Surrender To Me (Surrender Trilogy Book 2) Read online

  “Thank you,” she says and kisses me. “I’m going to put this in my office at home—you know why? It never really felt like a home before you were there with me.”

  “Stop it, you’re making me cry. You’re not even sorry.”

  Carter laughs. “It only means I’m right.”

  * * * *

  I soon know the reason why she was slightly nervous about getting up on that stage, because she delivers it in perfect French. I understand most of it. Carter talks about the daycare services France provides for families and how working moms benefit, about strategies that help not only employees, but make them identify with the companies goals to the advantage of all. Come to think of it, there are many women working for her, more than men in the middle and higher management level. Unlike many other privileged people, she isn’t all talk, but invests in a change to the better. If I wasn’t already madly in love with her, it would probably happen right here and now.

  I observe the people around me, and I know not everyone agrees with her or would even bother to listen, still, in the end, she earns standing ovations.

  People prefer to be friends rather than enemies with Carter Forbes.

  “Damn, but she’s hot,” the woman sitting at the table next to me whispers. “Too bad she’s married.”

  “Hm. Yeah,” I agree, amused, but not sure how to resolve this situation without embarrassing her or me. A moment later, Carter joins us at the table, kissing me on the mouth. “Hey, baby. I hope it wasn’t too boring.”

  The woman next to me blushes and smiles.

  “Oh, no,” I say. “It was perfect. I’ve had good conversations too.”

  * * * *

  We walk along the Seine hand in hand, admire the illuminated Eiffel Tower just as I’d hoped earlier. What a dream. I would give up all this luxury in a heartbeat, only to be with her, but I have to admit it doesn’t hurt. In a couple of weeks, I’ll be back at work and in university, do my share. There’s no need to feel guilty, and it’s beginning to sink in. I can live like this.

  We stop by another bar for a drink, one of those places with a dress code. Coming from the convention, there’s no problem, and we enjoy our cocktails to the sound of jazz, sheltered in a private booth. Sometimes, between the two of us, a look, a touch, is enough, code for “let’s get out of here before we commit indecent acts in public.”

  A cab brings us back to the hotel where Carter turns on the faucet of the huge Jacuzzi tub while I stand, waiting, shivering, all anxious thoughts I might have had a few days ago banned from my mind. I hope it stays that way—but even the temporary reprieves are beyond imagination. Carter strips, leaving her dress over the back of the chair, then she starts to undress me.

  “I didn’t know you spoke French,” I say, breathless with the trail of heat her kisses leave on my body. She eases me down to sit on the rim of the tub.

  “I speak five languages,” she says. “I’m able to get by in two others. When you have so many people talking about you, it’s an advantage to know what they’re saying.” She leans in, and at the touch of her tongue, I almost lose my balance.

  Carter draws back, chuckling. “Don’t hurt yourself. I have plans for you.”

  “That’s what I was hoping for.”

  “Good. Get in there now.”

  Just this brief contact has made me all sensitized and ready for more. When the warm water touches in sensitive places, I nearly moan. Forget about jetlag, my body is always awake for the pleasures only she can give me. I don’t think that’s an exaggeration. In no other relationship before I have ever felt like this, complete. She steps into the tub, behind me, makes me lie back in her arms.

  “I’m trying, you know,” I say, my voice a tad shaky. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe I deserve all this.”

  Her hands glide over my breasts, stop to tease my nipples into hard peaks, then travel over my chest and stomach. Instinctively, I open my legs further.

  “You deserve all this and more,” she whispers. “You wanted to do good. We will, together.”

  Does this mean she’s going to tell me more about those projects that are not necessarily on the books? There’s no time for me to bring up the subject or even think about it more as she runs her hand over my hip, between my legs. Her fingers are warm, insistent, and my body, relaxed by the warm water and anticipation, takes them easily. Her thumb brushes over my clit. I think of her mouth there, just moments ago, and I shiver hard, my body clenching with the intensity of the delicious sensations. Her rhythm is slow, maddening. I’m almost there, not once, but several times. When it finally comes, my orgasm nearly takes me by surprise, holding my body captive for long moments. The aftermath is sweet, as always, every fiber of my body alive with the thrill of the perfect moment. I could fall asleep like this, but I don’t want to, not yet.

  “Let’s get out of the bath,” I say. “I got some plans too.”

  “Really? What could they be?” Carter obeys, wrapping herself in one of the big soft towels.

  “Wait for me in the bedroom, and you’ll find out?”

  Carter is elusive in so many ways, though we certainly do better than those days when she never left my room without locking the door. She doesn’t like to talk too much of the brave actions she has taken, and when it comes to sex, she likes to be the one in control. I like that too, I can’t deny it, but sometimes I feel like I need to give more. Like she needs to let me give more.

  Tonight, in Paris, is a good time to go there.

  “I’m curious,” she says, smiles and drops the towel to the floor before she walks out of the bathroom, giving me a look over her shoulder. My breath catches in my throat. Maybe it’s not all her reluctance, but my eagerness to give myself to her, time and again. I dry myself quickly, put on a fluffy robe and join her in the bedroom where she is sprawled on the bed comfortably. I’m nearly sidetracked by the image, and she knows it, her smile with a hint of smugness. It makes me think of the moment we first met. She always knew I wouldn’t be able to resist her, even if I had to do some things on my terms.

  I know she brought those scarves we use at home on occasion, because we couldn’t possibly go on our honeymoon without them. Taking two of them out of the wardrobe, I hold them out in front of her.

  “You want me to…okay.”

  “Only if you’re comfortable with it,” I clarify. “I hoped I could make you feel what I feel…when you do it to me.” It seems a bit silly, but only for a brief instant. Her eyes darken, her cheeks are flushed, and yet there is a hint of hesitation. I know Carter doesn’t give up control easily. She has to know the other person can handle it.

  “I’m sure you can do that,” she says, the tone of her voice revealing her excitement. She holds her wrists out to me. “Give it a shot.” I tie them together in front of her, then use the other tie to cover her eyes before I ease her down on the bed gently, her arms over her head—wait a minute. I didn’t think this through. For my plan to work, I need one more of those ties. “Don’t move,” I say, seeing her lips curl into a smile. “I swear I’ll get the hang of this if you let me do it more often.”

  “You can do to me whatever you want, whenever. You know that.”

  The words are enough to make heat spread through my body like a wildfire. I hope she’s feeling the same—and not just cracking up because I have very little experience on this side of bondage play. Finally, I find the other tie and fasten her bound wrists to the headboard. I take off the robe and straddle her hips, the fact that she’s all in my hands now giving me a rush that’s unexpected in its intensity. It’s a power trip.

  “No wonder you like this so much,” I murmur. “It’s hot.”

  Carter laughs, the hint of breathless need causing an instant reaction in me. I move against her slowly, using my hands to explore her gorgeous body, giving a gentle squeeze to her breasts before I lean down to kiss her deeply.

  She strains against the restraints instinctively, to urge me on, make me go faster, but of course th
ere’s nowhere to go. I continue to pleasure her, now with my lips and tongue, kissing and licking my way downwards, and then going back, sucking a nipple into my mouth. Her moan is part appreciation, part frustration.

  “Relax. Just leave it all to me.”

  “That’s my line.”

  “Not right now.” The first touch is light, almost a whisper of skin on skin, but it’s nearly enough to make her beg.

  “Come on.” Carter’s version of begging, anyway.

  “I’m right here.”

  This is a first, not me pleasuring her this way, but her being tied up as I’m doing it. There is significance to this moment, knowing that she’s ready to let go for me, to understand that I can do my part in every way in this relationship. I alternate the intimate caresses, tongue, fingers until all of her attention turns inward, the process helped by the blindfold. The soft moan is my cue and I hold her to me, hands on her hips, tasting her at the height of her pleasure. We lie still for a moment before I move up to kiss her and then slowly start to remove the blindfold and the ties, like she’s done it a few times for me. I wonder if, after this, I have the same dazed happy expression on my face, like that for a moment, nothing and no one can touch me in this bubble of perfect bliss.

  “See, that wasn’t so bad.”

  “Not bad at all.” She smiles. “I had no idea this was so important to you, but…I enjoyed it. A lot.”

  “Your speech was amazing. I hope this was special enough.” Abruptly, Carter pulls me close. “Every moment with you is special,” she says. “God, you have no idea how much I love you.”

  “Not true. I think I have a pretty good idea.”

  “I will tell you more about the other projects,” she says. “I promise, but first I think we should have our honeymoon. I talked to the pilot, and our plans have changed slightly. We will leave Paris in the morning.”

  I sit back, staring at her in confusion. “What? Why?”

  “I hope you’re not too disappointed.”

  That’s not an answer, I notice. “I’m okay with that, but…”

  “I’d prefer to be back home when we have that conversation. I swear, we’ll take the time, and I will tell you everything. After all, you own half of the business now. I didn’t want to lay all that responsibility on you…but I realized that’s not fair to you either. I might like to tie you up, but that doesn’t mean I don’t consider you an equal.”

  “Equal, that’s a big word,” I say, snuggling up to her. “I understand that there are some things that aren’t the same. You build this business all by yourself. I didn’t earn any of it.”

  Her hand in my hair is still trembling slightly.

  “Let me be the judge of that, okay? And for the record, doing what I did was a matter of your security first. I can get my thrills wherever, I don’t need to kidnap people for that.”

  “I know that. I’m sorry I ever alleged…”

  “Shh.” She kisses the top of my head softly. “It’s all right. I understand. You are still getting used to all of this.” Carter gets up and picks up the robe I wore a few moments ago.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Everything went so well, let’s celebrate. I know we’ll have to get up early later today, but let’s have champagne. I don’t want to open the door naked to room service.”

  “Okay. I’m in.” Through the half open curtains I can see the illuminated Eiffel Tower. It’s not that hard to get used to this life-style after all. I’m surprised that a speech like this, something Carter has done many times before, stressed her this much. I don’t learn until later that her nervousness has little to do with it.

  She orders strawberries dipped in chocolate with the champagne, and we get a little tipsy on the sparkling drink, drunk on lust and happiness, and all of a sudden it’s so easy to let go. We do all we can, every day, right? Every once in a while, indulgence that hurts no one is okay, the sweet taste of the strawberries on her lips, the warm feeling from champagne and desire, another orgasm on her fingers.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Life couldn’t be better, even when the alarm sounds at four a.m. Disoriented for a moment, I remember Carter changed our departure time. Of course, with a private jet on standby, this is all a little easier, but does it have to be this early?

  She’s already in the shower, coming out of the bathroom before I have the chance to gather my clothes.

  “We’re off to Bora Bora in a few hours. Are you excited?”

  I smile, then yawn. “Don’t get me wrong, I am. I can’t wait!”

  “Good. I’ll call the cab when you’re ready.”

  I’m not sure why the urgency, but it doesn’t really matter. Paris, Vienna, L.A., Bora Bora or at home—we have a great time whenever we’re together, regardless of the challenges.

  Carter wears slacks and a t-shirt when I return. I throw on a sundress and a light cardigan—it’s always hot in airports, L.A. will be hot, Bora Bora hotter.

  When we get down to the lobby, there are two policemen at the counter. I have no idea why there are here, but I feel uncomfortable for no reason all of a sudden, glad we’re going to leave. One of them turns and walks straight toward us.

  “Madame Forbes?” I don’t understand the words he says next, but I can tell from the way Carter pales that it’s not good, and finally I realize that the piece of paper in his hand is an arrest warrant.

  “What? They can’t do that, right? We’ve done nothing wrong!”

  “No, but it’s not you they’re after,” Carter says, wincing as the cuffs snap shut around her wrists.

  “Where are they taking you?”

  She exchanges a few words with the cop. Even in this dire situation, Carter conveys authority. They are not going to drag her out of here, which is a relief. The look of the clerk behind the counter is bad enough.

  “The local police station, I guess, and they’ll take things from there.”

  “Why?” This is a nightmare. I can’t even start to understand that in fact, it’s real, or what to do next.

  “Penelope, I need you to listen to me. Call Nick, tell him what’s happened. He’ll send our people. It’s going to take a few hours, but I promise you, they will take care of it. It’ll be okay.”

  How can I possibly believe that?

  “They’ll search the suitcases. After that, I want you to put everything together and find another hotel to stay for a couple of days, until this is sorted out. Nick will help you with the rest. Can you do that?”

  “I…I guess.” I straighten my shoulders. “Yes, of course.”

  “Good. Don’t worry, I’ll be okay. This will go away in no time.”

  A moment later I stand in the lobby, frozen, in shock.

  I always wanted more responsibility, more involvement, not to be sheltered from the more dangerous part of her “business.” Here I am now, once more in the middle of it.

  As I’ve been told, I call Nick first. He doesn’t even complain about the late hour, neither does he seem very surprised.

  “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. I’m sending in the cavalry. You have your personal things on you?”

  I clutch my purse in a shaking hand. “Yes.”

  “I don’t think you’ll need a lawyer, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. There’ll be someone to give you counsel as well. Find a place to stay first, then call me.”

  “What about our luggage? We were about to leave for Bora Bora.”

  “I know,” he says, his tone curt, not necessarily intended for reassurance. “I’m sorry, Penny. I’m sure this won’t take long. Just call me, and I’ll take care of the rest, make sure the luggage will be sent where you’re staying.”

  “Can’t I just try to get a different room?”

  On the other end of the line, Nick hesitates. I wish I knew what that means.

  “I’d prefer if you didn’t. You have enough money on you?”

  “Yes, no problem. Unless they’re canceling my credit card.”

/>   “I don’t think that’s going to happen. I need to let you go now. Good luck, and remember, call me the moment you’re settled.”

  When I finish the call, the clerk isn’t behind the counter anymore. I walk out of the hotel with nothing but my purse on me, and step out into the city, a country where I’m a stranger, by myself until I find out what happened.

  Paris isn’t fun any longer. I feel like curling up in a corner and crying, but I can’t. I need to find a place to stay.

  I don’t see the point in spending a lot of money under these circumstances, so I find a small hotel close by that’s something I could have afforded even before Carter. Here, the clerk is surprised to see me without luggage, but I tell him I’ll have it delivered later.

  When I’m alone in the room, temptation is looming again. I can’t give in to it, worry about Carter, let fear take over. She and Nick will know best what to do in this situation, and so I’ll follow their lead.

  Nick tells me to stay put until the yet unnamed cavalry arrives, lawyers and a private detective who work for Carter exclusively.

  “When the luggage is here, can I go see Carter?”

  “No, I don’t want you to leave the hotel, you understand me?”

  “But once the luggage is here…”

  “No,” he says sharply. “You wait until they get there. That’s all.”

  “All right,” I mutter into the phone, to no avail, because he hung up on me. I know Carter trusts him, and that’s everything I have to hold on to right now. I still can’t fully grasp the situation. While I’m pondering what to do, there’s a knock on the door. I’m on my feet within a split-second, my heart pounding.

  “Penny? This is Linda. I’m the private investigator for Forbes Inc.”

  “I don’t believe you. All of this just happened an hour ago, there’s no way…”

  “Please, open the door. I’ve talked with the police already, and they will release your luggage soon.”

  My hand is on the handle, trembling. I don’t want to make a huge mistake. The last time, a fake FBI agent nearly delivered me to Laydon.