Page 42 of Indiscreet

CHAPTER ELEVEN

I covered my hand with my mouth as recognition swept over me. It was the same as the band Liz had worn on her wrist when last I saw her, when she warned me to stay away from Dane, Elliott, and The Agency. Was she also given a proposition she couldn’t refuse? “Why do I need to wear that?”

“The wristbands and locks are temporary,” Dane said, displaying a small key in his palm. “It’s engraved with my identification number and can only be unlocked by me. It informs any member that you can’t be touched without my consent. It tells them that you belong to me.”

My eyes flicked over to him. Something intense flared through his calm exterior and made a tingle flutter through my chest. The magnetic attraction I felt for this man hadn’t diminished. Being his had stimulated more interest, and that would be my undoing if things continued to go wrong. I needed to collect my senses and approach this situation with some perspective. Therefore, I leaned back into the cushions and lifted my chin. “I understand the seriousness of the situation, but I’m not your property.”

His nostrils flared. “To remain safe here, you will have to be. The men and women permitted on this cruise agreed to be kept by elite members of The Agency.”

I grimaced. “Liz had one of these on, and I know she wasn’t looking to be a ‘kept’ woman. She has her own business…” My voice trailed off. Just like me.

I got caught up in my thoughts and Dane waited. When I looked over at him again, his expression had turned thoughtful.

“Neither did Angel, for all I knew of her. I believe I’m getting close to answers. That means I need to follow their protocol and not do anything out of the ordinary. Until I can make you safe, you will need to be permissive.”

Permissive—the same word I had spoken to him what seemed ages ago. Too much had happened in such a short amount of time. Nonetheless, I knew I would submit to his proposed arrangement for nothing more than my own self-preservation. He was the devil I somewhat knew, and from all he claimed, he had been trying to help me. Besides, I wasn’t a child. I could handle following his plan, even sex. Hopefully I could handle getting closer to him and keep my emotions intact—and my life. After all, this wasn’t a game. Angel was gone and could be hurt or dead. I was going to do whatever it took to survive.

When he held out the band toward my wrist, I allowed him to lock it in place.

Dane exhaled deeply. A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips. “Would you forgive me if I told you it arouses me to own you?” He lifted my wrist, and I had no way to steady my pulse as he pressed his lips over the lock. I had no chance to hide from what he did next. His gaze swept over me from head to toe, noting the telltale signs of my body warming, anticipating his touch.

The shortness of my breath.

The swollen points of my nipples jutting out through the fabric of my shirt.

The shift of my legs to cover the inner clench of my sex, which already craved the thrust of his cock. Maybe it was the roller coaster of emotions that had swept through my life since he came into it—that, along with the memory of how good it had felt when we were together that first and only time. I couldn’t let myself get caught up again. Though his plan would make it harder to keep my distance, I had to. From what Dane had said, he’d devoted years to finding his Angel. She was branded on the skin of his back; she was his love. I would pretend so he could keep his search for her on track, and then he would return Perfetto to me. We were each a means to the other’s ends.

As casually as I could, I eased my hand back and stood up. “What now?”

He rose from his seat. “It’s late and you should rest. I have to go out for a while. I’ll have room service brought to you.” He was at the door when I called back to him.

I licked my lips. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to be resting up for.”

“I need to make sure no one questions you being here,” he answered. “You’ll need to learn how the women invited here operate.”

“And how do I need to act?” I asked.

“You’ll just have to do whatever is asked of you,” he said, a small smile on his lips. “Obey me in all things.”

I rolled my eyes. He thinks it’s that simple.

His lips twitched. “None of that or I’ll spank you,” he teased.

I rolled my eyes again and covered my grin with my hand. “Seriously, I’m not used to taking orders.”

His face softened. “I understand. You’re beautiful when you smile—I’ll have to keep one on your face as much as I can.”

He closed the door behind him and I sat there for a while, staring after him.

***

Neither Elliott nor Dane had come back, but I did find there were three bedrooms in the suite. I paced for a while, and the television had plenty of shows and movies. I tried to watch them, but I couldn’t relax, so I decided to take a shower. When I returned to the bedroom, I found a face mask and a dark silk robe had been left for me to put on. My own clothing was removed, and a note was left that it had gone to housekeeping. My battery had died in my phone, but I wasn’t getting any reception when I turned it on now anyway—more things to discuss with Dane when he returned. There came that flutter in my stomach at just the thought of being with him. I had to stop this insanity, stay focused on the way he’d hidden the fact that he was buying my company. He had chosen to let me think he was innocent so I would be open to his attention. Nevertheless, he promised to make it right. Still, what was going on and what was to come made me wary.

When I returned to the living room, I was still alone, but there was now an array of foods left in heated trays for me to eat. My stomach grumbled on cue. Though my nerves were still making me feel queasy, I forced myself to have some soup and a salad to keep up my strength. Afterward, I went into the bedroom and lay down. The ship was so large, I didn’t feel anything but calmness on the water, and even with the turmoil going on inside me, I rested.

I was roused some time later by the bed dipping on the other side. I tried to remain still. Dane. Opening my eyes revealed his carved muscles in the soft recessed lights I hadn’t turned off. He was naked and so close that I could smell the aroma of his body wash. My pulse jumped and pounded so hard I could feel it in my ears. I tried my best to remain calm and still.

My lips parted. “We’re sleeping together?”

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