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.
He figured after a week, his strange pull toward her would be gone, if not extremely dim. He was wrong, each day only made him seem to desire her more.
“That doesn’t work for me,” he heard himself saying.
“Why not?”
“I hired you for a job. I need you to stay here.”
“What the heck is my job, then - to keep anyone from breaking into your hotel suite? If that’s the case, I’m telling you, the security at that hotel is excellent. Your clothes will be just fine with or without me there.”
“There’s no need to be a smart ass, Sierra,” he said in a tone of steel. She didn’t even flinch.
“I don’t know what way to be because you haven’t given me the time of day since we landed. All I have is a short job description. Some people may love getting paid for nothing, but I’m not one of them. I’m bored and don’t see any point in being here when I kept myself busy enough doing volunteer work before your job offer,” she said, not backing down.
He was impressed.
“I’ve already told you. Your job is to assist me...” he said, making sure to pause just long enough to make her wonder.
She glared at him, reading his message loud and clear.
“I have no idea what’s going on between you and my father, but I’m a human being, Mr. Whitfield. I deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and if you want me to work for you, then you should at least give me tasks to complete.
Damien sat back, liking the fire in her eyes and the way she almost growled his name. There were images in his mind of many things he’d like her to do for him, none of them appropriate, none of them having anything to do with public relations.
His body tightened more as he took in her flushed cheeks and the rapid movement of her chest as her breathing sped up in her agitation. With all her pent up passion and anger, she had be incredible in the bedroom.
They could use those emotions for much better uses than fighting.
“Fine. You want to work. We’ll start tonight,” he said in a whisper, his throat suddenly dry.
His tone did the trick. She leaned back, her eyes widening as she looked at him warily. Good. She needed to be wary of him. He was hanging on by a thread and it wasn’t going to take much to push him over the cliff – let all rationale fly out the window.
“What exactly do you have in mind?” she asked as she picked up her cup, her fingers slightly shaking. He ignored her question as his mind drifted.
Nothing she could do at that moment was going to lessen the desire coursing through him. He wanted her and now that he had that on his mind, he was fixated on it. He was picturing her lying beneath him, a moan of pleasure escaping her lips as he slowly sank himself deep inside her slick folds.
He could practically taste the softness of her lips; feel the tightness of her body gripping him. He wanted out of the spa and back in their room.
It wouldn’t change anything if they slept together. His plan wouldn’t be altered. He’d just feel a lot more satisfied, and be able to focus. Yes, he reasoned with himself, taking her to bed was the smart thing to do. He’d rid himself of the mystery of her.
It was really quite brilliant of him. He saw the hunger in her eyes, the longing in their depths. He noticed how she kept glancing at his chest, the way her tongue would nervously moisten her soft pink lips.
She was hungry – for far more than just food.
They were consenting adults and there was just no use in them suffering, when they could both so easily relieve each other’s pain.
Yes, he relaxed as he made up his mind. His previous thought of getting his workout was long forgotten as his eyes focused on her. Once he made a decision, he didn’t go back on it. Sierra Monroe would be his – soon.
“Wait here, I need to change. These clothes are already damp from my wet shorts,” Damien curtly spoke, before he quickly got up and left.
Chapter Ten
“You drive. I have some work I need to finish,” Damien said as he tossed her the keys.
Sierra thought about protesting since he was arrogant enough to demand she drive for him instead of politely asking her.