Endless Summer Nights by Delansy Diamond Grace Octavia Donna Hill Page A

“I love to watch a beautiful woman in nothing more than a toothbrush and panties.”
    She huffed and shook her head, biting back a smile. Turning on her heel, she went to pack a small bag. She chuckled to herself as she tossed in toiletries, a bathing suit, a sundress and something sexy for a night on the town, and, of course, her toothbrush and panties.
    * * *
    Sydni had never been in a helicopter before and her first experience was one that she would not soon forget. The roar of the blades, the surge in her stomach as the bird rose straight up—unlike an airplane—and the incredible sensation of flying and being able to witness the world directly below. What was the most awesome aspect of the experience was that Gabriel was flying the chopper himself. When he got behind the controls, told her to strap in and started switching levers and talking into his headset—getting and receiving instructions—it was a turn-on akin to their morning in the shower. She nearly had an orgasm.
    The landscape of Brazil spread out before them as they rose and dipped across the city.
    Over the rumble of the engine and the blades, Gabriel pointed out Sugarloaf Mountain and the beaches of Ipanema. What completely took her breath was seeing what is considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the world—Cristo Redentor—sitting majestically atop the Corcovado Hill.
    “The original design of the statue was created by a Brazilian, by the name of Heitor da Silva Costa,” Gabriel shouted over the roar. He handed Sydni a set of headphones and indicated that she should put them on. “He was also in charge of the construction and worked on the project with a French sculptor, Paul Landowski. It took five years to build and was funded mostly with donations.”
    “Incredible.”
    “One of the big tourist attractions,” he added.
    “I see.”
    From their height soaring above the statue they could see the lines of tourists climbing the stone steps to reach the base of the statue.
    They continued their aerial tour for about another half hour with Gabriel continuing to point out more sights of interest.
    To say that it was a thrill ride would be an understatement. Sydni was totally turned on and couldn’t wait until they returned to Gabriel’s place so that she could show him just how turned on she was.
    * * *
    Over the ensuing days Sydni and Gabriel spent every waking moment together, talking, dancing, participating in the Carnival frenzy, swimming in the ocean, visiting eclectic restaurants and nightclubs. They talked, they laughed, they shared their feelings, watched old movies, and they made love as long and as often as they could, wherever they could. If it was on the beach or in a tight room in a nightclub, in the kitchen, on the floor, the couch, the bed and even in his office, it didn’t matter where as long as they could connect in the most intimate of ways.
    They forgot about business and the future. The only thing that mattered to either of them was each other.
    * * *
    “I know it’s crazy,” Sydni lamented to Lynn after finally leaving Gabriel with the promise that she would return in time for dinner. “But...I don’t want to be without him. Thinking about it gets my stomach in knots.”
    Lynn sat down next to Sydni. “I’ve never seen you like this, so taken in by a man.”
    “I’ve never felt like this.”
    “Syd, let’s be realistic. How long have you known him, a couple of weeks? And he has you twisted inside out. You have a job to do and you have yet to get him to sign off on the proposal, not to mention that you haven’t mentioned the merger. We leave in two days.”
    Sydni pushed up from the couch. “I know that! I know all of that. It doesn’t change how I feel.” She paced.
    “How do you know that he’s not using you for a good time and when you leave it’s simply goodbye? He does have a reputation. His whole family does. Meanwhile, you can barely take a breath without him. Come on, girl. This is not you.