by Penelope Sky
“Now you have him all to yourself, wrapped around your finger. No, you don’t need me for a damn thing.” She opened the passenger door and placed her stuff on the leather seat. She shut the door then turned back to me, her expression still grim.
“Ariel, he’s devastated. He acts like he’s fine with it, but trust me, he’s not.”
“I’m not happy about the arrangement either, but that’s how it has to be.”
“But it doesn’t have to be that way. Look, I’ll do anything to make this work. Please stay for Crewe. Don’t punish him because of me.”
“This has nothing to do with punishment,” she said coldly. “I’m an opportunist. I no longer see an opportunity here.”
“Crewe is a brilliant man. You can’t downplay that.”
“How would you know? All you ever do is suck his cock and manipulate him.”
I narrowed my eyes, feeling my skin prickle at the insult. “I love him. And you know that, Ariel.”
I couldn’t see her eyes, but I imagined she just rolled them.
“Meet me halfway here, Ariel. What can I do to get you to stay?”
“Disappear. I already told you that.”
“Well, that’s the one thing I can’t do. Anything else?”
“Nope.”
“Ariel,” I said through gritted teeth. “I wouldn’t be putting this much effort in if I didn’t love Crewe so much. I could just turn my head the other way so you’ll leave. It’s not like I like you or you like me. I’m only doing this for him. So that right there should be enough to make you consider everything.”
She took off her glasses and hooked them on the front of her blouse. With a cold and calculating expression, she stared me down like an enemy about to attack. “I’ll make a deal with you, London. You want to prove yourself to me? Here’s your chance.”
I held my breath, hoping she wouldn’t ask for anything ridiculous.
“You can stay with him until this relationship runs its course. But Crewe needs to marry someone else, someone royal, and you’re going to make sure that happens. You need to give me your word that you’ll never marry him, that you’ll encourage him to find someone else, and if he asks you to marry him, you’ll say no.”
My heart stopped beating, not from adrenaline, but from depression.
“Give me your word, and we have a deal.”
I could spend a year with him, maybe longer. But now our relationship had a deadline. I could love him every night for now, but one day, I’d have to give him up. I’d have to step aside and watch him spend the rest of his life with someone else. I didn’t realize how much I wanted to grow old with him until the option was taken away from me.
“London?” she pressed.
Could I really do that? I asked Crewe to trust me. By doing this, I was lying to him. But I didn’t want him to lose Ariel. Maybe Crewe and I would never get married anyway. Maybe our relationship would grow old and stale. Anything could happen. This was the only compromise I could think of that allowed Crewe to have both of us. “Okay…”
“Yes?” Ariel asked.
“Yeah. I give you my word.”
She couldn’t keep the surprise from flooding her features. “Maybe you do really love him.”
“Of course, I do.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the front door.
“When are you going to talk to him?”
“It’d be too obvious if I did it now. I’ll wait a few days.” She turned away and walked to the driver’s door like our conversation was finished.
“Okay.”
“If you ever tell Crewe we had this conversation, I’ll deny it.”
“Have a good night, Ariel.” I walked away before she got into the car and shut the door. I heard the door shut and the engine start as I walked up to the front doors.
Dimitri watched me like a hawk. “What was that about?”
“Just wanted to say goodbye.”
I spent the afternoon reflecting on my conversation with Ariel.
More formally known as the devil.
I made a deal I never wanted to make, but I knew it was best for Crewe. He couldn’t marry someone like me anyway. I wanted to have my own life, my own ambitions. Being his wife would involve a lot of etiquette and social decorum. I would be a full-time wife, not a physician or anything else. People would stick their noses in my business around the clock.
So maybe it was better this way.
Joseph hated him, and I couldn’t have my brother hate my spouse. And I couldn’t have my spouse hate my brother either.
And I brought nothing to the table except for piles of student loans.
When Crewe came to the bedroom after five, I was dressed in the bustier with my hair big and my makeup heavy. I pushed my conversation with Ariel from my mind and tried to concentrate on the fact that I had Crewe right now—and for the foreseeable future. I wanted to soak up every moment, not think about the day when we would part ways.
He walked inside and immediately looked me up and down, the shadow on his face nearly a full beard. His brown eyes were fixed with colors of amber and gold, and the intensity was enough to make the sun melt. He slowly removed his jacket and tossed it on the ground before he slipped his shoes off.
I stood near the foot of the bed, my hand propped on my hip and my feet aching in the five-inch heels I wore. I would be lying if I said I didn’t love it when Crewe looked at me that way. I loved every second of it, seeing the fiery desire in his eyes that was going to explode like hot molten lava.
He unbuttoned his shirt as he walked up to me, taking his time with each button until he yanked his tie loose. His hand moved to my hip, and his fingers traced over my smooth skin, causing my body to prickle naturally in response.
He felt the lace in his fingertips and wrapped up the strap of my thong in his index finger.
My breathing was heavy in my ears while his was so calm I could barely hear it.
He gripped both of my tits in the push-up and squeezed them hard with his strong hands. His eyes watched his movements, watching the swell of my breasts change as he massaged me.
My hand went to his cock in his slacks and felt the nine inches of definition.
He craned his neck and pressed his mouth to mine, giving me a slow and sensual kiss that made my knees weak. Heat flushed my body even though we barely touched. The explosive reaction this man caused was supernatural.
My fingers undid his belt and pants until I could push down everything, including his boxers. When his cock was out, I wrapped my fingers around him and stroked him as I continued to kiss him, our tongues moving together harshly. The slow sensuality died away, and only carnal need remained behind. I kissed him harder as my hand jerked his long length, moving from tip to base.
His breathing hitched when a restrained moan escaped his lips. His hand dug into my hair just the way I liked, and he kissed me with the kind of passion no man ever had before. Crewe made me feel beautiful, sexy, and incredible all at the same time.
He guided me backward until the backs of my legs hit the foot of the bed. “On all fours,” he said through our kiss. “Ass in the air.”
I turned around and obeyed, my back arched to make my waist look smaller and my ass bigger.
Crewe pulled my thong down to my knees then positioned himself at my entrance. With perfect ease, he slipped inside me, stretching my channel for the millionth time. I was soaking wet, and I coated his entire length, my moisture lubing his balls.
A quiet moan escaped his lips. “That pussy…goddamn.” He gripped the back of my neck as he moved into me slowly, giving me long and even strokes. His head hit my back wall every time he thrust, and I felt an orgasm already beginning.
He pushed my head into the mattress then propped one leg on the bed, deepening the angle. He gave me more of his length every time, my fluid making audible noises each time he pushed inside me.
My mouth was open against the comforter. “Crewe…”
; “Lovely.” He pressed his hand to my lower back and fucked me harder, giving me his big cock over and over. His fingers dug into my skin, and as his grip tightened, I could feel his cock thickening with overwhelming arousal.
I loved it when he came inside me. I didn’t care if he went before me. It always felt so incredible to have his seed buried deep inside.
He suddenly pulled out of me, his cock shiny from my arousal. “Turn over.”
I didn’t want him to stop, but if I argued, it would take longer for him to be inside me. I flipped onto my back and looked up at him, my bustier still squeezing me like a corset. My waist appeared slimmer than it really was, and my tits were pressed higher and tighter than ever before.
He kicked his pants and boxers away before he crawled on top of me, his knees moving behind my legs as he positioned me into the mattress. With a clenched jaw, he pushed himself inside me again, hitting me hard.
I moaned when I felt him stretch me again, bringing me back to how I was just a moment before. My nails dug into his skin, and I widened my legs so he could take all of me.
He fucked me harder than he did before, ramming me into the bed and making my entire body shake. With eyes locked to mine, he watched every single expression form on my face. When I bit my bottom lip, his eyes narrowed in intensity.
My hands moved up his chest, feeling this powerful man conquer me on his bed. I loved feeling his heart pound, feeling the sweat form on his beautiful skin. I loved watching him exert himself to please me.
I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.
I didn’t want another man to be my husband. I wanted it to be Crewe. I wanted him to be the father of my children.
But that could never happen. It was just a dream.
My fingers slid into his damp hair. “I love you…”
When he thrust inside me, he didn’t pull out again. He left himself inside my channel, and he closed his eyes as he stopped himself from exploding then and there. He released a loud sigh before he rocked into me again.
My hand moved to his face, and I kissed him as he made love to me. “I love you.” I didn’t say it again because I wanted to hear him say it back. Now I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity that I had to tell him how I really felt, that he was the only man in the world I adored. When he was deep inside me like this, taking me like it was the first time he’d ever had me, I was out of my mind and in the moment.
He hooked my leg over his shoulder and deepened the angle, my other leg opening to the side so he had greater access to fuck me as hard as he wanted. He thrust hard inside me. “I.” He did it again, his eyes locked on mine. “Love.” He gave me a kiss before he thrust again. “You.”
13
Crewe
I was planning on taking a trip back to Fair Isle, to have some quiet time on an island in the middle of the sea, but due to the extra work Ariel’s absence had caused, I didn’t have that luxury. Her presence in the company was vital because it allowed me to have the freedom to do what I wanted, when I wanted.
But now that freedom had been taken away.
I could pay someone else a ton of money to do it for me, but I was meticulous when it came to my business, and everything needed to be done correctly. I couldn’t trust a stranger to care about the details between the lines, the image I was trying to maintain.
My legacy was on the line.
I was sitting in my office when London walked inside, looking beautiful in a deep blue dress that Dimitri had recently bought for her. He took a picture to my designer in London, and she handpicked all the clothes that would complement London’s figure.
She was worth every cent.
Her hair was pulled back in an elegant updo, and she looked like she was born in this castle the way I was. “Ready for lunch?”
I eyed my watch. “It’s ten.”
She welcomed herself into my lap, straddling my hips and sitting right on my crotch. I wasn’t hard at the moment, but that was about to change. “You caught me. I just wanted an excuse to see you.” Her arms circled my neck, and she looked at me with that playful expression I’d come to worship.
If I didn’t have a ton of work to do, I’d blow off the workday and take her into the city to do something fun. But I had meetings and paperwork…the nightmare never ended. I never would have opened that second distillery if I’d known Ariel was going to leave. If I didn’t want to work all the time, I might have to sell it.
But instead of saying any of that to London, I shut my laptop. “We can get a second breakfast.”
“I’m actually pretty full. Maybe we can take a walk or something? Make love against a tree.”
I smiled. “You have a thing for public places?”
“No.” She smiled back. “I just have a thing for you.”
Now my cock was rock-hard. I could see the love in her eyes without searching to find it. It was a look I got from some women, but not to the same degree. The look I got from London was special, something she probably hadn’t given to anyone else. “Good answer.” I pulled her harder into me and kissed her, wanting a quick embrace before I stood up. But like usual, the kiss developed into something more. She ground her hips and rocked against me, stroking my cock against her clit. We breathed into each other’s mouths as she ground against me, the friction feeling great for both of us.
Now I wasn’t leaving this office. I was gonna fuck her on my lap right then and there, not giving a damn about all the work that was piling up at that very moment. All I would need to do was pull her thong over and undo my slacks. Then I would slide into home plate, feeling that warm and wet channel.
A knock sounded on my door. “Sir?” Dunbar’s voice entered the room.
I growled against London’s mouth then pulled away. “What is it?” London moved her lips to my neck and kissed me anyway, dragging that sexy tongue across my skin to the corner of my mouth.
“Ariel is here to see you.”
She was? Why?
London stilled against me, her breaths landing on my neck.
“What does she want?”
“Didn’t say,” Dunbar replied.
Did she forget something else? Or did she realize this whole thing was idiotic? “Lovely, we’ll pick this up later.”
She got off my lap and straightened her dress. “Okay.” She walked out the door, Dunbar’s wide frame appearing in view. He normally opened the door when he wanted to speak to me, but he probably second-guessed it when London was inside with me.
“Send her in,” I commanded.
Dunbar shut the door and disappeared again.
I didn’t know what to expect from Ariel, but I tried not to get my hopes up too high. Chances were, she just forgot something or had a financial document that needed to be signed. She wouldn’t change her mind unless she had a very good reason to.
Ariel entered my office in the dark clothing she always wore. Her glasses were back on the brim of her nose, and she carried herself with more class than the Queen of England. She strode toward me and took a seat in the armchair facing my enormous desk.
I couldn’t get a good reading on her. “How can I help you, Ariel?”
“I’ve done some thinking.”
I rested my hands together in my lap, my cock soft the second London walked out the door.
“I’ve loved working with you for the past ten years. I’ve always seen you as something more than a business partner, more like a friend.”
Hope surged in my heart. “As have I.”
“And I don’t want to walk away from this business. I can learn to accept London in time. All I ask is that you be more astute this time around.”
As insulting as it was, that statement was fair. “She won’t be a problem.”
“If that’s the case, do you still want me?”
I couldn’t suppress the smile on my lips, feeling the relief wash over me like a tide. It was a stupid question, and we both knew it. “You already know the answer.”
S
he rose from her chair then extended her hand. “It’s good to be back.”
I shook her hand. “It is. Work has been shitty since the second you walked away.”
She chuckled. “Nothing you couldn’t handle.”
“I could handle it—just didn’t enjoy it.” I dropped my hand and slid both palms into my pockets. “So, you want to start fresh tomorrow? Take the rest of the day off to enjoy your last bit of freedom.”
“Sounds fair. I’ll bring my lawyer so we can reinstate everything.”
“Okay.”
She gave me a slight wave before she walked out. “Until tomorrow.”
“Until tomorrow,” I repeated.
Once the door was shut and I was alone with my thoughts, overwhelming relief washed through me. Ariel wasn’t just important to me because she ran my businesses like a boss, but because of the comfortable friendship we had formed. Getting that back made me realize I couldn’t take her for granted ever again.
Dimitri rapped his knuckles on the door before he poked his head inside. “Can I speak to you for a second, sir?”
“Certainly.” I was in such a good mood I’d probably give him a raise if he asked for it. “What’s up?”
He approached my desk then lowered his voice, not that anyone could overhear us talking. “Ariel has returned?”
I nodded. “Things will go back to normal.”
He rubbed the back of his head then stared at the floor.
“Anything else?”
“Uh…I’m not sure how to say this…not even sure what I’m reporting.”
“Okay…” I narrowed my eyes, my mood taking a serious dive with his odd behavior. “Just spit it out, then.”
“The other day when Ariel left, London met her outside and they talked for a while. I don’t know what was said, but the conversation went on for a while.”
My interest immediately picked up. “What day was this?”
“When Ariel came to pick up her jewelry.”
“Interesting.”
“And then Ariel comes back a few days later…I find it suspicious.”
I found it suspicious too. “Thanks for letting me know, Dimitri.”