He felt no sense of awesome power over her. Dominating her wasn't his idea of good sex. But how the spanking excited her--now that was damned hot. So hot his cock ached to be inside her.
Soon, very soon, it would be. As soon as he got her off. And judging from the way she moaned and squirmed against him, it wasn't going to be long.
*
Morgan could barely stand the feel of Tony's hand whacking her bottom. Not that she didn't like it. No, that wasn't it at all. She liked it so much she was ready to come all over his hand.
Gone was the fear associated with the act. Tony was so distinctly different from David that she felt no fear, none of the old memories resurfaced. It wasn't the act itself that had frightened her before, it was her partner. Tony would never hurt her, which allowed her to relax and enjoy this little bit of kink as she had before.
The stinging swipes of his hand against her ass only made her wetter, only made her insides grab on to his finger as if it were his cock, pulling it inside, squeezing, aching, needing release right--now!
With a mewling cry she let loose her orgasm, feeling it soar through her like never before. She clenched her fingers around Tony's legs and rode out the ecstasy, his fingers pumping inside her and bringing forth more pleasure than she thought she could bear.
As soon as she relaxed against him he pulled her up and cradled her in his arms, then swooped his mouth down over hers in a devastating kiss that left her breathless all over again.
She'd done it--she was free. Feeling the last remnants of hesitancy fly out the open window, she smiled at the man who had so carefully brought her back to the land of the living.
"Thank you," she said.
He smiled at her and raised a brow. "No, thank you. That was fun. And you certainly seemed to enjoy it a lot."
"Indeed I did." His erection pressed against her slightly stinging buttocks. "I see we need to provide you some relief, now."
"If you insist."
"Oh yes, I definitely insist. Only this time, I want you to tie me up and have your way with me."
The shocked expression on his face brought a grin to hers.
"Say that again?" he asked.
"Tie me to the bed over there, and do whatever you want to with me. Make me your love slave."
Seeing his eyes darken, knowing what was going through his mind, all the possibilities, aroused her all over again. She reached for her breasts and circled her nipples with her thumbs.
"Shit, Morgan, I'm about to burst right now."
"Then burst away. Only tie me up first, and do what you want to me."
He reached down and caressed his shaft, outlined clearly against his shorts. "Come here, then," he said, leading her toward the four-poster bed.
"There are some restraints in the nightstand drawer," she said, then explained when he looked at her quizzically. "I kept them to remind me of what I used to have and how easily I could be hurt. I don't really know why I did. Maybe I hoped that some day, some how I could be whole again, that I could be the sexually free person I used to be. All I know is I want you to use them on me."
He sucked in a breath and blew it out. "You drive me crazy, Morgan."
Not any more than he did to her.
"Take off that dress, " he commanded.
She reached for the straps and slowly, seductively, slid them down her arms, baring first her breasts, then her belly. Lowering it to her hips she gave him a wicked smile before dropping it to the floor.
"Get over here and lie on your back." He uttered the command in a harsh and breathless tone. His excitement thrilled her, made her wet, made her ache for his hard cock slamming in to her. She did as she was told and he grabbed the rope and tied her to the four posters.
She wriggled as she lay there spread-eagled on the bed, excitement swelling in her breasts and between her legs. Tony touched himself while he stood next to the bed watching her.
For what seemed like an eternity he stared down at her, his eyes dark and full of desire, his hand grasping his thick shaft over his shorts and squeezing it. Morgan fought against the restraints, not because she was afraid, but because she wanted him near her, on her, in her.
Now.
Tony fought for breath at the vision before him. His cock twitched, aching for release. He wanted to spill his come inside Morgan now.
And he wanted to spend a couple hours just gazing down at her naked body tied spread-eagled to the bed. He stroked his shaft. Morgan's pussy glistened in the late afternoon light, wet from her previous orgasm, her body wriggling with excitement.
"You ready?" he asked.
"Yes," she panted, lifting her hips.
"You going to do whatever I want you to?"
"Yes," she said again, clearly excited. Her nipples stood up in two points, begging for his mouth to cover them, suck on them until she begged him to fuck her.
God, he'd love to do that right now. But he wanted to please her first. And pleasing her meant taking command.
Quickly he dropped his shorts to the floor and stood beside the bed, stroking his shaft.
"Does watching me touch it turn you on?" he asked.
"You know it does." Her gaze was riveted to his penis.
"It makes me hot when you watch."
She smiled.
"It'll make me hotter to watch you suck it." He climbed onto the bed and knelt beside her head. "Suck me, baby."
Without hesitation, she opened her mouth and he slid the tip near her waiting tongue. She lapped up the drop of moisture from the head, and he shuddered at the feel of the warm wetness.
Knowing she couldn't grasp his penis and pull it toward her mouth, he straddled her, kneeling on either side of her face, and slid his shaft inside her open mouth.
Watching her take his cock in deeply, feeling the heat surrounding him, knowing she was at his mercy and it excited her, nearly set him off. But he held back, tensing up, keeping the inevitable release at bay.
"That's good, baby, suck it like that."
Her gaze focused on his face, the intensity of her look more than adding to an already intense erotic experience.
"My balls are tight, filling with come. I'm close. Tell me where you want it," he said, withdrawing to let her speak.
"Wherever you want to put it," she responded.
One last time he slid into her hot mouth and stroked it as far back as he dared. She took him all willingly and without complaint. When it was obvious he couldn't wait any longer, he pulled out, knowing exactly where he wanted to spill his seed when the time came.
He untied the restraints and lay on top of her, slipping his shaft inside her with one quick thrust. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, pulling him tighter against her.
They were eye-to-eye, nose-to-nose, and mouth-to-mouth. He kissed her delectable mouth, his tongue keeping rhythm with the thrusts of his cock. She let loose whimpers of pleasure into his mouth, and in return he gave her a groan of delight. She was so tight, felt so perfect, he knew at that moment that she was made for him.
When she tightened around him and let loose a howl as her orgasm ripped through her, he went right along with her, knowing at the moment he spilled inside her that no matter his intentions, no matter his denials, he'd fallen hopelessly in love with Morgan.
Chapter Thirteen
Morgan lay snuggled tight within Tony's arms, never having felt more content than she did at this moment. Listening to his heart thrum steadily against her ear, she sighed and scooted closer, rewarded when he grasped her tighter against him.
He'd long ago fallen asleep. After their lovemaking, after he'd held her, kissed her, made sure she hadn't suffered any ill effects from being restrained. After they'd returned to the resort so she could tie up any loose ends, and after they'd returned home and made love once again.
Ill effects? On the contrary, she'd found more pleasure in those moments with Tony than she'd experienced in her entire life. That's when the realization hit her--she was in love with him. It didn't
matter that she'd told him point blank there could be no emotional involvement between them. Nor did it matter that he was leaving tomorrow.
How had it happened? How had this foray into sex turned into something deeper, so deep the thought of losing him carved a hole in her heart, making her ache with the loss already?
And more importantly, should she tell him how she felt? She could imagine the results if she did. He wouldn't be able to pack fast enough. He'd made it quite clear he wasn't interested in a long-term relationship with her, that his life, his love, was traveling the world to get the next story.
Tony's story about Morgan was over. It was time for him to move on.
And because she loved him, she was going to let him go. She didn't want him leaving with any regrets that he'd hurt her, that he'd somehow misled her into thinking he felt more than he actually did. Her feelings for him were of her own creation, and she'd deal with it on her own.
After all, she'd been on her own for years now. She'd adjust to life without him.
Yeah, right.
Now wide awake, she quietly slipped out of bed. It was very late, but she might as well do a little picking up while insomnia took hold. Maybe start some laundry.
She could sleep after he was gone.
What else would there be to do?
The house was so quiet as she tiptoed through the rooms, picking up things and gathering clothes. She stepped into Tony's room, figuring she'd wash his clothes with hers.
The beep of his personal fax machine caught her attention. A pile of papers had slipped off the machine on to the floor, and she bent to pick them up and lay them on the desk.
She hadn't meant to look, but her eyes strayed to the sender. The subject line made her shake all over.
The fax was from a Delbert Watkins, Private Investigator. The subject was entitled "Detailed Investigation on Morgan Brown."
She put the paper on the desk and stared down at the cover page, unable to believe her eyes. It was marked "Highly Confidential, for Tony Marino only." She shouldn't read it. Then again, it was about her. But what about her?
Unable to resist, she turned to the next page and read until she'd finished. By then her stomach rolled and she felt like she might be sick. Every sordid detail of her past, including David's full name, his family background, her family background, even former addresses and childhood friends was listed there.
He'd found everything about her. Everything. The man was thorough, she had to give him that. Every one of her dirty little secrets. Tony had found everything he'd come looking for, and then some.
And in the meantime, he'd skillfully gained her trust, even fucked her. Wouldn't this story look great in the tabloids?
She'd fallen in love with him, and he'd used her to gain information, to get a fucking story! How could he do this to her? He was no better than David had been. Manipulating her, bending her, twisting her inside out only to whip her raw.
Despite the humidity she shivered, completely cold inside. Remembering the times Tony had so easily taken her any way he wanted to made her want to crawl under her desk and curl up in a ball.
Her immediate thought was to run. Pull up stakes and take off where no one could find her, least of all David. Once the news leaked out he'd have access to her again. Even David had no idea where she was. Neither did her family. Soon, everyone would know.
She fought back the tears, letting the fury take over. Grabbing the fax off the desk she stormed out of his room.
She'd been screwed once, and let it happen. Never again.
*
Tony sat upright in bed, his hand immediately reaching for Morgan but finding the space next to him empty.
Where was she? He glanced at the clock. Three in the morning. Maybe she was outside. He stepped outside but didn't see her. The house was dark, no lights were turned on either in front or in back.
So where the hell was she?
He heard noises in the kitchen and found her slamming a cup and bottle of rum onto the counter, then spilling half the contents as her shaking hands poured the liquid into the glass.
"Morgan?" he asked.
She didn't answer.
"What's wrong?"
"As if you didn't know." She turned and grabbed a handful of papers from the counter and thrust them at his chest. He reared back, unprepared for the venom in her words, and scanned the papers she'd all but thrown at his face.
He felt the blood drain from his face and sat down in the nearest chair.
Watkins' report. Fuck. He'd forgotten all about sending out queries for investigating Morgan's background. He should have called the investigator, told him to cancel his search. He'd been so wrapped up in Morgan he'd forgotten all about asking Watkins to investigate her.
"I can explain this," he began.
"Don't bother. I'm pretty damn smart and I can read. I know exactly what that is."
"No, I don't think you do." He stood and stepped toward her. She stepped back.
Okay, explain first, touch her later. "Morgan, I asked for that report before I knew you, before I--" Shit. He'd almost said "Before I fell in love with you." Doubtful she'd believe that right now. He could hardly believe it himself.
"Before what? Before you manipulated me, used me, fucked me in more ways than one?"
"No, that's not what I was going to say." He had to tell her, had to make her understand that he would never hurt her.
She crossed her arms and smirked. "You know what? I don't really care what you have to say. But you can listen to me. Pack your stuff and get out of my house. Now."
No. It couldn't end this way. He wouldn't let it. He stood and reached out for her. "Morgan, let me explain."
But she backed away and folded her arms across her middle. "Don't touch me. Don't ever touch me again. Pack. Get out. Now. I'll be waiting in the cart. You can stay at the resort until the bus comes tomorrow to take you to airport."
Tony inhaled and blew out a breath, hurt and frustrated that he couldn't make her believe he hadn't meant for this to happen. As he watched her closed expression, he knew no amount of arguing would help. He left to go pack, throwing on clothes and jamming his things into his bag. He didn't have much so it didn't take long. When he came out Morgan, true to her word, was waiting in the golf cart, refusing to even look at him.
They drove to the resort in silence. When she stopped in front and waited while he retrieved his bags, she said, "I already called ahead. There's an available office for you to stay in until mid morning when the bus comes."
"Fine." He started to step out but then stopped and turned to her, ignoring the fact she wouldn't even turn her head in his direction. "I'm sorry I asked Watkins to investigate you. I want you to know that nothing in that report will ever be printed."
"Right."
"It's too bad you don't trust me enough to believe in me. I thought we were way past that point in our relationship. I guess I was wrong."
She hesitated for a second before saying, "We don't have a relationship, and no, I don't trust you. You've given me plenty of reason not to."
Nothing he could say or do would convince her. He already knew that. "I'm sorry, Morgan. I'm..." Useless, he reminded himself. He stepped out of the cart and headed up the stairs to the lobby, refusing to turn around when he heard the cart drive away.
*
Morgan fought back tears that had threatened to fall for hours, determined that she'd shed not a single one for a man who would so callously hurt her as Tony did.
She'd thought she'd loved him. Loved him! What an idiot. Would she never learn that men were not to be trusted? That there was no such thing as the man of her dreams, or true love?
How could she have been such a lousy judge of character? Why couldn't she see through people to the lies underneath? Was she so desperate for love and affection she'd been blind to Tony's true nature? It just didn't seem possible that he was that good an actor. Maybe he wasn't. Maybe she'd just seen what she wanted to see.
Either way, it was over, and once again she'd learned a very valuable lesson. She'd come to Paradise to live alone, so that men like him couldn't hurt her. For the rest of her life she'd remember there was a reason she'd chosen a life of solitude.
Glancing at the fax on the corner of her desk, she chewed her lower lip, wondering why Tony had left it on her kitchen table, and what had possessed her to snatch it up and bring it here to work? Why hadn't she given it back to him before he'd left?
Left. She glanced at the clock on the wall across from her desk. By now Tony should be back on the mainland, no doubt rushing to write his story and meet the deadline so he could dish the dirt on Morgan's past for the world to see.
He'd make a fortune publishing that story in the tabloids. David Randall was a prominent New York lawyer. The scandal would be huge. And then David would come after her, to punish her, to make her pay for breaking their bargain.
She grabbed the fax and forced herself to read it again, clutching her stomach as the pain stabbed at her. When would the story hit? Tabloids were done weekly, and with a hot topic like this one it wouldn't surprise her to see it in next week's National Inquisitor.
She'd be ruined. Paradise would go down the tubes, no one would want to come here, and worst of all, David would find her and develop some way to torture her, even though he'd promised he wouldn't.
David's promises meant nothing. She'd been lucky to live in peace for the past three years. Once he found out where she was, she knew he wouldn't be able to stay away. He owned her, he'd told her that often enough.
Dropping her head into her hands, she thought long and hard about what she could do, then an idea hit. She picked up the phone and quickly dialed the number of the investigator listed on the fax cover sheet.
A sharp voice answered, "Watkins here."
Morgan swallowed back her nervousness and said, "Delbert Watkins?"
"Yeah?"
She paused, then managed, "I need to speak with you about this fax you sent Tony Marino about me."
"Who is this?"
Cringing at his angry tone, she replied, "Morgan Brown."
Now it was his turn to pause. "I see. What can I do for you, Ms. Brown?"
"I want to know where you got the information you reported to Tony."