by Hazel Gower
Carl’s grip in my hair tightened and he yanked me back down. “That was not a kiss. This is a kiss.” His mouth molded to mine as his fingers trailed down my back. His tongue traced the seam of my lips before seeking entry. I opened and met him, tangling our tongues together. The pit of my stomach swirled wildly and tingles started at the tips of my toes and worked upward, getting hotter. What had this man done to me? What was happening to me?
I started grinding myself against him seeking more. His fingers dug into my arse. If we continued like this I was going to come. Damn he was good. The thin fabric of his boxers and my now wet panties added to the delicious sensations heating me.
Carl eased to a sitting position never breaking the carnal kiss. My fingers bit into his skin. I rubbed myself against him frantically searching for my high. I was so close.
His lips left mine and a chuckle that had his body vibrating beneath me, had me almost plastering my mouth back to his, eager for more. “I see you feel the connection between us too.” He touched my trembling lips with one finger.
My tongue slipped out and wrapped around his digit. Argh, what the hell was I doing?
“Mmm, I’d stop that. Otherwise you’ll find I won’t hold back and these—” His fingers slipped under my bra strap and panties. “Will be off and I’ll—” His hand slid down and his fingers parted my folds. “Taste and devour your body until you’re begging for me to bury myself deep within you.” His fingers delved into my pussy.
Closing my eyes, I fought with my body to come to my senses. I was hot, horny and the ache I felt deepened. This man was my kryptonite. I thought I’d been fine without a man for close to ten years, but maybe that was why I was finding it so hard to resist Carl. Oh God, my mother was right. My body was so deprived of attention it was willing to take anyone. At the thought of my mother being right, I snapped and grabbed his hands, yanking them away and scrambled of the bed.
His chuckle turned into a deep belly laugh. “Did I touch on a sore point?”
Grrr, what a wanker. Crossing my arms over my chest I glared at Carl. “No. I’m going to get a shower. When I get out I expect you ready to go. I want to see my mother.”
Carl raised his hands in the air in surrender. “Sure. Whatever you want honey.” He lowered his hands and inched closer to the edge of the bed. “I’m happy to join you. I can help wash all those hard to reach places.” He winked at me and then smiled, and bloody hell his dimples popped, my body melting at the sight. I took a step toward him and shivered at the heat that built within.
Oh for fuck’s sake, what was wrong with me? I shook my head, hoping to get rid of whatever spell I was under. “No. You just stay where you are.”
His laughter didn’t help. The deep sensual sound had my pussy throbbing. “I thought you wanted me to get up and get ready so we can go visit your mother.” He shrugged. “I’m happy to stay here and wait for you.”
I looked around the room for something to throw at the arrogant swine. He knew what I meant, he was deliberately riling me up. I picked up an elephant ornament off the chest of drawers and threw it at him. The arse ducked and laughed harder. Turning, I stormed into the bathroom slamming the door and locking it. I could hear his laughter and it only pissed me off more, but my body was on damn fire.
Crap, I was in trouble.
* * * *
Carl
Annabelle was adorable when mad. Her cheeks flushed a pretty pink highlighting her hair, and her petite nose tilted up. What had me almost jacking off while she’d been in the shower though was her eyes. They lit up with fire and turned a blue so dark I wouldn’t be surprised if I’d seen lightening flash in them.
I could see the curse was affecting her. I wondered if it was having such an effect on her because I was the oldest to succumb to the curse. Or could it be affecting her so much because she was also the oldest female to be claimed by a Silverman. I was intrigued.
I showered in the bathroom down the hall quickly and made my way down to the kitchen. There I found two more bodyguards had arrived, introducing themselves as Louis and Blane. Rafe handed me a folder with my coffee. I sat at the table and opened the folder but didn’t bother reading as Rafe started talking as soon as I opened it.
“Annabelle Clarkson. Thirty one. Only child to Darla Clarkson, who is in the hospital recovering from having her appendix taken out. Annabelle is a librarian at Swansea public school. She has a large mortgage for a townhouse in Labrador and a twenty year old little red car that has seen better days.”
Clarkson, so that was her last name. Nice, but Silverman would suit her better. I didn’t remember her mother, so it hadn’t been me who’d operated on her.
“You forgot in that run down of my life that I have a German Shepard named Sherlock.” Annabelle sashayed in. She wore black yoga pants and a red tank top with a white butterfly. “Either someone went shopping and bought clothes the exact same as what I have at home or they went to my house and picked up my clothes.”
She glared at Rafe and he shrugged. “Tomas went and gathered some of your things when he went to pick up Blane, Louis, and another SUV.” Rafe pointed to everyone.
Annabelle huffed and gave a death stare to Tomas. “You better not have gone through all my drawers, Lurch. You had no Goddamn right to go through my stuff.” She turned her anger on me. “I don’t want your men in my house.” She turned back to Tomas. “I hope Sherlock bit you, Lurch.”
Who the hell was Lurch? I looked to Rafe and raised my brow, but it was a laughing Mathew who answered my look. “Annabelle has decided Tomas’s name is Lurch. She says he looks just like the TV character and Tomas didn’t divulge his name yesterday so…”
I really shouldn’t laugh, but as I gazed over at Tomas I did see the similarities. I also liked the fact that Annabelle was comfortable enough to tease the bodyguards. Turning my focus on Annabelle I saw she now divided her glare between me and Lurch, er, Tomas. Her hands were on her hips and one of her black ballet flat covered feet tapped. I’m sure the look she was going for was intimating and angry but she just looked adorable and so beautiful. I couldn’t help the chuckles that slipped out.
“Argh,” she screeched. “You have invaded my privacy and are driving me insane and think this is freaking funny?” She stomped her foot and I couldn’t stay where I was any longer she was just too cute.
Getting up, I went to Annabelle and pulled her to me wrapping her in my embrace. She struggled for a moment, but I didn’t give her up. “You’re just too cute.”
“Oh my God, you so didn’t just say that?”
I tilted her chin up so she could look at me. “I did.” Tucking her damp hair behind her ear. I stroked her cheek. “Don’t be mad at Lurch.” I coughed. “Tomas was just doing his job. Your house isn’t safe anymore. And before you ask, I‘m sure he put Sherlock some place safe.” I looked over Annabelle’s shoulder to Tomas. He nodded.
“Sherlock has been moved to your house Carl.” Rafe added.
I lifted my chin in a quick acknowledgement. My house wasn’t animal friendly, but I was sure they’d organized something. Now Annabelle was mine I would make sure my house, our house, was fixed to her liking.
Annabelle stayed quiet for the rest of the morning. She watched though, and I knew she was taking everything in. I hoped she was coming to terms with her new life.
On the ride to the hospital Annabelle stared out at the scenery and snuck glances at me when she thought I wasn’t watching. I didn’t hide the fact that I spent most of the ride staring at her, committing every feature to my memory. She had such delicate features, high cheek bones, dainty little nose, creamy white skin and fine smooth as silk hair. She was beautiful.
We arrived at the hospital and Annabelle ran off as soon as she was through the door. I laughed as I watched Lurch and Mathew run after her. I ignored the gasps I heard from staff. I didn’t care what they thought of me. I went
straight to my office and shut the door.
* * * *
Annabelle
Mum looked a lot better today. I came upon her eyeing the nurses.
“Bellie, you took my advice.” Her eyebrow raised up and down suggestively and then she winked at the bodyguards that followed me.
“No Mum, I didn’t. I was kidnapped by a crazy man and these are his bodyguards that he insists I have.”
Mum burst into a fit of laughter, but quickly stopped and grimaced. “Mum, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“It just hurts to laugh, Bellie.” She shifted to a more comfortable position and winked at the bodyguards. “Oh Bellie, you were always good at telling stories. So darling daughter of mine, introduce me to your men.”
“Mum, I told you they’re not my men. These are bodyguards.” I turned to see who’d followed. “The one with the smirk is Mathew and the one that looks like he’s made of stone is Lurch.”
Mum waved as elaborately as she could from a hospital bed. “Hello gentlemen who are not my daughter’s men. I’m Darla, Bellie’s mother.”
“Bellie?” Mathew chuckled.
Glaring at the bodyguard I turned back to my mother. “Mum, I’m glad you’re better. I’m here to be with you today and get you anything you need.”
“Why do you want to spend your Saturday in a hospital looking after me? I’m in a place where people take care of me. Go, have fun with your ‘bodyguards.’”
“Mrs. Clarkson, your daughter isn’t telling tales. These are the guards I assigned to her. My name is Dr. Carl Silverman, and your daughter is mine.”
Chapter four
Annabelle
My mother loved Carl. She’d been so happy when he claimed me as his. The idiot even told my mum she could plan our wedding. Supposedly it would keep my mother occupied while she stayed in hospital and when she got out and was in recovery. Neither my mother, nor Carl, listened to me when I denied there would be a wedding or that he couldn’t just assume I would say yes if he asked. I barely knew him and already he and my mother were pals.
We pulled up to a fortress style fence and gate that surrounded the property. I could see the cameras and didn’t need to be told that it was a top of the line security system. The gates opened to a white driveway. The elaborate gardens were very green, with splashes of colorful blooming flowers. I looked out the window, transfixed by my surroundings. The house came into view and a gasp left my lips. It wasn’t just a mansion. It was a mansion on steroids. If I really wanted to get technical I’d call it a friggin’ palace. The backdrop was the water, so I bet the back half of the house overlooked the beach. Three stories high, it resembled a castle, with sandstone pillars, white brick, black tiled roof and fancy windows that added to the grandness. I wondered briefly if he was compensating for anything, but dismissed that thought as I remembered how big his dick had felt when it rubbed against me this morning.
We drove around to the side where mechanical doors opened and the car drove in. Even the bloody garage was elaborate, with murals of cars painted on the walls and what looked to be signed memorabilia from racing car drivers. It wasn’t messy and didn’t look to house any tools, dirt or storage crap. I’d never seen any garage like it. “Where do you keep all your junk?” I was curious. I kept all my crap that I might need someday in my mother’s garage.
Carl raised one perfectly sculptured eyebrow. “I don’t own any junk.”
Ha, yeah right. Everyone has junk. I mean, I was sure everyone had at least a junk drawer. You know that drawer where you put pamphlets, and pens that don’t work, but maybe if you try again sometime they may. “Okay so you don’t have junk in your garage. I keep all mine in my mother’s.” Carl’s gaze narrowed and his fingers threaded through mine. “You know, like the exercise bike that I bought and used for a month or two, or the boxes of my teenage clothes and kid stuff.”
“Why don’t you just throw them out?” He asked as we walked through a door and into a hallway.
I stopped and stared at him, horrified. “Why would I do that? I may need them someday.”
His brown eyes darkened until they looked almost black and a spark shone in them. His lips quirked up and his dimples popped. I really couldn’t help the sigh that escaped. “Oh really. You think you’re going to need and want to wear clothes from when you were fourteen?” His body shook as he chuckled
“Well, I wouldn’t wear the clothes. Not that I could fit into them anyway, but I may want to um, give them to my daughter if I ever had one.” This was my justification for keeping them for the last fifteen years.
He squeezed my hand. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but we won’t be having any girls. Silvermans only produce boys.”
“Ha! What makes you think I’ll be having children with you? I may find myself some guy who’ll give me a bunch of girl—”
The snarl cut off my antagonizing. I had no idea why Carl brought out this side of me. The side that bantered back, that fought, and that didn’t take shit. I wasn’t like this usually. I was a very stereotypical librarian: quiet, shy and very reserved. Carl made me hot and fluttered and my coping mechanism, so I didn’t jump him, seemed to be pissing him off.
Carl yanked me against his hard body and his mouth slammed down, claiming mine. He lifted me up, cupping my arse. I gripped his shoulder, so I didn’t fall and without breaking the searing kiss, he walked.
I should probably have fought him, or at least tried to stop what he was doing to me, but his fingers kneaded my arse, and the walking motion had me grinding against him as he devoured my mouth. I didn’t want to stop. I wanted more. I wanted to feel his naked skin against my own. I wanted to give in for once and let myself go. To give into temptation.
We stopped and I reluctantly forced myself to pull my mouth from his. We entered an elevator and he pressed a button. Holy shit. We were in a house elevator. He placed me gently on the ground and I took a step back only for him to follow.
“Take it off.” His deep voice was a barley recognized growl.
I shivered and stared up at his eyes, dark pools filled with lust and promise. With shaking fingers I undid my blouse and unzipped my pants. His breathing was getting louder and a power I’d never felt before washed over me at the knowledge I was making him so turned on. I slipped the blouse off, letting it fall to the floor as the elevator opened. He gathered me to him again and left the elevator. I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs hooked to his waist. His hands rested on my back and his lips claimed mine as he started walking again. Lost in passion, I almost missed his fumbling with my bra. His snarl of frustration into my mouth had me moving away and giggling. He placed me down and I looked around to see we were standing in front of two large doors. He opened them and before I got to see the room we were going into, Carl lifted me over his shoulder and strolled in. Dazed at the change, I didn’t have time to react before he laid me down on a massive bed.
“Take it all off now.” I didn’t argue or even pause to think of what I was doing. I was so worked up. I’d have done just about anything he said right then. I kicked my shoes off, wiggled out of my pants, and threw them and my underwear on the ground. A thought in the back of my mind told me I should be more cautious, that I shouldn’t be this brazen. I was naked on a huge bed with a man I barely knew. The groan of appreciation he gave me as he stared at my body had my confidence soaring.
I watched with heated anticipation as he ripped his clothes off to reveal the beautifully sculptured body I remembered from that morning. He was toned and tall and had one tattoo. It looked to be the medical symbol on his chest. Sighing in appreciation, the urge to trace the symbol with my tongue flashed before me. I wanted to explore every inch of him. I knelt on the bed and resisted the urge to throw myself at him. Any resistance I felt I had toward Carl had vanished. All I could think about was climbing back on him and taking his mouth to mine and letting my tongue do the
exploring I craved. Oh God, what had come over me? I felt almost animalistic.
Carl crawled to me. My stomach fluttered and body heated. I reached for him and settled myself against him. He cupped my face and brushed his lips over mine lingering to whisper, “You’re mine.” He eased away and stared into my eyes. “No one else will ever see you or feel you like this again. This I promise. Mine,” he hissed before claiming my mouth as his own.
His fingers ran down my body caressing my breasts and tweaking my nipples. Shots of delight pulsed through me and I closed my eyes and basked in his touch. My own fingers explored, tracing the ridges in his back before coming around and trailing the pads over every crevice and bump. Mmm, I loved the feel of his body. I sighed in pure bliss as he flexed, and my fingers smoothed over his abs. I’d never been with someone with a body like Carl. He wasn’t bodybuilder muscle, but he was solid and toned. I’d seen pictures of hot bodies, but never had the pleasure to feel one and I was enjoying it. I liked that Carl looked after himself. He was older than me I knew, but I didn’t know by how much, and he was a busy doctor that kept in shape. I was impressed.
I opened my eyes as the kiss deepened. Carl ravaged my mouth and I matched him, fighting to taste more, to feel more. I tangled my tongue with his and sucked as I moved my lips to match his rhythm. Carl’s body moved us further down on the bed and I wrapped my legs tighter around him as he rubbed against me. Circling my arms around him I ran my fingers up and down his back.
His mouth tore from mine on a groan and I panted for breath. He rested his face into the crook of my neck and sucked. Shots of pure ecstasy pulsed straight to my pussy. When he came to my ears his tongue snaked out and licked sending shivers right through me before he nibbled on the tip. Holy shit. Sparks fluttered down me and stopped at my core.