Forever My Love: A Contenporary Romance (The Armstrongs Book 2) (10 page)

Kendra was working late when someone knocked at her office door. She'd just finished the paperwork finalizing Mr. Carolius’ purchase of the necklace. She’d convinced the owner of the auction house to handle the details of collecting his payment and delivering the necklace to him. This wasn't standard procedure, but she'd had only to elude to his inappropriate behavior towards her and enough had been said.

Right after lunch, Daisy had arrived to pick up her proceeds from the sale. She’d been disappointed that the necklace wasn’t going to auction, but Kendra had advised her that it was  better to accept Mr. Carolius offer, than to hope for more money and earn him as an enemy.  Kendra was sure, Daisy could have received more money in an auction, but both she and her boss agreed that Mr. Carolius would strike out for revenge on Daisy. It was best for everyone involved to keep him appeased.

She closed that file with a smile. Though rather ugly businesswise, the necklace had brought Ryan and her together. A big reason to smile all day long. She wondered who'd knock on her door at that hour? Normal public hours were long over and her colleagues and boss usually just entered the half-opened door without knocking. It was Ryan with a huge bouquet of red roses.

Wow! Her heart sped up a beat - partly because of the roses, but mostly because of him. He looked absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous in a dark pair of dress slacks, a white button down shirt, and an elegant black suit jacket. He even had a tie with him, but rather than having it tied around his neck, it was tucked into the pocket of his jacket.

She smiled at him and then she noticed that in addition to the roses, he was carrying an elegantly wrapped box.

“Hi. What are you doing here?” she asked, standing up from her desk and coming around to meet him.

“Making a small delivery.” Ryan handed her the roses with a mischievous grin. "My payment for the box is a kiss." he said, while holding the box out to her.

She raised an eyebrow at him. Ryan constantly surprised her.
What is he up to this time? I can play that game, too.

She carefully sat the roses on her desk and took her time to return to him before giving him a passionate kiss. But just as he responded her kiss, she quickly retracted and said "Thank you", while taking the box from his outstretched hands. Now it was his turn to be surprised, but he quickly recovered and grinned like a kid on Christmas day and said: "Open it"

The box was from an upscale boutique, one she never could have afforded to shop in.
There are advantages to having a rich boyfriend!

She lifted the lid off the box and gasped. Nestled inside the gold tissue paper was a little black dress, along with an invitation to dinner, scrawled in his own handwriting.

“Well?” he asked.

“Yes! Of course, I would love to have dinner with you.”

“So, go change.”

“Now?”

Ryan nodded, his grin broadening, “Yes. Now.”

“Where are we going?” she asked as she picked up the box and headed for the small vacant office that was connected to her own.

“Guess you’ll have to wait and find out.” Ryan gave her a sassy grin. She bit her lip, but her eyes twinkled in glee.

The dress fit her perfectly. The super soft, yet stretchy fabric molded to her curves and even without a mirror she knew she looked smoking hot. She smoothed the skirt down with her hands, relishing in the soft, silky texture of the fabric. The skirt ended a few inches higher than she normally would have been comfortable wearing. Not that she couldn't wear it, she definitely had great legs, but she felt more secure with a longer skirt. Her doubts faded away when she stepped back into her office and Ryan gave a low whistle of appreciation.

“I am definitely glad I bought that dress! Wow!” He approached her and then dipped his head to whisper in her ear, “You are the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.”

She blushed, “How did you know my size?”

He shook his head, “That, my dear, is a secret. But never fear, I have my ways.”

That man is impossible. And I love it!
She gave him a stern look and then slipped her feet back into her sneakers. They were simple Converse
in red color and looked absolutely horrible with the beautiful dress. She looked up at him and they both shared a laugh. “These are so not appropriate for this dress.”

Ryan nodded his head, “I agree. You definitely need different shoes for that outfit. Let’s go. We’ll get some on the way.”

She looked up at him incredulously. “On the way to where?”

He shook his head at her, “Not going to happen. And really. It’s no problem. I should have thought about shoes, but I most definitely wouldn’t have had your size.”

“You want to buy me shoes?”
What guy would offer to accompany a woman shoe shopping? Voluntarily? None that I've ever met, that's for sure!

“What can I say? Let’s go.”

“Let me put these in some water first.” Kendra took the roses into the small bathroom the two offices shared. She always kept a few vases at the office and quickly located one that would look gorgeous holding the deep red roses.

She trimmed the ends, filled the vase with water and then took it back and sat it in the middle of her desk.
My co-workers will be green with envy, when they see them tomorrow.
“They are beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you are. Now, can we get going?”

Kendra grabbed her things and followed him to his car. He drove her straight to an expensive boutique for shoes. She watched him as he told the salesgirl what they were looking for. Before she knew it, they'd been escorted to the back of the small shop and were being given all sorts of extra attention.

Rather than her walking around the store, the salesgirl was bringing the shoes to her. She was being shown pair after pair of high heels that might go with the little black dress she was wearing.

Kendra was having fun trying on all the most expensive Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos.   Until she noticed the banked desire in Ryan’s eyes that is.
Huh? Now the real fun will start. Who would have thought trying shoes could turn into a form of sexual foreplay?”

To make her little game work, she needed some privacy. With a quick glance around the small shop, she analyzed the situation: the only other customer lingered at the rack with boots at the very front of the boutique. Perfect! She turned and faced the wall, turning her back on the rest of the small shop. She'd already selected a pair of shiny black high-heeled Christian Louboutin sandals with the trademark red sole that had to be strapped across the ankle.

“Aren’t you getting tired of standing?” she asked Ryan saucily.

He raised an eyebrow in her direction but took a step closer, “Maybe. Do you like those sandals?”

"I'm not 100% sure. I'll try them on once more." She looked over her shoulder and nodded at the wing chair sitting directly behind her, “Why don't you have a seat?”

She watched him as he seated himself, making sure to keep the innocent look on her face in the process. Her body carefully positioned in profile to his position.
That's perfect. He's in a for a surprise!
She raised her leg to the small display table directly in front of her. Leaning forward she made a slow procession out of closing the strap on the shoes. Sure enough she instantly heard his breath hiss from his chest.
You're so doomed, Ryan!

Kendra dipped her head and glanced at him from beneath the curtain of her hair, her eyes gleaming when she saw his eyes fixed on where her skirt had stretched across the top of her thigh. 
Oh, this is fun! I wonder how much he can take?

Deciding to find out, she placed her other foot up on the same table, making sure she hiked the skirt of the dress high up on her hip. In this position, there was no way he wouldn’t be able to see her panties. He was getting a good view of the black lace panties, complete with a thong back!

She slowly trailed her fingertips down her leg, attempting to fasten the strap and then trailing her fingertips just as slowly back up to her thigh. When she turned her head and looked at him, he had an expression of shock on his face, mixed with unhidden passion and lust!

He barely restrained himself in his seat and she decided to see how much more seduction he could handle before his control left him. In a slow move her hands trailed up her calves to pushed her skirt back into position. Another groan from him. She pretended to be surprised and looked at him. When she met his hungry eyes, she gave him a coquettish smile. She could tell by the way he was staring at her, he was almost at his breaking point. His whole body was tense and his breathing rapid and shallow.

Just a little bit more to go!
She reached back down and fiddled a while with the clasp on the strap. “Ryan, could you please help me?”

She pointed to the shoe, lifting her leg slightly, causing the skirt to inch even further up her thigh and hip, giving him another full view of her lingerie.

A groan came from Ryan, but he dutifully approached her. She could see how much self-control he was exerting on himself and grinned. Seducing him was even more exhilarating than she'd planned, because by now, she was almost as aroused as he was. It was such a powerful, purely feminine feeling.

“What do you need help with?” he asked, standing close enough so she could feel his body heat across the inches that separated them. Hot. Burning.

“I can’t get this shoe buckled.” The electricity jumped over between them and a shiver ran down her spine. His fingers trembled as he reached for her foot. She really had no idea, how he finally managed to close the clasp, but he did. And the next thing she knew, he was carrying her in his arms. Again. He called out to the salesgirl in a raw voice, "We’re taking these.”

The salesgirl rushed to take the shoes off her feet, but Ryan stopped her, “No, she’ll leave them on. Just put her sneakers in a bag.”

He finally dropped her to her feet next to the cash register, keeping her close to his side by wrapping an arm around her waist. The sexual tension between them was almost unbearable and heat radiated from both of their bodies. He pulled his wallet from his pocket, tossed a gold card at the salesgirl and then hurriedly signed the sales ticket. Everything he did felt rushed and she couldn’t resist teasing him.

“Hey why are you in such a hurry?”

Ryan gave her a lusty stare and then shook his head. He was almost beyond the ability to talk, and his words came out as a coarse whisper. “You know exactly why. You did that on purpose!”

She smiled at him seductively, “What are you talking about?”

Ryan grinned at her and then leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Be careful. You’re playing with fire.”

“Sounds fun, and here I forgot to bring my fire extinguisher with me. Whatever will I do?” She smiled at him again and then shrieked as he picked her back up and carried her out the door and back to his car.
Never has buying shoes been such a turn-on!

He helped her into his car, trying to find some control as he rounded the car and got behind the driver’s seat. He glanced at her, fighting the urge to touch her. If he did, he'd most probably take her right there in the car.

She still didn’t know where they were headed, and he doubted she was thinking overly much about it after that little performance she’d given him in the shoe store.
If she's only half as worked up as I'm, she must be dripping wet by now.
That thought sent shivers across his already heated body.

That woman sure knew to how to push all the right buttons. It had been sexual foreplay at it's finest, and he so wanted to continue what she'd started. Who would have thought buying shoes would rank as one of the sexiest things he’d ever done?
I'll have to go shopping with her more often, if it ends like that.

His train of thought was interrupted by her offhand comment, "You know what I like best about you?"

"What?"

She pointed at her new high heels and lifted her leg up, to give him a better view. "That I can wear these stilettos and you’re still taller than I am.”

Ryan gave a short bark of restrained desire,
“You bratty thing! If you don’t stop teasing me like this, we might not even get to where I arranged dinner for us. And that would be a shame.”

She gave him a considering look, “Would it really?” Then she laughed, “Ever made it in a car?”

He was incredibly tempted to take her up on that offer. But he was in this for the long term and didn’t want to give her any reason to run away from him again. They'd have to talk first. It took all his self control, but he turned down her offer and continued driving.

His goal was to make sure she stuck around beyond tonight. This time, he wouldn't end up with his heart broken. Not again! To that end, he'd arranged dinner at the perfect place where she wouldn’t be able to run, even if she wanted to. She’d have to swim away from him.

A few minutes later they arrived at the yacht club, he gave the security guard his information, and was given directions for where to park.

“Do you have a boat here?” she asked confused. Ryan had never mentioned anything about a boat when they’d been discussing their hobbies.

“No.” Ryan grinned, “I have a client that has a private yacht here and is loaning it to us for the night.”

“The night?” she asked. “Wow! I’ve never been here.”

“Well, I’ve seen his yacht, and you won’t be disappointed.” He parked and then helped her from the car. “We have to take one of the small motor launches over to the boat. The bottom of the harbor isn’t very deep here and they don’t bring the boats all the way into the dock because they don’t want to risk getting them stuck in the mud.”

“That makes sense. But, I’m not quite sure how I’m going to climb down into a boat in these shoes. And isn't there a strict no-heels-policy on yachts?”

“Not on this kind of yacht. And.." He grinned saucily and pressed her against his body, "..I’ll be right here to help you if you stumble.”

True to his word, when they reached the small motor boat that would ferry them over to the yacht, Ryan hopped down inside the boat first. “Okay,” he said, lifting his arms up for her and placing them at her waist. “Come on down.”

Kendra looked at him for a moment and then did as he asked. He lifted her over, holding her a few seconds longer than necessary to feel her weight and the warmth of her soft body. Then he set her down in the motor boat and guided her to a padded bench in the bow of the boat.

The ride across the harbor only took five minutes, and she appeared to be using the time to focus her thoughts for the upcoming night. He longed to know what she was thinking about, but decided that could wait for later. This night wasn’t about rushing anything.

They were greeted by a uniformed catering staff, who poured champagne for them and then served them a delicious meal consisting of salmon in a white wine sauce, wild rice, and tender asparagus spears.

Soft music played in the background, the stars were sparkling in the sky, and romance was definitely in the air. The skyline of Chicago provided a beautiful backdrop, and the sound of the waves hitting the sides of the yacht all played a part in creating the perfect atmosphere.

After dinner, they ventured out onto the upper deck. Ryan pulled her over to a small loveseat with a built in rocker and pulled her down to sit next to him. He looked up at the sky and sighed at how perfect the night was.

They sat there for several minutes, enjoying the atmosphere and each other’s company. The soft breeze tangling in her hair. He turned to watch her and then let his finger trail down the side of her face.
She's so beautiful!
Reaching into the small pocket of his jacket, he withdrew  a small silver box and placed it in her lap.

She looked down at the box in surprise and then met his gaze, “What’s this?”

He gave her a shake of his head, “Open it.”

She looked at him for a moment and then slowly opened the box. He could see how moved she was from the tears swelling up in her eyes. Inside, nestled in a bed of blue crushed velvet was a very precious, very beautiful belly button ring. She touched it tenderly, softly caressing  the gemstones with her finger, “Oh my God. It's gorgeous. You made this, didn’t you?”

He nodded. It had taken him most of the last week, but once he’d finished the design, he’d been unable to concentrate on anything else. He'd poured all his love for her into that piece, shaping it for her, working hour after hour to capture his emotions into the jewelry. “Of course. I wouldn’t give jewelry from someone else to my woman, would I?”

Kendra looked at him, her eyes swimming, “It’s the most beautiful ring I've ever seen.”

“Wanna try it on?” Ryan asked her, reaching out to toy with her earlobe and the side of her neck. Her answer was stalled as the waitress came to refill their glasses.

He waited until the uniformed server left before he nailed her with a look. She looked back at him and then asked, “Here?”

He chuckled at the scandalized look on her face, “I guess not. We don’t want to give the crew a show, do we?”

She shook her head, relief evident on her face. Ryan's heart swelled with love and he took her lips with his own in a deeply passionate kiss that left nothing in question about where this night was headed.

Standing up, he pulled her into his arms and guided her back inside and down to the master cabin. The large room was dominated by the king-sized bed in the middle of the room, and several smaller pieces of furniture. He ushered her inside and then turned and locked the door.

He'd been holding back his desire since she'd set him on fire in the shoe store and couldn't wait to finally seduce her. He turned her away from him and slowly let his hands trail over her soft hair, coming to rest on her shoulders. The passion almost overwhelmed him, she was to be his! He dipped his head and kissed the juncture of her neck and shoulders. When her body shivered in reaction, he was lost. His fingertips pushed the silky fabric of the black dress off her shoulders and down her arms. He urged the fabric from her body until she was standing in front of him clad only in the black lace thong, matching black lace bra, and the high-heeled shoes. Those shoes that had him burning up inside.

With the dress pooling at her feet she looked like a siren ready to lure him into his arms. Ryan took a deep breath, feeling his erection swell, and he mentally cursed.
I want to talk to her first this time.
But his body had other plans and the time for talking had come and gone with the removal of her dress.
Talking is going to have to wait!

He consoled himself with the fact she'd have to stay and help him slash their demons, because there was nowhere to run.
Kind of hard to run away from a yacht!

She was so beautiful he simply stood and watched her for a long moment before falling to his knees in front of her. He gently removed the gold belly button ring she wore, and replaced it with his gift. A gasp escaped him. "You are gorgeous!" He felt proud, loving and extremely aroused at the same time. She wore his jewelry and she was his woman.

He remembered how he had made the ring for her. All the care and time that had gone into creating a special piece of jewelry just for the woman he loved. The emotions of love and passion, but also pain and frustration  he'd poured into the creation of the piece.

Now it made her the most sexy woman in the world. To him. Only for him. He leaned forward and placed a series of kisses across her stomach. His fingers stroked her legs, wandering to her hips and then pushing beneath her to cup her ass in his palms. Her muscles were so firm. Everything about her was sexy and sensual.

He felt his erection stir again and realized that his patience was about to wear out. Maybe slow had to wait - just like talking. He quickly stood up and pulled her against him, feeling her soft curves pressed against his hard body. A feeling to die for. He reached behind her, intending to remove her bra, but Kendra stopped him, “Oh no, you don’t!”

Momentarily stunned he retracted his hand and looked into her eyes. There was a devilish glimmer in them. That same teasing look she'd given him during her little impromptu show at the shoe shop. He knew he was in for some slow torture.
Well, fine.
He would let her take the lead – at least for now.

She switched positions with him, pushing him back to sit on the end of the bed. Then she bent over him, letting her long hair brush against his face and the smell of her perfume fill his nostrils. Her breasts were almost directly in his face, but when he lifted his hands to touch her, she moved back. “Don’t. Not yet.” It was a form of delicious torture. For both of them.

Kendra pushed his jacket from his strong shoulders, turning to drape it over one of the chairs,  giving him the best possible view on her long legs and great ass. He wasn't sure what sight was sexier: her gorgeous back, or her equally terrific front.

Next she unbuttoned his shirt, spreading it open and letting her fingers rub over his sculpted abs and his chest muscles. She undid the cuffs and then it too joined the suit jacket over the chair, making him groan when she swayed her hips walking over there.

Her finger learned his chest, tweaking his nipples. When they hardened to little nubs, he inhaled sharply. Judging by the way she was biting her bottom lip, she was getting as excited as he was, but he wasn't off the hook yet. She let her hands trail over his shoulders and then down the muscles of his back. “I love strong men!” she hissed in his ear just before she gently bit his earlobe.

Ryan was going crazy. He wanted to press her against his body, but each time he reached for her, she retracted back from him. Just when he was about to protest, she stepped away from him and slowly unhooked her bra, letting the straps slide down her arms and then falling off her body. Next, she hooked the straps of her thong in her fingers and pushed it down her long legs, kicking it to the side so she was wearing nothing but his jewelry and the high heels.
What a sight!

He was breathing heavily when she finally stood to her full height, bare naked, and putting all other women to shame. He felt the blood rushing through his veins, stirring up the desire that she had kindled back in the shoe shop with her teasing.  Since that moment, he'd been on the edge.

Now that she was standing naked before him, his pants were uncomfortably tight. He tried to shift to make more room for the erection that was pressing against the zipper of his pants. Stifling a groan, he paused and watched as she approached him once again.

When she stopped a few inches from his face and trailed her fingertips over his chest, he reached his breaking point.
Time’s over, darling!
He quickly grabbed her, rolling with her so that she lie on her back on the bed, with him leaning up over her, “You didn’t really think you’d get away with teasing me like that? Did you?”

***

Kendra was completely taken by surprise at how quickly he'd managed to turn the tables on her. One moment she was relishing the power she had over him, and the next she was lying beneath him, looking up into his eyes full of desire. His body was radiating heat and strength over her, and she squirmed at the feel of the cool satin sheets beneath her back. She was completely naked except for her high heels. Those shoes that he he'd liked so much.

She had enjoyed turning him on in the shoe shop. Watching his eyes darken with desire, and feeling the lust roll off him in waves as he’d helped her clasp the last buckle. She’d known she was playing a dangerous game, but he hadn’t disappointed her. Her goal had been to drive him crazy with desire for her, but she hadn’t planned on driving herself crazy at the same time.

Her impromptu striptease of moments before and the way his complete body had shivered as she traced her fingertips over his abs had caused a shiver to rush through her own body. Now  that his hands were on her, she was so turned on, she didn’t know how much of his sensual torture she’d be able to handle before she lost herself in the pleasure he promised with his touch and his looks.

His hands cupped her breasts while his mouth devoured her lips. She could feel his need from every pore in his body, pulsing like an animal. Her own heart echoed his beat and she felt her  wetness slip from between her folds. When his hands finally reached her tender folds, she gasped and arched to him. With a whimper she pressed her hips against him, moving in little circles around the bulge in his jeans.
Why haven't I insisted he take his pants off before I pushed him down on the bed?