Sweet Seduction(46)
She glared for a moment before realizing he was yanking her chain. “Damon’s told you about me, I take it.”
“Not in so many words. There are some things about a woman that a man doesn’t need to be told. Take you, for instance. Strong willed. Beautiful. Defiant. Not a woman a man could ever easily rein in.”
Beautiful. As odd flutter scuttled in her stomach. The word seemed to come so naturally to the men here, as if they appreciated the female form in all its varieties and not just those generally accepted in society.
She cocked her eyebrow as his other words settled in. “Why the hell would you want to rein a woman in?”
He chuckled. “Why indeed? I think, Julie, that you are a woman who is all the more breathtaking for that fact.”
A flush of pleasure spread over her cheeks.
“You think I’m flattering you.”
She shook her head slowly. “No, Cole. I think for whatever reason, the men here are different.”
He eyed her questioningly.
“It would seem that Damon has the good sense to surround himself with men who appreciate and celebrate the differences in women. Not the sameness.”
Cole flashed her a gentle smile. “I’d say you have the good sense not to listen to the men who don’t appreciate your differences.”
“Damn straight,” she said with a grin.
“I’m very tempted to dismiss the two men who wait so anxiously to make love to you again,” he murmured.
Her eyes widened. “Now why would you do that?”
“So I could have you all to myself. And trust me, Julie. You wouldn’t miss having the extra guy around.”
Well damn. A hot buzz sizzled up her spine. At least now she knew what Faith and Serena saw in this place. She didn’t have to be submissive to appreciate the reverence with which women were treated here.
A knock at the door sounded, causing Julie to jump and then cover herself with her hands, which was pretty laughable given her bountiful attributes and the amount of skin not covered by her graceless pose.
Calmly, Cole went to the closet and drew out a robe. He settled it around her shoulders then waited as she put her arms through the holes. When she was done, he tied it snugly at her waist and then called for the person at the door to come in.
Another handsome man entered carrying a tray—were there no ugly men on the premises? While it was nice from a feminine perspective, it seemed a bit unrealistic. But then this place was all about fantasy.
Cole took the tray and dismissed the young man with a simple gesture. As he carried it to the bed, he met her gaze with a questioning glint in his eyes.
“Want company or would you prefer to eat alone?”
She looked down. “Well, now that I’m not naked, I’d prefer company unless you have other debaucheries to attend.”
He laughed and settled onto the bed beside her. “I like you a lot, Julie. You’re different. So many woman—and men—come here, most curious, a few rubberneckers, most having no idea of themselves. You, on the other hand…”
“Oh, don’t stop now,” she said as she slathered creamy cheese spread on a cracker. “I’ve always wanted to be psychoanalyzed in a den of iniquity.”
“You present a man the best kind of challenge.”
She rolled her eyes. “Please don’t give me the line about wanting to chase down and subdue me.”
“Nope. A different sort of challenge. The challenge is to meet your needs and expectations.”
Her eyebrows went up. “Ah now, that challenge I can live with. What woman wouldn’t like the thought of a man busting ass to please her?”
“I have a feeling many have tried and failed.”
“Hmm I’m not so sure about the trying part but yeah, plenty have failed all right.”
She licked her fingers and then reached for the bottled water on the tray. She drank thirstily, closing her eyes in pleasure. When she opened them, Cole was staring at her with quiet intensity.
“You’re coming on to me, aren’t you?”
His expression didn’t change but a hungry gleam entered his eyes. “If I am?”
She cocked her head to the side. “Doesn’t it strike you as odd to be having this sort of conversation after I’ve just fucked two strange men and plan to fuck them again after intermission? That would bother most guys.”
“I’m not most guys. All you have to do is say the word and it’ll be you and me. Only I’d prefer to take you away from the den of iniquity, as you put it.”
She stared back at him, considering all he’d said. He was truly a gorgeous man. And she just knew he’d be a generous lover. But. But what? What the hell could possibly be holding her back?