Chapter 21

Sara

"It's time you accept your fate."

Why was it that his blatant statement, the one that I should resist with all my will was the most exciting thing I'd heard my entire life?

I wasn't certain but as I stood staring out as the twilight settled in, I could feel my pulse racing.

Still.

After four days.

Four beautiful days of working side by side. Four days of living my dream, doing exactly what I loved just for me for the first time in my life.

Four days of hungering to the point I could barely breathe.

Oh, what had I done in pushing him away? Was there a point? I was shocked he'd allowed me space, although there was no doubt the famished beast was ready to lunge any time, a wolf licking his chops as the raging hunger continued to increase.

Maybe that had added fuel to the fire, keeping us ahead of schedule. I dragged my tongue across my lower lip, wondering what he was doing. He'd suddenly shut down everything, saying he had a couple of phone calls to make, waiting until I'd gathered up my things, just staring at me like he had so many times.

Who wouldn't like to indulge in a fun and frivolous evening, only I wanted to do so with him. What did that make me? A fanatic? A glutton for punishment? I wasn't certain at this point. Heck, other than focusing on writing, my mind was a fuzzy, furry ball, incapable of putting two and two together.

In truth, dear God, I wanted him to take me like some wild animal. It might be insane but that's how I felt. That's what I needed more than anything. Good old-fashioned rough and tumble sex.

Now I bit my lip to keep from moaning out loud.

Easton and I had worked long into the night every night, doing our best to stay extremely professional. I'd noticed he'd seemed preoccupied at least a portion of the time, every few hours staring off into space or making phone calls behind closed doors.

He'd seemed like a man possessed, constantly watching me, and there was no doubt what he was thinking.

The clock was ticking until time ran out.

His lack of concentration hadn't stopped us from producing thousands of words. In truth, I'd never typed so fast or been able to be so creative in my life. What made me giddy was that he'd been open to every single one of my suggestions.

We were writing a book together. Us. Two people.

He was brilliant at crafting scenes and together, we'd pored over how-to books to ensure accuracy. The story wasn't nearly as macabre as I'd believed it would be. The fact that upon my suggestion we were adding a love story into the tangled web thrilled me even more. It was my goal to create the good and bad in the killer, our hero a man everyone saw as a pillar of society. While underneath, when he was very much alone in his big house with his expensive cigars, he was suffering in silence.

I'd hoped to discover all those dark secrets I knew Easton held close to his chest, but he wasn't describing himself but a combination of monsters we'd both read about. However, our hero was very unique, a man who adored woman and pets, even owning two Golden Retrievers.

And he loved a single woman with all his heart, obsessed with her. He'd already stalked her, and we were only thirty thousand words into the piece. The passages felt good. They felt freeing and I was in my element, every muscle tingling from excitement.

Writing was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

I stared down at my laptop screen, groaning when it faded to black. I'd owned the once pristine computer for over six years. It had gotten me through my last years of high school and all four years of college. Now I only prayed it would get me through the next couple of weeks until I was given my first paycheck.

I'd been awake half the night before, my fingers flying as they'd done before writing the first sensual scene. It had been a challenge from the brilliant man, pushing me as he so adored doing. I'd taken on the challenge with verve, envisioning the two of us. I also knew he was taunting me, reminding me that I belonged to him.

My God. Maybe I had not only accepted what he'd said but was relishing the thought of being his.

His lover.

His obsession.

His possession.

When my phone rang, I was hopeful it was my amazing co-author. Seeing Josie's number, I bit my lip, scowling. She'd called twice and I'd ignored both, uncertain what I wanted to say to her. Especially since her last message had been pushy.

And I wasn't in the mood to be pushed at this point.

However, she wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted.

"Howdy, girl. Sorry I haven't returned your calls, but I've been really busy. Happily so."

Josie sighed in her usual exaggerated way. "You're a bitch. You know that?"

We both laughed and I was grateful she hadn't launched into me. "Yes, proudly so. What's up?"

"Since you're intent on ignoring your besties, I thought I'd remind you about graduation tomorrow night?"

"Ah, shit. I forgot all about it."

"Yeah, well, given you are some big honor student, you can't."

"I'll be there." I thought. I hadn't discussed going with my employer, but I still suspected he'd need to as current faculty.

"Good. Then we are going out to celebrate afterwards."

"I don't know about that. We're working a lot and he doesn't want me to leave right now."

She huffed, muttering under her breath. "What is it with this asshole?"

"Now, he's an asshole? That's not fair. We're working on a book. Together. As in long hours. You once were pining away for him, rubbing a juicy red apple on your very short skirt before batting your long eyelashes and placing the forbidden fruit in front of him."

"That was before my father sat me down explaining things."

"I don't want to hear it, Josie. I know everyone in this city seems terrified of him. I also know he had one too many enemies."

"And he and his family should. He's a dangerous man. Not only that, he's done some unspeakable things."

"Oh, please. So you've told me. I never knew you as one to pay attention to rumors. He's a good guy with a creative mind. He's merciless when it comes to the competition in his corporate business. So what?"

"So people are dying because of him."

"Spit it out," I barked, just about done with the baseless accusations for a long time to come.

"He's a killer."

"Right. You have proof of this?"

"No, but my father is insistent."

"Maybe then that's the problem. We shouldn't be speaking. Your father is running for re-election. Isn't he trying to push some crime bill through the Illinois state department?"

"I don't know but my father says he knew the Saint patriarch."

"Okay. So what?"

"So they've killed hundreds of people."

Now I growled. "That's it. I'm hanging up."

"Don't. I need to tell you some things, not rumors but truths."

"Save it. I don't want to talk about this again. I don't buy Easton is a killer. Not in the least. Has he performed his business in manners some would call reprehensible? That's the way of it these days, Josie. Dog eat dog. Although you wouldn't understand that since you've come from such privilege."

"What does that have to do with anything?" She was incensed. So what?

"It has to do with your ability to understand those who actually work hard instead of being handed everything in their lives. Try working on the sheep farm you've made fun of me for. Then we can talk."

I ended the call, struggling with how she sounded. She was worried about me, which I appreciated, but it wasn't like I was in a lion's den waiting to be eaten, for God's sake. I half expected her to call back. When she didn't, that said she was pissed at me.

Again, so what?

If I kept thinking that maybe I would believe it instead of feeling the nagging little voice pushing at me.

Exhaling, I rubbed my eyes, hating the exhausted feeling even more. Okay, so maybe a night off would refresh me and keep me from wringing her neck if I went to the graduation ceremonies. After doing a good job of shoving her bullshit aside, I spun around in a circle, trying to contain my excitement from our progress. At this rate, we'd be finished with a first draft in two weeks. If we didn't burn out in the process. I continued to marvel at our tenacity.

Dinners had been mostly takeout, Chinese food or pizza and at the end of every night, we'd discussed the foibles of serial killers and the lure of them as well. The process wasn't nearly as dark as I'd believed in the beginning. In fact, we'd laughed together more than anything.

But there'd been one thing missing.

Romance.

Get it out of your mind. It was your choice.

Okay, so I'd been determined to avoid the man and his possessive nature, but it was getting tougher every day. I wrapped my hand around my glass of wine, thankful my laptop screen had reappeared. Before something else happened, I quickly brought up my email, sending Easton the pages of what I'd written. Then I crossed my fingers, hoping that he would like them.

"Who were you talking to, my little fawn?" His deep voice had the same effect over me as always. I was instantly aroused.

"Josie, reminding me graduation is tomorrow." I huffed. "She doesn't like you very much. Although she found you sexy; she was the one who brought you an apple."

"Maybe it was poisoned."

"I saw you take a bite."

His slight smirk turned into a smile. "It almost sounds like you're jealous."

I shrugged but that was the truth. He'd caught me red-handed. "Her father is an important man."

"An old enemy of my father's. They go way back. The odd thing is that they used to be friends."

"I doubt Josie knows that."

"A lot of people don't, Sara. Don't take her anger or concern to heart. Her father has skated his way into office on the coattails of underlings and all those saplings eager to find a new messiah. She needs to believe in him and I can't blame her. Neither should you. He's in his element when he can control a room, let alone destroying families and reputations. The Saint brothers are used to it."

There was no anger in his tone, just a matter-of-fact attitude as if he was used to the scrutiny. "I wish I could be so cavalier. I thought she was my friend."

"I think she's trying to be because her father is poisoning her mind against me. Stop worrying. You also need to stop trying to fight my battles, little fawn. There is no need. I'm a big boy. But I do appreciate the concern."

"I know. I'm not fighting your battles, Easton. You're right that you're a big boy with bigger toys but I don't like how this feels. If her father is doing this to get re-elected then it pisses me off."

"My sweet girl. You will always find a politician determined to fight crime syndicates to get re-elected. It's the course of business."

"But you're not everybody. You're special."

"Something else I adore about you. You wear your heart on your sleeve." Just the way he allowed his heated gaze to drift ever so slowly down the length of my legs was enough to turn me into putty.

"What about graduation?" Changing the subject seemed like a good idea. "I don't know what to do."

"Ah, yes."

"Does that mean I can go?" I noticed he was lingering in the doorway, studying me as if uncertain who the hell I was.

"I'll take you. I'm very sorry your parents couldn't be here. The offer still stands. I'd be happy to bring them out."

"No!" I was heavy on the emphasis for a second time. "I really do appreciate it but even if they could come, they would drive you nuts with their conservative attitudes." I tried to laugh off the moment, but I sensed he was picking through every word I said. My thoughts drifted back to Josie's insistence we talk. What was her father up to at this point? "I hope I didn't interrupt you while working."

"Of course not. What were you doing?"

"Well," I said, half cringing. "I wrote the sex scene for the book." I closed my eyes for a few seconds, finally opening one. And peering at him.

His eyes lit up, a smile finally crossing his face. "You did? I'll be very eager to read it. Good girl."

I don't know if it was relief flowing through me or it was because he'd just used his ‘good girl' phrase again, but I was quivering inside, my nipples aching. Okay, I knew the real reason why. Him. The man standing in front of me with the thick hair, the kind any woman would want to run her fingers through as he thrust his cock deep inside.

Oh, boy. Nothing good was going to come out of drinking the copious amount of wine I'd planned on. Too bad he didn't have any chocolate ice cream in his refrigerator, or I'd be set for a night of debauchery. Oh, who was I kidding? Jesus. I hadn't noticed he hadn't shaved the entire time we'd been working, the sexy shadow of man fur covering his face forcing me to lick my lips.

Why did the man have to look hotter than normal in black jeans and an obsidian tee shirt that hugged his chest as if it was part of his skin? My mouth was dry, my mind certainly not on business at this point. And every time he used the phrase, I was pulled into a giddy little state of mind, which was ridiculous.

"I hope so. You'll need to check to make certain you received it. My computer is on its last legs."

"Ummm… that just won't do."

"What?"

"A busted laptop."

As he finally walked entirely into the kitchen, the same tension was there but I sensed he had even more on his mind.

He lifted his head, studying me intently for a few seconds before heading to one of the cabinets, yanking out a glass.

"Well, when my brilliant employer hands over my first paycheck for all the hard work I've been doing, I'll go purchase another one." Damn him for inching too close.

"We'll see about that." He smiled but glanced out the window a few seconds later. When he reached for bourbon, I knew something was wrong. He'd indulged in gin, a glass of wine here and there. My instinct told me that whatever he was fighting, whether past demons or a new enemy, was about ready to burst onto the scene.

"What happened? Is something wrong?" I asked, watching as he poured the glass almost full.

"Nothing for you to be concerned about. Just a disturbing phone call but one that might prove helpful."

He'd been secretive, the light in his eyes only there when we talked about the book. Something was going on.

"I wish you'd trust me."

"I do trust you, Sara. However, there are some things happening in my world that I need to handle. I don't want you leaving the house at this point. Can you do that for me?"

"Is there some danger you're not telling me about?"

"It's complicated."

While I could tell he was more stressed than normal, that didn't mean I was going to let this go. "You forget your world affects mine."

"Yes, my little fawn, but you have no understanding of what is required at times."

As usual, I wanted to argue with him, but whatever he was dealing with I simply wasn't privy to. Yes, the man was dangerous. I didn't need my friend to tell me that. "Why have you forbidden me to leave the house?"

"Because it's not safe."

"Why?"

"We've been through this."

"I know. Your enemies. Well, guess what? I'm your employee, not your slave. I have friends, places to go, people to see. Josie annoyed me to no end tonight, but I do deserve to have a life outside of here."

The brooding man remained quiet and I almost sprang on him like a wildcat.

"Maybe you couldn't care less about the big, bad world out there, but I do enjoy going out every so often, even though I'm having a blast writing this book. I like watching movies, especially horror flicks that get my blood pumping. I like to do so while eating popcorn with a cholesterol spiking amount of butter and parmesan cheese. Junk food isn't the worst thing in the world, not that you would know, given every ounce of your body is muscled like some bodybuilder engaged in regular competitions. Occasionally, I enjoy going crazy like, oh, I don't know, going dancing or a car ride to nowhere in particular. I get that you're possessive. I understand you are trying to keep me safe from the unknown boogeyman, but I won't be kept in a cage."

"I'm not keeping you in a cage, Sara, but I am indeed trying to keep you safe. People like Josie will often slither from the woodwork when backed by falsehoods and doctored information."

Shit. He'd overheard far too much of my conversation.

"I do agree with you but that doesn't change the fact you're a stick in the mud."

"I am, huh?"

"Yes, you are." As I folded my arms across my chest, giving him a hard look, his expression at least shifted to one of amusement. "Do you even know how to have fun?"

"Of course I do."

"Okay. Tell me the last thing you've done for fun."

"I had a beer with one of my buddies."

"Shocking. I'm surprised you have any friends given your sullen moods." Okay, I was pushing him as hard as he enjoyed doing to me, but I figured at this point, what did I have to lose? Was he going to spank me because I'd challenged him?

The sinful thought gave me another little quiver.

While the man wasn't an emotional guy, he could easily express his quickly changing moods by the shimmer in his eyes. I'd never seen anything like it, his irises changing color when he was angry or famished. Tonight, the gold flecks were incredible, as if a fire was burning on a beautiful sun-kissed day.

But I felt the hint of anger, the need and desire oozing from him in a shower of electricity that crackled my skin.

He suddenly crowded my space, taking a deep breath. Everything about the man was intoxicating and he knew it. He exuded power and utter control, but I sensed that control cracking. "Yes, I have friends, although I learned a long time ago indulging in something so… normal could lead to being betrayed."

"How sad for you to go through life worrying about treachery." I sidestepped him and he grabbed my arm. While his fingers dug into my skin, he wasn't trying to hurt me. There was something exhausting about trying to break down his walls, or maybe the lack of sleep the past few nights was finally getting to me.

"It's a byproduct of?—"

"Yes, I know. The world you live in. I got it. I just wish you could let your hair down. You might be surprised how much more enjoyable your life would be."

I glared at him before taking a wide arc as I walked to a group of cabinets, throwing open the pantry doors then searching for anything remotely considered junk food. When I noticed a box of rice crackers, I grimaced, yanking it into my hand. "Really? Is this your idea of junk food? And there's no goddamn chocolate in this house! Don't you know that's the best way to fend off a snarling female beast?"

Damn the man. Why did he need to take this moment and show off his sexy dimples? "What's wrong, little fawn? You don't like rice cakes?"

"Oh, please. If I can't go out, you're going to buy some junk food, all for me. I'll hoard the stash in my room, so you won't be tempted if that's what you're worried about."

"Let Milly know anything you'd like. Chocolate included."

"I'm not talking about Milly. Have you ever been in a goddamn grocery store in your life? Or do you have secretaries and assistants lined up to make all your purchases?" When he hesitated, I laughed. "So you don't have fun and I'm correct on scores of women lining up to do your bidding. Fine and dandy. Then order me up some Twizzlers, red shoestrings will do. And potato chips and French onion dip. And Doritos. There's nothing better than a cold beer and nacho Doritos. And decadent chocolate ice cream, the fudgy kind with the big chunks of brownies? Yes, I know you wouldn't understand, Mr. Healthy, Dangerous, and Ruthless. Well, there might not be any junk food in this house but I'm going to watch a horror flick."

He didn't say anything at all, but his look of amusement remained.

"And what would you do if you had a box of gooey popcorn and chocolate?"

"I'd grab a blanket and plop my ass down in front of a horror movie. The savage kind. You need junk food when you watch horror flicks."

"Something else I'll keep in mind."

We had a tiny stare-down for a few seconds before I snarled. "You are the most difficult man I've ever met. One day I'm going to force you into having some fun. Mark my words." Daring him to defy me was silly. He was as quiet as a church mouse as usual. Huffing, I grabbed my glass of wine and the rest of the bottle, giving him another look before heading toward the door.

"Enjoy your night, Ms. Adams. I'm headed to bed. We'll start bright and early tomorrow."

To bed.

Alone.

By himself.

You asked for this. You're the only who wanted to remain strictly professional.

It was his way of reminding me that I'd wanted the wall shoved between us. It was also his way of telling me that he had no intention of joining me.

Well, fuck him. I didn't need him anyway.

Somehow, some way, I would find a delicious, brutal, and bloody movie that suited my mood.

And I was going to play it loud and proud. Okay, so it was a media room but maybe I could direct the speakers at the open door.

I snickered as I jogged up the stairs. It was obvious to me that with all the money in the world, the man had no understanding of how to live.

What a shame.