Evidence of Desire Read online

  Chapter 11

  The honeymoon suite at the St. Regis Hotel was a magical, enchanted space, one filled with so many romantic touches Azure felt like Cinderella when she entered the spacious living room. Bronze pendant lamps showered the room with a soft, golden light, the exotic fruit in the heart-shaped gift basket sweetened the air, and the windows offered a panoramic view of downtown Philadelphia. The stars stretching the length of the deep blue sky hovered over the city like an umbrella, and from the twenty-fifth floor, the sight was nothing short of majestic.

  “This place is incredible,” Azure gushed, stunned by the view and the sultry ambience of the lavish suite. “I’ve stayed in a lot of great hotels, but nothing like this.”

  “If you think this is nice wait until you see the Sea of Cortez Resort in Cabo San Lucas. I don’t impress easily, but their Oasis Suite blew me away.”

  “The closest I’ll ever get to Mexico is Fiesta Night at Los Taquitos Restaurant!”

  “We’re going to have to do something about that, then.” His smile was soft, filled with warmth and matched his light, easygoing tone. He was standing beside the mahogany desk, a mere breath away, and his cologne wafted toward her like a refreshing breeze. “I want us to go to Cabo San Lucas for Christmas and spend a few days at the Sea of Cortez Resort. It’s always packed with celebrities, and we’re bound to get some good press if we’re there for all the holiday festivities.”

  “Harper, I can’t afford a trip to Cabo.”

  “It won’t cost you a thing,” he said, assuring her. “And who knows, maybe you can score an interview with Diddy or Mariah, because they’re always at the resort!”

  Azure laughed, then promised to give it some more thought.

  “You’ll have a good time. I guarantee it.”

  There was a hitch in his tone, a catch that made her eyes zero in on his. The air was charged with tension, so thick and heavy it was difficult for Azure to breathe. Finally, after hours of mingling with their guests and posing for the cameras, they were alone. Completely alone. There were no waiters around offering champagne, no family members quizzing them about their dating history and Harper’s mother wasn’t shooting her dirty looks from across the room. It was their wedding night, and although the ceremony had been just for show, Azure couldn’t help feeling let down. There’d be no kisses, no passionate embraces, no heartfelt words while making love and the thought of going to bed—alone—was depressing.

  Tearing her gaze away from Harper’s face, she stared outside the balcony window and out into the night sky. Azure hugged her arms to her chest. She needed a moment to think, to reflect on everything that had happened tonight. They’d pulled it off, the mother of all publicity stunts, but Azure felt more nervous now than when she was walking down the aisle.

  “I almost forgot. This is for you.”

  Azure glanced over her shoulder, surprised to find Harper holding a small red gift bag in his outstretched hands. “What is it?”

  “Open it and see.”

  As she reached for the bag, her hands skimmed Harper’s fingers. Lust engulfed her, caused her body to burn hotter than the tip of a flame. All night, they’d danced and flirted and held hands, and now Azure was so desperate for Harper all she could think about was making love to him on the satin-draped bed. She wanted to kiss him, to use her lips and mouth and hands to convey what she was feeling inside, but she knew Harper would reject her. And that would kill her. She’d been rejected by her peers, her family and enough men to last a lifetime, and Azure wasn’t going to risk her pride for a few fleeting moments of pleasure.

  “Harper, it’s beautiful,” she whispered, taking the white lace nightgown out of the bag.

  “It’s for your trousseau,” he explained. “You don’t have to put it on, but I made a big show of buying it this afternoon at that boutique you went to, so you might as well keep it.”

  Azure didn’t know what to say, so she remained silent. It was either that or throw herself in his arms and devour his lips. But since she wasn’t a soap star, and he wasn’t her leading man, she forced her gaze away from his mouth and prayed for an extra dose of self-control.

  “I wanted you to have something to remember tonight.”

  “You mean, I don’t get to keep my wedding ring?” Azure exclaimed, holding her left hand up high in the air and wiggling her fourth finger. “I never imagined myself getting married, but this is the ring of my dreams!”

  “After the performance you gave tonight, you deserve to keep it. You were amazing, Azure, and charmed everyone from my brothers to my cynical cousins. My family loves you, and I think our plan is off to a great start.”

  “You do? I don’t know, Harper. Your mom is awfully upset about us getting married.”

  Harper loosened his tie and unbuttoned his tuxedo jacket. Taking it off, he draped it over the back of the cushioned desk chair. “Don’t worry about my mom. She’ll come around.”

  Yeah, when she’s standing over my casket, Azure thought, chilled by the frightening image that flashed in her mind. Feeling Harper’s eyes on her, she feigned interest in the framed art on the walls and moved toward the fireplace. On the mantel, scented candles, vases filled with dried flowers and glass sculptures were artfully arranged, and gave Azure something to do besides ogling Harper. Standing beside him was too much. Too much pressure, too much temptation. What if he tried to kiss her? A more troubling thought struck. What if he didn’t?

  “You go off to bed,” Harper said, putting his arm around her shoulder and steering her toward the master bedroom. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Where are you going to sleep?”

  “I’ll take the couch.”

  “Oh, okay. Good night.”

  Harper gave Azure a chaste kiss on the cheek, then closed the bedroom door.

  An hour later, Azure lay in the king-size bed alone, showered, changed and unable to sleep. She tossed and turned, like a woman with a heavy conscience, and debated turning on the TV to keep her company. Azure heard a phone ring. Her curiosity piqued, she listened intently for several moments. When she heard Harper’s voice, she sat up in bed. Azure knew it was wrong to spy—it was one of the ten commandments of journalism or something—but she threw off her covers and dashed across the room before guilt kicked in.

  Opening the door a crack, she pressed her body flat against the wall and peeked inside the living room. Harper was standing beside the entertainment unit, clad in nothing but black pajama bottoms, talking on his cell phone. He was speaking to a woman! Had to be. Why else would he be whispering? His tone was soft, as warm and tender as the kiss he’d given her at the altar, and when he chuckled, his eyes twinkled brighter than the stars in the sky.

  “I know, and I understand, the ceremony took everyone by surprise,” she overheard Harper say. “We’ll get together next week. I’ll free up time in my schedule to make it happen....”

  Backing away from the door, Azure swallowed the hard, painful lump in her throat that threatened to choke her dead. What do I care? What Harper does after dark is his business. Her words provided no comfort and didn’t stop her eyes from tearing up.

  There are some things smart, savvy women just don’t do, Azure thought, shaking her head in self-disgust. Like entering wet T-shirt contests or shaving off their eyebrows and penciling them in. And intelligent chicks never, ever enter sham unions with men who look and sound and smell like Harper Hamilton. Azure’s stomach churned violently as she struggled to control her emotions, to come to terms with the colossal mistake she’d made just to advance her career.

  Slumping down on the bed, Azure slapped away the tears coursing down her cheeks. “This is what I get for marrying a guy on the rebound,” she said, overcome with feelings of regret and despair. “I can’t believe I agreed to something so stupid!”

  More tears came. They spil
led down her face, splashed like raindrops onto the white, lace-trimmed nightgown Harper had given her. Azure needed a cold drink, preferably something with alcohol in it, but her vision was so blurry she couldn’t see where the minibar was. It didn’t matter. Azure wasn’t sticking around. She had to leave, had to get the hell out of the honeymoon suite. Marrying Harper was a mistake, but it wasn’t too late to put an end to the charade.

  “Azure, are you still awake? I’m sorry to bother you, but your cell—”

  Cringing inwardly, she shielded her tear-streaked face with her hands. She’d left the bedroom door open, and now Harper was standing in the doorway, staring at her. He wore a sympathetic face, one touched with care and concern, and was holding her cell phone in his outstretched hands. Azure watched as he placed it on the dresser and strode across the room toward her. Feeling like a big, fat crybaby, she lowered her gaze to the plush, carpeted floor. Azure wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, but when Harper sat down beside her on the bed, she wanted to dive under the covers and cry some more. “I’m fine, Harper. You can go.”

  “You left your cell phone on one of the end tables,” he explained, his voice a degree lower, softer than usual. “It’s been ringing off the hook, and when I saw your parents’ name flash on the screen, I decided to bring it to you. They probably heard about our wedding on the news and want to congratulate us.”

  “I doubt it,” she murmured, her head low, her shoulders bent.

  “Is that why you’re crying? Because you think your parents are upset?”

  Azure pretended not to hear the question.

  “Talk to me,” he urged, taking her hand and cradling it gently in his palm.

  She studied the carpet, the pattern on the bedsheet, the intricate flower detail along the helm of her nightgown. Azure looked everywhere but at Harper, and the more he caressed her hands, the more embarrassed she felt. Why did he have to come in here? Why couldn’t he have just stayed in the living room and let her cry in peace?

  “Did I do something wrong?”

  “This is so humiliating.”

  “You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Azure. Sometimes after a long, stressful day I go home and have a good cry, too.”

  A smile tickled her lips. Harper was trying to make her laugh, trying to lighten the mood, and the tactic worked. Her tears dried up, her breathing slowed and her heart quit pounding. He caressed her hands, slowly, with such tenderness she almost cried out. And that would have made her look desperate. But deep down, that’s exactly what she was. Desperate for a man she’d been fantasizing about since high school.

  “Do you want me to take you home?”

  “What if someone sees us? They’ll think there’s trouble in paradise.”

  “Is there?”

  Azure stared at Harper, and when he met her gaze, she decided to ask him about his late-night phone call. “Was that your ex on the phone?”

  Surprise showed on his face. “No, it was Marissa. She called to apologize for leaving the reception early. I told her not to sweat it, but she promised to make it up to me by having us over for dinner one day next week. What made you think it was my ex-girlfriend?”

  “Don’t you mean your ex-fiancée?”

  “I never proposed. She did.”

  “But you said yes.”

  Harper nodded. “It seemed like the right thing to do, but if I could do it all over again, I would have said no. Women aren’t supposed to propose to men and—”

  “Why not?” Azure asked, frowning at him. “I guess you’ve never heard the saying ‘A man chases a woman until she catches him’!”

  “Call me old-fashioned, but I just don’t think it’s right. Men like to be in control, or at least think they are, and a sister down on bended knee, popping the question to her man, looks as awkward as a Liza Minnelli kiss.”

  Azure cracked up, laughed until there were tears in her eyes, but this time she didn’t feel like the biggest fool to ever walk the face of the earth. She felt relaxed, at ease, and was glad Harper was sitting beside her, cracking jokes. Azure only wished he was wearing a T-shirt or, better yet, a turtleneck sweater. Her gaze kept sliding down his chest, and every time her eyes landed on his nipples, she lost her train of thought. It was a struggle to concentrate on what he was saying, a fight, more challenging than that Tae Bo class she did last week at the gym.

  “I hope you’ll take me up on my offer and accompany me to Cabo San Lucas for Christmas,” Harper said, giving her hand a soft, affectionate squeeze before releasing it. “You came through big-time for me tonight, and I want to do something special for you.”

  “You’ve already done enough. You paid for my dress, the reception, this suite.”

  “Tonight was some night, huh?”

  Azure smiled at the memory of their first kiss, and all the sensual slow dances they’d shared over the night. She craved his touch and was so hungry for his kiss it was all she could think about. Scared she was going to act on her impulses, Azure inched over on the bed to create more personal space, and clasped her wayward hands together.

  “When I saw you coming down the aisle, I thought I was going to pass out,” he confessed, wearing a boyish smile. “You took my breath away, and I couldn’t have been more proud that you were my bride.”

  Her heart stilled. It was difficult to remain upright when Harper was stroking her arms. Her legs quivered like Jell-O, and the silky hue of his tone whipped her horny body into a frenzy.

  Passion built.

  Rose to devastating heights.

  The air was filled with the perfume of her desire, flowing through the master bedroom like a mighty rushing wind. Their eyes connected, held for a beat and then Harper kissed her. His lips moved against hers, captured them in a dizzying, mind-numbing hold. Azure felt his hands in her hair, on her check, caressing her neck and shoulders. They collapsed onto the bed, panting, moaning, delirious with an explosive, unquenchable lust.

  Harper cupped her breasts through her nightgown, flicked and massaged and kneaded until her nipples hardened. Lost in the sensual whirlwind of his kiss, Azure gripped his shoulders, held on to him for dear life. Don’t stop…please don’t stop....

  Azure was hot, overcome, ready to get on top of Harper and ride him to oblivion, but she resisted the urge to take control. She had to let him lead, had to let him dictate the pace. Being in his arms was a dream come true, and for the first time in Azure’s life she wanted to throw caution to the wind and act out her secret fantasy. Right now, tonight, in the middle of the king-size bed. Azure didn’t ever want the kiss to end, and when Harper started to pull away, disappointment rained down on her.

  “I crossed the line. I’m sorry.”

  Sorry? His words were a slap in the face, but Azure masked her pain by feigning indifference. “Harper, it’s no big deal. We both had a lot to drink tonight.”

  “I don’t know what got into me.”

  Harper lowered his head, ran a hand over his close-cropped hair. He looked pained, as if he’d just stubbed his toe on the edge of the bed, and a scowl was stretched across his thick, juicy lips. Lips Azure wished she was still kissing and licking and sucking.

  “Forget about it,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I know I have.”

  Harper shot to his feet, took a giant step away from the bed. “I’m a man of my word, and I promise I’ll never do anything that impulsive or irresponsible again.”

  Azure couldn’t put her thoughts into words. Her emotions were all over the place, as scattered as a woman battling menopause, and Azure feared if she spoke she would break down again. And Harper finding her crying in bed once was humiliating enough.

  “I better get out of here and let you get some rest. The next few days are going to be insanely busy for us and—”

  “They are?”

&nbs
p; Harper nodded, seemed to relax as he discussed their plans for the upcoming week. “My aunt and uncle are expecting us at the Integrity Estate for Sunday brunch, and you’re going to have to be on your game, because they’re probably going to grill you about our relationship.”

  “That’s to be expected. Before tonight, they had no idea we were a couple. Will your mom…I mean, will your parents be there, as well?”

  “No, they never go to Sunday brunch.”

  Azure swallowed a cheer. The fewer interactions she had with Mrs. Hamilton, the better, and if that meant avoiding her mother-in-law for the next three months, that’s just what she’d do.

  “On Wednesday, we have a fitting at Haute Couture for my aunt Jeanette’s charity ball next month, and I have a few interviews lined up for us on Thursday and Friday morning.”

  “Wow, you weren’t kidding. We are going to be busy.” Azure yawned, then wore a sheepish smile. “See, just listening to you is making me tired!”

  “All right, all right, I get the hint.” Chuckling, Harper bent down, and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek. “Good night, Azure. Sleep well.”

  Azure nodded, watched helplessly as he strode out of the bedroom. She didn’t want Harper to leave; she wanted him to stay and keep her company. After all, it was their honeymoon. Sure, their wedding ceremony was all for show, but the kisses they’d shared tonight had stirred some very powerful feelings inside her. Feelings that filled every inch of her with desire. I’m in way over my head, Azure thought, peering into the living room to catch another glimpse of Harper. And something tells me things are only going to go downhill from here.

  Chapter 12

  “Girrllll, you’re lookin’ hot, and those snakeskin pumps are a killer!”

  Azure tossed a look over her shoulder, and when she saw Eminence magazine’s voluptuous, dark-skinned beauty editor sashaying down the hall toward her, she waved in greeting. It was the first time she’d seen Bridgett Dalton since marrying Harper last week, and although she was in a hurry, she didn’t want to be rude by rushing off.