The Seduction Game (14 page)

“Do I really have to wait in this long line?” she asked, pouting.

He gave her a head-to-toe sweep and without saying a word, he unclipped the rope from the pole beside him and let her in. Kate could hear some women voice their indignation behind her and she felt a twinge of compassion for them. No doubt they’d been waiting a long time.

“Thank you,” she purred as she slinked her way by him, trying hard not to grimace in shame.

Kate was hit with attention the moment she entered the club. Lewd attention. And she didn’t like it. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in one of the floor length mirrored walls and her stomach burned with humiliation. She needed to hide in the bathroom for a few minutes if she was going to get through the next half hour. And a half hour was all she could stomach. Anything more than that and Adam would have to carry her home.

Adam. She was sure he wasn’t too far behind her, watching her, observing her. Her embarrassment grew.

She made her way past the thick crowds, ignoring the wolf whistles directed her way, the ogling men, the leering smiles, until she pushed her way through the bathroom doors and practically collapsed on the counter. She couldn’t even bring herself to look in the mirror.

“Love that dress,” said a brunette wearing the tiniest skirt and top next to her. “Where did you get it?”

Kate dabbed some cold water behind her neck. “My…my sister picked it up. I’m not sure where she bought it.”

“I love it.” The woman smiled.

“Th…thank you.”

Kate smiled politely and made her way out of the bathroom. She needed a drink. She caught a glimpse of Adam through the crowd and her heart jolted at the look on his face. He was clearly not enjoying this. Tearing her gaze away from his irate features, she made her way to the bar and ordered a white wine. Even the bartender gave her a long, lascivious look and she decided she had had enough. Where was the appeal to bad girls who got this kind of attention, she wondered? There was no pleasure in it, no pride. She placed her glass on the counter and was about to get Adam when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and stared at a ridiculously handsome man whose healthy tan and gold chains made her think of an Italian movie star. Kate tensed.

“Hello, you beautiful woman you,” he drawled.

Kate offered him a brittle smile. “Hello.”

“It’s okay for you for me to talk.”

He was clearly not from around here. Her unease grew as she tried to think of a polite way to excuse herself.

“You are virgin, yes?”

“I beg your pardon?” she asked, nearly choking.

“Virgin. Me, I am Lion.”

Relief washed over her. “Oh, you mean a Virgo. And you’re a Leo.”

He flashed her a smile and she was nearly blinded by his white, immaculate teeth. “Yes. You and me, we dance, yes?”

Kate shook her head. “No thank you. I…I have to go. Er…enjoy your evening.” And she brushed past him in the direction of where she’d last seen Adam.

Her research was done. Nice girl Kate ten. Bad girl Katrina zero. Nice girls received the pleasant, appreciative looks and engaging conversations. Bad girls got everything lewd and lascivious.

Katrina may have garnered more attention, but it was the kind of attention Kate could do without. She looked around for Adam and came face-to-face with a man she never had any intentions of ever seeing again. She went cold.

Simon. It was bound to happen, she thought ironically. In a city of eight million people, she was bound to run into him again.

His hair was thinner and he’d put on a bit of weight, but he was still the same Simon, with his clear blue eyes and dazzling smile. Only this time he was clearly drunk.

He stared down at her, recognition flooding his expression as shock turned into disbelief and then approval. Kate mentally willed Adam to come to her side.

“I can’t believe it! Kate, is that you? You look absolutely stunning.”

“Hello, Simon.” She ignored his compliment. It figured he would find her attractive as Katrina. “Long time no see.”

He swooped down and hugged her. She kept her arms at her sides as she tried to squirm away from him. She hated the way he pressed his body close to hers. He withdrew after a few seconds, oblivious to her disinterest.

“What have you been up to?’ he asked, smiling that same smile he used in college. Somehow, coming from a grown man with thinning hair and a slight paunch to his belly made it less attractive. “What a silly question. I hear you’re doing great. Your books are a big smash.”

“Yes, they are,” she replied coolly. “Look, Simon, it was nice seeing you again, but I really have to go.”

He gave her a sheepish look. “Sweetheart, I know you’re still angry with me, but you don’t know how hard it’s been trying to get you out of my mind.”

Her stomach turned. “Oh? Was that before or after your first child?”

His expression turned smug. “Been keeping tabs on me, eh? Don’t blame you. I know we had something special.” He took her arm and eyed her breasts. “Maybe we should get together sometime? You know, for old time’s sake.”

She wrenched her arm away from his hand as anger bubbled in her chest. “I don’t think so. Where’s Miranda?”

He shrugged. “At home.” He ran a hand through his blonde hair. “My God, Kate. I can’t believe how much you’ve changed. You look incredible.”

Kate felt physically ill and she wondered what she ever saw in him. “I’m still the same person, Simon. I’m just wearing my hair different, have make up on, and I’m wearing different clothes.”

“I like it.”

Had he always been this shallow and she’d never realized it? Kate felt weary, tense, and uncomfortable all at once. She wanted Adam to take her home. Adam. Just the mere thought of him made her feel secure. “Go home to your wife, Simon.”

He took her arm and pulled her towards him. She struggled against his sweaty hand. “Come on, Kate. I know you still want me. We can continue where we left off.”

“Let me go, Simon. You’re drunk and you need to call a cab and go home.” He didn’t let go and she started to panic.

Before she knew what was happening, a large hand grabbed Simon by the collar and hauled him away from her. She didn’t question who that hand belonged to.

“You heard the lady.” Adam snarled. His energy was primal and he seemed ready to snap. Kate gasped at the white hot fury on his face.

“Who the hell are you?” Simon demanded.

“I’m a guy you don’t want to mess with.” And without saying another word, he took Kate’s hand. “Let’s go.”

He led her out of the club as Kate scrambled to keep up with his quick pace. Once they got into his car, she took one look at his face and saw the fury of a caged animal darkening his handsome face.

“That was Simon,” she said in a small voice.

“I know. I heard you mention his name.”

“Thank you for coming to my rescue.”

He tossed her a dark look and remained silent.

“I don’t know what I ever saw in him,” she murmured, almost to herself.

“It wasn’t your fault. You were young. We’ve all made mistakes.”

She noticed him turning off a road that didn’t lead to her house. “Where are we going?”

“My place.”

A different type of tension settled over her. “Oh.”

Adam’s penthouse was spectacular, decorated in black and chrome with huge windows overlooking the city. She glanced around, admiring the leather couches and expensive art on the walls.

She walked over to a painting of the ocean and admired its beauty when she heard Adam. She turned around to face him.

His expression was intent, determined, as he took her chin gently. “Lips as beautiful as yours are not meant to be covered.” He proceeded to wipe off the burnt red lipstick with a linen napkin. Kate stared up into his handsome face. When he was done, he tossed the napkin on the floor by his feet, took her by the shoulders, and looked deep into her eyes.

“Kate, I don’t know what men want, whether it’s the nice girl or the bad girl. All I know is what I want. You.” He lowered his head.

The kiss was gentle and she closed her eyes as he drew her into his arms. She didn’t struggle. She wanted this. Kate sighed as she lifted her arms up along his arms, around his shoulders, to the back of his neck, stroking his hair. She heard the deep, almost inaudible moan from his throat, and a thread of excitement darted through her veins.

He deepened his kiss as he ran his hands over her back and lower, cupping her bottom to press her against his evident arousal. A tremor ran though her body.

She felt like every part of her body was alive for the first time in her life and she pressed up harder against him. This time he groaned and she opened her mouth and his tongue meshed and mingled with hers. She moaned. Being in his arms was perfect. It was right.

And then he was carrying her to his bedroom. He removed her clothes in the moon’s glow. Kate knew she wasn’t model thin or perfect, and a stab of insecurity swayed her. Her hands went up to her breasts, but he stopped her.

The look on his face made her forget everything she’d been thinking about. “Don’t. I want to see you,” he said hoarsely.

And then he was naked too and she nearly gasped at the magnificence of his muscular body. Her gaze went lower, to his male sex, and she felt the first spasm of fear. She had only known Simon in her life and there was no comparison. Her expression must have clearly shown her thoughts because one look at his face and she caught the mixture of pride, desire, and need etched along his handsome planes.

He took her hand and brought her to his king-sized bed. He lay down beside her as his hands trailed paths of heat over her flesh. He stroked her body and trailed hot kisses along her neck and shoulders. He caressed her breasts and she trembled with desire. Kate arched her neck, gasping at the sheer pleasure. With a deep, profound need she didn’t know existed in her, she ran trembling hands over his broad shoulders, his chiseled arms, and then lower, to a part of him that seemed draped in satin. His groan was almost primal, and she shivered despite the warm penthouse.

“Kate, I can’t wait. I’ve waited too long,” he said as he covered his body with hers. And she didn’t want him to wait either.

She wanted to be one with this man. She loved him. Kate ignored the sadness that threatened to disrupt this wonderful moment. She didn’t want to think about tomorrow and squeezed her eyes, as if in pain.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked, concern flooding his features as his hands framed her face.

She nodded. How could she tell him what was on her mind? She loved him and wanted to be with him tonight and all the tomorrows as well.

He nudged her legs apart and settled between them. With his hands still framing her face his head came down and he kissed her with a passion that stirred her soul. Kate felt like she was being swept away, far from civilization, away from this life to a place where only she and he existed. She wrapped her legs around him and felt an almost desperate need to fill the throbbing need in her lower belly.

He filled her and she gasped with pleasure. He stiffened, his passionate gaze darkening with deep concern as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and arched her body to meet his.

“I’m all right. Don’t…don’t stop,” she said, gasping.

They began to move in harmony.

Thoughts of tomorrow still threatened to dull her pleasure, but she fought them, feeling another more powerful emotion taking over. Need.

He bent his head and his mouth covered her breast, taking her crest in his mouth. A dart of electricity ran from her breast to the lower part of her body and she clung to him, convulsing in a series of passionate spasms. She dug her nails into his shoulders and stiffened. She cried out as wave upon wave of ecstasy washed over her.

With a final thrust, he threw his head back and groaned as he spilled his seed inside her.

They held each other as their breathing subsided.

“I’m crushing you,” he said as he slid to his side, taking her with him.

She laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes. She didn’t regret a single moment of this. She loved him, and for the first time in her life, she felt beautiful.

And as they slowly drifted off to sleep, she couldn’t help feeling how much more wonderful this would have been if he had told her he loved her.

* * * *

The next morning arrived with sunlight streaming through his bedroom window. Kate opened her eyes slowly. Disoriented, it took her a few moments to realize where she was, and she turned to her side. Adam’s side was empty and the events of last night sped through her mind. She felt a sense of loss, staring at his pillow. She glanced at his night stand clock and saw it was nearly six in the morning.

She had to go to work! She leapt out of bed and looked around the room. Her clothes were folded on a chair by his dresser. She felt a twinge of pleasure, picturing him folding her clothes neatly. And then she saw it. A paper resting on top of her dress. She padded over to it.

I went to get us breakfast. Be back in fifteen minutes. Feel free to use the shower and anything else you need. Adam
.

She smiled. So he hadn’t left her. Warmed by this thought, she showered and changed into her bad girl outfit, trying not to let the distasteful scene with Simon last night ruin her good mood. She heard Adam returning. Smiling, she went to the living room.

Kate froze. It wasn’t Adam. It was that blonde woman from the other night who’d been talking to Adam when Kate had gone out as the nice girl.

Noelle Devereaux. His ex-girlfriend.

The blonde stopped dead in her tracks and gave Kate a look that made her cringe.

“Who are you? Another playmate for Adam?” she asked scathingly.

Kate wanted to hide. She took in the blonde’s white Capri pants and print wrap top and could just imagine what she looked like in her leopard print dress. “I’m a…friend.”

Noelle laughed but it didn’t sound warm or friendly. “I’m sure you are.” She sauntered into the room, looking around. “Hm. I miss this place.” Lightly, she touched a ceramic vase as she came further into the room. Her blue, hard gaze fastened on Kate. “I have his keys, you know. He never asked for them back when we broke up. I’m sure because he knew our separation wouldn’t last.” She was standing in front of Kate now. “Do yourself a favor, honey, and leave. I saw him with you the other night when we were reconciling and, believe me, you don’t want to embarrass yourself more by being here when he returns and he sees you here with me.”