Command, Possess and Claim: The Collection Read online

  A cell phone warbled.

  She jerked back. What the hell was she doing?

  His jaw clenched and he tugged the phone 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 she was, 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.

  Or maybe she’d simply been attracted to another, more intense Dom.

  His heart ached at the thought of her in another man’s arms. Of her begging him to pleasure her.

  God, he had loved her so deeply. As he gazed at her now, he knew he still loved her.

  The realization wasn’t really a shock. After all, why else would he be here, willing to invest a huge chunk of money in his ex-girlfriend’s business? A woman who’d torn out his heart and tossed it aside.

  But no matter what had happened between them, he wanted to help her.

  Given their past, he knew she might be reluctant to accept him as her partner, but she needed the money, and her company was a good investment. He had hoped they could find a way to get past what had happened between them and move forward. Maybe they still could if he could just get her to open up about why she’d left.

  * * *

  Kate’s heart thundered in her chest. She did not want to stay here alone with Matt.

  “Oh, no. I am not staying here overnight.”

  “We don’t really have a choice. The driver can’t get to us.”

  She glared at him. “Then I’ll walk.”

  He just grinned. “You always were stubborn, but you know that’s a bad idea.”

  She stormed to the front door and grabbed her coat from the coat rack, then pulled it on. “It’s just below freezing. With a good coat, that’s not too cold. And visibility’s not bad.” She fastened her buttons. “It’s not like walking through a blizzard.” She wouldn’t get lost and die of exposure.

  “And where exactly do you plan to go?”

  “I’ll walk back to the main road. A mile isn’t that far. Then I should be able to get a cab. Or you can get your driver to meet me there.”

  “Are you really going to try walking out of here on the icy road? And in those boots?”

  She glanced down at her high spike heels. She did wish she had her other boots. They were more practical, but she’d come here for a business meeting and she’d wanted to look her best, so these dressy boots were the right choice.

  “I’ll manage.” She pulled on her leather gloves and threw him a defiant glare, then crossed the strap of her bag over her shoulder. “Are you coming?”

  She really should just storm out of here on her own, but she was a bit leery about traveling out into the dark icy night on her own.

  He shrugged, still with that annoying grin on his face, and walked to the closet by the front door where he retrieved his coat and pulled it on. He slipped on his gloves, then opened the front door for her.

  The rain continued to fall, freezing on every surface it hit, glazing the already slick ice with a supersmooth finish.

  As soon as her foot hit the porch pavement, it slipped forward. She steadied herself, then started to walk carefully, lifting each foot up, then placing it down again carefully as she walked. It had gotten much worse since the driver had dropped her off.

  There were a few steps down to the path that led to the driveway. She grasped the icy railing and stepped down. As she shifted her weight, her foot slipped out from under her. Following closely behind her, Matt grabbed her arms and prevented her from crashing to the ground. He steadied her and set her back on her feet, then continued to grasp her arm. She wanted to pull away from him, but his hold on her gave her a sense of security. And she realized that with the icy path ahead, she was much more likely to get out of here with his help than without it.

  She tried the next step and again slid forward, but with Matt’s help remained on her feet.

  They finally made it to the bottom of the three steps.

  The whole path, steps included, were interlocking bricks. There was a shiny layer of sheer ice coating them. She tried to walk steadily along the path, but her feet kept wanting to slide out from under her.

  “Maybe we should walk along beside the path,” she suggested.

  “Whatever you say.” Still holding her arm, Matt guided her to the side of the path.

  She lifted her leg and tried to jab her heel into the snow, hoping to get traction, but instead of punching through, her heel just scooted along the surface, and the force of the unexpected motion sent her off balance. She fell back against Matt, knocking him to the ground, with her on top of him.

  Her body lay sprawled across his and she scrambled to stand up, but she couldn’t get purchase. Her feet just kept sliding across the surface of the ice.

  “Relax, Kate. Give me a minute.”

  He set her on his outstretched leg, so she was sitting on his thigh, then he slid off his coat and laid it on the ground beside her. He set her on the coat, then rolled onto his knees. She watched as he slid along the path to a cedar bush and grabbed it, then successfully pulled himself to his feet.

  She could see the wet splotches growing on his shirt as the rain continued to fall. He’d given her his coat so she wouldn’t get wet as she sat on the ground, but now he was out in the freezing weather without protection from the cold.

  While continuing to hold on to the bush, he leaned down and grabbed the edge of his coat and slid her toward him.

  “Kate, roll onto your knees, then I can help you up.”

  She did as he said. His coat protected her stocking-clad legs from the damp ice below.

  He grabbed her arm and held on tight while she put one foot, then the other onto his coat, then pushed herself to her feet.

  Once standing, she gazed down at his damp coat.

  “Here, hang
on to the bush,” he instructed.

  She grasped a handful of the evergreen branch and took a step off the coat. When she found a firm footing, she took her other foot off the coat. Then Matt picked it up. It was drenched.

  “Kate, I’d offer to carry you, but we’d most likely wind up flat on the ground again. Why don’t you just come back to the house?”

  She glanced along the road that disappeared into the woods. A mile of this. Every step would be a challenge. It would take her forever to get back to the road, if she even made it at all. She might wind up sprawled in the ditch. She could hit her head, maybe get knocked unconscious. She could break her ankle.

  No, it was too dangerous.

  “Okay,” she agreed reluctantly.

  He tugged on his damp coat, then grasped her arm and she gingerly walked alongside him until they made it to the steps, then she clung to the railing as she proceeded up the stairs again, Matt right behind her. When they finally made it to the front door, she sighed in relief.

  Matt helped her off with her coat and hung it on the coat rack, then hung his wet coat inside-out on another of the hooks. As she took off her boots, he crossed to the fireplace. He began releasing the buttons of his shirt and she stood mesmerized as the shirt opened up, revealing his sculpted chest and perfect abs.

  “Uh … what are you doing?” she asked.

  He glanced her way. “My shirt’s wet. I’m going to hang it by the fire and warm up.” He slipped the shirt from his shoulders.

  “Oh.” That’s all she could manage, because he now stood before her, naked from the waist up, in all his muscular glory. She found it difficult to breathe as she watched his muscles ripple as he grabbed another log and placed it on the fire.

  “Do you want another drink to warm you up,” he asked, “or would you like to just sit by the fire?”

  Thoughts of sitting on the couch beside Matt—half naked and supremely masculine—in front of the fire sent heat of a different kind thrumming through her. It was so tempting to stroll over there right now, sit beside him, then nestle against his warm body. Let his arm curl around her. Snuggle in close. Let things progress naturally, which given her intense attraction to him, despite everything that had happened in the past, would lead to … bed.

  Actually, they probably wouldn’t make it to a bed. If she let things go the way her tingling body wanted, she’d be begging him to make love to her right in front of the fire.

  “It’s been a long day and I’m tired. I’d like to go to bed,” Kate said.

  “Are you sure? I didn’t know if you’d have time for dinner before our meeting, so I have some food prepared.”

  “I ate something before I came.” It was technically true, but all she’d had time for was a handful of celery sticks. Her stomach was rumbling, but she’d rather go to bed hungry than stay here with Matt.

  “Okay.” He smiled and walked toward her. “Well, then, let’s get you to bed.”

  He picked up her purse and pressed a hand to the small of her back. She swallowed hard, wondering exactly what he intended as the pressure of his hand propelled her toward the magnificent spiral staircase. Did he expect to climb into bed with her?

  Her anxiety heightened with each step as they ascended the stairs. Once they reached the upper floor, he led her down the wide hallway to the second door on the right and pushed it open. She hesitated, seeing the large canopied bed in lavender and white dominating the room. He ushered her forward and followed her in, placing her purse on the dresser.

  She stood just inside the door, frozen to the spot, watching him. Did he intend to stay? Would he turn on his shockingly effective charisma in an attempt to convince her?

  If he did, she’d be in big trouble.

  He turned around and smiled, seemingly aware of her unease. Crossing his arms, he leaned back against the wall. “What is it, Kate? Nervous sleeping alone in a strange house? Don’t worry. I’ll be close by.”

  That’s what she was afraid of. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “How close?” Her gaze fastened on the large queen-size bed.

  He chuckled and stepped toward her. “How close would you like me to be?”

  She ducked sideways and walked across the room. “How about China?” she grated.

  He laughed again as he walked to the door. “Sorry. You’ll have to settle for the room next door.”

  She heard the door click behind him. She waited a couple of heartbeats before she marched over and turned the key in the old-fashioned lock. Pulling it out, then clutching it tightly in her hand, she savored the feel of security, however temporary—the first she’d felt since Matt Pearce had walked into her life again.

  She listened at the door and heard footsteps descending the stairs. She glanced around the sumptuous bedroom. The decor, dreamily feminine, appealed to her. Had Matt known it would? Had he cared?

  Besides the double closet door and the door to the hallway, she noticed another door. Pushing it open, she found an en suite bathroom. Wonderful. She’d been worrying about leaving the security of this room to attend to her nighttime rituals.

  She took off her suit jacket and hung it on the back of the desk chair. She’d love to take off her skirt, too—it was a bit damp from falling on the ice—but she didn’t want to run around the room in just her pantyhose.

  It was only eight o’clock. Although she’d told Matt she was tired, that was only to escape his company. She doubted she would fall asleep this early. She walked to the big armoire across from the bed and opened it. Perfect. There was a TV inside.

  She took the remote control and sat down in the upholstered armchair beside the bed. She’d love to change into something less stifling than this straight skirt and blouse, but … damn, she didn’t have anything to change into. What would she sleep in?

  The thought of sleeping naked with Matt in the next room made her uncomfortable. Which was silly. He was in the next room. He wouldn’t come barging in here in the middle of the night.

  Damn, she was falling into old patterns. She’d trusted Matt long ago … until that dreadful night. After that, how did she really know what he would do?

  She heard footsteps walking down the hall again and she stiffened. She held her breath when they stopped outside her door. Was he going to barge in here right now? Would he decide to overwhelm her with his masculine presence, use his impressive authoritative aura to compel her back into her submissive role, then punish her for having left him?

  A knock sounded on the door.

  She stood up, staring at it. “What is it?”

  “I thought you might like something to wear to bed,” Matt said from the other side of the door.

  “Um … no, I’m fine.”

  “I also have fresh towels for you, and a toothbrush and toothpaste.”

  She hesitated, not wanting to open the door, but she realized if he wanted to come in here, she couldn’t stop him. The fact that he was asking her permission was a good sign, and she should respect that.

  Also, she really wanted a toothbrush.

  She crossed the room and unlocked the door. What would he have for her to wear, she wondered in trepidation? Some little frilly number? Or something in leather?

  She pulled open the door. He stepped forward and she automatically backed up. But he simply passed her and set a tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush—still in plastic wrap—on the dresser, and set some fluffy white towels beside them. Then he laid something flannel on the bed.

  “The pajamas will be too big, but you can wear the top as a nightshirt.” He smiled. “Just like you used to.”

  Oh, God, she remembered wearing his pajama top as a shirt the first time she’d stayed over at his house. It had barely covered the essentials, but she hadn’t worried about that. Not back then. Now, however …

  “And here’s a robe.” Alongside the red flannel pajamas, he laid a burgundy velour robe. “You’ll be swimming in that, too, but there’s a belt, so it won’t be too bad.”

 
Her eyes narrowed. “Why do you have all these things if you didn’t know we’d be staying overnight?”

  “So suspicious, Kate. I didn’t know you’d be staying overnight. I don’t live nearby, remember. This is a place we use for our executives to stay when attending meetings at the financial headquarters. With the weather, I planned to stay over for the weekend. I have an extra pair of pajamas, and I’m letting you use my robe.”

  “Oh.” She stroked the soft fabric of the robe. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. So if you haven’t changed your mind about dinner, or a drink by the fire…” He raised a querying eyebrow.

  Kate shook her head.

  “All right. I’ll leave you to it, then.” He crossed the room to the door and opened it, then glanced back. “Good night, Kate.”

  “Good night,” she murmured.

  Then he closed the door behind him, leaving her alone in the room.

  She breathed a sigh of relief.

  She still couldn’t believe Matt Pearce was back in her life. The reality of it shot through her brain like a bullet. What was she going to do? The only thing she could do was remain calm and wait him out—to see what he intended.

  Why had he brought her here? Was he after revenge for his sullied male pride? But that wasn’t the vibe she was getting from him.

  She remembered the dark desire in his eyes after he’d kissed her this evening. A disquieting thought gripped her. Clearly, he’d brought her here to confront her about leaving him, but could he be hoping to convince her to start up their relationship again?

  Taking a calming breath, she realized it was only her frazzled nerves and exhaustion talking. She put on the pajama top, did a quick wash-up, and slipped into bed. There was no reason for this fear rumbling in the pit of her stomach. Realistically, why would Matt want to pursue her? With his looks and wealth, he could have any woman he wanted. Why go after a woman who had rejected him so completely?

  She yawned and realized she was more tired than she’d thought. Matt’s pajama top was warm and cozy, and the subtle masculine scent of him surrounded her.

  He was in the room right next to hers. Getting ready for bed. She remembered him stripping off his shirt downstairs, revealing his magnificent chest. Now he’d be removing his suit pants, stepping out of them, then walking to his bed in just his boxers. Or maybe he’d strip off the boxers, too, and climb into bed totally naked. Memories of his strong, virile body flitted through her mind. Desire trilled through her at the thought of his big cock swinging back and forth as he strolled to the bed. Who was she kidding? His cock was gigantic. An ache started as she longed to feel it inside her again.