Beginning with Forever (10 page)

I quickly
slide into a pair of khaki shorts and a white collared cotton shirt with my sleeves rolled up past my elbows. I finger comb my wet hair back and choose to let the hot outdoor air blow it dry. Owen has a black BMW X6 waiting for me at the resort entrance when I walk out. The valet team hands me a key fob, and I jump right in and start the engine. Owen never fails to come through for me. He’s been an amazing personal assistant for almost 10 years. I’ll have to remind myself to give him another outrageous raise.

Dr
iving hasn’t been my priority for years. I’m usually transferred from one mode of transportation to another, day after day, by chauffeurs or pilots. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until now. I thoroughly enjoy the adrenaline rush from speeding and the control I have over my vehicle.

My
hectic schedule hasn’t permitted me much personal leisure time. Actually, I haven’t permitted myself much personal time at all. I’ve taken countless vacations here and there to some of the most amazing places, but never made any effort to truly appreciate it. My head was always buried in a research book, laptop or work. I didn’t allow myself idle time to think about what was truly missing in my life. I was afraid to because it was too painful to remember how I ended up like this. But now that I’ve been given a second chance to mend my past, I’ll do all I can to rectify my emptiness. I want to embrace my life with someone special, maybe someone like Lillian.

So
many cluttering thoughts occupy my mind as I drive to meet her, making my anxiety unreal and combustible. What will I say to her? What if she doesn’t reciprocate the same attraction I have for her? The doubting begins, and it bothers me terribly because I don’t normally second guess myself. I’ll have to convince her until she finds me irresistible. She’ll have no choice, but to want to be with me. Am I being selfish to want her tangled up in my mess of a world? Probably yes. Am I capable of loving her? I don’t know, but what I do know is that I don’t want to be alone anymore.

I
pull up to a deserted road and park my SUV. My forehead is resting on the steering wheel between my tightly gripped hands. I can’t recall ever feeling this flustered, and it’s driving me mad. I inhale several deep breaths and then exhale them. I’m not sure what an anxiety attack feels like, but I think I’m experiencing one now. My chest tightens like a clenched fist and my heart is beating rapidly out of control. The amount of fear that’s bottling up inside of me is unimaginable. I feel like I’m ready to explode.

I’
m a dignified CEO of one of the largest pharmaceutical corporations in the world. I conduct business with high ranking superiors and other CEO’s of multimillion dollar corporations on a daily basis. Delivering speeches in front of thousands of people with confidence and eloquence is second nature to me. I’m persuasive, cunning and assertive. It’s uncommon for me to yield to anyone. But for some unnerving reason, this young woman is capable of bringing me to my knees, making me hopelessly vulnerable and weak for her.

Can she possibly pour life back into my
heart which has been empty for years? I know better than anyone that it’s unfair of me to put this kind of pressure on her, but she’s the only woman who’s been able to reignite the extinguished flame in my chest. I can’t leave her without trying. I just can’t because the unknowing will persecute my soul forever. Gathering all my daunting uncertainties, I slowly proceed down a white, powdery sand path that will lead me to the woman who I hope will help me find my heart again.

T
here’s an annoying tickle under my feet like a pestering fly that won’t leave me alone, but my sleepy eyes are too lazy to open, so I ignore it and continue sleeping. Again, I feel that maddening tickle, and it drives me berserk. What the heck? I draw my legs up to my chest, hoping to relieve myself from that nagging torture, but no such luck. I force my eyes open, blinking several times against the blazing bright sun before I can focus. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. In all his glory with radiant beams bursting behind him, he sits before me, knees bent, looking innocent and stunning, in contrast to the last time I woke up to find him barely conscious. His presence steals several more breaths from me as I try to inhale them back. He’s beautiful like a model vision for Dolce & Gabbana, similar to the ones that Isabella had pasted all over her bedroom walls. In fact, he might even be hotter than most of them, in my opinion.
What is he doing here and how the heck did he find me?
I curiously wonder and then tell myself to wipe the lusty drool off my face. “Do you have some kind of feet fetish?” I nervously kid with him as he eyes me intently. “If I remember correctly, the last time we met, you were interested in my feet as well.” I see a boyish grin sprout into a full blown, seductive smile on his captivating face, instantly soothing my nervousness away. I’m usually tongue-tied around men, so this boldness I’m baring surprises me.

“Absolutely no
as to the feet, but as to Sleeping Beauty on a secluded beach, absolutely yes,” he answers as serious as a heartbeat, but with a mischievous smile concealed on his face.

I’
m comforted to see that he has a playful side, even though it appears to be rehearsed. The ability to make someone laugh even when they don’t want to is worth its weight in gold. Hands down, I’d fall for a comedian over a poet any day. “Are you following me, Mr. Bradley? Because now that you know my secret place, I can’t let you leave here alive,” I continue to josh with him with more ease as I raise my body and prop myself up on my elbows. A light breeze sways a soft strand of hair across my face as the remaining silky locks drape over my shoulders.

“
Why don’t you hold me captive instead? Death is a bit extreme,” he replies flirtatiously as he leans into my body. Our faces are so close I can feel his warm breath on my lips. He sweeps his index and middle fingers together across my forehead, guiding my stray lock of hair away from my face. His fingers continue their teasing path behind my ear and along my neck. Lifting my jade pendant off my chest, he gazes at it interestedly. I wonder what’s going through his impenetrable mind. The deadpan expression on his face offers me no clue of whatsoever. Does he like the intricate carving of my pendant or does he enjoy seeing me squirm nervously from his touch? Gently, he lays it back down and grazes his index finger subtly across the top of my breast. My skin tingles at the site of his touch. I’m left with an invisible, stinging scar. My heart races quickly as I feel shameless and bashful at the same time.

“
Your pendant is very unique…like you,” he murmurs close to my ear.

“Thank you
,” is all I could come up with in my tongue-tied state of mind. His less than innocent touches ignite jolts of need throughout my body. I panic and look to my left, steering away from his mesmerizing green eyes as quickly as possible.

He allow
s me one quick glance away from him and then turns my chin back to face him again with his index finger. “Don’t be shy, not around me. I want to see your beautiful face.”

Breathe, breathe, breathe…
,
I coach myself repeatedly. “I…I’m just not used to having a man, I hardly know, give me compliments and share my personal space,” I awkwardly attempt to explain my timid reaction while stuttering. I’m not sure why I feel he needs an explanation—maybe because he’s confident, and I’m a flustered basket case. He smiles kindly, sympathetically.

“
Miss Ly, I need to schedule a follow-up appointment. I hear it’s crucial to have a thorough checkup if I want a full recovery.” He continues his magnetic flirting. The feelings trapped inside me are ready to convulse with his playful innuendos. My will to control myself will soon be gone if he breathes or touches me one more time.

I
attempt to create a little distance between us by reaching for my water bottle. Damn my trembling hands. My clumsy sip drips down the side of my mouth, to my chin, neck and finally the top of my breast. He leans in closer, wiping the droplets with his thumb and then gingerly presses his lips against the corner of my mouth and along my chin. My eyes close as my neck naturally crooks to one side, welcoming his seduction. Oh geez, is that my heart I’m hearing? It’s beating wildly out of control. I try to restrain it by holding each breath in longer, but it’s no use. As long as this man is in my presence, I have no chance of controlling anything.

“Thank
s for quenching my thirst,” he whispers into my ears and then grazes his moistened lower lip along my earlobe. I exhale a long deep breath that’s been begging to be released. The area between my thighs is now incredibly moist and intensely throbbing. No one has ever made my body respond like this until now.

I clear my throat
and weakly interrupt, “When would you like your checkup, Mr. Bradley?”

“
Now, if it’s okay with you,” he politely answers. Taking my left hand, he places it on top of his chest while keeping his hand securely over mine. His heart is pounding rapidly under my palm, matching my pace. He lowers my body down on the blanket while still holding onto my left hand and never tearing his penetrating green eyes from mine. Facing me, he lays on his right side.

There’s no doubt in my mind
that we have an intense physical attraction for each other, but I just can’t…I shouldn’t…and then my thoughts are abandoned when his sweet lips seal over mine. Giving me one irresistible taste, he gently breaks away to gauge my reaction. It’s nothing like my first kiss with Hayden. I liked it, and I want more. When I surprisingly respond by leaning into him, he continues with more tender kisses. His lips are now more assertive. His tongue conquers my surrendering mouth, enslaving it. My lips are insatiable to his kisses, and my carnal needs trump my natural need to breathe.

I feel his
hand slowly traveling down my face to my neck and then stops before reaching my breasts.
Am I this easy? I want him so badly…it feels right…but you don’t even know him. What if he’s just using you?
The left and right sides of my brain battle each other with reasoning. The winner will decide whether I should give in to Mr. Bradley’s seduction or reject it. Meanwhile, I don’t stop him. My needs seem to outweigh any rational thinking at the moment. The right brain will possibly declare victory today.

He slowly unzip
s the top of my bathing suit cover-up just enough to reveal my thin bikini strap. His hooded eyes are lost with desire. Finding their way back to my face, his lips playfully nibble at my mouth and all along my chin and lateral neck. Goosebumps appear wherever his moist lips touch. The left brain doesn’t stand a chance; it’s definitely being kicked to the curb. I want him like I’ve never wanted anyone, but somehow responsible Lily appears out of nowhere, and I regretfully stop him, “Mr. Bradley, school is my priority. I can’t afford to get sidetracked.” The left brain courageously fights back and wins in the end—unbelievable. I rise up to a sitting position, and he does, too.

He
gazes deep into my wavering eyes, perhaps to validate if what I stated is true, and of course, I fail miserably. “Look at me and tell me you don’t feel anything for me. If you can do that, I’ll walk away and leave you to your commitment.” He appears both confident and uncertain as he challenges me to confirm his sentiment.

My brain wants to say ‘No,’ but my heart
says ‘Yes’. He offers me his hand and lifts me up to face him directly. What choice do I have, but allow him to validate my feelings for him in my wanting eyes. “I just can’t, not now,” I feebly assert and lower my eyes to the white sand, sliding over my feet, burying them into the warm ground where I wish I could hide.

“
Why, Lillian? Why can’t you?” he inquires, demanding an explanation. The persistent look on his face tells me he won’t give up until he gets one.

“I
haven’t made time for anyone. No one has affected me until…,” I cut myself off before admitting that he’s been making my heart hammer since I first saw his handsome face.

“
Lillian, just say yes. Give us a chance.” He tips my chin up and stares into my eyes, pleading, searching for confirmation. He’s too persuasive and desirable, how can I reject him?

“Yes,
” I reply softly. The start of a smile sprouts on his perfect face as he tries his best to keep it from growing. His delight in my answer travels directly into his beautiful green eyes as they gleam with triumph.

“
All I need is some of your free time. Can you commit just that much to me?” he persuades with a crooked, sexy smile. Why is he so darn irresistible? How can I possibly pretend I don’t want to spend time with him? How can anyone? I nod my head in response. “How much of this island have you seen besides this beach,” he asks suddenly.

“Not
much at all, why do you ask?” I answer him inquisitively.

“I figure you’ve been dedicating most of your time to studying and none to you
rself. Am I right?” I nod my head. “Why waste our time getting to know each other over a cup of coffee when we have an entire island to discover together,” he excitedly explains. “If you’re done studying for the day, I’d love to take you zip lining. I hear the view is absolutely breathtaking as you soar above it.”