She knew what that meant. No underwear. Considering the state of her painful derriere, he would get no arguments from her. “Yes, Daimaen.” She turned to head into the bedroom, then paused, turning back. “Daimaen?"
"Yes, Sylvie?"
"I-I'm sorry, I've been such a shrew. This thing at work ... I'm worried. The police haven't come up with anything yet, and I don't know what I'll find when I get back ... who I can trust. I still can't believe someone did it on purpose."
He drew her back into his arms. “I know. We'll find whoever did it. I don't suppose I could get you to quit and come home with me?"
She smiled. “It's a nice thought, but no. I think it would be just too tempting for you to have me at your beck and call twenty-four hours a day.” She slowly pulled from his arms. “Besides, I'm not a coward and won't let them run me out."
Daimaen tipped her chin up and kissed the tip of her nose. “That's one of the things I admire about you."
"What's that?"
"Your bravery. You aren't the type to hide from something unpleasant."
Sylvie worried her lip and turned away from him. “That's not strictly true. I ran from my father. I couldn't stand up to him. I couldn't save my mother."
"Don't. It sounds like your father was a vicious, brutal man, undeserving of his beautiful, brave daughter, or his wife. Sometimes it takes more bravery to walk away than to stand and fight."
"I don't know,” she mused. “Maybe if I'd stayed and fought him, my mother would be alive today."
"How did she die?"
"The official death certificate said heart failure. But I think she just gave up on life. She couldn't fight him, but he'd beat her down so much, both mentally and physically, that she didn't think she could make it on her own, so she stayed. I think she left the only way she could—by dying.” She felt tears scald her eyes.
Daimaen's warm hand brushed them gently away. “I'm sorry. You aren't like her, you know. You're strong. Remember, your submission to me isn't a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength."
"I don't see how."
"It's been your choice to give me a beautiful gift. If I was the type of person to try to take from you by force, you would have fought me tooth and nail, you know that. I've accepted the priceless gift you offer. There is a difference. Eventually, you'll see and understand what I'm talking about."
"I want to believe that, Daimaen, I do."
"Stop living in the past. See your strength for what it is."
"He barred me from her funeral. He had me physically removed and told me he'd had her cremated and planned to have her ashes scattered. I couldn't even say goodbye."
Daimaen held her close, and she felt his strength and warmth wrap around her.
She knew deep inside he was right. He wasn't like her father. Daimaen's brand of dominance and her father's lack of control and brutality weren't the same thing, and she was beginning to understand the difference. But somehow there was still a part of her that held back, that was afraid the monster would be released when she least expected it, when she was at her weakest point.
* * * *
"What do the police have to say?” Allison was accompanied by the blonde god that Sylvie remembered her talking with the night she met Daimaen. She'd introduced him as Ted; he looked like he belonged on the beach with a surfboard in tow.
Sylvie took another sip of her water and sat back in her chair. “They haven't come up with anything yet. That day keeps replaying in my head—what I did, where I went, who was in my office.” Frustration filled her. “There wasn't anyone or anything out of the ordinary last week. It was just business as usual."
"Who else was up for vice president?"
Sylvie watched as Allison turned casually to Ted, and brought her glass of red wine to his lips. Allison wore that sultry smile Sylvie remembered from the party. She passed her red-glossed thumb across his lower lip, then placed it in Ted's mouth. Slowly she sat back in her chair with what Sylvie thought was a self-satisfied smile on her lips.
She looked across at Sylvie and winked. Sylvie shook her head. How could two friends be so different? She was only just beginning to realize how different.
Tonight Allison wore an emerald skin-tight lycra dress with dropped shoulders that accentuated her figure perfectly and highlighted her creamy complexion. Sylvie still couldn't get over the difference between the Allison she'd known for years, and this sex kitten across from her. She'd hidden her lifestyle from Sylvie very well.
Daimaen had laid out a silvery silk cloud of a dress that he said highlighted the clear grey of her eyes. Sylvie felt Daimaen's glittering eyes on her, studying her in the candlelight.
"There was only one other person who had the same seniority and production history, and that was Grant Thompson."
"Couldn't have been Grant. That man has the personality of limp lettuce. He wouldn't have the guts to try something like that."
Sylvie nodded in agreement. “Besides he took a transfer to Atlanta. He's not even at this office any longer."
"That's right, I forgot. Shows you what I hear down in Accounting."
Sylvie smiled. Her breath caught when she felt Daimaen's warm hand slide beneath the silk of her dress, along her thigh. She quickly looked up at him, and his eyes commanded her. She knew what he wanted, and slowly opened her legs. She saw a glint of approval. No one could see what was happening beneath the table in the dimly-lit room, but she felt warmth creep up along her neck and into her face in anticipation.
She tried to remain calm in the face of Allison and Ted across from her. She swallowed, trying to remain attentive to the conversation. “I'm hoping when I get into work Monday, I'll be able to get more answers."
"Do you think that's wise? Coming back to work, I mean?” Sylvie saw concern in Allison's expression, but her body was focused on Daimaen's fingers, which teased at the entrance to her pussy. She felt her juices flowing in response.
Her voice was breathy in her response to Allison's question. “I'm not going to hide. I have a job to do. And I'm not so sure it was done on purpose anyway."
Daimaen's fingers entered her channel deeply and then retreated fully, his hand slid back along her thigh to her knee, leaving her with a feeling of loss. Angling her gaze to study him, she had a nasty urge to hit him for arousing her and then withdrawing.
But what she really wanted was to rip that sexy white silk shirt of his off and devour him. Her breasts swelled at the thought and her sensitive nipples tightened.
"Well, don't be surprised if I come check on you periodically. And for God's sake, don't eat anything you haven't fixed yourself."
Sylvie's smile was tight. “Don't worry. I won't."
"I'm meeting Sylvie for lunch on Monday,” Daimaen said.
"But Daimaen—” She knew the work would have piled up and she didn't plan to break for lunch.
But when his eyes challenged her, she backed down and sighed. “All right. But the two of you are making me feel like you're trying to be my bodyguards. I don't need you to do that. I'll be careful. Really, I am used to taking care of myself."
"If I think you need a bodyguard, I'll hire one. Don't think I won't.” Daimaen's tone brooked no argument. “And I don't plan on going out of town again until this is resolved."
"You can't put your business on hold because of my problems."
"If you have to go out of town, I can stay with Sylvie. You don't need to worry about that,” Allison assured him.
Sylvie wanted to scream. “Will the two of you stop it? I'm more than capable of taking care of myself. Allison, you know I am. I've been doing so for quite some time.” She glared across the table.
"I might agree with you, but I don't think Daimaen is going to listen to that protest of yours too closely. In one ear and out the other."
Sylvie turned to glare at Daimaen. His return stare reminded her of her still faintly sore bottom and what could happen if she defied him too fiercely right now. Alpha males ... what a pain in the as
s. Why in hell she was ever attracted to him, she would never figure out.
His hand on her leg, and her tingle of awareness, reminded her just exactly what she was willing to do for him.
"Well, I hate to break up this little party, but I think I need to get Ted home and tucked securely into bed. What do you think, Ted?” Allison rose from the table.
Ted held the chair back for her. “Whatever you wish—Allison,” he murmured.
"I do love an agreeable partner,” she winked at Sylvie, as she linked her arm through Ted's. “I'll talk to you Monday, Sylvie. Take good care of her, Daimaen."
"You don't need to worry.” Daimaen held the chair for Sylvie as she stood. He gently took her arm and guided her from the restaurant into the cool night air.
At the car, he stopped her before she could get in, and turned her to him. He leaned down, pressing her against him. “I've been waiting all night for this,” he growled just before claiming her mouth with his lips and tongue.
Sylvie molded her body to his, tasting him, wanting more. He lifted his head, turned her and opened the car door. “I have a present for you."
She could tell nothing from his expression. She lifted an eyebrow in inquiry. “A present?” He didn't respond, and handed her into the car, closed the door, and walked around to the other side.
He got in, reached across the seat to open the glove compartment, and brought out a small bag.
"What is it?"
He smiled and pulled out a box and then a tube. “We're going to my apartment. I hope you don't mind? I have something special planned."
She watched as he removed a long cylindrical object from the box. Her eyes widened, and she darted a quick look at him. She knew what it was, she'd seen pictures. It was a vibrator of some kind.
"Daimaen?"
His white teeth flashed in the darkness of the night. She couldn't see his expression. “You'll enjoy it. I promise you.” He leaned over and kissed her. “Move your pretty bottom to the edge of the seat and lean back."
"I-I don't know about this."
He stopped, his face close to hers, serious. “Do you trust me, Sylvie? I mean, really trust me?"
She hesitated for only a second. “Yes, Daimaen, I trust you."
"Then you'll do whatever I ask, no questions."
Her stomach knotted as she studied his face for a moment. Again, it was from anticipation and not fear. Understanding the difference, she nodded her head. “Yes. I'll do whatever you ask."
"Spread your legs for me, love. I know you're already wet. It should slide in and fill you very nicely.” His voice slid over her, a whisper of hot, smooth breath. “Think of it as an appetizer. You like appetizers, don't you, Sylvie?"
She closed her eyes and leaned back against the seat. She felt the cold object glide smoothly between her heated lips. He teased her mouth with his tongue, as with agonizing slowness he pushed the vibrator deeper into her hot channel. She moaned as it stretched and filled her. And then she felt the vibration, and her eyes flew open and met his.
He helped her sit up and checked her seatbelt. “Daimaen,” she gasped. “Oh God..."
Daimaen moved back to start the car. “You're not to come until I tell you, Sylvie. Do you understand?"
She couldn't believe he wanted her to wait; she was already on the edge. She'd never felt anything like this before, her whole body hummed in response to the vibrations.
"I have it on a low setting. Relax, and sit back. But do not come. It's only a short distance to my apartment.” He pulled out of the parking lot.
She nodded, sweat already breaking out on her body. She, who'd never come in the last thirty-two years of her life, now needed to come more than she thought possible, and he told her not to. All right, she could control this. She would do this. She panted as another wave of need consumed her. OhmyGod. What the thing was doing to her. Lust such as she'd never felt before, engulfed her.
"How much farther?” she asked tightly. “Oh, God...” she moaned. She tried to concentrate on anything other than the fact that the fire inside her was ready to explode. Damn him! But she'd show him control, she'd show him ... Oh, God! She wasn't going to last much longer.
CHAPTER 10
Daimaen pulled into the parking spot beneath his building. The garage was silent. They were alone in the echoing quiet of night. He pulled the key from the ignition and turned to her. She was bathed by the soft yellow shimmer of the security lights, her hunger evident in every tense line of her lush body.
She exuded a sexual aura of wanton need. In the silence, her uneven panting as she tried to retain control, washed through him. The fact that she tried so hard not to come as the vibrations continued to stroke and nurture that very desire, pleased him. And she did it because he'd asked it of her.
He leaned toward her, brushing his hand along the silky veil of her hair, noticing the faint shimmer of her damp skin. Inhaling her scent of arousal mingled with the light perfume she wore, he unhooked her seatbelt. She turned to look up at him. Her eyes were dark with desire, almost black.
"Are you ready to come, Sylvie?” He ran a hand along her damp, warm thigh, then back up beneath the silk of her dress, to the source of her fragrant nectar.
"Daimaen, please...” It was the throaty purr of a kitten needing to be petted, handled, fed.
"Shift to the front of the seat."
Inching forward, she poised at the edge, waiting for him. His fingers slid through her juices, her lips were engorged, her clit tight and swollen. Turning the vibrator off, he pulled it out until only its tip remained to tease. Swirling at her slick entrance, he then thrust forward, deep, then out again.
"Now, Sylvie, come for me now,” he commanded as he thrust home one last time.
Tensing, she arched, her head thrown back, and she screamed her completion into the dense, close air cocooning them within its embrace. He held her, absorbing her shudders of pleasure, until she collapsed boneless against him. Removing the vibrator, he tossed it aside, and pulled her across his lap. Her arms slid up and around his neck, her head nestled just beneath his chin. She fit him perfectly..
The need to be inside her swamped him, to feel her sheath surround him with her velvet heat. He'd waited, building her passion, anticipating her submission, knowing his patience would be rewarded.
As he stroked her hair, her body yielded to his touch and he caressed her until she quieted and lay silently against him.
Sylvie was his complement, and he'd known it that first night. Tonight he'd take her farther, teach her what she yearned for, and only he could fulfill.
Daimaen had never thought much about long-term commitments, but Sylvie made him think about many things. He wanted—no, needed—to bind her to him in every way. For the first time in his life, he felt a shadow of fear at the thought of losing something.
"Did you like the appetizer?” he teased her and felt her lips curve against his neck.
"I'm not quite sure I've ever enjoyed an appetizer quite as much. Food pales in comparison.” She raised her head. “Why is that, Daimaen? Why is it only you make me feel complete ... make me want to be everything to you ... do anything you ask? I don't understand, and it frightens me."
"Why does it frighten you? We're good together, and it will only get better."
"If it gets any better, you'll kill me. But, seriously, I don't understand what we have going for us here. Everything is happening so fast.” She brought a hand up to stroke the line of his jaw with a feather-light touch. “Don't get me wrong, I like how you make me feel—"
"Like?"
"Okay, I love how you make me feel. I don't like the thought that I would enjoy you whipping me, like I've read about. It frightens me."
"Because you think it means you're unbalanced in some way?"
She nodded. He placed his index finger beneath her chin and lifted her head until he could see her eyes. “Is it your feelings about your father that still bother you? Do you really think I'm like him?"
"No,” she whispered. “I don't think you're like him. I guess I just need time to come to terms with the person I thought I was, and who you are showing me that I am.” She sighed. “I don't think it's you I'm fighting so much as myself. As an adult, once I left my father's house, I've always maintained control of my life. I've never trusted anyone the way I trust you. Almost from the first moment we met, it was like something inside me recognized you. How is it that you and Allison seem to know more about me than I do?"
"You've been hiding. That's all. I've just helped to bring you out from the shadows. You were meant to be mine. Don't you believe in fate? At least to some extent? Everything I do is to give you pleasure. You're still uninitiated—unaware, if you will, as to what that entails. You've never trusted anyone enough to reveal your true self. Tonight you'll find out what I mean."
He carefully returned her to the passenger's seat, got out and walked around the car. Before helping her out of the car, he leaned down and captured her lips. “Come with me, it's time for the main course."
She looked up at him with wide eyes as he drew her upwards. “The main course? And what would that be?"
Daimaen smiled and pulled her close to him, leading her to the elevators. “Why, you, of course."
* * * *
On shaky legs, Sylvie stepped into Daimaen's apartment. Once inside, he led her into the spacious living room and turned on a small brass lamp. “Remove your dress and hand it to me,” he instructed her. She didn't know what to expect, and her hands shook as she removed the silky confection.
"Do you remember how I asked you to kneel earlier this evening?"
Sylvie nodded her head. “Is that what you want me to do ... Daimaen?” She only just remembered to tack on his name.
He laid her dress over the back of a chair. “Yes, it's called the attention position. You'll need to remember it."
The need to say no and assert her control warred with her fiery desire building inside her to submit. As gracefully as possible, she dropped to her knees to assume the correct position and clasped her hands behind her back. “Is this what you want?” she asked in a low voice.
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