Broken by Desire

by Dani René

  “Fuck sweetness, you’re so wet for me.” His teeth tug at my earlobe and I moan.

  “Luke, we can’t.”

  “Cassandra, I am in control. Remember that.” His voice is rough as he pushes his finger into me. In slow strokes, he pumps in and out. I am climbing and nearing the edge.

  “Lucien.” I hiss between my teeth, my hips bucking up to his hand and he inserts a second finger. My body responding to him, my release about to rip into me.

  “Come for me, sweetness.” His words push me over and my arousal coats his finger. He holds me until I stop shuddering. As I sit up, I watch him lick his fingers. “You are my drug, baby.” He winks. It is the hottest thing I have ever seen and now I want him even more. “Let’s go!” He declares and gets out of the car. At my door, he opens it and helps me up on wobbly legs.

  “You’re such an idiot sometimes.”

  He laughs and I grin. The sound is low and rough, and so sexy. “That’s why you love me.” As soon as the words are out of his mouth, I freeze. How does he know? We didn’t mention the L word yet. I mean, I wasn’t even sure if love was possible. Shit! What do I say now? As if reading my mind, he pulls me against him. His eyes lock on mine. “I love you, sweetness.” His lips brush mine softly and I melt. My heart is racing and I am dizzy.

  I pull away and smile. “Well, Mr. Verán, I love you too.” I giggle at his pained expression.

  “You’re getting a spanking for that later!” He slaps my ass playfully as we approach the entrance to the arrivals section. A tingle travels through my body at his words. Once we’re in the building, we join the other families and friends, waiting on their loved ones. After what we just did in the car and the revelation of us declaring our love for each other, I am so emotional. Lucien’s arm snaked around my waist, holding me against him. As we watched the people file through the doors, he leaned in and whispered. “I really do fucking love you.”

  My whole body ignited at those words and I glanced up. His eyes were clear green, like there was a light shining behind them and illuminating them. “And I love you too.” Our moment was broken by my best friend screaming my name.

  “Cassie!!” Kenna runs up and gives me a hug so tight I can just about take a breath.

  “Babe, can’t… breathe!” She releases me and giggles.

  “Sorry babe, I am just so glad I made it. What a freaking horror!” Her eyes settle on Lucien. “And this is the boss man?” I giggle and turn to him.

  “Kenna, this is Lucien,” he draws her hand and brushes the top of her knuckles with a light peck. His green eyes sparkle with mischievousness.

  “Very nice to finally meet you, Kenna, I have heard a lot about you.” I see her blush under his intense gaze and I shake my head. No woman is safe with him around.

  “Great, then you know if you hurt Cassie, I will kick you so hard in those Verán jewels,” she points to his crotch, “you will forget about ever having sex again.” Lucien’s laugh echoes through the airport. My mouth drops open at her words.

  “Kenna!” I scold her. She shrugs. I didn’t expect any less from her. She can be surprisingly direct.

  “Don’t worry Kenna; I don’t plan on making Cassie cry unless it’s from pleasure.” There’s an assurance in his statement that dampens my panties. Again. We turn to the exit and make our way out to the car. Lucien grabs Kenna’s trolley of bags and she slings an arm around my neck. When the car unlocks, I slip into the passenger seat and Kenna joins me, sliding into the bench seat at the back. I turn to her and I can see Lucien lug her bags into the trunk. “He’s hot!” She hisses at me and I chuckle.

  “I know!” I want to tell her he said the L word, but he slips into the driver’s seat before I say anything. When I smile at him, he gives me that sexy cheeky wink, and my panties disintegrate.

  Lucien

  Kenna really did pack for the apocalypse. When Cassie warned me, I thought she might have been exaggerating, but she wasn’t. The girls slip into the car and I see them gossiping, this will be interesting to say the least. I shake my head, trying to get all of Kenna’s five suitcases into the trunk. Thankful I decided on driving the Jeep today.

  I slide into the driver’s seat and glance at my girl. My girl. She’s blushing furiously, I wonder what on earth they’ve been talking about. Actually, on second thought, I don’t think I want to know. Without another word, I start the engine. I pull out of the parking lot and get on the motorway. The girls are talking animatedly and Kenna asks about how we met, how I asked Cassie out. She loves retelling this story, about our weekend in Hawaii, although she leaves out the hot sex. Which I am actually happy about, nobody needs the personal details.

  Kenna tells us about her job with a fashion house in LA, she will be staying with Cassie, even though most nights, my girl is with me. I love saying that. Yes, I am whipped, in the best fucking way possible. I glance at Cassie, she’s smiling, her eyes sparkle, and she looks incredible. I do love her. She’s a puzzle piece that completes me. I have been broken for such a long time, I didn’t think I could ever be complete. Somehow Cassie does that, she makes me realize I am worthy of love and happiness. I never thought I would ever be in a relationship after Sasha, but everything is different now. I am a different person. Get over it Verán, you’ll always be that dark demented person. No, I fucking won’t! I turn on the radio, hoping to calm the voices in my head.

  The girls didn’t notice my discomfort. I guess Cassie knows, she’s always known when something was wrong, but never asked about it. She’s let go of so much and I know she’s dying to ask. That’s just how she is. I love her for it. More than I could ever imagine. There is so much I want to share with her, so much of me I want her to see, but it scares me to the fucking bone that she will run.

  I pull into the garage and let the girls get out. I lock up and follow them up to the apartment. Since they’ve decided to make use of my home theatre before taking Kenna back to Cassie’s, I decide to get some work done. I head to the bar and pour a whiskey. On my way up to the office, I glance into the theatre room as I pass. They’ve got drinks from the bar fridge and are settling in for an afternoon of giggling at girly movies.

  I slide into my office chair. When I power up my laptop, and scroll through work emails. I end up working through the day. There was so much to do when you’re running a company. I loved it. The responsibility that it gave me. My father entrusted his company to me, it’s something I never thought I would see. After my younger years of acting like an inconsiderate child, he still loved me. Like Cassie. Although there is still so much I haven’t told her, she’s still here. Her patience with me is nothing short of amazing. She accepts me for who I am, not what I can give her.

  When I glance at the time I realize that it was almost dinnertime. Not realizing I had been working for so long, I rise from my chair and make my way upstairs. I find the girls glued to PS I Love You. I groan inwardly. “You do realize that my screen might crack with you two watching that?” I point up to something happening on screen where the girl was crying. Don’t they all cry in these movies? Why do girls watch this shit? I glance at Cassie and her eyes are glassy with unshed tears. My heart cracks at the thought of her ever crying. I offer her a small smile and she pats the plush leather sofa next to her.

  “Shhh, baby, come sit with me?” Cassie’s big doe eyes have me melting. Fuck, totally whipped.

  We spend most of the night chatting, getting to know each other and relaxing. By 2 am, we’re all yawning and ready for bed. I set Kenna up in the other spare bedroom and I take my beautiful girl to bed. As soon as we slide into bed, her eyes flutter closed and I pull her against me. Her warmth offers me the calm I need and my eyes close, hoping for the night to keep me calm. Mocha eyes pulled me into my past, haunting me like never before.

  “Lucien, why are you doing this? Please, let me go! I didn’t mean to upset you. We were just having a laugh, it was funny.” She looks up at me with big blue eyes, they’re frozen in time. Didn’t she like to
take risks? This is why she was here. Tied to my bed. She always enjoyed being tied up. “Luke? Baby, are you okay? Did you take those pills from Davey?” Her eyes are wide, and scared. Did she always look like that? Her body arched and I realize it was because she was bound so tight. She wanted this; she wanted me. They all want me. So now, they can have me. On my fucking terms.

  “Shut up Sasha! You wanted this! That’s why you’re with me! You want this because you’re fucking desperate to be part of my family. You want the money, the fame, and me. You’re just a fucking slut!” The laugh that escapes my throat is dark, dangerous and not my own. What was that stuff I took? Shit! I can’t remember. This happened the other day. Blackout. Forgetting. Delirium. I can’t do this. She needs to shut the fuck up, but she doesn’t. They never do.

  “Luke, please?” She’s begging me, I love it when she does that. Beg me. Such a fucking pathetic little slut, begging me for my cock. Just like the rest of them. I feel myself sway. What the fuck is happening? I grip onto the bedframe. She’s laughing now! What the hell?

  “Luke? Luke! Luke!” Cassie’s voice pulls me from the darkness.

  “Babe?!” My eyes fly open and I sit up abruptly. I glance at Cassie, she’s kneeling on the bed next to me, staring at me. My t-shirt is stained with sweat. Images swirl through my head, those ice-blue eyes of Sasha and then the agony. Shit! “Are you okay?” The concern in her eyes tugs at me. She looks scared, and that’s the last thing I want her to be. That fucking nightmare! Except it’s not a nightmare. It’s real.

  I nod. She needs to forget this. What the fuck did I do? “Did I hurt you?” I reach out and she doesn’t move, lacing my fingers with hers, I see her visibly relax.

  “No, you just scared me. You were freaking out. Shouting. Laughing.” I nod. The dreams haven’t bothered me since I met her, and now, suddenly they’re back. Soon, I need to tell her about them, but I am nowhere near ready for that.

  “Fuck, I am sorry baby. I am just a bit stressed.” With a glance at the clock on the bedside table, I see it’s 3 am. I pull my t-shirt off, chucking it on the floor. Cassie, places a hand on my stomach, tracing the planes of my abs. I lay back and pull her to me. With a deep breath I inhale her scent, she smells like strawberries, planting a kiss on the top of her head, my eyes close again and I let my thoughts fill with Cassie. No dreams come after that.

  The sun rays peeking through the window wakes me. As I roll over in bed, I reach out for Cassie, but her side of the bed is empty. I sit up, panic courses through my veins. Where the fuck is she? Did I hurt her? Her clothes are still laying on the floor. That’s strange. Maybe she’s downstairs. I swing my feet over the bed and grab a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt tugging it on hastily. As soon as I open the bedroom door I am assaulted with the smell of food.

  Downstairs in the kitchen, I find Cassie making breakfast, she’s singing along to the music, she looks adorable. I watch her for a moment, taking in this amazing woman that’s given me a chance and given me her heart. “This is how a man should wake up every morning.” My voice is filled with humor. When she turns to face me, a small giggle escapes her lips.

  “Is it now?”

  “Absolutely, a hot girl in my kitchen making me breakfast. What more can I ask for.” I stalk towards her and pin her against the counter, sealing her mouth with mine. My hips pressing into her, my cock is steel with a need to be inside her. Our tongues dance and intertwine. The kiss becomes heated until we hear Kenna clearing her throat.

  “Gross guys! Get a room!” Fuck, I forgot she’s here. I was close to taking her right here on the goddamn kitchen counter.

  “We have a room; it’s just as much fun in the kitchen!” I pull away from Cassie reluctantly and we’re both breathless. She always leaves me that way. I am becoming soft. She’s given me something I have never had or felt before, a real connection. It’s scary at times. I mean, it’s a situation that I never thought I could ever be in.

  “Okay, kids! Who’s hungry?” Cassie ever the peacemaker, hands me the plate of toast and bowl of scrambled eggs. We all pitch in to set up the table.

  “What are you guys doing today?” Kenna glances between Cassie and me.

  “We have a charity event; Lucien’s mother is in charge of it, so her baby is required to be there.” My eyes cut to Cassie and I realize she’s baiting me. I sidestepped this when she asked me yesterday, but I can’t do it anymore.

  “Easy little lady. I am no baby!” There’s only one way to explain it without having to give too much away. Don’t get me wrong, it was my idea, but to have to explain to Cassie why the foundation was set up is going to the difficult part.

  “Geez, that sounds…. Fun?” Kenna’s grimace matches my own feelings about the event. I would rather spend the evening alone with Cassie than to be around Claudia. Or Sasha for that matter. I think about inviting Kenna, maybe it would be good having her there. Cassie seems calmer when she’s here, and after tonight, I think it’s going to be needed.

  “You’re more than welcome to join us?” I look over to my girl’s best friend, I hope she agrees.

  “Really? What’s the charity?” She cocks her head to the side. Cassie asked me this, and I evaded her questioning. Her intense stare on me and I can’t ignore it.

  “Well, it’s a fund to aid abuse survivors. I um…” I glance at Cassie immediately and shift my gaze to Kenna. “The charity pays for therapy for them. Help them move on I suppose.” My tone is heavy with emotion, but Kenna doesn’t notice. Without a doubt Cassie definitely noticed. This was it; she’s going to learn about my past with Sasha.

  “Sounds like a charity I would love to support, I will go. I need to find something to wear. Can Robert take me to the apartment?” Kenna rose and took her plate and I nod.

  “Sure, I will call him.” With that I leave the girls, grabbing my phone to call Robert, he needed to take the girls shopping. I walk up to my office and slide into the leather chair. My heart is racing after explaining that, I release a breath hoping to calm myself. This wasn’t how I wanted to have Cassie find out about me. Robert answers on the second ring. “Mr. Verán.”

  “Robert, I need you to take the girls shopping, the event tonight requires something special. Boutique, high quality. I have a few things I need to sort out, so I can’t take them.”

  “Certainly, sir. What time shall I be ready?”

  “Give them thirty minutes.”

  “Perfect.”

  I hang up, powering up my laptop. Once my email is open, I start a new message. This is something I haven’t ever needed to contact my lawyer about, but I need a confidentiality agreement. What I am going to tell Cassie tonight is classified. I fucked up a long time ago, and if for any reason she talks, my father’s company is at risk. I love Cassie, but I need to protect my legacy as well. “Babe?” I glance up into the beautiful mocha eyes that seem to disarm me every time I look into them. I minimize the window. Her smile has my heart racing; I crook my finger to call her to me.

  “Robert will be here in thirty to take you and Kenna shopping, take my credit card. Get something for tonight.” She comes around to my desk and slides into my lap. Her soft lips brush mine in a soft kiss, my hands roam up her thigh and back. I push my tongue into her mouth and she willingly accepts me, sucking on it, eliciting a groan in my throat. Fuck, she’s good at that. My mind is filled with thoughts of her lips wrapped around my cock as I slide it into her mouth.

  “Have to go…” She mumbles into my mouth and I smile.

  “Fine, just leave me here with a hard on.” A giggle escapes her lips and I give her a wink. I give her ass a slap, and she yelps and rounds my desk.

  “See you later babe.” She grabs the credit card from my desk and leaves me in the office. I open the email and carry on typing.

  Chapter 14

  Cassandra

  It was almost time to leave for the charity event. I am dressed in a long sleeveless red silk dress; the neckline was high which fell into a cowl back. A slit
on the left side from the floor to my upper thigh added a sexy element to the elegant shimmer of the material. I opted for my silver stiletto pumps, which would put me almost at the same height as Lucien. I had pinned my hair into a messy bun with stray curls falling down my open back. A shiny diamond bracelet and matching earrings finished the look.

  “God, Cass!” I turn and my gaze falls on my handsome man in a black Armani suit, crisp white dress shirt and a red tie that matches the color of my dress. He had a red silk handkerchief in his breast pocket. His short brown hair was styled into messy spikes. God, this man is incredible. How on earth could he want me? Not now Cassie, he’s here with you. Stop doubting.

  “What? Is this dress too much?” To say that I was nervous about seeing his mother and his ex tonight would be lying. I wanted to be the elegant woman, worthy of being with a man like him. “Do you think I should change?”

  “No sweetness, that dress is incredible on you!” He pulled me into him, giving me a soft kiss on my lips. “So beautiful and so perfect.” His words held a certain sadness and left me confused. We hadn’t spoken about the charity after Kenna left to get ready at my apartment. I was still trying to come to terms with why it was such a sore subject to him.

  “I just want to look the part; you know?”

  He stepped back and stared at me. “What part?” He looked genuinely confused.

  “The part of the girl that your mother would approve of.” I reached out to him, but he didn’t take my hand. My heart constricted at his actions and I dropped my hand back to my side.

  “I don’t care what my mother says!” His voice is laced with aggravation and anger. “She doesn’t need to approve of you. I want you in my life Cassie.” His tone was final. Okay! Calm down. Disbelief runs through me that he’s so angry about it. I mean, I didn’t want to upset him. Surely, he could see that I am nervous?