She rose, smiling. “Absolutely.”
Their footsteps were muffled by the carpeted curving staircase in the yacht’s stairwell.
The enormous venetian glass chandelier hung from the ceiling, and descended midway down the first flight of stairs, filling the stairwell with glorious gold-and-rose light. The rest of the yacht’s interior was sleek with mahogany walls and gleaming wood and chrome railings, and for a moment Kassiani allowed herself to be distracted by the stunning glass artistry and how the golden base covered with countless rose, violet and red glass flowers reflected glittering light onto the adjacent walls and banister railings, before she caught a glimpse of her husband’s even more striking profile.
Butterflies filled her tummy and her pulse did a jagged little dance. She was so attracted to him, and found him ridiculously compelling.
He caught her side-glance and gave her a faint smile. “What are you thinking?”
“Just that you are deliciously handsome.”
“You flatter me.”
“I don’t. Women must fall all over themselves trying to get close to you.”
Her words had the wrong reaction. His brow darkened and his features hardened. “Some women only want what they can’t have,” he said. “And I don’t care about any other woman. Just you. You are my wife, and I will be loyal to you.” They’d paused at the top of the stairs, and he lifted her chin, his gray gaze holding hers. “I don’t have a mistress now. I won’t take another mistress again. There won’t be any affairs. You are my wife and I promise you my fidelity. Do you understand?”
She nodded.
“Good. Because I expect the same of you.”
“Of course,” she answered, somewhat perplexed by how serious he’d become. But then, Damen was serious. He was clearly scarred from a past she didn’t yet understand.
* * *
Dinner was delicious, with course after course, from shrimp saganaki to scallops and pasta. Kassiani ate until she couldn’t take another bite, and then coffee and dessert were served, a gorgeous Greek custard named galaktoboureko that melted in her mouth.
Finally she truly was finished and she glanced up to discover Damen watching her.
The dark intensity in his gaze made the air catch in her throat and the blood heat in her veins. Just a look from him and she went hot and molten. “What are you thinking?” she asked, her voice dropping, growing husky.
“I think you know.”
“Tell me anyway.”
“I’m sick of words,” he said.
She flashed a provocative smile. “And I can’t get enough.”
He made a low rough sound that made her breasts tighten and her skin tingle. “If you’re not careful I will have you on your knees worshipping me,” he growled.
Her nipples hardened and heat rushed through her, making her prickle and ache. “I’d never say no to you.”
The air thickened, heavy with desire. Damen pushed away from his seat at the table, and approached her. “Have I told you that you’re not as demure as you look?”
“I do believe you’ve told me I’m not demure at all.”
“Ah.” He hit a button adjacent to the bar and the curtains across the wine bar closed. He pressed another button and she heard a soft click, as the door locked.
“No security cameras here?” she asked.
“I’ve already taken care of that.” He took a step away from the bar, pointing to the marble floor. “Come here.”
She rose from the couch and crossed the room, going to stand before him. Lifting her chin, she gazed up at him, her eyebrow arching.
“Closer,” he murmured.
Her pulse raced and she took a step closer. They were now practically touching. Again she looked him in the eye, and his upper lip curled. And then he reached for her, and turned her around to unzip her delicate chiffon gown, slipping the sleeves from her shoulders to allow the gown to puddle at her feet, revealing her black lace bustier and garter belt. He hissed a breath.
“What is this?” he demanded.
“Something sexy for you.”
His hands cupped her breasts and then shaped her waist. “Where did you get it?”
“I brought it with me from California. If you have a beautiful dress, you should wear beautiful undergarments, don’t you think?”
“I do,” he answered almost reverently, stroking her hips and then the curve of her buttocks. His fingers slipped between the garter belt, and her skin. “You are testing my control.”
“And you do hate that,” she teased, unbuttoning his shirt, before reaching for his belt, and then unfastening his trousers.
Naked, he swung her into his arms and carried her to the low dark leather couch in the corner, the leather soft and supple as he laid her on her back.
For a long moment he just looked at her, and then he caught her hands in one of his and raised them over her head, pinning them to the leather. With his other hand he explored her curves, and then under the black satin of her panty to the damp heat between her legs. “So wet,” he murmured, finding her delicate nub and making her shudder with pleasure.
He straddled her hips, his shaft hard and heavy against her belly. “What do you want?”
“You.”
He needed both hands to rip the panty in half, and then he moved down her body to kiss her where she was so warm and wet. He was so good with his hands and mouth that she climaxed far too quickly, and then he shifted his weight, and she welcomed him back into her body, where he seemed to be a perfect fit.
* * *
They made love on the wine room’s leather couch, and then again later in the master bedroom. It was past midnight now, and Kassiani was trying to decide if she should return to her room, or stay put for the night.
“Stay here,” he said gruffly. “I can’t have my wife running out of the room after we make love.”
“You run out of the room.”
“I don’t run. I never run.”
“But you do leave.”
“I can’t spend the night with anyone. I don’t sleep when in bed with someone else. It’s not personal. I promise you.”
“Even as a boy?”
“Kass,” he growled.
She snuggled closer. “Okay, no more probing questions tonight.” She closed her eyes, relishing the feel of his hand as he
