Page 20 of No Promises
There was no way she was letting Destry ruin her life. He could go fuck himself. If he messed with her, she would go to the press, and whether people believed her or not – she would bring himdown.
With new resolve, she got back towork.
Destry Papps walked away from the podium and greeted some of his well-wishers, all the while thinking about Noosh and whether she had seen the conference. Yes, he was playing with fire by goading her, but he wanted her cowed and terrified before he inevitably killed her, to know that she was his, that he controlled every aspect of herlife…
…what remained ofit.
Chapter Ten
“So,”Christo said, steering the car out of the city, “why on earth was a girl like you at that club that night? I mean, not that there’s anything wrong with thatclub.”
Noosh grinned at him. “Well,youwere there, so there reallywasnothing wrong with it. But I was doing a story on BDSM culture in New York, and that was a research trip.” She reached over to touch his face. “And no matter how it ended, I’m glad I did gothere.”
Christo kissed her hand. “Me too, sweetheart. So, what happened to thestory?”
“I canned it,” she said, uncomfortable, and smiled wryly as he turned to frown at her. “I didn’t feel I was qualified to write it. Amazing sex doesn’t count as BDSM. But I’m more interested in whyyouwerethere.”
Christo hesitated. “I admit…I behaved appallingly that night. I was drunk and sad, and you were too good for that place. But I have been a…client of that type of club in the past. Does that shockyou?”
Noosh shook her head. “No, actually…it’s kind of hot. So, are you into being dominant, orsubmissive?”
Christo grinned. “Look at you with the terminology. Well, have you heard of aswitch?”
“Like awhip?”
“Ha, no, I mean someone who can either be a sub or Dom depending on their mood, or the person they are with.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively, and she chuckled, feeling her faceredden.
“Either,huh?”
He grinned at her. “Curious?”
“Yes, actually…if I was with someone Itrusted.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’ll strive to be thatperson.”
Feeling brave, she took his hand and slid it under her skirt. Christo grinned and caressed her through herpanties.
“God, Noosh, I want you somuch.”
Noosh put her hand on his crotch, feeling his cock harden beneath her fingers. “That night in the club…I’ve never, I mean, that was the most exciting night of my life – up until now. I wish so much that I was well enough to say to hell with it. Believe me, I would fuck you right here, right now, if Icould.”
“Baby, there’s plenty wecando…and think of the anticipation. I’d never risk your health, even if you are the sexiest woman on thisplanet.”
It seemed strange thathe, he who could haveanywoman in the world, would say that abouther. Her old insecurities bubbled just beneath the surface and she was quiet for a time. Christo held her hand the whole way into the countryside, and when he turned down a long track, Noosh was surprised to see a relatively modest farmhouse in front of them. It was such a stark contrast to his polished Upper East Side apartment that she gave a little laugh and Christo grinned at her reaction. “Youlike?”
“It’s beautiful.” She beamed at him. “More how I imagine youliving.”
They got out of the car and Christo offered her his hand. “I bought it because it reminded me of where I spent summers in Italy with my Mom. Despite Dad’s fortune, she insisted that she wanted a smaller place, no staff, no hangers-on. Something that was a familyhome.”
“Is she still withyou?”
“No, she died when I wasseven.”
“I’msorry.”
Christo nodded tightly and Noosh could see he was upset. She stopped him and stood on her toes to press her mouth to his. “I’m sorry, baby, you must missher.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “Thank you. I wish she could have met you, she would have lovedyou.”
