Aloha, page 19
The bride and groom are long gone, along with most of the bridal party. It’ll be winding down soon, and I’m about to lose my chance. A slow, soulful pulse starts—old-school, like something my grandparents used to listen to.
She’s moving to the beat, her back to me. Her friend’s eyes widen as she sees me approach, and I lift my hands in a silent prayer, pleading for her not to give me away. She nods, and I set the heels down before falling into rhythm behind Camilla. Placing my hands on her hips, I grip the fabric and pull her closer. At first, she tenses, but I hold her tight. “Shhh, I’ve got you,” I whisper into her silky hair. It tickles my nose, and the smell is incredible, like cotton candy and flowers.
Between her scent surrounding me, the pulse of the music, and the way she’s pressed against me, I need to get her alone. But I already know she’s not that kind of girl. It would be so much easier if she were. For the first time that I can recall, it’s more than a physical attraction. Of course, I’m attracted to her, but when she put me in my place earlier, it jolted me to my core. Then, when she broke about her parents and her anger barely covered her sadness, she chipped away a little of my armor.
The tempo picks up on the chorus, and I squeeze my eyes closed. Graceful arms lift, reaching behind my neck, holding me where she wants me. Nails scrape the sensitive skin behind my ears, fingertips working their way to tangle in my hair. Her body tenses, arms falling away, and my eyes blink open.
Pulling away, she whips around. “You!”
I throw her my best smirk, the one reserved for panty melting. “Hey, Crash.”
“You have got to be kidding me.” She looks around, and her friend, who appears extremely amused, waves at us. She also seems to be filming our exchange on her iPhone.
“Can’t we finish the dance, at least?”
“The song ended,” she informs me, looking back for her friend, who seems to have made her escape.
“I hadn’t noticed,” I reply, tucking my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching for her.
She keeps staring like she wants to say something, or maybe slap me, I can’t tell for sure. But she has to feel this pull. I can’t be the only one.
Another song starts, and I raise my eyebrows in question.
My stomach falls when she shakes her head and turns to walk away. “Wait,” I say. She turns around to face me, and I bend to retrieve the shoes she left behind.
“You ran off and left these.” I hold them out to her.
“Um, thanks.” She blushes, looking everywhere but at my eyes.
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about earlier,” I try to explain. “I’m not usually such a pompous ass,” I add.
“You heard that?” she gasps, her hand flying to her mouth, pink tinting her cheeks.
“Yeah, no worries. It was warranted.” I clear my throat, “Can I get you a drink?”
“No, thanks. I really need to go,” she says as her stomach growls. “Kill me now,” she mumbles.
“Something to eat, maybe?” I quirk a brow in question.
Her green eyes narrow, scrutinizing me. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
“After all those shots, I’d say it’s a great idea.” My smile drops when I realize what I’ve said. Oh, shit.
Her emerald eyes widen. “You were watching me?”
“If I’m not mistaken, you did it first,” I say, trying to recover from my slipped confession. The pointed look she shoots me lets me know she’s still not convinced. “Look, it’s not a marriage proposal. It’s just food.”
She smiles, nodding. I can’t believe she didn’t make me work harder.
“Okay,” she replies, and I take her shoes back to carry them for her.
“Let’s do this,” I lead her back to the alcove where I first saw her. She’s quiet as she sits on a chaise. “Wait right here.”
Turning, I rush back to the banquet tables. Most of the food has been cleared away—what now?
“Pssst, Romeo!” I turn to my left and see her blonde friend. “Go for the chocolate groom’s cake.” She motions to the dessert table with her head.
“You sure?”
“Definitely,” she replies, smiling like she’s let me in on a little secret.
“She’s a chocolate lover?”
“Something like that. Treat her right, or I’ll cut your balls off, okay?” she states.
“Understood, thanks.” I have other plans for my balls tonight. Grabbing the biggest piece of chocolate cake I can find, a fork, and a couple of bottles of water, I head back to her, hoping she’s still there.
Chapter 5
Camilla
Sinking into the soft chaise, I draw my legs up and wrap my arms around myself, remembering the feel of his hands possessively holding me close, his breath on my neck… I wish he had leaned in a little closer and pressed his lips against my skin.
He smelled incredible, like the ocean but spicy. Shivers run through me at the thought of being close to him again—which should worry me, given my history with men, but the way he held me was…protective.
Which is insane. I don’t know this guy. And our first encounter left me thinking he was a major jerk, but something changed during that dance. Something I can’t pinpoint or explain. There was an energy pulsing around us, making the rest of the room disappear.
While I am a romantic, I’m not naive enough to think there’s a Prince Charming waiting to sweep me off my feet the minute our gazes collide across a crowded ballroom. No damsel in distress here. But there was…something.
And to be cherished, held, adored…loved by someone—that, I could get used to. I lie back on the cushion and close my eyes, trying not to overthink whatever it is that’s about to happen.
A hand brushes my shoulders, and my eyes snap open.
He’s back. My mystery man. The thought makes me shiver.
“Cold?” he asks, laying his jacket over me. My cheeks heat as I stifle a yawn and sit up.
“No, not anymore. Thank you,” I whisper, though the shivering had nothing to do with being cold and everything to do with him. I meet his eyes again, and the look I find makes me not so tired anymore. It’s a look of want, and it mirrors what I’m feeling.
He motions to the table beside us. “I brought reinforcements.” Taking a seat next to me, he grabs the plate and holds it between us.
My eyes land on the biggest piece of chocolate cake I’ve ever seen, and I can’t help the little moan that escapes my lips. My hand flies up to cover my mouth, mortified at my outburst.
He reaches up, his strong hand pulling mine away from my face and holding it in his. “Keep moaning like that and I’ll be eating more than this chocolate cake.” He nips at my fingers before letting go.
Equal parts shocked and turned on, I stare into his blue eyes, tempted to make the sound again just to see what he will do.
I’m no prude, but I’m also not this bold, and it makes me wonder whether it’s him or that coconut-infused tequila that has me practically falling into his lap.
“Plus, I usually save that kind of dessert for the second date,” he adds with a wink as he digs in and lifts the fork to my mouth.
“This isn’t a date—” I start, but the rich chocolate taste silences me, and another tiny moan passes my lips. Eyes widening, I look up just in time to see him set the plate down and reach for me.
“I warned you.” His hands touch either side of my face as he leans in. My breath hitches at the contact, and I prepare for the rush of his mouth on mine, but it doesn’t come. Instead, his warm tongue traces along my bottom lip from one corner to the other. He pulls away slightly, looking at me as he licks his lips. “Chocolate, my new favorite.”
Leaning back in, he repeats this process with my top lip. A thousand shock waves crash through me as our thighs press together and his hands move to tangle in my hair. As he increases the pressure of his tongue dancing against my parted lips, I reach up and grip his shoulders, strong and solid under my touch.
Needing more, I run my hands up his firm chest and grab his collar, pulling him closer to me, sinking my lips into his. Warm, wet, and soft, our lips part, and I sweep my tongue out in search of his.
This seems to urge him on. Gripping my hips, he pulls me so I’m sitting on his lap. His jacket falls to the ground, and my dress bunches up around my waist as I straddle him, his hard length pressing against my core. I’m a little self-conscious about being so exposed, but his lips distract me from all reasonable thought. He kisses me with such passion, it’s all I can focus on.
I rest my hands on his shoulders to steady myself and rock back and forth, my need for him building.
As if sensing this, he begins to roll his hips, and our bodies find a perfect rhythm, as if we’ve done this a thousand times. He grows harder beneath me, and our lips increase the tempo to match our bodies.
Breaking away, he begins to lick his way down my neck, and tiny fires ignite along my skin. His hands run up and down my arms, caressing me. Pulling my dress straps away from my shoulders, he drops the fabric enough to show the black satin cups barely containing my aching breasts. Electricity follows in the wake of every single place he touches.
Lips taste the sensitive skin at the base of my neck, and teeth nip my shoulder before he moves to my collarbone. My body aches with need. His hands are everywhere, a combination of slow and hurried as I continue to grind against him.
Reaching down between us, his hand traces up the inside of my thigh, finding the edge of the wet lace and breaching the barrier to stroke my clit. My hips buck, desperate for more.
“You like that?” he rasps out, withdrawing his hand.
“Come to my room.” His lips brush against my ear, and hearing his voice brings me from my lust-filled haze, and the doubt seeps in.
“Camilla, please look at me,” he pleads.
The impulse to run hits me hard, but my sudden awareness of how exposed I am has me pressing my face farther into his shirt and willing the ground to open up and swallow me. Gathering my wits, I breathe him in one last time, knowing this won’t happen again. It can’t. Guys like him don’t pick girls like me. I have a business to worry about, and…
“The reception, the guests.”
“No one saw anything,” he offers.
“Thank God,” I blurt out. I can’t believe I let this go so far.
His chest rumbles beneath me as he laughs, which causes me to draw back and finally look him in the eye.
“What’s so funny?” I ask, but it comes out as more of a challenge.
“There she is. The fiery girl. I wondered where you had gone.” He has the nerve to smirk at me, and I narrow my eyes.
“Seriously, we could have been seen. I have a reputation to uphold. And it’s not one of slamming shots and mauling wedding guests. Stupid Briar and her coconut-infused tequila,” I mutter under my breath.
He watches me cautiously. “Are you done?”
“Excuse me?” I bite my lip. I’ve never been in a situation like this and have no idea how to handle this…predicament.
“If you’re done scolding yourself and overanalyzing, I’d like to continue whatever this is back in my room. Possibly with more cake and some of that tequila.” His smile should be illegal.
I slide backward to get up and feel his hard length on my thigh. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, but old insecurities threaten to surface. Deep breath.
“It’s crazy, but I know you feel it too. Please stay with me. For the night,” he adds, reaffirming nothing more will come from this. For the night. My stomach drops in disappointment, though I should feel relieved.
Like Briar said, I need to get back out there. Why not this guy? It’s not like I’ll have to see him again. We’re in Maui, a long way from Aurora Hills, Georgia, and I’ve already made an ass of myself. He rubs against me, as if I need convincing, and my fuse is lit again, encouraging me to throw all caution to the wind.
I tease, standing and pulling my dress back into place as he leans down to grab his jacket.
Picking up the cake, he swipes his finger into the fudge icing and spreads it across my lips before leaning in to kiss me, our tastes combining with the chocolate. He deepens the kiss and licks every bit of the icing away before stepping back. “Your wish is my command.”
I grab my shoes, forgoing putting them on, and take his free hand. As we walk back toward the resort, he squeezes my hand.
“I’m Carter, by the way.”
Looking up at him, mouth open in shock, I realize I never asked his name. Not only is it rude of me, but he just made me come on a balcony, in a public place, a place I was working only hours ago. And I didn’t even know his name.
Classy, Camilla. Real classy.
Deciding I could let the reality of the situation mess up the rest of the evening or just go with it, I opt for keeping it light.
“Hmmm, Carter. It suits you, I guess. Personally, I thought pompous ass was a fitting name,” I laugh, and judging by his reaction, I’d say it was the right call.
He stops and pulls me in for a quick kiss. “That’s just what my friends call me. But Carter is my real name, so you’ll know what to cry out when we’re in bed.” He presses into me, further proving his point. If he keeps this up, we’ll never make it to the room.
“Here we are.” I look up to see a beautiful stone building with a large wooden door.
“Private villa, huh?” I tease as he unlocks the door and holds it open for me.
“I like my privacy. Plus, now you can be as loud as you want.” He winks and I’m certain about to lose my panties.
Chapter 6
Carter
The door closes, and the lock clicking into place causes her to jump. I set the cake on the entry table and drop my phone and key card next to it.
Reaching out, I pull Camilla into my arms. We could barely contain ourselves a few minutes ago in the open, but now that we’re in private, I don’t know where to start. “Would you like a drink?” I pull away and look down at her.
“No, thanks,” she replies, breathless.
“How about a bath?” Walking farther into the room, I throw my jacket over the back of a chair and turn on the lamp. That was random. Shit. She probably thinks I’m just trying to get her naked right away. Which I am, but I want her to relax, not take advantage of her.
“Um…well, I thought—I dunno.” She twists her hands at her waist and I wonder what she’s thinking. I can almost see the wheels turning.
“Come with me.” Taking her hand, I lead her to the sofa and ease her down before taking a seat across from her on the ottoman. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. But I’m not going to deny that I want you. I don’t know what it is about you Camilla, but I’ve never felt this way about a woman after just meeting— hell maybe never.”
Her gaze flicks to mine, and I hear her quick intake of breath.
“Tell me what you want, Camilla. Don’t be afraid.”
I don’t want her to feel pressured. I’m used to doing this type of thing—one-night stands are kind of my MO since my last relationship imploded—but I have a feeling this isn’t something she does.
I can tell the moment Camilla starts to lose control, she reins in it. I want to help her unleash that. The best part is she has no idea who I am. No preconceived notions of Carter Brooks, the playboy. The son of the ruthless East Coast real estate tycoon.
“Tell me,” I urge her.
“You.” The word is barely audible, a whisper.
I search her face to make sure.
“You,” she says louder, slightly more urgent. “Tonight.”
Standing, I scoop down to throw her over my shoulder and carry her to the bedroom. “That’s good to hear. I want you too.”
She giggles at my reply. “Plus, I seem to remember being promised chocolate cake,” she teases, and I’m glad to see her humor has returned.
“Oh, I’ve got something sweet for you.” Setting her down at the foot of the bed, I start to unbutton my shirt, and she joins in. The light scrape of her nails against my chest as she fumbles with the buttons makes me so hard I’m worried I’ll embarrass myself any second.
My shirt falls to the floor, and I give her time to explore my chest, but my restraint is slipping. She runs her silky palms down to my abs and back up again. When she tentatively reaches out to kiss my chest, I take her hands in mine to still them.
“Did I do something wrong?” She looks at me through dark lashes.
“Not at all. It’s just that I want this to be amazing for you, and if you keep touching me like that, this will be over way too soon. What I have planned for you, baby, is going to take all night.”
Her mouth widens in shock, forming a perfect O, and I imagine those lips wrapped tightly around me.
“Turn around,” I need to get her out of this dress. She follows orders, in the bedroom at least, and that’s a major turn-on.
Bringing my hands up, I slip the straps off her shoulders, then reach for the exposed silver zipper, sliding it slowly down her body. Creamy white skin exposed with every inch makes my mouth water to taste her.
So, I do. Pushing her hair out of the way, I lick my way up the column of her neck. She leans her head back against my chest, her moans the only encouragement I need.
She stands before me, clutching her dress against her front like a shield. Wrapping my arms around her, I tug her hands, and the soft, dark fabric pools around her feet. She looks like a goddess—all curves, pale skin practically glowing against the contrast of the lacy lingerie, long, dark hair spilling around her shoulders. I walk around her, drinking her in, and she watches me, eyes wide.
“You look better than any cake I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to taste you,” I warn her.
She rewards me with a smile. Reaching up, she unclasps her strapless bra and lets it fall to the floor, revealing perfect full tits. “What are you waiting for?” she asks, toying with me, and I toss her back on the bed.
