Ice groaned and tightened his fist around his hardening cock. “Baby, you can’t be doing that. You’re going to soak in the tub so you’re not sore from the ride. You aren’t used to it, and we were riding for hours.”
She stared at him, mesmerized by the growing length.
“Turn around and behave.” Ice wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back against him. Tight.
She felt every inch of that impressive cock against her back. His palms cupped the weight of her breasts.
“Put your head back and relax. You’re going to tell me why Winston scares you so much. I want to know the entire story. Don’t give me trouble about this, because we both know you’re going to tell me.”
“Why would you think I’d tell you?” she demanded, belligerence creeping into her voice.
He kissed her right between her shoulder and neck. “Because I asked you to and you don’t lie to me and you give me whatever I ask.”
He said it as if it were true. She wanted to give him whatever he asked. She wanted to be the one he looked at the way he was looking at her right now. After she told him, he might reject her. That was her greatest fear. Rejection. She couldn’t look at him while she weighed the consequences of revealing the truth. She detested the label of “poor little rich girl.” She would have given up every bit of her wealth if she’d had a family, parents who loved her, aunts and uncles, cousins. She would have gone hungry in order to have someone care. Just one person.
On the other hand, she’d confessed she’d tried to get him drunk to seduce him into marriage in Vegas and he had glossed over it as if she were being silly. He didn’t seem in the least inclined to give her up for any reason. She had to try to start believing him. That was only fair. If they really were going to have any kind of a life, they needed truth between them.
“Soleil. Just start. It will get easier,” he prompted.
She took a deep breath and made her confession. “By being with you, I’m endangering the entire club. Every single member. Your twin and Alena. I got on the back of the bike with you when Winston showed up with the cops looking for me. Fortunately, a woman must have checked into the motel by herself. He must have been checking for that sort of thing.”
She waited, head bowed, for his condemnation. Ice put his hand on her forehead and tipped her head back until she was leaning the back of her skull against his chest. His palm stroked caresses over her forehead.
“I was there. I think I got that. That isn’t telling me why he was coming after you, Soleil.”
She looked around the bathroom. The room was so luxurious, it seemed ludicrous to think Ice was after her money. He didn’t seem to know she was loaded—or he knew and just didn’t care.
“My parents started a company when they were very young, in their early twenties. The company took off, and in the end, when they sold, they made millions of dollars. That money was set aside in a trust for me at a very early age and continued to make money for me. I was their only child.”
She couldn’t feel any difference in Ice’s body at her revelation. He seemed as relaxed as ever, now lazily playing with her earlobe, making her hyperaware of him.
“Keep going, baby, this is getting interesting.”
“The money was invested, of course, and a lawyer was overseeing it. His name was Kevin.” Her voice nearly broke. “Kevin Bennet. I told you a little about him. I only met him in person on a few occasions, but he texted me nearly every day and we often FaceTimed. He was the only constant in my life. That’s important to make you understand the trouble I’m in.”
She wasn’t looking for sympathy. Now, she wanted out of the lovely bathtub. She felt too vulnerable in her bare skin. She made a move to stand up, but Ice locked his arm around her waist.
“I’m right here with you, baby. Don’t run. Don’t try to hide from me or the truth of this mess you’re in. We’ll figure it out together. Let yourself lean on me.”
She’d never had together and didn’t know what to do with it. She couldn’t lean on him when she expected him to leave. She didn’t know how to be with someone when she’d always been alone. She was terrified of falling too hard for him. Of believing. She forced herself to continue because Ice deserved to have her at least make an effort. Maybe he would understand what he was getting into.
“I had no home growing up. I lived in boarding schools and hotels. I was able to travel the world and take any kind of class I wanted, hence the cooking and art classes. There was never a home or a person to go home to. Not even on holidays. I can’t tell you how much I hate holidays.”
She drew her knees up and, locking her arms around her legs, rubbed her chin on top of her knees. “I would get crazy lonely at times and I’d do things like parachute out of planes, and each jump got riskier. Gliders, paragliding, the scarier the place, the better. I played pool and darts all over the world. Drank whiskey and bourbon and scotch all over the world in a lot of different bars. I found I couldn’t get drunk, and believe me, I tried.” She glanced over her shoulder and met his gaze. “Lots of risky behavior.”
“I can see I’m going to have to watch you if you start to get restless.”
She wanted it to be that way. Ice and Soleil. Together. She could do that. She could live on the coast in this gorgeous home with the man of her dreams and have his children. She could be a wife, give him everything he’d ever dreamt of. But reality never matched fantasy. She knew the reality, and sooner or later, rejection always came.
She went back to rubbing her chin along the tops of her knees just because she needed something to do or she would have jumped up and made a run for it, because she was too scared to reach for what he seemed to be offering her—what she wanted most in life. It was too hard to believe it was real. Still, he needed to know the truth.
“I guess I just didn’t fit in anywhere.” She tried to explain without sounding as if she were having a pity party for herself. “After my aunt Deborah died, no relative wanted me because Kevin wouldn’t loosen the purse strings and they weren’t getting the money they felt they deserved for having me in their home. Kevin never told me why he didn’t want me to come to his house, but he didn’t.” That had hurt, probably the most.
Ice swept his hand down the back of her head, a soothing, caressing gesture. She wasn’t going to tell him about all the lonely nights and days she’d spent wishing and fantasizing about a man like him. It was too pathetic.
“I met Winston at an auction house in London. He claimed to like all the things I liked. He lived in San Francisco, which is where I live, so it was perfect. We dated and then I began to notice little things. He didn’t approve of the way I dressed. He wanted me to drop any acquaintances I had and only associate with his friends. He didn’t approve of my music. He chose every restaurant. He chose everything.”
“Because he’s a fucking prick,” Ice stated matter-of-factly, and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against him. “Relax, baby. It’s just me here. I’m on your side, remember?”
Soleil felt a smile welling up and was shocked that she could even find humor in anything when everything she wanted was about to be ripped from her. Doggedly, she went on. She’d started the explanation, and she was determined to see it through.
“He wanted to marry me, and I knew it wasn’t right. We weren’t at all compatible. Kevin insisted on a prenup. Winston threw a fit. It was the first time I’d ever been afraid. He was so angry. He threatened to walk out, and at first I thought I was panic-stricken because I didn’t want to be alone. Then I realized it would be okay if he did. I wanted him to leave. When he saw I wasn’t going to relent, he was apologetic and said he’d think about it. Two days later, Kevin was killed in a car accident.”
She still had that visceral reaction, the same as when she’d been given the news of his death over the phone. It was soul deep, and her stomach rebelled every time, cramping and
heaving. She pressed her trembling fingers to her lips and tried to breathe in air.
“I’m so sorry, princess,” Ice whispered, pressing kisses to the nape of her neck. His fingers caressed the side of her neck, right over that little bite that didn’t hurt anymore. He often touched it gently.
She shivered with awareness. She could hear the sincerity in his voice. He was too good to be true. Even Kevin had asked her what the hell was wrong with her that she would allow someone like Winston into her life, yet Ice never once acted like she should have known better.
“Winston instantly hired another attorney, a man by the name of Donald Monroe. I didn’t like anything about him, but he told me it was silly to press for a prenup, to just marry the man and put him out of his misery.”
Behind her, Ice stirred, his chest expanding and contracting. She heard and felt him take deep breaths, and that helped her breathe and continue.
“Winston had a list of men and women he wanted me to make nice with at charity events. He said he was going into politics and these people were important to his career. I think now, he wanted me cut off from others, and those on his list were helping him. He had a list of powerful people. Cops, lawyers, a city council member. He had a list of very wealthy older women, all widows.”
Ice shrugged. “Keep going, baby. Where does the danger to the club come in?”
She knew he prompted her because he was afraid she wouldn’t tell him. She had made up her mind he needed to know. They all did. She just wanted him to know the weapons Winston could wield if he chose. He liked throwing his weight around. He’d hurt the club just because he could, and he’d gloat about it.
“I wanted time after Kevin died, but Winston insisted on going to Vegas. He swore he wouldn’t bring up marriage, and I agreed to come just to shut him up. It was so stupid of me. I just wanted a little peace.”
She closed her eyes and leaned back against Ice, absorbing the feel of him. After she told him, he might be gone, but she’d have this memory.
“He was so angry when I refused to get married, and when I told him I’d officially fired the attorney, he hit me repeatedly. My face . . .” She touched her ribs. “He said to clean up, we were getting married in half an hour.”
She looked at him over her shoulder because she needed to see his face when she told him the rest. “I had the door to the bathroom partially open and he had the bedroom door open so he could hear me if I tried anything. I heard him talking on the phone. To make a long story short, he’s part of a ring of con men who target lonely women with money. They research their target and then one of them becomes her perfect man. They marry and then, sadly, the wife dies. Usually by an accident. Apparently, I’m such a pain in the ass, Winston couldn’t wait to kill me. Kevin’s accident was arranged by this con artist ring as well. He was murdered.”
Outside, along the bank of windows, the dark sky turned even blacker. Clouds, looking as if they’d been washed in soot, roiled and spun, churning angrily. Winds battered them continually until the moment the clouds broke open, spilling out a deluge of water. The drops battered at the window as if trying to get to them—to get to Soleil.
She could feel the temperature in the water rising. Ice’s heart beat so hard she felt it pounding through her back.
“That worthless little dick was really planning on murdering you?”
The words were so low she barely caught them. His face was expressionless, but his eyes were alive with a storm all their own. She had the feeling that all the turbulence outside was being caused by Ice, although she couldn’t figure out how.
“Yes. That was the plan. I heard every word. They even threatened Winston. They said I was an easy mark and if he couldn’t lock me down, he was the one who was going to pay. I don’t really know who they all are, only that there are several. I couldn’t go to the police, so I just ran. I’d met Lana and she’d given me her phone number, so when I saw the motorcycles, I just went into the bar without thinking.”
“That little fuckin’ pussy. He’s a fuckin’ dead man,” Ice spat out. “Fuck him, Soleil. You’re safe with me. If that little dick thinks he can kill you, he’s out of his mind. Let him try to take on Torpedo Ink. He’ll realize he has a tiger by the tail. On the other hand, I believe in being proactive. Tomorrow, we’ll go to Czar and the others and you’re going to tell us everything you can about the others who might be in this ring.”
She tried not to cry. She was so emotional. It had started with losing Kevin, and she’d never quite gotten herself back under control. Gripping the edges of the bathtub, she pulled herself into a standing position. She needed to get out. She just had to. Ice was a miracle, the kind of man she’d dreamt of, and she was terrified she was falling hard for him. The drop would be long and scary, but it would be far worse when he tore her heart out.
She stepped out of the tub and he caught her arm. “Gettin’ tired of you being afraid of lovin’ me, baby. I know we belong together. Stop pullin’ away from me. You’re here, give it a shot at least.”
Soleil shook her head. “Ice, you have no idea what you’re asking of me.”
“You think this kind of commitment isn’t scary for me?” he challenged.
He pulled the plug and stood up as well, accepting the towel she handed to him. Once again, she noted that his gaze was riveted to her, as if she were the only being in his world. He had a way of looking at her with complete focus.
“I’ve never been in a relationship with a woman. I’m not sayin’ there wasn’t sex. I’ve had women blow me, sometimes every day, sometimes twice a day. But to get there, to get release, I’ve had to order my fuckin’ dick to work. With you, just lookin’ at you, babe, I’m a steel pole. That may not sound like anything to you, but after a lifetime of knowing I can’t ever be normal and then finding you—” He broke off, shaking his head.
“It’s sex, Ice,” she insisted and went to the sink to brush her teeth. She had a thing about her teeth. He wanted to know things about her, he might as well know that.
“It maybe seems like that, but it’s not just sex. When your mouth is on me or I’m inside you, believe me, Soleil, it isn’t just sex.”
“You married me because you were drunk.”
“No, you married me because you were drunk. I was sober. Stone-cold sober. I wanted you and I was going to get you by whatever means I could. I’m probably as bad as Winston with his ulterior motives. I not only don’t have to order my dick to rise and then to release with you, sometimes I need my woman to show me that I’m more important to them than anyone else. Or anything such as moral codes that I can’t even understand.”
She stopped, toothbrush halfway to her mouth to stare at him. “What does that mean?”
“It means, if you’re down on your knees with my cock down your throat and someone is watching through a window, you don’t stop, because I’m more important than some bullshit rule I don’t understand.”
“Well, don’t talk about your cock in my mouth when you’re not covered up and we’re having an important conversation.” She glared at him. “And I wasn’t drunk. I seduced you into marriage.”
“Bullshit. I seduced you.” He dried his hair while she rinsed her teeth. “You chose me, Soleil. I chose you. Let’s make this work. You can see I don’t need your money. Live here with me and don’t spend a penny of yours if that’s what you’d prefer. Just give us a chance.”
He sounded—and looked—so sincere. She wanted him. Really wanted him. She wanted the house. The sex. His club. Everything he was holding out to her. He didn’t seem to be afraid of Winston or the ring of con artists. She wasn’t so certain that his club could handle them. Everyone seemed so nice. Well. She hedged in her thinking. Savage looked scary. Maestro did as well, but when they ate together, he was sweet. It was just a dangerous look he got every now and then.
She was just so afraid of being hurt. Or hurting Ice. She
had failed at everything she’d ever tried in her life. Ice was . . . extraordinary. Amazing. Worth something. But he was willing to take a chance on her. Didn’t that count for something?
“What would a chance entail, exactly?”
“Be my wife.”
Her heart skipped a beat and then pounded hard. She closed her eyes and shook her head. “How would I know how a wife behaves? I didn’t have any real examples of a man and a woman living together. In fact, I’m more of a one-night-stand kind of girl doing the walk of shame in the morning.”
“You’d better never feel shame at anything we do together, Soleil. I mean that. What we do is sacred. Doesn’t matter if the world is suddenly watching us. When I touch you, or you touch me, it’s us. The two of us and no one else. Don’t give a damn if you’re looking at someone jacking themselves off because they’re staring at your breasts. While I’m fucking you, it’s always just the two of us.”
She knew there was something seriously wrong with her because it was his speech that made her decide. The use of the word sacred. She loved that thought. The idea of someone staring at her breasts and jacking off while he fucked her shouldn’t have added another layer of excitement, but it did. The thought of Ice with his hands on her anywhere, anytime, made her scorching hot. Too hot. She burned between her legs. He could do that. His voice. His eyes. His touch. He mesmerized her.
She made up her mind. She’d go all in. One more time. For him. For Ice. She would do it because he was extraordinary and if he was willing to try, she was too. “All right, then.”
His eyebrow went up and he stepped closer, catching at the towel she’d wrapped around herself. He stripped it from her body. “Talk to me, woman. What the fuck does that mean?”
He sounded gruff. Emotional. He looked as cool as ice.
“It means, even though I’m going to make all kinds of mistakes and you’re going to be very sorry you chose me, I’ll be your wife.”
Vendetta Road Page 23
