The Fire Within

Chapter Four

Three hours into the night and Samantha felt wonderful, not at all like she had on her previous visit to Outpour. Gerry Huntington was as pleasant in person as he’d been from her dealings with him on the phone. He’d personally hired all of his employees and had introduced her to each one present. Surprisingly, meeting Darius again had been anticlimactic. Save for the sparkle in his dark eyes, he acted friendly and courteously, not at all like the playboy from the night prior.

Not wanting to delve into her earlier dealings with him, she’d flashed him a warning look and continued with Gerry’s introductions. A gorgeous blonde named Ellie was apparently his favourite, and from what she had thus far observed of the woman, Samantha could clearly see why.

For the three hours she’d been watching, both Ellie and Darius worked nonstop. As bombarded by male patrons as Darius was by the females, Ellie had a ready smile and friendly efficiency that bolstered sales while encouraging an atmosphere of fun. A man carrying three drinks bumped her, interrupting her musings. Murmuring an apology, she neatly sidestepped him and saw Gerry conversing with one of the VIP patrons on a raised platform across the room. He nodded at her and she smile back encouragingly, not needing to pretend satisfaction with the huge crowd dominating Outpour. She had already noted a few things he might want to change to increase profits, but advertising to increase patronage wasn’t one of them.

She noted the majority of women plaguing the bartenders near Darius’ station and forced herself to keep her attention on the dance floor.

The minute she had left him after Gerry’s introduction, she’d felt his eyes on her. Despite not wanting to renew their acquaintance from before, she’d been tempted to chastise him for causing such a scene in public this morning, even knowing she had no right to do so. She couldn’t help remembering how it had felt to be dumped, and that Darius obviously cared so little for the woman he’d left crying in public, well, it made her feel that much worse for responding to his touch last night.

An arm shot around her waist, startling her out of her musings.

“Come on baby, dance with me,” a handsome blond man cajoled as he tugged her towards the dancefloor. “Someone as gorgeous as you shouldn’t be sitting on the sidelines.”

She glanced at the smiling stranger and shrugged. Why not? She’d see how the club felt from the middle of the crowded dancefloor.

Her partner introduced himself over the loud music as John, and as she moved closer to respond, she felt a tangible urge to step away.

A low growl came out of nowhere, but she didn’t see anyone near her expressing interest in her or her dancing partner. Without knowing why, her eyes found Darius glowering at her from the bar before he dismissed her and turned to another woman clamouring for his attention.

“Odd,” she muttered. She turned back to John with an apologetic smile. “I’m Samantha.” He nodded. After several minutes of dancing, he grinned when the music shifted to a more sensual beat and pulled her close, allowing her to feel every nuance of his aroused body.

Unfortunately for John, her body still hadn’t recovered from Darius, nor had she the inclination to indulge his forward actions.

“Thanks, but I have to get back to work,” she said and easily disentangled herself. She wanted to like him. He seemed like an ordinary guy and she found him pleasantly attractive. Maybe a short roll in the hay would diminish the aggravating attraction she felt for the he-man at the bar.

Again disapproval shot through her system with enough fire to burn her into acquiescence. She rubbed at her thundering heart and glanced around her, not surprised to see no one but John paying her any attention.

“Sorry, John. But I appreciated the dance.”

He shrugged and leaned close with a grin meant to entice. “I’ll be here all night, waiting and watching for a change of mind.” He licked his lips in what should have passed for a come-on but instead made her think he needed to hold back on the alcohol. He smelled like a brewery.

Making her way through the crowd, she returned to the sidelines of the dance floor, pondering her odd subconscious. Samantha always listened to the little voice inside her. But she couldn’t imagine why her inner voice had suddenly taken on a masculine tone. Perhaps more of her sexual frustration coming to the fore. She sighed. Whatever. She wasn’t here to fool around anyway. She had goals, she had discipline, and she had a job to do.

Disgusted at her lack of willpower, she resumed her professional persona and focused again on the dynamics within the club.

Gerry had a surefire hit with Outpour. The DJ, atmosphere and flowing alcohol clearly attested to a prosperous business. And the potential for growth was enormous.

She took out a small PDA and made notes on possible improvements and items she definitely wanted to emphasise as effective. An hour passed and she began to grow thirsty amid the hot bodies and pulsing lights, so she purposefully moved to the bar not occupied by Darius to order a water. Ellie, the head bartender, handed her a glass without pause.

The tall blonde wore a tight blue shirt that set off the bright blue of her eyes, and a thin gold rod piercing her navel accentuated her slim belly. Gerry had told her that though Ellie looked like a typical blonde bombshell, she was anything but. Highly intelligent and well-spoken, Ellie worked at Outpour only to ’finance her future’, as she liked to say—whatever that was. Gerry had been agonising over losing her since he’d contacted Samantha. Hiring Darius had been a breakthrough but still wouldn’t heal the tear when Ellie left.

“Looks hot out there,” Ellie said, nodding to the dance floor as she filled another order.

“It is.” Samantha closed her eyes and swallowed her water. Nothing had ever tasted better. “So how are things on your end?”

“Just a sec.” Ellie smiled as she worked, easily able to multitask as she prepared an order for a waitress while taking the order of the patron leaning closest to her over the bar. “I love the rush,” she said as she handed the waitress her drinks and prepared another. “Of course, I’m not as crowded as Darius and Mike over there.” She nodded towards the bar opposite her. “But in another hour or so the men will start pouring through those doors knowing the women are here.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Happens every week like clockwork, or at least it has since Darius started.” Ellie paused to stare. “You’d have to be dead not to notice how hot he is.”

Samantha glanced over her shoulder at the man surrounded by women. “So why not make a play yourself?” Ignoring the tingle of irrational jealousy, she studied Ellie. “You’re popular enough, judging from your share of admirers,” she said, seeing the men around Ellie angling for her attention, and not just for the alcohol.

Ellie grinned. “I’ve tried. He politely but firmly said no.”

Surprised, Samantha stared at Darius. She wouldn’t have pegged him as so discerning, but recalling the expensive blonde he’d been with earlier in the day, perhaps his tastes ran to the more sophisticated.

“And to be honest, it’s for the best. There’s no spark there.”

“No spark?”

“You know, chemistry? When I stand near him, I just want to look at him.” Ellie grinned. “He’s handsome, but not my type. Weird, huh?”

Ignoring her relief, Samantha asked if there was anything she could do to help when the number of orders increased.

“If you wouldn’t mind, would you grab me some more Zinfandel and J.D. from the basement? They’ve been stacked and ready to move for an hour, but Sean and Maggie have been stuck helping me.”

“Sure. Just use the freight elevator, right?” Gerry had shown it to her earlier, under the now working basement lights.

“Yeah. Once you bring it up, just let Sean know. ” Ellie turned to help the next customer and Samantha left to grab the supplies. She refused to glance at Darius before she left, more determined than ever to avoid him in the future.

The minute Samantha left the floor Darius turned to Mike. “I’m going to grab some more house bottles. Need anything while I’m gone?”

“Yeah, a break,” Mike muttered under his breath as another customer grabbed his attention.

“Carla and Todd are working their butts off and here comes Dave to take my place.” Darius raised his voice to be heard over the women vying for his attention. “Sorry ladies,” he apologised and nodded towards Dave, “but I have an errand to run. Be right back. Until then, Dave’s your man.”

Several complaints floated but Darius ignored them. He’d been waiting all night for the opportunity to corner Samantha. And he couldn’t have asked for a better window. She had disappeared behind the ’employees only‘ door, no doubt to help Ellie, who seemed overrun with men wanting more than drink.

He shook his head and followed after Samantha. Too bad Ellie did nothing to heat his blood. She had the looks, the brains, hell, a body to kill for. But something about her failed to draw him. Samantha, on the other hand…

He found her in the basement struggling to unlock a loaded dolly and quietly crept behind her.

“Back in the basement again, hmm?” he said in a soft voice, grinning when she screamed and spun around to face him. He caught a subtle whiff of perfume that went straight to his head and narrowed his intent focus.

She looked good enough to eat.

Her eyes sparkled with anger and she crossed her arms over full breasts, her mouth a tight line of pink indulgence. “Don’t you have a job you should be doing? Why are you down here when your bar is overloaded with customers?”

She sounded high and mighty, her husky voice surprisingly prim. She made him want to throw her down on the cold floor and fuck her until she screamed his name, begging for mercy.

Something of his desire must have shown in his eyes for she backed away nervously. “Darius?” She cleared her throat and planted her feet, though he could see the tension in her tight frame. “I asked you a question.”

He smiled, a feline grin not meant to reassure. “I followed you down here, Samantha.” Her name rolled off his lips like molten hunger. Before this night was through, he intended to conquer Samantha, to once and for all purge her from his thoughts. “Now why don’t we finish what you started last night?” he asked silkily and stepped closer.

“Last night?” She had to tilt her head to look up at him. “What I started? Are you saying I initiated those touches? That embrace?” She glared at him and poked him in the chest, her nerves vanishing in a flash. “Look, Darius, you came on to me.” She scowled at him, making him wonder just what she’d found so disgusting about his behaviour last night. He clearly remembered her body’s response to his nearness, and it had been more than welcoming. “You lost the blonde today at breakfast, so now you want to try me on for size? Forget it.”

He frowned. “What blonde? And what the hell are you talking about?”

“What?” she asked innocently. “Can’t remember her name? Or are you finally feeling guilty for dumping her in public?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. The only woman on my mind lately is an irritating consultant with flashing green eyes and honey-spun hair.”

Before she could say anything, he yanked her to him, pressing her against him to let her know of his intent. Her eyes darkened, a dusky leaf-green colour that made him think of the wild forests of Tanselm. And when her nipples brushed his chest, she created a storm of need that had him pressing harder against her.

He felt no shame in sharing his want. His cock felt unbearably full. And despite the battle raging within her, he could sense her passion equalled his. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and smelled the feminine desire emanating from her very core.

She shoved at him once, then again, trying desperately to break his hold. When he looked down at her, he saw the confusion lining her face, her lips parted in silent question. She met his fierce gaze and like a switch that had been thrown, she stopped struggling, her gaze wandering from his eyes to his mouth.

Taking the opportunity as an invitation, he wasted no more time. With a swiftness that took her breath, he latched onto her luscious lips, groaning at the contact. She tasted sweet, fresh and dangerously addictive. At first her body tightened, then after a moment melted in his arms.

Fierce satisfaction blazed through him, setting his body aflame. Excitement grew to a fevered pitch as she not only returned his kiss, but met his tongue with her own in an aggressive battle of wills.

Several lightbulbs popped, leaving the basement in darkness save for a dim light against the wall, throwing them in the shadows. He couldn’t believe this woman had such an effect on him. With just a kiss she made him lose control of his powers, made him want to unleash all his frustrations and hungers in her scorchingly lush body.

He deepened the kiss, trailing his lips across her cheek to her throat as he brought a hand around to her front. She moaned his name as he sucked her neck and gasped when his hand stole under her shirt to caress her lace-cupped breast.

Rocking against her, he left no doubt as to what he intended. On the cold floor, against the wall, it didn’t matter as long as he felt her melt around him. And bless the Light she felt the same, for her hands crept around his waist, pulling him closer as a part of her cried out, More.

Touch me, he answered, mentally linking them closer while he ravaged her body. He deftly unfastened her bra beneath her shirt and quickly stripped her of both garments. Then he removed his shirt, needing to feel her flesh against his.

She rasped his name and his desire increased threefold. He could feel her need pressing at him, demanding he give her what she wanted. Startled at her response, one he might have expected had she been from Tanselm, he couldn’t help taking a breath to study the passionate creature before him.

“I want you,” she said breathlessly, eyeing his broad chest with slumberous eyes. “I need you inside me.”

Her face flushed and her lips swollen, she made him think of everything that was feminine and desirable, everything a man could ever want.

Not able to understand the powerful urge to take her, he nonetheless stripped out of his clothes in record time and knelt to remove the rest of her garments. On his knees, he jerked her clothes down, his mouth dry as he eyed her golden curls glistening with desire—for him.

Unable to resist, he parted her thighs enough to push a finger deep inside her, glorying in her erotic response. She felt so tight around him, her passage slick with cream, her nub tight and ripe. He rubbed his thumb against her clit and watched her arch her head back as she begged for release.

So passionate, so responsive.

He lost patience, stood, and stripped the remaining clothes from her body before backing her against the nearest concrete wall. Their forms played in the shadows, and despite the dim light around them he saw her clearly, a beautiful spirit of light shining just for him. He dropped to his knees and spread her thighs wide, waiting until she made eye contact again.

“Mine,” he growled and pressed his mouth to her mound.

Samantha forgot to breathe, forgot to care about making love in a public place. Everything had ceased to exist the moment she surrendered to overwhelming temptation and accepted his sexual offering.

Her heart felt as if it would leave her chest as she felt his hot mouth licking and nipping at her clit. His tongue, oh my God. He pressed up into her, lapping at her arousal and she felt her orgasm fast approaching. Like a huge wave, her climax seemed to grow and build, hovering before it would come crashing down over her.

She stared down at Darius, the coldness at her back forgotten as she saw his eyes closed in ecstasy, his mouth buried against her flesh. He nipped and sucked at her clit and she grasped his head, running her fingers through his soft hair to urge him on. She had never before been so on fire, so totally lost in another.

Nothing mattered but the inferno Darius stoked, the utter rapture that she knew waited just beyond her reach.

So close to the edge, on the verge of climax, and he stopped. “Darius, please,” she gasped, desperately needing to come. But the primal look in his eyes froze her. He looked almost inhuman, his eyes glittering with a strange red light reminiscent of her dream.

In a blur he rose to his feet and caught her in his arms. He lifted her off her feet, positioned himself between her thighs and wrapped her legs around his waist. Moaning softly, she closed her eyes when she felt his lips pulling on her nipple.

She pushed against him, arching her hips, and was rewarded when she felt the head of his massive penis pressing into her. So slick with need, she accommodated him easily until she realised she had only taken a part of him.

He moved slowly, as if waiting for her to see him. Glancing into his eyes, she mouthed, “yes” before sealing their lips together. He began thrusting his tongue into her mouth, over and over as he pushed further into her core.

Stretched and filled more than she could have imagined, she moaned into his mouth as he fully slid inside her. He stilled for a minute, letting her feel all of him. But her body was on fire. Nothing and no one existed save Darius and the way he made her feel.

Pressing back against the wall to ease his intrusion, she suddenly shoved forward again, rocking her hips against him in hopes of regaining the delicious friction of his arousal pulsing within her.

He groaned and began thrusting, mimicking the action with his tongue. A wave of intense heat surrounded them, shimmering around Samantha like part of a dream. It was too intense, too encompassing to be real, but she was too far gone to care.

His groin rubbed her clit as he pounded into her, his thrusts deeper as he increased the tempo and intensity.

He broke from her mouth as he thrust, staring into her eyes. “Come around me, my fire, take all of me,” he said thickly.

Samantha could only hold on as her body suddenly exploded. Staring into his fathomless eyes, she climaxed violently, clutching at him as her body shook.

“Samantha,” he groaned as he thrust one last time, deep and hard. He stilled and shuddered, and she could actually feel him spurting inside her. Like the ripples of an aftershock, his orgasm enhanced her own, making her squeeze him tighter until they were both utterly spent.

For timeless moments they stayed that way, his heavy body leaning against her, pinning her to the wall while he pulsed inside her, drenching her womb with warm, wet seed.

Samantha finally caught her breath, aware now of the coldness against her back, of the trickle of moisture sliding down her legs. His laboured breathing calmed as they stood together, and he slowly withdrew. She closed her eyes, already missing his presence within her. When she opened her eyes, it was to find him staring at her with an indiscernible expression, the same expression he’d had when they’d first met.

Last night.

In a flash, reality crashed over her. She had just had sex, no, make that incredible, mind-blowing sex, with Darius Storm, a man who only hours earlier had broken some other woman’s heart.

The wetness between her thighs startled her further.

She couldn’t believe she’d been so stupid to have had unprotected sex with a stranger. Even with Josh she’d always insisted he use a condom.

Confused and more than a little frightened of her intense reaction to the dark-haired sex magnet staring at her, she swallowed loudly, not sure of what to say.

He frowned at her, studying her like a puzzle. Yet he didn’t speak. The silence soon became awkward and her nudity embarrassing. As the ugliness of reality returned, she wondered how much time had passed, if anyone had ventured down to the basement and seen them having sex.

Oh Lord.

“No one saw anything,” Darius said in a low voice. He continued to stare at her. “We are completely alone.”

She chanced a look at him and saw to her amazement he had grown hard again. Distracted, she finally assuaged her curiosity and saw him fully nude for the first time.

The image was breathtaking.

Broad shouldered and heavily muscled, from his chest to his thighs to his calves, Darius looked like male perfection. His penis was huge, thick and long, glistening with her juices, making him all the more enticing.

He obviously wanted her again, and to her amazement she felt her loins pool with desire, but she shook her head. She’d already made a huge mistake having sex with him while at work. Why compound the error?

“We need to get back,” she said, wetting her dry lips with her tongue. He followed the action like a snake about to strike. All too easily she envisioned him plastering his mouth to hers, swallowing her cries of passion as he licked and stroked her mouth.

She blinked to gather her thoughts and realised in her gross ogling that she had yet to put on any clothes.

“I can’t believe we just did that,” she murmured as she hurried to gather and don what clothes she could find. Talk about sizzling passion. Darius had thrown her clothes everywhere, and the lack of lighting in the basement didn’t help matters.

A flare of light above her suddenly illuminated her search and she froze, thinking they’d been discovered.

“It’s just me,” Darius said quietly. “I see some of your clothes over there.”

She quickly grabbed them and threw them on, then slipped into her shoes. I can’t believe I just had earth-shattering sex with Darius Storm. She risked a glance in his direction and saw him completely dressed, his gaze resting on her questioningly.

As she straightened, she cringed to feel her underwear clinging to her. He came inside me. Panic set in as fears assaulted her. What the hell was I thinking?

Darius’ lips turned up at the corners. “I have no sexual dysfunction.”

“What?” she asked blankly.

“I am not diseased. And you don’t need to worry about babies.”

She stared at him slack jawed. Was he reading her mind? His eyes twinkled as if in humour, dark black and perfectly normal, and her confusion melted into renewed desire. Desperate to escape before she repeated her mistake, she stood to her full height and forced herself to give him a tepid glance. Best to end things on her terms before he crushed her dignity. Besides, this way she could walk away, or rather run, to gather what little control she thought she possessed.

“It’s been fun, Darius. Incredible, really,” she added with a small, bland smile, her emotions a mess. She could only be glad she sounded convincing for he frowned. “But I’ve got work to do upstairs. Thanks for…everything.”

She turned her back on him and struggled to unlock the wheels of the dolly. When he reached around her she tensed, but he only depressed the locked latch, freeing her to move. Releasing a pent-up breath, she pushed the mound of liquor onto the freight elevator.

Casually turning to press the elevator release, she couldn’t help looking at him. Unspeaking, they stared at one another until the elevator engaged and she could no longer see him. Once out of his sight she slumped against the wall, her emotions making fireworks inside her heart.

She didn’t want to return upstairs as if nothing monumental had happened, but she refused to give him the upper hand. He couldn’t know how deeply their intimacy had affected her, especially since she had yet to get a handle on her blazing feelings.

The rest of the night passed by in a blur since she kept herself busy helping Ellie and the others. She studiously avoided Darius and his side of the club, both relieved and annoyed that he didn’t seek her out to say anything.

When the hour reached two in the morning she decided she’d had enough. She left the club after checking in with Gerry and caught a cab back to her hotel. But once away from the noise, her thoughts strayed to Darius and refused to leave him.