Broken by Desire Read online

  I tore my eyes away from him then. “That’s a healthy reason,” his voice low. The music drifted through the air and I recognized Lana Del Rey, singing about Blue Jeans. I thought about Lucien’s jeans and the heat rose to my face. My body on fire from the sexual tension. How was that even possible? “Tell me, Ms. Winters, are you in a relationship?”

  My head jerked up and our eyes locked. “I…” shaking my head, “No… I um… I don’t. I mean I'm not.” Why am I such a klutz around him? I can’t even form a coherent sentence.

  He nodded, as if delighted with my response. The waitress served our dinner and as incredible as it looked my hunger was gone. All I could think of was Lucien, his lips, his hands and having them on me. Cass! Calm down! “I hope you enjoy dinner.” Lucien smiled, his eyes returning to the shimmering olive green.

  We both reached for the pepper and his fingertips brushed along my hand. The jolt of electricity shot through me, straight to the ball of fire blazing inside me. His touch so gentle, yet so intense. “You first,” he grinned.

  How could I work with him tomorrow? My mind and body betrayed me with thoughts of him hovering over me. Cassie just use the pepper and calm down! I wanted him, there was no longer a doubt about that, but it scared the hell out of me. Something niggled at my mind, something about him deep down. Why would someone like him be single? It didn’t make sense. Unless he was a serial killer? Cassie! Relax!

  “Cassandra?” His voice filled with concern.

  “Yes? Sorry!” I handed him the pepper grinder. This time he deliberately brushed my hand with his fingers. Fuck! That sent an ache straight to the apex between my thighs. I craved those fingers. Yes, I did! Okay Cassie, just play it cool, or try to!

  I picked up my fork and tried to focus on my dinner instead of gawking at my boss. As soon as I scoop a forkful into my mouth. Flavors assaulted my senses. It was incredible! “This is excellent!” I glanced up and found him looking at me.

  “Yes, their food is wonderful.” This is crazy. How can he be so calm and composed?

  “So why did you get into publishing?” I needed to talk, to break the tension.

  “My dad started the business before I was born. I recall growing up and visiting him at the office. It always seemed so glamorous, thrilling. I went on so many shoots with him and loved it. We spent time at New York Fashion week, and I fell in love with the concept of producing my own fashion magazine.” His eyes twinkled with adoration and joy.

  “That’s fascinating! Did you grow up in LA?” He nodded. “And,” my gaze dropped to the candle. How do I ask him? “A, um… girlfriend?”

  “No,” he continued eating, and I realized he had shut down. His expression serious, the mischievous smile was gone. I shouldn’t have brought it up. Then he astounded me by carrying on, “I was… I don’t…” He picked up his wine and took a mouthful. “I’m single.” There it was he was available. Yes, Cassie, he’s single and interested in you! No way! He can’t be! Can he?

  I finished my dinner, without disintegrating into my chair. The conversation was less intense after that. The waitress came back and asked if we would like dessert. “Maybe a coffee?” I suggested, he nodded and ordered two coffees.

  “We can take a walk on the beach after I have paid the bill.” It wasn’t a question, but his hopeful gaze made me smile. I nodded.

  “Okay, glad I wore sandals.” I giggled. OMG Cassie! A walk on the beach? At night? Alone? What if he kisses you? Well, that would be… I blushed at my wayward thoughts I hope he couldn’t hear. OMG! What if he can read my mind? Don’t be ridiculous Cass, he’s just an ordinary guy. No, there’s nothing ordinary about him!

  Lucien

  The waitress brings the bill; this is the moment of truth. A romantic walk on the beach. Who said Lucien Verán doesn’t do romantic? Fuck you Jayce! I chuckle inwardly, he is going to have a field day with me, but nothing mattered right now. As we walk onto the sand, I watch her slip her sandals off, her feet padding on the sand that I am guessing was still warm. My boots were not exactly beachwear, but I didn’t care, as long as she gave me that smile, I would be happy doing or wearing anything. “So, Ms. Winters, tell me what excites you besides music and books?” Her quick glance has me wondering what ran through her mind when she looked at me.

  “Well, I love trying different foods, I would love to travel. I enjoy my writing; it’s been a passion of mine for a long time. I am a tomboy; my running is an obsession…” She trails off. I recall our early morning routine. Yes, that’s right, she’s the writer, so of course that would be her passion. I watch her talk; she’s so animated talking about it. Everything about her fascinates me. Her dark brown curls frame her face and neck and I am jealous of their proximity to her skin. She has an obsession. I want to be her obsession, I want her to ache for me, as much as I crave her. When our eyes meet, the air is thick with sexual tension. How the fuck can she feel like a tomboy? Has she looked in the mirror? My God, she’s pure female perfection.

  “You definitely don’t look like a tomboy. Especially not when you’ve been running.” I step close to her, I need her. Now. Her body is warm and I need her warmth all around me.

  “What do I look like then?” Her voice barely audible. We are both frozen in place; I can see her holding her breath. The intensity of the situation causing a tremble to travel over her body. Her pulse quickens and I can see it against her throat. Blood rushes through me and gathers in my cock. Why the hell does she make me feel like this? I can’t do it. Can I? Is there a possibility that I can own her? Would she be happy to submit that beautiful body, her mind, and heart to me? Do I even want her heart? Her sweet hot breath fans over my face and it takes everything in me not to pin her down and devour her. Time to test the waters.

  I lean in and murmur in her ear, “A very…” I lean in closer. “… breathtaking woman.” Even in the dark, I can see the blush warm her cheeks and I step back. Her pulse riots in her throat and I want to lick it, to calm it with my tongue. There are so many other places on her body I would love to put my tongue.

  “Let’s walk.” I turn to walk on, expecting her to follow me and she does. A submissive even though she doesn’t know it. Yet. I let her walk into the surf and watch the water splash over her feet. The air is hot and I wonder if I can convince her to go swimming. I pull my boots and socks off, when I step forward, her body flush with mine. If I roll my hips my hard cock will brush her ass, it’s so fucking tempting I almost do it. She can feel my breath on her neck as I whisper the question. “Did you want to swim?” She’s quiet for a moment before she replies.

  “I don’t have anything to wear,” she giggles.

  “Who said you have to wear anything?” My teasing tone earns me a laugh, a beautiful sound. If only she knew I wasn’t joking. To see her naked, in the ocean would be my ultimate fantasy.

  “I doubt you should say that to a staff member.” She turns with her reply and taunts me as she murmurs my name in the dark. “Mr. Verán.” I drop my boots and reach for her, hauling her up against me, every soft curve of her body molds to mine and I know she can feel my erection. Her body wriggles in my grasp, only making me harder, as I walk into the water, she needs to be punished in the worst way and I am itching to give it to her.

  “Lucien! Your jeans!” She squeals, making my cock throb, pushing against my jeans in a painful surge. There are so many fucking things I want to do to her right now.

  “Ms. Winters, does it look like I care about getting soaked?” My reply is rough. I can’t help it. I am beyond turned on now and if she keeps this up I was going to ram myself deep in her tight little cunt right here on the beach. My thoughts are so much darker than she could imagine.

  I am about waist deep in water now and we’re both soaked, but I don’t give a fuck. I glance up at her and see the desire in her chocolate eyes. Her lust matched mine, and she was definitely going to get it tonight. I let her down in the most exquisite way, sliding her down my chest. Her hands come down on my body and
every inch of my body is on fire for her.

  “Now will you remember to call me Lucien? It’s not a request. It’s an order.” My voice is firm, and she nods. When I turn back, walking back to get my boots, leaving her trailing behind me.

  “Why?” When she challenges my order, I am vibrating with need to spank her pert little ass.

  As I bend to pick up my boots, I don’t face her when I reply. “Because, I can’t handle you calling me that.” I hope my answer will suffice, but she presses on.

  “Why Lucien?” She walks out of the water towards me. Fuck! She needs to stop right the fuck now! I growl, it’s a primal sound. She’s goading me, and my body is not ready for this.

  “Drop it, Cassandra.” Her stubbornness is going to hurt us both.

  I am about to fucking lose it when she taunts me again. “Lucien, you can’t say that. It doesn’t make sense. Everyone calls you Mr.—”

  I spin around to face her, completely losing it. “Jesus, Cassandra just quit!” There! Now just fucking leave it alone. I am radiating emotion, but she doesn’t back down. So my little Cassie isn’t scared of me? Well she ought to be! I am a fuck up; I don’t want to hurt her. She’s not right for me. From the look on her face, I can tell she’s excited, there’s amusement behind her eyes and I am dying to know what she’s thinking. Do I scare her? Is she really into me? I like her. I haven’t liked anyone in such a long time. It scares the fuck out of me.

  Chapter 6

  Cassandra

  “No! Tell me why?” I took two steps forward and stood in front of him. The tension between us was like a volcano about to erupt, and I shuddered. He looked like he was about to explode. I was trying to understand what was so bad in calling him by his name.

  He dropped his boots then, clutching my shoulders, he stood flush with me. I was sure you could see bolts of lightning as our bodies touched. “You are so goddamn frustrating! Why can’t you drop it!?”

  “Because you make no sense!” We were both yelling, but all I could think of was his solid body against me. Heat radiated from him. I realized I sounded like a petulant teenager but I needed him to tell me what the hell was wrong. What on earth could be so bad about calling him what everyone else calls him? He dropped his hands at his sides, his body frozen against mine.

  His expression changed, from frustration to resolution. “Fine, you demand to know why?” I nod, slowly. “I will show you.” The words came out low and dangerous and it sent an exquisite shiver down my spine. I stood squirming in front of him. He was so close his scent filled my senses. I was aching for him now. He stole my breath, every time he was close to me. This isn’t normal. “Close your eyes Cassandra.” I obeyed. When his fingertips brushed the curls from my collar, I shivered. The spark between us was tangible. It had a life of its own. I couldn’t not want him. “Stay perfectly still.” His warm breath fanned over my neck. He gently traced a path from the spot behind my ear, down my neck, to my shoulder. His fingertips were hot and his touch sent sparks to every nerve in my body.

  By this point I was completely at his mercy, my body aching for him. My panties soaked with desire, and my clit throbbed. I could literally see fireworks behind my eyelids from his touch. It was intense, and I couldn’t stay still. This was killing me. A slight whimper escaped my lips. “You feel that?” I nod slowly. “This is what it does to me when you call me, Mr. Verán.”

  His fingers traced back up my neck and his lips found my ear. “It makes me crave you,” I gasped, “makes me need to take you…” I quivered and his fist grasped the back of my neck. The roughness of his movement only ignited me further. I wanted him to kiss me, touch me, anything. He held me still as his lips teased my ear. The heat traveled down my neck, “tie you to my bed…” My breathing hitched at the images racing through my mind. Yes, Lucien, do it! Please! Take me! Calm down Cassie! “And punish you.”

  My eyes shot open and found his. Never have I been so turned on in my whole life, the need for him was unbearable. A minute passed before I recovered my voice and responded. “Then punish me,” my tone a hoarse whisper, barely audible over the sound of the crashing waves. “Mr. Verán.” His name rolled off my lips, with intent and desire. OMG! Did I just do that? Shit! OMG Cassie!!

  He clutched me, pulling my body against him and his impressive erection pushing against my belly. His lips crashed onto mine, sealing my mouth with a deep lush kiss. His tongue licked into me, tasting me for the first time. I reached up and tangled my fingers in his spikey hair, tugging him into me. My body on fire and he was my gasoline. He lifted me, walking towards the ridge, pinning me against it. The steel of his body against mine, solid and hard and I moaned into the kiss.

  His hands gripped my hips so hard, I was sure I would be bruised tomorrow, but I didn’t care. I craved him, desired him. The ache so deep inside me, I didn’t think I could ever rid myself of it. Fuck! I want this man so much. He’s your boss Cassie! I don’t care! Nothing else mattered right now. All I wanted was him. Suddenly Lucien broke the kiss, and stepped away, his eyes searching mine. We were both breathless. I was still shaking, my body on fire. “Cassandra,” his voice a tense whisper. “We can’t do this.” He spun to face the ocean. He had winded me with his words. What did he mean? Why was he turning away? Was I too normal for him! Not a blonde supermodel.

  “I get it Lucien. I am not your type. It’s—”

  He whirled around with a pained look on his face. Then he took a step towards me. With a hand either side of my head he leaned in. I thought he was about to kiss me again, but then he spoke. In a strained hushed tone. “No. That’s not it.” He stared at me. I am tempted to reach out and touch him. To run my hand through his messy hair. “Cassie, I am not…” His voice dropped further and I could just about hear him. “I will hurt you… I will fuck this up.”

  “Why? What are you talking about?” He dropped his hands, but didn’t turn away this time. His gaze dropped to the sand. “Lucien, no one is perfect. How do you know I won’t fuck it up?” He ran a hand through his hair. I wished it was me doing it, touching just a part of him. I needed to see his eyes, to see what message they held. When he peered up again, I stepped forward, staring up into his eyes and offered him a small smile.

  “You’re so…” his soft warm hands reached up and cupped my face. He searched for the words in my eyes. “I haven’t wanted someone as much as I crave you, but I am not right for you.”

  My heart hammered in my ribcage. “I crave you too and how do you know what’s right for me?” How on earth could he possibly know? Cassie, you need to tell him! No!

  “Cassie, you don’t realize what you’re suggesting. You don’t know who I am. What I have done.” He looked broken, torn, and I wanted to hold him.

  “You don’t know who I am Lucien. I am letting you in, please?” I reach up to touch his face when he doesn’t back away, my heart races. His soft skin on mine had tingles shooting through me again. “Let me in?” This time I was begging. For what? I wasn’t sure, but I wanted it. Whatever he would give me.

  He glanced up, his eyes darkened and a wicked smirk curled his full lips. “Okay. You want this?” I nodded. “Then I am taking you home now.” He laces his fingers through mine and tugs me alongside him as we race to the car.

  Lucien

  I couldn’t talk to her all the way back to the house. There was sexual tension thick in the air driving me absolutely insane with a need for her. Just one night that’s all. You can’t pull her into your darkness. She’s too innocent. Too fucking sweet. When Robert finally pulled into the driveway, I wanted to pick her up caveman style and carry her into the house. The need to possess her in ways that would make her forget about everything burned inside me. When I opened the car door, I held out my hand, she slipped hers in mine the light from her eyes shone with promise.

  I dismissed Robert, and just about dragged her into the house. When the door shut, I grabbed her, pinning her to the wall. This was what I had wanted to do since the first day I saw her in th
e coffee shop. To have her pressed against me in such a primal way. My mouth sealed hers without asking, I licked into her sweet mouth, and groaned at the taste of her. Fuck, she tastes like heaven. A flavor of sweet honey and jasmine. She sucks on my bottom lip, tugging it between her teeth, and I all but come in my pants. I couldn’t get enough of her. It was heady, and all I wanted was her. With a forceful roll of my hips, I show her how hard she has me, her whimper was evidence that she wanted the same.

  She fumbles with the buttons of my shirt, but I can’t wait. “Rip it!” I growl. Her hands grip the material and when she tugs, I am surprised at her strength, buttons pop and fly in every direction. As soon as she slides it off and her hands were on me. Thank fuck! Her touch lit my skin on fire. I can’t explain the intoxicating sensation of how she feels, soft, gentle, but so fucking erotic. I needed to be inside her.

  My hands grip her tight little ass and lift her against me. The only place I want her now is on my bed. This is where she belonged, with me, under me. The way she stared at me both turned me on and unnerved me, but made me feel like a better man. Not the dark shadow that I think of myself as. Not the evil bastard that I really am. I set her down on my bed. “Stay.” I command her. She watches me move, pulling my boots and belt off, her eyes filled with a hunger that matched mine. Never in my thirty years have I wanted a woman as much as I wanted her right at that moment. I wanted every part of her. Her eyes fall on my zipper and she squirms. Yes, darling, I will fuck you so hard and so good that you will feel me for weeks after. I promise, you will ache for me the way I ache for you. I watch her squeeze her thighs together, and I realize she’s wet. My hungry little tigress.