The Devil's Game (12 page)

He moved off of her and she rolled onto her side so that she could face him, bringing her mouth to his. As her tongue slipped past his lips, he cupped her face with one hand and she pushed him onto his back, throwing her leg over his waist. She slid down onto him, and both his hands moved to her hips, where she could feel his fingers pressing tightly into her flesh. It wasn’t long before she felt another orgasm building within her and she sat up, digging her nails into his chest. She rocked harder against him and felt the fire ignite in her belly, extending all the way to her toes, her fingers, even her cheeks, as she arched her back. Damien kept his grip on her hips, kept her moving, and she thought it would never end. She didn’t want it to end. But it did, and as it faded away, she slowed down, trying to catch her breath.

She leaned forward and kissed him.

“You’re not done already, are you?” he asked.

“Not even close,” she purred.

As she sat up and rocked against him again, she knew she was already close. What was it about him that elicited the fire from her so quickly? Each one came quicker than the last and still she wanted just one more—each time, Damien obliged until she barely had the energy to move with him. He rolled her easily onto her back, taking advantage of the spacious bed, and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he quickly moved in and out of her, finally succumbing to his own climax.

She looked up into his eyes as he breathed heavily above her, a light sheen on his face. He shook his head slightly.

“What?” she asked with a frown.

“Just thinking how beautiful you look right now,” he said with a grin.

“I can only imagine what a hot mess I must look like right now.”

“You’re right about the hot part,” he said and she laughed.

He kissed her before rolling back onto the bed and Karina slid out of it, intending to head back to her room to rinse off some of the sweat.

“Where are you going?” he asked, reaching across the bed for her.

“To my room. I need a shower.”

“Use mine.”

“Are you going to join me?” she asked.

“I’m not sure if I can stand on my own two feet right now.”

“Well you’ll know where to find me,” she said, walking into his bathroom and leaving the door open.

“Give me a minute to gather my strength first,” he sighed.

Karina turned on the water, giggling. She loved the idea of wearing him out. The water warmed quickly and she stepped in, expecting Damien to be right behind her. When she finally realized he wasn’t coming, she turned off the water and grabbed a towel. She walked back into the room to find Damien in exactly the same position she had left him in. Realizing now that she really had exhausted him, she pulled the twisted comforter up over him as best she could and kissed his cheek before returning to her room.

Change of Plans

When Karina came down the next morning, she was surprised to see Damien’s place setting still untouched—she had beaten him down to breakfast. Not by much, though, because he came striding in only a couple minutes behind her.

“Good morning,” he drawled as he sat down.

“Good morning,” she said with a smile. “How’d you sleep?”

“Like a rock. I can’t believe I fell asleep on you last night. I had every—”

Romi walked in, cutting him off. No one said anything as she brought out the jug of fresh orange juice.

“Thank you, Romi,” he said before she walked away. “I had every intention of joining you in the shower,” he whispered when she left the room again. “I closed my eyes for a second and next thing I knew, it was morning and you were gone.”

“I suppose you’ll just have to make it up to me then,” she said, leaning in close to him.

“What did you have in mind?”

“Hmm…” Karina gazed out the window behind Damien and saw the open water. “What if you take me out on the boat again?”

The corner of his mouth went up, revealing a dimple. “That sounds like a great idea.” He looked at his watch. “We just have to be back by four,” he said with a frown.

“Why is that?”

“I’m flying up to New York tonight.”

Now she frowned. “Why?”

“I have a meeting tomorrow. It’s easier if I fly up the night before. I’ll be back tomorrow night.”

“Will you do me a favor?” she asked.

“Anything,” he said.

“Will you have Tom give me a copy of your itinerary for the next two weeks?”

There was a flash of something in his face again, the same as last night.

“Because it’s getting real annoying not knowing if you’re coming or going,” she continued, ignoring it.

“Absolutely,” he said. To her surprise, he pulled out his phone and started tapping away. “Done,” he said, setting it aside. “I’m sure he’ll have it to you before we leave. Now what do you say we get going on this boat trip so we have time for…other things?”

She leaned toward him again. “I couldn’t agree more.”

He held her face with one hand and kissed her, making her almost forget they were still sitting at the breakfast table.

“You go change,” he whispered, finally pulling away. “And meet me at the boat.”

Less than ten minutes later, Karina was boarding the boat, wearing smarter shoes that she had found among the closet’s collection.

“You remembered,” Damien said as he glanced down at her feet.

“I’m a quick study,” she said.

“Does that mean I can let you sail for us today?”

She grimaced. “Okay, maybe not that quick.”

Once again Damien let her take the helm, and even though she would have been fine on her own, he remained behind her and she preferred it that way. This time, they stayed closer to the Miami shore, and he pointed landmarks out to her. Eventually they anchored, but instead of bringing a picnic basket up top, he led her to the berth below.

“I was going to sleep with you the last time we were on this boat,” Karina said afterward as her naked body lay across Damien’s, her chin on his chest.

“I don’t believe you,” he said and she laughed.

“It’s true.”

“Damn Tom.”

“That’s what I said.”

Karina turned her head so that her cheek was now flat against his chest, and he started caressing her back. Between the gently rocking ship and the steady beat of his heart, she was sure she’d fall asleep.

“You should set an alarm,” she murmured. “Just in case we both doze off. Wouldn’t want you to miss New York.”

“I was thinking about that. New York I mean. I think you should come with me.”

She repositioned herself so she could look at him. “Really? Aren’t you just going to be in meetings the whole time? What would I do?”

“It’s New York,” he said. “There’s plenty to do. My hotel is right next to Central Park—”

“Of course it is.”

“—so you’d be able to wander wherever your heart desires.”

“Maybe…”

“Have you been to New York before?”

“I went once for a concert when I was a freshman in college. We only spent the night, though.”

“You should definitely come with me. You deserve to see more of it.”

“But aren’t you only spending the one night?”

“Only for you,” he said. “If you came with, I could extend it a day or two.”

Only for you
. The words made her heart race, and she hoped Damien couldn’t feel it. He didn’t want her to be bored. Surely that’s all he meant by it.

“I think,” she said, tracing her finger in a figure-eight pattern on his chest, “you just want me there to keep your bed warm.”

“That would be a bonus, I suppose,” he said with a wicked smile. “Does this mean you’ll come?”

“Oh, I’ll come,” she said, sliding a leg over his hips until she was straddling him. Leaning forward, she gave him a quick kiss before moving to nip at his ear. “I will definitely…come,” she whispered.

It was with reluctance that they headed up top and made the journey back to the house. This time Karina wasn’t dreading it so much, since she no longer had to say goodbye to Damien. At least not tonight. As the house came into view, she was painfully aware that they had exactly two weeks and one day until she went home. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind, determined to enjoy every last second with him.

“You should visit your parents while we’re up there,” Damien said as they climbed off the boat.

She frowned. “You do realize that my parents don’t live in New York, right?”

“Of course I do. But I could get you a train ticket. It’s only a couple hours’ ride, isn’t it?”

“It’s a nice thought, but how am I supposed to explain why I’m popping in for the day if they think I’m in Miami?”

“I don’t get it,” Damien said with a tilt of his head. “Tell them you’re in New York City for a couple days and wanted to say hi.”

“But how do I explain what I’m doing in New York?”

Damien grabbed her arm, pausing her. “What exactly do your parents think you’re doing down here?”

“I told them I was down here for work, that I’m helping to open another store. What was I supposed to tell them?”

“The truth?”

She laughed harshly. “You’re joking.”

“Do they know
anything
about me?”

She shook her head. “Why would they?”

“Where do they think the money came from?” he asked, frowning.

“I don’t know. But they have no idea it has anything to do with me.”

“You mean they seriously aren’t questioning it?”

“My mom wants to believe it’s a miracle,” she said. “Knowing my dad, he’s probably poking around. Don’t be surprised if you get a fruit basket delivered one day.”

“Why wouldn’t you tell them about where you were going? About me?”

“Because they never would have let me do this. They would’ve freaked at the thought of me going to spend a month with some guy I don’t even know, let alone because he paid all their bills. You must realize how this looks.”

“Yet you came,” he said, his expression softening. “You didn’t tell them so you could come.”

“I came because you kept your end of the deal. The truth is…” She remembered how she had planned to tell him the deal was off.

“The truth is what?” he asked.

“It’s nothing.”

“The truth is what, Karina?”

“There you two are,” Tom called out, and they both looked up to see him coming out onto the lawn. For once, Karina was glad for his intrusion.

“You’re early,” Damien said, frowning.

“I’m always early,” Tom said, looking puzzled. “I brought the itinerary you asked for. It’s on the kitchen counter.”

“There’s been a change of plans for tonight,” Damien told him. “Karina’s coming with us.”

“Oh,” Tom said with raised eyebrows.

“I hope that’s okay,” Karina said.

“He’s the boss,” Tom answered. It didn’t exactly make Karina feel any better.

“And we’ll be staying an extra night or two if nothing comes up,” said Damien.

“Of course.” Tom turned to Karina. “Do you need any help with packing?”

“No, thank you. I think I’ve got it,” she said as the three of them headed back into the house. “Is there anything special I should bring, though?”

“I’d recommend a good dress for dinner,” Damien told her. “Other than that, bring whatever you feel comfortable in.”

“Got it. I’ll go get ready then.”

As she left them in the kitchen, she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were waiting for her to leave before talking, and she paused around the corner.

“What is it?” she heard Damien ask.

“I’m just surprised you’re bringing her along,” Tom replied.

“She’s my guest,” said Damien. “I can’t keep abandoning her.”

“Ah, is that what it is?” Tom asked, and Karina rushed off to her room before she could hear anything else.

She was right, Damien just felt bad about her being bored.

Late that night, they were walking into Damien’s suite while Tom and the bodyguards retreated to their own rooms nearby.

“You mean I don’t get my own room?”

“I didn’t realize you would want your own room. Is it a problem?”

“I’m sure I could make do,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Are you sure?” he said, pulling her hips into him. “Because I could easily arrange for you to have your own suite.”

“Then I’d just have to do the walk of shame to it later tonight.”

“So you’re willing to stay here with me out of convenience?”

“Only if you make it worth my while,” she said with a smile.

“Then I guess I’d better get started.” He picked her up and she giggled as he carried her into the bedroom.