“Do you really want to know what’s wrong?” Before he could respond, she shouted, “All right. I’ll tell you!”
“I wish you would.” He grabbed her shoulders and held her still when she tried to walk away from him. “Come on, let’s have it. Spit it out.”
She angrily did as he ordered. “Who was that woman you had dinner with last night?”
He arched an eyebrow. “How do you know I had dinner with another woman last night?”
His calmly phrased question incensed her further. How dare he come here and rub his affair in her face and refuse to show even the slightest hint of contrition. She snatched her shoulders out of his light grip.
“Because I saw you,” she delivered through clenched teeth.
“Why didn’t you come over to the table?”
“Are you insane?” She looked at him as if she thought he was.
“Hardly. What’s the big deal?”
“There isn’t any,” she snapped. “Forget I mentioned it.”
“Natasha.” He studied her closely. “Do you think I was out on a date?”
“Weren’t you?”
A slow smile spread across his face. “Are you jealous?”
“Of course I’m not jealous!”
“No?” Amused eyes sought out her enraged ones.
“No.” Natasha’s eyes grew angry as Damien’s fingers entwined around her upper arm when she tried to move past him. “Let go!”
“Not until you stop acting like a nut.”
“How dare you call me a nut.” She curled her hands into fists at her sides.
“I didn’t,” he calmly contradicted. “I said you were acting like one.”
“Big difference,” she scoffed.
“Will you let me explain?”
“You don’t owe me any explanation.”
“I know I don’t,” he quickly agreed.
His arrogance offended her. “Why don’t you just go away and leave me alone?”
“No.” His monosyllabic denial was firm and resolute.
“Damien, let me go and get out, or I’ll scream.”
“You might scream—” his lips brushed hers “—but it won’t be from fear or anger.”
Her quickly indrawn breath and rapidly beating pulse at the base of her neck indicated that he spoke the truth. His nearness was killing her, and though she stubbornly fought to move away from him, she longed to be much closer.
“Go away.” She whispered the plea.
“Tasha—” he cupped her beautiful face between his hands “—the woman you saw me with last night is my sister, Marcy.”
She immediately stilled. Her mouth dropped open in shock. His hands moved to her shoulders.
“That was your sister?”
“Yes.” Still smiling, he shook her slightly. “Did you honestly think I would run so easily and quickly into another woman’s arms after being with you?”
“I didn’t know what to think.” She shrugged helplessly.
He frowned. “Your lack of faith is insulting.”
“I’m sorry.” She lowered her gaze. “It’s just that…”
He placed a hand under her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Just that what?”
“I don’t know what my place is in your life, Damien.” She admitted what was really eating away at her.
“You’re a part of my life. Isn’t that enough?”
She bit her lower lip before softly admitting, “It was before I saw you with that woman—your sister.”
“Then let it be enough now,” he softly ordered. “All you had to do was ask me about Marcy.”
She frowned slightly. “That’s easy for you to say.”
He laughed. “I suppose it is.”
He kissed the frown from her mouth. “So, are we good?”
“We’re good.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and chuckled. “Thank goodness Nicole was with me last night, or I don’t know what I might have done.”
“You have a foul temper,” he chided.
“I do.” She traced his bottom lip with her fingers. “So you’ve been warned.”
“I appreciate that.” His hands slid down her back.
“What else do you appreciate about me?” She fused her mouth to his for several suspended moments.
“Tasha,” he murmured against her mouth when her purposeful fingers moved to his chest and slowly unbuttoned his shirt. His eyes twinkled at her actions. “You excite me terribly.”
“Are you excited now?” She spread his shirt apart to caress his smooth, hard brown flesh with agile fingers.
“Very.” He nipped at her lips.
“Well, let’s see how we can take advantage of that.” She pushed against his chest until he fell back onto the sofa.
“Yeah.” He grinned mischievously. “Let’s.”
She followed him down onto the sofa, her soft body shaping to his, and she effectively dammed any more words he might potentially utter with her sweet mouth.
* * *
The next two weeks flew by until it was the day before Thanksgiving. Natasha had made plans to be with her family, and though she longed to see them, she hated leaving Damien, if only for a few days. She had tried to keep her feelings for him in check, but she had failed miserably. She cared about him very much, and when they were together she couldn’t help but believe he felt the same way about her—at least she prayed he did. She knew she was treading on dangerous ground, but as she had told Nicole weeks ago, she had no defense against the strong feelings Damien so easily elicited within her, and that was the simple, frightening, wonderful truth.
Wednesday night, Damien and Natasha lay with their backs resting against the sofa, side by side on the thick carpeted floor in his penthouse in front of the fireplace.
“What time are you leaving to join your family tomorrow?” She snuggled closer as they watched the fire crackle and dance.
“I’m not.” He kissed her hair. “Remember, I told you my parents and sister will be going to my uncle’s place in Washington.”
“Yes, I remember.” She sat up and frowned at him. “I thought you would have changed your mind about joining them. You shouldn’t be alone at Thanksgiving.”
“I don’t mind really.” He tried to pull her back against him, but she resisted and he sat up to face her.
“Well, I mind.” Her frown quickly changed to a smile. “Come home with me.”
“No, I can’t intrude on your family.”
He was just starting to lay old ghosts to rest and become comfortable with the two of them being an exclusive couple. Meeting her family wasn’t a step he was ready to take.
“What intrusion? If there is one thing my family always has enough of, it’s food—especially at the holidays.”
“Tasha, I appreciate the offer, but…”
She frowned. “Don’t want to meet my family?”
“No, it’s not that,” he quickly contradicted. “It’s just…” He shrugged helplessly.
“Does the idea terrify you?”
He laughed at her correct assertion. “No, it doesn’t.”
“It doesn’t?” She eyed him skeptically.
“No, I’d love to meet them, but I have too much work…”
“Damien, I can’t go away and leave you here all alone.”
He softly chided, “It’s only for two days, Tasha.”
“Two long, lonely days,” she dramatically corrected. “I won’t enjoy myself a second knowing you’re here by yourself.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been alone on a holiday.”
“But you don’t have to be alone for this one.” Her fingers caressed his cheek. “Please come with me.”
Hell, how
could he refuse such a heartfelt plea? Before he had fallen for her, it would have been easy. Fallen for her? Damn, when had that happened? Fallen for her? There was no use denying it. He had definitely fallen for her; his next question made that crystal clear to him.
“When do we leave?” He surrendered and chuckled as she flew into his arms, knocking him back until he reclined on the carpeted floor with her on top of him.
“First thing in the morning.” She kissed him lingeringly. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“Thank you for inviting me.” He ran his fingers through her hair.
“You’re welcome.” She smiled before lowering her mouth back down to his.
* * *
Natasha and Damien arrived at her parents’ home in Rochester early Thanksgiving morning. As soon as the car stopped, Nicole opened the front door of the red two-story brick house and embraced Natasha and then turned to offer Damien the same type of greeting.
“It’s nice to see you again, Damien.” Nicole smiled as her sister shot her a warning glance.
“Excuse me, have we met?” He glanced from one to the other of the two sisters as they entered the house.
“Not formally, but I saw you when Tash and I went out to dinner about a couple of weeks ago…”
“Nicole,” Natasha warningly interrupted.
“Oh, I see.” Damien smiled.
“Damien, this is my mother and father, Linda and Lincoln Carter.” Natasha introduced them after she was released from bear hugs.
Both her parents were tall and smiling in welcome. Linda’s black hair was pulled back into a neat bun. Lincoln sported a neatly trimmed full beard.
“A pleasure to meet you both,” Damien said and smiled warmly.
“And you, Damien.” Lincoln shook his hand.
Natasha’s mother embraced him in a warm hug. “We’re so glad you could join us for the holiday.”
“Thank you for allowing me to intrude.”
“It’s no intrusion,” Linda assured. “We’re happy to have you.”
“Come, Damien, let me show you around.” Lincoln patted Damien on the back before guiding him away.
Nicole and Natasha followed their mother into the house and then into the kitchen. “Let me look at you.” Linda held Natasha at arm’s length. “You’re not eating enough.”
“Momma—” Natasha smiled tolerantly “—I’m a prima ballerina. I have to maintain a certain weight.”
“I won’t overstuff you.” She wagged a stern finger. “Promise.”
“Yes, Momma.” Natasha nodded her head in agreement. It was useless to argue with her when it came to food, or anything else for that matter.
“Mmmm.” Nicole sniffed the air. “Momma, everything smells wonderful.” She walked over to lift the lid off a pot, only to have her hand knocked away by a wooden spoon.
“You will keep out of my pots until the food is ready,” she sternly warned her youngest, who could never resist sampling everything.
“Just a little taste.” Nicole wasn’t sidetracked, taking the spoon from her mother’s fingers and dipping into the pot. Her mother’s hand graced through Nicole’s short locks.
“Do you see what your sister did to her hair?” their mother bemoaned.
Her mother’s sorrowful tone nearly made Natasha laugh. Nicole shook her head behind her mother’s head and mouthed the word “help.”
“Oh please, Momma, not again!” Nicole returned the top to the pan and hugged her shoulders.
“When I look at Tash’s beautiful long hair, and then see what you’ve done…” Linda glanced from one to the other and then apparently choked up.
“It’ll grow back,” Nicole promised. “If I want it to, Momma. I like it.”
“Yes,” Natasha chimed in. “Besides, it’s very attractive on her, isn’t it?”
“I suppose.” Linda continued shaking her head sadly before determinedly sniffing and turning her attention to her other daughter. “So, Tash, what is going on between you and Damien?”
“Nothing.” She suddenly wished her mother would return her focus to Nicole’s haircut. “He’s a friend.”
“That’s not what your sister says.”
Natasha’s eyes shot to her sister. “Nicole, what have you done?”
Nicole shrugged apologetically, “You know how persistent Momma is when she wants to know something. The second you called saying you were bringing Damien, she started interrogating me.”
“I did no such thing.” Linda frowned at her youngest. “Now, Tash, if it was Nathan or Nicole, who have always rushed into things without thinking them through, I would be worried. But you’ve always weighed the pros and cons of every decision you’ve made. Did you this time?”
“Yes, Momma,” she honestly answered.
“Really?” At her daughter’s positive nod, some of her apprehension faded. “Is Damien the reason for the twinkle in your eyes?”
Natasha smiled. “He is.”
“Then I owe him a big thank-you, and I intend to tell him so.”
Natasha’s smile fell. “Momma, please don’t question him about our relationship.”
“Would I do that?” At her daughters’ doubtful expressions, she laughed and promised, “I will be the epitome of tact.” Linda eyed her daughter shrewdly. “Naturally, as your mother, I’m curious as to Damien’s intentions toward you. What kind of mother would I be if I wasn’t?”
“Have you heard from Nathan, Momma?” Nicole hoped her interjection would divert her mother’s attention and put her back in her sister’s good graces.
“That brother of yours.” Linda waved her wooden spoon threateningly. “He’s off on some government business and can’t be reached. He called to say he’ll try to make it for Christmas or New Year’s.”
“I hope he can.” Natasha shot a grateful grin to Nicole for temporarily sidetracking their mother.
“He will get an earful from me when he does finally show up,” Linda promised.
Natasha and Nicole exchanged knowing glances and smiles as they walked over to hug their mother, much to her delight.
* * *
They all sat down around the table for Thanksgiving dinner later that afternoon. They always ate early because Lincoln liked to recline in front of the television and watch football games for the remainder of the day, nibbling on leftovers—a habit their mother had long since tired of trying to break him of.
Damien enjoyed seeing Natasha interacting with her family. Gone was the cool reserve she exhibited at work. She was spontaneous, relaxed, a loving daughter and a devoted sister.
“Mrs. Carter, this food is wonderful,” Damien flattered.
“Linda,” she smilingly corrected.
“Linda,” he acquiesced. “What did you do to this turkey?”
“It’s in the marinade—an old family secret, which perhaps Natasha will tell you one day.”
“Momma, please.” Natasha nearly choked on her food.
“Linda.” Lincoln smiled at his wife tolerantly.
“What?” Linda innocently glanced around the table. “I’m just saying…”
“Momma, stop embarrassing Tash and Damien,” Nicole came to the rescue.
“Embarrassing?” She turned indignant eyes to their guest. “Did I embarrass you, Damien?”
Damien suppressed a laugh. “No, ma’am.”
“You see?” She glanced from her children to her husband, vindicated. “And you, Tash, did your momma embarrass you?”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” Natasha pretended intense interest in the food on her plate.
“That one, she is just like her father,” Linda said.
“And what’s wrong with that?” Lincoln wanted to know, causing his wife to blow him a placating kis
s.
“She has a temper, Damien,” Linda whispered behind her hand.
“Don’t I know it.” Damien’s ready agreement caused everyone to laugh heartily. “Only a few weeks ago…”
“Damien.” Natasha shot him a warning look, which silenced him, though he couldn’t suppress a chuckle.
“What a hothead.” Linda smiled at her mortified daughter affectionately.
“But a gorgeous one, even if she does have a temper,” Damien quickly added, eyes twinkling as he glanced at her bent head.
Natasha bit her lip to keep from responding and took a bite of her food, resisting with all her might the urge to poke him in the side with her fork.
Chapter 11
A little after midnight when everyone was sound asleep, Natasha quietly tiptoed along the hallway to avoid floorboards she knew creaked. Feeling somewhat like a thief in the night, she turned the doorknob and quickly went inside and softly closed the door behind her.
Damien was standing by the window, dressed only in a black robe and nothing else if his bare muscled legs were any indication. He turned and smiled at her as she came in.
He was thrilled she had sneaked into his room. He wanted her but had no intention of going to her while they were under her parents’ roof. But since she had come to him, how could he refuse?
He smiled at her stern look. “Am I forgiven for my escapades at dinner?”
“I suppose so, seeing how your tales entertained everyone royally.”
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“Momma did enough of that herself.” She placed her hands on her slender hips. “And you were very helpful.”
“She’s a lovely woman. So is your sister, and your father is the salt of the earth.”
“Thank you.” Her heart was warmed by his assessment of her family. “They were all taken with you too.”
“I was praying you would come to me tonight.” His eyes beckoned her, and she slowly erased the distance that separated them. “Tasha, you know you shouldn’t be here.”
“I know,” she whispered.
“I’m glad you are.” Hungry eyes lingered over her feminine curves. “I don’t think I could have slept a wink tonight without you.”
Her fingertips caressed his cheeks. “I couldn’t sleep without you.”
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