Tempo (16 page)

“Karlie! Come and give me a hug.” Anna grabs me and wraps me in a bear hug.

“Let me look at you.” She stands back and gives me a once over. “Something about Las Vegas agrees with you?”

I can’t help but blush, and in response Anna laughs. The crew makes their way into the lobby and I watch as Eve and Joshua do their best to get everyone checked in. In the corner, Tony stays vigilant.

The next several hours are spent reviewing the project and going over individual responsibilities. As the lead on this project, the end results ultimately fall on my shoulders.

We meet in the lobby at six o’clock so we can head over to Lupo together. Michael is not here, so we proceed without him. Tony walks forward and I introduce him to the team. My crew finds it humorous that I have a bodyguard. I just shrug it off. It’s a part of my life for the next 90 days. As we make our way over to the restaurant, I can see Michael waiting in front for us. His smile is disarming. He looks at me and I see the promise of an amazing night in his eyes. He walks over to Anna and offers his hand.

“You must be Anna, I’m Michael and it’s my pleasure to welcome you to Las Vegas.” He takes her hand and brings the back of it to his lips for a kiss. She smiles broadly and looks directly at me as if to say, “I understand why you like him.” The rest of the team is introduced one by one and we head into the restaurant. We share several bottles of wine and as the evening progresses, our numbers decrease one by one as my team heads off to bed. We agree to meet in the lobby at nine the next morning. Anna is the last to leave but before she does, she gives me a hug and whispers in my ear. “That man looks like he wants to eat you alive.” I don’t know if I am more shocked by her statement or the truth in it.

Left alone, Michael and I enjoy one last glass of wine and head for the door. A car is waiting to whisk us off to Tempo.

“Are you ready for our date?”

“Date? You told me you don’t do the girlfriend thing.”

His expression is thoughtful and I can see he is processing my words.

“I have never done the girlfriend thing, but I am rethinking my options Ms. McKenna.”

“Is that so? Let me know when you reach a conclusion.”

Dropped off in the garage, Michael and I head for the elevator. Up on the roof the atmosphere has changed from this afternoon. The harsh glare of the sun is gone and is replaced with the view of the city lights. Looking around I can see that our umbrella has been conveniently left in the corner. We gaze at the lights of the city for some time. I am standing in front of Michael and he is cradling me in his arms. My head rests against his chest. I can feel his soft kisses on the side of my face. I turn in his arms and we embrace, h
is strong arms envelop me. Taking my hand he leads me to the corner where our umbrella and blanket are awaiting our return. He sits with his back against the wall and pulls me to his lap. My arms go around his neck and we share a kiss. It’s a beautiful moment. Leaning my back against his chest, his arms encircle my waist. I rest my head in the crook of his neck. My bottom is nestled between his legs, the length of his firm shaft is pressing against me. My heartbeat is increasing and I wonder if he can feel it.

“I enjoyed our lunch date this afternoon. It was incredible. I can only hope to bring you the joy you brought to me.” I squirm in his lap and he begins to laugh. Turning my head I look up into is face.

“What?” I ask.

“You’re squirming which means you’re nervous. Why is that Karlie? Have you never been given pleasure this way?”

“Yes I have, once.” Embarrassed to be talking about my sex life, I lower my head.

“Did you like it?” He is looking at me with expectation in his eyes.

“It was the only time I ever climaxed before I met you.” His eyebrows shoot up and a smile spreads over his face.

“Good, so you’re a fan?”

“I don’t know if I could say that, I did it once and I had a positive reaction.”

“How many times have you had this reaction in total?”

“Before you or since you?”

“Before me.”

Feeling embarrassed by my lack of experience I quietly give him the number.

“Three times in your life?” He emphasizes the number by holding up three fingers.

“Yes, and two of those happened in my dreams.” I lower my head and softly confess. “One was about you.” I can’t believe that I just told him that. If I had a camera handy it would have been fun to capture the surprised look on his face.

“I know first hand that you have some very vivid dreams.” His eyes twinkle with mischief. I know he is referring to the flight we took from Denver to Las Vegas.

Reaching over I lightly punch him in the shoulder. “That’s not fair, I was exhausted and had too much to drink.”

“Remind me to make sure that the next time you fly, you are on an alcohol free flight and you are well rested. I would not be happy to have you dreaming next to another man.” The look that I saw earlier is back. It resembles possessiveness.

“Speaking of flying, when will you have time to go to Denver with me to select the art? I could select it myself, but it would be more fun if we could do it together.” 

Michael pulls out his smart phone to look at his calendar and gives me a three-day window.

“I will call the artists and have them set up a presentation for you.”

“How did we get all business and no pleasure all of a sudden? This was supposed to be a pure pleasure trip. We are here purely fo
r your pleasure,” he says.

Wasting no time, Michael lays me back on the blanket. I can feel the cool concrete on my back. His lips are toying with mine. First gentle kisses, then deeper and finally little nibbles as he pulls my lower lip into his mouth. A lightening bolt of pure pleasure runs down my core and settles between my legs. His hands roam my body. He knows exactly what he is doing. He is creating a frenzy of excitement and my body burns for more. I am grateful for the coolness of the concrete beneath me. I would spontaneously combust without it. The warm breeze is kissing my skin making me realize that somehow Michael has stripped me naked. He lies next to me and slowly slides his fingers up and down my over-stimulated body. The pads of his fingers are making swirls on my flesh. Goose bumps prickle my skin. He stops at my hip, tracing the perfect heart of my birthmark.

“I love this,” he says as he outlines the mark.

I can’t reply. I am panting with need.

Michael begins to kiss my body. He leaves my mouth and the tip of his tongue moves slowly down me. He lingers at my breasts. There is definitely some instant communication between my nipples and my sex. The heat of his mouth on my breast makes me quiver. I arch towards him trying to keep him connected to me. The flicks of his tongue remind me of a flame from a fire. He’s creating such heat within me. A shift of his weight indicates his intent to move. I grab his head to keep him connected to my breast, but he wins the battle and begins to slowly travel down my body. Stopping at my belly button, he dips his tongue quickly in and out. The tickling sensation makes me wriggle. His kisses follow a direct line to where my body burns for him. I tense my muscles in anticipation. I know what he plans to do and I am eager for him to begin.  I wait for what seems like an eternity before I open my eyes. He is positioned between my legs and he is staring at me.

“What are you doing?” I pant.

“I am enjoying the experience. Do you know how beautiful you look lying here waiting? Your skin is glowing and the dreamy look in your eyes is so sexy. I want you.”

“Then take me Michael, I am burning up.”

He gives me one last look before he disappears between the juncture of my thighs. The heat of his tongue delves into me and my senses spin out of control. His touch is slow and deliberate. It’s a soft sensuous kiss that burns from my sex straight to my heart. He continues to plunder my senses with his relentless assault on me. I can feel my tissues swell for him and my moisture releases as he continues his attack. The heat of his tongue scorches the nub where my pleasure is centered. I am so close to the edge, but he toys with me. I am incapable of thought. I can only feel the pleasure he gives. His tongue changes direction and I experience an intense heat traveling down my inner thigh to where he plants soft kisses. I try to pull him back up, wanting him to finish. I hear a soft chuckle come from deep in his throat. My hands grab at his hair, but he remains where he is despite my efforts to guide him. The kisses trail down to my knees and then begin to make their way back to my need. Spreading me with his fingers I am fully exposed to him. He laps up the moisture I have made just for him. His lips close over my nub and he pulls and releases my flesh. My hips begin to buck; I am so far gone. Reaching up, his fingers search for my nipples. I am straining to contain myself, but it’s too late. I disintegrate under the heat of his tongue and the caress of his fingers. My world crashes into a thousand pieces. He strokes every last shudder from me. I hear the rip of the condom package as he makes quick work of putting it on. He poises himself to penetrate me. I look up at him and as he enters me I know that I will never be the same again.

We lay there for a long time. No words are said, our bodies intertwined. There is no beginning or end to us. We are one. My heart begins to ache at the thought that I will never have him forever. Time is passing and I will have to let him go. I don’t want to admit it, but I am beginning to love this man. The thought should terrify me, but it doesn’t. I am grateful to know what love feels like
, but I will be crushed when it’s time to give him up.

Michael starts to stir and I follow. He helps me to get dressed and lifts me into a warm embrace. We walk over to the glass wall and gaze at the lights of the city.

“This may be my favorite place in the world,” he says.

“There have been a l
ot of shenanigans up here today,” I reply.

Walking hand in hand, we head back to our waiting car.

“I have to leave in the morning for a short trip, I will be gone for three days.”

I am shocked to hear this news. I have no idea why, but tears begin to spring from my eyes. Looking at me, Michael reaches up and gently wipes away my tears.

“Why are you crying?”

“I don’t know. Tonight was such a moving experience and my nerves are all jumpy. It’s probably just a crazy hormone thing. I almost never cry. My inner voice comes to life.
He’s getting to you isn’t he?
Tuning her out, I stare out the window as Lloyd drives us home.

“I have to go to California. There is a problem with the irrigation system and it needs my immediate attention.”

“I understand. I have a lot of work to do as well. Since my team is here for the next few days the timing couldn’t be better.” I hope that I have managed to sound upbeat and positive in spite of the heaviness I feel in my heart.

“Let’s plan on dinner together Friday when I return. Will that work for you?”

Wrapping my hands around his bicep I lean into him and snuggle. I breathe deeply trying to inhale enough of him to last me several days.

“Friday will be great! I can’t wait. Will you stay with me tonight?”

“Yes.”

Safely back at the Four Seasons, Michael places his hand on the side of my face; he looks deep into my eyes and leans down to kiss my lips. He doesn’t say a word as he leads me to my room. We undress and climb into bed. Michael turns me so my back is to his front. Reaching around he pulls me tight against his body. His face is buried in my hair.

“Thank you for such an amazing night Michael,” I whisper.

“Thank you for being so amazing Karlie.”

We fall asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

The shifting of the bed wakes me. Moving the hair that is covering my face I can see Michael sitting next me. He is staring intently.

“How long have you been sitting there?” I ask.

Pushing the stray hairs away from my face, he answers. “About twenty minutes.”

Sitting up I am shocked that he has been gawking at me for almost a half an hour. “Why?”

“You look lovely when you sleep. You are so relaxed and peaceful. I could sit here all day and watch you.”

“That’s just creepy,
” I say.

Michael laughs and gets to his feet.

“My plane leaves soon, so I have to go. I just wanted to tell you goodbye and that I will see you in a few days.”

“Goodbye Michael, have a safe trip.
” I stretch toward him to give him a kiss.

As soon as the door is closed, it feels as if the air has left the room. His presence brings joy and light and without it darkness falls.

Not wanting to stay alone in my room, I head downstairs to have coffee and a muffin. Sitting in the little café, I watch the various people who are passing by. Tony is nowhere in sight, but I would bet that he is nearby. He is always nearby. Sipping my coffee I think about last night. We had a great time at dinner. Michael was charming as usual. Our time on the roof was special for me. I allowed myself to be vulnerable in his presence. I was naked in so many ways. I exposed my body and soul and he protected it and cared for it in ways that I could never imagine possible. His comment about reevaluating his position on the girlfriend thing, gives me hope. Would there ever be a possibility of being more with Michael?
I want more!
I am startled out of my reverie by the sound of breaking glass. Behind the counter the barista is cleaning up the mess that she just made. With no more time to daydream I head to the lobby to meet the team. As soon as I enter the foyer, I can feel the presence of danger. Looking around I see nothing. Shaking it off, I walk toward the seating area to wait for Anna and the team. There is a lot of activity in the lobby. Lots of people are milling about. Out of the corner of my eye I see someone sit down in the chair beside me. My eyes move in that direction and what I see leaves me speechless. Right beside me sits the devil himself.