Bleeding Heart (13 page)

“That’s what I said.” His eyes narrowed and I had a feeling it was at my mention of Neil. Neil was the only other person I had spent any length of time with apart from Calix or his grandmother, Gabriella, in the past two weeks. And I had a feeling that Calix was not only a possessive man, but also a jealous man. However, he had no reason to be jealous of Neil, so I ignored his tone.

“Who is Jared?”

“Another bodyguard.”

“Do you need a bodyguard?” I cocked my head to the side and Calix sighed.

“Yes - and now you do as well.”

“Oh.” I didn’t like the sound of that, but I didn’t know how to reply either. “Why are we staying on a boat?”

“We’re staying on a yacht because I own it. It’s beautiful, private, and possesses every amenity you could possibly want.” He looked at my mouth for a moment and I felt my blood temperature rise. “It’s also safer than a hotel. I’ve personally hired every one of my staff that will be accompanying us this month.”

Stunned, I breathed. “I see.”

“Can we go now?” He asked and I felt myself nod only a second before I felt his palm pressing into the small of my back, once again guiding me along the stretch of dock.

After about fifteen steps, I felt my body jerk to a halt. “
You own a boat!
”

Calix tipped his head back toward the ebony sky, and he sighed. “Nova.”

“A boat!” I muttered. “A
freaking
boat!” As though he couldn’t understand, I spelled it out to him. “B. O. A. T. Boat. You own one.”

This time, his eyes didn’t narrow, they simply fastened on my face, and with patience I was surprised he had, he replied. “Yacht. Y. A. C. H. T.” My eyes widened. “I own a yacht. I also own a shipping company, love.”

I breathed a hot breath from deep in my lungs as I shook my head. “And a plane? You own that too?”

“I do.”

This time, I pressed my fingers to my temples and breathed. “What don’t you own?”

“I assure you, love - there is a lot I do not own.” Calix smirked and I wanted to slap it from his face. The arrogant - he cut my thought off with a deep tone. “Any more questions?”

“Um,” I stammered. “You’re rich?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“Well,” I nodded more to myself than him. “I knew you had money before what with all the men and the house and the land - but a plane and a
yacht
,” I used his word - yacht - so as not to get his panties in a twist, before continuing. “That’s not rich, Calix, that’s,” I shook my head. “I don’t know what that is.”

“All you need to know, Nova, is that I can provide for you. Anything you want, I can give you.”

I felt my face tighten on a scowl. “I don’t want anything from you.”

He straightened his back and I watched as his entire body tightened. “What are you saying, Nova?”

“I’m saying I’ve never needed this life, Calix. I don’t care about private planes and,” I threw my hands to the big boats. “Yachts.”

“Then what do you care about?”

“Love.” I said simply. “All I’ve ever wanted from this life is love.”

The rage in his eyes dimmed almost instantly at the defeat in my tone and the admission of my hearts one true desire.

“Love.” He whispered - and I didn’t know if he was calling me love, or if he was restating my one true desire. But it didn’t matter, because before I knew it, my chest was pressed against his and his lips were on mine.

Chapter 12

Whatever had held me back from walking aboard Calix’s yacht had completely dissipated as soon as his lips met mine. Now, as I ran my tongue over the swollen flesh of my bottom lip and Calix stared hotly down into my face, I couldn’t remember what it was that was holding me back. Now, I was eager to get on board and begin my journey - a new journey - with Calix.

“Are you ready, Nova?” Calix asked through the desire thick in his tone.

I cleared my throat. “Uh,” I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Good.” He moved his hand to the bare skin at my back, sliding his fingertips beneath the fabric lines of the crisscrossed material.

Calix led me to a large boat before jumping down onto the deck. He held his hands up to me, gripping my waist as soon as I was within reach, before lifting me down onto the boat. It was massive. Super-freaking-sonic! The first thing I saw on deck was a stretch of white chairs sitting before a decent sized pool that had been sheltered with a clear cover. Off to my far right, there was a long, curved stretch of a booth surrounding a glossy white table. The floor was a pristine wood so clean it gleamed. Looking beyond the open deck, I saw another living area of dark leather furniture, dark brown painted walls, and creamy beige carpet. The furniture was all dark gleaming wood and so very elegant. Stretching further still, I saw a dining area that was just as elegant as the living area.

My eyes were wide as I struggled to take in every intricate, over the top, sophisticated detail. Some people seriously have too much money, I thought to myself.

“What do you think?” Calix asked, and I smirked. Sometimes, he really did ask questions at the wrong time.

I replied honestly. “I think you have to much money.”

He frowned, but didn’t reply. Instead, he steered me past the dining area, past a large kitchen, and down a set of stairs that also had an option to go upstairs. I asked, “What’s upstairs?”

“The cooking and cleaning staff will be staying upstairs and Neil and Jared will be staying downstairs across the yacht from where our bedroom is.” Calix explained matter of fact - and at the mention of our bedroom, my heart started a rhythmic beating in my chest.

“Oh.”

He guided me down the beige carpeted stairs to a very dark, very beautiful living room where a television had been mounted against the wall. Pointing to a door to our immediate left, he added. “Neil and Jared will be staying through this door which leads into a Jack and Jill bathroom.”

Again, I replied. “Oh.”

Calix eyed me then carefully and I knew he could sense my nerves. “Are you alright, love?”

I nodded, but I felt short of breath as I did. “Umhmm.”

He placed a large hand on my waist, pulling my front against his. “Nova,” he sighed. “Don’t be nervous with me, love. We’re taking our time. I’m in no rush.”

Well, he certainly got right down and dirty to the point, didn’t he?

I blushed furiously. Painfully. “Okay.”

“Nova,” Calix spoke softly. “Talk to me. If you’re uncomfortable, I want to know.”

What on earth happened to the man who’d kidnapped me only fifteen days ago? What happened to the controlling, take what he wants whether I’m ready or not, man I thought I knew?

“Calix.” I breathed his name uncertainly. “I,”

“Talk to me.” He commanded gently at my pause.

“I don’t know how.” My reply sounded desperate - but I felt desperate.

“What do you mean?” He asked, tipping my chin up to force my eyes to meet his.

“I’m afraid to tell you how I’m feeling.”

“Why?”

“Because,” I closed my eyes and heard his sharp intake of breath as he waited. “I can’t predict your reaction.”

“Love,” he sighed. “I won’t hurt you.”

“My family,” I breathed.

“Not them either.”

My eyes opened and I felt my body tremble. “What?”

“I have you now, love.” Calix said softly. “You’re my wife. You’re here with me - you’ve assured me you won’t leave me. Do I have need to continue with my threats toward them?”

“No.” I breathed assuredly.

“Then why are you afraid.”

“Do you still have men watching my family?”

His face darkened and I knew he did. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“Insurance.” He replied tightly and I felt my body sag against his.

I repeated, “Insurance.” My eyes blinked rapidly as I stared up into his handsome, devilish face. “What kind of insurance?”

“Love,” Calix sighed. “Do we need to discuss this now?”

“I,”

“I won’t hurt them, Nova. I will, however, continue to maintain tabs on them.”

This all seemed so screwed up to me. He was keeping tabs on my family even after he’d decided he wouldn’t hurt them? Why not simply forget about their existence?

“Can I contact my mom?”

His jaw clenched and I watched the muscle in his jaw twitch. “Not tonight.”

“Tomorrow?” I asked hopefully.

“Not tomorrow.”

“When?” My voice sounded broken, but there was no shock in that. Whenever I discussed my family with Calix, I felt broken - never mind sounding broken.

“When I allow it.” He said firmly and I knew this discussion was over.

The monster hibernating within the man had awoken and I had no desire to push him past the point of his calculated control. Tonight, Calix had assured me that he wouldn’t hurt my family. Tonight, he had given me the gift of the knowledge that they were safe from his hound dogs. Tonight, he had given me peace of mind. I knew better than to think I could have everything all at once. And for the first time in what felt like eternity and a day, I felt hope blossom. I felt hope that I would soon be given the permission I needed to contact my mom. I ached so deeply for that day - because no matter the ways I had to bite my tongue, I would, by the end of the call to her, have convinced her that I was happy. And it wouldn’t be all that difficult because the shocking reality of it all was that I really was happy. In Calix’s arms, I was both safe and content.

There was no question, I was still afraid of this man - my captor and now my husband, but I was also entirely safe with him. The closer I was to him, the less at risk I was from harm. The man had made me cry - plenty of times. He pushed me past the edge of my sanity and he forced me to accept a new way of thought - of life. But he had never physically hurt me. He’d never hit me, or forced himself inside of me - not even a finger. It was because of this that I was thankful to him. It was because of his strength to maintain his control against his own desires, that I found security in spite of his selfish ways. Yes, Calix was selfish. He had, after all, taken me.

Placing a hand on the side of his face, I watched the blue of his eyes deepen as I nibbled on my bottom lip. Finally, I spoke. “You’re a beautiful man, Calix. But I think you’ll always frighten me.”

He closed his eyes for a brief moment as he leaned into my touch. Then he opened his eyes and spoke softly. “Shall I show you our bedroom, love?”

My heart hitched. “If you want to.”

A throaty growl sounded on his words and he dropped his head to press a kiss to my forehead. “You have no idea how bad I want that.”

My knees felt like jelly as I walked behind Calix to the door on the opposite end of the living space. I was nervous. Yes, I’d shared a room with Calix before - but that room was sort of my safe place. It was in his bedroom where I found acceptance for my life with him. It was in his bedroom where I experienced my first orgasm, my first real kiss, the first time I’d seen a naked man. A lot of my comfort with Calix had been built within those walls. This was new, undefined territory. And yes, I was freaking nervous!

He reached out to twist the knob before stepping inside, guiding me into a very dark, very masculine room. I swear to the Greek Gods surely watching over us, that my heart was in my throat!

The walls were the same dark color as the rest of the yacht and the carpet was the same creamy beige. The furniture was dark wood or dark brown leather and the bed had been draped in a cream beige duvet and matching sheet set. There was a small intimate wet bar along the far wall and I had a feeling that if I opened one of the cabinet doors, I would find a mini fridge. In the back of the room there was an open door to which I saw a closet where all our clothing had been hung, and through the closet was a generously sized bathroom. The room was lit with amber pot lights that had been sunken into both the roof and walls. There were settings, I noticed, for the lights, as Calix dimmed them a bit more. I stepped into the middle of the room and felt my heart stutter in my chest as Calix retrieved a remote from the nightstand before pointing it to a wall that was entirely glass. Then, the glass wall moved.

I watched, stunned and speechless, as the wall opened to a large round hot tub and deck exposed beneath the ebony shimmering of the night sky. There were white lounge chairs around the sunken tub and a small round table for two that was tucked beneath a structure of the boat that served like awning. A few steps down and there was a large stretch of deck that was so close to the ocean water, I could hang my feet off the side and dip them into the abyss.

This was absolutely stunning. It literally took my breath away and I wondered, how many girls dreamed of a night like this - so completely magical and utterly fanatical?

Calix moved to stand behind me, pulling my back against his chest as he looped his arms around my waist. “What do you think?”

“Well,” I breathed. “I still think you have too much money.”

“But?” He half-growled against my ear and I fought the shiver that threatened to riot inside my body.

“But this is beautiful, Calix.” I admitted. “It’s unreal.”

“This is very real, love.”

I leaned my head back against his chest, feeling content and safe in his arms - even from the very monster that held me. Breathing in the salty air, I let my eyes flutter closed as my body relaxed. I didn’t allow my mind to wander far from this moment. I didn’t allow myself to think about later - and the possible events that
later
would consist of. I simply stood, my mind quiet and my heartbeat gentle, in this mans arms.

Just then, I felt the boat give a very gentle jostle and I knew we were moving.

“We’re moving?”

Calix nodded as I spun around in his arms. “We are.”

“Where are we going?”

“Anywhere.” His eyes watched my mouth for a moment and I felt my heart race as I imagined him pressing his smooth lips against mine again. “But tonight we’re just sailing out a few miles. We’ll anchor and be able to see the city lights, but no one will be able to see us.”

“Oh.”

“Nova,” he sighed but my heart was already pounding.

“Um,” I licked my lips and his eyes chased the movement with a hunger that lit a fire of desire in my belly. “I think I’d like to take a shower.”