Ian was a man uncomfortable with weakness. He had made certain over the years that his heart remained free of entanglements and that his soul was his own. He had learned early the value of keeping his emotions to himself and of steeling his heart against the women who entered his life. But Kimberly had touched him, had wormed her way into his emotions before he realized it, or, unfortunately, realized why.

“That’s Dane Mattlaw’s daughter, right?” Jared watched him in concern. “You’re keeping her at the house? Think that’s smart?”

“No.” Ian knew it wasn’t smart. If he remembered anything about Courtney Mattlaw it was her reckless, wild nature. Dane never seemed to see the wildness that glittered in his precious daughter’s eyes, but Ian had. And it made him more than a little uncomfortable. It spurred a response in him that made him feel like a dirty old man.

Hell, she had been too damned young for the hard-on that filled his pants the first time he saw the heat in her gaze as she watched him.

What kind of pervert lusted after a seventeen-year-old? It was perverted. Depraved. Even worse than what he knew he was. Sharing a lover was a far sight less despicable than getting the hardest erection he had ever experienced in his life, for a child. And had Dane known, he would have castrated him. Courtney was his baby. His precious little jewel. If he even suspected that Ian’s thoughts were less than pure about the girl, then Ian was dead.

“What’s up, Ian?” Jared’s gaze was sharp, suspicious as he stared over Kimberly’s sleeping body.

His dick, that’s what was up. He sat up on the bed, jerking his pants from the floor and pulling them over his legs as he kept his back to his friend.

Where the hell was his shirt? He looked around the room, his lips twisting humorously as he spied it half under the bed. Kimberly had been desperate to get them undressed by time they got her to the bedroom.

He bent, jerking it from the floor and pulling it roughly over his shoulders, buttoning it, leaving the tails hanging free to hide the erection pushing against his jeans.

“Not a damned thing,” he finally answered. “I’m stuck babysitting Dane’s brat for God knows how long, because he doesn’t want his precious baby in America alone. She’s twenty-four years old, for God’s sake. I doubt she needs a chaperone anymore.”

He raked his fingers through his hair, casting Jared a furious look at the thought.

“Where is the man’s common sense? Does he think The Club is some lily-white establishment catering to male virgins? What the hell is he doing sending his daughter to me of all people?”

He had been very careful of Courtney in the past years, visiting her parent’s estate in England rather than having them visit him. Staying for only short visits, and limiting his time in her company. As she grew from the child he had carried from a virtual prison during the darkness of night, to a young woman whose very presence lit up a room, he had realized how dangerous she could be to him.

He turned away, shaking his head at the situation he found himself in. He searched for his socks, finding one in the corner of the bedroom, the other under the bed. Dammit, Kimberly was going to have to pay more attention to where she threw his clothing.

“Dane’s not a stupid man.” Jared yawned again, obviously dismissing the subject. “He knows you’ll take care of her.”

Yeah. Flat on her fucking back with her feet around her ears while his cock plowed into her. That was how he was going to end up taking care of her if he wasn’t extremely careful.

As far as he was concerned, Dane had lost his fucking mind.

“You would think so,” he grunted at the comment. “You would definitely think so.”

* * * * *

Lord save him!

Ian leaned against the wall of the airport waiting area and watched as Courtney made her way from the escalator and looked around the crowded terminal with a slight frown on her face. She hadn’t caught a glimpse of him yet, for which he was extremely thankful. It gave him a moment to catch his breath.

How could he have forgotten how damned pretty she was? Her long, dark brown hair was left loose to flow down her back, nearly to her hips, her expressive face was currently holding a slight pout as the sight of him continued to elude her, and her tall, slender body was a wet dream walking.

Dressed in below the hip jeans, and a blouse cut too high for comfort, there was enough flesh displayed to make his mouth go dry, not to mention the dirty old men passing by her, sneaking looks at the silken, glistening flesh she had bared.

And winking shamelessly at her navel was an emerald in the shape of a cat’s eye, glistening against the dark flesh of her belly. It was enough to make a grown man whimper. Despite the provocative clothing and the sensual grace with which she moved, innocence still seemed to shroud her. A cheeky smirk curved her lips, chocolate brown eyes gleamed with joy, curiosity, and a love of life. She was like a breath of fresh air blowing through the stale atmosphere of the airport lounge.

A grunt of laughter escaped his throat.

He had been getting hard for her since she was seventeen years old. Who was the dirty old man? He was eleven years older than she was and old enough to know better, now, seven years later. But his cock had no conscience. It was hard, straining beneath his jeans, and throbbing in hunger.

“Ian…” He watched as a wide smile curved her lips and pleasure lit her dark eyes as she finally spotted him.

Striding quickly across the room, her full breasts bounced—damn, she was obviously not wearing a bra. The emerald that pierced her belly button winked erotically and had his tongue aching to lick and probe at the little indention it called attention to.

She was the most tempting thing he had seen in his life. A temptation he didn’t need.

“About time you got here, brat.” He opened his arms to her, closing his eyes as she threw herself into his embrace, her arms wrapping around his neck as he lifted her from her feet and hugged her tight, relishing the feel of her in his arms. She was going to be a pain in the neck, but she was one of the few people in the world that he cared anything for. One of the few who truly cared for him.

It had been more than a year since he had seen her last. For just that reason. He didn’t want to hurt her, but more importantly, he hadn’t wanted that caring affection they shared harmed. The joy she showed when he was around lit up the dark places in his soul. Letting that go would be a wound to his heart he knew would never heal.

The hunger growing by the year was becoming uncomfortable enough to stress the control he prided himself on so deeply though. He was now forced to confront the seductive little baggage whether he wanted to or not.

“Ian, you are as handsome as ever,” she exclaimed as he set her back on her feet, staring up at him with those mysterious brown eyes and wicked humor.

“And you’re as pretty as sunrise.” He shook his head at the truth of his own statement. She was as fresh, as innocent as dawn.

She smiled up at him, her hands still gripping his shoulders, her hips pressed into his thighs. And that wicked, hungry light in her eyes assured him she had felt the hard-on raging beneath the cloth.

He shook his head mockingly.

“You’re a bad girl, Courtney.” He moved her back. “Your father should have spanked you more when you were a child.”

Her laughter was low, filled with heat. “So Mother keeps telling him. Perhaps you should spank me, Ian. Since it appears you are the one being affected. I might like having you spank me.”

The thought of it nearly had his eyes glazing in lust. And she damned well knew it if her expression was anything to go by.

She watched him beneath lowered eyelids, her thick lashes shadowing her cheeks as she damped her lips with a flick of her hot little tongue. His cock jerked, his lust howled out in hunger.

“Come on, wench.” He shook his head at her blatant flirtation, leading the way from the reception area to the limo outside. “Where’s your luggage?”

“You see it.” She indicated the carryon duffel bag at her feet as she picked it up and moved behind him. “It was time to go clothes shopping, so I thought I’d pick up the essentials while I was here. Why travel with tons of bags if you don’t have to?”

Ian took the bag from her as she came up beside him, nearly skipping to keep up with his stride.

“Has nothing to do with that shopping bug you picked up from your mother,” he grunted at the information as he fought the laughter welling in his chest. Her mother, Marguerita, could shop for days and never tire.

“Of course not,” she assured him with mocking emphasis. “I needed new clothes. A girl has to look presentable, Ian.”

He glanced at the clothing she wore now. “Buy something that fits this time,” he suggested, unable to keep from grinning at her free-spirited laughter. “Your father should lock you in a padded room, Courtney. You’re a menace.”

She pouted teasingly. “But you love me, Ian, you know you do.” She looped her arm through his, pressing close to his side as they exited the airport. “Just think of how dull and boring this winter would be without me. I came to heat things up for you, and you aren’t showing the least amount of thankfulness.”

Thankfulness wasn’t exactly the way he would describe it, he agreed silently.

The limo waited just outside the doors, its warm interior protection against the cold on her tender flesh. Why it should bother him, when it didn’t bother her, he wasn’t certain. Maybe he was hoping it was the cold that had her nipples pressing hard and tight against her shirt. If it wasn’t, he was in a hell of a lot of trouble here.

“You didn’t even bring a coat,” he growled as his driver whisked the door open and helped her in immediately.

“Who needs a coat?” She burrowed into the warm leather as he stepped in and the door closed behind him. “I could just cuddle up to you. You stay hot.”

She had no idea.

She flashed him a saucy smile as she began to play with the controls set against the opposite side. Within seconds, the tinted privacy window rose between them and the driver.

Ian watched her curiously. It was obvious the little minx had something on her mind. He waited patiently, watching as she leaned back in her seat, then turned, leaning her side against the leather back as she stared back at him silently.

He lifted a brow inquisitively. “You needed privacy?”

“Well, you never know when it might come in handy.” She was openly laughing at him now. “How far are we from the house?”

His gaze narrowed on her. “Half an hour, maybe.”

She turned to face him, laying her cheek against the back of the seat.

“I hate these late flights. Why is it, you can spend the night dancing and never tire before dawn. But take a flight that lands at three in the morning and you’re wasted?”

“Try meeting one at three in the morning,” he chuckled. “You dragged me from my warm bed, Courtney. Shame on you.”

“Not to mention the warm body likely sharing it.”

Her moue of displeasure was ignored.

“Your room is already prepared and waiting for you at the house,” he promised her. “You can fall right into bed the minute we arrive. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for Stan to be at your disposal with the car. You can shop to your heart’s content.”

“Are you…coming with me?” She batted her eyes innocently.

Her sexy little innuendos were going to get her spanked. Unfortunately he had a feeling if he got his hands on her ass, discipline would be the last thing on his mind.

“I think I can do without the shopping trip.” He grimaced at the thought of it. “I’ll see if my housekeeper’s daughter is free if you like. She can help you become acquainted with the city, and show you the best stores. You’ll like Ivy. She’s as much a menace as you are.”