Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
JAMES
I don’t know why I blurted out my personal life to her like that. I’ve never felt the need to offload to anyone before. Perhaps it’s the soft concern she threw my way, or the small smile of encouragement that she offered. Her hand in mine was a comforting gesture, and I relished the sight of the ice queen melting before my eyes. It was good to talk about something personal. If anything, it was more intimate than fucking her over a boardroom table.
Now the moment of truth is upon us because she is offering something I want more than air.
Her.
I wish it was that easy and it should be. The trouble is, I know he is watching and waiting for me to step out of line and I’m aware of the consequences of that.
The burning question is Ana worth the risk?
Her beautiful eyes sparkle in the dusky light and the soft smile she directs my way is like the lure of a siren. She is shivering and clutching her jacket a little tighter and I long to draw her close and warm her from the inside out.
I note the headlights approaching and the telltale illuminated sign on top of the cab and I raise my arm, noting hope turn to disappointment in her eyes.
As the cab stops beside us, I open the door and as she turns away, it’s as if she is holding onto my heart and it’s stretching between us, painfully and fatally.
She slides inside the cab with no more words and I hesitate as I make to close the door.
Images of how good it is between us dominate my thoughts, but dark eyes and a furious scowl are standing between us.
She is of considerable personal interest to me.
Well, that makes two of us, so in a split second decision, I jump in after her and bark out my address to the driver.
Ana turns and the gleam in her eyes lights the shadows surrounding us and as I reach for her hand, I squeeze it firmly and turn and stare out at the depressing streets of Los Angeles where dreams are made or broken.
I wonder which one applies to me.
I have never brought a woman home before. My apartment is my sanctuary. My personal space where I don’t have to explain myself or attempt to impress anyone. I’m not even sure why I brought her here at all. It would have been easier to drop her off at her apartment and give her the choice of whether to invite me in or not. But I don’t want to give her the choice. If I’m doing this, it’s on my terms and live or die, I must stand by my decision.
She follows me inside and says with a soft smile. “I love your apartment, James.”
“That’s surprising.”
“Why?”
“Because there is actual color in here, unlike the white tomb you prefer.”
I smirk as she laughs softly. “I like color, just not in my personal space.”
“Why not?”
I’m intrigued by this woman because her home is nothing like her. She is vibrant and sexy and her apartment is cool and enigmatic. Kind of like the accountant in her, the businesswoman if you like. Not the sexy woman who writhes beneath me and has more personality than any other woman I’ve fucked before.
She shrugs in answer to my question. “I like to keep a clear mind. When I return home, I can relax with no distractions. I prefer things in their place. It helps focus my mind.”
“On business? ”
I raise my eyes and she nods. “I don’t entertain at home, James. Not usually. When I’m away from home, it’s all about business.”
“Where is home?”
She doesn’t answer me and heads across to the window and gazes down on the street below.
“You must have done very well to afford this apartment. It’s in a desired location and I know these don’t come cheap.”
She is purposefully changing the subject and I’m guessing her question is designed to anger rather than compliment, a distraction tactic that I’ve used myself on numerous occasions.
Annabelle Starling is hiding something and if I wasn’t so achingly attracted to her, I would insist on discovering it.
Well, if she wants a distraction, I can certainly offer that and I head toward her, catching her eyes in the reflection of the glass and when I reach her, I remove the jacket from her shoulders.
The silence stretches between us loaded with anticipation and as my fingers drift against her neck, her breathing intensifies along with the anticipation.
I bend my lips to her slender neck and press a light kiss on the soft skin. Her gasp echoes in the silence as I tug the zipper down on her dress, the gentle thud as it hits the floor the only sound in the room.
Gently, I push her forward until her hands reach out to steady herself against the glass and I wrench her panties down and unhook her bra, ridding her body of anything that could get in my way.
She presses her face against the glass as I kiss her slowly, intent on taking my time and then I reach out and flick the remote, effectively closing the blinds.
I’m not averse to putting on a show, but for some strange reason I am protective of my mysterious lady.
I reach her thighs and bite each one firmly, making certain to leave my mark, loving her soft moan of pain as I prove I’m not the gentleman here.
My tongue gravitates to her sweet pussy, and as it enters her from behind, it’s rewarded with the finest dessert I could have wished for.
She is so wet, so ready and my cock throbs as it’s reminded of the delectable delight waiting for it.
But not yet.
We have all night and as she gasps and her legs shake, I pull away and say gruffly, “Do you trust me, Ana?”
“Yes.”
Her whispered response is as sure as what will happen next and as I remove my tie, I growl huskily, “Place your hands behind your back.
She does as I say and I bind her wrists together, my rough fingers pulling the bonds tight.
Her gentle hiss of pain excites me, which merely demonstrates how depraved my tastes are, and I growl, “Spread your legs.”
“James.” Her voice shakes a little and I push her back against the glass and whisper in her ear, “Just tell me to stop and I will. I warned you I was no romantic hero, baby. I told you what to expect. It’s up to you if you’re prepared to dive onto the dark side with me, or would prefer I called you a cab home?”
I gently nip at her neck, sucking it hard, intent on marking her perfect skin, and she shivers against me and whispers, “Do it.”
I smile because I sense the defiant edge to her voice. Almost as if she is closing her eyes as she prepares to dive off a cliff, seeking the adrenalin rush but fearing the outcome. It’s a feeling I’ve had many times myself.
I step back and say deeply, “Wait there until I come for you.”
She says nothing and merely presses her head against the blinds and as I walk away, my heart beats faster with anticipation.
If Ana wants me, she gets the whole of me, darkness included, and as I head to my bedroom, I waste no time in ripping off my own suit and tie and grabbing everything I need.
Five minutes later, I head back into the room and gaze with satisfaction on the woman who has stayed exactly where I left her.
There is no reflection to witness her expression and as I reach her, I slide a sleeping mask over her eyes and then fist her hair, tugging her head back and growl, “This is me, Ana. This is the man I hide inside the sharp suits and behind the respectable job. This is the man who prowls the streets at night, entering dark worlds just for kicks. This is me and before we go any further, you have the option to walk away now.”
Silence answers my question and I wait, my hand holding her head back, my entire body on fire as I wait for her command.
“I want to know what it’s like in your world, James.”
Her soft response is like gasoline on a flame and relief floods my soul as I sense a willing participant in my twisted games.
This is my release. This is how I fight my demons, but I will only unleash them on a willing partner.
A slow grin spreads across my face as I am given the green light and as my mouth lowers to her slender neck, I prepare to ruin our souls.