Grievous (Wanted Men Book 5) (13 page)

Yet every time she tried to participate, he stopped her by taking her hands off him and placing them at her sides.

“I’d like to touch you,” she whispered as he nuzzled below her ear, his bristles deliciously rough. God, she wanted to eat him alive.

“I do not want your touch right now.”

That zinger nailed her hard, cutting into her appetite.

“It will distract me.”

Oh, well, okay then.

He kissed her once more, their lips clinging, before setting her back. He had an erection she’d have gladly spent some time on had he been receptive. Since he wasn’t, and she wasn’t confident enough in her abilities to try bringing him around, she allowed him to place her next to the pillow at their feet.

“I would like you to wait here.”

She nodded and looked around for a chair, but when she took a step toward the nearest one, he stopped her.

“No. Not there. Here. I would like to look over and see you curled up in front of the hearth.”

“W-what?”

“Down.”

She stared at him for a long time, her heart beating thickly, her cheeks growing hotter and hotter.

And to her shame, her pussy grew wetter and wetter. He wanted his pet curled in front of a warm fire awaiting his attentions. Maybe she could talk to him while he worked. Sneak in some details to show him he had an actual human being in his midst.

Holding his eyes, she lowered herself—figuratively and literally—to her knees. She went onto her hip and laid on her side with her head on the pillow that smelled of fresh laundry.

Instead of going to his desk, Lucian squatted, and he began petting her. He ran his palm over her silk-clad hip, making a quiet, contented sound. “Perfect. I could not have chosen better,” he mused.

Pleasure flowed through her, and she could have sworn her bones melted when he began scratching her back. God, that felt amazing. When he started playing with her hair, she was done. Her lids came down, and it was her turn to verbalize with a quiet murmur that wasn’t a word. It just sounded happy. As her thought process began to shut down, she slipped her fingers around his ankle in an effort to keep him with her.

When she came to, he was gone. Only a few minutes could have passed because when she opened her heavy lids to locate him, he was still on his feet. He was behind his desk, looking at an iPad. He had his cell at his ear. The very one he’d known she’d used earlier.

“Senator Raine? It is Lucian Fane. Yes, of course. It is no bother. What can I do for you?”

Senator? she thought as her eyes closed again.

“It was my understanding they would desist after one warning. Oh? I see. When was this? Have you shared this information with Gheorghe? Good. He and I will discuss it. I will have him get back to you with a peaceful solution by tomorrow evening. Of course. Goodbye, Senator.”

She drifted in and out as he sat and made another call. God, she could listen to that accent forever.

“I just spoke to Raine. He said his issue has turned their nose up at our warning and has sent troops into the camps on the eastern border. Call the commander and have him perform an airstrike. What? Why the fuck are you risking yourself in an area so volatile?” A note of alarm filtered into his voice. “Get the fuck out, immediately, or I’ll pull your funding and tie you down so tight you will not be able to take a step outside of Brooklyn without my men coming down on you. I do not care. Get your ass home. Before you leave, tell the commander two passes. If any men are left, capture and keep. We will deal with them personally when we find some time. No, Gheorghe, one warning was all they deserve. After what they have done to their people over the last three years, I would have obliterated them without it, but you insisted. Yes, well, you have only yourself to blame since you were the one who brought me in. Exactly. They had their chance, and they did not take it. Let me know when it is done.”

Yasmeen tried to wake up enough to sit up. She was dying to ask what the hell he was talking about. Couldn’t. She was too far gone. She faded then came back. Maybe she was dreaming.

“…taking so long…amateur in comparison…one Baikov every two hours…interested in harming…to his memory…kill them.”

Not a dream, she corrected before slipping away completely. A nightmare.

The next morning, following instructions found on a handwritten note propped on the bathroom mirror, Yasmeen made her way to the first level of the castle to meet Lucian for breakfast. She had on a pretty pajama set she assumed he’d spread across the foot of the bed before leaving her—his pillow had an indent, proving he’d slept beside her. The nightie and robe left her feeling naked even though she was covered from shoulder to mid-thigh, though, because there’d been no underwear in sight, she was feeling breezy between the legs. She’d been instructed to leave her feet bare.

Because the sun was shining through every window she passed, she was able to take her time and enjoy the walk. She entered a small dining room that had huge windows and gold walls to brighten the dark furnishings and deep red accents.

Lucian turned from surveying the grounds, and she paused, unsure of the protocol. Should she go over and kiss him, hug him, weave in and around his ankles? “Good morning.”

He didn’t return the greeting but did come forward. When he reached her, he slipped a finger into the tie at her waist and pulled it so the sides of her robe fell open. Cleavage and lace were revealed.

“Do not hide in my presence,” he said as he kissed both her cheeks. He brought her to the table that had eight chairs surrounding it. Her stomach rumbled quietly when the smell of the food hit her nostrils. He turned one of the chairs sideways. “Sit.”

Did he have to act as if they barely knew each other? She looked at him, hoping he might meet her eyes so she could at least pretend he felt connected to her. He didn’t even give her that.

She sat and watched as he pulled another chair out. He snugged up until their knees almost touched. Then he went sexy man and spread his legs so they surrounded—trapped—hers. She would like to have felt comfortable enough to run her hands up and down his thighs, but no. He was once more wearing black dress pants and a black shirt that had to have been created for his body alone. As usual, he smelled like heaven.

“Would you prefer eggs or oatmeal?”

“I’d prefer the Starbucks on the corner of College Point and Roosevelt. The guy behind the counter knows me only as a regular customer and he’s usually friendlier than you’re being right now.”

He paused in his observation of the glass-covered dishes. “The sound of your hunger reached my ears. Tell me which you would prefer.” No sign of life.

She didn’t usually eat much for breakfast, but she couldn’t deny she was hungry this morning, which was the only reason she gave in. “Eggs, please.”

With her preference voiced, instead of making and handing over a plate, he prepared a small amount of the fluffy scrambled eggs and placed it in front of himself. Was he going to eat while she watched? Tease her? Could he be so cruel? And insane?

He picked up a fork that appeared to weight five pounds and speared the eggs. Then he scooted his chair even closer to hers and brought the food over to hold it in front of her mouth.

She pulled her head back. “What are you doing?” she asked suspiciously.

“Feeding my pet.”

She felt her lips flatten. Were they starting that already? “Lucian…”

“Shh. You did not stir last night even when I brought you to bed. I was pleased. Do not ruin that by causing a fuss. Open. Allow me to take care of you.”

“Take care of me? I’m sorry, but why would you want to take care of someone you don’t like?”

He raised a brow and swept a low-lidded look down her body.

“Being attracted to and liking someone is two different things. If you liked or respected me at all, we wouldn’t be here. I wish I’d gotten to know you better the last time we were together; then maybe I’d be able to recognize if this behavior is out of character for you. Or are you just a natural dic—tator?” She flashed a quick smile.

“Open,
draga
.”

Wow. The man was a pro at evasion. Did he really think if they didn’t discuss it, his cold shoulder didn’t exist? “What does that mean?”

He put the fork down and slid his chair back a little. “Do you recall me telling you how much I dislike having to repeat myself?”

“Yes.”

“Good, then there will be no need for me to explain why I am putting you over my lap.” He took her hand and drew her up. She resisted when he pulled her in.

A treacherous rush of excitement billowed from her core. “Over your lap? You mean you want me to sit
on
your lap.”

“No.”

Oh, God.

“The longer you make me wait, the higher the tally. You are currently at next to nothing, but I count by threes.”

For some insane reason, she paused only a moment longer. When he pulled on her fingers, she didn’t protest, and he easily draped her over his legs. Good fucking morning, she thought as she squeezed her eyes shut and waited to experience something she’d wondered about for years. She fought a shiver when he flattened his palm and dragged it and her nightgown up over her ass. His work area was totally exposed.

Why was she allowing this? She should be protesting. Vehemently. Freaking out.

“Your breathing is labored, pet. Are you frightened about receiving punishment?”

She gripped his pant leg and shook her head as she anticipated, her body letting her know she wasn’t anywhere near repulsed by what was about to happen. Her mind, on the other hand, was hiding, mortified over her easy, almost eager acceptance.

“Are you comfortable? If not, you may adjust your position.”

So that she was straddling him? Preferably with his pants open. She doubted it. It took only one little shimmy to snug up to his abs. He was hard, she realized with some relief when she felt his long cock press into her hip. Just like that, knowing they were sharing the excitement, she was all in.

“In this position, your ass is shaped like a heart.” His hand came down, and the sound of it connecting with her skin cracked through the room. And stung like a bitch.

Shock stole her breath but she had no time to process before he delivered more with his goddamn huge hand. Three on each cheek.

“Holy shit,” she whispered. “Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit.”

She waited for more, feeling in no way demeaned. The act merely cemented Lucian’s authority over her, which was something she’d already known was there. But in a good way. From the moment they’d met, his dominance over everything around him had drawn her like a fragile moth to a crackling blaze.

One more landed and she jumped. Flames cooked her ass and she ground her teeth together, forcing herself not to pull away from the scorch because she instinctively knew that wouldn’t go over well. By the time he sent his hand between her legs and speared deep into her welcoming pussy with two fingers, she got why she’d always been curious. Deep down, she’d somehow known she’d respond to this form of play.

“No resistance at all because you’re soaking wet, my pet,” he murmured, unnecessarily stating the obvious. “It appears this was not the punishment it was meant to be.”

She shook her head and moaned as he slowly and deliberately thrust a few times, delivering brief strikes of pleasure that mingled and confused the pain. It was a shock when he pulled out and landed two more swats before taking her arm and helping her to stand on shaky legs. Nine. He’d given her nine spanks on her bare ass for making him repeat himself.

“Or maybe it will work in a different way. Now that you are aroused, you will sit here with your pink ass and dripping pussy, and we will do nothing more than eat our breakfast. That might not be so pleasant for you, hmm?” He pulled his chair up and took her by the hips to lower her back into hers.

He made her vision quiver when he licked his glistening fingers. He shook his head and said something in his own language as he wiped them dry on a napkin. As if nothing unusual had gone down, he lifted the fork again.

“
Deschide, draga.
”

Her mind crowded with images of him laying her on the table and eating
her
for breakfast. Of her falling to her knees and eating
him
. Of being thrown against the wall so he could fuck the pussy he’d just primed for sex it wouldn’t be having.

She forced her hammering heart to slow and tried to show him how accustomed she was to being spanked before she had her morning coffee. “You never told me what that means.” She sat forward so her ass wasn’t pressing so hard into the seat.

“It means use your jaw muscles to part your lips,” he said with no expression. “I know you are hungry, and I wish to feed you.”

She bit her lip so she wouldn’t smile because she was pretty sure that wasn’t allowed at his table. “I meant the other word. You keep calling me that. Does it mean whore?”

She watched his pupils expand and a hardness come over his face. “No. Too late, yesterday, I realized I should have chosen a less derogatory term. I will never refer to you in such a way again. Not in any language. My apologies. Now open.”