“What? Seriously?”
“Don’t look at me like that. I know you don’t agree, but I feel this is the right avenue for now.”
“And how did Jacob take it? I assume he’s on the same page?”
She narrowed her eyes at him, suspiciously. Why the sudden interest in Jacob? “He understands. He’s broken up, and it was truly the hardest thing I’ve done. All I ever wanted was for him to be there, and now he is, and I can’t do it.”
“Did he…” he trailed off.
“What?”
“You know.”
“Say he loved me?” She exhaled. “No. But he said he’d wait for me.” She picked at the thermal sleeve hugging her coffee cup.
“He will.”
“Even though he shouldn’t. It isn’t fair.”
“But he’ll do what he feels is right.”
Why waste time when he could find someone else? Her chest panged with jealousy. What if he did? She buried the thoughts and cleared her throat. She was fine. Made her choice. Moving on…
“Stubborn male.” Stinging tears threatened to come through. With David, confidence was a must or he’d jump all over her. She set her drink on the desktop and shuffled a few papers around. “I’ve made my decision.”
22
“Who were you with last night, Ethan?” Gavin paced his office. His gut tightened at the thought of Shane’s sex tape being in the wrong hands.
He removed his jacket, tossing it on the back of his chair. He rubbed his neck, reeling with anger over his own ignorance.
“I told you, I don’t know.”
“How can you not know?” How could his business partner be so careless? How could he be so careless?
“Uh, because we own an anonymous sex club.” He chuckled. “Why’s this so important?”
“The USB is what’s important. It’s missing, and she was the only other person in the office besides you.”
It was his lifeline. He turned when his office door creaked opened. Shane peeked her head inside. Panic filled him, but he remained stoic, careful not to give anything away.
He went back to the window, a squall coming through the city. Even as the fear of outing her identity crippled his insides, the sight of her jolted his cock awake.
“Must be something good to get you this riled up. I’m heading over there and will take another look around. If she comes into the club tonight, I’ll spot her. Sorry, I can’t be any more help,” Ethan said.
Shane’s reflection drifted across the windows. She inspected every detail of his office. She sauntered past the rows of dark bookshelves arranged in square cubbies, which held hundreds of vinyl records. She examined his father’s turntable—the only good thing about the man. Her mouth parted in awe at his collection.
“Call me if you do. Have to go,” he murmured.
“Later, man.”
“Can I help you?” he asked gruffly as he sat in his chair.
“Nice to see you too.” She spun the lock on the door.
“What are you doing?”
She perched her ass on the edge of his desk, close enough for him to see the sultry look in her eyes. She pushed his emotional limits, like he had done physically to her.
“I wanted to say thank you for this morning.”
“No need.”
She stood and walked along the bookshelves, her fingers flicking along the vinyl. She inhaled the vintage flare they gave off and slid one out. Examining the cover, she raised her eyebrows at him.
“Whitney?”
“It was my sister’s.”
“You have a sister, do you?” Her smile could light an entire city.
He rose from the chair. “And a brother.” Information poured out of him. This is what Shane did. Made him want to share his life. “His name is Liam.”
“And your sister?”
“Riley. Lives in Europe. A kept wife of a millionaire.” Her lips opened and shut. “Go ahead,” he coaxed.
She bit her lip, inspecting the album. “Are you close with your siblings?”
He plucked it from her hands and carefully placed it back in its spot. “Not particularly. Liam and I have an understanding. He stays out of my business, but if he needs something, he can call on me. And with Riley consumed with her husband and kids, we rarely speak.” Her brows creased. “You think it’s strange.”
She shrugged. “No. All families are different.”
He brushed his hand down her cheek, unable to not touch her. “True. I will get there, Shane.” A small promise they would move forward in time.
“I want to believe you. And this is a start.” She kissed his thumb as it grazed her lips. The acceptance and touch panged through his chest and reverberated south. The air thickened as his chest heaved. A devilish grin appeared across her flawless yet rosy face. She felt it too. She walked the length of the wall.
“An impressive collection you have.”
He leaned an elbow on the shelf, amused by her strategy to draw out the tension thrumming between them.
“I like to think so.” He stared unabashedly at her rolling hips and playful ways.
She pivoted. “Have you listened to all of these, Mr. Mayne?” She flicked her wrist to the albums.
“Yes. At one time or another.” His lips quirked, and their eyes met, heat growing between them.
“I would like to hear them.” She closed the gap between their bodies. Wrapping her hands around his suspenders. He wanted her bent over the desk and calling his name.
“Which one should we start with?” He linked his hands at the small of her back and moved her against his growing erection. A small gasp escaped her pouty lips, and a wicked gleam flashed in her blue eyes.
“Do you have ‘Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer”?” she rasped.
He lowered his mouth to her ear. “You want to be fucked like an animal, Shane?”
“If it pleases you.”
Fuck. He’d met his match.
He nipped her earlobe, her warm breath hitting his cheek. He gently savored her mouth. Her hands released the suspenders and shoved through his hair. She tugged the roots, driving him to deepen the kiss as her back hit the shelves. The albums skewed from the impact.
She made him lose control, and he liked it. He squeezed her breast as her leg wrapped around his hip. His cock ground against her cleft, and she whimpered into his mouth.
“Pull up your dress and bend over the desk.” Her eyes widened as she panted. “Now.”
As she approached the desk, she lifted the hem of her sweater dress until her ass was perfectly on display. Black thigh-high stockings were held by red garters, which matched her panties. He raged inside to give her what she wanted. Dominating her did sate his need for control in the office. A required balance for them to work. He splayed a hand over her round, smooth ass and squeezed. A purr of approval fell from his lips.
“You are in so much trouble, Ms. Vaughn.”
Power and confidence rolled through his body. His hands skimmed her sex and snapped the garter.
“Ow!”
“If we’re going to do this, I need you quiet.” He pushed the rolled tie sitting on the desktop into her mouth. “There, much better. What am I going to do with you?”
He slid the top drawer of his desk open and snatched the scissors. He pulled the crotch of her panties out and cut them in half, exposing her as he inserted two fingers. She bucked, and he pushed her shoulders against the desk. He cupped her sex as she squirmed, pushing toward him and moaning into the muffled tie.
He laughed. “Oh, I intend to.”
“Mr. Mayne?” the phone intercom buzzed. Shane jumped, and a muffled squeak came through the fabric. He pushed her back onto the desk without skipping a beat. He continued thrusting his fingers in and out of her soaking wet pussy. He loved an audience even if they didn’t know they were one.
“Yes, Tasha.”
“There’s a Miss Blair Grayson at security to see you.”
He halted, sliding his finge
rs out as Shane shot up from her position. She tossed the material from her mouth onto the desk and shimmied her dress back into place, eyes wide and mouth tight.
He looked at her. “Tell her I’m out.”
“She said it’s urgent. Something about a—”
“Five minutes, Tasha,” he barked.
“Sure thing, sir.” The phone clicked.
“Why’s she here?”
His head tilted in surprise at her heated tone. “Are you jealous?”
Her crystal irises turned an aquamarine shade, and one side of her upper lip curled. She was ready to pounce.
“No…yes,” she huffed. It warmed him. Women had appeared jealous in the past, but he never reacted. They didn’t own him. Shane did.
“Shane, listen. It’s nothing,” he lied. It was everything.
“Then what could be so urgent? And when was the last time you fucked her?” she blurted out.
“Before you, baby. And it was one time.” He uncrossed her arms. She tapped her foot. “Hey, I swear. I don’t divide subs. And you know I haven’t done relationships in the past.”
She flinched. “You combine them. Ménage.”
“I have. Yes.” He dropped her wrists.
She sighed, rubbing her lips together. “I have a lot to learn about you, Gavin Mayne.”
He tugged her arm, and she fell against his chest. He smelled her hair. Wildflowers.
“Five minutes is all I’m giving her.”
“Fine. And no sharing. Hard limit.” She smiled sarcastically.
He touched her face and cupped her chin. “Good. Because I won’t share you.”
She snorted. “I meant you.”
“Aahhh.” He kissed her lips. “You don’t have to worry. I’m all yours.”
As Shane left, his anger bubbled over. He exhaled, rolling his neck. This meeting required a gentler approach to get what he wanted—the video and peace of mind that Shane would be safe.
Blair entered. At first glance, she fit the mold of the typical blonde men grew up idolizing through obscene magazines. Or those viewed as eye candy strolling through town with men of particular power. Her long golden hair was always in place with a slim, toned body. A set of man-made tits completed her look. They could claim any man like Medusa if caught staring too long.
“Blair.” He gestured to the visitor’s chair and closed the door.
She smoothed the back of her purple pencil skirt.
“What do you want?” He sat on the edge of his desk.
“We needed to talk.”
“About?” Would she admit she’d taken his device?
“I know you were pretty clear you didn’t want to see me again,” she said, referring to the night Shane left the karaoke bar without a trace. A smile that didn’t reach her eyes appeared.
“Yes.”
A red painted fingernail tapped the armrest as she leaned back. “Do you still feel that way?” Hopeful eyes blinked at him.
Where did he go wrong with this one? Clear on his motives when they met, she’d agreed. He wouldn’t have fucked her had she not fully understood the original arrangement.
“Yes.” The smile slid away from her face. “But I want to know about your relationship with Ethan.”
Her thin eyebrows arched. “Ethan? Wow, Gavin. Keeping tabs on me wouldn’t have been on my list of things you would be concerned about.” She laughed.
As anger rippled through his body, he straightened and pointed at her. “Don’t fuck with me. We both know why you’re here.”
“So sure?”
“You were with Ethan last night. At the club. I know you have the video.”
She uncrossed and crossed her legs. “Were you with Shane?”
The mere mention of her name on Blair’s lips pissed him off. He leaned over her with both hands on the armrests. “It’s not your concern.”
“Not yet.” She brushed his cheek with her hand. A sick feeling crawled over his skin as her vanilla perfume soured his stomach. He backed away. She opened the clutch nestled on her lap. The flash drive became visible in her hand. “Interesting stuff on there. Didn’t know you had it in you.”
He swiped it from her fingers and put it into his pocket. “Get out.”
“It played as your friend fucked me from behind. I wasn’t sure what I was seeing at first until her mask was removed.” Her gaze seared him, and he matched it. “Not really your type.”
“Shut up,” he gritted.
An evil smile appeared, pushing the last button of his control. His body heated as a vein pulsed in his neck.
“Some position you got your boss into, don’t you think? I mean”—she laughed with a sigh—“that little video could ruin everything for her.”
He clenched his fists to keep from shaking her. “I’m warning you…”
She tilted her head. “Aw. You care about her. How cute. Does she know you recorded her?”
“Yes. I only deal with consent. You know this.”
“Yes, yes, you and your rules.” She air quoted. “Like the rule you laid out during our night together.” She tapped her chin. “How did it go? Oh, yeah. Some bullshit about how you don’t sleep with women twice, and I was to leave promptly in the morning. Did you ever think for a minute how I would feel?”
“Feel? When? After it happened? Come on, I know you’re not naïve. We had a deal. You knew where I stood.”
“But something changed.”
“You’re only hurting yourself.”
A finger brushed the device in his pocket, and a wave of disgust for Blair and himself washed over him.
That”—she indicated his hand—“is only the original. What I want in exchange for the copy is thirty days to prove we should be together.”
He paced the office. “I can’t.” Visions of a month with Blair and the hurt it would cause Shane shattered him.
“You’re giving me no alternative.”
“What do you have against her?”
A smug smile appeared. “She’s taking what’s mine. You. Your choice, Gavin. Me or the fall of Shane’s empire.”
His heart broke. What had he done? “I’m not yours. You don’t know what you’re doing.”
“Don’t I?” she quipped, standing with her coat slung over her arm. Conquest beamed from her body. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”
“Please, don’t.” His feet froze to the floor as he tried to form a solution.
“Huh, begging. A good start.”
“Surely you wouldn’t think of ruining another woman’s career by exploiting her. You know how hard it is to live in a man’s world.” His voice sounded like gravel; it was obvious he was grasping for straws.
She smiled, her hand resting on the doorknob. “You don’t get it. She’s competition, and you need to be taught a lesson. Think about it. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
23
Sipping on a glass of scotch, Jacob stretched an arm along the backrest in the corner booth of the main floor of The Resort. He absorbed the entire picture of the understated yet erotic vibe of the club.
Members danced with heat and desire as the bass pumped through their veins, heightening their sexual awareness. Masks hid their identities, but did they hide something more?
They disguised who they were to the masses during their everyday lives. Many of them could be found on the high society pages. Rich moguls and famous celebrities found hobnobbing at charity events. And here they were, still suppressing who they were to their core even with those who shared their darkest sexual kinks and interests. It was a shame even though he understood it.
While lost in his musings, his attention shifted to a tall, dark brunette approaching his area. Her silky black hair was parted in the center, creating a curtain down to her waist. Her face was sculpted in sharp edges with a narrow nose and bee-stung lips. As beautiful as a supermodel.
“May I join you?” she asked with a South American-accented voice.
“Yes,” he said coolly, noticing she chose
not to wear a mask. He raked in her curvy figure in a one shoulder, long sleeved violet dress made to call attention to her flawless bronze skin.
Sitting, she held out a hand. “Giovanna.” The word trickled easily off her tongue. Her eyes, black as coal, stared mysteriously into him with a hint of mischief.
He kissed the top of her knuckles. “Jacob.”
She set the champagne flute she had been holding on the table. She propped one elbow on the back cushion, and her hand fell gracefully, revealing a large oval amethyst the color of her garment.
“So, Jacob. I noticed you sitting alone,” she remarked.
“I’m here to take in the evening, Giovanna.”
Her full lips curved, showing her perfectly straight teeth. “Handsome man like yourself must have someone, no?”
He was flattered. In a few short seconds, he could tell she owned men and possessed all life offered. Any person who dealt with Giovanna, would feel as though they were on the winning end of the deal, but she would know different.
“No, I’m not with anyone.”
Black eyes inspected every movement, taking in the details of his space. The way he breathed, his eye contact, and his body language registered in her eyes. Only one type of person examined with such intent.
A slow smile teased her mouth. “Ah, but you are not a truth teller. There is someone.” She moved her right hand in a circle, her ring catching the light above. “Is she here?”
Had he lost his ability to bullshit even with his actions? She was good. It had been a while since he sparred with an equal of the opposite sex.
“No. She’s not here.”
“I see your struggle. You are deep and wounded. The type of hurt of a Dom losing his sub, no?” She stated her assumption with ease, like she had known him in a past life.
He smiled. “You’re good, Giovanna.”
“Vanna, please.”
“Vanna, it is. You must be a Domme.”
“Si, Dominadora,” she said in her native tongue in a matter-of-fact way. “You go to her.”
“She’s finding her way.”
“It’s your job to show her the way. To protect her. You must know. Show her she is yours. The love is not lost on you. Only…misdirected. Whatever you did, fix it. Letting her go is not an option.”
Beyond the Masks (Beyond Love Series Book 1) Page 22
