He shook her hand and smiled. “My wife is thrilled about you being here. She thinks you’re, and I quote, very cool.”
“Well, tell her I said thanks.” Her legs were moving, seemingly on their own. She applied pressure to stop them. “You have news for me.”
“Yes.” He sat down opposite them and took out a few sheets of paper, passing one to her and then asking her if he could pass one to Maddox also.
“Yes.”
“I wanted to check, since you’re the client.”
She scanned the paper and frowned. “What is this?”
“That is a wedding present from your mother’s parents.” Before she could open her mouth, Blake held up his hand. “When you and your sisters were born, your grandparents deposited a healthy sum of money into a savings account for each of you. According to records at the bank, the money was supposed to be a gift, on your wedding day. And since you were minors at the time, the accounts were set up in the name of your father and mother. Over the years, it’s changed to just your father.”
“I think I don’t want to hear any more.” She pushed the paper across the table, then groaned in frustration. “Okay, go on.”
“When your sisters got married, their accounts were closed and the money transferred to an offshore account in your father’s name. They probably never knew it was there, just like you.”
“That doesn’t explain why the conniving thief is so eager for me to marry Henry Isaacs.”
“It’s simple. The rules of the fund state that if you’re not married by the time you’re thirty, the money is donated to charity. That part he couldn’t mess with.”
There were rocks in her stomach, and she felt like she might throw them up at any moment. “So he ripped off Diane and Claire. Since I wasn’t finding a husband before I turned thirty, he had to make sure he found one for me or he lost all that money.
“What about the papers we signed?”
“We couldn’t find anything you signed. Again, I’m guessing they were papers that waived your rights to the money. I’m sure your father had you sign them when you were young but over eighteen so it was legal. He would assume, rightly so, that you wouldn’t read something he asked you to sign for legal purposes.”
“That rat bastard! Why didn’t he just take it outright when he had us sign the papers?”
“Well, from what I can determine, his attorneys are not part of this deal,” Blake replied. “Your grandparents had a firm that did it all. The papers say it was all supposed to be a surprise for you until your marriage. What I would guess is that once you were married, your father would file papers that transferred the money to him, since it couldn’t be touched until then or your birthday. I’m only assuming, of course, that he hired Henry Isaacs to marry you and promised to split the money with him.”
“How much?”
“Over nine million. Twenty-nine years of interest can add up.”
“Nice wedding gift,” Maddox said.
“What about taxes and such? None of this was ever listed on my returns.”
“It wasn’t in your name,” Blake reminded her. “I’m sure your father kept it aboveboard. Until he stole it from you and your sisters.”
“I’m calling Diane and Claire tonight to let them know.” She put her head in her hands. “If those papers I signed lifted my rights, I couldn’t get the money now if I married, could I?”
Blake laughed. “Oh, we could work on that. Something tells me your father wouldn’t want you to make this thing public. I’m sure he would deny the papers ever existed and just slink off quietly. From what I know of you, you’d make it public.”
“Damn straight I would.” She tried to laugh, when inside she thought she would die. Her own father stealing from not just her but her sisters as well. “Your hacker sure earned his money, plus a bonus.”
“He’ll be happy to hear that.” Blake leaned toward them both. “He stays in the closet, so to speak, and will love the extra money.”
Clarissa stood and held out her hand. “Thank you.”
Blake shook her hand and Maddox’s. “Anything else you need, just let me know.”
“What about prenups?” The words were out of her mouth before she even knew she was going to say them. Beside her, Maddox didn’t even seem to bat an eyelash.
Blake’s eyes widened in surprise, and then he nodded. “Yeah, I do that too.”
“Good,” Maddox said. “We may need you soon.”
Blake laughed. “Just say the word.”
Clarissa wrote out a check to give to the “consultant” before leaving. When they were back in Maddox’s SUV, she buckled her seat belt, then sat looking out the window.
“I’m sorry,” Maddox said after climbing inside. “I know this has to be hard on you.”
“It shouldn’t surprise me. It’s not like he ever really gave a shit about us.”
“Rissa.” He clasped her hand. “Don’t think that.”
“Why? It’s true. I don’t know if it would have been different if we were boys. It makes me think, though, about my life. If he hadn’t always pushed me to follow his rules, would I have been so eager to raise hell like I did?”
He leaned over until his face was right next to hers. “Yes, you would have. Some of us are products of our environment, yes. And that could have partially shaped you. Face it, baby; you were born to raise hell.”
Maddox pressed his lips against her cheek, and she turned her head, kissing him back. “I don’t know what to do. For the first time in a long time, I’m stumped. I want to hurt him in some way, but he’s my father, no matter what he’s done.”
“You know what to do. Think about your options. Lay them out for me.”
“Well, I could let the deadline pass, and the money would go to charity. Or”—she turned to him—“I could marry before December and take the money. If Blake is right, my father will let it go without a fight. Then I could donate it to the charities that I want it to go to.”
She clicked her tongue a few times. “I wonder if Henry’s left town yet?”
“Watch it, you.”
Their gazes locked for a few long, meaningful moments, and then he cleared his throat. “Clarissa Marie Montgomery Alexander, will you marry me? Today?”
“No.” She watched disbelief spread across his face. Then she smiled innocently. “I’ll marry you tomorrow, though. I want Anna to be here.”
“Fair enough. I’ll book a chapel.”
“I want the Elvis chapel or the alien one, you choose. And I want lots of media. And I want a huge ring that will make my father cringe when he sees it on the cover of every gossip rag in the country.”
“Done. Let’s go shopping.” He turned to start the car, and she put her hand on his to still his actions.
“First we need to go inside. A prenup?” She looked at him questioningly, and he nodded, taking the keys from the ignition and pocketing them. He crossed to her side of the car to help her out.
“We’re going to have to tip Blake for the rush job. I’ll pay this one.”
He held her face between his hands, gently caressing her cheeks before kissing her, nibbling on her lower lip. “Just so you know, I’m voting for Elvis since you left it up to me.”
She kissed him back, then grinned. “Excellent choice.”
* * * * *
They had Nicole the waitress call the media, and Clarissa instructed her not to give them the news until they’d delivered tip money to her, in cash.
“Don’t worry, they have photographers on staff for this type of thing. They’ll be here to give you money as soon as you mention marriage and my name. Just don’t tell them where or when until you see the green.”
And in the end, they’d decided to use a new chapel owned by a friend of Nicole’s. It had only been open for a month, and Richard, the owner, was ecstatic about his new clients. Clarissa was sure he was over the moon right now, since the place was full of TV cameras and tourists who had come in off the streets to see what
the fuss was about.
“Your mother’s here.” Humor tinged Anna’s words. “I saw her talking to Maddox’s mother, and they both seemed a little taken aback.”
“I imagine so. This isn’t exactly the wedding she had planned for me.” Clarissa hugged her longtime friend. “Thank you for being here.”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t have missed this for anything. This is just too, too cool. Do you love him? Or are you marrying him because of the story you told me about the money. Be truthful.”
Clarissa’s heart thumped louder, and she sighed. “I don’t know if I love him. I know I don’t ever want to be without him. Of course that could just be because he fucks me harder than anyone ever has, and he makes me come so fucking hard and…” She fingered the silver chain choker Maddox had placed around her neck that morning.
“This is to wear in public; only you and I will know what it really means, that you’re mine.”
“Always yours,” she’d replied.
“Earth to Rissa.” She turned to Anna. “Give it six months. If that feeling hasn’t faded into ‘I can’t believe I did this,’ then you love him.”
Clarissa ran her hands down the tea-length dress she wore. It had a scoop neck with a beaded bodice. The skirt was full. Under it she wore no panties. The only thing that would make it better, she knew, was if she’d been healed enough for Maddox to tie the first rings of her pussy corset. That could wait, though. By the time she had the second set of piercings done, it would be six months before she was healed enough to tie. Six months to heal. Six months to figure out if it was love. How strange was that? “Is this okay?”
“It’s white.” Anna laughed again. “It just amazes me.”
“I know.” Clarissa grinned. “The gossip columns are going to have a field day. Horny heiress heads to altar in white. Who does she think she’s kidding?”
The door opened, and Maddox strolled in, wearing a black tux that looked like it had been form fitted to his body. Clarissa’s pussy grew wet at the sight of him, and she smiled.
“Hey.”
“Hi.” He crossed the room and kissed her, ignoring Anna’s, “what are you doing, it’s bad luck! Go away, go away!”
“Your mother wanted to talk to you before the wedding. I told her I’d ask.”
“Maybe I should have waited to call her until afterward. ‘By the way, I got married. Maybe you can come and visit someday.’ Not.”
Indecision took hold, and she thought about the pros and cons. She was so happy right now, and her mother could put a huge damper on it. Then again she was her mother. Maybe she would be nice.
“Yeah, when pigs fly,” she whispered to herself before lifting her gaze to Maddox. “Stay with me?”
“Always.”
“Let her in.” Anna kissed Clarissa’s cheek, then moved out the door as her mother came inside.
“Hello.” Why was she nervous about this? It wasn’t as if her mother could change her mind or stop the wedding. She could make her feel bad about herself, though, as she’d done so many times in the past.
Not now she can’t. Not with Maddox standing right next to me.
“Clarissa.” Her mother glanced at Maddox, then took a deep breath. “You’ve caused quite a stir. Again.”
“I’m getting married, Mother. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”
“Yes. I would prefer a more formal ceremony, but perhaps this is for the best.”
Dread knotted her stomach. She should have said no, kicked her out of the building.
“I want you to know that I had no idea what your father had done, and I’m appalled, but he is my husband.”
“Stand by your man,” Clarissa said, frowning. “I get it, Mother.”
“I just don’t…” Her mother cleared her throat, and Clarissa could see this was hard on her, probably one of the hardest things she’d ever done. “I don’t want that to sever our ties. Now that you’re getting married, and…well, when grandchildren come along, I’d like to know them.”
Tears stung Clarissa’s eyes. She could see the same thing in her mother’s face, almost as if she were about to cry. Was her mother actually asking her to stay in contact, to not push her away? She reached for Maddox’s hand, felt the comforting warmth of his touch as he grasped her.
“It doesn’t matter, Mother; I mean, you’ll know them. I promise.”
Her mother turned her head, and when she looked back again, she had her emotions under control.
“Thank you.” Her formal tone made Clarissa want to laugh. Lydia Alexander was nothing if not polite, even in strained circumstances. “I have something for you.” She held out a box. “This is the garter your grandmother wore and I wore and both your sisters wore. It has blue lace, so it can be counted as two of your items, I believe, something borrowed and something blue.”
Clarissa took the box and opened the lid. The garter was white lace and was in pristine condition. “It’s beautiful. Almost too beautiful to hide. And it’s small. I’m afraid if I put it on my thigh, it will stretch out.”
She glanced at her mother, then handed the garter to Maddox, holding out her arm. He understood immediately, slipping it over the sleeve and up to her biceps.
“We might have to pin it, to make it stay,” he said. “It’s a little big for your arm.”
“Mother?” She turned toward her mother. “What do you think? Will I shock everyone by wearing the garter on my arm?”
“Clarissa, from you, I’d expect nothing less. I think it’s perfect.”
* * * * *
Six months later
“Is that the last of it?” Maddox picked up several envelopes, scanning the addresses.
“Every dime of it is gone. Charities around the world love me now. Of course you know this means they’ll be back, begging for more.”
“We’ll see what we can do,” he said, putting the envelopes back on the desk. “And your father? How did last night’s conversation go?”
“He still thinks I’m a witch, but he’s agreed to give the money back to my sisters, who have agreed to donate it to charity. I’m afraid, though, that he will never talk to me again.”
The conference call had been hard to take and just as hard to set up. Lawyers had to be called, and schedules had to be looked at. It had been set up three times in the past, and her father had canceled on all those. This time she’d reminded him it was January, the time of resolutions and changes. She’d also threatened to make the story public if he didn’t follow through.
“It’ll be fine,” Maddox replied. “He’ll realize you’re his daughter, and he’ll want to meet grandchildren, just like your mother said at the wedding.”
“That’s a ways down the road.”
“It’ll be here before you know it.”
She blinked at him. “Awfully sure of yourself.”
“Awfully sure of my desire to be inside your sweet pussy. Most of the time. Tonight’s the night, you know. And I have different plans for that pussy.”
Oh yes, she knew. Her piercings were all healed and ready to be put to use. Tonight her pussy would be laced shut for the first time. The two of them had spent hours the past week going from one fabric store to another, searching for just the right lace. When they’d finally found it, Maddox had purchased yards of it in every color they had.
“That way I can match your pussy to your clothes when we go out,” he’d whispered in her ear as the clerk had cut the fabric, eyeing them curiously.
“I selected white for tonight, since it’s our virginal attempt.”
“Thank you, Master. You’re so thoughtful.”
“Sarcasm?”
“Not at all.” She shook her head, then batted her eyes. “It’s been a long time since I was a virgin, in anything. I’m glad to let you have your way with me in this matter.”
“Hum, sounds like someone might need to pick a card. Later. Right now I want you to come with me.” He attached her leash to her collar and tugged until she stood.
It hadn’t been hard to adjust to being naked when they were alone. When she was around Maddox, she didn’t want to wear clothes. Doing it because he wanted it was just a bonus.
She walked behind him to the dungeon. They hadn’t sold his house, instead opting to stay in there until the real estate market improved. Plus, she’d reminded him, they would have to find a new place to buy first, and move all the interesting equipment he had in the dungeon before allowing a realtor inside.
Maddox patted the seat of the medical chair, and she jumped up, placing her feet in the stirrups without being told to.
“So beautiful,” he whispered. “It’s almost a shame not to fuck you tonight. I’m sure we can think of other pursuits that will be just as much fun.”
“You’re just looking for an excuse to fuck me in the ass.”
“I don’t need an excuse. That asshole belongs to me, doesn’t it?”
His commanding tone of voice made her shiver. “Yes, Master.” He took her leash off her collar and attached it to her clit ring.
“Ask me.”
Emotion surged through her, and she swallowed hard, trying to lie still and not guide his hands to her pussy.
“Master, lace up my pussy. Bind it for your pleasure.” He held the lace in front of her lips, and she kissed it, letting her lips stray to his fingers.
When he started to lace, she thought she would come instantly. She breathed deep, in through her nose and out through her mouth as he worked the lace through the rings, winding them around and pulling them tightly. The feeling was incredible, the pleasure almost unbearable.
The soft material against her skin reminded her of what was happening and why. Maddox owned her, he owned her pussy, and the sensual slide of the lace reinforced that she was his possession, and she savored every second of it.
He wrapped it around her leash, tying a huge bow at the top of her pussy. “Oh, missy, that is the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen.”
She glanced down, trying to get a look. Maddox went to the cabinet and picked up a camera, then snapped off several shots before helping her to stand. He slipped off his clothes, then sat in the chair. She sat on his lap, lying back against his chest as he held the camera out for both of them to see.
Desert Surrender Page 17
