A Dominant Man (31 page)

He’s right.
It’s easy to judge someone else’s wealth when I’ve possessed it my whole life. How unfair of me. The pot calling the kettle black. Now I feel guilty.

“I’m sorry. You’re absolutely right. I’ve no right to con
demn you. It’s just that money has always made me uneasy. I’ve seen how people behave when they possess it or it possesses them. There’s something about one person retaining so much wealth, when others struggle to survive. Whatever it is, affected the way I perceive money. That’s why I’ve given a lot of mine to charities and what not. I’ve kept enough for a secure future and that’s it.”

“
I really respect and admire all your work with charities. I hope you don’t mind, but I donated money to my charity for abused women in your name. I forgot to tell you. My mind and body have been preoccupied as of late.”

Oh god. What a
sweet, controlling bastard.

“Thank you. I really appreciate the gesture, but you didn
’t need to do that. I can pay my own way.”

“
There’s no need for you to worry about money anymore. I’ve got you covered. Your future is set.”

“
How the hell are you so confident of our future, of us? You talk as if it’s fact, as if you know what’s going to happen. I’m not saying I don’t want those things, too, but I’m not positive it will happen the way I want.”

“Yes, you are. You’re scared, which makes you doubt what you know to be true. I’m not scared of what we have. I’ve been waiting for you a long time.”

“Me, too. What took you so long?”

He grins at me.

“I apologize. I got here as fast as I could.”

Why does that sound familiar? Where have I heard those words before?
It hits me, and I can only gawk in astonishment.

“Gabrielle? What’s wrong, baby?” He gazes back at me with distress, hands clasping to my shoulders.

“I dream of you,” I absently mumble.

“What are you talking about, Elle?”

I climb out of the daze I’m in.

“
I’ve dreamt of you since the ordeal with Nicholas. You were my savior, and the one thing keeping me sane all these years. I never saw your face, but I felt you, your protection, your love and need for me. The night I met you I had a dream where you told me you were getting to me as fast as you could.”

Now Hunt’s
the one shocked. “I hope I’m everything you dreamt I’d be.”

I graze my hand down his cheek, jawline
, and chin.

“Better. I can touch you whenever I please.” 

W
hen we drive up to his ‘home’, we’re greeted by a huge Spanish style villa, very old Hollywood, with thick foliage and trees on either side of the enormous property. There’s a curved rubble driveway curling about an exquisite fountain in the middle, white rose bushes encircling it. The edifice is white plaster walls with a blue-shingled roof. There’s a large, carved wood door and black wrought iron enclosing the second story balconies.

Liam
jumps out to open Hunt’s door, but I rush out before anyone can open mine. Hunt walks around to me as I survey the stunning Manor.

“Are you pleased?”

I gawk at him with large eyes and an enormous grin smeared across my excited face. “Yes, I am. This is superb, Damian.”

“Wait until you see the view of the bay and ci
ty.” He places his big, adept hand on the small of my back and guides me into the villa.

It’s unreal. We walk through the arched doorway into a lofty entryway with
cobalt tile floors. Two curved staircases, with black wrought iron railing, frames the entryway leading into the two-story living room. At the top is a walkway and half-moon shaped balcony looking over the living room.

It’s decorated in various shades of blue and white, with more of his gorgeous black and whites adorning the white stucco walls. A large
portrait of Seattle reflecting in the bay at night, hangs over the fireplace to our right.

Two l
ong, white couches face one another across a carved, light wood, rectangular coffee table in the center of the room. Everything sits atop a sapphire area rug. A giant glass wall with a sliding door, exits out to the veranda. There are no words.

“Would you like a tour?”

“Yes. Can we check out the view first?”

“This way, babe.” He hasn’t taken his hand off my back the entire time we’ve been here. He leads me thro
ugh the massive, bright room and out the glass door. The breeze off the bay brushes across my face and I inhale deeply, filling my lungs with the fresh, cool air.

I scan the grounds, noticing
another detailed fountain and decorative outdoor furniture, including a lounging bed encased in sheer curtains, which is made of more wrought iron.

There’s an expansive grass area beyond the tiled patio, which has blue lanterns draped over it. I’m sure they give this place a fanciful qua
lity at night. The dense, forest-like borders line the property on both sides straight down to the waterfront.

Everything is perfect, includi
ng the not too distant Seattle skyline across the bay. A skyline I know well.

“I love it at night when the lights are ablaze. My favorite view is when there’s a fog
blanketing the bay, giving the city a ghostly glow,” Hunt comments.

“Same. It’s been a while since I’ve been here. I forgot how much I adore this town.”

“Hopefully, not as much as me.”

“I couldn’t adore anything as much as you, Hunt.”

He stands behind me, pressing me into him, cradling me in his firm, loving arms. I lie my head against his chest and he sets his cheek on the vertex.

“What would you like to do today?” he asks.

“When is your meeting?”

“Not until tomorrow morning. I’m all yours,” he purrs.

“I can get used to that,” I reply flirtatiously, turning toward him.

“What would you like to do?”

“Have lunch, go into the city, lounge around here with you, hump like bunnies. The options are endless, especially the last one.”

“You are such a naughty girl. What am I going to do with you?”

“I’m sure you could dream up plenty of things to do with me, Mr. Hunt.”

“I’ve met my match in you.” He kisses my forehead and caresses my cheek. “
How about we have that tour, do lunch, then lounge and hump like bunnies. Tonight, we can head into the city for dinner.”

He
leans in and kisses the nook of my neck, causing me to purr for him.

“Perfect,” I murmu
r, under his sensual trance.

H
unt took me on a tour of the house, showed me his office, gym, study, and kitchen. Every room the same feel as the main living space. The color palette and design mesh well, giving the home a sophisticated, yet relaxed, breezy feeling.

He saves the best for last. The maste
r bedroom has a massive canopy bed with a light, ornamental, cherry wood headboard. The canopy cover matches the navy comforter, which gilds the mattress along with cream cotton sheets. I assume Egyptian.

The furniture is
also intricately carved, light cherry wood, matching the bed.

Sheer
white curtains flow in a delicate zephyr off the bay, coming through the balcony’s open, double doors, which appears to face the backyard and waterfront.

I walk out the doors to the railing, leaning my weight onto it. I note the compacted trees and foliage bordering between the properties of Seattle’s elite to my right, made up of firs, spruces, and other native trees.

I inch closer to my right and spot the carpet of ferns and enchanting delicate flowers speckling the ground. There’s a romantic air to this place and I can’t wait to take full advantage of it. I shut my eyes as a perfect breeze sweeps past my face, rustling my hair. I sigh, turning to Damian standing in the bedroom at the end of the bed, watching me with smoldering eyes.

“Damian, I love it. It’s extraordinary, opulent with a splash of absurd. I hope we can stay here again and often.”

Hunt strides out to me and braces me against him.

“Whatever you want, gorgeous
. Once again, I want you to think of this place as yours. I hope you consider everything in my life yours.”

“Not everything
…Or everyone to be exact.”

“No.
Olivia and Dante exempted.” He holds me closely as the refreshing breeze wafts over us.

“Then I accept.
” I stand of my tiptoes and kiss his chin. “I want you to feel the same.”

“I do. I desire to be a part of every aspect of your life.”

“You are my life, slick.”

He pecks my forehead, nose, and lips tenderly. “And you’re mine, angel.”

“I’m comfortable in your arms, as if they were created to ease and shelter me in.”

“They were.”

“I want to stay right here.”

“That’s the idea, princess. I want to hold
and protect you against whatever threatens your well-being.”

I tip my face up with pursed, soft lips, and he meets them, gently grazing with his strong, wanting mouth.

He whispers, “Lunch should be ready. Let’s eat, so we can do what we really want.”

“Can’t we do it the other way around? I don’t know how you control your urges. I just want to rip these clothes off and devour you.”

“It’s damn near impossible, but your health and welfare is priority number one. I wouldn’t want you to think I care only for your sumptuous body.”

“I know you care,
and I appreciate your attentiveness. You’ve taken amazing care of me the past few days. I wish I could do the same for you.”

“You do. Come, I want to feed you.”

I
t’s a clear, cool day with a gentle, invigorating breeze. I slip on black legging before joining Hunt outside on the terrace. He’s standing out on the grass, hands in his pockets, gazing out at the Emerald City. I gawk at him for a moment and revel in the view.

We are definitely not in Kansas anymore
, Ellie girl.

H
e seems to sense me watching and turns, strutting over to me by the fountain. His sexy grin sends warm waves of electricity up my body.

“Hungry?” he asks in a sexy, low tone.

“Famished,” I reply with the same yearning.

He guides me to the table
where lunch has been laid out for us. The spread seems a bit fancy for lunch but looks scrumptious. It’s lemon chicken with wild rice and broccoli.

“Burgers would’ve been fine.”

“You can’t always eat that crap. I thought a nice, light meal would be best. I wouldn’t want you to feel tired just from digesting your food. I want the honor of wearing you out.”

“Thank you for the lovely setup.” I kiss his chin, and he returns one on my nose.
“And FYI, I like that crap.”

He
smirks at me and pulls out my chair, taking a seat next to me once I’m situated. I’m getting ready to plunge in when he snags a piece of my chicken. I mockingly glower at him.

“Didn’t your mother teach you not to eat off other people’s plates?”

He smiles seductively. “Open up.”

I open
and he slides the citrusy poultry into my salivating mouth. I savor the peppery, sour tang of the lemon drizzled on top. I close my eyes and relish in the explosion of flavor, humming with delight.

I open my mouth after gobbling
down the palatable bite, and I’m rewarded with rice and a bit of buttery broccoli. My eyes flutter open and I find him watching me take pleasure in every bite, moaning as I chew.

I pick a
fork and knife up off the table and cut a slice of his chicken, raising it to his lips. “Open wide,
Mr. Hunt.
”

His
mouth goes slack, and I place the tantalizing morsel on his tongue. He seals his lips around the fork as I extract it and chews slowly, watching me intensely. He finishes and licks his lips.

This goes on.
I feed him and he feeds me, smiling like fools as we nourish and pamper one another.

“I could get used to this
…having someone take care of me because they genuinely want to rather than the fact that I employ them and pay their bills.”

“I hate to burst your delusional bubble, but you’re my boss. You pay my bills, too.” I remind him teasingly.

“You know what I meant, smart-ass.”

I grab his hand, lacing my fingers with his.

“I’m going to take good care of you, Hunt, just like you do for me.”

“You
already do…Are you satisfied?” he inquires, nodding to my almost empty plate.

“I’m not hungry, but you’ve yet to satisfy, Mr. Hunt.”

“Oh, really? We need to rectify that immediately.” He has a devilish grin as he grabs me and flings me over his broad shoulder in one swift movement. I shriek and giggle, begging him to put me down.