Highest Bidder Collection

by Lauren Landish

  Chapter 29

  Lilly

  I’ve been tossing and turning all night. The back of my eyes is throbbing from a terrible headache, brought on by a lack of sleep. I think I’ve been up for over 24 hours, running on fumes.

  I’m in a private room at Club X. The bed I’m lying on, a king-sized plush pillow top mattress, is soft and comfortable. It practically begs me to go to sleep. But I can’t. It’s nice and all, but I prefer my room back at Joseph’s house. Or his room, as long as he’s next to me.

  I can’t stop thinking about him. I don’t know if he’s okay, or if he’s even alive.

  I swallow thickly as I see the dim light of morning peeking around the luxury curtains and then glance at the phone he left me.

  The little dot that tracks his location is in the same spot. It makes me feel sick, like something’s terribly wrong. The fucking dot won’t move. I wish I could talk to someone, Joseph, one of his associates, and be assured that he’s okay. Anyone!

  I called his phone at least a dozen times, but he hasn’t answered. I knew he wouldn’t in the beginning, but by now he should’ve.

  My throat constricts and I roll over in bed, hating to think about it. Hating time for going so slowly.

  Just come back to me.

  A knock on the door brings me to my feet faster than I would have thought possible, my heart pounding in my chest.

  I’m just at the door when Madame Lynn walks in.

  She looks sharp as usual, dressed in a black dress that has ruffles at the bottom and black glossy heals, her hair pulled up into an elegant bun while wispy bangs frame her face. She looks perfectly fine. As though her friend isn’t out killing his father and brother this very second.

  Her face is solemn as she steps into the room and stops a few feet away from me.

  “I’m here to tell you that you can go home now,” Madame Lynn says softly. “Isaac set up a security system around your townhouse. You don’t need it,” she shakes her head gently, her eyes rolling, “He’s peculiar about safety.”

  I part my lips to ask her about Joseph when there’s a knock at the door.

  Isaac sticks his head through the doorway, glances between the both of us, and then steps inside the room. Though I’m filled with anxiety, I can’t help but notice the authority Isaac radiates. It reminds me of Joseph. Those chiseled features, the power and ruthlessness behind his eyes.

  “It’s done,” Isaac tells Madame Lynn. “I’ve made sure that no one will gain access.”

  The look that passes across Madame Lynn’s face as she glances at Isaac is one of extreme gratitude.

  “But what about Joseph?” I ask. The hell with my safety, I want to know what’s going on.

  Madame Lynn exchanges a glance with Isaac and something seems to silently pass between them. My heart pounds harder in my chest.

  I look back and forth between the both of them. “Where is he?” My body trembles with anxiety. Someone tell me something!

  Madame Lynn is silent and the look of sadness she throws my way makes my stomach churn.

  “Please tell me what’s going on!” I cry.

  “You’re better off without him,” Isaac says finally, firmly. At the frown that crumples my face, he adds, “I’m sorry if it’s not what you want to hear, but he’s no good for you Lilly.”

  “Isaac!” Madam Lynn snaps, she looks pissed. And Isaac’s shocked.

  “If he really wanted you, he’d be here. Not leaving you to wonder where he’s at.” Isaac says.

  “That’s not true. You don’t know him!” I cry out..

  “Get out, Isaac.” Madam Lynn says in a low voice. “I told you, you don’t know him.” Her voice is full of hurt. And from the look that flashes in his eyes, he seems genuinely sorry.

  “Out,” Madame Lynn says in a bit of a brighter tone, shooing him away.

  Isaac stands there for a moment waiting for her to look at him again, but she doesn’t. He looks like he wants to tell me something. But again… nothing.

  He presses his lips into a straight line and nods before leaving the room. At the door, he stops to tell me, “My team and I will be waiting to escort you home Ms. Wade. Just come to us when you’re ready.”

  I don’t answer him. Fuck him for saying that. It hurts. I’m already hurting and what he said was only salt in the wound. The only words I can get out are, “you don’t know him.”

  The second the door closes, Madam Lynn says, “I was really pissed at Joseph.” She clears her throat, taking the seat in the far corner of the room. The chair is a pale pink, studded nails line the smooth leather. She runs her hands down the edge and it suits her. She looks like she belongs there.

  “He’s okay,” I stare at her with wide eyes. “Joseph is.” My body sags with relief. “He called a few hours ago. It’s over with.”

  A few hours ago? Her words hit me like a knife to my back.

  “I’m sorry about Isaac. He doesn’t know Joseph well.” I can tell she’s trying to change the subject, but I don’t let her.

  “Hours?” I ask her. Her expression tells me that she knows how I feel.

  “He’s safe. And he knows you’re safe.” I’m quiet as I sit on the edge of the bed. Overwhelmed by so many emotions.

  “He’ll come for you. I’m sure he will.” Her eyes are so full of sincerity, that I believe her. I believe that she truly thinks he will.

  But her words don’t give me the confidence I need. I want him here now. I want to watch that stupid dot on the phone coming closer and closer to me. Bringing him back to me.

  But then I think back to the last look he gave me, and my doubts fall away.

  I know what I saw in his eyes. And that wasn’t a lie.

  He loves me. And he’s going to come for me.

  And if he doesn’t, then I’ll go to him.

  Chapter 30

  Joseph

  The trunk closes at the foot of my bed with a loud clack. All the memories of my past placed inside. Including my journal. I have no need for it anymore, no desire to write another word.

  It’s over.

  There’s not a single target on my back with both my father and my brother gone. Zander’s assured me he’ll keep his ear low to the ground. His fingers on the pulse of what’s going on behind closed doors. I’m not sure what he wants from me, he’s yet to ask. I don’t like owing a debt to anyone if I can help it, still I’m grateful.

  Because of Lilly.

  I want her back. I want her here, in my house and in my bed, just like I did that first night I saw her. She belongs to me now. So any protection I can take, I will. Even if that means making a deal with Zander.

  As I grab my keys, they clink off the foyer table. The sound echoes with me as I realized the only reason I’ll be coming home without her is if she doesn’t want me. My hand hesitates on the doorknob, my mind replaying all the moments we’ve had in the past month.

  We’ve grown together. I’ve been there for her and she’s been there for me. At least in my mind, that’s what happened. I know these past two weeks, she’s been a prisoner. Unable to go as she pleases. It was for her own safety, her own good. As I close the front door behind me, my body heats I remember her in the cage staring at me with daggers in her eyes.

  She could leave me now. She could walk away from me and there’s nothing I can do. I never locked the cage and I never will.

  The thought chills me along with the bitter cold February air. I forgot my coat. I don’t give a fuck, I’m not going back. Not until I have her in my arms.

  My strides quicken and I hit the clicker to unlock my car. The faint beep beep ringing out in the cold.

  I’ll be coming back with my flower. I know I will.

  Just as I open my driver door, I see a car coming up the long winding drive. There’s a dusting of snow over the clearing, and as the old, red Honda takes the bend, the car drift slightly.

  My heart races in my chest and I drop the keys onto the ground.

  Lilly.

&n
bsp; She regains control and drives slower up the drive. I swear to God if she kills herself finding her way back to me, I’ll never forgive her.

  I leave the keys where they are as small specks of snow float down from the sky and Lilly parks her car in the driveway. She looks up through the windshield, hesitation clear on her face, and that gorgeous vulnerability shining in her doe eyes.

  My flower.

  I try not to assume that she’s come for me. That once again we desire the same. A harsh lump forms in my throat, the spikes threatening to suffocate me. My hands clench and unclench in the chill of the air starts to affect me.

  I ignore all of it, walking to her driver door and opening it. She looks up at me warily as I offer her my hand. Please don’t deny me, my flower. Be here for me. Please.

  Her hand feels so small, so warm in mine. I’ve always known we were different, but I’ve grown to love how she compliments me. She brings out a side to me that I don’t want to lose.

  We share look, I’m not sure what mine reflects to her, but her’s undeniably sends a chill through my body. She’s looking at me as though she doesn’t know what I’m thinking. I’ve seen it on her face a dozen times or more.

  She should know what she means to me. And the fact that she doesn’t makes me nervous. I’m not a man who likes to be nervous. It’s not a comfortable feeling.

  My hand splays on the small of her back, but I’m quick to pull her in close, wrapping my arm around her waist and holding her small body into mine as I lead her inside.

  When I peek down at her, lowering myself to the ground to pick up my keys that are now freezing and coated with a thin layer of snow, I see a small smile on her lips. Nothing in my life has made me feel better. She makes me feel secure and wanted. I’ll never let her go. Never. When you find someone who makes you feel like this, there’s no reason to ever give her a reason to walk away.

  She shivers in the doorway as I unlock the door, opening it and allowing the warmth of my home to spread through us both. Her heels click in the foyer as she continues walking without me. I close the door with my back to her, taking a deep breath. She came back to me. I can’t let her leave. I close my eyes at that thought, realizing that’s not what she needs. I need to give her a reason to stay of her own free will. I can’t keep her here, but knowing that she’s come here has to mean something.

  I turn slowly to face her, her ankles cross slightly and she sways, standing there in the middle of the open doorway, her hands clasped and her coat hanging in the crook of her arm. She looks just as nervous as I feel. The sight of her reminds me of the first day I had her here. The same uncertainty, and just like before I know I’ll soothe her worries. If only she let me.

  “I want you to stay for another month,” I offer her, my voice echoes off the empty walls, walking to her and standing just inches in front of her. Technically our contract isn’t over yet, Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. But I want to bind her with the contract if I can. I don’t want the days to pass and have no claim to her.

  “Just a month?” she asks a look flashing in her eyes. I like hearing the words “yes sir” from her lips. But this may be even better.

  “You want more, my flower?” I hope she says yes. Whatever she tells me she wants I’ll give her. I just need her to tell me.

  I finally feel like I have a reason to live. And a future to look forward to with Lilly. I can give her whatever she needs. Whatever she asks for, I would happily provide her with. I’m sure she’s realized that by now. Without her with me, I was clinging to the past just to feel. I don’t want that anymore. I want her; all of her.

  “I care for you Lilly,” I stare into her eyes as I tell her, for the first time I think in my entire life making my feelings known for someone else. I feel vulnerable in this moment, she looks back at me not answering. She could reject me. It would crush me if she did.

  My thumb rubs along her cheek as I cup her chin in my hand. Her hands, gently wrapping around my wrists as she leans into my touch. Her eyes closing and the look of pure happiness on her face. It soothes the worry in me, but still I need her to tell me that she feels the same. I know the way we started wasn’t what she wanted. It was a game of fools thinking we each knew what we wanted, when we knew nothing. But now I know. And I’m ready to fight for her.

  “You can say you love me. I know you do.” Lilly says teasingly.

  Finally opening her pale blue eyes, looking straight into my soul. The look in her eyes doesn’t match the tone of her voice. She needs me to tell her. I’m not sure if I’d recognize the emotion love. It’s not something I grew up with, nothing I’ve ever felt before. But there’s something different between the two of us. Something that drew me to her that first day. And something that fuels me to move mountains to be with her. To never let her go.

  “I love you, Lilly.” My lips brush against hers as I whisper the words. It must be love. “I love you.”

  “I love you, Sir.”

  Her wrists are bound by the thin rope, the end looped over the cast-iron loop above the headboard. She’s bound to my bed where she belongs. Her movements are easy. The only reason the ropes are even there is to prevent her from spearing her fingers in my hair, as I continue to lick between her legs. Her arousal is so sweet, so delicious. And all mine.

  I crawl up her body, kissing my way as I go. Her thighs wrap around my shoulder and then down my sides to my waist. I’ve given her as much control as she can manage for this session. No holding still. No asking permission. All she has to do is feel and react.… Although I did bind her wrists… she’s greedy.

  My fingers wrapped around her throat as I settle my hips between her thighs spreading her even more. My hard dick nestles between her sweet pussy. I kiss her lips with a passion I feel. I’m grateful for every moment with her. I’ll never let her go. I need her too much.

  “Who do you belong to?” I ask her.

  “You say, only you.” I love how lust coats her voice.

  “Only me for always.” I tell her before slamming into her, all the way to the hilt, capturing her cries of pleasure with my lips. The headboard knocks against the wall with each hard thrust. It only fuels me to take a harder.

  She is my one and only. And I’m hers.

  Epilogue

  Lilly

  “Not this bullshit again!” I slam the book that I’m reading, Don’t Stop, shut with a frustrated growl. How in the hell did I manage to find another book that pisses me off so much that I want to throw it across the room? After I took every precaution to make sure I didn’t?

  This one was even worse than the last. The hero and heroine, Ada and Randy, made it through so many trials and tribulations that I was rooting for them like crazy towards the end.

  I got really excited, turning the pages with baited breath. And it looked like their path was on its way to glory, only to find out that Ada was hiding a secret baby from Randy. A baby that was sure to cause major scandal between their families. The book cut off right there.

  Ugh. It makes me so mad!

  Like who the fuck does that?

  I can’t say it enough.

  I. Detest. Cliffhangers.

  But even after all that, I’m dying to know what happened.

  A thousand poxes on the author for doing this to me and making me wait! … I know I’ll end up buying the next one though. I blow a strand of hair out of my face as I toss the book onto the ottoman. I guess I’m a glutton for punishment.

  I stretch out before grabbing my laptop and opening up my manuscript.

  Last night I rewarded myself with writing a chapter of my new novel when I was finally finished my grueling lesson plans.

  I’m excited about both the classes and my book.

  The words for the novel are flowing easily. And I know with all the inspiration that I have, and the support of my awesome beta reader Jenna, I’ll be able to do the book justice.

  But it’s my hobby. Not my job. I chew my bottom lip, holding back my smile. I got my old jo
b back, before the semester even started. Some anonymous donor came through and funded the Children in Need Foundation.

  Anonymous. Joseph actually started to tell me it wasn’t him when I pried. He didn’t want me to feel like I owed him. He has no idea how much I owe him. But not in the way he thinks.

  I can’t believe how much he’s helped me in the short time we’ve been together. How much we’ve helped each other. And lately, I’ve been able to have both sides to him, the Master and the gentleman.

  A soft sigh escapes my lips at the thought.

  Just thinking about it, I can’t imagine my life getting any better.

  The sound of heavy footsteps in the doorway causes me to look up and my heart skips a beat at the dangerously sexy man who’s standing there.

  “Reading something?” his deep masculine voice asks.

  Wearing dark grey dress pants and a white Henley open at the chest, his hair slicked to the side, Joseph looks like an absolute vision as he leans against the doorway with a grin on his face.

  “Sir,” I practically purr as he pulls away from the door and walks into the room.

  I slip out of my chair and onto my knees, getting down on all floors and crawling forward like a vixen.

  Joseph chuckles playfully at the sight. He’s told me to do this when I want to play with him and I take full advantage.

  “Up,” he orders me.

  I rise to my feet and look him in the eye. Up close, I’m enveloped by that masculine scent that I love so much, and I inhale deeply, sucking in as much of him as I can.

  Grinning, he wraps my arms around his waist and pulls me in close, delivering a soft kiss to my lips.

  “I was,” I reply to his earlier question when he pulls back, leaving me breathless.

  He chuckles again. “I know. I could hear you yelling from across the house.”