Marcus threw his head back and laughed as Ty tried not to smile.
“About another two hours,” Ty replied. “Why don’t we have some breakfast?” he suggested pulling a picnic hamper out of a side compartment. Handing Kelsey four plates he unpacked croissants and an assortment of pastries as well as a thermos of coffee. Several containers held jams, butter, and fresh fruit as well as flavored creamers.
Marcus handed Kelsey a glass of orange juice and poured coffee for him and his brother. Susan held out her glass requesting all champagne this time, but he ignored her and made her another Mimosa.
“What gives?” she asked, peering into her flute with a pout.
“Orange juice is good for you,” Marcus replied. “I told you I believe in eating a healthy diet.”
“Champagne is healthy,” Sue challenged. “It’s made from grapes.”
“Regardless, alcohol is not particularly healthy. Don’t think for a moment, Miss Shaughnessy, that I haven’t noticed your penchant for it. That’s something we will be working on.”
“Funny, I don’t remember that being in the contract,” she drawled, tipping her head to one side.
“I believe alcohol consumption would fall into the ‘health and well-being clause’,” Marcus responded firmly. “I intend to take very good care of you, Red.”
“For some reason that worries me,” Susan admitted with a hiccup.
“It should,” Marcus replied, grinning.
“Will we be stopping at the lodge?” Kelsey asked, nibbling on a pastry.
“Not today,” Ty replied. “I thought it best if we go directly home so you can get settled in. I have to check in with my service and take care of a few matters. After that I’ll show you aroundthe area. I believe Marcus and Susan have some plans of their own,” he grinned, patting Kelsey’s shoulder.
Marcus smiled and Susan squirmed on her seat, trying not to overthink the possibilities. She wanted this man and truth be told, given the opportunity, she would be in exactly this same position even without the contract. He kept her on a slow simmer all weekend. The tiny orgasm he’d given her in the diner with just his kiss and his hot whispered words in her ear was shocking. Sue was no virgin, nervously waiting to be seduced, yet this man made her feel like a sex-starved wanton. Granted, it had been a while. A dry spell was how she chose to think of it, but no one had ever been able to reduce her to a quivering mass of need with just his words and a light touch, she thought, trying to control the tremors in her tummy.
Marcus was a powerful man, physically and professionally. He was used to calling the shots and Susan had a rebellious streak a mile wide. She had always been impulsive and usually made up her own rules as she went along. Basically, she was a sensualist. If something looked good, smelled good or felt good, she was all in, savoring every sensation until the last possible moment. Sue wasn’t very good with the word ‘no’ and she knew it. With her beauty, charm and quick wit she’d been able to wheedle her way around most of the male gender in one way or another. If that didn’t work, her temper was often enough to intimidate a large portion of the male population. Looking at the man beside her, she had some serious doubts regarding how effective her skills would be. Marcus was dominant and she was about as far from submissive as a girl could get. Had she been thinking clearly, had he not kissed her and stated his desire for her so unashamedly, she might have been able to make a much more suitable match, someone generous and easily controlled.
Sue didn’t have a lot of experience with men like Marcus. As a rule she steered clear of bossy men who towered overher. She much preferred the smaller, less opinionated version, although she seldom kept them around for long. Happiness was elusive and temporary. No relationship she ever had lasted longer than a few months, apart from her parents and a couple of friends from school that even now she’d lost contact with. Sue figured she just wasn’t a keeper. She always tried to be the ‘dumper’ rather than the one who was dumped. If she sensed the inevitable coming she acted quickly and decisively, walking away with her head held high. Now she was committed to a full year with this man and while her body pulsed in anticipation, her heart trembled in fear. At the end of a year, he could toss her away like last week’s garbage. If she wasn’t careful, even the money wouldn’t compensate for that.
Chapter Two
The limo pulled up to a much grander estate than Kelsey imagined. The house was hidden from the road with a long drive through thick wooded foliage. Breaking into the sunlight both girls gasped at the magnificent lake front property. The house itself was pristine white with blue shutters. Two stories high, there were windows where they could look straight through the house to the lake beyond. A large barn and several smaller outbuildings were situated at the outskirts of the manicured lawns.
“I thought you said you lived in town?” Kelsey asked, awestruck.
“This is in town, or nearly,” Ty replied smiling as he opened the door. “It’s all relative. My practice is a few miles up the road. It’s close enough to be convenient, but I like my privacy. Later I’ll take you around so you have a general idea of where we are in relation to town and Marcus’ place. Would you like a few minutes to say goodbye to Susan, Sweet Pea?” he asked gently.
“Yes, please,” Kelsey whispered.
“I’ll give you a hand taking in Kelsey’s bags,” Marcus offered, getting out of the vehicle.
“Are you going to be all right?” Susan asked shifting over to Kelsey’s seat and taking her hand.
“I think so,” Kelsey answered squeezing tightly. “I mean Ty’s great isn’t he?” she asked hopefully, raising her blue eyes to Susan’s.
“He’s perfect,” Susan assured her with a laugh. “He’s sweet and kind and sexy as hell. The house is beautiful and I know he’s going to take good care of you. Did you bring your movie?”
“It’s packed, but I’ve watched it so many times I think I have it down. I may never be able to watch a ‘Meg Ryan’ movie again after this. Are you sure normal women make that much noise when they…you know?”
“I don’t know about all women,” Sue answered thoughtfully, “but based on my personal knowledge I think it’s pretty close. Ty will think he’s a master stud if you can pull it off and hopefully, in time, you won’t have to worry about faking it.”
“I’m not holding my breath for that,” Kelsey replied. “I just want to please him and as long as it’s not too painful I should be good.”
“Kelsey, before they come back I want to ask you something. Do you think you’ll be doing the grocery shopping?”
“I don’t know, maybe,” Kelsey replied. “We haven’t really talked about it, why?”
