by Tl Reeve
“We need to have a private conversation.” He slipped her a piece of paper. “Meet me at this hotel. Ask the front counter clerk for my room number.”
“We have a soundproof room here?” AJ hooked her finger toward the hall. “We could go there.”
“Did you really want everyone to see you enter a room with Scotty and me? You seem like the type who doesn’t broadcast your sexuality and your sexual conquests.”
What do you think? She peered up at Scotty.
Hotel. He’s right. We’re going to need privacy. We can’t get that here.
She sighed. Resignation filled her. Maybe before this was all over, she’d call Wolf and have him send a plane for her. Then she wouldn’t have to expose herself. “Fine. In an hour. I’ll clear using one of the vehicles.”
Thomas handed her a set of keys. “Drive my car. I’ll hitch a ride with Frazer.”
“Uh...” She glanced down at the silver key ring with the keyless-entry Mercedes E-class fob and whistled. “Fancy.” She showed it to Scotty.
Hawt.
“Right?” She slipped the keys into her bag.
“I expect there to be exactly fifteen miles on my car,” he said before leaving them.
Well? She shrugged as they trudged down the hall to the bank of elevators. Do you think we should bring anything with us?
Clothes? Scotty gave her a curious look. What if we don’t come back tonight?
“You think he’ll make us stay? On the first night?
He gave a lift of his shoulder. I didn’t expect to pick up this kind of a mission, but here we are.
True. “This is so fucked up.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I wasn’t lying when I said I can’t do this.”
Because of Samael? he questioned.
She told Scotty about her situation with Samael, one night after they began working for the CIA and gone out drinking. He’d been righteously indignant. He’d begun that night, trying to ruin the man who hurt her, but they found out after their digging mission, Samael had died in prison two weeks earlier. Right place. Wrong time. He’d been caught up in a prison riot, which according to the report had been in the planning stages for months. When all was said and done, three guards were dead and twenty-two inmates. The sucky part? None of the men who started the riot were killed. They were, however, charged with each of the twenty-five murders. Not liked they’d be going anywhere, anyway; they’d already been locked up for murder.
Nevertheless, AJ didn’t feel an ounce of regret or remorse. She’d waited for the guilt to eat away at her for turning him in, yet all she felt was relief. He’d never harm another child. Sure, cleaning up a single bad house in the grand scheme of CPS, didn’t amount to much when there were others out there. Still, it saved those eight and probably countless other kids from having to be abused at the whim of a child molester whenever the mood struck him.
“I don’t want to talk about him ever again.” She crossed her arms. A defense mechanism her therapist called it. A way of shutting out others when she didn’t feel safe or secure.
You’ll have to tell him.
“You can do it since you snitched about my name.”
Ouch. He put his hands up in defense. You’re right, I had no business. But, battles.
She pushed air through her clenched teeth. “My name is my own. I am AJ. I stopped being Amelia the day my parents got hooked on heroin and died.”
You’ll always be Amelia Jane to me. Scotty scrubbed her head before pushing the button on the elevator. Hey, what do you say we add a few extra miles and grab a cheeseburger on the way to the hotel? I’m starving. He rubbed his flat belly. My stomach is touching my backbone.
“You do realize that’s completely impossible.” She bit her lip to keep from laughing.
Says you.
AJ rolled her eyes. “Fine a burger on the way.”
And a milkshake?
“Now, you’re pushing it.”
When they arrived at the hotel, they’d put an extra mile on the car, and they were five minutes late. It couldn’t be helped, though. Both AJ and Scotty were starving. Grabbing a burger and shake should have been easy, until they remembered it was a Friday night and it was still football season for the high schools. The line wrapped around the fast food joint like the previous ones they checked out before settling on the last one before the hotel.
AJ pulled the car into a spot near the front and parked. In the trunk were their clothes and personal items. Scotty was right, if they were going to do this the proper way, they had to be prepared. Yet, she couldn’t stop the tremble in her hands when she hit the trunk button nor when she gathered her things. A couple of times on the way to their destination, she even questioned if she should’ve eaten a greasy burger covered in cheese or drank a strawberry milkshake.
Scotty handed her the cup after throwing their food bags in the trash. You look like you could use a shot of sugar. You’re a little pale.
“I think I’m almost too nervous to put anything else in my stomach.” She frowned at the cup but carried it with her as she hoisted her backpack onto her shoulder and headed inside. Soft music greeted them as they stepped into the cozy lobby. The floors had a polished patina to them, and the exposed crossbeams gave the place a high-class cabin feel to them. Across from where she stood, a fire blazed in an old brick fireplace.
Scotty nudged her. Fancy.
Yeah. She agreed. A room there a night would set her back a bit. Guess I should announce us.
Scotty grunted.
AJ crossed to the front counter where a petite blonde sat. She cleared her throat and closed her eyes, giving herself a moment of composure. “Hi. I’m meeting Thomas Kaine here tonight with my friend, Scotty.”
The girl glanced up and grinned. “Right, Agent Kaine.” The way she said Thomas’ last name, made AJ’s stomach tighten. “One of our favorite customers.” The girl typed away on the computer then grabbed something under the lip of the counter. “He’s in room 704 corner suite, as always.” She placed two cards on the counter in front of AJ along with a sheet of paper. “If you’ll sign here.”
After signing the sheet, AJ grabbed their keys and trudged back over to Scotty. One of our favorite customers... Anger flared to life tinged by jealousy. It was irrational considering they weren’t anything to each other, except partners. However, shouldn’t he have brought them somewhere he hadn’t brought all his women to?
What’s wrong? Scotty faced her once they were inside the elevator.
She shook her head. “It’s stupid.”
Tell me? he prodded.
Oh, she would. Once they were inside the room with Thomas. When the elevator dinged, she stepped away from Scotty and started down the hall. The yellow glow of city lights through the bank of windows would’ve been beautiful any other time, tonight they were blobs in a window. When she stopped in front of 704, she put the key into the door and waited for it to turn green. The door was snatched out of her hand when Thomas answered it.
“You’re late.” He scowled down at her.
“Well, sucks to be you. We were hungry.” She tugged the keys to his car from her pocket and handed them to him. “Safe and sound. Not a scratch, ding or dent.” She pushed past him and entered the room. It was nice. Masculine. Dark and elegant, kind of like the man staring after her.
“So, tell me, Thomas, do you bring all of your conquests here? Because you knew exactly how far from the base we are.” God, she sounded like a raging, jealous bitch.
Thomas dropped his keys into a small crystal dish she hadn’t seen when she stepped into the room. He then crossed to a wingback chair near the window and sat. “Tell me, Amelia are you jealous? Because you sound jealous.”
She sucked in a breath.
“Better yet, tell me, how many of those soldier boys did you bed while you were in California working with Wolf? Did they keep your bed warm?” Thomas slid his gaze to Scotty. “And you. How many women have you brought home and fucked while Amelia was pres
ent?”
“More than I want to count,” she muttered. Again, the knot of jealousy tightened within her. “He does while he plays video games. The fucker doesn’t even get naked. He just pulls it out and goes to town.”
Scotty frowned.
“Get it all out of your systems now. We have no time for this tomfoolery. If we’re going to be a cohesive unit we must act as though we’ve been a couple for more than two weeks.” Thomas cut his gaze to Scotty.
Why are you bitching about it? Basic’s been keeping you busy for the last couple of years. The snap and sharp movements of his hands along with his words, devastated AJ.
She bit the inside of her cheek willing herself not to become an emotional wreck. “Yeah, well, I can count all of them on one hand. What about you?” She glared at Thomas. “You still haven’t answered the question. How many women have you brought here?”
Scotty blanched. A myriad of emotion played across his features before he shut it down, blocking her out. He never blocked her out. He’d always been open and honest. A sinking feeling filled her stomach. Her heart chugged and a lump formed in her throat.
Yeah. Answer. You got ours. Scotty scowled.
Thomas stood and went to the small sideboard she hadn’t paid attention to when she entered the room. He grabbed a glass off of the silver plate then one of the bottles from the shelf and poured a drink.
“I don’t keep count.” He swallowed down the amber liquid then poured himself another. “I also don’t keep them for very long.”
“Great,” AJ spat. “So, you fuck them and leave them.”
He put the glass down then closed the distance between them. He towered over her. His intimidating form blocked out her ability to see behind him. “Pot meet kettle.”
God, she had the irresistible urge to kiss his lips or run her fingers through his perfectly styled hair, just to shake him up. “I—”
Thomas inhaled. His eyes went wide and he took a step back. “What are you drinking?”
She frowned. “What am I drinking?” She licked her lips. “What does that have to do with what we’re talking about?”
“There is a very specific reason I am asking,” he muttered. “What is in the cup?”
“Strawberry shake. Not booze, old man,” she snarked. “Besides, if I wanted a stiff one, I’d have it. I’m of age.”
Thomas muttered a curse. “Please throw it away.”
AJ scowled. “Excuse me?” They were partners on a job, nothing else. He didn’t get to tell her what she could or couldn’t have to eat or drink. “I enjoy strawberry milkshakes, thank you very much. I won’t be wasting this one.” She took another sip to prove her point.
“Please, AJ. For the love of everything holy, throw it away,” Thomas pleaded.
This time, she looked up at him and found him inching away from her. His face was pale, and his fingers twitched. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“I am highly allergic to strawberries. It doesn’t matter if they’re in a jelly or a jam. It doesn’t matter if it’s the whole fruit or imitation. I will become violently ill.” He walked over to his bag. “Since we’re starting now, I should explain a few things.” He pulled out a smaller bag and placed it on the table near where she stood. “I carry my EpiPens with me in this bag. I also have two oral medications I take at the onset of a reaction if it isn’t bad and can stop it in time. One is hospital strength Pepcid and the other is called Hydroxyzine HCL.”
The blood drained from AJ’s face. Right away she ran to the bathroom and poured her shake down the drain then rinsed her mouth out with the small bottle of mouth wash she found in the drawer beside her. She’d been so worked up by his asshole tendencies, she hadn’t stop to consider why he’d asked her in the first place. She’d gone by gut reaction, and she’d put his life at risk. Way to make a first impression.
When she exited the bathroom, Scotty continued to drink from his styrofoam cup while Thomas retreated to the table with his drink. He glanced up when she entered the room. “Those are things we should talk about before I buy my favorite shake.”
“What do you have?” He inclined his chin at Scotty who’d taken a seat on one of the beds.
Chocolate and you can fuck off about me throwing it away. I’m not kissing you.
Thomas smirked. “Cheeky bastard.”
Scotty flipped him off. Don’t think because you have allergies it makes any of the bullshit that was said between us, better.
“Wouldn’t dare to.” Thomas finished off his drink then held up the glass. “I like bourbon. Two ice cubes. I will expect both of you to know this. You will both retrieve my drinks for me when we are in the club. I also have one when I come home from work before dinner.”
“In case you forgot, we’re not in your home. We’re at a hotel where I suspect those women you don’t ‘keep track of,’ have spent the night with you,” she snapped.
“Careful, baby girl, the green eyed monster’s going to consume you.” Thomas opened up his briefcase. He grabbed a few things out of it, then laid two stacks of paper out along with two pens on the table. “Come sit, we have much to discuss.”
She glanced at Scotty while pushing back a lock of her hair. “What is it?” She peered at the packet as she closed the distance between them, but with the light hanging above the table, the glare washed the words out.
“It’s a contract,” Thomas said. “For both of you and for me.”
Again, she looked to Scotty who shrugged.
“A contract for what specifically?” She sat at the table and looked at the paperwork in front of her. The words blurred together.
“I’m glad you asked.” Thomas grabbed his copy from the case. “From now until the mission is over, you’re both mine. That means, in a way, I am your guardian.”
AJ scrunched up her face. “Gross.”
“It’s not the same as being a parent,” Thomas said. “Think of it more of a contracted relationship. Since I am the Dom and you are my sex toys, I am your guardian.”
“Not helping.” AJ mumbled turning the page.
Nope, Scotty signed.
Thomas signed as he spoke, “Let’s move on.”
“Wait.” AJ narrowed her eyes. “What does, this mean?” She pointed to a list of dress rules. “All attire must be approved of before wearing. All skirts and dresses must be above the knee and worn with no panties.”
Scotty’s nostrils flared. What?
She pointed to the page in his contract.
Commando? He glanced up at Thomas. Why?
“If it puts your mind at ease, I will be, too, any time we play. It’s ease of access. I want Amelia open to me.” He glanced up at Scotty. “You will, too, once you’ve been together. Plus, you’re both a representation of me. How would a Dom of status look if he had two unkept dolls?”
We’re not dolls.
“Yeah,” she added. “We’re not dolls.”
“Ah, baby girl,” Thomas murmured. “Yes, you are. You just don’t know it yet.”
“Okay, now you sound like a serial killer and I should know. I’ve worked on those type of cases a time or two.” AJ continued down the page. “You gotta be shitting me. Bare? As in bare, bare? Down there?”
Thomas’ brow rose in the most aristocratic way. “‘Down there?’ No. We use proper terms here, Amelia. I have a dick, or a cock as does Scotty. You have a pussy or cunt, and yes, I like a bare pussy.”
She shivered at his tone. The embers of her arousal from earlier returned with a vengeance. How dare he be so vulgar while also appearing haughty with his air of superiority? “What about Scotty?”
“Well, if you want Scotty to have a smooth dick and balls, I can add it.”
Fuck off.
“But, a trim will suffice. However, grooming around the groin is a must. If she must present herself to us bare, you, too, must tame your jungle,” Thomas stated.
Blow me, Scotty signed. I keep myself manicured and tidy, thank you very much. Besides, makes my dic
k look bigger.
“Are you saying you’re on the small side?” AJ questioned, razzing the shit out of Scotty.
No! he snarled. It’s plenty big. Want to see it?
Thomas made an exasperating noise. “Children.”
Heat filled AJ’s cheeks. “Sorry.”
“Forgiven. Shall we continue?”
She nodded. “Yes.” She flipped to the next page and paused. She didn’t want to sound like a broken record, but there were more rules than, as Tex would say, than Carter had pills. “Showers in front of you? Why?”
Thomas shrugged. “Call it a kink of mine.”
“You like watching women shower?” She tilted her head, not sure how she felt about the idea of being watched. It wasn’t anything spectacular. She’d been like everyone else getting cleaned up after a long-ass day.
“Also gives me a chance to join if I wish,” Thomas said.
“Scotty, too?”
“Joining?” Thomas asked.
“No, you’d watch Scotty?” she prodded.
“Maybe? If it is both of you, I might watch for a bit then join you. Again, it’s a kink of mine.”
“You like watching people shower together?” AJ didn’t understand Thomas at all. “Do you get off on seeing dirty people become clean?”
Thomas sighed. “No, Amelia. It’s not the getting clean part. It’s the caressing and fondling. The reaching between your legs to touch yourself—spreading your cheeks to rinse the soap from your ass. It’s the idea of Scotty being inside that shower with you, taking you from behind, making you scream that turns me on.”
“So...” She swallowed hard as the images of her and Scotty together floated through her mind. “You’re a voyeur?”
“Among other things,” he murmured. “Which we’ll delve deeper into over the next few weeks.”
AJ glanced at Scotty whose expression was blank. She flipped the page and frowned once more. “A 10 pm curfew and bedtime? I can’t abide by this. Sure, we’re done with the Breslow mission, but being in Mexico; shouldn’t this be flexible?”
