Bliss (The Custos) Read online

  Copyright © 2013 by Melanie Walker

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

  may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

  without the express written permission of the publisher

  except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing, 2012

  ISBN

  Acknowledgments

  The creative drive it took to write Bliss would never have been possible if it wasn’t for you, my husband. For all the “bath time” nights, “Daddy Spagettios again?” Nights and all the tears it took to get me here. For every time I asked the question; “What if Preacher said....what if Princess was... and of course for choosing Cash’s name. I would never have done this if you didn’t think I could. I don’t know if I can ever make those long nights, empty one sided conversations and my constant need to make you listen to yet another song, idea and title will ever be worth it. But my heart is always there, always listening and forever with you...even if I am ‘stuck in a book’.

  The second is to my best friend and the sister of my heart Mandey Kuyper. For finding a way to always be there, even though I was 900 miles away. For expensive out of plan calls you took when I was in a panic. And for being the first person to buy Bliss the minute it was available. I love you and am so blessed to have a friend like you in my life. I know that no acknowledgment could ever describe how blessed I am for your friendship; however, I hope this one did some justice.

  Thank you to my family for the support and listening to my poems, to my short stories and now novels. To Chelsea Murphy and Jordan Muhlestein for their work on the cover! Thank you for trusting me guys! To the Romney family, Vince in particular even though I know you will never, ever read this book. If it wasn’t for the time you took to repair the files I destroyed, and for the lecture on backing up- this book, as all my others, would not be possible.

  I hope that my readers will follow me on this journey and be patient as I continually edit and re-edit and re-edit! It will never be perfect enough in my eyes but you all seem to love it anyway!

  Dedication

  To the only daddy I ever had, my step-father Mickey Hettich. Your belief in me knew no bounds and you pushed me to believe in myself. So, for every newspaper article you clipped for contest info, for every poem you saved and ALL the words of encouragement, Thank you Pop! Even if this book will never be on your reading list! The greatest gift I received was when my mom made you our Pop!

  Note to the reader

  I am an independent author and I lack the eye for detail that an editor would have. I hope that Bliss is well liked and that what errors I have missed are overlooked because the story is powerful. Please review Bliss and rate the book. I want the world reading my books but it’s the fans who rate them that matter! Please Please Please review!

  Chapter One

  London Chase

  I peered in the mirror one last time, making certain that my plan for the night went off smooth, without the slightest glitch. The outfit I chose would be the factor in this scenario. With a smile I let out a sigh... if there was one thing I knew it was what looked right. Raised as a spoiled brat no matter how hard I tried to fight what had been instilled in me since birth. I am what I am; London Chase, a beauty to say the least.

  I grabbed my keys and wallet before taking my glass of Merlot into my hand and heading out for the night, the night that would change my life. My mood shifted and deflated like a child’s party balloon the moment I stepped from my room, "my chamber" as I called it. I saw the dim light coming from his den and I felt my stomach knot. For twenty six years I had been a captive in this mansion, run like a castle, and I in my dungeon.

  I swallowed hard and reached for a stick of Dentyne gum before hitting the stairs. My new Lou Bouton boots came high on my calves and I could feel the denim of my skinny Sevens rubbing my skin from where I had tucked them into the boots. I reached the end of the stairs and started tucking the jeans back in when I heard his voice, hard as steal. "London, I need to see you.”

  With a groan I stood upright and said nothing back as I walked towards the door to retrieve my jacket, knowing my plan for freedom hindered solely on this final confrontation. I swallowed in deep gulps the rest of the Merlot and hoped it would calm my nerves. I could only guess what this would be about.

  “London.” I heard him again, only now his voice a demand. If Walter Chase asked you twice then the convo was going to be real uptight.

  “What?” I said. Walking into the den, making the single word a statement. My Father sat behind his desk, regal looking, that salt and pepper hair and deep blue eyes glaring at me as if he knew, as if he could see the plan I had so carefully crafted. He looked like maybe once, a long time ago he may have been handsome. Now all I could see was how much he despised me.

  Feeling's mutual Pop.

  “Speak to me in a tone of respect.” He demanded. His voice like an iron fist. He demands that I respect him, assuming he owned that right, but I refused to be controlled any longer.

  “Riiiight…” I said drawing the word out and turning to leave, not interested in anything he had to say.

  “I haven’t spoken with you yet, so I suggest you turn around and take a seat.” I didn't get the chance to argue, when I turned to make a break for it, Morris his Driver, but more like a guard, came to the doorway and stood blocking my getaway.

  “Jesus.” I said. My voice full of annoyance. “What the hell do you want ?” I knew I was angering him, and I knew the outcome of this fight would end in a screaming match. But I needed him angry.

  Walter Chase was a pharmaceutical mogul, worth more money than god and he had the power to make any person bend to his will. There was only one way to get free of his grasp and it was disappointing him in such a way, he would cut you off entirely.

  Here is to hoping.

  “I see you're set out to 'paint the town,' as always.” He looked my outfit up and down and scowled at me. “Bar hopping?” He snarled and lifted a knowing brow at my bored response to his insult. “How appropriate.”

  “What Daddy?” I asked my eyes playing innocent but he knew I was livid. “Don’t like the new outfit. You should, you bought it.”

  “Oh I always look forward to discussing the various ways you spend my money.”

  “I would welcome the opportunity to make and spend my own?” I asked foolishly, hoping he would relent.

  He gave a snort of contempt and completely sidelined my request. “You know that the only option way that will happen is if you continue to donate your blood to my cause, however that’s not the issue tonight.”

  Now that did shock me and to be honest a small part of me was now intrigued. Almost every time I brought up our ‘deal’, the one where I donate my blood for testing for his newest drug. By donating my blood I in turn gain my freedom. Had the drugs he manufactured not been to help improve the lives of women who had been made victims, I’d have walked years ago. “What then, I don’t have all night.” Then I laughed. “Well actually I do have all night, I just choose to not spend it with you.” I smiled at the end of my insult hoping my point was made.

  “I have a meeting in the morning, a European client willing to invest in a drug that will change the world. I would ask that just once you try not to humiliate me in your quest to ruin your life.”

  “Oh daddy, that’s nice.” I said and rolled my eyes. I took this moment upon myself as my cue to leave. But instead, he didn’t miss a beat standing up from behind the desk his chair slammed against the wall as came at me full speed. Suddenly he gripped me by my hair, pulling my head back and slapping me across my face leaving a sting and burn within seco
nds. “Fuck you.” I said and laughed, refusing to let him see that the slap hurt. I knew he would hit again and if I let him he would bloody me. It was an old game. One he always won. But I had a plan tonight and I needed my face in-tact.

  “Trust me London, you do not want me angry tonight. Mind yourself, Morris will be watching you and he has orders to bring you home if he even thinks you may step out of line.”

  Babysat by my Dad’s henchman? Perfect. Hope Morris would enjoy the sight he was gonna get tonight.

  I said nothing as I stepped through Morris and out of the den showing obvious annoyance. Knowing he was behind me, I opened the door and walked to my car.

  *

  I walked into Club Vegas going directly to the VIP area that my friends had no doubt reserved and were waiting for me to arrive before they started the party. God forbid they buy a cocktail of their own. Chelsea and Cassie sat at the table talking up two very sexy male specimens that only Texas could provide. I couldn’t help but think that maybe the night just got a trillion times better by placing my quest right in front of me.

  "Ladies?" I stated as I took a seat across the table next to Brittany my "bff" for all intents and purposes. Brittany, also from a wealthy family that was close with my father. We had been forced to grow up together. When it came to Brittany I didn’t need to watch my budget, just my back.

  “London meet Cacius." She flipped her auburn hair over her shoulder and flashed the guy a smile worth a million bucks before looking back at me. "Cacius meet London."

  I couldn’t help but feel a pull unlike any other when I looked at him. Dressed in a sexy package made for rough sex and dirty talk. Perfect! His features were dark, his eyes a dark indigo, shadowed by thick black lashes. He was not the sort of man I found myself speechless and hot after. His hair was as black as a ravens wing and stood a few inches off his head in a Mohawk with scrolling tattoos on both sides of his shaved scalp were as jet black as his hair. But this guy was exquisite and I felt compelled to touch him. I fought the urge to climb into his arms when he put his hand out to shake my hand. "Nice to meet you London." His voice was deep and scratchy, a vibration that tickled down my spine and stopping at my clit, forcing a throb unlike any other I had felt before.

  "Cacius is here with Mac.” She pointed to the other beauty, and oddly enough this guy was more the sort of male specimen I had set out after. Long blond hair with waves of thin curl and his eyes blue, but pale, not like the freaky Emo friend that continued to make me breathless.

  Brittany god bless her, leaned across the table and placed her elbows close, her breasts plunging together. I could feel her annoyance though I found it impossible to look at her. My eyes were transfixed on the man before me. As if he read my thoughts his gaze tore away from mine and his eyes flashed briefly at Brittany's cleavage. The smile he gave was slight and seemed to say he knew he had her, if he wanted her. Brittany would spread herself open in the back seat of his car if he even implied he wanted her. I on the other hand, I was slightly willing myself but a fear licked deep inside telling me that this guy would do more than end my celibacy. He would be exactly the sort of man my father would disown me over, but the way he looked at me made me question if he would leave me wanting more. Just then he smiled again when his gaze came back to mine.

  I swear if smiles were orgasms I would be screaming about now.

  "London say something you’re not a mute." Brittany said and then looked at Cacius and smiled. "She's shy. Don’t let her behavior run you off."

  "I like shy. “He spoke low enough for me to hear, his words meant to rile that throbbing inside to heightened levels I could barely stand. “It leaves something to the imagination." He said. His eyes never leaving mine.

  I could not understand this pull, this need to touch him, hear him speak, do anything he asked of me, It was terrifying to be this enthralled and exciting to know he wanted me just as bad. He too was as translucent as I.

  As if I had been cursed, that or I had completely lost my mind, I said the words that burnt coming out. You know the kind you can’t get back.? "I really want to fuck you."

  As if the club dropped fifty degrees, I felt the shock as it radiated around me, but I had no worries. I wanted this man with a need that went deeper than my blood. Bone deep intensity that started in my toes and pooled between my legs. Every fiber in my being warned me to run the other way, this guy was a danger I had never met. He would crack me wide open and leave me in his wake. I didn’t care, this was pure physical attraction in its rawest form and I couldn’t walk away. He was more than what I had hoped for tonight. He was the end of my suffering, and the orgasm I had been depriving myself.

  "Jesus London, are you feeling ok?" Chelsea asked, not bothering to hide her shock. But I could give a damn, this ....man, he was all I could see.

  Cacius looked away long enough to roll his head back and laugh, a deep rumble from inside and it had me reeling. He leaned to the side by Chelsea and raised his eyebrows, "I take it this is out of character for her?"

  "Yes very out of character." Chelsea said, and looked back at me. I felt like a fool. I had this voice inside screaming for me to shut up and an even louder voice screaming "tackle this man and make him scream." I was lost to my two sides, but the latter was winning.

  Smiling from ear to ear I laughed. "I’m a celibate, have been for six years." Then I laughed hysterically because I was under a spell and had to be, I would never offer that info to anyone.

  "Then I say thank you." He said smiling back at me. The strobe lights in the club throbbed like a heartbeat, in blue and red while white flashed and pulsed over the dance floor. The combo made his skin a soft paleness, alabaster satin skin stretched over steel and I was losing my grip on reality. This man was sex personified in faded blue jeans and a black T-shirt.

  "And ok." He said in all seriousness.

  I swear no sweeter words were ever spoken, and I was so on board. "Bye." I said with nothing more than a smile before I gathered my things and followed him out the door.

  *

  London

  I could feel Morris behind me and I had to smile. I had had every intention of getting laid tonight. I was tired of my celibacy and as long as the guy didn’t know my name I knew I could enjoy the sexual company and the release. When my father learned the gravity of this current situation, let alone the guys appearance in general… his fear of humiliation alone would have me out on my ass. I hoped anyway.

  I was fighting for a coherent thought and knew he would give more than I had thought possible. "So celibate huh?" He asked me, his eyes drifting towards me while he shifted gears. I could see every corded muscle in his arm as he went from third to fourth and I licked my lips in anticipation.

  "Yep, and before you ask it has nothing to do with religious beliefs. Plain and simple it's the oldest story in the book." I paused when my memory flashed back six years ago when I walked in on the man I loved with another woman. At twenty I should have known better than to go looking for forever but the outcome was still awful.

  "Man does wrong, gives us all a bad name." He kept his eyes on the road and I looked out the windshield shocked that I was so transparent to him.

  "Where are we going?" I asked.

  "My place." He looked at me then, his sapphire eyes now more intense than before. "That ok?"

  I looked out my side view mirror and sighed. I would be fine, the place the time the guy. All of it. But my Dad would have him bleeding by morning. "Depends." I said and looked at him. I sat on my hand because the need to touch him was almost unbearable. "You look like the type of guy who isn’t too scared of a speeding ticket, and you see that car behind us?"

  He looked in his rear view mirror and nodded a look of interest coming across his face and I had to smile. Bingo. This guy just keeps getting better.

  "That’s Morris, long story short he will follow us, not bother us, but then follow me home where he will tell my tyrant of a Father what it is exactly we get down to. Now I’m o
k with dear old dad knowing all the dirty deeds from tonight, but I don’t want you to get hurt in my plan of screwing the old man over. So decide now big boy, you in for the good bad and the ugly or are you out? Either way I’m ok and I get it but decide now because he is gaining on us."

  Before I could get to the second option he laughed and took my free hand, his thumb brushing over the top of my hand. "So what you’re saying is, I lose him, and I get to walk away in the morning?"

  "That’s exactly what I’m saying."

  He stepped on the gas and in minutes Morris was a goner, lost behind traffic lights and other cars. All I could do is smile and hold Cacius's hand tighter. "You must be something special for there to be a cavalry behind you."

  "One man does not a cavalry make." I mumbled watching Morris's headlights become nothing more than specks of light no bigger than a grain of sand.

  He looked at me a knowing look and he wasn’t settling for my evasion. "And exactly who are you London."