On Her Terms (Premiere Companions Book 2) (6 page)

To hide her tears of frustration Nicole slid all the way under the bubbles.

Damn the man. Damn every blasted man in her acquaintance for that matter.

****

Jamie wasn’t at all surprised to hear the thud of something hitting the back of the door he had just slammed behind him. She was a Cabrizi, after all, and her father’s temper was legendary. It stood to reason that his only daughter had inherited said temper, even if she hadn’t shown it openly until now.

Besides it took tremendous guts to defy the Don and her fiancé in the way that she had done. Either man would be furious at her deception, and in truth Jamie, too, could have easily hit someone right now. He settled for punching some cushions into submission instead, and then took himself off to have that shower. By the time he re-emerged, his mind was clearer and he had his plan of action. There was no fucking way he’d leave things between them as they were. A phone call to housekeeping and to the restaurant took care of that aspect of his plan, and he settled for waiting for her to come out. As time passed and no furious Nicoletta Cabrizi appeared, he put his ear to the door. Not a sound could be heard, and when he opened the door as silently as he could, he wasn’t entirely surprised to find her fast asleep in the bath.

The water had cooled considerably, and goosebumps chased each other across her naked flesh. Skin which still held faint marks of his flogging.  His cock stirred in his pants at the sight of her red, swollen nipples and the visible crescent shaped mark of his bite on her neck. His lips twitched in wry amusement of what the fancy schmancy wedding planner the Don had hired for his daughter’s wedding would make of that. No doubt the man would have one of his overly camp hissy fits and tut about the need to cover it up. As far as Jamie was concerned, that bite looked good on her. Let her protest all she wanted, demean what they had shared to nothing more than a paid for business transaction, but Jamie knew better. She was too inexperienced to fake her responses, and he knew the look a woman got when she liked what she saw. Let her look at that bite in the mirror and remember who she truly belonged to.  No matter what happened in the future, from now on in, she was his, pure and simple.

Jamie pulled the plug and waited for the water to drain away. She really had the most amazing curves, and his dick gave up any pretense of not being interested as more and more of her creamy flesh was revealed. She shivered in the cool room, and stepping up, Jamie carefully wrapped her long, damp hair into one of the fluffy towels, before he bent down to pick her up and out of the bath.

Nicoletta stirred in his arms, murmuring something that he couldn’t quite catch, and he froze, expecting all hell to break loose. However, her head fell back onto his chest, and her even breathing told him that she was very much still fast asleep. He carried her across to the bed freshly made by housekeeping, and having lowered his precious bundle carefully onto the covers, proceeded to dry her off with another towel he’d gotten from the shower room earlier. Even in her sleep, her body responded to him. It took ever last ounce of self-control Jamie had to not give into the blatant invitation she sent him.

However, that would make him an ass, and whatever she might think of him, once this night was over and they both had to face up to the harsh reality of their actions, he didn’t want her to have any regrets. While he had no doubt that she would welcome his advances in her half asleep state, he wanted her submission freely given, not coerced by his persuasion.

So, instead, he pulled the heavy comforter over her naked body, and wandered out of the bedroom and across the suite to the balcony to wait for her to wake up. Evening approached rapidly and with it the food he’d ordered for them. Jamie tipped the guy handsomely to leave the warming trolley he’d brought the food up on behind.

“The lady is resting right now, and I’m loath to wake her up, see.”

“Of course, sir.”

The young guy who couldn’t be much older than Nicoletta herself glanced toward the slightly ajar door to the bedroom and grinned.

“As you wish. Just give us a ring when you’re ready for me to collect it all.”

With a deep bow, the youngster left, leaving Jamie to his dark thoughts.

After all, how would she react when she found out that he was a good nineteen years older than she was? Only ten years younger than her father.

Chapter Five

Nicole woke up slowly, and her stomach rumbled loudly when the delicious smell of cooked food registered. The sun was just setting if the orange glow filling the bedroom was any indication. With it came the realization that she wasn’t in the bath anymore, and that she must have slept for hours. Her hair had dried in a tangled mess which would take forever to sort, not that that was her most pressing concern for now.

No, that would be her bladder, so with that in mind she threw the covers back, and frowned at the clean sheets. Housekeeping had been then, just like Jamie had said they would. Thoughts of him made her heart beat faster. She’d been so angry with him, yet her still half asleep brain couldn’t quite compute why that had been.

He clearly was still here, because a) his hold-all sat on one the plush chairs, and b) she highly doubted housekeeping duties extended to transferring fast asleep guests from bathtub to bed.

Nicole rolled her eyes at her jumbled thoughts, and padded over to the bathroom to use the facilities. The reflection that greeted her in the mirror when she washed her hands took her breath away.

She hadn’t expected to look so different, and she wasn’t talking the bird’s nest that masqueraded as her hair. If she didn’t think it a far too fanciful expression she’d have said she glowed. Was this simply the result of a good shag, or was there more at play here? The fact that it could be the latter was too terrifying to contemplate, because there could be no future for Jamie and her.

Her Papa would never condone such a thing, and besides, it was now a matter of honor. Papa had given his word that she would marry Jamison, and the Don’s word was his bond. As old fashioned as that sounded, Nicole knew it was true. She couldn’t get out of marrying, not unless the man himself reneged. Just trying to imagine his reaction was making her head hurt. Her throat was dry, and she needed a drink and to clear the air with Sir.

It seemed right to call him that, even in her head, because at least for tonight he was, and the night was still young. Time to make things right between them, and to simply enjoy this for what it was. Time enough for reality to intrude come morning. She traced the mark of his bite on her neck with her fingertips, and smiled. He really shouldn’t have done that, but her heart gave some very suspicious bumps seeing that mark of his possession so clearly left on her.

Jeez, she really was a nutcase. Nicole shrugged into one of the big fluffy bathrobes provided by the hotel, and followed the enticing smell of food out into the suite. Her breathing hitched when she reached the living area, because Jamie made as much of a mouthwatering sight as the warming trolley laden with covered food dishes. He must have ordered most of the menu, judging by the sheer amount of food on that trolley, and her stomach chose that moment to loudly make its presence known. It caused the silent man staring out over the London skyline to turn ‘round. He leaned one denim clad butt cheek on the railing behind him, crossed his arms over his chest and studied her silently. It was nigh on impossible to read his expression in the darkening gloom of the balcony, but he didn’t seem angry anymore. More quietly resigned.

“I didn’t know what you might want, so I ordered a little bit of everything.”

His deep voice carried, and her stomach flip flopped wildly when he pushed away from the railing and slowly made his way across. No man had any right to look that sexy and well put together, damn it. He had been devastatingly handsome in his suit, but in casual clothes, with his hair all ruffled as though he’d run his hands through it repeatedly while it had been wet, he looked good enough to eat. The well-worn denim hugged his muscular thighs, and lovingly outlined the bulge he was sporting. Her pussy clenched anew remembering how well he’d stretched her, and she had some difficulty to wrench her gaze away from that. An old t-shirt hugged his muscular torso, the fabric stretched across his biceps, and his bare feet showed manicured, masculine toes, which curled into the plush carpet as he walked.

She really did have it bad when even the sight of his feet turned her on. When those feet stopped mere inches away from her, she forced herself to look up at him. A tight smile played around his full lips, and she noticed with a start how much thicker his stubble was already. Tinged with gray, it made him look even more virile and dangerous. A lethal combination that meant she squeezed her thighs together to relieve the instant ache in her pussy.

Clearly fantastic sex turned one into some sort of raving nymphomaniac. Who knew?

“Sleep well, Nicoletta?”

Oh the way he said her name… He rolled it around his mouth like a caress, a promise of so much more, it was most unsettling. She closed her eyes to savor the tingles of awareness that voice alone caused, and gasped when he stepped so close his warmth and scent enveloped her in a cocoon of protection. Groping blindly, she reached out and wrapped her arms around him. She felt his body jerk as though he was surprised by her actions, tense and then relax as he hugged her back. Without her heels she fitted snugly under his chin, and she smiled when she felt him rest said body part on top of her head.

“I’m sorry … about earlier, I mean … I don’t know why I said those things.”

He tensed again, and for one horrible second she thought he would push her away, but instead he tightened his hold on her and sighed.

“We both said things we shouldn’t have done. Let’s just move on, shall we? I don’t want to talk about
him.
”

There was no need to ask who he meant by
him.
Not with the intonation he put on that, and she buried in closer, not wishing this moment to end, yet knowing it would. Her growling stomach put an end to their intimate cocoon much sooner than she would have liked. Sir’s chest moved in silent amusement before he let her go and cupped her chin to make her look up at him.

Amusement danced in his eyes, which turned to a flash of heated lust when his gaze dropped to the mark on her neck.

Nicole shivered at the intensity behind that look, made ten times more potent by him releasing his hold on her chin and tracing the bite marks with his fingertips.

“I shouldn’t have done that, but I’m not sorry I did.”

His voice dropped an octave, and her stomach dropped right along with it as she held her breath at his careful exploration.

“Does it hurt?” he asked.  Something like relief flashed across his face when she shook her head.

“Good, let’s eat something. I’ve worked up quite an appetite, and I know you’re hungry, so…”

Nicole fought the embarrassment threatening to turn her the color of beetroot once again, and lost. Trying not to blush only ever resulted in making it ten times worse, and she dropped her head to hide behind her tangled hair, as she pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. She couldn’t quite help her wince, and Jamie stopped mid piling of food dishes onto the plates.

“Still sore?” he asked and when she didn’t answer him, pulled her hair away from her face to study her.

She couldn’t not respond to the silent enquiry in his darkening gaze, so she murmured her response.

“A little, that’s all.”

Again that heat in her cheeks threatened to overwhelm her, and she breathed a sigh of relief when he shifted his attention from her to the food.

“Guess that’s sex off the menu for you then.”

“Oh.”

He laughed at her when she couldn’t help but voice her disappointment, and irritation made her bold.

“I’m not that sore, besides, I’m owed a spanking and anal sex, I seem to recall, Sir.”

The lid he’d just lifted off the marinated chicken slipped from his hand and fell to the floor. A somewhat awkward pause followed, during which Jamie reached under the table to presumably adjust himself, and she couldn’t help but grin. It did her the world of good to know that she wasn’t the only one feeling the sexual pull between them. After all, if a man as experienced as Sir felt it … well … she wasn’t sure where she was going with that, other than to feel a little smug. A feeling that dissipated rapidly when Sir nodded at the food in front of them.

“That comment, my naughty girl, has just earned you one hell of a spanking, and I shall only be happy to claim your ass once it’s red raw from my hands.” He paused to seemingly let his words sink in, and then poured her a glass of the champagne, which she belatedly noticed was sitting in its bucket of ice on a little stand next to them.

He filled his own flute and then handed her hers with a smirk.

“Cat got your tongue now,
bellissima
?”

His grin deepened when she shook her head, and taking his cue lifted her flute.  She had to hold it with both hands to steady it, because the champagne was in danger of sloshing over the sides. When she eventually managed it, and looked up her heart stopped. That look, right there, before he masked it, had been so tender, it had to mean something.

Sir cleared his throat and clinked his flute to hers.

“To the spanking of my sassy subbie. May you waddle down that aisle on Saturday and remember me.”

Nicole coughed as her sip of champagne went down the wrong way, and Sir, too, looked almost shocked at what he’d just said, before he shrugged, downed the flute in one go, and then refilled his glass. Nicole followed suit, seeking refuge in the fruity aroma of the sparkling wine as it slid down her throat and warmed her insides.

Neither one of them said anything for a while, as they ate their fill, until Nicole couldn’t stand the heavy silence anymore.

“I thought we weren’t going to talk about my wedding,” she said.

Sir’s hold on his cutlery grew white knuckled before he put the utensils down with exaggerated care, picked up his serviette, wiped his mouth, and threw the napkin on the plate.

“We’re not. I don’t know why I said that.” He flicked a glance her way, and sighed. “Sod it, yes, I do know why. I find myself harboring some very possessive thoughts toward you,
bellissima.
” He put his hand up to forestall anything she might have said and smiled. “I know, I have no rights whatsoever to feel like that, but in the interests of honesty, I had to say it.” He paused, ran a hand through his hair, and offered her a tight smile, which didn’t reach his eyes.

“Also, as you asked me this earlier, I’m forty-two. Same age as your fiancé, as I mentioned. In your eyes, far too old for you, no doubt, though I hope, not fat and ugly.”

He winked at her as he said that, clearly in an effort to make light of what he’d just said, and she might have believed him had it not been for that telltale tic in his jaw, and the way he grabbed hold of the previously abandoned napkin and crushed it in his white knuckled fist.

Nicole didn’t know what to say, so she laughed. A slightly hysterical laugh, for sure, but it was that or cry. It was simply unfair. Why couldn’t Sir be the man she had to marry?  It could never be, but she instinctively knew that marriage to him would never be a chore. Yes, she didn’t know anything about him, really, but at least they were good in bed. While that alone wasn’t a basis for marriage, it was a darn sight better than a simple contract arranged by her father.

Jamison might well not be ugly, and they might well suit like Papa insisted they would, but he wasn’t her Sir. He wasn’t
this
man, who looked at her with open vulnerability in his amazing blue eyes, which made her blurt her reply.

“Stop fishing for compliments. You know damn well you’re not ugly, and I don’t give two hoots about how old you are. I never objected to the marriage on age grounds alone. Age is just a number after all. I guess I just don’t understand why he would want to marry me. He doesn’t know me, or anything about me, and Papa said it was a condition of his accepting the role of his chief of security. It makes no sense.”

It was her turn to abuse her napkin, and she bit back a sob when Jamie put his large hands over hers.

He cleared his throat repeatedly, as though the words he wanted to say were difficult, and when he eventually spoke there was a peculiar hoarseness to his voice.

“I’m not surprised at your reaction if that’s all the Don said to you.”

That ominous statement made her look at him.

“Meaning?” she asked. “If you know something more, then do, please, feel free to share it with me,
Sir
.”

He flinched at the intonation she put on his title, and she didn’t think he was going to answer her.

“Only this, and I’m speaking from a security standpoint, because that’s my business, too, and I’ve worked for a fair number of people like your father…” He paused as though he needed to phrase his response carefully. “Having you as his wife will make watching you easier, but I highly doubt that would have been his only intention. He could watch over you easily enough without marrying you. Jamison is, after all, the best in the business.” A curious smile played around his lips as he said that, and Nicole just had to interrupt him.

“Really, the best? So better than you, then? Just at security or everything else too?”

A short laugh was her answer, and that eyebrow of his quirked in a silent warning that sent shivers of anticipation across her skin.

He didn’t address that comment of hers in any other way and continued speaking.