A Stranger's Affection

by Charlene Namdhari

  “Damn, Rex is a lucky guy. Who’s the new girl? She’s fucking gorgeous,” Jake, one of the floor managers, asked, his gaze still riveted on Nishi.

  Colton’s insides roiled with a strange sense of what—jealousy. No. Then what? Something stirred his senses. He wasn’t the sensitive sort, so the feeling puzzled him.

  “Oh, she’s not Rex’s type, trust me,” Brittany piped up.

  “Really? And you’d know this how?” Steven, the company accountant, asked.

  “I’ve known Rex for some time now. I think Bianca is more his type. Don’t you agree, Colt?” She referred to the club’s receptionist with whom Rex occasionally flirted.

  Colton shrugged. “I’m not my brother’s keeper. Whoever he wants to date has nothing to do with me,” he muttered. Except, that was a lie. Rex persuing Nishi turned Colton’s thoughts upside down, angered him to the point of wanting to squeeze his brother’s neck. He was plain down jealous. Seeing the two of them in Nishi’s bedroom the evening before when he’d gone to invite her to the party, left him in a fucked-up mood for the rest of the night and most of today.

  He glanced up as Rex and Nishi approached. The closer she got, the hotter his blood simmered, to say nothing of his cock. The thing developed a life of its own around her and hardened—something painful. It didn’t help that every step Nishi took, parted the slits on her dress exposing shapely legs he wanted to wrap around his waist as he fucked her hard. Until she waltzed into his life, control was second nature. Cursing, he resisted the urge to adjust his crotch and downed his drink to curb the heat.

  ALTHOUGH THE NOTION sounded stupid, Nishani couldn’t ignore the hammer of her heart as Rex walked her toward Colton and the men at his side. Dressed in a black sports suit and a white t-shirt, he defined elegance and casual all rolled into one. His magnetic pull was formidable. She’d come across a few good-looking men who could make a woman’s heart race. Yet, none came remotely close to the speed Colton’s smile alone produced. God, when had she become so mushy?

  Brittany didn’t appear happy to see her. Nishani chuckled and earned a raised brow from Rex. She shook head at him as they stopped beside the group.

  “I see you brought the cook,” Brittany was the first to speak. “It must be nice having an Indian cook for a change.”

  The dumbfounded look on both Colton and Rex’s faces made Nishani laughed. “You should visit when I serve a threesome meal with me as starters to both these lovely men.”

  Brittany’s jaw dropped, Rex laughed hard, and Colton grinned. The other two men chuckled.

  “Cook? Fuck, if she’s the cook, then I want to be your server.” Steven licked his lips, and Nishani smiled.

  “Am I missing something, Nish?” Rex asked when his body stop quaking.

  “Isn’t Nishi your new cook?” Brittany’s features morphed into unconcealed exasperation.

  “No. She’s a friend.” Rex said. “Jake, Steven, meet Nishi.”

  “Hi.” Nishani shook hands with both men. She glanced at Colton, who appeared to be studying the inside of his glass with avid interest. As if sensing her gaze, he looked up. His lips widened in a slow smile. Try as she might, Nishani couldn’t look away. The man was sexy as hell and probably knew it.

  “I’m thirsty,” Brittany sidled up to Colton’s side and rubbed his chest lightly. “Colton, be a honey and get me something to drink, please.”

  “Excuse me while I go vomit” Nishani grinned at Rex then arched a brow for Colton’s benefit. He smirked. The other two guys shared a look that told Nishani they weren’t impressed with Brittany either.

  To Nishani’s surprise, Colton stepped away from Brittany and slid his arm around her waist. Her awareness of him like a million electric pulses to every nerve. “The color of my suit is black, Brittany.” He probably referred to the white-suited waiters. “I’m taking Nishi on a tour of the club. Boys, I’ll see you later.” The curve of his fingers gently urged Nishani toward the elevator. “Wipe that grin off your face,” Colton said without looking at her.

  “Or what?” She caught Rex’s thumbs up and Brittany’s glower through the half glass panels as the elevator doors closed.

  “Or, I’ll fuck you in this elevator.”

  “And that’s a problem, how?” Nishani offered him a cheeky grin.

  “God, you’ve got a mouth on you.”

  “Turns you on, doesn’t it?” She laughed.

  He cursed. “Looks like you haven’t learned your lesson yet.”

  “Maybe you should do something about it.” She finished with an audacious lift of her brow.

  With an impatient growl, Nishani wasn’t expecting, Colton ripped off his jacket, hit the stop button, and turned. His hand on her neck, he thrust her up against the wall. Her body hummed in anticipation before his mouth crushed hers. Wild. Savage. Seductive. The rough kiss equated a duel of tongues dancing, teeth clashing, and lip biting, sensuously drawing out her breath in a stifled pant. It turned her on—instantly soaking her crotch—a feat she typically had cool control over.

  He gripped her hips, lifted her, and pressed her against him, letting her feel his arousal. She moaned. As his lips worked their magic, he slid her body down then snaked a hand between the slit of her dress. Automatically, her legs parted. She groaned when he cupped her mound.

  “No underwear? Were you so eager for my cock?” He thrust a finger inside her quivering sex.

  “Don’t flatter yourself.” Nishani gasped.

  “I don’t. You fucking love this.” He pushed in another finger. “And you know you want me.”

  Her sassy response never made it past her lips. Colton pulled down her top, lowered his head, and sucked a tight bud into his mouth. His free hand tweaked the other nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Tiny needles of desire streaked its way across her body. Nishani cried out.

  “Have you fucked my brother yet?” he breathed when his lips moved to her neck. His hand dropped away from her breast to her lower back.

  “What?” she panted, grabbing his arms tight. Fighting between the magic of his fingers inside her and understanding the stupidity of his question.

  “I don’t care if you have.” His tongue licked the hollow at her neck.

  “Colton, please,” she moaned. Unsure whether she wanted him to continue or stop and talk to her properly, her nails dug into the hard muscles of his arms.

  “I don’t care if you fucked my brother, Nishi.” His teeth nipped the soft skin on her neck, then sucking hard until she squirmed. Did he just mark her? He lifted his head and stared at her. His fingers pumped into her, hard and fast. “Because from now on, you belong to me.” The fire blazing in his gaze warned her not to take his words lightly.

  “Colton,” she choked. Her orgasm crested.

  “Only me.” His thumb pressed down hard on her clit. Nishani closed her eyes with a groan. “Tell me you belong only to me.”

  “I can’t belong to anyone.” Her eyes flew open.

  “You’ll learn soon enough, sweetheart.”

  Nishani’s body was still trembling in release when he shoved down the zipper of his pants, the top button pinging to the floor and lifted her. Her legs wrapped around his waist, barely registered before he slammed her down on his rigid cock. Nishani gulped at the skin on skin contact.

  Colton cursed, “Fuck. You feel so good, sweetheart.” His fingers tightened under her thighs.

  She stared into his beautiful eyes framed by dark lashes. The endearment warmed her insides. Unconsciously, her hands slid around his neck, holding on as he began fucking her with hard, even thrusts.

  Her senses in overdrive, Nishani noticed the paused position of the elevator. Although the bottom half was solid metal, the top half was red-tinted glass matching the décor of the club. It gave people, on the other side, a good idea of her and Colton’s actions inside. Instead of embarrassment, though, Nishani’s body flushed hotter. More from the gorgeous man pumping furiously into her. He grasped her attention when his mouth claimed
hers, kissing her deep with an intensity that stole her breath.

  His movements slowed as his tongue and teeth wreaked hellfire on her mouth, neck, and shoulders. He rotated in a delirious slow motion, Nishani’s pussy muscles clamped, feeling every ridge on his thick cock. She whimpered.

  “You like that?” He nipped her chin.

  “Hmm,” she sighed.

  He pulled out and slid back in with delicious unhurried thrusts. After the first orgasm, Nishani didn’t expect her body to respond. Without warning, she tensed. As though sensing she was close, Colton slipped out. With her legs wrapped securely around his waist, he held her up with one hand and rubbed his cock back and forth over her clit with the other. That sent her over the edge.

  “Oh, God,” Nishani cried out as he sank back into her. But he held back, watching her come apart for him. When she was trembling in his arms, he began to move—hard strokes that left her gasping, “Colton, please.”

  “I warned you to be careful what you wished for, sweetheart.”

  He bit her bottom lip tugging lightly before slipping his tongue inside her mouth. She moaned. Her heated body on fire—a raging out of control blaze only he could control. Colton released her legs, turned her around, and moved her up against the back wall. He slipped a hand around her waist while the other slid over her chest. His hold tightened before his cock nudged her entrance. Then with an abrupt lurch filled her wet pussy once more. The intensity of his thrusts increased in speed. She arched her back, pushed her ass up, and forced him deeper.

  “Come with me,” he groaned against her neck.

  Breathing hard, Nishani panted, “I can’t.”

  He didn’t take no for an answer. Slipping the hand that held Nishani’s chest down, he found her clit and applied the right amount of pressure. All too soon, another orgasm simmered.

  “Fuck. I’m coming, Nishi.” Dropping his hand from her waist, he gripped her hip.

  “Colton,” she moaned and gave in to another mind-blowing climax.

  He held her tight as he rode out his release. When their bodies stopped shuddering, he slipped out, turned her, and kissed her with an ardent slowness.

  She pulled back. “Shit. We forgot the condom.”

  “Didn’t need one,” his calm response surprised her until he opened his mouth again, “I planned to bury my cock in that cheeky mouth of yours and make you swallow every drop, then your sweet pussy cried out.”

  Strangely, Nishani’s cheeks heated. She spluttered, “H-how, could you not use one?”

  “I live dangerously.” For just a second, his eyes flashed with something she couldn’t fathom. Then it was gone. “And as I said, your pussy wanted me.”

  She hated that he was right—that a stranger possessed the ability to read her so well—something she’d scrupulously prevented from happening before. “You do realize people could see us?”

  Surprisingly, Colton laughed then zipped up. “I don’t care. If they watched, they’d just want what they can’t have. You.” The confident look he gave her, squeezed her insides.

  Then he picked up his jacket, and when he reached forward to release the stop button, Nishani slipped her hand into his. “I didn’t fuck your brother.” He looked at her but said nothing.

  The doors opened to reveal a furious Brittany who’d probably raced up the stairs. “You fucked her in the elevator? You’ve never been that publicly open with me. You weren’t even afraid someone would see you,” her rambling screech resembled a fingernail against a board as several patrons turned to look.

  Colton’s tight grip on Nishani’s fingers hinted at his anger. “The day I’m afraid of anyone, would be the day I’m fucking dead,” he hissed and sidestepped Brittany.

  As they walked away, Nishani glanced over her shoulder. Oddly, she felt sorry for the other woman—an emotion she hadn’t experienced in a long time. There was simply no reason to feel sorry for anyone—hell, she didn’t care for anyone. Being a woman on the run from the law and enemies alike, she’d only worried about herself.

  Chapter Eighteen

  NISHANI WAS BECOMING restless with the lack of action. She had no idea how to sit around doing nothing. Usually, her days entailed chasing down some idiot who threatened Mateo, managing his drug business, or accompanying him on negotiations. Unsure why she agreed to accompany Rex to one of the Black’s casinos, Nishani glanced around the busy floor. During her time with Mateo, she’d visited one too many casinos and could never understand the addiction.

  Curious to see the Black Lord on his mighty throne, she headed for Colton’s office. Impressed by the black marble and gold décor of the interior, she stopped at his assistant’s desk. “Hi. May I see Colton, please...” Nishani glanced at the woman’s nameplate. “...Talia.”

  “I’m sorry, he—”

  “It’s okay, Talia, let her in.”

  Nishani glanced over her shoulder. Colton’s bodyguard, Brody, had come in behind her. He tilted his head at Colton’s office door and winked. While they hadn’t shared many conversations, the few times she interacted with Brody, he’d been charming.

  “Thank you.” Nishani smiled at him, crossed the room to the large ornate doors, opened it, and entered without knocking.

  Inside, she skirted the pillars flanking the entrance and paused. Colton stood at the floor to ceiling window; a pretty blonde draped over his arm. By the looks of things, she was hanging on to his every word.

  What the fuck! Nishani cringed, recognizing the jealousy seeping through her veins. The discovery startled her, and she stood rooted to the spot. At the club last night, Colton possessed her like a demon after her soul, yet here he stood either fucked or about to fuck another woman. He turned then, and their gazes clashed.

  Unsure what she read there, Nishani mumbled, “Sorry for the intrusion.” Stunned by the ire in her tone, she turned away as he untangled his arm from the other woman.

  “Nishi,” he called. She didn’t stop walking. Colton caught her arm just as she was about to exit the reception. He swung her around to face him. “Don’t walk away from me, ever.” Steel lined his tone.

  “Fuck you.” Aware she’d just cursed him in front of his assistant and bodyguard; she didn’t care. How dare he? Her level of annoyance more surprising by the second, the urge to slap his hard face burgeoned quickly.

  Instead of anger, Colton gripped her hips and jerked her against him. Before she could anticipate his next move, his mouth slammed over her thinned lips. His tongue forced its way inside the barrier and stroked hers. Lips bruising, his hands splayed on her back, caressing the skin exposed by the low cut of her dress. Exasperated, Nishani bit down on his tongue. He groaned. Annoyed, she staggered back, breaking the kiss. He cocked a brow, obviously daring a response. God, he hadn’t even flinched at her attack and merely rolled his tongue around his mouth.

  “Last night, you demanded I belong to you,” she hissed. “What about you?”

  He stared at her, silver gaze unreadable. “Just say the word.” With that, he turned and walked away.

  Dumfounded, Nishani gaped at his back. He reentered the office and closed the door. Brody, she noticed, kept his gaze to the floor while Talia pretended interest in her phone. Cursing under her breath, Nishani spun on her heel and exited the office. On the fourth-floor landing, she hugged the balustrade and watched the gamblers below. Dressed in tuxedos and sequined robes, they had no qualms about spending their money. She pitied their lack of restraint while deep breaths did nothing to calm her heart rate.

  “She’s no one, you know.”

  Nishani swung around. Brody stood behind her, arms folded across his chest, amber eyes watching her intently. With a body built like a brick wall, she wondered how he fitted into the suit he wore.

  “Who?”

  “The woman in Colton’s office.”

  “Why do you care?”

  His usually stern features smoothed into a smile. “’Cause I like you.”

  “Like me? You don’t even know me.�
� She arched a brow.

  “Any woman with the balls to take on my boss deserves an equal level of respect. If I respect you, then I like you.”

  She laughed. “I’m guessing not many women would do that, then?”

  “You kidding? Women would rather beg at his feet than attempt an angry look.”

  “Is your boss always this demanding, rude, and obnoxious?” she couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice. As his bodyguard, Brody probably knew his boss like the back of his hand.

  Brody chuckled. “That makes the attraction stronger, right?”

  She blushed. Considering Colton had ordered his men out of the dining room the first time he’d taken her, Brody knew how intimate they were.

  “He’s a good man,” Brody intruded her thoughts. “My advice, just don’t get on his wrong side.” Brody didn’t give her time to react; he turned and entered the office.

  Biting her lip, she pondered Brody’s words then slipped inside the elevator. When the metal cube reached the ground floor, she made her way to the bar. Taking a seat at the counter, she found herself face to face with a brawny bartender. He was cute.

  “Haven’t seen you around before.” He offered her a dazzling smile.

  Nishani laughed. “Do you know all the patrons that visit the bar?”

  “Only the gorgeous ones.” He winked. “What can I get you?”

  “Whiskey on the rocks, please.”

  “A woman after my own heart.” She turned as a man beside her moved closer.

  His thin lips curved into a smile. Although he was tall, muscled, and well put together in a buttoned-up shirt and navy suit, Nishani couldn’t call him attractive. A scar puckered his tanned cheek, making his smile strangely awkward as though he didn’t know how to. She looked up. His black gaze bore into her, almost penetrating her soul.

  “Hi. I’m Finn.” He offered a hand.

  “Nishi,” she replied without accepting the hand.

  Seemingly unaffected by her snub, he turned to the barman. “I’ll have what the lady’s having.” He looked at her. “So, what’s a beauty like you doing here alone?”