Eden's Pleasure (Pulse Book 1) (14 page)

Her hand swooped into a stop-right-there motion. “Let me clarify something, ‘cause you got it all wrong, honey. The woman’s the one in charge. She’s the one with a mouth full of teeth. My best advice to you would be to come up stairs and I’ll show you.” She stood and Eden reluctantly followed. They made their way up to the club’s rear entrance.

Off to the back of the club, behind a curtain, was a locked room Eden had never noticed before. Inside there was a double bed and a chest of drawers with a flat screen and DVD player, nothing else.

Mikala opened the drawers one by one and Eden peered in with curiosity. Inside were adult toys, some she was familiar with, but many she had no idea how they were used. The bottom drawer had several movies in it and porn magazines.

“Don’t look so shocked kitten! Mikala has a naughty side too!” Mikala said, rummaging in the top drawer until she pulled out a large dildo. “Meet B.O.B. He’s going to show you what to do.”

They both roared with laughter when she wiggled it in the air.

After several hours of sex education lessons from Mikala, too many movies and pictures, Eden sat bewildered and a bit turned on.

“We need to go shopping, now," Eden sparked.

Mikala laughed at her friend. "I have everything you need here but okay, for what?"

"What do you think? Sexy lingerie." They giggled like naughty school girls.

Mikala stopped short in the doorway. “I thought you had to get back to work?” she reminded her.

Eden shrugged. “If anyone asks, I’ll tell them I had to stop for supplies.” She grinned. “It’s not a lie.”

Mikala slapped her butt and they ran down the stairs and out into the bright street. “This way honey.” She took her arm and pulled her to the right. “Claudia will fix you up. She owns ‘Dark Lace’. I buy all my essentials from her store.”

“I knew you’d help me. Thanks.” Eden hugged into her arm and they quickly hurried down the busy street.

***

Soaking in a tub full of fragrant bubbles was Eden’s favorite escape after a long day at work. The smell of sweet jasmine and orange essence filtered through the air, relaxing her weary bones and far too tight muscles. It was beyond wonderful, and the water was hot and soothing. This was just what she needed after her longer than usual day. Then she laid her head back on the blowup bath pillow that suctioned to the tub’s edge and closed her eyes.

In her mind, she played out a scenario of her and Chase tangled together in the throes of passion. Hot and sweaty with hands all over, and lips seeking out each other, arched backs and his hot breath on her skin. Picturing Chase’s naked body and fully erect penis as he smiled and stroked it before pushing into her eager opening, she licked across her bottom lip and grinned. She was getting quite worked up in her mind realizing that her breathing had become shallow and her heart rushed.

Eden reached between her legs, running her fingers over her clit, seeking a much needed orgasm with hurried, even caresses. Letting out a moan of pleasure as her climax neared, she pushed her head back and pictured Chase’s mouth covered over her slick opening and his tongue probing her clit. When the phone rang, it pulled her swiftly from her near release.

She sat up and pulled the plug. As it started to drain, she climbed from the tub and reached for her towel on the counter. She caught her reflection in the mirror. She studied her naked body from head to toe and decided she looked damned good. If only that scar would just disappear.

The phone’s persistent ringing forced her to move. She quickly threw on her robe while running into the bedroom. She splayed her body across the bed and grabbed the phone from the bedside table.

"Hello?"

"Hi," Chase said with his usual sensual tone. “Are you busy, am I taking you away from anything important?”

She smiled to herself, almost embarrassed. "Nothing that can’t wait until later. How are you?" she asked.

"Lonely."

She rolled onto her back and put her arm under her head, crossed her legs, getting comfortable biting at her lip with a smile. If he only knew what she had been doing to herself not too long ago
, he’d be more than a little lonely,
she thought.

"That's a shame," she said with a grin.

"I was thinking of you, thinking of us." He always sounded so passionate, that sultry tone of his causing dampness to form between her thighs, reminding her of unfinished business.

"What exactly were you thinking Chase?" she asked, then waited in anticipation.

He chuckled slightly. "I could tell you, but I'd rather show you, baby!" The naughty innuendo made her clit pulse and she crossed her legs tighter to stifle her reaction.

"I was thinking that I'd like to cook for you, if you’re not busy Friday night? At my place? I’ll send a driver so you can have a glass of wine if you like."

Eden ran her finger over her lower lip, thinking of her last adventure involving the combination of too much wine and Chase. It wouldn’t be like that this time; she could control the situation and alcohol consumption. After all, she wouldn’t be as nervous this time. Maybe. Why not? It was dinner and an evening to get to know each other. If things got out of hand, she’d simply leave.

"I'd like that very much," she beamed.

"That's great.” His entire demeanor seemed to change, the sultry replaced by keenness. “Do you like French food?"

"I'm not sure, do French fries count?” They laughed. “French food sounds wonderful."

"French it is! Eight o’clock good for you?" He sounded eager. This made her happy.

The idea of spending an evening in his apartment still sounded a wee bit daunting, perhaps, but she wouldn’t over think it, even though she had a tendency to do just that. "Yes. I’ll see you then."

“I can’t wait,” Chase whispered into the phone. She could practically feel his breath at the lobe of her ear.

“Neither can I. Goodbye.” She hung up the phone and hugged herself in her snuggly terry robe.

"I will show you in, Miss Fox, one moment." The driver got out and made his way around the car to assist her. "This way please." Opening the door, he held it as she headed inside to the elevators straight ahead.

"This way please, Miss Fox." He turned to the left, proceeding to a lone elevator marked 'Pen 1', pushed in a code on the pin pad and gestured her in. "Mr. Dean will greet you upon your arrival."

"Thank you," she called, as the door closed. It was not a large elevator but fully mirrored, even the ceiling.
Kinky!
She laughed to herself.

When the elevator door slowly slid open, she found herself in the penthouses’ small foyer, Chase leaned to the side, waiting. He was so beautiful, dressed in light gray slacks and a white button down shirt, no shoes or socks. Her view was quite delicious.

He stepped forward, leaning in to kiss her cheek. She shivered at the touch of his soft lips. "Come in." He took her by the hand and led her into the living room.

Eden stood in awe. The room had an eighteen foot high ceiling at least, with rich cream colored walls and a winding walnut staircase leading to a balcony landing, moving again to a second and third staircase. It was grandiose and opulent. Stately and impressive like a spread in one of her design magazines. She couldn’t help but be impressed.

An enormous crystal chandelier, with black shades, hung from the center of the massive room. The furnishings were in true, classic design giving a masculine yet unisex flare. It was an amazing room and she was very interested to see the rest of the penthouse, especially if this was just the appetizer for what was to come.

This was the type of home she had always dreamt of owning one day. Living in this lavish elegance, an extravagant, luxurious dream world all on its own was just that though, a dream.

"What do you think, Miss Fox? Does it meet up to your standards?" He smirked.

"I think it will do." She giggled. "It's great, it should be featured in House and Home.”

“You don’t think it’s too much?” he asked, as he pulled her further into the room.

She gave him a sideways glance. “Of course it’s too much. I would be disappointed if it were anything less.”

“Are you saying its over-the-top? Not me?”

“Oh, it’s you alright. Dramatic and extreme, nothing understated. I like that about you.”

He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “What else do you like, Miss Fox?”

Pulling her hand away, she pointed up with her index finger and laughed nervously. “I like the landing."

"The landing?" he asked. Of all the areas of the penthouse, she had focused on the landing? He had to wonder if it was a design thing, one of her quirky traits that he had not yet discovered.

"There's just something…I'm not sure what it is," she explained.

"Maybe we can investigate that something later," he said wickedly.

She caught her breath and found herself giggling again, feeling very juvenile, with an insane pent-up enthusiasm. Chase did crazy things to her temperament, bringing out a simpler yet far more spirited side of her nature, among other things.

Chase placed his hand at the small of her back. "Come, we'll have some wine. I have the same Pinot we had at dinner chilling." He directed her through a set of French doors and into the kitchen.

The kitchen was very classic, all dark wood cabinets. The white, 1925 Cookstone appliances with nickel plated trim were the real features of the room. Eden was truly impressed. She couldn’t cook to save her life, didn’t have much of a desire to try, but this kitchen could make a person want to sign up for lessons at Le Cordon Blue.

A smell of delicate spices in the air made her stomach growl, and she hoped he hadn’t noticed. Eden took a seat at the table, noting the two place settings arranged at the corner of the table, the seats promoting an intimate dinner. Chase was a romantic, no doubt in her mind. A simple candle gave a quixotic glow, and she smiled appreciatively.

Chase left her to retrieve the wine, returning with two glasses before handing her one. “Here’s to the promise of a very special evening.” He clinked their glasses together, and they both took a sip.

A blush came to her face as she thought about their dinner at
49
and that night’s events after too much wine. It felt like ages ago. Her thoughts and his voice that night stoked her internal furnace, just the way it was now.

"There’s that blush," he said as he took a seat next to her. He took a sip of his wine as he watched her closely.

Trying to change the subject, she asked, "So what's upstairs?" She regretted the question the minute it left her mouth.

He grinned as she squirmed uncomfortably. "My office and a guest room. The main bath and my bedroom are also upstairs. I'll take you on a tour if you like or would you prefer to eat first?"

"I'd love a tour, yes please." Her nosy bitch side kicked in, her mind playing designer, trying to visualize what she might find upstairs. Eden imagined his room, masculine and fierce, dark tones with harsh black and gray shades.

Handing Eden her wine glass, he took her hand and pulled her to her feet. He picked up his glass and then blew out the candle, before pulling her along with him through a doorway off of the kitchen, into the dining room with a table for twelve. They moved back into the living room area and down a hallway into a library with surrounding built-in bookcases, filled, almost to overflowing, with books. Completing the room was a floor to ceiling carved marble fireplace.

He didn’t say a lot except to point out what each room was and allowing her to examine her surroundings in peace. She was too busy taking it all in to hear him anyway. So many rooms, she lost track, the place was huge and emitted power like this man, nothing understated for him.

The Staircase at last!
she thought.

She was intrigued with the mystery. A staircase winding its way up to the landing balcony gave view to the living room below. A large overstuffed chair big enough for two sat in the corner with a floor lamp to the side. This area made her feel warm and welcome. She liked it very much. She could imagine being curled up with a great book in the cushions of the chair, but the idea of being curled up next to Chase in that chair sent a bolt of electricity to her toes.

"Is it all you thought it would be?" he whispered in her ear.

Eden squeezed his hand. "I love it, a secluded spot." He watched her face light up as she conveyed her thoughts. She had a real passion that warmed his heart to see.

They made their way up the next small staircase to two doors. The first stop was a guest room all white furniture, walls, and linens. It was cold as ice and unwelcoming; not what she expected to find. So not Chase, and so out of place among all the grandeur. Eden turned with a questioning look only to be met with a stony glance before being pulled away.

The second door opened to an overly masculine office with all dark wood walls, where a large standalone secretary with glass doors dominated the room. Inside the secretary were old books, ornaments, and awards. The polished floors gleamed. The furnishings were all in a classic style and were ornately carved. The desk made her laugh, it being far too big, much like Mr. Hawthorn's.
What was it with men and their desks?
She tittered at the thought
.