“I’ll have my office fax over the paperwork for Ricardo to look over.” He grabbed his wallet and threw a few hundreds on the table to cover the cost of the drinks and meals that wouldn’t be eaten. He left the Four Seasons without a backward glance, his mind swirling with what he should and would do when it came to Blythe. Angelina’s advances had opened his eyes that he wanted something more substantial. He was ready to lay it all out to Blythe.

  ****

  Blythe’s sandals hung from the tips of her fingers as she walked down the beach. The waves rushed to the shore and caressed her feet. They were leaving tomorrow, and she couldn’t help but feel sad by the thought. The time had gone by so quickly. After Dietrich spanked her with his belt a lot of things had run through her mind. She had enjoyed it, immensely. She had also enjoyed what the three of them had done. Submitting to not one, but two men, letting them do whatever they liked to her body, and loving every minute of it, had always been her “dirty little secret”. The one and only time she had asked one of her boyfriends to spank her had ended badly with her looking like some kind of freak. At the end of the day that was how she felt, well, until Dietrich and Stellan had opened her eyes that what she wanted wasn’t bad at all. They may have only shared that one night and a few stolen glances, heated kisses, and several spankings, but it had been the most fulfilling thing that had happened in her life since her accident.

  She turned toward the ocean and watched the waves roll in. Blythe had successfully spoken to her mother and Austin without breaking down and confessing everything. She was quite proud of her acting ability, but deep down she knew Austin wasn’t a fool. That man could smell distress a mile away, no matter how well she covered it up. At least he hadn’t grilled her thousands of miles away and over the phone. Blythe already felt on edge.

  The foamy deposit lined the shore. She drew a pattern in the sand with her toe, the infinity symbol, and stared at it. The next wave came by and washed it away. The disappearance of that sign was like her life, of what she had wanted and could never have. It just went to prove that nothing lasted forever.

  Her trip into Lisbon hadn’t even been enjoyable because her mind had been on Dietrich and the sudden awkwardness that surrounded them. It was her fault, of course, that the air had been uncomfortable. She knew the kind of man Dietrich was before she even met him. Of course things had drastically changed in a very short time frame. It wasn’t just about sex, not to her at least. There was no denying that the attraction went deeper than letting them tie her up, spank her, and have sex with her at the same time. Things shifted, quickly, and Blythe didn’t know how to handle it all. So, she did what she did best. She detached herself from everything. The last few days around Dietrich and Stellan had been awkward, to say the least. After everything that had transpired she couldn’t even admit that what they had done meant more to her than a fling between the sheets. Blythe wasn’t a fool. For whatever reason, Stellan and Dietrich wanted her. They could have any woman they desired, so she knew that once this business in Portugal was over they would go on to the next female, most likely one who was svelte and gorgeous.

  Sitting on the beach and watching the sun set over the horizon was bittersweet. She would miss the villa and the beach. The seclusion and quiet surroundings had helped her relax, and also helped her forget about everything she had tried so hard to accomplish and failed at miserably in her life. Idly she reached down and rubbed her ankle. On the outside it looked fine, but on the inside that was where the real pain and damage was. It wasn’t just the physical pain, but also the emotional and psychological aspect of it all. Her heart and soul were crushed, and in all honesty she didn’t know if she’d ever be able to get past that. The guilt of shutting Stellan and Dietrich out made her feel like a world-class bitch, but really, she would be the one who was heartbroken when it was all said and done. To them she would only be a distant memory of the poor little chunky girl they tag-teamed in Portugal one month. A bitter laugh rose in her throat. She liked to think that wasn’t true, that their softly spoken endearments, the gentle caresses, and the way they looked at her as if she were more than just their next conquest, had her meaning something more to them.

  Why are you doing this to yourself? Just tell them what you’re feeling inside. They might feel the same way, want the same thing. Maybe, but then again it could all end up blowing up in her face. She thought on it some more, and knew that if she didn’t at least tell them the truth she would never know what could have been. And so what if they told her what she felt was not reality? At least she would know, deep down inside, that she put herself out there. Feeling a bit more confident in her decision to talk to them and clear the air she stood and headed back to the villa. When she neared the home she saw Stellan and Dietrich on the veranda. Their backs were to her, but they were close enough that she could hear what they said.

  “Dietrich, I think you’re over-reacting.” Stellan rested his hand on Dietrich’s shoulder.

  “No, you didn’t see her face, Stellan. The woman wants more than I’m willing to give. Than we are willing to give.” Blythe stiffened at his words. She shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but her feet refused to move.

  “I’m not saying you’re not right, I’m just saying you need to tread lightly. You don’t want a scandal with the company.” Dietrich inhaled sharply.

  “I don’t think she’d pull any kind of shit like that. She needs to be put in her place, to know where we stand. I tried to tell her that, but her expression told me my words wouldn’t have sunk in. She is delusional with how she feels for us.”

  The sound of ice clanking in their glasses seemed deafening. Blood rushed through her body, and tears pricked her eyes. Had she been so wrong about them? You’re a fucking fool, Blythe. Before she heard anything else that would cut her even deeper she darted up the stairs and through the front door. It didn’t matter if they heard the door slam shut. She couldn’t bear to look at them after what she heard.

  She closed her bedroom door and leaned against it. The beauty that surrounded her was almost like a saccharine slap to the face. She closed her eyes and slid slowly to the ground. Blythe let the tears fall that she didn’t want to shed.

  ****

  She had avoided them the entire fucking night. When it was clear she wasn’t coming down, giving them some bullshit excuse that she was tired and didn’t feel well he had left her alone. Dietrich wasn’t about to beg to talk to her. Yes, he had important things he wanted to say, things that would change their relationship, but whatever was going through her pretty little head was something she needed to deal with alone until she was ready to open up to them.

  Stellan had reluctantly left after hours of waiting to see if she would emerge. She hadn’t. Now Dietrich sat in his jet ten thousand miles in the air staring at the only woman who tied him in knots and made him feel weak. And Dietrich wasn’t weak, not by any means. She hardly said two words to him, but he wasn’t about to press her while just feet away his staff could easily hear their very private conversation. He could tell them to leave them alone, but there was also a part of him that was stubborn, wanting for her to come to him. With that being said he also wasn’t about to let her withdraw from him, not after what they shared. After Walter and Rebecca went into the galley and shut the door he leaned forward in his seat. He knew Blythe was aware of his close proximity by the way she shifted in her seat and made sure to keep her stare on the magazine in her lap.

  “Look at me.” His voice was hard. He was pissed, and he wanted her to know it. It took her a moment to obey him, but when she did her actions were slow and timid. As soon as her eyes landed on him they widened. Yeah, he felt fury inside of him, and he knew it had to be showing. Dietrich took a moment to calm down before he said anything else. “You’re going to talk to me. Shutting me out is not happening, Blythe.” The way she licked her lips had his cock hardening. Even pissed he reacted to her instantly. They needed to talk. He needed to tell her sorry for pushing her, for not taking things slowly. Running a hand through his hair, Dietrich took a deep breath and leaned back. She hadn’t said anything, but at least she continued to look at him.

  “I want to talk to you. There are things that need to be said, and you will not run from me before I can say them.” He heard and saw her swallow. “First, I want to apologize for pushing you.” She looked like she was about to speak, but he held up his hand to stop her. “No, let me finish.” He took a deep breath and continued. “You aren’t used to this lifestyle, and I should have eased you into it. I should have given you time, and for that I’m sorry, but you must realize this is who I am. I can’t change, but I should have been understanding and a lot gentler.”

  Shit, she stared at him like a scared rabbit. That was the last thing he wanted. If they were going to have a secure and trusting Dom/sub relationship he had to earn her trust. He just hoped he hadn’t lost it for good. “I’ve been with Stellan for years. I love him. With that being said, we have discussed some things regarding you and the bigger picture—”

  “Stop. Please, just stop.” Her voice wavered slightly, but it sounded strong. Blythe shook her head and looked out the window. She swallowed several more times.

  “Please be seated and buckle up for our final descent into New York City. It has been a pleasure flying for you, Mr. Moore.” The captain’s voice rang through the overhead speaker. Blythe didn’t look at him as she buckled her seatbelt. He gritted his teeth and counted to ten in his head. He was damn sure not going to let her run away without letting him finish what the fuck he wanted to say.

  When she finally did look at him his heart jumped in his throat at the raw emotion reflected back. “The last thing I want is to get between anyone, cause a rift in a relationship, or make trouble for the company.” A lone tear slid down her cheek, but she wiped it away as quickly as it had arrived.

  “Blythe, pet…” He wanted to go to her, ease her sadness, but she shook her head, stopping him from doing any of that.

  “Can we just leave it as an incredible time in Europe?” Her words pierced his chest like a serrated knife. He wanted to yell at her, tell her that it was far from okay, but he could already see that she shut him out. He didn’t respond, because he was afraid of his emotions right now.

  The plane touched down ten minutes later, and his focus stayed on her the entire time. Blythe made it painfully obvious that she was avoiding him. After she walked off of this jet she thought she could just leave and forget about what they shared. He laughed internally. Not fucking likely. When they were given the all clear to exit Blythe darted out of the plane like it was on fire. He didn’t stop her as she dashed down the airstairs and across the runway. When he saw some guy climb out of a Jeep and wrap his arms around her Dietrich’s blood boiled. The guy easily lifted and spun her around. The smile on both of their faces pissed him off even more. Was that her lover? He couldn’t imagine she would have been intimate with him and Stellan if she was involved, but what the hell did he know? Fortunately, they didn’t kiss. Dietrich didn’t know if he would have been able to control himself if that had gone down. He still sat in his seat and stared out the window, watching as she climbed into the Jeep. He wanted to storm off the fucking jet and stake his claim, but he forced himself to stay back. She glanced at the jet, but he knew she couldn’t see him. She could have this moment and run, but in the end Dietrich always got what he wanted, and what he wanted was Blythe with him and Stellan.

  Chapter Eleven

  Her time with Moore Corporations had officially come to an end. The paycheck she received was an incredible amount of money for only working for a month’s time. It had only been a week since she left Dietrich’s jet, but Blythe couldn’t lie and say she hadn’t thought about him or Stellan every single moment since then. She felt pathetic for what she thought. Wanting them and letting her emotions cloud her better judgment had been a mistake, but sleeping with them had been a bigger one. Now her heart was broken, and it had only taken one night of bliss and a few short weeks in their presence to accomplish it. Telling herself over and over again that she needed to put them behind her was harder than it should have been.

  “When is your first appointment?” Austin yelled from the living room. She had invited him over to her place to spill it all. Maybe talking about it and telling him would make her feel better? She certainly had avoided talking about it with him for long enough. He lifted his beer bottle to his mouth and took a hefty swig. His focus was on the football game in front of him.

  “Monday morning at nine.” She grabbed the plate of cheeses and summer sausage, and a few more beers and headed into the living room. Setting the plate in front of him might not have been the wisest move because he dived right in like some kind of wild, starving animal.

  “Dang.” She snatched her hand out of the way and laughed. He looked at her sheepishly but didn’t stop shoveling the food into his mouth.

  “Sorry. I was up late last night and didn’t have time for breakfast.”

  She cocked a brow at him and watched his grin spread across his face slowly. Yeah, she knew why he was up late, especially with that shit-eating grin. “Another score, huh?” She sat down beside him and grabbed a few pieces of cheese. “New guy?” He was silent for a few moments, and she turned to look at him. “What?”

  “I, well, I actually met someone shortly after you left. We’ve been seeing each other exclusively. It’s getting pretty serious.” This instantly piqued her interest.

  “Yeah? Tell me!” She playfully smacked his shoulder. His face turned pink, and she couldn’t help but laugh. Austin was a manly man, and not the type to blush easily. The guy must be something special to cause this reaction in him. His shaggy platinum blond hair was impeccably styled, and his light blue eyes were bright. His tan was a golden color that she had always envied.

  “His name is Kyle, and he is just … well fuck, Blythe. He’s perfect.” The dimples on each cheeked showed when Austin smiled. For the next ten minutes he talked about Kyle with an almost breathless quality. By the way he spoke and his clear enthusiasm she knew this was something Austin had never had before. When he was finished she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. Leaning back, she saw a perfectly pink outline of her lips on his skin. He ruffled her hair, and she smacked his hands away teasingly.

  “So, we haven’t really gotten to talk about your trip. Tell me all about Mr. Give-Me-Moore.” She rolled her eyes at the silly nickname he had given Dietrich. The image of him and Stellan popped in her mind, and her face heated. Quickly glancing down, she hoped Austin hadn’t seen her. When he cupped her cheek and forced her to look him in the eye she knew she had been unsuccessful.

  Dammit! She was going to tell him everything anyway, but right now Blythe didn’t doubt she looked like some kind of schoolgirl with how red her face probably was. It felt like it was on fire and growing hotter by the second.

  “You have it that bad, huh.” He didn’t state it as a question.

  Taking a deep breath, she spilled it. Everything. Blythe told him about her feelings, the sex, the domination and submission, even the threesome. By the time she was finished Austin’s eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head. “Well, say something.”

  He threw herself back on the couch very dramatically.

  “I’m an idiot and a slut, huh?” She covered her eyes with her hand because all of a sudden she felt like crying. Telling Austin how she felt didn’t make her feel better at all.

  “I…”

  She dropped her hand and stared at him. He looked around the room and brought his eyes back to her.

  “I am impressed.” There was amusement in his voice. He shook his head and his smile grew. “Blythe, honey, you are not a slut. Hell, if that constitutes you as being one then I hate to think what you would call me.” He started laughing, a full belly-shaking laugh. “You care for them. I can see that clear as day.”

  “None of that matters, Austin. What good is caring for someone, or more than one in my case, if they don’t reciprocate those feelings?” Her head and heart hurt thinking about it all. “Besides, I have to be crazy to want these men this strongly after only knowing them a short amount of time.”

  “Blythe, you can’t help how you feel. The greatest loves are born out of random acts. They grow from instantaneous reactions.” He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. “Believe me when I say you can’t let your head override your heart in all things. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow, sweet-cheeks.” Leave it to Austin to talk all philosophical then follow it up with “sweet-cheeks”.

  “Thanks. I am one lucky girl to have you in my life.”

  “No, sweetheart, I am the lucky one.” He pulled her into a tight hug. A moment later a knock sounded at the door.

  “You expecting company? Maybe a male stripper?” Austin wagged his eyebrows, and she chuckled.

  When she opened the door and saw who stood on the other side, everything faded away. Dietrich and Stellan stood side-by-side. They wore suits, power-fucking suits that had the air leaving her in a rush. God, the images in her head didn’t compare to having them stand in front of her in the flesh. She had no idea how long she stood there staring at them, but Austin clearing his throat behind her had her blinking rapidly to clear her vision. Stellan and Dietrich’s eyes were hard as they looked over her shoulder at Austin.

  “W-what are you doing here?” The tensing of their jaws and the fact they still weren’t looking at her had her glancing over her shoulder at her best friend. Austin stared at them with wide eyes, but what caught her attention was the lipstick kiss on his cheek. Blythe turned and wiped it off. Her face heated further with embarrassment. She could only imagine what they thought. After smoothing her hands over her hair that Austin rumpled earlier, she turned back to the suits who now stared at her with identical stoic expressions.