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  My grip instantly loosened on her wrists. She had told me that. How had I forgotten? I eased up, flashes of yesterday’s board meeting blinding me. It’d been so hectic. Such a pissing match between my lead man Charles and the woman who wanted to take over his job, Priscilla. “I’m sorry. I completely forgot.”

  Anne reached up, wiping the tears that had escaped over the bridge of her nose. “It’s fine. I understand how important this project is.”

  “No.” I scooped her into my arms and turned to sit on the edge of the bed. “What I did was unacceptable. I told you last time that it wouldn’t happen again. It did.” I leaned down, kissing her forehead as she stared straight ahead. “I promise, I’m going to make it up to you. There’s only a few weeks left, tops. Just bear with me. After this is over, I’ll take some time off. You’ll have so much of me you won’t be able to stand it.”

  “You’re probably right.” Her eyes rose to mine, holding a playful glint. I leaned her more toward me and smacked her bottom.

  “Watch yourself, doll. You’re already walking on thin ice. You know what happens once it shatters.”

  Anne bit her lip and shifted in my hold. “You may have to remind me. I have a tendency to forget just as much as you do.”

  My head tilted, somewhat surprised she’d gone that far. I spun her around, dangling her from the bed, until her face was inches from the floor and her legs were spread wide around me. The position gave me a perfect view of her ass and spread pussy. My hand came down hard, right over the fleshy part above her thigh.

  “I told you I was sorry. Do you think I throw those words out easily?” Whack! I spanked her again, causing her to moan and sob at the same time. My fingers traced over her wet pussy. As I eased my finger inside her entrance, the warmth caused me to curse. I wanted her so badly, I couldn’t stand it. “Damn your mouth. You drive me crazy sometimes.”

  The sound of my phone ringing had me giving her one more before I stood her back up. My eyes immediately went to the clock. There was still an hour before I had to be at the office, but I knew it was only work who ever really called. “Now you can get dressed. I’ll be home early tonight, I want you in position and waiting for me. I’ll let you know when." I didn’t wait for her response. I headed back to the table, swiping my phone from the mahogany surface. Charles’s name read across the screen. My finger hit the button and I brought it to my ear. “You better have a good excuse for calling this early.”

  “You know I do.” Charles let out a sigh. “I can’t come in today. Laney is sick and we can’t find a sitter. There’s no one to take care of Bailey. You know I wouldn’t call if I had any other choice.”

  My hand ran down my face slowly, the stress already beginning to resurface. “Take care of your wife and son. We’ll be fine without you.”

  “Thanks, Sir. I appreciate it.”

  I hung up and immediately shut my eyes. Charles’s absence couldn’t have come at a worse time. We were so close to closing this deal and between the two of us, the contract was almost a sure thing. I’d never had problems before, but damned if I didn’t want the impossible. Only if I would have chosen a better time to go after it. Had I known Anne would be in my life, I would have postponed for a few months.

  A door shut in the bedroom and I found myself walking back in there. At the sound of the shower, I turned to join her, but stopped myself. For the millionth time, I felt torn between whether I wanted to go to work at all. Even when I was at the office I found it hard to focus on the job at hand. Yet, I’d still managed to get buried in over my head. Perhaps I should call and tell them to take the day off. Lord knew they needed it as much as I did. Then, I could spend every waking minute at Anne’s side. If only for the day.

  I looked down at the phone still clutched in my hand. Carmen would already be at the office.

  Anne’s singing made me longing for her even more. I was dialing my secretary without a second thought. The call was answered almost immediately in the same monotone voice I was used to.

  “Carmen, I won’t be coming in today. Let everyone know.”

  There was a slight hesitation. “Yes, Sir, I’ll be sure to inform them.”

  I hung up, tossing my cell on the bed. As I grabbed a suit, I couldn’t keep the smile from my face. No use telling Anne that I wasn’t going in. I had a quick errand to run. One that not only benefitted her, but me, and I couldn’t wait to surprise her with it.

  Chapter 5

  Anne

  “Sir?” I slid on my leather sandals, checking my appearance in the mirror one again. The frizz of curls that had appeared after I’d dried my hair was now tamed with my assortment of products. I’d taken the time to put make-up on. Nothing but natural colors and a little mascara. The long, white sundress with lace accents did nothing to conceal the bruises that were still visible on my arms. Although I loved to look at them when I was here at the house, the thought that anyone else might see them scared me. What would they think? That Michael beat me? Nausea came at the thought and I pushed it away. I couldn’t bear to ponder on the fears. I allowed this to happen, enjoyed and begged for more.

  I grabbed a light pink cardigan, pulling it on to shield the purple discolorations. The sleeves went down just past my elbows, hiding exactly the area I needed it to. My biceps were the worse. Whether Michael was restraining or just fucking me, his hands always locked onto that area.

  My eyes traveled down to my wrists. Although pink from his hold earlier, they weren’t noticeable enough for me to worry. They’d fade over time. Probably before I even got there.

  “Sir?” I raised my voice, wondering if he hadn’t heard me the first time. Had he already gone? Surely not. He always told me goodbye, even if it was a rushed one with the phone glued to his ear.

  Silence met me as I walked out of the room and glanced around the area. Michael’s keys that usually sat on the bar were gone. For a minute, I almost couldn’t believe it. My heart sank, giving me a sense of dread. Every insecurity I had involving relationships surged to the forefront and I tried to push them away. Maybe an emergency came up at the office. It was possible…wasn’t it?

  Anger replaced the hurt, my only defense against the pain that twisted my insides. I’d given everything to him in the last month we’d been together. More so than I had with anyone. And, although I did what I was told, not once had I held back any concern I might have had. Was that the problem? Did my opinions bother him? He liked control. Maybe I was too much for him to handle?

  I swept my purse from the bar. Well, I wouldn’t change. Becoming some zombie all because a man didn’t want my opinion may have been alright with some women, but that wasn’t me. I might have submitted in the bedroom, but I wasn’t going to hold back when it came to my general wellbeing.

  The beep from me entering the code sounded and I pulled the handle. I slipped through, shutting the door behind me. The ride from the elevator seemed to last forever, but once I hit the street, I took off walking at a fast pace. The speed would help. I needed to release some anger before I had to face Cassy, Nancy, and Sarah. I hadn’t seen them since my sister got married, and the last thing I wanted was for them to notice I was upset. Especially after the way I’d left the reception.

  People were in abundance, walking to the businesses and shops that rested along the busy streets, but I stayed out of their way, weaving between the tourists and locals. The café I was meant to meet them at was just around the corner and across the street. I turned in the direction, colliding right into a dark suit. My hands came up to shield me, just as we went crashing into each other.

  “I meant to sweep you off your feet, but not literally.” Michael smiled down at me, true happiness on his face. I knew that look. I’d seen it a number of times when we’d cuddle and talk about what we wanted out of life. Those little conversations made him the happiest. He liked to look toward the future, but never the past. Like me, he’d had a hard childhood. We both lost our parents, although Michael only lost his mother and had to
deal with an abusive, alcoholic dad. Our siblings became our responsibility and it was hard on both of us. We were so much alike that it was almost mind boggling.

  “I thought you went to work.”

  “And you were mad at me for not telling you goodbye?”

  A frown came to my face and I tried to step out of his arms, but he held tight.

  “Maybe a little,” I admitted.

  He shook his head. “No, a lot. You always walk fast when you’re angry. With the force you hit me, I know that’s what’s wrong.”

  I stopped trying to break free and, instead, leaned more into his body. “You always tell me goodbye. I thought you forgot this time.”

  His finger slid under my chin, lifting my face. Those dark eyes penetrated into mine as a serious expression clouded his features. “Anne, I’d never forget to tell you goodbye. Believe it or not, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I took today off to make it up to you. I’m truly sorry for forgetting about our date yesterday.” He removed his arm from behind me and reached into the inside pocket of his jacket. “I was going to give you this later, but I want you to have it now.”

  A black velvet, rectangular box was taken out, a good six inches in length. I gasped, glancing up at him. “We agreed no expensive gifts,” I said, uneasily.

  “This isn’t just for you. It’s for me, too. Here, open it.”

  My hands were shaking as I let him place it in my palm. The click from the box barely registered at my pulse pounding in my ears. The pearls nearly took my breath away.

  “They’re beautiful. You shouldn’t have.”

  He pulled them free, revealing the long length. As he overlapped them, doubling them over, he then slid them over my head to settle around my neck. “You’re not going to be saying that when I use them against you. You’re going to love it.”

  I could so clearly see him holding onto the precious pearls, pulling them against my throat as he pounded his cock deep into me. My hand reached to his chest and I nearly moaned at the wetness that took over. The marks on my ass were still just as much alive as when he had punished me for my outburst.

  “Soon, doll. So fucking soon.” His arms came around, holding me tight. I let my nails push into his shirt even more. The growl had his own fingers digging into my side. “I knew I should have fucked you before I left. Now, I’m going to have to wait until after this meeting with your family before I can have you.

  “Speaking of family.” I lifted my head from Michael’s chest, watching Cassy, Nancy, and Sarah climb from Cassy’s car. My eyes narrowed at seeing Liam get out of the back. “What the hell do they think they’re doing?” Before I could think of a possible answer, my ex wrapped his arm around Nancy’s shoulder. My mouth parted and I had to blink a few times before it would process.

  “Looks like your cousin has a new boyfriend.”

  I looked up at Michael. “Yeah, I guess she does.” How bizarre was that? Liam had always told me he couldn’t stand her.

  Michael led me across the street where Cassy met me with a nervous stare. She rushed forward, lowering her voice. “I swear, I didn’t know Nancy was going to bring him. I’m so sorry.”

  “That seems to be the theme we’re on lately. We’re always saying sorry. It’s okay, though, Cassy. Really. Maybe this is a good thing.” I grinned and looked up to Michael who only had eyes for the couple who were already heading to one of the tables outside of the café. I swallowed hard at the anger I saw on his face. I knew he didn’t like Nancy. He’d told me of her desperate attempts to try to hook up with him. But I wasn’t so sure his anger had anything to do with her. Not when I noticed that all too familiar longing on Liam’s face. I looked away as he took his seat.

  “How are you and Frank?” I asked, trying to steer the conversation into a lighter topic. Her eyebrows drew in and then an expression I thought only I had mastered, covered her face.

  “We’re great,” she said, flashing a fake smile. “Things have been...” again, what looked like sadness edged in, “great.”

  Michael led us over and pulled out my chair, then Cassy’s, before he sat down next to me. “I’m glad to hear it,” he said, turning his focus to Cassy. “Because Anne and I are always here if you need anything. And I mean that. Anything.”

  Had he seen my sister’s mask, too? I grabbed his hand. Knowing Michael, he probably did. There was little he missed.

  “So.” Sarah leaned more on the table across from us. “How have you two been? I feel like you’ve disappeared, Anne. I miss my shopping partner.”

  I grabbed the menu Michael handed me. He ordered my drink as I tried to ignore Nancy and Liam’s overwhelming presence and focus on Sarah. “Things couldn’t be better. As for the shopping, you know I’m just a phone call…” I trailed off. When was the last time I’d even checked my phone?

  “A phone call…away? Is that what you were going to say?” She laughed. “I bet you have a million messages from me.”

  “I’m sorry, Sarah. Truthfully, I don’t even know where it is. I promise, I’ll look for it once I get home. I could go for a little shopping. What do you say we go on Friday? I have packages to mail off and we could stop at that little shop we like while we’re out.”

  “You just want me to help you haul everything into the post office, again.” She laughed. “I see how it is.” The wink she threw me was one I knew well. “Friday, it is. Let’s go around ten, that way we can hit up our Mexican restaurant when we’re done.”

  Cassy groaned. “You two are so lucky you don’t have normal jobs or full time school like the rest of us. I want to go.”

  “Me too,” Nancy chimed in. “I’m free on Friday.”

  For the first time, I looked over. Even though I wasn’t really ready to face her, I looked right into her eyes. “You’re welcome to come, but it’s a girl thing. Guys have to stay behind.” I grinned, squeezing Michael’s hand. The kiss on the top of mine told me he understood where I was going with my statement.

  “Sounds good to me. I could use some girl time.” The edge of Nancy’s mouth drew out into a small frown. I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for her. Maybe she did feel bad for the reception incident. Or, maybe I just hoped she did. Conflict wasn’t something I enjoyed, but I wasn’t going to let her push me around either. Time would tell whether she was remorseful, or if she was just playing a game.

  The waiter brought over our drinks and we all ordered. More talk led to laughing and I felt myself withdrawing, something I was good at. Michael’s arm lounging on the back of my chair comforted me, but I couldn’t stop worrying about my sister. She was so quiet and looked on the verge of breaking.

  “I have go to the ladies room. Cassy, you want to go with me?”

  “Ah, the infamous bathroom breaks you two are so well known for.” I looked over at Liam, but ignored him. Cassandra stood and we walked into the building, already knowing where to go to find our way.

  I followed her in, waiting for the thick, wooden door to shut before I turned to her. “Talk to me, Cassy. What’s wrong?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean.” She threw me that fake smile again, and I shook my head.

  “Come on. You’ve never held anything back from me before. Is everything okay with Frank?”

  Tears welled in her eyes and she turned to face the mirror, pretending to fix the loose blonde curls that were resting over her shoulder. “It’s nothing. It’s…” She closed her eyes and took a long, deep breath. Slowly, she turned around. “I’m not upset about me, Anne. I’m…scared for you.”

  “Scared for me!” I exclaimed. “Why?”

  She bit her lip and glanced toward the door, apparently ready to crumble in front of me at any moment. “I promised Frank I wouldn’t tell.”

  “I’m your sister, Cassy. You have to tell me.” Anger began to lace my words at knowing she was concerned and wouldn’t tell me. Especially, if it had come from Michael’s cousin. “Cassandra.”

  “Fine,” she breathed ou
t. “I was talking to Frank and telling him how happy I was for you. That I thought you and Michael were perfect for each other.”

  “Okay. And?”

  She looked down toward the floor. “How much do you know about him, Anne? I mean, really know?”

  “Everything,” I snapped. “I mean, I think I know everything. Tell me what you’re so afraid of. You’re driving me crazy and we don’t have all day.”

  “Has he told you about Natasha?”

  My stomach dropped to the floor. “Who’s that?”

  Only then did Cassy meet my eyes. “His ex-girlfriend. Supposedly, he hurt her. Like…really bad. Frank wouldn’t go into details, but that’s why she left.”

  I felt sick. Was it consensual and Michael went too far? Or, did he lose his temper? No. I dismissed that immediately. He never even raised his voice. If he could handle me, he could handle anyone. I trusted him. Knew who he was as a person. So that led me back to him going too far while they were consensually together. My stomach rolled. Just imagining him with anyone else had my throat feeling like it was closing. Hurting someone else while they enjoyed it…that was too much.

  “I’ll ask him.”

  “No,” Cassy said, reaching out. “He’ll know it was me. At least wait a few days before you do. If Frank knew I told you, he’d be so mad.”

  I rolled my eyes. “He had to have known you were going to tell me something that serious.” At her panicked expression, my shoulders sagged. “Don’t worry. No one will ever know you told me anything.” I wrapped my arms around my sister, all the while looking at my reflection in the mirror. What did this mean? What did Michael do? I was almost too afraid to find out.

  Chapter 6

  Michael

  If I had to see that son of a bitch ogle over what was mine one more time, I was liable to fly over this table and blind him from ever seeing anything again. Rage pumped through me and I couldn’t stop my jaw from clenching. He saw me watching him. Still, he continued to steal glances. I couldn’t stand it.