Ian sighed roughly. “They are always plotting against me,” he growled. “They were born to torture and torment men, Khalid. Pray you don’t come within their sights in this lifetime.”
Khalid’s laughter was filled with a bit more anticipation than made Ian comfortable.
“They are an imaginative lot, my friend.” His teeth flashed against his dark skin as his eyes filled with laughter. “A man could only be so lucky as to have such women plotting for his future.”
Ian groaned silently.
“What the hell do you want, Khalid? You may live a life of ease, but I, unfortunately, need to work to keep things going here.”
“Ah yes.” Khalid nodded. “Tracking stocks, merging companies, maneuvering political factions and such is a great hardship.”
Ian could only shake his head. The other man was evidently conspiring with Courtney and Tally’s crew to drive him insane. He leaned back in his chair, staring back at his friend broodingly as he rested his arms against the padded rests of the chair. He might as well become comfortable.
Khalid grimaced at the obvious air of patronizing patience.
“Very well.” He shrugged as though whatever game he was attempting had lost its fascination. “Have you chosen your third yet?”
It was expected. Ian had known that eventually one of The Club’s members, most likely Khalid, would question the fact that thus far, no one had been invited into the relationship he shared with Courtney.
Tension tightened his body as he fought the need to do just as was expected of him. He was…whatever the hell he was, he sighed wearily.
“There will be no third, Khalid.”
The announcement had the other man’s expression going blank in shock.
“No third?” He shook his head, his shaggy black hair rippling about his shoulders. “I don’t understand, Ian.” He stared back at Ian as though he feared he were having problems with his more than excellent grasp of English.
“You understand perfectly.” He throttled the anger building in his gut. “There will be no third. Courtney will tire of this game soon and realize it’s no more than infatuation, curiosity. When she does…” He swallowed back his bitterness. “When she does, there will be nothing for her to regret.”
Khalid’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring.
“Ahh, I see,” he intoned softly, regret flashing in his eyes as he rose to his feet then. “Should you change your mind, my friend, I hope you would consider my request that I be your third.”
“I won’t be changing my mind.”
Khalid’s lips quirked at the announcement, as though amused by the statement.
“Very well. I will not keep you then.” He nodded respectfully. “I wish you a very productive day, Ian. Should you need me, you know I am at your disposal.”
“You as well, Khalid.” Ian stood to his feet, watching as the other man left the room, closing the door gently behind him.
“Fuck!” He cursed fiercely as he threw himself back in his chair, wiping his hands over his face as he stared up at the ceiling.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the white ceiling he saw. It was Courtney, her head thrown back in pleasure, her lips opened in a scream of release as he and Khalid pushed her past the boundaries of any pleasure she could have conceived.
He could feel the need for it, searing his senses, fueling his frustration, his hunger. He could only pray he could manage to hold onto his control until she came to her senses.
Unfortunately, he had a feeling that coming to his senses was going to be his greatest hurdle.
Khalid stepped into the back of his limo, barely giving the chauffeur-bodyguard a chance to close the door before he hit the speed dial on his cell phone.
“Yes, darling.” Tally’s smooth, amused voice came through with questioning emphasis.
She was a lively one, he had to give her that. She had yet to focus one of her torturous matchmaking schemes his way, but he was enjoying being part of the conspiracy. It was much less nerve-racking than being the one conspired against.
“He says he has no intention of taking a third,” he relayed the information, keeping his voice free of the amusement that curled his lips. “I do believe the shadows of Melissa haunt this little scheme of yours, sweetheart.”
She was silent, obviously weighing his analysis.