Assassin Treasure (Assassins Book 4) (19 page)

Dirk stroked her back. “We start again. Today, now, this minute. We’re going to drink champagne and eat strawberries with whipped cream. We can stay up late and watch the sunset, and rise early to make love in the sunrise. I will make love to you, Candy. The next time I have you, I’m going to make you want me.”

Candy trembled as he said this with passion—a challenge or a threat? She couldn’t believe him.

“I don’t care what you do. You’ll hurt me again, no matter what you say,” she accused.

She felt so torn, wanting him to have sex with her for a baby, not wanting him because she was afraid. He was so big; his cock split her in half. She knew she was sending him mixed signals; it wasn’t fair to either of them. She tried to bow her head again, not wanting to face him. She hated wanting to hide from her life.

* * * *

Dirk cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Never, Candy, never again will I hurt you. I’ll be patient and gentle.” Dirk promised, yet the promise was more to himself than her.

He’d been planning as he drove. Even though his heart had been shattered from Carrie’s mother, it didn’t mean Candy’s was. Even if he could never love her, he would fuss and fawn over his young bride until she learned to love him. He’d like to be loved again. She was so innocent, he knew he would overcome any barrier; she would turn to him eventually out of need for acceptance. The thought, at first, distressed him of his deviousness, but he rationalized it would work out in her own best interest; he could take her places without worrying about her running from him. If she were enamored of him, everything would be better. He was confidant of his manipulative abilities; she had no one else.

Dirk looked deeply into her eyes for a moment before releasing her. He grabbed up the suitcases and headed for the master bedroom with Candy trailing close on his heels, obviously not wanting him out of her sight. This new place was frightening, and Dirk was still her only constant. Dirk smiled at that. He knew she feared him, yet he understood she wanted his protection. He planned on making that work for him. She needed him, depended on him. He would make certain she would want and love him.

After throwing the suitcases on the bed Dirk turned to her. Candy was shaking; it seemed she was positive he would now lay her down and finish what he started the other night and take her hurtfully. He could see a multitude of emotions pass over her face.

“So, what would you like for dinner?” he asked. Her eyes blinked in surprise.

“I guess I could make something,” Candy muttered, looking confused, and a great deal relieved.

“No, we’ll order in. Come on, sweetheart, what would
you
like to eat?”

“Anything I want?” she asked, her voice hesitant.

“Anything,” he confirmed. He could’ve laughed at the puzzled expression on her pale face.

“Pizza?”

Though Dirk knew Candy enjoyed the wonderful meals at his father’s home, they were always very formal and organized, stuffy. She complained one evening she would like to just sit on a couch with a gooey bacon and double cheese pizza, a bottle of cold beer, with her feet tucked up under her and feel relaxed.

“Sounds great. Why don’t you freshen up, and I’ll order it? I’m pretty sure I can find a couple of beers around this place,” Dirk said. He left before receiving her answer.

Candy stood for a moment in the center of the room alone. She ventured toward the bathroom door wondering what just occurred between the both of them. They’d actually had a conversation where she didn’t feel threatened, or coerced. He remembered she once said she liked beer with pizza.
He remembered?
Dirk appeared to be just a man, not some brutal assassin that terrified her in those brief seconds. She never witnessed him so animated and easy-go-lucky, it was baffling. She wondered about this so-called honeymoon. As she stripped to shower, she wondered if it were possible for her to ever feel comfortable around him.

She welcomed the hot steamy water as it streamed over her while she washed. Candy almost screamed when Dirk stepped into the shower behind her and took the sponge from her hand. She turned, staring up at him. Her arm pressed against her breasts, covering herself, until she realized it was useless. He’d seen her naked. Her jaw quivered and she trembled at his intent. The stall was large; he could easily take her in it.

“The pizza will be here in forty-five minutes,” Dirk whispered into her ear. “That gives us enough time to refresh ourselves. Turn around and let me soap your back.”

Candy dutifully turned and shivered as Dirk’s large hands worked the kinks out of her neck and shoulders before moving lower. He massaged her behind and worked his way down each leg, soaping her entire body. He turned her and Candy felt her heart quicken as he leisurely moved the sponge over her breasts to her belly. When he went to his knees Candy thought she would expire, but her eyes closed enjoying the feel of his hands when they strove to be pleasant, while staying away from her most intimate places.

Her eyes fluttered open when Dirk stopped rubbing at her. Standing and turning, he asked her casually if she would wash his back. She nodded dumbly, taking the soapy slick sponge into her hands, running it over the broad span of his shoulders and back in a soothing motion. She ventured lower. The feel of his firm behind caused her a moment’s panic. She realized the powerful man before her was her husband and an assassin. He could do whatever he wanted to her; they were alone, and no one could hear her fearful cries. She dropped the sponge. Dirk turned and lazily picked it up; he finished washing then rinsed them both off. He turned off the water and assisted Candy as she exited.

“Well, I better get dressed. I’m starved, and dinner will be here shortly; pizza was a great idea,” Dirk said.

He left Candy alone, standing, dripping on the bathroom floor naked and untouched. She watched Dirk leave, closing the door behind him. Her eyes blinked. She was certain he had wanted her and yet he’d remained flaccid. She’d been reminded of the sensations his hands caused while he bathed her before, the feeling had been so sensuous and arousing. She gave herself a shake. Whether or not he could stir a small feeling within her shouldn’t matter, he was an assassin, her jailer, her tormenter,
her husband.
Candy scowled as the thought popped into her head. This wasn’t her idea; he was cruel, evil, hateful and hurtful.

She hardened herself to him. Candy wanted a baby—that was all—someone to return her love. She wasn’t worried for the child’s well-being. She knew how well loved and protected Carrie was, Dirk would never harm his own child; his family would never harm his child, even if it was hers. After she conceived, she was positive she could convince him to go to another for entertainment. Shoulders back, head held high, Candy went to get dressed.

Candy lay in the large king-sized bed looking up at the ceiling. They had been in Wolf’s home for three days. Dirk, the essence of gentle caring. The perfect doting husband. He brought her breakfast in bed, washed her while in the shower or soaped her back while in the bath, attended to her every need, cleaned up after himself and her. He brushed her hair, insisting she sit before him on a chair by the mirror. He would pull up her locks and very gently kiss at the back of her neck, while his gaze remained fixated on her. He whispered the sweetest words she’d ever heard. Lover’s words, sexy, steamy words making her blush to her toes. He whispered naughty things, making her burn, caressing her with single sentences; they glided down her body to heat her insides.

Every touch was coaxing, gentle, and never threatening. They strolled arm-in-arm around Wolf’s huge, lush backyard. He lifted her, capturing her high to his chest under a willow tree, and laughing up into her surprised expression; he slid her down the length of his hard-muscled body where he kissed her until she was breathless. Once releasing her, he simply held her hand. Dirk regaled her with antics from his and Damien’s childhood, until she was unable to stop the laughter that bubbled. Not once did he speak of anything remotely unpleasant. He was the very image of a knight in shining armor. The perfect gentleman with the perfect manners. He was too perfect.

He was so terribly annoying.

Every night he had taken her into his strong embrace, kissing her until her breath quickened. He ran his hands over her to cover every inch. Last night, he dipped his oiled fingers within her cautiously, moving them slowly, dipping and retreating until she was panting beneath him, gripping his shoulders and whimpering his name. Not once had he taken her completely.

Candy scratched her head in confusion. She knew he wanted her. He had been unable to control his long hard arousal while he kissed her passionately and touched her sensuously. Dirk fondled her, suckling her breasts, laving the nipples with his tongue, until she moaned and he was groaning. She wondered what he was waiting for. An invitation? She told him she wouldn’t turn him away, she hadn’t once stopped his roaming hands. She wanted a baby and would suffer through whatever he did. Dirk kissed her forehead, rolled over and went to sleep. What was he waiting for?

Dirk entered the room and seeing her awake and watching him, offered her a brilliant smile, the essence of charisma. His light blue t-shirt, that accentuated the color of his eyes, was pulled taught over his muscles; his faded blue jeans hugged his hips. The tips of his blond hair were damp from his shower and she could smell the enticing cologne he used.

He was carrying a tray loaded with food. Candy wasn’t hungry. Dirk settled the tray across her hips and tried to place a ripe strawberry past her lips. She clamped her mouth closed. Dirk frowned, his brows knit with concern.

“What’s the matter, sweetheart, not hungry?”

“What’re you up to?” Candy demanded.

“I’m trying to serve you breakfast,” Dirk said innocently, stirring cream into her tea, then added two sugar cubes, just the way she liked it.

“Oh no you’re not,” Candy exclaimed. “You’re up to something. I want to know what.”

“Candy, before, it was too fast. I took you before you were ready and I hurt you. I won’t ever hurt you again. I want to make absolutely certain you’re ready for me this time,” Dirk explained.

Candy looked at him frustrated. She realized he wanted her to want him, not just to allow him to take her with fear and hesitancy. Candy didn’t know if she could do that. He was asking too much. Yes, he stirred feelings, but the feelings of distrust and fear were far more dominant.

“I’m still afraid of you,” Candy admitted.

Dirk took the tray and settled it on a night table; he cupped her chin in his hand. “I know you are, sweetheart. I’ve told you I possess mercy, and I frightened you to retreat within yourself, injuring not only your mind but your arms as well. I’ll never forgive myself for drawing your blood, not just on one occasion but two damn times. I promised you I wouldn’t hurt you, yet I have. I forced you to marry me; I kept you locked away.

“It’s no wonder you’re afraid of me. I seem to forget every promise I make while around you. I’m finished with that, I swear. You’re going to learn your husband does possess great honor and integrity. I don’t care if I have to wait years for you to accept me...me, myself, willingly. I want you to move beneath me because you want to, not because you want a baby. Please, Candy, forget the baby for now. Concentrate on us, the here and now.”

Candy heard the honesty in his voice and wondered why it was so important to him that she want him. She had no choice. He could take her. He could be cruel and evil to her instead of trying to feed her strawberries.

“Why, Dirk?”

“I won’t kill you, and I won’t let you go, you’re mine. That means we’ll be together forever. We can spend it in misery or we can spend it trying to be civil to one another. I have a great deal to make up for,” Dirk said. He released her chin to run a cautious hand up her face to slowly roll a ringlet of her unruly hair around one finger, tugging then smiling as it sprang back into place once released.

“You’re so beautiful. When you’re around, it’s like I’m living inside a rainbow. I have my own treasure.”

Great, I’m an assassin treasure, yippee for me.

Dirk lowered his hand to the back of her neck drawing her closer for a tender kiss. She didn’t refuse him or pull away. When Dirk released her lips, his smile indicated he noted her now rapid breathing. She knew he was beginning to illicit a response in her. Every day that passed, her wariness eased ever so slightly, her shield against him lessened. She was aware, because of his own admission, Dirk never before attempted so desperately to soothe a woman into desire. He explained he had been too young and inexperienced with Carrie’s mother. She’d been his first and only love. He hinted over the years he met women who eased his needs, but never touched him in a way that made his heart stir. Candy was beginning to be aware he hated it when she shied back or cringed at his approach, she knew it reminded him too much of Carrie’s mother. Ever so slowly those responses were easing; she was feeling more comfortable around him.

“Would you like your breakfast now?” Dirk asked, a hardy smile on his lips.

“Yes,” she mumbled.

Candy looked at him, feeling a sense of frustration. He always seemed to arouse her and then leave or change the subject. She was left with such a deep feeling of confusion at the emotions he was stirring. He was indeed waiting for an invitation. A real one. Candy was uncertain if she would be able to offer him one. She was uncertain if she’d be able to refuse him one. The thought annoyed her.

* * * *

“Dirk.”

Candy moaned and shivered as Dirk kissed her. His large hand gently massaged her breast, teasing the nipple. His fingers sensuously slid down her body. He rubbed at her hip, moving his hand to her inner thigh. She gasped when she felt his one finger find her nub. He removed his finger and after quickly oiling three of them he dipped one within her, sliding in then retreating ever so slowly. She panted heavily moving against him. The sensation was so stirring. She didn’t know whether she shuddered from pleasure or apprehension. Candy gripped Dirk’s shoulders pulling him toward her. He added another finger to tempt or torment her.