The back of her knuckles brushed over my cheek and I slapped her hand away, unable to stomach the tenderness. “I don’t want your affection, I want your pussy. Now spread your fucking legs wider and take every inch of my cock.”
When her thighs didn’t open fast enough, I gripped each one, pushing them apart myself until she screamed out. Her pain was good. It fed me, causing my thrusts to penetrate so deep I fought not to come. It made hurting her somehow justified in my eyes. She’d shown up here, after all, and didn’t leave when she knew it was impossible for me to stop.
“Yes. That’s right, Gaige. Take me just the way you want. Use me.”
Elle wouldn’t say that, wouldn’t mean it if something ever did happen. Not that it would. But her words worked their magic and I let go, diving forward to lock on her throat. Cutting off her air as she began to spasm from her orgasm. Tighter, I squeezed. Blue lips…yes. No oxygen for Elle.
“Oh my God,” I growled. The room suddenly came back into focus and my hand was around my length instead of Elle’s neck. Cum shot across my stomach and my leg jerked at the force. Regret that she wasn’t there had the anger returning more than ever. I didn’t want her. Couldn’t stand the thought that I’d even got off at the apparition of her tempting body.
Darkness took over as my arm covered my eyes. Still, she was there…waiting, legs spread open wide, ready for me to fill her again. As I tried to force it away, it was pointless. Here, I had no control. Tonight, I would belong to her. Just tonight.
Chapter 4
Elle
“You’re to sit there and not say a word. Do you understand me?”
I winced as I walked from the restroom back onto the edge of the bed. “You’re letting me go down to breakfast?”
A glare was thrown my way. “After last night, of course. You’re going to fix this, Elizabeth. You’re going to convince him we’re happy. I have ten million dollars riding on this deal and you’re not going to screw it up.”
Couldn’t he just tell him I was sleeping? Or still sick? Although I wanted to go downstairs, I was more surprised that our appearance together meant more to Marco than keeping me locked away to hide any further threat I might cause.
“If he speaks to you, you smile and answer, but keep it short.”
The door to the closet containing the clothes was thrown open and he pulled a light blue, long-sleeved silk blouse out with a pair of white slacks. “Put this on.”
Right. Because it would cover the dark bruises he’d made last night. I held in the satisfaction, making sure not to let it show. He hadn’t gotten away without me inflicting my own marks. I’d hit and scratched him up good. It would have been better had he not been wearing that damn tuxedo.
“Hurry. Juan said he’s already been drinking coffee for nearly twenty minutes.”
As if I could go any faster. I ached from the neck down.
“Here.” He tossed a pair of light blue stiletto heels on the bed. “You can wear those.”
My eyes widened. “I can barely walk,” I said lowly. I slid on the pants, wincing as my muscles pulled. Each movement was torture, but I knew it would ease up over time. It always did.
“You’ll do it and make it look damn easy. You brought this on yourself. Had there not been people waiting downstairs, you would have gotten it a hell of a lot worse. I still might finish when he leaves.”
Silence filled the room as I got dressed. My hair was a mess and I ran the brush through it, using a clip to pull it back from my face. Marco’s hands came out, bringing the top of my shirt closer together.
“Shit.” He walked to the dresser and pulled out a multiple layered pearl necklace. “Turn around. This should cover everything.” Everything, as in the bruises. I almost wanted to fight him again. The memories from the night before came crashing back. As soon as we were alone, I’d been punched right in the stomach from the stunt I pulled. Concussion or not, Marco hadn’t cared. The moment I could suck in air, I’d immediately attacked him back, scratching for his face, but only catching his neck. My stiletto had made contact with his thigh as I kicked to get him off of me, but that only landed me more blows to the sides and stomach. Twice he’d hit my chest, and I had been sure the bones would crack at the force.
I turned and he clasped the pearls around my neck, placing the layers inside of my shirt so it sat against my skin.
“There. Covered. Now let’s go.”
Our steps started off slow, but the more I walked, the easier it became. My muscles loosened a little and I pushed the pain aside as best as I could as we reached the dining room. Gaige looked up, the cup coming to stop just outside of his full lips. He stood, placing it down.
“Good morning.” Anger laced his greeting and I kept my head lowered as I made my way to where I always sat.
“Morning,” Marco chimed. “Sleep well?” He laughed and Gaige’s eyes narrowed.
“Not really. I had some very…interesting dreams. You?”
Marco pushed my chair in and sat down at the head of the table, Gaige following his actions. “Like a baby.”
“How about you, Elizabeth? How’s the head?” Gaige still sounded mad. I didn’t understand, but the way he kept stealing glances in my direction left me confused.
My fingers rose to the small knot on the side of my forehead. “I’m better. Thanks.” I kept my eyes mostly down. I wouldn’t screw this up and get sent back to the room. I wanted to stay for as long as I could.
“Good. No cries to return home this morning. I see the concussion must have passed.”
Only then did I lift my head. The hate I’d seen on his face took over mine as I fixed him with a stare. “Yes, it must have.” I reached for the orange juice that sat in front of me and took a big drink, dismissing him. As I placed it back down, my wrist was grasped and I jerked back against Gaige’s grip. He slipped the buttons free and pushed up the sleeve revealing the bruises Marco had made while restraining me.
“Jesus, did you land on your arm during your fall?”
Horrified, my attention went to Marco, who shifted uncomfortably. As I turned back to Gaige, he was watching me very intently. The aura he radiated as his focus went to Marco was something I’d never felt before. The invisible mass was heavy in weight and damn near smothered me.
“Yes, I must have,” I rushed in. “They weren’t there before the fall.” Again, I pulled back. Surprisingly, he let me go.
The coffee cup came back to his mouth and he took a drink as if what had happened wasn’t a big deal. It left my brain sputtering.
“Maybe we should have called a doctor for her after all. She was hurt worse than I suspected. I’m sorry, Mr. Garza, I told you she would be okay and you listened to me.” The tension immediately died out as Gaige’s tone was more concerned than threatening.
I shrugged. “They’re just bruises. They’ll fade. I’m fine now.”
“Yes,” Marco reached for the rolls, placing one on his plate, “I probably should have called, but she seemed fine when I left her so don’t blame yourself. And she’s right, they’ll heal and she’ll be back to normal in a matter of days.”
An array of food rested between us and I grabbed some bacon and eggs, not at all wanting to eat. Tenderness still wrenched at my stomach with every movement and the twinges that followed made me nauseous.
Marco’s eyes met mine, his confidence once again shining through while he looked over at Gaige. “I’m glad you stayed last night. There’s some questions I want to ask you. First though, why don’t you tell me more about yourself?”
I took a bite, trying to not look interested as I glanced over.
“Well, like I said, I’m from Chicago. Born and raised. Only son now that my brother’s passed, but I have three sisters. I can’t really remember the last time I talked to my parents. Or any of them, really.” His eyes flashed to me for the briefest moment. “I went to the University of Texas. Got my Masters in Business. Been climbing my way to the top ever since. My life is my work. I lik
e it that way. No wife. No kids. No girlfriend.” He shrugged. “Sounds exciting, huh?”
Marco cocked his head to the side. “I know all of that already. Tell me something I don’t know.”
Gaige took a deep breath. “Besides getting drugged at parties, I really don’t know what you want me to say. I like contact sports. Can’t stand golf. I’m a materialistic bastard and I occasionally whore around. My favorite color is black and I dream of long walks on the beach with a busty brunette who will rock my world.”
My mouth parted, not believing what I’d just heard. The two men smiled at each other and I couldn’t see what was so funny.
“I knew I liked you,” Marco said, shaking his head. “You didn’t try to sell me a bullshit, holier-than-thou story. You’re honest and you didn’t pretend to cater to what you thought I wanted to hear. We might just have a deal after all.”
Gaige leaned back in the chair. “Now it’s my turn for the questions.”
“Alright, that’s fair.”
Both men’s attention came to me after Gaige nodded in my direction. “Not sure I want to speak about it in front of your wife.”
Marco switched to Spanish, asking him if he could speak the language. Beautifully, he answered and began. “This will make things easier,” Gaige said. “I need you to be honest with me. I’m investing a hell of a lot of money with this deal. Should I be worried about anything that might come back to bite you in the ass? Like drugs, for one?” The anger returned. “I know why you did it, but don’t ever pull that shit again.”
“My apologies. I just had to be sure. And no, you have nothing to be worried about. Our deal won’t be affected with either of our personal lives.” Marco glanced at me, a maliciousness creeping into his expression. “Did you enjoy Becca?” He looked back at Gaige. There was a tightness in his jaw. An anger that went passed what I saw when we’d first walked in.
“No offense, but I don’t do girls. Had you sent a woman, I might have taken you up on the offer.”
Marco’s eyebrows drew in. “Girl? She’s mature.”
“Seventeen?” Gaige shook his head. “I don’t know about here, but that is illegal in my country. Eighteen, and even that isn’t old enough. Add ten years and I might think about it.”
Dark hair wove through Marco’s fingers as he ran his hand through it. Worry lines deepened in his brow while he looked down. “Ah, to each and his own, I guess. Next time I’ll remember your preferences.”
My heart raced and I turned to stare down at my plate. Gaige almost slept with another woman? Aching registered in my fingers and I hadn’t even realized I’d been clenching them.
“Yes, next time. But I have to be sure. Are you positive about the illegal activities? You can tell me, you know. I don’t really give a shit, as long as it doesn’t come back in my direction. Money is money to me.”
There was a hesitation on Marco’s part. From the corner of my eye, I saw him lean forward and rest his arms on the table.
“You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Fallston.” His hands pressed down against the table as he stood. “If you’ll excuse me for a few minutes, there’s something I must get. I think you might find it interesting.”
Marco strolled from the room and I glanced up. Blue eyes were narrowed on me…hungrily. I almost couldn’t breathe at the sensations that took over. What was this? He was Carson’s brother, someone who disconcerted me all those years ago. Now he was raising feelings in me I couldn’t comprehend—or at least dare to consider.
“I should leave you here,” he said under his breath. A bread roll camouflaged his mouth as he brought it to hover just outside of his lips. “Pull back your shirt.”
“What?” I swallowed hard as I rested my hand against the side of my face and pretended to look down at my plate.
“Pull. Your. Shirt. Over. To. The. Side.” Each word had such rage behind it that my other hand came up instinctively. I ran my fingers over the pearls around my neck, easing the shirt to the side as I worked my way down.
“Fucking Christ. He do that to you?”
I let go and met his stare. “Whenever he feels like it. I got off easy last night because everyone was here.”
“He took you, then? He killed my brother?”
Burning stung my eyes while we held each other’s gaze. “Carson’s not…” I cleared my throat. “He’s really not…he can’t be.” A sound left me as tears slipped down.
The roll was shredded between his fingers. “I’ve hated you since that day. You did this. He did this.” His head nodded toward the door where Marco had left. “And this is how I find you? The wife of a rich fucking killer.”
“I’m not his wife,” I snapped, louder than I should have. My head lowered. “We’re not really married. He just calls me that. I’d die before I said vows to that man.”
Gaige’s lips parted and his eyes blinked rapidly. The tears continued to stream down my face and I wiped them away furiously.
“Your dislike of me is obvious and you can blame me as much as you want, but if you think for one second I’ve lived the high life while your family fell apart, you’re just stupid. I loved Carson.” I paused, a groan ripping from my throat at my words. “No. I love him. Not loved. He’s the only thing that has kept me going.” My hand came up to shield my face in case Marco walked back in. “Just tell me you’re going to get me out of here, or at least call someone who will.”
“I’m not making any promises. Aside from some bruises, you look all right to me.”
My mouth dropped in shock. “You can’t be serious. Gaige…”
A ragged breath left him and Marco strolled back in, hindering our conversation. My eyes went back down to my full plate and I pushed the china away. As I forced myself to stand, I bit my lip passed the spasms that raced down to my toes. Damn, I was hurting.
“I’m done,” I told Marco as I stepped forward. “I’ll just—”
“You’ve been crying.” His finger pushed under my chin, bringing my face up to meet his. He looked over at Gaige who stood and walked over.
“I asked her if she was okay, but she wouldn’t really talk to me.”
My gaze flashed over but came back to Marco. “My stomach isn’t feeling so well. I think I’m going to lie down.”
“Damn stomach flu must still be in your system. It’s okay, I’ll walk you back to the room while Mr. Fallston looks through these figures.”
Gaige took the binder but refused to pay us any more attention. The stairs were the worst and each one posed more of a challenge. By the time we were walking down the hall, I could hardly step through the cramping.
The door shut behind us and Marco spun me around. “What did he say to you? Is he the reason you’re crying? Did you tell him anything?”
The questions were accompanied with a shake.
“No, we didn’t even talk until he asked if I was okay. I shouldn’t have gone down to begin with. I’m in too much pain.”
“If you’re lying to me…” His fingers dug in as he practically dragged me backwards toward the bed.
“I swear. We didn’t talk.” My voice came out slightly high pitched.
The comforter was behind my back as he held me down. My stomach rebelled at the stretching and I cried out as he pushed me harder into the mattress. Lust flashed across his face. He loved to see me hurt. My legs tried to curl inward, but with him pinning them down, it was impossible.
“I’m going to fuck you so good when he leaves.” His lips crushed into mine and I stilled, knowing my body couldn’t take any more abuse just yet. “You want me,” he breathed out. “I know you do.”
My usual response was never. And it was the truth, but I kept quiet as I stared up at him feeding from my slight struggles. Would I have to endure this much longer? Would Gaige take me away from here or at least help me escape?
“I shouldn’t be down there much longer. An hour, tops. You’re going to wait for me.”
The shirt I wore was ripped open and his hand pulle
d the clasp on the bra, making my breasts spill free. As his hand groped, squeezing a little too hard, I turned my head, looking away, going back to that place I also went when he raped or touched me intimately.
“Do you think we’ll always be together?” I turned my head toward Carson, the smell of grass heavily in the air as we laid on the fifty yard line of the high school’s football field. It had been a Saturday morning and our strolls always led us to the one place that made him the happiest.
“Forever, Elle. I promise. Just you and me,” he looked over, “and all the cows in Texas.” I’d laughed at how ridiculous it sounded, but my heart thrummed at his words. Carson rose to his elbow and leaned over me, removing my glasses. For minutes, he stroked the hair back from my face, his gaze so loving that I’d kissed him with all the passion an innocent girl could.
The memory kept me sane as Marco stripped me down and buckled me into the restraints attached to his headboard.
“I’ll be back shortly, mi amour.”
I barely heard the door click I was so heavily lost in my thoughts.
“Elle, when you get to Austin, what do you think about getting an apartment together?” My sudden shock had him holding up his hand. “I mean, we can have our own rooms if you want, but I’d really like to live together.”
Shyness had me pushing myself up to a sitting position. The short grass broke apart under the pull of my hands. “I think I’d like to stay in the same room. Maybe…take the next step.” I wasn’t naïve that most girls in my school were already having sex with their boyfriends, but Carson didn’t push me and I had been thankful for it. Then. Now, I wished he’d been the one to take my virginity. It would have been a beautiful memory to have unlike the nightmares I was left with from Marco.
“You’d want that?” His hand had cupped my cheek, his stare serious as it traveled over my face.
Gaige Page 5
