I forced myself to smile at the two Russo brothers and their dates, ignoring the traitorous thoughts creeping into my mind.
“Ah, you look as lovely as ever, Miss Stark.” Jonathon took my hand and kissed the back of it while his date squinted her sharp eyes at me. Don’t worry. I have absolutely no interest in your man.
George also took my hand and I felt that familiar repulsion as his damp fingers clamped onto my reluctant hand. His eyes bored into mine and I didn’t like the off-kilter light that gleamed from them. Something was definitely off in George. But I was getting paid to be nice to him so I would tough it out. I’d see him only a handful of times and then never again.
The two women were also dressed up more than their men tonight in lovely cocktail frocks. Who knew the exact nuances of such protocols? Women often out-dress their men, making us the peacocks of the human species, but it was Adam’s approval I most cared about. At least I had panties on tonight, making me feel more secure, if less sexual. Later. That would be a different story. Guaranteed.
We all looked up in surprise as Martha came hustling in and hurried to my side. “Sunday, there’s an urgent call for you from the hospital. It’s about your friend, Julie Asher.”
“Julie? What’s happened?” I asked, alarmed.
“I don’t know exactly. But they called to say they need to speak with you.”
My heart sank as I addressed Adam. “I’m sorry, I have to go. My friend just broke up with her boyfriend today. I have no idea what could have happened. She seemed fine when I visited her earlier today. I mean, she ate her soup and all and we were planning a spa day tomorrow.” My lips felt stiff as I hurried through my words. Guilt immediately ate at my soul. I should not have left her alone.
“I’ll take you there right now.”
I looked at Adam with alarm. “No, you have guests. I can’t allow you to get pulled into this.”
“Nonsense. We’ll go right now. Please, enjoy your meal. If you’ll excuse us.” It really wasn’t a request but a definite statement of intent and I was grateful for his support. I had no idea what awaited me at the hospital.
My throat was dry and my hands shaky as I buckled up in Adam’s black Mercedes SUV. I was silent as I ran through our time together. Julie had seemed fine when I left her. She’d eaten all her soup and some crackers and tea…
“I knew you went back to your apartment today, Sunday. I had no idea that it was due to your friend’s troubles,” Adam admitted, driving the vehicle expertly down the driveway and into traffic.
“Did you have me followed?” My tone was sharper than I meant it to be. I looked at him while I chewed on the edge of my thumbnail. A bad habit left over from my younger days.
Adam glanced at me and reached out an arm to pull my hand gently away from my mouth.
“I feel a responsibility to keep track of all my employees.”
“Is that all I am to you—an employee?” My voice rose toward the end of my question and my heart beat a staccato pattern, making me uncomfortably aware of my full-on stress and anguish.
“No, of course not!” Adam immediately slowed down and pulled off the road, much to my chagrin because I wanted to be moving forward toward my friend, not stalled on the side of the road.
He unbuckled and reached over and grabbed me by the shoulders. “Listen to me carefully. I care about you. I want you to stay safe. You are much more than an employee to me—much more. I don’t know where this is headed, but I’m willing to play this out. Are you?” he asked pointedly.
I thought of all my plans. All my dreams of becoming a doctor and knowing the sacrifices that would entail. A tempestuous love affair did not fit in if it resulted in anything more than this week. I took a shaky breath. I was not the one to talk about commitment. I had been living in a dream world these past days if I thought this could change anything.
I straightened up and gave a resolute look straight ahead through the windshield. “Please accept my apologies. I guess I’m under more stress than I thought. But this week is all we can have. I need to concentrate on my studies for the next few years.” And how could I trust that he wouldn’t leave me when he was finished with me?
I gave him a quick glance and saw that he was frustrated by my answer. The only right answer in my opinion. So why did it leave me feeling empty?
He let me go and ran his hands through his hair and then grabbed the steering wheel. I thought he might say more but instead he pursed his lips into a straight line and headed the SUV back into traffic. We spend the next thirty-five minutes in complete silence as he drove the rest of the way to the hospital.
Adam pulled up in front of Emergency and let me off. “I’ll find a parking spot and join you.”
“Don’t bother. I’ll be fine. Please, just get back to your guests.”
“No, I want to be there for you. Let me be there for you.”
His face appeared genuinely upset and I relented, giving him a weak smile. Adam wasn’t the enemy here.
“Thank you. I’ll see you inside.”
I raced into the hospital entrance and up to the triage desk, breathless and stressed to the max.
“Julie Asher, please. I’m her friend, Sunday Rose Stark, her person to contact in case of emergency. You called earlier.”
The nurse gave me a look and then checked her computer screen, typing in Julie’s name.
“Yes, she’s been admitted. Room 217. One floor up and take a right at the elevator.”
I hit the deck running, racing to the stairwell when I realized the elevator was not ready to take me directly up to Julie’s floor. I took the stairs two at a time and was outside Julie’s door in a matter of seconds. I hesitated for one split second and then pushed it open, praying my friend was okay.
But no one was in the small room and I was left to stare at an empty bed. I glanced at the bathroom door. It was occupied. I sat down to wait on one of the visitors’ chairs. A slight sound. It was Adam coming in the door. He looked good as he gave me a quick smile and crossed the room to sit down by my side.
“I think she’s in the bathroom,” I whispered.
He nodded and laid his arm across the back of my chair. I breathed in his reassuring essence.
The door to the bathroom swung open, revealing my fragile friend. She gave me a worried look and made her wan way across the room and climbed into her bed. I got up and crossed over to her.
“Are you all right?” I asked as I took her pale hand lying so still on the cover. It was then that I realized it was bandaged. “What?” I exclaimed and picked up her hand to investigate it further.
She jerked her arm away. “It’s nothing. Just a stupid, stupid idea. Please, introduce me to your friend.”
I didn’t want to embarrass her so I picked up her cue.
“Julie, I’d like you to meet Adam Drake. Adam, Julie Asher.”
Adam got up and moved with animal grace to the bed. I watched him take Julie’s hand and gave it a firm shake, ignoring the white wrappings around her wrist. I was at more at ease now that I could see for myself Julie was going to recover.
“Nice to meet a friend of Sunday’s,” he remarked in such a nice way that it endeared him to me. It was hard to believe that less than two hours ago we were fucking right out of control on my bed. I blushed. I looked up and caught his eye. His warm look of understanding calmed me.
“Nice to meet you too, Mr. Drake,” she replied, rallying with such aplomb I was flabbergasted. But I was also relieved. Julie looked so much better than I had expected, having visualized all kinds of horrible things in the past hour.
“What happened, Julie? Why are you here?” I know I shouldn’t be so direct, but she had been fine last I saw her. I was beginning to doubt my own judgement.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” Adam said and quickly exited the room.
She gave me a look. “You two have it bad.”
My eyebrows rose skyward at her comment that didn’t fit. “Excuse me?”
; “You and Adam have it bad. And quit worrying. I learned my lesson. It won’t happen again. Do you know I can’t get out until I see their shrink? And tomorrow we were supposed to have a spa day.” At those brave words she broke down, her thin shoulders racked by sobs.
I sat on the edge of the bed and drew her into my arms. “Oh Julie, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you tonight. I should have stayed—”
“No, this…is not…your fault, Sunday,” she managed between wails.
We hugged and I let her cry it out. After a while she began to hiccup softly.
“Okay, why did you do it?” I had to ask.
She wiped her tears on the edge of the sheet and gave me a pleading look.
“I’m not certain. I was feeling so bad, and then after you left I got this horrible headache, it was absolutely excruciating, and I just wanted it to end. I took a bunch of pills and then had this bright idea about how when I used to cut myself I felt a sense of release and I guess I got carried away and cut too deep.”
“I’m so sorry,” I murmured, tears filling my eyes. “How bad is it?” I had to know, painful as it was to ask.
“No, the doctor said I was lucky. No permanent damage. Just scars and I already have lots of those. Jason brought me to the hospital. I guess I had left the main door ajar and he walked right in. You know how he’s always looking to borrow something from us.”
“You know it’s because he’s interested in you, right?”
“Jason, hardly!” But she did give me a speculative look from her red-rimmed though still gorgeous eyes. Jason Christianson was a fellow student who worked at the campus bookstore part-time and had been interested in Julie for months now. He was one of the good guys.
“I’m sorry, there’s going to be a bit of a mess,” she began tentatively, her eyes glazing over as she remembered.
“I’ll take care of it. You just concentrate on getting better. You’re going to need a backup plan for food. Hospital food, yu—uk!” I exaggerated. I’ve had decent hospital food. Julie rewarded me with a small smile.
“I could go for a pizza,” she said, a very brave decision for her it and in that moment I was fairly certain she was going to be okay.
“You got it. I’ll call now and have it delivered.”
“With extra cheese.”
“You’re living dangerously, girlfriend!” I quipped, just happy to see my spunky best friend back. I took out my cell phone from my clutch purse and made the call.
“I don’t have any money,” Julie said.
“No problem. My idea, I pay.”
A knock on the door alerted me to company. Adam popped his head in and gave us an inquiring look. “Ready for visitors?”
“Sure, come on in,” I said after a nod of approval from Julie. Jason followed him in, looking worried and disheveled. I hoped she’d give him a chance. Yeah, like you’re giving Adam a chance. The traitorous thought surprised me and I looked with fresh eyes at Adam. He had been very supportive tonight. I hadn’t expected that.
“I’ve ordered pizza with extra cheese if anyone’s hungry?” I added, giving Adam a warm smile.
“I’ve got a weakness for pizza,” he said. Nice. “We’ve brought coffee for everyone.”
The pizza arrived and Adam paid for it before I could object.
“I’m paying you back later,” I whispered in his ear.
“You bet you are.” A wicked light gleamed in his eyes as he handed me a piece. I shivered and pressed my thighs together to ease the ache. When a drop of sauce appeared at the side of his mouth, I leaned over and licked it off, earning a smoldering glance. We chatted for an hour, and with Julie looking better, we headed for home.
Back in the SUV I buckled up and turned to him. My mind was eased leaving Julie with Jason to look after her. He definitely was one of the good guys.
“Thank you, Adam,” I said. He’d made Julie feel much better in his unhurried approach. Being who he is he could have just rushed off at any time. But he didn’t. And actions really do speak louder than words—that’s no cliché.
By the time we got back to Dragonstone, dessert was being wheeled out by the maid. Scrumptious choices lined the cart. My mouth watered. The triple chocolate amaretto cheesecake looked to die for. I had been introduced to the decadent dessert earlier in the morning when I had joined Martha for coffee. Our morning talks were a nice part of my day and I found myself looking forward to them. A week of near leisure was agreeing with me more than I cared to admit. My whole life had been a blur ‘til now.
Jonathon Russo was gracious about our sudden disappearance, just giving a look of questioning interest as Adam held my chair for me. “I trust all is well,” he said.
“Yes, thank you,” Adam remarked, sitting down beside me.
“Would you excuse us?” Jonathon said as he stood up. “I would like to visit your conservatory, Adam.”
“Of course,” Adam said and got back up, giving me an apologetic smile. “If you’ll excuse me.”
I held the fort while the pair strolled off to discuss what I was certain was some business that had been put off. This was my job after all. Small talk filled the minutes and soon they walked back in, both looking satisfied.
The evening proceeded quickly after that and soon our guests were excusing themselves. In the front hall Jonathon took my hand and gave it his customary kiss.
“Thank you once again for a lovely evening. And I am glad that things worked out this evening for you, Miss Stark.”
“Thank you, Mr. Russo.”
The door closed behind them. Finally we were alone. Adam bent down and drew me into his arms. He kissed me, thrusting his tongue inside to invade my mouth and then delightfully tickling my lips as he rimmed them with his probing tongue. He tasted of mint and of chocolate. The scent of his arousal surrounded me. My senses reeled. My vision tunneled. My knees weakened.
Adam pulled back and looked into my eyes. Raging desire whiplashed through me. His scorching need was reflected in their liquid depths. A primal connection flared. My breath hitched. I wanted him. I wanted him inside me, filling me—out of control with passionate need for me. My body trembled.
“I want to fuck you, Mr. Drake,” I whispered.
“It would be my pleasure, Miss Stark. But perhaps we should bring your fantasy to life first? That is—if you feel up to it?”
“I think I need a different outfit to get into character,” I said.
“Your wish is my command,” he said, his smug grin suggesting he knew the line was cheesy. And if he’d read the script closely, he also knew that it was the last command I would be giving tonight.
“I’ll expect you in ten minutes. I’m going to change,” I said.
“Perfect, but make it five, beautiful.”
I made myself break free of his arms.
In my bedroom, I quickly shed the cocktail frock and pulled out the one gown I knew would work for the era. The floor-length pale-pink lace gown had a low-cut bodice that was to be worn over a merry widow. It was perfect and I could wear silk stocking sans panties. I struggled into the fancy underwear, my heart racing.
I slide the sheer white stay-up stockings up my legs to my thighs. Stepping into the fancy gown, I pulled it into place and contorted my body to pull up the zipper. Slipping back into my shoes, I gathered my hair into a high ponytail and then swept the ends around and pinned them in, leaving my neck and shoulders bare. I checked in the mirror. The merry widow pushed my breasts so high under the gown they threatened to spill out like those of historical maidens in old tales. Perfect.
A knock at the door and I turned round to face my warlord. I hoped he’d like what he’d see.
His smoldering eyes greeted me. I licked my lips. He had got it right too. Dressed in Hollywood-esque armor that wouldn’t take long to remove and had my full approval, he advanced into the room, exuding power from every pore. My eyes widened, giving him my best doe-eyed look as he stopped in the middle of the room and, in a rough-tongued voice com
manded, “Come, princess—remove all of your clothing or I will tear it from your body.”
I gave a fearful look and reluctantly began to undo my gown and let it drop to the floor. I stood a little shaky as he waited for me to finish. The trembling was real.
“I beseech you, my lord, please don’t make me do this!”
“All of your clothes, now. You have one minute or I will do it for you.”
I sat down and slowly slid off one stocking and then the other, making sure he got a glimpse of my lack of panties. I reached round my back and my breasts spilled out of the merry widow as I slowly undid the hooks. He remained dispassionate, watching my display with narrowed eyes. My nipples were swollen and I pinched them between my fingers, watched for his reaction. My clit throbbed. His eyes flew open.
“Spread your legs wide for me. I want to see all of that pretty pink quim.”
His voice turned low and throaty, resonated in my body like a finely tuned instrument. Quim. Lovely.
I did what he asked, shivering, exposed. Anticipation flared between us. His eyes darkened.
“Come to me.”
I stood on shaky legs and walked over to him, my breasts swaying from the movement. I unhooked the breastplate of his faux armor. My mouth watered and my body overheated. His hands reached out and grasped my swelling nipples, rolling them into tight buds. Delicious stabs of pleasure hit my clit. He pinched my nipples, making me gasp aloud with desire. It was torture. It was heaven. He was dressed and I was naked and throbbing. Piece by piece I uncovered the beautiful package. Finally he was naked except for his loincloth. It tented out from his body.
I gasped. “I cannot, my lord, I cannot do this thing. You will break me in two. You are too big for me.”
“You will lay down with me or I will set my soldiers on your lady-in-waiting. You will stretch to accommodate me. Have no fear.”
“Then I have no choice, my lord. Your wish is my command. I will do as you say.”
My voice trembled as I lowered my eyes, peeking up at him through my lashes. Satisfaction gleamed in his dark eyes. Moisture pooled. Damn, so fucking hot.
The Power of Sunday Rose Page 10
