1933563885-Tower-of-Secrets-Lucas

by Tower of Secrets (lit)

  Sebastian laughed, then dropped a file on the marble dining table in front of Claude. “Sign.”

  The old man blustered, wiped his mouth with a napkin and pushed the papers away. “You’re a fool. I won’t sell this to a Montclair, not ever. You can all rot in hell for all I—”

  Sebastian grabbed Claude by his shirtfront and pulled him partially out of the chair. He’d hated this man as long as he could remember, but right now, he forced himself to control his rage. Business was business.

  “I know your secrets, old man. Are you truly prepared for your daughter to know them as well?” He dropped Claude back into his seat and pulled a pen from his jacket. Placing it on top of the files, he pushed the papers forward once more. “Sign.”

  “You can’t get anywhere near my daughter. You’re bluffing.”

  Sebastian smiled, revealing his cold, feral nature. “I was with her when you barged in this morning. Seductive young thing. No wonder you keep her locked up.”

  Sebastian watched Claude literally turn red. He tried to plan for all possibilities, but now wondered if he’d underestimated the man’s propensity for physical violence.

  “Just sign the damn papers and I’ll leave here, your secrets intact. I won’t return. It’s a fair price, old man. I’m not trying to steal the fucking patent.”

  “Why should I believe anything you say? ‘Like father, like son,’ the saying goes.”

  Sebastian refused to visibly show how deep that wound cut. “I haven’t seen my father since I was ten and you know why.” He slammed his hand on top of the file, shoving it against Claude’s plate of half-eaten salmon and Brussels sprouts, causing it to crash to the floor. “Sign the damn papers, or not only will I fuck your daughter senseless, but when I’m finished, I’ll also tell her what you’ve done. Then I’ll find my father and tell him as well.”

  The color drained from Claude’s face. He pushed away from the table and walked, visibly shaken, to the bank of windows across the room. Sebastian nearly had a moment of doubt but shoved it aside. He’d waited for just this moment, the moment he always loved, when his opponent knew he’d been beaten, immediately before the surrender.

  He’d lived the past fifteen years for it, pushing aside any warmth or happiness in his life, instead just living for the kill. Standing in Claude’s dining room, seconds away from a victory he’d chased for eighteen months, he felt doubt for the first time in his life.

  That night in his study, going over files and trying to find some way to get to Bennett without using his father, he’d never imagined how his life would change. Seeing Bennett’s online logo pop up had given him a sensation much like a cat probably got when the mouse finally came out of hiding. However, he’d never bargained for a woman supposedly dead on the other end. Worse, he’d never bargained for a woman who could steal his heart.

  “If I sign this, you’ll leave here? Never come back?”

  Claude’s words broke into his consciousness. When he looked up, the man stood a mere foot in front of him, strands of white hair mussed from fingers savagely raking through it. For the briefest moment, Sebastian felt a flare of compassion. He ruthlessly shoved it aside, covered his moment of weakness with an evil smile that said he’d won, and agreed to Claude’s terms.

  “I’ll leave tonight.”

  The sound of pen scratching along paper should have been glorious, but instead it sounded…felt hollow. He looked over the documents, folded them back in the folder and slipped the pen inside his jacket.

  “You’ll be hearing from my attorneys shortly. Good doing business with you, Bennett.”

  He heard the glass shatter against the wall, as he walked away, but didn’t let it phase him. He had one more thing to claim before he left this goddamned castle. Regardless of what he’d told Claude, tonight Marina would be his.

  Chapter 9

  Marina paced in the moonlight. She hadn’t been at peace for one second since Sebastian had left. She worried about his safety, worried about whatever it was between him and her father, worried over her father’s strange behavior. Being locked in her room, able to do nothing, threatened to drive her mad.

  Taking a breath, she smoothed the silk gown over her hips, then ran her fingers through the waves of hair that fell nearly to her waist.

  Will he really come as he promised?

  This was her own personal moment of truth. She would finally have the opportunity to be with a man intimately and she was conflicted, of all things. She half wanted him to be true to his word and claim her, half feared it. She’d dreamt about this for years, but now that her opportunity might actually be only moments away…well, she felt more than a little nervous.

  A sound came from the direction of the balcony, drawing her attention. She closed her eyes, heart beating so fast she knew he’d be able to hear it. Pressing a hand against her chest as if that would help, she went to the French doors and threw them open.

  “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair.”

  It failed to amuse her. She narrowed her eyes as his hand came over the stone railing.

  “Oh, you’re hysterical.”

  “Well, maybe you could just come grab my hand, then?”

  “Oh, God!”

  She ran to him, took his hand and helped as much as she could getting his large frame over the railing. The second his feet were solidly planted on the balcony floor, he had her in his arms. She nearly wept for joy at being there again.

  She’d tried not to think of him all day, but what else could she do? She’d been awaiting his return from the moment he left. As he pulled back, the mischief dancing in his eyes as he smiled down at her, told her he knew it.

  “Did you miss me, my darling?”

  Her breath stuttered at the mere sight of his smile. She felt herself growing wet, aching to be touched, but she liked the games they played and acted unaffected by his touch.

  “Some.”

  She pushed from his arms, moving back inside, nervous heartbeat accompanying her every step. The room wasn’t all that big, so she had little room to maneuver. As she moved near the bed, she felt his hand slide up her arm. She shivered.

  “Only some, my love?”

  Tucking her chin down, she smiled to herself.

  “I thought of you once or twice.”

  His heat engulfed her as he stepped closer, his chest pressed against her back, his arm wrapped around her waist, his mouth at her ear. He whispered, “I will have to do far better tonight, then, my love, if I am to keep my promises.” His mouth traveled down her neck, until he bit softly into her shoulder. “You will be mine, Marina.”

  “I d-don’t belong to any m-man.”

  She couldn’t think straight with his mouth on her skin, his hand cupping the underside of her breast. She was in so much trouble with this man. He turned her to face him, tipped her chin up and brought his mouth just barely against hers.

  “Wrong, Marina. You belong to me.”

  As if to prove that to her, he captured her mouth in a gentle assault, making her knees buckle. As he caught her, he pulled her tight against him. Immediately, his cock pressed against her belly. She arched instinctively, wanting to touch it, taste it, feel it, wanting him inside her, wanting all the things she’d dreamt of so long.

  She broke the kiss, forcing herself to be braver than she felt.

  “Are we going to make love, then?”

  His rich laughter made her womb contract.

  “My precious Marina, I’m going to love you until the heavens weep.”

  He swept her from her feet and placed her on the bed. Removing his shirt, he lay beside her and kissed her again. His tongue swept over hers. Then he sucked on it, making her moan and whimper with a need she’d shoved aside for far too long.

  “Sebastian, you do remember what I told you. Right?”

  Breathless, she felt him rain tiny kisses on her neck, shoulders and along the opening of her gown. He looked up at her, the look in his eyes more tender than she’d seen so far.
With one of his hands he captured both of hers and held them above her head as he maneuvered his body atop hers.

  “About you being a virgin, princess?”

  She swallowed and closed her eyes. Hearing him say it aloud felt far more embarrassing than being one. She felt his fingers against her cheek, his lips on her other cheek.

  “I remember.” His mouth moved close to her ear and he whispered, “Trust me.” before nibbling her lobe.

  She couldn’t see how she had much choice. She was aching with want, trying to shove aside her nerves and worries. Sebastian’s gentle touches and soft kisses were doing a wonderful job of relaxing her. Her breathing slowly returned to normal, even as his fingers stroked her breast through the silk.

  “Do you want my kisses again, Marina?” He drew a light circle around her nipple, snagging her breath. “Here?”

  Her first instincts screamed panic, denial, run, but she fought them all back. She wasn’t a child. She wanted this. Her hands still captive in Sebastian’s grip, she raised her head to meet his gaze.

  “Yes.”

  Growling deep in his throat, he released her and stripped her before she could react. Now, naked on her bed in the moonlight, Sebastian’s gaze feasting on every inch of her, she’d never felt so much a woman in her life. She captured his face, bringing his lips to hers and gently kissed him.

  “Thank you.”

  He straddled her again, pressing his cock against her.

  “I think we are mutually pleased here, my darling.”

  She smiled and laughed, then met his gaze again, batting her lashes in mock innocence. “Sadly, though, we are not mutually naked.”

  With a look that heated her blood, he rose off the bed and stripped off the rest of the clothes. “Better, princess?

  She actually made a purring sound that she wasn’t aware she could make, then smiled at him like the most experienced temptress that ever lived. “Much.”

  Raising her arms, she begged him to return. It took only seconds for him to comply. As they lay naked, legs entwined, their mouths and hands exploring and discovering, Marina realized she’d never had a better moment in all her life. Despite the churning butterflies in her stomach and the worry he might reject her…she told him so the only way she knew how.

  “I love you, Sebastian.”

  Chapter 10

  Sebastian closed his eyes as her words washed over him. He’d heard them before. In fact, he quite feared hearing them from any of the women he dated. He made it his guiding principle to break off a relationship before the woman in question could ever fall for him, but this time…

  He cupped her face in his hands, placed a kiss to her forehead. A feeling very akin to joy welled in his heart.

  “I love you, my darling Marina.”

  He pulled his face away far enough to see the tears glistening in her eyes. The thought that he would break her heart come the morning viciously invaded his thoughts Just as viciously, he shoved it back. Nothing would stop him from making love to her tonight. Come the cold light of day, he’d be branded a bastard, but tonight he planned to show her enough love to last a lifetime.

  “No more words. Lie back. Let me pleasure you.”

  He knew the act of lovemaking would be painful for her this first time, but he intended to do everything possible to make it right. He slid down her body, kissing and nibbling every millimeter of tender flesh on his way. He rolled a nipple between his tongue and the roof of his mouth and loved when she arched into him with a seductive moan of desire.

  His fingers dug gently into her thighs as he pushed her legs apart. Her heated folds were already slick with her nectar and her scent rose up to greet him, making him painfully hard. He moved between her legs, sitting back on his heels.

  “Spread your legs for me, darling. I want to see you.”

  He watched her battle her own shyness. In the end, she spread her beautiful legs wide for him, revealing her pink, wet pussy. He growled in a mix of arousal and frustration for not being able to just plunge deep within her. He grabbed his cock, sliding his fist over it, pre-cum dripping from the tip. He reached forward to touch her with the other hand. She shivered.

  When he looked up, her eyes were dark and huge as she watched him work his own cock.

  “Touch yourself, Marina. Show me what you like.”

  Hesitantly her fingers moved over the folds of her pussy and dipped inside. Sebastian had to bite the inside of his jaw to keep from coming. He moved her hand, replaced it with his own and slid first one, then a second finger deep inside her. She was tight, but she was so very wet, he knew she was ready for him.

  “Darling, if I don’t get inside you very soon, you will have my cum on your body instead of inside. I’ll go slowly, but I need to get inside you now.”

  She swallowed, nodded her consent and raised her ass off the bed, giving him an ever better view. He started thinking of finance charts and his next merger. Then, simply because he was the biggest fool on the planet with apparently no discipline, he leaned down and ran his tongue between her folds and then pressed it inside her. The taste of her flooded his mouth. He grazed her clit with his teeth gently before sitting up again and pressing the tip of his cock just inside her virginal opening.

  “Are you ready?”

  She nodded. He pressed slowly inside until he felt her barrier, then stopped. Her pussy was holding him so tight and the sight of his cock half embedded within her was pushing him to the edge very rapidly. He hated to do this to her, but it was a matter of urgency at this point.

  Without warning, he pushed through the thin barrier and came down atop her, holding her tight, not moving while she rode out the pain. He planted soft kisses into her hairline and waited until he felt her body relax again.

  “Okay?”

  She nodded, but he could see the hint of fear back in her eyes and he hated that.

  “I’ll make it right, darling.” He smiled with wicked assurance. “I promise you.”

  Slowly, he began to move inside her, thankful that simply holding her set back his own orgasm. He wanted this night to be memorable for her in a good way, not as the fastest she’d ever have.

  The thought of her with other men suddenly gripped his heart so hard he lost his breath for a moment.

  There is no other way.

  Again, he shoved thoughts of leaving her aside. Her pussy was clenching at him so hard now, he couldn’t think, anyway. He slipped out from inside her and loved it when she whimpered. He soothed the frown on her forehead and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her body close.

  “Wrap your legs around me.”

  She did. Positioning himself again, he slid deep inside her. She wrapped her arms around him, pressed her breasts against him and purred into his ear. He held her as tight as he could, rocking them both slowly until the passion threatened to take him again. Then he lay down, placed her atop him and gently coaxed her to ride him.

  Every time she rose up, her pussy clenched him hard. He started biting his jaw again and reached for her clit. He wasn’t coming without her. A moment later, he flipped her to her stomach, hauled her ass into the air and readied himself to get back inside, but that perfectly pink swollen pussy was too much temptation for him.

  He lowered his mouth to her. Smiling at her yelp of shock, he pushed his tongue inside. The taste of her sent shivers through his entire body. He licked and sucked while she moaned and wriggled, at times trying to pull away.

  He’d never had so much fun playing with a woman in bed before. This went beyond any dream he’d ever had. She matched his adventurous side, trusting him completely, and that awed him.

  Finally, he knew they were both too close to continue this. He rose up behind her, sank his cock deep inside her and exploded almost instantly. He fingered her clit as his thighs slapped hard against hers and within seconds she cried out and he felt her pussy grab him, milking him into the most powerful orgasm of his life.

  Moments later, his legs began shaking so bad,
they wouldn’t support him. He dropped Marina to the bed and fell beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist and tucking her closely into his side. She snuggled close, burrowing her face against him, murmuring her contentment. Sebastian fell asleep wishing fervently that morning would never come.

  Chapter 11

  Marina stared out over the water, numb.

  No, that wasn’t true; her heart was raw, breaking. She was in so much pain, most days she would have been happy if it just stopped beating altogether.

  “Why?”

  It was the only question she kept coming back to over and over and over.

  “Marina, your father is looking for you.”

  Shoving back the ambivalence, she nodded respectfully and allowed Stedman to escort her back to the house. She pulled the shawl she wore loosely over her shoulders around the gentle swell of her belly.

  She’d have to tell her father eventually, but until she figured out what to do about the baby, she figured it was better to keep it a secret.

  Her father’s menacing presence filled the doorway as she and Stedman returned. He’d been in such a black mood ever since…for months. If she were truthful, she had to admit he had begun to scare her.

  “What did you need, father?”

  He stared right through her until Stedman disappeared into the house, then slapped her so suddenly she had no opportunity to react to it, hard enough to knock her to the stone porch floor.

  Stunned, she sat motionless, trying to catch her breath.

  “Did you think I would never find you out?”

  Marina cautiously tilted her head until her gaze captured her father’s menacing one.

  “Did you?”

  “I…”

  She had no idea what this was about, had no idea what the right thing to say was, but it wasn’t just her safety on the line anymore. She curled into a ball, trying to wrap her entire body somehow around the tiny life inside her.