by Nora Flite
He hovered the glass by his lips, watching me over the rim. “And what if I don't want anything from Maximal? What if I want what someone... else has to offer.”
His tone was low, a gritty burn. He wasn't talking about other companies, oh no. Pike was clearly trying to rile me up with his flirting. That cocky attitude, he wanted to keep me on my toes.
Fine. Two could play this game.
Leaning forward, I was acutely aware of the view he'd have down my dress. To his credit, he never took his eyes off of mine. “You're saying you'd sign if something else was on the table?”
“Aren't you brave,” he whispered.
No, I thought suddenly. I remembered Corbin's words, his subtle threats, and my mood shifted towards shame. I don't need to play this game.
But what if... what if I wanted to?
Shaking myself, I sat back and downed my entire glass of champagne. Pike arched an eyebrow at my action, saying nothing.
We rode in silence then, up until we pulled into the restaurant lot. Then, as the doors opened and Pike had his first look of where we were dining, I witnessed his shock. It was pure delight, for me. “Wow,” he said softly. “I always wanted to come here.”
The restaurant was called the World's Antenna. It was thousands of feet high, the tip of it a slowly rotating building so diners could view LA from every angle. It was gorgeous.
It was very expensive.
Slipping some money to the driver, I offered my hand to Pike. It was an intentional action, but I regretted it instantly. It was like waving a snack at a hungry animal.
He wove his arm through mine, daring me to pull away with a single, confident glance. “Shall we?” he asked.
“That's my line.” On wooden legs, I headed towards the entrance. Next to me, Pike was a tower of muscle and power. I think he knew it, too. There was a serenity to him that came with feeling entirely comfortable with himself.
It made sense, really. Tenacity was his essence.
Inside the doors, the front desk opened up. I used the chance to slide away from Pike. He was making my mind mushy, my insides too electric. Hoisting my purse, I smiled at the woman. “Hi there, reservation for two, under Cutter.”
She beamed, waving us towards the shiny gold elevator. “Yes, of course! Please, this way.”
I ducked inside, noting how the world kept trying to box me into smaller and smaller spaces with Pike Moss. He stood beside me, our elbows close to touching. The tiny gap was magnetic.
“Have a wonderful evening,” the woman said to us as the doors closed.
And then we were alone, and the very air around me was vibrating.
In that glimmering room that shot us towards the sky, I felt my heart falling forever to my knees. Past my feet, through the floor. I couldn't even look at the man beside me. I needed to be doused with ice water to remove this hungry fog.
When this is over with, I promised myself, I am going to go out on the town and find some random guy to take this edge off. God, this is ridiculous.
“You been here before?”
Blinking, I peeked up through my bangs at Pike. He was squinting down his nose at me, his blue eyes brassy from the metallic elevator.
I crossed my ankles and said, “Yeah. It's a favorite.”
“For winning over clients?”
He said it with a hint of distaste. This time, I let my scowl show. “Yes. For winning over clients. Does that bother you?”
His laugh was disarming. “Not exactly. Makes me feel a little less special, is all.”
Special? Thinking about what I had planned for him, I fought down a grin. “Well. The night is young, Pike.”
Peering at me suspiciously, he looked away as the doors opened. A host was waiting for us, and though they gave a quick once over of Pike's outfit, they didn't dare say a word. They didn't know who he was—yet–but if he was eating here, on my company's dime, he was someone deserving of respect.
“Welcome to the World's Antenna!” Our host said, guiding us out into the wide room. The floors were rich maroon, the ceiling opal with veins of gold. Everything was surrounded by windows, top to bottom. There wasn't a bad seat in the house.
Our booth was in a far corner, as much privacy as I could manage for us. The host sat us, handed us the menus, then left without another word. I appreciated that; I wanted time to talk to Pike, not to hear the food specials.
Settling into the velvet seat, Pike put his chin on his fist and watched me. “Did you know I always wanted to come here?”
Laughing, I spread my menu. “What do you mean? How could I know?”
“You said Maximal has a lot of power. A company like that... imagine what they can find out.”
Between us, a fragile line spread. I felt it, it led me back to his accusing stare. Damn, this was where things should have been easy. Pike didn't trust me, or Maximal. That was obvious.
How did I make amends with him?
Shutting the menu, I pushed it aside. “You want to know what I know about you.”
His shoulders mashed into his ears. “I think that'd be fair.”
So here it was. A seesaw that tilted either way. I could bite my tongue and keep him paranoid, or I could risk putting him off by spilling the beans. I didn't like either idea, but...
He deserves to know.
Sighing, I peered around covertly. No one was near us. “Alright, here. Maximal did some research on you. We know about your... extensive police record.”
A slew of emotions rampaged across his face. I recognized disgust—expected that—but when he eased into something like appreciation, I was baffled. “I was wondering about that, specifically. Alright. So you know my past, but you still want to sponsor me?”
“Yes,” I blurted.
I was too eager; he knew it. Smiling, he stroked the edge of his menu. The motion was strangely obscene, it made my mind wander, imagining how steadily he could use his hands on me.
Turning towards the window, he studied the city below us. “Here's your chance to tell me why.”
“Why we want you?” I blinked, but I had a speech ready; a variant that had proven to work on everyone else. “Maximal thinks you're an amazing athlete. One of a kind. There's no one using a guy like you out there, in commercials or anything. We want to be the first.”
“Do you really think I'm amazing?”
“We think—”
“No.” He cut me off, shooting his intense stare back to me. “I'm asking about you, Miss Cutter.”
“Ellie,” I said on reflex. I rubbed my ankle with my opposite toe. He wants to know what I think about him? The answer wasn't clear, not even to me. But I knew most of it was... inappropriate. I couldn't bare to voice such thoughts.
Peeking around, willing a waiter to save me, I gave up. I had to say something. “When I watched that video of you, I thought... I thought what you did was brilliant.” I toyed with my earring, absently flicking it. “You jumped without any fear. Not that I could see, anyway. I don't know anyone else like that. So... yeah.” Facing him, I noticed he hadn't moved. “I do think you're amazing, Pike.”
His blue irises tracked over me. Then they snapped away, stolen by the waiter who'd arrived to take our order.
That was good. I needed to get away from this line of questions. Being probed by Pike wasn't part of the plan.
The waiter didn't need to write down what we wanted—a sign of true skill. After dropping off our drinks, he left us to the odd silence broken by the murmur of conversation around us.
I need to get things moving. Sipping my wine, I stroked my purse under the table. I'd brought the contract; maybe I was optimistic, as he said, but having it nearby was reassuring. “Now that you know how I—we feel about you,” I said, “What are you thinking?”
He tilted the short, thick glass of whiskey. Normally, I'd love for a client to get drunk, but tonight... it would mess things up. I had to make sure he didn't get sloshed.
“I'm thinking I want to know more about
the perks.”
Nodding, I spread my hands on the table. “Maximal will pay you to advertise energy drinks, gear, shoes, whatever will get the most money in your pockets.”
He stretched an arm over the top of the booth. “And yours.”
I wasn't bothered by his assertion. “Yes, and ours. It's a mutual relationship. We make you famous, then we put your face and name out there. The riches are shared between all of us.”
His profile was strong, a shapely nose that made him almost regal. Not watching me, he whispered, “And your promise?”
My promise? I remembered last night.
I didn't want to remember last night.
Clearing my throat, I said quickly, “Letting you jump where your heart desires, yes. We can do that.” I had a sudden flicker of curiosity. “Did you have somewhere in mind?”
He looked into the bottom of his glass, taking another gulp. “Possibly. I just don't want to be disappointed.”
“We won't disappoint you, Pike.”
Considering me, his lips lifted at the corners. His knowing smile was unnerving. “I'm starting to wonder about that.”
Our food arrived quickly, and we ate in relative silence. I barely touched mine, though the rare steak was exactly up my alley. My appetite was lost, swimming in the sea that was Pike's flexing forearms and parting lips on each bite he took.
Even his teeth were fucking sexy.
In my purse, my phone buzzed. I slid it out, read the message.
It was time.
Pushing my plate aside, I waved at the waiter, ready to hand him the company card. “How do you feel?” I asked Pike.
Finishing off his whiskey, he cracked his knuckles. “Pretty good. No complaints yet.”
“Good enough to sign a contract?”
His eyes narrowed, but before he spoke, I waved a hand to silence him. “No, I figured not yet. I have a surprise for you, it might help prove our position to you.”
Pike was dubious. I read it in his frown and the knotted muscles on his long neck. I didn't want to let him ask questions or talk himself out of it. I had to act.
My power play would change everything.
Grabbing my purse, I hurried to the elevator. The steps behind me said Pike was following; good. Looking back was too risky. I didn't know if I'd crack under his fierce eyes.
Inside the shiny elevator, there was an older man waiting for us. His coat was crisp, a gold name plate—Faust—confirming he was important, in charge of access to areas not meant for most.
He grinned, turning a key beside the buttons. “I hope you're ready,” he chuckled.
Pike wrinkled his nose. “Ready for what?”
I pushed a finger to my lips, silencing Faust.
The trip was fast; we were already so close to our destination. As the doors spread, a gust of cool wind attacked us, ripping at my dress. I held it down, flushing, but never losing my smile. I was on edge with anticipation. Nothing would ruin that.
There was a crew waiting for us; men in shirts that said Security or Medical. Lights had been set up, the vibe was a live wire.
Turning to Pike, I took his hand; it was warm as fresh laundry. “Come on,” I urged him. “You're going to love this.”
Looking around, he questioned my words with just his eyes. Still, he followed me across, stopping as we reached one of the men.
The guy smiled, offering a parachute to Pike. “Here you go.”
“'Here I go?' What the hell is going on?”
Taking the helmet I was handed by someone else—a glorious, fire red thing with gold flames—I held it out to Pike. “I want to prove my promise. Maximal can let you jump from anywhere. We paid the restaurant so you could leap from their roof.” I shook the helmet. “If you want to, I mean. No pressure.”
Wide-eyed, Pike looked at me, then at everyone. His long legs took him towards the edge so fast, the medical team went to reach for him. I waved them off, moving to join him.
Standing a foot back, I eyeballed the drop warily. Even from here, it had my chest shrinking—lungs filling with acid. “Well, what do you think?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.
Crouching, he opened the chute. Wordlessly, he spread it, studied it closely.
“It's perfectly safe,” one of the men said.
Pike tugged at the straps. “I'd never jump without checking the gear first. I don't have a death wish.”
My hands made tight fists. Does that mean he'll do it? Picturing him diving from this spot, all sinew and bravery, it had me shuddering from more than my own fears. No, this sensation was... warmer.
Once Pike had bundled everything back up, he slid the chute over his shoulders, testing the weight. Then he turned to me, locking his wild stare. There was something manic in Pike's face. He was part tempest, a calamity all his own.
What could ever scare a man like this?
He reached for me, and I jumped. His palms closed on the helmet, taking it from me and sliding it into place over his hair. I breathed out, the noise lost on the breeze.
“You know,” I said, trying to ease my own mood, “You didn't use your helmet in that video I saw. You should be more careful.”
Connecting the chin-strap, he smiled. “I usually am.”
It finally clicked.
The puzzle piece that had been nagging me.
Pike was the sort to be prepared—he kept his gear at the ready. He checked it over, obsessively, like I'd just seen.
So why hadn't I seen him wearing a helmet in that video? Not because he didn't feel like it that night...
Because he doesn't have one.
That blew my mind, but I had to be right. It's what was bothering me about seeing his chute on the back of his door. All his gear, ready to go, but no helmet.
Pike was determined enough to jump that he didn't let a lack of helmet hold him back. The man was a train, and lord help anything that tried to stop him from his end goal.
“Are you really doing this?” I whispered in wonder.
His voice was grave, flat as a motionless sea. “What do you think?”
Adrenaline threatened to burst my veins into nothingness. If I felt that just standing here, how much excitement did he experience? How could he stand there and not shake from the bottled pressure of risking his life?
Helpless, the question fell from my lips. “What's it like?”
Pike went stiff.
Swallowing, I pressed on. “The thrill of it, the sensation... what else is like this? I just—I want to understand how you can do something so deadly.” I hugged myself. “How you can be so strong.”
Flexing his hands, Pike faced me fully. The wind yanked at my hair, freeing strands from the tight bun. I thought, for one amazing second, that he was about to kiss me again—right here, right in front of everyone.
Right before he might plummet to his death.
His death. Dear god.
He squeezed my bare arms, and all sensation went to those cells. My skin wanted to absorb the sensation of him.
“I'll sign the contract.” Pike said it so softly it was nearly lost to the night.
My jaw trembled. “You're serious? You will?”
“Yes. On one condition.”
“Anything,” I stammered, my skull feeling light as cotton candy.
Stepping away, Pike kept going. His long legs traversed the last of the curved roof in mere seconds. “I'll sign,” he called out to me. “But only if you perform a jump with me.”
A jump... with him?
Pike soared into the ether, his body a stone that was somehow graceful in its unstoppable fall. Everyone cheered, thunder when there was no rain or lightning. I was sure the people dining below were stunned to see him fall past their windows.
And me?
Well. I stood there, listening to the whistle of life and death. I couldn't move. I could hardly think.
I'd made a pact with Pike that I would have never, ever agreed to, had I known in advance. Yes, I could back out—no one would
force me to do anything.
But I was Ellie Cutter.
I did whatever it took to get what I wanted.
I knew what I had to do.
- Chapter Six -
Pike
I fell through the pureness of the void. It was higher than any base jump I'd done before, the field of speckled lights below resembling my own personal milky way. LA could be a filthy, terrible place at times. But from up here?
It was majestic.
The black night yanked at my face, dried my eyes. My smile was so big, it was hurting me. I didn't fucking care about pain. This was everything, this was the moment.
In the fall, what did pain matter?
The scent of life filled my skull. I inhaled deeply, held it in and captured the taste of flying.
Salt, smoke, clarity...
Cinnamon.
Grunting, I yanked the chute open, the force ripping at my shoulders. I'd fallen further than I should have, risked being too late. I hadn't meant to, but the drop had been intoxicating. I never got to free fall like this in the city. I couldn't have slipped up to the top of the World's Antenna, not even on my best day.
But she made it happen.
For me.
Ellie Cutter had wanted to make a point. The damn woman, she'd done that and so much more.
Gliding over the buildings, I drank up my memory of how she'd looked tonight. That white dress had revealed creamy skin, taunted me until my cock had begged for a break. I'd done my best to control myself, and I was grateful, somewhat, for how tense the dinner had been.
My mistrust of Maximal had allowed me to keep my head cool. I hadn't done the slew of things I'd been itching for. When she'd shown up on my doorstep, I'd been parched for a taste of her mouth.
When she'd eaten me up with her wide eyes in my room, I'd wanted to eat her the fuck up. To bend her over my bed, spread her thighs and show her how my lips would feel along her sensitive cunt.
And god, in the limo—her breasts right in my face, in my reach.
Ellie could be wicked...
But she didn't know who she was dealing with. She only thought she did.
I lifted my feet, landing carefully in an open parking lot. The sound of horns told me Maximal had a car coming my way. They want to make sure I didn't break anything under their watch. I touched the expensive helmet, frowning. Or busted their gear.
