FORBIDDEN SECRETS BOOK 5:
PAYING THE DRAGON’S PRICE
by
Diana Rose Wilson
TORRID BOOKS
www.torridbooks.com
Published by
TORRID BOOKS
www.torridbooks.com
An Imprint of Whiskey Creek Press LLC
Copyright © 2018 by Diana Rose Wilson
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBN: 978-1-68299-270-8
Credits
Cover Artist: Kelly Martin
Editor: Mary Caelsto
Printed in the United States of America
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
Wicked Masquerade: Forbidden Secrets
Book 1
Classic, classy eroticism and a believable combination of dialogue and introspection.
~ fanfare (Literotica)
I enjoyed this book. It is an introduction to characters expanded upon in future stories. Characters are believable, and plot is fun. A good read.
~ Christine Lisle (Good Reads)
It was absolutely wonderful, you can just feel the tenderness and affection they have for each other. I can't wait to read more about them.
~ Anonymous(Literotica)
Snow Mistress: Forbidden Secrets Book 2
Exhilarating. I absolutely loved it. I added you to my favorite authors.
~ AzamiCore - Literotica
Loved the story and excitement Diana brings to her books. Both books were read within a week of each other, which is rare for me since I only read at night. I can go on and tell you about the complex characters or how descriptive Diana's writing is...in life, there are things best left to the reader. To sum both books up with one word, hot!
~ Karen – Goodreads
Lies that Blind: SpiritBeasts Book 1
Excellent, spellbinding read. Eagerly awaiting the sequel.
~ Jasjon - Literotica
I chose 5 stars based on the complexity of the characters and chemistry. Diana does a marvelous job at getting the reader involved.
~ Karen – Goodreads
An End to Summer: SpiritLands Book 1
God! What a world you have created! So good. Is there a fifteen star thing? Thank you for the creation of fantastic characters, relatable emotions and so much more.
~ Wingedchaos – Literotica
Absolutely amazing. Loved this story! Found it hard to stop reading! Please, please give us some more!
~ Anonymous - Literotica
Other Books by Author Available at Torrid Books:
www.torridbooks.com
Forbidden Secrets Series
Book 1: Wicked Masquerade
Book 2: Snow Mistress
Book 3: Taming the Brat
Book 4: Blood Feathers
SpiritBeasts Series
Book 1: Lies That Blind
SpiritLands Series
Book 1: An End to Summer
Dedication
To LivLiv, Curioser, Chantal and Matty, who kept asking for more!
Chapter 1
Holiday Party
December 19, 2015
Vans thought she’d really enjoy attending Travis’s holiday party at Adler Enterprises’ swanky house in Tiburon. The dress she wore cost more than the car daddy bought her, without even calculating the designer shoes and clutch. If she could’ve seen into the future, she never would’ve left the house. Foresight was never Vanderbilt Charles’s forte, however.
The night didn’t begin well. Travis was not acting like himself.
The moment he stepped out of the shower and regarded her with an expectant intensity, she ignored the prickle of warning. Being a woman who lived in the moment, with pent-up sexual needs, she assumed his expression was an invitation to jump his bones.
It wasn’t.
He held her at arm’s length and met her gaze with his electric stare.
“What?” she asked breathlessly, leaning yearningly into his hands while he continued to hold her back. He was trying hard to telegraph something important, and her heart lurched as she franticly tried to recall what she might have said or done.
“You’re beautiful,” he growled. But she suspected that wasn’t what he really wanted to say. “We will be late for the party. No jumping me until later, precious.”
She was confused and left with a quivery, coiling sensation in her stomach. He turned his back to her, and the sensation that there was something else increased.
What?
His muscular back flexed with the movement when he grabbed the towel, and the lines of scars over his shoulder blades moved, pearly pink against his bronzed skin. She chewed at her knuckle as he left her alone in the bathroom, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
Something’s missing.
Something he wanted her to know.
He was going to break up with her. The first thing, always, when that feeling tripped her was insecurity, followed swiftly by jealousy.
“Get a grip, Charles, he’s not dumping you,” she told the mirror fiercely.
She couldn’t keep questioning him every time he gave her that look.
And yet, at some point, he had to tell her what was wrong. Didn’t he?
Her relationship with Travis Conte had been a whirlwind, starting from their unusual meeting in a parking lot at her work and progressing to the naughty party where they’d learned about each other between the sexual explorations of her desires. In a month’s time, she’d become so wrapped up with him that she would happily never untangle herself. They’d spent more time together than apart, and most nights she stayed at his place.
He had more or less written off her place as uninhabitable. She could have told him before he had valiantly tried a night over. A twin bed in a studio apartment looking into a brick wall, or his house in the Oakland Hills overlooking the bay where they could lounge in a bed bigger than her whole apartment?
Tough choice.
It wasn’t a move-in, though. They were in a strange almost-moved-in phase.
Sometimes, her disquiet was like a tooth beginning to ache. A problem under the surface she couldn’t quite ease. How could she be so worried about a relationship when it was going so great? When she tried to probe at her concerns, she felt even worse. This happiness from being with Travis came to her unexpectedly. Did she deserve it? She questioned her worth to have any of it. The relationship was destined to end. Just like the others. She just needed to watch for the warning signs and bail out before it went up in flames. Her doubts left her edgy and sensitive to any sign indicating things between them might end.
Her relationship track record was horrible; she expected the end to come at any moment. But in her moments of strength, she tried to convince herself that this time Vanderbilt Charles wasn’t going to let her own personal demons be the thing that doomed this relationship. No fucking way.
* * * *
The way Travis arched his eyebrows at her when she cuddled into him in the back of t
he limo said she was trying too hard. Way too hard.
“Just relax, baby girl,” Travis murmured. Obviously, he assumed she was stressed about the upcoming party. It contributed to much of her anxiety, but not all. She needed to find the problem and fix it. He wrapped both arms around her, turning so she could snuggle into his broad chest and breathe in the warm leather and cloves of him.
Right there. Her safe place.
He gave her a squeeze and pressed his cheek against hers, drawing in a deep breath, as though he needed her scent to steady himself.
“My perfect brat,” he growled softly, stroking down her back. “Do you have any idea the spell you have on me?”
She smiled and closed her eyes in pleasure, allowing his deep voice to vibrate through her, stilling the discord inside her. “All part of my plan.”
“It’s definitely working, precious baby. I’m the luckiest son of a bitch.”
“So, you’re happy?” she asked. Even as the words came out, she kicked herself for insecurity number one.
“Incandescent,” he growled and nipped her ear before running his nose along the shell.
“Me too.” She closed her eyes and made herself believe it.
Maybe he wanted to ask what she wanted for Christmas.
Except he always wore the look during vulnerable moments, like when he was nude. His eyes wide and full lips squeezed tighter, as though bracing himself for her to confront him. Right now, just as when he came out of the shower, he held her gaze, azure eyes burning. Despite having seen him many times gloriously naked and wet, in those moments when she caught him unexpectedly, he seemed particularly wary. Her doubts swamped her as she tried to puzzle out why he gave her that cryptic stare. Maybe he wanted to ask about having an open relationship. That’s why he hesitated, and—
“What are you thinking?” he asked, kissing between her eyes where she realized her brows had drawn together.
She wanted to evade the direct gleam of his gaze. Even the deep shadows of the car couldn’t hide her from his steady look. “Worried I’m going to get cornered by the CEO and she’ll grill me about you. I might blurt out how great in bed you are, or how you like to spank girls.” She played with the bow tie of his tux until he covered her busy fingers.
“Beatrix Engel will be a handshake and a cold smile. She’s rarely around for more than that. If you tell her I spank girls, I won’t find a dark corner for you. And believe me, I am so good at finding dark corners, baby.”
“I bet you are! Well, I will only tell her you make a mean stack of pancakes. Think that’s safe enough?”
“I don’t know. Seems you keep staying the night for more of them. They could be addicting.” He carefully cupped her face and admired her, particularly the care she’d taken to style her blonde hair. “I am going to make a mess of these lovely curls when I sink my fist into them later,” he promised. Without ever touching them, he made her insides tighten and her sex eager and needy for his attention.
“At the party? Or on the ride home?” she asked, quivering with anticipation.
“You will just have to wait and see. It might help keep you on your very best behavior.”
She growled and closed her eyes, smiling. “Doubtful. But I will do my best.”
They arrived at the house before things could progress to anything past verbal teasing. Of all the things she adored about Travis, she desired his resolve and cool control the most. She felt like a moth battering herself to pieces trying to get at him, even though she knew he would always burn her so sweetly in the end. Despite how he only relieved her suffering mere heartbeats before she gave up.
She didn’t anticipate the grandeur of the house at Tiburon. She expected a place similar to Marcie’s in Tahoe, which was big and impressive but nothing compared to this one. This estate made the house on the lake seem like a cabin. From the wraparound porch, she saw another path leading down to a private cove overlooking Angel Island, and panoramic views of the bay. She enjoyed staring at the boats while Travis stood with her at the rail.
“You ever sail?” he asked as she watched one of the yachts cutting through the wind and waves toward Sausalito.
“I’m afraid I didn’t have that luxury,” she answered primly and grinned at him. “You?”
He shrugged, then nodded, though his cocky smile said it was more than just sailing for him.
“Oh, why didn’t I guess? What kind of boat do you have?”
“With an attitude like that, you’ll never find out, Miss Charles. You ready to go in?”
With a nod, she braced herself and he led her inside, past people of all sizes and ages in their fine evening clothes. She could almost hear their thoughts as they looked her over in the snug-fitting sapphire cocktail dress—gold digger. The dress was cut low to show off the curves of her breasts and cleavage, and the short, tight skirt displayed her ass and long, strong legs.
Travis, in his black Stetson and classic-style tux, didn’t seem to mind the looks, keeping his hand at the small of her back in a touch both possessive and protective. Thank goodness! Quite a few sharp-eyed men were eating her up as she let the wool coat slither off her naked arms.
They were, despite Travis’s warnings, late.
The room was packed, and people were already starting to take their seats for the auction by the time they checked in their coats and started to mix into the crowd. Vans spotted Leo’s dark, elegant figure above the sea of people and tugged on Travis, but he’d already noticed and maneuvered her toward where he stood with Ursa.
Ursa, her longtime friend from the bookstore, was dating Travis’s good friend and coworker, Leo. Ursa, short and chubby and usually shy, didn’t seem the likely partner of the towering, handsome man in the carefully tailored tux. Then again, Ursa looked like a million bucks in a floor-length dress. Her brown hair was styled and curled to show off bright streaks of gold. She beamed from ear to ear about something, but broke off her conversation with Leo to squeeze Vans in a tight hug, admiring her dress.
“Where’s Marcie?” Travis asked, looking around.
“She’s off looking at some exhibit,” Leo answered, sounding amused.
“With a boy,” Ursa said, concealing her delighted smile behind her glass of wine.
“Who?” Travis asked.
From several feet away Vans sensed him stiffen and glanced over to see his furious expression. All the red-light warnings went off in Vans’s head.
“Mano Ka’aukai.” Leo shrugged as he said it.
“Who’s that?” Vans asked.
“A short little shit who does nothing but cause trouble. What the fuck is he doing here? What the fuck is she doing with him?”
“He is family. Here with his mother, the CEO’s twin sister.” Leo, mild as ever, glanced at Travis. “You need a drink, my friend.”
Travis definitely looked as though he needed a drink. Vans’ stomach fell while her heart spiraled along with it. The possessive gleam in his eyes—unmistakable. Someone dared to spend time with his darling Marcie. Obviously Travis did not like it one little bit.
“She is having a little fun with him,” Ursa soothed with a gentle smile.
Vans wanted to kick Travis in the balls when he made a choking sound that sounded way too similar to jealousy.
When Marcie slipped toward them through the crowd, Vans couldn’t help but stare. The woman looked radiant. The smile spreading across her face was glazed by an I-just-had-the-world’s-best-sex expression. Joy twinkled off her like glitter. Her mouth was swollen, and her lipstick was smeared messily across her face.
Glancing over at Travis, Vans saw his jaw ratchet down a few more notches tighter and her heart squeezed along with it. He still held feelings for Marcie? How could that even be possible?
“You dropped your number,” Ursa said, offering Marcie the paddle with a number on it for the auction.
“And your catalog,” Leo added, handing that over as well.
“And your mind.” Travis’s voice was a vibrating
growl.
Marcie lifted her chin and said, “I need more champagne if you’re going to start scolding me, Mister Conte.”
“We can arrange that. Do you have any idea who that is? Mano Ka’aukai is not only the heir apparent to the Adler estates while his cousin is in the wind, but he is fucking dangerous.” Travis grabbed a flute of champagne from a server and passed that to Marcie. “I’m serious, Marcie. Stay away from him.”
He did not, Vans noted with rising anger, even look at her to see if she wanted anything.
“Excuse me?” Marcie took the drink as she stared at Travis. “Are you giving me orders like you’re my father? Because I will stuff my pointed shoe up your ass if you’re playing the role of a possessive ex.”
“I’m giving you advice like a brother and your friend, because you need it. You can fuck anyone you want and you pick that?”
“I’m not picking him, and I’m not fucking him.”
He rolled his eyes. “Right.” He looked Marcie over as though tracking every fingerprint Mano had left on her.
“I swear to god, Conte, this whole overprotective thing used to be cute when you were single, but you need to let me go.”
“I’m fucking serious, Marcie,” Travis growled, jaw clenching.
“You need to stop,” Ursa said, slipping between them. She offered a small compact to Marcie. Her voice lowered. “Just…um… Your lipstick is a little smudged.”
Vans wanted to crawl into a hole and die. She grabbed a drink from a passing server and considered melting into the crowd. Marcie fixed the damage to her makeup while Vans tried to wash down her grief with the booze. Was this the big thing Travis was trying to tell her? She watched him glare furiously at Marcie.
Paying the Dragon's Price Page 1
