“I hardly think I was much of a challenge, Dorian. I showed up at your hotel room, remember?”
“But you knew what you wanted. And it wasn’t money or status or even the exterior. There was something else there. Other than you being so horny you nearly came the first time I touched you,” he chuckles.
What the hell? What’s gotten into him?
Oh. Me, of course. Just as Aurora emitted her lustful desires into him, Dorian has received my good-humored crudeness. Just like the first time I transferred my amorous feelings into him. The next day he was different- witty and teasing. Sheesh, so I guess my tacky sense of humor is my superpower.
“Well, sorry, I hadn’t been around the block as many times as you, old wise prince,” I jibe. “Besides, you don’t fight fair!”
“I never said I did, little girl. Now… about you going to work. You might as well undress and get back in this bed with me or I’ll be forced to be very undiplomatic with your body. Again. And this time, I’ll make it hurt.”
My eyes grow wide with shock and excitement at the memory of Dorian completely immobilizing me and manipulating each of my pleasure points. And as much as it scares me to admit it, the prospect of seeing him in his darkness, unleashing the vicious beast inside of him that completely shatters every ounce of my resolve, arouses me.
“No! I really have to go to work! Carmen will be waiting outside!” I plead. “Why don’t you just come with me? And if you see that I’m weak or moody, we’ll come straight home. I promise.”
Dorian smiles and nods at the idea. “Home,” he murmurs thoughtfully. He sighs then stands to his feet, letting the towel around his waist drop to the floor. His impressive semi-hard length instantly makes my mouth salivate. “Like what you see?”
“I do. But I’ve got to get to work, Mr. Skotos. My boss can be a real hard-on,” I giggle. “Now get dressed so you can see your hard-earned money at work.”
We opt to walk the few minutes to Cashmere to enjoy the bright, warm sunshine. There isn’t a cloud in the sky, and I instantly lift my head to let the sun’s rays kiss my face. Ahhh. It feels divine. Almost as good as Dorian’s kisses.
“You channel the sun,” Dorian notes, as I skip ahead, swinging my arms like an actress in a ridiculously cheesy tampon commercial.
“Huh?” I ask, spinning around to gauge Dorian’s beautiful face. He looks stylish and dangerously sexy as always, dressed in linen pants and a crisp button up shirt rolled up to his elbows.
“You feel rejuvenated in sunlight, right? Stronger?” He awaits my baffled expression. “Hmmm, maybe you are more Light than Dark,” he remarks with a smirk.
He’s right. The sun does put me in good spirits. But I thought everyone had that reaction when it was sunny versus rainy and gloomy. “True,” I respond. “You don’t feel that way?”
Dorian shrugs, strolling gracefully as if the pavement is his runway. “I don’t have an aversion to it. I won’t burst into flames,” he chuckles. “But it does nothing for me.”
I nod, recalling the loose translation of Dorian’s first name. “I bet you’re an amazing swimmer.”
Dorian’s eyes twinkle as a nostalgic smile creeps onto his face. “I am. Skiathos has the most beautiful, crystal clear waters. I wish I could take you there.”
“Maybe one day you will,” I reply, taking his hand in mine. I don’t have the heart to tell him that I’d already been there very recently. In the dream his father gave me.
We approach the storefront just as Carmen is parking her car and I quickly unlock our fingers to avoid any skepticism, earning a pointed glare from Dorian. I’m sure Miguel informed her of my relationship with him, the now full owner of Cashmere, yet I feel it would be tasteless and unprofessional to make it obvious on the job.
The look of shock and adulation sketched on Carmen’s face as she takes in Dorian’s startling splendor makes me giggle internally. Poor girl. He still has that effect on me, especially when his eyes are smoldering with licentious desire and danger.
“Carmen, this is Mr. Skotos. He’ll be checking up on us today,” I say, unlocking the front door and ushering them inside.
Carmen extends her trembling hand. “N-Nice to meet you, Mr. Skotos. Um, uh, I’ve, uh, heard so much about you.”
Dorian smiles warmly, obviously trying to dispel any stuffy feelings of formality. “Please, call me Dorian. And I’m not here to check up on either of you. I know you’re doing an excellent job here.” He places his large hand in Carmen’s and she instantly recoils.