HIS

I wrote this book in 2014. It was a bestseller for me on Amazon, removing Fifty Shades of Grey from the No.1 bestseller spot for three days! :) I haven’t been able to do anything more with the book because it was contracted to a publisher I no longer wished to work with until May 2025.

I have had so many readers email me asking me to continue the story. If you want me to write more, please leave a comment, a review or even post on the wall on my profile page and give me a follow. Thanks.

IT WILL BE FREE TO READ FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY.

Preface

The handsome raven haired Russian sat back in his leather chair behind his desk in his London office at the top of a large glass tower in the middle of Docklands.He looked down at the photograph of the pretty blonde woman on his lap.He picked it up and raised his eyesto get a closer look.They had never met but just looking at her photograph he knew there was a strange affinity between them.He traced his fingertips across her face wondering how soft her skin would feel under his touch as he held her down in his bed beneath him and drove himself inside her.She was going to make a beautiful bride.

Nikolai Antonovich hadn’t intended to marry.None of the numerous women he had bedded would have even been close to adequate for the task of being his wife and he hadn’t the slightest interest in being attached to anyone for longer than a few weeks.But to close a business deal with a Japanese traditionalist who frownedon billionaire playboys and only dealt with respectable married businessmen.The agreement would increase Antonovich’s energy company ten fold and provide many jobs for people in his declining hometown of Litenko in Northern Russia.Marriage was a small price to pay to save his beloved Litenko, his family and close friends from poverty.

The telephone rang interrupting his thoughts.

“Yes?” he used a clipped English voice still gazing at the photograph drawn in by the woman’s haunted emerald eyes.They were filled with pain and his mind idly tried to find a reason for it as he answered the phone.

There was a fragility and delicacy to her that enchanted him.She was undoubtedly a submissive and his impeccable research only served to confirm his suspicions.All the signs were there even if she was not yet aware of them.Nikolai was a natural Dominant and any woman he chose as his bride would have to agree to accept his rule and authority in their union.There would be no room for negotiation.Any challenge from the petite blonde would be settled in a robust manner over his knee with a bare bottom spanking.The Russian felt his cock harden thinking about her draped over his knees.The pretty floral summer dress she wore in the photograph raised to her waist with her chaste white cotton panties pulled down to just below the backs of her thighs before he raised his hand and slapped her pert naked bottom.

Chapter One

The attractive young secretary showed Ariana in to the office.Inside she was nervous but she fought hard to project an air of confidence.She was there because of her sister and yet another mistake her sibling had made.Bailing Louisa out of trouble was fast becoming a full time occupation.

Nikolai Antonovich stood up from his high backed leather chair behind his desk the moment she entered the large room flooded with sunlight.She watched him fasten the button on his black suit jacket and move around the desk towards her oozing money, power and masculinity holding out his hand in greeting.She shook his hand feeling intimidated and annoyed at being unable to stop herself from sweeping her emerald gaze of his tall athletic form clearly defined in the well fitting designer suit.Perturbed she quickly sat down on the chair he pulled out in front of the long glass desk for her determined to get down to business and leave as soon as she could.

Everything in the room was minimalist.Sweeping views over London were visible from the tall sheet glass windows running along the side of the room.It was more than fitting for the enigmatic billionaire who foundedhis fortune on providing energy for the world.

“Can I get you any refreshment?” he asked only a small trace of a Russian accent bouncing on his words.

“No.Nothing, thank you,” she said quietly.

Ariana’s work as a successful corporate lawyer brought her in to contact with many male wealthy clients but none of them had affected her like Nickolai Antonovich.None of them were that handsome, usually old and balding.Nikolai was something else with his Paul Newman blue eyes, short black hair and light but neatly groomed facial hair around his mouth and jaw.

Everything about the thirty-five year old man said style, sophistication, experience and more importantly dominance.Rolled in to one man the traits were a potent aphrodisiac to a woman even one like Ariana who had vowed never to trust a man again as long as she lived.

Focus.You are here to get Louisa out of trouble.What can he possibly want from me?I am surprised he hasn’t just called the police.She stole from him.You have really done it this time, Louisa.I am not sure I am going to be able to get you out of this one.

“Mr Antonovich, why have you asked me to come here today?I am at a loss as to how I can help Louisa in this situation apart from ensure she has good legal representation.”

“Nickolai please.I asked you here because I have a proposal for you and a way for your sister to escape a prison sentence.”

Ariana’s eyes widened.

“Are you willing to do anything to help your sister, Ms Deering?It appears so from what I have learnt about her previous run ins with the law.You are always on hand to get her out of trouble.But I am curious as to how far you would go to ensure her safety?” he questioned with a smile sitting back down on the throne behind his desk.

Ariana frowned wondering what game he was playing.

“Within reason and the boundaries of the law,” she answered firmly.“Louisa has been in trouble many times before on this occasion and I am not sure what I can do for her this time and why you want me here to discuss it.What do you want from me?”She faltered a strange idea suddenly entering her head.“Are you propositioning me, Mr Antonovich?” she blurted out in a stutter.

“In a manner of speaking.Yes I am.”

Nikolai wore a devilish grin.

“In return for not involving the police in your sister’s million dollar fraud and theft of funds in the London office I want you to agree to marry me.”

Adriana heard herself laugh/It was with shock not humour.He couldn’t be serious.And marriage?No way.She was never doing that againThis was absurd.Adrenaline made her stand and move towards the door shaking her head in disbelief.

“It is out of the question and a ridiculous request.This conversation is over, Mr Antonovich.I suggest you involve the police and I will help Louisa with her defence.”

The suggestion had provoked disturbing memories of her previous marriage to her abusive husband to rise from their burial place at the back of her mind and force their way to the front.She wanted to forget again.

“You haven’t heard me out.”

Nikolai was on his feet following her.

“I don’t want to.I can’t help you,” she mumbled at the door reaching to open it.

Nickolai’s hand raised above her head as she opened the door and pushed it away from her to close it again.

“I really need you to hear me out before you decide to walk away and leave your sister to her fate,” he said softly, his hand still above her head holding the door closed.

“Marry?You are insane.And why me for heaven’s sake?I am sure you can have any woman you like.You don’t need anyone insignificant like me,” she told him with contempt trying the door once more fuming at his hand pressing it closed.She shook the handle and started to call out for help prompting the billionaire to take hold of her and swing her around to face him.

“Because I can help you.Because I can protect you from him,” Nickolai informed her with authority.“You can’t keep running from your ex-husband and I assure you are more than adequate for my needs as a wife.I want to close a business deal that will help keep a lot of people out of the poverty trap in Russia but the man I am working with is a Japanese traditionalist and eccentric.He can pick and choose who he forms business relationships with.He won’t engage with any man or woman in business who is not married and confirming to the marriage tradition.I need this to work and you are the only woman I would even trust to entertain the idea of marrying.”

He spoke with such conviction Ariana couldn’t deny the truth behind his words.He must have researched her in detail.She hated admitting it but the idea of being protected and safe was tempting.But how could she allow herself to ever trust a man again?They had a nasty habit of turning in to Jekyll and Hyde.She still wore some of the bruises and scars to prove it.

“You can’t protect me from my ex-husband.No one can.Not even you with all of your wealth,” she said quietly with heavy resignation in her voice.“He killed the last man who tried to help me.”

“I am not afraid of your ex-husband, Ms Deering.I have more than enough resources to ensure your protection I assure you.”

Temptation increased its hold on Ariana.To be able to live without looking over her shoulder would be heaven.To not have to wonder if Andrew wasn’t watching her every move day and night while he waited for the right time to snatch her back.There had been so many instances when she had to get up and run in the middle of the night.The last time had been a year ago when he’d tracked her down.She’d been hiding with Louisa in London for a while now and she knew her time of safety was running out.He would come for her soon.

Just yesterday she’d received red roses - he always sent them when he wanted her to know where she was just before he arrived.Andrew was a wealthy violent man who liked to play games and terrorise her before he took his prize and the game was on again.A small voice in her head begged her to take Nickolai’s offer.So what if it was dangerous and even controlling.Antonovich was a handsome man who would be able to shelter her from Andrew.Wasn’t marriage worth the price to pay to stop Andrew beating and raping her again.Last time she’d had to fight for her life in hospital.No more.

“I can keep you warm and safe,” Nickolai’s voice was gentle, lowered, seductive.He moved closer to her and kept his arm above her holding the door closed ensuring she could not escape.

Normally if a man had been that close to Ariana she would have panicked but there was something reassuring about Nickolai’s closeness.There was no threat in it.In fact, for the first time in a while it was more than pleasant being next to a handsome man.Unexpected tears gathered and filled her eyes as her heart urged her to say yes and accept the security he was offering to surrounded her in.

“I know you are tired of running,” Nickolai continued in a velvet voice.“The arrangement will be to our mutual benefit,” his speech was lowering to a whisper and his gentle but firm words were leading her right into his trap.

He was right of course but the whole idea was preposterous.

“But you don’t know me.How can you marry a stranger?Even if it is for convenience?” she demanded.“I can’t.It would be putting your life at risk,” to her frustration there was a tremble in her voice.

Nikolai frowned.Heavy concern for her filled his dark brown eyes.

“Always protecting others,” he said moving even closer until her body trembled along with her voice.He stroked his fingers along her cheek.She wanted to flinch away but his touch was featherlight, warm and soothing inducing her to keep still.

“It is time you allowed someone to protect you.I will be a good husband.I will never hurt you and I will always ensure all your needs are met.You will want for nothing as my wife.”

“Except for love,” she challenged looking directly into his eyes.

Nikolai paused and then a soft smile played on his lips.His tone was serious when he cupped the side of her face and told her, “I am very sure that will be cultivated in time.Now what do you say?Perhaps you want me to go down on one knee?” he grinned.

Ariana gave a small laugh and shook her head while she wiped a stray tear dampening the skin just beneath her eye embarrassed she had shed one without being aware of it.

“Would I be allowed to live separately?Separate bed?You said it would be a marriage of convenience.Would I be able to leave if I wanted to?”

Nickolai’s fingertips brushed her cheek once more.She briefly closed her eyes captivated and then opened them quickly reasserting her guard afraid she had let it down so easily with the billionaire.He gave a sigh.

“When I marry, I intend to fully commit to my wife and our relationship in the traditional sense of the word.I do not believe in divorce unless all other options at resolving a situation have been exhausted,” he informed her with authority.“I expect the same from my wife and no there will be no separate beds.We will share one and yes I expect you to be beneath me when I make love to you.”