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CHAPTER 2

C assandra

The huge godlike creation could crush me easily.

The man was also sin incarnate.

I wasn’t ordinarily in the habit of getting into a stranger’s vehicle, but at this point, I didn’t feel like myself any longer. I was unnerved yet enraged to the point I couldn’t stop shaking.

Maybe David had been right and I needed to indulge in an adventure for a change. Here I’d thought my life had been exciting. I worked with criminals of every type from bikers to members of crime syndicates and wealthy corporate moguls who truly believed they were immune from the law.

Extortionists.

Blackmailers.

Gamblers.

Rapists.

Kidnappers.

Murderers.

What brutal crime hadn’t I tackled and won? That should be exciting enough. Granted, maybe I’d allowed my personal life to suffer while grasping the brass ring, but it wasn’t as if David hadn’t been ambitious.

I realized the handsome man in the ten-thousand-dollar suit was staring at me. I didn’t blame him. “Don’t judge me. I’ve had a shitty day. I came face to face with a devious monster in my job only to learn my now former fiancé was canoodling with his much older boss on the top of the desk I purchased for him. You saw what he did after. Not a banner day and being judged by a stranger isn’t the icing on the cake I need.”

The sexy hero said nothing for what seemed like an eternity.

There was tension between us and if I didn’t know better, I’d say it was derived from a strange yet powerful sexual desire.

“I’ll take you home, little butterfly.”

“No!” My God, I was jumpy as well as untypically exasperated. “I’m not ready to go home yet. Please. I just… I need some air. I need to breathe. I need to feel like me again.”

Why was I telling a stranger with anger issues anything about my personal life? Hadn’t I learned from on the job training I could be dealing with a monster?

Maybe a tiny part of me didn’t care.

He started the engine and the rumbling between my legs created a series of inappropriate images.

“Where do you want to go, little butterfly?”

“Why call me that?”

“Because you’re delicate and beautiful. Sadly, easily crushable if found in the wrong man’s hands.”

“Are you that kind of man?”

He chuckled. “I think you can answer that.”

That was the third time he’d called me beautiful. It had been a very long time since I’d felt that way. “Thank you. For the compliment and for helping me.”

He waited and I realized he was allowing me to tell him where to go.

“Take me anywhere else. Maybe a bar. I’m not ashamed to admit I need a drink.” Oh, good. I’d just given him the keys to taking me to his house if he wanted. Where he could do anything with me. Why didn’t that sound as terrifying as it should?

The simple nod was the only answer provided.

I sat back, struggling with a vast array of emotions, but the anger kept me on edge. I’d been dead inside except when at work. I’d lost myself in nothingness for half my life.

He remained silent as he drove. While unnerving right now, it felt good to sit in silence, wallowing in the anger that I’d allowed to get the best of me. Every minute or two, I glanced in the stranger’s direction. The fact neither one of us had attempted to exchange names was a testament to the fact we both preferred being alone.

But honestly, the last thing I wanted was to be alone. At least not tonight.

“Why?” he suddenly asked out of the blue.

“Why what? Why a drink?”

“Why agree to marry that slug?”

I would ordinarily be furious with anyone judging a person I cared about, but not right now. I burst into laughter. “To be honest with you, I have no clue.” While I continued to amuse myself, he did nothing more than turn his head, locking eyes with mine as he’d done before. “I think it seemed natural. You know. You date for almost three years and that’s the next step. Only he didn’t love me. Who fucks their boss when they’re expecting their fiancée for a dinner date?” The sound I issued was almost mournful, but I didn’t really feel that way.

Just angry.

“God, I hate David.”

The stranger chuckled in his dark, deliciously velvet tone. “As you should. Where do you live?”

“Wicker Park.” Why had I just told him where I lived? Yes, it was a large enough area, but I’d narrowed it down for him and for all I knew, he could be a stalker or worse.

He didn’t answer, nor did he offer where he lived. He made a turn and I realized he was heading toward the area of town where I lived. Sighing, I leaned against the door, placing my head on the window. So much for that drink.

The hum of the engine nearly put me to sleep. When I felt the vehicle slow, I was immediately jolted into being fully awake. It took me a full thirty seconds to realize why he’d slowed down.

Chicago had plenty of fancy restaurants and bars, with dozens of hotels claiming to have the finest lakeside facility in the Midwest. Only he opted for a tiny corner bar that even I’d never been to before.

Not that I’d had time to spend in bars as of late. The recent case had kept me working fifteen-hour days for almost two months. I shuddered from the realization all that work could be tossed aside.

He parked alongside the curb, surprising me once again when he opened my door and held out his hand. I wasn’t used to this from David or any other boyfriend I’d had in my life. Not that there’d been many to compare it to. I had to face it. I was a workaholic. I’d spent more time with my friends than my boyfriend.

Maybe my instinct had been the reason why.

When I touched his hand, a tremendous spark rolled down my arm, immediately shifting between my legs. The shock to the system forced me to involuntarily curl my fingers. He changed his hold, placing his hand on the small of my back instead.

The gentlemanly gesture sent a chill straight down my spine.

He guided us inside as if he knew the place, but I could tell by the suspicious look on the bartender’s face that wasn’t the case.

My savior selected a small table in the back, still being gentlemanly by pulling out my chair. He took his time removing his overcoat, placing it gingerly over the back of the third chair surrounding the table before unfastening his suit jacket.

The air of arrogance I’d detected before remained intact as he sat down. Once again, he looked me directly in the eyes, capturing mine in a way that had never been done before. He wasn’t just undressing me with his eyes; he was consuming me with them. Every inch.

Unnerving, but exciting.

His possessiveness lingered even when the bartender finally sauntered over.

Neither man said a word, which prompted me to break down and order. “Vodka martini. Very dry.”

The stranger hadn’t paid any attention to the bartender’s presence, but as he ordered, it was obvious he expected prompt and perfect service.

“Vodka. Chilled is preferred, but over ice is fine. Grey Goose Altius if you have it.”

Whether they did or didn’t wouldn’t be determined. The bartender huffed and shuffled away to prepare our drinks. Expensive vodka. I knew that because it was the brand my boss always drank with his martinis.

Only this man wasn’t wasting time with a fancy glass, a hint of vermouth, or an olive.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable as hell. What was I doing here with a complete stranger?

“A vodka man,” I said, perhaps to quell my nerves.

“When it suits me. Scotch is usually my go-to. The smooth liquor soothes the demons.”

“Ah, the demons. I guess we all have them.” His answers were fascinating.

“Yes, we do,” he said quietly, taking another full beat before continuing. “Surrendering to a man is entirely different than allowing them to take advantage of you.”

While surprised, I wasn’t shocked at what he was telling me and he was right. “I know that. At least I thought I did.”

“Men like the man who’d dared wrap his hand around your throat only deserve one thing.”

Somehow, I doubted he was going to share with me what that one thing was and in truth, I wasn’t certain I needed to know. I’d gotten a hint by the way he’d reacted to David accosting me.

And I’d liked it a little too much.

There were few people in the world who would jump into the middle of any crisis, including a domestic situation. There were too many guns hiding away in purses, briefcases, and jackets.

“I agree with you. I won’t be reconciling with him. He’s not worth it.”

“No, he’s not.”

His stare was even more penetrating, pushing me further from my comfort zone. “Let me guess. You treat your girlfriend like gold.”

I was fishing and I suspected he knew it. I was also assuming since he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, only a thick gold band with a large dark stone surrounded by diamonds on his middle finger. In my mind, the piece of jewelry screamed power, which I suspected he had plenty of.

For the first time his features softened, but only for a split second. The corners of his mouth were turned up, his nostrils flaring. “I don’t do relationships. They don’t work with me.”

“Oh. Well, then I guess I’ll let you off the hook.”

He cocked his head.

“In seeking advice.”

The bartender suddenly appeared, placing my drink down with too much testosterone behind the gesture. Liquid sloshed over the rim and I was instantly aware my companion was ready to bark at the man or worse. An unabashed flicker of interest spun through me.

The bartender acted as if he was going to wait to be paid and in a smooth move, the mysterious stranger whipped out a credit card, the surface as black as his ring. He lifted his head toward the bartender, his silent threat creating a single tic of fear in the older man as he snatched the card.

When he was safely out of hearing range, I chuckled. “Do you do that with almost everyone you meet? Command them without saying a word?”

“Everyone.”

“Not me.”

His eyes flashed with amusement. “No, not with you.”

“I wonder why.” I took a sip, hiding behind the glass after I did. It wasn’t like me to be shy with anyone, especially men. But he oozed sensuality and control, every reaction I’d had around him had been different than the norm.

That should be a red flag, but in my attempt at living a touch recklessly for a change, I shoved the thought aside.

“Because few women know how to handle themselves in situations where they are confronted. You did and I suspect you do in your everyday life.”

I wanted to laugh, but he was right, only David had floored me even though I’d suspected he was having an affair. “You’ve pegged me well, but that doesn’t make it any less unpleasant to deal with.”

“Agreed.” He lifted his glass as if he was toasting me before taking a swallow. I knew instantly the bartender hadn’t followed his wishes with the correct type of liquor by another much angrier flash in his eyes. When he clenched his hand around the glass, I was certain I heard the cheap crystal crack.

“How long were you together?” he asked and I sensed the question was to keep his anger from getting out of control.

“Too long. At first, it was decent. We wanted the same things. We enjoyed each other’s company, but I’m too ambitious and not adventurous enough for him.”

“Is that true?”

I thought about his question. “I’m very ambitious and always have been since I was a little girl. Adventurous? When the mood strikes me, but until now, I didn’t realize how dull he was. There was no excitement. No off-the-cuff decisions. Normally, that would be me. I like everything just so. But sometimes… Sometimes I want to live for the moment. It’s funny. I just realized that.”

He didn’t react in any way, but I could tell he was listening intently, taking in everything I was telling him.

“I think I lost myself in my career because I never wanted to depend on anyone else, especially a man. But letting go, risking it all isn’t a bad thing. I don’t know. Maybe if and when I dare to find the right person that might happen. Bold and daring, living on the edge.” I laughed at myself. Why was it much easier to talk to a stranger than to the man who’d asked me to spend the rest of my life with him?

He polished off his drink and I was surprised he lifted his glass without bothering to look in the bartender’s direction. He simply knew the man behind the bar was watching everything we did.

“Anyway, I guess I bought into the thought being married was the right thing to do. He seemed perfect, at least in the ways I’d imagined the right guy to spend my life with would be. You know. A great job. Good looks. He came from a good family. He was highly educated. And he said everything perfectly.” I laughed at myself bitterly once again. Why not? I’d been such an idiot.

“Be glad you learned the lesson before you purchased the frilly white dress.”

His words had been said with almost no inflection until that last sentence. “Said like a man with experience.”

When he chuckled, another wave of electricity soared through me.

“Let’s just say I have eyes and ears.”

“Being observant can be a lifesaver, but the art is becoming lost.” I took another sip of my drink before taking the thin toothpick into my fingers, slowly sucking on the three olives lined up like pinballs.

“Those who see past the lines into the body of the subject will easily find the truth. Those who stand outside the lines will always be easily deceived.”

“Profound. Perhaps a little sad.”

“It’s just reality, little butterfly.”

I’d never liked nicknames, but when he called me little butterfly, it felt as if dozens were fluttering their wings in my stomach.

“Reality is a good thing. So is honesty. That’s another thing David wasn’t good at. For me, being loyal and honest are very important.”

“Trust is an innate need, but often when found, it’s nothing but a rose-colored lie. Be careful of those who insist on your trust then ply you with lies. I suspect you can easily tell when someone is doing so.”

“I like to think so, but I’m human. I make mistakes.”

The bartender slammed his drink on the table this time, dropping the credit card with such clumsiness it almost tumbled off the table. I caught it before it did, the bad girl inside of me almost bringing it to where I could read the name.

He was watching me the entire time and I could swear he was testing me.

I slid the card over to him without looking and his smirk was something of an odd but pleasant reward.

“It would seem you’re not well liked.”

“My reputation precedes me.” He took another sip of his drink. His aloofness was sexy.

It was another dare or maybe an offer to cut through the veil between us. I wasn’t certain I wanted to learn more about him. That would take away from being able to talk easily with a stranger.

We continued chatting, if you could call his cryptic answers being a part of the conversation, but neither one of us asked what the other did or if this was going anywhere.

When we were near the end of the evening, he finally slipped his credit card into his wallet, signing the slip that had already been brought to him and nodding for me to rise from the table.

The man was completely dominating.

“Wilder,” he said.

“You want something wilder?” Another wave of excitement sparked a heavy spark of heat.

“My name.”

“Oh.” I laughed and it felt good to do so. I couldn’t remember how long it had been since I last had. “Cassie.”

“Cassie,” he repeated as if storing it away in his memory banks. The truth was that almost no one except my dad and sometimes Cash when he was being flirtatious had called me Cassie.

“Wilder is an interesting name. A family name?”

He smirked and grabbed his coat, not bothering to put it on. “I have no idea.”

Just as we’d walked in, we also headed out in silence, but his hand was once again placed protectively against the small of my back.

I sensed an edge to him as he climbed in, but he wasn’t pressuring me, just being as observant as he could be. I was more uncomfortable than before, unsure of what he expected. Maybe nothing. However, in my experience, when a man bought a lady a drink, he did so with the anticipation of having a good time in payment. I wasn’t that kind of girl and never had been.

After the engine was started, he rolled his head in my direction. He didn’t need words for what he was asking.

I told him where I lived.

While I’d always considered myself a good judge of character, I also knew that if he wanted to abduct or kill me, he wouldn’t have allowed himself to be seen inside a bar just before doing so. That was criminal activity 101.

The brownstone I called home was a beautiful representation of the area. The only reason I’d been lucky enough to be able to afford something in such a nice area was because the previous owner had gone into foreclosure. I loved where I lived, but I was saving my pennies to purchase a little house on the shore.

“You’ll need to park here. It seems everyone is home tonight.” I pointed to one of the only vacant spots next to the curb.

He followed my direction, immediately turning off his engine.

“I’ll walk you to your door.”

“I’m fine. Really. I’m a big girl and all. I might or might not have a can of mace and a weapon at my disposal.”

Wilder didn’t listen, opening his door the same time I did.

“Nice place,” he said after climbing out.

“It’s a good area. One day I hope to purchase a beach house, but we’ll see.”

“You like the water.”

“Always have. My mother called me a water rat, never able to get me out of the pool or the ocean. It’s where my heart and soul are. The only place I can truly relax.”

“Then you’ll purchase a house when you’re ready.”

We started walking and I noticed he hadn’t bothered putting his coat on. “Only when my bank account agrees.” At least it was a nice night, the crisp air clearing my head.

When we were at the bottom of the steps, I turned to thank him once again, already pulling the keys into my hand.

Everything about spending time with him told me I needed to thank him and go inside, but I felt locked into the moment much like I had with the intensity of his gaze. I tried. I really did. I even turned around and headed up the six stairs leading to the outside door.

But I stopped.

Even worse, I turned around. “Wilder.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No. I wanted to thank you again for what you did and for the drinks. I honestly needed some company.”

“You’re welcome, little butterfly. Be wary of men with all the right answers. They’re almost always lies.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I nodded and while he didn’t back away, he didn’t try to make a move on me either.

“I hope you do. Someone so beautiful should never be lied to. That’s a sin of God and nature.”

He thought I was beautiful. That struck me in a way I wasn’t used to. How odd that I couldn’t remember the last time David had given me a single compliment. I was thankful it was nighttime so hopefully Wilder didn’t see that my skin was on fire.

“Thank you.” God, this was awkward, more so than any time I could remember. Being with Wilder had felt so natural, so different than I was used to and I’d needed his frank, honest thoughts and company more than I realized.

“Good night, little butterfly.” This time he turned and I watched him take a couple of steps.

Everything tingled inside of me. My nipples were already hard, my pussy throbbing as it had never done before. Everything about what I was debating was a sin, but if that meant I burned in hell, I wasn’t certain I’d mind.

“Wilder. Don’t.”

“Don’t?” He only half turned this time, lifting his chin as he gazed at me.

“Don’t go.”

Very slowly he walked closer, taking one step at a time and I held my breath the entire time. “What are you asking, little butterfly?”

“I’m asking if you’re still thirsty.”

He took a deep breath in much the same way I had. While everything about him ignited the fire burning deep within my core from his gorgeous physique to the danger fueling his blood, I was well aware this could be a tremendous mistake.

A risk.

But it was one I was willing to take.

“If you invite me in, it won’t be for a drink. It’ll be because you need me to fuck you the way you’ve always wanted to be fucked and never found a man decent enough to do so. If I do, I won’t be gentle. There’s nothing romantic about me. I’ll fuck you long and hard, claiming your mouth, your sweet pussy, and your tight ass. And if you dare object or push me off, I’ll spank your ass until you’re ready to cry my name and beg for more. Are we clear on that, Cassie? Very clear?”

I couldn’t seem to stop tingling. “Yes.”

He looked away briefly before taking the last step closer. Even one step below and he was towering above me. “Then what are you asking?”

“I’m… I’m asking you to stay. And to fuck me.”