Emerald, p.1
Emerald, page 1
Copyright Emerald 2021 Lesley Clark
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner.
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Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electric or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
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All rights reserved.
Created with Vellum
EMERALD
DANGEROUS GEMS
LESLEY CLARK
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
About the Author
CHAPTER 1
Melody
I hate parties. I know as a woman in my twenties, I’m supposed to be the belle of the ball. But I’d rather have been anywhere but in that ballroom packed with people. Sure, I loved Valentina like my sister, and her new husband was a hottie, but that didn’t mean I wanted to be here surrounded by Sicilian hotties and their beautiful women.
At least I could hide behind my camera. It was my security blanket during times like these. Though this was about as far away from the type of work I wanted to do as I could get. Taking photos of high society events didn’t seem like much fun to me. But none of that mattered when it was for one of my best friends. I would walk through fire for either of them.
“Well, it looks like you’re super excited to be here.” Jessica stood beside me looking across the room at all the dressed-up people.
“You know me so well.” I rolled my eyes. “I think it’s time for me to think about going home.”
“Are you not having the time of your life? Because I sure am. Who would have thought our bookworm roommate would end up living the life of the rich and famous?”
“Of course, you love all this, and there’s nothing wrong with it. Hell, I have no doubt you’re going to become the fashion queen here. It’s like you were made to live in Sicily. And you’ve been spending your days torturing Valentina’s brother to the point of distraction.” It was like a soap opera watching those two circle around each other.
“Me torturing him? That man drives me freaking crazy.” Jessica shook her head.
“What are the two of you over here gossiping about?” Valentina strolled up and threw her arm over my shoulder.
“Jessica here was just trying to deny that she lives to bug the hell out of your brother.” I giggled, feeling at ease for the first time since the party started. Walking around a room with a bunch of masked strangers made me uncomfortable.
“Melody, where is your mask? I thought you knew what kind of party this was,” Valentina asked. She smoothed the fabric of her Jessica original that hugged her curves beautifully.
“I have it right here.” I held up the mask that matched my gown. The deep-green floor-length gown with silver accents was like a suit of armor to protect me against the anxiety being here was causing me. “I can’t take pictures wearing it, and I thought you wanted this documented for posterity.” I smiled at her in an attempt to lessen the sarcasm leaking into my words.
“Whatever.” Valentina actually rolled her eyes at me. “You think I don’t know you’re hiding behind your camera? I see through you. What I don’t understand is why you’re hiding. You could have any man here fall at your feet.”
There was a man wandering around this room, but he didn’t want me. If he had, I would probably have made the mistake of falling for him, and that would be the biggest mistake I could make. My plans didn’t include becoming anyone’s little woman.
“I’m not exactly looking for someone to fall at my feet,” I protested. The thought was laughable.
“No, that would never do for Melody. She needs her men standing firmly and bossing her ass around.” Jessica laughed.
“Fuck you. So what if I like a dominant man in the bedroom. In every other room in the building, you can bet your ass I can hold my own,” I growled.
“Of course, you can. Did you forget we were your roommates for four years? No worries about us forgetting you have no problems taking on the world. But we all know you have a type.” Valentina said.
“Seriously, can the two of you just leave me alone?” I shook my head. “I swear you guys live to push my buttons.”
“Well, as much fun as that can be, my husband seems to need me.” The grin on my dear friend’s face melted my heart a little. The day Matteo showed up and pulled Valentina’s from that party, her entire life changed, and she appeared as happy as she could be. Dammit. I was envious of her, even though it made no sense.
Valentina gave first Jessica and then me a quick hug before bouncing off to be with her man.
Jessica laughed and returned her attention to me. “Where’s your hottie?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I gripped my camera, wanting nothing more than to hide behind it again.
“Sure, you don’t. Please, sister, don’t think I didn’t see the chemistry between you and Luca back in California, I thought you were going to set fire to the yard right then and there. And you’ve avoided him at every turn whenever you come to visit. That speaks volumes.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I continued arguing with her, hoping she would give up.
“I know you better than anyone else on the Earth except maybe Valentina, so don’t think for a second you can fool me. Something happened back then, didn’t it?”
How did she always see everything? Jessica came off as a dumb blonde, but she was smarter than most people gave her credit for. “Nope, nothing happened.” Was my nose growing with every word?
“Girl, please.” She slapped my shoulder. “Fine. I will let you get away with avoiding my questions for the moment, but not forever.”
I would accept what I could get. “I’m going to take some snapshots while the party is in full swing.” I needed to get away. Knowing he was somewhere in the room made me twitchy. My plan was to get these pictures and leave before I ran into the man in question.
“Fine, run away. But don’t think this is over.” Jessica winked and bounced away. I needed to find a way to keep her attention otherwise occupied until I went back home. Otherwise, she would be like a dog with a bone.
For the next few hours, I could stay busy. All I needed to do was avoid my nosey bestie and the man who did crazy things to my heart. If I could manage that, then everything would be okay.
I scanned the room, taking in all of the beautiful people. I always knew Valentina came from money; it was clear in the way she presented herself. But me? I grew up in lower-middle-class America. We didn’t have masked balls with people in designer gowns. Hell, some of the masks the women were wearing cost more than my first car.
I began snapping pictures, starting with the decor then capturing the couples dancing in each other’s arms. I turned my camera to where Valentina stood next to her Prince Charming, the glow of her skin like a billboard advertising her happiness.
“You can’t avoid me forever, you know.” Lucas’ silky voice whispered in my ear. I was caught.
I turned around and came face to face with the subject of both my fantasies and my fears. “Why would you think I’ve been avoiding you? You think highly of yourself, don’t you?” I rolled my eyes at him.
“I only think as highly as I deserve, I promise you.” He grinned. Damn, that grin did things to me I didn’t understand, and that scared me.
“Whatever,” I mumbled. Sure, it wasn’t the most mature response, but I couldn’t think of anything better in the moment.
He stepped in closer, putting his hands on my hips and bringing our bodies together. “You know you want me. Why deny yourself?” he whispered in my ear and nibbled my lobe.
I thought about it for a moment before responding, unsure what it was about him that scared me so much. But there was no way I would let him know that. “Went there once, and I don’t see much reason to go back again. You left me wanting, big boy.” I stepped back and smiled at him. Someone needed to pop that big ego of his.
“You seem to remember at least something about me.” He chuckled.
“I think it’s time for you to walk away,” I said. “This”—I pointed at his chest then mine— “isn’t going to happen.” I said it with enough force I almost believed it myself.
“No matter how hard you try, you can’t escape this.” Before I knew what was happening, I was in his arms, kissing Luca in the middle of a room full of people. In that second, they all disappeared. It was only the two of us and this moment. The world stopped spinning as I stood there in his arms.
CHAPTER 2
Luca
I was overwhelmed by this woman. Standing there kissing, it felt like time stopped, and I would have been content for it to never restart again. My lungs burned, causing me to ste
“Fuck,” I grumbled. An onslaught of memories hit me, memories of a single night I never thought I’d have a chance to repeat. But there wasn’t much I wouldn’t give for an encore.
I took her hand and led her toward the doors, desperate to have her writhing beneath me before I lost my mind.
“Hey, wait a minute.” She pulled me to a stop.
“Don’t tell me you don’t want this when I know you do,” I said.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she giggled. Yes, she actually fucking giggled. “I didn’t want you to pull my arm out of the socket, that’s all.” She winked at me.
“You’re a fucking tease.” I took her face in my hands, bringing her in for another kiss. I was quickly becoming addicted to her taste, and if I didn’t get her naked soon, I would combust right there in front of everyone.
“You know it.” She pulled back, a huge smile on her face.
“With your permission, I’m going to escort you from the room and fuck you now,” I growled.
Her nod was all I needed, and I bent over and picked her up, cradling her against my chest before heading for the hallway.
“Put me down, you Neanderthal. I can walk on my own.” She wiggled in my arms, but I didn’t slow my stride.
“You may be able to walk, but I can move faster. I’m not risking anyone or anything getting in my way of having you in my bed writhing underneath me in pleasure,” I answered.
We rounded the corner to the east wing where the guest rooms were located. I tested the first door we came to and thanked God in heaven when it opened. I made my way over to the bed and dropped her in the center. She squealed as her bottom hit the mattress, bringing a smile to my face.
Before losing my head, I reached behind me and turned the lock.
Melody shifted toward the head of the bed. She propped up on her elbows, looking at me. “Are you going to get over here and make me a very happy woman, or continue to stand there staring at me?”
I stepped forward and climbed up the foot of the mattress. I started by sliding off her heels, kissing the arch of each of her feet as I did. I was a very happy man to find bare legs under her floor-length gown.
I took my hands and ran them up her legs toward the promised land, inching her hem inching up as I did. I wanted to take my time and make it last, but the moment I touched her lacy underwear, the beast in me took over.
I pulled her gown over her waist, took her panties in both hands, and yanked, ripping them down the front. The glistening of her pussy was all the encouragement I needed to lean in and take a taste of her juices.
One lick pushed me over the edge of the insanity between us. I dove in like a man possessed. I nibbled and sucked with gusto, careful to avoid her clit, knowing it was her ultimate trigger.
“Oh my God.” She writhed beneath me. “If you don’t let me come, I swear I will kill you right here in this bed and finish it myself.”
Though I was tempted to prolong things, I decided to put her out of her misery. I flicked her clit with my tongue then bit down gently, which was all it took to set her off. I continued to stroke her with my tongue until she stilled beneath me.
I leaned back on my haunches and licked my lips. “Damn, I’ve missed you.” I moved to lie beside her on the bed and pulled her in for a kiss. I loved that she was unfazed by the fact I’d just gone down on her, having no problems giving into my kiss.
Her eyes drifted closed, but I wasn’t having that. “If you think we’re finished for the night, you need to adjust your expectations a little,” I said and nuzzled her neck.
“You’d better have more in reserve. After carrying me in here like some kind of caveman, you owe me a serious fucking, don’t you think?”
“Damn. I love a vulgar woman, and you needn’t worry. If it’s serious fucking you want, then serious fucking you will get.” I rolled over and sat on the side of the bed, pulling off my shoes before standing. I needed to get out of these clothes before my hard-as-stone dick fractured under my zipper.
“Are you going to give me a strip tease?” she asked. “I really want to watch you unwrap that gift I know you’re packing for me.” She waggled her eyebrows.
“Damn, woman. You’re good for the ego, you know that?” I pulled my shirt over my head, not wanting to take time to undo the buttons.
“If I had my purse, I would be waving cash at you right now.” She laughed.
“If you keep that up, I’m going to shove something in that smart mouth,” I growled.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” She walked over to where I stood as I unbuttoned my pants, and before I could go further, she lowered herself to her knees. “Here, let me help.”
She carefully lowered my zipper then reached around my ass and pulled down my pants. “Commando, I see. I forgot you like to fireball it.” She kissed the tip of my cock. “I’ve missed you,” she said before leaning back in and licking the precum from the slit.
“You’re a fucking tease. If you’re on your knees, then you need to put my cock in your fucking mouth,” I growled.
She did just that. She inched forward, taking my cock inch by inch until she reached the back of her throat, humming and rolling my balls in the palm of her hand.
I couldn’t help but rock into her touch, and before long fucked her face in earnest while she looked up at me, eyes streaming with tears. She loved choking on my cock, and I loved giving it to her, but if I let this go much longer, the night would be over way before I want it to be.
I pulled back, and she followed my dick, but I drew it from her mouth with a pop. “Damn you’re amazing, you know that?” I stroked her face while she remained on her knees with her beautiful green eyes raised to meet mine. “I will never be able to get enough of you.”
I helped her to her feet then took her in my arms and kissed her, loving the mixture of her taste and mine. This woman would be my undoing.
“Turn around and let me help you out of this dress before I’m forced to rip it from your body. If that happens, I’ll have to keep you tied up in here, because I’ll be damned if I will ever let anyone else lay eyes on this beautiful body.”
She turned, and I released the hook at her neck. Once the zipper reached the small of her back, I leaned in and nuzzled the area where her shoulder and neck met. That was the place that flipped a switch for this woman. Hell, I was the guy to use whatever I could to get the job done.
When her dress dropped to the floor, she turned back toward me. She wasn’t wearing a bra, so her breasts were fully on display.
“You have the most beautiful body,” I said.
“Then, I guess I’ll hold it against you.” She laughed.
“Woman, get your ass in the bed before I have to spank that pert little ass,” I ordered.
She turned and wiggled her ass at me. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” She climbed into the bed first with one knee then the other, leaving her ass in the air.
Taking it for the invitation it was, I stepped up and smacked her ass before lining my cock against her pussy and slamming myself home. She screamed in response, and I leaned over her back, wrapping my right hand around her neck while supporting my weight with my left. “If you scream like that, everyone will come running to save you. Is that what you want? To be saved from me?” I growled in her ear.
“Never,” she moaned. “Never.”
“That’s right. You’re mine, now, and you always will be.” I rocked into her, while she pushed into my hand. Apparently, my girl like to be choked a little. I needed to file that away for later.
“Fuck me already. Stop with this gentle bullshit,” she yelled while glaring at me.
“You’re not in charge here, il mio selvaggio, I am. I will fuck you how I want to, and you will take everything I have to offer.” I pulled back and rammed in again to punctuate my point.
