by Carrie Kelly
“Of course,” I said and balled my hands into tight fists. She probably put the board up to this in the first place.
“Do you think he’ll stick around and go through with it?” she asked and glanced out at the ocean in the distance.
“Yes. Dorian loves Black Inc. He’s not going to let you take it from him.”
She turned and shook her head. “Me? I don’t want to take anything away from him. I’m trying to warn you, Ms. Jones. You’ve bit off more than you can chew. How well do you know Mr. Black? Has he told you about Jenny Garret?”
My heart pounded in my chest. This is a trick, Alicia. She’s trying to make you doubt him!
But she was also right. I hardly knew a thing about Dorian’s past. The company belonged to his uncle and he worked his way up from an assistant to CEO in six short years. His parents died in a car accident when he was a child and his uncle passed from cancer the year before. Dorian didn’t have any family left.
And he’d never mentioned anyone named Jenny.
“No. Who is she?”
Sylvia smiled. “Dorian’s old flame. She was a lot like you, Alicia. Plump, savvy and oh so dedicated to him. They were engaged.”
I set my lips into a line and stared at her. “And?”
“He left her at the alter. Ran off when he got cold feet. The last thing I heard, poor Jenny Garret drowned herself to get over the heartbreak. He killed her, Ms. Jones.”
I shook my head, but I couldn’t think of anything to counter that. Dorian’s ex-fiancé committed suicide after he broke up with her? It was a pretty big secret to keep!
“Why tell me?” I asked.
“Because Mr. Black is rough on the heart. I should know. He’ll use you and toss you aside. Have you signed a pre-nup?”
I didn’t answer, but she must have seen the truth on my face.
“No? What happens when he screws you over in the divorce? He has the money to hire the best legal team around and you’re just a lowly assistant.”
Divorce? We weren’t even married yet. But I couldn’t deny I’d thought of it; worried what might happen if he did decide he didn’t love me anymore.
“He wouldn’t do that.” I wanted to shout, but it came out as more of a whisper instead.
“Wouldn’t he?” she asked and raised an eyebrow. “Good luck then. I’ll see you tomorrow at the wedding.”
She swept off down the path, her heels clicking on the damp cobblestones. I didn’t want to fall prey to her jealously, but she didn’t plant seeds of doubt in my mind. She merely watered them into sprouting.
You’re doing this for him not for you, Alicia.
Wiping my eyes, I walked back to the villa.
* * *
My mother stood behind me tightening the corset around my waist as I stared at myself in the mirror. She tried not to cry, but the tears welled up in her eyes every time she looked at me.
“Oh darling. It’s so beautiful. Why did you keep your relationship with Dorian a secret? He’s such a thoughtful young man.”
“He’s my boss,” I reminded her and smoothed my hands over the silk. My curls were piled on my head in an intricate design I could never hope to emulate, and my soft make up made me look delicate, like a little doll. It fit my short curvy stature well.
“Still. You should have told us! Your father and I were surprised when he called right before your trip.”
“What?” I asked and tried to turn around. “He called before we flew over?”
“Yes. The night before, actually. He called and asked for our permission to marry you. Didn’t you know, Alicia?”
My heart slammed in my chest, and I glanced at the ring on my hand. He asked my parent’s permission before the board gave him their ultimatum? Did he know about it in advance and didn’t bother to tell me? Or was he planning on proposing anyway? How could I marry him if I didn’t know the whole truth?
“Are you finished?” I asked as I fought to catch my breath. I needed to find Dorian right away!
“Almost,” my mother said and finished tightening it.
I slipped on my shoes, and my hands trembled as I turned toward the door.
“It’s time, Alicia,” my dad said and stepped into the room right as I headed out.
“What?” I asked and glanced at the clock. Sure enough, I needed to be walking down the aisle in a few minutes! But I hadn’t even spoken to Dorian yet! Dammit!
Smiling, my dad took my arm in his. “You look lovely. Dorian’s will be thrilled.”
“Did you see him today?” I asked as we walked across the courtyard to the hall.
“He grabbed some espresso for breakfast, then disappeared into the bathroom. Why?”
I shook my head. Telling them he might stand me up like he had Jenny Garret wouldn’t do me any good. And there was no way in hell I could talk to him now without alerting the board members something was wrong. I couldn’t do that to Dorian – even if I wanted to learn the truth.
My feet moved on their own. My body floated down the aisle past my family and friends and the guests on Dorian’s side whom I didn’t know. I was going to marry Dorian Black. A man I hardly knew. A man whose past was riddled with secrets and supposed lies. But I couldn’t back out now. Not when his whole company was at stake!
He stood, tall, dark and handsome personified, at the end of the hall. The black tux hugged him like a dream. A smile slid across his lips when he saw me, and my heart caught in my throat.
Why had he called my parents and not told me? Why hadn’t he said a word about this Jenny girl?
We spoke our vows, and the audience around us faded until we were the only people in the world. When he leaned down to kiss me, his lips hungry and burning against my own, I gripped onto his shoulders for support. My knees weakened, and he slipped a strong arm around my waist and held me up, pulling me out toward the reception as rose petals rained onto our heads.
“You’re mine now, Alicia,” he whispered in my ear, his hands digging into my side.
I bit my bottom lip and said nothing.
The reception went off as I planned. Dancing, dining, pictures and mingling all rushed by in a whirl I could hardly take in. I needed to catch a moment alone with my new husband, but how could I do it and keep up the ruse?
When we slipped into a limo after a final round of congratulations, I took a deep breath and balled my hands into fists.
“Where are we going?” I asked as Lance turned off the driveway and toward the coast.
“Our honeymoon,” Dorian said and buried his smooth cheek into my neck, nipping at my sensitive flesh.
Another secret.
“You never said we were going on a honeymoon. Where?”
“It’s a surprise,” he said and looked at me.
Even in the shadows of the car, I saw his eyes narrow dangerously.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. Now or never, Alicia!
“Why did you call my parents before we came to Tuscany? And why didn’t you tell me about it?”
He raised an eyebrow. “You know why I called them. I wanted to make sure they approved of our union. They do. Is that what’s been bothering you all day?”
Chewing on my bottom lip, I shook my head. “That was before the board’s decision. Did you know what they wanted? Is that why--”
Dorian grabbed my shoulders and shook his head. “No, Alicia. It isn’t. Why can’t you admit I wanted to marry you before the board sprung it on us? I bought the ring right after the fundraiser because that’s when I knew you would be my wife.”
He wanted to marry me before? My mind swam, grasping for a lifeline. “What about Jenny Garret? You never told me about her.”
His green eyes widened and a shadow fell across them. “Who told you about Jenny?” he growled.
“Sylvia. She said you left her at the alter and then she killed herself,” I squeaked.
Dorian shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair. “That lying bitch. First of all, Jenny left me at the alt
er – not the other way around. We were young, Alicia. Only twenty-one at the time. And she drowned while on a boat trip with her family. She got swept under the river’s current. She did not commit suicide!”
My heart ached. Why was I so stupid? Why couldn’t I believe him? Believe he wanted me, Alicia Jones, over other women?
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t believe anything she says.”
He sighed and slipped a strong arm around my shoulder, pulling me into him. “I’m not angry at you. Not at all. But I will do something about Sylvia. I thought Lance would be enough to keep her at bay. I suppose I was wrong.”
“You hired Lance to protect me from Sylvia?”
He smiled and shrugged. “Yes. I’m tired of that woman filling your head with lies. Look, Alicia. I’m not perfect -- and there are things about me you don’t know. But you have to believe I love you more than anything in this world. You’re mine, and I’ll do anything to protect you. We have our whole lives to get to know each other, but you have to trust me.”
“I do,” I said and buried my face into his chest. “I trust you.”
His lips brushed my hair. “Good.”
“Does this mean you’ll tell me where we’re going for our honeymoon?”
His chest rumbled with laughter. “No. It’s still a secret.”
* * *
I stood naked in our lavish suite. The narrow streets of Venice stretched below us, awash with twinkling lights. The room shone with the dim flicker of candles, and I fought the urge to turn around and look at my new husband.
Dorian’s orders were explicit. Undress and wait for him.
I glanced at the wedding band, snug on my finger next to the engagement ring, and smiled.
Then footsteps broke the silence, padding across the carpet toward me. I held my breath and waited for his touch. His kiss. The first time we’d make love as a married couple.
“This is my surprise,” he whispered and slipped something cool and heavy around my neck.
It felt like a choker. I fingered it slowly, the ridges of gems uneven under my hands.
“Not Venice?”
His lips smiled against my neck as his strong arms encompassed me from behind. “Venice is a treat. You always wanted to come, right?”
I nodded. “How did you know that?”
“I know all about you, Alicia. Now let me show you your wedding present.”
His powerful body led me away from the window to the full-length mirror, its edges gilded with painted gold. I took in my reflection. The full curves of my breasts and hips, the tuck of my waist. My round thighs and thick calves. Dorian stood more than a head taller than me, his bare, sculpted chest pressed flat against my back.
“Aren’t you beautiful?” he asked and ran his fingers over the collar around my neck.
It sparkled with pink and yellow diamonds, tastefully delicate. I gaped at him in the mirror, then back at the collar.
“I didn’t need this, Dorian!”
His fingers danced up my stomach and cupped my breasts. “No, but I wanted to give it to you. Our wedding vows were only the first part. This is you agreeing to be mine in private. To wear this collar for me and me alone. What do you say, Alicia Black?”
My stomach clenched when he used my new name. Alicia Black. I hadn’t taken the time to let the truth of my situation sink in – not until now.
“What does it entail? I’m already your wife. Is there more?”
Fingertips flitted over my sensitive nipples, exciting my flesh with each gentle caress. “Yes. You’ll be my wife, but you also agree to my control. My desires. Submit to me completely, Alicia. I’ll always take care of you. Keep you safe and love you completely.”
I moaned, my mind clouding with the moment. “I want to but--”
“But what?” he asked and tightened his arms around me.
“If I agree to your control, do you agree to never toss me away? Never leave me for another woman? It’s not fair if this is all one sided.”
He clamped onto my breasts, tenderly squeezing my nips until I gasped in delightful shock. “Yes. I’ll never leave you or toss you aside. And I will never, ever cheat on you. I promise. You’re the only woman for me.”
His green eyes shimmered in the reflection, his face solemn and perfect.
“Then I agree to your terms, Mr. Black.”
As soon as I uttered the words, he spun me around and kissed me. His lips smashed against mine, his hands gripping my back as the thick length of his cock pressed into my belly. Instead of the bed, he pressed my body flush with the window, and his strong hands gripped my thighs and hiked me up.
“They’ll see!” I cried as his lips burned their way down my delicate neck.
“They’ll see what they’re missing. Can’t I show off my new wife?” he groaned and slipped the turgid head of his member along my eager clit.
I shuddered at the pleasure exploding in my sex. The idea overwhelmed me. He wanted to show me off. He wanted people to see how much he loved me. God I hoped the damn window didn’t break!
His mouth clamped over my breast as he guided his slick cock inside. The cool shock of the windowpane against my back eased my feverish flesh.
I wound my fingers in his hair, moaning at each perfectly aimed thrust. Every touch titillated my flesh. His lips, chest and hands, rubbing and holding me with brute strength. The forceful urgency of his hips slamming into mine.
The raw animal passion of the moment filled the air. The scent of our sweat tickled my nose. My body tingled with lusty need, and I relished in the idea that I belonged to Dorian Black – body and soul. He consumed me with his heat, his overwhelming desire, and I succumbed to it willingly. Gladly, even.
His tumescent shaft glided over my clit with every entrance, pushing me closer and closer toward the height of satisfaction. Dorian’s lips met mine as my pussy’s walls tightened around his member. Moaning into his mouth, my body writhed with fervor as he spilled his seed inside me.
“Oh Alicia,” he groaned as the heat of his come dripped down my thighs.
I smiled at him, and we kissed again. Our tongues mingling together while he slowly lowered my feet to the floor.
Pressing his forehead against mine, he smiled and led me back to the bed.
As we collapsed, fighting to catch our breath, I rolled to my side and looked at him. I was Dorian Black’s wife. This would take getting used to.
Then a thought occurred to me – a question I hadn’t thought to ask.
“Am I still your assistant?”
Dorian blinked his eyes and took my ringed hand in his. “No, you’re my partner.”
My heart stopped in my chest, the heat rising to my cheeks. “You know what I meant.”
He smiled seductively. “I don’t know. Are you sure you don’t want a promotion?”
“Like what?”
“CFO?”
I shook my head and kissed his bicep. “Yeah, right. I’d rather work my way up like you did.”
“Oh, you don’t want a promotion for sleeping with your boss?” he teased and palmed my thigh.
Curling up next to him, I took in the rich scent of his skin. The contours of his chest. The gentle curve of his nose. Dorian Black was my husband and I was his wife. Together, we were partners. I smiled, my heart singing its joy while my body hummed its satisfaction.
“No. But I would like to stay your assistant, if you’ll have me,” I said and fingered the collar on my neck.
“Forever,” he said and kissed my forehead tenderly. “I’ll have you until the end of time, Alicia.”
This time, I believed him.
About the author
Carrie Kelly lives in Washington and writes sexy erotic romance with lively heroines and smoking hot heroes. She started writing romance when she lost her main source of income as a freelance writer – and it was the best decision she’s ever made! Besides writing, she spends time with her lovely cats, travels and enjoys wearing ridiculously girly clothes.
Visit Carrie's blog at: http://carriekellyerotica.blogspot.com/
Email Carrie at: [email protected]
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Check out Carrie’s other work on her Amazon page.
