Chapter 17
DAMIANO
Waking up next to Madison is incredible. I wanted to respect her space and allow her to sleep alone in her own room, but after our time last night, it was hard to walk away. So I held her, and we fell asleep in each other’s arms.
Why Seth doesn’t want to be a part of this is beyond me. Some antiquated idea of honor? Does it feel like a betrayal to his brother? But his brother, may he rest in peace, is long gone. Madison and Seth and I are here, alive, in this moment.
Seth needs to stop living in the past.
I take another look at Madison’s sleeping face. Her delicate eyelashes curve against her cheeks, and her lips are pouting, slightly parted. Strands of her light brown hair splay across her pillow, curling and twisting in a way that makes her look well and truly fucked.
I must have her again.
I reach under the sheet and trail my fingers over her thigh. She’s so soft, my god, I want to touch and lick her everywhere.
She murmurs in her sleep.
“Bella,” I whisper, “did you get enough rest? Do you want to play again?”
Her eyes flutter open and she smiles. She widens her legs so I have access to her pussy. “Yes.”
“You aren’t too sore?” I slide my fingers over her wetness. She’s so fucking responsive, so ready for pleasure.
“No, Sir.”
I push a finger into her, feel her clench around me.
Slowly, I fuck her with my hand, watching her face the entire time.
Her eyes close and her lips part. She arches her back, showing me her tightening nipples.
I lean forward and take one in my mouth, sucking hard, rolling my tongue around the little nub.
“Damiano,” she gasps.
A rhythmic pulse sounds. Her breathing? Mine? No, it comes from somewhere else in the room. I go still, listening.
It’s my phone, vibrating with a call. If it’s Seth, I will push him off the cliff and into the sea.
It could be someone from Nove calling, though. Neither Seth nor I are in the office. If an emergency situation arose, we have capable men and women to handle it. However, we should be informed.
“One moment, bella.” I roll over and find my pants on the floor, rummaging through them to find my phone.
The number is a familiar one, and it sends a jolt of dread through my chest.
“Is everything okay?” Madison slides a hand over my shoulder.
“I’m fine, but I must take this in the other room.” I press a kiss to her forehead and walk, naked, into the hall.
My phone stops ringing, but I know the caller won’t give up. Sure enough, by the time I reach my own bedroom, it begins ringing again.
This time, I answer it.
* * *
MADISON
When Damiano returns to the bedroom, I know immediately we aren’t going to resume what we’d started.
For starters, he’s fully dressed. Slacks, a button-up shirt, shoes. Then there’s the rolling suitcase in the hallway that he left by the door.
Then there’s his face, pinched with regret.
“I’ll pack my things.” I clamber awkwardly from the bed. I really wish I had some clothes on right now. I struggle to wrap the sheet around my body.
“Not necessary. And I am so sorry I have to leave.” He strides forward and helps me cover myself with the sheet. “It is a shame to leave a beautiful, naked woman alone in bed. But an emergency has come up, and I am the only one who can resolve it.”
“I’m your guest—I can’t stay here without you.” I can only imagine the awkwardness of sharing this beach house with my former brother-in-law, who seems to hate me.
“Nonsense. I brought you here to enjoy the weekend.” He smirks. “And I never did get to show you the sunset last night. We were otherwise occupied.”
“Yes, we were.” I accept his kiss. “But let me get my things. I should leave, too.”
“There’s a chance I can come back before the weekend is over. Please, stay. If I can’t return, Seth will give you a ride home. But if I can, we will watch the sunset and enjoy each other. Perhaps in the hot tub.”
“I don’t know…”
“Please. I don’t expect my task to take very long. It’s possible I could return this evening. Please stay and enjoy the beach, bella.”
His intense brown eyes are both forceful and reassuring. I remember losing myself in his gaze last night, the way he focused on me while giving me pleasure and little bites of pain.
I cave to his demand. “Yes. I’ll stay.”
* * *
SETH
Damiano needs a swift punch to the teeth. He knows what he’s doing, and he doesn’t give a shit who he hurts in the process.
Madison walks carefully around the house like a kicked puppy, like I could snap at any time. I flick open my newspaper—an archaic indulgence I save for trips to Mirarosa—and resolve to ignore her. I will enjoy this morning in peace, no matter what.
I scan an article about some kind of scandal with the Surf Rats shortstop, my eyes seeing the words, but my brain not comprehending them. It seems most of my focus is reserved for the curious kitchen sounds Madison is making.
It’s time for more coffee, anyway. I grab my half-full mug and stalk into the kitchen.
Madison stands before the counter, fresh fruit chopped on a cutting board next to a blender full of fresh spinach leaves. She freezes when she sees me, but then says carefully, “Good morning.”
“Morning. What the hell are you making?”
“A smoothie.” She looks pointedly at the blender and throws pieces of mango and strawberries inside. “You sound mad about it.”
“It’ll be loud.”
“So go in the other room.” She turns to face me, fire in her gaze. “You’ve been nothing but rude since I got here, Seth.”
“This was my weekend escape. You crashed it.”
“I didn’t mean to. Damiano brought me here, and I had no idea. You don’t have to take out your bad attitude on me.” She peels a banana and tosses it on top of the mango, strawberries, and spinach.
“I don’t have a bad attitude.” Christ, she makes me sound like a child.
Instead of responding, she jams the lid on the blender and presses a button. A loud, electronic whirring fills the kitchen. Madison stares directly at me while it runs, like she’s daring me to do something about the noise.
I have all kinds of ideas for things I can do. Throw her over my knees and spank her sassy ass, for starters.
Finally, the blender finishes spinning. The new silence in the kitchen stretches on while Madison and I stare at each other. I remember kissing her at Low Vice, in that private room with Damiano. Her lips parted for me, allowing me in. She tasted fresh and sweet.
If this moment continues, I’m in danger of kissing her again. Something must be done.
“Are you finished making a bunch of noise?” I ask.
“Yes,” she snaps. “You do your thing, I’ll do mine. No need to speak, or even be friends.”
Before I can respond, she pours her abhorrent concoction into a pint glass and marches out of the kitchen.
* * *
MADISON
I’d half hoped that this weekend might be a re-start for Seth and me, that we could get past all of our previous hang-ups and approach something civil.
All hopes were dashed when he acted like a total dick this morning.
I tell myself I don’t care, but there’s a small part of me that remembers facing him with Kyle. All those years ago, I’d held the hand of my fiancé and listened to his brother tell us we’re making a mistake.
I couldn’t help but hear Seth’s unspoken words: that I was the mistake.
Looking back, now that I’m older, I get it. Kyle and I were young. Maybe too young. I don’t have regrets, though, because the time we had together was short, but precious.
And what the hell could Seth have known of our hearts, of our love for each other?
I spend some time at the beach. It’s too cold to swim and I’m not much for sunbathing. But I do love walking along the shoreline and looking for shells and pretty rocks.
Intent on avoiding Seth, I stay out longer than I normally would, and I’m exhausted by the time I get back to the beach house. When I cross the deck, I see Seth’s silhouette in one of the upstairs windows. He’s probably throwing a tantrum now that he doesn’t have the house to himself.
Sighing, I go inside and head straight to my room. Maybe I’ll hide out and watch Flesh and Teeth on my phone until I’m hungry enough for dinner. Even better if Damiano happens to come back before then. Maybe the two of us can go out. We’ll leave sour-pants Seth at home.
My phone rings. Damiano’s name shows on the screen. I hope he’s calling to say he’s on his way.
I answer the call. “Hey.”
“Madison.” His tone is warm, but tired. “I have bad news, I’m afraid. I won’t be able to return tonight, as I’d hoped.”
Ugh, dammit. No Damiano tonight, and I’m going to have to ride back to San Esteban with stupid Seth. My heart sinks, but I keep my voice perky. “Okay, I understand.”
“I am missing you already, bella.”
A switch flips in me. He calls me bella often, but there’s a special tone when things are getting frisky.
And that tone is present now.
“I miss you, too,” I whisper.
“Yes? I keep thinking of all the things we could be doing, if I were there with you.”
My breath hitches. “Like—like what?”
“Like I’d arrange you on the deck and lick your pussy under the stars.”
A jolt of lust shoots between my legs. I grip the phone tighter while he continues to talk.
“I would lick and suck and push my fingers inside you, feel that greedy cunt go tight. Just like you did for me yesterday, bella.” He groans. “You taste so fucking good. Would you let me, if I were there?”
“Yes.” I nod, even though he can’t see me. “Yes, I’d let you, Sir.”
“I thought you might. Now, there’s something I’d like you to do.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a task for someone who is brave enough to stand on a stage and auction off her body. For someone who isn’t afraid of being seen. Someone who craves sexual adventure. Does this sound like you, bella?”
“Yes.” I’m so breathless from his words, my voice comes out soft as a whisper.
“Are you certain?”
This time, I speak with more force. “Yes. Yes, I am. Very certain.”
“Good.” His voice is soothing. “You’re going to go out to the hot tub and take off all of your clothes.”
I balk. It would be fine if it were just me staying in this beach house. But Seth is here, too.
But Damiano isn’t done with his instructions. “And I’ll make sure you have an audience, Miss M. I know how you like to be watched.”