Beginnings (Brady Trilogy) (19 page)

             
She took a deep breath and headed towards the ballroom where the New Year’s bash was taking place. Isabel took a chance when planning this party. She’d decided since the Christmas Gala was so elegant and formal that the New Year’s party would be more like a nightclub and a bit wild. She had researched and found New York’s hottest nightclub DJ and hired him. She felt the walls vibrating with loud music as she entered the hall. It’s as if Luke was waiting for her. Her eyes instantly locked with his intense green gaze. He took a large intake of breath as his eyes took their greedy assessment of her from head to toe. The lust in his eyes was evident that her appearance affected him. He shot her that smirk she’d grown weak to and motioned for her to join him as he stood with Andrew and Jake by the bar.

             
“Isabel you have outdone yourself.” Emilia approached her with Amanda by her side and swung her arm around Isabel’s shoulder. Isabel liked that Emilia felt comfortable enough with her to greet her as if they were lifetime friends. “This is the wildest New Year’s party we’ve ever had in this house.”

             
“How did you manage to book that DJ?” Amanda asked excitedly as she glanced around.

             
“I just tossed B. Pentagon’s name a few times here and there and the deal was made. I hope Luke doesn’t freak out when he finds out how much money I offered to book him.” Isabel laughed nervously. Since Luke hadn’t given her a budget she’d went all out on the event.

             
“You know I’m beginning to really like you.” Emilia nodded smiling at her. “Don’t worry about Luke’s money he’s got plenty of it.” She brushed it off like it was no big deal. “And anyone who can get my parents to dance like that is good in my book.” Emma laughed hysterically. Isabel followed her gaze to the dance floor to see Luke’s parents dancing away to the catchy pop music with an elder couple.

             
“Oh my God. Is that Mr. and Mrs. Harold next to them?” Isabel asked astonished that B. Pentagon’s oldest client was dancing like he’d just turned twenty-one and it was his first time in a club.

Emilia and Amanda laughed so hard
, they had to hold their stomachs. “There aren’t going to be any surprise male strippers are there?” Emma rubbed her hands together excitedly. Then burst into laughter at Isabel’s shocked expression.

             
“Don’t take her seriously. She’s joking.” Amanda giggled and shook her head towards her best friend. “I think.”

“I’m telling you. This year’s party is going down in the record books. From now on no one plans these parties but you.” Emilia pointed her finger playfully towards Isabel. “But in the meantime, I see three very good looking gentlemen at the bar watching us. If I keep you here any longer Isabel my brother’s going to kill me. So what do you ladies say we go join them?” Both women smiled and agreed. As Isabel followed them towards the bar it was the first time she noticed their dresses. Amanda was in a green short dress very similar to hers and Emilia was in a black cocktail dress where the back was left completely bare and scooped down dangerously low, exposing more skin than should be legal. She remembered how her first week in Luke’s company, Rachel had informed her that Amanda and Emilia were Yoga and Pilates instructors.  No wonder they had flawless bodies. Emilia walked with deadly confidence in her exposed dress acting completely oblivious to how many heads she turned.

As they reached the three gentlemen waiting for them Drew immediately reached out and pulled Amanda into an embrace. He must have said something provocative into her ear since Amanda blushed tremendously and tried to cover her nervous giggle as Drew grinned at her mischievously. Luke snaked his arm around Isabel’s waist and pulled her next to him closely as he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

“Stunning as always.
Are you trying to kill me with this dress?” He growled into her ear. Isabel was worried she was blushing more than Amanda now. She watched as Emilia brushed her body suggestively on Jake’s and bumped hips with him as she squeezed her way towards the bar. Jake’s tattooed arms flexed under his black t-shirt as he tried to maintain stern.

“Oops. It’s really crowded in here.” Emma smiled brazenly to Jake and remained pressed against him. Isabel’s eyes glanced towards Luke to see if he’d stop his little sister but he was too enthralled with her.
Which she didn’t mind of course.

“You want to dance
angel face
?” Andrew asked Amanda. She nodded enthusiastically and he pulled her towards the dance floor.

“Some wild party you’ve got planned here Ms.
Stamos.” Luke spoke loudly into her ear to be heard through the earsplitting music. “My parents haven’t left the dance floor.” Luke laughed happily.

             
“So I see. Your mom looks great. They look like they’re having a great time.”

             
“They are.” Luke grinned at her for a while until his eyes became a bit more serious. He pulled her a little closer. “They really like you. My family knows what’s going on between us.” His green gaze searched her large brown eyes. He saw a sense of hesitation and nervousness.

“They approve.” He grinned. “They’d want
us to make things work. Try putting this whole boss and employee thing behind us.” Instant relief washed over her face and she released the breath she was holding. It bothered Luke to think that she might have suspected rejection instead of acceptance from his family. But then again Isabel wasn’t always most confident. Lately she had been though and he was working on making her more assertive. “Would you like to dance?” He grinned slyly. Any excuse to get his hands on her, especially in that dress, he’d take. Isabel’s heart fluttered. His eyes, his smile, his voice, it all did a number on her. She smiled and nodded not trusting herself to speak. Luke Brady had become her utter weakness and it was exhilarating.  

Emilia watched Jake over the rim of her delicious Cosmo. “Not working tonight?” She asked as she leaned in closer still making excuses to press her body against his invitingly. Jake’s muscular arm tensed at her closeness. The woman never gave up. She wouldn’t rest
until she brought him down to his knees. This he was sure of. But if anyone was good at masking their thoughts, it was Jake.

              “I’m taking a break.” He spoke without looking at her. His eyes were always hungry for the sight of her and he refused to show it. Emilia usually caught his stares and it motivated her to tempt him more. The woman was a walking hazard zone for him.

              “In that case can I interest you in a dance?” She purred seductively.

              Jake tossed back his shot and slammed his glass on the bar. Who was she kidding? If he put his hands on her he’d end up dragging her to the nearest isolated room like a demented cave man and irrepressibly devour her. He looked at her from head to toe with irritation in his eyes as if her being there annoyed him. “No thanks.” He smirked. “Better luck next time babe.” He looked away waiting for her explosion.

That’s what usually happened between them. She’d hit on him, he’d reject her and she’d curse some sort of insult along the lines of him going to hell and stomp away. He hated being so brutal with her but Jake knew if he ever got involved with Emilia he’d end up hurting her even more. As boldly and suggestively Emilia kept herself, he knew she was innocent towards a man’s touch. She’d challenge him and when he’d give her a taste of what she was asking for, her innocence and naivety became evident. He couldn’t tamper with her purity. He’d hate himself for it. He was no good for her and she needed to get over him. She needed to keep her distance. Because God only knew he was on the brink of losing control one of these days. The woman was testing his limits and how far she could push him.

              Emma burned inside with rage. She was sick of Jake pretending he didn’t want her. So instead of giving into his rejection, she did the unexpected. She kept her casual smile in place and shrugged carelessly. “No worries.” She gave him the friendliest smile she could manage and watched his face etch with confusion. She turned around to the young man with wavy brown hair standing next to her, enjoying his whiskey and lightly tapped his fingers to the music on the bar. “Hey handsome you want to dance?” She felt Jake’s entire body tense next to her. The young man looked at her up and down and thanked the heavens for his lucky stars.

Jake tried to keep his eyes placed in front of him, refusing to look at Emilia and another man on the dance floor. Something told him he’d have a volatile reaction if he looked at them. After a few minutes of torturing himself, he made the mistake of glancing their way just as the young man’s hand slipped all the way down Emma’s bare back, dropping just above her curvy rear. Her entire back was exposed and just the thought of another man touching her beautiful skin shook him ferociously. Jake saw red. He shoved himself away from the bar and darted towards them. Emma paused mid dance as she saw a very agitated Jake rushing towards her. He caught Emilia’s hand and pulled her harshly out of the other man’s arms and dragged her to the security room where he kept her the rest of the night.  

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Luke and Isabel spent most of the evening pressed to each other on the dance floor. When the clock hit midnight and the entire room exploded into loud cheers and laughter, Luke cupped both hands on Isabel’s face and pulled her into a heated kiss. His tongue parted her lips and he drank in her surprised moan stroking their loving tongues as they welcomed in the New Year. After their lips broke apart they were pulled away from each other by friends and family hugging and screaming
“Happy New Year”
and cheering with excited joy.

The DJ continued to keep the party going with endless popular songs as Luke found his way back to Isabel and pulled her into his arms again. It’s as if it had become impossible to stay away from each other. Her lips still tingled from their shared kiss. Isabel could no longer deny her desire for him. She was burning inside. This gorgeous man who she tried to not fall for, has been luring her into a whirlpool of emotion. Long overdue emotions of wanting, needing and yearning. His eyes were burning into hers. She knew they were dead-center of the dance floor but was too mesmerized by his smoldering stare to look away. Good thing the room was dark and the dance floor crowded. Everyone was too drunk on champagne to notice how close he continued to hold her. It didn’t matter to Isabel. At this moment no one came to mind. It was as if she was all alone in that room with Luke. Luke’s blazing green eyes. Luke’s smooth moves as he guided her through another sensual dance. Luke’s strong hands as they held her firmly around her waist and pressed to his hard body. They continued to dance under the seductive, rhythmic beat. Each movement of her hips sent a shock wave of blistering need through Luke’s body.  He leaned closer and could smell her fine jasmine scent. It still managed to unravel his senses. Her fragrance had become his undoing.

               “If I don’t have you tonight I’m going to lose my mind.” He grunted into her ear. He saw it in her eyes. The same raw emotion exploding through her as it did through him. He knew too many lines had already been crossed. There was no denying how willfully they both wanted each other. He tried to stay away. Luke knows how desperately he tried, but he always ended up right where he was now.
Wanting her
. He made a quick view of the room. It was a good hour past midnight and his guests still did not budge. He suspected they’d be here for long hours, considering the successful turnout of the party. But he could no longer wait. He wanted her now. He took her hand and led her out of the ballroom to the secluded hallways leading to the stairs.

“Come.” He let out a harsh breath.

“Where are we going?” She asked willingly following him.

“Upstairs. My bedroom.”

Luke stopped at the base of the stairs pulling Isabel roughly towards him. He cupped her face and kissed her fiercely. They somehow managed to make it to the top of the stairs while Isabel struggled with his tie. Both their hands were franticly caressing each other, teasing and attempting to take off clothing. Luke’s hands traveled possessively over Isabel’s behind where he gripped her firmly.  He pulled her closer causing his arousal to push towards her lower stomach. She heard a small struggled moan escape from her own lips. He gripped her bottom and lifted her up as Isabel wrapped her legs around his waist without hesitation.   Her heart was beating fast. Adrenaline pumping through her veins at the mere thought of what was about to happen between them.  She’d never felt more wanton in her life. Never possessed this need to be touched and kissed this way. She needed his strength, needed to feel the power of a man wanting a woman, the way Luke obviously wanted her. She welcomed the effect Luke’s lips had on her. As they grazed over her jaw and lingered on her neck, she gained an uncontrollable craving to taste his lips again and feel his strong body pressed firmly against hers. She realized she wanted more. Much, much, more.

Luke kicked the door shut once they were inside his bedroom. He slowly pulled down the zipper of her dress. He placed her down and broke contact to look into her eyes. Their shallow heavy breathing was the only sound in the quiet room. The loud music from downstairs still echoed in their ears. They stared at each other both knowing they had reached a point of no return. This was it. Either they continue or walk out of this room and pretend it never happened. It’s not what Isabel wanted. She was tired of doubting herself. Tired of living in fear. She wanted to break the spell of her fragility. She wanted to prove to herself and more to Luke that she was not weak. If she desired to make love with a man then she would have him. No more nightmares. No more panic attacks and no more self-doubt. It was this very moment that she would determine her own strengths and gain her full confidence back. She didn’t give Luke a chance to talk. Before he could break the silence she launched herself to him. He groaned with pleasure from her boldness as her heated body collided with his. Her hands fisted in his hair pulling him closer, deepening their kiss. He was heavenly and she felt drunk and driven mad with desire from his taste, from this intensity she felt for him.