Bound (Captured by the Billionaire #4)(5)
Author: Julia Sykes

The more time that they spent together, the more Mallory saw the real Jake, and the less often his cocky mask appeared.  She hoped that the memories of his ex, Jennifer, were fading as he got to know her.  Although they had only known each other for a short time, when she looked into his eyes it was clear that he cared about her as deeply as she cared for him.  She realized that her initial assessment of him as an entitled douchebag couldn’t be further from the truth; he was sweet, caring, and charitable.  And dominant in the bedroom.

Mallory’s ni**les hardened just thinking about their sexual encounters.  As much as she tried to challenge him at every turn, she found herself giving way to his every command as he skillfully manipulated her body, perfectly in tune with her needs.

But then Friday morning came, and Jake said something that filled her with terror unlike any fear she ever experienced in his dungeon: “We’re hosting a ball tonight,” he said casually over breakfast.  “I want you to be my date.”

Mallory almost choked on her eggs.  “What kind of ball?”  She asked warily after she finished coughing.  She knew that she wasn’t ready to handle another fetish ball, not after what had happened in Venice.  A shudder ran through her as she remembered the horned man trapping her, making her skin crawl.  And Jake’s anger, his betrayal.  She so wasn’t ready to go through anything like that again.  Especially not when everything was going so perfectly between them now.

Jake took her hand in his reassuringly, tracing little circular patterns on her palm, calming her.  “It’s a benefit ball, to raise money for new textbooks in the schools we’ve built in Africa.  I arranged it because I thought it would make you happy.”

Mallory’s jaw dropped.  He had put together a swanky ball just to please her?  Some men gave you flowers; Jake Cleary gave you your dreams.

But her stomach was still twisting uncomfortably.  The last time she had been to a ball at Jake’s house, she had been serving champagne to the elegant guests.  She had been nervous enough then; she could hardly imagine how uncomfortable she would be at such a glitzy function.  Her parents had taught her good manners, but she was sure she would stick out like a sore thumb amongst the refined elite at the soirée.

Jake was looking at her anxiously, clearly disconcerted by her pause.  “Mallory?  Are you okay?”  He asked, his brow furrowed.  “I can call it off if you don’t want it.”

“No!”  Mallory assured him quickly.  “No, I don’t want you to do that.  It’s just… I’m nervous, Jake,” she admitted, her cheeks coloring.

He gave her hand a little squeeze.  “There’s no need to be nervous, Mallory,” he told her earnestly.  “Everyone will love you.  Who could help it?”

Mallory had to stifle a little gasp.  Had he just insinuated what she thought he had?  Was he falling for her as hard as she was falling for him?  She almost didn’t dare think it.  Whoa, girl, you’re getting way ahead of yourself.  What, would she be planning their wedding next?  Only crazy girls planned their weddings after knowing a guy for a week.  And I’m not crazy, she assured herself.

“Of course I’ll come,” she said after a pregnant pause.

Jake grinned.  “Excellent.  My mother will be thrilled to meet you.”

Mallory’s stomach dropped.

That evening, Mallory was in Jake’s lavish bedroom, and he was watching her put on her makeup in the mirror.

“You don’t need that, you know,” he told her earnestly from where he sat on his enormous bed.

Mallory rolled her eyes at him before she could stop herself.

“Don’t think I didn’t see that, sub,” he warned.  “And don’t think that I’ll forget about it, either.  You’ll pay later.”  He looked far too pleased at the prospect.

“Oh, darn,” she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes again, goading him.  To be honest, she looked forward to a good beating now.

Jake just gave her a sly smile.  “Oh, little sub, you are playing with fire.  You haven’t had a real punishment yet.  I enjoy discipline, but I don’t think you will like it all that much; if you enjoy it, then I’m not doing it right.”

Mallory swallowed at his predatory gaze, and she dropped her own eyes.  “Sorry, Sir,” she mumbled.

Jake was suddenly behind her where she sat in a chair before the vanity.  He placed both hands on either side of her jaw, forcing her head up so that she met his eye in the mirror.  “You’re forgiven,” he said.  “But don’t think that half-assed apology gets you off the hook.  I’m going to thoroughly enjoy this evening.”  His grin was wolfish, and she shivered.

His thumbs gently brushed her cheeks, his expression softening.  “I got you something to wear tonight.”

Mallory stiffened.  “You already bought me this dress, Jake.  I really can’t accept any other gifts.”  The dress truly was beautiful, a slinky silk number the deep blue color of Jake’s eyes, with a plunging neckline.  It was draped gracefully in the back, revealing her entire upper back.

Jake just clucked his tongue at her.  “And what makes you think that your acceptance is up for debate?  I want you to wear this, Mallory, and I won’t permit your refusal; if I have to tie you down and force it upon you, I will.”

She shuddered pleasurably at the thought, but if he followed through on his threat her elaborate up-do would be ruined.  Trying for petulance, she sighed.  “Fine,” she said resignedly.

“Good girl,” he grinned.  At first, Mallory hadn’t been sure about their D/s relationship bleeding over into their lives outside the bedroom.  But she supposed they were in the bedroom right now, so it was okay.  So long as he didn’t call her “sub” in front of his mother, she would be alright.

At the thought of his mother, butterflies beat against her ribcage.

But her nervousness was completely blown away by shock when Jake revealed his gift.  It was a platinum necklace, meant to sit high up around her neck.  It was covered in diamonds interspersed with sapphires, and it dripped down elegantly to come to a point in the hollow between her collarbones, where a final large diamond was set into the precious metal.