"Hey, big boy," I answered in a low seductive voice that I knew would drive him crazy. "I was just thinking about your cock, and all the nasty things you did to me with it yesterday."
I heard Ford let out a long groan. "Holy hell, woman," he blurted out in a strained tone. "You're killing me. I'm already getting hard."
"I like you hard," I told him suggestively. I smiled in satisfaction when I heard him let out a low growl.
Hard was pretty much how he was all day yesterday. He insisted that I spend the whole day naked for him in his apartment because he said he wanted to be able to fuck me whenever he liked. I happily complied. I'd spend every day naked for him if I could. We talked and fucked off and on all day long, cuddling and napping whenever we felt tired. I think we ended up having sex on every piece of furniture he owned, and several times on the floor. I'd woken this morning safe and warm in Ford's arms, and sore in all the right places. It had been a shame when I had to get dressed to leave his place this morning.
"I'm thinking about burying my face between your thighs and making you come with my tongue on your clit until you beg me to stop," Ford said in a deep sexy rumble that made my pussy clench.
"Ford," I said in a soft needy moan, beyond grateful that my office was tucked away at the end of the hall since my door was wide open.
He laughed in dark satisfied amusement.
"Damn you," I blurted out in mock irritation. That just made him laugh harder.
"You're just pissed off that I turned the tables on you." His voice was smug.
"You mean like when you bent me over your kitchen table last night?" I asked archly.
"Holy hell, Jenny," his voice turned unexpectedly warm. "I love sparring with you."
"And you love me," I added happily.
"I do, honey," he growled vehemently. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Ford." I answered him just as forcefully, a flood of joy flowing through me at his words.
"I wanted to make sure you were feeling okay," he added with concern. "I was pretty demanding yesterday."
Demanding was an understatement. Insatiable was a more accurate term, but either way I didn't have any complaints. I thought it was sweet that he always felt the need to check on me. The dichotomy between the demanding Dom and the caring man who loved to cuddle was one of the many things I loved about him.
"I'm a little sore," I answered, "but in a good way."
"Good," he rumbled. "I'll let you get back to work, honey. I just wanted to check in with you, and tell you that I missed you."
"I miss you too," I told him warmly.
"Call me when you get home."
"Okay." I smiled like an idiot. "Bye."
"Bye, honey."
I let out a long sigh, feeling bereft as I ended the call. I picked up my coffee mug only to find it empty, and rose to go get some more. I needed all the fuel I could get to make it through the rest of the day since I was still tired from Ford wearing me out yesterday. I headed for the break room to refill my mug, smiling as I thought about the man I loved. I was just about to pass my father's office when I heard a familiar voice that chilled me to the bone. I jerked to a halt before passing the open door.
"It's nice to see you again, Ted," a male voice spoke in a smooth and lilting English accent. "It's been a long time."
No. No, no, no...it couldn't be. It wasn't possible.
"I remember your face, but I'm sorry to say I don't remember when or where I met you before Mr. Bennett," my father said in a perplexed tone.
"I went by my middle name, Carter, back then. I dated your daughter for a short time eight years ago," the cultured voice of my nightmares replied. "I started going by Elliott after my father passed away. He was the first Elliott Bennett. I'm the second."
Fuck me. Panic swept through me in a wave of icy dread. What was Carter doing here? And why?
"I'm so sorry to hear about your father," Dad said sympathetically.
"Thank you," Carter's voice was soft with emotion. "I hope my history with your daughter doesn't present a problem."
A problem for what? What the hell was going on here?
Carter continued politely. "It wasn't an amicable breakup, but it was a long time ago. I don't harbor any hard feelings."
Hard feelings? I imagined he didn't harbor any feelings about it at all since he never felt anything in the first place.
"I'll talk to Jenny," Dad said matter-of-factly.
"Good, because I fully understand the financial situation that you're in, Ted," Carter said in a genuine tone. "I'm in a position to be an ally and an asset to your dealership." What?
"I appreciate you coming in and considering my offer," my father answered in a grateful tone.
Offer? Holy shit, was Carter one of the partners Dad was considering? That wasn't going to fucking happen. I'd make sure of that. I didn't want to tell my father how Carter used me, but he couldn't be trusted, and I'd do it to protect all of us if I had to. I was just about to walk away and come back later when Carter was gone when Dad's phone rang.
"Excuse me, Mr. Bennett," Dad said apologetically. "I need to take this."
"No worries," Carter said politely. "And please, call me Elliott."
I heard Dad greet whoever had called him, then there was a moment of silence.
"I understand," Dad said hastily. "I'll be right there." I heard Dad hang up the phone. "I'm sorry Elliott. I need to step out for a moment."
"That's quite alright," Carter replied. "I can wait. I blocked out the rest of my morning for you, and I've got plenty of time. Take care of what you need to."
"I appreciate your patience," Dad said gratefully. "I'll be back shortly."
I hurried back down the hall to my office to hide, then peeked around the door frame to see Dad leave his office and head toward the front of the building. I narrowed my eyes at the office doorway where I knew Carter was waiting. Here was my chance. If I warned Carter off, and let him know that this deal would never happen, then maybe I could avoid telling Dad the truth about my past. It was one thing for Ford to know, but I wanted to keep it from my family if I could. No matter how many times Ford told me that it wasn't my fault, I still felt stupid and gullible for letting Carter trick me into loving him and giving him my virginity. Maybe telling him off would help me get past some of the guilt.
I straightened with purpose and strode down the hall with my head held high. I wasn't that same fool anymore, and I wouldn't let him use my father, and our family business like he used me. His fake charm might work on Dad, but I knew him for the vile bastard that he really was. It was time to tell him to fuck off and get the hell out of here.
"You're wasting your time here, Carter," I snapped out as I entered the room.
He turned in the chair that was facing my father's desk to look at me. Familiar crystal blue eyes focused on me intently and lit up with smug amusement. He cocked his head as a crooked roguish grin pulled up one side of his full lips. I used to find that particular smile sexy, now it just made my blood run cold. My confidence faltered.
"Jenny," he said warmly as he stood and looked down at me, ignoring my impertinent entrance. "It's so good to see you again." His English accent that I once found irresistible now filled me with disgust.
He was a few inches shorter than Ford and not as muscular, but he still towered over my five-foot-four frame in his crisp and precisely-tailored blue suit. He was just as handsome as I remembered with his short cropped dark hair and strong chiseled jawline. The man still had the same athletic body that I remembered, with broad shoulders and a trim waist. He was gorgeous and should have been a model. It was a shame that his soul was as black and ugly as his exterior was beautiful.
"You need to leave," I blurted out, desperate to regain my lost confidence and trying to bluff my way through this.
"Why on earth would I do that?" he asked in a subtly condescending tone, his eyes dancing like he was in on some joke I wasn't privy to. "Your father is in desperate need of m
y help."
"We don't need your help." I glared up at him as I crossed my arms. "And after I tell him what you did to me, he'll kick your ass out of here so fast that your head will spin."
His demeanor abruptly changed as he took an intimidating step toward me, the grin on his face sliding away and cold menace glittering in his eyes. I had to fight not to back away in fear.
"You'll do nothing of the sort," he said in a hard tone, his accent thickening with his anger.
"Why shouldn't I?" I asked.
"Because I'm the only thing that stands between your family's business and utter ruin."
"Bullshit," I bit back. "We don't need you. My father can find someone else in a heartbeat."
The patronizing laugh that burst out of him made my blood boil.
"You're wasting your time and you're not welcome here, you asshole," I seethed at him. "So get the fuck out."
"You stupid, stupid girl." He took another intimidating step toward me as all the humor in his voice fell away, his tone dripping with menace now. "I'm the CEO of a very powerful company, Jenny. There is no one else. I bloody well saw to that."
"W...what?" I stepped back unconsciously as sudden terror seared through me.
"The Bennett Corporation has deep pockets and a long reach." Carter smirked at me condescendingly. "I've ensured that no one else will touch this deal. I'm all you've got."
"You...you son of a bitch," I hissed at him angrily, my body trembling with suppressed rage. "You can't get away with this."
"I can and I will, love," he replied fiercely, his term of endearment sounding obscene in this context. That infuriatingly smug grin was back on his face again. "You're going to smile and keep your pretty mouth shut, unless you want your entire family destitute and on the street."
"W...why are you doing this?" I whispered pathetically, knowing I'd already lost.
He leaned in close to my ear and whispered harshly. "Because I can." He leaned away and gave me a warm genuine looking smile that I knew was a complete facade.
I felt tears filling my eyes as my lip trembled. I willed myself not to cry in front of this monster. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction.
"Now be a good girl and run along." He motioned toward the door dismissively. "I'd hate to see your family business go under because you couldn't hold yourself together."
I couldn't stop the sob that burst out of me as he watched me with triumphant eyes. I didn't know what else to do, and I couldn't risk letting my father find me here crying, so I fled. Carter's low condescending laughter followed me out of the room and echoed inside my head all the way to my office. I shut the door behind me and leaned back against it as harsh painful sobs tore through me. My legs gave out, and I slid down the door until my ass hit the floor. The empty coffee mug that I hadn't realized I was still clutching, tumbled to the carpeted floor. I buried my face in my hands as I fell apart, feeling trapped and riddled with guilt, because this was all my fault. Carter made a fool of me and was going to use me again, and this time, my entire family was going to pay the price for my stupidity.
**********
I sat on my bed staring at my laptop screen with a sick helpless feeling in the pit of my stomach. I'd been sitting here with my computer propped on my lap since I got home over an hour and a half ago. I'd typed the name Elliott Carter Bennett II into my search engine and started reading article after article about him, and I'd come to a horrifying conclusion. His ultimatum was very, very real.
Carter's company dabbled in a bit of everything from the real estate that his father's company originally started with, to computers and security now. He'd made money hand over fist since taking over his father's company. He'd far surpassed anything his father had accomplished since moving here from London thirteen years earlier when Carter was only sixteen. Many of the articles extolled his cunning mind and his exceptional talent for business at the relatively young age of twenty-nine.
He was disgustingly rich, powerful, and an utterly ruthless business man. Anyone who crossed him seemed to find themselves in some kind of trouble, either financially or legally. He'd left a swath of destruction behind him as he led the Bennett Corporation to unprecedented heights. Everything he'd done appeared completely legal, even though I had a hard time believing that. The man was a damn evil genius, and I'm sure that he knew how to work around the law to get things done.
What I took away from all of it was that if you defied Elliott Carter Bennett II, you did so at your own peril. He always got what he wanted. He hadn't changed at all from the manipulative bastard he was eight years ago, but now he had money and power to back it up. I was completely fucked. I either told the truth and ruined my family business, or kept my mouth shut and handed control over it to a man who didn't care who he destroyed to get what he wanted. Nausea roiled through my stomach, and I wished that I'd never met or heard of Carter Bennett, or whatever the fuck he called himself now. What the fuck do I do? I slapped the laptop shut and fought the tears that threatened to fall again.
The doorbell rang, and I startled when it scared the shit out of me. I set my computer on my nightstand and jumped off the bed, wondering who the hell was here. I hurried down the steps to my front door, and opened it to find Ford standing there with a relieved expression.
"Oh thank God," he sighed out, then stepped forward and pulled me into his arms. "I was worried. You didn't call me, and you weren't answering your phone."
Shit, I'd forgotten to call him when I got home. I went straight to my room and changed into sweats and a tank top, then immediately got on my computer. I left my phone in my purse in the kitchen, and I wasn't able to hear it ringing from my bedroom.
"I forgot, and then I left my phone where I couldn't hear it. I'm sorry," I said in a quiet and shaky voice, the comfort of his embrace making me emotional again. He picked up on it immediately, and gently pushed me backwards with his hands on my shoulders, so he could look at me. He studied my face for a moment, his brow furrowing with concern and his deep-set indigo eyes focused intently on me.
"Jenny," he rumbled out. "What's wrong?"
I opened my mouth to tell him everything, but stopped myself as a jolt of icy terror hit me. I couldn't tell him. If Ford knew what Carter was doing to me, he'd go after the bastard in a heartbeat to defend me, and as much as Carter deserved it, I couldn't let that happen. God only knew what Carter would do to Ford then. Carter already had his sight set on hurting me. I couldn't let him hurt Ford as well. It was up to me to protect everyone I loved, Ford and my family. Who was I kidding? Ford was my family now too. Which made hiding things from him that much worse.
"My Dad was talking to potential business partners today," I said, trying to go with a partial truth, so I didn't have to outright lie to Ford. Guilt swamped me anyway. I started trembling, tears sheeting down my face. At least crying in front of Ford didn't bother me anymore. I didn't have to fight it down and hold it in like I always did in front of everyone else.
"Oh honey." Ford pulled me into his arms again.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and breathed in his masculine scent, burying my face against him.
"That's a good thing," he said reassuringly. "I bet things will get better once you guys get some financial backing."
"I'm just really anxious and worried about it," I told him, wishing I could tell him the truth and feeling sick about hiding this from him. "The dealership is all my family has. If...if it goes under we'll have n...nothing." I sobbed even harder, as I couldn't help wondering if Carter's plan was to ruin my family all along, no matter what I did to protect them. I was trapped and alone in this situation, wishing that I could tell Ford, or anyone for that matter, but terrified of the consequences if I did.
The next thing I knew, Ford was scooping me up in his arms and carrying me upstairs to my living room. It was the safest I'd felt since seeing Carter this morning. I wished that I could just stay right here in Ford's arms, where I could pretend that I was safe and nothing could touch me
.
"Have you eaten dinner tonight, honey?" Ford asked as he sat down on the couch still holding me.
"I'm not hungry," I told him as I curled in closer to him, gripping handfuls of his shirt in my fists and trying to calm myself down.
"Jen," he said with concern. "You need to eat something." His lips brushed against my cheek in a soft kiss, his scruffy beard feeling so good against my skin. I snuggled in closer to him, savoring the feel of his strong arms and solid body. A warm rush of desire suddenly unfurled inside me unexpectedly. I knew what I needed, it wasn't food, and only Ford could give it to me.
"No," blurted out as my body suddenly felt hot and needy. "I...I just need you."
"What do you need, Jen?" he asked next to my ear, his voice dropping to a low growl. "Tell me."
"I don't want to think," I whimpered. "I don't want to worry. I just want to feel and forget." I needed this so badly, needed to lose myself in Ford and the escape I knew only he could give me.
He pulled back to look at me with a tender expression, his eyes filled with concern. He studied my face for a long moment, and I had the sudden feeling that he suspected I was hiding something. I had to put a stop to that, there was too much at stake here.
"Please, Ford," I pleaded in desperation as tears threatened again. His eyes turned soft and warm.
"Done," he answered immediately, his tone sure and commanding as he stood abruptly, setting me on my feet. He grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it up and over my head in one swift decisive motion, baring my braless upper body and making me gasp in surprise. I watched in fascination as Ford unleashed the Dom inside himself, his face hardening and his demeanor changing into something raw and powerful. He looked at me with dark and intimidating eyes, and peace and security fell over me as my worries and fear were pushed aside by the force of his will. Thank fucking God.
An Act of Release: Order & Chaos Book 2 Page 12