polishing his nails, the next you were polishing his knob. You’ve won. Hands fucking down. You’ve got it all. No one can take it away from you now.’ A bitter smile shaped his mouth. He took a step closer. ‘You don’t even have to pretend anymore. So come on, at least give yourself a little victory fuck. You know you’re gasping for it.’
‘If you lay one finger on me—’
‘So you cheat me out of my inheritance and you won’t even put out. Even the lowliest hooker will let you fuck her after she’s taken your money.’
‘It was not your money,’ I said through gritted teeth.
‘No?’
‘No. It was your father’s money and he could have left it to a cat’s home if he so desired.’
‘But he didn’t,’ he whispered. ‘He left it all to you.’
‘Lucky me.’
‘So how about the victory fuck then?’
‘No, thank you. Now how about you get out of this library and go enjoy the party. Your father would have wanted it.’
His reply was to let his glass drop. It shattered at our feet, the wine splashing up to my calves. He used that moment when I was distracted and surprised to grab me and swoop down on my startled mouth. His lips crushed, his teeth hurt, and the fumes from the red wine choked me. He ground his erect cock into my horrified body. I raised my hands and tried to push him, but he was surprisingly strong.
‘What the fuck do you think you’re doing?’ A voice like whiplash rang around the room.
Dorian released me unhurriedly and turned to look at his stepbrother insolently.
‘Do you mind? I’m saying hello to my dear stepmother.’
My shocked gaze flew towards Ivan and found his blazing eyes fixed on me. The gray was like molten silver. Oh my god. What a terrible mess! My hand went up to my throbbing mouth. My knees felt like jelly, but most of all I felt soiled by the accusing look in Ivan’s eyes. He thought I was a willing participant.
Feeling sick to my stomach, I stepped away from Dorian, but like a fool I stumbled slightly and from the corner of my eyes I could see Ivan make an involuntary movement as if to help me, but I placed my palms on the desk and stopped myself from falling.
‘I should get back to the party,’ I said shakily to no one and, without looking directly at either man, I walked past both. When I was outside the room I leaned against the wall and heard Ivan say in a hard voice, ‘As a matter of fact I do mind.’
‘Oh, don’t be greedy, brother. I’m perfectly willing to share. You can have your turn next.’
‘You’re drunk.’ Ivan’s voice was hard and cold.
‘And you’re a hypocrite. Don’t tell me you’re not lusting after her because I’ve seen the way you watch her.’
‘Go home, Dorian.’ Ivan’s voice sounded exasperated.
‘Always the spoilsport,’ Dorian said with a laugh.
CHAPTER 7
Tawny Maxwell
G od! How I wished I had slapped him hard enough to make his arrogant, drunken head reel. It was a tangled web I was caught in, but I remembered my grandma’s words, In life you have to walk like you’re on a runway .
Dorian’s ugly words were still ringing in my ears, but with my head held high, I forced myself to put one foot in front of the other and started walking back towards the sound of laughter and music. Oh, Robert. Why on earth did you think I could do this?
I ordered a glass of brandy from a waiter and drank it really quickly. The fiery liquid spread a warm glow into my numb limbs. I felt myself relaxing. I had not eaten anything for hours and the alcohol was making me feel almost floaty. The tension seeped away. I looked around at the room full of strangers. Soon this would be over. All these people would be gone and I would be alone. I could make my plans then.
At the other end of the room I saw that Ivan had returned to the gathering. He was coming towards me when the woman he had come with waylaid him. Thank god. A waiter approached me with a tray of food and I picked something up and popped it