on the spot. I’d never been this hot for a woman before.
I pushed the head of my cock into her pussy, my heart in my mouth. I was no longer in control.
Her firm peach-shaped ass pushed up against my balls. She wanted this as much as I did. Burying her head in the pillow, she muffled her cries. Her butt dancing back and forth encouraged me to continue.
It was way too intense. I felt a pleasure I’d never experienced before.
Blood charged through me. Penelope’s orgasm contracted tightly against my dick, tipping me over the edge. A deep groan grew in my chest. I’d never been that vocal during sex. The primal force was so extreme my heart almost leapt out of my ribcage.
I turned her around so that I could see her. With that perfect rosy complexion she looked stunning, especially after sex—another photo I would have loved.
We lay in each other’s arms. This time, I remained there. The risk was great, but I couldn’t leave her.
I woke at nine o’clock. Although it was Sunday, being a light sleeper, I normally didn’t sleep in that late. The bed was empty, which should have seemed normal. But a few hours earlier, I recalled, Penelope cuddled up to me. I sat up and looked about for her clothes. She was gone. A horrible thought gripped at me. Did I do something in my sleep?
I wanted her there to share breakfast. I enjoyed seeing her smiling face and chatting about art and finding out more about her.
My call went to voicemail. Frustration brewed. I fought back the urge to toss the phone against the wall.
I texted: Where are you? Why did you leave?
The robe that she’d worn was on the chair, and just as I draped it over my shoulders, the phone pinged.
Her text read: I’m on the tube. I had to leave. This is a bad idea.
My finger hovered over the letters. I couldn’t think of what to say. We spent two nights together, and now she’s running? Am I that fucked up?
As it was Sunday, I needed to visit Milly.
I picked up the phone. “Morning, Pierce. Just coffee and some juice. Thanks.”
I sat on the edge of my bed, which I rarely did, since I moved fast in the mornings. Staring down at my hands, I needed myself back. At least I knew that person—dark, removed, and a sexual deviant who got off on watching a stranger having his cock sucked by his secretary.
A quiet knock at the door roused me. “Come in.”
Pierce brought in a tray and set it down on the table by the window.
“Thanks.”
“Will that be all?”
“Yes. I won’t be around today. Have the night off.”
“Very good, sir.”
My phone buzzed. I picked it up straightaway, hoping to hear her sweet voice.
“Patrick.”
“We have a problem. That girl, Tatiana, that you asked me to keep an eye on.”
“Right?”
“She left the shelter last night and didn’t return.”
“What happened to the guards that were meant to be watching over her?”
“Can’t say. They’re not around to ask.”
“Okay.”
I closed the call, scrolled down my list, and pressed on Peter Barnes’s number.
I pictured Fox’s sinister grin. Seeing him at the Cherry Orchard had made our history resurface. He’d always vowed to get revenge for losing his inheritance to me.
What game is he playing?
Knowing what he was capable of, I had to get to Fox. Either that or leave the country, and that wasn’t going to happen.
24
* * *
PENELOPE
“WHAT DID HE SAY?” I asked about the Russian man who’d arrived at Lilly’s doorstep.
“He wants me to be his girlfriend.” She shook her head. “He’s so ugly and fucking savage. How did he find me?”
My phone pinged.
“Get that if you like,” said Lilly.
It was Blake again. It read, “Can we meet?”
Short and sweet, as usual, no “I’m missing you” or “Let’s try to see where this goes.”
I let out a sigh.
“Let me guess. Tall, dark, and filthy?” Lilly cocked her head.
“Speaking of which—although he’s not dark—Blake mentioned you, but just in passing, because he’s not the gossipy type. Far from it.” I rolled my eyes at how abridged Blake’s conversations could be. “According to him, James keeps asking after you.”
“Really?” Her face lit up.
“He’s gorgeous, and he’s into you.”
“And end up miserable just like you are right now?”
I knitted my fingers. “I can’t just be his sex thing.”
“But you stayed at his house. From what you’ve described, that’s not normal for him. If he was using you, he’d arrange to meet you in a hotel. Or a