Chapter Nineteen
Shooting her a look, Donovan walked into his large closet and locked the door behind him. His instincts never lied and he wasn’t convinced, but there really wasn’t much trouble she could cause in his mountain fortress. And Nadia would be there watching over her.
Turning his attention to the matters at hand, he moved to the back of the spacious room, pushed aside a row of tailored suits and pressed his open palm against the wall. There was a click, and a small panel slid aside to reveal a row of deep shelves. Lifting out a specific burner phone, he placed a call to Boris.
“Hey, Don,” Boris exclaimed. “I’ve been waiting to hear from you.”
Donovan scowled. He hated people using the shortened version of his name.
“I’m leaving for Southampton in about an hour.”
“Does this mean you’re—”
“It means I’m interested enough to fly there and check things out,” he replied brusquely. “I’ll keep you informed.”
“Just remember the sky’s the limit. If you get that necklace you’ll make some serious cash.”
“Only if I walk away in one piece. What about Franco? Any news?”
“Not a peep. Everything’s quiet. I bet he’s still licking his wounds after that major fuck up with you.”
“Let’s hope so. I’ll be in touch.”
“Don’t take too long. My buyer’s impatient.”
“Tell him if this is rushed there won’t be anything to buy. I’ll get back to you when I have more news.”
Abruptly ending the call, he lifted out two small revolvers, a shoulder holster, slipped a second burner phone into his pocket, then closed the panel and shifted the suits back in place.
But as he carried the items and set them on the center island, Phoebe’s sassy smile flashed through his mind. It was bothering him. He was sure the minute he left she’d be up to no good.
With the image of her face still in the forefront of his mind, he strode across to the cabinet holding his luggage and pulled out a small, sturdy suitcase. It contained several lead-lined, hidden compartments. After secreting away the weapons and cell phones, he added a change of clothes, his laptop computer, then marched back to the door.
“Hey, Phoebe,” he said, opening it and poking his head out. She was still sitting on the couch, and she jerked her head up.
“You shouldn’t creep up on a girl like that. You startled me.”
“You must have been deep in thought.”
“I was. I still haven’t called my mother and she’ll be worried.”
“Here, you can use this,” he offered, lifting out the spare burner phone and walking across to her. “When you’ve finished take off your clothes and bend over the bed.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“I thought you had to leave.”
“Question me again and I’ll fetch that paddle.”
“Okay, okay,” she said hastily.
As he returned to his closet he left the door slightly ajar so he could listen as he packed his regular suitcase, but he heard nothing out of the ordinary. By the time he was done and returned to the bedroom, she was completely naked and stretched across the edge of the bed.
“Spread your legs,” he ordered, walking over and sitting next to her. “You’re still very red from that paddle.”
“And tender!”
“I hope that’s not a complaint.”
“Heavens, no,” she shot back, turning her head to look at him. “It really hurt at the time, but I do love this feeling.”
“Will you love it if I have to spank you again, but harder. Much harder!”
“No, of course not. What have I done?”
“Nothing, and that’s the point,” he said, landing a hot slap. “This is a quick ounce of prevention. I know you don’t want to be left behind, but I’ll be extremely busy and I can’t have any distractions.”
“I get that.”
“I’m not sure you do,” he replied, smacking the opposite cheek. “You’re not the only one with instincts. I’m going to make this very clear,” he continued, suddenly spanking her with gusto. “Behave yourself while I’m gone. Nadia has been with me a long time and she won’t hesitate to call me if you try to pull any crap.”
“Okay, okay,” she gasped, jerking her hips from side to side. “I promise not to try to break into any locked rooms or go through your things or anything, I swear. Stop, Donovan, please.”
“I’m glad I made my point,” he declared, delivering two more on the back of her thighs, then spying her glistening pussy, he impulsively thrust two fingers into her channel. “You must always remember the old adage. Bad girls are punished, good girls are rewarded.”
“Yes, Sir,” she murmured, thrusting her hips back.
“Repeat it.”
“Bad girls are punished, good girls are rewarded.”
“You’ll remember that while I’m gone.”
“Yes, Sir.”
As he moved his fingers against her clit and began the erotic massage, he tried to ignore his stiffening member.
It was impossible.
Hastily snatching a condom from his nightstand, he dropped his slacks, sheathed his hardness, thrust inside her, then gripped her hips, and pumped with quick, powerful strokes. Though time demanded an urgency to their coupling, he wanted her to feel his power and possession. It needed to linger in her mind and body after he left…and haunt her dreams as she slept. He brought her to the brink several times, waiting until she was pleading for her release. Only then did he allow her to climax. As she threw back her head and wailed through her spasms, he surrendered to his, pumping urgently as the convulsions seized him, until they finally passed and he collapsed beside her. Breathlessly reaching for the tissues on the beside table, he quickly cleaned himself up then wrapped her into his arms.
“Donovan…that was…” she whispered, her voice muffled as she sank into him.
“You’re an independent, savvy woman, but I’m still the boss. Don’t you forget it.”
“I won’t. I couldn’t.”
“If you don’t like how I am—”
“But I do. I love it.”
Rolling her on her back, he let out a breath and smiled down at her.
“Good. I’m glad. I have to go, but I’ll call you when I can,” he said, softening his voice, then lowered his lips on hers in a warm, engulfing kiss. “That’s should hold you for a few days,” he added with a wink, then moved off the bed and returned to his closet to change.
* * *
Watching Donovan disappear through the door, Phoebe let out a long, happy sigh. Her body still tingled, and her bottom was still stinging, but she loved it.
For years she’d ached for a man she could respect and admire.
A man who had no idea who she was.
Who her family was.
A man who liked her just because he did.
But she knew very little about him.
She was determined to learn more.
And she knew exactly what she was going to do…