Bitter Heat

by Mia Knight

  “Are you crazy?” she shouted. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  “Calm down,” he ordered.

  “Fuck calm! You fuck me in a dressing room on Madison Avenue, and then you bring me here! What are you thinking? If my sisters find out, they’re going to—”

  The elevator opened, revealing Sarai and two bellboys with her packages from Black Jade.

  Sarai beamed at her. “Ms. Hennessy, so good to see you again.”

  She swallowed her ire and nodded because if she opened her mouth, she was going to lose her shit. He was taking over again, steamrolling her, and she couldn’t stand it.

  “I’ll meet you in my office,” Roth said to Sarai while he tipped the bellboys and grabbed her bags. “Come.”

  She had no choice but to follow him through the massive penthouse. She imagined climbing his back and putting him in a chokehold as he walked into a master suite surrounded by glass walls and jaw-dropping views. He dropped her bags on the bed and gestured to the connecting bathroom.

  “Shower. I have a meeting with Sarai, and then we can talk,” he said.

  “Roth, you can’t keep dragging me all over the place.”

  “It’s the only way to put you where you should be.”

  “Is Kaia here?” she asked, hoping for some backup. She had been wondering about his mother but didn’t dare call her, knowing she was with Roth.

  “No, she recovered and went back home. She missed her mountains.”

  At the moment, she would give anything to be anywhere but here, even freezing Colorado. “You’re going to ruin my life, aren’t you?”

  Even in the bright sunlight, his eyes were two pitiless black holes with no hint of brown.

  “That depends on you. Shower and then meet me in my office.”

  He walked out without another word. Autocratic motherfucker. He was cold as ice unless they were fucking. An image of him in the dressing room with his head thrown back in ecstasy slipped through her mind, but she resolutely pushed it away.

  The bed and bathroom faced the south. She could pick out the Empire State Building, The Chrysler, and several of her father’s signature blue structures. She had been fortunate enough to see the city from some exclusive spots, but this was something else. The dramatic panorama took her breath away. She wasn’t afraid of heights, but she was hesitant to walk toward the wall of glass, which was flush with the side of the building.

  In the master bath was an elegant egg-shaped tub where one could take in the views, separate his and her vanities against either wall and a glass shower with double doors that could comfortably fit up to four people. His personal bathroom was stocked like a hotel with rolled towels and a robe hanging in the closet. When she pried her eyes from the view, she stripped. Multiple shower heads removed all evidence of what they’d done in the dressing room. Steam obliterated her view of the city as the warm water cascaded over her used body.

  It seemed like a lifetime ago that she discovered her fetish for doing it in public. They were strolling home, and she was in a frisky mood and had been teasing him throughout dinner. When she “accidentally” grabbed him, he’d had enough and dragged her into an alley and pinned her against a grimy wall. She became the initiator then, telling him in graphic detail exactly what she wanted him to do to her. He’d done everything and more. After, he carried her the last block home because her legs weren’t working right. That was shortly after they were married and right before he moved to London. He probably considered that moment rock bottom since he was in the midst of watching his companies topple. But for her, those were her happiest memories. Being disowned was liberating for her. No more expectations, standards, and boring dinner functions. She could be whoever she wanted to be and fuck in an alley if she wanted. She thought she was leaving the upper echelon behind, yet here she was… Back then, it never occurred to her who Roth would become. He was worse than her father and even more powerful.

  She pawed through the clothes she bought from Black Jade. Dai didn’t have anything as mundane as jeans unless they were ripped to shreds, decorated in crystals, or sporting outrageous fringe. She pulled on a full-length skirt that fit her like a glove and the cropped top (since she didn’t need a bra to wear it). To top off the look, she pulled on a black and white coat that made her feel like Cruella de Vil. Her suede shoes didn’t match anymore, but the skirt was so long, they peeked out only when she walked.

  Blow drying her shoulder-length hair didn’t take long. She fingered the strands. She should visit her hairstylist while she was in the city. When she finished fussing, she grabbed her packages and lugged them back through the hallway to the foyer. She could hear the rumble of Roth’s voice coming from some room off another hallway, but she didn’t go toward it. Instead, she examined his lair, which was superbly done in light colors that made the already massive space feel even larger. The view of Central Park from this height was stunning. It was a riot of orange right in the middle of the city. Along one wall were cutout window seats that would make an epic reading nook.

  For the most part, she preferred the country for the solace and quiet, but this was warm and welcoming. If she had a dig like this, she might stay in the city more. Despite its vastness, it felt safe and insulated and its own world of tranquility, which was ironic considering the owner.

  Her father had his hand in real estate, among other things. She knew how much her sisters’ penthouses were worth, but this was next level. The space, view, size… This thing had to be upwards of eighty million.

  “Jasmine.”

  She jumped and saw him standing less than six feet away.

  “Come,” he said and turned.

  She followed him down a hallway lined with artwork and entered his office. It was just as grand as the one she visited in the business district.

  “Did you use the same designer for both places?” she asked distractedly.

  His office faced the East River and the Atlantic Ocean. It was a beautiful day, and she could barely focus, she was so dazzled by the views.

  “This is amazing,” she said reverently.

  “It’s an investment.”

  Her lip curled. It was more than an investment; it was a home, but businessmen never got emotionally attached to anything that could make them money. She walked around his office and admired several interesting pieces.

  “Come, sit.”

  She stiffened. “I don’t know where you get off thinking you can order me around. I didn’t sign my life over to you.”

  “That’s what we need to talk about.”

  He was intractable. Had she expected anything else? Not wanting him to put his hands on her again, she approached the desk and sat on the edge of her seat. Involuntarily, her eyes went back to the view until a loud thud drew her attention back to him. Roth rested his hand on a thick stack of papers. She looked from him to the stack and then back at him. Realization dawned, and she blanched.

  “That’s the contract? Why is it so huge? It’s going to take my lawyer a couple of days to go through it.”

  He said nothing. He just stood there, staring at her.

  “What?” she demanded.

  He pushed the papers toward her. She gave him a suspicious glare before curiosity got the better of her. She leaned forward, read the title, and almost fell off the chair. “No.”

  He didn’t react to her horrified whisper.

  “A prenup?” she choked.

  She shot to her feet and swiped the stack of papers off the desk. They fell to the carpet with a dull thud.

  “How dare you!”

  “This is what we need to talk about,” he said placidly.

  “There’s nothing to talk about! Marriage doesn’t come into it. This is about sex and protecting my family from your revenge scheme.”

  He crossed his arms and perched on the edge of the desk. “And how do you think we can carry on this affair without people noticing?”

  “If you hadn’t fucked me in Black Jade and parade
d me through the lobby, no one would know we’re involved!”

  “You had paparazzi following you today. That’s how I found you. And where the fuck is your security? I don’t know what Lyle’s thinking, letting you roam on your own.”

  “Lyle’s not in charge of my security, I am.”

  “That explains a lot. Security isn’t optional. You may be in denial about your status and the public’s interest in you, but I’m not. As the daughter who gave up her rights to the Hennessy fortune and who shies away from the spotlight, you are more interesting and noteworthy than your sisters. At some point, someone is bound to see us together.”

  “Why? I spend most of my time at Tuxedo Park, and I’ll come into the city every other week or something…”

  Her voice trailed off because, for once, she could read his expression clearly. He was staring at her as if she’d lost her mind.

  “Every two weeks?” he echoed. “Within twenty-four hours of seeing you, I fucked you five times and jacked off on you twice.”

  Her body tingled at the memory. She paced restlessly with her arms wrapped around herself. “So?”

  “So I’m not regulating myself to fucking you every other week.”

  “When we were married, we didn’t see each other for months at a time.”

  “We lived in different countries, and I was working around the clock.”

  “Don’t you still work around the clock?”

  “I can afford to take time now to do what I want.”

  Her chest tightened. “I can’t marry you.”

  “We’re not going to skulk around like we did before. Sooner or later, people will see us together, including your family. I assume you haven’t told your sisters about our deal?” When she shook her head, he said, “If they decide to get protective, it will cause unnecessary drama and media attention. I want us to present a united front. If we marry, they’ll accept it, and society will follow their lead.” He rose and slipped his hands into his pockets. “It also gives me legal rights over you in case you decide to renege on our deal.”

  “I wouldn’t renege!”

  “You’ve disappeared on me one too many times. If I stick my neck out for your sisters, I’m not accepting half measures from you. I want it all.”

  He picked up the prenup, set it back on the desk, and pushed it toward her.

  “Look at it. One year. I give you a generous severance once we separate. I promise not to go after Hennessy & Co and will even assist Colette out of this rut she’s in. For now, I retain control of Hennessy & Co until we restore people’s trust in her being at the helm. I’ll direct her toward some solid investments, and once she’s on her feet, I’ll let her buy me out.”

  His proposal was very generous but, “A year?” She couldn’t wrap her mind around that length of time. “I thought three months at the most… and only on weekends,” she said weakly.

  He walked toward her and cupped her chin. She was too shocked to smack his hand away as he lifted her face.

  “Not enough,” he said as his thumb brushed over her bottom lip. “I never lost my taste for you. I figure a year should be enough time to work you out of my system, and in return, your family legacy will continue, and you’ll never have to worry about me again.”

  It was more than she could have hoped for but… a year?

  “It won’t be like last time,” he said quietly.

  “It’ll be worse,” she whispered.

  He said nothing as his fingers moved to her hair and began to play with the strands. He stayed quiet as she tried to process what he was proposing.

  “I want to stay at Tuxedo Park,” she whispered.

  “No. You’ll be with me.”

  “I need to write,” she said desperately.

  “I won’t interfere.”

  He would. She couldn’t think when he was around. “I need quiet.”

  “You can write here.”

  Her gaze went back to the multimillion-dollar view. She couldn’t believe she was contemplating this, but did she have a choice? “We keep our assets separate?”

  “Yes.” He cocked his head. “Why do you care about the prenup? You refused to take anything from me the first time.”

  Seconds ticked by and then his expression sharpened.

  “Daddy left you something, did he?” he asked softly. “Is that what you were going to use buy back the stocks?” He shook his head. “Your sisters don’t deserve you.”

  “They shouldn’t have to pay for my mistakes. If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t have gone after the company.”

  “Blame Maximus.”

  “But my father wouldn’t have targeted you in the first place if we didn’t have an affair.”

  “Maximus made a lot of enemies, princess. If it wasn’t me, someone else would take my place. Your sisters will pay for the sins of their father in one way or another. You’re lucky I intervened.” His finger drifted down her cheek. “And I have an incentive to help them instead of letting them drown. You owe them nothing.”

  “Then I should walk away right now and call this whole thing off,” she bluffed.

  He leaned down so their faces were inches apart.

  “Even if you don’t sign, every time I see you, I’m gonna find a way to get you on your back. At least, this way, you’ll get something out of it other than a climax and material for your books.”

  “You ass!”

  Her hand swung but didn’t connect with his face since he caught her by the wrist.

  “You want me even though you claim to hate me. I fought long and hard for you, and you left me. I want my prize.”

  “You—” she began but stopped when she heard the distant ring of her cell phone. Her phone was on do not disturb, which meant the caller had dialed her number twice within five minutes. An emergency. Colette.

  Chapter 14

  She ripped herself out of his grasp and ran down the hallway. She dug through the shopping bags until she found her purse. She answered the call on the last ring.

  “Lyle? Is she okay?”

  “She’s going to have the baby now. Get here,” he barked and hung up.

  She didn’t grab her purse or shopping bags. She ran to the elevator and smacked her hand on the button before she realized it wasn’t working.

  “Roth!” she roared.

  “What’s going on?” he asked so close behind her that she jumped.

  “Colette’s having the baby. I need to be there now! Call the damn elevator.”

  He keyed some numbers into the keypad as he spoke into his phone, “Bring the car around.”

  She boarded the elevator and then texted Ariana as they traveled down. Ariana was also on her way and had left the kids with a nanny. Rami was still out of the country. This time, when she walked through the lobby, she didn’t care who saw her. All she cared about was getting there in time. God, it was still too soon…

  Mo sat behind the wheel of an SUV this time. She rushed toward the open passenger window and gave the address before she climbed into the back seat. When Roth got in, she stared at him.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  “I’m coming.”

  “No, the fuck you’re not.”

  He leaned forward and tapped the tinted glass partition dividing the front from the back. Mo pulled away from the curb.

  “We lay the groundwork now,” Roth said as he typed on his phone. “The paparazzi shots will help our story.”

  “I didn’t agree!”

  “You will. You’ll do anything for your family.”

  She couldn’t believe his self-assuredness. “The only reason I’m even thinking of your stupid deal is because of Colette. She went into premature labor yesterday because of stress, because of you! She’s so damn worried about Hennessy & Co that she’s putting her and the baby’s life in danger. If it wasn’t for that, I’d tell you to fuck yourself.”

  His eyes narrowed. “That stress comes from being a CEO, not just from me.”

  “But
you initiated the takeover and then refused to speak to her. What did you think would happen?”

  “It’s not my job to worry about the opposition. Everyone knows your sister hasn’t been putting her best foot forward lately. She’s been losing steadily enough that word’s gone around.”

  She slashed her hand through the air. “You can’t barge in at a time like this. This is real life. This is my family.”

  He grabbed her hand. “We present a united front, Jasmine.”

  She stared at him. “How can you be so heartless?”

  “Practice.”

  She pulled away. “I can’t deal with you now. I just want to make sure my sister’s okay and Polara’s healthy.”

  “Polara?”

  “My niece.”

  “Interesting name.”

  When they reached the hospital, she dashed out of the car. Roth kept up with her as they entered the maternity ward. As she got directions to Colette’s room, Roth fell back, for which she was grateful. She didn’t need him interfering at a time like this. As she approached the room, a medical team filed out, and she paused on the threshold. Lyle and Ariana stood on either side of Colette who was sitting up in bed with a small bundle in her arms. Colette raised her head. Her face glistened with sweat, but it was the expression on her face of dazed wonder that made Jasmine rush forward.

  “She’s here?” she whispered and pressed against Ariana’s side so she could see.

  The bundle in the crook of Colette’s arm had her eyes open and was looking around through squinted eyes. Polara had a tiny rosebud mouth and not one strand of hair on her perfect head. Jasmine tucked her fists under her chin to stop herself from snatching her and smothering her new niece with kisses.

  “We were thinking of calling her Maxine for Dad,” Colette said.

  Ariana put a hand over her mouth and nodded because she couldn’t speak.