by Taylor Lee
But it was the sparkling white dress that was the masterpiece. Deceptively simple, the glittering fabric clung to her body as if it truly had been created for her and her alone. The low cut bodice revealed an enticing glimpse of her voluptuous breasts while the shiny fabric hugged her curvy hips and bottom in such a way that the crack between her rounded ass cheeks was visible. Topaz knew she should be embarrassed, but thinking about how much Gray would like the sexy sight made her smile in anticipation. The dress ended several inches above her knees. Coupled with the five- inch, glittering, high-heeled slippers, her long toned legs were shown off to perfection.
Her only jewelry was an unusual pair of earrings that Gray had laid beside the dress. Topaz was surprised and charmed when she saw them. She never would have chosen them for herself. Comprised of a cluster of three-inch glittering strands of shiny beads, they mimicked the fabric of her dress. She was delighted when she put them on. Playing mischievously against the raven sweep of her hair, they were as elegant as they were daring.
Taking one last glimpse of herself in the mirror, she braced her shoulders and walked into the living room. Gray was standing by the window, gazing outside. A frown marred his smooth brow and he was clearly deep in thought. He obviously hadn’t heard her come in so she was able to gaze at the gorgeous man unnoticed. Struck as she always was by his powerful body, gazing at him now, she was entranced by the way his casually elegant suit showed off his tall, muscular physique. The creased trousers molded his tight ass and powerful thighs. The open-necked, white silk shirt under the elegantly designed jacket rippled over his massive chest and bulging biceps. He’d caught his raffish sun-streaked hair in a leather cord at the nape of his neck, which underscored the sexy beard shadow decorating his strong jaw. Topaz had to squeeze her legs together to still the rush of electricity that streaked across her thighs at the sight of the commanding man.
At that moment, Gray realized that Topaz was there and turned to face her. His blazing, sky-blue eyes widened at the sight of her. If she didn’t know better, she might have thought the shocked expression on his face meant he was put off by her appearance. The rush of moisture that flooded his now gleaming cerulean eyes said otherwise. He shook his head slowly from side to side, then said in a gruff voice. “Damn, Topaz. You are the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. My only concern is how I will ever keep from attacking you, much less allow that fucking son of a bitch to see you looking like you do.”
Topaz met his appreciative gaze and smiled.
“I’m dressed the way that I am for one man and one man only, and that man is you, Gray. Please know that I have never felt more glamorous or beautiful—and it is because of you. Thank you for making me feel the way that I do. I love you, Gray. More than anything in the world.”
He pressed his lips together and closed his eyes, blinking back the moisture that was apparent. When he opened them, he smiled at her.
“You’re welcome, Topaz. And I love you.”
He held out his hand reaching for hers.
“Shall we go, my love? We have a door that we need to close so that we can move into the future together.”
Topaz smiled and enveloped her hand with his. “Here’s to closing doors.”
As they climbed to the top of the terrazzo staircase leading to Torres’ private dining area, Topaz saw that their team was already there. Sapphire and Ruby looked stunning as always, beautifully attired in glamorous, sexy dresses. Seeing Noah and Jase grinning at her appreciatively, Topaz smiled back at them. Good God, she couldn’t help but think that they really were gorgeous. But then, all the agents were, the men and the women alike. Ian was standing off to the side looking quietly elegant as he always did. He also smiled at her but the strain on his face was apparent.
Looking across the patio that was strung with colorful lanterns, Topaz saw the reason for Ian’s strained expression and Gray’s tightening grip on her arm. Walking toward them was a slender, astonishingly handsome man. A lock of tousled black hair hung casually over his forehead, underscoring his warm brown skin. He was smiling broadly, his shining white teeth gleaming in the moonlight. Topaz took a deep breath and forced herself to look into the startling emerald eyes of the man who had stolen her innocence and her joy fifteen long years ago.
Ignoring everyone around them, Dante Torres stepped forward and reached for her hand. He gazed into her eyes. When he spoke, his voice was soft, almost reverent.
“Áhh, China.” He shook his head as if in disbelief then said in Spanish, “Mi niña encantadora . Te has convertido en una mujer hermosa.”
He added softly, “Mi mujer.”
Chapter 24
Gray knew enough Spanish to understand Torres’ words. With a herculean effort, he kept from smashing the arrogant asshole in the face. Instead, Gray reached over and brushed Torres’ hand aside. Pinning the smiling man with a hard gaze, he allowed his lips to tip up in a grin.
“I agree with your assessment, Señor Torres. I’m confident that Mia was a lovely little girl and she has indeed become a beautiful woman. Where I profoundly disagree is your assertion that she is your woman.”
Pulling Topaz to his side, Gray stepped forward and elbowed the smiling man. Torres stumbled slightly, then with an obvious effort regained his composure. He stepped back and met Gray’s hard gaze. Gray couldn’t help but be pleased that he had at least three inches on the drug lord.
“Ahh, Colonel Webb, I wasn’t aware that you spoke Spanish or I wouldn’t have been quite so bold addressing the lovely Mia, who I last saw when she but a young girl.”
Gray nodded and kept his hard smile in place.
“I’m quite aware of how old Mia was when you saw her last, and the circumstances in which you saw her.”
Gray watched Torres shift from a smiling, gregarious man to an evil, dangerous one. The change took seconds. His smile never left his handsome face. If anything it was broader. It was his eyes that gave him away. Where moments before they were dancing mischievously, now they were hard, glassy, gleaming with palpable hatred. The transformation didn’t surprise Gray, he’d seen it often enough to recognize it. To know how dangerous it was. It was a transformation he had perfected. It stopped his friends and foes in their tracks.
Ignoring the ring of muscled men who were standing at attention around the patio wall, Torres bowed slightly and waved his hand toward the candlelit table in the center of the patio.
“Please, Mia, Colonel Webb, shall we be seated? I’m delighted that your charming companions and your uncle, Ian Ross, agreed to have dinner with me tonight.” He looked directly at Mia and said pleasantly, “I’m looking forward to renewing our acquaintance, and also that of your uncle.” He inclined his head slightly toward Ian Ross who was glaring at him, and added, including Gray in his gaze, “And, of course, getting to know your new friends.”
Torres took his place at the head of the table and glanced at Gray, a slight smile quirking his lips. “I presume it would be incautious of me to request that the lovely Mia sit beside me and that you, Col. Webb, sit on my other side?”
Gray returned his insincere smile and said, “Only, sir, if you don’t value your left testicle.”
Torres laughed aloud and nodded when Gray pulled out Topaz’s chair for her. When she was seated, Gray sat down in the chair between her and Torres.
Torres waited until the rest of the party was seated and then, looking across the table, he said with a disarming smile, “I trust you notice that you are my only guests. Indeed, you might say that I am outnumbered by four fierce-looking men and three of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. He added, bowing to each woman in turn, “And please, don’t take that compliment lightly. I’m not boasting when I say that beautiful women are my forte. But the three of you are spectacular. Enough to launch much more than a thousand ships.”
Without waiting for a response, he spoke to Gray, “Does the fact that I am willing to dine alone with you and your men confirm my willingness to have a friendly di
scussion?”
Gray shrugged and returned Dante’s cool smile with one of his own.
“Or that it underscores your arrogance?” He added, “Or perhaps, that in addition to the ring of guards surrounding our table, you have no fewer than eleven sharpshooters positioned in the trees with rifles trained on me and my companions.”
At Torre’s surprised grunt, Jase broke in and nodded to Gray.
“Make that fifteen sharpshooters, Boss. There are four more hiding behind the column to your left.”
Not bothering to look over his shoulder, Gray merely nodded then turned his hard gaze on his host.
“So that we are clear, you should be aware that my two lieutenants have their 9 mm Glocks pointed at your crotch and that they tend to have itchy fingers.” Smiling at Torres’ surprised start, Gray added, “That said, is it presumptuous of me to ask when you intend to serve dinner? My companions and I haven’t eaten since we arrived in your Garden of Evil.”
Torres’ cool demeanor faltered for a second as he glanced from Jase to Noah; then he nodded, confirming that he understood their intent. Lifting a careless hand he spoke to the wide-eyed servant standing closest to him.
“Carlos, if you would, please, bring in our dinner. But first, the wine. I believe we all can benefit from a liberal dose of alcohol, wouldn’t you agree, Col. Webb?”
Gray smiled. “Indeed. I’ve never participated in a discussion that didn’t benefit from the salubrious effects of fine wine.”
As the servants rushed forward, every other one holding a bottle of chilled wine, Dante looked past Gray and focused on Topaz.
“I hope that you are pleased with the wine, China. I understand from my aide de camp, Mr. Dakila, that your uncle requested a particular vintage for you this afternoon which unfortunately we didn’t have on the plane. However, I’m pleased that we were able to secure a crate of the 2008 Didier Dagueneau Silex Sauvignon Blanc for your pleasure this evening.”
Torres waited until the servants finished pouring the wine, then raised his glass. Glancing around the table, he spoke first to Gray then nodded to Ian. “Welcome to you all. I trust that we will have a civilized and productive discussion.” He waited until everyone had taken a drink, then focused on Topaz and raised his glass. His voice was soft, suggestive.
“To you, China. You have blossomed from a lovely girl into a stunning woman. I salute you.”
When no one joined him as he took a liberal swallow of his wine, Dante shrugged as if he’d fully expected them to refuse his toast. With a cocky grin, he turned on Topaz. His insulting words were clearly intended to be provocative. “I see that our fifteen years apart have not improved your ability to speak. Is that why you found it necessary to bring this obnoxious guard dog and his squad of overgrown lackeys with you? Are you still incapable of speaking for yourself?”
Before Gray could answer, Topaz held up her hand. She smiled at Dante then took a healthy swallow of the wine. Holding his gaze, she pressed her lips into a firm line. The bright red spots flaring on her cheeks confirmed her anger, as did the sparkling lights flashing in her topaz eyes. Seeing her fierce expression, Gray swallowed the words he was about to throw at Torres. He was glad that he did when Topaz spoke. Her cultured voice was soft but firm.
“No, Dante. Unlike the terrified girl you and your gang kidnapped fifteen years ago and held captive for ten days, I am more than capable of speaking for myself.”
Focusing on Carlos, the servant standing attentively behind Torres, she spoke firmly.
“Don’t bother to bring in any food. My companions and I won’t be eating with your master. However, you may bring as many bottles of wine as you have and leave them on the table.”
She turned to Torres and smiled, a hard smile lacking amusement.
“Two things, Dante, before we begin. First, don’t call me China. My name is Mia Kobayashi, daughter of Takima and Elena Kobayashi, who as you know, died fourteen years ago. Second, Colonel Webb is not only my partner, he is my lover. To be specific, Gray is the only man who has ever made love to me. I’m sure you agree that boys who have to kidnap young girls and tie them to a post to fuck them don’t deserve to be called lovers.”
Topaz drained her glass and raised it to Carlos who leapt forward and quickly refilled her glass, spilling it in his haste. When he frantically began to mop up the spill with her napkin, Topaz frowned and waved him away with a dismissive flick of her wrist.
“As for why we are here, Dante, I have a proposition for you. My former husband died an untimely death. I learned after his demise that he’d married me hoping to get access to my considerable fortune in order to rebuild his faltering illegal drug operation. At first, I was annoyed that he was merely another fortune hunter but became enthralled with his incipient enterprise. After looking it over, I was intrigued with the possibility of growing the organization. Apparently there is a bad girl buried within my psyche. For certain, there also is a smart business woman as well as an extremely wealthy one.”
She added, not hiding her pride, “In six months, I quadrupled Serge’s business and was on my way to building a thriving organization. It was then that I knew I needed to branch out, form partnerships.” She huffed a harsh, mirthless laugh. “That’s when I thought of you. I approached my uncle and told him my plans. After many screaming matches, Ian agreed to contact you—after he found me a reliable team of bodyguards. It won’t surprise you that within days of meeting him, former Colonel Webb had not only captured my admiration, but he’d also captured me. That was when I knew I was ready to offer you access to my budding enterprise and a portion of my significant fortune, in return for a stake in your international Cartel.”
Dante’s expression had hardened to steel during Topaz’s bold and blunt recounting. When she laid down her final marker, he drained his wine glass and refilled it. He sipped on the wine without speaking. After several minutes of silence, his expression softened. He let his eyes roam over her body, not concealing the lust that was burning in his eyes. He grunted then said suggestively, “You seem to be saying, Chee….” He corrected himself, “I mean… Mia, that you think I owe you something.”
Topaz snorted in response then shot him a flippant smile and tipped up her chin.
“Yes, Dante. You owe me. Big time. And I’m here to collect.”
~~~
When they returned to their villa, Topaz wasn’t surprised at the banked heat gleaming in Gray’s eyes. It was a combination of anger and lust. The tension on his face was palpable. His jaw was rigid; a dark frown line creased his forehead. Topaz understood. Both his anger and his passion. She felt it too. Her body was hot, needy, excited. She always wanted him, but she’d never been this turned on.
She knew the sexual high stoking her was due, at least in part, to her taking on the man that she admitted she’d been terrified to see. Even with all of her planning, Topaz hadn’t known if she could face Dante without cowering. But she didn’t cower. She faced him and she took him on. She hadn’t let Ian or Gray speak for her. No. She’d spoken for herself. She’d looked the son of a bitch in the eyes and stared him down. Remembering Dante’s surprise at her brazen confrontation, she was filled with pride and excitement. Her amped up emotions were a potent Molotov cocktail. Gazing up at the powerful man who was glaring at her, lust burning in his narrowed eyes, she didn’t have to see his bulging erection to know that Gray was as hot for her as she was for him.
Gray’s voice was gruff, thick with emotion. “You’re proud of yourself, aren’t you, baby?”
She laughed and said cheekily, “Yeah, I am.”
Gray huffed a harsh laugh, but the fire burning in his eyes spoke of his lust, his fury, not humor.
“I’m proud of you too, Princess. But for some reason, all I can see at this moment is that fucking son of a bitch lusting for you, certain that it would be only a matter of minutes before he had you laid out at his feet, begging him to fuck you.”
To her surprise, Gray grabbed her from behind and s
hoved her face roughly against the wall. His voice in her ear was gruff, “But he’s not gonna do that, is he, baby? That motherfucker isn’t going to come near you, much less fuck you. Because the only man who is going to fuck you is me!”
His voice thickened to a low growl. “Honey, I don’t think you know what it means to be truly fucked by a man who loves you and would rip to shreds any fucker who dared to touch you.”
Stunned at the firestorm of emotions flooding her at his rough threat, Topaz cried out and pressed her ass back against his bulging erection. His deep rumbling groan was her response.
“Be careful, baby. You need to know how I’m gonna take you, Topaz. I’m gonna take you hard, baby. From behind, my fiery agent. Up against the wall. Like this.”
Gray jerked her dress up above her waist and ripped off her thong, baring her ass. She yelped in surprise when he smacked one bare cheek then the other-hard. He drove her feet apart with his foot then shoved his knee up between her thighs. His voice was rough, deep.
“Are you ready for this, baby? You better be, Darlin’, because, honey, I couldn’t stop if I wanted too!”
Topaz heard the rasp of his zipper and glanced back over her shoulder, stunned to see Gray yank his penis from his pants. Sure that her shock was evident, she couldn’t hold back an excited groan at the sight of his erect penis, moisture dripping from the swollen tip.
“That’s right, baby. Take a look at this! Have you ever seen anything more powerful, more ready than this? Christ, Darlin’, we’re not even gonna take off our clothes. Uh uh. I’m gonna fuck you just like this. Because, baby, I can’t wait another minute to shove my prick inside of you.”
His voice deepening, rage darkening his lust, Gray growled in her ear. “Do you know how much Torres wanted to do this to you? Do you, Topaz? Do you know how much your aggressive assault turned him on? Do you know what that kind of a challenge does to a man like Torres?”