by Anise Storm
Table of Contents
Legal Page
Title Page
Book Description
Dedication
Trademarks Acknowledgement
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Epilogue
New Excerpt
About the Author
Publisher Page
Retaliation
ISBN # 978-1-78651-111-9
©Copyright Anise Storm 2016
Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright December 2016
Edited by Jamie D. Rose
Totally Bound Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorized or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2016 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN
Totally Bound Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
Warning:
This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Burning and a Sexometer of 2.
Nirvana
RETALIATION
Anise Storm
Book three in the Nirvana series
Secrets are exposed when two business rivals discover they have fallen for the same woman. All’s fair in love and war…or is it?
When past and present collide, Hannah Brinkley is torn in two romantic directions. By the time she realizes she isn’t the only thing at the center of the power struggle between two Dominants, accusations of corporate espionage threaten to rip her world apart. The possibility of prosecution is nothing compared to the realization that she’s lost the two loves of her life. Grappling with the emotional pain, she has nothing left to lose and sets out to clear both her name and her conscience.
Stung by a woman’s alleged betrayal, Finley Wetherall and Thaddeus Remington are determined to destroy one another, until they discover Hannah has put herself in grave danger. Now the two Dominants are in a race against time to determine whether they can actually put their own differences aside long enough to save her. If she’s rescued, will either man be able to walk away from her again? And, if not, will she be able to choose one over the other?
Dedication
I’d like to dedicate this trilogy to my family, who allowed me the time and space needed to bring my vision to the page.
Trademarks Acknowledgement
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Ritz-Carlton: Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC
The W Hotel: Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc.
Jack Daniel’s: Jack Daniel’s Properties Inc.
Coke: Coca-Cola Company
Delta: Delta Air Lines Inc.
Rockefeller Center: Rockefeller Group Inc.
Maybach Landaulet: Daimler A.G.
Cinderella: Disney Enterprises Inc.
Gran Turismo Sport: Maserati S.p.A.
Maserati: Maserati S.p.A.
Hilton Midtown Inn: HLT Domestic IP LLC
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: Dick Clark Productions Inc.
iPhone: Cisco Technology Inc.
Chicago Bears: Chicago Bears Football Club Inc.
Chicago Bulls: Chicago Professional Basketball Club Corporation
The Twilight Zone: CBS Broadcasting Inc.
O’Hare International Airport: Chicago Department of Aviation
Chicago Midway Airport: Chicago Department of Aviation
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: City of Atlanta
Meet Your Master: Trent Reznor
Chapter One
Resting her forehead against the cold window of the plane, Hannah Brinkley stared numbly through the glass. Since it was nighttime, there wasn’t much of a view, unless you counted darkness with specks of light while the airport workers readied the planes for takeoff. She didn’t, but it really wouldn’t have mattered if she had. Her mind was still racing with thoughts about her earlier encounter with Thaddeus Remington.
The tingling feeling of his lips on hers was still fresh in her mind from his possession of her mouth. There was a pain, deep and achy in her chest, as she’d walked away from him yet again. It hadn’t been any easier the second time around. In fact, it had hurt so much more this time because of where she was going and, more importantly, who she was going back to.
Hannah wasn’t sure exactly what she had with Finley Wetherall, but she realized that because she had responded to Thad’s kiss, it only complicated things further. At one time she had actually loved her former boss, but she’d eventually faced the realization that she was in love with a fairy tale and not the man himself. Right?
She shook her head. Hannah didn’t know if she could honestly say that with very much conviction. The truth of the matter was she had wanted to be his one and only, but Thaddeus was a bachelor and millionaire playboy. Even if the confession he’d made at the airport that one morning had been true, he would soon have grown bored with her. She understood it, even if he didn’t. It was one of the reasons she’d had to go.
Another was because she simply couldn’t commit to anyone. Hannah wanted to, but something inside her had shut down after her first engagement. It was though the wall she’d built to protect her heart was completely shatterproof. Not even Thaddeus or Finley could break through.
“Ugh,” she said under her breath. These situations she kept finding herself in were ones of her own making. Hannah understood that, yet she felt powerless to change it. It seemed as though she only saw what she wanted to see. Instead of fighting for what she wanted, she ran. Escape was the easiest self-preservation mechanism she had and one she used often.
It had happened that night after she’d left the Ritz-Carlton and found herself at the W Hotel in downtown Atlanta. It had been there she’d happened upon Finley Wetherall. While seeing him once again had brought back feelings that had lain dormant for years, it hadn’t been enough to throw away what she had been building with Thaddeus Remington.
But she’d done it, anyway
.
Instead of fighting for Thaddeus after hearing about his supposed engagement with Carolina Winston, she had done the most natural thing for her—to run. Even though it had all happened a few months ago, right now it felt like it had taken place only yesterday. Leaving him standing there at the elevator a couple of hours earlier had broken her heart all over again. Just like she had the first time, she would have the entire flight across the Atlantic to pull herself together.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are third in priority for takeoff and should depart in about five minutes. Flight attendants, prepare for departure, please,” came the booming sound of the pilot’s voice over the aircraft intercom.
A tear ran unchecked down her cheek while she continued staring into the darkness. In seven hours, she would be back in what had been her home for the past two months. She would also be back with the man she had betrayed. Finley!
She turned her thoughts away from Thaddeus and toward the one she had just left him for. God, the two men were alike in so many ways. Both were successful, ambitious and dominant. It was no wonder she found herself conflicted she thought about the two of them.
Just then, the plane started to move, and she watched the airport terminal begin to disappear from her view. It was official. Unlike the last time she had left Thaddeus, he hadn’t—and wouldn’t—be making any last-ditch appeals to convince her to stay. Why would he? He could have any women he desired, and she knew, deep down, she would never be enough for him. Besides, she’d rejected him again, whether he had been sincere or not regarding his true emotions, and it had more than likely been the final dagger in whatever they might’ve had.
It was for the best. Hannah had settled into her life in London with Finley, a man who she believed—beyond a shadow of a doubt—cared about her. He always had, too. Since the night they’d met, he had never been anything less than a friend to her. And how do I repay that? By falling into another man’s arms.
It was more complicated than that, but it still felt the same. Is it possible to have feelings for two men at the same time? The answer to that question was clear in her confusion. Or maybe she was simply one of those sexual deviants the sisters at Prince of Peace had warned the students about all those years ago in school.
Either way, Hannah was wrong. She hadn’t told Thaddeus there was another man and she had no idea how to tell Finley she had kissed someone else, either. Maybe this was all a bad dream, and she would wake up feeling shaken, yet relieved. Or, knowing her luck, she might wake up to learn she had done more than just kiss Thaddeus during their recent surprise encounter.
Wherever her thoughts were headed, an announcement once again interrupted them, and, this time, it was much more welcome.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned off the ’fasten seat belt’ sign, and you may now move around the cabin. However, we always recommend you keep your seat belt fastened while you’re seated. In a few moments, the flight attendants will be passing through the cabin to offer you hot or cold drinks and a snack. Alcoholic beverages are available at a nominal charge. Also, we will be showing you our video presentation. Now, sit back, relax and enjoy the flight. Thank you.”
Enjoy the flight? Not likely. It would be a long one and that the best thing to do would be to sleep, but she was still too emotionally wound up to do so. It was also better to wait on the flight attendant, so if she was actually able to succeed in dozing off, she wouldn’t be woken up. Luckily, her seat was located toward the front of the plane.
“Would you like any refreshments, miss? Water? Coffee? Soda?” the young woman asked as she stopped her rolling cart.
Hannah’s first thought was to say no, but then she decided maybe something strong would help her relax for the duration of the flight. “I’ll take a Jack and Coke,” Hannah told her, then grabbed her purse from near her feet. She fished around in it for her ID and credit card, finally handing them to the flight attendant. She wasn’t much of a drinker most days, but her current mood called for something stronger than coffee or soda.
Once her purchase was complete, the attendant handed her a glass of ice, a shot bottle of Jack Daniel’s and a can of Coca-Cola. Hannah removed the top then swallowed the liquor in the small bottle before setting it inside the pouch on the seat in front of her. With any luck, the alcohol would put her to sleep, because when she got back to London, she would have to make some decisions.
Chapter Two
“One word, Hannah. Which one will it be?” Thaddeus asked. Before she even grasped what she was doing, much less saying, a single word fell from her lips.
“Yes,” she answered.
Thaddeus pulled her from the elevator car. Her thoughts were racing in a hundred different directions as he led her the few feet down the hallway to what she presumed was his room. In a flash they were inside. After Hannah watched Thaddeus close the door, she immediately found herself pinned against it. Only then did the ramifications sink into her hazy mind.
“I can’t—” The other kiss had been demanding, but nothing like the way he was practically ravishing her now. Her words were cut off by his mouth covering hers, and the rest of her protest was long forgotten.
He slid one of his large hands up her thigh then hiked the train of her dress up to her hips, ripping her panties off with one sharp tug. Her core clenched in anticipation. He plunged his tongue into her mouth and thrust three fingers into her pussy.
This was it…what she realized would be her downfall. Thaddeus took complete control of her body and all rational thought left her the moment he pressed down on her clit with the pad of his thumb. She had never been able to deny him anything, and tonight would be no exception.
He delved those fingers inside and found her sweet spot, attacking it with such precision that she became instantly weak in the knees. She was going to come—and soon. The arrogant bastard would make her beg for it, too. And Hannah accepted that she would.
He lifted his lips from hers and a whimper escaped Hannah. The longer he kissed her, the less she could think. Why is he stopping now? She soon realized he was merely weakening her further, nipping at the throbbing pulse point in her throat then moving his lips lower, to her shoulder.
“I need to taste you, sweetheart. God knows I can’t wait another second longer,” he rasped against her flesh.
“Please,” she begged, wanting him to do that and more. He teased her mercilessly with his fingers, wreaking havoc on her self-control. The edge she was hovering on grew narrower, and the heavier the weight of her restraint became.
He added a fourth finger, and she rolled her head back against the door. She brought her hands up his arms to his broad shoulders but was unable to dig her nails in deep enough to get the grip she desired.
Thaddeus worked her to more of a frenzy then finally removed his hand completely from between her legs.
“No,” she moaned, silenced immediately by the sound of fabric being torn.
It dawned on her that he’d ripped her dress. Hannah should have been outraged. That alone should have ended this little scene, but it only turned her on more. A blast of coolness from the air conditioner caused her nipples to instantaneously tighten into hard peaks. Inside, she was burning, unable to control the flames of desire licking away at her.
A glance into his eyes confirmed he was feeling something similar. They had darkened even more since the elevator, and Hannah understood it would only be a matter of time before he fucked her thoroughly, as he’d promised to earlier.
Hannah dropped her hands to her sides and gasped when he swept her up into his arms. A few minutes later, the mattress was beneath her back and her hands were tied to the headboard. If he’d wanted to make sure she couldn’t leave, then mission accomplished. She licked her dry lips and watched him crawl up the bed toward her. He spread her legs apart then he lowered his head.
“Oh, God,” she moaned as he flattened his tongue, dragging it over her sensitive flesh until he reached her clit. Hannah continued to look down
at him and shivered, seeing him looking back at her.
She dropped her head against the pillows, unable to deal with seeing the heated expression on his face. Even though he was no longer in her line of vision, Hannah closed her eyes anyway, giving in to the forces pulling her under.
He was everywhere—sucking, kissing and nibbling on her until he smacked her outer thigh. “Sir,” she breathed softly.
“Open your eyes, Hannah,” he demanded of her, and she shook her head fervently from side to side.
She couldn’t do it. Not now. The last few threads of sanity she possessed would be gone if she did.
“Have it your way, then.”
He removed his head from between her thighs, causing her to feel an immediate sense of loss. The absence of his touch caused tears to spring to her eyes. One or two escaped, rolling down her cheek.
“P-Please don’t stop.”
Relief flooded her with the weight of his upper body over her legs. It was replaced with frustration once his tongue was at her navel, licking his way over her abdomen then up to her breasts. He palmed each one, and she arched upward, silently begging him to touch her aching nipples.
And he obliged, causing her to cry out as he clamped his warm mouth around one of them. God, it was so good, especially when he inserted three fingers back inside her. Thaddeus used his teeth to pull and elongate her nipple. The bite of pain only intensified the throbbing of her clit.
Finally, he moved from one breast to the other, repeating the same ministrations then pulling his head away.
“Open those eyes for me.”
She shook her head, still unable to force herself to do what he wanted. It was easier like this—to only have to focus on how he was making her feel versus the host of other things that would penetrate her thoughts and ruin the moment they were sharing.
