Daniel's POV
Damn it!
I've messed things up again.
I always do. Always, when it has to do with her. She probably hates me now.
I ran my fingers through my hair, brushing the strands back.
I opened the wine cabinet in the corner of my office and poured myself a drink, emptied the first glass, then another. I was halfway through the third when I moved to my desk.
The only way out is work. I need distractions , something that will make me forget her.
I jabbed my intercom and dialed Brenda. "My office. Now."
Then dropped the call without waiting for her response. She knows not to keep me waiting.
How could Annabel turn me down that easily? This is what most women would kill for. I have never begged to be taken, not before, and definitely not now.
Funnily enough, ever since that night I had dinner with her, I haven't been with any other woman. I tried several times to get someone else, but my body didn't respond to their touch.
My body only gets excited around one person.
Annabel.
Brenda entered almost immediately.
I didn't return her greeting. I just went straight to the point. "Any update on the meeting for our app funding?"
She lowered her head slightly. "Not yet, sir."
Of course I knew. I've been working on this for a while now. My plan was to take Annabel unaware. I have massaged our investors, and they're ready to meet at my convenience.
"Send messages across to our investors. We'll be meeting this weekend. Make arrangements for my trip."
I leaned back in my chair, narrowing my eyes slightly. "Email Annabel to get prepared too."
She gave me a slight nod, though I could sense how confused she was.
She probably wanted to ask why the sudden change. We had planned to hold back until Annabel had worked longer.
Maybe giving her this will show her how far I'm willing to go just for a taste of her.
"Send in the files I'm supposed to attend to," I finally told Brenda.
She wanted to talk me out of it, I know her too well. She knows I was doing all this to block out whatever was troubling me.
Attending to files at this hour only means I'll be going home late. The last time I worked this late was at the beginning of my career, before this company became this big and well-known. Back then, I would hang around after work, messaging investors, drafting promotional plans, and browsing the net. Most nights, I would sleep here and continue in the morning.
She simply bowed and left, then returned with a stack of files.
Just like every other busy day, she stood beside me, directing me where to sign.
We were already lost at work when a knock came at the door.
Then it opened, and Annabel walked in.
She never ceases to amaze me. She just left in anger, and now she's back again.
I wonder what this is about.
Brenda stopped talking. I assessed Annabel, but nothing gave her away. I'd only know her reason for coming back if I sent Brenda out.
"Brenda… please leave us," I ordered, not breaking eye contact with Annabel.
She left immediately, and now it was just the two of us.
Annabel didn't speak at first. The room was silent, just the faint hum of the air and the beat of our hearts.
She stepped forward. "I'll do it. I'll be your submissive."
Suspicion narrowed my eyes. "Why the change of mind?"
Her shoulders dropped. "I'll do whatever you ask… but on one condition."
I searched her eyes. "What?"
"You'll pay me… and the payment should be worth it."
A smile tugged at my lips. "You have nothing to worry about."
Of course I knew, if she was agreeing to this, it had to be for the money.
I dragged the file from my desk, the same one I hadn't put away since she left, and handed it to her.
She opened it. No words, just reading through the rules.
I sank back into my chair. "You'll understand the rules with time, but for now, there are three that are most important."
Her eyes lifted to mine.
"Firstly, the submissive must be available anytime the dominant needs her. Secondly, the submissive must not have any sexual intercourse with anyone else. And lastly, there will be no strings attached. You must not develop feelings for me."
Her lips curled in disgust. "Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Stroke. I'm never falling for you."
The words sliced through me like a blade. "Fine. Now sign the damn paper."
She grabbed the paper, ran her pen along the dotted line, and signed it.
Then she handed it back.
I picked it up and signed as well before meeting her gaze again. "I'll send a package to you through my personal shopper. Wear whatever you find inside tonight. Leo will come to pick you up."
She didn't say a word.
***********
The moment I'd been waiting for.
Leo dropped Annabel off in the garage. As she stepped out, her skin seemed to glitter even in the night. The car's headlights caught her eyes.
God, she was a vision. Something I'd never imagined having.
She wore a black off-shoulder flare dress, its fabric flowing with each step. A daring slit traced her leg, revealing just enough with every movement. The waist was cinched with a matching rope tie, pulling the fabric close like a whisper. Her hair cascaded over her shoulder, dancing in the wind, enough to steal the breath of anyone watching.
I'd been standing at my window all night, watching for them ever since I told Leo to pick her up.
Lady Jane had executed my instructions perfectly.
My room breathed warmth and secrecy. Low golden light spilled from a vintage lamp in the corner, casting soft shadows that danced along the walls. Velvet curtains hugged the windows, muting the outside world. A faint scent of sandalwood and something sweeter lingered in the air, like the memory of a touch.
Everything about the room felt hushed and heavy with meaning. Just the way I wanted it.
Never in my life did I think I'd go this far just to have a woman in my bed.
A soft knock came at the door.
It had to be Annabel.
I opened it, and there she stood, still and breathtaking, like an angel who had wandered into my world by mistake.
I was no longer thinking straight. "Come in," I managed.
She moved forward as I walked beside her. She stopped at the center of the room before turning to me.
"Come sit… Jane will get us something to eat," I said, leading her to the sofa.
We sat in silence, just staring at each other, until Lady Jane knocked again.
She served us creamy pasta and chicken, with juice to wash it down.
We ate quietly, and the table was cleared afterward.
I brought out a bottle of soft wine, pouring two glasses as we drank slowly.
She rolled her hair into a ponytail before speaking. "Mr. Stroke, what next?"
I moved closer, pressing my chest against hers. My eyes never left hers.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I brushed it away from her face. "You know what you're here for."
My forehead pressed against hers. "I want you. Every inch of you. I want to see all of you. I want myself buried inside you. I want to hear you moan my name."
She swallowed hard, forcing down the lump in her throat.
"Annabel, I want to make love to you."
I nuzzled her neck, my lips brushing her skin. That familiar scent hit me. Strawberry and vanilla, blending into a sweetness that clung to my senses.
She parted her lips as if she wanted this too.
I kissed every bit of her as she tilted her head, giving me more.
I moved from her neck to claim her lips.
Our tongues tangled, the kiss growing deeper, better, until I could taste nothing but her.
With a single finger, I untied the tiny rope holding her dress.
It hit me harder, she was wearing the matching lingerie I'd sent her. And it fit perfectly.
My cock throbbed with greed.
Her breasts were perfect, her nipples already begging for my touch.
I shifted back, watching her struggle for breath.
That alone drove me insane.
I moved forward again, tracing my hand over her nipple through the lace bra she wore.
Damn.
I didn't want this to end.
With my other hand, I unclasped her bra, my fingers moving with quiet certainty.
Cupping both breasts, I squeezed them like they were the only things that mattered.
She gasped.
Her fingers dipped under my shirt, and I unbuttoned it quickly, pulling it away to reveal my chest for her to see.
Her eyes lingered before she looked down at my body. Satisfaction flickered across her face.
I slid my hand under her, my fingers running over the center of her clit.
Then, with a gentle pull, I slid her panties down as she lifted her hips for easier access.
I dipped a finger inside her. "You're soaking wet, so why are you still tight?" I growled.
She tried to speak, but her body betrayed her. She surrendered, throwing her head back, her elbows pressing into the sofa.
I spread her thighs wider, lowering my face to her center.
My tongue circled her heat before I tasted everything she gave.
I kept devouring her, my tongue deep inside, as her moans filled the room. Her fingers clung to my skin like her life depended on it.
I lifted my head to check if she was okay, but she pushed my head back with her hand. "Don't stop… please."
I couldn't control the monster in my pants.
I lifted her from the sofa and carried her to my bed.
Our eyes stayed locked as I stripped off my pants, standing naked before her.
My cock was rock-hard, refusing to go down.
I bent over her. "Are you ready for this?"
Her eyes didn't leave mine. "Yes…"
That was all I needed. I stroked myself three times and pressed the tip against her entrance.
A flicker of pain crossed her face, followed by a stream of tears sliding down her cheeks.
Confusion clouded me. What was this? She should be used to it.
I slid into her again, slower this time.
For a moment, her face betrayed the hurt she tried to hide.
Everything blurred. "Your… first time?" I asked, hoping for a no.
But my fear was confirmed.
"Yes," she whispered.
Damn. She's a virgin.