The Lonely Dominant

Excerpt

Chapter One

The phones in my office refused to stop ringing all morning. I'd been putting the final touches on the merger with a foreign company, the one I'd been working on for three long months. The merger had to go through, or else my father would be furious.

He'd left the company in my capable hands several years ago, but the Board demanded Jason Carter keep his seat, and my father also kept his hands in my business dealings. The hard part about that was that we were both so controlling, and fought for total dominance. We often clashed on many issues. The company was thriving, but only because I did nothing but eat, sleep and breathe mergers and acquisitions.

Lately, the only pleasure I got out of life was going to the local coffee shop to make small talk with the beautiful, young college senior who served my latte every day. I found Clara Whitaker quite intriguing, for such a young girl. She was wise beyond her years, and recently started engaging me in some delightful conversation. She always had my drink ready by the time I got to the counter. I didn't even have to order anymore, and I loved that crooked, little smile she would give me when I thanked her. She was extremely shy, and I detected a hint of sadness in those deep, green eyes, but over the past few weeks I'd been making progress with her.

When we first met, all she would say was she was from a small town in the South, and she was studying at Princeton on a partial scholarship. She was proud of the fact she'd be graduating with a degree in Communications at the end of the spring semester. At first, I liked that she was all business. I was in the middle of that merger and I really couldn't concentrate on much else, but the more I saw her, the more I wanted to know about her. What were her likes and dislikes? Did she come from a large family? I was an only child, and I often wondered what it would be like to have siblings. The most important question I had lately was, could she be interested in an older man—ten years older? I didn't know what I was thinking. Clara was too young and inexperienced for my taste, but there was something about her that made me think we were compatible; maybe because of her soft-spoken demeanor, or the way she treated me with respect and admiration.

I hadn't been in a serious relationship in over three years, and to say the last one had ended badly was an understatement. Most women my age thought I was too aggressive and needed my way not only in the boardroom, but in the bedroom as well. I had to agree I was a natural dominant, and had dabbled in that behavior over the years. I wasn't hardcore; I mean, it wasn't as if I had a playroom in my house, but I did enjoy acting out the occasional scene from time to time, and I liked interacting with submissive women. I had found a few who wanted to explore those tendencies with me, but those relationships never lasted long, and I was always left unfulfilled. I was beginning to think there was something seriously wrong with me.

I was successful, good-looking, or so I'd been told, and the richest, most eligible bachelor in town. Those qualities didn't seem to matter, since I was still alone. My vanilla relationships didn't work because I couldn't be satisfied with a woman who didn't want to be dominated, and when I did find a willing submissive, the scene was never enough, because I still needed more than a sex partner. Maybe love just wasn't in the cards for me.

I checked the clock: after one, and I'd missed my daily morning stroll to the coffee shop, but the urge to see her wouldn't subside. I decided to go to her, and see if I could make her lips curve into that deliciously inviting smile. The more I saw her, the more I wanted to touch her. That hadn't happened yet, but I was working on it. Again, I wasn't sure what I was doing. I was a confident, powerful businessman who was certainly wealthy and attractive enough to have any woman I wanted. I didn't understand why this young girl captivated me so. Maybe it was the way she looked at me with those warm eyes. She saw right through me, and when she gazed into my eyes, I wanted to take over her life and give her everything she wanted, but that was the problem—she would never ask me for anything.

I'd gone to high school with Jack, the owner of the coffee shop, and occasionally, I'd ask him for information on Clara. I felt like a borderline stalker, but I needed to know. He knew she didn't have a boyfriend, and she was very serious about her classes. She was a hard worker and tried to pick up as many shifts as possible. Her grandmother, to whom she was extremely close, had recently passed, and Jack was certain most of her financial support had gone away once her grandmother had died. Clara had requested as many hours as Jack could spare, but now the holidays were approaching, and the university was shutting down for winter break; he was going to have to cut her hours. He felt really bad about that because he was quite fond of her. He and his wife even had her over for Thanksgiving dinner last week, and he wondered where she would spend Christmas. I wondered that myself.

As soon as I walked into the shop, she looked up at me and shot me that seductive smile, but she probably wasn't even trying to be so inviting. She looked happy to see me. Could she be waiting for me?

She quickly took in my appearance. I was dressed in my well-tailored designer suit and gray over coat. I knew my brown, wavy hair was damp, because of the scattered snowflakes that had accumulated on my walk over, but was otherwise perfectly groomed.

"You're late today." She smiled, handing me my latte as I approached the counter.

Hmm, she noticed I wasn't here this morning.

"Thank you." I took the drink, nonchalantly brushing her hand with my fingertips. I handed her a twenty, as I always did and said, "Keep the change, beautiful." Ann overly-obnoxious tip, true, but how much could she be pulling in here? I didn't know why, but it bothered me that she had to work here while going to school.

"Thanks," she said, so quietly I almost missed it. She lowered her eyes, and I suddenly got aroused at the thought of her on her knees, eyes gazing down to the floor, doing exactly what I told her to do as I threaded my fingers through her hair. I had to stop this line of thinking; she would never want to do those things with me.

"Any plans for the weekend?" I was actually surprised by my own question. Would she think I'm asking because I want to spend time with her?

"No," she said, but I felt there was something on her mind. "You?"

I casually leaned against the counter. "I just closed a really big deal."

"Congratulations," she said, and she seemed genuinely happy for me.

Would she want to celebrate with me?

"That's why I was late today." I absentmindedly reached across the counter to brush a stray hair that had fallen in her face. Okay, I've gone from never touching her at all to twice in five minutes. "This weekend will be the first in months when I've some free time." And, I'd like nothing more than to explore that time with you.

"I guess you're happy about that."

I should've been, but really, I had nothing to look forward to. Just as I was about to ask if she wanted to get together, a customer approached the counter.

"I have to take this order," she said, regretfully. "But, I'm glad I got to see you today."

"Me, too." I smiled. These stolen seconds in a crowded coffee shop weren't doing it for me anymore. I continued to stare at her as she waited on the next few customers. I couldn't help but admire her amazing, little body. It fascinated me, the way her shirt hugged her pert breasts and how her jeans fit perfectly over her ass. The perfect body of a twenty-one-year old woman!

My insides jumped when I thought of the things I really wanted to do with her over the weekend; the positions I could get that limber body into. I had to fight the urge to palm myself through my pants. I'm in public!

"Alec Carter," a voice said, and broke me out of my steamy thoughts. I cleared my throat, and looked up to find Jack smiling at me with an all-knowing look. Fuck!

"You like my little cashier. Don't you?"

"Shut up, Jack," I said sarcastically, as we walked to a table and sat down.

"She is quite stunning," he said. "And very single."

"Your point?" I said it as if I didn't care.

"I think it might be a good idea if the two of you went out on a date." I had to wonder where the sudden urge to play matchmaker was coming from.

"Since when are you so interested in my social life?" I sipped my drink.

"Look, she's hot, so I'll live vicariously through you." He laughed, but I knew that wasn't true. He loved his wife, Lisa, too much to have a wandering eye.

"Funny," I said. "Why are you pushing me in Clara's direction?"

"She's a good kid, and I look out for her. I overheard her on the phone with her mother earlier today. She was asking for money, but I don't think she was very successful. And from this end, I could tell going home wasn't an option, either."

"What do you mean?" I just assumed she would go back home once the semester ended.

"She doesn't have anywhere to live. She's been crashing with friends." He frowned. "Once the holidays approach and all the kids go home, she won't have a place to go."

He waved his hand in the air as he continued to inform me about Clara's current situation. "I could offer her my spare bedroom, but I don't think Lisa will go for that." I knew him long enough to know he was really concerned for Clara. "I could set up a cot in the storage room, but there isn't a shower here."

A cot in the storage room?

The thought of this beautiful creature having no place to go repulsed me. I quickly made a decision, and once my mind was made up, I would stop at nothing to get what I wanted. "Tell her to go on break. I want to talk to her."

"About what?" Jack smiled at me because he knew I would take charge of the situation and fix things for Clara. That was exactly why he'd brought it to my attention.

I watched confusion wash over her face when Jack told her to take a few minutes to go for a walk with me. She didn't refuse as she made her way over and stared at me.

"Is there a problem?"

I helped her into her jacket, but noticed it was hardly a winter coat. How is she surviving these brutal temperatures in this? I made a mental note to get the girl a proper coat for winters in New Jersey. "Walk with me." I held the door, nodding for her to step outside.

We walked about a half a block when I said, "Clara."

I put my hand on the small of her back and guided her around the corner. I felt her body jump slightly at my touch. "I'm a businessman, first and foremost, and usually when I see something I want, I go after it."

She still looked confused. I noticed she wore every emotion right on her face; a rather refreshing change for me to see someone so innocent.

"Is this about the deal you just closed?"

"No." I smiled. "I think I'm in a position to help you."

"Really? How?" I could see the skepticism in her eyes.

"Jack overheard you on the phone with your mother today," I said, as the mark of embarrassment stained her cheeks. That's so sexy, the way she blushes. I wondered if it spread down her entire body.

"I don't know what to say," she blurted out. "It's not something I want others to know about."

"Please don't feel uncomfortable." I took her hand in mine. "I want to help you."

"Why?" She glanced down at our joined hands. "You don't even know me."

"I can help you."

The appropriate thing for me to do was rent her an apartment, and offer her a job in my office, but that wasn't what I wanted. And, since I was ruthless, I was going to make sure I got exactly what I wanted out of this deal.

"I have a rather large house about twenty minutes from here. There are more rooms than I can count, a swimming pool, hot tub, and every amenity you can imagine, and some you can't. The house is entirely too big for me."

"I don't understand. What exactly are you offering?"

"I want you to come and spend the holidays with me, and if you like my home, you can stay until you get your degree." Will she think I'm some lunatic serial killer for offering her this?

"Why would you do that for me?"

Because you are the most beautiful, intriguing woman to me, and I can't stand the thought of you being homeless and alone.

"Because I can." It was that simple. "You need help and I want to provide it." I also wanted her in my house, and even more importantly, in my bed. I felt my cock jump around in my pants, letting me know he agreed. Okay, I'm getting way ahead of myself.

"I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but I can't accept," she firmly said, as she let go of my hand. "I appreciate your offer, but I can't."

I shook my head; I wasn't the kind of man who took no for an answer.

"Clara, do you want to leave college?" I knew how much this degree meant to her from our previous conversations, so I had to use that information to my advantage.

"No," she mumbled. "I'm too close."

I saw her eyes fill and the tears threatening to spill out. She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes, but it was too late; I was breaking down her defenses.

"Then I don't think you have a choice."

"Oh yes, I do," she said in a tone I'd never heard her use before. "I'm not some sort of prostitute you can just buy."

I laughed because I didn't know what else to do. She was a kitten trying to be a lion. Amusing, and cute.

"It's not funny. Just because I'm struggling right now doesn't mean I'd sell myself." She shook her head. "I can't believe you'd think I'd move in with you and let you pay my way in return for—"

"Whoa!" I put my hands up in the air. "That's not what I'm doing. My old friend Jack said you needed help. He's concerned for you and noticed we've been talking and he thought I could help you. I agreed. I am not a pimp. I'm a prominent businessman who gives back to society when I can."

"Oh," she said as her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. "I didn't mean to accuse you of anything inappropriate, but you have no reason to help me and I don't know what else to think. You said you go after what you want."

"I think it's good that you're cautious because there are plenty of inappropriate men out there." Hell, I'm one of them, but only in a consenting relationship.

"If it makes you feel better," I said, "you can come and work for me as an intern this summer."

I would never hold her to that, but the job would be there if she wanted it. I wouldn't take advantage of her, but I knew she was attracted to me; the pull between us, and her moving in, could be mutually beneficial.

"I could work for you after I graduate? This wouldn't be charity or some sort of inappropriate proposition?"

Ah, I'm getting what I want. I see it in her eyes.

"Of course not. I can see how smart you are and would hate for you to come this far, and not realize your dream." I need to close this deal.

Even if nothing ever came of the two of us, I couldn't allow her to live on the street, not when I had the means to help her.

She ran her fingers through her long, cinnamon locks, and suddenly the scent of her shampoo overwhelmed me. Now my cock was screaming to be unleashed. What am I going to do when she's sleeping down the hall from me?

"I know how wrong this might appear to an outsider." She hesitated. "But, obviously you know I don't have any other choice, and Jack must trust you to have told you my circumstances."

She took another deep breath and with some forced conviction, she said, "I'll accept your offer."

Well, that was easier than I thought it would be.

She must be desperate, and now I found not only did I want her body, but I was interested in her life, too. I gently stroked her cheek, "Smart girl."

That beautiful rose color crossed her cheeks again and then she looked away.

"What is it?"

"You've touched me several times today," she said rather timidly, and I realized I was being entirely too forward. I needed to take things slowly with a girl like her.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to be inappropriate."

"No." She looked deeply into my eyes, taking my hand in hers. "I like it."

Fuck me! This might all work out.