The Terms 2 Read online

  “Change of plans. Can you build a fort with him? There’s something I have to take care of.”

  “Sure.”

  “Liam, Emma’s going to play with you, but I promise I’ll be back in a little while. I’m only going downstairs.” I kiss his forehead.

  “Em, you can build with all the blue ones,” he says. Relieved that he’s comfortable with me leaving, I stomp down the stairs. I head straight to the library and find Christopher working at his desk. Shutting the door behind me, I march over to him.

  “We need to talk.”

  “Yeah, we do.” He backs away from his laptop and clasps his hands in his lap. I cross my arms and glare at him.

  “What the hell did you say to Liam when I left you two alone the other day?”

  “It wasn’t a big deal.”

  “You think the fact that you told him you were taking him alone on a trip isn’t a big deal?”

  “Look, when I’m around you and Liam, Ellis becomes jealous. Taking the kid on a short trip would be a way for me to spend quality time with him. I was going to discuss it with you today.”

  “I don’t believe you. You would’ve asked me first before mentioning it to him, and you sure as hell wouldn’t have told him to keep it a secret.”

  Chris gets up from his chair and strolls around the desk.

  “Speaking of which, I heard you’ve been keeping a secret, as well.”

  “What are you talking about?” I ask.

  “Let’s see … that you slept with Ellis years ago. That he’s really Liam’s father, not Tony.” Without warning, Chris backs me up against his desk, and by gripping it, he cages me in with his arms.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Saying my peace. I think I at least deserve that after kissing your ass for four years. If I’d known you were such a slut, I would’ve made a move on you a long time ago.”

  “Shut up. I’m not a slut.”

  “Really? So, you fucking one brother while you were dating the other makes you what then? Considering how they both threw money and possessions at you, I guess that makes you a whore, too.”

  Squeezing my hand up between us, I smack his face. He grabs my wrist and brings my body closer to his. His hot breath is on my skin but his eyes are glacial. He’s not the Christopher I’ve been fond of for years.

  “What happened to you?” I ask.

  “I’ve grown tired, Camilla, of your games. You’re buying into Ellis’s bullshit that he cares for you when all he really wants is his child. I don’t know how you’re so damn blind.”

  “That’s not true. I love him, and he loves me.” I try to free my wrist, but he only squeezes it tighter. My lower lip quivers, and I feel the hammering of my heart. Leaning forward, he forces me to bend back over the desk even farther.

  “Now that I know he’s Liam’s father, I have no use for you. You screwed up all my plans and are nothing but a dumb, greedy whore.”

  I squirm against him to get away, but he won’t budge, and I feel sick over having his body pressed to mine.

  “Get away from me. If you don’t, I swear I’ll press charges.”

  “For what? Making you see the truth about yourself?”

  “Get away. Let me go!”

  “You get your fucking hands off her!” Ellis says. His voice booms from the door before he barrels toward us. Christopher looks over his shoulder about the time Ellis gets a handful of his shirt.

  Grabbing his body, too, he throws Chris on the hardwood floor, and instinctually, I bring my arms up for protection.

  “Where’s Liam?” Ellis asks.

  “He’s safe upstairs with Emma,” I reply.

  Grabbing Chris by the shirt collar, he lifts his upper body enough to punch him in the face.

  “Ellis, stop!” I yell. “Just make him leave.” He drags him up to his feet next and clutches his shirt.

  “Give me your keys. Then, get out of my house, and don’t ever think of coming back. I know who you really are.”

  Christopher turns his head to the side and spits blood on the floor. I eye his busted lip that’s swelling up. “The question I have is did my brother know the truth?”

  “What’s going on, Ellis?” I ask.

  “Tell her,” he says to Christopher.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Bullshit. Camilla, Chris and Tony have the same mother.”

  “You can’t even say it, can you?” Chris spews. “That I’m his brother, too.”

  “Did he know the truth?” Ellis asks. “Answer me!”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  Ellis sucker punches him in the gut, and Chris falls over against him. “Let me go, asshole, so I can leave.” He groans and coughs. “I was done here, anyway.”

  While still holding him by the collar, Ellis peers at him, contemplating what he wants to do next.

  “Please let him go so you don’t get in trouble.” Listening to me, he shoves Chris away, who stumbles back a few feet.

  “Give me your keys, and get the fuck out.”

  Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Chris pulls out his keys to the property. He walks up to Ellis and drops them on the floor next to him before storming out. Ellis follows right behind, and I hope it’s only to be certain he leaves.

  I blow out a long breath and brush tears from my cheeks. I don’t know who that person was, but I’m thankful Ellis showed up and nothing happened to Liam. I can’t believe Chris and Tony are brothers.

  After a few minutes, Ellis returns. While stroking my hair, he scans my face.

  “Did he hurt you?”

  “No, he only scared me. He said the most awful things, Ellis. I’ve never seen him like that.”

  “He’s not the person you thought he was.”

  “I believe that now. I was sure he was going to hurt me.”

  “He’s gone and finally out of our lives.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Ellis

  As I hold Camilla’s shaking body against me, I have the overwhelming desire to hunt Christopher down and kill him. I pull back and touch her quivering lip with my thumb.

  “It’s OK. He’s gone. Why were you in here talking to him?”

  “You’re going to be even angrier when I tell you.” Her face turns away, so I bring her chin back to me.

  “Tell me.”

  “Promise me you won’t go after him.”

  I huff out a sharp breath. “Fine, as long as he doesn’t come back here.”

  “When Lorenzo showed up, Liam threw a temper-tantrum, and it was so bad that I had to reschedule his lesson. Once he calmed down, I asked him what was upsetting him, and he said Christopher told him a secret he wasn’t allowed to tell or he’d get in trouble.” She shakes her head.

  “Ellis, I swear I only left them alone together for a minute while I went to the bathroom. It was when we were having lunch in the dining room.

  “Christopher told him they might take a trip together, just the two of them, so I came downstairs to confront him. He tried saying he was going to discuss it with me, but then he completely changed and showed me a side to him I’d never seen before.”

  Her eyes flood with tears. “Do you think he was considering kidnapping Liam? I’m so afraid of what he’s capable of doing now.”

  Bile rises in my chest, and every muscle in my body is rigid, tense with fury. It’s going to take all my strength not to harm him.

  “He’s gone, and I told security to never let him back in. I’ll change the locks and the security code on the house, as well.”

  “That makes me feel better.”

  “I’ll postpone dinner with my parents until tomorrow. I don’t believe Liam needs the stress of meeting someone else today.”

  “I hate to do that, but I agree. You would’ve been beside yourself if you’d seen him acting out today. I know it’s normal for kids to throw fits, and it wasn’t his first one, but it was the worst I’ve witnessed from him. This incide
nt with Chris explains the way he’s been acting.”

  “I thought he was upset that I’m his father.”

  Camilla touches my cheek. “When I told him he’d never go on a trip with Chris and would always be with me, he asked if he’d be with Boss-Daddy, too.” She giggles. “He was happy once I assured him you’d always keep him safe.”

  So that she doesn’t see me emotional, I grab her and hug her.

  “Thank you for being an incredible mother to him all this time. I hate to think about how you’ve struggled alone, and I assure you it will never happen again.”

  Pulling back, she glides her fingers through my hair and gives me a look of adoration.

  “It wasn’t your fault, and we’re more than OK now. We’re becoming the family I’ve always wanted.” Her warm, soft lips press to mine, and I squeeze her waist, craving more of her.

  “I need an escape from the day I’ve had,” she adds. “Will you take me to the playroom soon?” With lashes fluttering up at me, her eyes tell me how naughty she wants to be.

  “I’ll call Beatrice.”

  Greyson

  As I sit in the living room, I hear the front door open, followed by Sasha’s footsteps. Each one is sluggish before she cautiously peeks around the corner of the living room.

  “Greyson, hi.”

  “You were hesitant to walk in here.”

  Blushing, she smiles. “OK, a little.”

  “I told you it won’t happen again.” Glancing to her shopping bag, I frown. “It doesn’t look like you bought much.”

  “I didn’t have time since I had the NA meeting after, and the other reason is because I don’t feel right using Ellis’s money. I spent a hundred, and I’m giving the rest of the thousand back to him.”

  “He genuinely wanted you to have it and will be insulted if you try to return it.”

  “I didn’t do anything to warrant him giving it to me.”

  “You’re trying to better your life and are family now. Both mean something to him. Besides, it’s pocket change for the guy.”

  “I can’t comprehend that. It’s so much money for someone like me.” She’d shit if she knew Ellis gave her ten thousand, not one. I didn’t tell her because she would’ve flipped out and not taken a dime of it.

  “There’s dinner in the kitchen if you’re hungry.”

  “Oh, I ate with Terrence. He wanted to go shopping with me, which I thought was odd. He went to the NA meeting, too. I hope he’s not trying to get with me because I don’t want to date him.”

  I smirk. “Trust me, he’s not.”

  “You were quick to say that.” She clutches her hip. “Is there something he wouldn’t like about me?”

  “Yes, the fact that you’re a girl. The guy has a vagina allergy.”

  Her hand smacks over her mouth, but it doesn’t muffle her giggles.

  “A vagina allergy … like he’s gay?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re funny, and few guys make me laugh.”

  “I’m glad I’m amusing to you.” I slide my hand forward and back over my hair.

  “It’s not in a bad way.” As she gazes at me intently, her smile fades. Actually, it’s more like she’s looking through me. Realizing she’s staring, she breaks eye contact.

  “Uh, I guess I’ll go to my room.”

  “I was thinking about what you suggested the other day, about us watching that zombie show, and I’m down for it if you are.”

  “That’s OK. I know you weren’t that interested in it. I’m still adjusting to getting up early and working all day, so I think I’ll hang out in my room and crash early tonight, but thanks for the offer.”

  “Yeah, sure. I should probably do the same.” She strolls out, and I shut off the television. I’m alone, and for some reason it bothers me. I’m not accustomed to rejection from a chick.

  Too restless for sleep, I consider my other options. I need to get laid to release my sexual frustration from sharing space with Sasha, but I don’t have the urge to hook up with anyone else, so that’s marked off the list.

  I don’t want to work out again, and I definitely don’t want to sit here and think about my impending engagement.

  Tapping my fingers on the couch, I look down at it, and a thought comes to mind. I’m an idiot, and I wonder how late a furniture store is open.

  Camilla

  Ellis clasps my pear-shaped ruby necklace and kisses the back of my neck. It’s the only red item he requested I wear tonight. He stalks around my body, his fingers skimming down my arm in the process. Bumps rise to the surface, and I shudder beneath his lingering touch.

  “Do you know why I gave you this necklace?”

  “I believe it was a gift, Sir.”

  “It was. I wanted to imagine you as the lady in red who made me vulnerable in my dreams, and you were indeed her. In this playroom, you’re the vulnerable one, anticipating the unexpected from me.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “I also wanted you to wear it so you’d come on command by simply touching it … by hearing me say, ‘Come, my Rose.’ ”

  As my heart flutters in my chest, my eyes close.

  “Baby, it’s going to happen soon. Touch it. I know you’re itching to. I’m also aware that your pussy is spasming, yearning for me to fuck it. Look at me now.”

  My eyes open, and his hands slide across my collarbones and down to my breasts. He massages them gently, but the heat in his eyes, and the blue veins cording in his neck, convey that today will be more about pain.

  “Hold the ruby in your hand, and don’t let it go.” His fingers travel downward and brush along my skin. He squats and presses his open mouth to my body, skirting it along my stomach.

  Flinching, I whimper and let my head fall back. His strong hands grip my hips, his fingers pressing into them forcefully. “All mine. Every single part of this body belongs to me when I want it … when I crave it … when I’m hungry for a taste.”

  The heat from his mouth is what I feel first. He covers my pussy with his lips, and I shove my pelvis forward, needing more, but he pulls away. “Look down at me.”

  Already dizzy, I lower my head and stare into his smoldering eyes that are tilted up at me. He slides his hands around to my ass and brings me closer to his mouth, dragging his tongue down my slit.

  I cry out from the sensations and grab hunks of his hair. Releasing my ass, he smacks it hard, and the unexpected impact causes me to yelp.

  “Have you forgotten you’re to do as I say in here?”

  “No, Sir.”

  “Did I tell you to touch me?”

  “No, Sir.”

  “It’s time to restrain those eager hands of yours.” Rising, he leaves me alone, and it’s vital I have his touch, his mouth, and his tongue on my skin.

  His dirty words and gruff voice … I yearn for them, too, along with his muscular body pressed to mine as he claims me as his.

  Walking to the middle of the room, he points to the black framework he’d shown me the first time I entered the playroom. The slotted metal is a couple of feet wide and spans the width of the ceiling and down each wall to my right and left.

  “Stand in the middle.” As I pad over to it, he goes to the wall at the front of the room and gathers black wrist restraints hanging from it. Once he returns, he pulls down a silver chain that’s attached to the framework above me. “Hold out your wrists.”

  He buckles each of them in a thick leather restraint and lifts my arms above my head. “Hold them still.” While I do as he instructs, he hooks the quick-release silver lock in a notch on the hanging chain.

  He said he designed this room once he met me, and I believe him. It’s as if it was made to fit me precisely. The framework and chain are the right height to where I’m able to stand while my arms are pulled tight above me. There’s no getting out of the restraints or any give for me to touch him.

  I’m vulnerable like he stated and horny as hell. Wet between my thighs, I’m already panting. He steps bac
k to admire me, and his eyes are blue flames, his desire ignited as he picks up the flogger from the floor and drags his fingers over the leather tails.

  “You said flogging was a soft limit for you, and since it’s our first time, I’m going to be cautious and gentle at first. What’s your safe word?”

  “Marshmallow, Sir.” Tilting my eyes up at him, I watch his mouth quirk into a smile.

  “Marshmallow it is.” He prowls around to the back of me and skims the tails of the flogger over my ass. Bumps rise to the surface of my skin again, and the first time the flogger connects with my back, I exhale a lengthy moan.

  “Please, Sir, punish me.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” The flogger strikes my back, and I flinch. It’s only a light sting at first, but as he continues, the endorphins flood my system, the lightheadedness building to where I can hardly hold my eyes open.

  He stalks around my body to stand before me, and with a gentler motion, he connects the flogger to my breasts. His mouth parts, and there’s a gleam in his eyes as he strikes them again and again.

  He continues, breathing harshly between hits. The rush is overpowering him, dictating his every move, and as my skin turns a darker shade of pink, the more insatiable he becomes. He’s staring at my tits, his pupils dilating as he gets sucked into the euphoric moment.

  Abruptly dropping the flogger, he’s on me fast, sucking one of my nipples into his mouth. He’s careful with my breasts but continues to take out his urges on the pointy tips, biting down on them and tugging them outward.

  I cry out from the sting, but I can’t resist shoving my body forward, wishing to bring him more pleasure and excitement. I need him to punish me, as well, for all my wrongdoings in the past.

  “Please, Sir, inflict more pain.”

  Crouching below me, he drapes one of my legs over his shoulder and buries his mouth against my pussy. The pleasure is instantaneous and enthralling as he licks me rough while the bristly growth of hair on his face rubs my inner thighs raw.

  Unexpectedly, he sucks the hood of my clit inside his mouth and bites down on it, causing me to buck against him and cry out. I’m balancing on one leg, trying to squeeze his head with my thighs.