Jake was waiting at the front door for her when she arrived, beaming triumphantly. Mallory was buoyed by this, but she didn’t dare hope that everything had turned out okay. Especially since Jake had made clear his lack of concern for the outcome of the situation.
As soon as Mallory was out of the car, he was on her, literally sweeping her off her feet as he dipped her back for a classic Hollywood kiss. When he finally pulled back from her and helped her stand upright, she was dizzy.
“What was that for?” She asked, breathless but grinning like a fool.
He held her by the shoulders and smiled back at her. “Everything is perfect, Mallory,” he beamed. “We’re going to be fine.”
“How?” Mallory gasped. “What happened?”
“I found the hidden camera in the dungeon, so I rounded up my staff and showed it to them, demanding answers.” His face darkened slightly. “It was Charlie, one of the butlers. He cracked pretty quickly.”
Mallory had no trouble understanding how Jake had intimidated the man into talking with no more than a glare and a few hard words. She had been on the receiving end of it many times herself.
“Apparently Celeste has seduced him; poor fool thinks that she loves him.” His expression was a bit pitying. Mallory knew that he understood misguided love. “He’s in jail now. I’ve pressed charges for blackmail.”
“But what about Celeste?” Mallory asked. “Has she released the tape?”
Jake smile broadly. “Nope. Turns out Charlie had the only copy. Celeste didn’t want to be able to get caught with it red-handed. Apparently she let him do all the dirty work.”
Anger bloomed within Mallory’s chest. “What a bitch,” she said under her breath.
Jake chuckled at her. “Indeed.”
“So where is she? In jail?” Mallory couldn’t help being a bit vindictive. “I bet orange is so not her color.”
He laughed again. “Yes, they arrested her a few hours ago. She’ll probably get out on bail, but she will definitely pay for what she’s done to you.” His face turned fierce. “I won’t ever let anyone hurt you, Mallory.”
Looking up into his eyes, Mallory saw the truth of his words; he really would protect her no matter what. “I know,” she whispered.
He gave her a reprimanding look. “No more lying, then?”
“No, Sir.”
Jake beamed.
Chapter 3
“I want to show you something, Mallory,” Jake told her as he took her by the hand.
She smirked. “The last time you said that you were about to take me into a terrifying, kinky dungeon. What could it possibly be this time?” She asked, mock-contemplative. “An orgy in the attic?”
Jake laughed, a deep, rich sound that sent tingles from her fingers to her toes. “Not quite,” he grinned roguishly. “But you’re on the right track.”
Mallory paused, suddenly nervous, but Jake didn’t stop with her. “You’re not getting out of this one so easily, Mallory.” She was pulled along by his grip on her hand as he continued steadily forward, insisting that she follow.
They walked around the back of the house and into the gardens behind it, which Mallory had never seen before. They were absolutely breathtaking. There were well-manicured camellia bushes lining a long walkway that stretched from the back door of the house all the way out to the distant bay, where there was a large dock. From this distance, she could just make out a small yacht moored to it. Halfway to the bay, the garden ended at a beautiful wrought iron gate that separated it from an open pasture where half a dozen horses were grazing.
Mallory wanted to stop and drink it all in, but Jake kept up his pace, not allowing her to linger. “You can look later,” he said with a small smile. “But right now you’re coming with me.”
“Where are we going?” She asked, curious.
“You’ll see.”
Damn cryptic Dom, Mallory thought wryly.
But she found out where he was taking her soon enough. They veered off the garden path and walked through a stand of Oak trees into a more shaded area. When they emerged from the trees, they were standing in a hollow with verdant green grass and a small fish pond. Beside it was a huge, ancient Willow tree. Jake led her towards it and parted the branches, pulling her under the leafy canopy with him. The pliant branches fell back into place behind them, hiding them from the outside world like a glowing green curtain.
Jake circled behind her, as though allowing her a moment to marvel at the beauty of where he had brought her. Suddenly, he jerked her arm back, putting her off-balance. At the same time he knocked his knee into the back of hers. Before she knew what was happening, she was tumbling to the ground, the wind whooshing out of her as she hit the soft earth.
“Hey!” She cried, but Jake was already on top of her, his lips on hers, silencing her protests. His kiss was soft and sweet, contrasting with his ferocity as he tore open her blouse, popping the buttons off in his haste to remove it. As he was unzipping her jeans, her own hands were fumbling at his shirt buttons, blindly unfastening them as she increased the intensity of the kiss. With a growl, Jake pulled away from her, denying her control. He yanked her jeans down her legs, leaving her in her bra and panties.
He was on his knees, looming over her where she lay on her back. They stared into one another’s eyes for a moment; Jake’s were completely open to her, exposing his soul, leaving him vulnerable. “Mallory,” he said her name like a caress. “You told me last night that you didn’t want to be my submissive. That you were disgusted by it. I know that the last part is a lie.” He smiled down at her knowingly. “But I need to know if the first part is true.”
His expression sobered quickly. “Will you be my submissive, Mallory?”
Heat flooded Mallory’s cheeks as she remembered how she had wounded Jake with her words. Of course she wasn’t disgusted by what they did together! She had never been more blissful in her life. “Yes, Jake,” she breathed. “I will.”
His grin was so wide it was almost boyish, like a kid on Christmas morning. “Excellent,” he beamed.