“Of course, if that makes you feel more comfortable.”
He kissed her again, tucked her into her car, and walked away. Julianna sat in the driver’s seat and squeezed her eyes tight. She needed to tell Jack she couldn’t see him again. Tonight. The image of his tanned and heavily muscled body caused flutters in her tummy, and lower. His glorious nakedness and his sexual control that allowed her to finally let go and be the woman she always craved.
But he wasn’t meant to be hers. Her father had sealed her Fate by his dying breath, and she had agreed.
Julianna started the car and drove back home.
Where Jack waited for her.
Bryce poured himself a generous snifter of cognac and settled back on the leather chair in the den. The rental reflected the rustic, ocean community with some tacky fishing gear on the wall and dockside souvenirs, but the house was big and situated in the woods outside of town, which allowed him to conduct his private business.
He enjoyed his drink and thought over the evening. The plan was ridiculously simple and as easy as taking candy from a baby. Once he was informed his cousin lusted after a local socialite, his private investigator had searched the home and hacked her computer. Her ad was a gift from the gods. In fact, the woman was perfect to be his wife. He’d court her, marry quickly, and cite her own ambition for money as the cause.
After all, his one goal was to marry before Jack.
Then take over the company.
The idea of bedding her after his cousin intrigued him. He’d be able to take her any way he wanted, on his terms, and Jack wouldn’t be able to stop it. The lovely Julianna was an innocent prize. He’d enjoy parading her in public and humiliating her in private. His own special torture sessions while his weak cousin looked on, unable to help her. Yes, this was getting better and better.
Perhaps, he’d allow her to continue sleeping with Jack while he courted her. They seemed to be careful keeping their relationship a secret. Bryce wondered if she’d tell Jack, or if she even suspected her lover was the wealthy heir to Woodward Shipping. The game could be played either way. Jack could be testing the waters to see if she was his choice of a mate, or Julianna could be just a piece of ass for the side. Bryce was eager to see how his cousin would handle the situation when he finally realized the stakes had changed. Still, his PI seemed to believe Jack was interested in the woman. Either way, he could use it to his advantage.
He rose at the knock at the door and opened it. The whore had long, blond hair, blue eyes, and an aggressive attitude he intended to change in the next few hours. She sauntered in, hips swinging, and made herself comfortable on the edge of the bed. Bryce was a bit disappointed in her blatant lack of innocence, but he needed to be careful regarding the local girls. Better use the prostitutes for discretion’s sake. Besides, he needed a challenge tonight.
“What would you like, baby?” she drawled.
Bryce smiled. His gaze took in her short leather skirt and skimpy blouse, searching immediately for the all the places he intended to bruise and punish her. He slowly walked to the bedside table and took out his handcuffs and the long whip. Her eyes widened slightly as he dragged the tail end through his fingers in anticipation.
“I’ll tell you exactly what you need to do. Obey me and I’ll double your fee. Don’t, and I promise you’ll live to regret it.”
Bryce relished the quick gleam of raw terror and moved towards her.
Julianna opened the door and threw her bag on the couch. With a sigh of relief, she kicked off her black heels and made her way into the bedroom. It was past ten, and she expected Jack soon. She’d have to tell him the truth. They couldn’t continue sleeping together if she began seriously dating someone, especially the man who might be her future husband. She thought about keeping the information to herself, but it wasn’t fair to either of them.
She loosened the pins holding up her hair and shook the heavy length free. Her fingers rubbed her sensitive scalp in a quick massage, then reached for the small Tiffany lamp.
“You’re late.”
Julianna gasped and whirled around. Over six feet of coiled male muscle stood in the corner of the room. Hands crossed over his chest. His usual attire of worn t-shirt and faded jeans clung to his body. His feet were bare.
“You scared me! How did you get in? I locked the door.”
“You need new locks. I told you to be ready and waiting for me.” His gaze raked over her figure, taking in her black skirt and the frilly floral blouse that left her arms bare. Temper flared like a pissed-off stallion, then eased as he seemed to blow it off. “Where were you?”
She nibbled at her lower lip. “On a date.”
He pushed himself away from the wall and stalked toward her. “Have fun?”
“Jack, we can’t do this anymore.”
He stopped in front of her. Reached out to snag a long dark curl, then twisted it slowly around his finger. The scent of musk and whiskey and grass assaulted her senses. “Why not?”
She shifted her feet like a nervous filly in heat. “Because he’s everything I’m looking for,” she blurted out. Heat rose to her cheeks as she fought to look him straight in the eye. Julianna hated being ashamed for selling herself for a price, but she’d do it with her chin up and refuse to flinch from the truth. “We’re going to see where this leads.”
“Good for you. But you’re date’s over. You’re mine now.”
Her heart slammed against her chest so hard she heard it over the drone of crickets drifting from the open window. “But I thought—”
He used the pressure on her hair to guide her head back and loomed over her. Resolve glimmered from amber eyes. “You thought wrong. Until you marry or I leave town, you belong to me at night. Get used to it.”
He covered her mouth with his. Warm lips probed hers, then surged into the silky wet cavern. She moaned as her body flamed and kissed him back. When he raised his head, his face was triumphant. “Do we understand each other?”
She was too weak to speak, so she managed a nod.
“Good. Now, take off your clothes and put these on.” He walked over to the bed and handed her two scraps of black lace. “You have five minutes. After that, I'm coming in."
He pushed her toward the bathroom door and Julianna obeyed. She held up the outfit and felt a mingle of fear and excitement shimmy down her spine. She’d never worn sexy lingerie, let alone paraded herself in front of a lover. The thought of exposing herself to his visual caused her belly to clench, but the clock was ticking and she didn’t want him to come after her. She quickly stripped and squeezed into the contraption. A sheer black lace thong barely covered her mound, and the top was a matching bra, except the bra part seemed to be missing. Her breasts squeezed and spilled into the empty holes where the padding should be, emphasizing the high thrust and ruby red nipples.
“One minute.”
His commanding voice drove her to open the door before she chickened out and begged for mercy. She walked slowly into the dimly lit room and tried to keep her head held high. She felt his eyes as a caress on every exposed inch of skin and the anticipation spiked her arousal. The musky scent of her juices drifted in the air.
“Beautiful. Your body was meant to be exposed, not hidden under layers of bulky clothing.” He tossed her a pair of black spike heels. “Put these on.” Julianna bent and slipped her feet into the shoes. He murmured his approval. “Now, turn around. Slow.”
Heat flushed her skin in humiliation but she did as told, spinning around in a circle as she felt cool air hit her ass like a kiss. She wanted his hands all over her, greedy and demanding and messy. She wanted no shred of civilization or propriety—only the sheer lust of a man who wanted to possess every crevice of her body.