Dirty Damage: Chapter 23

The rumble of the yacht’s engine vibrates beneath my feet as Oleg steers us farther from shore.

He’s been playing professor for the past hour, lecturing me about bilges and flybridges and other boat parts I couldn’t care less about.

But I nod along like a good student, pretending I don’t notice how his biceps flex when he grips the wheel, or how his shoulders stretch the limits of his white henley.

At this point, I’m pretty sure he brought me out here to murder me.

It would be the perfect crime—dump my body in the Atlantic, let the sharks take care of the evidence. No one would ever know what happened to the daycare worker who accidentally sent nudes to the entire company.

He glances my way and I quickly avert my eyes, but not before catching the hint of a smirk playing at his lips.

Busted.

“You seem relaxed,” I blurt out, immediately wanting to smack myself.

His golden-brown eyes lock onto mine and I babble on like an idiot. “It’s just, in your office this morning, you weren’t— The farther we get from land, the more comfortable you seem.”

His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t address my observation. Instead, he asks, “Want to steer?”

“The yacht?” I squeak, my voice embarrassingly high.

It took me four tries to get my driver’s license. I’m not sure I should be behind the wheel of a superyacht.

“There’s nothing to it.” He beckons me with two fingers. “Come here.”

His casual command settles hot and heavy between my legs.

It’s like I have no choice but to obey as I step forward.

Surprisingly gently, Oleg grabs my hand and spins me in front of the wheel, caging me between his hard body and the helm.

His heat envelops me, making my skin prickle with awareness.

“Can’t steer without touching the wheel, princess.” He whispers the teasing words against my neck, sending goosebumps down my spine.

“It was one time. I wore a princess costume one time,” I grumble.

His low chuckle sends another zing of electricity to my core.

God. Get it together, Sutton.

This morning, I was flipping him off through his security camera and charging across town to chew him out.

Now, all is forgotten because he’s pressing his body up against me?

He shifts me closer, his hand spanning across my hip, and⁠—

… Well, yeah, I guess all is forgotten. I can’t seem to remember anything else, anyway.

He stays behind me as I pretend to navigate, though I’m sure he’s actually controlling everything.

The stars glitter above us, casting dazzling patterns across the bow.

It’s the first time I’ve actually looked around.

Coincidentally, it’s the first time Oleg hasn’t been in my eyeline.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, mesmerized.

Without warning, he reaches past me to pull some lever. “Let’s drift for a while.”

My body tenses, and there’s no hiding it. He must feel the way I stiffen at the brush of his arm against mine. The way I tilt my neck when his mouth gets close, basically begging for him to kiss the soft skin there.

Any change my attraction to him has gone unnoticed is gone now.

My pheromones might as well be a foghorn blaring through the quiet night.

“What do you prefer?” he asks, moving toward the door that leads to the bow. “Private cabin or open sky?”

I swallow hard. “For what?”

His only answer is a tilted, knowing smile that makes my knees weak. “Make your choice.”

“Um… I want whatever you want.”

That’s a dangerous game, considering I have no idea what Oleg wants. After days of ignoring me, I’m suddenly all he can seem to focus on.

I don’t know why I’m here or what the plan is.

But when he extends his hand to me, I don’t hesitate to take it.

Some dark part of my brain warns me that this is how my mother and sister got themselves into trouble over and over again. But it’s drowned out by the way his fingers easily engulf mine, by the rough feel of his palm against mine.

He leads me to the bow where we have an unbroken view of the deep blue water. He tilts his face skyward.

“Listen to that.”

“I don’t hear anything.”

“Exactly.”

When he turns to me, his golden eyes burn like twin flames in the darkness. I couldn’t look away if I tried.

“Let’s take a little dip.”

My brain takes a moment to process his words. I glance at the inky water below. “Now?”

“Trust me, there’s nothing like it.”

The air is mild, but I’m betting that water is arctic. “It’ll be cold.”

“Don’t worry.” His voice drops an octave. “I’ll keep you warm.”

That statement alone has me itching to shed my jeans and oversized sweater. I debated on keeping the silk dress on, but I didn’t know what this meeting would be.

I didn’t want him thinking I wanted him or anything.

That would simply be ridiculous.

Before I can decide what to do, Oleg grabs the bottom of his shirt and pulls it over his head.

Suddenly, I lose track of every thought I’ve ever had.

Each muscle in his body is perfectly defined, precisely carved as if from marble. He’s a beautiful wall of muscle.

When he shoves his pants down, I swallow a moan.

Then he pulls off his black boxer briefs, and all the breath in my lungs is gone.

The Beast is a very fitting nickname.

He stands tall and proud—and absolutely naked—in front of me.

“You act like you’ve never seen a naked man before, Ms. Palmer.”

Heat scalds my cheeks as I stammer like an idiot. “I have. Many, actually.” Oh, God, why. “Not ‘many’! Just a few. Er, a totally respectable amount. Two?”

His deep chuckle makes me want to throw myself overboard. He takes a step toward me and I jump back like he’s brandishing a weapon instead of his anatomy.

“Don’t worry, princess. He doesn’t bite.”

I pinch my bottom lip between my teeth, desperately trying to keep my eyes above his waist.

And desperately failing.

“You sure? He looks ready to take a bite out of me.”

His cock twitches as if in agreement, swelling to attention.

Oleg doesn’t seem even remotely embarrassed. He just stands there smirking at me like I’m the one who’s naked.

“Your turn.”

The fact he’s this hard while I’m still fully clothed gives me a tiny spark of confidence. Which is the only reason I start taking my clothes off.

The sweater comes off first. Thank God I at least wore decent underwear. My lace bra is made for appreciating, because it doesn’t do anything else.

It doesn’t even cover my nipples—a quality Oleg seems to appreciate.

When I glance up at him, the hungry look in his eyes obliterates any lingering insecurity.

I may not be as polished as the women he usually dates, but right now, he wants me. That much is obvious.

I peel off my socks and my jeans, pausing when I’m in nothing but my tiny undergarments.

“Don’t quit on me now,” Oleg growls.

The rough, hungry sound of his voice is all the push I need. I feel his amber eyes on me as I unclasp my bra and slide my panties down my legs, but I don’t look at him.

I can’t.

I’ll combust.

Finally, I stand tall, completely exposed, my heart slamming so hard against my chest I’m sure he can hear it.

“My God.” His reverent tone sends pride coursing through me. He closes the distance between us, his gaze tracing fire down my body. “You are so damn beautiful.”

The wind whips my hair across my face. Before I can push it back, his fingers are there, tucking the strands behind my ear.

“Hm.” His thumb grazes my cheek. “You’re shaking.”

“I used to be terrified of deep water,” I whisper, desperate to distract myself from his intensity. “When I was little, before foster care, my mom took my sister and me to the lake. She got drunk and passed out in the sand. My sister was playing with some other, older kids, so I decided to wade in by myself.” I swallow hard. “Got caught in a current. Almost drowned. No one even noticed I was gone.”

His hand stills against my face. When I meet his eyes, they’re liquid with an emotion I can’t read. “How old were you?”

I don’t know why I’m saying this. I never talk about my past.

But right now, completely naked in the moonlight with Oleg Pavlov, I think I feel safe.

“Four. That’s actually why we ended up in foster care. Someone called CPS about my mom leaving us unsupervised at the lake. They investigated and found out we were living in her car.”

His thumb is still tracing patterns on my skin, making me shiver. “I bet your sister felt guilty. Like she should’ve protected you.”

Something I don’t understand flashes in his eyes, and I think about what Faye said.

Oleg has a past, too.

I wonder if it’s as dark as mine.

“She was only eight, but she still spent her whole life trying to make up for it. She wanted to protect me from everything. Even when…”

I fall off, not wanting to bring up Drew or any of that mess right now.

Naked vulnerability is one thing.

Emotional vulnerability is another entirely.

He seems to sense my hesitation. His other hand finds my waist, and the heat of his palm brands my skin.

“The ocean isn’t a lake.”

“No?”

“No.” His voice roughens. “The ocean is wild. Untamable. But if you respect its power…” His fingers flex against my hip. “It can give you exactly what you need.”

I’m not sure we’re talking about swimming anymore.

His eyes are intensely focused on mine, and for a moment, I think he’s going to kiss me. My eyes flutter shut, my lips part, I lean in slightly…

“The trick is to jump.”

My eyes snap open just in time to see him launch himself into the water. A few droplets spray back, icy against my heated skin.

I rush to the railing and gawk down.

He’s treading water below, looking completely at ease as moonlight dances across the surface around him.

“Come on, princess.”

His challenging smile dares me to take the plunge.

Maybe it’s the pre-kiss adrenaline still dumping in my veins.

Maybe it’s the way he’s looking at me.

Or maybe I’m just tired of being afraid.

“Here goes nothing,” I whisper.

Then I jump.