Authors: Astrid Lee Donovan
Hamilton nodded.
“Indeed they did,” he agreed, adding quickly, “But that was before you and I even knew each other, baby. You and I did not grow up together and we never had a brother/sister relationship. We are two consenting adults who met and fell in love. That’s it, and that’s all that matters.”
Callie snorted.
“If only it was that simple,” she told him, adding with a sad frown, “The fact is, though, that I made my own mother cry on her wedding day. How could I do that?”
Hamilton looked at her for a long moment, then said in a low, gentle voice, “And how did you feel, Callie, when you first found out that your mother was going to marry my father? With your strength and spirit, you probably didn’t cry—but I wager you felt like it, didn’t you?”
Callie nodded.
“Well of course I did,” she admitted. “All of my life, all I ever knew was a happy, peaceful family life that involved my mom, my dad and me. He was her first love, her only love, and I just couldn’t picture her with anyone else—even after Dad was gone. I mean, logically I understand that she is still a young, vital, attractive woman in need of love and affection, like everyone else. Emotionally, though, I just couldn’t accept it.”
Hamilton chuckled.
“And as you well know, Darling, I couldn’t accept it either,” he reminded her, adding as he chucked her chin, “That’s why I acted like an arrogant, entitled jerk the first time that we met. And as I recall, Miss, you were about ready to throttle me at the brunch table.”
Callie laughed.
“Boy was I ever,” she acknowledged, adding as she rolled her eyes heavenward, “And isn’t it ironic? Our parents were so worried that we would spend the rest of our lives hating each other.”
Hamilton guffawed outright.
“Irony, thy name is Hamilton and Callie,” he agreed, adding with a smile, “It wasn’t you that I hated at all, or even your mom—who I now adore, by the way. It was the idea of seeing my father with someone other than my mother. How could they do this to us, Callie? How could they break the hearts of their own children?”
Callie shrugged.
“They couldn’t help it,” she reasoned, holding her hands out in an expressive gesture. “They fell in love.”
Hamilton nodded.
“Ah, that is exactly what they did. And does that sound familiar, Callie?” he asked, arching his eyebrows heavenward. “We, much like our parents, are two consenting adults who fell in love. And just as we came to accept the relationship of Harry and Jama, so they will come to accept us. And, seeing as to how they allowed us to tag along on their honeymoon, I’d say we’re off to a pretty good start. Doncha think?”
Callie rolled her eyes heavenward.
“Sheesh, I hate it when you’re right,” she told him, leaning forward to plant a big, wet kiss squarely on his lips. “Another fact that I know to be true; they probably will not allow me admittance to a five-star restaurant dressed in only a robe. So I’d better get dressed in the moderately fancy duds that I brought along for the trip.”
She froze as Hamilton met these words with a slow, mysterious smile.
“Well if you take a look in our bureau, my dear, you will find a dress that, I daresay, is more than a bit moderately fancy,” he informed her.
Her eyebrows arching in a show of keen curiosity, Callie just short of sprinted across the room and ripped open the cherry wood bureau that formed a far corner of their suite.
She gasped outright as she saw a sight that stole her breath: a splendorous ivory hued gown of pure silk embroidered with rich patterned threads of lovely, lustrous gold.
A shiny brooch of scarlet red was woven into the high collar of this foot length frock, which she grabbed with a gleeful whoop before ducking into the bathroom.
Moments later she emerged a woman transformed; her robust figure draped in a luxurious frock of pure, beauteous silk, her fire red hair piled atop her head, and a rarely worn coat of ruby red lipstick adorning her mouth; one that set her new brooch off to glorious effect.
She smiled as Hamilton let loose with a long, slow wolf whistle; meeting her entrance into the bedroom with a round of applause as she curtsied regally in response.
“So what are you waiting for?” she asked him, heading for the door in broad, confident strides as she added over her shoulder, “Let’s go chow down!”
Hopping up off of the bed, Hamilton shook his head as he followed his love to the door.
“Dearest, one does not ‘chow down’ at Club Tropicale,” he informed her, adding as she shot him an annoyed look over her sturdy shoulder, “Except for Callie Bradford, of course. She is free to ‘chow down’ anywhere and in any manner she chooses, with my loving blessing.”
Soon Callie found herself ensconced in a beautiful, exotic other world, a nightclub that bore a strong resemblance to a distant tropical haven.
The walls of Club Tropicale came emblazoned with detailed, rainbow hued murals that depicted sparkling bronzed beaches and rolling azure seas; both bathed in rays of golden sun beneath a lush, gem blue sky. Its domed ceiling glowed in a surface of lustrous bejeweled gold, and boasted a circle of brass bordered chandeliers painted with images of merpeople at play beneath the surface of the sea; overseeing tables adorned with shimmering satiny coverings glowing in ebullient shades of teal, azure and greatest gold.
Personally escorted to a table that sat at the center of the eatery, Callie and Hamilton smiled as they saw the glowingly happy couple that already occupied this space.
“Hey Kids!”
Dressed in a sharp, royal blue dress that seemed culled from the finest satin, Jama Bradford also wore a glimmering diamond necklace around her slender neck; one that brought out the highlights in her sleek dark hair and soft, creamy skin.
“You look beautiful, Mom,” Callie praised her, leaning over to kiss her mother’s cheek as Hamilton pulled her cushioned chair out behind her.
“Thanks!” her mom enthused, adding as she gestured with pride in the direction of her shiny new bauble, “Check out my newest gift from Harry.”
Leaning over to inspect more closely the luminous gems gathered in a sparkly strand around her mother’s neck, Callie nodded with approval as she said, “Beautiful! Good job, Harry!”
She shifted her gaze now to Harry Sanders, her new stepfather. Likening his son like a mirror image, Harry was also a tall, blue eyed brunette with an impressive muscular physique. Although graying at the temples and boasting of worry lines just beneath his eyes, she had to admit that Mr. Sanders still cut an impressive figure at the age of 58; and although his looks were generally enhanced by his dazzling white toothed smile, the faint, forced smile that he gave her now was markedly more reserved.
“Thank you, Callie,” he addressed her in a polite but formal tone. “And I see that you, too, are wearing a gift; the one that I know for a fact my son spent an inordinate amount of money on—I saw the bill.”
“And may I say it was worth every penny,” Hamilton praised, taking his own seat even as he ran an admiring glance down the length of Callie’s fully made form, “Doesn’t she look absolutely ravishing?”
Jama nodded.
“She does indeed,” she agreed, adding as she handed velvet bound menus to her two guests, “But then again, my daughter is always wondrous.”
Harry nodded.
“Wondrous…and pretty distracting, considering my son’s recent attendance record at the office,” he admitted, adding as he turned to look his son directly in the eyes, “Look Hamilton, we brought you and Callie with us on this trip because we want you to enjoy yourselves—and that’s exactly what we hope you do. Just be aware, though, that when we return home I need you present and ready to work at our company. I’m grooming you to be vice president; but before you claim that title, you have to earn it first. You can’t just ride around town in the Mercedes, impressing your girlfriend—who also happens to be your stepmother’s daughter—with trips to the country clubs that I got you into in the first place and oodles of fancy gifts.”
Hamilton gasped.
“Father, I cannot believe your rudeness and impertinence,” he scolded his dad, adding as he made a broad gesture in the direction of a frowning Callie, “You owe Callie an apology.”
Jama nodded.
“Indeed you do,” she agreed, adding as she shot a condemning look in the direction of her husband, “I hate to say this, Harry, but you’re beginning to remind me of—well, you, back when I was your secretary and before we got to know each other outside of work.” She paused, adding as she looked a chastened Harry straight in the eyes, “You know, back when my playful pet name for you was the Son of Satan and that’s on His Good Days? Now I know it may be difficult to accept the fact that these two are dating, but the fact remains that we love our children. And the young lady of whom you spoke so disrespectfully just happens to be my world.”
Harry sighed.
“I’m sorry, Callie,” he said finally, reaching across the table to grace his stepdaughter’s hands with a warm, assuring pat. “You are indeed a special young lady, and I am both pleased and proud to claim you as part of my family.” He paused here, adding with an awkward shrug, “I guess I just wasn’t quite so prepared for you to take such a take such a BIG role in my family, if you get my meaning.”
Callie nodded.
“It’s all right, Harry, I completely understand,” she offered with a smile. “And just so you know, I myself am going to be very busy when we come home from Vegas. I’m even about to kick off a little club tour that will take me throughout the state. Then come fall, it’s back to school to finish up my music education degree—and, of course, to report to my own top executive job as a server/barista at the Grounds Level Coffee House, which serves the very best lattes on campus.” She paused here, adding as she lifted her chin high in the air, “I want to make my own way in life, Harry, and hopefully make my own fortune by singin’ my songs and strummin’ my guitar. Or, you know, at least enough cash to make my rent from month to month, in a studio apartment, with a roommate. Heck, if it just doesn’t work out at all I can still be a music teacher. What I’m not interested in being, though, is a rich dude’s girlfriend.”
Hamilton gaped.
“So now ya tell me,” he mumbled, rolling his eyes heavenward as he took a hearty swig of the fruity, crystalline drink that had just been poured for him by a passing server.
Callie chuckled.
“Hate to break it to you, Hamilton. I have absolutely no desire to be a rich dude’s girlfriend,” she repeated, adding as she reached across the table to grasp his hand in hers. “I would far prefer to be the girlfriend of an intelligent, funny, loving dude who also happens to be insanely hawt. Someone, I dunno, like you. I love you, Hamilton.”
She jumped as her mother met these words with a loud, resounding sob.
“She sure is something,” she said to pretty much anyone who would listen. “Isn’t she?”
Hamilton nodded.
“Indeed,” he whispered, reaching forward to kiss the lips of the woman he loved so dearly, “The very best. I love you, Callie.”
The family soon settled into a lavish dinner of mango-pineapple crab salads, Caribbean-spiced shrimp with pineapple salsa, and entrees of pan seared salmon. They washed it all down with sparkling champagne, engaging one another in a number of robust toasts before the night was through.
Finally the family made a list of some of the tourist attractions they wanted to see before the week was through; aside from granting Callie’s incessant demands to see the Rock’n’Roll Museum at the Hard Rock Café and the Ethel M Chocolate Factory Tour and Cactus Garden, they also planned to visit the beautiful Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge and share a group date night at an ever romantic Celine Dion show. Mother and daughter made plans to see the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, while father and son planned to peruse their own favorite form of fine art at the Auto Collections at the LINQ.
“We look forward to spending a lot of time with you two while we’re in Vegas,” Harry told them, that charming smile making a welcome return as he added, “All the same, Jama and I were wondering if we could have tomorrow for ourselves, to have some couple time.”
“Sounds like a great idea!” Hamilton and Callie announced in synch, drawing laughter from their companions.
“What we mean to say is,” Callie said immediately, trying to keep her tone even and steady, “Although we miss you greatly, we are sure that we will find something to do in the meantime.”
Then she let out a low, sharp shriek as Hamilton reached subtle beneath the table to lay a light squeeze on her silk-covered knee.
“Sorry about that. That bite of salsa was just a bit too spicy,” she reported, all the while shooting Hamilton a secret smile that told him he would pay dearly for his disrespect.
An hour later Callie and Hamilton found themselves back in the secluded confines of their luxurious hotel suite; with Hamilton vowing to show his lover the true meaning of the phrase, “room service.”
Sweeping her up into strong muscled arms, the handsome billionaire swept her over the threshold of their own private refuge; kicking the door shut behind them as he seized her lips in a hot, passionate kiss; his warm, moist mouth massaging hers as their tongues entangled between them. Then he set her down in the plush lavender comforter that lined their deluxe four poster bed.
“Now baby, I know full well that you’re just a bit nervous about making love with me in this particular—um—situation,” he whispered, searing her with an intense gaze that dripped with seduction. “So do allow me to relax you, like only I can.”
Dropping to his knees before her, he took her feet in his hands and freed them from their fire red high heels; suckling her toes and rubbing her tired pads as she sighed with delight.
Next nipping and licking his way up her long, sturdy legs, he fell forward to kiss her thighs as the strands of his thick, silky hair caressed her sensitive skin. Then he surged upward to capture the border of her soft cotton panties and drag them down her legs; leaving them in a cloudy heap beside them as he next set about driving her wild.
Leaning inward between her parted thighs, he licked open her feminine folds and secured his warm, moist lips around her throbbing clit; kissing and suckling her as she cried out with pleasure.
Moving his sculpted head from side to side, Hamilton willfully intensified the friction of his succulent mouth across her tender nub, his hands reaching forward to rub and knead her buxom hips and full thighs. On and on he graced her with the ultimate intimate kiss, nipping and licking her throbbing clit as shards of hot erotic ecstasy coursed upward to tease and excite every part of her body.
Throwing her head back, an impassioned Callie bit her lip hard and thrust her hips outward as her lover devoured her whole, the gentle scrape of his perfect teeth joining his lips and tongue to drive her over the edge.
She screamed outright as her being was seized in the depths of an intense, incredible orgasm; one that sent reams of pure pleasure searing and enticing every fiber of her being.
Opening her arms to him, Callie took in her breath as Hamilton swept up on the bed and took her full and tight in his arms; holding her closer than close as their lips collided in a passionate kiss. Their mouths smacked together as a ravenous Callie unbuttoned his sleek black velvet jacket and peeled it off his muscular shoulders; next peeling off the slick ivory shirt that lie beneath.
She smiled as her lover’s beautiful body finally was revealed to her; leaning forward to kiss and lick his sculpted pecs and suckle his washboard abs as he unzipped and peeled away her exquisite silken dress.
Soon the couple rolled naked in one another’s arms, her buxom breasts crushing his hard massive chest as their hips and thighs locked between them.
“I can’t get enough of you,” Hamilton growled, bowing his head reverent to her heaving breasts as he kissed and suckled her nipples.
Wrapping her arms tight around his broad muscled shoulders, she lost herself in his all-encompassing embrace as his own bulging arms encircled her waist.
“I want you inside of me,” she gasped out; running adoring fingers through his sleek black hair as his lips brought her nipples to hard, erect points beneath his attentive lips. “Now.”
Eager to heed this impassioned command, Hamilton descended full and wild onto the bed with Callie in his arms; their ecstasy now overseen by a star patterned canopy that likened the Vegas night.
Their sweat lined bodies pressed together as he kissed and caressed her; his gentle hands coddling and caressing her breasts, her thighs, her gently rounded tummy as she writhed shameless in his arms. Then he seized her lips in another intense kiss; his mouth coaxing and massaging hers as she braced her strong legs around his hard, trim waist; spreading her full, fleshy thighs to invite her lover inward.
The two erupted in a chorus of heated moans as—in a smooth, delicious flourish, Hamilton thrust his hard, trim hips against hers and penetrated her soaking wet pussy; his long, hard shaft sliding into her as his long, wet tongue matched its succulent rhythm. Both advanced and retreating in a maddening rhythm that threatened to drive her over the edge; setting fire to every inch of her fevered body as she slithered beneath him in the softness of lavender covers. Their arms and legs entangled tight as he reached upward to caress the strands of her fire red hair; kissing her with the upmost gentleness even as his chiseled hips rocked hard against hers.
His gaze flew open to ensnare hers as his long, reverberating cock plunged forth to kiss her core; pulsating within her as their hands and gazes locked sure and fast between them.
“I love you,” they said together, their aroused bodies clinging together as—with a final smooth flourish—his slithering cock exploded within her; sending them both across the bounds of an incredible mutual orgasm.
Their bodies merged in a binding embrace as they kissed one another senseless; their beings singing with sublime pleasure as the sparkling stars of their divine canopy seem to christen their love.
“Now answer me one thing, babe,” Callie whispered, resting her head on his broad muscled chest. “Just why was I reluctant to make love to you before dinner? And why in the heck did we even go to dinner, anyway? Oh, and one final question. Can we do it again? Like, sometime within the next five minutes maybe?”
Hamilton guffawed outright.
“Please, my lady, one question at a time,” he answered, holding his hands up in mock defensiveness before him. “Personally I think it’s good that we waited; absence, after all, makes the heart grow hotter. I also believe that it’s a mighty good idea that we did indeed go to dinner, as we needed some primo energy fuel, in the sublime form of nutrients and proteins.” He paused here, staring deep into her eyes as he added, “And while I would love nothing more than to make love to you again, my precious, I do have to make some plans for tomorrow. And then I suggest you join me in getting a good night’s rest, as I have a full very day planned for us.”
Callie nodded.
“One question though,” she pressed, resting her chin atop his fine muscled pecs, “Will there be any room at all on this royally busy schedule for even more delicious lovemaking? Several extended hours, at least?”
She trembled as Hamilton seized her up in two strong arms, claiming her lips in a hot, hard kiss as he assured her in a heated growl, “You’d better believe it, baby.”
An hour later an exhausted Callie lay peaceful and content in sleek satin sheets; her body spent and her senses lulled as she lingered near sleep.
Barely penetrating her dreamy psyche was the sound of her lover’s voice, emanating from the opposite side of the bed as he spoke into his cell phone.
Just as she drifted off to sleep, she heard the words helicopter and yacht. And now more than ever she knew she was in for a blasted good ride.