But the rest of my heart belonged to my son.
The bedroom door opened, and Carter looked at me with sadness in his eyes. He was in his sweatpants, bare-chested and barefoot. He was getting ready for bed and probably came to retrieve me. Once he heard my sobs on the other side of the door, he probably didn’t have the patience to knock. Wordlessly, he joined me on the bed and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. He comforted me, knowing exactly why I broke down into tears.
I turned my face into his shoulder and closed my eyes, letting my tears smear against his warm skin. My hand moved against his chest, and I felt the impressive muscle under my fingertips. I felt safe for a moment, knowing nothing could hurt me when this powerful man was beside me.
“He’ll be here before you know it, sweetheart.”
“I know…I miss him so much.”
Carter moved his fingers through my hair, gently consoling me while he let me cry into his chest. “He misses you too.”
“I can’t wait to hold him, to talk to him. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love him. I can’t even explain it.”
“You don’t need to.” He lifted my gaze so I would look him in the eye. “My mom still loves me like crazy, and I’m a grown man. I’m successful and strong, and she still brings me soup when I get sick. I’m not a parent, but I understand the way you feel about your son…because it’s the way my mother feels about me.”
Despite Carter’s rigidness and aggression, he was sweet underneath all that muscle. He was caring, sympathetic, and compassionate. “Your mom sounds lovely.” I wiped away the moisture from the corners of my eyes, making the tears stop.
“You’ll probably meet her eventually.”
“Really? I thought you would hide me from your family.”
He shook his head. “That will be impossible. I’ll tell them you’re the maid and nothing more.”
“And Luca?”
“You come as a set.” He rested his hand against the back of my neck then pressed his lips to my forehead. “I know you’re anxious, but he’ll be here soon. My guy told me he’s in perfect health and he’s a happy boy.”
“Really?” I whispered.
“Yes.”
I moved my cheek against his shoulder again. “That makes me happy.”
“And you’ll be even happier when he’s here.”
Since I was upset the night before, Carter gave me the night to relax. I slept in his bed by his side, but there was no sex that evening. He spooned me from behind and kept me warm in the middle of the night.
The following day, his patience had worn out. After he worked all day and had dinner, he wanted to cash in on his reward. I already knew it was coming because he didn’t want tame sex forever. The first time we slept together, that was what he had in mind. But he caved and gave me what I wanted since it was better than nothing at all.
I walked into my bedroom and found a white box with a black ribbon around it. Carefully tied into the perfect bow, the material was made of fine lace. I gently tugged on it so the material would come apart and reveal the logo on the box.
Barsetti Lingerie.
I recognized Carter’s last name and also the brand. I’d never put the two together before. I opened the lid and saw the black ensemble sitting inside. Stitched with real diamonds, it was sexy and classy at the same time. I felt the material in my hands, touched the soft lace in my fingertips. Partially see-through, it would cover most of my skin while revealing it at the same time. It was two-pieces, a push-up bra and a G-string that hardly covered anything. There was a note on top, so I unfolded it and read.
* * *
Sweetheart,
Put this on. Come to my bedroom. Kneel.
* * *
His instructions were simple and to the point. It didn’t surprise me in the least. He’d had me wear lingerie before, but he’d never bossed me around so aggressively. The last instruction was difficult for me to accept, but I knew I had to obey.
Kneel.
He wanted me on my knees in front of him, submitting to him completely. He wanted all the power, the authority to hurt me, fuck me, and do whatever he wished. Like all other men, he wanted to dominate a woman, to treat her like a slave instead of a person. After being degraded by Egor, I never wanted to be in that position again. I wanted a man who would treat me right.
But I owed Carter a debt I could never repay. I would hate every moment of this, but it was my duty. And I also wanted to make him feel good, to enjoy me the way he wanted. He had a dark side, but that didn’t make him an evil man.