Burned Deep

by Calista Fox

  He captured them with a hungry kiss and I lost it completely. Ripping my mouth from his, I cried out his name as the searing orgasm consumed me. I squeezed him tight.

  “Yes,” he ground out. “Ari. Baby.”

  I felt him surge and pulse within me. Then his cock throbbed in wild beats as he came, his hands still holding me steady.

  My head fell forward and my lips grazed his cheek, his jaw, his neck. I quietly, breathlessly, said in his ear, “Just because I can’t say the words yet doesn’t mean I don’t feel it, too.”

  His arms slid around me and our bodies pressed together. “I’ve been patient so far, haven’t I?”

  I laughed. “You move fast and push hard.”

  “I don’t see the point in wasting time when I want something. This has been a bit different, but it’s meant to be, so I’m not going to hide the fact that I’m crazy about you.”

  I swept a wayward lock of hair from his forehead. He’d given me something to work with here—something in my comfort zone. “I’m crazy about you, too.”

  “See?” He grinned devilishly. “You come around quick.”

  Then he gave me a sweet but hot kiss.

  It was impossible to deny that I was totally wrapped up in Dane. I’d realized long ago that my feelings ran deep. A somewhat unsettling and tenuous situation to find myself in, given that I still didn’t know all that much about him. Just that he wanted me and fiercely pursued this budding relationship.

  When I partially came to my senses, I said, “Don’t you have a conference call?”

  He grunted. “I’m enjoying this much more.”

  “Duty calls and you’re too responsible to shirk it.” Okay, so I did know some things about the man.

  I climbed off his lap and snatched my thong. He ducked into what I presumed was the bathroom. I hauled my totes off the top of the dresser and set them and my shoes on the bottom shelf under my hanging clothes.

  It was a bit thrilling to have my own little space in his world. At the Lux. At his house.

  Thoughts of the hotel brought back my own responsibilities. I had a lot of work to do.

  We traveled the hall together and collected our laptop bags.

  Dane kissed my forehead and said, “I’ll be in my office until about eight. Make yourself comfortable.”

  “I like your great room.”

  “Switch for the fireplace is under the mantel. Password for the Wi-Fi is bagan.” He spelled it.

  I recalled he’d said it meant to fight. “Are you German?”

  “On my dad’s side.”

  “How did your parents die?”

  His irises darkened. “Not now, Ari.” He kissed me again, then turned to head into his office.

  I said, “I’m sorry about them.”

  He glanced over his shoulder. “Thanks.” As he disappeared into the other room, I wondered if I’d ever get all the facts.

  I set my things out on the coffee table, lit the hearth and a few candles before firing up my computer. I accessed the Internet and went into full-on research mode, looking for the perfect Christmas tree. Or trees. I still hadn’t decided on quantity. Size. Shape. Shit.

  Shopping around, however, led me in a different direction—budget planning. A thirty-foot Rockefeller Pine would cost us fifteen grand alone. I had a sneaking suspicion Dane would not reuse decorations from year to year but would donate them and have a different theme every Christmas.

  I didn’t know this for sure, of course, but from what I’d gleaned thus far—and the fact that packing up all of the unused furniture erroneously delivered to Monaco and having it shipped to the Lux was an unsatisfactory solution—I had a feeling I was pretty close to right with my speculation.

  I had an astronomical budget for events. Still … Fifteen thousand dollars for a fake tree. Holy fuck.

  Around seven o’clock, my head throbbed from breaking down my allotted funds into an Excel spreadsheet and trying to disperse them adequately across twelve months, taking into account the other holidays and potential functions we’d host. Not to mention all the pre-launch and grand-opening festivities.

  I was also starving. I wandered through the house until I located the enormous kitchen, filled with shiny stainless-steel state-of-the-art appliances. There was a large rectangular island in the center, intricately designed with decorative accents. A matching table that sat eight was tucked into the artistic breakfast nook in the far corner, just off the patio, where glass doors revealed another big table and an outdoor grill and cooking station.

  My entire townhome could have fit into this one room.

  A slow churning started low in my belly. I wasn’t a stranger to the rich and affluent—not when my dad’s career had been red-hot and he’d garnered invitations to lavish parties. But I’d never been intimately involved with someone who owned … all this. And 10,000 Lux.

  Curiosity ate at me once more. From where had all of Dane’s money come? Sure, he’d inherited his parents’ fortune. But how vast was it? And what had he done to put himself in the position to build the resort, buy this house, throw down a million and a half on a sports car only twenty-nine other people in the world would own?

  I’d learned from my father and some of the cheating scandals in the sports world that the cream did not always rise to the top without some help along the way.

  How did all of this belong to Dane Bax?

  As I pondered the mystery of him—and shoved aside the notion of any potential scratching and clawing his way to the top—I prowled the kitchen and then raided the fancy Sub-Zero fridge, which was fully stocked. I found fresh salmon and used the stovetop grill to cook the fish. I made up a spinach salad that I drizzled with an olive oil, lemon, and dill dressing and added thick slices of warm French bread on a separate plate. I was just setting everything on the table when Dane joined me, a bottle of white wine in hand.

  “Perfect timing,” I said. It was just a few minutes after eight.

  “I smelled the salmon down the hall. Delicious.”

  “You haven’t tried it yet. I’m no gourmet cook—or five-star chef.”

  He kissed my cheek and murmured, “I bet it’s fantastic.”

  Uncorking the wine, he poured two glasses. We settled at the table.

  “Good business meeting?” I asked, dying to find out all I could about him.

  “Excellent. There’s a fund-raiser planned for mid-October that I have to attend in Scottsdale. I’d like you to go with me.”

  I smiled as my stomach flipped, the churning instantly dissipating. “Sure. Thanks for the invitation.”

  He gave me a sort of as if I wouldn’t invite you look. Then asked, “How’d your work go?”

  A diversionary tactic. Quickly off the subject of him and on to Ari.

  That just wouldn’t do. So I briefly said, “Since the grand opening is a week after Christmas, all of the holiday decorations will still be up—I presume.” I crooked a brow at him. We hadn’t yet discussed this.

  With a nod, he told me, “They’ll complement the launch perfectly. And we’ll want them up for the pre-launch activities, anyway. The holiday season is a great time of year to show off the Lux.”

  “I agree.” Phew. “So, that’s my current focus. Every last detail, light strung, ornament hung, has to be just right.”

  His grin was a grateful one that made his beautiful eyes sparkle. “I knew I could trust you with this. Really, Ari. How did you ever doubt yourself?”

  I dragged in a slow breath, let it out on a long sigh. “Dane. I haven’t done anything yet. I’m in reconnaissance mode at the moment. Needing to move on to the implementation phase ASAP, by the way. Chances are good it’ll take most of December to get all the decorations up in time for the initial events.”

  “I have absolute faith you’ll pull this off. Preferred planners don’t miss deadlines or details, is my guess.”

  “Not so far.…” I picked at my salmon. Yes, I felt the pressure. I felt the significance of my role in the ope
ning of the hotel. More than that, I felt the incredible need to bring it all together, flawlessly executed, not for my personal success but for Dane and the Lux.

  Despite the weight on my shoulders and the constant please, God, keep me from fucking this up thoughts, I knew Dane needed me to be spot-on—so that he could contend with all the problems he continually encountered on-property.

  “I won’t let you down,” I assured him. And hoped to hell I was right.

  “I already know that, baby.” He gave me the sexy grin. Literally turning me inside out.

  I tried to focus on the food, because I really was famished, but his gaze remained on my lips, teasing a smile from me as the tingles ran rampant. I just wanted to climb all over him, have my way with him.

  But I was missing the prime opportunity to quiz him more. I opened my mouth to speak—and his cell went off.

  The angry ring.

  He swore under his breath. “I have to take this.”

  I eyed him curiously and asked, “Is it Ethan?”

  “Yes.” He pulled the phone from his pocket. “I’ll try not to be long.” He kissed my cheek and stepped out onto the patio.

  He’d finished his meal, at least. I polished off mine and then rinsed the dishes and put them in the washer. I went back to the great room, a little frustrated that I hadn’t learned anything new about Dane. And why was he cool about missing calls when he was with me but never skipped Ethan’s?

  That was another piece to the puzzle I wanted to figure out. Ethan had been Dane’s mentor—still was? And they were business partners on some level. I didn’t know the extent. It had sounded last night as though Dane’s investors weren’t involved on such a grand scale that he’d had trouble supplementing funds for the Lux when he’d cut out the five corrupt associates.

  Clearly, I was on hold for answers, so I gathered up my catalogs from the coffee table in the great room and retired to Dane’s bedroom, flipping through pages and just trying to absorb thoughts as much as possible while blocking the questions from my mind.

  It was nearing midnight when I heard him walk in. I’d been drifting in and out of sleep and was on the drifting verge again, a bit groggy.

  He climbed in behind me and reached around to pry a magazine from my hand.

  “Baby, you’re going to OD on Christmas decorations and it’s not even Halloween yet.” He placed the book on the nightstand and switched off the light.

  His arms were around me in the next instant and he surrounded me again with his heat and strong presence.

  “So much to do,” I mumbled.

  “Hire someone already,” he insisted. “Patricia said you had strong candidates.”

  “Haven’t had time to follow up.”

  “Then … fuck. Get Kyle to help you.”

  My sleepy grunt filled the quiet room. “You’ll take that back in the morning, when I’m refreshed.”

  “Probably.”

  His lips skimmed over my temple. “Don’t overdo it, Ari.”

  “This is a dream come true, Dane. When it comes to planning, don’t ask—or insist—I slow down. I’m really, really excited about this.”

  “Fine. But let’s get you some help.”

  “I’ll decide on staff this weekend and have HR make calls on Monday. Happy?”

  “Not totally. I’m still pissed about today.”

  “Dane—”

  “I’m going to be tied up most of tomorrow, here with the investment group. We’re through with the bullshit. It’s time for action.”

  An eerie feeling caused goose bumps to pop up on my skin. “Dane. What does that mean?”

  “That’s not for you to worry about. Just work from here tomorrow, okay? Where I can keep an eye on you.”

  “Whatever you want,” I whispered.

  My yawn gave him the chance to say, “What’s happening at the Lux will be over soon. I’ll make sure of it.”

  I didn’t like the ominous undertone. But I was too exhausted to dwell on it. With Dane’s body practically enveloping me, I was in heaven—and out like a light seconds later.

  * * *

  I woke up alone and immediately discovered I didn’t like it, after just two nights of having Dane wrapped around me.

  I spared a glance at the small crystal clock. Half past eight. And I had so much to do.

  I threw off the covers and went into the bathroom to shower and put on some makeup and add a few curls to my hair. Then I crossed the hall to the dressing room and selected a navy-colored yoga suit with a white tank top under the jacket. I slipped on the lightweight sneaks I’d brought with me and went straight to the great room.

  Dane, Ethan, and two others were on the patio, at one of the smaller tables, huddled over paperwork and talking animatedly. I grabbed some catalogs and my laptop and headed into the kitchen. Dane had left a plate of scrambled eggs with green chiles and chorizo wrapped in cellophane on the counter. Small flour tortillas and fresh pico de gallo accompanied the heavenly smelling breakfast.

  I bellied up to the island and nibbled as I assessed whether the printer by the iPad on the far counter, beneath the flat-screen TV, would sync via Bluetooth to my laptop. When it did, I printed out the photos of the Lux that I’d taken. Then I used some of the printer paper to handwrite notes for each photo, determining what would go where when it came to accessorizing the lobby.

  While I contemplated wreath placement, it occurred to me that I had more than the lobby to focus on. The tall columns between the wrought-iron and gold-leaf fencing needed wreaths. The lanterns atop them called for some sort of sophisticated decoration as well.

  I resisted the urge to bang my head on the marble counter.

  Instead, I buckled down and drafted a plan.

  Around noon, Dane and his group were still hard at it, so I trolled the freezer and found Kobe beef patties. There were brioche buns and cherry tomatoes, so I sliced and lightly sautéed the tomatoes, added mozzarella to the patties to melt, and then assembled the burgers and spooned a little balsamic vinegar reduction on them before topping them off with the bun. I added lettuce and thick slices of red onion on the side. Found a bag of sea salt and vinegar kettle chips in the vast pantry and loaded up my arms with four plates.

  Dane caught sight of me heading his way, since they’d moved to the larger table just outside the breakfast nook. He jumped up and opened one of the doors, helping me with the food. I then delivered beers and refreshed their pitcher of iced tea.

  “Thank you,” Dane said with a kiss on the cheek. He made the introductions. “Ari, this is Nikolai Vasil and Sultan Qadir Hakim.”

  Sultan?

  More questions instantly sprang to mind.

  “Gentlemen, Ari DeMille.”

  We shook hands. This time it didn’t bother me at all. Dane had helped to ease that phobia of mine.

  He added, “And, of course, you know Ethan.”

  “Yes, it’s nice to see you again. And to meet you all.” I gave a smile. “I’ll leave you to your business.”

  “Thank you for lunch,” the sultan politely said.

  “It’s my pleasure.”

  I returned to the kitchen island, where I had paperwork and images spread across the countertop.

  Dane and his associates disbanded in the early evening. I couldn’t begin to fathom what they’d spent an entire day discussing. Ethan stayed for dinner, which was Cornish game hens and steamed vegetables that Dane cooked.

  I used the opportunity to grill Ethan.

  “I understand you’re an economics professor.”

  He nodded. “Recently retired from my tenure at Harvard.”

  “Where you and Dane met?”

  I heard Dane snicker behind me, from his station at the stove. Ethan and I sat on upholstered barstools at the island, which I’d cleared of my work. Dane knew what I was up to, obviously.

  Ethan said, “Yes, Dane was a student of mine. A brilliant one, at that.”

  “Were you involved in the hotel he built in Tahoe?�
��

  “No, he went solo on that one. I invested in the Vegas casino, though.”

  “I imagine that was a substantial undertaking.”

  “Dane has a gift. Excellent taste, an eye for luxury, and a good sense of what’s appealing architecturally.”

  “Agreed,” I said. “And do the two of you share other interests, besides business and golf?”

  With a grin—because Ethan apparently also discerned my tactic for trying to find out more about Dane—he told me, “We were each on rowing teams when we were students. Both rowed in the annual Harvard-Yale Regatta.”

  “And won,” Dane murmured in my ear as he leaned in close. Then he crossed to the table to set out the dishes.

  So there had to be some pictures floating around of the crew, right? Unless he’d conveniently excluded himself from photo opportunities. But, why?

  I frowned.

  Ethan nabbed my attention again. “He’s also an amateur pugilist—could have gone pro. Boxing’s not something I ever picked up.”

  “Probably had your nose in a book instead,” Dane joked.

  “More than likely.”

  It was nice to hear them banter, to not see Dane quite so tense.

  I asked more questions over dinner. Dane begrudgingly answered some of them; Ethan filled in most of the blanks. All surface stuff, really. Dane told me he’d selected Tahoe for his first hotel because he’d liked the lakeside location. Vegas had been more about making money on a flip, since it had been prime real estate on the Strip. The ultimate goal had always been the Lux. For him and his associates.

  Not wanting to spoil the more relaxed evening, I didn’t dare ask about the problems they currently encountered. After dessert and brandy that I served, Ethan bid us farewell. As the door closed behind him, Dane took me into his arms.

  “You’re a very gracious hostess.” His warm lips skimmed over mine before he took my mouth in a searing kiss.

  I melted against him, in his tight embrace, forgetting all about the trouble at the Lux. And everything else.

  Everything except Dane. As his tongue tangled with mine, I slipped the small disks on his shirt through their holes and peeled the material away, smoothing my hands over his sculpted chest. I could make a hobby out of touching him.