The Pleasure's All Mine (17 page)

“That’s a women’s prison.”

“My point exactly,” Eric shot back with a grin and a suggestive lift of his eyebrows.

Steve shook his head. “We’re not going to kill anybody.”

Eric shifted in his seat. “I’m not stealing anything either.”

“Weeeeeell, it depends on your definition of stealing,” Steve ventured cautiously.

“Borrowing with no intention of giving it back.”

Steve rubbed his chin, blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “What if what’s borrowed actually belongs to the person we’re borrowing it for?”

“Pierce?”

“Hypothetically speaking.”

Eric’s lips spread into a slow smile. “I stashed empty boxes in Troy’s old cubicle.”

Steve blanched. “You already—”

Eric lifted an eyebrow.

“My boy.” He clapped a hand on Eric’s back. “But you know we could get into real trouble if we do this.”

“And Pierce could be in real trouble if we don’t. We can either stay and help row the boat, or inflate the first lifeboat, and hit the water.”

“I’ll take my chances with the lifeboat.”

Once everything was quiet in the office and most people left to finish out their weekends, Eric and Steve went to work as a team. Three hours later, after the copying was finished, Steve left Eric at his desk to clear out personal items of his own—his pictures, music, and books. He made color copies of his photos and put them back into the frame, so there were some signs of life in his cubicle, then deleted his emails and voicemails, knowing it was certainly better to be safe than sorry.

He picked up his cell to call Ava, then put it back down; it was too early to get her involved. Boy, he had really made a mess of things. Who knew that his actions would have such a domino effect? All he’d wanted was for two people to fall in love.

Then an idea popped into his head. He got on the Internet and printed several shipping labels addressed to Pierce’s home. If they got busted, hopefully the judge would let him off easy; it would be his first offense, but it certainly wouldn’t do his writing career any good.

Strong hands on his shoulders nearly made him jump. He turned, expecting to find Steve. No such luck.

Simeon stood over the desk, peering at the computer screen.

❤ ❤ ❤

As the shuttle pulled in front of the Kahana Resort in Maui, a tall, beige building surrounded by two kidney-shaped pools, a tennis court, and outside public grills, Raven asked. “What are you getting me into?”

“You’ll see…later.”

“I’d rather know now.”

“Well, this time you’ll have to wait, Ms. Armand. I’ve waited eight weeks for this.”

“You’re going to keep rubbing that in, aren’t you?”

“Most definitely.”

Raven didn’t bother to look at him. She could feel the heat of his stare making her flesh hot. Memories of being in his arms all night turned up the flame. Lord, why hadn’t she spent a little time with her dildo before making the trip to New York? If she couldn’t get herself under control and fast, she was going to make a decision she’d regret.

Raven and Pierce entered their suite. Cathedral windows several feet away provided a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean bathed in moonlight. As though awakened from a trance, Raven ran past the master bedroom, guest bedroom, full kitchen, dining room, and into the living room. She pulled open the patio door to a balcony that extended the length of the suite and wrapped around to the master bedroom.

She gripped the thick iron railing and scanned the beach then over to the pool in the middle of a palm-tree garden just behind the tennis court. Its water was powder blue under the recessed lights surrounding the enclosure. The sight was more beautiful than any painting.

Raven could feel Pierce watching her, probably wondering if she would later write about the view. Especially since he had forbidden her to do anything but enjoy her time here. He slowly walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Raven placed both her hands over his, and drank in the beautiful scenery.

“Oh, Pierce, it’s absolutely gorgeous,” she said in a breathy whisper. “I would never have imagined it like this. Movies don’t do it justice.”

Pierce kissed the back of her neck. “The fridge is stocked with a few things,” he said softly. “How about I fix us a little something to eat?”

“I’m not really hungry. I thought I would be after that nap.”

He chuckled, wondering how she considered six hours of sleep a mere nap. “I can’t help it if that one drop of Black blood kicked in for you—”

“Hey, you didn’t stay awake either, buster.”

“Touché.” He touched his lips to hers. “You’re beautiful when you’re making a point.”

She gave in, saying, “If there’s some fruit or something that’ll be fine.”

He returned with a tray of fruits, cheeses, crackers, and a bottle of Moscato—another one of her favorites.

“Do you want to take a stroll on the beach?”

He handed Raven a glass of wine as she looked out to the water. A tiny sliver of light peered over the edge of the horizon.

Raven shook her head. “I’d like to sit right here with you and watch the sun come up.”

Pierce extended his hand to her before leading her to the glider on the patio and cradled her in his arms.

Neither one of them saw the sunrise. Moments later they were fast asleep

.

That next morning, Pierce woke first, stroking her hair until her eyes fluttered and opened. “Let’s go find some breakfast, then see what we can get into.”

She stretched languidly. “Sounds like a plan.”

Thirty minutes later they passed other luxury resorts, lush greenery, and a waterfall on their way to the strip mall up the street.

Women Who Run with the Wolves, a small shop with stained-glass wind chimes hanging outside, sold clothing, handcrafted items, and artwork in brilliant island colors.

“
Aloha
, how may I help you today?” asked a woman with soft brown hair, deep-set gray eyes, an easy smile, and a willowy build. Her manner was laid-back in that island way. “My name’s Danielle. Feel free to look around.”

“Ahhhh, that’s what I want.” Raven raced immediately to the racks of island print skirts and sarongs, bypassing the perfume and seascape paintings.

Pierce’s eyebrow shot up. “Nice.”

“Maybe two,” she said. Then her gaze shifted to a place just behind him. Pierce followed her line of vision to the royal blue, kelly green, fuchsia, and white lotus print wrap hanging from the ceiling over a large display of sarongs in vibrant colors. “Ooh!” she said softly. She had the wondrous look of a child seeing her dream toy. Her slender fingers trailed lightly over the material. “These colors…are magnificent!”

Pierce gently tugged the sarong, releasing it from hanger, and draped it lightly over her arm.

“It’s exquisite.”

“It’s yours.”

Her head snapped up.

“It’s worth anything to see that look on your face.”

He reached out for two other wraps that he thought she would like. “I’d like to see you in these, too.”

“You have good taste.”

“And not just in clothes.”

Her grin widened. “And not a humble bone in your body either.”

“Humble?” He gave her a wink. “What’s that?”

Raven released a husky, sexy chuckle, took the other wraps and laid them over her arm.

Pierce chose three more and passed them all to Danielle.

“Trying to make sure I stay barely dressed, or trying to make sure I don’t change my mind?” she asked with a smirk.

“I plead the fifth.” Pierce kissed her hungrily and walked to the register, leaving a stunned Raven standing in the center of the store. Danielle put the sarongs to the side as Pierce swaggered back to Raven, grabbed her hand and led her over to the lingerie section.

“Um, this one I can handle on my own,
big man
,” she said, ribbing him with her elbow.

“Purple’s my favorite color,” he countered, as he strolled away towards the artwork.

“I
won’t
keep that in mind.”

He shifted his gaze to the mirror over the register, which allowed him to watch as she flitted from piece to piece.

Raven quickly found the only purple lingerie set on the shelf, flipped to her size, and grinned before choosing a few more, then slipped in some garters and stockings to match.

When she stepped behind a wall, he plucked his wallet from his pocket and slipped a platinum charge card to Danielle before raising a fingertip to his lips. She nodded, placing it under a silver tray on the register while they both waited for Raven to finish. Pierce had a feeling this would test Raven’s stubborn independence—she was the type of woman who did not need a man for the bare necessities or for the finer things. Probably not even for an orgasm!

Moments later, Raven handed the last of her purchases to Danielle. The woman’s thin fingers flew across the brown keys, entered discounts, and came up with a total. She swiped Pierce’s card through the machine and gave him the slip for his signature before Raven could whip out any form of currency.

Raven glared at him, then at Danielle, then back at Pierce. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Uh oh, here we go.
Quickly, he put the slip on the counter, signed it, and slid it toward Danielle. The willowy brunette put her slim fingers on top of the slip. “The gentleman has already taken care of this.”

Raven snatched the slip from the counter. “There’s no way in hell I’m letting you pay for my clothes!”

“I invited you and promised to take care of you.” He removed the slip from her fingers and pushed it back toward Danielle. “And that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

“I can pay for my own things,” she shot back testily as she grabbed the slip again. “A man who pays for a woman’s clothes usually believes that he owns what’s underneath.”

A chilly silence filled the little tropical shop.

“I should’ve known,” he grumbled, taking a deep breath. “Let’s get something straight: would you have come here if I hadn’t brought you?”

Raven took a deep breath. “Probably not, but—”

“Had you planned on taking a two week trip to Maui?”

“No, but—”

“Then you are my guest!” Pierce snapped, taking the slip back from her. It was his turn to take a deep breath. Then he added, more kindly, “So quit bitching, and let me be good to you.”

She swallowed hard, biting back a retort.

“There are no strings attached,” he continued with a calm he didn’t quite feel. “That’s not how I do things. I would expect you of all people to know that by now.”

They stared silently at each other for several moments.

Pierce’s hand slowly encircled Raven’s fingers. “I understand that you’re not used to this, and it goes against every one of your feminist principles—”

“Don’t patronize me,” she said through clenched teeth, her chest heaving with indignation as she snatched her hand away.

“I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m stating the obvious,” he replied evenly, knowing he’d almost disarmed her, that she was displaying the last vestiges of a tantrum. “I respect your right to be independent and all. You made it perfectly clear that you don’t need me to take care of you.” He let that swirl around a moment before moving in closer. “There’s a time and place for independence. This is not one of them.” Pierce lifted her chin so Raven could see the clear meaning in his eyes. “Now is the time to let me start showing you how it feels to let a real man make you feel like a real woman.” He placed a gentle, breezy kiss on lips that trembled with barely controlled anger.

He knew from her books that each female lead character had the same characteristic—a fierce independent streak coupled with a strong distrust of any overture of gentlemanly kindness. He knew what he was up against, but there had to be a way to cut through that steel veneer she wore so proudly. A man loved an independent woman, but if she wasn’t able or willing to see him as an equal, then this thing would end at dinner.
Hell, it might even end right here.
A relationship with a woman like that would be out of the question.

Raven pulled away from him.

“So, at dinner tonight,” he began cautiously, “you were going to pay half?”

“That’s not the point.
This
is different.”

“Why?”

Her eyes shot daggers at him.

“Raven, listen to me,” Pierce said in a low voice. “I just want to treat you, a beautiful woman whose company I enjoy, to something that I know pleases you. That’s all.”

Raven began to soften, then looked at Danielle who gave her a look that said,
Don’t ask me, kid. I’m just trying to make a sale. “
Traitor.” Raven scowled at Danielle, who smiled and handed the items to Raven in two thick, white shopping bags.

She grabbed the bags and stormed toward the door.

Pierce caught up with her, grabbed her arm, turning her so that she was facing him. “Are you going to spend the rest of this trip being angry with me?”

“I don’t know.” Her gaze locked with his, her dark brown orbs full of fury. “I don’t appreciate you using my characters against me.”

“I did no such thing,” Pierce said evenly.
Busted!

“Bullshit! You knew exactly which buttons to push.”

“Okay, so maybe I had an idea about you. But Raven,” he said softly, “for once in your life, let a man, who happens to have a real interest in
you
, do something—anything—to show he cares without making him feel like you’ll reach in his pants and rip his dick off!”