by Raquel Belle
“You’re delightful, Abby.”
“You just have a twisted sense of humor.” She smirked. He was beyond twisted and so was she. What a pair they made.
“We’re here.”
The announcement sent Abby into a panic. She looked around the swanky neighborhood as the black electric gate in front of them slowly swung open. It was all good and well playing the seductress with words, but they were now at Damian’s place and it was time for action. She had no idea what she was doing.
She pulled in her breath. You got this far. Don’t freak out now. It’s just sex. Her mental pep talk did nothing to calm her nerves though.
“You haven’t changed your mind, have you?” Damian asked.
“Of course not. I’m just surprised that you live in a house.”
Amusement lit his features. “Did you think I lived under a rock?”
“No! I meant ... I’d assumed you lived in a posh penthouse in the city.”
He drove up the long paved driveway until she could get a better view of the sprawling, two-story house. “I have one of those, too. I own several properties.”
Abby’s heart dropped. That meant there was no guarantee that she would find anything of importance in this particular house. There were so many holes in Celeste’s grand plan that Abby was starting to think that her mother wasn’t as smart as she thought she was. The idea of revenge was appearing more ridiculous with each passing day. She was pulled from her miserable thoughts when the car came to a stop and Damian hopped out to open her door. He held out his hand, which she wanted to ignore because there was no telling what would happen if she touched him. Her body was on an entirely different path than her mind was when it came to Damian.
To avoid suspicion, she placed her hand in his and smiled sweetly up at him, trying desperately to ignore the way his touch made her skin tingle. The car door closed and before she could blink, she was pushed against the vehicle with Damian’s body crowding her. Without warning his mouth covered hers. There was only a second of hesitation on her part until her lips parted eagerly against his. He moved closer, pressed against her, and despite the layers of clothing between them, she could feel the heat of his body seeping through her coat.
He pulled away and she was tempted to pull him back. “I wanted to do that the night we met,” he said. “I almost did. It was so tempting watching you from my dark corner, wanting to reach out, pull you against me and kiss you to find out if you tasted as sweet as you looked.”
All she could manage was to gaze at him in silence…due to the raging war taking place in her mind. Kissing Damian wasn’t supposed to be so enjoyable. She wanted more, yet she wanted to haul ass and run as far away from him as she could—to save her soul. Luckily, he didn’t realize that anything was amiss. With a slight smile, he stepped back. “Let’s get you inside. It’s freezing.”
“Wasn’t cold,” she said, still heated from their kiss.
As soon as she set foot over the threshold of Damian’s home, she knew there was no going back. As subtly as she could manage, she swept her surroundings, taking in the contemporary design of the foyer and living room. The entire set up with the expertly placed rugs, luxury furniture and blended warm colors was surprising. Either Damian had hired a stellar interior decorator or he had a woman in his life. The latter rubbed her the wrong way, when it really shouldn’t have. She had to focus. She constantly had to remind herself just what she was doing with Damian, and that was troubling.
He helped her out of her coat while she continued her inspection, wondering where she could possibly find anything of worth on him. More than likely a home office or his bedroom. “You have a lovely place, Damian.”
“Thank you. I’ll give you the tour later. My patience has worn thin.”
His low murmur, and the way his eyes dipped to the slight swell of her cleavage made her shiver. Suddenly she was all too aware that she was worlds away from every woman she’d seen on his arms in those cursed photos. He held out a hand and grinned. “I hope you don’t expect me to be a gracious host until after I’ve had a taste of you, Querida.”
“I don’t always know what you’re saying, but I love it when you speak Spanish,” she said, before clamping her mouth shut. “I meant to keep that to myself.”
He reached up to brush the pad of his thumb over her lower lip. His mouth stretched into a smug smile. “I want you to keep telling me exactly what you like.”
When it came to sex—of course, that was what he meant. How was she supposed to do that? She was most certainly not that bold when it came to sex. It was all too much. When Abby was overwhelmed, she tended to slip into her socially awkward mode and blurt out nervous comments. “We should get to it then. The sex, I mean.” She sighed. Oh God. Kill me now.
“Impatient, are we?” Damian’s rumble of laughter only put her more on edge. “I’m surprised that you’re so nervous.”
“I’m not. This is nothing new to me. I go home with men after knowing them only a few days all the time. I’m a worldly woman.”
“Of course, you are,” he said. “I suppose that’s why you’re shaking like leaf.” His gaze dropped to her hands, and she quickly clasped them to keep them steady.
She mentally berated herself for failing terribly at being the temptress he was expecting. Abby flew into a near panic when Damian let out a breath. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this. We don’t have to do this, Abby. I can take you home.” With a sigh, he added, “After I recover.”
Abby’s gaze followed his to the massive bulge between his legs. Her lips parted on a gasp. “Oh, wow. I ... I don’t want to go home.” No way was she going to get this far and chicken out. “Alright, maybe I’m not that worldly. I might have led you to think that I’m some sex siren, but I’m really not. I’m just kind of feeling my way around here.” She covered the distance between them to run her palms over his chest, then she slipped her hands beneath his jacket. His intake of breath was audible.
“What are you doing, Abby?”
She pushed the jacket from his shoulders. “Showing you that I’m serious about this despite my slight case of anxiety.” She started on the buttons of his white shirt—anything to keep her hands from trembling. “I didn’t think you’d like the unsure, inexperienced me, so I pretended to be something that I’m not.”
He snagged her wrist and pulled her closer still. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”
Abby gulped. It was funny he said that because she was playing the biggest game of pretend ever. “Okay,” she breathed as his mouth descended to crush hers.
Chapter Eleven
Damian
Damian knew he should have sent Abby packing because…she was right, he didn’t like unsure and inexperienced. He liked his women experienced and wild, and ready to disappear from his life in the morning. When he’d considered using Abby as a pawn, he hadn’t thought about her being so ... innocent. Now, he wanted to protect her from the cold-hearted hound that he was. But, having her so warm and pliant in his arms, there was no way he could resist. He was just a man. Her arms wound around his neck, pressing her body fully against his, as he devoured her mouth.
“Take me to bed, Damian,” she said against his mouth.
God help him, he nearly embarrassed himself like an over-eager teenager. The soft request was so innocent yet such a turn on.
“Too far …,” he said, reaching for the zipper of her dress. He was going to take her right there in the living room and then maybe if they made it up the stairs later, he’d take her all over his bed in every position possible. He would have pulled away to take a look at her in nothing but her underwear, but she clutched his shirt and kept him in place. She took him by surprise when she deepened the kiss, sliding her tongue into his mouth to clash with his. Abby released him after a tiny nip on his bottom lip and grinned.
“I’m sorry if that was aggressive but you taste so good.” Her eyes were heavy, cloudy with desire, and her lips swollen and glistening from the
ir vigorous kiss.
He swore his dick hardened more than it ever had in his life. Christ, but Abby kept him on his toes. One moment she was practically begging him to take her home, the next she exuded fragile innocence, and the next she was rocking his world. It was one surprise after the other with her.
“Never apologize for something like that, Querida.”
“My Spanish is severely limited. I can’t remember what that means,” she said. The sound floated around and brushed his skin like tiny caressing fingers.
“Sweetness,” he said, backing her toward the long, dark brown sectional couch. She fell back with a gasp. “My sweet, sweet little redhead. Your mouth is delicious, I bet everything else is, too.” He feasted his eyes on her slender frame, taking in every inch of her smooth, pale skin, clad in nothing but white lace. If not for the provocative design of the barely-there underwear and the come fuck me heels, she would have appeared virginal. Instead, she looked like a naughty angel spread in offering to him.
Damian was shocked to find himself on his knees, trailing kisses up one of her creamy thighs. How quickly Abby brought him to his knees, he thought with faint concern. He didn’t make a habit of going down on the women he had his fun with. For some reason, he refused to leave any part of Abby untouched. He wanted to claim every inch of her like a possessive animal wanting to mark his woman everywhere possible. His woman. No doubt, his lustful haze was making him think crazy. Surely, he’d think with a much clearer head in the morning.
He buried his nose in her warm center and inhaled, eliciting a half moan-half gasp from her. He glanced up to find her watching him with wide eyes and parted lips. Her face was flushed, and her eyes flickered with uncertainty. He knew she wanted to tell him to stop and he sent her a look, daring her to stop him. Abby’s mouth snapped shut, her chest rising and falling rapidly, as he gave a satisfied smirk. Snagging the lace between his teeth, he moved the material down her thighs, revealing her treasure.
“Oh, my God …,” she said. “You did not just remove my panties with your mouth. Holy hell, that is incredibly hot.”
Damian’s satisfied chuckle rumbled in his chest. “And we’re just getting started.” Before she could even think to protest, he ran his tongue over her bare flesh, making her jump. He secured her legs over his shoulder and held her hips in place so he could have his fill of her. With another taste, he closed his eyes. It was just as he’d thought. She was delicious. Sweet, tangy and all woman. Her small gasps and moans drove him wild, and he couldn’t wait to hear them while he was inside of her.
With each stroke of his tongue, Abby seemed to let go of her inhibition. Her fingers moved from clawing at the couch to tugging at his hair while she ground her hips wantonly against his mouth. Her fast explosion took them both by surprise. Abby, breathless, fell back, her limbs limp.
“Incredible,” she said.
“That you are,” he said, kissing his way up her abdomen. “You’re so responsive.” His fingers found her breasts, massaged them, and then pinched her beaded nipples through her thin bra. She gasped and arched her back. The pleasure that flitted across her face was genuine, and the passion darkening her eyes couldn’t be faked. She was exquisite, none of her responses manufactured to please him. He’d caught one or two of his more jaded lovers simply going through the motions just as he did. It had been a long time since he really took pleasure in touching and kissing a woman. Damian removed the material covering her breasts so he could revel in the warmth and texture of her skin.
Her eyes remained on his, her breathing heavy. “I’ve always been self-conscious about my small breasts,” she said, all the while blushing heavily.
“Why would you be?”
“In this superficial world, why wouldn’t I be?”
He froze for a few seconds, his gaze shifting from her chest to her face. He was guilty of being superficial. How many times had he chosen a woman based solely on looks or the shape of her body? He was reminded that before he’d been bewitched by Abby, he would have overlooked a woman of her physique. “I think they’re perfect,” he said. He wouldn’t change a thing about her. He molded the orbs in his palms and bent his head to take a nipple into his mouth.
“Damian.” His name spilled from her lips in a moan…and he growled,
“Call my name just like that when I’m inside of you, Abby.” Her body shuddered in what he knew was anticipation and he sprang to his feet, eager to bury himself inside her warmth. He practically tore the remainder of his clothes off. Eyes on his prize, he all but leaped back to Abby’s side. He swore when at the last minute he remembered protection. Impatiently, he found his wallet and took out the string of condoms he kept on hand.
Abby’s brows shot up when he tore one off.
He shrugged. “I like to be prepared.” Grasping her ankles. He gave a tug and she fell to her back so he could position himself between her thighs. Dipping his head, he grazed her mouth gently until the kiss turned fervent. He couldn’t wait any longer. As his tongue plunged between her lips, he surged forward and buried himself in her folds. Her cry of pleasure resonated as her fingers dug into his biceps. Male satisfaction swept through him when she moaned his name just as he’d requested. It should’ve scared him how at home he felt inside of a woman he barely knew, but he was too busy reveling in the various sensations overtaking him to worry about it. The sharp sting of her fingernails piercing his skin, the warmth and tightness of her sheath clutching him, her soft skin rubbing against his, her breath tickling his ear each time she whispered his name—it all resulted in his arousal mounting to near unbearable proportions. His every sense was being stimulated, even his sight. Her hair had come undone and was spread around her like a fiery halo.
“Beautiful,” he said, surprised by the possessive quality of his voice. Before he could analyze his jumbled emotions, her body’s reactions caught and held his attention. Her muscles tightened around him, drawing out a guttural groan. “What are you doing to me?”
A hint of confusion flickered in her eyes. “I don’t ... what are you doing to me?” It was his turn to be confused by the panic he saw flaring in her eyes…
He couldn’t focus long enough to make an inquiry. Not with her muscles spasming around him, milking him. Abby clutched him tightly, buried her face between his neck and shoulders, muffling her scream as tremors wracked her body. He released a frustrated grunt, disappointed that she hid from him. He wanted to see her face as she came undone.
“Next time, look at me, Abby.”
She whimpered, her face still hidden as she shuddered. It was over too soon for Damian. He wanted to stay inside of her longer, maybe forever, but his own release left him breathless. His roar of pleasure bounced off the walls, and fire seemed to shoot through his bloodstream. Not wanting to crush her, he collapsed beside her, feeling oddly bereft as he broke their connection. Both lay breathless, staring up at the ceiling. Damian was speechless and terrified. They were done. He got what he wanted, and he was sure he left her satisfied. Now was the time for him to emotionally and physically withdraw, send Abby on her way, or offer to take her home.
She made it so easy for him when she asked, “Is this where you politely ask me to leave?”
Yes. But that wasn’t what came out of his mouth. “Stay.”
Abby turned to him, her expression unreadable. “Okay.”
“At least until morning.”
She laughed, and he turned to her with a scowl. “There’s no need to warn me about tonight, Damian. I won’t go losing my heart to you after one hot session of sex. Relax.”
Slowly, his scowl turned into a smile. “I hope you feel the same way after multiple hot sessions. I’m not done with you yet, Abby.”
He stared deep into her eyes, pleased with the desire that instantly clouded them.
Chapter Twelve
Abby
She was engulfed in so much heat it was almost uncomfortable. Her eyes flickered open and she was momentarily disoriented by the strange sur
roundings. The room was dimly lit by a single, shaded lamp. She shuffled, tried to get out from under whatever heavy object held her prisoner. Lifting her head, she swept the room and then glanced beside her to find the source of the heat. The huge, naked male body beside her practically radiated fire. Damian. Of course, he radiated heat. The man was hot in every sense of the word. His arm was draped across her chest almost possessively. For a few seconds, she allowed herself to feel contentment, to pretend that what they shared a few hours ago was real. A nice date, followed by intimacy. The sex was amazing. He was officially and hands down the best lover she’d ever had, and she was still wrapped in his arms as if she belonged there.
Her fantasy vanished right along with the breath she released. Back to reality. Damian seemed out for the count. He had to be after he’d initiated another steamy round of love-making before she’d even fully recovered from the first. That was why they’d both drifted off on the very comfortable and roomy couch. It was time to do what she’d really gone to his place to do. With a heavy heart, Abby managed to slide out of his hold without waking him.
Sitting up, she gazed down at Damian’s sleeping form with a pout. Why did he have to look so scrumptious even when he slept? His features were relaxed—a world away from his usual severe expression. Why did the sex have to be so amazing? Why couldn’t they have met under different circumstances? Normal circumstances. Closing her eyes, she reminded herself who Damian really was. He was out to destroy her entire family unless she could destroy him first. Priorities back in order, she eased away from him and slid off of the couch.
His phone was on the floor, along with their scattered clothes. Grabbing his shirt, she threw it on while she stared at the phone. Glancing back at Damian, she reached for it. There had to be something in there she could use. Of course, it was password secured. It was foolish of her to think it would be so easy. With a muttered curse, she aimed for the stairs. Damian had implied that his bedroom was on the second floor. With no clue of where any light switches were located, Abby stumbled around in the dark until she remembered that she still clutched Damian’s phone in her hand. Using the screen’s light, she roamed until she spotted an open door.
