Losing Control: 2

by Tina Donahue

  “You know that’s not true. He wouldn’t have gotten so angry if you didn’t mean anything to him.”

  “Well, the man does have his pride, right?”

  Alexa shook her head, not following. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Catherine frowned. “No guy wants to believe a woman’s faking it, especially in bed. Could be he’s not certain how much he genuinely turned me on. Maybe he wants another shot to convince himself he can make me come as no other man has. Of course, there’s always the chance that he’s just an arrogant prick. You were the one who said he’s been known to behave like that.”

  “To me, not you. At least that’s how I perceived it. Clearly, I was wrong.”

  “Or you pegged him perfectly.” She pressed her fist to her chest as though to keep herself from hitting something. “Just book it, all right?”

  Sighing, Alexa leaned against the lip of her desk. “You’re not planning to kill him, are you?”

  Catherine smiled, the first she’d managed in days. “I promise to be as gentle as I can.”

  She was going to turn the man inside out…and possibly wound her heart even more in the process. No different from when Alexa had agreed to another night with Tim and David, as long as Hunt wasn’t there too. He’d affected her too quickly, far too deeply. She’d wanted to purge him from her system. All she managed was an ache so deep only he could cure it. Thankfully, he’d shown up, coaxing her to his side.

  Whether Tim would be able to do the same with Catherine, allowing himself to sympathize with what she’d done and to forgive her, was debatable. “This might not be a good idea.”

  “It’s the Caribbean. You said his family owns the island. Damn, sounds like the perfect adventure to me. Go on, call him.”

  Alexa wasn’t buying Catherine’s BS, seeing the hurt beneath it. However, as Ronnie had done with her, she didn’t argue further, knowing Catherine had to find her own way.

  She picked up the receiver.

  Chapter Eleven

  He waited in the shade of a palm tree a short distance from the helipad. Before long, the copter would be in sight, then touching down, delivering Catherine to him.

  Heat rushed to Tim’s face, his chest. The steady breeze ruffled his hair and white drawstring pants, its caress doing little to cool him.

  When Catherine had agreed to this arrangement, because that’s what it was—bought and paid for—she’d no doubt thought he’d be meeting her at the airport back in the District, believing he had no other choice. After all, he still had no idea where she lived.

  Although Tim had tried to bully Alexa into giving him the information, she’d refused. When he settled on a nicer tack, she still wouldn’t budge. That left him with no other options except to plead or to hire an investigator. The thought of having someone dig through Catherine’s past or follow her wasn’t something Tim ever wanted to do. It would have made him too much like his father.

  That left his only other choice…to plead with Alexa for the information.

  He’d resisted that.

  Damn her. He tightened his fingers into fists. Damn Catherine. What they continued to put him through made him want to bellow his pain. Breathing quickly, he shoved his emotions down, relaxed his hands and focused instead on David’s call to him a short while ago.

  Tim had asked his friend to be at the airport’s security checkpoint when Catherine arrived so he could deliver her tickets, boarding pass and inform her of the flight’s destination. Once the plane landed, she could change into her island wear. From there, Tim’s pilot would fly her to this secluded locale.

  Everything was going as planned. David had called, sounding obviously relieved that Catherine had even boarded her flight. “I wasn’t certain she’d actually show up,” he confessed.

  If she hadn’t, Tim didn’t know what he would have done. Gone back to the District to search for her? Haunted the nursing home until she arrived to see Opal? Forgotten about it?

  Powerless to stop himself, Tim asked, “How was she?”

  “Wow, fucking gorgeous.” David whistled long and low. “I can understand what you see in her.”

  The man had no idea. Not that Tim was about to explain that Catherine’s looks were the least of what drove him to her. He recalled how she tilted her head slightly when listening to him speak as though it afforded him more of her attention, and the way she settled her hand on his chest as they fell asleep, how she always punched his arm whenever he teased her. That he liked the most.

  “I don’t mean how she looked,” he’d said. “How was she?” As nervous as he was? As hurting?

  “Very polite. She thanked me for the tickets and pass.”

  Sometimes David could be so damn dense.

  “Did she say anything about me?” Tim pressed. “What happened between us?”

  Did she tell you she was sorry, that she wished things had turned out better? Did she tell you she missed me?

  “No.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Uh…yeah. Sorry. Are you okay?”

  Who the fuck knew? Tim squinted at the late afternoon sun bleeding through one of the fronds and moved deeper into the tree’s shade, toward the center of the stand. Here he could observe Catherine’s arrival without her immediately noticing him. As a kid, he’d spent a lot of his summers in this very spot, playing hide-and-seek with the staff, accepting their deference to him as norm. The same as the surrounding paradise.

  Given what Catherine had told him about her past—which he’d finally admitted had to be true, no way could anyone fake that much anguish—he wondered what she’d think when she saw this place.

  There were no bothersome tourists here, just his family’s staff, their sherbet-colored houses dotting an area a few yards from the pristine beach. The sand was so white it resembled powdered sugar, intensifying the gaiety of those blue, green and yellow structures.

  On the small cliff overlooking everything else was the mansion his maternal grandfather had built. A two-story confection of Victorian and Caribbean design in a delicate pink with white ornamental trim and awnings protecting the large windows from the sun’s glare. On the second floor, a balustrade ran the length of the building, inviting one to watch the sparkling sea.

  Tim wasn’t going to allow Catherine the time for that or anything except her attention to his pleasure. He was going to enjoy her as he wanted—as she’d suggested—proving this was only about sex. Probably always had been. She’d captivated him too quickly at the party. Had to be simple lust. Desire he couldn’t shake no matter her lies. He still wanted her badly. And he would have her.

  This time there wouldn’t be any playful teasing, only raw need. Him enjoying her orally, vaginally, anally, Catherine submitting to his every fantasy. He pictured her hands tied behind her back, her breasts naked, the areolas constricting as he regarded them. Near the bed she’d stand, waiting for him to make his next move. He’d remove the rest of her clothing, leaving her bare and defenseless as he circled her, studying the delicate curve of her back, her plush ass, her fragrant hair dangling over her shoulders. He’d linger so long, she’d look over to see what he was doing, what he had planned next.

  No doubt she’d wonder if he’d punish her for having lied and hurt him so badly— even though he’d denied it—turning her over his knee, paddling her.

  Never would he touch her in anger, so his answer would be to run one hand down her sweet belly to her cunt, the other on the furrow between her cheeks, exploring the most intimate parts of—

  The steady whap-whap-whap of copter blades cut through Tim’s carnal thoughts and the whoosh of the breeze. His skin tingled as though the sun had burned it. Circling from the left, the aircraft approached this island. Sun glinted off its windshield, not allowing him to see the pilot or her.

  He dug his toes into the sand to keep from moving closer, revealing where he stood or his excitement. It pounded in his blood and thickened his cock.

  The copter hovered in the air fo
r what seemed too long a time before descending to the concrete slab built for it. Around the cement, sand blew up in white puffs. Shrubs and palms wiggled wildly from the stirred-up air. The pilot cut the engine. The blades appeared to be moving in slo-mo as they came to a lazy stop.

  Tim kept squinting at the damn sun glancing off the windshield, hiding Catherine from him. He rocked in place, wanting to run to the copter, open her door, pull her into his arms, tell her how he felt…or wanted to feel.

  Cherished. Respected.

  Her lies had precluded that, hadn’t they? She either hadn’t trusted him enough to share the truth or she’d played him, just as Fantine had, because of her impoverished past. Tim still wasn’t certain. He’d tried to reason it out and couldn’t, even though he’d continuously replayed their moments together in his mind. The only thing all that agonizing had accomplished was to ruin his appetite and sleep. His work had suffered. He couldn’t pay attention to anything except his own pain.

  And now it flared again with her arrival with nothing having been settled. Maybe it never would be.

  His chest ached at the prospect. With all the will he could muster, he remained where he was, feigning calm, his hands at his sides.

  Once the pilot secured the craft, the young man went to Catherine’s door and helped her out.

  My god. Tim couldn’t help himself, he advanced a step, no more, his lightheadedness precluding it. His mouth was so dry he couldn’t swallow. Shameless need continued to roll through him.

  She was dressed in filmy white, a gauzy fabric, her halter-top hugging her lush breasts, baring her torso. Her ankle-length skirt hung low on her hips, which exposed her navel and the sweet flare of her belly, while covering and protecting her mound. Tim recalled her rose tattoo above it. Had she gotten the design and Brazilian wax for herself, or was it to please one of her regular clients?

  His shoulders tensed at the thought of another man touching her, pushing his cock into her heated, wet pussy. He clenched his jaw.

  She grabbed her hair in one hand. It did little to stop the wind from pulling at it.

  A member of the staff—a thickset young man wearing Bermuda shorts, a bright blue tee and flip-flops—took her luggage and purse, then trudged across the sand to the stairway that led to the mansion. Catherine lifted her face to it, her lips parting on what Tim suspected was an appreciative sigh.

  By the time he was through with her, she’d never forget their days here together. He would ruin her for every other man just as she had done with him for all future women.

  The pilot touched her elbow, then pointed in Tim’s direction.

  Catherine turned, no doubt expecting nothing more than another view of the sea. Instead, she spotted him finally, meeting his gaze. In that unguarded moment, pure wonder flooded her features.

  A shock of delight tore through him. She looked eager to see him again, restless for them to be alone, the same as when they’d been dating. At least, that’s what Tim had believed they’d been doing. His memory of seeing her in the mall with Alexa, the two of them shopping or lunching or whatever the hell women did in their free time, returned to ruin the moment.

  I trusted you.

  Like a fool, he’d given her his heart for safekeeping only to learn he’d been stupid to have believed much of what she’d said. He couldn’t be that dumb again. Pulling himself together, Tim remained where he was, stoic and solemn, waiting for her to come to him.

  Slowly, Catherine’s wonder turned to caution, then to something else, exactly what Tim did not want to see. Manufactured desire. The kind he’d witnessed with Alexa when he and David had been pleasuring her. She’d saved her genuine emotions for Hunt. With him, she hadn’t been able to pretend, desire reaching her eyes.

  If it took the last of Tim’s strength, he was going to see that on Catherine’s face during her stay here, making certain she felt what he had and realized the extent of his hurt.

  More gracefully than most, she moved across the sand in his direction, carrying her white sandals.

  She reached him in no time at all. It felt like forever. Tim wanted to smile but wouldn’t allow himself that weakness. He wanted to say what was still in his heart. Pride and sorrow kept the words from coming, so he let his actions speak for him.

  He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, inhaling deeply of her familiar and beloved scent. It would be a fucking long time before he was able to drive it from his mind and memories. With his other hand on the back of her head, he pushed his fingers through her silky hair and claimed her mouth.

  She whimpered.

  The sound nourished his battered ego but didn’t open his heart. That, he wouldn’t permit. Her breath was clean and sweet, her mouth wondrous—hot, wet, tasting better than any food or drink he’d ever had. Dropping her sandals, she released her weight into him and slipped her hands beneath his cotton pants to cup his bare ass.

  Fuck, that was nice, her touch sending a surge of heat to his groin and chest. He might have grinned at the tantalizing sensations if it wouldn’t have disturbed their kiss. No way would he do that. Tim angled his head for better penetration, his tongue filling her mouth, demanding she satisfy him. Catherine suckled his tongue with the same fervor a drowning woman might use to gasp air. There appeared to be no guile in her actions. Only how could he be certain?

  Unwilling to dwell on it, wanting only to have a good time, Tim kissed her as savagely as he desired, knowing she’d agree. She was his for three long days, to do with as he willed. He tugged her halter-top down, freeing her right breast. She hadn’t worn a bra. He cradled the supple mound in his hand. Her erect nipple poked his palm. Brazenly, he fondled her in full sight of the staff who’d arrived moments before and stood yards away at the edge of the trees, watching them, awaiting his orders.

  He had many, which Catherine would soon discover. When she’d agreed to their first date, he’d asked if she wanted mild or wild. She’d told him to surprise her and not to make it mild.

  Wild it would be again, just as the lady liked, beginning now.

  Tim ended their kiss and watched her closely. A deep rose tinted her cheeks. She seemed to have trouble lifting her lids, as though they were too heavy. What appeared to be lust blurred her expression. Unless it was an act, another lie.

  The thought saddened Tim, not allowing him to consider it. “Hi.”

  Catherine blushed further, a vivid rouge this time, the stain traveling from her neck to her chest as though his greeting had been more intimate than their kiss. Searching his face, she seemed ready to say something. Make another confession, perhaps?

  Bracing himself for the worst—or possibly something good—Tim waited.

  Overhead, a gull cried out, its companions squawking back before flying past. Catherine gave them a brief glance, then murmured, “Hi.”

  That wasn’t what she’d intended to say. Tim knew it in his heart. Trouble was, he had no idea what was going through her mind. Nor did he trust her seeming uncertainty. He wanted to ask her about it, to fucking talk, but feared that too. If she claimed nothing was wrong and put on her call girl persona, that would piss him off royally. However, if she lied once more, with him buying it and getting hurt all over again, Tim figured that would destroy him.

  Why in the fuck are you even thinking about this?

  They weren’t here for the truth, a reconciliation or anything that would remotely lead to a future. That had ended when he’d seen her at the mall. There was only one reason for this three-day appointment.

  Releasing her, he took Catherine’s hand and led her out of the stand of palms. “Ready for some fun?”

  She adjusted her clothing to cover her breast as she finally noticed the members of his staff, two young men wearing white pants similar to Tim’s, their chests and feet also bare. They stood near a platform on the beach. From its wooden poles hung sheer pink-and-seafoam green fabric that floated on the wind. In the center of the space was a large table with a padded cushion on top. A
kind of bed, if you will.

  Catherine regarded the scene with a bit of confusion and surprise, as though she wondered if the “fun” he’d mentioned included him and the two men.

  She’d once told him she didn’t do orgies or group sex. However, that was when he’d believed she was simply a student and they were actually dating like normal people. Even though Tim knew the truth now, no way was another guy going to touch her intimately. Not here. Not while she was his.

  What she did once she was back in the District wasn’t something Tim was ever going to think about. It might make him do something crazy. Like murder the other guy or plead with her to love only him.

  He leaned closer. Her breath caught. So did his, her fragrance intoxicating him. Scarcely able to control himself, he murmured, “The table’s set up for a massage before things get started. A way for you to loosen up.”

  As he straightened, she turned her face to his, her confusion replaced with a flicker of hurt.

  Why? “What?” he asked.

  She spoke quietly, so only he would hear. “Did you really think a massage was necessary for someone like me? Why would you? Because of what happened at your office?” Before he could respond, she added, “What if we hadn’t argued? What if another woman was here with you now, one from your own circle? Would you have suggested a massage for her with your male staff to loosen her up? Or was that something you’d only arrange for someone like me…a woman like me?”

  The accusation he’d hurled at her in his office sounded petty and mean now. Before Tim could take his words back or explain that’s not what he’d intended by offering this, Catherine pulled her hand from his.

  His belly rolled. Was she going to call this off, demand the pilot take her home? “You told me you liked it wild,” he blurted, then countered, “Have you changed your mind?”

  “Don’t you mean was I telling you the truth about that?” She raked both hands through her hair, dragging it back from where the wind had blown it. “I was. The same as what I told you about my mother and father. Didn’t you contact your investigator Flannigan, telling him to look into it, to check me out?”