Winter in line would prove to be difficult. “No more parties and no more surprises. I need to spend time with her prior to the wedding or this isn’t going to work.”
“Fair enough.” Christian glanced at the clock. “She’ll be here within the half hour. Take a couple days off after the contract signing. I know you’ll need it.”
I was going to need a hell of a lot more than that. Nodding, I headed to the door, my instinct kicking in. There was still something my brother was hiding from me. And how did I know? The slight tic in the corner of his mouth.
Why did I have the gut feeling that our entire world was about to crumble?
* * *
The knock on the door came at precisely eleven in the morning. I’d remained standing in front of my window, studying the view as I had earlier. I’d once loved the city; the bright lights and crazy activity occurring at all hours, the incredible food, and the mixture of people. Now I was tired of the crowds and the smell of gasoline. While I could work from anywhere in the country, controlling people in the office had become one of my focuses.
Controlling.
There was a word that hadn’t entered into my vocabulary until seven months before. Now I was supposed to control an entire company as well as a rebellious but beautiful wife. I rubbed my eyes, hesitating before answering the knock.
“Yes?”
Tracy opened the door, not bothering to come inside. “Your eleven o’clock appointment is here in the conference room.”
“I’ll be right there.” I grabbed my jacket, realizing I’d shoved the thought of finding anyone I cared about far out of my mind. I had no idea what kind of relationship I could have with Winter. And the thought of having children in a loveless marriage sickened me. I wasn’t certain I would be able to do it.
I closed my eyes, envisioning her gorgeous figure and the way she’d looked in the dress the night before. She’d literally taken my breath away, the hunger never leaving me. My cock ached as I thought about her, my balls tightening.
Winter had entered my world like a whirlwind, incapable of accepting rules, a woman who would always speak her mind.
Beautiful.
Ballsy.
We might not be friends.
But I would own her.
Tame her.
Break her if that’s what it took.
Tonight would be the beginning of our tumultuous but passionate relationship. I couldn’t wait to taste her. If that made me a monster, so be it.
The moment I walked into the conference room, Winter tensed, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of the table. She’d selected a red dress, the material hugging every curve. While not as provocative as the night before, the color was one of power.
Hearts.
Roses.
And blood.
She was making a statement, so fitting of her personality.
My cravings kicked into the stratosphere, my cock now in actual pain. I couldn’t wait to spread her legs, feasting on her pretty pink pussy. The thought was riveting, keeping me on edge.
Christian glanced from one side of the table to the other before pushing the contracts across the table. “Please read this over and sign in the appropriate places. Unfortunately, changes cannot be made; however, I think you will find the terms more than acceptable, especially financially.”
Instead of bothering to look over the terms, I studied her as she picked up the contract, taking a deep breath as she scanned the page. She’d decided to come alone, likely to make certain I realized how strong she was, refusing to accept any concept of domination. I admired her more than I could have imagined even as I wanted to ravage her entire body.
Her jaw was set, her lips pursed, and she took her time, reading each page carefully. There were no gasps or a single sign that she was either troubled or incensed by the terms. Between what had been placed inside the Box, as well as our combined holdings and a ‘gift’ from the Council’s coffers, we would be extremely wealthy.
Although I had a feeling she couldn’t care less about money.
When she was finished reading, she lifted her head, a smirk crossing her face. “May I have a pen?”
“Of course,” Christian said but I’d already pushed one across the table, forcing our fingers to touch. The instant electricity was shocking, my entire body tingling. I could tell she felt the same, a chip in her armor occurring as she took a shallow breath.
She curled her fingers around the pen, her eyes flashing.