The Tycoon’s Secret(24)

“Are you thirsty?”

“Yes, and starving.”

He raised a brow in question at her answer. Maybe she’d spoken out of turn, but how was she expected to concentrate on her words if she was focused on her stomach.

“Do you want anything in particular?” he asked, his tone slightly annoyed. In a moment of surprise, Sierra realized she really didn’t care. She was just excited to have found the assertive woman she always wanted to be, but never could find within.

“It doesn’t matter, really. Anything solid to eat, and if they have a banana-strawberry smoothie, that would be excellent.”

“I’ll check,” he answered stiffly before turning around and walking to the counter.

Sierra sat back and looked around, watching as different members approached the bar and made their orders. A few of the girls, wearing work-out clothes that could barely be considered legal, made sure to stand extra close to Damien while ordering. Sierra watched while they fluttered their eyes at him.

She was shocked by the tiniest spark of jealousy that flared inside her. She’d never felt the emotion before. She had no reason to feel that way. He wasn’t her boyfriend; she didn’t even know him, much less like him.

It had to be the different time zone affecting her. She was still off kilter. After she ate something, she’d get back to feeling normal. She sat back and waited for Damien to return, taking a few minutes alone to try and clear her head.

When he turned back toward her and his gaze caught hers, she knew she was in trouble. Her heart rate increased, and from his predatory expression, he could smell her desire like a lion smells its next kill.

This wasn’t good. Not one little bit.





Chapter Nine




Damien had been avoiding Sierra most of the week, and then she had the gall to hunt him down. He was tired, irritable and frustrated.

All week he’d been behaving as if he were a teenager out with a date for the first time. He would walk into their large suite, and instantly smell her perfume. She was always in bed by the time he got in, and he made sure he was gone before she woke, but he could still feel her there, know she was only a door away from him.

It was playing hell with his senses, and he hadn’t slept more than a couple hours each night since they’d arrived. His plan was supposed to be simple, easy. It was anything but.

He had a feeling nothing was going to be easy as far as Sierra was concerned. He made his way back to their table and set the tray down, watching with amusement as she picked up the drink and took a deep swallow.

His amusement quickly fled when she groaned, the sound sending a sharp pain straight to his groin. Was she doing it on purpose? Did he simply need to take her back to their room and relieve the ache for both of them?

“This is great! Thanks,” she said with a huge smile, her entire face lighting up. She set the drink down and grabbed ahold of the sandwich. She took a bite, and once again groaned, further hardening his previous reaction.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, grateful for the towel covering him.

“Whenever you’re ready,” he said, his tone thick.

“One sec,” she mumbled around her bite. She finished chewing and took another deep swallow of the shake. “This really is great. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

“Anything else I can do for you?” he mocked dryly.

His bad attitude bounced right off her. She finished half her sandwich before coming up for air. While she was eating, he grabbed his gym bag and slipped a shirt over his head and a pair of athletic pants on under his towel. His shorts were still wet, but he was tired of the women slowing as they passed his table. He didn’t have time for it. Besides, Sierra had all his attention at Present.

“Okay, I don’t know what the whole deal is with you insisting on hiring me, but I’m obviously not qualified for the position as you haven’t had me do a single thing. I wouldn’t normally complain about a trip to Australia, but considering I haven’t gotten to do or see anything, it’s not much different than being back home. Why don’t you just let me fly home while you finish up here? I can go stay with my best friend for a few days, or a week, and then when you return to the states, you can decide if you still want to employ me.”

Damien instantly tensed. On one hand what she was suggesting was perfect. She’d go running to Brianne Anderson, where he could then come and get her. He’d show up at the door, and they’d never be the wiser that they were allowing the enemy free access of their home.

On the other hand, he found himself not wanting her to leave. He didn’t understand why. She was right, he’d done nothing but avoid her all week. It was true that he was busy, but he could have brought her to the office with him so she could at least begin learning how to do her job.