As her delicate hand grips the crystal stemware to bring the glass of wine to her lips, I suppress a groan. I watch as she parts her lips and presses them to the rim of the glass before drinking a long sip of the very expensive and very vintage wine. Even though I just freaked out a few moments ago when I touched those very lips, I can't help but want to know what it would feel like to press my own against hers. I've never kissed anyone before or ever wanted to, for that matter, so I can't say that I know exactly what it would feel like. Her lips are full, like two soft pillows with a perfect cupid's bow.
"What's your name?" I find myself asking her even though I never bothered to care what the other women's real names were until they were leaving. And I never called the other girls by anything but their number.
I always kept it cool and impersonal from the start when it all began with the first, Number One.
"Adeline," she says in a throaty whisper, and her gaze finally meets mine.
Adeline.
Seven. Seven letters in her name. It's almost like it's fate.
She carefully picks up a linen napkin and dabs at that luscious mouth I can't stop staring at. Her pink tongue darts out to lick and wet her lips, and I can feel my thickening cock straining against my suit pants.
Once again, I'm surprised by the level of attraction I have towards this girl. Her predecessors were pretty. Some might have even called them beautiful. But Adeline is in her own separate category --- absolute perfection.
The main course is served, momentarily distracting me from my perusal of my guest, and I'm pleased to see that Maria has gone all out for this evening's meal. She's made a delicious roast with vegetables.
I grip my fork and knife in my hand and watch as Adeline does the same. However, her gaze lingers on the sharp knife. I can't help but wonder if she would try to kill me with it. The thought of blood spilling onto the floor makes me physically ill, and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the unwanted thoughts. My heart races as I think of every possible scenario that could happen with that single knife, the blade piercing my skin and infecting me with all sorts of airborne viruses and germs.
When I can't seem to suppress my runaway thoughts, I open my eyes to find Adeline staring at me once more. Our gazes lock as my chest rises and falls rapidly with panicked breaths.
She slowly sets down her utensils as if knowing exactly what I need in that moment. With the knife and ultimate threat out of her reach, it sends an immediate wash of calmness over me. My eyes search her gorgeous face, and I can feel my heartbeat begin to slow. Focusing on her helps me, I realize. It allows me to ward off my demons temporarily, and the relief I'm feeling because of her is unexpected. My breathing slowly returns to normal, and I force myself to focus on the meal before me.
That's twice now you freaked out in front of her, I mentally chide myself.
I stare at the food before me, not sure whether I'm still feeling hungry or not. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as Adeline picks up just her fork and spears a small carrot. She brings the vegetable up to her mouth and chews delicately.
I've never been so fascinated with someone before. It's as if every move she makes is some choreographed dance. She is flawless.
Feeling calmer by watching her eat, I slowly pick up my fork and join her in eating the delicious meal. We eat this course in silence as well; and while I'm used to the quiet, I suddenly want to hear her melodic voice again.
It takes me several tries before I'm able to ask her a question. She's reduced me to feeling like a nervous teenage boy talking to a pretty girl for the first time. "Adeline," I say, my voice sounding hoarse and needy. Her eyes snap up to meet mine, and suddenly my train of thought goes right out the window.
I can see a myriad of emotions flash through her pretty, green eyes, and then she blurts out her own question instead. "Why am I here?"
Again, her confusion frightens me. How could she possibly not know what she's gotten herself into unless… I shake my head, not wanting to think about that worrisome possibility. "I bought you."
She nods in acceptance considering I already told her on the first night that I had purchased her. "But what do youwantfrom me?" she asks.
Steeling myself, because I'm fearful she truly doesn't know the answer to her question, I tell her honestly, "Your virginity."
CHAPTER 11
ADELINE
I DIDN'T KNOW what to expect when the older woman, who eventually told me her name was Maria after practically dragging it out of her, came to my room and told me to dress for dinner.Dinner with my kidnapper.
Facing him was going to be no easy task. Even though I'd seen him the night I was brought here, it was dark, and I was drugged. I can't clearly recall what he looks like except for the profile of a handsome face and piercing, dark eyes that make me shiver every time I think about them.
That first night when he told me he bought me, I figured he was some ruthless and demonic sadist who would tie me down and whip and torture me. The thoughts that have run through my head the past few days have made me crazy with worry. I've sat and waited for him to come for me, but he never did. And his absence only left me more confused and more nervous about what was to come.
When Maria took me to the dining room, I kept wishing for the floor to open up and swallow me whole. I'd never been so nervous in my entire life.
As I stood in the entrance to the room by myself, nervously playing with my finger, wishing I still had my engagement ring, something familiar to keep my mind at ease, I could feel his presence from across the room.
When I finally collected enough courage to face him, I almost gasped in shock. He was young, much younger than I thought he would be…andhandsome. So incredibly handsome that he stole my breath the instant my eyes met his beautiful face.
For a brief moment, I thought that this couldn't possibly be the man who kidnapped me. It was hard to believe that a man who looked like this could be capable of such heinous proclivities.
