Read Online Riding Steele #1 by Opal Carew - Free Book Online Page B

feeling like a total liar. She wanted out of this relationship as fast as she could get out.
    But she sipped her wine.
    â€œNow for your gift.” Donovan reached into his pocket and removed a long, velvet box adorned with a small shiny gold bow. Instead of handing it to her, he snapped it open and showed it to her. Diamonds glittered against the dark blue velvet lining of the box.
    â€œOh, it’s beautiful,” Joan exclaimed. “Is it a bracelet?”
    â€œIt’s a necklace.” Donovan lifted the sparkling gift from its nest of velvet. It was four rows of stunning diamonds wide. “Let me put it on you.”
    She knew there was no point in arguing. He would win and she would come off looking unappreciative and spoiled.
    She lifted her hair and he wrapped the necklace around her neck, then fastened it.
    It was more a collar than a necklace, hugging her neck closely. She felt like she would choke from it. It reminded her of that last time they’d made love, if you could call it that, when his fingers had wrapped around her throat in a choking hold as he’d thrust into her from behind. Her wrists had been chained, so she couldn’t push away his hands, and when she’d tried to protest, he’d tightened his hold until she couldn’t utter words. The only sound she could make were just whimpers of frustration.
    She had almost fainted as he’d taken his own pleasure and left her gasping for breath.
    Before that, his dominant sexual demands had pushed her limits in ways she didn’t like, but that time had shown her he could be dangerous. And it had become crystal clear that he cared not a whit about her pleasure.
    She gazed at him. “Thank you.”
    She could tell he knew she was thinking about the other night, and he smiled. He loved wielding control over her. Instead of drawing his hands away from her neck, the fingers of one hand curled around her neck, then his fingertips stroked the front of her throat. She half expected him to wrap his other hand around her throat and squeeze until she lost consciousness. But that was foolish. He would never do anything like that … in public.
    Still, she had trouble breathing normally. He dragged his fingertips along the edge of the necklace, then drew her hair back from her shoulder.
    â€œWhat do you think, Joan?” he asked, his hand resting on Laurie’s shoulder.
    Joan stared at Laurie’s neck with obvious admiration, and a touch of jealousy. “It’s absolutely stunning. You’re a lucky girl, Laurie.”
    Donovan smiled. “And I’m sure she’ll show me her gratitude later tonight.”
    He said it in a light tone, the kind any guy might use while making a joking innuendo, and everyone laughed, but Laurie knew better. He expected her to thank him properly, and thoroughly. And if she didn’t meet his expectations, he would punish her.
    And even if she did …
    He leaned in and nuzzled her neck. “I can hardly wait.” The hand on her shoulder slid to the base of her neck and he squeezed, ensuring he reminded her of what he liked.
    *  *  *
    Wild Card grabbed another handful of the nachos, covered in meat, cheese and salsa, and dropped them onto his plate.
    â€œWhy bother with the plate? You’re going to be finishing those on your own.” Shock tossed back the rest of the beer in his glass and stood up.
    â€œYou guys really going?” Wild Card asked.
    â€œWe told you we were leaving after this beer, but you pulled a typical Card Trick and ordered them.”
    â€œI’m not finished with my beer.”
    Steele chuckled as he stood up, too. “That makes one of us. Just join us later, man.”
    The others all stood up except Rip, who was staring across the bar.
    â€œYou coming?” Raven ran her hand over his shoulder affectionately and squeezed.
    Rip dragged his gaze from the woman in the black dress across the bar to look at Raven.