I awoke still encircled by his arms. My breath bounced back from his chest warm against my face. His heartbeat was a slow rhythm that lulled me from my peaceful dream to a serene sense of belonging. I huddled into the comfort, pawing my feet against the sheets like a content kitten.

Yesterday was a blur, the sheer number of emotions had drained me—not to mention the pain I’d endured—but laying here now diminished it all. It was a world away, and I could hide in my safe cocoon from which I never wanted to emerge. This was the only place I wanted to be, with him.

For the first time in a long time, I was happy.

A deep breath moved his chest and his arms tightened around me as he stirred. I closed into him and took a deep breath of my own.

He kissed my head. “You’re still here.”

“Why would I leave?”

“You want to stay?”

I looked up at him. “I want to stay with you.”

He pulled me up and kissed me. Unlike yesterday, his lips were delicate on mine, caressing more than crazed. Our tongues met as he licked at my lips, tasting me with soft flicks. I stroked his back and felt the scars raised under my fingers, reminding me of the pain he’d suffered.

He made sense now. It cleared the puzzle of his behaviour. Why he could be so kind and so brutal. I understood why he wasn’t the monster I thought, far from it. He was just the by-product of a bad situation. I didn’t pity him, I cared for him.

Dare I say it, I trusted him.

He rolled me on to my back. The ache of the bruises stung, but subsided as his legs came between mine and he shifted his weight above me. His hard cock pressed against my pelvis. Memories of last night flashed through my mind, and a flutter danced through my core, becoming wet in anticipation.

He kissed my neck, and my nerves lit with light tingles. I expected him to bite me, but he didn’t. Today, he was gentle, loving. The exact opposite of the domineering rage of a man he was last night, but it still turned me on.

His fingers traced my breast and played with my nipple. Softly tweaking and turning till it engorged and rose proud. I squirmed underneath him, the sensations building with just the thought of him fucking me. He kissed me and pressed his weight down, matching my movements, his cock grinding against my pelvis.

I raised my hips and wrapped my legs around his waist, inviting him to go further. The memory of him inside me was unbelievable. Large, hard and painfully good. I’d be more than happy for him to fuck me all day.

His cock rubbed over my clit, and I gasped out a moan as a rush of excitement surged through my body. He tensed at the sound and gripped at my hair as he kissed me harder. His breath quickening as he moved and positioned against me.

He pressed against my entrance, and my pussy stretched wide as his cock slid inside. I felt the sweet bite of pain as I struggled to accommodate his size. As he sunk deeper, a rush of heat surged from my core and flowed through every part of me, like liquid pleasure injected into my veins.

I moaned as my head fell back, giving my body to him. Pangs of pleasure shot through my cervix as he pressed to my limit. It made my core contract and drop like I was falling from a height.

He held there and kissed me before he thrust again. My cry made him push deeper still and his cock throbbed, growing harder with each pulse. He fucked me slowly, tenderly, extending out to his glorious length before pressing back. Relishing in the noises he drew from me with every thrust.

I clawed at his back and pulled him in. It didn’t matter that there was only a breath between us, I needed him closer. The urge to have his skin on mine was too strong. I wanted to feel every part of him.

He moved his arms under my shoulders and sank his weight down as he held me firm. His chest warm and damp with the exertions. The scent of fresh perspiration tinged his skin. It smelled masculine, but still delicate. I buried my nose into his neck and breathed deep. His kiss found my neck, and he squeezed me tight as he fucked me faster. The heat rose as my breath quickened, and my face tickled with the flush.

His muscles tensed under my fingers, rippling with his movements. He was strong, powerful. I loved being surrounded by him, held tight in his security.

Every groan he drew from me made him grip me tighter, and fuck me harder. I knew he loved the sounds I made. It was like a control button, if I wanted faster, all I had to do was moan.

So, moan I did.

I let every feeling flow out of my lips. Every wonderful, toe-curling surge ended its journey through my body rumbling in my throat. My stomach sank as I tensed against him, and a white hot ball grew in my core. It pulsated with a growing pressure as my orgasm formed within. The rush spread through me and sent heat surging up my spine. It wouldn’t take much more to tip me over the edge.

I gasped between moans. “I’m coming.”

He stared into my eyes and brushed his lips against me as he whispered. “Come for me.”

My moans became cries as his thrusts became fast and unyielding. The pressure grew with each drive and my stomach fluttered as my muscles quivered, causing the ball at my core to explode in waves. The heat gushed through my veins, pulsating into every part. My mind swirled with an intoxicating energy. I gripped him tight as the feeling consumed me, holding on to him for fear of losing myself.

He dropped his head to my neck and buried into me as his body tensed. His cock hardened and throbbed as his thrust slowed, but increased in ferocity. The feel of him coming sent fresh surges of pleasure through my core, and I moaned with him as we rode the waves together.

I kissed his neck and caught my breath as the sensations waned and subsided. Running my hands across his skin, I indulged in him trembling above me. It satisfied me so much more to know how intensely he’d felt it.

He raised his head and kissed me. The tender tickles heightening the sensitivity of my already inflamed lips. My hands worked into his soft, dark hair, and I toyed it between my fingers as I matched his kiss.

The moment was perfect. Never had I been so connected to another. I was bound to him by an affinity that was natural and right. Despite all my misgivings about being close to anyone, especially someone like him. I could no longer deny that he completed me in a way I didn’t believe was possible.

My hands moved to grasp his face as he pulled his lips away and studied me. I stared up into the green and gold swirls of his hazel eyes, and the warmth in them made me smile. He was stunning, without a doubt, but the way he looked at me swelled my heart. He was all and everything I wanted.

A grin formed as he brushed his nose against mine. “That’s the best start to the day I’ve had in a long time.”

I matched his grin. “You mean you don’t normally wake up to a gorgeous girl in your bed?”

“No, normally I wake up to my right hand.”

I laughed as he traced my jaw with his lips.

“This is much better, though. No cramp… no blisters.”

I giggled as he nuzzled into my neck.

“The soundtrack is much better, too.”

“No downsides then?”

He raised back up and cocked his head to the side. “Well, my hand doesn’t answer back.”

I was still laughing when he leant in to kiss me. The moment his lips touched mine, I was back under his spell. Every nerve ending lit to his presence. I ran my hands through his hair and raised my body up to meet his. The warmth of him cocooned me. I felt safe, and I felt wanted.

The muffled vibration of a phone started across the room, and a ringing began its insistent chimes, hauling us rudely back from the world where only we existed.

He pulled away from me and shook his head. “Fuck.”

“Ignore it.”

He bit his lip in frustration. “I’ve got to get this. I know who it is.”

“Let me guess. Marcus?”

He caught my eyes then dropped his gaze as he sighed and sat up. “Got it in one.”

The intrusion annoyed me. Even more so when I realised it was that fucker who shattered the moment. I gestured towards the noise with my hands, then folded my arms, trying to comfort myself from the emptiness he’d left behind. He looked me over, then leant forward and kissed my forehead.

“I’ll be right back.”

An ache in my chest longed for him as he moved away again. I sighed and wrapped myself in the covers, taking solace in the fact I could watch his toned arse as he walked across the room. It helped.

He ruffled through his jeans strewn on the back of the chair and pulled out his phone. He looked at me and placed a silencing finger across his lips before he answered.

“What?… What the fuck has it got to do with you?” He closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. “I was in the shower. Get the fuck on with it.”

I laughed to myself, he swore as much as I did.

“Fuck off, Marcus. I’m not in the mood. What do you want?” The scowl dropped from his face. “Today? Why so soon?” He sat and rubbed his forehead in his hand. “What time should I expect him?” He looked at the clock on his phone. “It’s 9 o’clock now.” He closed his eyes and groaned. “It’ll have to be, won’t it?”

The tension in his face changed and looked up at me, concern edging his eyes. “Fine.”

He growled out the word with a tone that made me nervous. I knew he was talking about me.

“What do you want me to tell you? It’s been less than a day.” He dropped his head and stared at the floor. “I know what you said.”

His body tensed and he clenched his free hand so tight I could see the white of his knuckles.

“William? I don’t fucking think so.” He laughed more as a reaction to anger than anything else. “Not a cat in hell’s chance.”

His voice became venomous. “No, Marcus. I don’t give a shit. There’s no way she’s going to that fucking son of a bitch… It looks like you’ve got a serious fucking problem then, doesn’t it? Goodbye, Marcus.” He ended the call, dropped the phone on the floor and buried his face in his hands.

I could see the tension held in his shoulders as he sighed. Whatever Marcus said about me had worried him. I was certain it involved me being sold to this William. I needed to know, but I’d have to tread with caution. He was way too worked up for the direct approach. The last thing I wanted was him shutting down on me again. “Just some friendly morning banter then, yeah?”

He laughed and looked up before shaking his head. “Yeah, just Marcus’ wake up call. It’s the same every morning.”

I sat up and bit my lip, thinking how I should broach the subject, when he stood and started towards the wardrobe.

“Lawrence will be here for Lucy soon. I’ve got to get her ready.”

“Wait.” I smiled and gave him my best coy look. “You said you’d be right back.”

He smiled. “I should be worried that you’ve figured out how to play me.”

“No need to worry. I only use my powers for good.”

He crawled back on the bed, then wrapped his arms around my shoulders and held me close to his chest.

I nuzzled into his neck, taking in his scent as I sighed. “Marcus wants me gone, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah. He knows what you do to me. Thinks you’re dangerous to have around, he’s right.” He gripped me tighter and kissed my head. “He’s given me a few days to get you ready to go.”

“And if you don’t?”

“He’ll take the matter into his own hands.”

“Kill me?”

“He’ll try.”

“What are you going to do?”

He sat back and held my hands as he studied my face, the conflict was written all over his. “I don’t know, yet. I’m not letting either of those happen, that’s for sure. You could go back home, but that’s not the best idea considering the reason you’re here. I couldn’t trust that your father is able to protect you.”

“I don’t want to go home. That’s the last thing I want.” It was the truth. I didn’t want to go back to my life. I wanted to be as far away from my father, and the business as possible. It took being kidnapped and held captive to realise I was free. That I had the means and the determination to get away from my father’s control.

Now, I had Aaron, and he gave me a reason. The thought scared me, but I had to get away. “Whatever you do, you’ll have to deal with the wrath of Marcus, regardless?”

“Yeah. I’ve known him long enough to figure out what that’ll mean for me.”

There’s no other way. If he let me go, then he’d be risking his life. If he kept me here, then God knows what would happen to me. We were both in danger. “It seems like there’s only one option left.”

“What?”

“Leave with me.”

He huffed in surprise. “What? Where?”

“Anywhere, I don’t care. As long as it’s away from my father, and Marcus, and all this bullshit they bring. I don’t want to go back to my old life, and I want to be with you. The only answer is we leave together, tonight.”

He shook his head. “It’s not that easy.”

“Why not?”

“What will we do?”

“I don’t know. Leave the country. Buy a house somewhere. Open a shitty expat restaurant. We can figure that out as we go. We both know money isn’t an issue.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

He chewed his lip as he thought about it. Then looked up at me with a solemn expression. “You really want to leave with me?”

I smiled. “As crazy as that may be. Yes, I do.”

He held my face in his hands and kissed me before studying my face. “You’re worth the risk.” He kissed me again. “But not tonight, today. As soon as I’ve got rid of Lawrence. Where’s your passport?”

“At my flat.” I dropped my eyes from his, reminded of Lawrence and why he was coming. “What will happen to Lucy?”

He sighed and grasped my hands. His thumbs rubbed against my fingers. “I don’t know. I’ve only met the guy once. All I can tell you, is he doesn’t appear to be abusive, but I can’t be sure.”

“Can’t you let her go? I mean, you’re leaving with me, anyway.”

He shook his head. “I can’t. It’s done.”

“But you’re already pissing off Marcus.”

“Yeah. Doing a runner with you is one thing, screwing Marcus out of a deal is a whole other category. He wouldn’t stop until he found us.”

“Is it that big of a difference?”

“Yes, it’s not just the money. It’s Marcus’ reputation, and for that he wouldn’t forgive. As much as I’d like to do this for you, for us, for her. I can’t. It’ll make our situation a hell of a lot worse.”

I knew he was right, but I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I hadn’t tried. Reputation is everything in this business and welshing on a paid deal just isn’t done. “I understand.”

“I’m sorry, Olivia, I wish there was something I could do.”

The phone began another round of vibration on the floor before a different chime started in.

“Fuck. Not that it makes much difference now. He’s here.”

Making his way back over to the chair, he grabbed the phone from the floor and answered. “Yeah, come on through.” He pressed a button on the screen and hung up. Then grabbed his jeans from the back of the chair and got dressed. “Will you stay up here while I deal with this? It won’t take long.”

“Yeah, sure.”

He threw on his boots and a shirt then strolled to the door. He stopped and smiled at me before he went through. “After this, everything changes.”

I smiled back and watched him leave, feeling hopeful, but nervous over the thought of a new life. I needed things to change. Maybe now I’d get the chance of the fresh start I’d been dreaming about. Even better, I’d get to start it with someone else.

Climbing out of bed, I wrapped in a sheet and went to the chair to fetch my own clothes. As I passed the window, I caught sight of a black van appearing through the opening in the trees, closely followed by another. One van I could understand, but two struck me as odd.

They drove down the drive, and a car came through behind. A black Bentley. My heart sank and a cold dread flushed my skin. I’d recognise it anywhere. It was my father’s car.

“Aaron!” I ran to the door and yanked it open. “Aaron, run!”