by Thalia Frost
“To the villa. Take the back way. I don't want the paparazzi there if I can help it.”
Rock leaned back and closed his eyes briefly. I studied the fine lines around his eyes. My heart squeezed.
He looks so tired.
“I think you'll like my place. I've had it a few years, and it has a fabulous view.” Rock's words were soft, and I wondered about the other side of this man. The softer one that I'd seen a few times now.
“I'm sure I will.” My voice was stiff in spite of the tenderness I felt toward him.
My wonderings about how many bookkeepers had come before me flooded my mind again.
“What's wrong, Lacey? You always get quiet when you're unhappy.”
I let out a breath at his perceptive statement. “I was just wondering how many bookkeepers or assistants have come before me. That reporter—”
“Forget her.” Rock's tone was sharp, like a knife to my heart.
“That still doesn't answer my question,” I whispered, taking in the lights of Venice.
“The answer will only hurt you, no matter what it is. Right?”
“I don't know.” Tears pooled in my eyes.
Dammit. Why can't I treat this like a job? Because it's more than that...at least to me. I'm falling for this man, a man I can never truly have.
“Well, the answer is that you're the first bookkeeper or assistant I've had this sort of relationship with. I haven't been in any relationship for over a year, and even then, I was never much of a womanizer.” Rock ran his hand up my thigh, sending a shiver through me.
“I don't believe that.”
The man has billions of dollars, and he's hot as hell.
“Doesn't matter if you do. It's true. I'm a very private person, Lacey. I don't let just anyone in to my world.” Rock pulled me close, and I didn't resist.
I leaned against him, and he put his arm around me. The silence enveloped us, comforting and familiar.
Could he be telling the truth? Am I special in some way?
I rolled my eyes at my romanticizing.
I'm basically his whore/fiancée for hire.
A lump rose in my throat, and I clung to him harder, wishing for much more.
* * * *
Rock and I climbed out of the limo in an alley that smelled of leather and water. That smell was the scent of Venice, I was learning—darkness and romance mixing in an irresistible duo.
“Thanks, Luigi. I'll call you about tomorrow.”
“I'll be ready, sir. Good night.” Luigi tipped his hat and walked back around to the driver's side of the limo.
Rock's hand was at my back. “Let's get inside. You can get a shower. I have to get to work immediately.”
“All right.” A shower sounded amazing.
Before he could open the door, a butler appeared. “Mr. Weldon! Welcome back.”
“Hello, Alphonse. Good to see you.”
“Likewise, sir. Is there anything you need?” The distinguished older man's voice was soft and reassuring.
“We'll have a bottle of the 1895 red and one of the 1920 white in my room. Just leave it there.” Rock smiled. “By the way, this is Ms. Pate, my bookkeeper.”
“Pleased to meet you, signorina.” The man bowed low.
“I'm happy to meet you, too, Alphonse.” I liked him immediately.
“Please show Ms. Pate to the guest suite down the hall from mine.” Alphonse nodded and grabbed my suitcase and Rock's.
“This way.”
I gave one glance back toward Rock, but he was already pulling his cell phone out.
This might get pretty lonely.
But at least I'd have some time with my own thoughts...before I became engaged to Rock Weldon the next day.
My heels clacked on marble flooring. Gold, white and red dazzled my eyes. The foyer and everything about the place was immense and grand.
“This way, Ms. Pate.” Alphonse led me up a sweeping staircase.
I gasped at impressionist paintings that I knew were originals. My skin prickled at the reality of my situation.
I hope I don't screw this up. It could make my life...after this year is over.
He stopped near the end of the second floor. I could see another flight of stairs above us. “Your room, Ms. Is there anything you need? My wife will be up to draw your bath in a few minutes.”
“Thank you. There's nothing else. Good night.” I smiled, awkward in telling a servant what to do.
“Very well. Have a pleasant evening.” He bowed and left, leaving me to gape at the room I'd been ushered into.
Romantic seemed too soft a word for it. Gauzy white hung over the immense bed, a lovely, gossamer canopy. The windows were trimmed in similar material, and every surface was gleaming and feminine.
I let out a little “oh” at the vanity on one end of the huge bedroom. I sat before it, fingering the silver brush and mirror set and Dior and Chanel perfumes. My breath came in great gasps.
A knock sounded on the door, and I jumped up, feeling like a guilty intruder.
“Ms.? May I come in and unpack your things and run your bath?”
“Oh, yes. Please.” I smoothed my dress, catching my disheveled reflection in the vanity mirror.
A heavyset, older woman bustled in. “You would like a bath or a shower?”
“A bath would be lovely.”
She nodded. “I'll be just a minute.”
I crossed the room to the huge window that looked out onto the city. The piazza lay beneath me.
“I can't believe this,” I whispered.
My bliss was clouded only by the memory of Rock's nervousness and worry.
Just what will I be working on while I'm here?
* * * *
Moments later, my clothing was stowed in a huge walk-in closet and a chifferobe. A hot bath waited for me. The shower was huge in the marble tiled bathroom, white just as my room was. My reflection stared back at me from all angles, mirrors on the sides of the room.
The man does like his mirrors.
The tub was more like a huge sauna, and the jets were on low.
I sank into the heated bliss with a moan.
“My God, this is amazing.” I ducked my head under water and came back up, feeling refreshed.
An array of shampoos, bath gels, and other things lay on a large, silver tray attached to the sauna.
“I have my pick. Beats the hell out of all things dollar store.” I shook my head, marveling at my new life.
It's just for a year. Don't get too used to it.
The little voice in my head wouldn't shut up.
“Be quiet. I'm going to enjoy this moment.” I washed my hair, groaning with pleasure.
The only thing that could make this moment better would be Rock Weldon walking in with nothing on but a smile.
My pulse quickened at the thought.
“Lacey.”
I almost died when I heard his voice outside. There was no question when he spoke my name. He would come in and do what he wanted with me.
I couldn't speak as heat rushed to my pussy and my nipples tightened under the water.
“I found a minute to slip away from the phone calls and business.” He walked in, naked and wearing nothing but a small smile.
His cock was already pressed against his stomach, hard. He held something pink and long in one hand. A vibrator.
My God. The libido on this man...
Not that I was complaining. I admired the dark hair on his chest that made a trail to his stiff prick.
“Mind if I climb in with you? I'm dirty.” He winked at me, and goosebumps broke out on my flesh.
“Go ahead,” I whispered. I couldn't have said no if I'd wanted to.
He climbed in, flexing powerful biceps. There wasn't an ounce of fat on the man if I'd wondered about that.
His arms around me made me sigh. His lips demanded all of me as he kissed me with an urgency that surprised me.
“Are you on the pill, Lacey?” He surprised me with t
he question.
“Yes, I have been for years...more for female reasons.”
“Good. I don't want to use protection. Do you trust me?” He nipped at my ear, and I whimpered.
“That you're disease free? How would I know?”
“I am. As I said, I don't sleep around or have a variety of lovers. I'm sort of known for my reclusive nature with women, even though the public thinks something different. That's fine by me. Makes it easier to be who I really am and have my privacy.” He slid his hands down my body. “Who cares what people think when you're running the show?”
His fingers worked at my nipples, rubbing and teasing until I arched against him, feeling his cock between my legs. He pulled me on his waist, on top of him as he sat back.
“Please,” I said, aware of the pathetic tone of my voice.
“What?” He cocked his head before running a trail of kisses down my neck. His erection nudged at my pussy. “I want you, Lacey, and you're going to wait for me to fuck you long and slow this time. I like the first time to be special.”
I said nothing, unable to speak. My throat was thick with longing. He'd done me in the ass and all sorts of other things to me, but he'd held out on fully taking me until now.
Something slid against my clit, vibrating under the water. I groaned. He'd moved the toy against my nubbin.
His fingers slid inside me without preamble. It didn't matter. I was already wet for him, and my pussy throbbed with each beat of my heart.
“Umm.” I moaned, my hair falling forward into his face as he circled my clit slowly with the vibrator. His took some of the strands in his mouth, sucking them. The sight turned me on more than I could have imagined.
“I love the sounds you make, Lacey. I want you to come for me. Right now.” He slid his fingers in and out of me. The vibrator buzzed as the pressure in my nubbin grew.
It only took a few seconds until I did as he'd commanded. “Oh! Oh please!” I screamed as my orgasm shot through me. I spasmed against his fingers and the toy.
“That made me even hornier, Lacey. I can't wait to have you riding my cock.” He whispered the words, and I shivered as his lips met mine. “But first, you're going to come for me again.” Rock kissed me, long and slowly, his tongue tangling with mine. His cock against my clit and pussy made me crazy, and I squirmed against him.
“Not yet. I need to hear you scream my name, Lacey. You're mine.”
I shivered at his words.
For only a year?
The thought seemed too painful to bear at the moment, even as a part of me wondered if he saw me as another possession or thing to control.
“Really?”
“Yep. I have a contract and all to prove it.” He winked, massaging my breasts again.
“Well, it's a piece of paper, not ownership.” My voice had an edge to it of lust and anger, even as he nudged my nubbin again with the vibrator, set on low. It sent tingles through me and left me wanting much more.
“Right.” He gave me a sardonic grin, and I trembled in his arms, clinging to him as he circled the toy over my clit in a maddeningly slow rhythm. “I'm going to make you scream my name, Lacey.”
I grunted, a bit angry and more turned on than I'd ever been in my life.
“And this is only the beginning. You see, my tastes are a bit...eccentric.” He laughed as the toy massaged my clit with more intensity, sending spasms through my body. He held me on the edge for a moment longer. His fingers found my pussy, and he teased me with one halfway in.
Rock crooked his finger, swirling the toy over my clit, and my world exploded, fragmenting into a thousand pieces. Everything went black as I shouted his name over and over like a mad woman and gripped him tight.
I struggled for breath, not bothering to act strong. He hugged me tightly and growled in my hair. “Sit on my cock, Lacey.”
He lifted me up and drove into me as I came down on his lap. I sucked in a breath as pleasure sparked through me again. Rock thrust in and out of me, his mouth in a tight line. There was no playfulness about this fucking. The vibrator against my clit and his cock inside me made me whimper.
“I can hardly stand it.” I bit my lip, my eyes rolling back in my head with the pleasure of it.
“I'm going to make you come again. Don't worry.” He chuckled under his breath and then groaned.
The vibrator circled my clit in a maddening rhythm as his dick pounded in and out of me.
He tensed, and as I read his body language, my own orgasm swept over me, leaving me trembling, tears on my cheeks.
“Oh, baby. I'm going to come inside that pussy,” Rock said, thrusting into me hard. I bore down on his cock, and he moaned.
“Come inside my pussy, Rock.” I crooned the words in his ear, and he exploded inside me with a roar. His fingernails dug into my ass as he held me down on his pulsing cock.
I collapsed against him, clinging to him. I wished we could stay that way forever. He ran his fingers through my hair.
“You're so sexy, Lacey, and we're only just beginning. Things are going to get really tense for me. I'm stressed out, and when I get like that, I need release in a big way.”
His words held a warning that I didn't understand.
“That's not a problem.” I kissed his neck, wanting to burrow inside him and never come out.
“Clean yourself up and meet me two doors down. Wear something professional. It's expected at all times—day or night when we're working late.” He quirked an eyebrow. “We have a lot of work to get done.” He gave me a light peck on the cheek.
I moved off him with a sigh. Watching him leave, his ass tight as he moved, I smiled slightly.
What a job this was turning out to be.
I climbed out of the warm bath with a rueful glance back.
There will be other nights like this...maybe.
I found my clothes and put on a simple gray dress with black lingerie underneath. Just pulling up the lacy black panties made me wet all over again.
“I have work to do, and that includes more than fantasizing about Rock Weldon.” I bit my lip and studied myself in the vanity.
Too damned pale and tired-looking.
I gave a little gasp of surprise to find a pretty pink box full of makeup sitting on the shelf of the vanity. I opened it, my hands shaking. Designer makeup glittered from its hiding place.
“I could definitely get used to this.” Knowing I didn't have a lot of time, I chose high-end foundation and blush and went to work with the new brushes in the box. I completed my look with a little black mascara and peach lip gloss.
I shook my head at my reflection in the mirror. This is just crazy. He even knows what makeup to have on hand for me.
Grabbing my purse since it had a pen in it and I didn't want to show up empty-handed, I headed down the hall. My heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Rock again, and I had to make an effort to slow my breathing.
I knocked on the door.
“Come in. You don't have to knock on my bedroom door. Only do that when other people are around.” Rock's smooth voice made my knees weak as I walked in.
“All right.”
“Good. Come on over here and take a look at what's going on with Regal Enterprises.” Rock's features were aligned in a deep scowl.
I noticed a laptop open to a spreadsheet in the corner.
“That's yours to use from now on. You can take it to your room when we're done.”
I tore my gaze from Rock. Evening stubble graced his chin, and I wondered what it would feel like against my clit. His tanned skin glowed against a white polo shirt, and he filled out a pair of khakis to perfection.
I gulped and sat down, gluing my stare to the information in front of me. It took me a few minutes to get my bearings with the myriad sheets of profits, losses and more, but I did.
“My God,” I whispered, my stomach dropping.
“Tell me what you see.” Rock stood behind me, his hands on the back of the chair, but even his sexy presence coul
dn't distract me from what I'd found.
“There's money missing—a lot. The balance sheet isn't adding up.”
“Right on.” He sighed. “The question is...who's stealing from me? That's what I intend to find out on this little vacation. I needed to get away from the vipers who surround me so I could think.”
I turned halfway in the chair, glancing at him.
Lines riddled his face. He was so tense, I wondered if he'd spring at any minute and start pummeling the way. “I'm sorry.”
“Don't be. The main thing is fixing it. I have investors who are going to find out about these numbers in two weeks. Time is running out, and I won't have my business destroyed by a thief.” Rock walked to the window, gazing out upon the city lights.
“I'll help you in any way I can.”
“Good. Figure out when the money started looking off. I'm the only one who's looked at these numbers. These are side deals, and I handle many of them myself. As you can imagine, this makes me look pretty bad.” Rock slumped, his voice growing softer.
“Yes, I can see that.” I swallowed hard. Now I understand my role in all of this. Bookkeeper was only a small part of it. Distraction was the name of the game.
“So, tomorrow you will help me immensely. We're getting engaged in a very public way and having a party to follow. That should get some people worried. There's a snake in the grass, and my having a wife won't make him happy.” Rock paced, his tone growing hard.
“Do you know who's done this?” I got up, not sure what to do.
“I have an idea, and if I'm right, he's expecting to siphon off my fortune as he can. My having a wife who is also keeping a sharp eye on the books won't be his idea of fun. I've handled it in the past, but he knows I'm busy now. Too busy.” Rock ran a hand through his hair and sat on the couch.
“I see.” But I didn't entirely.
“Well, why not fire him or put him on leave and sort it out later?” I crossed the room slowly, but I could see from his face that Rock was in another world.
“Not going to happen.”
I perched on the edge of a wingback chair.
“Oh. I guess I don't understand.”
Rock laughed, a mirthless, cold sound. “Few would. He saved my life when I was a child. I owe everything I am to him in many ways.”