Knight Takes Queen

by C. C. Gibbs

  ‘It’s just the baby. We’ll talk to a doctor tomorrow, get some basics on prenatal moods, read those books from Mel and just be happy about all these new changes you’re going through. I don’t care how jumpy you get so long as you’re within eyesight. You’re not the only one flipping out.’ Tossing all but one of the towels at the foot of the bed, he sat beside Kate, used the towel for her, then him, dropped it on the floor, lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms.

  ‘You really spoil me,’ she murmured, snuggling closer. ‘I could get up and wash. I shouldn’t be so lazy.’

  ‘I like to spoil you. Don’t worry about it.’ This from a man who wasn’t in the habit of spoiling women, other than with his talented dick. From a man who had a staff at all of his homes so he didn’t have to bother with the mundane practicalities of life.

  ‘Are you tired? I’m a little tired.’ Her voice was already sliding into sleep.

  He glanced at the clock. Christ, it wasn’t even nine. ‘I’m good, baby. But we need to talk about when we’re going home to America. You’re going to need more and more sleep. And if we wait too long, it won’t be safe for you to travel.’

  Immediately roused at the mention of abandoning her job obligations, Kate sluggishly came awake. ‘I can’t go home yet. I still have three months on my contract with CX Capital.’ She sighed. ‘And Joanna expects me to do my share with our clients.’

  He was careful to keep his voice neutral. ‘Do you want the baby born over here?’

  ‘I don’t know. I haven’t given it any thought.’

  Maybe someone should. ‘I can get you out of your contract,’ he offered. ‘I can also find Joanna a replacement for you.’

  ‘Could we talk about this later?’ Her eyes were drifting shut again. ‘I’m too tired to think.’

  ‘Sure, baby. Go to sleep.’ It looked as though he was going to have plenty of time to work in the evenings. Which wouldn’t be all that bad since he was planning on spending as much time as possible with Katherine once he talked her into going home. Because any contract could be broken; certainly, CX Capital could find another forensic accountant somewhere in the world. Maybe not as good as Katherine, but that wasn’t his problem. As for Joanna, he could pay her enough so she could hire whomever or how many others she wished to replace Katherine. Again, not an equivalent in terms of ability, but fuck if he cared.

  Dominic was in love for the first time in his life, but that didn’t mean he was undergoing a personality change. He still expected to control his world and the people in it. As for Katherine, he was willing to compromise. To what extent depended entirely on her.

  Once she was fully asleep, he left the bed, pulled on his jeans, picked up his phone from the bedside table and walked into the reception room. Dropping into a chair, he punched in a name and waited while his cell rang and rang and rang.

  ‘Am I interrupting something?’ Dominic said when Justin finally picked up.

  ‘We’re at the symphony. I walked out into the corridor.’

  ‘I’ll talk fast then.’

  ‘Take your time,’ Justin said. ‘It’s some benefit. They’re droning on about the foundation’s financial goals.’

  ‘How hard will it be to break Katherine’s contract?’

  ‘Not hard. Why?’

  ‘We’re having a baby. For your ears only. I’m caught up in some complicated problems right now, so none of this is public information.’

  Justin knew better than to ask. If it was complicated for Nick, it was marginally legal. ‘Are congratulations in order?’ he asked like any man would knowing Dominic’s track record.

  ‘Yes, very much in order. I’m marrying Katherine. And I’d like to take her home before it’s too dangerous for her to travel. She, on the other hand, is telling me she can’t break her contract. I’m hoping to change her mind. If and when that happens, could you take care of things for me at CX Capital?’

  ‘Not a problem. Bill will be sorry to see her go, but he’ll live. By the way, I’ll be expecting a wedding invitation. I never thought I’d see the day,’ Justin drolly noted. ‘No offence.’

  ‘None taken. I wouldn’t have placed any bets on me remarrying either. The actual wedding plans are up to Katherine, though. If she decides to invite more than family, I’ll send a plane for you and Mandy. Speaking of Mandy,’ Dominic pleasantly said, ‘you must be a new daddy by now. How’s Mandy and your daughter?’

  This Nick who asked about babies and children still threw him for a loop. After the briefest of pauses, Justin said, ‘The baby was born three weeks ago, and mother and daughter are doing fine as they say. Also, the nurse and nanny are super. Mandy’s actually getting enough sleep to enjoy a night out.’

  ‘Then you’d better get back to her. What did you name the baby?’

  ‘Don’t ask. It’s a family name.’

  ‘Yours or Mandy’s?’

  ‘Her grandmother’s name. Beatrice.’

  ‘That’s not so bad.’

  ‘I guess. The baby’s cute as hell though so that’ll help even with a name like that.’

  ‘So she looks like her mom you’re saying,’ Dominic said, sportively.

  ‘Thank God, yes. And seriously, I’m happy for you and Katherine. Kids are great.’

  ‘I’m beginning to understand that. It’s pretty fucking exciting.’

  Justin stood in the corridor of the Royal Albert Hall after the call ended and let the stunning news settle in his brain. Not only was the man he’d thought least likely to marry, about to marry, but Dominic Knight was in his own words pretty fucking excited about having a child. He wouldn’t have bet a penny on either eventuality ever occurring. Dominic’s relatively brief marriage aside, he’d always been the poster boy for serious kink and vice.

  CHAPTER 3

  Dominic walked over to the liquor cabinet, opened the door and was pleased to see that Katherine hadn’t tossed out all of his whisky. In fact, no one had touched a single bottle in the months he’d been gone.

  Pouring himself four fingers of a fifty-year-old Ardbeg, he dropped into the sage-green easy chair, sipped on the fine spirits and mentally ran through his schedule for the coming days. Then, comfortably relaxed after the world’s most incredible whisky had warmed his senses, he set aside the empty glass, picked up his cell and made one of the calls on his agenda.

  It was late for a business call, but he’d find out if he was overpaying the wedding planner enough to have her pick up.

  ‘This is after business hours, Mr Knight,’ she said, crisply.

  But apparently he was paying her enough. ‘I apologize, Mrs Hastings. But I’d like to set up an appointment at my place tomorrow evening. Any time after seven. My fiancée often works late.’

  ‘I’d prefer a daytime appointment.’

  ‘I’m afraid that’s not possible.’ He wasn’t going to argue with her. His CFO Roscoe had wired an initial eighty thousand consulting fee to her account. That should pay for an evening appointment or two.

  He calmly waited as the silence lengthened. It wasn’t as though she was the only wedding planner in London.

  ‘Very well, Mr Knight,’ she said coolly.

  ‘I appreciate your cooperation, Mrs Hastings.’ His voice was as smooth as silk. ‘You have my address in Eaton Place. And if I might ask a small favour. My fiancée is temperamental. If you would do your best to overlook her occasionally pithy comments, I’d be grateful. She means a great deal to me. I wouldn’t want her unhappy.’

  ‘Certainly, Mr Knight. I’ll do my best.’

  ‘I know you will. Olivia Roche has nothing but good things to say about you. You apparently made her wedding memorable.’

  ‘They were such a nice young couple. Both from fine, old Sussex families.’

  Dominic understood that her professional association with and national pride in the British aristocracy prompted her statement. He was fine with that. But he objected to her condescending tone. ‘Max is my ADC. He’s an exceptional employee. You�
��ll see him tomorrow.’ He very rarely made a point of his wealth, but in this case, he did. With Katherine’s current moodiness, he wanted Mrs Hastings to understand the value of his patronage, aristocratic quarterings or not. Ignoring the wedding planner’s offended sniff, he added, ‘Would it be possible to bring a dress designer with you? I understand it’s short notice, but Miss Hart might like to look at some bridal gown designs.’

  ‘That’s not possible,’ the wedding planner replied, tartly. ‘The best people are already fully engaged and committed … most, years in advance of a wedding. Something off the rack will have to suffice.’

  He didn’t say what was on the tip of his tongue, which was that suffice doesn’t work for him. And he didn’t give a shit if the designers were engaged a thousand years in advance.

  ‘If you could find us someone suitable, they could name their own fee of course,’ he said instead in the super affable tone he reserved for the intractable. ‘Would that help?’ In his experience, the unspoken sub text: I’m one of the wealthiest men in the world, generally greased whatever wheels needed greasing.

  Mrs Hastings voice was tight with constraint when she spoke, each obstinate word drawn out kicking and screaming. ‘Let me see what I can do, Mr Knight.’

  ‘Excellent,’ Dominic pleasantly said. ‘I knew I could count on you. Sevenish tomorrow, then. Have a nice evening.’ He hit end, set down his cell and slid into a lazy sprawl. It wasn’t as though he didn’t understand the time pressures. He was willing to pay whatever was required to expedite the arrangements. He thought he’d made that clear to Mrs Hastings before. Perhaps, now, the message was crystal clear.

  He expected results.

  Over the next two hours, he answered emails, talked to Max numerous times, explained to his major domo, Martin, that they would need refreshments for their evening appointment with the wedding planner and, finally, gave his sister another call to ask her about arranging a wedding, in the event that he was required to know something other than how to write a cheque.

  But his first question had nothing to do with weddings. ‘Did you sleep a lot when you were pregnant?’

  ‘I did. Early to bed, naps in the afternoon. You didn’t notice?’

  ‘I was sixteen. You weren’t a surfer babe. Why would I notice?’

  ‘Katherine’s sleeping, I presume.’

  ‘She fell asleep at nine p.m., I was just wondering whether I should be concerned.’

  ‘It’s pretty normal. And she said she’s working long hours. That’s probably not optimum in her condition.’

  ‘Don’t tell me, tell her,’ Dominic muttered. ‘I’m trying to talk her into breaking her contract and coming home.’

  ‘Losing your touch?’ Melanie teased.

  He snorted. ‘I never had any with her.’

  Melanie laughed. ‘Finally met your match?’

  ‘I wouldn’t say that.’ Kate wasn’t the only one with more self-confidence than needed. ‘Although she’s damned competitive, and stubborn as hell,’ he grumbled.

  ‘Just like you. Seriously, Nicky, you have to know that you’re incredibly stubborn, not to mention pig-headed on occasion.’ She wasn’t going to bring up his years of struggle with their mother, but she was thinking it. ‘Just don’t be an ass. You’re lucky to have Katherine in your life.’

  ‘I know,’ he simply said. ‘In fact, that’s why I called you. We’re seeing a wedding planner tomorrow and I need some advice.’

  ‘Have you told her yet? I know how you work, Nicky.’ At the small silence she snorted disgustedly. ‘Christ, you haven’t told her. What the hell’s wrong with you? Haven’t you figured it out yet? She’s not like all the other women who smile and do what they’re told. So you want my advice, listen up. First, you’d better be really polite when you mention the appointment. Bring Katherine breakfast in bed. You, not someone on your staff. Then ask her if she minds seeing the wedding planner.’

  ‘She still might say no.’

  ‘After watching you in action for a decade or more,’ Melanie said, drily, ‘I’m guessing you can change her mind if you really try. Your record for three-ways wasn’t just about you being a great surfer.’

  He blew out a breath. ‘Right. OK, so first, breakfast in bed. Then ask her. Thanks Mel. Oh, what about the dress designer? Will Katherine’s pregnancy be an issue, or how much of an issue?’

  ‘I’m sure you’re paying the designer enough, Dominic. That means it’s not an issue for anyone but Katherine. And if I were you, I’d make sure Katherine knows it’s not an issue for you. Pregnant women like their men to be helpful, encouraging and super kind, none of which are qualities you’ve cultivated. So I suggest a crash course in devotion.’

  ‘No shit. Devotion?’ The phone line crackled with muzzled shock. ‘For how long?’

  Melanie sighed. ‘Bring Katherine home, Nicky. I can run interference for you better from close range. But get your act together,’ she brusquely ordered. ‘Remember you’re miserable without her. She makes you happy. And for how long is for ever, you idiot.’

  ‘OK, OK, I got the message. Devotion. For ever.’ He dragged in a breath. ‘That’s a fucking long time.’

  ‘You can sit home every night jerking off instead. Matt told me. I’m just saying you have choices.’ She listened to her brother’s low grumble for a three count before she went on with her sisterly advice. ‘And devotion’s not about buying Katherine expensive things.’

  He sighed. ‘That’s what she says.’

  ‘Then you already know that.’

  ‘It doesn’t mean I understand it.’ Expensive gifts had always worked in the past. Worked extremely well as a matter of fact.

  ‘It’s about doing things for her,’ Melanie explained.

  Besides fucking her when she wasn’t sleeping, which seemed to be her only current request? ‘Like doing what exactly?’ Gifts and fucking he knew; the rest sounded tricky.

  ‘Pay attention to what Katherine likes. Ask her what she needs. What kind of books, music, entertainment does she like? He knew the answer to the last one. ‘Whether she likes time with her friends for girltalk. I know I do. Oh, and don’t forget to find out if she likes to sleep late in the morning because there’s nothing worse than someone waking you up when—’

  ‘Jesus, stop. This is getting complicated. Look, I’ll start with breakfast in bed and then wing it.’

  ‘There you go, baby brother. I’m sure you’ll do fine. Women like you, you know.’

  ‘Thanks for the reminder. I was beginning to lose confidence.’

  She laughed. ‘As if.’

  ‘Still … I’m trying not to screw up. I missed Katherine like hell when she was gone.’

  ‘Tell her that. Just tell her what you’re feeling. And don’t micro-manage her life.’

  Would two out of three work? ‘OK, thanks, Mel. Hopefully, we’ll see you soon.’

  CHAPTER 4

  Breakfast in bed was an excellent idea. It set the mood that he was caring and kind, helpful and devoted. But once Katherine finished eating, Dominic was devoted in the way she liked best – and as it turned out, he was devoted three times before he carried her into the shower, where he screwed her one more time, then sat her down on the wall bench to wash her. While she half dozed in the aftermath of her morning orgasms, he quickly soaped and rinsed her off with the shower hose. Then sliding behind her, he pulled her between his legs and started shampooing her hair.

  ‘Oh God, that’s heavenly,’ she whispered, languorous moments later. ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘Shampooing your hair.’

  ‘And something else too … oh Jeez, umm – that’s incredible. I’m getting really hot … sexy …’ She felt a warm flutter at the base of her spine that vibrated upward in heated urgency, then down again, a thrilling hot, deep throb settled deep in her sex.

  ‘It’s just a little massage, that’s all.’ Years ago, when he was still living with Melanie, she’d often say to him, ‘Remember girls like this or do
n’t like that, so pay attention,’ and he’d always listened. It was like learning a new language, making it easier to navigate in a foreign land. And periodic visits to India over the years had perfected the art of physical contact. Touch generated a subtle current, small, flowing fingertip circles, slow gliding strokes encouraged a rhythm of desire.

  A sublime arousal, an erotic hunger warmed her senses, ‘I never knew you could come … just from …’

  ‘This?’

  ‘Oh God, oh God …’ Her voice trailed off in a soft breathy sigh and she slid over the orgasmic brink in a whisper of bliss.

  He let all the sumptuous pleasure wane before he murmured, ‘We should go soon.’ He’d been watching the time. ‘Can you do that?’

  Eyes shut, she nodded.

  A brief moment of selfish debate passed before Dominic decided to have the conversation about Katherine quitting work later. Then he rinsed her off, towelled them both dry and led her into the dressing room.

  Standing nude in the small room lined with mirrored wardrobes, still slightly drowsy from excess, Kate slid her hand over her tummy. ‘Please, something comfortable. I don’t suppose I could wear sweats.’

  Dominic smiled. ‘You could if you worked for me.’

  ‘Right now, that sounds really tempting.’

  His smile broadened. ‘Could I get that in writing?’

  ‘A few more orgasms, who knows?’ she playfully replied.

  ‘I don’t give up. You know that, right?’ The teasing was absent from his voice. He turned and started flicking through clothes in one of the wardrobes.

  She took a small breath. ‘I can’t cave completely, Dominic. I need my own life.’

  He spun around. ‘I’m sorry. Your own life?’

  ‘You know what I mean.’

  ‘Tell me,’ he said, standing perfectly motionless. ‘I’m not sure I do.’

  ‘I don’t want to be owned. I don’t want to be a part of Knight Enterprises where you call all the shots. You can stop scowling. I love you, OK? We’ll work it out.’