Beyond the Velvet Rope (22 page)

“What might that be?”

“You’re trying to bait me.”

“That may be,” he consented. “But what exactly do you think I’m trying to bait you to do?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t care. But know this, Elliot, my answer is no.”

He tsked. “You’re no fun, Thandie. At least ask me what I want.”

“I said I don’t care.”

“Yes, you do. Why else would you be so nervous around me?”

“For the last time, I’m not nervous!”

“Then stop trying to hide yourself from me.”

“You’re toying with me.”

“Yes, I am. Now let me see you.” He reached out for her, but Thandie slapped his hand away. Elliot only chuckled. “What’s the matter? Bad nerves?”

With a frustrated huff, Thandie dropped her hands from her bikini-clad breasts. “There! Are you happy now?”

“Immensely.” Elliot’s grin disappeared as his eyes narrowed. He stared at her breasts for what felt like hours before speaking again. “Turn around.”

“No.” She set her hands on her hips. “Now that you’ve seen me, will you leave me alone?”

“Ask me what I want.”

“What?” She was surprised by his comment.

“I’m baiting you, remember? Ask me what I want.”

Thandie rolled her eyes. “Fine, Elliot.” She released a heavy sigh. “What do you want?”

His voice turned smooth as his silver gaze ravaged her body. “I want you on your back with your ankles behind your head, screaming my name.”

She gasped. An unwanted rush of hot lust dampened her thighs. “You can’t be serious,” she sputtered. “Do you talk to all your women like that?”

He pulled his eyes from her breasts to meet her gaze. “I’ve never been one to lead a woman on.” His eyes dropped down to her bikini bottoms. “I’m not interested in a relationship, Thandie. I just want sex with you.”

“No, thank you.”

“You’ll change your mind.”

“No, I won’t.”

His voice was dead serious when he said, “I’ll make you.”

Thandie gathered what remained of her pride. “I know you’re used to women obeying your every whim, but I—”

“You try so hard not to be attracted to me. Why?”

“This is a working relationship,” she said sternly.

“It could be more, Thandie. It could be a lot more.”

“I said no.”

“Is it so hard to admit you want me?” He leaned forward, cupping her face in his hands. “I can smell your desire, pussycat. I know you want me. You want me near you, inside you, on top of you. Stop denying yourself the pleasures I can provide.” His gray eyes were intense. “Stop denying us, Thandie.”

She shivered. His words were washing over her skin like smooth silk. Her legs shook under his silver stare. She could feel her defenses crumbling. She was breathless. “You give yourself a lot of credit, Mr. Richards.”

“I have the experience to back it up.” He grinned. “Trust me. I’m as good as they say.”

“Why me?”

“You interest me.”

“What happens when I’m no longer interesting?”

Elliot shrugged. “I’ll find someone else.”

“This is all a game to you,” she whispered.

He stared at her for a long while before nodding his head. “Everything is a game, Thandie. And I play to win.”

The sudden drop in his voice made her uneasy. She meant to turn away from him, but his body moved over her, trapping her on the chaise. Her eyes grew wide as he lowered his face to her breasts. She could barely catch her breath. “Don’t—”

When Elliot’s silver eyes flashed up to meet hers, Thandie knew she was in trouble. She should have moved out of his reach, but she couldn’t. Her body was frozen in place, unwilling to obey what her brain was demanding. Instead, she sat there, powerless, watching as he lowered his head to nuzzle her cleavage with his nose. He inhaled the scent of her skin. His nearness was causing havoc on her nerves. Every cell in her body was screaming for more.

Thandie gasped when his tongue flicked over the thin material covering her nipple. She watched in horror as her body betrayed her, the sensitive flesh instantly growing pebble-hard. He ran his tongue around the covered bud. Thandie’s breath quickened as she watched his perfect white teeth pull the fabric of her top away; exposing her bare breast to the cool ocean air.

* * *

Elliot sucked in a breath at the sight of her dusky dark nipple. His lips latched onto the chocolate-dipped dessert. Thandie’s flesh was soft in his mouth. His tongue lapped the bud hungrily, nearly overwhelmed by the need to taste her. He nibbled and tugged until they were both breathless with desire.

He wanted to brand her with his touch. So that every man after him would know he had possessed her. He smothered his face into her softness as his hands caressed the sides of her ribcage. Thandie moaned. Her back arched up to offer him more. Elliot pushed aside her top to free her breasts completely. His mouth devoured one while his fingers squeezed the other. His unoccupied hand skimmed down her stomach to cup her womanhood. Thandie released a throaty groan. Before she could register what was happening, Elliot lowered himself to his knees, positioning himself between her legs.

Blinded with desire, he pushed her legs apart and placed his face between her thighs. He licked the crotch of her bikini bottoms. Thandie’s legs shook under his touch. His tongue circled the moist fabric, his hunger for her growing. He slid his fingers into the waistband of her bikini bottoms. He was in mid-action of pulling them down her legs when she gasped and went stock-still.

“Elliot, get up!” she rasped.

He was too far gone to care what had changed her mind. Confident he could get her back in the mood, Elliot flicked his tongue over her crotch again.

“They’re coming back,” Thandie said hoarsely. “Get up.”

He blinked. “What?”

“They’re coming
.
”

Elliot lifted his head just in time before Thandie slammed her legs closed. She pushed against his shoulders so she could sit up, and fix her swimsuit. She fumbled with the ties of her top nervously, struggling to make her fingers obey simple commands.

Elliot took hold of her wrists, bringing her frantic movements to a halt. “I’m not finished with you, Thandie.”

“Oh, yes you are,” she snapped.

“No, I’m not. Not by a long shot.”

The sound of a loud splash of water signaled the approach of the group. Thandie gasped, slapped Elliot’s hands away, and finished adjusting her suit. She righted herself just as Len climbed into the boat, followed by Raja and then Warren. They were so busy laughing, they didn’t notice Elliot scowling at Thandie before pushing himself to his feet.

“The water is wonderful, Thandie!” Len said as she wrung out her hair over the side of the boat. “You’re missing all the fun.”

Thandie flashed a nervous smile at Len, trying her best to ignore Elliot’s fierce frown. “Did you have a good swim?”

“Absolutely.” Len laughed. “The water feels great.” She glanced at Elliot and gave him a sexy smile. “Elliot, you have to join us next time.”

He forced a tight grin. “I would enjoy that, Len.”

By now Raja had finished wringing her long black hair free from ocean water. She joined Len to flirt with Elliot. Warren watched the girls, his eyes glued to their wet bodies.

Warren sighed as he sat down beside Thandie. “Those two get more beautiful every time I see them.”

Thandie nodded. “I’m glad you think so, Warren.”

He blushed.

“Of course, they don’t compare to you, Thandie.”

“You’re a natural charmer,” she said distractedly, too busy trying to ignore Len and Raja’s advances on Elliot.

“I’m serious,” Warren said. “I always expressed my interest in you when we were both in New York. But you were dating that photographer. Rotten luck, I have.”

“Sounds as though you have pretty good luck,” Thandie said, finally turning to look at the older man. “You got married to Wife Number Five soon after moving to Miami. Despite my encounter with her, she’s pretty.”

“Yeah, she’s pretty. I just wish I had looked beyond—” his voice trailed off.

Thandie smiled. She couldn’t help but soften toward him. In spite his antics, Warren was a good guy. She nudged him with her shoulder. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?”

Warren tossed his arm around her shoulders and gave her a light hug. “Right.”

The weather was on their side. They sailed along the coastline for a greater part of the day. The gentle sway of the boat cradled them to relaxation. Len, Raja and Warren entertained themselves with periodic swims in the ocean and silly drinking games. Lunch consisted of cold sandwiches, fruit and bottled water. No one seemed to notice Thandie was keeping an almost comical distance from Elliot.

Nor the fact that Elliot was nursing a hard-on for most of the afternoon.

By the time they neared the boat’s dock, it was half an hour until sunset. They watched the sun disappear over the horizon. It was a dazzling display of warm golden hues, soft pinks and cool violets.

When they finally tied up, there was a welcoming party waiting for them. Romero stood just a little ahead of the group, and was therefore the first to welcome Elliot as he stepped off the boat. The two had a quick whispered exchange before Romero offered him a cell phone.

Elliot accepted it, took a few steps away from everyone for privacy, and started talking to someone on the other end of the line.

Adam, Markie and Rex patiently stood nearby, waiting for their chance to speak with Elliot. The sight of Len, Raja and Thandie stepping on deck captured their attention. Instantly, there was shuffle of activity as the men elbowed each other to help the ladies. Warren barely jumped out of the way to prevent being knocked overboard. Rex reached out to help Thandie get safely to the gravel.

After a brief hug, Thandie asked, “When did you get back?”

“Last night,” he said. “I went over to Warren’s house looking for you, but Anga told me you were here.” Rex’s eyes tilted in the direction of Elliot’s home. “I heard there was an interesting event.”

Thandie smiled up at him. “You have no idea.”

He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “You’ll have to tell me about it.”

Embracing his arm, Thandie allowed herself to be led back to the house by Rex.

Chapter Fifteen

E
lliot gave a merciless swing at the rubber ball and then swore.

“When you’re done pouting,” Nico taunted as he returned the pass, “do you want to tell me what’s wrong?”

“I’m not pouting,” Elliot snapped.

“Whatever, man.”

“Can you stop trying to distract me from the horrible game you’re playing?”

Nico gave a loud snort. “It can’t be too horrible. I’m winning, if you hadn’t noticed.”

To Elliot’s disbelief, he missed the next pass. He was annoyed to see his friend grinning at him.

Breathing hard, Nico rested his hands on his knees. “What’s up, Elliot? That was an easy serve.”

Elliot contemplated whether he should tell Nico what was bothering him. They had been friends for years, but he struggled with the idea of sharing his recent obsession. Nico would only tease him mercilessly, which would be well-deserved, as he would treat his friend in kind. The problem was his feelings were beginning to consume him. In the past, when he had a problem to talk out, he contacted Nico. Although Nico was one of the last people he wanted to confide in right now, he had to admit he had few options. If not Nico, it was nobody.

Choosing his words carefully, he shot Nico a hard stare. “I’m having difficulty figuring something out.”

Nico looked at him in all seriousness. “Do you need my help?”

“Hell, no,” he growled.

Nico eyed him suspiciously before a slow grin spread across his face, followed by a howl of laughter. “It’s a woman.” He laughed again.

Elliot rolled his eyes in annoyance.

“It’s the woman you hired.” He pointed an accusing finger at him. “Thandie, right?” Not waiting for a response, he howled again, his boisterous laughter echoing off the racquetball court walls. “I knew it! The moment I saw her, I knew she was going to be trouble for you.”

“Fuck you.”

“No, my friend, fuck you. Serves you right. You’ve always had women served to you on silver platters. This time, you’ll actually have to work for one. I think my respect for Thandie just soared through the roof.”

“Are you finished?”

“Not yet.” A fresh bout of laughter assailed him. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

“You’re not helping, Nico.”

“Oh, now you want my help?”

“Okay, forget it. Serve the ball.”

“Oh, no,” he said with a lazy drawl. “We have to savor this moment.” He looked at his watch. “Let’s see here. It’s exactly 3:43 p.m. on this beautiful Sunday afternoon—”

“Let’s just play the damn game.”

“If I had my phone right now, I’d take a picture of you.”

Elliot frowned, more than annoyed with Nico’s attitude. “Now that you’ve made your point, can you drop it?”

Brushing his hair out of his eyes, Nico wiped at the sweat from his forehead. “Like you would treat me any differently.” Bouncing the ball in preparation for his serve, Nico doled out a hard swing, putting the game back in motion. “Why her?”

Elliot returned the serve easily. “Not sure.”

“Of course you know. She’s not making it easy for you.”

“So?”

“When have you ever backed down from a challenge, Elliot?”

He answered him by returning a difficult pass.

“I rest my case,” Nico snorted.

“I don’t get her. I don’t understand the connection I feel with her.” Elliot was beginning to pant as he charged for one return after another. “She won’t give in to me.”

“Maybe she’s not interested.”

“She’s interested,” he said confidently.

“Maybe she already has a man.”

Elliot came to an abrupt stop, letting the ball fly past him and roll quietly to a corner of the court.

Nico paused as well. “You never asked if she was spoken for?”

Elliot grimaced, mentally turning over a possibility that had never crossed his mind. An image of Rex Barrington flashed in his head, causing him to glower.

Nico retrieved the ball and began bouncing it in place on his racket. “You know, Elliot, this could be the reason she’s immune to you. If she’s hot for some other guy, your invitations may very well be a nuisance rather than a blessing.”

Elliot’s frown darkened. “Are you going to serve the damn ball?”

Unfazed, Nico continued bouncing the ball. “Seriously, Elliot, you may just have found the only woman who doesn’t go faint whenever you give her a little attention. Not that I’m doubting your powers of persuasion, but your affections just might be misplaced on this one.”

“Nico,” Elliot warned in a low growl. The thought that Thandie might be attached to someone else awoke a beast in his chest that he hadn’t known existed.

“Oh, dear,” Nico drawled. “I see your mind at work. You’re intent on starting trouble, aren’t you?”

“Stay out of it.”

“Has it occurred to you that you might be in over your head? That finally there’s a woman who just might tame you?”

Elliot greeted that comment with a snort. “That will never happen.”

“Okay,
amigo.
So what are you going to do about your predicament? I know you’re no stranger to wooing women away from their significant others, but what do you have in mind?”

“If she has someone, he will quickly be a thing of the past.”

Nico laughed. “Does your ego ever get a rest?”

“No.” Snatching the ball in mid-bounce over Nico’s racket, Elliot gave a brutal serve toward the far wall, causing the ball to whip back quickly and dart at Nico’s head.

“Damn!” Nico swore, countering the serve just in time. “That almost took my head off.”

Elliot swung at the ball. “That was the point.”

“Oh, I get it.” Nico swung at the ball. “You’re back to pouting again. It’s not my fault you aren’t sleeping with the woman of your choice.”

Elliot gave another hard serve. “Only a bump in the road,” he said, releasing a loud grunt as he hustled to counter a clever backhand from Nico. “A problem I will quickly remedy.”

“Whatever you say, Elliot.”

“When have I ever disappointed you?”

“I’m not saying you have. But if there’s one thing I know about women, when they have their minds made up, that’s the end of that.”

“Well, I happen to know a lot about women, and I’m telling you I’ll get my way.”

“Okay, Casanova. Just remember I’m not the one taking out my sexual frustrations on a rubber ball.”

“Who’s sexually frustrated?” a voice called out.

Elliot and Nico turned to see their friend Matrix Lang had entered the court. Cradling his racket under one arm, Matrix began tying back his long dark hair with an elastic band.

“Nice of you to join us,” Elliot said sardonically.

Matrix gave a mock bow. “The pleasure is all mine.”

“You’re late,” Nico announced.

“So it would seem,” Matrix drawled.

“Where’s Chris?” Elliot asked. “We’d like to start our game.”

“Not coming,” Matrix said matter-of-fact. “He had to fly back to New York for a family meeting.”

“We’re going to be uneven,” Nico mused aloud.

“Never stopped us before,” Matrix said untroubled. Having secured his hair into a knot at the nape of his neck, he pulled his T-shirt over his head, revealing ripples of tight muscles. Elliot and Nico smirked. They were fit men, however Matrix took his health to the extreme. As the owner of a string of fitness clubs within the Miami-Dade area, Matrix was almost as busy as Elliot. When he was not preoccupied with instructing advanced workout classes at his clubs, he was providing private sessions for his celebrity clients. In his spare time, he did what he was most renowned for—hosting exclusive sex parties.

“You should have been over the other night,” Matrix announced. “Quality guest list.”

“Such as?” Nico asked.

“Playlon for starters,” he said with a slow grin. There was little need for Matrix to mention anyone else in attendance. Playlon DeleTorre, an Italian duke and heir apparent to the throne of Sardinia, was heavily sought after by the media masses. The fact that he was extremely handsome, to the point of feminine beauty, made him a human magnet to both men and women.

Elliot arched his brow in interest. “And?”

“You know how it is when word gets out DeleTorre is in town.” He gave a helpless shrug. “Women come out of the woodwork. Cream of the crop.”

Nico’s brows hiked up. “Any one we know?”

“
Everyone
you know,” Matrix said with a satisfied smile. He punctuated his words by releasing a long yawn, as if to insinuate he’d only just left his party to join them. “The ladies were very friendly.” Turning to Elliot, he added, “The Ripley Twins were there.” When Elliot shrugged at the mention, Matrix focused his dark gaze on his friend. “That’s interesting.”

Elliot ignored the comment and asked. “Busy tonight?” Elliot scooped up the rubber ball from the floor and served it, putting the game back in motion.

“Depends.” Matrix stepped forward to exercise a masterful forehand swing with the precision one only got after many hours of practice. “What did you have in mind?”

“Are you able to swing by the club tonight?”

Matrix glanced at Elliot. “If I come, you must do something for me.” He winked at Nico. “Explain to me why you’re sexually frustrated.”

Nico burst into laughter.

“Fuck both of you,” Elliot grumbled.

* * *

“I can’t believe this!” Thandie shouted to the ceiling. “This has got to be the worst day of my life.”

Victoria Day sat cross-legged atop the dining room table at Elliot’s house, and watched her pace back and forth. She’d been doing it for the last half hour.

Not too long after Thandie had woken up, she received a message with distressing news. Nicki Minaj, her headliner for the weekend performance, had pulled out. Thandie couldn’t place the blame on her. Everything had been done on such short notice. Negotiations had been shaky from the start. Learning days before showtime she had to find a substitute entertainer was a daunting task. Thandie and the girls had spent the better part of the day considering their options. There were not many.

In the end, Thandie had to make the decision to call the only person she knew who could respond on such short notice. She wasn’t thrilled about the resolution. She’d have to call Markie, Rex and Adam about the emergency change, and make corrections for all the media announcements they’d scheduled. It hadn’t been pretty. And so, this Saturday night, instead of hosting Nicki Minaj, Club Babylon would be presenting a burlesque show featuring The Pussy Cats.

And now this!

“Okay, I’ve been more than patient,” Victoria said. “Are you going to tell me what bee crawled up your butt?”

Thandie tok a deep breath before saying, “Ruark Randall’s agent just called me.”

Victoria’s eyes lit up. “The actor?”

“The jerk, is more like it,” Thandie grumbled.

“Jerk or not, he’s a cutie. What did they want?”

“Ruark is in town tonight and he wants to come to Babylon. Which means, I’ll have to escort him.”

“That sounds exciting, Thandie. Why the long face?”

Thandie shook her head. “It’s hard to explain.”

“Well, I have something that should put you in a better mood.”

“What’s that?”

Victoria slid off the table, and retrieved a garment bag she’d brought in with her. She held it up with pride. “Your glow-in-the-dark outfits.” She wiggled her eyebrows playfully. “Want to try yours on?”

Fifteen minutes later, Thandie was staring at her image in the floor length mirror. She turned one way and then the other, examining the dress. Finally, she asked, “Where’s the rest of it?”

The dress in question was really not a dress at all. It was a sheer ghost of a dress pulled over a bra and matching panties.

Victoria’s eyes shone with excitement. “The beauty of this little number is when the lights are off, you’ll only see the lingerie beneath. It glows bright orange.”

Thandie scrunched up her nose. “How do Len and Raja’s outfits look?”

Victoria grinned. “I made something very special for them.” She placed a protective hand on the garment bag. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

Thandie sighed and looked down at her dress. “Don’t you think it’s a tad risqué?” she asked.

Victoria rolled her eyes. “It’s supposed to be risqué. You’re wearing it to a club, not a nunnery.” She pulled out a small plastic bag and handed it to Thandie. “I brought you some cosmetics and accessories. All glow-in-the-dark, of course.”

“You bought these?”

Victoria laughed. “Oh no. I had them at my house. You never know when you’ll need stuff like that.”

“Thanks,” Thandie said, placing the bag on the dresser. She turned to the mirror and examined herself once more. She was a little concerned about the cut of the panties.

“Thongs are in. Trust me on this.”

Thandie shot her a worried expression.

Victoria missed it because she was too busy looking around the spacious guest bedroom. “Does Elliot normally invite contract employees to live with him?”

“Actually, we were staying with Warren at first.”

“Warren Radcliffe?” Victoria said, her expression registering shock.

“The one and only.”

“What happened?”

“An unfortunate event,” Thandie said vaguely.

Victoria held up her hands. “Say no more. If it involves Warren, it’s guaranteed to be unbelievable.” She scanned the grand expanse of Elliot’s home. “I can’t say I pity you, Thandie. It would seem you got the better end of the deal. This isn’t a bad place to hole up for a few months. Not to mention the breathtaking view you get to enjoy.”

Thandie looked out the dining room windows. The view of the sunshine glistening off the ocean was indeed breathtaking.

“I was talking about Elliot,” Victoria said with a smile.

Thandie laughed.

Victoria looked at her watch and made a face. “Wow, I didn’t think is was so late. I have to go. When is the glow-in-the-dark thingy?”

“Tomorrow night,” Thandie answered, already beginning to change back into her shorts.

“Cool. Add me to the list.”

“You’re coming?” The question came out harsher than she’d meant it. Thandie had honestly been hoping she wouldn’t want to go. She didn’t know if she had enough nerve to pull off a dress so provocative.