The Innocent (The Protege #2) Read online

  Price chuckled, but shifted nervously from one foot to the other. “You wouldn’t do that.”

  “You leave me no choice.” She gently guided him into the living room and sat on the leather couch as she cast a quick glance at Mikey who remained by the door, motionless and ready.

  “I want to protect what’s mine,” Price said.

  “I’m suffocating, Price. You're closing the walls in on me and it’s too much.”

  He sat back and rolled his tongue thoughtfully around his mouth. “Fine,” he finally said with brooding finality. “I’ll keep Mikey as my own personal bodyguard.” Reaching out to Serena, he grabbed her elbow and pulled her to him. “See how flexible and agreeable I can be?”

  He kissed her, his lips savage and unrelenting as they pressed into hers. At first, she tried to push away from him, but when his tongue swept in to touch hers, she instantly felt the surge of arousal jolt down to her thighs. His kiss dominated her, controlled her and weakened all resolve. Her hunger for him grew fierce and urgent.

  “Send your goon away,” she commanded.

  He glared at her.

  “Master,” she added.

  His chuckle was a blend of aroused grunt and satisfied groan. With a quick snap of his fingers and a wave of his hand he gave the command, and Mikey walked out and left them alone. “Get off me,” he ordered Serena.

  She stood and looked down at him.

  “I love it when you dress like that, so chaste and uppity. Unbutton your shirt.”

  She slowly unfastened three buttons. As she did so, Price removed his pants and boxers.

  “More,” he commanded as he took his hard-on into his hand.

  She unbuttoned the shirt until she reached the waist of her skirt. The black lace bra peaked through the opening.

  “Open your shirt a little more… slow.”

  Fluttering her fingernails along the swell of her breasts, she parted her shirt, exposing more of the black bra that barely concealed her breasts.

  “Jack up your skirt.” While his eyes were transfixed on her breasts, his hand worked slowly and methodically over his hard-on.

  Serena pulled her skirt up and Price groaned. “I was wondering if you’d worn the garters.”

  “I know how you love them, Master.”

  “Yes,” he groaned as his eyes narrowed in anticipation of seeing more. “Go on. What other surprises do you have for me?”

  A few inches higher and she exposed her black panties. With his free hand, Price reached under her panties and stroked her, his finger delving far inside her. She let out a groan, and as her legs weakened she tried to sit on the couch.

  “Stand.”

  “Master,” she murmured in a lustful hush. “You know how weak I get when…”

  Letting go of his erection, he reached around to grasp her buttocks and leaned in to bring his face to her crotch. His tongue slipped beneath her panties and she let out a loud gasp of pure pleasure.

  “Master,” she said breathlessly. Her body throbbed in anticipation of the oncoming orgasm. “Oh, Master, I can’t stand…”

  He held her tight and continued to plunder the sensitive folds of skin with his tongue. His fingers dug into the two mounds of flesh as he groaned his pleasure and hunger.

  “Master!” she cried out as her orgasm threatened to explode.

  With one quick move, he grabbed her by the waist and flung her onto the sofa. Looking down at her, his eyes were dark with lust while his lips remained parted in hunger. He tore off his shirt and ran his hands over his strong, smooth chest.

  He was magnificent, so perfect in every inch of his body.

  “Do you want me, Serena?”

  “Yes, Master.”

  He took a step back. “Do you really want me?”

  “I need you, Master.”

  “Sometimes I feel you don’t appreciate me.”

  “I want you now, Master.” She brought her hand into her panties, but Price lunged forward, grabbed her wrists and pulled them out.

  “Come,” he ordered. He pulled her to her feet, dragged her into the bedroom and tied her wrists to the bedposts.

  “Don’t, Master. I promise I’ll be good.”

  He ignored her plea and straddled her, thrusting his erection into the moistened folds, and filling her just as her orgasm erupted. She let out a wanton cry as her body shook with unbearable pleasure. Pounding into her, Price filled the room with wild grunts of savage satisfaction until his own orgasm spilled into her.

  Sweaty and breathless, he released the ties at her wrist and gently kissed the abused skin. “Come into my arms, my beauty,” he cooed as he settled into the bed and pulled her into the crook of his arm. “Who can please you as I do?”

  “Only you, Master.”

  He chuckled softly. “Yes. Only I know how to truly satisfy the animal urges you so often have. Only I know the real Serena inside.” He poked his finger between her breasts. “You are my one and only true love. You belong to me, and I to you.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “I don’t know how you came to think that Sorensen could possibly please you, satisfy you the way that I do. He has no idea who you are, what you need and what you desire. I can accept that you needed a diversion, a distraction as our relationship took on a deeper meaning and left you fearful and confused. I admit I was a little surprised, too, to realize just how much I loved you. But, know this, Serena.” He put his finger under her chin and lifted her gaze to him. “What we have is strong and indestructible. I allowed you this one slip, this one indiscretion, but I will not tolerate another.”

  Chapter 3

  Sebastian stormed past his father’s secretary. “No need to tell him I’m here, Mrs. Goldwater,” he called over his shoulder as he pushed opened the door to his father’s office.

  “Sebastian.” Kaiser Sorensen shot a brief and irritated glance at his son before returning his attention to the documents on his desk. “What brings you here?”

  Standing in front of his father’s desk, Sebastian waited for him to look up before answering. After a lengthy moment of silence, Kaiser let out an exaggeratedly loud sigh, and set the documents aside as he looked pointedly at his son.

  “Price Turnsby,” Sebastian said.

  “Ah, yes. Isn’t he a fine young man?”

  “Actually, I’ve come to believe he may be the one who broke into my apartment.”

  Kaiser chuckled. “I think the creativity that makes you such a successful musician is also responsible for a very vivid imagination. Why on earth would a man like Price go into your apartment, Sebastian?”

  “Price knows Serena.”

  “Ah yes. That’s the girl you brought to the banquet, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “My dear boy, you can’t keep a pretty girl like that from socializing with a man as impressive and worldly as Price. I mean, from a woman’s perspective the man has it all; youth, great looks and more money than he knows what to do with.”

  “Father, I care for Serena very much and I don’t think Price is good for her.”

  Kaiser leaned back and clasped his fingers together over his lean belly. “Please, Bash. How many girls have you cared about over the years?”

  “This is different.”

  “It always is.”

  Exasperated, Sebastian took a deep breath and set his fingers atop the desk. “Price wants Serena.”

  “Then let him have her.”

  “No. I’m falling deeply in love with her, whereas he just wants to use her…”

  “Tell me, Bash, where is this Serena right now?”

  Blood rushed to his face as he ground his teeth tightly together.

  Kaiser raised his eyebrow. “Yes, just as I thought. She’s with him, is she not?”

  “You don’t understand. He’s controlling…”

  “If this girl is with Price Turnsby of her own volition, there’s nothing you can do… except find yourself a more suitable companion to care so much about.”

>   “Stop talking about her like she is some tart.”

  “Are you saying she’s different?”

  “She is different.”

  Kaiser stood and looked his son in the eye. “I’ve heard about the type of women who often accompany Price. Rumor has it he likes them spicy, bold and loud… and willing. If Price is interested in Selena, perhaps you're better off without her.”

  “It’s Serena, Father.”

  Kaiser waved the correction away and sat down. “Serena, Selena; either way, she seems a little sub-standard if you ask me. She’s only good for a plaything. Once you’ve had her, then move on. Willow is more fitting for a man of your position.”

  “As it so happens, I’m not asking you. What I am asking you is that you consider the fact that Price broke into my apartment.”

  “Price Turnsby has better things to do than go through the apartment of a musician. He’s a self-made billionaire, for crying out loud. What could he possibly have to gain by going through your apartment?”

  Sebastian heard the condescension his father insisted on always putting on the word musician. No matter how many times they’d discussed it, his father refused to see him as a world class composer.

  “Do you think a man like Price would risk being arrested for something so stupid? Would risk his reputation?”

  “Love can make men do crazy things.”

  “Crazy. I take it you're referring to Price and not your own questionable actions.”

  Sebastian glared at his father. “I do wish you could take me seriously, Father, if only this one time. Not only do I strongly believe Price broke into my apartment, but I think he may be behind the food poisoning.”

  “No,” Kaiser said with a wave of his hand. He sat back down. “You're not going to bring that up again, are you?”

  “I think Price is capable of killing anyone who gets in his way.”

  “And what do you want from me? More protection? A bodyguard?”

  “No. I want you to give me more information about Price. I want to know where he’s from, how he made his fortune, who he knows.”

  “Price is a hard-working and shrewd young man; as shrewd as they come. Unlike you, he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. In fact he was lucky if he had a spoon at all.”

  “It’s heartwarming to see how you admire him, father.” Sebastian put added emphasis on the word father. While in more amiable situations he was given to call him Dad, more often than not, tension had him leaning toward the more formal term.

  “I’m sorry if my admiration and affection for Price disturbs you, Bash, but it’s not something that’s going to change. I’ve known Price for many years. I knew his father back in Germany. We may not have been the closest of friends, but I knew him well enough to know I admired his drive and determination. He was a strong-minded and authoritative man. Unfortunately Price lost him at a young age, but not before his father had a chance to impart a strong work ethic, discipline and persistence. That boy built his company out of nothing; literally nothing, and I know he had a lot of lean years. So many times he could have given up, but… well, look at him today. He reminds me so much of what I was like when I was his age.”

  Sebastian kept his cool as his heart sank. Price was certainly playing for big stakes. Not only did he have Serena tied to his bed, but he had Kaiser Sorensen tied around his little finger.

  “Not to throw gas on the fire, but since you insist on having more information about Price, we closed the deal earlier this morning.” Kaiser smiled cheerfully as he made the announcement. He gathered the documents on his desk and made a neat pile. “Contract is all ready to go. Price called this morning and the merger is on. I dare say he sounded rather happy about the whole thing.”

  Way to rub it in, Father, Sebastian thought. “Well, between the fact that he has my girl and he’s in cahoots with my father, I don’t see why he wouldn’t be happy.”

  “I’m sorry to hear you see it that way, son. Look, it’s not my fault if Price is lying in bed with your girl every night.”

  Had it been any other man than his father, he might have struck him. The image of Serena in Price’s bed, in his arms, pressed to his body… Sebastian closed his eyes and remembered the fleeting moment he’d held her in his arms. He felt the softness of her lips against his… He missed everything about her; her exquisite body, her sharp tongue and her quick wit. He longed to wake up at her side.

  She was his love and his protégé, and she belonged with him. So what if she was his sub. It was time she left.

  “Doesn’t his ruthlessness mean anything to you? That he could attempt to kill your own son?”

  “You're being paranoid and over-dramatic, and I do wish you’d stop with this nonsense. Let this poor girl go and be happy with Price. Find yourself another fine young lady to bang if you must… I’m sure you have plenty to choose from.”

  “I don’t want…”

  “And in the meantime, marry Willow Brookes and make another problem go away. Your mother’s driving me mad with her constant chatter about your marital status. She’d be happy to finally see you settle down. I’d be happy, and Willow would be happy, too. You could bang her in a proper marital bed, and if she proves to be a cold fish, well, I’m sure you can figure the rest out.”

  “I’m touched by your marital advice, Father. Any other words of wisdom?”

  “Willow is a beautiful girl, Bash, but not only is she beautiful, but she comes from a wealthy and influential family. Only good can come of your union; good for everyone.”

  “Forgive me if I don’t fall in line and marry a girl for your convenience. It’s bad enough when a girl marries a guy for his money, but for a guy to marry a girl for hers… even worse.”

  “The way things are going, you may not have a choice.”

  “You planning on forcing me, Father?”

  Kaiser opened a drawer and pulled out a small white envelope. “I take it you haven’t seen one of these yet.”

  Sebastian grabbed the envelope and frowned. “What is it?” He pulled out the small, neatly folded parchment.

  Mrs. and Mr. Kenneth Brookes

  request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter

  Willow Brookes

  To

  Sebastian Sorensen

  son of Mrs. and Mr. Kaiser Sorensen.

  The ceremony will be held on the

  eleventh of August this year at three o’clock

  at the Holy Trinity Church

  “What the hell is this?” Sebastian fumed.

  “I told you that Willow was a determined girl.”

  “Is this just a sample or did she really have these printed up?”

  “Two hundred were printed and sent out to our respective families and closest friends.”

  “This is a joke. I barely like Willow, never mind love her.”

  “Believe me, son, love is highly overrated and has little to do with the success of a marriage. Besides, I don’t really see what you're complaining about. Willow isn’t all that bad. She’s a very beautiful girl with a knock out body. If I were you I’d sweep her up before she changes her mind about you and accepts a proposal from one of her many, wealthy suitors.”

  “If any of them are crazy enough to want her, let him have her.” Sebastian snorted as he crumpled the invitation in his fist. “And I bet Mom is involved in this, too.”

  “While I’m sure your mother did all she could to help her, Willow is responsible for this. Don’t underestimate her, Bash. She’s determined to get you. I think you should be flattered.”

  “The hell I should be,” Sebastian fumed. He reopened the invitation and stared at it.

  “She’ll do whatever it takes, Sebastian, so you may as well give in now.”

  It was unfathomable, but there it was in elegant black letters against the expensive creamy white parchment. She’d even set the date and found the church.

  Sebastian’s heart started pounding in his ears faster and faster as th
e truth dawned on them.

  Flashes of the past weeks ran through his mind. Someone had taken that photo of him with Serena at the fundraiser and that someone had to have gotten close to them. And the food poisoning. Willow had sat right next to him, close enough to tamper with his food.

  With a groan, he closed his eyes and remembered the photo of Willow he’d found on the windshield of his rental car in Seattle. His father was right; Price had nothing to do with the break-in and the food poisoning.

  It was Willow Brookes… but why?

  Chapter 4

  As he got into his Roadster and started the engine, Sebastian berated himself for not having thought of it sooner. He’d been so blinded by Serena’s relationship with Price that he’d not allowed for any other possible suspect than Price.

  Willow. He remembered her as a young girl; always pretty, always well dressed, always perfect, at least it was the image she portrayed to the world. Early on, Sebastian had seen the other side, the wild and wanton side.

  As he drove he could hear her smooth, saucy voice, and see her bright smile, a smile that so artfully hid the fiendishly deviant thoughts she really had behind her beautiful, blue eyes.

  The wide streets that led to Newport Coast were all too familiar to him. Many holidays had been spent at the Brookes’ palatial mansion on Linda Isle. When he’d come home from boarding school, his family would often spend the weekend with the Brookes, boating, swimming and dining. It’d been a fun and carefree time.

  At the gate he called his name into the intercom and was quickly given access to the impressive property. In front of the door to the underground garage capable of housing up to eight cars, Sebastian parked amid a fleet of expensive cars, ranging from a sporty Jaguar to a classic Corvette to a mammoth of a Hummer.

  Sebastian pressed the doorbell and immediately entered. In the large, formidable foyer he was greeted by a housekeeper. “Hello, Mrs. Ortiz. I’m here to see Willow.”

  “She’s laying out by the pool.”