Please don’t shut me out. I want to know you.
He shook his head. “That’s not your concern. Knowing my past isn’t going to change anything.”
Was that what she wanted, to change him? Was she that naïve? God, she was a walking cliché. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.” She pulled her hand from his and gazed out the window.
“Genevieve,” he murmured.
She closed her eyes and wished for the hundredth time she hadn’t been stupid enough to fall in love with a man who would never love her back.
Two years.
Could she endure this for that long? What would be left of her after that?
The click of the intercom interrupted her thoughts. “We’ll begin our descent shortly and should arrive in Miami on schedule,” the pilot announced. “The temperature is currently eighty-six degrees and you should have a pleasant weekend ahead of you.”
Pleasant. Gen wasn’t too sure about that.
* * * * *
Genevieve wandered into the lobby of the Mondrian in a wide-eyed trance, drinking in the sights around her. The hotel was a bizarre post-modern wonderland. A massive black staircase rose out of the floor and seemed to defy the law of gravity as it floated to the floor above. Majestic white columns, black accents and futuristic-looking furniture gave the place a posh yet whimsical aesthetic.
“This place is crazy, Brian,” she whispered, leaning toward him. “Mario Bava would have loved it.”
“Mario Bava?”
“Italian horror director. Ignore me and my geekiness.”
“Never. It’s one of the things I enjoy most about you.”
She smiled but paused when he passed the reception area and led her to the elevators. “Aren’t we going to check in? What about the bags?”
“Everything’s been taken care of.” He pressed the button and waited.
“Oh, I see. Brian Donovan doesn’t do commercial flights or hotel check-ins.”
He leaned in until his lips brushed the shell of her ear. “I would watch my tone if I were you.”
His power over her was instantaneous. Her breath quickened and she shivered as they stepped into the elevator, the doors closing behind them. “What floor?”
He reached over her and pushed a button labeled TS.
“TS?” she asked, confused.
“Sky Terrace Apartments.”
“You really go all out, don’t you?”
“Why not? I can afford it.”
“I’ve never stayed in a hotel this nice, let alone a penthouse. Can we order room service?”
“I’ll even let you get something out of the vending machine if you’re a good girl.”
“How generous of you, Sir,” she said dryly.
“I think you’ll be a little more grateful once you see it.”
“Doubt it.”
“Insufferable brat.”
The elevator opened and they stepped out onto the top floor.
“After you,
Master
.”
He chuckled as he led her to one of the doors. He unlocked and held it open for her. The apartment spread out before her in marvelous splendor. White, beige and black made a subdued backdrop for a stunning red circular sofa. Orchids were placed in simple glass vases on the end tables. Making her way through the living area, she noted the elegant dining room with seating for eight. Beyond that was a full kitchen in stark white with very techie-looking appliances—everything from a fancy one-cup coffeemaker to a fully stocked wine chiller. There were two king-sized bedrooms complete with adjacent bathrooms and an obscene amount of windows. The gorgeous view could be seen from almost every room in the apartment.
She turned to Brian who leaned against the doorframe watching her. “Eh, I guess it’ll have to do.”
He chuckled. “I’m glad it meets your expectations.”
The knock on the door was firm and crisp, but not too loud.
“That would be our luggage.” Brian headed for the door.
She followed him. “Oh good, I’m dying to change.”
“No changing. I quite like you in a skirt.”
She looked down at her outfit—a black, flowing bohemian-style skirt and spaghetti-strap tank top. The casual ensemble had seemed like a good choice at the time. Now that she was ensconced in the lap of luxury, she felt out of place. Oh well. Orders were orders.
Brian greeted the man at the door. He was older, meticulously groomed and dressed in a chic uniform. “Mr. Donovan, welcome back to the Mondrian Hotel.”
A broad smile lit up Brian’s face. “Nicolas, it’s good to see you.”
“Thank you, sir. It’s my pleasure to serve you again. You’ll be with us until Sunday?”
Brian stepped aside and welcomed him in. “Yes. I trust Christopher forwarded my itinerary?”
“Of course. The limo service has been notified of your schedule and the kitchen has been stocked as you requested.”
“Very good.” Brian reached over and grabbed her hand. “Nicolas, this is Genevieve Hawthorn. She’ll be with me during my stay.”
“Hi,” she murmured.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hawthorn. I am at your service. Anything you need, you just let me know. You can dial my extension or reach me through the tablet that has been provided for the room. I’m but a click away.” He gave a slight bow then turned back to address Brian. “I’ll go ahead and have your bags brought in. Shall I unpack for you?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Brian said. “Thank you.”
Nicolas gave another nod then led the bellman to one of the bedrooms.
“Rock-star treatment, huh?” she teased.
Brian’s lips quirked up. “Butler service comes with the room.”
“Butler, tablet, limo… It’s a bit much.”
“Now you’re objecting to the limo? How else do you propose we get from one place to another while we’re here?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Rent a car like normal people do when they’re on vacation?”
His gaze narrowed, but still conveyed an edge of playfulness. “I’ll consider it.”
“So, big spender, I think you got cheated with this room.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Why is that?”
“Well, we’re on the top floor in an apartment called the Sky Terrace and there isn’t a balcony in sight. Kind of false advertising, don’t you think?”
“I think you should reserve your opinion until you’ve seen the entire apartment.” He led her to an alcove that held a small spiral staircase. “Up you go.”
How had she missed this? She used care as she wound her way up the narrow, twisting wrought iron and found herself on an expansive wraparound terrace larger than her entire apartment. The view from the windows was beautiful but this… Biscayne Bay stretched out before them in all its glory. The sun glittered on the turquoise water and the skyline of Downtown Miami beyond. It defied description. Breathtaking simply didn’t cover it.
“It’s nice, isn’t it? Think I got my money’s worth?”
“Nice? Not the word I would use. The Sky Terrace… It fits.” She went to the railing and looked down from the dizzying height.
He never tired of looking at her, especially when she was like this. Her hair shone flame-like in the sun and her face beamed with wonder. The strain from their conversation on the flight had evaporated. He hated the uncomfortable tension that had found its way into their exchanges these past few days. It seemed that sex was the only time it wasn’t present. Unfortunately as soon as the sex was over the tension seemed amplified. He had no idea how to remedy that. The one thing he did know was that inviting her deeper into his past was not the answer.
He crept up behind her, pressing the length of his body against hers. “Keep your hands on the railing.” He infused his voice with the stern dominance that always seemed to rush her into a submissive space. He caressed her sides, delighting in her shaky gasp. “Don’t move.” He discreetly hiked the back of her skirt until it bunched between them, pulled her thong aside and exposed her delectable ass. “I want to fuck just like this.”
“People can see us up here,” she whispered.
There was truth to her statement. They were on the top floor but still visible to a good number of balconies on the lower floors due to the semicircular layout of the hotel. If they played it well, they’d appear to be a couple in a romantic embrace. No one would know he had his cock buried inside her. “What happened to my little exhibitionist? If you hold still and don’t make a sound, no one will suspect what we’re up to.”
Nervous lust radiated from her in waves. She nearly glowed with it. Her breath came in short bursts as he palmed the globes of her ass and squeezed just short of bruising her. Under the cover of her skirt, he unfastened his pants. No barrier between them now, he rubbed the head of his cock against the cleft of her ass. She shivered, but stayed in position. The tension in her body let him know how much of an effort that was. He rewarded her obedience by sliding into her warm pussy. Her breath hitched as he pressed into her as deeply as he could.
“You’re always so wet for me, aren’t you?”
“Yes Sir.”
Her cunt gripped and milked him. He kept his thrusts slow and meticulous, just the barest movement. He put his hand on her back, urging her to lean over the rail. The blind trust she had in him amazed him sometimes. She reveled in her submissiveness without shame. There was so much more to her than simple obedience. He had no idea what he’d seen in the mindless subs of his past. They’d obeyed without question but also without heart or soul or passion. Pale imitations of his Genevieve, every last one.
The knuckles on her hands whitened as she gripped the rail. She glanced at him over her shoulder, a siren’s smile playing on her lips. He fought for control. The need to fuck her hard and ruthless threatened to consume him. He wanted her screaming as she came but that would certainly draw unwanted attention.
Slow and steady, he stayed the course, concentrating on her almost imperceptible undulations. The circle of her hips brought the crown of his cock against her cervix again and again. The walls of her pussy contracted in a rhythm that matched his thrusts. His balls tightened the moment she mouthed
please
.
“Yes, come for me, girl.”
She made tiny whimpering sounds as her pussy rippled around him. It sent him right over the edge. As his orgasm gripped him, he reached for Genevieve, pulling her to him. He crossed his arms over her chest and pressed his lips against her neck. The pulse beneath him felt strong and vital—just like the woman it belonged to. He emptied himself into her with one final thrust. Not ready to release her, he stayed sheathed in her heat and held her. If only he could hold onto moments like these. Inevitably reality set in as it always did. He’d allowed himself to get too close to her already. Lingering like this and playing at romance would only confuse things more.
He severed the connection they shared, hating the loss he felt, and pulled away. Carefully, he rearranged her thong and skirt then tucked himself away and zipped up. “I’m going to head down and make plans for dinner.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay for a little bit, enjoy the view. Would that be okay?” Sadness intoned her voice.
He took a breath and for the first time wished he were a different man. He wanted her to be happy. As of late, he’d done nothing but cause her pain. “Don’t stay too long.”
She nodded, never tearing her gaze away from the horizon.
Gen stretched and yawned as she searched the apartment for Brian. Where was he? Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she ascended the spiral staircase to the terrace. She found him with his iPad, lounging in nothing but a loose pair of pajama pants under the canopy in one of the plush all-weather chairs. He sat next to a table boasting a mouthwatering assortment of fresh fruits, buttery croissants and a steaming pot of coffee.
He looked up from his tablet and gave her a heartrending smile. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” She sat down in the other chair and poured herself a cup of coffee.
“How’d you sleep?”
“Okay, I guess.” She leaned back, holding her cup steady. Hot coffee down her chest was not the type of wake-up call she liked. She much preferred the kind Brian had bestowed on her in the predawn hours. Wordless, sleepy, needful sex was a nice way to start the day. Of course it was even better when he let her snuggle under the duvet afterward and drift back to sleep. She wasn’t a morning person. Brian was another story entirely. She had no idea how the man survived on so little sleep. It was inhuman.
“The opening at
Cadeau
isn’t until seven this evening. Is there anything you’d like to do today?”
She sipped her coffee. “I’m not sure. I’ve never been to Miami before.”
“Well that settles it then. After breakfast we’ll go for a drive. We can’t let you leave without seeing South Beach.”
“That sounds like fun.”
Genevieve took her time sampling all the fruits on the table and had a second cup of coffee. She was good and caffeinated by the time she went to wash up and dress. The bathroom was an experiment in futuristic luxury. She admired the alien, egg-shaped tub with its bright-red fixtures and inviting depth but decided a shower would be quicker. Maybe she’d have time for a soak tomorrow. The rainfall spout in the glass enclosure was pure delight. She ended up spending more time in there than she had planned.
Clean and refreshed, she stepped out in time to catch Brian leering at her.
Perv.
He had a thing for watching her bathe. Not that she minded. The hunger in his eyes made her feel beautiful and sexy rather than self-conscious. She wouldn’t have dared object even if it had bothered her. He was her Dom, he could stare all he liked.
He beckoned her over to where he leaned against the counter, towel in hand. She went to him wearing nothing but a smile. In silence, he dried her off. The soft caress of the plush terrycloth felt wonderful as did his attention. He took great care to dry each and every inch of her skin, even between her toes. The simple yet affectionate gesture soothed her. Spoiling her was something he did well. Shame they couldn’t be like this all the time.
When he was finished, he gave her a soft smile. “Get dressed. I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” Her ears perked up at that.
“Meet me downstairs by the vending machine when you’re dressed and ready.”
The vending machine? “Yes Sir. It won’t take me long.”
He brushed wet strands of hair away from her face then pressed his lips to hers. An hour seemed to pass, though it was only an instant. In that one kiss, he showed her all the things he usually kept locked away. She felt…loved. Then he was gone, leaving her confused and reeling.
She stood naked in the middle of the bathroom and pressed her fingers to her lips, imprinting the kiss on her memory. Blowing out a breath, she snapped out of her daze and went to find something to wear. She settled on a black cotton sundress that nearly swept the floor when she walked and a pair of flip-flops that were printed with B-movie monsters. If she was going to wear a dress, funky shoes were a must.
It took all of fifteen minutes to dry her hair, slap on some eyeliner, grab her glasses and get out the door. What could he possibly surprise her with from a vending machine? She hoped for chocolate and not those stinky onion rings. The elevator let her out at the lobby. She scanned the area as she made her way to reception. No vending machine in sight.
“Excuse me. Could you tell me where the vending machine is?” Gen asked one of the bellmen.
He gave her a strange smile. “Looking to buy some fun? The Semi-Automatic is just to the left of that column there.”
What a weird thing to say. She went in the direction he’d indicated and ran into Brian. He stood in front of a massive glass case. Still no vending machine.
“Am I missing something?” she asked, confused.
“No. Come here. I want to show you something.” Brian clasped her hand and pulled her over to one of the two touch-screens on the front of the glass case.
The automated shelves inside were lit by colored neon and stocked with identical designer gift bags.
This
was the vending machine? It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. “This is insane. What’s in the bags?”
“Just about anything you can think of.”
“They have anything kinky in there?” She waggled her eyebrows. After a few quick taps on the screen an image of gold-plated handcuffs popped up. She smirked. “Amateurs.”
Brian chuckled. “Never liked the things myself. I’ve always preferred rope.” His voice was almost a purr.
Her body went on high alert, nipples tightening at the mere mention of bondage. “Are you going to tie me up later, Sir?” she asked in a whisper.
“If you’ve been a good girl.” Wickedness darkened his beautiful green eyes.
“Aren’t I always good, even when I’m bad? So, what are we getting from this crazy contraption?”
“I thought maybe we’d rent a car like
normal people
.”
Right now, she’d be perfectly happy going back upstairs and being tied up like a pretzel. “You can rent a car with this?”
“Yes, indeed.” A few more taps and Brian brought car rentals up on the screen.
Gen looked over his shoulder as he scrolled through some pricey, high-end cars. He stopped on a red convertible and pulled up the details. She let out a little squeak. A red ’58 Vette. Too bad it had already been rented for the day. It’s not as if she actually expected him to spend that much on a rental car. A girl could dream though. They should find an economical compact vehicle.
Someone behind them cleared their throat. Gen turned around to find the hotel manager standing off to the side.
He offered them a pleasant smile. “Your car is out front waiting, Mr. Donovan. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“That will be all for right now,” Brian said with a curt nod.
“She’s a beauty. Enjoy your day.”
“We certainly will. Thank you.” Brian pulled her away from the machine and led her toward the hotel entrance.
“You already rented a car?”
“Yes I did.”
Then why the big production? They stepped outside and were greeted by one of the valets. Parked on the curb was a red convertible that shimmered in the sunlight like a mirage. Her jaw hit the floor. “You’re the one?”
He opened the passenger door for her. “Surprise.”
She slid into the seat. Tears pricked her eyes as she ran her fingertips over the dash. No, she wouldn’t ruin this moment by crying. Brian had treated her with such indifference lately, and then he had to go and do something like this. It was so incredibly thoughtful her heart was about to burst.
He got behind the wheel, reached over and gave her thigh a squeeze. “You’re awfully quiet. What do you think? You like it?”
She didn’t trust herself to speak so she simply nodded.
His grin was downright sexy. “I thought you might. No better way to see South Beach than in a car like this.” He eased the vehicle around the drive with a low purr of appreciation. “This was a very good idea, if I do say so myself. I’ve never driven one of these.” He revved the engine and bliss smoothed out his features. “Now
this
is a car. Your dad must have had a hell of a time selling his. The man was a saint. I don’t think I could have done it.”
She smiled. “It was hard for him. He never complained though. Not once. I used to catch him staring all dreamy-eyed at the pictures he kept of his blue beauty. That’s what he called her.”
“I wanted to get a blue one like your father’s but it was impossible on such short notice. When Nicolas told me they had a rental in the Semi-Automatic I figured we were meant to have it.”
They drove toward Ocean Boulevard with the top down. The moment was as close to perfect as it could have been. The wind blew through her hair, the salty air revitalized her and she couldn’t keep her eyes off Brian. On impulse she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, a bold thing for her to do. Touch was always initiated by him. But today, she couldn’t help herself.
He gave her a strange look. “What was that for?”
“Because this is the best surprise anyone has ever given me. Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure.” He caressed the steering wheel, his eyes full of lust. “Believe me.”
“The car making you hot?” she asked with a laugh.
“A little bit.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, carefree, happy, relaxed. You don’t have a single frowny line.”
“Frowny line?”
“You get them when you’re in serious Dom mode and at work and when you’re on your laptop and—”
“Okay, okay. I get it. Are you trying to say I need to loosen up?”
“Actually, I’m saying you’re doing a damn good job of it right now. You should do it more often.”
“I think you may be right.”
Cruising the strip, Brian pointed out historical landmarks and popular night spots. He took her to a sidewalk café for lunch where they had Cuban sandwiches, iced tea and playful conversation. It was normal to the point of being surreal. Against her better judgment, Gen allowed herself, just for a few hours, to pretend they were like any other couple. She stopped trying to read into his every word and gesture. She flirted, joked, smiled. The afternoon passed too quickly and before she knew it, it was time to return to the hotel. Brian surprised her again and let her drive them back. Returning the keys was one of the most difficult things she’d ever had to do.
Back at the room, anxiety threatened to eat a hole in her stomach. She’d never been to a formal event. Three hours until the gallery opening and she had no idea what the hell she was going to do with her hair. She sat in front of the mirror and ran ideas through her head, but nothing seemed right. Her dress suddenly seemed like a bad choice. What had she been thinking when she’d picked those shoes?
Brian came up behind her. Their eyes locked in the mirror as he placed his hands on her shoulders. “What’s the matter, little Genevieve?”
“I’m nervous.”
“About tonight? Don’t be.”
She sighed. “I’ve never been to something like this. You know me—my idea of dressing up is a skirt and a cardigan. I’m not going to have anything in common with these people. What if I embarrass you?”
“Nonsense. You could wear your holey jeans and your
Shaun of the Dead
t-shirt and still be the most stunning girl in the room. You’ll have plenty in common with people there. You are a very talented artist. Do I really need to remind you of that?”
Her cheeks flushed. He had such a way with words. “Yes, but I’m not used to socializing with the rich and snotty.”
“Not everyone is going to be that way. Several of my friends will be there, Sophia among them. I’m looking forward to showing you off.”