Then he thought about the idea. Yes, the possibility of Kaia ordering him to pleasure her, sexually, was an intensely hot prospect. As he stroked the various horses, offering them treats and words of praise, he pondered the idea of Kaia telling him exactly what she wanted him to do. Maybe that was the trick?
He’d explore that possibility later. He’d have to wait until he was alone since the very idea of her commanding him was making his interest a little too obvious.
Apparently, Dibi and Marta were impatient with Riaz’s slow progress towards the kittens because they barked, letting him and Kaia know that they’d found the kittens and wanted to show off their discovery.
A case in point, he thought, chuckling at the way his dogs had just “ordered” him to hurry up.
“What’s so funny?” Kaia asked, looking around as if trying to find the stall where the dogs were hiding.
Riaz nodded his head towards the last stall. “That’s Dibi’s way of telling us to hurry. He’s found the kittens and, if the past is repeating itself, they are probably covered in kittens by now.”
“Covered in…?” she stopped, confused. She turned towards the stall he’d indicated and walked quietly over to peer inside. As soon as she spotted the two ferocious canines, she burst out laughing.
Riaz stepped closer and, sure enough, Dibi and Marta were stretched out in the straw. The kittens, knowing that their playmates had arrived, had pounced on the dogs and were climbing all over them.
“No way!” Kaia laughed, covering her mouth as she stared at the not-so-ferocious beasts panting happily as the kittens climbed allover them. Dibi and Marta looked as if they were in heaven! “I never would have thought that those dogs would be this…playful!”
“You’d be surprised at how much the big guys,” himself included, he added mentally, “enjoy the attention of the smaller things in life.” He looked down at her as he said this, thinking about having Kaia splayed out on top of him. Naked. Her soft breasts pressed against his chest. Or sleeping next to him, her head resting on his shoulder. Or riding him, all of that glorious hair dancing around them as she found her pleasure with his body.
Thoughts for another time, he reminded himself and shifted so that he could hide his arousal behind the stall gate.
He watched with pleasure as Kaia knelt down beside the dogs. Marta shifted slightly so she could nuzzle her hand, but she wouldn’t move in any way that might disturb the kittens. One of the tiny fluffballs pounced on Kaia’s fingers. When she laughed, the kitten moved over to her jean-clad thigh. Kaia was charmed, sighing with happiness as she lifted the kitten, cradling the tiny thing against her chest. She cooed to the kitten, who purred, and Riaz immediately thought of Kaia holding a tiny baby in her arms. With that same look of adoration and stunned joy on her face.
Damn it, his body tightened at the possibilities and it was becoming embarrassing! After his awkward teen years, where just a stiff breeze would turn him on, Riaz had learned to maintain control of his libido through absolute self-discipline! Hell, he met beautiful women all over the world and none of them had challenged his control! And yet, Kaia could transform him into a ravenous bull with just a smile!
It wasn’t even a seductive smile! Kaia was simply enjoying this moment with a kitten in her arms as she watched the other kittens play on the dogs. Momma cat walked over and, without a care in the world, cuddled up against Dibi’s stomach, finding warmth in the dog’s thick fur. Then she proceeded to give herself a bath while the dogs protected her babies.
Riaz knew then that this was exactly what he wanted. What he needed! And he needed it all with Kaia. He wanted Kaia curlingup against him while he protected her from the world.
First, he’d gain her trust. Then, he’d slay her monsters. After that, he would give her so much pleasure, she’d be left speechless and gasping!
Yes, a perfect plan!
Chapter 10
Ethan walked off the plane into the sunshine-filled airport of Pitra's capital city airport, an unsettling sense of irritation tightening his jaw. He longed for the comfort of his hometown, but Elijah's absence, and the rumors surrounding Tara’s marriage, fueled his frustration.
Tara, Ethan conceded, was beyond redemption—an unattainable pursuit. However, Kaia remained within his grasp. He was determined to reclaim what he deemed to be his possession, harboring a brilliant plan for her return. The anticipation of vengeance and possession unfolded as Ethan's delightful plan spurred him to hurry through the crowds in the airport.
After getting through the interminable lines for the immigration officers, Ethan stuffed his passport into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and looked around. Almost immediately, he noticed the group of drivers in black suits holding up signs indicating which client had hired them.
He noticed the sign with his name and mentally nodded approvingly. His assistant had done a good job of arranging his travels for this trip. Walking towards the man, he nodded to the thin driver. “I’m Ethan Howell.”
The man immediately nodded. “Good to meet you, sir. May I take your bags?”
Ethan immediately released his small, carry-on luggage, sighing with relief that someone was finally treating him with the respect he deserved. He’d flown first class to Pitra, but the flight attendants hadn’t catered to him as they should have. He was a wealthy man, after all! The flight had been pleasant enough, but still, this driver carrying his luggage soothed his ruffled feathers.
“My assistant booked you for the whole week, correct?” They’d made their way out of the airport to the line of taxis and limousines.
The driver hefted the luggage into the trunk of a black town car, nodding his agreement. “Yes, sir. All week, I’ll be available to drive you anywhere you need to go.”
“Excellent,” Ethan replied, pulling the sides of his suit closer together as he tried to ignore the crushing heat of the afternoon sun. Did this country ever cool off? Thankfully, the driver had the air conditioner running on full blast, so the interior of the vehicle was pleasant.
After checking in at his hotel, he met with the private investigator that he’d hired here in Pitra, getting an update. No need to do the searching himself. He’d tried catching Kaia on his own back in the United States and Ethan had enjoyed the game of cat and mouse over the years. He’d truly enjoyed seeing the panic on her face whenever he’d caught up with her. However, the little bitch had repeatedly escaped his clutches through her wily moves.
Now, armed with the knowledge that Kaia was stranded in a foreign land, devoid of the escape maneuvers she'd cunningly executed in the past, Ethan's determination intensified. With a conviction bordering on obsession, he believed he could apprehend her and drag her back into his clutches. The private plane he'd arranged for the return journey added an ominous touch, a clandestine element amplifying the gravity of his intentions. The private plane would allow Ethan to avoid involving authorities. Outside of his private community, Ethan knew that he had to mask his true motives, wary of potential accusations of kidnapping, insisting that, in his eyes, he was merely reclaiming what was his. The tensionsimmered beneath the surface, causing him to almost tremble in anticipation at the impending confrontation.
Chapter 11