Completely Captivated Read online

  “Christa, you and Aaron can take off. I’ll close up alone,” Allie offered.

  “I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here alone.” Aaron’s voice was filled with concern.

  “I’m a big girl, Aaron. I can tie my shoes and everything,” Allie boasted.

  “Let’s go, Aaron. You’ll never win when she’s like this.” Christa pointed at Allie, who was standing with her arms crossed, her brow furrowed, and an evil grin on her face. She was openly daring Aaron to argue with her, but he wasn’t biting.

  “Okay, okay. But for the record, I don’t like it.”

  “Duly noted. Now get out,” Allie ordered.

  Once they stepped outside, Aaron wrapped his arms around Christa and walked as if he was glued to her. His deep voice in her ear sent chills down her spine. “Now, about that offer…”

  Baby

  June

  Monday morning when Aaron walked into his office building, he was still feeling the exhilaration of the weekend with Christa. His happiness was short-lived once he reached his office, however. His smile disappeared from his face when he saw his brother waiting for him.

  “Where the hell have you been hiding? I’ve hardly seen you over the last month,” Lance barked.

  “I’ve been here every day, Lance. My office is three doors down from yours. I’m not that hard to find,” Aaron replied scathingly.

  “I have a new client for you—Kylie Rae Romano. She’s personally overseeing her new clothing line, and she has very specific requirements for the next face of her company. Plus, she’s also planning a huge runway show and needs a whole host of models who can pull off her unique designs. I need you to go to San Diego and work with them directly for the next two weeks. I’ve already told her you’ll do it. You leave next Monday morning.” Lance had made his decision without bothering to ask Aaron for his input. Yet again.

  “You’ll need to pick out the best models you can find. Wine them. Dine them. Do your normal thing,” Lance said, adding his own flair of sarcasm and disgust. “Just don’t screw it up.”

  Aaron’s blood ran cold in his veins. Lance was ordering him, the co-owner of their business, to handpick and personally oversee a project that any of their lower-level partners could handle without his oversight. He was beyond frustrated and disgusted with his brother’s continuously ridiculous demands. Their relationship had been strained at best, but Aaron’s unhappiness was steadily increasing—with his job and his brother.

  “You told her what?” Aaron’s fingers curled into fists, and he placed them on his hips. “Since when do you assign my fucking work for me? I own this damn company, too, Lance. And I will decide if it’s an account I need to handle personally or not. You don’t get to fucking decide that for me.”

  “It’s already decided, and you are committed to it. Kylie specifically requested you, and you are going. This deal cannot fall through,” Lance snarled. “Look, it’s two weeks in San Diego with a shitload of beautiful models. All the eager beavers you can stand, jumping in your bed every night to willingly fuck your brains out. Then you can send them on their way the next morning, no strings attached. That’s right up your alley. What the hell are you complaining about?”

  “I’m not interested in any eager beavers, Lance.”

  “What?” Lance asked disbelievingly as he dropped into the nearby chair. Aaron frowned because that meant Lance intended to stay longer than Aaron wanted him to stay. “Since when?”

  “I met someone. I’ve been seeing her for more than a month now, not that you’d notice or even bother to ask. I’m not interested in fucking any of the models or anyone else, Lance. And I don’t want to be away from her for two weeks.” His hands clenched the back of the chair in front of him, and he readied himself for all-out war with his brother.

  They had never gotten along under normal circumstances, but their relationship made sense where business was concerned. Their parents had encouraged their joint venture and, even though Aaron inwardly cringed at the thought, he gave in to make them proud. When his good looks and natural charm won over even the most beautiful models and clients, he realized his gifts were more than lucrative. Lance’s chosen profession was a huge plus for all their contract and representation agreements.

  When they started their business with less than nothing to their names, Aaron was glad to have a partner who was responsible and dependable. The more successful they became, the more demanding Lance became. He was convinced Aaron would tarnish their good reputation with his manwhoring ways and drag their business down. That was the topic of the majority of their arguments.

  Now Lance was actually pushing him to do just the opposite. He was seriously encouraging Aaron to fraternize with the models in San Diego. Isn’t this ironic? He changes his mind when I have absolutely no interest in it, Aaron thought to himself.

  “This client is important, Aaron. This could set us for life.” Lance spoke slowly as if Aaron didn’t understand plain English and without trying to disguise his annoyance.

  “We’re already set for life, Lance. What more could you possibly want?” Aaron snapped.

  “There’s always more, Aaron. Don’t be naïve.” Lance stood and walked to Aaron’s door. “A week from today, you’d better be on that flight to San Diego. Barbara has your travel itinerary.”

  After he had last word, Lance left Aaron standing in the middle of his office fuming mad and disgusted with himself as much as he was with Lance. Aaron briefly considered the consequences of quitting his own company. How would I even do that? Turn in a two-week notice to myself? Aaron thought dismally. He felt like a caged animal, trapped against his will and against his better judgment. One thought got him through the day without just quitting his job, his company, and his brother—Christa.

  The smell of coffee and sweets assailed his senses as soon as he walked into the café, but it was the sight of Christa that stirred his hunger. She was helping an elderly lady to a nearby table, trying to balance coffee and a brownie in one hand while the little lady walked slowly, leaning on Christa for help and talking nonstop.

  Aaron rushed to her side to take the lady’s order before Christa dropped it. Just as the plate started to tip, Aaron grabbed it and smiled at a stunned Christa when she looked up at him. Aaron placed the items on the table and pulled the chair out for the customer to sit.

  “My hero,” Christa said, wrapping her arms around his waist and pulling herself close into him. “You got here just in the nick of time.”

  He smiled against the top of her head. “Your hero? Now that’s a title I could definitely get used to hearing.”

  “Mrs. Cushing, this is Aaron. Aaron, this is Delilah Cushing. She owns most of this block, and she’s my landlord. She’s also the sweetest lady I’ve ever met,” Christa said while moving to Delilah and putting her arm around her shoulders. Delilah’s face lit up, and her wrinkled hands moved to wrap around Christa’s arm affectionately.

  “Don’t believe her for a second, young man. I’m old, crafty, and I’m not one to be trifled with. She just met me on a good day,” Delilah countered impishly, but her love for Christa was obvious to Aaron.

  Christa kissed Delilah on the cheek and told her she’d check on her later. Delilah watched Aaron as he followed Christa behind the counter. Her keen eyes had seen plenty over the years, and when she looked at Aaron, she saw a young man head over heels in love. Delilah wasn’t kidding when she said she wasn’t one to be trifled with—and she would defend those she loved with all her considerable might.

  Christa had earned her favor when, without knowing who the older woman was, she had helped Delilah when no one else even noticed her. From that moment, Delilah considered Christa as her own granddaughter and secretly helped her. She knew Christa was too proud to accept any handouts, so her craftiness came in handy on more than one occasion.

  She smiled to herself when she thought about how this fully furnished café suddenly became available at an unheard-of low cost for the prime real est
ate. The area it was in justified at least three times the amount Christa was currently paying for it, but Delilah wanted to repay a kindness with a kindness. She had convinced Christa by renting the space she was doing Delilah a favor, helping an old lady out with overhead expenses. Delilah didn’t need the money, though Christa had no idea who she was. Delilah took the monthly payment Christa always made on time and put it in a special savings account. Someone needed to look out for Christa, and Delilah reasoned she should be the one to do it.

  She watched Aaron with her adopted granddaughter, pleased to consider that maybe Christa had found someone else to care for her and love her. He worked tirelessly by her side, helping to fill orders, learning to run the register, and restocking the pastry case. He never complained and rarely took his eyes off Christa. When Delilah stood to leave, Aaron offered his arm to help her to the door.

  “May I have this walk?” Aaron joked as he extended his arm to her.

  “Why, yes, young man, you may!” Delilah answered jovially.

  “Is someone picking you up, or do you need a ride somewhere?”

  “My driver is waiting outside, but thank you for asking,” Delilah said while holding his arm. “You’re a good boy. I know you’ll be good to my girl over there.”

  “Yes, ma’am, you don’t have to worry about that,” Aaron replied with a smile.

  * * *

  “Oh my feet! It’s been a long day!” Christa complained as they entered her apartment.

  “I will gladly massage them for you, babe,” Aaron offered.

  “I just may take you up on that.” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

  He bent so she could reach him better, then wrapped his arms around her and picked her up. He kicked the door shut with his foot, carried her to the couch, and laid her down while never removing his mouth from hers. His hands roamed over her body, over her clothes, taking time to memorize her every curve and plane. He broke off their kiss, sat back on his heels, and gently stroked her cheek with his hand.

  He picked up her legs and sat on the couch, placing her feet on his lap. He removed her shoes and began massaging one foot, taking his time to help her relax. After a couple of minutes, she closed her eyes and moaned in appreciation. He massaged up her calf, the back of her knee, and finally her thigh. Instinctively, she spread her legs wider as his hand slid upward. He started over with the other foot, rubbing, massaging, and working his way up her leg. Her sighs and murmurs were intoxicating. Aaron wanted to keep going just to continue hearing her sweet sounds.

  “Christa,” he said softly as his hands continued to work their magic.

  “Hmm,” she muttered.

  “I have to go out of town next Monday on business. I’ll be gone for two weeks.” He didn’t want to ruin their time together, but he couldn’t wait until the last minute to spring it on her.

  Her eyes flew open, and he saw the flash of worry in them. “Two weeks? Why so long?”

  “It’s not my choice, believe me. And if I could take you with me, I would. I didn’t think you could leave the café that long, though.” He stopped to look at her, raising his eyebrows in question. She shook her head side to side to indicate no.

  “This client has several business lines, and they are coordinating an entire reengineering of their company. So, over these two weeks, I’ll meet with the department executives to learn their marketing plans and set up reviews of the models who meet their specific needs. It really is a big deal for my company—both the money and our reputation in the industry,” Aaron explained.

  Christa was silent a little too long for Aaron’s comfort.

  “Talk to me, babe,” he urged.

  She blew out her breath in frustration. “It’s me, Aaron—it’s just my…insecurity.” She waited another minute longer before shrugging her shoulders. “I guess I’m just afraid you’ll find someone better than me.”

  Aaron shook his head. “There is no one better than you, sweetheart.”

  She gave him a small smile. “Will you be back on the weekends?”

  “I will do my best to be,” Aaron promised.

  “Well, we have a week before you go, right?”

  “Right,” Aaron said with a smile.

  “Then let’s make the most of it,” Christa cooed.

  Aaron’s eyes widened for a split second before narrowing suspiciously at her statement. Of course he wanted to make the most of it, but he wasn’t convinced that she was ready for that part of their relationship yet.

  “What do you propose?” he asked seductively, giving her all the control and letting her take whatever she wanted.

  Christa’s tongue darted out nervously to wet her lips as she slowly licked them before she pulled her bottom lip in between her teeth. She was completely unaware that her unassuming actions were heating Aaron beyond measure. When she looked up into his eyes, she gasped at the unbidden longing she saw in them.

  A sudden boldness took root as Christa sat up, leaned toward him, and crawled into his lap, straddling him so that they were face-to-face. He watched her with a curious and amused expression, still giving her full control to do as she pleased. She held his face in her dainty hands, leaned in, and softly brushed her lips against his. He eagerly reciprocated the kiss, spurring her on as she moved her body closer to his.

  She lightly sucked his bottom lip into her mouth, skimming it with her tongue before releasing it and slowly pushing her tongue into his mouth. His hands moved to her hair as their kiss deepened, their tongues performing an erotic and sensual dance, moving and gliding across the other.

  She moved to his jawline, placing kisses while her hands stroked his chest through his shirt. She moved back, giving herself room to reach more of him as her fingers unbuttoned his shirt one at a time. His growl vibrated through her core when her hands found his bare skin underneath.

  When she pulled back and looked directly into his eyes, a moment of confusion flashed across his face as she moved off his lap and onto the floor in front of him. It was quickly replaced by reverence and need when her fingers moved to unbutton his pants.

  Wordlessly, she motioned for him to stand, and he complied with only a moment of hesitation. As his pants fell to the floor, she stroked the length of his already hard shaft through his boxer briefs. She slowly, tortuously, and purposely peeled them off him, freeing his erection in the best possible position directly in front of her.

  She lifted her eyes, watching Aaron through her lashes, as she ran her tongue around his girth before lapping up the clear bead balanced on the tip. The primal groans emanating from Aaron conveyed all she needed to know and gave her all the confidence she needed to continue.

  His head fell back as his fingers wound through her hair. She took him into her mouth with her warmth and wetness instantly enveloping him. Her tongue felt like the finest silk, swirling and circling his girth, before flattening and taking him deeper.

  His fingers held fast to her head, gripping and fisting her hair as she worked him faster and faster with her mouth and her hand. Relaxing the muscles in the very back of her throat, she held him deep in her mouth as she moaned and allowed the sensations to vibrate through him.

  “Fuck, baby, you’re killing me. Damn, you feel so good,” he huffed out, quickly losing his self-control. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to—”

  She could tell he was close, feeling every muscle in his beautiful body tense and hearing the edge of his voice, she worked him harder. Aaron lowered his face, looking down at her as she looked up at him with her determined expression, and he was completely undone. His knees nearly buckled under him as he watched her take his very last drop. The act itself was so intimate and personal that he instantly felt even more protective and possessive of her.

  He gently stroked her hair as she pulled back from him. She could almost see his love for her cascading from his eyes, pouring into hers as their gazes locked. He moved his hands under her arms to help her stand before he lifted her, her legs wrapped around his wai
st, and he thoroughly and completely kissed her. All his emotions were just under the surface, bubbling and boiling, ready to break through.

  There was no doubt he loved her, no doubt how important she was to him. There was absolutely no doubt about her place in his life. His own insecurities warred in his mind, begging to be let out and made known. More than anything, he wanted to make her understand that she belonged to him. Not in a Neanderthal-caveman type of belonging…but in a much deeper, more profound respect.

  To emphasize his sincerity, he spoke softly as he held her tight against him. He didn’t want to break the spell between them, but there was a lingering doubt that nagged him with relentless thoughts. A question that he needed answered to make sure they were on the same wavelength.

  “I want to be everything you need. The only one you crave. My name—the one you scream. My touch—the one that burns you, melts you, and excites you. Only mine. I may be selfish, but I won’t share you. Tell me you’re mine—only mine.”

  His eyes bored into hers with a fierceness that made her heart palpitate. She marveled at how his strong arms so easily held her petite frame suspended off the ground. But it was the possessiveness, coupled with an intense, deeply rooted need in his voice that had her unraveling at the seams.

  “I am yours, Aaron. Only yours. There’s no one else I want, and I would never do that to you,” Christa answered earnestly, searching his eyes for answers to her unspoken question. When he didn’t respond, she continued, “Baby, tell me what’s wrong.”

  His eyes softened, and his lips twitched upward in one corner, making her lean in and kiss the corner of his mouth.

  “What was that little smile for?”

  “You’ve never called me ‘baby’ before.”

  “You don’t like it?” she asked, the concern obvious in her voice.