by Leah Brooke
Turning her face toward his, he nipped at her bottom lip. “You’re made for this, Veronica.”
He closed his mouth over hers, kissing her with a firm, slow sensuality that made her head spin.
The backs of his fingers slid back and forth over her nipple in a caress that had her writhing against him.
Lifting her arms, she gripped fistfuls of his silky hair, giving herself over to sensation.
With another groan, Sin lifted his head, wordlessly staring down at her while sliding his hand to her other breast.
“Please, Sin. Take me.”
“No.” Dropping his hand, Sin stood, taking her with him.
Shaking with need, Veronica gaped at him. “You’re not leaving me like this?”
“I am.” Gripping her chin, he yanked her closer. “Don’t forget that I’m in the same condition. It has a tendency to make me a little terse.”
“It’s your fault! You can take me any time you want to, and you know it!”
Gripping her upper arms, he lifted her to her toes. “I’m not looking for a quick lay, Veronica. I’m looking for something else—and I’ve been very honest with you about it. Another thing you might want to consider is that while you’re with me, you’ll submit to my needs. Not yours.”
“Fine!” Furious, she reached down to remove the clips from her nipples, only to have him grab her wrists and pull them away from her body.
“Let go of me. Obviously you don’t need me the way I need you.”
Pulling her hands behind her back with an ease that both alarmed and excited her, Sin leaned her back over his arm. “You have no idea how much I want you. Quick fucks aren’t my thing. If that’s what you’re looking for, perhaps you should look somewhere else.”
Veronica fought to get free, surprised and disappointed when he released her and stepped back. Looking into his eyes, and seeing the disappointment and resignation clouding them, she blew out a breath, her anger dissipating.
“I’m sorry.”
Sin shrugged and went to the sofa to retrieve her blouse.
“There’s nothing to be sorry for. You’re a passionate woman and can’t handle your arousal. I understand that. I need your trust, though, Veronica. I need you to trust that what I do is for both of us.”
Reeling with sensations much stronger than she could have imagined, she lifted her hands to his shoulders. Unable to read his expression, she giggled with nerves, hoping to get him to smile. “I can’t say I’m comfortable with the kind of power you have over me or the fact that I seem to melt every time you touch me.”
To her surprised delight, Sin chuckled softly and hugged her.
“Good. I like making you melt.” Pressing his cheek to her hair, he slid his hands up and down her back. “You’re so passionate—and so impatient. We’re going to have to work on that.”
“Oh.” Being held in his embrace gave her a sense of security as frightening as her arousal.
Sin, always seemingly attuned to her, must have felt her stiffen.
Releasing her, he helped her into her blouse, slowly buttoning it again.
“My bra.”
“No.” He shoved it into her purse before handing the large leather bag to her. Cupping her breasts through the silky material of her blouse, Sin smiled and nipped her bottom lip.
“I always wear a bra.”
“And you will when you’re not with me. Come on. We’re going for a drive before I take you home.”
Veronica blinked, sliding her purse onto her shoulder. “A drive?”
Wrapping an arm around her, he chuckled softly. “Actually, a ride. We’ll take the limo. I want to be able to give you my undivided attention.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“I thought you would.”
Seated in the limo next to him, Veronica sat back and accepted the glass of champagne he offered.
“I could get used to this, but I’ll never be able to even rent a limo on my salary.”
Sin’s lips twitched. “I don’t usually live this way. When I’m home, I prefer to drive my own car, and my security stays outside for the most part. Besides, you spend a lot of money keeping up with the maintenance on your grandmother’s home.”
Raising his voice, he spoke to the chauffer. “Take the long way. Thirty minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
Pressing a button, Sin closed the partition and turned to her again. “Before you ask how I know—she told me. She’s very proud of you.”
Embarrassed, Veronica looked away, taking a sip of her drink. “Where’s home for you?”
Frowning, Sin tucked the champagne bottle away and leaned back, his eyes enigmatic in the faint light. “L.A.”
He gestured to the seat facing him. “Sit over there and open your blouse. I want to look at you.”
Veronica blinked when he turned on the low light directly over the opposite seat, leaving him in darkness.
Looking around, she slid across the carpeted expanse and settled onto the seat across from him. Setting her glass aside, she toyed with the highest button he’d left open and looked out the windows on each side.
She looked back at him, disconcerted at being unable to see him clearly.
“What if someone sees me?”
“This is all about trust, Veronica. Hesitating and questioning my demands is one way of earning yourself a trip over my knee.”
Glancing up, she noticed the dark windows and realized that he’d positioned her so that her back was toward the driver.
“Can’t I be nervous about someone seeing me?”
“Nervousness is something you’re going to have to learn to work through.”
Sin sighed and refilled both of their glasses.
“Although the idea of being exposed arouses you, we’ll save that for the island. No one can see through these windows, and I closed the partition. We’re going to have to resolve this trust issue before we go away. Now, unbutton the blouse and let me see what belongs to me.”
Veronica took a steadying breath, and with shaking fingers, slowly unbuttoned her blouse, parting the sides to expose her breasts.
“Hands at your sides.”
Taking a shaky breath, she lowered her hands to her sides, feeling sexy and beautiful under his appreciative stare. “Now what?”
Chuckling, Sin handed her the glass she’d set aside. “And now we talk. Do you have any questions?”
Veronica didn’t hesitate. “The people that we saw at the club—you said that sometimes a Dominant will share his submissive. Do you really promise not to share me?”
“Yes. I told you. I’m selfish with my toys. You have no idea how much satisfaction I get seeing you adorned with jewelry I bought for you and to know that those breasts belong to me.”
He leaned forward, running his hand over her breast. “You’re absolutely breathtaking.”
Arching into his caress, Veronica moaned and lifted a hand to his shoulder. “God that feels good.”
“Yes. It does.” He moved back to his seat again. “Do you have any other questions? I was sure you’d be full of them.”
Missing his touch, Veronica took another sip of champagne, wishing it went to her head the way Sin’s touch did. “Why didn’t you undress me? Why didn’t you want to see the rest of me?”
Sin picked up his own glass again. “I told you. The first time, I wanted you to undress for me. I wanted you to reveal what you were giving to me.”
Leaning close again, he touched his glass to her nipple, smiling at her gasp.
“As for the other, I have every intention of exploring the rest of you. I didn’t want to overwhelm you tonight.”
Gripping her own glass tighter, Veronica squeezed her thighs together, but it did nothing to relieve the ache.
“You certainly did that. I can’t believe how sexy it makes me feel. I feel beautiful when I’m with you.”
Her face burned at the admission, one she hadn’t intended to make.
Leaning forward, S
in touched his lips to her nipple.
“You are beautiful. Your sensuality only makes you more so.” He lifted his head, staring into her eyes. “If you go to the island with me, I’m going to teach you things about yourself that’ll change the way you think about yourself forever.”
Sitting back in his seat, he took a sip of champagne. “Now I have a few questions for you.”
Taking another sip of champagne to ease her dry throat, Veronica nodded. “Okay.”
“Did you really get your vacation approved?”
Veronica smiled and nodded. “Yes. My boss was actually relieved. I don’t take all of my vacation each year, and I have a lot of time built up.”
“Good.”
On impulse, Veronica slid to the floor in front of him, kneeling between his splayed thighs and running her hands up them.
“So, you’ve decided to take me to the island?”
Sin didn’t answer at first, his silence chilling her.
Setting his glass aside, he reached out to stroke her hair, turning off the interior light and plunging them into almost complete darkness.
“I think taking you to the island with me would be the most memorable experience of my life.”
Veronica’s heart leapt. “That’s a yes!”
Taking her hands in his, he shrugged. “We’ll see how the rest of the week goes. You may change your mind.”
“I won’t.”
“We’ll see.” Pulling her onto his lap, he nuzzled her neck, his hand closing over her breast, his gentle massage in no way disguising his hunger.
With a sigh, he buttoned her blouse again.
“What time do you get home from work?”
“About six.”
Veronica stiffened as they turned onto her street.
Quiet and watchful, Sin walked her to her door, kissing her lightly before ushering her inside.
“Would you like to come in?”
“If I did, I wouldn’t leave.” Brushing her hair back from her face, he smiled faintly and shook his head. “I want you to sleep naked tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
* * * *
For the first time in her life, Veronica slipped between the sheets naked.
The new locks made her feel safe again, so she could relax and think about Sin.
Closing her eyes, she ran her hands over her breasts, remembering the way it had felt when Sin caressed her.
No one had ever touched her that way before.
No one else had ever made her world spin with just a kiss.
And the way he looked at her…
She closed her eyes, unable to get the image from her mind.
He was everything she’d ever fantasied about in a man and more.
Everything she’d always dreamed of in a lover.
With so little effort, he’d melted the block of ice that had surrounded her for years.
The sound of her phone ringing interrupted her thoughts. She reached for it, but quickly realized that it wasn’t ringing.
And then she remembered.
Scrambling from her bed, she went to her purse to retrieve the phone Sin had given her, irritated that she’d forgotten all about charging it.
Surprised to find an envelope on top of it, she took both out and hurriedly answered the phone.
“Hello?”
“Are you in bed?”
“I was. I, um, forgot about the phone. I left it in my purse.”
“Keep it charged, Veronica. I want to be able to get in touch with you.”
“Okay.”
The ensuing silence reminded her that once she was on the island, she would have to address him as Sir.
Unnerved by his silence, Veronica studied the envelope. “Did you put the envelope into my purse?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“The contract you’ll need to sign before we go to the island. I’ve already made notes on it and crossed some things out. We’ll discuss anything that you’re uncomfortable with tomorrow night.”
“Oh. Okay. And you’ll cross it out?”
“I said we’ll discuss it, Veronica. Some things are not negotiable with me. If you decide that you can’t accept the terms, it’s better to know now.”
Lowering herself to the side of the bed, Veronica frowned, her stomach knotting. “So you can take someone else?”
“Goodnight, Veronica.”
Chapter Eight
With her body still humming from the erotic dreams inspired by Sin’s late-night phone call, Veronica walked into the bank.
Conscious of her co-workers’ curious looks, she forced herself to slow her steps, which had a spring in them that hadn’t been there before.
Glancing around, she met their smiles with her own. “Good morning.”
Of course, Robert confronted her. “You look happy today. You must have had a good night.”
After putting her purse away, she tried to step around him, her smile falling when he blocked her. “I did. Get out of my way, Robert.”
Leaning close, he stared into her eyes briefly before letting his gaze rake over her. “There’s something different about you today. You’re looser. Sexier.”
She’d dressed in a black skirt she’d worn several times to work, pairing it with a purple silk blouse she hadn’t worn before and her black heels.
She hadn’t been able to find the small gold ball earrings she usually wore to work, so she’d worn a pair of small hoops, loving the way they felt each time they brushed against her neck.
It reminded her of the way Sin’s lips had felt brushing against there.
“I’m sure you’re mistaken.” Veronica started to move past him again, only to be thwarted when he gripped her shoulders.
“Get your hands off of me.”
Robert bent, pulling her closer. “You’re wearing perfume. What’s going on? You usually just wear scented lotion.”
“What I wear is none of your business!” She shoved at him with enough force to gain her freedom. “How the hell do you know what I wear anyway?”
She gasped at the hard glint of evil delight in his eyes.
“You’re the one who’s been breaking into my house!”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I wouldn’t break into your house. You’re getting delusional, darling.”
Her boss, Jacob Henderson, came into view, straightening to his full height of five feet four inches tall. “What’s going on here?”
Shooting Robert a glare, Veronica straightened.
“Nothing. A small disagreement. I apologize for the disruption.”
She glanced at the cabinet where she and Karen kept their purses and went back to it, retrieving her keys.
He’d obviously taken her other key and made a duplicate.
He wouldn’t get the chance again.
Robert smiled at her boss, his hard look in her direction promising retribution.
“Veronica has obviously mistaken friendliness for romantic interest.” Robert brushed an imaginary piece of link from his immaculate suit. “I’m afraid Miss Sands has been pursuing me and turned quite nasty when I rejected her.”
Veronica gasped, so furious that she wanted to hit him. “You lying bastard!”
“That’s enough.” Mr. Henderson’s lips thinned. “I won’t have this conduct in the workplace. Mr. Kincaid, Miss Sands has worked here for several years with no complaints. You, on the other hand, have been transferred at least a half a dozen times in the last three years. Although it wasn’t mentioned in your record, there have been rumors. If there’s any trouble here, I’m going to have to side with Miss Sands.”
Her boss’s eyes flashed. “Any complaints from her will go on your record when I terminate you. Are we clear?”
Robert’s gaze slid to Veronica, his eyes glittering with hatred. “Crystal.”
For the rest of the day, the tension in the bank could be cut with a knife.
Several of her co-workers approached her when her boss and Robert weren’t ar
ound, commiserating with her and complaining about Robert.
Right before lunchtime, Karen sidled up to her. “It’s about time that asshole got taken down a peg or two. Most of us heard what happened. Everyone’s on your side.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t let that son of a bitch get to you. My guess is that he won’t be here much longer.”
Just to be on the safe side, Veronica spent her lunch hour at the police station, telling them of her suspicions.
She felt somewhat relieved when she left, knowing that at least she’d filed a report.
Robert’s dark looks continued for the rest of the day, putting her in a rotten mood. By the time she left work, she had a headache and wanted nothing more than to go home, open a bottle of wine, and soak in a hot bath.
To her surprise, her cell phone—the one Sin had given her—rang shortly after she pulled out of the parking lot.
She thought briefly about ignoring it but feared that Sin would take it as a sign that she’d changed her mind.
Digging it out of her pocket, she answered on the third ring, inflecting a hint of happiness she didn’t feel.
“Hello, Sin. How are you?”
She quickly connected the phone so she could talk hands free.
“I’m fine.” A brief hesitation followed. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just a long day at work. A headache.”
Another brief silence followed.
“I thought we’d already settled this issue.”
Veronica gulped, the icy threat in his tone sending a ripple of alarm through her.
“What issue?”
“Lying to me, Veronica. Are you sure this is the path you want to take?”
Lifting her gaze, she watched in the rearview mirror as Robert left the bank, staring in her direction as he passed her. “I told you. I just had a bad day. I’m in a bad mood. Tonight’s probably not a good night for us to—”
“It’s a perfect night. You need to have something else to think about. When you’re in the right frame of mind, I’ll find out what’s bothering you.”
The thought of seeing him had already begun to improve her mood. “You know something?”
“What’s that, sweetheart?”
Warmed by the endearment, Veronica grinned. “The best thing about a man who pays attention and notices everything is that he makes an incredible lover.”
