Precious Lace (Lace #4) (5 page)

  "By the way, I’ll be making weekly stops at La Perla at the rate you're going." I speared a scallop with my fork and popped it in my mouth.

  "I’ll gladly buy you beautiful undergarments every week if you let me rip them off your delectable body." He shot a crooked grin at me.

  "Pervy panty collector," I mumbled.

  He turned his head and the corners of his mouth lifted in an amused grin. "Pervy panty collector, huh? I kind of like that…" his voice trailed off as mirth danced in his steely blue eyes.

  "God, you would Carter." I rolled my eyes as I took another bite.

  Thursday night I stayed at Carter's and the next morning he went into work. I had distracted myself all week with work and as a result I had submitted a few articles early, so I had all day Friday to myself. I lounged in his beautiful townhouse, our townhouse as Carter kept insisting, before leaving to run errands and hit Newbury Street for some shopping. 

  I was sifting through a rack of clothes in the back of a new boutique when I heard a conversation from a dressing room. Just as I started to move away, a certain name hit my ears that piqued my interest. 

  "He's just using her. Carter Morgan doesn't do relationships. Her hold over him will expire and then he'll be back. He always comes back." 

  My mouth dropped open and a few angry tears pooled in my eyes. It was Nikki. It had to be. I knew Madeleine’s voice and it definitely wasn't her. My heart thudded in my ears as I wondered what to do. I wanted to run. I glanced at the door, counting the steps until I could be out of the store but my brain had ceased to function. My feet were cemented to the floor. 

  "Are you okay, Miss?" A sales associate passed me with a concerned glance. I nodded slowly, but could tell I didn't look it by her expression. I clenched my fists as my brain turned hazy. Just then Nikki and her companion walked out of the dressing rooms. She glanced at me and her eyes flickered in recognition. 

  Of course she knew who I was. A picture of Carter and me had hit the gossip blogs the morning after the gala. 

  A snide grin spread across her face. She knew I’d overheard. 

  "Evangeline Austin." She gave me a wide smile. Her companion's eyes flicked to mine with the same grin spread across her face. 

  "Nice to finally meet you." Her tone dripped with sarcasm. "I didn't realize you could afford to shop on Newbury, or are you shopping here on Carter's account? He likes his girls to look the part.” She smiled as she made a point of looking me up and down. I suddenly felt dowdy next to the long-legged, thin as a rail, Russian beauty standing next to me. Why hadn't I worn heels today of all days? Because I didn't typically wear heels unless it was a special occasion. Nonetheless I cursed myself for not making the effort to look as gorgeous as she did on any given day. 

  My brain suddenly decided to cooperate and I sucked in a deep breath to give me strength. 

  "I’m not using Carter's account."

  "Oh?" Her eyes shot up. "Your expiration date must be sooner than I thought then." She grinned at me as she proceeded to the counter to pay for her purchases. 

  "Nikki?" 

  She turned on her heel with an interested look. 

  "I think your expiration date has long been up. Carter told me he was only one in a long line of men you bedded for the photo op. But I'll tell him you said hi." 

  "You bitch. You're not good enough for Carter. Don't think you mean anything more to him than any of the other whores he's been with." Her eyes shot daggers into me. 

  "Is that why he gave me this?" I lifted my right hand and fingered the glistening stone. Her eyes flicked to it and widened. "And why he asked me to marry him? And then flew me to Aspen and did just that?" I shot her a ruthless grin and then walked out of the store and on to Newbury Street. 

  My heart pounded in and out of my chest as I continued to walk, tears blurring my vision. I had to get off this street before Nikki walked out and caught me in her crosshairs again. I darted into a coffee shop and threw myself in a chair, my bag dropped to the floor next to me. I was suddenly too exhausted to do anything but head home and curl up in bed.

  I walked to the counter and ordered a soy vanilla latte, returning to my seat to wait for my name to be called. 

  My head swirled and my stomach knotted as my brain reviewed the encounter with Nikki. Did he always go back to her? It certainly seemed that way. Did he still have contact with her? He'd said he never wanted to see her again, but how long could a former man-whore stay away from a stunning girl like that? 

  A server brought my latte over and set it on the table in front of me with a smile. 

  "Thank you." I gave her an apologetic grin. I'd been so immersed in my thoughts I must have missed her calling my name. 

  I wrapped both of my palms around the warm cup and inhaled deeply. The rich aroma that usually brought a sense of calm to my system suddenly had my stomach lurching. Just the thought of drinking it made bile rise in my throat. My stomach was in knots over the confrontation with Nikki and my mind refused to calm down. 

  I pulled my water bottle out of my bag and took long draws, emptying the contents. I took a few deep breaths and closed my eyes, trying to forget the words Nikki had said in the dressing room. 

  Breathe, Eva. Breathe. 

  I tried to remind myself that he'd married me. I couldn't let my fear sabotage us.

  I picked up my latte and took a sip, praying for the hot liquid to calm my nerves. My stomach rolled and I set the coffee down. I feared that if I took another sip I would be sick all over the floor. If the thought of my beloved java had my stomach in a twist clearly the situation with Nikki had gotten to me much more than I thought.  I rolled my eyes; not only had the she-bitch from hell ruined my shopping trip but now she'd ruined my latte. 

  I grabbed my shopping bags, left my drink on the table and exited the coffee shop to head back to Carter's house. He'd said he'd try to get home early so we could spend the afternoon together, but I secretly hoped I could sneak in at least an hour nap before he made it home. 

  I walked up the sidewalk outside of Carter's townhouse and my brain vaguely registered the moving van outside with burly men hauling boxes up the sidewalk. I got a few steps closer and my eyes widened in surprise to see them carrying boxes through Carter's door. My blood immediately boiled. I hadn't yet made a decision about moving in with him. Apparently Carter had taken my assent in the throes of passion seriously. I should expect nothing less from that man. Carter Morgan was never to be underestimated. 

  I gave the movers a polite smile as I stomped through the door and made my way back to Carter's office. I was pleased to find him home from work and on the phone. I walked through the door of his office with single-minded determination. Carter’s eyes shot up in surprise as he continued the phone conversation. I narrowed my eyes at him and the tiniest of smiles flitted across his mouth once he realized the source of my anger. 

  I leaned down into his body, purposely giving him a clear view of the top of my cleavage, and pressed his lips firmly to my own, holding his head against mine so hard I was sure my lips would bruise. This was an angry kiss and I wanted him to know it. I pulled away and my teeth scrap;)ed along his bottom lip roughly. I saw him wince as I released it. I licked my lips and tasted the slightest hint of blood. Well good, Carter could use a reprimand.

  I met his eyes and they flashed with a look of anger and lust. Carter was going to learn not to coerce me into doing things he wanted while I was mid-orgasm. I dropped to my knees in front of him and spread his legs apart. His arousal was already hard and tented against the soft wool. I popped the button and dragged the zipper down quickly, freeing him from his pants. His eyes widened again as his breathing picked up. I grabbed him in my hands and squeezed roughly, stroking up and flicking my thumb over the head. His breathing hitched as I continued to stroke. Carter settled into the rhythm and managed to carry on his phone conversation in a clipped tone. 

  A smile spread across my lips as we made eye contact and then I bent my head and took him in my mouth. A small choked groan came from above me and I heard Carter murmuring over the phone, his words nearly indecipherable now. I sucked as hard as I could as my mouth rose up his length, my hand tight around the base. I stroked and sucked and smoothed with my tongue, flicking and rimming the head before hallowing my cheeks and sucking again. Carter's hips bucked into me as one of his hands fisted in the hair at the nape of my neck. I wasn't sure if he was trying to control my rhythm or trying to maintain control of the phone conversation considering the circumstances he found himself in. Just as his hips began to buck wildly I pulled away and left him hanging with a smirk. 

  His eyes flicked to me to see what was wrong and then an angry, lust-filled look descended on his bright blues. I could see his jaw clench as he gritted his teeth in frustration. I gave him a coy smile as I leaned over his desk and fingered through some paperwork absentmindedly, the hem of my dress flirting at mid-thigh. I crossed my ankles and swayed back and forth before his hand caressed my thigh as he continued the phone conversation. 

  Just as I was starting to relax and assuming his anger at my payback had passed, Carter's fingers hooked in the fabric of my panties and pulled them over my bottom roughly then he thrust two fingers inside me. A shocked groan escaped my throat as my head fell to the table. I was not expecting that in the slightest. Carter still mumbled on the phone as he pumped his fingers in and out of me. I wavered between removing his fingers from my body and walking out and slamming the door behind me, or giving into the pleasure and riding his hand. 

  My eyelids fluttered closed as Carter rubbed firm circles around the sensitive flesh. My breathing came out in ragged pants as Carter stroked, when my moaning got too loud he would still his fingers—a reminder to keep quiet considering he was in the middle of a business call. He moved his fingers again and built my body back up to the orgasm that was sitting just on the cliff. Just as I was about to fall over, Carter would pull his fingers completely out of me. I moaned in frustration at the loss of contact. 

  I turned and his eyes burned into mine with intense lust. I bit my bottom lip in anger. I was supposed to deny him an orgasm to teach him a lesson, not the other way around. Now I was too wound up to even think straight. 

  I pushed myself up on the desk directly in front of his chair and spread my legs, a foot resting on each of his thighs. Carter's eyes flickered from my own, down my body before zeroing in on my exposed center that was aching with arousal. I arched my back, thrusting my chest out as his hands slid up my leg, dusted behind my knee and then continued up my thigh. He ran one finger through the swollen flesh making my breath hitch. My nipples hardened and ached with arousal. Suddenly Carter barked an order over the phone and slammed it on the desk. 

  "You are in a world of trouble, Evangeline."

  "Please," I whispered as he stood before me, his erection suddenly slipping in between my wet folds. 

  "What do you want?" He pressed harder between the swollen flesh and growled. 

  "You. Fuck, hurry."

  "Is something on your mind, Evangeline?" He thrust into me roughly, my bottom bouncing back on the desk. Carter dug both hands into my hips, holding me tightly. I knew I would have bruises there in the morning. 

  "Yes."

  "Do you have something to say to me?" He continued to pound in and out of me, our bodies rocking against the wood of his desk. 

  "Yes," I panted. 

  "Well?" He ground through clenched teeth as one hand kneaded the flesh of my breast through my dress. 

  "Moving in. I didn't agree…" the words came out in erratic pants. 

  "Of course you did. I believe your exact words were 'Yes, Carter. God, yessss.'" His hand slid along my thigh and hitched my leg around his hips. The sensation coursing through my body caused tingles to erupt. 

  "No," I panted.

  "Yes."

  "No. God, Carter," I moaned and writhed underneath him. 

  "Too late. Your stuff is already here. You. Live. Here. Discussion over."

  Just as my body started to quiver with release Carter pulled out completely. I gasped at the loss. 

  "Carter," I groaned and squeezed my eyes shut in near pain from the loss of my orgasm. 

  "Say it. Be a good girl and say you're moving in with me."

  "Do I have a choice?" I bit my lip as my body continued to rock against his seeking friction. 

  "Nope." He teased his length up and down my entrance denying my body what it needed to send me over the edge. 

  I groaned in frustration. 

  "I hate you," I whispered through clenched teeth. 

  "I know, but I love you enough for both of us. Is that a yes, Mrs. Morgan?" Carter continued to tease around my entrance without ever sliding in.

  "Yes, ass," I said through clenched teeth. I heard him laugh and then he slammed back into me with full force. 

  "I love you." He continued to grin as he worked in and out of me. 

  "I hate you."

  "No you don't."

  "I know."

  "Good girl." His thumb massaged my clit as he thrust in and out of me and I fell headlong over the cliff crying. My head thrown back and my body wracked in pleasurable heaving pants. Carter slammed once more and then reached his own release as he groaned, his orgasm shuddering through him. He slowed his movements and placed a hand on the desk on either side of my body, hovering over me without resting fully on me. 

  "You are amazing."

  "You are a controlling ass." I willed my heart rate to return to normal. Another chuckle from Carter as his long, lean body hovered over me. He brought his lips to mine and kissed me tenderly—long and slow and drawn out. I placed one hand along his jaw and tangled the other in his unruly hair. 

  "I love you," I whispered as I pulled away to catch my breath.