Dangerous

by Audrey Alexander

  “I don’t understand where this is coming from,” he growled, eyes dark and charged.

  “How could I relax around you?” she asked in a hush, blinking against the intensity of his stare. “It’s just too much. It’s like you consume the whole room, no matter where you are. I can barely stand to be around you without wanting to explode.”

  The words just popped out of her mouth before she even realized what she was saying.

  Jace’s eye sparked as he tightened his grip on her wrists and pushed her against the wall. He twisted her arms and held them over her head, his mouth greedily taking hers. His lips were soft and hot, and a gasp escaped from her throat. Shivers coursed along her skin, and she melted into the kiss.

  Her back arched as he moved his tongue to her throat, trailing hot kisses down her chest. Everything inside her screamed for more, and she bit her lip to stop herself from gasping his name. Her nipples went hard, begging for his touch, but he stopped just as he reached the lacy edges of her bra.

  His mouth found hers again, and when he pressed against her body, she could feel the hardness of his cock on her thigh. Her body ached for him to be inside her, for him to consume every inch of her until she was full. She reached up and grabbed his hair, silky strands that she’d dreamed of too many lonely nights.

  A new heat shuddered through her as his hands raced down her body, shoving her skirt up to her waist. She moaned, closing her eyes and giving into the familiar electric sensation of his fingers on her trembling thighs.

  It had been so long since he’d touched her like this, since she’d felt so alive. Before their parents had gotten married, she’d had him all to herself every night. Her eyes flew open, and her mouth went dry. Shaking her head, she pushed at his chest, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

  Jace pulled away, confusion all over his perfect face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Jace.” Her voice trembled as her heart broke all over again. “We can’t do this. I’m so sorry.”

  She pushed down her skirt and ran out his door. She couldn’t bear to look behind her and see the look on his face. Because despite Jace’s cool and stony exterior, she knew she’d broken his heart just as much as she’d broken her own.

  Carrie was going to be the death of Jace. He hadn’t felt this miserable since the last time she’d left him—three years before when she’d heard the news about their parents. His body felt achy and raw from where her curves had melted against him. He could remember every hitch of her breath, every tremble of her thighs, every taste of her skin. He’d been only moments away from carrying her to his bed, and then she’d turned cold. Out of nowhere.

  He’d pushed her too fast. Too soon. He should have known when she launched herself away from the dinner table that it was best to take a step back rather than forward, but his eagerness for her body got the better of him. She’d shuddered under his touch, eager too. But not ready. And now, he may have pushed things too far to ever get them back to the way they used to be.

  The next morning, his ringing phone shook through his thoughts as he sat at his office desk, too distracted to focus on his work. He answered the phone with a scowl, unable to keep the gruffness out of his voice. He’d been in the middle of a nice little fantasy about Carrie, and as it was the closest he was going to get to her for awhile, he wasn’t pleased with the interruption.

  “Jace Holt,” he said.

  “Sir,” his personal assistant, Franklin, said. “Detective Foster from the NYPD is calling. Should I put him through?”

  Jace frowned and glanced out the window at the falling snow. “No, tell him I’m unavailable, but find out what he wants.”

  “Yes sir.” Franklin clicked off the call, and Jace waited five minutes before buzzing Franklin back.

  “Come on in here, Franklin,” Jace said in as a commanding tone as he could muster. A moment later, his assistant appeared in his doorway, suited up and standing tall, reminding Jace of himself from ten years before.

  “Did you find out what he wanted?” Jace asked.

  “Yes sir, but you’re not going to like it.” That was one thing Jace liked about Franklin. He didn’t bullshit his boss, even though he knew it was his job to make him happy. He got straight to the point. It was why Jace had hired him. “They want you to go down to the station for questioning.”

  “Did they say when?” Jace asked. He’d told Franklin all about the unfortunate incident at his penthouse, of course, but not about the missing gun. He still hadn’t told Carrie about that either, and he wouldn’t. That was one secret he’d make sure stayed hidden.

  “No sir,” Franklin said with a quick shake of his head. “Is there anything you need me to do?”

  “I need you to accompany me to my law firm’s office.” Jace closed his laptop and stood. “Leave the office in Lana’s hands. If anyone calls, tell her to take a message, but to let me know if anything urgent about the Times Square building comes through.”

  Half an hour later, Jace and Franklin entered the offices of Hanson, Allen, & Chase. He’d decided to bring his assistant along to prove to Carrie that he had her best interests in mind. If she were truly worried about her job, he’d keep their interactions about the case completely professional and grant her wishes to meet only at her office.

  “Anna,” Jace said, giving the receptionist a smile when he and his assistant approached the front desk.

  “Oh, hello Mr. Holt,” she said, glancing from Jace to Franklin and widening her eyes.

  “This is my assistant,” he said, motioning to Franklin. “Franklin Snow.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Snow.” Anna blushed.

  “Call me Franklin.” His assistant gave Anna a wink, and Jace bit back a smile. Franklin really was a younger version of himself, but one without a Carrie Simmons in his life. How boring that must be.

  “Jace?” Carrie appeared by his side, her face pale and drawn. It looked like she hadn’t slept the night before, and it pained him to know it was probably his fault. “Can I help you with something?”

  “Carrie, I’d like you to meet my assistant.” Jace gestured to the man by his side. “This is Franklin. He’ll be accompanying me during our meetings from here on out.”

  Carrie winced but covered it quickly with a polite smile. “Lovely to meet you, Franklin. May I ask what this is about?”

  “Can we speak privately?” Jace raised his eyebrows and looked around him. Paralegals and associates were coming and going, often casting furtive glances at the recognizable billionaire with question marks in their eyes.

  “Is Conference Room B free, Anna?” Carrie asked the receptionist, her voice clipped. Jace wished he could read her expression, but she’d shut it down as soon as he’d introduced his assistant. He’d thought it would have the opposite effect.

  “No one is scheduled to be there for another half hour.” Anna glanced at Franklin one last time before turning her attention back to her computer.

  “That should be enough time, shouldn’t it, Jace?” Carrie motioned for the two men to follow as she twisted in her heels.

  Jace frowned, but followed her stiff back as she led them down the hushed hallway and into the dim conference room. Outside, Jace could see the heavy snow falling from a gray sky before settling on the streets below. Carrie flicked on the lights and eased into one of the chairs, motioning for Franklin and Jace to join her.

  “So, what can I do for you?” she asked. Her cold politeness hurt him more than her usual stormy anger ever had.

  “We had a phone call today from the NYPD. Franklin can confirm.” Jace turned to his assistant who gave a nod. “They’ve asked me to go into the station and give a statement.”

  Carrie’s face flashed with concern, and Jace held back his satisfaction. At least she still cared enough to be worried about his fate. “Did they say when?”

  “Franklin took the call, so I didn’t speak to them directly, but they didn’t specify anything to him.”

  “Okay.” Carrie nodded b
efore standing and pacing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows that were covered in a thin layer of frost. “Don’t go today. Wait until tomorrow. Let me go and talk to your alibi before you do anything.”

  Jace frowned and found himself standing from the table. “You’re going to go speak with Madison.”

  Carrie paused to stare out the window, keeping her tense back trained in his direction. “I think it’s best if I speak to her before the police do.”

  “Well, then I’m coming with you,” Jace said, pressing his palms flat on the oak table.

  “No, you need to go back to your office. Or to the hotel.” Carrie turned, crossing her arms. “Or are you worried what she’ll tell me?”

  “I didn’t have sex with her, Carrie.” He glanced at Franklin but decided it didn’t matter what his assistant overheard.

  “But you thought about it,” Carrie said in a whisper. “That’s the kind of man you are.”

  “I thought about it until I realized she wasn’t you.” His voice was low, a growl.

  Franklin cleared his throat. “Sir, if I may interrupt. I do agree with Miss Simmons on this one. You shouldn’t be seen visiting your alibi just before you go into questioning at the police station.”

  Jace fell silent, a quiet rage simmering just below the surface. He liked Franklin, but he didn’t like someone speaking back to him, no matter who he was. No matter if he was right.

  “Thank you, Franklin.” Carrie lifted her chin. “That settles it. I’m going alone.”

  Carrie hurried out of the office, turning up her coat collar against the snow spitting down from the steel sky. Jace had surprised her today, coming into the office like she’d asked, bringing his assistant with him as if he actually intended to conduct a professional meeting with her. And he had. He’d come to tell her about the call from the station, and he’d let her go without trying to shove her against the wall and rip her clothes off.

  She shivered. Even when he’d sat there being calm and professional, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about his mouth on her throat and his hands on her thighs. How was she ever going to get through this case—and win—if she couldn’t get her head to stop swimming with thoughts of Jace?

  Carrie glanced up at the numbers on the pre-war walk-ups she passed. Finally, she reached the apartment building that Jace had identified as Madison’s home. She felt nervous as she rang the bell. She was about to come face to face with one of Jace’s infamous flings, even if he’d said the situation hadn’t gone further than a drink. The knowledge that he’d been here, intending to do whatever he wanted to this girl’s body…she couldn’t bear to imagine it.

  After a few moments, an elderly man opened the door, shifted his glasses, and peered at Carrie in confusion. “Yes?”

  “I’m here to see a girl named Madison. She lives in Apartment 2B.” Carrie shook her head and glanced around her at the snow-dusted buildings. “I’m sorry. I thought I’d rung her bell, but I must have pushed the wrong button.”

  The man frowned, crinkling his entire face. “There’s no Madison here. I live in 2B. Have for about fifteen years. It’s all rent-controlled and everything, thank goodness. Can’t imagine paying full price for one of these fancy Manhattan apartments, can you? You sure you have the right place?”

  “I must be mistaken.” Carrie glanced around, taking slow steps down the icy steps. “Sorry to disturb you.”

  The man shut the door behind him and Carrie checked the number on the house again. Fifteen. It was the building Jace had told her about, and despite his hesitance to share the information about his alibi, she knew Jace wasn’t one to get details incorrect.

  Just as she began to back away from the building, something shuffled behind her and strong arms encircled her neck. Alarm flittered through her, and she coughed out a yell just as a rough palm pressed against her mouth. Hot tears filled her eyes as she jerked against her captor. The corners of her vision turned black, and her nose filled with something sharp and wet and sickly sweet.

  The arms let go, and she stumbled two steps forward. Before she could turn, something shoved her to the ground. Her face met the concrete. Sharp pain exploded in her cheek, her heart roaring in her ears.

  “What do you want?” she managed to breathe out as her vision swam. She couldn’t see a damn thing except the black creeping into her eyes. “Take my purse if you want. Just take it. I have money.”

  “Stay out of this, or I’ll tell the world the truth about your relationship with Jace Holt,” a voice growled into her ear.

  She sucked in a breath and struggled to turn her head and face her attacker, but whatever he’d done to her, she was far too weak. Footsteps crunched on snow as he walked away, the sound almost drowned out by the thunder of her heart in her ears. The world tipped underneath her and nausea bubbled up in her throat.

  Gritting her teeth, she fumbled to pull her phone from her purse. A tiny voice inside her said she needed to call the cops, but instinct overrode any logic in her mind. Her fingers found the first contact in her phone. The number dialed, and a moment later, his voice rang in her ears.

  “Jace, help. I need you.” And then the world went black.

  Carrie awoke in darkness, and panic made her choke out a cry. Her heart banged against her ribcage as she wildly glanced around her, but there was nothing to see but black.

  “Shh.” Jace’s soothing voice met her ears as strong arms enveloped her body. “I’ve got you. You’re here with me. You’re safe now.”

  Carrie’s frantic breathing slowed as she twisted to wrap her arms around Jace’s neck and bury her face in his shoulder. His arms tightened around her, strong, warm, safe. She breathed in his scent, a musky aftershave with the hint of gin. The familiarity of him crashed over her, and her entire body sagged with relief.

  Whatever had happened, he’d found her and brought her to safety, just like she knew he would.

  “Tell me what happened to you, Carrie,” he said, murmuring the words into her hair. His breath was hot, tickling her ear, and a need pounded through her that she’d never felt before. She pulled back just enough for her lips to brush against his skin. His body stiffened in her arms, but she didn’t let him go.

  “What are you doing?” he whispered.

  Fear from the night still shook through her. Flashes of pain. The sound of that voice in her ear. She needed to feel Jace, she needed him to consume her thoughts until nothing else in the world existed but his touch.

  “I need you, Jace,” she whispered, opening herself up to the idea of letting him in, so much so that her heart felt as if it were about to explode. She pulled her shirt over her head and climbed onto his lap.

  That’s all the encouragement Jace needed. His mouth took hers in hunger, his lips and tongue taking her breath away as his kiss betrayed his own need. She arched her back, and her nipples hardened as his hands found her breasts, cupping them in his palms. Moaning, she reached for him, but he pushed her back onto the bed. Straddling her, Jace leaned down and brushed hot kisses on her neck, on her cheek, on her lips, until Carrie could barely take his touch any longer. His lips disappeared down her belly, stopping just at the edge of her thong.

  He was teasing her, and her body trembled from the desire pulsing through her veins. If he didn’t take her now, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to stand even a whisper of a touch.

  “Jace,” she moaned as he pulled down her bra to expose her breasts. They spilled from their cups, and his mouth found her nipples, lipping and sucking. Thrills of pleasure spread across every inch of her skin until a wetness dampened her thighs. She groaned and wriggled against his mouth, her chest heaving with each labored breath.

  “Mmm, you’re so gorgeous, Carrie,” he murmured against her nipples. The vibration of his voice sent new waves of pleasure through her body. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  He edged away, flicked on the bedside light, and pulled his shirt over his head. She sucked in a breath and stared at him, admiring the way his hard
abs rippled as he took off his pants and dropped his boxers to the floor. Her eyes drank in his body. Every inch of him she’d missed all this time. His erection taunted her, teased her. She wanted to reach out and wrap her hands around his length before pushing him inside her wet sex. Her mind was consumed by a need she hadn’t felt in years, body begging for him to take her, hard and fast and strong. She needed to feel Jace in every way that she possibly could, to drown out the fear of the night.

  Jace’s eyes blazed as he climbed back on top of her. His fingers traced shivers down her body, leaving a hot trail of pleasure in their wake. When his hand reached her thong, he paused, a delicious smile playing on his lips. Carrie squirmed, lust and need making her ache so much she could scream. He pulled off her panties and tossed them to the floor. Her heart could barely contain itself as he settled over her, and before she could catch her breath, he’d pressed his cock inside her, slowly filling her until all she knew was Jace.

  Her eyes fluttered as a moan escaped her lips. Jace groaned almost in time, his hips rocking against her body as he began to take her hard. She reached out to wrap her arms around him, but he took both her wrists in his hands and captured them on the bed above her head. He grunted as his pace quickened, his cock throbbing with each and every thrust.

  “You’re mine, Carrie,” he said as every inch of him filled her up to the brink. “Say you’re mine.”

  “I’m yours,” she gasped, barely able to breathe from the sensations tumbling through her.

  Jace’s groans filled her ears just as pleasure ripped through her body, her climax shuddering through her so hard, a scream escaped from her throat. Her head swam and her ears rang, but a sweet, delicious satisfaction poured through her, making her head and eyes so heavy, she could barely remember what day it was.