She threw the gear shift into drive and quickly pulled out of the spa parking lot. She couldn't help the laughter that spilled out as the wind whipped through her hair. What a fun time she could have exploring the island if only he'd let her borrow the car while he was at his endless meetings. She wouldn't be so anxious to leave if she got to play a little.
With a frown, Sierra slowed for a red light, almost pouting as she had to stop her acceleration.
"Can we take a drive around the island before going back to the hotel?" she asked. She hated to beg, but she was willing to do it to feel the exhilaration of fresh air blowing through her hair.
"I have a lot of work to do," he told her in an annoyed tone.
"Can I drop you off then and go explore for a while?" she asked, trying to sound pleasant, but thinking it wasn't coming across that way by the glare he sent her.
"It's not safe for you to be out driving in unfamiliar territory," he answered in a final tone of voice.
"I'm sick to death of your chauvinistic pig attitude. I get it from my father, his permanent bodyguards, the few men I've dated, everyone! Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I'm incapable of making a decision or keeping myself safe," Sierra snapped as she turned to glare at him.
Damien looked at her in astonishment for a moment before his lips slowly spread upward in a grin.
"You think I'm a pig?"
"Yes."
"Just because I believe a man is stronger than a woman, more capable of taking care of himself in dangerous situations?"
"That's exactly why," she answered as she rolled her eyes. He was nothing more than a typical male, thinking he was the protector of the universe. Why did men either have to beat their women into submission, or else think they had to always save them? Why wasn't there a middle ground?
She thought of her best friend, Bree. Her husband, Chad, had tried the he-man stuff on her, but she'd quickly put him in his place, and he'd actually listened to her. Sierra liked Chad. He was kind, yet she had no doubt that if it came down to it, he'd fight to the death for those he loved. Sierra also knew he'd never even think about hitting his wife, or any woman, for that matter.
As Damien continued gazing at her, she wanted to stay angry, but he was so dang adorable with his amused expression. She should be even more infuriated with him that he thought so little of her, but it was hard to stay angry while looking at his chiseled jaw, and very kissable mouth, which was still grinning at her.
Her thighs quivered as she glanced at her own reflection in his dark sunglasses, suddenly wanting to know what was going through his mind.
Dang it! She didn't want his confident sexuality to throw her equilibrium off balance. She needed to stay focused around him.
"I think you just hate women, look down on them, believing they're an inferior race," Sierra said when the silence stretched on too long.
He pulled his shades down so she was finally looking into those deep green depths, leaving her no doubt of the desire behind their stare. His eyes dropped down her body, causing her ni**les to tighten in response, before they came back up and met her widened gaze.
"I love everything about women … every … single … .thing," he said slowly. His lips spread even more as his stare kept her rooted to the tan leather seat.
A horn blared behind her, alerting Sierra that the light had changed. Thanking her lucky stars for the interruption, she managed to tear her eyes from his. She looked forward as she placed the car back into drive and slowly accelerated. She was too shaken up to drive fast.
She forgot all about her desire to tour the island. She needed to get as far from Damien as she possibly could, before she pulled the car over and jumped into his lap.
After they drove in silence for about five minutes, her irritation was back, replacing some of the all-consuming desire still bubbling its way to the surface.
"You know, I don't need a babysitter. I've managed to survive this long without getting kidnapped, raped, or joining a cult. I don't need you on top of me."
"Oh, Sierra, I think that's exactly what you need," he quickly responded with a wicked grin.
Sierra felt her face flame, berating herself for not using a different choice of wording. The man was throwing her hormones off the charts. She slammed her foot down on the accelerator, trying to outrun the raging desire he ignited within her.
"I'm right next to you, Sierra. Speeding up won't get you away from me. I have a feeling you don't actually want to get away. I think you're just as worked up as I am, and can't get back to that hotel fast enough. Don't worry; I'll quench the burn … " Damien uttered, his mouth only inches from her ear.
She swerved unintentionally, causing him to sit up and send another glare her way.