Checkmate Read online

  Work had always been one of the best distractions for me. Whenever I needed to switch my attention to something important, I sank into work, making new plans and studying different projects. Focusing had never been a problem. Until yesterday…

  Yes, Dominick Altier was good-looking, smart, and irresistible; but still he was just a man! I met different men every day; most of them were prosperous, many were even attractive. But I never thought about sleeping with any of them, let alone having sex with them in my father’s office. What is wrong with me? Oh, God, my life couldn’t get any worse…

  The moment my cell phone rang, I almost jumped out of my skin. It was my father. I answered as quickly as I could.

  “Dad? Is everything all right?” He never called me this early in the morning. Oh no! Did Dominick send the pictures like he was threatening to do even though he said he wouldn’t if I came to his house tomorrow?

  “Yes. It’s even better than all right! Your mom and I have found a wonderful house with a breathtaking view of the ocean. We want you to come and see it.”

  “Wow, that’s great news. Congratulations! When do you want me to come?”

  “How about this weekend?

  “Perfect,” I said, thinking it was a great chance to blow the cobwebs away.

  “Then we’ll see you soon, Sunshine!” He said excitedly. “Oh, and one more thing… I also invited Dominick.”

  “You did what?” I asked incredulous. I hope I didn’t hear what I thought I heard, he invited Dominick?

  “I asked him to join us for a Sunday barbecue.”

  “I hope he said no,” I blurted without thinking, it just slipped out before I could stop it.

  “Actually, he said yes. Is everything okay between you two?” He asked, confused.

  Too late, I remembered how well my father knew me. Even without seeing me, he always knew when something was wrong with me.

  “Everything is fine,” I lied, hoping he wouldn’t catch the uneasiness in my voice.

  “I hope so, Darling. I want you two to make a great team!”

  I grimaced at the words. All I wanted now was to sink into the floor and never see anyone again, especially that face that was firmly imprinted in my mind. Shit…

  “See you soon, Dad,” I said in a hurry. I didn’t want him to ask any more questions, so he could hear what a great team Dominick and I could make. My dearest father had no idea how far from the truth he was. Mr. Altier and I would never play for the same team…

  Chapter 6

  I couldn’t stop staring at the clock in my bedroom. It showed 8:30 PM, and it took all of my self-control to not to run to Dominick’s.

  “You won’t fall into this trap,” I said to myself. “He wants to trick you again, but you will not fall into this… Crap!” I cursed, closing my eyes. The silence in the room was killing me. I could hear every damn tick of the clock, and it didn’t help at all.

  Why am I even considering accepting his shameless invitation? Maybe because being in his embrace is all you want now? Ugh, why do those always-sleeping voices wake up when you want nothing more than them to shut the hell up? I hated uncertainty. And even more I hated how fast one arrogant, self-centered Frenchie managed to take control over my never-failing self-assurance.

  My cell phone buzzed in my palm, I didn’t even realize I was holding it.

  “I’m waiting,” the message said. And I don’t know why, but it only made the butterflies in my stomach go wild. Stupid traitors…

  Okay… I took a deep breath and started trying to think of a way to make this meeting work. I could go to Dominick’s and simply try to make him change his sick and twisted mind and give me the rest of the pictures he had taken. On the one hand, it seemed as easy as pie. On the other hand, I had no idea how to do that and keep my clothes on at the same time. Then I remembered his message about him not wanting me to wear many clothes and shivered once more at the thought of letting him take them off. Not that I didn’t want him to do that…

  I rose to my feet and started pacing the room, trying to think about anything else except the pleasant sensations rushing through me at the thought of giving in and driving straight to Dominick’s.

  I tried my best to ignore his messages and calls; I even managed to not run into him for the entire day. Stevie said he asked about me during lunch, but I said I didn’t want to hear any messages from him, unless he had any questions about my work, so in other words, if it wasn’t urgent she should keep it to herself; I didn’t have time for his petty games.

  “Your hiding-in-your-work-cave tactic won’t work forever,” Jill said, entering my office when I was just about to leave.

  “I’m not hiding from anyone,” I snapped back.

  She gave me an all-knowing look and shook her head, saying, “You two are like two children fighting over a piece of candy or each other’s toys.”

  “Leave your dirty comparisons for later,” I said and glared at her.

  She laughed quietly behind me. “I didn’t mean anything dirty, but if your mind automatically puts Dominick and a piece of candy or a toy in a dirty fantasy, you should seriously think about taking the pressure off of your tensed lower-body muscles.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I am not even thinking about Dominick. Okay?”

  “If you say so,” she said with a small grin that told me she knew I was lying.

  “Why are we even talking about me?” I asked, turning to face her. “I called you last night and your sister said that you were on a date. Who’s the lucky guy? Do I know him?”

  She hesitated with a reply, it was so unlike the girl who never knew how to stop the flood of words flying out of her lips.

  “No,” she said, flipping through one of the magazines on my desk. “You don’t know him.”

  I raised my eyebrows, surprised at her reddening face. “What is this cheeks-blushing thing about? You don’t usually get embarrassed talking about your conquests.”

  She smiled mischievously and said, “You won’t believe it.”

  “That only makes me even more curious.”

  “His name is Mark. We met at the club the night you and my boss... Never mind,” she shook her head. “So he asked me out. And I liked our date. A lot.”

  “Wait, it was the day before yesterday and I am just now hearing about it without you telling me, but your sister? And last night you were with him again?”

  “Yep.”

  “Wow… Two nights in a row with the same guy! Are you going to set a new personal record?” I grinned wickedly.

  “Shut up.” She laughed. “I like him.” She lowered her eyes to the floor to hide her expression.

  “This is exactly what you say about every new guy you date.”

  “Not every new guy. I didn’t say it about my new boss.”

  I waved it off. “He doesn’t count, you didn’t go on a date with him.”

  “I think that Mark might be different from anyone I have ever dated. He’s kind and sweet and such a great kisser. And his hands can do real magic to my-”

  I cut her off, “Okay, I got the point. You liked sleeping with him. But let me remind you that this is not the first time it has happened.”

  “Yes, but it is still different.”

  “Okay, I’ll accept that for the time being. Now, why don’t we call it a day?”

  “Are you going to accept Dominick’s invitation?”

  “No.” I was being short, but I didn’t think it needed an explanation.

  “Are you sure about that? He looked very excited when he asked me to give you his address.” The pig had some nerve to involve my best friend into his sick mind games.

  “I’ll bet he did.”

  “And?” She asked, watching me expectedly.

  “And as I have already said, I’m not going anywhere but home.”

  It was the end of my conversation with Jillian, and at that very moment, I was sure as hell I wouldn’t change my mind.

  Now, standing in front of the mirror in my b
athroom, I was wondering how far this game with the devil would go? In the end, there was only one way to find out…

  Following Dominick’s instructions, I didn’t bother putting on too many clothes. I was even a little curious about what his reaction to my outfit would be. Even though I hadn’t had any serious (or any relationships at all for that matter) during the last seven years, I still adored lingerie that made me feel feminine and beautiful, and my closet was full of little lacy pieces that deserved precise exploration.

  The closer I got to his house, the less I could control my nerves. Once or twice, I missed green lights on cross streets and was rewarded with loud beeping cars and a few very descriptive compliments on my driving skills from the drivers behind me. By the time I stopped at Dominick’s driveway, I thought I wouldn’t be able to get out of my car. My knees were trembling badly.

  As if feeling my hesitation, the devil sent me a text message.

  “The gates are locked. No turning back now.”

  “Thanks for the warning,” I replied, thinking that he was probably the only person in the world texting his guest instead of getting his ass out of the house and inviting her in.

  I took a deep breath, looked one last time at my reflection in a small mirror, and went to the house that I thought I would never visit again.

  To my relief, the doors were not locked, so I pushed them open and let myself in.

  “Don’t you think it’s a little surreal to be back here?” The familiar voice asked.

  Slowly, I turned to my left and saw the house’s and the voice’s owner leaning leisurely against a staircase. Somehow, I didn’t notice it last time I was here. He was wearing a simple white shirt, with a few of the upper buttons undone, and a pair of pale-blue jeans that I never would have expected to see on someone like him. They were hanging dangerously low on his hips, and I could swear he wasn’t wearing anything underneath them. I didn’t take him for the low-pale-blue-jean-commando type.

  “Mr. Altier, good to see you again,” I said, hoping to sound calm, and formal, professional even; when in reality, every inch of my body was on high-alert.

  He smirked, coming closer. “I thought we were finished with Mr. and Miss, ma Belle de nuit.” He brushed my cheek with the back of his hand and I almost forgot how to breathe when his other hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer.

  “You sure know how to make a man wait,” he said softly.

  “I didn’t realize I was late.”

  “You aren’t late. But I have been waiting for this moment since the night you left me alone in my bed.” His eyes were shining brightly and for just a split second, I thought he couldn’t be real, like a beautiful picture that you could only look at but not touch.

  He bent and placed a small kiss on the corner of my lips, as if he were teasing me, testing me, trying to find out if I was ready for more. And damn it, I definitely was…

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, my eyes travelled down the sharp lines of his face and stopped at his full lips, that I couldn’t wait to taste again.

  “No half-way stops this time,” I said, before taking the final step into his welcoming embrace and covering his lips with mine.

  I didn’t have to wait long for his response. The moment our lips met, his embrace tightened and I felt his teeth biting my lower lip slightly, and then the kiss deepened, his tongue mingled with mine.

  The surroundings blurred so fast, I closed my eyes and dived into the ocean of sweet sensations that were dancing under my skin, hoping for this moment to last as long as possible, maybe even forever.

  I felt Dominick’s fingers on the back of my neck, working their way up, tangling in my hair, pulling it lightly while he was sucking my tongue with the same rhythmic precision, and making all the doubts in my mind come crashing down hopelessly fast.

  “I love the taste of your lips,” he whispered, breaking the kiss. “I love your scent, and even more than that, I love the small sounds you make when my fingers are inside you, pulling in and out and making you go wild.”

  My heart fluttered at the memory. My hands travelled down his shirt and slipped under it, welcoming the warmth of his skin touching mine. A sexy smirk twisted his lips as he reached for the belt on my coat and pulled it slowly, making my coat fall open.

  It was the moment that I had been waiting for on the drive to his house. I even stopped breathing, watching his reaction. He looked stunned, and I bet, he expected me to be wearing anything else except what I was actually wearing under my coat.

  “This,” he said, studying me from head to toe, “is the most mind-blowing outfit I had ever seen.”

  I smiled, pleased. “I’m glad you like it.” I knew he would be surprised that I heeded his instructions to wear little clothing, he probably figured I would wear a chastity belt, so I knew I was going to catch him off guard with my lingerie instead.

  Our eyes met again and I was taken aback by the intensity of his gaze. “Like is not a strong enough word,” he said, looking down at the dark-blue lacy corset, combined with the matching thong and black thigh-high stockings with a garter; with black, red-soled Louboutin pumps.

  “I’m speechlessly-amazed,” he added in a low voice. And then, something changed in his eyes. “How often do you dress up like this?”

  I smirked. “Why? Are you jealous about my other friends?”

  “Just so you know, I don’t share,” he said with the accent that suddenly became more noticeable. Was he nervous?

  “You won’t have to. I’m not a cheater, you know? I do not sleep around.”

  Relief flooded his usually unreadable face. “Good. Why don’t we have a drink then,” he said, leading me into his living-room. I didn’t remember how big it was, his house that is. Huge windows opened into a backyard with pitch-black night sky dotted with bright white glimmering stars.

  “Why do you live so far away from the city?” I asked, dropping my coat to one of the chairs. “Isn’t it annoying to get up two hours earlier just to be at work on time?”

  He didn’t reply.

  “Dominick?” I turned around and saw him starring at my outfit again.

  “I can hardly think, seeing you like this.”

  Men, why do they always become so helpless when they see a half-naked woman? She doesn’t even have to be standing right in front of them like I am now, she can be on a magazine cover and their thinking brain goes straight to their cock, making them incapable of normal conversation.

  “I only did what you asked me to do or asked me not to do rather — I didn’t put on too many clothes.”

  “Who would have thought you would be so obliging?”

  “So tell me, Mr. Smart Ass, what exactly am I doing here?” I asked, taking a seat on a couch, crossing my legs.

  He brought two glasses of champagne and gave one to me. “Well, I thought there were things we shouldn’t discuss in the office. Last time I checked, we can’t even manage to have a small conversation when you and I are locked in one room together.”

  “Last time I checked, your way of explaining things was not very clear, to me anyway.”

  He nodded, laughing quietly, his eyes locked with mine.

  “I’ll try to be more specific tonight.”

  “What game are you playing?” I asked, taking a sip of my drink.

  “The exact game you dressed up for,” he replied, without any hesitation.

  “And how long exactly do you think it might last?”

  “As long as we both need or want it to.”

  “I don’t need anything from you.”

  “Then why are you here?” He asked, squinting, trying to call bullshit on me.

  Good question…

  “To get the photos you took without my permission the last time I was here.”

  “What makes you think that I want to or will give them to you?”

  “Actually, I’m sure you don’t want to give them to me. But-” I rose to my feet, put my glass on a coffee table and came closer, leani
ng to his ear. “I have something that you might be interested in for a trade.”

  “Really? And what exactly is this ‘something’ I might be interested in?”

  Instead of answering, I wrapped my arms around his waist and leaned even closer to feel his erection, pressed against my stomach. “I think we both know the answer to that question,” I said seductively.

  I don’t know why, but something about Dominick felt wrong to me tonight. He was uncharacteristically quiet. He didn’t rush me to his bedroom; for a second I even thought he was afraid about the way the night might end.

  “You are full of contradictions, Scarlett. First, you let me think that I can get anything I want from you, then you pretend to be totally uninterested in me, and now again, you make me believe that we want the same things.”

  “Too much thinking and talking,” I said, pulling his lips to mine. God, they tasted amazing: like champagne and honey, and like my sweetest dreams coming true.

  “I don’t want you to regret anything,” he said, breathing heavily. “If you don’t want to be with me than don’t, because you’re just going to confuse us both,”

  “I won’t regret a thing,” I lied, knowing that whatever happens next would change me at once and forever. I didn’t know what I would say about it when everything was over, and I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t regret it. But right now, I didn’t care…

  I unbuttoned his shirt, enjoying the way his chest felt under my fingers: hard and perfect. Slowly, I took off his shirt, letting if fall down to the floor. Then I unzipped his jeans and pushed them down, already knowing that my guess about the underwear was correct, he was going commando tonight.

  “I can see that you followed your own advice about the clothes,” I said, still trying to figure out what felt so different about him tonight.

  “I didn’t want to waste even one second with you,” he said in a husky voice. Then he lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around him.

  “My bed, no games, only you and me, no running away in the middle of the night or early in the morning.”