Dangerous Secrets

by Sidney Bristol

  What the...?

  Ben grasped the edge and lifted.

  The whole top of the table rose up to table height, exposing a hidden cubby hole underneath.

  A silver laptop, cord and mouse sat in the compartment.

  He grabbed all three items. While he’d prefer to grab and go, he could not allow for Carson to cut off his access by reporting her personal equipment stolen. She’d made a few office visits and commented about how she was using her own laptop because her firm wouldn’t upgrade the one she’d been issued.

  Ben plugged a USB drive into the laptop and opened it. Breaking her password would take time, but it couldn’t be helped. Soon enough, if everything went smoothly he’d be able to drain the accounts and flee the country before the FBI got close.

  RYAN CHECKED HIS TEXTS and did a mental fist pump.

  Both Alec and Vito wouldn’t be home for a while. Granted, it was Saturday night, and they all tended to want to get out and do something on the weekend.

  Ryan and Carson had the house to themselves.

  Alec was probably out joyriding his new motorcycle.

  Vito... Ryan had no idea where that bastard was. He just hoped Vito wasn’t at Ian’s pretending he wasn’t in love with Taylor. She was never going to leave Ian. They had that kind of forever and ever vibe to them that no man could break, plus the bond of a new baby.

  Carson emerged from the hallway. She’d put her hair up in a kind of messy bun thing. He wanted to cut the elastic immediately. Her hair was soft, stroke able, begging for his fingers to tangle in the long stands.

  The corners of her mouth curled upward into a smile. A real one that punched him right in the gut.

  “What is this?” She held up a green highlighter.

  “That looks like a lime green highlighter.” He squinted at it a bit.

  “What’s this?” She turned the pen so the bit of paper he’d taped to the tube showed. He couldn’t see it from across the room but he knew what it said.

  “Oh.” He grinned. “I found that for your planner so you could pencil me in.”

  “Rocking Ryan time? You’re not funny.” She shook her hair and wagged the highlighter at him.

  “Then why are you smiling?”

  Carson rolled her eyes and shook her head. She didn’t even try to hide her laugh.

  Ryan was enjoying their time together more than he’d expected. She wasn’t needy yet she didn’t try to handle everything herself. She’d come here looking for help and he got the feeling that if he’d said no she’d have managed just fine on her own. She was the kind of capable person he wanted to help.

  What would it be like to come home after a long gig out of the country to someone like her? That prospect sounded pretty damn nice.

  “I’m going to get a drink. Do you want anything?” Carson strolled into the kitchen.

  He turned, admiring the way her t-shirt fell just short of covering her ass. She’d changed jeans for leggings when they settled in to watch movies and he was grateful for it. The view was quite nice.

  “Sure,” he said.

  “Beer?” She pulled the fridge open.

  Ryan swallowed.

  A beer would be nice. Despite how comfortable the day was between them, there was a whole future to sort out and if he thought about it for too long, it put him on edge.

  No, beer was not an option. Alcohol was how he’d gotten into this mess. From here on out he was going to be different.

  “Water’s fine,” he said.

  She came back with two bottles and settled on the sofa next to him. The highlighter she placed on the other side of the coffee table, safely away from the edge.

  “Hungry?” he asked.

  “Not even a little.” She chuckled.

  He might have gone overboard with lunch. The barbeque specials were a steal and enough food for two meals.

  Ryan reached over and pulled her closer until he had her nicely tucked against his side. She glanced up at him, amusement twinkling in the depths of her blue-green eyes.

  She was warming up to him.

  That was good.

  He wanted her to see this as the same opportunity he did. Sure, they hadn’t exactly chosen this path, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t be a positive for both of them. Maybe this really was fate or kismet or some other cosmic force bringing them together. He didn’t know, and he wasn’t going to fight it.

  “What?” Carson asked.

  Ryan must have stared a bit too long.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said.

  Carson sputtered and lifted a hand to her messy hair. He could hear every rebuke without her saying a word.

  No I’m not.

  My hair is dirty.

  I’m a mess.

  I’m not wearing any make-up.

  The list went on.

  Sure, at the bar he’d been physically attracted to her. His basis for approaching a woman was rather obvious and shallow, but the beauty he saw in her was something else. Something deeper that made him feel like she might be the only person on the planet who ever really got him. And that was what made him want more from her. This. Them.

  Ryan leaned forward and kissed her still smiling lips. Her body jolted a little at the first contact. Her surprise tasted sweet as he licked the seam of her lips. He’d kept things light all afternoon since their kiss this morning, allowing her to grow more comfortable with him. He slid his hand around to the back of her neck, holding her there while he suckled her lower lip. Her breathing hitched and her nails scraped his skin as she brought her hands up.

  There was a slight taste of cherries on her skin. Did she taste like that everywhere?

  He pinched her lip between his teeth, not quite biting, but just enough that she did that gasping thing all over again. She reached up and gripped his shoulder, her hand tightening into a fist, gripping his t-shirt.

  That was what he wanted. Her wanting him back.

  Ryan leaned toward Carson. Her tongue slid across his lip. He shuddered and tightened his hold on her. Her other hand curled around his waist, her fingers pressing into his skin just enough. He pressed closer and her grip tightened.

  He placed his free hand on the back of the sofa and turned fully toward her.

  Carson pushed back, keeping him at arm’s length and breaking the kiss.

  They sat there staring at each other, the sound of their breathing the only thing registering to him.

  She glanced toward the archway.

  “What’s wrong?” He massaged her neck, and she eased up on the distance between them.

  “Your roommates...”

  “They’re not going to be home any time soon.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I asked.”

  Carson continued to stare at him. He couldn’t discern what her wide eyes and parted lips meant.

  Was she really worried about Vito or Alec walking in on them? Or was this something else?

  Maybe he was jumping into the fantasy of everything working out and starting a new life, but it was a damn good one. If he had a breath of a chance at something like that, he was going to take it.

  Chapter 5

  Ryan leaned toward Carson slowly and this time she didn’t push him away. Her throat flexed and he could almost hear her gulp for air. There was a nervous, arouse energy coming off her he dug.

  Carson was authentic. There were no airs, no performance.

  He kissed her cheek and cupped the back of her head.

  “Kiss me,” he whispered.

  Her skin grew warmer. Was she blushing?

  She turned her face. Just a bit, but it was all she needed to press her lips to his in a sweet kiss.

  It was his turn to groan. She was too damn good for him. He should stay in his corner and keep his hands to himself. But he couldn’t. He’d never been that type of guy.

  “What if they do come home?” Carson sat back.

  Ryan shoved to his feet, dragging her up with him.

  He led h
er down the hall and into his bedroom where he kicked the door shut. In the near darkness he reached for her, grabbing her around the waist. He’d show her they could be good for each other. Perhaps this could work out in the best way possible.

  Her body tensed and she flattened her hands on his chest.

  Too fast.

  “Better?” he asked and kept his distance.

  “Yes.” Her fingers curled against him and her arms relaxed.

  He took a step toward her, closing the distance between them.

  Her chin tilted up and her hands slid up over his shoulders. The risk of his roommates interrupting now was gone. They’d know better than to come knocking.

  “I’ve been thinking about kissing you all day.” He cupped her cheek, his thumb swiping over her parted lips.

  He felt the hitch in her breathing more than he heard it.

  She wasn’t against the idea, but she wasn’t exactly begging for it either.

  “Is this a good idea?” Her breathless voice sent a surge of arousal straight to his groin. It didn’t matter what she said, it was how she said it.

  “I think it’s a great idea.” He dug his fingers into her hair, loosening the elastic holding the bun in place.

  “A-are you sure?” A wavering note made him pause.

  “Do you want me to stop?”

  “I... I don’t know.”

  “That’s not a no.” But it also wasn’t a yes, and he needed her to want him.

  “I don’t want you to regret things.”

  Fuck if that didn’t hit him in the gut.

  She was a better human being than he was.

  “Sugar, I’d never regret you.” He kissed her cheek.

  He took a small step closer, bringing their bodies into contact, and lowered his head. She stood frozen to the spot, her nervous energy teasing him.

  This was going to be fun.

  Ryan sealed his lips over hers and leaned into her. He took another step, carrying her with him, walking her backward until he had her pinned between him and the wall. She held onto his shoulders, no longer pushing him away.

  He wanted to remember, to know what it was like to be with her. To make her groan and whimper, sigh and moan. He bent and grasped her by the thighs, lifting her until she had no choice but to wrap her legs and arms around him. Her nails bit into his skin and her calves flexed, holding him tighter, as if she were afraid he’d let her fall.

  “Ryan...” She leaned her head back.

  He bent and kissed down her neck, tasting her skin.

  No cherry flavor there.

  She turned her face toward him, finding his mouth with hers. There was no longer any hesitation. Her hand pressed against the back of his neck and her lips slid against his, her tongue teased his.

  He’d never met a woman more concerned with him and what he wanted. He didn’t know what to do with that. Of all the women in all the bars, Carson was the one he’d fucked up with. And this might just be the best damn thing to have ever happened to him.

  Shit.

  She was pregnant.

  And he’d just tossed her up against the wall.

  What if he hurt her? Or the child?

  He had to be careful. The rules had changed, and so would he.

  Ryan gently cradled her against him and turned toward the bed. Carson continued to kiss him, oblivious to his revelation. He prayed he didn’t trip over anything left in the floor as he shuffled across the room until his knees bumped the bed. He allowed himself to shove his concerns to the back of his mind and just enjoy her kissing him. He lay her down on the still-rumpled sheets from last night and her death grip around his hips eased. Ryan braced his hands on the bed and stood there, one knee on the bed, her looking back up at him. The sound of her breathing was sweet, encouraging Light glinted off her eager eyes and her hand coasted back up his arm.

  He’d fucked up a lot in his life, but somehow he’d managed to find her. She was going to be it for him. He could feel it in his gut. Everything from here on had to matter. He couldn’t go back in time and fix things or make their first time special. All he could do was vow to do better going forward.

  Carson sat up, forcing him to kneel with one knee on the bed. Even in the relative darkness he could see a change in her, in the way she looked at him. She grasped his shirt and pushed it up. He whisked the garment off and let it fall to the floor. In that short amount of time her shirt had disappeared, and she sat there in yoga pants and a bra.

  This was on.

  She reached for him, but he had other ideas. Things he wanted to make sure he remembered. Ryan took her hands and laced their fingers together. He leaned forward until he could press the back of her wrists to the bed. She gave up and lay back, staring up at him with her hair spread out on the sheets.

  Moments like these he wanted to remember.

  Ryan slid down a little then bent forward. He kissed her, starting at the top of her sternum and working his way up her neck. He could feel her erratic heartbeat against his lips and the flex of her throat. He pressed a chaste kiss to her parted lips.

  “Stay there,” he whispered.

  “Or what?”

  He chuckled.

  Carson had a little spunk in her. That quiet, shy girl act wasn’t going to work on him after this.

  Ryan hooked his thumbs into the waistband of her pants, kissing her soft stomach. She sucked in a breath and her hands moved restlessly against the sheets. Her nerves were showing through. That was what he liked about the shy ones, they wanted in a way that was honest.

  He slid the stretchy material down her legs until all she wore were her panties and bra. They even matched. Black satin with little cream bows at the front of each. He knelt next to the bed and slid his hands up her thighs. Her skin was smooth. Soft. Still, the only thing that tasted of cherries were her lips.

  He hooked his fingers into the waistband of her underwear and pulled them down her legs.

  She hadn’t even dared to move. Did she realize that? It probably didn’t even occur to her to break the rules. He’d corrupt her over time and enjoy the hell out of every minute.

  Ryan kissed her knee, her thigh, listening to the way her breathing hitched. Her whole body was sensitized and primed.

  “Ryan,” she whimpered his name and stretched her hand toward him.

  He had plans, but the sound of need laced with his name made it clear that her needs had to be met. That was the deal now, Carson first, everything else second. He shoved the rest of his clothes off in a rush and crawled up to lie next to Carson. She turned toward him before he could reach for her, wrapping her arms around him. Her eager little lips kissed his shoulder and neck. He hooked his arm around her waist, dragging her as close to him as he could get. Her warmth seeped into him as their lips found each other in the dark.

  The taste test would have to wait.

  He reached between them and cupped her mound. She gasped as his fingers slid through her folds and her arousal dampened his skin. She nuzzled his cheek, her soft lips caressing him, sliding toward his mouth. The moment her lips brushed his he thrust a finger inside of her. That little moan was music to his ears. Her body undulated, driving him deeper and her hands slid over his chest and arms.

  Her kisses turned eager as he finger fucked her, rubbing against the sensitive walls of her channel. How did he not remember this? How drunk had he been?

  The sex couldn’t have been that great. He sure as hell wanted to make that much up to her. Show her what it could be like.

  “R-Ryan,” she whispered. Her hands tightened, nails digging into him.

  Her pussy constricted around his fingers and she groaned, head tilted back, lips working soundlessly.

  God damn. That was an orgasm.

  Her hips rocked a few times, then grew still. He slid his hand out from between her legs. She’d need a moment to recover, then he could start again. His dick wasn’t crazy about that, but it would be worth it in the end.

  Carson reached between the
m and wrapped her hand around his cock0

  Holy shit.

  Ryan groaned as she stroked him with a firm, purposeful grip. There was nothing hesitant about the way she handled him.

  “Fuck,” he groaned against her mouth.

  The shyness was wearing off, at least for a few moments.

  Ryan pushed up and reached for the top drawer of his night stand. He grabbed a condom and ripped it open before realizing...they didn’t exactly need it anymore. Then again no condom was how they got into this mess. Now wasn’t the time to have a conversation about should they, shouldn’t they. He wasn’t going to rock the boat. He rolled the latex on and reached for her, reaching for him.

  He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had sex and his focus wasn’t having the best damn orgasms. Now, what he craved was being closer to her. Yes, he wanted to give her pleasure, but more than that he wanted what they could be. He wanted all his broken bits to not matter, to be someone else, and she was his chance.

  Ryan thrust into her and she gasped, curling her arms over his shoulders. He buried his face against her neck and rocked into her body. The rest of the world faded away and all that mattered was right now with this woman.

  They shared something special, something he hadn’t known he wanted until now.

  Maybe it was crazy to want more, to think about a future with a woman he’d known for a day, but he didn’t care. This was the opportunity he’d been waiting on, and he was going to hold on with everything he had.

  Carson whimpered and dug her nails into his back. Her back arched, lifting her breasts toward his face.

  Already?

  Damn.

  He clutched her and thrust, losing himself in the feel of her and what they could be.

  This was the beginning of something new, and he wasn’t going to let go.

  SENATOR JOE NEILSON paced his hotel room. He hadn’t let go of the drone photograph since it had passed into his possession.

  Jules was alive.

  For the last four, almost five, years his sister’s status as a prisoner had fluctuated. At times someone might admit she was captured. Others, they didn’t know who she was. Every now and then someone had heard about her through someone else.