La Brat (21 page)

“Stop now. Please.”

Aaron said nothing, but rearranged his body so that he was lying above her, taking his weight on his arms. He brushed his lips across hers as he withdrew his cock and waited, poised to drive forward again. Ready to finish this.

“Sir, I…”

“My sweet Genie.” He sank his cock into her, his entire body tensing as he held still. Then he let out a low oath as his semen spurted into her, filling the condom with his liquid heat.

* * * *

Later, as Eugenie lay wrapped in Aaron’s arms in that hazy place before sleep descended, she had to admit he’d been right. It had been perfect. She had not believed it possible but now she felt even more cherished, more adored, utterly at peace with him and with herself. She knew he would not have punished her at all but for her insistence, and even then, he’d allowed her to set the limits of it. The stripes left by the ruler across her hand had served their purpose. They had released her pent-up feelings of guilt and self-loathing, exorcising her demons and allowing her to just let it all go. As for the bruises from her fall, those would fade in a few days.

But the bond forged tonight between herself and Aaron, the deepening trust and understanding that connected them, that was only going to become stronger. She promised herself that it would, and in the dark silence, she swore it to Aaron too, even though he was already sleeping.

Chapter Fourteen

The next couple of weeks flew past in a blur. Aaron became accustomed to hearing the light footsteps in the office next to his, her quiet voice as she spoke on the phone in her rapid-fire French. The arrangements continued to click into place, each and every detail subject first to Eugenie’s minute scrutiny then to his. She would check quality, ensure that the wishes of their celebrity clients were honored in all matters, while it was his responsibility to handle the safety and security aspects. Theirs was a seamless operation, their teamwork effortless.

Other members of the management team played their parts too. He knew that Eugenie spent long hours in detailed discussions with Anton, poring over menus, debating the wine list, tasting desserts. She and Annette had also toured the honeymoon suite as well as the rooms to be occupied by the guests, ensuring every possible need was anticipated. The hotel facilities were already superb, every surface gleaming, every item of linen crisp and neatly folded. All that came as standard, but the added touches made the difference—color coordinated towels and bed linen to match the wedding themes, additional maids recruited to help with packing, unpacking, dressing. The hotel hairdressing service would be available twenty-four hours a day, as would the spa and fitness suites. Each guest would be pampered, treated to the very best Totally Five Star Paris could offer and more besides. They would never forget their visit here.

Eugenie and Aaron spent a lot of time together, both at work and outside of it. While they were discreet, he had no doubt that their personal relationship was no secret, though the exact nature of it remained between them.
Not that she would have ever said anything, but Fleur would have put two and two together on the day of Eugenie’s fall when she had insisted on his presence while she was examined. She’d undressed in front of him without a second thought.

His cock throbbed as he contemplated their relationship. Eugenie was a unique blend of contrasting qualities. He adored her cool efficiency in the office, her absolute submission outside of it.

Since the evening following her fall down the stairs, they seemed to him to have moved onto a new plane. She deferred to him, obeyed and anticipated his requirements almost before he voiced them. He believed that her desire to accept his discipline, even when he would have let the matter drop, signaled a fresh insight on her part, the realization that she could trust him not to harm her. He would never have inflicted further pain on her tender, bruised body, but she wasn’t to know that and surrendered to him anyway. The ruler across her hand had been the best he could come up with at short notice to satisfy her craving. It seemed to do the trick.

They spent most evenings together and every weekend. She stayed at his apartment on Fridays and Saturdays, and had recently started to leave some of her belongings there. She had never even suggested such a thing when they were together in England, and he would have discouraged it then, he thought. Now, he found he had no objection at all.

They had breakfast together most days, usually in the terrace restaurant, and lunch when they could manage that too. As often as not, they had company, the hotel’s management team were a sociable lot. But the growing bond between Aaron and Eugenie was obvious to all.

Aaron knew he loved her. Perhaps he always had. Whatever, his feelings had required very little in the way of rekindling. Within days of their first night together, he murmured the words into her ear as he slid his cock into her ass. She had sighed, her smile beatific as she lifted her bottom up to offer herself to him.

Now, the wedding was just days away. The first handful of guests had started to arrive, although most would be descending on them the day before the actual ceremony. That was when Farah and Lucas would arrive too, and the party would really get underway.

He had a small army of additional security personnel dotted about the hotel, mingling with the permanent staff, ever vigilant. Aaron was confident but not complacent. The marriage of one of the world’s most popular sporting personalities to an exotic Arab princess was a romantic dream that would delight, inspire, fascinate. The eyes of the world would be on them. But viewed through his security lens, Aaron knew that this wedding was an obvious target, both for the greedy disruptive presence of the flocks of paparazzi who would try to infiltrate the event, and for the more sinister attentions of political extremists. The alliance of Farah Ajram with a high profile international footballer had not gone unnoticed or unremarked in the more traditional circles, though for the most part, the reaction had been positive. It was his job to make sure that no one and nothing disrupted Eugenie’s carefully laid plans. And Aaron was good at his job.

He closed down his computer and pocketed his mobile. She should be finished briefing Elise now and he was looking forward to having lunch with his little Genie. Aaron made his way to the terrace bistro, nodding to several members of his team as he strode across the thick carpeting of the reception area and out to the gardens at the rear. He looked for her in their usual spot, the table tucked away in one corner of the patio, surrounded on three sides by fragrant honeysuckle. He smiled to himself as he rounded the corner and she came into view. She glanced up, her smile dazzling when she saw him. His heart did a little flip. He was one lucky bastard.

The firm tread on the paved terrace alerted her to his approach. Eugenie looked up. She had been watching for him and beamed in delighted anticipation when Aaron came into view. Her Dom. Her wonderful, stern, commanding Dom. She loved him, utterly adored him. And he seemed to feel the same way about her. Life was good, better than good. Life was perfect.

She stood as he reached their table, her face upturned for his quick kiss. Aaron was not overly demonstrative, at least not in public, but neither did he seek to conceal their relationship. He sat next to her, reaching for the black coffee she had ordered for him.

“It is probably a little cool now. Shall I get you another?”

“This is fine.” He took a long sip. “Good briefing?”

“Yes, no problems. It is very hectic, but everything is going to plan.” She lifted both hands to show him her crossed fingers.

“Never doubted it. Any idea what time you’ll be finished tonight?”

“Late. Not before eight. Is that okay?”

“Of course. Come to my apartment as soon as you’re done. No underwear, naturally.”

She bowed her head. “Naturally, Sir. Should I eat before I come to you?”

“Was some part of ‘as soon as you’re done’ not entirely clear, Eugenie?” He lifted one eyebrow, his tone remaining even, and all the more ominous for that.

“Of course, Sir. I apologize.”

“I’ll feed you. Eventually. Talking of which, have you ordered yet?”

“No, Sir. I wanted to wait for you.”

Aaron signaled for a waiter. The young man scurried over, notepad in hand. They asked for a selection of cold meats and a refresh of their coffee. The next hour was spent in pleasant conversation, Eugenie’s pussy moistening disgracefully as she anticipated the evening to come once the day’s business was concluded.

Aaron had to leave before she did to meet with Lucas’ bodyguard. He leaned in to kiss her, his breath feathering across her neck as he murmured in her ear.

“I left you a present. You’ll find it in your desk drawer. Please be wearing it when you come up later.”

She gazed after him as he strode away. It would be a butt plug, she was sure of that. Her ass tingled in excited apprehension. Tonight was going to be good.

The waiter came to clear the table and asked if she required anything else. Eugenie was about to say no, but decided a cup of tea would be nice. She was on top of her work, she could afford the time for once. She had a meeting scheduled with Anton, but not for another hour. Her tumble down the stairs and Aaron’s reaction to it had taught her a valuable lesson about overworking. She ordered a tray and sat back to enjoy the unaccustomed solitude.

From her vantage point, she could admire the neat informality of this secluded garden in the heart of the vibrant, throbbing city. A gardener passed their table, one of Aaron’s team probably, as she didn’t recognize him. The hotel was full of new faces just now. She watched as the slim figure made his way down the shrubbery, clipping off errant blooms and sweeping them into a sack attached to his belt. Not so much as a stray grass cutting was allowed to clutter the pristine footpaths. For a security guard, this young man seemed to understand horticulture, but she supposed the role was all about blending in.

Her tray of tea arrived, and she drank her first cup of aromatic Earl Grey. She poured another, but decided she needed to visit the loo before drinking it. She passed the waiter on her way there and told him she was not yet finished and not to clear her table.

As she made her way back to her table and the unfinished tray of tea, her mobile rang in her pocket. She recognized Farah’s caller ID from the display.

“Good afternoon, Farah. How can I help you?”

“Eugenie? I need to add four people to the guest list. Is that all right? It is not too late, I hope.”

As if.
Aaron would work all night if need be to follow up the security checks. And she would help him.

“Of course. May I have their names, please?” Eugenie dug in her bag for the notepad and pen she always kept at hand. She scribbled the notes, knowing it was vital to get these latest additions to Aaron as soon as possible in order for his background checks to be completed in time. She ended the call and picked up her tea cup, but thought better of it.

Her interlude was over. There was no longer time to linger if Aaron was to get to work on these extra names. She grabbed her belongings and hurried back indoors.

Eugenie put down her pen and shook her hand. It hurt. No, not hurt—it was stinging. Really sore. She turned her palm up and was surprised to see the raised red marks across her skin. It looked as though she’d scalded it, but she knew she couldn’t have. She closed her hand into a fist, wincing. It seemed to be getting worse.

Ten minutes later, she could no longer hold her pen at all. She hugged her hand to her stomach, in real pain now. She was due to meet with Anton in less than half an hour, but she knew she couldn’t ignore this. Using her left hand, she picked up the receiver of the phone on her desk and tapped in two numbers.

“Fleur? Do you have a minute?”

* * * *

“This is a chemical burn.” The hotel doctor peered at Eugenie’s hand, turning it over and comparing it to the other, undamaged one. “I would estimate not that long since you were in contact with the irritant as the effects are usually very rapid. Acid perhaps, or maybe some sort of bleach.” As she spoke, she tugged Eugenie out into the corridor. She dragged her across the hall into the ladies’ toilet where she proceeded to hold her hand under the running cold tap. “This may not make a lot of difference now, but we should ensure there is no trace left of whatever has caused this. Do you have any ideas?”

“Ideas about what?”

They both turned at the sound of Aaron’s voice behind them. No one commented on his presence in the female toilets.

“Eugenie has injured her hand. She has sustained a chemical burn.”

He stepped forward, looping his arm around Eugenie’s shoulder as he leaned over to examine the damage. “How bad is it?” The question was directed to the doctor.

“It bloody well hurts, that’s how bad it is.” Eugenie glared at her hand, still red and now looking swollen too.

“It is difficult to tell unless we know what the cause was. It looks to be superficial, but I would like to refer you to the hospital. This is not a specialism of mine.”

“But I…” Eugenie started to protest, her head whirling with all the reasons she could not leave the hotel right now.

“I’ll come with you. Do you need your coat? Your bag?” Aaron was already steering her from the ladies’ washroom. “Apart from your office, where else have you been in the last half hour or so? Where might you have come in contact with this stuff, whatever it is?”

“Nowhere else. I just came straight back here from the bistro.”

Aaron dragged his phone from his pocket and tapped in a number.

“Pierre? It’s Aaron. Could you do a check of Miss d’André’s office, please? You’re looking for any trace of a caustic substance, something that would cause chemical burns. If you don’t find anything there, could you check the route from the management suite to the terrace bistro?” He paused, turning to Eugenie. “I assume you came back the direct way? No detours?”