I slid into the town car much more gracefully that I had before and sat as still as possible, so not to wrinkle my dress unnecessarily. Isabella typed on her phone most of the short drive back to the resort.
“This is where I leave you. I hope that everything met to your satisfaction today, Ms Kinsey and I look forward to seeing you again.” She held out her hand and this time when we shook, my hands were as pretty as hers.
“Thank you, Isabella. This was a day worthy of a queen.”
She giggled then climbed back into the car. She waved as it pulled way.
I took a deep breath and went into the lobby.
Madden was supposed to meet me there at six. It was five minutes till. I clutched the small purse that matched the dress and looked around. Several interested glances slid my way. I hated being the center of attention, but this dress demanded that people look at me. I should have insisted on the high necked blue one.
The air in the room shifted at the same time I felt an awareness crawl up my spine. Madden was there. I turned slowly until I saw him several steps behind me. His gaze moved leisurely over my exposed skin, hesitating at the valley between my bre**asts where the diamond pendant sparkled.
“You look ravishing. Good enough to eat.” His gaze dipped down once more before he took a step forward and held out his arm. I linked mine with his and he pulled me tight to his side. “Every single man in this room wishes he were me right now,” he said close to my ear. “But you’re all mine tonight.”
I looked up and caught his stare. His eyes were dark with possessive desire and I reacted instantly. My skin warmed. Air stuttered in my chest. A sound escaped, part whimper, part moan and his gaze turned stormy. Wild.
“If you keep looking at me like that, Skylar, I’m going to end up bending you over that chair and giving everyone a show.”
His voice was all but a growl and it made me feel reckless. This exquisitely dressed woman was not me, which meant I could play a part tonight. I wanted to have this powerful man begging by the end of the evening.
I leaned in close and he tilted his head down. “Then everyone in this room would see I’m not wearing anything under this dress.
“Fuck,” he muttered darkly. “Room service sounds like a much better plan now.”
This was exactly what I wanted, to give him a little taste of his own torment. “I think I’d like to eat in the restaurant. If you don’t mind of course.”
His jaw clenched tight. He narrowed his eyes at me, but reached out to run a gentle finger down my neck. One touch and I was already melting. “Are you sure?” he asked.
I wasn’t sure of anything at all except that I never wanted him to stop touching me. Triumph shone from his eyes and he moved his hand away. “Shall we go eat then?”
Damn him and his table turning wiles. I had no choice but to walk along side him now, every brush of silk like a dozen fingers caressing my skin with each step. We were seated at a secluded table overlooking the water and Madden ran his fingers down over my shoulders as he helped me to sit.
“The view is stunning,” I said, looking out over the water.
“I agree.” The timbre of his voice pulled my gaze back and I found him staring across the table at me. “Did you enjoy your day?”
I took a sip of water from a crystal goblet to wet my throat. “It was...surreal. I felt like Cinderella getting ready for the ball. Thank you.” I should care more that he was doing all these things for me, but the truth was I was being compensated for my time with him. There was nothing left to morally object to, not that I would. I wanted to be there with him.
Pleasure danced over his face and he smiled.
“Did your day go well?” I asked.
“Very well. We are ahead of schedule which always makes me happy. Maybe tomorrow I can show you around the entire resort. There are over twenty acres, though most are undeveloped. It creates the illusion of privacy and seclusion, which is what draws people here.”
Remembering the view from our room I had to agree. It felt like everything was ours alone.
The waiter set down a plate in front of each of us. One enormous shrimp was curled over the edge of a delicate glass and the bottom was filled with red sauce. Next to it were two spring rolls, one resting against the other, and finally, what looked like the end of a cucumber, carved out and filled with a creamy white sauce that had been sprinkled with tiny red and green petals. It seemed a shame to eat something so pretty, but after the first bite, I couldn't stop if I wanted to. Flavors melded on my tongue and I closed my eyes. Holy god was it good.
When I opened them again, Madden was staring at my lips. I darted my tongue out to make sure there wasn’t any white sauce that I’d missed.