Fraud

by J. L. Berg

  I adamantly shook my head. “No. Not going there with you, Liam.”

  “Does it have something to do with her money? She’s got a lot of it.”

  Anger boiled in my chest, so hot and fast that my hands gripped the wheel, steering us off the road. I slammed on the brakes until the car came to a stop in a dusty trail of rocks and debris.

  “What the hell, man?” Liam said after catching his breath.

  “You went into her bank accounts?”

  He shrugged, pulling at the tight seat belt around his chest. “Sure. You were so secretive about this woman, I had to poke around a little.”

  He saw my eyes flare and held his hands up in surrender. “That’s as far as I went, I swear. But, dude, she’s loaded. Like, six-figure loaded.”

  “I know.”

  “So, it is about the money then. Why did you come to investigate her? Is she a criminal?”

  I almost laughed. “A criminal? Really? Does she look like one? I thought you were a genius.”

  “That’s what they keep telling me,” he replied darkly. “Well, whatever she’s into, be careful. No one gets that much money in that short of a time without eventually gathering attention.”

  I nodded in agreement.

  The only problem?

  I wasn’t sure if it was sound advice or a threat.

  The apartment was quiet when I returned.

  “Kate?” I called out, searching the small space for her familiar frame.

  “In here,” she replied.

  I followed the sound of her voice, leading me to my favorite place.

  The bedroom.

  And the best birthday surprise of all.

  “You follow instructions very well.” I grinned, taking all the time necessary to fully appreciate what was in front of me.

  “I’ve been told I’m an excellent student.”

  In my absence, the cannoli had arrived. How she’d managed to get them to deliver it so quickly, I had no idea. But, in the time I’d been gone, she’d granted my wish, stripping down to nothing but her beautiful bare skin.

  What took it to the next level?

  She’d carefully drizzled chocolate over her nipples and down the valley of her breasts and her stomach.

  I’d never been so hungry in my whole damn life.

  “I think you’re about to graduate with honors,” I said.

  Wasting no time at all, I pulled my T-shirt up over my head, dropping it on the floor. Her eyes wandered over my chest, making the fire in my veins ignite.

  A fire so hot, it only burned for her.

  It didn’t take long for my fingers to work the belt buckle on my jeans, especially when my gaze caught sight of the subtle way Kate’s thighs were parted in front of me, giving me the briefest glimpse of her slick core.

  A wicked grin fell across her face.

  The student had indeed become a master.

  Kicking my pants to the floor, I smiled. “Two can play at this game of yours.”

  “What game is that?” she asked, her expression blank, as if she had no idea what her body was doing to mine.

  “Okay,” I said. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  I could see her forming a question with her lips, but she wasn’t quick enough for me. Grabbing her ankles, I pulled her to the edge of the bed with one swift move.

  Hearing her gasp in surprise only fueled my desire, and I wasted no time. She wanted to torture me with her body.

  I’d gladly show her the same treatment.

  Bending down, I dragged my tongue over that sweet chocolate she’d spent so much time on. Tasting it on her skin was pure fucking heaven, and I took my time in making sure I got every last drop.

  Soon, she was writhing and moaning as my mouth sucked hard on her nipple.

  I knew she ached for it.

  For me.

  “Not yet, Kate. Not yet. I haven’t had my birthday present.”

  Reaching over toward the nightstand, I grabbed the small box that housed the dessert she’d worked so hard to get. Opening the lid, I felt like the fucking Grinch, looking down at the box of ice cream cannoli.

  Like my heart was growing three times its size.

  They looked just like I remembered them.

  God, I loved this woman.

  Removing one of the cannoli, I dipped my finger in the end and tasted it. “Perfect,” I said. “Except for one thing.”

  Repeating the process, I dug my finger into the center, gathering a bit more ice cream. Several chocolate chips came along as I angled my hand toward those seductive thighs of hers.

  Kate jumped as the cold cream made contact with the warmth of her skin. I watched as it dribbled from the tips of my fingers, spreading all over the innermost part of her thighs.

  It made quite an impressive scene.

  Taking a bite from the end of the tasty treat, I set it back in the box and focused on the feast in front of me. “Now, I’m going to make you come so fucking hard.”

  I started at her knees and worked my way down, licking and kissing a sticky trail toward her center. By the time the tip of my tongue reached her wet, hot core, her legs were trembling.

  A moan ripped through her the moment my lips met hers.

  It never stopped.

  Faster, harder, deeper. I set my pace.

  This was the sweetest torture of all.

  I waited until I felt the first signs of her climax.

  The walls of her core tightened.

  Just a little bit longer…

  The moment she cried out and her body shook, I moved, replacing my mouth with my cock in a split second. Her body, still in the throes of her release, clamped around me like a vise.

  “Shit,” I groaned, loving the feeling of her and me, and nothing in between.

  The slick grip she had on me felt better than anything I could have imagined.

  “Don’t stop,” she begged.

  “Never,” I promised.

  I surged into her, pushing her legs into her chest. It changed the angle, making her climax drag on and on.

  I knew I couldn’t last much longer.

  Keeping the pace, I continued to thrust into her, knowing I’d happily give myself to her like this for the rest of my life.

  Her body tightened once again, a look of shocked amazement on her face.

  “So fucking hard. Isn’t that what I promised you?”

  Her answer was lost as she cried out, coming all over again.

  But, this time, I joined her. “So damn good.”

  My chest heaved as I released her legs, wrapping them around me, so I could pull her close. I sweetly kissed her on the lips, tasting the lingering sugar on my lips mix with hers.

  “I love you,” I said.

  Her eyes widened slightly but warmed almost instantly as she said the words back to me.

  The words I’d thought I’d never need or want.

  “I love you.”

  Now, I had to prove I was worthy of them.

  And her.

  LIFE WAS GOOD.

  For once, I was happy. You know that incredible, mind-blowing type of happy you really only ever saw in movies? That annoying overly cheerful person who never stopped smiling in that teeth-whitening commercial, making you wonder what could possibly be so damn funny?

  That was me.

  It had been a few weeks since Killian took residence in my apartment, and although we still needed to get to know each other as far as the whole living-together thing went, we’d definitely risen to the situation.

  Or he had.

  Several times a day.

  I’d never lived with a man other than my father. I’d always figured them to be the gross fraternity types who never cleaned and left their towels and dirty socks on the floor.

  Killian was the exact opposite.

  Perhaps a little neurotic.

  While I spent the day at work, he’d comb the city, looking for work. He’d been pretty flexible on positions, applying for anything even remo
tely plausible—from random office jobs to a barista job at a local coffee shop.

  “I’ve got to start earning my way around here,” he pushed one evening as we were making dinner.

  Or rather he was making dinner while I sat around and watched.

  I loved watching him cook.

  Who knew food could be so sexy?

  “It’s really no big deal,” I said, grabbing a handful of grated cheese. “It’s not like you’re racking up a lot of extra charges. And, honestly, since I’ve been buying groceries and eating in almost every night, my food bill has drastically decreased.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t believe you survived on takeout before I came along.”

  “Not just takeout,” I argued.

  “Right. I forgot about the cereal.”

  “Cereal is a major food group as far as I’m concerned.”

  He grinned, knowing he couldn’t convince me otherwise. “But, seriously, I don’t want it to seem like I’m not contributing. Or that I’m living here out of convenience.”

  “Well, it sure has been convenient for me,” I replied, giving my best attempt at a sexy wink.

  “You know what I mean,” he said as he stirred the homemade pasta sauce he’d been working on.

  “I do,” I answered. “I really do. And I know you’ve been working on it. And, when you do land a job, we’ll figure it out. In the meantime, let’s consider this your contribution, okay?” I said, pointing to the amazing dinner he was preparing.

  “So, I’m your live-in chef, is that it?” he asked, taking a step closer.

  “Among other things.”

  “What kinds of things?” His voice darkened.

  “You know.” I laughed.

  He grabbed my waist, pulling me closer. The kitchen smelled of basil and garlic. I’d come to recognize the tangy, sweet smell of tomatoes and spices, knowing he was making something special.

  Something for me.

  “You want to show me?” he asked as the hand around my waist slid lower.

  I bit my lip. “If the fire department shows up here again,” I warned, making him laugh.

  “That was just one time! Besides, you started that.”

  “So, it was my fault you almost burned down the kitchen while we were making love?”

  “That’s what I told the firefighters,” he purred.

  “You did not!”

  “I did. Told them I was too busy pleasing my girl to turn off the stove.”

  My cheeks felt hot as I looked up at his heated gaze.

  “Make sure the oven is off this time, too,” I said before taking off toward the bedroom.

  I could hear his footsteps chasing after me seconds later.

  Yes, life was good.

  Too good.

  As a writer, I should have known.

  When things were good, that was always when shit hit the fan, and mine was about to—in an epic way.

  “I should have shacked you up with a guy ages ago.” Jane snickered as I finished up the lunch Killian had packed for me that morning.

  He’d offered to take me out, but after spending so much time together over the last few weeks, I had some serious catching up to do on my manuscript.

  “I thought my earlier stuff was amazing,” I replied, taking the last bite from the sandwich he’d made. It was a typical turkey and cheese, but for some reason, it tasted a hundred times better than anything I could have whipped up.

  “It was. It is,” she said. “Everything you write is amazing. It’s just…the stuff you’ve been sending me lately…it’s…” She paused, obviously trying to find the right word. “Real.”

  “No, it’s fiction,” I corrected her.

  “I know that, asshole.” I could almost hear her eyes rolling around in her head. “What I mean is, the connection between the characters. It’s always been there. If it wasn’t, your sales wouldn’t be where they are. But this book? It’s going to blow your readers out of the water, Kate. It tugs not just at your heart, but also your very soul. I can’t wait to read the rest of it.”

  “Thank you,” I said, not knowing how to continue.

  It wasn’t very often that Jane showed such emotion. She was used to busting balls and getting people to do what she wanted. But showing emotions of her own? It was a rarity.

  “I can’t explain it honestly. It’s like having him here was always supposed to happen. I’m a better me with him around. I can feel him pushing me out of that shell I’d shoved myself into all those years ago. And I do the same for him.”

  “It’s called love,” she replied.

  “Yeah”—I smiled—“I think it is.”

  “I’m happy for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Now, go finish writing my book,” she replied, the vulnerability in her voice sobered almost instantly.

  I laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “And, Kate?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Call me if you need anything. Book-related or otherwise.”

  I smiled, knowing this was her way of saying I love you.

  “I love you, too.”

  We said our good-byes, and I quickly put a few more words in before leaving the small conference room I’d used for my lunch time writing sprint and running back to my desk.

  The university was buzzing with activity as the semester drew closer to an end. Now that spring break had passed, seniors were eager for graduation and all that went with it.

  Well, most of the seniors.

  Amy had been bouncing between excited and somewhat terrified. Yesterday, after receiving a late acceptance to her top graduate school pick, her elation quickly pivoted back around to panic.

  “This changes everything!” she’d announced after arriving for her afternoon shift.

  I’d tried to explain to her that it only changed things if she decided to go, but there was no getting through to her.

  I was hoping she’d be slightly less neurotic today.

  Turned out, I was in luck.

  Or so I thought.

  “Hey, Kate!” she said in a chipper voice the moment I arrived at my desk. She was already situated in the chair I’d designated as hers almost four years ago.

  It was going to be hard to let her go.

  “Hi. You sound better.”

  She nodded. “I’ve decided to be Zen about the whole thing.”

  “Zen?” I asked, not really understanding her use of the word.

  “Yes. Zen. You see, I was letting everything get to me, so I’m just going to sit on it. Give it a couple of days, maybe a week, and eventually, it will all make sense.”

  I gave her a blank stare. “Zen, huh?”

  She nodded. “Yep.”

  “Okay. Sounds good to me.”

  “Oh, and since my class was canceled, I came in early, so all your mail has already been taken to the mail room.”

  “Wow, thanks.”

  “And there’s a message for you on your desk,” she added just as I saw the bright pink note next to my phone.

  The name immediately stuck out to me.

  “Liam?”

  She nodded. “He was here, looking for you, but said he couldn’t wait. So, he left a message.”

  I pulled the message from the desk. Holding it eye-level, I had to read it several times over before the words made sense.

  And even then I didn’t understand.

  Tell Killian I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all of this.

  My heart began to race for some reason, as if it knew something I didn’t.

  “I’ve got to go,” I announced.

  “Is everything okay?” Amy asked, rising from her seat. Her eyes met mine, so full of concern and warmth.

  “I don’t know honestly, but I’m going to go find out. Can you let everyone know I had to step out?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Thanks.”

  Grabbing my purse, I didn’t waste any time. Normally, I would have stopped at my boss’s office, taken the
time to make the necessary steps in announcing my departure.

  But this felt wrong.

  It all felt wrong.

  And, somehow, I knew, time was not on my side.

  I realized about halfway home that I had no idea where Killian even was. With his constant interview schedule, he could be anywhere in the city.

  Pulling into the parking lot of my apartment complex, I sent him a text and got an immediate answer back.

  Good, he was here.

  My hand went to the handle, ready to push the door open, but something stopped me.

  Looking up at my apartment window, I paused.

  One hand on the door handle, one wrapped around the single sheet of pink paper from Liam.

  It felt like my life was about to change.

  For the better…or for the worse?

  I had no idea, but in that moment, I knew I was standing on a precipice. I could rip up the note, throw it in my purse, and hold on to a few precious moments of normal for a bit longer.

  Or I could dive headfirst into the abyss.

  My hand shook, as I pushed the door open.

  Time to jump.

  The short trip across the parking lot, through the lobby, and into the elevator felt ten times longer than usual. My feet twitched as the old machine climbed to the third floor, announcing my arrival with a loud ding.

  My apartment building was mostly filled with nine-to-fivers, so during the day, these halls were fairly quiet, except for the few retirees who occupied every floor. Wheel of Fortune must have been on because today, a pin dropping could have been heard from one end to the other as my footsteps creaked across the worn wood floor.

  Marching up to my door, I thought for a second about knocking.

  Why?

  I wasn’t sure, but all of a sudden, none of this made sense.

  Tell Killian I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all of this.

  I, of all people, knew words had power.

  Power to inspire.

  Power to change lives.

  And even the power to destroy them.

  What would these ten words bring me?

  I guessed it was time to find out.

  Twisting the doorknob, I pushed open the door to my apartment. I was instantly greeted with the smell of food, something earthy that reminded me of home.

  “Hey!” Killian said brightly, coming from the bedroom. He was dressed in low-slung jeans and an old T-shirt. There was sweat staining his shirt, and his hair was slick from exertion.