Duke’s cock throbbed in his pants. The kiss had practically undone him, but then her saying she’d never been kissed like that? And calling it wild and animal?
He was going to have to treat her like a virgin. Take it even slower. He’d intended to stay the night with her, claim her for his in the morning, but with this new information, he needed another game plan. Twenty-nine years old, three sex partners, and never truly been kissed.
He was going to rock her world, but he’d have to get her used to it. It might be Sunday evening, or even into Monday, before he could claim her.
She directed him into her driveway and his mouth fell open. He’d seen pictures, knew it was a six thousand plus square foot house, but he’d stayed away, not wanting to come until he was invited. He hadn’t been fully prepared for the magnificence of her home.
He knew with a Stonehenge address it was going to be big, but this was... huge. She lived in a fucking mansion. Wrap-around drive. Brick. Columns. The front doors were gigantic, so he hadn’t truly understood the scale from just the pictures.
“You live in this big house all alone?”
Gen nodded. “My housekeeper used to live in the downstairs apartment, but she got married so now she lives with her husband. She gets here around eight in the morning, leaves around four or five unless I need her for a party or something. Her husband mows my lawn, and he’s available for basic handyman stuff in the evenings.”
“What does she do all day?”
“Grocery shops, cooks, cleans. Does my laundry, handles my dry cleaning, changes the sheets on my bed, changes light bulbs, changes out the seasonal items, brings in fresh floral arrangements. She’s more than a maid, she’s my housekeeper. Frisco says she’s my wife, and he says it’s what Cam does for them. He finds it funny we both have someone who does the same thing, but he says he’s pretty sure Cam is more fun to have around than Amy.”
Duke got out of the truck, rounded it, and helped Gen down. “You’re tired tonight, Beautiful, so you can give me a tour of the house tomorrow. I’m looking forward to seein’ it.”
“You’re coming back tomorrow?” She shook her head. “I haven’t invited you to come back tomorrow. I know I’ll see you Sunday at Frisco’s house, but…”
Duke wasn’t coming back tomorrow. He wasn’t planning on leaving tonight. However, he wasn’t going to argue with her about it, so he didn’t say anything. As they approached her door he took her key, opened it, and then watched as she keyed her code into her security system.
“Good locks, nice security system. I’m impressed.”
“Isaac had the locks changed a few months ago when I kicked Mike out. Or, when Isaac’s people kicked Mike out for me, I guess. He had the security system put in after the first time he came here with Frisco. We actually had a fight about whether I was going to pay for my own security system. Crazy.”
“Isaac has people?” Duke knew he did, but wondered how much Gen knew.
“Yeah, he owns part of a big billiard club, and he owns a fitness club. I guess they have bouncers at the billiard club, and he can call on them to do stuff. He’s kind of scary sometimes, just making a phone call and then stuff happens.”
“Have you ever met any of his people?”
“Yeah. I’ve played pool with them a few times, met the other owner, and a bunch of other people.” She took a breath and Duke knew what was coming next. “Thanks for bringing me home and walking me in. This is kind of weird because it wasn’t a date but you’re bringing me home, and it’s probably why Frisco offered, so it wouldn’t be weird like this. Plus, I’m just off the interstate and not out of the way, really, but—”
Duke leaned in and kissed her again, and his cock throbbed in his pants as her beautiful mouth opened and let him in. He didn’t pillage her mouth, he tried to be gentle, but he wanted her so damned bad. So sweet, so innocent, and his.
When he came up from the kiss, he turned and locked the door before re-arming the system with the code he’d just watched her punch in. Her eyes grew big. “How did you know what to push?!”
“Watched you disarm it, know this system. First five digits are your code, next three are what to do, last numbers are zones. I just armed the doors and windows, since I don’t know your zones. You want do it another way, be my guest.”
She shook her head, her eyes huge.
“Where’s your bedroom, Beautiful?”
“You promised,” she whispered with fear in her eyes.
He tamped back his temper and kept his voice soft. “And I keep my promises, Gen, but if you don’t stop actin’ scared of me you’re gonna piss me off.”
“Then stop freaking scaring me!”
His men had been right about her being a spitfire. Duke kissed her forehead, reached for her hand, and started walking. Bedroom was probably upstairs. He’d find it.
She followed him with her heels clacking on the stately marble staircase. He took her to the first door on the right, which was obviously a guest bedroom. Duke stopped, got the lay of the land, and headed to the back of the house where the best view was likely to be. Looking down over the valley from here should be magnificent. He walked to the door directly in front of him at the back of the hall, and when he stepped through knew he was right. This had to be the master bedroom, and it was so Gen. Large canopy bed, tons of sleek, silky, navy fabric. Huge picture windows looking out over the city lights, with the mountains in the background. And oversized furniture with a pickled and bleached finish, so the only thing dark in the room was the acres of navy fabric on her bed and windows, and the designer looking throw rug under her seating area.
“This your bedroom?”
She was so damned cute when she was mad. “How did you know where my bedroom is?!”
“Wasn’t the first bedroom, stopped to think where the best view would be, headed that way. I’m gonna go downstairs, find a bathroom, and then get you some water and ibuprofen to try to head off your hangover. You do whatever you gotta do to get ready. I’ll be back in five or ten minutes.”
“What am I getting ready for, Keith?” He could smell her fear, as well as her arousal. Her attitude was all pissed-off female with an attitude, though.
“Sleep, Beautiful. You’re getting ready to go to bed and go to sleep. Maybe one more good-night kiss before I tuck you in.”
“You’re bossy.”
“I am. Yes.”
Duke couldn’t help but smile, and the fact his smile annoyed her was just too damned cute, which made him smile even bigger.
Ever the hostess, on his way out the door Gen said, “Go through the formal living room towards the dining room and there’s a bathroom on the left. Kitchen’s at the back left of the house.”
Duke made his way to the bathroom, jacked off as quick as he could, cleaned up, and went to the kitchen.