His to Command #2: The Capture Read online




  His to Command

  #2

  The Capture

  Opal Carew

  St. Martin’s Griffin

  New York

  The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you for your personal use only. You may not make this e-book publicly available in any way. Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the author’s copyright, please notify the publisher at: us.macmillanusa.com/piracy.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Begin Reading

  Also by Opal Carew

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Kate drew in a deep breath.

  Matt Pearce stood on the other side of the enormous room, but he was far too close. His carefully controlled power filled the space, crowding around her. Her heart fluttered like a wild thing and her pulse throbbed at her temple in a rapid pounding. She grabbed onto the stonework around the fireplace to steady herself.

  “What are you doing here?” she croaked.

  His sensuous lips twisted into a smile. “I’m your new partner.”

  New partner. Oh, God, he must be the investor. She clasped her hands together because they’d started to tremble.

  “But you’re not on the list of executives for Facts and Figures Inc.”

  He smiled. “That’s because I’m the owner.”

  Damn. She drew in a deep breath. “There’s been no agreement signed yet. That’s why I’m here, to see if we’ll be a good fit.”

  A smile crept across his face. “As I recall, we’re a very good fit.”

  His words sent a tremor through her, along with memories of his hot, hard body pressed tightly against hers.

  She felt the heat of a blush creep across her cheeks.

  He strolled toward her. “Surely the meeting is just a formality.”

  She couldn’t stay here any longer. Being alone with him like this sent panic skittering through her. She glanced toward the door, assessing her chances of escape. She could fling caution aside and lunge around the couch, then race across the room toward the door, but he could catch up with her in three quick strides.

  She sucked in a breath. Damn, she was overreacting. The man wasn’t going to chase her.

  Or would he?

  “You look like you’re thinking of fleeing. Is the thought of being here with me so distasteful that you feel you have to run away from me again?” he asked, the words strung as tight as his expression.

  Whether he referred to the incident at the mall last month, or when she had left him two years ago, she didn’t know, or care.

  “I want to leave right now,” she demanded.

  His lips compressed. “That’s not an option.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”

  “Well…”—he held his free hand out expansively—“we’re at least a mile from the main road. It’s the middle of January and freezing outside.”

  “The driver—”

  “Is gone.”

  She glared at him. “So you’re forcing me to stay here?” A chill ran through her.

  “I had hoped you would stay long enough so we can talk.”

  A shiver ran down her spine. Did he want to talk to her about why he’d betrayed her two years ago? Not that he would think of it as betrayal. It was part of his way of life. To control his woman so completely.

  Or did he want to talk to her about why she’d left? Her leaving must have been a surprise to him. He must have assumed she’d accept his complete domination or he wouldn’t have planned the events that night.

  A shiver rippled through her at the thought that he intended to keep her here against her will. Would he force her into submission?

  She had never realized his desire for domination ran so deep, until that fateful night two years ago when his true—and frightening—nature had been revealed.

  Panic welled in her. He was bigger and stronger than her. With no difficulty at all, he could physically constrain her. Chain her to a wall or tie her to a chair. Flog her.

  A flash of remembered pain ripped through her, but she pushed it aside.

  His eyes narrowed as he watched her face. He stepped toward the fireplace. “I’m not stopping you from leaving, Kate.”

  His calm, reasonable voice dragged her from her panic.

  She blinked, momentarily confused. “I don’t understand. You just said—”

  “I said the driver left.” He picked up a brass poker and shifted the logs on the flame. Sparks flared violently. “That means you can’t leave immediately. I told him I’d call him later this evening when we need him to come back.” He gazed at her again. “After we’ve talked.”

  She tipped up her chin in defiance. “And if I don’t want to stay and talk?”

  He replaced the poker on the hanging stand and turned toward her. “I could call him to come back for you now, if that’s what you want.”

  “Can’t you drive me back?”

  “I had a driver, too, Kate. I used the travel time to work.”

  “That’s fine. Then I’ll call a taxi.”

  He gazed at her with disturbing intensity. “Are you really so afraid of just sitting down and talking to me? What do you think I’m going to do?”

  That was the problem. She really didn’t know.

  She drew in a deep breath. But if he intended to overpower her, he could have done it by now, and he could certainly stop her from calling a cab if he wanted to.

  She was overreacting. After all, she’d walked away from him two years ago. Sure, he was probably angry about that, but they were no longer in a relationship, so his deep need to totally subjugate his woman didn’t really apply to her anymore.

  Unless he just wanted to see her powerless and squirming, to make her pay for escaping his control.

  He strolled toward her. “You came all the way out here. Won’t you even consider my offer to invest in your company?”

  She felt confused and vulnerable. Over the past few months, she had exhausted every other avenue she could think of to get the money to buy out her partner, and the deadline was the end of this month. When she’d gotten that call from Mr. Elliott, the president of Facts and Figures Inc., saying they wanted to invest in her company, she had been thrilled, but now…She couldn’t even imagine being in a partnership with Matt Pearce.

  Her fists clenched at her sides. Damn, this was an impossible situation.

  And getting worse the closer he got to her. Because despite everything that had happened between them, her heart still fluttered whenever she was near him.

  And he was only a few steps away, and getting closer.

  “I could use a drink,” she said to stop him from drawing any nearer.

  His eyebrows arched. “All right.”

  She suppressed a sigh of relief as he moved away, heading toward the built-in bar. He returned a moment later with a tall-stemmed glass of red wine for her and what smelled like rye whiskey for himself.

  She avoided touching him when she took the glass, knowing she couldn’t withstand physical contact and retain her composure.

  She sipped her wine, watching him over the glass. “Why do you want to invest in my company?”

  Her fingers tightened around the glass. He had wanted to control her, but he had failed. Did he now seek to reestablish that control by taking hold of her company?

  Damn, she was small time compared to the big corporation he owned. Would he build some clause in the contract that would allow him to take controlling interest? Would he find a way to steal her company from her? This could be his revenge for her denying him what he’d wanted from her.

  He swirl
ed the amber liquor around the glass, his gaze intent on the rippling motion. “If it helps, I have no intention of getting involved in the day-to-day operation of a small consulting firm. You’ll still retain control.”

  He had to be kidding. She never retained control when Matt was involved.

  Damn it, even if he didn’t have controlling interest, all he had to do was threaten to pull out his money and she’d be stuck. And he would know everything about her business because he’d have access to all her files. He’d be her partner for heaven’s sake.

  He sipped his drink, his dark eyes watching her over the rim of his glass.

  Her breath locked in her lungs. Oh, God, she felt so trapped.

  He simply stared, his face an emotionless mask.

  But would he really steal away her company? The Matt she’d thought she’d known would never have done a thing like that. That Matt had been a kind, decent, caring man. A man who had once loved her. But then she had learned what he really was.

  A man as powerful as Matt Pearce will never let you just walk away. So I suggest you run. Far. And fast.

  That’s what his friend Ileana had told her after that night. She had opened Kate’s eyes to what he was. Her stomach clenched at the memory.

  Now Matt would have the ability to control her company, and thereby control her.

  She walked to the couch and sank onto it. The fire still crackled and blazed cheerily, but the warmth no longer touched her. A chill had started around her heart and now crept outward to encompass her whole being.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  His lips compressed. “Why do you think I’m doing it?” He sounded more quizzical than demanding and that confused her.

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. After what happened…”

  Damn, she didn’t want to get into it. Didn’t want to hear him tell her why he’d been willing to subject her to that kind of pain.

  His eyes narrowed. “What exactly happened, Kate? Between us?”

  She stared at him in raging disbelief, then slammed her glass down on the coffee table and shot to her feet. “How dare you ask me that? After what you put me through…” The raging emotions flooding through her locked the breath in her lungs and words failed her. She paced across the floor.

  “After what I put you through?” He placed his glass on the mantel and paced toward her. “We really do have some talking to do.”

  “No.” She slashed her hand through the air. “I don’t want to talk to you about this. I don’t want to hear your explanations.”

  His hard gaze sharpened. He stepped forward, his presence like a storm cloud descending on her, a turmoil of mixed emotions swirling in his eyes. He raised a hand and stroked her cheek with one outstretched finger. She forced herself not to flinch.

  “Kate, was it my fault that you left? Did I…go too far with you?” The words came out soft and…uncertain.

  She felt her composure crack as old feelings flared inside her. Heat suffused her cheeks and a longing she’d buried in the depths of her soul stirred. No, don’t let me feel this. I don’t want to feel this.

  Oh, God, she knew she still loved him—because, quite simply, she’d never stopped—but she couldn’t give in to the destructive emotion.

  She stepped out of reach and turned away. Striding around the armchair to the fireplace, drawn to the flames and the warmth she wished would penetrate the numbness gripping her, she concentrated on collecting her composure.

  She felt the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand up and realized Matt stood behind her.

  “Kate, please tell me why you left.”

  She turned and stared at him in amazement. How could he ask her that? What he had done had been unforgivable.

  Her throat closed up and she couldn’t have uttered a word if she’d tried. She wrapped her arms around her body, rubbing her hands up and down, trying to banish the dreadful cold.

  “Damn it all, I loved you.” He stepped toward her and she stopped herself from backing away. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Don’t you understand? At first, I thought something terrible had happened to you.”

  The look of raw pain slashing his features shocked her. With all that had happened, she hadn’t really thought her leaving would hurt him so much as it would make him angry.

  And it seemed she had hurt him badly.

  Now, seeing his vulnerability, her heart constricted. She longed to reach out and touch him. To stroke back the loose waves of hair that had fallen onto his forehead. To soothe away the pain.

  His eyes narrowed. “Kate?”

  Her name, soft and questioning on his lips, sounded too right. She wanted to hear him say it again, murmured in the dark shadows of the night. Her heart ached and hot moisture formed in the corners of her eyes.

  “Kate?” he repeated. Concern etched his features.

  In the softening of his eyes, she saw the Matt she had once known. The Matt she had loved. But she couldn’t allow herself to fall for him again. Not knowing what he really was.

  Yet she stood there, helpless, as he tipped up her chin and gazed at her with questioning eyes. She couldn’t help but remember those blue eyes filled with desire. Her lip trembled.

  He drew her face toward him, and captured her lips. Passion flared as his tongue glided between her lips, seeking the warmth inside. Clinging to her wits, she kept her teeth firmly clenched and slid her hands to his chest to push him away, but the warmth of the silk fabric under her fingertips, pulled taut across the hard muscles of his chest, sent her into a sensual whirlwind.

  She opened to him, welcoming his tongue with her own. Her breasts swelled in reaction and she couldn’t stop her tiny gasp of pleasure at being in his arms again. It took every scrap of will she possessed not to wrap her arms around him and melt into his embrace like hot honey. She wanted him so badly; needed him with an agony that transcended time and space.

  Abruptly, he broke their embrace, holding her at arm’s length, looking as shaken as she felt.

  “Oh, God, Kate. Why did you leave me?”

  The agony in his voice was too much to bear. Kate sucked in a gulp of air and jerked away from him, trying to pull herself together. Grabbing her wine, she took a swallow and concentrated on the cool, tart liquid washing down her throat. He snatched it from her hand and flung it across the room. Droplets flew from the glass like blood-red tears as it shattered against the ceramic-tiled hearth.

  He grabbed her arms and pulled her toward him. The brush of his body against hers sent a shimmer of heated torment through her.

  “I want an answer.”

  She could feel tension emanating from him in waves.

  “Can’t you see? I need to know.” His words—tight beads strung out on a thread of anguish—shook her.

  The depth of his emotion showed clearly in the way his hands tightened on her shoulders.

  “Matt, you’re hurting me.”

  Instantly, he loosened his hold, but he did not release her. His features sharpened into harsh relief.

  This wasn’t like Matt. The Matt she’d known had always been in total control of his emotions. Memories of time they spent together fluttered through her mind like a film stuttering through an old movie projector, hazy and erratic.

  Of the way his lips would claim hers with potent authority. Of the way his touch could send her to ecstatic heights. And as they lay in bed together, their naked bodies entwined, of loving words murmured in his sexy, rumbling, bedroom voice. She wanted to throw herself into the strength of his arms and give herself to him.

  It would be so easy to forget everything that had happened. To allow these feelings to sweep her away, and seek the comfort of his arms. To allow their passion to flare again.

  He must have seen the surrender in her eyes. A shiver raced through her as his face moved toward hers.

  A cell phone warbled.

  She jerked back. What the hell was she doing?

  His jaw clenched and he tugged his phon
e from his pocket.

  “What is it?”

  As he listened, she paced to the window, escaping the delicious heat of him.

  “You’re sure?” His gaze shifted to her. “Okay, tomorrow then.”

  He hung up the phone and shoved it back into his pocket. “That was our driver. The freezing rain has gotten worse and the weight of the ice on the trees has caused a lot of branches to fall. Apparently, the road out of here is blocked.”

  Oh, God, don’t say what I think you’re going to say.

  “It looks like we’re stuck here overnight.”

  Matt didn’t understand why Kate was behaving so strangely. She stared at him as if he’d done something horrible to her, but she was the one who had walked away from their relationship. And without a word of explanation.

  The last time he’d seen her, she’d been dancing with a man—another Dom—at Ileana’s party. Later, Illy had told him Kate had left with the man. He’d been totally shocked. He never would have believed that Kate would behave that way. He figured Illy’d had it wrong, that Kate had just taken a cab home for some reason. Not that he understood why she’d do that, but it made more sense than her taking off with another man.

  He had loved her, and he’d been sure she’d returned that love.

  After the party, he’d called her. Days had gone by and she’d refused to answer any of his calls. He’d shown up at her apartment, but she wouldn’t let him in. Not long after that, she’d moved away.

  He’d always wondered if he should have dialed things back a bit with her. Although she had clearly loved being dominated, the Dom-sub relationship they’d fallen into had become intense and he could tell it had unnerved her a little. He was more experienced than her, and he’d felt guilty that maybe he should have pulled back a bit.

  But memories of her in his arms, begging him to give her pleasure, had overwhelmed him every time. She’d thrown herself into the submissive role so completely.

  Could that be why she’d had to get away from him? Did she blame him for going too far? Had she—reasonably so—expected that he, as the experienced one, would know how to balance things? Had he really been the one to cause their breakup? Sure, she’d been the one who’d walked away—and she shouldn’t have done it the way she had—but maybe it was the only way she could find the strength to leave him.

 

    Plus Three Read onlinePlus ThreeIllicit Mate: Abducted Series - Book 4 Read onlineIllicit Mate: Abducted Series - Book 4Wild_Ride Read onlineWild_RideHis to Possess #5: Entangled Read onlineHis to Possess #5: EntangledDirty Talk Read onlineDirty TalkDirty Talk, Whispers in the Dark Read onlineDirty Talk, Whispers in the DarkStepbrother, Mine #3 Read onlineStepbrother, Mine #3The Bridal Affair (Red Hot Fantasies Book 5) Read onlineThe Bridal Affair (Red Hot Fantasies Book 5)Heat Read onlineHeatIllicit Mate Read onlineIllicit MateMastered by the Genie (Mastered By Series) Read onlineMastered by the Genie (Mastered By Series)Rebel Mate Read onlineRebel MateInsatiable Read onlineInsatiableMastered: Ten Tales of Sensual Surrender Read onlineMastered: Ten Tales of Sensual SurrenderHis to Claim #5: Breaking Storm Read onlineHis to Claim #5: Breaking StormThe Office Slave (Erotic - Red Hot Fantasies) Read onlineThe Office Slave (Erotic - Red Hot Fantasies)The Office Slave #6: Yes, Sir Read onlineThe Office Slave #6: Yes, SirThe Commander's Woman: Celestial Soul-Mates, Book 2 Read onlineThe Commander's Woman: Celestial Soul-Mates, Book 2Forbidden Heat Read onlineForbidden HeatDrilled Read onlineDrilledHis to Possess #3: Perfect Storm Read onlineHis to Possess #3: Perfect StormDirty Talk, Sweet Release Read onlineDirty Talk, Sweet ReleaseDirty Talk, Secret Pleasure Read onlineDirty Talk, Secret PleasureTotal Abandon Read onlineTotal AbandonMastered By My Guardian Read onlineMastered By My GuardianHard Ride Read onlineHard RideStroke of Luck Read onlineStroke of LuckForbidden Mate: Abducted Series - Book 1 Read onlineForbidden Mate: Abducted Series - Book 1His to Command #4: The Arrangement Read onlineHis to Command #4: The ArrangementStepbrother, Mine #2 Read onlineStepbrother, Mine #2Mastered By The Boss Read onlineMastered By The BossThree Secrets Read onlineThree SecretsHis to Possess Read onlineHis to PossessThe Office Slave #2: The Boss Read onlineThe Office Slave #2: The BossRiding Steele Read onlineRiding SteeleForbidden Mate Read onlineForbidden MateMeat Read onlineMeatRiding Steele: Wanted Read onlineRiding Steele: WantedMentor Read onlineMentorHard Ride, Part 3 Read onlineHard Ride, Part 3My Best Friend's Stepfather #1 Read onlineMy Best Friend's Stepfather #1His to Claim #3: Rock Hard Read onlineHis to Claim #3: Rock HardThe Stranger (Red Hot Fantasies) Read onlineThe Stranger (Red Hot Fantasies)Desire: Ten sizzling, romantic tales for Valentine’s Day! Read onlineDesire: Ten sizzling, romantic tales for Valentine’s Day!The Office Slave #4: Her New Master Read onlineThe Office Slave #4: Her New MasterRiding Steele #1 Read onlineRiding Steele #1The King and I: Celestial Soul-Mates, Book 1 Read onlineThe King and I: Celestial Soul-Mates, Book 1His to Command #2: The Capture Read onlineHis to Command #2: The CaptureThree Men and a Bride Read onlineThree Men and a BrideHis to Claim Read onlineHis to ClaimOwned by the Sheikh: An Erotic Romance Collection Read onlineOwned by the Sheikh: An Erotic Romance CollectionStepbrother, Mine #1 Read onlineStepbrother, Mine #1Tall, Dark and Paranormal: 10 Thrilling Tales of Sexy Alpha Bad Boys Read onlineTall, Dark and Paranormal: 10 Thrilling Tales of Sexy Alpha Bad BoysNo Strings Read onlineNo StringsHard Ride, Part 1 Read onlineHard Ride, Part 1His to Possess #2: The Morning After Read onlineHis to Possess #2: The Morning AfterBliss Read onlineBlissIllicit Read onlineIllicitHis to Claim #4: Wild Ones Read onlineHis to Claim #4: Wild OnesBig Package Read onlineBig PackageMy Best Friend's Stepfather #2 Read onlineMy Best Friend's Stepfather #2His to Command #5: The Submission Read onlineHis to Command #5: The SubmissionMastered by her Captor Read onlineMastered by her CaptorCommand, Possess and Claim: The Collection Read onlineCommand, Possess and Claim: The CollectionDebt of Honor (Sexy Sheikh Romance) Read onlineDebt of Honor (Sexy Sheikh Romance)Hard Ride, Part 2 Read onlineHard Ride, Part 2His to Command #6: The Surrender Read onlineHis to Command #6: The SurrenderDaddy: An Older Man, Younger Woman Romance (Penthouse Pleasures Book 2) Read onlineDaddy: An Older Man, Younger Woman Romance (Penthouse Pleasures Book 2)A Fare to Remember Read onlineA Fare to RememberHis to Command #3: The Revelation Read onlineHis to Command #3: The RevelationHis to Claim #6: Perfect Rhythm Read onlineHis to Claim #6: Perfect RhythmRiding Steele: Crossroads Read onlineRiding Steele: CrossroadsRiding Steele: Untamed Read onlineRiding Steele: UntamedHis to Possess #1: The Seduction Read onlineHis to Possess #1: The SeductionDirty Talk, Blissful Surrender Read onlineDirty Talk, Blissful SurrenderRiding Steele: Aftershock Read onlineRiding Steele: AftershockThe Office Slave #5: Please, Master Read onlineThe Office Slave #5: Please, MasterPlayed By The Master Read onlinePlayed By The MasterPassion Play: Celestial Soul-Mates, Book 3 Read onlinePassion Play: Celestial Soul-Mates, Book 3True Lies Read onlineTrue LiesInsatiable: A Novel Read onlineInsatiable: A NovelMastered 2: Ten Tales of Sensual Surrender Read onlineMastered 2: Ten Tales of Sensual SurrenderFilthy and Rich: A Billionaire Menage Romance Box Set Read onlineFilthy and Rich: A Billionaire Menage Romance Box SetMy Best Friend's Stepfather #3 Read onlineMy Best Friend's Stepfather #3His to Claim #2: Savage Kiss Read onlineHis to Claim #2: Savage KissThe Office Slave Series, Book 7 & Bonus Collection Read onlineThe Office Slave Series, Book 7 & Bonus CollectionDebt of Honor Read onlineDebt of HonorMastered by the CEO (Mastered By #4) Read onlineMastered by the CEO (Mastered By #4)Owned by the Sheikh Read onlineOwned by the SheikhX Marks the Spot Read onlineX Marks the Spot