by Ravenna Tate
“Hence the reason I never made the connection before.”
Whatever she and Traci had been looking for that night, it obviously wasn’t his family tree. He didn’t think it was necessary to tell her that Brent Easton wasn’t his biological father. And it hardly mattered now whether she knew.
“Will his company also be yours one day?”
“Yes. I’m their only child.”
“So you built your own empire before the age of thirty, and you’ll also inherit your father’s company. You own this town, Ace.”
He smiled slightly. “I suppose I do.”
“You look uncomfortable. I apologize. Please tell me the rest of the story.”
“Just like you, I really don’t enjoy talking about my personal life.”
She nodded once. “Fair enough.”
“When the underground cities were built, my father also suggested above-ground shelters for those unable or unwilling to go underground, but the majority of those weren’t finished until after The Madeline Project was hacked into.”
“There are shelters above ground?”
Her voice shook slightly as she asked the question. Was she thinking of her parents?
“Not enough of them, and they’re not large enough to hold more than a couple dozen people at a time, but they do exist. They are where the Storm Troopers try to flee when they can’t get out of the path of a storm.”
He watched her carefully as he spoke. The last thing he wanted to do was dredge up bad memories for her. “But they’re not the only ones who use them, and this is the piece that’s not well known.” Maybe telling her about this clandestine group would distract her from thinking of her parents.
“A small, brave, and totally insane group of people earn their living by going above ground and attempting to procure certain items, for a hefty price of course. They make their way around the globe by using those shelters when needed, and through a series of tunnels that were constructed across bodies of water.”
Her eyes widened. “Not the oceans, surely…”
He smiled. “No. Not those. To cross one of an ocean size, the people I’m speaking of still have to fly a plane, but then they have to land it, get the cargo on board, and fly it back.”
“That sounds like dangerous work.”
“It is. And some of them don’t make it back to the underground cities.”
“So is that how you acquired all this?”
“Not all of it. A lot of it was brought here when the cities were first built. My father constructed this town, and designed this apartment building for himself. It was meant to house his entire workforce and staff, but then he and my mother found a location they liked better. So he gave this building to me.”
“You own the entire building?”
“Yes. I lease the units on all the floors below this one. Jasper and his wife, Alena, actually live in Penthouse B. It connects to this one through a hallway off the kitchen.”
She nodded slowly. “I see.” She took another sip of wine, and then asked him if it was true that The Madeline Project was named after a house.
“Yes and no.” He crawled off the bed. “Come on. I have something really cool to show you.”
She took his hand, and he led her to his closet where he handed her a shirt to put on. He picked up his robe and put it back on, and then he led her to his library across the hall. When she walked inside, they stood in the middle of the room, where her mouth dropped open. “I have never seen this many actual books in one place. I don’t know what to say, Ace.”
“Most of them are priceless now.” He released her hand to cross the room, and then he pulled a volume off one of the shelves. Handing it to her, he asked if she’d ever seen it before.
She shook her head. “No.” Then a huge smile graced her face. “Oh my God. Madeline, by Ludwig Bemelmans. Are you kidding me? The program was named after this book?”
“Not only the book. The programmer who first conceived of The Madeline Project adored these books. There are twenty of them, I believe, and their publication dates span several decades in the twentieth century. The home the programmer lived in looked like the house described in the opening lines of this one.”
She opened it and read out loud. “In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines.” She shook her head, smiling. “Did he have it built that way or was it already covered in vines?”
“I’m not sure, but he did have a bunker constructed underneath it. It’s the site where he first wrote the program.”
“That’s an amazing story. Are you related to him in some way?”
“No, but he and my father went to college together.”
An expression of sadness graced her pretty face as she handed the book back to him. “Do you see your parents often?”
“Quite often, yes.”
She bit her lip, and he placed the book on a nearby table and pulled her close. “Tell me what’s on your mind, baby.”
He felt her take a deep, shaky breath, as if she might be trying not to cry. “I want to tell you about mine. My parents, I mean.”
Ace closed his eyes. One good turn deserved another, but not for this subject. There were some things in his past he’d never be able to tell anyone.
Chapter Eight
Harper pulled away and gazed into his eyes. “They were weather researchers, working for NSSL in Norman, Oklahoma.”
He nodded.
“Six years ago, I moved underground and into the dorms at the university right here in town. I took summer classes because I was so excited to start my undergraduate degree I couldn’t even wait for the fall term.” She licked her lips. She could do this. “They stayed above ground to continue their work, and were in constant communication with me. Everyone believed they’d be safe inside the NSSL facilities. I never heard anyone say they thought it was risky.”
“I’ve heard that as well.”
“But they were wrong. A month after I moved here, a tornado that was described as more devastating than the worst EF5 ever recorded struck the buildings head on. No one survived.”
He pulled her close again, and she melted against his hard body. There were no tears this time, but now she felt numb inside. And cold. So cold. Like she might never be warm again. Ace picked her up and silently carried her back to his bedroom. The man didn’t even look like he was struggling with the effort. Not that she was huge, but she wasn’t a skinny waif, either. His strength was exciting and a bit scary. He could really hurt her if he wanted to.
But he didn’t want to do that. She knew that now. Whatever this was, it wasn’t because he wanted to cause her pain. Quite the opposite from what she’d seen so far. That was even more confusing, considering how it had started out this morning in his office.
He laid her on the bed, and then settled down next to her, propping himself up on one elbow to stare down into her face. “I’m so sorry you lost them in such a tragic way.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Do you have other family anywhere?”
She shook her head. “I mean I do, but I have no clue where they are. My mother had two sisters, but the last time I saw them and their husbands and children, I was ten. They lived in California, and we took a trip out there for an entire month. But then everything started happening with The Madeline Project and my parents were too busy to take time off work and travel.”
“And your father? What about his family?”
“He was an only child. And so am I, of course.” She glanced over at the food. It was a shame to waste it. She was pretty hungry, no doubt due to the unexpected activity earlier.
He followed her gaze. “Would you like something else to eat?”
She sat up. “I shouldn’t be thinking about food after I just told you how my parents died.” She sighed out loud. He’d asked her not to put herself down, so she bit back the retort about that being why she was so damn fat. Food was her solution to everything.
He sat up as well and then took her han
ds. “I wish I knew what to say. I’ve never been very good at comforting people during emotional trauma.”
“I’m surprised to hear you say that.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re doing a great job of it tonight. First you got me past my fear of having sex again, and my fear that you’d be repulsed by my body and would laugh at my inexperience, and now…” Her voice trailed off. She might as well tell him. She’d come this far. “I’ve never told that story to anyone. I mean about my parents. Except of course the attorney that my parents had hired to take care of their estate for me if anything should happen to them.”
“Did they leave a large one?”
She shook her head. “No. Not even close. Everything was wrapped up in less than six months. But my education was paid for, and I had a little left over to take care of basic living expenses.”
A shadow of discomfort passed over his face. “And now I’ve dumped you in the dingy basement to work.”
“You did what you felt was right. I hacked into your personal accounts. It was wrong of me, and I deserve whatever you give me for it. You could have fired me and called the police. Thank you for not doing either.”
He averted his gaze, but not before she saw the regret on his face. “All of that is true.” His voice was quiet. “But I don’t feel quite as violated now as I did when I first discovered it.”
“Because we’ve had sex?”
Ace looked into her eyes again with an expression she couldn’t interpret. “No. Because I know you a bit better now, and I can see how much pain you’re still in.”
She didn’t know what to say, but her appetite was suddenly not as foremost in her mind as it had been a moment ago. She wanted him again. Harper wanted this man to hold her, and kiss her, and fuck her until she couldn’t think anymore.
Taking off his shirt, she tossed it onto the floor and moved toward him. He shrugged out his robe, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. There was an urgency in the way his mouth moved over hers this time, as if he were claiming her in some ancient ritual. He tangled his hands in her hair, and she climbed on top of him, which felt so sexy. She’d never imagined doing anything so bold or wanton.
He released her mouth and grinned. “Can you reach the box of condoms? Take one out, sweetheart. Time for you to learn how to do this.”
Harper reached over and removed a foil packet, then settled back on her heels.
“Take it out of the foil. Carefully so you don’t damage it.” She did, and then he showed her how to place it over the tip of his cock and roll it down the length. “Very good. Now the lube.” She picked up the bottle and poured a tiny bit onto her fingers. “That’s right. You don’t need a lot. Rub it over the condom.”
He groaned softly as she did, and then she rose up and he helped her sheath his dick with her pussy. “Oh my God,” she whispered. At this angle, he was in so deep, and each slow thrust massaged her clit. He grasped her hips as he continued thrusting. Harper placed her hands on his chest and tried to keep breathing.
She closed her eyes and threw her head back as another orgasm began to build. The comparison of this evening to that ten seconds in a frat house was like choosing between silk and sandpaper. Was it the atmosphere in the room? The fact that he’d blackmailed her into it? Or was Ace merely a better lover than most men? He’d certainly had enough practice.
“Open your eyes, please. I want to look into them.”
She shivered at the tone of his voice, commanding yet tender. Harper opened her eyes and held his gaze as he fucked her, so slowly she thought she’d go out of her mind with need. When the climax started, she cried out, and he increased the speed of his thrusts, but not by much. The result was a prolonged, crazy intense orgasm that had her practically screaming in pleasure.
“That’s it, baby. Oh, Harper … you should see what you look like right now. Pure bliss. You’re beautiful. Keep it going, sweetheart. Don’t let it get away from you.”
She didn’t know how to do that, but it didn’t matter. This thing had a mind of its own, and it wasn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Before the contractions ended, Ace told her to hang on, and then he flipped them over so he was on top of her again. She laughed because it was so unexpected, and then he withdrew, laughing as well.
“You just about pushed me out, Harper. Those are some strong muscles you have.”
She put a hand over her mouth to try to stifle it, but it was no use. “I’m so sorry.”
“Right. You sound like it.”
“I can’t help it. I don’t know why I’m laughing like this.”
He smiled at her tenderly. “Because you’re having so much fun.” Then he kissed her. “And because you are, so am I.”
She didn’t know what to say. Whatever she’d been picturing would happen tonight, this wasn’t it. This silly fun, sharing secrets, tender kisses, and that voice. It was so sexy and dominant. She’d always thought so, but the intimacy tonight made it sound richer and more personal.
A wicked grin spread over his face as he eyed her naked body. “You know, girls who laugh during sex are bad. And do you know what I like to do to bad girls?”
“No clue.” Another laugh threatened, so she coughed, hoping that covered it up.
“You’re about to find out.” Ace scooted to the edge of the bed and pulled her over. “Stand up, please. In front of me.”
She did, and then he kissed her once more until she was panting and ready to come all over again. The man knew how to use his mouth. When he released hers, he pulled her over his left knee in one easy motion, and pinned her legs with his right thigh. “Now you’re going to learn how I punish bad girls for laughing at me during sex.”
Harper was giggling so hard she could barely speak, but she managed to remind him that she hadn’t been laughing at him.
“Too late.” He swatted each of her ass cheeks a few times, not nearly enough to really hurt, but the endorphin rush from his spanking sent her arousal spiraling out of control. “Had enough yet?”
“No.”
Ace chuckled. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He spanked her again, harder this time, but she loved it. It stung more than anything, but each swat also sent fresh wetness to her pussy. She’d never imagined such a feeling of surrender was possible. When he stopped, she groaned.
“Had enough, bad girl?”
“Ace, this is seriously sexy.”
He rubbed her ass cheeks, then slid a finger along her crack. “You have a perfect ass for spanking, Harper. Round and firm, just the way I love them.”
She’d been told she had a fat ass before, but never the way he described it. He actually liked the way it looked. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she blinked them away. She didn’t want him to think he’d upset her.
Ace brushed a finger down the back of her left thigh. “I’d like to really let go. Smack you as hard as I can, but only a few on each cheek. Will you let me try?”
“Yes,” she whispered. Oh my God. This was like every fantasy she’d ever had, rolled into one delicious, gorgeous man. Was there anything he did that wasn’t seductive as hell?
She yelled as he delivered the first smack on each cheek, and he stopped. “Too much?”
“Um, no. Just surprised, that’s all.”
Ace brushed a finger along the back of her thighs again, and she moaned. “Shall I keep going?”
“Yes, please.”
She gritted her teeth, bracing for the next blows, but after a few on each cheek, she grew used to them and relaxed. Harper let the combination of pain and pleasure fill her senses until there was nothing else. When he stopped, she was surprised, and hoped it wasn’t something she’d done wrong.
“My hand hurts,” he said. “Next time we’ll have to try a paddle.”
“You have one?”
He chuckled softly. “No, but I know where to buy one.” Then he slid a finger along her butt crack, and she realized it was wet. When had he put lube on it? “But for now, there i
s something else I’d like to try, if you’ll let me.”
Oh shit. She knew what he wanted, and she was more than curious, but what if it hurt too much?
“I’ll be very, very careful, and we’ll use plenty of lube.”
Now she knew he was a mind reader. “Okay.”
He moaned softly. “Good girl.” Ace helped her stand, and then he asked her to lean over the bed. She did, planting her feet on the soft carpeting. “Don’t be afraid.” Ace caressed her ass cheeks. “I promise if you don’t like this we’ll stop.”
“Thank you.” She wasn’t afraid now because of his reassuring voice and his soft touch. She was more turned-on than she could believe. She heard him squirt more lube out of the bottle, and then a finger gently slid into her asshole. He didn’t move it. He merely left it there, and once she grew used to the feel of it inside, she liked it a lot.
“Tell me what you’re feeling.”
“I love it.”
“No pain?”
“No.”
Ace moved it in and out, slowly, and Harper moaned, clutching the comforter. She wouldn’t have guessed this could feel so damn good.
“There are a lot of nerve endings in there.”
“Yeah. I can see that.”
His soft laugh was endearing, not mocking. It was clear he was enjoying teaching her all these things, and he wasn’t smug about it. She hadn’t expected that.
He pulled out his finger and slipped two inside now, stretching the walls. “You’re doing great. Still feel okay?”
“Yes. It’s exquisite.”
Ace leaned over and kissed her lower back. “You’re exquisite. I had no idea how much.”
The tone in his voice was so intimate, like one would use with a lover, not an employee he had coerced into doing this. She shut out the thought. Harper didn’t want to ruin this by reminding herself why she was here in the first place. This felt really, really good, and she was more than curious whether she’d still like it when his cock was in there.
He withdrew his fingers and then asked her again if she was ready.
“Yes.”
She heard the sound of the bottle once more, and then Ace slid his dick into her ass. There was no pain because of all the lube, but it felt much fuller than his fingers had. Again, he didn’t move for a moment, letting her get used to it, and then when he began to thrust she cried out in pleasure. Harper slipped her hand underneath to play with her clit, and another orgasm crashed over her before she had time to think about it.
