The Innocent (The Protege #2)

by Gow, Kailin

  Sebastian pressed a tight grin at the reproach in the older woman’s words. “Mind if I find my way?”

  “You're like family, Mr. Sorensen.” She smiled as she waved him toward the patio. “Go. Go.”

  The mansion hadn’t changed much since he’d first come as a boy. A dramatic staircase led to the upper level, and hand painted murals captivated even the most cynical eye. As a boy he’d stared in fascination at the artistry. Every room had high, coffered ceilings, rich oak flooring and a multitude of high end art pieces, imported chandeliers and exclusive furniture; all reminders of the great wealth the Brookes were so proud of.

  As Sebastian pushed opened the French doors that led to the inner courtyard, he stopped and stared at Willow a moment before averting his gaze. Had this not been a surprise visit, he would have accused her of deliberately setting out to entice him.

  The image of her nude body was blazed into the lids of his closed eyes. She lay on her belly on a teak lounging chair as the sun kissed every inch of her oil sleeked skin. Her smooth legs were as golden as her perfectly bronzed and well-rounded buttocks. Propped up on her elbows, her gaze was intently set on the magazine in her hands, while she puffed lazily on a cigarette. Small droplets of perspiration collected in the small of her back, and her long blond hair was pulled up into a casual bun.

  He coughed. “Willow.”

  Startled, she sat up and turned to him, her voluminous breasts bouncing from the sudden jolt of movement. “Bash,” she cried as she let her magazine fall to the chair and snubbed out her cigarette. “How delightful to see you.” Completely at ease with her nudity, she got up and made no attempt to cover herself as she sauntered up to him. He was amazed at the duplicity of her personality. When in polite company, she presented herself so prim and proper, a true high society mademoiselle. Yet she had the ability to be just as raunchy as a cheap street walker.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt. Perhaps I should’ve called, but it was urgent.”

  “Not at all. I’m happy to see you.” She put her hand to his shoulder and leaned in for a quick kiss. With a naughty gleam in her eyes, she invited him to follow her gaze as she looked down at her exposed breasts, her nipples erect with excitement. “As you can tell, I was thinking of you.” She met his gaze with smoldering heat that had her innocent blue eyes ablaze with lust and desire. “You bring out the naughtiest and most delicious thoughts, Sebastian. I guess these days I’m feeling nostalgic for those summers we spent together, remember?”

  “That was a long time ago.”

  “I agree. It was too long ago. I think it’s about time we create new memories.” She slipped a long tapered finger between two buttons of his shirt and tickled his chest. “Remember how great we were together, Bash?”

  “Willow, you have to stop this nonsense. Whatever happened between us happened when we were young. We’re grown up now and things have changed. We’ve changed. Stop living in the past and let’s move on.”

  “Why should we move on when what we had was so great? Don’t you see, Bash? We were destined to be together.” She took a step closer and pressed her bare breasts to his chest as she wrapped her hand around the nape of his neck and raked her perfectly manicured fingernails through his hair. “Do you remember the first time I fucked you, Bash?”

  “Willow…”

  “I was fifteen and I had such a crush on you. You were only a year older than me, but I saw you as such a mature and sophisticated young man. Even in your proper and somewhat dorky school uniform, you turned me on. You were so handsome, so sexy, yet there was something naïve and pure about you. It added to your appeal. You were so shy, you didn’t even look down at my breasts that time I accidentally exposed myself.”

  He snickered at the memory. He’d always known her ‘accident’ had been deliberate.

  “I knew you were innocent,” she purred. “And I wanted to be the first to initiate you. I wanted to show you what you were missing while you wasted all that time playing piano.”

  Sebastian swallowed as he remembered that long ago afternoon. “It was a mistake. I’ve moved on. It’s time you do the same.”

  “You say that now, but we both know how you enjoyed every kinky little thing I showed you; how I touched you, licked you, hit you.”

  “Do you really want me to put it bluntly, Willow? Do you really want me to tell you how I feel about you?”

  She batted her lashes at him.

  “You were a good fuck and we might have had a good time, once upon a time, but now I want a woman I can love, a woman I can respect. You're not that woman, Willow, and all the manipulation in the world isn’t going to change that. I know about the photos you took of me and Serena at the fundraiser, and I don’t know what you were trying to prove when you put a picture of yourself on the windshield of my car in Seattle, but I didn’t appreciate it. And the fact that you would ransack my apartment doesn’t exactly endear you to me… not at all.”

  Stunned, she pulled back and glared at him. “What are you talking about?”

  “You went through my apartment. What were you looking for?”

  “Why in the world would I ransack your apartment, Bash? For crying out loud, if I wanted to go through your place, I’d just arrange a little visit, with your mother if need be.” She sniffed indignantly. “I can’t believe you’d think I’d do such a thing. Besides, as much as I’m looking forward to marrying you, our respective mothers want it even more. They’ve both said how it’s the perfect union… perfect. I’m just a pawn as much as you are.” She pouted innocently.

  “Right. You, a pawn.”

  “Okay, I might be a willing pawn, but all the same…”

  “Are you saying my mother is behind all this?”

  She shrugged.

  “That doesn’t make sense. I’m her son. Why would she risk harming her own son?”

  Willow shrugged again. “I told you. They really, really want this.”

  “I was sick for days when I was poisoned. If it hadn’t been for Serena’s quick thinking, I don’t know what would have happened.”

  Setting her hands on her narrow waist, Willow glared at Sebastian. “If it wasn’t for Serena, our families would have no obstacles. Do you realize, Bash, the significance of merging our families?”

  “It may be significant to our parents, and it may be significant to you, but it is of absolutely no significance to me. And if you're insinuating that my family is behind all this…” He turned away from her and shook his head in disbelief.

  Willow slipped her hand into his and turned him back to face her.

  “I’ve had my stomach pumped, my home ransacked and my tires slashed. What is the point in doing all this if they want us together? Why hurt me?”

  With determination and surprising strength, Willow pulled Sebastian to her, cupped his face and gently kissed him. Her soft lips covered his mouth and her tongue slowly edged its way inside.

  He remained steeled and unmoved. “Cigarette breath doesn’t really help, Willow.”

  She shrugged off his comment. “Look, I would never do anything to harm my future husband, Bash. I love you, and I want you, and I want you to want me.” No longer taking gentle measures, she pressed her lips passionately to his and wrapped her arms around him as she plunged her tongue deep into his mouth. When he didn’t respond, she grasped his hands and brought them around to her ass where she squeezed. “Remember how you always loved my ass? Remember that day in the cave? You pushed me up against the hard rock wall and you were in such a rush to shove your dick up my ass. I still have a faint scar on my tit from scraping along one of the sharp rocks. It hurt, Bash. It hurt when you shoved me up against those rocks. You pounded into me so hard while I was sandwiched between you and those rocks. But you know what? It was the best fuck I’d ever had. The pain was thrilling and exciting, and I’d do anything to have that thrill again.”

  She pulled back and looked at him. Surprise registered in her big blue eyes as Sebastian remained distant and cold.
As she licked her lips, a veil of desperation fell over her darkening gaze. “You can’t deny how fabulous we were together. Those summers when we went to camp… every fucking night you came after me, begging for more, pleading for the chance to fuck me again. I wasn’t the one chasing you then, Bash. You wanted me. Again and again, you wanted me.”

  “I was a horny sixteen year old kid, Willow. I would’ve fucked anyone. You were there, willing. It was fun. Now it’s over. I’m in love, and if you had an ounce of respect for me, you’d be happy I’d found someone to love. You’d be happy for me instead of trying to ruin it.” He pried her hands off him and let them drop with disdain. “It’s time you find yourself another playmate.”

  Digging her nails into his wrist, she grabbed him and spun him around. “You love that Serena bitch, don’t you?”

  He jerked his hand free and turned to leave.

  “Don’t you?!” she shouted. “You expect me to believe that you're really in love with some fucking music student. Really, Bash?”

  “I have nothing more to say to you.” He walked on.

  “I swear, Sebastian Sorenson. If I ever see that bitch again, I’ll…”

  Venom rose to his throat as Sebastian turned and grabbed Willow by the throat, pushing her back until she almost toppled over her lounge chair. “Are you uttering a threat, dear Willow?”

  Her eyes widened with fear, but her hardened determination remained.

  “Well, then, how’s this for a threat?” he whispered as he came within inches of her face. “If you so much as get within ten yards of Serena, I’ll make sure it’s an encounter you’ll remember and regret the rest of your life. You got me?”

  Willow’s eyes bulged out from her face, registering understanding and fear. She nodded.

  Sebastian had had enough of this bitch’s games, and took his hands off her, before he storm out of the Brooke’s pretentious over-entitled mansion.

  Chapter 5

  As the days passed, Sebastian tried desperately to contact Serena. Over and over again he rehearsed every word he’d say to her; how he’d explain Willow and how he’d convince her to be with him. His rehearsals were in vain as every attempt proved futile. His texts went unanswered and her phone rang incessantly when he called.

  “Your line is probably bugged anyway,” he muttered as he stared down at his phone. He’d have to find another way of contacting her.

  He was left with no other option than to go to Price’s penthouse. He dreaded the thought of finding her there, with him. The images that passed through his head were enough to drive him crazy. It was painful to imagine her in his arms, her beautiful and firm breasts wrapped in his dirty little hands. As he set out to the new high-rise that looked out over the harbor, he hoped to find her alone. His mind was set on sweeping Serena off her feet, releasing her from her master’s hold and loving her like she deserved.

  A part of him longed to show Price what he really thought of his ways, in business and in bed, but as angry as he was with the ruthless businessman, he had no desire to fight him. It wasn’t the right time.

  The tall glass building gleamed and sparkled as the rays of the late afternoon sun shined on it like a beacon. Sebastian had to admit the building was impressive. Modern in every way, it had every technological advance money could buy, but the austere décor left him cold… much as Price did.

  He rang the elevator for the penthouse, but was quickly informed that neither Mr. Turnsby nor his lovely lady friend were home. While the doorman refused to divulge the whereabouts of the happy couple, Sebastian found the answer when he turned away and spotted a society magazine on a table in the foyer. Price’s arrogant grin was plastered across the cover as the headline announced the opening of his new private club.

  Sebastian would have liked nothing more than to wipe Price’s arrogant grin off the page. No doubt this new club would be filled with the elite who had a need to show themselves. As he flipped through the pages hoping to find the address or name, he spotted a car through the large window that overlooked the waterfront visitor parking lot.

  Her hair, her eyes, her sad smile; he knew it was Serena. It had to be, though he realized his imagination had been playing tricks on him lately. He seemed to see her everywhere, but this time he was sure it wasn’t an illusion but the real thing. Dropping the magazine, he hurried out to his car and sped out of the parking lot to follow the sporty car that carried away the love of his life. Not surprisingly, the exclusive silver sports car stopped in front of one of the most talked about buildings in Newport.

  With a sizable and much talked about price tag, the building outshined the architectural wonder he’d just left behind. Sebastian had to hand it to Price. The man had an eye for beauty and style.

  Sebastian pulled up to the valet parking as Price and Serena entered the building. He ran out of his car and hurried to the building, but as he tried to board the elevator, he was stopped by the massive hand of an equally massive man with a clipboard.

  “Can I have your name, sir?” The large man scrutinized him.

  While he wore a suit and tie, he knew he wasn’t dressed for an opening night. “Sorensen. Sebastian Sorensen, but I’m not on the…”

  The big man looked at his list. “Sorensen. Sorensen,” he muttered as his gaze followed his finger down the list. When he reached the bottom he looked up at Sebastian. “Nope. I don’t have your name down here. Are you with someone who was invited?”

  Sebastian considered his answer for a second. “Yes,” he finally said. “Yes, of course. I was held up and I’m a little late. She has already gone up. If you’ll just let me…”

  “And her name would be…?” Suspicious, the man glared at him.

  “Serena.”

  “Serena?”

  “Serena Singleton.”

  The man checked his list again and immediately stopped at the top of the list. He looked at Sebastian with a sarcastic grin. “Nice try.”

  “I’m sure she’s on the list. I know for a fact she got an invitation.”

  “Oh, her name is here all right. Serena Singleton. It’s right next to the name of Mr. Price Turnsby, the big man himself.”

  “Is it now?”

  Turning his attention to a few new arrivals, the big man turned away and Sebastian took his chance. He stepped behind the man and snaked his way into the elevator. Just as he held his finger poised to press on the button, the big man slid his hand between the sliding doors without bothering to look back.

  “Please don’t force me to turn this into an embarrassing episode for you, sir.”

  Sebastian stepped out of the elevator as the new arrivals stepped in. “Look, I just need a minute to see …”

  “Yeah, yeah. Look, a lot of people are curious about this new private club, but I can’t let you in just to have a look. This is an invitation only type of thing.”

  “I’m very well aware of that, and I don’t want to attend. I just need to speak to one of the guest.”

  “Let me guess.” The man smiled and almost looked friendly. “Serena Singleton.”

  “Yes! Exactly.”

  The man scowled. “No.”

  “Fine, then could I just get a word to her.” Even as he made the request, he knew he was talking to a brick wall. “If you can get a word to her, I’m sure she’ll come down to…”

  “Do I look like a secretary?” He clasped his hands together before him and glared at Sebastian with finality before escorting Sebastian out.

  For a while, Sebastian sat in his car, contemplating his next steps, and whether or not he should call his security team Donovan Dynamics to help him figure out a way into the club. He finally decided to leave the club and go home to plan out another strategy. One way or another, he was going to have Serena with him once again. Even if he did something completely crazy.

  Chapter 6

  Serena felt sexy and expensive in her canary yellow strapless dress with a draped skirt that was cut thigh high. The fabric was luxurious against her skin
, as was the yellow diamond necklace at her throat. With her legs stretched out in front of her, her nude Louboutin pumps tapping to the song on the radio, she sat in the passenger seat of Price’s new Mercedes.

  “I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you at my side, Serena. Tonight is a big night.”

  Though the night promised to be exciting and star studded, her heart wasn’t in it and she had to force a degree of enthusiasm. “I’m thrilled to come to your big opening. It’s the talk of the town.”

  “Well, in the right circles, it is.”

  Serena smiled. Hopefully once up in the club, she’d get into the spirit of things and have fun.

  “What do you think of this new building?” Price asked as they entered the lavish main foyer.

  The polished granite floors gleamed and reflected the glass and steel design that exuded strength and forward thinking. The bold design was so in tune to the man Price was. Hard, uncompromising and striking.

  “It’s beautiful, Price.”

  They entered the elevator and before the doors had time to close, Price pressed her up against the mirrored wall. He delicately fingered a spiral curl that softened her elegant updo. “You're exquisite tonight, Serena. I don’t know what I’m looking forward to more; showing off my latest venture, or fucking you in that sexy dress. You’re beautiful.”

  “You’re not too bad yourself.”

  Sexy and confident in an impeccable tuxedo, which he filled out, Price was sure to outshine any celebrity who accepted his invitation to his club’s grand opening.

  “Are you looking forward to what I have in mind for you?”

  The doors slid open and they were greeted with the sights and scents of money; obscene money. Dapper waiters worked silently but efficiently through the elite crowd. Designer gowns filled the room with elegant black, hot red and royal blue. Women dripped with diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, while the men displayed their multi-carat rings and cufflinks. Polite conversation buzzed in the air as men discussed finances and women compared fashions. A few single socialites hung on every word that came from the handsome actors in attendance.