by Sam Crescent
THE TAKING OF CLARA 3: TAKEN BY THE BOSS
Sam Crescent
Erotic Romance
Secret Cravings Publishing
www.secretcravingspublishing.com
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A Secret Cravings Publishing Book
Erotic Romance
The Taking of Clara 3: Taken by the Boss
Copyright © 2013 Sam Crescent
E-book ISBN: 978-1-61885-735-4
First E-book Publication: June 2013
Cover design by Dawné Dominique
Edited by Theresa Stillwagon
Proofread by Elaine Meyler
All cover art and logo copyright © 2013 by Secret Cravings Publishing
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All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
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Dedication
I want to thank my readers for their constant support of my work. Without you guys I wouldn’t be able to do what I love doing the most. Thank you so much and I appreciate the time you spend reading. Sam x(Insert dedication)
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THE TAKING OF CLARA 3: TAKEN BY THE BOSS
Sam Crescent
Copyright © 2013
Chapter One
The anger inside Matthew threatened to consume him. He stared at her father, wishing he could take the bastard down once and for all. Seeing the other man’s arms on his woman filled his mind with so many vile thoughts they threatened to explode out of him. No man, not even her father, got to touch Clara unless he said otherwise.
“She’s a beauty, Matthew. I see why you’ve been keeping her to yourself,” Luke said. His friend moved over to his woman, took her chin in hand, and turned her head this way and that. For some reason seeing his friend touching Clara didn’t fill him with anger. If anyone touched his woman Luke would be the only man he trusted.
Before Matthew got a chance to speak Luke moved away from Clara. Matthew turned his attention to Edward Baines.
“What the fuck are you doing in my home?” Matthew asked.
“Matthew—”
He cut Clara off with a raised hand. “Don’t speak for him, Clara. Go upstairs to our room. I’ll talk with you later.”
She looked ready to argue. Taking his gaze away from her father, Matthew stared at his woman. “Don’t argue with me.”
Nodding her head, Clara moved away. She took one last look around the room then left.
“You’re right, she’s submissive all right.”
He didn’t get the chance to feel the pleasure at his friend’s words. His attention moved to her shit head of a father. The older man looked ready to scarper.
“I fucking told you not to get in touch with her.” He moved closer, ready to take Edward down. The man before him would only cause more problems than actually solving them.
“She’s my daughter. You can’t keep her away from me.”
Matthew grabbed him around the throat and pressed him against the wall. He kept a firm grip on his neck, wanting to squeeze the life out of him. Instead, he kept control of his sanity. He didn’t like being disobeyed.
“You’ve never given a shit about her or her problems. You’ve always been the fucking cause. Now, tell me, what are you doing in my home?”
He refused to break his stare. Not a match for the man in front of him, Edward looked down at the floor, defeated. “I need more money. If I don’t get the money to Randal he’s going to kill me.”
Matthew knew the name. Randal
owned half of the illegal gambling strip in Vegas. He wasn’t one of the best men to know.
“How much do you need?” Matthew asked.
“You can’t be serious? If you give this scum the money he’s only going to come back for more,” Luke said.
“I’m not giving this shit head the money. I’m going to give it to Randal and I’m going to make sure Clara is never in any danger. Randal may be a bastard but he’ll listen to me.” He’d warn the man about Edward. The only way to stop her father from constantly appearing on their doorstep would be to go to one of the main sources of his loans.
“I think you’re stupid.”
“I’m not stupid. I’m thinking of my woman.”
He didn’t hit Clara’s father even though he wanted to. Edward told him the amount. In the next moment he phoned his accountant, requesting the large sum of money out of his bank.
Luke grabbed a pair of cuffs from Matthew’s playroom. Matthew cuffed Edward to a chair to keep him in place. Staring at Clara’s father felt like a kick to the gut. When he gave the money to Randal, there would be no chance of Edward getting away with it.
“Keep an eye on him. I’m going to talk with Clara.”
Luke nodded. His friend’s attention lay on the paper in front of him.
He made his way up the stairs. The door to his room was open. Was Clara waiting for him to enter? Clara sat on the end of the bed in a white negligee, brushing her hair. She looked so tempting to him. Leaning against the doorframe, Matthew simply watched her.
“He only came because of the money, didn’t he?” she asked.
She looked up at him. Tears shone in her eyes making her look vulnerable.
“I’m afraid so, baby. He’s got problems and no amount of rehab will help him.”
Her sigh filled the silence.
Matthew moved to her side and pulled her into his arms, wanting to offer her the comfort he could provide. She went into his arms without argument.
“I’m such a fool. Part of me always wishes he’d come back for something more than money.”
Matthew wanted to go back downstairs to show the bastard what he really thought.
“I hate this. I hate feeling weak. If you hadn’t have come back I’d have done what he asked because he’s my father. You must hate me.”
He caught her chin in his hands, tilting her head back to gaze in her eyes. “I’m not angry with you, baby. I could never be angry with you. Edward knows you’ll do anything for him. He plays at it. I’ll never let anything hurt you.”
The tears trailed down her cheeks. He wiped them away. “Don’t do it. Don’t allow yourself to cry for him. He’s the bastard. Not you. He doesn’t deserve your tears. If you need to cry for something, cry for happiness.”
She wiped them away. “I wish I were stronger.”
“I love you the way you are.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I wouldn’t change a thing about you.”
Clara nodded, resting her head against his chest.
His hold tightened around her.
“I’ve got to go out for a few hours. I’m leaving Luke here to keep an eye on you.”
“Please don’t help my father out. He should learn to work through his own mistakes.”
Even though she’d be the first person to help him, Matthew admired her resolve. While Edward wasn’t in sight she could say those strong words.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’m going to take care of everything.” He kissed her again, only this time he took possession of her lips with a firmness that surprised him. “Be good and stay safe.”
He left her to finish combing her hair. Going back into his office he saw Luke twirling his foot while Edward looked ready to run.
“I want you to stay here. Keep an eye on her.”
“I figured you’d brought me round to be a glorified babysitter,” Luke said. He closed the paper then stared back.
“We’ll talk when I get back.” He grabbed Edward then made his way out of his home.
Chapter Two
Clara made sure to spend most of her time in her room. She heard the door close, letting her know her father and Matthew were gone. The man downstairs offered her little comfort. He may be Matthew’s friend but to her, he meant nothing. The book by the side of her bed held no appeal. Reading about sex and romance could only keep her attention so much. Her stomach started growling for the seventh time so Clara decided to go downstairs and get something to eat. The sound of the television moved her to the sitting room. Luke sat on the sofa watching a movie. He turned as she walked to the door. She’d tried to stay out of his way. Her thoughts were on Matthew. She didn’t like to think about the danger he must be in.
They stared at each other for several moments. Neither speaking. She didn’t know him. She would have recognized him if he’d visited Matthew at work.
“You’ve finally decided to venture out of your room,” Luke said. He stood stretching his arms above his head.
“I’m going to make some food. Do you want anything?” She gazed behind her toward the kitchen. During the time she spent in her bedroom night had fallen. She tightened the belt around her waist, fastening the robe closer to her body. She didn’t know Luke other than the fact he was Matthew’s friend.
“I’ll come with you.” He followed behind her. She felt his presence at her back. Licking her lips, she moved around the counter putting some distance between them. He sat at the counter watching her as she worked. Blocking him out of her thoughts, she grabbed some of the chicken from the fridge and wished she was alone.
“Matthew knows what he’s doing. He’ll be safe.”
“I’m not worried about him but what my father will do. He’s not the best man in the world.” She started peeling the chicken into a bowl.
“I see what he sees in you. Your submissive nature is hard to ignore.”
She glanced up at him. Her cheeks heated. Not knowing what to say she continued to peel the chicken.
“Matthew’s a lucky guy to have found you. He’s a good Dom and will treat you well. You’ll flourish under his care.”
How should she respond to that statement? She’d only ever talked to Matthew about him being a Dom.
“I know my words have shocked you.”
“It’s not that. Well, Matthew and I haven’t gotten much chance to talk about it.” She stopped shredding the chicken to glance at him. His intense stare startled her.
“You’ve got questions?”
She nodded. “I’m going to talk with Matthew.”
Matthew understood her more than the man in front of her.
“I can answer some questions you might have.” His gaze roamed her body.
Turning away from him, she grabbed a few more items out of the fridge. He remained in his seat.
“I’d rather not talk about such… personal matters with someone I don’t know.”
Luke chuckled. “You’re already passing many tests.”
She frowned at him. The desire to ask him questions filled her but she kept them under wraps. The only person she wished to speak to was Matthew.
“Matthew will not allow anything to happen to him. He’s more than a man with money. Your safety means everything to him. Your father has taken advantage for the last time.”
“You know my father?”
“I know to avoid him. He’s not got the best reputation. Matthew must really love you to intercede on your behalf.”
Ignoring the man in front of her, she finished preparing the salad. She glanced at the clock, and wondered how long Matthew would be. Her hands shook slightly at her father’s panicked words. Being without Matthew wasn’t an option. He’d invaded her heart and her mind. She couldn’t live without him.
“You love him?” Luke asked.
She jerked her head in acknowledgment.
“I think you should tell him.”
Clara handed him the plate of food she made. She ate her salad in silence. Once she finished, she washed their plates then offered h
im a good night before going back to her room. Closing the door firmly behind her, Clara went over to the closest that held his clothing.
Fingering the items he’d worn, she inhaled his scent. His masculine fragrance invaded her senses but his scent was masked by washing powder.
She sat down on the bed and glanced at the clock.
“Where are you?” Nibbling her lip, she tried to calm her nerves. No matter what she tried to think about her thoughts reverted back to Matthew. Her father wasn’t a good man and wouldn’t have any problems with causing Matthew pain.
She lay back on the bed, wishing for the man she loved to be by her side. Reaching out to his pillow, she curled her fingers around the fabric before holding the pillow against her.
“I miss you,” she said. In the matter of a couple of weeks Matthew had taken over her world. Her thoughts were constantly on him. Their time apart hurt more than she liked to think about. She stared out the window and wondered what he was doing.
Chapter Three
The drive to the hotel where Randal rented a room was uneventful. Matthew kept his attention on the road while ignoring the man at his side. Edward looked ready to jump out of the car.
“You can’t ignore me, Matthew. I’m Clara’s father,” he said.
“The best thing for that girl to do is ignore you. You’re a bastard who only cares about yourself. I want you out of her life for good,” Matthew said. Clara deserved better than what her father had given her.
Matthew pulled into a parking space. He pulled Edward out of the car then made his way to the front desk. The woman looked at him suspiciously.