I’d been driving around for an hour when I remembered the yacht club. Speeding to the other side of town, I drove until the fresh scent of ocean air filled my nostrils. The Queen of Sails was docked, but there was no sign of Damien. Instead, I ran down the hill to the shore. The ocean roared in my ears, and I glanced around, looking for Damien’s muscular figure.
Then I saw him. Sitting on the shore, right by the ocean, with his toes in the surf.
“Damien!” I yelled, trying to make myself heard over the screech of gulls and the roar of the ocean. “Damien, it’s Emma!”
I ran towards him, breathing hard as my sandals sunk into the soft sand. Groaning, I stopped and yanked them off my feet, then ran all the way down to the waterline. Damien was sitting with his knees up and his muscular arms wrapped around them, looking pensive.
“He’s stable,” I said breathlessly, lowering myself down to the wet sand. “He’ll be okay. Mom and Derek are back at the hospital with him now.”
Damien nodded. He narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath. “How did you find me?”
I flushed. “I…I remembered something about how you said the water was your happy place,” I said softly. “Remember? When we were out on the Queen of Sails?”
Damien nodded again. “Thanks for telling me, Emma,” he said in a low voice. Damien got to his feet and brushed the sand from his designer jeans. “Come on, take a walk with me,” he said. He stuck his arm out, waiting for me to take his hand.
After a second, I did. Damien pulled me to my feet with muscular ease, and we started walking down the empty beach. Instead of letting go of my hand, Damien twined his fingers with mine and squeezed.
“I know it sounds like I’m complaining about nothing,” Damien said slowly. “But I wasn’t a very happy kid growing up. It sounds so selfish and arrogant – Dad was so rich, we never wanted for anything.”
I frowned. “What was it, then? Did you want a family?”
Damien shook his head. “No,” he said, almost too low for me to hear. “It wasn’t that.” He sighed and raked a hand through his dark hair. “Dad always liked Derek better.”
I didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I can’t really relate to that – I’ve obviously always been an only child. I know Mom wanted to have other kids, but then she didn’t meet Jack until I was in my teens, and she said the gap would be too big.”
Damien laughed bitterly. “You’re better off, trust me,” he said, shaking his head. “I’d kill to have been an only child.”
“It must be tough having a twin,” I said softly, stepping closer to Damien. I squeezed his hand, stroking my thumb across the back. His skin was so soft – just touching him made me happy.
“I don’t think it would be any different if he’d been older or younger,” Damien said. He shook his head. “It’s just fucked up, Emma. Dad always liked Derek more, even before I was a total shithead. It started back when we were kids. I don’t know – maybe Derek is just nicer, or he’s a better son.”
I bit my lip, feeling awkward. “Maybe he’s…easier,” I said. “Maybe your father wanted someone malleable. Someone he could shape into a younger version of himself.”
Damien stopped abruptly in his tracks and looked at me. He cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes as if seeing me for the first time.
“You think?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know,” I said. I flushed. “I’m sorry, I don’t really know Jack all that well. He’s never home, and when he is, Mom is all over him. She really loves him.”
“I know.” Damien sighed. “I’m sorry I gave her so much shit when she and my dad first got together. It was just easy to think she was a gold-digger. But I know she’s not.” He sighed. “If anything, she doesn’t want Dad blowing all of his money…which is probably a good thing.”
I nodded. “I think she’s good for him. She really wants him to work less, and she thinks that maybe now, after this, he’ll listen to her and he won’t take her for granted.”
Damien was silent. The crashing waves roared in my ears, and I closed my eyes, enjoying the soothing, repetitive sound.
“I just…I feel so bitter and angry sometimes,” Damien said. He closed his eyes and shook his head, suppressing a sigh. “I never did anything wrong, but Derek was always the golden one. He never got in trouble, he’d just blame it on me. I don’t know if Dad always believed him, but maybe you’re right – maybe it was easier to just paint me as the bad kid.”
“I can’t believe you were really that awful,” I said softly. “I mean, it doesn’t make sense. You’re not a bad person, Damien.”
Damien raised a brow at me and smirked. “I’m not bad, I just look that way?” He laughed humorlessly. “Emma, you can’t try to fix me. Many things are wrong…many things that you don’t even know about.”
I bit my lip. “I want to know,” I said softly. “I want to know about everything that makes you who you are,” I added. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to pry.”
Damien sighed. “Look, there was this time, years ago, I think I was maybe seven years old. And it was the science fair at school, you remember that?”
I nodded.
“I was so jazzed about it,” Damien said bitterly. “Derek didn’t care – he knew from the womb that he wanted to be a businessman, just like our old man. And I spent every free moment I had working on my stupid project. Well, I won a prize – Derek didn’t even participate. And you know what?”
“What?” I asked softly, dreading the answer.
“Dad was proud of Derek for opting out,” Damien spat. “He didn’t give a fuck about the fact that I’d won something, he told me it didn’t matter.”
“Oh, Damien,” I said softly, reaching up to touch his face. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
“Yeah,” Damien said, shaking his head. “Well, it’s all water under the bridge now.”
I bit my lip. "I feel like such an idiot," I said. “I really had no idea. I thought Jack loved both of you equally.”
Damien snorted. “Emma, look – let me give you a piece of advice that everyone knows, but no one talks about.”
I frowned and cocked my head to the side. “What?”
Damien sighed. “Everyone has a favorite kid,” he said. “You’re just lucky you were an only child.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” I said slowly. “My best friend, Amy, has a sister. And they’re really close.”
Damien laughed bitterly. “I bet they are now, but how was it growing up?”
I sighed and turned to face the water. Waves were crashing down hard on the beach. Most of the time, staring at the water made me feel peaceful and relaxed. But this time, staring at the ocean made me feel restless, almost resentful. I felt so bad for Damien, but even worse, I felt so stupid for not seeing it sooner. I’d always thought Jack was the perfect father, and that Damien was just a no-good rebel.
But now, I was starting to think differently. It made me wonder – did Derek know this, too? Had he guessed? Or like me, he was blinded by Jack’s charm and money, Jack’s ability to make himself seem like the only man in the room no matter where he was.
“Don’t worry about it, Emma,” Damien said. “This isn’t your problem.”
I reached for his hand and squeezed. “It is my problem,” I said softly. “I’m involved with you. I care about you, Damien.”
Damien didn’t reply. I thought back to his words that other day – that he liked me, that he felt he couldn’t stay away from me, but that he didn’t “do” relationships. It bothered me. Was Damien trying to manipulate me into a casual relationship?
Or had this – whatever it was, exactly – morphed into something so crazy and powerful that neither of us could stop it?
“I think it’s why I’ve never had much of interest in Empire Mesa,” Damien said. He reached down and grabbed a handful of broken seashells, tossing them into the waves. “I knew that no matter what I did, Dad still wouldn’t like me very much. So I guess it didn’t really matter.”
I frowned. “Oh, Damien,” I said softly. “I can’t imagine what going through that would be like.”
Damien shrugged again. “It doesn’t matter,” he said darkly. “I don’t feel like talking about this anymore.” He shielded his eyes and stared into the ocean for what felt like a very long time.
“Do you want to take a walk?” I asked.
“Sure,” Damien said. “You said my father was stable, right?”
I nodded.
“I’m sure he doesn’t even want me there,” Damien said darkly. He turned in the sand and began leading the way down the beach.
“I don’t think that’s true,” I said. “I know your dad really loves you.”
Damien wrinkled his nose. “Like I said, I really don’t want to talk about this anymore,” he said.
You were the one who brought it back up, I thought, rolling my eyes. I was starting to realize that maybe Damien’s brusque, playboy behavior was all for show – what if everything was simply for the benefit of a performance? What if he only wanted his father to notice him?
“How did Derek seem?”
I shrugged. “Fine, I guess. He was just relieved.”
Damien raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, right,” he said, and again, I wondered why he couldn’t seem to stay away from the subject of his father.
“What does that mean?”
“Oh, nothing,” Damien said. He sighed and shook his head. “Just that Derek is practically counting the days until Empire Mesa has his name on the door instead of my father’s.”
“I don’t think Derek is like that,” I said. Damien turned to me and raised an eyebrow. I flushed. I shouldn’t have said that, I realized, biting my lip. I shouldn’t give Damien – or anyone else! – hints that I’ve slept with Derek, too!
“And tell me, Emma, how would you know something about my brother that I’ve never been able to realize?”
I flushed even deeper. “I don’t,” I said quickly. “I just…I don’t know. Derek seems so nice.”
Damien smiled, baring his teeth. “Oh, yes,” he said. “Derek is just so nice. That’s certainly the problem he has, now isn’t it?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I said quietly.
Damien sighed. “Forget it,” he said. “But Emma, you should know, my brother’s nice guy act is just that – an act.”
“Oh.”
“I mean, I know you probably think of him like Prince Charming,” Damien continued. “He bought you that dress and took you out to a wedding, but that doesn’t mean anything. Derek doesn’t think about the consequences of his actions. He just…does shit and hope something sticks.”
I frowned. “Oh.”
“I’m not saying this to hurt you, I just think you need to be careful,” Damien continued. “Many women fall for Derek. That’s exactly what he wants.”
My heart began to thud in my chest. I’m not falling for Derek, I thought silently, blushing crimson red. I’m falling for you, and I feel like it’s glaringly obvious!
“I see,” I said curtly. “Well, you don’t have to worry about that.”
Damien smirked. “Because he’s your stepbrother, right?”
I bit my lip. “No,” I said slowly. “Because…”
“Cat got your tongue?”
I didn’t reply. Damien reached for my hand and led me away from the shoreline, towards the rocky cliffs hanging over the beach. He pulled me into a small cove.
“Or is it because you’re…otherwise occupied?” Damien asked, his voice soft and low and dangerous. “Is that it, Emma?”
I bit my lip and flushed. Damien took both of my hands in his and gently pushed me backward until I was pressed against the wall of the cliff. I could still hear the crash and roar of the ocean waves, but I felt secluded, almost hidden by the rocky stone walls.
“I don’t know,” I stammered, looking down at my feet. “I…”
Damien put his hand under my chin and tilted my face up. He stared deeply into my eyes and a shiver of something delicious and intense ran down my spine.
“I think you are occupied,” Damien growled. “I think there’s something going on in that head of yours that no one else can figure out.”
I gulped and swallowed hard. My heart was pounding like a drum in my chest, and I could feel my skin was hot and clammy.
Damien leaned down, pressing his lips to mine. When his tongue slipped into my mouth, I moaned. His chin was covered in stubble, and it rubbed painfully against my face, although I didn’t want the sensations racing through my body to stop. Somehow, the slight pain from Damien’s rough chin and jaw just made it even more exciting. We’re doing this, I thought, my heart thumping faster and faster with every second. We’ll have sex, in public, and I don’t even care! I just want to be with him.
"Emma," Damien growled, breaking the kiss and taking my face into his hands. “I want you.”
A soft moan escaped my lips, and I shivered.
Damien kissed me again, pushing his mouth fiercely against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer to my body, eager to feel the press of his muscles against my breasts. Damien slipped his tongue into my mouth, and I moaned, spreading my legs as Damien nudged a thigh between mine. He slid his hands around my waist and under my shirt, stroking my lower back and making me shiver.
“I think you want me, too,” Damien growled. “Tell me, Emma. Do you want me?”
“Oh, god, yes,” I purred, arching my neck and tilting my head back against the cool granite. Damien left a trail of fiery hot kisses down my neck, sucking my earlobe and nipping at my sensitive flesh with his sharp teeth. I didn’t just want to make love with Damien, I wanted him to take my body over completely. I wanted him to make me his – I wanted him to screw me so hard that I couldn’t walk.
It wasn’t just about the sex, though – I knew I was dangerously close to falling deeper in love with Damien than ever before.
As we kissed, my heart began to pound faster, and a light sweat broke out over my skin. The day wasn’t overly warm, but I wanted to be naked and vulnerable with Damien, sharing everything that I possibly could with him.
Damien pulled my shirt up and over my head, then pulled me into his arms and held me closer than ever. His kisses on my lips were like scorching rays of heat, and inside my panties, my clit was soaked and throbbing.
“God,” Damien groaned. “I can’t wait, Emma. I need you now.”
The urgency in his voice sent a whole new wave of shivers down my spine. As quickly as I could, I reached behind my back and unclasped my bra, dropping to the sandy ground. Damien dropped to his knees and dipped his head to my breasts, sucking and gently biting my stiff nipples. It felt so good that I moaned loudly and arched my back, shoving my chest into Damien’s face. I tangled my fingers in his hair and gently yanked at his scalp until Damien was shuddering. His clumsy fingers fumbled with the snap of my jeans, pulling them down my wide hips and burying his face in my crotch.
I flushed hotly and tried to push Damien away – the knowledge that he was smelling my arousal was embarrassing – but Damien chuckled. His hot breath tickled my thighs, and I moaned again. When Damien took my knees and spread them, I obeyed. He pressed his face between my thighs and gently breathed on the soaked crotch of my panties. It felt heavenly and tortuous at the same time – a tease, a promise of the pleasure to come. When Damien slipped a finger inside of my panties and wriggled it around, I moaned loudly.
“Eager, are you,” Damien said in a deep voice that sent a shiver racing down my spine. “I love the smell of your pussy.”
I blushed again, even hotter this time. Damien got to his feet and kissed me – I could smell the musk of my arousal on his chin and mouth. Closing my eyes, I slipped my tongue into Damien’s mouth and gently danced with his, wriggling in his arms. His shirt scratched my nipples, and the sensation was intense and pleasurable. I wanted more – I wanted him everywhere. I wanted his cock inside of me, his muscular body pressing me against the rocks.
“I want you,” I moaned softly into Damien’s ear.
“Good,” Damien said. He fumbled with his belt and jeans, kicking them down his legs. Then he reached for my panties and tugged them down. I flushed scarlet at the thought of being caught naked on the beach, but I didn’t stop him. Damien slipped a finger between my thighs and slid it into my pussy, making me squirm and cry out with pleasure.
“You’re drenched,” Damien growled. When he took his hand away, I moaned for want of more. Damien slipped his finger into his mouth and sucked, locking eyes with me.
I reached between our bodies and wrapped my hand around Damien’s hard cock. It was hot and pulsing, and Damien groaned in pleasure as I wrapped my fingers around the shaft and stroked my hand up and down. It was clumsy – I’d never touched a cock before – but Damien thrust his hips forward and closed his eyes, obviously enjoying the attention.
After a few seconds, Damien pushed my hand away. He pulled me close and kissed me deeply, then gently tugged me down to the sand. He smirked.
“Ride me,” Damien said, lying down on his back. His cock was sticking straight up in the air, and I flushed again at the thought of him sliding inside of me. Getting to my knees, I straddled Damien and felt the head of his cock pushing into my pussy. I closed my eyes as intense pleasure flooded my body. Damien put his hands on my hips and pulled me down until he was buried inside of me to the shaft. He groaned with pleasure as I rocked and swayed my hips, moving sensually over Damien’s prone figure.
Every time I ground my hips, Damien’s pubic bone brushed against my clit, sending a thrilling sensation through my body. Damien put his hands to my heavy breasts, cupping them and rubbing his thumbs over my stiff nipples until I was moaning and crying in ecstasy. Soon, we were moving together in a perfect sexual rhythm. I could feel my orgasm building in my lower belly, and I closed my eyes, gritting my teeth and grinding hard on Damien’s cock. I loved the way he felt as he slid in and out of my body, and soon I was throwing my head back and howling as my orgasm ripped through my body.
“Oh my god,” I screamed. “Damien!”
Damien put his hands on my hips and pushed me faster and faster, grunting with pleasure. He bucked and arched his back, and then I felt his cock twitching and gushing inside of me. Then I leaned down and kissed Damien gently, tasting the sweat that coated his lips and savoring the salty-sweet blend.
Damien wrapped his arms around me and held me close. He kissed my forehead and my damp hair. My heart was still racing, and the blood was pounding in my ears, but I didn’t want to move. Tears formed in my eyes and before I knew it, I was sniffling and sitting up, trying to hide my damp cheeks from Damien.
Damien frowned. “Emma, what’s wrong?”
I bit my lip as the sobs came harder and harder. “Nothing,” I said, shaking my head. “That was just…really intense,” I added softly. “I’m sorry, I promise, there’s nothing wrong.”
Damien sighed. He reached over and wiped my sweaty bangs from my forehead.
“I think I’m falling love with you,” I said quietly.
Damien didn’t reply.
“Damien?”
Damien pulled me close and sighed again. “Emma…I can’t talk about this right now,” he said quietly.
I sighed. Damn it, I thought as I reached for my shirt and jeans. I just know I’m going to get my heart broken.