Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

ROMAN

H earing the soft knock, I opened the bedroom door. After placing my finger to my lips to signal quiet, I took the breakfast tray from the servant and used my foot to close the door. Crossing toward the bed, I set the tray on the bureau then sat near Aurora's sleeping form.

I loved watching her sleep, especially after exhausting her with my sexual demands. There was just something so fascinating about observing the change from debauched seductress who begged me to fuck her hard to sweet innocent gently sleeping by my side. It was one of the many things that intrigued me about her. Despite her difficult childhood, she could be na?ve and completely without guile one moment and an intelligent adversary taking me on the next.

She had come dangerously close to guessing my entire game last night. While she may have accepted my auxiliary role in the downfall of her mother and stepfather, she could never know the direct role I played. I wouldn't apologize for it even if she found out. I had no regrets about the lengths I went to, to have this moment right here and now. However, it would make things difficult moving forward if she were to continually fight me over our past.

I needed her to move forward and think of our future together.

I placed a hand on her abdomen. It softly rose and fell with her breath. I imagined what it would feel like to feel the kick of my child beneath my hand. Soon.

Soon, Aurora would provide me with the loving and devoted family they had denied me as a child. Unlike before, this family would never leave me. They would be mine and mine alone. I would see to it. My children would want for nothing. They would never experience the cold, gnawing hunger for sustenance, both physical and emotional, that I'd had throughout my formative years.

I had long ago accepted that I was a man incapable of feeling love. That weak emotion had been beaten out of me. But my children would know love, and warmth, and comfort from their mother.

Aurora would be the glowing light in the center of their world. It was one reason why I had chosen her above all others. I wanted my children to know the wholehearted, pure love of a mother.

And what of their father , asked my traitorous soul?

I lifted my hand off her body as my fingers curled into a fist.

Their father would continue as he always had, alone.

Loving Aurora was not an option. It could never be an option.

I was no fool. I knew what I was capable of. If I felt this intensely about simply possessing her, I frightened even myself imagining what I would do if I loved her.

It would be the destruction of us both.

That didn't mean I didn't want her to love me. I wanted it above all else. I wanted her to open her eyes every morning and gaze at me with adoration. She and our children would have every luxury my extensive wealth could buy. That would have to be enough for her.

Aurora stirred.

I held my breath, waiting for the moment that with each passing day had become more and more important to my existence.

Her eyelids fluttered.

I waited.

The black curtain of her eyelashes lifted. Bright sapphire blue eyes greeted me. For just the barest of seconds, they were filled with sweet warmth and affection. It was like the sun's rays finally touching my face.

Then the curtain would close.

When her eyelids opened again, they'd be filled with wariness and a touch of fear. The moment lost as the reality of our relationship rudely intruded.

Her gaze scanned my suit. She lifted onto her elbows. "How late is it? Did I oversleep?"

I brushed back an errant lock of hair from her cheek. "After last night, I thought you could use your sleep."

Her cheeks blossomed into a pretty blush.

After our heated exchange in Leicester Square, we were both too worked up to make it home. I had driven to a secluded area just outside of London proper and fucked her bent over the warm hood of my car. I will forever remember the image of her gorgeous legs opened and spread between the bright beams of the car's headlights as I had shifted that ridiculous dress's hem even higher than it already was and sunk deep inside her wet and ready pussy.

When we returned home, I stripped her bare in front of the fire and tossed the dress into the flames. She stayed curled on my lap like a contented kitten while we both watched the lace fabric smolder and burn.

Last night she had played a dangerous game and lost.

Hopefully, she had learned her lesson.

It was foolish to test a man who had no limits.

She leaned against the headboard as she pulled the blanket high to cover her naked breasts. "Roman, about last night?—"

I rose. "Unless you are about to agree with me that those were the best damn fish and chips you've ever eaten, let's not talk about it."

She ran a hand through her hair and smiled. "They were very good. Do you really know that man and his food cart?"

"Hamish?"

She nodded.

"Yes. I've known him for several years now. Contrary to what you may think, I don't always relish walking around terrorizing the villagers. Occasionally, it is nice to just be one in a crowd."

She tilted her head to the side and stared at me. "Thank you for sharing that with me."

I frowned. "Sharing what? My love of fried fish?"

She shook her head. "You know, not everything has to be a standoff, Roman. You don't always have to be so guarded about every little detail of your life."

Uncomfortable with the direction of her thoughts, I stepped away from the bed and picked up the breakfast tray. I then settled it over her lap. I lifted the cloche off her dish.

Aurora exclaimed with delight as she picked up the sterling silver fork and knife. "Eggy bread with smoked kippers!"

I rolled my eyes as I set the lid aside. "Give the girl a diamond necklace, and she barely smiles. Give her eggy bread with some smelly fish and she squeals in delight."

Aurora placed a forkful of kippers in her mouth and moaned. "So good."

I leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. As I crossed our bedroom to the dressing room, I tossed over my shoulder, "I'm going to try to not take offense that you made the same moaning noise last night when I was feasting on that sweet pussy of yours."

"Roman!"

I chuckled at her mock embarrassment as I selected a tie and returned to the bedroom. As I passed the bureau, I lifted the red-covered dossier I had prepared. I tossed the thick file onto the bed next to her legs and adjusted the two ends of my tie as I prepared to tie a Windsor knot.

Aurora frowned. "What is that?"

"Open it and see."

She patted the corners of her cute mouth with the cloth napkin and lifted the heavy file. It only took a moment of her flipping through the pages for her to look back up at me. "These are biographies of some of the greatest musicians in the world right now."

Unable to resist her innocent charm, I kissed her on the top of her head. "Yes, and all are awaiting your command."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You need to stop painting me as the villain, baby girl. Never have I ever even hinted that I didn't want you to cultivate your remarkable talent. Although I will admit, while I am not eager to share you with the world, as a music lover, I would never deprive the world either. I want you to play. Those musicians are waiting to be your teacher, and when you are ready, I will rent out the most glorious concert halls around Europe for you. They will throw roses at your feet."

Her mouth dropped open as she listened to my impassioned speech.

I knew it would affect her, probably because it was at least partially true.

The greatest lies always contained a kernel of truth.

She held up the file. "There is no way these musicians want to put their careers on hold just to teach me."

I smirked. "You'd be surprised what money can buy, kitten."

She lowered her head and traced the red leather binding of the dossier with her fingertips. "What about France?"

My jaw stiffened. I didn't want to discuss France. I didn't want to remember how she had conspired with another man to leave me. "Watch it, little one," I warned. "Review the file and select a new teacher."

She flipped through the file again. "I notice they are all women."

I smiled. "Exactly."

I gave her another kiss and left for work.

My assistant greeted me as I walked through the main entrance of my primary office headquarters.

"Good morning, Mr. Winterbourne. Your nine-thirty has been moved to ten and your ten o'clock has been moved to eleven to give you a chance to review the new projections," said Charles as he hurried to keep in step with my long strides.

I took the file he was holding out of his hand as we entered the elevator. I then reached into the inner pocket of my suit jacket and pulled out the thin wallet taken from the asshole who'd dared to accost Aurora last night. "Go through this wallet. Learn everything you can about the man and how to ruin him."

"Yes, sir." Charles took the wallet as we exited the elevator and approached my office doors.

"Is Winston here?"

"Yes, sir. He has everything set up in your office, just like you requested."

"Very good." As I crossed the threshold, I could hear Charles on the phone. "Operation Scorched Earth." He then rattled off the name and address of the man unfortunate enough to have frightened Aurora last night. Now he would pay with everything he held dear. Extreme? Maybe. But I didn't really give a damn.

The moment he saw me, Winston and his small army of somber-clad assistants bowed in greeting. "Good morning, Mr. Winterbourne. I received your message."

My gaze scanned the long conference table. Around the perimeter were numerous slim black leather cases. I nodded. "Proceed."

Winston snapped his fingers. The black-suited attendants sprang into action. They raised the lids of all the black cases. Nestled on purple velvet was a dazzling array of diamond and other precious jewel engagement rings.

Winston stood to my left as he swept his arm over the display. "I have included gold and platinum settings with every shape and size diamond I had in my store. We have emerald, princess, round, oval, pear, and cushion." He placed a palm over his heart. "We also have my personal favorites: Asscher, marquise, and radiant. And of course, nothing under ten carats."

Clasping my hands behind my back, I strolled around the conference table. It was a gratuitous display of wealth. Gaudy even. Diamonds so large they looked fake graced each leather case. They would brand any woman who wore one on her finger the property of a rich and powerful man.

They were all wrong.

I would never put my Aurora on display as some kind of token trophy wife for others to envy and idolize. She may be a masterpiece, but she was my masterpiece. I had no intention of ever putting her out into the world as an extension of my wealth. Her mind, body, and musical talents were works of art that would always have one and only one admirer, me. It was only in an effort to keep her happy that I was even considering allowing her to perform piano concerts, and even then, the situation would be carefully controlled by me. All those in attendance would be carefully screened in advance, and no photos of her would ever be allowed to be taken.

I waved a dismissive hand over the rings. "Take them away."

Winston's smile faltered. "Are you displeased?"

"I wanted something special and unique. Not some overpriced bauble that any man with a half-million pounds could purchase," I sneered as I returned to my desk.

Winston stood in the center of my office in indecision. Then he clapped his hands and ordered the attendants to grab the leather cases and depart.

Approaching my desk, Winston once again placed his palm over his heart in a placating gesture. "If you will indulge me, I believe I have the perfect ring for you. I will return alone within the hour."

Without looking up from my paperwork, I nodded.

As good as his word, Winston returned less than an hour later. From his pocket, he pulled out a small sterling silver ring box. He handed it to me without saying a word.

Crossing to the window overlooking the park where I first laid eyes on Aurora, I opened the box.

The emerald cut stone was in a simple platinum setting, flanked by smaller diamonds. It couldn't be over four carats in size. As I tilted the box in the light, the stone shifted from sapphire blue to emerald green with hints of red.

Winston stayed a respectable distance away and spoke softly. "It is a very rare Alexandrite stone from the czarist court of Russia in the eighteenth century. The stone's provenance links it back to a tiara worn by Catherine the Great herself. Of Alexandrite, many say it is an emerald by day, but a dark ruby at night. It changes with the light. It is by far rarer and more precious than any diamond of any size. It is also most rare to see an Alexandrite stone with such dramatic color changes as this one. It is truly a one-of-a-kind ring. I took the liberty of putting it in a simple setting, but we can always switch it to something more elaborate if you prefer, sir."

I stared at the stone's mercurial shifts in color. It immediately reminded me of Aurora. The way her sapphire blue eyes had sparks of almost golden green when she was angry or aroused. The mysterious flashes of ruby red in the stone hinted at a concealed passionate side only someone close to her would see. I tilted the ring in another direction, capturing the bright afternoon sun. It was as if the ring caught fire in a brilliant display of deep jewel tones that winked and teased at hidden depths.

"It's perfect."