Page 21

CHAPTER 20

C assandra

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.

I had no idea why the passage came to me since I wasn’t particularly religious and I certainly wasn’t Catholic.

My foster mother and father had tried to instill some aspects of religion, but they’d never driven it down my throat. I’d been free to make my own decisions.

Although they’d done a very good job of teaching me right from wrong.

Or so I’d thought.

Yet as I struggled to slide into the dress that had been carelessly tossed aside, a moment of shame coursed through me.

What in God’s name had possessed me to fuck a man who might be a killer? Maybe that wasn’t being fair to Wilder, but I’d seen the look in his eyes when I’d mentioned David’s threat. He’d instantly bristled, but it had been worse than that. I’d seen the need for vengeance in his striking gaze.

Even worse, I’d tasted the desire on my tongue after Wilder had challenged me with being judge and jury for the man and his hideous deeds. And of course I’d envisioned myself the executioner.

My heart racing, I returned my thoughts to Wilder and the insanity of letting go with him.

I could still taste his cum along with mine, the combination musky yet sweet. Having his cock inside my mouth had felt right. Hell, when he’d smacked my bottom several times, I’d been so turned on I’d almost begged for more.

He’d also caught me when I’d touched the belt. He’d known what my thoughts had been. He’d sensed the deep longing. No man had ever peeled away my layers like that in all my years on this earth.

Right now, I felt more exposed and more vulnerable than I’d ever been in my life.

He took a deep breath and glanced over at me. He’d yet to return my panties and the thought of continuing the drive not wearing any was both embarrassing and enticing.

I’d never been this forward in my life. Not once.

Maybe that had always been my problem.

As I glanced out the windshield, I was reminded I’d allowed myself to be captured by a man considered highly dangerous.

“New Buffalo. A small town,” I said in passing. Since he’d returned to the road, he’d been quiet.

Deathly quiet.

As if planning something that I couldn’t learn the details of.

He didn’t respond, instead staring at the road.

“Who are you really, Wilder?”

“Who do you think I am?”

“I think you’re a man who doesn’t know who he wants to be when he grows up.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Maybe you’re right about that, Lady Butterfly. Or perhaps sometimes we simply need to be something no one else expects us to be. But make no mistake, your first instincts about me were correct.”

“What were they?”

“That I’m a terrible person, a dangerous man. At least that’s what so many have said.” He seemed amused.

“Maybe so, but there’s something else inside of you.”

“What’s that?”

I thought about my answer and realized I was right. “You want to be a hero. In fact, you need to be one to soothe the guilt that’s been with you for years.”

When he took a deep breath, turning his head toward me, I knew I was right. He’d felt all alone but had latched onto someone along the way.

And that someone had been taken from him.

He was acting on his sadness and need for vengeance over and over again.

I should feel even more terrified, but it helped me understand him.

And crave him even more than before.

“Heroes don’t really exist, Cassandra. They only provide what everyone else wants for the moment. They profess they’ll die to protect someone but, in the end, most fail. They simply don’t have the backbone to accept death. I’ve seen it time and time again.”

“Why do you believe that?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes, to me it does.”

“You’re longing to find out more about me, not about those who pretend to be the knights in shining armor so many wish existed. Be careful in your insistence on investigation so that you won’t be disappointed. Or incensed. Or repulsed. I’m not who you think I am,” he stated as if it was some admittance of a wrongdoing.

“I know what you are, a man trying to find freedom and family because it was taken from you and your brothers.”

He instantly bristled.

“I know you and your brothers were in foster care, Wilder. That’s no secret. You also know that I was since every brilliant leader learns all they can about someone who could be considered their enemy. I understand the life and the loneliness even when someone insisted they cared about you. At least I was lucky in that a lovely family really did care. I wonder if that was the same for you.”

I noticed his grip on the steering wheel was tighter than before. I also sensed he had no intention of sharing any horror stories with me. Of course, I couldn’t blame him.

“I was in six foster care families starting from when I was three years old. Not one of them was decent. But I wasn’t a nice kid, filled with anger and hatred. So I lashed out. No, Cassandra. My life wasn’t a Hallmark movie by a long shot, but you live, you learn. You get over it. Or you die. It’s as simple as that.”

“And when something or someone precious was taken away from you, what then?”

His smile was unnerving as hell. “Then you do what’s necessary to protect yourself.”

The answer would haunt me. I had many more questions, but I sensed he was shutting down.

At least for now.

So he drove in silence, my pussy continuing to throb, my nipples aching.

And dear God, I wanted the man all over again.

When he headed into the small town, I was even more fascinated by the scourge of sensations controlling my brain waves. I was allowing my desire to override all common sense. While I hadn’t been the only woman Wilder had jumped in to save, I’d prosecuted a killer who’d used a similar method of luring his victims into feeling comfortable.

What was the difference in the two?

The two sides of me were a trait I’d accepted early in my profession. Which is why the fact I hadn’t seen David’s aggression maturing was both annoying and disturbing.

Was David capable of much worse?

What about my date?

Just then he made a wide turn down what appeared to be a long gravel driveway. Given we’d driven through a residential area, I had a feeling he owned property here. An odd choice for a man like him. The town was considered very tightly knit, tourists welcomed, but outsiders ostracized. The location was nothing like I would envision Wilder being comfortable in.

“You have a house here,” I said almost absently.

“I do. Does that surprise you?”

“In truth, yes. New Buffalo’s population is around two thousand people. From the pictures I’ve seen, the town is beautiful, but someone could find themselves very lonely.”

“Loneliness is all in the mind, Cassandra. I learned a long time ago that I was my own best friend. That and books. Besides, the number of people swells in the summer.”

“Why here? Why not any other small town?”

“You might be surprised.” He pulled up in front of a beautiful, coastal-style home. From the brightness of the lights, I was able to see the siding had been painted a stunning coral color with white accents.

“I’m beginning to appreciate the surprises of your many sides.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” He threw the gear into park and yanked the keys. “I fell in love with a wine I had a few years ago and came here to purchase a few cases. I also admired the winery and attached restaurant and purchased the business, or at least fifty percent of it anyway.”

“You did not.”

“I did. There’s an excellent chef as part owner and it seemed like a solid investment. As I’ve already told you, I rarely make mistakes. Come on.” He opened the door, allowing the overhead light to stay lit while he studied me.

He was daring me to join in the adventure with him.

Why not?

“I am surprised, but pleasantly so.” I got out, taking a deep whiff. The scent of the water permeated my senses immediately, the sounds of nature everywhere. While there were no other houses close by, I didn’t feel caged, which is what I’d envisioned.

When he led me inside, I wasn’t certain what I’d expected to find, but the home inside was exactly what the exterior presented: coastal cozy with a slightly manly flair accentuated by warm colors of leather furniture and bold artwork on the walls. The layout was open, the sweeping glass windows and doors providing a method of escape.

Just in case I felt it necessary.

He wasn’t standing close, didn’t act as if he had plans on shackling and fucking me, which was what I’d envisioned on the ride here.

Or maybe it had been more about wishful thinking. I was fraught with the strange sensations I had being around him.

Everything about him was primal in nature, a predator comfortable in any surroundings. I’d profiled enough criminals to know what Josie had said was absolutely correct. Some could fit in easily, blending into a crowd or standing out in a room. Whichever fit the situation required.

Yet right now, he seemed at ease as he ripped off his tuxedo jacket and bowtie. There was no carefulness about how he tossed both across the back of one chair, slowly unbuttoning his shirt and sleeves.

I was suddenly transfixed on the ring he wore on his left hand, middle finger. It was a creation of beauty, the diamonds surrounding the large black stone shimmering in the recessed lighting.

He noticed my gaze and flexed his hand, his smile easily labeled as a smirk.

“A symbol of absolute power. Yes?” I asked as I tilted my head toward him.

Wilder twirled the ring. “Symbols of power are used to make others fear those standing in front of them.”

“Ah, you want your enemies to fear you.”

“They simply do given my reputation, Lady Butterfly. Make yourself comfortable. Would you like to try one of our wines?”

His arrogance was far too alluring.

“Absolutely. Whatever you suggest.”

“Then follow me into the kitchen, Cassandra, so our night can begin.”

Wilder tilted his head, studying me more intently than he’d done inside the ballroom. As I’d done before and as he’d done with me, I could clearly read his thoughts.

Tonight was the true beginning of something I’d likely regret, yet for all the wrong reasons, the excitement remained.