Chapter 18
Christian
Morning light.
A warm glow entering a room I’d rarely paid any attention to was suddenly something I could appreciate. Maybe that was the majority of rooms in a house that had never felt like home.
The moment I walked into the kitchen, my senses were fueled.
Sight.
Sound.
Smell.
Even the rapid pulse that was unexpected sent deep vibrations into my groin.
Why the change?
Because of the woman sitting at my kitchen table staring down at her iPad: bare feet with her legs crossed under the chair. Gym shorts that had ridden up her luscious thighs. A tank top that perfectly accented her voluptuous breasts.
Breasts that fit perfectly into my hands.
My cock twitched from the thought alone.
Vanessa was sipping on a mug of coffee, the aroma managing to float into my nostrils much like the scent of whatever shower gel she’d used. She was unaware I remained in the doorway, studying her as I’d already done so many times, completely engrossed in whatever she was looking at.
With her hair still damp, she appeared more vulnerable than she had when she’d stepped foot into my house the night before.
Did that provide a moment, even a second of guilt or second guessing the demands I’d made?
A contract I’d all but forced her to sign?
Should I simply tear it up, thanking her for her time and paying her what was owed?
The answer was far too easy for me to decide.
Fuck, no.
She was mine.
I’d laid claim, something I also had never done before. Partly for the game that I refused to lose. Partly for desire. Partly from… what she’d called arrogance.
Whatever the case, I enjoyed the moment before the day began and we continued our game of cat and mouse. What struck me as amusing was that I wasn’t certain who was who at this point.
Her body tensed and she lifted her head, slowly tipping her chin in my direction. Instantly, I could detect regret for the night before. Which I’d expected. Nothing with her was easy, as it shouldn’t be.
What would the fun be if there was no chase?
No conquest.
I’d left her keys to the house and one of my cars on the table after she’d fallen asleep. There were also instructions and the security code for the system and one of my platinum credit cards as per the contract. The items appeared untouched.
Unwanted.
I headed to the Keurig machine, surprised she’d placed another mug on the counter. A smile cracked the hard frown I’d been carrying. She said nothing and neither did I. At this point, I wasn’t certain what was left to discuss.
Other than her role in the upcoming meeting with Lopez.
She would play a very important position in my growing empire.
With a casual glance, I realized her attention was returned to whatever she was studying. After preparing my coffee, I moved closer. She didn’t attempt to hide what was on the screen and it didn’t take me long to realize she was researching the long-term rehabilitation facilities I’d recommended.
I’d made a few phone calls.
I’d greased a few hands.
Details she didn’t need to learn.
Within seconds, the silence was interminable. “Have you decided which facility?”
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “I believe I have. Rosewood in Naples. They have the best reputation.”
The facility was also the most expensive in the country. How had I known that was the one she’d select? Not that I cared. If that kept her in line, so be it.
“I’ll help pay for it if the price tag is too much for you,” she added, finally lifting her head to look me directly in the eyes.
“Nonsense. A deal is a deal.”
“You mean the contract will be honored.” Her smugness was almost adorable instead of annoying.
“I am a man of my word.”
“We shall see.” The iciness between us I considered nothing more than foreplay.
She had no idea how much her attitude turned me on.
“Did you sleep well?”
Her nose wrinkled and I had a sense she was trying to think of a nasty rebuttal. “Yes, I did. Like a baby.”
Answers were like pulling teeth.
A smile curled on my upper lip. “I’m glad to hear it.
I’ll need to make a few phone calls so we can secure a place inside Rosewood for Donovan.
If you’ll excuse me.” As soon as I turned, determined to make the phone calls in private, a rustling sound of the leg of the chair scraping across the tile floor caught my attention.
“Thank you.”
Why did those two words startle me? Because few people in my life, my profession, and my family had ever said them.
“No need for thanks.” I hesitated as the tension between us was awkward. I needed to see her expression. Shifting, I gazed into her eyes. So much venom. So much uncertainty.
Again.
“Did you call your father and let him know the good news?”
The way her eyes narrowed was a clear indication that her venomous thoughts were intact. “Not yet. I will be the one to tell him. No press conference. No glorious press release with pictures of a loving, happy couple until I do. Do you understand?”
As usual, she had a way of getting under my skin. “Understood, but don’t take very long. The announcement needs to be made prior to Friday’s meeting.”
Even her laugh was enough to tighten my balls. She shifted hair behind her ear, another trait I found adorable and one that allowed me to know when she was nervous. “Don’t worry. All glow and show by then.”
Nodding, I stared into my cup of coffee, realizing the taste was unusually bitter. Maybe because her sweet juice had stained my lips and tongue.
“Just so you know,” she threw out. “Don’t plan on repeating what happened last night. I know what I signed on for, the price I’m paying for keeping my company afloat, but I won’t be forced to… surrender to your twisted desires.”
Twisted desires. If she only knew how sadistic my thoughts had been.
I’d given Vanessa her own room. No one had ever slept in my bed and in truth, I hadn’t thought it through when forming the contract. However, with the pushback, all I could think about was how much I craved fucking her tight pussy all over again.
Hearing her moans.
Watching the light in her eyes.
Feeling her nails clawing my skin.
And the soft brush of her lips.
Now I just needed them wrapped around my cock. Every morning. Every night. My smile grew.
“I assure you that I won’t force you to do anything, Vanessa.”
“Really?”
“I might be many things, but I’m not a monster.” After leaving the nearly full mug of coffee on the counter, I headed for the door, taking my time to turn around to face her.
Delighted she was still watching me.
“The reason why is that I won’t need to force you. Soon, you’ll beg me to fuck you. Over and over again.”
There’d always been something satisfying about putting a competitor in his or her place. I’d often found joy in doing so, savoring the light of defeat reflected in their eyes. Yet even though what we were doing was a risky game, an adventure that could turn costly, I felt no sense of satisfaction.
The thought annoyed the hell out of me.
I was still jerking my phone from my pocket as I headed to my home office. Why was I fuming when I should be celebrating a huge accomplishment? Because of the way her eyes had penetrated mine. Not with submission, but with fury and guarded anticipation of whatever plan she’d concocted.
A part of me couldn’t wait to discover what she’d thought up.
I dialed Michael’s number as I paced the floor, glancing out the window for no other reason than boredom and unrequited need.
“How’s the happy couple?” he asked as soon as he answered the call.
“Tumultuous at best.” His laugh was just something else to infuriate me. “Where are we at with hiring a decent attorney for Donovan Blair?”
“You’ll be happy. I managed to pull some strings, but you owe me,” he stated as if it were such a hardship. I knew better. The man knew everyone in town, and was not immune to using acts of blackmail if necessary.
And?”
“The court date is set for tomorrow morning, but you better have a facility secured or the judge won’t be lenient. It’s an election year, remember.”
“How could I fucking forget? She made a selection. Rosewood.”
“Whoa, brother. Expensive. Private. Impossible to get into since it’s the premier choice of every celebrity and politician in the world.”
At least it was a moment I could gloat. “I have a few connections myself.”
“Good for you,” Michael chortled. “Just keep in mind, the love of your life will need to escort Mr. Blair directly from the courthouse to the facility. No exceptions.”
“Great. I can make that happen.”
“Are you going to be her knight in shining armor?”
“Very funny. If I was encased in armor, she’d enjoy dropping me in quicksand, watching me drown with a smile on her face.”
“Vanessa is a tough girl. Just what you need.”
“Just send me the information about tomorrow’s court proceedings. I don’t have time to fuck around or play games.”
Michael snorted. “I thought you loved playing games. The more ruthless, the better.”
My skin prickled and I realized I had an audience. As I slowly turned to face the door, I felt round two of the boxing match with Vanessa about to begin. “Not this time. Although I do play to win.”
“I’ll email you everything you need. And my buddy will be authorized to send you the bill for his services.”
“Uh-huh. Whatever.” As soon as I ended the call, Vanessa walked into the room, her arms folded across her chest as if hiding something.
Like her perky nipples.
Damn if my mouth didn’t water all over again.
“You heard,” I said after another few seconds of silence. I had to admit, the tension between us was getting old.
“I heard.” She was dissecting me with her eyes, the lack of trust in them easy to see.
Not that I could blame her.
“I’ll make a call to Rosewood so there won’t be any issues with Donovan’s admittance.”