Your Desire (3 page)

Someone adjusted the spotlight to highlight her, and she squinted then raised her hand to shield her eyes. Even from halfway up the staircase she heard a collective “Ooo,” from the people below. One glance down told the story. Bugle beads, seed pearls and sequins glistened and sparkled in the light. With the slightest movement, color swirled from waist to hem. It was remarkable.

It was magical. It was—

“Action!”

Distracted as she was with the way her gown responded to the lighting, she didn’t hear Ben.

“Cut!”

“Derica!” Kailen’s call was sharp and penetrated her mind.

She looked up from the dress and down to his amused face.

Kailen cocked his head toward Ben who had moved close in and now gazed at her in disgust. “Ben called action.”

“Oh!” She looked at Ben. “Oh, dear. I’m sorry, but the dress…”

She heard Kailen’s rich rumble of laughter. “Now you see why it’s one of a kind. You can’t mass-produce that kind of effect.”

“People, do you mind?” Impatience rang in Ben’s loud voice. Then his tone softened, but with sarcasm, not real concern. “Are you
ready
, lady?”

She nodded. Glancing at the foot of the stairs and beyond Kailen, she found the lights blinded her to the crowd. Good. That should make this easier. Ben had moved out of her vision. All she could see was Kailen.

“Action!”

With one hand on the balustrade, she stepped down. Kailen stepped up. His eyes focused on hers, willing her to see only him. She couldn’t have looked away if she’d wanted to. Like a laser beam he guided her to him, their movements unfailingly matched, until she stood one step above him. For a moment they gazed into each other’s eyes. Then he reached around to cup her buttocks and pull her toward him as he leaned into her, resting his head on her breast.

He’d said to do what came naturally. She slid her fingers through his hair to hold his head with one hand. Her other hand rested on his shoulder blades as she bent to kiss the top of his head.

“Cut! Perfect!” The spotlights went out.

They didn’t move. Derica felt the hard bulge of his penis against her leg and his hand softly kneaded her butt. He felt so warm, so right standing there against her.

Finally, Kailen pulled away, looking up at her as he moved back. His eyes were dark and hooded. If they’d been alone, she thought he would kiss her, but the noise from the crowd below reminded her they weren’t by themselves.

“He’s right, you were perfect,” Kailen said.

“I mussed your hair.” Her voice was hushed, befitting the scene they’d played more than the reality.

“You did exactly as you should have.”

Suddenly they were surrounded by people. Samantha charged up the stairs to check her makeup and hair, and to fix the damage she’d done to Kailen’s hair by running her hand through it. Within minutes they were drawn to the base of the stairway.

Kailen leaned close to her to describe the next shoot. “You’re to stand here, looking impatient, as though you’re waiting for someone.”

“That’ll be you,” she said with a smile.

“Yes,” he said, returning the smile and making her heart thump strongly. ““I’ll come down the steps and behind you. Just follow my lead after that.” He turned to move to the other side of the stairs, and then stopped. “Are you sure you haven’t done this before?”

“Quite sure.”

“Well, you’re a quick study. It feels right with you. More than right.”

More than right.
It was perfect. If the ad made women feel the way she felt right now—giddy with desire—it would sell one hell of a lot of perfume, books, whatever.

Kailen walked off as Ben called, “Places!”

Blinded by the lights that came on, she fought to keep from shutting her eyes.

“Action!”

Trying to look slightly annoyed, Derica peered out to where the lobby would be, then rested her hand on the curved end of the balustrade and tapped her fingers. She sensed Kailen before he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tightly against him. His breath was hot as his lips nipped her ear. With the tip of his tongue he traced a path from her ear lobe to her neck. She tilted her head to allow him access, closing her eyes at the sensation. He nibbled, and then licked the spot. His hands rose from her waist to the bottom of her breasts, as though any second he would caress them. Derica covered one of his hands with her own, and reached her other hand behind to clasp his leg.

Again she forgot they were in a crowded hotel lobby. With the incredible heat raging between them, it felt as though they were the only people in all the world.

“Cut!”

The lights went out but Kailen didn’t release her.

“Another perfect print.” Ben stood before her when she forced her eyes open and dropped her hands to her side.

She thought it was with equal reluctance that Kailen moved away, although he kept one arm at her waist.

“We might finish on time after all if you two keep this up. You doing okay, lady?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Okay. Kailen.” Ben directed his attention to Kailen as Samantha fluttered around them touching up cosmetics, and smoothing hair and skirts alike. “Just three more scenes and we can wrap things up. Keep helping her…” he nodded to Derica “—and it’ll go fast. You two are on fire. I think we’ve got a winner; Violet Passion is supposed to make people feel sex and wild emotion. If I didn’t know this was a staged set, I’d think you were ready to hop into bed with each other.” He slapped Kailen on the shoulder and hustled away.

“I am,” Kailen murmured, slanting a glance at Derica.

For the next forty minutes they performed different scenes, each more intimate than the previous. In the last, she rushed down the stairs and into his arms. His lips crushed to hers, his hand held her tightly against his erection, until he allowed her to slide down his body to the floor. The crew and audience broke into applause when Ben called a wrap.

Kailen lifted his head, separating their lips by a fraction. Slowly, unwillingly, she forced herself to pull away. Never had she felt such animal attraction for any man. It was exhilarating. Her blood was hot, her heart pounded in her chest. It was dangerous. This man with the roughened, dark jaw and dazzling diamond in his ear was not the type of man she normally dated, not the kind who fit into the profile as “acceptable” for her career.

Still, she wanted him like she’d wanted no one else. And judging by the glint in his eyes, he wanted her, too.

“What are you doing for the rest of the night?” His voice was husky, sounding as heavy with desire as she felt.

“I have to do what I came here to do. My company is hosting a party.”

People moved around them, disconnecting lights and breaking down camera set-ups. For the first time all evening, no one came to make sure her make-up was perfect or each strand of hair was in place.

“So you really aren’t a model, hmm? You’re late for your party. Is someone there waiting for you?”

“No one’s waiting. Would you like to come with me?” As soon as the words left her mouth she wondered why she’d spoken them. Hadn’t she just admitted thathe wasn’t like the men she dated? That he was dangerous to her career? Too late—his smile said it all.

“I don’t want to let you go, so yes, I’ll accept your offer.”

She tried to backpedal. “I shouldn’t have said that—I’m sure you have more exciting things to do. These things are boring even for me. I don’t have a choice, but you do. Don’t feel obligated.”

“I’m not obligated. I want to be with you.” He took her arm and guided her away from the crowd. “I do have a question, though.”

Derica gratefully retrieved her evening bag from Samantha who had confiscated it when she first arrived, then preceded Kailen to the elevators. He stayed close, not giving her a chance to slip away. Although she was nervous, she also felt energized.

Already the evening had been totally different than she’d thought it would be. She’d been creative, praised for her work and acclaimed as a beauty. An exciting and handsome man wanted to spend the remainder of the evening with her.
Deri
thought she hadn’t been this jazzed in years—for the first time in a long time the party tonight would not be dull.
Derica
worried that damage control might be in order. But neither persona gave a thought to telling Kailen she’d changed her mind.

She pushed the Up button. “What’s your question?” she asked, not looking into his face.

“If you weren’t sent by the modeling agency, how did you end up with a dress just like ‘the’ dress?”

“Obviously someone is pulling the wool over your sponsor’s eyes. It can’t be one of a kind, can it? I’m renting it from a little shop down on Post, so heaven only knows how many copies there must be out there.”

Now she did look up, almost losing herself in the depths of his blue, blue eyes. “Or else, it’s magic.”

CHAPTER THREE

They’d been here a couple of hours already. Half an hour would have been enough for Kailen, but he understood business and knew that Derica had a responsibility to mix and mingle. He’d stayed by her side at first, braving the stares of admiration from the women and those of envy from the men. He was used to the former—no need to profess false modesty. His looks
were
exceptional, and he used them to get everything he could in modeling in order to support the profession of his heart—painting. As to the men’s envy, he didn’t blame the men at all. If someone else had walked in with Derica on his arm, Kailen would have been envious as hell.

After sharing a drink with the owners of MiBar Medical, Mike Hawkins and his wife, Barbara, Kailen had moved around the room on his own. Introducing himself, he’d join in a conversation for a few minutes then move on to another group, all the while keeping his eye on Derica.

The gown was fantastic. It shimmered with every movement, reflecting light in a million directions and seeming to flow with color even when she stood still. She looked regal in that gown, like a queen and like something else, too. Like a Siren. Seductive, dangerous. Sexy as hell. Every time he looked up to find her staring at him, he felt her allure as surely as ancient mariners had felt the Siren’s call. If he wasn’t careful, he’d find himself crashed on the rocks of Derica Meadows, unable to get away. And that wasn’t his style at all.

True, he wanted nothing more than to sink himself into her hot body and fuck her until neither of them knew which end was up, but he also wanted no commitments. If he didn’t think he could walk away afterwards, the sex shouldn’t happen. Right now, he felt the war between logic and hormones. Whenever it came down to a contest of the two brains, if there was a hint of doubt about what he was jumping into, the big one resting on his shoulders was the usual victor. It’s how he’d lived to the ripe old age of thirty-six with no wife and no paternal responsibilities. The way things were with Derica, with the spark she’d lighted in his gut as soon as their eyes met—not to mention the way his cock had come alive since their first touch—he half hoped the little brain would win out, regardless that common sense dictated he take her home and forget her.

“Have you known our Derica long?” A tall, older man holding a tumbler half full of whisky moved into place beside Kailen.

His speech was clear but the redness surrounding his irises indicated the drink he held was far from his first. As bloodshot as his eyes were, his focus centered on Derica, standing halfway across the room with two women who appeared to be giving her a lecture. Their faces were stern and they took turns speaking. Derica’s face held a pleasant look, but vacant, as though her mind were somewhere else. She nodded at regular intervals, but said nothing.

“No, not long.”

“God, she looks beautiful tonight.” The man pointed in her direction with his glass. “That’s why those bitches are giving her hell.”

“They’re complaining because she looks good?” That didn’t make sense to Kailen. But then nothing about this party made sense to him. Gatherings like this were one reason he didn’t miss the corporate existence. Just being this close gave him shivers remembering how hard he’d tried to conform to this world, and how he simply couldn’t.

“She does look good, doesn’t she? Good enough to eat, and I’d try if I thought she’d give me the time of day. Even in those God-awful black things she usually wears to these boring damn parties, most any guy would willingly die to fuck her if she gave him the wink and nod. Not that she ever does. Tonight she looks like an angel of sin, and I can tell you there’re a lot of hard-ons in the room because of it. Mine included. And
that’s
really why those bitches are giving her a hard time.”

“Derica seems to be handling it well. How do you know that’s what they’re doing?”

The man snorted. “Derica is too ambitious for her own good sometimes, so she’ll take what they hand out and smile about it. Corporate wives carry a lot of influence in ways no MBA program teaches. And how do I know what they’re doing? Because the bitch on the right is my wife. I’ll be fucking her tonight for relief, but I won’t be thinking about her and she knows it.” He emptied his glass and put it on the table behind them. “Now, I’ll go and break up the hen party, and you rescue Derica, right?”

Kailen nodded. “Right.”

The two men joined the small group. The older women stopped talking as soon as they arrived. One of them stepped possessively closer to Kailen’s companion and grasped his arm. He didn’t even try to hide his look of displeasure.

Derica looked at the man. “Daniel, I see you’ve met my friend, Kailen…?”

“Just Kailen,” he said, turning to the man.

“We haven’t met formally,” Daniel replied, and shook Kailen’s hand.

“Daniel McNaught is my boss. This is his wife, Hannah, and Victoria, Dr. Haber’s wife. We spoke with him shortly after we arrived.”

Kailen nodded to the women. They smiled at him, all trace of malice erased from their faces.

“You came with Derica, Kailen?”
Victoria
asked in a purring voice.

Kailen thought she wasn’t bad-looking now, but she must have been a real beauty in her younger days. She spoiled the illusion of pleasantness with her next words, however.

“Wher
ever
did someone like Derica find
you
?”

Daniel raised his brows with a look that said, “See? Didn’t I tell you they were bitches?”

Kailen wrapped his arm around Derica’s waist and pulled her close, an action she mimicked by putting her arm around his waist. “Actually, we just happened into each other earlier tonight, victims of circumstance.” He smiled at her. “But after our first kiss, I knew I didn’t want to let her go. So when she invited me to your party, there was no question but that I’d come with her.”

“And I’m glad you did,” Derica answered.

“Kailen is such an unusual name,” Hannah commented. Her voice grated on his ears.

“It’s my stage name.” He smiled brilliantly at the women, and they appeared mesmerized. “I do some modeling.”

“I knew I’d seen you before!”
Victoria
looked pleased with herself. “You’re on billboards all over town.”

“Oh, yes,” Hannah said, “for that cologne. Do you do any others?

“None that you’d recognize my face in,” he said. He winked at Hannah, and
Victoria
sucked in a breath.

“You do that ad for the…” Hannah looked at him with widened eyes and gave a surprised, “Oh!” Rather than shock, her eyes held a melting, dreamy gaze.

Derica looked up questioningly, as though trying to place him with something she might have seen around town. “I’m sorry. I don’t pay much attention to billboards when I’m driving into work.”

“It’s a campaign for briefs.” He leaned to whisper in her ear, knowing the two women were watching every move. “Maybe later tonight you’ll get a view that’ll bring the ad to mind.” He was delighted to see her eyes darken as a smile played across her lips.

“I hope you’ll be coming to more company functions, Kailen,”
Victoria
said, a smile in her voice. She stepped forward and smoothed her hand along his forearm.

“Thank you,
Mrs.
Haber. Maybe Derica will invite me.” At his emphasis on her married name,
Victoria
’s face creased with a frown.

“I think I heard your husband asking where you were,
Victoria
. And I’m sure Derica and Kailen would like to dance or have some time to themselves?” Daniel directed the question to Kailen.

“Yes,” Kailen agreed, taking Derica’s hand and leading her to the dance floor. “Let’s dance a little before I take you home.”

They seemed to glide onto the dance floor. Taking her in his arms and moving to the melody played by the band felt wonderful, but keeping in mind where they were, he didn’t pull her close like he wanted to.

“Are they always this self-absorbed?” Kailen pitched his voice low.

“This, and worse. Isn’t it amazing? I admit to having had a good time watching the women trip all over themselves getting to meet you, though. And seeing their expressions when they realized you were with me.”

“Why would they be surprised we were together?”

“In case you didn’t realize it, you’re classified as a full-fledged hunk. They see me as a simple, dull accountant.” She drew her head back and stared at him. “Don’t tell me you didn’t get a wad of phone numbers.”

He chuckled. “I did.” He kissed her forehead. “But of all the women here, I’d pick you. I
do
pick you. And you might be surprised—these women don’t think you’re a simple, dull accountant. Know why? Because ‘simple’ is the last word that comes to the men’s minds when they think of you. In fact, the impression I got tonight is that men don’t
use
their minds too much when they look at you. Certainly not tonight, in that dress and with the glow about you. You can trust me on that.”

Derica sighed. “Too much drinking.”

“Not at all.” Then he gave in to what he wanted and tightened his hold.

Even through the material of his tux and her dress, their bodies molded to each other perfectly. With only short steps left and right, barely moving them at all, he managed to rub against her, bringing him torturous bliss.

He dropped his head to whisper in her ear. “Do you know what you’ve been doing to me all night? I look at you and can’t catch my breath. You smile and my blood pounds, racing to one location. Can you guess where that is?” He tasted her lobe.

“I have some idea.” Thrusting her hips forward, she chuckled at his groan.

“We shouldn’t take this any further here,” he said in a quiet voice that rasped with desire. “Can you leave?”

“I’ll die if we stay any longer. But…” She hesitated, but then forged on. “Maybe we could get something to eat on the way out. These events always make me hungry and I don’t like to eat much while I’m here.”

He raised his head to brush his lips across hers, then grabbed her hand and tugged her to the exit. In minutes they were on the street, walking toward the corner and a well-known deli. As they passed a trash can, Kailen stopped and withdrew papers and napkins from his jacket pocket. He dropped the stack of phone numbers into the trash, then wrapped Derica’s hand more firmly in his as they walked on.

* * * *

The deli had proven not only to be packed but to have a decibel level above what OSHA would recommend for a factory. “Do you want to wait for a table?” he’d practically yelled at her.

She’d shaken her head and they pushed their way back out onto the sidewalk. She’d paused before suggesting another place to get a sandwich. “The selection is limited, but it’s quiet and the service is good.”

“Where is that?” he’d asked.

“My place. I only hesitate because I don’t know you. I don’t normally take strangers home.”

“We’ve been with each other for hours, so I’m not a total stranger, and this night has hardly been normal, has it?”

His argument had convinced her, and now here they were, entering a small but nice apartment off
Lombard.

The first thing that struck him when he entered was its neatness. Nothing looked out of place. Derica excused herself to change clothes, and he walked around the living room examining the books filling the shelves against one wall, the music CDs neatly arranged in order by artist, the trade magazines fanned out on the coffee table. He had a perverse desire to rearrange them so that Accounting Today came after Business Practices. Or worse, to toss the perfectly spaced pillows on the sofa onto the floor.

Smiling to himself, he pulled off his tie and removed the first three studs from his shirt. He laid his jacket along the back of the sofa and took off his shoes. Giving a sigh of relief, he leaned his head back, closed his eyes and propped his feet on the coffee table, flexing his toes in pleasure.

“You look comfortable,” Derica said.

His eyes popped open, then he sat up and gave her a full, appreciative look. A loose skirt almost reached her knees, hanging low on her hips where the hem of a tee shirt met the waistband. The slightest movement of her arms exposed an inch or two of bare midriff. The tight nubs of her breasts poked the tee shirt, leaving no question that her bra had been left in the bedroom.

In a flash his groin tightened.

“Want some music while we eat?” She sounded nervous. Looked nervous, too, breathing fast and clenching her hands in front of her, as she watched him watch her. His hunger must have been evident on his face, and it wasn’t for ham and Swiss.

“Sure,” he said casually, “music is good.”

She made her way behind the sofa to the stereo and CDs, but she couldn’t have been prepared for his lightning movements when he grabbed her wrist, twisted on the sofa and dragged her over the back. Her exclamation of surprise was swallowed by his lips on hers as he settled her on his lap.

In seconds, her surprise turned to whimpers of need. Her hands tangled in his hair and her mouth opened. He rearranged her more comfortably over his erection before reaching under her tee shirt. His tongue explored her mouth. She tasted minty, and must have brushed her teeth when she went to change clothes.

Her breasts weren’t large but they were soft, he discovered as his hand caressed her. Lightly he kneaded each globe of flesh, then pinched her nipples until she moaned. He broke the kiss and leaned Derica back against the arm of the sofa. He moved down, placing one of her legs on the floor. Raising her shirt, he bent his head to take her breast in his mouth, while kneading the other with his hand.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes!”

He licked a path from one breast to the other, and moved his hand down her body to the hem of her skirt. Spears of anticipation stabbed him as he ran his hand along the supple skin of her thigh. Then he stopped. No panties. He raised his head to look at her face.

She opened her eyes to stare back. Brazenly, without saying a word, she moved her leg on the floor, spreading herself wide for him.