The Billionaire's Island Romance(8)

Christian could sure kiss the living breath out of her. Breathless, Arianna arched her neck as he pressed his sweet lips to her throat. “Oh, that feels so good,” she moaned, smiling with pleasure. Her body was light now. Her cares suddenly drifted away with the ocean tide.

Christian’s soft lips nibbled her neck. “You like that, don’t you, baby?” he groaned.

“Hmm-mmm.” Her eyes were closed as she fully enjoyed the silky feel of his skin. Her nipples were straining against the fabric of her dress. Her inner thighs moistened with heated anticipation. She wanted Christian now. She needed him. Desired him. Craved him. She’d been starved for his affection for far too long, and now, she finally had her chance with him again.

Christian lifted up her dress and slid his hand up her skin, caressing her. Oh, how she loved the way he pleasured her, massaging her first, but she wanted him inside her. Her heartbeat climbed and escalated.

“Oh, God, Ari. You have no idea how much I love you. You’re so beautiful.” His voice was hoarse now, his breathing heavy. She delighted in his delicious scent of cologne. It drove her senses wild. She relished in his hard firm flesh as she slid her hands over his smooth muscles on his arms. She moved her hands down his chest and felt his taut nipples underneath his shirt. Oh, his body was firm and gorgeous. His hand moved up her thigh and slid beneath her lace panties. Arianna was already soaked and ready for him. By the feel of his hand and the grin that entered his lips, she could tell he knew it too.

“I want you so badly, girl.”

“Oh, Christian. Please, take me now. I need you,” she begged, breathless.

At the most inopportune moment, a loud knock rattled the door.

Christian cursed under his breath.

Arianna broke from his embrace, her heart flipped hard and fast. She was dazed, caught off guard by the interruption.

Oh, God! What was she doing? She was at work after all. She was supposed to be overseeing things at the hotel.

Was it a member of her staff? Was there an emergency? She was expecting a delivery of special props for the Romero’s themed wedding this morning.

“Who is it?” Arianna called, brushing her hair back with her hands. She straightened her dress and repositioned her panties. Her heart was still beating erratically. She could feel it in her throat. Christian leaned back on the balcony rail while she went to the door, flushed and out of breath. Desire still burned in his eyes as he watched her walk away. She caught his eyes undressing her sexily while she walked off. She grinned, then drew in a deep breath to straighten up her expression. The last thing she wanted was for her staff to feel as if she was messing around in her own office. She just wanted to be professional.

“Sorry, miss,” the hotel clerk said apologetically. “It’s your father. He’s upset again. He’s in the hotel lobby.”

“Oh, no!” Arianna grabbed her keys off the counter. “I’ll be right down.”

“What is it?” Christian came in from the balcony, a look of concern on his face.

“It’s nothing. Just something I have to handle.”

“Is your father all right? I overhead him telling you something’s up with him.”

Arianna hesitated at first. “Um…It’s okay. Really, Christian. Listen, we can catch up later, okay?”

“I’m coming with you.” Christian’s voice was stern. His tone had an air of finality to it. Dare she try to persuade him to leave her be now? The truth was, she could really do with a bit of support, especially if her father was having one of his…moments again.

“Okay,” she finally complied. Arianna swallowed a hard lump in her throat.



* * *



Arianna wasn’t prepared for the scene in the hotel lobby. Her sandals made a soft sound as she hurried across the marble floors of the grand lobby. Her father was at the front desk arguing with one of the clerks.

“Dad, what’s wrong?” Arianna asked, breathless, as she approached the desk clerk.

“Nothing. Nothing. I just wanted to know why your mother was given the wrong lunch tray. She hates seafood.”

Arianna’s heart sank. She felt her heart crushing in her chest. Christian stood by her. She felt as if she could melt into his arms. She needed support. “But, Dad, it has nothing to do with the front desk clerk.”

“It has everything to do with her.” Her old man turned to her. His lips were pinched. “Your mother is allergic to shellfish.” He was clearly distressed over the situation.

“I know,” she said quietly.

“So why did she get shellfish? Are they trying to kill her?”

“Dad, I’m sure it was a simple, honest mistake. I will take care of it, okay? I’ll speak with the head chef. Louise, is Frank in charge today?” Arianna turned to the desk clerk.