Chapter Two

Damon

When she rattled off her address, my suspicions were immediately aroused, and I knew I was right to keep her close. There was more to her story than she told, I was sure of it.

“Very nice building. Private garage, a doorman and concierge desk, a private gym with a swimming pool. Where do you work?” I watched her carefully for any signs of uneasiness.

“I’m a consultant with Morgan and Bartholomew out of New Orleans. I’m staying in one of their corporate apartments. Since I’m here for several months working with a client, it’s more economical for me to live in their apartment than to put me up in a hotel. And it’s more like home than a hotel room. It’s a beautiful place—I wish I could afford it on my own.”

Her self-deprecating laugh was genuine. And charming.

“What exactly does a consultant do?”

“For this client, I’m setting up process improvements for their entire Human Resources department, including their compensation and benefits systems. Sometimes they just need a fresh pair of eyes to evaluate their current protocols. Different clients have different needs, though most everything I’m involved with is process improvement.”

“Interesting. Who’s the client?” I kept pressing for information under the guise of conversation, but she didn’t seem to mind.

“Blaine Financial Services.” My expression gave away my thoughts for the first time since I was a kid and learned to keep my poker face intact. “What’s wrong? Is there something I should know about them?”

“No, nothing like that. They’re fine. I used to be friends with someone who worked there, and we didn’t part on the best of terms. No need for you to worry about it though. That’s old news.”

The car stopped in front of her building, and my driver jumped out to open the door. I had the distinct impression she didn’t want to part with my company just then, and I wasn’t ready to let her go either.

“I’ve taken up so much of your time with my drama, and you’ve done so much for me. Not to seem forward, but would you like to come up? I’ll make dinner, and we can eat in tonight. Unless you’re married or have a girlfriend? Oh my God, I should’ve asked that first. You probably think I’m a terrible person.”

Another genuine smile broke free across my face. “Take a breath, Jillian. I’m not married. No girlfriend. And I’d love to have dinner with you. But since it was one of my trucks that hit you and sent you to the hospital, I wouldn’t feel right allowing you to cook for me.”

“Your truck didn’t send me to the hospital,” she countered with a flirty smile. “You did. I’m perfectly fine, and I’d like to repay your kindness.”

“Fair enough. By all means, lead the way.” The company was one thing, but the open invitation into her private life was better than one I could’ve orchestrated.

Once we were inside, her apartment was much what I expected from this building. Large and spacious, two floors, and with all the deluxe amenities half the people in this city would kill to have. No one moves directly into a three-bedroom apartment on 79th Street in New York City without having powerful connections. My initial thought was either she came from money or she came here under an offer of a way to make a lot of money quickly. I’d have my people check out the corporation-owning-the-apartment explanation first thing in the morning.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“Beer?”

She popped the top on a longneck bottle and handed it to me. “Make yourself at home while I start dinner.”

A slow perusal through the furnished rooms revealed little of her life. The decorations were obviously already there when she moved in. None of her personal pictures were anywhere to be found. Any information I gleaned about her would have to be obtained the old-fashioned way—a combination of charm and spying. When I made it back around to the kitchen, I found her cooking and singing. She was naïvely oblivious to the dangers she’d subjected herself to by inviting a strange man into her apartment then turning her back on him.

Especially a man like me.

“Jillian, how long have you been here?”

“About two weeks now. I’m still trying to get my bearings of which way is uptown, downtown, midtown, side-town.” She grinned broadly after the last, letting me know she was teasing. “Have you always lived here?”

“Yes, I have, so take this warning seriously. There are a lot of bad men who would love to do awful things to you. Inviting strange men up to your apartment and turning your back on them is a good way to become a negative statistic.”

“Are you saying you’re a bad man?” The expression on her face was both challenging and questioning.

“I have my moments.”

“So, let me get this straight. You insisted I get checked out at the hospital after a minor fender bender, just to later murder me in my apartment while I’m cooking your dinner?” She quirked one eyebrow up at me. “That doesn’t sound like a very smart plan, if you ask me.”

“Why is that?”

“Because you’ve been seen with me by too many people. You’re on security cameras at the hospital and walking into my building. There’s no way you’d get away with it. So, it only makes sense that you’re here for the food and the company.” She crossed her arms over her chest, confident in her assessment.

She clearly had no idea how those of us who worked outside the confines of the law could make evidence disappear with a flash of green.

“Interesting theory. But don’t put it to the test again. You don’t know what men are capable of doing.”

“Yes, sir.” She saluted and turned back to the stove.

I had to adjust my cock at the sound of her sweet voice calling me sir. So many erotic scenes flooded my mind. I didn’t trust her, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t fuck her.

After eating, I played the grateful guest and helped her with the dishes. “I should go, but let me see your phone first.” She handed it over without question, and I dialed my number. “Now you can reach me anytime.” We agreed on a time for her morning transportation, and I left with the promise to see her the following day.

 

Jillian

The front desk called up to my apartment to let me know my ride had arrived. When I exited the building, I was surprised to find Damon leaned up against his car, waiting for me with a smug smile. The man was so damn sexy, without even trying to be.

When he first stepped out of his car on the expressway the day before, he stole my breath. The air around us changed, and every eye snapped toward him, watching his every move. His presence commanded attention before he spoke a single word. But when he spoke, he left no doubt about who dominated the scene. He had a hint of an Italian accent mingled with the classic New York style, giving the deep timbre of his voice a sexy edge to it. I was hesitant to get in his car for the ride to the hospital, but the slight nod from the cop reassured me.

That same cop had pulled me aside and warned me about the men who surrounded me, cautioning me to take care when dealing with them. Without revealing too much, he relayed they were not the type anyone should disrespect. Provided they were cordial to me, he said I should respond in kind. Then Damon was so nice to me and seemed genuinely concerned for my health, the cop’s warning felt out of place and contradictory to Damon’s personality.

That morning, he stood before me in his custom-tailored suit that fit his physique perfectly, dark brown hair with intermittent lighter strands, and those deep chocolate brown eyes that were both perceptive and engaging. The only warning I felt was the fluttering of excitement low in my belly.

“Good morning.” His sultry voice beckoned me with a simple greeting. With my thirtieth birthday fast approaching, I shouldn’t have been affected by him to that degree. I’d dated, been in long-term relationships, and had a couple of one-night stands along the way. But he made me feel completely inexperienced. “You are simply stunning. Maybe you should quit your job and come work for me instead. You’ll give me extra incentive to go into the office every day.”

“You are quite the charmer, Mr. Marchetti. What line of work are you in, by the way?”

“I own a commercial construction business. I handle the contracts and bids for jobs, while my crew of engineers and foremen oversee the worksites.” He stepped to the side, opened the passenger door for me, then strode around to the driver’s side. While watching him walk, I noticed a few other women stop in their tracks to stare at him the same way I did—with deep desire. The expressions on their faces were obvious—they hoped he’d glance in their direction. When he didn’t, they moved on, disappointed but no less interested.

My smile remained in place when he slid behind the steering wheel and cranked the car. “What are you grinning about?” He finally cut his eyes at me over his shoulder, barely turning his head in my direction. “Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

“You didn’t notice the three women on the sidewalk who would kill for a just a glance from you. They were begging you to throw them a bone.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “That’s not entirely true. I noticed them watching me, working hard to get my attention. I just have no interest in giving any of them a bone of any kind.”

“I kind of felt sorry for them. You didn’t even flash them a smile.”

One side of his mouth lifted in amusement. “Jillian, I’m afraid you’re a little too soft-hearted to be in this city. You need to remember any one of those women would’ve killed you to sit where you’re sitting right now.”

“Does that mean you’re dangerous to my safety and well-being?” I asked playfully. Maybe more than a little flirty.

That question garnered a wide smile. “That is a guarantee, doll.” We stopped at a red light, and he looked straight into my eyes. “But you have nothing to worry about as long as you’re with me. Anyone who’s after you would have to go through me first, and that won’t happen.”

With our eyes connected, I felt something tangible pass between us. The flicker of desire was followed by a silent acknowledgment that we both felt it, and the knowledge we would give in to the craving. My days in the Big Apple were numbered. But at that moment, I wanted Damon to fill my nights.

“What about when I’m not with you? My car will be fixed in a couple of days, and then you won’t have any reason to chauffeur me around. What if a strange man comes to my apartment for dinner, only to try to kill me?”

He pulled up to the curb in front of my temporary assignment and put the car in park. When he cut his eyes at me, I saw a flash of something feral and dangerous in them. And exciting. “We’re adults, so let’s be frank with each other. I know you want me as much as I want you. But you should know something else about me. I don’t share what’s mine, and I’ve already decided you belong to me. If I’ve read you wrong in any way, tell me now.”

“No, you haven’t read me wrong at all.” I was surprised I could reply at all. His blunt confession stole my breath and scrambled my brain.

“I’m glad to hear you say that. So that we’re clear, no strange men will be in your apartment. If I catch a man in there, he won’t live long enough to regret it.”

“We’re crystal clear.”

He reached up and threaded his fingers through my hair then stroked my cheek with his thumb. “You’re so damn beautiful. Call me when you’re ready for me to pick you up, and I’ll be here.”