Unlawful Desire Read online

  Rock couldn’t help grinning.

  “So he didn’t tell you then?” Mike said.

  “No.”

  Rock put the files in a black leather briefcase. “I’ve been working for Simon and Simon in New York for the last three years.”

  Her shocked look made him chuckle. Pride stretched those kissable lips into a smile. “I’m impressed.”

  “We heard he came back to clear up some business about his dad, so we hired him,” Mike said. “He’s the only one who isn’t afraid to fight Scalder.”

  The smile slid from Annabella’s lips and her cheeks paled. “Scalder’s after Moss Inc?”

  “Yeah,” Judy said. “He tried to get us to sell yesterday.”

  “Shit.”

  “Don’t worry, Ella,” Mike added. “Rock’s right, we’ll get him before he does any damage in this town.”

  She didn’t look convinced and Rock didn’t blame her. Few companies ended up in the land developer’s clutches without turning corrupt. “I can’t believe you two have to deal with the likes of him. He’d better not come after my father.” Annabella’s jaw tightened and she took Judy’s hand. “Listen, if you need anything from me, don’t hesitate to ask. I’d hate to see Scalder destroy what you’ve worked so hard to build.”

  “Thanks, we will.” Judy hugged her and Mike did the same.

  An absurd jealousy heated Rock’s belly seeing the other man hold her, until she took his hand.

  “I’d better go.”

  Rock squeezed her elbow and nodded but he wasn’t done with her just yet.

  Out in the hall he pulled the door closed then turned her to him gently. “So. Dinner. Tomorrow night.”

  “I told you, I can’t. I can’t be what you want.”

  “Yes you can. Look, I’m not asking for you to get on your knees tomorrow night. Just dinner. Just let me see you again.”

  She ran her warm palms up his chest. Inhaled, like she was taking in the axel grease smell of him one last time. Heat spread through him as she hugged him close. Electrifying.

  “I can’t believe it, Rock, a lawyer.” She drew back and her eyes shone with pride. Pride, and longing that nearly undid him.

  “Annabella…”

  She leaned up on her high heels and brushed her lips, warm and rose-petal soft, across his cheek.

  “I missed you. See you around, tiger.”

  CHAPTER 3: SCALDER

  “Dad, hurry up will you?” Ella unlocked the office and glanced back down the hall toward the elevators. “We only have an hour before we have to be at the hospital and Scalder will be here any minute.”

  Dad still sat by the elevator talking animatedly with the Mosses. Mike laughed at something her father said, and Judy put her arm around her husband.

  “Dad. Now, please.”

  He glanced at her, irritation flashing across his weathered face, but he said goodbye to the couple. His nurse, Helen, tried to push his chair down the hall toward Ella, but he wheeled himself ahead of her.

  “Back off. I can do it myself.”

  Helen fell a pace behind with a helpless shrug. Ella moved behind his chair to steer him into the office.

  “Don’t be so stubborn, Dad. I told you, there’s nothing wrong with needing help.”

  “Never mind. I’m not an invalid.”

  A pang of sympathy tugged at her. She glanced at Helen.

  “Sorry, Miss Clayton. He’s been like this all morning.”

  Ella knew what she meant, but in this case she couldn’t blame him for his stubbornness. No one with any sense showed the slightest weakness in front of a man like Jake Scalder if they could help it.

  Dad glared at both women. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here.”

  Ella sighed and let go of his wheelchair but stayed close at his side. Dad pushed himself into the office and she let Helen follow, shutting the double oak doors after. He stopped in front of the huge oak desk dominating the spacious office as the high-backed leather chair there spun around.

  A pudgy man in a pale blue suit flashed a wide smile with too many teeth. He held one of Dad’s cigars between his fingers.

  “How the hell did you get in here?” Dad steered his chair across the room toward him. He snatched the cigar and threw it in the box on the desk, slamming the lid shut.

  “A man like me has ways of going where he wants, Mr. Clayton.” He leaned back more comfortably and gave Ella a nod. “Miss Clayton.”

  “Get out of my father’s chair, Scalder.”

  “I just thought, since he already has one…”

  Her teeth clenched. That was low, even for him. She took her phone out of her purse. “Get out of that chair, or I’m calling security.”

  “All right.” He stood up. “Don’t have a fit, sweetheart.”

  “I’m not your sweetheart. What do you want, Scalder?”

  “Well. This here chair will be yours soon, now won’t it? Sweetheart.” He picked up a briefcase near him and took his time moving around the other side of the desk. Dad put his wheelchair in place of the high-backed one.

  Ella’s gut roiled at his implication, but she kept her face cool as she took her place beside her father. “Don’t be so eager. He’s only stage two. People survive cancer.”

  “That they do. Sometimes.”

  Dad opened his mouth to say something to Scalder, and it turned into a wracking cough. Helen rushed to help him, and he held up a sharp hand, wrestling a tissue from a pocket and coughing into it. Helen looked worried, but stepped back.

  “You know, we could have easily had this meeting in the comfort of your mansion, Mr. Clayton,” Scalder said. “You wouldn’t have to suffer so much just for me.”

  Ugh. Ella wanted to hit him. He wasn’t being considerate of her father, only drawing attention to his perceived weakness. “Is there a point to this meeting, or did you call us here just to play head games?”

  “Right. All business.” Scalder set the briefcase on the desk and opened it, handing papers to her father. “I know you’ve heard I’m in negotiations with the Mosses, Mr. Clayton. I wanted to offer you the same deal.”

  Ice chilled Ella’s veins. That was fast.

  “Not interested. Get out of my office.”

  “You might want to look at what you’re turning down first.”

  “I don’t need to. Besides, Ella handles the paperwork now.”

  “Of course she does.” Scalder handed her the file with a scowl. “Sad, when a man is so weak he needs a woman to take over.”

  Ella’s nails dug into her palms. “My father told you, you’re not getting this company, now or ever.”

  “You may change your mind when you hear what I have to say.” He closed the case without putting the papers away and addressed her father. “See, I’ve been looking into the condition of Clayton Enterprises. Some investors have already run for the hills learning of your unwise decision to let your daughter succeed you. I’m all for progression, but you know how traditional some people are. The Clayton and the Moss enterprises have a long tradition of men at the helm. Too many in this town are unwilling to accept a matriarch.”

  “Things change,” Ella said. “I can run this company as well as any man. They’ll accept it, in time.”

  Those teeth flashed again. “Indeed. Miss Clayton, I’m offering you the only good chance you’ll get.”

  “Not gonna happen.” She nodded to the doors. “If that’s all?”

  Scalder turned and walked across the room to the small bar that ran along one wall, pouring himself a bourbon from Dad’s expensive crystal decanter.

  “Why the resistance? I could make this city into something great. I’m happy to let you be a part of my plan. There’s no money in old theatres, outdated shops, old houses. Picture gleaming condos, sprawling resorts. Modernized streets. It’ll make millions.”

  Ella moved around the desk, took the bourbon from his hand and set the glass away from him. “You really think we can’t see through your fast-talking tact
ics?”

  “I’ve done my work on you, Scalder,” Dad said. He stood from his chair with a grunt. Helen moved to stop him, and he put up his hand. Ella felt an upsurge of affection for him. He stood straight and tall, and despite the pallor of his face and the way his suit hung off his frame, he looked as impressive as he had in his prime, meeting Scalder’s blade-like gaze with a steady glare. “I know all about what you did in Kranton. I won’t let that happen here. It’s time for you to leave.”

  “The illegalities of that deal were never proven, Clayton. I admire your spunk, but you won’t hold up against me for long.”

  “My father built this empire on integrity and honesty. There’s no place here for your crooked deals and backstabbing practices.”

  “Think of the jobs, Miss Clayton. The added revenue brought into the town.”

  “Yeah. The jobs under your employ. Where people get a cut of the profits, so long as they turn a blind eye to your deals.”

  Scalder stepped so close to her his breath, soured with cigar smoke and liquor, fanned her face. She met his glare, refusing to back down.

  “Listen, snippet. Your company isn’t in the death throws yet, but it soon will be. There are so many ways I can make that happen. I’ll happily buy you out at the valued price. No monies lost. But, you make this difficult, and I’ll see that you never recover. Everyone has skeletons. I’ll find them.”

  The muscles in her stomach tightened. If he finds out I’m a Domme, it’ll be exactly the scandal he needs.

  In a town as traditional as Clayton-Moss, a man like Scalder could easily turn her side profession into an act of deviancy that would have investors dropping off so fast the company would go into cardiac arrest. Not to mention what it would do to her father if he lost his company to someone like Scalder.

  Ella straitened her spine. “Get out, before I have security throw you out on your ass. You come into this office without permission again, and I’ll toss you in court so fast your head will spin. Understand?”

  One more time, his thin lips pulled back, a shark’s smile. “Perfectly.” He backed off, rubbing his hands. “All right. The gloves are off. This’ll be fun. You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

  “Glad we have that straight.” She crossed the room and opened the door. “Good day, sir.”

  Something dark filled his eyes, but he grabbed his briefcase and crossed the room to the doors. He tipped an imaginary hat to Ella, then to her dad. “Good day, then. Let the games begin.”

  * * * * *

  “Master Sterling, can I see you a minute?”

  Mac Sterling leaned across his desk and waved Ella into his office at the back of Dark Pleasures. “Sure, have a seat.”

  Ella stepped into the room…and stopped. Rock sat in one of the chairs opposite Mac, his back to the doors, but he turned and stood when she entered. His face softened the way it always did only for her, its harsh features looking almost tender.

  “Annabella.”

  A frisson of heat raced through her with the way he said her name. She shoved it down. “Rock. Master Sterling, if I’m interrupting something, I can come back.”

  “Not at all,” Mac said. “We were just talking. What do you need?”

  Ella pushed out a breath. This would have been easier if Rock weren’t there. She crossed to the desk, trying to ignore the way her skin tingled just being near him. “I have to stop coming here for awhile.”

  Rock moved to her side, and she wondered if she looked as shaken as she felt. “You all right?”

  Anger with Scalder for putting her in this position reared up before she could quash it. “I got a visit from Jake Scalder today.”

  “What?” Rock stalked to her, taking her elbow. “Annabella, what happened? Did he hurt you?”

  A mixture of irritation and warmth for him heated her blood. Damn. He would inevitably become protective now, and with the added worry over Dad, she wasn’t sure she could avoid leaning on him. She couldn’t afford that kind of weakness.

  “I’m fine, Rock, really.”

  “You’re sure? Did he threaten you?”

  “Stop being a Dom.”

  The sudden smile that pulled over his lips made her heart jump. “Never.” But he let his arm drop, releasing her.

  Mac scowled and came around the desk. The silky red shirt he wore shone like crimson steel in the low lighting that spilled from an old style candelabra hanging from the ceiling. “What about your father, is he all right? Sick as he is, he can’t handle the stress of dealing with a jackal like Scalder.”

  Ella’s gaze flicked to Rock, conscious of the tension pounding off him. “Dad’s fine, Master Sterling. Thanks for asking.”

  “You’re father’s sick? Why didn’t you tell me this last night?”

  “Because it’s not your business, Rock.”

  Rock’s mouth tightened, nostrils flaring. She hadn’t meant for her reply to come out so snippy, but she refused to rely on him. He didn’t say anything, but she knew that look. That was the same look he’d given her so often when they were together. Right before his hand turned her backside red. She swore she could feel the skin heating there as if he’d already spanked her.

  “Ella, if you’re in trouble, tell me. Let me help,” Mac said. “What did Scalder say?”

  She sighed and told them both about the confrontation with Scalder that morning. “So, I can’t be here until he’s dealt with.”

  “That snake.” Rock clenched one large fist. “I knew this was going to happen.”

  “Shit.” Mac ran a hand down his face. “There has to be something we can do to keep you here. Look I have connections through this club. Say the word and I’ll have someone over there to talk to him. Someone he can’t bully around.”

  “Forget it. No way. I can’t let you get involved. He’d destroy this club in seconds. And you and Claire would both lose your jobs at the hospital. He’d see to that.”

  “Scalder doesn’t scare me.” Mac crossed his arms and the muscles there rippled impressively. “A lot of people in this town may not like this club, but plenty of people with influence do. Too many for Scalder to sway. And I know too many people for him to get me fired from Clayton-Moss Gen.”

  Well, he had a point there. Owning this club had one huge advantage, besides making him a lot of money. People from all walks of life came here to play, everyone from cops to politicians. Mac offered them one of the best, safest clubs to play in, and that made him a lot of friends. Too many for even Scalder to touch him. Or his wife.

  “Damn it, I hate that man.” Ella stalked over to the desk and slammed her hands down on it. The papers scattered there went flying. Mac’s brows climbed. He picked up the papers, empathy softening his strong features.

  “Annabella. Hey.” Rock drawled the words in a slow, husky voice. “Hey. Calm down, girl. We’ll work this out.”

  “Rock—”

  His warm hands slid over her arms, cutting her off. She wanted to twist away, but instead, her eyes stung and she blew out a shaky breath. He pulled her up, and his palms rubbed, warming her skin through her cotton shirt.

  Damn. If he put his arms around her, she didn’t know if she could keep from falling apart on him. Why did he have to make it so easy to lean on him?

  “Things wouldn't be so bad if it was just me. But he knew, you know? He knew exactly how sick Dad is, and he preyed on that. And I love this club. In some ways this is more my home than home, Master Sterling. I don’t want to leave, especially not because of him, but with the way he threatened us…”

  When she pushed off the desk, Rock backed away a pace, but he shook his head at her. “Annabella, this isn’t going to happen.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean I’m not letting you quit your job here over this puke’s greed. He’s doing enough damage to the Mosses, I won’t have him hurting you too.” He grabbed the leather jacket he left on the back of the chair.

  “Rock, where the hell are you going?”

>   “To give that slime a piece of my mind. He can’t just sweep into town and take everything apart. And I won’t let him threaten you.”

  “Oh, don’t be ridiculous. You can’t just—”

  “I can, and I am. Come with me.” He took her wrist.

  “Rock.”

  It surprised her when he stopped and released her. She lay her palms on his chest. His heart hammered beneath her touch.

  “Look, you can’t play that way with him. You know that. He’d destroy you. I’m okay. Really. Please don’t do anything stupid.”

  For a moment, he only stood there, too stiff, and she wondered if he’d even heard her. Then he closed his eyes and let his arms drop. He nodded. The vulnerability, the need to take care of her, squeezed her heart.

  She looked at Mac. “So, you’ll take care of things for me here, Master Sterling?”

  “Sure.” He leaned on his desk. “I’ll take your subs who’ll accept a male Dom. There aren’t many Dommes here, but I’ll call one of my friends down from New York if I have to. You won’t lose your clients if we can help it.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Yeah. Ella, you let me know if you need anything, you hear?”

  Ella offered him a weak smile. “I will, Master Sterling.” She looked at Rock. “You coming, tiger?”

  * * * * *

  Outside Mac’s office, Rock slipped his hand around Ella’s and she looked up at him. Warmth spread through her at the concern etched into his strong features. He tipped her face up. “Annabella.”

  “Rock, really, I’m fine.”

  “Are you?” He searched her face, as if looking for signs she was more shaken than she let on. She prayed he wouldn’t see the part of her that quaked at the thought of failing her father and the town by letting Scalder ruin all he’d worked for.

  “I wish you’d let me talk to Scalder for you.”

  She shook her head firmly. “No. Nothing good can come of a confrontation with him. Besides, I won’t have you fight my battles for me. You can’t… wait.” She took his arms. “Er…Rock…”

  “What is it?”

  “Hang on. Let’s go find a place to talk.”