26

Maria
Run. Run. Run!
I couldn’t race fast enough through the forest. They were following me. I knew it. I could feel it in my bones, the monsters on my heels. My breath skipped, my heart aching from the exertion as I tore through the blackness into the trees. When I tripped over a log, I fell hands and face first into briars. Pain tore through me, but it was nothing like the horrible sense of being hunted like a wild animal.
“Oh, little pet. Come out. Come out wherever you are.”
I jerked up, my mouth open in a silent scream. The entire space in front of me was nothing but a warm glow of golden rays, adding to the wooziness and my foggy mind. I took a few deep breaths, utilizing the exercises I’d learned to control my stage fright and clenched my eyes closed. When I opened them again, I was able to make out furniture inside a room. The suite at the resort. Exhaling, I scanned the room, then laughed to myself. It had just been a nightmare.
As I thought about the images that had forged a place in my mind, I realized they were similar to ones I’d had a long time ago. In the nightmare, I was always running through a forest, being chased by unseen monsters. The dreams had never completed in any satisfying conclusion. I doubted they ever would, visions meant to torment my shattered mind.
I threw back the covers, realizing I’d fallen asleep in my robe. Then I noticed torn off pieces of paper from the music pad I’d used to write the story notes. There were dozens of them. What the hell?
As I picked them up one by one, I was shocked, a trickle of fear skating down my spine. The words on the pages were definitely my handwriting. There were two dozen or more pages of them. Each one numbered as a reminder of which came first. Then they’d been tossed across the bed almost as a blanket.
Jesus Christ.
I only remembered writing the first page and nothing more.
What was wrong with me?
I hesitantly eased onto two feet, reaching out then yanking my hand back twice before I managed to gather all the pieces of paper. Why I was taking the time to sort them in order was beyond me, but after I did, I took a few minutes to read from one sheet to another.
The story was good. No, not just good. The damn thing was brilliantly written, beautiful in its sexual content. By the time I stopped reading, I was wet and hot, my sore nipples scraping against the robe.
Bam. Bam!
“Oh!” A gasp flew from my mouth as the sound reverberated in the room. What the hell? “Stupid girl. Someone’s at the door.” It was almost noon for God’s sake. Normal people were up, soaking in the summer sun instead of expressing their fantasies enshrouded in darkness.
I took the papers with me into the other room, placing them on the coffee table. I was shocked I hadn’t moved to my laptop. I’d only intended on using the creative side of me for a release after the two shows the day before. It was as if I’d been possessed to finish the story.
After pulling the robe tightly around me, I opened the door a crack.
“Ms. Sadler? I have a delivery for you.”
The bellman had been the one who helped me with my things when I’d checked in. “I didn’t order anything.”
“It would seem you have a secret admirer.”
I opened the door all the way, shocked to see at least three dozen of the most gorgeous Marias I’d ever seen in my life. The color combination was a spray of orange, lemon, and crimson. “Oh, my goodness. Those are gorgeous.” I allowed him inside, trying to remember where I’d left my purse.
“Where would you like them?”
“The coffee table is fine. Let me get you a tip.”
“Not necessary. The sender was very generous.”
“Now, you have me curious.”
He placed them where I asked, then turned around, pinching his forefinger and thumb together, pretending he was zipping his lips.
“Hmmm… Thank you, Johnny. You are wonderful.”
“That’s the best type of tip a man like me could receive.” He backed away, offering a bright smile.
I waited until after he’d left to walk towards the bouquet, running my hands across several of the barely opened buds. The softness of lush velveteen tickled the tips of my fingers. Then I bent down, gathering a deep whiff of their incredible scent. Amazing. How long had it been since anyone had given me flowers? Even my shithead of a manager had never done that. Oh, yes. My father had brought me a dozen red Marias to my first couple of shows, trying to brighten my night after the sparse crowd had barely clapped. He’d been my rock and encouragement.
I noticed a card and bit my lip, uncertain why I hoped the beautiful treat was from either one of the gorgeous men I’d met. I tugged the small note from the envelope, feeling slightly giddy when I read the words.
Good morning, sunshine.
Come meet me by the cascade pool at noon for a little bubbly.
If you dare…
Weston
Why did his words thrill me so much? I was crazy to meet with a complete stranger who’d insisted on meeting me then sending me the most gorgeous flowers in the world. Or was I?
I glanced at the clock and squealed. I had ten minutes to prepare. This was one of those ‘why not’ moments I planned on killing.
I managed to put myself together, grabbing a sexy yet comfortable dress and sandals and heading out with a couple minutes to spare. The cascade pool was on the other end of the sprawling resort, and by the time I made it outside, I was five minutes late. There were already dozens of people enjoying the cloudless day and light breeze, music pumping from invisible speakers.
The vibe was tropical, with palm trees and tiki bars, umbrellas in a dazzling array of colors. I moved through towards the open-air restaurant, forced to don my sunglasses. When I didn’t see him after my first tour, disappointment squelched my excitement.
Then I noticed several tables on a raised platform, the area roped off with no customers.
Except for a single man.
Even from the distance, I was still taken aback by the man’s incredible prowess and utter control as he gazed into the waterfall below. It was as if he was looking at his kingdom. I moved slowly towards the stairs, realizing I was holding my breath. He noticed me just before I reached the bottom step, immediately standing. As I walked up, I was able to take a better look at the man I’d fantasized about.
He was at least six foot four, his shaggy dark hair covering the color of his short-sleeve Henley. Wearing casual, lightweight trousers and sunglasses, he reminded me of a movie star from a couple decades before, the Miami Vice vibes creating a pool of knots in my stomach.
As soon as I was close to the single table prepared for diners, he popped open a bottle of champagne, his expertise in doing so notable. By the time I got to the table, two crystal stems had been poured, a strawberry from the gorgeous display of fruit swimming inside.
Then he placed his hand on his chest, shaking his head slowly.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, the coyness in my voice surprising.
“You are a vision in the morning, just as I knew you’d be.”
“Thank you for the lovely flowers.”
“I thought the ray of sunshine that I experienced last night should be gifted to the woman who brought so much joy to a lonely man.” His grin was lopsided, highlighting the dimple in his chin. With the two-day stubble aligning his chiseled jaw, I was swept into another naughty fantasy of being with a bad boy.
Shame on me.
“And here I thought you weren’t the kind of man to use come-on lines.”
His laugh was deep, rumbling through my stomach. “I assure you it wasn’t a come-on. You’ll know the moment when I claim what I want.”
As he pulled out the chair, encouraging me to sit, he brushed his fingers across my bare shoulder, and I was thrown by the intensity of my reaction. It wasn’t just electrifying. It was as if a volcano had erupted, spewing hot ashes a hundred miles away. My breath was stolen, the same lightheaded feeling I’d experienced the night before muddling my senses.
He inhaled sharply, continuing his exploration, turning my arm over as he trailed his finger down to my wrist. When he traced the scar, a scowl crossed his face.
“It’s not what it looks like,” I told him.
“Meaning?” He lifted a single eyebrow, and the look belonged on the cover of a men’s fashion magazine.
“I didn’t try and kill myself. I’m much stronger than that.”
“That’s not what I was thinking, sweet Maria.”
“Then what were you thinking?”
“That whoever hurt you should be punished. Now that I’ve claimed you, no harm will come your way.”
The words were satisfying and adorable in a Neanderthal kind of way, but his possessive tendencies forced my heart to go pitter-patter.
“It was an accident I don’t even remember. And I feel it necessary to warn you, Mr. Augustine. I’m not easily claimed by anyone under any circumstances. I’ve never been, and I don’t plan on it anytime soon.”
He sat down, pulling his chair closer to mine, then easing his arm against the back. When he wrapped his hand around the flute, I noticed a massive black onyx ring on his middle finger. There was a crest of some kind with a red ruby positioned in the center. I could swear there were two swords but didn’t want to make it apparent I was staring. He lifted the glass, cocking his head.
“To a fascinating and beautiful woman.”
I pressed my crystal rim to his, the man able to hold my gaze for longer than necessary. Heat rushed from my neck to my jaw as he lowered his eyes, his nostrils flaring. He wasn’t just unwrapping the package underneath. He was peeling it away slowly, tasting me as he prepared to consume me whole.
“To a dominating man who believes he has a right to obtain every possession that might satiate his desires.”
Grinning, he gulped almost half the glass. Everything about him was sexy, including the way his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed. “You overestimate my power.”
“I don’t think so. What do you do, Mr. Augustine?”
“I think we’re way past formalities, Ms. Sadler. Don’t you think?”
“Meaning what?”
When he leaned in, his masculine, musky scent was immediately intoxicating. Who needed expensive champagne to feel raw euphoria?
“Meaning, budding Maria, there’s no need to dance around our attraction. Now is there?”
In the sunlight, his deep chocolate eyes had become almost luminescent. If he thought I was so enthralled I’d soak up his charm like a dried-out sponge, he was sorely wrong. I took control of the situation, running the tip of my nail around his full lips, slowly removing my sunglasses. Then I leaned in so close our lips were almost touching. “Our attraction might be carnal, desire brimming the surface, but unless there’s something honorable under the handsome, polished exterior, then I will never be interested.”
His breathing was labored, his eyes becoming hooded. I refused to lean away, daring him to make the first move.
I wasn’t prepared for the treachery of my body when he rolled a single finger down the side of my face and under my chin. Tingles prickled every nerve, my breath skipping more than a beat or two. When he wrapped his fingers around my cheek, keeping his thumb positioned under my chin, I finally stiffened.
“As far as your question. I own a textile manufacturing firm in Philly.”
“Did business bring you into town?”
He sighed. “Yes, the circumstances not what I’d hoped. It would seem a contract could possibly go south, which doesn’t bode well for my personality.”
“I’m certain you’ll strong-arm them into doing what you want.”
“Yes, I plan on it.”
“A take charge kind of man.”
There was something deliciously dark about his grin. “I am in every aspect of my business and personal life.”
“Does that mean you’d control me?” I could tell my question enticed him.
His nostrils flared as he took a deep whiff. “Let’s just say I might make you my little pet.”
“Ride my hand, little pet.”
The words filtered into my mind followed by a strange vision. A red dress. A night of passion. Then… pain. Where in the world had that come from? I looked away, trying to remember the various details of the dream. Were they the same?
“Are you alright?” he asked, able to bring me out of the moment.
“Absolutely. However, I don’t think I’d made a good pet. I’m too unpredictable.”
“There isn’t a woman I can’t tame.”
“Hhhmmm… Which means you’ve owned pets before. I might like to hear the fascinating story of just how you managed to tame them.”
“Not for long. What you find underneath could scare you. My methods have been called… sadistic.”
“I don’t scare easily.” The use of the last word brought an array of naughty images into my mind. Being tied to a bed, masked, and gagged. Waiting for my master to arrive. Being spanked like a bad little girl, marks covering my buttocks and thighs. Wow. I was stretching my imagination more than ever before. I felt heat rising on my neck and shuddered.
“Mmm… I do so love a woman who can handle the darkness.” His voice had dipped dangerously low, becoming more enticing than before.
“I can handle almost anything. But it’s my decision as to whether I’ll allow it or not.”
His deep, very low growl rumbled through every inch of my body. “Yes, little pet. I’ll keep that in mind, but I have a feeling with the right training, you could become a very good girl. Do you think you’d enjoy spending some time with an arrogant, dominating man?”
“That’s it. You’re such a good girl.”