Secret Designs(30)

But speaking of work, there was something he was keen to know.

"Ari, are you planning on starting your own couture business, now that you have the time and opportunity? I see you already have customers raving about you."

She gave him a rueful smile. "Not yet. One of these days, hopefully. Don't tell anyone, but those raving fans? They're actually good friends of mine."

He laughed. "Well, even my mum is impressed. I can tell you that she and my sister are very particular about their clothes, so don't sell yourself short."

"Thanks. Jasmine's been a great advocate for me."

"So, if you're not going into it full time, what do you plan to do?"

"Keep looking for a job. It's a bit tough in the fashion market at the moment, but I'm hoping something will come up sooner rather than later." Ari looked like she was about to say something more but instead she switched the topic back to Kane and Jasmine's wedding.

He wanted to know how she was coping without a job, but he guessed she probably had some money saved. Someone like her would have been on a good salary when she was working. Plus she must have received some redundancy money. Besides, he'd heard the prices that Ari was charging for her dresses from his mother. They weren't exorbitant, but by his calculations it should be enough to tide her over for a few weeks more, if she wasn't too extravagant with her spending.

At least she'd be fine for a while, and that made him feel slightly more at ease about her financial situation. He couldn't help but worry about her, though.





*******



"Thanks for a wonderful dinner."

"You're welcome," he said, running a knuckle on her cheek.

"Would you like to come in for coffee?"

He grinned. "Yes, please. I though you wouldn't ask."

Ari opened her front door and he followed her inside, eager, yet not wanting to show her just how much. If this was their first date, he wasn't sure if she'd want to sleep with him tonight. In any case, he'd simply follow her lead.

Ari went to the kitchen to put the kettle on while he sat on her couch. Hmm. They'd had sex here not too long ago.

The memory heated him up and his pants got tight. That was one hot night.

What did Ari have in mind for tonight? Was he included in her plans?

She came out of the kitchen and sat beside him.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked.

His lips curled mischievously. "I was just admiring your couch."

"Uh-huh," she acknowledged, as she lifted her face to his for a kiss.

He cupped her cheek and kissed her slowly, wanting to savour the taste of her mouth and the feel of her lips against his. Ari clutched his hair, deepening their kiss. He couldn't tell if she dragged him down or if he pushed her down, but before he knew it, she was on her back and he was on top of her on the sofa.

"Do you want to do this?" he asked as he nibbled along her neck.

A soft moan.

"Is that a yes?" he queried as his hand caressed her bare thigh.

"Dylan, yes," she said, arching her back to press closer to him.

With a groan, he re-captured her lips and devoured her mouth, their tongues duelling. He pulled her up to a sitting position and reached for her zipper just below the back of her neck. Slowly, he tugged down, raining kisses on her face as he did so.

Ari stood up. With her eyes on his, she lifted the hem of her dress and took it off. His chest heaved. She was so beautiful and, Lord, he missed her.

Remembering that the condoms were in her room he got up and pulled her in his arms. "Bedroom, baby," he said, running her hands all over her body as he kissed her throat.

"Okay," she said breathlessly, her fingers working on his shirt buttons.

They inched their way to her bedroom, too consumed with undressing and kissing each other to walk in a straight line. By the time they got there, they were both naked.

He gently pushed her on the bed and crawled on top of her. "How lucky am I to get sex on the first date?" he teased.





CHAPTER TWELVE





Ari gave Dylan a mock frown. "I could still change my mind about sleeping with you tonight."

"Please don't," he chuckled as he proceeded to kiss her neck and her shoulders. Then, slowly but surely, his hot mouth made its way toward her bust.

Oh, yes.

She was touched that he had waited for her signal before starting to make love to her. That was such a sweet thing to do. But she was just as hungry for him. How could he even think she'd let him go home tonight?

Her thoughts dissolved when she felt his tongue lick the area around her nipple, while his hand gently kneaded the other breast. She clutched his shoulders and caressed his back, revelling in the attention he was giving her body.

When his tongue flicked her already excited nipple, she gasped, as desire raced with pleasure in her veins. His mouth closed in, sucking gently as his tongue continued to tease her erect bud and his fingers played with its twin. She mewled, feeling the sensation all the way to her now soaked centre.