He fused his mouth to hers, tasting her sweetness, and groaned. She smelled of his soap, wine and warm, vital female. He told himself he was giving her what she'd asked for, taking what she offered. He placed her on his bed and decided not to waste time, undressing before he climbed next to her.

Her gaze fastened on his groin and his c.o.c.k swelled further beneath her scrutiny. Dominic gathered her into his arms, glad she was still fully dressed. He intended to worship her body as he bared her. A soft, tentative stroke touched him and he jerked, goose b.u.mps traveling along his spine.

"Don't pretend you haven't been up close and personal with c.o.c.ks," he growled, her hesitant caresses maddening.

"Not c.o.c.ks," she hissed. "Only one."

"I beg to differ. According to you-"

She cupped his b.a.l.l.s and Dominic gritted his teeth, almost missing her words.

"According to me, it was only Garth, whom I thought was my boyfriend."

She stroked the length of him from base to tip then closed her hand around the head, circling her thumb. Dominic drew in a breath.

"I sucked Garth and only Garth. Is that clear enough?"

His nostrils flared. "Why the f.u.c.k are we having this conversation?"

To shut her up, he captured her lips again and tugged up her t-shirt, baring her midriff. He lifted her long enough to remove her shirt, leaving her in a sheer, mint-green bra embroidered with macrame. He kissed his way down her belly to the waistline of her jeans. As he unfastened the denim, he continued to kiss her, lave her fragrant skin. She sighed and the sound whispered through Dominic's nerve endings. He hooked his fingers in her pants and slid them down her long legs, leaving the matching boy-cut panties in place. Her triangle of hair tempted him through the sheer material and he spread her legs wide. Kissed the inside of her thigh. Bit gently. Sniffed her p.u.s.s.y, breathing in her heady scent. He slid the seat of her panties aside and nosed her. Her lips were slick and swollen. Holding her delicate flesh open, he rubbed his cheek across her c.l.i.t, his stubble of hair dragging across her wet, sensitive bud.

She groaned and lifted her hips. "Please."

He removed her panties.

The jealous thought Garth might've used his mouth on her rose in Dominic's head, driving him crazy. He blew on her c.l.i.t, began a slow thumbing. Her body was taut as a bow, begging him to lick and suck...to gobble her up. He pushed two fingers into her, her drenched c.u.n.t deepening his arousal.

He kissed her mound. "You like having your p.u.s.s.y licked?"

She trembled and her b.r.e.a.s.t.s rose and fell, her nipples beaded against her bra. "I-I've never had it licked. Garth said-"

Dominic growled, a territorial right possessing him. He opened his mouth and claimed her, his teeth nipping her c.l.i.t, his tongue slipping into her channel. She screamed, coming almost immediately, but Dominic was merciless, determined to erase him from her head. He clutched her b.u.t.tocks, gripping each cheek in a hand, and swiped his tongue over her c.l.i.t until he was almost drowning in her juices. He tongued her until he was nearly out of his mind with his need for her. His name tore from her mouth, a broken sob.

Dominic rose up and buried himself in her tight body. Being inside her was like soaring amongst the stars. She was so responsive to him, so hot for him. Her cream drenched his mouth and chin. He took her lips, filling her with his tongue and her taste. She anch.o.r.ed her feet on his hips, open and exposed to his thrusts. Her green eyes were glazed with pa.s.sion, dark with l.u.s.t and desire. When he pulled his hips back, she thrust hers forward, canting her pelvis to meet the demands of his c.o.c.k. Her uninhibited response brought out a wild fervor in him. He slammed into her, their mouths fused, the scent and taste of s.e.x an aphrodisiac.

He couldn't hold back his c.u.m and it gushed from him, pouring into her. Each time his c.o.c.k jerked inside her, more of his seed slid into her womb. He pulled out of her and rolled over, spent. Without asking his permission, she rested her head on his arm, snuggling against him.

He kissed the top of her head, wondering if she wanted to talk and praying she didn't. After-s.e.x cuddling wasn't something he did.

"Dominic?"

"What, Olivia?"

She raised a sleepy-eyed gaze to him at his rough tone. Her skin was flushed and she'd never looked more beautiful. He tucked her closer and pulled the covers over them.

"What?" he asked, a little more gently.

"Can Howie show me around Charleston. I've never been and when we return, I can help to cook or clean or whatever you need me to do."

"Slow down, Olivia. You do know a security detail is a.s.signed to you?"

She pouted and sniffed. "You can keep Albert. I'll take Howie."

"Is there a reason why?" When had he become such a jealous jerk?

"I like Howie. I don't like Albert. He's always so stern, not once smiling. He's worse than Blaine."

"To answer your question about who will show you around Charleston, that'll be me."

Her eyes widened in surprise before she lowered her gaze and fell silent.

"I grew up there. I promise I make an excellent tour guide."

When she remained silent, Dominic wondered what was going through her head. Her body was still as taut as a bow. "All right. Cough it up. What are you thinking?"

She shrugged out of his hold and sat up, rising to her feet, her hair cradling her face, shoulders and back. When she turned, he got a full view of her wearing the pretty bra and nothing else. The triangle of black hair drew his gaze and he regretted when she grabbed her panties and put them on.

"I don't want my visit to Charleston ruined with interruptions and explanations." She combed her fingers through her hair and tossed it over her shoulder. "I want to have happy memories."

"I don't explain my actions to anyone."

She looked away before meeting his gaze. "Don't you? You were so determined to keep me for three days. Then you talked to Felicia and you changed your mind."

Her voice was even, her stance straight. He stood as well, unable to keep his half-hard c.o.c.k hidden. He grabbed his boxers and pulled them on. "You're right. Howie and Albert should accompany you on your tour tomorrow. When you return, I expect you to enjoy my house. If you'd like, I'll have a ma.s.sage therapist meet you here tomorrow evening."

"May I have my phone?"

"The last time you possessed it, you threatened to call the police. Since your status hasn't changed and you're still, in essence, my hostage, you can't have your phone."

"I just want to call Karen."

"Your friend?"

She nodded.

"I'll arrange for Albert to get her on the phone for you tomorrow."

"Maybe I want to go to Charleston to escape."

He sauntered to her and gathered her in his arms, raining kisses along her throat. "Albert and Howie are prepared and equipped to handle any attempt you might make."

"Why are we arguing?" she asked in a soft voice.

Before Dominic could respond, she dropped to her knees and pulled his c.o.c.k from the opening in his underwear. He drew in a breath when she took him in her mouth and began drawing on him, hard and deep, as if she intended to suck him dry. The soft pillow of her throat relaxed and she slurped him. Her tongue ma.s.saged the underside of his c.o.c.k. The thought of her cream all over his shaft as she deep-throated him almost made Dominic explode. She sucked him until his knees grew weak. Dropping to the floor with her, he dragged down her panties, turned her around and rammed into her. He fisted her hair, moving in and out of her heat, controlling her movements by keeping hold of her ebony locks. He fell forward, covering her back with his body, taking her fast. Her v.a.g.i.n.al muscles squeezed his c.o.c.k and he gasped. She clenched around him again and moaned.

"Let it go, Olivia," he ordered. "Come on my c.o.c.k."

She nodded and groaned, coming all around him, wild and hot and wet.

"f.u.c.k!" he snarled before he pounded into her a final time and came in a hot torrent inside her.

Exhausted, they collapsed on the floor, Dominic careful to keep his weight resting on his arms and elbows. Before he moved, he unhooked her bra and she let it fall to the floor.

He guided her back to bed and the inscrutable look in those clear, green eyes before she drifted off left him sleepless for the rest of the night.

Chapter Five.

Liv stared at the huge Pineapple Fountain in Waterford Park. The water rained down from the three tiers ringed with stone pineapples. Neatly cut hedges ringed the fountain, while a short distance away, the Cooper River flowed in placid contentment beneath the hot, Charleston sun. She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting when she'd asked Dominic if she could stay the full three days or what she'd expected when she requested she be able to sightsee.

A small part of her had cheered when Dominic made his offer, but he'd sounded so grudging and put out. Of course, he'd be both. He had whatever with Felicia and Liv was sure that whatever didn't include Dominic taking young women on carriage rides and an afternoon lunch. But neither did Olivia think Dominic's men particularly enjoyed their babysitting a.s.signment and they gave her little freedom to just enjoy the beautiful day. She'd been floundering ever since she'd awakened this morning and found herself alone in Dominic's bed. Thoroughly, wickedly sated, but alone all the same.

She was used to being alone, so why fret about it now? Once she pulled herself together after the devastating loss of her mother, she'd been too busy repaying her debt to remember her grief and loneliness. In a way, Blaine's demands had been good. They'd kept her on the move, one step ahead of her sadness. She'd gotten a handle on her feelings and bottled them away, praying she never uncapped them. Once she'd met Karen and Garth, she just known she could shove her emotions in a dark corner and never face them.

But, just as her mother once warned, everything eventually caught up to a person. Liv supposed that included emotions.

A bird swooped by and Liv followed its progress for a moment. She smiled at its freedom and seeming carelessness. Liv had thought the charity auction heralded a new lease on her life. She'd thought she was free of Blaine if not free of her origins. Yet, here she stood, ensnared in Blaine's schemes because of her own desire to have what they had, that elusive one percent of Americans who had the world at their feet. Her desire to become a pediatrician was real. If she hadn't been so determined to make Blaine recognize her as a Bradford and hand her some of what she felt ent.i.tled to, she would've applied for grants and student loans and work-study programs.

It would've taken her longer but she would've eventually gotten her degree and opened her practice. She would've one day been able to have a dining room and someone to serve her fresh fruit, creamy grits, crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, fresh-baked biscuits and strong, thick coffee as Mrs. Dobbs had done this morning for Liv.

After she'd completed her breakfast and was rising to take her dishes to the kitchen, Albert and Howie had strolled in with their earpieces in place, wearing dark suits to match their dark sungla.s.ses.

"The car is ready whenever you are, ma'am."

That had been Albert, the epitome of manners after the bald-headed maniac had been yelling at her to get down from the ladder and ordering her to stay inside and not go on Dominic's pier. Howie might not appreciate her actions, but at least he didn't make her feel like a preschooler.

Without Dominic in the Escalade, she'd been alone in the backseat, left with nothing but her thoughts and her fears. Instead of wallowing in either or dwelling on the worry of what would happen once Dominic discovered she'd done the hacking in the first place, Liv kept a steady watch on the pa.s.sing scenery. The sudden hard right had made her glare toward the back of Albert's head. She just didn't like him and she wasn't sure why. If Dominic had been a mobster, Albert would've taken pride in being a hitman. She just got that feeling about him.

Pockets of traffic along their route had slowed the drive down. It was thirty-five minutes before Albert was crossing the Ashley River then taking the Lockwood exit and heading for a ramp on Calhoun Street. Ten minutes later, Albert was turning into a parking area near Mid-Atlantic Wharf. As soon as the SUV was halted, Howie was ushering her out. She'd meandered along, trying to plan in her head what she wanted to see first. Then, a horse and carriage had clopped by, the driver pausing long enough to point out something to the couple on the seat. It had looked so romantic and all Liv could think about was Dominic being with her instead of his security detail.

Howie had guided her to Waterford Park and suggested they take the ferry to Fort Sumter. She'd asked for a moment to just enjoy the acres of waterfront beauty and they'd fallen a step behind her. Not too far, though. Never too far. If she decided to make a run for it, they could easily reach out and grab her.

Dejected now, she bowed her head and turned. "Dominic said you'd call my friend for me. I would appreciate it very much if you dialed Karen's number. I won't take long," she added when they hesitated.

Albert's jaw clenched. "Excuse me, Miss Bradford," he clipped out.

He stepped away from her and pulled out a cell phone. Liv supposed he needed to hear from Dominic she had permission to have contact with someone in the outside world.

"Tell Clark the deal's off," Dominic snapped to the vice president of his company.

His four executives and Felicia started. Her pen paused, her mouth falling open in shock.

"Are you crazy?" Preston Ellerton asked. "We've walked a fine line with the law for months to get this deal done."

"Then undo it."

"Nic, whatever burr is up your a.s.s, get rid of it," Preston advised. "We've finally gotten the b.a.s.t.a.r.d where we want him. If we pull out now, we might never get a chance to work with him at our price."

"Nic, er, Mr. Luca," Felicia amended when Dominic narrowed his eyes at her. She knew better than to address him so informally at the office. "Mr. Ellerton is right. The company is in a vulnerable position. Clark is willing to let you in because he needs your backing. If he finds someone else, we'll lose the advantage."

Dominic had gotten into his position with Blaine because of this exact reason. Yes, Bradford Industries had been in dire financial trouble, but Blaine had quickly found a way to misappropriate Dominic's money. Now, not only did Dominic have a company bleeding money left and right, he had an a.s.shole who'd gotten the best of him. Despite all the security checks and financial a.n.a.lysis, Blaine had still scammed him. Dominic had never quite trusted the b.a.s.t.a.r.d but he'd wanted to add Bradford Industries to his portfolio.

Instinct was telling him Clark wasn't much better. Not that he'd ever allowed himself to be had again. He just had too many other ventures at the moment and he didn't want the ha.s.sle of adding a floundering company with a p.r.i.c.khead as its president.

"The G.o.dd.a.m.n deal is off. Now, deal with it." He rose to his feet as his cell phone rang. Seeing it was Albert, he didn't hesitate to answer. The man had to be calling about Olivia. "Is there a problem?"

"Miss Bradford wants to call her friend, sir. I'm confirming with you that she has permission to do that."

Dominic turned away from the table and sauntered to the window. "Shouldn't she be on her tour at the moment?"

Albert's silence annoyed him as much as the memory of Olivia in his bed this morning did. She'd been so warm with his scent all over her body. Her dark hair had been spread across the pillow, lying against her cheek. She'd looked so peaceful, so right in his bed. He hadn't wanted to leave her. He'd wanted to take the day off and escort her around town, then spend the night in bed with her.

Albert sighed. "Sir, she doesn't seem to be enjoying herself all that much. We suggested we take the ferry to Sumter and she's just ambling around Waterford Park."

Much like he'd been ambling through the day. "Put her on the phone."

"Yes, sir."

A moment later, Olivia's musical voice chimed through the line. "I promise I'm not going to tell her anything. I just want to talk to Karen," she said in a rush.

"How's your tour going?" he asked gruffly. Despite her fast words, she sounded miserable, so very sad and alone.

"Wonderful. How's your day going?"

"f.u.c.king terrible." And it had been going terrible since he'd made love to her this morning while she was half asleep and then left before she'd fully awakened.

"I'm sorry to hear that," she responded. "Is there a solution to whatever problem is making your day so terrible?"

Her genuine interest was a novel experience. He wasn't a family man so he didn't have a wife to call to soothe away his frustrations when something went wrong like the rest of the men in the office did. "The solution is the problem."

"Turn that around and make the problem your solution," she offered. "Sometimes they are one and the same."

How well he knew that. "This is your day to enjoy Charleston, Olivia. Do so. I promise you I will have Albert call Karen on your way back to the Island."

"Maybe I shouldn't have turned down your offer to show me around," she said quietly. "I would enjoy myself better if you were with me."

Her words shouldn't have pleased him but they did. Immensely. "Is that so?"

"Yes. I saw a couple on a carriage ride and it looked like so much fun. Then I thought about being squeezed against Albert and Howie and I changed my mind."