Even if he’s offensive, I don’t want to see him killed. But apparently that’s not on the cards.
Roman grabs the back of his collar before he can turn back to throw a punch of his own, and an instant later he’s hurled out of the open doorway, stumbling into the silence of the main casino.
“Nick. Boris. Get over here. See to it that this gentleman makes it to his car safely. Then do not let him back inside my casino. Never again. I mean it.”
Roman smacks his hands together, as if ridding them of dirt, then huffs as he turns my way. He looks me up and down as I cower against the wall, sucks on his teeth, then stomps across to me, holding out his hand.
“Let me help you up, my sweet treat.”
2
Roman
What’s she doing here? Who is she? Why have I never seen her before?
I try to keep my grip gentle as I pull her to her feet, every instinct telling me to sling her over my shoulder and carry her back to my cave. I want to throw her over my desk and hold her down as I rut into her, letting her scream in pain and pleasure, letting the whole world know she’s mine now, claimed, taken, and anyone who tries to come between us will regret it.
Unbidden, my fingers are already tracing her face, my thumb caressing her warm, soft cheek, fingertips gently tucking silky waves of dark hair behind her ears.
The greater surprise is, she’s letting me.
Even leaning into my rough palm like a kitten asking for her master’s touch. Is she even aware she’s doing it? The way her wide, hazel eyes are staring at me, I’m not sure if she’s eager or terrified, or maybe both.
All I know is, something has changed. Something fundamental. My complete lack of interest in sex, relationships, the normal human stuff, has been switched. I want her. I want us. And I’m willing to do anything to get it.
“What did he say to me?” Her voice is like water tumbling over small pebbles; calm, soothing, warming the heart I’d almost forgotten I had.
How did she exist in this world and I knew nothing about it?
Everything about her is fucking perfect, and there’s no way I’ll sully her presence with words that never should have been spoken to a woman, let alone a goddess like her. I don’t even want to remember them. God has sent me an angel, and I’ll be damned if I’m about to commit a sacrilege by disrespecting her, even indirectly.
I shake my head, drawing in a deep breath of her. “You don’t need to worry about him. Never again.”
She smiles and it spreads into her eyes, flecks of gold in her irises reminding me that she’s treasure and I’m nothing but a scoundrel, just like my last name. Schalk. Rogue. I’m a pirate set to plunder her depths. I’ve caught the luster of her and my course will stay true.
“Is…” A new voice catches my attention and I turn, annoyed at the interruption. All I want is her. “…is everything all right?”
The girl looks vaguely familiar, like I’ve seen her around here before. Not one of my staff though. I make a point of knowing the names and faces of everyone that works for me, from management to cleaners.
So an outside contractor, then, someone that’s been brought in for this occasion…
I shake my head as it hits me. How could I have been so stupid? I turn back to my girl and narrow my eyes. “You cooked all this?”
Her shoulders stiffen, like she’s been caught doing something she shouldn’t. “I can explain. Clarissa, she…” Her brows draw together and she falls silent, as if she might have said too much already, but she’s said just enough.
I know exactly who she means. Clarissa is the caterer my father always hires for these things. I’ve seen her around here and I like her a lot more than I like the degenerates my father brings here for business meetings. She’s professional and knows her work.
My mind is figuring it all out now, seeing the connections.
Clarissa obviously isn’t here, or this curvy little beauty wouldn’t be squirming like she’s a fish caught on a hook. No. Clarissa was supposed to be here, but fate had other ideas.
Serendipity has put her in my path instead.
“I’m not…I mean I didn’t c—cook all this,” she says, her voice moving quicker than her mind so she’s stumbling a little over her words. Fuck, but she’s cute. I hope she gets flustered like this when she first sees me naked. When she first takes a hold of my cock. When she first tastes me. “I mean…I know C—Clarissa and Becca are your usual team for these things. Becca is here. She did a lot of the cooking too.”