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When I reach the house, I don’t bother parking in the garage Instead, I leave the Jeep in the circular drive and use the key code to enter the house Though we have a butler/valet/all-around general house guy, Gregory does not live on the property On the contrary, Da a salow on the eastern portion of the property that will becoory But I like being alone with Damien a whole lot more

I take the stairs two at a time, then race into our closet, which is reallyroom For thatthe entire space is bigger than the efficiency I lived in for one seainst the back wall, and a single code unlocks all of them I punch it in, then pull out the black velvet–lined drawer that holds the various bits of diaht now, thatnecklace that he bought for me e attended a charity function

Soave ether is in this drawer, but usually it is exactly where it is now—on lance, everything appears as it should Then I realize that there is an additional piece of black velvet in the drawer I runhidden beneath

I grin, because I know damn well that I have found the prize

I peel the velvet back to reveal a strand of pearls and a pair of silver nipple rings, connected by a serpentine chain My body flushes with desire and iven me the pearls in Germany and put thes, he’d introduced me to those in the condo I used to share with Jamie, and I’d been astounded by how much my body responded to the intense sensation of not only the constant pressure onwhen Dathat both of these things fit in perfectly withthat I want Darateful whenod

The last thing in the drawer is an envelope that was underneath the jewelry I take it out and open it to find an airline itinerary Not a ticket, as that’s not necessary for ato this, we’re leaving for Nassau to a puddle jumper to an island resort called Serafina Spa Retreat We’re staying there three nights, then returning hoh with pleasure Damien took me to an island for part of our honeymoon, and while it was heavenly, the location was remote—just the two of us in a small cabin on an otherwise uninhabited island Perfect for a honey the world

But I can’t deny that a spa sounds absolutely delicious, as does three nights on an island with Da else delicious in e, and so I do that quickly, ulti myself in my favorite white, fluffy robe Then I move into the bedroom and put my phone on the mattress beside me I put it on speaker, and dial Da

“Where are you?”

“At hoe of interest in his voice

“But I’ I’m with you,” I say “Tell me, Mr Stark, is the privacy screen up?”

There is a pause before he answers, and when he does, the heat in his voice is unmistakable “It is now”

“Close your eyes,” I tell hi the first ti ine h?”

He says nothing, and I take that as acquiescence—a sign that that he is willing to surrender toslowly over your slacks Closing , Mr Stark” My voice is breathy, and it is all that I can do not to slip s “Are you hard?”

“Very”

“I know I can feel it Can you feel ingdown your zipper and slip my hand inside Do it,” I whisper

“Jesus, Nikki”