Perfect Betrayal

by Season Vining

  Taylor’s heart leapt into her throat and a smile graced her lips at the sight of him.

  “It’s not polite to linger in doorways, Romeo. Come in,” she said, before turning her attention back to her desk. “I’m looking for my phone. I’ve got like ten minutes to find it and call Henry before he cuts off my AmEx.”

  Suzanne ignored the two and kept searching through Taylor’s closet.

  “Now, that would be a tragedy.”

  “Shut it, Levi. I don’t have time for your attitude today,” she grumbled.

  “I was stopping by to tell you I’m leaving. I can just go now,” he said pointing toward the door.

  “No!” Taylor yelled. She took a deep breath and held up one finger. “Stay.”

  Levi nodded and took a seat on her bed. “Why don’t you just use the house phone?”

  “Because we’re idiots,” Suzanne shouted, stepping out of the closet and smacking her forehead with the palm of her hand.

  “Yes! I found it!” Taylor said, holding the phone up and waving it at him.

  Before leaving, Suzanne held up two fingers and pointed them at her eyes and then at Levi and Taylor.

  “What was that all about?” Taylor asked.

  “She doesn’t approve.”

  “Ah, it’s a new variation of the Look.”

  Taylor jumped onto her bed and threw her feet into Levi’s lap. She raised a finger to her lips to make sure he stayed quiet and dialed her father on speakerphone.

  “Hudson,” he answered, his voice echoing through the quiet room.

  “You said I needed to call before five.”

  “Taylor, it is four fifty-two.”

  “That’s still before five. What could be so important as to receive a personal phone call from Henry Hudson and not his assistant? Did you get tired of Nadine and trade her in for a younger model who doesn’t know how to work a phone?”

  “Cut the attitude, Taylor. I received a rather disturbing phone call from Beau Upton this morning.”

  Taylor stilled, her eyes flashed to Levi.

  “What did he want?” she asked, her voice wavering.

  “He informed me that you’re sleeping with the new maintenance man.” Taylor slapped her hand over her mouth as Levi sucked in a breath. “Nevermind how he may know this information, but Taylor Hudson, so help me God, if you are involved with that man, I will…”

  “You’ll what, Henry? What?” she asked, barely containing her fury. “Of course I’m not sleeping with that loser, give me some credit.”

  Taylor’s gaze shot to Levi and she mouthed a ‘sorry’ to him and frowned.

  “For once, think before you act. Consider how this would look, Taylor. If you embarrass this family, in any way, I will not hesitate to take action.”

  “And do what?” she said, running her hand through her hair. “Cut me off? Send me away? You can’t possibly ignore me any more than you do now!” Levi placed his hand on her leg and ran it up to her knee and back down, trying to soothe her.

  “Watch yourself, young lady,” Henry’s deep voice shouted, catching them both off guard.

  “Are you threatening me? I’ll tell you what, Henry, why don’t you worry about who you and your wife are fucking and not me!” Taylor yelled, throwing her phone across the room. It broke into several pieces, ending the call.

  Taylor covered her face with her hands and inhaled deeply. Her whole body trembled beneath Levi’s touch. He felt wrong and out of place being a witness to something so personal.

  “Are you okay?” he asked after a few minutes.

  “That man makes me crazy.”

  Levi sat, unmoving, unsure what to do or say. He felt as though he should comfort her, but maybe that was crossing a line. As a tear slipped from her eye, ran over her cheek, and dropped onto her shirt, he decided he couldn’t be what she needed.

  “Should I go? I should go. I’m going to head home.”

  “The hell you are.”

  Taylor yanked Levi toward her. Their lips came together in a heated kiss that begged to make her forget. He kissed her back, no longer able to deny her addictive taste. He inhaled the tiny, desperate whimpers that escaped her lips. When Levi moved to crawl on top of her, she pulled back, her chest heaving, her red eyes dry and determined.

  “Not here,” she said.

  A new, devious smile tugged at Taylor’s lips. She grabbed his hand and pulled Levi after her. His eyes darted up and down the hall, looking for other employees.

  “Taylor, where are you—”

  His words were cut short as she stopped directly in front of Henry’s locked office door. Levi’s heart raced as he watched her punch in 1-9-8-9 on the keypad. A grin split his face and he looked away to hide it.

  They entered the office quickly, Taylor pulling him in behind her and closing the door. It was a large room with several bookshelves, filing cabinets, and an enormous wooden desk in the center of the room. Taylor led him over to the desk and pushed Levi down into the leather chair.

  “This is Henry’s personal office,” she said, smiling. “What do you say we defile it just a bit?”

  The smile on his face represented more than a craving for the beautiful girl before him. His eyes scanned each wall, frantically searching for the safe. There were shelves, cabinets, and a closet—not to mention the desk he sat at. So many places to search. A clattering noise brought his attention back to Taylor. She had swept most of the things off Henry’s desk and planted herself on the top after sliding out of her clothes.

  Taylor leaned over and placed hurried kisses along his jaw up toward his ear. When her panting breaths ghosted over his neck, a chill ran down his spine. A low, satisfied moan left his lips when her fingers raked through his hair. He reached up and pulled her lips down to his, wholly losing himself in the pleasing taste of Taylor Hudson.

  Levi slid his lips between her breasts, causing Taylor to throw her head back, arching her body toward him. His hands circled her hips and brought her to the edge of the desk. He placed a kiss on the inside of each ankle before propping her feet on the arms of his chair. Pressing her knees apart, Levi gave her a wicked grin from between her thighs.

  “Lie back, Taylor.”

  His demand was simple and she followed it without question. Immediately, Levi lowered his mouth to her center. He closed his eyes and reveled in the scent of her arousal, the way she slid against his tongue, the absolute sinful taste. Hooking his arms around her thighs, he held her there while he continued to please and torture her with his mouth.

  Taylor begged for more as she rocked her hips against him, curses shouted toward the ceiling. He doubled his efforts, taking her higher and making her legs twitch until she was a writhing mess. She was breathless when her orgasm took over, her entire body rigid and shaking from the release.

  Levi sat back in the leather chair and swiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He was hard and aching for her and wouldn’t wait another minute.

  “I like seeing you come apart,” he said, watching her chest rise and fall, mesmerized by the sight of her skin. “It makes me want to see it again.”

  He stood and unbuttoned his work shirt, throwing it to the floor. Taylor watched from her place on the desk, like a sacrificial virgin on an altar. She was beautiful and perfect, and all his.

  “Come here, Romeo.”

  Taylor crooked her finger at him, summoning Levi closer. He removed the rest of his clothes, then leaned over her and kissed her waiting lips. He knew she could taste herself on his tongue, and the thought drove him wild.

  “Hold on, Rich Girl,” Levi warned.

  Levi grabbed her hands and placed them over her head, curling Taylor’s fingers around the edge of the desk. She braced herself but looked surprised when Levi entered her slowly. He covered her body with his own and created a steady, torturous rhythm. He fought hard to keep his eyes open, to watch her face and her little smiles interrupted by mind-numbing bliss. Levi covered her lips with his, swallowing all her breaths and
words that pleaded for more. He could read her body like one of his poems, recognizing the way she teetered on the edge of what he wanted most.

  “Levi, please. Oh, God.”

  “You want more?”

  Levi gave her more, quickening his pace. He gave her everything he had. The sound of their bodies colliding was an erotic melody and accompanied only by the tick, tick, tick of the Tiffany lamp that rocked near the edge of the desk. Lowering his lips, Levi placed sucking kisses between her breasts before tugging one nipple between his teeth.

  “Levi!” Taylor screamed.

  His name from her lips sent them both spiraling over the edge, each grasping and pulling and pushing at the other until the wave of ecstasy had passed. Levi collapsed, careful not to crush her beneath him. Their sweat-slicked skin moved together as they fought to catch their breath. Taylor released her grip on the desk and ran her nails through Levi’s hair. A low rumble sounded through his chest, vibrating both of their bodies.

  “Did you just purr?” Taylor asked, raking her nails down to his back and over his shoulders.

  Levi gave her a smirk and stood, separating them. He pulled his clothes on while Taylor sat up on her elbows, watching him redress.

  “Are you going to stay here?” he asked, while buckling his belt.

  “No,” she answered. “I just can’t move quite yet.”

  Levi’s smile grew bigger as he leaned over her body and kissed her. It was hard and biting, passionate and possessive. He pulled back, hovering just above her lips and whispered the first words that came to mind.

  “Love-flesh swelling and deliciously aching, quivering jelly of love.”

  With that, he grabbed his hat from the floor and slipped out the door.

  * * *

  “We’re in! We’re fucking in!” Levi yelled into his phone.

  “What?” Crystal asked.

  “The office, Crystal! Henry Hudson’s office!”

  “Holy shit! You’re my hero. How’d you do it?”

  “Uh, let’s just say that Taylor and I violated his desk in every way possible.”

  Crystal laughed. “Damn. That’s ballsy. I bow down at your greatness. We’ll have to hack the security feed and delete the footage now.”

  “That’s right,” Levi said. “The damn cameras. I’ll be home in thirty. You guys meet me at Mavericks later.”

  “Will do,” Crystal said.

  A couple of hours later, Levi arrived at Mavericks and slid up to the bar. Gregory added his name to the lineup and brought him a cold beer.

  “Thanks,” he said, smiling. “Get yourself one, on me.”

  “Whoa, big baller. What are we celebrating?” Gregory asked, pouring a shot of tequila.

  “Small victories,” Levi answered, lifting his bottle.

  Gregory clinked the shot glass against it. “Small victories.”

  “Celebrating without me?” Crystal asked, taking a seat next to Levi.

  “Don’t worry, shortie. We’ll have a private celebration later,” Gregory said, winking at Crystal.

  Kyle saddled up on the other side of Levi and ordered a beer. Gregory took care of them and left to serve other customers.

  “So? We’re in the office because you got into Taylor?” Kyle asked.

  Crystal reached over and slapped him on the back of the head.

  “I’m not even mad at that,” Levi said.

  “Hey, Levi. I know I clown you a lot, but good job. No matter how you got into that office, all that matters is that you did.”

  Crystal and Levi stared at him, open-mouthed and dumbfounded.

  “Thanks,” Levi said, though it sounded like a question.

  “An office pass and a piece of ass. Nice.”

  The two groaned at his rhyme.

  “Now there’s the Kyle we know and love,” Crystal said.

  “Did you erase the footage?” Levi asked, hopeful.

  “Yeah. And I didn’t even watch it. What a shame.” She gave him a wink. “The security company’s system was a little more advanced than I’m used to, so at a quick glance they’ll never notice it. But if there is a reason to go looking, they’ll see there are almost thirty minutes missing.”

  “Here’s hoping they don’t have a reason to go looking,” Levi said, raising his beer and clinking it against hers.

  Levi signaled Gregory for another beer and tapped his fingers on the bar, echoing the beat of the overhead music. Gregory delivered his beer and scooted over to Crystal. Levi watched their carefree interaction, the way they looked at each other, and immediately thought of Taylor. The idea of not seeing her, not being able to taste or touch her, made him groan. Though he couldn’t be happier about getting into that office, he knew this meant they’d be completing the job and leaving soon.

  He sipped the amber liquid and mentally justified sacrificing Taylor for a few million dollars. While it felt like a small sacrifice, something inside him did not agree. A tight feeling in his chest radiated out through his limbs and centered back on his heart.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” Crystal said, slapping the bar and jarring Levi out of his reverie. He gave her a fragile smile and met her eyes.

  “You’ve been asking me that since we were fifteen,” Levi said.

  “It was the only way to distract you when you were in fight mode.”

  “Fight mode?” Levi asked. “You make it sound like I’m a robot.”

  “I used to wonder. You liked to play guitar and fight. There wasn’t much else for a while, Levi.”

  Levi nodded. “I guess you’re right. I was an angry kid. Still lose my temper pretty easy.”

  Crystal chuckled and bumped his shoulder. “You don’t say,” she teased. “I don’t think it’s your temper, man. We’ve all got ways to relieve stress, fighting happens to be yours.”

  He drained his second beer and set the empty bottle down. “I do love it. I’m good at it too.”

  “I know. Remember Ryan Douglas? He broke my heart, you broke his nose.” She gave him a smile. “Not sure I ever thanked you for that.”

  “No need. That douchebag had it coming. Is that how we became friends?” Levi stared at her freckled face, waiting.

  “It was that day in detention. We were pretty segregated. There were the cool kids, then there was us. It was natural for you, Kyle, and me to fall in together.”

  “The rest is history,” Levi mumbled.

  The pair sat in silence a few minutes, before Gregory got Levi’s attention and pointed toward the stage. He turned to Crystal and bumped her shoulder like she’d done to him earlier.

  “The Beatles or Tracy Chapman?” he asked.

  “I gotta go with the Beatles. Always.”

  “Blackbird it is,” Levi said, and carried his guitar to the stage.

  * * *

  Levi arrived at the house, waved hello to Suzanne and Mandy, and checked the laundry room for his work list. As soon as he stepped in the room, he spotted Taylor. She jumped into his arms and attacked his lips.

  “Mmm, you taste like coffee and mint,” she whispered as he lifted her up and set her on the counter. “God, you smell so good. How do you always smell so good?”

  Taylor pulled off Levi’s hat and tugged at his hair. He moaned into her mouth before pulling away for a much needed breath.

  “Morning,” he said.

  “Good morning, Romeo,” she said, locking her legs around his waist.

  “Have I thought long to see this morning’s face, and doth it give me such a sight as this?” he quoted.

  Taylor sighed and pulled him toward her again.

  Levi smiled against her lips, but inside he battled the regret of leaving this house and never seeing her again. He leaned away and she frowned.

  “Why such an eager greeting today?” he asked, his hands resting on the counter.

  “I’m leaving for the day, but I wanted to see you first. How about a quickie right here?” She giggled.

  “Where are you going?”

  �
��I promised Reese I’d go to visit her brother with her. I won’t be back until late and you’ll already be gone.”

  Levi felt the weight of her words and the honest need behind them. It set off alarms in his head. He reached behind his back and unhooked her legs, taking a step away so he could think clearly.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “Taylor, we don’t have to see each other every day.” His mouth formed more lies before he could even stop. “I’ve got so much work today, I doubt I would have noticed you were gone,” he said, gesturing to his work list on the corkboard.

  The light in her eyes changed, and he braced himself for the worst. Taylor’s hands pressed hard into her thighs. Levi knew it was cruel, but he felt himself on a slippery slope and needed to regain control.

  Instead of yelling and screaming or resorting to physical violence, the strangest thing happened. Taylor ducked her head, hid her face from him, and slid off the counter. She left the room without a word or backward glance.

  Levi ripped his list off the wall and cursed. He wanted to tell her he felt it too, the comfort and ease of being with her. He wanted to tell Taylor that she drove him wild and ruled his thoughts. But he could barely admit those things to himself. There was no way he could say them out loud.

  Besides, it would be pointless, like leading her on and making promises for a future that could never exist. Levi would be gone soon, and she’d be better off without a mess like him. She’d move to Massachusetts, graduate from Harvard, and reminisce about how she once went slumming with a guy from the wrong side of town.

  * * *

  Taylor lay back against the leather seat, letting the wind whip around her. Reese had yet to inquire about her foul mood today, and she was grateful for it. What would she say? The maintenance guy hurt her feelings?

  He wasn’t just the maintenance guy anymore. He was Romeo, the surprising man who quoted poetry and had stories tattooed into his flesh. When he said he wouldn’t notice if she was gone, it shot straight through her. Taylor hadn’t realized she had feelings for him until those words hit her.