Consume Me (A Burning Desire Novel) (38 page)

"Don't be silly, we shouldn't be
doing this in the first place."

I smarted assertively.

"Nobody tells me what I should or
shouldn't do, Clea.”

He said with his dark gaze.

"Well, I'm sure the owner can."

He smirked at me coyly.

“We’ll see about that.”

Another knock halted us.

"Just a minute."

I shouted out.

I stood and grabbed a robe, searching for
my panties. He grabbed them from the chair and balled them in his fist, his
eyes sparkling.

"I'll keep these, thank you."

He said zipping his jeans; they looked
perfect on him, hanging leisurely in a way that made my stomach quiver, and
hugging his Greek-god-ass. He put the piece of fabric in his pocket, slid in
his shoes and walked to me.

I buttoned his shirt and gave him a swift
kiss, but he grabbed me in a powerful one and gripped my hair in his fist from
behind, exposing my neck. He nibbled his way to the hem of the robe.

"Mine."

He murmured, smoldering eyes transfixing
me.

"Yours."

I confirmed instinctively in a small
voice, my resolve never stood a chance. There was no point denying I was his,
body and soul.

I turned to look at my reflection.

My cheeks were flushed, and I had this
peachy glow. I never looked that way before. But then again; I’d never had
orgasms before.

The activities of the day seemed to suit
my usually pale skin, the Turkish bath, the heat from the sauna, the mask, but
mostly the orgasms and the contentment I felt being with Landon.

I ruffled my hair for few seconds,
flicking it from one side to another. I puffed at the mirror, just-fucked hair
doesn't suit me like the man beside me, and I ended up piling it in a messy
chignon.

Thank god I was getting hair treatment.

We walked
out of the room to find a welcoming committee, including Jenna. My initial
masseur was standing next to a middle-aged woman and another therapist that
Jude called Katia earlier.

"I'll take care of this, you go join
the others and have fun."

Landon pressed me to walk with Jenna. He
didn't have to ask me twice. I wished for the earth to crack open and swallow
me.

I darted across the hallway, grasping my
friend’s hand. I could hear the woman greeting Landon, warmly. I rolled my
eyes, before she realized who he was; she was ready to go all Russian mafia on
him.

It was no secret the place was owned by
them, it was a high-end facility, top of the art, in SoHo.

I loved it because it was authentic in its
services, so I tried not to think about it.

"Oh my god, you've become a very
naughty girl, haven't you?"

Jenna squeaked, throwing me a sinful look.

I couldn't resist the urge to brush her
off, but I was way too happy and didn't mind sharing a little.

"I believe I have, yes.”

I confessed, feeling unashamed.

"Dare I ask for some details?"

"Well let's just say that I had a
very interesting REAL full body massage."

I winked at her.

"With one, full body, massaging
mine."

"Salope!"

She whined.

"I hate you, you lucky bitch."

I grinned at her proudly.

We were in another common room, all light
green marble and white canvases across the ramparts. The ambience was very
relaxing; the smell of amber and anise filled the room. I hopped on one of the
gigantic mani-pedis chairs next to mom and Jenna facing a happy Ryan flirting
with a waiter..

"Enjoyed you massage Boo?"

Jude feigned disinterest toward the
actions of his partner.

"Very much, thank you."

"Pétasse." Jenna mumbled another
insult puffing in the general direction of the room.

"Pourquoi?"

Jude asked, frowning at her comment.

“She enjoyed it a little too much."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He insisted and I signaled him to stop
asking pointing to my mother.

He frowned again, but kept silent.

"Ne sois pas stupide ma chérie; I saw
Landon getting inside the room, I'm not senile, nor a prude for that
matter."

My mom admonished.

"Landon came?"

Ryan interrupted; finally attentive to the
whole conversation.

"Oh he came alright."

Jenna sneered and I threw one of the wet
towels in her direction.

Everybody doubled over in laughter and
burst into giggles.

"You know I'm happy for you darling,
right?"

My mom asked.

"I know mom, we're just not used to
talk about these kinds of things."

"Well, there was nothing to talk
about in the past, was there?"

I flushed crimson at her remark, and
nodded in agreement.

"Hello everybody."

Landon barged inside the big room and
walked to me; he held a magnificent bouquet of stargazer lilies and blue
irises.

"Hi Landon."

They all said in unison.

He flashed his million-dollar-drop-dead-smile
at them and stood in front of me. The young women taking care of our manicures
were all staring at him.

He ignored them, but acknowledged the one
standing between us, and she moved back.

He leaned down and put a swift kiss to my
cheek, sending shivers through me.

“I wish you the best birthday, may it be
as awesome as I am.”

He murmured his arrogance and handed me
the bouquet.

“I forgot to give you these. Those are my
favorites and yours.”

It didn’t escape my attention that he’d
been attentive to our conversations; nor that his favorite flowers held his
mother’s name.

I remembered the Monet in his treasure
room, or rather its perfect replica by none other than him.

"Urgh, get a room."

Jenna joked and I turned throwing daggers
at her.

"Oh yeah, you already did, don’t mind
me then."

"Enjoy the rest of your treatment,
baby. It's been taken care of."

"Like hell it is." I retorted.

"Consider it my gift to you, among
other things. And don't make a scene, this is your day, you deserve it."
He pressed another kiss to my forehead and pulled away.

"Everyone, enjoy the rest of your
day. Calvin will be waiting for you, and car service will be in front of your
building at nine."

"Thank you sweetheart."

My mom really approved of him.

"My sole pleasure, Helen.”

******

It had
been a blissful day, I couldn't hope for anything else. I had a joyful mother,
my best friends, and the man I loved.

We finished our pampering session with wax
and hair, during which my mother insisted that there, was nothing French about
a French-manicure, and conjured us to go with something light and neat; giving
us her European bourgeoise advises.

My mom grew up in French bourgeoisie, she
rebelled against it and fought it during her teenage years, vagabonding across
the globe; but it served her well when she became the wife of a United States
ambassador.

"Good manners are a woman's best
accessory."

She used to always insist on it whenever
Jenna and I started acting out.

She had strict rules about the way a woman
should behave in public, and the way she takes care of herself. There was never
an excuse for imperfect grooming, ever.

 Always carry a straight posture; it
was the key to class and elegance. Drink water or champagne rather than wine
and hard liquors, swearing is as ugly as smoking.

She had all her set of rules that she
shoved down my throat when I was twelve, and kept on doing it ever since then.

She never wore anything other than linen
or cashmere; in privacy, she always indulged herself in soft materials. She
always bought her shoes in double and pants in multiples.

That was one of her most important rules.

'If you ever find the perfect pants, buy
them in multiple. And if you ever find the perfect heels, buy them in doubles
and the grooming also applies for the shoes.'

She lived by those rules, and over the
years, I valued them and went by some of them. I’d always worn my nails short
in square with pastels colors, groomed eyebrows, lots of water and expensive
fabrics whenever I could afford it.

I’d stopped smoking when I moved to New
York and always bought comfortable heels in double. Otherwise, I rarely swear,
never in public. I loved my wine and the occasional tequila shots or vodka
tonic.

After
we finished, we had lunch under the autumn breeze at a friend of Uncle Keith's
restaurant. After the intense massage session, I was famished and had a full
course meal, indulging in a tiramisu and white wine.

Then we went shopping at my mother's
favorite spots in the city. Calvin insisted on never leaving us, despite all my
efforts to convince him otherwise.

We went all over the city, from the
village vintage boutiques to Goodman in fifth. I got myself some cases for my
devices from the Apple store, and almost cracked on another gadget.

The brand had always been one of my weak
spots. I had every device, every accessory.

Jude insisted that I waited for the
release of the next new one, and go buy something else instead.

It was close to seven thirty when we’d
finally made it home, we've been around the city. I was exhausted and still
unaware of tonight's plans.

I had barely anytime to get some rest, but
I couldn't help curving on my bed for a quick nap.

I woke up
an hour later, a little sore, but refreshed. I got in the bathroom for a quick
shower. I'd bought some body oils from the spa shop, the smell of amber filled
my room taking me back to the afternoon session, and the golden liquid gave an
extra glow to my body.

I put
on the dress my mom got me from Galerie Lafayette: it was beautiful, simple,
and elegant. It was backless, cream, and with draped sleeves that hugged my
body in the most sensual way.

They went perfectly with my Bollywoody cream
red soles. I applied some light make up, focusing on accentuating my peachy
cheeks with some extra blush and thin oriental eyeliner.

I went for nude lips; it went perfectly
with my fresh curls. Ryan had convinced me to try caramel tie and dye and I loved
the discreet effect under the dimmed lights.

When I finally finished preparing myself,
my mom came inside. She looked positively elegant, but then again, she really,
always does.

She handed me two other boxes.

"What's this?"

I asked incredulously, she'd already given
me her gift; it was a Hermes bracelet. I just couldn't wait to wear it,

"One is from your brother; the other
is from your nieces.”

She turned to fix a rebelled strand in my
hair.

"This is crazy, I confessed."

I'd been spoiled.

"This is too much."

"Nonsense, I haven't been able to
give you your gifts face to face since you moved here, and nor did your
brother."

"I wish he was here."

I admitted sadly, I missed him and the
kids. I've only spent three days with him when I visited, and his crazy work
hours didn't allow him much rest.

"So does he, and so does Nana."

"Oh my god, I forgot to call Nana. Is
it too late?"

"It's Saturday honey, I'm sure she's
painting the lake."

Nana liked to spend late hours painting,
she lived across the lake, and on Saturdays, it was usually filled with couples
sightseeing after parties.

She used to wake up in the middle of the
night and paint until dawn.

"There's a chance she's still up.
I'll go try."

It was
getting late, the boys pressed me to hurry. I had an emotional conversation
with Nana and had to fix my makeup.

She promised to arrive early during
Christmas and spend some time with me before we go to San Diego.

Landon sent two cars, evidently prepared
for Mia, Faith, and Maria. I rode with them and the boys. I left Mom, Keith and
Jenna to catch up.

"Are you guys going to tell me where
we're going?"

I pouted.

"Don't you dare wear that expression,
I want to see you smile throughout the evening."

"Okay, but tell me, pretty
please?"

"You'll know soon enough."

Twenty minutes and two flutes of Cristal
later, Calvin pulled in front of Landon's building. We were greeted by Monroe
at the entrance. We rode in groups.

I got inside the elevator with mom, Jude,
Jenna and Keith.

I pressed the button, but oddly, Keith
pushed to the penthouse floor.

I looked up at him quizzically.

"That's not Landon's floor."

He frowned thoughtfully.

"It's not?"

He asked calmly, his mouth twitching.

"That's odd."

"I agree. What's going on here?"

I prompted urging a secretive Jude to
answer me.

Keith insisted that I wait when the
elevator doors opened on Landon's floor.

We continued the ride up in silence, and I
was getting stressed out.  We got to the last floor, the machine asked for
a code and I looked at Keith with a smirk.

"See? We don't have access."

I said coyly.

To my surprise, he pushed in a code and
the doors opened to reveal a big quilted, white door. He turned the doorknob
and it opened to a gorgeous and crowded open space.

When they saw us they all yelled happy
birthday.

I couldn't hide my stupor.

"Happy birthday, baby-boo."

Jude whispered to my ear, pressing a kiss
to my temple.

Uncle Robert walked straight towards me
followed by Landon. My eyes were following his path. He was breathtaking, in a
band collared blue shirt with turn back cuffs. It fit him perfectly, embracing
his features, with black slacks and calfskin derbies.

Freshly shaved, and his hair the same
disheveled mess.
I could’ve eaten him.

His father was irreproachable, a subtly
striped wool suit, with a two button jacket and a white shirt. Not a hair out
of place.

"Happy birthday Clea, you're a sight
of the heavens."

Uncle Robert, ever the gentleman, raised
my hand to his lips then took me in a swift warm hug.

"Thank you, Uncle Robert."

I beamed at him.

"Your mother's portrait."

He turned to my mom and gave her the same
courtesy.

"Robert, it's so good to see
you."

She turned to him her most elegant smile;
her eyes filled with tenderness.

Landon greeted Keith and Jude then turned
to me and put his arms around.

"You look exquisite baby."

"Ditto, baby."

I winked at him and kissed him.

Whoever organized the party, knew what
they were doing.

The scenery was wonderful, the open space
of the penthouse was brightly illuminated with glass candelabras, polished
marble, light ivory walls with abstract canvases.

Three waiters walked around with champagne
and amuse-bouche.

The living space opened on a terrace with
a panoramic view of the city and the park.

Higher than Landon’s apartment; just as
breathtaking.

On the terrace, multiple tables and stools
spread around the space and three musicians in the corner playing some soft
melodies.

I walked to the bar; it had nothing on any
high-end lounge, fully equipped with every brand, local and worldwide, all
glass, and dark ivory marble.

"Landon, this is awesome. But it's
too much."

I said.

"Nothing is too much for you,
Clea."

"We could've had the party at your
apartment."

He didn't need to get the space for a
party.

"This is my apartment, Clea."

"I’m sorry, come again?"

He offered me a small shrug

"I was renovating, I urged them to
get it ready for the party. I should've mentioned this earlier, but this is my
apartment."

"What about the other one?"

"It's Simon's."

He announced.

"Notice the range of art in here, and
the lack of it downstairs?"

It was true; there were at least two piece
of art on every wall in that apartment. I thought it weird when I walked inside
the other one downstairs; he was so passionate about it.

"It's beautiful."

"Well thank you, but I take no
credit, it's all the work of a very expensive, and frustrating interior
designer."

"Either way, it’s truly
sumptuous."

I said picking up a glass of champagne.

"Happy birthday Clea."

Brooke came in sight followed by Liam and
Silver. I was surprised to see them and wondered who’d planned all this.

"Thank you Brooke."

I hugged her and turned to my other
colleagues.

"You've been holding off on us."

Silver squeaked.

"I mean you're dating Landon Freakin’
Davis."

I flushed scarlet red looking at the man
standing beside me, glancing at one, very indiscreet Silver.

She turned to him.

"I'm kind of star struck, and a
little drunk. Is Alec Avery coming?"

"Sadly, no."

Landon said flashing his gorgeous smile.

"Bummer."

Silver shrugged.

"Next party he'll be attending, I'll
make sure Clea invites you."

He was nice, indulging her like this.
I
really loved him.

"Seriously? That would be grool; I
meant great, I meant cool."

She puffed at herself and we all laughed
at her drunken stupor.

I walked around the party, everybody
mingled. The reunion between my mom and Robert seemed particularly emotional. I
let them be and talked with Eloise.

It turned out that Jenna and Landon
collaborated with Ryan to prepare the party.

Keith assumed the role of a chef to
prepare some of my favorite treats, there was a variety of food for every taste
on the buffet.

I walked to the terrace to witness a
heated conversation between Simon and Evelyn, I didn't mind her presence, but I
wasn't aware she came.

When she noticed my presence, she fell
silent and slashed me a halfhearted fake smile.

"Happy birthday Clea.”

"Hi Evelyn, thank you."

"Hi Simon."

I turned to Landon's brother distracting
him from his apparent fuming state.

He took me in a tight embrace; it
surprised me.

On the two occasions I'd met him, he'd
been distant and polite.

"Happy birthday Clea, is the party at
your liking."

"It's more than I could’ve ever
imagined."

I confessed.

"Yeah, my brother never does things
half way."

He said avoiding Evelyn's gaze until she
walked back inside.

Once we were alone, I turned to him.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

He gestured to one of the twin-cushioned
benches behind me and we sat there.

"Are you guys dating, or
something?"

He retorted with a snort.

"It's complicated."

"I'm sorry to say this, but I don't
see how. You've known each other for a long time, and frankly, she seems hung
on Landon."

I said as sympathetically as I could
manage.

His face turned sad.

"I know."

"So why are you wasting your time?”

"Sometimes, she comes around, and it
feels like everything could work out. But when I ask for more, she just avoids
me."

He explained.

"Listen, I don't normally get
involved with other people's business, especially, this kind of matters, but
see those two."

I pointed to my mother, and his dad. He
nodded.

"They're like family, which gives me
the right to give you my advice, I don't know much about this stuff, and god
knows I'm in love with a man I can't seem to fully comprehend."

I blurted the words out without any
consideration, and his wide-eyed expression told me he was surprised by my
admission, but the grin that followed reassured me, instantly, I had his
confidence.

"You're in love with Landon?"

"Too early?"

I inquired with a shrug.

"There's no such thing, and if you
want my opinion; I had lost any hope that my brother will fall in love until I
saw the way he acted around you."

I was surprised by his words, it sounded
like he never fell in love before, when I knew differently.

"Really?"

I prompted gently.

"What about Audrey?"

"You know about Audrey?"

He asked wryly.

"A little, he told me that she was
the only one that mattered, other than Evelyn."

"Well, Audrey was... Let's just say,
she was complicated."

He said picking my curiosity. But I wasn't
about to get absorbed in a conversation I had no right to have.

"Anyway, that's not important."

I turned my attention to the matter at
hand.

"What's important is that you deserve
better, we all do. Let her chase something she can't have, and be the better
man. I don't really know her, but my first impression wasn't a glowing one, and
if you ask me, she's not worth your brain cells."

"It’s easier said, than done."

"Don't be mad, but Landon told me a
little about what you've been through, the rest was over the Internet. But look
at you, you're a handsome man, any woman would be lucky to get your attention,
and giving what you’d struggled against, I'm sure you're more sensitive than
any other man."