by Anise Storm
“Thank you,” she told him as she cradled the cup between her palms. A plume of chocolate and mint wafted toward her, and she inhaled the fragrance. She loved adding peppermint into her cocoa, and he’d remembered.
Finley winked at her then placed a few couch cushions onto the floor directly in front of the roaring fire. He sat down then patted his lap. “Come and join me down here, Hannah. You still look like you’re freezing. How long were you outside?”
Hannah didn’t argue. She moved over to him and sat down, leaning back against him. She shrugged lightly and answered him. “I don’t know, but I feel much better now. Thank you.”
“I’m glad. So, tell me… What were your thoughts about the city?” Finley shifted slightly so he could wrap one of his arms around her. Then he continued, “Isn’t it magical this time of the year?”
Relaxing, she swallowed a sip of her drink then smiled. “Christmas in New York City is definitely an experience. I can still remember watching the annual tree lighting ceremony on television when I was a girl. I’ve always wanted to go and see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in person.”
Finley chuckled. “I remember you telling me that during our first Christmas together. In fact, you made me watch the damned special on television.”
Hannah thought back and realized he was right. How does he remember it, since even I don’t?
“When it comes to you, baby girl, there is little I forget. Do you want to know what else stuck out to me about you that night?” he asked, and Hannah nodded. “I remember the twinkle you had in your eyes. It shone brighter than all the lights on the tree combined. You have the most expressive eyes, and this morning, they were empty.”
And she understood exactly why. No wonder he kept pressing the issue, wanting to know what was wrong. Her eyes watered slightly, but she wouldn’t ruin the moment by crying. “I can promise you my mood this morning had nothing to do with work, the trip or even you. In fact, I couldn’t wait to get home. That’s why I rescheduled my return to the earliest flight I could.”
“Let’s not fight anymore, baby girl. Okay?” He grabbed the cup from her hand and placed it to the side of them. He turned her face, and she realized at the moment she looked up at him that he intended to kiss her. He did.
Finley brushed his lips over hers tentatively at first then becoming more demanding. Damn, I love this man. If only she couldn’t say the same about Thaddeus, too. Finley’s entire body stilled the second she thought about Thaddeus. He must have sensed a shift in her mood. Not wanting to subject him to any more of her attitude, Hannah pushed those thoughts aside.
Hannah turned then reached up to pull him even closer. This time, he was the only man she was thinking about while she kissed him, hoping every ounce of her affection for him came through.
He groaned, and the next thing she felt was the floor beneath her back and his body over hers. Finley continued to kiss her, even as his knee wedged her thighs apart. He slowly slid her T-shirt up over her breasts then unsnapped the clasp of her bra.
He palmed each breast, circling her nipples with his thumb. She arched her body upward. His touch was surprisingly gentle, and was exactly what she needed tonight.
“I missed you last night, Hannah. I kept rolling over in bed wanting to feel your body beneath mine, just as it is right now,” he told her. He moved his mouth over her jaw, cheek and earlobe. “I need to be inside you.”
Hannah moaned. She wanted that more than anything else. She brought her hands to his shirt, catching him by surprise when she pulled it apart roughly, tearing it in the process. He quirked his lips against the sensitive skin on her throat, then he pinched her nipple hard, making her gasp.
“Remember who it is that controls this, Hannah,” he warned, and she realized her error. It still didn’t stop her from smiling. She was on her way to a punishment for sure. This back and forth was exactly what she needed. She pushed him off her so that she could straddle him, and his smirk hinted at what was to come.
Suddenly the room spun then she landed on her backside. Finley was back on top, pinning her to the floor. He picked up the torn fabric of his shirt. “Arms above your head, little sub.”
Hannah did what he said, allowing him to tie one end around her joined wrists and the other to the leg of the couch. Restrained and at his mercy, she freed her mind and her body while he sent her flying over the edge of orgasm multiple times.
Chapter Six
Thaddeus Remington paced around the office, not able to look at the elderly man sitting in the chair behind his desk. Instead, he kept his eyes trained on the view outside his window, because God knew it was the only one that could capture his attention anymore.
“I asked you a question, son. Is this piss-poor mood of yours still over that woman?” Arthur Remington asked.
Thaddeus scowled at the question, much like he had the first time it had been asked. Finally, he turned around to his grandfather, who was now helping himself to more of the private stock whiskey he’d brought with him.
“Hannah isn’t just any woman. She’s my woman. I just need to figure out where she ran off to this time,” he replied with determination. Seeing her again in New York City was a sign or omen of sorts. The two of them were meant to be together. Granted, he wouldn’t accept any other outcome, but still.
His grandfather chuckled loudly, the sound grating on Thaddeus’ last nerve. Everyone commented that the two men were chips off the same block. They had been close for as far back as Thaddeus could remember.
Now, he stood there watching the frail old man who, despite his deteriorating health, had a presence that was still incredibly imposing. His voice—loud and boisterous—no longer matched his now much smaller frame. One thing had remained the same over the years, however. Most people listened when he spoke.
Thaddeus was now bucking the trend and, instead of being angry, the patriarch of his family was more amused by the act of rebellion.
“You remind me a lot of myself at your age, son. Money…fast cars…fast women. I still have all three of those things, but if I had ever done more than bed one of those females, I’d have lost the other two.”
“I fail to see how that has anything to do with me, Grandpa. I—” Thaddeus interjected, the irritation on the surface bubbling over.
This time there was no laugh coming from his grandfather’s mouth. He growled and replied. “Open your damn eyes, Thaddeus. This Hannah is going to be your downfall. You need to smarten up before you lose everything I worked so fucking hard to build.”
His glare at the man had no effect whatsoever, so Thaddeus turned back to his earlier view. The city was alive, illuminated in lights, and he was spending his Friday night holed up in his office, arguing with his grandfather while getting unwanted advice on women. What has this fucking world come to?
Thaddeus had always known his grandfather held a very low opinion of women to begin with. He thought they were merely created to bring him pleasure. Thaddeus had come to realize over the course of his adult life that the rumors he’d heard about his grandfather all those years had been the truth.
There were many similarities between the men, business-wise, but that was where it ended. Or was it? Thaddeus Remington had always been labeled a corporate playboy and one of Atlanta’s most eligible bachelors. In fact, after he’d shut down the talk about being engaged to Carolina Winston, women had thrown themselves at him, hoping to be the one to capture his name and considerable wealth.
They could try all they wished, but no woman would ever capture the most important thing he had to offer—his heart. It belonged to the tall brunette with legs that went on for days. It belonged to Hannah Brinkley, even though she’d only stomped on it every opportunity she’d gotten.
“Hannah isn’t like those women of yours—or even past ones of mine,” he stated sullenly. Thaddeus had lost all desire to argue about her further with his grandfather.
Thad walked over to the crystal decanter of whiskey on his desk then p
oured some into a nearby tumbler. He quickly tipped back the contents.
Arthur reached over and placed his hand on Thaddeus’ after he set the glass back down. “If this had happened to me at your age—”
“It did happen to you. What about Grandma? You two were married for over fifty years until she died.”
“Sarah…” his grandfather said before pausing. Thaddeus saw the man’s facial expression soften as he thought about his late wife. “Those circumstances were different. She was different.”
Thaddeus chuckled sarcastically. “I fail to see it. You loved her enough to marry her, so I…”
“I also slept with about thirty other women after marrying her, too. And do you know why?” Arthur said.
Letting out a huff of pent-up frustration, Thaddeus leaned back against his desk. “Why?”
The old man grinned and Thaddeus was pretty sure he wouldn’t like the words that were about to come from his grandfather’s mouth.
“Our marriage was one of convenience. It was arranged. How else do you think she would’ve been okay with all my extramarital affairs?” It was more an explanation than a question.
A wave of sickness washed over him while Thaddeus reviewed memories of his beautiful grandmother. How could she have been fine with her husband wining and dining all those other women? It didn’t make any sense to him, even if it had been an arranged marriage.
“Hannah is nothing like her. I can guarantee you that,” Thaddeus said in his sweetheart’s defense.
“Exactly, son. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all fucking evening. Your Hannah would never be okay with you being yourself, case in point being how she acted after the news broke about you and that Winston girl. Now that would have been a prime piece of arm candy to have. And the best part is the Winston woman wouldn’t have given a damn if you slept with a hundred different others or not.”
Refilling his glass, Thaddeus purposely kept his gaze off his grandfather. His entire argument made no sense because, unlike Arthur, he didn’t want a revolving door of women like he’d had all his life. “I don’t want a hundred women. I want one, and I’m not going to stop until I make her mine.”
“And that, son,” Arthur said, before rising to his feet, “is why you’re a damned fool. Remington has suffered since you met this woman. She doesn’t want you, so you either need to man the hell up and accept it or else I’m going to be forced to make changes within my company, starting at the top.”
He couldn’t believe his grandfather was actually threatening to remove him from the company, since Thaddeus held majority ownership. Delusion had finally caught up with the arrogant patriarch, and Thaddeus could only smirk as he looked down at the man he’d once idolized. “You seem to forget that this company is mine, so if anyone is going to be removed from here, it will be you—by security. You should be lucky you were wrong about one thing concerning me.”
His grandfather arched his eyebrow. “And what would that be?”
“I’m nothing like you. We may share the same drive when it comes to Remington Industries, but it stops there. I love Hannah Brinkley, and no force on this earth will keep me from making her mine. If you have a problem with that, I suggest you take it up with the other stockholders. Now, if you’re ready, I’ll walk you downstairs.”
Arthur huffed but held on to his walker while the two made their way to the elevator then the ground floor. Thaddeus’ driver Munroe was waiting outside and helped Arthur into the backseat of the black Maybach Landaulet. Thaddeus waved as the vehicle made its way into traffic.
Thaddeus’ penthouse was only a few blocks down the street, so he decided to walk rather than waiting for his car to return. After letting Munroe know, he went upstairs to lock up his office then stepped back outside. It was a good night for a walk, so he headed in the direction of his home.
Christmas was a few days away and if Thaddeus got his wish, the only present he wanted would be tied to his bed, screaming his name. He tipped his lips to a grin when he pictured Hannah just like that. He finally appreciated what it was he’d once had during the time they had been together.
Chapter Seven
Christmastime in London was more beautiful than Hannah remembered. Just as she had a few times in years past, she was once again spending it with Finley Wetherall. The main difference in this holiday season was that he was attentive to only her.
She could still recall the gifts he’d lavished on other women and the parties that he’d dragged her to, only to leave her with their other friends while he would disappear with at least one of the females. At the time, her heart had been broken, watching the caresses and naughty suggestions he’d whisper in the ears of those lucky women, dreaming about the day that she would find herself in that position.
As with most fantasies, it had been simply a dream she’d had. It had been hard when Hannah had finally decided to leave England and return to Texas. Even now, she could remember crying the entire transatlantic flight—not for what she was losing, but rather for what she would never have.
They had talked occasionally for the first few weeks they had been apart, but it hadn’t been the same. Eventually the phone calls and emails had tapered off, and they had each gone their separate ways. Never in a million years had she imagined she’d ever reconnect with him, especially after she’d moved to Atlanta. But they had, and now their tradition of celebrating the holiday had become current once again.
“Penny for your thoughts, baby girl,” Finley asked, nuzzling her ear with his stubble. “Maybe two, if they’re dirty.”
Hannah giggled then snuggled closer to him. “Believe it or not, I was just thinking about the other Christmases we spent together.”
Finley tightened his arm around her and he drew her even closer. “I think about them, too, sometimes. And you know what?” He tipped her face and she could see the sparkle of amusement in his blue-green eyes.
“What?” she replied in a breathy voice. Hannah couldn’t resist smiling when he smirked at her.
“I remember what a nerd you were back then,” he answered.
“Geek chic, Wetherall,” she responded before laughing. She poked his chest with her finger. “And, yes…there is a difference.”
Suddenly his expression changed to a more serious one, and she wondered whether she had done or said something wrong. The first day and night back, she’d spent feeling as if she were walking on eggshells, but in the days since the trip to New York City, things had returned to some semblance of normalcy.
“And beautiful,” Finley stated before running his glove-covered thumb over her cheek.
“W-what?” she asked, somewhat confused, while she mentally tried to repeat their current conversation.
“Beautiful, baby girl. You were back then and you’re even more so now, if that’s even possible.” He lowered his head and she sighed contentedly against his lips.
The kiss was briefer than she would have liked and the atmosphere around them changed. She wanted to lighten the mood again, all the while inwardly beaming at his praise. “I bet you told that to all the girls.”
His low growl caught her by surprise, but even more so when he said, “But I don’t think I ever meant it until now.”
Hannah had no idea what to say to the declaration and Finley seized her mouth in a passionate kiss just then, so she didn’t have to. She parted her lips, allowing his tongue to delve inside to duel with her own. Her body began to hum while something akin to electricity coursed through her veins. It was as if she had forgotten where they were until she felt the carriage they were in shake her when it hit a small bump in the street.
Just like that, the kiss ended, but he kept her close to him with one arm wrapped firmly around her body. The steady sound of his heart beating comforted her, and moments like these were ones that she truly treasured.
Clip-clop, Clip-clop. The sound of the horses’ hooves on the street had Hannah turning her attention back to their surroundings. She had been so excited at
the news that after dinner Finley had arranged for them to take a scenic ride through the city on a Victorian omnibus pulled by three actual horses. It was romantic and magical, all rolled into one.
She also realized it would be a great distraction. Things between the two of them were not bad but just a little strained, since memories of her New York trip and his insistence to know what she held back loomed in the background, keeping everything from being perfect. She slept in his bed night after night, but he hadn’t even mentioned taking her upstairs to his playroom. The submissive in her longed for the type of freedom she could only find through complete release of control.
“You’re thinking too hard again, baby girl.”
Finley’s observation was right on point and, tipping her head to his, Hannah smiled.
“This has been such a magical night. I almost feel like Cinderella.” Ever since coming back to London, she’d kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. The stars had never quite seemed to align properly for her.
“The difference between you and Cinderella is she lost one shoe at the end of the night, and you’re going to be losing both,” he teased before leaning in to nip at her nose.
Maybe she was the only one acting differently, after all. Focusing on the millions of twinkling lights strung from rafter to rafter on the buildings along the way, Hannah watched the horse-drawn cart eventually return to their starting place in the Convent Garden district of London.
From there, they piled back into his crimson Gran Turismo Sport and headed toward the penthouse. The earlier evening had been wonderful. They’d had dinner at Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant in Convent Garden, followed by a walk among the shops in London’s West End, then finally capped off with the romantic sightseeing tour.
Hannah was glad to be going home because it was Christmas Eve. She was excited to give him what she had ordered before her most recent trip. Secretly, she was also nervous to see what he might have gotten her.