Season for Love. Velvet Carter

on a condom, Dash would tease her clit with his manhood until she was on the verge of coming. Lark’s face would twist with pleasure and then she would cry out the words Make love to me! They would take turns pleasing each other all night, until the bottle of massage oil was empty and their bodies were spent from hours of making love. Only then would they drift off into a well-earned slumber.

      “Didn’t I tell you the masseuses here are amazing,” Darcy said, interrupting Lark’s naughty little daydream.

      “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

      “Were you asleep? I don’t blame you. This massage will definitely lull you into total relaxation.”

      “Yes, among other things...”

      After a few hours of being pampered like queens, Lark and Darcy left the spa feeling like a million bucks. They headed over to a Brazilian restaurant that had legendarily fresh cuisine and potent caipirinhas.

      “Word on the street is that Sebastian quit RR and has started his own design firm. I understand he’s ramping up production to debut his line at the spring/summer show,” Darcy said once they were seated.

      “Really? Is that so?”

      “Yes, it’s all over the fashion blogs. He’s really ramping up a word-of-mouth buzz about his new collection.”

      “Sebastian might talk a good game. However, I seriously doubt his line will be ready in time for the spring/summer show. And anyway, he’s lying about quitting RR. He didn’t leave on his own will. I fired him.”

      “Oh, that’s news to me. Why did you let him go? When I interviewed Sebastian as my replacement, I thought he was a good fit for Randolph on the Runway.”

      “He was, until he started getting arrogant and out of control. I hadn’t planned on letting him go, but he had no respect for me as his boss,” Lark told her and then recounted the story of how Sebastian nearly destroyed one of her designs.

      “Oh, a bit like you were when you first started working with me, minus ripping one of the pieces,” Darcy said with a chuckle.

      “Was I that bad?” Lark asked, sounding ashamed.

      “Nothing I couldn’t handle. After you checked your attitude at the door, we got along perfectly.”

      As they were talking the waiter came over. “Are you ready to order, ladies?”

      “I’ll have the coconut shrimp with the mango salsa,” Lark responded.

      “What’s better—the roasted chicken with plantains or the beer-battered fish?” Darcy asked.

      “They’re both yummy. Personally, I prefer the beer-battered fish,” the waiter responded.

      “Okay, fish it is.”

      After the waiter left the table, Lark continued.

      “Thanks again for having patience with me, Darcy. You really taught me a lot.”

      “You were a quick study. Have you hired another lead designer?”

      Lark’s mouth formed into a slight smile. “I have. His name is Dash Migilio.”

      “What’s that smirk for?” Darcy asked, noticing the expression on her friend’s face.

      “Just thinking about him makes me smile. Not only is Dash talented, but he’s gorgeous. He’s Italian-American with a handsome face and killer body. You should see the way his suits fit—it’s as if they were sculpted to his body. And he’s extremely talented.”

      “Sounds like you have a major crush.”

      Lark thought for a moment. “I guess I do. But of course I haven’t let on that my heart beats a little faster when I’m around him. See, that’s another thing you taught me—to act cool and collected around attractive men.”

      “It might be hard to maintain control sometimes, but the more aloof you act, the more they’ll want you. Good-looking guys aren’t used to women ignoring them. They’re accustomed to ladies throwing themselves at their feet. Is he married?”

      “No, but I think he has a girlfriend. I saw a picture on his tablet of him and a beautiful blonde cozied up on a beach. They seemed really happy.”

      “Well, that’s probably for the best. A relationship with a coworker can be a slippery slope. When the relationship is going good, work can be heaven, but after the breakup...and there’s usually a breakup, coming to work can seem like a nightmare. Trust me, I know. I’ve had my share of work relationships gone awry.”

      “You’re right, and that’s why I’m keeping my feelings to myself. Dash will never know how I feel. Besides, its just a little crush, which will soon fade away.”

      Although Lark spoke the words, she had an inkling that her feelings for the young designer were more than a crush. A part of Lark was glad that Dash wasn’t available; she needed to stay focused on developing the new collection. However, another part of her wanted nothing more than to make her daydream of making love to Dash a reality.