Gilded Cage (Harbour Bay Book 6)

by Camille Taylor

  Bethany stroked his chest, feeling wanton. Her fingernails dragged over his male nipples and she teased them out from beneath the dusting of blond hair. She licked her lips as her palms ran over his torso, learning his body, each strategic bulge and contour, feeling his strength beneath her fingertips. She moved lower, delighting in the power rising within her as his stomach muscles bunched. He kissed her again, weaving his magic on her senses until she had no idea which way was up. She was boneless, putty in his hands and he took full advantage, moving his hand between her thighs and slipping a long finger inside her. Bethany’s eyes flew open even as her hips rose, riding his hand as he delved deep and retreated. He watched her face with such intensity that it added fuel to her already burning blaze.

  Another finger slid inside her, and she sucked in a breath. His movements were no longer lazy as they picked up speed. She bathed him with liquid heat and had she not been so out of her mind with need, would’ve been embarrassed. She had never imagined it to be like this.

  Each plunge of his fingers caused her body to quiver around him as she ascended to a new level. She wound tighter, twisted into a complex knot, unsure when she would break and unravel. She should’ve feared the unknown and yet, she embraced it.

  She fisted the bedspreads as if lifelines, something to keep her grounded as she felt the pull and desperately tried to ignore it. Unladylike groans and grunts came from her mouth and she barely recognised her own voice.

  “Come for me, honey.” He relentlessly increased the tempo until her body was all but grasping at his fingers to keep them within her.

  The uncontrollable convulsions started, jerking her body in ecstasy and soon she found herself shooting for the stars. Her essence, her very soul, leaving her body and reaching out to places she’d never visited before.

  Declan kissed her again, muffling her shout of release and before she even had come back down to earth he had left her and in a sexual haze watched as he stripped, ridding himself of his pants. His erection bobbed proudly. His chest rose and fell with each ragged breath.

  She swallowed at the lump in her throat, staring in wonder as he loomed closer.

  A second later, he was between her parted thighs and surging into her. Her body protested the intrusion and she cried out. Bethany turned her head away, her teeth cutting into her lower lip. Declan froze above her. Without thought, she gripped his hips, digging her nails into his flesh to keep him still should he try to move and cause her more pain, as if she alone could stop him.

  He leaned forward to kiss away her tears, the motion driving him further inside her. The pain receded and once more she was filled with an insatiable need. She felt inexorably stretched, her body filled completely as if he had been made just for her. Bethany moved beneath Declan’s heavy weight, a thrill unlike any other shot through her as her inner muscles quivered around his hard flesh.

  Bethany released her breath in a rush. She lifted her hips, testing out her endurance, ready for the pain should it come. None was forthcoming. Declan’s teeth snapped together. Perspiration beaded on his forehead and coated his naked skin. She stared into his eyes, filled with desire and concern and smiled. Her hands released his hips and slid up his sides. She ran her palms over his chest, delighting in the hair she found there, so unlike her own. Finding a nipple, she dragged a nail over the teased bud.

  Declan’s control snapped and he moved, plunging gently and retreated slowly, drawing each stroke out deliciously until she was writhing beneath him. He hooked one of her legs over his hip, the second soon joining, opening her wider to his ravishment.

  Bethany secured her arms around his neck, her fingers twining in his hair as he caught her hips in his hands and raised her into his thrusts. Her body clenched, hummed. She moved with him, her body grasping at his as the tension grew and she tightened around him.

  She hovered over the precipice, nothing but darkness surrounded her, giving her no indication of what she would find on the other side. She moaned, the sound coming from deep in her throat as her tension broke. Her body shuddered as stars burst in her vision and she screamed out Declan’s name.

  He thrust twice more and then followed her over, adding his growl of satisfaction to her own.

  ***

  Declan looked down at the young woman so trustingly curled against him. He watched as she slept, smiling when her nose twitched so adorably. Bethany. What had he done? He’d allowed feelings and desire to cloud his judgement. Never once had he allowed himself to lose control like he had that night. What was it about Bethany that drove him wild, that made him forget everything and concentrate on her?

  The way she’d melted against him had been one of the most seductive moments of his life. The most stupid too, but he’d been beyond caring. Nor had he thought that far ahead, purely wrapped up in the moment.

  It had been a mistake. The worst mistake of his life. It didn’t matter how beautiful she was or how much he wanted her, he knew he shouldn’t touch her again. The thought of her breasts hardened him and he remember how they had felt in his hands. Soft and perfect and so damn responsive as was the woman they were attached to.

  He grew still, his body filling with tension. She’d been a virgin. He couldn’t forget that. It sure as hell surprised him though. He didn’t know why. He should’ve guessed it. When would she have had the opportunity to engage in mind-blowing sex? He doubted Bennett would have allowed any suitor to walk through the doors of his kingdom to come a knocking on his daughter’s door.

  What was he going to do? He sure as hell couldn’t allow a repeat performance no matter how much his body was screaming ‘yes’.

  It had been bound to happen. The heat between them. He’d only kissed her to distract her. Never once had one of his plans backfired so monumentally.

  He wasn’t in love with her. In lust, yes but not love. Not yet.

  He couldn’t. There were too many obstacles. Their age for one and one of the biggest hurdles. Then there was the difference in their social standing. She was an heiress. Of millions. He’d be lucky to see that in a lifetime.

  No, it was best they didn’t start anything. It would hurt less now than later. Despite the way it felt as though his heart had been ripped from his chest.

  Bethany was a passionate woman. Given time and instruction she could blow his top with one touch but he wouldn’t be the one teaching her. Couldn’t.

  He clenched his jaw at the thought of some faceless man touching her, inside her. Seriously why’d he have to go and sleep with her? They’d been better off if he’d left well enough alone.

  He disentangled himself from her sleeping body, regretting it more than she would ever know and found his clothes in the darkness. Without bothering to get dressed he left her bedroom and made his way to his own.

  He had really fucked this up.

  Chapter 31

  Bethany found Declan outside as he returned from his morning jog. He ran every day and it showed in the play of muscles. She hadn’t been surprised to find her bed empty, though she’d wished otherwise. He’d been determined to resist her and until last night, had succeeded. She wanted to find him the moment she woke, to discuss the matter like adults, but had decided to wash up first, her body aching as she had gotten out of bed.

  Cowardly of her, she fought the other memories of the evening, knowing if she dwelled on them now, she would be useless for the near future. The pain frozen inside her.

  Her heart pounded as he jogged toward the house, his strong, powerful body moving gracefully and she closed her eyes already feeling the unending desire for him seep inside her, curling her toes and clenching her body.

  When she opened them again, he was closer and she could make out his grave face. Uneasiness formed in the pit of her stomach, a sixth sense of foreboding warning her of impending doom and she couldn’t shake the feeling. She steeled herself against what she didn’t know.

  She bit down on her lip as he came to a stop before her, sweat dampening his shirt under the arms
and beneath his throat yet he wasn’t breathless. His chest rose and fell calmly as if he had merely walked across a room.

  “Morning, Declan.” Trying to smile, she failed miserably. Cool sweat coated her palms and back. She swallowed nervously, her throat dry.

  Declan said nothing. Her panic rose as she tried to read his expression. Her lack of experience in this area was sending her catapulting into hysteria.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Declan shifted his feet and her eyes widened, noting his own unease. She took a step back, sensing the undercurrents.

  “Last night should never have happened.” His blue gaze pierced her. “I shouldn’t have allowed you out. Not after the first attack. Certainly not into a crowd. I knew it was a bad idea. I was distracted. Now two people are dead.”

  “You’re blaming me?”

  Didn’t she? Wasn’t that why she refused to think about the event? She wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for Declan, her need to make him jealous. Now, her two best friends were dead. All because of her. Guilt threatened to suffocate her.

  She was a terrible person. Her friends deserved better. Bethany could barely live with her actions.

  “That’s not what I meant. I’m trying to explain my foolish actions and apologise.”

  She’d known something like that had been coming, but the truth still hit her hard. Tears filled her eyes as she felt like she had been slapped. “What?”

  Declan made fists with his hands before releasing them only to have them become fists again. “You were a virgin.”

  “I know exactly what I was.”

  Surely that couldn’t be an issue?

  “I shouldn’t have touched you.”

  “This isn’t the dark ages. I’m not going to demand you marry me for taking my virtue. It’s just a hymen for freak’s sake. I wanted it gone. I wanted you.”

  She’d wanted to banish the memories.

  He swallowed hard. “I still shouldn’t have touched you. I crossed the line. It wasn’t professional.”

  How could she make him understand she didn’t care about any of that? She wanted it.

  “Then why did you?”

  “From the moment I met you, you have been so unhappy and lately I’ve been thinking of ways to change that, last night you were on the brink of self-destruction, I just wanted to make you feel better. I wish I could take it all back, I’m so sorry, Beth.”

  Slap number two. “You’re sorry? What am I some charity case? Screw her and maybe she will be all better in the morning. Tell her you wish you could take it all back? I never asked or wanted you to fix me. You should have left me well enough alone.”

  “I know.” The fact that he sounded generally regretful, annoyed her more. “I can be your protector maybe also your friend, but I can’t be your lover.”

  “I thought you actually cared for me. Do you, at all?”

  Declan’s gaze locked on hers as if to have her read the truth in his eyes. “I only care for you because you are my client. I’m paid to care.”

  Slap number three, he was on a real roll.

  She was so stupid, so naïve. Rage burned inside her, twisting knots in her stomach, her pride in tatters. She lashed out. “I’ll remember that, hell I might even throw in a tip. You couldn’t have just let me have this?”

  “Couldn’t you just accept it for what it was?” He sounded weary.

  “What? A fuck?”

  His lips flattened. “Comfort.”

  “Oh, well why didn’t you say so? Some comfort. I hurt more now than I’ve ever before. I told you not to do me any favours.”

  “Bethany…” Declan started only to be cut off when she punched him hard in the gut. “Feel better?”

  She was one hundred percent pure, undiluted fury and for the first time in her life fired back. Her knee rose and connected with his crotch, crushing his balls. Declan cried out in pain and dropped to the ground, his hands cupping himself.

  “Now I do.” She turned back towards the house, needing a place of solitude where she could process the past few minutes. It felt as though parts of her were breaking off, falling down around her. And Declan was the last person she wanted to see her crumbling.

  “Beth, wait.” Declan clenched his jaw. “We need to talk.”

  She reluctantly faced him, ensuring her expression was bland, uninterested. “I think we’re talked out.”

  “We didn’t use protection. I didn’t think.”

  Seemed to be his line of the day.

  He staggered to his feet. “I don’t suppose you’re on the pill?”

  “No. There was never any reason to be.” A baby. A wealth of emotions rose. She stomped them down. “Relax, Declan. I just finished my period. The likelihood is extremely low.”

  “Good. I mean…”

  “I know what you mean. Wouldn’t want to knock up your client. That wasn’t what you were paid to do.”

  “That’s not…”

  “Save it. Do us both a favour and leave me alone. That’s all I ask of you.”

  Her legs began to move, gaining speed as she raced towards the house. She’d honestly believed her running days were over.

  Chapter 32

  A spoonful of chocolate ice-cream landed on her shirt. Without another thought, Bethany swiped the fabric with the spoon, collecting up the melting ice-cream and shovelled it into her mouth.

  She barely tasted the rich, decadent flavour. Everything appeared tasteless as she struggled with her grief, hidden away in her bedroom having refused to leave.

  A strange numbness had settled within her, blurring her emotions until she no longer experienced pain, hurt, or anger. She just was. Simply existing.

  Mindlessly staring at the television, she stilled when the neon sign outside of Velocity snagged her attention. Using the remote, she increased the volume.

  “...And in Harbour Bay, police are still investigating the deaths of two young clubbers who were gunned down at upmarket club Velocity. The two victims have been identified as Jesse and Ashley Copeland, children of Harbour Bay’s industrialist Walt Copeland, although sources say the victims’ friend, shipping-heiress Bethany Bennett was the intended target. This has yet to be verified, and there has been no comment made by Miss Bennett’s people. The young lady was in attendance but escaped without injury.”

  She muted the television.

  “Escaped without injury, who are they kidding?” She was a fucking wreak. She had just lost the two people who had always been there for her. The Copelands refused to take her phone calls and, of course, she couldn’t get in contact with her father. She was pretty sure she had hit rock bottom but then she hadn’t even considered her epic heartbreak into the equation.

  How could she be so stupid?

  Her cheeks flushed when she recalled how she’d practically begged him. How embarrassing. Yet another wonderful memory to treasure.

  Finally, a surge of anger rolled in her stomach. How dare he? Sure, he’d warned her away and she should’ve listened, however, he needn’t of acted as though sleeping with her had been the worst decision of his life.

  Could she have been that bad? She’d certainly found fulfilment but what about him? She had no way to gauge his enjoyment.

  Guilt immediately followed. She ought to be thinking about Jesse and Ashley. Her face screwed up as a wave of tears threatened.

  A knock sounded. Her bedroom door opened a short moment after. Her knotted stomach twisted more.

  “I did say no visitors but I guess my wants are insignificant.” She hugged her body, as though her arms would hold her together. Her throat constricted.

  “I’m a cop. That usually gets me though any door.”

  Her head swung around to her visitor. “Oh, Detective Hawke. I didn’t know it was you.”

  He moved closer and she shifted on the bed. He stopped a few feet away, his hands in his pockets. “I won’t ask you how you are.”

  His gaze ran over her body and she glanced down. She wore her mo
st comfortable pyjama pants and a loose fitted top splattered with not only ice-cream but whatever other comfort food had passed her lips in the past few days. Her waistline had suffered.

  Beth refused to look in a mirror. Her hair would surely be a mess like the rest of her and her eyes red and puffy, matching her nose.

  “I don’t know what’s going on between you and Declan but you need to work it out.”

  She wet her lips, her heart aching. “What makes you think there’s something wrong?”

  “Because if he becomes anymore ornery I’ll have to shoot him.”

  She laughed, some of her tension leaving her. Then it was back again. “It doesn’t matter. As soon as I can get a hold of my father I’ll be relieving him of his duty.”

  It wasn’t the easiest decision to make, but it was the right one. As much as she didn’t want him to leave they couldn’t go back to the way it was before. Especially not the way she felt about him, despite the harsh words he’d thrown at her. She’d gone and fallen in love and as much as she tried she couldn’t erase the past. Not that she blamed him for Jesse and Ashley. It had been an impossible situation but it would always be there. Just as their night and the horrid morning after would be.

  “I won’t pretend to understand what’s going on but I urge you to reconsider. Dec has a lot of faults and I’m sure his sister could list them all, but the man will protect you to his dying breath.”

  She guessed he hadn’t given her anything she hadn’t asked for. Perhaps she was acting like the spoilt princess she’d been accused of, simply because it didn’t go her way.

  Declan couldn’t make himself love her just as she couldn’t stop herself from loving him.

  Her experience with men was so little, she’d misread the signs. Saw what wasn’t there.

  He’d warned her and she hadn’t listened. Everything between them now was her fault.

  “I know.”

  She really did.