Risking It All: London Calling Book Three (17 page)

Frank puffed his cheeks then blew out a breath. “Well? Does she?”

They were almost to Club Hobart. Ignoring the question, Dominic eyed the heavy traffic surrounding the place, a clear indication of how busy the fundraiser was. “Drop me off anywhere. I’ll walk the rest of the way.”

For once, Frank didn’t argue. “You sure?”

“I’m sure.” As Frank pulled the car to a halt, Dominic unfastened his seat belt then turned to Frank. “I’ll put your twenty on black.” His driver liked an easy bet, something left to chance. “I’ll call you later when we’re ready to leave for dinner. After that, you’re off the hook.”

“Sounds good. Nicky?” Frank’s tone turned serious.

“Yeah?”

“In between watching out for everyone else, make sure you look after yourself.”

“You worry too much.” Dominic gave him an easy nod. “I always do.”

Shutting the door on Frank’s skepticism, Dominic turned and strode down the pavement, easily dodging the standstill traffic. His phone buzzed and he reached into his pocket to check the caller.

Moneypenny.

No. Tonight was all about Natalie and him. Sebastian Payne could wait.

Sliding his phone back into his jacket, he climbed the steps that took him into the casino. The doorman was the same as his last visit, when Dominic had been politely but firmly ejected. The other man jutted his chin out, extended his hand, and gave Dominic a silent look.

Placing the ticket in the man’s gloved hand, Dominic tossed him a cocky smile in return. Several moments passed while the doorman studied his pass as if it contained secrets to the universe. Meanwhile, Dominic counted six other guests as they filed through the doors. At this rate, the tables would be filled before he crossed the threshold.
 

Finally, the other man waved him through with a stiff flick of his hand. Dominic chuckled then walked straight and tall into the casino’s large gaming room. Several heads turned as he strolled from table to table, gracefully making his way to the bar located in back. Sidling up, he propped an elbow while he continued to purvey the room.

It was wall-to-wall congested, but no sign of Natalie yet. Dominic knew she could be anywhere, hidden from view in the crowded space. She could also be in one of the dining areas, checking on guests. He still didn’t know what was upstairs but doubted she would seclude herself on an evening such as this.

A short, cut-crystal tumbler filled with amber liquid plopped in front of him. Glancing up, Dominic recognized Ruby from his last time in the club. Clearly, in addition to dealing cards, she bartended as well. And judging from the drink she poured, she remembered him too.

She flashed a toothy smile. “Kentucky bourbon. You’re one of the few.”

This time he noticed her American accent was tinged with something else, a hint she’d lived abroad at some point. “Brits have no taste for America’s finer treasures.” He took a sip, savoring the burn. It was exactly what he needed. He turned his attention back to her. “It’s hard to raise money when there’s no room at the tables. What do you suggest, Ruby?”

“I’d say the real games go on upstairs.” She smirked. “But with your track record, you’re lucky to have gotten through the door.”

“A slight misunderstanding, that’s all.”
 

The man beside him left and Ruby wiped down the bar where he’d been. “I’m sure.” She lifted her chin, indicating the tables. “There’s a seat at blackjack, but something tells me you shouldn’t take it.”

Dominic cocked a brow.
 

“You wouldn’t want to tempt fate. After all, the club only allows one
misunderstanding
per guest.”

“Tonight, I’m a giver, not a taker. So no worries.” Obviously, Ruby pegged him as a card counter. He grinned. She was absolutely correct. He’d take her advice and avoid the games altogether. The last thing he needed was for Natalie to throw him out.

Again.

A flash of color captured his attention. Turning, he saw Natalie descending the stairs in a formal evening gown of deep blood red.

Heat surged to his groin and he felt himself stiffen. Knocking back the rest of his whiskey in one go, he nodded for another. He was reacting like a damned teenager. Gritting his teeth, he willed his body under control.

Staying at the bar, he observed as Nat worked the room, drifting from one table or clutch of guests to another. Several times she nodded and chuckled, pressed a hand to a shoulder, and then moved on to the next group.
 

Dominic straightened, sucking in a breath as she neared the bar area. When her eyes alit on his, he felt like the ground shifted.

Icy blue flames licked at him, damning his presence in one glaring look. Dropping her relaxed posture, she marched over to where he stood with military precision.
 

“What are you doing here?” she hissed.

He smiled genially, avoiding her eyes. “I was invited.”

“No, Dominic, you were
not
.”

He swung to face her, his discomfort with her repeated evasions over the week surging forth. “No, you’re right, Natalie. I wasn’t specifically
invited
.” He let his tone sink in before continuing. “But Charles Sterling was, and he was only too glad to turn over his ticket.”

She paled as he spoke, but now the color came surging back into her cheeks. She clamped her hand around his upper arm and began pulling. He reached for his drink with the other arm, snagging it. He caught a glimpse of Ruby’s amused face just as he bumped into Natalie’s back. She’d stopped abruptly, the masses of people creating a wall of obstruction.

He heard her huff in frustration and couldn’t resist digging a little. Perhaps he was more frustrated with her than he admitted. “As far as I can tell, half of London got an invite.”

She glared, and then tugged hard on his arm as a sliver of space opened in the crowd. He ignored the nosy glances of people they passed, curious as to where she was taking him.

At the base of the elaborately carved staircase, she said, “Come with me.”

He wondered what the hell she thought he’d been doing. Saying nothing, he followed while trying unsuccessfully not to stare at the way her bottom was perfectly outlined by the crimson silk skirt she raised to climb the steps.

On the second floor, she turned to walk down a carpeted hallway with cream-patterned wallpaper above dark paneled wainscoting. Sconces dotted the way, keeping it bright enough to see while giving a suggestion of intimacy. As before, Dominic didn’t like the way the upstairs of the casino seemed shrouded in mystery.
 

Natalie opened a door to her right, holding it open for him to walk through. As soon as he was in the room, she slammed the door behind him.
 

It was her office. Delighted to have his suspicions allayed about this room at least, he turned in a full 360-degree circle, taking it in.
 

“This is lovely.”

“I am not here to take you on a tour, Dominic,” she spat. “You knew I didn’t want you here tonight. So why are you?”

Hurt disguised itself as anger and came roaring to his aid. “Tell me why it is you don’t want me here. Or anywhere we might be seen, for that matter.” He’d made a mistake in coming. Inexplicably disgusted with them both, he reached for the doorknob.

With surprising strength, she whirled him back around by the shoulder. “You’re one to talk.” She was flushed and breathing heavily.
 

Dominic couldn’t help thinking she was an erotic dream come true.
 

“You treated me like your dirty little secret the entire time we were lovers last year.”

Nausea hardened his stomach into a tight ball. “And I’m sorry for that. So sorry, Nat.” She swallowed but retained her hold on him, her fingers digging hard enough for him to feel through his formal jacket. “Is that what this is? Payback?”

Her nostrils flared and she pushed him back against the door with a sweeping shove. “What do you
want
from me? We have sex all the time, for crying out loud!”

“Is that all I am for you, Nat? A quick lay?” He regretted the crude words as soon as they were uttered. “Wait—”

She slammed her body against his, rattling the door behind them. “What if you are, Dominic? It’s no different than the way you saw me.”

“I was too blind to see back then. But now? I
love
you.”

She clapped a hand over his mouth, cutting off the words. Reaching around him with her other hand, she turned the deadbolt, locking them in the room. “I’ve got something better for you to do with that mouth than tell lies.”

Lowering her hand, she kissed him, licking and biting his lower lip. Instantly, he was hard as a rock. Involuntarily, he ground his hips into hers while opening his mouth to accept her searching tongue.

As their mouths mated in increasing urgency, she stripped his jacket down his arms. Shrugging, he let it fall to the floor. Immediately, her hands were busy opening his pants. He barely had time to register the top button popping free before he heard the scratch of his zipper. Then she reached down and freed his throbbing shaft from its confinement.
 

He broke their kiss, rolling his head back to get some air. He reached for her, but she was already on her knees sucking him into her mouth’s wet heat. His knees almost buckled as she bobbed, suckling and swirling her tongue while pumping the base of him in her fist. His sack tightened, warning him of the rush of semen struggling to erupt.
 

He yanked her head back and gripped her underarms to lift her up. As he spun her around, he pinned her against the door and lifted her skirts. Grabbing her panties in one hand, he ripped them by the seam, tossing the scraps on the floor beside them.

He paused, needing to know this was what she wanted. In answer, she slammed her mouth back on his, pushing her tongue into his mouth in a blatant invitation.
 

Bending his legs, he plunged inside her, thrusting fast and furiously. Natalie threw her head back, bumped it against the door, and laughed, a sound so sexy and full-throated, he almost came on the spot.
 

Knowing he was too close, he tried to slow the pace, but Natalie wouldn’t allow it. With one leg curled behind him, she hiked herself up by pressing on his shoulders for leverage. Then both legs clamped around his waist and she arched her back, grinding down. She moaned in husky pleasure as each thrust forward brought her aching nub into contact with his pelvis.

Dominic let go of her torso, relying on the door to support them. Instead, he reached under and braced the backs of her thighs on one arm. With his other hand, he played with her clitoris, thumbing, circling, and flicking. With just the right pressure, he rubbed the sensitive spot until she choked out his name, coming apart.
 

He felt the veins stand out in his neck as his own climax erupted, his penis throbbing in time to Natalie’s orgasm. His shaft continued to pulse in carnal, protracted waves, draining him until he could barely stand.
 

He started to pull his softened length free but the tug of her sensitized sheath hardened him all over again. Gritting his teeth, he eased himself away, despite his penis bobbing in protest. He maneuvered them to the floor.

She was staring at him, her reddened lips slightly parted. His hand shaking, he pushed a loosened tendril of hair from her cheek. “Okay?” he husked.
 

She licked her lips then pressed them together, nodding.
 

“Then you’re better than me,” he chuckled. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to stand again this century.”

She continued to stare at him in silence. Finally, feeling embarrassed at his complete loss of control, he shifted to his feet. He hoped his desire for her, his endless need, hadn’t further weakened his position.

He held out his hand to help her to her feet. “Let’s get you fixed up so we can go back downstairs.”

She stared at his hand but didn’t take it. Tonelessly, she said, “
I’ll
go, but you should leave.”

Dominic gaped in disbelief. “Are you serious?” From her blank expression, it appeared she was. Angry, he waved a hand toward the door where they stood minutes before, frantically coupling and lost to everything else. “We just wrecked each other and now you want me to leave? Like some gigolo who’s finished servicing you?”

She flinched, but didn’t drop her eyes. “I wouldn’t put it exactly that way.”

Dominic drew back, tucking himself into his pants and picking up his jacket from the floor. Rather than put it on, he draped it over one arm and stood over her as she lay amid the rumpled folds of her scarlet silk dress.
 

She was beautiful. Still flushed and heavy-lidded from sex, he imprinted the image of her on his brain. But Dominic was starting to worry about his own welfare too. Some days, it felt like she was tearing him apart. He looked into her sparkling blue eyes and made himself say what he needed. “I love you, Natalie.”

She looked away as if dismissing him along with his feelings. Determined, he continued. “But I can’t let you reduce us to this. I’ll leave, because you asked. And because I have no wish to remain where I’m unwanted.”

She made a sound, and he found himself wishing it were distress. But she’d made herself more than clear.

He threw the bolt on the door and twisted the knob.
 

With one last bitter look behind him, he said, “I’ll be sure to use the employee exit.”

***

Natalie mopped the sweat from her face with her sleeve as she angrily yanked weeds from her mother’s garden. The sun was still making its way higher into a vivid blue sky, but she remained unfazed as her thoughts, dark and depressing, spun through the last few days.
 

Dominic succeeded in making her feel ashamed of herself. His final words to her the night of the club fundraiser, coupled with his stubborn silence ever since, sat uneasily on her conscience.
 

She’d been accused of being unemotional, harsh even, by people before. She always shrugged it off, confident with her strong sense of self. But Dominic’s words continued to haunt her as she unsuccessfully tried to push him out of her mind.