“Do they own you body and soul?” he asked, his tone lightly teasing but there was something starkly serious about his question as well. “Surely, you get a day off from them as well as your job?”
His question only drove home the point that she belonged to the Buchanan brothers. It was an odd thing, one she was still becoming accustomed to, particularly when she’d been used to flying solo most of the time. Not that she was complaining, of course. Vince and Nolan were kind, generous, and made her toes curl on a regular basis. What more could a girl want? “They will be here in an hour,” she answered, adding with a bright smile. “We’re going sailing.”
Disappointment showed in his gorgeous eyes but he recovered well, saying, “No worries. It’s probably best. I have some details to attend to as well. But I confess, the idea of spending the day with you is far more appealing.”
She smiled in spite of her misgivings. One thing was for sure, Dillon had that Buchanan charm and he wielded it well. “Why are you here?” she asked. “Something tells me it wasn’t to cook me breakfast.”
His enigmatic smile faded around the edges and for a split second her heart ached for him, as if he were actually hurting inside. Perhaps he was simply misunderstood and isn’t the villain Vince and Nolan believe him to be. And perhaps she was being completely naïve by hoping that was the case. Her Buchanans had been quite clear about their feelings about their older brother and she trusted their judgment. She had no business feeling anything for Dillon, no matter how he made her insides flutter with a simple glance, or worse, that crooked half-smile that nearly broke her heart each time.
“You’re a dangerous woman,” he said, startling her with his sudden observation.
“M-me? Hardly. I’m just an accountant who somehow...” Penny blushed and glanced away. “Sometimes I’m afraid they’re going to realize they could’ve gotten someone better for their business arrangement.”
“And why is that?”
She forced a laugh. “I’m not exactly model material and the Buchanans are...well, they’re filthy rich. They could have anyone they want, why would they settle with me?”
“From what I can see, whatever they offered you, it’s not enough,” he said in a low, sultry tone that caused the air in her chest to disappear. “And judging by the soft swell of that beautiful tit, I’d say they shouldn’t leave you alone for a second...especially when I’m back in town.”
It took a moment for his comment to truly register then she realized her robe had gaped open, giving Dillon a perfect glimpse at her left breast. She gasped and pulled the robe closed, her mortification mingling with a breathless arousal that was so highly inappropriate she didn’t know how to react. “Oh God,” she said in a high squeak that was hardly dignified at all. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Why?”
“Because you just saw my boob!”
“I wasn’t complaining.”
She sent him an exasperated look, though a grin teased her mouth just the same. “That’s not the point, it’s not appropriate. Thank you for breakfast but,” she said, rising and tucking her robe tighter around her “I really need to ask you to leave. Vince and Nolan will be here soon and I need to get ready.”
Dillon chuckled, not the least bit put off by her request, but he countered with a shocking suggestion. “How about we save water and shower together. I wouldn’t mind spending the day on the water. It’s been awhile since I took in the sea air. If I recall, it’s quite refreshing.”
The idea of showering with Dillon caused a shudder that she tried to suppress but the gleam in Dillon’s stare told her he’d caught it and was reveling in her reaction. That was just fantastic, she thought sourly. “No we cannot shower together,” she snapped. “Now go.” She didn’t wait for him to agree or disagree this time and simply turned on her heel and marched to her bedroom. “And don’t you dare just pop up in my shower either or you’ll find sensitive areas under attack with a loofah,” she called out stridently. The nerve of that man. What a cheeky suggestion.
-5-
Dillon was playing with fire but the succulent Penny McDaniels had thrown a wrench in his carefully thought out plan. He wanted her. And not just because she belonged to his brothers, although that was certainly a bonus. His little brothers could use a little payback for the stunt they’d tried to pull with Granddad. No, his fascination with Penny had less to do with his plan than his desire to feel her beneath him. She had curves in all the right places, from her big, soft breasts to the rounded swell of her hips, and he was interested in discovering all the sensitive places that made her shiver and gasp. He enjoyed the way her eyes flashed with indignation yet still couldn’t hide the flare of arousal and it was that hidden spark that intrigued him most.
He’d traveled the world, making his own way, while his brothers swam in corporate waters. He’d never wanted to be a suit-wearing stiff, but granted, he could’ve handled things between himself and his overbearing father with a bit more tact. Hindsight being twenty-twenty, he probably shouldn’t have told the old man to “go fuck yourself” when the big stand-off had gone down all those years ago. But Dillon had never been good at taking orders, even if there were dire consequences attached to his refusal.
He and the old man had never patched things up — a private regret he carried — but when he realized it was time to stop being a wanderer and put down some roots, those little fuckers had maneuvered him right out of the family estate for good. Granddad, bless his dotty heart, certainly hadn’t realized what he’d been signing and Vince and Nolan had taken full advantage of that fact.
But Vince and Nolan didn’t know who he’d become over the years. No longer the brash and angry youth they remembered, Dillon was as cold and calculating as the most dangerous corporate shark and Dillon wanted what had been taken from him.
The bonus, of course, was that Dillon was going to enjoy teaching his little brothers the value of never underestimating their opponent. They’d made a grave misstep in assuming that Dillon hadn’t changed over the years, that he wouldn’t notice their underhanded shenanigans until it was too late. Unbeknownst to them, Dillon had been quietly building his own empire, separate from the Buchanan stronghold, as well as keeping on an eye on Vince and Nolan’s every move. He knew their dirty secrets, their private escapades. Yet, they were completely in the dark about him. Laziness and arrogance, Dillon smirked. Two qualities that made easy bedmates but disastrous partners. Well, well little brothers...time to learn the most valuable lesson of all: never underestimate your opponent and always, always guard your investments.
Dillon’s smile spread as he left the apartment.
Penny McDaniels would be his first acquisition from Buchanan Enterprises.
A laugh rumbled from his chest. Oh, Miss McDaniels...you have no idea that soon...you will belong to me.
***
Penny stepped into the foyer of the expansive home where dozens of well-heeled people mingled about like schools of privileged fish and she chafed at the intense discomfort of feeling out of place. Everywhere her wandering gaze settled she found evidence of how out of her league she was in her surroundings. She tried not to fidget but her fingers itched to curl in the fine fabric of the designer dress clinging to her generous curves, pushing up her breasts like twin offerings on a carnal plate so that they swelled obscenely over the edge of her dress. Goodness gracious, her nipples were nearly exposed and she’d said exactly that when Vince had presented his gift to her. But Vince had simply smiled as if he’d been perfectly aware of this fact — and he’d approved.
Was she honestly the same woman who’d gone from wearing boring beige panties on a typical day to wearing expensive panty and bra sets that cost more than some people’s salary? She shifted and grimaced as her thong wedged itself more firmly up her tush and for a split second she longed for the comfort of her boring, beige granny panties. But boring beige wasn’t sexy. Tiny, scraps of lace climbing up your ass crack was very sexy, even if it was annoying as h
ell to feel as if you were constantly fighting a wedgie.
And damn it, if there was one thing she was desperately trying to learn, it was how to be effortlessly sexy. Oh, like her...Penny couldn’t help staring just a little at the lithe woman who glided by with a champagne flute in her hand, her willowy figure everything Penny would never be, as she commanded the attention of every set of male eyes in the room. Penny had never commanded a room. She hated being the center of attention, mostly because she feared people were judging her but also because she was a bit shy, if the truth were known. And this party was like scrubbing sandpaper across a raw wound, she thought grumpily.
“You’re probably the only person in this room who can actually move their facial muscles enough to furrow your brow but why mar such a lovely face unnecessarily?”
Penny jumped at the sound of Dillon’s voice at the sensitive shell of her ear and shivered as a secret thrill chased her consternation that Dillon, Vince and Nolan’s oldest brother, had somehow crashed this exclusive party.
“What are you doing here?” Penny asked, determined to keep things frosty between her and Dillon. She belonged to Vince and Nolan, the twin Buchanan brothers and there was bad blood between the twins and Dillon, so that meant she automatically owed her allegiance to the twins. “I thought this party was by invitation only?”
Dillon produced a slim, hand-written invitation in fussy calligraphy between his index and middle finger then with a flick tucked it back into the dark confines of his tailored suit. “Seems there are a few people who still enjoy my company. My brothers notwithstanding, of course.” He gave the room a cursory glance. “Speaking of, where are Frick and Frack tonight? Surely, they didn’t think to leave their little lamb in the company of wolves? Particularly when the wolves are hungry.”
Penny’s breath hitched at the bold way Dillon’s gaze skimmed her curves before returning to her astonished eyes. She struggled to catch her breath when her heart rate threatened to spike to an unacceptable level and tried to ignore the flutterings of arousal that always sparked to life whenever Dillon was within two feet of her.
“Are you feeling all right, dove?” Dillon asked solicitously, though his handsome mouth twitched with knowing. She glared and jerked a nod, swallowing and looking away to compose herself.
“My dress is tight,” she muttered. “And it’s hot in here.”
“Of course,” he acquiesced though in truth, she knew he was simply agreeing with her because he enjoyed toying with her. Dillon Buchanan was the worst sort of man — handsome enough to make a girl forget just how bad he was and just bad enough to make a girl think of terribly sexual things with a smoldering glance — and Penny had to check herself each time he poked his head into her life. Which, as of late, seemed like a lot.
“Stop it,” she said, shocking him with her terse demand. “I know what you’re doing and I’m not about to fall for it.”
“Oh?” One dark slash of an eyebrow lifted in mock surprise. “Do tell. What am I doing aside from providing you with a little friendly company in a room filled with strange faces? Perhaps I was mistaken in my assumption that you looked ready to pass out from sheer terror.”
“I did not look ready to pass out,” she said indignantly, but it was probably the fact that he was right that bothered her most. She had felt ready to crumple to the floor in a puddle of Vera Wang couture.
Penny swallowed and desperately searched for a familiar face, or more specifically, two intimately familiar faces before she tumbled into pure panic. Of course, they couldn’t arrive together. No one could know about their arrangement — technically, it was illegal to own another human being, even if that human being was a willing participant — so that meant Penny had been forced to arrive on her own to a party where she knew no one aside from Vince and Nolan Buchanan, her Masters.
“Tell me, Penny, what is it about me that makes you so jittery?”
Her nose twitched at the sharp tang of his cologne as well as the subtle but alluring scent of pure masculine skin and she had to scowl to prevent herself from leaning in for a deeper inhale. “Perhaps I just don’t like you,” Penny replied with a cool smile that belied the heat curling in her belly. There was something about Dillon that stole her breath and made her think of things best left alone. Guilt sharpened her tongue as she added with a lift of her chin, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to find Vince and Nolan. They’re probably looking for me as we speak.”
But as she took a step away, Dillon’s voice trailed at her back in a silky murmur that for all its soft delivery may as well have been shouted. “Or maybe, you like me too much...” he suggested and she shuddered, melting into the crowd of people as if the devil was on her heels.
She found Nolan laughing and chatting with a group of women but as soon as his gaze found hers, his eyes warmed with subtle heat. Although he couldn’t exactly sweep her into his arms in front of everyone, she told herself she didn’t need that to know she was their girl. Still, it would be nice to not have to hide in the shadows, a voice reminded her quietly. Don’t be silly. Your life is the stuff of fairy tales. How many people do you know who get to pick from the newest fashion designers without worrying about the price tag?
“Ladies,” Nolan drawled with a slight nod as he excused himself to join Penny at the bar. His gaze raked her body, settling on the plump pillows of her breasts and she blushed when his smile turned decidedly aroused. “You look exquisite. I told Vince that color would suit you.”
Penny smiled and smoothed her hand down the burgundy dress. It really was sublime. In her past life she never would’ve dreamed of wearing such a bold color but it seemed appropriate given her relationship with the twins, which was sordid and wonderful at the same time.
“I’m happy you approve,” she said, preening just a little. She could weather a little discomfort if it meant she was rewarded with wolfish smiles from the twins. Just seeing that subtle twist of their lips reminded her of the things they liked to do her in the privacy of her apartment, locked away from the world and anyone’s judgment. If only she could escape the small voice in the back of her own mind that sounded a lot like her Papa’s. She was a grown adult, not a child. She could sleep with whom she chose, she thought guiltily. But it wasn’t that, exactly, and she knew it. It was the fact that she’d allowed the brothers to buy her. Like an expensive whore. Or, as the twins had put it, as a highly sought-after courtesan. Somehow that sounded much less...well, whorish. Still...
“You’re not enjoying yourself,” Nolan said, troubled. She glanced up with a start and realized she must’ve allowed her thoughts to reveal themselves in her expression. Nolan leaned forward and whispered for her ears only, “I would die a thousand deaths if I thought you were miserable in our company. What can I do to put a smile on that gorgeous face of yours?”
Her breath caught and she smiled tremulously. “Nothing so dire,” she murmured with a shy glance. “I’m not accustomed to such an environment. You travel in vastly different worlds than me. My idea of a fancy dinner party might include a get-together at Red Lobster, not an exclusive party where everyone looks as if they were peeled from the pages of Vogue magazine.”
“Darling, that’s half the reason I adore you,” Nolan said.
“What’s the other half?” she asked, curious.
“I’ll give you a hint,” he said in a low, seductive tone that caused shivers to dance on her spine. His voice tickled her ear as he added, “it’s between your lovely thighs.”
She sucked in a wild breath and her eyes widened with shock at his bold admission but even as her cheeks bloomed with heat, she smiled with delight. Nolan always knew how to shock and arouse her at the same time. “Can we leave?” she asked.
Nolan sighed and pulled away with open regret. “I would love to but I’m committed to making the rounds. That’s part of the gig. Networking with people who have money is what keeps us rolling in it. And trust me, with Dillon around, we’re going to need to up our game.”
At the mention of Dillon, Penny tried to sound casually interested as she asked, “Why is Dillon here? I mean, back in the States? He doesn’t seem the type who’d enjoy pushing paper all day.”
“He’s not,” Nolan agreed, his demeanor changing quickly. Guilt, perhaps, flashed across his face but he shut it down quickly as he graced her with another dazzling smile meant to distract her. And it usually did. But Penny couldn’t help the feeling that Nolan and Vince were deliberately keeping her on the outside of something important. It also hurt that they didn’t trust her with whatever big, bad secret they were keeping. All she knew was that it centered on Dillon. Something in their past. But what? It was on the tip of her tongue to admit that she’d seen Dillon at the party but for some reason, she kept that information private.
Penny worried her bottom lip in spite of the exquisite make up job that’d been applied to her face courtesy of the hair and make up artist Nolan had hired to help her with the intricate up-do that exposed the column of her neck in a way that made her feel graceful and thin, when in fact, she was really neither, but stopped when Nolan gave her a look. “You have no reason to feel substandard to anyone here,” he reminded her. “Hold your head up — you’re gorgeous. And you have something none of these women have...”
Penny looked up, meeting Nolan’s semi-serious gaze. “What’s that?”
“You have the Buchanan brothers wrapped around your finger,” he answered, stealing the breath from her lungs. He grinned and leaned forward to whisper, “I know a way to liven up this party. Meet me in the restroom in two minutes.”
Her eyes widened at his suggestion and she was shocked to see he was totally serious. “You mean?”
He grinned and walked away.
Two minutes seemed a heartbeat away as she made her way to the restroom and quickly locked the door behind her. Suddenly, Nolan’s hands were cupping her breasts from behind, squeezing the plump flesh that filled his palms. “Have you ever had a quickie, separated by the unsuspecting public by a single door?”
Crazy About Curves: 10 Luscious Reads Page 58