Page 46 of Pandora's Pleasure

Once, when I was sunbathing in our back garden, a drone had flown over and taken a snapshot of me in my bikini by the pool. The photo had appeared soon after inThe Inquirer. Privacy was a rare privilege for people like us.

Damien strolled over to a wall panel and pushed a button. The windows went dark. “Now we have privacy.”

“No one can see in?”

“No.” He shrugged out of his jacket and threw it over a corner chair.

“I’m glad we’ve called a truce.”

He folded his arms in ano we haven’tpose.

“Then what are we now, Damien?”

“You tell me.”

“More than friends?”

“These are the rules while we’re here together,” he said, ignoring my question. “You never discuss your family. We don’t ask any favors of each other…ever. We forget the outside world. Most importantly, we’re honest.”

“I can do that.”

He glanced at the necklace. “Want me to begin?”

“Begin?”

“Where did you get it? And don’t lie to me.”

I crossed my arms. “I have my own rules.”

He raised his hand to stop me from saying anything else. “Don’t bother. Withthataround your neck you have no say.”

My hand snapped to the key at my throat. “This is who I want to be.”

“You have no idea—”

“I have some idea.”

“I ought to take you home right now.”

I pulled the straps of my gown down and let the material fall in a pool around my feet, then stepped out of it, reaching back to undo my bra. When I’d removed it I threw it down on top of the dress, standing before him in only my panties.

His harsh attention raked over me as he straightened to his full height, as though he was preparing to intimidate me.

I waited for him to say something.

When no words came, I slipped my fingers beneath my thong and eased it off my hips, slowly wiggling the panties down my legs and then stepping out of them.

I stood before him naked now.

Damien’s eyes locked with mine as he walked closer.

A shudder ran through my body when he loomed over me. Leaning in, he dipped his head to my throat, capturing the key pendant between his lips and sucking it. His daring sensual act stirred lust-fueled memories of our journey here in his chauffeur-driven car.

He wasn’t touching me, but he was close enough for me to feel the power dripping off him. Still suckling on my necklace, his soft cologne teased me, hinting of things to come.

Finally, he let the pendant drop from his mouth. Stepping back, he tilted his head, his eyes narrowed on me, assessing my reaction. “What happens now, Pandora?”

I have no fucking clue.