Tame Me: A Filthy Billionaire Romance

by Cassandra Bloom

  He attempted to turn around to see Phoebe in the other car.

  She was pressed up against the window and she was weeping. “Rick!” She yelled through the glass. “I can’t lose you again!”

  Rick strained his neck to keep her in sight, as the vehicle drove around the driveway and left in a puff of desert dust.

  Downtown Los Angeles, Federal Holding Cells

  Rick was agitated beyond belief and paced back and forth in the small room as the door opened up.

  “Dad,” Madeline called and crossed the room to hug him.

  Surprised to see her, he grabbed her up and held her tight. “How did you know?”

  “Dev.”

  Confused, he shook his head at her.

  “Just don’t ask.” She cleared her throat. “I got you released,” she announced with a smile.

  “You did?”

  She nodded.

  “What about...?” Rick’s voice fell away.

  “About?” She stared intensely at him.

  He lowered his head. “Sophie.”

  With a curious expression on her face, Madeline tilted her head at him. “She has an attorney.”

  “She couldn’t have done it.” He drew his eyes up.

  Madeline turned away. “It was my fault.”

  His eyes narrowed at her back.

  “I was supposed to take care of that deal with her mother’s land, and then Mom fell ill.”

  Rick sighed at the mention. “Madeline—about your mom?”

  Her expression grew tense as she shook her head. “She’s gone!”

  “No,” he stated in a flat tone.

  Her eyes widened at him.

  “I went with Sophie to a strange place through the lightning pool.”

  Madeline backed away from him.

  “When we came back? She was Phoebe.”

  “Yeah, so Dev says also.” She opened the door. “But you can’t seriously believe that?”

  “Oh yes, I can!”

  “Maybe you just—?”

  “—What? Dreamt it up, imagined it?”

  “You wanted so badly to be with her, that’s all.”

  “Just see her and talk to her, will you?” He scoffed.

  She just stood quietly and stared at him.

  “Well, I have to see her.” Determined, Rick stepped to the door, went out to the hall and walked ahead of her.

  Federal Building, Sacramento, California

  Rick had found out that she was taken to the federal court building and he jumped in a cab. They had told him Phoebe—Sophie was with the judge and her lawyer. He’d waited for two hours already and he was wound up. He’d wanted to keep her with him for all time and now he was without her again.

  Finally, the door opened and a man came out, with slightly gray hair and a kind face. He glanced over at Rick. “Mister Sayers?”

  “Where is she?” he asked.

  The lawyer shook his head. “The Judge has barred you from seeing her.”

  “What?”

  The attorney snapped his briefcase shut and looked up at Rick. “There will be a grand jury and you will be called by the defense, and possibly even the prosecution.”

  “Why?” Shock waved through him.

  “Material witness or as a possible accomplice even.”

  Rick stepped back. “Now wait, just a fucking…”

  The door opened and there she was.

  “Phoebe!” Rick called.

  She looked over at him and smiled. “Mister Sayers!”

  A tinge of unease rippled through him.

  The uniformed officer, who held her arm, moved her down the hall.

  “I wanted to thank you for what you tried to do for me!” she called over her shoulder as the man tugged her by her arm. She gave Rick that Sophie-like flirtatious wink and turned away.

  “What the...?” Rick’s face paled.

  “Dad?” Madeline took his arm. “I saw her and...” Her eyes held a sad look. “She’s Sophie.”

  Rick shook his head. “No, we were together and she remembered all of it. We found each other again, in the lightning water and—”

  Madeline patted his shoulder. “Come home with me for a while and talk to Dev and maybe we can figure things out?”

  With disgust, he drew his shoulders up. “So, I’m nuts?” He stared at his daughter’s face. “And, it never happened?”

  “Maybe there’s an explanation.” Madeline swallowed heavily.

  “I’m going home.”

  “You can’t! You’re under subpoena, Rick!”

  “Who gives a flying fuck!”

  “You do.” She pursed her lips.

  Frustrated, he jerked his arm away.

  “If you don’t stay and testify? She may go to prison for the rest of her life!” Madeline pleaded with him. “She may even get the death penalty.”

  Rick’s hands turned to fists at his sides. “Okay, let’s go.”

  “I sure hope Dev can fix this,” she whispered and followed him down the hall.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  KAMI

  Horse Shoe Bend, Arizona

  The three horses struggled to make it up the incline and Kami held on as her horse climbed the steep path. The council had told her they would send her with the two Indian guards assigned to protect this particular holy place. She had to wait all day at the lodge for them to show up. They both had looked afraid when they came to her room. She’d asked them why. They shook their heads at her and gave her a stony silence as an answer.

  Still confused by all that had happened, her thoughts were full of Taylor the entire day. His warm engaging smile, so like a young boy’s, his body so firm and well built like the man he was. His spontaneous laughter still echoed in her head. Kami had tried all this time to push away the feelings she had for him. She was too afraid of it. Now, he really needed her and she had to admit to herself as she waited in her room at the lodge, that she was irrevocably in love with this man.

  Kami thought of when he’d kissed her and a flush rushed across her face. I’ve never been with a man in that way before. After what the council had told her, she knew what she must do now for herself and Taylor. She must bring him back from wherever he went.

  They finally reached the top after two hours of hard climbing. She almost fell off the horse, as a large rock seemed to catch the horse’s hoof.

  Suddenly, her horse jumped up, slid sideways and whinnied loudly as they rolled down the steep hill.

  Kami’s terrified screams echoed out through the canyon.

  Sun Cave, Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

  Kami groaned and tried to open her eyes. She felt tender throbbing all over her body. “Oh,” she whined with pain.

  “Shh.” She heard a man’s voice from above her. She opened her eyes and stared at Taylor. His expression was full of concern as he titled his head at her. “Where did you come from?”

  Flinching just from the sound of his voice, a throb pulsed through her sore head. “From the lodge.” She released a breath and looked around. It was an enormous cavern, bright with yellow light. “Where are we?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  She looked back up at him. “Are you okay?”

  “You’re the one all banged up and you ask that?” He reached down and drew her up to his chest.

  Kami winced.

  “Oh, sorry,” he whispered to her cheek.

  “What’s happening?”

  He gently patted her on the back as he held her to him. “I woke up here. It feels like I’ve been transported back in time or something. I went outside and there was no one for miles. I heard you scream. I knew it was you.” He set her away, so he could look at her face. “I have never felt such fear before in all my life. That much I know for sure.”

  Kami held her breath at the intense expression on his face.

  “When I found you there on the rocks?” He seemed to swallow heavily. “You were so pale and still.” He gazed into her eyes. “I felt—” He drew his l
ips to hers and kissed her.

  A flush of warmth rushed up her body, replacing the pain of earlier.

  Taylor pushed his tongue in her mouth.

  With all her newfound feelings, Kami kissed him back with a desperate need, since she’d faced the fact that she truly loved him.

  Breaking the long kiss, he gazed her eyes.

  She gulped at the powerful passion she saw there in his face

  He moved his body away from her and lay her back on the old blankets.

  Abrupt feelings rushed through her and she felt wound up, and couldn’t understand the pounding of her heart in her ears.

  “You are hurt and we shouldn’t.” He glanced around and picked up a wet cloth from a small rock pool in the earthen floor. He dabbed at a cut on her forehead. “What were you doing out there?”

  “I came for you.”

  “Dangerous.” He shook his head at her.

  “I had guards,” she defended.

  “Oh yes, and very brave guards, they are!” He laughed. “They took one look at me as I…” His expression looked sheepish. “…Appeared on the path from the cliffs, and they ran away.”

  “Appeared?”

  “Yes, I can pop up just about anywhere now.” He dabbed at a small cut on her cheek, and took her hand. “It was like I was drawn by you.”

  Trembling again, she lowered her eyes. “What happens now?”

  “I can’t go back to civilization until I have some answers, and until I know.”

  “Know?”

  Moving away, he stood and stared out through the entrance. “If I am some kind of freakish Indian spirit, then I must find out what all I can do and why.”

  “I came to take you back.”

  Taylor turned to face her. “I can’t yet.”

  Kami lowered her head. “Then, I will stay here with you.”

  There was silence. She drew her head up and he was next to her. Startled, she jumped.

  “See?” He smiled.

  “What?” she asked while trying to hide her surprise.

  “I can’t control it completely, yet.” He moved closer to her. “I thought of you and poof, I was with you.”

  “So?” She released a breath. “I am already here. I can’t see how—?”

  “—Can’t you see I don’t want you hurt!” He grabbed her up.

  “It would hurt me more if I couldn’t be with you.” Her lip trembled.

  His eyes widened. “You really feel that for me?”

  She nodded.

  “But I thought you…?” He lowered his mouth to hers and breathed on her lips.

  Her mouth fell open in pure anticipation for him to kiss her.

  Pausing, he stared at her lips. “You really want to be with me.”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “You don’t even know what you’re saying.”

  Kami trembled a little. “Of course I do.”

  “You’re just doing your duty!” he shouted and stood up.

  “Yes, it started out that way,” she defended.

  “Did the council order you to come here?”

  “No, I begged them to tell me where you went!”

  With a frustrated groan, he reached down and lifted her up. “What if I wanted…”

  “What?” Her chest constricted as she looked into his beautiful eyes.

  “I wanted you—wanted to have you.”

  “I would want you, too.”

  “I don’t trust myself, Kami. Did you see what happened in the council room?”

  “Please don’t send me away.” Tears filled her eyes.

  “I can’t believe you really want to be with me.” He shook his head.

  “You should believe it. I had to face it when you disappeared.”

  Releasing a regretful sigh, he lowered his mouth to hers. “You have to go home now.”

  Disappointment flooded her and she lowered her head. “I thought you wanted me too?”

  Taylor smiled and tipped her chin up. “I’ve wanted you since the moment I opened my eyes after that blessed coma, Kami. But you are going home.” His eyes started to glow with that strange yellow light.

  “No, Taylor!” The cavern spun around her as her feet left the earthen floor.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  RICK

  Malibu, California

  “Of course I believe you.” Dev smiled at him.

  Frustrated, Rick put a hand through his hair. “No one else does.”

  “Well, they should.” Dev pointedly looked over at Madeline.

  She lowered her eyes.

  “I am an example if anyone cares to remember.” His eyes twinkled.

  Her head drew up.

  “After all, I was dead once.”

  Madeline blinked at him. “But you—?”

  “—What?” Dev cut her off. “I occupy the Brave’s body and not my own, love.”

  Looking disgusted, Madeline shook her head and turned away.

  “Just because this is about your mother doesn’t—”

  She spun around. “I held her hand as she took her last breath!” Her eyes sparkled with tears. “And...” She looked over at her Dad. “I didn’t shed a tear.” Her voice broke. “Like—I couldn’t bother myself to care.”

  Rick sighed. “Maddy—”

  “No!” she yelled as her voice cracked. “I so regretted all of it.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Don’t you think I want to make up for that?” She looked at both men who meant more to her than anyone. “But life just doesn’t work like that!”

  Her husband stepped up close to her. “You, of all people, should know about second chances.”

  “It doesn’t matter what anyone believes.” Rick went to the patio door and stared out at the darkened beach. “She’s not here anymore.” He opened the sliding door and stepped out onto the deck.

  Madeline stepped toward the door and stretched her hand out.

  Dev pulled her hand down. “Just let him be for a while.” He put his arms around her. “She may have been frightened and Sophie rose up because her survival was at stake.”

  She put her face to his shoulder. “So, will she come back?”

  “It all depends.” Dev released a breath.

  “On what?”

  “On your Dad,” he answered.

  Batting her eyes, she was puzzled by the statement.

  He smiled and scooped her up. “Remember how I was drawn to you?”

  Startled by the memory, she blinked her eyes at him.

  “If he needs her enough?” He nodded with emphasis.

  Madeline moved her lips close to his. “Like I needed you.”

  Dev pulled her tighter to him and kissed her.

  Rick sat on the sand, as the dark night crept in and the ocean tide rolled up at his feet. He grabbed handfuls of sand, released it and watched it to drop to the ground. Tidewater rippled in and rolled the sand away. I have felt this before, years ago when she first went away. He drew his head up and closed his eyes. He could immediately see her in his mind even after all these years……

  .…Phoebe had raised her head and saw him standing in the doorway. “Rick?” she whispered.

  “Were you even going to say goodbye?” he’d accused in angry voice.

  Shaking her head, she closed her suitcase. “You knew that I have to.”

  He was there behind her in an instant. “I know,” he breathed on her neck.

  “I can’t stay.” She shivered at the hot breath.

  Lifting her up from the floor, Rick held her there as he drew in her familiar sweet scent.

  “Please, Rick.”

  Abruptly, he set her down.

  Phoebe stumbled.

  Rick caught her and turned her around.

  Raising her head, she saw the rage in his eyes. “We can’t hurt him like that,” she defended.

  “You’re mine,” he stated in a low tone.

  She swallowed the sob, which rose up in her throat.

  Enraged, he grabbed her ar
ms. “Say it!” he shouted.

  She blinked her eyes at the shout while her whole body trembled.

  With a frustrated motion, he drew his hands away as though he deplored the sight of her.

  Phoebe slumped down with a sob. She sat on the floor at his feet. “I am yours,” she whispered up at him as a lone tear rolled down her cheek. “I will always be—”

  Full of rage, he lifted her up from the floor and moved her back.

  The wall met with her back. “Rick—”

  The loud sound of ripping material echoed through the room as he tore her blouse open.

  She gasped when he tore her bra away from her chest, her body trembling in his grasp.

  Slowly raising his fingers to a rosy nipple, he drew a circle around it. It hardened immediately from his feather-like touch. Lowering his lips, he took it into his mouth. He suckled it and tasted her other nipple before he raised his head to gaze at her.

  Phoebe clung to him as she whimpered with a helpless sound.

  Silent, he peered down at her trembling body. “Can’t let you…” His voice fell away and he ripped her skirt from her hips.

  She didn’t even struggle as her body jumped from the violent tearing.

  Reaching down, he jerked her panties up, tugging them up to her clit.

  “Ohh,” she gasped out.

  Remaining tensely quiet, he looked into her eyes.

  Panting, she reached out with shaky hands, unbuttoning his pants.

  He simply stared at her face while he slid her wet panties up and down over her throbbing clit.

  “I need you,” she begged as she squirmed and tugged his pants down.

  Rick groaned and raised her up, planting her against the wall again. He ripped at the lacey wet underwear, the shreds pulling away from her skin. He parted her thighs and shoved his cock into her with a violent thrust.

  With the deep penetration, Phoebe hung onto his shoulders and cried out.

  “Do you need this?” he growled to her ear.

  “Yes, Rick,” she wept out.

  Furious and hurt, he grabbed her ass cheeks to pull her tighter to him and pumped her hard because he still wanted her so badly; he knew he would always want her.