Deceptive People

by Kristen Echo

  My stomach picked that moment to growl which made Brian chuckle. I loved that sound, and it made my heart ache to hear it again. I sat up, took the slice from him, as well as a napkin. Our fingers grazed and sparks raced down my arms, settling in my core. The connection between us was still unbelievably strong. My appetite suddenly shifted from food to Brian. The desire to lick every inch of him was strong. I resisted temptation by taking a bite of the pizza, chewed and swallowed, but not tasting a thing. My attention was fixed on the six-foot sexy detective in front of me. Brian watched me take the first few bites. His eyes fixed on my lips, his lids were hooded, and there was a pronounced bulge in his jeans.

  He settled back into a chair and proceeded to type away on his phone. I choked back the entire piece of pizza, and it filled the void. The food and water helped me regain my energy, and I knew exactly what I planned to do with it. I stood up and went to the open box to retrieve another slice. Glued to his phone, Brian didn’t spare a glance my way. After I finished eating, I closed the box and sat back down on the bed. The towel I wore shifted, exposing more leg. It wasn't on purpose, but I didn't cover up.

  “I sent a report to my partner, and a tech guy I trust. She's been coordinating with the team at your office and handling the search for Luis. Unfortunately, he's managed to avoid arrest, but we'll get him. June, I promise nothing bad will happen to you. They are also going to pick up Max Barroni. Until we locate your data and decipher the meaning, we can only hold him on suspicion, and hope he talks. We need to find your files. A search warrant is in the works for all of Persia's offices, including yours.” Brian never looked at me as he spoke, he was too busy typing. His focus on my safety and putting the bad guys away was endearing. He was a good cop.

  “Do people know where you are, and that you're with me?” I realized Brian and I had been alone this entire time. That struck me as odd.

  “People know we're together. I had to file a report on your attack, but I haven't shared our location with anyone. Before you passed out, you said Max and Luis would kill for what you know, I wasn't about to chance them finding you. Your safety is my top priority.”

  “You're not breaking protocol or something by helping me, are you?” That got his attention. His breath hitched when he looked at me, and the extra inches of skin. “I wouldn't want to get you into trouble,” I added, in a sweet voice.

  “June, you are trouble.” His eyes raked over me like a warm caress. The heat there mirrored my own.

  “You didn't eat,” I noted, raising a brow suggestively.

  “I had something else in mind.” His cocky smile was back, and I answered with one of my own.

  In a flash, Brian was on me, his lips claiming mine. The swiftness of his movement caused me to open in surprise, and his tongue slipped inside, reacquainting himself with my mouth. My tongue sought his, sampling every ridge and bud. He tasted like mint and smelled like fresh air. I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. Our lips mashed together as did our bodies, trying to get as close as possible. Brian was an amazing kisser, he kissed like he was making love to my mouth. Sensual sweeps of his tongue along mine reminded me I belong to him in that moment.

  One hand fluttered down from the nape of my neck, around my shoulder to the top of my towel, leaving goosebumps in his wake. He traced the bare skin above the white terrycloth, as though seeking permission to explore what lay beneath. I broke the kiss and leaned back, with Brian's hand guiding me down towards the mattress. I bit my plump bottom lip which were bruised from the savageness of our kiss. My towel was a barrier between us which needed to go. I loosened and let it fall open like a present, revealing my naked body. What would he think about seeing all of me again? Would I disappoint him? Those thoughts were fleeting when Brian's posture straightened, and his teeth clenched, as he took in my form for the first time in years.

  “Jesus, you're beautiful.” He leaned over me and kissed my neck. His tongue licked the outer shell of my uninjured ear, and I shuddered.

  My fingers dove into his silky short strands, and I luxuriated in the feel of it. He wore his hair shorter than when we were together, but it suited him. My hands moved to his scruffy jaw and directed his lips back to mine. He supported his weight on his elbows caging me in. There was no place I wanted to be but right there with Brian. I was a little scared at the overwhelming emotions Brian stirred up within me. The man had the power to hurt me like no one else, although I couldn't fight the urges inside me. Seeing him after such a long time and tasting his lips, was like having a sip of water after a drought. I craved more.

  We kissed for a long while, I couldn't get enough. It would never be enough. He nibbled his way down from my lips to my neck and lower; alternating between kisses, licks, and soft bites. Skillfully, his tongue circled my areola until my nipples hardened almost painfully. He sucked one into his hot mouth elongating the sensitive tip. Drifting between the two peaks, he elicited whimpers from me. I gripped and tugged on his hair, forcing him closer to me. He touched and squeezed my breasts until I was a hot, squirming mess. One hand moved down past my navel to slide through my wetness below. Blushing from head to toe, I couldn’t believe how wet I was, however, looking at Brian, it was clear how much that pleased him.

  “Touch me. I need more,” I begged. Everything Brian did felt so good, but I needed to come. I was positive I would go crazy if I didn't soon. He kept teasing my entrance with his fingertips while lavishing attention to my tits.

  “I love how wet you get for me, Sweetness.” A lone finger found its way inside my tight walls. He thrust in and out a few times before adding another finger. He rubbed my sensitive nubbin with his thumb, applying the perfect amount of pressure to rip an unexpected orgasm from me. Ripples of ecstasy washed over me, causing me to clench around him.

  My back arched off the bed. “Holy crap,” I shouted, to which Brian only chuckled. The overconfident ass.

  He pulled his sweater off granting me the first view of his naked torso. A few pounds had been added over the years, but the extra bulk rounded him off. The six pack was long gone, but his bulging arms and flat belly were still awe-inspiring. I liked his new physic even better because he was broader and there was more to touch. Not that he allowed me that privilege yet.

  “You've denied me this for too long. Now, I am going to taste your sweet honey.” He knelt onto the cheap hotel carpet and opened my folds with both hands, staring at my sex reverently. Brian always made me feel sexy, moreover, he still had that effect. Anyone else would have caused me to be embarrassed, having my legs spread open for inspection, but under Brian's green gaze, I welcomed the attention. More than that, I desired it. I hadn't realized how much I missed him, missed us, until I saw his face between my legs watching for my reaction.

  His eyes stayed locked on mine as he licked along my slit from back to front. “Yes! Oh God!” The sensation was mind-blowing. His tongue dipped inside me, and he slurped my cream. My overly neglected body reacted almost immediately to his ministrations, and I made noises of unabashed bliss.

  “I missed those purring noises you make when I do this.” He licked my little bundle of nerves with the pad of his tongue again and again, until he coaxed yet another orgasm from me. This one was more intense than the last, and I rode it for a long time. Brian kept licking until I thrashed and could take no more. “You taste like pure sweetness. So damn good.”

  Sated and spent, I could have fallen asleep a happy woman, but I wanted Brian to enter me. I wanted all of him, every part. I reached for his jeans, and he didn't stop me. The zipper gave no resistance as I lowered it and freed him from his boxers. His hard, smooth flesh filled my hand. I caressed his meaty shaft and watched him harden even more. I rubbed the bit of pre-cum over the bulbous head. We didn’t need the extra moisture, I was ready, and I needed him to tame the beast between my legs.

  “Brian I want you inside me now. I need you.” I was rewarded with Brian's hand over mine, directing his thick cock where I wanted him mos
t. He teased my entrance but didn't enter.

  “I've been waiting ages to hear you say that,” he said, over my whines. He coated himself in my moisture before pushing just the tip inside me. We waited a moment for me to adjust to his girth. Then, he plunged inside fast and hard until he was fully sheathed. I gasped at the painful sensation of being stretched to my limits. “So tight.” He pulled out slow and controlled, and pushed back inside the same way. “And you feel so good.” His large body covered mine, our mouths met again, completing the connection. He worked my body like he owned it, he consumed me. I, in turn, moved like a lover who knew exactly how to please her man. My body responded to Brian like we had never been apart. I swiveled my hips and met his thrusts with my own. It had been far too long since I'd felt this good. I panted, loving each stroke of pleasure, on the verge of losing control. He kissed the crook of my neck, stealing my sanity in the process. Our bodies moved as one, united in passion. Lifting a leg over his shoulder, he pushed into me deeper than our previous position allowed. His length breached my final barrier of restraint, and I lost it. I cried out his name loud enough to wake the neighborhood. My climax burst from that hidden spot and radiated through my body. I trembled with pleasure raking my nails down Brian's chiseled back. He rammed into me a few more times before he pulled out. I watched as his face contorted in pleasure, and I felt the hot spurts of his release land on my stomach. He roared my name like a lion claiming his prey. His muscles flexed as he pumped his cock in his fist, emptying every ounce of his creamy goodness, and marking my skin.

  He collapsed next to me on the bed and pulled me into his arms. He kissed the top of my head as we cuddled and tried to catch our breath.

  Chapter Six

  BRIAN SIGHED CONTENTEDLY holding me against him for several minutes. The only sound in the room was our combined labored breaths and the loud hum of the air-conditioner. The sweltering warmth from Brian's skin against mine caused me to sweat and overheat. Unfortunately for me, the euphoria of our tryst wore off way too soon. I became uncomfortable and disentangled our linked fingers. Why had I let my physical attraction guide my actions and over-rule my rational mind? Confused, I couldn't help but wonder what the hell I had just done? Reckless behavior and having sex with my ex-fiancé carried too many repercussions to count. This was the man who destroyed my faith in happily ever after not that long ago. The same man, who if I allowed him to get any closer, could somehow hurt me all over again. I trusted Brian Rigshaw with my life, but trusting him with my heart scared me more than running from bullets.

  The aroma of sex and sweat overpowered the pizza. My nose pressed against Brian's chest as he held me in the crook of his arm, a position that was so familiar, yet shouldn't be. I was lying next to a virtual stranger. Suddenly shy, I extricated myself from the once enjoyable embrace and reached around for the towel to cover myself. I didn't know the first thing about Detective Rigshaw's life, whether he was single or in a relationship. Worst, what if I had thrown myself at a married man? Shame tarnished the taste of Brian on my lips. Friend or foe seemed irrelevant, the urge to wash my sins away became paramount.

  “Brian, this was a mistake.” I bolted upright, found the discarded towel, and wrapped it around my body. I wanted to cover up and hide in more ways than one. “We shouldn't have done what we just did. It's been an emotionally exhausting day, and I'm sorry.”

  I didn't give him a chance to respond. I stood up and raced into the bathroom, where I locked the door and slid down to the cold tile floor. Why had I done that? All I wanted was to forget my troubles, however, I only managed to create more. I banged my head against the door a few times in hopes to alleviate the confusion but failed.

  He knocked and tried the handle to no avail. “June, open up.” Brian's husky voice on the other side of the door didn’t help clear the mess in my head. “Please don't shut me out. We need to talk.” The desperation in his tone caused my heart to ache.

  “Give me a few minutes, and I'll be out shortly,” I said, although we had nothing to talk about. I needed to clean Brian off my skin and get dressed. Walking around in a towel was not a good idea. At quick glance, my cheeks had a rosy glow, and my blue eyes sparkled like a woman in love. Mirrors were deceiving. I hadn't seen that stupid doe-eyed look in a long time and it pissed me off to see it now. Damn Brian Rigshaw, and his irresistible magnetism. Brian had a commanding presence, and he captivated me from the moment I first laid eyes on him. He was attractive sure, but something about him made you stop and take notice, something that made me love him. I didn't want to feel this way. I'd made a series of bad decisions tonight. There were no take backs, and I couldn't hide forever, I would have to deal with all of it.

  For the second time, I ran the water in the shower, this time warmer than I would normally. I scrubbed all the signs of our encounter from my skin, too bad I couldn’t say the same for the rest of me. Each time I closed my eyes, I would picture the contours of his hard naked body, feel the soft yet firm touch his hands, and taste the flavor unique to Brian. Even if I managed to shake those thoughts, the soreness between my legs wouldn't let me forget for weeks to come that we had been together.

  My clothes hadn't dried, but I used the hairdryer on the wall to complete the process. I put on my discolored blouse, and tied my damp hair in a braid which exposed my shot up ear. The newly scabbed skin was a reminder of why I was there in the first place. Luis and Max wanted me dead. The things I'd uncovered would put them both away for a long time, not to mention expose an entire ring of corruption. It was my word against theirs unless the files I'd uncovered could be obtained by the authorities. Brian said he had people he trusted working on things, but too many variables existed for my liking. He was right, we needed to talk, but once again, he wouldn’t like what I had to say.

  Walking into the room, I found Brian pacing the tiny space. He turned to face me and ran a hand through his disheveled brown hair. He had redressed, which was for the best, nevertheless, I would be lying if I hadn't secretly wanted one last look at his magnificent male form. The intense dark jade color had switched back to normal, but his eyes clouded with unease that had nothing to do with our personal relationship. The way his shoulders slumped ever so slightly, told me something bothered him.

  “What's happening? Did they find Luis and Max?” I asked, and Brian's eyes dropped to the floor. Not a good sign. “Have they recovered the documents I told you about?”

  He kept his distance and regarded me for a long moment. The silence frightened me more than he intended. Unable to stand for another second, I made it to the nearest chair and sank into it. “Luis and Max are at the station with their lawyers. Both saying they came as soon as the news broke about them being wanted for questioning. They are acting like they have nothing to hide, and June...” Brian swallowed hard. He took a step closer but didn't make contact. I wanted to feel relief by his words, but I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. “We haven't found the USB stick yet. On top of that, Luis claims he doesn't own a gun, and hasn't fired one in ages. We ran a test for gun residue. He came back clean.”

  “How is that possible?” I was flummoxed by what I heard.

  “There are several possibilities. He may have been wearing gloves, however that’s unlikely given the current summer conditions. Do you know for a fact Luis shot you?”

  My head was getting heavier by the second, it dropped to my hands, and I pressed my palms to my forehead. “I never looked back. Who else could it be?”

  “That's what I'm asking you? Was there anyone around for your conversation with Luis? Anyone you noticed in the halls?”

  “No. Everyone else left hours before us. Luis pulled a gun on me. He threatened me. We were alone in his office, it had to be him.” My voice didn't hold the conviction it should have, and Brian noticed.

  “Most guilty parties don't turn themselves in so quickly,” Brain stated.

  “What are you implying?” I asked, hoping to see the big picture, because I wasn’t able to grasp
the magnitude of the rabbit hole I had fallen into.

  “June.” He reached for my hand, but I pulled away as though he was about to scald me with boiling water. “I know you, and I can tell you've been through the ringer tonight. We won't be able to hold either of them for much longer.”

  “Nothing is making sense. I didn't shoot myself for crying out loud. I'm not making this shit up Brian,” I shouted.

  “Never thought that for even a moment. We’re lucky my partner and I were at to your office when we heard shots. I hate you being mixed up with these scumbags, but I'm glad I was there to protect you, and I will continue to do that.”

  Too glad to be saved, I had thought little about why Brian showed up. Unsure how things would have turned out otherwise, I needed more information. “Why were you going to my office tonight? Where is your partner? Do you think Barroni shot me?”

  “Barroni had the opportunity, he was there, but I doubt he would have known about you. As for me, we just happened to be in the area and caught Barroni enter your building. I dropped my partner in the back and went to park. I was on my way when I saw you whip out of the alley. Damn good thing too.”

  Gratitude brought fresh moisture to my eyes. “Thank you for that. For saving my life.” I choked up, yet got the words out.

  “Save the appreciation, I've got bad news. You know we're trained to follow the evidence and unfortunately, in this case, there isn't any yet. You are the only evidence.” Brain gestured to his phone. “My boss pulled the plug on the search warrant, and the manpower at your office about ten minutes ago. It's not all bad, my partner and I will still work the case, and I have a few favors owed to me.”

  Money ruled the world. Those who had it dictated how things went down. Luis and Max oozed wealth, and they would get away with everything. I was collateral damage. Brian would be safer if he stayed away from me. “There's no point. It will all get swept under the rug. I was as good as dead the second I hit print.”