by Anne, Melody
Damien’s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, and Sierra felt a moment of dread. His hand moved and she fought the flinch, proud of herself for her control when she did nothing but stand strong, holding her ground, looking him in the eye.
He finished lifting his hand, running it through his wet strands and she breathed an internal sigh of relief as her stomach loosened from the knot it had instantly tied itself into.
“Follow me,” he commanded as he started to move toward one of the ‘oh so exclusive’ doors. Sierra couldn’t stop herself from smirking at Barbies one and two as she followed Damien inside the exclusive spa.
“I think it would’ve been easier to get to you at Fort Knox,” Sierra muttered after they passed through to the other side of the gym.
“There’s a reason it’s hard to get in here. The members don’t want to be interrupted. Maybe you should’ve considered that before being so rude and rushing down here.”
Sierra ignored his comment as she looked around the place. He led her to a small fruit bar. She’d heard her sister talking about the amazing shakes they made from all fresh ingredients. Suddenly she realized she hadn’t eaten anything since early morning, and she felt her stomach begin to growl as she smelled something delicious in the air.
She glanced up, hoping to spot the juice bar, when her eyes landed on his back. She lost her breath as her heart pounded. She didn’t think it possible, but he was even sexier from behind. His wide shoulders looked strong, sure, able to hold a woman against a wall as he slowly pressed his body against her...
The thought sent a shiver of delight through her. Since he couldn’t see her ogling him, she let her eyes drift down his tapered waist, the muscles of his back flexing as he moved his arms, his body in perfect symmetry as he practically glided across the floor.
She so badly wanted to move closer, wrap her arms around his waist, run her fingers along all that tanned expanse of skin. What he was doing to her was unbelievable. He walked with confidence, but also with grace and agility. She’d bet her inaccessible trust fund, he made love the same way, confident, strong, in-control, and with a smooth technique guaranteed to send a woman over the edge.
She’d heard every story out there during her college days. Some of her roommates would come back complaining their boyfriend had finished in two minutes, only to leave her unsatisfied and in a hurry to get home so she could finish on her own.
It was the other stories, the ones where the girls were still well-sated as they practically floated into the dorm rooms, their eyes dreamy, their faces glowing. Those stories had awakened her curiosity and made her possibly consider the thought of having sex someday. With her ever-growing attraction toward Damien, she was thinking she’d prefer trying it real soon.
Sierra moved her eyes over the stark white towel that was gripping his perfectly proportioned hips, hugging the curve of his solid butt. Her fingers itched to reach out and slowly slide over him, to see if he was as solid as he looked. She continued her gaze onto his muscular calves, appreciating the way they flexed with each step.
They arrived at the juice bar, and Sierra quickly looked away, not wanting him to catch her gaping at him. She felt her face heat, but hoped the dimmer light of the bar would cover up her embarrassment.
The small area was chic, but with a sense of comfort, too, as tables were artfully arranged to give members privacy. Damien led her to a corner booth and motioned for her to sit.
“Are you thirsty?”
“Yes, and starving.”
He raised a brow in question at her answer. Maybe she’d spoken out of turn, but how was she expected to concentrate on her words if she was focused on her stomach.
“Do you want anything in particular?” he asked, his tone slightly annoyed. In a moment of surprise, Sierra realized she really didn’t care. She was just excited to have found the assertive woman she always wanted to be, but never could find within.
“It doesn’t matter, really. Anything solid to eat, and if they have a banana-strawberry smoothie, that would be excellent.”
“I’ll check,” he answered stiffly before turning around and walking to the counter.
Sierra sat back and looked around, watching as different members approached the bar and made their orders. A few of the girls, wearing work-out clothes that could barely be considered legal, made sure to stand extra close to Damien while ordering. Sierra watched while they fluttered their eyes at him.
She was shocked by the tiniest spark of jealousy that flared inside her. She’d never felt the emotion before. She had no reason to feel that way. He wasn’t her boyfriend; she didn’t even know him, much less like him.
It had to be the different time zone affecting her. She was still off kilter. After she ate something, she’d get back to feeling normal. She sat back and waited for Damien to return, taking a few minutes alone to try and clear her head.
When he turned back toward her and his gaze caught hers, she knew she was in trouble. Her heart rate increased, and from his predatory expression, he could smell her desire like a lion smells its next kill.
This wasn’t good. Not one little bit.
Chapter Nine
Damien had been avoiding Sierra most of the week, and then she had the gall to hunt him down. He was tired, irritable and frustrated.
All week he’d been behaving as if he were a teenager out with a date for the first time. He would walk into their large suite, and instantly smell her perfume. She was always in bed by the time he got in, and he made sure he was gone before she woke, but he could still feel her there, know she was only a door away from him.
It was playing hell with his senses, and he hadn’t slept more than a couple hours each night since they’d arrived. His plan was supposed to be simple, easy. It was anything but.
He had a feeling nothing was going to be easy as far as Sierra was concerned. He made his way back to their table and set the tray down, watching with amusement as she picked up the drink and took a deep swallow.
His amusement quickly fled when she groaned, the sound sending a sharp pain straight to his groin. Was she doing it on purpose? Did he simply need to take her back to their room and relieve the ache for both of them?
“This is great! Thanks,” she said with a huge smile, her entire face lighting up. She set the drink down and grabbed ahold of the sandwich. She took a bite, and once again groaned, further hardening his previous reaction.
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, grateful for the towel covering him.
“Whenever you’re ready,” he said, his tone thick.
“One sec,” she mumbled around her bite. She finished chewing and took another deep swallow of the shake. “This really is great. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”
“Anything else I can do for you?” he mocked dryly.
His bad attitude bounced right off her. She finished half her sandwich before coming up for air. While she was eating, he grabbed his gym bag and slipped a shirt over his head and a pair of athletic pants on under his towel. His shorts were still wet, but he was tired of the women slowing as they passed his table. He didn’t have time for it. Besides, Sierra had all his attention at Present.
“Okay, I don’t know what the whole deal is with you insisting on hiring me, but I’m obviously not qualified for the position as you haven’t had me do a single thing. I wouldn’t normally complain about a trip to Australia, but considering I haven’t gotten to do or see anything, it’s not much different than being back home. Why don’t you just let me fly home while you finish up here? I can go stay with my best friend for a few days, or a week, and then when you return to the states, you can decide if you still want to employ me.”
Damien instantly tensed. On one hand what she was suggesting was perfect. She’d go running to Brianne Anderson, where he could then come and get her. He’d show up at the door, and they’d never be the wiser that they were allowing the enemy free access of their home.
On the other hand, he found himself not wan
ting her to leave. He didn’t understand why. She was right, he’d done nothing but avoid her all week. It was true that he was busy, but he could have brought her to the office with him so she could at least begin learning how to do her job.
He figured after a week, his strange pull toward her would be gone, if not extremely dim. He was wrong, each day only made him seem to desire her more.
“That doesn’t work for me,” he heard himself saying.
“Why not?”
“I hired you for a job. I need you to stay here.”
“What the heck is my job, then - to keep anyone from breaking into your hotel suite? If that’s the case, I’m telling you, the security at that hotel is excellent. Your clothes will be just fine with or without me there.”
“There’s no need to be a smart ass, Sierra,” he said in a tone of steel. She didn’t even flinch.
“I don’t know what way to be because you haven’t given me the time of day since we landed. All I have is a short job description. Some people may love getting paid for nothing, but I’m not one of them. I’m bored and don’t see any point in being here when I kept myself busy enough doing volunteer work before your job offer,” she said, not backing down.
He was impressed.
“I’ve already told you. Your job is to assist me...” he said, making sure to pause just long enough to make her wonder.
She glared at him, reading his message loud and clear.
“I have no idea what’s going on between you and my father, but I’m a human being, Mr. Whitfield. I deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and if you want me to work for you, then you should at least give me tasks to complete.
Damien sat back, liking the fire in her eyes and the way she almost growled his name. There were images in his mind of many things he’d like her to do for him, none of them appropriate, none of them having anything to do with public relations.
His body tightened more as he took in her flushed cheeks and the rapid movement of her chest as her breathing sped up in her agitation. With all her pent up passion and anger, she had be incredible in the bedroom.
They could use those emotions for much better uses than fighting.
“Fine. You want to work. We’ll start tonight,” he said in a whisper, his throat suddenly dry.
His tone did the trick. She leaned back, her eyes widening as she looked at him warily. Good. She needed to be wary of him. He was hanging on by a thread and it wasn’t going to take much to push him over the cliff – let all rationale fly out the window.
“What exactly do you have in mind?” she asked as she picked up her cup, her fingers slightly shaking. He ignored her question as his mind drifted.
Nothing she could do at that moment was going to lessen the desire coursing through him. He wanted her and now that he had that on his mind, he was fixated on it. He was picturing her lying beneath him, a moan of pleasure escaping her lips as he slowly sank himself deep inside her slick folds.
He could practically taste the softness of her lips; feel the tightness of her body gripping him. He wanted out of the spa and back in their room.
It wouldn’t change anything if they slept together. His plan wouldn’t be altered. He’d just feel a lot more satisfied, and be able to focus. Yes, he reasoned with himself, taking her to bed was the smart thing to do. He’d rid himself of the mystery of her.
It was really quite brilliant of him. He saw the hunger in her eyes, the longing in their depths. He noticed how she kept glancing at his chest, the way her tongue would nervously moisten her soft pink lips.
She was hungry – for far more than just food.
They were consenting adults and there was just no use in them suffering, when they could both so easily relieve each other’s pain.
Yes, he relaxed as he made up his mind. His previous thought of getting his workout was long forgotten as his eyes focused on her. Once he made a decision, he didn’t go back on it. Sierra Monroe would be his – soon.
“Wait here, I need to change. These clothes are already damp from my wet shorts,” Damien curtly spoke, before he quickly got up and left.
Chapter Ten
“You drive. I have some work I need to finish,” Damien said as he tossed her the keys.
Sierra thought about protesting since he was arrogant enough to demand she drive for him instead of politely asking her.
She looked at the shiny red convertible and her eyes widened in excitement. The site of the car encouraged her to suck up her pride and climb inside the driver’s door. She’d never driven such a fun car before.
She turned the key and the motor purred to life in the sleek mustang. She knew the car was actually a cheaper rental for him, but to her it was a fine piece of machinery.
She threw the gear shift into drive and quickly pulled out of the spa parking lot. She couldn’t help the laughter that spilled out as the wind whipped through her hair. What a fun time she could have exploring the island if only he’d let her borrow the car while he was at his endless meetings. She wouldn’t be so anxious to leave if she got to play a little.
With a frown, Sierra slowed for a red light, almost pouting as she had to stop her acceleration.
“Can we take a drive around the island before going back to the hotel?” she asked. She hated to beg, but she was willing to do it to feel the exhilaration of fresh air blowing through her hair.
“I have a lot of work to do,” he told her in an annoyed tone.
“Can I drop you off then and go explore for a while?” she asked, trying to sound pleasant, but thinking it wasn’t coming across that way by the glare he sent her.
“It’s not safe for you to be out driving in unfamiliar territory,” he answered in a final tone of voice.
“I’m sick to death of your chauvinistic pig attitude. I get it from my father, his permanent bodyguards, the few men I’ve dated, everyone! Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I’m incapable of making a decision or keeping myself safe,” Sierra snapped as she turned to glare at him.
Damien looked at her in astonishment for a moment before his lips slowly spread upward in a grin.
“You think I’m a pig?”
“Yes.”
“Just because I believe a man is stronger than a woman, more capable of taking care of himself in dangerous situations?”
“That’s exactly why,” she answered as she rolled her eyes. He was nothing more than a typical male, thinking he was the protector of the universe. Why did men either have to beat their women into submission, or else think they had to always save them? Why wasn’t there a middle ground?
She thought of her best friend, Bree. Her husband, Chad, had tried the he-man stuff on her, but she’d quickly put him in his place, and he’d actually listened to her. Sierra liked Chad. He was kind, yet she had no doubt that if it came down to it, he’d fight to the death for those he loved. Sierra also knew he’d never even think about hitting his wife, or any woman, for that matter.
As Damien continued gazing at her, she wanted to stay angry, but he was so dang adorable with his amused expression. She should be even more infuriated with him that he thought so little of her, but it was hard to stay angry while looking at his chiseled jaw, and very kissable mouth, which was still grinning at her.
Her thighs quivered as she glanced at her own reflection in his dark sunglasses, suddenly wanting to know what was going through his mind.
Dang it! She didn’t want his confident sexuality to throw her equilibrium off balance. She needed to stay focused around him.
“I think you just hate women, look down on them, believing they’re an inferior race,” Sierra said when the silence stretched on too long.
He pulled his shades down so she was finally looking into those deep green depths, leaving her no doubt of the desire behind their stare. His eyes dropped down her body, causing her nipples to tighten in response, before they came back up and met her widened gaze.
“I love everything about women… every…single�
��.thing,” he said slowly. His lips spread even more as his stare kept her rooted to the tan leather seat.
A horn blared behind her, alerting Sierra that the light had changed. Thanking her lucky stars for the interruption, she managed to tear her eyes from his. She looked forward as she placed the car back into drive and slowly accelerated. She was too shaken up to drive fast.
She forgot all about her desire to tour the island. She needed to get as far from Damien as she possibly could, before she pulled the car over and jumped into his lap.
After they drove in silence for about five minutes, her irritation was back, replacing some of the all-consuming desire still bubbling its way to the surface.
“You know, I don’t need a babysitter. I’ve managed to survive this long without getting kidnapped, raped, or joining a cult. I don’t need you on top of me.”
“Oh, Sierra, I think that’s exactly what you need,” he quickly responded with a wicked grin.
Sierra felt her face flame, berating herself for not using a different choice of wording. The man was throwing her hormones off the charts. She slammed her foot down on the accelerator, trying to outrun the raging desire he ignited within her.
“I’m right next to you, Sierra. Speeding up won’t get you away from me. I have a feeling you don’t actually want to get away. I think you’re just as worked up as I am, and can’t get back to that hotel fast enough. Don’t worry; I’ll quench the burn…” Damien uttered, his mouth only inches from her ear.
She swerved unintentionally, causing him to sit up and send another glare her way.
“Slow down,” he commanded.
“Are you worried? Think messing with me while I’m controlling a vehicle at sixty miles an hour is a bit unwise? You’d probably be correct,” she taunted.
“Do you want to play games, Sierra,” he asked, his hot tone sliding across her skin.
“No,” she quickly answered, knowing she could never keep up with him in any kind of game he chose to play. Still, her heart was thundering, a huge part of her wanted to take that answer back. She wanted to be that girl who could look seductively at him while she flirted with her eyes, and asked, what game do you have in mind?