by Dani René
Clearing my throat, I counter, “Are you trying to tease me, Mr. Hamilton?”
“Perhaps… it seems to be working because there’s something almost sinful running through your mind right now. Isn’t there?”
Even though it normally scares me being in such close proximity to a man, I don’t fear him.
His lips feather against my skin and the tremble that shudders through me causes a stir in my lower stomach. My nipples are tight peaks and once again, he’s turned me into someone I don’t recognize.
I want him. I want to let go.
As much as I want to say no, to refuse him, I know I won’t because for some unfathomable reason I know in my heart he’s not the monster, he’s the prince.
“Do you trust me?” His voice blankets me and calms my racing heart.
Without waiting for my answer, he turns me around, and while caging me against the bookcase, his breath fans over my face. The scent of his spicy cologne reminds me of cinnamon, and it envelops me, holding me in its warmth. And I realize it’s safety.
Dragging my eyes gradually up his neck, jaw, and over those full lips, I hold my breath, and when my eyes meet his, the blue is shimmering like an ocean.
“I don’t like waiting for an answer, Ms. Carmel.”
My teeth bite down on my bottom lip, and his eyes darken to a stormy sea. Flicking my tongue out, I wet my lips and smile.
“I don’t trust men, especially those I don’t know.” The words are raspy and we both hear the lust dripping from my every syllable. My pulse races. Electricity skitters over every inch of my skin and I lean back against the shelves that hold romantic words.
“What about the ones you do know?” His question is innocent enough but guts me. He’s right. I shouldn’t put my trust in any man. Stranger or not.
“Those are worse,” I respond honestly.
“Ella, there’s nothing here to fear,” he promises, but I know words are just that, empty vows. I was long ago promised a stepfather who would care for me, who would love me, and nurture me. But those were all empty guarantees.
It’s true, though. The men you know better than anyone, those are the monsters. They’re the ones who hide in plain sight. I spent my young life hiding from the pain. The promise of a better tomorrow ensured I survived. And now I won’t easily succumb to pretty words and whispered temptation.
“Carter, I said a friendly dinner. We’re working together, and that’s all there’ll ever be.” If he knew how completely shattered I truly am, there’s no way he’d ever want more from me.
“We do work together,” he agrees. “That means we’ll be spending a lot more time together. That’s where trust will grow and blossom. Let me tell you something, Ella, whatever you think you know, forget it.” He leans in and my breathing accelerates, but his mouth hovers over mine, merely inches away.
I don’t ever remember a feeling like the one coursing through my veins at that moment. Emotion grips my throat violently; my lungs struggle for air. My mind flits back and forth between the here and now, and the dark memories that plague me.
He murmurs, “I don’t force. I don’t take what’s not given. When I’m with you. When I kiss you, it will be because you asked me to. No, scrap that. It will be because you begged me to.”
I want to nod, but I don’t. I just watch him.
We’re chest to chest and I place both palms on his sculpted shoulders. His hands trail down my arms and find my hips, gripping them, tugging me closer. Fear is at the back of my mind as I find bliss for the first time in my life and it’s addictive. He’s tempting me, making me want it rather than taking it without consent.
Every inch of this man has snagged me, kidnapped me, and is holding me hostage as he stares me down. He presses his body against me and I feel how much I affect him. It’s only then fear crawls its way up my skin, clawing my neck and squeezing until I’m wheezing for air.
Feel that, Snowflake? That’s what you do to men. You’re a filthy little whore.
I push against him and he allows me space. I’m breathing deeply, but my lungs don’t want to work. Anxiety hits me. A panic attack looms around me. It’s here. He’s here. Shit.
I am strong. I am strong. I am strong.
“Ella.” Concern is evident in his tone.
I take deep breaths, all the while holding on to his jacket. As if he’s an anchor, a lifeline that I need to find my way to the surface while drowning in fear.
“I’m okay. It’s okay.”
Carter
I step back and allow her the freedom to catch her breath. Her grip on my arm tightens and I want to assure her I’m not leaving. I don’t think I can. I don’t think I want to.
Her perfume intoxicates me. It has me wanting to pin her against those goddamn books and fuck her until she surrenders all that’s holding her hostage.
Once she’s calmed, I offer her a smile and watch her relax in my hold. I need to find out what she’s scared of, and once I know, I can make sure she never feels it again. This woman is going to be a temptation that will bring me to my knees.
When I look at her, I can see into her soul.
It’s dark, ravaged, and pained.
I want to cure her. To see her smile. To show her pleasure.
I’m convinced she’s never known pleasure. And that in itself has me making up my mind. Bennett and I will be her medication. We’ll take whatever monster lurks in the recesses of her mind and banish him for good.
I want to take her fear and give her something I haven’t wanted to give anyone before. Me.
“Why me?” Her question catches me off guard. She lifts her chin and I want to smile at her indignation. She’s strong. Which makes me realize it may have been the only choice she had—to pick up her pieces and keep walking. Even if she did it alone.
“You’re different. I want to know you. There’s something about you that intrigues me, Ella. I enjoy being tempted, enticed, and that’s what you do.”
She turns to me, her gaze darkening. Something haunts her at my words. I want her so much, to take her lips and swallow her moans.
“I could say the same about you, but I don’t do this. I’m not the right woman for you.” Her eyes drop to the floor, and she continues. “I haven’t…” She turns and strokes the spines of the books again and my cock throbs to have her delicate fingers stroking me. “I mean…”
“Ella, stop, don’t think.” Stepping behind her again, I cage her against the bookshelf and lower my mouth against the soft skin that taunts me. Brushing my lips lightly on the curve of her neck, I revel in the shiver of her small frame. “Just feel. Stop fighting. Drop your walls and let me in.” My words whisper over the spot behind her ear and I can see another involuntary tremble she tries to hide by steeling her stance.
“Carter...” My name is a murmur on her lips that’s linked directly to my throbbing erection. If I step forward, she’ll feel every thick, hard inch I have for her, that I want to drive into her—deep and hard—making her chant my fucking name like a prayer. A chorus of pleasure as she comes apart beneath me.
“Ella, trust me.”
Her body relaxes, and I know she’s scared. Something in her eyes begs me to take it slow. If she pushes me away now, I’ll find another way. Turning her to face me, I stare into her glistening eyes. They’re a deep purple, capturing my attention. Her breathing is erratic. I lean in, my mouth inches from hers. Those rosy lips look good enough to eat.
Using the pad of my thumb, I swipe it slowly over her bottom lip. Perfect teeth peek at me and I want to feel them bite into my shoulder as she unravels. “Carter, please, I—”
“Ask me. Say it.” I’m now aching for her and my commanding tone sends a shiver over her. Fear lights those haunted pools and I frown. Before she can respond, a voice from behind me disturbs us, lifting the tension in the air between us.
“Mr. Hamilton, it’s good to see you again.”
I turn to find the owner of the hotel walking up to us.
“I didn’t think you were here today, Mr. Bishop.” I reach out and shake his hand.
The older man, with graying hair and dark eyes, offers me a smile. It’s fake and I pick up on the anxiety in the room. His eyes flit over to Ella and she tenses beside me. She’s radiating fear like it’s an entity standing beside us.
“I wasn’t, but I had to head back here to welcome a few guests that are checking in today. And you are?” He focuses on Ella again, and before she can respond, I do.
“This is a friend. She’s joining me for dinner this evening, and I thought she’d like to see our new acquisition.” He nods. “Ella, this is Mr. Bishop, the owner of this fine establishment.”
Her hand that reaches to shake his trembles. Even though he doesn’t notice it, I do. Snaking my arm around her waist, I feel her calm considerably, which in turn makes me smile.
“Lovely to meet you, dear. Now, Mr. Hamilton, do you have the paperwork ready?” he questions and I nod happily. This is what we came for, and I can go back to my father and give him the good news.
“All it needs is your signature.”
His face drops into brief disappointment, then lifts into a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Let’s get to it then,” he offers quietly.
We follow him out of the library, the room I’m tempted to rename a national monument after I almost took Ella against those aged bookshelves.
* * *
As I slip into the seat beside her, I watch Ella’s face and all I want to do is see the smile on it again. Since we met the hotel owner she’s disappeared into her shell and I want the flirty, strong woman back.
“Are you all right, Ella?”
She glances at me with a smile that doesn’t compare to the one she gave me in the library. There’s pain in her gaze and I’m so fucking frustrated all I want to do is rip her fucking knickers off and fuck the darkness from her gaze.
“I am, thank you.” Her words are clipped.
Needing to calm her down, I reach for her hand. As soon as my skin comes into contact with hers, heat shoots through me and the blood flowing through my veins ignites. It’s as if she’s my fuel and I’ve lit the match. I want to take her right here in the back of my car. I want to watch her body bow and hear her sweet moans. To savor those whimpers that make my dick hard.
“Do you enjoy lying to me, Ms. Carmel?”
She turns to me with a frown marring her pretty face. I can tell she’s trying hide it, but I’m not blind, or stupid, and she better give me the truth now.
“I’m not lying, and I don’t see how it’s any of your business if I’m upset or not. We work together, Mr. Hamilton, and that’s how I’d like to keep it.”
I love the fire that’s blazing in her eyes. I want to see them peek up at me while she’s swallowing my cock. Everything is about sex. It’s who I am. It’s what I love. The only thing I love. And with this woman, it’s no different.
She’s like a siren, calling to me, and I’m about to crash into her—easily, quickly, and willingly.
Without thinking, my hand reaches up, gripping her hair by the nape of her neck, tugging her face toward mine. Our lips are mere inches apart and I can feel her warm, sweet breath on my lips. Her eyes glaze over and the tiny pinpricks of her pupils dilate into large black orbs. It’s an incredible sight to see how her eye color shifts and I realize she’s wearing contacts.
“Let me tell you something about me, Ella. I don’t like playing games. When I ask you a fucking question, I expect an honest fucking answer, not your snotty little comments. I’ll take you and show you exactly how I handle insolent women.”
Her mouth drops at my retort, but the heat in her expression scorches me. I lean in and lightly feather my lips over hers. When I tighten my grip in her hair, she whimpers and my dick throbs behind my zipper. There are so many emotions running through her—fear, elation, desire, and lust—which makes me wonder what exactly she’d do if I took her to my favorite spot in the city and made her come hard.
The electric magnetism that runs between us is alive and well.
“Carter…” She will be my fucking undoing when she whimpers my name like a needy little slut. There’s nothing more I want than to be inside her right now, but I’m patient.
“Don’t ever fucking lie to me again.” Before she can respond, I continue, “I’m taking you to dinner this weekend.”
Her brows crease and I release my hold on her hair. She didn’t realize we’d pulled up to her apartment until I let her go.
“I don’t think—”
“I didn’t ask you to think, darling. I told you, I don’t take no for an answer. Sunday. Me. You. Dinner. That gives you a day to prepare.”
Baines opens her door and escorts her to the entrance of her apartment. Before he pulls away I turn to glance at her again, finding her on the threshold of her expensive home. I can’t wait to tell Bennett she’ll be between us soon.
Soon, darling, you’ll be ours.
Ella
When the front door shuts, I lean against it and gradually slide down until my ass hits the floor. There were so many times I should have freaked out. Too many moments when I should have turned around and ran far from Carter Hamilton, but he didn’t scare me.
He did something else to me. He made me ache. He pinned me with a gaze so deep, as if he could see the horrors I’d faced. His eyes pierced me, looking directly into my darkness.
Those full lips he taunted me with sent currents of desire through my body, into my veins, and as the emotion seeped into my bones I knew I was no longer the dirty little girl. I was no longer the tainted whore. I was a woman who was desired.
I toe off my heels and push up from the floor with my body still thrumming. Heading into the kitchen, I open the fridge and grab a bottle of water, hoping it will extinguish the fire that’s been lit low in my belly.
When I flop onto my sofa, I reach for the television remote and turn it on, needing something to distract me. Dinner with Carter is a bad idea. In fact, it’s a terrible idea. But I know I’m not going to be able to stay away from him.
The images on screen do nothing to drag my attention away from Mr. Hamilton and I know I have no choice but to let this play out. As long as he doesn’t find out about my past. Would it be so bad to go for dinner? It’s just one date. Even as the thought comes to me, I know it’s a lie. He doesn’t look like a man who’d just walk away from something he wants. And for some reason, he wants me.
* * *
Rolling over in bed, I groan, knowing I have to go into the office, even though it’s a Saturday. I reach for my phone and find a message from Carter.
Carter: Good morning, Princess. I trust you’ll have a good day. I will because you’re on my mind.
This message is evidence enough that he doesn’t take no for an answer. I’m not used to it. All my past relationships, if you can call them that, I’ve pushed the men away when they got too pushy or forceful and none of them pursued me after that. They’d all walked away happily from me. But Carter, he’s different. He’s definitely forceful, but even so, the fear that normally cripples me doesn’t come.
Me: Do you always message women who don’t agree to go out with you?
Carter: Especially those. Did I mention I love a challenge?
With his snarky reply, I can’t stop the giggle that escapes my lips. As if I’m a teenager with her first boyfriend. In so many respects, I suppose I am. I’ve never really been through this flirty stage with someone. The few I have been with were merely innocent blind dates, nothing more.
There weren’t flowers and messages. And then there was the monster who took and took even though I didn’t give. Before I can respond, my phone buzzes. Sliding my finger across the screen, I answer the man who’s made a charm of hummingbirds’ flutter about in my belly.
“Hello,” I answer, my voice still raspy from sleep.
“Ella,” he whispers the word as if he’s caressing it. “I wanted to hear your voic
e.”
I smile. My face aches with all the grinning he’s made me do. He breathes steadily into the phone, which seems to calm me.
“And this is my voice. How are you today?” I question, finding myself flirting easily.
“I’m tempted to pick you up and take you to work. Do you think you’d want to spend time alone in the car with me?” he quips and I can hear the smirk on his face.
“Perhaps. No funny business?” I question in jest, trying to lighten my tone, but fail when I hear his heavy sigh. It’s clear he’s trying and I’m still so fucking scared.
“Ella, I may be a pain in the arse, but I’ll never make you do something you don’t want to. Come on, I’m heading in to see Bennett anyway,” he responds.
“Fine, you can pick me up. I’ll be ready in an hour.”
“Perfect, I’ll see you soon, Princess.”
With that he hangs up and I close my eyes, savoring the word princess as I replay it in my head, recalling his gravelly timbre. Pushing off the bed, I head into the bathroom and start getting ready. If he’s that adamant to woo me, I’ll give him a chance.
Exactly an hour after his call the buzzer for my apartment rings through the expansive kitchen and living room. Dropping the yogurt container in the trash, I head to answer before it rings again. “Hello, Carter.”
“Ella, would you like me to come up?” His tone is light and I can tell he’s smiling.
“It’s okay, I’ll be down in a few minutes.” Before he can respond, I hang up and grab my purse. I’ve decided on a black knee-length woolen dress that’s warm enough I don’t need a coat. In the elevator, I inhale deep, calming breaths, hoping to relax before I come face-to-face with the man who haunted my dreams.
As the silver doors slide open, he steps forward and immediately my heart leaps into my throat, thrumming wildly at how sexy he is. Those eyes that shimmer like the ocean at night with the reflection of the moon in them. There’s a dark dusting of stubble on his angular jaw and his tousled hair looks as if he’s run his hand through it a few times.
