“Do you understand?” The tension in him was evident in his voice.
Frustration built, her body craving friction, her sex so stretched and full with him that something had to give.
“Carmen, I will not fuck you until I have your agreement, and I think we both know this has to happen.”
“Yes, I agree,” she cried out, unable to do anything but that.
Then his hips began to roll into hers and the ability to think or negotiate was gone.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
IT WAS NEAR nine o’clock by the time Rex got Carmen organized and in the car. She sniped at him throughout dinner. She ate heartily, though, which amused him, despite the weight of concern he carried. The fact she sat down rather tentatively said it all. Her adorably pinked derriere was keeping her on edge. It also made her face flush whenever she moved.
She glared at him each and every time, despite the look of sheer and utter satiation also apparent on her face. It didn’t bother him that she was still disagreeable, as long as she wasn’t in the house where she’d been in danger. Since he already had her agreement to obey him—given in the throes of orgasm—that was all he needed.
The coincidences of the day were too worrying, and he suddenly recalled that time he was sure he’d spotted someone watching him when he was in his father’s library. Once he’d examined the stairs where Carmen had fallen, he was convinced he had real cause for concern. The banister looked as though it’d been deliberately sawn so it would give way. The tacks that held the carpet in place had been carefully removed, and one of the old carpet braces—a relic from the 1930s—had been pried free. There was only one inevitable result there. The carpet would buckle up and become a death trap for whoever came down that way. It was a minor miracle she hadn’t fallen all the way down. The marble floor in the service hallway below would have been an unforgiving landing pad.
When he quizzed Mrs. Amery as to why Carmen had used the staircase, the housekeeper informed him she always went down that way after she arrived back at the house, to go outside and look at her favorite place, the lake.
Why didn’t he know that? It annoyed him that her habits were so elusive and mysterious to him. Someone else knew that, though. Someone who’d timed it to perfection. Could it be the same person—or persons—who had ambushed him in London? Whoever it was, they were rank amateurs. Neither prank had come to much of a result, but it had been enough to worry him about what they might be after. Was somebody after Burlington Manor and willing to do anything to get it?
As far as he was aware, neither he nor Carmen had any real enemies. Amanda’s actions the week before kept coming back to his mind. Could she have something to do with it? He wouldn’t rest until he was sure. Even though he was frustrated by the unanswered questions, it was with relief that Rex drove the Maserati out of the grounds and headed in the direction of the main route southwest, back to London.
They drove in silence. Rex knew she was still battling inner demons over agreeing to this. Why was she so adamant not to be with him during the week? He thought she’d enjoyed their time together at the noodle bar in London. She’d certainly enjoyed their time together this evening, despite her protestations. He couldn’t help being amused, despite the effect she had on him. He meant only to spank her into submission, but once they got started and she’d let rip with those moans of hers, his cock was rigid and there was no turning back. He had to be deep inside her while she was so helpless and shuddering with release under him. His orgasm had been intense, stimulated as it was by the tight fist of her delicious cunt gripping him in welcome. She was so slick and hot from what the spanking had unleashed. For a moment he’d lost touch with reality and the reason why he was spanking her in the first place.
Then she sat docile yet smarting at the dinner table. Her face was flushed and her eyes black. There was something so mesmerizing about the way she looked after he’d taken charge of her and given her a good seeing to. It made him want to do it endlessly.
Annoyance poured from her, even now, while she sat staring ahead in the passenger seat, her hands neatly folded on her lap.
Rex reached out and put his hand on her thigh. “You will be rewarded.”
She didn’t reply. However,
Rex sensed her reluctant interest.
Using his hands-free car phone he called Lance. “Sorry to disturb you so late. I have a favor to ask.”
“What can I do for you?”
“Your sister-in-law’s apartment, is it still available to rent?”
“Yes, I believe so, but it’s expensive, and it’s only available for a couple of weeks.”
“That’s ideal.”
“You know someone who needs a luxury pad for a short-term let?”
“Yes, me.”
“You okay?”
“I’ve got a problem on the home front. Need someplace else for a short while. Listen, I’ll reach London just after ten. Can you put me in touch with your sister-in-law so I can go straight to her to collect the keys?”
“How about I fetch the keys and text the address to your sat nav. We can meet there.”
“Sounds good. Are you looking for a bonus?”
“Once we secure that Rashid contract, yes.”