Kali Willows BUNDLE (Shadowed Desires Series) (14 page)

“Thank you.” With a squeeze of his hand, she offered a beseeching gaze of gratitude before letting go.

Her eyes quested across the ceiling. There, in the middle of the dance floor, the rose covered chandelier dangled, beckoning her.

The crowed had grown thick. Wading through the vibrant and extravagant costumed couples heightened the pangs of anxiety rolling through her stomach and chest. Working to breathe slower, she stared up at the red roses as a few petals glided down around her.

I feel ridiculous. What if he sees me and leaves?
The nagging voice in the back of her head drowned out the clatter of the room. Tawny glanced at the doorway, finding Alejandro watching her and nodding with a smile. Inhaling deeply, she pulled her shoulders back and her chin up, composing herself. A sudden tap on her shoulder startled her and she swung around.

A tall, striking man stood before her, clad in a black velvet, knee length coat and holding in his hand a single white orchid.

Tawny perused his luxuriant costume; he wore his chestnut brown hair slicked back into a ponytail. Thick, lush curls brushed his wide jacket collar and ivory ruffled shirt. A somewhat modernized version of the Venetian Colonial costume had the brocade vest and form-fitting, knee-length trousers with a codpiece, which drew her particular focus to how it accentuated his endowment. A spasm of longing rushed through her core as she watched the amber-green eyes fix on her from behind the obscuring black mask.

“I believe this is for you?” Offering the flower, he bowed in a debonair fashion, fitting of the attire he wore.

“Uh—thank you,” she stuttered receiving the orchid. He collected her other hand and tenderly kissed the back of her fingers, his seductive gaze mesmerizing.

“You are—” Unsure of how to begin, she paused, shaking her head and huffing with embarrassment.

“A friend of Madame Eve’s.” He offered a grin with a raised brow.

“Yes, a friend.” Relief stretched across her tense shoulders.

“Would you care to dance, my lady?” Holding out his hand, he watched her like a wolf to the sheep.

Apprehension flooded through her, but she fought her way through the murky ambivalence. “I would be honored, sir.” With a slight bow, she followed his lead, engaging in dance and moving swiftly, swirling and stepping in unison to the tempo of the lively baroque style melody. Getting lost in the music didn’t take long, and the night of fantasy was underway.

From half an arm’s length away, Tawny studied her companion’s perfect, luscious lips, tanned skin, and striking features. His eyes astonished her; there was something familiar but captivating about them. The intense heat of his hand at her waist magnified through the majestic material, quickening her arousal. The grip of his hand over hers awakened the desire that had been dormant for so many years.

Part of Tawny wanted to skip the façade, the anticipation overwhelming. A curious glimpse down, revealed the most wonderful bulge, so tempting, so inviting, it was all she could do not to reach down and caress it.

Almost ready to succumb to him at first command, her knees grew weak when he pulled her closer; leaning in, he spoke in her ear. “Would you like to go for a walk and get to know each other?” His deep voice entranced her.

“Yes, I would.” A shudder of excitement rolled over her.

He took her hand and led her out to the lanai. The clicking of her heels against the stone echoed down the spiraling steps. He didn’t speak, his firm grip and fast pace becoming a turn on. Something about a stranger taking charge stirred her interest.

Browsing the landscape over the waist high stone wall, she observed the extraordinary glow of the clouds partially covering the full moon. The last glimmer of her perfect sunset began to fade into the water line.

“I was wandering the beach this morning; it’s beautiful. There’s a place I would like to see. Are you up for a little sex-ploration?” His smoldering eyes sent a slight spasm of excitement through her—if his gaze was enough to titillate her, oh what a night she was in for.

“All right.”

At the foot of the staircase, Tawny stopped, removed her sparkling pumps, and carried them in her free hand. The cool grains of beach sand caressed her feet and buried her toes as she walked alongside him.

“What place?” Relishing the strength of his hand wrapped around hers, she stepped quickly to keep pace with his long legs.

“Down the beach is the tower and courtyard of the original castle this hotel was modeled after. It’s quite beautiful if you would like to see it?”

“That sounds wonderful.”

The thought of being out of sight of Alejandro brought about uneasiness, but she had developed a greater comfort level than she anticipated with her date. Her excitement grew.

Her weighty skirt flapped in the brisk wind, while the splashing sound of the heavy waves lapping against the sand and the rocks commanded her attention. A few stray seagulls walked solemnly along the waterline, scavenging through the swept up piles of sopping green seaweed. A flock of the squawking birds farther down the shore circled a larger prize, pulling and grabbing, then flew away with their bounty.

As an incoming wave of water and foam washed over Tawny’s toes, the ebbing tide left a starfish sprawled helplessly in its wake.

“Oh, this is so beautiful.” She gathered her skirt as she bent down to inspect the reddish, five-pointed creature. Her escort kneeled beside her.

“He’s remarkable.”

“How will it get back to the water?”

“That’s the beauty of it; when something gets lost or misplaced, nature usually finds a way of getting it back to where it belongs.” He gave a witty smile as the incoming whoosh of another wave drew closer. Taking her hand, he guided her to her feet before the cascading water arrived. Caught in his penetrating gaze, she followed his nod as he looked back to the wet sand left by the receding tide. To her pleasure, the starfish was gone.

“See, he’s finding his way home as we speak.”

Tawny returned his grin, still holding his hand. Off in the distance, the squawking of the seagulls faded as they flew away under the darkened sky. Her inhale carried the tangy odor of brine and the heady scent of musty ocean life.

They walked hand in hand while she eyed the shallow pools left in the hollows of the shoreline.

“Are you cold?” The mystery man paused, removing his long coat. Before she could reply, he draped it around her exposed shoulders.

“Thank you.”

“I look forward to taking it off, too.” He pulled the edges of the coat over her exposed flesh with a dark, sexy grin.

Tawny’s pulse raced as a jolt rippled through her core forcing her to slow her breathing to a more deliberate pace. She hadn’t expected to find her date quite so attractive. She hadn’t even seen his face, but those eyes, those entrancing eyes….

“I’m not so good at—this. I’ve never, ever….” He shook his head from side to side.

“Neither have I,” Tawny blurted out with relief, and the warmth of her cheeks grew against the chilly gusts.

“Would you mind terribly if I asked a personal question?”

“I suppose that would depend on the question.”

“That’s fair enough.” He laughed. “You are a beautiful woman, maybe a little shy, but what made you—” His loss of words evoked an embarrassed laugh from her.

“What made me want a one-night stand?”

“Yeah.” His nod and deep sigh revealed apprehension and anxiety that echoed her own.

“Honestly? My friend—uh—encouraged me.”

The uneasy knots in her stomach began to restrict her breathing. She cleared her throat. Tawny hadn’t expected any sharing of personal motives, but remarkably, she didn’t mind admitting her hopes to him.

“I lost someone I loved a long time ago, and never got over it. Life has been—difficult. I guess my friend wanted me to try to move on, and this just seemed easier.”

“I see.” His gaze fell to the taupe grains coating her toes.

“And you?”

“I—a long time ago—I—” She found his flustered tone endearing. Letting out a deep exhale, he continued in a more composed fashion. “I suppose I needed the same encouragement.”

Their silence lingered until the wind began to gust. The whitecaps crashed against the shore with increasing intensity. A heavy cloud cover rolled in.

The howling wind brought the faded sound of rumbling thunder. Flashes of booming white light lit up the mass of clouds, followed by a louder crack as the storm approached.

The ominous air sent shivers down Tawny’s spine. Her body tensed, watching the storm front amplify before her eyes. “Well, so much for a clear night with a full moon,” she offered through clenched, chattering teeth.

“We should find some shelter.” Concern filled his voice as he looked up to the flashing sky. “We’re too far from the hotel to turn back now; we’ll get caught in the storm.”

Another flash lit up the sky, revealing a stone structure a short way down the beach. “The ruins; we may be able to stay dry in there.” He took her hand and led her toward the faded magnificence of a crumbling castle tower. A crashing bolt of forked lightning struck a tree at the top of the cliff; forcing them to run as a drenching rain began.

Tawny clung to her date’s hand as they raced through the torrential downpour and into the stone archway of the castle tower.

Panting with exhaustion, she wiped the cold wetness away from her face and smoothed down her saturated dress with trembling hands, pressing and ringing out the heavy material. The excess water dropped onto the hardened soil and stone slabs. The saturated coat over her shoulders seeped down her exposed breasts.

“I guess it didn’t help much after all; let me get that for you.” A soft laugh emerged as he collected it from her shoulders, dropping it on the ground.

“No, I suppose it didn’t. It’s dark in here.” Face to face with her suitor, the heat of his breath on her face quickened her yearning as she eyed the silhouette of his chiseled face.

“I have a lighter.” The glow of the dancing flame glistened on the moisture trickling down his face and dripping from his hair. He paused in front of her, inspecting her cleavage with ravenous eyes.

With the flickering lighter in one hand, the masked rogue brushed a strand of wet hair back from her cheek. Slowly, he trailed his fingers down her neck and along the outline of her dress. Tawny’s eyes followed his fingers to find the fabric had altered with the wetness of the material. It now gripped tighter to her chest, augmenting her fleshy mounds. Her muscles shivered and tensed wherever his fingers drew near. The internal tremble resonated throughout her body at his single touch.

“Well I’ll be damned.”

“What?” She shuddered as he stepped away.

“It looks like we aren’t the only ones who have been here to explore.” Taking the light with him, he walked across the floor and clattered around.

“What is it?”

Another spark then a steady, bright glimmer.

“Candles, lots of candles.” The mystery man lit wax tapers in iron candelabras soon illuminating the tower.

“Wow, this is rustic, but beautiful.” Tawny walked around, inspecting the crumbling walls with her fingers, and eying the array of survival tools for their unexpected refuge.

“Unbelievable, there’s a fireplace, too, and dry wood. It’s like someone expected us to end up here—” His voice trailed off. “Jackson, you son of a…” He shook his head, grinning.

“Jackson?” Tawny joined him at the fireplace, shaking and chilled to the bone, watching as he stacked the pieces of wood into a tepee, pulling old papers from a box and crunching them up.

“A well-meaning friend.” He snickered. “He knew I would explore this place. I have a thing for old ruins and—adventure.”

“Oh.” She moved closer to the building orange flame and rubbed her cold wet hands together, trying to warm up. Hiding the chatter of her teeth wasn’t as easy as she had hoped.

“You must be frozen.” He stood up, took her shaking hands into his, and chafed them briskly, creating warmth.

“Thank you.”

Giving an appraising gaze, he reached for her mask. Tawny reeled back, holding it in place, avoiding his hands.

“I’m sorry—” she muttered when she caught the surprise in his expression.

“It’s okay. I don’t really want to show myself either. It’s just, your eyes—I was tempted to look more closely. I can’t explain it, but I’m feeling so drawn to you.”

“I’m sorry, I’m not good at this, and it’s been a long time for me.” She stepped closer, looking up at his striking features.

“You’re not going to believe this either.” He grinned.

“What?”

“My friend left champagne and a few other treats.” Motioning with one hand, he held her waist with the other, guiding her to the small table across the room. An old, weathered wood table sat covered with a red paisley cloth, a picnic basket, two champagne glasses, and a bottle sitting in ice bucket, chilling.

“Are you sure it was your friend?” She pulled the card from the basket.

Enjoy you two, compliments of Madame Evangeline
.

Tawny peeked through the contents of the basket in amazement.

“Caviar, fresh strawberries, chocolate dip, wow, there’s a whole feast here.” Laura wasn’t kidding when she said she’d requested a few extras. The pampering was exquisite. Her exhilaration soared, only matched by her accelerating arousal.

“Unbelievable.”

She followed his gaze to discover a makeshift bed of several lavish blankets and pillows on the floor. On top of the pillow lay a box of
For Her Pleasure Condoms
and a variety pack of flavored, heating lubricant.

“I guess they expect we’re going to—uh—follow through with the evening’s itinerary?” He drew closer to her with one hand still holding her waist. She looked up to find his brooding eyes watching her.

“This is so strange; I don’t even know your name.” Her inhibitions still lingered, although dampened somewhat.

“I’m—”

“No!” She placed her hand over his taut lips. “It’s easier if I don’t know.” Her heart raced, every atom of her body beginning to quiver from the wet, the chill, and the growing excitement. A shock wave of longing ran through her. “No expectations, no commitment—”