by Serena Grey
Also by Serena Grey
A Dangerous Man
Awakening
Rebellion
Rebellion
A Dangerous Man #2
Serena Grey
This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, and have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is purely coincidental.
REBELLION: A DANGEROUS MAN #2
Copyright © 2013 by Serena Grey.
All rights reserved.
Raven§Press
Contents
Contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
About The Author
Teaser
For MNC
You I love, always.
Acknowledgements
Beta readers, ARC reviewers, Book bloggers... not necessarily in that order,
Terri Thomas at mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com for her tremendous insight,
And all the lovely readers who took a chance on a new author,
Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you.
Chapter One
THE JOURNEY TO SEATTLE IS SILENT. Steve, the chauffeur, keeps his eyes on the road, and David, my husband - I still can’t believe he’s my husband - studies some papers on his lap, totally ignoring me.
I can’t stop looking at his face in profile, his straight nose, firm jaw and thick, wavy hair. He really is perfect, I think, captivated.
It’s still hard to believe that this man, who I only met three days ago, is my husband, and that I am leaving the life I have always known to go with him to his home, his city, his life, of which I know nothing. I don’t care though, I feel as if I’ve been trapped in a box for years, and he has shown me what it means to fly.
Between his reading and the brief, authoritative phone calls he’s made, he hasn’t looked at me at all. It’s unfair, especially since I can’t take my eyes off him. I don’t understand how he can make such wonderful love to me, tease me until I’m blushing, and in the next moment, act as if I don’t even exist.
Feeling suddenly insecure, I look away from him. I can almost hear Aunt Josephine’s voice, telling me how foolish I am. ‘Have you stopped to ask yourself why a man like him would marry a girl like you? Don’t you think he has an ulterior motive?’
I push the doubting thoughts away. What ulterior motive could he possibly have? I’m neither rich nor successful, nor exceptionally beautiful. In fact, I was the one who begged him not to leave me.
Turning back to look at him, I see that he’s still engrossed in his reading. As I watch his strong fingers flip through his papers, my mind drifts to last night, our wedding night, and I feel my skin heat up. Last night, I was the one he was engrossed in.
After the short ceremony, we all went back to the hotel where he was staying for drinks and dinner. Halfway through dinner, which I was too tense to eat, he suddenly stood up, and announced to our few guests that he was retiring for the night with his new wife.
The look in his eyes had filled me with such want that I almost couldn’t stand. The next thing I knew, he picked me up and carried me out of the restaurant and into the elevator, amidst self-conscious cheers from our guests.
We were alone in the elevator, and as soon as the doors closed, he claimed my lips, his tongue delving hungrily in my mouth. His hands found their way under my dress and started to knead me gently through my new lace panties. I was whimpering with pleasure by the time we reached his floor.
Then he lifted me again and carried me to his room. Someone, probably his assistant, Linda, had arranged for wine in an ice bucket, and strawberries. He ignored those. He dropped me, barely able to stand, at the foot of the bed and pulled down the zipper of my dress, pulling it off my shoulder along with the straps of my bra.
When my breasts were free, he covered them with his hands. I moaned softly as he massaged them gently, arousing me until I fell against him, and he had to guide me unto the bed.
He pulled my dress up around my waist and pushed my panties aside, then his tongue was between my legs, and I was moaning and whimpering, my fingers clutching his hair. In only a few moments, my body was pulsing uncontrollably, shattering around his mouth. Then he stopped suddenly. While I was still wondering why, he pulled down his pants and in the next moment, he had filled me completely.
I came immediately, crying out as the warm sweetness shattered my body into a million pieces, then as he continued to move, I felt the pleasure build up again, heat starting up in my core and spreading until even my fingertips were filled with pleasure. I screamed my release the same moment as he groaned loudly and collapsed on top of me.
Then I said it. I love you.
And he didn’t say anything.
~§~§~§~§~
The pleasure of my memories fades into a faint heartache. No matter how I think about it, I can’t find a way to convince myself that I shouldn’t be worried about his silence after I said those words.
How does he feel about me?
I have no answer to my question. It’s scary, especially because my own feelings have taken over every part of me. It’s as if I’ve stepped off the edge of a cliff, and even though my heart’s in my mouth and my stomach is in knots, I’m the most excited I’ve ever been in my life. I’m totally enthralled by him. I want him, every part of him, and I desperately want him to feel the same way about me.
“If you keep staring at me like that I’m going to think you’re having second thoughts already.” His deep voice cuts into my thoughts. He is looking at me, his blue eyes probing into mine, and his perfect lips curved into a faint smile.
I stare helplessly at him for a moment, my skin flushing. He is so insanely beautiful to look at. Will I ever get used to being around all that perfection? It doesn’t seem likely. Right now, he looks enticing, dangerous, and incredibly sexy. His snowy white shirt is open at the collar, exposing the strong column of his throat. His dark hair curls softly into the back of his collar, making me want to run my fingers through it, and his dark blue pants stretch over the long length of his legs. Just from looking at him, my fingers are itching to touch him. I want him so much. I don’t think I’ll ever stop wanting him.
“I’m not having second thoughts.” I deny softly. Second thoughts are the farthest thing from my mind. I just wish I knew how he felt about me. If I did, then maybe I wouldn’t feel so out of my depth. Next to his perfection, his obvious wealth, his incredibly good looks, I can’t help feeling extremely ordinary.
His eyes linger on my face for a moment, as if he’s reading my thoughts in my expression. He puts a hand on my thigh and strokes it lightly, in a gesture that should be reassuring but only fills my mind with images of the things those hands have done to me.
“Don’t worry,” He says, turning back to his work, his hand still on my thigh. He sounds relaxed, his voice faintly teasing. “I promise I don’t have a firing squad waiting for you.”
“That’s not what I was thinking.” I reply with a self-conscious laugh.
“Then what are you so afraid of? An underground torture chamber?”
“No.” I protest. “Of course not, I was just thinking that I know so little about you.”
He chuckles as he turns back to me, and one of his eyebrows rises just a little higher than the other. “Really,” His eyes dip to my lips, and stay there for a second before rising back to my eyes, with a teasing and unmistakably sensual look. “I would say you know a lot about me, Sop
hie.”
I don’t miss his meaning, and I blush fiercely. We’ve spent the last twenty-four hours more naked in bed than out of it. The memories are enough to make my body clench with helpless desire. I cast an embarrassed glance towards Steve, but he is totally occupied with driving, his eyes straight ahead.
“I meant... about your life, your work...” I can’t stop stammering. I look up at David in despair. Around him, I’ve obviously lost the ability to be coherent.
He studies me as I trip over my tongue. “You’re charming.” He says, amusement dancing on his lips. The compliment only makes me blush harder, and I bend my face to hide my flaming cheeks.
He puts a hand under my chin and lifts up my face, so I’m looking at him. “Don’t hide your face when you blush,” His voice is soft and compelling. “I like it.”
I nod helplessly. With his fingers under my chin and his blue eyes doing things to my heart, it’s not as if I can refuse him anything.
I’m still thinking of what to say when he bends over to brush his lips across mine in the lightest of kisses. I lean into it, as pleasure flutters through my body. By the time he lifts his head, my whole body is shaking with anticipation. I can’t believe how much I want him. Nobody told me it would be like this. My body feels as if it’s in a permanent state of sexual hunger.
“We’ll be home soon.” He says, his eyes dark with desire. It’s as if he can read my mind and knows exactly what I want.
I can’t wait.
Chapter Two
I FALL ASLEEP SOON AFTER, LULLED by the steady hum of the car engine. When I wake up, my head is resting on David’s shoulder, and he is stroking my hair, his fingers gentle and soothing. I realize that the car is no longer moving. I open my eyes and sit up, wondering how long I’ve been asleep.
“I was beginning to think I would have to kiss you to get you to wake up.” His hand leaves my hair. “You were very determined to use me as a pillow.” He adds wryly. I wonder if he is teasing me, but I can’t tell from his face.
I stretch self-consciously and smooth my hair. Steve is already opening the door on my side, so I step out of the car, looking around to get a feel of my surroundings.
We’re parked on a tree-lined street, in front of a towering stone and glass apartment block. I have to crane my neck to try to see all of it. The walls are cream stone, and the glass gleams blue in the sun. It’s massive and yet elegantly beautiful.
Right in front of me, a pair of glass double doors stands under a wide curved awning. As I take it in, David comes to my side, slipping his hand around my waist with a touch that is both firm and proprietary. As always, I immediately respond to the contact, my skin tingling where I can feel the pressure of his fingers.
He starts to lead me inside. When we reach the entrance, a doorman holds the door open.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Preston, Mr. Preston.” The man greets me with a smile as David and I step inside the building. I look at him in surprise, and smile back. “Good afternoon.” I reply, inexplicably pleased at being addressed by my new name.
“Thank you Jimmy.” David’s voice is curt. He doesn’t pause. His hand on my waist urges me forward, and I follow him into the spacious lobby.
I take a second to look around, taking in the magnificent space. The floors are perfect gleaming marble, so well-polished that I can see my reflection when I look down. The walls are richly detailed and paneled, and the ceiling is at least two-storeys high, and adorned with a sparkling crystal chandelier. Everything carries an air of unmistakable luxury.
I would stand and admire, but David’s hand at my waist is firm and insistent, and I have no choice but to follow him. I turn a questioning glance at him, wondering at his haste, but his face is impassive. I assume he has no time to watch me appreciate the beauty that’s probably commonplace to him.
The man at the front desk gives us a greeting too, also calling me Mrs. Preston, and making me wonder if Linda has been passing a picture of me around. We acknowledge him without stopping as David leads me further towards the elevators. In only a matter of moments, we’ve crossed the lobby and are in the private elevator that leads to his penthouse apartment.
As the doors close, he turns to me, and using his body, presses me against the wall, pinning my arms at my sides. His face is only inches from mine, and the desire in his eyes turns my bones to liquid. I swallow hard as my body heats up from the close contact with his. Then his lips dip, and he claims my senses in a scorching kiss.
I open my lips to him, hungry for him, and hungry for more.
“I’m going to make love to you until your voice is hoarse from screaming my name.” He promises softly when we come up for air, making my heart pound with excitement, his sudden passion erasing any doubts I have had in the past hour. He kisses me again. “Your lips are so soft.” He whispers huskily. He continues to kiss me, his lips tracing a path from the sensitive spot below my ear, down to where the neckline of my blouse covers the top of my breasts, which are heavy and aching with need. My breath starts to come in short moans. I want him here, now.
He straightens with a low chuckle. “Don’t be in such a rush, sweetheart,” His voice is gently teasing, “We’re almost there.”
I don’t understand how he can be so calm, when the torrent of need flowing through me has made me almost incapable of speech. My hands are shaking with the need to touch him, even the sound of his voice is like an aphrodisiac, stirring me on. I take a deep breath to steady myself.
The bell dings and the doors open into an immaculate foyer, which is bigger than the living room of my apartment back in Ashford. The honey-toned wall paneling complements the perfectly finished dark wood floors, and lovely paintings of subjects ranging from wildflowers to waterfalls add definition to the walls. At one end of the room, a set of polished wood double doors lead out into a large living room.
It’s exceptionally beautiful. On two sides, the walls are windows, with exquisite views of the Sound, the city, the Mountains beyond, and many landmarks I can’t yet identify. A couple of artfully placed rugs cover the polished wood floors. In the perfectly arranged lounge area, there are two comfortable looking couches and a window seat, where I can instantly see myself curled up and reading. Further inside, in another carpeted area, there is a large dining table, with a vase of beautifully arranged flowers sitting on top of the gleaming wood surface.
Everything is perfect. “Wow.” I breathe, entranced. “It’s so beautiful.”
He nuzzles my neck, sending a quiver of pleasure flowing across my body, reminding me of our unfinished business in the elevator, my body responds immediately, but then he straightens, leaving me feeling a little disappointed.
I don’t notice the smallish, middle-aged woman until I hear her voice. “Good afternoon.” She says. Startled at the intrusion, I turn around, and see her standing behind us. “Welcome to Seattle, Mrs. Preston.” She continues.
She is smiling at me, her face open and friendly. I smile back. “Thank you.”
“Sophie, this is Mrs. Daniels, your housekeeper.” David introduces us as the elevator bell dings and Steve comes in, carrying David’s suitcase and my luggage as if they weigh nothing.
“Come on,” David turns to me, “let me show you the rest of the apartment. Mrs. Daniels will unpack your things.”
I nod, wondering as Steve carries my luggage further into the apartment, if I’ll ever get used to people doing things for me that I’ve always done by myself.
I let David lead me through the rest of his home, my new home. I can’t help being excited that I’m going to live in this insanely beautiful place. Beyond the dining area is a modern kitchen, with equipment I can’t even identify, let alone use. It has a marble-topped island in the middle, and a comfortable looking breakfast nook for four.
There is more. David’s study, with dark wood wall paneling and a soft dark rug, bookshelves filled with books, and another set of floor to ceiling windows, which provide more spectacular views of the city,
Two guest bedrooms that look beautiful, if unused, and a staircase that leads to a private terrace with a sparkling blue swimming pool.
I already know that he is rich, but this is luxury. “It’s more beautiful than I imagined.” I tell him, enchanted with it all.
He doesn’t reply, instead he leads me down the hall to the last door, the door to the master suite. He places his hand on the door handle and smiles at me. “Are you ready to see your room, Mrs. Preston?”
My heart quickens. “I believe I am, Mr. Preston.”
He chuckles and opens the door into a huge bedroom.
A soft rug covers the entire floor, and the windows are hung from floor to ceiling with long white drapes. There are two armchairs and a coffee table in a corner, and a dressing table with a wide mirror. But it’s the bed that catches my attention. It is huge, perfectly made and very inviting, taking up most of the space on one side of the room. It’s a bed to roll around in, a bed to make love in. I step towards it, moving almost involuntarily.
At the foot of the bed, I stop and run my hands along the soft linen bedspread. I turn to see if David is following me, and find that he is right behind me.
His face dips to the back of my neck, moving my hair out of the way, as he uses his lips to tease the sensitive skin. “Do you like it?” He whispers, his voice is unmistakably sensual.
I arch my neck, exposing more of my skin to his lips. “Yes.” I whisper.
He pulls me to him, his hands circling my waist, and molding my body against his. Sighing softly, I lean back, pressing myself against his hard body. I feel his erection against the back of my thighs and my body clenches in sweet need. I moan softly.
“You’re an aphrodisiac.” He murmurs in my ear, his voice husky. “I want you every minute,” His hands finds my breasts through my clothes and start to rub them gently from behind.
I close my eyes, luxuriating in the feel of his hands and the sound of his voice. His hands roam down from my breasts to my thighs. Gripping the hem of my skirt, he pulls it up until it’s around my waist. I feel the cool air on my exposed flesh, then his hands, warm, strong, caressing the softness of my butt, until the heat building between my legs is a pulsing, raging fire, and I want so much more.