* * * *
Mercury came around his desk and looked at Rose. The top two buttons of her blouse were undone and he could clearly see the top of her deep cleavage and the lace bra she wore. She didn’t say a word to him as he leaned against the desk and took in the sight of her. His heart was racing, his cock instantly hard, and he couldn’t understand why this feminine beauty had such an effect on him like no other woman ever had.
“Was the cottage to your liking?”
Her cheeks blushed and she glanced away. “It’s very nice and has an amazing view.”
“So you’re fine with staying there instead of in our beds with us?” he asked.
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “I just wanted some control.”
“Did you not get that control you wanted?”
She widened her eyes at him. “It will be fine. Thank you for offering it as a compromise as I get used to all of you.”
“You seemed to get used to Slade and Falco rather quickly at the cottage.”
“What?” she asked.
“I said that I wanted you here to watch over you and to keep close eyes on you to ensure your safety. The cottage is under surveillance.”
“So you were watching me with your brothers?”
He saw that twinkle in her green eyes. She was pretending to be angry but it aroused her.
“Yes.”
She looked away. “You’ve always been a control freak?” she asked and he wanted to chuckle but that would let her know she affected him so greatly he could hardly think. He was a control freak. He hated feeling vulnerable and she made him feel that way. She got to him instantly. She was his weakness. He finally found the one thing that weakened his resolve, his manhood, his ability to fight. He wasn’t going to give in to it. No way.
“I’m in charge of this family, the businesses, and all the employees. My brothers are my responsibility, just as you are now.”
“I don’t want to be a responsibility.”
“You’re more than that, and you need to get used to how I do things and get used to me being a control freak. Now come here.” Enough talking. He needed to touch her, kiss her, control her.
She walked toward him and then he stopped her, took her hands and brought them behind her back. He clasped both feminine wrists with one hand so easily it both aroused him and gave him concern for her well-being. She would be helpless against an average size man, never mind one the size of him or his brothers. That protective feeling pounded against his chest.
He used his free hand to undo the buttons on her blouse. Her lips parted, her eyes glazed over and he realized she was submissive and liked being ordered around despite her verbal need to fight it. Perhaps she was hiding things still from him. Her blouse opened and he saw the love bites from his brothers against her breasts that poured from the skimpy bra she wore.
“Mercury.”
He shook his head. “You’re so lovely, Rose. Feminine, sexy, gentle, and soft. I know I’m hard, and that my brothers are too but it’s our way of life and the profession we’re involved in.”
“I’m beginning to understand that.”
“Good. Accepting it will make things run more smoothly. I want honesty. Do you like the way this feels? Me restraining you and exposing you to my eyes only?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know I would never hurt you, physically or emotionally?”
She raised one of her eyebrows up at him like a wise ass and he once again hid his chuckle and remained serious. Her face went serious too and she sealed her lips.
“I need you to trust my brothers and me. To accept our advice, as well as our desires and need to claim you.”
“I was going to ask you for advice when Mulgoff calls me about the gallery event. I don’t know business like that.”
His eyes widened. He hadn’t expected this at all. He gave a nod.
“Of course I will help you. After we deposit that check of yours and clean up your accounts so everything is in order, we’ll talk about it.”
“Deposit my checks?” she asked.
He pulled her closer and cupped her breast.
“Don’t argue with me. We’ll do it later. First I need to get a few things out of the way.” He covered her mouth and kissed her, determined to make her moan with need and desire to have him inside of her. He needed to be as close to her as possible.