Page 42 of Mountain Struggle

“Thanks for the drink. How could I repay you?” she asked, and it was impossible to miss the innuendo in her voice.

“You really don’t need to repay me,” Damien said. He blushed as he saw Kat staring at him from their table. She looked shocked and, if he were to be honest, slightly disgusted.

I’ve let this go too far.

“But I’ll bet you don’t buy drinks for all the ladies you meet,” she said. Her long, pale finger rubbed the rim of the glass in a sensual, hypnotic way.

“Listen … Lilibeth, I need to tell you—”

“No, you listen to me. I like you, and I’d like to go home now. What do you say, soldier? Want to go home together?”

“I’m not a soldier,” he said.

“Sorry,” she said. “Lieutenant? Captain? I’m just here for a couple of days, on holiday—I’m not familiar with the right terminology. But I’m a fast learner,” she said. Her small tongue came out to wet her lips, making them glisten.

Damien fought a short battle with himself, but the temptation was too strong.

“Come with me,” he whispered. “I’ll take you home.”

Something dark flashed in Lilibeth’s eyes for an instant—so quick he might have not noticed if he hadn’t been staring right into them—then they went back to their soft caramel color.

“My place or yours?” she asked, her voice very soft.

“My place,” he said, still unable to help himself.

Fuck, she’s going to be pissed at me.

“Forget the beer,” he said to the bartender, dropping some cash on the counter. Then to the woman, he said, “Give me a second.”

Damien went over to his teammates and apologized, saying there was something he had to do. Deep in some discussion about the best mountaineering equipment, they all nodded. All except Kat, whose eyes were smoldering.

“Do you know what you’re doing, boss?” she asked, her voice deadly soft. Then, when he didn’t react, continued, “What do you think Tess will think about this?”

Shit.

He’d forgotten she and Tess had become friendly in the last few weeks.

“You don’t have to worry, Kat.”

She shrugged, and he could see in the lines of her neck and shoulders what it cost her to let it go. Finally, she dismissed him and turned to speak to the others.

Damien went back to find Lilibeth, who’d shouldered her extra-large handbag and was standing uncertainly between him and the door. She seemed to have no other luggage. He opened the door for her and she walked outside.

“Am I going to be safe with you?” she asked when they reached their car.

“I’ll take care of you. I’m a good driver, Lilibeth.”

He waited until she let herself into the passenger’s seat, closing the door behind her before walking to his side of the car.

“What will we do when we get to your place?” she asked, her voice a husky whisper.

“Do you really need me to spell it out for you, Lilibeth?” he whispered in her ear.

She nodded, suddenly looking close to tears.

Damien sighed.

He’d taken this too far.