A Tease - A Castle O Quickie by Faye Hunter Page A

reveal and hope the members of Castle O didn’t hate her or her art.
    Alyssa pulled at the hem of her blue silky dress as the car came around a bend. “I hope you’re right. This was my biggest commission ever. Thank you again for making it happen. Oh gosh, we’re here!”
    They turned off the main road onto a driveway lined with stately evergreens. It twisted around a bend, disappearing into dense trees that shielded the buildings beyond from prying eyes. Their passage was blocked by a gate and a squat square building with two guards inside. One of the guards stepped up to the car window as Walker rolled it down. Walker flashed a carefree smile as the guard crouched down to look in the car “Good evening kind sir. Walker and Alyssa here.”
    “Ah yes, our lady of the evening. Welcome! Please head straight up. Kent and Kali are ready for you,” the guard said with a sweep of his arm as he stepped back, the gates swinging open, allowing them to enter with a rev of the engine as it climbed the steep twisting drive.
    Alyssa crossed her legs, pulling again at her dress that hugged the tops of her thighs, squishing her legs and hips. “I should have worn something different. This is too much. I feel like I’m on display.”
    Walker studied her legs for a moment, his face brightening, revealing dimples on both ends of his crooked smile. “You look good enough to eat. Which is perfect.”
    The car pulled into the shadow of a portico that covered a red carpet lined stairway. The massive stone castle loomed overhead, turrets flanking each end, their tops piercing the blue sky. Ivy crawled up the sides, anchoring it to the earth as if it might float away should the ivy release its grasp.
    Alyssa stared up at the impressive castle, her thoughts racing. Walker leaned over, placing a finger on Alyssa’s chin, turning her face to his. Blazing slate eyes studied her, his lips parted, just a breath away from hers. She licked her lips, trying to remove some of the sticky lipstick. His eyes watched her tongue intently, like a cat preparing to pounce. He waited a beat when she pulled her tongue back behind her lips, then looked back up to her eyes. Taking a breath, he steadied himself. His words came out in short, growling, bursts. “You do unthinkable things to me, you know. I can’t wait for you to experience Castle O. Tonight is all about you. Fantastic, amazing you. Enjoy everything tonight brings. You worked so hard on that piece. You deserve every bit of praise, appreciation, love and gesture of adoration that comes your way. Take your time and enjoy. And remember, you’re in charge.”
    In charge? In charge of what?
    But before she could respond the car door popped open behind her. An Adonis of a man stood beside the door dressed in a tuxedo, his white gloved hand held out to her. She took the hand, smiling up, up, up into his exquisitely chiseled face. She studied it, trying to memorize every plane, edge and shadow so she could recreate it in her studio. But even as she stood there she knew there was no way she could capture the magnetism and heat that radiated from him. The way his sandy hair hung, beautifully disheveled, as if he used the wind to comb his locks and bring a ruddy glow to his cheeks. His eyes glittered when he looked at her, familiar, welcoming, as if they shared a delicious secret.
    He smiled, setting off a million butterflies in her stomach.
    “Welcome to Castle O, Ms. Roy. We are honored to have you here for the great unveiling of your stunning sculpture.” His hand felt warm and strong where it held her as she steadied herself on needle-point stilettos. She had never worn heels before, but Walker had convinced her that these sky high heels made her legs look amazing. She tried to balance herself, cursing herself for not practicing walking in the shoes in the privacy of her home first.
    “Thank you,” she said.
    Alyssa caught her breath with a gasp as he moved in close, crouching from his