Tease Me, page 22
I laughed as I turned. “Okay then, just because you asked.”
She chuckled with me, and the sound echoed around the marble expanse. I strode out through the gap in the sliding glass doors and down the front steps. Deciding to walk along the beach path, I strolled in the opposite direction to the abundant holiday crowds that were a standard feature on Cavill Avenue.
People were everywhere, mostly families taking advantage of the setting sun. Down on the beach, dozens of people were in the water, which I imagined would still be cool. Too cold for me, anyway. The ocean needed to be like bathwater for me to swim.
Unless a hunk like Corben tossed me in. The thought of my Mr. Universe contender raised my spirits. Life wasn’t all doom and gloom—I still had a few regular men willing to see me, and I was willing to see them. And who knew how many more men I’d meet before my wonderful sexual challenge was over?
I took my time, enjoying the scenery and letting my thoughts flit from one sexy man in my life to the next. It was heaven, really, and a rare occurrence. Normally, my brain was a crazy scramble of frightening thoughts.
A young family walked toward me. The father was fit, tanned, and utterly beaming as he carried a small toddler on his shoulders. The mother looked equally happy as she walked hand in hand with a little girl carrying a bright pink bucket and spade.
With the beach setting in the background and their four beautiful smiles, this young family could easily be declared Gold Coast pin-up material. I actually felt blessed to witness their united happiness, and my contented feeling hit a whole new level.
Twenty minutes after I left my hotel, I arrived at Steakside and was greeted by a young woman with a petite frame and a big smile. “Good evening. Would you like a table?”
“Yes, please. A table out the front would be nice.”
She grabbed two menus and turned. “Okay, follow me.”
Her choice of table was perfect to capture both the distant ocean and the walking traffic. She pulled out a chair, and when I sat, she handed me a menu and placed the other one opposite me. “No need for the other menu.”
“Oh, sure.” She gathered it up again. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Do you have Shaw & Smith Sauvignon Blanc?”
“Of course.”
“Excellent. I’ll have a glass of that, please.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
The second she left, I grabbed the menu and scoured the selection. The eye fillet on the right-hand side was like a flashing beacon, and my mouth salivated as I contemplated which sides to choose with it. With my decision made, I flipped the menu closed and settled back in my chair to enjoy the scenery.
My vista was magnificent, and other than my hunger pains screaming at me, everything was perfect. A man at the neighboring restaurant caught my eye. He was side on to me, also looking out toward the ocean. His smooth, dark hair reflected in the flames dancing atop the Tiki torches dotted around his restaurant. The man reached for his wine, and when he inhaled it, I was reminded of my disastrous encounter with the winemaker.
I cast that crappy thought aside, determined to maintain my upbeat demeanor.
The man turned toward me, and my heart stopped.
He’s David Lawson, one of Memphis’s repeat gentlemen.
I snapped my gaze away, hopeful he didn’t recognize me. After a couple of frantic heartbeats, I glanced in his direction. He was still in his seat, looking out over the ocean again. I let out a long, slow breath.
“There you go.” The waiter placed my wine on the cardboard coaster. “Can I get you something to eat?”
“Yes, please. I’ll have the 250-gram eye fillet, medium rare, with mushroom sauce and blue cheese sauce, and I’ll have the polenta chips and buttered greens.”
“Okay.” She finished writing down my order and lifted the menu off the table. “Thank you very much.”
A quick check of David confirmed he hadn’t moved. I was tempted to switch seats, but then I realized he’d only ever seen me as Memphis. With each ticking second, I relaxed a little more, and before long, I realized that my already perfect view had become even better with David in it.
He sat alone, yet there was something about him that told me he was happy. I guessed, like me, he’d grown accustomed to sitting alone at restaurants. It wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Lolita would go stir crazy if she had to sit by herself at dinner, or anywhere for that matter.
She’d die without someone to talk to. It was one of the reasons why I loved her. Lolita had a beautiful talent for making everyone feel welcome.
David captured my attention in so many ways. His movements were graceful, calming, and he looked every bit the confident, available man, which was so different from the David I’d first met way back in January.
I contemplated the idea that he may be back on the coast to see me. Well, not me, but Memphis. My insides fluttered at that thought as my brain skipped to the last time we’d been together. He’d wanted me to teach him a few things.
As I watched him sip his wine and glide his fingers through his thick, glossy hair, I wondered if he’d returned for another lesson. My pussy responded to my pondering with a couple of delightful pulses.
If he was ready to see me, I was so ready for him.
My meal arrived, and as I devoured the perfectly charred steak, I contemplated what other delightful things I could teach David. By the time I finished eating, I was both full and excited about what the next few hours would hold.
David Lawson had just become my thirty-eighth sexual adventure. Provided he was staying in my hotel, that is. I’d be devastated if he wasn’t.
At seven o’clock, David was served another glass of wine, so I pretended we were dining together and ordered another one for me, too. I wouldn’t normally drink before work, but what the hell. . . I’d had a tumultuous day.
When my wine arrived, I raised my glass to him. “See you soon, sexy.” I giggled at my silliness.
About half an hour later, David stood, so I tossed back the last of my wine, grabbed my bag, and headed to the counter to pay. With one eye on him and the other on the handsome guy behind the cash register, I was torn between which way to look.
This year sure had changed me. I never pictured myself as a woman who perved on men. . . yet here I am, checking out the glorious eye candy.
By the time I paid and walked out of Steakside, David was just about to disappear around the corner ahead of me. I breathed a sigh of relief at his direction; it was toward the Hot Horizon Hotel.
By the time I reached the corner, I realized I had a dilemma—I had no idea which room David was in. And in addition to that, there was every chance he’d ask Marjorie about Memphis. Last time he’d visited my hotel, he’d come to the reception counter, and I’d just been lucky it was me working at the time and not somebody else.
A bold idea hit me, and as I quickened my pace, my heart was set to explode as I committed to going through with it. With one last deep breath to calm my racing heart, I reached his side and looked up at him. “Hi. It’s David, isn’t it?”
“Oh, hello.” He blinked, maybe trying to remember my name.
“I’m Jane. The night manager at the Hot Horizon Hotel. We met last time you were there.”
“Yes, I remember. We met out the front on Easter Friday. I’m heading there now.”
“Excellent. Mind if I walk with you?”
“Not at all; I’d be delighted.”
David and I fell into stride together like any normal couple would do. I looked up at him. “Are you working on the coast again?”
“No, not this time. I’m actually visiting someone.”
“Oh, a girlfriend?” Holy crap, why did I say that?
“Um . . . well she’s . . .”
“No, sorry, you don’t need to answer that. It was very rude of me.”
“Well, actually, maybe you can help me again. Her name is Memphis, and I left a message with you last time. If she comes in, can you tell her David Lawson is staying in room two?”
I silently sighed with relief. “Of course.”
“Thank you. I’ve been a couple of times and haven’t seen her. Maybe today’s my lucky day.”
A couple of times! Lordy!
How many times? My head spun. Who had he asked for Memphis? Marjorie or Needledick? I couldn’t keep up with all these men requesting me.
No wonder my boss was so obsessed with Memphis.
We arrived at the hotel, and at the top of the stairs, I decided I’d head toward Marjorie rather than hop into the elevator with David. I didn’t want him to see that I lived here, too. “Okay, have a good night.”
“You too, Jane.” David gave me a little wave and continued walking to the elevator.
“Hey, Marj.”
“How was your dinner?”
“It was great. Eye fillet, polenta chips, mushroom sauce . . .”
“Oh, stop it, you’re killing me.” She lightly slapped my arm.
“Anyway, I’ll see you in about”—I glanced at the clock—“an hour or so.”
“Okay, I’ll be ready.”
It took all my effort not to sprint to the elevator. Time had gotten away from me. The damn thing took forever, as usual, and when it arrived, I jabbed the button for the third floor a dozen times and utilized the slow ride to decide what Memphis would wear tonight.
Back in my room, I applied my makeup in record time, and even though I knew I hadn’t used my colored contact lenses with David before, I decided that I’d need them this time. He’d looked into my eyes way too often on the way to the hotel, and I couldn’t risk him recognizing me. I plucked the blue discs out of the compact case and popped them in with ease.
My cheeks were already rosy, thanks to the rush of getting ready and the two glasses of wine I’d had. It would probably also explain the nice, carefree feeling I had as I prepared for my next sexual adventure.
The contact lenses made the change in my appearance both instant and amazing. It was then that I realized my next issue—my black wig. It was well and truly past its use-by date.
I leaned over the basin, and as I stared at my reflection, I decided David would meet redheaded Memphis. Women changed their hairstyle all the time. . . especially women as adventurous as Memphis.
After plaiting my hair and pinning it up, I tugged on the fiery red wig.
Plain Jane was gone, and Memphis was out to play.
Satisfied with how I looked, I went to the closet and grabbed the black wrap dress I’d worn on my birthday. I held it to my body, and the skirt flared out as I twirled around. I smiled at my reflection and clutched the wall when the room started spinning.
Crap. Maybe I shouldn’t have gulped that last bit of wine.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Maybe I should wait until the wine wore off before I went to David?
But my horny pussy wouldn’t wait.
I had work to do.
I strode to the kitchen and drank a glass of water.
Focus, Jane. You’re running out of time.
From my lingerie drawer, I chose my leather and lace teddy that pulled on without any clips, zips, or fasteners. I stepped into it and pulled the flimsy fabric on. The teddy made me feel sexy, and I couldn’t wait to see David’s face when I stripped down to this.
For my shoes, I chose my Givenchy zebra-print eight-inch stilettos. They were so damn stylish, I just wished I’d had more opportunities to wear them.
I looked in the mirror. There was no way David would recognize me as Jane. With the final touch of Ciate Liquid Velvet lipstick, I smiled at my reflection. I was ready, and if the flutter in my stomach was anything to go by, then my body was ready, too. I tossed my supplies into the clutch that matched my shoes and felt very seductive in my fancy stilettos and flowing skirt as I strode to the elevator.
David’s room was two floors below mine, and the ride in the elevator seemed to take about twenty minutes. My time with David was rapidly dwindling. It was going to require some swift movements to get this sexual romp on the go quickly.
At his floor, I strode to his door and knocked. Barely three seconds later, David opened the door with an incredible smile. It was such a lovely welcome.
“Oh.” His eyes lit up. “Memphis?”
“Hello, David.”
“Wow.” His eyes skimmed up my body. “You look incredible.”
I smiled. “Thank you. So do you. May I come in?”
“Of course.” He stepped aside, and as I strode past him, I ran my fingers over his chest, feeling all the lovely muscles beneath his linen shirt. I glided to the table, and as I placed my clutch on the glass top, the door closed.
“I’m so glad you came. I missed you the last two times.”
“You need to stop doing that, David.”
“What?” He paused halfway between the door and me, and a look of horror marred his handsome features.
“Asking for me at reception. You’ll get me into trouble.”
He gasped. “Oh no. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. Just don’t do it again.”
“Well, that’s why I wanted to see you.”
“Oh?” I cocked my head.
“I wanted to say goodbye. You see, that woman I told you about? I’m going to ask her to go steady with me.” His eyes lit up, and he looked so wholesome I wanted to give him a big hug.
“Good for you, David.”
“Well, obviously, I don’t know if she’ll say yes, but I hope so.”
“I’m sure she will. She’s a fool if she doesn’t.”
A red flush crept up his cheeks. “Thanks.”
Now, I felt foolish. Here I was, hoping to get my rocks off with David, and all he wanted to do was say goodbye. I wasted all that time getting dressed for nothing. I reclaimed my clutch and tucked it back under my arm. “Okay then. I guess I’ll be going.”
“Going? No, wait.”
I frowned at him.
“I . . .” He let out a big breath. “I’d like to learn more. I mean, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to teach me how to make her feel special.”
My heart melted at his request. “You’ll know what to do.”
“No. I may not.” He stepped forward and reached for my hand. “You’ve taught me more than any crappy magazine did. And I don’t want to look like a fool.”
I squeezed his hand into mine. “You won’t look like a fool. If you love her, then you need to talk to her about these things.”
“I will, it’s just, she’s really beautiful, and I’m sure she’s had more experience than me, so I need to . . .” He lowered his eyes. “I don’t want to be embarrassed.”
His pleading was genuine, but the idea of doing anything with him when his heart was for another woman was wrong. I released his grasp on my hand and stepped back. “I can’t, David. Not now that you’ve told me you’re interested in someone. It wouldn’t be right.”
“But you can show me. I want to know how to please her. Maybe you can describe it and show me, without us, I don’t know, touching. Does that make sense?”
If only all men were as keen on satisfying their partners as David was. For some inexplicable reason, I felt a crazy obligation to his future partner to teach him.
He could look but not touch. Was that bad? It would be just like him going to a strip show, I guessed. Not that I’d ever been to one. I decided my moral compass would remain intact as long as he didn’t touch me.
I nodded and hoped like hell that I wouldn’t regret this later. “Okay, I’ll show you some things. However, you need to keep your distance.”
“Thank you.” He rubbed his hands together. “Thank you.”
I put my clutch back on the tabletop and pulled out a chair facing the bed. “You can sit here.”
David strode over and plonked down like an obedient student.
As I tried to work out how to play this out, my brain whizzed around so fast that I regretted that extra glass of wine. Then again, maybe the alcohol was exactly what I needed to get me through this.
I started to slip out of my stilettos but stopped. “See my shoes?”
He glanced down, nodding. “Uh-huh.”
“See how sexy they are?”
He nodded again.
“Well, they make me feel sexy. If your woman wants to buy sexy shoes, you let her. Understand?”
“Okay.”
“No amount of shoes is ever enough.”
“Okay.”
I was beginning to enjoy this. David was my putty, and I was about to manipulate him into the best a man could be. Undoing the belt at my waist, I twirled it around, and he watched it spin as if it were a hypnotist’s device.
“The same goes for her lingerie. It makes a woman feel sexy.” As I peeled my dress open, gradually revealing my racy leather and lace teddy, David’s eyes widened. “Let her buy as much lingerie as she needs.”
He nodded slower this time as if absorbing every word.
I curled my dress off my shoulders and let the fabric fall to my feet. As David ran his gaze up my body, he wriggled in his seat. I eased the thin strap off my left shoulder. “Make your movements slow and sensual, taking your time with every inch of her body.”
I curled the strap down, hooked my arm out, and repeated the move with the other strap. The elastic bodice remained in place despite the straps being gone.
“You should look her in the eyes from time to time. Devour her with your gaze. And whatever you do, don’t always have sex with the lights off. You want to see each other. To see how your bodies move. Trust me, it’s incredible.”
“Okay, I will.”
I hooked my thumbs into the lace at the top of my teddy and peeled it down, gradually revealing my breasts. My insides curled with anticipation as I stood bare-chested before him. He ran his tongue over his lips and hugged his knees together. Clearly, my show pleased him.
“When you hold her breasts” —I curled my right hand beneath my left boob—“you want to caress them. Treat them as if they were your most prized possession. Which they are, by the way. Do you understand?”
He nodded.
I squeezed my breast, massaging the fullness with my fingers. “Sometimes I like it a bit rougher, but start gently until you work out what she prefers.”
