Wicked Intentions

by Linda Verji

  When he began to play her, her own hand-movements on his flesh resumed.

  Their lips met again – this time in a desperate kiss as they pleasured each other. He flicked her clit. She smoothed some of his pre-cum on the head of his cock. He spread her wetness in the valley between her pussy lips. She reached further into his boxers and fondled his balls. He pushed a finger into her pussy, gently fucking her with the digit. She tightened her fist over him and stroked firmly.

  It was too much. He drew back from the kissing, his breathing rapid as he dragged her towards the bed. Settling on the edge, he lifted her by the waist until she hovered above his lap, her thighs straddling his. Holding the gusset of her underwear away from her pussy, he pressed on her waist urging her to lower herself onto his cock.

  She started to. Even got as far as letting the tip of him slide temptingly into her tight warmth, then she paused. Her hands on his shoulders to maintain her balance, she said, “Condom.”

  “Shit.” Protection had been the last thing on his mind. He turned slightly reaching inside the side pocket of the suitcase where they’d packed their hygiene gear and came up with nothing. Frowning in irritation he rifled through their clothes – nada. His eyes met Shakira’s. “Did you pack any?”

  She shook her head.

  “Shit.”He threw his head back in frustration and ran his palm on his face. “Can I get a few strokes in? I won’t cum inside you.”

  “No.” Her eyes widened with humor. “I was listening in biology class. We’re not ready to start buying diapers.” She eased away from him as she added, “Go check in the bathroom. Maybe there’s some in there.”

  Nathan seriously doubted it. Edya wasn’t exactly the ‘my son’s may have sex one day’ type. He stood up anyway and headed to the bathroom. It wouldn’t hurt to check.

  While she waited for Nathan to come back, Shakira stepped out of her dress and her underwear. She really hoped he found something in there because her body was on fire and needed him. As sweet as it was to have him inside her raw and to dream of having a little boy with Nathan’s eyes, it was just a fantasy. A fantasy she couldn’t afford right now.

  Her situation was tenuous at best. She was still homeless, still broke, still had the cops on her tail – and was living with a man with whom she had an undefined relationship. If that didn’t stink of Eve, she didn’t know what she did. As much as she was trying to live a less stringent lifestyle, bringing a baby into her world right now was just downright irresponsible. She refused to do it.

  Maybe once she had her life on track again, she’d think about it.

  As for Nathan’s capabilities as the father of her child, she just wasn’t sure. He was protective, a good provider and was respectful but she wasn’t sure if she trusted him enough to let him be that man. He still hadn’t apologized for his sneak attack on her bag or come clean about what he was over-compensating for.

  She wanted to tell him about the FBI and Charlie’s thumb drive – she’d even carried it with her so she could show him. Her instincts urged her to save some part of her away from him just in case but it just wasn’t a natural response for Shakira. Honesty had always been a big thing for her. She didn’t want distrust marring whatever it was she and Nathan were building.

  Her body cooled down with the somber thoughts crowding her mind. Her gaze drifted to the door. Maybe it would be a good thing if Nathan didn’t find any condoms. It would give them a chance to talk and air out the secrets between them. Tucking herself underneath the covers, she waited for him.

  When Nathan walked out of the bathroom, there was neither frustration nor happiness on his face. Instead on his expression was completely blank but what caught Shakira’s eyes was the pieces of paper he was holding between his index finger and thumb.

  “What is this?”

  It was the check his mother had left Shakira. A few minutes after Edya had left Shakira had ripped it up and dumped it in the waste-basket. Damn! She should’ve burned it.

  “What the hell is this?” he repeated. Shakira didn’t answer though she sat up on the bed. Nathan glared at the paper-pieces in his hand before his eyes swung back to Shakira with a glare. “One million dollars?”

  Was that an accusatory tone in his voice? What kind of person did these people think she was? Shakira bristled. “I wasn’t going to take it.”

  “I know that,” Nathan snapped, promptly deflating her anger like a pin pricking a balloon. “Who the fuck does Edya think she is?”

  He started moving towards the door. Shakira reacted with speed she didn’t even possess. “No. No. No.” She raced for the door and reached it before he did. Pressing her back to it, she insisted, “Nathan, no.”

  His face was a granite mask of anger as he glowered at her. “Shakira, move,” he said warningly as his hands curled into tight fists beside his body. It was obvious that he was holding onto his temper by his fingernails. Shakira wasn’t afraid. She knew he would never hurt her.

  “Uh uh.” Her tone was as determined as the shake of her head. “You’re not going to confront your mother.” Her eyes caroused the length of his hard muscular body. “Especially not with just your boxers on.”

  His gaze followed hers down his body as if he hadn’t even realized that he was about to storm to his mother’s room in the middle of the night half-naked. His eyes narrowed before, without word, he turned and headed towards the bed.

  Apparently the temporary reprieve was only so he could yank a pair of beige pants and a Polo shirt from the suitcase. Shakira reached behind her and turned the key in the keyhole. She wrapped her palms around the metal before making her way towards the bed.

  Tucking herself under the covers once more, she watched and waited for him to realize he had no way out. Fully dressed up for war, he wrenched at the door. When it didn’t open, he turned to her, an accusing note in his voice. “You locked the door.”

  “Edya’s only trying to protect you.” Shakira scrambled to calm him down. “I know offering me money wasn’t exactly her greatest idea but it came from a good place. She doesn’t want me to hurt you and she thinks I will because of my issues. Baby, one million is a lot. People who don’t love you don’t offer strangers a million not to hurt you.”

  Shakira knew she was babbling and half of what she was saying probably didn’t even make sense, but she only wanted Nathan to get back to his senses. The last thing she wanted for his and Edya’s shaky relationship to crumble because of her. She didn’t know if her words were working because though he wasn’t rattling the doorknob, he made no move to step away from the door.

  Shakira pushed on. “She loves you.” Edya hadn’t exactly said the words but now wasn’t the time to quibble over details. Shakira plastered on the accolades on behalf of Nathan’s mother, “She really, really loves you and this was just her way of showing it. I’m sure she’s already sorry she did it…”

  Shakira’s words drifted into nothingness as she waited for Nathan to react.

  It took a long while but finally his shoulders slumped. When he took that deep breath that told her he was letting his anger go, Shakira took a relieved gulp of air of her own.

  Shaking his head, Nathan made his way towards the bed. “Baby, you’re too soft.”

  Though Nathan was over his snit, he wasn’t about to let Edya get away scot-free with disrespecting Shakira like that. She could love him all she wanted, be sorry all she wanted but it would be on her own time and not on that of the woman he loved.

  If he wasn’t already in deep, the knowledge that Shakira had turned down the one million for him would’ve drowned him. Any other woman would’ve taken it and ran. Shakira hadn’t even looked at it twice – and she’d defended Edya’s actions too. He was never, never, going to find another woman like her and he’d be damned if his mother ran her off.

  He patiently sat through the lavish garden wedding and the elegant reception until just before he and Shakira were about to leave to confront his mother. The happy couple – or rather Edy
a – had decided that a honeymoon was a waste of time especially as Edya had a meeting with investors on Monday. Apparently the Landa-Hollis world would crumble without its matriarch.

  He found her in the den taking a phone-call.

  “Your stocks have been taking a beating the whole month since you announced that Jon was taking over from you.” Edya waved Nathan towards the couch opposite her as she spoke into the phone, “We sell ours and you might as well just dump Arthur Cleans into the trash.”

  Nathan shook his head. He wasn’t staying long enough to need a seat and Shakira was in the car waiting for him. Cocking an eyebrow at his disobedience, Edya listened to the person on the other end of the line before ordering, “I want you to name Ethan as CEO.”

  Nathan had to applaud the person on the other end of the line because whatever he or she said had Edya narrowing her eyes as her mouth straightened into a thin line. Her voice was terse and each word clipped as she stated, “Well then we have nothing else to say to each other,” and ended the call.

  Obviously frustrated by the call, Edya leant back against the settee with her eyes closed and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, the anger was gone replaced by equanimity. She asked him, “Did you come to say good-bye?”

  Nathan plunged right in, “I saw the check you wrote Shakira.”

  “She told you?” The surprise in his mother’s eyes was immediate but she quickly rose in her own defense. “She only told you because she’s angling for more from you.”

  “She didn’t tell me.” Nathan crossed his arms over his chest as he asked, “What would possess you to offer my girlfriend money?”

  “What was I supposed to do?” Edya grimaced. “Let you get yourself killed because of that…that parasite? You’ve got your private investigator telling you that she has thugs following her around. You know that the FBI has proof that she was funneling illegal money for her dead boyfriend. And you’re still hanging around her?”

  Nathan didn’t miss the reference to his PI. He asked, “How do you know about Randall?”

  He was sure that neither of his brothers had outed him. There was only one possible explanation. Edya confirmed it. “You didn’t think you were the only one paying him, did you?”

  Nathan wasn’t surprised that Randall was working for his mother too. If he’d known his mother was still bothered enough about him to keep an eye on his doings, he would’ve seen this coming. He shook his head and chuckled self-derisively.

  Edya repeated, “What was I supposed to do?” She stood as she asked, “How can you know everything you know about that girl and not be smart enough to run the other way? I raised you better than that.”

  Edya had no right to judge Shakira. She knew nothing about Shakira. She didn’t know that behind all that information Randall had fed her there was a whole other story; a story that couldn’t be captured on camera or on paper. It wasn’t her business to know anyway.

  “Mother,” Nathan began ready to cuss his mother to hell. But it was as if Shakira was there jabbing him in the ribs. He took a deep breath then began again. “Mother, let’s get this clear. Shakira is my business.” His words were succinct and his expression somber as he warned, “If you ever pull a stunt like that one again, it will be the last time you and I ever speak – actually even see each other. Are we clear?”

  His mother didn’t answer.

  But Nathan knew she’d gotten the message. He was serious. This was her last chance. If she messed it up, with a clear conscience he would tell Shakira he’d tried and then walk away from his mother.

  Leaving Edya at that, he exited the den - only to find Shakira standing at the foyer.

  His heart dropped to his sneakers and his blood ran cold as his eyes zeroed on her face. Hurt and shock mingled there leaving no doubt that she’d heard the whole conversation.

  CHAPTER 21

  “I can explain,” Nathan racked his panicked brain to come up with a fast excuse for what she’d heard. “I swear it’s not what you think it is.”

  She stared at him.

  “Yes, I had someone watching you…” He rubbed the back of his neck in exasperation. “…but I swear I was only trying to protect you”

  Her eyes cut into his, bright, glassy and unblinking.

  “I mean I started off suspecting you because of the conning thing but eventually I figured out that you weren’t lying. I only wanted to know…” His words drifted off as he realized that there was no way to make himself look good in this situation. “Kira, I’m sorry.”

  She glared at him

  He wished she’d say something; cuss him out and tell him how hurt she was. He wished she’d do something; hit him and show him how much he’d hurt her. But she only stood there looking at him, the hurt, disappointment and betrayal pouring out of her in thick waves.

  “I’m sorry,” he tried again this time reaching for her. His forward movement stopped when her palm cracked over his cheek. Slap!

  Nathan flinched with the force of the smack. He drew back his head and closed his eyes with the immediate pain that spread through his face. Fuck! Behind that dainty hand was strength he didn’t know she even possessed. When he opened his eyes it was to meet Shakira’s back as she crossed the foyer.

  “Shakira, Shakira, Shakira.” Working his jaw, he chased after her.

  His calling her name only seemed to accelerate her pace and in seconds she was out of the house. Nathan almost crashed into the door as it slammed behind her. By the time he yanked the door open and followed her outside, Shakira was already in the car and revving up the engine.

  “Shakira, Shakira, Shakira.” He raced towards the driver’s side. He tried to open the door but it was firmly closed to his efforts. The car growled and then started to crawl away. Nathan slapped his palm on the window repeatedly to draw Shakira’s attention. “Shakira, Shakira, Shakira.” But she stared straight ahead and accelerated the car.

  “Shakira, Shakira, Shakira.” Nathan raced after the car, slapping the passenger window, the trunk and then finally thin air as it zoomed away.

  His body and mind numb, and his hands clasped over his head, Nathan watched the car retreat towards the gates.

  She’s gone. His heart crushed at his feet with the realization. She’s gone.

  He closed his eyes doing best to hold onto her image rigidly. His mind etched her face clearly but instead of a laughing Shakira, all it gave him was her disappointment and hurt.

  What the hell had he done?

  Shakira had never felt this kind of pain.

  It felt like there was a hand inside her chest, gripping at her heart, squeezing it painfully and trying to rip it out of her body. It hurt. It hurt so bad.

  I won’t cry. I won’t cry for him.

  Her eyes stung with unshed tears as she stared at the road in front of her. Her fingers clenched over the steering wheel in response to the pain whipping like a violent tornado inside her and her stomach churned nauseously clogging her throat with bitter bile. In her purse, her phone rang incessantly. She didn’t pick it up.

  She knew it was him and the last voice she wanted to hear with his.

  She knew he didn’t trust her but this was so much more than anything she’d ever imagined. Private investigators, stalking, sneaking…who knew what else he’d been up to. Did she even want to know? She’d walked away from his bullshit apology before he could confess all his sins because she was afraid that his confession would tell her the one thing she didn’t want to hear.

  That they were a lie!

  Even while the pain sliced through her and bled her out, her mind arranged the puzzle pieces; the excessive prodding, the turning up at the school when she hadn’t let him know anything; the over-compensating. How could she have been so blind? It all added up to a picture of deliberate manipulation that she’d blindly let herself be painted into.

  It was all a lie.

  The tears came unbidden. She wiped them off with her palm to keep them from blurring her vision of t
he road but they kept coming until she had to pull off the road. Propping her arms on the steering wheel, she hung her head and let her sadness take the reins.

  It was all a lie.

  Everything she thought they had, every date they’d ever gone too, the nights holding each other, the feelings she thought they shared were all a lie. They were a figment of her imagination fanned by him and part of the play he’d carefully scripted specially for her. She’d been too wrapped up in his Oscar-worthy performance to see it.

  Silent sobs racked her body, only her occasional sniffles punctuating the car’s quiet. It seemed to go on for hours. It seemed to go on for days. It felt like her heart was seeping out of her body with every tear that slipped down her face and landed on her jeans.

  When was she ever going to learn? She should’ve learnt how to protect her heart after the Charlie fiasco. Instead there she’d gone catching feelings for another fake. You’re too soft. Nathan had kept telling her - and then proceeded to take full advantage of it. When was she ever going to learn?

  Shakira sniffled again as she swiped her hand over her cheek but it was the sound of tapping on glass that got her to raise her head. When she turned towards the window, it was to find a burly woman whose face was partially shielded by a cap, peering into the car through the tinted glass. Hastily, Shakira wiped at her eyes and nose with the edge of her t-shirt before lowering the window

  “You out of gas?” the woman asked. “I can give you a ride to wherev…” Her voice drifted into silence as she took in Shakira’s face. Her craggy face crinkled in concern. “Hey, you okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Shakira cleared her throat to get rid of the residual tears and plastered a smile on her face. Eager to get rid of the woman, she said, “I don’t need gas but thank you for stopping to ask.”