Orin Meyer wasn’t his name, not by a long way. But, then, he was a long way from home. Italy. He had managed to hire a voice coach so that he could smooth out his accent into a passable American accent whenever he wanted, but with Noor that first time, and now, he wanted her to know something about him.
Because he knew a lot about Noor Tamblyn—her age, her history. She had been orphaned at five years old after a car accident, brought up in children’s homes, and had won a scholarship to college. She had met Greg Yates there, but never formed a romantic relationship with him. She had dated a couple of guys, but after a horrific rape and stabbing, she had never been with anyone since. Moving to Oregon, she had started again, building a business and buying her own home. When Greg had returned from traveling around the world—so he said—she had been a good friend to him and offered her spare room. So far, from what Orin could tell, he hadn’t made a move to find his own place. Orin suspected Greg was just biding time until he and Noor ‘ended up together.’ God, the thought made Orin feel sick.
He reached over now and stroked Noor’s cheek. “As I said, Noor, I’ll tell you what I can, but this has to stay between us.”
“Orin, I’ve known Greg a long time. A long time. There’s nothing I could imagine him doing that could bring the FBI down on him. It’s just incredible to me.”
“Greg Yates is not who he says he is. You need to know that much.”
“You’re talking in riddles.”
Orin leaned forward. “Because I can’t tell you what you want to know. Not yet. We’re watching, Noor. And while we’re watching, you’re safe.”
“Why wouldn’t I be safe?”
Orin sighed. “Noor, Greg does not have a good record with women.”
Noor laughed. “Now I know you’re bullshitting. Greg is fine. He’s my best friend.”
“Ask his mother that.”
She stilled. “What do you mean?”
“Ask him why he doesn’t keep in touch with his adoptive parents. Ask him what happened to his friend. Noor …Greg Yates knows I’m not his brother. He knows it, and yet he can’t admit it, least of all to the woman he thinks he’s in love with.”
He watched Noor’s eyes open wide and saw the fear in them. She knew. She knew Greg was in love with her and she tried to deny it. “Noor …you’re are not safe in that house with him.”
Noor stood then. “I’m leaving now. Don’t follow me.”
She stalked out of the coffee house, not caring that she left it unlocked. Her mind was whirling with what Orin had told her—and what he’d left unspoken—and she could not get past the fact that he was telling her that Greg was a bad person. Her Greg. The Greg who sat with her in the hospital when she was fighting for her life. The Greg who sat with her as the police asked the same questions over and over and over. The Greg who wouldn’t let any man anywhere near her for the rest of their time in college.
Her Greg who, on the eve of his traveling to Europe, told her that he would always love her and that if, when he came back, she would consider being with him, he would be the luckiest man in the world.
Yeah, Tamblyn, you soon forgot about that, didn’t you? Shit …
At work a few days later, Norah still felt exhausted and hollow-eyed, and Farah noticed almost as soon as she came in for her shift. “Did you see the doctor?”
“I did. I’m just waiting for the tests to come back. I’m probably just depressed.”
“Huh.”
“What?”
“Well, I’m surprised you’re depressed …what with Mr. Sexy being almost a family member.”
Norah felt her heart sink. “Greg told you?”
“He did. Kept that secret, didn’t you?”
“What?”
Farah rolled her eyes. “The long-lost brother being your admirer …god, you are out of it.”
“Sorry.”
She still felt so confused about everything; she had gotten home that night and gone to see if Greg was awake or if she could sense anything amiss. Greg knew Orin couldn’t be his brother—so why the hell was he playing along with it? Was Orin who he said he was—someone investigating Greg? God, what a fucking mess.
“Hey, derp face, wake up.”
Norah started, then grinned at her friend, Doug, the town’s police chief. A tall, blonde man a few years older than her, he was known to, and he himself knew, everyone in their small town. He was the rock they all clung to. When Noor had first come to town, he had been her unofficial tour guide and they had been good friends ever since.
“Hey, Chief. “
“Hey, gorgeous. Hey!” Doug jumped as Farah appeared and flicked water at him.
“Chief, are you supposed to be protecting us from invaders and Vikings?”
“Vikings.” Doug shook his head in mock disapproval. “You learned nothing at school, did you? God, the youth of today.”
Noor snorted with laughter at his expression. Farah winked at her and took a seat next to Doug. He nudged her shoulder. They had a flirtatious friendship that had not yet amounted to anything, but Noor was hopeful they would eventually find their way to it. She loved the idea of them together. Doug grinned down at Farah.
“Well, I got the city pretty much covered. Now just on the lookout for any troublemakers here. Know any?”
Farah grinned into her coffee. “I might, Officer.” Noor made a gagging noise.
“God. You two wanna think about getting a room?” She ducked out of the way as Farah flicked coffee at her. Farah turned back to Doug.
“You met the long-lost brother yet?”
Doug’s smile faded a touch. “Yeah. He’s …different.”
Noor, alerted by his tone, studied his face. “Do you not like him?”
Doug shrugged. “Ah, y’know how it is. As a cop, I go a lot on instinct. Something just doesn’t sit right with the guy. But, hey, I only met him once.”
He and Noor shared a look, and she knew then—she had an ally. She felt her whole body relax, tempered by a creeping sadness prodding at the edges of her relief. She wanted and needed Doug to be that ally.
Doug interrupted her reverie. “What’s your impression?” Noor hesitated.
“I don’t know him that well …” repeating what she told Farah. She struggled to find the words, then sighed. “I’m just concerned about Greg’s well-being, that’s all.”
The three friends sat in silence for a moment, then a customer caught Noor’s eye and she moved away to serve him. When she returned, Farah and Doug were flirting up a storm, but she only half listened, thinking about what Doug had said.
The bell on the door jangled and she looked up. She smiled as Greg walked toward her. “This is a nice surprise.”
“Coffee, hun?”
“Um, maybe tea?”
He watched her as she prepared the drink. Noor glanced at him as she worked.
“Playing hooky?” She poured the tea into a cup and pushed it across to him. He blew on it and took a sip.
“Just ducked out to get some paperwork together for Orin. Look, it feels like we haven’t talked properly about all this. Can you spare some time?”
Noor nodded. “Is tonight okay? You and me, the couch, the imprints of our butts, the whole deal. Sound good?”
“Sounds good. Should I cook?”
Noor made a face, then grinned. “I’m too young to die.”
“Hey, my ramen a l’ orange is celebrated.”
Noor laughed at his mock-hurt. “Where, exactly, is it celebrated?”
“Um …” They both laughed then. “So …”
“That’s your I-need-a-favor-voice,” she accused. He nodded.
“Busted. Well, I have some papers that I need to get to Orin—only I don’t want to put them under the door or in the mail box. They’re kind of important and my passport is in there. Only thing is, Orin needs them today, but he won’t be at the hotel until six and I have this meeting at the school until seven …”
She interrupted him. “Okay, okay. No
problem, I’ll bring them to –him—you got them here?”
Greg rummaged around in his pockets and pulled out a sheaf of papers, his passport, and a dog-eared envelope. “You’re the best.”
She rolled her eyes and grinned. “Oh, you’ll owe me big, Yates. Top dollar I think.”
He leaned across the counter and pulled her face to his. “Thank you, angel.” He squeezed her cheeks. “Better get back to the rabble.”
“Okay.” She threw her arms around him. “Don’t let those big boys bully you.”
“Ha ha. Later, babe.” Blowing her a kiss, he was gone.
Orin opened the door. “This is a nice surprise.”
Noor didn’t smile, but held out the papers to him. “Greg asked me to deliver these. I’ve delivered them. Goodbye.”
She turned to leave, but he caught her hand and pulled her into the room, locking the door behind her. Noor squirmed out of his hold. “What the hell do you think you’re—“
She didn’t get to finish the sentence before he pushed her up against the wall and kissed her, his hands rough on her body. Noor squeaked, almost in horror, but then his kiss was so intoxicating she couldn’t help herself but kiss him back.
Orin, his mouth hot on hers, pushed up her skirt, and she reached for his fly, freeing his cock from his pants, already hard and pulsing. Orin lifted her and plunged into her, making her groan again as he fucked her hard against the wall. Soon, in a state of delirium, Noor tried to keep a grasp on her senses. What the hell was wrong with her? With him? Every time she saw him, it was a feral need that overtook them both. She didn’t know this man, for the love of god, and yet she was prepared to do anything with him.
Anything.
The realization startled her and yet something inside her shifted—she felt freedom. Orin’s lips were against hers, his eyes riveted to her face, those green eyes dark and dangerous.
Is he dangerous?
Do you care?
Noor gasped as she came, and then Orin was tumbling her to the floor and pulling the rest of her clothes off. Greg’s papers had scattered across the room, but Orin didn’t seem to care.
“Wait, wait,” she said breathlessly. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”
Orin grinned down at her. “Principessa, I can’t think of anything else in the world I would rather be doing right now. Or ever. You have enchanted me, Noor Tamblyn.”
Noor stared up at him, his dark curls tumbling around his head, and she nodded. “Then don’t hold back,” she whispered, and Orin, smiling, bent his head and kissed her passionately.
He hitched her legs around his waist and thrust into her again, hard, pinning her hands to the floor. “I’m going to fuck you all night, beautiful girl, in every way I can think of. Don’t count on walking straight in the morning.”
His hips rammed against hers, his control over her body total. Noor was lost, utterly lost, and driven half-mad with pleasure as he took her over. He made her come, then deftly he flipped her on her stomach, and grabbing his tie, wound it around her wrists. His lips were at her ear. “Is this okay?”
She nodded, panting, so turned-on by being at his mercy she couldn’t speak.
Orin kissed her. “Good. But if you want to stop, just say stop.”
He gently parted her buttocks and pushed into her ass, and Noor nearly screamed at the feel of him. He thrust carefully, driving her toward the most intense and yet mellow orgasm of her life, leaving her weeping with joy.
He got up and lifted her gently onto the bed, untying her wrists. “Are you okay, mio caro?”
He had dropped the American accent entirely now; in its place, a sensual, deep purr that made her stomach flip and her legs shake. She nodded and he held out his hand. “Come join me in the bathroom.”
They lay in the huge tub, enjoying the hot, scented water. Noor lay back against his chest, his big arms wrapped around her, his fingers tracing a pattern on her belly.
“I’m a weak-willed woman,” she said with a laugh in her voice. “Every time I decide I won’t have anything to do with you, it always comes down to this.”
Orin pressed his lips against her shoulder. “Don’t decide that. Please, Principessa. You are the one good thing in my life.”
Touched, Noor sat up and turned around, facing him and studying his handsome face. “Tell me your name.” She said it softly. “Just here, now, between us. I swear I will never reveal it to anyone. Trust me that much and I will do the same for you.”
He hesitated, his green eyes intense on hers. “Cosimo. Cosimo Branca.”
Noor felt a weight lift from her chest. She cupped his face in her palm. “Cosimo.” She pressed her mouth against his. “Thank you, Cosimo.”
He pulled her close to him, bunching her hair in his fists. “Will you trust me now?”
She nodded, her arms around his neck. “Yes.”
He studied her. “Greg Yates is a dangerous man.”
Noor shivered unconsciously. “Tell me how?”
Orin/Cosimo shook his head. “I can’t yet. Please believe me when I tell you it’s for your protection. I would not lie to you or put you in harm’s way.” He smiled, slightly sheepishly. “If I could persuade you to move out—or rather, ask him to leave your home—I would. But that’s unrealistic, I know.”
Noor took a deep breath in. “He would get suspicious.”
“Yes.”
Noor shook her head in confusion. “I don’t get it. Why did you tell him you were his long-lost brother? I don’t get that part?” She stroked his face. “Are you really F.B.I.?”
Again, his eyes looked hooded. “Let’s just say I work alongside them.”
“Are you dangerous, Cosimo?” Her voice broke, and his arms tightened around her.
“Not to you, mio caro. Never to you. But, yes, to anyone who would want to hurt you.”
Noor shook her head. “You don’t even know me.” Her voice was a whisper and Cosimo kissed her.
“Yes, Noor. I know you.” He lifted her and slowly impaled her on his rock-hard cock and Noor gave a soft moan as they began to make love in the cooling waters of his tub.
The first note came two days later. Pushed through the door of the coffee-house, the crumpled envelope lay on the floor as Noor opened the door. She picked it up with the other mail and dumped it on the counter, and it wasn’t until the coffeehouse was open that she went through the envelopes and found it.
The second she saw what was inside, her stomach clenched with fear. It was a photograph of her, alone, late at night, working in the coffee shop. On the back, in block handwriting:
Alone. Unprotected.
“Fuck.” She dropped the photograph on the counter, not caring who heard her curse. Farah looked up, alarmed.
“What is it, boo?”
Noor paled. “Call Doug. Call Doug right now.”
Cosimo watched from outside the door as Greg Yates led his class in what sounded to Cosimo like some sort of chaotic musical experiment. Cosimo saw how Greg engaged with his pupils and shared their joy in the music they created, their laughter and shouts not born of mischief but of joy. At the bell, the teenage boys filed past him, still talking about the class they’d had, all of them saying farewell to their favorite teacher, taking their time to leave, and firing questions at Greg, who fielded them all with a grin. Cosimo couldn’t remember ever being interested in a class once the bell had rung.
He knocked on the door jam and leaned against it. Greg looked up. His expression clouded before he smoothed it out. Cosimo could see his inner turmoil—should he go through with this charade? They both knew they were playing a game …who would cave first.
“Hey! What’s up? What are you doing here?”
“Well, I thought maybe I could persuade you to share a beer or two …unless you need to get home to Noor?”
Greg smiled, shaking his head. “Noor’s got plans with Farah. Chick’s night or something. We can go grab something to eat if you’d like.”
Cosimo nodded. “S
ounds good.”
Greg gathered his things and nodded for Cosimo to follow. “There’s a good little place I know near the golf course—barbecue, beer …”
Outside, Greg threw his things into the back of his car and jumped in beside his ‘brother.'
Starting the car, Cosimo turned to him, a smile playing around his lips.
“Are you sure you don’t need to check in with Noor? I’d hate to see you in trouble.
Greg looked annoyed. “We’re not a couple, Orin. I don’t have to check-in.”
Cosimo laughed. “Just kidding around, bro.”
Good. He liked that Greg got annoyed. It meant he could poke and prod the guy, maybe get him to snap out of the act he was so good at.
Because Cosimo knew first-hand the monster Greg Yates was …and he’d be damned if he left Noor in harm’s way a moment longer than he had to.
With gloved hands, Doug carefully picked up the photograph from where Noor had dropped it. Noor had told everyone not to touch the photo or envelope.
“Maybe the asshole left fingerprints,” she said grimly.
Farah had been upset, but had hugged her friend. “It’s just some creep. Just to be safe, we’ll work together from now on, even if it means double shifts.”
Noor looked at Doug now. “I know it’s not an explicit threat, but—“
Doug shook his head, his face set and hard. “Noor, this is a threat to your safety, make no mistake about that. I’ll take this into the lab, but I think you need to seriously think about your security. I know you have Greg at home—now, don’t look at me like that. I know you can look after yourself—but this creep, he means business.”
Noor put her head in her hands. Doug touched her shoulder. “Sweetheart, you know the drill. You have been through this before. Let me catch this creep before ...something bad happens. Now, can you think of anyone who would want to hurt you?”
Doctor's Demands: A Submissives’ Secrets Novel Page 130
