by Penelope Sky
While he worked downstairs with his men in one of the drawing rooms, I stayed in the bedroom, which had its own living room, private balcony, walk-in closet, fully-renovated bathroom, and another sitting room (for what, I couldn’t tell you). It was bigger than most houses.
I got goose bumps once I sat on the foot of the bed and wrapped my hand around the bed post. Was this the same bed frame that the last king had slept in? What else in this castle had lived more lifetimes than I would ever see? The historical significance shook me to the core, which was saying something because I never cared for history. But I could appreciate something that was two hundred years old.
I got ready for bed and changed into the baggiest shirt and the ugliest sweatpants I could find. All the clothes Crewe had gotten for me were girly and tight, way too sexy. So I put on his clothes instead. Hopefully, that would deter him from trying to seduce me. Even if he was an unofficial monarch of Scotland, rich, and handsome, I wasn’t sleeping with him again.
I was lying in bed, fully awake and looking out the window, when he walked inside. He quietly shut the door behind me like I might be asleep then undressed at the foot of the bed, removing his tie as well as the rest of his suit.
It must have been two in the morning, and it baffled me that he worked for so long. What did they talk about down there? How much intelligence could be discussed for so long? I hadn’t fallen asleep yet because I wanted to be awake when he returned. I knew I could trust him, to a certain extent, but I would feel more comfortable once he was in bed and asleep—not awake and stirring.
He pulled back the covers and got in beside me. He didn’t touch me, staying on his side of the bed. “Can’t sleep?”
How did he know I was awake? “I was waiting for you.”
The arrogance showed in his voice. “Oh yeah? Well, I’m right here, Lovely.” He moved toward my side of the bed.
I turned over and stuck out my arm, hitting him in his hard chest. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
He chuckled and kept his distance, moving to his back and staring up at the ceiling. One hand rested on his chest.
I wondered if he was nude. Anytime I came into his room at night, he usually was.
“Why are we sleeping together?” I asked. “You kicked me out of your room last time we were in the same bed.”
“That was different.”
“How?”
“I don’t want you to sleep alone in a room here. One of the guys might go in there and try to have some fun with you…”
The meaning of his words made me tense up. “For loyal men, you don’t seem to trust them.”
“Actually, I do trust them. But it’s when you trust someone the most that you need to be careful.”
I raised an eyebrow. “That makes absolutely no sense.”
“Not really. Think about it. If my men know I trust them, they’ll feel comfortable. And if they feel comfortable, they might try to pull something because they think they can get away with it. Then later they can lie about it, since they know they’re in my good graces. So, in my opinion, it’s best to play it safe. I’d rather have you under my watch. If you want something done right, you should do it yourself. That’s what they say, right?”
Oddly enough, that actually did make a lot of sense.
“No, I don’t want to share a bed with you. But this mattress is big enough that I’ll hardly notice you’re there.” He turned his head my way, his hair slightly messy from running his fingers through it. “You don’t snore, right?”
“No. Do you?”
“No.” He faced the ceiling again.
I stared at his muscled chest, seeing the sheets come up to his waist. “You aren’t naked under there, right?”
When he turned back to me, he wore an evil grin. “Why don’t you take a peek and find out?”
“I’m good,” I said sarcastically.
“Well, he’s ready whenever you are.”
Whenever I’m ready? Like I’m ever going to be ready. “I’m never going to sleep with you again. That was a one-time thing.”
“Whatever you say, Lovely.”
“I’m serious.”
“I’m sorry,” he said with a chuckle. “I have a very hard time believing you.”
“I’m not one of your bimbos.”
“Whoa.” He sat up in bed, propping himself on one elbow. “What makes you think I see bimbos? As a matter of fact, I like strong, clever, and independent women. One of my girls is a French diplomat. She’s smart as hell.”
“You have multiple girlfriends?” I asked in disgust.
“No girlfriends. Just girls.” He laid back down and pulled the sheets to his shoulder. “There you go again…being jealous.”
“Oh, geez…” I wanted to smack him upside the head. “I’m not jealous. I’ve never been jealous. I’ll never be jealous.”
“You like to talk about my sex life a lot.”
“I really don’t,” I said coldly. “You’re clean, right?” I silently hated myself for asking this question after the act had been committed. But I was doing it to survive, to get away from Bones, so I couldn’t be too hard on myself.
“Of course, Lovely. By the way, we need to give you the shot. Ariel will take care of it in the morning.”
Now I grew angry. “I said I’m not going to sleep with you.”
“Fine. But we’re giving you the shot anyway—because you’ll change your mind.”
“Will not—”
He crawled on top of me and pressed his mouth to mine, giving me a scorching kiss that was so aggressive my mouth ached. His hands gripped my wrists and pinned them to the mattress underneath me. His tongue darted into my mouth and danced with mine.
My resistance disappeared once he breathed into my mouth. His eyes were open, giving me a seductive look as he worshipped my mouth with his. He was naked from the waist down, and I felt his cock against my sweatpants.
When he felt my mouth reciprocate, he released my hand and dug his fingers into my hair, feeling the soft strands. He started to rock with me, his cock rubbing against my clitoris through my sweatpants.
My knees automatically fell apart to give him room because I wanted more of that friction, more of that length of steel to make me feel good. His lips hypnotized me, giving me a kiss so scorching it left me breathless. I instantly forgot this man was my captor, taking away all my human rights, the second he kissed me.
He thrust his hips harder, pushing his cock directly onto my throbbing clitoris. He made me pant and rock with him, enjoying how impressive his length was. I moaned into his mouth when I felt the ecstasy between my legs. Without even being inside me, he made me explode like a firework. “Oh god…” My toes curled, and my moans turned into whimpers. It felt so good that I forgot how easily he got me in the mood.
He stopped rocking and looked down at me, victory in his eyes. “You’ll get the shot in the morning.”
12
Crewe
It was ten in the morning, but that didn’t stop Ariel and me from sharing a bottle of scotch.
“Are you going to Her Highness’ ball next Saturday?” She poured another glass and swished the ice cubes around before she took a drink.
I had completely forgotten about that. “If you told her I was attending, then I must.”
“I’m sure that fucking slut will be there.” Ariel rolled her eyes, her glasses amplifying the movement.
I smiled when Ariel was protective of me. “Couldn’t care less if she is there. But I’d like to bring London along. It doesn’t hurt to have a gorgeous woman on my arm.”
“Well, that’s not possible.”
“How so?” I looked at the flames in the hearth of the drawing room. The only thing I despised about this castle was its lack of windows. It was built at a time when fortification was important. When I renovated it, I kept everything exactly the same wherever possible, so I refused to add windows just for the sake of it.
“You really think London
will behave herself in front of a majority of the world’s royal families?” she asked incredulously. “That woman can’t be controlled even with a leash around her throat. You’d have to be out of your mind to take her along.”
She was definitely a loose cannon.
“And as far as I can tell, there’s nothing to keep her in line. She’s not afraid of you.”
“That’s not entirely true.” There were some things I wouldn’t do and some things I would.
“Whether it is or isn’t doesn’t matter.” She drank her scotch quicker than I did, able to hold her liquor just the way I could. “You should go alone. It’s always easier that way.”
I still wanted her on my arm. London’s charms had grown on me. She had a beautiful smile on the rare occasions she showed it, and her body was nothing but curves. In a gown with styled hair and makeup, she would outshine everyone in the room. “I still want to take her.”
Ariel didn’t hide her look of annoyance. “Why are men always so stupid when it comes to women? Time and time again. Just remember Helen of Troy before you do anything stupid.”
“I have an idea of how to keep her in line.”
She set her glass down and crossed her arms over her chest. “Really? Let’s hear this idea.”
I poured another glass before I gave her the name that would explain everything else. “Joseph Ingram.”
After a moment of consideration, she smiled. “Not a bad idea.”
Ariel followed me into the royal chambers with the proper equipment. London was in the second living room next to the balcony, reading a book she found on the shelf.
“Ariel is going to give you the shot,” I announced as we walked inside.
London nearly jumped out of her skin at my unannounced presence. “Geez, a heads-up would have been nice…”
“Don’t forget you’re beneath us,” Ariel said coldly. “Drop the entitlement, and shut your mouth.”
London’s eyes snapped open, affronted by the cold insult.
I tried not to smile. Ariel was a lot to take in—until you got to know her.
“You’re a disgrace to women, you know that?” London stood up like she was prepared to fight her. “He’s keeping me as a prisoner against my will and you stand by and do nothing. He’s stripped me of my clothes—”
“If you’re done whining, I have work to do.” Ariel opened her briefcase on the wooden table.
London’s jaw dropped, shocked that Ariel could be so foul. She turned to me in shock. “This woman is your business partner? Does she talk to everyone like this?”
“Just the ones who annoy me.” Ariel tested the syringe before she sat on the couch. “Don’t expect me to feel sorry for you just because I’m a woman. If you don’t like your circumstance, change it. It’s that simple.”
“You think I want to be here?” London asked incredulously.
Ariel pointed to the cushion beside her, silently commanding her to take a seat. “I think you need birth control because you enjoy fucking the man who captured you. So yes, I do think you want to be here.”
London glanced at the vase sitting on the nearby table.
I knew exactly what she was going to do next. “Don’t even think about it, Lovely.” I grabbed her by the wrist before she could do anything that could get her killed. I guided her to the seat and sat beside her, keeping an eye on both of them.
London was so angry she couldn’t speak—which was a first.
Ariel inserted the needle and deposited the fluid. Then it was over. She placed a cotton ball against the skin and covered it with a bandage. “You’ll be ready to go in twenty-four hours.” She put her supplies away then walked out, leaving us alone together.
I knew London was eager to speak her mind.
“That woman is horrible.”
I shrugged. “She’s not that bad when she likes you.”
“Does she insult all of your clients like that?”
When I thought about it, I smiled. “Actually, yeah.”
“And that’s okay?” she asked incredulously.
Ariel had a lot of valuable qualities that couldn’t be replaced. “She’s the best at what she does. That’s all I can say.”
“And what is that, exactly?”
I never told her about my other company. “She pretty much runs my scotch business. I just oversee a few things here and there.”
“Wait…you make scotch?” she asked in surprise. The realization slowly dawned on her, probably thinking about all the times she caught me drinking the amber liquid throughout the day. “I guess it makes sense.”
“It’s my clean money, how I launder all my other cash.”
She nodded like she understood. “And she works with your intelligence stuff too?”
“Yeah. She does a lot.”
London sighed when she realized there was no way to get rid of her nemesis. “I haven’t done anything to earn her hatred. She’s pretty cruel.”
“It’s nothing personal. She doesn’t like people she doesn’t know.”
“Well, she didn’t know everyone at one point.”
“And honestly, she still doesn’t like me now.”
London actually chuckled. “Can’t blame her…”
I liked seeing her smile—for me. It was an expression she hardly wore, like a rain cloud in the desert. “Give it time. She’ll come around.” I examined the cotton ball stuck to her arm, knowing within twenty-four hours I could have her the way I wanted. “Looks like you’re ready to go.”
Her smile dropped instantly.
I knew she was at war with herself. Her body craved mine, especially after the exquisite orgasms I gave her. But her mind couldn’t accept the attraction, not under the inhumane circumstance. She would always see me as the man who imprisoned her, a dictator.
But that was all about to change soon enough.
13
London
He came to bed late that night again, finishing up work downstairs with Ariel and the rest of his crew. I didn’t bother to pretend to be asleep this time. He walked inside and undid his tie, his eyes finding mine. Seductively, he removed every single item of clothing and dropped them on the floor. First, it was the tie and then it was the collared shirt. He undid his belt and bent it in his hands, testing the tightness. Then he dropped his slacks.
I eyed his near-naked body and felt repulsed by my immediate arousal. For a criminal, he had soft and flawless skin. The muscles coiled and moved every time he shifted, his power obvious in his build. He wasn’t bulky like Dunbar, but his long and lean look implied he was strong—but also fast.
He kicked off his shoes and socks then grabbed the brim of his boxers next.
I knew I shouldn’t look. I wasn’t sure why I was looking in the first place.
His brown eyes held a vibrant desire and confidence that was borderline arrogant. He pulled them down his waist until his hard cock appeared, the head swollen and a darker shade than the rest of his length. Nine inches of man emerged from his trimmed balls. He kicked the boxers aside then came to the bed, knowing he had my full attention.
He got into bed beside me and rested one arm underneath his head. The sheets bunched up to his waist, only the outline of his hard cock noticeable. Without trying, he looked like every woman’s dream. Masculine, powerful, and sexy. He was sleeping inside a castle that was passed on to him through his noble blood. He really was a king.
He turned his head and looked at me, his five o’clock shadow thicker than it was that morning. “Like what you see, Lovely?”
I didn’t bother lying anymore. It was obvious how attracted I was to him. But no matter how strong my needs were, I wasn’t going to go down that road. I had too much respect for myself, and my desire for freedom had never faltered. I couldn’t succumb to something so carnal and forget what was important. I may not be able to stop him from seducing me, but I could make sure I wasn’t making the first move. “I’m tired…” I yawned and turned over, trying to forget about the achin
g throb between my legs.
He turned off the bedside lamp and chuckled. “Whatever you say, Lovely. But very soon, you’ll be giving me exactly what I want.”
My heart quickened at his words. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’ll see in the morning.” He fell silent, refusing to give up any more information.
I didn’t take his threats lightly. He had power, money, and authority. He could make a lot of things happen—anything. I didn’t know what he was going to pull in the morning, but I had to make sure I wasn’t around to find out.
I concentrated on his breathing, studying it to determine what stage he was in during his REM cycle. I couldn’t make my move unless he was out cold. I was in the middle of nowhere, and I needed as much of a head start as possible.
When his breathing turned deep and constant, I slipped out of bed and put on the running shoes Dunbar had placed in my bag. I was in black leggings and a t-shirt, poor clothes for a quick getaway, but they would have to do.
I crept to the door on the other side of the room and slowly opened it, grateful it didn’t creak due to its old age. I stepped into the hallway and looked left and right, making sure no one was on guard. The deep red rug stretched down the hallway, underneath the crystal chandeliers which hung from the ceiling.
I crept down the hallway and stuck close to the wall, listening for any sound. I reached the end and peered down the stairway, seeing no one at the bottom. I crept down to the bottom floor, and my eyes immediately darted to the two enormous doors that marked the entryway.
Dunbar stood in front of them, dressed in all black. He looked at his phone like he might be playing a game to pass the time.
Damn. I couldn’t go that way.
I went back upstairs and took the hallway on the opposite side of the room, which went down a corridor of bedrooms. One room I passed had a woman moaning loudly while the bed creaked, and I couldn’t help but think of Crewe and what we could be doing right now if I hadn’t left.