Chapter 10
Zara
We joked about Drew poisoning me, and then I go and make a rookie mistake: Add something to the omelette that I didn’t know what it was.
I put one forkful in my mouth and instantly felt sick. The taste made my stomach curdle. The worst thing was I couldn’t swallow it.
Drew was such a gentleman; he swallowed his before telling me to spit it out. Which I did . . . in my own bathroom.
I’m so embarrassed, but Drew has made me feel okay about it. He actually laughed, and I mean really laughed. I know Father would have gone crazy if I’d served it to him. But Drew laughing at it makes me wonder what else my father punished me for that wasn’t really that big of a deal.
We don’t sit back down at the table to eat our cheese on toast. Drew takes me through to his living room and turns on the TV.
“I think we should have red with this. Don’t you?”
“I . . . I . . . Yes, I don’t really drink, but why the hell not.” I smile widely, feeling like a real rebel.
“Good girl,” he says, putting a wine glass down in front of me. His praise does all kinds of weird things to me. I don’t think anyone has ever said that to me before, and there’s a glint in his eyes—one that is making me nervous, but not totally in a bad way.
He pours the wine and sits down beside me on the couch. When I lean forward to pick up my glass, I feel his eyes on me. I turn to see him glaring at my arm.
Shit!
I pull the T-shirt sleeve down and put on my best smile. “Thank you, for the wine. It’ll probably go straight to my head.”
“Who gave you those bruises on your arm? Was it Carlos?” he growls at me.
“No, no . . . I did it at home. I banged into a door,” I reply too quickly.
“I don’t believe you, Zara, and if you’re going to be staying here with me, you need to be honest. I don’t like having to work out truths and lies,” he says it so sternly, it scares me, but it also sends shivers down my spine. He’s not being an arsehole to hurt me, it’s because I’ve been hurt.
“Okay, my father grabbed me the other day. He doesn’t realise his strength.”
“Did you tell him to stop?” he asks, anger more audible in his voice.
I dip my head and nod. I can feel those blasted tears coming again. Shame floods through me. I should have fought him. I should have hit him back. I know this, but it’s hard, because if I did, the punishment would have been so much more.
“Fucker . . . You’re not going back there ever again. Do you hear me? If I have to move you to the fucking moon to keep you away from him, I will.”
“Drew . . .”
“I don’t want to hear any excuses for him. Where the hell is my phone?” He stands and starts searching the apartment.
“Please don’t call anyone. He can’t hurt me now I’m here.”
“I’m not calling anyone; I want to take photos. We will have proof if we document them properly.”
I nod and lift up the sleeve to show him the full extent.
“Fuck, Zara . . . I swear, if he comes near you again, I’m going to impale him on a pitchfork and bury him under the biggest pile of shit I can find.”
He clicks away, taking more photos than I think necessary.
“Are there anymore?”
I feel like I can’t swallow. My throat is closing, and I can hardly breathe.
“Zara . . . are there anymore? The hardest part is over; you’ve admitted that he’s hurt you. I just need to understand a little more. Please, Zara . . .”
I lift up the T-shirt and expose my ribs and my lower back. The bruises have faded quite a bit, but they are still there. I hear him gasp quietly, and out of the corner of my eye, I see him lift his phone and start snapping photos.
“Is this all of them?” he asks quietly.
I shake my head. “I’ve got some on my hips and the top of my legs, too. I don’t really want to show you anymore. Surely you have enough photos.”
“We should really get photos of everything, but I can understand why you don’t want to. It’s been a lot. You’ve had a day of it. I can’t believe I had you lifting bales and mucking out with those injuries. I’m so sorry,” he says sweetly, lifting my head to look at him as he links his fingers with mine. “I promise you; he will never lay one finger on you while there is breath in my body.”
His promise is heart-warming, but he can’t promise that, not really. My father will find a way to get me back to the house. It’s only a matter of time.
Time, I need to enjoy as much as possible. I don’t know when I’ll get freedom like this again.
He puts his phone down on the table and takes my wine glass from my hand and places it next to his phone. He never once breaks the link of our hands.
“I’m so sorry you’ve had to endure that, and especially from your father. I will never let him near you again. I know you probably don’t believe me right now, but I have more power in my little finger than he could ever dream of. I have more money than he could ever wish for, and I have the right kind of connections. If your father comes after you, Zara, he better be prepared for one hell of a war.”
He lifts my hand and kisses my knuckles softly. I can’t help but lean into him. I curl my legs up and rest my head on his chest. I can smell his laundry detergent. It’s soft and comforting. His body is hard but warm, and when he raises his arm, I cuddle into him, thankful for the safety he’s promising.
“You don’t mind if I watch a few races, do you?” he asks, flicking the TV channels over with the remote.
“No, it will be good learning for me. I don’t really know anything about it, just that they race, and one wins and people either win a lot of money or lose the shirts off their backs.”
“That the problem with gambling. Never done it and never will.”
“So, you don’t back your own horses?” I ask, surprised.
“No, never. It’s too addictive. I’ve seen people lose everything they worked so hard for on one race. The only gambling I do is with digital currency, and even then, I only do what I can afford to lose without it making any difference. Carter looks after most of it. He’s a cocky fucker, but he’s good with the markets.”
“So . . . I know you’re rich, but . . .” I stop before asking too personal a question.
“How much am I worth?” he asks with a light tone.
“No, I didn’t mean to ask . . . My mouth worked before my brain. I shouldn’t have asked. I’m sorry.”
“Let me get one thing straight,” he says, moving some of my stray hairs off my forehead, “you need to stop saying sorry. I’m not going to get angry for you asking me a question. If I don’t want to answer you, I’ll tell you it’s none of your business. Okay?”
I nod against his chest, the urge to apologise again on the tip of my tongue. I’m so used to saying sorry for breathing in the wrong place, it will be hard to break the habit.
We watch so many races I lose count. He gets a little excited every now and again and then sits back and relaxes at other times.
Several times, I hear him mumble and let out frustrated huffs, but when he gets really antsy, I decide to ask him about it.
“Did they do something wrong?” I ask.
“Yeah, he used the crop too much. He was technically beating the poor animal into submission just to win the race.”
“But isn’t that the jockey’s job?” I ask naively.
“It’s his job to win, but not beat the shit out of the horse. The jockey and the trainer should be brought before the stewards for that.”
“So, there are rules about it?”
“Of course. Otherwise, there would be some really unscrupulous people in the community.”
“You’re not as grumpy as you first seem you know?” I say again without thinking.
“It depends on the company. I don’t tolerate or trust many people. I have a few close friends and my family. Everyone else is an acquaintance, and I don’t share anything with them.”
“Including smiles?” I tease.
He tilts my chin so that I’m looking up at him.
“I save them for really special people.”
His soft lips touch mine so gently that I can barely feel them, but the electricity that passes between us is unmistakable.
A soft growl leaves his throat, and his eyes flick open for a split second and then close again before he kisses me again. This time, it’s harder, and I feel every part of his mouth meeting mine.
“Fuck, you are so tempting, Zara,” he moans into my mouth.
I don’t answer him. I can’t. It’s taking everything in me not to pass out. I’ve never felt a kiss this deep in my bones before.
I’m no expert, but I’m not totally innocent. Although my father thinks I’m as pure as driven snow, I’ve had a couple of experiences, as my cousin Laura calls them. But they didn’t mean anything. She said they were lessons, and that at my age, I should at least know how to give a half decent blow job, and there’s no better practice than someone you’re never going to see again.
“You need to remember to breathe,” he says as he pulls away slightly.
I do. I don’t know why, but I was holding all the air in my lungs. I let out the breath I was holding, and my body relaxes.
“You nervous?” he asks, brushing hair out of my face.
“A little. I mean you’re a god. You could break me in half if you wanted to.”
“Oh, I want to! Believe me, I really fucking want to, but—”
“No, don’t say it. Don’t say you can’t.”
“I wasn’t going to . . . I was going to say I don’t think you’re ready.”
I’ve never felt so small in all my life. I push on his chest and release myself from his arms. “I’m going to bed,” I announce, sounding very much like the spoilt princess he thinks I am.
“Woah, hang on. What’s wrong? You’re getting a strop on because I won’t take advantage of you? Fucking hell, you women drive me nuts.”
“What? You didn’t even ask me. You just assumed that it was too much for me. I’ve had a bellyful of people telling me what is and isn’t right for me.”
“So, would you have preferred for me to carry on and disregard everything we’ve talked about? Because once I start with you, Princess, there’ll be no stopping me!”
His words hit me in my chest. I’m such a child. Why didn’t I think that’s what he meant?
“I just thought—”
He takes two large strides toward me. “Do you want me, Zara?” he asks directly, his eyes boring holes in mine.
I nod slowly.
“You’re sure?” he asks, taking a large step towards me.
I nod again.
“Then let’s go to my bedroom. I wasn’t going to fuck you on the couch.”
He takes my face in his hands and lifts my chin. “You are so fucking beautiful. I want to kiss every single inch of your body.” And as the last word drops off his tongue, he kisses me, and I feel like someone just lit a match inside me. My whole-body bursts with heat, so much so, I can feel warmth pooling between my legs.
I can’t stop the moan that escapes when his tongue meets mine and his hand tightens around my neck, his other hand raking through my hair.
He pushes me backwards, and although I feel like I’m going to fall or crash into something, I let him lead.
His bedroom door crashes open as we both tumble through and land on his bed. “Fucking hell . . . I’m going to ruin you, Princess. I swear,” he growls into my ear, and it makes me giggle. “Don’t laugh at me,” he says, and I can hear the light tone in his voice. It’s deep—manly, but not threatening.
“Wait here . . .” he says, placing a small kiss on my lips. “I need to grab some condoms.”
Some? Plural? Oh!
He’s back quicker than I thought possible, and his strong hands pull at the hem of my T-shirt until it’s over my head, and he throws it on the floor. He then reaches behind him and pulls his own off in one quick movement.
“Fuck . . . Zara. I knew these babies were going to be amazing, but I never imagined they would be this spectacular.” He plucks at one of my nipples and lowers his mouth down on the other.
“Oh god!” I pant, and I feel his mouth widen as if he’s smiling.
“I’m going to kiss you again soon, but I have a greater need to see what else you’ve been hiding from me.”
He leaves my nipple and begins kissing down my stomach. When he gets to my belly button, he licks gently and then blows softly. The sensation makes me pull up my legs in need.
“Stop teasing me,” I moan.
“I’ve not started yet, woman. You’ll be screaming for me by the time I’ve finished.”
His tone has changed again. It’s still deep, but it’s more determined, more in control, and more demanding.
A lump forms in my throat. I’ve had a couple of sexual encounters, but this . . . this is so different.
His hands land on my hips, and with a quick movement, he’s pulled off my sweatpants, and they now lay on the floor, too.
I can see his silhouette in the dark room. He’s looking at me, and although it’s dark, I feel the shame creeping in.
“Drew . . . I think—”
“Don’t think, just enjoy.” He grips my ankles and pulls my legs open and then pushes them back, so my knees are bent.
“Fucking perfect,” is all he says as he uses his finger to trace circles around my pussy. It feels so good, I could lie here forever and let him do—
“Woah!” I say in surprise as he places a kiss right at the top of my slit.
“Hey, it’s okay . . . I can stop if you want,” he says, his warm breath against my skin making it hard to think.
“No, it just shocked me that’s all. I can’t see what you’re doing with the lights out.”
“Ah, do you want me to put them on?” he asks and then places another kiss in the same place, only this time, his tongue sweeps through my folds and flicks lightly over my clit.
“Jeez!” I cry out, but my hips rise and push forward, wanting him to do it again.
“You taste like I have imagined, like the purest honey mixed with a heavy amount of lust.” He blows gently on my wet skin. “I need more,” he growls as he pushes my knees backwards and my legs leave the bed. “Rest them on my shoulders.”
I’m completely exposed, or I thought I was. He pushes my thighs wider, and then his tongue pushes inside me. I’ve heard the saying being eaten out, but I never imagined it was actually being eaten . . . I feel the pressure of his tongue and then his teeth grazing my lips, a finger slowly gliding up and down. His tongue begins to flick at my clit as he pushes a finger inside me.
“Ahhh.” I let out a sigh as I feel some of the tension growing in me release. “Ohhh!” I squeal as he slides a second finger in slowly. “I don’t think I can take any more . . .” I pant.
“I’m just warming you up, Princess. You’ll be taking a lot more than this.” He thrusts his fingers inside me hard and fast, each time grazing over a spot that is driving me crazy.
“Oh fuck, oh god! Drew . . . Drew . . . Arghh!” I cry out loudly as wave after wave crashes through me unexpectedly. My hips rise off the bed, trying to get away but also wanting him to go deeper. “Oh my god!” I scream as my orgasm reaches its peak. I feel him move, but I’m too busy trying to breathe to think about what he’s doing.
His body slides over mine. “You, okay?” he whispers into my ear.
“I think so . . .” I reply, completely unsure.
“Good!” is all he says before he lines himself up at my entrance.
“Drew, please—” I moan. I wanted to ask him to go gentle, but those words never came.
“So needy, my dirty, horny princess. How can I deny you?”
I think he’s going to ram into me and split me sideways, but he doesn’t. He’s slow and gentle, and then I realise why. I wince as he pushes in fully. He’s so big. How can this be enjoyable?
He pulls out a little and then pushes back in. It doesn’t burn as much, and each time he moves, it feels better and better, until I can’t remember why I was wincing. I feel full; I feel like he’s part of me.
“Get out of your head!” he says as he kisses me. I can taste myself, and it makes me feel sexy, dirty, and a little bit slutty.
His commanding voice drives me wild. My hips begin to move in time with his, my fingers digging into his muscular back. Thrust after thrust, he picks up speed and power, until I can no longer keep up. My legs wrap around him in the hope of hanging on for dear life, but the position only makes it worse. I feel the waves starting again, and I can’t hold back.
“Drew!” I cry.
“Don’t come yet!” he demands, but it’s too late. The floodgates open, and I can’t stop it.
“Oh, oh, nooo!” I cry out again. My nails are digging into his back, and my thighs grip his hips as I barrel towards the exploding lights in my eyes. “Arghh!” I scream as I hear Drew grunt, and he slams into me harder and harder. One, two, three, four.
“Fuck!” he yells, and I feel him throbbing deep inside me. His salty lips find mine, and he holds me tight until I feel him stop coming. His dick softens. “I told you not to come,” he says, kissing me again.
“It was pretty difficult not to.” I smile and kiss him back.
“Don’t move . . . I need to clean up.” He slides out of bed, and I can hear the water running in his bathroom. I close my eyes for a few seconds while I wait.
I wake up to the sound of horses—it sounds like they’re chatting with each other—and then I hear Drew’s voice talking to them. I look around and realise that I spent the night in his bed and the noise I can hear is coming from the security system.
I slide out of the bed, my legs aching and my body feeling completely used, but it’s the best kind of used. He gave me so much pleasure that it took away all the pain.
I stand in front of one of the screens and watch him work. His black T-shirt stretches tight across his shoulders, and his jeans mould perfectly.
Then I notice Carlos working in another stable.
“So, she’s nice then?” Carlos asks.
“Yeah, she’s okay,” Drew replies, and my heart sinks a little.
“Did you creep into her room in the middle of the night?” Carlos asks, laughing.
“Don’t be such a dick. I’m not going to be sneaking around in my own apartment. What the hell do you take me for?” Drew snaps, and my heart hurts a little more. I thought we’d had a good time last night.
“Chill man, I was only joking. I know you like her.”
“Whether I like her or not, it’s none of your business. Now, come on, we’ve got work to do,” he grumbles at Carlos, and they both take a horse each and walk them out towards the paddock.
Hmmm, he told Carlos it isn’t any of his business . . . Does he not trust him? I thought Carlos was one of his friends.
After a long, hot shower, I find my clothes washed, dried, and folded into a nice, neat pile—even my underwear, which makes me blush. When did he have time to do this? We were still having sex until the early hours. And then I remember . . . I fell asleep.
I make coffee and take the three mugs downstairs to the stables and wait for them to return. There are only three horses left to turn out, so I know they won’t be long.
It’s only a few minutes later that Carlos walks back in, and he smiles widely when he sees me.
“Late for work on your first full day?” he asks, raising his eyebrows. “But you’ve brought coffee, so you’re forgiven.”
“Who’s brought— Oh, hey, I thought you’d still be asleep,” Drew says. Walking over to me, he takes a mug and then kisses me directly on the mouth.
“I fucking knew it,” Carlos says, laughing and spilling his coffee all over the floor.
“I don’t kiss and tell, not with this one anyway.” Drew slides his arm around my waist, and I suddenly don’t feel like an outsider.
“What’s going on?” a female shrieks as she walks through the doors.
“Fuck!” Drew and Carlos say in unison.
“Don’t listen to a word she says. She’s lost the plot,” Drew warns.
“Oh my god . . . Are my eyes seeing right? Zara Doyle, no less!” the young woman squeals.
“Do I know you?” I ask as politely as I can.
“It’s Veronica. It’s been a few years since we saw each other last, and I’ve grown up a lot since then, haven’t I Drew?” she says, smiling at Drew, and I feel his arm tighten around my waist as if I’m now protecting him.
“What are you doing here? I thought I made it clear that you are not welcome here!”
“Oh, come on, Drew, you didn’t mean it. I know you love me coming around.”
“No, Veronica, I really don’t.” Drew rubs his stubble with his hands.
“Look, VVT, he doesn’t want his girlfriend getting the wrong impression. Comprende? ” Carlos says in a thicker Spanish accent than I’ve heard before.
“Girlfriend? Girlfriend ? You’re not . . . Oh, Zara, this is epic, does your father know? I bet he’s having a coronary or arranging hit men,” she says so quickly, it’s hard to keep up.
“You need to leave!” Drew snaps.
“Look . . . there is a deal to be had here. I’ll keep quiet, but you need to make it worth my while.” She takes a step towards Drew, her chemically filled lips leading the way.
“You don’t need to keep quiet,” Drew spits. “Go and tell the world, put an advert in the Financial Times for all I care, and you want to be really careful what you say and do next.”
“Oh, I don’t believe that for a second. This could ruin your business if Mr. Doyle found out.”
“What part of ‘I don’t give a shit’ didn’t you understand? I suggest you take yourself back out the way you came in and fuck off.”
“Drew . . . that really isn’t very nice. I could help you, and you didn’t even want to know what I wanted in return. It wasn’t even that much.”
“What? What is it you wanted? Just out of interest. Not that I’m going to budge.”
Carlos and I both look at Drew, wondering what he’s doing.
“So, you are open to a deal. Good to know!” She smirks, and I feel myself pushing forward away from Drew.
He tightens his grip and whispers into my ear, “Don’t. She’s not worth it.”
“I want a horse. A good one. One that can win races and make me rich.”
“No! Now get out before I call the police on you.”
“And they’d believe you over me? I don’t think so.”
“You’re on camera, you stupid bitch!” I finally snap and wrestle myself free of Drew. “Get out of here and go and do your worst. I’m sick of hiding away from the world. Come here again, and the recording of this conversation goes straight to the cops. I don’t care who you think you are or what you think you know. Get the hell out of here now.” I can’t believe the words leaving my mouth, my anger overflowing.
Veronica backs away from me and then turns quickly and leaves.
“Don’t come back!” I yell at her back, and then my body begins to shake.
“Jesus, Zara. You even scared me. Where the hell did that powerhouse come from?” Drew asks, wrapping his arms around my waist again and planting a firm kiss on my forehead.
“I don’t know. I just didn’t like the thought of her blackmailing you because of me.”
“You don’t know the half of it.” Carlos laughs, and Drew shoots him a look I don’t understand.
“What? What am I missing?” I pull back from Drew a little.
“Veronica Vinegar Tits—VVT for short—as we call her, has a bit of a thing for Drew. She has offered herself to him several times, and each time he says no, she comes back with what she thinks is a better offer.”
“Oh my god. Have you—” I start to ask.
“Don’t you dare even think it. She’s a nutcase, and she’s a child.”
For a second, I feel sick, but I’ve no right to; he’s not mine.
“And why did you tell her I’m Drew’s girlfriend?” I ask Carlos.
“Dunno, it just seemed a good idea at the time. I was hoping it might stop her coming around. She’s a fucking pain in the ass.”
“Anyway, we need to get on with the work. The horses don’t give a crap that we’ve got drama going on.” Drew releases me from his arms, turns sharply, and heads out of the stables.
Carlos smiles and give me a wink, whilst I stand there like a spare part.
“What can I do?” I ask Carlos.
“Nothing. The boss said you are to rest up, which is why he left you sleeping this morning.”
“Erm, I don’t think so. I’ll go crazy with nothing to do. Let me do some something at least.”
“You could make us sandwiches. I’m not being sexist. I just don’t want to piss Drew off. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him in such a good mood.”
My little heart skips, and a warm feeling floods my whole body. I’ve done that. I just hope we can keep it going.