by Anne, Melody
“Don’t look at me like that or we’ll never get out of here,” Sierra begged him. His eyes lifted and he was surprised to see the desire shining in her eyes. It seemed neither of them could get enough of the other.
“I’m trying not to hurt you, Sierra. You may like sex, but I’m going to do some damage if we don’t take breaks. Your body has to have time to heal,” he warned, his voice deep with desire.
“Then we’d better leave,” she purred.
Damien took a menacing step toward her and she giggled before grabbing her pants and running from the room. He took a step after her before stopping himself. If he pursued her, it would end with them on the bed, or a table, for all he cared. He had to remind himself of her inexperience.
He quickly dressed, happy when he found her in the living room holding her purse and waiting. He had to get her out of the room.
As they stepped into the hall and made their way to the elevator, he reached down and took her hand. He’d never before felt the need to hold a woman’s hand, but suddenly he had to touch her, had to feel her warm skin against his own. He swore he heard a sigh from her as his fingers tightened around her palm, but she didn’t say anything. He tried acting like it was no big deal, though his emotions toward her were growing – making it a very big deal.
They boarded the train and went deep into the heart of the tropical rainforest of Kuranda.
“I just can’t believe something so beautiful exists. It almost looks untouched,” Sierra said as they looked out the large windows. Various animals were playing in the trees, and the scenery was stunning.
The train stopped in the village and they had a nice meal with the other tourists, Sierra instantly making new friends. Damien just sat back and watched as she conversed with various people.
He did find himself constantly reaching for her – his hand either gripping hers, or resting against the small of her back, sometimes brushing the hair from her shoulders, or resting on her thigh. She’d turn often and smile at him, making his stomach tighten with desire and…more.
He was having a good time with her, not thinking about the work being left undone, revenge, or his mother. He was simply enjoying a few moments of uninterrupted time with a beautiful woman. He was discovering he liked her – really liked her. She was the first woman he’d enjoyed being around since college when he’d fallen in love, or what he’d thought was love.
It had turned out to be simply infatuation and the relationship had never had a chance. He’d already been through so much in his life that the experience had turned him off of the happily-ever-after kind of love. He wasn’t falling in love with Sierra, just infatuated, he assured himself.
Marriage was about what two people could give each other, not about love and devotion, anyway. He tuned out the negative thoughts and just let himself feel good without guilt. He pushed his mother’s voice from his head.
After lunch they took a ride on the skyrail, soaring over the tops of the trees, getting a magnificent view of the Barron Falls and Red Peak. Each new sight had Sierra grabbing for him while she animatedly pointed. He looked out the windows, seeing the beauty all around him.
He honestly couldn’t remember the last time he’d slowed down enough to simply enjoy himself. He decided it was going to become a priority. He’d have to get Trinity and Drew to join him in Australia. Damien had a feeling it was going to become a favorite place for him.
The sun was starting to set when they arrived back at the train terminal. Sierra looked disappointed the day was over, but he had to keep them on schedule or he’d never get to show her everything he planned.
They got in the rental car and drove to the airport.
“Where are we going?” Sierra asked, almost in a panic.
“Don’t worry, we’re just heading to our next stop,” he reassured her as he helped her from the vehicle.
“What about our luggage?”
“I had it packed and delivered while we were gone.”
“Don’t you worry they may take some items?” she asked.
“Not at all. I’ve stayed at that hotel many times. The owner is a personal friend of mine,” Damien said with a smile.
“That’s good enough for me.”
They boarded the jet and made the short ride to Alice Springs, which was at the very heart of the Australian Outback.
Sierra stepped into their new hotel room, excited to see where they’d be staying this night. It was opulent, of course, but as she walked in, her eyes instantly filled with tears. On the living room table sat a huge bouquet of roses with a card attached. She slowly walked over and lifted the envelope with her name on it.
Damien watched, fascinated by the eager anticipation as she slowly opened the envelope. He moved so he could see her expression as she read the card.
“Really?” she asked with excitement.
“Go look,” he told her.
Sierra bolted from the room and entered the bedroom. Lying on the bed was a stunning green dress with beads attached, making it almost seem alive as the fabric moved. He’d called Trinity and asked her to have one delivered. She hadn’t disappointed.
“It’s stunning,” Sierra gasped as she ran her hand over the material. His curiosity was peaked.
“I did my research on you, Sierra, before you ever got this job. You’ve worn many beautiful gowns, but you look like you’ve never seen one before,” he said, not really a question, but he knew she’d understand he was looking for an answer.
“My father always picked my clothes for every function I attended, though he didn’t do it to please me, but because he had an image to maintain,” she said, her voice catching as several tears trailed slowly down her face.
“Talk to me about it,” he commanded.
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. What’s going on between you and your father?”
“It’s better left alone. Besides, the card says you’re taking me to dinner and dancing,” she said, her tears fading away as she looked at him hopefully.
How could he resist.
“Yes. I’m sorry it’s all so rushed, but you only have an hour to get ready. I’m trying to fit as much as possible into this trip. I have to get back to work in just a few more days,” he apologized.
“I’m getting far more than I thought I would. You won’t hear any complaints from me,” she told him as she gently set the dress back down on the bed and went to the bathroom where all her toiletries were already laid out.
He heard the shower start so he went and made coffee while he waited for his turn. He didn’t dare join her.
Once Sierra finished, he snuck in behind her and jumped in for one of his own, then the two of them shared the bathroom as they prepared for the night ahead.
Damien’s eyes met Sierra’s in the mirror, his face masked by shaving cream, her hand up to her eyelashes as she applied mascara. It hit him how domestic the situation was, and it felt like he received a kick in the gut. Things were moving too quickly. He found himself scared for the first time since he was a child.
He took her on the town that night, holding back from her, but not enough for her to notice. When they returned to the room, he made love to her again, his movements frantic as he tried to prove to himself it was only sex, but as her lips captured his, he was lost, not able to get enough of her taste, feel, or smell. He was falling fast for the girl who wasn’t supposed to mean anything to him.
Chapter Fifteen
“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe how far it flies away and still manages to make it back,” Sierra exclaimed as she watched the boomerang sail far into the sky and then make an arch and return to the man throwing it. “Can I try?”
“Of course,” he said as he offered her the small piece of wood.
Sierra threw it as hard as she could, watching it soar a short distance before making an arch. Several people ducked as it almost collided with them on its return trip.
“It takes time to master the right technique in throwing
it,” the man told her with a smile. Sierra threw the boomerang several more times, not even coming close to the elegance with which the guide portrayed.
She then listened to stories of the Aboriginal people, and how they’d settled the land. She was fascinated by the history of the beautiful island, wishing they could stay in the remote village for days, or even weeks, instead of only one short afternoon.
“We have to go. I have a surprise,” Damien said when she missed her target for the hundredth time.
“Just once more?” she pleaded.
“Okay,” he conceded.
She threw it, straining on her tiptoes as it made its arch back toward the can she had sitting out. When the boomerang hit the can, she stood stunned before suddenly jumping in the air and clapping her hands with energetic accomplishment.
“I did it!” she cried as she hugged the guide and then Damien. She was amazed at how proud she was at finally hitting her target.
“Great job,” Damien said with humor in his tone. She tried to settle down, realizing she wasn’t acting in the least like an adult. She didn’t care - what she’d just done was difficult to do and she was reveling in her victory.
“Come with me,” Damien said as he held out his hand. She took it without question, as she’d been doing over the last several days, and followed him around a corner where several large balloons were filling up the land.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“I’m taking you for a ride,” he replied as he led her over to a hot air balloon. Her eyes widened as she looked at the contraption with suspicion. She wasn’t all that sure she wanted to go high in the air in a giant balloon.
“Are you sure it’s safe?” She knew the tone of her voice implied she didn’t have a lot of confidence in it, but she didn’t care. It wasn’t on her to-do list, to plummet to her death when a bird struck the balloon at their highest point in the air.
“It’s perfectly safe, Sierra. People do this all the time. Quit being a chicken. I’m trying to be romantic here,” he said with an indulgent grin.
Those words did it for her. She could handle her fear of death for a little bit of romance. She did fear her heart would never be the same again after the spur-of-the-moment vacation. It was worth the pain for a week of bliss, though.
They lifted into the air as the sun started fading from the sky, and her breath was taken by the beauty of it all. It was such a contrast, the brilliant colors arcing across the sky, while the almost desolate land gleamed below them.
“Champagne?” the guide offered. She took the glass without much thought and took a sip. She didn’t really care for the taste, but the bubbles tickled her nose, and she liked the feel of the cool glass in one hand, and Damien’s warm grip in her other.
She took a moment to glance at Damien, leaning against the side of the balloon as he gazed at the glorious sunset. With the setting sun behind him, casting its beautiful colors across his features, he looked mysterious and masculine.
He turned his head and their eyes caught, a sparkle in his, beginning devotion in hers. She fell for him a bit more with each new adventure he took her on. She was fearful of what that meant for her future.
“You look stunning,” Damien said as he moved next to her and took the glass from her shaking fingers.
“I was just thinking the same thing about you,” Sierra replied.
“Mmm, do you care to elaborate?” he asked with a wiggle of his brows.
“Does someone need their ego stroked a bit?”
“My ego, among other things,” he said as he moved his head to nuzzle her throat and his hands rubbed along her lower back, his fingers moving along her spine. Sierra felt the kiss on her neck all the way to her toes.
“Damien, we’re not alone,” she whispered in embarrassment, but couldn’t find the will to push him away.
“He’s busy, not paying the least attention to us. I have to kiss you, or I may not make it back to the ground,” he said before running his lips up her jaw, trailing kisses the entire way before taking her lips in a slow, sweet kiss.
She melted on the spot. The moment was everything she’d ever dreamed of, but never thought she’d get. She wouldn’t survive his week of undivided attention if he decided to go back to the cold business man she’d met the first day, once the week was over.
Damien was still kissing her as they began their descent. Sierra missed the rest of the sunset, missed the ground reaching up to meet them, missed half of the ride, but she didn’t care. Being in Damien’s arms was far better than anything else she could see or do.
The ride ended with them safely on the ground, and Sierra followed Damien to their car. She leaned her head against him in the backseat, glad he’d chosen to have a driver this time. She fell asleep before they reached the hotel.
The next few days flew by in a whirl of activities. Damien took her to Melbourne, and they strolled through the diverse neighborhoods. She was charmed by the nineteenth century architecture, the use of trams, and the beautiful park - she even got to watch the Fairy Penguin Parade. Each night the tiny Fairy Penguins of Phillip Island waddled up from the water, looking like they were on parade. After a hard day of fishing they returned home each night to feed their babies. She was entranced by the entire event.
At a cabin where they stayed, she’d gotten up in the middle of the night and found a couple turtles crawling from the ground and making their way toward the sea. Damien joined her on the porch as she watched in fascination as the tiny creatures scurried along the sand and dove into the water. The wonders of nature appealed to her more than all the expensive excursions.
Her favorite part of the trip was when he took her to his vineyard. It had been stunning, and she’d stood back and watched as his staff greeted him, everyone from the lead manager to the pickers came out to say hello. She strolled with him through the miles of vines as he pointed out different grapes and then gave her a tour of where the fine bottles of expensive alcohol was made.
She sampled a few too many glasses and by the end of that day, she’d become unsteady on her feet. She realized why he was so successful, though - the taste of it was amazing.
They arrived back in Sydney on the sixth day. She was a little sad to be back where she knew he’d soon return to work. He took her on a tour of the world famous opera house, and to an exquisite five-star restaurant, but she felt the change in him as soon as they landed in Sydney.
He was still a gentleman, opening doors for her, making love to her each night, and giving her his attention, but he stopped holding her hand, stopped caressing the small of her back, and started pulling away.
Her vacation was amazing, but she felt her heart expanding, her emotions getting too involved. She decided she needed some time away from him so she could think. Sierra had to figure out what exactly she was doing with him, with her father, with the rest of her life.
It was time to visit Bree. She knew Damien would be mad, and that was the last thing she wanted to evoke in him, especially after all his generosity, but she had to do something for herself. Sorting out her feelings and life plans was impossible to do with Damien around. He was just such a distraction. She needed this, and it was her turn to take care of herself and do what was best for her.
Chapter Sixteen
Damien awoke and stretched, feeling good. The week had been a whirlwind of activities, but he’d found himself having some long overdue fun. He tried telling himself it was nothing more than fun, but as he’d spent every hour of every day with Sierra, he’d found himself needing to be with her. He’d forced himself to tone it down a little, but he couldn’t pull fully away.
At least not yet, he couldn’t.
He didn’t know how the two of them were surviving on so little sleep. They hadn’t yet made it through an entire night without waking at least once to make love again. Twice last night, he’d woken with an urgent need to take her. The first time, she’d been just as hungry, and they’d come together quickly, a tangle of arm
s and legs. The second time had been more leisurely, both of them quickly falling back asleep.
Damien reached out, hungry once more just thinking about sinking into Sierra’s tight heat. He came up empty and was immediately irritated. She never woke before him, not once since they’d started sleeping together. The sheets below his hand were cold, telling him she’d been up for a while.
His irritation turned to anticipation as he grinned and quickly threw off the bedspread. If he was really lucky, he’d catch her in the shower. He didn’t bother putting on his clothes as he strode to the bathroom.
Empty.
He wasn’t concerned as he walked back to their bedroom. He was about to move to the living room when his brain clicked and he made his way back to the bathroom. He’d thought something was odd when he walked in but had been so focused on finding Sierra that he hadn’t put it together.
He looked at the counter and noticed none of her belongings were there - no toothbrush, hair accessories, or little vials of makeup that she always had out. If it weren’t for his few items, it would look as if the bathroom wasn’t being used at all.
The first alarm sounded in his head. He rushed back into their room and opened the closet, feeling his gut clench when he found all her clothes gone.
Anger flared in Damien’s stomach as he flung a robe around himself and walked back out to the living area of the hotel suite. He was about to pick up the phone when he found a note next to it.
When he hesitated before picking it up, fury spread through him.
Damien Whitfield didn’t hesitate – ever.
He swiped the piece of paper up, wrinkling the page in his haste as his narrowed eyes scanned her words.
Damien,
Please don’t be upset. I really need some time to think. The last week with you has been almost magical, and I truly enjoyed myself, but I had to get out of there for a while. I’m going to my friend’s house, back in the States. I’m taking an early flight and should be airborne by the time you read this. You can get ahold of me at the email listed on the bottom of the note and let me know when you get back to the States if you’d still like for me to work for you. I need time to think. I know our little affair was a lot of fun and that’s something you’re used to, but as you know, I’m not. I just need to process all of this. Please don’t be too upset. I think it’s best if we take some time apart and then if you still want me to work for you, we can discuss that. I think it best if we stay professional, though. The sex was pleasant, but I don’t think it wise to continue the affair. Please don’t be angry.
