“And the invited just happen to be rich and famous,” Renee murmured. “Then again you’re a wealthy man, Devon.”
“I am. Darren pillaged well for his family,” he replied, knowing it would aggravate her more. “Not to mention I made a few bucks off of Overshare.”
The color in her cheeks rose. “And I suppose the party’s also a convenient excuse for you to have kinky sex with half of the town?”
Was it possible she was the tiniest bit jealous?
“To be honest, I haven’t participated in any of my parties in probably five years. I equate it to having too much candy after Halloween and then not wanting any more sugar for a while.”
Renee looked shocked. “You haven’t had sex in five years?”
He gave a brief smile. “I’m not a monk, Renee. Let’s just say I’ve been very selective about whom I take to my bed.”
“So I should be flattered?”
He traced a finger over her frowning mouth. “Yes, in a way you should.”
She nipped at his finger, but seemed pleased by what he’d told her.
“How come you didn’t try the whole Dom thing on me? I half expected you to haul me off to some sexual dungeon the night of the party.”
Devon laughed. “Sorry, no dungeon. I outgrew the sadomasochism scene. Like I said, it was a college thing. But the guests at my party are encouraged to experience or play in any manner they desire—so long as it’s not too violent or dangerous. I provide a very discreet, and private, environment. I hand pick who is invited to my parties.”
“Hmm.”
“Which is why I wasn’t pleased to see you crashing it.” He paused and gave her a considering look. “I’d like to see the diary, Renee. Will you let me?”
She sat up, and her hair spilled down over her breasts. Dark nipples peeked through the wavy strands. Devon’s eyes lingered on the sensual sight.
“Are you sticking to the story that you know nothing about the brooch?”
“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”
She gave a distressed little moan and bit her lip.
He lifted his gaze, catching her agitated expression. “Why do you want it? Is it a money issue?”
“I...” She hesitated and then sighed. “Yes, it’s a money issue, but not for me.”
“Your doggy daycare?”
“You know what I do?” She shook her head and grimaced. “Wait, of course you do. How silly of me.”
“I think what you do is charming.” And he meant it.
“I don’t know if it’s charming.” Her nose wrinkled. “I just love dogs, and I got tired of sacrificing my life to the corporate world. So a year ago I decided to go into the pet sitting business with my boyfriend.”
He went still. “Boyfriend?”
“Ex, sorry.” She waved her hand and went on. “Anyway, we were doing great and starting to turn a profit, and then Joey and I started having problems. When I ended things, he didn’t much appreciate it.”
The tension in his body dissipated some. “What happened next?”
“Joey quit, stole my list of clients and then opened his own business. He charges twenty bucks less a day.”
“And all your customers abandoned you for him, so now you’re stuck with no income?”
“No, I’m holding my own. People went to him for the discount, but preferred me in the end.”
“Only an idiot wouldn’t.” He pulled out his most charming smile, but it went right over her head.
“So, no, it’s not me with the money issues, but my grandparents. They raised me, and they’re in danger of losing their house. I’m trying to help get the money to pay it off.”
“By stealing something from me.”
Shame flashed across her face. “I’m sorry Devon. I didn’t want to break into your home and steal the brooch. It just seemed like a good plan at the time, because I knew it had once been in my family. It would serve me right if you did turn me over to the police. Any other person probably would have by now.”
“I’d rather keep you for myself.” Devon reached out to graze his knuckle over one of her nipples. “Will you bring the diary over for me to look at? There may be some clues you’ve missed.”
“I’m not gonna lie. I’ve missed a lot. It’s kind of illegible.” She stared at him skeptically. “You’d really want to help me with it? After everything I’ve done to you?”
“You haven’t done a whole lot to me, except blowing my mind in bed.” He gave a faint smile. “This diary situation involves both of our families.” He moved his hand down to stroke the curve of her hip. “I’m intrigued. Also it may explain why you seem so familiar to me.”
Her brows drew together. “I seem familiar to you? How so?”
“Mmm hmm,” He traced his fingers off her hip and onto the soft curve of her stomach. “I can’t place it, but it’s almost like... I knew you when I saw you.”
“Well now that’s weird.” Renee put her hand over his wandering one. “What if you somehow tapped into Darren’s memories—?”
“Tapped into the memory of a man who’s been dead for centuries?” Devon raised an eyebrow and then laughed. “Sorry, sweetheart. I may have gone through a gothic phase, but I’m a little too logic-based for that kind of bullshit.”
“Hmm, but it sure makes you wonder, doesn’t it? We’d never met before,” she reminded him. “And, yet, I was somehow familiar to you? All I’m saying is that maybe you should be a little more open-minded.”
Devon grunted in response.
She rolled her eyes. “I should head home. When do you want me to come back with the diary?”
The thought of her leaving disturbed him. He enjoyed being with her, didn’t want their time together to come to an end. “Let me follow you home.”
“You want to come to my apartment?”
“Yes.”
“Now?”
“If that’s all right.”
Renee looked as if she was going to argue and then nodded. “Okay. Get dressed, and we can head out.”
Renee was having a hard time comprehending the fact that Devon Murray was hanging out in her apartment. This man—dangerous looking in his black jeans and black shirt—was lounging on her fluffy lavender bedspread.
What’s more, her Boston Terrier, Ted, was belly up next to him. Ted wasn’t the most social dog, but apparently he adored Devon.
“Here it is.” She set the diary on the bed next to the pair. “Be careful, some of the pages are deteriorating.”
“I’ll be gentle,” he promised and abandoned rubbing Ted’s tummy to pick up the fragile diary.
The delicate book looked out of place in his massive hands, but he was nothing but gentle and careful as he read through the pages.
Renee sat cross-legged on the bed next to him. She’d long ago changed out of her dress into flannel pajamas. Not exactly turn on material, but right now she was only thinking about comfort and the diary.
“Can you make out her handwriting?”
Devon’s brows were drawn together—he was deeply engrossed in whatever he was looking at.
“I can, somewhat.” He didn’t look up. “I’m a pro at deciphering chicken scratch.”
“Hmm.” She glanced over his shoulder at the diary and shook her head. It was all a blur to her. “Can I get you something to eat or drink?”
“Thank you. Anything would be fine seeing as we didn’t eat much at dinner.”
Renee’s face flooded with heat as she remembered the earlier events of the night. No, they really hadn’t between the drugging and the sexscapade.
She climbed off the bed, heading to the kitchen to make them both a snack. Ted followed her, begging for scraps from the food she was preparing. She tossed him a slice of roast beef and then left him in the kitchen so he wouldn’t beg while they ate.
When she returned to the bedroom Devon had set the diary down and was waiting for her.
“Those pink pajamas look adorable on you.”
“T
hanks.” Sexy? Adorable? Same thing. She set the plate of sandwich halves and apple slices on the bed, and handed him a cold beer.
He took the microbrewery beer with an admiring glance. “You’re good.”
“I try.” She sat back down on the bed and gestured to the diary. “Learn anything?”
Devon ate the sandwich half in two bites while giving her a strange look. “I learned quite a bit.”
“So? Did Darren steal the brooch from Anne?”
“I haven’t gotten that far yet.” He tilted the beer bottle back and took a long drink.
Renee watched the muscles ripple in his throat as he swallowed. A silly little thing to observe, but on him it fascinated her.
“What did you find out then?”
He set the beer down between his legs. “Darren and Anne were lovers.”
Chapter Thirteen
Renee’s jaw gaped as she stared at him. Lovers? He had to be lying. There’s no way her ancestor had been sleeping with a pirate.
“Which page?” She picked up the diary.
He leaned over her and helped her locate the correct passage. She squinted at the writing until she could finally make out some of the words. Hmm. It was beginning to look like he was right.
“That’s not all,” he went on. “She wrote about some of her encounters with Darren. Apparently, he was good in bed.”
“What?” She yelped in disbelief. “So not only was Anne sleeping with Darren, but the hussy kept a detailed account of it? What does she say?”
Devon laughed and took the diary from her hands. “Here, let me read some.”
God, she couldn’t wait to hear this one. She picked up a sandwich and took a bite of it.
“All right.” Devon cleared his throat and then began to read. “He came to me last night. This sinister, dark, man whom I have taken as my lover. Truly, I have longed for his embrace, for his phallus to fill my flower.”
“Flower? Phallus?” Renee giggled, and then sobered when Devon gave her a reproachful look. “That there is some piss poor writing.”
He gave her a brief, reprimanding scowl. “It was the era. And you, Miss Hawkins, are unromantic.”
“My apologies. Please go on.”
Feeling lighthearted, and a little bit naughty, she reached over and teased a finger over the bulge in his jeans.
“I’m trying to read,” he admonished, but didn’t push her hand away.
“I’m sorry.” She batted her eyelashes. “I couldn’t resist the draw of your phallus.”
He growled at her—even as his cock stirred under her hand—but turned back to the diary. “Darren did the most wicked thing to my flower. He kissed it and then stroked it with his tongue.”
“Mmm. See that part there? Oral skills run in your family.”
Devon’s smile was small and disappeared quickly, but she’d still seen it.
“So wonderful was the sensation that I in turn decided to kiss upon his phallus.”
“May I kiss upon your phallus, Mr. Murray?” She slid down to rest her head in his lap. She gazed up at him, her smile mischievous. “I don’t believe it. This is turning you on.”
“I’m not sure the writing is, but your head on my dick isn’t helping things.” Devon groaned as his hand delved into her hair. “You’re making it impossible for me to read, sweetheart.”
“I want you to read.” She nuzzled his growing erection. “I just wanted something to occupy my mouth while I listened.”
He gave a strangled laugh. “Isn’t that why you made sandwiches?”
“I’m craving a different kind of meat.” She unzipped his jeans.
Devon laughed. “You’re unbelievable.”
“You like it.” She pulled his cock free and began stroking.
“Of course I do.”
“Good. Please, don’t mind me. Just keep reading.”
His expression became strained as her caresses became more aggressive, but he again looked down at the diary.
“He joined us in a truly sinful manner. As if we were both animals. Renee!” He exhaled sharply as she touched the tip of him.
“Keep going.”
“I upon my hands and knees, with him behind me. Oh! It’s nearly too wicked to tell of.”
“Ah, doggy style.” Renee smoothed her thumb over the plump head of Devon’s cock. “That was the first position you took me in, remember, honey?”
Devon set down the diary and pushed her back onto bed, stretching out over her. “I’m going to take you right now, sweetheart, if you don’t stop touching me like that.”
“Promise?” she purred, keeping her hand wrapped around him. She felt wonderfully alive and young. Scandalous. Maybe because of what they were reading, maybe because of the past two days. But every inch of her hummed with energy and need.
He groaned and began unfastening the buttons on her pajama top. When her breasts were bared he covered them with his hands and then lowered his mouth to hers.
His tongue swept between her lips, while the palms of his hands made circles over her taut nipples.
Renee reached down to push off her pajama bottoms and then her panties, moaning as she wrapped her naked legs around his waist.
He tore his mouth from hers. “Damn, you move fast. Are you sure you don’t want to keep reading?”
“We’re just taking a quick break.” She nipped at his chin. “Fuck me fast, and we can get back to the diary. There’s a condom in the bedside table next to us.”
“Sounds good.”
His fingers slid into her and she nearly lost her mind. But soon it wasn’t enough. She grabbed his hand to still it.
“I want to be on top.”
Rolling him over onto his back, Renee waited as he put on protection, and then climbed astride him. Positioning his cock at her entrance, she slowly slid down. Her eyes closed. God, he was thick. Filled her so completely.
She moved on him, rocking back and forth and circling her hips to bring him deeper.
“Am I hurting you?” He pushed his hips upward to drive deeper inside her. “I should’ve taken my jeans off.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.” She gasped. “It feels kind of rough and incredible.”
Devon reached up to play with her breasts, pinching and pulling on the nipples. The sensation was so intense, it caused her muscles to clench around him and she almost came.
“Sweetheart,” he ground out, sliding his hands down to her hips. “Do that again and I won’t last much longer.”
“You’ll last.” She quickened her pace, riding him hard and fast.
“Lean forward,” he commanded.
Renee obliged, leaning forward until his mouth closed over her breast. He sucked her nipple hard, making her squirm on top of him.
She groaned and pushed down hard. He stretched her, filled her, making her altogether mindless.
“Do you like that?” He flicked his tongue over her nipple.
“Yes.”
“How about this?” He rubbed his thumb over her clitoris.
“Oh...yes.”
He rubbed faster and Renee’s head spun. She closed her eyes, riding the sensation until her body contracted around him as she came.
When she opened her eyes, she met his darkened gaze. With a knowing smile, she reached a hand behind her to massage his sac. He groaned and a few minutes later he came inside her.
“Christ, you’re going to the death of me.” He groaned. “I’m too old for this much sex.”
Renee climbed off him and rolled her eyes. “You’re thirty-seven? Hardly a senior citizen.”
“A quick online search give you my age?” he asked as she walked to the bathroom to cleanup.
“Yes. You’re a favorite on the gossip sites. The mysterious, disreputable, Devon Murray.”
“So I’ve noticed. Did you know that when you came to the party, I thought you were a reporter?”
“I kinda got that impression when you were demanding to know who I worked for.” Renee came back into the
room a few seconds later. “Not a reporter. Just a woman determined to steal from you.” She grabbed the diary again. “Speaking of, let’s get back to work.”
He blinked. “That really was just a quick sex break for you.”
“We can go for a longer one later.” She tried to read the page where he’d left off. Sighing, she held it back to him. “I still can’t read this. Will you do the honors?”
He took the diary from her and stared down at it.
Renee stood, unable to completely dismiss her earlier idea. “Remember when I suggested that maybe you’d tapped into Darren’s memories? Now that I know they were lovers, it could also explain why we’re so good in bed together. Why we just...fit.”
Devon laughed and shook his head. “I told you, I don’t buy into that kind of stuff.”
“I know, it’s just...never mind. Do you care if I run and grab a quick shower?”
“Go for it.” Devon was already engrossed in the diary again.
Renee couldn’t help but watch him for a few seconds more, and then turned and went into the bathroom.
Devon stared down at the diary, but his mind wasn’t on the words in front of him. It was on Renee’s sexual appetite and how similar it was to his. She was like nobody he’d ever been with.
Was he falling for her? This fast? Oddly, he suspected he might be. She was a sexy, confident woman. He’d also been hooked the moment he’d heard about her doggy daycare. He was an avid animal lover with three dogs and two cats back at the estate.
The shower turned on.
Enough. He needed to figure out this diary thing. Besides, thinking about being in love—or at the mercy of a woman—after only two days was a little troublesome.
While Renee showered, Devon finished reading every page of the diary. And even though he finished the book, he still had some unanswered questions.
Taken by the Pirate Billionaire Page 7
