Hunted (15 page)

She smiled. “Best birthday present ever.” He kissed her again, pretty sure it was the best weekend he’d ever spent, too. When he lifted his head, she was serious. “Which is what I mean. What happens after tomorrow?”

Damon watched her, sensing everything hung on his answer. Did she want this to go on, or was the appeal of the game that it was an exception. “What do you want to happen?”

“Is it up to me?”

“Your fantasy.”

“But I’m hoping it’s still yours, too.”

He smiled, encouraged. “Tell me what you want.”

“More.” Shara took a deep breath, her gaze dancing over the tent, then back to him. “More of this. I feel like we’re just starting on an adventure, and I want to keep going.”

He kissed her shoulder. “Even back at home?”

“Especially back at home. I think it would be really hot to go out into the real world, with bonds under my clothes, like you said. I think it would be fabulous to go home and play like this in private, with no one having a clue.” Her gaze danced over him, her uncertainty clear. “But I want it to be consensual.”

“Monogamous?” he asked and she blushed as she nodded. Damon smiled. “Me, too.” He laid back beside her. “In fact, I’m wondering just how much love would add to the game.”

She turned to look at him, her eyes bright. “Love?”

He nodded, running his hand over her again. “Imagine falling in love with each other, and playing this game together.” He heaved a ragged breath. “I love this game, and I love having you all trussed and helpless beside me. I can’t even imagine how it would blow my mind to do this to you, if I was crazy in love with you and knew you were the only woman for me.”

Shara licked her lips. “I think it would be pretty hot.”

“It would have to be, given how hot this is.” They shared a smile that should have set the tent on fire. He rolled closer and whispered in her ear, liking how she shivered. “So, I propose that we keep playing the game, but that we also date.”

Shara giggled. “With or without nipple clamps and leashes under my clothes?”

“That depends on how good you are.”

She looked at him, her eyes dancing. “I’m staying through the end of the week at the club here.”

“So am I,” Damon admitted. “So, we can try it out. By day and even in the evening, we’ll be a normal couple.”

“And at night, you’ll tie me up to have your way with me.” Shara nodded. “I think it will be incredible.”

“And if we both like it, I’ll buy one of those duffle bags in the gift shop.”

“What duffle bags?”

“The ones that are big enough to carry a bound woman.” He grinned. “The flight home is run by The Phoenix. I’ll arrange for it to be private. We’ll get on the plane like a normal couple, then just before landing, I’ll tie you up and pack you into my luggage.” Shara’s eyes widened, but he felt her puss get wetter. “Then I’ll take you home, like a trophy from my hunting trip.”

“You wouldn’t,” she breathed, her eyes shining.

“I will if you want me to,” Damon promised. He brushed his lips across hers. “Tell you what—you’ll be the one who has to buy the duffle bag, if it’s what you want.”

Shara closed her eyes and shivered from head to toe, her delight clear. “How will I be bound?”

“I like these leather shackles and I think they fit well. The black leather looks really good against your skin. Are they comfortable?”

Shara nodded.

He smiled. “Then you can put them on, to help me tie you up.”

“Oh, I like the sound of that.” She frowned a little. “I don’t know where you live in town.”

Damon grinned, possibilities filling his mind. “I’m thinking maybe you shouldn’t,” he teased, sliding his fingers inside her. “I’m thinking you should always come into my house blindfolded and bound.”

“People will notice.”

“I have a garage, and the windows are tinted dark on both the car and the house. No one will have a clue.” He arched a brow. “Maybe I’ll get a limo, and pick you up as if I’m just a driver. You can ride in the back.”

“Strip naked and tie myself up for you.” Shara grinned at him. “I like how you think, Damon.”

“And I like a lot more than that about you, Shara,” he murmured, silencing her with a possessive kiss. “On your knees, kitty,” he growled against her skin. “I’m taking you from behind before I let you run again.”

Shara moved so quickly to do as he commanded Damon was tempted to think her well-trained. But that would have ended their game, and he wasn’t quite ready for that.

In fact, he didn’t think he’d ever be ready to release her completely.

That she wanted the very same thing meant their game might go on forever, which suited Damon just fine.

* * *

Shara was up before it was light on her last day at The Phoenix. She couldn’t sleep anyway, not once she’d made her decision.

It would have been easy to capitulate to Damon, especially after the incredible week they’d shared. He’d made her birthday wish come true, and then some. But Shara loved to be pursued and Damon loved to hunt.

The only way to prolong the game was to surprise him.

To run.

It had been easy to convince him that they should sleep separately, since they never slept when they spent the night together and she had to go back to work the next day. Shara packed before she went to bed, and only had to quickly dress in the morning. She’d spent the last of Aunt Linda’s money changing her flight—instead of leaving at noon on the private flight Damon had arranged for them, she’d be on her way at dawn. She’d bought that duffle bag and it was going to be delivered with his breakfast tray to his room this morning, which should give her just enough time to get away.

The man did get up early. In fact, he didn’t seem to need much sleep at all. Would he catch her? Shara spared a glance toward his room, opposite hers, but the drapes were still tightly closed. The sky was only touched with pink, but she hurried all the same, fearing that she’d be discovered in the last moments before her escape.

It was only after her flight was in the air and she was presented with a hot breakfast that she questioned her choices. Had she left a clear enough signal for Damon? Would he think she’s changed her mind and didn’t want to play anymore?

Shara hoped not. Surely the bag would be enough of a clue.

As soon as she couldn’t change anything, she started to worry.

She arrived home without incident and opened the door of her apartment cautiously. She halfway expected Damon to have beat her home somehow, or to have anticipated her choice.

Everything was just as it should be. She opened the windows and went to the market for a few things, made herself dinner and went to bed. She’d be back at work the next morning, and have to tell some story about her vacation.

She’d need to wear long sleeves, too, because the marks Damon had painted on her skin were still visible. She shivered and smiled in the darkness, liking that a lot. She eyed the clock, calculating how long he’d been back in California. Only an hour or two now. She was sure she’d see him the next day, but found herself sleeping with one eye open.

Expecting him to pounce on her.

But there was no sign of Damon that night. Not the next day, either. Shara was positive she’d come out of the office to find her leaning against her car, waiting for her. Or that he’d be at her apartment, lounging on the porch. She thought he’d pull himself on to her balcony, smile that confident smile, and carry her off.

She was looking forward to it.

Damon, however, seemed to have forgotten her. The days passed, as did the nights, and Shara slipped back into her usual routine. Her birthday present and vacation could have been a dream. The spots faded even more, until she wasn’t entirely sure they’d ever been real.

She didn’t catch a glimpse of Damon and she realized she didn’t know his last name. She had no idea where he lived, and couldn’t have found out easily. He had vanished from her life completely.

Shara found that depressing. She had nothing planned for the weekend, having made no plans before her vacation because she was busy planning that, then having been hopeful all week she’d spend the weekend with Damon. No luck there. She walked to the market on Friday night, thinking the exercise would do her good. She only needed a couple of things and the walk would clear her head. Instead, she found herself eyeing all the other lonely single people doing the same chore on a Friday night.

Maybe she should go out dancing after she took her purchases home. She forced herself to be optimistic. She’d phone one of her girlfriends and go out for a drink, then they could go down to the new bar to dance on the beach. Maybe she’d meet someone new.

It couldn’t hurt to try.

Shara carried her groceries out of the market, only to find a shiny black limousine parked right at the curb. A man leaned against the car, wearing dark trousers, a white shirt, a driver’s hat and reflective sunglasses. He had his arms folded across his chest and was motionless, as if prepared to wait forever.

He tipped his hat at her and opened the passenger door. “Your ride is ready, Shara,” he said, amusement in his tone.

Damon.

Shara’s chest was so tight she didn’t think she could take a breath. “I thought you’d never show up,” she said, hoping it didn’t sound like an accusation.

“Had to get the car,” he said, winking at her over the top of his sunglasses. Shara’s heart skipped a beat, right on cue. His voice dropped lower when he continued. “Every fisherman gives the big catch a bit of extra line,” he murmured. “The taste of freedom makes the final capture all the more exciting.”

That was true enough. Shara’s panties were soaked and they were still standing in public, six feet apart. She was aware of the people coming and going from the market, the curious glances given to the car and to Damon, and knew she could decline what he offered. She could run and he might chase her.

Or she could surrender to him this time, and give them both what they really wanted. Shara took a step closer, her decision made, offering him the bags of groceries as if he were staff. “Please put the produce in the trunk for me,” she said.

Damon bowed and took her grocery bags, sweeping open the passenger door with one hand. The car was new, the interior cool and dark. She slid inside, taking a deep breath of the scent of a new vehicle, with smooth leather seats. The windows were tinted dark enough no one could see inside, and she ran her hands over the leather, thrilled Damon had come for her.

There was a box on the bench seat facing her, one of those boxes gift-wrapped so the lid could be opened without untying the bow. Shara’s mouth went dry, because she had a pretty good idea what was in the box. All she could hear was the thunder of her heart. Damon got into the driver’s seat and the limo pulled away from the curb.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“You can guess,” he said, his voice deep and rough. “Open your present and get busy.”

Shara leaned forward and opened the box. The black leather wrist and ankle bonds were in there, as was a length of heavy jute rope. There was a black leather hood that would cover her eyes and leave her mouth free, one that laced down the back. She caressed the leather and swallowed, her body on fire.

“Hurry up,” Damon growled, his voice rougher, and Shara guessed he was as excited as she was. “I’ve only got the weekend to punish you and time’s tight already.”

The adventure was continuing, just the way Shara had hoped, and there couldn’t be any better birthday present than that.

* * *

It was the end of the week by the time Rex returned to the London office. Athena was in a mood, he could see as much from first glance. He took her to dinner at a favorite restaurant, booking a private room, and ordered seafood and wine. Gradually, the tension eased from her shoulders, and in bits and pieces, he had the story from her.

It was restorative to be with Athena again, solving the predicaments of the club, and to be focused on their joint endeavor as he hadn’t been since partnering with Michelle. There was only work now, and Rex would throw himself into the challenges of The Phoenix with all his heart and soul. It wasn’t like him to share confidences, but he told Athena what Amy had done, about the photo she’d sent to Michelle, and Michelle’s departure.

“I am sorry, Rex.”

He shrugged, trying to lighten her mood. “One day, I’ll find it amusing that a photograph was my downfall.” Rex was thoughtful. With a few days’ absence, he had started to wonder if his relationship with Michelle had been doomed all along, if all permanent relationships were doomed for him. Either way, he wasn’t going to make that kind of commitment again. He’d learned his lesson.

Now it was all about power and pleasure.

“But not yet?” Athena asked with a ghost of a smile.

He shook his head. “Not yet.”

“I should never have advocated for Amy in the first place,” she said. “You were right again, Rex, and I’m sorry.”

“Your intentions were good, and you couldn’t have guessed hers.”

Athena’s lips quirked. “If you’re going to be gracious about it, I’ll just feel worse.”

“It’s too bad she’s gone, in a way. I think she could have been very useful.”