Текст книги "Sweet Persuasion"
Автор книги: Maya Banks
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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 18 страниц)
Oh God, now she knew at least why he’d let her hide her face, because sweet Lord, it was burning.
“Relax,” he murmured. “There should be no shame in voicing your fantasies.”
She forced herself to relax again as she realized she’d gone completely tense against him.
“It is my preference not to use condoms, but I’ll use them if that is your wish. I love the idea of coming deep inside you and watching my seed slip from your pussy as I leave your body.”
She shivered uncontrollably, and his hand tightened in her hair.
“You like that too.”
She nodded.
“I’m not sure I can logically explain the desire I have to mark a woman. I’m sure it all has to do with the primitive male psyche,” he added with a chuckle. “But the fact is, I want to come in your mouth, your pussy, your ass, on your breasts. I want to mark you mine in every conceivable fashion. You will be mine. Your body will be mine to do with as I wish.”
Another soft sigh escaped her, and her entire body trembled as his erotic words brushed her skin, reached to her most intimate places.
Yes, she wanted it too.
His fingers worked through her hair and to her neck, lightly caressing. “Are you protected against pregnancy, Serena? Or do you prefer that I use a condom?”
“I’m on birth control,” she said softly. “I—I don’t want you to use a condom.”
His hand squeezed her shoulder in approval.
“Now suppose we talk about your auction.”
She raised her head to look up at him. There was something warm and vibrant in his eyes, something that went beyond simple sexual attraction.
“You’d do that for me?”
He touched her cheek and let a finger trail down to her jaw, and then he ran it over her bottom lip.
“Of course. It is your fantasy. I admit that it’s a rather exciting scenario for me as well.”
She frowned for a moment even as she leaned further into his touch.
“So this is your fantasy too?”
His expression became more serious. “No,” he said distantly. “This isn’t my fantasy.”
“Then why . . . ?”
She let the question trail off as she looked intently into his eyes.
He continued to stroke her face, touching each part of her skin with inquisitive fingers as he stared back at her.
“Perhaps I’m tired of waiting for something I may never find.”
“And what is it that you want?” she asked softly.
A faraway look entered his eyes and they turned almost wistful. “What you want as fantasy, I want as reality. A woman who will surrender to me, who will trust me to take care of her, provide for her, and who doesn’t mind relinquishing control in all aspects of our relationship.”
“And you haven’t been able to find a woman who meets those requirements?”
She couldn’t help the surprise that bled into her question.
“No, I haven’t,” he said quietly.
She laid her head back on his lap, and he resumed stroking her hair. “Then why are you agreeing to this?”
He stopped for a moment, her hair tangled around his fingers. “Because I’m tired of waiting, and so for a little while, I’d like to experience my own fantasy.”
She nodded. That much she could understand. Fantasies were safe. It was a break from reality. A chance to act on desires for a short period of time.
“Now about the auction. You seem open to being nude in front of a room full of men, of even having them touch you, watch you and want you.”
She squeezed her eyes shut but nodded wordlessly against his leg.
“And you want me to fuck your mouth in front of these men.”
Again she raised her head to look at him and tried not to cringe over his bluntness. “Does that bother you?”
He smiled. “Does it bother me that a beautiful woman wants to pleasure me while every other man in the room is eaten up with jealousy?”
She let out a small laugh. “Stupid question, I guess.”
“I was more worried that it would bother you,” he said gently.
She tried to look down, but he wouldn’t let her. He nudged her chin up with his fingers, forcing her to look directly at him.
“It’s fantasy,” she said. “I want, for a while, to do things that I wouldn’t normally do, to be a person I’m not. I know this isn’t me but I still crave it. Just a taste. When it’s all over, I can look back without shame because . . . it’s not real.”
“You seem so sure this isn’t you,” he said. “And yet you articulate your desires so well. You know precisely what it is you want.”
She shook her head. “No, this isn’t me. I’m stronger than this. I don’t want to be weak. I just want . . . an adventure.”
His eyes flickered and became shielded. “Then that’s what you’ll have. If you trust me to make the arrangements, I’ll set up a night for your fantasy to begin at my establishment. I’ll enlist the aid of some of the club members, but I believe the fantasy will be more powerful for you if you don’t know every single detail.”
“And after?” She asked the question uppermost on her mind. What happened after Damon claimed her?
He tilted her chin even further upward as his eyes bore into hers. There was latent power simmering in his gaze. A tightly held current just begging to be unleashed.
“After the auction, you are mine.”
CHAPTER 8
“Julie, you’re killing me,” Serena said through gritted teeth. “This is supposed to be a massage, not a lesson in dough kneading.”
Julie eased off and muttered an apology.
“What’s wrong with you, Julie?” Faith asked from the next table. “Not like you to be so . . . grumpy.”
Serena raised her head. “She hasn’t gotten to you yet. Feel fortunate. I’m going to have bruises.”
“Nathan stood me up,” Julie said.
“Stood you up? You had a date?” Faith asked in an excited voice.
“Not exactly,” Julie mumbled.
She continued massaging Serena’s back, much gentler now, though Serena could still feel the tension in her fingers.
“What do you mean by ‘not exactly’?” Serena asked as she relaxed on the table.
Julie sighed. “He rescheduled his massage after I sort of plotted to begin my grand seduction scheme. Well, he hasn’t exactly rescheduled yet. He just cancelled.”
“Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound good,” Serena offered.
“Faith, is Nathan seeing anyone?” Julie asked.
“Not that I know of, but I don’t keep up with his love life. Why do you ask?”
“I want to hear about this seduction plan,” Serena spoke up.
“I wore a shirt that my tatas were damn near about to spill out of.”
“Oh my,” Faith said in amusement. “That had to be a glorious sight to behold. You have such, um, impressive tatas.”
Serena sat up, and Julie’s hands fell away from her back.
“I’m not finished, hon,” Julie protested.
“Oh yes, you are. I want to hear all about this, and I hate having a conversation lying down unless it involves a gorgeous man.”
Faith laughed. “You know we’re getting to you next, Serena. Just so you know.”
Serena rolled her eyes. “As if I thought I could escape you two.” She turned to look at Julie. “So? You displayed the tatas, then what?”
“Nothing. That’s what I’ve been trying to say. I’m here plumping my cleavage, planning how to plant it in Nathan’s face, when he calls to cancel his appointment.”
“Ah, gee, I’m sorry,” Faith said, sympathy shadowing her pretty features.
“It gets worse,” Julie said darkly. “Some bimbo in the background was informing him that he didn’t need to pay for a massage because she’d be more than happy to give him one. Then when I asked him when he wanted to reschedule, he said he’d call me.”
“Oh, ouch,” Serena murmured. “The I’ll call you line.”
“Yeah,” Julie grumbled. “Shot down before I ever got off the ground. Clearly I need to focus my attention elsewhere. I mean, I’m not a complete dog, right? I’ve never had a man want to put a paper bag over my head during sex or anything.”
Serena and Faith both burst out laughing.
“I’m so sorry, Julie,” Faith said as she wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. “I have no idea what Nathan’s problem is. You’re gorgeous!”
Julie rolled her eyes. “Spoken like a loyal friend talking to an ugly woman.”
Serena snickered. “Well, you’re not as pretty as I am, but you’re definitely not paper-bag ugly.”
Julie shoved at Serena’s shoulder. “Gee, thanks, what a pal.”
“Why don’t you just ask him out?” Serena asked. “Stop with the hinting around—the plan to jump him while giving a massage, though that wasn’t a bad idea at all—and just come out and ask him on a date. If he refuses then wipe his existence from your memory banks and go ask Micah or Connor out. They’re both hot.”
“I can’t go out with someone who’s slept with one of my friends,” Julie muttered. “So thanks, Faith, for ruining Micah for me.”
Faith chuckled. “If you knew how good he was in bed, you wouldn’t be all holier than thou about going out with him.”
Julie groaned. “For the love of God. Stop already. You’re killing me. What I wouldn’t give for a threesome with two hot guys. Hell, right now I’d take one hot guy. Or even a not-so-hot one. I just want to get laid, damn it.”
“Toys not working for you?” Serena asked innocently.
“Fuck you,” Julie said darkly. “So speaks the woman who is assured of some killer sex now that she’s signing on to be someone’s sex slave.”
“Which brings us nicely to the next topic of our conversation,” Faith said. “Did Damon find someone for you yet?”
Serena bit her lip and looked between her two friends, wondering if she should tell them everything.
“He has, hasn’t he?” Julie pounced. “Dish, Serena. We want details.”
“He didn’t exactly find someone,” she hedged. “He sorta volunteered himself.”
Faith’s mouth fell open while Julie just looked confused.
“He did what?” Faith demanded. “Are you serious?”
Julie looked rapidly back and forth between Serena and Faith. “What am I missing? This is the GQ guy, right?”
Faith ignored her. “But he’s so not into all the role-playing and games. I mean, he once told me that if he had his way, he’d have a woman collared and tied to his bed.”
A delicious shiver started at Serena’s toes and worked up until her entire body was bathed in goose bumps.
“Well, we don’t need a rocket scientist to figure out where this is going,” Julie said dryly.
Now it was Serena’s turn to ignore Julie. “Well, he did sort of mention that. Not in such specific terms, mind you, but um, it works for me, at least on a temporary basis.”
Concern shadowed Faith’s eyes. “I never figured Damon would go for something temporary. He’s very focused on what he wants.”
“Maybe he’ll talk you around,” Julie teased.
Serena shot her a glare. “Come on, Julie. Can you really see me as someone’s permanent sex slave? It’s fine for some really hot sex and a scorching fantasy, but for real? So not me.”
“Why isn’t it for you?” Julie challenged. “Obviously it appeals to you on some basic level or you wouldn’t be advertising for a man to tie you up and have his wicked way with you.”
“Has anyone ever told you how obnoxious you are?” Serena grumbled. “It’s a fantasy. Everyone has one even if it isn’t something that would translate to the real world. I’m too . . . strong-willed to ever permanently submit to a man.”
“Gray once told me that he would never go for a woman who wasn’t strong enough to submit,” Faith said softly. “It takes a strong woman. Don’t ever doubt that.”
Julie and Serena both turned to look at Faith in shock.
“Wait a second. Are you saying that you and Gray . . . that you have that sort of relationship with him?” Serena asked.
Faith shrugged. “I wouldn’t classify our relationship as typical of anything but what we make it, but if you’re asking if he’s the dominant force in our relationship, then yes, he is.”
“Oh, shit, and now I’ve gone and insulted you,” Serena said as she frowned apologetically at her friend.
Faith smiled. “No, you haven’t. I used to think as you do. That it made me weak to want a man to take care of me, that I was some lily-livered ninny for submitting to a man. But it was what I wanted, and I was tired of settling for second best.”
“Owning your sexuality,” Julie murmured. “I tell you, I’m going to have to get me some of that.”
“Amen,” Serena seconded. “Faith, I don’t mean to pry, but you’ve simply got to give me more to work with here.”
Faith grinned. “Well, I’m afraid that Damon is probably a little more hardcore than Gray, at least going by what he’s told me. He wants . . . he wants a woman. In his own words, he wants a slave, although he did go to great lengths to say that he objected to the word, but for all practical purposes that’s what he wants.”
“Wow,” Julie breathed. “It’s getting hot in here, and suddenly I’m thinking about shit that’s never before crossed my mind.”
Serena rolled her eyes. “Julie, you don’t have a meek bone in your body.”
Julie grinned cheekily. “Nope. I don’t.”
Serena turned back to Faith. “Okay, so if Damon isn’t into games or fantasies, why the hell is he signing up to be my . . . master? God, I hate that word. It just sounds silly.”
Faith shrugged. “Maybe he’s attracted to you? Maybe he’s tired of waiting for the right woman?”
“Or maybe he just wants a few nights of hot sex with a slave,” Julie added with a mischievous smirk. “I mean, come on, what guy is going to turn down a gorgeous woman begging for a man to own her?”
Faith’s eyes glimmered with amusement. “Micah informs me that men go crazy for a submissive woman.”
“Ah shit, not him too,” Julie groaned. “Good lord, woman. So you let him and Gray both have their wicked way with you? What did you do, let them tie you up and fuck your brains out?”
Faith pretended interest in her fingernails and cast Julie a sidelong glance. “Pretty much.”
“You are such an evil whore,” Julie muttered. “And Gray was okay with this?”
“You’ve already asked that,” Serena said patiently. “Obviously he was since they were both there.”
Julie shook her head. “I just can’t get past that. I mean, Gray is all forbiddingly possessive of Faith and yet he lets another man fuck her while he watches? That’s seriously messed up.”
Faith snorted. “Like you’d turn down a threesome with two hot guys?”
“Hell no, I wouldn’t,” Julie exclaimed. “I’m just stunned that your man let you get away with it.”
“It was his idea,” Faith said with a grin.
Julie closed her eyes. “Why are all the good ones taken?”
“Maybe you should rethink your stance on sleeping with men your friends have had sex with,” Serena said. “Forget about Nathan and redirect your attention to Micah. If you just want to get laid, I bet he’d accommodate you.”
“Oh, right, like I want him out comparing notes with the guys on mine and Faith’s performance in bed. No thanks.”
“Not that I’m encouraging you to go after Micah, but he’d never do that,” Faith said. “He’s not like that.”
“So are you still sleeping with him . . . them?” Julie asked.
Faith shook her head. “I’m not saying it would never happen again, because it’s a serious turn-on for Gray, but it’s only happened once.”
“Okay, I get why it’s a turn-on for a woman,” Serena said. “But for the guy? What’s he get out of it?”
“Hell of a conversation,” Julie interjected. “Thank God you guys are my last appointments of the day.”
Julie leaned back against the massage table and looked between Serena and Faith. “You two are sitting here in the buff, and we’re dishing about hot guys. There is something seriously wrong with this picture.”
“We have towels,” Faith corrected.
Julie rolled her eyes. “And they cover so much.”
“So?” Serena butted in. “What’s a guy get out of it, Faith? You’ve got me totally curious. I always thought a guy’s fantasy was to get it on with two women, not to get it on with another woman and a man.”
“Ohhh,” Julie gasped. “The men don’t . . . they don’t do each other, do they?”
Faith dropped her face into her hands and let out a groan. “This conversation has seriously deteriorated. For God’s sake, Julie.”
“Hey, it’s a legitimate question,” Serena said.
“Thank you, Serena,” Julie said as she folded her arms over her chest and glared at Faith.
“No, they do not get it on with each other,” Faith said in a strangled voice. “They don’t even touch each other.”
“Then what’s the point?” Julie asked.
Faith sighed in exasperation. “The point is that it’s a turn-on for Gray to watch while another man fucks his woman. He likes to fuck me at the same time. You know, different orifices?”
Serena snickered. “She said ‘orifices.’”
Faith threw a towel at Serena’s head. “I swear, I’m sorry I ever said anything to either of you. I was trying to help a friend.”
Julie rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “So you’re saying it’s a male primitive thing. Sort of like, ‘Here’s my woman. She’s mine but you can have her for a little while.’”
Faith rolled her eyes. “I guess you could say that in a barbarian sort of way. I can’t speak for anyone else, but in my situation, the men were focused solely on me. They weren’t touching each other. They were too busy touching me.”
“And fucking your brains out,” Julie added.
“That too,” Faith added with a grin.
“Lucky bitch,” Julie said mournfully.
“So, if we can direct the conversation back to me and my impending slavery,” Serena said.
“By all means,” Julie said airily. “Don’t let my fantasies about being sandwiched between two hot men interrupt you.”
Serena looked at Faith. “Do you think I’m making a mistake by letting Damon fulfill my fantasy?”
Faith pressed her lips together for a moment. “Honestly, no. I’m not sure you could ask for a better man. I’m surprised that he agreed, or offered I suppose I should say, since you didn’t exactly ask him, but I actually think he’s perfect for you. And it certainly helps that he’s so freaking hot.”
Serena watched as Julie sent her eyes toward the ceiling. “Green isn’t your color, Julie,” Serena teased.
Julie sighed. “That’s me. Jealous bitch.”
“Why don’t we take Julie out for a drink?” Serena suggested. “Maybe we can get her laid in the process and then God knows her mood would improve.”
“I don’t think you were supposed to look so hopeful, Julie,” Faith said as she choked on her laughter.
Serena discarded her towel, slid off the table and wrapped her robe around her body. “Well, come on then. Let’s get decent and go imbibe. Considering what I agreed to yesterday, I think I could use a drink or three.”
“Yeah, well, just promise me you’ll give me all the down and dirty details of your stint with slavery,” Julie said. “If I get really desperate, I’ll sign up to go a round with Mr. GQ.”
“I thought you wouldn’t sleep with guys who’d had sex with your friends?” Serena said with a raised eyebrow.
“It was very uncharitable of you to remind me of that,” Julie huffed. “It would seem that between you and Faith and the bimbo that’s hovering around Nathan, all the hunks are accounted for. It’s damn sad when I’m actually contemplating leftovers.”
“For God’s sake, Julie, shut up,” Faith said. “I thought only men objected to sloppy seconds.”
“Honey, apparently your men don’t,” Julie said sweetly.
“Okay girls, enough. Let’s go get drunk before the catfight starts,” Serena interjected.
“Drunk and laid,” Julie said as she performed a mock toast.
CHAPTER 9
When Serena, Julie and Faith walked into Cattleman’s, Julie groaned and tried to turn around and walk back out.
Sitting at one of the tables was Nathan and a blonde bombshell.
Faith and Serena each grabbed an arm and hauled Julie forward. “Never let them see you run,” Serena advised. “Walk in here like you own the place, bodacious tatas and all.”
Julie glanced down at her chest and then glared across the room at Nathan. With a quick flick of her finger, she unbuttoned the top two buttons of her shirt and arranged it so the barest hint of her lacy bra was bared. Serena had to admit, Julie had some pretty fantastic cleavage.
An evil gleam entered Faith’s eyes. Sweet, innocent Faith suddenly looked like satanic, scary Faith. She tightened her grip on Julie’s arm then stared purposefully at Serena.
“Come on, we’re going over there,” Faith announced.
“What?” Julie all but screeched. She yanked her arm back, but Faith held tight.
Between Serena and Faith, they dragged her across the floor toward Nathan’s table.
“I’m going to kill you for this,” Julie hissed just before she pasted on a bright smile.
Nathan looked up and smiled warmly. “Hello, ladies.”
His companion was not so pleased to see them.
“Hi, Nathan,” Faith said sweetly. “Early day at work?”
Nathan laughed. “Yeah, just don’t tell Pop. He and Connor are still at a job.”
His gaze flickered over Julie and then Serena, and Serena could swear she saw interest in his eyes, especially when he got a good look at Julie’s cleavage.
Julie smiled, but it was one of those calculating smiles that should have told Serena she was in trouble.
“Well, it was nice seeing you, Nathan. Call me and we’ll reschedule your massage. We’d stay and chat, but we’re heading over to the bar to discuss Serena’s upcoming auction,” Julie said.
Faith coughed, and Serena closed her eyes and groaned silently.
“Auction? What are you selling?” Nathan asked.
Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it, Julie.
“Herself,” Julie responded as if it were an everyday occurrence.
Nathan’s eyebrows shot up, and he turned his gaze to Serena. Even the blonde bimbo looked surprised.
“Well now, that’s an interesting auction,” Nathan drawled as amusement crept into his eyes. “Is it open to everyone?”
“Julie’s been drinking,” Serena explained as she dug her fingers into Julie’s side. She could feel the heifer shaking with silent laughter. “It was nice seeing you, Nathan. And you . . .” She glanced over at the blonde, who looked irritated that Nathan hadn’t introduced her.
“Nice to see you ladies too,” Nathan said. “Faith, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Julie fluttered her fingers then tossed her hair and followed after Faith toward the bar.
“I’m going to kill you,” Serena hissed when they slid onto the bar stools.
Julie laughed. “That’s what you get for hauling me over there.”
“Me? Hell, it wasn’t my idea,” Serena sputtered. “It was your sweet friend over there.”
“Yeah, well, I’ll get her back as soon as I come up with a way,” Julie said as she threw Faith a dark glance.
“Well, he noticed your cleavage,” Faith said. “Though I’d think you’d want him to notice more than that.”
Julie rolled her eyes. “Oh boy, here we go. Faith’s going to give us the he should want you for yourself, not your attributes speech. Which is nice, but at the moment, I’ll take him noticing me any way it happens. I don’t want to marry the guy. I just want to wrap myself around him a couple of times.”
“She needs two drinks,” Serena said as she motioned for the bartender.
“One for each hand,” Julie said with a grin.
Faith turned around on her bar stool. “So why are we here again?”
“To get Julie drunk,” Serena replied.
“And laid,” Julie spoke up. “Don’t forget the most important part of the equation.”
Male laughter sounded behind them.
“Fuck me,” Julie muttered as she closed her eyes.
Serena turned around to see Gray Montgomery standing behind them, a wide grin on his face.
“Interesting conversation. Am I interrupting?”
“No,” Faith said.
“Yes!” Julie exclaimed.
Faith hopped off her bar stool and was immediately enfolded in Gray’s arms. Serena and Julie exchanged eye-rolling glances but they both knew they were being jealous bitches.
“I take it you’ll be here awhile,” Gray said, amusement still heavy in his voice.
Faith smiled. “Uh, yeah, we’re sorta plotting the demise of—”
Julie held up her hand to cut Faith off. “Don’t you dare say his name, Faith, or I swear to God I’ll choke you with your own hair.”
Gray chuckled. “I don’t know whether to envy the bastard or feel sorry for him.”
He leaned down to kiss Faith again. “I’ll leave you to your girl talk. I’m meeting Micah and Nathan for a drink. I’ll see you at home later.”
His hands slid possessively over Faith’s body as he captured one last kiss, and Serena watched unashamedly. The chemistry between those two was tangible.
“I think you’ll find Nathan otherwise occupied,” Julie said snidely.
“Oh, you mean his client meeting?” Gray asked. “He’s finished now.”
Julie frowned and then she glared at Faith. “Client? The blonde chick is a client? Why didn’t you know she was a client, Faith?”
Faith shrugged. “Contrary to popular belief, I do not know everything that goes on at Malone and Sons.”
“Are all your clients so . . . clingy?” Julie asked Gray.
Faith frowned at that and then looked up at Gray. “Yes, are they? You don’t have any business meetings with blonde bim bos, do you?”
Gray laughed and touched a strand of Faith’s long blonde hair. “You’re the only blonde I have eyes for, baby.” Then he leaned in for one more kiss. “I’ll see you later, okay?”
He drew away but then frowned at the drinks the bartender had set in front of the women. “Tell you what. I’ll hang around and drive you ladies home when you’re done.”
“Fine with me,” Julie said with a shrug. “I rode over with Serena.”
“I wasn’t planning on drinking anything,” Serena said as she smiled at Gray. “It was sweet of you to offer, but I can drive Julie home.”
“Yes, but now you can drink,” Faith said. “I’m sure Nathan and Micah wouldn’t mind helping to get our cars where they need to go.”
Serena almost laughed at how transparent Faith was being.
“Okay, sounds like a plan to me,” Serena said. “Drink up, girls.”
Several drinks later, the three women were laughing, though for the life of her, Serena couldn’t figure out what they were laughing about. Julie was doing an imitation of Nathan’s blonde chick offering to do his massage while Faith tried in vain to get her to lower her voice.
“Do you think they know we’re talking about them?” Julie asked as she leaned in and yanked a thumb over her shoulder to where Gray, Micah and Nathan sat several tables away.
“They probably have a good idea,” Serena said dryly. “You aren’t exactly the poster child for discretion.”
Julie shrugged. “Oh well, fuck him.”
“You’re trying, remember?” Faith said as she stifled her laughter.
“Not anymore,” Julie announced as she drained the last of her drink. “If he doesn’t appreciate me and my massages, then I’ll find someone else who will.”
“Atta girl,” Serena said.
“Oh, Serena, don’t look now, but Damon just walked in,” Faith whispered.
Julie whirled around in her seat and promptly sucked in her breath. “That’s Mr. GQ? Damn, he’s . . . nice. Very nice, Serena. I think I might be rethinking my whole stance on submis sives and slaves.”
“Turn around and put your tongue back in your mouth,” Serena said. “You’re getting drool on my shirt.”
“He’s coming this way,” Julie reported as she swiveled in her chair.
Serena’s heart beat just a little faster, and she looked to Faith for confirmation. Faith nodded just before she turned and smiled.
“Damon, such a surprise to see you here,” Faith said as Damon approached.
Finally Serena turned calmly on her stool to see Damon standing a mere foot away. He was wearing jeans again and a T-shirt. Even casually dressed, though, he positively oozed raw sexuality. And confidence. He stood there like he belonged, as though there were no question that he would be welcomed.
“Quite a surprise,” Serena agreed. “Came to mingle with us barbarians?”
Damon chuckled. “Some of my favorite barbarians hang out here, but actually, I was looking for you. Your assistant said I might find you here.”
“And here I am.”
“Don’t mind us,” Julie muttered. “We can take our drunken carcasses elsewhere.”
“Not at all,” Damon said smoothly. “Can I buy you ladies your next drink? I didn’t realize I would be interrupting girls’ night out.”
Julie motioned for Faith to move down a bar stool and then Julie hopped up and took the seat that Faith vacated. “Have a seat,” she offered Damon. “If you’re buying drinks, the least you can do is get comfortable.”
“Damon, you’ve obviously met Faith, but this is our friend Julie Stanford. Julie, this is Damon Roche.”
Julie put her hand out, and Serena silently prayed that Julie would keep her mouth shut about auctions and slavery.
“Very nice to meet you, Damon. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“The pleasure is mine, Julie,” he said as he took her hand in his.
Then he turned to Serena. “Do you mind if I sit?”
“Not at all,” she said as she motioned to the stool. “Was there something you needed? Not that I mind you looking me up here,” she hurried to add, “but was there something in particular you wanted?”
“You,” he said simply.
Serena swallowed then swallowed again when the knot in her throat wouldn’t disappear.
“If you don’t already have dinner plans, I thought we could eat together and discuss . . .”
He went silent, but his meaning was clear.
Julie leaned forward. “Don’t hold back on our account, Se rena.”
“But you rode with me,” Serena protested. “I can’t leave you here.”
“I’d be happy to give your friend a ride home,” Damon said. “I’ll have someone take your car to your apartment, if that’s okay with you, and I’ll run you home later.”
Julie leaned back and stared at Damon with interest and then she returned her gaze to Serena. “Okay, forget everything I said about a take-charge man, because I’m finding it very attractive all of a sudden.”
Damon smiled, and Faith burst out laughing.
“Do you have a problem with Damon taking you home, Julie?” Serena asked. “Maybe I shouldn’t go. I hate to run out on you guys.”
“We can always have dinner another time,” Damon interjected. “Or Faith and Julie are welcome to join us, although I see Gray scowling over there, so I rather doubt he’s going to be thrilled with the idea of me walking out of here with not one, but three gorgeous women.”
“Oh, I like him,” Julie breathed. She blinked and seemed to snap out of her semi-drunken stupor. “You two go on ahead. Gray has promised to take care of getting me home.”
“Are you sure?” Serena asked.
“It’s no trouble to take you home,” Damon assured.
Julie smiled. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure you two have plenty of stuff to talk about. You know, like auctions, slave collars, chains . . .”
Serena closed her eyes and prayed for deliverance, but Damon just laughed.
“Let’s go,” Serena muttered. “Before I kill her.”
