He says nothing and moseys over, his face straight, his eyes running up and down the blood-red dress. When he reaches me, I finish putting my earring in and let my arms fall to my side, returning the favour and standing quietly while he drinks me in. ‘Are you attached to this dress?’ he asks seriously, reaching forward and drawing a light line from my hip up to my breast.
I clamp my lips together to stop any tell-tale signs of want escaping.
‘Princess?’
‘Yes.’ I push my answer out with some determined effort.
‘Well, later it will be coming off quicker than abra-fucking-cadabra.’
I smile, fond memories of our first time together bombarding me. ‘I look forward to it.’
He grins and reaches for my hand, taking a comfy grip. ‘Ready?’
‘You sure this isn’t too much?’ I indicate down my dress. ‘Won’t they all be in gowns?’
‘You are not they. That’s one of the reasons why I love you.’ He points to my dress. ‘This is you, and it is most definitely me, too.’
‘Because you can access my arse.’
‘Precisely. The fact you look like a savage beauty only makes it all the sweeter.’ He whirls me around, and my back hits his chest with force. I gasp – part in shock, part in anticipation. His strong forearm rests on my belly and constricts, forcing me to him. Then his lips are at my ear. I can feel his mood pressed into my bottom. ‘I feel it’s only right that I tell you what I plan on doing to you later.’ His palm meets the outside of my inner-thigh and starts a torturous climb up, making my whole body begins to pulse.
‘What are you going to do?’ My voice is jagged, broken by a craving that I’m unable to control. It’s standard when his hands are all over me. When he’s whispering in my ear. When he’s simply close by.
‘I’m going to fuck you.’ He makes no bones about it, his hand reaching my knickers and cupping me possessively over the material. My arse pushes into his groin in a futile attempt to escape his touch. ‘So fucking hard, you’ll be seeing stars, princess.’ He slips a finger past the seam of my knickers and releases a hot stream of air into my ear. ‘Jesus, you’re drenched.’
I sigh, eyes closed, body rolling.
He enters me slowly, deliberately, and circles his fingers expertly. I cry out, and he thrusts his groin into me. ‘Who owns you, Eleanor?’
‘No one,’ I gasp, flexing my hips to meet his rotations.
He bites down on my ear, and I can feel him smiling against me. Then his fingers are gone, and it’s all I can do not to scream my devastation. The hem of my dress is lifted quickly and a clean, precise palm collides with my arse.
‘Fucking hell, Becker.’ I jolt forward, and he catches me, twirling me around.
‘I thought we agreed no knickers?’ He dips and slowly drags them down my legs as I narrow my eyes on him.
‘I don’t remember agreeing.’
‘Are you protesting?’
‘Yes. It’ll be . . . chilly.’
‘On the contrary, it’ll be very hot.’ He grins as I lift each foot in turn and he casts them aside. Bloody hell, I must remember not to bend, sit, crouch.
He pulls my hem down, satisfied. ‘Let’s go.’ He takes my hand and leads on, leaving me no option but to bury the craving he’s triggered.
‘Did you see your granddad?’ I ask, brushing my hair from my face and patting at my damp cheeks.
‘Yes.’
‘And how is he?’
‘Quiet.’
I glance up at Becker, seeing him focused forward, not a hint of his thoughts evident. I’m not sure whether to be worried or relieved by this. The showdown over the map has unsettled . . . everything.
When we arrive at my apartment block to pick up Lucy and Mark, I can’t help but stare up at my window, lost in thought. I came to London a single woman and planned on keeping it that way. This apartment was my new home. In less than three months, I’m engaged and this place isn’t my home any more. It’s burning my brain trying to figure out how my life has turned around so quickly, and how I’ve lost my conscience, morals and sanity along the way. ‘Still no idea on who broke into my apartment?’
Becker, too, looks up at the window. ‘Whoever it was covered their tracks very well. Someone was looking for something.’
‘Like what?’
He shrugs. ‘Inside information on the Hunt Corporation, I guess. Everyone knows getting into The Haven is impossible.’
‘I’m just glad they can’t break into my mind.’
‘People will try. Never forget that.’
I inwardly laugh. As if I could. ‘It’s got to be Wilson, hasn’t it?’
‘I would have guessed that, yes. But he’s not smart enough to cover his tracks. He’s sloppy.’
‘Not smart enough? He stole an O’Keeffe in broad daylight.’