Chapter 11

He was standing under the water when he heard the door to the shower opening. He knew it was Roxie from her scent. “You shouldn’t be in here,” he said, his back to her.

He felt her lips on his back and her hand going around his neck.

“Do you want me to leave?” she asked, kissing his back, her naked body resting against his.

He turned around to face her. “Since you’re already here, you might as well stay. I think it will be fun showering together.”

“So do I,” she said, kissing his chest, using her tongue to circle around his nipple. She slid her tongue slowly and sensuously down his rock-hard body.

Getting on her knees, she placed her hand around his member, licking the tip as she slowly placed all of him in her mouth.

She could feel his fingers intertwining in her hair and could hear his soft moans as she continued to suck.

He leaned his back against the shower wall, running his fingers through her hair as she continued to satisfy him, giving him one amazing orgasm.

When she was done, he lifted her up. His mouth came crashing down on hers as he pushed her up against the wall.

He lifted her up, ordering her to wrap her legs around him, and entered her in one hard thrust.

He tore his lips away from hers. He wanted to watch her face while he made love to her. He wanted to see the look on her face when she orgasmed.

The harder he thrust into her, the more she screamed, her eyes opening and closing, and the way she was moaning and calling out his name turned him on more than he had ever been before.

After drying off, she put on her robe, and he started dressing.

“I think you should go back to your room now and get ready for dinner. I’ll meet you down there,” he said, giving her one more kiss.

Going over to the bed, still shirtless, he sat on the bed to put his shoes on.

He thought she was going to leave, but instead she dropped her robe and got behind him on the bed, putting her arms around him.

“Roxie, go get dressed.”

“I don’t want to leave. Can’t we just stay here and skip dinner?” She started kissing his neck, not wanting to leave his bed.

“I’m tempted, but if we don’t go down, Claudia will come looking for us, or she’ll send someone to get us,” he said. Getting up, he picked up her robe and handed it to her.

From the look on her face and the way she snatched it from his hand, he could tell she was not happy.

“Fine, I’ll go,” she snapped. She covered herself up with the robe and started walking away, only to be grabbed from behind and pulled into his arms. “You want me to leave, then let go of me.”

“I don’t want you leaving here mad at me,” he said, giving her a passionate kiss before letting her go. He was pleased to see her smiling.

“Now go,” he said, turning her around and giving her a light slap on her ass.

He put his gun inside his holster and grabbed his jacket, putting it on as he walked out of his room and headed downstairs.

He would have waited for Roxie, but he didn’t want Claudia suspecting anything. When he got near the dining room, he could hear Claudia talking to someone.

As soon as he walked into the room and saw the man sitting across from her, he knew exactly who it was. It was Joseph Metcalf.

“I wasn’t aware you were expecting company this evening,” he said, narrowing his eyes when he looked at the man.

“Please, come and say hello to Joseph Metcalf. He’s Roxie’s fiancé, and I asked him to come a few days before the party.”

Raising an eyebrow, he shook the man’s hand. “I find that funny. Roxie never said she was engaged to you, or anyone else for that matter.”

“Well, we haven’t exactly announced our engagement yet, but we will soon,” Joseph answered with a smirk on his face.

“By the way, where is Roxie?” Claudia asked.

“I believe she’s upstairs, and I’m sure she’ll be joining us soon. Have you told Roxie that Mr. Metcalf was arriving early?”

He had a suspicion she hadn’t told her. Otherwise she would have said something to him.

“No, I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“I just bet you did,” he said, getting really irritated with this woman. He wasn’t sure what she was up to, but he knew she had a reason for inviting him early.

The moment he shook Joseph’s hand, he knew he wasn’t going to like him. There was a smug arrogance about him.

Just then Roxie came into the room, but she stopped midway when she saw Joseph sitting with Claudia, who had a grin on her face.

“Darling, look who’s here.”

Joseph immediately got to his feet and walked over to her, pulling her in for a hug. “Baby, I’ve missed you so much,” he said, pulling back to get a good look at her.

“You are even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.”

Stepping back and out of his embrace, she glanced over at Dexter and then back to Joseph. “What are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to be here until next week for the party.”

“Claudia was nice enough to invite me, but to be honest I was going to come anyway, because I was missing you so much. Aren’t you happy to see me?”

“No, I’m not,” she snapped.

“Roxie, you must not be rude to our guest. Now everyone, please sit down. Dinner is about to be served,” Claudia said, giving her an icy stare.

They all sat down, and Joseph made a point of sitting right next to her, while Dexter sat across from them and Claudia at the head of the table.

“I was thinking that after dinner you and I could go for a ride, maybe go into town and stop at a bar for a couple of drinks,” Joseph said as he placed his hand over the top of hers.

Dexter was not about to let that happen. “I’m afraid that is out of the question. As I’m sure you’ve been made aware of, her life is in danger, and it’s much safer for her if she stays here.”

Joseph turned to look at him with anger in his eyes as he glared at him. “I’m aware of the danger she’s in. But I can keep her safe, so just mind your own business and we’ll get along just fine.”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass about getting along with you. Roxie is my top priority, and as long as I’m her bodyguard, my rules will be followed. She’s not going anywhere with you.”

Roxie knew that Joseph could be a dangerous man. She could see the gun under his jacket, and he wouldn’t hesitate in using it.

She had no doubt in Dexter’s ability to handle him, but she did not want a fight to break out between them. Touching Joseph’s arm, she tried to calm him down.

“I really feel that I should stay here. There have already been two attempts on my life, so I would feel much safer here.”

She quickly removed her hand from his arm when she saw how Dexter’s body stiffened, and the look he had on his face told her he didn’t like that she was touching him.

Claudia saw the tension between the two men. She figured she would stir the pot a little. “Well, since you two lovebirds can’t go anywhere, you can always take a walk through our garden.

“It’s lovely this time of night, and you can have some alone time. I’m sure you have plenty to talk about, maybe discuss your upcoming marriage.”

Roxie snapped her head toward Claudia. “There is no upcoming wedding. I’m not getting married to Joseph, or anyone for that matter.”

There was a moment of awkward silence before Joseph spoke.

“Now Claudia, I haven’t officially proposed to her yet. I hate to spoil the surprise, but I was planning to propose to you at your father’s party, in front of everyone.”

Roxie looked over at Dexter. He was staring right back at her, and she discreetly shook her head, letting him know that there was no way in hell she would marry that man.

Joseph turned to Roxie, smiling as he put his hand on her shoulder, caressing it with his fingers.

“If you feel safer being here, then we can go for a walk when we’re done with our meal. But tomorrow I am taking you out to dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant.”

He looked over at Dexter, his hand still touching her shoulder. “I will make sure she is safe, so no need for you to worry.”

He stared back at Joseph, his eyes turning dark with anger. He didn’t like seeing this man touching her. “She goes nowhere without me.”

“Fine. Then you can drive us. But once inside the restaurant, you won’t be sitting with us. You can get your own table. Oh wait. You’ll need a reservation, but it’s too late now to get one.

“Oh well. I guess you’ll have to wait in the car.”

“Don’t worry about me,” he answered. He knew all he had to do was make a call and he’d be able to get a table near them.

The meal was then served, and Claudia did most of the talking, wanting to cause more trouble.

“Joseph, I’ve had the help fix up a room for you, just three doors from Roxie’s,” she said with a wide grin on her face. She glanced over at Dexter and saw him glaring angrily back at her.

She knew there was something going on between him and Roxie, and it gave her pleasure to see how agitated he was getting.

When the meal was over, Joseph got up, taking hold of Roxie’s hand. “Let’s take that walk now, shall we?”

As they were walking out of the room, Dexter got up, intending on following them, but Claudia stopped him.

“There’s no need to follow them. She’s in no danger out there, not with the guards all around. I wonder what you’re afraid of. Are you worried that he might propose and she’ll say yes?

“Mr. Sinclair, you don’t stand a chance with her. She’s way out of your league.”

“She will never marry him,” he hissed.

“Don’t be too sure about that. He is a very wealthy man, good-looking, and can make or break her career.

“Roxie is like everyone else, wants fame and wants her own line of clothing in all the stores. Paris could make her dreams come true, and he can make it happen.”

He went over and, placing his hands next to her on the table, leaned over, his eyes full of fury.

“It may be her dream, but she would never sell herself to a man like that for fame. Unlike you, she is a sweet, hardworking woman with principles.”

He stood up straight, walked out of the room, and went looking for them.

***

Roxie walked alongside Joseph, listening to him going on and on about his mansion and the new stable he had filled with prize racehorses.

She knew that Dexter was somewhere nearby, watching them. But she wasn’t sure if it was because he was worried about her safety or if he was jealous.

When they got further into the garden and he saw a bench, he suggested they sit for a while.

“Roxie, the first time I saw you, I knew I had to make you mine.”

“Joseph, you hardly know me.”

“Let me finish. I would make the perfect husband for you. I would treat you like a princess, and whatever you wanted I’d get for you.

“I made a deal with your father, your hand in marriage for getting him into Paris. He needs my help, and if you love your father, you’ll marry me.”

“I don’t want to marry you, and my father said he won’t force me to.”

“One way or another you will be mine.”

“Why me, when there are so many women out there that would be happy to be your wife? I don’t love you.”

“It’s you I want, and you might not love me now, but in time you’ll grow to. I’m willing to go to any length to have you.

“If you refuse to marry me, I will find another way to have you, even if I have to destroy your father and everything he has worked for.”

She jumped to her feet, glaring at him.

“My father may not be as rich as you are, but he’s still a billionaire, and there’s nothing you can do to him. Nothing you can do will ever convince me to be with you.”

“Are you just saying this because of that bodyguard of yours? Baby, he’s nothing, a nobody, and always will be. One word from me to the right people, he’ll disappear for good.”

She slapped him across the face as hard as she could. “I’ll never be with you. I’d rather be dead. And you can forget about going out to dinner tomorrow,” she hissed and stormed away.

As tough as she tried to appear, she was shaking like a leaf.

He stood there, rubbing his cheek where she had slapped him, when Dexter showed up by his side.

“I guess you saw that?”

“Yup. I don’t know what you said to make her so mad, but I’m sure you deserved it.”

Joseph looked at him and smiled. “I love how much spunk she has. She’s so feisty. But once we’re married, I’ll make sure she toes the line and becomes the wife I expect her to be.

“After the party I have to go back to Paris for a while, so you better have found out who’s trying to harm her, because when I come back, it will be to take her home with me.”

“She’ll go with you over my dead body.”

As Joseph was walking away and heard what Dexter said, he smiled and shouted over his shoulder, “I guess that will be your choice.”