Authors: Ashley Hunter
“Barend, I…”
And before she could get anything else out, the auctioneer said “Sold to Mr. Kensington for $280,000 a lovely win!” Barend stood up and everyone clapped politely.
Oh
My
God
Barend had just spent almost $300,000 on a necklace just because she gasped at it. He walked toward the podium, removed something from his pocket and handed it to the auctioneer in exchange for the necklace. Striding toward her, he had that air of animal wildness to him.
And for a second, there was no one else in the room. He was all she could see. He stepped behind her and she felt the necklace settle on her chest. She could barely see it as it sparkled and caught the light. She reached up her hand to touch it tentatively.
“It’s beautiful. But, that’s too much…”
He cut her off “It’s pocket change Amelia. And it looks beautiful on you. Just enjoy it, ok?” He sat back down beside her and the auction wore on.
By the end of the night, she had almost forgot the underhanded comments, but as fate would have it, one more person would get a jab at her. As they were leaving, a distinguished woman in her early 50’s stepped forward.
“Barend Kensington, it is good to see you.”
“You as well, Mrs. Jennings. I trust your husband is well?”
“Of course, but he couldn’t come. Off on one of his ambassadorships.”
“Tell him I said hello,” Barend smiled and then was distracted when someone else spoke to him. As a result, he didn’t hear the woman lean forward and speak to Amelia.
“Don’t think you will get to keep that, Miss. He hasn’t ever bought for one of his women anything. I’d imagine he did it for show.” Then she walked off.
Amelia wasn’t much of a crier, but at that moment, it was everything she could do to keep the tears from forming in her eyes. She felt like she was an object. She felt like everyone was looking at her knowingly, talking in hushed voices, and even laughing.
What was she to Barend? Besides not knowing him very well and being very confused about who he was and what he wanted from her, she was beginning to feel like she was just another woman in a long line.
Immediately, she decided it probably would be the best thing to stay out of any personal relationship with Barend. She had made a mistake going to this gala with him…kissing him. He was her boss and needed to stay just that. She steeled herself as he walked toward her looking so incredibly attractive.
She wouldn’t give in. No. Not at all. But, look at that jawline. Look at those eyes. Her mind took her back to that amazing kiss from just hours before. It was so incredibly hot. Like no kiss she had ever experienced before. Could she resist him? She really wanted to, but it was questionable.
“Are you ready to leave?” He asked, smiling.
“Yes.” She was still trying to keep from showing emotion, but she ended up sounding angry. Maybe she was a little. He looked at her a little strangely, but still offered his arm and then led her out the door. He didn’t say anything else until they were safely ensconced back in the luxury of the limo.
“What’s wrong, Amelia?”
“Nothing.”
“Oh come on. I know women. That means I know something is wrong.”
“I guess you do know women.” Ok, that sounded pouty and petulant and she knew it.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I know how people were looking at me. They said things to me.”
“Said things?” His voice got deeper and quieter.
“Yeah, well, that last person. Yeah, she said I was just another of your ‘women’ and the necklace was just for show. Doesn’t elicit a great feeling, Barend.”
He didn’t respond right away, but she thought she heard a deep growl in his chest. She wasn’t comfortable with the silence. So she found herself rambling.
“Look. I don’t want to be just another woman. I don’t want to be one in a list you fool around with when you want. I’m not that kind of person. And, it really bugs me you think I am. You are my boss. I shouldn’t be here and that kiss definitely shouldn’t have happened. I don’t know what I was thinking. God, what am I doing? Why did I find the hottest person in the city to work for? This is ridiculous.” She started fumbling with the necklace trying to unclasp it, but her hands were shaking and she ended up fumbling.
“Amelia.” He reached and took her hand away from the necklace, holding it between both of his. “Amelia. Wait a minute, ok?”
“I just…”
“No, you talked. Now hear me out.” His tone was both soft and commanding at the same time. It made her stop mid-sentence. Then, he took a deep breath.
“Amelia, I am not going to lie to you. Yes, I have taken quite a few women to events like that gala. I have had…fairly limited relationships with most of them. My past doesn’t look great to some people, I know. But I was always looking for something and I didn’t know where to find it.
I kept finding myself in physical relationships, but realizing there was nothing else to them. For a while, that worked well for me. I am a man. I enjoy sex. But, over time, I’ve realized something else was missing. I just didn’t know what it was.
And, truth be told, when you walked in my office that first day, I couldn’t see past your amazing curves, your beautiful face. I wanted to throw you across my desk immediately. I have wanted you since I met you. And, up until today, I would have been fine having you and then probably moving on.”
“See? That’s exactly what I don’t want.”
“Let me finish.”
“Ok, I’m sorry.”
“Up until today, I would have had sex with you right here in the limo. But, I was watching you tonight. The way you interact with people. The way you talk. The way you carry yourself. You are graceful, intelligent…just amazing. And, I don’t know yet for sure, but maybe you are the ‘more’ that I am looking for. Maybe that thing that has always been missing is with you.”
She didn’t say anything. For a long time.
“Did I say too much?” He looked at her questioningly.
“No. You didn’t. I just don’t know…”
“Don’t know what?”
“Barend, I was in a long term relationship before I moved here. I loved him. He said he loved me. I believed every word he said to me and I thought he and I were perfect. Then, I caught him in bed with another woman.” She took a deep breath. “It makes me wonder if anyone ever tells the truth.”
There was that rumbling in Barend’s chest again. “How could someone have you and then throw it all away? What was he thinking?”
She didn’t say anything, but just looked down at her hand, still resting in his. Then, he placed his other hand under her chin and gently lifted it to look in her eyes.
“Amelia. I am telling you the truth. I don’t want to just bed you. Well, I want that too. But, I want a relationship with you. I want to see what could happen. Would you give me that opportunity?
Would you give me a chance to show I am not like your idiot ex? Like I said, I won’t lie. I have had quite a few women, but no matter what, I have never cheated on anyone. I never would. Give me a chance, please?”
She must have gotten a look in her eyes, but he kissed her. This time, it wasn’t as fevered as their first kiss. This time, it was slow, soft, and passionate. When she opened her mouth slightly and invited him in, his tongue massaged hers gently. All of the doubt and worry she had just seconds ago melted away as he wrapped an arm behind her back and pulled her closer to him.
Her whole body warmed and tingled. It made her bold enough to reach up and tangle her hand in his hair. Was she willing to give him a chance? It seemed like she would. Maybe he was telling her the whole truth. Maybe he wouldn’t hurt her like Lucas had. Maybe there could be ‘more’ between them.
Finally, he pulled away from her. They were both a little breathless and the look in his eyes was smoldering. But he didn’t touch her further. He didn’t take things further. Not until she gave him permission, it would seem. Instead, he ran the back of his fingers over her cheek very gently.
“You are absolutely gorgeous. Inside and out. When we get to your apartment, I want to come in. But I won’t insist. If you say you aren’t ready for that, then I understand. I will kiss you and go home.”
“I…I don’t know yet.”
“It’s ok. But, know if I did come in, it would be amazing.”
“I do know that” she whispered, trying furiously (and failing) not to blush.
“Oh you do?” He raised an eyebrow. And, it made her flush even more.
“I can imagine. I have a vivid imagination.”
“So do I, Amelia.” As he was speaking, the limo slowed and then stopped. They had arrived at her apartment. She had a decision to make and she wasn’t exactly sure she was ready to.
On one hand, he was so incredibly hot, and she wanted him so much. And she did finding herself liking him, which was pretty funny considering how much she thought she hated him. But, on the other hand, she still wasn’t completely sure she could trust him.
She hadn’t made a decision even up until he walked her to the door. Then, he kissed her again. He pulled her body against the length of his. He kept his hand in the small of her back and the stiffness of his erection strained against his pants. She could feel it. The heady moment got to her and she whispered in his ear “You can come in.”
Then, she turned and fumbled with her keys, trying to unlock the door when her mind was elsewhere. He made a small, discreet gesture and the limo drove away. Then, he waited patiently while she unlocked the door.
Chapter Five
She wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. She really wasn’t sure. The last man she slept with, she also fell in love with and then she had gotten her heart broken. Did she want to go down this road again?
She had never been a one-night stand kind of girl and she knew that deep down, she was developing feelings for Barend. She could tell herself over and over that it was just a fling and that she didn’t even like how he acted at work, but her heart knew better.
Was she going to get hurt again?
It was very hard to question that too much considering the way he was looking at her when they walked in the door of her apartment.
At first, they just stood there. She wasn’t sure what to do.
“So…” She was foundering for something to say.
“Amelia, I don’t have to stay if you are uncomfortable…”
“No, no. I want you here. I really want you here.” She smiled at him. She was trying to give him the green light, but she had been with Lucas for so long she wasn’t even sure how to do that.
But, he must have gotten the picture. Because he stepped forward, put his hand on her face and kissed her. He kissed her so passionately that they both stumbled; her back was suddenly against the wall. He took the opportunity to pin her between that wall and his body. His body heat engulfed her.
She could feel his muscles beneath his suit jacket, and suddenly, all she wanted was to feel his skin. Even while they continued kissing, she pushed his jacket off his shoulders and began working on the buttons of his shirt.
She managed about three of the buttons when he slid his hands down her back to her thighs and then lifted with strength, picking her up off the ground and wrapping her legs around his waist. He was strong. Oh god, was he strong, she thought as she pointed toward the door leading to the bedroom. He took his cue and began to move.
But, neither could stop kissing. He stopped at the door frame, pushing her back against the wood and moving his lips down to her neck, kissing her collarbone and gently nipping the skin. She threw her head back against the door frame, relishing the flood of warmth she felt through her body.
Finally, he made it to the bed and the two fell on it together. He stood up briefly to rip his shirt the rest of the way off. And she gasped. He was every bit as toned and muscled as she had imagined. The dark patch of hair across his chest only accentuated his muscles and she noted a patch of hair making its way downward to disappear beneath his pants.
She wanted to follow it down too and she sat up, playfully tugging at the hair before undoing his belt buckle. He growled deep in his chest and then pulled her to stand back up in front of him.
Reaching behind her, his fingers deftly unzipped her dress, which fell in a silken pool at her feet.
His fingers traced the lacy line of her bra.
“You took my advice.” He smirked.
“It wasn’t so much advice, as I recall. More of a demand.”
“For good reason, Amelia. You look breathtaking.” He bent his head and kissed the crook of her neck, making her gasp. He had found one of her most sensitive spots. But, he didn’t stop there. He trailed kisses down her collar bone, between the curves of her breasts and he knelt as he continued kissing down her stomach and further south to the apex between her legs.