Page 16 of Empire of Lust
The mention of my daughter’s name furrows his brow. She does her best to get under his skin, and I know it, but if anyone can handle her, it’s him. So long as he doesn’t badmouth her in my presence, we’re fine. “She didn’t mention that to me.”
“Me neither. She told me as she was leaving. She’s full of surprises.” I sigh. “At any rate, I wanted to inform you, so there’s no surprise should you find her on the grounds.” Not that any of the men would so much as blink at her appearance. She’s around enough that they expect her presence, but with Tatum gone, there might be some questions.
“I’ll spread the word,” he offers, and I grunt my thanks before continuing to the kitchen.
Sheryl, our longtime cook, lifts her brows at my entrance.
“Just coffee,” I assure her as she wipes her hands on her apron. Sheryl may appear to be a sweet old grandma, but the woman has a red-hot tongue and can wield a knife better than some men I know.
“Callum, if you do not eat, you will wither away into nothing. Coffee is not a sustainable food option,” Sheryl scolds, her hazel-colored eyes narrowing further.
I don’t know who told her she’s my mother. She may be old enough, but that grants her no such liberties. Yet even though her concern can sometimes set my teeth on edge, I appreciate a woman who seems to give a shit whether I live or die.
“Somehow, I doubt that, but if you’re really worried about me, I’ll make sure I dig into one of the meals you prepared before I go to bed,” I assure her with a smile.
She crosses her arms over her chest. “You better because if I return and those meals are not gone, I will slice much more than vegetables.”
I almost laugh.Almost.She’s not much taller than five feet tall, her graying hair is tied back in a bun at the back of her nape, and her weathered skin makes her appear frail. In my eyes, she looks like a doting grandma. And yet, she’s threatening me.
I chuckle. “Your threats do not frighten me.”
“They should. If only you knew the mayhem I caused back in my younger days.” She winks, her response leaving me shaking my head.
Truthfully, my appetite is almost nonexistent no matter how delectable Sheryl’s cooking happens to be. Every cell in my body feels as if it’s electrically charged. I’m a kid waiting for Christmas morning, and I was already having difficulty sleeping thanks to the ever-present longing for forbidden fruit. It will be a damn near miracle if I make it the month without collapsing from starvation or exhaustion.
I can’t make my brain or body stop reacting to her. Fuck, she’s an angel brought to life. Perfection. Innocence. All the wonderfully good things wrapped up in a gorgeous package. A warning goes off in my mind.
She’s also a woman. Like any other.
No wonder I can’t eat. My heart and mind are raging war against each other. Torn to pieces, I’m battling between what little conscience I have left, my jaded views of women, and the ever-present craving that’s slowly consuming my entire existence.
A craving that magically materializes as a stunning young woman who appears at the other end of the hall.Bianca.Her shoulders are turned inward, her body facing away from me. I can’t make out her face from this distance. Then, like a misty fog, she disappears and ducks into my office. My legs threaten to carry me to her without thinking through what might happen next.
Fuck, I don’t trust myself enough around this girl.How unfortunate, then, that she’s staying here while your daughter is gone.
With a single look, I can strike fear into the heart of the hardest, most brutal men. Certainly, I can handle this little girl, no matter how enticing she is. It doesn’t matter that we shared one dirty secret. Yes, it was wild and hot as fuck, but it was a onetime thing. She probably assumes I didn’t see her anyway. It’s not a big deal. We were both caught up in lust. No doubt that’s how she’s chosen to brush it off.
The desire to confront her pulls me forward. As I walk the length of the hall, every step bringing me closer to her, the animal lust flaring to life low in my gut leaves me wondering if I should fuck her and get it over with or at least eat her pussy the way I’ve been longing to do since that night. Business wise, it might mean getting her out of my system. The way such acts typically leave me bored and uneasy almost as soon as I’ve finished, prepared to show the woman in question to the door and promptly forget we ever met.
Bianca is different. I can’t forget her. She’s part of my life, part of Tatum’s.
She’s also too young for you.
I fight my subconscious. She’s a grown woman.
She’s your daughter’s best friend.
Tatum never has to know.
My insides are wound tight by the time I cross the threshold. I pause in the doorway, and surprise and concern slam into me all at once. Quiet sobs fill the space. Bianca’s shoulders shake with every breath she takes. She’s fragile like glass, and so very breakable. Sitting in the chair behind my desk, her small hands cover her face. Is she ashamed that she’s crying? She has no reason to be ashamed. Protective instinct clouds my judgment, but lust lingers at the forefront. Both fight to see who will win.
I want to fuck her, but I want to comfort her as well.
No matter what, one thing is clear: I feel too strongly about her to brush her aside. I can’t pretend she’s nothing but a nuisance or temptation when the sight and sound of her sobbing pushes me to kill whoever hurt her.
Whoever hurt what is mine.
Clenching my fists, I feel the distinct rush of blood in my ears, the need to destroy. Fuck, I’ve never felt so territorial over a woman. I’ve never wanted a woman like I want Bianca. Dammit, I can’t stand here and let her continue to cry; the sound is enough to crack me wide open.