Tormenting Her Mate (My Wicked Mates Book 3) Read online

  “You don’t remember me, do you?”

  Her lips twitched upward into what she hoped was a smile and not a snarl. “Yes, Marcus. I remember you. What I don’t understand is why you decided it was a good idea to drag me here blindfolded.”

  “He took something that was mine and I want it back.” He responded.

  A sickening thought came to mind. “Does this have anything to do with your father?” Would he take what he wanted out of her hide? Was that what this was?

  She couldn’t do that. Not for her father and she wouldn’t do it. Not for Charlie. Or anyone.

  It wasn’t her imagination that his jaw clenched and a look of disgust crossed his face.

  “No. My father’s dead.”

  The whoosh of relief she thought she’d feel at the news didn’t happen. Instead, a numbness took over. Why was she here?

  “What did Charlie steal?”

  The words popped out before she could stop them.

  “Enough that he's run out of options and you were the only thing of value left to put on the table.” Marcus’ eyes glittered with his wolf in the dim light, the loud music from what she assumed was a club thrummed through the walls.

  Then it really hit her.

  Lupin was dead.

  Astrid staggered just a little and one of his goons reached out to catch her before she fell. Lupin was dead. Oh my God. It was a bitter tasting sense of relief, but then she really heard what he’d said. She was going to be put on the table?

  What the flaming hell?

  “Excuse me?” Her gaze shot toward Charlie, but he studied the floor like it was the most exciting thing he'd ever seen. She wiped her damp palms on her skirt and tried to push it back down her thighs. “What’s going on here, Charlie?”

  “I told you I needed your help,” he mumbled.

  “Help is 'hey, lend me twenty bucks so I can catch a cab. Or help, I’m in jail and I need you to bail me out. Again. Not, hey…I’m going to be whacked by a mob boss and I need you to ante up for me.'”

  Her weasel of a brother just sat there.

  “So, what do I have to do? Go out on a date with him? Break into bank?” She took a side step closer to Marcus, daring herself not to flinch. Turning toward Marcus, she motioned to her brother. “Because whatever his debt is, I can’t pay it back. Not this time. I’m barely making enough money for rent, cat food, and Ramen noodles.”

  “I don’t want your money.” Marcus replied.

  Oh God.

  “What do you want?”

  Marcus narrowed his eyes and Astrid could almost swear a tiny smile played on the corners of his lips. Before, he had been a savior but now… Now he was something else.

  He was the predator and she was the prey.

  Her stomach clenched and she fought the urge to run.

  She closed her eyes and sent a prayer upward. This couldn’t be happening. She thought she’d escaped all this when she moved out on her own, but instead, it had found her anyway.

  Opening her eyes, she met Marcus’ steady gaze.

  “You have two choices,” he continued. “You can walk away and your brother pays the price for the debt he’s incurred.”

  What would he do to him?

  She shivered, taking in the gun on the desk and the feral eyes of the wolves surrounding Marcus.

  “You said there were two choices,” she replied, her fox heart beating wild in her chest. He couldn’t kill him. He just couldn’t. Could he? But as she looked deep into his eyes, she knew that wasn’t true. Marcus was an even more dangerous alpha wolf than his father and if she was smart, she would start running and never, ever stop to look back.

  “There are.” His eyes drank her up. “You agree to stay with me for one month and I spare his worthless life.”

  “A month?” Her mind raced. “But I have a job. Rent on an apartment. A cat to feed.”

  “It will be taken care of.”

  Movement from where her brother sat made her look.

  “You bastard. All you want to do is fuck her, don’t you?” Charlie dragged his gaze from the floor and met her gasp with a malicious look. “You’re just like your father. A filthy degenerate.”

  But even as her brother’s words echoed through the room, she saw his face and knew him for the liar he was.

  Alpha wolves could take whomever and whatever they wanted, anytime they wanted. Marcus could have come for her but instead he chose not to. They were only here because of one thing.

  Her brother had fucked up. Again. And knowing him, he leveraged her to save his own sorry skin.

  Marcus barely gave his outburst a reaction, but his lips thinned. His eyes never wavered from hers, waiting instead for her reaction.

  “I would watch your tongue when you speak about your sister, Charlie. Unless you want it removed from your head.”

  Was he like his father? How would she even know until it was too late? His father had loved to pull the wings off beautiful things just to watch them shrivel up and die. Marcus saved her. The only question was, why? So he could have her for himself?

  “How do I know he isn’t right?” she whispered the question, but he heard it just the same.

  “What do you think, Astrid?” He moved closer until they were almost touching and she could feel the heat coming off his body. His white dress shirt had been unbuttoned at the top, but the muscles that filled out the material made her want to explore him and find out how he felt beneath her hands.

  The full lips pulled down into a thoughtful expression made her want to reach up and kiss him and for a moment, it was just them in the boathouse.

  She wanted him then and she wanted him now. No matter how much her head tried to warn her off, her heart had known in an instant.

  “I’ll always come for you.”

  He had that night but she’d been waiting ever since without a sign that he even knew she was alive. Marcus wanted her then and apparently, he wanted her now. Even if it was only for revenge.

  Her heart couldn’t believe the lie. Charlie was wrong. He had to be.

  “What…what are the terms?” She swallowed.

  Marcus drew her in with his piercing gaze and his lips quirked up in a seductive smile.

  “You will be my property for one month. We will spend time together. I will splay your legs open and take you when and where I desire. Your body will be mine to do with as I see fit. You will go to any and all social functions of my choosing and wear what I tell you to wear.”

  Her fox swooned like the little strumpet she was.

  His harsh words gutted her and sent a thrill through her veins at the same time. Did the bastard know how much she wanted to feel him inside of her? Was it real desire she saw in his eyes or just the prospect of making Charlie pay? The fact that he was dangerous only made her wetter. He was the flame and she was the moth dancing around the glass enclosure, hoping she wouldn’t lose herself in the process. The literal fox among the wolves.

  “And if I say no?”

  He glanced down at the gun on the desk, and then met her gaze once more. “Do you really have to ask?”

  His eyes were golden with his wolf and she shivered beneath his steady gaze.

  Her fox squirmed, wiggling her backside in invitation.

  Saucy harlot.

  There was no doubt what her animal wanted.

  But what did she want?

  Charlie had deliberately stuck a stick in a beehive and, as always, she was here to fix it. Not anymore. If she did this, it would be one for one reason and one reason alone. Because she wanted to. Marcus Lupin had been a phantom in her life, both waking and sleeping for more than a decade. She sucked in a breath and made her decision.

  Chapter Five

  Marcus considered the myriad of emotions that crossed Astrid’s face. She cast her gaze downward and then back up at him, refocusing her eyes. She studied his expression unhurriedly, feature by feature and he stared back in waiting silence.

  Ambrose watched, his face immobile.
If he was shocked by Marcus’ offer, he didn’t show it. He’d worked for his father before it became apparent the old man had lost his mind. He’d seen the clubs where his father took his conquests. Places like Shambles and The Ruins. The broken and damned young things he’d damaged beyond repair. They didn’t travel in the same circles.

  If he left it up to Ambrose, there would be one less junkie soiling his office and Astrid would have never stepped a delicate toenail back into his world.

  He should have left her alone, but he was too selfish. God help him. Because after this, there was no way he wasn’t going to hell. It was the one chance he had to corner her and find out once and for all if she felt the same way he did. His girl was a fighter and he didn’t expect her to go down easy.

  “You won’t hurt me.” It was a statement, not a question.

  He shook my head.

  Astrid swallowed, fear shining in her eyes. “I want your word.”

  “I’m not my father. I can’t promise I won’t ever hurt you. I’m not vanilla, Astrid. The promise of pain can be a delicious fruit. If you have the courage to reach up and take a bite of the apple.”

  “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “You will.” His wolf paced beneath his skin, eager to stake his claim.

  She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. Her animal shone in her eyes, conflicted as ever.

  Astrid would either throw his bold offer off the table with a resounding no or say yes. It had to be her decision. And Marcus had to be strong enough not to react in either situation.

  “Yes.”

  The one word sent a jolt of energy through his body, but he merely nodded. He’d fantasized about making her his for years, but he’d dismissed such things as mere fantasy. Bending her over his bed while he fucked her sweet, hot pussy, pinching her pert little breasts while she came, screaming, all over his cock.

  She said yes.

  His fucking wolf was bounding around like a damned puppy inside of him and he struggled to keep himself in check.

  Only today did fantasy and reality merge. He wasn’t his father. Astrid would only end up in his bed with her consent.

  “I’ll have my driver take you home.”

  “Okay.” She let her gaze fall to the floor, drawing her lip between her teeth. Then she cast a shy glance in my direction. “I need to figure out what to do with my cat. Mr. Spookly won’t understand me being gone. Not for a month.”

  That was simple enough. Animals were welcome in his home more so than most people. But she would find that out soon enough. “I'll send someone to fetch him and your things.”

  “But I thought you said you were taking me home?” Her voice broke, confusion evident in her expression.

  “My home,” he said.

  “But…”

  “No buts. I'll be joining you shortly after I leave here. Rigo knows where to find everything and if by some chance you need something, I'll be happy to provide it.”

  “What about my job?” She crossed her arms over her breasts, the mulish expression overriding her fear. “I can’t pay my rent if I’m not working.”

  “I’ll take care of it. Your job will be notified that you're on medical leave starting immediately. I'll have my physician send the appropriate paperwork.”

  “You have a plan for everything don't you? What if I had said no?”

  “Then today would be a very different day.” He turned to Hector and then Rigo. “Take her home. Gather her things and the cat, bring them to the house. I’ll notify the staff.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Hector moved to touch Astrid’s arm to guide her from the room.

  “Don't touch me.” She stalked toward the door without even a parting glance at her brother.

  He smoothed out his lips, barely suppressing a chuckle. Oh, his little fox was going to be a handful.

  “I expect you to be waiting for me when I get home. Freshly showered and in my room. You have two hours.”

  “Whore.” Charlie spat the word at her like a weapon and Astrid flinched.

  Marcus didn’t wait for her to leave the room before his fist made contact with her brother's face. She paused in front of the door, turning in time to see his head snap back from the impact.

  ***

  Astrid didn't know what to do. Saying yes was the only option. She was done taking care of Charlie and his comment was the final straw.

  Marcus had stood in front of her, an erection pressing against his tuxedo pants. He was part of another world she wanted no part of. Wealth and privilege and darker things. She’d brushed it briefly, lucky enough to skim by mostly unscathed. Until that night so long ago when she had to battle for her body and her soul. Marcus saved her and took her home. But, God, how she’d wanted to feel his hands on her instead.

  His silence held more words than she’d ever known. He was a protector and in those shimmering moments in the boathouse, she was wrapped in something greater than both of them. And she wanted more.

  But when she looked in Marcus’ eyes now, something else looked back at her. He was a man. Not a child. Was it lust? Desire? Revenge? Whatever it was, she didn't know but it slickened her sex.

  Her animal was ready and so was she.

  None of the young men she’d dated during her brief stint in college had ever gotten past the first date. There was a reason. With Marcus, even though he’d only spent a few hours with her, she’d felt a spark between them. The same one that had been missing in every other man she’d ever met. Right now, she wanted to crawl inside of him and forget any of the rest of the shit that just seemed to keep raining down.

  She said yes when she should have done exactly the opposite.

  Her hands shook and she smoothed a strand of hair from the side of her face. Was this what she had been reduced to? Even after all these years her V card was still up for grabs, only this time she drew the card she wanted.

  Marcus Lupin.

  Hector led her from the room. He guided her through the loud electronica music and around the writhing bodies, back to the quiet hum of the night.

  The humid air closed around her like a vice and she wobbled on her feet as her heels hit the uneven grass next to the sidewalk.

  “You haven’t eaten.”

  “No.” Astrid glanced at him, surprised at the observation. He opened the door of a shiny black Mercedes and she slipped inside. The smooth leather seats were welcoming as she lowered her body and swung her legs inside with a sigh.

  “I’ll let the housekeeper know. She’ll have something prepared for you. ”

  “Thank you.”

  She was still numb, the events of the night tumbling in around her. Her lashes fluttered against her cheeks and she rested her head against the seat.

  To be owned by Marcus Lupin for a month hardly seemed real.

  What felt like moments later, the car stopped in front of a large palatial home, but not the one she was expecting. She had only assumed he would be taking over his father’s house, but this one was altogether new.

  The door opened and Hector held out his hand.

  “Where are we?”

  “Mr. Lupin’s home.”

  “But I thought… With his father gone, I had assumed he would take the house.”

  “No.” He shook his head, a look of distaste crossing his features. “He would never live there.”

  “Good.” She gave an involuntary shiver and let him guide her out of the car and on to her shaking legs.

  The house was huge and reminded her of a fairy tale castle with its gray brick and large windows. A soft glow from inside flickered in one of the front room windows and one of the drapes fluttered. Soon after, the front door opened and a plump, smiling, fifty-something, woman rushed out, wiping her hands on her apron. Her gray hair had been twisted up into a neat updo, with little curls framing her cherubic face.

  Why did she look so familiar?

  “Oh, you're here. Come in. Let’s get you something to eat.”

 
“Thank you.”

  Astrid turned to look for Hector, but he had already gone, the Mercedes disappearing down the drive, leaving her to her fate.

  You chose this. You and no one else.

  She swallowed and took a deep breath.

  “I’m Mrs. Patterson. Marcus has told me so much about you. It’s wonderful that you will be staying with us for a while.”

  She licked her lips and followed the older woman inside. Did she know the conditions of her being here? If she didn’t, Astrid certainly wasn’t going to tell her. The woman looked more like an apple cheeked Mrs. Clause than a woman who knew her boss had just bought a woman for a month.

  She scented the air, expecting the woman in front of her to be wolf, but instead she was merely human.

  “Your room is ready for you. The library. Everything has been put in order.”

  “Library?”

  “Yes, dear. Mr. Lupin had the library put in when he had this house built. He said his wife would want it one day.” Mrs. Patterson led her through a mudroom and into a brightly lit kitchen. Ginger cabinets covered the walls and green stone countertops and black appliances rounded out the picture. It was lovely.

  “Wife?” She staggered, her knees almost giving out on her. “I thought I was only going to be here a month.”

  “Oh. Yes. Silly me.” She reached out to pat Astrid on the cheek, not quite meeting her eyes. “Come on, dear. Let’s get some soup into you and then up to bed.”

  The intoxicating scents emanating from the kitchen were divine. A blend of baking bread, chicken soup, and some other spicy scent she couldn’t put her finger on. The older woman stopped at a small wooden kitchen table.

  Her animal was doing summersaults.

  Chicken. Mine.

  Stop it.

  Astrid rolled her eyes and tried to pay attention to what the older woman was saying.

  “How’s about you sit here with me so I can tend to you?” Mrs. Patterson inquired. “Marcus will be home soon and you’ll be wanting some time to get ready before he does.”