Nipples, hands, throat, eyes. His tongue was delicate then rough, mixing pain with pleasure to create something beyond both.
I’d never been so lost before in my life, and it was like I hadn’t woken up yet.
As we approached the dining room, Chika paused. A man stepped out surrounded by guards. He looked down toward me and a grin slipped across his face. I didn’t move—I knew that face—knew it from just the day before.
Kaspar. The Oligarch.
He approached, his smile getting bigger. Chika didn’t move, but she tensed slightly, like she was preparing for a fight.
Preparing to defend me?
“Hello, Winter. I was just talking about you.”
“Kaspar. How are you?” I folded my hands in front of me and tried to stand with a straight back.
“I’m doing quite well. Just had a visit with your—what should I call him? Kidnapper? Fiancé?”
“All of the above.”
He laughed, but it never touched his eyes.
Terrifying.
“I like that. I suppose you’re not excited for your coming marriage, however.”
“Are you here to congratulate me or to rub salt in my wounds?”
“Nothing of the sort. I’m here to make sure you win.” He winked at me then looked at Chika. “Darling, if you ever want a new boss, you only have to call.”
Chika bowed her head respectfully. “My thanks.”
Kaspar slipped past us and down the hall. The guards followed several paces behind him, like fish being dragged in his wake. He whistled as he walked, tuneless and strange.
“That man makes me uncomfortable,” I said softly, more to myself than to anyone.
But Chika said, “You’d be insane to feel any other way. Now come, he’s waiting.”
I watched Kaspar turn a corner before I followed her into the dining room. Darren looked up from his paper and a real smile covered his face. It was so unlike that strange leer Kaspar turned in my direction.
Darren had real warmth behind his eyes. I felt myself flush as the night before came back in suddenly snatches of memory.
“Thank you, Chika. You’re dismissed.”
But Chika was already gone.
I walked into the room and sat down in a chair catty-corner to Darren. A lone coffee cup was still at the far end.
“What did Kaspar want?” I asked, although there were a hundred other things I should’ve said.
Such as: You made me come so many times last night, I forgot my own name.
Or maybe: Fuck you, you monstrous piece of shit, now spank my ass and lick my pussy until I scream.
But definitely: You don’t own me, motherfucker.
“He wanted to make a deal. It’s a strange one, but here we are.”
“Do you plan on sharing any details with me?”
“No, I don’t.”
And suddenly all of my post-sex good feelings disappeared. Darren had that amazing effect on me. One moment I wanted him to slide his thick cock between my legs, palm my breasts, and push himself deeper until I screamed—and the next I wanted to knee him in the sack so hard he spoke with a British accent for the rest of his life.
“What do you want then? I was sleeping.” I crossed my arms and tried to look annoyed.
He smirked at me. “Tired? Were you up late?”
“Don’t be a dick.”
“You worked hard, love. You’re entitled to a little beauty sleep. Unfortunately, we’ve got plans to make.”
“Such as?”
“Our wedding.”
I felt myself turn pale.
Right, the wedding.
I almost forgot about that. Though I don’t know how.
This psychopath really wanted to make me his wife.
“As far as I’m concerned, that’s not happening.”
He waved that off and continued. “You can go dress shopping with Penny if you’d like. She offered if I thought it might be a good idea. Time with your sister-in-law.”
I tried not to let him see how much that excited me. “That might be fine.”
He smiled as if he saw through me. “Or I could have Charleigh pick everything out. She has very good taste. It was part of her upbringing, you see. Any cultured young woman should be able to plan a wedding with little or no notice. It’s in her blood.”
“It’s not in mine.”
“I said cultured.” He raised his eyebrows.
“You dick.”
“What do you think? Are you interested in a Charleigh special? She’ll love it. Mother’s quite good.”
“I want to go dress shopping.” I hesitated and glanced around the tastefully decorated room. I had no doubt that his mom would put on a magnificent ceremony.
It was only that I didn’t want any wedding at all.
“Very good. Penny is free today. I’ll put it together.”
“But I have some conditions.”
“Conditions for dress shopping?” He tilted his head and ran a finger along his coffee cup.
One of the fingers that slipped inside my pussy and made me come.
I met his eyes and tried not to shiver.
“Three conditions for this marriage.”
He looked amused. “Let’s hear them.”
“First condition is you can’t hurt Cassie. I know you’re going to war with Roman, but you have to leave her out of it.”