I grinned mischievously and winked at Charlotte. “No problem. We’ll take this...discussion somewhere else.”
Before she realized what was happening, I scooped her into my arms and headed for the back door.
“What the fuck are you doing?” she squealed.
“Catching you, Charlotte,” I informed her. Then I narrowed my eyes on her in warning, “Language, baby.”
She gasped, but the outrage didn’t reach her eyes. “I can—hey! You can’t—but—wait!”
“Waited long enough.”
Hudson held open the door with a smirk, and Charlotte began to struggle in my arms. “Hudson! Do something!”
“Sure thing, coz,” he replied before jogging down the hall and opening the front door as well.
“Are you kidding me? Has everyone lost their damn minds?”
I tsked as we descended the steps to the sidewalk. “Don’t think I’m not keeping track of the spankings you’re earning.”
Charlotte muttered something that sounded like, over my dead body, and I chuckled.
“Not your dead body, baby. But definitely your naked one.”
Fenton had wisely followed me and was idling on the curb on the other side of the street. He alighted from the car as soon as we’d safely crossed over.
“Where do you think you’re taking me, you big oaf?” she snapped.
“Home.” I deftly maneuvered my way into the car without letting her go, then settled her across my lap.
“I am home,” she argued, pointing at the five-story brick townhouse.
I simply laughed and gave her a hug before kissing the top of her head and relaxing back into the seat.
“I don’t understand. What about that was funny?”
“Your adorably misguided belief that you were home.”
Charlotte huffed, annoyed at my cryptic answers. I might have been clearer if I wasn’t enjoying watching her get all riled up.
“Exactly how was I wrong? You said we were going home. Do you mean your place?”
I lifted her face with a finger under her chin and shook my head. “Our home, Charlotte. There is no yours and mine anymore. Just ours.”
She sputtered some more, but then her expression turned thoughtful, and she sat quietly for the rest of the ride. In order for me to keep from tearing her clothes off and fucking her on the back seat, I thought about our apartment and wondered if she would like it.
It wasn’t far. I preferred to live near the office, so I had renovated the top two floors of one of the residential buildings I owned in the city. I hadn’t thought about a family of my own when I built it, but my parents, two sisters and their families, and my brother all liked to visit. I wanted enough room to have them all comfortable and give me privacy while they were there.
Now, I was grateful I’d designed it that way. There were six additional bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and if we chose to have more children than that, they could always be doubled.
The master suite was set up on the opposite side of the penthouse. Besides the spacious bedroom and bath, there was a sitting room, dressing room, a large walk-in closet, and a smaller room next door that I used for an office. It would be a perfect nursery though, so I’d decided to move my office to another part of the house.
However, if Charlotte didn’t like it, wanted a townhouse, or even to move out of the city, I’d happily give her anything she wanted.
The car went dark as Fenton turned into the entrance for the underground parking garage.
“This is one of your properties,” she stated.
“Very good,” I praised. I’d given her the business portfolio to familiarize herself with our current properties, ones in the process of being bought, and former properties. Looking through those would help her learn what we would or wouldn’t be interested in if a potential investment fell on her desk. I relied on my assistants' recommendations because I didn’t have the time to personally inspect every prospectus or real estate listing.
This wasn’t the first time she’d recalled a property from the portfolio. In fact, she’d done it dozens of times while she’d been working for me. It wasn’t as if she got lucky and happened to have just studied those investments when they applied to a conversation.
“You have an eidetic memory,” I concluded. How hadn’t I thought of that until just now?
Charlotte nodded. “I don’t often tell people because they get weird about me remembering stuff. Especially if we meet with shadier characters. People are more likely to let something slip or leave a paper lying around that they shouldn’t when they don’t know someone is there who can almost perfectly recall every detail of the meeting.”
A knock on my door startled me, and I realized we’d parked, and Fenton was asking permission to open the door. Smart man. In all the time he’d been with me, I’d never had a woman who wasn’t family in my car. And if I hadn’t had such a tight rein on my desire, opening the door without permission might have been the last thing he ever did.
I rapped my knuckles once to let him know it was okay, then I reluctantly let go of Charlotte and let him help her out of the car. Once I was out and on my feet, I lifted my woman back into my arms and strode for the private elevator only a few steps from my designated parking spots.
“Take a few days off, Fenton,” I called. “We won’t be leaving anytime soon.”
Charlotte scowled at me. “I can’t stay here. I didn’t even bring any clothes.”
“You won’t need them,” I quipped.
“I’ll let you know when I need you next, Fenton.”
“Yes, sir!” There was a smile in his voice, and when I turned around in the elevator to face the opening, I saw him trying to suppress laughter as he watched me carry Charlotte off like a caveman. He gave me two thumbs-up, and I chuckled as the metal door slid shut, leaving us alone. Finally.
It was beyond tempting to put my girl’s legs around my waist and press her into the wall where I could devour her mouth and grind my steel erection into the heat between her legs. But Charlotte wasn’t quite ready for things to escalate to where I wanted them to go, and if I let go of any threads to my control, that would be it.
We reached the bottom level of the penthouse in seconds, and the elevator opened into a large, resplendent foyer. It was marble and wood, but I’d gone for a homier vibe with warm colors. The banister and sconces were black wrought iron, as well as the chandelier hanging from the vaulted ceiling.
I set Charlotte on her feet and gestured around the space. “You can change anything you want. Hell, if you want to gut the place and redo every tiny detail, then do it. I want this to be your home, baby.”
All she said was, “Holy shit.”
“That’s three,” I drawled.
She didn’t respond, just wandered around looking at everything until at last, she faced me again. “It’s gorgeous, Rhett. It’s...it’s like the designer was in my head,” she laughed. “Can I...can I see the rest of it?”
I smiled and held out my hand. She hesitated, but her rosebud lips were curving up just the tiniest bit, and it was only a few moments before she placed her palm in mine.
She didn’t hate it and wasn’t pushing to leave, which meant we were making progress.
Our home was just under ten thousand square feet, so the tour took a while. It was worth it, though, because Charlotte relaxed little by little, becoming more animated. But there was also a little longing in her glances, especially when I pointed out the room that would become a nursery, and I didn’t understand why.
I ended the walkthrough at the master suite. Opening the double doors, I stood back to allow her to walk in ahead of me. This time, she remained rooted to her spot, and so many emotions were churning in her eyes that I couldn’t get a grasp on what she was thinking.
“This house is amazing, Rhett. I love everything about it. And it would be so easy to give in to the temptations you keep throwing at me. But...I just...” She shook her head and backed up a couple of steps. �
�I can’t.”
She looked like she was going to run, and I growled, beyond frustrated and out of patience. Closing the gap between us in two strides, I grabbed her waist and threw her over my shoulder in a fireman’s hold. Then I stalked to the bed and tossed her onto the mattress.
“What the hell are you doing?” she grunted as she bounced twice before sitting up and glaring at me.
“Four,” I said flatly.
Charlotte tried to scramble across the bed, and I just sighed as I grabbed her ankle and dragged her back to the middle. Keeping a hold of her with one hand, I yanked out the drawer to my nightstand and retrieved some scraps of black silk material. I dropped three of them next to her and grabbed her left arm, raising it over her head so I could secure the piece I was still gripping to the headboard. When she realized what I was doing, her jaw dropped, and she stared at me in shock long enough for me to secure her other arm.
“You cannot be serious,” she hissed. I wrapped my fingers around one ankle before looking at her face and scrutinizing every detail to make sure she wasn’t afraid. I had to bite back a smile when I spotted her racing pulse in her neck, the slight darkening of her emerald orbs, and the slight choppy breaths that were making her tits jiggle enticingly. I had a feeling this would turn her on, and it was hot as fuck. My cock was going to have permanent teeth marks from being pressed against my zipper.
“Does it look like I’m joking, Charlotte?” I went back to my task, and removed her shoes, secured one ankle, then the other before propping her head up on a comfortable pillow.
“You can’t force me to be with you.” Her tone was incredulous, not frightened or disgusted, which meant she knew I wouldn't hurt her.
“No, I can’t.” I shook my head as I took off my jacket, then unbuttoned my shirt and let it slide off my shoulders onto the floor.
Charlotte’s eyes roamed my chest hungrily, and I had to fight the instinct to preen under her approving stare.
“But it’s time we had an actual discussion instead of a cryptic repartee. And the only way I can be sure you won’t avoid talking to me yet again is if you’re tied to the bed so you can’t fucking run anymore.”
She mashed her lips together in a straight line and scowled at me. I was right, and she knew it.
“Excellent.” I strolled around to the end of the bed and braced my feet apart with my arms folded over my chest. This way, I had a very nice view of her gorgeous body spread out for me like a personal buffet. And I could watch her face carefully, reading between the lines, so to speak, to make sure she didn’t lie to me.
“What would you like to talk about?” Charlotte asked sweetly.
I chuckled because her eyes were shooting daggers while sugar dripped from her mouth. “Let’s start with an easy one,” I proposed.
She sighed but didn’t argue.
“Are you attracted to me, Charlotte?”
I inspected her face as she mulled over my question. At one point, I was almost sure she was going to lie, but our eyes met briefly, and she changed her mind. “Yes,” she eventually muttered.
“Good girl.” I nodded and smiled with praise. “Does it make you wet when I touch you?”
She sighed again and nodded.
“Do you get hot when you think about me touching you all over your gorgeous body?”
Her lips trembled, and she swallowed hard. “Yes,” she rasped.
“It seems you’re ready to be honest with me.” I raised a brow in question.
“Fine.” Her jaw was clenched so tight, I could almost hear her teeth grinding together.
I uncrossed my arms and reached for one of her feet, slowly pulling off her sock. “We’ve covered the inappropriate in-office romance and dating your boss bullshit,” I stated.
“Um, what are you doing?” Charlotte's voice had a shrill ring to it as I yanked off her other sock.
“Helping you think, baby,” I deadpanned. My hands traveled up her shins and thighs, tunneling under the fabric of her shorts until my fingertips touched the top edge of what felt like lace panties. Charlotte gasped, and her breaths were almost panting.
“I put your fears to rest over keeping the job you’ve earned and proven yourself worthy of daily.” I glided my hands out of her shorts, smirking when disappointment flickered on her face.
Keeping our eyes locked, I climbed onto the bed and moved to straddle her waist. I lifted the hem of her shirt and licked my lips at the sight of her flat stomach. “You have no idea how much I want to see this sweet belly swollen and round, growing our babies.” I flashed her a grin before my eyes dropped again. “Can’t say I’m not looking forward to the process of breeding you, baby. My cock is weeping with the need to be inside this tight, virgin pussy.”
Charlotte shivered, and her heavy pants caused her big tits to bounce, and fuck, I couldn’t wait another second to see them. Since her arms were tied up, I didn’t have any other choice but to grab the collar of her shirt and rip it down the center.
She bit her lip hard, and her irises darkened to nearly black. “Did that get you all hot and bothered, baby?” I teased.
Charlotte glared at me, but the heat wasn’t from anger. Her body was on fire from my touch, just as I was burning for hers.
Her breasts were barely covered by a lace bra, the top so low that I could almost see her nipples. They were already straining to be set free, and with each uneven breath, I was sure they were going to spill out.
I didn’t wait; I hooked my fingers into the outer edge of the top and slid my fingers down to the center. When they passed over her nipples, Charlotte’s back arched, and she moaned. I yanked the cups down, and my breath stalled in my lungs.
They were perfect. Weighty globes that were pale except for the thick and round, dusky rose tips. My mouth watered. I wanted to play and nibble, but I was also on the brink of shoving my cock inside her and filling her with my baby batter because these tits were created for feeding. Our babies would gorge themselves, and there would be plenty left for me to drink her sweet cream, especially when she was riding my cock.
“Rhett,” Charlotte moaned. Something in her tone immediately pulled my gaze to her. She looked conflicted, and her eyes were glistening with moisture. “I want you so bad, Rhett. But I’m begging you not to do this.”
My brow furrowed, and my mouth curled down. “I will never, ever make you do something you don’t want to unless it jeopardizes your safety. But for the love of all that is holy, will you fucking tell me why you won’t accept what’s between us so we can both be happy?!!” I bellowed the last of my questions, and she burst into tears, making me feel like shit.
7
Rhett
“Fuck,” I groaned. “I’m so sorry, Charlotte. I shouldn't have—”
“I’m not crying because you shouted,” she interrupted. “I just wish I was the kind of person who could settle.”
Settle? “Pardon?”
“Rhett, I grew up with parents who were so deeply in love that there was no way any of us kids would be able to settle for anything less.”
My frown deepened. “Charlotte...if you’re talking about your father’s obsession with your mother, then I am more than ready to show all my cards to prove how deep my need for you goes.”
She shook her head. “I know you want me, that you’d be happy with me, and sometimes, I can almost convince myself that I would be happy too. But I know that one day, I’d resent you because I gave up my chance to be with someone who loves me like that.” Then she burst into tears again.
My mouth opened and closed a few times as I sat there and stared at Charlotte in shock. I was utterly speechless. She didn’t know? How could she not know? Does it matter, jackass? Just fucking tell her now.
I cleared my throat and tried to find my voice. “Charlotte,” I croaked. Taking a deep breath and leaning over her, I cupped her face in my hands and wiped away her tears with my thumbs. “Your tears are killing me.” She’d closed her eyes, and I kissed each of her eyelids
.
“Baby, look at me,” I coaxed. “Let me see your beautiful eyes. I need to know you hear what I have to say.”
Charlotte sniffed, and her lids drifted open.
I smiled tenderly and wiped away a little more moisture. “I am so in love with you. I love you more than anything and anyone I’ve ever known or even imagined was possible. My heart beats only for you. You are absolutely everything to me.”
“You—you love me?” Her question was hesitant, but her eyes sparkled with hope.
“How could you think otherwise, baby?”
“You never said you loved me,” Charlotte accused indignantly.
I raised my eyebrows. “I’ve only been interested in you. Only pursued you. I talked about our future, about our babies, and brought you home. To our home. Do you really think I would do that for someone I wasn’t in love with?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not sure how all this relationship stuff works, let alone with one of the world’s sexiest billionaires. I’ve never been in one. Never been in love.”
“Never been in love? As in, you’re currently in love?” My lips curved up in a smug grin, even as I made a mental note to kick my brother’s ass since that damn article had bit me in mine.
“Yes,” she answered with a happy twinkle in her lovely eyes.
When she didn’t expound upon her statement, I prompted, “And?”
Charlotte laughed, and the melody went straight to my cock, reminding me that I was horny as fuck and on top of the half-naked love of my life. “You, Rhett. I love you.”
“Excellent. Now, let’s get to making those babies.”
My mouth was headed for one of her delicious nipples when she chirped, “Wait!”
I raised my head and cocked it in silent questioning.
“I don’t want to have kids without getting married,” she said insistently.
I was a little confused, but that was the plan, so I just murmured, “Okay.”
She beamed at me and didn’t say anything else.
In Love Page 5
