Rule Breaker

by Sienna Snow

  “Do you like that?” he gritted out.

  “Yes, Sssir…”

  He pumped himself and the vibrator inside of me, engulfing my body in sensation.

  How could he make me love something that was taboo to the outside world?

  I clenched my eyes, reveling in the sensation of the combined movement of Max’s cock pounding my ass and the vibrating dildo in my pussy.

  “Give it to me, now,” Max bit out. “You’re so tight, I’m about to go.”

  On demand, I came apart. My release washed over me in waves, sending euphoria into every pore of my body. Max called out moments later. Warm jets of liquid gushed inside me as he slowed his movements.

  “Oh Ari, that was beautiful.”

  My breath calmed to a point but the vibrator still humming in my pussy prevented me from relaxing. I whimpered against the continuous torment.

  The scent of our lovemaking enveloped both of us, and his sweat-dampened skin relaxed against my body. My heart clenched as the thought of what had really just happened washed over me. This wasn’t just two people with no attachments enjoying kinky sex. It was two people in love, who were making love.

  What am I going to do?

  I wanted the emotions to be real, to know that we had a future, but what if I took the step and he hurt me again? Tears prickled the back of my eyes. Inhaling deep, I shoved aside the uncertainty.

  A click stopped the motion of the metal cock, and my mind returned to the present.

  “Where did you go? For a moment, you were lost in your thoughts.” Max pulled himself and the vibrator out in one swift motion.

  The sudden emptiness left me devoid of the passion I’d felt moments earlier. “I’m a bit overwhelmed by what we did and how it made me feel.”

  Max sighed and kissed my forehead. “One doesn’t work without the other. Without emotion, it’s just fucking. Whether you want to admit it or not, what happened between us was more than fucking.”

  I ignored the turmoil his words fueled and asked, “Why do we need this? The kink, the bondage, any of it.”

  A snap rang out into the room and I found myself propelled forward as the cross was repositioned to a standing position.

  “It’s who we are.” Removing my mask, he stared into my eyes. “Your sexual desire is freed by submitting, while mine is through domination. There’s no shame in that.”

  Max unlatched my legs and helped me stand on the stool. With quick movements, he freed my arms and gathered me in his own before I collapsed from the onslaught of weight onto my unsteady legs.

  “Let me lay you down on the bed.”

  He carried me out of the playroom and to the bedroom. He placed me gently in the center of the bed, tucking the soft silk sheets and comforter around me.

  My body relaxed into the mattress as exhaustion overtook me.

  He leaned over and kissed my lips. “Rest, my love. I’ll join you after I clean up.” He smiled down at me. “Once you’ve recovered, I plan to fulfill my promise of making it so you can’t walk by the end of the weekend.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Ugh,” I groaned as I reviewed the script for Arcane. I’d spent the past forty-eight hours locked in my lab trying to figure out where the glitch in the coding hid, but I couldn’t find it anywhere.

  How could the program run smoothly last week and this week freeze at every opportunity?

  I peeked at the envelope sitting on one of the counters in the back of the room and a shiver when down my spine.

  Don’t freak out, Arya. All you can do is let James and the security team do their jobs.

  When I’d arrived at the lab, it was waiting for me by the door. I’d thought nothing of it until I opened the letter and found a detailed list of all the things that would happen to me and my loved ones if I didn’t hand over the software.

  This, combined with the e-mail from last week and the results of my research on the Dark Web, revealed a bidding war for my software; I knew I was in trouble. Now I had to figure out how to tell Milla and Lex without them losing their shit. Hell, I was losing my shit, so I couldn’t expect anything less from them. I took a few deep breaths to settle my nerves. Milla would be here any moment, and I had to stay calm and act normal.

  I glanced at the door as Milla punched in her access code and entered the lab. She carried a box of goodies that smelled divine.

  “Hey, bella, are you ready to come up for air? I brought you a little pick-me-up.”

  I pushed back from my computer and sighed. “I guess so. I can’t figure out what went wrong. One minute it worked and the next it’s shit.”

  I opened the lid and selected my favorite morning indulgence, a fresh-baked chocolate croissant. I bit into the pastry and hummed, enjoying the flavor of bitter yet sweet dark chocolate.

  “How is that possible? Do you think someone interfered with the programming?” Milla walked over to my computer and leaned over my shoulder.

  “Hate to bust your bubble, Miss. I know basic coding. But if I couldn’t find the error, how are you going to see it?” I said as I continued munching on my breakfast.

  “You never know, I might catch something you skimmed over.”

  She had a point. “Go ahead. Let me know if you find anything. Did you bring any liquid sustenance?”

  Milla leaned over to the coffees, handed me one, and continued reading the script. I inhaled the warm scent and drank. “Oh, this hits the spot. Thanks. I’m glad I keep you around.”

  “You’re so funny. At least I don’t smell like two-day-old stinky socks.”

  “Hey, I took my shower this morning.”

  Milla lifted her gaze from the computer and growled. “There has to be something both of us are missing. Are you sure something is different?”

  “No, I’m not sure, but my gut says yes.” And the fact that I’m receiving threats doesn’t help. “I’m going to have to go through the coding line by line to confirm. I know I sound paranoid, but Jacob is top on my list of suspects.” I licked my fingers, trying to get every last bit of chocolate.

  “Arya, he can’t decipher computer scripting from chopsticks. He’s a marketing and finance geek.”

  “I know,” I said. “It doesn’t make sense, but he made a comment during our transitions meeting about the hidden profits and merits of doing business with us that didn’t settle well with me. It was like he was gloating about something. I don’t know.” I shook my head. “Mil, he’s the only one I can think of who wants to see me fail. Plus, I’m positive he suspects Max and I are involved again. Which I’m sure pissed him off to no end.”

  “I’ll see if Lex can find out anything. Stop sucking on your fingers and get another croissant. I brought you a dozen.” Milla picked up the box and shoved it at me.

  “Did you know he wanted Max for his sister?”

  “Who’s his sister?”

  “Caitlin Stanfield, our favorite fashion designer. She’s the beautiful blonde seen on Max’s arm whenever he’s out and about.”

  “I know who she is. You’re probably the only one on Earth who didn’t. It’s hard to believe she’s Jacob’s sister. She’s too pretty to be related to him.”

  I rolled my eyes. Jacob had worked as a fashion model in his younger days, and I’d never met anyone more narcissistic. “She’s his stepsister and actually nice. I happened to be wearing one of her designs the night we met.”

  “When was this?”

  “Last Friday at the fund-raiser. We spoke in the ladies’ lounge while I freshened up before meeting Max.”

  “You’re the only person I know who makes friends during a potty break.”

  I stuck my tongue out, wiped my hands, and went back to tinkering on my computer.

  “So what are you going to do about your suspicions? Are you going to say something to Max?”

  “I don’t think Max will ever believe his best bud is the culprit. Hell, I even doubt it myself, but I’m going to track who’s been accessing our system.” I typed in new co
de for the tracking system and piggybacked it to Arcane. It would keep all changes to the software hidden, and the only person who could activate Arcane would be me. But first, I had to…

  “Excuse me. We were in the middle of a conversation when you spaced out making love to your computer.”

  I cringed then shrugged my shoulders. “Sorry.” I continued typing. “I’m going to attach a tracer program to all the modules of Arcane. This way any unauthorized access will send out a ping to you, Lex, and me. As an added precaution, I’ll keep my work on the encrypted server I have hidden in the vault.”

  “Normally I’d say that was overkill, but we have a lot at stake.” From the beginning, Milla was apprehensive about the deal we’d made with the Department of Defense for the development of the security program, especially since it would involve a major cost to us if we didn’t deliver. But without risks, there weren’t any rewards.

  “Milla jaan, I have everything at stake. You, on the other hand, will forever be an Italian shipping heiress.”

  “Don’t ‘Milla darling’ me. You have the money your grandmother left you. Whether you touch it or not, all that mullah still belongs to you.”

  “Mil, we have a lot of people depending on us. We can’t let them down.”

  “Preaching to the choir, mia sorella.” She got up and moved to the back of the room. “What’s this?”

  I paused my typing, peered over my shoulder, and winced. Shit, I was in trouble. “It’s something I’m handling, nothing to worry about.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.” She opened the envelope and her hand shook. “Ari, this isn’t just some lame hoax. These are pictures of you, me, and Aunt Elana with a note mentioning Arcane.” She waved the photos.

  “Calm down, Mil. I’m not worried about it and you shouldn’t be, either.” I turned back to the computer and tried for focus on the screen.

  That sounded convincing, right?

  “I will not stay calm!” She walked over to me and turned my chair to face her.

  I scowled at her and folded my arms.

  “This is a direct threat for the software, Ari. Software no one outside of the board and the general’s team know about. Merda, Arya. Please tell me you at least notified James of this.”

  I frowned at her. “Of course I did. I’m not stupid. Don’t you thing I’d make our safety a priority after what happened to me?”

  “I know you would. I’m worried, that’s all.” She folded her arms and paced back and forth. “What did James say?”

  I exhaled a deep breath. “That he’s increasing the security detail on both of us.”

  She tilted her head and stared at me, making me squirm in my seat.

  “You’re holding something back. Exactly how many of these have you gotten?”

  “Well…you see…umm.”

  “Spit it out, Arya.”

  I cringed. “This is the third.”

  “What! And you didn’t tell me or Lex?”

  “Calm down. It isn’t as bad as you think, and I’ve got it under control. James is on it.”

  “At least you had the sense to involve him. How could you not tell me?” Before I could answer, the sound of cars outside the lab alerted me to Max’s arrival with his team. A new, unexpected anxiety filled me. I hadn’t seen or spoken to him since he dropped me off at my penthouse two days before, and I wasn’t sure how this new dynamic in our relationship would playout in our professional world.

  Our weekend together was more than great, kinky sex. Max and I had talked. Talked like we’d never done before. He told me more about himself in those two days than in the three months we’d been together in Cape Town. He even showed me a playful side of himself that was a stark contrast to the serious Max from long ago.

  My skin prickled at the sound of Max punching in his access code.

  I must maintain my composure and remember to keep my personal and business relationships separated.

  “Let’s close this discussion. I want it kept between us for now.”

  “What about Lex?” Milla snapped.

  “Of course he needs to know. When I said ‘us,’ that included him.”

  “Just checking. Don’t think this conversation is over. It’s only tabled until I can get you alone.”

  I sighed and fidgeted in my chair. “I wouldn’t expect anything else.”

  Milla snorted as she gathered her things. “By the way, good luck keeping your relationship under wraps. The whole team is going to notice the nervous energy shooting off you. Remember you’re the ice queen, all business, all the time. If anyone suspects you’re thawing, your cover is blown.”

  “Whatever. You’re annoying.”

  Milla stuck her tongue out as Max entered with his team and a few members of mine. “Must be some discussion, if we’re resorting to preschool behavior.”

  Both Milla and I scowled at him.

  Max stared at me with his Dom eyes. Oh, hell no, we weren’t going to do that here. I rubbed my hands on my pants, trying to calm the lust that had crept in. I held Max’s gaze in challenge. “Ready to work?”

  Max’s lips went up at one corner. “Yes, we are, and I brought reinforcements to help.”

  “I appreciate that.” I motioned to my original team members. “You guys know what to start working on. I’ll get the new members started, and then later I will work with each of you individually on your specific assignments.”

  The group moved to each of their terminals. Max sat at the computer next to mine, waiting for my instructions.

  “That’s my cue to leave. I have quarterly earnings reports to review.” Milla rushed toward the lab doors.

  “Chicken,” I called after her, as she flipped me off.

  “You’re like real sisters,” Max’s technology administrator, Jane Erickson, observed. She was the one person he’d brought on who knew her way around anything remotely techie. From the moment we met a few weeks ago, it was like being around another kindred spirit. If it wouldn’t have pissed Max off, I’d have even considered stealing her for ArMil. Maybe one day, I’d actually do it. On second thought, that would be a bad idea. She was as loyal as they come. She loved her job and told anyone who’d listen to her about it.

  “We are in everything but blood. That’s why we can tolerate each other.”

  Jane laughed. “The past few weeks have been great. I finally get to hang with other computer geeks.” She turned to Max. “Don’t get me wrong, boss, but being around other female nerds is refreshing.”

  “No offense taken. Now if the all-girl lovefest is finished, could we begin the class for us tech morons?”

  “On that note, let’s log on to your terminals…”

  I went over the module details and directions. After everyone had finished his or her training, I worked with each new team member to confirm they understood the next steps for their part in the programing. I left Max for last, since I wasn’t sure what he would try, and I wanted to keep everyone occupied and their attention away from us.

  I strolled behind Max, putting my hand against the back of his chair. I leaned over and said, “Ready for your instruction, Max?”

  Max tilted his head and his lips grazed my ear. “I’m always ready for you.”

  I inhaled sharply, as my nipples hardened from just his voice. “Not here,” I whispered.

  “I don’t understand your meaning, Arya.” He motioned to my chair and I sat without thinking.

  Why did I do that?

  “The voice. Don’t use the voice,” I said as I gritted my teeth.

  “I have no idea what you’re referring to, Arya.”

  Max’s leg brushed mine, and I rolled my chair back.

  “Fine, if that’s how you want to play it.” I reviewed Max’s training exercise. “Max, I see you haven’t completed the module. Was there some issue?”

  “Am I reading this line of code correctly?” He pointed to the screen with one hand, while the other settled on my knee.

  My whole body tighte
ned in response and electricity shot to my pussy. I shoved his hand, but he gripped my leg harder.

  I checked behind me and everyone seemed busy with their work, but for some reason, it felt like the team was intently listening to my conversation.

  “Yes, those lines are basic commands that…” My voice trailed off as his palm moved higher and closer to the juncture of my thighs. I squeezed my linen-covered legs together as a moan caught in my throat.

  “You were saying.”

  I steadied my breath and slowly detailed the specifics of his assignment. But my mind lost all concentration when his hand slid between my clenched thighs and grazed my throbbing clit through my pants.

  “Did you have a good weekend, Arya?”

  What?

  Max’s fingers rubbed up and down my nub. I arched slightly but kept my relaxed pose in my chair.

  “Um, yes. It was most eventful.”

  “What did you do?”

  I squirmed to the side as he pressed harder and circled to a vibrating rhythm.

  My mouth went dry and my heartbeat echoed in my ears. I grasped the edge of the table in an attempt to hold off my orgasm.

  “I—I—spent time with an old friend.”

  He grasped one of my hands and placed it over his granitelike cock. I stroked his length without thinking.

  His tempo increased as my release washed over me. I clasped my eyes closed and muffled my cry by biting my lip. A tinge of copper filled my mouth as a whimper escaped.

  “I hope you had a most pleasurable time.” His words were gruff and barely audible.

  Reality set in and my face heated. I was sitting in the middle of my team while Max fingered me to orgasm. I scanned the room, but the group was engrossed in their tasks. I sighed with relief. No one knew what happened.

  My fingers continued to stroke Max’s erection until his palm settled over mine. I snatched my hand back and jumped up.

  Fuck, fuck, fuck. I had to get my body under control. Damn Max, he wasn’t supposed to take anything outside of the bedroom. And I was a bigger moron for letting it happen.

  “I’m going to take a short break. Continue with your projects, and if you have any questions, hold them until I return.” I rushed out the lab door, racing into my office and toward my bathroom.