Bruno’s booming baritone filtered into the room, the only human voice I’d heard in almost twenty-four hours.
“I’m not thirsty.”
“Then you’re to wait for him in his office.”
“Then how long will he be?”
“As long as his business requires.”
I shot him a nasty glare, another volley of anger settling in. I’d been left alone all day, no one telling me anything and zero sight of the man who owned me. Food had been served, clothes brought to me, but no information or hope of any kind.
“Fine, Bruno. I do hope you’re well paid for this crap you’re required to do.” There was no way to back out of the evening, even though feigning illness had been on the tip of my mind. I smoothed down the dress for the fifth time then grabbed the satin clutch, the fabric matching the dress to perfection and another ‘gift,’ just like the expensive stilettos I was required to wear.
I was ushered into Dominick’s office, trying my best to keep my tongue. I could tell Bruno remained after I walked in, perhaps trying to find the right words to provide some level of comfort. I was in no mood. “You can go, Bruno. I have no way of escaping. Even if I had any clue where I was or how to get back to my life, I’m certain that goons like you would hunt me down, securing me for whatever horrible punishment Dominick the fuckhead decided to provide.”
There was no noise, no heavy breathing, but I sensed his surprise at my vehemence.
I shook my head, angry with myself for falling to Dominick’s tactics. “I’m sorry, Bruno. Once again, you didn’t deserve that.” By the time I turned around, the door was already closed. Exhaling, I cringed, fighting my inner ghosts. Taking out my anger on someone like Bruno wasn’t going to solve anything. He also didn’t deserve my wrath.
Tonight there was no fire, no added warmth in the room, only the glow of two lights, one positioned on the jerkoff’s desk. If I was going to win this game, finding a method to my freedom, then I’d have to learn everything I could about him. That meant taking risks. I craned my neck, listening for any overt sounds. Bruno’s heavy footsteps quickly faded and there was no other noise but the heat system. I couldn’t imagine how anyone lived in an environment with no life; music, television, or even the comfort of animals or plants. Dominick’s world was devoid of a need to care for something other than himself.
I took careful steps closer to the door, holding my breath until I was certain there was no one close. Shifting backward, I raced toward behind his desk, pivoting around the corner. My hands were shaking as I attempted to access his computer. Hitting the spacebar brought nothing and I was terrified to turn on the laptop, at least right now. The drawers. Their interior had to harbor some kind of decent or incriminating information.
I continued to tremble as I opened one after the other, pilfering through the limited contents. Note pads. Pens. Highlighters. There was nothing other than basic office supplies. Hunkering down, I yanked at the last drawer. Locked. I bit my lower lip and jerked again. The lock was firmly in place. Letter opener. I’d seen a typical old-fashioned one in the top drawer.
In my attempt to remain quiet, I dropped the piece of metal on the floor, biting back a gasp as it clanged across the floor. I waited, half expecting the door to be opened with force. No footsteps. No angry voices. Swallowing, I grabbed the opener in both hands, trying to keep my fingers steady as I jammed the tip into the lock. After a few seconds, the mechanism turned and I couldn’t help but smile.
Until I heard footsteps. Damn it all to hell. I had no time to shove it in a drawer so instead, I tossed the opener under his desk, almost tripping over my dress in an effort to race toward the window. Thank God, I wasn’t turned in the direction of the door or I might have given myself away. I knew he was standing in the doorway. Dominick. Asshole. Murderer.
“Caroline.” His voice was subtle, the base notes soft and alluring.
I turned toward him, quite frankly shocked at my body’s reaction. He was dressed in a cool black tuxedo, the crisp white shirt pristine and oh-so perfect for his dark complexion. Everything about the man was stunning. My mouth was dry as I was forced to keep my gaze locked on his for fear of giving away my misguided behavior. “Dominick.” I could still see the scratches on his face. Battle wounds.
He inhaled, as if he could gather my scent from across the room. His advance was predatory. He gazed at his desk and I could swear he knew exactly what I’d been doing. “You look incredible.”
“Thank you,” I managed, fighting back the building desire. I wasn’t going to give in to his ridiculous seductions ever again. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll find out soon enough,” he stated in a perfunctory manner before lifting his right arm, adjusting his perfectly tailored cuff and diamond-studded cufflink. The action seemed premeditated, just another reminder I was lowlier than thou. “I have a surprise for you.”
“I think I’ll choke if there are any additional surprises.”
My response obviously aggravated him, but he remained reactionless, only his eyes reflecting his displeasure. “Come with me, Caroline. Obey.”
The usual demeanor, hard-edged. “Why of course, sir.” The slight amount of taffeta in my dress swished as I trailed behind him, matching his steps in perfect unison. He walked to the other side of the house, to an area I’d never seen. I noticed his odd reaction seconds before he placed his hand on the doorknob.
He was uncertain of how I’d react.
“I granted your wish, Caroline. Please don’t make me regret it. I can be a reasonable man, but if you cross me, I will just as easily take this away. There is nothing in my desk for you to find.”
There was nothing I could do without his knowledge. The door was swung open, revealing the wide-open space. While there wasn’t anything in particular that was special about the room, even though I could imagine the intense and gorgeous natural light, it was the care he’d taken for choosing the paints, brushes, and canvases. Everything perfect, ready and waiting for a fresh start.
I slapped my hand over my mouth to keep from gasping as I walked in, my fingers trailing over the various tubes and cans. He’d spared no expense in his selections, opting for the most opulent. A series of flutters caught in my stomach, sliding immediately into my heart. “Why? Why bother, Dominick?”
“Because you asked.”
“That’s not why and you know it.” I dared give him a hard look before continuing to explore, running the tips of my fingers across brushes that I could have only dreamed of owning before. A chill raced down my spine at the thought of the pictures I could create, the fantastic stories my paintings could tell.
“I…” he started. “I wanted to make you happy.”
The words seemed odd coming from a man like him, but the quiver shifted from my stomach to my pussy, lingering for several seconds. “Thank you.”
“You can spend as much time here as you would like.”
“I will,” I breathed, pulling one of the tubes of paint into my fingers. I knew the single vial, the color, let alone the brand was at least two hundred dollars. I salivated at the thoughts of what I could create.
“As long as you obey.”
The ultimate goal. As soon as the beautiful gift had been given, he’d ceremoniously stripped away its value. I dropped the tube, not giving a shit that it tumbled to the floor. “Of course. As it should be.” Glaring at him, I wanted nothing more than to toss every jar and can, every tube and vial toward the window, hoping everything shattered, but I controlled my urges, the raging anger. My retaliation was better served at another time. I jerked back, glaring in his direction.
He yanked me even closer, until our lips were almost touching. “There will come a time that you hunger for my touch, enough so you crave no one else.”
“I don’t think so. In fact, I know for certain that will never happen.”
His glare softened as he captured my mouth, holding me in place as he moved his lips up and down across mine. He slipped his tongue inside, darting his back and forth, his actions fueled by annoyance as much as desire.
As before, the taste of him was breathtaking, my heart beating rapidly. I slapped my hands against his chest, struggling to push him away, but within seconds, my body betrayed me, melting in his arms. The taste of him was too sweet.
The kiss continued, softer in nature than he’d done before, but just as soon as the intimacy had begun, he ended it, releasing me completely.