Greg’s gaze never left hers as he rocked within her, filling her like she’d never been filled before. Alyson raked her nails across his back, reveling in the feel of his muscles beneath her fingertips. His elemental scent enveloped her, his sweat- slick skin sliding against hers.
“More,” she begged. “I want to feel you harder. Deeper.”
He hooked his arms under her knees and raised her ankles so that they were around his neck, and thrust into her harder and faster. Alyson moved her hands to his powerful thighs, gripping them tight as he fucked her.
His jaw clenched and she felt her orgasm begin. She started to close her eyes, but he said, “Look at me, Alyson. I want to see your eyes when you come.”
Her body trembled and her muscles contracted, and then she screamed as she reached the pinnacle.
With a shout, Greg came hard, thrusting his cock in and out of her until he collapsed into her arms. He rolled to the side, his cock still embedded in her pussy, and cradled her in his embrace.
She felt warm and incredible and safe. And she never wanted the moment to end.
* * *
New Year’s Eve
One Week Later
Greg clicked off the television with the remote and nuzzled Alyson’s neck, enjoying her sunshine and orange blossom scent. They’d decided to spend the week together in the hotel, even after the blizzard ended and they could have parted ways. They felt such a tremendous connection that they didn’t want to sever it too quickly.
He’d learned everything he could about her—that her favorite food was Thai, she loved photography and water skiing, she was a corporate lawyer but bored with her life, and she had a huge family who had been trying—unsuccessfully—to get her to settle down and marry.
Thank God for small favors.
In turn he’d shared things with her about his life with her that he’d never shared with anyone. His hopes, his dreams, even his disappointments.
He nipped at her earlobe and covered her breast with his hand.
“Again?” Alyson laughed, her eyes still closed, her tone husky with sleep. The sound of her voice never failed to thrill him, and made him want her even more every day they were together.
“Always.” He smiled as he propped his head on one hand and studied her beautiful face as he toyed with one of her nipples. Her blonde hair was spread out across her pillow, her eyelashes dark crescents against her ivory skin. “I have to go to Spain. I can’t postpone it any longer.”
Alyson opened her eyes and looked up at Greg, her smile fading. “You’re leaving then?”
“Yes.” He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, his gaze still focused on her eyes. “Will you come with me?”
She blinked, an expression of wonder crossing her face. “To your villa in Spain?”
Greg reached beside him, where he’d set the Christmas stockings he had investigated earlier, while Alyson had been asleep. He handed her the one with the embroidered A and smiled as she gave him a questioning look.
He didn’t say a word, just waited as she slid her hand inside the velvet stocking. Alyson’s green eyes were wide as she withdrew an airline ticket.
Her eyes grew even wider when she read the ticket and said aloud, “It’s a ticket to Spain…and it has my name and tomorrow’s date.” She looked at him, her features stunned with amazement. “How did you manage this?”
“I didn’t.” Greg withdrew his own ticket from his stocking labeled with a G and handed it to Alyson. “These were in the stockings. They’ve been empty up until today.”
“Do you think perhaps Santa planned this?” She waved her hand, as if to encompass the entire suite. “For you…and me…”
Her voice trailed off as Greg caught her chin in his hand and brought his lips to hers. “All I know is,” he murmured, “I got all I wanted for Christmas when I got you.”
She smiled. “Funny, I was going to say the same thing.
He slid his fingers from her chin into her hair and wrapped a lock around his finger. “Since Santa’s planning has been great so far, I say we take the tickets and see what the future holds.”
“I agree.” Alyson snuggled up closer to Greg. “I can’t think of a better way to begin this New Year than with you.”
He caught her mouth with his and kissed her long and slow before pulling back and trailing his finger over her moist lips. “Happy New Year, baby.”
“Happy New Year.” She touched his cheek and smiled. “And here’s to whatever the future has in store for us.”
The Ladies Club
New York City
To Kate Reynolds, it was difficult to believe that outside The Ladies Club it was snowing, people were wrapped up in heavy winter coats and scarves as they shopped for gifts, and carolers were singing Christmas songs.
Inside TLC, the atmosphere in the elegant music room was hot, festive, and electric.
A sexy redheaded supermodel strutted down the runway in four-inch heels wearing a red satin lace-up bustier. The creation had a white faux fur neckline, made to look like a chic elf suit with matching Christmas green thong and garter belt, and fishnet stockings.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the MC announced over the pulsing music, “Santa’s Fantasy.” The redhead paused at the end of the runway, winked at the audience, and made her exit with a flash of perfect buttocks and long legs.
Kate’s pulse throbbed with the music’s beat as gorgeous men and stunning models strutted down the runway modeling her new winter and holiday line.
Her heart pounded as she heard murmurs of approval ripple through the audience as a gorgeous Brazilian brunette reached the end of the runway in a flimsy silver peignoir. Moonlit Dreams, one of Kate’s favorite designs, glittered and sparkled in the glow of the show lights, treating the audience to more than a hint of the model’s luscious curves.
Kate shifted on the settee in the back of the darkened room, an anonymous observer. No one would guess, she hoped, that she was the owner and chief designer of Shameless Fashions, a booming three-year old website business that was beginning to be discussed in the same breath as Victoria’s Secret. This was her first runway show, and it was successful beyond her wildest dreams.
Cheryl, manager of The Ladies Club, also known as TLC, had fallen in love with Kate’s collection from the beginning, encouraging her to push the envelope on fantasy design. Cheryl had become one of Kate’s biggest customers when she started carrying the panties, Victorian bustiers, and lacy push-up corsets in TLC’s boutique. Now, for the first time, TLC was presenting an exclusive look at Kate’s winter line at a show for members and invited guests. The high-powered crowd included executives, fashionistas, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and entertainers. The fashion show was to be followed by an informal dinner in the Ballroom, featuring a menu based on the show.
Naturally, the decadent dessert would be chocolate by Josef—bittersweet chocolate lemon cups to be exact, Chef Deidre had told Kate earlier. They had been going over the names of Kate’s designs, which Deidre attached to mouthwatering entrees and appetizers. Shameless was a spicy Pasta
Putanesca
, and Moonlit Dreams was an indolent round of baked
brie en croute
.
Cheryl had invited Kate to stay and enjoy TLC’s many amenities after the show, and Kate had been more than looking forward to the experience. Yet now that she was here, the thought of being uninhibited, completely shameless, and living out her hidden fantasies was making her a nervous wreck.
When she could shove aside her apprehension, she felt fabulous in her elegant but sexy dress of her own design. The lipstick-red creation suited her classic blonde looks and was festive for the holidays. The jade pendant for good luck and the Jimmy Choo stiletto heels were the finishing touches. Despite the overt sexuality exhibited in her fashion statements, she had never been a daring dresser—until tonight. Beneath her tasteful clothing, she felt deliciously naughty in her stockings, garter belt, and thong—samples from her new line.
Glad she was in the back of the room so she could watch everyone unnoticed, Kate studied the crowd of wealthy club patrons, recognizing several television newscasters and Broadway actresses.
She sighed. For too long she’d put aside her own needs and desires, striving to succeed in the cutthroat fashion world. Men who approached her socially usually turned out to be intimidated or perverted about her career. Even worse, some of the men wanted to steal her ideas, as if undressing her would be a moneymaking proposition. She wondered if the CEOs of Victoria’s Secret or Frederick’s of Hollywood had run into her problem.
Kate let a smile spread slowly across her face. Hard work, endless hours, and a non-existent social life would be exonerated tonight, and Kate Reynolds was determined to enjoy her visit upstairs. She was counting on a man who could light her fire, and give her the best sex of her life. Which wasn’t saying much, she’d confided to Tessa who convulsed into hopeless giggles when Kate had added, “Most men confuse the g-spot with the gall bladder.”
“Congratulations,” Tessa’s cheerful voice jolted Kate from her thoughts.
“I think they’re enjoying the show,” Kate replied with a smile as she looked up at Tessa, “And thank you for everything, it’s so great working with professionals.”
Tessa gestured to the guests who were marking off fashion numbers on the programs. “Oh, I’d say you’re definitely a hit.” She leaned close and added in a teasing voice, “You so deserve to be rewarded tonight, Kate. Are you ready for a man who can fan your flames?”
Heat crept up Kate’s neck, and she was glad it was dark enough so that Tessa couldn’t see her blush. “You embarrass me, and I’ll turn as red as my dress.”
Tessa gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “The man Cheryl has in mind for you is so hot you might need a fire extinguisher in the room,” she said with a touch of envy in her voice.
Kate’s cheeks grew positively scorching. “You girls like to torture, don’t you?”
Tessa smiled mischievously as she waved to someone across the room. “Enjoy yourself.”
With an inward groan, Kate crossed her legs, her panties rubbing seductively against her clit as she shored up her courage. She could do this. No problem. TLC never disappointed, that was its reputation. Kate raised her hand to the back of her head and touched the clip that secured her hair in a chic French knot.
For a second she toyed with the thought of pulling out the clip and letting her hair down. Turn it all loose. Relax. Be shameless. Instead she brought her hand to her lap as her gaze lingered on a few of The Ladies Club’s handsome male players, either sitting in the audience or modeling on stage.
Kate’s nipples tightened beneath her lacy bra, and without looking she knew that the points were hard and obvious against the silk of her red dress.
Good lord, but the photos in TLC’s infamous Black Album didn’t do any of the men justice. One man in particular had captured her attention earlier when she had flipped through the pages featuring TLC’s 50 discreet available men. The intensity of the man’s aqua-green eyes had sent shivers through her.
While Kate practically drooled over the man’s picture, Cheryl grinned and said, “He’s a hottie. I’ll see if he’s in town.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Panic had gripped Kate and she’d snapped the portfolio shut a little harder than she’d intended.
Maybe she’d see Mr. I’d-Die-For-You here, and maybe she wouldn’t. Fate would decide. Besides, there were plenty of other incredible male specimens to examine. Cheryl had said Kate could even have two at once if she wanted. Although Kate wasn’t quite sure she was ready for that.
Her gaze rested on the Tom Cruise look-alike who headed up the show’s finale, featuring Kate’s scrumptious edibles. Yeah, he might be fun to take for a ride. The man wore a Santa hat for the season, and was sporting the cherry-red thong that she had christened New York’s Bravest. Her mouth watered at the thought of eating every bit of the cheesecake-flavored scrap off of him right down to that awesome cock bulging against the delicious material.
Or perhaps that one—the Aussie she’d heard chatting backstage, who now paraded down the runway in a holiday green thong in a luscious chocolate mint flavor.
Kate noticed women in the audience marking it on their programs and she smiled and turned her gaze back on the Aussie.
Whoa. Look at that ass. All muscled and tan.
Whew. When she’d heard him talking earlier backstage, the sound of his Down Under accent had been enough to make her seriously think about going down under with him.
Oooh, the blond that just came on stage in the sensational Leather and White Chocolate bondage outfit was certainly a fine choice.
“To hell with fattening,” Kate heard one of the guests whisper to her friend. “I’ll take a few pounds of that, wrapped up to go!”
Kate smiled as the edible Dom turned on the runway, holding out a couple of silk scarves as his gaze scanned the crowd of women.
All the better to bind you with, my dear
. The thought made Kate squirm on the settee. Leather and White Chocolate could tie her up with those scarves, then bend her over and slide his—God, but that image made her hot. If only she could be as shameless as her designs and her fantasies. Damn, just once she’d like to experience instead of imagining.
Now came the part of the fashion show that Cheryl had sworn would drive all the women wild.
Miss Chocolate Leather, a masked member, strolled onto the stage wearing a chocolate brown leather corset and an edible chocolate-flavored thong.
A sturdy table was quietly moved to the center stage behind Miss Chocolate Leather, who had a gorgeous hunk in tow. Kate couldn’t be positive of the man’s identity, because he was masked, too, but she could almost swear he was Josef, the sexy chocolatier. She’d noticed him fussing over a divine chocolate work of art earlier in the Ballroom, in preparation for the dinner tonight. Now he was shirtless, clad only in tight black leather pants.
The lights and music lowered, and the room grew quiet save for the woman on stage. “On your knees,” she commanded.