Kali Willows BUNDLE (Shadowed Desires Series) (8 page)

“Actually, there is. Embarrassment is uneasiness or humiliation, shame happens when you believe you’re doing something wrong.” She watched carefully for signs of…of, well she didn’t know what. Anything in is face that belied his words, but nothing showed but clear honesty in his handsome features.

“You’re right.” His eyes narrowed a little.

“Do you think this is wrong, to be with me tonight?”

Samson straightened his shoulders up and drew in a slow, deep breath. “No, for this date, I am a flesh and blood person, not a man of the church.”

“Good because I’m eager to get started on our date.” She moved her hand to his denim covered leg.

Faced with such a good-looking man, her determination to follow through with her agenda solidified. Thesis or no thesis, she had to have some personal limits to her research, albeit not many.

“Okay, I’m pretty sure that’s something I can live with.” Easing sideways, he faced her and brushed the damp strands of hair off her forehead. “You are one beautiful lady. Tessa, is it?”

“It is.” She leaned her cheek into the warmth of his palm and dropped her towel to the floor.

“You know, I didn’t get to finish my shower earlier.” She smoothed the residual soap film along her hair, grimacing. “I wouldn’t mind jumping back into the hot water—would you care to—join me?” Getting straight to the point was awkward but necessary.

“Don’t we have to go to the ball soon?” His gaze wandered from her damp hair, down the length of her loose russet sweater.

“That’s easy enough; I already had a wake-up call booked for six-thirty, in case I lost track of time.” Working her best husky voice and seductive smile, she eyed him with anticipation. Intense yearning swept over her body as she watched his striking eyes and handsome face.

“I—uh—I—” Stammering, Samson inched his way back a little, and she sighed.

“I’m being too aggressive. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” She turned on the mattress toward the bathroom, tired of being sticky with soap and completely out of feminine wiles.

“It’s not that—please don’t apologize.” He reached out, grabbing her hand again.

“Then what is it?”

“I haven’t—done—it’s been a really long time for me.” Samson’s cheeks grew bright red then he faced away from her.

“Oh.” Relieved, she treaded carefully.

“I hope you’re not—” His inability to complete a sentence became somewhat endearing.

“I’m not, it’s okay. I’m gonna hop in the shower and get the soap out of my hair. No pressure, we have all night.” Tessa stood up trying to appear nonchalant, easing her hand out from under his, and walked to her suitcase under the window.

“I’ll bet this is the worst date you’ve ever had.” A heavy sigh followed his words.

“No, don’t be silly. Let’s get ready for the ball. A little time to settle in and get comfortable may be a good thing for both of us.” Lying to a pastor, the first step of her journey to the gates of Hell.

“Do you drink wine?” Her voice cracked.

“Yes. Would you like me to order room service?”

“That would be great; I’ll freshen up.” Tessa opened the suitcase feeling self-conscious.

“Sounds good.” While he called down for service, Tessa fumbled through the four different negligees she had brought to choose from.
What do I put on now? Too early for the ball ensemble and a nightie is going to send him screaming out into the hallway
.

As she rummaged through her things, her fingers brushed over the heavy book at the bottom of the suitcase.

Seducing a normal, willing man was one thing, but seducing a pastor? Her original plan hadn’t worked, too aggressive. What if she tried again and he lost interest altogether? This ironic twist held an appealing challenge, but the morality attached to having casual sex with a man of the church felt uncanny at best. Talk about putting an edge to her research.

***

Tessa undressed in the bathroom and left the door ajar; was that too forward?

The joy-gasm of the stream of hot water down her flustered body for the second time was anticlimactic. Maybe she should switch it to cold and simmer down on the sexual conquest issue.

Flickering candlelight glowed through the white linen shower curtain as she rinsed the soap away and tried to relax her body and mind. This was going to be a long night—she had to rethink everything. Maybe her research would be pointless with this particular adventure.

“Excuse me, Tessa?” The deep voice startled her.

“Yes?” She blinked, afraid to move and scare him away again “May I ask an unusual favor?”

“What is it?”

“May I open the curtain?”

What?
She peeked out the side at him.

“You want it open?”

“If it’s all right, I would like to—look at you.” The sheepish tone of his voice and the innocence of his raised brows made her smile. She pushed the white barrier to the side covering her breasts with an arm. A tremor in her thighs began, coupled with the slight clatter of her teeth. A cold draft enveloped her skin in the absence of the linen partition, bringing a mass of goose bumps to the surface.

“Okay.” Pulling her shoulders back and lowering her arm, she lifted her chin and stood still. His inquisitive eyes quested along her exposed flesh while the heat of the cascading water swathed her.

“You’re beautiful.” The corners of his mouth pulled back revealing a charismatic, devious expression like the cat that swallowed the canary. Cunning and sly.

“Thank you.”

I’m glad he thinks so. Be cool, don’t overreact—maybe this night will work out after all.

“May I—touch you?” His focus fell back down to her chest.

“You know, we can save ourselves a lot of time tonight.”

“How?”

“Let’s just be clear. You have my permission, for the remainder of our date, to touch, feel, ogle, and enjoy my body at will. You don’t need to ask permission for every action.”

A one sided grin emerged as he nodded and began to unbutton his denim shirt.

“Understood.” As he let the garment fall from his shoulders, it was her turn to inspect, and she liked what she saw.

“Wow.” She studied the sculpted planes of his chest and abdomen. His lean, muscular physique had been well hidden beneath his casual attire. The broad shoulders she had already noticed were solid and strong; his arms rock-hard and chiseled, making this man the perfect specimen for her night of seduction.

The clinking of his unbuckling belt brought a stir to her core while she watched. Anticipation climbed as he unbuttoned his tight jeans, and unzipped, then tugged them down, revealing his magnificent and tantalizing dick.

She stepped back, making room as her soon-to-be conquest joined her, and stood facing him with the water pouring down her back. “I thought I spooked you.”

His caress on her shoulder and down the length of her arm induced a giddy sensation that overtook her shivering body.

“Spooked? On Halloween? That’s funny.” Retracing his way back up her arm and across her neck, his warm fingers followed the path of the flowing water down her chest and stopped just above her aroused peaks.

“May I?” She rested her palm against his cheek without waiting for his reply.

“Of course. You don’t need to ask permission either. Sky’s the limit, my lady.” He smoothed her hand down his virile chest and hard, sleek stomach in a slow but firm motion. Elated, she worshiped his steely contours with stroking fingers.

Samson’s hungry eyes penetrated hers, as he stood silent and intense. He left her hand to travel on its own and cupped her face in his wet palms, staring at her.

Her heart raced and her chest tightened as she awaited his next move. Grazing her lips, he kept just enough distance that she could barely feel his breath. Her fingers trailed down to his rigid hard on and she massaged it with anticipation.

At a loud knock at the door, her elusive prey pulled back with a smile while she stared at him with desperation.

“I ordered room service. I forgot about it.” He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist on his way to the door. The sudden chill of goose bumps erupted again, followed by the clatter of her teeth in disbelief. So close, she had been so close,
dammit
.

Chapter Five

A bottle of chardonnay and half a tray of hors d’oeuvres later, she began to feel brave, or maybe even brazen. Tessa sauntered up to her target wearing her crimson satin negligee. She placed her half-empty glass of wine on the nightstand, led her object of desire across the room, and urged him to sit on the edge of the bed.

Pulling the smooth material up her thighs, she eased herself into his lap, straddling him, and wrapped her arms around his neck, studying his face. Her mounting attraction had set off a fiery intensity of yearning, making her eager to tantalize him. She was determined the previous coitus interuptus be but a delay in her sexual gratification on this all Hallows’ Eve.

The heat of his palms stroking the small of her back spurred her on. The speed of her pulse increased and intense warmth washed over her body as she settled on his thighs, fitting over his growing erection. Initiating the closeness with him felt almost forced because she had an agenda. Gliding her hands back from his neck, she cradled his face as she gathered her courage, staring into the chocolate brown of his compelling gaze.

Samson’s hands slid up and caressed along her shoulders then to her face. His dark, ravenous stare brought a stir to her core as he gripped her tight. Pulling her to him, he devoured her with an impassioned kiss. Her lips parted slightly, welcoming the entry of his sweeping tongue. Responding to his heat and passion, she ground her pelvis against his growing hardness.

Blazing a trail of kisses down this throat, she reveled in his woody, spicy fragrance—like sweet mahogany and nutmeg. More confident now, she intertwined her fingers in his thick, luscious hair, satisfaction filling her when a low groan emerged from the bottom of his throat.

He tightened his arms around her waist, stood and swung her around, dropping her onto her back on the bed. She had wondered if he would be meek and shy given his profession. She had convinced herself she would have to be the aggressor, but the man before her was every inch the alpha male as he tore open the hotel robe he had put on earlier, dropping it on the floor.

Like a panther to its prey, he eased his way on top of her and stroked her mouth to ecstasy with his tongue. Exploring the length of her satin-covered body with his powerful fingers, he pulled the spaghetti straps off her shoulders, freeing her breasts.

A gasp of bliss slipped out at the exquisite heated tongue whisking one engorged peak while he rolled the other between his fingers.

Samson leaned back and gazed at her with a sexy grin. “My God, you’re gorgeous.” He kneaded and stroked her taut flesh.

“You’re not so bad yourself.” Cupping her hand over his, she squeezed his fingers tighter, shuddering in pleasure. He recaptured her lips, and her core clenched as his rock hard cock rubbed over the inside of her thigh. Running her fingers along the bunching muscles of his shoulders, she dug her into the taut skin of his back, urging him even closer while their tongues danced. Samson eased her thighs apart and slid her panties down and off.

His fingers explored the outer layers of her fleshy folds. Breaking the kiss, he brought his finger to his mouth and tasted it. He slid his hand down to her pussy again and massaged her throbbing clit in slow, torturous circles.

“Oh.” She gasped and stretched her arms above her head, sprawled out on the luxurious bed, at the mercy of her rogue man of the cloth.

Sliding his palm down farther, he parted the throbbing flesh and pushed a finger deep into her pussy.

Lost in the sensations, it took a moment for her psyche to realize the shrilling noise that shattered their mood was the phone.

“Oh no, you have got to be kidding.” She groaned. “There must be a greater force at work; this is the second interruption.”

“Hold that thought.” He reached over her and grabbed the ringing unit from the bedside table.

“Hello?”

Working to control her panting breath, she focused on the pulsing still contracting her core.
So close
.

“Yes, thank you.” He hung up but did not return to pleasing Tessa.

“Our wake-up call?”

“I’m afraid so. It’s already six thirty, and our table at the ball is reserved and waiting for us.”

“It would be okay if we skipped it, wouldn’t it?” She pouted and rolled on her side to look into his eyes.

With a soft laugh, he shook his head. “Sorry Tessa, it’s unavoidable. Madame Evangeline booked us for some evening activities and we are expected to make an appearance.”

“Good Lord, is this a sign or something?” She sat up, pulling her negligee back into place.

“Well, I’m not quite sure about that, although it does make me wonder. Come on, the sooner we go—”

“The sooner we can get back and come.” She grinned at him then ducked her head as her cheeks heated.
Not as bold as I’d like to think, sometimes
.

“Now that
was
funny.”

“Who said I was kidding?” Tessa hopped off the bed and moved to the closet.

“I—I’m speechless.”

“Apparently I have that effect on people at times.”

Chapter Six

Tess approached the entrance to the Sapphire Ballroom arm in arm with her handsome escort. Brushing aside a heavy black velvet curtain, they stepped into a world of dark and eerie ambiance with the flickering flames of dozens of wrought iron torches that lit the ceiling draped with glowing nettings of simulated spider webs. She cringed at morbid displays of guillotines, executioners, dripping fake blood, and disembodied limbs. Dozens of luminescent jack-o-lanterns lit the way, filling the air with the smell of scorched pumpkin.

Tessa squinted through the dry ice fog at the labyrinth of tables covered with black cloths and decked with flickering candle lit centerpieces encircling the massive dance floor.