Cupid's Desire

Cupid’s Desire

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Lynn Warren

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Cupid’s Desire By

Lynn Warren Triskelion Publishing www.triskelionpublishing.com

Published by Triskelion Publishing www.triskelionpublishing.com 15508 W. Bell Rd. #101, PMB #502, Surprise, AZ 85374 U.S.A. First e-published by Triskelion Publishing First e-publishing February 2005 ISBN 1-932866-72-8 Copyright © Lynn Warren 2004 All rights reserved. Cover art by Bryan Keller PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales are entirely coincidental.

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PROLOGUE

“This is horse shit, Nic!” Nic’s brow rose slightly at the remark but Damon plowed ahead. “And what’s worse is, you fucking know it.” Nic laughed, “Who would’ve thought Cupid would have such a mouth?” Damon sneered, “Funny guy.” “You know this isn’t for you.” Nic shoved Damon’s dirt caked boots off the corner of his desk. Damon found some perverse pleasure in watching Nic dust his hands off. “Jess, deserves it.” “And you couldn’t give her to someone else?” Nic smiled, “I could have. But, this is so poetic. Cupid and Desire.” Damon swung his long legs to the floor and stood up. He was lean and tall. He stood eye to eye with Nic when he angled his head down slightly. He knew there wasn’t any way out of this no matter how much he bitched. “How long does this last?” “Until the study is completed.” Damon threaded his fingers through his long dark hair. “You have noticed Valentine’s Day is coming up. That’s like my busiest day of the year.” “You know how to multitask.” “What’d I do?” A light blinked on Nic’s console. “Time to take on your new assignment.” “Such as it is.” Nic opened his office door and turned a dark gaze in Damon’s direction. “This isn’t a joke, Cupid.” Damon’s lips twisted slightly. When Nic used your call sign, he wasn’t kidding. “I want the report.” “Be careful what you wish for, eh?” “What?” Damon stepped into the doorway. “I’m just saying that sometimes you shouldn’t mess with Cupid and Desire. It’s like mixing oil and vinegar.” Damon flashed a brilliantly evil grin. “Kind of like messing with Time and Fate.” He left Nic to ponder that one while he sauntered back to his own office. He knew what Jess was up to. He couldn’t say he liked it much. This wasn’t going to go over well, he could feel it in his bones. Damon walked slowly down the hallway toward his office ignoring the clumps of dirt that fell

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off his boots as he moved. Maybe he should’ve wiped them off before coming in, Damon sniffed at the indiscretion. Raising his hand to tap in the code for his office, he noticed the grime under his nails. He probably should’ve taken a shower before coming in from the work site. Oh well. “Jesus, you are a freakin’ pig, aren’t you?” Damon turned, “Excuse me.” “You heard me. You’re a pig.” Desire had the uncanny ability to appear out of nowhere. It disturbed him on a level he wasn’t ready to deal with yet. Damon shoved the irritation aside the way he would a cricket chirping in the middle of the night by throwing a shoe at it. “At least I manage to do my job.” She stopped. Pulled an errant strand of chocolate colored hair away from her lips and then smiled thinly at him. “Bite me.” A wicked thought lit his mind as he smiled slowly, “Love to. But we’ve got this whole thing going on so I’d rather just get down and dirty.” “Not in your wildest dreams.” He laughed, “Oh, you thought I meant you?” Damon saw the smoke blow out her ears. He nearly laughed but the look in her brown eyes made him think twice. He glanced pointedly at her PDA. “You told her, didn’t you?” Desire sighed. It was a sad, quiet sound that caught Damon by surprise. “I had to. She’s a friend of mine. She deserves to know.” “Some things might be better left alone.” She ran her hand through her hair. “Yeah, and if they effect the rest of us? What then?” Damon reached past her and pushed open his door. “Is that was this is all about? How it effects you?” He shook his head, “Damn you’re more selfish than I thought.” “What? What are you talking about?” “I thought you said Aurora was a friend of yours.” “She is.” Damon clucked his tongue at her. “And you’re more worried about your own ass then what this is going to do to Aurora.” “I –” She cut herself off and turned slowly away from him. “This is going to kill her.”

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CHAPTER ONE

Aurora Devereaux sat in the privacy of her office watching the holographic twenty-inch monitor as it revealed a part of her life she didn’t know existed. Her blue eyes glimmered from shock. Air slithered out of her lungs leaving a vile tasting venom in her throat. It dripped slowly, drop by drop into her stomach burning a hole in her stomach lining. She swallowed, reaching for a bottle of water before hitting the replay button. Her hand shook as she raised the bottle to her lips. She half wished it was Vodka. Aurora ran her fingers over throbbing temples. The shock was so complete she could only stare at the screen: “Look at me, Aurora.” She lifted eyes that reminded him of a quiet lake and in the distance he saw the clouds brewing in the distance. “You know I want you. I’ve gone to great lengths to have you.” He gestured at the empty room. “I don’t know what to do, Aurora. I can’t get you out of my mind. You make me hard every time I look at you and I just don’t know what to do.” “You could start by kissing me.” “That, I can do.” His head lowered slowly until his mouth was close to the sexy glossed lips of hers. He nodded to himself, “Yeah, I can do that.” He captured her upper lip between both of his and drew in slowly. Her lips reminded him of cotton candy, sweet and soft. Their lips gently touched, easily as if they belonged together forever. He used his tongue under the curve of her lip and opened her mouth to fully taste. Inside, her tongue met his and flavors of her martinis exploded through him. Desire roared through him on the tracks of a wild inferno. He couldn’t take this pace, as much as he wanted to go slow and savor every inch of her. Right now, he needed to let the fire rage. Teeth nipped. His hands found the pins in her hair and he let the glorious waves of satin fall over his hands. He raised his head and gazed into her eyes that glittered like gemstones. “Touch me, Aurora, for God’s sake, please.” He caught hold of one of her hands and pressed it to his chest. He pressed her hand flat against his pecs. Searing intensity came at her touch. It spread down his chest to the muscles of his abdomen. From there, the heat continued like hot oil down his hips into his cock where the blood burned. He kissed her slowly savoring each dark recess, wanting to know all about her. Needing to know every aspect that was Aurora, Nic didn’t breath. His lungs burned as he gasped for air breaking the

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kiss. Aurora instantly went for his bow tie. She loosened the tie and unbuttoned the first two buttons of his shirt. Her mouth went to his throat as Nic angled his head to take her earlobe into his mouth. Her tongue went to the crazy pulse at his throat and Nic sunk his teeth into her earlobe. Aurora cried out and twisted her fingers into the front of his shirt. “This is going to drive me crazy.” “Good, we need that.” He flattened his palms on her shoulders and slid them slowly down her back. Her skin was so soft, but he felt the strength there, the muscle and it made his hands greedy for more. “Aurora, listen to me,” he breathed in her ear, “this won’t change anything.”

There was her out. Aurora knew he was giving her an out. On purpose, so that later when the shit hit the fan, as it always did with her, she couldn’t blame him. Well, here it was, she had the hottest man she’d ever seen in her arms. From what was pressing against her hip, he was the hardest man too. So now, the choice was left to her. Chance it on Christmas Eve or head on home and listen to “Blue Christmas” for the rest of the weekend. She’d wanted him from the moment she’d seen him, Aurora just never thought she’d be here. “I know.” The moment those two words left her lips, any doubts Aurora had, simply evaporated. She knew he wasn’t in love with her. She knew there was no future here. No matter how pretty a bow she tied around her holiday fantasies, reality waited with a sharp stick to poke in your eye. She’d deal with all that later. As an immortal now, she’d have all of freakin’ eternity to decide if she had regrets. Right now, she didn’t see any regrets on the horizon. His hand encircled her arm and rubbed down the length of it to where he grasped her hand. “Come over here.” He led her slowly over to a group of huge cushions that surrounded a twelve foot tall Christmas tree decorated in silver and gold, and glimmering with white lights. “That dress is driving me nuts.” She grinned. “You don’t like it?” “I don’t know if I want to tear it off you or—” His mouth moved over a spray of beads on the dress that concealed her nipple. Deliberately, he blew hot air over her and Aurora gasped as her nipple tightened to a hard peak. Her reaction pleased him because he quickly captured it in his mouth and began to suck on her tit through the fabric.

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Aurora’s entire body tensed and arched against his mouth while his hands caught hold of her dress and began to slide it up. Nic turned his attention to her other breast and slid her fingers into his black hair pressing his head closer. Her blood turned to lava as Nic went down on his knees. “The second I noticed this dress was see- through, I had to touch what was under it.” Aurora’s eyes narrowed with mischief, “Why do you think I spent so much time looking for it? I had a holiday agenda too, you know?” His hands skimmed over her knees and higher up her thighs. “Tell me what you want, what you need and I’ll give it to you.” His mouth grazed over her inner thigh and fire blazed to liquid heat in her pussy. She didn’t think she could take much of this. It was like walking through a minefield waiting for the explosion to blow you away. She wanted that. She wanted to fuck Nic so hard that each cell in her body exploded and the only thing that remained was her mind drifting off into oblivion. He slid the dress up to her waist and let the tip of his tongue stroke around the edges of her pussy. Aurora pulled at the hair on his head. She didn’t know if she was pulling him away or pushing him closer. “What are you trying to do to me?” “Everything.” He glanced up at her, his eyes shiny onyx. “Anything.” He used his fingers to part her folds before using his tongue against her clit making it so hard and hot she squirmed against him. His fingers dug into her ass while he licked and stroked her pussy. The first spasm caught her by surprise but as he drove his tongue farther inside her pussy, Aurora nearly fell over as she clutched at Nic’s shoulders for support. She rode the second wave, digging her nails into his jacket, his hair and anything she could grab onto. She collapsed against him and Nic scooped her up in his arms carrying her over to the cushions. He laid her down. She was a mass of quivering nerves as he wiped her juices from his face using a cleanly pressed linen napkin then reached across her to scoop up an ice bucket with a bottle of Cuvee inside. Nic popped the cork and poured her a glass. He handed her one and poured another for himself. Clinking the glasses, he raised his in a toast, “To holiday wishes.” Her hand shook as she raised the glass. “I’ll drink to that.” Nic rolled to his knees and slipped off his jacket. His fingers undid the buttons of his shirt and Aurora pushed herself to a sitting position. “Shouldn’t I do that?” She reached up and quickly undid the rest of the buttons then pulled his shirt free of his waistband. Smooth, hard muscle met her fingertips as she pulled his shirt free. The man reminded her of a Greek god. Gorgeous pectorals, ribbed abs, or should she say totally ripped abs? He was amazing. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry as a sand dune.

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Her fingers ran over his biceps, down to his roped forearms. Such strength, such beauty, and it was all wrapped in one sexy packages. “Damn Nic, ever thought of posing naked?” He laughed, “Sure Aurora, all the time.” “Maybe just some private photos.” He shook his head, “Not this time.” “Damn, that’s a shame.” Her lips and teased grazed over his pecs down to his nipple where she gave him a little bite. His hands dug into her hair and pulled her head back. “You like to bite, hmm?” Her hands slid down his abs and he sucked in a breath. “Keep doing that and I’ll let you.” “I don’t bite hard.” Her fingers went to his belt and he covered her hands. “Not yet.” Nic shifted and his arms went to the zipper on her dress. “This dress needs to go.” “I thought you liked it.” “Oh, I do.” He tugged on the zipper, “But I know I’ll like it better off.” Aurora liked her body. She was quite comfortable in her own sensuality. She was tall, and worked out religiously to make sure she could continue eating in the manner she was accustomed. But like everyone, she had doubts, would he think she was too small, too skinny, too many angles. As the zipper released her dress, Nic pulled her arms free of the sleeves. Aurora held onto the front of the dress to keep it from falling away. Nic’s eyes glittered darkly. “Let go of the dress, Aurora. I want to see you.”

There was uncertainty in her eyes. He’d never expected Aurora to exhibit shyness. He pressed his lips together as she shifted the fabric higher. “Aurora?” Nic kicked off his shoes and socks, pulled his belt free and stripped out of his slacks leaving athletic style underwear. “Don’t be shy with me. You’re a beautiful woman and I want to see you.” Aurora’s eyes went to his cock. He was so hard, he could barely think coherently. “Drop the dress, Aurora.” It was agonizing torment. His attention locked on a piece of fabric as she lowered it carefully over top of her breasts. The air sizzled in his lungs. “You’re killing me here.” A light came into her eyes. He saw it and it made his cock even harder. The fabric slid over her breast and he saw the dusky outline of her nipples. He groaned and moved forward. “Enough.” His

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took hold the dress and practically yanked it over her hips. He inhaled deeply breathing in the scent of her skin. He held onto her as she stepped out of the dress and tossed it away. “Come here.” He wasn’t going to let her go. Not now. Not ever. Nic wrapped his arms around her and brought her press her breasts into his chest. The touch burned, sizzled and spiked through his entire body. “You’re exquisite. You know that, don’t you?” “I’m glad you approve.” Nic laughed and sank down into the cushions pulling her across him. “You’re a funny girl.” “I wasn’t sure,” she touched the side of his face and saw a shimmer of tears, “that you’d approve. I’ve never wanted anyone like this.” She kissed him and the world rocked on its axis. He nipped at her and she nipped back. He rolled over her laying her head back in the cushions and reached for the bottle of champagne. He dribbled the bubbly over her tits. Aurora squealed as the cold wine ran over her breasts. Her squeal melted into a groan as Nic’s tongue licked the drops of champagne from her tits. Then he followed the trail of champagne as it ran under her breasts tasting the delicate flavor of her skin as it mixed with the sweet, sparkling wine. He raised the bottle and poured it along the indention down her stomach pausing to lick slowly then to lick it all away. His goal was her pussy. She was hot, squirming and this would either cool her off or send her temperature soaring. Kneeling between her thighs, he nudged her legs apart while holding the bottle of champagne. He stroked her pussy with two teasing fingers before dipping them inside to massage her clit. Aurora bucked against his hand urging his fingers deeper inside. She was so hot, so tight and wet, Nic nearly forgot everything he planned. His cock needed to plunge deep inside that tight heat over and over again until he forgot his name. Nic slowly withdrew his honeyed fingers and a wicked grin appeared on his face. “This is going to be fun.” “What?” Aurora gasped, raising her head off the cushion to look at him. “This,” Nic poured the chilled champagne over her pussy and then began to lap at her like a cat taking his time with a bowl of cream. She tasted of vanilla soap, champagne, and an essence that was simply Aurora. It was an intoxicating mix that went straight to his head and his already throbbing cock. Aurora bucked and screamed squeezing his head between her legs as she tried to break free of the mystical energy weaving around them.

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“Give me the bottle!” Aurora panted her lungs begging for air that wasn’t hot and popping with a lightning current. She couldn’t take anymore. “Paybacks.” She wrenched the bottle out of his hand and pushed Nic back. Her hand shook. Hell, her entire body shook and her head was dizzy with the bright colors of desire. He assaulted every atom in her body and made her beg for more. A fingernail caught the edge of his sexy, tight boxers. “These have to go.” “Twist my arm.” He stripped out of them and Aurora stopped in mid-pour to openly stare. A line of black hair went from his navel and framed the thickest cock she’d ever seen in her life. Long, thick and Aurora knew she’d died and gone to heaven. “Good God, Nic. Did you pose for the statue of Adonis or something?” His lips twisted slightly, “You approve?” Her eyes widened. “Remember what I said about pictures? We could do it under the tree here and I’ve have my Christmas cards for next year.” Nic started to sit up and she flattened her hand on his chest pushing him back. “Do you have any idea how much my single friends would pay for that?” Nic pushed up on his elbows, glancing pointedly at his cock. “Are we losing are train of thought here?” Aurora laughed a low throaty sound. He was the most amazing man she’d ever met. He made her feel gloriously sexy, wild, and carefree. Something she’d never been with a man before. All her sexual encounters were sedate and mild and pretty forgettable. She poured the champagne across his chest and rubbed it in. Then she went in for the kill. Nic flinched as she poured the cold Cuvee over his abs and then across his erect cock. Aurora knelt over him quickly, “Now, you know what I was going through.” She ran her tongue over his abs. His skin had a wonderful texture. Firm muscle covered by smooth skin. She lowered her head and swept her tongue over his tightened balls. Nic twitched in reaction. “Like that?” “Oh hell yes,” he groaned. Aurora’s fingers circled his cock and re-positioned it. She poured a bit more champagne over it and then took him in her mouth. Nic groaned as she licked and tasted the length of him. He tasted of pure hot maleness and something deliciously dangerous. She could barely get half of him inside her mouth so she worked the base of his cock with one hand while the other went for his balls. “Enough of this.”

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She’d just gotten into a rhythm when Nic sat up and gripped her under the arms and lifted her on top of him. He held her hips high and then gradually lowered her pussy onto that hot cock. She enveloped him like a sheath closing around the cock and Aurora didn’t realize she wasn’t breathing. Nic closed his eyes. She saw the strain, the muscles in his jaw tightening, lines appearing around the edges of his eyes. His fingers dug into her ass to keep her still. Her body vibrated, strung so taunt she wanted to rock him into a release. Nic’s eyes opened. He stared at her with such intensity that Aurora could only fall into that black gaze and become absorbed. It was the most blindingly beautiful moment of her life and she knew she would hold this memory in her heart for all eternity. She began to move slowly on him, riding his cock in an easy dance. Lights twinkled and the garlands blurred in her vision to a magical dust that scattered across them. Her pussy clenched, slick and wet, and waited to milk his cock. Aurora didn’t want this to end. Ever. She wanted Nic. Not just on Christmas Eve, not just this night, but forever. But she knew, deep down in her heart that Nic would never let that happen. Love wasn’t supposed to enter this equation. It built inside her body like a hurricane at sea. All whirling emotion and hard fast sensation swirling through her and sending crashing waves rolling through Aurora. The first hit hard and fast and Aurora reached out for Nic, seeking a lifeline. “Come on, Aurora. You wanted to fuck me, don’t give in now.” He used his hands to raise and lower her on his hot shaft. Aurora’s thighs gripped him hard and Nic lifted and bucked up off his heels. The moan seemed ripped from her throat and Aurora leaned forward bracing her hands on his shoulders. She rode him hard and fast, letting his cock slide into the slick depths of her pussy. She couldn’t hang on any longer. It was so hard and fast. Greedy sex, the kind that either kills or enslaves. The next wave buckled her, her pussy screaming in ecstasy as every cell in her body burst. Blinded by the sensation, Aurora screamed clawing at Nic as he shouted his own release, pumping hard and fast. He continued to pump into her pussy and Aurora felt his hot seed pour into her as she lay gasping against Nic.

Aurora slept curled in his arms. Nic let his eyes memorize ever last curve, the color of her skin, the feel of her body next to him. He closed his eyes and tried for the life of him to come up with another alternative. Everything they’d done here tonight was against all the rules at Immortality Incorporated.

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Rules that he made to keep the flow of Time orderly. Whenever personal involvement intervened, trouble appeared. Nic brushed her hair and kissed the side of her face. How was he going to get passed this? His chest constricted and he felt a dull stab in the region of his heart. He’d broken all his own fucking rules. And if he let things stand, he’d end up hurting Aurora more than he could stand. He was greedy, he wanted her for himself and he’d taken her. Now, he needed to sweep up the pieces. Nic took a deep breath, and untangled himself from Aurora. Somewhere inside, a small part of him died. The darkness swamped him, made him ache in places he’d long since forgotten about. He slipped into his clothing and moved to an emergency monitor near the bar. With a few key strokes, he rewound Time back to the end of the party. With Time paused, Nic erased all memory of their night together. He not only pulled it from Aurora’s memory, but his own. He knew if let his own memory remain he’d be tempted far too much to stay away from her. The ache was nearly unbearable now and he was almost glad what he was about to do. He started Time back up as all the guests left. . . “Goodnight, Nic. It was a great party.” Aurora gave him a quick, impersonal hug and started for the door.

What had he done? Aurora stared blankly at the monitor as the images faded. Confusion trickled along her brain almost like a faulty circuit. It burned. How on earth had this happened? This wasn’t right. It had to be some sort of bizarre mistake. A glitch in the system. Why? She didn’t even know where to start. Betrayal was a sharp neat slice that could cut you in two before you had a chance to blink. It shook her so hard she couldn’t even move, and it was becoming harder and harder to think. With betrayal came a really odd sense of triumph, a really odd sense of triumph. He had wanted her back then even with all their snipping and sniping. Nic Avalon wanted her. Badly. The keeper of Time foiled his own system, dicked with his own rules in order to have her for one night. There was something there. If she’d kept score, she’d give him the point there. But their relationship ceased being a game a long time ago for Aurora. Too bad she couldn’t say the same thing for Nic. Obviously, she had never considered that she might be the only one who thought this was a relationship. Apparently, Time had an entirely different agenda. Aurora couldn’t say she was thrilled with this little turn of events.

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Obviously, Nic Avalon wasn’t the man she thought he was. The man she was in love with would manipulate and use this way. So who was he? And how could she love someone like that? “Aurora, meeting in ten minutes.” She thought she nodded her head, but she couldn’t be certain. Moira stared at her a moment, then moved along. “Moira,” Aurora rose to her feet stiffly, “tell Nic something came up. I need to go out for a while.” Alarms popped all over her screen and Aurora ignored them. There were blinks from Cupid, Desire, Chaos and surprisingly, a woman she had had very few dealings with: Deception. Funny that all those aspects should pop at this instance. Aurora wasn’t a suspicious person by nature. But this was too much of a coincidence. “Do you think that’s a good idea, Aurora?” “Hmm?” Her attention turned from the screen and back to Moira. She gave her assistant a smile that felt a little forced. “Yeah, it’ll be fine.” Moira nodded and left the office. She took the encrypted holograph and stuffed it into her purse. She needed some air. She needed time to think about this. All of it. Without any interference that inevitably showed up at the office. Aurora stepped out of the office and into the busy corridor at Immortality Incorporated, glad for a change that all the motion made for an easy escape. She walked to the elevator and punched the button. The door started to slide shut when a broad masculine hand hit the door. Aurora moved back slightly into the corner as Cupid strode into the elevator. He pressed the button for the lobby again and gave her an uncomfortable smile, “Hey.” Aurora let the elevator start down, “Ducking out of the meeting?” Damon Murrietta better known as Cupid sent her a dazzling grin. “Priority case, research and all that crap.” “Mmmm, yes. Jess’ little indiscretion. How’s that going?” “She’s a pain in the ass from all I can tell.” Aurora chuckled slightly. It was still hard to imagine those two working together. Damon looked like he belonged on a bike wearing leather. The elevator hummed its descent and Aurora waited until it settled to the floor. The door slid open and Damon started out. “You knew, didn’t you?”

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He stopped, almost like she’d tossed a net over him. With his back to her, she could almost see him tense. “Yeah,” his voice was gruff, more irritation than usual. That blade sliced at her again. This time Aurora straightened as if it were a physical blow. “How long?” Damon tilted his head. “What?” Aurora moved then coming up beside him. He was tall, maybe a couple inches taller than Nic. It didn’t matter to her though. She picked up on his hesitation. “How long have you known?” He pushed himself away from the door and turned his upper body back toward her. He clicked his teeth together. “I guess I lost track of what we were talking about here cause I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Aurora smiled thinly, “And you would be lying.” She folded her arms and kept the razor-thin smile in place. “Now tell me Damon, how long have you known about what happened between Nic and I?” “Okay see, here’s where you lose me cause there’s been so much stuff between you and Nic that I –” “I’m talking about the fucking party two years ago where Nic played king and decided to manipulate everyone.” Damon folded his arms and had the decency to appear uncomfortable. “Oh that.” He inhaled, “You know it was Jess who wanted you to have it. I still think the jury’s out on that one.” “Is that so?” “Well, look how pissed off you are.” Aurora moved out of the elevator and started passed him. “You have no idea how pissed off I can become.” “Aurora, wait a second.” Her hand was on the door, ready to leave the building. “What?” Damon tugged the hair tied back in a ponytail. “Look, Desire didn’t do this to be a bitch or to get back at you.” “It’s your file, Damon. Why would I blame Jess?” Aurora left the building, not sure where she was headed, but she wasn’t coming back to the office today that was certain and she sure as hell wouldn’t be any where near Nic’s bed tonight.

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“Well shit, don’t blame me either!” Damon shouted following her out the door. “I didn’t screw you then erase it, Nic did.” He saw the fury in her eyes as she whirled on him, “You want to say that a bit louder? I don’t think they heard you in London!” “Sorry,” his lips twisted, “Sorry.” “I don’t need your apology.” Air hissed out between his clenched front teeth. No wonder Nic tricked Time. This chick would reduce any guy to a quivering mass of Jell-o. “I wasn’t apologizing. I was trying to emphasize.” He shrugged, “Guess I need to work on that a bit.” “Yes, well charm would go with the job, wouldn’t it?” He nearly cringed at the acidic tone. “Look, this showed up in my archives. Since Nic is on a rules kick at the moment, I decided to view the file. I don’t need to be on probation, and I don’t want his foot up my ass either.” Aurora nodded, “I see. So this was strictly a cover your ass deal?” “Yeah, exactly.” “It didn’t matter what it might do to me? No harm, no foul cause you never thought about anyone else but your own sorry asses.” She stalked off down Michigan Avenue and Damon was sorely tempted to let her and her pissy self keep walking. When his PDA sounded a snappy little alarm, Damon changed his mind. He knew that tone. He didn’t like that one much and was quite happy when he’d only heard it go off once or twice in his tenure as Cupid. Damon pulled the PDA out of his side pocket and glanced at the alarm. You didn’t need to have a degree in Psychology to figure out who triggered the alarm: Ms. Aurora Devereaux was rapidly falling out of love with their boss. Damon’s digital watch beeped at the same time. “Shit.” He glanced at the watch. He was late for his “Research assignment.” Damon scratched the back of his neck as he watched Aurora enter some store. Fate would have to wait. He was late for his construction job.

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CHAPTER TWO

Damon switched on the air compressor and picked up the nail gun. He ignored the comment entirely as he settled his attention on the framing for the house renovation out on a luxury neighborhood in Lincoln Park. The house was a Victorian and in definite need of repair. It looked more like the Haunted Mansion from Disneyland than a family home. “Murrietta you’re late.” Apparently, he had a thing for authority figures. He didn’t like rules. Never had, he wasn’t sure why that was, but even as a kid if someone told him what to do he automatically rebelled. It was just his nature. And it sure as shit went against the grain to work a job where he wasn’t in charge. “Hey, Murrietta!” His “boss” tromped up next to him and scowled. “You listenin’ to me?” Damon’s jaw shifted as he bit down on his upper lip. “What’s up, Ronnie?” “You independently wealthy or somethin’?” He grinned, “Maybe. Or maybe I just show up cause I’ve got the hots for you.” Ronnie Berkowitz wore dirty, faded Levis, steel-toed work boots, and a flannel shirt with bare threads exposing a black tee beneath it. She was a tall woman built like a warrior. Damon had seen her lift a hundred and fifty pounds without cringing. She worked hard. Her gloved hands probably hadn’t seen a manicure in years. Her shoulder length hair was a golden brown that she wore tied back in a ponytail everyday. Absently, Damon wondered if she ever let her hair down. Leaning the nail gun against a piece of wood, he considered his “research project” further. She was probably the most driven woman he’d ever seen. He knew she’d developed her company from scrapping together pennies after her ex left her high and dry with two little kids. She was just starting to build a name for herself as a respected contractor and he knew she didn’t need a smart ass screwing up the best job Berkowitz Renovations had ever secured. “You know, Murrietta if your ass didn’t look so good in these jeans, I would kick you out of here.” “See I figured that was why you got all these hot guys working for you.” Damon snickered, “Especially, Bronco over there.” He snorted in the direction of a hairy, overweight plumber who really needed to investigate the realm of back waxing. Bronco liked chewing tobacco and Damon inevitably stepped in a puddle at some point during the day. “So what’s your excuse this time?”

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“For?” “You’re an hour late.” “Oh that,” Damon scratched the back of his neck. “Had female problems.” Ronnie coughed, “’scuse me?” “What you never do?” She laughed. It was loud, boisterous burst and Damon didn’t find it unpleasant. It was more unexpected. He figured Ronnie didn’t have a lot to laugh about. She’d been alone for eight years, raising kids and trying to build a life for them. Didn’t leave room for a lot of love or passion. A small smile played about his lips. He had one helluva surprise for her. “Get back to work, Murrietta.” “Yes ma’am.” “Oh damn,” she dragged the two words out on a long sad sigh. “He wasn’t supposed to be here today.” Ronnie stomped down the hill and Damon turned to watch for a moment. “Crap, like I don’t have enough to freakin’ do around here without Mr. Tall, Rich and bored up here bothering me.” “Ronnie, you need some help?” Damon laid the nail gun done and jogged down the hill after her. “What’s going on?” “Him.” Damon took off his hard hat and squinted into the sun. He saw a man step out of a long black Lincoln surveying the site. He was average height, weight with wavy black hair. Damon felt his PDA vibrate and twisted his body around to get a look at it. Yep, just as he thought. Research subject number two, Mr. Anthony LeMans. The man approached quickly and with an air of money that floated around him. Damon turned back to get a look at Ronnie. His hardass Amazon boss was practically a puddle of mush. “Ronnie, you okay?” Her teeth snapped together so hard that Damon heard it. “Who the fuck is that?” “Sorry, what? You’ve lost me there.” Damon stood behind her concealing a grin. Jess McGuire looked pretty damn hot even if had to say so himself. That tight little black suit with the wild grape jacket made Damon’s cock jerk to a standing ovation. Oh yeah she was hot and her outfit definitely did the trick when it came to Ronnie. “Who’s the guy?” “That’s the owner of the property, but I have no idea who the bitch is with him.” Damon bit his tongue and moved around to her side. “I don’t know, the chick doesn’t look so bad to me. What is she his wife?”

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“Fuck you.” Ronnie strode off to greet the owner. “Mr. LeMans, we weren’t expecting you today.” Damon nearly howled out loud when she turned her head back at him and whispered, “And we weren’t expecting you to come with a hooker.” Damon laughed and got a scathing glare from Desire for his reward. He watched as a gust of wind lifted the filmy black material of her skirt enough to give him a very nice view of her legs and ass. He’d lay odds that black thong she had on would tear off just using his teeth. Damon coughed, turning his back to the group. With his left hand, he shoved at his rock hard cock to get it to behave. “Ms. Berkowitz.” His tone was formal, very, very old school. “I had some free time and I wanted to show Miss McGuire around.” “Well, the site isn’t exactly a place to climb around in your high heels with.” Desire flashed brilliant white teeth and Damon wondered how he could get her to bite him. “Not to worry. I just need to take some measurements for the window coverings.” She slid passed Damon and he caught a whiff of wicked sexy cologne with citrus and spice tones. Every muscle in his stomach tightened. “I’m used to climbing around things.” “I’ll bet,” Ronnie bit out before her eyes met the olive green eyes of Anthony LeMans and then suddenly, “bet-ter get a path cleared for you. Hang on a sec.” Damon had the feeling this little research experiment might be easier than he thought. All the better, his cock had a real hard on all of a sudden for Miss McGuire. And Cupid had no problem indulging his urges. Damon patted Ronnie on the shoulder, “I’ll get it boss, give me a minute.”

The thundercloud gray of Damon Murrietta’s eyes raked over her legs and butt again. Terrific, she got to work with a horny Cupid. She gave a backward glance at Anthony LeMans. This little project of Nic’s for her penance was going to be a lot harder than she imagined. Mr. LeMans was a major stuffed shirt with a stick so far up his ass, Jess figured it would require the jaws of life to pry that sucker out and loosen the man up a bit. “Miss McGuire! You wanted those measurements?” Jess began to pick her way through the torn up landscaping and odd bits of junk at the site. “I’m coming.” She got close enough to Cupid to hear him, “Not yet but you will be. Guaranteed.” “What?” He winked, “Coming.”

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Jess stomped up the steps leading into the three level structure. “Can you keep your mind on your job or is pussy all you think about?” His eyes widened and his mouth opened. He even managed to draw in a sharp breath, “Damn, all I was asking was if you were coming over to the house. I had no idea you had such a dirty mind.” He followed her up the steps and pushed open the door for her. “Not that it’s not sexy on you, Desire but let’s save the bedroom stuff for later, eh?” Two cultures collided inside her on an eruption of fury. Her mother’s Puerto Rican side met her father’s Irish in a relative explosion. It raised the hair on the back of her neck. Her blood ran through her veins laced with fire. It was all she could do not to turn and slam a fist into that well endowed crotch of his. That would wipe that little smirk off his irritatingly sexy mouth. The only trouble was the heat pooling in her stomach that threatened to go lower. She refused to get wet over a smart mouthed womanizer like Cupid. So Jess shoved her warring sides apart and plastered a sweet smile on her face. “My mistake. Your reputation precedes you.” He laughed, a low, rich sound that reminded Jess of a panther. “You know, if you don’t want to go by hearsay, we could always give it a go.” Cupid pointed to an open closet. “It’s private, no one’s around, what do you say?” His smile also reminded her of a predator. She shook her head and sighed. God, if people only knew what Cupid was really like. That cute little cherub image was so far off the fucking mark it was hysterical. “As tempting as that sounds,” Jess kept her tone light and pleasant as the image of Damon fucking her in the closet slammed across her vision. “I really think it’s a good idea to concentrate on the case.” Damon folded his arms and leaned against an archway as Jess used her PDA to measure the windows. “Case, what case?” She clucked her tongue at him, “Your memory as long as your dick?” “Wanna find out?” He let out a roar of laughter. “I don’t know, what do you think Nic would say?” Damon pushed himself away from the wall. “I think Nic has his own problems about now.” “Shit.” Jess cringed at the thought. Aurora must’ve been devastated after viewing that file. Jess stuffed the PDA back in her purse. “We’ll worry about those two after we’re done with Nic’s project. And since this is a piece of cake, we should be able to get them back on track in a few days.” “Are you kidding me?” Jess took a quick look out the window where she picked up Ronnie Berkowitz showing LeMans around the perimeter. “They don’t even like each other.”

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Damon started for the door, “You got your

measurements?” “Hang on a second,” Jess took hold of his bare forearm. Her fingers tingled around the rough hair and beneath that the strong sinew. “You can’t make people fall in love.” “Sure I can.” He smiled down at her before his eyes went to her hand on his arm. “Do it all the time.” “You’re kidding me?” “Um, I’m Cupid.” He lifted a brow and Jess slid her hand off his arm. “That’s what I do, you know?” “But against their will? Isn’t that wrong?” Jess found the idea of falling in love a pipe dream at best. Desire was an even harder concept for her. She laughed on many occasions over that one. She was Desire, the absolute be all end all of want, sensuality and every craving known to humanity. Yet, she’d never experienced that kind of feeling for anyone, let alone the more illusive emotion of love. “That’s just weird and mean.” “How do you figure?” Damon walked to the window and pointed at Ronnie and LeMans. “They’re both alone and lonely, right?” “Well yeah,” Jess knew that Anthony LeMans lost his wife twelve years ago. He hadn’t been involved since. “But that doesn’t give you the right—” “To make them happy?” “I was going to say to interfere.” “How am I interfering by giving them what they want?” The rasp in his voice was new. Jess wondered if Cupid had a temper. “Besides, she is half in love with the guy already.” Jess craned her head out the open window to stare at Ronnie Berkowitz. The woman looked like she could kick the ass of all the men working for at any given time. She was big, at least five foot eleven and built like a freakin’ warrior. “You’re joking right?” Jess turned back to Damon, “I mean, come on, look at her.” Damon frowned, his black slashing brows drawing together like dark lightning.

“What?

Whatsamatter with her?” Clearly, the man was a Crack baby. “Are we looking at the same woman? Huge, built like Xena without the striking warrior princess looks. Hair that hasn’t seen a good cut in eons and I’m sure I don’t even want to see her fingernails.” Jess sighed letting the hopelessness of the task weigh on her. “And don’t even get me started on her clothes.” She squeaked when he took hold of her and jerked her out of

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earshot of the window. She had a second to look back and see both LeMans and Ronnie looking up at them. “Shit!” “I didn’t think you were that big of a bitch.” “I’m not.” She dragged her hands through the ends of her hair. “But look at them, they don’t belong together.” “How do you know that?” She shrugged, “How do you expect a guy like Anthony LeMans to even look twice at Ronnie Berkowitz?” “I expect Desire to do her job.” Jess bristled at his words and the evil Cupid picked up on it. “This is our project and we’ll get the job done just like we’re supposed to.” She crossed her arms and tried not to growl. “Okay, okay. But come on, tell me you don’t think she’s a bit out of his class.” “It doesn’t matter what I think.” And just to irritate those sexy gray eyes sparked at her with mischief. “It only matters that we get them together.” “But they aren’t even the same class.” Jess moved toward the living room, ignoring all the ripped up flooring and exposed wires. “Even if we manage to get them together, it won’t last. You can’t mix classes.” Damon tapped the side of his head near his ear as if he didn’t hear her correctly. “Classes?” He moved so he was standing next to her. “I didn’t realize Desire could be prejudice.” Her nostrils flared slightly and her eyes narrowed. “I’m being realistic here. He comes from money, right? I mean, he probably graduated from Yale or Harvard or something equally snooty.” “So?” “She went to what? The school of hard knocks?” He cocked his head at her and sunlight glinted blue on his black hair. “So?” “So,” the man was pretty but had all the brains of a gnat, “my point is, that even if we do get them together, it won’t last.” “Because of the whole classes thing.” “Right.” Damon scratched his neck, “Because he’s rich and she’s not they won’t hang together.” “Not on my money.” She really didn’t like being on the wrong side here when Nic passed out the assignments. “It won’t work, in the end, they’ll find too many differences.”

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“Good thing we’re not betting with your money.” He gripped her behind the waist and pushed up against her. Jess would swear it was his cock rubbing against her butt. “Why not make a little bet here? If I can make you come, right now with all your clothes still on, you’ll look at our assignment with possibility instead of pessimism.” Jess nearly fell over coughing. Instead, she managed a dignified choke. “What did you say?” Then she waved her hand in the air, “Forget that, I don’t want to know.” He leaned closer and she felt his beard-roughened cheek scrape against her ear. “I said I can make you come right now.” “Aren’t you just the confident one?” “Confidence comes from skill.” “Oh for God’s sake,” she moved away from that seductive motion of his hips into her ass and that hypnotizing cologne of his. It was somewhere between wild animal and the dark, clean scent of a pine forest. She spun around and flattened her hands against his chest. It was rock hard, like stone and her fingers curled into the muscle of their own volition. “Okay let me spell this out for you so you don’t have any delusions.” She forced her hands to move off his hard muscles. “I’ve got news for you, Cupid babe. You wouldn’t be able to make me come.” Her eyes narrowed, “It’s just not happening, dude. Really.” He put both hands on his hips and stared dumbfounded. “Do you know who you’re dealing with here?” Damon arched was of those vicious black brows at her. “I’m the fuckin’ be all, end all of love and I damn well know how to make a woman come.” “Whatever.” “This doesn’t do anything for you, hmm?” He had a hold of her in a heartbeat and yanked her up against him. Hard. The air in her lungs slammed out through her nostrils while the blood in her veins turned to lava. He was all hard muscle, wild and uncontrollable and Jess regretted that she didn’t possess the ability to please him. His head bent and his teeth nipped at the flesh along her exposed shoulder. “Geez!” She shoved at him, “Knock it off, for Pete’s sake.” She shoved at him again. “It doesn’t matter what you try, you asshole, I’m immune.” “Huh?” He scratched his neck, “You don’t like men?” “You really are an idiot, aren’t you?” Jess moved back, needing distance. Suddenly, she didn’t feel the need to explain to him. She certainly didn’t owe him anything. It didn’t help their working

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relationship so what was the point? She was frigid or whatever the new politically correct term was. She didn’t get off, and considering her job, that was quite an evil joke. She decided to get the conversation back on their targets. “I can’t believe that you don’t see this.” Jess started for the door once more. It amazed her that Nic would have such a dense sexist in the role of Cupid. “See what?” Damon tightened the leather strap of his ponytail. “That you’re narrow minded. I can see that pretty plain, honey. But while you’re up there on your high and mighty pedestal, take a look around at the peons for a second.” “I don’t--” He held up his hand to stop her, “And while you’re up there sniffing your pure air, I want you to think about something.” “What’s that?” “Your parents.” “Say what?” Nobody ragged on her parents. Ever. Damon hooked her chin with his long fingers as his eyes speared her. “You heard me. Your parents, Maria Lueza and Tom McGuire. Two different classes, races and various other issues that you yourself would’ve found problematic.” He leaned forward, “Seems to me that money, education and good old fashioned street smarts were a good match there.” “Fuck you.” “Murrietta, are you finished showing Ms. McGuire around?” Damon threw up his hands, “Oh yeah, I’m finished with Ms. McGuire.” “Great, go get that wall up then.” “Yes, ma’am.” He was like a little puppy following his mistress when it came to Ronnie Berkowitz. What the hell was that all about anyway? Jess twisted one of her earrings in annoyance then glanced at Anthony LeMans. “I’ve got everything I need, if you’re ready.” “Certainly.” LeMans stood stiffly with his hands in his coat watching them. He didn’t look happy that was for sure. Jess smiled weakly then pulled out her PDA. She pretended to input measurements and material requisitions while in reality she reconfigured a few settings. Where was Ms. Berkowitz headed for this evening? She was only a bit surprised to notice the mother of two planned on heading for a local bar

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called the Blue Eagle. Okay, maybe she was a bit prejudice but still, she’d figure out some way to get LeMans there. She wasn’t sure but she damned well thought Ms. Ronnie looked like a cobra coiled and ready to strike as Jess walked up to LeMans. Well, here went nothing. “Anthony, I was wondering if you were doing anything for dinner tonight.” Yep, the hiss emanating from the direction of Damon’s boss was probably a good sign. LeMans blinked as if she’d smacked him in the back of the head. “Tonight?” Jess tried not to laugh. “Yeah, nothing fancy. I thought we’d grab a bite and I could go over some of the fabrics and flooring with you.” “Um, that sounds fine.” His eyes slid toward Ronnie and although Jess just freakin’ hated to admit it, she saw a flicker of interest there. Oh, this was just weird. Weird, weird, weird. And there was no way in hell she’d admit Damon was right.

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CHAPTER THREE

In the normal world, Jess would’ve been dead to head into the biker dump known as the Blue Eagle. But this wasn’t the normal realm; this was like something out of the Twilight Zone. It was loud, filled with people she’d never associate with normally. Blue lights turned the large bar in sultry shadows accented only by the curls of smoke rising in the air. Even though the music was a loud Alternative thump, you could still manage to hear yourself think. The bar was a long bit of scarred wood that patrons stood three deep to get to some Shooter special. Jess didn’t understand it. But who was she to judge? After all, she prided herself on being open-minded and someone who thought outside the box. And that was the reason for her outfit. After careful consideration, Jess decided to go with the Naughty/Nasty ensemble and hoped for the best. It wasn’t her typical outfit, but she had a definite itch to irritate the hell out of Cupid. If a tight, cropped vest that pushed her tits up so high that Jess was sure that they weren’t ever falling down didn’t give him a hard on… Jess laughed as she examined herself in the bar mirror. No need to worry. Half a dozen men already ogled the fresh meat at the bar. Her bare midriff got more attention than she figured it would. Obviously, biker dudes liked skin. She just hoped this whole thing didn’t backfire and splatter all over them. “Do you come here often?” Anthony LeMans appeared a bit bemused by the scene. She followed his eyes to the dartboards in a corner of the bar. “No, but I like to try out new places.” She smiled casually, “I guess I didn’t mention it was casual.” This time LeMans smiled. “This is casual.” He adjusted his open collar. “No tie.” “Sense of humor, good. I’ve got a feeling you’ll need it tonight.”

Well hot damn… Damon turned away from the bar, managing to hang onto the six beer mugs in his two hands as his eyes nearly leaped out of their sockets. All he could do was stare. Her skin was an amazing creamy mocha color that did tribute to her heritage. Now he knew exactly what Desire was and it made his mouth water. Her breasts teased and taunted him until his cock

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rose in salute. Oh this was going to turn into a helluva lot of fun; he could sense that in the deep throbbing of his alert cock. Strolling up to the “Odd Couple” – Desire in her siren outfit and LeMans looking like a British librarian, Damon’s lips curled into a broad grin. “Hi there!” When she turned to face him, Damon nearly dropped the beers his co-workers were shouting for. “Why don’t you guys come and join us? We’ve got a tab going. The beer is great, and the food is greasy.” “And that makes it good?” “Well, yeah.” He forced himself to move then, but he nearly doubled over. His jeans were too fucking tight for what was going on under his fly. Nine guys and Ronnie took over two tables in the corner of the Blue Eagle. Two guys and Ronnie played Eight Ball while a few others tossed darts. Damon controlled the slosh of the beer as he sat the mugs down in the center of the table. He hung onto his and swallowed a long gulp hoping to clear his head. Trouble was, the head that thought it was in charge wasn’t affected at all by alcohol. In fact, alcohol only made Little Cupid think he was larger. Not that he ever had any complaints. Damon chuckled to himself before taking another long swallow. If Little Cupid didn’t behave himself, he was going to have to untuck his black t-shirt and hope that it rode low enough to conceal his suddenly Super Cock. Regaining a bit of his control, Damon reached back and yanked up two battered chairs. He motioned for Jess and LeMans to come on over. He put two fingers to his lips and let out a wolf whistle. The bartender looked up. “Two more over here!” He winked at Jess, “You drink beer, right?” He was half kidding, but on second thought, looking at Anthony LeMans. A pool stick clattered on the table. “Shit! Murrietta, what the hell?” Ronnie strode up behind him and leaned across to pick up her beer. “I didn’t know we were having a party here.” Her light eyes swept over LeMans and a fool wouldn’t see the hunger there. But when she looked at Jess, those same eyes turned icy. “What are you all doing here?” Ronnie’s hoop earrings dangled as she approached. Damon watched Jess. She shrugged, “Trying something new.” “It doesn’t look like your cup of tea, hon.” Damon’s eyes flickered with humor and he watched the two women spar. This was more fun than he’d had in years. Ronnie looked like she could cheerfully kick Jess’ ass. Jess licked her lips and smiled. Damon was pretty sure he saw fangs. “Well, you know how it is, sometimes –”

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He saw it coming and there was no way he’d let a crack like that come out of her mouth. So he cut her off, hard and fast. “Hey Anthony, doesn’t Ronnie look hot. Big difference, huh? From dusty construction worker to sexy biker chick.” Damon wrapped his arm around Ronnie’s ass and pulled her forward, “I could just eat you up.” Jess started to open her mouth but when Damon pulled Ronnie onto his lap her mouth snapped shut. “I mean come on, Anthony, take a look at those perfect titties and that ass of hers is just sweet.” Ronnie took it in stride, picking up her beer and drinking. “Who you trying to kid, Murrietta?” Damon laughed, pleased that he managed to juggle Desire into speechlessness. “Any time, anywhere, sweetheart.” She slid off his lap and Damon grinned. “I think you’d be more trouble than I could handle.” “Ms. McGuire, I think I’m going to call it a night,” Anthony started to get to his feet just as two beers landed in front of them. “Hey, what’s your rush? You don’t like beer?” Damon turned a wicked smile on Jess. “Or do you just not like girls?” “Just because he doesn’t yank women into his lap?” Jess stared at the beer for a moment, then raised it to her lips. “I think you’re full of shit, Mr. Murrietta. Maybe Mr. LeMans doesn’t like his women on the trashy side.” Damon howled with laughter, “Guess that rules you out then huh?” “What?” Anthony leaned forward, “You don’t need to talk about me like I’m not here.” “Sorry.” Jess patted him on the arm, “Would you like me to order some wine or food?” “I’m just wondering why I’m here.” “Okay, here’s the truth,” Jess turned a heartfelt expression in the direction of the investment billionaire. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but I thought,” She sighed dramatically, “you might want to get out of that big apartment of yours and spend some time with people.” Surprisingly, Anthony drank some of the beer. “Do I look lonely?” Jess stumbled and for a second, Damon figured she’d blown it. “No, no, what are you kidding? You’re like Donald Trump only a lot better looking.” He laughed and seemed to loosen up a bit. “Those onion rings looked good. I’m going to go order some, would you like anything?” “A martini.” “Sure thing.” He got to his feet and headed for the bar.

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“Nice move,’ Damon fluffed out his shoulder length hair before scratching the sign of his neck. “Didn’t think you’d pull it out.” “Why’s that?” “Cause you’re as uncomfortable here as he is.” “Who says?” He leaned forward, “Tell me you don’t feel naked sitting there with your breasts pushed out so far that you’re making all the men in here drool.” “See it worked.” “Your outfit?” Damon licked his lips. Just when he thought Little Cupid was under control, the beggar came out in all his fighting fury. Damon shifted in his chair as his imagination took over. He wondered what those tits would taste like. Did she have small nipples like tiny rosebuds or large dusky colored ones? Damon swallowed, “Oh yeah, babe. The outfit works.” He slid across two chairs to get beside her and grabbed hold of her hand as she reached for the beer. “Let me show you.” He rubbed her small hand across his hot, aching cock. He could feel her through the thick fabric of his jeans. Damon’s head fell back and his eyes shut. “Damn, how can I get you to do that on your own?” “Murrietta, next rounds on me. I’ve got to call my kids, back in a sec.” Ronnie seemed to materialize beside them. “Hey um, Ms. McGuire, no hard feelings?” Damon jerked and so did Jess snatching her hand away so fast it collided with two beer mugs. Luckily, Damon was quicker and steadied the glass as Jess stared blindly at Ronnie. “Sure, whatever.” Ronnie put her hands on her hips and shifted her weight. “Look, here’s the thing. I look at a man like that and wish, you know? Cause I know it ain’t ever happening. Guys like that don’t look at a woman like me.” “Oh that’s just bullshit, Ronnie.” “Shut up a minute, Murrietta. I’m trying to apologize to your new friend here.” Damon made a motion of zipping his lips and Ronnie continued, “I know what I am, what I look like and a guy like that is never going to look twice at a single mother of two who can bench press two-fifty.” “Damn girl!” Damon lifted the sleeve and stared at his own bicep. “I need to get to the gym.” Ronnie sighed, “Anyway, you’re the kind of woman he’d go for.” She started to turn away and hesitated. “Anyway, I’m sorry for being a bitch. Usually, I just let stuff like that roll, but sometimes,”

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her eyes traveled in the direction of the bar, “it stings.” She went toward the sign that said “Restroom” and Damon turned a knowing look on Jess. “Okay, yes, I feel like a heel.” “Sometimes things aren’t always what they seem.” “Yeah, yeah, I said I feel like a heel.” He snickered, “I know. I just wanted to rub it in a bit.” “Lovely.” Jess seemed surprised she’d finished her beer. “You’re just a peach.” Damon shook his head, “Nah, right now, I’m more like a banana.” Sliding her chair away from, she practically nailed a poor passerby. “Is that all you think about? Your cock?” He folded his arms. There was something extremely satisfying about messing with Desire. There was a whole lot more he’d like to do to her, but he could wait. “I’ve actually been thinking more about what it’d feel like inside you.” “Shit, you’re out of your mind.” She bounced her chair another six inches away from him. “I don’t think so.” She glanced around then turned a strange look on him. “Does Nic know his Cupid is insane?” Damon reached behind him as Anthony returned and snagged an onion ring off the top of the basket. “Funny girl.” He munched thoughtfully while Anthony served Jess her martini. “Dig in,” he shoved the basket further into the middle of the table. “My stomach can’t take that kind of thing.” Damon checked the Scotch neat the man planned on drinking. “Okay, well, want some beluga on toast points?” “Now who’s being a bitch?” “Damn Ronnie! How do you keep appearing like that out of fuckin’ no where.” Damon shook out his hair, “I need more beer.”

Jess watched him go. Tight jeans fit snuggly over a gorgeous ass that you could just sink your teeth into. Down girl. What was she thinking? Only that that black tee shirt he had on clung to the muscles of his chest in all the right places. It also gave her a good idea what his abs might look like. She’d gotten a good look at his biceps earlier today and she’d been quite impressed. And God, his cock! She’d never felt

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anything like that steel pole he had in his jeans. Jess knocked back half her martini before she realized Anthony LeMans stared at her with an odd smile playing about his dark features. She wiped her lips delicately. “Sorry.” “Do you want another?” “No,” she waved him off, “I’m good.” Then she remembered Ronnie standing there, waiting. “Have a seat, Ronnie. We’ve got a pile of onion rings to finish off.” Jess slid far enough down in her chair to kick the chair next to LeMans out at her. Ronnie caught the chair, “I don’t want to intrude.” LeMans got to his feet and held out the chair, “You’re fine. And she’s right, we’ve got way too many onion rings.” “So how were your kids?” Ronnie already looked uncomfortable sitting next to LeMans. Now she appeared mortified. “They were great. My brother takes his and mine all out for bowling and pizza every other Friday. The kids get a slumber party on top of it and my brother and I get some free time.” “Sounds cool.” “You have children?” LeMans apparently decided to brave one of the onion rings. Jess watched Ronnie nod. Suddenly, the other woman appeared terribly intrigued by the basket of greasy battered onions. Jess wanted to kick her. Here was her opportunity to give LeMans something personal about herself and she was about to screw it up. Ronnie cleared her throat, “I’ve got two. A boy and a girl, six and seven.” She grinned with the pride of a mother and for a second, Jess thought she’d whip out the family album. “I wasn’t aware of that.” She shifted an odd gaze in his direction. “Does it make a difference?” She twirled an onion ring on her index finger. “Because if it does that might bother me, you know? Considering I don’t see what this has to do with my doing renovations on your house.” “It doesn’t.” “All right ladies and gents, we’re here tonight to do our part to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago.”

The bartender stood on top of the bar and shouted into a microphone

effectively interrupting all conversation. He held up a bottle of tequila. “We’ve got whatever you like up here. Tequila, vodka, you name it. So dig out your money, boys and girls.” Jess looked at Ronnie for clarification, “What are they talking about?”

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She didn’t have to wait long. Damon leaped up on the bar beside the bartender and stripped off his tee. There were hoots and catcalls along with loads of whistles. “Damon here’s volunteered to get us started. So come on ladies, five dollars a lick.” “Oh my God.” Jess’ eyes widened to saucers as she watched Cupid stretch out horizontally on the bar. Then he propped himself up on one elbow before gesturing for the women like some Greek God asking for grapes. Of course, with that long black hair spread across his tan bare shoulders he reminded her more of a hero out of a romance novel. Even from where she sat, the man exuded sensuality in waves. And already a freakin’ line formed. “I cannot believe he’s doing that.” Ronnie laughed, “Why not it’s for a good cause?” “It’s just that –” Craning her neck to see around the throngs of women, Jess could only gape as Damon stretched out with his arms behind his head while the bartender dumped a shot of tequila over his chest. The girl knelt on the barstool with a slice of lime in her hand. When her tongue swept over Damon’s hair-roughened chest, Jess turned away. “Why don’t you go get in line, McGuire?” “Well, outside of sanitary reasons, I just don’t think it’d be appropriate.” “Alcohol kills the germs.” Ronnie slid out of the chair and dug in her front pocket coming up with a five-dollar bill. She waved the money in the air. “I’m willing to take that chance.” Part of her was utterly fascinated while another part of Jess wanted to walk up to Damon and throw ice water all over him and the horny group of women anxious to get their little pink tongues on him. Jealously was a new sensation for her, a thick gooey green slime that burned from her stomach all the way up her throat. It wasn’t something she liked, but Jess managed to control grinding her teeth to nubs. And then it was over, Damon stood up wiping the sticky residue from his chest with a damp towel. Jess saw half a dozen women grinning foolishly and wiping alcohol from their chins. Part of her wondered why she didn’t give it a shot. That weird little thought blew right out of her mind when Damon pulled Ronnie up on the bar. “Come on, guys!” Jess turned abruptly on LeMans, her eyes flashed. “There’s your chance.” “Excuse me?”

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She jerked her thumb in the direction of the bar where Ronnie started peeling off her tank. Jess saw LeMans’ eyes darken. She really didn’t want to do it this way, but… LeMans shook his head, “I’ll write a check.” She rarely used it.

In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time, but Desire’s touch was

incredibly potent. And if anyone needed it, then the repressed Mr. LeMans did. Jess reached out and ran her index finger down the back of the man’s broad, well-manicured hand. He jumped as if she’d electrocuted him. His eyes latched onto hers and Jess shook her head. “Not me, sweetheart.” She took hold of him by his lapel and led him like a little pup over to the bar. “You want her, don’t you?” “Yeah,” his voice was rough, hoarse. Jess parted the group, “Come on guys, step aside. We’ve got a big spender here.” She deposited Anthony LeMans next to the stretched out Ronnie Berkowitz and then passed him a bottle. “Go for it.” A strong muscled arm came around her waist and jerked her backward, “You cheated.” “Maybe.” “You directly applied desire to that guy. That’s cheating.” Damon smirked quite pleased with himself apparently. “Oh screw you,” she jerked out of his arms surprised at the shimmer of reaction racing through her. “Look at the poor guy! He wouldn’t have made a move in a hundred and fifty years. At least now they’ve got a chance.” “Well you ought to be penalized for cheating.” “I didn’t realize it was a game.” “Oh, it’s a game all right.” Damon smiled catching hold of her hand and tugging her toward a smaller bar located in a shadowy corner. Jess figured that the giant slurpfest up front killed the action back here. “You wanna watch first?” “Watch what?” “Oh come on, you haven’t done this before?” “Done what, Damon?” Damon smiled a wickedly sexy curl of his lips before picking her up and setting her down on the bar. He jumped up next to her before she could protest. He yanked his PDA out of his pocket and tapped a few buttons. A spike of blue current ripped through her body and Jess thought a defibrillator just hit her with ten thousand volts skittered across her skin. “What the hell?” Damon pointed, “That’s what Ronnie’s feeling right now.”

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“Fuck!” She could see Ronnie now stretched out across the bar as Anthony brushed his lips across the warm skin of her midriff. “Okay, okay, shut it off.” “Why?” Jess shuddered as she caught the reverb of sensation when Anthony’s tongue swept across Ronnie’s bellybutton. “Because I’m not a pervert like you.” Damon tapped a button on the PDA and the sensation ceased. She glared at him but he just pocketed the device and grinned. “You’re no fun.” Damon slid off the bar and reached for a bottle of tequila, “But I think I know a way you might be.” He waved the bottle at her, “Lay down.” Jess shook her head, “No way.” “Oh yeah, you owe me.” She slid away from him. “I don’t owe you jack.” Three of his long fingers caught hold of the front of her low-rise pants. “Yeah, Jess, you do.” He spun her around on her butt before she could realize what happened. “Now lay back and relax. You might enjoy it.” Jess laid back, stiff as a board. Praying that he’d take his fingers out of her pants and at the same time wondering what they’d feel like inside her was not a good way to get through Damon’s idea of fun and games. “Hurry up.” He uncapped the bottle of tequila. “You can’t rush this.” His fingers brushed over her midriff. “We need lime, hang on.” He ran around the other side of the bar and came up with lime slices in a bowl. Jess nearly cringed. Never in a bazillion years would anyone have caught her doing this. She didn’t have a misspent youth. In fact, if you called Catholic Girl’s School a wild good time then you had Jess’ strict upbringing. She didn’t do anything remotely considered naughty. Until now… Damon pinched a lime slice and let the juice drip between her breasts. “Hey!” He winked and squeezed more juice, apparently not happy until he had a line of it down to her naval. Then came the tequila. Jess had never had tequila in her cleavage. She wondered how long till it turned sticky on her. Damon moved his long hair behind his ears. She swore the man practically licked his lips, “What, no ice?” “You only need ice if you want to make a girl’s nipples hard.” He tilted his head to examine her and smiled, “Nope, don’t need any.” “Well damn, if tequila gets my tits hard, what do I need you for?”

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Then he turned suddenly and she saw something she’d never seen before. Damon put his hands up like a director focusing on the scene and a light, powdery pink fuzz filled the air in the bar. Jess watched the skill it took to control the power of Rendering a crowd of people. The ability came with Cupid and it was kind of like throwing love dust into the air and watching an orgy begin. “Okay, now where we?” He retucked his hair behind his ear, “I didn’t want any interruption here.” “And you say I cheat.” “Oh there’s no doubt, I cheat.” He leaned over her and Jess held her breath. “Especially when it’s a benefit to me.” “Well that’s nice.” Damon climbed back up on the bar and straddled her. He bent over her and every muscle in her body tightened like a drawn bow. Bracing himself on his hands, he leaned down and licked at the curve of her breast. Her lungs collapsed. Her blood sizzled in her veins sparking wild thoughts. Among them was the ever popular, what the hell am I doing? Which Jess pushed back into the corner for a moment in order to experience a sensation completely alien to her. Desire. It swirled around her, a warm torrential rain, drenching her completely.

The skin of his

fingertips was rough, but it scratched in such a delicious way that Jess could only sigh. His tongue stroked, slowly, lapping at the tequila dripping down her stomach. She shuddered as he licked across the bottom of her cropped vest. This was too much. Her senses flipped into overload and she shoved at his shoulders, “Okay that’s enough.” He raised his head and gazed at her with that smirky little grin, “I don’t think so.” Shifting his weight, Damon let his hair fall across her skin like warm silk. How was a girl supposed to keep her head fastened on with this kind of thing? Her entire life spent pretty much as a prude and now here she was. She should not do this, no with Cupid, for God’s sake! Of all the men to – His tongue dipped into her navel and gently licked the drops of tequila out. Jess had to bit her lip to keep from crying out. Instead, she moaned and whimpered thrashing about as his hands came to the fastening on the front of her slacks. This was absolutely wild and more fun than she ever thought possible. She wanted to have some fun, at least once in her life a girl was entitled to some sexy fun.

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Before she could complete a simple, rational thought, Jess felt her naked butt against the warm wood of the bar. “Damon, we can’t!” He tilted the bottle of tequila and let it run dangerously close to her pussy. Bending quickly, she thought she heard him snicker before his tongue launched an outrageous assault. God, she didn’t expect this. This wild heat stroking through her entire body it practically bowed her body, lifting her right off the bar. This was naughty and the most delicious experience. She was wet. Slick, hot and ready and that just boggled her mind. Damon Murrietta, smartmouthed, arrogant ass of a Cupid was the only man she’d ever met that could get her this feverishly hot. Ever. The man was a pig. So what did that make her? Jess dug her fingers in all that thick, soft, wavy black hair and pushed his head closer to her pussy. She sighed, pigs weren’t so bad. They were actually kind of cute when you cleaned them up. Oh hell, what was he doing to her? Maybe it was the puritanical upbringing and her need to rebel. Or maybe it was what he did with that damn wicked tongue of his. He licked, then sucked gently along her clit before driving his tongue deep inside her. Her pussy contracted and Jess shouted in shock and denial. Walls tightened, clenched and Jess’ breath seized as her entire body shook and convulsed. It was hot, so freakin’ hot and everything inside her burned on the second wave. It raged through her and left nothing in its wake. Damon raised his head and flashed a bright white grin. He wiped her juices from his lips with the back of one hand and then raised the tequila bottle to his lips. She watched him take three healthy swallows of the burning alcohol. Then he shook his head back and let out a wild howl.

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CHAPTER FOUR

Damon couldn’t remember the last time his cock was hard enough to drive nails into cement. He took another swallow of the tequila to clear that nasty thought out of his mind. He rubbed the heel of his hand down the ridge of his fly. Damn, he wanted inside her so badly it nearly bent him in two. This wasn’t good. He didn’t need complications like this at work. Shit, look at the kind of crap Nic was involved in right now all because he decided to swim in the company pool. But he’d have to be some freakin’ idiot not to want that pussy. Just looking at her was enough to make a man go wild and drop to his knees. Absently, he stroked her thigh as he waited for her to come down. Her body shook slightly and he knew she’d be a wild thing in bed. Who would’ve thought Miss Prim and Proper Desire was such a fireball. And Damon had always loved to play with fire. When her eyes cracked open, he smiled and gave her a quick wink. “You in the mood for more fun?” She reached for her jeans and started to yank them on. He stroked a finger across her pussy once more, “At least it’s fun for me.” “I’m not fucking you.” He shrugged, “Okay, I didn’t expect you to.” He watched her wiggle her ass into her jeans. His cock shoved hard at the fabric of his fly and Damon groaned a little. “I mean we hardly know each other and all that. But I thought maybe you could help a co-worker out.” He glanced pointedly at the bulge in his jeans. She got to her knees and looked at him, frowning. He tilted his head examining the confused, kind of angry look in her pretty, cat green eyes. “What?” Damon threw up his hands, “What?” “What are you suggesting?” “Well geez, you don’t have to act mad about it. It’s not like I asked you to swallow or anything.” “Oh my God.” Damon sat the bottle of tequila down on the bar and unsnapped the front of his jeans. “Come on, help a guy out.” “You’re kidding, right?”

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His lips twisted as he unzipped his fly. It took a minute to reorganize but his cock was eager for freedom. A predator gleam hit his eyes when Jess stared, her lips parted slightly. There was a small smile, he knew he saw it. Damon arched a brow, “Well? What do you think?” “You’re a freakin’ monster.” Damon stroked his cock in front of her and imagined what her wet pussy would feel like. Tight, hot and oh so tempting. He chuckled, “Yeah, and you want it, don’t you?” “I didn’t say that.” “No, not yet.” Damon grinned slowly. “Want to sample first before you decide?” Damon shuddered slightly on his next stroke. “Either that or I figure I’m heading for the restroom for a little foreplay cause I can’t walk around like this much longer.” Jess roared with laughter so loud and hard that Damon started to chuckle. It was fun to see the bright light in her eyes. She gasped for air and reached for the bottle of tequila downing a healthy swallow before shoving at his chest with her hand. “You’ll probably want to lie down for this.” She moved around him and picked up a lime. Biting into it, she let the juice run down her chin and Damon had perfectly wicked thoughts while she raised the tequila bottle. She poured it down his erect cock and then leaned in. With her fingers around his base, Jess stroked up and raised his aching cock to her lips. She nibbled, gently over his head before taken him between her lips. Damon nearly exploded as he felt his entire essence turn to vapor. She was delicious, exquisite and Damon knew at that moment his world revolved around Desire. And then she bit him. “Fuck!” Damon jerked sharply to a sitting position and stared blindly at the woman holding his life in her teeth. He was almost afraid to look down. He never wanted to see the outline of teeth marks in his cock. “God damn, woman, what the hell?” She released her crocodile hold on him with a hurt look in her eyes that dazed and confused him. “You didn’t like that?” “Are you fucking with me? Cause it isn’t funny, Jess. I use that thing.” She shifted on his elbows, “A lot.” “I’m sorry.” Jess sniffed slightly raising up. Damon sat up fully and ran a shaking hand through his hair. “Oh for God’s sake, you’re not screwing around with me, are you?”

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“I’ve never done this.” The sniffle sounded more pronounced this time and Damon felt like a complete ass. “Crap.” He scratched his jaw. “How was I supposed to know? I mean you’re Desire for fuck’s sake. I figured you knew more tricks than me.” She sighed, “Not really, no.” “Why not?” “What?” Damon scratched his neck, “I said, why not?” “I don’t know.” She released him and sat up folding her arms across her breasts in a defensive motion. Damon sighed, so much for anymore fun. Gently, he tucked his wounded cock back into his jeans. “How could you not have done this before? I mean, you’re a grown woman, hotter than hell has any right to be and you’ve never given a guy head?” Damon slid off the bar glad that his injury didn’t seem life threatening. He turned and lifted Jess off the bar and sat her down on the ground. “I’m just wondering what the deal is here.” “No deal, I just don’t –” “Oh, I get it. Well why didn’t you say so before I whipped him out.” He grinned, “Could’ve saved us a whole lot of trouble.” Damon started for the table where he’d left Ronnie and the others earlier, but Jess caught his arm. “That’s not what I meant.” He turned, “Okay, what did you mean?” She looked, uncomfortable Damon decided. Although he couldn’t figure out why, he wasn’t ashamed of his sensual nature. In fact, he kind of reveled in it. He just assumed Jess did the same. And evidently, that was where he made an ‘ass’ out of himself. “I’m not exactly a pro when it comes to this sort of thing.” Damon chuckled, and threw an arm around her shoulder and squeezed. “It’s nice to know you didn’t bite me on purpose.” Jess groaned loudly, “I’m really sorry about that.” “Hey, no harm, no foul. I’m still walking.” He squeezed her shoulder again, liking the feel of her skin. “Why don’t we go see what our projects are up to? We can always give this a shot some other time.” “I don’t think that’d be a good idea.”

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He stopped, stepping in front of her. Slowly, he slid his hands up down her arms for a moment before resting them on her shoulders. “I think it’d be a very good idea.” “I didn’t know you thought much with your brain.” He cupped her chin and angled it up at him. “You’re cute, you know that?” She really was. Not just sexy, but downright cute. It was unique for him. Intrigued by a woman so quickly that it nearly made his head spin, Damon decided he kind of liked the sensation. She did something to him besides making him hard as marble that Damon really wanted to explore. She shifted her eyes away from him. Her dark lashes drifted downward. “I’m not.” “Yeah, you are.” His other hand slid down her back. He urged her closer to him. “Now look at me, Jess, cause I want to kiss you, I think.” Her eyes went bright with a flash of surprise and as soon as her mouth opened to retaliate, he reacted quicker. His mouth fit over hers perfectly. Better still, it silenced her ability to snap and snarl at him for a moment. Her lips were soft, full and deliciously pliable and his mouth moved over hers angling for better access. For a moment, she watched him with suspicious eyes, then her lids fluttered shut and Damon felt her give in. Her hands dug into the cotton of his tee shirt while her mouth turned eager. Her tongue moved against his mouth and he met her with a slow sweep of his own tongue. He felt the fire, the embers stirring to life inside her. Jess might not have a lot of experience in this arena but damn, if she didn’t bring a lot to the game. “You two wanna get a fuckin’ room or something?” Damon jerked away from Jess when he heard Ronnie’s grumbling. “Where’s LeMans?” “He left.” Ronnie wiped grime from her hands on a bar towel and only a fool wouldn’t see the disappointment in her eyes. “After I changed his flat tire, that is.” “You’re kidding?” Jess appeared appalled while Ronnie continued to wipe dirt away. “The last time we saw you, he was licking tequila off you.” Ronnie shrugged, then sighed. “Momentary lapse on his part, I guess.” She looked down at her hands a moment then raised her eyes to Damon. “He doesn’t want Berkowitz Construction doing his renovation. Apparently, he thought he was hiring a man. He thinks a woman should be home with her kids.” “Is he out of his flippin’ mind?” Jess stepped forward, eyes flashing. Damon was proud at her rallying behind the underdog. “What is he from the dark ages or something? For God’s sake, there are thousands of single mothers out there. Not many have the balls to build their own company, but shit…”

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She cut herself off and looked at Damon. “You don’t think that’s it, do you? The fact that she built her own company is giving him fits.” “Could be.” Ronnie tossed the towel aside. “Well, if that’s the case, he can go fuck himself. Cause I’m not giving up my company or my kids no matter how much I—” “Don’t worry, Ronnie. You’ll get the job back.” Damon patted her lightly on the arm. “I don’t care about that,” she tried sounding haughty but it didn’t come across. “Who am I kidding? Guys like that just don’t –” “Bullshit, babe.” Jess put an arm around Ronnie’s waist. “That’s just absolute bullshit. By the time I’m done with you, Anthony LeMans won’t know what the hell hit him.”

“Okay, I’ve got Ronnie an appointment with Celine and Robert at the Mercury Day Spa. They’re going to do hair, makeup, you name it.” Jess smiled, pleased with her ability to get Ronnie in the booked salon with a minimal hassle. She watched Damon cross his legs and put his feet up on her desk. He wasn’t wearing jeans today. Dark grey slacks and a soft navy sweater with the sleeves pulled up over his forearms, it wasn’t disappointing, more dangerously sexy. She’d just gotten used to seeing him in jeans. This was just an evil trick to her senses. Trying to show her he could appear civilized. Then she’d have to take him seriously. That’s what it was, he was messing with her, and she just needed to pretend nothing was out of the ordinary. She’d be nuts to fall under the charm of Cupid. Absolutely nuts. And Jess prided herself on her quick thinking and logical mind. There was just nothing logical about how sexy he was. All that black wavy hair around his shoulders like some sort of warrior, those light eyes that gleamed with mischief. Damon Murrietta was undoubtedly the sexiest man she’d ever seen. Jess knew she needed to make sure he never found that little tidbit out. The man was conceited enough as it was, he certainly didn’t need anymore help in that area. “What are you staring at?” He lifted an eyebrow at her. “What?” Jess caught hold of her wandering mind. “Nothing, just thinking.” “Yeah, okay.” He grinned and she wished she played poker better. “So where is LeMans and how do we get those two back onto the same field?”

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He scratched at his chin considering and Jess noticed he’d shaved. She couldn’t take it anymore. Leaning forward across her glass, contemporary-styled desk, she pointed at him. “What is all this? You finally get the company memo on the dress code or something?” “So, you’re cute and funny.” He lifted his feet off her desk. “Wanna have dinner with me tonight?” She coughed, pounded herself lightly in the breastbone, then cleared her throat. “Yeah right.” “Seriously.” Damon shifted his weight and pulled out his PDA. “Anthony LeMans is attending a charity function at an Italian restaurant tonight. You’re going to have Ronnie all sexed up by then, it’s perfect.” “And we’re just going to mystically show up at this charity event?” “Not mystically. Coincidentally.” She nodded, not at all convinced. “And Anthony LeMans will see her and fall madly under her spell like he did the other night, right?” “Yeah, that’s it.” Jess sighed, “It didn’t work the other night. Remember?” She was a bit disappointed by that and surprised that her touch of Desire wore off so quickly. That didn’t usually happen. In fact, she couldn’t remember it ever happening. She looked at her index finger, maybe she was losing her touch. “We’ll refine our targeting a bit. No outside influences.” “Yeah, okay, and no distractions.” He grinned. “Shouldn’t be any trouble, now that Ronnie’s got the renovation job back.” “How on earth did you manage that?” Jess glanced at her empty coffee mug. She’d had two, no, three cups this morning. She’d told herself on New Year’s she’d cut back on the caffeine. Of course, she also told herself she’d be more adventurous. A smile appeared slowly spreading over her lips. She didn’t think that body shots with Damon was what she’d originally intended. “First, tell me what you’re smiling about?” Jess pressed a finger to her lips. “Was I?” She ran her knuckle under her lower lip. “Sorry, it was nothing.” Damon ran his fingers over the front of his sweater. “Okay.” “So are you answering me?” “Hmm?” She made a circular gesture at him, trying to speed up the conversation. “You think about sex way too much.”

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“Oh,” he leaned forward, his light eyes gleaming. “Were we talking about sex? I didn’t know that cause then I would’ve been paying attention.” “Funny.” He leaned back and folded his arms over his muscled chest. “To answer your question, I went to visit Anthony LeMans today and took Lucien with me.” “Why would you do that?” He held up two fingers. “Two reasons, babe. The first is Lucien was an attorney in his former life so I figured he still had enough slick lawyer talk to convince good ol’ Anthony it was in his best interests to keep Ronnie on the job.” Jess considered that as she got up from her desk and poured another cup of coffee. “Sounds reasonable.” Damon shook a finger at her, “No wonder you’re so jittery.” “I am not jittery.” “It’s a good thing you came the other night, babe cause you’re wound tight as a drum.” Jess nearly spewed coffee on the floor. “Could you not do that?” “I’m not the one who just spit coffee all over the place.” “Shut up.” Damon laughed as Jess searched for a napkin to wipe up the coffee. She found a couple of tissues and mopped the coffee up into a soggy ball. “Okay, but I thought you wanted to know about Lucien.” Tempted to throw it at him, Jess smiled sweetly instead. “What about Lucien?” Damon sat with his lips pressed firmly together. “Damn it, Damon, you could cooperate a little.” “I thought I was. You said shut up.” “You’re going to be the death of me.” “Eventually, probably, but you’re going to love every minute of it.” “We’re back to sex again, aren’t we?” This time she laughed. She couldn’t help it. The man was a giant pain, but sexy as hell. And he made her laugh. So why was she so unsure about this? Whatever this was, it wasn’t anything she’d ever experienced. “Yeah, back to sex.” “Damon, what about Lucien? I don’t trust him.” Damon sniffed. “You shouldn’t. The guy is slicker than oil and definitely with his own agenda. But I needed to know what he had on Nic and Aurora.”

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“What?” Shock rattled through her ribcage and settled somewhere between her eyes with a nasty thud. “What do you mean he knows?” “He came sniffing around a few days ago. Said he got word all wasn’t right in Camelot.” “He’s full of shit.” “Yeah, that’s what I told him.” Scratching the side of his neck, Damon continued, “I didn’t want him digging around any further on this side of the fence anyway.” Jess thought a moment. “Was he still suspicious when you were done with him at LeMans?” “Didn’t seem to be.” “This isn’t good. If Lucien even gets wind of a scandal, he’s all over it. And the fact that it has to do with Nic is even worse.” She hadn’t seen Aurora in days and Jess hadn’t wanted to push. She figured this would hurt her. It would’ve killed Jess like a dagger through the heart if she’d been on the receiving end of this kind of thing. “I need to talk to Aurora. Let her know what’s going on.” “Do you think this is a good idea?” Jess looked at Damon closely. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him so serious. “Maybe we should just let sleeping dogs lie.” The door to her office slid open and Nic stood in the doorway. “You two, my office. Now.” Jess sighed, “So much for sleeping dogs.”

“Sit down.” Nic Avalon wasn’t even sure where to begin. He waited while Cupid and Desire sat next to each other in the dark leather chairs of his office. He pinched the bridge of his nose before turning to take his chair opposite them behind his desk. He was silent for a moment. Then slid his keyboard closer and pulled up several views of the Blue Eagle bar from a few nights ago. He watched Jess slither lower in her chair as Damon’s face froze with an odd smile on it. “I’m wondering, if either of you have some sort of comment you’d like to share or would you prefer me to play back the entire Rendered evening.” “Since when am I on ‘monitored’ status?” Nic was pleased Cupid sounded a bit hostile. He might as well join the club because Nic was feeling more than hostile these days. “You aren’t.” Nic swiveled in his chair and pointed at Jess, “She is.” “Oh God…” “Nic –” “Not now.” Holding up one hand, Nic effectively silenced the outburst. He had an abominable headache, which seemed intent on sucking his brain out through his ears. It had started as a dull throb

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graduating rapidly over the past few days. He hadn’t eaten in four days, but that was the least of his trouble. Clicking off the display, Nic let his dark gaze fall over both of them. “So is this the research project? Because if it is, I’m really not impressed and don’t see any reason to lift your probation.” Jess moved. Heading straight for a pot of coffee, she poured herself a cup and took a deep, steaming swallow. “Okay, I can’t even begin to get passed the fact that you’ve seen me naked.” Nic gritted his teeth. “Naked employees aren’t something I dwell on.” “Thank God.” Jess drank the rest of her coffee and sat the cup down. “I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to look you in the eye anymore.” Damon snickered and Nic’s eyes shifted to him. “You were supposed to keep this under control.” “Well, you damn well put the wrong guy in charge there, Nic.” Damon nearly fell off his chair laughing. “What the hell were you thinking anyway?” “Right now?” Nic arched a brow. “I’m wondering if I can throw a guy who outweighs me by forty pounds or more out the window and see if the little cherub can fly.” Damon quit laughing. “Do either of you have any real progress to tell me about?” “We’re back on track.” “Tell me.” “There’s a charity event tonight. Both LeMans and Ronnie Berkowitz will be there.” “All right.” Nic waited for details. Evidently, there weren’t any. “Forgive me if I don’t jump for joy here but you’re not inspiring confidence.” “Trust me, Nic. By the end of the month, those two will be so hot for each other nothing will keep them apart.” Typically, Damon was confident. Too confident. Nic never knew whether to take him seriously or not half the time. But he did a good job. As strange and unconventional as he was, Damon Murrietta was one hell of a Cupid. “It’ll work and everything will get back to normal. Jess can go back to her Desire thing and I can spread love and joy.” He winked. “Wonderful.” Nic smiled thinly. “I guess we’re done here.” He waited until the pair stood and headed for the office door before triggering the locks. As the locks slid into place, both Jess and Damon turned stunned expressions on him. “Which one of you gave the file to Aurora?” His voice was low, carefully modulated to conceal emotion.

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CHAPTER FIVE

“I suppose you didn’t hear me.” Nic got to his feet and came around the side of his desk. He motioned slowly for Jess and Damon to return. “Which one of you gave Aurora the file?” Each word was sharp, succinct, and definitely angry. “I did.” The admission came from Damon but Nic waited. Jess’ head snapped around so hard, Nic could nearly hear her thoughts rattle around inside. Interesting. Nic found that quite interesting. How far was Cupid willing to go here? If he was protecting her, it was new for Damon. Because Damon always watched out for Damon and Nic wondered if Cupid prepared himself for the consequences. “Jess you can leave.” Nic gave the option. It was up to her if she wanted to save her skin. “No.” He watched as she shook her head not sure if he admired her or not. Damon looked at her with an exasperated expression. “Get out, he told you to go.” “I’m not leaving.” “Leave, damn it. I can handle this.” This time, Jess practically growled at him and Nic recognized the signs. “No one is asking you to handle it, asshole.” “I’m trying to be chivalrous here.” She laughed, “You wouldn’t know chivalrous if it bit you on the ass.” “As lovely as that image is,” Nic moved to lean on the center of his desk and brace himself with both arms. “Jess, you gave Aurora the file.” “Yes.” Her eyes shimmered slightly. “I’m sorry about this, Nic. Really. But she’s my friend.” “Why didn’t you come to me?” Damon straightened in his chair. “I told her not to.” “All right, Damon, settle down.” Nic smiled slightly, keeping his eyes on the other man. “Why didn’t either of you bring this to me first?” “We figured you already knew about it.” That damn headache pounded into Nic’s skull like a crazed jackhammer. He took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. He’d set up fail-safes. Deliberate blocks, alarms and hundreds of various other countermeasures so nothing would ever get passed him. Nothing. He’d done

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it with an altruistic purpose so that he couldn’t bend or break his own rules. Because somehow he’d known eventually Aurora would come into his life. Time had order. Purpose and definitions. There was a cohesive flow to Time and he was the guardian, the interpreter, the master of all of it. Two years ago, he’d done the unthinkable. One of the most beautiful nights he’d spent in his entire existence and he’d deliberately erased it from his and Aurora’s memory. He’d done it to protect her and him by keeping them impartial. And it should’ve worked. It did work for Aurora. She didn’t remember that night at the Christmas party. But it hadn’t worked on him. Because of his goddamn fail-safes. His own handiwork turned out to be his own undoing. “Nic? You okay?” “No, I’m not okay, damn it.” Nic pushed off from the desk, nearly snarling at them both. Aurora hadn’t come home the last four nights and it grated heavily on him. He knew she was angry. She’d avoided him totally in the office. She was hurting and she wouldn’t let him anywhere near her to try and explain. “What do you want us to do?” Air blew out between Nic’s teeth on a hiss of irritation. “Your jobs.” Jess’ eyes appeared hurt. “We want to help, Nic. You two belong together.” “Now you sound more like him rather than Desire.” Damon stood up. “We can fix this, you know?” Nic nodded, “I know.” “It would be easy.” His lip curled. Nothing about Aurora was ever easy. And just when you thought you had things under control, she managed to do something to take away your footing. She had the ability to rupture every coherent thought in your brain and leave you begging for more. Nic shook his head, moving back around his desk. “That’s not a good idea.” “We can be discreet. Contrary to our behavior the other night.” Jess still seemed embarrassed about the episode. Another time, Nic would’ve found the event entertaining at the least. “You’ve got enough on you plates without worrying about me.” Damon folded his arms. “Yeah, maybe. We also have no need for a grouchy boss.” Nic laughed, “Get out.”

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Jess stepped up to him and put a hand on his forearm. “Let us know, Nic. Seriously, I love Aurora like a kid sister. I want her to be happy and she’s happiest with you.” “It’ll be all right, Jess.” He clasped on hand over hers. “Really. Things will work out.” He released the lock on his office. “No go, both of you and try to do a better job with your people tonight.” Nic waited for the unlikely pair to leave his office. It was a little after nine in the morning and he hadn’t heard of Aurora coming into the office yet. He assumed she’d been at her own apartment the last few nights. Since she hadn’t returned any of his calls, he could only speculate. Nic didn’t like speculation, he didn’t like wondering, and he sure as hell didn’t like waiting. He’d give her a few more hours and then the two of them were going to talk, like it or not.

“He doesn’t look good.” Damon looked back at Jess. How the hell could a woman tell how you looked in a matter of moments? Women could somehow mystically figure out if you were sad, glad, hungry, horny or whatever just by looking at you. It boggled the mind. “Uh-huh.” She poked him in the back. “What does that mean?” “Nothing.” “Bull shit. What does it mean?” Damon turned and looked down on her. “It means, that we should mind our own business. Like he told us to.” Jess ran her fingers through the back of her thick hair. It was the color of mink and Damon decided he wanted to touch it. Drive his hands through it while he fucked her brains out. He felt a surge in his cock and gritted his teeth until it subsided. Yep, he needed to get in her pants soon or his cock was going to forget what it was there for. “You really think we should just let it go?” “I think we need to do what he said, focus on our research project.” She huffed and Damon would’ve thought it was cute except they were starting to draw the attention of some of the assistants in the hall. He took her by the arm and led her toward her office. “Maybe you want to announce that a bit louder. Lucien and Carlotta or whatever her name is didn’t here you.” He tugged her down the hall and into her office where he closed the door quickly before she could yell at him. Instead, she just smirked, “I wasn’t going to say anything else.” “That’s a first.”

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“I thought Nic was a friend of yours.” “He is, but that doesn’t mean I think we should go digging around in his love life.” As soon as he said it, he knew he’d regret it. “You’re fucking Cupid!” Yep, there it was one pissed off piece of hot Desire. She revved up and nearly launched herself at him. “Meddling in people’s love life is what you do for a living for Pete’s sake.” “Meddling in your boss’ love life is a good way to get fired.” “So what are we going to do?” He scratched his neck and then ran his hands through his hair. He was a stickler for doing things in order. No matter the importance, Damon made lists. He had a feeling this thing with Nic and Aurora would take longer than just a few days while deep in his bones he knew Ronnie and Anthony just need the right opportunity. “You’ve got to get Ronnie at that salon, right?” Her lips pressed into a thin line, “Yeah.” “Well, let’s get going.” He tossed an arm casually around her shoulder and gave her a quick squeeze. Absently, he glanced down at his fingers and they caught his attention. Tilting his nails upward on both hands, Damon looked at them critically. “Maybe I ought to go along.” Jess coughed, “Excuse me?” “This construction job is hell on my hands.” “Oh my God.” Damon’s arm fell away from her and he stared at her with mock indignation. Sometimes, it was just fun to dick with people. “What? You think all this comes naturally?” He shook his hair out dramatically. “It has to be cut, conditioned and,” he rubbed his chin thoughtfully, “I haven’t had an exfoliating facial in I don’t know how long.” “You’ve got to be shittin’ me!” She was practically rolling with laughter now and Damon grinned. “I’ll never tell.” He waved and headed for the door when it opened and Aurora stood outside, Damon turned quickly. “On second thought,” he moved so that Aurora could enter if she wished, “why not take Aurora with you?” Damon left them quickly. The whole girl thing that would spill out eventually wasn’t anything he wanted to involve himself with right now. He had some work to do first. His dress boots clicked

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along the marble of the quiet hallway. Damon figured everyone cleared out when they saw Aurora coming. Not good, nope, not good at all. Walking into his office, he grinned at the contrast between him and Jess.

She was all

contemporary and slick urban with her polished light colored wood and glass while he was strictly into comfort. He had movie posters on his walls, overstuffed furniture, and an oversized scarred oak desk that pointed toward the window. Chicago was chilly today, but Damon rarely minded the cold weather. As long as it didn’t slow the pulse of the city, weather or time mattered little to him. He liked the city and couldn’t picture a better place for Immortality Incorporated to house their headquarters. Chicago was one rockin’ city. A little something for everyone and with Damon’s own fickle personality Chicago kept him intrigued. Damon sat at his desk, looking out over the skyline. His fingers tapped absently on the edge of the desk while he considered the best plan of attack. He didn’t want to bring Jess in on this just yet. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, he did. A lot. But right now, he needed to work on this alone. And since it had nothing to do with the official project they were on, he figured it was the best tactic. Pulling out his keyboard, Damon brought up what he affectionately referred to as his Love Chart. It tracked love. People falling into and more importantly, people falling out of, and this morning he’d noticed an alarming occurrence. Aurora Devereaux’s name popped on the “falling out of” list. That wasn’t a good thing. In fact, it was something he’d never thought he’d see. He’d tracked these two people the moment they’d laid eyes on each other and he’d known it’d only be a matter of time. Damon laughed, only it wasn’t an amused sound. It’d been a matter of Time that’d screwed this whole thing up. He understood Nic’s motives. Maybe it was because he was a man. More likely, it was because he was Cupid. He’d seen it thousands of times before what people did for love. Nic Avalon was overwhelmed by it nearly three years ago when he first met Aurora. He’d given into to temptation, to desire and even with all his power, Nic managed to find teeth marks on his ass. Damon recalculated his charts and it was definitely a slide. Crap. Aurora looked at this as a betrayal. He wasn’t sure if he agreed or disagreed with that one. His lips pursed and he rubbed a finger over his upper lip reminding himself to shave before tonight. If Nic’s own setup hadn’t double-crossed him, neither one of them ever would’ve known about the night at the holiday party. He wondered if Aurora was more hurt by what happened or by the fact that Nic hid it from her. Pulling up two other displays, he reconfigured the scene and it appeared Aurora’s emotional trigger was due to not being told.

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Not about what had happened. Damon blew out a puff of air. Jess would have a cow when she found out about this. He scratched his neck. It was weird. He’d never much cared what others opinions were. But Jess McGuire mattered like no one ever had to him and he wasn’t altogether comfortable with that yet. He didn’t know if he ever would become comfortable with that kind of thing. He was a solo sort of Cupid. But what was Cupid without Desire?

Jess grabbed her coat off the back of her chair and spun around to catch hold of Aurora. It was better to catch her off guard. This way she was less likely to resist. And if that hadn’t been a direct hint in Damon’s light eyes that flashed like a neon sign, Jess didn’t know what it was. “Good you’ve got on a warm sweater, we can walk.” “Walk? Where?” Opening her office door, she propelled the younger woman out, heading straight for the elevator. “I’ve got this huge charity thing tonight and I want to look spectacular.” “You always look spectacular, Jess.” It was nice to hear, Jess knew. But she was in no way close to the knockout beauty Aurora was. “I’ve got appointments with Celine and Robert.” “Going full tilt, hmm?” Sliding her keycard in the elevator, Jess pushed the button for the lobby. “I told you it was important.” “So why am I going?” “Well my dear, they’ve blocked out half the day for me. I figured you might like a treat.” “Ah.” The elevator door glided open revealing the lobby and Jess took hold of Aurora again. She figured it wouldn’t hurt to keep hold of her until they were halfway down Michigan Avenue. Aurora might decide to escape and Jess wasn’t about to let her retreat. She opened the door leading out onto the street and inhaled the bright cold air. It was noon and the streets filled with busy commuters on their way to lunch or business meetings. A few shoppers braved the chill of the late winter day, but not many. The bare trees started to exhibit some spring growth with tiny buds appearing and Jess hoped that was start of new things.

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They started down the block to the salon and Jess slid a glance at Aurora. She was pale, her eyes not the bright gemstone they usually were, and she seemed tired. No, not tired exactly, Aurora appeared defeated. Jess cleared her throat, shoving down the acid taste. She wished like hell she’d never seen that damn file. If Nic’s stupid system hadn’t been so damned efficient, no one would know. It was bad enough that she and Damon knew, keeping it from the more nefarious members of Immortality Incorporated wasn’t going to be easy. Aurora looked at her. Jess released her grip a bit and forced a smile on his face. “Okay, here’s the deal. I’ve got a client and this charity thing is more for her benefit than mine.” “Okay.” Biting the edge of her lip, she considered her tact on this. “She’s never been to a salon, guaranteed. I’ve got about four hours to make her feel like a woman instead of a truck driver.” Aurora laughed, “Or?” Jess looked ahead on the street. Three doors down waited Ronnie Berkowitz pacing in front of the salon. “You make it sound like it’s some simple task.” “I’ve seen what Celene and Robert can do.” A crooked grin appeared on Jess’ face. “Yeah, well, you haven’t seen the subject.” Jess released hold of Aurora as they stepped up to the entrance of the salon. “Ronnie, this is a friend of mine, Aurora Devereaux.” Ronnie scowled, “Damn, you really know how to make a girl feel inadequate.” Jess watched as Aurora tilted her head up to look Ronnie in the eyes. Aurora was tall. Ronnie was a tree. “I don’t know about that, hon. Seems to me you could squash any competition in your path.” This time Ronnie laughed. “Yeah right if that was the case, we wouldn’t need to be here now would we?” “I told you, Ronnie. Nothing’s a sure thing.” Jess opened the door to the salon and motioned for Ronnie and Aurora to go ahead of her. She let the door swing closed gently beside her. “You’ve got to decide if it’s worth it.” Ronnie looked around and Jess could practically feel the waves of anxiety rolling off her. “I don’t know if anything’s worth it. It smells way to much like money in here.” She sniffed the air and Jess nearly choked with laughter.

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Jess smiled gently. The aromatherapy wrap sounded good right now. The salon had large water display that gently cascaded drops into a small floral pool. They scented the air with clean water and moss aroma that easily masked any of the chemical scents usually associated with a salon. It also made Aurora laugh. “I hate to bring this up, but is this charity at Stefano’s tonight?” Nodding, Jess moved up to the reception desk to confirm their appointments and neatly added Aurora in the mix. Ronnie groaned, “I guess so, why?” “Oh nothing.” Aurora shook her head and pretended to analyze the menu. That got Jess’ attention, instantly. “What do you know?” “I think that’s the party that Trump and Oprah are attending.” “Oh hell…” Ronnie started for the door and it took both Jess and Aurora to slow her down. “No way. No freakin’ way.” “Do you have a formal, Ronnie?” The big woman stared at Aurora like a deer in headlights. “An evening gown,” Aurora clarified. Ronnie sagged and Jess and Aurora had to brace themselves against the wall to keep from sliding to the floor. “Ronnie, you’re gonna kill us here.” The managed to push her back into a standing position and Jess prayed Ronnie wasn’t a knee-locker or they were all going down. She got around to face her and made sure Ronnie wasn’t hyperventilating. “Okay, do you have a dress for tonight?” “Sure, I keep it in the closet right next to my Catwoman costume.” Trying not to laugh, Aurora wiped her now tangled hair out of her eyes. “Not a problem. I’ll call Marquez. He always has something fabulous on short notice.” “Would that be from the big and tall fashion department?” “Marquez will find us something.” Ronnie snorted, “Well ya, if you’re sure. I mean my whole shot at a love life is obviously at stake here.” The receptionist led the three of them back into the hair styling section belonging to Robert. “You haven’t exactly explained to me why it is my whole shot at a love life relies on this either, you know?” Three women seated into shampoo chairs and simultaneously lowered into warm water as young shampooers began to suds their hair. “Depends, Ronnie,” Jess managed to say above the blast of sudsy water. The shampooers shifted their chairs into an upright position. Jess waited for the girl to towel dry her hair before glancing over at Ronnie. The towel slid off Ronnie’s head and Jess couldn’t keep the gasp inside. Aurora’s mouth fell open, “Oh wow.”

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Celene, a tall, willowy magician of hair cutting and style approached slowly. Her long, elegant fingers covered her mouth. “Well now…” Jess wasn’t sure what to say. Ronnie’s hair manifested itself into a bristly bush the color of a dried, dead weed. “Ronnie, does your hair always do that wet?” Ronnie’s eyebrows drew together, “Like what?” She leaned forward looking for a mirror. “Well yeah, it does. It’s got a mind of it’s own wet.” Celene clapped her hands together and pulled Ronnie out of her chair. “I just adore a challenge. I’m sure we can tame this beast and perhaps give it a bit of a spark. Nothing too outrageous, just enough to make it look alive!” “Oh God…” Ronnie followed her like a wayward puppy. Jess and Aurora sat side by side while one of Celene’s capable assistants began to section off their hair. “Well?” Aurora swiveled in her chair to look at her. “Sorry, it’s not doing anything for me yet.” “I’m not talking about my hair. I’m talking about Nic.” Aurora froze. Jess decided to press lightly on the issue. “What are you going to do?” “Nothing.” “Seriously?” Aurora nodded as the assistant began to snip proficiently on her curly flame colored hair. “Absolutely, nothing.” Jess blew a puff of wet hair out of her eyes. “I don’t believe it.” Aurora looked at her own reflection as she told the stylist to cut her hair up to her shoulders. Jess leaped out of the chair. “Don’t you dare!” “It’s time for a change.” Waving off the stylist, Jess spun Aurora’s chair around. “What kind of change?” “Something wild, daring.” “Aurora, you don’t want to do this.” “How do you know that?” Jess leaned back against the mirror. “Because, like it or not, I know you. And I know he hurt you.” Jess waited as Aurora’s blue eyes darted down. “Just like I know you love him so much it’s killing you not to be with him.” Her eyes lifted. Tears shimmered but Aurora’s strength beat them down. “Maybe having Desire as a friend isn’t always the best idea.”

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“Or it could be the best thing that ever happened to you.” Jess squeezed Aurora’s hand and smiled a slow sinful smile. “Listen to me, Aurora and listen carefully. If Fate wants to make Nic pay for being a slug then the first place you need to stop is with me. Because Desire can play very nasty tricks on someone.”

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CHAPTER SIX

“You know when I agreed to this, I didn’t expect that’d I be able to receive satellite signals.” Ronnie stared at Jess and Aurora through the mirror in front of her. Her hair, already sectioned off and wrapped into foil for the highlight weave Celene wanted stood out like some kind of space age communication’s device. “Twenty minutes, darling and that dreary color will be long gone.” Celene glided passed on her way to check another client. “You’re going to look sensational.” “Uh-huh.” Ronnie groaned as a nail technician slid in beside her. She eyed the young woman with a cynical expression. “You realize those things aren’t going to work on me.” The nail tech snapped her gum and lifted one of Ronnie’s hands to examine. “Gawd, what are you a construction worker or something?” Ronnie smiled thinly, “Exactly.” Moving to keep Ronnie from assaulting the girl, Jess worked quickly. “Why don’t you do something elegant yet very simple so she can still function in her job? Just a nice polish and clean up kind of thing.” The nail tech nodded and began digging around for equipment, “I know just the thing.” Ronnie leaned back and craned her neck around to look at Jess and Aurora. “I thought you two were doing some herbal thing?” “They were booked up so we’re getting a facial next.” “Oh how glorious.” Jess laughed, “We’ll be back in awhile.” She and Aurora walked toward the facial relaxation center. Jess wasn’t really into this whole spa thing either today, but she needed to keep Aurora looking on the bright side of things without directly meddling. “How do you think she’s going to do tonight?” “Are you asking me as Fate or as a friend?” “The room is ready for you ladies now, follow me, please.” Jess wasn’t sure which answer she wanted. She really did like Ronnie Berkowitz now that she’d had an opportunity to get to know the woman. She was loud, built like an Amazon with a mouth like a sailor. Jess saw the kindness in her, the love for her kids and the deep yearning to have someone of her

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own. It was an interesting mix that was for sure. She wondered if the dish was just too spicy for Anthony LeMans to deal with. If this thing worked tonight, she was that much closer in getting Damon out of her hair. That brought its own weird sensation. Her stomach clenched and gurgled. Jess pushed her fist into it to control the noise. Her heart made a tiny flutter she found very disturbing. Was she glad to get out from under Damon or not? Now there was an odd choice of words she’d ever heard. Aurora and Jess were settled into a soft lit room with candles flickering. Lavender scented the air delicately and a New Age instrumental CD played in the background. Each of them stretched out on their own lounge chair as a girl draped them with a towel and pulled their hair back. “I can’t believe you cut your hair, Aurora. I would kill to have hair like that and you just whacked it off like it was nothing.” “I told you. It was time for a change.” Aurora waited while the facial consultant cleaned makeup off her face and applied the moisturizing mask. “Did you want me to answer that question of yours or not?” “I don’t know.” Jess heard Aurora chuckle under her breath. “Afraid of the answer?” “Yeah probably. I can’t decide if I want this thing to work out or not.” “What thing?” Aurora glanced over at her. “The thing with Ronnie and Anthony or the thing with you and Damon?” Jess nearly swallowed a mouthful of cucumber scented moisturizing mask when she moved. The consultant apologized and Jess waved her off. “There isn’t anything between me and Damon.” “Remember who you’re dealing with.” The consultant finished smearing the goo on Jess’ face before leaving the room. Jess waited until the door closed and sat up hoping the stuff didn’t into a pile onto her lap. “Swell, just swell. It’s not bad enough my boss has seen me naked, now my best friend and probably the rest of the freakin’ company have too.” “Naked?” Aurora sat up as well. “Do tell?” “Oh shut the hell up.” “Hey, I want to know.” She folded her arms across her chest and stared at Jess. “I could be living vicariously for a long time now.” “Yeah wait till he sees your hair.”

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She heard Aurora make a pained sound in the back of her throat. Jess had no intentions on making things worse here, but she needed to dig out some information. “You really don’t like it do you?” “I love it, sweetie. It’s great for Spring. Like you could do anything to destroy your looks anyway.” Aurora cleared her throat, “I want to piss him off.” There it was. The break she’d been hoping for. Aurora’s motivation behind all the hurt. She could see the crack forming around her armor and if she clinked at it a few more times, she might figure out which way to wave Desire. Cause make no mistake, Nic and Aurora were getting back together, in Jess’ book there was no better match than these two. “Okay pissing him off is good. Shouldn’t be too hard actually with Nic.” Aurora laughed. It was the first honest to goodness laugh she’d heard from her all day when it came to Nic and the whole nasty situation. “So how should we go about this?” “I don’t know if there should be a we here.” “Oh yeah, there is. You don’t think we have a stake here?” Jess dug her knuckle in her ear to keep from getting the light green goop in it. “I take pride in my work, babe. So does that lunatic Cupid. We’re not letting you go that easily.” Aurora wiped a blob that threatened to drip from her chin. “How does he think that wouldn’t bother me? I mean for God’s sake, if I hadn’t wanted him so fucking badly, some people might think that was the equivalent of a technological date rape drug.” “That’s a bit harsh don’t you think?” “That’s what I’m saying. I don’t care that we had sex. I care that he erased that memory from me.” Aurora’s eyes flashed dangerously. “What if that’s all I ever had? Just that one memory. He might’ve known we’d get together eventually, but I didn’t and it wasn’t fair to steal it from me.” Jess swallowed. Aurora was right. How would she feel if Damon took his wild side and went to play somewhere else? It wasn’t the exact same situation but Jess understood how important memories could be. The betrayal was so unexpected there. Finding out you never knew about a night that might’ve been the most magical event in your life up till then was bound to hurt and humiliate. “Aurora, I have to ask this and it’s entirely up to you if you want to answer or not.” “Am I still in love with him?” “Yeah, that’s the one.”

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“I want to say yes, God, you don’t know how badly I do. But, right now, I’m just too angry about this.”

“By George, I think you did it.” Aurora and Jess gazed in open admiration as Ronnie Berkowitz stood in front of a full-length mirror. Ronnie turned slowly, shock and pleasure in her eyes. “I look amazing.” Her dark brownish blonde hair now had glittering highlights of gold and antique bronze that made it appear lively and rich. The wild waves now tamed into a straight, very contemporary style. Her nails were buffed, polished and after a paraffin dip soft and sexy. Her makeup was subtle but very alluring just adding a hint of color here and there to bring out her eyes and make her lips soft and pouty. And the dress Aurora found was in a word, amazing. Long, black with a slight slit up one leg, it was a classically elegant style. There was no doubt in Jess’ mind that Ronnie would make heads spin tonight. Yes, you really do, Ronnie.” Jess gave her arm a quick squeeze. “Anthony LeMans isn’t going to know what hit him.” Ronnie turned, “Maybe not. But even if I look like Cinderella tonight it’s not going to change the fact that he thinks I should be a stay at home mom.” “I don’t think he meant it like that.” “Well, the only other way to take that is he thinks I’m a bad parent.” Jess chose her words carefully, aware that Aurora probably already knew what would happen here. “I don’t think he has a lot of experience with women like you.” Ronnie let out a bark of laughter, “Don’t know if it’s a good thing or not.” She glanced back at her reflection. “I never imagined, you know? Never thought I could begin to compete with the chicks he’s used to.” “That doesn’t matter.” “It will, Monday when I return to work. When the dress, the makeup and all the other hoo-ha stuff is gone. He’ll see that I’m the same woman and he wonder what he was thinking.” Aurora moved forward, “Guaranteed, he’s going to think about that. He seems like a very analytical man. But I can also guarantee, you’re going to mess him up so bad that logic and it’s little equations aren’t going to come in play until he’s well under your spell.” “Well if I looked like you, I’d probably have your confidence.” Ronnie sighed, “We’ll see, I guess. By the way, I love your hair.”

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Damon straightened his tie and undid the buttons of his blazer as he sat at their table in Stefano’s. He couldn’t force himself into a monkey suit no matter that ninety-six percent of the men in the restaurant this evening wore tuxedos. He settled for a charcoal gray suit with a simple white shirt and patterned gray and wine colored tie. Besides, it wasn’t about him tonight. It took some maneuvering but he managed to get them at the same table that Anthony LeMans was at. He thought proximity could only help them and – Damon nearly choked on his tongue when Jess strolled in. Holy hell, she looked absolutely fuckin’ delicious. She had on a beaded sapphire gown and her mink hair was swept off the back of her neck. He wanted to nibble all that exposed skin of her throat and down those smooth shoulders. “Hey.” Damon stood up, glad he had on a suit jacket and loose fitting slacks. “Hey.” His cock stretched to full length in a matter of seconds. He leaned over to pull her chair out for her and inhaled the dark, sexy perfume she wore. “You’re trying to make me nuts aren’t you?” He let his lips skim across her shoulders, “Don’t even try to tell me you aren’t cause it won’t work.” “So you like?” He glanced around, “If I could get away with, I’d haul you off to some coat closet.” “What is it with you and closets?” Jess sat in the chair and Damon adjusted it. “Don’t you ever have sex in the bedroom?” “How mundane is that?” He sat opposite and downed half his glass of ice water. Damon figured he needed to dump the ice on his cock not down his throat, but whatever. “You need to be open to new things.” “Why is that?” A waiter brought Jess a glass of white wine and Damon a beer in a glass as well. He thought the glass was a waste but understood the need of appearances. “Mostly because I want to try a lot of them with you.” “What makes you think I want to try any of them with you?” Damon winked and ran a finger around the collar of his shirt. “Cause you’re imagining me naked out of this ol’ suit and in your hands.” She nearly snorted her wine. Damon’s eyes glimmered as he raised his own glass. “Stop that.” “Hey, I’m not the one imagining me naked.” “Would you cut it out?” Sitting his glass down, he reached across the table and ran his forefinger down her arm. “What am I doing, Jess?”

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He waited, curious what she might admit to. “We’re in a public place.” “Yep, and that didn’t stop you the other night.” “Shit!” It hissed violently out her lips and she yanked her arm away from him so fast he thought she’d spin herself around in the chair. “I told you to knock it off.” Damon pulled his hand back and smirked. “You’re right, you’re absolutely right. I just can’t help myself sometimes.” “So you do this sort of thing with everyone.” “No, primarily women.” “Oh.” She sipped her wine. “I guess it doesn’t matter then.” He slid his chair closer to her and waited for her eyes to meet his. “Oh it matters, Jess. I don’t know why yet, but this time, it really matters.” It was easy to see. He’d made her uncomfortable. This was all cool when it was just fun and games, but when you got right down to it, Damon sighed inwardly. What exactly was it? He liked her. She was beautiful, funny, temperamental prude and he wanted to fuck her so bad, he was pretty much willing to do anything. But there was something beyond all that, beyond the sex, the games and he couldn’t quite figure out what that was. “Have you seen Ronnie yet?” “Nope, I figured she’d come in with you.” He let her change the subject. “I will kill her if she bales on us.” “The salon wasn’t any fun?” “Oh it wasn’t bad. I think Ronnie thought it was a combination between gynecologist and dentist though.” “You guys are talking about me aren’t you?” Ronnie managed to sneak up behind them. When Damon got a look at her, he couldn’t believe she got in the restaurant without men dropping to their knees all around her. “Holy shit, Ronnie.” Damon’s eyes nearly fell out of his head. Ronnie grinned at him a bit selfconsciously but she looked drop dead gorgeous. Who would’ve thought? His hard as nails, kick your ass while looking you straight in the eye, construction-working woman could turn into this? This was better than the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model of last year. Damon shot to his feet and pulled out the chair next to Jess. “You look fabulous.” “Yeah, I do, don’t I?” Ronnie took her seat and beamed at Jess. “If it weren’t for Jess and her bud, I never would’ve pulled this off.”

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Damon leaned down putting his face in between Jess and Ronnie. “Tell you what, I just propositioned Jess, but you know, the way you look, I may have to make other plans here.” He backed away before Jess could slug him and picked up his beer before sitting down. “You’re an ass, Murrietta.” He laughed, drinking the rest of the beer. “Yeah, I am.” He winked at Jess, “But you love me anyway.” “At least in your dreams, your fantasies come true.” “I can make your dreams a reality, you know?” “Yeah, whatever.”

Jess smiled as she lifted her wine glass in a mock toast.

“Here’s to

unfulfilled dreams.” “You two are quite a pair.” Ronnie ordered a wine spritzer from the waiter. Another shock to the system that he wasn’t quite prepared for. Someone categorizing him as a pair. Definitely not anything Damon ever experienced before. He let it settle over him like a hot towel. It was uncomfortable at first, a bit suffocating. But the more he thought about it, the longer he waited, the suffocating aspect turned out to be kind of soothing and cuddly. Oh, this wasn’t right. Damon glanced over at Jess. His pulse quickened instantly. All sorts of sexy images clouded his mind. Jess in satin, Jess naked on satin. Jess eating whipped cream, eating whipped cream off Jess. Oh, this just wasn’t right. And then things somehow managed to get worse. Anthony LeMans cleared his throat. Three heads turned and Damon shook his head growling a whisper at Jess, “Didn’t see this one coming.” “Good evening, everyone.” The smooth voice of Anthony LeMans drifted over the table. Jess head moved very slowly to look up at LeMans. And his voluptuous date. It sounded like a hiss but Damon was pretty damn sure he heard Jess say, “Shit!” That got Ronnie’s attention. He’d seen her stiffen hearing the man’s voice. This was just gonna kill her. LeMans slid the chair out for his date and the woman giggled. “I’m so excited about this.” “Oh hell, I need something stronger than this.” Ronnie slid her chair back into LeMans’ chest. The man grunted but managed to recover nicely, helping her get to her feet.

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Damon saw his hand linger on her arm. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight.” His hands went to her waist and his gaze shifted. “I wasn’t expecting to see any of you here tonight.” He let her body lean against him as she slid out from the front of the chair and toward the bar. “I can get you a drink.” Ronnie shook her head and Damon had to hand it to her. He wasn’t sure if he’d decked the guy or just burst into tears and run if it were him in her shoes. Now, if it were Jess, she’d just deck the sonofabitch right in the teeth no doubt. He watched her lean back and his fingers tightened on her. Ronnie moved reluctantly, at least it seemed that way to Damon. Her head turned so that she was eye to eye with LeMans. “I can get my own drink.” “Ouch!” His eyes flashed and went straight to Jess. “Damn woman, that –” He could practically feel the blood trickling down his shin from where she’d managed to embed her high heel. “Why don’t you get us all a round of drinks, Damon?” Jess leaned over and nudged him in the arm jerking her head toward the door. “I have a feeling this is going to be a really long night.” Damon hobbled to his feet searching the entrance for whatever it was that Jess had seen. He patted Anthony on the shoulder as he went by. “I’m thinking you’ll need a Scotch.” He’d taken two steps and then he saw Aurora with Gil. Now, LeMans wasn’t the only one who needed the Scotch. All he needed was Nic and Lucien to show at this party and everything would just be super. Damon scratched his neck, considering a moment that a little Render dust might be in order here. Not as thick as he laid on the other night for sure. He ran his hands through the front of his hair feeling his fingers tingle with the power of love. It was an interesting power he held. The instant power of love that he could apply, light as fairy dust or as thick as syrup, at will to last as long as he wished or needed it to. He generally tried not to lather it on too thick cause there were always repercussions. Damon’s hands went behind his head, what he called a very subtle maneuver. The restaurant was jammed with the wealthiest of Chicago, the wannabes and a very select crowd of out of towners. Damon liked mixed groups. More fun that way. By the time dinner was served, well, people wouldn’t want to eat anything as blasé as pasta, the guy’s would want pussy. “No way, Casanova.” Jess shoved a hand into his shoulder while her tits pressed hard against him. One of her hands caught his wrist and yanked. “Not in this place, no way.” She jerked on his arm

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again. “Do you know how many exes are in here? Gawd, you’d create havoc.” She let go of his arm, “Crap, I didn’t think of that. Maybe that’s why Gil is here.” “No, Chaos is here to keep Aurora company.” Damon turned to the bartender and ordered a round of drinks. He looked back at Jess. “Wanna tell me why Aurora is here?” “How the hell should I know?” “Did you invite her?” “Me?” Jess squeaked reaching around him for one of the drinks the bartender sat out. She knocked it back so fast that Damon coughed. “You’re the one that said bring her to the salon.” Scratching his neck, he debated ordering a Scotch for himself. But he couldn’t drink the stuff. He’d settle for the Patron tequila. “So you invited her.” She sat the glass down on the bar and tapped it until the bartender got the hint. “I didn’t think I did.” She shrugged, her eyes searching the crowded restaurant. Damon figured she was looking for Aurora. “Maybe I did.” Jess turned back to the bar waiting for the rest of the drinks. Damon blew a low whistle out between his lips. “Well hot damn, this just couldn’t get any better.” Absently, her head turned back to him. Her hands loaded with drinks, she rotated slowly around. “What? Oh shit.”

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CHAPTER SEVEN

“Hail, hail the gang’s on here.” “Oh this is just too damn creepy.” Jess didn’t know whether to run, hide, or just scream. Could this night get any worse? Damon nudged her with his shoulder and she noticed his hands were full of drinks as well. “What’s he doing here?” Damon’s lips twisted. “Either he’s stalking Aurora or he’s checking up on us.” “Peachy.” Tiny pinpricks of anxiety raced up her spine. “Just be thankful there isn’t any room at our table.” Jess wiggled her way through the crowded restaurant back to their table.

Somehow, she

managed to do it keeping her back facing Aurora and Gil who sat at a table about seven feet away from them. Suddenly, Jess had a magnificent headache. “You know, I really don’t like either of those alternatives.” The smell of marinara thick with tomatoes and garlic normally would’ve made her stomach growl in anticipation. Right now, it just made her stomach do the twist. “Well, look at it this way. Right now, not only are Ronnie and Anthony our business but so are Nic and Aurora.” Jess hazarded a glance over at Aurora. The other woman’s attention was caught by a waiter who delivered their entrée. Either that or she had seen Nic come in. “Yeah, and everyone is being so freakin’ cooperative about falling in love it’s about to make me vomit.” Damon delivered his portion of the drinks then reached for a few of Jess’. “Don’t do that.” He practically shuddered and Jess cocked her head at him confused. “You’ll make me sick if you do that. I have a very sensitive stomach.” She tried not to laugh but he looked deadly serious. She took her seat and as he walked by smiled sweetly. “You’re full of shit.” “My eyes are gray, sweetheart.” He sat down, moving his place setting closer. With all targets floating around tonight, Jess wasn’t sure exactly what to make of that small movement. It was hard to focus on anything except what was right in front of her. Her PDA buzzed and she was sorely tempted to take it out and grind into the floor between her heel. She slipped her hand in her purse and switched the irritation off. She knew the shit was flying already. She didn’t need a piece of machinery to tell her.

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One thing at a time. Right now, at this little charity gig, it was Anthony and Ronnie. That was it. Never mind that Damon smelled positively delicious or that he’d actually shaved. She wouldn’t think about touching him.

All that hard, tall, leanly muscled length of sexy Cupid between her

fingertips. And holy hell, that cock of his, Jess could only fantasize what he could do that Greek godlike appendage. Nope, she would concentrate on her work. Anthony LeMans’ date apparently decided now was a good time to put her two cents worth in the conversation. She wanted to just smack Anthony in the back of his rich, well-groomed head. What an absolute idiot? How could any man be so freakin’ blind? “So how do you know Anthony?” The bimbo gazed pointedly at Ronnie. Venom dripped from her chin and her eyes turned to slits. “He was licking shots of tequila off her stomach two nights ago.” Four pairs of eyes turned to look at her. Jess blinked. Her ears started ringing. Did she just say that aloud? “Did I say that aloud?” Damon kicked her in the shin. Her head whipped around, “Ouch, damn it!” He glared at her, hard and tilted his head at the others. “I did say that aloud. Ohmigod!” She swung around to face the others. Ronnie tried to keep from laughing but wasn’t doing a good job of it. “I didn’t mean like that,” she offered her hands out in a helpless gesture. “Well, I did, but it wasn’t supposed to come out like that.” “Now would be a great time to shut up, Jess.” Damon chuckled as he raised his glass. His other hand pushed her drink closer to her. She reached for it drowning in a sea of her own stupidity. She lifted the glass with both hands as two of the restaurant’s wait staff started to serve their dinners. Her eyes met Anthony’s above the rim of her glass and held for a moment. At first, she wasn’t sure what she saw there. A glimmer of something, temper, intrigue and absolute horror and it caused Jess to suck half her drink down the wrong pipe. The next thing she knew Damon was slapping her on the back hard enough to make her wince. “Enough already, you’re gonna knock a tooth out.” “I’m going to powder my nose before dinner, Tony.” The bimbo got up and wiggled away toward the restroom. “Ah-hah!” She pointed directly at LeMans. “You practically cringed when she called you Tony.” “I cringed when you insulted my date.” “I didn’t insult your date. I was telling the truth.” Anthony looked over at Ronnie, “Would you like to tell me what this is all about?”

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“Love too.” Ronnie picked up her fork. “But I’ve no idea.” She snickered and rolled her eyes. “I really have no idea.” “Why are you here?” “Attending a charity event. You?” “Same.” Anthony picked up his fork and practically assaulted a piece of chicken. “Funny how we keep turning up in the same places.” “Isn’t it?” Jess could see it. The woman was playing with him like a large pussycat toying with a stupid mouse. It was tremendous. Jess nearly clapped her hands together. Anthony cleared his throat. “I’m starting to think it’s too much of a coincidence. You know?” He swallowed and an uncomfortable expression appeared on his face. “I’m not sure how to say this, are you stalking me?” “Oh for the love of God, are you just a complete moron?” Damon put his hand around the back of her chair and leaned in, “Okay, you said that aloud again.” He pointed at the open mouth of Ronnie and then at Anthony who held his full fork in midair. “See?” Then he looked back at Jess. “You really need to run this stuff through your head once or twice before you just blurt it out. It might go over better next time.” Jess rubbed her temples. “You know, this wouldn’t have happened if he’d just open his eyes a bit.” “You people are out of your minds.” The ice in Anthony’s glass rattled as he drained it. “I’m going to see about getting another table.” “Shit.” “Anthony, Anthony LeMans!” Before he turned to go, Nic Avalon had the man in a handshake. “I haven’t seen you since the last charity event Trump attended. How are you?” Recollection filtered across Anthony’s face.

Nic Avalon of the huge multi-billion dollar

conglomerate appeared as the consummate businessman and philanthropist. “Nic, how have you been?” “Good, good.” He never looked once at the people at the table. “Do you have a minute? There’s a couple of gentlemen I know you’d love to meet.” He tilted his head at Ronnie. “That is if your lovely date wouldn’t mind me borrowing you for a moment.” Anthony glanced over at Ronnie. He smiled at her. A real smile. Gentle, kind and something more that Jess knew from experience as Desire. Nic led Anthony off to what could only be a group of investors leaving Jess, Damon, and Ronnie. “Shock and awe, babe. Shock and awe.” Damon twirled fettuccini into a spoon.

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Jess sighed, “This is getting harder to keep track of.” “Okay guys, come clean. Cause obviously, this isn’t going to work.” Ronnie looked over her shoulder at Nic and Anthony. “However, I could go for tall, dark and oh so serious if he’s available.” “If you think Anthony LeMans is complicated –” Ronnie waved her off, “Never mind, I get the picture.” “Ronnie, I’m really sorry about this.” Jess didn’t think anyone could be as stubborn about falling in love. Obviously, she was totally wrong on this. “I didn’t think, really didn’t think that he’d show up with a date.” “It’s okay.” Ronnie reached across the table and squeezed her hand. Jess’ heart tightened on the woman’s kindness. “I had fun today, you know? I mean hey, how many chances do I get to look like this.” “We can make it a monthly thing if you want.” Her heart squeezed a bit more. Ronnie was a sweet, funny woman who deserved a shot at love. Jess didn’t like that she’d missed something so vital when setting this evening up. It irritated her immensely. “I wasn’t really expecting anything. It was fun though.” Ronnie gestured around the room. “Most people never get to do this and it was great.” “Ronnie, it’s no big deal.” Damon shifted and Jess could tell he was uncomfortable. Not by the emotion but by the fact they’d screwed up. She smiled and pushed her plate away. Jess didn’t have a good feeling about this. Ronnie smiled again gently, “Yeah it was a big deal. I had butterflies all day about this. Pretending for a little while that he might feel something for me, it was silly.” She sighed and Jess felt the loneliness pour over her like hot wax, quick and painful. “I’ve been alone a long time. And it was nice, for a change to dream. But that’s all it was, for a few days and all that. I mean I can’t say I wasn’t kind of hoping that a man like that might…” She trailed off for a second and collected herself quickly. “Look a man like that isn’t ever going to find a woman like me attractive. I don’t need a brick to hit me in the face. He isn’t going to fall in love with me. So, I’ll just finish this job and get over it. Cause even if I didn’t have two kids in the mix, I’m just not Cinderella, you know? ” She swallowed and this time Jess saw something she never thought she’d see, tears shining in Ronnie Berkowitz’s eyes. “Why don’t you let me decide that?”

Blood drained out of her body and left her in a cold, shaky puddle when she felt his hands close over her shoulders. Dear God, he’d heard that. Ronnie knew as icy sweat trickled down her spine that

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Anthony LeMans had just heard her pathetic confession. Her stomach pitched and rolled like a sailboat tossed in the middle of a hurricane. Better still she got to embarrass the hell out of herself in front of a bunch of people who she figured already felt sorry for her. Ronnie slid to her feet, unsteady in the heels. “Oh God, I need some air.” She didn’t look at him. Couldn’t. She’d been many things in her life, some good, some not so good. Announcing she was in love with a guy who barely knew she existed was a new one and it wasn’t setting well. “Ronnie, wait a second!” “Just need some air,” she swiped at her eyes and her suddenly runny nose. The blonde chick he’d come in with smiled viciously at her as she nearly broke into a run. It would’ve worked, if the damn restaurant hadn’t been so crowded. She tripped once on the rug at the entrance and cursed the gorgeous heels Aurora found for her. She pushed the door open and inhaled the brisk Chicago air. It managed to freeze the sweat running down her back. She moved stiffly toward a light pole, just something to hold onto for a second, steady her nerves. She was thirty-two, a single mother who had to fight, scratch, and claw for all she had. Everything she did was to make a future for her kids. Everything except tonight. Tonight had been about her. Even though she’d told Jess McGuire she wasn’t Cinderella, she’d fuckin’ felt like it tonight. She wasn’t pretty. Not in any conventional sense, anyway cause tonight, well hell, tonight she looked amazing. Ronnie’s grip loosened on the pole. Tonight had been magic, with all the fairy dust and glam. Resting her forehead against the metal of the pole for a second, Ronnie ignored the cold. She was completely out of her league here. Not just this place, but for one second letting herself think about Anthony LeMans like she did. She sighed and leaned back looking at the traffic. She could catch a cab and not have to pay the sitter overtime. That was a good idea. Thinking about Anthony LeMans wasn’t. He was just another job on the way to building her a solid reputation as a contractor. That was it. That was how he thought of her – if he ever thought of her. Ronnie wasn’t sure where it’d all come from. She’d met him maybe half a dozen times in the last four years. Mostly, when she was bidding for jobs of his. It’d materialized out of nowhere. She looked at him and there it was. He was tall, dark, chiseled, and really smart. He oozed money and sophistication and he was so damn easy to look at. The woman in her wanted. Oh, hell she’d wanted him so much and it’d been so easy to dream of a life that wouldn’t be hers. She hailed a cab and climbed inside. Just like Cinderella running from the ball.

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*****

Damon linked one of his pinkie fingers with Jess and raised it in triumph. “We just rock!” Sarcasm dripped across the table like ooze and settled over their laps. “Oh yeah, we suck.” Jess shook his hand with enthusiasm. He didn’t get it. This should’ve worked out perfectly. LeMans should’ve been dazzled out of his mind, been willing to get to know Ronnie on another level or two and then he and Jess would’ve been right as rain. Now, they were standing in the rain and Damon was sick of getting wet on this particular deal. Absently, he linked his hand with Jess as he watched LeMans murmur something to his date. From the look on her face, she didn’t like what he was telling her. He felt a warm tingle slip up his arm from his hand and tried to ignore it. Jess had the softest damn skin he’d ever felt. It was warm, silky and he wanted to wrap his body all around her. “We’ll say goodnight now.” Anthony LeMans nodded to both of them and made a beat for the exit. “Okay, that was weird.” “Oh yeah.” He rubbed her hand against his jaw. It felt good. Really good. So good he didn’t want to let her hand go, but when she started staring at him he figured he ought to let go. Her eyes flickered with some mix of irritation and intrigue and he knew without a doubt he had to fuck her tonight. Thing was convincing Jess to admit she wanted him too. She pulled her fingers out of his hand and looked at them like she needed to sanitize them. “That was weird too.” “Why?” “Why?” Damon scratched the back of his neck. “Is there an echo here?” He glanced around checking the acoustics of the room and noticed that Nic was moving toward Aurora’s table. The restaurant was still loud with plenty of charity goers. “I just asked you that. Why was it weird?” “I don’t know,” she shrugged and to Damon it looked like she needed some excuse not to admit she liked it. “I don’t have germs, you know? So quit looking like you need a moist toilette or something.” “I wasn’t looking like that.”

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“Could’ve fooled me.” He deliberately ran his forefinger up her arm, liking the tiny shudder she couldn’t conceal. “You can admit, you know?” Jess folded her arms, then deliberately relaxed and reached across the table for her drink. “Admit what?” “That you like me.” He smiled brightly. Jess huffed at him and turned her head. “Come on, admit it. I’m not as bad as you thought I’d be.” Her smile was sinful. “No Damon, you’re worse.” He laughed cause he just enjoyed irritating her. The more he could get a rise out of her, the more it went to his head. Trouble was, he couldn’t figure out which head was having more fun. “You’re unkempt, rude, irritating and vulgar.” “Uh-huh, and that’s what you like about me. I’m not your average Joe.” “No, that’s true. You’re anything but average.” She finished the remainder of her drink and turned to look at him. “Why is it so important that I like you anyway? We’ve got a job to do that’s all. It doesn’t matter if you like me or I like you.” Damon scratched his chin and leaned one elbow on the table. He put his chin in his hand. “Yeah, it does.” “Oh for God’s sake!” Exasperation lit her voice and he’d swear he heard her teeth grind together. “Why is it so damned important?” He leaned forward, a little closer to her. He liked her perfume. Made his nose wiggle as he sniffed it. “I like the girl’s I plan to fuck to like me.” She coughed. Choked. Tears flooded the rims of her eyes. Damon thought she swallowed a Habanero chili pepper. He’d surprised her. Put naked thoughts in her head. Damon was ready to pat himself on the back for that one. Jess coughed, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “Are you serious?” “Well yeah, it makes it a lot more fun that way.” She waved her hand at him. “Not that.” Wiping her eyes, she stared at him. “You think if I admit I like you that means I’m going to have sex with you? Damon, you are really out of your freakin’ mind.” He slid his chair over next to her and she shifted away. Jess picked up a napkin, dabbed at her eyes and mouth. “Obviously, you are delusional.” “Am not.” “Okay Damon, you’re out of your mind but I’ll admit you’ve got some sort of strange charm.” He pointed at her, “See, you like me.”

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“That doesn’t mean I’m having sex with you.” Damon scratched his chin, the shadow of his beard already appearing. Did he forget to shave earlier. Maybe that’s what it was? Jess didn’t like the scruffy look. He’d never considered that one. “It’s the beard isn’t it?” She blinked. Jess shook her head slightly as if clearing some sort of fog out. “What? You lost me.” “You think you don’t want to fuck me because of the beard.” He rubbed his chin and jaw thoughtfully testing the softness. “It’s not itchy or scratchy or anything.” “Oh my God!” Jess got to her feet. “You’re a lunatic!” “First I’m delusional, now I’m a lunatic? I’m just trying to figure out what the trouble is.” She put her hands on her hips and Damon thought she tapped her foot at him. “There isn’t any trouble.” She stepped up to him and fisted her hand. Turning it, she knocked on his forehead. “Hello? Cupid? I don’t want to have sex with you.” “Why not?” Damon slid his chair back and got up. “You said you liked me.” Damon tried not to smirk as frustration poured out Jess’ ears in red puffs of smoke. A vein pulsed in her forehead. “Okay, let me try this again.” She put both hands on his chest and he wasn’t sure if she used him to steady herself or if she wanted to scratch the hell out of him. “You’re gorgeous, Damon. In a wild biker, bad angel, poet sort of way.” She inhaled, “I like you.. For whatever reason, you have a way of making people like you even when they don’t want to.” Slowly, she withdrew her hands and Damon was sorry to see her go. “But I’m not going to fuck you. Not now. Not in the future. So get it out of both your heads and we’ll get along a whole lot better.” “Hey you guys leaving already?” “Gil, you’ve got all the timing of chaos.” Gil laughed loudly and Damon didn’t really like the sound much. “I aim to please.” “Well, please yourself someplace else, okay?” Damon moved up beside Jess. He really didn’t like how Gil Contrelle looked at her like she was some tasty piece of steak. “Chill out, Cupid.” “Aren’t you on leave or something?” Gil’s eyebrow rose. “Yeah for another month, I guess.” “Well then why don’t you.” “What?”

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“Leave.” Gil laughed again. “You are a riot.” Damon scowled. “Yeah, I’m a laugh a minute.” Since it didn’t look like Gil planned leaving anytime soon, Damon figured it’d be a good time to get some information out of him. Chaos had notoriously loose lips. Damon slid a glance quickly at Jess and hoped she got the message. “So what are you doing here with Aurora?” “Huh?” Damon put his hand on the smaller man’s shoulder and turned him slightly. “Aurora. You know, the chick you came in with. The one that’s attached to our boss.” Gil smiled. “I knew who you meant.” He winked. “So what’s going on there anyway?” “What do you mean?” Jess seemed bored, her tone incredibly bland. “Aurora called me to go to this thing. She wouldn’t say why.” He wiggled his fingers at Jess and Damon’s table. “I figured it had something to do with you all when we got here though.” “Who knows?” Jess shrugged. “It’s a big charity event. Aurora’s all for the underdog.” Gil sniffed slightly. “Yeah, could be.” He didn’t seem quite satisfied and Damon didn’t like to see the wheels turning in the guy’s beady little brain. “Why wouldn’t she go with Nic? He’s here. So why come separately.” Damon frowned and did his best to appear intimidating. His light eyes glazed over to ice. “Did you think maybe they might be working? You know the thing you used to do before you got nailed for sniffing around shit that didn’t concern you.” “Hey, I didn’t mean anything. I was just wondering.” “Yeah, right. Chaos doesn’t wonder. Chaos looks for trouble to stir up.” Gil chuckled. “Well, hey, a guy’s gotta make a living.” He glanced back at the empty table. “Looks like you didn’t need any help with your little endeavor tonight. Seemed to me you two screwed that one up all on your own.” Damon knew he was trying to egg him on. “Why’d you come here tonight anyway? Trying to get your leave extended permanently?” “Aurora’s a friend of mine.” Gil pointed at Damon’s chest. “You probably wouldn’t know about that sort of thing, huh?” “Boys,” Jess stepped between them. “Posturing in the middle of a restaurant trying to hold a charity event is not very slick.” Damon stepped back. “She’s right and we have work to do.”

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“So is there any truth to the rumors?” Jess looked back at Gil, not before she speared Damon with a hard stare though. “What rumors, Gil?” “The business with Nic and Aurora.” Damon plastered a blank look on his face. “What are you talking about?” “I’m not completely out of the loop. People tell me things.” “That’s nice, Gil.” Jess patted his arm like he was a pup. “I wouldn’t believe those things if I were you, that’s what got us in trouble to begin with.” “So there’s no truth to the rumors that Aurora and Nic are on the outs?” “Who feeds you this shit, Chaos? Cause I’m pretty damn sure Aurora didn’t tell you that.” Somebody wanted Aurora and Nic to split up. Damon was fuckin’ sure about that one. But who the hell was bold enough to try to get between them? “No Aurora hasn’t said a thing. But she wouldn’t. She’s a pro through and through.” Gil put his hands in his pockets. Damon supposed that was he was of trying to look innocent. “Something doesn’t seem right though.” “Yeah, you’re a good judge of right and wrong.” “I’m not saying I am. Besides, you guys act like a woman like Aurora wouldn’t even consider a guy like me.” Damon smirked, “Because she wouldn’t.” “You know that for a fact?” Gil’s eyes went hostile. Damon saw that and so did Jess. “Gil, you’re not exactly known for your good taste in women.” “Hey, it’s not my fault none of upper management will go out with me.” Gil huffed. Damon could see a bit of temper come from it. “Date a couple of muses and your reputation is shot.” “It wasn’t that you were dating them, Gil. It’s what you did with them all at once.” Gil laughed, “Hey, what can I say? I’m talented.” He winked at Jess and smiled. Damon saw the predatory gleam. “And I’m available, what else could you ask for?” “More than you that’s for sure.” Damon had meant it to sound joking. It turned out sounding like a threat. He put his arm around Jess’ shoulders. She didn’t flinch so he figured he was good. Tilting his head Gil eyed them curiously. “Ah, I get it. Hey, no worries there, Cupid. I don’t poach unless the lady is willing.” His eyes went directly to Jess. “Are you willing?” “Get lost, Gil.”

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“Can’t blame a guy for trying. Besides, at one time, I thought maybe you were.” He backed away before Damon could get a hand on him. “My mistake. You guys have a good time. I’ve got plenty to amuse myself here.” He walked back toward his table. Damon looked at Jess, “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“He’s up to something.”

Jess knew it without a doubt.

Gil Contrelle was always up to

something. Even when he pretended innocence, the man still schemed. “Yeah, definitely.” “Okay, you can have your arm back.” He turned his head so he looked at her. “Yeah? Thought you were getting used to it. If you don’t like it there I can put it on your ass instead.” Jess rocked away from him. “Only if you’d like my foot up yours.” The more he had his hands on her, the harder it was to resist. He was like some sort of addictive drug that once you tasted, you knew you were in a shit load of trouble. “I want to talk to Aurora.” “Now?” “Yeah, now. Odds are she knows what Chaos heard.” “Where’d he go anyway?” Jess craned her neck to see through the crowd. “He wouldn’t just leave Aurora, would he?” “Not unless she told him to.” Jess dodged one of the waiters starting for Aurora’s table. She reached for Damon’s hand to tug him along. When she reached the table, it was empty. “Where did she go?” Damon looked around. He was a good foot taller than she was so he ought to be able to see them. “I don’t see Chaos. But Aurora’s out on the patio. With Nic.” “Oh man, let’s go.” She tugged and he didn’t move. She skidded to a stop and nearly slid back on top of Damon’s feet. “What the hell?” “Think that’s a good idea?” “Yeah, I do.” She could practically feel the waves of tension coming from the patio. “God knows what they could do if they get into here.” “You have a point.” “Thanks. I do occasionally know what I’m doing.”

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He squeezed her hand and Jess has a shiver of sparks race up her arm. “I never said you didn’t, babe.” He led the way out onto the patio. By the time they got to Nic and Aurora, it appeared she and Damon were out for a leisurely stroll. “Hey.” Aurora looked at both of them and Jess could see the temper in her bright blue eyes. “Hi there.” Her gaze dropped to where Damon and Jess’ hands linked together. “I’m hoping that whole thing tonight with our people was a Fate driven thing.” Damon went for the charm. “Cause if it wasn’t we really fucked up.” The stony silence of Nic was a tell tale sign things weren’t good. Jess smiled gently. “Are we interrupting something?” “No.” “Yes.” “Ah,” Damon used one hand to run his fingers through his hair. “You guys want to catch a ride with us back to the office? We were just heading back.” “We were?” Maybe she’d had too much to drink. Maybe this touching Damon was finally short-circuiting her brain. But Jess looked as confused as Aurora did. Nic looked damned irritated like a swarm of bees flew up his ass. Jess always tried avoiding Nic in those moments. Not that she saw him like that a lot, just when she did, it was better to get out of the office for the day. He squeezed her hand again. “Yeah, we were.” Jess got it. Okay, maybe she was a little slow. She’d never worked tandem with anyone before. Not on this level anyway. Not with a guy who acted like he was your lover all the time. She’d never had a lot of experience with the idiosyncrasies of lovers and their special communications. Hell, she’d never had a lot of lovers. Who was she trying to kid? So when Damon did this signal thing, to her it seemed she was always a half step behind. “Oh yeah, on our way back. Got to go over a few figures.” “I figured you’d want to share a cab since it’s cold out and I know Nic here’s a workaholic.” “It’s okay, Damon.” “Great, I’ll go hail us a cab.” “I meant, we’re good here.” Nic’s eyes darkened. “Ooookaaay.” “You don’t look so good here, you know?” Nic looked at her. “Stay out of this, Jess. Aurora and I are simply talking.” Jess turned to Aurora. She treaded lightly here. No sense giving Nic the opportunity to zap her into oblivion or something. And if she could just get her hands on both of them for one second, she

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could give them a good dose of Desire. Then she could concentrate on the trouble with Anthony and Ronnie. At least, she could settle them done a bit. If they were enveloped in desire, they would be less likely to tear into each other, right? So she went after Aurora. “Ronnie loved the outfit. She was so cute. She looked like a kid in a candy store.” “That’s nice. She seems to be a very interesting woman.” Aurora kept her eyes on Jess. She avoided Nic like the man wasn’t even there and Jess sensed that was hard to do. Nic had a very strong aura. A very strong, very sensual aura… Then it occurred to her, but before she could open her mouth. Aurora decided, “Yeah, I’ll share a cab. I’ve got some things to do.”

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CHAPTER EIGHT

She ended up half on Damon’s lap as four people squeezed into the backseat of the cab. The ride was only eight and a half blocks. With Damon’s fingers massaging her ass, Jess had a really hard time keeping her mind on business. The cab changed lanes and sped up. Jess grounded her ass into his crotch and heard Damon growl under his breath. She leaned back and whispered, “Maybe we should’ve walked.” “Ah no, the torture is worth it.” “Why do I think the two of you have something going on?” Aurora grinned slowly as the cab slowed. She was the first to climb out. “Sometimes that isn’t a good idea.” Damon hoisted her out of the cab by pinching her but. Jess swung around catching her balance by grabbing the car door. “Are you kidding? And miss this kind of fun.” She leaned into the cab and pressed her face close enough to Damon’s to bite him. “Do that again, and I will seriously take you out.” “Seriously though. Sometimes it doesn’t work out.” She heard Aurora speaking behind her and wondered if Nic could hear as well. “Coworkers probably shouldn’t get involved.” Jess moved out of the doorway of the cab and caught Aurora by the forearm to lead her to the sidewalk. “You think?” Aurora nodded, “Yeah, I don’t know if I’d do this again.” Jess nodded. “We’re talking about you now, okay. For a minute there I thought you were still on Damon and me.” “Is there a Damon and you?” Jess shook her head as they began to walk toward the entrance of Immortality Incorporated. “No, not at all.” “Are you sure?” “Yeah, why?” Jess’ eyes narrowed as she dug in her purse for her keycard. “Do you know something?” She pulled her card out and swiped it quickly. “What do you know?” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nic and Damon approaching. She’d have to execute one slick little move here for both of them not to figure out what she was up to. “Nothing. I’m just saying, maybe you ought to think hard before getting involved.”

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Jess waited till Aurora had a hold of her own keycard then moved behind her. “Not a problem then. Because I can guarantee, I’m not involved with Damon Murrietta.” “Okay.” Aurora slid her keycard. Not sure where the advice came from, Jess rotated her position so she was directly behind Aurora. “And for the record, you and Nic aren’t a mistake.” As Aurora turned, Jess squeezed her arm and deliberately tripped on the commercial rug at the doorway entrance. She flailed with one arm, her eyes wide as her heel actually hooked on one of the holes in the rug while the other hand gripped Aurora tight. “A little help here!” Nic lunged, clutching at her hand. The second he caught her, Jess grinned. She had both of them and Jess released the full force of Desire onto the unwitting pair. Jess got her balance straightened and smiled weakly. “Thanks. Not used to heels like this.” “Oh really?” Nic rubbed his palm. Jess avoided his eyes as Damon slid his keycard. Nic moved his fingers slowly then wiped his palm down his slacks. As Damon moved out of the way, Nic stepped up next to Aurora who stared oddly at him. Nic swiped his keycard then turned on Jess. “What did you do?” Jess shoved at Damon to open the door. He did and she darted inside. “Jess! What did you do?” “Nothing, nothing at all. Time to go.” She pushed Damon toward the elevator. “Hurry up, would you?” Damon looked over his shoulder at Nic and Aurora. “You zapped them, didn’t you?” “Maybe.” Jess punched the elevator and slid her card again. “Maybe, a little.” “Whoa mommies, he’s going to be torqued when it wears off.” “You think?” Damon laughed. “Oh yeah.” Jess looked back at Nic. He and Aurora were staring at each other like they were under a trance. Well, they were. Sort of. But it wasn’t a bad thing. The elevator door slid open and Jess and Damon stepped inside. Nic could sanction her again for all she cared. She knew deep down that those two loved each other more than anything on the planet. They just needed a little nudge to get passed the misunderstanding. As the door closed on them, Jess willed that they would put this desire to good use.

His palm itched, tingled and the effect traveled up his arm and sped through his chest and down his legs. Jess stung him exceptionally well. He had to hand it to her. He’d fallen for her little ploy to

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get a hold of both of them. Another time, he’d assign her some drudgery duty when he could think straight. Right now, all he cared about was Aurora and getting his hands on her. The anger was there. It was easy to spot simmer under desire’s cloud. It didn’t keep him in check though knowing Aurora’s temper most would back quietly away. His fingers wrapped around her upper arms and held her in a tight grip. His entire body shook with need, the addiction that was Aurora. It was more than he could bear. Nic drew in a shuddering sigh. “Come upstairs. I can remove this in a few minutes.” Sweat trickled down his temples. Aurora didn’t answer him, still refused to look at him. “Please.” Aurora sucked in air. “Don’t be mad at them.” She reached up and swiped away the sweat from his temples. “They just wanted to help and it is their job.” Nic’s eyes closed. She seemed calm, almost resolute and he realized, she fought it off, resisted the touch of Desire. He knew what that was like. When an Aspect directly applied their power, it was nearly impossible to fight off. He didn’t know what to make of Aurora’s ability to remain so unaffected. And it started to scare the hell out of him. “Okay.” Nic inhaled slowly. He wanted to make love to her, find a way to make her want him again. Somehow, someway, he had to make her want him again. “Okay.” He looked into her eyes and saw the fire, the flash of something so intoxicating it made him want to go down on his knees. Instead, he released her. “You have to talk to me eventually.” “I know.” She brushed back her hair and Nic’s entire system went to melt down. “Not yet. I don’t think I’m ready for it.” Nic bit the inside of his jaw. His self-control smoldered and hissed into a pile of rubble. “Then you should go because I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to keep from touching you.”

“So are we going to your office for a reason or was that just a ploy?” Damon made a gallant gesture out of opening the door to his office. “We’re here for a reason.” He motioned her inside. “By the way, you might’ve said you were going to plug those two.” “It was spur of the moment.” “Yeah, suppose I was the one who grabbed hold of you.” Damon turned slightly and snickered. “I don’t think you’d like it much if I had the hots for Aurora.” “Like I’d care.”

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“You would,” he folded his arms across his chest like he was pleased or something. “You just don’t want to admit it.” “Well, I would.” She smiled her best, most innocent smile. “Only because I know Aurora would never go for someone so uncivilized.” “Hey, I’m not uncivilized. I’m famous.” Damon walked, no, Jess noticed that he rarely walked. He moved like a jaguar, sure-footed and silent over to his desk. “How many of the other Aspects have a national holiday?” Jess sat on the other side of the desk. National holiday? What the hell was he talking about? Then it dawned on her and she nearly fell over laughing. “You mean Valentine’s Day?” “Well, duh!” Damon’s fingers were busily manipulating images and data on his keyboard as several monitors went live and popped up out of a long bureau on the side wall. “Got news for you Cupid that holiday is named for a saint.” “Maybe but who do people remember. Me? Or the saint?” “You’ve got an ego the size of Mt. Everest.” “So’s my cock, wanna give it a try.” “Kiss my ass.” “Love to.” He cocked his head and grinned at her, “In fact, I could go for some more pussy.” The man was so hard to talk to in a normal manner. Someway or another, it always came back to sex. Jess let the idea of sleeping with tickle her brain. Maybe she should just to get it over with. Once he had sex with her, she had no doubt he wouldn’t have trouble concentrating on work. Most of the men she’d slept with found her dull, boring in bed. A few even told her face to face: “Gee sweetheart, you’re hot and all but it was like fucking my Grandmother.” So Jess avoided sex and personal involvement anymore to save her feelings. That was until she met Damon. He’d done something to her that a man never had. Aroused her, completely, utterly to the point she took cold showers at night to keep from thinking of him. It wasn’t right. But damn, it sure as hell wasn’t wrong either. Somehow he’d made her want him and she worried that if she gave in, if let herself go that Damon would ruin her for anyone else. How silly was that? It wasn’t like she was beating them off with a stick. What a joke that was. If she was honest, she’d admit to herself that she was afraid of letting him to close because a guy like Cupid wasn’t in it for the long haul. He snapped his fingers in front of her nose. “Did you nod off?”

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Jess jumped, her heart kicked into high gear and a flush of heat hit her cheeks. “No why?” “Well, women usually don’t zone out why I talk about going down on them.” “You’re way too cocky, you know?” His lips twitched. “Cock does have something to do with it, yeah.” Jess inhaled slowly. “Can we get on with this?” She indicated all the monitors. He sniffed then shook his hair back. “You don’t think I deserve a national holiday.” She sighed then ran her hand over the stiff muscles in her neck. “Damon, you wouldn’t have a holiday if people ever saw you.” His black brows went from an arch to an immediate frown. “What are you talking about?” “Just look at you.” Jess slid her chair around the edge of the desk and pointed at him. “Outside of tonight, you’re the perfect image of Biker Boys R Us.” The expression on his face was complete and utter shock. He looked down at himself sitting in the chair then quickly leaned forward and pulled open a drawer. Jess waited as he rummaged around a few minutes before coming up with a hand mirror. He examined himself so clinically Jess nearly howled with laughter. But when he ran his tongue over his teeth watching his reflection she couldn’t help but snicker. Finally, he sat the mirror down and looked at her. His gray eyes flashed. “I am gorgeous. I don’t know what you could possibly be referring to.” Jess clucked her tongue at him then tapped one finger on his desk. “Okay, the fact that you just said, I don’t know what you could possibly be referring to’ tells me you are full of shit.” He nodded, grinning and a part of Jess’ heart melted. “Yeah, but I’m still gorgeous.” “Yes, Damon. You’re divine.” Jess just gave up. “You’re gorgeous.” She couldn’t help but smile when he beamed like a headlight. “But that doesn’t mean they’re going to replace the cute chubby boy with wings on all those Valentine’s.” “They’d sell more with me on them,” his snort was so perfect Jess knew she’d just fallen a bit in love with the guy. That would turn into a very bad thing Jess decided as Damon brought up the first screen. “Obviously, what happened tonight had something to do with Aurora.” “You think?” “Aurora doesn’t just show up anywhere. The fact that she was willing to go along to the spa with you tells me that she was interested in meeting Ronnie.”

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Jess moved next to him. Watching the data fly by on Ronnie and Anthony, she looked for any inconsistency in their path toward love. They were all over the place. “This looks like a freakin’ train wreck.” “Tell me about it.” One of Damon’s monitors showed lines zigging and zagging all over the screen. “This is really, really weird.” “What? Besides this whole thing?” She pointed to another indicator. “Okay we know they’re totally different.” “We’ve been through this part already.” Damon scratched his head then pulled up a couple of other screens. “We know they’re different. Not everyone who falls in love is an exact match. You know that as well as I do. But all the indicators say they’d be happy together.” “So what the hell happened tonight?” Damon swiveled in the chair to look at her. “I’m betting Aurora happened.” “Why would she do that?” Damon shrugged, “I don’t know. Maybe we need to find out.” Jess nudged him over so she could get at the keyboard. She typed in a few commands to access her side of the problem. She wanted to see the natural markers for Desire. “Look at this, good grief!” “It’s all over the map.” “I don’t get this.” She shook her head and wished for a pot of coffee. “I just don’t get it. They ought to be humpin’ like bunnies by now.” “Which takes us right back to Aurora.” “Why would she screw with me?” Damon chuckled. She figured it was something terribly amusing. He tapped her on the head like he’d knock on the door. “Hellooo! Did you forget how you ended up here? With me?” He swiveled back to the monitor. “Of course, stinging Nic and Aurora like that will probably get you assigned over to Ewan or worse.” “Funny guy.” “I’ve been told that.” “Is it always all about you?” She nearly jumped when he reached out and pulled her over to him. He pressed a kiss against her cheek. “Yeah pretty much.” “Just making sure.”

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His fingers massaged the back of her neck. “Don’t let me fall in love with you, okay? Cause I don’t know how to do that.” “Don’t do that.” Jess stiffened. She’d finally fallen into an easy rhythm with him. The teasing, the sexual innuendos, it was all Damon’s fun and games. This, well this, wasn’t even close to being funny. His fingers slid off her neck. They needed to keep this on the level they were, any deeper and she had a feeling they’d both drown. “Okay how about this? If Aurora wasn’t interceding then I’m thinking she was trying to help by adding fate on your side.” “I hope so. Really.” Jess stared straight at the monitor. Damon became so business like it was a bit uncomfortable. His office seemed stuffy and hot all of a sudden. She really wanted coffee. “Where’d the whole date thing come from?” “A fluke.” “There are no flukes.” “Yeah, well tell that to Anthony LeMans’ date.” A small smile played around his mouth and Jess mentally smacked herself for looking at his mouth. She already knew what he could do with it. And his tongue, oh hell… Damn it. She needed a bigger hammer or some dynamite to blow that image out of her head. “I think you told his date plenty tonight.” “Oh please, she wasn’t even supposed to be there.” Jess threw her hands in the air. “I did my research, damn it. The man’s gone out on exactly four dates since his wife died. Four! In like twelve years, four dates, there was no reason for us to suspect he’d show up with a woman.” “Hey, a guy needs it.” She slugged him hard in the arm. “Ouch! Hey, it’s not my fault. A guy’s have it.” “I figured a guy like you’d have intimate knowledge with the five finger foray.” “Five finger foray?” She gestured whacking off and Damon nearly fell out of his chair. “Oh sweetheart, I haven’t done that since I was fourteen.” “Geez!” “You brought it up, babe. I don’t usually discuss hand jobs with my coworkers.” “I did not bring it up.” How on earth did their conversations always manage to trickle down to sex? Jess tapped the keyboard. “Concentrate Damon, we need to figure this out.”

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“I was concentrating until you had to mention hand jobs. Now my cock is hard and it’s your fault.” “Oh God.”

“You brought it up, you know?” Shifting in his chair, Damon casually shoved his cock back into a reasonable position. Around Jess there was no reasonable position anymore. Unless it was inside her pussy, now that was a reasonable position. He tried crossing his legs. That nearly squeezed his balls up into his intestines. All right that wasn’t good. He exhaled slowly trying to keep from squeaking. “And you know, right now, I’m really sorry I did.” She looked at him as he wiggled around. Her eyes bright and curious and Damon twisted slowly. “What is wrong with you?” “Nothing.” Damon casually shoved one hand down on his uncooperative cock. He coughed and turned his body away from her. No sense embarrassing himself in front of her again, he was just a walking hard on when it came to Desire. Oh well, he’d get over it eventually. “Do you have hives or just weirding out on me?” Damon fluffed his hair and brought up another screen. “Hives.” He cracked his knuckles and tapped on the keys. “Yep, a definite itch.” “You’re insane,” she mumbled. “No doubt,” he couldn’t help but agree. Advancing the monitor displays to current time, he brought up Ronnie on one screen and LeMans on another. “Let’s see what we’ve got here.” The screens picked up Ronnie washing the makeup off her face. Damon got a good look at her eyes, clouded with hurt and the idea that a wistful dream faded away. He liked Ronnie Berkowitz, he really did. She had a good heart. She loved with all of it too. “Shit! That just sticks the knife in and twists, doesn’t it?” “No, not that. The fact that she spilled her soul to us and we didn’t notice LeMans come up behind her.” Damon watched Ronnie. He considered it for a moment and sighed. “I saw him.” “You’re kidding?” Shaking his head, he turned away from the monitor as Ronnie moved into her bedroom. “No. I started to say something, but then I thought maybe he ought to hear it out loud. Cause obviously, he’s fucking dense when it comes to women.”

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“Normally, I’d call you an idiot. But this time, you’re right.” She eyed the monitor, swiveled the keyboard around to her side of the desk and punched in some more data. “She was embarrassed no doubt but Ronnie Berkowitz is a strong woman. She didn’t get where she is in her field by being weak. And she’s needed to be strong for those kids.” “That doesn’t take the sting out of it.” “No, it doesn’t. If I thought another trip to the day spa would iron that out, I’d do it. Somehow, I don’t think Ronnie’s going to be real receptive to me.” “She likes you.” “Mmm, maybe, but no woman wants to hang out with someone that reminds her of her most embarrassing moment.” “Really? I thought all you chicks drank margaritas and man-bashed every Wednesday.” Jess smiled. “Actually, it’s Thursdays.” “What do you think then?” Damon folded his arms and turned to look at her. “She’ll be out at the site tomorrow.” “What’s this?” Jess pointed at the screen with LeMans on it. “Looks like your theory about LeMans wanting to get a little somethin’ somethin’ was wrong.” Damon watched the image of LeMans. He sat out on his patio with a drink in one hand. The readings on him were enough to give Damon hope. Especially, when he saw what was in his other hand, a photograph of his late wife. “That’s so sad.” “He loved his wife.” Damon had enough data on this man to write a novel. He hadn’t just loved his wife, his world revolved around her. When she died, a part of LeMans died with her and he hadn’t allowed himself to love another. A slow smile began to play around Damon’s mouth. “I can see that.” “But can you see that he’s falling in love with her?” “Huh?” Damon pointed at the monitor. “He’s saying good-bye.” Jess raised a brow. “He didn’t do that when she died?” Damon rubbed his eye. It was late. They were both tired. “Some people can’t.” He leaned back and scratched the back of his neck. “If they say goodbye, it means it over. Final.” He rubbed his chin glad he didn’t have to shave tomorrow. “A lot of people take a long time before they’re ready for that.”

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She nodded slowly comprehending. He should’ve made her some coffee. Damon had seen what she could do with a pot of caffeine. “Now he’s ready.” “Uh-huh.” “For Ronnie.” Damon grinned, “Exactly. And you know what that means. We’re still in the game.” Damon clapped his hands together and gave a shout. “Ha! I knew it.” Jess grinned, a dreamy, soft sleepy look in her eyes. “You’re a stud.” “Yeah, I am.” Damon started shutting down the equipment. “Let’s get out of here. I’m dead tired and I’ve got to be on the construction site at six in the morning.” “Oh yeah, I’ve got fabric coming in at eight.” Jess pushed herself to her feet and stretched. Fatigue was one thing. Jess stretching with her back slightly arched and her arms above her head showing off a bit of skin was enough to wake him up. His eyes glimmered as he felt the surge of whitehot fire blast through his veins. Oh yeah, he was awake now. Awake and hungry. Need ran through him on a vicious white water torrent. It went through him bright and loud and sent all his nerves bouncing. Then Damon remembered, “Aw crap!” He through himself back into his chair and kicked his legs out. If she noticed he was hard, well then, she noticed. If he tucked his cock anymore he might put a permanent dent into it. “What now?” “Aren’t we forgetting something?” “Oh shit, Nic and Aurora.” Jess sat back down watching him with an eager anticipation. “Those two are guaranteed to be humping like bunnies now. I put enough juice in that Desire jolt to bring down a rhino.” Damon pulled up two monitors and did a search for Nic and Aurora. “Hmm, interesting.” “What?” Jess leaned over and he moved his shoulder to block her view. “What? Let me see.” “Oh I don’t think that’s a good idea.” “What are you talking about?” Jess shoved to her feet and put her arms on his shoulders. She pushed his hair aside and leaned her chin on his shoulder. “Move out of the way.” “Hey, I kinda like that. Let me enjoy it for a second, you know?” “Damon.” She pushed at his head so she could see the screen. “You’re not going to like this.” He turned his head to watch as realization flickered around her. Her eyes went dark and her cute little lips turned downward. “That isn’t possible.”

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“I’d say your stinger was broke, babe.” She blinked, staring at him. He figured a puff of air could blow her over right now. “That isn’t possible.” She continued to stare at him until he slid his chair over. Gently, he pulled her down onto his lap. “How could they do that? You can’t just counteract Desire.” “You can if you’re Nic. And from the looks of things that’s exactly what they did.” “They should’ve been all over each other so fast they didn’t have time to think coherently.” Damon put his arms around her waist enjoying the feel of her ass up against his cock. It made him want to grind against her but he forced himself to resist. Reaching around her to the keyboard, he began pulling up the time-lapse display. “Let’s find out what happened here.” He angled his head and whispered, “If you like I could examine that stinger for you.” “I think you’re the only one with a stinger.” “Now, who’s talking dirty.” She elbowed him and laughed when he grunted. “Hey, I’m not the one with faulty merchandise.” “My stinger,” she announced so primly that Damon thought she was the Queen or something, “as you call it, is not faulty.” “Looks that way to me.” Damon ran through the images, not bothering with an audio playback of Aurora and Nic in the lobby of Immortality Incorporated. Their conversation took a matter of minutes and only once did it look like they even touched each other. “Man, I’d go have that checked if I were you. Obviously, something’s wrong.” “Yeah sure. Did you forget who I’d have to go to to even ask for a freakin’ tune-up?” “Oh yeah, Nic probably isn’t to happy with you right now.” Damon shifted her weight more evenly on his lap as he tracked Nic and Aurora’s current locations. “You know, this could be why Anthony and Ronnie aren’t doing so well.” “What? My broken stinger?” He nodded and she did something completely unexpected. So unexpected he groaned in agony as she ground her ass on his cock and rubbed it so hard he thought he’d come. “Like I said, there ain’t nothin’ wrong with my stinger.” “God damn, woman. Stop that before I do something I haven’t done since I was a teenager.” “You need to apologize then.” He dug his fingers into her waist squeezing her body down harder against his cock. Yeah, he was sorry. Very sorry. “Yeah, yeah, I’m sorry.” He hoisted her off his lap and sat her on the desk. She tried not to laugh when she saw his cock trying to make a tent in his dress slacks. “I told you I was sorry.”

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“Okay,” she shifted to look at the monitor. “This isn’t right though. Seriously. Now, I know it worked the other night on Anthony. Loosened that stuffed shirt up big time. I guarantee.” “Right, but Nic isn’t Anthony LeMans.” Damon dug deeper into the data. It took him a few minutes to trace a few lines. There were markers everywhere on these two from the other Aspects. Now with Nic, it wasn’t a surprise. Time was essential to everything. And Nic was the be all end all of each Aspect at Immortality Incorporated. “True, but if he wasn’t expecting it, it should’ve worked.” “Who said it didn’t?” Damon pointed at the other screen while continuing his research. “He looks like he’s ready to rip walls out.” “This is fuckin’ bizarre.” “Um, maybe not.” He switched the monitor to display what he’d been working on. “Look at this.” He pointed at all the graph he brought up featuring a spectrum display showing all the markers from the other Aspects. Jess shook her head. “Want to explain this to me?” “Love to.” He shrugged. “If I could.” “Why does Nic have Guilt, Deception, and Chaos streaked all over him?” Jess thought about it for a moment, then frowned. “Well I know why, but those guys shouldn’t know anything about this. Especially Chaos, he’s on leave for God’s sake.” Damon arched a brow. He did that when he thought hard. He thought it made him look more inquisitive or intellectual especially since people didn’t love him for his mind. He snickered to himself, oh the curse of being him. He pulled himself out of his own conceit and analyzed the screen. A lot of people took him for granted. Thought he was just pretty and not too bright. Damon used that to his advantage. He liked it when people underestimated him. “Normally, I’d say what happened with Chaos is the same thing that happens when any of us are missing.” “Hmm?” “Nic takes over.” Absently, Damon reached out and stroked Jess’ knee. Skin. Damn he was glad she didn’t wear those rubbery nylon things. Her skin felt like warm silk beneath his fingers. “You know that, right?”

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Jess nodded. He could see in her eyes that she knew all about Time and the fact that Nic ran the entire show. He didn’t really need any of the Aspects. Damon wondered if he thought that way about Aurora. “But, I don’t think he’d bring that kind of trouble down on himself no matter how guilty he felt about the holiday party.” “I agree. I don’t think he’s a masochist no matter how bad he feels about this.” Damon scratched the top of his head and leaned back in the chair. “So if our nastier counterparts know or think they know something, I’m betting they’d go all in to get at Nic.” Damon threaded his fingers behind his head and propped his feet up on the corner of his desk. “Especially Lucien.” Jess shook her head. “I don’t think so. I mean what do you have to gain going up against Nic anyway?” “That’s easy when you consider Lucien. He wants to be Time.” “Excuse me?” “Oh yeah,” he tilted his head thinking about it, “I don’t think you were here yet when they had their blow up.” “I’ve been here almost twenty years, Damon.” Time was irrelevant when you worked at Immortality Incorporated. One of the fringe benefits of the company was immortality. You stayed the age you were when you came to the company forever. No old age, no disease, none of the irritating debilitation you suffered as a member of humanity. It worked well for Damon because his parents were gone and he’d been an only child. “I’ve been here longer. Not the issue.” Damon decided he needed a drink. “I’ve got coffee or whiskey.” He got to his feet and headed for the side bar. “How about both?” “Easy enough.” Damon made the coffee while Jess studied the graph. “You really think those three are up to something?” He put his hands on his hips and looked at out the night skyline of Chicago. “I don’t trust Chaos. I know you like him, but I think he’d do anything to keep his name in the headlines.” “Maybe. I don’t know, I don’t think Gil is the vindictive sort.” “It doesn’t matter if he is or not. He wants in on the action and Lucien is all for diverting attention from his activities.” “You honestly think he’d challenge Nic?” Damon poured two cups of coffee and dumped a shot of Irish in both. “No doubt in my mind.”

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“We have to tell them.” He sat on cup on the edge of his desk and handed the other cup to Jess. “Not a chance.” Damon sat down and picked up the coffee. He wasn’t stepping into this minefield willingly. “Damon, we have to tell them.” His lips twisted. “You don’t think Nic’s got a good idea what’s going on?” “That doesn’t matter.” Jess blew on her coffee. “I really feel responsible for this whole thing. I mean, if I hadn’t shown the file to Aurora, none of this would’ve happened.” “Not true. You can even ask Aurora that one.” Damon didn’t want her taking blame for something that wasn’t her doing. “That file would’ve shown up eventually because the way Nic has this place set up. Nothing escapes notice and if Lucien or that new chick Deception was hot for some gossip, this would’ve been perfect.” “I don’t get this kind of shit. These are our jobs, not our damned personalities. I don’t go running around wanting to have sex with everyone.” “You don’t?” Damon snickered as she punched him in the arm. “Why not?” He winked just to see if he could get a rise out of her. “I do.” Coffee almost came out her nose. Damon jumped to his feet and patted her on the back. “Do you need a towel or something?” She coughed and wiped her mouth and nose with a paper towel that was already wadded up in a ball on his desk. “No, I need some sleep. Some time to think about this.” “Which part? We seem to have multiple screw ups going on here.” “All of it.” She slid off the side of the desk. “I’m going home.” Damon hit the shut down on his system. “Can I come along?” Jess held open the office door. “Sure. You can come as far as the elevator.” Sliding out the door next to her Damon laughed, “Guess I have to start somewhere.” “Oh please.” Jess picked up the pace heading for the elevator. She hit the button and leaned against the wall rubbing the back of her neck. “I could do that for you,” he offered easily. Rubbing weary muscles on Jess sounded pretty good right now. Of course, rubbing anything on Jess from tit to clit appealed to him. He’d start anywhere she asked. “Come on, turn around.” He tugged her away from the wall and pulled her around. Using the tips of his fingers, he gently massaged her neck and shoulders. “You’re tight as a drum.” The elevator door slid open and Jess slipped out of his fingers. He joined her in the car and moved next to her. She tried to slink away, pushing her back into the corner of the elevator. “Why’d you do that?”

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“What?” “Jump away like I was going to bite you or something.” “I’m just tired, okay.” Jess inched away from him slowly. Damon saw it and he wasn’t about to let her get away with it. They’d come too far for something like this to happen. “I’ve got skills, you know?”

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CHAPTER NINE

She was dead on her feet. She’d be lucky if she’d be able to pry those heels off with a crowbar. Her feet must’ve swollen three sizes since this evening. Her calves burned and all she really wanted was to take off all her clothes and soak in a nice hot tub. Maybe after she had a hot cup of tea to soothe her nerves and she’d be able to think clearly. It was really hard to think when Damon kept hurling those double entendres at her like she was in the lightning round of a game show or something. He looked at her with a sharp gleam in his eyes and slid closer to her so that she could smell him. “Sorry, what did you say?” He smelled so good, like mountain water, earthy moss and something devastatingly male. He moved across her effectively pinning her. “I have skills.” His hands were on either side of her face as he bent his head to whisper in her ear. “Did you hear me this time?” She nodded slowly. “You have skills.” It was almost like falling under a trance. Damon Murrietta was as beautiful as a dark angel. All that blue black hair soft as a Raven’s wing, those sharp contours of his cheeks and sensual mouth. The whole face framed beautifully by eyes the color of storm clouds. “That’s right.” His voice was rough, with a smoky timbre. “What kind of skills?” He trailed his hand down her cheek. “You know, skills.” His hand continued down her neck and tickled across her collarbone. Lifting her head, she met his eyes. “What kind of skills?” The elevator ride was short, she could handle this for another thirty or forty seconds easy. After that, well, she’d just give in and jump his bones. “You know, skills.” She laughed. God, he was good at making her laugh. He was good to look at and how he made her feel… “Well yes, you have skills. Obviously, you’re good at your job and you sure looked like a construction worker the other day.” Damon pushed away from her and hit the stop button on the elevator. “Not those kind of skills.” “Hey!” He was back before she could say another word and lowered his mouth to hers. She could feel his breath against her mouth. “Not those kind of skills.” His lips slid over hers so softly it tickled. She

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gasped at the delicate motion and he captured her upper lip. He sucked slowly on it and Jess let her body give in to the sensation. With a swirl of lightning, it ran its way from her mouth to her pussy. She reached up and dug her hands in his thick hair to pull him away. Instead, it only brought him closer as his mouth rocked slowly over hers until she engaged his tongue in an erotic dance. His lips were mobile and oh so, delicious. He tasted like coffee, whiskey and a dark sensuality that she wanted to explore. Oh yeah, he had skills. The man was a master with his tongue. A god. Was there a god of tongues? Jess’ eyes nearly rolled back into her head when his hands slid down her arms and cupped her breasts. She’d never been so glad the dress she chose didn’t require a bra. She sucked in as much air as she could, “Okay, yes, you have skills.” His mouth moved over her cheek and down her neck. “See? I told you.” Damon’s fingers rotated her nipples to a hard bud. “I’ve been dying to get a taste of your tits.” He bent his head and sucked her left nipple hard into his mouth. Jess bit back a scream of delight as that same lightning jagged through her again. It was white hot and made her so wet, her pussy seemed like lava now. Damon raised his head and blew hot air over her hard nipple. The effect made her squirm. Then he turned his attentive mouth to her other breast while his fingers continued to toy with her wet nipple. She bit his neck. She’d never done that to anyone before. His skin was warm and tasted faintly salty. Her tongue slid over his rapid pulse as he groaned and ground his hard cock against the warmth of her pussy. “Oh that feels good. It really feels good.” “Skills,” he breathed as his mouth covered hers once more. She never noticed when his sneaky fingers gathered up the material of her dress, pulling it slowly up to her hips. She’d forgotten all about her aching feet and the cup of hot tea. All that mattered right now was the complete utter havoc Damon created in her body and mind. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anyone. The air in the elevator was steamy now, nearly suffocating but she didn’t care. As the fabric slid up her thighs, it left a delicious rasp over her skin and tiny pinprick chills ran down her legs. Damon raised his head, “Are you a screamer, Jess?” It took her a moment to get her eyes open. Her eyes had rolled back into her head and it made her dizzy like a slot machine wheel. She licked her lips trying to focus as Damon’s fingers tickled across her thigh. When he eased her pussy lips apart, Jess finally understood his question. Rapidly, she shook her head. “I don’t think so.” “We’ll see.” He smiled. His teeth were amazingly white against that black hair. One finger rubbed over her clit and Jess nearly slammed her head against the elevator wall. She bit her lip as two

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fingers began to rub and stroke. Damon nodded his head, “Careful, babe. Don’t want you to bump your head.” He pinched her clit and Jess couldn’t contain herself. A low growl escaped her lips as she dug her fingers into his shoulders. Her body shuddered. His fingers explored, dove deeper into her heat and all Jess could do was hang on. “Like that?” She mumbled something incoherent, but she thought he got the message. He pressed himself against her moving in slow so she could feel him all over. Damon moved away from her so quickly that it went through her as if someone tossed ice water on her. She watched with glazed eyes as he tore off his suit jacket and tie then pulled his shirt free of his waistband. She ripped at his shirt to get to his flesh. His skin was hot, smooth and as her hands slid up his stomach and onto his chest. The hair on his chest was crisp a nice contrast to the soft, downy hair on his stomach. His muscles contracted as she ran her fingers up and down his chest. She leaned forward and licked one of his nipples until it turned to a hard peak. She heard his slight hiss of breath as her fingers trailed lower to his belt buckle. “Hurry, Jess.” He braced his arms on either side of her. “I wanted to fuck you the minute I saw you and I just can’t wait anymore.” She opened his buckle and unhooked his slacks. Sliding the zipper down, she let her hands feel the outline of his huge cock. “You don’t have to wait.” Her hands went inside his slacks to cup his balls and release his cock. Damon’s head went back as he pressed himself into her hands. The low growl that escaped his lips was primitive. And to a woman who’d been told in the past she didn’t have what it takes in the bedroom, this was so rewarding. His hands went to her thighs as he eased them apart. He gripped her flesh, wrapping one leg up around his waist. “You okay?” His breath came in a long burst. She let Damon support the weight of her body. He was strong, so very strong. Pulling his hair, she brought her mouth to his as the tip of his cock slid through her pussy lips. Rotating her hips, she found his head stroking up and down her clit. Jess shuddered. “Oh God, I need this.” “Yeah, you do.” Jess practically leaped into his arms. “Fuck me, Damon. I want you to blow me away.” Damon grinned. “Oh babe, you’re so fuckin’ hot, you’re going to burn me alive.” It seemed almost an eternity before his hot cock sank inside her. Her wet pussy closed tightly around his length as he filled her completely. Fire blazed through her igniting every cell in her body as he rolled his hips. If possible, he went deeper into her core.

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Muscles clenched. Her pulse pounded. Her blood turned to lava while Damon rocked slowly, deeply, pulling in and out so that she could absorb every delicious inch of him. Her arms went around her neck as he shifted. She practically yanked his mouth to hers and began gradually devouring him. Her tongue stroked across his. She tasted the power, held so tightly at bay. He moved in such a delicious rhythm she marveled at his self control. Realization trickled through her mind as Damon continued his easy glide in and out of her slippery pussy. He was doing this for her. Letting her experience each and every sensation. She broke the kiss and stared into his stormy eyes. “Damon?” Each cell, each muscle in her body seemed to explode in a wild domino effect. Her hips jerked and the sharp edge of desire sunk into her heart and buried itself. Need. It came at her like a charging herd of gazelle. Hard, wild and wickedly fast. She couldn’t catch her breath. All she wanted was more. Jess craved it mindlessly until she lost all control or conscious thought. She felt his balls slap against the back of her pussy and that put her completely over the edge. She didn’t realize she when she started to move As she raised her hips and impaled herself on his cock she knew deep inside that her time would finally come. Sweat beaded on Damon’s forehead as he helped her ride his cock. His hands gripped her upper arms, and she bounced and rocked as he fucked every preconceived notion about sex right out of her mind. It raged in her, tiny explosions like the birth of a new star system erupted through her body undulating inside her and rushing into the volcanic heat in her pussy. Her universe exploded into a bazillion stars and space dust as Jess’ arched. And then she screamed.

Every muscle in his body tensed. The sinew stretched and held as he tried to keep a lid on the passion burning through him like a brushfire. He wanted to do this for Jess. Show her that it wasn’t all just bump and grind even though it’d been like that with him in the past. Damon’s tastes ran pretty much to one-nighters and that was it. Until Jess McGuire. Now as she screamed and bucked, sliding hard and fast on his cock, Damon thought he’d die soon. At least, he’d go a happy man. For someone who seemed a bit reserved with the sex stuff, Jess was an amazing fuck. Her pussy clenched hotly around his cock sheathing him to the hilt. When she came he knew for sure she was about to squeeze him bone dry.

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His head bent into the crook of her neck while she fisted her hands in his hair. Sweat ran in rivulets down his spine. The woman melted around him like a lava pool. Damon could smell the light floral scent of her shampoo as it mixed with ginger and musk of her cologne. The aroma from the heat of her skin tantalized and seduced him. He wondered if she knew. If she even suspected how fast and easy he was falling for her. Jess shuddered and yelled and he knew it was time. Damon adjusted his feet and bent his knees a bit more to change the angle. Then he picked up speed. His mouth sought hers as a blinding fury hit with the force of lightning tearing through a summer storm. He dug his fingers into her waist and used his arms to help keep her pumping him as he drilled his cock farther inside her, hard and fast. Lights blinded him. He still thought he had some control here. His eyes nearly rolled back into his head. Damon’s body jerked, spasms tripping though him as fire engulfed him in a vicious back draft. He howled as he came. He hadn’t meant to but his entire body roared to life and well, he just threw back his head and howled. As soon as his body quit shaking and some of the heat rolled off him, Damon glanced down at her. She was smiling like the cat that swallowed that stupid little Tweetie bird. “I screamed.” He nodded, damp hair falling into his eyes. “Yeah, you did.” “You howled.” “Uh huh.” Regretfully, he untangled her legs from his waist and slowly eased his sensitive cock out of her. “Don’t usually though.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, “You were exceptionally good.” “Really?” “Look at me, woman. I’m a wreck. It was like two trains crashing together and I loved it.” He inhaled slowly. “I’d do it again but I think someone is eventually going to notice us in the elevator.” “Oh shit!” Damon zipped his fly and pressed the start button on the elevator. “Come home with me.” He started picking up his discarding clothing as he waited for her answer. “What?” Stuffing his tie into his jacket pocket, he pulled it on and yanked his hair out of the collar. “You heard me, Jess. Come home with me. I want to do this again in a more relaxed setting.” The elevator glided to a stop. The doors slid open and Jess touched his arm. “Really?” He tilted his head at her. “Why do you keep saying that?” “I’m surprised. I’m not good at this, you know?”

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Damon sniffed as they entered the lobby. “You’re kidding?” She shook her head. “Oh please, that’s just bullshit.” Her nails dug into his arm. “Really? You actually liked it.” He uncurled her nails from his skin. “My howling wasn’t a good hint?” “Well, you are a bit dramatic.” He opened the door with his keycard and chuckled. Opening the door for her, he waited till she was outside before tripping the lock. “That’s true. But I wouldn’t lie to you about something that I know is important to you.” “How would you know?” “I’ve been Cupid for a long time, Jess. I’ve seen your love life.” Damon stepped out onto the street and hailed a cab. His loft was about two miles away. He’d have her home and tucked into his bed in under fifteen minutes. He didn’t take women home. When he went out for a good time, he went out. He’d never brought anyone back to his place. Ever. “What? Oh gawd, you spied on me.” His laugh was loud and sharp. “I spy on everyone. You’re no exception.” A cab pulled up to the curb and he opened the door for her. As she climbed inside, she looked at him. “I just had sex with a perv.” His lips twisted, “What’s worse is you loved it.”

Sun streaked through the window and hit him square in the eyelids. He turned his head, rubbed his eyes, and stretched his arms over his head. In his bed, somewhere in the tangle of sheets Jess slept. He knew she was still there because one of her legs curled around his. He lifted his leg and hers fell away. Reaching under the sheets his hand searched until he found the firm flesh belonging to her ass. Swatting at it, Damon rolled away as she came up swinging. “Come on, babe, we gotta move.” He slid out of bed instantly hard when she appeared out from under his sheets. Her hair tousled from sleep, fell forward into her face. She let the sheet fall down around her waist exposing those pretty breasts of hers. “Okay, if you do that, we’re never going to get out of here.” She smiled, a soft sexy grin. “You didn’t have enough?” “Hardly.” Damon looked at his wall clock. “Damn, I’m going to be late again. Ronnie’s going to be pissed.” He walked around the other side of the bed and reached into the pile of sheets coming out with Jess’ hand, “Come on, we can get a quick grope in the shower before we have to head out.”

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She stumbled forward and caught hold of him. “Tell me you have coffee.” “No, sorry.” He flicked the light on in the bathroom and headed straight for the shower. “But I know this great little joint next to the jobsite. It has the best coffee and breakfast burritos I’ve ever had.” He turned the water on full tilt and stepped into the shower pulling her in next to him. “Man, I wish we had more time.” The spray of the water invigorated him. Picking up a bar of citrus scented soap, he rubbed it over his body while Jess reached for his shampoo. She held it up to him. “You weren’t kidding, were you?” He squinted as water streamed down his face. “What?” “This stuff is what? Fifty bucks a bottle.” “I told you I don’t screw around with my hair.” He rinsed off and reached for the shampoo. “Turn around let me wash your hair.” Pouring about a tablespoon of shampoo in his palm, Damon began massaging shampoo into her hair. His fingers rubbed her scalp enjoying the feel of her hair. It was shorter than his but had a rich, think texture. “Gawd, you’re fabulous!” “So I’ve been told.” “I may never go to a day spa again.” He rubbed his body against her as he rotated Jess into the spray of the water. “Funny, that’s not what I was thinking.” “I figured as much.” Damon picked up the bar of soap and knelt down to catch hold of her ankles. He soaped up her calf and to her thighs. Water streamed down her stomach to her pussy and into the soap bubbles. Damon ran the soap around the curve of her butt and stuck his face into her pussy. He nibbled along her lips until she screamed then he looked up at her. “I really want to be late. But that won’t help our cause.” “Oh damn, I really could fuck your brains out right now.” Damon nearly slipped and fell on his ass. “Damn! Don’t do that shit.” He reached around her, shut off the water and put the soap down. “Come on, we have to get out of here.”

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CHAPTER TEN

Some days were diamonds… Ronnie decided today was just starting out as crap. Her sitter called in sick, she had two irritable kids in tow until noon when she could get them over to her back-up sitter. But that was clear across town and she kinda hoped to get some lunch since her stomach had a weird oily consistency this morning. Normally, she’d blame it on too much alcohol and too rich of food. But not last night. Ronnie swung her truck in behind one of her workers. She turned to point at the kids, “Okay, backyard. You can run, climb in the trees, swing upside down. But don’t go near the site. Take your toys with you.” “Awww, Mom!” “I mean it guys, if you want pizza tonight, you’ll pick a spot out under the trees and stay.” The kids scrambled out the truck making a beeline for the back yard. Gotta love ‘em she admitted when the strategically avoided the construction. Her cell phone rang and she scooped it off the truck seat. “Yeah?” She listened and that oily thing in the pit of her stomach twisted and rolled. Her drywall wasn’t coming. Ronnie glanced quickly around the site and didn’t see her foreman. Swell, just swell. No drywall meant no insulation which meant they were behind again. That wasn’t what she wanted to tell Anthony LeMans today. She didn’t even want to see the guy. Not today. Not tomorrow. Rubbing the muscles in the back of her neck didn’t relieve any tension. Yeah, she was sure after the ass she made of herself last night she didn’t care much if she saw him ever again. Ronnie slammed her truck door shut and walked up to inspect the job. She hated that they were behind. It just gave him more ammunition to use at her if he wanted. Shit, she about passed him a loaded bazooka last night. What the hell was she thinking about? She was not even in his league. Not with money, not with social standings and shit, Ronnie just shook her head. She must’ve been smoking something last night. She looked at the work, the progress, it was slow, but this house would be a knock out when she finished.

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Gorgeous woodwork, arches, stone, she’d kill for a house like this. A place for her and the kids to spend lazy summer afternoons, she longed for it, a place where they could hang from the trees and chase a dog or two around the yard. This was a fantasy. One helluva fantasy, but it never hurt to dream. Ronnie tightened her ponytail and slid it through the opening in her baseball hat. Well, at least the guys that worked on the first floor could get shit done. Flipping open her cell phone, she started dialing Murrietta’s number. Then she heard gravel fly and a horn honk as he skidded to a stop behind her truck. “You’re late again.” Murrietta shrugged, “What can I say?” “Depends if you want to keep getting a paycheck.” He smirked at her. “Ouch! You wound me.” He started for the house then turned and looked back at her. “You okay?” Her lips twisted slightly as she worked to put a smile on. “Sure, why wouldn’t I be?” “I don’t know, maybe cause of last night.” “Hey, it was nothing, Murrietta. Now do me a favor and go find my fuckin’ drywall for upstairs.” He nodded. “Sure thing.” Walking around the side of the house, she checked to make sure her inquisitive kids had parked themselves in the back yard like she’d told them. She smiled to herself both were knee deep in an old flowerbed creating some new world with trucks and Barbies. All in all they were pretty damned good kids. Ronnie laughed as she headed back to her truck to examine the blueprints for the job. She squinted into the morning sun as it burned through the high white clouds. She’d grab her sunglasses when she got to the truck. Reaching into her pocket for her keys, she unlocked the truck and dug around inside for a pair of sunglasses. She found them under the seat next to her laundry list of things to do for next week. She straightened as another car appeared and turned into the driveway. She’d never been more thankful for a pair of dark glasses when Anthony LeMans stepped out of the driver’s side and Jess McGuire climbed out of the passenger side. Jess looked, well, a bit frazzled around the edges. Her suit was wrinkled, like it hadn’t been pressed. Her hair always styled, perfectly in place frizzed around the edges. Ronnie looked closer. The chick had a definite glow around her like she got a little somethin’ last night. When she waved at Ronnie, “How’s it going?” Ronnie began to notice things out of place.

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Her eyes shifted to Anthony. He looked incredible as always, perfectly dressed, not a hair out of place. His eyes seemed a bit tired though. Ronnie turned to look at Jess again. Two and two added together and Ronnie felt steam roll out her ears. Oh God, she was a fuckin’ fool. When she’d left last night, Jess obviously picked up where she’d wanted to be and went home with Anthony! Ronnie advanced. Anger flowed in her veins like cayenne pepper. Her hands fisted ready to take Miss Cute and Sexy’s head right off her petite shoulders. “You bitch!” She hadn’t been in a real bitch fight in fifteen years or so but she had no doubt she could take Jess McGuire easily. She lunged and swung, hard and fast just like her brother taught her when she was a kid. Time blurred or maybe it was the red haze of her temper. All she saw was her fist, since she’d lost the target somehow. All the pent up longing, emotion, and fear that balled itself into a thorny mass in her stomach pushed her forward. She must’ve shut her eyes as she swung. Her fist connected with something that felt like a cement wall. She hadn’t expected that Jess would have a jaw made out of steel. Pain spread up through her fist like a spider web and branched out into her arm. Ronnie jerked her hand back. Damn, that fuckin’ hurt! She squinted and only saw Jess smiling at her. Fury broke through the pain and she reached out to snag a handful of the woman’s hair. A very strong hand wrapped around her jerking her around. “Hold up, Ronnie.” Her upper body twisted to look Murrietta in the eye. “Let me go. I’m going to kick her ass.” “For what?” Ronnie wrestled around and pointed at Jess. “Why are you still standing?” “Because you didn’t hit me, Ronnie.” Jess tilted her head at Anthony. “You hit him.” Someone just shoved a twelve-foot rebar up her ass. Her feet vibrated into the dirt and every muscle in her body turned to slime. Murrietta’s hold on her slackened and she was suddenly grateful he held onto her cause she was about to tip over. A weird gurgling sound came out of her throat. Anthony rubbed his jaw then moved it slowly back and forth. Damn, no wonder why it about broke her hand. “Are you going to attack Jess if I let you go?” “No,” she mumbled afraid she couldn’t possibly make a bigger fool out of herself. “I wonder if you can get into the Guinness book for being an ass.” Murrietta scratched the side of his neck, “I don’t know. So why’d you clock Mr. LeMans?” Ronnie’s eyes shifted from Anthony to Jess then around to Murrietta. “I was aiming for her.”

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Jess inched closer. “Okay, I don’t know why I’m going to ask this but, why were you aiming for me?” “I uh, no reason.” “Lady, you have a right hook like a prize fighter. I think we’re all entitled to a reason for this one.” Anthony spoke up and Ronnie had a flash of the commercial, ‘Wanna get away?’ Murrietta walked around the side of her, keeping his arm around her waist. Ronnie was grateful for the support. It didn’t much matter though, she managed to tangle herself in a position she couldn’t begin to sort through. “Ronnie? Spill it.” He reached around and yanked the sunglasses off her nose so she had no place to hide. Ronnie sucked in some air but when it hit her lungs it felt thick and dusty. She tried not to look at Anthony or the dark expression in his eyes. “I thought she slept with him.” “Why the hell would you think that?” “Because you’re his type.” Jess shook her head. “Oh God, Ronnie! Have you ever got this wrong.” Ronnie hung her head, inhaled, exhaled then pulled herself together. “You’re classy, smart and everything he’d go for.” Damon’s knees buckled as he bent over laughing. He pushed himself back up, tears streaming down his cheeks as he continued to howl. This was just too fuckin’ funny. “Ronnie, geez, I can’t believe you’d take a swing at Jess. Especially after all she’s done.” Ronnie jerked her thumb at Anthony, “And fuckin’ him’s the reward?” Shaking his head, Damon sighed, “Honey, Jess wasn’t fuckin’ him last night. She was fucking me.” Jess opened her mouth, shut it then moved directly in front of Ronnie. “Okay, I wouldn’t have announced it quite like that.” “Did you want her to take another swing at you?” Jess folded her arms and tapped her foot, directing the tap at Anthony. “No, not exactly.” She reached out and squeezed the other man’s arm. “I owe you. She would’ve sent my butt right through the car roof.” Anthony LeMans looked like he would explode. Damon watched the steam boil up in the guy. Oh yeah, this was going to work. He glanced over at Jess and winked. She moved her eyes, angling slowly to look at Ronnie and Anthony.

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It a moment, Damon began to see comprehension dawn in Ronnie’s expression. It was like water running down a hose to a sprinkler. “That’s it,” LeMans moved so fast that for a second, Damon thought he was an immortal. He took hold of Ronnie and yanked her around to the passenger side of the car. “Get in.” “I can’t.” He yanked the door open, “Get in. Now.” “My kids are here.” “Your kids?” Damon perked up. He liked kids. They reminded him of puppies. “Really?” LeMans stared at her for a moment then looked over at Damon. “Can you keep and eye on them for an hour of so?” His PDA buzzed in his pocket. That, he hoped was a signal. “I’ll watch the kids.” Jess lifted a brow, “You?” “Yeah me.” He frowned, “Why are you looking at me like that?” “Maybe because you don’t exactly look like a babysitter.” Damon grinned and yanked out his PDA. “You don’t think I belong on a Valentine either.” He held out his PDA so that Jess could get a glimpse of it. “Woohoo!” Jess jumped up and down, clapping her hands until both LeMans and Ronnie turned to look at her. Nudging her gently, he pointed at the other pair. “Hey, I think you can stop now.” “Sorry. I’m a little slaphappy. Didn’t get much sleep, you know?” Ronnie leaned her elbow on the roof of the sedan. “You guys really? You know?” Damon tossed an arm around Jess’ shoulders. “Yeah, we did. Quite well.” Jess turned in his arms. “Quite well?” She pushed at his chest. “Are you British now?” “Well it beat saying, we fucked our brains out all night.” Flattening her hand on his pectorals, Jess curled her fingers and yanked on his chest hair. “And now, you’ve announced that to everyone in earshot.” He held a hand up in the air. “What a guy can’t be proud? Damon waved at Ronnie and LeMans. “Go on, I’ll watch the kids.” LeMans nearly shoved her into the car. Damon figured the guy was about ready to explode one way or another. He wanted to see how it played out. And since he didn’t think the kids needed to view

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what was going on, he dialed up the pair on his PDA and set it to record the data. They drove away at a speed that kicked gravel up onto the drive. “You’re going to watch kids?” “Yeah, why not? They won’t bite anything.” “Okay…” Jess shook her head. “What do you think is going to happen there?” “I’m recording it.” “What?” “Hey, we’ve worked too hard on this not to know how it comes out.” “That’s true.” “Besides, if they’re together, then we can start working on Aurora and Nic.” Damon began walking to the back yard where the kids were rough housing. Jess jogged up next to him and caught his arm. “Damon?” “Yeah?” “Then what?” “What do you mean?” Jess smoothed the top of her hair, self-consciously. “I mean, what happens after?” “After?” Damon looked at her, trying to figure out what was going through her head. He stared a moment. “Oh after?” He gestured at his chest then at her. “Oh, I got ya, you mean us.” “Us? No. No, I didn’t say that.” All of a sudden his big-mouthed babe turned to a quivering Daisy. “I mean, there is no us per se. I know a guy like you is well, I just know.” “A guy like me?” He didn’t like where this whole thing headed. Not one bit. Sure, he’d played around in the past. He had his share of fun and women. That was part of his job. He felt research was the hallmark of being a good Cupid. He prided himself on his ability at his job. “You know?” “No, why don’t you explain it to me.” His voice became low, not nearly so teasing anymore. Jess wasn’t getting this, obviously. He was more than halfway in love with her and she thought he was just dicking around. He wasn’t sure how to take that. He’d never been in love before. To have the woman doubt his integrity, it grated. “Well, let’s see, you’re a flirt. You’re a perv. Everything about you has to do with sex.” “And that’s bad because?” “Because,” Jess nearly snickered, “sex is my job.”

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“How the hell do you figure that?” “Desire?” She pointed at herself. “Me.” Damon started walking. “Yeah. And of course, there is no sex in love.” “I didn’t say that.” “Sounded like it.” Damon strode into the back yard and located the two kids playing in the flower garden. He figured he could keep a safe distance and monitor things. “I did not say that.” Damon sat on a tree log. Jess sat down on the ground beside him. “Uh huh.” ‘Why are you getting so pissy all of a sudden?” She picked a blade of grass and ran it between her index finger and her thumb. He huffed tossing his hair back and turned to watch the kids. “I don’t get pissy.” “You are right now.” He scratched the side of his neck. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” At the moment, he felt quite pissy. If he was a girl, he’d want to go scratch something with his fingernails. But since he wasn’t even close and he was Cupid he refused to pout. Pulling out the PDA, he punched a few buttons with the stylus and waited for the holographic display to form. “What are you doing?” He leaned against the tree and grinned. “I’m going to see if Ronnie’s got the balls to pull this thing out.” “If there was ever a woman with balls, Ronnie Berkowitz has giant ones.” Jess held out her hand. “Friends?” Damon straddled the log. Reaching down he pulled her up so that she sat between his legs to watch the display. “Yeah, friends.” She let her back rest against his chest. Damon put his chin on her shoulder. Her hair smelled like his shampoo. He liked that, a lot. Hell, he liked everything about her. He couldn’t imagine his life without out Jess McGuire in it. And while that scared the shit out of him, he sure as hell didn’t like the alternative. “You smell good.” “Mmmm, I’m going to have to get some of that shampoo.” He tuned in the holographic transmission. If anyone happened to walk in on them, they’d only see her sitting next to him on the log. Damon looked over at the kids. Apparently, a town was originating over in the flowerbed. He heard the boy mention something about a train through the city. They’d stay busy for the next three hours playing real estate developers.

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“You could just use my shampoo.” Damon decided to say it aloud. He wasn’t sure if he was clear, but hell, he’d never done this before. “I could?” “Sure, I can share.” “What? Are you going to loan it to me every other night?” “Funny.” Jess pointed at the holograph. “Hey, they didn’t get very far.” “Shh, pay attention.” He wrapped his arms around her and scooted her up onto his lap further. He was hard already but that was something he’d have to get used to around Jess. He could think of worse reactions in the presence of a woman. Wanting to put your cock inside her every time you were around her wasn’t half-bad in his book. He nuzzled her hair and grinned. “I like doing this, you know?” She rubbed the hair on his arms. “I know.” She leaned her head back and kissed his jaw. “Shh, you wanted to see this.” “Right, right.” Damon plugged into the audio with his PDA and snuggled closer. Jess laughed, “I can’t believe you do this.” “How am I supposed to know if my Cupid magic works?” “I think you’re just a closet voyeur.” “Maybe,” he laughed and ran his hand down her hair, smoothing the frizzies. “Probably.” She huffed at him and he slipped the PDA into her lap. “You ought to try it sometime.” “If you want to file a complaint, or press charges, that’s fine.” Ronnie’s voice sounded anything but fine. Wound tighter than he’d ever seen her. She clenched the side of the door as LeMans brought the car to a stop on an embankment leading out to the lake. LeMans slammed the car in park and turned to look at her. He unlatched his seatbelt and unlocked the door. “Let’s take a walk.” “Why?” Ronnie unbuckled her seatbelt. “What’s the point?” “The point? Well, the point is Ms. Berkowitz, you and I need to talk. I like the lake, let’s take a walk.” Ronnie climbed out like an old woman. Damon wondered if she thought that LeMans was about to ream her a new one. “Look, I’d just want to forget about this. Finish the job and get the hell out of your life.”

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“If I thought that was true, Ms. Berkowitz, we wouldn’t be here right now.” He led her down a wooded trail. There was a dock down there hidden among the trees. Damon knew about it and LeMans kept a boat. It was a good day for a trip around the lake, nice picnic weather. Still winter, but Chicago seemed to be in the middle of a sunny spell. “For the past few days, I’ve been harassed, confused, stalked, assaulted and –” “Stalked? Hold on a second, buddy!” She caught up to him so that she jogged backwards going down the trail. “I am not stalking you.” “No?” Jess shifted in his lap, “You sure this is going to work out.” “Just watch.” Damon pointed at the display. “No, fuck, I’m not some pathetic nutcase that can’t get a man so I resort to stalking one.” LeMans voice was quiet, almost gentle. “I didn’t say you were.” “Could’ve fooled me. You just said it and you said I assaulted you.” She stopped, forcing LeMans to do the same. “I didn’t mean to hit you. For God’s sake, you about broke my fuckin’ hand.” “I wasn’t going to let you hit some other woman.” “Why the hell not?” “Ms. Berkowitz, we’re getting off track here.” Ronnie blew air out through her mouth. “Mr. LeMans, we were never on track.” “And that was the problem, wasn’t it?” LeMans put his hands on her shoulders and turned her slightly so that she could look out at the lake. She watched him, absolutely dumbstruck. Damon could see her trying to compute what the man said. But it wasn’t going in yet. “No, it’s not anybody’s problem.” “I’m forty-two years old, Ronnie. I got married when I was eighteen to the woman I thought I’d live with and love forever.” Ronnie’s eyes filled. She didn’t want to do this Damon could see that. She wasn’t in the habit of laying her deepest thoughts out on the table for everyone to see. And Ronnie knew the advantage was with LeMans. “Most people think that.” “I wasn’t like most people. I was young, in love and on the fast track to success.” “Yeah, and you got there.” “At a cost.” LeMans looked out over the lake. Damon saw the faraway, wistful look appear in his eyes. Jess sighed. “My wife was twenty-eight when she died. It took everything. My life, my world, and any shot of happiness.”

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“I’m sorry. I really am sorry.” LeMans reached out and ran his hand down the side of her cheek. “You looked amazing last night. It took my breath away.” “You’re kidding?”

Ronnie choked, sniffed and for a minute, Damon figured she’d

hyperventilate. “No one’s ever said that about me.” “They weren’t looking hard enough.” Ronnie spun around, swiping at the tears. She started away from LeMans and that got Damon’s attention instantly. “What the hell is she doing?” Jess nudged him. “She doesn’t believe him.” Jess used her finger to rotate the display and track them. “She thinks he’s screwing with her.” “And you call us guys dense.” “Don’t do this,” Ronnie begged LeMans.

Damon angled the display to bring up a small

spectrum analysis at the right corner. He could see it plainly even though Ronnie used it as a defense mechanism. She was so in love with the guy, if she’d only take a moment and look, she’d see the same thing reflected back at her. “I can’t take this really.” “Ronnie?” LeMans caught hold of her and spun her around. His hand was gentle as he stroked the side of her face. “Look at me, please.” He tilted her head slightly to make her meet him in the eyes. “Stop, please.” Ronnie’s eyes slanted toward him. “I don’t care if you want to fire me or press charges, just don’t do this.” “I thought you wanted this, Ms. Berkowitz.” LeMans shook his head confused. “I don’t know what to say. I thought this was why, never mind.” “Oh my God!” Jess shouted so loud, Damon jumped. “They’re going to screw this up.” She spun around and smacked him in the chest with both hands. “Don’t just stand there, Cupid. Do something.” “Hang on a second, let’s see if they can find their way here.” “If they screw this up, I’m going to fuckin’ smack both of them.” Jess whirled around to keep track of the pair. “They aren’t going to screw this up. Just watch.” Some of Ronnie’s innate curiosity managed to surface. “Never mind?” “I’ll take you back.” LeMans glance one more time over the lake. “I’ll stay out of your way while you finish the renovation.” Jess hissed.

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Ronnie nodded her head slowly. LeMans turned toward the trail, then he stopped to brush a stray lock of hair from Ronnie’s face. “I’ve been alone for twelve years, Ms. Berkowitz. I needed that, needed to punish myself somehow for Kate’s death.” His fingers twined around the strand of hair. “I’m sorry.” “For what?” “I have to know.” He took a step closer. They were inches apart and Damon felt the rush. It was like rooting for your horse in a race. But he wasn’t going to shout, or jump up and down. LeMans hand went to her cheek and cupped it oh so tenderly. He tilted his head and aligned his mouth to Ronnie’s. They were so very close, they inhaled the breath from each other. “I want to kiss you, Ronnie.” His mouth moved a fraction closer. “Is that okay for you?” “You don’t have to do this.” “Yes.” He nodded as he whispered against her mouth, “Yes, I think I do.” “Ha! Ha!” Damon clapped his hands above his head. “Off the charts. Look at that.” He pointed to the spectrum display. Jess pulled out her own PDA and started tapping on the display. “Hang on one second.” She needed her own confirmation. Her eyes raised and caught the tail end of the kiss. “That was one helluva kiss.” Her own displays rocked and rolled. “This is good, really good.” She turned and smacked Damon’s raised hands in celebration. “Let’s go to Vegas.” He pressed his lips to hers in a hard kiss.

“Vegas?” Jerked out of the celebratory moment, Jess froze. All the fireworks and music popped and stopped. “Why would you want to go to Vegas?” He shrugged, a big grin on his face. “I dunno. Stay out all night, eat, drink, gamble.” He kissed her again, a soft lingering kiss that made her toes curl. “Get married.” Jess cleared her throat, and smirked. “I was that good?” Damon tossed back his head and howled with laughter. “Oh babe, you were good enough for eight guys.” “Okay, I’m not sure that was a compliment.” “Trust me, it was.” Damon shut down the display and turned to look at the kids. “You like them?” “What?”

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“Kids?” “Yeah,” he pointed at the kids. “Those little dudes over there.” “Damon?” Jess could practically feel hives breaking out all over her body. She was scared to death of kids. Had no experience with them. Sweat, the clammy icy kind dripped down her spine and pooled at the base. “Did you just ask me to marry you?” He winked. “That, among other things. Figured I’d throw a few suggestions at you and see what you went for.” “What I went for?” She was babbling, she was sure of it. Her tongue seemed to have lost all control of itself, numb or something worse. She might actually say yes, when she wasn’t sure if he was kidding or not. Love was an illusive, mystical entity. Something so vague and barely tangible that a lot of people never knew it existed. She never thought she’d encounter it. Not on a personal level. But Damon brought that mystical creation to the table and delivered it with gossamer wings. She straightened, slowly. “If you’re kidding, now’s a good time to say something.” Her pager, PDA and cell phone vibrated so loudly and in sync Jess nearly fell off Damon’s lap. “Crap, what kind of timing is that?” “Go ahead, I’ll catch up with you later.” He hoisted her off his lap and stood up, wiping his hands on his jeans. “I’ll keep an eye on the kids.” Jess glanced at the pager. It was Nic Avalon and she’d been summoned to appear in what Jess could only assume was a trouncing. Oh joy. She shrugged, “It’s Nic.” Looking at the kids playing, she chuckled. “I could wait for Ronnie and Anthony to get back. An ass chewing isn’t something I long for this early in the day.” “What makes you think that’s what he wants? “You’re kidding, right?” “He might’ve had a change of heart.” Damon moved to put his arm around Jess. “You can take my truck.” “Oh goodie, can I take it to the carwash?” He stuck two fingers into his pocket and pulled out his keys. “Would you?” He handed her the keys and kissed her hand as her fingers closed around the keys. “Make sure they get the mud off the under carriage.”

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“Damon, Aspects don’t get married.” Jess grinned as Damon scratched his neck and Jess decided she loved that he had fleas, or whatever made him scratch. She loved his growth of beard, the hair on his chest, all of him. “They never have.” “They’ve never been us.” Her eyes gleamed as she searched his. The thunderclouds cleared and his eyes were bright. “You’re serious aren’t you?” “Hmm? Yeah, I think I mentioned that.” He put his hands on her hips and pulled her close. “You don’t have to say yes, Desire. I already know that you love me.”

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jess knew she’d stepped into a hurricane the moment she crossed into the lobby of Immortality Incorporated. Her keycard slid into the elevator lock and as soon as she stepped inside, the display lit for Nic’s office. The elevator took off like a damn rocket and Jess gripped the handrail and didn’t realize she held her breath until the car slid to a stop. The mirrored elevator showed off the frizz in her hair to a new glory. Riding over in Damon’s beat up truck, she couldn’t manage to get the driver’s side widow up. So now, the Puerto Rican curl in her hair just ran amok in the wind. She didn’t have a flat iron at Damon’s either so she was doomed to frizz today. Of course, why would she have a flat iron at Damon’s? That made no sense. Since she’d never been to Damon’s, she wouldn’t have any required ‘Girl Supplies’ at his loft. The temptation to twist her hair up under a hat or something was strong but she fought it off. She looked like a kid in a hat. She ought to be happy she had lipgloss and mascara in her purse this morning instead of worrying about her hair. With any luck, she’d see Nic and dart home to change and do the whole hair and makeup thing. A tiny pinch in the back of her neck signaled tension. She started to rub it but then caught sniffed coffee. She knew where the tension came from. Damon Murrietta did not play fair or by the rules. Figures he’d go from one night of mind-boggling sex to “Marry me.” Jess wasn’t sure how to sort that one out. Trust her to fall for bad boy Cupid, the last guy on the planet she’d pick as right for her. On paper, there was just no way in hell they fit. Jess considered a moment, on paper Anthony LeMans and Ronnie Berkowitz didn’t fit either. But he was so damned perfect for her it was scary. Assistants to the Aspects requiring them scrambled up and down the corridors. Tempted to see what all the stir was about, Jess slowed her pace. The delicious scent of coffee drifted so strong along the air that she could almost taste the Kona blend. Jess took a hard right and nearly dove into the break room in order to grab a cup of coffee before facing Nic. She practically ran for the coffee, grabbing a mug and pouring a hot cup. It was fresh, she could tell, but at this point, she’d drink crude oil as long as it had caffeine. She raised the mug to her lips, blew on it and took a delectable swallow.

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“Well, I hear congratulations are in order.” Lucien LaVoy had a voice that made Jess’ stomach crawl. If a snake could talk, it would sound exactly like Lucien, soft, raspy and way too sinister. Jess was positive the guy should’ve been born as a reptile. Jess slanted him a look, “For what?” “Your engagement, naturally.” Lucien smiled and Jess swore the man had fangs. He moved forward holding out his hand to take hers. Jess choked on the coffee and somehow managed to swallow. “My engagement?” She turned to put sugar in her coffee, busying her hands so she didn’t have to touch him. She hated sugar in her coffee. There wasn’t enough antiseptic on the planet to make her touch Lucien. “It’s all over the office about you and Murrietta.”

Lucien leaned against the counter.

“Everyone’s scrambling around wondering who the next Cupid and Desire are.” “What’s that?” She really didn’t care what he had to say. But, she couldn’t get out of the room yet without appearing really rude. Jess smirked. “There isn’t any other Cupid and Desire.” Everyone knew she wasn’t rude on purpose. “Well, the fact that you two are getting married makes keeping your jobs here difficult at best.” Lucien stepped up beside her and pressed his chest into her back. Two of his long, skinny fingers reached out to touch her hair, “I’ve got to admit I’m surprised. I had no idea you were into that kind of perversion.” His head tilted closer into her ear. “You should’ve came to me first then. I enjoy some of the baser acts.” Jess slammed her coffee cup down, not caring if the precious brew sloshed over. Her fingers dug into the edge of the counter until her knuckles turned white as she tried to get some sort of grip on her Puerto Rican temper. “I’m going to say this nicely, just one time, Lucien.” Jess turned deliberately to face him and his surly smile. She wanted a clear shot when she planted his balls in his throat. “What’s that, sweetheart?” He rubbed his chest up against her tits. Jess wasn’t short, with heels she was eye to eye with Guilt. “I bet you like it up the ass, a girl like you.” Jess gritted her teeth. Well, he wasn’t going to let her remain civilized. So… Jess smiled, her best ‘Come and Get it Babe’ smile. She put her hands on his shoulders for a brace. “Let me put this in a language you understand.” She brought her knee up hard and fast slamming it into his crotch. Lucien crumpled trying to reach for her as a strangled squeak seemed to come out his nose. She shoved him hard and he fell on the floor.

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He rolled around on the floor. Jess moved out of reach but still stood over the top of him. “Now, listen to me, you little puke. Don’t touch me again cause next time, I won’t be so friendly about it.” Lucien started to talk and it sounded more like he’d just sucked up helium as opposed to having his balls rearranged. “I was going to fire you anyway when I took over. This just makes it easier.” “Sweetheart, you don’t have the balls to be in charge.” Jess reached back, picked up her cup of coffee and left the room. She almost wished she’d stuck her heel in the guy while he writhed about on the floor. Somehow, she thought she’d get another chance at him. Nic wanted her to meet him in the boardroom. Interesting choice. She knew he had like three or four offices that he carried out business in. She checked her watch noting it was the thirteenth. Performance reviews went out on the twentieth so that wasn’t what this was. Jess wound down the corridor closest to Aurora’s office. She needed to check in on her but as she walked by she noticed the door was shut which was always a sign that Aurora wasn’t there. Opening the heavy wood door, Jess entered the boardroom to find Nic talking to the new chick with the job Deception. What the hell was her name? She rested her shoulder on the doorframe searching through her head for the girl’s name. She was pretty. Latin. Looked like she was around Jess’ age. Maria? No, that wasn’t right. Lupe? Nah, she didn’t look like one of those. Except she’d have to be loopy to hang out with that snake Lucien. “Thanks, Nic. I really appreciate this.” Jess thought she sounded just a bit too excited. Or maybe it was eager, yeah, too eager. “Not a problem, Eva.” Eva. That was her name. Nice name. Jess rocked her weight on her other hip. The chick wiggled up to Nic and put her hands on his chest. Jess’ eyes widened. Eva put a lip lock on Nic that rivaled a Hoover. Then, Jess’ eyes nearly came out of their sockets when it looked like Nic put his arms around her waist. Frozen in place, Jess never heard the person come up behind her. She continued to stare at Nic until Aurora spoke, “Wow. That didn’t take long.” Nic must’ve heard Aurora because he practically launched Eva away from him like a cannon. Eva smiled seductively and wiped her lower lip. “Mmmm, now I know what all the fuss is about.” She turned and saw Jess and Aurora. “I hope we can pick this up later, Nic. And thanks again.” “Over my dead body,” Aurora mumbled.

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Eva practically floated by them and Jess wondered if she took out Deception and Guilt in one day what the repercussions might be. Instead, she just grinned right back Eva and made a mental note for later. Eva strutted out the doorway and Aurora turned to go. Jess grabbed hold of her and yanked her into the room with her. “Nice show, boss.” “Have a sit, Jess.” Nic looked over at Aurora. “Did you need something, Aurora?” She couldn’t see what was in his eyes. Nic was an absolute master when it came to hiding emotions. He was so different from Damon and Jess could just do a happy dance about that because she couldn’t stand the broody business. “I just came by to invite Jess out for lunch to celebrate her engagement.” Nic cricked his head at a strange angle. “Really?” Jess shook her head, “No, not really.” She looked over at Aurora. “Why does everyone know about this already?” She yanked out a chair and sat down. “Probably because I put it out on broadcast accidentally.” Jess swiveled her chair around to look at Damon. “Hi there.” Torn jeans, covered in mud and grass stains, she just shook her head at him. “Been playing in the mud with the kids?” He shrugged, “Maybe.” Aurora patted him on the back. “Congratulations, Damon. I’m really very surprised.” “No, you aren’t.” Damon raised an eyebrow at her and smiled. “I’m betting you had this whole thing pegged from the beginning.” Aurora pointed at herself and did her best to appear innocent. “Me?” “Yeah, you.” Damon started to give her a quick squeeze by realized he had mud on his sleeve. “So what’s up, Nic?” A box of donuts and a massive pot of coffee sat in the center of the table calling Jess’ name. Nic sat at the head of the table as Damon pulled up a chair next to Jess. “Go ahead, Jess. You’re as bad about coffee as Aurora is.” Aurora remained standing. “Jess, come find me when you’re done.” “Sit down, Aurora.” Nic’s voice wasn’t at all friendly. Tightly strained and Jess noticed more than a bit angry. Jess reached for a cup of coffee while Damon rummaged in the box of donuts searching for a particular kind. Jess nudged him as she sat a cup of coffee on her left for Aurora, forcing her friend to

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take the seat closest to Nic. “Would you cut that out?” She poured another cup for herself as Damon licked his fingertip of frosting before diving back in the box. “What?” “You’re spreading your germs all over the place.” “Now you’re worried about my germs?” Damon licked his fingers and pulled out a jelly donut. “You want one?” Jess shook her head while Aurora took the chair beside Nic. “Not with your fingerprints all over the frosting.” “Picky, picky.” Nic leaned his elbows on the table and put his index fingers together in a temple. “You two are really getting married.” “Yes.” Damon licked jelly running between his fingers. “No!” Jess said it a bit louder than she intended.

She was a pistol. He had to give her that. Damon caught another drip of raspberry jelly off one of his knuckles. He wasn’t worried though. Damon was nothing if not confident that eventually when Jess had a chance to think about it, the two of them together made perfect sense. “So, one of you is and the other isn’t?” “Maybe he is, but it isn’t to me.” Jess nearly growled. Damon figured she was pissed that her hair had turned into a puffball today. “All right, then.” Nic used remote access to pull down the display of Anthony LeMans and Ronnie Berkowitz showing her kids through the house under renovation. “Good job here. Both of you.” Damon stuffed the rest of his donut into his mouth. Jess nodded. Nic’s eyes traveled to all three of them and lingered on Aurora. Damon pursed his lips and scratched the side of his neck. That whole thing with Nic and Aurora needed a good ending. Jess probably wouldn’t marry him until her friend was happily in love again. “How was that salon you ladies went to the other day, I need a haircut.” “Not now, Damon.” Jess tapped her heel on his boot. Nic couldn’t help but crack a smile. “I want to take about what happened the other night.” “You mean last night?” Damon snorted on purpose. He had a good idea where this was headed and if he could keep Nic disarmed then Jess wouldn’t end up a pulpy mass. “That’s a little personal, don’t you think, Nic?”

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Nic sighed, “I’m talking about Jess putting the whammy on me.” Damon scratched his head and leaned back in his chair to put his boots on the table. “Whammy on you? You should’ve seen what she did to me.” Jess shoved his feet off the table. Damon brushed the dried mud off the expensive wood. Nic leaned forward. “Monitors in the elevators, Cupid. Imagine my surprise when two of the perimeter assistants asked me if they could wipe the elevator surveillance.” “Oh…my…God!” Jess buried her face in her hands. “I’m just gonna die!” “Mmmm…It’s probably all over the internet by now.” Nic’s tone was unreasonably bland. Damon winked. “Hey babe, you could be the next Paris.” “Shut up. Just shut the fuck up.” He rubbed her hand. “Honey, don’t talk that way in front of our employer.” This time she bared her teeth at him. “You know, I’ve kicked one idiot in the balls today, I don’t mind doing another.” Aurora held up a hand. “Jess, it’s okay. We’ve all done crazy things in the name of love and if it got wiped, no one will have seen it.” Jess sniffed, “That’s not the point.” “I know.” Damon had a bit of a tenacious bone in him. Occasionally, it got him in trouble. He had a real good feeling he’d get in trouble here, but he couldn’t help himself. “Who’d you kick in the balls?” Jess jumped as if he’d hit her with a cattle prod. “What?” “I want to know who you kicked in the balls.” “Why?” Jess rubbed her throat in an agitated motion. Damon fought back a smile. God, she was going to be fun being married to. “We’ve been filmed fucking in an elevator and you’re concerned who I kneed?” She shook her head and turned wild eyes at Aurora and Nic. “He’s nuts.” Aurora laughed, “I do think I mentioned that.” “Hey!” Damon whined in his most pathetic tone. “I’m in the room here.” “That’s what makes it fun.” Aurora patted Jess on the hand sympathetically. “You know, Damon, you’re a whole lot different than I imagined and I am glad for it. And for you and Jess.” Damon pointed at her and then waved his index finger. He squinted his eyes to look more evil. “Ah-hah! See? Told you. She knew.” “I can’t believe this.” Jess buried her face in her coffee mug.

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“It takes all types, doesn’t it Jess?” Nic’s smile was more fatherly than anything else. “Now would you like to explain yourself or do you just want me to fill in the blanks?” Jess sat the mug down. A weak smile twisted on her lips and she shrugged. “I thought it was a good idea at the time.” “It wasn’t.” “Well,” she sighed dramatically and Damon thought she might’ve lost her target. But she recovered nicely and he smiled. “I know that now.” She reached out for the coffee pot. “Would you like to tell me why it didn’t work?” “Who said it didn’t work?” Nic eyes went briefly to Aurora then back to Jess. Damon could see the guy struggled with this whole mess with his woman. Scratching the top of his head, he figured if Nic had just told him in the beginning what he was up to two years ago, none of this would’ve happened. “Nic, I jacked you two with enough desire to have you humpin’ like bunnies in the lobby.” Jess jerked her thumbs at both of them. “Forty minutes later, I look in on my handy work and poof, you two are no where to be found.” “Checking in on us, Jess? Wow, Damon really has corrupted you.” Aurora nearly giggled but Jess flashed her a look that made her swallow it. “He has not corrupted me. I just wanted to make sure since my zapper—” “Stinger,” Damon inserted with his most charming grin. “I’m the one who’s talking here.” “Sorry babe,” Damon lifted both of his hands, palms up and pushed at the air for her to continue. Let her think she was in control a while longer. After this meeting with Nic and Aurora he had plans for his stubborn fiancé. A rush of heat went straight to his cock and he nearly had to do a handstand to keep from getting a hard on. “I’m not even going to ask about that.” Nic shook his head, a confused look in his nearly black eyes. “I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear it.” “Can you pretend you didn’t see us in the elevator?” Jess whirled on him so fast, he didn’t see it coming. “Damon, I swear to God, if you don’t shut up, I won’t be held responsible for what I’ll do to you.” Damon zipped his lip and sat quietly with his hands clasped lightly on the table. He could be the picture of innocence if he tried.

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“It worked on me.” Nic pinched the bridge of his nose, a sure sign they were trying his patience. “Jess, the reason it didn’t work on Aurora is because she fought it. She didn’t want it to work. You can lay down desire thick as tar, but the beginnings of that emotion have to already exist.” Jess’ mouth opened, closed then opened again. He’d have to mention that to her later. She looked like a Venus Fly trap when she did that. He watched as her gaze turned on Aurora. “You want to explain that one.” Aurora’s normally bright gemstone colored eyes shuttered over. Damon had never seen that happen with her before. Not that he’d had a lot of contact with Aurora in the past, but they’d crossed paths periodically. Casually, Damon slid his PDA out of his pocket and brought Aurora up on his display. “I’m not sure I can.” Damon watched Nic from then on. The ball was strictly in his court. He had the power to manipulate Time and he could fix this. Nic’s eyes stayed on Aurora while Jess pieced things together. “Are you saying you aren’t in love with him anymore?” Silence. It made Damon twitch. The tension in the air was bad enough. Thick, hot and heavy, Damon figured he’d smother in it at any second. He waited, watching the display on his PDA. It was there. He knew it. Felt it deep in his bones, Aurora was still very much in love with Nic. This was about what she’d do with it. “No, I didn’t say that.” There was a collective exhale of breath and Damon wasn’t sure if it was him or everyone else waiting on Aurora’s answer. Aurora slid back the chair and started to stand. Nic caught hold of her arm. “Not yet, Aurora. If you want to run, that’s fine. But you’re going to hear what they have to say.” He inclined his head at the chair. “You want to air this out in front of them?” The snap of temper sizzled around the table and Damon checked his fingers to make sure they weren’t smoking. “I’m pretty damned sure they have all the information anyway.” “So we’re going to use Cupid and Desire as counselors. Isn’t that lovely?” “You have the experts on love here, what more could you ask for?” Damon felt the need to point that out. Obviously, Aurora forgot who she was dealing with. “We could probably make a fortune offering up advice.” “You’re assuming we want advice.”

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“Hey now, no need to get testy about it.” Damon checked his fingers again for singe marks. Aurora turned to Nic. She looked at where he held her arm then up at him like she’d bore holes through the guy. “I don’t want to do this.” “Fine.” Nic withdrew his hand. “You want to walk away again? I never thought you were weak, Aurora. I always thought you’d stand and fight for something you wanted.” He moved so slowly Damon wasn’t sure he had, but then he noticed all the displays shut down. “It seems to me if things don’t go your way, you’re ready to walk.” Nic released the locks on the boardroom door. He was playing right into her temper and Damon didn’t think that was such a good idea. “You lied to me.” “How?” Nic ran his fingers through his hair. “By omission? Probably.” “That isn’t right and you know it. I thought we were in this together and you’re still just playing fucking games with everyone.” “You like games, Aurora. Remember?” Nic stood up and reached for the ceiling. What tumbled down from his fingers made both Damon and Jess jump back. “What the hell is that?” “Woof.” Damon pushed away from the table as a giant glittering web appeared out of nowhere in front of them. Damon stared, awestruck at the detail. The silver strands shifted and danced as if in a light summer breeze. Damon cocked his head, listening closely. It sort of whistled and hummed like people said the lights of the Aurora Borealis did. “Two years ago, at that party, I deliberately bent and twisted every goddamn rule I’d ever made in order to get my hands on you.” Nic examined the web searching for something while Damon tried to figure out what. “Then I erased it or thought I had until Damon shows up with the file. I did it to preserve the integrity of this job.” “Integrity? What integrity, Nic? You didn’t trust me enough to tell me. You took a memory from me that was so precious, I don’t even know what to say.” Aurora glanced over at Jess. “When I watched that file, I felt so violated. Not because of the sex. God knows, I nearly pounced on you at any chance I had.” Damon glanced down at the display on Aurora. There it was. Stealth and guile here, buddy, move slow. Casual. Don’t want anyone to notice what you’re up to. Damon skillfully tagged Aurora’s thread. He couldn’t do it accurately before. Not without seeing exactly which one it was. Still boggled the mind that Nic had the thing memorized. With Aurora tagged securely, Damon looked up. “You wanted the memory. He took it.”

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“Right, right. I needed that memory, it might’ve been all you ever gave me.” Aurora’s eyes were back on Nic. “Even if you did think I’d walk away.” “You did before.” He used a pointer off the table to point at some of the threads in the web. Damon’s fixation on it mirrored Jess. Nic finally realized they were in shock. “This is a display of the Creation Web. Not the live version.” “Woo, mama and I thought that was just a rumor.” “Two years ago, my thread,” Nic pointed out a thread glimmering with a myriad of pearlized color. “That’s Aurora.” He pointed at similar markers all the along both threads. “You want to know why I erased it? Because somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew eventually you’d regret this. That you’d decide Immortality Incorporated wasn’t what you wanted out of life and I thought it’d be a cleaner break this way.” Nic sat down. “I didn’t expect I’d be in love with you when that happened.”

Jess’ thoughts erupted through her brain in a wild, dazzling display. This was more information about the inner workings of Immortality Incorporated than she thought she’d ever see. Toss in the whole Nic and Aurora thing, she started to get dizzy. “I’m really a bit uncomfortable here.” Jess looked over at Aurora. “For me to say that aloud, you know I’m not kidding.” Jess pressed her fingers into her sinuses as a dull headache began to pound in her eyes. “This isn’t something I figured on refereeing. Nic, I don’t get how the colors bleed off Aurora’s thread, I really don’t.” “It’s masked now.” Nic’s tone became analytical. “Some of it’s due to my interference. But here’s markers from Guilt and Deception and even some from Chaos.” “Gil’s on leave though.” Damon nudged her. “I told you, nothing stops.” “Well shit, maybe it should.” Jess got up to get a closer look at the web thing. Now that she knew what it was, it didn’t creep her out anymore. “I knew I should’ve finished that shit Lucien off earlier.” A snorting, chortling giggle came out of Damon’s mouth. Half cough, half-crazed hyena. “He’s the one you kicked in the slats?” “Yeah, stupid fuck put his hands on me and then starting going on about—” Jess caught herself realizing she was still in the presence of her employer. Ack! Way to go, girl! How many times had she said fuck in the past thirty seconds? Jess inhaled collecting herself. “Okay, before I get off track again,

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look at that.” She pointed to the color she recognized on the threads. It was the color of Desire. “Why can’t we just streak the little sucker the right color and you two get on with your lives?” Damon grinned, “We could have a double-wedding in Vegas.” Jess groaned. She was so going to have to kill him. “What?” Damon’s gray eyes looked like round saucers. “What? I don’t see a problem with that.” “Stay on track, Cupid.” “Hmm? Oh yeah, gotcha.” “Jess, you know what happens when you add markers where they don’t belong.” “Yeah, well, you wouldn’t have to remove it this time. Just keep it as a cushion or something till this little rough patch works itself out.” Aurora stood up, “This isn’t a rough patch.” “Sure it is.” “No, it’s not.”

Aurora straightened into a stiff almost defensive posture.

“I’m formally

requesting a leave of absence.” “Granted.” It was out of Nic’s mouth before Jess could yell her objections. Aurora nodded and moved toward the door. With her hand on the handle, she turned. “How’s six months?” “Fine.” Aurora looked away and Jess wanted to strangle her. She watched Aurora leave without a single glance backward at them. Jess turned slowly on Nic, steam rolling so fast out her ears she was sure her hair had frizzed another inch and a half. “Are you out of your mind?” “She was going to leave, Jess. I just didn’t think it’d be like this.” “What the hell are you talking about?” Jess pointed at the door. “Go after her.” “I can’t.” Damon scratched his beard. “You could.” Damon said the two words so thoughtfully, it broke through Jess’ need to wrap Nic’s tie around his throat and strangle some sense into him. “If you wanted to.” “Look at her thread,” Nic pointed at an offshoot along Aurora’s thread. “That’s why I erased everything. I knew this point would come and if neither of us remembered it would make it easier.” “Now both of you know and it’s made it hell.” “Exactly.”

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“Nic,” Damon got to his feet as he broke into the conversation. “For someone who pride’s himself in seeing the big picture, you’re refusing to look at the obvious.” “What’s that, Cupid?” “Love survives no matter what. Time passes, people change, the world still moves, but love is still there in the end.” Jess nearly fainted. The man was outrageously gorgeous and a poet. Her days as a single chick were numbered, she could feel it now closing in on her. And you know, it wasn’t such a bad thing. “Time bends, yields and twists on itself. Love is a constant. You know that as well as I do and no matter where Aurora goes or what she does, the love that’s there won’t change.” He clapped Nic on the shoulder briefly. “Okay that’s my speech. Do with it what you will, but remember, I’ve been Cupid long enough to see all the signs.” “We’ll see.” Nic gave a half smile. “Get back to work. I’m sure there are throngs of people waiting for your influence.” “One more thing, Nic.” Jess was halfway to the door when she reconsidered. “Keep your eye on Lucien. He’s after your job.” “Not the first time.” Jess figured as much. “You might want to it his last.” She put her hands on her hips. “I’m not sure you’re aware of this but Lucien LaVoy’s one and only desire is to get his slimy hands on your job.” She slid a glance over at Damon. “That and fire us once he’s taken over.” “Big desires for such a little man.” Damon’s laugh was oddly cold. A shiver ran down Jess’ arms. “Just a heads up, you know?” She headed out the door with Damon on her heels. “Don’t worry, it will work out.” “I’m not worried.” Damon wrapped an arm around her. “Yep, you are. Your whole body is worried.” Jess shrugged off his arm. “She’s a friend. In case you didn’t notice, I don’t have a lot of female friends.” “She’s still your friend. And I guarantee she’s not going anywhere.” “Oh I wouldn’t be too sure about that, Cupid.” Lucien slithered up beside them. Jess waited to hear the rattle from the snake’s tail. “It’s time to clean house at Immortality Incorporated, start cutting away the deadweight.”

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Damon scratched his chin with three fingers. His eyes narrowed slightly and Jess saw something there she hadn’t seen before in the fun-loving Cupid. The real, honest to God, no-shit, I’ll-rip-your-lungs-out-and-enjoy-doing-it biker boy. He was almost scary looking. His eyes turned silver. Hard as nails. And dickhead Lucien didn’t have a clue that he was in the presence of a mongoose. Jess wanted to clap her hands together and hoot the victory. But this would be so much sweeter, this way. Damon tilted his head. “Deadweight?” Lucien continued smiling. “I’ve noticed a lot of the Aspects aren’t living up to their potential.” “Ah, got a lot of spare time on your hands or something?” “I like to know what’s going on.” Jess couldn’t control herself. “Like spying on people, Lucien?” She stepped up and noticed Damon’s hand behind his back waving her off. Shifting her weight backward, a foot or so, she figured it’d be a good idea to stay out of his line of fire. “Why is that, LaVoy? Why do you like to know what’s going on?” “I enjoy being precise.” Jess bit her tongue hard. “I didn’t think Guilt was such a precise job. I figured you just spread it around nice and think and watched people wade through it.” Something flickered in the eyes of Guilt. Something dark and not too stable as far as Jess figured. “Insulting me won’t help your case, Damon.” Damon shrugged. “I guess this won’t either then.” Jess thought he broke the sound barrier. He moved so fast it looked more like a streak than a body in motion. Damon latched onto Lucien by the throat and shoved him hard up against the wall. Lucien made a weird gurgling sound as he struggled against Damon. Cupid’s response was to shove his forearm into throat and lock him in place. “Now that I have your attention, let me go over a couple of things with you.” He eased his grip on Lucien, but not enough the other man could do much. “First off,” Damon rotated his body so Lucien could see her and pointed. “Don’t touch her, ever.” Damon fisted his hand into Lucien’s mousey brown strands and yanked hard. “Nod your head, Lucien. So I know you heard me.” Lucien struggled, kicked at Damon and missed. predator’s edge. “Fuck you.”

Damon’s grin turned very toothy with a

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“That comes to my other point.” Damon released him so fast that Lucien doubled over gasping for air. “If you think you’ve got a shot in hell trying to get Nic’s job, I really, really want you to think about it hard. Because you won’t just be going up against Nic. You’ll be going up against me.” Straightening, Lucien eyes gleamed as he tilted his chin up at Damon. “I can’t tell you how much it frightens me.” Damon snickered. Turning his body halfway around towards her, she realized he’d shifted his weight to his back foot. Anyone, with half an ounce of street smarts, would’ve moved but Lucien seemed too busy enjoying his comeback. Damon rocked and his fist came at Lucien like it sprung from a catapult. He hit Lucien like a truck right smack dab in the center of his skinny face. Jess thought she heard a crack. With any luck it was the guy’s head snapping off. Then she realized the crack was Lucien slamming his head into the wall. Blood streamed down his face from his nose or mouth. Maybe both. “Did I make my point?”

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CHAPTER TWELVE

“Do you have a tape measure?”

Damon leaned against the elevator wall as he and Jess

descending the two floors down to their offices. He scratched his head and Jess caught the funny smile playing about his lips. “Don’t get any funny ideas. We’re not fucking in elevators anymore.” “Awww, it was fun though.” “So?” He scratched his head. “So what?” Jess sighed. The man had a memory as long as, no wait that thing was way longer. “Do you have a tape measure?” “Yeah, I think in the office somewhere. Why?” The elevator doors slid open. Jess stepped out and turned to lay her most seductive smile on him. She hadn’t actually had the opportunity to practice a seductive smile, but she figured a girl came by it naturally. From the glazed, horny expression on Damon’s face, it must’ve worked. “Get the tape measure and come to my office.” “What? Are you getting new blinds or something?” She tried not to giggle. “Or something.” Damon turned right and headed down the hall while Jess made her way to her office. She tapped in her key code on the panel and released the locks. She hit the lights, bringing them up to a soft glow while leaving the windows darkened. She went to her desk and used the palm identifier to bring up her displays of Desire around the world. She analyzed the data quickly and efficiently checking for anything out of the ordinary to pop. When it didn’t, she put her system on “Auto alarm” to buzz in only on an emergency. That done, she ran to her private bath and rummaged for makeup and some hair products. She was afraid to turn on the light because of her hair. She cringed when she looked at the rat’s nest on top of her head. Luckily, she still had a few precious drops of hair smoother. Squirting it into her hands, she smoothed it into her hair. With a comb, she managed to get her hair to tame down and even straightened out the wild curl a bit. Oh what she wouldn’t do for a flat iron. She found an eyeliner, some lip gloss and a light fruit body splash that she dabbed here and there. Smiling, she stepped away from the mirror. Damon wouldn’t know how hard she planned on hitting him until he was on his back.

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There might even be a bottle of champagne still in her mini fridge that she had left over from the New Year. That would work quite nicely. Jess scurried across her office to the mini fridge and came up with a bottle. She sat in on the counter and tore off the foil before she untwisted the wire. Her fingers worked the cork and popped the cork just as Damon strolled in. She hit the “do not disturb” on her alarm set and effectively locked them in. Damon turned as the door locked, then glanced back. His eyes glittered. “We celebrating something?” He walked forward to the counter where Jess stood and pointed his elbow at the champagne. “Maybe. Did you bring the tape measure?” He scratched his neck, then shook out his hair a bit. Raising the tape up, he grinned. “Here you go.” She didn’t take it, just took hold of the bottle of champagne and led him to the private section of her office. She used it to relax in when she worked late. A big, overstuffed sofa waited for them behind a beaded curtain. “Ah, Jess, you’re gonna seduce me.” Jess laughed, “Yep.” Sitting the champagne on a small end table, she made a grabbing motion for the tape measure. “Gimme.” Damon handed it over, a befuddled grin on his face. “What’s with the tape measure?” “I want to know exactly how much clearance I have.”

“Clearance?” Damon fell back onto the sofa when she pushed him. He loved it when a chick took control. Especially his. Oh yeah, he could feel the blood pulse down into his cock. Didn’t take much to get that rush of heat going when it came to Jess. He watched her play with the tape measure a minute but still couldn’t figure out how that played into his sex plans. “I don’t get it. What clearance?” Jess moved in a slow way that reminded him of a lioness moving in on her prey. Oh yeah, he liked this. He liked prey especially when he was the kill. She straddled him and rubbed the heel of her hand gently against his cock. “I want to measure your cock.” He choked. Caught somewhere between laughter and groaning in delicious anticipation, Damon dug his fingers into her ass. “You’re joking.” She shook her head. Leaning forward she pressed her tits into his chest making him go hot all over. Pressing a kiss against the corner of his mouth, she grinned. “I only have so much room in here.” She pointed at her mouth and then opened wide to expose all those sharp teeth.

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“Honey, we don’t have to do that if you’re not comfortable.” Damon rubbed his hands in a circular motion down her shoulders to the base of her spine. “I get my kicks just being inside you.” She slid down his lap and unbuttoned his jeans. “I want to. And I don’t want to bite you again. So, this way I’ll know.” When she took hold of his zipper, Damon tensed. He could hear the echo beat in his head as each tooth of the zipper released. It was all he could do not to tear her panties off and stick his cock so deep inside her she’d wonder what the hell she needed to measure. Damon tilted his head as he realized something. Did she even have on panties? They’d been in such a rush to get out of his loft, he couldn’t remember if she’d found them or if she put them on. He cleared his throat trying to get that image out of his head. “Uh, how do you know how uh, wide your mouth is?” “The dentist told me.” This time he did choke.

Reaching around her he grabbed the bottle of champagne and

swallowed. The fizz hit the back of his throat and practically danced around his mouth. “The dentist? Half of me wants to know how that conversation went the other half doesn’t want to go near that one.” “Don’t dentists measure your bite span or something like that?” “Oh hell,” he started laughing. She reached down the open front of his shirt and yanked his chest hair. “Hey!” He batted her fingers away. “I just don’t think that’s the reason the dentist measured your bite. I really, really don’t.” “You’re asking for it.” He nodded and flashed his best grin. “Oh yes, I am definitely asking for it.” He pried the tape measure out of her hands. “I think we’ll just skip this part.” “What if I want to know?” He arched a brow at her. Sitting the bottle back down he began unbuttoning her blouse. “You want to know how long my cock is?” She pulled his shirt free of his pants and started her own undressing. Her eager fingers sent sparks along his skin when she touched him. Jess pushed the material of his shirt away so she could run her fingers over his chest. “Yeah, so I can brag to all my friends later.” “Yeah, okay.” He leaned forward and whispered in her ear as he kicked off his work boots. “That work for you?” “Holy shit! I was right you’re a monster!” “Well, I wouldn’t exactly say that.”

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“Do they have contests for this sort of thing?” Absently she reached into his pants and began to stroke his cock. Damon hissed. Air burned his throat. “Contests?” “Mmm…” She peeled off her blouse and he got a delicious view of her small breasts inside a little lacey bra. “You know, see who has the longest cock, give out a trophy.” “Only if you’re judging.” She rubbed her hands together and smiled greedily. “Ooooh, that could be fun.” Rolling her off his lap, he growled. “That’s what I thought you’d say.” His fingers slid up her thigh. When his palms encountered the silky smooth skin, he squeezed her bare eyes hard. “I wondered if you forgot your panties.” “Oh yeah.” He yanked up her skirt so he could look at her pussy. He used two fingers to spread her pussy lips and rub her clit. Jess moaned low in her throat and Damon eased one finger deep inside stroking her hot, wet pussy. “God, you’re amazing. I love how you react.” “What happened to me seducing you?” It came out as a breathy sigh. “Um yeah, well…” “Take off your clothes.” “You want me to stop?” His fingers danced over her hard clit then rubbed and teased. “Shit, not really.” Jess pushed herself up and wiggled out of her skirt and bra. “But I want your clothes off.” “O…kay.” Hot, vicious lust stampeded into his cock as he watched her remove her clothing. She tossed most of it on the floor. With the lust came something hotter, more intense, so frantic that Damon didn’t recognize it at first. As he stood up and began taking off his own clothes, he began to understand the sensation wreaking havoc with his nerves. Love. Hot. Fast. Furious. And it was everywhere and everything all at once. When he sat back down on the sofa, all games were over. He wanted her forever. No more, no less. And he wouldn’t take no for and answer. Jess picked up the bottle of champagne and knelt over him as he sat down. “Let’s try this again.”

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“If you want it, you have to marry me.” She froze. Deer in headlights and for a second, Damon thought he’d made a critical mistake. “I know you want it. How could you not?” Damon lay back against the overstuffed pillows. He gripped his cock at the base and stroked upward, giving her a real good look at what she’d be missing. “Have I mentioned you’re a conceited ass?” He continued to show off his cock to the best of its long, hard ability. “Probably. I’m getting used to it though.” Jess slid up his leg, her tits brushing the hair on his leg before she poured champagne on his cock. An explosive of icy bubbly hit him and he was lucky he didn’t come. The flux in temperature had him howling in alarm. “Damn! Are you just trying to kill me here?” “Yes, slowly.” Jess put the bottle on the floor before her fingers wound around his cock. She licked champagne from his head and Damon threw his head back and arched his cock further into her mouth. She licked the champagne clean off. Sucking his head, she rolled her tongue around the tip and ridge until Damon thought he would simply die. With one hand stroking his cock, the other began to gently massage his balls. Damon’s fingers twisted into the fabric of the couch pillows as his body shuddered. It was fantastic. Tiny eruptions bounced through every cell from his neck down. He could barely see straight when he reached for her. “You gotta stop, babe. Cause when I come, I have to be in you.” She lifted her head, her eyes glazed over. He wondered if she swallowed to much champagne. “My turn?” “Oh yeah…” Damon pulled her up onto his chest. “How do you want it?” She laughed a little evil sound. “I want to ride you like a pony.” Damon threw back his head, tipped an imaginary hat, and shouted. “Yeehah!” Straddling him, she gripped his shoulders as her tight, wet pussy sheathed him hard and fast. Air evaporated in his lungs. She rocked her hips and his heels dug into the couch as he rose in the air. “Oh yeah, fuck me hard. I love it, Jess. Fuck me hard.” His hand wrapped around her waist to guide her up and down his shaft. Then his hands went up her back and around to where he worked her nipples into tight buds.

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Damon sat up and the angle created a new, wild friction along the length of his cock. He heard her gasp saw the light in her eyes and knew, she loved it. He licked her tits, inhaled the soft scent she had there before bringing his mouth to hers. The kiss was mindless. A storm of fire and lightning ripped through the night sky and hurtled toward earth reducing everything in its path to rumble. His tongue stroked over hers and tangled. So this was love? Damon had to admit, he never imagined anything so intense. He never saw this feeling ebbing or fading no matter how long they were together. He was still deep inside her when he threw his feet to the floor.

Jess legs locked around his waist. Her entire body seemed composed of flame. Each limb burning at a different speed, ranging more like a wildfire than a woman having the best sex of her life. Her pussy swallowed his cock greedily accepting his steel rod as if it were made for her. She squeezed her legs together tightly as he stood up, his hands supporting her butt and keeping his cock inside. Her pussy was so wet and hot she thought she’d turn into a volcano at any second and come in a screaming clawing rage. But Damon had other ideas. He rocked her back and forth, controlling the rhythm as he slid, hot and hard into her pussy. “I couldn’t get enough traction on the couch.” “Okay,” came out of her throat in a groaning pant. “I want you to fuck me some more.” He moved to an area rug on the floor. “I like you fucking me.” Control slipped away as Jess ground her pussy against his cock. “That’s good cause I want that too.” Damon held onto her with one hand. The other he used to brace himself on the table edge. “Hang on to me.” She gripped him tightly around the waist and neck. His strength amazed her. That and his balance, she whispered in his ear as he went into a crouch before dropping to both knees. “You into that Kama sutra?” Damon rolled her onto her back and began to pump hard. With her legs still wrapped around him, she could feel every inch of him as he plunged into her slick pussy. Sweat dripped off Damon’s long hair as it dangled in his face. She ran her hands over his tightly roped sinew arms and then down his muscled chest. She teased his male nipples as he fucked her harder, slapping his balls against the back of her pussy.

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Her universe tore into shreds. Lights dance across her eyes as her pussy clenched tightly drawing him deeper still. She took hold his cock in a vice like grip as she came. He pinned her arms above her head still fucking her not giving her a moment to catch her breath before he took hold of her and rolled. Suddenly, she was back in control. Her entire body vibrated from the explosion recoiling inside her. “Come on, babe. Fuck me. I want to make you come again.” Bracing her hands on his shoulders, she began a slow ride. He wasn’t a horse, the boy was a stallion, and she planned to ride him until she milked him dry. She was greedy. The storm inside her knew it, she could sense the wild thunderous clouds already building within as she worked his cock up and down, her speed building. “What about you?” Damon gritted his teeth. “Me? I’m good.” His breath was ragged and he sucked in air through his mouth. “I’m not coming till you say you’ll marry me.” Jess kept the speed, rocking in and out on his cock a few times before slowing to roll her hips on him. “I don’t think you can wait that long.” He nodded vigorously sweat dripping off his face. “Yeah, yeah I can.” “I already came, Damon. I can stop at any ol’ time.” Damon surged, plunging his cock stiff as a piece of steel deeply inside her throbbing pussy. That caught her in her own bluff as she bucked and thrashed as he continued to pump. “I can make you come at least two more times.” “Really?” Jess sounded giddy. Delirious was more like it. She had a hard time focusing. Her body had a purpose all to itself. “Yeah, really.” His eyes glossed over with the same haze she figured covered hers. “So what’s it going to be? Am I going home with blue balls or are you going to marry me and we both can come.” The storm crackled all around her. A tornado touched down. Damon’s body surged and withdrew. His hot cock filling her so deeply that Jess knew she’d never want another guy. Ever. And with that raging inferno came something so profound Jess held her breath as the first spasm shook through her body and laid to waste all thought of denying him. “Yes, oh God!” It roared through her taking her and turning her inside out. She rode him hard, watching his eyes as they captured her in some sort of mystique spell. “Oh God, yes! I will marry you. Keep doing this and I’ll get married naked. Anytime, anywhere.”

Cupid’s Desire

133

Damon rose up, bowing his body. He reached for her locking his mouth over hers as his hot seed spilled inside her. Jess enveloped him in her arms and Damon shouted, “Hot damn!”

THE END