Slightly Sinful Read online

  The laughter in his gaze dimmed slightly. “Fine, thank God. The tumor was removed successfully and she’ll be able to keep her ovaries. The doctor called her this morning and wasn’t not cancer. She wanted me to thank you for the fruit basket, flowers and spa certificate for when she recovers.”

  Nicholas knew how worried Les had been. His friend only had one sibling, his younger sister, and they were just as close as he and his ten brothers and sisters.

  “Excelente. Give her my best.” When his intercom buzzed, he ended the call. “I have a final meeting with DeMarco in a few minutes. Enjoy your week.”

  “You too. This weekend try to stay out of the office…if you can.”

  “No promete.” No promises, he told Les as he smiled and signed off from the visual conference. Pressing the blinking light on his phone, he let his receptionist know he was cleared from the overseas communications.

  A moment later his door opened to his receptionist, a short thin, Spaniard with short, chic hairstyle. Smiling, she spoke in Spanish. “Juan DeMarco and his partners have arrived.”

  “Perfect, Melina.” He responded in kind. “Make sure they get refreshments in the conference room and inform them I’m on my way.”

  Melina strolled deeper into the office and placed a stack of correspondence on his desk with a few unopened envelopes on top. “Yes, sir. After the meeting, there are a few letters I need you to review from things that came in this week and notes from our meetings. Also, a special delivery came in while you were speaking with Mr. Carter. It is the one on top.”

  Rising, he glanced briefly at the return address of the certified mail. He recognized the name and had a pretty good understanding of what the envelope contained. It could wait until after his meeting. Crossing the room, he collected his suit jacket from the coat rack then slipped his arms into it.

  When he left his office, Melina held a thick folder out to him. “Thanks, Melina.”

  “You’re welcome. Your lawyer just went to the conference room.”

  “Perfect.” Without wasting any more time, he headed to join the men waiting for him. Moving down the corridor, he considered once again the delivered packet, debated whether he would accept.

  Chapter two

  “Look at that water. Lila, have you ever seen anything that clear?” Pamela asked as they both stared out the window of the limousine taking them from the airport to the mansion.

  “Absolutely not, and I hope Silverman has planned some time for us to get in.” Delilah leaned back against the leather seat and enjoyed the light ocean breeze as it caressed her face.

  They had been on their first plane for two hours before arriving in Nassau and taking a short hour flight to the island. The anticipation of delights to come had continued to build since Delilah left home. She waited expectantly to know what the soft drink CEO, Dan Silverman, had planned for them.

  The invitation had said dress sexy, so this morning she had pulled on an ice blue Bonita top with a short Caribbean skirt and a pair of four-inch strapless heels to bring attention to her bare legs. The combination was fierce. This outfit was part of her party gear. Her company had kept her so busy lately; she rarely got an opportunity to dress in such alluring apparel. She was enjoying every minute of it.

  Pamela had picked her up in her convertible Saab 93, wearing an angel mesh mini, weekend getaway dress in lavender from her employer Regal Style. The dress was so sheer her friend’s dark amethyst thong was evident under close inspection. Not to mention the fact that her friend was braless. It never ceased to amaze her how Pamela took sexy and outrageous to a completely new level. Over the years, she’d become accustomed to her friend’s flamboyance and loved Pamela for who she was, a wild woman with a good heart.

  “I am so turned on with anticipation of this night, I’m sure I’ve creamed through my dress,” Pamela oozed with excitement as she fanned herself.

  As the limousine pulled up to a massive beige colored villa, Delilah erupted with laughter at Pam’s comment.

  A Bahamian in a white linen pantsuit met the car and greeted them when he opened the door. “Ms. Winters and Ms. Reynolds, welcome.”

  Impressive. No doubt since Silverman had bought and paid for all the tickets, he kept a running itinerary of when everyone was scheduled to arrive.

  Clasping one hand at a time, the man assisted them out of the vehicle then continued, his words heavy with accent, “If you two will come with me, I will show you where you can freshen up and place your things.”

  When they got into the house, Delilah struggled not to allow her mouth to hang open as she stared at the beauty of the vacation home.

  Pamela had no such qualms about letting her thoughts of the place known. “Oh, my word, Lila, this place has to cost a mint.” Glancing around at the luxury of the room they were escorted to, her friend’s eyes lit with pleasure. “I do believe I could possibly orgasm standing right here in the middle of this room.”

  Delilah was just as impressed with the satin sheets, fur rugs, long tapered candles, nightstands decorated with erotic oils and lotions. Sheer curtains fluttering in a breeze before large bay windows brought in the sweet Caribbean ocean scent.

  Smiling, Delilah turned toward the man standing patiently at the door. “Thank you…” She did not know what to call the man.

  “Michael,” he supplied.

  “Thank you, Michael.” She set her overnight bag beside the bed.

  “You’re most welcome. Ms. Winters, your room is next door to the right.” He pointed toward the dresser. “The map for the house is there. Mr. Silverman and the other guests are downstairs in the garden room. I wish you an indulgent and capricious evening.” Michael bowed and left.

  Catching the sight of a small crystal dish filled with an array of condoms, like potpourri, confirmed Delilah’s impression of the expectation of the attendees of a Silverman party. Once again, butterflies danced in her stomach. For the first time, she considered the possibility that maybe she’d bitten off a bit too much.

  Can I go through with this?

  “You ready, Lila? Or you plan to stand in this room all night?” Pam interrupted. “Not that it would be a bad idea with company.” Pam buried her hand inside the bowl of condoms and let them fall from her hands like raindrops.

  Rolling her eyes, Delilah grabbed Pam’s arm. “Let’s go.”

  ~YH~

  Ten minutes later in the garden room, Delilah asked, whispering out the side of her mouth, “Pam, is that Jack Dennison, the Willington Suites hotel chain owner?”

  Speaking in the same manner, Pamela added, “With Glenda Limpkins, the restaurant critic?”

  She and Pam grabbed a cylinder glass from one of the staff carrying a tray, the drink an array of orange, red and yellow--fruity and rum filled.

  Delilah eyed the odd couple. Glenda stood five eleven while Jack only five three. The pair were together in a public embrace of commitment as they spoke, resembling Olive Ole and Popeye.

  “What do you think she sees in him?” Delilah asked.

  Thirty or so people mingled around the room as Delilah and Pamela smiled and observed others they recognized while making a steady progress toward Silverman.

  “He may be short, but I heard he’s hung like a horse.” Pamela emphasized the words most assuredly responsible for the food critic’s interest.

  “It doesn’t make any difference if every time he gets hard his dick hits the floor and causes his legs to pop up.”

  Pamela’s unexpected loud guffaw caught Delilah off guard and drew attention to them just as they arrived at Daniel Silverman’s side.

  Without missing a beat, her friend turned her noisy slip into a greeting for Silverman. “Daniel, sweetheart, this place is scream-able.” Arms open wide, Pamela consumed him in an embrace.

  Around Pamela, there was never a dull moment and that was exactly what Delilah needed this weekend. Pamela’s brilliance.

  Already smiling, Daniel’s eyes radiated an abundance of joy when he saw
Pamela. The beverage owner pulled her friend into a quick embrace, ending it with a kiss on the corner of her mouth. Well Pam, looks like you weren’t the stalker, but maybe the one being stalked.

  Silverman stepped back, but kept an arm around Pamela’s waist with his hand placed low on the top of her friend’s ass. Delilah watched the play between them with fascination. What do you have planned for this weekend, Silverman?

  For an older man, Silverman kept himself in shape. At six one, he had nondescript brown eyes, but prominent facial features and broad shoulders, well-defined and revealed underneath his light weight white cotton shirt. He wore his silver-blond hair longer than most men’s, making him resemble a Viking, a rugged version of Fabio. Today his shoulder-length waves were pulled back in a ponytail. Silverman was definitely someone she would look twice at. But, he was Pamela’s target.

  “I’m glad you could make it, Pamela.” Silverman spoke her name as if an intimate secret.

  “So am I.” Pamela’s voice was light and airy as she trained her gaze on him, dropping it from his eyes to his mouth.

  His fingers squeezed slightly, raising the already short lavender material.

  Trying not to stare at her friend and their host, Delilah introduced herself to the two people who had been speaking with Silverman. She found out the woman, who appeared in her mid-fifties, was the head editor of one of New York’s papers and had been attending Silverman’s overnight parties for years.

  Delilah was amazed how the woman fought the conflict of interest so well. How the editor remained silent all this time about what went on at the secret getaways. And people thought reporters always looked for a story. Apparently not when it could get them barred from a ‘Silverman party’. Business stopped at the door.

  “Daniel’s parties are always delicious and decadent. I can’t wait to see what he has planned for us this time,” Priscilla explained and then introduced Delilah to a man she called her boy-toy, one of the city’s firefighters. “Isn’t he just lickable and luscious? Kevin and I met on Wednesday, and I called him up when I got the invitation. He traded days to join me.”

  Kevin stood proud and silent as Priscilla offered him up for display. The hot gaze he sent down Priscilla’s body clearly said he suffered no heartache about missing work. And he was quite the treat, looking like the Greek god Adonis, of beauty and desire, willingly back to rejuvenate Priscilla’s secret garden by bathing her in his fountain of youth.

  Pamela’s voice pulled her away from the couple. “Silverman, this gorgeous redhead is my best friend, Delilah.”

  The host clamped his hand around Delilah’s, warm and strong, lifting her hand to his lips for a kiss. “Yes, the owner of Précis Touch. I’ve seen some of your company’s work and it is impressive.”

  Tilting her head, she acknowledged his compliment. “Thanks, Daniel. Keep us in mind if you think about redecoration.” Glancing around at the room’s interior, she finished by saying, “Anywhere.”

  “I will.” Still holding her hand, Silverman’s thumb brushed across her knuckles as his eyes scanned the shoulder length layers of her deep auburn hair then lowered for a moment to the front of her skirt as if he tried to see through the material. His gaze returned to her face. “Are you true?”

  She’d become accustomed to men asking that question, and just like the others, Silverman wanted to know whether or not her sex was adorned with the same vibrant auburn as the hair on top of her head. Her mother, a beautiful black woman, gave her the light brown skin color. However, her Irish father with his carrot top curls was to blame for the natural red highlights that ran through her brown hair. Delilah offered a coy smile. “Some things are best discovered than announced.”

  Silverman winked. “I like your style and look forward to the opportunity to behold the sight with my own eyes.”

  Is he propositioning me with his hands still on my friend’s ass? Delilah looked at her friend with questions in her eyes. Far from a prude, she had done some reckless things in her life, but for some reason this weekend made her feel unsure and wicked at the same time. Men like Silverman who had tomcat standards of sexuality made nervous chills race along her arms. She was still trying to decide if she liked it or not. There was definitely heat racing to place, but she wasn’t ready to dissect what that meant. Not knowing how to respond, she raised her glass and drank liberally.

  Her silence didn’t put their host off. He nuzzled the side of Pamela’s face and whispered something that made her friend nod her head then he reached out and dragged his fingers through the side of Delilah’s own hair.

  “I’ll see you later.” Silverman's voice vibrated with confidence as he turned away and greeted other guests.

  Stepping closer, Delilah asked Pamela, “My word, can you believe him? Pam, I do believe he thinks he can have both of us this weekend.”

  Desire illuminated Pamela’s face as she watched Silverman walk away. “Yes, and if what I felt pressing against my hip is anything to go by, he’s got more than enough to take care of us. And take care of us well.”

  She and Pamela had never shared the same man, but the thought didn’t offend her. He wasn’t her type with his golden boy good looks, but she was trying to remain open-minded. If she wanted to do things how she normally did then she could have stayed home and called an ex.

  Her gaze roamed the room as the sun set, casting a soft reddish-gold glow radiating through the room. She had to admit most of the men in attendance were very attractive, and the women as well, ranging in various shapes, sizes and colors. There were a lot of opportunities to be had here.

  The clinking of a glass brought her attention to Silverman standing in the middle of the room.

  “Good evening, sexy people, and welcome to the thirtieth Pleasure Escape night. I’m still awaiting one more guest, but we’ll go ahead and get started. I have confidence he’ll have no problem catching up when he gets here.” The room erupted with laughter. “I have been planning this night for weeks now. I hope that it lives up to everyone’s gratifying and licentious expectations. Or if you came with no idea of what to imagine, I hope to surpass your wildest dreams.”

  Sexual tension sparked through the room as everyone lifted their glasses and toasted his announcement. Delilah’s pulse began to race. She began to feel the excitement of the night once again. Now, if she could just find the right man to keep her thoughts away from business, she would be all set.

  ~YH~

  After dinner, Delilah sipped her second glass of Beringer, Private Reserve Chardonnay, and relaxed against her seat. The nutty, honey-coated fruit flavors played along her tongue as she listened to conversations around her. Silverman had overwhelmed them with many dishes including spicy sweet potatoes and pumpkin lobster bisque, Caribbean green style Caesar salad and a rigatoni covered in a creamy roasted pancetta bacon sauce underneath thick chunks of conch.

  Now, many nibbled on his or her guava duff as sexual innuendoes and blatant jokes moved freely around the table.

  “So, I hear you’re a virgin of this affair?” Demetrius Harris, a Texas oil tycoon, stroked her knee under the table.

  She was glad she had her legs crossed just in case he had any ideas about moving further up her thigh. Not that she would mind being with him that night. Demetrius was a sexy black man with an almond complexion and light brown eyes. A catch in anyone’s book. The large size of his warm hand wrapped around her knee made chills race along her skin. Maybe he could be her man of the night.

  Giggling, she said, “It’s been a while since anyone has put me with the word virgin. But, new to Silverman’s entertainment, I am.”

  He made small circles on the side of her leg. “Well, tonight if you need any instruction or introduction, let me know. I’d be willing to oblige.” The distinct drawl left no doubt of his origins.

  Swirling the pale liquid around in her glass, she gave him a coy smile. “I’ll be sure to remember that.”

  If she had not been looking at Demetrius, she may have miss
ed the man who walked silently into the room and claimed an empty seat beside Silverman. The two men bowed their heads together for a private discussion then their host called a servant over and requested a plate of food.

  Delilah couldn’t take her eyes off the other man, with his thick wavy black hair, tan skin and strong features, either Hispanic or Italian descent. The man had lips that made her want to moan with the thoughts of feeling them along her skin. She watched him scan the room, not stopping for long at any one person. When his eyes passed by her, they paused only briefly before he moved on. Faintly dejected by his slight, she reminded herself that he didn’t appear to single out any female in the room, just appease his curiosity. Something they all had done during the mingling session before dinner.

  Even if she hadn’t made an impression on him, this man of mystery had certainly sparked something inside of her. Her gaze traveled along the strong column of his neck and took in his broad shoulders. Shoulders a girl wouldn’t mind finding herself curled up against on a cozy night for two. Just thinking about getting that close to him made her body warm and flush as her nipples tightened. Blowing a slow breath, she attempted to control her labored breathing. The tingling sensation around her clitoris alerted her to the fact that her sex would soon be drenched from her budding arousal.

  The latecomer took his plate from one of the servers, oblivious of her eyes on him. This exotic male’s commanding presence captured her attention. Unlike the racing pulse Demetrius had caused, this mystery man made her senses soar. She couldn’t recall ever experiencing lust for a man she had never met.

  “So, you’re on my volleyball team?” Demetrius’ Texas twang snagged her out of her ogling.

  She hadn’t noticed that everyone else was leaving the dining room. Nor did she know at what point she had parted her thighs, or when the tycoons hand had moved up, almost touching the crotch of her panties. “Yes, volleyball.” She popped up too quickly and almost toppled the chair, if not for Demetrius’ quick hands catching it inches from the floor.