“Well, when will he be available?”
“I don’t know maybe never.” And he hung up. What is going on with Jonas now? I hope he didn’t get himself in trouble again, but wait, this is Jonas, and he’s always in trouble. That’s his middle name Jonas Trouble Blackstone. This didn’t sound too good. I decided to call Max at his office instead of texting him.
“Max. I’ve been calling you and calling.”
“I know but I am in negotiations now.” Max didn’t sound like himself. As a matter of fact he sounded more like Jonas.”
“Jonas? Is that you?”
“Alex, how did you know?”
“Never mind that,” I said. “Have you seen Max?”
“Something terrible has happen.”
“What?” I shook my head and slumped into the chair near my bed. What now?
“I’m coming over there.”
“Why?” And the phone went blank. I would have to sit around and wait on Jonas to find out what happened to Max. I couldn’t sit still. I walked and walked, cried and paced the room waiting to hear from Jonas.
***
An hour passed and finally the doorman buzzed and I ran to get the message. He announced that I had a visitor. “Let him in,” I said not asking who he was. I waited until I heard the door to the elevator, then I opened the door, and standing in front of me was Jonas. He had a look on his face of a sad little boy. Jonas always wore that expression especially when he had done something to cause Max a problem and that happened all the time in San Francisco.
But this look was different. I had never seen such a look of despair on his face. He rushed passed me and reached for a bottle of Scotch from the liquor cabinet, and downed half a glass with no ice.
I glanced at him. “Haven’t you kept me waiting long enough to hear about Max?” I just knew he would tell me that Max had left me for another woman, or something close to that. I held my breath hoping it wasn’t that but it was much worse, I could tell by the look on Jonas’s face.
“I think Max has been kidnapped. I went to his office to discuss my business and ask him for help. I stayed there in his office until today when you called.”
My breathing ceased and I sucked in air. I wandered aimless to the liquor cabinet and poured myself a drink. I sat with the glass in my hand. “Why do you think this?” I asked. “Max has two body guards and a chuffer. There is no way this can happen. And no one knows about me and the children except you. I hope you haven’t put my children in jeopardy,” I said staring up at Jonas, his face usually an open book, but for some reason I couldn’t figure him out. His face blank. Was this his soldier’s expression during interrogation, a planned effort to conceal information from the enemy?
He managed to survive his combat mission after his company had been destroyed. What was behind the mask of good natured Jonas, he so easily revealed some days, and on other days, a paradox?
“I think Max can take care of himself. There is no way anyone can get to him.” I glanced at Jonas with a raised eyebrow, “But if they thought he was me then...” Jonas said trying to concede something before I interrupted him.
“Why would someone think he was you? Is there something you’re keeping from me?” I questioned, my eyes narrowing. Jonas had begun to fidget with his hands, then he stood and paced around the room taking time to look aimlessly through the panoramic window.
“Do you have a cigarette?” He said with his back to me still facing the window. Now I knew something was up with him. He stopped smoking cigarettes when he kicked his drug habit and alcohol habit. Now he’s drinking and smoking. This could be serious. I rushed over to him and took the empty glass from his hand.
“Tell me Jonas. What did you do?” I shouted. My heart bursting through my chest. I had to hold my body to keep from trembling. I realized then that without Max I didn’t want to go on. What would life be without him? Without Max I have nothing. Tears pooled in my eyes and all the breath flowed out and I felt light headed. I held on to the chair breathing hard.
Jonas walked around the room in a circle and came back to stand in front of me.
“Stop shaking your hands,” I shouted, my voice weak between tears. “Now tell me and don’t leave anything out.”
He sat near me. I didn’t want him anywhere close to me. Especially at times like these. He tried to stop his feet from shaking and his hands but he was losing the battle. “I asked Max to come to my office because I wanted to discuss a financial matter with him. I had to step out and he was waiting for me, by the time I returned, he was gone. I think he was mistaken for me and kidnapped.
“Why would anyone want to do this?” He glanced at me. “I think it’s because of you?”
Silence blanket the room. We sat staring at each other. I didn’t want to ask, I was afraid to ask. I wanted to run and hide in my bedroom and not come out. I didn’t want this life anymore, I wanted another life. A life that was quiet. I should have stayed in Montana with Max. I had to come to New York. Now I don’t have Max.
I went through a slew of regrets until I heard a key in the door. I grabbed Jonas’s hand and held it tight. We were both afraid.
There standing in front of me dressed all in black was Maximillian Blackstone smiling. “Well, what’s going on Mrs. Blackstone, did you miss me so much that you had to take up with this cardboard copy of me?” He asked smiling and Jonas rushed to his brother and held him tight as if he didn’t want to let him go.
“I love you, too Jonas,” Max said pulling away from Jonas’s grip and making his way to me. “What’s the matter, baby, you act as if you have seen a ghost?” Jonas and I glanced at each other.
“Max. I’m ready to leave New York when you are. This minute if possible.”
“Hold your horses, baby. There are a few more things I have to get in order and we can go home.” Max glanced down at me holding on to him for dear life. By the look on his face he didn’t know what to make of my sudden change. But he knew when he had won and he wasn’t going to push it by asking questions.
***
Alex
Jonas and I tucked away another one of our conspiracies and secrets. We didn’t talk about it with Max. What good would it do? Although Jonas was wrong about the kidnapping, there was something simmering below and it had to do with me. For now, I just didn’t want to know about it or think about it. Max promised me that we could leave New York soon. I thought that would be my salvation. Get away, go back to Montana where all this started and make a fresh start.
I’ve been depressed every day and needing him. Max has been away from us for weeks. He’s flying in today, and he’s taking the boys out and he said he was bringing a friend. I’ve seen him more now than in the last year and he spends more time with the children. We’re having vanilla sex as Max describes and it is extremely hot for me.
Max takes the time to bring me flowers and candy aside from all the expensive gifts he forces on me. I hope this is enough for him. But deep down I hope it is enough for me.
I don’t think about Robert as I used to. He is standing in the way of my love for Max. Once Max said we would be leaving to go back to Montana, I cancelled my classes. I will miss Melody she was the brightest thing about being in New York. I’ll have to get in touch with her and explain. Knowing Melody, it shouldn’t be that hard to contact her considering everyone’s life is plastered all over social media sites. And she is probably the type to have all her pictures and information on Instagram and Twitter.
Max will be here at eleven am. He’s taking the children to the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall and they’re all excited. Two weeks ago he took them to the zoo and they couldn’t stop their little chatter about the animals.
The children are dressed and waiting with Lapita. I swiped lip gloss on my lips and threw on a dress with a V cut neckline and my Christian Louboutin the ones with the red heels. I like to tease him when he comes home after being away. That’s his punishment, that and vanilla sex, and a marriage counselor.
“Alex, this is my good friend, Robert.” I turn chalky, my hands are sweaty.
“It’s nice to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Blackstone.” I look at him my eyes gloss over, I’m in a daze. My worst nightmare. It’s him standing in my house with a white pullover under a midnight blue leather jacket and dark blue wool slacks hugging his sculptured hips. I can’t tell which one is more handsome than the other, Max or Robert. Seeing them together is mesmerizing. Downright scary. And I’m hot for both and they are hot for me. I can see it in their eyes and they are both blind because they think that my smile is for only one of them.
Max is standing dressed in a black silk shirt opened at the collar and a black coat and silk and wool black pants. “Robert came along to help me with my boys.” I’m thinking, he came along to help you with more than just our boys.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Robert. Where did you meet my husband? I never heard him talk about you.” I didn’t extend my hand. My cheeks were red and my hand sweaty. I couldn’t handle the tell-tale sign of arousal, the sign of want and need.
The children were pulling Max’s hand and ready to go. “We have to leave now. Robert take them out, I need to speak to my wife.” Max’s words and smile innocent yet taunting for Robert. He reacted and I knew immediately his feelings.
Robert gave a quick nod never answering my question and appeared to be relieved that he didn’t have to answer it. He hurried into the foyer with the children, holding my baby Jack in his arms.
“Alex, you look so... so lovely,” Max whispers with his nose trailing down my neck heading for my breasts. Max stood gazing at me as if he could pull me to the floor and take me there. Then he realized that we are not alone. “There is a function I need to attend, please say you will accompany me, it’s on Saturday?” My eyes shut tight. “It’s for a special cause. You said that I didn’t take you anywhere.” And he smiled his half crooked smile with dimples digging into the sides of his face.
“That was before...” He stopped me.
“How many times can I say I’m sorry?”
“I’ll agree if you go with me to a marriage counselor?” I said to him. He held my hand and I walked him to the door. Robert turned stark steel blue eyes covering me. I pulled back away from Max. It was as if I was betraying Robert with Max. We aren’t having an affair so why am I feeling as if something is going on between us, I asked myself. I have to stop this. I have to get my marriage back on track.
Max grabbed my hand and held it to his mouth and said with his brooding eyes looking down at me, “Anything. Anything you want I’ll do it. I can’t imagine losing you. I don’t know what I would do.” Then his face changed and he gave me a faint smile.
He held the door and was ready to leave when he turned and said, “Don’t forget, Alex, it’s a Black Tie Affair, wear your most expensive gown and jewels, Oh, I forgot,” he said putting his fingers to his forehead, Robert will accompany us. Robert spends his days and nights working for my company and hasn’t had time to meet anyone. I gave him an apartment in this building as part of his package, a signing bonus.”
That’s old news. Did Robert think I was I part of the package? I couldn’t help adding that to my thoughts as I gazed quietly at Robert playing with my children.
“He’s going to take over my companies and run them from New York, so I can devote more time to you. We can go back to Montana and I don’t have to take time away from you and the boys.”
I hadn’t seen Max that happy in years, however, I haven’t been this miserable in years. Now that I’m trying to rid myself of Robert, he managed to cajole and scheme to get into our lives. Max kissed me lightly on my lips and whispered in my ear, “When I come back, I’m going to tie you up and crawl between those beautiful alluring legs and never come up for air.”
Maybe Max took too long saying goodbye to me because Robert turned, saw me blush red and he regarded me with his blue eyes, and when Robert handed Max our baby, Max turned his back, and Robert facing me, shot me an icy wicked smile and a scandalous wink.
It wasn’t too extreme in thinking that Robert had a jealous nature and he was indeed jealous of my relationship and marriage to Max. I recognized that in him but I wasn’t a jealous person, and I don’t know the nature of a jealous man, but I hear it can be deadly.
The End
“Passion is a great love story.”
Coming Soon Book 5: Mourning Becomes Black
Thank you for reading my book. You can connect with me on my blog or website at:
http://www.rachel-e-rice.com or www.rachelerice.com Sign up for my newsletter to receive Book 1 in the Blackstone series for free. Please leave a review. Below you will find a list of my books and they can be bought at all eBook stores. Following the list of books is an excerpt from book 1 of The Blackstone Series: The Incredible Mr. Black
Books by Rachel E Rice
Historical Romance
The Captain and The Virgin #1
The Pirate and The Captain’s Lady #2
The Captain’s Revenge...#3
Seduced By An Earl #1
The Naked Countess #2
Contemporary
Obsession: Warm Bodies, Cold Hearts #1
(Obsession Series) Naked Obsession # 2
(Obsession Series) Burning Obsession #3
Erotic Romance
(Blackstone Series) The Incredible Mr. Black #1
(Blackstone Series) Temptation In Black #2
(Blackstone Series) Submission To Black #3
(Blackstone Series) Black Tie Affair #4
Stand Alone New Adult Romance
Finding Summer
One Desire
Fantasy/ Paranormal
Insatiable Series: The Lone Werewolf finds his Mate #1
Insatiable: A Werewolf’s Hunger #2
Insatiable: A Werewolf’s Wedding #3
Prologue
The Incredible Mr. Black
By Rachel E Rice
The worst thing a young woman can do is fall in love, and worse yet is to fall in love with a sexy, drop-dead gorgeous rich man. Because you could find yourself doing things you never would imagine—like letting him handcuff you to his bed as he makes passionate, erotic love to you.
Driving into the gated community, shivering from the thought, I stop to put in the code. The mansion is set on a lush, green, manicured hill with a circular driveway. I stop and exit my SL 550 Mercedes, another present I accepted from the billionaire industrialist, Maximilian Blackstone, or as I call him, Mr. Black.
The valet reaches for my keys. I stiffen my hand. He feels my hand hesitate. “Don’t worry, miss. We’ll take care of your car.” It isn’t the car that worries me.
Walking in a daze, I’m now at the front door of Pandora’s Retreat, a luxurious getaway for the serious bondage and S& M enthusiast. My mind wavering as I count my steps, I can’t decide whether I want to do this—whether I want to walk through those double glass doors with the gold-plated trim and spend a week experiencing a world of BDSM.
I’ve had only one man in my sexual life, and I can’t imagine anyone who could match the incredible Mr. Black, or Max, as his friends call him.
I tug the collar of my cream-colored silk shirt and lumber on through the doors. My gaze turns, following an attractive woman heading in my direction. A faint light bounces off her stern face. She stops to greet me. “Welcome, Ms. Johns. You will find your stay most delightful, and you will discover that we have attended to all your needs, including an apartment for a week’s stay.” The director, a beautiful, golden-haired woman of forty, wearing a black fitted dress and high heels, who a
ppears to enjoy her job, smiles warmly, opening the door of the apartment and handing me the key.
How did it come to this? Why did I agree to do this? I wonder, ignoring the answer.
Three years ago, I fell in love, and the last thing I thought about was being a sex slave to a beautiful, exotic-looking billionaire. He appeared normal on the outside, but by my standards then, there was nothing normal about whippings, ropes, and handcuffs. I guess a few years ago, I would have been considered vanilla.
I’m here to meet the Master. He’s to teach me how to be the perfect Sub and bring me to a higher level of submission. Mr. Black suggested that I was confused, and I didn’t know whether I was a Sub or a Dom, and he needed a Sub. I knew what I was; he just couldn’t handle it. Finally I agreed to his wishes, but I warned him that sending me here could be dangerous for both of us. But deep down inside, I was anxious to learn about the real world of bondage. Until now, I have been faking it to understand and fit into the world of my incredible Mr. Black.
When did this begin? I ask myself as I prepare my mind and body for what I have come to love. When did I begin to enjoy a man placing me over his knee, whipping my ass, and tying me to his headboard while fucking me senseless?
It started the day I answered an ad in the local newspaper for a terrific job in Montana, never bothering to read the small print.
Chapter 1
On the first day of the job, I was suffering from jet lag, incompetence, identity crisis, and a host of other insecurities, as I was a twenty-two-year-old who had just completed college with mountains of debt and no friends or family to speak of. I had found the position in the New York Post: Wanted—young, gregarious go-getter to work in sales. She should be intelligent, a college graduate, pretty without being noticeable, comfortable with individuals who are among the 1 percent...The ad went on and on. I figured I had one of the qualities they advertised, and I packed my bags and headed to Billings, Montana, in the middle of ski season.
Black Tie Affair Page 10
