by Banks, Maya
With a satisfied smile, she lowered her mouth to where she grasped his cock and slid her mouth over the head, allowing her tongue to dance around the ridge and linger along the backside where the plump vein traveled the length of his erection.
A long hiss escaped his lips and he arched upward, seeking more of her mouth.
“God, Mia.”
His voice was so strained that his words were barely discernible.
She smiled, a confident, smug smile that said she knew for once the power had shifted to her. He was right where she wanted him. Putty in her hands. He wanted her desperately and he seemed content to let her do anything she wanted.
Anything.
It was like laying out a chocolate buffet to a woman with PMS.
She sucked him deep, taking him to the very back of her throat. Then she swallowed around the head, squeezing and convulsing around him.
His groan was loud in her ears, and then his hands tangled in her hair and she grinned. It hadn’t taken him long to move his hands from where she’d placed them. But that was okay because the feeling of his hands in her hair was amazing. She loved the urgency with which his fingers tightened and pulled at the strands.
But he still let her dictate the action. He didn’t pull her down onto his cock. His hands just remained twisted in her hair like he had to have something to do with them or he’d go crazy.
She sucked her way down his length and then glided upward, leaving a damp trail over the silky-soft skin.
“Holy shit,” Gabe breathed. “Goddamn, Mia. That’s it, baby. Take it deep. Love it when you swallow around me like that.”
She took him deep, until her nose met his flesh, and then she made a low sound of satisfaction that vibrated around his cock. His hold tightened in her hair and for the first time, he bucked upward, his entire body so tense that she could feel his muscles twitching.
When she could hold her breath no longer, she slid back up his cock and took deep, gulping breaths, her hand gripping him, fingers wrapped around his length, working him up and down as she stared into his eyes.
His gaze smoldered, blue smoke, filled with so much heat and desire and approval. Oh yeah, he loved what she was doing. With a smile, she kept hold of him and then inched her way forward, working up his thighs until she cradled the base of his cock in the V of her legs.
Then she rose up, tucking the head of his dick to her entrance, and without waiting, she slid down, embedding him deeply inside her with one smooth motion.
Gabe made a strangled sound, his hands going to her hips, his fingers digging deep as she settled more comfortable around his cock.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he said, his gaze drifting up and down her body.
His hands left her hips and lifted to cup her breasts, molding them in his palms while his thumbs brushed over the taut peaks. But this wasn’t about her. Not that she wasn’t thoroughly enjoying herself, but this was for him. All him.
She wanted to rock his entire universe. Wanted to firmly implant in his mind that he’d never want to allow another man to touch her—anyone to touch her.
With a sigh and tossing her hair back, she began to undulate, rocking back and forth, rising and then lowering herself. She could feel the tension radiating from him. Could see how taut his body was. How tight his jaw was clenched, and the strain around his mouth and eyes.
And then he closed his eyes.
“Eyes,” she said huskily, echoing the command he so often gave her. “I want to see your eyes when you come.”
His eyes flew open, pupils dilated and his nostrils flared, his jaw tightening. But his gaze didn’t leave her.
“Anything for you, baby.”
That made her happy. Really damn happy. A contented sigh whispered past her lips and she went liquidy soft around him.
She increased the speed and force of her movements, taking him higher and higher and closer to the edge until his jaw bulged, his eyes glittered and something unintelligible escaped raggedly from his lips.
She saw the moment he came. Even before she felt his release, she could see it in his eyes. The immense burst of fire, the way they momentarily blanked. Then his hands settled firmly at her waist and he gripped her so hard he’d leave marks.
But then one of his hands slipped even lower and his finger glided through her folds to her clit, stroking as she continued to rock over him.
When she began to close her eyes, his command was swift, for the first time asserting himself.
“Eyes. On me, Mia. When you come, I have your eyes.”
She focused on him, her orgasm rising, billowing with excruciating intensity. She was a restless wild thing atop him and now it was his turn to anchor her. To be that steady calm. He stroked his hand down her body while he gently pressed his fingers to her clit.
It was overwhelming. She didn’t even have the strength to remain upright as she began to come apart. She tensed and slumped forward and he gathered her in his arms, pulling her down, cradling her into his chest as her orgasm quaked over her, a sudden, fierce storm.
Gabe collected her against him, his mind reeling with what he’d just experienced. He was in awe. He was humbled. Most of all he was so damn grateful.
He had no words to describe what she’d just done for him. She’d made love to him. After what he’d done to her, that he still had her trust, much less her giving the gift of herself so selflessly.
He was overcome by what he held in his arms. Gripped by a possessiveness so fierce that he couldn’t comprehend it. He hated himself for what he’d done. And yet she didn’t. And that was almost more than he could bear.
She touched a part of him he’d thought was inaccessible. A part that had been jealously guarded for years. And she’d gotten there with no effort whatsoever. She’d walked into his life and heart like she belonged.
And the hell of it was that he was convinced she did.
chapter thirty-three
As traumatic an experience as Paris had been for her, in many ways, that night played a crucial turning point in their relationship. Gabe was even more fiercely protective of her and he displayed a tenderness—an emotional tenderness—that had been absent before.
It heartened Mia. Made her dare to dream that they could eventually be more than just a contract. She loved Gabe and she only fell more under his spell with every passing day. Love made her patient. It made her hopeful.
The only thing she regretted was that their relationship was secret. From the world. From Jace. Especially from Jace.
Jace had picked up on Mia’s upset when she and Gabe had returned from Paris. She hated having to lie to him when he asked her what was wrong. She’d played it off as a stomach bug and jet lag. Thank God for Caroline’s expertise with makeup. She’d been able to hide the evidence of her bruise until it faded.
Thanksgiving was approaching, and Gabe had been invited to his parents’ house for the occasion. As much as Gabe had mourned their breakup, he seemed to be struggling with their getting back together as well. There was betrayal in his eyes when he looked at his dad, and he was still fiercely protective of his mother. He blamed his father for hurting his mother.
Mia wasn’t sure of her own Thanksgiving plans. Gabe had seemed torn between spending the holiday with his parents and remaining with Mia. She’d insisted that he accept their invitation. It was only for a day. It was likely Mia would spend it with Jace provided he planned to be in town. If not, she’d hang out with Caro and her family.
Gabe didn’t like the idea of her spending the holiday away from him, but what was there for him to do about it? Unless he wanted to go public with their relationship—and so far he’d been solidly against that.
“Have you finished putting those bids in a presentation for my meeting with Jace and Ash?” Gabe asked from across the room.
Mia glanced up to see him staring at her, warmth and tenderness lighting his eyes. Yes, he’d definitely changed in his actions toward her. He’d become more…human. Someone she
believed could love her in return.
“Just finishing up,” she said. “There are spots for the other two bids. As soon as I receive them, I’ll input the information.”
Gabe nodded approvingly. “We’ll make our selection this week. It’s possible that I’ll need to return to Paris closer to Christmas. Would you want to go?”
That was another thing that had changed with Gabe. Before, he’d never asked her what she wanted to do or if she wanted to travel with him somewhere. He told her where he expected her to be. She hadn’t had a choice in any of it.
Now? Now he never demanded. Though she could often discern what he wanted her decision to be, he never made it for her.
“I’d love to go to Paris at Christmas,” she said, excitement squeaking in her voice.
He smiled, relief welling in his eyes. “I’ll make our arrangements and I’ll include an extra day so you can see anything we missed the first time.”
If she’d felt ridiculously spoiled before, it was to the point of absurdity now. He was a complete dream. So very attentive to her needs. Responsive to anything he perceived she wanted or needed.
It was an experience she thoroughly enjoyed. She savored every gentle touch, every look of concern, every attention to exacting detail where she was concerned.
Gabe’s phone rang, and he answered. She realized quickly it was his mother. His entire demeanor changed when he spoke to her.
He’d likely be a while. He and his mother had been talking more and more lately as she navigated the tricky waters of her reconciliation with Gabe’s dad. She relied heavily on Gabe for emotional support.
She checked her watch. It was past lunchtime and Gabe had been busy all morning. She doubted he planned to take a lunch break at all and work on through until his afternoon meeting.
Making a decision, she rose and collected her purse. Gabe looked up, his eyebrow raising in question as she started toward the door.
Lunch, she mouthed. I’ll bring you back something.
He nodded and then slid the phone down his chin so his mouth was free.
“Wear a sweater, Mia. It’s cold out. There’s a chance of snow, so be careful on the sidewalk.”
She smiled, heartened by his concern. She went back to her desk, pulled on the warm sweater she kept there for just such occasions. Then she blew him a kiss that made his eyes gleam.
When she stepped outside the building, an excited thrill raced up her spine. She could positively smell snow in the air. There was a brisk chill and moisture with that gray overcast sky. Perfect holiday weather.
She practically danced her way down the block toward the deli where she and Gabe often had takeout. She loved this time of year. Loved the change in seasons. And she always looked forward to Christmas.
With Thanksgiving a mere week away, many shops were already decorating their windows with Christmas lights and displays.
She hugged her sweater tighter as a gust of wind blew over her. She ducked into the deli and placed her to-go order.
Five minutes later, she collected the plastic bags and pushed her way through the crowded interior to step back onto the sidewalk. A raindrop hit her nose, and she picked up her pace as light drizzle began to fall. She hadn’t thought to bring an umbrella. She’d only planned to be a few minutes.
Figures it would start raining now. It couldn’t have waited the five minutes it would take her to get back to her building?
She had her head down as she rounded the corner to the front entrance of Gabe’s office building when she ran smack into another person. She dropped one of the bags and she bent, apologizing as she picked the food back up. Hopefully it would all still be intact. As she rose, the person she’d run into was still standing there.
Nausea curled in her stomach when she got a good look at the man’s face. Charles. The man who’d assaulted her in Gabe’s Paris hotel suite. There was no way it could be a coincidence that she’d run into him outside the office building.
She took a wary step back and he grasped her arm, pushing her out of the way of pedestrians and against the stone of the building. She was still several feet away from the entrance. Her gaze automatically took in her surroundings as she pondered the best way to escape Charles’s grasp.
“Don’t touch me,” she bit out. “Gabe will kill you for this.”
Charles’s face twisted into a snarl. “Thanks to your overreaction, Gabe went off his hinges. He’s trying to cut me out of the deal entirely. He won’t do business with me, and that’s going to hurt my ability to do business with others. I need this deal, and you fucked it up for me.”
“I fucked it up for you?” she yelled. “You stupid fuck wad. You assaulted me! And I fucked it up for you? You’re a dick!”
“Shut the fuck up!” he hissed, pressing in closer, his grip tightening on her arms.
“Back off,” she warned. “Get the hell away from me.”
His grasp was tight and cruel, and she knew it would leave marks. She only wanted to get the hell away from this asshole and return to Gabe. Where it was safe. Where he’d never allow anything to happen to her.
Rain sluiced down her face, and she blinked to clear her vision. It was cold and only growing colder as wetness permeated her clothing and hair.
“You and I have something to discuss,” he snapped. “I want inside information on the bids. I know you have access to it. My only shot is to be able to come in substantially lower than my competitors so that HCM doesn’t have a choice but to go with me. I may lose money in this deal, but it sets me up nicely for the future. I need this deal to happen, Mia, and you’re going to get it for me.”
“You’re out of your mind! I’m not telling you jack. Gabe would kill me and so would my brother. I won’t betray either one of them, especially not for a dickhead like you. Now get out of my space or I’ll start screaming the block down.”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he said in a low voice.
He shoved his phone at her, the display screen jumping before she could bring it into focus. She gasped, horrified by what was on the screen. This wasn’t happening. It could not be happening!
“Oh my God,” she whispered.
Nausea was a vicious knot in her stomach. She was utterly sickened by what she saw. It was her. Tied and on her knees with Gabe’s cock shoved into her mouth. Her cheeks were bulging as she took his length.
Charles pushed a button and the next picture was of her bound to the coffee table, her eyes tightly shut, her mouth clamped just as tightly shut as Charles stood above her, his hand on her head, other hand grasping his cock as he attempted to shove it into her mouth. Which meant one of the others had taken the photos. What kind of sick bastard did this kind of thing?
It took every bit of strength she had not to gag and vomit there on the street.
“You sick bastard!” she hissed.
There was no need to ask him how he’d gotten the pictures. They’d been taken in the hotel room in Paris. The idea that someone had these photos, that they looked at them, horrified her.
“Now here’s the deal, Mia,” Charles said. His grasp on her arm tightened as if he knew just how badly she wanted to get away. “You’re going to get me the information I want or I go public with these photos. How do you think your brother will like seeing pictures of his baby sister all over the Internet? You’ll be famous but not in a way either of you will like.”
Cold settled into her bones. So deep that her entire body was a block of ice. She stared numbly back at Charles as devastation crashed over her.
The asshole would do it too. She saw the resolve and desperation in his eyes.
“You son of a bitch!” she said hoarsely. “You did that to me! And you’re going to threaten me with pictures of you assaulting me?”
“Think about it,” he said grimly. “I’ll expect your call before this weekend. If you fail to deliver, I’ll ensure everyone in the world sees these photos.”
He released her arm and strode away, disappearin
g into the sea of umbrellas and pedestrians hurrying to get out of the rain.
She stood there a long moment, still in shock over the illicit photos he’d produced. Rain pelted her face, soaking into her clothing, but she was numb to the cold. Numb to everything else but the fact that she was in an untenable position.
If she betrayed Gabe, she’d lose him forever. He’d cut her from his life without thought or regret. If she didn’t betray him, those photos would be released. Jace would see them. The world would see them. Not only would Jace’s friendship with Gabe end, but it could also very well mean the end of their business relationship. And Gabe’s reputation would once again suffer under accusations that he’d abused another woman. Once might be played off, but twice? Where there was smoke, there was fire in the public’s eye.
She gathered the soggy bags to her chest and stumbled toward the entrance to the office building. Panic made her clumsy. Her heart was beating painfully, so fast that she couldn’t process thought.
She rode up the elevator, dread increasing with every breath. What was she supposed to do?
Yes, she had access to the bids. It would be a simple matter to pass along the information to Charles. It would do her no good, though, because even if he came in substantially lower than his competitors, Gabe would never use him. And then, even though she’d done as Charles had demanded, he’d be angry and would likely retaliate by publishing those pictures anyway.
What was she supposed to do?
When she got to Gabe’s office, he was off the phone. As soon as she walked in his door, he was on his feet, his expression concerned.
“Mia, what the hell? You’re soaked! Did you not bring an umbrella?”
He hurried over to her, cursing when he took in her saturated clothing. He took the bags from her hands and discarded them without a look.
“Are you all right? What’s going on? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“J-just c-cold,” she stammered out. “I got caught in the rain. It’s not a big deal, Gabe. Really.”
“You’re freezing,” he muttered. “Come on, I’ll take you home and get you into dry clothing. You’re going to make yourself ill.”