One Night (Found Love) Read online

  Ron leaned towards his wife. “He’s sprung,” Ron said amused, then winked at his wife.

  “Hey, Lyn, you didn’t tell us she was so attractive.” Ron said.

  Lynwood’s eyes remained on her, “I believe I said she is beautiful.” Lynwood responded absently. Ron and Izzy smiled broadly at each other.

  “Your right honey,” Izzy whispered, “He’s sprung.” Ron and Izzy burst out laughing.

  Lynwood looked at them frowning. “Are you two drunk, what are you laughing about?”

  He took a glass of champagne from the tray of the passing waiter, for some reason his mouth had become unusually dry.

  “Why is he just standing there?” Izzy whispered to her husband.

  Ron shrugged. “I think he’s nervous.” Ron and Izzy stared bewildered as Lynwood downed the champagne in one swallow.

  “He’s nervous,” Ron and Izzy, replied together smiling.

  Lynwood watched as one person after another came to converse with her. Vanessa Sander proved to be a premier hostess smiling politely and chatting with her guest.

  One man in particular literal was monopolizing her in conversation. Another came and handed her a glass of champagne. She smiled politely at him accepting the glass, but she didn't drink. The same man leaned close to Vessa obviously whispering in her ear.

  Lynwood tensed jealously. He frowned. When did that happen? He wondered. All Lynwood knew was no other woman ever made him desire them as Vanessa Sanders.

  She laughed at whatever the man whispered in her ear as the man handed her his card. She glanced at it and handed it back. Lynwood smiled smugly.

  Ron and Izzy stood beside Lynwood watching him with bemused expressions.

  “Lyn aren’t you going to see her?” Ron asked amused. Lynwood shrugged placing the empty glass on a passing tray.

  With long, purposeful strides, Lynwood finally moved in her direction. Not wanting to be left out of this momentous moment, Ron and Izzy moved closely behind him.

  “Hello, Ms Sanders,” Lynwood said in his deep, sultry voice.

  Vessa turned and looked into the deep, dark eyes of her one-night stand. For a brief moment, an expression of surprise lit her eyes and gone as fast as it appeared.

  Vessa’s heart slammed hard against her chest. Never did she think she would ever see him again.

  Her heart skipped more than one beat; she felt the beginnings of a knotted building up in the pit of her stomach. Not to mention the same effect she felt that one night so long ago. That one night that had spellbound her. The one night that would forever burn in her heart and mind. That one night she gave her innocence to a complete stranger.

  She stood motionless in the middle of the room as people passed by congratulating her on her success, while staring into the face of the most handsome man in the room.

  Instantly the delightful way his mouth felt on her came flooding back that second. She moistened her suddenly dry lips. Her mind screaming why she didn’t want to see him again. He was a distracted. A distraction she refuses to entertain. If she was honest with herself, and she always was, at this very moment, she wanted him with an intensity that scared her. She took a deep unsteady breath to regain some composure, words momentarily failing her since he had literally taken her breath away.

  Finding her voice, Vessa spoke. “So nice to see you again,” she said thoughtfully, impersonally, smiling politely.

  Lynwood nodded his head, his face unreadable, and his dark brown eyes compelling and enthralling, drawing her into their depths.

  Their eyes locked on one another as the chemistry rocketed in the space between them. Something happened. There was no explanation for what they felt. Vessa gasped softly. Lynwood frowned. Forcibly tearing her gaze from Lynwood, Vessa acknowledged the handsome couple beside him.

  “Hello,” she responded, glad for the distraction from her unnamed lover, giving her time to regain her composure from the shock of seeing him again. The corner of his mouth lifted into a lopsided smile.

  “Ms Sanders,” Lynwood introduced, “my friends, Ron James, and wife Izzy.”

  Izzy felt a slight trembling in her hands as Vessa clasped her hand. Izzy smiled. Who would have thought she was nervous, for her outer facade appeared poised and very much composed. Lynwood watched her chat idly with Ron and Izzy.

  “How have you been Ms Sanders,” Lynwood asked cordially, drawing her attention from Ron and Izzy.

  Vessa gazed up at him. She was at a loss. She still didn’t know his name. She bit her lip, a loss for words.

  “Lynwood Holland,” Lynwood told her softly.

  “Fine, Mr. Holland, it was nice seeing you again, have a pleasant evening.” She turned to Ron and Izzy.

  “It was nice meeting you and please enjoy your evening.” Vessa said kindly, smiling.

  She turned to leave; Lynwood watched her small body move with stiff dignity away from them. Before she could take another step, Lynwood caught her hand in his, gently turning her to face him. His eyes held her.

  Ron and Izzy watched Lynwood, the coolness he had displayed earlier disappeared. Vessa gasped, her pale eyes met his.

  Slowly he brought her hand to his lips kissing her palm, his gaze constraining her. Ron and Izzy heard her sharp intake of breath and then a sigh. Lynwood then placed her hand on his chest. Vessa felt the strong, sensual attraction towards him, in the feel of his rapid heartbeat.

  “Do you feel that?” He asked her softly, his voice sultry and low.

  She nodded, her hazel eyes widened, losing herself in the dark abyss of his eyes.

  “That’s what you do to me,” he said softly. Vessa pulled her hand away quickly.

  “I told you, what you gave you can’t have back.” He reminded her softly.

  Vessa gazed at him, momentarily captivated. His head lowered and tenderly kissed her lips. When he released her, Vessa’s eyes shut, her lower lip pulled into her mouth as if to savor the taste of him. Ron and Izzy look at one another smiling. Lynwood reached into his pocket and wrote the back of his business card, he then lifted her hand and placed it there.

  Vessa looked at it. He lifted her chin with his finger and said, “Tonight.”

  Her heart leaped in her chest. On weakened legs, Vessa turned and walked away. Lynwood watched a smile of smug satisfaction on his face. Ron and Izzy stared at Lynwood Holland aghast.

  Between stopping and making idle chit chat, excepting congratulations or being asked out, Vessa finally made it to her suite. She leaned heavily on closed the door. All she was aware of was she had to put distance between her and the man now known as Lynwood Holland. Vessa glanced at the card in her hand and lifted it to her nose. It smelled of him, the same scent that still lingered on her senses ever since she had met him. Pushing away from the door, she tossed the card on the sofa in the suite. Didn't Lynwood Holland realize there would be no more nights of pure passion? One night was all she wanted. One night to know how it felt to be made love to, to know passion or just know how it felt to be held in a man’s strong arms. Oh, she had no doubt she could get any man she chose, but none in her past moved her like this Lynwood Holland had. Now she knew what it was like, Lynwood showed her what passion is and was satisfied. Wasn’t she? “Of course, I am,” she said aloud.

  Vessa reflected back six months recalling her first meeting with now known Lynwood Holland. From the moment, she noticed him; she knew he was the man she wanted. Absently Vessa begin to undress, deep in thought. He looked as wonderful as she remembered. Tall, dark and devastatingly handsome. His rich brown coloring, with his full, sensual mouth and strong chisel features, were so perfect, so symmetrical. The way he sauntered across the ballroom floor that night, so nonchalant and confident in his movement, so sure, of whom he was. She will never forget that night she took that handsome, virile man to her bed, giving herself to him in the most shamelessly, delicious ways. Clad in her underwear, Vessa lay across the bed.

  “Lynwood Holland,” she whispered his name softly, almost breathl
essly.

  All those months she thought of him, dreamed of him. Never did she think she would see him again. Could she take the chance and be with him again, now that their identities known? Her head scream no, but her body purred yes, yes, yes. She knew nothing about Lynwood Holland, who he truly is. For all she knew, he could be married, although she hadn’t noticed a ring on his finger.

  Closing her eyes, she reminisced about the way his hands caressed her body and his intoxicating kisses. He was considerably gentle and pleasantly demanding. He had touched her in places on her body that had her begging him to take her. Sighing, Vessa turned to her stomach, thoughts of that night doing things to her senses. Her best bet was to avoid Lynwood at all cost. She didn’t want to start something, she knew she could not finish, nor did she want the distraction of a relationship. The best thing she could do was to conclude her business in Atlanta quickly as possible, get back home, and forget Lynwood Holland.

  Disappointed and defeated by the situation, Lynwood gave up on Vanessa, he had to accept the fact she was not coming. He was seated on the side of his bed removing his shirt and shoes. He never yearned for a woman as he did Vanessa. He would be the first to say he had his share of sexual affairs, but none affected him as Vanessa Sanders has. Since meeting her, he has stopped his usual appetite of women. Hell, how could he be with another woman after that one night? He feared his past frivolous affairs could not compare to the sexy buoyant Vanessa Sander.

  He wanted to hold on to her in certain ways, not just her curvaceous body, but also her analytical mind and maybe perhaps her heart. That thought stunned him. He never desired nor wanted a woman’s heart, let alone her mind, but Vanessa Sanders was different. He liked her dignity, her honesty, and alluring confidence. His heart, he realized was longing to get to know her.

  When Lynwood left the gala, he stopped by his office, needing to find out more about the lovely Vanessa Sanders. In his search, he discovered Vanessa Sanders was no ordinary woman. She was the owner of the exclusive Vessa’s Boutique Conglomerate owning shops in LA, Chicago, and Philadelphia where her home and offices were located. She was the daughter of the late Juanita Sanders, a popular black model in the late fifties and sixties who started and the company catering to the crème’ de la crème’ of society. No father was named. Lynwood also checked her financial profile and was impressed by the large profit the company earned each year, even having the foresight to open outlets in other cities across the country.

  Lynwood clicked on the boutique’s virtual tour. The appeal to her boutiques was the service she bestowed upon her clientele. The boutiques had no racks of clothing throughout her shop. Vessa’s boutiques afforded the comforts of a supremely elegant home, while her clientele leisurely browsed fashion plates, as butlers served some of the finest wines and hors d’oeuvres, and models displayed the latest and top fashion the world had to offer.

  Lynwood lay back on the bed with his hands folded behind his head staring at the ceiling trying to analyze why he desperately wanted this remarkable woman. Restless, he sat up resting his elbows on his knees, his head low, his body alive with longing. “Damn it,” he cursed. He had never been so unsure of a woman before, and it left him shaken.

  Chapter Three

  The doorbell rang. He swore; wondering what brave soul has come to his home at this hour. Barefoot and bare-chested when to the door and snatched the door opened ready to berate the person on the other side.

  “Vanessa!” Lynwood was stunned.

  Vanessa still couldn't believe she stood at Lynwood’s door. Wordlessly she stared across at him, her heart pounding. On the way to his house, she chided herself for being weak. She knew what he wanted from her and dammit, she wanted it to.

  Lynnwood stared at her with utter surprise on his face. Getting over his initial shock, he took her hand and gently pulled her inside closing the door.

  “What have you done to me?” She demanded abruptly.

  “I didn’t think you were coming,” he stated clearly pleased to see her, ignoring her statement.

  “I’m here,” she snapped pretentiously stepping closer unable to resist the urge to press her lips to his bare chest.

  Lynwood’s eyes closed with a groan in his throat.

  “I don’t understand this feeling you have possessed me with Lynwood, I need to feel you, I don’t want this, I tried to avoid this, I tried to avoid you,” she confessed.

  He pulled her into his arms pressing a searing kiss on her mouth.

  Vessa pushed him away, determined to make him understand what she was saying, before she got distracted.

  “I won’t start something, I can’t finish, my life is too complicated for this,” she muttered hastily.

  His eyes swept over her face approvingly. He pulled her back into his arms.

  She looked up at him. “Did you hear me?” She said her eyes serious.

  “Yes, your life is complicated,” he replied huskily before his mouth descended on her neck. Vessa purred, her eyes closing.

  “No!” She said pushing away from him. Lynwood released her, a smile curling his lips.

  “We need to talk,” she said moving away from him into the large living room

  Lynwood sighed. “Okay, let’s talk.”

  Her eyes moved over the room nicely decorated in muted colors and elegant style. She moved to the centered of the room, Lynwood leaned against the mantle. Vessa eyes appraised him. He looked so good standing there bare-chested and sexy. Vessa took a shaky breath.

  “Lynwood I had no intention of come here tonight. I never thought I would see you again, and now that I have, I can’t seem to resist you … I don’t want to get involved with you…” Vessa paused chewing on her bottom lip trying to find the right words to explain her point clearly. “I mean, I don’t want a relationship, my life is too complicated, and I just don’t have the time it takes to put any heart into it.”

  Lynwood listened intently. For some reason, her words were not what he wanted to hear. He remained silent, his eyes probing her very soul.

  “What is it that you want Vanessa?” He asked finally.

  “I don’t know.”

  Lynwood moved close in front of her but not touching her. She looked up at him.

  “Let me tell you what you want,” Lynwood said his voice velvet-edged and sure.

  “You want me to give you the passion you gave me six months ago.”

  “Yes, yes I want that.” She spoke in a timid and tremulous whisper, letting the underlying sensuality of his words captivating her.

  “I don’t want to complicate your life. I know a man of your… ah…, how should I word this, your virility, has many friends, I want no part of that, if I do this, if I continue to accept this passion you have introduced me to, and as long as I want you, I will not share you, that's all.” She stated firmly.

  Lynwood was stunned by her statement him. No woman has ever given him an ultimatum.

  “I’m sorry to be so blunt; I’m new to this feeling. I know you have other women, and it’s possible that one day I may take a lover, but right now, I want only you."

  Lynwood felt an odd pain in his chest, the thought of another man touching her infuriated him, he will not allow it, and she’s his for now anyway.

  Vessa saw him stiffen before turning away. Vessa frowned, misunderstanding his reaction to her statement.

  “What is it?” She placed her hand on his back.

  He turned to her. “I don’t like the thought of another man touching you.” He admitted crossly.

  She frowned looking at him.

  “Why Lynwood? I know you have other lovers, when this is over you can return to them.”

  “I don’t like it Vanessa, that’s all,” he stated tersely.

  “I’d be naive to think I have a hold on you Lynwood, and maybe after tonight we would have fulfilled whatever it is we’ve discovered in one another,” she stated.

  “You gave me something no woman has ever given me; I don’t think I can be
ar it if you allow another man…” He groaned, actually feeling an emotion he never experience before. Again, Lynwood turned away.

  “Lynwood,” she called softly. “Lynwood,” she repeated, “look at me.”

  He needed to come to terms with this obsession. Maybe she was right. Who knows after tonight he may have had his fill of her and that will end this infatuation he has. Reluctantly Lynwood faced her.

  “I want no other man, I desire no other man. I have never desired any…,” she paused, “until I saw you.” She stepped closer placing her hand on his chest, gazing deeply into his eyes.

  “Just by seeing you, I desired you. I don’t understand it, I’ve had a few dates, and none of them make me feel as you did just by watching you walk into a room. I allow this to happen, because I couldn’t resist you, I didn’t know what to expect, all I knew was my mind said one thing and my heart and a body did another.” Lynwood gazed into her face drinking in her beauty. A smiled formed on his lips before he reclaimed her into his arms. He kissed the top of her head. “I’m here because I want to feel alive again, and I know only you can give that to me even with my efforts to avoid this.”

  “Vanessa, you have ruined me for any other women six months ago. All I’ve thought about is you in my bed, hell even in your bed. You have enchanted me Vanessa. And I don’t know how you did it.” Vessa wrapped her arms around his neck. “Make love to me Lynwood.”

  Lynwood rolled over to an empty side of the bed. Quickly sitting up in the bed, he called Vessa’s name.

  “Vanessa!” He called louder. “Damn she did it again,” he swore aloud getting out bed.

  A few minutes the doorbell rang. Slipping on pj bottoms, he went to answer the door. “Yeah,” he said opening the door.

  Ron stood just inside the doorframe, a smiled playing on his lips. Lynwood turned and left Ron standing in the open doorway going to the kitchen snatching and slamming things around. Ron looked in the kitchen.

  “What is your problem this morning?” Ron asked amused.

  “I can’t find the damn coffee!” Lynwood replied sharply.