Beneath His Sheets

Four

She owes me. That thought hit me the moment I woke up. But she was gone. Nowhere to be seen. Normally, I’d be fine—happy, even—to wake up alone after a one-night stand. But the empty space beside me stung. I wanted to see her again. I didn’t even know her name. Stupid, really.

I jumped out of bed, shrugging at the thought of her. Just another woman, I told myself. I’d forget her face soon enough.

I could still taste her on my lips. Right after I devoured her, she’d collapsed against me. Maybe I’d been too rough, but I couldn’t help it. Sweet, warm, and moaning my name—the memory made me smile. How she blushed, how she pouted… she still owed me.

And if I ever saw her again, there’d be no playing around.

~*~*~*~*

I went home to shower, wake up properly, and get ready for work.

One of my maids was organizing my closet. I barely acknowledged her and went about my business. I called Tof to push back my meetings; I wasn’t making it in.

“Yeah, sure,” he said. “How was the candy wrapped in silver last night?”

I scowled. “F*ck off. I’ll be there in twenty.”

“You took her to Vista Serene? That’s the first time—”

“None of your business.” I hung up.

Another unknown number appeared on my phone. I ignored it. Passing down the hallway, another maid twisted to hide her face. Her neck bore badly hidden hickeys. Good for her, I thought.

I stopped for a moment. That faint floral scent—pleasant, familiar—wafted from somewhere nearby. Then I kept walking.

~*~*~*~*

“You stole millions from me, and you want me to give you another chance?” I lifted my eyes from the crying man in front of me.

“Do I look like a fool?”

“He sure is making you one,” Tof muttered.

“Please, Mr. Valentini—”

“On top of that, you groped a woman last night.”

“What?” The man’s face was a mess of snot and panic.

“That was him?” Tof mumbled.

A deep horn blasted from an approaching shipping vessel. “I guess your ride is here.”

“Please, Mr. Valentini! Forgive me! I won’t do it again! Don’t kill me! I won’t bother you again! Please!”

I smirked. “I’d rather kill you—then I’d know for sure I won’t see you again.”

I let Tof deal with him. Screams of agony echoed as I walked to my car.

“You kept me waiting, Dame,” a sultry voice said.

“Sorry, sweetheart.” I pressed a kiss to her neck. Her perfume was sharp, lingering.

She latched onto me as I drove. By the time we reached my driveway, her mouth was on my shaft. I held her head down until I released, rolling my head back. “Ah, f*ck.”

“Now me, let’s go.” Denise hopped out.

I froze for a moment. Denise’s gaze had drifted behind us. Four men flanked a limo on each side. “Ah, s**t,” I muttered. “Is this a setup?”

“No! I swear I didn’t know he was going to be here,” Denise stammered. One of his men opened the door.

“Jacob, baby!” She ran toward him with arms wide.

Jacob Mayers—late forties, five-foot-one, dating a twenty-six-year-old model. When I first saw Denise, I didn’t know she was with him. She’d always insisted they weren’t serious. I didn’t care. I only wanted a quick f*ck.

Jacob grimaced when she kissed him. He probably smelled me on her. That made me smirk.

“I guess everything’s a joke to you, Mr. Valentini?” Jacob’s voice was sharp. He ordered his men to usher Denise into the limo. “Can I have a word with you?”

He approached with short, precise strides, looking up at me.

“You can do anything you want—taint my name, threaten me, even run for mayor and replace me—but don’t ever, ever sleep with my girl again. This is your first and last warning.”

I chuckled, brushing my hand through my hair. “Sure. Keep her on a short leash. I’m not the one begging for more.”

He didn’t like my retort but smiled anyway. “I’d be cocky too, if I didn’t have someone to protect. I hope I never see you around her again. Goodbye, Mr. Valentini.”

I watched his convoy leave. Cocky little son of a b*tch.

Back at the mansion, someone peeked out the window, but quickly retreated.

~*~*~*~*

Madam Eve greeted me at the door.

“Would you like dinner?”

“That would be good.”

She took my coat. “You’re alone tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“Huh.”

“What?”

“Nothing. This happens once in a blue moon, Damien.”

I shook my head, smiling. “Don’t start with me, Evangeline.”

She’s been with me since I was a boy. Mom trusted her to take care of me. Even when I cut my father out of my life, she stayed by my side.

“I’m not starting anything. Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes. Where would you like it?”

“My veranda. Also, bring me tea.”

“Chamomile for better sleep. Go now.”

I went to my room and showered. While brushing my teeth, her words echoed in my head: “You look adorable.” My dimples appeared. Adorable, my ass. I shook my head and finished my business.

Dinner was served. Two maids attended—one fixing my plate, the other brewing tea.

“I lost my appetite. Just the tea, thanks.”

The plate-fixing maid looked reassured and left. The tea maid trembled slightly.

“You can just leave the pot. I’ll pour it myself. That’ll be all, thanks.”

She didn’t speak, just nodded, placing the pot on the table. The faint floral scent lingered—clean, delicate, familiar. I paused, a flicker of recognition tugging at me. Where had I smelled this before?

“Stop!” I called. For some reason, I wanted to ask her about it. “Come back for a minute.”