Ibiza Insanity Page 4
But what played on Ciara’s mind all night, even after they’d bumped into Kieran and hit Amnesia, was the look in his eyes when she’d left him. It was almost like he’d given up hope that he could make a go of things for himself, either that or the guilt for letting down his family had won over his happiness.
Gem and Elle tried to ply her into having a good time, buying her shot after shot and dragging her onto the dance floor when a song they recognised came on. But every time she let her guard down and started to enjoy herself, she got a dose of the guilts herself.
Then later, just as the DJs changed over, the place transformed completely. As well as strobe lights they were surrounded in bubbles that would no doubt stain her dress, and since she’d opted for the Givenchy number she was not letting it get ruined by a club still stuck in the 90s. Or so she told Elle and Gem when she left them there.
Really, she just wanted to see Zack.
The hotel was quiet when she got in but then a phone rang and Zack answered in fluent German. Amazing how many languages he and Elle knew. No wonder their business did so well internationally.
She couldn’t understand the words but could see the frustration creasing his brow when she found him on the sofa. His half smile was all for her and it melted her heart. He offered his free hand and when she took it, he pulled her over so she was sitting beside him.
Zack’s words were clipped and dry to whoever he was speaking to and every now and again she squeezed his hand, just to check he was okay. Each time he’d smile at her and roll his eyes but it seemed like an act.
She decided a massage might do the trick and climbed over the sofa, ignoring his puzzled look. While the brisk conversation continued, she rubbed his bare shoulders, kneading the muscle with her fingers and when he rested his head on the back of the sofa, she bent down and nibbled his earlobe.
His breath hitched and the next time he spoke he sounded much more polite to the caller. Ciara decided she liked this game and walked around to stand in front of him. His eyes were hooded and dark as he took her in from head to toe, and his grin was too seductive to resist.
She slipped the strap off her shoulder and unzipped the side of the dress until it slid down her body to the floor. Though it wasn’t sexy, she picked up the prettiest dress in the world to make sure it stayed wrinkle free, but soon got back to her pose, sliding her fingertips down the front of her knickers.
His throat worked as he swallowed hard, watching her so carefully he actually sputtered out his next sentence.
Feeling brave, Ciara slid one hand up her stomach slowly until she was cupping her breast. The fact that he was watching made the space between her legs throb and she gave into the urge, sliding her other hand all the way down and rubbing herself.
The way his whole body tensed like he was struggling to hold himself back made everything that more intense. She squeezed her nipples, revelling in the sharp bursts of pleasure/pain while building up to an orgasm that would take her lip off if she had to hold the cry in.
‘I need to go,’ he said, switching to English. He ended the call and then turned back to watch her. ‘Fucking hell, Ciara.’
‘Zack,’ she said on a gasp, just as the pressure burst and pulsed through her body.
He didn’t give her a chance to recover, pulling her down on his lap into a kiss that was furious and desperate. It didn’t take long to rip off what little clothes they had left and the second the protection was in place, he took her hard and fast on the sofa.
She cried his name over and over again as she clung onto him and took his powerful thrusts, one after another until her second orgasm blended into her third or was that her fourth?
He didn’t stop once, not even after his body jerked and he panted her name like little oaths. The sofa hit the wall before they were both through and she didn’t care how sore she’d be in the morning, not when she felt this incredible now.
Gem really was onto something with the super endorphins.
A little while later when they’d caught their breath, Zack broke the silence. ‘Not that I mind, but why are you back so early?’
She looked into his eyes, wishing she could promise him so much but she wasn’t sure it was what she wanted and there were no guarantees she’d be able to keep them. Well, accept one.
‘Don’t make up your mind just yet. I want to show you how good life can be, even on a budget.’
His frown and the way his eyes narrowed made her wonder if she’d gone too far into his business.
‘Why would you want to do that?’ he asked.
‘Because I hate seeing you sad and I think you always will be if you don’t follow your dreams. If I had any, I’d do everything I could to make them a reality.’
After a deep breath, he said, ‘Okay, I’m in.’
She grinned, so happy he was letting her help out that she couldn’t stop herself. ‘As soon as we land in Florence we’ll start.’
‘Well, since we’re still in Ibiza and technically I’m still employed, is it safe to give you something?’ he asked.
Ciara bit her lip. ‘What kind of something?’
‘Relax, it’s not a dress or a pair of designer shoes.’
He let her go and crossed to their room. A minute later he returned with a box just a bit bigger than what a watch would go in. She frowned, thinking watches were awfully expensive.
‘Open it,’ he said, holding it out to her.
She lifted the lid to see a bronze cuff with pearl markings and a diamante in the middle. It was so pretty and unique, she’d never seen anything like it. ‘I love it.’
‘A local jeweller makes one of a kind trinkets. I saw it walking by the store and thought of you.’
Her eyes got a little blurry and she had to blink so she could see him properly. ‘Thank you, Zack. It’s beautiful.’
Not to mention it was something she would always have to remember him by. Instead of embarrassing herself with that mush, she went for teasing instead. ‘But remember in Florence, trinkets aren’t allowed.’
‘I’m sure I’ll manage to get by without them,’ he said with a grin and she laughed.
‘I’m positive you will.’
The fun continues…
Join the girls on the next stop of their round-the-world trip!
Flirting in Florence
Aimée Duffy
All my life I’ve been dreaming up stories. My mum said when I was little I used to make all the My Little Pony figurines talk to each other and even fall in love. Later, it was Barbie and Ken. In my teens, I played matchmaker with my friends at school.
When I wasn’t creating imaginary scenarios, I had my nose stuck in books, reading across genres and there was one thing I loved more than the escapism—the fact a story could touch me so deeply, like I was experiencing everything along with my characters. I knew from early on this was something I wanted to do for others.
Fast forward a few years and the dream almost got lost in real life, but I still couldn’t shake it completely. Now I write sizzling romance with the hope of making my readers’ hearts race as if they are falling in love for the first time.
You can follow me on Twitter @AimeeDuffyx.
About HarperImpulse
HarperImpulse is an exciting new range of romance fiction brought to you from the women’s fiction team at HarperCollins. Our aim is to break new talent from debut authors and import the hottest trends from the US, bringing you the very best in romance. Whether that is through short reads for your mobile phone or epic sagas that span the generations we want to proudly publish romance fiction that gets everybody talking.
Romance readers, come and meet the team at our website www.harperimpulseromance.com, our Facebook page www.facebook.com/HarperImpulse or follow us @HarperImpulse!
Writers, we are simply looking for good stories! So, what are you waiting for? To submit, e-mail us at romance@harpercollins.co.uk.
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