Song for the mood: Stay With Me by Sam Smith. A snippet of the lyrics:

These nights never seem to go to plan
I don't want you to leave, will you hold my hand

Vera

"Why the hell would you say no after everything we've been through?" Alistair hissed, gripping my elbow tightly.

I removed my arm from his grasp and took his hand. "Alistair, I'm scared that someone may be out for my blood if I get close to you."

"You told me that you trusted me. Do you have faith in me?"

"Yes," I replied, feeling his hand tighten securely. "I have faith in you."

"Do you believe that I will do what it takes to protect you and your family?"

"Yes."

"Then don't let anyone bully you into being scared to do what you damn well want, woman!"

"I won't."

"If anyone tries to hurt you, they have me to deal with, and believe me, they do not want to fuck with me. What do you say, Vera? Stay with me?"

I nodded. "Yes. I'll stay with you."

Knowing Alistair's wrath and power, I wouldn't want to make an enemy out of him. However, I wasn't afraid of him because I trusted him. I was not alone anymore. Having him on my side meant that we were a team, and we stood united again.

Confidence and courage were the two things that no one could take away from me. I may have lost a battle, but I had already won the war against the person who hurt me, whoever she was.

Alistair took my hand as we walked to the center of the ballroom, where a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair stood next to a tall man with curly, gray hair. The couple engaged in a lively conversation with a well-known politician, who waved his arms in the air as he told his story.

"Excuse me, Paul, I'd like to introduce a friend of mine to my parents," Alistair cut in, placing one hand on the dark-haired senator's shoulder. I smiled, thinking of how it was for Saph to work for Paul.

"Scotty! I was just telling your parents about-"

"Spare the details, senator," Alistair interrupted, giving the man a steely stare.

"I'm Paul McGrath," the senator said, wiping his hand on his trousers before shaking mine. "Your hand is cold, but I bet you've got a warm heart. I can tell by your eyes."

I chuckled and offered Paul a friendly grin. "My name's Vera Richland, and I work at Hunting & McCormick."

"Ah, you're a lawyer. It's a good firm and highly reputable. I bet they're keeping you busy there," Paul replied. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Vera. Elizabeth and John, have a good evening. I'll call you next week, Scotty."

The senator gestured a salute to show his respect for the Scott family, then strolled over to a group of people who wore lapel pins representing his political party.

"Hello," the blonde woman spoke to me, stepping forward. Her green eyes crinkled into a warm smile. "My name is Elizabeth Scott, and this is my husband, John," she said, directing her open palm at Alistair's father.

"I'm Vera Richland," I replied, giving firm handshakes to Elizabeth and John.

"You've got a good grip," John complimented my handshake. "Strong and solid."

"Vera is strong and solid," Alistair boasted. "I hope to have her working for me one day. Clemonte Oil Engineering needs someone with a good legal background to help the team with tenders and contracts."

"Clemonte is a good company, but perhaps Orion may suit you well," Elizabeth spoke softly. "The organization is looking for smart women who can take the lead in the next twelve months."

"Thank you, Elizabeth," I replied.

"So, what else do you do besides being a lawyer, Vera?" John asked.

"Well, I enjoy surfing, playing the piano, and watching plays and ballet at the theater," I said. "I was a member of my local Toastmasters public speaking club until work became my life."

"Public speaking, eh?" John scratched his chin.

"Vera led the public speaking team in her high school years," Alistair said.

"Miss Richland, I'll give you one piece of advice," John said. "You ought to work to live instead of living to work. Your life is worth more than being boxed in an office with a computer. My son, Alistair, can take you out to the opera, ballet, or a Shakespearean play. Do you like Shakespeare?"

"Yes, sir."

"Which play? Comedy or tragedy?"

"Both. I'm fascinated by the psychology of Hamlet, and I also enjoy the magic of A Midsummer Night's Dream."

"I prefer Othello. It examines love, jealousy, prejudice, and betrayal. Quite a dramatic mix, don't you think?" John asked, eyeing Alistair.

"Oh, indeed," I hummed, feeling Alistair's hand boldly clasp mine.

"Well, I hope to see you around more, Vera," Elizabeth stepped in, sensing the discomfort in the air between Alistair and his father. She glanced at her son's hand, and her lips quivered into a soft smile.

"I'm going to retire early tonight," Alistair announced, secretly tickling my palm to hint that it was time to leave.

"Elizabeth and John, it was lovely to meet you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening," I said.

"Likewise, Vera. You should visit our home one day," Elizabeth insisted, touching my arm gently.

Fifteen minutes later, after being stopped and greeted by guests on the way out of the ballroom, I released a sigh of relief.

"We finally made it out alive," I joked, patting Alistair's arm while we walked briskly toward the hotel elevator. After pressing the elevator button, he placed his hands in his pockets while we waited in silence.

"Do your parents know about your breakup with Rebecca?" I asked when we were in the elevator.

"Of course, they know," Alistair answered while pressing the top floor button. "My mother and Rebecca never got along. In fact, none of my exes were fond of my mother. They said she was difficult."

I raised one eyebrow. "Really? Elizabeth came across as rather pleasant, and I like your father's straightforwardness."

"They seem to like you too." He grinned, leaning back against the elevator glass. God, he was so damn sexy when he smiled.

"Oliver and Erin were not here tonight. How come?" I asked.

"They're at another event." Alistair shrugged his shoulders, tightening his lips.

After arriving at our floor, we entered a penthouse suite decorated with modern furniture designed for simplicity and style. I threw my handbag on the sofa and hugged Alistair, who stared at the window. He slowly released himself from me and continued gazing at the world.

He was all over me like a rash earlier tonight. However, he kept his distance now that we were alone.

He needed space.

"Alistair, are you alright?" I asked, then rubbed my shoulders, feeling chilled by my beau's stone-cold silence.

Slowly turning, he started to toy with my hair, then grabbed and pulled it. His darkened, hungry eyes preyed on mine as he let out a soft growl. His breathing grew laborious when his head descended toward mine.

"I've got plans for you tonight, Vera," he said, his lips touching mine as he released my hair. I savored his familiar taste as our tongues tangoed in heated passion.

I placed my hands on his slim hips and held onto his athletic physique. It felt so wicked, yet so right, and I was in his space. "What kind of plans do you have, Mister Scott?" I asked, removing his jacket.

"How far are you willing to go?" Alistair flirted as his eyes lowered, showing off his long, dark lashes. He untied his bowtie, letting its tails slip and hang on the sides of his collar.

I unbuttoned his collar, then worked my way down, undoing each button with care and slowly exposing his naked torso.

"I'll go far as you'll take me," I replied. Was I reckless? Heck, I wouldn't be me if I didn't like the taste of danger, and Alistair was dangerous.

"Very good. I remember your safe word. Trust," Alistair affirmed. He unzipped his pants slowly, then removed them.

"And yours is Fire." I kneeled before him and pulled down his cotton boxers to reveal a magnificently long and thick cock.

"Good girl, you remember." He grinned as I massaged his smooth shaft and inhaled his heady scent.

"How do you feel, sweetheart?" Alistair untied my halterneck, letting the fabric fall to expose my bare breasts.

"I'm hungry for you." I licked my lips, wanting to taste him.

"You're ripe for the picking," he declared, pinching each of my nipples.

"I'm home," I mouthed as I worked my magic on his balls, causing him to groan. My tongue teased his warm cock's salty tip, and my lips proceeded to swallow him.

***

"That's it, you're my little pet," Alistair teased, stroking my thigh with his leather crop as I kneeled on all fours on the plush bedroom carpet. The room was dark until he lit the scented candles, spicing the air with citrus and cedarwood.

It was still dark enough to hide my small, faint abdominal scars in the shadows.

"Let me oil you up first," Alistair murmured, massaging my backside and ass cheeks with warm lavender oil. His fingers lathered my clit and tickled it before working toward my anal hole and lubricating it with a dose of oil.

"Relax," he coaxed, inserting a small plug up my ass. I gasped at the feel-good sensation that followed the surprise. "Ooh, that feels so wickedly nice," I whimpered.

"I want you to give me your body. I want to have total control of it," Alistair demanded, placing a Spartacus collar around my neck. The collar was attached to a leash, which he held tightly, restraining my throat possessively.

"Do you trust me with your body, Vera?"

"I do."

Whack! The sharp pain of the crop whipped against my ass cheek. "Oww!" I yelped.

"I'll give you the best fuck of your life. You'll never want anyone else by the time I'm done with you. Am I clear?"

I nodded, feeling the sting of his steady whipping on my buttocks and back. "Spare the rod and spoil the child, they say," Alistair drawled, lashing my raw behind. "You've been wicked, Vera. How many lovers have you had this year?"

"None!" I yelled out.

"Are you telling the truth? Hmm?"

"Yes, I'm telling the truth!" I cried out, feeling the whip lash my bare buttocks again.

"I find it hard to believe that the beautiful and sexually alluring huntress would starve for months without sex," he teased.

Whack! The last stroke welted a sharp soreness, harder than the others, across the back of my thighs. This one was going to leave a mark that would last for days. "Trust!" I shouted, not wanting more pain.

In previous times, I would have handled more pleasured pain, but not that night. I carried a heavy, dark cloud of mental agony that blocked my ability to enjoy sex. It was time to tell Alistair the truth about what happened to me during our months apart.

I heard the gentle thud of the crop fall on the floor as he undid my collar. He slowly removed the plug from my anus and offered one hand to lift me from the floor.

"Get up," Alistair commanded, and I obeyed. The game was over when he wrapped his arms around me. We were both naked and alone, hugging each other in silence. Our worries were unspoken, but the comfort we gave each other was enough.

His large hands raked through my messy hair as he kissed my forehead with gentle passion. I nestled my head against his shoulder while his arms engulfed my body in blissful silence. My fingers curled and touched the soft hairs on his chest, then felt the contours of every muscle that made him a man.

I breathed in his familiar masculine scent, which was addictive and intoxicating, arousing the senses of my womanhood. "You smell so good, Scotty," I whispered as a loose tear escaped my eye and ran down my cheek.

"What's the matter, Vera? Why are you crying? Did I hurt you?"

"Alistair, I have something to show you," I responded, pulling away from him. I turned on the light and dimmed it slightly to reduce the harshness of its glare.

I faced Alistair Scott, ready to unveil my new scars. I rubbed my abdomen and said, "I don't hide secrets from you, darling. You need to hear the truth about the night I called you."

A/N: Who do you think hurt Vera? Erin? Saira? Someone else?

How do you think Alistair will react to what Vera's about to tell him?