Page 57 of Indiscreet

I bit the inside of my cheek. It was clear he still wasn’t ready to do so. “I hope you find her.”

He smiled. “Let’s not talk about that. I’ve been meaning to tell you I started a sculpture of you.”

My lips parted. “You did? I’d love to see it.”

His smile was innocent. “Yes. You inspired me. I started it after our first time together. I couldn’t stop thinking of you. Maybe…maybe I can get you to sit for me one day, once things are settled with your company.”

“I’d like that,” I said, and I meant it. “I can honestly say I’m looking forward to getting back to work, if thinks work out.”

“They will,” Dane assured me.

I sighed heavily. “Good, because I can’t lose Perfetto.”

“This is all for your company?” he asked, moving me into his lap.

“Dane,” I whined, but I relaxed against him, and he laughed.

“I forget I should ask to touch you, but I just get a feeling and go for it.” A small smile formed on his lips. “Now tell me more about why you’d risk everything for your company.”

“Honestly, I hadn’t thought I’d ever need to,” I replied. “But I wouldn’t just give it up without doing everything I could to save it. It was always my dream to own my own company. I studied business in college and was at the top of my class. Even with all that, I started small. I worked every position. I wanted to know what it felt like. I sat in on every hire. I wanted to build a community in my team, and that’s what it is. The investment each employee puts into Perfetto warms my heart. It’s more than a company—they are my family.”

He cocked a brow. “You’re passionate, and an idealist.”

“I am,” I agreed unapologetically. “That was the thing that saved me in politics, before Patrick went wishy-washy with his policies. He wanted to change the world for the better. He wanted to make the state of Washington the model for the country of what could go right if we all worked together.”

“I suppose a lot of people start with dreams and find themselves compromised,” he said softly. “I’ve been fortunate in that my family has wealth and good stable investments, but I hate what my father did to get that wealth, and I try to do things differently. I try to support startups and help small businesses.”

I chewed on my lip. “Do you think Vincent will leave me alone?”

“He won’t have a choice,” Dane assured me. “When we port, Elliott will take you off the ship. My lawyer will handle the rest. It will all work out.”

I nodded and yawned.

“You’re tired,” he said, scooping me up. “Let’s go to sleep.” He laid me on the bed and sat down on the edge.

I gently touched the broken skin on his back. “Was it painful?”

“It was, but there was pleasure too,” Dane replied softly.

“Will you be okay?” I whispered when he placed me on top of his warm body.

“Don’t worry about me,” he said kindly. “You leave, and if I disappear, it means it’s even more dangerous for you. Don’t look for me.”

A pang went through my chest. That wouldn’t sit right with me.

Right then I knew I wouldn’t just walk away. I’d try to take Dane with us when it came time to go.

***

The pounding on the door pulled me out of sleep. The night seeped through the blinds, prompting me to turn on the lamp to see. I was alone in bed, and from a brush of my hand over the cold sheets next to me and the silence and lights out in the suite, I knew Dane and Elliott had left and may have been gone for a while. Where they’d gone, I didn’t know. I expected they’d gone to smooth things over with Vincent after the confrontation the previous night.

The whole night hadn’t been lost though. I touched my face and smiled. Me, Gia Ruiz, having sex with two men—and not just any two men, Dane and Elliott. Both men were dark, gorgeous, and sexy. They exuded masculinity and had an innate presence that demanded attention. Dane had a cool elegance to his polished veneer and charm while Elliott was rugged, bold, and bodacious. When they were with me together, they were supportive, caring, and protective. When we were intimate together, I couldn’t get enough of the carnal way they commanded my body and the ease of our time together afterward. When I had doubts, Dane looked after me. Whenever Elliott was around, he showed me kindness, and at times, raw passion. They never gave me the feeling that they were uncomfortable or jealous sharing me in bed. They had me wanting to see and be with them both again. Could I? Maybe once all this was resolved.

The knocks came again, calling me away from my reminiscing. I climbed out of bed and put on my robe then padded out of the bedroom to the front door with my mask in hand. When I went to reach for the doorknob, I hesitated.

Who would need to come to the suite right now?

I decided to ask through the door. “Who is it? Is there something wrong?”

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