Damien and I were trading childhood stories while we sat at the VIP table of the fanciest hotel restaurant inVancouver.
“What happened?” I askedhim.
Damien gave me a wicked grin. “I got a few dried cranberries and threw them in his pile of raisins when he wasn’tlooking.”
My mouth popped open. “Hey, that’smean.”
He chuckled. “I was seven, so I thought it was funny. Jeremy nearly blew the house up with his rage. Told me I’d ruined everything, and he would never eat another raisin for as long as he lived. And hehasn’t.”
I chuckled. “He’s a stubborn guy, I’ll give himthat.”
Damien nodded. “But he went back to eating normally after that, so my mother washappy.”
“You’ve done a really good job taking care of him,” I said sincerely, reaching across to take hishand.
He stroked the top of my palm, his gaze half-lidded as the waiter brought our dessert, setting the chocolate soufflé on thetable.
“Thank you for saying that. It means a lot.” He loaded the fork with a bit of soufflé and fed it tome.
I slowly wrapped my lips around the fork, scraping off the cake with my tongue, relishing in the delightfultaste.
He cleared his throat. “After this, I thought we could have the driver give us a tour of the town before dropping us home. He’s local, and I hear he’s a wonderfulguide.”
I leaned forward in my seat, putting my elbow on the table. “No, thank you,” I saidplainly.
His eyebrows drew together. “Okay. We could go see a movie, or did you want to just head back and see how Ronnie’s doing?” I had told him over dinner about the Ronnie and Brisk drama, and he seemed concerned for my best friend. Another endearing quality to add to thelist.
I took a sip of my water. “What I want is for you to go to the front desk and get us a room while I finish thiscake.”
His eyes practically glowed. “Are you sure?” His voice was so husky I nearly melted in mychair.
“Yes,” I said with 100 percentcertainty.
Without another word, he took off through the restaurant like someone was chasing him, and I couldn’t help but grin. That night, I was going to be Maxine. I wasn’t going to worry about falling in love with Damien, or losing him or mourning him. I was just going to enjoy every inch ofhim.
The second we entered the top-floor suite, I spun around and wrapped my arms around hisneck.
“Someone’s eager.” He grinned, looking down at me as he ran his hands the length of myback.
I rolled my eyes. “Okay fine, let’s go to a movie,” I stated, pulling my arms away from hisneck.
His eyes widened. “No, this is a better idea.” He tugged me closer, slamming my pelvis into him, and I couldn’t help but let a peal of laughter escapeme.
When I met his gaze, it was so full of warmth and desire that the laughter stopped short in mythroat.
“What are you thinking about?” I teased him as I pulled off his tie and started to unbutton hisshirt.
He unzipped the back of my dress and slowly peeled it off me, peppering my jawline with kisses. “That I’m the luckiest man onEarth.”
The moment I’d pulled his shirt off, I let my hands roam over his tight muscles, relishing in the warmth from his skin. Stepping out of my dress, I stood before him in nothing but boots and a black thong. Damien hooked one finger into my underwear and slid them off me. My breath was coming out in short rasps; who knew undressing each other could be so sexy? Reaching forward, I unhooked his belt as I pressed my lips to his hungry mouth, his pants dropping to thefloor.
When he laid me down on the bed and pressed his naked weight on top of me, I nearly lost it. Damien Striker was an Adonis, and he was allmine.
* * *
By the timewe left the hotel, it was a little after midnight. It was quite literally the best date I’d ever had. Every uptight, tense feeling I’d had before was now smoothed out andmellow.
I should definitely have sex more often. I should have sex with Damien Striker all thetime.
