Branded by the Texas Billionaire

by Lynn Richards

  When she awoke, the sun was casting long shadows across the thickly piled carpet. She could hear nothing from the other part of the apartment and wondered if Logan had soundproofed the room. She’d read on the internet during her brief research that many doms did, in fact, sound proof their bedrooms. She reached for her phone to check the time and see if her sister had responded to her texts. She’d told her family she was having to work this weekend and wouldn’t be available. She’d had to work long hours before so her story didn’t raise any suspicion. But her sister, Allison, was expecting notification from one of her medical school applications any day and she knew she’d want to share the good news. Macy had no doubt she would be accepted. She was smart, caring, and dedicated.

  And the reason she was here.

  Oh, Macy girl, don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re doing this for any other reason than because you want to. She did not need Logan Quinn’s money. Yeah, it would make her life easier, but she’d managed so far and she’d continue to manage in the future. What she did need was Logan Quinn.

  Why was life so unfair sometimes? Here she’d tumbled head over heels for a man who probably wouldn’t have noticed her at all if she hadn’t the tendency to talk back, arousing his dominant instincts. Thankfully, the thought of bedding a big girl didn’t turn him off. Great, now she was thinking about sex again.

  Macy grimaced as her stomach growled. They’d had only a hasty breakfast and completely skipped lunch—well, except for her treat. She licked her lips, recalling the salty taste of him. Her nipples hardened to pebbles as she replayed the erotic encounter in her mind. She wondered what he would do if she walked into his office, pulled down his pants, and gave him another blow job.

  Which hunger was worse? And which would get satisfied first?

  When her stomach growled again, the decision was made. She had to have food.

  If he didn’t like it, he could always punish her. Again.

  Her pussy clenched thinking of her spanking. Something about being taken over a Logan’s lap, submitting to his domination, made her tremble. And not with fear. Was Logan right? Did she secretly desire this lifestyle? So far nothing he’d done had even made her think of using her safe word. If he bent her over a table, strapped her down and delivered a spanking with his belt, would that be too much?

  Not if he fucked you afterwards, her slutty inner self answered.

  Just thinking of Logan’s cock inside her had her hand skimming across her stomach to reach her clit. He’d never know.

  “Hello, sleepyhead.”

  Macy screamed and jerked her hand back up. She hadn’t heard Logan enter the room. She turned over quickly, hoping he hadn’t seen what she was about to do. She smiled up at him as he lounged against the door frame. “How long was I out?”

  “About two hours.” His smile was more of a self-satisfied smirk. “Guess I’ve been a little hard on you.”

  Macy tried not to laugh, but she loved the playful side of Logan that rarely made an appearance. Besides, just looking at him made her happy.

  “I’ve ordered our dinner.”

  Macy wished he would come sit next to her. She’d missed him.

  Oh, she was in deep

  “I hope you got a lot.” She toyed with the bedspread beneath her. “It takes a lot for this big girl.” Her small laugh was self-deprecating. She’d learned very early that if she made such comments first, it usually prevented anyone else from cutting her too deeply with their words.

  “Stop that.” His tone was stern, yet tender, drawing her eyes to his face. “You’re a beautiful woman, Macy. I need you to believe that.”

  “I…” She was saved from whatever reply she would have made by the ringing of the doorbell.

  Logan frowned at the interruption. “That will be our dinner. We’ll discuss your self-image a little later, Miss Trent. I will not forget.”

  Macy watched the movement of his firm backside as he strode out the door. There was not one single ounce of fat anywhere on the man. His body was rock-hard and his face chiseled perfection. What could he possibly understand about her body issues?

  *****

  Macy stared at the steak in front of her. The meat was cooked to mouth-watering perfection and the butter slowly melting on top of the huge baked potato actually made her lick her lips in anticipation. But she couldn’t bring herself to take a bite of the delicious meal. Logan’s words haunted her. Her body issues. What was there to talk about?

  She surely didn’t feel like discussing what he knew better than anyone else outside of her own bathroom mirror. She was a big girl. He’d seen all she had to offer and Macy didn’t understand how there could be any room for discussion.

  She’d put on another pair of his jogging pants, having left the others by the front door, and these were too small in the thighs as well.

  “Eat, Miss Trent.” His voice was soft, yet unyielding in its demand.

  She couldn’t look at him. “I’m not really hungry.”

  Suddenly one big hand closed around her wrist forcing a fork into her hand.

  “I said eat. Now.”

  Macy blinked, stunned by the fierce look on his face. Without thinking about her actions, she immediately picked up her knife and cut off a small piece of the well-done sirloin. Putting the tasty morsel into her mouth, she chewed slowly.

  “That’s better. You know what it does to me when you disobey me, Miss Trent.”

  She felt her face heat at his intense look. How could she possibly chew and swallow when he was looking at her like that? Like he wanted to wipe away the plates and glasses and lay her down on the wide table and make a meal of her.

  He took the bottle of wine that had been chilling in the silver wine bucket. “Would you like some wine?”

  Macy hesitated.

  He poured a small amount into her glass. “It’s a Richebourg Grand Cru with Pinot Noir as the main grape variety. I think you’ll like it.”

  “I really don’t know anything about wine.” All she knew was that she could only afford the kind that came in boxes.

  Macy picked up the crystal glass filled with the fragrant red liquid and took a small sip. The heady flavor slipped across her tongue, igniting her taste buds in frenzy of awe. “It’s…good.”

  “You sound surprised.”

  Macy laughed self-consciously. “I don’t drink wine very often.” At his raised brow, she continued. “I always thought of it as glorified grape juice.”

  Logan gave her a look of mock horror as she took another sip. “That’s some very expensive grape juice, Miss Trent.”

  Feeling bolder with each sip, Macy held her glass out, eyeing the contents speculatively. “How expensive?”

  “Somewhere around fourteen.”

  “Dollars?” That wasn’t so bad.

  “Thousand.”

  Macy’s rounded eyes flew to meet his. “Are you kidding me?”

  Logan laughed. Again. Damn, she could get used to this Logan.

  “I like fine things, Miss Trent.”

  The velvety tone of his voice rivaled the rich texture of the wine and had the same effect on her senses. “I’d have to sell my soul to afford this.”

  “Funny you should say that. Andre Tchelistcheff once declared that “God made Cabernet Sauvignon whereas the devil made Pinot noir.”

  Macy’s head swam. “I don’t know who Andre what’s-his-name is.” She hiccupped, her hand flying to cover her mouth as her eyes widened in embarrassment.

  The corners of his mouth twitched as Logan carefully removed the wine goblet from her hand. “Andre Tchelistcheff was America’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker.” He scooted her water glass closer.

  Macy licked her lips, eyeing the wine with longing.

  “I think you’ve had enough.”

  “But…”

  “No buts Miss Trent. Now finish your meal.”

  “You sound like my father.”

  He leaned closer. “I promise the only thing you�
��ll find remotely fatherly about me will be when I spank your beautiful ass again if you don’t obey me and eat your food.”

  Macy picked up her fork. She’d rarely gotten spanked by either of her parents, having been a very well-behaved child who wanted to please them. Logan, on the other hand, made her want to be a very bad girl so that he would punish her again.

  Stuffing a bite of potato into her mouth, she wondered if she should disobey him once more just to see what he would do. She glanced at his set face. Even with the unaccustomed alcohol in her system, she was smart enough to just keep eating.

  Logan was enjoying the effect the wine was having on Macy. She was losing a little more of her inhibitions. It intrigued him that she could participate so passionately in their sexual encounters and still appear so untouched.

  And she was behaving far better than most of his women would have. She hadn’t complained once today, not even when he’d forgotten to feed her or when he’d presented the less than appetizing breakfast fare when he’d finally remembered.

  Other women would have been demanding the finest food—and they would have insisted on the fourteen thousand dollar bottle of wine. Somehow he knew Macy would have been just as happy with a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk for dinner tonight.

  But still, he knew she must have gotten hungry. Hell, he had during that last phone call. Was she afraid to eat in front of him? At least she was eating now. Small bites. He sighed. They had so many things to work on.

  He felt something in his chest clench as he looked at her. Her lush body, concealed once again by his t-shirt and jogging pants, sent his already distracted senses spinning. The sight of her bare feet, with their delicately painted nails, sent a shaft of heat straight to his groin. For a moment, the need piercing through him rendered him speechless. Calling upon all his years of experience, he pushed back the images of her strapped in the harness he had in the other room. To take her in there and strip her and…

  Every encounter they’d had in the last twenty-four hours had ended in sex. He knew he was pushing her body to its limits. He knew if he sank inside her again she’d flinch. But that’s what this weekend was all about. Sex. She’d known what she was getting into when she’d agreed. Did she think they would sit around and play cards? He’d gone easier on her than he should have. His marathon sessions of sex were almost legendary in the dom world. With his work schedule, he didn’t get to purge himself of his urges as often as he wanted so the times he did were usually very intense.

  She laid down her fork and knife and pushed her plate away. He’d managed to eat most of his dinner but couldn’t remember the taste. Even though she hadn’t eaten nearly enough to satisfy him, he rose from the table, taking their dishes with him into the kitchen area. Opening the last foil wrapped package from the restaurant, he put twelve chocolate covered strawberries on a silver serving dish that matched the wine bucket. It really did look like he was out to impress her. He usually wasn’t so conscious of the trappings that came with his lifestyle, but with Macy... he was realizing a lot of things.

  When he came back into the room, she was drinking the last of her wine. Dutch courage?

  He took his seat, the tray of berries between them on the table.

  “Eat,” he ordered.

  He almost lost his train of thought when a plump strawberry slid between her full lips, making his dick twitch.

  Oh, to be that strawberry.

  After she’d made him come with just her mouth, he’d wanted nothing more than to fuck the sultry look off her face, the same one she was wearing now. Through half-closed lids, he watched as she ate her desert, her lips red and glistening.

  Plucking the last strawberry from the tray, he popped the succulent treat into his mouth, a smile curving his lips as she followed the movement.

  She was ready for the next step. Now, if only he could get her to disobey again. He didn’t worry. He had over eighteen hours left and he knew his sassy little secretary wouldn’t be able to corral her tongue for that length of time.

  Clasping her hand in his, he stood up and pulled her behind him. “Time for another bath.”

  He wanted her relaxed and as comfortable as she could be. He wasn’t going to waste a single moment he had left.

  “Are you going to join me?”

  Logan felt his heart trip, amazed at how much he wanted to say yes to her softly spoken question. What had this woman done to him? He’d thought her innocence would be a hindrance to the dominant life-style he enjoyed. He’d thought he would be limited by just how far she’d let him go with the training. But so far, she’d completely blown all of his assumptions out of the water.

  “Yeah, baby, I am.”

  Her soft blush filled him with a sudden warmth that had nothing to do with sexual attraction.

  He was in trouble.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Within minutes the tub was filling up with water. Logan took the bath salts from beneath the sink and added a generous handful.

  Macy stood behind him, watching.

  “Strip.”

  She smiled, thinking he’d used the one-word command a lot this weekend. Why did she even bother wearing clothes? Oh yeah, she was freaking self-conscious. But he’d been right in one thing. Having him order her to do something was very freeing. She had no choice but to obey? Right? She did what he said without hesitation and walked around him, her hips swinging from side to side. She stepped down into the hot water with a happy sigh. The warmth soothed her aching muscles and sore backside and she relaxed deeper into the fragrant bubbles.

  “Aren’t you coming in?” She glanced up at Logan, standing gloriously naked beside the huge tub.

  “I’m just enjoying the view, sweetheart.” His smile filled her with joy.

  “Me too,” she mumbled, her face heating. It was getting easier and easier to say such things around him, but it still made her blush.

  His grin widened. “Okay, I’m coming in.” He stepped into the tub, sinking down opposite her, his long legs stretched out beside hers.

  Macy’s heart thundered. She couldn’t believe she was sharing a bath with a man so sinfully sexy it physically hurt to look at him. That she’d had the nerve to disrobe in front of him. Or that she was capable of having a conversation with him while doing so.

  The intensity of his look scorched her. “Are you comfortable?”

  Not with you all the way down there.

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’re a horrible liar, Miss Trent.”

  “What makes you so sure that I’m lying?” She leaned her head back against the tub’s edge, studying his handsome face.

  “You’re biting that luscious lip again. It’s a dead giveaway.”

  Crap. Macy released the tender flesh, pursing her lips. “You think you’re so smart.”

  “You don’t?”

  Darn it, he knew she did. Macy smiled. He was in a very playful mood.

  “Admit it, Miss Trent.”

  “Admit what?” She stalled.

  “That you think I’m smart.” He leaned forward. “That you think I’m the smartest person you know.”

  When she didn’t immediately respond, one strong hand closed around her ankle, pulling her toward him.

  Macy cried out as she slid forward, grabbing onto the sides of the tub to keep from going under. “Okay, okay.”

  “Okay, what.”

  “You’re smart.”

  “And?”

  “And what?” She giggled at the look on his face.

  He tugged both ankles until she straddled his hips. Macy shivered at the intimate contact.

  “What else am I?”

  “Demanding, pushy, domineering…ooff.” Her breath caught as he grabbed her waist, tickling her sides relentlessly.

  “Stop.”

  “I’m not going to stop until you answer me correctly.”

  “Oh, please…” Macy could not handle being tickled. “Strong. Handsome.” She gasped to breathe between giggle
s. “Sexy.”

  “Very good.” His hands rested lightly against her rib cage as he stared at her.

  Without thinking, Macy smacked the water, dousing him.

  Shaking his head, Logan wiped the excess water from his eyes.

  Holy shit. Was he going to be mad?

  Macy stilled when he arched one dark brow. That was his tell. When the brow rose, she knew the dom was coming out.

  “You splashed me!”

  Macy stared at him, shocked. He didn’t sound angry. He sounded startled. Her shoulders shook at the look of disbelief on his face.

  “Are you laughing at me?”

  “Maybe.” She pursed her lips, attempting to stop the grin that threatened.

  Logan shook his head. “You’re a horrible submissive, Miss Trent.”

  Macy wanted to be whatever he needed her to be and she would have been hurt if she thought he was serious. But the humor lurking in his beautiful gray eyes told her he wasn’t. Chalk another one up for Macy’s reformation project. The subject was showing signs of humor. Still sarcastic, but a start.

  “Why do you want me to be submissive?”

  Logan’s dark hair glistened from the water. “Because I need you to be. It satisfies something inside of me in a way that I can’t explain.”

  “Oh.” It wasn’t an answer, but somehow Macy understood. Hadn’t food always done that for her?

  He leaned forward, drawing her closer. “No more talking, Miss Trent.”

  Putting his hands on either side of her face, he kissed her deeply, possessively.

  Heat flared inside of Macy as it always did at his touch. Her fingers twined in his hair as she opened for him, kissing him back in the way he’d taught her.

  Logan groaned. “I’m going to take you now.”

  She sighed silently when he reached beside the tub and found a condom even though he knew she was on birth control. He’d told her he never had sex without protection. She quickly forgot her concern when he put his hands under her arms and lifted her so that her pussy now touched the top of his engorged cock. He lowered her slowly onto his erection, his eyes burning into hers as she took him inside, inch by delicious inch.