Chasing Beautiful (Chasing Series #1) Read online

  I grunted my frustrations. Kyle reached out for my hand, clasped it with his and placed it on his lap. “Baby, it’s going to be fine. You’re worrying for nothing,” smiling brightly as he kissed my hand. The cab stopped outside the gallery.

  My heart was in my throat and I was anxious to see the images Chad chose.

  We entered the building and a uniformed waiter with champagne flutes greeted us. I took two flutes and gulped them one after the other like they were water. Okay, now I’m better. Kyle shook his head in amusement.

  I looked around me and saw Chad’s perfect artistry at its best. Wow, that friend of mine is hella gifted. One of the images was of a woman at the repair shop as she provocatively posed, bare-naked. Another was of a man and a woman on the hood of the car making love in a cemetery. My eyes took in the portraits. An image of a woman holding a guitar looked captivating. Another image was of a woman with two men posing illicitly against each other but it was done in a way that provoked sexual thoughts and yet, pulled off the look of making it chic. I passed by them feeling all hot and bothered as people gathered in admiration.

  It was sex, sex and more sex.

  Sex blanketed the whole gallery as people buzzed about Chad’s eye for beauty. As provocative as they are, he made the images look sophisticated somehow and not raunchy. He managed to capture that essence of the moment where you feel like you’re there with them and you’re watching them in the act. It was beautiful.

  “Baby love, finally, you’re here! What do you think?” Eyeing me, cautiously, gauging my reaction.

  “Chad you’re a genius! These are quite amazing! Tonight’s your big break baby! You had better not forget me when you go global.” I hugged him tightly as my heart soared for him. I know how long he’s been waiting for someone to acknowledge his work and after tonight, he’d be the toast of London.

  “As if! There’s no way a person can forget you baby love. You have a way of making people remember you.”

  Do I? Huh.

  Smiling, I hugged his waist. “Who’s all here? Luce and Toby?”

  “She texted me a few minutes ago. She said they’d be here in ten to fifteen minutes tops.”

  The gallery was filling up with a lot of artsy people. Where are the portraits of me and Troy? I looked around for Kyle but he was nowhere in sight.

  “If you’re looking for Kyle, he’s at the encore of the show. Come, I’ll show you.” Holding my elbow with his hand, he guided me towards the end of the room and made a quick left. He showed me to another room where it was dimmer and darker. The only lighting came from the ceiling directly above each of the twelve portraits of me and Troy. My breath caught.

  The images were impressively stunning. The woman in the picture was seductive, confident, and in-charge of her world. I was rendered speechless.

  Chad placed an arm around my shoulders. “Now do you see what everybody sees, baby love? Never let the past dictate you. Don’t berate yourself because you aren’t tall enough or you don’t have a slimmer figure—you’re beautiful—inside and out—scars and all. I wanted these images to capture how I see you; how we all see you, so that you’ll realize how special you are. You’re a strong woman love, no matter what life throws at you—you always come out braver than before. It’s time to be free of the shackles because if you don’t, the Brown’s win. Look around you—this woman is bold and fearless.”

  I got choked up as I turned my body and hugged him with all of my heart. “Thank you.” I whispered in a wobbly voice. He was such a good friend and I would always remember what he did for me. I would never forget it.

  “That’s what friends are for. Let’s not ruin our make-up hmmm? Go over to Kyle,” pointing to far right corner. “I have to greet my other guests in the other room.”

  I nodded and whispered ‘I love you’ as he kissed my forehead and whispered the same words back to me.

  I went over to where Kyle was standing and staring intently at my image. I was on the bed with underwear on and my boobs were covered with only a drape of a black silk sheet. One leg on the bed, the other leg slightly bent above it. Both of my arms were above my head, lips parted as I stared provocatively at the camera. Oh, that looks hot!

  Kyle was silent as he took in the image. I didn’t say a word because he had a pained expression. Odd, not the impression I would’ve thought it would provoke.

  “That morning in Lake Tahoe, you looked—exactly like this when I came out of the shower. And I thought to myself, how lucky am I? I have a gorgeous woman who loves me to bits; I felt blessed. Seeing this portrait—made me see what I had lost again.”

  Fuck, I didn’t expect him to say that. That was the morning after we made love for the first time. I remember seeing him coming out of the shower and my heart happily swelled at the sight of him.

  Fuck-fuckity-fuck.

  This night was becoming an upheaval of emotions. Kyle’s I could do without. I felt shaky inside and I didn’t know what to say to him, so I stayed quiet.

  A squeal broke from another room. I smiled at Lucy’s enthusiasm. I kindly excused myself to meet Lucy in the other room and he smiled sadly at me. Fuck, Kyle. Don’t do this to me, my eyes pleaded.

  I gulped some air after I left the room. I found Luce and Toby talking animatedly with Chad. I went over to join them and we all gushed over Chad. He looked so happy and my heart contracted seeing him like that. A few people came over to get him and they introduced him to some other guests. All three of us went to check out some other portraits. I chuckled throatily as I found Lucy’s face flushed from the images before her.

  “Sienna Richards,” A booming, deep voice behind me announced. I turned and found Troy smiling elatedly.

  “Troy! How are you!” squealing from surprise. I hadn’t seen him for a month and I was excited. I gave him a tight hug.

  “Are you trying to give me a cardiac arrest? ’Cause you’re about to accomplish that if you come any closer with that miniscule dress on,” I reddened. Holy guacamole! Was he flirting with me? That’s a first.

  “Cheeky tonight, aren’t we?” I jested back at the handsome hunk of a man.

  His gaze fell on Lucy and Toby who were watching the exchange with interest. “Hello, I’m Troy. Sienna’s counterpart in the shoot,” they all shook hands and Luce smiled brightly at the sight of him. Troy looked like his usual hot self, scruffy and rugged with his well-worn jeans and black leather jacket. He has a tad bit of extra dangerous edge when he puts his hair in that tiny ponytail. He’s such a badass. One time he arrived at Chad’s on a Ducati 848 black on black motorcycle. I swooned then. Hot guy and a hot piece of motorcycle—totally too HOT to handle!

  When Toby and Troy started talking about football, Luce whispered in my ear. “He’s quite a hot hunk, Sienna! He seems too keen on you. Just be careful. Blake might not be too happy about that. You know how he gets.” Yes, I do know. But he has nothing to worry about. I love him…but he doesn’t know that…yet.

  “So, where are these infamous portraits of yours?” Toby asked and I pointed them to the other adjacent room. When they left, Troy moved closer—with a smile that made his eyes dance. Hmmm, what’s he up to now?

  Amused, I had to ask, “What?”

  Troy shook his head. “Your pictures were really great. Chad managed to capture your vulnerability and your sass at the same time. I actually asked him to print and send me all twelve portraits—in a smaller scale of course.” Get out of here! No, way!

  “Why would you do that? You liked ’em that much?”

  “You just sizzled and besides, we looked good together. The chemistry was palpable in those pictures,” Troy said looking me straight in the eye. My mouth ran dry. No, shit. I remembered during the shoot, I would tremble from his extra close proximity. Or a moan would escape me when his breath reached my ear or when his chest grazed my nipples.

  There was a passing waiter and I turned around to get a flute of champagne.

  Sipping the champagne soothed my scattered ne
rves.

  My back was turned to Troy. He came up behind me, almost touching but not. I felt the heat of his body as his hot breath touched my ear. My eyes were glued to the champagne flute in my hand as his voice filtered through the music being played. “I want to see more of you. Think about it. You know my number.” With that neck hair-raising encounter, Troy parted and joined his friends who gathered close to the entrance where there was a lounge area.

  I blinked a few times. What just happened? Did he just ask me out?

  No shit, Sherlock.

  Draining my drink, I was going to look for my friends when a dark figure across the room stopped me in my tracks. I went over to him, but my excitement halted when I saw his scowl. “You came!” I stammered.

  “Yes, I was invited if it escaped your notice.” I deserved his cold treatment, but it didn’t help lessen the pain that gnawed at my heart.

  I went closer, cradling the sides of his face and kissing his beautiful, sexy mouth for a good minute and released him. Ouch, he barely opened his mouth. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.” I told the man who had me on tenterhooks as I took in how handsome he looked in a dark grey suit. He thawed a little bit—just a wee bit.

  “Blake! Good to finally see you emerge from your tycoon lifestyle!”

  “I wouldn’t miss your debut, Chad. You should know better.”

  Touched by Blake’s support for him, Chad held his hand close to his heart. “Thank you. You don’t know how much your support means to me. Lover, would it be okay if I steal your girlfriend for a second? There’s a bunch of people who want to meet her.”

  “Of course, as long as you don’t let her out of your sight. Men are eyeing her like vultures ready to pounce.” Damn. Way to go, Blake.

  Blake asked where my portraits were and Chad pointed to the room as he guided me to a group of artsy people chatting. They were painters and photographers. Some independent and some worked with famous magazines and celebrity portraits. It was an impressive group and I enjoyed our conversation. They wanted to know if I would model for them. I kindly told them that I’d think about it. After spending a good fifteen minutes with them, I excused myself to find Blake. I passed Lucy and Toby who were talking to another couple. Toby smiled but Luce stopped me. “What’s up?”

  “Blake and Kyle are having words. You should rush before they rip each other’s heads off.”

  I was about to turn left when an angry looking Kyle sprinted by, almost knocking me over. “Baby, you okay? I didn’t see you. I’m sorry.” I held his arm as I looked at him questioningly. “I’m leaving. The show was great. You looked amazing baby. See you Monday at the office okay?” He gave my lips a peck and sprinted towards Chad.

  I entered the dimly lit room and found Blake standing in the center of it, eyes staring blankly at a portrait of Troy and me. “Blake?” I touched his arm lightly. He took a hold of my arm and linked it to his, lightly tugging me, making me follow him out of the room. Don’t panic. We’ll work it out. He said he loved me. Why, he did, didn’t he? So, why hasn’t he said it again?

  Instead of turning right to go back to the main room, he kept going forward to where I presumed the offices were located. He dragged me to the last one on the right. Opening the door, he flicked the switch, closed the door and locked it. It was a decent sized office with a big desk and a leather couch sitting across it with a coffee table that had magazines splayed neatly across it.

  I turned around to face him, but he was leaning against the gray door, eyes closed, hands in his pocket and his nose flaring—a clear indicator that he was furious with me. The portraits, of course. I didn’t want to argue about that. I did it for Chad and I don’t give a hoot if he’s mad about it. I love him… I do, but he just can’t bulldoze his way around me.

  “Sienna—this is not how I pictured my reunion with you after almost six weeks of not seeing each other. I’m being rotten—I know. But I’m being eaten alive with jealousy. I can’t think or breathe without pain. Was that the man who took you home—the same night when you started working for Kyle?”

  “Yes…” I admitted in a soft whisper.

  “Did anything happen with you and this man? Anything at all?”

  I shook my head. “No, apart from the intimate poses, no. Not in that sense.”

  His eyes fluttered open; the intensity of liquid silver dominated his midnight blue eyes, gold flecks gone. The constant shift of his eye color depended on his mood and I was frozen in awe. He was compellingly riveting and spellbinding to those around him. Does he know the kind of power he has over his looks alone? Does he know he can make me fall at his feet with a smile? Or is it the fact that he can slice me in two with a mere glance?

  “Are you attracted to him?”

  Am I? I swallowed. He is hot, but enough to tempt me away from Blake? No, I don’t think there’s a man out there who could. “Yes, he’s good looking. But am I tempted? No. I only want you, Blake. I’ve only ever wanted you from the moment you kissed me. There’s only one you and I’m not going to jeopardize us over asinine curiosity.”

  He moved past me and leaned slightly against the mahogany desk.

  “Come here.” Blake commanded in a soft voice, but with an edge of something I couldn’t pinpoint at the time. I did go and stand before him, but he didn’t even try to touch me.

  “Show me I’m the only one. Prove it.”

  Prove it, he said. “Fine,” and I would. I had been aching for him. If playing charades would get him to be inside me then who was I to decline his request?

  Gradually unbuckling his belt and his pants, I pulled his boxer briefs down all the way to his ankles. When his cock sprung free from the confines of his briefs, my insides melted from the sight of it and a flow of liquid oozed freely from my pussy. I knelt before him and took him in my mouth. His sharp indrawn of breath pleased me. Sucking his shaft all the way to the back of my throat and back out, all the way to his engorged head repeatedly.

  His large hand pulled my hair and he rasped for me to stop. He commanded me to prop my elbows on the desk and to spread my legs open. I felt him behind me as he pulled the ends of my dress and hiked it all the way above my butt. His finger traced the outline of the soft lace that covered my ass all the way to my pussy and rubbed furiously. “You only get wet for me, Sienna?” His tone told me he was still angry.

  “Only you, Blake.” I croaked as his finger drove me insane, my mind totally incapable of thinking.

  “Are you lying to me?” What the fuck? How many times did I have to tell this infuriating man?

  “Why the hell would I lie to you? There’s no one else I want more than you.” It was so difficult to concentrate when his finger wouldn’t stop rubbing me. I was trying with all my might to get it together.

  A harsh sound came from him as he ripped my thong into two and flung it on the floor. He didn’t tease his engorged head on my opening like he usually did. He just inserted himself with one powerful thrust. He growled, “Santo Cielo! I’ve been dreaming about your silk tightness for so long—forgive me if I can’t control myself. God help me—but I can’t stop wanting you.” He held my hips tighter and pounded me very hard. His force was titillating and I lifted my ass more so that he could get his fill. My invitation was awarded with another growl. He lifted me so we were both on our feet as he cupped my boobs and used them to fuck me harder.

  “Baby…you feel so good…don’t stop…” I said in between moans. He bit the spot where my shoulder and neck connected. I yelped from the searing pain his teeth caused.

  Blake pulled out and swiftly placed my limp body on the wide mahogany desk. Hooking my legs on his hips, he plunged inside me again. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He was watching his cock pummel my pussy and I had never seen a sexier look evoked on his face. I groaned as he shifted his position into grinding speed. “I only want you…only you…” I panted, out of breath.

  His hands held my shoulders and both of his thumbs pressed firmly on my throat. His
dominating position made the effect of his fucking even more powerful. “You belong to me. I’m taking what’s mine.” The pressure on my throat and the pressure from my groin put together simply combusted me. Multiple-orgasms quaked and vibrated my entire body as he poured his seed in my womb.

  Blake pulled me gently to him as he placed a gentle kiss on my lips. “Thank you, my love. I needed that.” Thankful as he heavily panted against me

  You can have me that way anytime. That was the best sex ever! Ever!

  I lovingly smiled at him. “No, thank you! I love it when you’re rough and unhinged. I enjoyed every second of it.”

  “Good to know because that was only the appetizer. I have more coming your way tonight.” He gave me a wicked smile and at that moment, my heart convulsed with love.

  I love you…

  “Sounds like a plan but for now—we have to get back before our friends start a search party for us.”

  I picked my ripped underwear off of the floor and was about to throw it in the waste bin when he took it from my hand. He bunched it up and placed it on his nose, inhaling it.

  Oh. My. Goodness.

  His dazzling god-like smile in place, he shoved my torn underwear in his breast-pocket. “Just a token of this eventful night, amore,” his toe-curling voice made me want to jump on him, but instead, I settled on his lips. Amore, he said.

  Love.

  The man did speak five languages, fluently.

  Thirty-Two

  We’ve been seeing each other daily. Today’s Thursday and he’ll be leaving again Sunday. Long distance with Blake is such a bummer. And since he’s leaving soon, I’ve decided to surprise him at one of the corporate offices in South Bank.

  The idea came when I was walking out of my last class of the day. It was only three in the afternoon and I didn’t feel like going home early so I immediately hailed a passing cab. The high-rise glass building was magnificent.

  I eyed the automatic glass door wearily. I wasn’t exactly dressed appropriately for office visits. It was nearing the end of August and the weather’s been chilly for the last few days. But today, the weather greeted me with warm rays of sunshine and I succumbed to the impulse of wearing this outfit. I was wearing a well-worn looking short denim skirt, white cami and dark brown cowboy boots with my hair down, finishing my look—a look of a college student no doubt. Oh well, whatever. I want to see him; who cares what people think? I didn’t wear much make-up today. Well, I don’t usually do much when I go to school. All I need is tinted moisturizer, a dab of gloss and a few swipes of mascara.