Claimed for the Master's Pleasure (Guilty Pleasures #5)(34)
He went to speak, but she interrupted him. “You did, don’t deny it. I’ll tell you something else, too. If you hadn’t ripped the dress from my body, I wouldn’t have taken the designer one you replaced it with, either.” Becoming slightly more serious, she said, “I can’t be bought, Jake. I’m not that kinda girl.”
“It seems I’ve misjudged you once too often, princess. I owe you an apology, Lia. I hope you will forgive me, yet again.”
She laughed. “Of course I forgive you. I find it impossible to be angry with you for more than a few seconds.” She kissed his cheek. “I guess I’m a sucker for a handsome face.”
Lia stroked her hand over his chest. “Jake, I like the idea of being my own boss, and running my own fitness center, especially as it would be situated right in the heart of your hotel complex. It means we could be together more often.”
“That’s sorted then, princess.” He kissed her again. “I’ll look into it for you and get my attorney to draw up the paperwork.” Jake tenderly squeezed her shoulder. “I have a bottle of M?et Chandon on ice. I’ll go and get it. We may as well celebrate in style.”
“I’ll come with you. I haven’t eaten all day and I’m starving. There are some chalupas and enchiladas in the refrigerator. I’ve only gotta pop them under the grill.”
“Did you say chalupas?”
“Yes, I’ve made some sour cream and potato chip sides, too.”
He grinned at her. “Well, what are you waiting for, woman. Let’s go downstairs. I haven’t felt this hungry in years.” He tickled her armpits mercilessly.
“No, Jake, no, no, no,” she squealed with laughter. “I can’t stand it, I tell you. I can’t stand being tickled.”
Desperate to get away from his torment, she leapt from the bed, and wrapped a white robe around herself. Jake pulled on his sweatpants, and then held out his hand as he opened the bedroom door. “Come on, princess. Let’s get you fed and watered.” It had been a long time since he’d felt this good.
When Lia placed her hand in his, he knew life couldn’t get much better. Soon the emotional trauma they’d both endured would be nothing more than a distant memory. A bright, happy future stretched out before him now—a future which included Lia.
Laughter echoed down the hallway as they ran hand in hand like a couple of teenagers, toward the kitchen. Maybe it was just the wind blowing through the eaves, but the house seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
When Lia stumbled, he joked, “What would you do if I wasn’t here to look after you?”
“I can’t help it. I feel so deliriously happy, Jake.”
“Me, too.” He leaned down and kissed her lips, then scooped her into his arms. Lia responded by threading her hands around his neck, and resting her head on his shoulder. As he carried her down the stairs, Jake felt whole again. He actually felt like he’d been reborn.
Chapter Twenty-Three
One month later
Lia stood in the expansive garden of Jake’s fabulous Summerlin house, and gazed at the horizon. The views were simply stunning. Miles and miles of breathtaking Nevada desert stretched out into the distance in swathes of shimmering purple and gold. The hot breeze brushed through her hair, making her feel happy and carefree. Palm trees and shrubbery swayed gently all around her. She breathed in, contented with her new life.
She and Jake spent half their time living at his penthouse apartment in Vegas, and the other half living in this beautiful house. Lia much preferred the Summerlin property. It was far more discreet, being well away from the hustle and bustle of the casino. An almost magical atmosphere seemed to transcend the place. It was just the two of them, totally engrossed in each other.
Her decision to stay with Jake had been a good one. Their relationship had gone from strength to strength. She knew she’d fallen hopelessly in love with him. She smiled. Who’d have thought love would blossom on that day? The day she was marched unceremoniously into his office by Juno and Moose. Crazy thing, she really loved those guys now. Jake had been an arrogant prick, and she’d taken pleasure in telling him so. She smiled again. She still wondered how he’d kept his cool.
A cloud of dust drew her attention as it billowed in the distance. Lia lifted a hand to her forehead to shield her eyes from the overhead sun. She squinted, barely able to make out the fast approaching vehicle through the Nevada heat haze. It was Jake’s black Mustang flat out along the ridge road. It looked like he couldn’t wait to get home.
Lia turned around and headed inside. She always loved it when Jake returned, because she never knew what to expect. Sometimes he would be informal, and they’d just sit and chat over an intimate dinner, and a bottle or two of fine wine. Other times he would be in full Dom mode. That’s when his dominant side would be unleashed in all its glory. Then, he’d immediately bend her over the nearest sofa and thrust into her like a man possessed. Or he’d shackle her to the bed and have his wicked way with her. On several occasions he’d wanted her to take care of his needs. That’s when he’d stand there waiting for her to sink to her knees and take his huge cock into her mouth. There was nothing she wouldn’t do to please her new Master, and swirling her tongue over his engorged prick was an act she relished.