ROMANCE: Billionaire Romance: Tantalizing Temptation (New Adult, Short Stories, Billionaire Romance, Contemporary BBW Romance) (8 page)

“Oh, how lovely.  Camille is a good friend of mine.  When I first moved to Colombia a few years ago, I met her at a festival downtown.  She’s the head of one of the largest music companies in Colombia.  She does all the management and sales.”  Rose rocked on her heels and looked much more composed and content than she had fifteen minutes earlier. 

The sun started to fade in the horizon and Rose got behind the wheel of her car.  She closed the door and started the ignition.  “See you both soon.”  She waved and then pulled out of her parking space and headed down the dusty road.  Adam and Marcos stood quietly for a second and then started their walk back to the bungalow.  When they reached the front of the house, Adam stopped and looked at Marcos. 

“I have a good feeling about this.”  He smiled and then went inside.   Adam pulled out a few beers from the fridge and handed one to Marcos.  Then he opened his and sat down on the wooden porch swing.  He gazed out at the mountains and rolling hills in the distance and sighed.  “I never thought I’d be sitting in the middle of Colombia with a beer and a fat bank account.  This is the life.”  He took a swig and got up.  “I’m going to shower.  Be out in a minute.” 

He went inside and Marcos continued to sit, staring off at the mesmerizing scenery.  He was content now that he had gotten Rose’s attention, and he even felt a little immature for thinking negatively about Adam.  While he loved and appreciated his life in California, it wasn’t without its own stresses. He liked to think that Colombia could be his new haven, a place where he could just relax and think about positive aspects of his existence.  Pushing himself out of his reverie, he got up and showered in one of the other bathrooms that Adam had designed, and then the two ventured out.

Adam got behind the wheel of his Mercedes and they pulled out of the long, winding driveway.  It was dark now, and the various insects and animals were out, making noises in the trees and the bushes.  Adam rolled down the window and turned on the radio.  Marcos chimed in when he heard a familiar reggae tune. After a quick stop for a bottle of wine, they were parked on Zapata Lane, looking inside Rose’s cottage that overlooked the cascading Cicada Falls. 

“Hello!”  Rose had come outside to greet them as soon as he heard Adam’s engine.  She stood on the front porch and waved, then moved over as another woman came out and joined her.  It was Camille.  Adam could see that she was wearing a long, fitted maxi dress and he let out a quiet whistle under his breath.  Marcos chuckled.  They got out and made their way to the porch.

“Good evening, ladies.”  Adam spoke up first, handing Rose rhe bottle of wine that he’d picked up on the way.  Then he looked at Camille, who had taken a seat on one of Rose’s bamboo porch chairs.  Adam was mesmerized by her beauty and he stood still, wanting to say more but feeling unable to do so.

“It’s nice to see you again, Adam.”  Camille smiled and played with one of her long brown tresses.  Adam moved a little closer and put his hands in his pockets.  He was captivated with her beauty, but he felt a little bit intimidated by her composure.  She held a drink in one hand and sipped from it casually.

“It’s great seeing you again, too.”  Adam rocked gently on his heels and looked around for Marcos, who had followed Rose into the house.  The air was cooling off from the day and a sliver of moonlight appeared in the sky.  Adam cleared his throat and sat down on the chair closest to Camille.  “I can’t believe that we had such a coincidental run-in with Rose today.”  He shook his head and then smiled.

Camille grinned brightly in response. “I always say that the universe works in mysterious ways.”  Camille had an elegant yet causal air to her, and Adam found it enticing.  “Rose is one of my best friends in the truest sense of the word.”  She looked up just as Rose came back onto the porch.  Marcos followed. 

“Okay, everyone.  I’ve just pulled out from the oven the most incredible manicotti you will find in Colombia.”  She laughed as she said it, realizing that finding great Italian food in Colombia was probably rather rare.  Adam and Camille stood up and followed Rose and Marcos inside.  When everyone was inside, Rose guided them to the dining room table, which was set with plates and glasses for everyone.  They sat down and Rose poured out four glasses of wine.

Camille and Adam sat next to each other on one side of the table and Rose and Marcos sat next to each other on the other side.  Rose dished out servings for everyone and smiled. 

“Thank you for bringing all of us together, Rose.”  Camille smiled and looked at Adam.  She had full lips and long, thick lashes that Adam couldn’t stop staring at.  Marcos eyed up the food and rubbed his hands together in anticipation of the meal.  Rose finally sat down and then held up her glass. 

“Here’s to meeting new people, and to the long life of Piper.”  She smiled and Piper came running out from the kitchen.   Then she raised her glass, and everyone else followed.  They made their toast and started to eat.  Adam enjoyed sitting next to Camille.  He watched her as she ate and smiled when their eyes locked.  He wondered for a second if he would have the heart to fly back to California.  Then he reminded himself that they had just met only hours ago, and that he shouldn’t get too ahead of himself.

“So, Camille.  Tell us all about the music company that you work for.  It sounds very interesting.”  Adam was curious about her work.  A piece of him was already wondering if he might be able to convince her to relocate.  Perhaps she had the kind of job where she could work remotely. 

“Well, it’s a wonderful company called Soul International, and I’m responsible for all of the marketing, sales, and distribution of new artists.  Most of them are from other countries, so we really help to establish them in other parts of the world.”  Camille smiled when she talked about her job, and Adam found it incredibly attractive. 

“Sounds great.  Do you have the opportunity to telecommute for the position?”  Adam couldn’t help himself.  He knew it might come off as sounding a bit intrusive, but he wanted to know if she would even consider moving to California.  As soon as he asked, he realized that it might not matter so much if she had no interest in moving.  Maybe he could plan his permanent move to Colombia sooner, instead.

“I’m not sure about that. I’m very happy going into the office and seeing everyone face-to-face.  And for now, I really have no intention of moving.”  She tilted her head and batted her lashes.  Adam took a sip of his wine and fantasized for a moment about him and Camille in the lake.  He wanted to throw his arms around her waist and kiss her on the face.  She had a presence about her that was both strong and natural. 

Most of the women he had dated over the last few years had been more materialistic and superficial.  He loved the fact that Camille seemed to have a true sense of personality in addition to her beautiful attributes.  Before he could ask he anymore questions, Marcos piped up.  “Rose.  What about you?  You told Adam and me that you’re an artist.”  Marcos smiled and her face lit up.

“I am.  I moved here from Italy as part of a residency program, and even though I had the option of returning to Venice, I decided to stay here in Colombia.  There is something about the landscape here, and the people, that make it very magnetizing for me.  As much as I miss Italy, I think that for now I will call Colombia my home.” She nodded her head and then looked coyly at Marcos.  He sipped on his wine and then Rose poured him another glass.

The energy in the room was positive and light.  Rose was thankful to have such a spontaneous gathering in her home, and she was also becoming increasingly interested in Marcos.  She started to clear the dishes away and paused when she got to the kitchen.  The air was so light and cool outside that she felt compelled to ask if everyone wanted to go for a walk.  When the agreement was unanimous, they all stood up and followed Rose out back.

Adam instinctively reached for Camille’s hand, and when she placed hers in his, it felt like a wave of electricity went off inside of him.  He looked at her and could make out the fine line of her eyebrows, the delicate arch in her neck.  She smelled like lavender and vanilla, and he was tempted to just reach over and kiss her, but he restrained himself.  Rose guided them to the veranda in her yard that was lit up with a string of paper lanterns.  She offered everyone seats and told them that that this structure was over three hundred years old.  Adam and Marcos were both impressed. 

“Rose is a sculptor.  She didn’t mention that when we were inside.”  Camille spoke up for her friend, and then Rose took Marcos’s hand.  She squeezed it and he smiled, surprised that she had made the first move in expressing her affection.  The moon appeared over the valley and Rose nodded her head.  “In fact, this incredible piece right here was done by Rose.”  Camille motioned toward a sculpture of a rearing stallion.  Adam and Marcos were both impressed.

“Do you sell a lot of your work?”  Adam raised his brows and Rose smiled shyly. 

“Sometimes.  It depends on what kind of year it is.  Sometimes I produce a lot, and then it gets sold in the local galleries, and sometimes I only create maybe one or two pieces in three months.  I don’t do it for the money, which I’m sure you understand.”  She looked to the side and a sense of sadness fell over her face.  “I was engaged a few years ago to a man that I loved, and he was killed in a surfing accident.  It’s been hard to bounce back from that, but I’m doing a lot better.” 

Marcos felt immediately saddened.  He couldn’t imagine the pain that Rose must have felt due to her fiancé dying.  He wasn’t sure what to say, so he simply squeezed her hand.  She looked at him kindly and smiled.  “I’m sorry.”  He bowed his head and then the air fell silent.

“Well, we don’t need to get off on a sad note.”  Rose stood up and smacked her hands on the tops of her thighs.  “Let’s go inside for ice cream.”  With that, she led everyone inside and pulled out a canister of chocolate and vanilla ice cream from the freezer.  She scooped out portions for everyone, passed them out, and then led everyone to the dining room table.  In an effort to lighten the mood, Camille spoke up.

“So, Adam.  You and Marcos will be coming to the party tomorrow, right?”  She looked sincerely curious waiting for their responses. 

“Of course.”  Adam devoured a spoonful of ice cream and then licked the spoon as he eyed Camille.  She smiled at him with a seductive glimmer in her eyes. 

“Great.”  She ate a spoonful of ice cream as well and then stood up to use the bathroom.  Adam got up a few minutes later and followed her.  When she came out of the bathroom, he greeted her in the hall.

“You know, I just wanted to tell you that this has been a great night so far.  Your friend Rose is amazing, and I’m just really glad to be here.  I think you look beautiful, and I’m really looking forward to your party tomorrow night.”  Adam felt a gush of honesty spill forth, and he wondered what had inspired him.  With most women, he gave them little compliments here and there, but with Camille, he felt as if his entire essence was in awe of her being, and he wanted to express his true feelings as they arose.

“Thanks, Adam.  I like to think that I know a good man when I see one.”  She came closer and then stood in front of him, tilting her head slightly to the side and smiling at him.  He smiled back, waiting to see what happened next.  The timing seemed right, so he leaned toward her, put his hand in hers, and kissed her gently on the cheek.  She blushed and held his hand tighter.

“You know, when I saw you on the beach, I knew you were special.”  Adam looked at her and nodded his head with enthusiasm.  “I just had a feeling about you.  And now, to find out just how cool you really are…”  He smiled and she laughed.  “You know, I have to be honest.  I haven’t met many women in my day who knew much about the music industry, so I’m pretty impressed.”  He smiled.  Then, Camille took his arm and led them out of the hallway. 

“When do you have to go back to California?”  Camille’s smile faded slightly.  She wasn’t one to jump too far ahead of herself, but she was beginning to wonder if she would end up with a broken heart by allowing Adam into her life when she knew that he wouldn’t be staying in Columbia too much longer.  It reminded her of the beach relationships that she used to wind up in as a college student. 

She’d meet a great guy who was in Florida for summer vacation.  They would seem to share a whirlwind romance, and then as soon as it had peaked, he would be on a plane back to some other part of the country.  She didn’t want to have to go through the pain of bearing herself to another man, only to discover that he would be out of her life as quickly as he’d entered. 

“Well, I have a flexible life, Camille.”  Adam didn’t usually flaunt his billionaire status in front of everyone, especially people that he’d just met, but in this case he felt the urge to let her know that he had options.  Maybe he’d stay a little longer this time, extend his flight, or even do some of his work in Colombia instead of California.  Camille looked at him with curiosity.

“Well, a flexible life is always good.”  She laughed and Adam looked at her breasts, which he had been trying not to do all night.  They looked so perfect and round and he felt a wave of desire rise up inside him, but he tamed it with diversion. 

“We should go see what Rose and Marcos are doing.”  Adam smiled and they walked out into the living room.  After everyone had talked for a few more minutes, Rose made the suggestion that they make plans to do dinner again one night before Adam and Marcos flew back to California.  It sounded like the perfect idea, and Adam was glad that Marcos and Rose had hit it off so well.  Adam and Camille walked out front first.  The air was cool and the moon was still bright.