by Piper Stone
“Merely that the two of you are spending a few days together. They insisted on picking a wedding date. Next Saturday.” He laughed. “Sounds like the timing of my wedding.”
“Jesus fucking Christ. Five days?” I huffed. I had five fucking days to try to convince her that I wasn’t the devil reincarnated. I also had five freaking days to try to figure out if her father could actually be trusted.
“Her mother was insistent that time is needed for the wedding dress.”
“I’m not giving Franco Taglioni any time to interfere with this.”
The sound of his breath skipped. “Seems like you’re finally on board with facing your destiny, brother. It also sounds like you actually like this girl. A plus. Just don’t drop your guard. We have far too much at stake.”
“Don’t give me any crap, Christian. I know exactly what’s at stake. I will not risk her life. Not for anyone, including you. You need to find out if the story you told me is the truth or just another dirty little lie. That means keeping pressure on our friend the senator.”
“You don’t need to tell me how to do my job, brother. Remember, I am leader of the Council,” Christian hissed.
“So you keep telling me. Have you had a discussion with Mr. O’Brien? If not, you need to warn him.” If only I’d known about the possibility of Donovan’s betrayal prior to my visit at his office, things would have turned out much differently. I shifted in order to catch a glimpse of Winter. I didn’t trust her on any level. I moved closer as she walked toward the single small gift shop, standing in front of the window.
“Leave the dirty work to me at this point, Matteo. The timing has to be right, but Mr. O’Brien and his wife will be protected, at least until I know for certain whether he has kept the oath to the sect. Right now, the relationship you are building is most important.”
Jesus. Things were getting complicated. I had no doubt there was a contract on Donovan’s life at minimum. Whether or not Winter was angry with her parents, she would be devastated if anything happened to them.
“You and I will have a discussion when I return, brother. When we do, you’re going to tell me everything the Council is doing. I won’t accept any less.”
Christian sighed. “I’ll tell you what I can. Some things I’ve kept from you to protect you. You should have taken a couple of the guys with you.”
The guys. His term for the men employed as security detail. I heard another glitch in his voice. My instinct told me that whatever he was hiding was in direct correlation to the past.
And to our particular dirty little secret.
“I don’t want freaking bodyguards, Christian. They’re of no interest to me. I will take care of my own.”
“Let’s just hope you know what you’re doing. You don’t know Franco Taglioni. He’s a hotheaded asshole with a penchant for getting exactly what he wants no matter what that entails. We’re playing with very dangerous people.”
“Which is why you need to protect the O’Briens. Is everything prepared as I requested?” I asked, taking long strides closer to the shop.
“I know some people. I think you’ll be happy. Enjoy your time off.”
I hissed as he ended the call. We were playing with dangerous people, only I wasn’t entirely certain whether the truest level of peril remained within the sect. Christian’s attempt at appeasing the members with our upcoming wedding might not be what members were looking for. They’d been made too many promises and now their pristine little worlds were being challenged. What lengths would some if not all go in order to protect their kingdom? The thought was revolting.
I’d made a good decision to take her out of harm’s way. Buying time was often the best way. The most powerful moguls had one attribute over the others.
Patience.
Snickering, I moved toward the door of the little shop, my hackles rising immediately.
Winter was nowhere to be seen.
Fuck.
There was no chance in hell that she could have gotten away from me. None. Unless there was another way out.
“Is there a back door in here?” I barked at the attendant in the store.
The young girl pointed, backing away from the counter as I advanced.
I stormed into the back, immediately noticing the partially open exterior door. Giving it one hard shove, I moved onto the cracked concrete, scanning the horizon. My emotions were all over the place, a mixture of worry and fear trickling in with a rush of anger so significant that my head ached like a son of a bitch.
I took what I believed to be the logical direction, checking the few other entrances that led into the airport, trying every door. They were all locked from the inside for security purposes. As I rounded the end of the building, I caught a glimpse of her red dress. She’d actually made it close to the taxi stand.
Fuck. Fuck!
I took off running, pushing my way through dozens of people, able to catch her only seconds before she attempted to hail a cab.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I asked, keeping my voice low. The last thing I wanted to do was draw attention. I slipped my arm around her waist, pulling her into my arms.
At first, she shoved her hands against me, her mouth twisted in fury. Then she wrapped her arms around my neck, grinding her hips against me.
“Darling. There you are. I thought I’d lost you, my baby cakes.” Winter’s voice was loud, the words exaggerated.
Everything about her riled and excited the hell out of me. I wanted nothing more than to tan her hide then thrust my cock deep inside. I cupped the back of her head, forcing our lips closer together. “Trust me, my beautiful peacock. You’ll never lose me again.” The feel of her in my arms was extraordinary, her voluptuous body fitting perfectly with mine.
Every part of me was alive, the adrenaline still rushing through every cell and muscle. As I pressed our mouths together, the single moan escaping her mouth forced my balls to tighten. I moved her lips with mine, taking my time to enjoy the taste of her.
Her body responded as it had before, the scent of her feminine wiles floating into my nostrils. I wanted nothing more than to take her right there, but I would find the control. I allowed our tongues to entwine, the taste of her exquisite.
When I broke the kiss, she purred in the same dramatic flair as before, finally dragging her tongue across her lips. “What kind of fun are we going to have at the beach, my darling soon to be husband?”
She truly had no idea the kind of danger she was in. I tightened my grip on her head, enough so her eyes opened wide. “You fucked up, Winter. You ran. You won’t be able to do that again and you will be punished. And this time, you won’t like the form I use.”
* * *
The thirty-minute drive to the island had been more pleasant than I’d expected. I was even enjoying the fact the car that had been rented was a convertible, the name I’d used on the forms untraceable. Winter had remained silent, her attitude surly at best, but she hadn’t attempted another escape.
She also seemed to enjoy the ride.
The surprise and few seconds of sheer joy the moment she’d realized I’d taken her to Jekyll Island had been priceless. While there were fancy hotels and estates located in sequestered spots, I knew she was in for another round of disbelief.
I knew almost every road, beach, and marsh in the low country, having spent enough time exploring the location to consider moving permanently. I smiled remembering the first time the subject had been broached. Not a chance in hell. I was required to be an employee of my father’s company since Christian hadn’t wanted anything to do with it.
Things change.
Tables turn.
Now I’d use what I considered to be my prized possession for protection.
First things first. I darted glances in her direction as I drove. The wind was flowing through her long hair and with every attempt at forcing strands behind her ear, she became more frustrated. She also was finally uncertain of what to expect, her expressi
on pensive. Even her face remained flushed, her cautious looks in my direction laced with fear.
Fear of the unknown or terror of her fiancé? My guess was both. Another sharp stab to the heart. For all the ‘deals’ various members of the sect had made, the threats required in order to keep people in line, including myself, she was truly one of the innocents.
That would forever keep me furious with her father.
When I made a turn down Main Street, parking the car in front of my favorite gourmet market, she snapped her head in my direction. Given the open convertible, the smell of barbecue and hot bagels wafted across the dashboard.
“I’m not hungry,” she insisted.
The woman was so damn defiant. “We’re not here for lunch.”
“Then what?”
I pointed to one of the signs, waiting for her reaction.
“A Sweet Shop Named Sprinkles?” she asked as she read the name on the sign.
I cut the engine, opening the door and getting out. Grinning, I leaned over the door. “Best ice cream in all of Jekyll Island. I assume you like ice cream.”
She wavered, shielding her eyes from the sun as she turned to look at me. “You’re serious. That’s insane.”
“I thought getting a lemonade and some ice cream might be a good treat.” I heard the level of anger in my voice and cringed. I was used to getting my way, snapping my fingers and making things happen. Her continuing defiance pissed me off. “If not, we can go but I assure you this will not be suggested again.”
As soon as I put my hand on the door, she held up hers.
“No, wait. This is... amazing,” she whispered, fumbling until she was able to open the door. As she stepped out, she glanced down at her attire and laughed. “I don’t think I’m dressed for such a fabulous place.”
“I think you’re going to be the best dressed customer they’ve ever seen.” I waited until I could take her by the arm, surprised once again that she didn’t attempt to pull away. I’d been here with my mother on two vacations as children, Christian wanting nothing to do with the simpler aspects of the island.
The memories were some of the fondest I had and also fleeting. There’d been so much pomp and circumstance during my youth. The oversized location held several establishments, every one of them welcome and inviting.
We stood in the entrance of the market itself, the place almost exactly the same as I’d remembered. She took a deep breath, inhaling the various scents as she studied the fine selection of wines and cheese, meats and poultry.
“Come on. The ice cream shop is this way.” I pointed toward the door, trailing behind her as I inhaled her perfume.
After walking inside the little shop, even the sounds of several children as they yelled over each other in order to be selected first created a warmth in my heart. I’d fallen into the trap of being wealthy, running the finances of a major corporation. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d eaten ice cream.
“How pretty,” she said so quietly. I couldn’t help but get the feeling she didn’t want me to know a single thing about what she liked.
I’d always said there were two sides of every person, if not more. While Winter certainly knew how to portray an edgy woman, one refusing to take any crap, that wasn’t the real girl. She was a woman of passion and verve while craving the simple joys in life. Music. The ocean.
Soft kisses and gentle caresses.
I was more drawn to her at this moment than when I’d had my cock buried deep inside. Her eyes were filled with delight as she studied the menu on the wall, patiently waiting our turn to order. When it was finally time, she seemed flabbergasted as she studied the cartons of ice cream.
“I don’t know what to select,” she managed, darting a quick glance in my direction.
“You can have one of each if you’d like.”
My answer made her laugh and for the first time, she let go, punching me lightly in the gut. “You’re hysterical. Even I can’t eat that much ice cream.”
“I don’t know,” I said in a singsong voice. “However, you must choose something, and you should do so wisely. The flavor of ice cream is a direct correlation to someone’s personality.” I leaned in closer, whispering so only she could hear, “Especially in bed.”
The blush that crept up along her cheeks forced my cock at full attention. Damn, what the woman did to me.
She quivered, her head lowering for only a few seconds. As she bounded toward the counter, her bright smile had returned. “I’ll have a sugar cone. One scoop of pistachio and another of very berry kringle. Oh, and the largest lemonade you have.”
The clerk grinned, her eyes sweeping in my direction. “And what will you have, sir?”
Sighing, I studied the choices, as uncertain as she’d been. “One scoop of vanilla in a cup.”
“Vanilla?” Winter chastised. “That simply won’t do. The man will have a sugar cone with decadent dark chocolate and a scoop of Reese’s Pieces. Oh, and add sprinkles on top.” Obviously pleased with herself, she clapped her hands, her body swaying back and forth.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her. “You think you know my tastes, huh?”
“I know absolutely nothing yet everything about you. You pretend to be conservative in public, but you like it a little on the wild side. You also are completely uncertain how to appreciate the little things in life. That much I can show you. Everything I really do enjoy has no dollar amount attached to it.” Her face flushed again as if embarrassed she’d dare share anything personal with me.
When her smile faded and she took a step away, I moved closer, crowding my body against hers. “I’d love to hear about everything that makes you happy.”
Winter gave me a wary look, her mouth pinching. “We’ll see.”
The moment was gone.
In its place returned my anger. I crushed it, shoving aside all the bitterness I’d felt for far too long. I’d brought her here for a reason and I refused to ruin it.
As we walked outside, she delicately licked around the edge of the cone. She held the oversized cup of lemonade in her other hand and in truth, she looked like a kid in a candy store as she glanced from one to the other. When she laughed, swiping her tongue back and forth across both flavors, the heaviness I’d felt in my chest seemed to fade away.
“Try yours. Do them together. That’s the best way to gather the wickedness of flavors.” She stopped, lifting a single eyebrow as she waited for me to follow her instructions.
“O-kay. I’m not very good at this.”
“Hmm... I will have zero hope for you if you can’t eat ice cream off a cone. None.” The slight cock of her head was sexy as hell. The way the light breeze floated through her long strands of hair only heightened the hunger embroiled in my system.
I took my time darting out my tongue, swiping it along the base to the very top.
She seemed delighted, her eyes shimmering as the sun created a halo effect around her. “Keep going,” she whispered.
I issued a slight growl before repeating the move, taking even more time before finishing the effort. When I swirled my tongue around the top, finally engulfing almost the entire first scoop in my mouth, she burst into laughter.
“Not bad. For a beginner.”
Strings of melted ice cream trickled down her hand, yet she ignored them, concentrating her gaze on watching my every move. We were connected, she and I. Two lost souls searching for our clear identity, attempting to find a release from the chains forged by the sect.
Very gently I took her wrist, my pulse racing. The moment she froze, her lovely mouth twisting, it was obvious the level of fear racing through her. She actually believed I was going to hurt her. I sucked in my breath, my mind reeling from the thought. I hated the man I’d become, but I would never intentionally hurt someone so beautiful and giving.
She took shallow breaths as I lowered my head, licking the melted cream from her fingers. Swallowing hard, a slight smile curled on her lips. Still nervous. Still uncert
ain.
After all, I was her captor.
“I’m always so messy,” she whispered, every syllable strangled.
I brushed my fingers along the inside of her wrist, taking my time dragging my tongue up one finger and down another. “There is nothing wrong with messy.” The touch was just as powerful, the forceful tingles grabbing at a portion of my breath. I finally let go, easing back slowly, shifting my attention to the ice cream in my own hand. I’d always been a man who was able to handle any situation, engage in almost every conversation. And now? I had no idea what to say to her. We weren’t friends. According to her, we were enemies.
“I’ve never been here,” she interjected. “To the island I mean. Very different than I thought.”
Winter had broken the ice and even though she remained uncomfortable, at least some of the tension had eased.
“Take a walk with me. I’ll show you around.”
She shielded her eyes, narrowing hers. “O-kay. Is that allowed, I mean do we have the time?” Her skepticism remained, furrowed deep within her psyche, her tone almost as edgy as before.
“Eat your ice cream before it melts,” I instructed, moving down the two steps onto the sidewalk. I kept my distance as we walked, window shopping at the quaint stores, her eyes open wide the entire time.
“Why here?” she asked.
I took another lick, no longer enticed by the experience. As I dumped it into the trash, she gave me a look of disdain, purposely sliding her tongue from one side to the other.
“Because this was my mother’s favorite place to vacation,” I answered truthfully.
“How deep,” she jeered.
I closed my eyes briefly, forced to realize that we were going to spar the entire time. She would never trust me on any level, another damn thing I blamed the Council for. “You can choose to believe this or not but growing up in a mansion where the furniture wasn’t allowed to be touched wasn’t the best situation for a little boy. I had my room and an adjoining playroom that I shared with my brother. Of course, he was much older, so he certainly didn’t want his kid brother tagging along. It was a lonely place.”
“Huh. And here?”