by Thalia Frost
“But you can't let him steal from you.” My voice rose in indignation.
“What do you know about my life...about what I will or won't or can or can't do, Ms. Pate?” Rock's tone was like ice.
“Nothing. I'm sorry.” I moved my hands in a fluttering motion.
“Exactly. Don't question me. I'll take care of this. You're here to do a job...to keep an eye on the books and to act as my future wife. It's an important role but don't overstep your bounds.”
I shivered at his words.
Why am I doing this? I'm insane. I hardly know this man, and he's only using me for his own ends.
“Cat got your tongue, Ms. Pate? You may go now.” Rock dismissed me with a wave of his hand.
My mouth dropped open. “That's it?”
“For now. Yes. Take your computer with you. I'll let you know if you're needed further tonight. Keep your door unlocked.”
From the stormy look in his eyes, I had a feeling I'd be seeing him. I just wasn't sure I wanted to. This was a Rock Weldon I didn't know...the dark side of him, the one that frightened me.
* * * *
I dithered over what to wear to bed. Finally, I chose an emerald-colored, see-through nighty with matching garters and tights.
Have to keep the boss happy, even if he is moody.
I climbed in between the silken sheets with a moan. My watch read 11:00 p.m. I didn't think I'd be able to stay awake long.
Just as I was drifting off into a dream featuring Rock's dark gaze, my cell phone rang. I grabbed it from the nightstand where I'd laid it.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Pate.” The words weren't a question.
“Yes. Who's calling?” Anxiety rose inside me, and I gripped the phone tighter.
“A friend. If you know what's good for you, you'll cancel your trip and catch a plane out of there. Did you know the man you're...working for is a murderer?” The insinuation in the tone was undeniable. The caller knew what Rock and I were up to as far as extracurricular activities.
“I don't believe you.”
The man laughed. “Your call. But watch your back, pretty lady.”
A click sounded in my ear. I stared at the phone, incredulous.
Rock—a murderer? I couldn't believe it of the man who stirred my body into a frenzy of lust. Could I?
I tossed and turned for a few minutes, but sleep finally claimed me.
* * * *
When I woke up later, I couldn't move my arms well. They were above my head, tied to the bed somehow in a soft, leather restraint from the feel of the material against my wrists. The room was dark. A blindfold of sorts was over my eyes from what I could tell. Cool air washed over my body in the thin chemise.
“Rock?”
He didn't speak. Excitement and fear fluttered in my stomach.
“I need you. Will you do everything I want, Lacey? What's come before was only the start. Trust goes much deeper with me. It has to be forged in pain and submission if this is going to work.”
“Yes,” I whispered, my pussy growing wet at the thought.
“Say my name, Lacey.”
Pressure on the bed indicated that Rock had sat down beside me.
“Rock.”
“That didn't convince me you want me, that you'll listen to everything I tell you, do anything I need you to do. I want you to cater to my demands, Lacey. That's going to get trickier once we're in the limelight.” His breath tickled my ear, and his voice was like a razor, so sharp I could cut myself on it.
I let out a tremulous sigh.
“Say my name, Lacey, like you mean it, like you adore me and my cock. Like you want to give me control of your body.”
“Rock,” I said loudly.
“That's a little better, but before we're through, you're going to scream it over and over. Open your legs wide.”
I slid my legs apart. His hand cupped my pussy, and I gasped.
“This is mine. You work for me, and I don't want you to forget it.”
I swallowed hard. “I won't.”
“Because I own this pussy, Lacey, every sweet inch of it.” Rock slowly slid a finger inside me, and I moaned, pulling against the leather around my wrists.
“Please.” My voice was hoarse, still full of sleep.
“You can beg all you want, but I'll do things my way. I'll have to share you for too much of the day tomorrow but not now.”
My clit tingled as he circled it with his finger, still moving inside me with another one. “Go ahead and come for me, Lacey.” The rhythm he'd started went faster, and I panted in time.
I exploded into another stratosphere or pleasure, and Rock pushed his fingers inside me as I spasmed around them.
“Oh my God.” I groaned, wanting him inside me.
The bed moved as he straddled my body. The feel of his cock, soft skin and rigid length against my lips made me whimper. I enjoyed sucking him off more than I'd ever liked it with another man. He forced my lips open as I sucked on the head of his prick.
A buzzing sound met my ears as he groaned.
I whimpered with excitement as Rock pushed the vibrating sex toy inside me, his cock still in my mouth.
“You like that?”
I couldn't speak, so I nodded.
“Say my name, Lacey. Tell me who you need.”
I let his cock slide from my mouth. “Rock.” I shouted the word.
“That's what I want to hear, baby.” He chuckled as the vibrator buzzed in and out of me.
My clit ached, longing for his attention. He pushed his rigid shaft farther into my mouth, down my throat, and I moaned as tears came to my eyes.
“Oh, Lacey, I love how you suck my cock.” He pistoned in and out of my mouth even as he moved the vibrator to my clit. The pressure lessened as he turned down the speed on the toy.
I moaned, wanting more. He was holding me on the edge as deep contractions began in my core.
“What do you want, Lacey?” Rock whispered, sliding his cock from my mouth, the maddening motion of the toy unceasing.
“To come, to have you inside me.” I pushed the words out, gritting my teeth.
“Not yet.” The movement against my clit stopped, and I sucked in a harsh breath as Rock teased my nipples with his tongue and kneaded my breasts under his sure hands. I pulled against my restraints, wanting to be free to love him.
He rolled me over with one quick movement, surprising me. I cried out as the restraints moved too.
“I'm not going to hurt you. I enjoyed what we did yesterday...so much.” His voice was a husky whisper, and I bit my lip. “Did you?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me, Lacey. Has a man ever known you like I do—every part of you?”
“No.” The word was a mere breathy sigh. His hands moved, massaging my ass as he spoke. His mouth on my bottom made me cry out as he sucked and explored each cheek in its time.
But does he know my heart?
“Good. And I'm going to learn all about you, Lacey.”
And when will I learn about him?
The question fled my mind as his tongue slid down my cleft. I groaned loudly.
“You like that? I love all of you and how you submit to me.” Rock sucked at my opening, taking my breath away.
My face grew warm. No man had ever done anything like this. It was so intimate, but somehow I trusted him.
His finger inside me was welcome when it came. He'd oiled it, and it slid right in as if I were made for him.
“So tight. So pretty. You're so sweet, and I'm so dark, Lacey, and flawed.”
I arched against his finger, wanting more of him. His words turned me on, though I didn't understand him. His past was an enigma to me, and the caller's words about murder came back.
“How dark?” I whispered.
“There's a part of me so black it never comes to the light. It was made years ago when I was an orphan.” He sighed, inserting another finger inside me.
I gasped as he picked up his pace and smack
ed my ass.
“I want to know all about you, Rock.”
“You will. You are getting to right now. This is me.” He pushed his fingers inside me to the hilt, and I cried out as my clit throbbed against the silky sheets.
I needed release.
“Please.”
“Please what? Beg me for it, Lacey. I need to hear you tell me what you need.”
“I want to come. I want your cock inside me. I need it so bad, Rock.” My voice was like gravel, craven with need.
“I think I can arrange that with a little twist.” He pulled my hair gently, and I cried out. “Say my name, Lacey. Who dominates your pussy?”
“You do, Rock. Rock Weldon does.”
The moment was surreal. I was really being fingered in the ass by the hottest, most fascinating man I'd ever met in my life—and I was going to be engaged to him tomorrow. Falsely.
The vibrator roared to life again, and he placed it under me, against my clit.
I whimpered as I lay on top of it. Rock pushed it inside me, and I mewled like a kitten. My inner thighs were slippery with my own wetness. He slid the vibrator out again, agonizingly slowly, and laid it against my clit again.
My breath came in harsh gasps as my clit tingled at the contact. Rock spread my cheeks with his hands, and I groaned with the thought of what he was going to do—hurt me and bring me great pleasure.
Oil slid down my cleft.
“I can't wait to get inside you, Lacey. We're going to do so many things together. Can I trust you?” The question surprised me.
“Yes.” I was learning how hard and yet how vulnerable Rock Weldon really was.
“Good. You can trust me too.” As he spoke, he rubbed the tip of his cock against my entrance.
“Oh God. Oh...” I couldn't help myself.
“What do you want, Lacey?”
I could hardly speak as my orgasm built inside me.
“I want you to do me, Rock.” I ground the words out as jolts of pleasure went through me.
“I can oblige you there.” He nipped at my ear and clutched at my hips harder. When he slid his cock home past the rings of my tight opening, I moaned.
“Umm, that feels amazing.” I clutched at the bedposts, my restraints making it impossible to do anything else.
“Who knows how to make you feel good, Ms. Pate?” Rock whispered the words in my ear as he flicked his tongue across it and rammed his cock home.
“You do, Rock.” I whimpered and arched back to meet him. My clit was on fire. “I'm going to come.”
“Hold on for a minute for me. I'm enjoying this too much, and I want to come with you.”
I mewled in frustration as he burrowed into me with his cock again. He smacked my ass—hard—and I yelped.
“Just wait till I use the whip on you. You're going to love that, Lace.”
I caught my breath at his usage of the endearment. I wouldn't mind being Lace to him.
The contractions in my core made it hard to hold off an orgasm. “It feels so good. I need to come.” I sighed as he slid out of me again.
“You have my permission.”
He shouted his release, and I groaned from deep within myself as waves of pleasure washed over me again and again. Rock rolled off me, clasping him to me, his cock against my ass.
“Maybe I'll let you free now if you promise not to run off into the night...or early morning as it may be.” He kissed a trail down my neck as I shivered at his touch, feeling spent and sleepy.
“I'd like that, and I won't run away.”
“You sure seemed to enjoy being tied up. That's good. I knew we were birds of a feather from the moment I saw you.” I heard a clinking, and then my wrists were free. Rock pulled the blindfold off me and silenced the vibrator.
“I did. I'd never done that before.”
“That's just the beginning,” he said and held my body closer to his.
* * * *
When I awoke the next morning, Rock was nowhere to be found. Disappointment zinged through me.
He's working. He has a company to run and a lot of problems to deal with.
I sighed and sat up. Breakfast waited for me on my nightstand—gorgeous cheese, fruit, bread, and steaming chocolate goat's milk from what I could tell.
I ate with relish, realizing I was starving.
A knock sounded on my door. “Ms. Pate?”
I recognized the housekeeper's voice.
“Yes? Come in.”
She walked in. “Mr. Weldon will meet you downstairs in an hour. He says to wear a sundress. You'll be going to the piazza to sightsee.” Her face was impassive.
“Wonderful. Thank you.” I smiled, and she left, taking my empty tray with her.
I jumped out of bed, nervousness and anticipation warring inside me. A moment later, I heard something outside. An envelope appeared under the door. My first thoughts went to the mysterious caller from the night before, and my pulse quickened.
I approached the door with caution and picked up the package. When I opened it, frilly pink panties that had a slim box inside them met my fingers.
Lacey,
Wear these today. I have the remote that controls the device inside.
He didn't need to sign the missive.
I moaned under my breath in response. I'd never last with Rock controlling a remote on something like this. Biting back my dread and excitement, I took a quick shower and got dressed, careful to make sure the panties looked discreet. They did.
“Best money can buy, no doubt.” I grinned and chose a gorgeous coral sundress from the clothes he'd bought me. It wasn't short, but the neckline dipped low. It was sexier than anything I usually wore. Sling-back sandals completed the look. I put my makeup on, picking dramatic colors Rock had never seen me wear. With a flourish, I secured my hair half up.
Glancing at my watch, I realized I would be early to meet him downstairs. I paced the length of my room for a while, trying to tamp down my excitement.
By tonight, I'll be engaged to Rock Weldon.
It was finally time to meet him. When I reached the foyer, there he stood, gazing out the window at an amazing view of the city. “Shall we?”
I took his arm, smiling. “Let's. You're looking quite mysterious today.”
“We're very close, so we'll do like the locals do and walk.” Rock gleamed in an open-throat white polo shirt and khaki slacks. He looked like a local with his dark hair and eyes. Dark sunglasses and a jaunty hat completed the picture.
“Really? You don't think we'll be harassed?”
He led me out the front door of the villa. “No, I had Luigi scare everyone off when he came by this morning. Plus, who'll ever recognize me now?”
I snorted with laughter. I loved this side of Rock—the playful, sweet side.
“No one...not a chance.”
We walked the streets of Venice to joyful shouts of locals. Heat seared through my dress, and humidity clung to me.
“Here we are. This is the spot Napoleon is said to have called the drawing room of the world.”
“It's gorgeous.” We stood at the edge of one side of the piazza. St. Mark's Basilica was across from us in all its glory. “Look at those carvings.” Huge horses strode across its front, and arches drew the eye toward heaven.
“I think so. The basilica is a marvel itself as are the people here.” Rock grinned, and all the shadows lifted from his face for a moment.
Something in my heart opened up. I quickly shook my head at myself.
“What is it?” He scrutinized me as we walked past a shop on one side of the piazza, the scent of leather overtaking my senses.
“Nothing.” I smiled, determined to soak up this day with him before the true craziness of being his bride-to-be, but not really, started.
“Good. Pick something you'd like in one of the shops. All the leather and jewelry is of excellent quality.”
I nodded, my tongue caught between my teeth as he touched my arm in the lightest whisper of sensation. �
��Thanks. I will.” I browsed the leather handbags and goods, all the while inhaling the heady scent.
Rock looked at wallets and chose one quickly. He chatted up the cute sales clerk in Italian, and she blushed.
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I couldn't help but grin.
He is charming.
“See anything you like?” He appeared at my side again.
“Maybe jewelry instead. It will be tough to choose.”
“That's Venice.” He winked, and we walked out of that shop back into blazing sunlight and heat.
“We can tour St. Mark's after this and have lunch at the café if you'd like.”
I nodded. “I'd love it.”
A few people were pointing and staring at us as we made our way to the next store, and a crowd had gathered.
“Looks like you've been spotted.” I laughed.
“Yep, but we're still going to shop.”
“Good.”
Rock halted suddenly and froze. He sucked in a breath, and a pained expression painted his handsome features.
“What is it?” I touched his sleeve even as red spread on his shoulder. I couldn't make out what it was at first, and then horror swept through me.
“I've been shot.”
Chaos descended then, and the crowd pressed in as I struggled to hang on to Rock.
“Please help us!”
Men ran, and people pulled out cell phones as Rock sank to the ground, his face as white as his shirt.
“Hang on for me, Rock. Hold on.” I knelt , clinging to him, not caring who heard what I said as terror stole through me.
Who had done this and why?
About the author: Thalia Frost writes erotic romance. Find out more at www.thaliafrost.com or follow her on Facebook: ThaliaFrost.
Other books in this series (Bookkeeper for the Billionaire)
Everything He Desires, #1 (just .99)
Everything He Fears, #2
Table of Contents
Copyright
“That wasn't so
About the author
