“It was Alistair wasn’t it?”
She didn’t speak but gave me a tiny nod.
“Did he…do anything else?” I could bring myself to finish the question.
She shook her head no, but she wouldn’t meet my gaze. I knew she was lying to me, but she wasn’t in any condition for me to grill her about it. My fists clenched as Rage boiled inside.
I wanted to find him and punish him. There was nothing more cowardly and weak than a man preying on a woman. I would end him.
She must have read my mind because she placed her hand on my forearm. “Don’t,” she whispered. “Whatever you are thinking, he’s not worth it.”
“You are worth it to me. He put his hands on you and that is unacceptable.” Caressing her swollen cheek, I said through gritted teeth, “He marked you. I can’t forget that.”
“Please,” she said, stroking her fingers lightly on my arm. “I just want to forget it ever happened.”
Loosening the belt of her robe, she let it fall to her feet.
“Angelique, you don’t have to do this,” I stammered backing away from her. She was beautiful, and I yearned to touch her. But she had looked so fragile, so broken when she had opened the door. I didn’t want to hurt her.
It was her turn to shush me. “Shh…I want to. I need to. You make me feel alive…and safe.” Pressing her naked body to mine, she stood on tip toes to nibble at my bottom lip. Despite my best intentions, my cock came to immediate attention at her light teasing. “Make me forget.”
My body wavered, still trying to be a gentleman and do the right thing. But one word and I was completely undone.
Staring up at me with those wide, jeweled eyes, “Please,” she begged.
I wanted to take her right then and there, but I knew that’s not what she needed. She needed tenderness, someone who could cherish every delectable inch of her. I scooped her up in my arms, kissing her deeply. Carrying her into the bedroom, I laid her down in the middle of the king size bed, her dark hair fanned out behind her.
I shed my clothes quickly and joined her on the bed. Vowing to take my time and erase all the bad thoughts from her mind, I proceeded to make slow, sweet love to her well into the night. Exhausted from our lovemaking, she finally fell asleep in my arms.
I hated to leave her like this, shadows from the moonlight highlighting her feminine curves. I wanted to keep her in my arms forever, but there was something I had to take care of first. Even though she had made me promise not to hurt Alistair, I had to make sure that he could never hurt her again. Kissing her brow, careful not to stir her, I quietly left the suite.
Chapter 9
I hadn’t really expected Rafe to stay the entire night, but I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointed when I woke up to find his side of the bed empty. Deliciously sore from our lovemaking last night, I stretched my limbs. The crinkling of paper distracting me.
Searching the covers, I found a note in what I assumed was his handwriting.
Angel,
I couldn’t bear to disturb you this morning.
I had some business to attend to first thing before our meeting.
Meet me in the lobby at 8:30.
Rafe
Unsure of what to make of his letter, I wondered what business was so urgent that he had to slip away in the middle of the night. And why did he want me to meet him at 8:30? Our meeting wasn’t until 9, if we even had a meeting. Fear clutched at my belly, at the thought of having to face Alistair again. How would he react after last night’s altercation? Would he try to pretend it never happened, or worse…what if told my father about Rafe and me? Surely, not.
There was only one way to find out. I had never been one to shy away from whatever life had thrown at me, but even I was weary of facing this firestorm. Resigned to the fact that I had no choice, I crawled out of bed and got ready for the meeting.
The swelling had gone down on my face, but there was not much I could do about the bright purple bruise that covered the left side of my face. I had a nice shiner forming. I did what I could with cover-up and then just blow dried my hair straight so that it fell over that side of my face in soft waves. It didn’t mask it completely, but it helped.
Curious about what Rafe had been up to, I arrived in the lobby a little earlier than 8:30. I spotted him off to the side, and he waved me over.
“Good morning, Angel.”
I was beginning to love the little pet name he had for me now. Eyeing him speculatively, I asked, “So, are you going to tell me what was so urgent that you had to leave me in the middle of the night.”
His blue-eyes twinkled. “Trust me, leaving you last night was the last thing I wanted to do. But, I just had to tie up a few lose ends before this morning.” With a guiding hand on the small of my back, he ushered me towards the boardroom, “Come on, I want to get to the room early.”
Uncertain, I asked, “Are you sure you want to do this? Walk in together, I mean.”
He squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Yes, I’m sure. Whatever happens, we will face it together.”
Walking together to the boardroom I hoped that since we were twenty minutes early, we would at least be the first ones to arrive.
Unfortunately, luck was not on our side. My face fell as we opened the door. We were not the first ones in the room. My father and Alistair stood at the back wall in deep discussion. At our arrival, all conversation ceased, and their gazes turned to us.
Judging from the expressions on their faces, my worst nightmare had come true. Alistair’s swarthy ass stared back, his eyes moving between Rafe and me not even trying to hide the smug grin on his face. My father, on the other hand, gave nothing away. His face a mask of stone. But the muscles in his jaw clenched, and he couldn’t quite look me in the eye. And that told me everything I needed to know.
“Daddy, I can explain,” I rushed.
“STOP.” I halted in my tracks at his harsh tone. “Just stop right there, Angelique.” I’d never heard him speak to me like that.
“Sir, if you could just let us explain,” Rafe tried, but my father was having none of it. His brown eyes were as dark as midnight, as he settled his gaze on Rafe. Standing tall, Rafe met his stare unwilling to wilt under his scrutiny.
“I’m surprised you had the audacity to even show up Mr. St. James.” His gaze flicked to mine before settling back on Rafe, “Let alone show up with my daughter.” I winced at his words. ‘My daughter’ had been said with such disappointment.
It didn’t help that I could see Alistair’s shoulders shaking with laughter behind him. Flushing from both embarrassment and fury, I shook my fist at Alistair. “What did you say to him!” I demanded. But he just ignored me.
“Enough Angelique. He told me enough,” my father responded sharply.
Tears threatening to fall yet again, I walked toward my father, eyes pleading. “Did he now?” Surprise marred his features at my tone. Never in a million years would I ever defy my father or speak to him in such a way, but I was furious.
With the tears falling freely now, I continued, “You think you know everything. I won’t deny that Rafe and I have been together.” My father’s jaw dropped slightly at this admission but said nothing. So I continued, “I’m sure Alistair was quite forthcoming with only part of the story. Did he also mention that he tried to rape me in the elevator?”
“Unbelievable!” Alistair exclaimed, outraged. “The lengths that you will go to hide your transgressions. It’s simply appalling Angelique.”
My father swiveled to look from myself to Alistair and back again, unsure of what to make of latest revelation.
“Made it up did I? If that’s true than how did I get this?” Pulling back my hair I pointed to the large bruise that circled my left eye. “How do you explain this?”
A shocked gasp escaped my father at the sight of the ugly bruise. His hands went up to touch it, but I backed away from him, still hurt by his actions.
“Well…er…Rafe could have just easily done
that to you,” Alistair sputtered. “I’m sure the two of you dreamed up some ‘cockamamie’ story once you knew that you were found out.”
My mouth dropped. I was completely speechless at the ridiculousness of his suggestion.
Unsure of what to make of all this my father just stared open mouthed at the two of us.
“Excuse me, sir,” Rafe interjected. “I know that I am the last person you probably want to hear from but…”
“Of course, he doesn’t want to hear from you!” Alistair interrupted.
Shutting him up with one piercing gaze, Rafe turned back to my father. “I have proof of Alistair’s assault.”
“That’s impossible,” Alistair blustered. “Because it never happened.” But he didn’t look so confident. He was paler than usual, and a sheen of sweat had broken out on his forehead. My father regarding him closely, eyes narrowing. “Show me this proof,” my father ordered.
“When Angelique told me about the assault, I was ready to go after Alistair myself,” he said sending him a murderous gaze. “But she begged me not to. So I did the only other thing I knew to do. I have connections with the hotel and was able to secure the video surveillance tape of that assault.” He pulled his Tablet with a video already queued up and handed it to my father.
“I’m sorry,” he turned to me and said, his eyes apologetic. “This may be difficult for you to watch.”
Pressing play, the three of us stared at the video of the elevator assault. Despite there being no audio, it was quite clear that I was telling the truth. Unable to relive the ugly experience again, I hid my face in Rafe’s shoulders.
“Angelique,” my father called softly, but I didn’t turn around. “Angelique, please.”
Slowly I turned to face my father.
I have never seen my father cry before, but he stood before me now with tears in his eyes. “I never should have doubted you. You tried to warn me about him, and I refused to believe it. You will never know how truly sorry I am.”
Unable to find my voice, I simply nodded.
My father turned his gaze to Rafe. “I owe you an apology, but I need to take care of something first,” he said as he sent a menacing look to Alistair, who seemed to shrink under his gaze. “I can trust that you will take care of her while I handle this?”
“Yes sir, no more harm will come to her.” Pausing, he looked my father straight in the eyes before adding, “Ever.”
I looked up at him quizzically, but he just hugged me close and guided me to the door. I turned back to look at my father, but he had already turned his attention to Alistair.
“Maybe we should stay to make sure he is okay,” I said concerned.
“I think your father can handle himself,” Rafe reassured. “But, I took care of it just in case.” As we exited the hallway into the main lobby, Rafe acknowledged several police officers that were standing nearby. Once he gave them the nod, they proceeded down the hallway towards my father.
Relief flooded through me.
Turning toward him, I scrutinized the meaning of his last words. “A little dramatic don’t you think,” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I appreciate the knight and shining armor bit, but the ‘Ever’ comment was a little over the top,” I said smilingly.
Rafe put his hands on my shoulders, his eyes very serious. “I know this was sudden, but I meant what I said.”
I furrowed my brows in confusion, “What?” What did he mean? He couldn’t possibly mean what I think he meant.
“You are beautiful, and smart, and sexy. Everything I could want in a woman,” he declared. “And, I meant what I said to your father. I won’t let anyone ever hurt you again, ever.”
I still wasn’t sure I had heard him right.
“I mean that is if you will let me.” My heart thundered in my chest as I listened to his impassioned speech.
“Angelique, I love you. I have the moment I first saw you. It doesn’t matter to me how we met, or how long we have known each other. I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
Could this be real? Truth was, I loved him too. I knew it when he held me in his arms that night we made sweet love to each other. I knew this must sound crazy, but as I stared down at him in awe, those blue eyes shining with sincerity, I knew it was right.
“Yes. Yes, Rafe, I would love to give us a try.
Beaming with pride, he picked me and twirled me around in a heated kiss, sealing the deal.
THE END
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LION LORD’S KISS
Prologue
For centuries, his ancestors had been roaming the savannah on four legs. They were the true kings of the jungle, and as the legends told, destined to be kings in this life or another. With all of the power and beauty of lions, and keen minds, it was hard not to be convinced of their superiority over normal men. They often lived decades longer than humans unless, like his ancestors in Tsavo, their lives were cut short by violence.
Today, Jay (short for Jelani), was hunting for more than a meal; he was hunting for a way out of a trip to New York. He hated the concrete without end, the dirty air and water, and the sheer volume of noise echoing off the tall buildings at all hours of the day and night.
As the offspring of a beautiful but frail human woman and his father, the late patriarch of his Pride, the task had fallen to him as a young, unmated Lord to make the trip. The Pride would eventually come under his rule, if he continued to display his father’s strength and his mother’s sharp mind, and Jay was expected to carry some of the burden of governing. His Uncle, the current Pride Leader was aging and remained unmated. Jay had been assigned more responsibility these past five years as his Uncle’s health deteriorated. Jay also privately thought that the Leader saw these tasks as a means of taming Jay’s sometimes unstable temper. When acting on official Pride business, he was more mindful of not embarrassing his people by letting his temper get the better of him.
As Jay slipped through the grass toward the edge of the watering hole where his prey waited, oblivious, a six hundred pound missile roared and launched itself at him, striking him in the shoulder and tumbling him into the dry grass, sending up a cloud of dust and an indignant roar. Jay looked with irritation to his prey that was already vanishing in a cloud of the same dust.
His Uncle Folami, meaning one who demands respect, transformed before him, and said, “Come Jelani, you procrastinate. Your plane leaves in two hours. I know this errand distresses you, but it must be done. It is important to the family and we trust you to handle this matter for us all.”
“Yes, I know it is important,” he said with resignation as he turned to follow his uncle, “You can trust me with it.”
“Make sure you do not get distracted.” Folami said with a raised brow, referring to Jay’s reputation as something of a womanizer.
“When have I ever let a woman distract me from my duty?” Jay growled
“Do not show your teeth to me, cub, lest I have to teach you to respect your elders…again.” Folami said, bristling. “Just make sure that your weakness for a round ass does not get you into trouble…again.”
No matter that the incidents had happened many years ago, Folami was loathe to let him live them down. He was an aging King holding on to every scrap of authority as he watched the years slowly rob him of his ability to enforce it. Though there was more to his leadership than brute force, it still took strength to command respect. A respect his Uncle still well deserved.
Choking down his anger, Jay simply replied “Yes, Uncle,” as the head of his family transformed back to his magnificent lion form with a slightly whitened muzzle and loped toward home with the deceptive speed of his kind. Jay did the same and followed along behind him at a respectful distance.
Chapter 1
Kathryn eyed herself critically in the full-length mirror that hung on her bathroom door
and was pleased with what she saw. At five foot nine inches tall and with the kind of robust curves that were just too lush to pass for conventional beauty in the thinner-is-better atmosphere of New York City, Kathryn still managed to turn heads. If asked, she would describe herself as an hourglass with about fifteen extra minutes added. She had great skin, a true peaches-and-cream complexion, complimented by long, auburn hair and full, ruby lips.
She was wearing a grey designer skirt and white blouse. It was traditional office wear, but she could not hide the fact that she was all woman, not that she would care to anyway. She was very comfortable in her own skin and exuded the easy-going confidence that other women tried to emulate but so many ended up over-doing, making themselves seem brash or even lewd. Kathryn had no need to resort to such tactics to draw male attention. And to be truthful, she really didn't have time for men in her life right now.
Her career was taking most of her energy at the moment. She had recently started practicing real estate law at a busy law office. The firm’s clientele mostly consisted of wealthy real estate investors buying and selling large commercial properties. Between her attention to detail and her natural charisma, she was doing extremely well and her clients were very happy. So happy, in fact, that many worked exclusively with her.
Recognizing a rising star when they saw one, and the threat she could represent to their bottom line should she start her own firm and take those clients with her, they had offered her a junior partnership. Of course this didn't sit well with some other members of the firm, who had been practicing there for years. The one who stood out though was Todd, the misogynistic prick, she thought with derision. He couldn't imagine that a woman would possibly be better than he at anything that didn't require a spatula. He attributed her success to a willingness to use her more obvious assets to her advantage. Nothing could be farther from the truth of course; she was damn good at what she did.
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