LOVE Dies HARD 4
Hard to Love
Billionaire Romance Series
By
C.C. CARTWRIGHT
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Copyright © 2015 by C.C. Cartwright
Cover Design by Louisa Maggio at LM Creations
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Sophie
Chapter 2 Marcus
Chapter 3 Sophie
Chapter 4 Marcus
Chapter 5 Sophie
Chapter 6 Marcus
Chapter 7 Sophie
Chapter 8 Marcus
Chapter 9 Sophie
Chapter 10 Marcus
Chapter 11 Sophie
Chapter 12 Marcus
Chapter 13 Sophie
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LOVE Dies HARD 4 (Kindle Unlimited)
~PLAYLIST~
Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
One Last Night - Vaults
Chapter 1
Sophie
After taking a month off and distracting myself with John, I manage to land a new money manager position at Bristol Investments, a competitor of Hunter Investments. They’re sending me to the Money Management Institutes annual convention in Las Vegas next week. John was going to join me, but the latest case he is on has him working 24/7 as usual and he can’t get away.
I take an early morning, short flight from LA to Las Vegas. Once I arrive, I take a cab to the Bellagio, the hotel the convention is being held at. I check in and go to my room to freshen up and am back downstairs and heading to the convention for our first meeting. I walk into the registration area crowded with everyone in business casual attire. As I approach the registration table I stop dead in my tracks. I would recognize his backside anywhere. I spot Marcus Hunter, larger than life, in all his handsome, charismatic glory standing three feet in front of me. Butterflies flutter in my stomach, not to mention the throb in my core, just from being near him again. My heart starts to race and my mouth goes dry. It never crossed my mind that he would fly all the way from London to attend. Just as I’m about to turn around and get as far away from him as possible, he turns and sees me standing there looking dumbfounded and flustered.
“Sophie Shawn, or do you have a different last name now?” he says with a scowl.
“Marcus, what a surprise seeing you here,” I reply coolly.
“Why wouldn’t I be here? I come every year,” he says, looking perturbed. I hold my head high, trying not to let him get to me. I walk up to the table to check in with a friendly looking gentleman. I’m now trying to ignore Marcus, but he continues to stand next to me, listening to my every word.
“Sophie Shawn checking in, I’m with Bristol Investments,” I tell the man.
“You’re working for Bristol now?” Marcus asks in a snarky tone of voice.
“Yes, do you have a problem with that?” I won’t ever back down to Marcus. What’s his problem anyway, can’t he just leave me alone.
“Bristol Investments is just our biggest competitor, that’s all. You’re not sharing any of our trade secrets are you?” he asks accusingly.
“I’m not even going to bother answering that question. Have a good day Mr. Hunter,” I say, gathering my welcome folder and thanking the gentleman for checking me in. I walk off to my first session not giving Marcus a second look as I weave through the crowd. I find the Versailles conference room where my session on Investing Wisely is being held and I take a seat towards the back. Once the speaker starts, I spot Marcus and Christopher, saunter in late. I duck behind some heads, hoping they don’t come and sit near me. I wouldn’t mind catching up with Christopher, but Marcus is a whole different story. They end up sitting a couple of rows in front of me. I have to admit, Marcus looks good as I study his shoulders that I’ve held onto for dear life so many times before, his neck that I’ve peppered with kisses and his ears that I’ve whisper naughty things into. Stop it Sophie, stop lusting, that ship has sailed and you’re a soon to be married woman. I glance down at the dazzling ring on my finger and play with it.
The session is taking a break for lunch and I high tail it out of here, before I get accosted my Marcus and Christopher. I manage to have lunch alone, seated with a group from another Bristol office. But after we return for the afternoon portion and we adjourn after 5:00, I’m not so lucky this time.
“Sophie,” I hear Christopher calling out to me from the crowd. I could pretend I don’t hear him, but that would be rude and I don’t want to be rude to Christopher, although I have no problem being rude to Marcus. I turn around and wait for them to catch up to me.
“Hi Christopher,” I say and he comes right up and gives me a hug. I don’t even meet eyes with Marcus, although I can tell he’s watching my every move.
“Sophie, it’s great to see you. You look good,” Christopher says scanning me with his eyes.
“Thank you, pretty boring session today,” I whisper to Christopher, still ignoring Mr. Brooder over here. Marcus won’t stop scowling at me and it’s making me uncomfortable.
“Come on, were headed to the hotel bar for drinks,” he says putting his arm around me, pulling me along with the crowd.
“Alright, maybe just one drink,” I reply, going along. We find a small table and a group of us sit down and order drinks. I’m hungry as usual and want some real food, so I order a pizza.
“So Bristol Investments stole you away from us,” Christopher remarks to try to ease the awkward silence, but all he’s doing is making it worse with this question.
“I approached them if you must know,” I comment.
“Really?” Marcus chimes in.
“Yes, I needed to distance myself from Hunter,” I say glaring at Marcus.
“Oh I see,” Christopher replies shifting awkwardly in his chair. He can’t miss the tension between Marcus and I. “Let’s go into the casino and hit the Black Jack tables.”
“No thanks, I’m going up to my room now. You boys have a good time,” I say and stand up to leave. Marcus penetrates me with his eyes, but I try to avoid all eye contact with him. I direct all my conversation and my eyes towards Christopher. I just need to get to my room and hole myself up in privacy until this conference is over.
“Come on, it’ll be fun,” Christopher stands up and makes it hard for me to say no. We make our way to the Black Jack area of the elegant casino. Marcus and Christopher take a seat at a table and I stand behind them watching. The dealer deals out the cards. My eyes settle on Marcus’s hands and I become mesmerized as I watch him pick up his cards. Remembering those hands of his touching me and stroking me causes me to feel that all too familiar ache between my legs, it will be the death of me. Swallowing hard, I need a drink. My chest grazes his arm and he presses his arm back against me. God, how I still want him. My body longs for his touch and I notice my breath picks up. I need to get back to my room and give myself some relief.
My eyes shift to linger on the profile of his sensuous lips and the five o’clock shadow starting on his face. I’m overcome with the sudden urge to bite his ear lobes, swirl my tongue in his ear like I’ve done so many times before. I want his lips and his tongue on my body, everywhere, loving me. I’m about to combust from just imagining all these naughty things.
“Guys, I’m leaving. See you later,” I say curtly. Christopher nods at me, concentrating on his hand. I don’t even bother looking at Marcus before walk away from the table and weave through the crowded casino. I make my way to the elevators. While waiting for it to arrive I’m looking down at my phone to check for messages. The elevator arrives and I walk on and press the button to my floor. Marcus stealthily walks into the elevator, startling me, and he swiftly presses the button so the door closes instantly, leaving us alone in the confined space where I have no place to run. He is front and center, his eyes bore into mine. He immediately lunges toward me, pressing me against the back wall and his lips crash down hard onto mine. His tongue searches and my lips part for him, letting him in, our tongues dance, reminding me of our passion.
“Marcus, no.”
“God Sophie, I can’t help myself, I can’t stop myself,” he growls out heatedly. I want his hands on me, I do. He can see it in my eyes as he takes my lips in another searing kiss that causes my core to throb. The elevator stops and then the doors open at my floor. He turns to press the button to the highest floor and the doors close again quickly.
“Marcus, no,” I protest to deaf ears. His hand cups me in my most intimate place, and he presses all four fingers into the sensitive spot between my legs and I falter into his hand, into his body and I let out a whimper I can’t suppress. Even after all this time, he’s taking what he wants from me like he always does when we’re near each other. I grasp onto his strong shoulders, holding on for dear life as his fingers are working me into a heart stopping frenzy, making him impossible to resist as my memories of his touch flood my senses.
“I heard you practically panting for me back at the card table. You want this too Sophie, don’t deny it. I’ve seen the way your eyes watch me.” Damn, he caught me lusting after him still, after all that has transpired between us, I still want him. He’s right and he knows it. He knows me too well. The elevator doors open and he grabs my hand firmly walking me down the hall to his suite. His penthouse suite is the size of my apartment with a magical view of the lighted water fountains below. Once inside his opulent suite I walk up to the floor to ceiling glass window and peer out to see the view from the living room.
“You have a spectacular view from here,” I breathe out.
“I most definitely do,” he says coming up behind me. I feel him drawing up the hem of my skirt not wasting a minute to bury himself inside me. A voice inside my head is telling me to turn around and push him away, tell him no. But my sex is throbbing too hard in anticipation and it shuts me up. I press my palms against the window and rest my cheek against the cold, hard glass. All I can hear is the sensual music from the light show below, Love Me Like You Do, by Ellie Goulding and the sound of him unzipping his pants. My warm breath leaves a fog on the glass as my breathing becomes ragged, as I struggle to get enough air into my lungs. He deftly slides my thong to the side and in one quick thrust is filling me with a pleasure so intense, I close my eyes. A soft moan escapes my lips.
“God babe, I’m home,” he says as he starts to drive into me. I spread my legs wider, wanting all of him, as deep as he can go. I should have made him wear protection, who knows how many women he’s been with since we broke things off. But in the heat of the moment I want to feel every inch of him, and it feels so incredibly sinful. He withdraws and I turn around to face him. He grabs my ass and picks me up, I curl my legs around him and he impales me with his hard shaft again and again. He stumbles to the sofa to sit down so I can ride him. He loves to have me ride him. I ride him hard, urgently, grinding down on him, so I can go over the edge with him and release this ache that’s been building inside of me since I first laid eyes on him, here, again. After we crash together I embrace him hard, his face buried in my chest and tears roll down my face from the intensity of the emotions I still feel for this man I’ve reunited with. My heart is breaking all over again.
“Sophie, don’t cry babe,” he says trying to pull away from me so he can see my face, but I won’t let go. His hands gently caress my back. Every single touch, along every inch of my skin, sets my heart on fire. It makes me realize how much I’ve missed him, how much I’ve missed his touch. “I’ve missed you, I’ve missed this,” he whispers. As my body shudders with silent tears, he holds me even tighter against his warmth.
“Sophie what are we going to do?” he whispers.
“I don’t know,” I murmur back. I pull away and look into his face and try to read his eyes. They are filled with longing and tenderness, he feels it too, he must. This is not just sex anymore. I love him. I still love him, as hard as I’ve tried to fight it and bury it deep down inside of me, it’s still there.
“I still love you,” Marcus admits. I bite my bottom lip, trying to stop my tears from starting again.
Chapter 2
Marcus
Never in a million years did I imagine that I would see her here at this conference. I had no idea she was still in the business. I’ve wondered over the past few months what she was doing, if she was working, if she was engaged, if she was married by now. Then when I was registering, I sensed someone’s eyes on me and I turned and there she was, looking every bit as stunning as I remember. At first I thought I was dreaming. How I wanted to reach out and touch her, taste her, feel her. As usual, her expression is unreadable, she is hesitant towards me. I took in the sparkling diamond ring on her finger, signifying that she was indeed spoken for now. When she gave her name as Sophie Shawn, I made the assumption she was not married, yet.
Seeing her again felt like my heart was breaking all over again. You would think time would dull the pain, but it hadn’t. She was barely civil towards me, but maybe it was my fault. My hurt and anger still showing through may have put her off, who could blame her. I can be a first class ass sometimes, especially when I don’t get what I want.
After today’s session Christopher wants to catch up with her. All I could do was stare at her in the bar while she spoke mainly to Christopher, as if I wasn’t even there. I told you no one ignores Marcus Hunter. She was making my blood boil. We spend some time together in the casino at the Black Jack tables. I can feel her eyes on me, lusting after me. She grazes my arm with her chest. That says it all. Then she begs off for the evening, seeking solitude in her room. That’s when I couldn’t stop myself, I became a man possessed. What is it when she’s around me? I have the urge to take what I want from her. She is so damn sexy and irresistible, a deadly combination. Plus, she always gives me what I want. She does whatever I ask her. We become insatiable when we’re together. My feet follow her through the crowded casino and take me to the elevators, hopefully she hasn’t gotten on one yet, I think as I walk briskly. I get there just in time as I see her step into my trap. I make hast and get into the elevator, making sure the doors close right behind me so no one else joins us. I want her alone in the confined space, like a caged bird, where she can’t fly away from me. I move in for the kill and steal a kiss from her. It’s more than just a kiss. I devour her and she lets me at first. She wants this too, I caught her looking at me like she used to. I’m taking her tonight, she’s mine for tonight. I know because of the way she kissed me back. I need to have her begging as I grab her right where I want to own her. I boldly cup her right where I want her, and press my fingers in hard and she falls into me. I know which buttons of hers to press and just like that she sags into me, succumbs to my every touch, just like before when we had it all, together. That was until she stabbed me in the heart. I get her into my room. She walks up to the floor to ceiling window in the living room, I pause behind her, still in disbelief that I will get to have her in my
arms again. I will get to bury myself in her warmth. I will get to touch every inch of her skin. She lets me take her right away, no more protesting. She must not be married yet. I’m not asking because I don’t care, at this moment I only care about one thing.
“God babe, I’m home,” I growl out, once I sink into her. She feels like home wrapped tightly around me. She’s so damn sexy, bent over for me, I’m going to stay inside her all night long. I drive into her until I feel the urge to have her facing me, it’s more intimate, more sensual when I can see her. I reluctantly withdraw from her warmth and she turns around to face me, her expression full of desire for me and only me. I lift her and impale her on my rock hard shaft. I want her riding me so I make my way to the sofa, and ride me she does. Sophie can be a fierce little animal in the bedroom, one of the many things I love about her, she can keep up with my insatiable appetite for her. The insatiable appetite we seem to have for each other. I hate to think of her with anybody else. But there is someone else, that ring on her finger reminds me. She’s grinding down hard on me as I get lost in a wave of ecstasy that threatens to wash over me, wash over us. We both crash over the edge to oblivion together and are left gasping for air. As we catch our breath, I can tell she starts to cry. Probably riddled with regret and guilt now for what we just did. Why feel guilty, we loved each other? I’m warped, it was wrong, but it felt so right, to me anyway. I try to see her face but she just clings to me, like I’m her support, her life vest to keep her from drowning. I don’t know if I can save her because I’m drowning too. Drowning in my love for her.
“Sophie, don’t cry,” I can’t stand to see her cry. It kills me inside to know I’m the reason for her tears. “I’ve missed you, missed this.” What are we going to do? “I still love you,” I choke out, my words filled with emotion. I admit it to her as well as myself. I get nothing from her but silence.
Love Dies Hard 4 - Book 4 (Billionaire Romance Series) (Hard to Love) Page 1
