Unyielding (Tortured Love Book 1) (7 page)

He didn’t do well in that position. Heads would roll for this, starting with Todd’s, if what Merrick suspected was true. No one made a fool out of Merrick Dalton. No one.

Chapter Eleven

Lynda had chosen the prettiest robe she owned, and then debated whether to wear anything under it, but decided that would be silly. She sat on the edge of the sunken tub, watching it fill with water. It would take a while, but since she had no idea how much time Merrick would be on the phone, she was running only hot water into it for now. She didn’t want the water to get cold and then have to wait while it filled a second time.

The bathroom was so ornate, with brass faucets and embossed tiles on the ceiling. She loved the clean lines of the cabinets and furniture. Everything in here had been designed for relaxation and comfort. She wondered whether Merrick had done it himself or used a decorator.

She wandered around the bathroom while she waited, then grew bored with that and ventured into his bedroom. She wanted to look around but didn’t want him catching her doing it, in case he thought she was snooping. She had no clue how private a person he was, but based on what little she knew so far, he seemed to value it.

After forty-five minutes, not only was the tub full, but the hot water was cooling off. Lynda thought it would have been nice if he’d given her a clue how long he’d be, then wondered whether something important had come up and he simply couldn’t get away.

She could walk into his office. It was right next door. Would he mind? At least she’d know why he hadn’t come into the bathroom yet, and he would know she was still waiting. What harm could it do?

She listened outside the door to his office but didn’t hear anything, so she knocked several times but there was no answer. Lynda opened the door slowly, but even before she walked inside and turned on the nearest lamp, she knew he wasn’t in there. Okay. Where else might he go to make phone calls?
No clue
.

Would it be crazy of her to walk around the apartment wearing nothing but her robe? Unless someone else was here, she imagined it wouldn’t matter. Then she wondered whether she couldn’t simply ask the staff where he was, but felt foolish doing so. Shouldn’t she know where her own husband was in their home?

She decided to try the staff quarters last in case she didn’t find him. Then she’d ask. If he had left the apartment and not told her, after telling her to wait for him by the tub, all bets were off. No sex for him ever again. There was only so much rollercoaster emotion and humiliation a girl could take in one twenty-four hour period.

He wasn’t upstairs. She searched every room. Downstairs, he wasn’t in the great room, the dining room, or the library. That left the kitchen, the staff quarters, and the workout room. He wasn’t in the kitchen, and neither was anyone else. She couldn’t even detect the scent of what they’d had for dinner. If he wasn’t in the workout room, she’d return and ask the staff.

As she made her way down the hall toward the workout room, a song by
In Search of Sun
called “The World is Yours” assaulted her ears. Was one of the staff in there, or had Merrick decided to workout instead of joining her in the bathtub? What the ever-loving
fuck
?

She opened the door slowly. The music was very loud so he didn’t hear her step inside or close the door behind her. Lynda watched in fascination, too mesmerized to be pissed off any longer as Merrick, clad only in sweatpants and wearing boxing gloves, pounded one of the bags mercilessly with punches and roundhouse kicks.

His muscles bulged with the effort, and they looked even sexier than last night because he was soaking wet and working so hard. Lynda’s breathing quickened as she watched sweat droplets spray from his hair and face. His expression was angry and hard. What the hell had set him off? It had to be one of the phone calls. Surely
she
hadn’t done anything. Everything had been perfect during dinner.

He grunted each time he punched or kicked the bag, and her pussy grew wet all over again at the spectacle of sheer strength and passion. What was he truly capable of? He swore he’d never hit a woman, and Lynda hoped like hell he meant it. Because as she watched him, she realized that Merrick Dalton could easily kill a person with his bare hands if he wanted to.

That understanding should have sent her running, pre-nup or not, but it didn’t. Instead, she’d never felt more turned-on in her life. She wanted to know what it felt like to have him unleash that kind of passion on her in bed. He’d been amazing last night, but what if he really let go? What would
that
be like? Could she even handle it?

She wanted to find out. God help her. Sick and twisted or not, the sight of her husband going apeshit on a punching bag was the most arousing thing she’d ever witnessed.

He stopped and leaned against the bag, breathing heavily. Then he turned off the music, removed his left glove, and wiped his face. As he did, he glanced around and their eyes met. She took a step back involuntarily as first surprise then annoyance crossed his face.
So much for a sexy interlude
.

She had the distinct feeling she’d inadvertently invaded his privacy. But he had told her he’d be along shortly, over an hour ago. If anyone should be upset, it was her.

Lynda watched regret fill his eyes. He took off the other glove, tossed them both onto a nearby weight bench, and crossed the room toward her.

“Lynda, I am so sorry. Let me explain.”

“Okay.” So he wasn’t upset. That was a good start.

“I had a confrontational phone call with André, during which I let him know I’d never use his services again.”

“Because of what I told you?”

“Yes. He had no right to bully you that way, or refuse to allow your friends to be in the wedding. I didn’t know any of that had happened.”

She wanted to cry, but not from anger or frustration this time. Her husband had stuck up for her. “I didn’t know that.”

“I realize you didn’t. And I made a lot of assumptions that weren’t true.”

“What did you assume?’

He shook his head and averted his gaze. “It’s not important now.”

“All right.” He might tell her once he felt calmer, but right now she decided it was pointless to push the issue. “Is that why you came in here to work out?”

More aversive behaviors, and this time there was no mistaking the fact he was trying not to tell her something. She hoped it was work-related.

“I had another phone call that left me very angry.”

“I’ve been waiting over an hour. I didn’t know where you were.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his damp hair, which only served to increase her arousal. “I realize that. I should have told you. I didn’t think I’d be good company for you in that state of mind. I came here to calm down and lost track of time.”

“Well, for what it’s worth, I really enjoyed watching you work out.”

His features softened. “Did you now?” His gaze traveled over her robe and down to her bare feet, as if registering how little she wore for the first time. Lynda’s pulse raced, and her breathing quickened.

Should she tell him what had gone through her mind while watching him? Why not? Maybe it would help his mood? “The raw power … watching you pummel that bag. It mesmerized me. You’re so strong.”
Good lord.
Her voice had gone all smoky. Lynda wiped her brow. “It’s really warm in here.”

“It’s supposed to be.” His voice was low and gravelly now, and the tone sent shivers down her spine. “Keeps the muscles loosened up.”

He took a couple of steps toward her, and as the scent of sweat mixed with his own musky smell wafted toward her, Lynda’s mind came alive with erotic images of fucking him right here in this room.

He brushed his hand over the front of her robe, grazing her left nipple. “This is very pretty.”

She didn’t bother trying to stop her soft moan. “Thank you.” Her words came out in a whisper, and when Merrick moved closer still, she let out a tiny whimper. They were barely two inches apart.

“Are you afraid of me, Lynda?” It was a question filled with trepidation that she had to correct.

“No. Not at all. I’m so damn turned on right now I can hardly stand it.”

He grinned, and triumph filled his eyes. “So am I.” Before she had time to do so much as blink again, he grasped her robe and opened it, then slipped it off her shoulders. “That’s better. You have amazing tits, Lynda.”

“Oh, God,” she whispered. “Merrick … fuck me. Right now. Please.” She’d never been so overcome with the need to be taken, hard.

The look on his face nearly stopped her heart. It was as if he’d been waiting to hear her say that for years. He looked so
grateful
! She cried out in pleasure as he molded his hands around her breasts, kneading them until it hurt.

“I can’t get enough of these. So soft and full.” He bent his head and sucked one nipple, then the other, alternating that with long, slow licks. Lynda clutched his damp hair, moaning loudly as tiny jolts of electricity danced up and down her limbs. Her pussy was soaking wet now, and her clit throbbed.

Merrick cupped her face with one strong hand, then pulled her against his damp body with the other. She stared into his eyes, unable to look away or think of anything except his dick inside her again.

“You’re fucking beautiful. You really are.”

“So are you.”

He kissed her rough and hard, shoving his tongue into her mouth. Lynda melted against him, powerless to do anything except enjoy it. Her hands circled his waist, then moved to his firm ass. He moaned deep in his throat, so she pushed his sweatpants down and reached between their bodies to grasp his cock.

“Oh, baby…” He trailed his tongue across her cheek then down to her neck, where he planted tiny bites along her jaw and collarbone. Lynda stroked him, moving her hand up and down over the entire length of his dick. “That feels so fucking
nice
!”

He was rock hard and slick, and she was sure she’d go out of her mind with need. Merrick moved his hand off her face and slid it between her legs, massaging her clit with one thumb while his fingers probed her wetness. “You’re ready for me, aren’t you, Lynda?”

“Yes!”

He let go of her and stepped back, then removed his sweats and tossed them across the room. When he embraced her again, he eased them both down to the floor. He covered her body with his and kissed her again, taking his time and torturing her with desire.

She moaned into his mouth and writhed against him, running her hands up and down his back and ass. He had such a beautiful body, and the way his muscles flexed under her touch left her breathless. The power emanating from this man was intoxicating. She couldn’t get enough.

Merrick released her mouth and trailed his tongue and hands over her breasts again, then spread her legs and dove between them. “I can smell how fucking ready you are for me.”

She cried out as he clamped his mouth on her pussy, sucking hard. It took mere seconds for her to come, and when he realized what was happening, he pushed two fingers into her wetness. Lynda was nothing at that moment except a body filled with lust. Her mind couldn’t process anything except Merrick and what he did to her.

Merrick moved his fingers in and out, prolonging her contractions until she could hardly breathe, and then he slid a finger into her ass. This time, it didn’t burn. It only served to make her want more inside there. She wanted him to fill her up and fuck her raw. She’d never felt this way about sex. Not even close. This man had put a spell on her and she was powerless under it, but that’s exactly where she wanted to be.

He removed his fingers and kissed her again, rough and hard. “I’m going to fuck you. I’m going to fuck you so hard.”

“Yes … please…”

Merrick brushed a hand across her hair in a tender gesture that left her speechless, and then he sat back on his heels, lifted her hips from underneath, and plunged his dick into her pussy. She groaned loudly as the sweet sensations from his thrusting washed over her. Her back hurt from lying on the floor, but she didn’t give a shit. She never wanted this to stop.

He pulled her into a sitting position so she was on top of him, and then kissed her again, cupping her face with both hands. When he released it, he grasped her hips and moved her up and down. “That’s it, baby. Fuck me good.”

With his cock pushing all the way inside like this, Lynda gasped at the combination of pain and pleasure coursing through her body. He was so damn big! But it felt fucking incredible. She clung to his arms and shivered as the muscles in them flexed with each movement.

“Look at me.” Their eyes met, and Lynda’s heart fluttered at the expression on his face. It was a combination of pure lust and awe. “You’re my wife. You’re
mine
. I’m not letting you go.”

She let out a shaky breath. “I don’t want to go, Merrick.”

He stopped moving and kissed her again, swirling his tongue inside until her mouth and jaw were sore from the effort of kissing him back. Then he gently slid her off him and glanced around for a second, as if he wasn’t sure where he was.

He stood and held out his hand. “Come on.”

She rose, taking his hand, then glanced down at the floor as she realized her pussy juices and his pre-cum had left a stain on the carpet.