With all of that heavy on my shoulders, I talked to him before the party and did my best to explain that he needed to have his fun and end it before it went too far. I’m a grown man, and I can deal with Anna and what she’s after. I won’t allow Apollo to do the same.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Apollo stand and then embrace a young woman. When he releases her, I see it’s Celeste, and for a second I watch my son. The way his eyes light up and the way he looks at her is nothing I’ve seen in him before. The worry I have doubles as the two of them disappear into the crowd.
When I glance at the entrance, I’m stunned still as I see Anna walking inside, her head held high and looking like she belongs here. She does. I excuse myself from the group of people talking to me but don’t wait for them to reply. Instead, I go right to Anna and take her by the hand, pulling her behind me.
“Well, hi to you too,” she sasses, and I grit my teeth.
Leading her down a long hallway, I open the first door on the left. It’s a storage room, but I don’t give a fuck. I need to be alone with her.
“Rory, what are you—”
Her question is cut off when I pin her against the door and press my body to hers. “Enough,” I say as I look down at her deep purple dress and how it clings to her heavy curves. “Did you wear this to torment me?”
“Yes.” She doesn’t even try to deny it.
“What do you want?” It’s a loaded question, and I don’t even know what I’m asking for. “Tell me, and you can have it.”
Her lips part, and her eyes are uncertain as she stares at me. “Rory, I don’t know what you mean.”
“Do you have any idea how badly I want you?” My hands move to her hips and around to her ass. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you mine.”
She gasps as I grind my cock against her, and I swoop down, stealing her breath. When my lips press to hers, I groan so loudly it rumbles between us. She’s soft against me, and I want nothing more than to rip away the clothes that separate us so I can plunge into her molten heat.
The sound she makes when I break the kiss has me harder than ever. Kneeling down between her legs, I push her dress up and order her to hold it. She does as I ask, and in one swift move, I have her panties down around her knees and my face in her cunt.
She’s sweet softness between her thighs, and I lick the insides to clean up her messy desire. My body shakes with need, but it’s not for my own pleasure. I have to make her cum, have to mark her as mine. My need to stake my claim is burning all over, and if I don’t do it now, I might just die.
“Rory,” she moans, and I don’t know if her hands in my hair are pulling me closer or pushing me away.
“Mine.” I’m hungry as I feast on her honey and slide my fingers into her soft folds. As I curl them in that perfect way, she cries out in ecstasy.
The sounds of her climax are loud, and there’s no doubt that if anyone is in the hallway, they heard her. Hell, they might have in the ballroom too. When she’s sated and spent, I clean my fingers and put her panties back into place.
“Drop the dress,” I say, and her hands let go of the material she was clinging to. Her eyes are heavy-lidded as I stand and loom over her. “You’re mine, Anna, and if I have to fuck you in front of the entire island of Craven Cove to make it known, I will.”
Her eyes widen at my words as I lean down and cup her cheek.
“But make no mistake, there isn’t a place on this planet where you can hide from me.” She swallows hard as I brush my lips against hers. “Run all you want, but you’ll end up exactly where you belong.”
“Where’s that?” she asks softly, and I smile.
“In my bed, and under me.”
Chapter Seven
Anna
My legs tremble as Rory keeps me at his side and introduces me to one person after another. I’m not sure if I should be annoyed or not. On one hand he’s parading me around like a show pony, but at the same time he only wants everyone to know I belong to him. The worst part is that I want to belong to him.
I’d worn the dress to get at him, and maybe he was right about me getting off on making him lose his mind. Everyone always says how cool and collected Rory is, yet somehow, I shatter that control. It makes me feel powerful.
Most men just want to get in my pants or for me to be some dirty secret. It helps wash away the guilt of conning money out of them. With Rory, I don’t have that luxury. Everything I’ve seen of him so far is good. I keep telling myself he’s a job, but it’s a lie. I’m falling for him, and I’m pretty sure my daughter is falling for his son.
“Can I leave you alone for a few moments? I need to go get my son,” Rory whispers into my ear.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I glare up at him, enjoying this game we’re playing.
“I see the way men are staring at you.” His hold on me tightens.
“I can’t control what other people do.”
“I should drag you upstairs and tie you to my bed until the night is over.” Lust blooms through my body at the thought, but I narrow my eyes.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.” My body only heats more at his intensity.
“I’ll be a good girl. Unless you give me a reason not to.” He doesn’t take his eyes off my mouth as he watches me lick my lips.
“I’m not sure I believe that.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him he shouldn’t.
“Mr. Crew, the auction is about to start,” a woman about my age says, interrupting our conversation. Her eyes bounce between the two of us, and like everyone else tonight she’s curious.
“I’ll be right there,” he tells her before he turns his attention back to me and pulls me close. Without warning, he bends down and gives me a long, hard kiss. “Stay out of trouble” is all he says before he’s gone.
It takes me a second to find my footing, but after I steady myself, I decide to mingle. Drifting around the room, I say hello and meet a few new people. Craven Cove has surprised me with how sweet it is with everyone making an effort to get to know me. They ask a few more questions than I care to answer, but they mean well.
I spot Celeste when she enters the tented area, and I can see the distress on her face. If that little prick broke her heart, I’ll make him and his father regret it. If there is one way to snap me out of the fog Rory has covered me in, it’s by hurting my daughter.
Apollo guides Celeste over toward me, and I spot one of the bidding paddles in her hand.
“Ms. Binx. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Call me Anna,” I say, letting him take my hand. Celeste is leaning into his side, making me think it’s not him causing her distress.
“I wish I could stay longer, but I’m needed on the stage.” He gives Celeste a kiss on the cheek before he’s making his way through the crowd. Celeste's eyes follow Apollo, and there’s no mistaking she’s already in love with him.
“You’re bidding?” I ask, nodding to the paddle in her hand and drawing her attention back to me.