Bred by the Bully (Breeding Season 8)

“There it is,” he said.

He was referring to the beautiful yacht tied to the end of the peer. It looked like something out of a magazine or maybe a James Bond film.

“What am I looking at exactly?”

“I’ve charted a boat … for us. It’s fully stocked.” Then he took her other hand, holding them both as they faced each other. “Stop pushing me away, Mira. I want to be everything you need.”

****

Even though Mira allowed him to play with her, to fuck her, her heart wasn’t in it. He was at the point now that sex wasn’t satisfying, not when there was no reciprocation. Yes, he wanted Mira, but now he needed more. The original contract had gone way beyond breeding and ownership. He wanted it all. And most importantly, he wanted her to love him.

He was trying, but she kept pushing him away at every turn. Today, he was going to go all out, to try to make a connection with his woman. They’d missed out on all the natural courting, so he hoped that was the missing element. If she wanted romance, he’d give it to her.

“I honestly don’t think I’ve even been on a boat. Certainly not one like this.”

“It’ll be fun,” he said.

He helped her aboard, her hand tight around his when the boat moved slightly on the waves. Drake had gone all out, making sure everything would be perfect. He hoped it would be enough to win her heart.

There was a lot he needed to handle at the office after his meeting, and even more so with that bitch Katherine. He had a few women stalking him, the money-hungry ones who didn’t take no for an answer. He’d dated Katherine three times over a year ago, and she kept showing up in his life even though he’d made it clear he wasn’t interested. She’d fucked a few of his high-profile clients and friends. If it was to make him jealous, it sure as hell wasn’t working. He couldn’t stand the sight of her anymore.

There was no doubt in his mind the woman Mira came across today was Katherine. Now she’d gone too far. She was more than an annoyance, and she’d be sorry for messing with his woman. There was no way he’d compromise on Mira’s safety.

They took a seat on the sofa at the rear of the boat, and Drake signaled to the captain that they were ready to head out. Mira held on to his arm as the boat powered up and headed to sea. He hadn’t stopped thinking of her all these years. To have her next to him made his life feel complete.

Her long blonde hair blew back with the wind. The smile on her face made her even more beautiful. He wanted to see it more often. He’d been such as asshole, but when he wanted something, he was used to getting his way. Business was one thing, but he knew now that relationships had to be handled with more tact.

“Like it?” he said.

“I love it. It’s so beautiful out here.”

The water was like blue glass with the light wind, hardly a cloud in the sky. Now that they’d put distance between them and the harbor, forested islands dotted the landscape.

He watched Mira, savoring the innocent wonder in her eyes. Her life had been too hard, and he wanted to change that.

“Hungry?” he asked a while later.

“I only had a coffee early this morning,” she said. “I’m kind of starving.” She giggled.

“Good, because the chef has our lunch ready upstairs.”

“The chef?”

“Only the best for you, Mira.”

He assisted her to the upper deck where the table was set, complete with the single red rose in a vase, per his request.

“Wow,” said. “I don’t know what to say.”

Drake held her chair out for her before sitting down across from her. “You’ve already got some sun. Your cheeks are flushed.”

“Really?” She touched her face and frowned.

He took her wrist, bringing her hand down. “It looks beautiful on you.”

She looked him in the eyes, something she rarely did. “You confuse me,” she almost whispered.

“Don’t be confused. I know we started off on the wrong foot, but I’m trying now. I want more than babies from you, Mira.”

“You do?”

“Want to know what I really want?”

She nodded.

He took a breath before speaking. Drake hated the feeling of being vulnerable with a passion. It allowed people to hurt him, use him, destroy him. He’d learned to close himself off, to take what he wanted. With Mira, he was trying to change his ways.

“I want you to want to be here. With me.” He leaned back in his chair, hating how weak he felt. “If there was no contract, would you still be sitting here with me right now?”

He didn’t want to know the answer. Normally, he wouldn’t give a shit. All that mattered was the fact he had what he wanted. Mira changed all that because she’d already stolen his heart.