed back to the port. He rambled a few closing statements. We applauded as the lights lowered, transforming the room into a dance club complete with pulsing music and eliminating lights that danced on the ceiling.

The urgency of my dilemma dissipated as the sounds of Maroon 5’s
Maps
filled the room. I loved Maroon 5, I loved music in general – I found it therapeutic. I envied musicians- their ability to create something that was somehow good for both the body and soul. Although not musically inclined, I had always wanted to try my hand at a musical instrument.

I wistfully glanced at the excited dancers making their way to the floor as I noticed someone approaching our table. Earlier I’d thought I noticed Jennifer but wasn’t sure. It would appear she was the person I’d recognized after all. She, too, had embellished her day-to-day look.

“Hi everyone.” Although she said
everyone,
she clearly intended her greeting for Aiden. That was overtly obvious as her overly cheery smile and sparkling eyes never left his face.

“I seem to recall your mentioning that you loved to dance. How about you show me what you can do?” she asked him.

Aiden’s head fell back slightly as he laughed. “I would love to,” he replied, rising from his chair. He grasped Jennifer’s hand without as much as a glance at me. I watched as they reached the dance floor, Aiden was already moving to the beat, his confidence in his ability apparent. As they stepped onto the dance floor, Aiden whirled her out and rolled her back into his chest. I was instantly filled with an irrational surge of jealousy. I wanted to look away but I was unable to tear my eyes from the two of them.

They danced well together. Although their bodies were not touching, they were too close for my liking. Aiden’s dance moves were suggestive and sexy, which was something he apparently couldn’t turn off because he displayed those characteristics off the dance floor as well. They both moved with slight sexual overtures in time to the beat, Jennifer leaned in to say something to which they both laughed. She was enjoying herself. She didn’t mind that people were watching. She was just being. I envied that; I’d never been able to distance myself from my anxieties long enough to let loose and enjoy. Everything about me was planned, organized and analyzed. I sighed as I wondered how it would feel to break away from those shackles. 

Two other ladies joined Jennifer and Aiden, each taking her turn for some one-on-one with him. I watched how he maneuvered with each of them, giving each one just enough to pant for more. I hated to watch them drool over him…although I was sure the desire was one-sided. I smiled at the thought that while they were relishing this moment, my pussy was just on his finger and hopefully the taste was still in his mouth.

I glared at them, anxious for the song to end. I understood that it was difficult to avoid having eye-sex with that man; I did it often but I didn’t wish to see them do it. I forced myself to look away and face my table mates who were also looking towards the dance floor. I turned, casually glancing at them just once more, I told myself. Damn…he saw me staring. I gazed around the room in an effort to appear indifferent. I heard clapping and looked to see the women with whom he was dancing clapping for him. Had they never seen a good-looking man dance before? He was smiling as one of the women seemingly said something funny and casually touched his arm. He looked towards me and leaned down slightly to one of the women saying something and then sauntered towards our table. I told myself to look away. I practically screamed to myself but I couldn’t. It was as if he’d silently willed me to keep my focus on him. I swallowed and my heart rate accelerated. What was he doing? He stopped directly in front of me presenting his dazzlingly perfect smile.

“Miss Cason, would you do me the honor?” he asked, his hand extended to me. Before a reply could reach my lips, I had lifted my hand to his and half-mindedly rose from my seat. His touch was as magnetic as his face, I thought as our hands made contact. An imperceptible current flowed between us as soon as his skin touched mine, further compelling me to do anything he asked. It was that almost spell-bound pull that caused me to impetuously submit to him in the elevator and in my office. That undeniable power is what also allowed me to sit surrounded by colleagues and endure his delicious torment at the dinner table. Was this how all women responded to him and did he take advantage of our apparent weakness?

His smile faded as he appraised my facial expression. I wondered what he was thinking. He couldn’t possibly know what I was thinking but if his gaze really did serve as an indication, he was privy to my inner most thoughts. As typical with him, I felt exposed; even more so because of an audience that was most assuredly taking in a never-before-seen display of Aria Cason.

This was something that I never did. I attended these events as a professional etiquette. I mingled enough to remain cordial and I left. I never engaged in any such overtures that could relate to anything other than business. But here I was now…on exhibit for my entire company. This was a huge mistake. Just as I was about to extract my hand from his, he led us away from the table. 

The music changed just as we reached the edge of the dance floor. The sound of the Latin beats pulsing through the speaker system was one of which I was exceedingly familiar…salsa! I took salsa lessons as a prelude to one of my many vacations with April. She and I were great together on vacations…sometimes too great, which was another story within itself. We had actually developed into quite skilled salsa dancers. I was convinced that our aptitude was attributed to the fact that it was an insanely sexy dance and anything involving sex for a woman who didn’t have routine access to it, could be quite intriguing.

He placed his hand at the small of my back as he leaned down and whispered. “Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be; I hope you can keep up,” I replied, confident of my abilities.

“I can if you can,” he challenged.

The feel of his hand against my exposed skin sent tingling sensations throughout my body. Before I could respond, he was spinning me out, away from him and I immediately fell into character. I lifted my right hand flamboyantly as he held tightly to my left, pulling me back to him, my right hand landing on his firm chest. Our eyes connected and his hands slid down both sides of my body and back up again. He pulled me closer; our bodies becoming one as we moved to the seductive beat.

Our hips were doing a dance that could only be interpreted as a prelude to sex. Everyone else in the room faded into the background; all I could see was Aiden. I was overwhelmed…by his touch, his smell, the heat radiating between our bodies, the slick sweat gliding down our skin, the way our bodies moved in sync…each dance step making me breathless. He turned me, my back to his chest and we swayed in time to the lustful beats, his pelvis rotating seductively as he pulled me closer.