“Shh.”
Carefully, I apply the cold cloth and as he lies there, I appreciate the view without him looking. He is the finest man I have ever seen and despite being terrifying, under my touch he is like a pussy cat.
I carry on my administrations until all the tension leaves the room and as I pull away, his eyes open and a hand reaches out and grabs my wrist. “You’re going nowhere.”
He sits up and faces me and I can feel his breath on my face as he whispers in that husky, sexy voice, “My turn now.”
He reaches for my vest and suddenly the danger is in the room again and I stare at him with a fear that I know irritates him because he strokes my face softly and whispers, “I’m not going to hurt you.”
“But.”
My voice trembles as I try to think of any excuse other than the real truth to make him stop, and his eyes narrow a fraction before he growls. “I repeat, I am not going to hurt you. That is the furthest thing from my mind. I want to give you pleasure; so much pleasure you won’t be able to remember your own name. I want you to dream about me at night because even in your dreams I want to be with you. I want to hear you scream my name as I send you to a place you will never want to leave and I want my name to be the first one on your lips when you wake in the morning and the last one at night. I want to own every inch of you my little bird because I want you that much.”
The power in his voice and the promise in his eyes sets me on edge.
I am no match for this man. As soon as he samples the goods, he will wish he had chosen better. Struggling to breathe in this lust-filled atmosphere, I say with a quiver to my voice, “I’m a virgin.”
Chapter 20
Tobias
Her words cause the blood to rush to my head and every part of me that she controls. A virgin - what the fuck?
I stare at her in surprise and she lowers her head as if ashamed. That angers me way too much and I lift her face to mine and say with choked emotion, “Is this true - how?”
She nods sadly and says in a small voice, “I never got the opportunity. Through school and college, I had many guys try, but I wanted to save myself for the right man. As I grew older, the opportunities went away because I was engaged to Sebastian, who never wanted me. I once tried to force him to love me by dressing up as a whore and visiting him in his office. I thought that’s what women did, but he was disgusted.”
The tears fill her lovely eyes and she turns away, leaving me ready to murder Sebastian Stone on sight. Then again, he has left me the most precious gift of all and I should be thanking him for it.
Her shoulders shake as the tears fall, and I feel like the biggest bastard in the world as I see what nearly just happened. Sophia was right, the results of my actions would not sit well with me, so I pull down her top and hold her close and stroke her hair as if comforting a child because that’s what she is. She has not progressed to a woman yet, and I will not be the one who makes that a bad memory.
She starts to cry softly and it tears my heart out. I nearly ruined something so precious I couldn’t live with myself if I carried it through. A virgin—fuck me, how did I get so lucky to find her. No other man has touched her most prized possession and I will be the one to show her amazing it can be.
“You’re disappointed in me.”
“What?”
I pull back and see the hurt in her eyes and it makes me crazy. “Of course, I’m not, how could I be?”
She sniffs. “Because you wanted a wife who would make you happy. Someone who could be everything you wished for and I don’t measure up.”
Now I’m angry and snap. “What the fuck are you talking about? Nobody can measure up to you. Do you know what you have just given me?”
“No.” Her voice is a whisper and I say incredulously, “You have just made me the happiest man alive. You are untouched by any hand, and I want to be the man to make you a woman. That is the most precious gift a woman can give and you have saved it for me.”
As I stare at her, I brush aside the fact that’s strictly not true. She hasn’t saved it for me, she saved it for the man she fell in love with. Quite frankly I doubt that was ever going to be me, but it sure as hell is now. But not here, not now, and not under these circumstances.
I lower my lips to within an inch of hers and say softly, “Relax little bird. I won’t be taking anything from you today. Pack your bags we’re going on that honeymoon.”
“But?” She looks up in surprise and I seize my chance and lower my lips to hers and taste the innocence for myself. She tastes of everything sweet in life, and now I know why I married her. Anastasia Johnson is going to save me and she doesn’t even know it. I am going to give her the world and make her my world. Everything I do will be for this woman because suddenly she has given me meaning to my life and I want her beside me every step of the way. I don’t love Anastasia, I own her and won’t stop until she’s mine, mind, body and soul. She is my new hobby, my new passion and my new vocation. She will have everything I can give her except my heart, because now I know what I want. To replace love in my heart with her. And by the end of it, she will never want to fucking leave me. Sophia was wrong about my intentions. I don’t want to scare my little bird away. I just want to clip her wings so she can never fly away, even if she wanted to, and I will make it my life’s work to not give her a reason to fly.
I leave her to pack and head downstairs in a surprisingly good mood. The black cloud has lifted and I shout for Matteo as soon as my foot hits the bottom step. As expected, he soon comes running and I say good naturedly, “The trip is back on again. Instruct my pilot, we need to refuel and are heading to the hideaway.”
“And Miss. Moretti?”
“Tell her of my plans. She can come if she wants, but she can remain here if she prefers.”
He nods and hurries off and I head to the kitchen where I find Mrs. Billings trying hard not to look me in the eye. I know she will feel as if she’s disappointed me, so I say in a softer voice, “We are leaving for seven days. My sister may stay, so make sure she has everything she needs. Call ahead and instruct the staff at the hideaway that we’re coming and to make things ready.”
“Of course, sir.”
Then I head to the office quarters and take my position behind my desk. Lifting my phone, I call for Angelo and it isn’t long before he comes running.
He looks worried and well he might because the sight of him laughing with my wife almost caused me to shoot him on the spot.
However, I know he would have been uncomfortable with the situation and so I say gruffly, “Just for the record, Angelo, I do not appreciate seeing my wife laughing with my guards when I am not home. If she tries to engage you in any activity, or conversation, you are to decline. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Mr. Moretti, sir.”
“Further, I understand you rescued her when she passed out at the lake and I thank you for your assistance. Aside from that, you never touch her again unless it’s saving her life, do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Mr. Moretti, sir.”
“You have proven to be a loyal member of my organization, Angelo and I see great promise in you, don’t let my wife get in the way of that because I have no filter where it concerns her. Now, under the circumstances, I think you should take on a different role and you will be assigned to Miss. Moretti’s staff with immediate effect.”
I note the disappointment in his eyes, but that can’t be helped. Anastasia is a desirable woman, and Angelo is a good-looking young man with raging hormones. I am just preventing any attachments forming and he needs to know his place.
“You may leave, Matteo will instruct you on your new role.”
He nods, “Thank you, sir, I will not let you down.”
As the door closes behind him, I try to shake the image of him laughing with Anastasia. The jealously that raced through my body was a powerful emotion that surprised me. When I saw her standing there in those fuck me shorts and tight vest, I was consumed b
y passion. I wanted to bend her over that fucking counter and sink balls deep into her ass for daring to wiggle it so suggestively in public. Thank god I didn’t because I would find it hard to live with myself if I had. Now I know the one vital piece of information she withheld from me. A virgin. My little virgin. What a prize she has held onto for so long. I will be the only man to touch her in her lifetime, and that makes me even more protective and much more of a bastard as I contemplate owning her in every way.
Chapter 21
Anastasia
While I pack my case, I think about what just happened. That was so intense and yet surprising. One minute I was terrified and the next wanting something to happen that is long overdue by now. I fight back the feelings that are alien to me. I want to know what it feels like to be with such a man. Will it hurt? I expect so. Will he be disappointed in me, probably? But I’ll be a woman and know the secret everyone else seems to know already. I will be one of them and share an intimacy with a man that I crave and terrifies me at the same time.
Suddenly, I’m aware I’m not alone and look up in surprise to see Tobias’s sister Sophia standing in the doorway.
She is certainly stunning with her long dark hair and startling green eyes. She’s wearing a green silk dress that brings out the color in them and is looking at me with a mixture of relief and curiosity.
“Please, forgive the intrusion, I just wanted to meet you properly.”
“Hi.” I feel a little shy and my greeting comes out in a whisper and she smiles softly. “Don’t be nervous around me, honey because unlike my brother, I don’t bite.”
She looks around and rolls her eyes. “I don’t come in here much, but it’s typical Tobias. The best of everything with nothing left to chance.”
“I prefer the blue room next door.”
She laughs. “He had that one specially designed for you.”
“Me?” I stare at her in surprise and she nods. “When he decided to marry you, he had the room designed with you in mind. It was supposed to be your room, but I can see things changed. Are you ok with that?”
Feeling a little uncomfortable, I shrug and she says kindly. “Listen, if anyone knows my brother, it’s me. He’s obnoxious, rude, possessive and angry most of the time. However, underneath all that rage and angst, he’s a decent guy who found himself in an impossible situation. He’s prone to violent rages and you would do well to keep away from him when they occur.”
Now I feel afraid, and she shakes her head sympathetically. “Maybe you can calm him down, I certainly hope so. I just wanted you to know I’m here for you. We walk in each other’s footsteps around him and he expects us to comply with all his demands. You on the home front and me through business. I am all he has in the way of family, so I’m going nowhere. You, on the other hand, may not last as long, so just a word of advice, don’t make it easy on him.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
I feel a little unnerved and she says in a detached voice. “Because he wants you more than anything right now, but he may soon get bored. Don’t take it personally because I hope for your sake he does.”
“Excuse me?” I feel shocked by her words and she says sadly, “I hope it works out for you, but he’s a difficult man to work out. For instance, he likes to travel and even in New York, the day after your wedding, he had one of his booty calls summoned to perform. I just wanted to say, whatever he tells you, take it with a pinch of salt because my brother has a sexual appetite that one woman will never cope with on her own.”
I can taste the disappointment as her sharply loaded words hit home. He has already been with another woman. What was that all about when he told me he was going to stay true to me? I feel like such a fool and it must show because she says kindly, “Listen, I want to help. Just say the word and I can make it all go away. If you want out, I can arrange it. Never feel as if you’re on your own because I know more than most what it’s like to live with him. Don’t let him win, Anastasia, you owe it yourself to be stronger than you ever thought possible.”
She sighs and then turns away, saying as an aside, “Enjoy your honeymoon, I’ll see you when you get back.”
As she goes, she leaves me feeling like a fool. Of course, Tobias will want other women. Why would I be so stupid to think he would be happy with little old inexperienced me. We don’t even know each other and even before the ink was dry on our wedding certificate, he was celebrating with another woman in a different city, leaving me kicking my heels in this gilded cage.
The tears burn like acid behind my eyes as I contemplate my life ahead. A rich man’s toy and trophy wife. Way to go, Anastasia, you get the prize for being the biggest dumb fuck of the class.
As soon as I’m packed, I head to the shower and wash my tears away. I need to harden my heart because nothing is as it seems in this house. The Moretti’s are as cold as ice, and I thought my family was bad. They are something else, and I wonder if that’s what power does to a person. Makes them invincible and above morality.
By the time I’ve changed into a pale blue trouser suit, I feel the nerves resurfacing. My hand shakes as I apply my make-up and brush my golden hair so it swirls around me like a fluffy cloud. I find some pale blue suede heels that compliment my suit and grab a matching leather purse from the shelf in my closet.
After a spray of perfume, I feel ready to face the man again and head downstairs, leaving my bags to be collected.
As I reach the bottom step, I see the usual cluster of men in black suits and look for Angelo among them. I feel bad for him because he was doing nothing wrong, but he isn’t to be seen.
The men look down as I approach, and I wonder why. Walking past them, I head to the kitchen and see Mrs. Billings wiping the counter top and smile at the one person who makes me feel comfortable around here.
“Have you seen, Mr. Moretti?”
She shakes her head. “I think he was in his office. I’m sure he won’t be long.”
Taking a seat at the counter, I smile as she says sweetly, “Can I get you anything?”
“A coffee would be nice.”
She turns and reaches for the coffee pot and I watch her pour the steaming liquid into a mug and top it up with creamer before pushing it toward me.
She doesn’t offer any conversation and I sense a different kind of atmosphere in the house now they are back.
After a few minutes, Tobias heads into the room and I shiver inside. He has changed into more casual clothing, of black jeans and a button down top. He is unshaven and his hair slightly wild and I can see the tattoos that intrigue me decorating his arms, which flex as he walks. My mouth waters at the sight of so much testosterone heading my way and as he reaches me, he says softly, “Are you ready?”
I nod and he holds out his hand and takes mine, squeezing it firmly. Then he anchors me to his side once again and says abruptly, “Sophia is remaining here. Make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid.”
Mrs. Billings nods and I feel surprised as I follow him outside. What does he mean?
Once again, we step into the middle car and I watch as the men jump into the other ones. I say in surprise, “Are they coming too?”
“Of course.”
Tobias grins wickedly and I can see the promise in his eyes. He may have stopped himself earlier, but his intentions are crystal clear. This is a honeymoon in every sense of the word because it’s written on his face clearly. My innocence is soon to be a thing of the past and by the looks of things, it’s happening tonight.
Chapter 22
Tobias
Sitting with my wife beside me is an experience I am enjoying way more than having my sister. She is quiet and withdrawn, and I expect it’s due to what happened earlier. She must be nervous, so I squeeze her hand a little tighter because I want her to feel safe with me. For some reason I can’t let go of her for a minute, which surprises me because I’m not one for affection. I usually enjoy women’s company for only one thing and yet here I am, working out ways to m
ake conversation with the one beside me so I don’t scare her away.
After a while, she says a little nervously, “Where are we going exactly?”
“My island.”
“Your what?”
She stares at me in surprise and I laugh softly. “My island. I bought it a few years back as an escape. The only thing there is my island estate and I call it the hideaway.
She falls silent and don’t ask me how I know, but I’m aware something has changed since the bedroom and it unnerves me. She’s distant and pre-occupied, and I feel curious as to why.
Turning, I lift her face to mine and say firmly, “What’s up?”
The flush to her cheeks tells me I was right and she won’t look me in the eye. Gripping her face a little tighter, I say it again. “Answer me, what’s up?”
Her beautiful blue eyes swirl with tortured feelings and it disturbs me. I stare at her pointedly and she looks down and whispers, “Did your girlfriend from New York visit the island too?”
Immediately the rage floods through me and I hiss, “Who told you about her?”
I don’t really need to know because it could only have been one person and I say with a sigh. “Sophia.”
She nods and I shrug as if it’s of no consequence because it isn’t. “I take no women there, especially not a whore.” Her eyes widen and I laugh dully. “Maybe Sophia neglected to tell you the full story. Yes, I have many women who serve a purpose dotted across the country who are ready when I call. I pay them well for their time and that’s all it is—business. When I went to New York, I needed to create some distance between us and called for Ingrid. However, the moment she took my cock in her mouth, I knew I was done with the lot of them.”
Completing Beauty: Books 1-3 Page 27
