Chapter 6 Red Passion

GWEN

"Let's get you comfortable," Tom swoops me up, and I clutch at his shirt.

I have to be dreaming. He lays me on the black leather couch and removes his shirt. My eyes take in his torso, tan and smooth, and I'm surprised how flat his belly is.

"Do you exercise?" I ask foolishly.

Ugh, what is wrong with me? It's like I can't even process my thoughts anymore.

Tom draws a thumb over my cheek. "Uh-huh."

Instinctively, my fingers reach up to graze his skin, he catches them, planting warm kisses that send heat rises beneath my flesh. One of the perks of being red-haired is that I can't hide it: I flush like a traffic light.

Tom straddles me carefully and kisses me, and the sound of his groan of excitement fuels my urge.

My breath hitches as he drags a callused palm between my legs.

"Oh," I whisper.

His chestnut eyes turn to mine, heavy with seriousness. "Red, I want you to be sure. Say the word, and this is done. But God, I hope you don't."

"I'm not...complaining." I croak. "I'm just out of breath."

A flash of teeth, his arrogance melts through. "Good, because I want to see all of you."

I grab the hem of my shirt and start to lift it over my head, unashamed. I lick my lips, watching him keep a stern look at me.

How is he doing this?

Thirteen months ago, I wanted to find him and rip out his throat; now I'm under him, fighting for my sanity.

My breasts feel small under his large hands, and he begins to knead them. I chew on my lower lip and moan with ecstasy.

"Your skin feels like silk," He mutters. "How does mine feel? Tell me, Red."

Reluctantly, I trail my hands down his back and grab his ass. "Firm like leather."

The chuckle he makes is low and just right. "Hell, I'm going to take that as a compliment."

His fingers part the curls covering my heat and running up and down in deliberate movements.

"Oh yes." I sigh from the pleasure bubbling in my stomach.

"You like that?" He asks.

I nod through a small whimper, shaking as he continues plucking. I part my legs wide and raise my hips higher.

"I'm going to make you come so hard you won't feel a thing in the morning." He growls. "Is that what you want, Gwen?"

I wound my hands around his neck, twisting from the sweet sensation shattering my nerves. "Ah, that feels so good...Tom."

In the end, I come apart in his fingers, dropping my hands over my head.

Shame keeps me from opening my eyes as I pant heavily, but his mouth brushes my cheek, followed by an arm draped over my belly and his heartbeat throbbing against my shoulder.

Sleep comes easily.

* * * * * * * *

I woke up with a strange certainty that someone was in the office with me.

I managed to pry one eye open, and a terrified yelp broke out at the sight of Diana, all dressed in a navy pantsuit and pearls, giving me a dry look.

"Eek!" I exclaim, dragging the blue blanket over my chest.

Outside the office windows, sun rays splashed against the glass, but my mind struggled to get past the strain in my muscles. "Bloody hell. How long have you been standing there?"

"Enough to know you sleep like a horse," Diana replies. "What are you doing in my son's office? Don't you English girls know how a bedroom works?"

I groan and squeeze the back of my neck, watching Diana turn around to gaze at the office.

"We know a thing about manners," I mumble to myself.

Diana turns her head to me. "What was that?"

Rolling my eyes, I reach for my nightshirt on the floor and tug it over my head. God, take me back in time, I'll do anything.

"I asked you a question, Gina." Diana's voice breaks through my thoughts.

I let out a breath of discomfort. "It's Gwen, and I'm sorry, but it's really hard to concentrate while I'm still naked."

Diana's face crumples into pure horror. "You and Tom...Holy Virgin!"

My fingers reach for my lips.

"Are you on the pill?" Diana demands angrily. "At least let me know you're a little intelligent. Ugh, how could you be so stupid? This is a sin!"

My eyes brighten with surprise. "A what?"

Diana looks as if she's going to vomit. "Your sister... and Thomas...but my grandson-"

I yell at her. "Oh, come off it. This isn't incest!"

Diana shouts again. "It doesn't make any of it right. Show some respect; this is a business venture, not a college party. Did you even read the contract, or was the glitter of the jewelry store too distracting for you?"

This time, I jolt to my feet, my entire arms shake with fury. "I won't have you speak to me like this. I'm not a property!"

"Yes, you absolutely are. You are just the face of that thief, and like the contract states, you'll perform every social bidding we ask."

"Like a mindless performing monkey? I don't think so!"

Diana is a foot shorter than me but her presence is a little intimidating. I don't move an inch anyway.

"Honestly, I know my boy is better than this. He wouldn't read that contract and violate the terms. So I'm guessing it was you who took the first step." Diana says coldly, enough for me to recall last night.

I blink with terror. This is worse than the morning-after regret. Diana's condescending stare makes it seem as if I'm a conquest.

"Yes, the women always come to him." Diana nods gravely. "That damn wedding ring separates you from every cheap model Tom has been with."

My eyes burn with tears, and my teeth chatter with hurt.

Diana continues. "Know your place. Now, I want you to do an emergency pregnancy test. I'll order the kit. We don't want to risk another baby. Give me the results when you're done."

She inhales deeply and turns on her heels straight for the door. Once she's in the hallway, she yells. "Esme, come clean up the office!"

As the door shuts hard, I flinch absentmindedly and grip my arms. All the gossip articles about Tom's flings, the pictures of the girls flood my mind.

Me, his latest victim.

I've risked my dignity, my sister's baby, for one flimsy night of pleasure.

What have I done?