Bowles, Jan - In Debt to the Dom [Guilty Pleasures 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) (3 page)

Maddie looked surprised. “You have?”

“Goddamn it, Maddie. You’re not dealing with the girl guides here. We’re professionals. Did you really think you could steal half a million dollars and just walk away with it? So, let’s make this easy for everyone. Tell us where it is now and then we can wrap this up.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why?”

“I just can’t.”

He flipped open her personnel file. “We know all about the foreclosure notice on your house. The area where you live has some very expensive real estate, even for someone in your position. It seems you’ve been living a lifestyle beyond your means, Maddie. And you thought you’d help yourself to my money.”

“That’s not true.”

“Then what is it? You can’t have it both ways.”

“I can’t say. As soon as my house sale goes through, I’ll pay everything back. I promise.”

The first sign of contrition made him round on her. “Is that an apology? So you just thought you’d borrow the money for a few months? Is that it?”

“What are you going to do?”

“What would you do?”

She hung her head in shame. “Call the cops.”

He picked up the phone. “Good idea. Now we’re thinking in tandem.” His anger, now exasperated by her lack of an explanation, spurred him into action, and he began dialing.

“Please don’t.”

“Pardon?”

“Please don’t, Keaton. I’ll do anything.”

Her pleading made him disconnect the call. Her submissive tone brought something in him to the surface. Something he had kept locked and hidden away for years.

He stared at her. “Anything? Do you have any idea what anything means?”

“Yes.” Her hands clasped tightly together. “I have a buyer for the house. In just over a month, the sale will go through. I can pay you back then.”

“So, in the meantime, you’ll do
anything
to keep me from turning you in?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what that makes you, Maddie?”

“Yes.”

He stood and walked around his desk. At six foot three, he towered over her small petite figure. She couldn’t be more than five-four. Standing in front of her, he looked down into her trembling features. With a finger under her chin, he angled her face.

“Look at me.”

Her gaze rose to his, and he saw the frightened girl in her eyes. Physical desire spun its way into his body as her pale green irises connected with his. He wanted to dominate and make her compliant to his will. He wanted to seek some sort of satisfaction for her abuse of his trust. He wanted to bury his hands in her hair and love her the way he’d wanted to since the first time he’d seen her.

“I thought you had principles?” He mocked.

“They won’t do me any good now.”

“No, they won’t.”

“I can make up for last week when I was so despicable. I can be whatever you want, whatever you desire.”

“Is that so? Careful, Maddie, because my desires might not be the same as yours.”

“Oh, I think we’re on the same level when it comes to sex.”

He shook his head, and laughed out loud. “You have no idea, do you? Vanilla sex is okay for the right occasion, but I prefer something a little more exciting.”

Digesting what he’d just said, she stared directly at him. A faint blush tinged her pale cheeks. “You wanted me once. You can still have me.” She paused briefly. “However you desire.”

“You put a high price on…” he let his eyes sweep over her before continuing, “your services. Do you really think you’re worth half a million dollars?”

He saw her wince. She was fighting for her survival, and he knew it, yet he couldn’t—wouldn’t—back down. He wanted his pound of flesh. Maddie had broken his trust.

“Until my house sale goes through, I haven’t anything else to offer.”

He stared at her. At that moment, he felt it was possible to crave and despise in equal measure. She aroused a primitive need in him. He thought of the money she’d stolen, and his heart hardened. Either way, she would pay back everything she owed him.

“Depending on how you view things, you may have just made a deal with the devil, Maddie.”

Chapter Three

Maddie felt as though a whirlwind had taken over her life. Like a dervish, Keaton Rivers had seized control. Even now, as she sat on his private jet, the events of the past twenty-four hours were nothing but a blur.

How had she ended up selling herself, her soul, to him? How could she divulge the truth and risk losing her sister to the kidnappers? She had done what she had to do.

Self-preservation had also kicked in. In order to save her deep humiliation at the hands of the law, and indeed the press, she had offered herself to him on a plate.

There had been an attraction between them when they’d lunched together just over a week ago and again in her office. Otherwise, she’d very much doubt he’d have gone for it.

The relief she’d first felt when he’d changed his mind had now turned to trepidation. Did he really expect her to come willingly to his bed? Would he force himself upon her? Keaton Rivers was a man used to getting his own way. He was certainly assertive and arrogant, but she doubted he had to look far for lovers. He was an attractive man. So why had he agreed? Revenge seemed the only possible answer. Anger showed in his eyes as he’d stalked around her in the office—anger and intense disappointment.

Maddie felt it, too—anger at her predicament and anger at the kidnappers who held her sister. Where was Simone? Why had there still been no word from her? Fear kept her from telling anyone.

Frantic for any news of her sister, Maddie refused the meal the hostess served her. Instead, she spent her time staring out the aircraft window.

Occasionally, she would cast a glance at Keaton sitting across from her. He’d either be on the telephone or looking at papers. She never once saw him look at her. It was as though she didn’t exist.

Well, that suited her fine. All she had to do was get through this crisis, and then move on with her life. No one, absolutely no one, would know, except the two of them. Maybe she had sold herself to the devil, but it was better the devil she knew than the long jail sentence awaiting her if she didn’t.

The thought of sex with Keaton Rivers sent shivers down her spine. He’d also said he preferred unconventional sex. Her mind boggled. What had she gotten herself into? Yes, there seemed to be a mutual attraction between them, but was that enough? Surely, it would be a cold, clinical affair, with neither of them gaining anything from the experience. Perhaps he would lose interest in her proposal very quickly. It was her only hope. Or her worst nightmare.

* * * *

By the time they arrived at his ranch in Tennessee, Maddie felt exhausted. Lack of sleep, lack of news, and lack of food had all given way to a severe migraine. Keaton must have noticed her obvious distress, although he was silent during the whole of the car journey from the airport, he arranged for his housekeeper to take her immediately to her room.

The pale blue bedroom with its Shaker-style furniture was a much needed respite. Sinking into the white lace bedspread, she curled into a tight fetal ball and cried herself to sleep. Whatever the future held, she would face it tomorrow.

* * * *

Keaton had just finished his second glass of orange juice when Maddie finally joined him for breakfast. She wore a white blouse and jeans. He noticed she didn’t look at him as she sat down, although, she did appear a lot more refreshed than he’d last seen her. Maddie had been practically out on her feet last night, so he’d arranged for Helena, his housekeeper, to escort her straight to her room.

“What would you like to eat, Maddie?”

“I’m not hungry,” she mumbled, still staring at her empty bowl.

“You have to eat, Maddie. You didn’t eat anything on the plane last night, either.”

Her eyes flew to his, wide and accusing. “Under the circumstances, perhaps you’ll excuse me for losing my appetite.”

“Don’t try to make me feel sorry for you. You only have yourself to blame for your predicament.

“And don’t I know it.” Her mouth pouted petulantly.

“While I have your attention, you may as well use the facilities here. There are horses, a tennis court, and a swimming pool for your entertainment. No need to feel like a prisoner. However, you will be under my direct supervision until such time as you pay back, shall we say,
the loan
.” He emphasized the last two words in a derisory tone and watched her flinch.

He continued, “I’ve told security that you’re not allowed to leave the ranch, under any circumstances.” Obviously, he hadn’t done any such thing. He didn’t want all the staff knowing his private business, but just saying it would keep Maddie where he could keep a close eye on her.

“What’s the matter? Afraid I’ll disappear?”

“You’re my investment, Maddie. At the moment, you’re worth half a million dollars to me. I need to keep you contained until such time as you pay me back. Talking of payments, you didn’t come to my room last night.”

Her jaw literally dropped open. “I was exhausted last night. Besides, apart from not knowing where your room is, I thought you’d be coming to me.”

He shook his head, almost wanting to laugh out loud at her dismissive behavior, but he didn’t. “That’s not the way it works within this relationship. I do not force myself on anyone. From now on, this is how it will be. You will come to my room. You will give yourself to me freely and willingly for the duration of the night. Let’s say from midnight to seven. Is that clear?”

When she nodded, he smiled inwardly. If she came to his room and gave herself freely, then he wouldn’t feel guilty. There was no way he would force her to do anything she didn’t want to.

Maybe he’d scratch the itch he’d had for this woman, and then move on. He felt sure that once the object of desire had been attained, the spell would be broken.

“As for my room, it’s right next to yours. You can’t miss it.”

He folded the newspaper he’d been reading and placed it on the table. He shook his head. “What it is it with you James girls anyway? You’re both as bad as each other, always getting into trouble with the law. Tut, tut.”

Her head snapped upright, and she asked quickly, “Why, what have you heard?”

He pointed to the newspaper as he stood to leave. “Oh, so you don’t know. Your sister Simone was arrested in Cannes yesterday for drunk driving. It’s all over the press.”

Maddie snatched the paper up. “Yesterday? Are you sure?” Frantically, she turned the pages until she found the article—a double page spread, with pictures of Simone leaving the police station with her hands partially covering her face. A silent gasp left her lips as she stared at the photograph.

The last thing he heard as he walked from the dining room was, “How could you, Simone?” Then the sound of crockery smashed loudly against the wall before she rushed past him.

“Manners,” he called after her, as she hurriedly went outside. He wondered why she was so upset. Her sister’s misdemeanor wasn’t even in the same league as her own. So what was her problem?

* * * *

It took an immense effort to keep herself together as a young ranch hand saddled up a horse for her.

“There you go, ma’am. You’ll not have any trouble with Lucinda. She’s a fine mare.”