Mistress to the Beast (8 page)

Dear Lord, she was lovely. He’d found himself entranced by her beauty on several occasions, but each time he looked at her Hunter was fascinated how each emotion she experienced seemed to enhance her looks. When she was angry with fire blazing in the dark gold pools of her eyes, she was like an avenging fury. In her highest state of arousal, 56

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Mistress to the Beast

she was a sex goddess beckoning him to enter her Garden of Eden and sample her forbidden fruit. Now as she sat in calm repose, there was a calm about her, making Hunter want to cocoon himself within her warmth.

Unable to help himself, he took a step closer to the door. The movement brought both dogs’ heads up. Deja and Shadow jumped to their feet and ran to him, their tails wagging. Hunter gave the panting animals each an affectionate rub behind the ears, but his gaze never left Lila.

She closed the book on her lap and wobbled to her feet, her expression wary. “I hope you don’t mind my making use of your library, or letting the dogs out of the kennel. They didn’t look too happy being cooped up behind that fence.”

“I’d like your stay to be as comfortable as possible. Feel free to roam as you will. As for these two big babies, as long as you don’t mind, I don’t. Mrs. Coates keeps them in the kennel during dinnertime however, or they’ll steal food off the table.”

A smile turned the corners of her full lips. “Really? These two seem like angels.”

He grimaced. “Trust me, you’d only get a few bites of your meal with these two around. Between them trying to swipe the food from your plate, they’ll whine until you give in.”

“Hmm, I guess that would get old pretty fast. They’re gorgeous creatures. How long have you had them?”

“Three years. I got them when they were puppies. They were a great comfort to me after my—they’re good dogs,” he finished lamely. In a self-conscious movement he smoothed the hair covering his check. Never had he come so close to talking about his accident as he had just now—not that Lila would be interested anyway.

The simple fact he’d basically blackmailed her to be here with him told Hunter she would probably be repulsed by his ordeal. Even now she didn’t quite look him in the face, instead keeping her attention focused on his dogs. Recalling how she’d turned her head when he’d tried to kiss her last night was all the rejection he could take in such a short period. There was no way in hell he’d open himself up to it again. He had to steel himself to not expect more from her than the limits of their bargain.

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He ran his gaze over her jeans-clad figure. They were the same clothes she’d arrived in. “Is there a problem with the outfits I’ve provided you?”

Lila shifted on her feet, wrapping her arms around her body. “The wardrobe is lovely, but I…I don’t feel comfortable wearing them.”

Hunter furrowed his brows. He’d had the personal shopper pick out clothing from the top designers, nothing even the most discriminating of fashion plates could object to.

“Not comfortable? Do they not fit?”

“They fit fine.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

She rolled her eyes heavenward. “If you insist I wear them, I will, but I’m a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl. Those clothes are far too beautiful for hanging around the house.

Besides, when I was wearing that dress last night, which probably cost more than I earn in a month, I was so scared of spilling something on it.”

“So what? Spills happen. You could have easily changed into a different outfit.”

“That’s the thing. I don’t think I should have to. I don’t like feeling this way.”

“I see. If you’re not happy with the items, I could have Ernest take you out tomorrow so you can buy whatever you like.”

She shook her head. “That’s okay.”

“Don’t worry about money. You can charge the clothes on my credit cards. After all, I did insist you not bring anything here but yourself.”

“Because for some perverse reason you wanted to dress me up like a paper doll.”

The bitterness was clear in her voice. “If that’s what you want then okay. I’ll play along, but let’s not pretend it was an act of generosity on your part. If anything, it’s an attempt to control me. You always have to have the upper hand don’t you?”

The mercurial mood swing took Hunter aback. The dogs must have sensed the tension in the room because they began to whimper. Her words were like daggers cutting into him. He hadn’t sought her out to have an argument. But he wasn’t going to let her to see how her obvious hatred affected him.

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Narrowing his eyes, he gave her a long hard stare. “Seeing as how you think I’m trying to control you, I may as well live up to my reputation. I don’t want to see you in that outfit for the remainder of your stay. Dinner will be served in an hour. Wear something appropriate and don’t keep me waiting like you did last night.”

Lila folded her arms beneath her breasts. “Or what?”

“Or I’ll paddle your ass raw.”

Her mouth opened, eyes widening. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“I don’t issue idle threats, Lila. Six o’ clock…and choose something sexy.”

“I hate you”

“Hate me all you like, but for the next several weeks you’ll follow my rules or would you rather call the whole deal off?”

For a moment, she looked like she wanted to do just that. With her fists balled at her sides, Hunter believed if he were standing closer to her, she’d probably belt him one.

“It’s easy for you to challenge me when you know I have no recourse. Fine. You win, but so we’re absolutely clear with each other, you make me sick to my stomach.

Whenever you touch me, my skin crawls.”

Hunter laughed out loud to show her barb hadn’t been like an arrow to the chest—

even though it was. “How easily you forget the way you screamed my name last night and clung to me like you couldn’t get enough of what I was giving to you. I believe I need to jog your memory.” He advanced further into the room, stalking toward her like a panther with an eye on his prey.

Though she took a step back, Lila wasn’t quick enough to evade his grasp. “Let me go!” She struggled against his hold.

Hunter slammed her against him, crushing her breasts between their bodies. He moved to capture her lips, but she turned her head. “Don’t!”

He grasped her ponytail and gave it a healthy tug, exposing the silken column of her neck. “You’re in no position to dictate my actions.” He circled her beating pulse with the tip of his tongue. At the small contact, her stiff body relented and she began to tremble.

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The hands that had been pressed against his chest, poised to push him away, fisted in the folds of his shirt. Releasing her hair, Hunter allowed his hands to slide down her back to cup her ass and gave it a squeeze.

Lila moaned, her eyes widened, but the expression he read within them wasn’t one of outrage, but arousal.

His cock grew to painful stiffness. More than anything he wanted to toss her to the floor and bury himself deep inside her tight sheath, but knowing Lila wanted it too was enough to get him through dinner. He released her with an abruptness that had her stumbling backwards.

Righting herself, Lila glared at him, her eyes narrowing. “I hate you so much.”

“You keep saying that, sweetheart, but your body doesn’t.” He chuckled to drive his point home. Hunter didn’t really want to taunt her. Hold, kiss, caress and worship her body was what he wanted to do. Not this bickering. Hell, this was only her second day here and they were already at each other’s throats. He didn’t want things to be this way between them, but what else could he have expected?

A little more amiability? Perhaps he’d envisioned—no. Hunter knew how it would be between the two of them when they made their bargain. There was no point in dwelling on the should’ve, could’ve, would’ves. But, why did he feel so empty inside?

Lila’s glare became venomous. “Maybe my body does want you, but it’s only that, my body. My mind, heart and soul don’t.”

“Fortunately for me, then, your body is all I require. I’ll see you at dinner.” Turning on his heels before she could make another retort, he strode out of the room with the dogs following him.

That man! One day she’d bring him to his knees and he wouldn’t know what hit him.

It was extremely inconvenient to respond sexually to him even when she knew what kind of man he was, the type to plow over those with less money and power than him. A man who felt he could do or say what he wanted because of his position in life. Strangely though, in her brief stay in his home, she caught glimpses of another side of him.

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Lila couldn’t quite place her finger on what it was, but then again, did she care?

Should she? Probably not. She couldn’t remember being this confused about anything in a long time. When she was younger, she used to run to her father and he always seemed to know the right things to say.

If only she could hear his voice now, she’d feel so much better. Remembering there was a phone in her room, she decided to give him a call, hoping he’d be in the apartment and not in the store. She cursed herself for not replacing her lost cell phone before she came, but her mind had been on other things.

Hunter hadn’t said she couldn’t make calls. Once she was in the safety of her room, Lila’s hand trembled as she punched the numbers, her heart pounding when the other line began to ring. Even if her father wasn’t there, hearing him on the answering machine would have to do. At this point, she would take any crumbs she was offered.

“Saunders’ residence.”

Just to hear him brought tears to her eyes. More than anything she wanted to be there with him while he held her and told her everything would be alright. Too choked up to get the words out, her lips moved soundlessly.

“Hello? Who is this?” he prompted. “If this is a prank caller or a telemarketer, I’m hanging up.”

“Daddy, it’s me.”

“Baby?” His pleasure in hearing her was evident and it made her feel better.

“Yes, it’s me. H-how are you?”

“I’m doing fine. I just woke up from my afternoon nap.”

“Since when have you started napping?”

“Doctor’s orders. Your old man is getting up there in years, baby girl.”

“So I take it all is going well.”

“Yes. Those teenagers working in the store have been very helpful. They hardly let me do anything. It’s given me a chance to work on the books. And that nurse you got for me came by today. How is your patient doing?”

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Patient? Then Lila remembered how she’d lied to him about her reason for being here. “Fine. He’s f-fine. I—” A sob tore from her throat and she broke out into noisy tears.

“Baby? What’s the matter?”

It took several moments before she could regain her composure. She felt like a fool for worrying him like this.

“It’s okay, Lila. Get it out, you have to. Daddy’s here.”

“It’s just—I miss you so much and wanted to talk to you.”

“Are you sure? You’ve been away from me before. Tell me what’s really going on.

You haven’t cried like this since you were a child.”

“It’s…” Did she dare tell him the truth? Knowing how much pride her father had, he’d probably make her come home. Then what? He’d lose the store for sure. She should have waited to get herself together before calling him. “I know, but I had a bad dream last night that something happened and I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” The lie didn’t come easily, but she hoped it sounded convincing to him.

“Child, I’m fine. That nurse makes a bigger fuss over me than you and like I said, Reg and Carla are good kids if not a little talkative. Gloria is coming over tonight with one of her casseroles.”

“Mrs. Perez?”

“That’s the only Gloria I know. She’s a nice lady.”

Lila grinned. Her absence might not be such a terrible thing for him after all. James Saunders was still a good looking man. It came as no surprise to her that he still got his fair share of attention from the ladies. Lila liked Mrs. Perez so she was glad her father would have some companionship in her absence.

“Tell her I said hello.”

“Will do. Is everything going well with your job? Do I have to kick someone’s ass?”

She giggled, wiping the tear streaks from her face. “Now that I know you’re alright, I am too.”

“Is your employer treating you well?”

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Lila paused for a moment before crossing her fingers. “As well as could be expected.

This isn’t the typical patient. He’s…very moody.” It wasn’t exactly an untruth.

James chortled. “I’m sure you’ll have him eating out the palm of your hand by the time your assignment is over. You can charm the bees from honey.”

She snorted. “Hardly. You have much more faith in my abilities than I do.”

“Since you were small, you had something in you people flocked to. Some people have it and others don’t. You have it, baby girl. And if your boss can’t see it, then there’s something wrong with him.”

Lila wondered what her father would say if he ever came face to face with Hunter.

“It’s not really a matter of me being charming. I’m here to do a job and that’s it.”

“Hmm, then why do I get the sense there’s something going on you’re not telling me?”

She closed her eyes against the lie she knew she’d have to tell. “I guess I’m a little stressed is all. My, uh patient is more than a little moody at times. He can be an absolute beast and there’s only so far my charm will go with him. When he wants something, he expects me to do it immediately, or else.”

“Used to getting his own way.”

“Definitely.”

“Does he have any family or friends who visit?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

“Maybe he’s simply a lonely man who isn’t used to social interaction.”

It was so like her father to try to see the good in other people. Lila doubted he’d find many redeeming qualities in Hunter Jamison. She toyed with the idea of telling him the reason why she was really here and being done with it. As much as she hated lying to him, Lila dreaded disappointing him even more and this would definitely qualify as that.