Closely Guarded Secret (11 page)

“Did you change your flight to be on the same one with me?”

“No. It was a simple case of right place, right time.” His smug expression shows he’s pretty proud of himself.

“Why did Mara pick you up at the airport if you have a driver?” He places his hand over mine, drawing circle eights with his thumb.

“Charles had the night off. I don’t know why she showed up after I told her not to.”

“Sounds like she has trouble understanding the meaning of the word ‘no’.” I know my voice is laced with disgust but I can’t help it.

“I don’t want what she wants. Not with her.” His eyes meet mine.

“Oh,” is the only thing I can think of to say. “How long did you two date?”

He lets out an exaggerated breath. “We never dated, Ali. I made it clear up front we would only accompany each other occasionally to social events. She became possessive and jealous and would call to see where I was. After the last gala, I ended all communication between us, or so I thought.”

Boy, is he clueless. “How did she react to the other women in your life?”

“We went out before she and I met up, although they all run in the same social circles.”

Of course they do. “I see, so is she listed on your speed dial as ‘red carpet events, booty-call’?” Unfortunately, Bryce doesn’t see the humor based on the scowl on his face. After draining my glass of wine, I feel more courageous and decide to broach the subject of the picture.

“I saw your picture in the paper with Mara,” I confess. My tone’s accusatory, but not meaning to be.

“Ah, so that’s why you didn’t call,” he jests.

“No, I was busy. I did call you on Monday.” I’m not going to let him know how upset I was. There’s no reason.

“I assumed after you saw the picture, you wouldn’t want to see me. If you had not called, I …”

I cut him off, “Bryce, It’s fine.”

“I didn’t know she was going to be there. I was talking with someone else, when she and the photographer walked up at the same time.” He shakes his head and sighs before he continues. “She grabbed onto me just as he took the picture.” He sounds bitter. Steven was right. He was a victim of circumstance beyond his control.

My brain to mouth filter picks this time to betray me. “You know, there are these things called restraining orders.”

“That won’t be necessary,” he blurts out but I can’t tell if I offended him or not. I need to get off this conversation and steer us to calmer waters. Mara is obviously a bad subject for us.

“Do you still play water polo?”

“No not anymore. What about your interest, Ali?”

“I run occasionally, but not as much as I should. I also ice skate. It’s invigorating gliding across ice and relieving stress,” I say, revealing nothing more.

“A girl from Texas knows how to ice skate?” he asks in mock disbelief.

“You know, for a smart, intelligent man, you sure are clueless sometimes. It’s not like Texas is a third world country or anything. It’s a miracle we ever learned to walk upright and eat with a fork.” My reply mirrors my irritated mood.

“Ali, I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just when I think of Texas, ice skating is not at all what comes to mind.”

“It isn’t what enters my mind either,” I say out loud, not meaning to.

“What?”

Shit. I’ve piqued his interest. “Nothing. How did you get interested in sky diving?” I hope he forgets what I said and I tame my attitude.

“My first jump was with my college roommate my junior year, and I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s the ultimate thrill. Floating weightlessly, high above the ground. For a short time, anyway,” he laughs and his eyes light up as he talks about it.

“Yes, being high above the ground, spiraling downwards at a high rate of speed, sounds like such a thrill,” I point out in a flat tone.

“Oh yes, you don’t like to fly. Maybe it’s something you could try one day? I could take you.”

“You think jumping out of a plane, voluntarily, is going to help me? I’ll stick to the ground, thank you.”

“You’ll never know unless you try.”

The irony of his words hits home. I’ll never know anything unless I try. “True, but jumping out of a plane definitely will not happen. Not in this lifetime, anyway.”

“Ali, do you realize we’ve been here 2 hours?” He motions for the check. No wonder the waiter kept coming by, glaring at us periodically. The check comes and I grab it before he does.

“Although I appreciate the gesture, I asked you out and you’re not paying for dinner.” He snatches the bill away from me.

As we leave the restaurant he takes my hand while we walk the few blocks to his waiting SUV. The skin-to-skin contact with him is overwhelming. I wonder if everyone feels this strong, sexual surge at the beginning?

“You were right about the food. It was fantastic. I’ll definitely let our food editor know.”

“See. You can trust me.”

Trust. There’s that word again.

“At the very least, I’ll consider what you suggest.”

I’m treated to his bright Hollywood smile, which makes my knees weak.

Back at home, Bryce hops out of the SUV and opens my door before Charles can. Walking toward my porch, I’m thinking how I don’t want this date to end. Not right now. As I dig around for my keys, he moves closer, closing the gap between us. His delicious scent permeates the air. His eyes search mine… for what?

“The more time I spend with you, the more I don’t want to leave your side,” he says right before sweeping me into his arms.

My purse hitting the ground and our combined breaths is the only sound I hear, and before I can reply, his mouth is on mine. His hand touches the nape of my neck and moves up, tangling his fingers into my hair, while the other snakes around my waist, resting on the small of my back, pulling me close. His lips are so soft, full and commanding, as they caress mine. His tongue licks against them, asking permission. Parting my lips, I grant him access; his experienced tongue mingles with mine in a slow, sensual kiss, making my skin tingle as my whole body shivers and my nipples harden instantly.

The feel of his erection digging into my pelvis increases the raging fire burning within as it spreads between my legs. Wrapping my arms around his neck, our lust filled kiss becomes more urgent. My hands run through his unruly hair grabbing tight, and while melding his lips to mine, his guttural groan fills the space around us.

Breaking away, looking deep into my eyes he breaths out, “I wanted to do this earlier.” Engulfing me into his muscular arms, our mouths and tongues meet for the ultimate battle. His lips separate from mine as we come up for air.

“You better go now. If you don’t, we’ll be out here all night.” I’m reluctant to let him leave. My body is saying yes but my mind is saying no.

He bites down on a smile, showcasing his laugh lines. “We could always go inside.”

“I’ll think on that.” I say in a hushed breath.

“I’m going to L.A. on Monday. It should only be for a couple of days.”

“You are?”

“Yes. I’d like for us to out when I get back,” he says, waiting for me to answer.

“Sure, next week will be fine. There’s still time to discuss it, isn’t there?”

“We’ll have all weekend.” The heat behind those words could boil the waters of all the oceans combined.

“What are you doing Saturday?” He asks, more serious.

“I don’t have anything planned,” I reply with a smile and playfully push him away.

“Come to my volleyball game?” He asks, moving closer, trailing kisses down the side of my neck while lightly sucking at the same time, charring my skin along the way. Oh god, his lips incinerate me, reducing me to smoldering embers.

“I’d love to,” I stammer, trying hard to concentrate on what I’m saying. “I’d better go inside.”

He holds me tight, my breasts pressed hard against his chest. Our lips crash together in another passionate kiss, setting every nerve ending on my lips aflame as I let out a soft moan. I taste the crispness of the wine and something sweet on his tongue I can’t quite place. His scent drives me wild. I can’t get enough of him. My body quivers with pleasure and I sway, thankful he’s holding me, keeping me balanced.

“Yes, I think you should.” His eyes glow with desire, matching the raging fire burning deep within me.

The familiar twinge between my legs feels like a swollen river, an overflowing force. It’s not enough to soothe the burn. There’s only one person who can tame it. One thing. He’s brought all of this out in me in such a short time. His lips brush against mine one last time.

I stand at the window, licking the taste of him from my lips as I watch him saunter back to his car. A feeling of weightlessness passes over me as I dash upstairs taking them two at a time, leaving a trail of clothes in my wake.

Positioning myself in the tub, the water from the showerhead cascades over my body. Still feeling the heat of his kiss, my fingers trace across where his lips were, trailing down my breast as they pinch and twist my nipples until they become hard pebbles. Images of us kissing, touching, of Bryce grasping my hair as he thrusts into me from behind, dousing the out of control flames that are within me, fill my mind.

My hand glides teasingly down my abdomen to my labia. Envisioning our bodies together, tangled in a sweaty mass, the throb in my clit begins, radiating throughout my limbs. Thinking of Bryce while whispering his name, my body convulses as my orgasm takes over. Lying there, spent by my own hand, I’m still not satisfied. The burn lingers. My body craves him. Yes, he fuels my secret fantasies.

Slow down. You first have to get over your fear of being with someone and being comfortable with him before you go all animalistic. It’s in this moment, there’s no doubt I want him in the worst possible way.

#

His grip is tight on my arms as he shakes me violently. “Let me go, Thomas.” I cry out. “Why are you doing this? Stop it.” The pain is excruciating, my arms flailing as I fall backward. “Get off me!”

“It’s me, Ali. It’s Steven. Wake up.” My mind’s in a fog and I wake to Steven’s shaking me.

My eyes fly open and I’m staring into Steven’s face. “Oh thank god, Steven,” I sob as I bolt upright and hold onto him tight. “I was having a horrible nightmare that Thomas… that he…” Steven’s grip tightens around me, cocooning me in safety. Closing my eyes, I inhale deep breaths until I feel a sense of calm, and soon my trembling and crying stops. Looking around I ask, “Why am I on the floor?”

“I heard you calling out, followed by yelling and screaming. I couldn’t get in here fast enough to keep you from falling out of bed.” His eyes are wide with concern. “It’s been years since you’ve done this. Hasn’t it?” he asks.

“I fall out of bed all the time.”

“Yes, but it’s been years since you’ve yelled and screamed out. Years.”

“I’m okay, Steven. You can go back to bed now. I’m exhausted,” I say, not wanting to talk about it. The look on his face screams volumes, but I don’t want to discuss it. Not now.

“I’ll go after I get you up off this floor.” He helps me up and I crawl back into bed as he leaves. He turns at the door and asks one final time, “You’re sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. Goodnight. Oh, and Steven? Thank you.” He winks then shuts the door behind him.

I turn my head side to side, surveying the room. I’m here. I’m safe. My mind, however, is not at ease. This means one thing and one thing only: The dreams. They’re back.

I
t takes a minute to figure out I’m in my own bed. I sink further into my pillow, thinking about last night. I know why it’s happening again. It’s because of Bryce. I don’t know if it’s because of the fear of his rejection, or if it’s about taking the next step with him. I close my eyes and breathe out. I need guidance and the person who can give it to me is just a phone call away.

I’ve gone years without having to rely on Dr. Hunter, but since my flight and now all of this with Bryce has started, everything’s coming back to the surface. It’s making me question if what I’m doing is the right thing.

“Hey, Doll. How are you this morning?’ Steven’s unable to mask the concern written all over his face.

“I’m okay. Why are you running around like a crazed lunatic?” I deflect to avoid talking about last night.

“I’ve misplaced my keys.”

“Did you retrace your steps from when you got home last night?” The obvious question doesn’t sit well with him.

“Yes, of course I did,” he snaps at me.

“Okay, then did you look in the car?” It wouldn’t be the first time he’s left his keys in the car. He looks at me and I know he hasn’t. I turn and make a run for the door. I reach his car before he does, and there in the ignition shining back at us, are his keys.

“You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you want someone to steal your car.” He gives me an exaggerated eye roll and we both laugh.

“Hey, let’s do something tonight. Unless you have another steamy date with McSexy?” He licks his lips, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Stop that. No, we’re not going out tonight.”

“We haven’t done Karaoke night in forever,” he sings out.

“Okay, it’s a date. Is Sampson going?”

“I don’t know, I’ll ask him. Maybe this time we can get him up on stage.”

“Oh no. Count me out of that discussion. I remember the fight you two had last time.”

“Gotta run. I hope you’re ready for a musical ass-kicking tonight,” he says as he gets in his car. “Before I forget, did you make an appointment with your gynecologist?” I knew he wouldn’t let it go. “If I have to see you double over in pain . . .”

I cut him off. “Yes, Steven. I see her next Wednesday. Happy?”

“I am now,” he says before he speeds off.

Having the strangest feeling I’m being watched, I look around before hightailing it back in the house, double locking the door behind me. Who would be watching me? I need to get my overactive imagination in check.

#

“Jodi wants to see you first thing,” says Trina when I walk through the door. I put my things in my office and head to Jodi’s office.

She answers my knock with a grumpy, “Come in.” No ‘hello,’ no ‘good morning,’ nothing. She’s upset about something.

Jodi is staring intently at her computer screen. “Come around here. I want you to see something.”

I walk around her desk. On her screen are Sean’s photos of Bryce. Oh shit.

“Do you see what I see? You can’t miss it.” She yells.

Some of the shots have sunspots and the glare on others is so bad I can barely make out who’s in the frame. The photos in Bryce’s bedroom came out okay though. No wonder she’s furious.

“Ali, you promised me if it wasn’t going well you would step in.”

I’m speechless. I’ve let her down. I know Sean wasn’t thrilled I was there, but he wouldn’t intentionally screw up the pictures and potentially ruin his career because of it. Would he? Maybe he thinks because his Aunt’s a co-owner, he’ll get a free pass?

“Jodi, I’m sorry. I thought it was going well. I didn’t view all the pictures, but the ones I did see looked okay.” Something had to have happened during the uploading process. “Has Sean seen these?”

“Has he seen them? How could he not?” her voice is almost as high as the seventh octave, screeched. “He would have noticed this when he put them in the ZIP file. This.” She stabs the monitor with her finger. “This is why I fought against the board for him do this shoot. I don’t know what we’re going to do. We can’t release the article with no photos. We’re ruined. I’m ruined.” Jodi’s borderline hysterical. I know I need to walk a tightrope right now.

“You’re not ruined, Jodi. We’ll figure something out,” I say in a soothing voice, trying to calm her down.

“Figure it out? How in the fuck are ‘we’ going to figure this out? It’s not like ‘we’ can call Bryce Steede and ask for a fucking ‘do-over’.” She puts her head in her hands, shaking it back and forth.

“Have you shown these to anyone else?” I ask softly.

“Hell no. Related or not, if the other owners saw these, they’d demand I fire Sean on the spot.” I’ve never seen her this livid before. “He’ll have a chance to defend himself before I do. He’s finished here.”

I know what I have to do. “When’s the deadline to have these submitted?”

“They wanted them this morning, but I stalled until Monday,” she answers, sounding defeated.

“Okay, so we have a little time. How about I call his assistant? I can make up some story and see if we can schedule him for re-shoots this weekend. I’ll do the shots myself.”

“You think a multimillionaire businessman is going to drop what he’s doing to save our ass? Ali, have I taught you nothing? These types of people don’t give a shit about our little magazine. We’re fucked and with no grease.”

I know there’s nothing I can say now to calm her down, and I’m not ready to reveal that Bryce and I are dating. Telling Jodi I need to take care of something, I rush back to my office.

“Bryce Steede.” He always sounds so gruff when he answers the phone.

“Hi. It’s me,” I say, too quiet for him I think, because he sounds alarmed.

“Ali? Is everything okay?”

I’m trying to figure out how to ask him to do the photos again without him thinking we don’t know what the hell we’re doing. I venture, “Well, now that you’ve asked, no, not really.”

“What’s happened?” If he wasn’t alarmed before, he is now.

“We were going over the photos from yesterday and we’re not sure what happened, but none of them turned out. It could have been a bad card, or maybe the camera was damaged somehow,” I offer, hoping he’ll volunteer to redo them.

“Are you sure it wasn’t the photographer?” he asks, as though he knows.

“Yes, we’re sure.” I’m not selling Sean down the river.

“When do you need them by? I’ve already done the interview.”

“Monday’s our deadline, but I know you’re going out of town . . .” I trail off.

“I have time this afternoon. If not, we could do it tomorrow after my game.”

“I appreciate you doing this more than you know.” I’m relieved he agreed.

“For you, Ali, anything.”

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you, Bryce.”

“You don’t need to thank me. Which will it be? Today or tomorrow.”

“Today would be better, but only if it works for you.”

“Today it is. It also gives me an excuse to see you again. Waiting until tomorrow was killing me.” I feel the same way.

“Okay. What time’s good for you? I’d like to get the same type of photos as before.”

“I’ll be finished with my meeting in an hour. Can you be here then?”

“Yes, an hour will be great. I don’t know how to thank you for this, Bryce.” I am so elated; I can hardly contain my excitement.

“Oh, I’m sure I can think of some way.” Now’s not the time for our usual back and forth banter.

“I’m sure you will. We’ll discuss that later.”

I’m excited, but I don’t want to tell Jodi. Not yet. I grab my equipment and send a quick email to Trina I’ll be out for a few hours. Before seeing Bryce, I need to change my clothes into something a bit more business dressy, so I quickly rush home, change and hurry back.

People shuffle out and more pile in with every stop of the elevator, which seems to move at a snails pace. I’m stuck in the back corner until the thirty-eighth floor where everyone gets off, except me. A loud ‘ping’ announces its arrival to the fortieth floor. My heart skips a beat when I see Bryce standing there waiting for me. I don’t see his personal assistant, Samantha.

“Hello, Mr. Steede. Thank you again for doing this,” I say, keeping it professional.

“Ali, I thought we did away with the formalities,” he says as he leads me to his office.

“I’ve told you before. When I’m working, I prefer keeping it a professional setting. It keeps my head clear.”

“Well, in that case, Ms. Quinn, this way.” He steps aside and let’s me enter first.

He looks so handsome in his dark navy suit with a light blue Ralph Lauren shirt. The deep blue paisley tie, accented with golden yellow and light blue patterns, set off the blue of his eyes.

With my camera and tripod set up, I do several relaxed poses with him on the corner of his desk. The natural light during this time of day is perfect as I snap away, moving him where I want him. For the last shot, he’s in front of the floor to ceiling windows with downtown San Francisco as the backdrop; similar to the shot I took of him at Forbes. Jacket buttoned, legs spread apart, hands in pockets and with an ever so slight turn of his body, I have him look directly at me, expressionless. If this picture doesn’t heat up the female population, I don’t know what will.

“That should do it,” I say.

He’s quick to close the distance between us. His delectable scent of exotic and woodsy spice fills my nostrils and before I have time to react, his arms snake around me. The kiss is swift and necessary.

“I can’t help myself. I have to do that whenever I see you,” he says, stepping back to break our contact, leaving me reeling.

Once I’ve recovered I tell him we need to go. “We’re losing precious sunlight for the pictures,” I say, to drive the point home.

“Ride with me,” he says in his most seductive tone.

“You know how I feel about that when I’m working,” I say, trying to sound convincing and failing miserably.

“I know, but there’s no one else with you. I won’t see you tonight, so at least give me this.”

I give in. “Okay, but we need to go. I don’t want to miss what I know will be some great shots.” He picks up my camera bags and we’re out the door in a flash.

We get to his parents’ house in record time and I feel like a teenager skipping school, although I never did. He grabs a bag from the back. “I had Charles bring me a change of clothes.” He answers the question I’m sure he sees in my eyes. He takes my hand and leads me to the front door, unlocking it and stepping aside for me to go in first. This is such a beautiful house. If we ever do a layout of older homes, I will definitely recommend we shoot here.

“I’ll be right down,” he says as he disappears to change. He’s down in less than five minutes, in ripped jeans, a tight fitting blue polo shirt, and Nike’s. He looks like he’s ready for class.

“I’m ready for you,” he says in such a sultry voice and my nerve endings tingle and shiver as my body craves his touch. Concentrate Ali.

“Lets go,” I say and take a cleansing breath.

I have him lie on his back under the huge Magnolia tree, his arms beneath his head, while staring into the sky, contemplating his invention and another him staring straight into the camera. We do a few shots of him leaning against the tree, legs crossed at the ankle, arms across his chest. His shirt looks like it will rip under the strain trying to contain his muscles. My insides churn with want for this man as desire runs all through me.

You forgot extra panties. A little smile crosses my face.

Back inside, he leads the way up to his childhood bedroom. That feeling of skipping school and doing something naughty comes back and I have to not stand so close to him. I take this chance to ask him about his whiteboard.

“If this is the big secret to your success, then why haven’t you erased it? Why leave it up, exposed for someone to come in and steal it?”

“The pivotal part which makes it work isn’t up here. This was my final drawing after I figured it out. I don’t know why I leave it. I guess to remind me where I started from if I ever get ‘too cocky.’”

I have to laugh. “I think it’s a little late for that. If this is your reminder, you should put it in your permanent home.”

“You find this amusing?” he asks, moving toward me in a slow, deliberate walk. His strong arms encircle my waist and there’s mischief in his expression. Oh crap. Not here. Not now.

“Bryce.” My voice cracks a little and I clear my throat. “We need to get these pictures while I still have the light.” My plea falls upon deaf ears.

Removing the camera from my hands and placing it on the desk behind him, I’m pulled into a fierce embrace as our bodies clash together. My arms fall weak by my side before grasping his biceps as he kisses me with abandon. Grabbing fistfuls of his hair, I press into him, and his loud groans echo through the room, blending with my own moans of pleasure. I’m drunk on lust for this man, and can no longer deny my feelings for him.

Never breaking contact, walking us back until I feel the edge of the bed behind my knees. I tremble in his arms as he lowers us down, our lips conjoined in the continuous kiss. Facing each other on our sides, the breathlessness I’ve experienced with him before, returns. Bryce’s hand runs up and down the side of my thigh, hooking my leg over his hip. His hands roam over my back and down and he grabs my ass and gently squeezes. We’re making out.