Page 28 of Pleasure Payback

But not even the cold drench of those words could put out the flames in my groin as I staggered to my feet and went after her.

Neve had a few things to answer.

Right before I fucked us both into next week.

Neve

I’d barely kicked off my shoes and tossed my clutch onto the sofa before he knocked. Hard and insistent.

Just like last time, I didn’t bother checking the peephole before I opened the door. ‘This feels like déjà vu. Of the unpleasant kind.’

His shrug was easy. Self-assured and sexy as hell. ‘Last time I invited you to tell me to leave. This time I’m not going until we clear up a few things.’

‘This isn’t your hotel. I can have Security up here in minutes.’

‘But you won’t. I’m not a physical threat to you and we both know it.’

I hated how he could read me. How he could tunnel past all the bullshit to the heart of my unwelcome needs. Like right now. He was looking at me as if he knew not only the anger in my heart but how much I was still turned on from our little exchange downstairs. He wasn’t exactly smirking about it but the knowledge was a solid, writhing thing between us.

‘What do you want, Damian?’ I snapped, hanging on tight to the door handle despite the frantic need to seize my chance, throw it wide open, let him in. Let himinsideme.

‘First of all, you forgot this.’ He held up his hand to show my credit card tucked between his fingers.

Dammit. So much for my smooth exit. Frowning, I took it, tossed it onto a nearby table and reached for the in-room phone. ‘I didn’t sign for dinner. I should—’

‘I took care of it. If that offends your sensibilities, you can pick up next time.’

‘There won’t be a next time.’

‘Again, I disagree.’ A whisper of a smile teased his lips as he propped a shoulder against the door frame. But his hazel gaze maintained that single-minded ferocity that punched fresh heat into my belly. I struggled not to fidget as his gaze rushed over my body. ‘I didn’t get the chance to say before, that dress looks incredible on you.’

The cocktail dress I chose to wear tonight was my favourite. The black off-the-shoulder number made of soft merino wool clung to my curves and ended a few inches above my knee. Wearing it added a boost of confidence and made me feel sexy in a way I’d needed.

‘Invite me in, Neve. The quicker you do, the sooner we can be done.’

His tone didn’t suggest he wanted to be done. Far from it.

Here was my opportunity to unleash everything I’d bottled up inside thus far. But the burning between my thighs mocked me withsomething else. I ignored it and stepped back.

Damian entered another hotel suite of mine, this time with his demons very much under control. They weren’t gone, far from it. I’d caught a glimpse of them as he’d talked about his cousin. Gideon. The reason for the darkness that lurked in his eyes. But he had a tighter leash on them.

Or he was focused on other things. Like...me.

The thought made my insides clench in a way that both shamed and excited me.

I preceded him into the living room, cleared my throat and turned to find him shrugging out of his jacket.

‘What are you doing?’ I detested the hint of a shriek in my voice.

‘Getting comfortable,’ he responded, draping his jacket over a chair before he unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled back his sleeves. Damian in full relaxation mode was doing unspeakably erotic things to my sex. ‘I have an inkling this will take a while.’

A little stupefied, I stared as his brawny forearms were slowly exposed, my panties growing damper with every passing second.

When he was done, his eyes slowly lifted to mine and held tight. Damn the man. He knew what he was doing.

Just as he’d done when he’d used sex to addle my brain two years ago, just before he’d turned around and chopped me off at the knees.

Two could play at that game.

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