She’d sunk down, slowly letting him stretch her, both moaning as she went. He’d whispered encouragingly, guiding her through riding him the way he liked. She’d loved how deep he’d felt, and it somehow dug up her deep feelings enough for her to share them. She loved when he was inside her, she’d said. She craved him when he’s not around, she’d said. She’d doubted anyone could be a better lover, she’d said. She would miss him so much when he moved to California, she’d said. If she wasn’t in the middle of chasing a big orgasm, she would have probably done them both a favor and jumped in the lake.
That part, however, was not the part that had her on edge. No, it was the part when Dex cupped her face with something powerful shining in his gray eyes as he told her he’d felt the exact same way right before he’d succumbed to his own release.
In the week and half since they’d been back, each time their bodies collided, the experience had been intense. Emotional. Raw. It had been unchecked longing and naked lust and Cayla wasn’t ready. Dex insisted she tag along to a network party meet and greet in California. Apparently, money conservation is a moot point for the reason not to go anywhere when you are talking to a multi-millionaire. She was torn into two people. The person she was wanted time to think and the person she was becoming wants to cling on to Dex and never let go.
Only time would tell which one would win.
Dex checked himself out in the full-length mirror and smiled. He cleaned up quite nicely. His custom tux fit with a James Bond precision that he was loving. All he needed was for his extra quiet date to appear. Cayla had been reserved the whole trip. Granted, it was only day two of seven in California, but they’d only spent two and a half days in Austin with far more interaction.
Dex didn’t tell her, but he had an itinerary of his own that would begin after the party. His goal was to get her to love it. He wanted her there with him and planned to spend the week showing her just that. He had plans to take her to the San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, LEGOLAND, Knott’s Berry Farm, and shopping on Rodeo Drive. Excitement for the possibilities pinged in his body.
He didn’t know if it was Izzie or some of the meetings that kept Cayla at bay or something deeper. She was unsarcastically emotional in Austin. He enjoyed her softer side, but now she was somewhere between the candid and frigid versions of herself.
Dex had a bad feeling in his gut. He knew something would go wrong but had no knowledge how to stop it. He silently prayed his gut was wrong this time. He’d booked a room at the same hotel of the event to save time and travel. Cayla opted to have the salon on the premises to do her hair and make-up. She emerged from the restroom looking flawless although he didn’t think she needed professional help. Her soft hair was swept up in a partial up-do with a few curls hanging to her shoulders. Her makeup remained soft and neutral, giving her a dewy glow with slightly dramatic eye makeup.
She did a modest spin for him showing off the sleeveless dress with the bejeweled bodice in the front and sheer back with a light slathering of jewels at the top that became a more dramatic ensemble of jewels towards the bottom before it flowed out into a soft pink chiffon skirt. Cayla looked like she floated towards him in her new Valentino Metallic Cage Rockstud pumps.
She’d fought him on the purchase arguing about the eleven hundred-dollar price tag. Her scowl deepened when he had the salesman to ring up the matching blush Rockstud clutch. Once she touched it, he could tell she loved it. Dex reached for the velvet box.
“Don’t panic,” he warned. “I got you a bracelet and earrings to wear tonight.” He opened the box showing her the pink diamonds inside. “I would have purchased them for you to keep, but since you fought me on everything else I’d purchased, these are just rented for the event.”
Some of the tension eased out of her shoulders. Dex knew not to take her too fast, but that knowledge didn’t stop him from purchasing a pink diamond ring set in a rose gold band. He had no intention of proposing during their trip, but he was happy to have it just in case. He loved her. He did plan to tell her at some point during the week. He’d just wait for the perfect moment to present itself.
“These are beautiful,” she gushed as he clasped the bracelet around her wrist. She moved to the mirror to add the earrings.
“You are beautiful.” She blushed and moved away from the mirror. “Cayla, if something is bothering you, now would be time to tell me before we go down to the party.” He turned her to him. “You can tell me anything and I will listen.”
Cayla shook her head and smile. “I’m just amazed; it’s so much to take in at one time. You’re really about to be a celebrity.”
Dex smiled knowing that was only part of it. “Trust me; you can’t possibly be more nervous than me.”
“I bet,” she agreed.
They arrived at the party eight minutes later. It was in full swing with all the behind the camera important people. Network heads, directors, and investors mingled while they snacked on fancy hors d'oeuvre and drank expensive wines.
Izzie flanked him. Her classic black dress contrasted highly with her Icelandic features. She was stunning.
“Dex, darling! You look fabulous. Cayla, you look lovely! Stay close to Dex; someone will try to take you for their own.”
Dex watched Izzie closely. No crazy expressions, body language is relaxed, a genuine smile was on her face. Izzie wasn’t pulling a mean girl act. He eliminated her from the possible reason for Cayla’s distance. Not having a discord between his agent and his woman was a good thing, yet it did nothing to loosen the knot in his stomach.
An hour in, they’d made rounds and met new people. Cayla was becoming friendlier, and some of the tensions started to ease in his shoulders. He’d even introduced her as his girlfriend on the last interaction, and she didn’t correct him. Maybe he was paranoid. Cayla had told him in Austin that he was all she thought about, maybe part of him was trying to be Nick-like and self-sabotage.
Then he saw him. The culmination of his worst fears. Nathan Brooks. He’d met Nathan several times at one mixer or another and liked him. But this was the absolute worst time to run into each other again. Nathan Brooks caused women to stop and stare at him at every event he attended. His impeccable taste was born from being one of the best friends of Cody Powers, the men’s magazine juggernaut.
Nathan had smooth dark skin, thick lashes, a toned body, and perfect white teeth. He’d disarmed plenty of women with his movie star smile. In other words, he was a physical manifestation of Cayla’s list: black, well-educated, successful, and very easy on the eyes. His hair was cut low, and Dex could see his waves from where they were standing. Visually, he fell somewhere between Lance Gross and Kofi Siriboe, but his body was a little thicker than Lance’s.
Dex remembered that the last time they’d crossed paths was on his Lake Tahoe getaway; Nathan and his friends had the same idea for a little R & R getaway. They’d run into each other in the sauna where his friends ribbed him about gaining extra muscle to keep up with Adriel’s addiction to black women. Dex had given them a brief, shallow run down about Cayla. Nathan had smiled good naturedly and complained about now having to compete with all the white men for a good black woman.
Nathan caught his eye and sent him a genuine smile. Dex smiled back and prayed like hell he’d stay away. He tapped Cody and pointed in his direction. Shit. Worse, Dex felt the exact moment Cayla noticed him. She did a double take and emitted a soft gasp. Dex pushed back his jealousy. He’d noticed several attractive women since knowing Cayla; it didn’t mean he was going to act on it.
“Dex, my man. It’s good to see you while we’re not sweating our asses off,” Nathan joked.
Dex returned the handshake with a chuckle. Cody went into work mode.
“Let me have a look at your outfit, Dex. Black Berluti custom tux and cuff links, Piaget Emperador Cushion watch with black crocodile band. Berluti black Chelsea boot. Beautiful woman. I approve. You’re Powers Magazine approved, Dex. Not that I doubted it.”
Cody w