The Ice Seduction Read online

  His jaw locks tight as he clamps the phone to his ear, pacing back and forth.

  ‘Hello,’ Patrick barks. ‘Simon? Yes. If I message you some names, can you get them checked out for me? Good. Yes, straight away.’

  He hangs up and begins typing out a message.

  ‘Who are you going to have checked out?’ I ask.

  ‘Anyone Bertie stayed with before he came to this castle,’ says Patrick. ‘Including my father.’

  66

  ‘Thank you,’ I say, as Patrick tosses the phone back onto his dresser. ‘Truly. I’m glad this is being looked in to. It’s important. And whatever happened to Bertie, at least I know he’s safe here.’

  ‘If anyone has so much as put a finger on my nephew,’ says Patrick, pacing back and forth. ‘I’ll kill them myself …’

  ‘I feel the same way,’ I say. ‘And I’m glad I came to you. I nearly didn’t … considering everything that’s happened between us.’

  ‘I’m glad too,’ says Patrick, stopping his pacing.

  I let out a sigh that I think I’ve been holding since I first met Bertie. ‘It feels so good to have told you. Oh god, that’s such a weight off my shoulders.’

  ‘I’m glad,’ says Patrick, throwing me a half smile. ‘You’re still here. Isn’t this around about the time you run away from me?’

  I can’t help but smile back. ‘Yes. I guess I should go,’ I say, standing up.

  Wow. I feel so much lighter now Patrick knows about Bertie. Like I can relax for the first time in days.

  ‘Where?’

  ‘Back to my bedroom. It’s weird me being in here. Don’t you think?’

  ‘I think it’s far from weird,’ says Patrick. ‘I think it’s the most natural thing in the world.’

  ‘For the nanny to be in the boss’s bedroom?’

  Patrick’s face clouds over. ‘When are you going to let that go? I don’t see you as the nanny. I don’t see you as anything other than … a girl who’s on my mind every minute of every day.’

  ‘Patrick, you have to stop this. I’ll only end up getting hurt when you cast me aside, and that’s not fair.’

  ‘Cast you aside?’ Patrick frowns. ‘Is that what you think I’d do?’

  ‘Eventually, yes,’ I gulp. ‘Because even if you do mean what you say right now, there’ll come a time when you see me for what I am. Just some poor girl from London who is totally out of place here.’

  ‘You still feel out of place?’

  I think about that. ‘I … did. I guess less so now.’

  ‘Because I’ve never seen anyone fit this place better,’ says Patrick. ‘And I’ve never met a girl who fits me as well as you do.’

  ‘Patrick,’ I say. ‘Please. Not now. I can’t take this now.’

  ‘Then surrender,’ says Patrick, taking a step closer to me.

  ‘No. Patrick. Please. I can’t …’

  ‘Can’t what?’

  ‘I can’t let myself fall for you,’ I blurt out.

  ‘What are you so afraid of?’

  ‘That … that I won’t be able to handle the pain when it all goes wrong.’

  ‘Who says anything will go wrong?’

  ‘I do.’

  ‘I won’t let it. Believe me.’

  I shake my head. ‘How can it not?’ I say, my voice all high and teary. ‘The two of us … why couldn’t I feel this way about some guy down Camden Market? Why did it have to be you?’

  ‘You’re scared,’ says Patrick, moving closer and taking my hands. His eyes burn into mine.

  ‘Yes,’ I admit.

  ‘Do you know what you’re scared of?’

  I tug my eyes away from his, looking at the thistle pattern on the carpet. ‘Of … I don’t know. Everything.’

  ‘Of me?’

  ‘Especially of you. I’m afraid you’ll hurt me so badly that I’ll never get over it.’

  ‘I would never hurt you, Seraphina.’

  ‘You might—’

  ‘No. No, I won’t.’ He tilts my chin up, and I’m caught once again.

  ‘Spend the night with me.’

  I look away. ‘I can’t. You know I can’t.’

  Patrick pulls my body close to his. ‘Haven’t you realized by now? I’m not a man who takes no for an answer. Especially when I know your heart is saying yes.’

  ‘Please Patrick—’

  ‘Stay with me tonight.’

  I look up into his deep blue-green eyes, and I feel … like I belong. Even if this can’t last, I can’t fight it any more. Not right now.

  Patrick’s eyes burn into mine, and he pulls me tight against his body, his hand gripping my backside.

  I moan as his fingers dig into my skin, and my hand falls from his face and onto his firm shoulder.

  His lips come down onto mine, kissing me with a passion and intensity that leaves me barely standing.

  I return his kiss, running my hand into his hair, gripping and pulling, wanting him, all of him.

  He moans and slides both hands under my top. Breaking away from my lips for a moment, he pulls my top up and over my head. Then he flings it to one side.

  He pulls me against his bare chest again and unfastens my bra with one hand, slipping it from my arms and flinging it to the ground.

  Then he spins me around and clasps his hands over my breasts, pressing his lips against the back of my neck with such force that I let out a gasp. As his lips work around my neck, his hands squeeze and rub my breasts.

  His touch is so expert. So perfect. And so in control. He knows exactly what he’s doing and the pleasure he’s giving.

  I moan as his lips send tingles down my spine.

  Then Patrick scoops me up and carries me in his arms, throwing me roughly on the bed.

  67

  Oh.

  Masterfully, he pulls my leggings clean from my legs. He rolls me onto my stomach and I lay, face down, trying to get my breathing under control.

  ‘Get on your knees and turn around.’

  I hesitate.

  ‘Are you ordering me around?’ I say.

  ‘Yes,’ says Patrick, pulling me up onto my haunches and spinning me to face him. He smiles, showing a dimple in one cheek.

  I find myself facing his crotch, and let out a little gasp at the size of him, pressing against his trousers.

  His fingers glide into my hair and then tighten, holding my head still.

  Oh god. After all the tension of what’s been going on with Bertie … I’m just desperate for a release.

  My fingers pull at Patrick’s sweat pant cord, wanting to free him and to see him, all of him. When I finally work the cord free, I hear Patrick’s breathing quicken.

  ‘Sera,’ he murmurs, as my fingers brush the soft cotton around his crotch.

  I let my hand stroke back and forth, wanting to feel him.

  I glance up and see Patrick’s eyes are closed, and his jaw is tight.

  ‘What now?’ I breathe, letting my fingers run around.

  I see a tiny smile on Patrick’s lips, but his eyes stay closed.

  ‘You want an order? Take my cock out and put it in your mouth.’

  ‘You’re the boss.’

  ‘Don’t joke,’ says Patrick through gritted teeth, as I tug down his sweat pants.

  ‘Why not?’ I ask, reaching into his boxer shorts and pulling him free.

  Wow. I gawk at the size of him up close. I mean, just wow. Not only is he huge, but he’s also perfect. Smooth skin, beautiful shape and hard as ice.

  ‘Right now, I’m not your boss,’ says Patrick.

  ‘Yes you are,’ I murmur, taking him in my hand and stroking slowly up and down. ‘That’s the whole problem.’

  ‘God,’ Patrick moans again, his eyes still closed, his head tilting back. ‘I would never … I don’t see you that way, Seraphina. This isn’t what this is all about – this isn’t some fucked up power trip.’

  ‘So what is it about then? Since you’re so keen to put me in line.’

 
Patrick’s eyes snap open and he grabs my wrist, his chest rising and falling. ‘Because that’s just how things work with me. And why you’re a perfect fit.’

  ‘Am I indeed?’ I murmur, loving the feeling of his fingers on my wrist. ‘Who are you to decide that?’

  ‘Someone who knows you better than you know yourself,’ says Patrick. He pushes me down onto the bed, forcing both my arms high above my head.

  I wiggle against the duvet as his weight rests on top of me.

  ‘I want to touch you again,’ I say.

  ‘Tough. It’s my turn now.’

  Patrick holds both my wrists with one strong, large hand, then slides his free hand between my legs.

  Two muscular fingers disappear inside of me, and I tense up as they hit me in all the right places.

  ‘Oh god,’ I moan, as his fingers slide up and down.

  Patrick speeds up, pushing higher and harder, his hand smacking the skin between my legs in a glorious, sharp way that makes me twitch and moan and wriggle around.

  With the other hand he keeps my arms pinned down, so all I can do is struggle against him, my legs kicking around as the pleasure gets more and more intense.

  Patrick pushes deep, deep inside me, pressing his whole hand between my legs until I give out a yelp of pleasure.

  Then he draws back from me.

  ‘Stay exactly where you are,’ he instructs. ‘Don’t move.’

  ‘And what if I do?’ I reply, enjoying the delicious achy warmth between my legs.

  ‘Then I’ll have to put you in line.’

  ‘That doesn’t scare me, Patrick Mansfield.’

  I move a little to the left.

  ‘You, Seraphina Harper, are asking for trouble.’

  ‘Am I?’ I squirm against the bedclothes.

  ‘Absolutely fucking right.’

  Patrick goes to a rail of hunting gear, and whips free a long, brown belt with a stag-head buckle.

  He runs the leather across his fingers, then pulls the belt tight so it makes a snapping sound. ‘But I am going to teach you how to follow orders.’

  ‘Good luck with that,’ I say, wiggling against the bedclothes. ‘Many have tried and failed.’

  Patrick throws the belt over his shoulder and comes over to the bed. Then he grabs my wrists and pulls me up towards the headboard, so my body goes skidding up the bed sheets.

  ‘Oh!’ I say, as he wraps the belt around my wrists and then through a wooden rung on the headboard. He pulls the belt tight with a whooshing sound that makes my legs pull together, and fastens the buckle.

  I squirm and kick around, pulling against the leather.

  ‘Is this what you wanted all along, Patrick?’ I ask, as he prowls around the bed. ‘Me all bound and helpless?’

  ‘It’s not about you being helpless,’ he growls. ‘It’s about me being in charge. Which is what you like. Even if you can’t admit it.’

  I laugh. ‘I can admit plenty.’

  ‘Then admit this is turning you on.’

  ‘Okay. I admit it. But will you admit that this can’t last? That the nanny and the boss together is fucked up?’

  ‘Don’t mention the B word again. It isn’t funny.’

  ‘Maybe not to you. But it’s pretty funny to me. I mean, this is hardly how I expected this placement to turn out. Me, tied up in the boss’s bedroom.’

  ‘I told you not to say that word again.’

  ‘You mean the word boss?’ I say innocently.

  ‘You asked for it,’ says Patrick, going to his rifle store. He returns with a white hunting handkerchief – the kind you wave when you’re telling other hunters you’re surrendering.

  Patrick strides to the bed and ties the handkerchief around my mouth, pulling a tight knot behind my head.

  ‘Mmmph!’ I say indignantly, squirming back and forth.

  Patrick laughs. ‘I should have thought of gagging you before. It would have saved me a lot of headaches.’

  I glare at him. But my stupid body has gone all hot and tingly as my teeth bite into the handkerchief.

  Bloody sexist caveman! And yet I ache for him between my legs. Why is my body letting me down like this?

  Patrick moves his face close to me and strokes my cheek. ‘I’ll take the gag off and untie you if you want me to,’ he says. ‘This is just a game.’

  My eyes narrow some more.

  God!

  The bastard. This is sexy as hell. He knows full well how much this is turning me on.

  68

  ‘Nod your head if you want me to untie you,’ he says.

  I kick him sharply on the thigh to tell him what I think of that question.

  ‘You, young lady, need a lesson in manners,’ says Patrick, striding around with an infuriating smile on his face.

  I struggle against the belt, and as it twists against my wrists, I feel heat building between my legs.

  Patrick climbs onto the bed and slides his hand under my knees, lifting my legs up so my backside is a little raised off the bed. Then he raises his other hand high up and brings it towards my thigh and butt cheek.

  ‘Oh,’ I moan, before his hand even touches me.

  My whole body clenches and tightens, and I feel wetness building.

  But just as I’m expecting to hear and feel a loud slap, Patrick stops – his hand held inches from the side of my thigh.

  ‘God,’ I moan, squirming.

  Patrick smiles, his hand rubbing hard circles on my buttocks. He pulls his hand back again, and this time it comes down hard.

  Slap!

  ‘Oh,’ I moan, wiggling against the bed sheets.

  He slaps me three more times, then slides his hand between my legs, into my wetness, letting his fingers probe and explore.

  ‘Mmm. Mmm,’ I moan, thrashing about.

  I hear the rip as he opens the condom packet, then Patrick moves his hips between my legs, and pulls my ankles up over his shoulders. He reaches up to my mouth and loosens the gag.

  ‘I want to hear you call my name when you come,’ he says, his voice thick and deep.

  Before I can object, he plunges into me hard and fast, the bed beginning to move with us.

  ‘Oh god,’ I shout, wigging against the belt at my wrists. ‘Oh god Patrick. Oh god.’

  He fucks me harder, going deeper and deeper, pushing my legs wider apart. His flingers slip into my hair, and his other hand grabs my breasts.

  With every pump he groans, pulling and squeezing, his eyes closed, his jaw tight.

  ‘You’re mine now,’ he moans. ‘Tell me. Tell me you belong to me. I want to hear you say it.’

  ‘I’m yours,’ I cry out, lost in him. ‘I’m yours. I’m yours. I’m yours.’

  Patrick moves so hard against me then that the bed begins to shake.

  I move up and down against the bedclothes, my hair tangling beneath me.

  When Patrick’s fingers go between my legs and start rubbing, I can’t hold on any more.

  Patrick is merciless. He carries on rubbing and grinding into me.

  ‘Oh god, I’m going to come,’ I yell.

  My ankles and feet bob up and down over his shoulders, my pussy is on fire and my whole body feels electric.

  ‘Oh Patrick,’ I moan, as an orgasm builds up. ‘I’m yours. I’m yours.’

  The world explodes around me, and my wrists struggle against the leather as I try to pull my arms around Patrick, to draw him close to me. But of course, I can’t.

  Patrick lays his whole body on top of mine and pumps a few more times before he comes too, shouting and moaning, his hands grasping my buttocks and pulling me into him.

  He flings my ankles from his shoulders and pulls my body close to his, one arm going up to free me from the leather belt.

  Once I’m free, I wrap my arms and legs around his huge, broad back and feel the beautiful weight of him pressing me into the bed.

  69

  He smells so amazing.

  God, if I could bottle the way he smells, I’d car
ry it around with me all day. He’s like the mountains outside, and the stream and something cool and clean and wintery – like fresh snow.

  I feel Patrick’s lips press against my ear, and he whispers: ‘You’re staying here tonight. You do know that, don’t you?’

  ‘Here?’ I murmur. ‘In your bedroom?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘No buts.’ Patrick runs fingers over my lips. ‘Don’t make me gag you again.’

  I laugh and brush his fingers away. ‘Very funny.’

  ‘Don’t think I won’t do it,’ says Patrick. ‘Especially now I know how much you like it.’

  ‘Who says I liked being gagged?’ I say, raising an eyebrow.

  ‘I didn’t see you nodding.’

  ‘Maybe you weren’t watching closely enough.’

  Patrick moves so his eyes are inches from mine. They’re softer than usual. Less fierce. ‘I watched you very, very carefully. Believe me. I have done from the moment you arrived at this castle.’

  ‘From the moment I arrived?’

  Patrick nods.

  A thought occurs to me. ‘Was it you at the window?’ I ask. ‘When I first got here?’

  Patrick frowns. ‘You saw someone at the window?’

  ‘I thought I did. Maybe I just imagined it.’

  ‘Where? Which window?’

  ‘Just above the main entrance, in the tower a little to the left.’

  Patrick frowns. ‘You mean the West Tower.’

  ‘I … the West Tower?’ I frown back. ‘Yes, I thought it must be near there ... But then again, I thought it was supposed to be all locked up.’

  ‘It should be.’ Patrick throws a smile at me.

  ‘So was it you?’ I ask.

  ‘No,’ says Patrick. ‘No, it wasn’t me. The first time I saw you, you were lost and unable to walk, if I remember right. And singing. I’ve been watching you ever since.’

  ‘Watching or stalking?’

  ‘A little of both,’ says Patrick. ‘For your protection.’

  ‘And who says I need protection?’

  ‘I do.’ His eyes are fierce again now. He runs a hand up into my hair and strokes red strands away from my forehead. ‘You have to stay with me tonight. That’s an order. I can’t let you go right now.’