Chasing Beautiful (Chasing Series #1) Page 6

  “Aw, how you read my mind, Knightly! Thank you! Thank you!”

  “I hope this will make up for all the energy you invested with me since this morning. Come.” Like I wouldn’t forgive him?

  Blake held the door and we stepped inside. The reception area was a white and glass combination, giving a chic clean-cut effect.

  “Mr. Knightly, welcome back!” greeted the auburn haired, blue-eyed, svelte lady with a flirty smile.

  “Krista, Hello! How are you?” Blake said acting polite but distant.

  “I’m very good, Mr. Blake.” Krista gazed back through her lashes, quite suggestively. With a few taps on her keyboard, she spoke again. “Okay, your room is ready. Olga will show you to it.” I caught her wink at him and bite her bottom lip.

  I almost grunted out loud from her obnoxious, flirty attitude.

  Disgusting much?

  Jesus.

  Olga appeared almost immediately and politely showed us to our reserved room.

  I couldn’t run out of there fast enough.

  My massage haven awaits.

  Ten

  The moment I walked in there, I felt like I had walked on to a set of the Arabian Nights. It had an oval-shaped pool that was decorated with rose petals. Further to the left in the room stood a colorful silk tent and beaded throw pillows, kaftan rugs. Large glass bowl-stands with petals and floating candles embellished the room.

  The masseuse tables situated at the edge of the tent, sat about ten feet from a lightly-lit fireplace. The strategically placed scented candles made the ambiance intimate, seductive and downright romantic. The room smelled of romance, a mixture of roses and berries with hinted notes of vanilla.

  I was guided to the ‘his and hers’ changing rooms and it was requested that I wear this skimpy, barely there thong. I smirked.

  Great, how the heck will I ever be comfortable lying next Blake almost naked? I was going to doze off the minute those powerful hands started kneading my back; I was sure of it.

  Is romance what Blake has in mind? Is it possible? Why would he book a suite?

  He could’ve gotten separate rooms, but he didn’t.

  So, if it is, am I ready to date him? I was and I wasn’t.

  I had just gotten out of being with Kyle. True, but I was sure as hell not emotionally ready for someone as intense as Blake. That was like taking on Hurricane Katrina.

  Besides, he doesn’t seem to be keen on long-term relationships anyway.

  Apart from Kyle, I haven’t been with anyone else, emotionally or physically. And Blake is a very intense person. How the heck would I handle him? Women were beyond helpless when he ends it with them. They were hysterical, calling incessantly hoping he would take them back. It was mayhem.

  He never does.

  No, thank you. I didn’t want to be one of those women.

  Risking our friendship over sexual satisfaction? Maybe? I shoved that thought quickly to the back of my mind.

  I came out of the changing room dressed in a thong and a robe. I made my way towards the massage tables. My masseuse, a tall stern-looking man—possibly Eastern European, waited patiently for me. He introduced himself as Alec.

  Blake was already on his stomach and had a scant towel draping his glorious ass. His back was all ripping-hard muscles, defined and cut. He had his head down even though the session hadn’t started yet. I was sure he did that to make me feel less uncomfortable when I tried to position myself on the narrow table.

  Hopefully, that scant towel will be enough to cover my bottom.

  Alas, as dreadfully predicted, it barely just covered it. Most times I’m proud of my “well-rounded assets” but at times like these, I wish they were less rounded.

  As they started working on our backs, Blake turned, reached out and touched my arm softly.

  “Feeling better?”

  I smiled shyly at him, “Yes, thank you. It’s just what I really needed. Next time I’ll be the one giving you surprises.” His beautiful face lit up, giving me a devilish grin.

  “I’ll hold you to that!”

  I nodded, tranquility washing over me as I closed my eyes, still facing him.

  Shouldn’t I be mourning the loss of Kyle? Yet from the moment I opened my eyes today, Blake railroaded my thoughts, putting Kyle somewhere faraway and distant.

  How was that possible?

  I was crying my eyes out last night and today I felt like an entirely different person.

  Powerful hands started to work their way down to my lower back. Hovering around where the hump of my butt started. Kneading thumbs and fingers made the towel slide lower. I gasped from a jolt of pain and exhaled deeply, lips slightly parted.

  The pain felt good and I welcomed it. The stress I had from the last couple of weeks had taken its toll on my body.

  Opening my eyes, I found Blake staring intently at me. He didn’t smile or speak, but kept those magnetic eyes locked unto mine. I swallowed, nervous. Those eyes have the power to penetrate and reach inside of me. It was disconcerting.

  He’s been doing that a lot today.

  Not knowing what to do, I closed my eyes again.

  Christ, I’m so screwed! Heaven help me if he did try something.

  God knows I have a hard time resisting Blake when he asks something of me. But this Blake—pure full-on Casanova mode Blake—would be my undoing.

  The smell of roses and the crackle of fire lulled me to sleep, unperturbed and tranquil.

  I happily dozed off into a blissful slumber.

  I woke up from the soft-click of a door closing.

  Befuddled from my nap, I glanced around and realized that I was alone, lying there almost naked and asleep.

  The darkened lighting from the candles made it hard to see much further into the room.

  “Blaaaake?” I called out. I sat up and looked for my robe, but it seemed it had vanished! It was nowhere in sight.

  Biting my lip, I pulled my long hair forward to cover my breasts; it was good enough to cover my nipples, but not enough to cover the outline of my boobs.

  I tried to gather my wits.

  “In here!” called out Blake. Where was in here? He barely echoed.

  Slowly walking barefoot in a thong, and my boobs partially covered by my long hair, I glanced around in the dimly lit room.

  “Blake!” my voice laced with urgency. I started to make my way to the pool area, but couldn’t see him.

  Instantly, out of nowhere, he started gliding from the darkened corner on the left-side of the pool.

  My eyes rounded, in admiration.

  My, God! I’m going to have a heart-attack.

  Gaping at his muscled pecs and six-pack abs, his wet hair swept back, I felt a jolt of instantaneous lust.

  I swallowed hard.

  He was breathtaking.

  Wow. I’ve never seen his chest before. NOW, I really think he was made perfect!

  Rooted to where I was standing, heart beating erratically and barely just—breathing, I was mesmerized by his sheer beauty—I barely forgot to take note that I was almost as naked as he was.

  “Care to join?” glancing at me, with that same look as at the massage table.

  He looked like he was ready to pounce. Still and waiting…

  That look was full of yearning… and pure blatant lust.

  My stomach flipped-flopped.

  Standing there virtually naked, I was staggered, astonished.

  Being in this room with him, the air—the smell of heady perfumed roses—the darkened setting of candles, making the room glow—I suddenly felt like I was there purposely to do his bidding!

  Enraptured and enthralled, I slowly walked to the pool—joining my god-like mortal of a man, without breaking eye contact.

  I was in a dreamlike state.

  I went in the pool scattered with rose petals. The water gently rippled as I went deeper in, but I stopped when the water barely hit the tips of my hair.

  Standing on the very last step of the pool, I looked
over to where he stood, unmoving like a statue—but his electric midnight eyes, roved all over my body, branding me.

  I gasped from the burning, ardent-filled scrutiny from his roaming eyes.

  He moved towards me. His tanned, rippling body glistened with water. My eyes examined his abs, slowly making my way to his hardened chest, his broad shoulders, his neck, his enticing lips, until my eyes stopped at his burning, silver-rimmed midnight blue eyes.

  The air was charged, electric and perfervid.

  Looking up to his face, I was stunned, frozen. He was so tall and all-male.

  I gasped as he traced his thumb over my bottom lip, his eyes darkened.

  “You look like a goddess—exquisite and beautiful,” he rasped as the back of his finger gently stroked my neck and collarbone with utter concentration. I shuddered from his delicate touch.

  “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for you, my sweet, Sienna. I’ve always wanted you—from the moment our eyes met. I wanted you, badly—but you were with someone else. I’ve been patient—biding time—until you were free. And so here we are.”

  I drew breath and slightly wetted my dry lips. He’s always wanted me? Whaaaat?! This is insane! How the heck did I not see this?

  Being with Blake would be passionate—thrilling and tumultuous.

  Did I have the capacity to go through a circus ring? I wanted him, no doubt. My mind boggled; I couldn’t think straight. As much as I was attracted to Blake, I didn’t know if I was ready, just yet. He was too intense, too commanding, too everything. But at the same time, I was hypnotized and my mind was beyond puzzled. It really was disconcerting.

  “Blake—I,” I looked at him with beseeching eyes. Licking my dry lips, “I don’t think I’m ready for this—I mean—I’m attracted to you, but this is too sudden—you must see—understand —that I need time,” searching his eyes as he studied mine—waiting for him to answer me.

  After what felt like forever, I saw him nod his head. “Alright, my lovely Sienna. I’ve waited for eight months; I can wait a little more. I’ll wait until you are ready. But I want to make something clear, I don’t just want you for your body… when you’re mine, I want your all. Your body, your soul, your mind. I will consume you—I’ll be your world and in return, I’ll worship the ground you walk on and make you a very happy woman,” he spoke with a strong, decisive and determined voice without his eyes leaving mine.

  He wants me.

  Blake Knightly. Wants. Me.

  I was excited, but at the same time, I wanted to run to the hills.

  “Blake, if you must insist, but until I make up my mind—you have to respect my boundaries,” I gave him a peck on the left cheek, moved a little closer to his ear and whispered “thank you.” I accidentally grazed my nipples on his chest. The friction tingled all the way to my core. He immediately hissed through his clenched teeth.

  Oh, my God. That felt wonderful.

  “Sienna—try not to test my limits—because I would gladly throw caution out and take you right here until I’ve had my fill of that glorious body—until you’re limp and worn-out from me fucking you,” warning me with tested patience.

  “Right”

  What the hell do I say to that?

  I stepped out of the pool, leaving him as his powerful gaze burned holes through my back.

  I daren’t look back unless I want to play with fire.

  He was searing, scorching, and sizzling with fire waiting to be unleashed.

  ON. ME. Shit.

  Eleven

  I woke up startled from my surroundings and it dawned on me that I was in Blake’s apartment. The bedroom was simple with a touch of understated warm elegance and twice the size of my room.

  A modern queen-sized bed sat in the middle of the room with russet-colored, damask patterned wallpaper. The other two walls were painted an ecru shade, complementing the chic design. Lamps made of an actual rock in amber sat on both sides of the bed. A contemporary chaise lounge in pistachio silk slanted in the corner along with a large antique mahogany coffee table. The room basked aglow with three shaded, floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the streets of Mayfair.

  His entire apartment, which was the whole tenth floor, was styled in the same manner: modern contemporary and expensive French antique accents. The combination gave the whole place subtle warmth. I smiled. The comparison of the apartment and its owner was uncanny.

  I gently rubbed my eyes as I yawned. Events from yesterday flashed through my drowsy head. He drove us straight back to his place from the spa. Surprised, yes, but I was too exhausted to argue with him to take me back to my own place in Covent Garden.

  Deep down, I was pleased that he wanted me to be close to him.

  He cooked dinner; it was superb. I hadn’t known he was quite the skilled cook. After we ate, we caught a couple of episodes of Game of Thrones from the DVR player. We lounged with a bottle of red wine and chocolate truffles from the famous La Maison du Chocolat—a completely marvelous way to end our day.

  During the entire evening, he never once tried to make a pass. He was respectful and kept his distance, though he did find ways to subtly touch me. Whereas you turn into a brainless creature every time he does touch you?

  I was aware of him—whether he was in the room or not.

  He acted like the usual Blake and that put me at ease. I was relieved. My mind was confused when it came to him. I mean—I know what I want—but when he was being all sexy and seductive—my thoughts turned to mush—and that was perplexing.

  When it was time for bed, he handed me one of his silk boxers and a shirt to wear. He decided, without asking me, that I should stay with him for the next few days until Sunday—when Luce arrives.

  School starts Monday as he too begins his lengthy training to become a tycoon like his grandfather—Blake will be shadowing him until he’s ready to retire, which looms in the horizon. Blake’s been learning the ins and outs of the business for the last two years—but this time—he’ll take on most of the responsibilities. His grandfather wants Blake to take over as soon as he’s deemed him ready.

  Their family business is vast from what Toby told me. From oil, five-star restaurants, and real estate to hotels and casinos, just to name a few. I doubt their family would be estimated to be worth billions without an enormous, diverse portfolio.

  Blake knew what this entailed, knowing full well that his granddad will not be there forever. He needs to prepare for the inevitable, hence the prepping and training of him at the age of twenty-four. He’s almost four years older than me.

  The only thing that I’m worried about is Blake changing. He’s rich now—he made a lot of money from his own investments—but when the time comes when he can tap unlimited funds and resources—and be surrounded by powerful men and the world’s most beautiful women—I’m afraid that will change him. I heard Toby joke about it before. I’m quite certain that he too believed it’s possible. Money and power can be intoxicating—especially at Blake’s impressionable age.

  I stretched for five minutes or so before going to bed. It helps me sleep better and my body doesn’t ache as much if I stick to one side during my entire sleep. The moment my head hit the pillow, I immediately went to sleep. Sometime during the night, I felt him bend over and softly brush my cheek with his lips and whisper, “Sleep well my Sienna.” Then he quietly left my room to go to his own.

  I slept like a baby after that.

  Still lounging in bed, his beige, fifteen-hundred count Egyptian cotton sheets haphazardly tangled on my legs, I looked across the room and stared at the sky through the windows.

  I felt well rested and almost like I was myself again.

  My face heated and my stomach coiled as memories of the pool incident surfaced.

  I groaned.

  Damn that man.

  He looked so good. That body…my God. Thinking about it made me all hot and bothered. I would never—for the life of me—fathom how I managed to decline his offer last night.
It will undoubtedly baffle my psyche for the rest of my life.

  Not hearing the door creak open, I was surprised when Blake sat on the bed across from me, amused and sexy as hell. “Devising a plan to stay in bed all day, poppet?”

  If he only knew…how long can I endure—this longing—for him—before I succumbed to what my body is aching for?

  I noticed that he had light stubble growing on the sides of his face—it made him utterly and painstakingly gorgeous. How does one manage to look beautiful after waking up in the morning? I bet I look a fright.

  I looked away from his face. He caught me studying him several times already—much to my growing embarrassment.

  He was wearing a fitted black shirt and sheer black cotton pajamas; I would not have guessed in a million years that he was a pajama man. I would have thought commando was more along the lines of his thing.

  “Can we please? I need to just rest and unwind,” I exclaimed. I’m still tired from my trip.

  Watching me intently, he reached out brushing the hair off my face and tucking it behind me ear.

  “As you wish.”

  I looked up smiling to meet his gaze. “Really?” loving his easy, jovial demeanor.

  “Yes, really!”

  My laugh abruptly halted as he slid his body next to me. I stiffened. Strong hands pulled and hugged me from behind.

  I want you…my damn mind kept nagging.

  The sudden feel of hard chiseled chest made me shudder. I was frozen in shock. Body, what happened to waiting?

  His strong hand snaked around my waist, holding me tight, imprisoning me to the feel of him. The heavy thud of his wildly beating heart was proof that he was as affected as I was. My body was shaking with hunger, hunger for Blake—that seemed to be getting close to impossible to resist.

  “Hmmm…I just want to smell you—I hardly slept knowing that you were sleeping in the next room—can this request be granted, my sweet Sienna?”