Secret Designs (11 page)

There were just some things he hardly shared with other people unless they really needed to know.

Even so, Ari was the first woman he was prepared to trust in a long, long while, albeit somewhat cautiously.

But speaking of work, there was something he was keen to know.

"Ari, are you planning on starting your own couture business, now that you have the time and opportunity? I see you already have customers raving about you."

She gave him a rueful smile. "Not yet. One of these days, hopefully. Don't tell anyone, but those raving fans? They're actually good friends of mine."

He laughed. "Well, even my mum is impressed. I can tell you that she and my sister are very particular about their clothes, so don't sell yourself short."

"Thanks. Jasmine's been a great advocate for me."

"So, if you're not going into it full time, what do you plan to do?"

"Keep looking for a job. It's a bit tough in the fashion market at the moment, but I'm hoping something will come up sooner rather than later." Ari looked like she was about to say something more but instead she switched the topic back to Kane and Jasmine's wedding.

He wanted to know how she was coping without a job, but he guessed she probably had some money saved. Someone like her would have been on a good salary when she was working. Plus she must have received some redundancy money. Besides, he'd heard the prices that Ari was charging for her dresses from his mother. They weren't exorbitant, but by his calculations it should be enough to tide her over for a few weeks more, if she wasn't too extravagant with her spending.

At least she'd be fine for a while, and that made him feel slightly more at ease about her financial situation. He couldn't help but worry about her, though.

*******

"Thanks for a wonderful dinner."

"You're welcome," he said, running a knuckle on her cheek.

"Would you like to come in for coffee?"

He grinned. "Yes, please. I though you wouldn't ask."

Ari opened her front door and he followed her inside, eager, yet not wanting to show her just how much. If this was their first date, he wasn't sure if she'd want to sleep with him tonight. In any case, he'd simply follow her lead.

Ari went to the kitchen to put the kettle on while he sat on her couch. Hmm. They'd had sex here not too long ago.

The memory heated him up and his pants got tight. That was one hot night.

What did Ari have in mind for tonight? Was he included in her plans?

She came out of the kitchen and sat beside him.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked.

His lips curled mischievously. "I was just admiring your couch."

"Uh-huh," she acknowledged, as she lifted her face to his for a kiss.

He cupped her cheek and kissed her slowly, wanting to savour the taste of her mouth and the feel of her lips against his. Ari clutched his hair, deepening their kiss. He couldn't tell if she dragged him down or if he pushed her down, but before he knew it, she was on her back and he was on top of her on the sofa.

"Do you want to do this?" he asked as he nibbled along her neck.

A soft moan.

"Is that a yes?" he queried as his hand caressed her bare thigh.

"Dylan, yes," she said, arching her back to press closer to him.

With a groan, he re-captured her lips and devoured her mouth, their tongues duelling. He pulled her up to a sitting position and reached for her zipper just below the back of her neck. Slowly, he tugged down, raining kisses on her face as he did so.

Ari stood up. With her eyes on his, she lifted the hem of her dress and took it off. His chest heaved. She was so beautiful and, Lord, he missed her.

Remembering that the condoms were in her room he got up and pulled her in his arms. "Bedroom, baby," he said, running her hands all over her body as he kissed her throat.

"Okay," she said breathlessly, her fingers working on his shirt buttons.

They inched their way to her bedroom, too consumed with undressing and kissing each other to walk in a straight line. By the time they got there, they were both naked.

He gently pushed her on the bed and crawled on top of her. "How lucky am I to get sex on the first date?" he teased.

Ari gave Dylan a mock frown. "I could still change my mind about sleeping with you tonight."

"Please don't," he chuckled as he proceeded to kiss her neck and her shoulders.
 
Then, slowly but surely, his hot mouth made its way toward her bust.

Oh, yes.

She was touched that he had waited for her signal before starting to make love to her. That was such a sweet thing to do. But she was just as hungry for him. How could he even think she'd let him go home tonight?

Her thoughts dissolved when she felt his tongue lick the area around her nipple, while his hand gently kneaded the other breast. She clutched his shoulders and caressed his back, revelling in the attention he was giving her body.

When his tongue flicked her already excited nipple, she gasped, as desire raced with pleasure in her veins. His mouth closed in, sucking gently as his tongue continued to tease her erect bud and his fingers played with its twin. She mewled, feeling the sensation all the way to her now soaked centre.

He left her breasts and moved down her body, his lips leaving butterfly kisses along the way. He pushed her legs wider apart and settled himself in between, as he paid attention to her inner thighs. She panted in anticipation and tried to keep still. It was sweet torture—enjoying his slow lovemaking but eager for him to reach her wetness.

Unexpectedly, a finger started rubbing her swollen clit.

"Dylan," she gasped. Then his mouth was on her.
Oh, God, he's so good at this.

His tongue tasted her before moving up to lick her sensitised nub. She moaned lustily as his tongue flicked and his mouth lightly sucked. When he inserted a finger inside her, her hips bucked off the bed.

"Ahh!"

"Mmm," he murmured in approval as he continued his delicious ministrations.

She surrendered herself to the sensations, gasping, panting, and moaning. She peered down and discovered him watching her as his mouth worked its magic. His hot lips closed on her clit once more and she flew over the edge.

"Ohhh! Dylan!"

She panted to catch her breath as he kissed her way back up her body. When he reached her face, he gazed down at her, his eyes warm and tender.

She touched his face with one hand while the other travelled down his body. She found what she was looking for. Not that it was hard to find. It was big and hard and standing up to attention.

She stroked him, delighting in the way his lips parted and his eyes hooded. Oh, he felt good in her hand. Velvety smooth and hard as steel. She brought her hips closer to his and slung her leg around his. Perfect. The tip of his cock hovered on the entrance of her wet pussy.

"Oh, God, Ari," he groaned, throwing his head back and tightening his arm around her. "Let me get a condom, baby," he grunted.

"You don't have to. I'm on birth control," she whispered.

Dylan's face registered surprise for one second before it transformed to heated delight. He grabbed her hips and drove himself inside her.

Their moans mingled as Dylan moved slowly, deliciously.

"You're so wet, baby...so hot...so good," he gasped, exciting her further.

He shifted them so he was on top, able to move with more ease. She pulled her knees up and wide to give him better access and he pushed all the way in, groaning loudly.

Their pleasure sounds filled the room as Dylan moved harder, faster. Oh, he was doing it to her again—taking her upwards...upwards...until she reached the stars and clenched all around him, calling his name.

Dylan followed within seconds. "Ari! Arghh!!!"

He exploded inside her as she floated in the clouds from her own stunning climax.

*******

Ari smiled contentedly as she listened to Dylan's even breathing. It was crazy. First, she thought there was no way they'd end up together, given that he was only interested in something casual. Now, here she was,
dating
him, and being spooned by him while he slept.

She closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep. She was physically tired—and very much sated—but her mind refused to rest. While she was joyful about being with Dylan, she was worried about the dresses for Jasmine and the girls. There was less than two months to go before Jasmine's wedding, and experience had taught her things always took longer to finish than expected. Her designs were quite elaborate and delicate, involving many hours of stitching and beading by hand. She would need to knuckle down and work fast.

Not delivering on what she promised to Jasmine was not an option. Having those orders were a lifesaver for her. Not only was she able to let her creativity soar, but she was also getting paid good money for her handiwork. But on the flip side, she hadn't been able to set aside much time to look for another job.

If it was just herself she was supporting, she'd be fine for a while. But there was also Kenny. She just hoped Kenny's rehab bills wouldn't come in until much later. She and Sylvie would be hard pressed to find the money if the rehab centre demanded immediate payment. She sighed heavily at the thought.

Dylan stirred beside her, shifting to his other side before settling back into a deep sleep.

Carefully, she stretched and lay straight on her back. It was ironic that money problems were keeping her awake while her boyfriend—she guessed she could now call him her boyfriend—drove a luxury sports car and lived in an expensive apartment.

Quite frankly, that aspect made her uncomfortable. Her ex-boyfriend was also wealthy, perhaps even more than Dylan. He'd given her loads of presents and taken her on expensive holidays. But he'd also acted like he owned her. When she caught him in bed with that bitch she used to call a friend, the arrogant bastard had the hide to tell her she should be grateful he'd even considered going out with her. He rattled off the cost of the gifts he'd bought her as if they were reason enough to overlook his cheating ways. In the end, she'd returned every single item he'd given her. Even now she felt like she owed him something—and she hated that.

Well, she wouldn't let that happen to her and Dylan. For starters, she wouldn't accept too much from him. She'd rather they eat in than dine out too often, for example. And while she would be grateful to get the occasional gift, she wouldn't take anything a boyfriend of average means wouldn't be able to afford.

Except for the sex. She'd be more than happy to keep getting more of his way-above-average lovemaking.

With that gratifying thought, she fell asleep.

*******

Ari looked up from her dress patterns as Dylan came out of the bedroom looking bright and fresh from the shower.

"Are you working all day today? It's Sunday," he said.

"I have to. Jazzie's dress is very labour intensive. Plus, I still have to finish your mum's outfit for Faye's wedding."

"My siblings' nuptials are keeping you busy."

She smiled. "I don't mind. I love it."

"Well, I guess I better leave you to it. Can I see you sometime this week?"

"Are you asking me out again, Mr. Summers?" she asked in a flirty tone.

"I sure am, Miss Mitchell. I'll call you later, after I check my work schedule."

"If I call you, would you call me back?" she asked with mock seriousness.

"Am I still not forgiven for that?" he asked worriedly.

"If you call me tonight I'll forgive you," she said with a grin.

Dylan let out a relieved sigh. "Then I'll call you tonight," he said, bending down to give her a kiss. "By the way, you wouldn't mind if I invite Trey and Adam along to join us for dinner sometime, would you?"

"No. That would be good. They seem like nice guys, although Trey is a little funny. But don't tell him I said that," she warned.

Dylan laughed. "Both of them can be a bit funny, sometimes. I seem to recall you mentioning you find me funny, too."

She made a face. "You know what I mean. Anyway, they're your best friends, so I gather you're very close to them."

"Yes. We've been friends for more than fifteen years. We went to school together, then became business partners. Anyway, I'll tee up a date with them and let you know."

"I'm looking forward to it," she said with a sincere smile.

She walked him to the door, and he kissed her so sweetly it made her knees weak. She exhaled a great sigh as she closed the door behind him. She missed him already.

"All I'm asking is that you be gentle with her," Dylan said to Trey and Adam.

"What do you mean, specifically? It's not that we bash girls or anything like that," Trey said.

"You know what I mean," he said with exasperation. "Don't bombard her with some of the ridiculous questions we've asked some of the other girls."

"Like what?" Adam asked.

He sighed. "Maybe I should write a script."

"A script!" both of his friends exclaimed.

"Are you all right, Dyl?" Trey asked, reaching over to touch his forehead with the back of his hand. "Well, your temperature seems fine."

"There's nothing wrong with me. What's wrong is this ISAG. This scheme is years old. It needs revising. We were immature beings back then."

"Oh, we've grown up now, have we?" Trey asked with an innocent look.

"Come on, guys. I'm serious. I don't mind you asking Ari some questions just so you could set your minds at ease that she's not like the kind of girls Adam's attracted to."

"Why, thanks a lot," Adam replied with sarcasm. "Don't forget, I may have the quantity, but you, my friend, had the quality."

Dylan inhaled deeply. "I know, I know. No need to remind me."

"So how do you want us to go about this?" Trey asked.

"Just take it nice and slow, like you're talking to the sister of someone you really like. Nothing offensive, please. She doesn't deserve that."

"How do you know? She hasn't gone through the ISAG yet."

"I just know, okay?"