The Highest Bidder (2 page)

Chapter Two

An official approached Kristoff when they led Veronica off the stage. He had watched her leave, her nude body causing a fire to burn inside of him. Years had passed without him being able to feel the kind of flames that licked through him right now.

“Master St. Michaels.” The official held a folder that held everything he needed to know about Veronica’s past. It would give him every personal piece of information on her, right down to the first cut she’d had as a child. As her new husband, Kristoff was entitled to know everything.

 
Being raised and trained to be a virgin bride meant there was nothing kept secret. Everything she had ever done, ever said, had been documented. Although Kristoff had no use for such information, he knew there were sadistic men out there that liked to toy with their new wives, humiliate them and punish them for any past indiscretions. The world they lived in was corrupt and tormented, and it didn’t matter how many times these horrors were brought up to the authorities––nothing was ever done. Nothing would ever be done. These women were thrust into a dangerous realm, one that wasn’t safe and protected. They knew nothing of what awaited them outside the world of being trained to be the property of a husband.

“I have all the necessary documentation … if you’d like to come with me, I can discuss your new purchase in private.” The way the official spoke about Veronica, like she was nothing more than an article, raised his hackles. In essence he supposed she was, given the fact he had bought her, but to Kristoff she was so much more. She meant so much more. She was the key to helping him move forward, so he would not live in a past that would only drag him further down. She was the only woman in the past twenty-four months he had noticed and who caused everything around him to still and calm.

“That’s not necessary.” He took the folder before the official could say anymore. Kristoff knew exactly what would be discussed. He would be assured she was a certified virgin, and that the physicians had checked her over with a fine-toothed comb. She would be free of illness and disease, and be able to carry as many children as he bore upon her. He had gone through as much with Macie and he had no intention of going through that again. Of course this was all very degrading and tasteless. He didn’t wait for the man to try and persuade him otherwise. Kristoff strode toward where he could collect Veronica. The robe all the women wore was wrapped around her slender body once again. Her head was downcast and she took on a very submissive pose. Kristoff couldn’t deny that the dominant side of him took pleasure in her need to please, but he wanted a relationship, an equal partnership, not a pet. He didn’t want her to see him as the man that would control her.

He was introduced to her and his beating heart stilled as she slowly lifted her head. She stopped at his chest and started a slow trek up to his face. Her startling blue eyes were wide as she took in his size. She came just below his pecs, and although he had never taken much note of his height or musculature, he felt like he towered over her, like he could crush her if he wasn’t gentle.

He held her gaze, trying to perceive what was going through that pretty little head of hers. He was sure that fear as well as anxiety churned through her. Kristoff could only imagine how she felt right now: being handed over to a man she didn’t know, knowing she would be giving her virginity to a stranger that was now her husband. She didn’t know if he was cruel or kind, if he would harm her or cherish her. There had been no wedding, no vows recited. Per city laws, his purchase of her made her his legal property. She cast her eyes down, but he wasn’t nearly done admiring her. Placing his finger under her chin, he lifted her head so she was forced to look at him once again.

He already had the necessary documentation for the transfer of purchase with him, as he had his lawyers draw up the paperwork before his arrival. Although the majority of transactions were done electronically, Kristoff felt more secure with a hard copy of the proceedings. It left less room for error. He handed the paperwork to the official and then took Veronica’s hand and led her out of the building. He forced himself not to let his anger take hold as he noticed several men stop and stare at his departure.
 
There was no doubt what they thought—how long it would take before he killed this bride as well. Although Kristoff stopped blaming himself for Macie’s death, he knew others thought if he had kept her in line, trained her to do his bidding and be docile and obedient, she wouldn’t have passed. He wondered if Veronica noticed the attention on them, and if so, what she thought of it. If she did notice, she probably thought him a monster, the type of man that abused females for his own devious pleasure.

Thankfully, they reached the outside and he ushered her into the waiting limo. Turning his attention toward her, Kristoff watched through the wisps of honey-kissed hair the emotions that fluttered across her face. What he wouldn’t give to know what she was thinking at that moment. He wanted to wipe away any uncertainty she felt, but how could he come to understand how she felt when he was not on the other end?

His gaze dropped down to her plump, pink lips and he nearly groaned aloud when her little red tongue came out and swiped across them. His cock grew hard once again at the sight.

 
“I hope I do not disappoint you, Master Kristoff.” She averted her eyes and watched the passing scenery out the window.

Her voice, so sweet and soft, like a symphony that caressed every part of his body had his already hard shaft getting to the point of bursting through the material of his slacks. He hated that title usually, but he especially loathed it coming from her sweet mouth. He might be master to his household, but she was his wife and would not call him anything but his given name. “Look at me, Veronica.” Even he could hear the rough timbre of his voice and he hoped the sound didn’t frighten her. He couldn’t control it though, not when she had his body aflame with just a shy look and the softness of her voice.

Dropping his gaze once more he didn’t miss the fact that her nipples budded through the material of her robe.
Fuck
. He didn’t want to rush anything with her, but knowing that her body responded to him had a possessive need growing inside of him. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to gain control of what he felt. He needed to think of other things, things that didn’t have him picturing her naked and spread out before him. “Our servants call me Master Kristoff. You are my wife and will not. I am just Kristoff to you.” He had softened his tone, hoping to put any unease she felt at bay.

“Okay. I’d like that.”

He smiled, hoping to further give her peace of mind. He couldn’t help the need to touch her. Lifting his hand, he ran his fingers through the tendrils of hair that had escaped her chignon. Sliding his fingers along her cheek, he reveled in the fact her skin was so smooth beneath his fingertips. He could see the frantic rhythm of her pulse at the base of her throat.

“You were by the far the most beautiful woman at the auction.” He murmured, feeling as if he was in a trance in her presence. Her eyes were large and so very innocent looking. She had a small, pert nose and a full, luscious mouth. He couldn’t help the things he thought about her doing with that succulent mouth. “Come here, Veronica.” Keeping his voice pitched low, he wondered if she knew the effect she had on him. His pulse beat in his cock and he could feel perspiration start to dot his skin. He shouldn’t be doing this, should not be so demanding with her when it was far too early. She needed to be eased into their relationship, needed to trust him before he took their marriage to another level. With his hands on her shoulders he turned her so she faced him fully. Oh, it wasn't lost on him, the way her body responded to him. Her lips were parted and her breath came out of her in fast, little puffs of air. Her breasts rose and fell beneath her robe and he imagined parting the fabric and taking the hardened nipples between his lips and sucking long and hard until she writhed beneath him. God, he was burning alive for her and he had only been in her presence less than an hour.

He needed her like he needed to breathe. Without realizing what he was doing, he lowered his head, his eyes riveted to her mouth. Kristoff knew she wouldn’t resist him, but if he thought for one moment she didn’t want this he would have stopped. As it was, her body language said she wanted this just as badly as he did. When his mouth was mere centimeters from hers, she stilled.

“Veronica.” He said her name again, and watched as her eyes fluttered closed. She leaned forward in the last bit of space that separated them and sealed her mouth with his. At the first touch he groaned and cupped her cheek.
Oh, God.
She tasted like sun-ripened peaches. Working his mouth on hers, the male in him demanded he take her against the seat and show her how much he wanted her, but he refrained, knowing he had to be gentle with her this first time.

His fingers itched to touch her again and he found himself gripping her waist in feral need. He clenched his fingers around her slender hips, and dragged her across his lap. She felt so damn good on top of him, and when the material of her robe parted around her thighs, and her tender flesh brushed along the tips of his fingers, he nearly spilled his seed. There was no doubt in his mind she could feel his erection pressing between her thighs.

“Can you feel how much I want you, Veronica?” The kiss was deep and long and he broke away, dragging his lips down to her throat. He kissed and licked to her neck. She didn’t answer him verbally, but instead tipped her head back in acknowledgment, giving him better access to the slender column of her throat. The feel of her atop him, the heat of her pussy nearly burning straight through his dick, had him reigning in his desire by the skin of his teeth. Gripping her hips tighter, he forced her down on him at the same time he lifted his hips. Even through the material of his pants he could feel how wet she was. It was an intoxicating sensation, knowing that this beautiful woman was his and that her arousal was solely for him. He didn’t want to take her in the back of the limo, not for their first time, but the way things were headed he didn’t know if he’d be able to control himself.

Chapter Three

Kristoff dragged his mouth up her neck and latched it back on hers. He deepened the kiss until he was fucking her mouth. It sounded so vulgar when he thought of it like that, but there was no denying the act was extremely intimate. Moving his hand lower he gripped her small, yet full ass. He squeezed her flesh, bringing her as close to his body as he could. A growl of approval left her when she took initiative and rubbed her bare pussy on his cock. Damn, he wanted to pull his throbbing dick out and run it along her cunt. He knew she was soaking wet, could smell the sweet scent of her arousal surrounding them. Sliding his tongue out, he teased her bottom lip. A little cry left her.

“That’s it, baby. Ride that sweet little cunt on me. Make yourself come. Use me.” She gasped against his mouth and he knew his words heightened her arousal. On her own accord she started moving faster against him, rocking her hips back and forth, seeking out her on pleasure. With his hands still on her ass he squeezed the mounds, relishing in the way the spongy flesh molded to his palms. He used his hold on her to help her movements. Pushing her back and then bringing her forward, he could hear the pitch in her breath and knew she was close to coming. Her mouth opened and a gasp left her. He swallowed the sound, wanting her to climax on him with such a fierce intensity it surprised even him.

Her movements slowed and he wanted to growl in disapproval. He wanted her to come, wanted her cream covering him. The satisfaction that she would find her release because of him was exhilarating. Gripping the nape of her neck when her eyes met his, he hoped she could see all of the intense desire he had for her. “Look at me.” He eased his tone, but made sure it held a commanding note. Kristoff wanted her to have no doubts about what he wanted. Finally, she lifted her eyes to his and held his gaze. “I want you to come on me, Veronica. I want to feel your body shake as you lose control.”

He leaned in and resumed kissing her, showing her with the gentle sweep of his tongue and the urging pressure of his mouth that he wanted that from her desperately. The feel of her generous breasts pressed against his chest was far too much of a temptation. He used one of his hands to cup one of the heavy mounds and almost groaned against her mouth at how supple it felt. The weight was substantial and the feel of her budded nipple hard against his palm had him curling his fingers around her breast. It was at the feel of the tight peak pressing through the thin material of her robe that he let his groan free. The sound spurred her on and she started rocking against him once again. The rhythm she found had her moving closer to her orgasm once again. He could tell by the little sounds of pleasure erupting from her. And just like that, she exploded on him. High-pitched sounds of ecstasy left her and he wanted nothing more than to part the rest of her robe and touch her pussy, rub her clit until she couldn’t take any more of the pleasure and begged him to stop.

Kristoff latched his mouth on her neck, sucking on her flesh so hard he knew it would leave a mark. He wanted his mark on her, wanted all to know that she was his and anyone who dared touch her would have to answer to him. The fact he acted so possessive of her so quickly should have made him feel uneasy, but all he felt was a deep-seeded need to protect her and keep her close. She moaned again and continued to grind her pussy on him. He could feel her wetness seep through his pants and he held her tighter, wanting her to soak him.

Veronica fell against his chest, her breath coming out in hard, fast pants. He wrapped his arms around her and told her how beautiful she was, how phenomenal she felt. He wanted to tell her so much more, tell her he would always protect her, but even he knew things needed to be taken slowly if he wanted their relationship to bloom into something meaningful. This wasn’t just about sexual gratification for him. She was his wife and someday he hoped she would love him the way he knew he would grow to love her.
 

He kept her in his lap the rest of the way home, running his hands up and down her back in hopes she was soothed. There were a lot of things he wanted to show her, wanted to experience with her. He never thought he would be ready to experience another woman after Macie’s death, but having Veronica in his arms gave him hope. There was a light inside of her that he had noticed immediately. It soothed his wounded soul and gave him hope that there was life after tragedy. Maybe to her he was just another man that bought women for his own pleasure, and if that was the case he would spend the rest of his life showing her that there was so much more to him. Kristoff wanted her to see him as the man she could rely on for everything, the man that would cherish her above all others and make sure she was safe. Even thinking that made him feel remorse. How could he keep her safe when he couldn’t even keep Macie safe? He didn’t want to restrict her from the freedom of life, but he also knew how wouldn’t be able to survive another devastation. Kristoff couldn’t lose Veronica, couldn’t live without the light she had so suddenly brought into his life. It was strange to have such intense emotions after just meeting a person, but there it was and he wasn’t about to push them away, not after he had already lost so much.

The car slowed as they approached their home. He was tempted to tell his driver to continue on because he wasn’t nearly ready to release his hold on her, but he held his tongue. A moment later they stopped in front of their home and the backdoor opened. Kristoff helped Veronica out of the car. The fact that her eyes widened when she took in his home, and the obvious wonder that filled her face, had pride washing through him. Taking her hand, he led her up the wide stone steps and into her new home.

His servants lined up in front of them at their arrival and he stepped in front of the first and started the introductions. “This is Marco, the cook of the manor.” He moved down the line. “Dolly and Stacia are here to help you personally. If you find you want for anything you inform them and they will make sure you have it.” He dismissed the three he had just introduced. “Henry handles the grounds and Stephen handles maintenance. Our driver is Stewart, and our butler is Edward. He tends to my personal affairs. Last but not least, this is Olga and Marna, the housekeepers.” He pointed to the last two older women and then looked at Veronica. She seemed a bit overwhelmed and he dismissed the rest of his staff and took her hand. He wanted to assure her things would be fine and she would grow used to her surroundings, but he kept his mouth shut and led her up the stairs and to their bedroom.

 
“We will take supper in here tonight, Edward.” The butler followed them and bowed at the waist and shut the door on his way out.

Kristoff stood and watched her take in the master bedroom. When her gaze turned back to his there was apprehension in her eyes. He could practically see the thoughts running rampant in her mind, but instead of addressing them he started with a neutral question. “Are you cold? I can draw you a bath and you can soak until dinner arrives. It shouldn’t be too long.”

She took a deep breath and then said, “I’m not cold, and I bathed before the auction.”

He hated that she looked at him that way, like she expected him to throw her on the bed and have his dirty way with her. Exhaling deeply, he undid the first three buttons of his shirt. Keeping his gaze locked on hers, he moved toward the bed and sat on the edge, patting the spot next to him. They needed to talk and he hoped it would help some of her unease. It didn’t matter that she had just climaxed in the limo for him, that she had ground her sweet pussy on his erection, one that was still uncomfortably hard and demanding to be buried in her tight body.

“Sit next to me. I am sure you have questions. I can see the uncertainty in your eyes, and I hope to alleviate it.” Several moments passed before she finally made her way forward and sat beside him. She avoided his stare by looking at the bookshelf off to the side. He followed her gaze. The entire wall was a built-in bookshelf, lined with some of his most beloved novels. Many he had read countless times, the binding worn and the pages paper-thin. Many of the pictures that lined the shelf were of him and Macie together. He hadn’t even thought to remove them because they had been there for so long, but he didn’t want Veronica to feel uncomfortable because he had his deceased wife’s pictures lining their bedroom. He could practically see the questions churning in her head but kept quiet.

“I don’t know what to ask you.”

He smiled, hoping to ease her. She looked at him now and he could still see her hesitation and confusion with her own emotions playing across her features. “How about the basics? I mean, you know nothing of me yet I know everything about you.” There should be no secrets between them, and if she was willing to ask the questions he would tell her anything she wanted. “You are so very young, Veronica.” He ran his finger down the bared part of her arm, and the fact she shivered from his touch sent his heart racing. “Do I frighten you?” Leaning in closer, he let his lips barely skim the shell of her ear.

 
“Yes…No.” She sounded so unsure and he wished he could do something to make her feel some semblance of contentment in her new life. She looked over at him and their mouths were once again only inches apart. What he wouldn’t give to taste her again, to let his tongue slip into the warm, intoxicating depths of her mouth. Even now he could taste her essence on his tongue, feel it travel throughout her body and ignite the most primal desires inside of him. The desire for him to give them what they both wanted was clearly written on her face and he said, “Kiss me, Veronica.” Kristoff wanted her to make the move, wanted her to initiate the passion that so clearly burned brightly between them.

It only took her a second to respond but then she was leaning in the rest of the way and pressing her mouth to his. He speared his hand in her hair, bringing her closer and deepening the kiss. He curled his fingers in her delicate chignon and itched to pull the pins out and watch the strands cascade down her body. The image of those tendrils caressing his body as she took him into her body was like a hot poker to his cock. Knowing that he had to have every part of her unrestrained, he started working his fingers through her hair until all the pins were removed and her satiny tendrils fell in a wave around her.

Immediately he tangled his hands in the strands, gripping the locks in his fist and slanting her head to the side so he had better access to her mouth. She was everything he had ever hoped for, everything that could open up the deepest, darkest lust inside of him until it threatened to consume him. Whatever she was doing to him was intense and powerful and he knew he was unable to stop it from consuming him. He loosened one hand from her hair and slid it down her shoulder and through the gap in her robe. When his fingers skimmed the bare flesh of her breast he felt his heart pound wilder. The tight, hard point of her nipple taunted him and he took the tiny bud between his thumb and forefinger, causing the already hard tissue to pucker even further. The sweet sounds of her begging him for more had moisture seeping from his cock. He alternated between her breasts until her chest was thrust forward as if seeking more.

“Your tits are so soft, supple. I want to suck on your nipples, draw them deep in my mouth until you beg me for release.” He murmured against her mouth and grinned when she shivered against him. He hadn’t meant the filthy words to come from him, but he was finding it difficult to censor himself where Veronica was concerned. God, he wanted to taste her soft, supple flesh, suck the tips into his mouth until her nipples were swollen and red from his ministrations. He intended to do just that, but before he could act on his lewd desires a knock came from the door. It took everything inside of him to pull away from her sweet body.

When he pulled away he glanced at her and made sure he wasn't frightening her. What he saw was satisfied pleasure coming from her. Kristoff pulled the lapels of her robe closed before leaning in and kissing her softly once more. He rose and made his way to the door before he had her naked beneath him. His erection strained painfully but he refrained from adjusting himself. Since he now knew what she tasted and felt like all he could imagine was pushing her thighs apart and dragging his tongue along the sweet, smooth center of her body. He knew she would be tight and saturated as her pussy clenched around his cock. Guilt swamped into him at the dirty things he thought, but he couldn’t help but picture her lithe body withering beneath his.

He brought the tray of food back to bed and positioned it between them. Picking up a ripe strawberry, he lifted it to her lips and waited for her to open for him. It only took her a second, and when her plump lips curved around the ripe flesh of the red fruit he found his eyes growing heavy, as if weights held them down. A droplet of juice slid down the corner of her mouth and before he could stop himself he leaned forward and dragged the tip of his tongue along her decadent flesh. She tasted sweet before, but with the hint of strawberry lining her skin she was positively intoxicating. The soft wisps of air that left her moved across his cheek and he clenched his hands at his sides. When he finally pulled away satisfaction speared through him that her eyes were closed and a beautiful blush covered her high cheekbones. He brushed his thumb along the curve of her cheek and felt a tingle spread through him.