My Only Wish (11 page)

“Oh.”

“Have I shocked you?”

“No… well, yes, actually. I’m just not used to this whole thing.”

He chuckled, clearly amused by her. “Honey, I’m not even used to this and I’ve been dealing with these people for a long time.”

“Well I’m glad it’s not just me, then.”

The night wore on as Dylan introduced her to more people than she could possibly remember. She smiled and was polite in her greetings, never annoyed that a conversation may have gone on longer than it should have when she wasn’t included.

“Excuse me, Ross. It has just come to my attention that I haven’t even danced once with this beautiful woman in the hours that we’ve been here.” Wrapping his arm tightly around her waist, Dylan began moving her to the floor.

The man chuckled, waving them on.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Abby laughed as he pulled her into his arms.

“Yes I did. I thought I was going to die from boredom.”

“It wasn’t that bad.” She gasped as he moved her seamlessly into a waltz. “I didn’t know you could dance like this.”

“There’s a lot of things you don’t know.”

She could only nod, agreeing with him. It may feel as though she had known him for a long time, but the fact remained that they had only been seeing each other for a couple weeks.

“I’m sorry if I’ve neglected you tonight.”

“Not at all. I’ve been having a wonderful time.” He pulled away enough to look at her expression, seeming to doubt her words. She laughed. “Truly. This has all been amazing.”

“I can’t imagine every conversation that you’ve endured tonight was mind-shattering.”

“Well, no. But the atmosphere has made it all so exciting. I’ve been filing it all away so I could look back and remember everything. The smells, the music, even the smug expressions on several of the guests’ faces.”

He chuckled. “There have been quite a few of those, haven’t there?”

“It’s been wonderful.”

“Abby…” His steps slowed as they edged the floor. “This has been…” his words trailed off as he glanced up, his body went rigid.

“What’s the matter?” Instantly alerted, she glanced to the polished couple headed their way.

“Dylan, what a surprise.” The black lace gown the woman wore tightened as she leaned forward, placing her red-tipped nails on his shoulders before giving him a brief kiss. “This is Rodney Holms, my date.” She narrowed her eyes at Abby before masking the look of rage with one of mere curiosity.

Dylan reached out to shake Rodney’s hand before shifting to introduce Abby. “Abby Carter, this is Charisse Miller.” His eyes were colder than she had ever seen, but his tone remained polite.

Abby nodded her greeting, only adding a smile because it would have been rude not to. When the silence stretched on, neither of the parties offering any conversation, Abby cleared her throat before breaching the gap. “Where do you know each other from?” she asked innocently.

The woman’s red lips curved as she tossed her short blonde hair. “Oh, here and there. Isn’t that right, Dylan?” With a triumphant look in her eye, she smiled at Dylan. “His company did a little work for me awhile back.”

Dylan’s jaw clenched. “That’s right. Now that you mention it, I thought you were going to be out of town for awhile.”

She laughed, waving her hand. “I couldn’t stay away. You know how I love a party. Besides, I had already sent in my RSVP some time ago, it seemed impolite to not show up.” She looked to Abby. “Personally, I was shocked at how late the invitations were sent out this year. When did yours arrive?”

“Actually, I’m only a guest of Dylan’s this evening.”

“I see.” She sneered prettily. “Well, everyone needs a plus one in their lives don’t they?” Catching his frosty glare, Charisse tittered. “We should be off,” she wrapped her arm in Rodney’s. “So many people to say hello to,” she added before leaving.

Abby watched the woman’s retreating form in understanding. She didn’t know when Dylan had been with her, but it was obvious that Charisse was part of his past, and that she would prefer that it was his present.

It wasn’t the first time she had met someone of Charisse’s character, but Abby was certain it was the first time she had ever felt embarrassed on someone’s behalf. To be that needy, that desperate, to blatantly swipe at someone, spoke of how little she truly valued herself.

“I’m sorry,” Dylan said, anger lacing his tone.

“For what?” Surprised, Abby turned to him.

“For her behavior. It was unpardonable.” He took her hand. “I can take you home if you’d like to leave.”

“Leave? Whatever for? It’s not the first time that I’ve run into a past girlfriend, Dylan.”

His head whipped to hers. “How did you know?”

“It was rather obvious. If looks could kill, I would be a bloody heap on the floor now. It’s obvious she still has feelings for you.”

“She never had feelings for me. I was just a temporary fit as her ideal companion.”

“I doubt that. She wants you back.”

He shook his head slowly. “Not happening.”

“How long have you been broken up?”

He hesitated a moment, searching her eyes before looking away. “A few days before we met.”

“I see.” Abby’s eyes searched the crowd for the woman before turning back toward Dylan. “Do you want her back?”

“Hell no.”

Abby smiled. “All right, then.”

“That’s it?” He began pulling her through the crowd, stopping only when they reached the edge of the room, partially shielded by columns. “That’s all you have to say about it?”

“What else would you like me to say?” She looked to him with a questioning brow, feeling calm to his obvious tension.

“I don’t know. I expected accusations, or anger, or something.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Why would I? She’s in your past. And you just told me you wanted her to stay there. I don’t hold that against you. I have people in my past as well. None of them affect the future. I’m with you here and now. And considering that you asked me here, I know you want me instead of her.”

Stunned by her words, Dylan could only look at her in pure amazement. Where had she come from? This beautiful, amazing woman that shocked and intrigued him at every turn?

She never behaved as he expected her to and he relished every single moment he spent with her. “I adore you.” The words were out before he could recall them back. But seeing the way she softened, glancing up at him with an emotion he couldn’t fathom, he didn’t want to take them back. “Come with me.”

“Where?” she whispered, moving up against him.

“Anywhere. Just leave with me.” He didn’t think there were words that he had ever meant more.

“ All right,” she said softly, rising to her toes and kissing him before taking his hand. “Let’s go.”

Her words lit something inside him, something he didn’t want to analyze. He just reacted. Without saying any goodbyes, he pulled out his phone as he led her out, dialing his driver as they left. “We’re ready to go.”

“I’ll pull up front now. Destination?”

“My place.” He looked to Abby for a rejection and felt a thrill surge through him when she smiled at his answer.

The light was dim in the limo as they drove through the canyon that led to his house on the bluff. The silence was heavy with what was to come.

The car stopped, but Dylan didn’t wait for the driver to open the door. He wanted to be the one to help her out of the car.

Gripping her hand, he pulled her out, tucking her close to his side.

“It’s beautiful, Dylan.”

His gaze followed hers, taking in the moonlit house. It wasn’t as large as some of the other homes in the area, but it suited him. It didn’t look like a home in a traditional sense, more modern in design than the typical suburban home, but it seemed magical as the moonlight and ocean reflected off of the oversized windows.

It seemed like a secret, nestled between rolling hills on the bluff, no neighbors able to be seen through the foliage. And he was grateful he was able to share it with her.

“Thank you. We won’t be needing your services anymore tonight,” Dylan said, nodding to the driver.

They stood in the driveway as the limo pulled away, leaving them cloaked in the soft sounds of the ocean and night.

“Will you come inside?” He took her hand, kissing the soft crevice of her palm.

Her eyes were dreamy as they looked to him. “Yes.”

With the fire coursing through him banked, he led her into the house, slowly savoring the feel of her against him. Her scent was subtle and dark, whispering of long, passionate nights. It had haunted him all evening. Made him want to undress her, to find where the scent gathered strongest.

He led her to his room, the moonlight filtering through the windows brighter than any candle he could have lit.

She stood transfixed, staring out the window at the continual push and pull of the waves.

Moving behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her flush against him. “Only if you’re sure,” he whispered as he kissed her neck, his heart racing as she moaned softly.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything.” She turned to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I want to be here. To be with you. Kiss me.”

Their lips met in a long, lazy meeting, heating and blending until he began to feel her melt. Pressing harder against him, she moaned, notching up his pulse.

Wanting more, he delved, tasting her sweet mouth until he thought he would die. He wanted to take her in greedy gulps. Just the thought had him slowing down. He wanted more for her. More for them.

He eased her away, taking time to take in her passion-glazed eyes. “We have all the time in the world. There’s no rush.” He trailed kisses along her jaw, dipping to the soft part where he met her neck. “Relax and just enjoy. Let me take care of you.”

His lips were soft, wicked as they flicked over her delicious skin, lingering when he heard her breath catch.

Lost, her hands trailed from his shoulders into his thick hair, pulling at him until he returned to her lips for another searing kiss. Each time their lips met, he took more, took them deeper.

She was soft, pliant, and he felt a thrill when her breath caught, sighing as she allowed him to take her wherever he wished. She was his, yielding to this ministrations as he coaxed a shiver from her.

Slipping the thin straps from her shoulders, he let them fall softly to the side as he scraped his teeth over her creamy skin. Her head lulled back in surrender, making his blood fire hotter.

She was so open, so giving, so selfless in her pleasure that it made him want to give more, to make it last longer.

Clasping the zipper on the side of her dress, he drew it down slowly, only allowing the top of the dress to fall to her waist. She didn’t move to cover the glossy black bra that held up her curves in offering, only moaning as cool air caressed her skin.

Fascinated by her beauty, by the delicious curves that has his mouth watering, he traced his fingers over the satin, then up over the even softer flesh of her breast, relishing the sound of her harsh breathing.

Lowering his head, he nuzzled the trail his fingers had explored, breathing deep her womanly scent.