Page 56 of Tempting Eden

I was almost more impressed that she climbed the ladder in her skirt and heels than the glamor of her décor.

Eden clapped her hands. “This is just what I envisioned. I can’t wait to see what you did with the pool!”

She rushed through the rest of the lobby, past the bar, past the catering staff setting up the tables, past the model and the sales table. I followed her. The last rays of the sun were glinting off the ocean as we took in the scene.

The pool was large, shaped in a fleur de lis, and beautifully tiled in purple and cerulean. The water flowed to the horizon and disappeared over the edge. Beyond, the sea lazily washed up on the shore. Topiaries were set along the perimeter and around the pool. These were in planters and had tall, thin trunks and large green poofs at the top. Crystals hung from the bottom branches, refracting light at all angles. The same lights were woven inside the leaves, and the bases were swathed in silvery, glittering fabric.

Above, Bess had somehow strung a huge three-dimensional multi-pointed star over the pool and multiple smaller stars along nearly invisible wires leading from the center outward. Detail was in everything, right down to the choice of chairs and towels that looked casually arranged, but were no doubt placed precisely by Bess.

The light sea breeze played through the pool area, sending Eden’s hair into the air around her. Pleasant smells of surf, sand, and the lingering hint of fresh wood and fresh paint made the area seem somehow richer.

Eden’s hand went to her mouth.

“You okay?”

“No. I mean, yes. Bess really pulled it off.”

I took a few more steps and put my hands on her hips. She leaned back into me.

“Bess has done her part, now I just have to do mine.” Her voice shook ever so slightly.

I dropped a kiss on the crown of her head. “No pressure or anything.”

She snorted a small laugh. “Right. None.”

I heard the click-clack of heels growing louder, so I stepped away from Eden. She may not care if Tom knew about us, but I didn’t know how far she wanted the news to travel. We stood side by side and watched the deep blue of the ocean douse the great torch along the horizon.

“It’s not finished yet, but we’re getting close.” Bess was harried. “The fresh flowers arrive in the morning. They’ll be threaded into the topiaries and draped along the staircase that leads to the mezzanine and also on—” She seemed to have to force herself to stop speaking. She took a breath and held it. “Well, it isn’t important right now. I just want to know, is it…is it what you wanted?” The note of worry in Bess’ voice was new to me.

Eden turned and surveyed Bess up and down. The designer appeared a bit frazzled, her silky hair tied up in a messy bun and glasses covering her dark eyes. She could use a good night’s sleep.

Eden looked up at the starry lights. “I honestly couldn’t have done it better myself.”

Bess sagged with relief. “Thank God. But there’s more, a lot more. My people will be finishing up overnight and tomorrow. It will all be absolutely perfect. I promise.”

“I have all the faith in the world.”

“Thank you, Ms. Rochester.” Bess gave a nod before returning to the lobby and barking out orders for her assistant. She seemed to have gotten her second wind from Eden’s high praise.

Eden took my hand and pressed it hard.

“Sellout. Tomorrow night. It’s as good as in the books,” I said.

She glanced up at me, a troubled frown on her face. “God, I hope so. All this work can’t be in vain.”

Even if she didn’t get it sold according to Mr. Poole’s wishes, she’d still be making bank on the half commissions. It seemed like a win-win proposition on that score.

Before I could question her any further, she looked at me through her lashes and whispered, “Let’s go up to our room.”

She didn’t have to tell me twice. Ever since her kiss at the airfield, I was on fire to touch her, taste her. I cursed whoever designed the glass elevator. I waited patiently until we were inside the apartment before pushing her up against the wall and giving her a taste of her own medicine. A rough kiss, the one I’d wanted to give her since the first moment I saw her.

She moaned as I palmed her ass and lifted her, forcing her legs around me as I pressed my body into hers, pinning her to the wall. I yanked the hem of her shirt over her head and feasted on her breasts. Her hard nipples skipped across my tongue as I sucked one and then the next. I pushed against her, my cock straining toward her through the layers of clothing as her fingers worked against my shirt buttons. She was already hot between her legs. Imagining her wet made me grind against her before lifting her and carrying her to the bed.

She fisted my shirt and pulled me down on top of her. I knew it must have crushed the air from her, her small frame fully beneath my much larger one. She wrapped her legs around me when I tried to back away.

“No. I want to feel you. All of you.”

Her words were an aphrodisiac of their own, making my body respond. I hated every stitch of fabric between us. I stood and stripped. She hitched in a breath and let her gaze rove over me, her hazel eyes sparkling in the glancing rays of the low moon.

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