INDISPENSABLE: Part 2 (3 page)

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Authors: Maryann Barnett

BOOK: INDISPENSABLE: Part 2
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Chapter Four

Sarah looked at Bella reading along. “I think Bella can grab us a drink each. Come in.” Bella nodded and ran into Sarah’s apartment. Sarah hoped she’d taken the hint to pack her some personal things. She’d know exactly what she’d need and want.

Brock stepped into the apartment. “Great. I could do with a scotch after the day I’ve had.”

“I’m hearing you.” Sarah grabbed her pad and pen off the desk and scribbled,
‘How did you get a flight so fast?’

He grabbed it from her and wrote below it
, ‘I’m a billionaire. Private jet. Just go with it and I’ll tell you all about it later.’

Sarah raised her hands in the air and shook her head. Of
course
he’d have a private plane. Getting used to this lifestyle was going to take some time. “The day turned out well for you in the end.”

“Yes. Still not a nice situation for anyone.” Brock frowned. It was clear the day had taken its toll.

Bella came back in and put a small carry-on bag into Sarah’s hand and nodded.

“Here you go. Enjoy. Just this one last drink for me, it’s been a huge a day, and I’m going to crash very soon.”

“No problem,” Brock answered and winked at Bella.

Brock held up another prewritten note for Bella
. ‘You went to bed and left us and know nothing else. We’ll be in touch.’
Brock smiled over at Bella.

“I’m way too amped to go to bed yet,” Sarah said.

“I know just how you feel. My head has so many threads running through it, I’ll be wide awake for weeks.” Brock smiled as he spoke. He was so handsome—if Bella wasn’t here Sarah would just kiss him to relieve all the tension. That really was a bad idea. Must be the exhaustion.

“Well, I’m off to bed, you two. Don’t be up to late. We all have to function in the office tomorrow.” Bella waved them out the door.

“Let’s go to my place, Sarah.” Brock gave over-exaggerated nods to tell Sarah to say, ‘yes.’

“Sure. Why not.”

Brock smiled and grabbed Sarah’s hand. Sarah hugged Bella hard. Then, they left, and Brock made small talk, all the while directing her with his expressions and body movement. “We might call in sick tomorrow.”

“Sounds like fun.”

Brock pushed a button on his phone and pulled her out the doorway to the stairwell. They walked quietly and slowly down the concrete steps after he made a
shhh
sign with his finger to his lips. It took about ten minutes, and on the ground floor, he shepherded her out a back hallway and into a normal looking car waiting in a back alley way.

Sarah got into the passenger’s side, and Brock ran around to get into the driver’s seat. She had to admit the adrenalin surge from sneaking out had her heart racing. She felt like a naughty teenager slipping out the window.

But the reality was, if Rick was bugging Brock now, that was going overboard. He’d need to be stopped. Sarah should’ve been onto it legally, getting it sorted. Surely Brock didn’t feel they were in danger of being physically harmed by Rick.

“That’s better.” Brock shut his door. “We can talk. I’ve had this car equipped with a scrambler. Better still, we can kiss.” He leaned over, put his hand behind her head, and slanted his mouth over hers.

Sarah’s senses immediately awakened, and she found herself wanting him as always. She knew she should show more restraint, but Brock and restraint didn’t go in the same sentence for her. Not unless he had her restrained as he kissed her aching pussy to orgasm.

Shit, thinking that way wouldn’t help. She pulled back.

“Sorry, I just can’t help myself with your gorgeous lips.”

“I should be at work to get onto this and have that man arrested or have his mentality checked. This is no joke.”

“Don’t worry. I just need a little longer for my investigators to finish building the evidence against him. Then, you can get into court and give him both barrels. Right now, he’ll be following my limo with body doubles of us back to my place—where we will take a very long time to emerge again. I bet we’ll be having fun.”

“What is up with him? He’s lost it. Is he dangerous?”

“I don’t think he’d do any physical harm, but I need to get this nipped in the bud. Then life can go back to normal.”

“Isn’t taking off in a private jet at a second’s notice normal for you?”

He laughed. “Yes, it is. But I don’t always have the company of a savvy and sexy lawyer with very a kissable mouth.”

“Why am I here anyway?”

“Rick is a loose cannon. With the mindset he has about women, I’m not taking any chances. Besides, I think I need to give you something nice to associate with me for a change. And I like your company.”

“So much has happened in this last week. My head is spinning. I could do for some relaxation.”

“Where would you like to go?”

“Don’t be silly. I’m sure you have a place in mind.”

“I do, but if you have a preference, I’d like to take you.” Brock glanced across and smiled, and then he started the car. “Anywhere in the world.”

“No way. You just stick to your plans. I’m only along for the ride. I still think I should be working on getting Rick what he deserves though.”

“A few days and you will be.” Brock drove off and turned out onto the main street. “He should be long gone from here by now, following the limo, so we’ll go.”

Sarah yawned. “I’m so tired.”

“There’s a bed on the jet.”

She gave a sharp look his way.

“You don’t have to share it with me, don’t worry. You can sleep as long as you want. We have a long flight with one refuel on the way.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“Have you eaten?”

“A few nibbles. But I’m not sure I could eat right now.”

“Right. I’ll get the on-board chef to get some food sorted. Romeo and Juliet will enjoy breakfast with you.”

“The dogs are coming too?”

“Oh yes. I hardly ever leave them behind.”

Sarah just grinned. This man was complex and confusing. But he always seemed to make her smile. He was a billionaire, but he wasn’t conceited and didn’t act entitled. However, he did have issues.

“It’s an hour’s drive to the jet at my private airstrip. We’ll be cleared for take-off an hour after that. You can just sleep on the plane until we get there.”

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise. But you’ll need swimwear.”

“Now you tell me.”

“It’s okay. I think your boss has paid you, so you can afford a new set.”

“Regular funny man.” Sarah gave a laugh.

“I do try.”

“You’ve got me for two days, Brock, and then I want to be back here to nail Rick’s ass to the wall.”

“Deal.”

“Also, I have a proposition for you.”

“I’m living the dream.” Brock took the highway that led out of the city. “Tell me more.”

“When we get where we’re going, I will.”

“A woman of mystery. I like it.”

“I do try.”

Brock laughed and Sarah’s heart soared. He was important to her. She desperately wanted to make this work between them. But could she? This Brock driving the car was different to the uber-controlling sexual being he became as a Dom. This man here, she could take every second of every day. The other one, the jury was still out on.

From one extreme to the other. Sarah sensed to get those two personality traits to merge into one man with one set of feelings and one whole personality was almost an impossible task. He’d have to want it to happen for starters, and she’d have to give a lot of herself to get a microbe of him.

Plus he had a daughter, and presumably an ex-girlfriend to add to the mix. What did that mean? Where would Sarah fit into the mix?

She was scared. Scared she’d break him even more than he already was. Scared she’d break herself. That they’d permanently break each other. But something inside wanted to give it a try. God help her. God help them both. Somebody had to.

Chapter Five

“Do you like it?”

“If I hadn’t just walked across to the plane and stepped on, I’d think I was in a six-star resort.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Romeo and Juliet came bounding up and nosed into his legs and hands waiting for some affection. He loved their greeting. No matter what, the dogs cheered him up and calmed him down when needed.

Then, they waited patiently for Sarah to set down her bag before they moved in on her with bright eyes and wagging tails. Her smile and the way she sank to her knees to hug both dogs around the neck made Brock wish he was one of them.

“I’ll just go and speak to the chef and the captain. Make yourself at home with this pair. Grab a drink of you want. There’s a fully stocked bar or plenty of non-alcoholic choices.”

“Thanks. If it’s okay, I might make a cup of herbal tea and climb into the bed.”

“Go for it.” That came out way calmer than his thumping heart made him feel inside. The very thought of Sarah Beaumont in the bed in his jet made him want to break every rule and get in there and make her body his.

He took a step towards the kitchenette where she made her tea. Her long hair falling gracefully, her luscious curves, the lingering, sweet scent of vanilla and roses. He needed to kiss her. He wanted to feel her against him, needing him to rule her. Brock’s skin tingled, and his fists clenched at his side.

He took a couple of steps towards her, fighting the incredible urge to bind her to that bed in there and make her come until she could come no more, pushing her body and soul to the edge. To own her mind and her essence.

He knew he should stop, the tenure of trust between them was on shaky ground. After the events of the day, how could he even consider she would venture into anything sexual with him? But she was under his skin.

It was so much more to him than asserting his dominance and metering just enough pain to bring her to sexual ecstasy to appease his own broken desires.

Yet still he craved her. As if sensing him there, she turned and face him full on. Her large eyes connected with his, and he saw no fear. The passion between them crackled in the air, and he moved into her space and took her face in his hands, overpowered by his need to kiss her.

Sarah didn’t fight the kiss; she kissed him back. Her soft, sweet lips moving under his as he explored her mouth with his. Her hands sought his body through his shirt, and her arms went around him, drawing him into her body.

The closeness of her, even fully clothed, put fire in his blood. Brock let his arms surround her body, and he held her against him. She belonged there. He stopped kissing her then and just held her. All the tension of the day melted away.

“Brock?” She sounded breathless.

“Yes?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“I signed an agreement to have sex your way. I let you dominate me. Would you sign an agreement written by me?”

“You want to dominate me?”

“No. I want to make soft, gentle, emotional love to you.”

Brock held her away from him a little as he got lost in her eyes. “I’m not sure I know how to do that.”

“I had no idea how to be submissive to you.”

Her hands trembled in his. He’d have to say no. How could he pretend he knew how to make love to any woman, let alone Sarah? With her it was more than what was written on an agreement, and that scared him. Sarah and forever sounded great in the same sentence, but Brock didn’t have forever to give her.

She deserved so much more than a series of contracts. There was so much that he didn’t have to give, but he knew he’d take whatever she had to give him anyway. “Sarah…I…” He felt out of his depth.

Sarah got on her tiptoes and lightly kissed his lips. “Just a one-off contract, Brock. No obligations.”

Brock sighed. When was the last time he’d just held a woman because it felt good? It was impossible. But she was right, she had relinquished control to him, he owed her that.

“Think about it. I’m going to sleep. Then we’ll talk.” Sarah moved back from him and gave him a modest smile. “I know this is out of your comfort zone. All of you is completely out of my depth, but somehow I can’t seem to stop wanting more.”

Brock nodded. “Yes. Draw up your agreement. You’ll have your way for twenty-four hours.”

Sarah inclined her head toward him and gave that sexy close-lipped smile again. Then she went off towards the sleeping area which was sectioned off towards the back of the jet. Brock set off to get the pilot and the chef organized.

His heart still raced, and he realized just then a thin layer of sweat coated his skin. He wasn’t just nervous, he was downright scared. Could he make
love
to her if he didn’t love her? The sweat went cold against his skin. Could he make love to her without falling
in
love with her? Maybe he was already in love. No, not possible. He didn’t do love.

It didn’t matter; he owed her this much after what he’d put her through already. Every time he tried to make things better for her, he just made things worse. Yet Sarah kept coming back to him and offering him…what? What was it she offered him? Love? No, not that. She wanted all the bells and whistles. Friendship, loyalty, emotional support?

He’d given up on those things long ago. When his father died and left him, when his mother wasn’t strong enough to be there for him afterwards, and when his stepfather had come into his life and made it a living hell. They lived like there’d be no tomorrow. Gambling. Living like high rollers until the money was gone and the debts piled high.

Youth for Brock had been more down than up, apart from Heather’s birth. What a miracle. But the process was hard on Jodie, Heather’s mother. Very hard.

Brock tensed his body, as dark memories seeped back. It had been so long since he’d thought about any of that. This is what emotions did to him. Letting control go meant he’d relive the threats, the beatings, the mental anguish he suffered when his mother was passed out from overindulging.

As he saw his father’s hard-earned fortune syphoned away, Brock had just wanted it all to end and for his dad to be there again. A billion dollar business that took a lifetime of sacrifice and sweat was sold, and the money was gone in five years.

It was only pure luck it lasted that long. His mother was still with that loser, almost living in squalor. Brock refused to help her while she remained a part of his stepfather’s world. She never chose Brock. Never once since his dad died had she ever chosen him first.

Brock got a scholarship as the college account was empty. He practically begged for his spot, and he had the grades he needed. Since then, he’d worked every day to earn the scholarship out. It was the least he could do.

As soon as he turned twenty-five, he received a very hefty trust fund left by his father that Brock had known nothing about. He’d already made his first billion by then. He funded twenty scholarships a year which he personally selected.

Brock’s success came from a natural eye for investment and reading the trends before they happened, his father’s business acumen, and a savage determination that he would never be vulnerable to anyone ever again. Not in
any
way.

Now, this spectacular woman who trusted nothing in life except her friend, Bella, trusted him with her life and asked for some trust back. The one thing he never parted with. Brock wasn’t sure he could do it even if he wanted to. Once he opened up, he may never stop bleeding.

Sarah Beaumont was a foil to his perfectly planned life. Her lush curves and sweet mouth played constantly on his mind. But more than that the sharpness of her mind amazed him, too. Her attitude to everything was that of a tough warrior, yet she was so fragile inside.

He wanted to make everything right for her. He wanted to fix all the things that sucked about her life, as many he could. To see that smile permanently on her face would be wonderful. But he knew that life couldn’t just be patched up like that and be okay.

He knew he couldn’t have her for keeps. He’d ruin her. But he simply couldn’t leave her alone.

 

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