Vegas Series: Six-book Boxed Set (Hot Romance & Powerful Suspense)

by Mimi Barbour

  Kai went to Aurora and stepped in front of her protectively. His hands reached to give solace. “She’s safe with Jeff.”

  “Yeah! For now.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Lisa tiptoed in the dimness of the flashlight she’d remembered to retrieve at the last minute, past a snoring Sam and beelined for the closet, praying that Jeff would still be there. He was, only this time his hands were tied in front with a pull-tie that matched the one on his ankles. He wore only boxers and the same t-shirt as earlier. Cozied up in the pillows and comforter, he looked quite comfy and she breathed a sigh of relief.

  In her imagination, all kinds of torture had happened to him. She couldn’t bear the thought that she’d had the chance to get him out, even if only a few minutes, and hadn’t taken it. Once she saw him alive, she stifled the sobs she’d choked back from the time she’d left him. Finally, she could take a deep breath.

  The light brought him awake slowly as if his dream world still clung. With a determined shake of his head, and a narrowing of his eyes, he whispered. “Get out of here.”

  She closed the door softly and crouched down next to him. “Not without you.” She turned off the light, needing to hide the emotions she was too shy to reveal.

  “God, Lisa, I don’t want you hurt because of these circumstances. I couldn’t live with that. You must go.” The genuineness of his words was underlined by the struggles he made to reach for her. When he did, his hands cradled her face, and in in the pitch blackness, his fingers found her eyebrows, her cheeks and then her lips.

  Breathing the same as a runner reaching the ribbon, he lowered his mouth to hers and drank as if his need, paramount to anything else, had to be assuaged. He suckled and kissed and licked and drove her mad with wanting more. Her body, off-kilter, began to topple and rather than break the connection, he leaned back so she could lie over the top of him. His muscles softened to cradle her except for one place on his body. There, mashed between them, the hardness beckoned with promises of lustful pleasure and enormous fulfillment. Her soft utterances became a moan of disappointment when she realized his hands weren’t stroking her in the places on her body that begged for attention. Dragging in a deep breath, she pushed away from him and searched in her bra for the small knife she’d hidden there, the same knife she’d taken away from the young bitch earlier in the evening.

  With a quick slice, she freed his hands and then ran her own down his legs until she had the knife do its job there. Within seconds, he had her under his heat.

  “You were real. I’d begun to believe I’d imagined you in this get-up. Are these real feathers?”

  “Oh shut up!” She held his face and placed a kiss on his chin.

  “I think I’ll introduce a new Vegas Showgirls act here at the hotel where they only get to wear blue feathered costumes.”

  “You really are a smartass, aren’t you?”

  “With sequins.”

  Loving his teasing, Lisa played along, but she desired his kisses more. Her lips sought his, and within the space of two heartbeats, he took her back to the cloud she’d occupied a few seconds earlier, the soft, luscious place where his every touch sent frissons of delight to all the nerve centers in her overheated body.

  Jeff’s warm, hard, gentle hands soothed her hungry, aching flesh. They roamed from her cheeks to gather her hair so he could bury his face in the curls he seemed to love. Soon, they continued on their travels to her shoulders where he lowered the straps of her costume bra. His lips kissed their way to where her nipples waited in a hardened state of need, pebbled and swollen.

  Sucking one into his mouth, he satisfied the craving on one side and then the other. Except that now, the awesome craving had worked its way to the lower part of her body, which constantly moved in agitation, circling and thrusting. Screaming needs, urgent and continuous, filled every conscious thought until only one thing mattered: belonging to this man who she adored with every beat of her heart and every fragment of her spirit.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Jeff realized he should be the strong one. After all, he couldn’t live if Lisa suffered because she’d come to his rescue. However, her warm softness was everything a man could desire in the darkness of a former nightmare. Those long, horrific hours when he’d been alone with his imagination, he’d found it a frightening place for a man who’d always believed he commanded everything in his world. To have lost control, to be at someone else’s mercy had broken some strength he’d relied on, or being more truthful, a strength he’d arrogantly assumed was his destiny and would last forever.

  Now here he was tied up like a piece of garbage, thrown into the darkness of hell and left like he mattered not at all. He’d never again know the enjoyment of supposing himself untouchable. Once he’d worked things out in his mind, he became aware that if he lived, he’d be a better man for it.

  He felt Lisa begin to accept that she’d lost him. Maybe she sensed his hesitation, his wanting to do the right thing by pushing her away and forcing her to save herself. And she was having none of it. It didn’t seem to matter that they were locked in a closet, in danger of being discovered. The threat only heightened the anticipation for him and from the way she’d responded, Lisa seemed more than willing to take the chance of being caught.

  Her soft hands reached for him and worked magic with touches and strokes so personal that no man could stay strong. He lost himself in the unbelievable sensations of kissing and stroking the one person who turned those acts into such pleasure that he couldn’t resist.

  Stripping off his clothes took only seconds but undressing her took much longer. There were too many places on her body he needed to revisit in order to remember why this long-legged beauty had captivated him in the first place.

  Her muffled moans heightened his already out-of-control hunger. In a frenzy of sensuality, he readied her with his fingers and found her soaking with need. His own body hardened to painful proportions readying itself to perform the ultimate act. And when her flesh opened to his penetration, he could swear he saw stars through his tears.

  Soon, whispers of encouragement spewed from his lips as he brought them to heights that deserved screams but could only result in sighs and murmurs. Weak fool that he was, once he claimed her body, he wanted her ‘everything’ to go along with it—passionate words, declarations and most of all—promises.

  Soaked from the sweat of their activities, lulled to a false sense of security, they cuddled against each other in the aftermath of the best sex he’d ever experienced. Probably the added suspense of possible exposure had added to the thrill, Jeff didn’t know. One thing he’d bet his life on, no one else could have made it as good. This woman, who’d been leading him a merry chase, had to be his.

  “Lisa. You know I’ll never let you go now. After our first time together, and you refused to have anything to do with me, it shook my entitlement assumptions to the core. You left me groundless. I hated waking up to each new day and trust me, sleeping on the couch didn’t provide a good night’s rest. This time, if you won’t let me into your life, I might as well shoot myself or let the Stokes’ do it for me rather than face another day without you.”

  She chuckled self-consciously. “You don’t mean that.” She pushed away and began to straighten the small pieces of clothing that didn’t do much to cover her still quivering body.

  “Oh, but I do.” His sincerity couldn’t be denied or ignored. He stopped her movements and brought her face close to his. Even in the darkness, he knew she had to be aware of his shaking, his need for her to understand.

  “If you refuse me, I’d have to leave Vegas. Being in the same city as you and Noel, and not being allowed to spend time with you, broke me apart once. I couldn’t face it again.” Stating his position firmly didn’t negate that those same words shook with emotions he couldn’t hide.

  “Oh God, Jeff. You care about Noel too? You see, he’s gotta be important to both of us. I won’t be with a man who can’t love that litt
le boy.”

  “How can any man with a heart not love that kid? He’s great.”

  “I know that but plenty wouldn’t put up with someone else’s kid in their life.”

  “Well I’m not one of those ‘plenty’. I’m me and a boy like him would make any man proud. I’d be a good dad, I know I would. I’ve imagined it enough while you locked me out.”

  “A dad!” Something in Lisa’s voice caught Jeff’s attention. Something that made his heart rev up and swallowing become impossible.

  “What?” He had to know, though he dreaded her words in case they’d wreck his beautiful dreams.

  “Yesterday or was it the day before, I’ve lost all sense of time.” Lisa sought the right words.

  “Tell me. It’s nothing we can’t handle together,” he said.

  “That’s just it. I don’t know how to deal with this surprising twist. Noel’s real father appeared out of the blue, demanding… No, that’s not fair, the poor guy begged to be allowed to be included in Noel’s life. It’s a long story but the gist is that my sister, being a hard-hearted, stubborn person, wouldn’t forgive his lying to her about him being married when they first met. She shut him out of her and Noel’s life. He only found out he had a son from her landlord after I’d brought him here.”

  Jeff stroked his fingers through her hair and caressed her scalp lovingly. “I see stubbornness is a Jordan family trait.”

  His droll remark earned him a playful shove and then a chuckle that made him smile even though Lisa couldn’t see. He loved a woman who could take a bit of teasing. Since he hadn’t spent a lot of time with this girl who had the power to twist his world upside down and inside out, everything he learned about her only made her more desirable.

  Bringing him back to the moment, she asked, tentatively. “What do you think? Should he be allowed to see his son?”

  “I think you’re a bright, smart and loving woman who will want the best for Noel. If you truly believe this man will make Noel’s world better for having him in it, I have no doubt that you’ll make it happen. As for me, I can share. As long as I have my time to love the little guy and help teach him to be a man… as I said… I can share.”

  “Oh, Jeff!” She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. Her soft breath blew on his skin as she spoke the words he longed to hear. “Love, you’d fulfill any woman’s fantasy. If we do this, you’ll never get rid of me. I’ll be clingy and needy and you’ll have to tell me sweet things all the time to make me believe that a guy like you could even want a girl like me.”

  “Okay, now you’ve made my day. Having you cling will improve my prestige with everyone I know. You’re a beautiful woman, Lisa. You’d make me proud. Hell, proud? I’ll be strutting like… like Kai.”

  The kiss she fed him reignited the fire he’d allowed to die down. The moment her searching lips met his, Jeff sank back into the passion he craved. He groaned and then held her away. “Stop! Baby, you’ve got to go. I don’t want them finding you here. Hey, come to think of it, how did you get back in? Sam said they kicked everyone out of the joint.”

  “They did but I couldn’t leave you here alone without protection.”

  “You didn’t answer me. How did you get back into the suite, Lisa?” The thought that she could have taken such a risk for him, turned him to pure mush.

  “Not important. Aurora and I didn’t bring our weapons the first time round and I needed to get mine. I’ve hidden it in the corner behind you. Plus, I’m wearing a mic that I can turn on if we need to bring help fast. Aurora, Ham and Kai are wearing theirs too so we can make contact if necessary.”

  He grunted, couldn’t help himself. The vision of Lisa risking her life clung like a spider’s web.

  Sensing his angst, she changed the subject. “Did they hurt you, Jeff? How come your shirt had blood on it?”

  Going along with her ploy, he answered. “Nothing serious, a bonk on the head. I managed to get Sam’s gun but didn’t notice Troy sneaking up behind me, my fault for being so careless.”

  “Your fault?! You’re not a trained cop. It’s those bastards’ fault for kidnapping you in the first place.”

  Jeff smoothed her mess of curls behind her shoulders and lowered his forehead to hers. “That’s just it. They truly believe they have a legit beef with my dad and they took me to make him suffer. Seems he robbed their father.”

  “No, Jeff. They’re wrong. It was the other way around. Ben Stokes is the culprit.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  “What the fuck!” With one hand on the opened door, Sam faced the two lovers with his gun aimed right for Lisa’s stomach. “How did you get back in here?”

  Lisa and Jeff, who’d been too wrapped up in each other to hear Sam moving, now faced a man whose face portrayed fury while his eyes revealed fear. Playing stupid, not easy for Lisa who just wanted to hurt the pockmarked creep, she feigned panic and whined. “Sam, listen. I came back to get my diamond earring and found that there’s a man tied up in your closet. Is this some kind of a joke?”

  “It’s none of your business, is what it is. How did you get back into the room?”

  “I never left. When Troy kicked us out, I turned back and hid on the balcony. All I want is my earring. I know I lost it in the bathroom. It’s from my best set of diamonds.”

  Jeff, who had tried to edge in front of Lisa, spoke up. “Dude, the broad saw you taking me to the bathroom and then back to the closet. She’s a curious chick so she investigated. Not her fault. Just let her go. She won’t say anything.”

  Sam looked first at Lisa and then at Jeff. Then back to Lisa. He banged his empty hand against his leg, fingers opening and closing. “Can’t do that, man. Not until tomorrow. It’ll be over tomorrow. Then I’ll let her go. I’m sorry, Lisa. I gotta keep you here. Turn around.”

  Lisa knew she could take the asshole but not without possibly endangering Jeff or bringing a crowd if there was a scuffle. Deciding it would be safest to conform, she turned as told and with an almost imperceptible shake of her head warned Jeff not to pursue the issue.

  “God, Miss. I’m so sorry to get you into this.” Jeff, contrite, was a whole different person. His sincerity couldn’t be questioned.

  Sam’s eyes narrowed. “Where’s the ties I had on you?”

  “What ties? You used tape. She helped me remove it.” Playing dumb didn’t suit Jeff at all and Sam saw right through him.

  “No I didn’t. I might be drunk but I’m not stupid.”

  Sam reached for some ties on the tall dresser near the closet and held them out to Jeff. “Put these on her and make them snug, I’ll be checking and if I have to fix them, I’ll make her hands turn blue.”

  Once Jeff did as he was told, Sam glared at him and said, “Turn around.”

  Lisa sensed that Jeff hated having to listen, but she prayed he wouldn’t be macho and take any chances. He didn’t.

  Sam made quick work of fixing Jeff’s wrists and he did test Lisa’s, leaving them somewhat slack the way Jeff had tied them. That decision gained him a bit of respect from her until he tried to tie her ankles. Pissed, she put up a token fight but he soon had her packaged like Jeff earlier.

  “How did you get the ties off of him?” He eyed Lisa. “Where’s the knife you used?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. What knife?”

  “Look bitch, don’t mess with me. These plastic ties have to be cut off. Where’s the knife?” Not waiting for her answer, he grabbed her arm and hauled her closer. His hand searched inside her bra first.

  Jeff, going berserk, tried kicking Sam in the head but got a slug in the gut for his trouble.

  “Back off, Jeffie. You want to wake up Troy and the old lady? You don’t know what suffering is until you piss her off.”

  Lisa cut in, hoping to calm the situation. “It’s inside the bottoms, by my hip. I have to carry one to protect myself from creeps like you who try and take advantage of a poor working girl.” Her voice covered
the one she heard in her ear.

  Aurora spoke sharply. “About time you turned back on. Keep talking. Tell me what’s up.”

  Lisa, obeying the request, blurted words out as if by random. “Who’s the old lady and why does she want to hurt Jeffie?”

  “None of your goddamn business. In fact, I’ve had about enough of both of you for tonight. It’ll all be sorted out tomorrow.” He reached for the gray roll from the nearby dresser and within minutes had both of their mouths taped. Then he pushed the pillow behind Lisa’s back, put ties on Jeff’s feet and closing the door, left them in darkness.

  Kai’s voice in her ear, giving instructions, kept her sane. “Hey Q citizen, since you’re not talking, I presume they’ve taped your mouth?”

  “Mummm”

  “Right. If you’re in danger, just mummm and we’ll come in and get you.”

  She didn’t make a sound.

  “Okay, I’ll take that to mean that for now, you’re not threatened. Right?”

  “Mummm.”

  Aurora spoke into her mic. “Now why didn’t I think of duct tape on all those ride-arounds I’ve been on with Chatty Cathy?”

  “Uh mummm.”

  “Hey that sounded to me like she just told me to fuck myself.” A warm chuckle sounded in Lisa’s ear. If she could have smiled she would have. “Stay safe, babe. We’ll be right here.” The mic went silent.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Ham, Aurora and Kai listened to Cory’s ranting for just so long before Aurora begged for quiet.

  “Lisa’s fine. They have her tied up in the closet with Jeff for now, and from what I heard, Sam promised to let her go because everything was to be over tomorrow.”

  Ham looked up from checking the incoming message on his laptop and said. “It must be their pay-off day.”

  “Possibly. The drunken bum said something else that has me wondering. He said, ‘the old lady would be pissed and they wouldn’t like to see that happen’. That sort of hinted that she could be the boss.”