by Nicole Casey
“But how will the police know that?” I demanded crossly. I was beginning to feel like a pawn in a game.
“Because I called Aaron through my pocket when Randolph arrived and he called 9-1-1 and kept them on speaker phone. They heard everything and it was being recorded,” Harding explained, stepping to my side.
He hugged me close and I relaxed into his huge frame as I reached for my sister’s hand.
“So that’s it?” Jillian muttered, her blue eyes shocked and dazed. “We are free of him?”
I wasn’t sure I believed it myself but Harding had never given me any cause to doubt him.
Now was no different.
“Maybe I’ll find something for Jillian to eat,” Aaron suggested. “While you two find some clothes before the police arrive.”
I gasped aloud, looking down at my naked body in shock but when I met Harding’s eyes, he only laughed.
“I have a better idea,” he whispered in my ear, taking my hand and I felt my blood spike with heat.
I had walked onto Black Mountain a naïve, virgin who had never known love.
But as I looked at Harding, I knew that I would be none of those things ever again.
And I had the answer to my own question.
There was absolutely no doubt; I was in love with Harding Jackson.
Even as I thought it, he gathered me in his arms and whispered the words into my ears.
“I don’t know what you did to me, Eloise Danzer but I am head over heels in love with you.”
Love at first sight just ran in his family, I supposed.
Epilogue
HARDING
Aaron tossed me a beer and I caught it in midair, nodding in appreciation.
“So much to celebrate, so little time!” Aaron called out to me from the grill and I laughed.
Denton Crowe’s trial had wrapped up the previous afternoon, the jury taking only three hours to convict him on all counts.
He was going away for seventy-five years and his co-conspirators each facing various, minimal sentences.
I had also met my father’s brother for the first time.
He seemed a puppet, an empty shell who had been brainwashed by Denton Crowe just like so many other members of his cult.
But my cousin Henry had explained a lot of what had happened, clearing up any questions I’d had.
“You’re a worthless sinner, just like your father!” Henry screeched when I told him who I was. “You abandoned your family then and you are doing it again now!”
“The members of the Community are going to need a LOT of therapy,” Aaron commented as Henry was shuffled away by the bailiffs at the Fifth District Court after the jury had gone to trial.
I tried to pretend that it didn’t bother me but somehow, it seemed a fitting end to the strange family I had been born into.
And Eloise was right; both my uncle and cousin had my eyes.
But that chapter of our lives was closed now. Denton Crowe could not hurt Eloise or Jillian anymore. There was no more hiding or running. The girls were free to live their lives as they wished.
“We have to squeeze these summer barbecues in where we can,” I agreed, casting the Community out of my mind and focusing on Aaron. “I can’t believe the summer’s almost over.”
“I can’t believe you’re getting married in a month,” Aaron countered.
The words caused a flutter of excitement to flow through me as I glanced toward my fiancée chatting with a group of women near the gazebo.
Jillian was in their midst, smiling happily as someone told a quirky anecdote.
It seemed so bizarre that everything had happened a year ago and yet we had come so far.
I had been sure that with Eloise’s previous notions of marriage that she would have no interest in being my wife but when I put aside my apprehensions and asked her, her response had been classic Eloise.
“What took you so long to ask?” she had said and I think I fell in love with her all over again.
We set the date for October, almost a year to the day we had met on the mountain road by my house.
It seemed fitting.
“You know what the most unbelievable part of all this is?” Aaron asked and I turned my attention back to him.
“What’s that?”
“You got promoted finally.”
Jeff Morley overheard his statement and howled.
“I don’t know how you waited three years before demanding your promotion,” the rig manager chortled. “You should have been promoted two years ago. You’re the best fucking roughneck our rig’s ever had.”
“Uh, I’m standing right here,” Aaron piped up and I laughed.
“Well you’re the best roughneck now,” I added smoothly. “Now that I’m motor hand, you can have my default title as best.”
My other co-workers laughed, including Aaron.
It turned out that the men on my crew weren’t nearly the assholes I had always thought them to be.
Or maybe I was just mellowing in my old age.
After all, a year ago, I wouldn’t have been caught dead at a backyard barbecue with those guys.
Suddenly we were doing them every weekend it seemed.
And I was enjoying them too.
Eloise raised her head at the sound of our laughter and our eyes met.
She broke apart from the group and wandered toward me.
“There she is,” Morley announced. “The woman who taught Jackson how to take the cork out of his ass.”
“Hear hear!” the others chorused and I gave them the finger as Eloise perched on my lap.
“How’s the house coming, Jackson?” Greg Charles asked, juggling one of his two infant twins. His wife was handling the other and I found myself studying the child’s small face.
Eloise squeezed my leg and I wondered if she was thinking the same thing I was; maybe it was time to get started on a gaggle of mountain babies.
“It’s done…” I answered slowly.
“But he wants to add a third floor now,” Eloise finished and Aaron groaned.
“You will never stop working on that place, will you?” he asked and I shrugged.
“Kind of makes you wish you hadn’t invited yourself over to help, doesn’t it? Now you’re in for the long haul.”
Aaron shook his head and closed the lid to the grill.
“I don’t wish that at all,” he replied slowly, waving at Jillian who hurried over to join them. “If I hadn’t come that weekend, I may never have met my soulmate.”
The men groaned at the sappiness of the words but I couldn’t help but be happy for Aaron.
I knew that feeling because I had it with Eloise.
The way he looked at Jillian said everything.
“We were going to wait,” Aaron continued. “But since all you assholes are here, we may as well let the cat out of the bag. Jill and I are engaged.”
Eloise and I exchanged a look and I realized immediately that she had already known.
There was a round of “congratulations” and back claps as Aaron grinned at the group.
I jumped up to embrace my future sister-in-law.
“I’m so happy for you two,” I told her sincerely. “I know you’ll be incredible together.”
She smiled at me, her blue eyes bright and she nodded.
“We have you to thank for everything,” she told me softly, gazing at Eloise over my shoulder.
“No,” I corrected her firmly. “It took a bravery and desire to overcome which I did not give you. You and Eloise did that yourselves.”
She smiled patiently at me as if I was an idiot and kissed me on the cheek.
“Whatever you say, big brother.”
I laughed but the pet name filled me with silent glee. I had always wanted siblings and it looked like I had acquired two.
Jillian turned to accept her congratulations from the others and I grinned at Aaron as Eloise slipped her hand into mine.
“It looks like we’re goin
g to be family, man,” I said to Aaron and he nodded, shrugging.
“I could have picked worse,” he quipped.
Eloise’s fingers squeezed mine and I leaned forward to give Aaron a friendly bear hug.
“Welcome to the family, asshole.”
Aaron snickered and returned the embrace.
“Thanks.”
“You know what this means, don’t you?” I asked when we broke apart.
He eyed me suspiciously.
“What?” he demanded.
My face broke out into an explosive smile through my freshly trimmed beard.
“I think we need to build an in-law suite!”
- THE END -
The Billionaire’s Desires
A Billionaire BDSM Romance
Mercury Billionaires Book 4
Book Description
When her eyes lock with mine in my office, I know I have to own her.
I am Marcus Phoenix, the so-called silent billionaire. What the world doesn't know is that I have a very peculiar “hobby” behind closed doors.
In my private lakeside manor I tend to have submissive “pets,” young women who would do anything I command.
The only problem is that I would get bored of them; their minds would break and the engaging fire of our little play would lose its spark.
And then I meet Natasha. Beautiful, shy, innocent Natasha.
Her blue eyes, soft lips, and her banging body make me want to dominate her and bend her to my will.
She needs help, and that put me in the perfect position to make my darkest desires come true.
Guess there's only one thing to do: make her sign the contract and let our game begin...
Prologue
Marcus
Now she’s broken. I stared at the young girl in front of me, laid out on the bed naked save for the warm blanket over her. A residue of a once warm smile filled her lips and she simply gazed back at me with the blankest stare in her eyes. The blue shine that once glowed in them had long faded. It was like staring into a soulless puppet.
The longer I looked at her the more I came to realize how far gone she was. Once upon a time she was beautiful, she was strong and she always had an opinion regarding things in the world. It wasn’t so long ago that she would prance around with her chin held high, proudly proclaiming her love for her career.
She was a doctor, once, but now she was nothing more than a slab of meat, a toy for me to abuse. All the strength, confidence and will had drained out of her very being. Her spirit and energy had slipped away into nothingness. Like a mannequin she merely laid there, not even blinking or mumbling a single word.
“What a pity,” I then grumbled when I stroked her pretty face. I sighed in pity and regret as I commanded, “Do not move until I leave. I don’t want to hear a single word from you either. You’re a worthless slut and a slave. Understood?”
“Yes daddy,” was all she whispered and she quickly went back to being the silent, lifeless toy once more.
I gave her a pat on the cheek and rewarded her obedience with a gentle kiss on her lifeless lips. I looked at them closer and recalled how they had gasped when I beat her and flogged her in the dungeons below. Never did she moan or cry out in pain or pleasure. She took it silently and loved the moment.
Perhaps I had broken her too soon. It was something for me to ponder about when I had the time and right now I had to go. Immediately I picked up my clothes to get dressed. After I slid my pants back on I checked my watch – it was still eight-thirty in the morning. I still had time for a donut and some coffee before it was time to go to work.
By the time I had put on my business coat the woman was beginning to drift off. Her eyes were now closed and I could see her chest rise and fall as her breathing calmed down. I had been rough on her this morning but it was what she deserved – no, it was what she lived for. Pleasing me was her sole purpose in life.
There was just one problem with this obedient little kitten that did everything I asked: she was boring. Where the once a fire burning in her there was now just a dark and empty void. She was breathing but she was essentially a lifeless doll.
I would have to get rid of her.
The only problem with that decision was I’d be left without a toy to fuck. I gave her one more look, reminiscing all the moments we had together since I met her and dragged her down into this crazy corner of lust, and realized I’d only hurt her the more I’d get bored with her performance.
No, I couldn’t harm her more than she could handle. I had broken her will already, that much was obvious, and the best I could do was to turn her over to someone who appreciated broken girls like her. Maybe someone at Mercury Wild would want her.
I took a moment to reflect upon myself in the mirror. Even as I neared forty, I figured I was still a dashing man with good looks; women always prattled on about my blonde hair and the glow of my blue eyes. Even if they were just toying with my emotions, I at least knew for a fact that I was tall, lean and muscular. I didn’t hit the gym three times a week for nothing, after all.
When I was done and had my shoes on, I turned off the lights and gave her one last look. She was still in her original position, obeying my every command. Without saying farewell or even uttering her name, I turned off the lights, walked out the door and locked it behind me.
That was the last time I ever visited her apartment.
Her name had faded out of memory.
Never looking back, I descended down the apartment stairs and walked out into the parking lot. There were half a dozen cars parked in the neighborhood, most of them nearly broken down and unused by the families that owned them. It took me no time at all to spot my bright red sports car.
I checked my watch one more time. There was still time to kill. I then started the car and drove off.
1
Natasha
“Do you have a toothbrush packed?” my mom called from the downstairs kitchen.
I rolled my eyes and shouted back, hoping my voice would be heard through the nearly-shut doorway, “I do, mom! I told you like a thousand times already!”
“I was just checking,” she nonchalantly called back and I heard some kitchen utensils clanging; she must have gone back to baking.
To be honest, it was a little nice to see my mom being so cheerful. With each item and clothing that I packed into my little luggage I knew I was making it hard for her. I was her little girl and here I was, just turned twenty-one and already leaving for the big city.
Perhaps it would be best if I headed back downstairs and spent some time with her. Who knew when I’d be home? It could be months or years before I ever get to visit. I quickly stopped packing and headed down.
My mom was indeed in the middle of baking but I had no clue on what she was trying to conjure up. The kitchen was a mess and her apron was covered in powdered sugar and flour.
Still, she was adorable-looking. Even at thirty-eight my mom was still a hottie; slim, sexy and had long blonde hair. People say we look the same, down to the blue glint in our eyes and the curves of our bodies that made men drool whenever we passed by. I recalled a time when we both walked into a bar and a guy asked if she was my sister. It was hilarious and sweet at the same time.
“What are you makin’ mom?” I asked her as I slid on one of the high stools.
She turned around and saw what I was wearing, “Do you really plan on going to the city wearing a shirt big enough to be a dress?”
Well, I did have a big football jersey on and a pair of baggy cargo jeans. I looked at her and asked, “What’s wrong with what I’ve got on?”
“It screams ‘countryside’ all over it,” she answered as she shut the oven off, removed her apron and shooed me off my seat. She then began to push me back up to my bedroom. “Come on, you need to put on something that’ll make you stand out.”
Just what I needed: fashion advice from my mom.
As soon as we got into my room she dug through the clothes that I had yet t
o pack and eventually came up with something for me to wear. However, one of them didn’t seem quite right for her and she took a pair of scissors from the top of my drawers and cut up something with her back turned to me. When she was done she quickly shoved a few things at me and looked at me with impatient eyes.
“Uh, mom?” I didn’t know what she was waiting for. She just stood in front of me silently.
“Go on, change,” she ushered with a hand. “Don’t be shy, I’ve seen you naked honey. I’m your mom, after all.”
I rolled my eyes and realized how silly I was. I blushed back at her but even then I took off my shirt. I didn’t even get to put on the pink tank top my mom gave me when she suddenly stopped me. I looked at her and she had a disappointing look on her face.
She didn’t say a word and just motioned for me to turn around. I did so and to my surprise she took off my bra.
“Mom?” I gasped out.
“Your have nice breasts honey,” she pointed out as she turned me to face her. “A bra will be ridiculous. Besides, you need to learn to flaunt your assets, sweetie. You’re already old enough to drink but you’ve never brought a boyfriend over to house.”
“I’ve never had one,” I reminded her.
She hummed in disappointment, “I know. So put yourself out there. Show off a little. Now, let’s work on the jeans.”
I slid on the tank top and took off my jeans. I tossed them to the side. It kind of hurt me to see them thrown down – they’ve been my favorite since I was sixteen – but I guess my mom was right. I did have a nice body but I always hid it underneath big, baggy clothes.
My eyes went wide when I saw the cloth she had cut and chopped with the scissors. It was one of my old denim shorts. When I put them on they were so short they could have been panties. I felt a little awkward and when I took a step I worried I’d get a wedgie. I turned to look at my butt just to make sure my ass cheeks were covered.
