Chapter 16
Christian
I did so love a woman with spunk.
Every time Vanessa and I were together, sparks ignited into ten-foot flames. Tonight was no exception. The kiss had been even better than I’d remembered, which of course created a deep craving for more.
She was spectacular and I’d spent a good portion of the afternoon allowing the images of her naked body to keep me company.
The other time I’d spent laying out how the next few days and weeks would go.
I’d done a deeper dive into her father’s company, something I should have continuously kept up with. What troubled me more than his overtures made months before in his attempt to enter the Miami real estate market was his sudden pullback that had quickly followed.
I’d been arrogant enough to believe he’d tucked tail and run after an earlier defeat, but I was beginning to wonder whether he’d simply slithered back into his burrow, waiting for the right time to strike.
Yet there was no way he could have controlled his daughter’s actions.
She had an obvious distaste for the man.
While her immediate reaction when her father’s name was mentioned had been to recoil, almost coming to his defense, the good girl, respectful and loyal side of her had given way to her continued anger with him.
If I were a decent man I wouldn’t even consider exploiting the deep emotion as she’d accused the foreign companies of doing to me. But since I wasn’t virtuous on any level, I didn’t need to worry about such rules.
Speaking of which…
When she finally walked into the kitchen, she tried to hide her smile at seeing more of my personal space.
While few people had been allowed inside my home since I preferred my privacy, she’d been the only woman to have such a powerful reaction.
Her expressions and mannerisms were natural, exposing every thought and emotion.
She’d make a lousy politician. While I should feel concern that she wouldn’t be able to pull off pretending we were madly in love, a small part of me wasn’t certain I cared.
What I did know was that I’d need to keep her on a short leash. My cock throbbed all over again. What was it about Vanessa that continuously riled my senses?
I’d meant what I’d told her at her office.
The single taste of her wouldn’t be enough.
“Another fabulous room.” Her statement was colder than before as she did a masterful job of masking her emotions.
“It’s adequate,” I told her. Every time I was around her I found it impossible to keep my mind on business, which is why I’d met with her in the first place.
With a contract in place, and millions of dollars at stake, I should have no issue forcing her to earn every dollar she’d…
exploited from me. I resisted grinning as the realization formed in my mind.
She’d played so sweet and innocent when she was obviously well schooled in more than just the art of seduction. She was a skilled blackmailer using her intelligence and voluptuous body to get what she wanted.
In this case, money really was the root of all evil.
Setting the rules early and making them clear would prevent me from thinking this was anything but a business transaction.
With benefits.
I’d need to be harsh with her, keeping her on edge.
It was entirely possible she’d fight the divorce given the boost in her lifestyle and living arrangements.
If she preferred black and white, then that’s exactly what I’d give her.
In spades. If she wanted to continually paint me as an arrogant bastard, then I’d prove her right straight down the line.
The last thing I needed was any complications.
She was a useful tool and hate was often an enticing incentive.
If she loathed the ground I walked on, perhaps the edge would present itself as intense passion.
As if we needed that. Even with her standing a few feet away, the air in the room was charged.
“Why don’t you sit,” I told her, pointing toward one of the stools on the opposite side of the kitchen island.
“I think I’ll stand for now.”
Always defiant. Her upturned nose was far too adorable. She’d worn another dress, as if using her feminine wiles was her next move. The game was becoming enticingly delicious.
“Very well. I need to establish a clear set of rules.”
“Rules? I believe we’ve already agreed to those in the body of the marriage contract.” She said the words spitefully.
“Those were the basics, my lovely fiancée.”
“Ah. The more corrupt rules for the game we’re playing.”
“Mmm… Yes. The game.” I shoved my hands into my pockets and her gaze immediately fell to my open shirt. I noticed the hint of personal disgust, enough so she turned her head purposely away.
“Go on.”
“Rules of the house. Consider this your home while you’re here. However, you are to have no guests without my approval. Certainly no sleepovers.”
The surprise in her eyes immediately turned to full amusement.
“Oh, Daddy, please? I promise I’ll be a very good girl if I can have my friends over.
Maybe we can even have ice cream.” The pouty look crossing her face with her lips pursed and the purposeful cock of her head was definitely rebellious as hell.
It also pushed my cock painfully against the fabric of my pants. Now my balls ached. I half laughed. “I think you know what I mean. This is my private home and as such, one of two locations where I can find peace.”
“How can I forget about the boat. I mean the yacht. Caroline would be proud you’re putting it to good use.”
She’d made the statement just to annoy me. Unfortunately, it had worked. “Yes, my yacht. I’m certain you have fond memories of spending time with me. Both on deck and under the sheets.”
If we were going to play this game, she’d soon learn I was the master.
And not just with regards to her luscious body.
Her smile faded. “Not particularly. I do understand the need for space and privacy, which is why I’ll need time at my house as well. Away from you.”
“Fine. But only by yourself. We can go under the guise you’re planning on selling the property.”
“Which I won’t be doing.”
I smiled and took a gulp of my wine. She was all fire and brimstone at the same time, yet she’d melted in my arms. “We shall see.”
Her eyes flashed from my comment.
“What other rules are you proposing?”
“Not proposing. There is no negotiation with them. You’re not to tell anyone that we aren’t in love and getting married for the old-fashioned reasons.”
“That was covered in the contract. Perhaps you didn’t read what you signed. If you’d like, I can walk you through the tough parts you might not understand.” My wildcat’s claws were showing and she was completely enjoying attempting to drive me into a corner.
Her behavior had me wanting to toss her over the edge of the counter, rip her dress up to her waist, and spank her until she couldn’t sit down comfortably for a week.
But I held off.
For now.
Soon, she would come begging me for punishment, surrendering her lovely body to me just as she’d done before.
“Yes, what wasn’t covered is that you will obey my commands. There will be no exceptions.”
She slowly allowed a smile to cross her face as she toyed with her wine. I watched in appreciation as she took a sip then dragged the tip of her tongue across the rim. “And if I don’t?”
I took a step closer. “Then there will be consequences, of course.”
“Consequences.”
“Yes.”
“Of course.” I sensed she was toying with her options, attempting to control the situation when she should know by now that wasn’t possible. Her smile remained, the twinkle in her eyes rivaling what I sensed I had in mine.
Perhaps I should call this a standoff.
When she tossed the entire glass of liquid into my face, I took a deep breath, able to close my eyes a split second before the warm cabernet splashed into my face.
The thump of the glass as she slammed it down was so hard it surprised me when the crystal didn’t shatter.
“I could suggest you don’t know who you think you are, but I know otherwise,” she tossed out.
“You truly believe just by the snap of your fingers and the stroke of a pen that you can be the king of any given situation. Well, I’m here to tell you that you’re wrong.
You can’t control me, Mr. Elliot. We entered into a contract with the details identified and checked by both our attorneys before our signatures were placed on the four copies.
Both our signatures. I will not play by your alternate rules under any circumstances. ”
Without looking, I reached for a kitchen towel, wiping my face then tossing it aside. When I took another purposeful step closer, she held her own with her head high. “This isn’t about controlling you, Ms. Blair, although I can see now I was wrong in thinking I didn’t need to.”
“Then what is this about?”
“Owning you. As of the moment you signed that contract you just touted, you belonged to me. As such, you will concede to my rules, or I’ll have no choice but to go through with the promises made to you. Now you’ll need to face the consequences of your actions and misbehavior.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Like hell it isn’t.” Maybe I’d been goading her into a confrontation as I’d never felt so alive and excited as I did when I was with her.
She brought out more than just the fire from my belly.
She yanked out the dark savage she’d pegged me for from day one.
I decided to give her a taste of what she claimed while satisfying my sadistic needs in the process.
I grabbed her arm, smiling as I pulled her closer and onto her toes. Her scent was practically intoxicating.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Giving you exactly what you obviously need. An understanding of consequences.” She didn’t have time to claw my face or retaliate in any other way before I managed to toss her over the edge of the island.
Her shock kept her immobile for seconds. Enough time I managed to drag her dress up to her waist just as I’d fantasized about.