Hearts compass, p.69
Heart's Compass, page 69
“Mr. Parker, it is past time you realize your sister is a grown woman with her own thoughts and desires. You cannot tell her anything.”
“I do not know how things are in England, my lord—”
Was there a bit of a sneer on ‘my lord’? Phillip believed there was.
“I am sure you have a point to make.” His tone was cold and sharp.
“Here, on this island, family is everything. And Fyre will put family first, no matter how much money you dangle in front of her. My sister will never take your side over mine.”
Gah, it bothered the fuck out of him to think Elonne may be right about that. But Phillip hadn’t exactly inherited anything meek or cautious from his father.
Biting off his proprietary words when others joined them, all he could do was smile at Elonne. The prick grinned right back, clearly sure of his position.
Phillip shook his head. No, she wouldn’t turn her back on him and what they could have together. He had nothing to fear.
Did he?
* * * *
Her own bed wasn’t as comfortable as the one she’d enjoyed at the party. And it was lonely without her earl in it with her. She sighed heavily as she shifted to her side and snuggled down deeper beneath the blankets she didn’t truly need on a night like this.
Phillip had put out so much heat with his own body that she had been on a different level of warmth lying beside him. Now, alone, she shivered. Not that it was cold, but she was.
I am a mess.
After tossing and turning for a few more moments, she swung her feet over the edge and walked to the kitchen. Realizing she didn’t want anything that was in there, she huffed in frustration and went back to her bedroom.
“Missing something?”
She screamed and jumped at least a foot. He was there when she came down, strong arms wrapping around her, his scent filling her, bringing comfort and arousal all in the same breath.
“Phillip.” His name fell on a gasp from her lips.
He tunneled his fingers into her hair, tipped her head back and kissed her.
There was no holding back. When his tongue swiped along the seam of her mouth, she opened immediately, needing him back inside her. His growl of approval reverberated through her.
She chased his mouth when he pulled away, even though she couldn’t see him.
“You left me. Without a fucking word.”
His grip flexed in her hair, but there was no fear in her. As tight as his hold was on her, it didn’t hurt, and his fingertips massaged her scalp lightly even though he had no give on her hair.
“Why are you here?”
The rumble leaving his chest grew louder. “Are you sure that is the question you want to go with? Not telling me why you ran from my party without a word, sneaking away in the dead of night?”
“I was going to come back in the morning for the last day.” She’d realized her mistake the moment she’d gotten home and all day she’d been miserable.
He kissed her again, nibbling on her lower lip. “You never should have left.”
Phillip trailed his lips down along her chin to her neck. Shivering where he licked and laved, she tightened her grip on his shoulders, trusting him to keep her upright.
“I am sorry, I know I said I would be there to help you.”
“I do not give a damn about that. I care about you and me. Us.” A shuddering breath. “I cannot protect you if you are not letting me know what is going on.”
Fyre paused for a moment, pushing away the desire licking her veins and focusing on his words. And the tone.
“You were scared for me.”
“Yes.” His admission came with no hesitation.
She moved her touch from his shoulders to his face, touching the features she had memorized and could visualize even with no light. The gray eyes, hawklike nose, thin lips that delivered such passionate kisses. Lean features that more often than not scowled.
Until he looks at me.
There was this expression he got when he watched her. Kind of a longing, loving one. She couldn’t quite name it, but she never saw anyone else receive a look like that.
“Why were you scared for me?” He didn’t say anything, just held her tighter. She pulled back, scoring her fingers along his neck. “Tell me what is going on.”
Phillip lifted her and carried her to the bed. It didn’t take long and soon they were both lying there, Fyre once again warm in a way only this man could make her. Body draped on top of his, she snuggled close as he held her loosely against him, hands stroking along her back. Her legs were inside his, bracketed, and there was no way to ignore his hardness as it pressed into her while she lay upon him.
“Cara.” Phillip kept his voice low.
Seeking inside his shirt, Fyre closed her eyes in the darkness of the room, allowing her hands to skim along his heated skin until she pushed them behind his back, holding him as he held her.
“What about her?” It was sad, really, that she wasn’t shocked to hear her sister-in-law’s name from his lips. That woman had always been someone Fyre didn’t trust.
“She was seen picking the lock to my office and going in to get information from the books.”
“I would not be surprised. Especially if whoever she is working with or for were offering her money. Who did she give it to?”
“We have not seen her alone with any male other than Elonne.”
“Why have you not been checking out the women there? We are just as capable of being vindictive and conniving as are men.”
He nipped the shell of her ear. “Hard for me to follow a woman around without appearing suspicious, baby.”
“And I was not there to help you.” She sank into him. “I am sorry, my lord.”
“You should be. But not for that. You should be sorry because you had me scared and worried.” His hands moved down to her ass and squeezed.
“I needed space.”
Phillip thrust his hips up, pushing that erection into her more. “How much space? And starting when?”
Fyre sat and lifted her nightgown so it was out of the way. His fingers had already freed himself from his breeches. It didn’t take much at all for her to rise a bit more, curl her fingers around his thickness and guide him home into her as she sank back down.
“Not that much and later. Much later.” She rocked on him, biting her lower lip as he filled her.
Nerve endings alive and sparking, she took a moment to gather her breath. He gripped her hips, holding her in place.
“Fuck, you feel perfect on my cock, baby.”
Letting go of the bunched material, she leaned forward, bracing her hands on his chest. “Move,” she demanded.
His chuckle vibrated beneath her palms. “No. Take it from me. Ride me.”
She closed her eyes in frustration and need. “I do not know how, I have never…”
He released one hip and sank his fingers in her hair, guiding her down to him. A brush of his lips. “There is nothing you can do wrong here, baby. Try something. If you do not like it, try something else. Show me what you like. Teach me how to pleasure you how you want, in the ways you enjoy.”
Face hot, she sat back, knowing if there had been light she would not be able to do this. She was comfortable with him, yes, but taking the initiative like this? It was something she would have had to build up to, if he could see her. But as it was dark, she could pretend this was nothing more than another fantasy.
With Phillip.
“What if I do not know how I like it other than what you have shown me?”
He ran his hands up her side, thumbs swiping along her taut nipples before settling once more upon her hips.
“That is what we are learning now. I am happy with whatever you do to me, baby. My dick is inside your wet, tight pussy. No place I would rather be, so take your time if you want.”
She didn’t want. Fyre moved her hips and the groan that left his mouth was heaven to her ears. She wanted him to whimper and cry for her as she did him. Lips curling up in what she was sure was a vixen smile, she started rotating her hips, seeing what she liked the most. And how much she could torture the man beneath her before he snapped.
Chapter Twenty-One
Rubbing the back of his neck, Phillip stared out the window. He was no closer to finding out who Cara worked for, or with, than he had been while the party had been going on at his home, and that had been a month ago. Though he had been in communication with a few of the business owners who had been there.
This cultivating relationships thing was fucking difficult. And it didn’t help that all he wanted to do was be with Fyre.
Naked.
All day long.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled sharply. Dreaming about her and the way she responded to his touch wasn’t doing a damn thing except making him aroused once more.
Not true, it also made him far more irritated, because it was just reminding him of something he could not have.
Keating knocked and entered with his usual blank expression. “A visitor to see you, my lord.”
“Who is it, Keating?”
“A Mr. Tennemin.”
He sat up straight. “Send him in.”
“Of course, my lord.”
In the four weeks since the party, he had only communicated with this man by missive thus far.
Mr. Tennemin walked in with the same arrogance and swagger he’d had at the party. Phillip stood and offered his hand.
“Good to see you again, Mr. Tennemin.”
They shook and after each had a drink, they took their seats.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Your dark—”
Phillip growled as his hand tightened around his glass, and the man cleared his throat even though he didn’t look the slightest bit remorseful for the word that had been tumbling from his mouth.
“The woman who keeps your books, Miss Parker, was it? I would like to speak with her.”
Phillip hadn’t known he had such restraint. Edgy as his pulse kicked up, he tried to slow his rapid breaths. Tunnel vision owned him and he could only see his fist driving directly into Tennemin’s smug face. Leaning toward the man with a deliberate motion, he prayed he wouldn’t kill him right now.
“Why did you come to me instead of going to speak to her directly?”
“I know she is in your employ but I figured you were taking advantage and sleeping with her. I did not wish to be seen as poaching on your property.”
One drink would not be enough. He set his glass on the desktop to merely keep from chucking it at this man’s head.
“A few things to get straight, Mr. Tennemin. Miss Parker is a grown woman capable of making her own decisions. She is a fucking genius when it comes to numbers. I do not take advantage of people who work for me in such a fashion. I will, however, protect that woman with everything I have. She is mine because she is my woman, not because of the color of her skin, or that she works for me, and you would do well to remember that.”
“Your woman?”
“Mine.” He leaned closer to the desk, hands flat on the smooth surface. “Do you have a problem with the woman who will one day be my wife? For something as asinine as her skin color? Because if you do, we can forget all we talked about while you were here previously and I will give you one fucking second to walk out that door before I toss you out.”
“I cannot say I approve—”
“Then get the fuck out of my house and do not bother to sully my step again.”
Mr. Tennemin held up a hand. “But,” he plowed on as if he had not just been threatened, “I have never met another man who was willing to buck what people have deemed to be the right way. I liked her, my lord. She knows what she is talking about and I would like the chance to see if she can help me with my books as well. I no longer have slaves. I did for a while, but that has passed. Much like you here, my people get a wage. I am just worried that if we go forward and you marry…her…there would be repercussions. Businesswise.”
Phillip shrugged with the cool arrogance he had been born into. “I am a fucking earl. I have contacts almost everywhere and where I do not, my friends do. Here, England. Scotland and Ireland. Africa. India. I have places that will purchase my wares. Those who do not want to do business with me, I will set out to crush, it is that simple.”
Mr. Tennemin nodded and finished his drink in one swallow. “Okay. Can you direct me to Miss Parker?”
“I will take you. She is at another job right now.”
Yeah, he knew her fucking schedule. At least she no longer worked for Caulfield. Didn’t mean he trusted the bastard to stop trying his shit.
They were on horseback not too much later, riding to town. Mr. Tennemin asked some questions about the lands surrounding Phillip’s property and he answered a few, not telling him he was in the process of buying up more land for his own ventures.
Slowing when they entered the town, he watched the man beside him as they rode up the street. Tennemin tipped his hat to the women, regardless of their color, and responded to greetings. Still slightly on edge about his beliefs, Phillip realized at some point he was going to have to trust someone to get this collaboration moving more how he wanted it to go.
Not that he didn’t love England, but the time to wait for things was flat-out asinine and they could do better. Should, for the livelihood of those who lived on these islands. If that meant he had to spearhead the motion, he would do it.
Whatever it took to make Fyre’s life easier.
For a while he had toyed with the idea of asking her back to England with him, but he had realized he loved it here. The entire island’s vibe was different than what England gave him, plus, he wasn’t faced with all his exes and the foolish and selfish mistakes he had made in the past.
James came running up—from where, Phillip didn’t know, but one minute he wasn’t there, the next, he was.
“My lord.” His dark gaze dashed to Mr. Tennemin. “Sir.”
“I am looking for Miss Gwen.”
While James’ eyes sparkled at the news, the smile never came. “She is with Mr. Caulfield, sir, in his store.”
Flipping him a coin, Phillip nodded at him and they rode off. Fury rose. She had no reason to be in his shop as she no longer worked for him.
“Spies in the town?”
“Always good to know what is going on and where my people are.”
“Maybe I will try that.”
“Something I learned in England, Mr. Tennemin, is that the working class knows the news far faster than the upper ever do. Their network is incredible, and one would be foolish not to take advantage of people in their employ to get the news they are after.”
Tennemin grunted. “Are you planning to head back to England?”
“No. This is my home.”
Another grunt was his response. They halted their horses and swung down before tying them up. Together they walked up the step and into the store.
Phillip knew where she had sat when she worked here, and his eyes cut there without fail. Phillip hated seeing her in here. It didn’t help to know that Caulfield hovered over her.
This time was different. She was not seated, nor was she working. She and Mr. Caulfield were having a discussion, one that Phillip didn’t think was all that friendly.
“I told you,” she snapped, “I do not work for you anymore. If this is what you had to discuss with me, we could have addressed this outside, no need to come in here.”
“Your brother said—”
“Excuse me,” Mr. Tennemin interrupted.
Phillip was grateful, because all he wanted to do was wring the bastard’s neck.
Both glanced at them and stepped back from each other. Phillip made himself stay put as Mr. Tennemin walked to them.
“Mr. Tennemin,” Albie said, a smile turning up his lips. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I was actually seeking out Miss Parker. I had some more questions for her after the talk she gave us at the party. I was unable to get a chance to talk to her while we were there. But I can come back if I am interrupting.”
Caulfield nodded. “That would be great because we—”
“Just finished,” Fyre said. “I am free to talk now, Mr. Tennemin.”
Phillip shot the man a look before nodding once to Fyre and Mr. Tennemin, then he walked out. Their discussion was not his business, and he was not going to impose himself on the conversation. No matter how much he longed to.
He went to Mr. Olden’s sweet shop and looked around, needing to keep his mind occupied. No one was out front when he entered and he picked up a few things and took them to the counter. Still no one to assist him.
Irritation growing, he went to the door by the back and knocked once before opening it.
Shocked would be putting it mildly and yet, perhaps not. Mr. Olden was fucking Mrs. Collier on his desk, his tie in her mouth and her hands secured behind her back. The older woman was without a stitch of clothing on and her pale skin flushed when she saw him there.
She struggled for a few moments but was unable to get away from Mr. Olden or his plunging dick.
Phillip looked at the man and said, as if he wasn’t fucking a married woman before him, “I picked out some items and am leaving a list on the counter. Add it to my account.”
“Very good, my lord. Would there be anything else you would like?”
From the way Olden’s gaze moved between him and the female he currently fucked, Phillip knew the offer was about the woman on the desk and he shook his head.
“Just the candy. Good day.” He backed out and sighed heavily once the door was closed.
Leaving the list as he’d promised, he put the items in a small bag and went to the door. Fyre and Mr. Tennemin were not in sight. Phillip secured the package on his horse and saw a familiar figure step into view, give him a nod, and vanish.
It didn’t take him too long to get in an alley between shops and step out of sight to wait. Archer appeared.
“You have something?”
“Whatever you are starting, there are some who are not happy at all. You need to have protection.”
“Keep it on Fyre. I can handle myself.” He leaned against the wall. “Specifics? Names?”
