Page 6 of Cruel Salvation

“I don’t know.” Damon shook his head. “Maybe I just need a break to think.”

“Well, we could always use someone with your experience and you’re cleared by Bás. Why don’t you take a sabbatical and see what sticks? It’s not like you can’t afford it.”

She was right. When Cavendish was sold, he and Gideon both became multi-billionaires. He needed to work, though, or he’d go crazy with boredom. It wasn’t in his make-up to play golf all day.

“That might be a good idea.” It would also give him a reason to be around Lotus and maybe force the stubborn woman to speak to him and acknowledge the connection they had.

“You can stay with us for as long as you need.”

Damon smirked when Gideon shook his head behind his wife’s back. “No, I might rent some place close though, so I can annoy him.”

“We’d love that. Wouldn’t we, Gideon?”

“Love it, Cookie.”

She slapped his shoulder playfully at the sarcastic tone and he laughed but then sobered. “Seriously bro, it would be good to have you around. I miss your ugly face.”

“And I miss your winning personality.”

“Then that’s settled.”

“I need to speak to the partner at my firm first but yeah, it’s the way to go, I think.”

Duchess waggled her brows. “And I know Lotus will be happy to see you.”

Damon frowned at the mention of the woman who was as prickly as she was sexy. They’d had one night of mind-blowing sex, and then she’d ghosted him hard and she was good at it. The problem for him was that it wasn’t just the sex, he enjoyed her company. She was funny and smart and didn’t fawn over him for his money or status. If anything, she made him work for her attention and he liked that. But after her friend had died, she’d pulled back on him, until the night it had come to a head at Hurricane and Peyton’s engagement, when he’d cornered her and she’d slapped him for suggesting she was a coward and then launched herself into his arms. His groin ached, just thinking about how wild and untamed she’d been, how passionate and responsive to his touch. Now, though, she acted like he didn’t exist, closing the door on him and, from what he understood, everyone else too.

It was her fault his dick wasn’t seeing any action lately. Every time he looked at a beautiful woman, he ended up comparing them and his enthusiasm waned to nothing. It was unusual for him to go without sex for more than a few weeks. Now he didn’t see an end in sight, so his only option was to pursue her. He was nothing if not determined when he wanted something, and he wanted Nazareli Holt underneath him again and again, until they’d satiated this hunger.

Who knew snarky was so attractive? Certainly not him. Being here might give him the chance to get that out of his system. Perhaps being around her more would show him that, far from sexy, it was exhausting being with a woman who could cut you down so fast.

“Has Lotus ever been happy to see anyone in her life?”

Duchess got a sad look on her face. “She’s had a rough life, and this most recent loss of Rykov is weighing heavy. Honestly, I’m worried she won’t be able to carry it on her own for much longer.”

“Was she in love with him?” An unfamiliar pang of jealousy swept over him and he fought to push it away. He’d seen them together once and seen how close they were. The man died shortly after, devastating everyone but especially Nazareli.

“She loved him very much, but not like that. At least I don’t think so.” Nadia looked pensive for a moment and then lifted her head and grinned. “You know, I have an idea that might be a good fit for you. Give me a few days as I need to speak with Bás about it first.”

“Cool, now what’s the plan for today?”

“Me and Nadia are going for Sunday lunch at Bishop and Charlie’s with the gang. You’re welcome to come with us.”

“Are you sure that would be okay?”

Duchess nodded. “Absolutely. You’re practically an honorary member now.”

Damon chuckled. “And to think it all started with a bag over my head.”

“Hey, it was a soft cotton bag. We aren’t animals.”

Gideon rolled his eyes. “Cookie, only you would justify kidnapping someone with a bag over their head by saying it was a cotton bag.”

Duchess stood and dropped a kiss to his lips. “You married me so who is the real weirdo here?”

She darted off with a giggle as Gideon chased her up the stairs.

Damon walked outside and took in the beauty of the fields surrounding them, enjoying the silence and the clean air of the countryside. He’d never considered moving away from London, but there was something so peaceful about this place. Everything moved slower and he’d seen the effect it had on Gideon, although a lot of his brother’s happiness was down to the woman he loved.

Perhaps he could find that too, except the only woman he wanted seemed to either hate him or want to ignore him. Yet he couldn’t get that night out of his head. The way she’d arched her back as he tasted her, bringing her to orgasm on his tongue, her sighs and moans of pleasure as he fucked her. He couldn’t figure out why she’d run after that, but he was going to find out.