Page 44 of Sinclair Duet

We said good night to the hostess who opened the large wooden door. The night sky high above was dark and the air chilled. Lampposts illuminated circles of light upon the sidewalk.

“I don’t live far,” she said, taking a step away.

Her skin was pebbled with goosebumps.

“My car is at your condo. I’ll walk you home.” I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close. “If I had a suit coat, I’d wrap you in it.”

“I meant to bring a sweater,” she said, not fighting our closeness. “I guess I was thrown off by Johnathon’s arrival. I expected you.”

“Was that all that threw you off?”

She craned her neck upward. “You know it wasn’t.”

That was good.

I wanted Gabriella to be thrown off, off-kilter, or more accurately, I wanted to be the one to steady her. Ella stopped as we turned the corner to her street. My Lamborghini Huracán STO was parked on the street a few doors down from her condo. Yes, I remembered that she liked this car. It’s a few years old, deep red, and sleek.

“How did I not see that before?” She turned to me. “Pulling out the big guns to impress, I see.”

I pulled her closer against me, shielding her from the cool night air. “In full disclosure, I’m wearing jeans to keep the big gun where it belongs…until it’s time for it to make an appearance.”

Gabriella

“Thank you for walking me home,” I said as I fished the house key from my handbag.

Damien peered around at the other houses on the street. All of the condos were designed in the image of old brownstones, tall and slender, each one unique enough to differentiate where one ended and the next began. Trees with baby leaves rustled in the breeze. Distant sounds of televisions and music seeped from open windows that glowed with interior lights. Despite the cool temperature in this climate, this was the time of year when many opened their windows at night. The warm days could quickly elevate the temperatures on the second floor. Having an open window at night made for a fresh, comfortable, and cooler bedroom.

Placing the key in the pocket of my dress, I turned and leaned against the door.

Damien lifted one hand to the doorjamb, his body blocking me from the street. Heat radiated off him in intoxicating waves.His deep timbre caused the small hairs on my arms to stand to attention. “How well do you know your neighbors?”

I shrugged. “Some better than others.”

“How well do you want them to know you?”

Tilting my head, I pressed my lips together, uncertain of his meaning.

“You could invite me in.”

“Invite you?” My smile grew. “Tell me, are you now a vampire?”

His lips pursed and his eyebrows quirked.

“Vampires can’t enter a house without—” I shook my head with a grin. Ignoring the vibration within me, my mind overpowered my need for passion. “Never mind. I think it’s too late. Remember, I have a meeting in the morning, and to be honest, this day has been longer than I expected.”

His free hand came to my waist as he leaned closer. Millimeters separated our bodies. Our breaths mingled as he stared into my eyes. “I could lift this dress right here to find out if you’re sincere about the partnership.”

My breathing hitched. “Damien, no.”

“I won’t pull the dress all the way up.” His words and phrases created a mind-altering cadence. “In case you obeyed, I don’t want anyone else seeing your perfect pussy. I just need to lift it high enough to brush my fingers over your flesh and find out how sincere you are...”

I slid my upper lip between my teeth as my flesh warmed.

“Tell me, Ella, will I find your pussy bare? I hope you didn’t shave it bald for me. I meant what I said about fucking a woman, not a child.”

“Daaaamien.”

“I could stop there, just a brush over your sensitive cunt, or I could delve between your folds.”

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