Only in Her Dreams (21 page)

“It is true that I serve your father and I’m here at his request but I did not intend to keep this from you indefinitely.”

“Then when were you going to tell me? The day you were planning to disappear again or now...only after Greg told me the truth?”

“I was going to tell you soon. Guy, your father, gave me leave to tell you everything.”

“You’ve seen my father recently?”

“Of course.”

“Why isn’t he here telling me himself?”

“It’s not safe for him here.”

“It was perfectly safe for him to live here before and raise a daughter that didn’t even belong to him!”

“Lucessa, that isn’t the way of things.” His eyes seemed to plead with her to understand. But she couldn’t understand. “It was safe before but things changed.”

“What changed? Why are you here?”

“It is a complicated matter.” Maxim ran his hand through his hair. “But I can tell you your father loves you very much, and it was at his request that I’ve watched over you all these years.”

“Why?”

“What do you want me to say, Lucessa?”

“The truth, damn it!”

Maxim shrugged his shoulders as if in defeat.

“Maxim, I think it’s time you leave. I can take care of myself.”

# # #

There was nothing else Maxim could say to convince her he was there for her. Not because of a promise to her father or a duty to Erebos, but for her. He now understood why Guy had given up Erebos to live with Marie on Earth. He had been--and still was--in love.

Now, there was nothing he could do, but leave. He’d consult with Guy. His brother always knew what to do. “I will leave with all haste. But please agree that you’ll be vigilant, do not trust Greg.”

“At least he’s been partly honest with me.”

“But how does he know any of this? Who told him these things about your family? And most of all, why did he come back now?”

“Please leave, Maxim. I’m not your responsibility anymore.”

You will always be my responsibility.

Maxim looked around the room. He’d brought nothing with him, but the clothes on his back. He hoped he’d given her a few things to think about. With one last look into her blue eyes he walked out the door, down the stairs, and into the cold night.

Chapter 29

Greg shrugged into his corduroy jacket and opened the back door. A set of glowing eyes beckoned him to the far reaches of the yard and to a secluded spot among low lying tree branches. The shelter of the leafy foliage blocked the worst of the cold wind that blew this time of year.

“I’m almost done with this crap. Lucessa threw him out.” Greg spoke in hushed tones to Alexander.

“Are you sure?”

Alexander stood in front of him, dressed in pair of dark jeans and a t-shirt.

“Yes, I heard her. I only told her what I had to. If she resists I’ll use the rest.”

“That was smart of you. You are suited to this line of work. Master will be pleased to hear this.”

“How’s Sandy?”
They better take good care of her.

“She is well.” Alexander laughed. “Master is keeping her company while you are away.”

Greg sensed the man wasn’t telling the whole truth, but he didn’t have a choice. He had to do what he was told if he wanted to survive. He didn’t doubt Darius would kill both him and Sandy, if he couldn’t convince Lucessa to come with him.

“What do you want me to do next?” Greg asked Alexander’s retreating form.

“Await further directions.” He called over his shoulder.

Greg watched. Alexander moved easily through the greenery, disappearing right before the side gate.

“What the...”

# # #

“Come out and join me for dinner, my dear.”

Sandy sat in the bathtub. The last thing she wanted to do was leave the security of the bathroom. After two days, dressed in the flannel pants and ratty robe, Darius had brought her a clean outfit. The atrocity barely covered her assets.

One more day, she told herself. Greg would do what they wanted and they’d be able to leave. She looked forward to a hot shower and getting back to Uganda.

“I’m not hungry,” she said in response to his summons.

“Come, Sandy. You must eat or you’ll waste away to nothing. No one likes a skeleton.” His dark frame filled the shadowy doorway.

He talks like he cares about me.
“I said I don’t want to eat.”

Darius stepped into the room, holding out a clean looking blanket. “It’s cold in here. Come sit with me while I eat. We can talk.”

He’s kept me in this freezing bathroom and now he’s holding a peace offering. He’s demented!
Sandy rose from the tub and stepped onto the tattered rug. Her hand shot out and grasped the blanket, wrapping it around herself. He’d make her sit with him but he couldn’t command her to look at him.

With her eyes focused on the floor, she sat down on the toilet lid.
I’d like to see him drag me out of here!

“Don’t play coy with me, Doctor. We both know we’re attracted to each other. I believe modesty is overrated. Please come and let me appreciate the outfit I took so much time selecting for you.”

Sandy stood, her palms sweating. The red corset laces cinched loosely up her back to keep her breasts inside the thin fabric. There wasn’t much she could do about the g-string that fit perfectly between her rounded cheeks. The entire outfit was transparent. She stepped over the threshold and into the bedroom.

“You do this outfit justice, but these can be tightened up a bit.” He reached out and turned her around. Grabbing the laces he began to tighten them.

She stiffened.
If he tries to take this thing off he’s getting a knee to the groin.
As He pulled the strings tight, her breasts strained against and above the lace.

“There, that’s better. Turn so I can admire my choice.”

Slowly, Sandy rotated to face him in the dim doorway, her bare feet cold on the dirty tile floor. He guided her around, his fingers lightly touching her hip where the underwear cut away to show her skin. Her skin tingled where his finger trailed.

“You are lovely--a sight of perfection.” Darius’s hand moved up her front to the lace barely covering her exposed cleavage. His finger followed the top of the corset across her breast. A shiver coursed down her spine and moisture bloomed between her thighs.

Her eyes snapped to his. His glowed in her direction. Impossible. Was her body reacting to this disgusting, cruel man’s touch?

# # #

The resemblance stole his breath away. It’d been years, but he’d always remember the look of her...dressed similarly to Sandy. The hair, the eyes, the defiance.
Stop thinking about her, you idiot. She’s gone! She didn’t want you!

But Sandy did.

Darius recognized the lust in her eyes. He hadn’t seen that look in many years, but his body reacted in an instant. Taking a step toward her, he slipped his finger into the top of the red, lacey corset, feeling for her erect nipple. His finger grazed the hard bud and her back arched.
Don’t deny your desire,
he thought.

His tongue traveled over his dry lips and his finger continued to tease her nipple. Their eyes locked, he was unable to look away.
Had her tongue also darted out to moisten her parched lips?

“You look stunning, my darling. Red suits your complexion.” His finger slipped from the corset and extended to take her hand.

She gasped.

She feels the spark between us.

“Please, join me for dinner.”
Unless you want to skip the meal and accompany me to my bed.
He’d promised to be a better host. It’d been a while, but rushing Sandy to his bed and taking her with his clothes still on wasn’t the best of manners.
I’m a bit rusty in the ‘knight and shining armor’ role.

Sighing, she stared at his proffered hand. It nearly shattered his resolve to treat her like a lady.

“Um, okay, I’ll eat,” she muttered. She slipped past him--refusing his proffered hand--and made her way to the table.

He wasn’t opposed to a strong female. In fact, he looked forward to breaking her. Darius pulled her chair out for her.
Who says I can’t be dashing when I want to be?

Her rounded bottom tightened as she sat in the chair, her legs gliding under the table. A pair of black stiletto heels would have completed the outfit perfectly, he thought.

“I’ve prepared a special meal for us.” He withdrew the lid covering their plates. “Filet mignon and asparagus spears. I hope you enjoy red meat.” She held out her plate and he placed a six ounce filet and three asparagus spears on it.

“I’m freezing. Do you have a warmer blanket or jacket I can use?”

Cold...not trembling with passion? His heartbeat increased when he thought of the sexual tension they’d shared earlier. “Of course, but only while you eat. No longer.” He liked her vulnerability. He retrieved a small blanket from the end of his bed and returned to the table.

She let the ratty blanket he’d given her earlier fall to the floor. He wrapped the quilted material around her bare shoulders. It was a shame to cover the red corset that pushed her breasts under her chin, but it was only while they ate he reminded himself.

“Have you heard from Greg?”

“Alexander is keeping a good eye on him.” Darius picked a piece of asparagus off his plate and folded it into his mouth. The butter and garlic tasted like heaven on his tongue. He should require his men to bring food of this quality for every meal.

“Will you let us go once he brings Lucessa to you?” she asked.

“My dear, please eat while your steak is hot.”

She looked at him dubiously. Darius couldn’t blame her for her suspicions. He planned on getting rid of Dr. Flynn, but he wasn’t ready to allow Sandy to leave.
After a night with me, she might choose to stay. Permanently.

To his surprise, he didn’t mind the idea. In fact, he liked it.

“You keep changing the subject. Do you ever plan on letting us walk away from this? If not, kill me now. I can’t stand to live in this filth another minute.” With that she pushed her plate across the table at him, knocking his own plate off the table and into his lap.

Darius jumped from his seat, shocked. He thought he’d broken her. She was hot one minute and cold the next. He’d never understand women. He bought her good food and nice clothing and still she rebuffed him.

# # #

Sandy had to keep her distance from him. He was everything Greg wasn’t. Greg let her lead and make the decisions. Darius was strong, assertive, and confident. And a part of her found him completely attractive.
I must be losing it...big time
.

His appearance should repulse her, make her want to fight him off and run. Instead, his power drew her in.

She’d pushed him too far when she’d shoved her plate across the table. But when he rose she saw a spark of interest. He wasn’t accustomed to being denied what he wanted.

“Can I return to my room?” Her chin lifted. She needed space, time to get him out of her head.

“No, you may not. Just because you’ve finished, doesn’t mean I am. Sit and keep me company while I eat.”

He can’t be serious
. She’d knocked his food all over him, and he wants to finish eating.

Darius retrieved his fork and dug into her plate of food. He stared her right in the eye as he chewed.

Her grip on the blanket loosened, her shoulders and cleavage were again exposed to him.

“I’m glad to see the chill has left the room.” His eyes traveled from her face down to her exposed breasts, peeking over the corset.

Her hands refused to tighten on the blanket.

His eyes devoured her.

“Yes, the room has certainly warmed.” She leaned against the back of the chair and continued to watch him eat.

“Come join me, we can share body heat,” he commanded.

“You’re crazy, you know that?”

“Would you rather I lock you in that room again? Maybe with no clothes?” he threatened.

She wanted to fight, to hit him but instead she rose and took the three short steps around the table and sat on his proffered knee.
What’s wrong with me?

She knew there was no going back now. His hand slid over her hip to rest on her thigh as he finished the last few bites of her steak. He pushed the plate away and lifted her from his lap.

# # #

His belly full, Darius was ready to move on to dessert. He lifted her from his lap and rotated her around to face him. With his knees together, he roughly brought her toward him. Her legs spread. His erection pushed at the front of his pants as her warm core rested on his massive length. He’d denied himself the pleasures of a woman for far too long.

The gentle shifting of her hips told him she felt his need for her. His hand traveled down the length of her back and settled on her bare bottom.

She stiffened and arched her back as she pushed her chilled flesh closer to his face.

Darius recognized and he had the duty to remedy that. His fingers began a gentle kneading to warm her flesh, but before he knew it his hands became more demanding, squeezing.

She pulled away.

He wanted this women, more than he’d ever craved another.

He knew she’d like it rough. His only question was would she let him take the lead? He looked forward to finding out.

Standing, he lifted Sandy’s legs around his hips and swung her around, pushing her into the wall behind them. His lips captured hers. She pulled her face from his, forcing his lips to her cheek. His hand guided her face toward his once again and he intensified the kiss until his mouth flooded with the coppery metallic taste of her blood. Her hands inched between them, pushing him away.

This lust was something he hadn’t experienced in a very long time. Sandy was full of passion. His tongue pushed against hers and he explored her mouth. He longed to venture further. Her hands gave up on pushing him away, instead they’d snaked around his neck and inched into his hair, pulling his face to hers.