Chapter 3

Adam

This is so not my idea of a party. I’m used to the banquets, sure, but I’m much more used to women, music, singing my praise. I always sneak out of our big royal balls.

And a charity ball? Way too fucking tame.

Everyone’s swanning about, looking classy and talking about boring things. Not a hard beat to be heard, or a well-dressed set of tits in the place.

It’s been almost a year since we left the island, and we’re doing incredibly well. I’ve taken over as head of Finance, while Charlie and Sam are heads of Design and Marketing. We’ve got a solid hold on the company, and we’re waiting for the next big move.

Meanwhile, I’m having a mingle, drinking a bit too much, and wondering if I can keep myself from falling asleep. I can’t believe some people actually call this fun.

I mean, it’s alright, I guess. It’s just not exciting enough. Not to me.

The room seems to settle and go still around me as the crowd parts, and I see that hottie I rescued on the catwalk earlier. For a moment, I’m stunned.

Frozen in ice, and just as hard where it counts.

She’s incredible. She’s floating through the crowd, light as a feather on her very high heels.

She’s wearing a clinging, deep blue dress the exact shade of her eyes. The neckline is very low, draping from the shoulders with skinny straps. From her waist, it falls around her legs in sheer sweeps.

As she walks, the skirts swirl like leaves dancing by the breeze.

I’ve seen plenty of models, trust me, but she doesn’t have that same sort of style. She’s sure of herself, but not full of herself. You can just tell in her body language.

I’m moving towards her before I realize what I’m doing. Looks like this night is going to get pretty exciting after all. Eyes locked on to her, I take in more details as I get closer.

Soft, thick honey locks dressed up in a twist, leaving spare curls dangling down around her face. She’s wearing these killer dangling earrings a bit darker blue than the dress. A jeweled blue choker decorates her neck, long lines of beads shimmering across her skin towards her chest.

Against her light, golden tan, the blue is deep and looks like the sea lapping the shore. Deep blue against golden sand.

I could drown there. In her eyes, in her body. Just give me a shot.

This is the type of beauty you savor slowly, like the very best wine.

She looks a bit tense, sipping her drink daintily and smiling nervously. I join the crowd around her, touching her elbow lightly to get her attention.

“Hello there, gorgeous. Almost didn’t recognize you fully-clothed.” As she turns towards my voice, I give her a smile and a wink.

She blushes and grins as she looks up at me. The blush makes her look innocent and girlish, and I feel a pain in my crotch.

Christ, she’s hot.

“Hi! Ah, Adam? Is that right?”

“Yeah, babe, that’s me. You’re Lacey. I don’t forget the names of damsels I’ve saved.”

“So, that’s a regular thing for you then?” She grins coyly. “Must have quite a few names to remember.”

“No, no.” My smile softens. “There’s only the one that really got my attention.”

“Thank you so much for all your help today.” She leans in, putting her hand on my arm. “It’s really not what a girl wants for her first trot down the catwalk.”

“First time? No shit! Well, I think you did beautifully. You certainly had everyone’s full attention, and I’d venture to say you stole the show—and not just with your little mishap. That aside, I’d love to see more of you up on the runway.”

“You’re too sweet!” She giggles, a kind of secretive sound. Like we’re in on something together. It makes me grin back with a similar energy.

“So, it’s really your first show, huh? How do you like the industry?”

She sips her drink, smile growing deeper and more genuine.

“Actually, it’s not my first time in the industry. I’ve got plans for the future in fashion. Only the modeling gig was something new.”

“So, you aren’t a full-time model? I never would have guessed.” I take a sip of my drink, eyes appreciating every inch of her and loving it more every second that goes by.

“Are you making fun of me?” She squints her eyes, looking at me cock-eyed. I find myself laughing.

“Maybe just a little. Seriously, though. Anyone can have a wardrobe malfunction. You were all class out there.”

“You really think so? I was a bit nervous. All the other girls are so experienced and confident.”

“Well, you have the confidence down, don’t worry about that one bit.”

The sounds of the crowd, their highs and lows of conversation and tinkling glasses, rises and falls around us. I’ve almost forgotten where we are. I can’t stop looking at her.

The dress clings lovingly to her curves, sweeping under her big, ripe breasts, falling against her dainty waist, and caressing her lush hips as it falls into the many layered skirt.

“You like my dress?”

She’s playing with the straw in her drink, touching it lightly with fingertips and lips as she watches me take her entire being in. Her eyes are sparkling with mischief, and she has a half grin playing at her cheeks.

“I do like your dress.” I lean in close, whispering against her ear so close that my breath stirs the earrings, tickling at her neck. “But even more…I think I like what’s underneath it.”

She blushes as I pull away. She grins, blinking and looking cute. My groin has that ache again.

God, I want to just grab her and press my lips to hers. Right here, right now. Don’t give a fuck who’s watching.

I want to feel that velvety skin under my hands. I want to feel her hot mouth opening to mine.

“I’m sorry.” She blushes again, trying to keep her eyes on mine. “I’m not so great at flirting.”

“I think you’re doing fine.” My smile spreads as I see her perk up under my attention. I don’t think she’s even aware that she’s doing it. But the longer my eyes linger, the more she responds.

It’s almost instinctual

Straightening her back to flatten her tummy and push out her chest. Raising one hand to play with her neckline or her choker. Playing with the straw, teasing it in her lips.

All to draw my attention to those places.

I step a bit closer, breathing in her scent.

“So…do you have a boyfriend? Anyone special?”

She shakes her head. “No, not right now.”

“How is a sexy, smart babe like you still single?”

She shrugs, straps sliding down her shoulders. Her breasts do a slight jiggle, and my eyes slip down, just for a second.

“I guess I just never found anyone worth the time. I’ve got my career to worry about, you know?”

I nod, taking a sip of my drink. “I understand completely.”

We stand quietly for a second, looking over the crowd. Impeccably dressed people, carefully talking about nothing. It pisses me off a bit.

“So, Lacey, what do you like to do for fun? What gets you excited?”

“Oh, you know. I love movies and fashion, I’ll do anything to do with those. Eating out, going to a club…what about you?”

I lean in, smiling. I’m ready to put a hand around her waist and lose my drink so I can slip her into a dance.

“I like fast cars. Strip clubs. Late nights in busy pubs. I like thrills. Places like this—they’re okay. Just not enough action.”

She sips her drink. “I suppose. I’ve found it pretty exciting, but then again, it’s my first fashion show.”

I put my drink down nearby, reaching out to put a hand around her waist. I draw her close, but not too close. Just gently pulling her towards me so the heat of her is rising up to my face.

She smells incredible.

“It all depends on your idea of excitement, I guess.” I whisper, close to her face.

My voice is husky. My need for her is rising into my throat. It’s a delicious sensation, bleeding through my body from my bones.

I’m wild with desire—yet restrained, like a beast in a cage of his own making.

She raises her head to look into my eyes, and I think I really might drown this time. She blinks, eyes amazingly big, blue and deep. She’s so innocent; I can see it in how she responds to my touch.

Pliant. Agreeable. But wondering.

A fresh curiosity that you just don’t get with experienced girls. Innocent, begging to be taken, with a carnal desire she can’t wait to explore.

She’s raising her face to mine, lips turning up, eyes falling half-closed. A light smile lingers on her face as I lean down, ready to press her lips to mine.

Once I do that, the fire in me will ignite her. Flames of passion pouring from our mouths, spreading heat to between our legs.

The anticipation is exquisite. I want to draw it out. Enjoy this moment—fresh, beautiful, willing, right here in my hands.

A high, nasal voice cracks through our magic moment.

“Why, there you are, Lacey!”

I try to hold on to her, but she pulls herself up, drawn and tense. I let go, and she takes two steps back.

“Oh. Hello, Mr. Denham,” she says quietly, fiddling with an earring and picking up her drink from a nearby table.

“I just wanted to see if you’re okay. Great show darling, truly. I’d like to talk with you about future opportunities. May I ask for a dance?”

Denham leans forward in a half-bow, showing off his oily, balding patch.

Lacey practically gags and takes a hard swallow of her drink before putting it back on the table, patting her throat.

“No, that’s okay.” She tries hard to look him in the eye and be composed and professional. “I’ve got to—”

“No, don’t be silly.” Denham steps forward, grabbing her hand and starting to drag her towards the dance floor. “All the models have a dance with me! It’s like a tradition!”

I grab her other hand. “Look, the lady said she didn’t want—”

“Adam,” He says, giving me a stare so hard that I drop Lacey’s hand. “It’s none of your concern. It’s just a dance, for Christ’s sake.”

He drags her away, Lacey teetering on her high heels as she tries to catch my eye through the crowd.

Let him have a dance or two. He might as well enjoy it while he can.

I smile lightly. It’s not just Lacey I plan to take from him.