Fragile Innocence: A Dark Menage Romance

by Dani René

I nod. That’s easy. I’ve dealt with owners who find it difficult giving up their buildings.

  “Yes, sure.”

  “And then you can finish for the day. I’m sure Mr. Hamilton won’t mind dropping you off at your apartment, will you, Carter?” His gaze flits over to Carter and I follow Bennett’s gaze.

  The man next to me straightens and sets his cup down. “Of course. I would be happy to escort you home. Are you ready?” Inquisitive eyes land on me and I nod.

  Every time he looks at me I lose all power of speech, which is ridiculous. The effect he has on me is surreal, and I find that fighting it will only hurt, so I let the feeling wash over me and enjoy the flurry in my stomach. Just like a teenage girl.

  “Yes, I just need to grab my purse and the file with the information of the hotel. Maybe we can get the owner to sign today.” I push up from my chair and glance at my boss, then my client.

  “Perfect.” Bennett’s voice is light, not the deep rumble from earlier, and as both men stand up and follow me out of the meeting room I’m scorched by their heated gazes.

  Carter

  The view I have as I follow her out of the meeting room is beyond incredible. I can’t help but watch the sway of her hips, which hardens my cock painfully. Imagining her bent over while I pound into her from behind runs through my mind. To hear that sexy accent calling out my name as she comes hard all over my dick while it’s buried deep inside her tight body would be exquisite.

  Visions of her in nothing but lace entrance me. Her creamy skin would look exquisite in the soft black material. When she leans down to grab her purse, my throat dries and my hands fist at my sides.

  “She’s definitely easy on the eye.” Bennett’s voice in my ear cuts through the haze.

  “Don’t go scaring her off before we’ve even got to the second step,” I hiss under my breath. I know I agreed to share her, but for some reason, I don’t know if she’ll go for it. Her body language, the tension in her shoulders are telltale signs that she’s nervous around us.

  He glances at me with curiosity. My possessiveness is enough to have him stepping back. Shit, this woman is already fucking with my head.

  “Ready.” Her sweet voice comes filtering through our standoff.

  I need to calm the fuck down. He knows there are integral steps to having a woman pliable between us. I take the first tow, and he takes the last.

  “Let’s go, Ms. Carmel. Bennett, I’ll see you later.” Without waiting for a reply, I walk out toward the lift and push the call button. When she steps beside me, I inhale deeply as the scent of her perfume fills the air around us. A soft scent of orange blossom has my mouth watering and I wonder if she tastes as sweet as she smells.

  The lift arrives after a moment and I wait for her to enter first then follow.

  Pressing the ground floor button, I watch the steel doors close.

  Being alone in a confined space with her has every inch of my body alert and my hands itch to touch her. To feel how silky her skin is. I’d love to fist her hair and thrust my cock between those perfect arse cheeks.

  Clearing my throat to hide the groan, I turn to her. “Do you enjoy doing this? Selling and buying properties?”

  She smiles and my heart kicks so hard against my ribs it feels as if it’s trying to break out of my chest.

  “I do. I found an early love for buildings and architecture. Drawing wasn’t a passion, but history was. The story the walls of an old building hold is fascinating. As soon as I finished school, an opportunity arose for me to learn more about the profession, buying and selling, as well as appraising.”

  The reverence with which she talks about her work is intriguing.

  Not only is she beautiful and sexy, but incredibly intelligent.

  “Who taught you about architecture?” My question immediately brings sadness over her perfect features and her smile falters.

  “My father.” She drops her voice as if he’ll hear her talking about him.

  “And where is he now?” As soon as I ask I feel guilty because tears shimmer in those amethyst eyes. They glisten as if there’s a flame behind them and I realize that no jewel could sparkle and capture me the way her eyes do.

  “He’s... Uhm…” She straightens and lifts her chin. “He passed away when I was twelve.” Her voice cracks and I have the urge to hold her. But I don’t. I stand there like the cold-hearted bastard I am. The one who doesn’t want love, only a good fuck.

  “I’m sorry.” My response is automatic, but she offers a slight nod. The doors slide open and I step out first, forgetting my manners. I stop and turn. My fingers find the small of her back and she flinches. She’s not used to being touched. Well, too bad, sweet thing, you’ll be used to being touched, kissed, and fucked when we’re done with you. And you’re going to love every fucking second.

  I flash a smile at Lizzie when we pass the reception desk. She’s a lovely girl and I know she’s got eyes for her boss. Who am I kidding, the whole female population is blinded by my best friend.

  When we step onto the pavement, I murmur, “Over here, love.” Leading her over to the waiting car, I open the door. While she slips into the bench seat I take in an eyeful of her arse and decide my favorite view is her bent over in front of me.

  I need to fuck her to get rid of this ache because it’s the only way I’ll be able to work with her. There’s no other option because a hard-on every time I’m around her is going to be unpleasant.

  Once I’ve shut the door I glance over at her. “You can tell Baines the address.”

  She leans forward and gives him an address of the hotel not far from where one of our other properties is. My father must have chosen this one for a reason.

  Her body is so close to mine I can feel the current racing between us. There’s a nervous edge to her. Glancing at my driver in the rear-view mirror, I give him a nod. The partition rises and we’re alone.

  “I’m sorry if I upset you earlier. I didn’t mean to pry. My conversation skills clearly aren’t up to par.” I offer a smile and she gives me a brilliant one in return.

  “It’s okay. I just don’t talk about him much because I don’t have any friends who knew me when I was younger.”

  I can’t help frowning at her explanation. How do you not know anyone from your childhood?

  “What do you mean? You don’t have any childhood friends?”

  “No, I came out here alone. When I left home at eighteen, my past stayed behind. There wasn’t anyone who would… I mean, there’s just nobody in my life right now.” She stumbles over her words and I realize there’s a lot more to this intriguing beauty and I want to peel back layer by layer until I’ve found out what lies beneath the exquisite exterior.

  “It’s such a foreign concept to me. I’ve always been surrounded by family and people who called themselves friends, but weren’t. The thought of being alone scares me.” I don’t know why I’m confessing my deepest fears to this woman. I don’t want to lay myself bare in front of her. She’s not here forever, not my forever. Even though one day I’d like that, I know my past choices aren’t as pristine as I’d like people to think.

  I’ve never been a good man. My actions were merely paid off by my father—hundreds and thousands of pounds. When you have money like we do, everything you do can be swept under the rug. Even when my uncle—my mother’s brother—went down the slippery slope of addiction, the famous Mr. Hamilton stepped up and paid for him to go to rehab in one of the most expensive centers.

  My past is riddled with those mistakes. Each one of them worse than the other. From women, to drugs, I did it all. But it’s when I truly fucked up, when I hit rock bottom did I realize I needed to pull myself together. My father forced me to return to London, and it welcomed me happily.

  When I chose to study in America, Dad supported me. I was the youngest student at Yale, and because my parents couldn’t leave the family business, I traveled with my uncle as my guardian. He was there for me to a certain extent, but he was al
so the reason my life fell apart.

  Bennett was the only friend who stuck around when we left. He followed me to the US and we partied like rock stars, and when I was dragged back to London, he followed too and he made a name for himself. First working for a security company before finding his footing in real estate.

  Even though I only spent a short time in America, I miss it. If I didn’t fuck up the way I did, I think I’d still be there.

  “I guess we all have different lives. We all have those monsters we hide in the dark and they seem to materialize when we’re alone.” Her words are filled with truth and secrets all rolled into one and when I glance over at her again there’s something hiding behind that mask she wears.

  I’ve never been one for games, but I’d like to play hers. To uncover what she’s got hidden in those amethyst eyes.

  Ella

  The drive is silent after my confession and I have the feeling he felt guilty about bringing it up. As the car slows, I glance out the window and find the hotel we’ve come to see. A historic castle type building that looks as if it’s been standing for centuries and I suppose it has.

  My gaze flits over to Carter and I watch his expression change from moody and dark to friendly. There’s something about him that has me intrigued, a deeper layer that I want to uncover. To break through that serious façade and see what lies beneath.

  Before I can say anything, the door opens and I glance at his driver, Baines, as he holds a hand out for me. Slipping mine in his, I step out of the vehicle and take in the countryside. The air is clean and I can’t stop myself from taking a deep breath, savoring the smell of freshly cut grass. Even though we’re in the middle of autumn, it’s warm out and I relish the heat of the sun.

  “You seem to enjoy the sunshine.” His tone is like velvet slowly sweeping across my skin and the heat of his breath fans over my neck, causing a shiver to race through me. Instead of revulsion, desire swirls through me, setting my body on fire.

  “I do.” Turning my head, I find his face inches from mine. Liquid heat shimmers as he regards me. It’s entrancing and I can’t stop staring at him. It’s as if his eyes are glistening with desire before me.

  “Good, I hope you’ll find many more things to enjoy while you’re here.” His mouth quirks and those sparkling orbs darken with something that has my core clenching. His hand finds my lower back and we head into the foyer of the historic building. His touch is tender, but there’s a commanding sensuality about the way he guides me with the lightest of brushes against the soft material of my blouse.

  We find a man at the reception desk, who looks up as we near the counter. He glances between Carter and me with a scowl. This isn’t going to be as easy as I thought.

  “Hello, we’re here to have a look at the building for Hamilton Enterprises,” I offer a small smile, but I’m met with another harsh glare.

  “I know who you are, lady. You can go ahead. Mr. Bishop isn’t here to show you around, so you’ll have to take the tour alone.”

  Nodding, I offer another smile and turn to the hallway on the right of the reception desk.

  “That went well.” Carter’s voice beside me is a low murmur and I can’t help giggling.

  I regard him and find a grin cracked on his handsome face. When you see this man serious, it’s astounding at how handsome he is, but when he smiles, my heart stops.

  “It seems as if they don’t like you as much as Bennett said. I suppose if you’re buying their livelihood to demolish it, they’d be concerned.”

  He stops abruptly. When I turn to look at him I find emotion something akin to annoyance swimming across his features.

  “Is that what you think of me? That I’m purchasing this building to either knock it down or lay off these people?” His body is positively vibrating with frustration. I know anger when I see it, and this right here isn’t far from it.

  “Carter… Mr. Hamilton, I really didn’t mean it that way. All I meant was that when you’ve spent your life working for something, to have someone walk in and change everything you’ve ever known, it’s difficult. It changes you.” As I finish I realize I’m no longer talking about the hotel but confessing more about me than I ever wanted anyone to ever know.

  “I know. I mean, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten angry. It’s just difficult. People see us walk in with our money and they think we’re here to throw our weight around, when in actual fact we’re trying to save the dwindling income of these people.” His explanation catches me off guard. From what I’ve read about Hamilton Enterprises is that they only cater to the elite.

  “But, your hotel chain, it’s only—”

  “It’s there for the rich so we can pay the staff wages and to give the original owners money for them to retire. We only buy property from people who can’t afford to run the businesses anymore.” A smile cracks his serious demeanor. “Come on, let’s look around, Ms. Carmel.” With a wink, he guides me once again with a light touch.

  The hotel is incredible and after numerous hallways and way too many flights of stairs, I’m standing at a window that overlooks the garden. The greenery is discolored, no longer green, but rich oranges, reds, and browns. The grounds on which this hotel is built are incredible. There’s a small hill that leads to a forest and I wonder if kids enjoy rolling down into the lush lawn that I’m sure fills that section in the height of summer.

  “Penny for your thoughts?”

  Pivoting, I find the handsome man who’s been great company the last hour we’ve spent roaming the halls.

  “I was just looking at the grounds. They’re incredible.” I point to the window and when he joins me the attraction between us smolders. There’s an obvious magnetism, but I wonder if he feels it too.

  “Can I take you to dinner tonight?” The question comes out of nowhere, and my eyes flit over to him. His face is lit up with excitement. There’s kindness dancing on his features. I want to say yes. But, can I be normal? Maybe I can let go of my pain, my past, and my nightmares.

  “Sure. Just so you know, I don’t mix business with pleasure.” My sassy mouth takes over and the smirk that curls his lips has me wondering if he’d kiss me.

  “Somehow, I have a feeling you don’t really know what pleasure is, Princess.”

  I fully face him, our bodies close, and I can feel the soft material of his dress shirt against my blouse. My nipples harden against the lace of my bra and my heart thuds against my rib cage.

  “Princess?” I giggle. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Well, you ensnared me, then ran off at the airport. You left me to find you, only, you didn’t bother leaving behind one of your Louboutins.” His grin widens, the crinkling at the corner of his eyes making him look even younger than he is.

  “I don’t just leave my shoes lying around for anyone, you know. There’s no telling who’s a frog and who’s the prince.” I can’t help the carefree laugh that falls from my lips.

  He reaches out and strokes his knuckles over my cheek. Fire follows the trail of his touch as if he’d struck a match and held it against me. A shiver runs down my spine and straight to my black lace panties.

  “There’s so much tension radiating from you right now I could probably light the hotel with the energy. Don’t you ever let go?” His whispered words send a jolt to my chest.

  Let go, Snowflake. Take me, little one.

  A scent of cigars and whisky filters through the room, attacking my nose. He’s here. He can’t be. I know this, but the hallucinations never stop. It’s as if he follows me everywhere I go.

  My heart leaps into my throat and my mouth opens, but no words come out. He doesn’t know how much I hold onto. The thought of letting go is like me leaping off the roof. I may as well be dead. I can’t find the appropriate response to explain my life to this man. Even though I want to let go, I’m not sure I can. “Look, Carter—”

  “Shh…” he whispers and reaches up to place a finger on my lips, which causes a tingle to trickle
its way gently through every nerve in my body. “If there’s one thing you’ll learn about me, Ms. Carmel, I never take no for an answer. I’m also an expert at making sure you relinquish anything you’re scared of. Lastly, make no mistake, I don’t make anyone do anything they don’t want to, but I guarantee you’ll release whatever you’re holding onto, beautiful.” He leans in and I feel the heat of his lips on my ear. “I promise. You’re a temptation in the dark, Ella.” His voice drops on my name, caressing it, savoring it.

  And you seem to be mine.

  His words are a promise that sparks the tension between us. The room feels too warm, my head spinning out of control. Taking a step back, I glance at his heated gaze and smile. “You’re very sure of yourself, Carter.”

  “I am because it’s true. Allow me to take you to dinner, please,” he asks once more, but there’s no self-assurance in his expression, merely curiosity.

  “Dinner. Nothing more,” I acquiesce finally.

  He nods with a smile. “A friendly dinner it is.”

  I nod in agreement and turn to the room we’re in, which is furnished with walls of bookshelves and comfortable chairs. I make my way toward the books and run my finger along the spines. “These are beautiful.” They’re all rare classic volumes.

  “You like the classics?”

  I nod, casting a quick glance at him. Turning back to the books, I follow along all the beautiful spines of gold lettering. Everything about this room is alluring, decadent, and beautiful, just like the man I can feel behind me.

  His hands grip my hips and hold me still. Blood heats as it flows through my veins, vibrating with need. “Do books turn you on, Ella? Because from where I’m standing, I think they do.”

  I smile at that but don’t respond.

  “Don’t think, just feel.”

  I stay silent and when his hands splay on my stomach, holding my back against his chest, the heat of him searing me, I gasp.

  “It sounds like the classics are your favorites.”