A Stranger's Affection Page 14

  Nishani sipped her drink, enjoying the burn of the warm liquid down her throat. “Who says I’m alone?”

  He laughed and raised his drink at her. “Pardon my assumption.” He eyed her over the rim of his glass. “Well, whoever you’re with should keep you on a tight leash. No telling who’d want to steal the only gorgeous woman in this casino.”

  Ignoring the praise, she raised a brow and turned fully to face Finn. “Trust me. No man would be able to keep me on a leash.”

  “Now there’s a challenge that sounds intriguing by the second. Keen to take a bet on that?”

  “I’m not the gambling type,” she replied with a careless shrug, then turned away to signal the barman.

  “Now, I see why you would keep a man like Colton interested.”

  At his statement, her head snapped toward Finn. The hairs at the back of her neck rose. Nishani sensed Colton’s presence before she noticed him.

  “What the hell are you doing here, Finn?” Colton’s quiet question belied his hostile tone.

  He stepped closer and slipped a hand around her waist. Even though she despised the possession, Nishani accepted this was not the time to argue.

  “Having a drink.” Finn’s smile hinted at an arrogance of someone who knew Colton well.

  “I warned you to stay the fuck away from her.”

  Colton’s threat shocked her. Considering the cold fury that hardened his features, he wasn’t impressed with Finn’s appearance. The man was there for her and probably had something to do with DeLuca. Next to Colton, Brody glanced around the floor, his gaze alert as though he sensed a danger she couldn’t see.

  “And I told you, the old man—”

  “Get the fuck out now!” Colton sneered then nodded to Brody.

  Finn held up his hands defensively. “I’m going.” He flicked a gaze at Nishani. “’Till we meet again, darlin’.” He walked away, followed closely by Brody.

  “I warned you to be careful.” Colton turned to look at her. For a moment, Nishani thought she detected a hint of softness in that mesmerizing gaze even though his features were hard, unyielding lines. “What did he want?”

  “What all men want,” she answered, her tone flippant. Angrier with herself than him for not recognizing the asshole in Finn. “I’ve been careful, Colton. Maybe, I tend to attract the wrong type of men.”

  “Am I the wrong type of man?” the soft question caught her by surprise more so the smile that followed—tender and comforting.

  And for once, she had no answer. How could she tell this gorgeous creature that he was the perfect man when she didn’t understand the attraction?

  “Dinner?” he asked, and she nodded as Rex approached.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “DO YOU ENJOY WORKING for Colton, Maria?” Nishani sat at the kitchen table, sipping her coffee.

  “Very much. I’ve been here for eight years.” The housekeeper looked up from her task of cleaning carrots.

  “Don’t you find him difficult at times?”

  Maria laughed. “I’ve seen worse. Señor Colton is a good man.”

  “Where are you from?” Nishani glanced outside at the gathering storm clouds. She loved the rain. The one natural thing no one could steal from her.

  “Colombia.”

  “No way.” Her head spun away from the window, wondering why she hadn’t questioned the housekeeper before. “You’re kidding. I’m from Puerto, a small village outside Bogota.”

  “No.” Maria stopped cleaning. “I’m also from Puerto.”

  “Wow, what a small world. How did you end up in Deepwater Ridge working for the Blacks?”

  Maria shook her head, her eyes filled with sadness. “My son got involved with the wrong people. They wanted to kill him. My husband, God bless his soul, tried to save him and those men, they killed him. His boss, Mateo Diego, helped me and my son come to America—”

  “You know Mateo.” Excited, Nishani scooted off her seat to stand across the counter from Maria. Perhaps there was a way of getting to know how she’d ended up in Deepwater Ridge.

  “No, señorita. My husband—”

  “Who helped you get here then?”

  “The man who worked for Mateo. His name is Santos. Mateo gave us money and told Santos to bring us here. Santos and his friend helped me get the job here.” Maria resumed her cleaning.

  “This Santos, is he still around?”

  “Why, señorita?”

  “He might be able to help me get in touch with some people that worked for Mateo. Help me find out what happened to me and get back home.”

  “After Mateo went to jail, most of his men left. Santos and some men, they stayed in Mateo’s house to guard his things.” Maria dropped the carrots into a bowl and rinsed them. “His friend works here for Señor Colton. I can ask him where Santos is?”

  “Thank you, Maria, I’d be grateful. Mateo was so good at hiding from the law. I wonder how he got arrested.”

  Maria picked up an eggplant and began slicing the veg. “They say after his wife went to jail, he became hard and wasn’t careful. Other people say someone betrayed him.”

  “Clara was arrested?” Surprised, Nishani raked a hand through her hair as Maria nodded.

  Clara was the reason Nishani was alive today. Shocked with the turn of events, Nishani sat down again and wondered about those two missing years of her life. What had transpired during that time that her mind refused to remember? Why those two years specifically.

  The sudden crack of thunder pulled Nishani from her wandering mind. The start of a drizzle beckoned. She loved dancing in the rain—it had a calming effect on her whenever she didn’t feel right. Toeing off first one sneaker and then the other, she downed her coffee quickly. “I’m going outside for a walk, Maria.”

  “It’s raining, señorita.”

  “And the best time to dance,” Nishani called over her shoulder and slipped out the kitchen door.

  She made her way over the beautifully manicured lawns, unsure where she headed. It took her at least fifteen minutes on a leisurely jog to reach the edge of the property. She hadn’t come this far before and was delighted to smell the ocean. Her gaze landed on the small cottage that resembled a dollhouse. Nishani walked up to it and peeked inside one of the windows. The blue and white décor with its white wicker furniture lent the flat a holiday appeal. As she walked away, she wondered who used it.

  Stepping through the small gate, she waved to the guard sitting inside the security post and strolled down toward the beach until her feet sank into the soft sand. The salty sea breeze ruffled hair playfully. She inhaled deeply and glanced around as dusk settled over the deserted beach and the blue-green water now blanketed in the shadows of an impending storm. My very own private beach. She grinned. Another minute passed before the rain picked up a little.

  Nishani tilted her head back and opened her mouth. Colton wouldn’t be pleased if he saw her now. He’d probably strangle her for leaving the grounds without his permission. She didn’t understand his protective outlook. The man was a law unto himself. With plenty of bodyguards, no one would be crazy enough to attempt a break-in.

  Since the incident with Finn at the casino, Colton had become friendlier. Over the last three weeks or so, he’d joined her for dinner every night and even spent a few nights watching a movie or playing board games with her and Rex. Yet, except for a light kiss every evening, he hadn’t sought her out for sex, and she never pushed. Although Colton wasn’t big on conversation, his presence made her comfortable. Somewhere between the first time, he took her in the dining room, and now, she’d forgotten about the memory loss and began living life again. There was simply no reason to look back or fear her attackers with the Black brothers around.

  With a soft sigh, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the rain.

  COLTON PARKED THE SUV and sprinted down the pathway leading to the edge of the property. James had called to let him know Nishi was at the beach. His mind in turmoil, he reached the gate, stepped t
hrough, and ran across the sand. When he neared the water, Colton’s step faltered. His anger forgotten; he stared at Nishi. Rooted to the spot, he swallowed hard. Insane hunger bolted through his veins. Indescribable heat fueled the blood flowing to his now hard cock. The pounding of his heart matched the roar of the crashing waves against the surf. Christ, would he ever tire of looking at this woman?

  Soaked from head to toe, she was a vision of enchanting mystery. Head thrown back, arms spread out, she spun around. Her laugh raised goosebumps across his body. The rain, a fine mist, cloaked her rotating body almost lovingly. Her breasts were far too provocative in profile—hardened nipples straining against the wet material of her white shirt, begged for his touch. He groaned. Her short skirt clinging to her hips, thighs, and shapely bottom, made him jealous of its proximity to her body.

  The contour at her groin tormented him. Her wet hair hung in silvery ribbons around her beautiful face creating a mystical allure. He ached to slide his hands under her skirt and explore her nakedness. The desire to nibble those taut nipples, to be inside her, naked flesh against his, flamed with each breath. Walking up, Colton stopped behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. He pulled her tight against him. His cock flush against her rounded bottom throbbed painfully. He never had a woman turn him on to this degree of heat before and from whom he’d fought the hardest to stay away.

  “Dammit, woman, why do you insist on breaking the rules. You’re driving me crazy,” his objection filtered out as a hoarse croak.

  “What are you doing here?” she murmured without surprise and leaned back into him. “Are you checking up on me?”

  “I asked you not to leave the house.”

  “Why?” she rotated her bottom, nudging his cock.

  Colton groaned. “It’s not safe,” he whispered against her hair, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her shampoo.

  “You’re here now, to keep me safe.” She slid her hands down the sides of his thighs.

  He shuddered. “Fuck, sweetheart.” His pulse raced—his body on fire. He scooped Nishi up into his arms and headed for the beach cottage.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I need to fuck you. Now.” He looked at her as he walked. Aware he wouldn’t last if he had to trudge back up to the house.

  “Aren’t you subtle.” Nishani laughed.

  Colton grinned. “Why? I’m taking what I want. Any reason I should be subtle about it?” She shook her head as they reached the cottage. He opened the door, headed straight for the bedroom, and sat her down on the bed.

  “Whose cottage is this?”

  “It’s used for when we come down to the beach.” He tugged his shirt over his head. She moved to unbutton her blouse. “No. Let me.” He dropped to the mattress. Her gaze traveled over his face as he slipped her shirt off her shoulders and unclipped her bra. “What are you looking at?”

  “You. Has anyone told you what a gorgeous man you are?”

  He stopped dragging her skirt down her legs and tilted his head. “I’m not into relationships, Nishi.”

  She blew out an exasperated breath. “You can’t stop yourself from being an asshole, can you? Accept a compliment for what it is.”

  Colton stood and turned away. God, the woman knew how to provoke him. If she were a guy, he would’ve punched him in the face for the insult. Before he gauged what was happening, Nishi stood in front of him, placed her hands on his chest, and shoved hard. Caught off guard, Colton fell back on the bed. Not giving him a chance to recover, she crept up his body. When her hand slid between their bodies to rub the crotch of his jeans, he groaned.

  “Still want me?” She licked her lips while her fingers worked at unbuckling his belt. Not waiting for an answer, she pulled unzipped his jeans and released his cock. It bounced out as if in salvation, hard, hot, and ready.

  “What do you think?”

  Stroking him lightly, she dropped soft kisses to each of his six defined abs. He shuddered. Nishi smiled, obviously pleased with the response. She trailed her tongue over his chest to circle a nipple and sucked hard first on one then the other. Colton groaned.

  When she traced her tongue along his neck and nibbled on his chin, he gripped her hips. With a sexy chuckle, she pulled his hands off her hips, placed them on either side of his head, and straddled him.

  “What are you doing?” he growled. Usually, he led, and women followed.

  Holding his hands captive, Nishi rimmed his lips with the tip of her tongue. Colton lifted his head to capture her mouth. Evading him, she sat up. Her eyes danced with a wicked twinkle that turned him on more.

  “I’m in charge, Mr. Black. You’re at my mercy,” she whispered in his ear.

  “Like hell,” Colton grunted.

  “Wanna bet?” Nishi swept her tongue over the shape of his ear before sucking on the lobe. She laughed—a teasing throaty sound before she released his hands. Using her lips and teeth, she kissed, nipped, and sucked his skin on her way to his cock.

  Colton accepted that for once, he was the captive, and his delicious kidnapper was anything but gentle. Her mission was probably to kill him with pleasure—and he welcomed it. He’d always been a man in control, yet for some inexplicable reason when it came to this blue-eyed beauty, he seemed to be losing himself. Her slightest touch generated sparks of bliss he couldn’t explain.

  When she placed her mouth over the head of his cock—he hissed in a sharp breath, lost in a stormy sea of mindless ecstasy. Her soft tongue stroked the underside of his hard-on before slipping his length inside her mouth. The suction between her palate and tongue held him tight. When she grabbed his ass with both hands, his hips jerked, and his cock bumped the back of her throat. She groaned while her head bobbed up and down, tongue swirling with the perfect pressure of her teeth raking against his shaft. Colton thrust upward, reveling in the heated heaven of her mouth. Her soft moans sparked vibrations from his chest to his balls.

  “Fuck, Nishi.” He uttered a tortured groan and gripped her shoulders. “I want to fuck that sweet pussy before I come.”

  In response, her teeth clamped down on the head of his cock. The sharp jolt of pain boosted his arousal ten-fold. She released him and lifted her head. “Guess you want me to stop, right?” With a cheeky smile, she slid off him, grabbed his shirt, and turned away.

  Stunned, Colton raised himself on his elbows and stared at her back as she left the room. “What the fuck?” Did that seriously just happen? He glanced down at his hard cock. He wasn’t sure if he’d been slapped in the face or whipped in the ass. Whatever the case, he suffered the sting of both. Oh, she’s good. But he was better. Vaulting off the bed, he zipped up and raced after her.

  “Nishi,” he called and rounded the passage in time to see the door close.

  When he opened the door, she was slipping on his shirt. Then, she stuck out her tongue out and ran. Without thinking, he gave chase. He caught up with her just as she struggled up an embankment. The rain making her ascent difficult, she slipped on the wet grass. Colton dropped to his knees, grabbed her by the ankles, and yanked her backward. She fell into his arms. Laughing hard, she shook her head from side to side as he pinned her to the ground with his body.

  “What the hell, woman?” he roared.

  She stopped laughing and smiled. “Fuck me, Colton Black.” Her lust-filled gaze and baby pink lips, sexy against the rain, was all the encouragement he needed.

  And for the second time that day, he didn’t think, just acted. Colton reached down, unzipped his pants, and pulled out his cock. Spreading her legs, he pushed up the shirt, ripped her panties in one tug, and entered her swiftly. Nishi’s pussy clamped down on his cock. He cursed as lightning shards of heat blazed through his body. With the foreplay she’d initiated, he barely lasted a few thrusts. His sacs tightened. He let go, filling her with everything he had.

  “You’re mine,” he yelled and came. Breathing hard, he held Nishi tight. As the rain fell around their joined bodies, Colton couldn’t argue that th
is stunning woman had him by the balls. Who would’ve thought the mighty Black Lord would fuck a woman on his green manicured lawns in the rain? Fuck reckless.

  Chapter Twenty

  LATER THAT EVENING, as the rain pounded the grounds and the wind whistled its way through the estate, Nishani looked down at Colton. Dressed in one of his t-shirts, she sat in front of a fire with his head in her lap. The rain had intensified after their lovemaking on the grounds. Instead of returning to the main house, Colton carried her to the cottage. After a leisurely shower to warm their bodies, he surprised her by preparing noodles for supper, lit the fire, and opened a bottle of wine. It couldn’t get any more romantic than this.

  “Can I ask you a question?” she raked her fingers through his hair, loving the way the flames danced over the soft texture. He nodded. “Why are you so protective. Especially about me leaving the estate.” Colton sat up and stared into the fire. His rigid back told her he was angry. Annoyed with herself for spoiling the mood, she reached out and touched his shoulder. “Colton? I’m sorry. Don’t answer if you don’t want to.” Despite the words, she remained curious if she’d learn the truth behind his unbending façade.

  “Seven years ago, I met a woman, Katrina...” It took Nishani a second to realize he was speaking. “In the three years we dated, I knew she was the one. I was going to marry her someday but never got around to asking.”

  He inhaled deeply. Something stirred inside Nishani. Whether it was a pang of jealousy or remorse, she wasn’t sure.

  “One of our supply of armaments to the military base got ambushed by a group of Russians. We code the gun cases, and if anyone attempts to break the seal, the boxes explode. An added security measure is that only one person in my yard has access to the combination for each batch. Unfortunately, during the attack, I held the codes to the missing boxes. When they couldn’t get the codes, the Russians kidnapped Katrina. She’d visited one of her friends after I specifically warned her not to venture out alone. Stubborn, she never listened to me.”