Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Katarina
I spend most of the day feeling raw.
Not physically, but in my soul. On the one hand, being with Win was the best experience of my life.
And then my heart was almost instantly broken.
But if there is one thing I’ve always been good at, it’s hiding my feelings. Which is why I use the day to quietly sort my feelings and put on my mask.
Tomorrow night, Win is going into the city. He says it’s for work, but I saw the call log, I know the truth.
He’s back to wife-hunting.
My chest tightens with an ache, but I draw in a deep gulp of air, clearing the feeling.
Because tonight, he’s mine. And I’m going to make the most of it. Some women never get a chance to hold a man like Win.
It’s not just sex, though the orgasms are amazing. No man has ever made me feel protected like he does. He makes me feel…loved.
And that’s a tough one for me to let go of, because I’ve never had love. Never known it.
I swallow down a lump and watch the sun as it sinks in the sky.
Win had work to do, but he said he wanted to have a quiet dinner with me. So as the sun disappears I get up and head into the bathroom.
I’m still wearing the sundress he chose for me. I finger the spaghetti strap and then pull out my makeup bag.
I don’t want anything heavy.
It won’t go with the dress.
And besides, tonight, I think I want to be his kitten, not badass Katarina.
It’s not that I can’t be my tough-as-nails self. I just want one more night of being curled in his embrace, sleeping like nothing is going to hurt me.
Because, when I’m with Win, I know I’m safe.
I sigh as I apply a little lip gloss. I’m going to miss that. And, I’m going to have to think about life after Win.
Because, as much as I’ve never considered what came after I had played out revenge on my father to its end, with Win and I joining forces, there’s a solid chance I make it out of this alive.
What do I want to do with my life?
“Kitten?”
“In here,” I call, dabbing the last of the gloss on my lips.
He appears in the doorway, leaning on the jam. My feet are still bare as I lean over the counter to check the gloss. “Whatcha doing?”
My brows lift as I catch his gaze in the mirror. “Slang, Your Grace?”
He gives me a wide smile. “That is unusual, isn’t it?” He pushes off the jam and comes to stand behind me, his hands coming to my hips.
As always, they look massive as he holds my torso in his palms, his fingers splaying over my body. “Any particular reason you’re in such a good mood?”
“I do have a beautiful woman bent over the sink.”
My breath catches as that familiar flutter pulses between my legs. His gaze holds mine in the mirror.
He leans in, his chest pressing to my back as he kisses my shoulder. “But that isn’t the only reason I’m celebrating tonight.”
“Celebrating?” My throat tightens and I can’t quite disguise my wince. This is usually my specialty, hiding my feelings, but Win has made me raw.
He catches the expression and his brows draw together. “Everything all right?”
“Fine,” I push out, forcing a smile. I push back, pushing him too, and then slip from his arms, making my way into my room. He follows. “Why are you celebrating?”
“We are celebrating.”
I stop when I see a cart parked at the end of my bed with champagne and covered dishes. “What are we celebrating?”
“You’ve joined the list of the top ten richest women in the world. I believe you are ranked number nine.”
I spin, my gasp covered by my hands as I choke on my own spit. His grin is back, making him look nearly irresistible. “Under one of those trays is your new account number.”
I look down at the trays feeling lightheaded. My plan really worked? Win has really been able to take away my father’s largest asset? “How did you…”
“Your information was excellent. How did you know his passwords?”
“Landline phones have tones. Each button slightly different. I couldn’t catch the account numbers, but the password was always the same.”
He comes close again, pulling my body into the cradle of his. “It’s not a death blow, but it’s a giant wound to his business.”
I nod, wrapping my arms around Win’s neck. I should be elated, but I feel…numb. “I can’t believe it worked.”
He squeezes me tighter. “Katarina, I want you to stay on the property for now. Wounded men are especially dangerous, and your father will want to strike back.”
My fingertips dig into his neck. “But you’re going out? Tomorrow?”
I feel him stiffen and I know I’ve sniffed out his lie. “It can’t be helped.”
I slip from his arms again and turn, pulling the bottle of champagne from its ice bucket. Dipping my head to hide my face, I pour two glasses. Finally, with my smile firmly in place, I turn back to him.
“Thank you for the help, Win.”
He takes the glass, holding it out until I raise mine and we clink glasses. “I thought you’d be happier.”
“I am happy. I just…” I take a sip of my champagne, stalling before I answer. “I honestly have no idea what my life looks like now.”
I don’t really mean the money, I mean him, but Win’s eyes widen in understanding. Like adjusting to crazy wealth is a problem he can wrap his mind around. That’s when he pulls me close again. “I can help you with that too, if you’d like.”
I settle against him, letting myself relax into his body. Then I take another long swallow of my champagne. I’m hoping it will help me get out of my own head. “You’ve got your own life to settle, if I recall.”
Shit. That wasn’t what I was supposed to say.
But he only nuzzles my cheek. “My future is already settling itself. Now tell me, what have you always seen yourself doing. Sunning in Ibiza, eating in Italy?”
I laugh then, wrinkling my nose. “I don’t know that I’m a leisure kind of girl.”
He returns my smile, his features softening. “That’s my kitten. Want to run your own company?”
I shake my head. “I’m not sure. I lack a certain ability to plan.”
His hand spreads out on my back. “Charity work?”
I cock my head considering. “I wouldn’t mind helping women who’ve been abused.”
His forehead drops to mine, his breath fanning my cheeks. He smells of his cologne, sandalwood and pine, with a dash of champagne. I breathe in, letting his scent fill my senses. “That’s a wonderful idea, kitten.”
My free hand slides up his bicep, feeling the deep ridges of his muscle under my palm. “But tonight, let’s just do as you say, and celebrate our win.”
His lips find mine, a gentle brush that makes the air rush from my lungs. How does he do that?
How does a man that strong and hard touch me with such gentleness? I tilt my chin, giving him better access to my mouth.
He presses his mouth to mine, opening my lips and sweeps his tongue against mine.
I forget that I’m going to lose him. Instead, I focus on the sensation that sizzles all through my body at his touch.
By the time he lifts his head, I’m dizzy with the desire that’s pulsing through me. I want to lose myself in his arms.
I don’t know how Win does it, being both my salvation and my pain, but I can’t think about it now. Instead, I lean back, setting my glass down, so that I can get both my arms around him.
But as I lean back, he leans forward, his lips kissing along my jaw and down my neck. I nearly tip my champagne onto the floor. “I’m going to ruin this room before I go.”
“We’ll redecorate,” he rumbles. “And you’re not going anywhere.”
My eyes flutter closed as I give him more access to my neck, tilting my head to the side.
I slide my fingers into his hair, hanging onto him as I encourage him lower. His lips on my skin is the best feeling in the world.
But he only nips at my collarbone, his hands sliding down my legs, and then up my skirt. Then he hooks the cotton panties and skates them off my hips and down my thighs. “I love that I put these on you this morning, and now I’m taking them off.”
“Me too,” I whisper as he crouches in front of me, slipping them down over my feet.
His hands skim back up my legs, but he remains crouched as he lifts my skirt, angling me forward just enough to place a kiss on my mound. I arch back as he places one of my legs over his shoulder and then kisses me again, sliding his tongue between my already-wet folds.
“That feels so good,” I push out, pulling at his hair. He looks up at me, his hair already mussed, his eyes dark and his mouth shining with my wetness.
“I’m going to make you feel even better.” And then he stands, lifting me with him. I barely have time to get my arms around him, when my feet are off the ground.
He carries me to the bed, tossing me down, a second before he pounces on top of me.
I arch into his weight, my whole body open to him. My dress is up around my hips as he lifts up again.
I cry a protest, but he only gives me that wicked grin as he tugs his shirt off. His pants are next, landing somewhere around his knees before he’s back on top of me. “Not too sore are you, love?”
“No,” I shake my head. I don’t care how much it hurts, I want him inside me.
“Off with that dress then.” Grabbing my hips, he rolls us both so that I’m on top of him.
His now bare cock is nestled against my folds and part of me is tempted to lift up and take him inside me, but I do as he commands and unzip the dress before I tug it over my head.
I’m naked and straddling him when my hands come to his chest. “I want you inside me.”
“Soon.” He slides his hands up my body, circling my waist, before skimming over my ribs, and cupping both my breasts.
I push into his hands, my nipples puckering. I don’t have large breasts, and Win’s hands are huge, so I wouldn’t say I fill them, but my breasts are at least nice and round. He massages them, the rough skin on his palm making my nipples pucker.
“Win,” I beg, wanting to feel the fullness of him inside me. I know these moments are fleeting and after a day of hurt—
“So impatient,” he answers as he tugs my torso down so that I’m lying on his chest. “There is no rush, we’ve got all night.”
How do I confess that I want more than just a night, so I’m eager to pack as much into the little time that we have, as I can?