Deserted Desire

Chapter 16

Desirée rinsed out her shampoo and rubbed her aching muscles. What a turnaround she’d made – going from an almost five year long celibacy to non-stop… well, maybe not exactly non-stop, but she certainly felt as though her body had been on high alert ever since Alec walked into her life. Pfft. Now look at who was a walking cliché, Desirée scolded herself.

He had turned her life upside down, though, whether she wanted to admit it or not. To think she was actually considering returning to the US to be with him… But how could she leave everything she loved behind? She wanted Juliette to grow up unspoiled, surrounded by nature, family and friends. Could they really have that here? Even if they did move to the mountains, how long would it take before Alec got restless and decided he wanted to move back to the city? She’d be all alone again, this time without friends nearby to depend on for camaraderie.

The door creaked and a gust of air slipped into the shower as Alec slid back the glass door to step inside. “You’ve been in here for ages,” he lamented and kissed her shoulder. “Everything okay?”

“Just thinking,” she said and leaned her head back against his chest as he squirted some shower crème into his hands and started lathering her up. She let out a small gasp as he swiped his thumbs against the underside of her breasts and then a full out moan when he teased her nipples into attention.

“What were you thinking about?” he asked, nibbling at her earlobe.

“Can’t remember,” she sighed and he turned her around in his arms, kissing her deeply before dropping to his knees to kiss her belly.

~~~

“Damn, you look good in those heels,” Alec commented as they got ready for the gallery opening.

He’d had her bags delivered from the hotel to his apartment and Desirée was now wearing the black cocktail dress she’d gotten for the event, piling her hair atop her head in a sultry mass of curls. Alec couldn’t wait to pull out the pins and run his hands through her silky hair.

“Well, don’t get used to it,” Desirée said and touched up her lip gloss. “In a few weeks I’m going to be too bloated to do much walking of any kind, much less in heels.”

“Meaning you won’t be outrunning me?” Alec said and Desirée saw the glint in his eyes reflected in the mirror.

“Oh, I can still outrun you, Grayson,” she teased him. “You know I would have won that race if I’d put any effort into it. I just didn’t want you to feel bested. I know how frail male egos can be.”

“If I recall, you were panting pretty heavily after that run. I think my stamina is way better than yours,” he returned.

“Is that a challenge, Mr. Grayson?” Desirée locked eyes with him in the mirror and it nearly took her breath away.

“Once this baby is born, you and I are gonna have a proper marathon,” he promised. “In every way,” he added with a whisper in her ear and she shivered in delight.

~~~

“Desirée Grimaud,” Desirée introduced herself to Mr. Hershey, the gallery owner, and let him show her around the gallery, all the while discussing the art pieces he’d acquired for the gallery. She cast a furtive glance over at Alec, who was mingling himself. As if he’d felt her eyes on him, he looked over and smiled. Desirée felt her cheeks heat up and she struggled to focus on Mr. Hershey’s narrative.

What on earth had he done to her? Less than a day spent with him and she’d lost track of the rest of the world. She’d managed to get a phone call in to check in on Juliette, but for the rest of the time, he consumed her.