Mastering the Art of Love (The American Soldier Collection 2)

She watched him walk away as Jameson looked at her with an expression as hard and fierce as stone.

A few seconds later, as she tried to calm her racing heart, Theo arrived.

“There you are. I need you to come with me. I have some business associates I’d like you to meet and also explain a bit about some paintings.”

She smiled as she took his hand and he led her out of the room and back into the reality of her life.

* * * *

Mariana had just walked out of the ladies’ room when she heard the voice behind her.

“I’ve been waiting for you. Theo asked me to accompany you to the study. He has some clients who are interested in a painting and they would like your input.”

Mariana hesitated a moment. She didn’t recognize the man at all. He was stocky, had dark hair, and was a few inches taller than her. He appeared angry, but she wasn’t certain if that had anything to do with his bushy eyebrows. If Theo sent him, who was she to question it? Mariana followed him down the long hallway. She glanced over her shoulder, noticing that no one was in sight, not even Jameson or Jax. God, why was she even thinking about them? She couldn’t. They were a weakness she wasn’t ready to face.

The man glanced back at her, and she got a funny sensation in her belly. It just didn’t seem right at all.

The moment they entered the study, she was on guard. The man waiting there she recognized as a buyer of fine art. His last name was Ellington. No, his first name was Ellington and last name James. It was like his name was backward. That was how she remembered him.

Her hand instinctively went to the small broach by her waist. It appeared as accent jewelry, but it contained a tiny button that would alert her security person that she was in trouble. She cringed just thinking that it could be Jameson or Jax. Here she was trying to act so independent and confident. She didn’t want Jax or Jameson to think she needed them or would call them unnecessarily just to see them again. She couldn’t press that button unless she was in trouble. Big trouble.

She cleared her mind and focused on the situation as the other man walked into he room with her.

“Where’s Theo?” she asked, and Ellington James nodded his head toward the man that had escorted her into the room. He immediately walked out and closed the door behind him. She heard it lock.

“Sweet, sweet woman, it doesn’t matter where Theo is. The point is that he gave me permission to spend some time with you. That is what I am planning to do.” He looked her body over from a few feet away. She didn’t like his fake accent and couldn’t tell if he was trying to be British or Australian. His designer tux said a lot about him as well as the arrogance in his eyes and his stance. She turned to look toward the doorway.

“No need to worry. We’re all alone. Let’s discuss what’s going to happen, shall we?” Ellington approached swiftly, and in no time at all he had ahold of her wrist.

She tried to pull away.

“Don’t touch me. I don’t know who you think you are, but you have no right to touch me.”

She pulled from his hold and ran toward the door. Turning the knob, she knew it was locked. As she turned, Ellington pressed her hard against the door.

“You are the most beautiful of Freda’s escorts. You’re new, fresh, and the top desire of many men in this circle.” He shoved harder, plastering her body against the door as he pressed his mouth against her neck.

“Get off of me,” she yelled as she tried to push him away.

“Not going to happen. Just give in, like the others, and I promise I’ll pay you well.”

Mariana was so angry and disgusted she became enraged at his insult. She wasn’t a whore. What had this man done to other women? Did Freda know? Mariana panicked as she began to fight against his restraint. He shoved her head hard against the door nearly stunning her. She retaliated back by slamming her head against his face, surprising him a moment as he released her. She pressed the button hard on her dress then attempted to swing at Ellington. He caught her fist and grabbed her face hard. She screamed and swung her arms until he knocked her onto the rug. He was pulling at her dress, ripping the material as she scratched at his face, his eyes until he hit her. The hit shocked her and hurt so bad she began to cry. His hands were everywhere, groping, pressing until suddenly the door burst open. Ellington was straddling her at the time, and she instantly saw Jax and Jameson.

“You bastard. Get away from her.” Jax pulled Ellington up and off of her. More people entered the room, and it was total chaos. She could hear Jax telling his brother to calm down or he was going to kill the man.

Then Jameson was kneeling beside her.

“Jesus, Mariana,” he whispered, with intensity in his eyes and fear. He pulled her up into his arms and cradled her on his lap as she cried.

“It’s over, baby. He can’t hurt you now.”

She wouldn’t look around to see the crowd of people that gathered. She clung to Jameson, finding safety in his arms and the fact that he was so big and strong.

“Is she okay? Should we call an ambulance?” someone asked.

“I think she’s just shaken up. The police are on their way. Let me just calm her down first and then we’ll look her over,” Jameson said as he held her snuggly against his chest.

“I want to go home,” she whispered as she wiped the tears from her eyes.