Sin's Magic [Rapture Island 3] (Siren Publishing: The Leah Brooke Collection)

by Leah Brooke

  Jordan’s lips twitched as he dropped into the chair in front of Sin’s desk and removed his tie, stuffing it into his pocket.

  “I do. You handled it well. You even caught the fact that Ed Silvers needed to be fired.”

  Frowning, Sin went to the bar and poured each of them a drink.

  “You knew about that?” He smiled faintly and turned with the drinks. “What am I saying? Of course you knew. Why didn’t you take care of it already?”

  Accepting his drink, Jordan smiled faintly, tossing the folder onto Sin’s desk. “For the same reason that I’ve kept you involved in the company from the start. It was the first company your father and I bought together. It was our start. Building helicopters.”

  Sin dropped into the seat next to him. “I know. It was a run-down company that you and my father made profitable. After his death, you expanded the hell out of it. Government contracts and then building a luxury line.”

  “M&K Air made it possible for me to do everything else.”

  Sin sipped his drink. “And made me a fortune. It allowed me to get lost in illusion when I really needed it.”

  “And now you no longer need that world?”

  Thinking of Veronica, Sin sighed and sipped his drink. “No. I realized a few years ago that I was sick and tired of it. The tours were great at first, and I loved travelling. But I want something more. I want to settle down.”

  He allowed a small smile.

  “I sure as hell didn’t expect to find the woman that I wanted so soon.”

  Jordan tossed back the remainder of his drink and rose, heading to the bar to pour himself another.

  “It seems to happen when you least expect it.” After pouring his drink, he crossed to the window. “Just be careful.”

  Sin smiled. “I love her.” Rising, he reached for his phone again. “For some reason, she’s not answering my calls. I hope she’s not still working at her grandmother’s house.”

  Jordan turned. “Before you try again, I need for you to sign those papers.”

  “Sure.” He reached for a pen. “What is it?”

  Jordan finished his drink and set his glass aside.

  “Half of M&K was your father’s, and therefore yours. I’m giving you the other half.”

  Sin stilled, searching Jordan’s features as he slowly straightened again.

  “What?” He’d never expected Jordan to give up the first business he’d ever owned, a business that was now worth close to a billion dollars.

  Jordan’s lips twitched.

  “You need something you can sink your teeth into. Your father was the driving force when we first bought it, and I think he’d like that you have it.”

  “I can’t accept this!”

  “Sure you can. Call it a wedding present. I’ve already signed it over to you. Just sign at the bottom so I can get it to the attorney in the morning. Then you can call your woman again. Sin, it’s yours. I’ve taken care of it over the years, but I always intended to give my half to you. Do with it what you will.”

  Sin watched his friend and mentor leave, cursing under his breath.

  He wished like hell his friend would find happiness again and would love to have the opportunity to wrap his hands around the throat of the woman who’d hurt him so badly.

  With a sigh, he reached for his phone, intent on dealing with his own woman, his guts in knots at the thought of her getting away.

  * * * *

  Still reeling from her conversation with the two detectives that had paid her a visit that afternoon, Veronica ripped the tape from another box.

  Robert had had all of her missing belongings at his house, and the key from her old lock on his keychain.

  He had been the one stalking her.

  He’d also had a box in the trunk of his car with rope, masking tape, and a sharp knife, which the detectives suspected he’d planned to use on her.

  Every time she thought about it, she wanted to throw up.

  Pausing to take a sip of the ginger ale her grandmother always kept on hand, she thought about the night she’d met Sin.

  She smiled and took another sip just as her phone began ringing again.

  By the third ring, she’d found it and hurriedly answered. “Sin!”

  “Where the hell have you been?”

  Wincing at his tone, Veronica dropped onto the sofa. “I’ve been right here. Somehow my phone got packed, and I’ve been going through boxes looking for it. Every time you’ve called, I’ve managed to narrow it down.”

  Sin sighed, his relief evident.

  “How’s the packing going?”

  Leaning back, Veronica closed her eyes. “I can’t believe how much we got done. Now that we’ve stopped for the day, I really feel it.”

  “It sounds like you need a massage.”

  Smiling, Veronica rose and began turning off the few lamps that remained.

  “Hmm. That sounds interesting. A massage from a Dominant.”

  After a brief pause, Sin blew out a breath. “You know that I want to be more than that, don’t you?”

  Gathering her purse and keys, Veronica paused. “I have to admit that I don’t really know what you want from me.”

  “I want you to be mine. I want to take care of you, Veronica. I plan to spoil you rotten and tie you to me with so much love that you’ll never want to escape.”

  Sucking in a breath, Veronica blinked back tears, love for him grabbing her by the throat.

  “And the other?”

  “I need to protect you, Veronica. It’s ingrained in me. If you put yourself in danger or lie to me, I can’t do that. I can’t allow it, so I’ll have to do something about it.”

  “Why do you sound like you’d enjoy it?”

  “In some instances, I would, especially if we were playing. But, if you pissed me off by putting yourself in danger or lying to me, it would be an exercise in teaching you your boundaries.”

  “Boundaries?”

  “There are lines I can’t allow you to cross, not because I don’t love you but because I love you too damned much. I can’t let you put yourself at risk. Do you understand?”

  “I’m not a damned child to be reprimanded, Sin.”

  “No. You’re not. You’re a grown woman, and you have a man in your life who loves you very much. I need to know you trust me and that you’re safe. I have every intention of fulfilling your needs, and I expect you to at least try to give me what I need. Is that too much to ask from a grown woman?”

  Frowning, Veronica leaned back against the door.

  “Okay, when you say it like that, you make me feel stupid. Of course I’m going to try to give you what you need. I’m just not used to being taken care of.”

  “Get used to it. You sound tired. Go home and get some rest.”

  “I will. Wait! How was your day?”

  “Interesting. Just meetings. How much longer do you think it’ll take to finish cleaning out your grandmother’s house?”

  Smiling at the impatience in his voice, Veronica glanced around, saddened to see the rooms so empty. Blinking back tears at the thought of how quickly she’d packed away her grandmother’s life, she wrapped her arms around herself.

  “Why?”

  “Because I want you out here with me and because you’re already worn out. I can hear the tears in your voice. Do you have any idea what that does to me?”

  Stunned, she blinked against the fresh tears welling and forced a smile. “So what are you planning to do tonight?”

  “Getting the playroom ready.”

  Veronica’s purse and keys hit the floor, her knees rubbery as she sank into her grandmother’s chair.

  “What? You’re really working on a playroom?”

  “I told you I was. I always intended to have one of my own, but I’d only started it. Now that you’re coming out, I’m very motivated to get it done.”

  “Oh. With all your toys and that crop you talked about?”

  Sin chuckled. “Yes. I’ve also purch
ased several other things to use on your delicious body.”

  Veronica shivered. “Oh.”

  Sin sighed. “There’s nothing to be scared of. I’m going to want to take you to my playroom from time to time, Veronica, but not until you’re ready.”

  Veronica gulped, thinking about the restraints at the hotel and how much she’d enjoyed them. “Oh.”

  Sin’s low chuckle sent a shiver of delight through her. “I’ve been looking forward to taking you there since you called me an asshole.”

  Her pulse leapt, the memory of what it had felt like to be over his knee inciting a riot of sensations inside her.

  Gathering her keys and purse, she rose unsteadily and reached for her coat.

  “Um. I didn’t know you then. You’re not going to make me pay for that, are you?”

  “Of course not. Transgressions are dealt with immediately. I thought it was adorable, but that doesn’t mean I’ll think it is if you ever call me that again.”

  An erotic shiver went through her at the warning in his tone.

  Frowning that the threat of a punishment spanking could arouse her, she opened the door, locking it behind her. Once outside, she took several deep breaths of the frigid air, but Sin’s next words made her hot all over again.

  “If that happens, you’ll be over my knee with your panties at your ankles before you can blink.”

  Veronica gulped again, stumbling as she made her way to her car. “Oh. Damn it, Sin. You shouldn’t be allowed to arouse me when you’re not here to do anything about it.”

  “If it makes you feel any better, the thought of having you over my knee again has made me just as uncomfortable. Text me when you get home. I’ll call you tomorrow. Don’t pack the damned phone.”

  * * * *

  The next day, Veronica kept her phone by her side, and when Sin called in the late afternoon, she answered on the first ring.

  “Hello, gorgeous.”

  Sin’s soft chuckle rippled through her, her low arousal at it no longer surprising.

  “Hello, yourself. Do you miss me?”

  Studying her nails, Veronica pretended to consider that. “Maybe.”

  “Maybe? I think I need a better answer than that.”

  Covering her mouth to suppress the giggle at his threatening tone, Veronica struggled to keep her tone cool.

  “Well, maybe if you could refresh my memory about what I should be missing, I might be able to give you a better answer.”

  A long silence followed, and she’d just begun to get nervous that she’d offended him when his voice, like warm silk, came back over the line.

  “You, my darling submissive, are in a great deal of trouble when I see you again. I understand you’ll be finishing up there today.”

  Surprised at the change of subject, Veronica swallowed heavily and nodded.

  “Yes. The company you hired is amazing. They’ve already priced things and have a sale arranged for this weekend, and the things that I wanted have been packed up and taken to my house. The realtor came, and after the sale this weekend, he’ll put the house on the market.”

  “It sounds like everything is taken care of. Have you quit your job yet?”

  “No.”

  “I see. Hmm. I guess it’s a good thing I spent last night working on the playroom.”

  Desire hit her hard, making it more difficult to keep up her playful tone.

  “Really? Would you like to tell me what’s in there?””

  “That’s something you’ll find out for yourself.”

  “How many women have you had in there since you started it?”

  “You forget, my little submissive, that I only dominated women in the club. The women I dated would have run screaming if they’d even known the room existed. No, baby. I started that room with the intention of using it with a woman I planned to spend my life with. You.”

  Sucking in a breath, she dropped to one of her grandmother’s outdoor chairs.

  “What?” Her heart pounded so fast it made her dizzy.

  “You heard me. That room’s for you, and your sassy answers tell me that, although I wanted to give you time to get used to the idea, you’re in desperate need of a session in there.”

  Veronica gasped, memories of their time on the island igniting fires in every erogenous zone.

  She opened and closed her mouth several times, but nothing came out.

  “I see I finally have you speechless. Let’s see how much talking you’ll be doing once I get you to the playroom. Sam will pick you up at eight. Wear the red dress and pack a bag. You’re spending the rest of the week here with me.”

  He hung up, not giving her the chance to answer, leaving her shaking with a need that only Sin could inspire.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Promptly at eight, a knock sounded at her door.

  Taking a deep breath, Veronica pressed a hand to her belly and went to answer it, unsurprised to find Sam outside.

  Before she knew it, she and her luggage had been whisked away, from a luxury car to the private jet they’d flown in when her grandmother had been attacked into another luxury car and delivered to Sin’s doorstep.

  The Mediterranean-style house, illuminated by a multitude of outdoor lights, seemed to go on forever.

  “Good God.”

  Sam led her up the front stairs and opened the front door.

  As she stepped through the doorway, the first thing Veronica saw was Sin, finding her gaze caught and held in his steady one as he made his way toward her.

  Dressed in nothing but a pair of the black, loose cotton pants he’d worn on the island, he crossed a large foyer, his bare feet silent on the hardwood floor.

  Distantly aware of the door closing behind her, she stood motionless, her heart skipping a beat at the unmistakable love and hunger in Sin’s eyes.

  Without a word, he closed the distance between them. With a hand at her back and one at her nape, he bent, taking her lips in a kiss designed to overwhelm.

  Consumed by the heat and possessiveness in his kiss, Veronica clung to him, knowing that she’d found everything she’d been looking for.

  Lifting his head, Sin smiled, a half-smile that did funny things to her stomach.

  “That’s what I wanted to do to you when you stood in the aisle and called me an asshole.”

  Veronica’s giggle ended in a sigh, and wrapping her arms around his neck, she grinned up at him.

  “If you only knew what I was thinking while I watched you on stage…”

  Raising a brow, he watched her, his eyes glittering. “Really. Pray tell.”

  Loving his teasing, Veronica slid her hands up his chest to his shoulders. “Nope. You’ll just get more conceited.”

  His eyes narrowed, the erotic threat in them tripping her pulse.

  “I can make you tell me.”

  “I doubt it.”

  “If that’s not a challenge, I don’t know what is.”

  The next thing she knew, she was over his shoulder, staring down at the floor.

  “Sin! What are you doing?”

  A sharp slap landed on her ass, the heat of it spreading with alarming speed.

  “Put me down, damn it!” She kicked her feet when another slap heated her ass even more. “Ow!”

  After turning down another hallway, he paused in front of a door.

  “Stop wiggling so I can unlock the door.”

  Veronica’s first view of Sin’s playroom came from an upside-down position, but it didn’t make it any less terrifying.

  The low lights gleamed off of everything metal, making each appear even more sinister.

  Stopping near the center of the room, Sin bent and set her on her feet, running his hands up her sides as he straightened.

  Gripping her chin, he stared into her eyes, a devious smile curving his lips.

  “If I remember correctly, you asked me to remind you why you should miss me.”

  Veronica gulped, just beginning to realize the extent of her lover’s wi
ckedness.

  “What are you going to do to me?”

  “Why, darling, I’m just going to give you the reminder you requested.” Circling her, he ran the tips of his fingers up and down her arms, sending chills of delight through her.

  He paused behind her, sliding her hair aside to unzip her dress.

  “As much as seeing you in this dress delights me, I’d much rather see you out of it.”

  Her breathing shallowed, the slide of his fingers on her skin as he lowered her zipper making it difficult to breathe.

  “Well, well. What do we have here?”

  Veronica smiled at his shocked tone, her smile falling and a moan escaping when he ran his hands over her stockings from behind.

  Beneath the red dress he loved so much, she wore a black lace bra, matching thong, and black thigh-high stockings.

  Urging her to lift one foot and then the other, he picked up her dress and moved to stand in front of her, his eyes like molten lava.

  He tossed her dress to land on a nearby table, his gaze raking up and down her body before meeting hers again.

  “If you aren’t a vision.”

  Still dressed in her high heels, she knew she looked good, but with Sin looking at her with eyes filled with appreciation and hunger, she felt like a temptress.

  Smiling again as he circled behind her, she turned to find him over her shoulder.

  “Maybe I wanted to make sure that you missed me.”

  Unable to see him, she started to turn, gasping when his hands closed on her waist.

  Nuzzling her ear, he slid his hands higher to cup her breasts. “Don’t move.”

  His lips moved over her neck and shoulders, sending shivers of pleasure to her nipples, making them bead tighter and ache with the need for his touch.

  “Sin.” His name came out on a moan as he unclasped her bra.

  “Shhh.”

  The backs of his fingers slid slowly down her arms as he removed her bra, his teeth scraping a path of sizzling heat over her neck and shoulders.

  “So soft. So sweet. So sexy.” He tossed her bra to land on top of her dress as he moved to stand in front of her again.

  His hooded gaze swept over her. “And all mine.”