Page 35 of Resisting Mr Black

“That doesn’t make me feel any better.”

“You’re never going to get on. You’re too different.”

He’s right about that.

We head onto the dual carriageway back into the city. As he takes a left, I know immediately we’re not headed in the right direction.

I frown. “This isn’t the right way to my apartment.”

“I know. It’s the right way to my apartment.”

“What? Why?” I shriek in surprise even though I know exactly why. “I told you to take me home.”

“And I am taking you home. To my home.”

“Shouldn’t we at least go for dinner first?”

He swiftly changes gear and the car roars into life, gaining speed once more. “You said you didn’t want to go to dinner.”

“Yes, but that didn’t mean I wanted to jump to the sex part,” I cry. He’s exasperating.

“Why not? Dinner’s just a prelude to the main act.” The corners of his lips twitch into a wicked smile. “And there’s only one thing I’m hungry for.”

“Actually, now you come to mention it, I haven’t eaten since lunchtime and I’m starving. Maybe we should go to dinner after all.”

I’m purposefully being difficult and he knows it.

“The only thing you’re going to be tasting on those lips of yours is me.”

Fuck.

I turn my head and look out of the window so he can’t see my cheeks flush. He’s taking me to his lair, and I know I don’t stand a chance. My mind whirs with the possibilities at what kinky set-up he’s got going on. A sex dungeon with metal chains hanging from the walls. Whips and clamps and… Oh, God. Now the nerves well and truly kick in.

Eventually, we’re in Mayfair parked outside a three-storey Georgian property with perfectly symmetrical white sash windows.

He cuts the engine. “I’m not going to force you to do anything you don’t want to do.” His fingers curl around the steering wheel and his brows draw into a frown. “If you don’t want this, say the word. I’ll take you home right now, but first I’ll ask you to be honest with yourself about what you really want. Be true to yourself.”

I stare up at the apartment block from the passenger window. I don’t have to think about it. I want him, but my past is holding me back from having him, and if I allow that to happen, doesn’t it mean that Theo is still controlling me after all this time? I can’t allow it. I won’t. He’s totally different to Theo in every conceivable way and I need to keep reminding myself of that.

“Okay,” I blurt before I can change my mind.

As soon as I say it, he leaps out of the car and swings the passenger door open and offers me his hand, interrupting my thoughts. I stare at it for a few seconds then place my hand in his. He pulls me to my feet and then immediately lifts me up and throws me over his shoulder, bumping the car door closed with his hip. I cry out in surprise as my face plants against his shoulder blades.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m not taking any more chances in case you change your mind. No more running.” He’s determined not to let me escape from his clutches this time.

He hurries up the two stone steps in front of the entrance and pushes his way through a set of glass doors.

“Mr Black,” a male voice says, and I briefly close my eyes, conscious of how bizarre this must look. I’m viewing the world from an upside-down distorted angle but notice the black and white diamond tiled floor beneath his feet as he crosses the foyer, then we’re climbing upwards. A burgundy carpet lines the treads of the ornately carved staircase, and oak panels decorate the lower half of the wall. This is a beautiful building and there’s definitely a sense of history to the place. From what I can see, anyway. As we reach the first landing, I lift my head and peer back down the staircase to see a grey-haired gentleman wearing a black suit and tie, sitting behind a large oak desk. He’s peering at something or other on his desk and doesn’t seem fazed in the slightest by Art climbing the staircase with a young woman over his shoulder. I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t the first time he’s done it.

We climb on up another staircase and then round onto another landing before coming to a halt. I hear the sound of a key in a lock, and then we’re moving forward. I can see a light oak parquet floor and I hear the clatter of keys being tossed onto a table, then I’m lowered. He keeps his strong arms wrapped around my waist as he slides me down the length of his body and our eyes lock. His eyes are dark with intent as he places me carefully on my feet. Nerves fire up all over my body at the look he’s giving me. I don’t have time to gather my senses as his soft lips brush against mine, and we kiss for the first time. As soon as our lips meet, I’m lost. I hear my handbag fall to the floor with a thud as I throw my arms around his neck and press myself against him, desperate to feel his body against mine. His tongue swipes across my bottom lip as if seeking access and I open my mouth, eager to taste him. A low moan escapes from his throat as he kisses me slow and languid. In contrast to his rush to get here, now he’s got me where he wants me, he seems to be taking his time.

He’s warm and firm and everything I dreamt he would be, and I never want him to stop kissing me and I never want him to let me go. His arms tighten their grip around me, keeping me close to him as he walks me backwards through a doorway, as if he doesn’t want to break the kiss either. Then, after a few moments he pulls awayabruptly and I instantly miss the feel of him. I open my eyes. We’re in his bedroom. It’s spacious with pale grey walls and white floor-length voile curtains obscuring the French windows behind me. I’m standing at the end of the biggest bed I’ve ever seen. It has a dark wooden slatted headboard and plain grey sheets. A deep blue velvet chaise longue sits along the wall facing the bed. The room is exquisitely finished and incredibly stylish, but I’m relieved to find there isn’t a whip or chain in sight. Through the two doors in the room, I spy a walk-in wardrobe and en suite bathroom, not a sex dungeon. I hear the sound of curtains being opened behind me and golden rays of afternoon sunlight bounce off the parquet floor.

“I want to be able to see your beautiful body.” His voice is deep and low at my right ear, and I close my eyes as his hard, warm torso presses against my back. I suppress a shiver at the feel of his erection digging into my buttocks. I’ve thrown caution to the wind and jumped off the precipice and I’m free-falling into the dark oblivion below, unsure of when and where I might land. And I don’t care. All I can think of is how I want to feel his lips and his hands on me. Everywhere.

I relax against him, our bodies moulding together as he sweeps my hair over my right shoulder, exposing the bare flesh of my throat. He presses his lips against the curve of my neck, and I close my eyes, dropping my head to the right, inviting him to carry on. As if reading my mind, he plants a delicate line of kisses along the naked skin of my left shoulder, and I can’t stop myself from moaning in delight. He’s moving slowly, expertly, taking his time, savouring the moment.

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