Up All Night Long: From Lust to Love (Romance Anthology) (49 page)

Chapter 14

They sat in the fancy restaurant, Bethany's mind far from anything that might help her future and more attuned to the things that would wreck it. The desire to climb into Damon's seat and drown in the scent of him played through the recess of her mind over and over, her stomach aching from tensing it so many times on the short drive over.

The waiter approached and Bethany lifted her menu, trying to blink the haze away from her eyes. Damon had a hold of her in ways that birthed worry. Years of not having sex or time to find the right guy to share herself with had left her a bit too needy. The show of desire by the relentless man across the table from her had destroyed her resolve to leave well enough alone. It would take the attention of someone else to get her mind off of him. Maybe Philip was a good idea. He was cute and safe, attractive, and seemed to like her already.

"Bethany, what are you having to drink?" Kent's voice tugged her from her thoughts.

"Oh sorry. Water and a glass for whatever you ordered."

"I ordered whiskey. You sure you want a glass?"

Damon chuckled and shook his head 'no'. She narrowed her eyes, tilting her head a little.

"Yes, I'll have a glass of whiskey. No problem." She would just sip it. The NRL wouldn't be happening on her shift. Sex, as much as she wanted it with him, would undo them. What happened after the night of passion? How would they act around each other for the rest of their lives?

"Bring the girl a glass then." Kent chuckled and pulled them into a conversation about the audit committee meeting. Bethany turned toward him and forced herself to mentally make notes, ignoring the glances from Damon. She needed help with her master’s program and Kent was the answer to that, or at least the easiest answer. She would think through things and make some decisions, but with a project this important, she had to do well.

Finally gaining her footing, she asked questions and peppered Damon and Kent with scenarios and what ifs. By the end of lunch, they were both seemingly impressed, Kent having laughed loudly at her "brilliance" several times during the meal. As the bill was brought over, Damon excused himself to take a call.

"I'm so glad you'll be with us next week. It should be a great experience for you." He stood and pulled back her chair, Bethany standing and moving toward the front of the restaurant. Damon stood near the bar, a gorgeous blond pressed to the front of him. He touched her face, leaning into her as she moved up to kiss his cheek. He laughed and said something, turning and walking toward Kent and Bethany.

Bethany averted her gaze as his rushed over her, sickness rolling in her stomach. Jealousy was a horrid emotion and one she wasn't used to feeling too often. Damon opened the door and smiled at them.

"Ready?" He moved back and Bethany nodded, wanting to ask who the woman was and yet just not willing to let on to her feelings.

Kent and Damon said their goodbyes, talking briefly about last minute wrap ups as Bethany got into the car and waited. Damon slid in moments later, his black slacks hugging his strong thighs, the large curve between them making her eyes widen.

"You all right?" he asked, looking over at her as he buckled up.

"Yes. Not used to having liquor at lunch, but I can't say that I won't try it again."

He laughed and pulled the car out, his hand moving to his thigh as he beat out a rhythm that must have been in his head. They drove in silence, his desire to tease her seeming to have been sated. She was almost grateful as they pulled up to the front door of the office, a valet rushing out to help them.

Damon moved beside her and took her hand, Bethany looking down at it in surprise. She looked up as a group of interns moved out into the bright sunlight, Sadie at the front of the pack. Philip wasn't part of the crowd and for that, she was grateful.

"Hi Damon!" The tacky girl spoke seductively. All of the interns waved at Damon.

"It's Mr. Bryant and hi guys. Behave and no liquor at lunch." He pulled Bethany closer, releasing her as he opened the door for them.

"You know they are going to find out that we're family and then you'll have a lot of explaining to do." Bethany looked over her shoulder at him as he shrugged.

"I don't have to explain anything to anyone. I'm in charge."

He was right. She walked toward the elevator, moving in and turning to see Damon hover over the opening, shaking his head 'no' to people as they walked up to get on. The doors closed and it was just the two of them. He turned and took two steps toward her. He slid his hands along the wall behind her and pressed the fullness of himself against her, nipping at her mouth.

"Only twenty ways? Where is your imagination?"

Her breath caught in her chest, her body aching for so much more than he would give her. He was a tease and she hadn't become any better herself.

"Twenty ways?"

He leaned down and kissed her, one hand moving to tug at the budding nipple of her breast. She gasped, swatting at him as he laughed and rolled his hips a few times, forcing her to open her legs a little more as she stood trapped between him and the back of the elevator.

"You want me to fuck you twenty ways. I'm thinking of so many more than twenty. Let's not put a cap on it, hmmm?" He nipped at her again and moved away, the door opening to his floor. He turned to walk from the elevator, grabbing himself and shifting his appearance as he glanced back with hooded eyes.

"Learn your part for the meeting next week and make sure you wear a dark shirt and black pants, no skirts. Leave your hair up like that and don't wear lipstick."

"What? Why?"

He chuckled. "Because with your hair down and your innocent green eyes, no one will pay attention to anything. They'll all be seducing you in their heads. You're much too beautiful for that. Wear your hair up. If it's down they'll like it far too much."

"How about you? Would you like it far too much too?" She bit at her lip, the demand to seduce him and drag him down to his knees in front of her flooding over her.

He smiled and let his eyes drag across her, licking his mouth and groaning softly as if tasting something delicious. "Wouldn't you love to know, pussycat?"

*

Bethany sat in her office, flipping through the files for the meeting, her mind wandering back to each and every encounter with her handsome step-brother.

"Soon-to-be step-brother," she mumbled and leaned back in her chair, turning to face the window behind her. She was turning into a nymph. All she thought about was Damon the last few days and even more so, sex with him. Did she have real feelings or was it just lust? Just the demanding need to feel something as sweet as ecstasy?

"Hey Bethany. How's it going?"

She turned and stood up, brushing her skirt to remove the cracker crumbs from her latest snack. She smiled at Ben and moved around her desk, crossing her arms over her chest.

"It's going. How about you?"

"Great. I'm looking forward to our event tonight. I swear we all live for Thursday nights instead of Fridays just because of getting out together. The group has really started to gel. I think you're just going to be a great add to that."

"Yeah, well, Damon's been giving off the message that he and I have something going on, so not so sure about your hopes of my gelling at all."

"He told me. I think it's smart actually. Sadie and a few of the other girls have been nothing but a pain in the ass since getting here." Ben leaned against the doorframe, his belly hanging a little too far over his slacks. Bethany ignored it and focused on his face, the friendly smile giving her comfort.

"Why not just get rid of them? Wouldn't that be easier?"

"Yeah, but with the labor laws today you have to have a real reason. Who's going to believe that someone who performs at work really well and has really high marks from school is sexually harassing someone like Damon? He looks like a predator, not her. Just have to deal with it really."

"That's ridiculous."

"I agree, but it is what it is."

"Is he coming tonight?" Bethany asked, lifting her thumb nail to her lips as she nibbled at it.

"I was going to ask you the same thing."

"I don't know. We're just pretending to be together. We're not actually together." Bethany dropped her hand and laughed sardonically. Ben's lips lifted in a goofy grin.

"Of course not, silly. You're family. Anyway, I'm making my rounds to see how you're doing on your workload. Also wanted to remind you that it is an office get together and, as such, we need to make sure our dress and attitudes represent McKenzie and Bryant as we're out."

She chuckled, Damon's reminder coming from her little black dress comment no doubt.

"Sounds good. I'm an accountant. I don't really own anything that would be considered inappropriate."

Ben smiled and moved from his reclined position. "Doing okay on your workload?"

"Yes, it's going great. Just wrapping up my review for this meeting that Kent and Damon want me in next week."

"The audit committee stuff?"

"Yeah, that's it."

"Yeah, so don't mention that to anyone else. It would seem unfair and I'm the only one who understands that it's because you’re family that they have plans to move you up the totem pole pretty fast." Ben looked behind him in the hallway.

"Oh, okay. Thanks for the advice."

"You bet. See you tonight and remember... no work talk tonight. Only good times to be had by everyone."

"I'm there and I will do my best to follow the rules." She lifted an eyebrow as Ben left, the sound of his soft laughter warming her. He was a good guy, one she needed to get to know better. He knew Damon pretty well, so if she was going to get any sort of scoop on who Damon really was or what his past relationships looked like, most likely it was going to be from Ben.

*

The last few hours of the day passed too quickly. She wrapped up her review and took the zip drive back up to Linda, Damon's secretary. She nodded toward the door and smiled toward the pretty blond.

"Is he in there?"

"No. He left just after getting back from lunch. I assume he went to see his girlfriend, but don't tell him I said that."

"He has a girlfriend?" Bethany couldn't hide the emotion on her face.

"He has
lots
of girlfriends." Linda stood up and took the zip drive. "Have a great evening and enjoy the intern party. If you have your sights set on Damon, don't bother. He's a bastard and a half when it comes to women. Best boss in the world, but his sex drive is insatiable and he's gotten in loads of trouble thanks to it. Do yourself a favor and stay far, far away."

Bethany nodded, whispering, “I will,” as she turned to go.

Chapter 15

A quick stop by the house to change into something more club worthy, and Bethany was on her way to Masquerade. She applied more makeup than usual, her dress covering everything, but hugging her curves and accentuating perfectly just how much of a woman she was. If Sadie wanted to step up against her, she was going to bring it tonight. It had nothing to do with Damon and everything to do with someone needing to put the bitch in her place. The redhead thought she had entitlement, the right to demand things and threaten various people at will, including Bethany.

"Not tonight." Bethany pulled up to the club and got out, walking into the loud sound of Pitbull's
Time of our Lives
screaming from the speakers. Ben waved his hands wildly at her, a large table over in the far corner theirs. She walked toward them, cursing herself for forgetting a mask. The theme that night was half-mast... your mask only allowed to cover your eyes.

Bethany laughed at the large clown mask that Ben pulled from his face, a large smile on his mouth. "Hey girl. Where is your mask?"

A few other interns turned, smiles on their faces, drinks in their hands.

"I totally forgot it. I can go get one and come back." She shrugged, keeping her eyes on the man in front of her. She hadn't really gotten to know anyone that well and felt a bit on the spot all of a sudden.

"No worries." He turned and yelled at the group. "Introduce yourself to Bethany while I get her a mask."

He disappeared and several people moved up to introduce themselves. She shook hands and smiled, worried about her dress all of a sudden. Trying to feel better about herself by dressing up seemed like a great idea until she stood in front of her peers with all of them dressed like they were going to church.

"Um wow." Philip's voice sounded beside her. Bethany turned and sighed with relief, reaching out to touch his arm as the muscle flexed beneath her fingers. The black mask covering his eyes made him look more sensual than he had earlier that day. His blond hair and blue eyes were the perfect match for melting girls’ hearts and when he spoke... Bethany sighed again as Ben moved up.

"Here you go, madam. Philip, have you met Bethany?"

"I have. I was just going to ask her to come dance with me." Philip moved his shoulders a little side to side like he had moves to share.

"I'm glad you're here," Bethany whispered, taking the mask from Ben and slipping it on. She wished for a moment that she had a full face mask so she could hide behind it completely.

"Looks great on you. Go have fun. The tab is open at the bar and it's on the company, so no worries," Ben called out before turning to lift his glass in the middle of a large group. Bethany turned and slipped her arm into Philip's.

"I'm glad you're here too. I think I might have to hide the rest of the night. Sadie seems dead set on grabbing my attention and... no, just no." He laughed and Bethany did as well, stopping by the bar and ordering a beer.

"You like beer?" Philip asked, moving to stand closer to her. The button down shirt he'd worn that day at work looked really good with his jeans, the material soft in appearance and hugging his sleek frame.

"Yeah, you don't?" She thanked the bartender and lifted the bottle to her lips.

"I love it." He lifted his Heineken toward her and they hit the bottles together. "Most girls drink fruity drinks and stuff."

"I'm not most girls." She smiled and he wagged his eyebrows before moving toward the dance floor.

The music was loud and fast - fun and energetic. She took another swallow of her beer and lifted her hand to drop it on his shoulder. He draped a hand on her hip and moved with her, their distance comfortable. Something about him helped her to relax and just enjoy herself. His eyes moved along her as they danced, the smile lifting his lips every so often, giving way to his own thinking being less than professional.

He wasn't Damon, but that was a good thing. Stripping him naked and making an exhibitionist of herself on the dance floor wasn't at the front of her thoughts either, which was a relief. She had begun to worry about herself, the depravity of her thoughts giving way to concern. It was nice to know it wasn't a shift in who she was, but rather the undeniable heat between she and her boss. The song ended and Philip spun her around, the two of them laughing and crashing into each other.

"I'm going to run to the restroom. I'll join you again in a minute." He leaned in and spoke loudly as Katy Perry's
Dark Horse
started. She nodded and handed him her beer to do away with, the song requiring both her arms in the air. It had been too long since she had let loose, the last time having been at her graduation party.

"What a fucking nightmare that had been," she spoke out loud, the music swallowing the sound of her voice completely. The strong hands of a man sliding around her waist as he pulled her against him caused her to stop dancing for a moment. He rolled his fingers along her hips to move her again, the thick press of his strong body against hers giving way to the desire to just let him be a fantasy for a minute. It was most likely Philip and if it wasn't, that would be even better.

Dancing with someone was the precursor to sex, their ability to move with fluidity on the dance floor leaving no question as to their talents in the bedroom. Good thing she was with her co-workers tonight and Damon was with his girlfriend, whoever the fuck that was. Anger burned through her as she reached back and let her hand slide down the back of the man's thigh, pulling him in tighter as she rocked against him.

His fingers spread out on her stomach, his other arm moving to wrap around her chest just under her breasts. She dropped her head back on his chest, knowing she was under the cover of the dance floor. There were so many people around her it felt like a sea of heat she might drown in. He pressed his lips to the side of her neck, kissing his way to her ear. The soft whisper of his voice undid her, the immediate need to be his for the night fucking her hard.

"I thought I told you not to wear this dress. I think I might have to punish you for your insubordination."

Damon.

She tried to turn in his arms, but he locked her to him, pressing his face back down to her neck as he sucked on her heated skin. She groaned and rocked herself against him over and over, the smoldering heat of the bodies pressing against them doing nothing compared to the strong man behind her. He finally released her just enough for her to turn. She spun around, Damon moving back just a little before she slid down the front of his body, rolling slowly back up. From cheek to hip every part of her brushed along his erection.

She stopped in front of him as he growled at her, the shiny white mask covering half of his face reminded her of Phantom of the Opera. He was beyond breathtaking, sin that would snuff out any goodness that might spark inside of the woman he wanted. His eyes spoke of long nights, screams and moans, pleasure beyond anything she could conceive.

"Why are you doing this?" she whispered, taking the final step to fill the gap between them. His hands rolled over her hips, sliding so painfully slow over the curve of her ass. His fingers tugged at the side of her dress, but he didn't pull it up. He leaned down, lining up their vision perfectly, the muscles in his cheeks locked down as if he were struggling to breathe.

"Because you want me to." He leaned forward, running his nose along the side of her jaw, Bethany closing her eyes in anticipation of a kiss. A loud moan left her and Damon rolled his hips again, rubbing himself against her belly.

"I can't take much more, Damon. You have to stop."

"You sound convincing. I don't think we've even come close to pushing you toward the edge of what you truly want from me." He brushed a kiss across her lips as one hand released her. She pressed against the kiss, moving back in shock as the air became so hard to breathe.

The back of his fingers brushed across her sex, the dress a hindrance. He moved the other hand to hold her head still, his fingers softly petting her, the motion lost to the movement around them.

"Tell me you don't want to push to the edge with me. Tell me, Beth." He turned his hand and cupped her, pressing his fingertips hard against her. She yelped, rocking into him and hating herself for doing it. What was wrong with her?

Tell him to stop and walk the fuck away.

"More," she whispered, her mind screaming to back away.

"Yeah, more, baby... I need more of you." He tapped his fingers a few times as she panted against his mouth, the sound loud and drowning her in dark lust.

He moved his hand from her face and took her arm off his shoulder, pulling her hand down to stroke his arousal as he growled against her lips.

"More, God please, more," she whispered, a frantic throb destroying her ability to reason.

He rocked against her hand, moving his from her and holding her tightly to him as he made love to her mouth, his fingers lost in her hair as she forgot anything but him existed. The world faded fast, the music becoming her reality, the force of his tongue her life line. She sucked hard on his offering, moaning and panting until he broke the kiss.

"Fuck," he growled, turning and pulling her from the floor. They walked to the front of the club, Damon ripping the mask from his face. He dropped it in the trashcan beside the door and walked out into the night, breathing in deeply.

Bethany stopped beside him, pulling her hand from his. "No. I can't do this. It will change everything between us."

He turned toward her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in tightly as he glared down at her. "You and I... we're going to happen. You can choose if you want me to take you the first time in the comfort of my home or sprawled out, naked and shaking across your desk. Tell me now because I will decide for you if you don't speak up. Demand something of me, Bethany. Take charge of what's about to happen to you. Show me who you are."

She let her eyes move across his face, her vision swimming from the emotions pumping through her painfully. "Get the car and take me to your place. No lies between us. No drama from you. No complaining when I give you exactly what you want."

He whispered softly before leaving, "Fuck me..."

"I plan to." She ran her fingers through her hair and shivered, the night just having taken a drastic turn. No more cat and mouse... Time to let him have his way.