She shrugged. "No reason to be sorry. You were wrong with your accusations anyway."
"What do you mean?"
"My thoughts aren't taken by a silly Australian boy seeing me in a dress. They're suffocating in the depravity of being fucked twenty different ways by you."
She walked out, her chest constricted as her heart raced. She couldn't keep this up. She wasn't as aggressive and domineering as he was. She needed to bow out soon or he would bust through her facade and take her to the mat. Maybe an internship wasn't a good idea at all. She needed to rethink her priorities - away from him.
*
Bethany walked toward the two men who would be a part of her life for the foreseeable future, Kent pulling her into a side hug as she stopped beside him.
"Damon tells me that you're already moving on top of getting the files reviewed this afternoon. I knew you'd fit in perfectly with us." He smiled and squeezed her softly.
Bethany nodded and looked over toward Damon, their earlier conversation having thrown off her whole morning. She needed a cold shower and wouldn't be getting one anytime soon.
"She likes being on top. She's going to be a Bryant before we know it." He winked at her, the look in his eyes melting her where she stood.
"You guys want to ride together or just meet me there? I can stay at lunch a little longer if we meet there." Kent moved toward the door, holding it open as they moved out.
"I already called for my car, so Bethany and I will ride together. We'll meet you there."
Kent waved and moved toward his car as Damon nodded toward his black Mercedes, the man having a few more cars than anyone should. Bethany walked in awkward silence to the car and got in, buckling up and sitting back as her eyes closed. Maybe if she pretended to be tired he would let things lie between them.
The sound of his door shutting and the car starting caused her to glance at him. Mistake. He had turned to watch her, his long eyelashes brushing over his dark brown eyes. She found herself lost in them for a moment, the subtle swipe of his tongue catching her attention.
"You surprise me," he whispered and turned to pull the car out onto the road.
"How so?"
"You're brilliant as is apparent, you're soft and feminine... so innocent. Yet you kicked me in the chest with your comment earlier. I think there is far more to you than even you know."
She laughed and closed her eyes again, not sure how to respond. The soft sliding of his hand just above her knee caused her breath to catch. She opened her eyes and looked toward him as he pulled his hand up, his eyes on the road. She pressed her hand to the top of his, her skirt pulled up to mid-thigh by his actions. He didn't speak but softly rubbed his thumb along the tender skin of her thigh, his teeth pulling at his lip as he breathed in deeply.
"We should take an NRL today." He glanced over at her, his sensual lips turning into a wicked grin.
"What's an NRL?" She breathed out, pushing his hand down back toward her knee as she tried to get a hold of herself. Her heart beat so fast she looked down to ensure her shirt wasn't lifting with its efforts.
"A no return lunch."
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.