Chapter 18 #2
As I stood on the pearlescent beach staring at the crystalline waters of St. Lucia, an unusual sense of relaxation eased the fears. Maybe there was no reason to be afraid. This was a private location in a gorgeous cove with majestic views of the Piton Mountains.
I’d yet to explore the three-story house. It was incredible with sweeping views, terraces and decks on three sides, floor-to-ceiling windows highlighting lush greenery and vivid flowers. The scene was breathtaking, a perfect depiction of the tropics.
The light breeze filtered floral scents tickling my nose. The warm air was kissed by humidity while not suffocating. And the sound of the water lapping at the shoreline was perhaps the sweetest music I’d heard in a very long time.
“Do you like it?” Nina asked, her little face peering up at me, her nose and brow scrunched as if worried I wouldn’t.
“What’s not to love, sweet girl? This is amazing.” I threw my arms out and tipped my head, enjoying the warmth and the way I was tingling all over.
We were safe here.
I felt it in my bones.
It didn’t hurt that Bernie had been asked to come with us and a man I’d briefly met at Nina’s birthday party. Tony seemed like a nice guy and clearly adored Nina. He was her personal security guard, a man she’d grown up with, keeping her safe when Sasha was unable to remain by her side.
I’d seen Sasha packing his bags, including one containing several weapons. The private jet had allowed the flight less scrutiny and somehow, we’d breezed through customs without so much as anyone batting an eye.
That’s the type of clout and power a man like Sasha Dmitriyev carried no matter where he was. He’d commanded every single person in the airport, women eyeing him as if he was Dove chocolate. Other than sunglasses, he’d had no need to hide his identity.
In contrast, I’d worn huge sunglasses, slipping my hair under a hat. Not a single person had realized who I was. However, I knew that was about to change. Additional photos had shown up all over the internet of the two of us together.
Including a couple taken at the bar where we’d had a drink together only a few nights before. You bet we’d seemed cozy even then.
The entire moment was surreal. Needing bodyguards to ensure our protection shouldn’t bother me. Both Bernie and Danny were more like family than security who’d been with me for years.
Yet this felt different. We were surrounded by opulence, able to spend time enjoying each other and pretending to be a family if only for a little while.
But we were prisoners. Prisoners of some unseen war that neither a powerful man like Sasha nor his family who were steeped in a heritage preparing them for this very kind of battle could put an immediate end to.
And while danger was lurking in every shadow, this beautiful little girl with hopeful eyes and a kind soul, a child who adored her daddy more than anything was peering up at me concerned I wouldn’t like being here.
“This is amazing, Nina. I am very happy to be able to spend time with you and your daddy.”
She giggled then suddenly looked very serious, completely unaware her father was strolling down the beach.
But I was.
As always, my body was completely electrified. The breeze carried his scent, the rich masculine and very woodsy fragrance perfect for his intense aura. He’d been quiet on the flight, allowing Nina to handle the bulk of conversations.
She was so immune to the aspect of danger that I hoped nothing would burst her bubble.
He’d spent the entire flight busying himself on emails, his brow remaining so furrowed I’d almost asked him a dozen times if something was wrong. Of course something was wrong. Someone wanted him dead.
Even now that I’d had time to get used to what he’d said, the trickle of fear lingered.
But with the smile on his face, his trousers rolled up and his shirt pulled free, several buttons undone, he appeared like the perfect GQ model.
That made me even more hot and bothered inside.
How was it that the wind tousling his hair could have such a strong effect on me?
“You won’t leave like Mommy did. Will you?”
Nina’s sudden tiny voice and the angst in her tone shocked me. I immediately crouched down to her level, trying to find the right words. Any words. “I’m not going anywhere, girlie. I think you’re going to have me in your life even if only as a friend for a very long time.”
Evidently, I said the right thing. Her eyes brightened and she threw her arms around me. “You’re awesome.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“I’m going to draw a picture. No peeking.” She barely acknowledged her father, waving at him before scampering away.
I stood slowly, watching her as she rushed into the house. She’d picked out her room within five minutes of our arrival at the house. The top floor. Only the best for the little princess. And I agreed.
“Hmm… What was that about?” Sasha asked as he approached.
“Oh, just stuff. Girl stuff.”
“Ah, why don’t I believe you?”
He still had a puzzled look on his face, so I decided to jump into a question I’d been thinking about. “Do you ever talk about Selena with Nina?”
He started to answer immediately and pulled a face. “She knows about her mother. I’ve mentioned her. We talked about how she was with the angels.”
“While I was in your house, I didn’t see any pictures, including in Nina’s room.”
He seemed confused, rubbing his jaw for a few seconds. “I thought she had a photograph in a frame on her nightstand. I know I’ve given her one.”
“Did you tell her that any time she has questions you’ll be happy to answer them?
” When he bristled, I placed my hand on his chest. “I’m not trying to pry.
She asked if I was going to leave her like her mommy.
She knows what’s going on, Sasha. She can feel the vibrations of your concern.
She feeds off you and reads your body clues.
She’s terrified of losing anyone else. That little girl is trying so hard to be strong for you that soon her childhood will be over. You don’t want that.”
He was visibly shaken. “My God. I’ve been so busy trying to avoid the pain that I didn’t see hers.”
“She’s missing her mother. Seeing the two of us together brought back emotions she’s been holding in a private prison of her own.”
“She’s looking for stability.”
“Aren’t we all?”
His smile was careful, even pained. “Maybe you’re right about both. Talking about Selena has been too painful. I didn’t think about how Nina would feel. I guess I thought I was protecting her.”
“I think doing so is important for both of you. Until you do, you won’t be able to move on. Just my opinion. When was the last time the two of you took a vacation?”
He cocked his head, half laughing. “I honestly don’t remember when.”
“You workaholic.”
“Mmm… That’s how I earn the big bucks.”
I gave him a salacious look, my face unfettered by sunglasses. When I started unbuttoning his shirt, a husky and adorable growl created a wave of desire. He knew exactly how to turn me on. “Well, that’s how I can lure men into my web.”
He lifted his sunglasses, eyeing me suspiciously. “Oh, yeah? Did you learn that in college, little butterfly?”
His playful tone had returned.
“Maybe. However, women are much smarter than men.” The sand felt good between my toes and I continued stepping away, swishing my dress back and forth to taunt him.
“So you’re suggesting we need to have a little fun. Is that it?”
“On this trip? That’s exactly what I’m saying. Let your hair down. Put on a pair of shorts and flip-flops. Allow the rest of the world to fade away if only for a little while. Your business, your investments, and the danger will still be there. If that’s what you want. I dare you.”
I took another step away, even blowing him a kiss. He wasn’t ready to fully confront the pain in losing Selena, but just by confiding in me, the ice had been broken.
“You dare me?” His grin widened as he pressed his finger against his chest.
“Yep. Stop being the stuffy man you’re known for being. I double dare you.”
“You need to learn some manners and start obeying.”
“Obeying you?” I pointed at him, shaking my head. “I don’t think so.”
“Oh, you’ll learn to obey me. And stuffy, huh? Lady… I’ll show you stuffy.”
When he lunged forward, I yelped, spinning around, hiking up my dress and running like a bat out of hell.
I threw my head over my shoulder, laughing. I was getting away from him. Maybe I should have known better. Within seconds, he tackled me to the sand. I struggled to get away, fighting him with everything I had.
He was having none of it. With no trouble, he plopped his butt onto the wet sand, yanking me over his lap.
“What in God’s name are you doing?”
“Helping you learn obedience. What do you think?” He didn’t waste any time, smacking his hand on my bottom with brutal cracks.
I was shocked, flailing in the sand as I threw a look toward the house. Thank God we’d run far enough to be hidden by trees. “You can’t do this.”
“I can do anything I want. My property.”
“Me or the house?”
He laughed and picked up his rhythm, moving from one side of my bottom to the other.
My skin was already on fire. I’d always hated pain, loathed it, and I couldn’t believe he was spanking a grown woman.
But somehow my body was on fire, my pussy so wet I was shocked into accepting that some part of me craved discipline.
Gasping for air, I did everything I could to break free from his hold. He was too strong, yanking me back onto his lap. I finally gave up, wiggling back and forth instead just to tease him. To create friction.
His groan of frustration was a sweet reward.
Every brutal crack of his hand was followed by a hard clench of my pussy. I was wound up, my thong completely soaked from the intensity of my longing. The scent of my desire mixed with the incredible fragrances surrounding us and it was crazy, but I felt intoxicated.
“You will learn,” he muttered.
“Never.” Today was especially freeing for me. I’d breathed a sigh of relief after being let go. I’d expected tears, even anger, but I was flying high.
Even if I was receiving a harsh spanking just for being me.
A little bit sassy, a whole lot of naughty, and the girl from Montana who was getting her backbone in order.
Sasha finally took a scattered breath while slipping his hand between my legs. “You’re going to get it for taunting me.”
“Mmm… That doesn’t mean I’ll stop.” When he slipped his fingers past the edge of my thong, I shuddered, my pussy clenching around the delicious invasion.
“God, I hope not. I like you just the way you are.”