by Linda Verji
"If it isn't my favorite woman in the world," the older man greeted boisterously.
"Hello, Archie." Aiko smiled as she took the last few steps down the stairs to take the hand he offered her. "Are you here to see Damián?"
"Why would I want to see his ugly mug when I can enjoy your beauty?" Archie grinned as he kept hold of her hand. "Come. Come. Tell me how do you like your new job?"
"It's great," Aiko lied. Before she knew it, Archie was determinedly leading her by hand into the family room.
"Really?" Archie's face creased in concerned as he lowered himself onto the couch. Since he was still holding her hand, Aiko had no choice but to settle beside him. He added, "My granddaughter is quite a handful. Are you sure she's not giving you any trouble?"
Subtly tugging at her hand so he'd release it, Aiko said, "We're working on it."
"Mm mm." Archie nodded as he finally let go of her hand. "Zoe needs some guidance, and you look like the right woman for it."
How could he possibly know that just by looking at her? But Aiko only said, "Thank you."
"Actually, it's not my son's daughter I want to talk to you about. I want to talk about your daughter."
Aiko wrinkled her brow in confusion. "Seraphina?"
"Yes." He nodded. "I'm sure by now you've heard that I'm the chairman of Lowell School's board."
She nodded. "I have."
"My position gives me certain - shall, I say, privileges." Stretching, his arm across the couch so it was behind Aiko, he offered, "If you want I can get Seraphina a place at their preschool."
Aiko had heard wonderful things about Lowell School's preschool. She'd also loved everything she'd read about them in the prospectus she'd picked up when she'd gone to speak to Zoe's teacher; everything but their fees.
Oh. Hell. No.
Aiko's eyes had almost popped out when she'd seen the fee statement. Only someone with really long money - money that could trace its roots to Benjamin Franklin - could afford Lowell school. The fees a Lowell School preschoolers parent coughed up each year was enough to buy a house and a car. And they'd still have something left over to go and splurge in Vegas.
Chuckling, Aiko shook her head. "Thank you for the offer but I'm afraid the fees are too rich for my blood."
"Don't worry about the money. Haven't you heard? I'm Archie Colter." He winked. "I can make all sorts of things happen."
"No. No, thank you," Aiko dismissed the offer. "Phia's in a pretty good school right now." A school I can afford. Sure, the Colters were a moneyed lot, but it didn't feel right to take any more money or gifts from them than she already had. She added, "But thank you for thinking of us."
"And here I was looking forward to seeing your pretty face at our meetings." He gave a mournful look. "You just broke my heart."
Despite herself, Aiko laughed at the old codger's antics. "I'm sure you'll be fine. Besides you can see me right he-"
"You two look comfortable," a deep drawl cut into her words.
Both Aiko and Archie turned their heads toward the door to find Damián standing there, glaring at them. Aiko's temperature instantly spiked. Telling herself that the sudden heat cruising her blood was because of her anger with him, not awareness, she glared right back.
"Ah, Damián. I was just coming to see you," Archie said.
"Were you?" Damián's piercing stare settled on his father. "You didn't send for me."
"That's because I got distracted." Archie turned with a grin to Aiko.
Smiling back at the older Colter, Aiko lifted to her feet. "Archie, it was good to see you again, but if you'll excuse me… I was on my way out."
Damián's eyebrows gathered in a stormy expression. "Don't leave on my account."
Aiko just gave him a tight smile.
"It was great to see you again, Aiko," Archie said, holding the hand she offered him for a bit longer than necessary. "I'll see you soon I hope. And next time I'll change your mind."
"You can try, but it won't work." Aiko chuckled as she started for the door. She passed Damián without a word and exited the family room. But before she got far, she heard footsteps behind her then long hard fingers closed about her elbow.
Damián turned her and, with an indefinable look in his dark eyes, asked, "You're leaving the house?"
She was tempted to snatch her hand away from him and stomp away. Instead, she gave him a cool look. "Yes, Phia and I are spending the weekend ay my home."
He said, "I thought we agreed that you'd tell me whenever you leave."
"I'm telling you now, aren't I?" she snapped.
They stared at each other for a long moment, each unwilling to give ground.
"Damián?" Archie's voice broke into their stare-down as he yelled, "How do I operate this machine of yours?"
Damián threw a look in the direction of the family room then released her elbow. "We'll talk about this later."
"Sure we will," she snorted. After all, he was the master of talking later.
Scowling, she watched him stride back to the family room. She'd just started for the kitchen when she heard Damián ask his father, "What are you going to change Aiko's mind about?"
Why was the man so concerned about what she and his father were talking about? If he put half as much effort into finding out what was going on with his daughter, they wouldn't be where they were right now.
DAMIÁN HATED THE cold war Aiko was waging on him.
He'd thought that he couldn't stand the way she kept harassing him about Zoe, but now he would've given anything for her to scold him instead of this cold angry silence. He hated the angry glares and the curt answers. He hated that she smiled at everyone - even his father - but him. But mostly he hated the lack of sex.
Two weeks. That's how long it'd been since he'd had her in his arms; touched her. And his body was rioting, demanding that he make amends. He'd been with many women but none could compare to Aiko. She was just… different. Making love to her left him feeling more satisfied, more fulfilled and happier. She was passionate, responsive, and matched him in every way that mattered.
Every time he saw her or even thought of her, images of her in his arms, pressed against him and surrounding him crowded his mind. Even when she wasn't in the house, he could've sworn that her sweet, feminine scent tinged every corner of his home, teasing and torturing him with delicious memories.
A weekend without her, her icy glares and cold silences hounding him should've been enjoyable. But it wasn't. His Saturday and Sunday seemed hollow, empty. Ever since Aiko and her daughter had come into his life, his house seemed brighter and more cheerful. Perhaps it was Seraphina's cheery presence; perhaps it was Aiko's easy relationship with his staff that encouraged them to be more free with their laughter. But now that the two were gone, the house had descended into its usual dull, sulky, moodiness.
He wanted Aiko back home; cold silences, icy glares and all.
By eight p.m. on Sunday evening, Damián was ready to send Virgil over to the Vaughns' home to get Aiko. There was no way he was spending another night without her in the house. Fortunately, just as he was getting ready to send the brigade, he heard a beep from the security camera monitor indicating that the main gates had been opened. A quick glance at the monitor revealed Aiko's car cruising into the estate.
Excitement pulsing through him, Damián pushed his chair back from his desk, stood up and started for the door. Midway there, he stopped walking. If he went in search of her right now, she'd think he was eager to see her. And he wasn't.
Really! He wasn't.
He settled back at his desk and got back to work - or at least he tried to get back to work. For two hours he tried, but it was an impossible task. How was he supposed to concentrate on anything when she was just a couple of stairs away from him? Just a couple of stairs and he could be kissing her, touching her, inside her…
Fuck it! He needed her.
He shoved his chair back and strode to the door. His libido firmly in control of the ship, he to
ok the stairs two at a time and headed to her room. He rapped his knuckles once on her door then let himself in. Even though her dress and purse were on the bed and her pumps on the floor, she was nowhere to be seen. Frowning, he started for the door, intending to check in Seraphina's room - and that's when he heard the faint sound of running water coming from the en suite.
She was in there? Showering?
A smile creasing his face, Damián locked her door then started to strip.
CHAPTER 14
The weekend hadn't been as restful as Aiko hoped. Yesterday, Femi had been working on a large order of cakes which had left little time for Aiko to bring up the subject of Zoe. The only conversation they'd had was that of Femi reminding her that the mortgage was due at the end of the month.
Because the order was so large the whole family had been roped into helping with it. In between her baking duties, Aiko had had to get her hair done then run their father by the doctor's for his monthly checkup. The checkup was an event in itself because Sammy hated being touched by anyone other than his children. He'd kicked up a major fuss which had lasted well into the night. Aiko had slept - or was it napped? - for two hours before it was six a.m. and time to prepare food for the church potluck. She was so tired that she didn't even feel guilty for sleeping through half the church service.
She thought she might have a minute to rest after they came back from church, but Femi wanted to go through résumés of potential nurses for their father. That took several hours. By the time they were done with the résumés, it was past seven in the evening and time for Aiko and Seraphina to leave.
All in all; a tiring weekend.
Still, Aiko would've taken all that exhaustion over the Colters' drama. She hadn't seen Zoe or Damián since her arrival; but she was sure they were busy plotting how next to irritate her. Sighing, she tilted her face up into the running water. She'd deal with them tomorrow. Right now, she was going to shower then get into bed and forget all about her problems.
She savored the feel of warm water running over her body for a couple of minutes before she shut off the shower so she could scrub. Picking up a bottle of body-wash, she squeezed some of the gel into her washcloth. She brushed the washcloth over her body, lathering her skin and scrubbing-
She tensed when she heard the sliding sound of the glass door opening and quickly swiveled only to lock eyes with Damián.
What the hell was he doing in here?
Why was he naked and... Oh!
Immediate anger spurted through her. Was he kidding her? After everything he'd put her through for the last two weeks he was here, striding naked into her shower? If there was any doubt what he was here for, his powerful erection quickly erased it as did the look in his eyes as he stared at her.
A flush mantling his cheeks and his nostrils flaring slightly, he took her in from head to toe. As he did, his shaft lengthened further, proudly jutting outward from a wiry thatch of dark pubic hair. Despite her anger, an ache started deep in her belly. The hungry look in his eyes as he focused on her breasts intensified the ache, as did his deep voice when he said thickly, "I've missed you."
I've missed you. That's all he had to say for himself. Her anger surged forward overshadowing any desire she felt. She wanted to tell him to get out; the harsh words danced on her lips begging to be released, but even as they did the rational part of her knew she couldn't. Sex at any time he wished was part of the terms and conditions she'd agreed to.
Her weekend at home had proved that they needed the money Damián was paying her more than ever. She hated how hard her family had to work just to make ends meet, and she would've done anything just to make things easier for them. She couldn't afford to have this contract nullified. So, as much as she wanted to kick his naked ass out of her shower, she kept her silence. And he kept coming.
His expression was blindly sensual as he stopped in front of her. "Did you miss me?"
No. She glared up at him.
"Come on, Aiko," he said, his voice laced with a hint of frustration. Reaching out and taking the washcloth from her, he added, "We can't continue with this silent treatment."
Oh yes, they could. She'd take silence over wasting her voice trying to get him to take some responsibility over his daughter. So she stayed silent and instead put everything she wanted to say in her searing, furious gaze.
"Talk to me," he urged, his voice low and hoarse, as he brushed the washcloth over her upper chest. The moment he touched her, her heart stopped and began to pound wildly. She could feel the warmth of his hand through the thin layer of cotton, and it was causing havoc to her body. Her muscles tautened, her nipples hardened and peaked, her breasts swelled, and her pussy contracted.
Traitorous body. Quietly fuming, she watched Damián's hand move around her body, her upper chest, between her breasts… he reached out and covered her breast with the washcloth. Her body temperature immediately spiked; her senses preened, tautened and begged for more.
"Do you want me to stop?" he asked as his large hand cupped, squeezed and washed her.
What was she supposed to say? Yes? When his hand felt so good on her? And even if it didn't, 'no' wasn't a word she could say to him - not when its consequences extended to her family. She tore her gaze away from the delicious motion of his hand and back to Damián's face. It was without expression, but she could sense his frustration.
Good… it was no fun being angry alone.
With a low cuss, he hauled her closer and kissed her. Her mouth was closed when he brought his down over hers. She tried to keep her lips firmly together, but when his hand squeezed her breasts they parted in instinctive shock. Damián took immediate advantage, probing between her lips with his tongue.
The kiss was not gentle. He slanted his lips hard over hers and consumed her. She could read his intentions in the hard kiss. He wanted to break her anger; he wanted to drag her kicking and screaming into forgiving him. She resisted the kiss; unwilling to forgive him or to fall freely into the desire he so easily conjured.
But she was no match for him.
His lips were too demanding, his touch on her breast too torturous. Before she knew it she was sinking into the kiss; shuffling forward so she could be closer to him. The moment he let his hand fall from her breast so he could press his muscled chest against her breasts, untamed lust crushed into her. Her body responded to this man with a force that was staggering.
How could she fight against the delightful feel of his solid muscles brushing against her body? How could she resist the delicious sensations that swept through her body when she felt his hard length press against her tummy? Impossible. Even the splatter of the washcloth to the floor between them wasn't enough to pull her out of the haze of lust.
Her tongue sought his, teased it when she found it. Growling low in his throat, Damián swept his hand lower down her soapy body and squeezed her ass even as he pressed his kiss more forcefully. Aiko was so enraptured the kiss, she barely noticed his hand moving up her back - not until he ripped her shower-cap off and dug his still soapy hands into her hair.
She tore her lips from his. "No, my hai-"
He captured her lips again, swallowing her protest with a tongue-scorching kiss. Desire sparked into a flame and seconds later, she forgot all about the destruction of her new hair-do and sunk into the kiss. She was hot, moist and suddenly very willing. Over and over his mouth plundered hers until she wasn't sure where his breath ended and hers began.
He was the one who broke the kiss.
His breathing as rough and as fast as hers, he pressed his forehead to hers. His grip on her waist hard and his breath hot as it washed over her nose, he murmured, "Tell me to leave and I will."
His words were like getting doused with a bucket of icy water. They reminded her of how this had even started, and her anger flooded back in. Damián was a cruel man. What was the point of dragging her into desire then taunting her with a choice she couldn't make if not for cruelty's sake?
He was the one
with all the cards in this game. If he wanted to leave this shower right now, he could with no consequence at all. After all there was no clause in their contract stating that he was obligated to make love to her. She, on the other hand, only had one card; acquiescence. Whatever he chose to do, she had to accept it. And he knew it! Sudden helplessness overwhelmed her, and hot tears stung at the back of her eyes. To keep him from seeing them, she turned to face away from him.
"Tell me to leave and I will," he repeated as he latched onto her upper arms and pressed his chest to her back.
Her response was silence as she forced her tears back. She wouldn't cry. But just in case, she reached forward and turned the handle. The spray of water was immediate; it soaked into her hair and skin, washed over her face to hide the stray tear that had escaped her eye to trickle down the front of her body.
Closing her eyes, Aiko ran her hands over her body, rinsing off the suds and almost forgetting that he was behind her. Almost. It wasn't possible to erase his presence; not when his fingers still gripped her arms, not when she could feel the heat of his body behind her. She froze when his hands moved, but it was only so he could grab the bottle of body-wash. Her senses acutely attuned to his every movement, she continued to rinse her body.
"Oh!" she gasped when she felt something cold on her back. She turned her head to find his gaze intent on the thin stream of gel he was squeezing out of the bottle and onto her back. The liquid trickled between her stiff shoulder blades and oozed downwards to the crack of her ass leaving a trail that was both cold and oddly arousing.
A tremor raced through her as her body reawakened. Reluctant to reveal her desire to him, she quickly turned her gaze back to the shower handles but she remained aware of every little thing he did. It was hard to stay perfectly still when his hands started to soap her back, but she managed it. His warm hands canvassed her back, moved lovingly over her skin, massaged the soap into her back in circular motions that slowly but persistently chipped at her resistance.
