Risk Taker Read online

  “Not much. I have laundry to do, a paper to edit, and I need to iron my gown for graduation. I need things I left at Damon’s house, and I want to read the next few chapters of Bound.”

  “Oh, I love that book,” Mom says. “I tried to get your dad to read it, but he wasn’t interested. What about you, Damon? Are you interested?”

  “Katarina and I are reading it together. We have our own private book club. We meet on Wednesdays to discuss the week’s chapters, and I find the story interesting and the characters familiar,” he says to my mother as he looks at me.

  “I bet you two have some interesting conversations. How is Emma? I haven’t heard from her in a few weeks. I hope she’s okay?”

  “She’s seeing a man named Anthony. You’ll meet him at our graduation.”

  “Is she still selling her time, or has she given that up now that she’s graduating? How does one put ‘professional escort’ on a résumé?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe ‘excellent interpersonal skills’ or ‘flexible scheduling’?” I could sell anything. “She closed up shop as soon as she and Anthony became an item. Damon has been friends with him for a while, and says he’s a good guy, so I trust that he is.”

  “That’s good to know. She’s like a daughter to me,” Mom says.

  I hate to leave, but there’s so much to do.

  “We have to head out, Mom, but I’ll see you next Monday.”

  We say our goodbyes and head home. Damon looks relaxed and carefree.

  “What did you think of my family?”

  “I love your family. I can see why you are you. They lay it out there. Your brother is funny, and I’m happy to invite him to the grand opening. Is he dating anyone? I only ask for invitation purposes.”

  “Thanks for clarifying. I’d hate to be tossed aside for my brother,” I tease. “He’s not a dating kind of guy. He’s still in his trying-everyone-out phase. One day he’ll find the right guy and settle down, but until then, I think we can all agree he’s a man-whore.”

  “How did you get to twenty-three unscathed?”

  “My mom said to take care of myself, and if I give myself to a man, I should make sure he’s worthy of me. I wish I could say the first two were, but I don’t lie. I had nothing to compare their worth to until I met you.”

  “Let’s go by your place and get some of your things so you can stay with me. The last two nights have been amazing, and I don’t want to be without you. What do you say? Bring your laundry and your gown. My housekeeper can take care of all that for you.”

  “You have a housekeeper?”

  “Yes, she comes in Monday through Friday. If you stay tonight, you can meet her in the morning. She’ll be thrilled to have something else to do.”

  “How many of your sleepovers has she met?”

  “I don’t have sleepovers. You’re the first and only woman who’s been in my house besides my mom and Claire, the housekeeper. It’s like my tree house. Entrance is by personal invite only.”

  That comes as quite a surprise. I’m the only woman who’s slept in his bed, showered in his shower, and sat at his breakfast bar. I smile, knowing that for whatever reason, I made it on Damon’s VIP list.

  “Where did you have sex before me?” I hope he doesn’t say in the booth at a restaurant. I want those moments we shared to be something special, not something he does with all the girls.

  “Mostly hotels, sometimes their places. Back then, it was purely physical. Now it’s for survival. What do you say? Will you stay?”

  “I’ll stay if we can revisit the scarf and heels?”

  “Deal. I have a few ideas for those.” He waggles his brows in a comedic gesture.

  “I was thinking about the book. What would you say if I wanted to try some things from it?” Experimenting with Damon doesn’t scare me.

  “I told you earlier I’m always open to experimentation. Just don’t ask me to abuse you.”

  “There’s no risk of that, but I thought we could write the things interesting to us down on a piece of paper and put them in a bag. Each time we meet, we pick one and try it. What do you think?”

  “I’m in. We have about one hundred and fifty pages left in the book, so let’s agree to do fifty pages a week so we can finish in three weeks.”

  “Are you in a hurry?” I ask.

  “Yes, I want to get to the little pieces of paper.”

  I shake my head. “I don’t know how I ended up at this place with you, but I’m glad I’m here. The day you picked me up for the hospital benefit, you looked right through me. I didn’t think you found me attractive at all. What changed your mind?”

  “I looked over and saw the most beautiful woman dressed in red, and you took my breath away. When we entered the car and your dress rode up your leg, I was speechless. You have incredible legs. I stared at you all night, wondering what it was about you that was different.”

  “Did you ever figure it out?”

  “I have a theory. I think the universe brought you to me. All sorts of things happened to put you in my path, and I can’t ignore that. Have you wondered why you haven’t met the right person yet?”

  “Because I was waiting for you?” My answer sounds more like a question than a statement. “I think we’re meant for each other.” We sit in contemplative silence for the duration of the trip.

  At my house, I pack a few things and leave a note on the table for Em. I tuck Bound into my bag before we go.

  Snuggled on his tan leather couch, he reads Bound while I put the finishing touches on my term paper.

  He startles me when he jumps up and races to the kitchen, only to return with two pens and two notepads. He slides next to me, and I watch him write note after note, folding each in half when he finishes.

  “Are you having fun yet, Mr. Noble?”

  “Not yet, but I plan to once we start our book review. I’m warming up to your idea of doing things by the book.”

  “Should I be scared?”

  “You should be terrified,” he says, repeating the words I told him earlier. The corners of his mouth tip into a smile.

  He closes his book and leaves me to read on my own while he checks email and makes a few phone calls from his office. Forty minutes later, he’s back with two glasses of wine and a sexy smirk.

  “How’s the book coming?” he asks. “Did you read anything interesting?”

  I pick up a handful of notes to show him how busy I’ve been. He disappears and returns with a Ziploc storage bag. Placed in the bag, our sexual fantasies are zipped tight for future use.

  “Let’s go upstairs. I ran a bath and thought we can enjoy it together before we go to bed.”

  Bubbles pop and candles flicker while I sip my wine and relax against Damon.

  “I want to do this every night with you.” He cups a handful of water and drizzles it over my breasts. “Move your things in and share my world.”

  Who is this man behind me? Two months ago, he didn’t date. He didn’t have relationships, and he wasn’t looking to have someone share his world.

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say, yes. We’re good together.”

  “I’d love to say yes, but I can’t. Not right now. I need to give Emma time to find a new roommate and figure out what I’ll do to support myself. I’ve barely gotten used to the idea of being your girlfriend.” I turn to face him, but water sloshes out of the tub, and I stay put. “There’s nothing I want more than to be with you every minute of every day, but I’m not willing to give up my space yet. Let’s compromise. We can stay here several days a week and stay at my place several days a week. We’ll take one day each week to be on our own. I don’t want you tiring of me.”

  “I’d rather have you here with me every day, but I’ll take you any way I can get you. Is there room in your closet for a few of my suits?”

  “I’ll make room.” What will it feel like to have his suits next to my dresses? Sharing closet space is a huge step.

  We d
ry off and enter the bedroom. On the bed is my red scarf. My head swings to where he stands, and I realize ‘go to bed’ didn’t mean ‘go to sleep.’ He tugs at the towel, and it drops to the floor, pooling around my feet. Naked except for a smile, he takes me to the plate-glass window and stands me in front of it. On the floor next to my feet are my black heels. I step into both and take my place in front of the window with the trees and starry night as my backdrop.

  “Do you remember the day at the Mongolian barbecue place when you trussed yourself up to tease me? Let’s see how strong this scarf is.”

  I follow his directions and raise my hands while he creates a knot only a Boy Scout would know.

  His torment begins at my shoes and ends at my mouth. God bless the book club.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Good afternoon, Ms. Cross. Head on in, he’s on the phone, but I’m sure he’ll be off in a minute. I ordered you both Asian chicken salads. I hope that sounds okay.”

  “It’s perfect, Greta. You’re the best.”

  Inside Damon’s office, I walk to the table where lunch sits and take a seat. He continues with a contentious call. His brows furrow while his lips stretch into a grim line. His face is red, starting as a shade of pink at his chin and ending blood-red near his hairline.

  The vein that runs down the center of his forehead pulses, which means he’s furious. When he sees me focusing on him, he swings his chair and gives me his back, but I can still hear him yelling under his breath.

  “I told you to stop calling me. I’m not interested. Go to hell, Mara.” He hangs up and growls.

  Mara … shit. I didn’t expect that, and by Damon’s expression, he didn’t either.

  “Should I leave? Do you need time alone to calm down and think?”

  “No. If you left, I’d be more stressed. Let me kiss you, and I’ll be fine.”

  The minute our tongues meet, I know staying was the right decision. My hands stroke his shoulders until he relaxes beneath my fingertips.

  “I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t see you every day. I want you every minute. When we’re together, I think about you. When we’re apart, I’m obsessed with you. Tonight will be a living hell not being able to spend the night wrapped around you.”

  Tonight is Chinese food with Em. “It’s good to spend time with our friends. Why don’t you call Anthony and hang out? If Em is with me, that means Anthony is by himself.”

  “You’re right. I know you need your space.”

  “I don’t need space from you, but I need to see my friends. Why don’t we plan on having dinner with Emma and Anthony soon? That way, we won’t have to live without each other at all.”

  He hangs his head. “I’ll call him after our lunch and make plans.”

  After lunch, I finish my day with Trevor and head home for girly time with Em.

  “Is he a show-er or a grower?” she asks as she serves up the Chinese food.

  We haven’t seen each other in what seems like weeks, although it’s only been days.

  “Definitely a grower.”

  She shoves a piece of orange chicken in her mouth and talks around it. “I love a grower. You never know what you’ll end up with.” She swallows and continues. “It’s like those little sponge animals that become massive once you add water. With a show-er, it’s all out there, and often it’s never as good as it looks. Has it been good?”

  “We’re basically living together because we can’t get enough of each other.”

  “I got you, girl. It’s the same with Anthony and me. Let’s gorge on Chinese food and compare notes.”

  The situation with Damon and the call I walked in on has been bothering me all day. I called Em as soon as I got to my desk. Who better to ask than my bestie? When she answered, I gave her the details and asked, “Do you think I should worry about this girl named Mara?”

  “You said he yelled at her and told her he wasn’t interested, so I wouldn’t worry. Besides, he’s with you, not with her. You should ask him about her. You have a right to know.”

  “Do I? I’m not sure I have a right to his past when all I’m interested in is his future. What’s that saying about opening a can of worms? I don’t want to unleash something I’m not prepared to handle, or he’s not ready to deal with.”

  “Don’t be a coward. She’s the can of worms that placed herself and the can opener on his table. She has no place at your table.”

  Em has a way with words that confuses me and inspires me, but she’s right. There is no room for Mara in our life.

  We snuggle on the couch like we did as kids. She hogs the blanket, and I lean on her shoulder.

  She picked the movie Dirty Dancing because it’s one of our all-time favorites. The final dance scene always makes my heart flutter.

  Damon doesn’t text, so I contact him once I’m ready for bed.

  Hey, sexy, what are you doing? I missed you tonight. I wish you were here. I’m climbing in bed to read Bound and thinking of you.

  All my love,

  Katarina

  I expect to get a return text right away, but I don’t. Twenty minutes later, Em knocks on my door.

  “Come in.”

  The door opens, but it’s not Em who enters. It’s Damon, and he moves lightning fast toward me.

  “I can’t do it. I don’t want to suffocate you, but I want to be with you every chance I can.” He sits on the bed. “I got your text and drove right over. You said you wished I was here. I’m here.”

  “I’m glad. Climb in bed. It’s late, and we have work tomorrow.” I yawn before saying, “Before I forget. Should I worry about this Mara girl?”

  “No. She’s my past. You’re my future.”

  Trevor and I are swamped with menus, accommodations, transportation services, and invitations. These things are like time vampires and suck you dry.

  I race to Damon’s office at five, ready to discuss book club and pick out a slip of paper from our naughty bag. Did he write the same things as I did? It wouldn’t surprise me. The longer I’m with him, the more I realize how alike we are.

  “Are you ready to go?” I ask, skipping into his office.

  “Yes. Let’s grab a pizza on our way and eat in your bed?”

  “Pizza in bed?” It’s not our norm, but variety is good. “I can do that. We also need a bottle of wine because I’m celebrating. Tomorrow is my last day of school.”

  “We have lots to celebrate, like school ending, your graduation, book club, the opening of Ahz, and our relationship. Life is good, Katarina.”

  We pull up to my curb less than an hour later with a large pizza and a bottle of merlot.

  Inside Damon’s coat pocket is the naughty bag.

  “I want to pick the first time,” I say. “You can pick next week, and if this turns out to be too much fun, we’ll pick more often.” The thrill of the unknown ripples over my skin like fire.

  “Okay.” He opens the trunk and pulls out a plain brown box.

  “What’s that?”

  “Some of my suggestions need props. I ordered items that may come up.”

  “Now you’ve piqued my curiosity. Should we skip the pizza and dig right into book club?” I race to the door, unlock it, and beat him to the bedroom.

  “Not a chance.” He closes the door behind him. Setting the pizza on my dresser, he flips it open. “You’ll need sustenance. Eat first and read later. To prove I’m flexible, you can choose your poison before you eat.”

  He holds up the bag, and I reach inside and grab a scrap of paper. Written on it is the word: Bondage. I crumple it and throw it away.

  “Hey, you can’t throw away the ones you don’t like. That’s not fair.”

  “It said bondage. We’ve done that already. I want to try something new.” I reach in for another and pull out a note that says, ‘Watch Katarina pleasure herself.’

  “Oh, my God, Damon, really?” I toss the paper at him and give him a suspicious look.

  “I’m so excited you got
that one. The odds were in my favor since I wrote it over twenty times.”

  “You cheated!” He tipped the scales to his side. Damon is a man that always gets what he wants.

  “You didn’t outline any rules. You said to write the things I found intriguing in the book. The subject was discussed, and it’s at the top of my list. You also didn’t put a limit to the number of times we could write something down.”

  “Fine.” I strip down naked and sit cross-legged with the pizza box open and lying against my chest, but each time I close it, I give him a peek of what’s coming.

  “Do you want a slice? It’s hot and steamy and waiting for you,” I tease.

  “What are you doing?” He reaches into the box to get a piece.

  “I’m having fun. You wanted to watch, right? What’s in the brown box? Anything I should use?” I pick the toppings off one slice and move the pizza box to my dresser.

  I open the brown box and find everything under the sun inside it. The items range from handcuffs to vibrators. Reaching in, I grab exactly what I need to make my man’s fantasy come true.

  I honestly didn’t think I could do it, but when I looked into his eyes and saw the anticipation, I couldn’t let him down. As I come down from my high, I snuggle and ask, “Was it everything you thought it would be?”

  I’m embarrassed in the aftermath. It was bold and wanton, but Damon makes me do things I never considered before.

  “It was more.”

  We settle into bed and talk about the book.

  “What did you think about this week’s chapters? What about the scene with the beads?” I didn’t think people used things like that.

  “Nothing shocks me more than what you did for me just now. It shows if someone cares for you enough, they’ll go out on a limb. I thought for sure you’d flat-out deny my request.”

  “I thought so too, but I couldn’t refuse you when it would cost me so little. Love has a strange way of giving you courage.”

  “Thank you for leaving your comfort zone.”

  “I left my comfort zone the day I met you.”