Page 5 of The Perfect Deception

She’s shaking her head, ready to give me another reason why she can’t go even though she wants to. But I know how to work her.

A few well-placed kisses and she’ll be putty in my hands.

“You know Francesca, the best way to tackle a problem sometimes is to take a break from it. You’re too close to it, especially after everything with your house and the cameras. A break will help. I promise.”And I can guarantee that no murders will happen while we’re out of town.

“A man with answers,” she purrs. “How sexy.”

I slowly kiss down her body. “And how can you possibly turn down a charming, sexy man?”

Her back arches, pressing her body closer to me, teasing me. “You promise not to take me somewhere crazy like Paris or Milan, right?”

I chuckle, pulling back just enough to take her in. She’s playful, completely unaware of the weight between us. “You know most women would jump at the chance to go somewhere like that?”

She shrugs. “I thought you knew, Damien. I’m not most women.”

“You most certainly are not.” I lick a trail of heat down her belly to her hipbone. “But you also haven’t said yes. Yet.” I ease a finger into her cunt, watching the emotions play across her face. Pleasure. Desire. Want. Need. Hunger.

“No. Fair.” She moans as I add another finger.

“I only want a few days away with you.” I flick my tongue against her clit. “How does wine country sound?”

“Delightful,” she whispers. “I like wine.”

“And I like you. A lot.” Using my fingers and my mouth I bring Francesca to a swift and fierce orgasm. She nearly suffocates me, but I take it, hell I encourage it.

“Fine,” she answers breathlessly when she can finally form words again. “Wine country. Three days. No more.”

“Deal. I’ll take care of everything and then I’ll pick you up from work around noon.” It’s all coming together perfectly.

Three days away with Frankie is just what I need. Just whatthe planneeds.

“Damien,how did you pull all this together so quickly?” Frankie looks at me like I’m a fucking superhero instead of a monster and each time she flashes that blinding smile my way, I want to do more things, bigger things so that she always looks at me like that.

“This was the simple part,” I assure her as we climb the steps that lead to my private jet. “All I had to do was call the pilot and give him a flight plan.”

“And the rest?” Her eyes are bright with curiosity and joy.

“Well, the rest is a surprise. Would you like a glass of champagne, or do you want to keep the wine theme going?”

“Since you’re the maestro of this orchestra, you pick.”

“I do love that answer.” It’s true, I love that she’s so willing to follow my lead, to obey my commands. “I think we should start with champagne to celebrate. Besides, I don’t want to taint the getaway with my incredible wine selection.”

She licks her lips, staring at me before a sexy, melodic laugh falls from her lips. “Aren’t you modest?” Her playful side is as intoxicating as her sexy side.

Fuck, it’s all her sides that I like.“Modesty is overrated.” I didn’t get to where I am in this world by being modest. In fact, my confidence, my arrogance is what makes me such an appealing and intimidating figure. It’s how—in part—I’ve kept the press from digging too deep into my long-buried background.

The flight to Napa Valley is quick and Frankie’s excitement doesn’t wane when we check into the hotel or join a tour of the best vineyard in wine country. “This place is really beautiful. So different from the hustle and bustle of L.A.”

“The perfect getaway without actually getting too far away.” It’s not my favorite destination, but a man has to work with what he’s given. “Now the question is, are we doing the full tasting?”

“Hell yeah! And you can teach me everything you know.”

I am completely captivated by the look on her face. “You ever had a crush on a teacher?”

“No,” she whispers as we hang near that back of the tour group. “But I might crush on myvinoinstructor right now.” She loops her arm through mine, and we whisper and laugh together as the tour guide tells us all about the grapes and the temperature, the harvest and everything else that goes into making a damn good bottle of wine.

“And now it’s time for the tasting. The half tasting is up here, and the full tasting is down in the cellar,” the guide announces with a pleasant smile, ushering the group to make their choice.

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