He still had his hand wrapped behind my head as I stared up at him, panting, my breasts rising and falling, my lips red and sore from his wonderfully brutal treatment. He didn’t at all look as though he was affected by the kiss. His breathing was even, though his eyes were darker, with a blue fire like I’d seen when I was naked and met his gaze in his bedroom only a short time ago.
He was stroking my lower lip now. I wanted him to stop because it was dully aching, yet I wanted him to continue.
“Are you a virgin?”
The question took me by surprise, and I shoved his hand away from me.
“What does that have to do with anything?” I asked. “What the heck if I am? Is it a crime to be a virgin at twenty-two?” I stood, shoving the chair back in the process.
If there were any certainty at all, I’d be a virgin for the rest of my life, because I knew I wasn’t going to settle down with just any man. Then again, I’d also been certain I was never going to let any man kiss me either, unless he was the right one—that gentle, caring man who loved me to my bones, like the way Dad had loved Mom, like the way Dad had cherished Mom.
This man—this Mr. J. Maxwell—was nothing like that. He was arrogant and brutal, and what happened a moment ago had changed the fact that I’d never been kissed.
My head held high, I said haughtily, “Trust me. I’ll get that two million by Friday. Somehow, someway.”
Turning on my heel, I headed to the door.
“Two million. Five years.”
My legs halted, and I turned to look at the handsome man, who’d just given me the most amazing kiss.
“Excuse me?”
He moved just a little, easing his hands into the pockets of his trousers. “Two million. Five years. It’s a contract.”
I stared at him, long and hard, my heart pumping loud and fast within my chest. “What contract?”
“The one I’m offering you.” He cocked his head to one side as he gazed at me. “Interested?”
I hesitated.
Two million. Five years. For me? For Andy’s freedom?
I narrowed my eyes and said slowly, “What type of work are you offering me?”
A slight smile formed to one side of his mouth, and I knew. “You’re a fucking bastard!”
Tears started brewing in my eyes and hurt within my heart, I reached for the door handle.
Sick! Just plain sick!
I cracked the door open and was about to run off, when I felt myself being pulled by the arm and spun round. Dizzy and breathless at the sudden reorientation, I gazed at the broad chest before me as the door clicked shut and my back was thrust against it.
My eyes drifted up to the stern face above me, and before I could gasp at the raw fire I saw within those Prussian-blue eyes, firm lips crushed against mine as I felt warm fingers dig deep into my hair.
I whimpered as he kissed me long and hard, thrusting his tongue against mine, stroking and caressing and licking and playing, making me breathless and squirm with a sense of hunger for more. I was gone. My head swam in this deep pool of sensation, and my being floated in midair, surrounded with his warm aura.
His hand moved down to my breast and cupped it, feeling the soft flesh against the thin material of my T-shirt. I gasped and groaned in response, and my breasts became hard and engorged, sensitive at the slightest touch.
When he thrust his muscular thigh between the softness of my legs, my core burned and twisted, crying out its need to be filled with him. It was the moment that brought me back to reality.
I shook my head as I tried to shove him off me. He retaliated by increasing the firmness of his grip. When I tried even harder, he had one hand at the small of my back and hoisted me up until I was riding his thigh. I freaked out because the action and position increased the burning need within me, the craving for his manhood and for him to simply ravish me, take me, and do so in every which way that pleased him.
Oh God! I could feel the hardness of his shaft against me, and my body responded by turning weak, trembling with the need to be filled, shocking me to my center.
My mind, however, refused to submit to his sexual seduction. It was then he let go of my lips. Instead, his hot mouth moved to tease the sensitive spot near my ear. My body shuddered as he whispered, “You’re definitely worth two million. I’d fuck you every night.”
I caught my breath at his words and felt weak and aroused. I was reduced to a wanton wench.
Slowly, he eased his thigh from between my legs and lowered me to the ground. With his face touching mine and his lips caressing my cheek, he said softly, “Make up your mind. Two million. Five years. Your brother will go free. You have until Friday morning.”
He moved his body back, though his hand still trapped me between him and the door. Panting, I watched him as he stared at me, his eyes intense.
“What are you still doing here?” he suddenly snapped.
I heard the frustration and anger in his voice, but how could I move if he was still trapping me there? He was a brick wall, and I was a puny thing. Furthermore, my legs couldn’t move. They were paralyzed in numbness.
My body stiff, he pulled me by the arm, closer to him. I could feel the whole length of him, his muscular, toned body and his hard rod pushing against his pants, against my belly. I squirmed with a flare of sexual heat at the feel of his bulge, evidence of his hunger and desire for me.
“Or have you decided already?”
I hesitantly shook my head.
He cupped my face firmly so I had no choice but to look up at him.
“You know how fucking tempting you are, sweetheart?” he said. “If you don’t want me to throw you on the floor and fuck you hard now—leave!”
I got the message loud and clear. I pulled myself free from his enchanting incarceration and turned my back to him. My hands at the door, I tried to yank it open. When it didn’t budge, I whispered, “The door.”
I felt him releasing a deep sigh, as if it were very painful for him to suddenly let me go. Then slowly and reluctantly he eased his hand from the door.
I pulled it open and slipped out, racing down the hall, my heart pumping loud and fast and tears blinding me.
My heart was still racing from the short, intense, stupefying experience when I sprinted down the grand stairs. I was at the base and was about to leave when Ms. Lane appeared before me. Her expression was once again calm and stern.
“Your backpack,” she said tonelessly, handing me my belongings.
I got ahold of myself and murmured, “Thanks.”
With my stuff back, I ran out the door and down the long driveway. I didn’t stop running until I reached the gate, until I was sure I was far enough away from Mr. J. Maxwell, the man who had hotly kissed me and wanted to ravish me. The man who made me squirm under his touches and made my inside desire to be filled with his hard shaft. The man who reduced me to nothing but a wanton wench. It was only then I collapsed on the grass and allowed the tears to flow down my cheeks and the hunger and craving to be ravished and filled by the man with beautiful Prussian-blue eyes, the man named Mr. J. Maxwell, to consume me.
JamesHe was so screwed. So fucking screwed. He shouldn’t have let Mia in, but he did, and now look at where it got him. He was fucking turned on, and his damn cock was hard and sticking out like a goddamn steel pole.Shutting his eyes, James took a deep breath. He knew the beast down there wasn’t going to be satisfied, and he needed to act fast.In ten seconds flat, he was out of the office, up the stairs, and into his bedroom.“Out!” he snapped at the maid busy cleaning up the mess Mia had left behind only minutes ago.“Y-yes, sir,” she stammered. She flew out in a hurry, dragging the vacuum cleaner with her.James headed to the en suite and slammed the door shut. Then he proceeded to take off his clothes, throwing them in a heap on the floor. Naked and muscles tight with sexual frustration, he shoved on the multihead shower. He stood there under the running water, one hand resting against the wall as he inhaled and exhaled deeply.“Fuck!” he hissed, staring at his engorged cock. He
MiaI stared up at the darkening sky, wondering why my life sucked so much, wondering how the heck I was supposed to find two million…wondering if I should take up Mr. Maxwell’s offer.No! the voice in the back of my head shouted. I wasn’t that low. I wasn’t about to become his prostitute.Selfish! the voice screamed at me. You’re a selfish bitch, Mia. It’s Andy, your brother. You’d do anything for him.I sat up, wiping away my tears. That’s right. I’d do anything for Andy. He was all I had. I couldn’t lose him. He needed me, and I needed him. I’d find that two million. Somehow. Someway.Grabbing my bag, I flung the ripped thing over my shoulder and hoisted myself up.The moment my legs straightened, the world spun around me. I gritted my teeth as I shut my eyes. I knew I was very dehydrated and tired. The way I was going, I’d collapse soon. I couldn’t allow that to happen. I needed to find a place to stay for the night and then something to eat.Turning the bag over, I unzipped it and
MiaIt was another twenty minutes later when he pulled into a parking lot. I noticed the many flashy cars parked here. He switched off the engine and got out. Uncertainly, I undid my seat belt and did the same.He was already in front of me by the time I shut the door.“I won’t run,” I said, annoyed he should act like my unwelcome bodyguard. “I want to talk to my brother.”I glanced up and saw the slight smile lifting one side of his lips.“Good,” he said, wrapping a hand over my arm and steering me close to him.As we walked to the door, I felt like I was glued to him by the hip. I scowled and tried to sidle away from him. The feeling of him so close didn’t sit well with me. I was hot and tense at the same time. I couldn’t believe he was turning me on by just holding me close.He tightened his grip on me and even went so far as to rest his other hand around the back of my neck, under my braided hair. I jumped, a gasp escaping my lips. He knew I was about to pull away and tightened his
Mia“You can really eat, can’t you?” The deep timbre of his voice came my way. The tone hinted at humor, and I wondered if the billionaire found my fondness for food amusing.Of course, I couldn’t deny the fact that I loved food. Andy called me the “eating goddess” because of how much I could really put in, despite my slim, willowy frame.I licked my spoon clean, savoring the warm, soft brownie and the cold, creamy ice cream in my mouth. I licked my lips, a smile on my face. When I glanced up, I saw James watching me intensely, as if he found my reaction fascinating. I, in turn, felt butterflies in my stomach.I placed the spoon down onto the empty plate and said, “Thanks for dinner.”James cocked his head to one side and smiled. It was a very handsome expression that snatched away my breath.“You’re welcome,” he said smoothly. “Shall we?”I watched as he stood, pulling on his jacket.The moment is here, I thought with a mixture of dread and relief. I’d be able to talk to Andy. Suddenl
MiaI didn’t believe James’ words that it wasn’t safe for me to be alone until I was back in my motel room half an hour later. Only then did reality really sink in. The reality that my world was changing. Instantly, my heart leaped with something akin to fear and dread. I was no longer living in Mystic Spring of New Hampshire where my everyday life revolved around working and making ends meet. Here, my life revolved around keeping myself and Andy safe, finding that two million dollars, and of course, this man beside me.James clicked the door shut and surveyed the room with interest. I noted the bed was a mess, my small belongings scattered haphazardly across the floor. The bathroom door stood ajar, and the table and two chairs were on the floor as though someone had been angry and rampaged through everything. Yes, this room looked as though it had been ransacked.I shakily sat on the bed and took in a deep breath. James easily lifted the chairs and table and arranged them properly. Th
MiaThe door dinged open, and James led me to a grand doorway across the hall. He flipped out his key card once again, inserted it in the slot to the side, and then punched in his pin number. The lock clicked open.“After you,” he said, holding the door for me.I nodded and took a step in. Instantly, the light flashed on by itself. I gazed around in amazement. The hallway was indeed grand, and I was impressed. I waited for James so as not to be rude, walking into someone else’s home before the owner. James passed me and led me straight into the living area.I sucked in my breath. And here I’d thought the hallway was grand. The living area, in comparison, was a hundred times grander. The place was bright, and the area was open and spacious. Glass windows stretched from floor to ceiling. I walked down the few steps and stared off at the vast city before us. The view of city lights was indeed breathtaking.I couldn’t help myself. I had to ask. I had to know. “Are you sure you want me to s
JamesJames’ eyes followed Mia all the way up to the top of the first-floor landing. Fuck! He really couldn’t help himself. It was Mia, and he just couldn’t miss the enticing view of her climbing the steps. Once she was out of sight, he returned his attention to his coffee, a smirk playing about his lips.“Matt,” he said under his breath, shaking his head. “You’re playing dirty, my man. I hope Andy can handle you.”Like Eric said, Matt would fuck the shit out of the boy, and James had no doubt tonight was one of those nights.Damn! He was sure Mia was confused and outraged when she’d heard her brother on the phone. It was amusing watching her expressions. The panicky look and then the suspicion that Matt was hurting her brother, and then there were the frustrated and surrendered looks. She was beautiful. And he remembered the lust he had seen in her eyes when he’d kissed her in the car.The reminder only brought forward a powerful surge of passion in his blood, and he gulped another mo
MiaWhen I woke the next morning, it was bright, the sun just rising across the horizon. I turned my head to my right. Instantly, I sucked in a breath. The view before me was indeed spectacular. The city’s buildings glittered like golden jewels beneath the glowing orange. I sat up, my eyes feasting on the sight before me with amazement.“Beautiful.” The voice reached me, and I jumped.I turned my attention to the door and saw the man who had been on my mind the majority of last night.“James.” I said, my heart pounding within my chest. And it was so early in the morning too.Well, to be honest, it was hard not to be nervous around him, especially with him wearing only a pair of tight jeans and nothing else. His hair was wet, so perhaps he’d just showered.He came into the room. “I did knock,” he said, placing a shirt on the bed. “But you were otherwise occupied.” He grinned. “I had to check in on you.”In case the men snuck in and stole me away? I thought. Or I ran away? Then I thought