by Sophia Rae
Nick continued to stroke her as his eyes roamed over her chest then back up to her face. The wicked gleam in his eye frightened her…a little.
“Let me sit there,” he said as he came to his feet. He offered her a hand and she stood on her jelly-like legs.
The roles were reversed now. Eve looked down to Nick’s bare body, aching for more of his touch… A touch she would have to get used to living without once all this business was said and done.
“What’s the gloomy face for?” he asked, trailing a fingertip up her leg, stopping at her hip. “Doesn’t this feel good?”
Eve focused on the here and now. She would enjoy each second she spent with him and the memories she made would have to last her a lifetime.
“It feels wonderful. I’m just wondering what put that naughty look in your eye,” she replied with her hands on her hips.
Nick’s hands came up to her wrists and held on. “I want you to dance for me.”
Her once-rapid heartbeat came to a halt. Nothing he could’ve suggested would’ve shocked her more. “D-dance?”
He nodded. “Please? I’ve fantasized about you since the first time I saw you dance. Even once I started protecting you, I pretended you were dancing for me. In private.”
Eve stepped back. She needed space and she needed to process this. She couldn’t think with his hands on her.
“Nick,” she began in a shaky voice. “I don’t know, I mean I do that only to find information on my father’s killer. I don’t really enjoy it. I feel…”
“What?” he urged.
“Dirty,” she whispered.
“Do you feel dirty with me, Eve?”
She shook her head.
“This is just between us,” he told her softly. “If you really don’t feel comfortable, then I won’t force you, but it would mean a lot to me.”
“I’ve thought about this,” she told him honestly. “At first when I started working at the club, I would block out all the shouts and the strange hands reaching for me. Now when I go on the stage, I focus on you. On us. In my head, it’s just us in that room.”
Nick reached for her again and took her by the hand. “It’s just us now.”
“But it’s not really the same when I’m not taking anything off,” she said, glancing down at her naked body.
“I want you to dance like you’re lover is about to take you for the first time. I want you to express your feelings through your body. Tell me what you want me to do, how we can pleasure each other.”
Once again, Eve stepped back, offered him a genuine smile and said, “I hope you can handle it.”
Chapter Nine
So did he. He’d seen the look of pure panic come across her face when he’d asked her to dance, but like the strong, fearless woman he’d come to know and care for, she gave in to his desire.
Her eyes closed. Her hips started to sway to an imaginary beat. Her hands slid up over her naked, flushed body until she came to her fiery curls. She lifted them off her neck and began to dance in a circle, guided by her gyrating hips.
She looked like an erotic gypsy.
Her ass danced before his face, mocking him, making his hands itch to get ahold of it. His cock twitched in anticipation.
It took all Nick’s willpower—including some left in reserve—to keep from jumping off the bed and saying to hell with it. He wanted her. Now.
As she circled back around, she let her hair fall around her shoulders, framing her petite face. Innocence and desire made a fascinating combination. Only Eve could do both at once.
Nick gripped the thin comforter as Eve’s hands trailed back down to the slope of her rounded breasts. She lifted them higher, rubbed them beneath her palms, all the while keeping the same slow pumping rhythm of her hips.
Eve closed her eyes, tilted her head back and moaned.
“Enough,” Nick growled. “Let me.”
Frozen in place, Eve simply stared at him as he stood and covered her hands with his own. Together they massaged her full chest. Their eyes remained locked, their breathing in sync—heavy and fast.
He guided their hands on down her body—one to her soft, smooth mound, the other to his pulsing shaft. Nick inserted one finger from each of their hands inside her moist heat while he urged her to stroke him.
“This feels good,” she whispered. “I like feeling us inside me.”
“I can tell. You’re so wet, so ready to come.”
“Are you?”
Nick gritted his teeth as her soft hand slid up and down. He tightened his hand around hers and quickened the pace.
“I can’t take it,” she moaned.
“Yes, you can.”
Nick leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers. Together they looked down between them, watching the friction and the intensity build with each thrust of their hips.
When her inner muscles clenched around their fingers, Nick let go. Warm, sticky liquid spilt into their hands.
Minutes ticked by as only the sound of their labored breathing filled the room. Nick pulled his hands away from hers and went into the bathroom to retrieve a towel. After they were both clean, he led her to his bed.
Together they slid beneath the cool sheets. Eve settled beside him in the crook of his arm with one delicate hand resting on his chest. Over his heart. A heart he’d come to believe wasn’t his own anymore.
“Let’s get some sleep,” he told her as he adjusted the covers.
“I need to tell you something,” she whispered.
Nick waited. He had no idea what she wanted to tell him, but the way her body tensed sure wasn’t a good sign. Her body heaved with a deep breath, relaxed as she exhaled.
“You were right.”
Nick stroked her arm with his thumb. “About what?”
“There was an incident when I was little,” she began. “One of my mother’s boyfriends.”
Shit. Nick closed his eyes and tried to force the image from his head of a childlike Eve and a bastard who had a sickness for little children.
“It’s not as bad as you think,” she assured him.
“If anybody touched you inappropriately, it’s bad, Eve. Tell me what happened.”
In a lazy pattern, she trailed her fingertip around his nipple as she spoke. “My mother worked the evening shift at the hospital. She was an E.R. nurse. Phil, that was her boyfriend, would watch me while she worked. He basically lived with us, but he’d always been so nice.”
“Don’t defend him,” he growled.
“I’m not,” she said. “I guess I’m defending my mom. She never would’ve put me in a position like that if she’d known what he was really like. Anyway, one night I was getting ready for bed. I’d just put on my nightgown and I went out to tell him goodnight.”
Eve’s warm breath washed over his chest. He didn’t want to hear this, but he was glad she trusted him enough to tell him. Nick cuddled her closer, as if trying to protect her from past demons.
“He’d been drinking,” Eve continued. “He asked me to sit on his lap for a goodnight kiss. He’d never asked that before, so I went over to him and he lifted me up on his lap. I could feel his…um…”
“Erection,” Nick finished.
“Yeah. The whiskey on his breath stunk so bad and for the first time I was truly afraid of him. He smiled at me and said my mother said it was okay if he kissed me like adults do.”
Nick closed his eyes. “Eve, I don’t think I want to hear anymore.”
As if he hadn’t spoken, as if she were in a trance, she went on. “When his tongue slid in my mouth, I couldn’t believe it. It was so gross and disgusting. I scrambled off his lap and ran to my room. I locked the door, then hid in my closet.”
“Please, Eve,” Nick begged. “Stop.”
When she turned to look at him, unshed tears shimmered in her eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you, too.”
That’s when Nick realized he had tears in his own eyes. “Tell me your mom kicked that lowlife bastard ou
t.”
“She found me in the closet when she got home. I guess Phil had lost his job that day and he had a gambling problem my mom didn’t know about, so he decided to get drunk to forget his troubles. When she demanded to know why I was in the closet, I told her and he didn’t deny it. She called the cops and they took him.”
“This story would only get better if you told me his bookie found him and severed his dick,” he said.
Eve smiled, causing a tear to escape down her pale cheek. “No, but he did die years later in a car accident.”
“Good. That’ll save me the trouble of looking him up and killing him.”
She drew back. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Hell yes, I am. There’s no need for scum like that to be in society. How old were you?”
“Seven.”
Nick gathered her close again and kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you told me. I hate knowing it, I hate thinking it, but I’m glad you opened up to me.”
“Me, too,” she told him. “It doesn’t make you think weird things about me, does it?”
He squeezed her tight. “No. It makes me want to punch something, but it doesn’t make me feel any different toward you.”
But how did he feel about her? The unspoken question filled the darkened room. All he could admit, even to himself, was that he’d never felt this way for any other woman.
That was it. That was all he could feel. If there was more to his emotions than that, he didn’t want to know. Eve needed promises and happily ever afters…something he sure as hell couldn’t offer.
“I hate admitting this.” Eve’s soft voice broke the silence. “But I’m nervous about tomorrow.”
That made two of them. There was no way around it. He’d have to have to face his brother tomorrow with Eve in the same room.
All he could do was pray, because if he told her now, she would run. At least this way, he could protect her for a little while longer.
He hoped.
“You’ll do fine,” he assured her. “Just remember he already likes you, he’s seen you dance.”
Eve’s body trembled against his. “I know.”
“Don’t jump into anything major,” he told her. “Don’t mention the missing girls, don’t act like you’re scared. You should be interested in the job because it would bring in extra income, but that’s all.”
“I know, I know,” she said, patting his chest. “I’ll act interested, but not nosey. We’ve been through this, Grady and I have been through it, and I’ve been through it with myself over and over in my head. I can’t think of it anymore.”
“Then let’s get some sleep.”
Eve started to sit up. “I don’t know how much sleep I’ll get, but I’ll try.”
“Whoa.” Nick kept his arm around her, blocking her quick retreat. “Where are you going?”
“Um…to my bed?”
“Stay here,” he whispered.
“I thought you didn’t like to sleep with women,” she replied.
He urged her back into the crook of his arm. “Normally, no, but I want to sleep with you. I want to feel your body against mine all night. That way, if I want you again, I won’t have to go far.”
He’d added that last bit to keep the moment light, to keep her from thinking this was too serious. To keep himself from coming to the realization it was getting too serious.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Positive.” He placed his hand over hers on his chest, guiding it down to his erection. “See, it’s a good thing you didn’t leave yet. I already need you again.”
Eve laughed as she came up to her knees and straddled him. “That’s convenient, since I need you, too.”
***
His schedule had changed.
Junior came into Allison’s room early Friday morning to inform her Roman would be gone most of the day and he sends his regrets. That had been the good news. The bad news…he had a surprise for her when he returned.
Did he intend on getting the new girl now? Was this going to be a hands-on abduction?
She couldn’t believe Roman would risk getting caught with his hands in any dirty dealings. The prominent “business” man must really have a personal interest in this transaction.
Allison dreaded what would happen when the new girl arrived. Did that mean they would share a room? Would Allison be shipped off to God knows where?
She hadn’t perfected her plan of escape. Junior would have to help. Maybe she could persuade him to come with her—that way she could save him as well.
The breakfast Junior left for her didn’t look appealing at all. Even the fresh pineapple and toasted blueberry bagel—her favorite—made her stomach turn by just looking at it. If she wanted to get out, she would have to work fast.
Without wasting another second worrying about what would happen if Roman caught her, Allison went to her attached bathroom and prepared to make a quick escape.
She fingered her hair up into a ponytail and pulled on a pair of khaki shorts and a simple red tank top. She slid her feet into a pair of white sneakers—better to run in than the heels Roman preferred her to wear around the house.
When she felt like she was ready, she went to the locked bedroom door and tapped on it.
“Excuse me,” she called.
When the keys jingled in the door, she stepped back. Junior stepped in, shutting the door behind him.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“I was wondering if I could take a walk down by the pool today,” she asked in her sweetest, most innocent voice.
Junior rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “I’m sorry, ma’am, I can’t let you out of this room. We have strict orders.”
Allison let her fake smile falter. “Of course, I understand. Could you perhaps make another phone call for me at the end of your shift?”
He bit on his bottom lip and held out his hands. “I don’t know. It was pretty risky the first time. We’re lucky the boss didn’t find out.”
“Does Roman know everything you do with your personal time?”
The young guard shook his head. “No, but if he thinks anything, we’re both dead. Besides, if I let you out, the new guard might say something. He’s down by the main gate and he’s already the boss’s favorite.”
Allison put her hands on her hips, knowing the simple gesture pulled her already tight tank even tighter across her chest. Anything to make him feel something for her.
“I really need to see my sister,” she insisted. “Surely you have family. A brother? Wouldn’t you hate it if you didn’t see him for months?”
She prayed the guilt card would work. When he’d nodded at having a brother, she nearly jumped with relief.
“Maybe I could have your sister brought to you,” he suggested.
“No!”
“I don’t know what else I can do,” he told her. “I just don’t think this is a good idea.”
He spun on his heel and Allison grabbed his arm. “Wait, please, I just want to go home.”
Junior glanced over his shoulder, sympathy in his eyes. “This is your home.”
***
Nick had gotten up at the crack of dawn to hunt Eve some clothes and toiletries at a Wal-Mart down the street. Now as she stood in the small bathroom of their hotel room, she wasn’t so sure this was a great idea. Nick shouldn’t accompany her.
This part of the op should be done alone so she could fully concentrate.
Eve pulled the black tube top over her full breasts, trying to adjust it so it covered the top and bottom of her tits. Figures, he’d pick something this tight and tiny.
Then again, she had told him to get something he liked to see a woman in. Obviously this was something like his other women had worn.
Bimbos.
She sighed and gave up on stretching it any more. Oh well, she would just have to hang out of it.
She pulled a black thong out of the bag and tore off the tags. Eve laughed when she pulled them on an
d glanced into the mirror. “Bite Me” covered the front of her panties, written in silver glitter. Classy.
Who knew what other tricks awaited her in the bag. Fortunately, she found a little pair of red shorts that fit her perfectly. She was surprised he hadn’t bought a spandex black skirt to match the top.
At the bottom of the bag was a pair of black wedge sandals. A half-size too small. The band across the top of her foot dug in, but maybe they would loosen up as she moved around in them.
Or, better yet, maybe the pain would keep her mind off the fact she could very well be sitting across from the man who’d murdered her father.
After applying a liberal amount of make-up, she finger-combed her curly hair and left it down. Nick wanted it wild and loose—as if she had a choice in the matter.
One last look in the mirror and Eve decided she wouldn’t be any more ready to go. She stepped out the bathroom door and found Nick leaning against the wall across from her.
His eyes widened as he raked his gaze over her. Twice.
“Damn, that stuff didn’t look that hot on the hangers,” he finally said.
“That’s because my big tits and ass weren’t poured into them,” she scoffed as she went to her bed to grab her bag.
“Your tits and ass make that outfit, honey,” he assured her.
When she turned back around, he had an eerie smile on his face and as he made his way toward her.
“Oh, no,” she said with her hands up. “No touching. I will not be late and I will not have all this make-up smeared.”
“I really wish you’d reconsider,” he told her, all joking aside. “Couldn’t you just call and talk to this guy on the phone?”
“No. I need to see him. I want to see the bastard who’s responsible for innocent women disappearing and possibly for my father’s death. In fact, I’d like it if you let me go alone.”
“Like hell,” he exploded. “I’m going, just like we discussed. I am your very jealous boyfriend and I want to know what this new job is. Just like we practiced, remember?”
“What if they don’t hire me because you are my jealous boyfriend?” she asked. “Won’t that make them reconsider if some hulky guy is giving them the evil eye?”
