“Jesse reported back on your houseguest a few moments ago as well,” Cam leaned back in his chair then, his gaze reflective. “She’s currently having lunch with the Sexy Six…” The current nickname for the small group of wives who had banded together had Ian wincing. “There’s trouble brewing there.” As if he didn’t already know that. “This makes three days in a row, with Khalid joining them yesterday.”
Ian masked his irritation.
“She’s under control.” Ian waved the report away as though it were of little consequence, despite the fact it had his c**k tightening in frustration. “Keep Jesse on her.”
Cam nodded briefly before making an entry into the small notebook he carried for the meetings.
“Ms. Hampstead arrived a few hours ago. She’s had Matthew prepare her room for a week’s stay.” Alyssa Hampstead was the only female member of the group since Kimberly Raddington had dropped her membership. “There are also several of the out-of-town members present. Should I have security added to the inner doors of the Club to keep Ms. Mattlaw from the main portion?”
Ian’s lips quirked at the thought.
“Do that and she would get in or die trying,” he growled, as he rubbed at the tension in his neck. “We’ll leave Matthew in charge for now. I’ll handle her if she actually manages to get back in. She’s not so much a security concern as she is one for the peace of mind. That woman would drive a saint to curse.”
Cam chuckled at that. “She’s a wild one all right. There’s no way she would get along with the other six if she weren’t.”
Ian shook his head at the thought. Yes, she was wild, as untamed as any woman he had ever known. But so f**king innocent it made him want to scream in denial.
“If that’s all, I’ll get back to the fun stuff.” Cam rose to his feet, staring back at Ian in amusement. “Armitage is having a nice little party at his ranch this weekend. I managed to get an invitation to accompany one of the guests. I’ll see what pans out there before giving my final report.”
Ian watched Cameron turn and leave the room, closing his eyes as the door closed behind the other man.
It had been three days since he had allowed her in his bed. He had expected to be uncomfortable, unable to sleep with her curled around him like a damned kitten. Instead, he was sleeping better than he had in…longer than he could remember.
Her response to him was never-ending. Adventurous, as wild as the wind and willing to try any position, any sex toy he used on her. The hours spent pleasuring her was ecstasy and hell in the same heartbeat.
Ecstasy, because she met him stroke for stroke, relishing in every touch, every adventure they entered. And hell because he knew he couldn’t take that final step.
Rising from his chair in a rush of energy, he paced to the windows, staring into the garden as he pushed his hands into the pockets of his slacks. No matter how often he took her, or how, that edge of innocence she possessed remained. It was an added turn-on, almost addictive to see the shocking pleasure in her rapt expression. And still, the lust burned. It burned to the point that no matter how many times he took her, he still craved her. And she still met him with a hunger of her own.
And each time the need to share her grew.
Even his dreams tormented him. Dreams of seeing her, pressed between him and Khalid, blindfolded, restrained, helpless against each touch, each stroke of her body as she begged for more. Screamed. Pleaded… His c**k jerked fiercely at the image as a strangled groan left his throat.
Because the ending of those dreams were always the same. Courtney lying in his bed, her eyes staring sightlessly at the ceiling, the damned note Melissa had written so many years ago by her side. The haunting image had his gut clenching in fear even as his balls tightened in hunger. Damn her, she had him torn in so many different directions he didn’t know which way to turn anymore.
Damn, what was it about her? He shook his head as he turned and moved back to his chair before throwing himself in it. He propped his elbows on the desk and ran his fingers through his hair before gripping the back of his neck tightly.
She thought she loved him. Innocent dreams and sexual heat shimmered in her eyes every time she looked at him. He should have called Dane the minute he saw that he wouldn’t be able to deny her. The other man would have been furious, he would have made certain Courtney was never in Ian’s company again, but the friendship would have survived, and in a few years, Courtney would have gotten over her infatuation.
Instead, he had broken.
A muttered curse left his lips, because despite knowing they were both going to hurt, that the relationship he had shared with her and her family was now forever scarred, he couldn’t stop. The more he had her, the more he craved her touch, the more he craved, period.
“Now you look like a man approaching the end of his control…”
The dark amusement in the accented voice had Ian’s head rising, his eyes narrowing as Khalid stepped into the room.
The half-Saudi sauntered across the room, his dark face creased in a mocking smile as he took the chair Cam had recently vacated.
“You look tired, Ian,” he snickered. “Too many late nights?”
Ian grunted at the suggestion before straightening back in his chair.
“What can I help you with, Khalid?”
Khalid chuckled, his dark eyes filled with amusement.
“Nothing much.” Broad shoulders shrugged lazily. “I saw Courtney with the Sexy Six an hour or so ago, and thought I would warn you that there was a definite air of conspiracy at their table. I do believe, my friend, they are plotting against you.”