Chapter 5

Penny

Oh, God.

I'd walked into a bad crime movie, the stupid girl who ran into danger instead of hightailing in the opposite direction. Consequences? The word was sending bells into the darkest crevices of my mind.

There was nothing like being a do-gooder then finding yourself captive to some unknown powerhouse of a man.

Did the Russian bastard really believe I would buy for a second that I'd be safe anywhere around him? All I had to do was plant the image of the brainless man inside my mind and I knew better. What kind of name was Kraven?

Every thought suddenly turned lurid, the sultry images leaving me wet and hot. Which was silly. Stupid.

However, I'd had no choice but to come with him. I was outnumbered. In truth, I was his captive. Since I'd witnessed a man being killed in front of me, he would never allow me to escape even if I wasn't in danger. Why would he? If I went to the police, he'd be in a jam. Not that I wouldn't. I mean, I'd had a hand in getting the guy killed. Right? Oh, I was in deep shit, more so than I'd even found myself involved in.

I was so nervous, I was ready to issue insults but managed to keep my mouth shut, trying to take the blond's advice not to piss him off.

At least one of his men had grabbed the few items I needed from my shitty car, promising to bring the vehicle to me at some point, wherever the hell we were going. Then he'd carefully placed the items in the back of one of two giant black SUVs before Kraven had opened the door of a stunning crimson Maserati, waiting until I was secured in the passenger seat, Remington right behind me shoved onto the tiny backseat before closing the door. After that he'd placed the remainder of the chimkin he'd reordered into my lap. My baby had been hungry, eating a huge portion of it while still in the restaurant, slurping up water as if he was completely comfortable.

And it was obvious my pup adored the sexy Russian.

Traitor.

The entire night had been insane but sitting in a two-hundred-thousand-dollar vehicle make me feel a bit like a queen.

Even if I was still covered in blood.

My skin crawling.

My heart had never raced to this point.

And I couldn't catch my breath.

One of my hands was tightly clenched around the edge of the dashboard as he drove, the other never leaving my fur baby. The man's heated stare was enough to keep me on edge.

The roar of the engine had as strange an effect on me as the powerful man did. My pussy was throbbing, my core overheated. There was so much electricity passing through us I was shocked my heart wasn't in defibrillation at this point. However handsome the man was, that didn't give him the right to treat me as if by saving his life I'd become his possession.

As he drove through the city streets, the darkness seemed more oppressive than normal, even with all the neon-infused lights glaring in my face. The fact I couldn't stop shaking was as if my instinct was jabbing me every few seconds, telling me that I'd slid into a homerun of danger. He picked up speed, constantly glancing into his rearview mirror, which prompted me to glance into the side mirror, realizing the two utility vehicles were following closely behind. With the steel armor I'd seen the men carrying before, I wouldn't put it past Kraven that all three vehicles were bulletproof. Who the hell were these people?

"Relax, Penny. I meant what I said before," Kraven said as he glanced over. "I owe you first and foremost."

"You don't owe me anything. I just need to find a place to stay with my car that's safe. I won't tell anyone what I saw."

"No, you won't, because I won't allow you to. In case you haven't figured it out, there are some very bad people in this town, thugs who go out of their way to canvass parking lots looking for victims. We're almost at a safe location, just breathe. If you know the Morelli brothers, then you've met at least two of them."

He must be kidding.

When he made a turn, heading toward the most incredible resorts and casinos on the strip, I was even more uneasy. However, the moment he pulled onto the aggregate and massive driveway leading to the most opulent hotel in the entire city, a location where a single room with a queen-size bed cost over two thousand dollars a night, my uneasiness switched immediately to rage.

"Oh, fuck, no. I'm not a whore. No matter what you think. I'll wash dishes. I'll serve food. Hell, I'll clean rooms, but I will not sleep with you to pay for the food I ate. I will not do it."

The stunning lights from the two-story fountain and those illuminating the already shimmering hotel fa?ade highlighted his look of sheer amusement. "I wouldn't dream of asking you to perform sexual favors for a pizza, some lousy chimkin and breadsticks. I do have certain morals of my own whether you choose to believe that or not." He pulled up to the valet stand and within a split second, one of the three young men in tuxedos standing behind the counter raced to the driver's door, opening it with his eyes diverted to the pavement.

"Good evening, Mr. Sokolov. Welcome home. I see you have a guest for the evening." The guy's voice was not nearly as steady as it should be, as if Kraven might eat him alive. Well, who knew? Maybe the Russian had plans on it as a form of punishment.

Woof. Woof.

Remington's bark drew my attention, and I pressed my face into his fur, still able to look up at the forty-story building in awe.

"Yes, Michael, and please make certain you have her things from my associate's vehicle brought up to my suite," Kraven instructed before handing him the keys, buttoning his jacket and scanning the area, his jaw more clenched than before.

Another attendant opened my door, but it was the sensual man's outstretched arm that reached into the car, not the kid who I was certain would pass out at any moment.

I had no choice but to place my hand in his, which sent a series of vibrations into me. As soon as Kraven pulled me out, I tried to yank my fingers away, but he gave me the same heated look, cocking his head as if he didn't need to say a word.

"I'm not leaving Remington in this fucking car. He's not an animal. He's my child. It's likely you're clueless about family." Egg him on, girlfriend, and you'll be swimming with the fishies.

"Why would you think I'd force you to leave your dog inside my car overnight?" I hated how amused he seemed, longing to wipe the damn look from his face.

"This is a billion-dollar hotel. I doubt they allow animals in your swanky rooms, even service pups."

Kraven narrowed his eyes and I'll be damned if he didn't bring my knuckles to his mouth, pressing his luscious, full lips from one to another. I was mortified and tingling from excitement at the same time. "Red Penny. I own this resort and two others, which means I make up the rules. Remington is coming with us."

As soon as my fur baby scampered out, I grabbed his leash, trying to swallow the huge lump in my throat. As if that was even possible. He'd let me give my pup a chance to use the bathroom before and the strangest thought drifted through me about whether I'd be allowed to take him out to do his business at all. It was ridiculous after what I'd done and seen, but once a mommy dog, always a mommy dog.

Kraven waited until we were both on the sidewalk, pressing his hand against the small of my back as he led us inside. I couldn't help but notice two of the three men who'd been with him in the restaurant were following closely behind. Was the hulking Russian so important that he needed constant bodyguards?

Another ‘duh' moment hit my brain. Yeah, he was. Some asshole had just tried to blow his brains out.

I was instantly struck by the beauty and opulence of the hotel, the lobby an open atrium leading up to several floors, the largest chandelier I'd ever seen appearing to be floating in the air. Every crystal was dazzling, reflecting pearlescent colors from the tiny LED lights coming from various sources.

The incredible deep mahogany wood floor was covered in several locations by plush, ornate rugs, adding soft ambience to the half dozen or more seating areas. Hundreds of people were milling about, all dressed like I'd thought people did when in Las Vegas. Boy, had I been wrong. I'd expected sequins and tuxedos, at least at night, not Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts for men, tight-fitting sundresses if that for women.

But this place reeked of money, as if every single person allowed to stay was required to provide a financial statement of their wealth. I was as overwhelmed as I was impressed.

Even more so with the fact there wasn't a single employee who didn't greet Kraven with a smile and lower their eyes. What the hell was that about?

He stopped at a desk, which wasn't about checking in.

"Good evening, Mr. Sokolov. What can I do for you?"

"Good evening, Chastity. Please have a bottle of our finest champagne sent to my suite along with a selection of fresh fruits and cheeses."

"Right away, sir," the lovely young woman cooed. Was it possible that every woman who gazed in his direction was pulled into his lair? It was silly, at least in my opinion. No man would ever be worth treating him like some god.

"And this is my guest, Penny…" He looked in my direction, obviously waiting for me to provide my last name.

I almost said ‘Smith' to throw him off, but I had a feeling if he owned the hotel, he could easily find out who I was. "Valentine. Penny Valentine."

At least he seemed pleased by my name, giving me an appreciative nod. "Make certain Penny has everything she needs. I will be sending a list of purchases that must be made to you later."

"Of course, sir. Welcome to the Palace, Ms. Valentine. Let you give you my card with my personal cellphone number. If there's anything you need during your stay, please give me a call."

"Thank you," I said as I took it into my hand, starting to feel lightheaded from the entire experience. Thankfully, Remington was being a very good boy, several people even stopping to greet him as we headed toward a bank of elevators. When we passed them, heading to a single one glazed in the color bronze, I knew instantly it was his private elevator.

Instead of using a card like most guests would do for the exclusive floors, he pressed his fingertips against a control pad, the doors immediately opening. After ushering me and Remington inside, walking in himself, he finally acted as if he was going to relax, even jerking at his tie.

"I'll have the panel reprogrammed with your fingerprints tomorrow," he stated as if what he'd told me was a normal thing. "As long as you behave."

Behave? Did he think I was going to turn into his slave? "How long do you think I'm going to stay here?"

"As long as it takes for me to hunt down the other perpetrators of the attempted assassination. Given several of my enemies will go to great lengths to prevent me from learning the responsible party, that may take a while."

"Oh, hell, no. I need a job. I need to find a place to live. I need a new life."

"I assure you that my suite is big enough for the both of us." He leaned against the back wall, far more relaxed than I felt. "And you will learn very quickly that what I say goes. Period."

"And let me guess. If I don't obey you, I'll be punished."

All he had to do was to lower his head until our lips were almost touching. When he brushed his knuckles on the side of my face. I fought not only nerves crunching my system but desire.

Raging hunger.

I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, the gorgeous man the epitome of every girl's darkest fantasy. He crowded my space, pushing me against the back of the elevator and I wanted to push him away, I really did.

But I had no willpower around him.

When he slipped his hand underneath my hair, squeezing the back of my neck, I should have fought him with everything I had.

But I didn't.

Instead, I dragged my tongue across my lower lip, as if offering him an invitation.

And he took it.

The moment his lips crushed down on mine, my pulse surged. The best I could do was push my hand against his chest, shuddering as the feel of his rock-hard body slammed into my system. He took his time kissing me, gently sliding his tongue past my lips, taking full control.

And I was caught off guard enough to allow him. My pussy was wet, my mind spinning out of control. Everything about him was enticing, including the way he slowly crawled his other hand down the side of my breast. When I felt him unfastening the button on my jeans, pulling the edges apart until he was able to wiggle his fingers under my thong, I was mortified.

Yet excited.

So wet.

And hot.

I was a mess around him, hating the fact my panties were damp, my nipples hard.

He was forceful yet passionate, somehow managing to roll his finger around my clit as his tongue explored my mouth. The moment was both scintillating and shocking. But I was still frozen, barely able to knead his chest through his shirt.

The pleasure was intense, lights flashing in front of my eyes. How he managed to drive at least two fingers into my tight channel I would never know but I found myself bucking against him. How could I do that? How could I want this?

He pumped for a few seconds longer, somehow managing to find my G-spot, which had never happened before. My skin was flushed. Even my ears were ringing. If he didn't stop, he would force me into an unwanted orgasm.

I could swear time stood still, but when he backed away, I felt an immediate loss. Blinking, I watched in near horror as he slipped his fingers into his mouth, sucking as his eyelids were suddenly half closed. I was in awe and repulsed at the same time.

When he finally pulled his hand away, he issued a husky growl. "Delicious. So sweet. Just as I thought. You and I are going to become very close, Penny. And do you want to know why?"

I could barely find my voice. "Why?"

"Because once I've tasted something so exquisite, I always make it mine."