by Kym Grosso
Chapter Twelve
As they pulled up the long winding driveway in Lars’ Aston Martin, Braelynn tugged nervously at the hem of her skirt. She ran her palm over the car’s black leather seats, unable to conceive of how much it cost. She glanced to Lars, wondering how someone so affluent remained entirely down to earth. A living contradiction, he looked sexier than ever in his well-worn jeans. His white cotton polo with rolled-up sleeves accentuated his tanned skin. Unpretentious, he spoke directly, and she could tell from the short time they’d been together that he did most things himself. From cooking breakfast to drying her clothes, he didn’t rely on staff for everyday chores. He’d even dug a hole in his yard, burying Benny with respect, holding her while she’d mourned.
He gave her a sexy smile, and quickly focused back on the road. Her thoughts turned to the barbeque. She wondered why he’d decided to bring her, knowing she’d be gone by Monday. He could have easily canceled his plans, keeping her out of sight. Despite her lack of transparency, he’d insisted on her meeting his closest friends. She’d been afraid to ask if Garrett was going to be at the party, praying she didn’t have to see him. He’d texted her several times, and she’d reported briefly that she had the key, without making mention of being caught or her involvement with Lars.
She reflected on the redhead who clearly had dated Lars. Braelynn cringed at her jealousy. She told herself it hardly mattered, given that she was leaving. She had no right to claim Lars, yet at the time she’d done exactly that. While he hadn’t stopped her from doing so, he’d been quick to point to the reality of the situation. They’d be lovers, but only for a weekend.
As the car slowed, Braelynn’s attention was drawn to a large rectangular fountain. Streams of illuminated water shot high into the sky, their prismatic display of colors dancing to the beat of a bass pounding in the distance. She caught sight of an enormous building that appeared to be under construction. Staff dressed in reflective orange shirts directed cars down a narrow cobblestone road. Lars pulled into a large open field which gave unobstructed views of the Pacific. With the sun sinking into the horizon, the pinkish hues lit up the sky.
Braelynn steeled her nerves as they slowed to a stop. She took a deep breath, unaware of the valet opening her door.
“You’re going to be okay,” Lars told her.
“Are you sure this is a good idea, bringing me around your friends?” she asked, her hands clutching the edge of the seat.
“You’re my friend.” He reached for Braelynn, brushing his fingers along her inner wrist until his hand joined hers.
“So you’ve told me.” Braelynn’s stomach clenched at the ‘f’ word.
“Hey.” He smiled, bringing her palm to his lips. “You’re never going to forget tonight. I promise. Wait here.” Lars released her, and gave a seductive wink before exiting the car.
Braelynn returned his smile, his kiss branded on her skin. Her stomach flipped as he rounded the car, shooing the attendant away. She reached to accept his hand, carefully stepping onto the uneven walkway. Despite the flurry of activity around her, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. He commanded not just her attention but that of all those around him. She heard his name being called from afar but he ignored it as he pinned her with his gaze.
“Ready to have some fun?”
Yes, I’d do anything with you. The words lingered on her tongue but she’d already revealed too many feelings, ones he’d never return. Instead she smiled and nodded.
“Say yes,” he whispered, his voice low and demanding.
“Yes.” Braelynn gasped as he put his arm around her waist and drew her to him.
Arousal flooded between her legs as his lips took hers. His tongue swept into her mouth, stealing her breath, reminding her that he could have anything he wanted, whenever he wanted and she’d give it to him. He deepened the kiss and she moaned as his hand found her breast. Having lost touch with space and time, Braelynn gave herself to Lars.
Laughter resounded across the yard, reminding her that they weren’t alone. What the hell had he done to her that she’d stop everything and make out with a man in public? Although the rational thought had merit, she still moaned in protest as he ended the kiss. Her knees weakened from emotion, she clutched at his shirt.
“I’m starting to reconsider bringing you here,” he growled.
“Um…what?” Braelynn’s eyes fluttered open, and she caught sight of his sly smile. He leaned into her, brushing his lips over her ear.
“Part of me wants to keep you all for myself. I want you so much.”
“We could go home, get back in bed,” Braelynn suggested.
“I won’t make it very long, my little fox. I might take you tonight…here.”
“Here?” Braelynn’s heart sped at his words, the haze of their kiss clearing.
“That’s right. You like to be watched?”
“I’m sorry…what?” she began. Was this a trick question? Did he really think he was going to have sex with her at a party? “I don’t know if…”
“I’m so goddamned hard, I could bend you over the car and fuck you right now.”
“Lars.” She laughed off his proposition, yet the ache between her legs didn’t lie. She couldn’t be sure if he was serious but the thought of an audience made her wet.
“But good things come to those who wait. And now…it’s time for introductions.” Lars kissed her cheek and took her by the hand.
Braelynn took in the sight of the enormous white tent that sat adjacent to the bluff. Intertwined branches arched into a magical entrance which greeted partygoers. Illuminated crystal garlands dangled from its ceiling, and dusk came alive with its sparkling lights. Streams of gleaming organza hung from the entryway, its lustrous fabric serving as the gatekeeper to festivities.
“Mr. Elliott.” A tall gentleman dressed in a white suit pressed through the drapes. He didn’t offer to shake Lars’ hand but merely nodded. His focus went to Braelynn, who gave a small smile. Considering his attire, she hoped she wasn’t underdressed for the event. A barbeque, he’d told her, but she suspected whatever lay beyond the curtain, it was far from a simple campfire on the beach.
“Willem,” Lars acknowledged, while he brought his hand to the small of her back.
The gentle touch ignited an intimacy that she hadn’t expected to experience in front of a stranger. Her gaze caught his, lingering for several seconds.
“This is Brae Rollins.”
Willem ignored Braelynn, swiping his finger across the glass of a tablet. “She’s not on the list, sir.”
“Ah yes, I know. Last minute invite,” Lars explained.
Braelynn startled as Lars traced a line down her back, resting his palm on her bottom. Her eyes flew open in surprise, making brief eye contact with his, but he continued to speak to the staff member with a nonchalant easiness.
“He doesn’t like surprises,” Willem’s line of vision went to the construction, “especially after the fire.”
“None of us do, but this lovely lady here, is no surprise. She’s my guest.”
Braelynn attempted to ignore the instinct telling her something was about to go wrong. Paranoia swept through her; she strained to see through the waving fabric. Familiar laugher thundered behind the curtain, and her stomach tightened. Garrett Emerson. Her heart beat a staccato rhythm, anticipating his wrath.
“Brae,” Lars stated, and her eyes snapped to his. “Everything okay?”
She nodded, concerned he’d sense her trepidation. Garrett would press her, wondering why she was with Lars. Braelynn took a deep breath, preparing for the inevitable. Keeping the lie burned a hole inside of her, and she wished Garrett would tell Lars everything. But they’d all be in jeopardy if any of them talked about the classified data.
“You’re cold,” Lars noted, rubbing her hands. “Willem, do you see what you’ve done, keeping us here talking? It’s time to go.”
“I take it you’ll tell Mr. Emerson?”
“No worries,” h
e said dismissively. Wrapping his arm around Braelynn, he brushed a kiss to her forehead. “Gets cool as soon as the sun goes down, doesn’t it?”
“Yes,” she whispered. Cuddling into his embrace, she wished she could lose herself within the sexy sandalwood fragrance on his skin. Unable to stop the inevitable, she put one foot in front of the other as the soft wavy drape swept over her shoulder, and they pressed through it.
Braelynn’s eyes blinked open, widening in amazement as she drank in the sight of the astonishing affair. Immediately drawn to the ceiling, she stared in wonder at the hundreds of illuminated balloons glowing a neon effervescence. An illusion of royal blue jellyfish danced within enormous standing lava lamps. A DJ gave a fist pump as the crowd danced enthusiastically to the music. Shimmering flesh sparkled underneath the prism of colors spearing through the darkness. Undulating bodies, adorned in luminescent jewelry, emanated a sensual aura.
Braelynn’s pulse raced as she caught sight of a nude woman, pressed between two fully dressed men. Abandoned to the music, the feminine creature fell back into the arms of one male, while the other knelt before her. Her legs opened to him, allowing him access as he licked along the crease of her inner thigh. Braelynn sucked a breath as the man’s eyes flashed to hers, giving her a devious smile. Caught staring, she should have looked away, but instead her eyes remained fixed on the man as he teased his tongue over the woman’s hip. Braelynn shivered at the sight, heat blossoming between her legs.
The brush of Lars’ palm on her arm caused her to startle, her eyes meeting his in wonder. “I…I…I’m sorry,” she stammered, embarrassed and confused by what she’d witnessed and her reaction to it.
“This is Altura.” He smiled. Cupping her cheek with his palm, he slid his thumb over her lower lip, giving a small laugh as her tongue darted over its tip. “What you see here tonight is for your eyes only. The events here,” his focus perused the room, and he cocked his head, “let’s call them unconventional, shall we? Our small group experiences life hard and fast. And while we do hold business events here at these facilities, this is our private time. I can trust you?”
“Yes.” Her response came effortlessly, yet the lie tasted bitter on her lips.
Braelynn gasped as he took her by the waist, jerking her body to his. Her gaze briefly fell to the oblivious dancers, but quickly returned to his commanding voice which demanded her attention.
“Trust is essential, Brae.” He gave her a sexy smile that brought her to her knees. “Altura is special. You can be free here…free to explore. To enjoy. To be or do whoever you want.”
Her breath caught as his thumb hooked around the spaghetti strap that supported her cami. Her mind seized with the emotions. Arousal. Fear. Helpless to stop him, she locked her eyes on his as he tugged it down, exposing her breast, her taut tip snapping free of the elastic. As he dipped his head to her chest, she burned with desire. Aware of the strangers mingling among them, her pulse raced as his lips fell to her nipple. Delicious pain speared through her as he gently bit at the engorged flesh.
“Lars,” she sighed. Her pussy ached as his fingers slid up the back of her thigh.
As he flicked his tongue over her stiff peak, her eyes followed his to his good-looking friend, Seth, who approached from the side. Her cheeks flushed, and she attempted to pull away, but he held her firmly in place.
“It’s okay. You’re safe here.” Giving her a devious smile, he continued his task.
Releasing her inhibitions and giving Lars her trust, she relaxed into the cacophony around her. Braelynn’s head lolled backward as Lars caressed her ass. Her gaze lingered on Seth, her unease melting under his heated stare. Lars’ fingers teased the cleft of her ass as he made love to her breast. He released her swollen tip, and blew a teasing breath across it.
Holy hell, I could fuck him right here in the middle of this party. In front of everyone. The realization slammed into her that Lars was releasing her shackles without her ever knowing she needed to be freed. For so long she’d happily always done what good girls did. But Lars, he gave her permission to be the very bad, the naughty girl that wanted to learn, to indulge without judgement. Within the safety of his erotic world, she suspected she’d do anything and everything he asked.
“You enjoy being watched,” he commented. This time it was a statement, not a question.
“God, yes,” she managed, her breath ragged. Exposed, it was the first time in months she’d been so honest.
Braelynn trembled as he skimmed the pad of his thumb over her wet peak. A fine mist sprayed through the multicolored lights and she blinked. With her eyes on his, she fought the overwhelming sense of loss as Lars retreated.
He adjusted the strap onto her shoulder, tugging the stretchy fabric over her bared flesh. Lars leaned into her, his lips brushing hers. Braelynn tasted the man who she’d dreamed about for months. So sweet was his essence, she thought she’d been drugged by his kiss.
“Very good, my little fox,” Lars praised, his lips on hers.
Braelynn’s thoughts raced as he repeated the possessive pet name he’d given her at the pool. She’d give anything to be his. She knew it was all going to come crashing down around her eventually. But for the ticking seconds, she’d embrace the feral animal she’d become. As she drifted into the hypnotic haze, a firm voice slammed her back into reality.
“Hey, who’s your friend?” Garrett asked.
“You remember Dr. Rollins,” Lars said.
“Yes, yes I do,” he stated flatly as his eyes landed on Braelynn’s.
She cringed under his hard gaze but forced herself to stand upright. Her face heated, and she adjusted her top. Please, for the love of all that is holy, he didn’t see what I just did.
“She’s the one from the beach,” Seth offered with a smile.
“I know who she is. I’m just surprised to see her here at Altura.”
The cold tone in his voice softened but Braelynn didn’t fall victim to the false sense of security. Underneath the niceties he simmered, and soon the questioning would begin.
“Hey, would you mind helping Chase over at the bar?” Garrett asked Lars. “He’s been fucking up the latest round of signature martinis, and I’ve been having a hard time finding Penny.”
“What’s going on with the bartenders?” Lars scanned the room.
“Mattie is out on a trip and Shelley has been filling in.”
“Shel’s not a bartender.” Lars gave a chuckle and raked his fingers through his hair.
“I know but she offered to do it. After the fire, you know how it is…hell, I’m not ready to let any new workers into Altura. Too soon,” Garrett commented freely, but as if he’d said too much, his candid demeanor turned cool. “Please go give her a few pointers. I’d love to talk with your unexpected date.”
“She’s someone who is very important to me,” Lars told him with a pointed stare. His tone of voice was serious, and Braelynn got the distinct feeling that they’d discussed her in private. She attempted to tame her paranoia. Lars hadn’t called the police. She reasoned that perhaps they’d discussed her in regards to the shooting incident long before this weekend.
“Is she now?” Screaming emanated from the bar area, flames bursting into the air out of a metal shaker. “It’s like she’s trying to burn the damn tent down. Please, Lars. I need you to get this under control. There’s not many of us here tonight but Shelley needs a hand.”
Lars gave a sigh, his eyes narrowing on Garrett. “Fine. But only because I don’t want anything else bad happening to Altura. But I’m telling you right now, G. Be nice to Braelynn. She’s my guest.”
Braelynn’s heart melted as Lars brushed a kiss to her cheek and gave her a wink. “I promise I’ll be back in just a few minutes. I’m going to be right over there.” He pointed. “You going to be okay for a minute?”
She nodded, not wanting to draw attention to her relationship with Garrett. Her anxiety spiked as he disappeared through the smoke, making his way toward the bar.
Her eyes went to Garrett’s. He wasted no time addressing her, and she braced herself for the exchange.
Chapter Thirteen
“What the hell are you doing here?” Garrett asked, tugging her by the wrist.
“I…Lars, he brought me.” She stumbled behind the large glass fixture, her attention momentarily drawn to the gleaming strands of neon lights that floated inside it.
“Yeah I can see that. You were supposed to get the key from him not fuck him. In and out. We gave you everything you needed. Jesus,” he swore.
“Don’t yell at me.” Braelynn yanked her hand away, and crossed her arms over her chest. “I texted you that I have the damn key. And he knows that I need something…I didn’t tell him what, but….”
“What the hell?” he began, but Braelynn continued, not giving him a chance to launch into a dissertation about how she’d fucked up her mission.
“Look Garrett. I’ve told you and Dean before. I had nothing to do with the missing research. You dragged me into this situation. I didn’t ask for this.”
“We’ve been over this a thousand times. There was no one else who had access to the files except you. You didn’t disclose your background when you came to work for my company. Your uncle. At this point it doesn’t even matter, because you are so close to getting the data back. Then you’ll be free to do whatever you want.”
“Oh my God! Are you high?” Braelynn had spent months feigning respectful responses but she could no longer contain the indignant wave that crested inside her.
“What did you just say?”
“All this smoke must be messing up your brain,” she spat.
“It’s fog, not smoke. And you have exactly ten seconds before I drag your smart ass out of here. Talk now. Do not leave out details.”
“I will never be free, Garrett.” Braelynn didn’t bother to use his title. Given that she was about to lose everything, formalities hardly seemed necessary. “I will never be able to live here in California again. Whoever shot me, they could come for me again. My uncle’s not going to take this lying down. He’s going to know exactly who took it. He’s going to know it was me.”
