The Prince of New York (Book 4 of the Forbidden Series)

8

It had been two days since the night Dane had gone out clubbing. Nadia had been surprised to wake up and find the girl already gone in the morning. She did not question him about it, it was not her place to after all, and besides, he had been very busy working. Dane had spent the next two days from dawn to late night polishing his songs to prepare for recording. He had agreed to begin recording two weeks from Monday, and the deadline was rapidly approaching.

Nadia spent her days taking calls, booking an appointment, and rearranging dates to satisfy his coming recording schedule. She found herself making meals as he seemed to frequently forget to eat while focused on his sheets and instruments. Sometimes she would sit in the living room listening to him compose. She didn’t think he noticed her really, but she found the process to be quite interesting.

Nadia watched him from across the room thinking about their night together. He didn’t ever seem to notice she was around let alone let on that he ever thought of her. She had spent a lot of time over the past two days thinking about her proposal. She was tired of her life the way it was.

She was tired of being afraid and closed off. She wanted to move on and couldn’t do it alone. Nadia needed a violent shove in the right direction, and since Dane was the only man so far not to make her skin crawl, he was the man for the job. Besides he was unlikely to expect anything from her or push her into something she wasn’t ready for. There was no better man for an unattached no strings relationship. Just someone to help her get used to a man’s touch. To help her push past her crippling anxiety.

Only Nadia had no idea at all how to present such an indecent idea to this man. She felt blush red just thinking about it. She had tried a few times when she brought him something to eat. She would open her mouth to speak and then shut it again too frightened that he might laugh at her or reject her.

But tonight, they had tickets to the ballet. Tonight, she would do her best to make her proposal. She had dressed in the elegant green gown he had bought her, knowing how he expressed favour for it. It would take some doing to feign confidence in this backless number, but she would do her best. Nadia wore her hair pulled back off her face in heavy curls down her back laced with a set of small pearls she had.

When she met Dane at the door he was breathtaking in his custom black tux with off-white vest and cummerbund; a matching white scarf draped around his neck. “You look beautiful.” He said as she reached the doorway.

Nadia blushed feeling more than exposed in her dress; she fought the urge to cover up. “Thank you kindly. You too look dashing.” She said awkwardly.

Dane offered her a disarming smile, walked over to the closet and opened the door. “I have something for you.” He said reaching inside. “The night air can be a bit chilly in backless gowns, so I have come to understand. So, I took the liberty of picking this up.” Dane said removing a white fur wrap from the closet. Nadia was speechless as he came to stand behind her and draped it over her bare shoulders. “There we go, the perfect finishing touch.”

“Thank you.” She smiled. “It is beautiful.”

“Shall we go?” He asked offering her his arm. Nadia laced her arm with his and felt like a princess as Dane led her down to the town car waiting on the street. They climbed into the car, and Nadia found herself unbelievably eager she could not sit still. “Have you ever been to the ballet?”

“No,” she admitted, “I have seen some amateur recitals and watched the Nutcracker on TV at Christmas, but that is about it. I could never really afford to go.” She smiled. “Yet you just receive free tickets in the mail it hardly seems fair.” She teased.

“Well, it just so happens that I know the lead dancer. The tickets were her compliment. Otherwise, I usually pay for my tickets as well. However, my family does have a personal box at the theatre. We often take in the ballet or the opera. We believe it is very important to be well rounded in the arts. You can’t call yourself an artist if you are ignorant to the vast verity of artistic expression there is out there past and present.”

He never ceased to amaze her. Dane was surprisingly cultured and refined when he wanted to be. A man of grace and poise. “I am sure I will love the show.”

“I am sure you will.” He agreed. “The lead ballerina is an exceptional dancer. The rest of the company is very accomplished also.”

“How do you know her?” Nadia asked wondering if this woman could get in her way this evening.

“She is my aunt through marriage, although she is no older than I am.” He grumbled.

His aunt, the woman that had left him for his uncle. Nadia couldn’t help but feel intrigued at the possibility to see the woman that had started the war between the Son of Sin and the Prince of New York.

When they had arrived at the ballet, Dane escorted Nadia inside. She felt important draped on Dane’s arm as they walked through the theatre mingling before the show began. They were speaking to an elderly couple when Nadia spotted Dane’s mother approaching with her arms wide open. She looked stunning in her long red gown with her red locks pinned up top her crown, and a magnificent diamond necklace around her neck. At her side was an older man with salt and pepper hair and lines of age on his face. He was much older than she was and yet still carried himself with the strength and agility of a man twenty or so years younger than he was. Taking a good look at him, he looked very much like Dane.

Kat hugged her son hello and then hugged Nadia as well. “I am glad to see you came.” She smiled. “And that you didn’t bring one of those barroom hussies you are always traipsing around with.” She said smiling at her son.

“Yes, well it would not have been fit to do so,” Dane said humouring his mother.

Kat grinned and patted his cheek lovingly. “Wise boy. Nadia let me introduce my husband, David.”

He took her hand and lifted it to his lips placed a soft kiss to the back of her knuckles. “A pleasure darling. My wife has told me good things about you.”

Nadia blushed, she could see where Dane got his charm. “And Dane has raved about you as well Sir.”

David smiled that same devastatingly handsome smile Dane had mastered, and Nadia realized that the similarities between father and son were uncanny. “Have you met our daughter yet?” David asked waving to another couple who was speaking to some other patrons. They said their good-byes and swiftly came over to join the small group. Nadia recognized the man in the tux from the poker game the other night. He smiled and nodded hello and David placed his hand on the young woman’s shoulder. She was beautiful with her flame red hair and her piercing green eyes, the spitting image of her mother. “This is Layla our daughter and her husband Alexander, whom I believe you have already met.”

Nadia shook their hands and said hello then she spotted the tall man coming up behind them. He must have been six-four or taller, long, lean and muscular. With ebony hair and the same piercing green eyes that could pin a girl from across the room. He looked like sin incarnate in his finely tailored tux. He walked with a confidence that radiated an animal magnetism. He came up behind Kat and placed his hand on her shoulder. “It is time to go in.” He said.

“Of course.” Kat agreed. “Oh, Damien this is Nadia, Dane’s new assistant. Nadia this is my little brother Damien.”

He held out his hand to shake hers and Nadia smiled at him, but when he smiled back, she instantly knew why his conquests of the fairer s*x had been so successful. “A pleasure Nadia. Good to see you, Dane.” Damien said looking at his nephew.

Dane simply glared at Damien. Taking Nadia by the arm, he ushered her toward their seats. “I don’t want you speaking to that man,” Dane ordered as they reached their seats.

“Why not?” She asked taking her seat. “He seemed very nice.”

“Of course, he does,” Dane muttered taking the seat next to hers. “And the next thing you know you are in his bed.”

Nadia laughed, was he worried that she would fall head of heels for his uncle and go to bed with the man? “I don’t think so. He is married after all.” She pointed out.

“Like that would stop him.” Dane scoffed.

“Well, it would stop me.”

“He can be very persuasive,” Dane said bitterly.

“Not that persuasive.” She assured him. “Besides my interest lay elsewhere.” She said as the lights lowered and the curtain rose. She tried to hide her smirk as she noticed Dane look at her out of the corner of her eye. It amused her to think she had gotten a rise out of him, but he would have to wait until the intermission to do anything about it.

The show began, and the dancers were fabulous. Nadia spotted the lead as she came out on the stage. She was very small with her tiny slim dancer’s body, dark hair and bright almost silver eyes. She was very pretty, almost angelic in appearance. An ironic bride for a man who was more likely to bear horns than a halo. As Dane had predicted she was an accomplished dancer and the show was riveting.

Nadia looked over at the box where Dane’s parents and uncle were seated during the performance. Damien’s eyes never left the stage, and the look she saw in those emerald depths almost made her believe. He looked like a man utterly in love, nothing at all like the philandering scoundrel the tabloids had painted him as. If they could be wrong about the Son of Sin could they have also been wrong about Dane?

Nadia casually glanced over to Dane wondering if he too had been painted worse by the scandal sheets than he was. Nadia watched the light and shadows from the stage dance across his rugged features. He was the picture of male beauty, and she resisted the urge to reach out and touch him.

***

She was watching him; he could feel her eyes on him. Dane had millions of people watch him thousands of times, but this was the first time that it made him anxious. Why was she looking at him? And what had she meant by her interest lay elsewhere? Where? Why did women speak in riddles? Any other woman and Dane would have taken such signals as a green light, but with Nadia, he was completely out of his depth. The usual rules did not apply to her. She did not react in predictable ways.

He could try to hold her hand, and she might slap him. Ironically, he felt like an inexperienced kid again trying to feel his way through a first date awkwardly. It was infuriating. He hated this feeling he was usually so suave and collected. Intermission had finally arrived, and the audience was offered the chance to stretch their legs. Dane offered Nadia his arm, and she accepted lacing hers with his and rested her hand on his forearm. Dane led her out into the open halls where the other patrons had begun to gather.

“Are you enjoying the show?” He asked steering her away from the majority of the crowd.

“Yes, very much. Thank you for bringing me. I know you could have brought a date but didn’t.”

He smiled and placed his free hand over hers. “An actual date would have only ruined the experience. I learnt a long time ago not to bother most of the women I date tend not to enjoy this sort of thing and quite frequently don’t have enough common sense and class not to be an embarrassment. Much better to go stag.”

Nadia offered him a shy smile. “If you don’t mind me asking, if you think so little of these women and find them so unsatisfying why do you bother with them at all?”

Dane laughed out loud; she was naive. “Because I’m a man.” He answered honestly. “I have desires in the bedroom, and these girls fill them nicely. When you want to get freaky, you need a freaky girl if you get my drift.”

“But that is not the type of girl you want?” She asked referring to the reason he usually attended functions without dates.

“You are right. In my personal life, I would much prefer a lady of class and intellect. Someone charming and beautiful that I can enjoy the wonders with.”

“But that’s not the type of woman you want in bed?” Nadia asked with a raised eyebrow.

Dane chuckled awkwardly. “No.”

“Your desires are rather contradictory.” Nadia pointed out.

“You are right.” Dane agreed with amusement. “But if ever I could find a woman that was the best of both worlds I would slip a ring on her finger so fast.” Nadia laughed at that. She had a lovely laugh, spirited and not dainty and fake like many.

“Don’t say that too loud or you may find yourself bombarded by hopeful posers.” She suggested with a stunning smile.

“I shall keep my voice down in the future.” He whispered ushering her off to a quiet corner.

“Your family seems very nice.”

“They are good people.” He agreed glancing over his shoulder to see if anyone was watching. It appeared that no one, in particular, was focused on them or in their general direction. The coast clear Dane reached for the doors that led to the access halls meant only for the staff. Dane slipped through the door and pulled Nadia into the access hall with him. It was empty, and he was thankful for it as the door close behind them.

“What are we doing?” Nadia asked surprised by their sudden duck and hide tactic.

“Something juvenile.” Dane grinned pulling Nadia into his arms.

Nadia’s hands were flat against his chest, and she stared up at him with shock. “Dane, what are you doing?” She gasped with surprise.

“I am going to kiss you and likely get myself slapped.” He warned her dipping his head low capturing her lips with his. She tasted sweet like strawberries and cream. A delectable dessert he couldn’t wait to eat. Dane braced himself to receive a hard slap to the face but much to his surprise Nadia returned his kiss.

Her arms laced around his neck and her soft body pressed against his setting his desire on fire. Nadia returned his kiss, matching his desire and passion. Dane laced his arms tight around her waist and pulled her hard against him feeling her soft curves align with his body. He wanted her so badly he could take her right here.

Dane backed Nadia up against the wall his hands moving down over her firm ripe bottom. He groaned with the need to possess her. His loins were aching. Her hands moved down his back trying to pull him closer against her as their tongues danced and duelled. Dane pulled away forcing distance between them.

He glanced back at Nadia who was leaning against the wall her chest rising and falling with her unsteady breath. Her eyes burned with a lust that rivalled his own. “Why did you stop?” She breathed, her words music to his ears.

“If we keep touching like this, I’m going to take you right here and now,” Dane said trying to calm his breathing. “We still need to make an appearance for the second half, and we don’t want to wrinkle your dress.”

She looked momentarily disappointed which made the urge to take her all the harder to resist. “But…” She began to protest.

Dane placed his finger over her lips to silence her protest and leaned in close to whisper in her ear. “I will make you a deal. If when we get home, you still want me. I will make love to you until dawn.” He promised and noticed her shudder with anticipation. It was a favourable response he had not expected but welcomed provided she did not later flip out on him like a mad woman. Dane then stepped back and looked at Nadia. He reached up and brushed a wayward lock of hair off her face. Deciding she was presentable, he opened the door and took Nadia’s hand leading her back out to the main halls

He took Nadia’s arm and laced it with his casually escorting her back through the crowd. They stopped to talk to a few people and then returned to their seats for the rest of the show. Once the house lights had dimmed and all eyes were on the stage, Dane casually reached over and took Nadia’s hand in his. He did not normally hold hands, but he wished to keep Nadia interested long enough to get her home. Her reaction so far had been far more favourable then he had expected.

Nadia smiled at him a few times through the duration of the show. She looked beautiful sitting next to him. So elegant in her dress, she looked nothing like the plain little thing in baggy sweaters that had rear-ended him at the beginning of the week. They sat quietly until the end of the show. The audience rose and applauded the dancers. The house lights came up, and people began to file out of the auditorium. Dane looked up and saw Damien and his parents talking to an elderly couple. They looked as if they might be a while. It gave him the chance to slip backstage and speak with Eve without Damien around. Dane escorted Nadia out to the main halls and found his sister and Alexander. They started talking and then Dane excused himself leaving Nadia with his sister, claiming to return shortly.

Dane slipped down to the rear doors of the stage and pushed them open. Backstage was cluttered with dancers and stagehands. Dane strolled through the crowd looking for Eve. He found her seated at a row of well-lit vanities. When Eve spotted him in the mirror, she jumped up from her seat and threw her arms around him. “You came.” Eve cried happily. “Damien said you wouldn’t.”

“I couldn’t miss your first show.” He said hugging her back. Eve stepped back and looked him over. She was still beautiful like the day they had met.

“Wow look at you, you have filled out over the years. You look amazing.” She said with a smile. “I hear you are a heartthrob now. Breaking hearts all over town.” She teased.

“I do try.” Dane grinned noticing how happy she was.

“Have you seen Damien yet? Have you two talked?” She asked hopefully.

“Yes.” He answered leaving it at that. He didn’t feel like going into their interaction further. “You look happy.” He observed hiding his disappointment. Part of him had hoped she was miserable with Damien and that she had regretted leaving him but her bright smile and the glimmer of joy in her eyes told him that wasn’t the case.

“Oh, I am,” Eve said beaming. “The boys are doing so well, and Damien is taking me to Paris next month, and I just got my first performance. What more could I ask for? I have never been happier.” Looking into her eyes, he believed her.

She was truly genuinely happy, and he couldn’t go through with his intention to seduce her. His mind wandered back to Nadia who was waiting for him in the lobby with no idea of what he was doing at this moment. She was so sweet and trusting, and here he intended to act like his uncle. To do the very thing he faulted Damien for.

He couldn’t go through with it; he was better than that. “I’m happy for you,” Dane said offering her a weak grin.

“What are you doing? Is there someone in your life?” Eve asked.

“No one in particular,” he said, “but I should get back to my assistant. I left her with Alex and Layla.” Dane hugged Eve promising to see her again soon. He then headed back to the main halls to find Nadia and head home.

When Dane found Nadia, she was no longer with his sister. Layla and Alexander had wandered off, and Damien was entertaining Nadia. Dane was too far away to hear what Damien was saying but whatever it was brought a smile to Nadia’s face and caused her to laugh. Annoyance boiled up inside him at the sight. The last time Damien had spoken this way to a woman Dane had been interested in he had lost her moments later. He was not about to lose twice.

Dane stormed over and grabbed Nadia’s hand possessively. He glared at his uncle with years of rage. “Once wasn’t enough?” He barked.

“Excuse me?” Damien asked surprised by the sudden hostility.

“You already got Eve. One of my girls wasn’t enough you got to move in on another?”

“I’m not moving in on anything,” Damien argued.

“Liar,” Dane growled shoving Damien.

Damien’s eyes narrowed in infuriation. “Don’t shove me boy or I’ll lay you out.” He warned.

“Go ahead and try, I knocked you on your ass once, and I’ll do it again.” Dane snapped advancing on him.

“You got a lucky shot in that’s all. It won’t happen twice.” Damien growled back.

Nadia rushed between the two feuding men. She placed her hands on Dane’s chest trying to restrain him and hold him back. “Please stop. You are causing a scene.” She begged. Her pleas drew Dane back to his senses, and he looked around noticing that a crowd had formed around them, and some people had begun to take pictures. Their altercation was likely to be the latest scandal to hit the tabloids. He could already hear people whispering.

Dane took a breath and regained his composure. He then looked at Nadia. “We are leaving.” He ordered turning and heading for the door. Nadia was on his heels trying to keep up. Dane burst through the doors out into the street and looked around for his town car. He spotted Felix and waved the car down. As the car pulled up, Dane opened the rear door and rushed Nadia inside. He got in after her and slammed the door. “Home Felix.” He barked and pressed the button to raise the partition.

“What was that about?” Nadia demanded.

“I told you not to speak to that man.” Dane snapped.

“You can’t tell me who I can and cannot speak to.” She said offended.

“Yes, I can I’m your boss.”

“I’m not your slave you don’t own me.” Nadia snipped crossing her arms over her chest.

“That man is a snake, and I don’t want you to speak to him. God knows what he will have you doing.”

Nadia smirked, and Dane glared at her. He couldn’t imagine what the hell she found so bloody funny. “You are jealous.” She observed.

“I’m not jealous. I don’t trust the man.” He grumbled. She stared at him with a wide grin and Dane tried to ignore her, but in the end, he had to ask. “What are you smirking about?”

“You are very cute when you are jealous.” She teased.

“I’m not jealous!” He growled annoyed by the accusation.

Nadia grinned and moved closer to him. She slid her hand inside his jacket and leaned against him, her lips hovering over his. “Are you sure; because to me you looked jealous, and it was flattering.”

Her obvious attempt to seduce him soothed Dane’s temper. His body stirred at her closeness. “In that case, I was jealous.” He drawled. Nadia placed a soft kiss on his lips. She crawled into his lap, her hands roaming over his chest and shoulders as her sweet mouth ate away at his. Dane reached for the hem of her gown and lifted it high so her shapely legs could straddle him with ease. Nadia reached down sliding her hand between his legs caressing him softly through his slacks. Her touch was naïve and unsure. “Are you sure you want to do this here?” He asked giving her one last chance to change her mind.

Nadia nodded. “Just let me do this before I lose my nerve.” She breathed as she trembled in his arms. He understood how difficult this must be for her and decided to help her relax. Dane reached under her skirt and stroked her through her panties. She closed her eyes and sighed with pleasure, a sound he very much liked to draw out of her again. Nadia grew wet beneath his skilled touch and shifted in his lap moving against his hand. She wanted more, and he was happy to give it to her.

Slipping his hand inside her panties, Dane pressed a finger deep into her welcoming body. Her lips parted slightly, and Dane kissed her once more. He wanted her so badly it was all he could do not to throw Nadia down and drive into her. She was new and frightened and needed to be handled with care.

The car came to a stop, and Dane pulled away easing Nadia onto the seat next to him with difficulty. He was impossibly hard, and she was flushed with desire. The door opened, and Dane stepped out trying his best to appear unaffected. He did not wish to have Nadia embarrassed again. He offered her his hand, and she accepted stepping out of the car. He could see in her face she was afraid they knew what they had been doing. Dane shot a warning look at both Felix and the doorman. Both men understood and appeared completely indifferent.

Dane walked Nadia to the elevator and pressed the button. The wait for the doors seemed to take forever, and Dane was grateful when they finally opened. Stepping onto the elevator, Dane pressed the button and waited. The doors slid shut, and Nadia looked at him questioningly. Dane smiled and nodded up to the small black glass in the top corner of the elevator. There was a camera in the corner that was monitored at all times. It wasn’t that he wasn’t eager but out of respect for her he resisted.

The elevator opened, and Dane took Nadia by the hand practically dragging her to the penthouse kicking the door shut behind them. Finally, alone Dane kissed Nadia his hands gently cupping her face. Her hand tugged at his jacket pulling it off. Dane shrugged out of his jacket, and Nadia took hold of his scarf leading him down the hall like a rutting dog. She looked so damn sexy as she made her way to the bedrooms.

***

They entered his room, and Dane drew Nadia into his arms kissing her. Nadia’s pulse was beating so quickly she thought her heart might explode. She felt Dane’s hands at her back as he unlaced the back of her dress from around her neck and let it fall to the floor in a green pool around her feet. She now stood there with him her thin panties the only thing yet to go. His mouth moved down her neck. His hand cupped her breast.

Nadia shuddered with pleasure as his thumb toyed with her n****e bringing it to a tout firm peak. He slowly backed her up to the bed. She had never felt this way, never craved a man’s touch. She almost died when his mouth found her breast and Dane sucked in the tout bud between his teeth. Without warning, Dane scooped Nadia up in his arms and laid her out on the bed.

She watched as Dane unbuttoned his vest and cummerbund. He moved quickly shedding his shirt next. Nadia held her breath as his hands moved to his belt and Dane opened his slacks pushing them down his strong legs and stepping out. Dane stretched out on the bed next to Nadia caressing her face and kissing her lips. The front of his shorts pulled tight over his arousal. He was gentle and patient. Nadia could not help but feel in over her head. She had no idea what she was doing.

She felt him smile against her lips. “Touch me.” He whispered taking her hand in his. Guiding her hand to his body Nadia lightly touched him. The warm silken skin over hard corded muscle. She had never seen a naked man before. He was both masculine and beautiful. Raw power beneath her fingertips.

Dane’s hand eased hers lower until she held his arousal through his shorts. He was long and rigid pulsing beneath her palm. When Dane moaned as she stroked him, Nadia felt a sense of power. He closed his eyes and Nadia smiled; it was exciting to affect him so. Feeling bold Nadia slid her hand inside Dane’s shorts and closed her hand around his erection. Dane practically purred, and Nadia rolled him beneath her. He didn’t fight; he was happy to allow her to set the pace.

With practiced skill, Dane slid Nadia’s wet panties off leaving her bare against him. “You are beautiful.” He whispered against her lips as she kissed him with such hunger it almost scared her. She had never wanted anything as much as she wanted this man right now. His hands caressed her legs easing Nadia into a straddled position atop him.

Nadia whimpered when she felt his hips rock up against her his shorts the only barrier between them. Nadia ground against him loving the way he felt between her legs. Her hands on his chest Nadia watched as she drove Dane wild, his face twisted in fevered desire. Unable to wait any longer Dane pushed his shorts down freeing himself from the unbearable confides. His hands moved to her hips and eased Nadia into a position above him.

She tensed when she felt him press against the opening of her womanhood. Panic began to wash over her and Dane could feel the change in her. “No! No!” He said sitting up under her and wrapping his arms around Nadia holding her tight against him. His mouth finding hers trying to kiss away her apprehension. “I won’t hurt you. Easy.” He whispered coaxing her down the length of him. Nadia panicked and tensed up as his alien hardness invaded her softness. “Relax.”

It only took a moment for Dane to bury himself deep inside her. He didn’t move only waited for Nadia to relax. He kissed her lips and stroked her hair soothing Nadia. His eyes were kind, they put her at ease. Slowly Dane’s hands urged her to motion guiding her.

Nadia closed her eyes against the mounting sensation. He felt glorious, like nothing she had ever experienced. His mouth closed around her n****e suckling and sending explosions of excitement into her very core. It took little time for Nadia to take over moving up and down his solid length seeking a satisfaction she had never known. Before long Dane was rocking with her.

Without warning, Dane rolled Nadia beneath him and took over. He moved over her with eager desperation. Nadia cried out with desire as her mind swooned and her body shook uncontrollably with an earth-shattering climax. Nadia clung to Dane as she arched and bucked beneath him.

Dane forced himself deep in one powerful thrust and let out a strangled groan as he tried to fend off his satisfaction to further hers. Nadia’s nails dug into his back, and her hips lifted to meet his downward thrust, and his restraint failed. Suddenly he shuddered and quaked above her. Dane quickly withdrew, and his hand closed around his manhood with a few quick jerks he came outside Nadia before collapsing on the bed next to her.

They lay quiet for a moment and then she felt his hand caress her shoulder coaxing her into his embrace. “Did I hurt you?” He asked as she lay her head against his shoulder.

“No. That was…” She smiled up at him, and he grinned back.

“Yes, it was.”

“If I knew it was that good I wouldn’t have waited so long.”

Dane laughed and gave her a playful squeeze. “So happy to accommodate you.”

Nadia grinned to herself, how did she get here? Last week she would have never believed she would find herself not only willingly but contently in bed with any man let alone the Prince of New York. Now she found herself living in a penthouse overlooking the park and making love to an incredibly virile man. She sure had a lot to discuss in group next week, if this was not a breakthrough she did not know what was.

Nadia ran her finger lazily down his chest. “Are you all tuckered out?” She asked quietly.

Dane looked at her with surprise. His chest still rising and falling quickly as he caught his breath. “Oh, don’t worry sweetheart. I have plenty of energy. I don’t want to leave you feeling sore in the morning. After all your body is new to this.”

“I think that should be a concern for the morning.” She purred.

“Who am I to deny a beautiful woman?”

***

Dane sat in the armchair next to his bed watching Nadia sleep. The morning sun filled the room and washed over Nadia’s body like a warm sheet. She looked beautiful laying there. He wasn’t sure what had changed between them, but he was happy it had. Last night had been intoxicating and beyond satisfying. She had been everything he had hoped; eager, willing, and innocent. He had hoped to get her out of his system during the night, but his efforts had failed miserably.

The more he took from her, the more he wanted. Dane wanted to possess Nadia to have her whenever he wanted. She excited him and amused him. They got along, and she was the perfect escort to evening affairs. He found himself wondering if there were any way at all to convince this woman to act as his mistress. She would be well compensated with gifts and extravagant outings, but something told him that Nadia would not go for such an arrangement, a s****l relationship without emotional commitment. If he proposed the idea would she walk out on him?

He was not sure, but he was sure they could not continue like this. Without any discussion as to where their relationship stood. Dane would hate for her to believe she meant more than she did. He did not wish to lead anyone on. Regardless of the outcome, he had to make sure they both understood the terms of their involvement or brought an end to it.

Nadia rolled over and reached for Dane finding herself alone in the bed she sat up clutching the covers to her breast. She looked relieved when she saw him sitting in the chair. He had dressed in a pair of sweatpants earlier to fight off a chill. Nadia smiled when she saw him. “I was afraid you had left.”

“Where would I go, it’s my room.” He smiled rising from his chair and coming back to the bed. Dane sat down beside her and stopped her from kissing him. Nadia looked at him confused by his rejection. “We need to talk about the terms of our involvement. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I do like you and enjoy this, but I’m not looking for any permanence or exclusivity.”

“Neither am I,” Nadia admitted blushing. “This is fun, but I’m not ready for a relationship. I don’t think I could handle that right now.”

It was like music to his ears. Dane smiled, he leaned back against the headboard and drew Nadia into his arms. He held her against his chest and stroked her dark hair. “In that case, I have a proposition I think you will find mutually benefiting. I’ve never taken a mistress, but I think if you are willing I would very much like to offer you the position. Mutual satisfaction and companionship without any pressure, strings, or expectations. Either one of us is free to leave the arraignment when we wish.”

Nadia was quiet for a long time, and Dane was sure she thought the offer vulgar, but then she finally spoke. “I think that would be acceptable.”