Claim (A Dangerous Man, #3) Read online

  She loses all self-consciousness, shouting my name as her body contracts around me, pulsing with her climax. I pull out of her, still hard, and move her so that she’s lying on her back. I kneel between her legs and lift her off the floor, pushing slowly, teasingly inside her core. She’s shaking uncontrollably and moaning loudly, and I’m losing more and more of my mind. I feel as if I’m going to explode, and when I finally do, it’s the most powerful thing I’ve ever felt.

  I want to lie down there with her for as long as possible. I want a repeat. I want to take her to some secluded tropical island and have her for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

  I get up and start to adjust my clothes. Sophie looks up at me, her eyes heavy. “Have I made you late for work?” She asks.

  I tear my eyes away from her. If I don’t leave now, I probably never will. “Not really,” I knot my tie, telling her about the appointments I’ve asked my assistant to make for her. Clothes and shopping should help to keep her occupied until I resolve the issues at work. At least I hope so.

  Chapter Six

  The next few days are both crazy and exciting.

  I played Pac-Man when I was a kid. The ghosts would chase me around until I got a pellet and then I would turn around and chase then, eating them up. I’ve never done the Pac-Man move in business though. I’ve never had to, until now.

  On the first day of my plan, we start with a Dawn Raid. As soon as the stock market opens in the morning, I purchase a substantial number of shares in Felt Enterprises. By the time Toby Felt realizes what’s going on, I’ve already built a substantial stake in his company.

  The next day I communicate my cash tender offer to his stockholders, offering a generous price over and above the market price.

  By the next day, he’s calling to negotiate.

  I don’t really want to buy Felt’s company, but I can, and he knows it. He also knows that he cannot pursue my company and try to keep his own at the same time. I did my homework, so I know he’s spread too thin.

  By the time I’m done with him, the only thing that’s left to deal with is Carole.

  When I invite her to my office, I can tell from the sound of her voice on the phone that she thinks she has won. When she saunters into my office, her smile tells me that she believes I have no choice, but to capitulate to her demands.

  “David darling,” She breathes, rising on tiptoe to kiss me on each cheek.

  I suffer her attentions, waiting until she steps away from me and takes a seat.

  “So have you reconsidered my offer,” She crosses her legs, a triumphant smile dancing on her lips. “I don’t have forever, you know.”

  “If I remember correctly,” I reply, “I made you an offer as well. I offered to buy your shares.” I pause, “Have you considered my offer?”

  Carole laughs. “How like you to take a hard line even though you know I hold all the cards, David.” She shrugs. “I’ve given you an easy way out. You can give me what I want, or I’ll give Felt what he wants.”

  “And just to be clear Carole, What you want is marriage, to me?”

  “Yes.” She squares her shoulders, and then looks down at her fingers. “I want a ring David, no pre-nup of course, those are so unromantic.” She pauses. “Give me your word and I’ll tell Toby to go to hell.”

  I start to laugh. I can’t help myself.

  She springs up from the chair, her air of calmness and complacency gone in an instant and replaced by a barely disguised fury. “Unless of course,” She says angrily, “it’s true that you’re married?”

  I consider her face for a moment. Her eyes are narrowed, and her lips on the verge of a snarl. The precautions I took could not have kept my marriage quiet forever, but what does it matter now? She doesn’t know it yet, but I have her in a corner.

  “I am married.” I lean back in my chair and watch as her face goes livid.

  For a moment, I think she’s going to attack me. She looks wild. Then she smiles and picks up her purse. “You can kiss your controlling interest goodbye David. Toby will buy my shares, and everybody else’s you have your precious voting agreements with. I hope he cleans your name off everything that is Preston Corp.”

  I chuckle, even though amusement is the last thing I feel. I’m done with her threats. “He won’t.” I tell her coldly.

  She stops to look at me, her eyes searching my face.

  “Did you really think I was going to let you blackmail me into doing something so stupid as to tie myself to you Carole? Did you think that I would be so easily coerced?” I bite out the words, watching her flinch as she feels the whiplash of my annoyance. “You must have been taking lessons from your friend Enrique.” I pause as her face turns in a frown. “Didn’t you know?” I ask, “He also tried to blackmail me.” I retrieve the drive with her video from my desk drawer and toss it towards her.”

  She picks it up. “What is this?”

  “Socialite porn,” I say with a shrug, “staring you, and your friend Enrique.” I smile cruelly. “You didn’t know he made a video did you? Apparently, you’re not the only one who likes to have leverage.”

  She sniffs. “What are you saying? That if I sell to Toby, you’re going to release this?”

  I snort in disgust. “I’m not like you Carole, I let my brain do my business, and I don’t resort to blackmail.” She looks surprised. “That’s the last copy,” I tell her. “You can keep it. Whenever you run out of all the money you were lucky enough to get from your father, maybe you’ll find someone willing to pay for it.”

  She quickly drops it into her purse. “Don’t think that this changes anything.” She says with a sneer, “Don’t think I won’t sell to Toby just because you gave me this. Your ‘kindness’ means nothing to me.”

  I shrug. “I didn’t think it would.”

  “So you’re just going to let go of Preston Corp?” Her voice is full of disbelief. “I hope the brat you married is worth it, for your sake.”

  Her reference to Sophie annoys me, but I keep my calm. “She is worth it, but I’m not losing control of my company. Carole. Toby Felt is not going to buy your shares.”

  “I don’t believe you.” I hear the worry in her voice, and I know that I’ve gotten to her.

  “Believe what you want,” I say. “Felt and I have come to an agreement. If you go to him now, he will refuse to buy your shares. However, when you leave this office, you’ll find my broker waiting for you outside, with my offer for your shares, valid only for as long as you remain in this building. You’ll find that it’s a very generous offer Carole, so don’t be foolish.”

  She looks on the verge of tears.

  “I hate you.” She says suddenly, vehemently, “I hate you, you cold-hearted bastard.

  I shrug. “That means absolutely nothing to me.”

  ~§~§~§~§~

  After Carole leaves, my mind turns back to Sophie.

  I instruct Linda to make dinner reservations for Sophie and me. While I’ve been attempting to retain control of my company, I haven’t been very attentive to her. For obvious reasons, I tried to keep the news of our marriage quiet, but that’s no longer necessary. Now that I have everything under control again, I can give her some of my attention.

  I start making plans, Dinner tonight, then tomorrow, a trip somewhere I can have her to myself for a while, remove any lingering doubts from her mind, and make up for the time I’ve been spending at work.

  She’d like that. At least, I hope she will.

  Filled with a sudden urge to hear her voice, I dial her number on my cell, listening impatiently as the phone rings over and over. I’m beginning to think she won’t pick up when I hear her voice.

  “Sophie.” I’m surprised at the relief I feel. “I hope you can go out tonight.”

  Her silence unnerves me, and I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong.

  “You want us to go out together?” She says finally, an edge of incredulity in her voice.

  I close my eyes. She someh
ow found out about the NDA, I realize, a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. She may be shy, reserved, but she’s no fool. I can explain that I require a level of secrecy from most people whose services I use, from tailors to employees who work closely with me. It’s standard practice, but in this case I have to admit an ulterior motive. I wanted to keep my marriage quiet because of Carole.

  She’s still waiting for me to say something. “Yes,” I say in reply to her question.

  There’s some more silence from her end. “Where?” She asks finally.

  I hear myself breathe. Long after the call I’m still thinking about the way she sounded. I should probably go home, surprise her, and find out what the problem is.

  “Mr. Preston, your housekeeper called to leave a message.” Linda’s voice comes over the speakers of the intercom, interrupting my thoughts.

  My heart almost stops. My first suspicion is that Sophie has left. Linda’s next words turn my fear into irritation.

  “She says that Mrs. Weber is in your apartment.”

  Just what I need to ruin my day. “Thank you, Linda.” I say, not bothering to ask if the message included any clue to what my mother wants. I know what she wants. She’s been trying to insinuate herself into my life since her husband died, and now I can imagine that she’s decided to go through Sophie. I don’t want my mother anywhere near me, and I sure as hell don’t want her anywhere near Sophie.

  In only a few minutes, I arrive at the apartment. My mother can be charming, and there’s no way for Sophie to see her for who she really is, to see her the way I see her, as someone who would betray her own son for money.

  They both look surprised to see me when I step into the living room. I let my mother feel the full force of my anger. I let her see in my face, what I think of her presence in my apartment.

  “I was just getting to know your mother.” Sophie says with a sweet smile, getting up and walking towards me.

  “Isn’t that wonderful?” even though I’m relieved that there’s no accusation in her eyes, I’m unable to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. “Well, now she’s leaving.”

  “David...” They both speak at the same time.

  I turn to my mother. “Why did you come here?” I ask her, disgusted with her continued attempts to act as if she wasn’t the one who ruined our relationship so she could stay married to the bastard who abused her every day of their marriage.

  She sighs dramatically. “David, my only son just got married, and I had no idea. I just wanted to meet Sophie.”

  “Well, I don’t want you here.” I ignore the pained expression on her face. I don’t care how she feels. I’ll never care again. I still remember very clearly, going out of my to protect her, because I cared, and I paid dearly for it. “The next time you persuade anyone into letting you in I will fire them.”

  “No, you won’t.” Sophie’s interruption surprises me. “and you may not want her here, but I do.” I turn to look at her, She doesn’t understand, if she did, she wouldn’t be defending my mother. Maybe, someday I’ll tell her, but not right now. “Sophie...”

  She interrupts me again, her voice rising. “No stop,” She says, “Why don’t you want her here? Is it because you want to continue keeping me a secret? Why don’t you make her sign a non-disclosure agreement?”

  I take a deep breath. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

  “Don’t I?” She looks fierce now, her eyes burning, and I can’t take my eyes off her. “Didn’t you make the beauty team, the personal shopper, every person I’ve spoken to in all the days you’ve kept me hidden in this apartment sign a document to prevent them for saying anything to anyone about me?”

  God this can’t be happening, not in front of my mother. I don’t even realize how frustrated I am until I catch myself running my fingers through my hair. “You wouldn’t understand.” I tell Sophie.

  Her eyes cloud as she looks at me, and I see the pain clearly in her eyes. I watch helplessly as she turns away and walks out of the room.

  I turn to my mother, “I hope you’re glad.” I say, knowing that it’s really not her fault. If it’s anyone’s fault, then it’s mine. I should have resolved my problems before bringing Sophie into my life, I should have waited for God’s sake, but I was too impatient to take what she didn’t even know she was offering, and now I’m paying for it.

  “I’m sorry.” My mother says, with another of her elegant shrugs. “I had no idea.”

  “Well now you do.”

  She gets up from the couch, taking her purse. “An NDA does seem rather extreme for hairdressers and such,” She says softly. “Does this have anything to do with Carole Banks?”

  I ignore her, letting her know by my silence that it’s time for her to leave. I have no intention of sharing my problems with her. She is a stranger for all I care. I follow her to the foyer and go ahead of her to press the button for the lift.

  “David,” she begins, as we wait for the doors to open, “I know you’re angry with me...”

  Whatever she has to say, I don’t want to hear it.

  “I’m not angry mother,” I interrupt. “I stopped being angry with you a long time ago. What I feel now is disgust. I don’t want to have anything to do with you. I hope you have a very happy life with Henry’s money. You’ve earned it.”

  “Don’t try to tell me that you don’t care about money David,” She retorts.”You worked hard to make much more than your step-father ever had.”

  I sigh. “Yes I worked hard, and I’m proud of it. What did you do? You received every beating the bastard ever gave you, lied about it, and turned your back on me without a thought. You make me sick mother.”

  She doesn’t look at me as she steps into the lift. “I’ll never understand how you turned out to be so cruel,” She says, her voice low.

  “You haven’t tried hard enough.” I say unsympathetically, turning away before the doors close.

  ~§~§~§~§~

  I panic when I can’t find Sophie in our bedroom. I check all the rooms in the apartment, my heart racing. I finally think to look in my study and I find her, curled up on the couch, reading on her tablet. The relief I feel on seeing her temporarily weakens me.

  “I’ve been looking for you.” I don’t mean for the words to be accusing, but they sound that way. Sophie only shrugs and turns back to her reading, ignoring me.

  On the screen of the tablet,I can clearly see that she’s reading what little about my relationship with Carole is available on the internet. “Nothing you find there has anything to do with me and you.”

  She looks at me, her eyes wide and glistening with a sheen of unshed tears. “Tell me about her.”

  Carole is nothing to me. That’s the truth. We dated for a short time, and I tried to be a good friend to her, in spite of her shortcomings, especially after her father died, but now she’s nothing more than a temporary inconvenience, one I’ve finally managed to overcome.

  “There is nothing to tell.” I say.

  Sophie’s eyes flare in anger, “Really? Because it’s very clear here that she was your girlfriend only a short time ago.”

  “Don’t believe everything you read in the papers Sophie.” I say gently. “We saw each other on and off for a while, but it’s been over for a long time.”

  “Do you love her?” She asks. “Is that why you’re keeping me hidden, so that she won’t find out about me?”

  The idea that Carole can mean that much to me is laughable. I go to sit beside Sophie on the couch. “You don’t need to concern yourself about Carole.” I tell her, meaning every word, and hoping she can see the truth in my eyes.

  “Her father invested a lot in your career.” She murmurs.

  “In return for a huge profit.” I reply.” It was good business, and he made money from Preston Corp every day we’ve been in existence.”

  She draws in a deep breath, and I can see that she wants to believe me. “All those pictures of the two of you...”

  “Mean noth
ing,” I insist, “We went to a lot of the same places, and people are used to mentioning our names together.”

  “Why don’t you want anyone to know about me?” She asks with a small sniff.

  Where do I start? I’d have to tell her everything about Carole, Toby Felt, and how I almost lost my company.

  She gets up suddenly. “Fine, don’t tell me,” she says angrily, walking away from me. I follow, stopping her at the door.

  “Sophie.” I take her hand. I don’t want to fight. Carole is not important enough for us to fight about.

  She turns around to face me, for a moment, I think she has relented, but then she pulls her hand away from mine. “Don’t touch me.” her voice is shaky, “Don’t ever touch me again.”

  Now she’s definitely overreacting. “Don’t be childish Sophie.”

  She reacts as if I’ve slapped her. She turns and rushes away from me.

  “Sophie, for God’s sake.” I follow as she runs to our room, catching up as she rushes into the walk-in closet.

  She wants to leave.

  I feel a knot tighten in my stomach. I reach out for her, gathering her into my arms. “Stop.” I can hear the plea in my voice. “Stop.”

  She holds on to me, clutching me tightly. I bury my nose in her hair, breathing in the essence of her. This is what I want, to feel her like this, to know that she knows that she’s mine.

  I stroke her hair, listening as her breathing slows.

  “Why did you marry me David?” She asks shakily.

  I pull back so that I’m looking into her face. “Because I wanted you,” I say truthfully. “I wanted you the moment I saw you standing outside that little shop in that small town, looking so lost and alone. I wanted your innocence, your beauty,” her lips are trembling. Distracted, I kiss her gently at the soft corner of her lips. “I wanted your body Sophie, I wanted to see your face when I make you scream my name.”

  She sways, her body pressing against me. “You didn’t have to marry me,” she says quietly, “You already had me.”