And once again, Kate could do nothing more but let him have her, as another terrifying orgasm swept her away.

Chapter Eleven

“Just a few drinks. I promise.” Liam ran his fingers up her bare arm and appraised her look for the evening. “Christ, you look gorgeous, Kate. I can’t wait to show you off.” He brought her over to the full-length mirror in her suite and made her look.

She did, with hesitation, and marveled at the fantastic creature staring back. Liam’s assistant had reminded him of a charity obligation and he’d somehow convinced her to go with him. She wasn’t really sure what to expect at a Governor’s Ball for the local chapter of the Heart Association, and certainly didn’t have the wardrobe for it. However, during the last couple of days, Liam had taken care of everything, from finding her a beautiful gown in navy silk, to bringing in hair and makeup artists and jewelry.

The makeup had been so carefully applied she couldn’t see her bruises. Her hair had been piled onto her head in an artful chignon. Liam seemed to like the up-do, and took advantage of the neck access it provided. He kissed the top of her spine and goose pimples exploded in a riotous dance over her skin.

Despite her response to his touch, something felt off. She felt uncomfortable in an outfit paid for by Liam, the silk grated on her skin with each soft swish. She’d never been the sort to accept expensive gifts.

To say nothing of the fact she’d rather stay in the suite and talk about what the hell was happening between them. She thought she’d made a major breakthrough with Liam, but so much had been left unsaid as well. Yes, he’d shared a lot and it had been emotional for both of them. However, if they were to move forward in any way, didn’t they need to keep talking?

She’d tried to bring up the topic again this morning, but he’d brushed it off. Rather than talk about the past, he’d rolled on top of her and begun his very persuasive seduction routine, and she’d been unable to say no. When he kissed her, when he slid his hands between her legs, she couldn’t say no.

He was using sex as a distraction, that much was clear. As eager as she was in bed with him, she couldn’t help feeling Liam evaded a lot of issues this way. It made her uncomfortable. It made her feel as if she’d fallen into bed with a different man, one whose appetites both excited and scared her.

“I’ve never been to such a fancy event,” she said now.

“Stick with me. You can have as much high society life as you want.” He cast an appreciative glance at the way her breasts swelled under the navy silk. “You look amazing in that color. I knew you would. We might have to take you shopping for more clothes.”

“I don’t want any more clothes. I have clothes at home.”

He frowned at the mention of her home. “I’d like to get you some special things. You know, for nights like this.”

“I think I’d feel more at ease wearing jeans at Franky’s.” She wiggled her toes in her new stilettos, wincing at their tight pinch.

“Me too, but I promised to make an appearance at this shindig ages ago.” He spun her around to look at him and struck a cheesy pose worthy of a Sears catalogue, letting his mischievous side reappear for a split second. “So, did I clean up good?”

She smiled, surprised by how much she’d missed playful Liam. Intense Liam had his charms, but he wore her down. She touched a finger to the sleeve of his slick tuxedo, relishing the musculature underneath. “You’ll do nicely.” She felt more overcome by his beauty than by her own startling transformation.

All too soon he turned serious. “You sure you’re okay to go out? My security team will be with us.”

She couldn’t exactly say no now. He’d spent a billion dollars on her dress, from the looks of it. “Sure. We’ve got to go out some time. Maybe when we get back we can hang out and chat? I feel like we haven’t talked much the past few days. I miss it.”

Liam tweaked her nose. “You’re cute. But way too serious. Just enjoy the ride, sugar.” He pulled her close, eyes narrowed with desire. “When we get back, my plans don’t involve chatting. They involve getting this dress off.” He brushed his thumb over her rouged lower lip, looking puzzled when the lipstick didn’t rub off.

“It’s a stain,” she explained. “The makeup artist said it wouldn’t come off unless I get mauled.”

As he stared at her lips, his expression grew dark once more. With so much focused attention, her body responded in kind. “Well, I’ll maul you later and see if I can’t nibble the stain off.”

After a few rushed kisses, they gathered up their things and left, making their way to the Escalade waiting out front. As they passed through the main hall, so close to the casino, Kate realized she didn’t hold her breath anymore while surrounded by the cigarette smoke. She’d become almost accustomed to it. The idea bothered her, though she said nothing to Liam.

Once outside, she took note of the spot on the sidewalk where she’d conducted her protests. It seemed like an aeon ago. Where had that woman gone? She’d never been the sort of woman to play “dress up,” to fritter away her evenings at society events.

Had she already forgotten who she was?

Guilt made the acids in her stomach bubble and she swallowed a sudden bad taste. She had forgotten. And here she stood, dressed in a lavish gown bought by the man she’d thought she hated less than two weeks ago. If someone had told her then she’d be sleeping with Liam Doyle, she would have thought them unhinged.

Maybe she was the unhinged one.

She tried to ignore the gut-wrenching mea culpa sounding in her brain as they drove to the Governor’s Ball at the Venetian Hotel. She wondered how the fates had led her to be a guest at two casinos in the same week. After years of avoiding them like her own personal plague, she couldn’t seem to avoid them now.

The atmosphere at the ball didn’t help. The conference room at the Venetian was stunning but someone, in their wisdom, had decided to make the evening’s theme “Monte Carlo Night.” Talk about redundant. Everywhere she looked she saw images of dice and poker chips and money signs.

It was enough to make her hurl in her new sequined clutch.

Several members of the press made a beeline for Liam the moment they entered the ballroom. He evaded them and steered Kate toward an unending table laden with all manner of sweets and fingers foods and a massive chocolate fountain. He picked up two small plates shaped like poker chips and handed one to her. She took it but put it back down on the table.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Liam reached for a cracker piled high with pink caviar and playfully held it up to her. “Open up.”

Despite her nerves, which ratcheted up a notch each second, she opened her mouth and accepted the cracker. She kept a bashful hand over her mouth as she chewed, and then wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin.

He grinned as she swallowed, leaning in to whisper, “You’re sexy when you eat. Now I’ll be dreaming of feeding you all night long.” His tongue darted out and he moistened his lips. “Or maybe I’ll do something about it.”

“All I did was eat a cracker.”

“I know. Wait until I feed you my cock.”

Kate gasped, hoping the person next to them hadn’t overheard. Liam chuckled, clearly unconcerned.

“Doyle, aren’t you going to get this pretty lady a drink? She looks parched.”

Kate looked at the newcomer, a tall man with buzzed blond hair and sex in his smile.

Liam shook the man’s hand. “If I leave her alone with you, you’ll carry her away. Kate Callender, meet Alex Markov. He’s a total shark so make sure he doesn’t lure you into any dark corners.”

“Don’t tempt me, my friend.” Markov reached for her hand and kissed it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kate.”

Under other circumstances, the pleasure might be all hers. Markov, blessed with an intimidating build, much like Liam, oozed an old-world charm despite his youthful appearance. “Likewise. How do you know each other?”