Five-star Seduction (6 page)

She must have drifted off because when she next opened her eyes, Lazola was carrying her through to the bedroom. Her arms were around his neck and her head rested on his shoulder. He sat her on the bed and stepped back.

“I'll give you a minute to undress; there's a robe in the closet. The bath is running.”

“I'm not uptight, you know.”

He smiled at her before going into the bathroom.

Langa entered the walk-in closet in a daze and found a plush white robe hanging in it. She stripped and put it on before going to look for Lazola. She found him, in a robe of his own, adding bubble bath to the gushing water. An inviting scent of sandalwood and grapefruit rose with the warm steam and blew the last of the caution from her mind. Tonight Lazola was all hers and she intended to relish this time with him.

She kept her eyes on him as he slipped off first her robe, and then his own. His perusal of her was laced with something between admiration and lust. Once the bath was ready he helped her into it and stepped in behind her. He lay back, then pulled her to rest against his chest.

His large hands lightly stroked her skin beneath the water. Langa shocked herself by doing the same to him. When his fingers danced across her thighs and abdomen, she trailed hers along his forearms. When he lifted his hands to gently cup her breasts, hers dug into his muscular thighs and audible gasps escaped her. He never took it further than the whispers of caresses across every part he could reach.

“Believe me when I say I know you're not uptight, honey,” Lazola's voice rumbled directly into her ear. “At times you're the most uninhibited woman I've ever known. At times like these.”

When her breasts felt swollen with arousal and the peaks had tightened almost painfully, he turned his attention elsewhere. His palms travelled across her navel and grasped at her hips.

“You're vibrant, intelligent and daring – and it drives me crazy to think of any other man near you. I want you all to myself.”

When her legs parted involuntarily, he stroked her inner thighs.

“I want
this
all to myself.”

It was a long while before Langa heard the carnal moans, and longer still before she recognised them as her own. Her knees trembled weakly and put up no resistance when Lazola pushed them further apart. He hooked her legs over his own, opening her completely. Langa turned her face away, overwhelmed by the wanton picture she made. She heard Lazola chuckle softly, but he did not push the issue. Instead, he leaned down to nibble on her exposed neck as his fingers slowly journeyed back up from her knees.

His first touch to her secret heat made her cry out. Loudly. His second touch made her back arch. He understood her body in a way that amazed her. His fingers explored her with an intimacy she'd never allowed another man to initiate. By the time they entered her, she couldn't keep her hips from rocking against his hand. A supple inferno flowed through her limbs and her own hand went down to grasp his in desperation. No matter how hard she tried, she could not even out her chaotic breathing. Feeling his hand moving on her was robbing her of her sanity.

Her free hand rose to cling to the back of his neck as she sought anchorage in her sensuous turmoil. Lazola held her tightly to his chest as the fingers of his other hand continued to strum a ballad inside her.

“Does that feel good, honey?”

Langa nodded emphatically, without hesitation. “Yes . . .”

“I wish you could see yourself right now, Langa. I wish I could show you how beautiful you are. The way you cry out my name on those gorgeous lips, the way your heat clings to me . . . You make me want to be with you, like this, always. I can't get enough of you. Let go, honey. Let me see you let go.”

Langa's mind unravelled. Her back arched and sweat joined the water droplets glistening on her skin. At first she had no breath inside her and it seemed as if her climax would be a potent, yet silent, miracle. Then, out of nowhere, her lungs filled and her ecstasy overflowed in the form of abandoned sobs.

When the rapturous storm had passed, Lazola held her. He used a body wash to gently soap her up before rinsing it all away. Then he pulled the plug, wrapped her in an enormous towel and carried her through to his bed.

Again, as they began to touch each other, Langa felt as though they'd known each other forever. There was no awkwardness and no doubt. He caressed her and she responded. She kissed him and he smiled.

This time when he went to open his bedside drawer, she knew it was for a condom. What she didn't expect was to have him press the foil packet in her palm after tearing it open. She looked up at him questioningly.

“Put it on me,” he commanded hoarsely. “Touch me, honey.”

Somehow Langa sensed his intention almost instantly. It was in his fiery intensity. Lazola was drawing an admission out of her. By encasing him, Langa would be admitting to wanting to make love to him. No matter how much she'd ever denied their growing relationship before, she would now be admitting to wanting him.

A slow, seductive confidence emanated from her as she pulled the condom out. He groaned when her free hand grasped him. Their hunger rose and she willingly let him sweep her up in his embrace. They joined as one and fell into a rhythm drummed out by each other's heartbeat.

Lazola's eyes never left hers, even when they kissed, and Langa knew that her feelings had to be showing. There was no way she could shield her love while sharing something so incredible with him. He pushed into her insistently and each time she accepted him, wrapping her legs around his waist and pushing her heels into his taut buttocks.

Time ceased to exist. Then Langa felt it. Lava snaked up from her toes, across her calves and the backs of her thighs. It trickled down her spine and swirled around her pelvis. Just as she opened her mouth to try and give Lazola some sort of warning, the edges of her vision went white and all that she was erupted from her very centre.

Lazola growled her name through clenched jaws as his release joined hers. She saw something in his eyes that made her wish the two of them could stay there, in that phenomenon, for eternity.

6

It took a few minutes for her to realise that the knock she was hearing was not merely a part of her dream. Langa rolled over and blinked up at the ceiling. It was only her second time waking in this bed and yet she already knew she would willingly do it every day from now on – if its owner would just ask.

There was another insistent knock and she wondered why Lazola wasn't answering the door. He wasn't in bed with her. She sat up.

At the third knock she got up and went to grab the robe she'd worn the night before. She tied the belt, then tried to run her fingers through her tousled mane. No luck. She padded barefoot to the entrance hall.

Thomas Miller smiled at her when she opened the door. “How's my favourite guest this morning? I come bearing gifts.”

With that, he wheeled a breakfast trolley past her and stood it near the dining table. He took silver lids off several dishes and began setting the food on the table.

Langa's skin warmed in embarrassment at having Thomas find her in no more than a robe in Lazola's suite. She didn't even want to imagine what he was thinking.

“This is very kind of you, Thomas.”

“Yes, I know. You're top of the VIPs when the hotel manager himself serves you breakfast.”

Langa was grateful for his carefree smile. He gave no indication of even being aware of her state of undress and his discretion set her at ease. Langa stepped forward, reeled in by the mouth-watering smell.

“Were you hoping to see Lazola? I'm not sure where he is but my guess is the study. I'll just check for you.”

“He isn't in there.”

The statement froze Langa. She dug her toes into the thick carpet, willing air into her lungs. Slowly she turned to face Thomas, and his expression made her hesitate before asking, “What do you mean?”

Thomas swallowed. He looked more embarrassed than nervous, and that made it worse for Langa. “He left at dawn. He asked that I take care of you till he returns. I'm not sure when that will be, but –”

“I'm not a stray puppy!”

Her anger startled them both. Langa knew it was justified, but she'd never let her emotions for a man run unleashed before. Was this what she had become? A woman who spent her days alternating between crying and screaming?

“I know you're not, Langa. And I don't think it was Lazola's intention to make you feel expendable. He's never been very good with matters of the heart. He's never committed to anyone before. With time, maybe . . .”

“I don't have time. Certainly not for a maybe.” Langa left the extravagant breakfast untouched. She marched towards the bedroom but stopped just before entering. She addressed Thomas over her shoulder. “Why is it always you who's more concerned about cushioning my heart?”

She didn't wait for a reply. While packing her overnight bag, she heard Thomas quietly leave the suite. Langa didn't stop moving until everything she'd brought was packed. She knew if she stopped to think she'd smash something.

Later, bag in hand, Langa headed for the front desk to drop off Lazola's keycard. She swore to herself that this would be the last time. No heart could survive the roller coaster ride hers had already endured.

Langa's stride faltered as she neared the reception area. The woman at the front desk had her back turned and did not notice her. By the friendly conspiracy she shared with the chatty receptionist, it was clear that they knew each other well.

“Yes, I know Lazola isn't here,” she said. “I spoke to him an hour ago. He's in Houghton. I just need to stop by his suite for a minute. I'm meeting him at the airport as soon as I can get there.”

Even from a distance and at an obscure angle Langa recognised the slender form and glossy hair. And the face she hadn't seen in over three months. The woman was smiling excitedly with the redhead behind the desk.

“I'm not sure what's going on, Sarah, but he's asked to see the whole family in Cape Town. Something tells me we might be hearing wedding bells soon. But hush, keep it to yourself. Lazola would slay me if he knew I'd mentioned this before he had a chance to say so!”

Langa rushed to the foyer bathroom before either woman spotted her. So Lazola did have a fiancée after all, one that the entire staff knew. A fiancée who was heading up to his suite at that very moment. The suite! It was a mess from the night before, and someone was bound to mention Langa were Lazola's fiancée to start asking difficult questions. Oh, what they must think of her!

Langa felt sick.

For the first time in her life she chose the coward's way out. She rinsed her face and walked out of the bathroom. She crossed her fingers all the way to the front doors. Once there, she left the keycard with the surprised doorman. Fortunately he didn't ask any questions when she told him she needed a driver to take her home.

The minutes it took for the sleek car to pull around the front of the hotel felt like a lifetime. Langa released a grateful breath when it pulled off with her securely in the back.

* * *

“You have got to be kidding.”

Robert McMann was swaying in his leather chair, one ankle crossed over the opposite knee. Langa knew that meant trouble. The more relaxed Robert looked, the more lethal his counterattacks tended to be.

She kept her cool. “I'm serious. My other accounts have barely had my attention in the last six months and that's not fair to those clients, is it?”

But her excuse was credible and Robert seemed to be coming around to it. “I suppose it isn't. Although I'm surprised that you're willing to give up control of your biggest account.”

Langa put on her best sly grin. “The thrill lay in landing the account. Who knows? Maybe I'll score another now that my focus is freed up a little.”

Robert sat up and leaned towards her intently. “My gut instinct has gotten me through many sticky situations. And my gut is telling me this is the last thing that'll please our biggest client.”

Langa opted for honesty. “You're right, Robert.”

He frowned. “I've never known you to underperform on a work project, so why now?”

“I'm sorry. All I can tell you is that I need this break.” Langa cringed at how unprofessional that sounded. Robert had every right to shoot down her request, and she wouldn't blame him for doing so.

“Alright.”

“I'm sorry, what?”

Robert smiled. “I said it's alright. I still think it might not be the best thing in terms of client relations, but that's not the only factor worth weighing in this instance. You're one of my best employees. You feel more like a daughter to me, to tell the truth. With that in mind, your wellbeing takes precedence right now.”

Langa swallowed an emotional lump. “Thank you.”

“Ben's been working with you every step of the way on this, so put him in charge. I'll expect you to be available on a consultation basis, of course. Nkosi will need to be eased into everything.”

“Of course. Thanks again, Robert.” She stood to leave.

“Oh, and Langa?”

She paused at the door. “Yes?”

“If that young man has crossed any lines, I have a shotgun I'd gladly aim his way, client or no.”

Langa smiled.

* * *

The rest of the week was rather quiet. Langa had expected Lazola to either call or come to her offices to apologise again. She was ready to shoot down any mediocre excuse he had. But nothing happened. She told herself that this was a good thing, that she didn't need the heartache he brought her.

But at night, when she found herself in bed alone, Langa admitted the crushing truth to herself. She missed him. Lazola Rhadebe made her feel more alive than she had in years.

She marvelled at how empty her life had begun to feel. The projects that had mattered to her more than anything no longer brought the satisfaction she'd grown accustomed to feeling.

Almost a fortnight after the night she'd spent with Lazola, Langa was wrapping up a long meeting with Ben and two other ad executives. She hadn't realised how late it was until they were done – the sun had already set.

“Why do you push so hard?”

Langa turned to find Ben watching her with his hands in his pockets.

“Go home, Ben. Wouldn't you rather spend your time with whoever's waiting there than here with your boss?”

“No one's waiting there for me. Turns out girls like having men who are around, not ones who work sixty-odd hours a week.”

Langa looked back out at the darkening sky. “You knew the demands of this job when you accepted the position. You know it costs a lot to stay ahead.”

“Is that what you tell yourself?”

Her eyes blazed at him. “Excuse me?”

He put up his hands. “I come in peace, boss, believe me. I do have one point, though: You're fantastic at this job and leading your teams, but you need to remember to ease up sometimes so we can all recoup.”

“Do the others feel the same, like I drive you too hard?”

“I can only speak for myself.”

“I see.”

Ben picked up his briefcase. “Actually, I have a second point: You should set aside more time for eating. Starting with supper with me, right now.”

And so, half an hour later, Langa found herself devouring a scrumptious vegetable stir-fry in a small restaurant. Ben chatted easily while sternly following her eating progress.

Immediately after they'd paid their bill, Langa's cellphone rang. She answered it without checking the caller ID and winced when Lazola's deep tenor snarled at her.

“Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for hours.”

“I've been working late. We finished off with a long meeting this evening.”

“Interesting. I called your offices twice in the last hour and was assured that you'd left at seven.”

“Is there anything I can help you with, Lazola?” Langa asked tiredly.

“I want to see you tomorrow.”

Her heart thudded. “No. I have an impossible schedule tomorrow.”

“Saturday then.”

Langa took a few steps away from Ben. “Lazola, why now? You've been silent for two weeks – and I accepted that. I can't keep going back and forth with you. I can't give you what you're asking of me. It's too –”

“And what exactly do you think I'm asking of you, Langa?”

She hesitated. They were both acutely aware of the irresistible connection they shared, but Langa refused to be the one to bring it up. He'd never expressed any feelings deeper than lust for her and she did not want to give him an opportunity to ridicule her love for him.

So she opted for the lesser truth. “I've been neglecting my other clients while focusing solely on your account. I need to rectify that.”

During the brief silence that followed, Langa fully expected Lazola to challenge her diversion, but he didn't.

“I'm not keeping you from your other work, Langa. You knew this would be a demanding campaign when you accepted the responsibility. Now, I expect to be granted a meeting with my marketing manager on Saturday, and that's not negotiable.”

“Fine.”

Another pause. “Fine?”

“Yes.” Langa smiled slyly, enjoying her imminent victory, no matter how small. “Like I said, I need to focus on my other accounts. In future you will be dealing with Ben Nkosi – he's now in charge of your campaign. I don't know whether he's available on Saturday, but if you hold on for a moment, I could ask him right now.”

“You're with him?”

Langa pursed her lips. She hadn't thought through the implications of telling Lazola she was dining with Ben.

“As I've mentioned, we were working late.”

“And you decided to reward him with a date?”

“It's not a date.” Why on earth was she explaining herself to a man who hadn't even bothered to mention his fiancée to her? “I'll have him call you about making an appointment.”

“No.” The small word boomed across the line. “
You
are my marketing leader and I will not accept this change. I don't care what it takes, but I expect you to call me soon with the date and time of our next meeting.”

The line disconnected.