Command, Possess and Claim: The Collection

by Opal Carew

  * * *

  Kate climbed into the long black limousine and felt the soft leather seat enfold her. She rested her head against the headrest and closed her eyes briefly as the car pulled away from the curb with a smooth thrust of power. The chauffeur had arrived at her office and identified himself as a representative of Facts and Figures Inc. with a photo ID and all, then led her to the sleek vehicle.

  She longed to just relax and nap, since she’d slept so fitfully last night, but she wouldn’t. She didn’t feel it looked very professional.

  At this time of year, it was already dark outside, so she couldn’t see much out the windows. The lights of the city soon slipped behind them as the miles drifted by. She grabbed her cell phone and opened the e-mail Ann had sent her and began reviewing the bios of the executives of Facts and Figures Inc., but she quickly tired of it. She’d already been over them several times this afternoon.

  She leaned forward and stared at the reflection of the driver’s face framed in the rearview mirror. “Excuse me.”

  He glanced up and their gazes met in the glass.

  “Where are we going?”

  “To Erin Gate Manor, ma’am.” He smiled politely. “It’s a lovely spot, right on the lake. It’ll be about forty-five minutes before we get there.”

  Some companies held their meetings at resorts where their executives could unwind and reduce stress levels between meetings. It sounded like this was such a place. In January, with snow carpeting the world and the temperature well below freezing, it would probably be lovely. Too bad she wouldn’t be able to see it in the light.

  The driver turned on some quiet music and she watched the snow-clad trees, glowing in the light of the moon, zip past along with the miles. When they finally turned off the main road, they drove along a densely treed road, which eventually opened onto a wide, curved driveway. The driver stopped the car, then got out, opened her door, and helped her out. Her gaze drifted over the warmly lit country house before her, drawn to the spectacular stained-glass panels on either side of the huge oak door. Although large, the house didn’t look like a lavish resort.

  She followed the chauffeur along the stone path to the entrance. Inside, a huge stone fireplace stood majestically in the center of the large room they entered, a welcoming flame licking at the wood logs behind the glass screen.

  She slipped off her coat and thanked the driver as he hung it on a coat rack by the door. After he made his way out, she found herself alone in the large, quiet room, uncertain what to do next. It was clear as soon as she’d walked into the foyer that this wasn’t a hotel or restaurant. It seemed more like a private residence. Maybe it had been easier to pull together a meeting at one of the executive’s homes. It was a big place and would allow them the privacy to talk about financial matters, but in a comfortable setting.

  She set her purse beside the couch, then wandered over to the fireplace, staring into the mesmerizing flames, letting the heat swirl around her.

  “So, I see you’re settling in.”

  Shock vaulted through her at the sound of that deep masculine—and very familiar—voice. She spun around, and came face-to-face with the one man she would have given anything to avoid.

  Matt Pearce.

  The Capture

  Kate drew in a deep breath.

  Matt Pearce stood on the other side of the enormous room, but he was far too close. His carefully controlled power filled the space, crowding around her. Her heart fluttered like a wild thing and her pulse throbbed at her temple in a rapid pounding. She grabbed onto the stonework around the fireplace to steady herself.

  “What are you doing here?” she croaked.

  His sensuous lips twisted into a smile. “I’m your new partner.”

  New partner. Oh, God, he must be the investor. She clasped her hands together because they’d started to tremble.

  “But you’re not on the list of executives for Facts and Figures Inc.”

  He smiled. “That’s because I’m the owner.”

  Damn. She drew in a deep breath. “There’s been no agreement signed yet. That’s why I’m here, to see if we’ll be a good fit.”

  A smile crept across his face. “As I recall, we’re a very good fit.”

  His words sent a tremor through her, along with memories of his hot, hard body pressed tightly against hers.

  She felt the heat of a blush creep across her cheeks.

  He strolled toward her. “Surely the meeting is just a formality.”

  She couldn’t stay here any longer. Being alone with him like this sent panic skittering through her. She glanced toward the door, assessing her chances of escape. She could fling caution aside and lunge around the couch, then race across the room toward the door, but he could catch up with her in three quick strides.

  She sucked in a breath. Damn, she was overreacting. The man wasn’t going to chase her.

  Or would he?

  “You look like you’re thinking of fleeing. Is the thought of being here with me so distasteful that you feel you have to run away from me again?” he asked, the words strung as tight as his expression.

  Whether he referred to the incident at the mall last month, or when she had left him two years ago, she didn’t know, or care.

  “I want to leave right now,” she demanded.

  His lips compressed. “That’s not an option.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”

  “Well…”—he held his free hand out expansively—“we’re at least a mile from the main road. It’s the middle of January and freezing outside.”

  “The driver—”

  “Is gone.”

  She glared at him. “So you’re forcing me to stay here?” A chill ran through her.

  “I had hoped you would stay long enough so we can talk.”

  A shiver ran down her spine. Did he want to talk to her about why he’d betrayed her two years ago? Not that he would think of it as betrayal. It was part of his way of life. To control his woman so completely.

  Or did he want to talk to her about why she’d left? Her leaving must have been a surprise to him. He must have assumed she’d accept his complete domination or he wouldn’t have planned the events that night.

  A shiver rippled through her at the thought that he intended to keep her here against her will. Would he force her into submission?

  She had never realized his desire for domination ran so deep, until that fateful night two years ago when his true—and frightening—nature had been revealed.

  Panic welled in her. He was bigger and stronger than her. With no difficulty at all, he could physically constrain her. Chain her to a wall or tie her to a chair. Flog her.

  A flash of remembered pain ripped through her, but she pushed it aside.

  His eyes narrowed as he watched her face. He stepped toward the fireplace. “I’m not stopping you from leaving, Kate.”

  His calm, reasonable voice dragged her from her panic.

  She blinked, momentarily confused. “I don’t understand. You just said—”

  “I said the driver left.” He picked up a brass poker and shifted the logs on the flames. Sparks flared violently. “That means you can’t leave immediately. I told him I’d call him later this evening when we need him to come back.” He gazed at her again. “After we’ve talked.”

  She tipped up her chin in defiance. “And if I don’t want to stay and talk?”

  He replaced the poker on the hanging stand and turned toward her. “I could call him to come back for you now, if that’s what you want.”

  “Can’t you drive me back?”

  “I had a driver, too, Kate. I used the travel time to work.”

  “That’s fine. Then I’ll call a taxi.”

  He gazed at her with disturbing intensity. “Are you really so afraid of just sitting down and talking to me? What do you think I’m going to do?”

  That was the problem. She really didn’t know.

  She drew in a deep breath. But if he intended to overpow
er her, he could have done it by now, and he could certainly stop her from calling a cab if he wanted to.

  She was overreacting. After all, she’d walked away from him two years ago. Sure, he was probably angry about that, but they were no longer in a relationship, so his deep need to totally subjugate his woman didn’t really apply to her anymore.

  Unless he just wanted to see her powerless and squirming, to make her pay for escaping his control.

  He strolled toward her. “You came all the way out here. Won’t you even consider my offer to invest in your company?”

  She felt confused and vulnerable. Over the past few months, she had exhausted every other avenue she could think of to get the money to buy out her partner, and the deadline was the end of this month. When she’d gotten that call from Mr. Elliott, the president of Facts and Figures Inc., saying they wanted to invest in her company, she had been thrilled, but now … She couldn’t even imagine being in a partnership with Matt Pearce.

  Her fists clenched at her sides. Damn, this was an impossible situation.

  And getting worse the closer he got to her. Because despite everything that had happened between them, her heart still fluttered whenever she was near him.

  And he was only a few steps away, and getting closer.

  “I could use a drink,” she said to stop him from drawing any nearer.

  His eyebrows arched. “All right.”

  She suppressed a sigh of relief as he moved away, heading toward the built-in bar. He returned a moment later with a tall-stemmed glass of red wine for her and what smelled like rye whiskey for himself.

  She avoided touching him when she took the glass, knowing she couldn’t withstand physical contact and retain her composure.

  She sipped her wine, watching him over the glass. “Why do you want to invest in my company?”

  Her fingers tightened around the glass. He had wanted to control her, but he had failed. Did he now seek to reestablish that control by taking hold of her company?

  Damn, she was small time compared to the big corporation he owned. Would he build some clause in the contract that would allow him to take controlling interest? Would he find a way to steal her company from her? This could be his revenge for her denying him what he’d wanted from her.

  He swirled the amber liquor around the glass, his gaze intent on the rippling motion. “If it helps, I have no intention of getting involved in the day-to-day operation of a small consulting firm. You’ll still retain control.”

  He had to be kidding. She never retained control when Matt was involved.

  Damn it, even if he didn’t have controlling interest, all he had to do was threaten to pull out his money and she’d be stuck. And he would know everything about her business because he’d have access to all her files. He’d be her partner for heaven’s sake.

  He sipped his drink, his dark eyes watching her over the rim of his glass.

  Her breath locked in her lungs. Oh, God, she felt so trapped.

  He simply stared, his face an emotionless mask.

  But would he really steal away her company? The Matt she’d thought she’d known would never have done a thing like that. That Matt had been a kind, decent, caring man. A man who had once loved her. But then she had learned what he really was.

  A man as powerful as Matt Pearce will never let you just walk away. So I suggest you run. Far. And fast.

  That’s what his friend Ileana had told her after that night. She had opened Kate’s eyes to what he was. Her stomach clenched at the memory.

  Now Matt would have the ability to control her company, and thereby control her.

  She walked to the couch and sank onto it. The fire still crackled and blazed cheerily, but the warmth no longer touched her. A chill had started around her heart and now crept outward to encompass her whole being.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  His lips compressed. “Why do you think I’m doing it?” He sounded more quizzical than demanding and that confused her.

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. After what happened…”

  Damn, she didn’t want to get into it. Didn’t want to hear him tell her why he’d been willing to subject her to that kind of pain.

  His eyes narrowed. “What exactly happened, Kate? Between us?”

  She stared at him in raging disbelief, then slammed her glass down on the coffee table and shot to her feet. “How dare you ask me that? After what you put me through…” The raging emotions flooding through her locked the breath in her lungs and words failed her. She paced across the floor.

  “After what I put you through?” He placed his glass on the mantel and paced toward her. “We really do have some talking to do.”

  “No.” She slashed her hand through the air. “I don’t want to talk to you about this. I don’t want to hear your explanations.”

  His hard gaze sharpened. He stepped forward, his presence like a storm cloud descending on her, a turmoil of mixed emotions swirling in his eyes. He raised a hand and stroked her cheek with one outstretched finger. She forced herself not to flinch.

  “Kate, was it my fault that you left? Did I … go too far with you?” The words came out soft and … uncertain.

  She felt her composure crack as old feelings flared inside her. Heat suffused her cheeks and a longing she’d buried in the depths of her soul stirred. No, don’t let me feel this. I don’t want to feel this.

  Oh, God, she knew she still loved him—because, quite simply, she’d never stopped—but she couldn’t give in to the destructive emotion.

  She stepped out of reach and turned away. Striding around the armchair to the fireplace, drawn to the flames and the warmth she wished would penetrate the numbness gripping her, she concentrated on collecting her composure.

  She felt the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand up and realized Matt stood behind her.

  “Kate, please tell me why you left.”

  She turned and stared at him in amazement. How could he ask her that? What he had done had been unforgivable.

  Her throat closed up and she couldn’t have uttered a word if she’d tried. She wrapped her arms around her body, rubbing her hands up and down, trying to banish the dreadful cold.

  “Damn it all, I loved you.” He stepped toward her and she stopped herself from backing away. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Don’t you understand? At first, I thought something terrible had happened to you.”

  The look of raw pain slashing his features shocked her. With all that had happened, she hadn’t really thought her leaving would hurt him so much as it would make him angry.

  And it seemed she had hurt him badly.

  Now, seeing his vulnerability, her heart constricted. She longed to reach out and touch him. To stroke back the loose waves of hair that had fallen onto his forehead. To soothe away the pain.

  His eyes narrowed. “Kate?”

  Her name, soft and questioning on his lips, sounded too right. She wanted to hear him say it again, murmured in the dark shadows of the night. Her heart ached and hot moisture formed in the corners of her eyes.

  “Kate?” he repeated. Concern etched his features.

  In the softening of his eyes, she saw the Matt she had once known. The Matt she had loved. But she couldn’t allow herself to fall for him again. Not knowing what he really was.

  Yet she stood there, helpless, as he tipped up her chin and gazed at her with questioning eyes. She couldn’t help but remember those blue eyes filled with desire. Her lips trembled.

  He drew her face toward him, and captured her lips. Passion flared as his tongue glided between her lips, seeking the warmth inside. Clinging to her wits, she kept her teeth firmly clenched and slid her hands to his chest to push him away, but the warmth of the silk fabric under her fingertips, pulled taut across the hard muscles of his chest, sent her into a sensual whirlwind.

  She opened to him, welcoming his tongue with her own. Her breasts swelled in reaction and she couldn’t stop her tiny gasp
of pleasure at being in his arms again. It took every scrap of will she possessed not to wrap her arms around him and melt into his embrace like hot honey. She wanted him so badly; needed him with an agony that transcended time and space.

  Abruptly, he broke their embrace, holding her at arm’s length, looking as shaken as she felt.

  “Oh, God, Kate. Why did you leave me?”

  The agony in his voice was too much to bear. Kate sucked in a gulp of air and jerked away from him, trying to pull herself together. Grabbing her wine, she took a swallow and concentrated on the cool, tart liquid washing down her throat. He snatched it from her hand and flung it across the room. Droplets flew from the glass like blood-red tears as it shattered against the ceramic-tiled hearth.

  He grabbed her arms and pulled her toward him. The brush of his body against hers sent a shimmer of heated torment through her.

  “I want an answer.”

  She could feel tension emanating from him in waves.

  “Can’t you see? I need to know.” His words—tight beads strung out on a thread of anguish—shook her.

  The depth of his emotion showed clearly in the way his hands tightened on her shoulders.

  “Matt, you’re hurting me.”

  Instantly, he loosened his hold, but he did not release her. His features sharpened into harsh relief.

  This wasn’t like Matt. The Matt she’d known had always been in total control of his emotions. Memories of time they’d spent together fluttered through her mind like a film stuttering through an old movie projector, hazy and erratic.

  Of the way his lips would claim hers with potent authority. Of the way his touch could send her to ecstatic heights. And as they lay in bed together, their naked bodies entwined, of loving words murmured in his sexy, rumbling, bedroom voice. She wanted to throw herself into the strength of his arms and give herself to him.

  It would be so easy to forget everything that had happened. To allow these feelings to sweep her away, and seek the comfort of his arms. To allow their passion to flare again.

  He must have seen the surrender in her eyes. A shiver raced through her as his face moved toward hers.