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His hands dropped to her hips and slid over her backside, gripping and pulling her tight. He lowered his gaze to take in her voluptuous figure, then lifted his eyes to meet hers again. She stood breathless in his arms, gazing up into the most entrancing blue eyes she'd ever seen. She was aware of every breath she took as their bodies remained pressed together. His lips brushed hers faintly, making her knees weak. This can't be a dream! Yet he felt surreal somehow. Wonderfully mysterious. Irresistibly intriguing. He gave her an easy, reassuring smile, then slid a hand up the middle of her back into her hair, gently moving the long, golden tresses to one side.
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The expression in her sparkling blue eyes thrilled him. He hoped the words she sent during the auction transactions were more than just fluff. Many women claimed to love him, but none had been willing to stand behind their declaration when he challenged it. When it came down to "go-time," the women he'd encountered transformed into shallow beings whose intentions turned out to be self-serving. Finding true love as a celebrity had not been a successful venture for him. Summer's messages to Dustin had touched Savion. She seemed like a rare find. He had high hopes for this lady and discerned a pureness in her unlike any other. Tenderly he nibbled the soft skin of her neck, then let his seeking lips trail over hers, allowing his tongue to briefly flick into her mouth as it passed by—to taste the sweet gloss clinging like honey to her lips. He felt her trembling desire and sensed this beautiful woman would receive him. Savoring every inch, his lips moved over her neck and face, leaving a trail of feathery kisses to tantalize her skin. She had wanted him forever.
He needed her now.
Her deep sigh pleased him as his lips moved along her jawline, pausing to graze her earlobe with a light bite around the gold earring that dangled like irresistible bait. Ever so slowly he let his mouth drift down the curve of her graceful neck, then over the swell of her breasts. His tongue dipped below the satin edge of her bra far enough to moisten the peak with a teasing swirl. Taking his time, he kissed his way along the silky skin of her breast to taste the other one. 33
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Then with painstakingly slow motion, he returned the kissing and nibbling to her neck, stopping just behind her ear.
"Tell me that the messages you sent to Dustin are true," he whispered so sensually she felt breathless. She managed a ragged whisper in return. "Every word. At the risk of sounding trite, I've loved you forever." His warm breath wisped her neck again. "And what of your marriage? You still wear the ring."
"I am not bound by my own free will. He holds a secret over me."
His inquiry over her marital status made her wonder if his first appearance had only been a dream. Strange that he would mention her marriage again. Perhaps this is yet another dream. Maybe I've finally lost my mind ... gone over the edge. After all, driving into the city, haggling over a pricey gift just to hide an auction purchase seemed extreme. How long could one woman maintain her sanity under duress?
A smile of satisfaction traversed his face. "Will you receive me then, Summer?"
The sweet softness in his voice stirred an ache of desire deep inside. At that very moment all ability to reason vanished; she would do anything he asked, even if she wasn't quite sure what he had in mind. It didn't matter. She wanted him more than anything. He awakened passion in her soul that burned hotter with each passing thought.
"Yes, Savion." She sighed in between breaths. Her body quivered with enthralled anticipation. "I will gladly receive you."
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Her reaction to his seduction electrified him. The way her silken voice caressed his name wrapped him in a sensual haze. As much as he wanted to lay her down right there and make sweet love, another matter forced him to wait before he could engage in the most intimate bond between a man and woman. Knowing she would faint soon, he wrapped her in his arms while his teeth grazed along her neck. As his powerful persuasion took over, he felt her body weaken. She gazed up at him with glassy eyes and a luscious smile.
"I'm going to bite you now. It will hurt only for a moment. Are you still willing?"
"Yes!" Her body trembled with the most unusual excitement she'd ever experienced. This can't be real! Yet she wanted it to be.
"Relax."
She gazed up at him and slowly nodded. The last thing she focused on before closing her eyes was the odd charm dangling from the silver chain around his neck. Leaning over her, he lowered her halfway to the floor. With one strong arm supporting her back he straddled her legs with his. His free hand glided up the length of her leg, over her bare stomach and flattened as his palm gently caressed each ample breast scantily covered by the skimpy black bra. He felt her shiver as his touch moved over one hard nipple, then the other. As his eyes burned on her, his groin began to ache with a potent erection he hadn't felt in a very long time. While taking her in with hungry eyes, long fingers curved behind her neck after brushing stray tendrils aside. She relaxed in his arms; her head dropped back with gently closed 35
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eyes and lips—softly parted—deliciously glossed in light pink. He studied her briefly—suspended, completely submissive in his arms. Her untarnished beauty aroused him even more. Bending over while holding her securely, his lips found their way along the silky skin, kissing and letting his tongue leave a satin trail from the soft peaks upwards to her graceful neck. Summer felt deliriously light—as if floating. Suddenly she felt a sharp pain followed by a sudden gasp and rush of heat, then unbelievable stimulation coursed through her body. She went limp in his embrace.
Savion inwardly smiled at her sweet response. He cradled her unconscious body while his teeth remained latched on her tender skin, biting down just hard enough to pierce a vein so that her blood trickled into his mouth. A streak of fiery heat shot straight to his groin, delivering the intoxicating sensation he had been without for so long. Bloody hell! He groaned while gently sucking the wound on her lower neck. She's a virgin! I've found her!
His renewed potency strained against the leather pants, aching for release. But he would not take her in that manner until she was ready for everything he had to offer. She belongs to me now ... of her own free will.
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Four
The sound of a garage door opening stirred Summer from her afternoon nap. One look in the mirror sent a flood of panic through her soul. In a flash she was back in her own clothes and had stashed Savion's in a cedar chest under some keepsakes. Eric never had cause to snoop, and she didn't intend on giving him reason now. Footsteps coming up the basement stairs indicated she better move faster. She tossed the bonus items back into the bag and hid it in the closet.
"Summer! Are you here, darling?"
"I'll be right out." She hopped around on one foot pulling on some socks, then whipped a brush through her hair preparing to tie it into a quick ponytail. Oh no! Her hand flew to her neck. No! No! No! This can't be real! But the bite mark on her neck looked very real. Her heart was pounding in her ears as she pulled the long tresses down over her breasts to cover the fresh wound. Dear God, what is happening?
"C'mon, sweetheart. I've brought you something," Eric coaxed.
"Coming!" With a last check in the mirror after quickly adjusting her hair, she sucked in a calming breath, then walked down the hall to greet Eric.
"There you are." He placed a short kiss on her lips. "You haven't forgotten what Monday is, have you?" With a finger placed alongside her cheek, she looked up at the ceiling as if in deep thought. "Hmm. I can't recall anything at the moment."
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"It's Vale
ntine's Day! I guess this means my little bird has forgotten to get me something?"
She loved being able to surprise him with gifts because it kept him off guard.
"You know..." she began, while walking over to the china cupboard. "I did manage to find you something."
"Ah, so that's why the Express Mail truck was here today." He gave her a devilish grin. "I saw Jay while picking up the mail. He said there was a delivery truck here today."
"You make it very hard for me to surprise you." She forced a smile. Damn nosy neighbors. Every move she made never failed to be reported back to Eric by some busybody. She sat on the sofa beside him with a small box in her hands.
"Open mine first." He held out a rectangular-shaped velvet box.
Obviously another expensive piece of jewelry. Beautifully deceptive but cold on the inside—just like him. She opened the box and had to admit the piece was impressive.
"It's one of a kind," he told her. "I had it fashioned just for you. I won't have my wife wearing the same jewels as other women. I am president of my company, so my wife shall have the very best."
Yes, of course. You must overcompensate so your peers continue to idolize you. Summer lifted the bracelet from the plush bed it had been set upon. Thank God it's a bracelet this time and not a necklace. While admiring the sparkling gemstones she watched him from the corner of her eye. He was waiting for her response.
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"I'm speechless." She sat quietly as he hooked the clasp, then adjusted the bracelet on her wrist. One gemstone from each month of the year had been set into gold with a nicesized diamond placed between each jewel. "You shouldn't have, Eric. I already have so many jewels."
"And you look stunning in every one of them."
"I take it you don't plan on being here for Valentine's Day?" Summer knew the bracelet must've cost thousands and also recognized his method of operation.
"I'm sorry, darling. You know me too well. I do have a business trip this weekend. Forgive me?"
"Of course." She feigned her disappointment to appease him.
"Now what has my little bird purchased for me?" He opened the box excitedly. "Where did you find this incredible watch?"
"A lady does not tell her secret shopping places. Would a man go around boasting over his best fishing hole?"
"No ... I guess not."
He laughed. Not a carefree laugh. But pretentious with a glint of mistrust in his eyes. Nevertheless, she had surprised him with a gift impressive enough to explain the mysterious online purchase when the bill arrived. He wouldn't insult her by tracking the source unless she roused suspicion.
"When are you leaving?" she asked.
"I'm afraid I'll have to be on a plane tonight. We are bidding on a billion-dollar account and want to make inroads with the client."
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"Ah, I see. Expensive dinners, upper scale nightclubs, the works. And where is all this schmoozing going to take place?"
"New York City. I'll be back on Wednesday. Would you like me to have Mother come stay with you since this trip is longer than usual?"
"No, no." Summer shook her head with a slight smile. "I can get by just fine on my own. I've done it many times before. But I'm sure you'll put everyone on alert that you're out of town so they can keep an eye on me."
"Darling ... you make it sound as if I don't trust you." She looked at him with raised eyebrows and a half smile but offered no response. He planted a kiss on the top of her head then walked away whistling a perky tune. Glancing at the bracelet, she realized that if Eric did meet an early demise, she wouldn't be totally penniless. The jewelry given to her over the years hadn't been part of the prenuptial agreement. She could sell it and start over on her own. Away from this hollow life and phony friends. I hope your damn plane crashes, you pompous bastard! I'd rather be poor and free than spend another day in this decorated cage.
* * * *
An hour before Eric's scheduled departure he answered an incoming phone call.
"Summer ... it's for you." His voice sounded grave. "It's Dori."
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"My sister? I haven't heard from her since Mom left." Summer accepted the receiver. "Hi, Dori. Why are you calling? It's been thirty years."
"Summer. I've got bad news."
Summer sat down and listened as Dori spoke between sobs about their mother's passing.
"I didn't know she was ill. I haven't heard from either of you since Mom moved to the Bahamas."
"Mom felt it best to let you live your new life and forget the past. After you married Eric she knew you'd be safe. She didn't suffer long. God was kind in the end."
"So you knew about the abuse?" Summer had at times wondered if her sister had been a victim of their father's brutality. Dori was much older and had moved away before Summer turned two. So they never had a relationship.
"I knew," Dori replied. "That's why I had to get away. Mom was too afraid to leave him, and I couldn't stand his temper. I guess things got even worse after I left."
"Yes. Much worse." Summer sighed pensively. "But it's over now."
"At least Mom got to live out her senior years in peace." Dori proceeded to tell her that their mother's body would be flown up to Los Angeles for the service, then buried next to plots purchased by Dori and her husband. Summer realized that her mother must have kept in touch with Dori over the years for these arrangements to be in order. She didn't feel slighted that her sister was handling everything. Standard protocol usually placed the older sibling in charge of final affairs. However, she wondered why her mother chose to 41
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maintain contact with one daughter and not the other. Dori was the reason their parents got married at the age of fifteen. By the time Summer came along many years later, Dori was a young adult ready to go out on her own.
"When is the service?" Summer wondered if her mother had ever told Dori of the payoff she accepted from Eric, or even if Eric had disclosed to her mother any details of that night.
"Viewings will be held over the weekend. The funeral is Sunday evening. Do you think Eric will fly you out?"
"He has an urgent business trip. I'd have to come alone." She glanced around and didn't see him lurking about. "Did Mom ever talk about what happened that night ... to Dad?" she asked in a soft voice.
"No. Mom never brought it up. I read the police report but didn't want to upset her. I figured if she wanted to talk about it, she would. She sure had high regards for your husband though. She told me about how he helped her financially since Dad left her with nothing. He drank and squandered their entire savings. Apparently Eric gave her a huge amount of money to live well for the rest of her days. Mom had a great life after you married Eric. What a sweet man you married, Summer."
"Yes ... very." She practically coughed out the words. If she only knew! However, at least Eric had kept the secret. Whatever method of persuasion he used to send her mother away had been effective in covering the lie. More lies! When will it end?
"So when will you be coming?"
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"I'll be on a plane in the morning."
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Five
She felt like a bird let out of its cage on a glorious Saturday morning. Her first time on an airplane. Nervous excitement filled her. Eric had never let her travel with him. Always kept safely at home in their mansion, she didn't know what to expect as the massive jet began rolling down the runway at a blazing rate of speed. Ohhh! Gripping the arms of her chair with white knuckles, she sucked in a deep breath and held it as the plane lifted into th
e air. I'm flying! When the jet leveled off, she let herself breathe. Surprisingly, Eric hadn't given her much static over flying all the way across the country by herself. Perhaps because he would also be away. Obviously he didn't want to be surrounded by his in-laws during a somber occasion. Questions might come up that he didn't want to answer. One slip of the tongue would destroy the perfect life he'd lied and finagled to create. He put up slight resistance when she requested a hotel instead of staying with Dori. Some tears had been necessary to convince him how awkward she would feel lodging with relatives who felt like strangers. She played her hand well, using the fact that he was leaving her alone over Valentine's Day to persuade him into reserving a suite for her. Now and then Summer found a way to use his game against him. He had only himself to blame. Surely he didn't expect her to pass up a taste of freedom when it came along. He may have owned her body all these years, but he'd never have her heart. Summer had made a 44
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silent vow to never give up on her dreams, no matter how old she got.
Meeting with a gathering of relatives she'd only seen once or twice in her life didn't thrill her. She felt a little guilty feeling exhilarated over her trip when society insisted she should be sad. But the truth was she hadn't seen or heard from her mother in thirty years. A feeling of ambivalence surrounded her thoughts towards the woman who should've protected her, yet chose to hide behind her instead. Summer neither hated nor loved her mother. Numbness had taken root long ago—the day she took it upon herself to save her mother's life as well as her own. But it seemed that only one of them had truly broken free.
I wish I never had to go back home! She peered out the tiny oval window over fluffy white clouds. Little bird! Today the name fits, because today this little bird is flying!