“Yes?”
“On the day of my arrival, do not tell her when I’ll be in. Don’t even remind her of my day of arrival. I want to see if she’ll be ready. I want to know that she’ll be following my rules. She knows that if I’m to be home, she’s to be available. Let’s see what she’ll do with this new personal freedom and how far she’ll take it.”
“All right, Anton. If that’s what you want.”
“I do.”
He hit DISCONNECT.
As Tony’s hand touched the lever of Claire’s door, he took a deep breath. Perhaps, just perhaps, what Anthony Rawlings feared was that ten days ago he had succeeded. There was something about Claire’s resilience, something about her strength in the face of his tyranny, that intrigued him. It was a game and he enjoyed the invigorating play.
Ten days ago, Claire seemed defeated even before he showed her the videos. If he had totally broken her spirit, would the game be done? Then what would he do? If she were emotionally as accommodating as she was physically, would the challenge be over?
Tony couldn’t remember another time in his life when he wanted so desperately to have failed. Opening the door, he panned the suite and found Claire seated on the sofa with a book. Exhaling, he stepped forward, knowing that he’d have to face the consequences of his actions. Their eyes met and his back straightened. Tony knew. He could see it in those damn green eyes—her fire was back!
“Good afternoon, Claire.”
Her movements were deliberate and slow. She placed her bookmark in her book, laid the book on the end table, and stood. “Good afternoon, Anthony. It’s nice to have you home. How was your trip?”
He stepped forward, wanting—no needing—to gauge her reaction. The scent of her perfume intensified with each step. When he was mere inches away, he stopped. This proximity required her to look up to maintain eye contact. Without direction, her chin rose defiantly, her lips held the perfect smile, and her eyes screamed with the intensity he sought. As much as he wanted to pull her into his arms, he heard himself bait her. It was his game and he couldn’t stop. “My trip was long. I’m pleased with your greeting. Does this mean your temper tantrum from before my trip has reached its conclusion?”
“Yes, I believe it has. I apologize for my behavior. It was childish and unnecessary.”
He had failed to break her—or so it seemed; nevertheless, Tony needed to push and learn if Claire was truly as fragile and on the edge as Catherine said, or if her spirit was renewed. He grinned. “As I recall, a great deal of your behavior was far from childish …” he paused—no reaction, “… but my memory could be failing me. It has been a long trip. I know how we could find out …” another pause—no reaction, “… or review?”
She didn’t take his bait. Instead, she responded, “You’re right. It was very adult. I’d be glad to do whatever it is you tell me to do again. I believe I have a debt to repay. My goal is to make that happen sooner rather than later. Fulfilling my contract is the means to that end.”
He couldn’t fight the urge any longer. He had failed—and he’d never been so relieved. Swiftly, he pulled her against him and watched the fire rage. Oh, she smiled, said all the right things, but her damn eyes were fighting. It was better than he’d dared to hope. Bending down, his lips captured hers. Did he sense hesitation? If so, it was briefly lived. Suddenly, she was pressing back with equal force. He lifted her petite frame and held tight to her firm, round behind as her arms encircled his neck.
All of the trepidation he’d felt walking the gauntlet from his office to her suite morphed into unbridled desire. He didn’t want to make her watch movies; he wanted to make them. Would he watch them? Probably, but that wasn’t what he was thinking as he backed her against the beige wall and her legs encircled his torso. He was silently cursing her choice of attire. Tony would give his entire fortune for her to be wearing a skirt.
It didn’t take long and the damn white slacks and slippery blouse were history, lost somewhere on the floor of her suite. His suit followed, as Claire met him move for move. She was careful not to initiate, but whatever he suggested, whether it was verbal or otherwise, she met him head-on. As the afternoon progressed, he silently questioned if the Claire he’d hope to find was back, or if this was someone different, someone stronger? He wasn’t sure, and he didn’t waste too much time wondering.
About 6:30 PM, he used his cell phone to call the kitchen and have dinner brought to her suite. The flight had been long and their reunion exhausting. It was about 9:30 PM when he finally succumbed to sleep. In the moment before sweet nothingness prevailed and Tony slept better than he had in over a week, the satin strap he’d seen in the video feed crossed his mind. Taking one last glance toward Claire, he saw her bare shoulders and grinned. Tonight she wouldn’t be wearing a nightgown to sleep.
Tony’s shoes echoed against the marble floor of the long corridor as he made his way toward the front staircase. Inklings of crimson seeped into his vision as each step pounded more determined than the last. All day long, he’d thought about his reunion with Claire and her change in demeanor. As the day progressed he’d convinced himself not only of her acceptance of her situation, but the obvious pleasure she derived from it. Then, as if to prove him wrong, he went to her suite to retrieve her for dinner, and she was gone. Catherine had assured him that Claire knew dinner was at 7:00 PM. Where the hell was she?
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, he was about to call out to Catherine, when Tony stopped. In the sitting room, waiting calmly, dressed appropriately for dinner, was Claire. He stood for a moment and watched as he remained hidden from her view. She had her shapely legs crossed at her ankles, just above her high heels and her hands rested serenely on her lap. The dress she’d chosen to wear was blue and sleeveless, accentuating her tanned, firm arms. She didn’t appear anxious, yet she wasn’t overtly relaxed—she just was. As he stared, the red faded from his view. Tony reasoned that Claire hadn’t disobeyed; it was only different. She’d never before taken the initiative to come down to dinner on her own, but there she was. Taking a deep breath, he straightened his suit jacket and stepped into the sitting room. Her eyes immediately went to his. “Good evening, Claire.”
She stood and walked toward him. “Good evening, Anthony.”
Offering his arm, she rested her small hand in the crook of his elbow, and they walked to the dining room. As they entered, he said, “I went to your suite expecting to find you there.”
Her painted eyes widened. “I apologize. I was told dinner would be in the dining room at 7:00 PM; I didn’t want to be late.”
As he pulled out her chair and she sat, Tony studied the ringlets of hair that teasingly grazed her neck. He reminded himself that the blonde hair emerging from her brown was an outward sign of the new woman he was creating. Her obvious emphasis of obedience was because it was what he demanded—the old Claire wouldn’t have done that, perhaps not even recently. This Claire knew her place, and after their glitch a week ago, she was being extra careful.
He sat and studied his creation. He wanted to believe her; yet the red loomed nearby. He found his businessman’s tone. “Your punctuality is duly noted. It seems my absence has helped you remember who’s in charge and what guidelines you are to follow.”