“Isa, you’re home for four weeks. You can’t sit in this apartment and just do nothing.”
Petty Officer Isa Croix sighed from her bed. Under her blankets were warm and it was the first time in months she wasn’t sleeping in the close quarters on a Navy ship. In her opinion, being able to snuggle in her bed was a perfect way to spend leave time. But when the curtains in front of the French doors of her room were thrown open to let the bright sunshine of a perfect New Orleans spring day come in, Isa could see her best friend was not going to give her that luxury. She shared the three-bedroom upstairs apartment with Tawny. No last name, just Tawny. She was a model in high demand and they’d been friends since they were children and in foster care. While Tawny found her niche in front of a camera, Isa found hers in the military. It was that or go work in a clothing store or supermarket. Isa tested in the top ten percentile of the ASVAB test when she joined the Navy. Her goal was to be an officer, and she had the grit to make it so.
She had gotten some news right before she left on leave that she hadn’t shared with her friend. But, right now, all she wanted was sleep.
“Tawny, I’ve been trained in hand-to-hand combat. Close my blinds or I will hurt you,” Isa said.
“Please, you’re a size six soaking wet. I think I can take you.” Tawny sat on the side of the bed without fear of Isa’s threat. “I wish I wasn’t leaving for this photo shoot. I haven’t seen you in like forever.”
“Tee, we talk every night via Skype when I’m on ship,” Isa said. But still, her heart lurched and she felt tears mist her eyes.
They’d only ever had each other—closer than sisters even though they didn’t share the same blood. They always teased each other about being the mailman’s child when they were teens. Both of them soon figured out that it didn’t matter who sired them as long as they had each other.
Isa knew her parents were black. She vaguely remembered her parents they day they dropped her off at foster care when she was four. Tawny never had the luxury. She was named for her mixed heritage skin and light brown eyes. There was a point where she had been fostered out when she was a young girl. She was lost between the many children her new family had, and the fact she was a means to get a government check was soon evident. She was back in foster care in less than two years and they found themselves back together. The bond had never broken, and stood fast over the years.
“It’s not the same. I hope I don’t have to spend the entire two weeks in Greece.” She lay next to Isa.
“I may be around longer,” Isa said. She turned on her side and faced her friend.
“What are you talking about?” Tawny asked.
“I got my papers in to be based at NAS JRB New Orleans,” Isa said.
“You know I don’t know what that means.” Tawny poked her in the shoulder. ‘Speak English.”
“Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. My new commission is that I’d be getting to work in the JAG offices on base,” Isa explained. “Which means I would be home most nights.”
“And we could do Thursday girl’s nights again.” Tawny’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“I’d think that Miss Super Model wouldn’t have time for Thursday nights in our pajamas with a bowl of popcorn between us and a bad movie,” Isa teased.
In actuality, the idea thrilled her, to be able to sleep in her own bed and enjoy the ground under her feet instead the pitching, rolling waves of a Navy Carrier ship. She remembered how they were told as new seaman that you never really felt the ship move and it was like living on a big island in the middle of the water. They were so very wrong, and after months of fighting seasickness, she’d finally gotten somewhat accustomed.
Tawny sorted. “All these guys see me as a piece of meat—great body with nothing in the brain. When they do see I have sense, it turns them off. Who knew being smart in this business was a bad thing.”
Isa patted her arm. “You’ll find the right guy who deserves you. But right now, I’d like to find my way back to the land of dreams.”
“I’ve got an idea. You should go to the masquerade party at the Forte Mansion.” Tawny clapped her hands excitedly. “I got the invite and, since I can’t go, you should go in my place!”
“Tawny, we don’t look alike. How in the hell am I going to pull off being you?” Isa said. Her friend was tall and statuesque while Isa stood at five-three and was kind of a pixie. She saw Tawny as a beauty and herself as just an ordinary kind of girl.
“You have to wear a mask, and hell, I’m just tall because they put me in stilts for heels,” she laughed. “Say you’ll do it and I’ll leave a dress, shoes, and everything you need in my bedroom. All you have to do is get dressed, go dance, and eat really expensive yet crappy food.”
“I don’t know, Tawny...” Isa began to say doubtfully.
“Say you’ll do it and I’ll let you sleep,” Tawny encouraged. “It’s some harmless fun and you need it, pal o’ mine. Do it, do it, do it, do it!” She began to chant getting louder each time.
Isa clapped her hands over her ears. “Fine, I’ll go okay? I will go!”
Tawny grinned and bounced off the bed. “Goodie, now I have to go finish packing. I’m thinking red for your dress—cherry red with some sweet satin black pumps.”
“Kill me, just kill me,” Isa muttered.
“Nope, you said you would, and Isa Swansea is a keeper of her word.” Tawny closed the blinds and her room was in blessed darkness again. “Get your sleep. I’ll let you know when I leave later on.”
“Okay.” Isa felt sleepiness overtake her again and snuggled deeper into her blankets.
“I’m glad you’ll be home,” her friend whispered from the door. “Love you, Isa.”
“Love you too, Tee, and I’m glad I get to be home too.”
She drifted away into slumber her and, much later when Tawny came into say goodbye, Isa only stayed awake for a few moments to wish her friend a safe journey before it was right back to sleep. The grueling pace on ship could take a toll on all the personnel, but as a woman, she had to be tougher and stronger than her counterparts.
For the next few weeks she was home until her new commission began, she planned to relearn the city she loved so much.
* * * *
“Oh this is not me, so not me,” Isa muttered again for the hundredth time as she stood outside the black sedan.
She’d taken a car service to the party, knowing her beat up blue Mazda would not be seen as something that the rich and elite drove to swanky parties. Nervousness bubbled in her stomach and she pressed her hand against her torso as she looked up at the mansion. Isa had passed it so many times when she was a kid, wishing she lived there instead of some dreary group home. Now she was on the steps that were lined with lanterns with other women in gowns and masks heading up. The strings of lights that seemed to land everywhere made the setting even more magical in the dark night. The entire place fed the mystique and the magic of New Orleans, and she found herself falling under the spell.
“Invitation, please.”
The big, muscular man at the door held out his hand. His face was like his tone—serious. She held it out to him. He looked at it and scanned the back. She didn’t even know there was some type of invisible bar code on it and gasped when the machine beeped.
“You can’t counterfeit Mr. Forte’s invitations,” he said, and gave her a look, one that she didn’t like. She’d seen it in many people’s eyes growing up—like she was nothing.
“Since your machine beeped, you don’t have anything to worry about,” Isa said sweetly, and batted her eyelashes at him. “Big man and a little machine, such a pity.”
The meaning of her words made his eyes widen and a smile curled his lips. She swept past him with a sense of pride, one she never let people who thought she was less take from her. She’d gotten where she was by pure tenacity—Tawny as well, and that’s why even when they shared their first rinky-dink apartment, they danced on the small balcony. It was theirs. Everything inside from the used beds and the thrift store furniture was paid for from their crappy jobs. Years had gone by and they’d made their dreams into reality. Some of hers were still to be fulfilled, but being in the Navy was the start of it.
Isa put thought of the past aside for the night. The inside of the mansion was no less breathtaking, even the furniture seemed to gleam under the lights. The baseboards along the polished floors, the winding staircase and molding were all saved from when the house was built. She’d done more than some research at the public library about the house she was now walking within. Isa was happy to see the new owner didn’t gut the mansion of all its historic pieces. Everyone wore masks and she accepted a glass of champagne with a smile and a small nod from behind her own disguise. Tawny had left a royal purple dress made of satin for her to wear on the bed. It cupped tight around her breasts and hips before flowing softly down her body and ending just before her ankles. There was a slit up the side of the dress that stopped mid-thigh to give her comfortable movement. The mask was the same shade of purple, and the feathers on the crest were lilac, white, and gold. The heels weren’t like her military issued boots, but she managed to walk gracefully, remembering the lessons that Tawny had given her as they were growing up.
Isa knew no one, but still enjoyed mingling, listening to scraps of what socialites and movie stars talked about—the new three thousand dollar bag or the spa that just opened in Arizona—trivial things that made her marvel about their lives. Didn’t they see soldiers dying overseas? She took a sip of her second glass of champagne and reminded herself that nothing interested them unless it was a charity and they could get a sound bite on TV off the cause. They’re not all bad, she reminded herself. There were some that truly cared, but it seemed none were at the party today.
She walked out of the room and saw others milling around in the hallway as she passed. Isa walked up the stairs, looked for a bathroom, and came across what she could only call the most expensive family room she’d ever seen. The hardwood floors that had a baby grand piano to one side led to three steps that went down into a sunken-carpeted area. How did they manage to put a room like this on the second level of the mansion? she thought. There was the largest TV she’d ever seen and shelves with books, puzzles, and every board game imaginable. The balcony doors were opened to the cool night and she could see the stars. She walked toward them and sighed when silence enveloped her. She put her hand against the rails of the wrought iron balcony and inhaled deeply.
“Party is downstairs.”
The masculine voice made her turn in surprise and she dropped her glass. It shattered against the tiles of the balcony floors.
“God, I am so sorry.” Isa bent to pick up the shards of glass.
He grabbed her shoulders. “No, don’t, that’s sharp. You’ll cut yourself. One glass won’t make a difference.”
“That’s Waldorf crystal. One of those glasses is worth a lot,” she replied as she stood up.
He chuckled. “I’m sure my glassware collection will survive.”
“Your glass... you’re—”
He held out his hand. “Bryce Forte, and you are?’
“Tawny,” she answered, remembering she was using her friend’s invite.
“The model, no last name, native of New Orleans.” Bryce smiled. “I’ve heard of you. Never seen your work, but I’ve heard of you.”
“Well, I guess that’s a good thing. I suspect you’d want to know who you’re inviting to a party at your house,” Isa replied.
“Anyone who’s anyone is downstairs. I’d have thought you’d be mingling,” he commented.
Isa smiled shyly. “In all honesty, it’s a lot to take in. I wasn’t going to come.”
“Why?”
“I had a book I wanted to read,” she admitted. “Strange, huh? Swanky party and I wanted to read?”
He laughed. “I find it refreshing. Come inside and sit. You’re shifting your feet, so I know your feet are aching.”
She took his hand and studied his face as they got into the light of the room. She’d never see a man with such intense blue eyes. His dark hair was a startling contrast. He was clean-shaven, and she had the intense urge to reach up and caress his cheek. That probably was caused by the manly scent of his aftershave and the fact that he had to be the tallest man she’d ever seen. At five-three, they called her a waif or Smurfette when her MOS put her on a Destroyer for a year. She hoped the heels would help her look more modelesque but since model reality shows, models came in all shapes and sizes. The name stuck, and she averaged Bryce Forte had to be around six-three if not more. She liked her men large in all aspects, and he was deliciously handsome and tall. Large in all aspects... She smiled at her own words.
“Care to share what’s making you smile?” he asked.
“Nothing. My subconscious has a knack for saying the wrong things,” Isa answered.
“Now I’m curious,” he teased.
She smiled as she sat down. “Mr. Forte, don’t be. It’s nothing, I promise.”
“Call me Bryce.” His voice was smooth as New Orleans bourbon.
“Okay,” she said shyly.
“Tell me about you,” Bryce encouraged. “Your life has to be fun jetting off to different places for work.”
“I like the travel,” Isa said. She did travel for her job, that wasn’t a lie, but she still felt guilt at the façade. Yet, she knew after tonight she’d never see him again, so she played along.
“You’re still wearing the mask,” Bryce pointed out. “How about you take that off and I’ll get us another glass of champagne?”
“I’d prefer a beer,” she said, and wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Champagne is not my cup of tea.”
His laughter was rich. “God, I love your personality. Sam Adams okay?”
She nodded. “That’s fine.”
Isa watched him leave before she took off her mask. He said he’d never seen pictures of Tawny and that made her feel more secure, that and the soft lighting in the room give made her at ease. He came back and, this time, his tuxedo jacket was off, his tie was undone around his neck, and his sleeves were rolled up.
“Don’t you have a party to host?” Isa asked as he handed her the beer.
“It practically hosts itself.” He sat down beside her and took a swing of his own beer. “Besides, they don’t care about me. The food and the freedom is more enticing.”
“I’ve had two glass of the champagne, but no food yet,” she admitted.
“That has to be remedied immediately.” Bryce shook his head. He reached over the back of the sofa and picked up a wireless phone. “Roger, please bring me two plates of everything on the buffet.”
“You don’t have to. I can go down—”
Bryce cut off her words. “We’re having a better time up here than downstairs with them. After dinner, I may challenge you to a game of Battleship.”
“You’d be sorry for that,” she teased. “I’m an expert at that game.”
“Now I want to definitely play with you, Tawny.”
She couldn’t mention that her real job was on some of the Navy’s most advanced warships. It was one of the better conversations she’d had in a long time and he was sexy as hell. She got the double meaning of his words. The thing was, he thought Isa was her best friend. But she could play along for now, right? Be the model, the belle of the ball, not the Navy girl who was more comfortable in polished boots than heels.
After they dined on cracked crab and steamed oysters, fruit, and canapés, Isa even tried the caviar and the pâté and found she would rather eat a cheeseburger. She and Bryce both laughed when he agreed with her assessment. Then they played Battleship and she won. They talked well past the guests leaving and watched them from the balcony. Bryce noted he knew very few of them. He idly played with her hand as he talked and she liked the connection. Isa found she liked it a whole lot more when Bryce kissed her. He pulled her into his arms almost savagely and she enjoyed that way too much. Men saw her as this strong woman and it intimidated them. When his lips parted hers and he speared his tongue into her mouth, Isa moaned in pleasure.
He nipped at her lips gently. “I know this may be too soon, but I want you naked in my bed. You did win at Battleship after all.”
Isa gave a husky laugh as she looked up at him. “How does that equate to being in your bed?”
His blue eyes were filled with humor and desire. “I’d like to consider myself a prize.”
“I think I’ll be the deciding factor in that,” she teased.
“Is that a yes?” Desire made his voice a husky growl.
How many times in her life would she get an opportunity to be with a man who made her legs weak? Isa made a decision that was unlike her nature or anything she’d ever done in her life.
“Yes,” she whispered as excitement made the butterflies in her stomach take flight.
Bryce led her through the room they’d just spent time in to a second set of stairs that led to the third floor of the mansion. There in his room, he flicked on only one light by the bedside table. Bruce pulled her into his arms and she accepted his kiss greedily. As desire burned hot and passion broke free, they undressed each other with an urgency she’d never felt before.
She gasped as he kissed her neck. “I don’t ever do this. I’ve never been with someone the first night of meeting them.”
“You are so refreshing, innocent almost even though you live in this crazy world of glitz and glamour.” He cupped her cheek. “This feels right to me, but if it doesn’t to you, we can go back downstairs and I can see how you are at Monopoly.”
Isa stepped away and turned her back to him. She pulled the zip that was hidden between the seams downward and the strapless dress fell to the floor. She glanced back at him and could see desire in his intense blue eyes.
“I’d rather see if you can make my body melt from your touch,” she said.
Bryce came up behind her and she could feel the warmth of his body against her back. He groaned as he kissed the skin of her shoulder and reached around cup her breasts in the strapless bra she wore. Isa whimpered as his pushed the garment down to free her nipples. She arched into his touch as he brought the peaks to hardness with his fingertips. The sensations set a pool of wetness between her legs. She watched him for a moment. When their lips met again, Isa made a soft sound of pleasure and her eyes drifted close as the kiss deepened. She reached between them and cupped his cock in her hand, feeling him throb beneath her fingertips. Bryce shuddered and his kiss became savage. Isa pressed herself more fully against him, wanting and needing more, her body screaming for release.
He broke the kiss and they stood holding each other. To Isa, it was like their breathing was in sync. Bryce ran his hands down her shoulders and took her hands in his.
“I want you,” he said huskily. “I hardly know you and this feels damn perfect to me. If you want me to stop, it’s best to say so now.”
He rained soft kisses down her neck and Isa gasped in delight.
“I’m naked in your semi-dark bedroom. I think I’m committed to this action.” Isa laughed softly.
“Good.”
A growl escaped his throat and she shivered, taking it as a submission to the desire that raged through them both. The intensity of their kiss bloomed once more and she didn’t know how they ended up across the bed, but they did. She loved the feel of his weight on her body pressing into the soft duvet beneath her. Isa gave into the fantasy. The sexy, mysterious woman in the bed of a man she barely knew but was attracted to. It was like some kind of dream, but as he caressed her, her body told her this was the epitome of pleasurable reality. She could get addicted to the taste of his mouth as their tongues dueled.
Bryce turned and brought her body on top of his and she bit his lip gently before turning the tables on him and with a deft move she was beneath him once more. Isa spread her legs so he was settled between them and she could feel his hardness against her core.
“I like how you feel on top of me,” Isa said, and ran her hands down to cup his ass. “Mmm nice and taut.”
“That’s not the only thing, babe.” Bryce grinned wickedly and moved against her.
“I see,” she purred.
The teasing came to an end when dipped his hand between her legs and she felt his fingers touch her wet pussy. Isa cried out softly at the intimate connection. She lifted her hips to entice him to explore more of her slick depth, but Bryce was intent on teasing her. She shuddered as he grazed her clit with his finger and Bryce laughed huskily.
“You are so responsive to my touch, I love it,” he said.
She looked into his eyes. “Make me come for you, Bryce.”
“Yes.”
His voice was a harsh whisper and as they kissed, Isa ran her hands over the strong contours of shoulders and down his back. It had been so long since she’d explored a man’s body and she’d never felt anything like this. Bryce played with her nipples and did delicious things to her body with his hands.
“You’re like holding this fragile piece of beauty,” Bryce said as he cupped her breasts. “That fits perfectly in my arms, just for me. I hope you like the way I touch you.”
“Oh yes, very much so,” she whispered.
Isa slipped away from him easily and took her time exploring his body with her hands and lips. She watched his blue eyes darken and his breathing became heavy as she ran her hand down his chest to his torso. Isa took his cock in her grasp and stroked the erect shaft. Bryce groaned and his hips lifted in pleasure each time she stroked him. Their eyes connected and Bryce nodded with a smile.
Isa wrapped her lips around the head of his cock and twirled it lightly, loving the low moan that escaped him. She took him deeper into her mouth and she felt his hands in her hair. Isa became more feverish in her movements, using her hand as well as her mouth to please him. When Bryce couldn’t stand it any longer, he pulled her up against him with one rough movement and took her lips in a hunger-filled kiss. He turned to his side so she was lying against the bed and slipped his hand between her legs. He rubbed her clit until her hips rose and fell against his seeking hand and she found release. Then he penetrated her with his fingers and she cried out as pleasure assaulted her.
Isa spread her trembling thighs wider as he used his fingers to fuck her, spearing them deep. He found that secret spot within her, the one that made her body release its sexual fluid all over his hand. She’d never flown so high before under the ministrations of a man’s touch.
“Come for me, baby. You feel so good wrapped around my fingers,” he coaxed her softly.
A soft whimper escaped Isa as she arched and pumped her hips against his hand. Her body tensed as she came under the onslaught of desire and she cried out his name. Isa opened her eyes. Bryce was watching her with eyes that were alight with need. This time, when he covered her body, Bryce filled her with his cock in one smooth thrust. His groan mingled with her soft cry and she wrapped her legs high around his waist. They kissed long and deep as they picked up each other’s rhythms. It turned from a sensual dance to one of pure, unadulterated passion. His deep penetration was sheer pleasure and Isa writhed beneath him, seeking her release. Bryce looked at her with her lips parted and he kissed her hard.
“Baby, you’re like liquid heat around me,” he groaned out, his breathing harsh.
“I need to come,” she said. “God, I want more, don’t hold back.”
“You have me so hot, I don’t know if I can stand it,” he muttered.
“Then don’t, let’s burn together,” she whispered, and pulled his head down so she could taste his lips.
Bryce brought her leg over his shoulder and thrust upwards into her wet pussy. Their breathing was the only sound in the room, an erotic symphony that only heightened each other’s need.
“Now, oh please now!” she cried out. Her body took up a frenzied pace. “Come with me!”
“Yes, Tawny,” he groaned.
Her body clenched around him like a velvet glove and milked his cock as his release caused him to buck above her body. He didn’t stop moving until he had sent her into the swirling abyss of another orgasm. Bryce’s groan mingled with her cries of ecstasy as they fell over the precipice of pure, unfiltered pleasure. Isa ran her hand over his back as he fell against her and then rolled off to the side. His soft laugh was in the midst of a heavy, contented sigh.
“Tawny, that was incredible,” he said.
Tawny. Hearing the name brought reality back in a crashing wave and burst the intimate bubble they’d created moments early. I’m not meant to be here. He doesn’t even know the real me.
Isa sat up and scrambled off the bed. “I’ve got to go.”
“Hey, you don’t have to. Stay the night and have breakfast with me tomorrow.” Bryce sat up and watched her dress. “We can take my jet to Paris for the weekend.”
She looked back at him and marveled at how with one look she was already aroused and wanted to climb back into bed with him.
Isa shook her head. “I’ve got to go and...Paris... I’ve got to go.”
“Having second thoughts about what we did, or is this playing hard to get?” Bryce asked. “I don’t chase women, just to let you know.”
“You don’t have to chase me, Bryce. I wasn’t expecting you to,” she admitted. “I had fun and I don’t regret a minute of it. I’ll grab my purse and my shoes and see myself out. I have a car coming for me at twelve-thirty.”
“I was hoping I’d see you again,” Bryce said.
Isa looked back at him from the door and answered honestly. “You probably won’t.”
With that, she rushed out of the room and went downstairs. She found her purse and her shoes the same place she’d left them and opened her purse to look at her cell phone. She had a few minutes before her car arrived and didn’t see her out front then left her stranded, so she took her heels in hand and moved toward the front door. The bouncer was still there and he gave her disheveled appearance a smirk. In return, she gave him the finger. She didn’t care what he thought because she’d never have to see him again. The car pulled up and it barely came to a stop before she was inside.
“Did you have a good time? Is that place as gorgeous on the inside as it is outside?” the driver asked.
“Yes,” was the only word she said. She took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, reliving the night and the passion she’d shared with Bryce.
At home, Isa took the rumpled gown and placed it on the chair in her bedroom to be cleaned and ready for when Tawny came home. After a shower, she got into bed and thought about the instant connection she’d found with Bryce. Except he didn’t know who she really was and thought he had been making love to her best friend. Great job, Isa. The first guy in a long time and he thinks you’re Tawny.