IMPRISONED BY DESIRE
STEFFIE SCOTT
Cass is a ruthless SOB with a mean right hook and magical powers.
No one screws with my family. I’m rough, tough and I know how to lay down a spell so, if you get in my way, you’ve been warned. You might be missing a few limbs. And if I need you, you can be damn sure I’m going to use you. Sara is a means to an end—nothing more. If I have to seduce her to get to her evil uncle, no problem. That’s the plan. But I’m having a hard time sticking to it because the woman is everything I ever wanted. And more.
Sara can’t stand domineering men. Too bad she’s fallen for one.
Cam is just the right man for a white-hot one-night stand. But in the bright light of day, I realize he has much more to offer a girl. Like magic. And heartbreak. Sure, he can protect me from the dark forces that want to control me. But he can’t protect me from my own family secrets. And when he discovers just how much I’ve been hiding, will he still want me? Or will he disappear, never to be seen again?
IMPRISONED BY DESIRE is a standalone, sexy, paranormal romance with a happily-ever-after and no cliffhanger. Adults only!
Copyright © 2018 by Steffie Scott
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at [email protected].
All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination
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Chapter One
Cass
With the ease of long practice, the woman flowed through the crowd, all clean lines and smooth motion.
From my spot along the wall, I watched Sara Prescott smile, shake hands, talk for a few minutes then repeat the process until she’d greeted nearly everyone in the crowded hotel ballroom.
Everyone except me, through careful planning on my part. I’d already decided when she reached me, she wouldn’t be going anywhere for a good long while.
Taking a sip of ginger ale, my eyes narrowed, watching Sara try to extricate herself from the older man holding onto her hand.
Her smile never wavered but I saw how she tried to tug her hand away without making it obvious what she was doing. But the guy wasn’t letting go. In fact, I pulled her closer. I could tell from across the room that she didn’t want to be anywhere near me.
Gods be damned, I really didn’t want to have to rescue her and risk blowing my cover. She was thirty-one years old. She should be able to take care of herself. Especially considering her family tree.
Still, her pale green eyes looked…fragile.
And that didn’t matter one damn bit.
Fuck.
The old guy had managed to pull her even closer and Sara’s arctic cool had started to melt. As much as I’d like to see what she looked like with a little heat in her pale cheeks, I was getting seriously pissed off.
I straightened, ready to walk over, but then—finally—Sara managed to retrieve her hand without messing one platinum blonde hair in that fancy twist.
But she wasn’t fast enough, and the guy put my arm around her shoulders, bared by the pale pink sheath that showed off her body to perfection.
I was pretty sure she wasn’t wearing a bra under that dress and she really didn’t need one.
The old guy must have thought so too, because I couldn’t seem to stop staring at her small but high breasts. She turned, trying to get away from the asshole now attempting to get my arm around her waist, and I took notice—not for the first time—of her sleek ass.
I typically wasn’t attracted to short, skinny green-eyed blondes with sharp little features. She had to have some folletti in her background somewhere. I saw it in the pointed nose and uptilted green eyes… Eyes that were starting to show her fatigue.
That bastard with the fake smile just would not leave her alone. If my hand got any closer to her ass, I was going to—
Pushing away from the wall, I took a few steps but stopped short when Sara finally put some space between her and the guy, who didn’t look happy about it. In fact, I lifted my hand, as if to grab her wrist, as if I had some claim to her. Obviously, she didn’t think so, because her mouth pursed, her full bottom lip jutting out even more.
I wanted to put my own mouth over hers and kiss the hell out of her, bite that lip and tangle my tongue with hers. Which wasn’t a problem—as long as I remembered I wasn’t here for pleasure.
Sara Prescott was a means to an end. Nothing more.
But if that guy didn’t leave her the fuck alone soon, I’d have to walk over there and punch him in the face—and that would definitely screw my cover.
Tonight, I was passing as human. No one here knew what I was. I’d had to use every ounce of my magic to make sure no one here realized who I was. What I was.
Taking a deep breath and another sip of ginger ale, I figured it was time.
Time to get this seduction underway.
* * * * *
Sara
Finally.
I made my excuses and got the hell away from the old guy who thought it was okay to put his hands all over me.
Ugh, why did some men think women were their personal playthings? Bastards, all of them.
Of course, that didn’t mean I didn’t want them.
At the moment, I wanted one in particular.
And, lucky me, the guy I’d been eyeing all night was finally making his way toward me, an intense look on his darkly handsome face.
Earlier in the evening, I’d thought he was avoiding me. He’d managed to stay halfway across the room at all times, no matter where I wandered.
I hadn’t seen him talking to anyone. Usually he was holding up a wall with what looked like a tumbler of whiskey in his hand. I couldn’t tell for sure, but he must’ve been nursing that one glass all night. I hadn’t seen him near the bar.
Obviously I’d been watching him way too much. But there was something about him that drew my attention, something in his eyes…
He certainly didn’t look like my typical date. For one thing, his hair was too long. Not shaggy or unkempt, just too long. Well below the collar of his ridiculously expensive suit—I recognized a Hugo Boss when I saw one—and almost to his shoulders. Curly, not just wavy. Natural curls a woman would kill for. I was surprised they didn’t make him look feminine.
Hell, the curls didn’t even soften the harsh lines of his face. Not that he wasn’t handsome. He was. But he was handsome in the way a bull was a beautiful animal. You could almost see the power he held beneath his skin. Contained. Leashed.
Boy, wouldn’t I love to see what he could do with all of that—
Oh shit. I definitely shouldn’t be thinking about sex when he was only feet away from me. That would only lead to problems. And I had enough on my plate at the moment.
When he was close enough to touch, he stopped, locked his gaze with mine and held it captive. I tried to smile politely but, for some reason, I couldn’t. Or rather he wouldn’t let me, because polite wasn’t a word he appeared to be acquainted with.
Heat curled low in my body, radiating into the warm, hidden place between my legs, and every synapse in my body fired with lust.
Careful, you fool. You
don’t have time for an affair—especially with this guy. He’ll burn you to a crisp.
But I’d go with a smile on my face.
Holding out my hand, I forced a cool smile. “Hello. I’m Sara Prescott.”
He didn’t take my hand right away. He made me wait for it. Arrogant bast—
He took my hand, his palm warm against hers, his grip loose, non-intimidating—except for the way my lungs contracted as if I were suffocating.
Shit. I was definitely losing it.
“Hello, Sara. I’m Cass Graziano.”
Whoa, nice voice.
Deep, a little raspy and a whole lot sexy.
“Nice to meet you, Cass.” Really nice.
“Are you having a good time, Sara?”
My smile faltered for a brief second, but I held onto it through sheer force of will. He sounded as if he knew just how much fun I was not having. And I thought I’d been hiding it so well. Obviously not, if a stranger had seen through me. “Yes, I am. I hope that doesn’t mean you’re not.”
“I am now, yes.”
Ooh-kay. He’d said that without a trace of sarcasm. And his eyes… Boy, those eyes were something else—so dark they looked almost black. But not flat or lifeless. They shone with the same intensity that radiated from his body. In this group of high-powered men and women, that was saying something.
“So what firm are you with, Mr. Graziano?” I didn’t recognize his name, but I didn’t know everyone here. My uncle’s secretary had put together the guest list.
His gaze never shifted but I detected the tiniest increase in his body heat through their still-linked hands. He was about to lie to me. “I’m an independent contractor.”
That didn’t sound like a lie. “And what service do you provide?”
“Security, mostly.”
As far as I knew, Uncle Daniel wasn’t looking for a new security firm. We had our own security detail, handpicked by my uncle. “Are you thinking about joining our staff, Mr. Graziano?”
“Call me Cass, please. And, no, I’m not looking for a job.”
Well, that was…unusual. Nearly everyone who came to Uncle Daniel’s mixers was here to get a job or court favor with the man who ran the company Time Magazine had called the Microsoft for the new millennium. Not that their company dealt in computers. They were more diversified.
Still, the analogy was apt. BD Enterprises was poised to crack the Fortune 100 after only five years in business.
“So why are you here, Cass?”
“To meet you.”
I blinked, unsure I’d heard him correctly. “I’m sorry, what—”
“Please, don’t be frightened.” His lips quirked in a self-deprecating grin that sent a shaft of heat straight between my legs. God, the man was gorgeous when he smiled. “I’m not a stalker. I was invited and I’m not here to cause trouble. I’ve heard a lot about you, Sara Prescott. I wanted to meet you in person.”
The heat spread inward and up. It made my stomach clench and my nipples tighten. My lips parted to draw in more air, because I surely wasn’t getting enough. What the hell was going on?
Taking a step back, I realized he still held my hand…and I was reluctant to let go.
I’d never been a flirt. I was attractive but no beauty. When my parents had been alive, I’d lived in the shadow of my gorgeous, vivacious, unstable mother. After their deaths, I’d moved in with Uncle Daniel and withdrawn into a tight little shell that was enforced by my uncle’s overzealous security measures.
I’d finished my final year of high school with a tutor then attended Albright College in Reading, only twenty minutes from my uncle’s well-fortified home in the country. I’d attended every class with a bodyguard, though the few friends I made in college thought he was just another student.
After college, I’d taken up my position at BD Enterprises. A few men at work had been brave enough to ask me out but they’d wanted to use me to get close to my uncle. It’d been easy to say no. The only men I’d dated in the past five years were men my uncle had introduced to me. Older men with a lot of money who’d needed an escort more than anything—and who didn’t expect much more than an evening’s companionship.
Oh, I’d slept with some of them. It’d been good sometimes. Just not great.
What would Cass be like in bed? Probably pretty damn good, if that body was any indication. He filled out his suit to perfection. Broad shoulders and chest, thin waist, muscular legs. He was built like a wrestler.
I had no idea if he had money, though the suit and his attitude suggested he didn’t have to pinch pennies.
So, what was it about Cass Graziano that made me take notice? I looked at our clasped hands then back into his eyes. “What do you want, Mr. Graziano?”
His smile took on a wicked edge. “You mean you don’t know?”
Yes, I was beginning to get the picture. I released his hand—with no resistance from him…which pissed me off.
“I’m quite sure I don’t know what you mean.”
Ugh. I hoped that hadn’t sounded as stuck-up to him as it had to me.
Cass—that really had to be short for something—didn’t bat an eye. “Your company’s an impressive operation, Miss Prescott. I’m interested in how you manage to keep such a large staff satisfied. I understand you’re in charge of human relations.”
Now why did that sound suggestive? Just the motion of his lips when he’d said the words “satisfied” and “human relations” put images in my head.
Damn, he had a beautiful mouth, almost too pretty for a guy. It was the only soft feature on his face. Everything else held a hard angle or sharp line.
I shook my head and concentrated on answering his questions. I decided I had to get away as fast as propriety allowed. He really unnerved me.
“Yes, I’m vice president of human relations. Is your firm very large?”
Oh God. Now I sounded like a bad porn film actress. Large firm indeed! Why didn’t I just ask the guy if he had a huge cock?
Cass didn’t blink an eyelash. “I have a staff of about fifty, spread across the United States. Nothing on your scope but enough to keep me busy. I was hoping to pick your brain tonight.”
Of course. Business. What else would he want with me? Still, those eyes kept unnerving me…
An hour later, they stood in the same position. Their conversation had ranged from business to music to television to politics. The party moved around them but no one intruded. I hadn’t realized they’d spent so much time together until I caught Cass glancing at his watch.
I hadn’t worn mine tonight, on the off-chance I’d do exactly what he’d done and insult someone by implying I was bored. I wasn’t insulted though, more shocked I’d ignored the rest of the guests and focused all my attention on this one man. Not such a bad way to spend an hour really. But still, it wasn’t what I was here for.
I let my gaze drift around the room, now beginning to empty. Uncle Daniel held court by the door, saying good night, probably wondering why I wasn’t standing by his side as always.
For once I didn’t want to be there.
I wanted to be here—talking to Cass. Wanting to do more than talk.
“I’d like to continue our conversation, Sara, but the party seems to be wrapping up…” He paused, staring straight into my eyes. “Would you come back to my home for a nightcap?”
Hell, yes. Luckily, I didn’t embarrass myself by saying that aloud. But, yes, I really wanted to go back to his home—for more than a drink, if it was up to me.
I wanted to go home with him and have sex until morning. I wanted to drown myself in the carnality of the act. He was pure alpha male. Dominant and strong. Exactly how I liked them.
“Sara?”
“Yes, I will.”
* * * * *
Cass
Holy hell. She’d said yes.
I couldn’t believe it’d been that easy. Sara had looked me straight in the eyes and agreed.
A blast of heat shot from my chest
to my groin and I told myself my body was reacting more to the success of my mission than the strong sexual attraction I’d been fighting all night.
But I couldn’t lie to myself that much.
I extended my hand and found myself holding my breath until she took it. Damn, this really wasn’t good. This was a job for fuck’s sake, not a date.
Breathe, damn it.
I tried to remain focused but the feel of her warm hand in mine elevated my blood pressure, making my cock throb and my lungs contract.
She still looked calm, cool and collected—until I caught the flutter of her pulse in her throat. It beat as if she’d just run a marathon.
Good.
“Would you like to ride with me or follow in your own car?” I preferred she’d go with me but didn’t want her to get nervous and bolt.
But she wasn’t going anywhere, if the half-smile on her face was anything to go by. That look threatened my sanity…and held the promise of a hot night ahead.
Too bad she would hate me later.
“I’ll get my car and meet you out front.” She turned but slid me a glance over her shoulder. “It may take me a few minutes to get out of here. Don’t leave without me.”
Then she walked away without another look.
I followed her across the room with my eyes, which dipped to caress the curve of her ass as she stopped several times to speak to the few remaining people in the room. Her uncle was the last. She laid her hand on my arm and spoke a few words into my ear. I found myself holding my breath again, but her uncle just nodded, kissed her on the forehead and waved as she walked out of the room.
Moving into a shadowy alcove along the side of the room, I made sure no one was watching then whispered the spell that teleported my body into my Dodge Viper in the parking lot.
Chapter Two
Sara
Are you actually going to follow that man home? You only just met him?
Imprisoned by Desire: a Fated Desires story Page 1
