Misguided Control (The Control Series Book 3)

by Anna Edwards

  "Of course, Mr Ashworth. Is she alright?"

  "Had a bit of a shock. She'll be fine." Callum directed Marie into his office and to the comfortable chair. She hadn't spoken since they'd left the boardroom. She was shaking even though she still had a great big thick coat on.

  "Marie, I need to take your jacket off. You're going to get too hot."

  He was hanging it on his coat stand when Sam brought in the drinks.

  "I popped a drop of brandy in Marie's. She looks like she needs it."

  "We have brandy in the kitchen?"

  "We have a fantastic selection of spirits in the kitchen."

  "Is Mr North aware of that?"

  "Given he asks Mr Carter to keep it stocked, I suspect so."

  "Alright, I won't question it, then.”

  “You’re going to take a mouthful, babes. You had me terribly worried with that tantrum."

  Sam lingered.

  "Sam, I'll take it from here. I've that meeting at three that you'll need to cancel."

  "Alright boss, if you need me though, just call."

  Callum brought the cup to Marie's quivering lips again.

  "Here, drink some more."

  She did, her big eyes looking up at him.

  "I've missed you." She finally spoke.

  "I love you. Please tell me that we can work through this."

  "We can. I'm just scared."

  "I know." He knelt down in front of her. "It was never my intention to hurt you. I know I withheld a vital truth about myself, partly for selfish reasons, but it was also to help you. I haven't known you long my little kitten, but I know how that brain of yours works. If you'd known the truth at the start, you would have doubted yourself. Doubted your feelings for me because of the life you'd lived for so long. I wanted you to step out from that life and feel free to make a decision without thinking about the consequences. I just didn't bank on me being the first one to admit to being in love with you. I didn't realise how hard I would fall for you. We may come from different lives, but I will never feel ashamed of where you've come from because it has made you the person you are. You needed to know that as well. Despite your fears, I think you do. We've both been stupid and chosen misguided paths in our lives but not anymore for me. I know what I want, and I hope you want it also."

  "What do you want?"

  "You, a family, a happy ever ever." He shifted, so he knelt on only one knee before her. "Marry me?"

  "What?"

  "Marry me?"

  The corners of her mouth turned up into a smile.

  "Yes." Her answer was confused but adamant. "I love you. I think my body has always loved you since the moment I first met you. It just took my mind a little while to catch up. Yes, I'll marry you. I love you. I love you. I love you."

  Their lips crushed together as the emotion of the declarations took over. He pulled her off the chair and down onto the floor with him. Her mouth parted to allow his searching tongue admission. A blazing heat met his thrusting.

  "What did you have for lunch?"

  "Chili and ginger croutons."

  "Explains a lot."

  "Well, I expected to be avoiding you for the rest of the day. Maybe we should send Miss Bridgewater a thank you note. She got us talking again."

  "We'll give her the exclusive on the engagement."

  She pulled away. "Seriously?"

  "Joke. Do you think I'm nuts?"

  "Maybe a little."

  He growled. His voice reverberating around the office. "Oh, my little kitten. I really need to teach you that it isn't good to tease a Dom. Especially one that is going to take you somewhere quiet and secluded for a month for your honeymoon. I want you on your knees."

  Her eyes flicked to the door. "James?"

  "James will deal with the press release. You have nothing to worry about. But if it makes you feel better." He got up, went to the door, and locked it.

  "I want you on your knees. Palms face upward on your thighs, head upright but eyes down." He could see her flush when she realised what was happening but then she obeyed him without question. He would enjoy discovering the submission side of Marie's personality as much as he was finding the side that made them equals and lovers.

  He strode confidently over to her and stood before her. "You look beautiful at my feet. Whenever we are playing this is the position you will assume. Understand?"

  "Yes, Callum."

  "Good. Now how would you like to serve me?"

  "I would like to make you come."

  "How do you wish to do that. Inside that sweet little pussy of yours? On those beautiful tits? Or maybe in that naughty little mouth."

  "In my mouth. Please, Callum."

  "I like that idea very much. But first…" She'd been eating chilli and ginger. He may enjoy a little bit of pleasurable pain with his sex, but he wasn't a masochist. He retrieved a toothbrush and paste from his drawer and handed them to her. "Clean your teeth. We may have to keep a better eye on what goes in your mouth in future."

  "Again, I didn't expect to be talking to you, let alone sucking your dick this afternoon."

  It didn’t take long for her to clean her teeth and return.

  "Take me out of my trousers. Don't put me in your mouth, yet, though."

  "Yes."

  "Yes?"

  "Yes, Callum."

  He watched as she undid his belt and fly. The button holding his suit pants up was unhooked, and she slid them down his toned thighs. His cock was so hard already that she had to be careful not to catch on it on the way down. He was commando, as always, and sprung free, almost hitting her face. She took him in her hands and massaged up and down his length. Damn, she was good.

  Her eyes never left his cock. He could see her studying the throbbing purple head with each stroke. The veins on the underside pulsated with the stimulation she was giving him. He groaned, and she looked up at him.

  "May I take it in my mouth now please?"

  "I want you to lick him slowly, up the length and over the crown."

  She did, and he fisted his hand into her hair to pull her head to the side a little so he could watch what she was doing. She looked amazing with his cock in her mouth. Heat was building at the bottom of his shaft already, he was going to come like a virgin getting sucked for the first time.

  "Suck my balls."

  He planted his feet squarely on the floor and gripped the desk with the hand not entwined in her hair. She took a testicle sac into her mouth. He looked to the heavens, thanking whatever God had sent him this angel. She returned to his cock and took as much of it as she could into her mouth. Her throat vibrated around him. With the hand in her hair, he guided her to pace, and for a few moments, he just felt everything that was happening to him. The wet noises of her sucking, and the feeling of being deep in her throat. Her teeth lightly scraped his length again, and he hissed out a growl. He was going to come.

  "Marie, if you don't want to swallow me, you need to stop now."

  She didn't, and within a second he was exploding down the back of her throat. She was trying her hardest to keep it all inside her mouth, but a little tumbled out and ran down her chin. When he finally pulled out with a pop, she licked around to clear up the escaping essence.

  "I knew you'd taste fantastic."

  He shut his eyes and lost himself for a few seconds longer. When he opened them, she had gone back to slave position awaiting her next request.

  "I want you over my desk. Tits flat to it, arse in the air." She hurried to her feet and lay over the desk exactly as he'd asked. She was a vision, a perfect spectacle laid out for him. He knelt down behind her and without ceremony, ripped her panties from her body.

  "Hey, I might need them."

  "I'll get you more. Actually. New rule. No knickers in the office."

  "I do believe I'm Mr North's PA not yours." He smacked her hard on the backside, and a flawless red handprint appeared.

  "Ouch!"

  He smacked her on the other cheek and stood b
ack to admire his handy work.

  "You know, I think I'll get a framed picture of that for our bedroom one day."

  "You will not. I'm not having Owen coming in and asking why you have a picture of my bottom on the wall."

  "That boy has been mollycoddled by females most of his life. It's about time he had a male influence."

  "You are not giving him pointers on being a Dom."

  "No." He laughed. "I did actually mean he needs a man to teach him about football and stuff like that. I'll wait till he's a little older for the lady bits." He met Marie's eyes, they watered tears again. "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing. Everything is perfect. You'll be a great father figure to Owen."

  "I hope so."

  "I know so."

  He ran a hand over her silky folds. They were sodden with arousal for him. His cock hardened again (so much for the thirty-minute wait) and he pushed slowly into her. He wanted to savour every moment of her pussy clamping down on him in welcome.

  It didn't take either of them long to reach orgasm. Afterwards, when they'd dressed, he sat in his chair with Marie in his arms. She was half asleep, and he stroked her hair. It had been over an hour since James had disappeared with the press release and he hoped that it wouldn't be long before he came back with it changed. He couldn't prevent the world knowing that this amazing woman was his, he couldn't stop the world from judging her past, but he'd damn well make sure that until his dying day he would love and protect her.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Marie

  "Owen, no. I just tidied that up." The pile of toys came crashing down on the floor. Marie sighed with frustration.

  "I want Mr Red." The little boy was searching for his favourite red car.

  "Callum!" He poked his head round the door. "Please. Can you take Owen, wash his face, and put the tie on?"

  "I don't want a tie."

  "You need it to look beautiful. Please, for MeeMee."

  "Don't want a tie, want cars. Brooooooooooommmmmmmm." Cars littered all over the floor, and she put her head in her hands.

  "Why don't you go check on your mum while I tidy this up and sort Owen out." Callum appeared, put his arms around her waist, and pressed a line of little kisses to her neck.

  "You'll put him in the tie?"

  "He doesn't need it." She wriggled out of his cuddle.

  "Please. I want everything to be perfect for your mother and father. They’re used to visiting the Queen. Not a crazy family from Hoxton without an ounce of good breeding. Oh God, he's going to hate me. He won't allow us to marry. I can see it now." The breath was suddenly very short in her lungs.

  Callum brought her into his arms and kissed the top of her forehead. "Breathe. They will love you, just as much as I do. Trust me. Owen doesn't need a tie. Am I wearing one?"

  She looked down at the black t-shirt and blue jeans he was wearing.

  "No but..."

  "No buts. Owen is fine as he his. You're sexy as you are. The house is spotlessly tidy. You've prepared enough food to feed the entire Protection Department for a month, and I love you for it. Now. How about we open that bottle of champagne in the fridge and get this engagement dinner started?"

  "I'm totally freaking out aren't I?"

  "Just a little. There was no come back from the article. Everything will be all right." Miss Bridgewater’s article still contained all the facts about Marie’s time in Hoxton and the death of her sister, but Callum's father's press secretary had put out a statement stating she and Callum were engaged, and she was a strong and resilient lady to take the responsibility of looking after her family under such adversity. It had detailed how public services had failed to help her, and an investigation had been started to ensure that they were not failing any other families in the area. She'd been hailed as a heroine in the press' eyes, and they were all calling out for photos of her and Callum together.

  Callum had been by her side the entire time.

  Owen had questioned why Uncle Callum got to sleep in with her, and he didn't anymore. She'd told him that he was a big boy now and he was allowed his own room because he was very brave. She couldn't help laughing afterwards when Owen asked Callum if he wanted to borrow his night light as Callum wasn't brave enough to sleep on his own. They'd discussed Owen's future as well. Marie was his legal guardian. She'd wanted to adopt him, but it hadn't been possible up until now. Callum had stated that as soon as they were married, they would look to do it in both their names; making sure to keep the Easton in there somewhere so he could remember his mother.

  The doorbell rang just as Callum popped open the champagne.

  "Oh my god they are here." Her hands holding the flutes started to tremble. Callum grabbed them from her.

  "Well go open the door then." Her mother demanded, while placing some nuts in a bowl. "You can't leave them standing at the door all day."

  Callum took her hand and led her to the front door.

  "You sure they're not going to hate me."

  "Only if you don't open the door and leave them standing out in the cold."

  She took a deep breath, checked her appearance one final time in the ornate hallway mirror and opened the door. Callum's parents smiling faces stood the other side. His father had a bouquet of pink and purple flowers and a bottle of red wine. They were not dressed as she expected in a full dinner suit and an evening gown but in casual attire. Callum's father was not even wearing a tie.

  "Mr and Mrs Ashworth. Please come in."

  "Marie." His mother pulled her into her arms and held her tight. "It is so lovely to finally meet you properly. Callum has told us so much about you. I'm Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Betty for short, and this is my husband, David, but we just call him Dave."

  "Dave?" Marie tried not to laugh. The Prime Minster was known to friends and family as Dave. And his wife was Betty.

  "I know. Not what you expect a politician to be called."

  She moved onto hugging her son while Dave passed Marie the wine and flowers he carried.

  "Please take a seat. Callum was just opening some champagne. I'll just put the flowers in a vase."

  Owen chose that moment to speed from his bedroom into the lounge, flying his car. He ran straight up to Callum's parents, jumping on his father's lap.

  "Owen. No." She almost dropped the flowers and wine as she scrambled to get to Owen. "You mustn't jump on our guests without asking. Remember your manners."

  "Sorry, MeeMee." He pushed his bottom lip out and pouted.

  "That looks like a good car. How fast does it go? Have you got one I can play with?" Dave got down on the floor next to Owen. Owen looked up at her as if asking if he could play. She nodded.

  "Marie," Betty spoke. "You make Callum happy, and he wants to marry you. That is all we need to know about you to know you are a good person. Relax around us. We don't bite. Just because we are who we are doesn't make us any different from you or even that cute little nephew of yours."

  Callum kissed her on the cheek. "Don't worry Kitten. You're stuck with me now."

  Everyone laughed.

  "Well, are we going to get this celebration started?" Marie turned around and saw her mum carrying out a tray of drinks. It was the most she'd carried since the stroke.

  "Mum, careful." She leapt forward to try to take the tray from her.

  "Hush, child. Let me do it. I'm not as weak as I once was." Marie helped to hand out the drinks, and after introducing her mother to Betty and Dave they all stood to toast the engagement.

  "To the future."

  Everyone raised their glasses. Owen raised his car.

  "To the future."

  At that precise moment, the lights flicked and went out in the entire house. Everything was pitch black.

  "MeeMee," Owen screamed.

  "It's alright, I've got him," Dave spoke.

  "I've got some candles in the kitchen. I'll just get some matches. Callum, can you help me?"

  Before she had a chance to move, the front door was k
icked open. Several masked men rushed into the lounge, carrying flashlights and guns. Callum rushed to pull her behind him.

  "Well, well, well. It seems I wasn't invited to this little party. Such a shame considering I'm practically family."

  The lights flicked back on, they were obviously being controlled by the gang and in the centre of the room stood her sister's ex-boyfriend, Freddie. The drug dealer that ordered the drive-by shooting and was possibly Owen's father.

  One of the masked men pulled Dave to his feet and snatched Owen out of his arms.

  "Hi, son. Well, I can only assume you're my son. After all your mother was a slut." Owen was still crying when Freddie took him into his arms.

  "Please. Let him go."

  "Why?"

  "You're scaring him."

  "What is it you want?" Callum finally spoke.

  "So you're the boyfriend. Or should I say, fiancé? Which must make these your parents. Tie them all up."

  "No. Please." Marie pleaded.

  Freddie thrust a still-screaming Owen towards a man standing nearby and prowled towards them. "You have to be made an example of for what your sister did. She stole from us."

  "You punished us enough when you killed her."

  Callum placed a hand on her arm. "He's just trying to antagonise you. Ignore him. In a few moments, officers of the Protection Department will invade this building, and he'll be dead or carted off for a long future rotting in prison. The former is preferable to me.

  "What? You mean the officers that are outside? Dead." He cackled. "All dead." Marie felt Callum tense. His father’s and mother's faces paled. Freddie pointed his gun in Callum's face. " Now, I could punish Marie by blowing your brains out all over her or I could hold her down and fuck her while you are forced to watch. But you know what? I think I’ll stick to the original plan. It's so much more bloodthirsty." Freddie whipped the gun back, and she could only watch as he brought it down on Callum's temple. He groaned and slumped to the floor, blood flowing from a large gash on his head.

  Marie flew at Freddie. Her nails dug into his face as she clawed at him.

  Someone grabbed her from behind, and she was flung through the coffee table onto the floor next to Callum. A searing pain ripped through her side like a piece of the wooden furniture had just shattered into her body. Her mum screamed.