“I know, Dane. You act like I’m going to forget. You’re not my boyfriend. I’m reminded of that every single day.” Her words are bathed in defeat.
My lips part to respond and then I save it. Apparently I’ve already made myself crystal clear.
Every single day.
“Have you spoken to your sister yet?” I change the subject. The less we talk about us, the better.
“I planted the seed last week,” she says, turning a page in her book and sighing. “She’s starting to realize there’s a real possibility that our father might marry us off.”
“So the next logical step would be to pack up and leave.”
“Right.”
“When?”
“Very soon. I’ve been looking at apartments all week.” She turns another page. “I was going to talk to you about taking some time off next week to tour them. I’m looking for something close to the University of Utah, so she can still attend school while I work.”
“My offer still stands.”
“Yes, I know. Thank you. But I’m not looking for a handout.”
“It wouldn’t be a handout. This is what I do, Bellamy. This is what I live for.”
“That and wind turbines and solar panels.” She turns and offers me a wink, a bit of reassurance that she forgives me for my emotional deficits.
I lean in, whispering into her ear, “That’s a very smart mouth you have right now, Bellamy. I just might have to punish it tonight.”
***
“Did you bring the notebook?” I unknot my tie and yank it from my neck as Bellamy slinks into our hotel room after dinner. My good friend and chef, Daniel Bilby, prepared us a steak and lobster dinner, and we watched the kitchen madness all from a private booth in the kitchen.
I’ve never taken a woman on a date like that, and being in the midst of the action meant having to forgo any action of our own, but it also sucked any and all romance from our “date.”
Completely intentional.
“I didn’t.”
“And why not?”
“It’s still empty.”
She steps in front of the wardrobe mirror, reaching behind her and sliding the zipper of her dress down until her bare back is exposed.
“Did I tell you to undress?” I come up from behind, resting my hands on her soft shoulders. My lips fuse with the curve of her neck, and I help myself to a biting kiss.
“Oh.” Our gazes meet in the reflection of the mirror as she pulls her hair over her opposite shoulder. “I didn’t know we were doing that tonight.”
“And why would you think that would be off the menu?”
“You barely looked at me all night. You didn’t touch me but once or twice, and not in the way you usually do.” Her eyes widen. “Not that it bothers me. I figured you weren’t in the mood. You seemed preoccupied.”
“You’re perceptive.” I kiss her neck. “I’m always in the mood. I crave you always. What makes you think I wasn’t saving my appetite for the hotel?”
I ran cold because I had no choice earlier. I lost track halfway through dinner as to how many times I’d mentally pictured myself slipping my fingers up the back of her neck, grabbing a handful of her soft, blonde waves, and pulling her into position against the nearest wall.
But now that we’re completely alone and free to openly step into the shoes of our respective roles, I’m running hot.
She glances around our presidential suite and then hangs her head. “For a man who prefers his life to be…uncomplicated…you’re the most complicated person I’ve ever known.”
She isn’t the first person ever to tell me that.
“Life is never uncomplicated,” I say. “I just prefer my personal life to be uncomplicated.”
Bellamy sighs, pulling away from me slightly.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I was going to say something, but there’s no point. Just…tell me what to do.”
“Well, that’s sexy.”
“No. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“How did you mean it?”
“Just tell me where you want me, tell me what you want me to do. I’ll do it. That’s why I’m here.”
The way she says it almost breaks my heart. I slide my hands under her arms, snaking around to the front of her. After taking a handful of her ripe breasts, I press her body back against mine.
“You know you’re an important part of my life,” I say.
Bellamy pulls her gaze off the mirror, turning her head to the side.
“What now?” I ask.
“Don’t say things like that.” Her heart pounds against the palm I have pressed into her chest.
“I’m just being honest. You are important to me. Don’t read into it. Simply take it at face value.” I realize I’m asking a woman to do a most impossible task, but if anyone can handle it, it’s her. “I enjoy our time together. I look forward to it.”
The highlights of my weeks always involve her.
“I want you to feel special,” I add. “If I take you on a date or buy you a gift or pay you an unexpected compliment, it’s because you’ve earned it. And even when you’re on your knees, bound and servicing me, it’s only because you’re worthy of the task at hand. No one else but you.”
Bellamy wriggles from my hold, turning to face me. “Forget I said anything, okay?”
She smiles through misty eyes.
“Please, will you take me now, Master? I’ve been waiting patiently all night.”
THIRTY-TWO
BELLAMY
Dane’s out cold.
The sun’s not out yet, and my eyes are hardly adjusted enough to read the glaring red numbers on the alarm clock, but every muscle in my body knows it’s too early to be up.
Still, I can’t stop staring.
I’ve seen him naked plenty of times. That’s nothing new. But I’ve never seen him asleep. I roll to my side and feast on the man with the hollowed cheekbones, the dark lashes, and the perfectly bowed lips.
His soundless breathing and peaceful expression make him look like a painting. Without his three-piece suit and that permanent arrogant glimmer in his eyes, he looks like any other man. Right now he’s Superman without the cape.
I always preferred Clark Kent anyway.
My eyes trace the length of his bare arms before settling on the lines and ridges of his upper body. His skin is soft, smooth, lightly tanned and perfectly toned. I’d press my cheek against his chest if it wouldn’t wake him.
I wish he’d stir a little, just enough to roll a bit closer, and hoist his arm around me, pulling me in. Maybe someday I’ll be with someone who’s comfortable holding me for longer than five minutes at a time.
My lids become weighted, and the promise of another hour or two of sleep sings to me. I’m stuck at a crossroads, torn between getting more sleep or studying the gorgeous, broken man in front of me. Both equally tempting.
“Go back to sleep, Bellamy.”
He’s awake.
“Yes, Master.” Even in my half-asleep state, I’m keen enough to cover my tracks. The last thing I need is for him to think I was lying here admiring him…
Because I absolutely was.
***
Dane returns from the hotel gym as I’m about to step into the shower. The conference is in ninety minutes. He hasn’t said a word all morning, and I’m not sure if that’s normal or not considering the fact that this is the first time I’ve stayed the night with him.
With my back to the hot water, I tilt my head, shutting my eyes. The clink of the shower curtain sends a shock to my heart, and I grasp at my naked body until I realize that a very undressed, deliciously sweaty Dane is climbing in with me.
“Oh, hello.” I hand him a bar of soap. He doesn’t take his eyes off mine for one second. “Have a good workout?”
His hands grab my ass, and we switch places, our wet bodies gliding and slicking against the current of steaming hot water. Even covered in sticky sweat, he smells amazing, and I wouldn’t mind licking him clean.
“Keep your eyes up here,” he teases. He’s testing me. He wants to make this a game so that he has an excuse to punish me should I disobey.