“It will. People will be talking about your debut for years to come! I bet you’re going to be inundated with requests to design for the red carpet. Your dresses are reminiscent of old Hollywood glamor, and they’re fabulous. I’ve lined up Selena Cross to come see you before the premiere of her new film. She’s a pain in the ass, but she’ll showcase your designs beautifully. And my friend Evie will want a Jace Hardy original when her next movie releases too.”
“Evie?”
“Yeah, Evangeline Masters. She’s about to start filming a vampire movie. It’s calledNewly Undead in Dark River. It’s a mix of sexy and funny, and believe it or not, the main character has a harem of men. Dec optioned it up when he and the guys started dating Harlow. He wants to try to normalize those kinds of relationships, and what better way to do it than through mainstream media?”
He stops and demands, “Pinch me,” all of a sudden. I’m confused for a moment, but Riku walks up and does as he asked.
“Ow! Shit. Did you have to do it so hard?” He rubs at the spot that Riku grabbed.
“Now you know you’re not dreaming for sure, right?” He laughs, and the rest of us join in while Jace continues to grumble.
“When are you going down to NOLA?” Alex calls out as we keep walking.
“Probably not until Friday evening. I’ve got engagements all week.” I turn my head to look at him while I’m talking, so I catch his frown.
“Is Ash going with you to them?”
I pull Jace to a stop, forcing the others to stop or risk running into us. I turn so we’re now all in a circle.
“Are you okay with that? I won’t do it if it upsets you.”
He waves his free hand. “I’m fine, or I will be. I’m still trying to reconcile the truth with my heartbroken assumptions. No, I won’t stop you from helping your family out.”
“Okay, but promise me, and this goes for all of you” —I meet each one of their eyes, including Riku’s— “if you have problems with it at any stage, we need to talk about it. The press is going to make assumptions and speculate, and the three of you will probably read some of that rubbish. If you feel like you can’t deal with it, let me know, and I’ll call it off. We’ll find another way to appease the shareholders.”
They all murmur their agreement as the breeze picks up off the ocean, and I start to shiver despite Shane’s coat.
“Come on. There’s an awesome ice cream parlor not far from the hotel. We can get some to go, and I’ll let you lick it from my body.” Alex pulls away from Shane and runs toward me. He bends down and throws me over his shoulder. The squeal that leaves my lips seems to echo over the ocean as he runs up the beach to where we left the car. Shane’s, Jace’s, and Riku’s laughter follow us up the steps.
* * *
When we get back to the hotel with our ice cream, the guys leave me and Alex at the elevator, claiming they want to get a drink at the bar. I’d seen the four of them having a quiet powwow while I was deciding what flavor I wanted, so I guess they must have been making plans.
“That’s okay. I’ll go up and help Jacinta put all of this in the freezer.” Alex waves the bag with the ice cream, and the guys just roll their eyes good-naturedly and wave goodbye.
The ride up is quiet, with Alex chewing on his lip as I fumble around for something to say. Why the fuck am I so awkward right now? I’m usually good at flirting, but all of a sudden, I feel as shy as a virgin on prom night. I try drastically hard to think of something to say, but I’ve got nothing. The sexual tension floating between us is just too thick.
“So…” I begin, but I trail off, fumbling around. I sigh with relief and rush out when the elevator door opens. I hear Alex chuckle close behind me as I beeline for my door and get it open. Alex steps past me, his body rubbing deliciously against mine, and I squash a small moan that wants to break free. When my eyes meet his gorgeous green ones, I see the heat and desire in them, and I know he feels the same way.
I let the door close behind me as he walks over to the kitchen and sticks all but one tub of ice cream in it. He reaches into a drawer and pulls out a spoon, then, with the tub in hand, saunters back to me. “Come on.”
He grabs me by the hand and leads me to the balcony doors before pushing them open and stepping out. I shiver as the cool breeze off the ocean whips around us, but Alex just flicks the switch on the overhead heating, and the balcony starts to warm up. Together, we walk to the canopied daybed on the veranda. Pulling back the gauzy curtains, he helps me into it before passing me the tub of ice cream and the spoon.
“I’ll be right back,” he tells me, then leaves me in the darkened hideaway, only the ambient light from outside letting me see anything. I use my phone to look around the space, and when I find a switch, I flick it on. Twinkling party lights brighten up the entire area, giving it a warm, romantic elegance.
It doesn’t take long for Alex to return with a bottle of champagne and the duvet from my bed. He climbs through the curtains, letting them fall closed behind him, and I watch in bemusement as he fusses around, setting up a little nest. He fluffs the cushions at the top of the bed and places the ice cream, champagne, and glasses on a little side table built into the space. Finally, he fluffs out the blanket and looks around with a satisfied grin.
He pours us both a glass of champagne. Handing me one, he holds his up.
“To exciting new beginnings.” He clinks his glass against mine and tosses his champagne back in one gulp. Not to be outdone, I do the same, and he quickly pours us another. “To all of us making a go of it.” That glass goes down as fast as the last, and we’re both giggling when he takes the glass back and tosses them off the side of the bed. Thankfully, I don’t hear anything break. He then gets on his hands and knees and crawls over to me, not stopping until he has me flat on my back, giggling as he tickles me.
“Finally got you all to myself! You have no idea how long I’ve dreamed of this.” His whole body surrounds me as he bends down and takes my mouth with his. It starts off soft and caressing, but it becomes demanding as he grinds his body into mine, my thighs dropping open so I can get the delicious friction right where I need it. When we pull apart, we’re both breathing heavily, and his eyes are hooded with desire.
He sits up and drags me with him before lifting the hem of my dress up and over my head, tossing it away. His eyes drink in my lingerie-clad body, his hands skimming over my skin as he reverently strokes it. “Look at this pale, milky skin. I’ve been dying to get my hands and tongue on it.” He takes one of my lace-covered nipples into his mouth. I gasp and throw my head back as he uses his tongue to lick before engulfing it in his mouth and sucking.
“Let’s get rid of all of this, as pretty as it is.” His voice is low and husky, and he makes quick work of my underwear so that I’m lying completely naked before him. “Gorgeous!” Again, he runs his hands over me lightly and gently, like he wants to map my body under his hands. His hands drift to my thighs, and he pushes them apart. I feel my cheeks heat as he stares down at my pussy, his gaze intense. The anticipation that’s building in my body curls my toes until I start to squirm under his scrutiny. A mischievous grin spreads over his lips, and he gives me a quick kiss, reaching for the ice cream that’s next to us.
“Patience, I’ve dreamed of this for so long, and I don’t plan on rushing it.” He pries open the lid and scoops out some of the cold, creamy treat before painting my body with it. I squeak with how cold it is against my overheated flesh, but I start to pant when he paints my sensitive parts with it—first across my belly then each nipple. He lowers his head, and I feel his tongue swipe across the first path that has started to melt and run down my sides. He licks and sucks, and I squirm beneath his ministrations, the slide of his tongue made rougher by something in the ice cream.
