Chapter Four
It looked like Hunter had thought of everything, from hiring a private nurse for her father to ensuring the store would be taken care of properly in her absence. Lila had even taken a physical and STD tests at his insistence, verifying her clean bill of health. Lila had been on the pill since she was a teenager to regulate her cycle, but it had been humiliating to be asked whether she was on some type of birth control. As a show of good faith, he’d presented her his medical records to prove his vitality and disease-free status.
Hunter had told Lila he wanted her without any barriers between them.
She had to be crazy to go through with this. To actually be this man’s kept woman for the next few months was something that had kept her awake at night since she’d said yes. He’d wanted her to come as she was, with the clothes on her back he’d said, and nothing more other than what was necessary as everything else would be provided for her.
He’d even sent a car to pick her up and take her to his home. The hardest part in preparing to spend this time with him was coming up with an excuse to give her father for being away. Lila hated lying to him. He’d been so trusting when she told him she’d been offered a private nursing assignment.
In fact, her story seemed to make him happy, to see her venture out “and not be closed in with the old man” as he’d put it. Lila hadn’t been able to look him in the eye. How could one tell their dad they were going to whore themselves out—after all, what she was doing was little better than prostitution.
Shivering as a pair of brilliant green eyes flashed through her mind, she was tempted to tell the driver to turn the car around and take her home. The words hovered on the tip of her tongue, but they wouldn’t come out. For the past few weeks, the amount of time Hunter had given her to change her mind, she’d fought desperately to come to terms with what she’d agreed to.
She’d have to let him touch and screw her in ways she’d let no other man do to her before. She was no virgin, but the few lovers she’d had, Lila had given herself to, she’d been in established relationships with. The odd thing was, the thought of being with Hunter Ramsey didn’t make her cringe as she felt it should have. What was wrong with her? Did she look forward to being debased by him?
“Ma’am, we’re here.”
The cool burst of air hitting her skin signaled to Lila the rear passenger door was open. She’d been so lost in her musings, she hadn’t realized the car had stopped. The sudden urge to get out and run and keep running grabbed her momentarily. Once she entered Hunter Jamison’s home, there would be no turning back. Could she go through with this?
Clenching her fists at her sides, she closed her eyes and squeezed them tight, attempting to work up enough nerve to get out of the car.
“Ma’am, we’re here,” the driver repeated.
Lila nodded, opening her eyes. It wasn’t just a nightmare. Damn. “Okay. Thank you.” Taking a deep breath, she took the hand offered her. For the first time since the car had stopped she looked at surroundings. So this was where she’d be staying? To say the house—no the mansion—was large would have been an understatement. Lila had only seen something of its kind on those television shows which gave peeks into the opulent lives of celebrities. The large beige Georgian style manor with its imposing columns could have been considered a work of art in its beauty.
The estate gave her another reason to hate Hunter Jamison. Here he lived high on the hog while harassing working class people like her father and forcing them out of their livelihoods.
Squaring her shoulders, she allowed the driver to lead her up the pathway to a side entrance. When they entered, Lila couldn’t help but be awed by the grandness. She made a mental note not to touch anything while she was here because any of the treasures decorating this place would be far too dear for her to replace.
A tall, slender woman with warm, sherry-colored eyes and iron gray hair approached, a half smile on her lips. “Welcome, Miss Saunders. I’m Maddie Coates. I take care of this house for Mr. Jamison and during your stay here, I’ll see to your needs. My husband, Ernest, drove you here. He’ll also be on hand if I’m not available. There’s an intercom in every room so you’ll be able to contact us at any time.”
Lila shook her head, nervous laughter trilling from her throat. “I won’t bother you at all hours of the night. And please, call me Lila. You don’t have to be so formal with me.”
“If that’s your wish…Miss Lila. Please follow me.” The woman seemed nice enough, but Lila could tell she was a stickler for propriety. Sheesh, Lila hadn’t realized people like Mrs. Coates existed outside of television and books. She and her husband were faithful retainers to the core. But then again, none of what was happening to her seemed real.
Already, Lila felt grossly out of place in a pair of slacks and a blouse she’d always believed she looked nice in. But her surroundings were a jarring reminder that her clothes had come off the rack and not in one of those fancy boutiques where someone who was used to this set up shopped. Her jaw dropped when she saw the room she’d be staying in. It was larger than all the rooms combined in the apartment she shared with her father.
“I hope this room is to your satisfaction, Miss Lila.”
She could only nod in response. The room would have been adequate for the Queen of England. “Yes…it’s very nice.”
“Your private bathroom is through that door.” Mrs. Coates pointed to a door at the far corner of the room. Then she walked to another section and opened a set of double doors. “Through the door on your right is your private sitting room. This is your closet. You’ll find all your clothing in here and the dresser drawers. I’ll leave you to freshen up and change into something for dinner, which will be served in a half hour. Mr. Jamison will be waiting for you in the dining room. Is there anything you require in the meantime?”
Lila was still trying to acclimate herself to the sheer luxury around her. “No, thank you.”
Mrs. Coates hesitated at the door. “Mr. Jamison would like for you to choose something suitable to wear. He said you’d you know what he meant.” The distaste in the other woman’s tone brought heat to Lila’s cheeks.
It was one thing to deal with her shame privately, but to have someone judging her put things in a whole different ball court. “Umm, yes,” she murmured, not meeting the other woman’s eyes.
Once the door clicked shut behind the housekeeper, Lila was able to let her guard down. She released the breath she didn’t realized she’d been holding and headed to the closet. As gasp rushed from her lips when she stepped inside to see all the clothing surrounding her. There were gowns, blouses, shoes, hats and all kinds of accessories. It seem that Hunter’s assistant had thought of everything. Ann Weathersby had contacted her to find out her sizes on Hunter’s behalf. Lila had figured she’d have a few items to get her through the month, but she hadn’t expected a complete wardrobe. She could probably wear a different outfit every day for the next three months and still not run out of clothing. The drawers were filled with fancy underwear and lingerie.
As she glanced at a label on one of the dresses Lila noticed it was a designer label. All of these items were probably from some ridiculous expensive line that she wouldn’t have been able to afford on her budget. It probably didn’t put a dent in his Hunter’s budget while the other people worked hard to make enough to pay the bills. For the thousandth time, Lila wondered if she’d actually be able to get through the entire three months without backing out of the deal. What was she getting herself into to by agreeing to this crazy deal? Living in his home, and being fed and clothed by him? Would he be a selfish lover, demanding all she had, taking while giving nothing back? Yes, that’s how it would be. A man who would steamroll over an entire neighborhood was probably not good in bed.
Not that it mattered. She’d just have to remain focused on her father’s health. Hunter could be Don Juan for all she cared. Lila was determined to not enjoy it. She tried to stave off the tremble that moved up her spine. She’d made this bargain with the devil. Now, she’d have to figure out how not to get burned.
*
Hunter gripped the stem of his wine goblet, swirling the burgundy contents inside. What the hell was taking her so long? He knew the exact time she’d arrived—an hour ago. He’d left instructions with Mrs. Coates to escort Lila to the dining room a half hour after her arrival. He’d seen her get out of the car from his office window—saw how she’d looked at her surroundings with an air of uncertainty, touching something deep within him. Then he’d witnessed her lift that determined little chin of hers and stride into his house as proud as a queen.
Lila didn’t strike him as the type to back down from a challenge, which made him wonder why she hadn’t come downstairs to the dining room as he’d ordered. Had she lost her nerve? Hunter gritted his teeth, slamming the glass on the table, uncaring of the droplets of merlot splashing on the white lace tablecloth. He’d spent every single night since making this arrangement with her, lying awake, imagining his hands caressing her creamy chocolate body, her lush lips crushed beneath his. Then, he’d think about turning her over and riding that voluptuous rump and asking himself how she’d respond to toys. He tortured himself with questions of how things would be between them.
He supposed time would tell if only she would get her ass downstairs so he could lay down some ground rules. Glancing impatiently at the platinum Rolex adorning his wrist, Hunter decided he’d give her five more minutes before he stormed upstairs and dragged her down—by her hair, if he needed to.
The soft clicking of heels against the marble floor in the foyer alerted him to someone’s approach. Lila.
Folding his hands in front of him, he tried to project an air of nonchalance he didn’t feel. His pulse raced, and breath caught in his throat when she appeared.
Wearing a little black dress, which dipped in the front to reveal the top of her tempting cleavage and accentuated her curves to a tee, she stood proud and graceful. He could probably span her tiny waist with his hands. Lila wore her hair piled on top of her head and her face was bare of makeup save for a touch of gloss.
She was absolutely gorgeous. And late.
“You were supposed to be down here a half hour ago!” The words rushed from his mouth like an angry roar. It was a bit harsher than he’d intended. Hunter hadn’t meant to let on how eager he’d been for her to join him.
Lila jumped at his brutal rejoinder before standing even straighter and taking a seat at the foot of the formal dining room table. “I’m here now.” She replied so calmly, it raised his ire.
“You’re too far away. Come down here.”
Golden brown eyes narrowed as she raised her chin in defiance. “I prefer where I’m sitting, thank you.”
There could only be one reason why she wouldn’t want to be so close to him. Well, that was too damned bad. She’d have to accept him, scars and all. She’d already seen them and knew exactly what she was getting into. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten, but I call the shots around here. Not you. But seeing as how you’d like to test me, I’ll give you two options, you can either take the seat here,” he pointed to the table setting next to his, “or I’ll come get you. I don’t think you’d appreciate the experience.”
Lila went completely still, her gaze locking with his. For a moment he believed she’d stand her ground, but in an abrupt movement, she pushed her chair back, and stood, her lips tightened to a thin, angry line.
Disappointment at her reluctance to be close nagged at him. One of the things that had struck him when she’d come downstairs was that Lila had seemed unaffected by his appearance. Oh, he’d seen that look of horror flash in her eyes upon the initial reveal in his office, and of course she’d fainted, but just now she’d almost seemed as if she’d forgotten about them. Could he have just imagined it? Was it simply wishful thinking on his part? Probably. He was a fool.
She was no different than anyone else. Too bad for her she’d have to deal with him for the next three months. Hunter had given up a great deal to give in to her demands, including hours with board members, executives, contractors and on top of that, coming up with a feasible alternative to his previous plans. He’d be damned if he allowed her to treat him like a fucking nuisance.
When she plopped down in the seat cattycorner to him, Lila lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “Okay. I’m here.”
A floral scent wafted to his nostrils making Hunter want to bury his face against neck. Her proximity was doing things to his equilibrium he didn’t think possible. His cock stirred and stiffened, straining against his pants. Goddamn. This woman had to be part witch because she’d cast a spell on him. There was only one way to grab control of the situation and that was to let her know right away who was in charge.
“Rule number one, when I say jump, you’ll ask how high. Two, when I tell you to be somewhere at a designated time, I expect you to make it happen. Three, you will always be courteous to my staff. And last but not least, failure to obey my rules will result in punishment.”
Her lips twisted into a smirk. “Punishment? What do you plan on doing? Giving me a time out?”
“You’ll find out when you fail to do as I ask.”
Mrs. Coates chose that moment to enter the dining room. “Mr. Jamison, are you ready for me to serve the meal?”
“Yes, thank you.”
The housekeeper turned to Lila. “Would you like a glass of wine, Miss Lila?”
“Yes, she would.”
With a nod Mrs. Coates left them alone once again.
Fire flashed from the depths of her golden eyes and if looks could kill, Hunter was sure he’d be dead on the spot. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. He couldn’t help admiring her spirit.
“I can speak for myself and I don’t particularly care for wine at the moment.”
“Do you have some objection to drinking alcohol?”
“I don’t, but I’d rather not have any now.”
“But I want you to have some. It would please me.”
Her lips quirked. “And what you say goes right?”
“You’re a fast learner.” He allowed his gaze to drift to the tops of her breasts. Unable to go another second without touching her, Hunter reached over and ran his finger across her tantalizing décolletage.
Lila gasped, eyes widening. She jerked away from his hand. “Don’t.”
“It’s my prerogative to touch you. Remember our bargain… How is your father by the way?”
“You’re a beast,” she mumbled under her breath.
A chuckle escaped his lips. “So they say. And you, my dear, are a beauty and you’re mine—that is unless you’ve changed your mind?”
Through the narrowed slits of her eyes, Hunter thought he saw a suspicious gleam of moisture. He should have been ashamed for what he was in essence making her do, but he pushed that feeling away quickly. Lila was here of her own free will. It wasn’t as if he were holding a gun to her head to make her stay. So she could save her tears for someone who gave a shit. “Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are when you’re angry? I’m happy to see the clothes the personal shopper selected for you fit so well.”
Lila shrugged. “I don’t see why I couldn’t bring my own things.”
“Because it suits me to see you dressed in satins and silks. My women wouldn’t be caught in anything but the best. When our agreement is over, you may take them with you.”
The chin was raised once again. “I’ll walk away with what I came into this house with, if it’s all the same to you.”
He lifted his wine goblet and took a healthy sip before returning it to the table. “Suit yourself. They’re yours to do with as you wish.”
Mrs. Coates returned, wheeling a cart with their dinner on it.
Hunter leaned against the back of his chair, realizing Lila had barely looked at his face since she’d entered the dining room. Even those few times when she’d dared to catch his gaze, Lila had quickly looked away. The old insecurities hit him like a sledgehammer. It doesn’t matter what she thinks. She’s yours for the taking.
With slow deliberation, he pushed his hair away from his face. A perverse need for her to look at him as he was took over. “Look at me, Lila.” He kept his voice low and soft, but left no room for doubt that he’d issued a command.
She raised her head with obvious reluctance and looked him square in eyes, gold fire sparking within the depths of her gaze. “Do you get off by telling me what to do?” She bit the words out, tight-lipped.
Hunter laughed. “Not from giving orders, but I plan on getting off in quite another way very soon.”
Mrs. Coates placed his plate in front of him, her movements stiff. She was too much of a professional to give away her true thoughts, but Hunter had a feeling his housekeeper didn’t approve of his arrangement. He’d brought women to the house before, but he’d never had one stay longer than a weekend. Not that it mattered what his employee thought anyway. This was his house, and he’d do what he saw fit in it.
Once he and Lila were alone again, he took another sip of his wine, watching as she pushed the food around her plate with her fork, not attempting to eat any of it.
“Do you have anything against your dinner?”
Her head came up again, bewilderment crinkling her forehead.
“You’ve been stabbing that steak with your fork as if it’s done something to you. Is it too rare for your liking or do you not eat meat?”
She pushed her plate away. “I have no problem with eating meat. I’m not hungry.”
“Try to eat something. You’ll need your strength for later on.”
Her eyes widened, her mouth forming a perfect, “o”. “Look, Mr. Jamison—”
“Hunter. I hope you don’t intend to go all formal on me every time I annoy you. Seeing as how we’ll be getting to know each other.” He paused to allow his gaze to rake over the length of her beckoning curves, quite intimately. “There’s no need for formalities.”
Closing her eyes briefly, she took a deep breath. “Hunter. This is my first night here. Can’t we just get to know each other a little better before we do that?”
Raising a brow, he met her angry gaze. “Fuck you mean?”
Lila lowered her head but not before she shot him a glare. “You don’t have to be so graphic.”
“Should I pretty it up and give you some flowery speech?”
“All I want from you is to keep your promise.” Her voice was low with an undertone of fury.
Yes, she’d be a hellcat in bed. The very thought of it had his cock jumping to life, straining against his pants to break free. Shifting in his chair to alleviate the ache within his throbbing balls, Hunter knew he wouldn’t last much longer before taking her and burying himself inside her tight cunt.
He ran his tongue across his lips in anticipation. Would she taste as sweet as she looked? Examining her tightened lips and hands gripping the arms of her chair until her dark knuckles turned several shades lighter, Hunter realized he’d have to work at getting her hot.
It was a challenge he looked forward to tackling.