Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

RICHARD

" I want you to buy up a controlling interest in a company called Shelton Pharmaceuticals." Opening the center white-framed door behind my desk, I stepped out onto the expansive balcony. Leaning against the intricate wrought iron railing, I listened as my broker rattled off current market pricing for shares.

"I don't give a damn. Offer them over market price if necessary. And set up an appointment with a Dr. Leilend."

"Is that the guy working on the memory drug?" came the disjointed voice on the other end of the line.

"You're not paid to ask questions. Just do as I say." Hanging up the cordless phone, I tossed it onto a nearby table and took in the view.

Staring absently as the London Eye Ferris wheel slowly turned, I caught glimpses of a murky gray Thames somberly ambling its way through the West End under an equally gray sky. Most would consider this view impressive and with my office's prominent location on the west side of Robert Street, I certainly paid excessively for the privilege, but it didn't compare to the landscape of my favorite estate in Staffordshire.

Returning to the warmth of my office, I sat back down and began to shift through the endless piles of reports and contracts that required my attention. The most important being the detailed report I had on Elizabeth's every movement for the last several weeks, almost since she entered the country. Being a member of the House of Lords certainly had its benefits; no one questioned too deeply when you asked for all the CCTV footage on someone. There wasn't a tiny corner in London she had gone to without being recorded, all to my benefit.

Unfortunately, my thoughts were elsewhere.

On a pair of vivid green eyes and a lush, cherry pink mouth to be precise.

Looking over the wide expanse of my rosewood English partner's desk, I could just imagine Elizabeth spread out like a sacrificial offering. Her pale skin and chestnut hair given a warm glow from the gold-accented crimson leather desktop. The eighteenth-century chandelier I insisted on keeping when I restored this period home into my London flat and office would send shimmers of sparkling light and tiny dancing rainbows across her generous curves.

Shifting in my seat, I pulled on my trouser pants to adjust for my growing cock. Pressing down its length with the edge of my palm, the pressure eased my discomfort only marginally. Nothing would truly satisfy me until I was finally able to plunge balls deep into her tight, wet heat.

Still, I would have to wait.

Denial was part of the game.

As a man who could have whatever, whenever he wanted, restraint and control were the only true pleasures left to me. A prize easily won was no prize. The true pleasure was in savoring the feelings of fierce longing and need. The tension and buildup of anticipation as you slowly encircled your prey.

Elizabeth was a beautiful unique bird I planned to cage and make my own. The true strategy of the game came in doing so before my little bird even realized she was in danger.

From the moment I saw her several weeks ago, sitting in the sunshine at St. James's Park reading a copy of Frankenstein , biting her lip as she absently twirled a lock of chestnut hair, I was drawn to her innocence and beauty.

While others divided their attention between phones and e-readers, only occasionally sparing a glance for their companions, Elizabeth remained absorbed in the physical book in her hand. Entranced, I watched her raise one delicate finger to those pretty lips and lick the tip before turning a page. For over two hours, I watched as she stayed within the moment, lifting her face to the warmth of the sun, inhaling the sweet grass scent around her, watching the glistening blue waters of the lake as shadows from the sweeping weeping willow trees that lined the edge began to deepen.

It was enthralling.

Finally, a woman who could appreciate the moments and life around her without the obsessive intrusions of modern life and technology, all of which I abhorred.

Pulling open my desk drawer, I withdrew a small royal blue box. Tracing circles on the soft fabric with the tips of my fingers, I thought about my plans for tonight.

Last night I had given Elizabeth just a taste of my expectations. Tonight I would demand an even deeper submission from her.

With each move across the board, I brought my pawn closer and closer to the edge; soon the trap would spring shut.

Lifting up the box, I placed it in the inside pocket of my dinner jacket before pressing the small button on the side of my desk that would notify my assistant I was leaving and would expect the driver to be ready with my car out front.

At precisely 7:57 p.m., my car pulled up outside her building. Telling the driver I would alight on my own, I pulled the sides of my suit coat closed and buttoned it as I shut the car door. Sparing a glance down both sides of Fetter Lane, I easily picked out the men I had hired to watch over her and the building. The apartment building was safe enough but I wouldn't be fully at ease until I removed her from it to one of my estates. There were too many uncontrollable variables here in the city. I needed her where I knew she would be surrounded by people loyal only to me.

Where she would be under my complete control.

Pinching the bridge of my nose as I willed my lengthening cock to subside, I took a deep breath and relaxed my features.

Time to play the dashing Mr. Darcy for my Elizabeth.

Although I didn't doubt for a moment she would, I was nonetheless pleased to see her wearing the gown I sent. From this point forward, when she was in my presence, I wanted her wearing only clothes that I had provided for her. I preferred to know the soft fabrics caressing her skin were owned by me, as she soon would be.

Seeing her standing there, looking every bit the nervous ingénue I knew her to be, taxed my restraint. I knew there would be nothing to stop me from tearing that expensive gown off her lithe body and fucking her right here and right now against the wall. Nothing to stop me, including her own pleas. Yet, in a perverse way, I knew the fact that I didn't give in to that primal urge was more satisfying than the sex would be.

Anyone could force a quick fuck on a woman. It took true skill to mold and shape her into your fantasy mate, to control her mind as well as her body, convincing her to ignore the warning bells and follow you down a shadowed path of immoral and ever deepening depraved acts.

There was far more satisfaction in tempting an angel to follow you into hell than the fleeting pleasure to be had from merely pushing them out of heaven.

"You look stunning."

Framed in the narrow doorway, Elizabeth was a vision of shimmering pale pink. The ruffles gave the gown an innocent, almost girlish appeal, which was belied by the shadow of cleavage and just a tantalizing hint of nipple that could be seen through the layers of sheer fabric.

"Shall we?" I said, offering my arm.

As she raised her hand to take it, I caught a glimpse of a small black clutch purse. Winking, I took the purse from her and set it on a small table just inside her flat door. "You won't be needing that." Before she could protest, I gently took the keys from her hand and locked the door, carefully pocketing them before once more offering my arm.

"A lady should want for nothing when in the company of a true gentleman," I murmured in her ear, catching the lemon verbena scent of her hair, liking how the soft pink gown brought out the gold highlights in her chestnut locks.

I was close enough to hear the slight catch in her breath as her eyelids fluttered briefly. My sweet little bird was so easy to please… and manipulate.

As Elizabeth slid over the leather seat of my black Rolls Royce Phantom, she exclaimed, "This car is amazing! I feel like I've stepped back in time."

After nodding to the driver to proceed, I turned my complete attention on her.

"I'm glad you like it. I confess I'm a bit old-fashioned. I prefer vintage cars and antiques to anything modern."

Warming to the topic, Elizabeth turned in her seat to face me. Once more, I was struck by her beautiful, delicate features. I couldn't wait to see them contorted with both pleasure and pain. Her pretty mouth open on a scream as I plowed into her from behind after ruthlessly whipping her with my belt.

Soon.

"Me, too! I'm absolutely in love with the Victorian era, everything about it from the dresses, to the balls, to the carriages. It's one of the things I love about London. If you block out all the noise from the traffic and just focus on the buildings and parks, you can almost imagine you are back in time."

Stroking her cheek, I asked her, "Would you like that? To one day be able to live like a Victorian with all the dresses and jewels and servants?"

Elizabeth leaned back against the soft leather seat and gave me a wistful look. "If only. Perhaps one day I'll get cast in play or movie so I could pretend." Elizabeth played with the ruffles of her dress, nervously flattening them out over her thighs. "I haven't told you, but one of the reasons why my focus is on costume design is because I also kind of want to be an actress."

I placed a calming hand over her fidgeting ones. "Why are you nervous?"

She shrugged. Refusing to meet my gaze, she said, "I found out you're an important duke and everything. I guess I'm just worried that you'll think dating a fashion student wannabe actress beneath you."

I could barely hear her. The confession was whispered to her lap behind a curtain of gorgeously thick hair. Taking her hair in my hand, I pushed it back over her shoulder and placed a finger under her jaw, tilting her face toward me. "I want you to listen very carefully, little one." Using the backs of my knuckles I stroked her cheek, feeling the press of her high cheekbone. "I find you not only beautiful but completely charming." Tapping the tip of her nose, I continued, "From the tip of your pert nose to those gorgeous eyes of yours." I was pleased to see a pink blush bloom on her cheeks.

"Really?" she asked, a wistful look in her bright eyes.

Framing her face with my hands, I leaned in. "I don't give a damn about my title, the age difference, or your future plans. You enthrall me, Elizabeth." My lips caressed hers. "At this very moment, I would give up all my wealth for just…" I licked her full bottom lip, "a taste of these lips."

I swallowed her sigh as my mouth descended. Slipping my tongue inside, I felt the scrape of her teeth along the edge as I pressed my body closer, forcing her back onto the seat cushions. My hand drifted from her jaw to skim the side of her breast before clasping her narrow waist as I deepened the kiss. She tasted of sweet peppermint and I wanted more.

Her hands gripped my shoulders before spearing her fingers through my hair, gripping the short length tight. The hint of pain spurred me on. I let her feel the ridge of my cock as it pressed against her thigh. As I licked and nipped along the slim column of her neck, I could see her spare a glance for the driver under her lashes. I loved the fact that being observed seemed to turn her on more, just like at the restaurant last night.

I would never share her with anyone but knowing someone was forced to look and never touch as I claimed her as my own, over and over again, did have a certain appeal.

Plus, it played perfectly into my plans for her further education this evening.

Releasing her lips, I placed a hand between her shoulder blades and eased her back into a sitting position. I was pleased to see her lips were a bee-stung dark pink from my kiss.

Her eyes remained glassy and unfocused as the car pulled up in front of the Dorchester hotel. A uniformed porter ran to open our door.

Placing a hand on her lower back, I guided her through the lobby to our destination.

Elizabeth's eyes lit up when she saw the opulence of the Alain Ducasse dining room. The Michelin-star restaurant was filled with the soft murmurings of guests, the clink of crystal, and the rich scents of fine French cuisine as we followed the tuxedoed ma?tre d' to our table.

She looked up at me in confusion when he stopped before a large oval curtain of shimmering optical fibers located in the center of the dining room. Pushing the luminescent curtain aside, he gestured for us to step forward.

"This is the most amazing thing I have ever seen." She slowly walked around the enclosed space, circling the private table as she ran her fingers over the curtain of dancing light. Taking our seats, I waited for the headwaiter to pour us both a glass of Krug Rose Champagne in their signature Saint-Louis crystal flutes before turning to her.

"To the beginning of what I hope will be a very special relationship."

Watching as she raised the glass to her still slightly swollen lips, I felt the truth in my toast. She was special, of that I was absolutely certain. In her, I had finally found the one.

Reaching into my coat pocket, I pulled out the deep blue jewelry box and slid it across the tablecloth between us.

Elizabeth bit her lip and didn't reach for it. "Look. I really love the dress and I know I probably shouldn't have accepted it; I didn't have a way to reach you and didn't want you to be offended if I didn't wear it, but…."

Lifting my glass to my lips, I took a sip of champagne to hide my smile.

"…I don't want you to think, I mean, even though I know now, I didn't know before and I already liked you by then so it doesn't really change anything for me and I don't want you to think that it would or that I would in any way expect things like this and… and… well, whatever that is because I definitely wouldn't and you've probably heard that before but I really do mean it; I'm not sure how I can prove it other than to not accept…"

Cutting off her rather impressive rambling, I remarked, "Baby, are you trying to tell me you don't care about my money?"

Relieved, she nodded. Holding a hand up to her heart, she said, "Honestly, I had no idea who you were when you saved me from that cab. This is absolutely beautiful but you could have taken me for fish and chips at the corner pub and it would have been just as nice."

Lifting the lid on the signature royal blue Chaumet Paris box, I opened the sleeves on each side to reveal a pink gold, diamond, and sapphire brooch nestled within.

Elizabeth's pretty mouth opened. "Oh, my God, it's beautiful."

Lifting the bird-shaped brooch out of the box, I leaned over to pin it to her dress, knowing in advance the pale rose gold would complement it.

"Richard, you really shouldn't have."

"It's only the beginning of all the things I have planned for you."