To Charm A Billionaire (Men of Monaco Book 1) (9 page)

Damien chuckled. "When my parents were happily married, they brought Dallon and me here for a summer. It was one of the best memories of my childhood. And Dallon and I grew closer. Of course, he was here with his stepmother and stepbrother, but we all got along. My mother and Vonna, Dallon's mother, didn't let their feelings over my father affect us. We were brothers and they expected us to act like brothers."

"I noticed that you don't usually say
half
when talking about your sibling relationships."

"No, we're brothers," he said it with a bit of a punch. "Except Dane and Bridgette ... I ... we never had that closeness."

"I'm sure it's difficult to deal with the family unit slipping in new people, sliding out the current ... ."

"I guess." He shrugged, recalling his mother's pain when his parents did split and divorce. His anger had stayed pointed squarely at his father until his mother intervened with her usual pragmatic wisdom. "I learned to hold it in."

"Except when it comes to Dane and probably his mother." Her keen insight surprised him. They'd both had pieces of their lives that they kept from each other.

"Everything is a competition."

"As if you don't like to compete." Anna snorted at his mock defense. "And I bet you know just how to irritate him."

"Sometimes I think Bridgette's attitude toward Dallon and me didn't help with Dane. She came into the household like a sandstorm ready to blast anything with history out the door. I couldn't wait to be done with school, so I could get the hell out of there."

They drifted into silence. Damien concentrated on driving to the rented villas that hugged the seaside.

"Is it better now ... with Dane?" Anna rested her hand on his shoulder, kneading the tension out of his muscles.

"We are at a stalemate. He to his way and I'm leaving the company. Now Bridgette and our father are divorcing." He didn't want to think about either one. 

"I'm sure she's hurting, regardless of how she treated you."

Damien parked the car in front of a villa perched on a rocky platform overlooking the sea. "I don't plan to think about Bridgette, Dane, Laurent Holdings or anything else, except you while I'm in Bandol."

"Good. Because it would make our bed very crowded with people who are not invited to our sex party." She leaned toward him and flicked her tongue across his lips before devouring his ready mouth.

This time, there was no race to the target.

Damien scooped up Anna, his favorite activity, threw her over his shoulder and marched to the front door. He knew where the spare key was for the rental property. Hopefully, no one had rented the idyllic spot, at least for the day as he retrieved the spare and opened the door.

Anna hadn't stopped giggling as she played drumbeats against his ass. "You're spoiling me. I'm getting used to you carrying me caveman-style."

He kicked the door closed and took her straight to the master suite and deposited her.

She tried to get up, but he pinned her down. The giggles graduated into raucous laughter.

Her hair fanned out against the white sheets into a wavy dark brown crown.

"I want you so bad."

She tried to lick him, but he stayed just out of reach.

"That tongue will get you in deep trouble."

"That's what I'm hoping." She bucked under him and latched onto his lips with a gentle clamp of her teeth before teasing further with her tongue before falling back with a wide smile. Her hands busily undid his belt and he was unzipped within seconds.

"Ready?"

"Even before this morning."

If he could, Damien would fall into the warm honey-green eyes. He kissed her forehead to feel the smoothness of her skin with its beautiful natural tan. Her long lashes batted at him, teasing him with sheer sexiness.

He kissed the tip of her nose.

She squirmed under him. Soon he knew why when her hands pushed his pants past his hips.

"Impatient, sweetheart," he whispered against her cheek. His eyes closed as he breathed in her scent of sunshine and her soft perfume. He planted a kiss under her ear lobe. Giving into temptation, he licked and sucked on her lobe.

Her answering moan strummed the chords to his carnal needs. His appetite was wide open and wasn't about to be easily satisfied. Like a man who was on the verge of coming off a fast, he'd relied on imagination to this point.

Now his mind and body didn't want memories.

He pushed off and stripped off the rest of his clothes and shoes.

Hot.

Hard.

Hungry.

He climbed on the bed and straddled her.

She started to unbutton her shirt.

"No."

"You're making me wait."

"Not really." His rested his hand below her knee and took his time moving along the silky smoothness of her thigh.

Her legs clamped his hand but didn't stop his intention—to bury his fingers between her thighs.

"Wearing nothing?" His hand covered her bare behind and continued until he touched her wetness.

"Figured I wouldn't need it." Her words were laced with breathy gasps, as she rubbed her kitty against his fingers.

"Good thinking." He kissed her, wanting to taste her at that moment. Her mouth was sweet and intoxicating, at the same time. His tongue plunged and plundered, laying claim to all of it, all of her.

Her juice wet his fingers.

As he played with her tongue, he played with her clit, teasing both to hear her moans climb with excitement.

Her hands closed around his shaft. "Two can play at this game." Her hands worked, like a well-honed team pumping him.

He fought to get away, laughing at how out of control she'd made him feel.

"Scared?" she teased.

"Very." He reached down to the floor and grabbed a condom.

"Here, let me."

"I'm going to regret this." He handed her the condom and gritted his teeth for her manipulation of his dick.

She ripped open the packet and pulled it out.

"You know what, I'll do it."

Anna laughed.  "This is mine." She rolled on the condom and cupped his balls as an added bonus.

Damien couldn't take it anymore and grabbed her hands pinning them above her head.

"Playtime over."

She bucked her hips up toward him. "Bring it, baby."

He entered her wet kitty. And their dance began, slow, a re-introduction of two lovers. They moved as if taking each move, every thrust, in stride.

His gaze didn't sway. Neither did hers.

The bed squeaked. The fan whirred above them. He grunted. She moaned. Their soundtrack was an insane mix of percussive beats. And he was about to add a few bass beats, as his tempo increased pushing the headboard against the wall. Over and over.

Her fingers closed in on his hips, helping along the full stroke of his thrusts.

He closed his eyes. Had to.

Every muscle tightened. His balls hitched. "Oh God," he moaned.

Damn, he couldn't hold out any longer.

"I got you, baby," she coaxed.

His orgasm rocked him hard. He didn't hold back the guttural growl that lasted during the massive pulses vibrating his body.

Her kitty tightened on his sensitive shaft. She rocked her hips and kept sliding along until she released with a long wail.

"How many condoms did you bring?" she whispered, out of breath.

"Got you covered, sweetheart." He kissed her like a man who had been given a reason to believe in love again.

N
ot
being able to see Damien for the past two weeks grated on Anna's nerves. Spending time, making precious memories with him and going on impulsive getaway trips spoiled her. She couldn't have a do-over for lost time when they'd gone their separate ways. But damn if they hadn't used every precious second for explosive make-up sex.

Goosebumps prickled her skin. Thoughts about him—naked and aroused—had a glorious effect on her physical and mental wellness. Damien in her system was like a super vitamin shot blasting away the dull film that had clouded everything in her life. Her second chance wasn't going to be squandered and filled with doubts. At least, she'd try to keep her fears buried deep and far away from her current circumstance.

Still, she hated that their schedules kept them apart. In the last week, the leisurely days of traipsing around Monaco and skinny dipping in Damien's pool were largely nonexistent. He wasn't in Monaco when she left for Italy. Her packed schedule of meetings and appearances for the family business meant real life intruded on their paradise. Brief emails and the occasional texts substituted any face-to-face meet ups.

"How are you doing, my dear daughter?" Her mother greeted with her usual smile that always shone regardless of the rigors of her illness.

Anna joined her on the sunlit patio and pulled out a nearby chair after kissing her mother's cheek. "Happy to see you."

"Likewise,
mia figlia
. You've had a busy week. Sorry that I can't be there for you."

"Oh, mamma, you know I don't mind doing this. We've talked about what needed to be done and I agreed to take on some of your duties. Besides, I'm not complaining," Anna finished with emphasis.

Her mother gave up with a nod. "Lydia visited a few days ago. I'm so glad that we reconnected. Of course, I didn't miss that she gushed about you and Damien. It's official? You're back together."

Chatting with her mother had turned into her favorite pastime. Before the illness settled in for its long-term campaign on her mother's health, the older woman hadn't slowed down with her single focus on keeping her business profitable and in the top ranking list of the industry. Following in her mother's footsteps, Anna relied on the same work ethic for a successful modeling career.

Financial security. Financial independence. The priorities ruled their lives with minimal personal distractions. Well, until her recent relationship with Damien soared into the stratosphere where she stayed for far too long.

"We've gotten past most of the bumpy stuff. It's been ... beautiful." Anna reached into the fruit bowl centered on the wrought iron table. She picked an orange and inhaled the rich citrus scent. "May I?"

Her mamma nodded.

Anna peeled the fruit and pulled the wedges apart for her mother.

"I'd love to talk to your boyfriend." Her mother's grin transformed her face softening the sickly shadows under her eyes.

"I know." Anna stopped the cheesy grin by popping in an orange wedge in her mouth and enjoyed the juicy fruit. "Catching up has been nice, but now he's busy. He's been killing himself to prove that he can do it on his own since he no longer works for Laurent Holdings."

Her mother nodded. She took more orange wedges from Anna. "But I hope that he learns to accept who he is and not try to be what others force him to be."

"I was guilty of that," Anna reminded with more than a large dose of regret.

"Oh my dear girl, I'm sorry that you felt driven to get your father's attention. I tried to shield you from the harsh revelation."

Anna would like to think that she'd gotten over her father's absence. Exiling her mother and her had been one thing. But the mission to get his attention was her biggest secret. She wanted him to see how well she'd done with her life. She wanted him to witness her journey without his guidance. By the time that Damien had captured her heart, she had given up on her father ever contacting her.

"Guess I didn't help with trying to prove that I could also be a business owner. But I had to be a good mother to you. Having the work kept my head straight."

"And I love you for it. I don't want you feeling guilty about anything." Anna stroked the top of her mother hand. Their body shape was similar minus the age difference.

" So what about you? How are you doing? And I'm asking because despite your rosy glow when talking about Damien, you do look a bit tired."

"Not tired, just a lot on my mind."

"If you didn't have all this stuff holding you down...meeting here, engagement there, appointments everywhere...what would you do?"

"That's easy. I'd be here with you." She leaned over and kissed her mom's cheek.

Right now her mother was in stable health where nothing good or bad was happening with her condition. Anna spent at her mother's side treasuring what would eventually be taken from her.

"Appreciated." Her mom touched her cheek. "But wasted on me. I feel like your wings have been clipped because of my illness. We have a staff, and I have a nurse, I don't need you to hover over me."

"I like sitting here with you and talking about everything."

Her mom set down the remainder of the wedges. "Are you here because you're afraid?"

Anna sat up, more than a little shocked by her mother's judgment.

"Oh, I'm sure that you don't think it's fear, but you are in Italy, talking to him on the phone, waiting for his messages. And a part of you hopes that he's not back to being the party boy that made it to the society front pages."

"No way," Anna protested.

"This isn't blame. It's natural. And you're doing great not tracking him down like an angry jealous woman."

Anna snorted. "That was never me."

"I know, thank God."

"He's got a lot of pressures. I don't want to add to them." She munched on the sweet fruit and settled back into the chair.

"And you're going to walk next to him holding your hands out to catch him if he falls?" Her mother didn't press her point.

"Okay. Now the picture you're painting makes me sound like a neurotic, high-maintenance type."

Her mother laughed hard, ending with wracking coughs.

Anna offered the tissues and then the water glass. "Sorry."

Her mother waved off her apology. "Let me do the mothering. Go. Drop everything and go be with your man."

Anna stubbornly stayed.

Her mother chuckled and then signaled for the nurse to take her indoors. "Damien is waiting for you, honey."

_________

T
he cars circled the track once more before Damien turned away from his next business venture. Thick threads of excitement shot chills through his body. Shivers practically raced up and down his arms. He didn't know how he knew, but he did. He had found his niche. Thanks to Anna's side hobby of racing cars, she had led him to one of Monaco's rising trends—electric car racing.

Attending a gala with her hosted by Prince Albert II of Monaco turned into an orientation of sorts on electronic cars and the racing enterprise. He'd always known about the popular event and attended a few parties, but never saw it as more than a social item on his calendar.

Faced with a wide open future, he had begun to think about the next chapter. Talking with innovators in the electric car industry opened his eyes on the opportunities available to him. The industry needed smart people, but it also needed a wider marketing reach and it needed money.

He didn't brag about his brain, but he did have the money. Within a week, he revived his venture capital company that had lain dormant while he worked for Laurent Holdings. Energized about the pioneering edge of his new vision, he set about fully staffing the new enterprise. Instead of having a reception to celebrate the milestone, he'd opted for a solitary experience with a take-out order of Lebanese cuisine.

The late nights at the office quickly increased as his insomnia kicked into high gear. Thoughts exploded with offshoots of possibilities, lingering insecurities, and abrupt promptings to cease and desist.

He leaned back in the chair and stretched his legs on his desk. What did he think that he could do? Alone. His brothers were no longer part of his support team. No one to bring his mistakes to his eyes. No one to say,
I agree with you and I'll support you on this one
.

His phone rang, breaking through his depressing musings. He welcomed the interruption for beating back the anxiety. Its steady push against his defenses meant for an especially grand entrance.

"Yes. Laurent, here."

"Sir, there is a lady at the front desk. Anna di Torino."

"Please send her up." Damien groaned after he hung up. "I'm in big trouble," he muttered as he hurried to the entrance door to unlock it and welcome in Anna. "Sorry."

"Waiting at a restaurant, sipping on wine, trying not to look at my watch for the third time isn't any fun." She crossed her arms in a fierce pose to match her irritability.

"Please come in." He turned toward his office but inwardly cringed at the sight of his takeaway food carton. "I was ... working."

"I know." She slowly walked into the area but didn't sit. She scanned the surroundings before returning his gaze.

Before she spoke, he offered, "Would you like a puffed pastry? The Safiha Baalbakieh is pretty decent." Damien picked up the tasty treat filled with seasoned meat with a napkin and handed it to her.

"Thank you." She took the pastry and bit into it. Her lips curled into a smile and she took another bite. "This might give you a second chance."

He grinned and not too subtly slid another one toward her.

"One bribe is enough. I'd much rather have the pleasure of your company. Date night doesn't mean anything without the date."

"Have a seat. Please." He pulled out one of the chairs around the small meeting table in his office. Without waiting for her permission, he placed the second pastry on a small napkin in front of her. "Now, mademoiselle, what is your drinking pleasure?"

"Water. I've drowned my sorrows in several glasses of wine." Her candor stung as much as if she'd accused him.

He retrieved a water bottle from the small fridge in the employee lounge and poured a full glass."

She drank and carefully set down the glass. Her lips glistened with the moisture.

"Things are going well, here. I'm flying out to Estonia and Latvia to sign a big contract. Then I'm off to Dubai for their racing exhibition before meeting with Sir Branson to talk about his positioning in the industry." Damien counted off several more appointments.

Getting up to speed on the industry sent him on a tear through Europe sitting with car designers, the factories, the racing federation board, and rubbing elbows with the drivers and sponsors.

"I'm proud of everything you've done. And I don't mind celebrating next to you or even at home in Italy while you do your thing." She paused and bit her lip that partnered with her frown.

And he almost could predict what she'd say.

"However, if you're going to have a personal life, then be all in."

"You are whom I need in my life. The one I need in every facet of my life. "

"No more solo dinner dates."

"Would you accept my apology?" He was prepared to kiss her into surrender, if necessary.

"Maybe. After you feed me." Her squint turned hard.

"That's it? That's all?" He teased.

"After you make love to me."

"Promises. Promises."

"I promise to accept your apology." She kissed him. "If you make sweet love to me." She kissed him again. "I'm so much happier when you make me come on your command." Now she playfully bit his bottom lip.

Damien walked over to the light switch and turned off the light. "Then mademoiselle, let's get to work on our treaty."

"I'm ready and willing," she responded, as she unzipped his pants. "How about you?"

He tried to speak. Tried again. Only a strangled cry.

Her mouth worked the length of his erection.

His hand flailed looking for stability.

She didn't let up. Pulling and sucking on him, beating his tip with her tongue. Every time he thought there was a pause, the space of time was only enough for him to take a deep breath as he held it for the next onslaught. His balls hitched, a fallout from the sweet attack.

His eyes squeezed shut. Control shook like a weakened wall. She slid off his dick and pushed him to the floor. They hadn't said a word. Nothing much to say. She rolled a condom onto him and straddled his hips.

Slowly. Too damn slowly. She slid herself down his shaft.

Breaths hissed between his teeth.

Her hips danced against him. He felt her body roll and arch to the beat of their sensual rhythm. Grinding hard against the slick wet kitty, he continued addicted to her cries of ecstasy as much as the perfect sexual dance between them.

She flung her body over him, teasing with the tip of her nipples brushing against his mouth.