Fragile Innocence

by Dani René

  Dressed in an exquisite charcoal Armani suit and a crisp white dress shirt, he looks like he should be on the cover for the most eligible bachelor. And he probably is.

  “Ella.” He holds out a hand while rolling my name off his tongue as if its taste is the only thing he needs to survive. There’s a husky tone to his voice, reminding me of a smoky scotch.

  “Carter.” Lifting my mouth into a shy smile, I slip my hand in his and we make our way out to the car.

  “You look lovely. Are you sure you’re not going to be cold?” He assesses me with a gaze that screams desire, but I don’t recoil. Instead, I shiver with anticipation.

  “I’ll survive,” I quip as his driver opens the door, allowing me into the sleek, black SUV. Once I’m seated comfortably, he joins me shifting close enough to have our thighs touching. The heat of his body warms me instantly. “Thank you for picking me up. I could have taken a cab.” I sneak a glance at him, taking in his masculine profile.

  “I wanted to see you again. What better way to spend the morning on my way to work than with a beautiful woman?” he says with a poised elegance. He’s quiet for a moment as if choosing his words carefully, then continues, “Also, I figured it’s a good way to get to know you.” The side of his mouth lifts playfully and he turns his gaze on me.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “What’s your favorite food?” The question isn’t what I’m expecting, but he looks like he truly wants to know.

  “Sushi.” My answer earns me a handsome grin.

  “Very interesting,” is all he murmurs before turning to the window, but my shallow breaths can be heard in the silence. How can two words disarm me so much? “Do you enjoy the outdoors, or do you prefer staying in?”

  I consider his question for a moment before answering. “Both. It depends on my mood. There are times I love being outdoors, and sometimes, it’s nice to relax on the sofa, with a good book and a glass of wine.”

  “Mmm,” he hums, the sound smooth and decadent, as if he’s trying to blanket me in it. “What about your favorite movie?” He smirks the question, sending a flurry of butterflies to my belly.

  Once again, the question isn’t something I’d think he’d ask, which makes me smile. “There are so many amazing movies. I don’t think I could choose just one.” I glance at him, and it’s true. I’ve never had a favorite movie, but there are some that tug at my heart that I could watch over and over again.

  “And your favorite fairy tale? Don’t tell me it’s Cinderella.” This time he laughs, a full throaty one and I can’t stop my own giggle. He’s infectious in a way I was missing for so long.

  “I suppose that would be one that could tell my story, although I never had a stepmother who was evil.” I shrug, realizing I’m once again giving away more than I should.

  “So, you have a tendency of running away from handsome men, Princess?” he murmurs.

  “Who said you were handsome?” This time I tease him, earning myself a smile that lights up his face. The attraction between us is evident.

  “Well”—he shifts on the bench seat to face me—“you seem to be affected by me,” he whispers knowingly, his knuckles feathering over my cheek, “and I’m certainly affected by you.” He leans in and his lips brush the sensitive spot behind my ear, causing a shudder to wrack through me. My heart catapults itself into my throat, choking me with emotion.

  He sits back and I miss his warmth. Before he has time to ask another question or I have time to respond, the car pulls up to the offices of Ainsworth International. Carter opens his door and exits the vehicle. Turning, he offers me his hand, which I accept. As soon as mine slips into his, electricity jolts through me, setting my body alight with want.

  Once I’m beside him on the sidewalk, he releases me and I immediately miss his touch. What’s wrong with me? We walk, side by side, toward the entrance. Entering together, I find Lizzie’s glance trained on us. “Mr. Hamilton, good morning.” She offers a shy smile, then turns her attention on me. “Ella, you’ve got a meeting with a new client today. Mr. Hernandez. It’s in your diary.”

  I nod graciously as we pass. “Thank you, Lizzie.” I know she’ll be asking why I’ve arrived with him this morning and I think my boss will be wondering the same thing. At the elevator, Carter pushes the button, waiting beside me as the numbers light up. The air is alive, swirling, heavy with want.

  Silver doors slide open, allowing us to enter the empty car.

  “I’m glad you agreed to my offer, Ella. I’d like to see more of you. Besides our dinner, of course. Perhaps I can give you a ride every morning to work?” Carter doesn’t look at me. He talks to the doors, but it feels as if his heated gaze is on me.

  Darting my eyes to him, I take in the profile of the man beside me.

  Poised, elegant, handsome. Unbelievably so.

  His tanned skin seems darker with the dusting of stubble on his jaw. His black hair, dark as night, has me itching to tangle my finger through the thick, silky strands.

  “I think I’d like that.” My response is nothing more than a whisper, but he hears. And just like that, I’ve given him a sliver of trust. More than I’ve given any man, ever.

  Once we reach the top floor, the elevator spits us out and I head directly to my desk, while Carter follows behind me. He leans in as I drop my bag, his cologne once again engulfing me in its safety.

  “I’ll collect you when you’re finished with work this afternoon. Till later, Ella.”

  And with that he turns on his heel and strolls confidently to Bennett’s office and disappears behind the thick wooden door, shutting it with a resounding click.

  Bennett

  The door shuts and I drag my attention away from the email up to my best friend. His smirk is enough to tell me something happened. And if something happened, I know I’m in for the whole sordid story.

  Details, he loves details.

  “And? You’re not going to tell me you’ve already gotten into those knickers of hers, are you?”

  He unties the button on his suit jacket and settles in the champagne-colored suede chair opposite my desk. He rests one ankle over the opposite knee, looking ever the playboy he’s known to be.

  “I didn’t fuck her, but”—he pauses for dramatic effect—“I’m taking her for dinner tomorrow night,” he confesses with pride, confidence shining in his smirk. “We’ll soon have her tangled in our web. I assure you. However, I did learn that our girl is utterly broken. She’s fearful of something.”

  “What do you think it is?” Concern drips from my every word.

  He glances at the window, concentrating on the city. His eyes give it away. He likes her. I haven’t seen him care for someone before. Not like this.

  “I’m not sure. She doesn’t like talking about her family. I have a feeling that might be the reason,” he tells me earnestly.

  My heart constricts. I haven’t spent enough time with her, but if he’s this worried about her, then I am too.

  “I’ll talk to her today. We are meeting with a client then I’ll take her to lunch. What are you doing here anyway?”

  He shrugs and pushes off the chair, rising to full height. “I needed an excuse to be alone with her after yesterday, so I told her I was coming to see you.” His confession has me shaking my head.

  “Starting off with lies isn’t a good idea. Perhaps you should be honest with her. There’s no need for you to be fucking with her head, especially if she’s so broken.” I admonish him as if he were a child, but I hate when he plays his games with women.

  “It’s not her head I’m interested in right now.” He regards me and I wait for him to tell me he’s about to fuck her and chuck her when he continues, “I want her secrets.”

  “What?” Surprise is evident in my tone.

  Without meeting my eyes, he’s still focused on the window that overlooks the city below. “I want to see what she holds in her heart, Bennett.”

  “You think she’ll want that? To date you
, or us?” My question is incredulous and the shock on my face must be evident.

  “Yes.” He sounds confident that this woman who’s seemingly fragile is going to want to date two men. “She’s hiding something and I intend to find out what it is. Her trust is non-existent, so I need your help.” He glances at me then.

  “You’re the one who handles the first two steps,” I tell him, but I know what he wants. We’ve done this before. Broken a girl down together and helped her heal.

  His blue eyes pin me, meeting my green ones with earnest. “She’ll submit to us, allow us in. If she can trust both of us, there’s no telling what we can do. We both need this, Bennett. You know that as much as I do. This time, we need to play it differently.”

  It takes a lot for Carter Hamilton to change the rules like this. It’s not in his nature to confess he’s not capable of doing something on his own. He’s every bit a dominant even when he can’t admit it. Or doesn’t want to admit it.

  Ella is incredibly beautiful. I know I can easily sway her. She just needs to learn what we are to each other. But, since my best friend needs me, I’m game.

  “Fine, I’ll do it.”

  * * *

  When Carter left, I didn’t see Ella at her desk and I knew she was in the meeting with Alejandro Hernandez. One of London’s poster boys, perfect, straight-laced, and the name on all women’s lips. I’ve known him for about six months, or should I say, known of him. He’s been topping the most eligible bachelor list alongside my best friend for a couple of months now.

  “Bennett.” Ella’s sultry voice comes from the doorway.

  When I lift my gaze to skim over her body, I find myself hardening for a taste. Carter’s right, I do want her, and I’ve seen her body respond to me. Her eyes are like windows into her mind and right now, it’s as if the sun is shining through them.

  Dressed in office attire this woman could walk a fucking runway, and I imagine her in nothing but some lace knickers and a bra to match and my desire skyrockets.

  “How did the meeting with Mr. Hernandez go?” I question. Crooking my fingers, I call her to me. She’s submissive. Her body reeks of it, because at my order, her eyelids flutter and she obeys. Easily, without question, she just does it.

  Carter must have noticed. That’s why he’s so adamant to own her. To claim her.

  She sighs. “It went well, but…”

  I watch as she settles herself in the seat Carter was in earlier.

  “He’s being stubborn about signing the purchase agreement. He wants another week to think it over. I did, however, manage to talk him into doing it in three days, but that’s as far as he’d budge.” She’s incredible.

  “I’m impressed, Ms. Carmel. That’s something I haven’t been able to do with that man. Tell me”—I lean forward, holding her hostage with one look—“what did you agree to do for him that got him to drop his week to three days?”

  “He asked me to put in a good word with Lizzie.” She shrugs then drops her gaze to the floor.

  So damn submissive, it’s beautiful.

  “And does my receptionist know this?” Tipping my head to the side, I watch her cheeks flush and she nods. I realize she has a nervous tick when she runs her finger over her lips. At the moment, she’s got her thumb swiping back and forth on her plump lower lip and it’s hypnotic.

  “I’ve spoken to her, she does like him, but she’s shy to talk to him.” She shrugs, sitting back.

  I watch her blouse strain against her breasts and I’m dying to feel how those amazing tits fit in my hands.

  “Okay, I’ve got a proposal for you.” Lifting my mouth into a smirk, I watch her dark brows lift in question. “There’s a charity event tomorrow night. I’d like to take you. Not a date. It’s purely professional. There are people I need to introduce you to, and Carter will be there, so you’ll be able to spend time with him, see him in his element.”

  She tips her head to the side and watches me, narrowing her gaze. This is what Hamilton and I agreed to. It’s her first test and I wonder if she’ll pass.

  Shaking her head in confusion, she responds, “But I’ve been invited to dinner with Carter tomorrow night.” Her fingers lace through each other. There’s a slight tremble that travels through her.

  Rising, I stalk to the other side of my desk. As soon as I near her, the soft scent of orange blossoms assaults my nose. Delicious and sweet.

  “Yes, that will be after the dinner. You’ll join him before the event, and me at the event.” It already sounds like the perfect plan to get her into our bed.

  “Okay, is this going to be formal?” she questions with a small smile and I nod.

  “Yes, it’s black tie. Since it’s a business event I’m inviting you to, I’ll be paying for everything. Since this is quite sudden, with it being tomorrow night, I want you to leave early, take the company credit card, and purchase an outfit, dress, shoes, whatever accessories you’ll need.”

  I wanted to take her for lunch, but this is even better. We’ll both play with her tomorrow night until she’s begging for more. I pull my wallet from my pocket and pull out the black credit card. No limit. Her eyes pop open wide as she regards the plastic.

  “Thank you, Bennett. I appreciate that.”

  When I hand her the card my fingertips brush against her fingers and a small shiver runs through her. It’s slight, but I see it. I’ve been with too many women not to know all those little tells. And this right here is Ella’s when she’s turned on. I know that because her pupils have dilated and her cheeks are flushed.

  “I’ll see you later, Ella. I have a meeting downtown and I’ll head straight home after.” She nods and rises, holding on to the card.

  “Take care, and”—she glances at me over her shoulder with those alluring pools—“thank you.” With that, she walks out with her hips swaying hypnotically and I’m hard for her.

  I need to fuck her.

  I’m hungry and she’ll satiate that pang soon enough.

  Ella

  My dinner with Carter, followed by the charity function with Bennett is tonight. To say I’m nervous would be an understatement. The floor-length dress I bought is black lace, with a silk lining that covers my intimate areas. It’s got a low cut back. It’s elegant, understated, and sleek. Hugging my curves, but not showing too much skin.

  I hold it up against my chin and glance at my appearance in the mirror. I haven’t worn something so risqué before because I’ve always felt self-conscious when people—men—look at me, but with Carter and Bennett it’s different. With them I feel safe.

  Pulling my underwear drawer open, I grab a matching set of charcoal lingerie. A night of silk and lace seems to be the order of the day. It’s dark in the room with the moon being hidden behind some clouds. My heart leaps into my throat.

  Fear grips me so suddenly, I lose my breath. A smell wafts into the apartment from the open terrace door, a familiar scent. My mind races with images I’d buried. My body shudders with revulsion and I’m transported to that fearful sixteen-year-old girl once again.

  I’m strong. I’m strong. I’m strong.

  The mantra doesn’t help because as I step into the main area of the bedroom, I find the terrace doors still open. My gaze settles on my bed. The sight assaults me, sending me into a black hole. In the dark, the vile monster is there, clawing his way toward me. It’s in my head. It’s not real. But it continues to drag me, like a hand gripping my ankle and pulling me along with the evil, the dark, and the sinister.

  Dropping to my knees, I stare at the object. A non-descript shiny, sparkly object that looks just like I remember it. The only problem is… I don’t want to remember it.

  * * *

  “Do you like your present, Snowflake?” His cold gray eyes stare at me.

  My mother is in the living room. If I scream she’ll hear me, but I know she won’t believe me. I’ve become a prisoner in my bedroom and all I want to do is escape. He leans in. Stale breath from his lunch fans over my face
and my body convulses as I wretch.

  “Fucking answer me, little whore.” Spittle sprays over my face as he hisses.

  “Yes, yes, I do.” My hands are shaking and I’m scared that I’m about to drop the fucking thing. It’s shiny, and when you shake it the white particles are meant to imitate snow. Small buildings within the globe, one I recognize as Buckingham Palace, and there’s a tiny red bus inside as well. I wonder if I could ever run away to another country where he couldn’t find me.

  Before he can continue, my mother walks into my room, oblivious to the scene before her. It’s as if she’s drugged and can’t face reality. “I’m heading to bed, you two.” She leans in and kisses me on the forehead before giving her husband a kiss on the lips. His hands reach down and squeezes her against him, but when I glance up, his eyes are pinned on me.

  “Good night, Snowflake.” They turn and leave me in my room.

  Placing the globe on my nightstand, I get under the covers and face the window so I can drown in the dark outside. As I stare at the moon, I promise myself one day I’m going to fly away, to London, where he can’t find me. But will I ever be safe from him?

  My eyes snap open and I feel him behind me. I must have fallen asleep. My hands are bound to the bed and I can’t see in the dark. It’s only when I move my head that I realize there’s something covering my eyes. He’s blindfolded me.

  I’m strong, I’m strong. I’m strong.

  “Look at my pretty Snowflake.”

  I can feel the cold air on my skin which causes me to shiver. Rough, calloused hands grope me, pressing into my soft flesh. Tears burn behind the material and I whimper, begging through the material he’s stuffed in my mouth. I know what it is, but I don’t want the reality to set in just yet.

  Suddenly, the blindfold is ripped away and I watch him use it to tie one ankle to the foot end of my bed. He uses a scarf to tie the other ankle and I’m now naked and spread open to his disgusting glare.