Queen’s Knight (Invitation to Eden) (6 page)

Rose gave an awkward wave, then the door was shut. Dani stepped back, worry gnawing in her gut, as Rose waved from the small windows.

“Are you okay?”

Dani turned at Evan’s voice, and gave him a reassuring smile she knew didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s probably just a slight concussion. I’m sure she’ll be fine.” But she still stared worriedly at the departing plane.

He bent down to make sure they were eye to eye. “Are
you
okay?” he repeated.

She started to nod, paused, then sighed. “I’m worried about her, but I’m certain she’ll be fine.”

Evan nodded and they watched in silence as the plane took off. Only when it was well on its way did he offer his arm to her. “Let’s head back inside.”

Dani took his arm, giving him a smile as they turned back toward the large castle. The sun had already set, but the faint blues and purples of twilight made the Caribbean waters blend with the skyline. “It’s so gorgeous here,” she murmured, and didn’t realize she’d spoken aloud until Evan nodded.

“I’ve been to a lot of places, but never one quite like this.”

His gaze was out on the water, and when Dani looked at his face she saw a wistful quality. The sad look tugged at Dani’s heart. “Well,” she said, giving him a bump with her shoulder, “if you do become CEO, you’ll be able to go anywhere you want.”

That was apparently the wrong thing to say, as his expression grew more melancholy. “No,” he murmured, shaking his head. “I might be traveling more, but there’d likely be less leisure time. I would go places, but never quite experience them like you do.” He finally looked down at her. “I envy you your freedom. I wish I had your courage.”

Dani’s breath caught at the intense look in his eyes. She wasn’t sure what to say to that, but couldn’t make herself look away. Her lips curled into a tremulous smile. “I’ve seen you ride, you’d be good at this.”

He didn’t answer, just kept watching her. When the back of his fingers caressed her temple, brushing back an errant strand of hair, she gave a small sigh. Her eyes fell to his lips, and the sudden longing to see what they tasted like filled her.

“Well, hello. I see you’ve been busy!”

*

T
he Maashole’s snide voice shattered the moment.

Jeremiah stood not far behind the Maashole, his expression as inscrutable as ever. Evan wasn’t quite sure how to read the CEO, but there was an air of disapproval to the man. Whether it was for Evan or the Maashole, he couldn’t be sure, but Evan hoped it was the latter. He’d lose all respect for the other man if it were the former.

Dani stepped back. “I’ll leave you three alone,” she said softly, slanting the barest hints of a glare at the Maashole.

“Dani...”

Chin up, she turned around and marched back toward the castle, with Evan staring forlornly after her.

“Huh. She walks like a man. Such a waste of a pretty face.”

One of Evan’s hands curled into a fist, but Jeremiah chose that moment to step forward. “Have you had dinner yet?” he asked, addressing Evan.

It was difficult, but Evan managed to tamp down his sudden anger. “I’ve already eaten, thank you,” he said in a tight voice. “Now, if you’ll excuse me...”

“You see what I’m talking about?” The Maashole waved his hand toward Evan. “It’s like we talked about, Jeremiah, this boy isn’t interested in getting to know you or the company. He’s more interested in a piece of tail.”

Jeremiah blinked slowly, and Evan just stared. Did Preston realize how he sounded? Evan wondered if the Maashole had been drinking. Even Jeremiah looked as though he’d had enough of the bullshit, but Evan found he didn’t care.

“Mr. Hamilton, you brought me along on this trip to evaluate my potential for the position of CEO in your company. With all due respect, sir, if my performance on the job, not the golf course, hasn’t always proven to you my credentials, then I’d like to know now.”

“There’s more to this kind of position than office work,” the Maashole cut in, but neither man so much as glanced his way.

“Let him talk, Preston.”

“Sir,” Evan continued, not bothering to see how Preston had taken that order, “I received my MBA at twenty-two, have helped found and run several businesses since high school that I sold for a substantial profit. I’ve worked at Hamilton Industries for six years, working my way quickly up the ladder, and receiving glowing recommendations from my bosses. I understand today’s business world and see where the future is going. You need a new direction to keep aloft in today’s market, a younger face to move forward, and I’m it.

“Like you, I grew up in a family that placed business first. While my father was tough, he taught me how to succeed. I won’t beg for the job, I won’t try to bribe or wine and dine you. I will tell you however that if you choose the Maashole here over me, you’re empire will be declaring bankruptcy within a matter of years.”

Preston colored angrily. “Why you little...”

Evan swore Jeremiah’s lips twitched at the word “Maashole” but otherwise his face didn’t betray anything. “Are you telling me how to run my business?”

“I’m suggesting ways it could run better, yes.” Some of his earlier anxiety creeped in, but Evan shoved it aside. “Perhaps tomorrow we can talk more. I heard one of the employees here mention there’s a shooting range a few miles away from the castle, I booked a time tomorrow and you’re welcome to join me.”

He saw the immediate interest in Jeremiah’s eyes this time. “Sounds like a plan.”

Evan cleared his throat and raised his chin, tugging his shirt straight. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lady to go find.”

The Maashole, who’d miraculously stayed silent the entire conversation, snorted. “I didn’t see a
lady
earlier,” he muttered to no one in particular, curling one lip.

Evan didn’t think, he just balled up a fist and let it fly. The sudden billow of pain in his knuckles was more than worth seeing Preston Maas the third stumble back and fall down on his butt, out cold.

Jeremiah stared down coolly at the prone man. “I was hoping someone would do that before I felt the need.” At Evan’s quizzical look, the CEO just shook his head. “Go, find your lady. I think it’s about time I find mine.”

Carefully stepping over Preston’s prone figure, Evan took off in the direction Dani had disappeared down, hoping he hadn’t screwed everything up.

––––––––

T
he evening had gone well, if one didn’t count Rose’s fall or the fact her date ditched her to impress the boss. Again.

Seriously. I even shaved my legs.

Dani wanted to be madder about it, she really did, but practicality kept intruding. Evan’s whole reason for being here was work related; yes, they’d had fun, but he had a life to go back to once he was gone. Truthfully, so did she, one radically different than his.

Maybe it was better this way.

Behind her came the rising sound of shoes slapping the pavement. Someone was running up to her, and Dani considered ignoring it. She wasn’t in the mood for any more surprises today. “Look, I’m not...” she started, half-turning toward the sound.

All she got was a blink and an instant recognition of Evan’s intense look. Then he wrapped her up into his arms and laid the most glorious kiss on her lips she’d ever felt, and Dani felt her mind go blank. He wound his fingers through her hair, holding her close as he pushed her up against a nearby pillar.

Dani gave a small sigh, a needy sound that got an answering growl from Evan. Her body lit on fire at his touch, and when he ground his hips into hers, she felt his desire. She tipped her head back as his lips trailed down her throat, unable to think beyond his touch.

“Stay with me tonight,” he murmured against her ear, and Dani’s stomach fluttered as he grasped her lobe with his teeth. “Just say yes.”

Reality threatened to intrude, and she pushed it away. The way his lips were blazing trails of fire across her neck made rational thought difficult.
You’ll only ever have tonight,
her mind whispered, a cold splash of water to her soul.
Can you give him more and still walk away?

“Please,” he whispered, leaning his head against hers. “I’ve let too many chances in life slip through my fingers because they weren’t in my plans. If I do that with you, I’ll never forgive myself.”

She looked into his eyes, the desperate yearning there burning through her. Dani felt an answering desire coil deep inside her, burning away all traces of any other option.

Her motto was YOLO, right? You only lived once.

“Yes,” she whispered, and felt the relief in his body as her took her mouth again.

*

W
hatever misgivings Dani may have had on the way up to her room, they disappeared again the moment Evan’s lips touched hers. She’d held his hand through the castle, practically dragging him to her room because it was closer, paying no mind to any looks they received. She’d seen what went on here at Eden—hooking up with a guest wasn’t frowned on, and often ended happily for the pair.

Somehow, Dani couldn’t see that happening here, but she didn’t care.

They’d barely gotten through the door when he tugged at her dress, ripping it up and off her body. “Damn, I need you so bad,” he murmured against her mouth, pushing her up against the wall beside the entrance. His hand closed over Dani’s breast and she gasped, but had barely the presence of mind to shut the door behind them.

Evan reached around, grabbing her ass and lifting her up off her feet. Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around his hips and he surged forward, grinding against her core. Dani’s body came alive, nerve ending sparking with pleasure, and she moaned loudly.

“God, I want to hear you scream.”

Her nails raked his back as he ground against her, and then it was her turn to insist on nakedness. She tugged at his shirt and he quickly shed it, pressing against her for a deeper kiss.

There was no art in their touches, no desire to draw anything out. Dani fumbled between their bodies for the clasp of Evan’s pants and managed to work it open. She pushed her hand inside, wrapping her fingers around his hard length, and Evan’s breath hissed through his teeth.

His mouth went to her neck, sucking and tugging at the skin there. When Dani put a hand on his chest, giving a firm push, he set her back onto her feet and stepped back. It gave her just enough room to slither down between the wall and his body, and a curse exploded out of Evan’s mouth as Dani took him deep inside hers.

She ran her tongue along the ribbed tip of his cock, sucking on the head, and Evan’s hand tangled in her hair. “Fuck, baby,” he murmured, breathless. Grinning, Dani pulled him deep, bobbing her head up and down, listening to him pant above her. She ran the tip of her tongue down his hard length, digging her nails into the back of his thighs, and his fingers tightened in her hair.

“The bed,” he finally managed to bite out, releasing her and helping her to her feet. They didn’t make it that far however; as they passed the couch, Evan unexpectedly flung Dani against it, bending her forward over the back. “Stay like that,” he growled, kicking her feet apart, then knelt down between her legs and set his mouth on her burning core.

Dani cried out, the sensations rocketing through her entire body. Teeth, tongue, fingers—Evan used them all, leaving Dani a quivering mess. She grabbed one of the pillows, pushing her face onto it to muffle her cries. Against her, she heard Evan chuckle, but he didn’t let off on the sensations his mouth wrought. She clung to the pillow as her pleasure built, until her whole body was quivering in abject need.

She gave a distressed cry when Evan pulled his mouth away. Her legs felt incapable of holding herself aloft, but Evan picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her across the sheets and Dani didn’t release her possessive hold on his arm as he hastily put on a condom, then followed her down. She pulled him back into a kiss as he positioned himself above her. When he began probing her entrance however, Dani put a hand on his shoulder and pushed.

Evan rolled over, taking her with him so she was straddling his chest. Dani raked her nails softly down his torso and Evan’s body rolled, following her touch. “You’re beautiful,” she breathed, and felt his dick jump against her backside. He was laid out before her, need and longing on his face as he stared up at her, and it made her heart clench.

He’s mine.

Leaning down over him, she rocked backwards with her hips, running her wet folds over him as her lips locked around his nipple. Evan’s fingers dug into her hips, pressing her down against him as she dragged her tongue against his chest to the other nipple. A low rumble came from his chest and Dani grinned. His hands wrapped around to clench her backside, kneading and pressing her harder against him.

Evan reared up, following Dani’s lead and took one nipple into his mouth. It was her turn to gasp as he toyed at it with his tongue, giving her breast a small bite before moving to the next. She wrapped her arms around his neck, barely even noticing when he maneuvered her over him and pressed inside.

Dani shut her eyes, whimpering in need as he oh-so-slowly filled her. Once he was inside, Evan’s hands left her hips, palming her breasts and thumbing the nipples there. Leaning down over him again, Dani rocked her hips expectantly, and his breath hitched. Grinning, she took his mouth in another scorching kiss as she moved above him, taking him deep inside her then clenching her inner muscles and pulling slowly off him.

Evan groaned. “You’ll kill a man like this,” he rasped.

“You can deal,” Dani purred, repeating the move, and Evan groaned again. She tilted her hips over him, riding him hard as the sensations built deep inside her. She shut her eyes, desperation kicking in as she moved faster, then Evan began thrusting his hips with her and she cried out.

Evan’s hand dragged up her sides until they cupped her breasts. He thumbed her nipples, and the sensation shot through Dani’s body. Evan pushed up deep inside her again, causing her to gasp, then the world tilted as they rolled sideways. He grinned down at her, his lips widening as he surged hard inside her and Dani gasped.