by Kate Benson
“Yes, Daddy,” she breathes.
Her head falls back against my chest as I plunge deeper, lifting her foot slightly from the tile as I tighten my grip on her thigh. She’s confined, completely under my control and as my lips rest against her ear, my hot breath washing over her skin, I watch her sink further.
“That’s it, princess. There’s my good girl,” I hum, her walls tightening around my shaft as she begins to tremble in my arms. “Take what you need, little one. Come for me, Bella.”
As the words leave my lips, I give her throat a gentle squeeze, aching to taste her as her jaw goes slack. My preferred name leaves her in a chant, her heavy pants wrapping around me and pulling me into the abyss with her.
Her body softens, and her orgasm pours over me, the low groan in my chest drowning out the gentle purr escaping hers. In a few thrusts, I fill her, slowly loosening the grip on her throat and trace her mouth with my fingertips. She wraps her lips around my fingers, sucking gently. I release her thigh and as her foot returns to the tile, I pull out, both of us feeling the loss immediately. I reach for the knobs and turn the water off before my hand moves back to her, sliding between her thighs and slipping inside.
“Come here,” I whisper, angling her eyes back to mine.
I take her mouth slowly, savoring in the taste of her tongue as it slides against mine. My fingers fill her, fucking her slowly as she comes down. I trace her stomach and thighs with my release, slipping back inside. I deepen our kiss, sliding out to trace her breasts and the hollow of her throat before I grip her chin and watch her lick them clean. I start to pull away, but her hand finds mine as she turns to face me, holding me in place.
“I love you,” she whispers, leaning up to press her lips to mine.
“Hmm,” I hum, gently brushing her wet hair away from her face, silently savoring the gentle pull her blue eyes have over me. “I love you, too, baby.”
Chapter Three
ISABELLA
My hand falls into his and he leads me from the shower. He takes his time drying me before he reaches for my hand once more and leads me out, coming to a stop once we reach his closet.
“Is someone here?” I ask as we approach the small section of clothing he’d put in here for me.
“Yes,” he nods, reaching for a light sundress before he turns back to face me. “Arms up, princess,” he commands gently, slipping it over my head and pulling it on over my bare skin. He takes a moment to look me over, plucking the top two buttons open to reveal the subtle dip in my cleavage before kissing my hair and gesturing for me to sit on the small padded bench beside us. “I knew I’d be on the phone for a while this morning, so I had Vera come in to make you something for breakfast and help get a few things in order.”
My eyes stay locked on his body as he pulls on a pair of jeans, greedily taking in every ridge and rip of his muscles. I can barely stifle the sigh in my chest as he zips them up and begins to step away from me, moving fluidly through the room.
“What kinds of things?” I ask, his eyes finding mine as he pulls a black t-shirt from one of his dressers and turns back to me. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”
“Thank you, but I don’t think so, darling,” he shakes his head, releasing a sigh. “Vera will need your help, though. One of the reasons I asked her to come in today is to help finish your suite. Once you’ve called your parents, you’ll need to sit down and make a list of things you still want from your apartment.”
“I don’t think I understand,” I admit. “I know we can’t go today, but I thought…”
“There’s no telling how long it will be before this clears up enough for me to take you there,” he shakes his head, his eyes softening when he sees the disappointment in mine. “I know you look forward to it, Bella. I also know that you probably feel like you need normality today more than most days, but there’s nothing relaxing about what will be waiting for us at your apartment, sweetheart. It will be a madhouse over there. We won’t get an ounce of privacy, sweetheart.”
“Maybe it’s calmed down,” I offer, making him shake his head. “Maybe in a few days…”
“They’ll have had more time to dig,” he cuts me off, releasing a sigh and taking a seat beside me on the bench. “I’m sorry, baby, but we’re going to have to stay here this weekend. We can’t risk going to your place until I know it’s safe for you.”
“Okay,” I say, this time unable to stifle the low sigh in my chest as he winds his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close.
“Write a list of things you’ll need right away, and I’ll send John to get them later,” he offers, pulling a nod from me. “And once I’m done with these calls, we’ll hang out in your room for a while. We can still do our regular thing, just me and you, okay?”
“Okay,” I nod once more, my eyes fluttering shut slightly as he presses his lips to my hair.
“Good girl,” he whispers, tilting my lips to his and giving me a soft kiss before rising and leading me out behind him. “Come. We can talk some more out here, but we need to get some breakfast in you.”
The marble floor is cold on my feet as I pad along behind him toward the kitchen. I nuzzle closer to him, craving his touch, his warmth and wrap my free hand around his wrist. He glances down at me, his lips turning up slightly at the corners sending a jolt through me as we round the corner. We find Vera already busy inside and she gives us a warm smile when we find her in the kitchen moving around quietly.
“Good morning,” she greets us, gesturing toward the island for us to sit.
“Good morning, Vera,” Adam says with a polite smile. “I hope you’re doing well. Thank you again for coming in today.”
“I am and it’s my pleasure,” she waves him off. “Your coffee is on the table and your breakfast is just about finished. You two sit and relax.”
“Thank you,” I smile, reaching for my cup and relishing in both the flavor of the Italian roast as it hits my tongue and the feel of Adam settling in closely beside me.
He leans back in his chair at the same time I lean forward, holding the mug with both hands to further warm myself. His fingertips begin lazily running over my lower back, relaxing me completely as I take another long sip. It’s not until I hear the low, deep chuckle leaving him that I acknowledge the gentle hum that leaves my chest.
“Is that coffee good, princess?” he asks, his lips stretching into a wide grin when I glance over my shoulder with a blush.
“Yes,” I admit. “It’s delicious.”
“Mmm,” he winks. “It sounds like it.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were paying attention enough that you could hear me.”
“I’m always paying attention to you and you, my darling, are putting on quite the show,” he rasps, the way he trains his eyes on my lips only making me blush harder. “You’d better be a good girl and behave or you might find yourself in a very compromising position.”
“Vera’s here,” I reply, the dare lingering in my words as I take another dramatic sip, pulling a low growl from his broad chest. “I think it’s safe to take my chances.”
“Vera’s the one you have to watch out for,” he teases. “How do you think I turned out like this?”
His words make me stumble and I choke on my coffee, pulling a loud belly laugh from him as Vera approaches the table.
“Okay, you two,” she admonishes us playfully, setting plates in front of us. “Your breakfast is ready. Sit up straight and mind your manners.”
“See? She’s a savage,” Adam sings under his breath in a whisper, making me laugh again before he faces her. “Thank you, Vera.”
“You’re welcome,” she pats his arm, giving me a wink. “Miss Isabella, Mr. Avery said you’ll be spending Saturday and Sunday mornings here with us for a little while. I took the liberty of picking up a few things I know are
your favorites, but you’ll have to be sure to let me know what kinds of things you like. I’ll be sure to get them when I go to the store.”
“Thank you. That’s incredibly thoughtful, Vera, but you really don’t have to go to any trouble for me. I’m happy with toast or cereal. This is…” I offer, glancing down at the elaborate plate she’s given me. “Well, I don’t even know what this is, but it’s beautiful.”
“It’s sweet potato hash with an avocado cream reduction,” she smirks. “And it’s my pleasure.”
She leaves us and after a few minutes of comfortable silence, I glance over to find Adam scrolling on his phone, ignoring his food. Despite how calm he’d just been, his eyebrows crinkle together slightly in concern as he scans his screen, his shoulders visibly tensing. I hate the idea that our relationship, something we’ve both come to value so deeply, is causing him worry and stress. Our time together is supposed to be our getaway from the rest of the world. One look at him as he types rapidly on his phone shows me he’s feeling anything but relaxed.
“Baby?” I start, pulling his attention to me just slightly, although his eyes stay locked on the screen
“Yes, darling?” he asks, his palm falling high on my thigh before he gives it a gentle squeeze. “What is it?”
“I left my cell phone in your bathroom and I need to check something. Would it be alright if I used yours?” I ask, setting my fork down and turning to face him more completely. He gives me a quick nod, his palm squeezing my thigh once more before he leans forward, still staring at the screen. “It’s important or I wouldn’t ask. I promise it’ll only take a second.”
“Of course,” he finally says, backing out of the screen before handing it to me. “Here.”
“Thank you,” I smile, leaning over to give the stubble on his jaw a quick peck.
“You’re welcome,” he says, glancing over in time to find me setting the phone on my side of the island, out of his reach. “What are you…?”
“If I’m not allowed to stress out with you in the shower while I’m spending time with you, you can’t stress out while you’re having breakfast with me,” I insist, holding his hazel eyes. “That was your time, and this is mine.”
He begins to smirk, confident I’m joking until finally, he realizes I’m not.
“Bella, give me my phone.”
“No, Sir,” I shake my head and lean up to kiss his set jaw once more. “Your place or not, today is still Saturday.”
“Isabella…”
“Hey, you make the rules, Daddy,” I shrug, putting my hands up in mock surrender. “I just follow them.”
“You’re not doing a very good job of it right now,” he argues.
“Well, I think I do alright the other six days of the week,” I allow as I take a bite. “It’s only fair that on Saturdays, I get to have breakfast with my boyfriend and not the back of his phone. Wouldn’t you agree?”
He studies me for a moment, considering my words before he finally releases a small sigh of frustration mixed with what looks like a hint of arousal and admiration at my bravery.
“You’re growing quite brazen, little one.”
“Well, you know,” I tease. “Someone told me once brazen looked good on me.”
“Yes, and if you’ll recall, I also said I wasn’t typically a fan,” he replies, making me smirk.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I’m the exception then,” I wink, my chest warming when the corner of his lip turns up slightly on one side.
“Fair enough,” he allows with a sigh, reaching for his bagel and coating it with a thin layer of cream cheese. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Good boy,” I joke, watching his eyes drift to mine, completely unamused and dripping with gentle warning despite the giggle leaving my lips.
“Don’t push your luck, princess.”
“It’s Saturday,” I sing.
“And?”
“And you can’t punish me on Saturdays.”
“I never agreed to that,” he argues playfully as he takes a bite, making me laugh harder.
“Well, maybe not, but you wouldn’t.”
“Are you sure about that, darling? You know how much I love it,” he challenges with a light chuckle, sucking his finger clean and smirking when my lips part, mesmerized. “You’re lucky you’re so adorable first thing in the morning.”
“And why is that?”
“Because that dress is slightly clouding my judgment and your mouth is making me twitchy, little one. That’s a dangerous combination,” he teases. “Are you sure you don’t need a refresher?” His deep voice brings my eyes back to his, prompting me the shake my head as I flash him a playful smile. “If you say so, pumpkin” he winks. “Keep it up and you might just get one anyway.”
Chapter Four
ADAM
After we finish breakfast, I get her settled in her suite before excusing myself and heading into my office to call my lawyers. I’m on the phone much longer than I’d expected and when I don’t get the news I’m hoping for, I can’t help the low groan that slips from my chest. I reluctantly check my messages, cursing the decision when I find emails from both my COO and CFO, each of them insisting I contact them immediately to discuss the situation.
I send them both a quick and vague reply, setting a meeting up for Monday before I rise from my desk with a deep and exhausted sigh.
I step out of my office, desperate for any distraction and grateful knowing my favorite one is waiting for me in the next room. I make my way toward her door, pushing it open and step inside to find her pacing, cell phone in hand.
“Si, mamma. Sto bene, lo prometto,” she says quietly into the phone, her palm moving toward her forehead in frustration. “I’m at Adam’s… twenty minutes from my apartment… Si, Mamma. Of course, it’s safe here. He’s a CEO. He doesn’t live in the bassifondi,” she rolls her eyes, her pacing coming to a stop for a moment before she begins moving around nervously again. “I only fell asleep in his room. We didn’t…” she stops her pacing once more, staring up at the ceiling. “Oh, no. You caught me in my web of lies,” she drones on, her voice dripping in sarcasm. “He’s been my marito for five years and am now incinta del mio terzo figlio, mamma. We named the first girl after you, our son after Nonno and we’re still brainstorming on what to name this one. I just didn’t have the heart to tell you,” she shakes her head, ignoring my chuckle as she falls onto the bed beside me. “Well, who cares about the pictures in the paper, mamma? I’m your daughter and I’m telling you…” Her hands flail slightly in annoyance as she sits straight up. “I don’t care what you saw on channel eight. Those people didn’t even talk to me. How would they know what I’m doing?” she insists. “No, I’m not a liar! I didn’t lie to you. I kept one secret, one time and it was for your own good!” she insists. “Gesu Cristo… Have you just gone folle, mamma? Do I need to start looking into homes for you?” she asks, making me laugh harder. “Well, you’re acting like a psicopatico!” she insists. “Dio Mio, Mamma. You have got to calm down! Think about your coure!” she begs. “You know what? I can’t talk to you… Because you’re talking crazy… Si, Mamma, you are! Yes, you are! Mamma… Mamma… Okay, I’m done! I love you. Please put Daddy on the phone.”
She leans back against the mattress, releasing a low sigh as I rest my hand on her knee and give her a gentle squeeze.
“You okay?” I ask, my voice just barely above a whisper.
“Yes,” she nods, holding my eyes for a moment before she pulls them away, staring up at the ceiling. “Thank God,” she sighs, the relief in her voice obvious. “Yes, I’m fine. I told Mom what was going on, but she’s convinced I’m holed up in the ghetto with my pimp husband and our love children,” she rolls her eyes, shaking her head through my laughter. “I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t risk the press coming to either of you, so
I thought it would be easier this way. I realize now that was a mistake, but I’m safe and I’m fine and I have everything I need. No one needs to worry about anything where I’m concerned,” she promises, her words obviously rehearsed, although I can’t deny the content I find when I hear the truth in her confidence. “No… no, Daddy. That’s a terrible idea,” she insists. “Because the press is everywhere,” she admits. “Adam has security here and he’s sure my apartment is surrounded by reporters right now, so I’m just going to stay here with him until the dust settles… I’m in a guest room,” she lies, her cheeks heating slightly with the mistruth as she pulls her thumbnail to her lip, nervously biting it until I take her hand and she gives me an apologetic smile. She listens for a moment before she sits up and her eyes move to mine, pulling her teeth between her lower lip for a moment before she finally speaks again. “Why can’t you just talk to me?” she asks. “Because he might be busy on the phone, Daddy. He might not be able to talk to you right n-”
Before she can finish the sentence, I’m pulling the phone from her hand.
“Hello, Mr. Baxter. This is Adam Avery.”
ISABELLA
Regardless of the mess of nerves gathering in the pit of my stomach, as my eyes lock onto Adam’s profile, he’s never looked so calm.
I silently beg for him to face me, give me any indication of what he’s talking about with my father but it’s no use. He refuses my gaze, his sudden need to study the layout of my vanity with such intent pulling my hand to my lips. Before I can begin nervously chewing on my thumbnail, one of his biggest pet peeves and one of my nervous quirks, he reaches for my wrist, gently placing it in my lap as he mouths the words stop, darling.
“I’m sorry,” I apologize, the words somehow still leaving me broken despite my hushed tone.
“Shh,” he whispers, shaking his head and taking my hand in his and giving it an affectionate squeeze, calming my nerves almost instantly.
His eyes shift just slightly toward mine, twinkling in amusement as he sees my distress before he returns them to the opposite wall.