“Are you happy here, Veronica?” His expression was serious and his voice was low.
“Of course.” It wasn’t a lie. She was happy, even after only being here such a short time. Kristoff was gentle and attentive, and Veronica knew that it wasn’t just an act. Her instincts would have flared if in fact he was sinister, but instead all she felt was pleasant contentment.
He went on his back and put his hands behind his head. “Would you tell me if anything was wrong?” He turned and looked at her.
Veronica pushed herself up and reached for the throw blanket on the edge of the bed. Suddenly she felt very exposed. “Of course I would.” She kept her voice soft. Kristoff’s expression was searching, and she knew he saw right through her lie.
“Veronica?” She hadn’t realized she dropped her head until his hand was cupping her cheek and lifting until she stared at him again. “We are in this together, sweetheart. If something is wrong I need to be the first one to know about it. I need to be the one you turn to.” He leaned in and kissed her. “This is new for both of us. I haven’t felt like this in a long time and never thought I would again. I want to be the man that gives you everything you want and need.”
God, he was pouring his heart out to her. How in the world was she supposed to tell him why she had locked herself in the room? Thinking about it made her feel like a jealous child. “I—” She didn’t want to say anything, but he deserved the truth. If what they had was going to last, going to grow, she needed to be honest. “I’m ashamed.”
“Sweetheart, there is nothing to be ashamed of. I will never judge you.” He moved closer and wrapped the comforter more firmly around her body.
“I see all these photos of your former wife,” she couldn’t even say her name, “and I see how happy she was. The fact that she was loved dearly is clear on her face.” Tightening the blankets around her, Veronica continued. “I just don’t know how I will ever fit into this world.” She stared into his eyes. “I don’t know how I will fit into
your
world.”
Chapter Nine
One week later
Kristoff watched as Veronica did laps in the pool. The weather was particularly hot that day and when he suggested they go swimming she had all but rushed out of the house. Their conversation seven days ago still played through his mind. His timid little wife was jealous of the love she thought he still had for Macie. He hadn’t known what to say, how to alleviate the fear she so clearly felt. He wasn’t in love with Macie any longer, didn’t harbor any secret feelings for her. That was his past, and up until he found Veronica he had been holding onto the memories, not the feelings. It had been hard enough to explain that to her, because in all honesty it was hard for him to understand. They hadn’t spoken about Macie again, and although he wanted to be completely open with her, talking about Macie wasn’t going to help either one of them right now. Kristoff was ready to start his life over, ready to be a husband again.
Veronica surfaced from the water and he was mesmerized by the fact the droplets of water slid down her body like a lover’s caress. In the short time she had been with him he had been insatiable with her, and she never denied him. In fact, she opened her arms wide and welcomed him between her thighs. They had made love slowly and sweetly, but he had also fucked her hard and fast. He wanted her in every way possible, wanted her to smell like him, be marked by him. He wanted his cum filling her until she was completely claimed by him in every inconceivable way possible. He wanted anyone that looked at her to know she was Veronica St. Michaels,
his
wife. She wasn’t just a virgin bride from the auctions, she was the woman he was starting to fall in love with.
“Are you going to come in, or ogle me like some dirty old man?” She smiled. Already she was opening up to him, teasing and joking and making their bond grow stronger. The sound of her laughter had warmth spreading through him. He stood and turned off his tablet. When he was at the edge of the pool he did nothing but stare down at her. Male pride filled him as she let her eyes travel up and down his bare chest.
“You should get rid of the trunks.” She grinned up and him and swam back a ways. He cocked a brow when she reached behind her back and untied the miniscule knot of her bikini. She tossed the tiny scrap of material away and started working her bottoms down.
When she had emerged from the pool house in what she had called a bathing suit, he thought he might have a stroke. Her body was made to be worshipped, with her long, toned limbs, full, high breasts, and an ass that was so round, so perfect he wanted to take a bite out of it. The urge to pull her into his arms, pull aside her bottoms, and slide his cock inside of her had been all-consuming. Instead of giving into his baser urges, he had sat quietly under the umbrella of the patio furniture and watched her dive into the water. For a long time he couldn’t tear his gaze from her, but had forced himself to get on with his work. His erection had been ever-present as soon as she came into his view, and now that he knew she was nude beneath the rippling water, his cock grew even harder. His staff was just a call away, but even the risk of them catching him fucking Veronica wouldn’t stop him from taking what was his. And Veronica was definitely his.
He slipped his trunks down and gripped his shaft, stroking it a few times as the water lapped at the swells of her breasts. He wasn’t touching himself in front of her to be lewd, but he found being in her presence caused him to lose self-control. He wanted to do more than just jerk himself off, and of course they would get to that, but right now he just enjoyed the way she resembled a sea nymph. Through the water he could just make out the pink tips of her nipples, peaks that had grown stiff from the chilled water.
She crooked her finger at him like a little tease and he found himself slipping into the water. In just a week’s time her shyness had morphed into seduction. He liked to think it was because she had grown comfortable around him. Or maybe she was just letting the strict rules that had governed her for so long vanish? Swimming toward her, Kristoff loved how her lush lips curved into a smile. She didn’t swim away from him, but in the end it wouldn’t have mattered. He would catch her no matter what.
“You still have your swim trunks—” He pressed his mouth to hers, silencing the words she would have spoken, and slipped his tongue into her mouth. The smell of chlorine surrounded them, but the feel of her pressed into him, her legs winding around his waist, and her wet breasts sliding against his chest, overshadowed everything else. “
Mmmm
,” she murmured and tightened her arms around his neck.
Kristoff moved them toward the edge of the pool and pressed her back against the tile. He didn’t break their deep kiss as he worked his trunks down, freeing his raging hard-on and then pressing into the slick crease of her pussy. She moved her hips, working herself up and down his length, and letting the water aide her fluid movements. There wasn’t anything better than feeling her in his arms. The fact he could have fucked her at the drop of a hat didn’t deter her. She just opened her arms and gave herself to him. With the tip poised at the entrance of her cunt he ran his tongue down the side of her neck. Her pulse beat frantically beneath his tongue. Sucking at her flesh, her little moans and groans filled his ears and had the beast inside of him rising violently to the surface. Before he could plunge into her wet, hot depths a voice sounded close by.
“I’m not interrupting, am I?”
Kristoff broke the kiss and turned to place his back against Veronica’s chest, shielding her from the uninvited guest. Andre strode forward, a cigar hanging from his mouth, and his grin wide. He looked at Veronica, and although Kristoff knew Andre couldn’t see anything aside from her face, a protectiveness inside of him rose and he pressed her further into the wall.
“What in the hell, Andre?” His words came out rough and angry, and that was exactly how he felt. Andre grinned wider and sat in one of the lounge chairs under the umbrella. Kristoff normally wouldn’t have been irritated at the fact Andre came to his home unannounced, but he had Veronica here now and he really didn’t want to have to censor the things he did with her in fear of someone walking in, especially a man like Andre, and seeing her nude. “Go back in the house, Andre.” Andre looked like he would have argued, but Kristoff hardened his jaw and finally he relented and stalked back into the house. He swam to the edge of the pool and climbed out, not in the least worried about his own nudity. The towel he picked up was plush and large and would cover Veronica completely. He held it out as she climbed out of the pool, making sure to wrap it around her little body as soon as she emerged. She started to turn and head into the pool house but he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his body.
“Kristoff—”
He brought his lips down on hers and smiled against her mouth when he felt her melt into him. This was how she was with him every time, so responsive and giving.
“I’m sorry about him.” Kissing her one last time was harder than it should have been. “There should be a change of clothes in the pool house. I’ll be in the sunroom when you’re finished.” He ran his thumb along her cheekbone and dropped his hand when she turned from him and disappeared into the building. Grabbing a towel, he wrapped it around his waist and made his way back into the house. Andre waited for him, his body positioned so that he had a prime view of the pool.
“You ever hear of calling before coming over uninvited?” Kristoff went to the wicker dresser against the wall and pulled out a pair of linen pants and a polo shirt. He quickly dressed and when he turned around he saw Andre’s gaze on the pool house. His scowl deepened and he strode forward, placing his body directly in front of Andre. Kristoff crossed his arms in front of his chest. “You don’t ever come over, Andre, unless you want something.” Kristoff didn’t like the fact that Andre seemed to have an interest in Veronica. Although Andre seemed to have an interest in all women, Kristoff had never seen one particular woman hold his interest like this.
“Maybe you and I should step into another room?” Kristoff didn’t bother keeping the growl out of his voice. Andre’s smirk infuriated him even more. He dropped his hands to his sides and clenched his fists. Kristoff forced himself not to punch that fucking smirk off Andre’s face.
Andre stood suddenly and took a few steps back, his hands raised in surrender. “No harm, Kristoff.” He moved toward the wet bar and poured himself a drink. “You want one?” Andre asked without turning around.
“What I want to know is why you’re here.” Kristoff didn’t really believe that Andre had changed just because he seemed to have settled down with one virgin bride. When And returned around he regarded him with black, cold eyes.
“I heard you acquired yourself a bride from the auctions.” He brought the glass to his mouth and took a deep pull from it. “I was curious to see who had snagged your attention after so long being a bachelor.” Andre sat on the couch
“What does it matter to you? Last I heard you had a bride yourself to keep you busy.”
“Yeah, well for right now she keeps me occupied.” The grin on Andre’s face was almost lecherous. He may be a business associate, but Kristoff knew the dark desires that Andre had. “So, enough about me.” He lifted a brow at Kristoff. “Tell me about the new little lady? She is the complete opposite of Macie, isn’t she?” Andre lifted his arms and placed them on the back of the couch, taking on a completely relaxed position.
Kristoff felt his blood rise. “Veronica is not up for discussion.” Voice hard with his anger, Kristoff was on the verge of kicking Andre’s smug ass out.
“Damn, Kristoff, no need to get territorial. I was just stating the obvious.” Andre downed his liquor and stood. “Listen, checking out your new bride wasn’t the only reason I stopped by. You haven’t RSVP’d to my party and I was in the area, so thought I’d come by and see if you’re attending.” He lifted his wrist and checked his watch. “I’ve got to run to the office, but I really would like to have you and…
Veronica
over for the party.” His damn left eyebrow cocked in question and Kristoff gritted his teeth. The way he said Veronica’s name, like he was having sex with her, had Kristoff narrowing his eyes. There was always something off about Andre, something that raised Kristoff’s hackles. There had been several times, years ago when Macie was still alive, that they attended one of Andre’s parties. The gathering had been wild and extravagant, with the nouveau riche. The wives had been little more than pets of the older men, some even wearing leashes and collars, being made to do degrading things that had made even him cringe. He had never taken Macie to another one again, not after she had clung to him and wept for those poor women. If only he had been able to save each and every one of them, he would have.
“I know that last time the party was a bit…much for you and Macie.” He smoothed his hands down his suit and offered a smile, but the sentiment didn’t reach his eyes. “I assure you things have changed, and
I
have changed. I am happily married now to Bethany, and I would love it if you and your wife would attend. My Bethany is all alone, being such a young woman she really has no one to socialize with. I mean, Veronica may even know my wife.”
Kristoff let Andre’s words sink in. He chanced a look behind his shoulder when he heard the door open. Veronica stepped beside him, her body now covered in a loosely fitting sundress. Her blond hair was damp from her swim and fanned out around her shoulders. For a moment all he could do was stare at her. She was beautiful and she was all his. He wrapped his arm possessively around her waist and brought her flush to his side. When she looked up at him with those blue, trusting eyes, he knew that he had fallen hopelessly in love with her. It only took her touch and smile for his heart to recognize that she was exactly what he needed, that she was the missing piece of glass in his once shattered mirror.
“Good afternoon.” Veronica looked at Andre when he spoke and Kristoff tightened his hand around her. He didn’t know why he felt the need to hold onto her so tightly, but the possessive animal inside of him, the one that had claimed her, demanded he keep her close.
“Hello.” Her voice was soft and timid.
“I’m Andre Patrowski, business associate and friend of your husband.” He held his hand out and it took her a suspended moment to take Andre’s hand. Jealousy reared its ugly head when Andre lifted the back of her hand to his mouth and kissed the exposed flesh. Of course he was jealous and possessive, but those emotions were valid. He knew how Andre was, knew all the women he had taken to his bed. That wasn’t all, though. Kristoff knew all of Andre’s darker desires, ones that bordered on Dominance and submission.
In the past. He said that was all in the past.
Was that the truth?