Burned Deep

by Calista Fox

  Or was he someone offering things a woman such as myself shouldn’t get wrapped around the axle over? Was he a savior? Or was he detrimental to the perfectly constructed life I’d built following all the troubles I’d encountered as a kid?

  I had no answers, and that scared me all the more. But eclipsing the fear was the arousal that seeped through my veins when he turned back to me and I took him in from head to toe—breathing him in, getting lost in every magnificent fiber of his being.

  He returned with a glass and handed it over.

  I took a long sip of scotch, then set the cocktail on the end table and said, “It’d be okay if you sat next to me.”

  Joining me once more, he gave me another of his scrutinizing looks and asked, “Are you afraid of me?”

  “Not in the way you might think. You’re intimidating, yes. But, it’s more like…” I didn’t really know how to explain, exactly what to say. No one had asked me that sort of question before. No one had really wanted to know why I kept my distance. And I truly wasn’t sure anyone would understand.

  It’d taken me a long time to notice how I always lingered on the fringes, even when wholly present in a conversation or with my wedding planning. I had a simple theory, really. Not touching, and not being touched, led to not missing physical contact when instances of it were so few and far between.

  I’d never put stock in affection. My parents weren’t of the sentimental, demonstrative variety—except when they were hurling things at a wall. Nor had the half-dozen guys I’d spent brief time with employed any sort of finesse beyond the few thrusts it took to get off.

  Something else occurred to me. I had never felt the electric currents I did when Dane was close, when he looked at me, when his fingers grazed my skin.

  He waited patiently for me to elaborate, but I couldn’t quite summarize for him how keeping the bottom from falling out of my life—the way it had for my dad—was imperative.

  Dane didn’t seem inclined to let me off the hook, though. Continued to gaze at me expectantly.

  Finally, I said, “It’s sort of a self-imposed thing. Don’t take it personally.”

  “Impossible,” he murmured.

  Heat erupted in my belly. Spread outward. A tempting, tantalizing sensation.

  I got to my feet, albeit shakily. I crossed to the patio doors and stepped onto the terrace, needing the respite of cool air. The scenery really was too fabulous for words. The most stunning scenario to find myself in.

  And the most amazing, breathtaking man I’d ever known—would ever know—offered me my own slice of the gorgeous pie.

  When I felt him standing behind me, I dared to ask, “What, exactly, do you want from me—aside from accepting the director position?”

  “You already know what I want.” He stepped closer, so that I inhaled his rich scent, more intoxicating and decadent than the most expensive champagne.

  “Be specific,” I implored. Because I knew I dug a deeper hole every second I stayed here. I was entranced, hopelessly drawn into his beautiful, magnificent world. Entangled in a mysterious web I knew was dangerous to get caught in, but it was one I couldn’t seem to find the good sense to escape. Even when I had the chance.

  His fingers gently swept my hair over one shoulder, purposely not grazing my skin. His head dipped and I felt his warm breath on my nape. A delicious shiver rippled down my spine.

  His lips were so close to my neck, I could almost feel them. Though I knew I imagined that—because I craved the feeling. The one thing I avoided most in life. The ultimate threat.

  “Dane,” I urged him to lay it all on the line. Because this was hazardous.

  He whispered against my throat, “I want to touch you.” His breath rustled the wispy strands of hair, teasing me further. But he wasn’t done. “Ari,” he said in his sexy, enticing voice. “I want to taste you.”

  chapter 5

  I didn’t breathe for several seconds. Couldn’t breathe.

  I’d never felt so surrounded—so permeated—by male heat, strength, aggression. It swept over my skin, burned through my body. The overwhelming desire to have Dane’s hand at the small of my back, a gesture I’d always deemed too intimate, took hold of me and wouldn’t let go. I willed it to happen, wanting the physical connection to coalesce with the visceral.

  But that was impossible.

  Just as I felt him make the move, I stepped away. Though liquid fire still rushed through my veins. I returned to the office. Dane closed the terrace doors behind us and followed me into the wide corridor.

  We walked to the elevators in silence. When we reached them, I asked, “Is this the normal interviewing process for all your female executives?”

  I instantly thought of the statuesque honey-blonde and wondered if she worked here. Had he enticed her with a fabulous office, breath-stealing words, and a salary to keep her closet stocked with Louis Vuitton?

  I grimaced inwardly. That thought didn’t exactly gel in my mind. Dane didn’t seem like the type to burn both ends of the fuse when they could meet explosively in the middle.

  And his sharp look said he wouldn’t dignify my question with a response.

  I was afraid that would be the case. My instincts were a little too fine-tuned when it came to this man.

  We entered the elevator and it took us down to the second floor. Miyanaga had covered our food with metal domes to keep the steaks warm. Not necessary for me. I’d lost my appetite. Nothing could compete with the inferno, raging out of control. I snatched my clutch and the note card and held on tight—so I wouldn’t touch Dane.

  I wanted him in ways I couldn’t fully comprehend. It went beyond just having his hand at the small of my back. Far beyond my simple fantasy of him shoving my skirt up and thrusting into me. This wasn’t something I could get out of my system by asking him to take me to one of the hotel rooms for a quick fuck.

  This wasn’t anything like my past hookups. For God’s sake, it wasn’t even a hookup and still I felt deeply entangled in something I could neither dissect nor wrap my arms around. I was so ensnared that the only word tripping through my mind was inevitable.

  An alarming fate from which I couldn’t break free. Worse, I wasn’t sure I wanted to break free. Perhaps that was why I found it so alarming.

  Rallying a bit of resistance, I told him, “I need to go.”

  His hands were in his pockets and, once again, he didn’t crowd me. He shifted slightly and I walked past him, onto the mezzanine. He was by my side as we descended the stairs and crossed the vast lobby to the front doors. It started to rain. The valet, Brandon, opened a large black umbrella with the resort name in gold script across it.

  Dane finally spoke. “I want an answer by five o’clock on Monday.”

  I glanced at him, taking in the hard set of his jaw and the steel determination in his eyes, rimmed with lust. My stomach fluttered.

  “For which?” I asked, a bit breathless.

  “For both.”

  “Dane.” Nervous exhilaration shimmied through me. “You can’t put a time line on—” I shook my head. This was all happening so fast. He was certainly determined—and obviously willing to press my hand.

  A scowl canted his mouth, as it had in the bar when he’d rescued me. The same expression that darkened his features and made him even more mesmeric. I wanted to be alone with him even though that had already proved dangerous. I wanted Brandon to disappear so I could stand there and breathe in Dane along with the rain-scented air.

  Desire was such a tricky beast, such a double-edged sword. I wanted him, but I didn’t want to want him. It was cruel, really. Painful.

  I tore my gaze from his and headed to the Jag, Brandon falling into step with me. I slipped into the vehicle and tried to still my frenzied insides. A worthless effort. The car pulled away, circled the mammoth waterfalls, and started down the long drive. I turned in the seat and stole a look out of the back window.

  Dane stood just outside the main doors, beneath the slight overha
ng of 10,000 Lux, as the downpour turned violent and lightning streaked the sky. He remained there as we turned the bend.

  Watching me go.

  * * *

  “You should be practicing your chipping and pitching,” my dad said as I joined him on the driving range of the private club where he worked.

  I dropped my bucket of balls on the ground, whipped out a tee, and stabbed it into the damp earth. I grabbed a driver and whacked the hell out of three balls before I said, over my shoulder, “Chipping and pitching take thought and concentration.” Teeing off helped to relieve sexual tension. Granted, I could spend a week at this and I’d be just as wound up as I had been from the moment I’d laid eyes on Dane Bax, but still. It felt good to assert myself.

  “Something wrong?” my dad asked, concern lacing his tone.

  “Not really. Just a lot on my mind.”

  “Humph.” He went back to working on an already perfect swing, stopping about ten minutes later to say, “You’ve really improved over the past few years. We should get out more frequently.”

  “We golf twice a week, Dad. And then spend Sunday morning here.”

  “I was just saying.”

  With a laugh, I asked, “Is that guy-speak for ‘I’d like to see you more often’?”

  “Something like that.”

  If it were anyone else I was talking to, I’d suggest he find himself a girlfriend. But that was a volatile subject, so I avoided the land mine. “Chances are, I’m about to be busier than before,” I warned.

  “Oh?”

  I stepped away from the tee and faced him. “Have you heard anything about 10,000 Lux?”

  “Sure. It’s created quite the buzz around here. Five golf courses by the best designers, including Nicklaus and Engh. Member fees are through the roof—too rich for my blood.”

  I smiled, about to make his day. “You might get to golf there for free.”

  His head snapped up from his shot and he speared me with a look. “You win the lottery?”

  My dad never messed around when it came to playing world-class courses.

  With a noncommittal shrug, I said, “Not exactly. Well, sort of, but not in the traditional sense. I met the owner of the resort. He offered me a job.”

  My dad whistled under his breath. “At 10,000 Lux? You realize it’s featured in all the national golf magazines?”

  “Yes, and in newspapers. The position is Events Director. Totally in charge of all festivities.” Anxiety tripped down my spine. I ignored it.

  “Wow, Sweets.” His brows knitted. “That’s … Uh. Wow.”

  I grimaced. “Translation: ‘way the hell over my head’?”

  “I didn’t say that,” he was quick to assure me. “It’s just that … I’ve heard enough about the hotel to know they’ll host events several levels above small weddings in Sedona.”

  “Numerous levels,” I corrected. And the anxiety mounted. “He seems pretty convinced I can handle it.”

  “He?” My dad’s voice hitched to that uh-oh octave.

  I was so there with him.

  “Dane Bax.” That was all I planned to say about the man I couldn’t get off my mind. The one I’d lain in bed last night obsessing over, fantasizing about. I’d never been fixated on a man’s hands, on his lips, on his entire being, so that no sensible thoughts formed in my head the way they should when I entered risky territory.

  Then again … I’d never met anyone like Dane Bax.

  To diffuse whatever might next come out of my father’s mouth, I added, “The grand opening is New Year’s Eve. I’d get to plan it. Since there are pre-launch events, I’ll be decking the halls with boughs of holly.”

  “You’re not really the holiday type,” he reminded me. We hadn’t been particularly festive around the DeMille household when I was growing up.

  “It could actually be fun. Something different. Fa la la la la, la la la la.”

  “Cute,” my dad said. “The owner has already made you an offer?”

  I nodded, knowing it’d be best not to mention the astounding salary that came with the outrageous yearly budget. I really didn’t want to get into a discussion over that. I was still reeling from those figures.

  “Anyway, I’m seriously considering it.” How could I not? It was a castle in the sky job with the sort of office I’d longed for and knew I’d never be able to afford on my own.

  Plus, there was a certain thrill that came with being a part of Dane’s world. Being a part of something that meant so much to him. My dream meshing with his dream.

  The only thing keeping me from accepting was Dane himself. I was tempted, too tempted, by him. How involved would I be in something that didn’t just bump my boundaries but barreled right through them?

  And then there was that not so tiny insecurity that I might fall flat on my face and ruin his launch. Lots of responsibility to shoulder there.

  I went back to hitting balls and my father let me maintain the silence until our buckets were empty. No more discussion of 10,000 Lux or Dane Bax. I certainly didn’t mention my other source of consternation—my mother’s sudden communications. No need to stress my father out more, especially where she was concerned.

  When we were done, we returned the drivers we’d demoed to the golf shop.

  “So, let me know how this pans out,” he said as we stood in the entryway, removing our gloves. His office was upstairs and he was on duty in half an hour.

  “I will. I think it’d be pretty incredible. It’s just extremely overwhelming at the moment.”

  “I’d sure enjoy the links out there.” He winked.

  I laughed and said, “Had a feeling that would get your attention. We’ll see.” I kissed him on the cheek and then left to run errands.

  * * *

  That night, I prowled my townhome, restless and torn. I knew what I wanted. It was the price to be paid that worried me. Given what was truly on the line for someone like me, it honestly did feel as though I’d be handing over my soul for a gorgeous office—and to an even more gorgeous man.

  The latter was of great concern because, honestly, I couldn’t begin to fathom what Dane saw in me. Why he wanted me. My fear was that his attraction was wrapped around the challenge I presented—my obvious need for physical distance and my low tolerance for romance. Though I wasn’t even sure he wanted to romance me. Or if he’d just gotten into the thrill of the chase and was now ready for the kill.

  What would happen if he broke through and I became one more notch on his bedpost?

  Another huge red flag. I had no doubt sex with Dane would be like nothing I’d ever experienced, read, or fantasized about. And I wasn’t exactly worldly in the bedroom, so how fast would it be before I bored him to tears? What sort of work environment would that create?

  I shook my head as I paced the living room. As long as I didn’t fall in love, I could accept when he was done with me and let it lie. Right?

  Right.

  I wasn’t wired to fall in love, anyway. I’d never even been in deep like.

  As always, this would just be sex. Well, okay, with Dane it’d likely be amazingly hot, singe me to the core of my being sex, but again …

  Just sex.

  Maybe.

  I frowned.

  The rain fell steady and straight, flooding my small patio. The flashes of light illuminated my dim living room. If I were a superstitious person, I’d add another element to my freak-out over Dane. I’d call all of this dark and ominous weather an omen. The fact that I didn’t subscribe to signs didn’t mean I dismissed them entirely—especially with this particular scenario. I still had warnings to heed. The most prevalent one being the foreboding that flickered in Dane’s eyes when he looked at me.

  I had a very strong sense of what that was all about. The man was a take-no-prisoners type.

  He wanted me, and he’d already let me know it wouldn’t be a casual fling.

  My right that had morphed into a more tenuous maybe was now a solid oh, shit.

>   I spared a glance at the clock. Twenty after ten, and my mind was much too preoccupied for sleep. I went into the room that housed my desk and opened the Web browser on my computer. I pulled up the 10,000 Lux site that I’d viewed when I’d submitted my application. I sifted through the hyperlinks again, noting they’d added more photos and information.

  I clicked on the “Careers” section, curious to know what positions were being advertised in the Events department that still needed to be filled. Those employees would be my staff, after all. Another concern to mull over. I’d never really managed anyone, other than subcontractors who already knew the business, knew exactly what they were doing.

  I ran through the list anyway, happy to see there’d be a robust team of planners and support staff. I was about to move on when my gut twisted. It suddenly dawned on me that the Events Director position was no longer posted.

  Had Dane pulled it? Was he that sure he’d snagged me?

  I let out a hollow laugh. “Of course,” I mumbled.

  I never enter negotiations without knowing exactly what I’m getting into and exactly what I want to get out of it.

  Given his aggressive nature, I’d say the more appropriate sentiment was that he never entered negotiations without knowing exactly what he would—for certain—get out of it.

  This wasn’t even a negotiation. What was there to reconcile? He’d laid the world’s most tempting cards on the table—and had thrown in the possibility of sizzling sex for good measure.

  As I considered how easily I’d stood under his net and let it fall on me, the Web site turned a sinister onyx, with the words Under Construction suddenly flashing in the center in red, along with a sequence of numbers in the bottom right-hand corner. Moments later, the text and numbers turned to crimson splatters against the background, then dripped away. Leaving nothing but pitch-black.

  Huh.

  I reached for my phone and tried to pull the site up on that device. No dazzling Lux lights, just eerie darkness. That was strange and deeply disturbing. Dane was actively hiring now that he’d set the date for the opening. Why would he take the site offline now?