Her giggle is the last thing I hear before shutting my front door.
My sister is right. Ella has become something of an obsession over the past few days, and I won’t stop until she’s divulged what’s hurting her. I want everything. Her secrets, her body, and her mind. And if I get her heart in the process, then I’ll take that too. Don’t get me wrong, love is something I crave, but my life hasn’t afforded me the luxury. I’ve coveted too many things that weren’t mine.
Don’t judge me before you know my background. Women beg and plead with me to take them, to fu*k them mercilessly, because their husbands aren’t around to do it. And what normal red-blooded male would say no to a woman on her knees?
I love watching women come, to see their eyes glisten with desire and feel their bodies pulse with release. To taste that sweetness is like a drug to me. It’s an addiction.
Fifteen minutes later Baines pulls up to the pavement outside Ella’s building, and I get out of the car. Walking up to the entrance, I push the glass door open and smile at the doorman. “I’m here to see Ms. Carmel. What’s her apartment number?” He offers me a smile, but I can tell he’s wary.
I told Bennett I’d be picking her up and he agreed. We’re playing this like we would any other woman. With us, there’s no escape.
“I’ll buzz her.” He picks up the white phone and pushes four buttons. Six. Nine. Six. Nine.
Turning my attention to the foyer, I take in the artwork on the walls and scan the old paintings of London back in the heyday as they like to call it.
The lift pinging has me turning around and the sight I’m met with astounds me. Ella in a black lace figure-hugging dress looks like an angel walking out of the fires of hell and all I want to do is take her back into the sinful darkness with me.
Her long hair is in loose waves down her back and she has smoky eye makeup on, which only accentuates her amethyst eyes. “Carter.” Her voice is ragged, which has me tipping my head to the side. And when she nears I can see her cheeks are flushed. She’s been crying.
“Are you all right?” I step toward her and reach out, but as soon as my hand touches hers, I notice her flinch. I wait impatiently for her response, needing an answer. I would never hurt her.
Why would she be afraid of me?
“I’m fine. Can we go?”
My gaze is trained on her. She’s shorter than me and as I peer down at her she lifts her chin. She’s trying to be strong when all she wants to do is break down. A fragile princess. I nod, lacing my fingers through hers, guiding her to the waiting car.
Once we’re seated and Baines pulls away I take in her stoic expression. The carefree girl from yesterday is gone and I need to know what happened. “Are you going to tell me? Or do I have to torture you to get an answer?” I chuckle, but stop when she glares at me. That’s new.
“I don’t enjoy being forced to do something I don’t want to.” Her tone is clipped, but when I reach for her, she allows me to slip my hand in hers.
“Trust me, Princess. If I want you to do something”—I lean in, allowing the next words to whisper over her—“it will be for your pleasure.”
“And what if I don’t find pleasure? What if I’m not made that way?”
Her words stop me cold. I can’t help staring at her. Long moments pass, but her question hangs in the air between us. I’m about to answer when the car stops and Baines announces we’ve arrived at our destination.
Opening my door, I slip out and offer my hand to her, not expecting her to take it, but she does and I can’t help the satisfaction that blossoms inside me. Once she steps from the car, her lips part on a gentle gasp. It’s an exquisite sound, one I’d like to hear more often.
“This is incredible.” She takes in the glass building.
The Shard, one of London’s newer developments, and I’ve booked out a private dining room for us at the Aqua Shard, with a view of the city below, while we’re dining.
I haven’t forgotten what she said earlier, and there’s no way she hasn’t experienced pleasure before. What the fu*k does that even mean?
Once we’re seated, I glance at her. The awe in her beautiful features is breathtaking and I find myself staring at her. She turns to face me again and a smile plays on her lips.
“This is much more than I expected, Carter. You didn’t have to—”
“I did. I wanted to.”
The waiting staff appear with the wine I pre-ordered and proceed to fill her glass and mine.
“Do you trust me?” It’s the same question I asked her previously when she informed me trust was difficult for her.
She gazes at me for a moment, then shrugs. “I’ll try.”
“It’s all I ask.” Looking up at the young waitress, I see the blush on her cheeks when I offer her a smile. “Can we have two of your chef’s special, the salmon fillet?”
She nods and spins on her heel, leaving me alone with Ella.
“Do you bring all your women here?” Her question has me chuckling. She sounds jealous.
“All my women? Does my reputation precede me that much?” Lifting the wine glass, I take a sip while watching her reaction.
Her gaze drops to my mouth and I can’t help teasing her by licking my lips.
“Yes, I suppose being a rich man like yourself, you must have many women falling over themselves for your attention.” She’s right, but right now there’s only one woman who has it.
“I do, but you’re the one with me right now and I’m curious if you’re willing to experience what I have to offer.” The energy that surrounds us is at a boiling point as desire swirls around her. I’m tempted to touch her, to make her whimper. I love playing in public. The taboo of getting caught heightens the senses.
She lifts her glass and takes another sip. Her lips shimmer with the liquid and I can’t help myself from leaning in and as our eyes meet, I can see the fear evident in her gaze.
“Trust me.” My words are a soft murmur and she doesn’t flinch. Lifting my hand, I tip her chin so I have better access to those plump lips. “May I?”
She nods. It’s quick and unsure, but I have to do this.
My lips brush over hers. Her breathing turns ragged. Her pupils dilate. They’re the color of the sky as the sun sets and night falls. My tongue darts out and slowly traces the curve of her lips, tasting the wine from them. My dick is so hard while images of drizzling wine over her body and licking it off have me groaning, but this time I don’t hide it. “You’re beautiful, Ella. I want to taste you.”
Her gasp is loud, and all I can do is smile.
“Carter, I think—”
“Stop thinking, just feel. Let go and experience it. Let the pleasure take over all your senses and allow me to show you what it feels like. You’re fragile. Aren’t you?” My words cause her to whimper. Unshed tears shine in her amethyst gaze.