No one ever spoke of Ian’s past, but most of The Club’s members were well aware of it. The membership was a close support network, many of them had known each other since young adulthood, gravitating to The Club with the advice of their fathers, several of whom were members as well at that time.
Melissa Gaines had, quite honestly, been a nutcase. Ian had adored her though, the zealous infatuation of young manhood transferring to the woman he believed was his perfect match.
“Suggestions?” Not that Tally needed any, but he knew she was thinking. He wished he was there to watch the process. The few times he had watched her plot, it had been a masterpiece of skillful, dark design. She would have made an excellent ruler.
Khalid grinned as he thought of Courtney then. She was younger than Tally, but rapidly gaining her own ground in the feminine arts.
“I am but a man,” he sighed morosely, mockingly. “Who am I, my dear, to opinionate on the grand designs of such feminine works?”
Besides, it was so much fun to watch these women as they plotted and planned. The sight of it was amusing as well as vastly educational.
“In other words, you’re keeping your ass out of the fire.” Tally snorted. “Fine. See if I show any mercy when I find your weak spot.”
“But Tally, sweetest, I am such a simple man. My weak spots lay bare to your gaze. Go gently with me.” He leaned back in the butter-soft leather of the seat and let satisfaction fill him.
Of course, they both knew the game. He had no intention of allowing her to find his weak spots. Such folly could break a man.
“Yeah, you know I will,” she drawled. He expected nothing less than complete mercilessness where she was concerned. “Thanks for the information, Khalid. I’m certain we can find a way to use it.”
“I have no doubt, my dear.” He disconnected the call before pocketing the cell phone and staring at the dark glass that separated him from his driver. A frown tightened his brow.
Ian was, of course, in love with the little spitfire-in-training, Courtney. It had been so readily apparent that he had nearly felt sorry for the other man. How horrible to love so deeply, and to be so very unaware of the exact nature of the torment that raged inside him.
Considering the job Melissa Gaines had done on Ian years before, though, one could forgive him for his denial now. At least for a short time.
Khalid sighed in self-satisfaction as a smile tipped his lips. Poor man. Better to love many, than to love one. In that, at least, there was always consolation should a relationship fall through.
He had no doubt Courtney would prevail. Ian was quickly reaching the end of his patience, and his control. Soon, it would happen. And when it did, Khalid intended to be there. There were few women who would present a challenge such as the one Courtney would present when the final game played out.
Despite her love of the pleasure, of Ian’s touch, she would fight the ultimate dominance, the complete submission of her senses to the two of them. And that instinctive fight, the delicate, subtle precision of undermining her defenses would be a joy to be part of.
Shameless she was, but she had no idea of how shameless she could ultimately become.
Chapter Eleven
“Ian, wake up.” Cheerful, full of energy and clashing with the bone-deep sleep he had been immersed in, Ian opened one bleary eye to stare back at Courtney’s shining face.
The bedside lamp was on. Obviously. Its glare was about to blind him as he peeked over her shoulder to stare at the clock.
“Go back to sleep,” he muttered, closing his eyes as he groaned at his body’s refusal to accept that she had actually woken him after the hours he had spent exhausting them both.
Exhausting her wasn’t easy.
Surely to hell he wasn’t getting old.
He would have shuddered at the thought if he actually had the energy.
“Ian, come on, wake up…” Playful, undeniable, her voice had his eyes blinking open in resignation at he stared up at her.
She was leaning over him, her hair flowing down around her face, creating an intimate, seductive curtain as her dark eyes, her very awake dark eyes, gleamed with joy.
His dick twitched in interest despite his body’s exhaustion.
“I’m awake.” His hand smoothed up her thigh, heading for the soft flesh between her thighs. Perhaps a quickie would satisfy her until he could wake up.
“Stop that.” She laughed, pushing his hand away as he sighed in resignation. “Guess what?”
Guess? It was f**king midnight. He wasn’t supposed to be awake right now, let alone guessing anything. He started to remind her sharply of that, but the soft glow of her eyes, the gentle smile on her lips, stopped him. It would be criminal to kill such a look of joy with a sharp word.