The dark obsession boxed.., p.80
The Dark Obsession Boxed Set, page 80
My voice sounded small and weak when I asked, “Do I have to?”
He tapped his finger on the tip of my nose. “Yes.”
I cast my eyes downward and slowly nodded, knowing it was useless to fight him.
Roman wrapped his hands around my waist and pulled me away from the wall. I bit my lip as he once more crossed behind me. I raised my gaze to stare at the massive wooden doorway to his gothic home. I knew I would never reach it in time. Nevertheless, my body and mind screamed, run!
My thigh muscles tensed as I shifted one foot forward.
Did I dare?
Roman’s strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me back into his body. He leaned down to whisper in my ear, “You’d never make it.”
My cheeks flamed. Once again, my demon love had guessed my thoughts.
I swallowed, unable to speak.
He pressed his arm hard into my middle before releasing me. His arms draped over my head with the blindfold stretched between his fingers. This time I didn’t object.
In a small show of defiance, I kept my eyes open until the last possible second as he pressed the black silk over them, shrouding me in darkness.
Roman placed a hand on my lower back as he guided me forward.
I held my arm protectively out in front of me, and he clasped my left hand in his and tightened his grasp.
I heard the front door open.
Our footsteps crunched on the gravel drive.
A strange voice startled me.
“Good evening, Mr. Winterbourne.”
Roman whispered in my ear, “It’s just the limo driver, darling.” He then called out, “Good evening, Jonathan.”
A car door opened.
“Watch your step,” said Roman as he guided me into the spacious interior.
I sank back into the thick upholstered seat. My hand instinctively touched the blindfold.
Roman’s hand enclosed my wrist and drew my arm down. “No peeking.”
I listened as the limo door shut.
I splayed my fingers out on either side of my hips on the seat. My body gently rocked forward, then back as the limo pulled out of the drive.
The interior was silent.
I strained to listen for sounds of movement. “Roman?”
Nothing.
“Roman?”
When he didn’t respond, I once again reached for the blindfold. A hand wrapped around my wrist, stopping me. I gasped and pulled back. “Roman, what are you doing?”
His hands rested on the tops of my thighs. He slowly pushed the hem of my dress up.
I blindly reached for the fabric, fisting a handful between my knees. “Roman! The driver.”
“Shhh… The partition is up. He can’t see or hear a thing.”
I bit my lip. I wished I could believe him, but without my sight, there was no way to verify it.
Roman chuckled as he inched my dress up further. “Trust me, kitten. I’m not sharing even a glimpse of you with anyone.”
Trust.
There was that awful word again.
The hem of my dress bunched at my hips as my thighs were exposed.
“Roman, I…”
He hooked his fingers into the waistband of my lace panties and pulled. They stopped right at the curve of my ass. “If you don’t lift your hips up, I can always just tear them off.”
At his subtle threat, I lifted my hips.
I felt the whisper of the fabric caress my legs as he pulled the panties down and over my high-heeled shoes. He then pushed my dress higher until it pooled around my waist, exposing my ass and legs.
Roman placed his hands on my knees and spread them open wide. Despite the intimacy of the limo interior, I felt exposed and vulnerable without my sight.
The soft waves of his dark hair brushed my inner thighs as he leaned over me. He pushed his tongue between the seam of my pussy lips.
“Oh, God,” I moaned as I leaned back into the soft cushions.
Using the tip of his tongue, he flicked my clit in a steady rhythm.
My mouth fell open as my chest rose.
As he tortured me with his tongue, he pushed first one, then a second finger inside of me. He pumped them in and out of my tight hole with the same rhythm as his tongue.
My fingers clawed at the seat. My hips lifted as he increased the pressure and rhythm. I drove my fingers into his hair, pulling him closer. Losing my sight only increased my pleasure. Everything I felt was sharper and more intense. The feel of the velvet upholstery beneath my fingertips. The slight stubble on his jaw as it brushed the sensitive skin of my inner thighs. The silky feel of his hair against my palm. The sound of his steady breath next to my hesitant gasps.
A deep-throated moan escaped my lips.
“That’s my dirty little girl, moan for me. I want you to come on my tongue.”
“Fuck, oh, God!”
I shamelessly spread my legs as far as I could as I pulled his head against my pussy. The orgasm hit like an overwhelming wave. It pulled me under. I couldn’t breathe. I felt as if I were tumbling head over heels in a storm-tossed ocean.
Before I could recover, Roman grasped my hips and flipped me. My knees were on the limo floor, with my forearms resting on the seat. Then there was the unmistakable sound of his zipper lowering. I hated how excited that sound made me. It was the sound of domination, of control, of his power over me. I braced myself for his thrust.
He placed the head of his cock at my entrance. He leaned over my body. “Who owns you?”
“Roman, please…”
He slapped my ass. “Who owns you?”
“You do,” I whimpered, defeated.
He thrust in deep. My body shifted forward, burying my face in the seat. He continued to pound into me without mercy. Despite his repeated rough handling, my tight hole still burned with each entrance of his thick cock, almost as if it were the first time. With each thrust, my body had to stretch and strain to accommodate him.
His fingers dug into my hips as he pushed deeper and deeper, consuming me.
The blindfold allowed me to disconnect. I could almost pretend it was someone else’s body. That it was someone else buckling under his powerful assault to their senses. That it was another woman falling victim to his domineering touch.
That it was someone else slowly dying from his poisonous touch.
As my tormented soul cried out, I begged him to thrust harder, to hurt me.
“Harder, Roman. Spank me. Oh, God, make it hurt!”
The harsh sting of his palm sharpened my pleasure and silenced the voices in my head screaming for me to run as far away as I possibly could from this man.
Roman spanked my ass again and again. He spanked me harder than he ever had before as I screamed out for more. My skin was on fire, hot needles scraping along my skin from my upper thighs to the top of my ass.
He shoved his fist into my hair and twisted it painfully, forcing my head back. “That’s it, baby girl. Take my cock. Every hard inch, like my good little whore.”
My pussy clenched at his degrading words. Fuck me, I loved when he called me his good little whore. His kinky praise made me push my hips back, meeting his punishing thrusts as yet another orgasm raged inside of me.
As my pussy gripped his cock, he whispered harshly, “Are you going to swallow my come like a good girl?”
“Yes,” I whimpered.
Using his grip on my hair, he spun me around. Without warning, he thrust his cock between my lips. I didn’t even have a chance to take a deep breath through my nose before his hot come spurted onto my tongue and down my throat, choking me. He pulled out as I coughed and sputtered before thrusting in again. I dutifully swiped my tongue around his softening cock, licking every drop of my shame. The blindfold disguised my tears.
I could feel Roman’s body shift. As he sat on the seat, he then pulled me onto his lap. He petted my hair, smoothing it off my face.
The limo pulled to a stop.
“Can I take the blindfold off now?”
“No.”
“Roman, please, you can’t take me out in public now.”
There was a cool breeze as the limo door opened. “We are here, Mr. Winterbourne.”
My only small saving grace was that I couldn’t see the expression on the driver’s face.
Roman exited the limo first. Then his hands gripped my upper arms as he lifted me out of the limo and set me on my feet, my dress falling back into place. I reached out for him, touching my hands to his chest. “Please, Roman. My dress is probably all wrinkled. People will know we had sex in the limo!”
“Good. I want them to know. I want every person who sees you to know that you are claimed by me.”
Although I couldn’t see it, I could hear the smirk in his voice.
“Can I at least take off the blindfold to check my makeup?”
He pulled me close. He placed a finger under my chin and tilted my head back. “Your lips are a kiss-swollen crimson red. Your cheeks have a delightful pink blush. Your silky hair is a glorious tangle of curls and waves. I’ve never seen you look more beautiful.”
“Do you really mean that, or do you just want me to stop fussing?”
He ran his hand down my back and over my ass. “All teasing aside, I would never allow you to be embarrassed in public, darling. There is no one around us. Your dress is only wrinkled a little around the waist and you truly are the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
Damn him. Just when I was convinced I hated him, he went and said something charming and wonderful.
Before I could respond, he swept me up into his arms.
“What are you doing?”
“There are several stairs, and I don’t want you to trip.”
“You could just take off the blindfold.”
“Nice try.”
I could tell we’d entered a building, but it definitely didn’t sound like a restaurant. It was too quiet. The sounds of his steps echoed as he walked down some sort of hallway with me. After several minutes, he finally put me down.
Roman stepped behind me and unknotted the blindfold. “Are you ready for your surprise?”
Yes. No. Maybe.
The blindfold fell away.
My mouth dropped open. I immediately recognized the classic dome ceiling and red velvet seats. We were standing on the stage of the Royal Albert Hall, the mecca for all great musicians.
CHAPTER 12
AURORA
My hands flew to my mouth. All I could do was stare in wonder. I, of course, had attended many concerts in the Hall, but to be on the stage? That was next level. It was otherworldly. It was almost an indescribable feeling. The closest I had ever come to this feeling was when I took a hot-air balloon ride over the Cotswolds. Seeing the breathtaking majesty of the historic English countryside in all its glory left me dizzy and elated. I felt that way now. It seemed as if every nerve in my body hummed with energy.
Without thinking, I ran into Roman’s arms. Stretching my arms high to wrap around his neck, I bounced up and down with glee. “This is so amazing! How did you arrange it? I can’t believe it.”
Before he could respond, I broke free and just circled the stage again, trying to commit this moment to memory. I never wanted to forget a single detail. The black patchwork of planks that made up the stage. The worn glow in the dark tape that only the performers could see as they took their marks. The odd smell of wax, grease, and dust that seemed to permeate all theater stage and backstage areas.
I stretched my arms wide and just spun and spun like a child in a field of wildflowers instead of one of the most venerated and historical landmarks in all of Europe.
Catching myself, I stopped. I clapped a hand across my mouth and giggled. “Oh, my God, I probably shouldn’t have done that!”
Roman laughed. “Why not?”
I stretched my arms wide. “You don’t understand! This is holy ground. This is a church! This is… this is… I can’t… it’s just, oh, my God!”
Roman gestured behind me. “You haven’t even said anything about the piano yet.”
I turned. My eyes widened. Behind me was the Victorian Steinway & Sons concert grand piano from our home. I turned back to Roman. “How did you—? When did you—?”
He smirked. “When you were upstairs getting ready. I had a small army come in and move it under pain of death if they made the slightest noise to alert you.”
I hadn’t even noticed. I was so consumed by the sight of Roman waiting for me in the hall in his tuxedo that I didn’t even realize that the piano, which was the focal point of the open floor plan behind him, was missing.
“Why?”
Roman shrugged. “I figured if you were going to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you should have it on your own piano. Now, every time you play it, you will remember this moment.”
Tears sprang to my eyes. No one in my entire life had ever done something so thoughtful for me.
I ran back into his arms. Burying my head against his chest, I choked back tears as I whispered, “Thank you.”
He stroked my hair and kissed the top of my head. “You know there is nothing I wouldn’t do to keep you by my side.”
I frowned slightly. I had been expecting him to say, to make you happy. For some reason, to keep you by my side didn’t hit in quite the same way. I shook off the ominous feeling. I was being ungrateful and churlish by overanalyzing a simple turn of phrase. This man had just made the impossible possible for me.
Roman tilted my head back and gave me a sweet kiss on the lips. “So do I get to hear you play, or did I waste all this time and money for nothing?” he teased.
I turned my head and stared over my shoulder at the piano, then back at him. “I’m nervous.”
“What do you have to be nervous about?”
“It’s the Royal Albert Hall! Some of the greatest musicians over the last century have played here. These walls have absorbed the notes from the best of the best. I mean Richard Wagner himself walked this stage.”
He stroked my cheek. “Exactly. This hall has waited a century and a half to hear you play.”
Warmed by his praise, I approached the piano. I sat on the bench, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. With my eyes still closed, I placed my fingertips on the keys, feeling their familiar warmth. Leaning forward, I played the first brooding notes of Wagner’s Fantasia in F-sharp minor sonata. It had always been one of my favorites because of the obvious Beethoven influences and seemed appropriate for the moment.
My anxiety receded as the notes took over.
By the time I had completed the measures of the opening Un poco lento, I was completely lost in the music. My fingers caressed the keys as I moved effortlessly from one movement to the next. When I came to the dramatic recitative, which led into the bridge passage, I played with dramatic gusto. At the Adagio motto e cantabile melody, I spared a glance in Roman’s direction.
He was leaning against the far-right balustrade on the stage, arms crossed, his entire attention focused on me. The sight caused a flutter in my stomach. I adored how he looked when he watched me play. It was in those moments I could almost believe he felt something close to love for me.
After a rapturous passage, the music returned to its more somber gloom with the final Un poco lento.
My fingers stilled on the last of the notes, depressing the keys and letting the music slowly fade. I then leaned back and folded my hands in my lap.
Roman’s hands came to rest on my shoulders. I gave a slight start. I had been so caught up in the music, I hadn’t noticed him move.
“That was beautiful, my darling.”
I didn’t respond. I was too overwhelmed.
“Now play Moonlight Sonata for me.”
I knew it was his favorite piece, mine as well. He often requested I play it for him, especially late at night. He would sit by the fire with a brandy and just have me play it over and over again with this far-off look in his eyes.
Roman stayed behind me with his hands on my shoulders as I played. The deceptively simple notes filled the Hall. Most felt this was a dark and gloomy piece, but I had always focused on the bright, uplifting notes. They were like small rays of sunshine peeking through a storm-filled sky.
Once again, I closed my eyes and became lost in the music. I knew every note as if they were a part of me, as if they were the very rhythm of my heartbeat.
When the final strains drifted softly into the air, I opened my eyes to find Roman down on one knee before me. He was holding a bright silver ring box with the most uniquely beautiful ring I had ever seen.
I blinked several times. “Roman, what are you doing?”
He took my suddenly chilled hand in his own. “From the first moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you had to be mine. Until that moment, my life had been shrouded in darkness, but when I beheld your sweet innocence and then heard you play with such deep intensity and wonder, I knew I had finally found a woman worthy to be called my wife. You didn’t bring sunshine into my world, you brought the dawn. My beautiful Aurora, like your namesake, you are a complex burst of radiant color and new beginnings for me. Now that I have felt your warmth and light, I must capture it and hold it close. I can never let you go. You have become not only my light, but my air, my blood, my life. Aurora Evelyn Barlowe, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
My lips trembled as my eyes filled with tears. It was the single most moving speech I had ever heard. As I gazed down into his dark eyes, I could not only see, but feel deep down in my soul that he had meant every exquisite word. It was perfect in every way but one. One specific word, to be exact.
He had never mentioned the word love.
My heart shattered into a million pieces as I finally faced the truth I had been denying since this man had first taken over my life like a dark storm.
Roman Winterbourne was capable of many great, miraculous things. He had overcome a harsh upbringing as an orphan to build a formidable empire of wealth and power. He had even made what would have been an unachievable dream for me come true this evening. Yes, he could do amazing, impossible things.
