“Everything you experience in the next few minutes should be heightened, your other senses taking over.”

  Now I was panting, my heart beating more rapidly than before. I heard a sound, one I couldn’t identify. Then I felt what had to be his fingertips lightly rolling down the inside of my leg, coming dangerously close to my pussy. My entire body began to shiver and I jerked up as much as the shackles would allow.

  Then his heated breath cascaded across my pussy, but the effect was entirely different than when he’d done so across the nape of my neck. I couldn’t have stopped a moan if I’d wanted to. My mind was an entire blur of strange images.

  Whips and chains and spanking benches, oh, my. The ridiculous thought almost bubbled to the surface in the form of another nervous laugh, but I managed to curtail it.

  The hot breath was followed by wetness. It took me a few seconds to realize what he was doing. Oh, my God. He was licking my clit. I was immediately thrown into a beautiful trance, uncertain of where I was any longer. Nor did I care, the pleasure so intense.

  When the sound seemed closer, I turned my head in the direction. Something was whirling. I tensed again, fisting my hands but within seconds, the vibrating whir was place against my clit, replacing his mouth. I jerked out so hard I was certain I’d popped the bindings. My mind was blown as a wave of pleasure jetted through me with enough power I couldn’t hold back a scream.

  “Oh, God. Oh… I can’t… I…”

  Jameson rubbed the instrument of rapture down the length of my pussy as he suckled on my clit, swirling his tongue around the already sensitive nub until I was bucking at the shackles. Nothing had prepared me for the intensity of sensations, leaving me aching, desire roaring through me with a tidal wave level of strength.

  I was certain he was growling, the hum of his breath keeping me warm and wet. When he returned the vibrator to my clit, rolling it back and forth, there was no way I could hold back. “I need to come. Please. Oh, please allow me to come. Sir. Master. I’ll call you anything you want.”

  “Not yet.”

  Was he freaking kidding me? I continued to struggle with my body, trying to be that perfect girl when I was certain I’d go completely off the rails. He alternated between the grueling pleasure of his mouth and tongue with the wretched yet wonderful vibrator, leaving me aching all over. I couldn’t control my body more than I could my whimpers, the noise I made drowning out the whirring instrument.

  As another wave of pleasure tore through me, I bucked hard, the lack of vision no longer a pressing thought in my mind.

  “Oh, please. Oh… I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.”

  “Yes. You. Can.” His authoritative words were barely audible over my thumping heart but I did my best, biting my lower lip until I tasted blood, praying that would stop me from disobeying him.

  I was aware he’d shifted positions, driving his tongue into my pussy while he tormented my clit with the vibrator. Every pant erupting from my mouth sounded like some animal in heat. I didn’t care. As I drifted into some other plane of existence, my head lolled to the side. I was suddenly exhausted, unable to keep fighting the raw bliss.

  “That’s my good girl. Now, come for me.”

  He didn’t need to tell me twice. As soon as he buried his face into my wetness, I exploded, the strongest orgasm I’d ever had driving all sense of being and rational thought from my mind.

  “Yes. Yes. Oh…”

  One wasn’t enough for the man who called me his submissive, the single climax sweeping into a beautiful lust-filled haze. When I screamed, there was no sound other than a strangled breath.

  As I finally came down from the beautiful high, I heard his husky voice.

  “That’s my good girl.”

  CHAPTER 13

  Jameson

  “What are we doing here?” Alexandra asked, her tone accusatory.

  “Your car couldn’t be saved.” I cut the engine and immediately unfastened my seatbelt.

  “I can’t afford a new car.”

  “I can.”

  She slowly turned her head, eyeing me with uncertainty and her usual defiance. “I’m not that kind of girl. You’re not buying me.”

  “Is that what you think is happening?”

  “I don’t know but I’m perfectly capable of making money and eventually purchasing something.” I could tell her mind was processing the night before while morphing it into a simple gesture.

  I opened the driver’s door before answering her. “You need reliable transportation and I can afford helping you.”

  “I don’t accept charity.”

  “If you’re that concerned, we’ll work something out.” I had no intentions of asking her to repay me for the gift. I climbed out, heading for the other side, laughing when she locked the door. “Don’t do this, Alexandra.” I knew she could hear me.

  She shook her head, mumbling to herself.

  I gave her a stern look and she closed her eyes. Seconds later, she finally opened the door, climbing out with the same attitude riding her face. Then she folded her arms, crowding my space. “I’m not a whore.”

  “No, you’re not. You’re a young woman who needs a break and I happen to be a man with money I don’t spend. Allow me to do this for you.”

  There were a half dozen emotions crossing her face. “Fine. But I will eventually pay you back. I will never owe anything to anyone.”

  “I’ll accept that and for the most part, that’s admirable. Come on. I hope that you like what I picked out.”

  As soon as we headed for the main building, a guy I’d done business with on several occasions popped out of his office.

  “Mr. Stark. It’s so good to see you again.”

  “Tony. How’ve you been?”

  “Good,” he answered, smiling broadly when he noticed Alexandra. “This must be the special lady.”

  “Alexandra Kingston and this is happening under duress,” she answered, shaking his hand.

  He belted out a laugh. “You told me she was tough.”

  “That I did,” I answered.

  “Let’s see how she likes your selection. I had it washed and there’s a full tank of gas.”

  I pressed my hand against the small of her back, forcefully pushing her to follow him. She gave me another hard glare and after we’d taken only a few steps, she grabbed my arm, pulling me to the side. “What about insurance? I can’t afford the insurance at this point.”

  “I’ve taken care of that as well.”

  “What? How? You were spying on me? Do you have some burly hackers like you do bouncers?”

  Her sarcasm was a reminder of how special she was. “You answered the question on your new hire form. Remember?”

  “Oh. I did?”

  “Yes, you did. I took the liberty of paying for a year just so you’d have time to get on your feet.”

  “Of course you did. Do you always go around doing anything you want?”

  I shoved my hands into my pockets. “I’m used to getting what I want, Alexandra. Before you ask, I’ll take it if necessary.”

  Her mouth twisted as she tried to think of a barrage of ugly words to counter it. Then she exhaled. “Being around you is exhausting.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  She walked ahead of me. I watched her for a few minutes and two thoughts entered my mind: fucking her in the backseat of her new car and turning her over my knee. Both would happen eventually. When I finally headed toward them, I sensed another outburst coming.

  “You bought me a new truck.” She tipped her head, the sunlight unable to hide the shock on her face.

  “It’s reliable and I like the visibility it offers.”

  “You’re… crazy.”

  “I’ll take that as another compliment. If you don’t the color, I’m certain Tony has several others.”

  She stared at the red Dodge Ram, her mouth twisting more than before. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  I was surprised she didn’t walk closer, still rooted to the ground as if it wasn’t real. “No one has done anything so nice for me. I won’t forget it.”

  “I had the liberty of getting your belongings from the other car. It’s on the floor of the passenger seat.” I could tell she wanted to find some snappy retort but remained floored.

  She smiled, but I noticed pain in her eyes, the girl from behind the mask.

  Only when she walked toward the truck did I finally take a deep breath. I’d sequestered myself for so long, I’d forgotten how much I’d enjoyed aspects of life I’d given up on while trying to block out the pain. The sound of my phone was an interruption that had become far too normal. As I yanked my cellphone into my hand, I noticed her smile and it added brightness to the gorgeous day.

  I glanced at the screen and groaned. Lachlan was on the phone. The Scot was a ballbuster and always had been, the true playboy of our group of three. Thank God, he’d softened over the last few months, a spunky senator’s daughter the reason.

  “If you’re calling this early in the morning, there must be an issue,” I told him, half laughing.

  “It’s after ten. Are you still getting your beauty sleep?” Lachlan teased.

  “No. I’m doing something good for a change. What’s up?”

  “We might have an issue in Paris that needs your attention.”

  “Do I want to know and why didn’t Philip give me a call?”

  My buddy snorted. “Maybe because his attorney called me instead. It would seem Mr. Dumas has gotten himself into some legal trouble. Apparently, his family also has ties to a ruthless crime syndicate overseas. From what I was told, if we don’t want the workers to walk off the job, they need someone controlling them.”

  “Why would they walk off?”

  “Because his funds have been put on hold.”

  “The reason?”

  “Well, he’s been accused of blackmail, extortion, and I’m sure a few other crimes as well.”

  I took a deep breath. “In order to get the land then the building designs approved.”

  Lachlan snorted. “You were always good at weeding through the bullshit.”

  One of my fortes. I rolled my eyes. Dumas. We’d all had our reservations about the secretive man, but he’d checked all the boxes enabling us to go forward, including the money he’d already put down on the project. “Why do I have a feeling we’re the target?”

  “That’s what I was thinking as well.”

  “Let me guess. You nominated me to handle the mess.”

  “I wouldn’t know the difference between a two by four and a header beam and you know it. We could send Grant, but somehow, I think Mr. Number Cruncher wouldn’t do much good either. Besides, he has his hands full with issues of his own in LA. You have a strong connection with Dumas and with the folks in their government office. You up for it, buddy?”

  I glanced toward the truck, exhaling as I watched Alexandra climbing into the cab. “How soon?” My thoughts drifted to the meeting I’d left. Obtaining the urban planning authorization hadn’t been difficult, but I’d had the feeling Dumas had paved the way before my arrival eight months before. I only hoped he hadn’t lined the official’s pockets as well.

  “A day. Maybe two. That’s all the time the attorney thinks we have before things get ugly.”

  Fucking fantastic. “Fine. I’ll figure something out. Email me the details and I’ll get the jet ready. I’ll call you after I’d read everything over.”

  “We’ll do a conference call with Grant. I want to make certain we’re all on the same page.”

  While the three of us were equal partners, as CEO, Lachlan had always been the front man, his always camera-ready presence adding to our credibility.

  “Hmmm… Why does it sound like there’s something preventing you from leaving swanky Miami?”

  “Go mind your own business. How is that sexy almost wife of yours?”

  “You know women,” he chortled. “Everything must be perfect.”

  Perfect. It was a word not included in my vocabulary. “Better than you know.”

  Alexandra

  Rarely did anyone surprise me. If they did, it was usually the kind of revelation that eventually became caustic. As I pulled down the street to the condo, I took another deep breath. I hadn’t wanted to admit it to Jameson, but I was like a giddy kid inside, butterflies still swarming my stomach. The nagging voice was still in the back of my mind, but I’d sensed the powerful man was being generous, and that the gift didn’t come with strings attached.

  I thought I’d made myself perfectly clear that I wasn’t selling anything, including my body for sex or something else. Laughing, I rolled into the garage, sliding my hand back and forth across the leather steering wheel.

  He’d spared no expense. Even though the sticker with the price had been taken off the window, I’d found it in the center console. He’d paid almost sixty thousand for the special edition. In cash. That much I’d managed to get out of the nice but far too lecherous dealer. There was no way I could handle payments and I wasn’t entirely certain I could pay Jameson back in ten years.

  I’d checked with my insurance company and he’d been fibbing to me a little. He’d paid for two years of insurance up front. All the bells and whistles too. I remained floored yet cautious. No one ever did anything like this without wanting something in return. Maybe I was just jaded. I did have every reason to be.

  After pulling into the designated parking space, I took a few minutes to sit and enjoy the new car smell. I’d had hand-me-downs since I’d learned to drive. The radio was still on, the heavy metal station I’d found on satellite radio jamming with my favorite tunes. I couldn’t help but dance a little in my seat as the bass boomed from the eight speakers inside the cab. Eight. And satellite radio! I’d been lucky to find a station every fifth town on my drive to Miami.

  I noticed Charlotte’s car was parked in her regular spot. I had no idea what to say to her. Hey, I was lucky enough to be given a brand-new truck. Why? Because I’m his little subbie.

  Oh, God. Was that what I’d become?

  A few more minutes of enjoyment before I figured out what to say that wouldn’t hurt anyone.

  Exhaling, I closed my eyes, slumping down in the leather seat, running my fingers across the smooth grain. Why would he do something so incredible for a girl he barely knew?

  Okay, so the sex was out of this world, the night before what fantasies were made of, but really? I’d never easily trusted anyone, especially when they tried to ply me with gifts. While I didn’t think the man had a hidden agenda, I still couldn’t wrap my mind around his generosity.

  There was no reason a sudden moment of sadness swept through me. None at all. Maybe it was all about missing my brother. “You would have loved this truck, Matt. And red was your color.” I could still envision his grin, the expression I’d called evil more than once. “I know. You’d have installed huge tires and rims right away. Then I could see you driving down the road with the stereo blaring. Full blast. Yeah. With a beer in your hand.”

  The sadness became almost overwhelming. I’d tried to put the ugliness behind me, but his closeness was missed so much, a hole would forever be in my heart. How many times had I asked why? If only we’d both made other choices that night. Yeah, if only. I took a deep breath and allowed the images to fade, squeezing the leather-covered steering wheel hard enough my knuckles turned white. Damn it.

  The seat was so comfortable, I could have easily fallen asleep. And I would have if a loud screech of tires hadn’t jerked me back to reality.

  I glanced into the oversized side mirror, noticing a black SUV had pulled up about four lengths ahead and nearer to the elevator. While I didn’t recognize the vehicle, that didn’t mean anything given the comings and goings of residents and guests, most of whom I didn’t know and from what I could tell didn’t want to be seen.

  When two doors opened, I unfastened my seatbelt, turning toward the activity. Three huge men dressed in dark suits popped out, each one of them obviously influenced by bad gangster movies. Their slicked-back hair had seen far too much hairstyling gel, their burnished cinnamon complexions adding a dangerous aura. And I could swear one of them held a weapon in his hand.

  What. The. Fuck?

  I’d seen my share of bad guys, including in Montana, although the rough dudes usually carried rifles, not handguns. The three stood outside the SUV, two of them keeping watch in either direction. Then the third opened the back passenger door. From the angle I didn’t have a clear line of sight, but two sets of legs eased onto the concrete.

  The brawny guy who’d opened the door almost completely blocked my view. When he threw a look in the direction of my truck, I turned off the radio and slunk down further. My instinct told me whoever they were didn’t want to be seen.

  I cut the engine, praying they hadn’t noticed the exhaust. While my curiosity was nagging at me to crawl closer to the passenger door for another peek, the intelligent and rational side of me won out.

  Seconds turned into full minutes. Then I heard the slamming of car doors and the revving of an engine. I refused to move from my spot until the driver sped off. If they were exiting the garage, they’d need to find a spot and turn around.

  When it finally whizzed by thirty seconds later, I took a deep breath, counting to ten before lifting my head. Thank God they were gone.

  For about a million reasons my legs were shaking as I stepped out, grabbing my bag. No one remained in the garage. Exhaling, I headed for the elevator, constantly looking over my shoulder. Maybe Jameson was right and living in the building wasn’t such a good idea.

  As soon as the elevator doors opened, I rushed inside, slamming my hand on the button for our floor, praying the doors would close. When they did, I let out a moan. I tapped my foot on the floor, staring at the panel over the doors as the steel box took its sweet time getting to its destination.

  When it was finally close, I inched forward, ready to jump out. Then I noticed a spot on the floor. After eyeing it carefully, I bent down and swiped my finger though it. I didn’t need to bring it to my nose to realize it was a large drop of blood. A slight chill coursed through me as I thought about Charlotte.