Chapter 12

"How are things going in here?" I poke my head into the room I've provided Cora with. Between a shower to clean up and taking time to put the things I bought her earlier away, she's been in here for a couple of hours.

"Yes. I'm nearly done." She turns and flashes a coy smile in my direction before returning to the items she's folding and placing neatly into one of the dresser drawers. "These things—they're gorgeous—but you really don't need to?—"

"Things are not nearly as gorgeous as you," I mutter under my breath, more to myself than her.

This room has been her safe space since she got here. A place she can retreat to between the time we spend together, the majority of it has been with me inside her. It isn't where I want her—in a room by herself, on the other end of the house from me. But I'm determined that she's going to be different.

She won't be like the others.

"I've told you, I want you to make sure you have everything you need to make yourself at home. I want you to be comfortable here as my guest."

Because you're going to be here for a while

"Your guest." Her voice holds a hint of sarcasm as she lightly ticks up the corner of her mouth before she jests,"A guest with free use of her cunt."

"Don't." My voice is deep and my tone flat as anger heats the back of my neck a deep shade of scarlet. I quickly cross the distance between us. Towering over her, my chest heaves, and I attempt to regain my composure before saying anything further.

She stares up at me, and there is no mistaking the glimmer of fear in those grayish-blue eyes of hers. Even if it wasn't in her eyes, I can smell it. It wafts off her like fucking pheromones—making her fucking irresistible.

Fuck, Samuel.

Reel it back in.

You've managed to keep that part of you at bay since she got here.

Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I open them to find her swallowing hard as she continues to stare up my chest. Lightly gripping her chin, I tip her face to the side and place a chaste kiss against her jaw.

My eyes locked on hers, I wrap my hand around her slender neck. I squeeze with a firm, yet breathable, grip, force her against the wall and pin her to it.

"I like my women sweet, with a hint of innocence." I slide my cheek along hers until my lips are against her ear before continuing in a deeper, authoritative whisper, "Not with the trashy mouth of a dirty fucking whore. Understand?"

When she doesn't answer, I squeeze her throat a little tighter. Her voice trembles slightly as she responds, "Yes. I understand."

"That's a good girl." I pull back just far enough to place another kiss against her lips. Releasing her neck, I pause to sweep her hair from her face and can't help but stare at her for a moment.

She's so fucking gorgeous.

"Change of plans I want to take you out."

"We just got home," she rebuts, and I don't address her backtalk because she called it ‘home.'

I fucking love the way that sounds.

"I want to talk where I can't wind up fucking you. So I can actually get to know you a little better." I walk to the door before turning back to face her. "Get dressed for me. A sundress. The long, loose floral one."

No one says I can't have a little fun while I get to know her.

In my room, I quickly change into something more suitable before heading downstairs to wait for her in the front sitting room. Only a few minutes later, her heels click down the stairs, and I stand to meet her. The fabric of her dress sways with each step she takes, delicately displaying her curves beneath it.

"You look absolutely stunning." I outstretch my hand to her when she reaches the bottom few steps. "I look forward to showing you off."

She smiles sheepishly in return before mustering a bashful, "Thank you."

Without releasing her hand, I walk her to the car and help her into the passenger seat. I drive us across town to a local vineyard.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Millington," the sommelier greets us when we walk into the tasting room. "And Miss…"

"Cora Durant." She smiles and extends her hand to shake his.

"Any guest of Mr. Millington's is always more than welcome."

They exchange pleasantries for a moment before he returns his attention to me. "I took the liberty of having my staff pull a couple of bottles from the reserve collection for you. Would you like your normal private tasting room?"

"Not today." I slip my hand into Cora's and lace our fingers together. "It's a beautiful day, and I think we'd like to enjoy it on the veranda."

"Of course, sir." He gestures toward the door at the back side of the room. "We'll bring everything out to you promptly."

Squeezing Cora's hand lightly, I give a gentle tug to pull her closer as I walk her outside. We take seats in opposing Adirondack chairs overlooking the luscious landscape of the vineyard.

"This is absolutely beautiful." Cora stares over the view as I remain entirely fixated on her. She blends seamlessly into this world, fitting in like this is the class she was born to be a part of.

"Yes," my eyes continue to roam over her, "absolutely perfect."

"You know you don't have to do that, right?" She glances at me over the small table that separates the two of us.

"Does it make you uncomfortable?" I ask. "To know that I want more from you than a wet cunt or a tight ass?"

A slight rose of blush creeps over her cheeks, and her eyes dip to her lap. Looking up at me through her lashes, her voice is soft when she says, "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just giving you exactly what you want."

Don't fucking toy with me, Cora.