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 cock 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. ”
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.