Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [45]
Oh yeah – on the one hand he knew being with her would cause nothing but trouble.
On the other hand he didn’t give a flying fuck.
Max felt the same way as she gave in to the feelings that were completely overpowering her. This was it. This was the man she’d been saving herself for, and as far as she was concerned, nothing was going to stop the inevitable, and to hell with the consequences.
He began to make love to her, slowly, surely, taking it easy.
She closed her eyes and fell into his rhythm.
He smells so good, she thought. Like a strong fragrant soap mixed with his masculine body smell.
She smells like sweet sin, he thought. And it’s a smell that turns me on to the highest degree.
He has a body to die for.
She has the kind of body I dream about.
Smooth skin
Taut surfaces
Erect nipples
Hers – deep rose
His – black like the night
I think I’m in love
I think I’m in lust
First time
Tactile touches
A rush of pure sweat
An avalanche of desire
Plunging into heaven
Going all the way
Feeling his power
Feeling her acceptance
Working together
So gentle
So soft
And hard
Breathless
Wow!
Amazing
Forbidden fruit
Barely ripe
Heady
Intoxicating
Falling into ecstasy
And finally
Together
Chapter Sixteen
Arriving back in New York, Armand was escorted through security by an airport representative, then ushered to a limousine parked at a private entrance where Fouad was waiting. Most times he accompanied Armand to Akramshar, but this time Armand had chosen to go alone.
Before Fouad could say a word, Armand demanded to know what was happening with The Keys.
Typical Armand, thought Fouad, no time for pleasantries, straight to business.
‘We have a meeting in Vegas tomorrow,’ Fouad said, clearing his throat. ‘It was not easy arranging it. As I told you before, according to her lawyer this Santangelo woman is not interested in selling, so I informed him that we were thinking of perhaps financing future projects she might be open to. Her lawyer seemed to entertain the thought of unlimited investment capital.’
‘For God’s sake!’ Armand snorted derisively. ‘Why did you say that?’
‘It was the only way I could arrange a meeting,’ Fouad explained.
‘Such a fool,’ Armand muttered.
‘In the meantime I had a dossier compiled on Lucky Santangelo,’ Fouad said, handing Armand a thick manila envelope. ‘I thought you might find it interesting, I know I did.’
‘Interesting?’ Armand sneered. ‘Show me an interesting woman and I will show you a freak of nature.’
‘She is not your average woman,’ Fouad said evenly. ‘I would read it if I were you.’
‘Unfortunately for you, you’re not me,’ Armand replied with a note of disdain, tossing the envelope on the floor of the limo.
Fouad wasn’t surprised. Over the past few months Armand had become even more arrogant and difficult. Fouad realized that this was due to Armand’s escalating use of cocaine, and it worried him. At first Armand had used it as a recreational drug, but lately it seemed he needed it all the time.
Fouad deeply disapproved of any kind of drug use, but when he’d tried to tell Armand that the habit he’d acquired was turning into an out-of-control addiction, Armand had thrown one of his angry screaming fits.
There was a time Fouad had enjoyed working with Armand, but ever since he had gotten married and created a life for himself, Armand had treated him less like an equal and more of an employee. Fouad did not like it. Armand continuously disrespected him, it was as simple as that.
‘Your mother wishes to speak with you,’ Fouad said, keeping his expression impartial, because he knew Peggy, Armand’s mother, was the only woman on earth that Armand felt he could not control.
‘Did you not tell her I was away?’ Armand said, his voice a hostile missile.
‘She knows that,’ Fouad answered quietly. ‘She is well aware of the yearly date you visit our country.’
‘Your point?’
‘She asked that you call her immediately upon your return.’
Armand scowled. But he took out his cell phone and made the