by Nora Flite
His chin bobbed. “Exactly. We'll design your gear so that you're advertising for us, or whoever we need. It'll be a lot of work, don't get me wrong, but you'll get lots of perks.” He started counting off on his fingers. “Money—as you mentioned—free swag from companies, all your travel will be paid for, as well as... extras.”
“Extras?”
Corbin gave me a lingering stare; a look meant for the boy's clubs of old. “You're going to move around a lot. It gets lonely. The best of us suffer from the stale ache, I'm sure a young man like you can expect similar feelings.”
I didn't stop my false smile. “I've never lured women to me with money, Mr. Mathews.”
“Oh, of course not. But how about the drinks? Your company at clubs while they enjoy your celebrity status?”
Shaking my head, I flipped through the pages, reading as I went. “I never had to buy women before. I don't plan to indulge now. Keep that perk to yourself.”
“Women will treat you different once you're famous, Pike. It might not be obvious they're there because of the money, but... That's just the facts.”
Just the facts. I imagined it, for a moment; dousing shrieking fans in tequila, watching the crowds of them hanging off of me because they smelled cash. Would that happen? Would everything—everyone—change that much?
Will SHE treat me different?
Burying the thoughts, I scanned the contract closely. “It says I'm on the hook to work for you for six years. What if I want out early?”
He tapped the pen, rolled it over to me; I snatched it. “There's a quick-cut stipulation. You can get out early, but it'll cost you a large sum of money.”
I'd found the paragraph about it. “Five hundred thousand dollars? Jesus.”
“We'd rather you fulfill the contract.”
“Me too,” I chuckled dryly. It was a harsh penalty, but six years—it wasn't so long. And it isn't like I'd stop jumping in that time. Never, if I had any say. So what was so bad about committing to years of paid jumps, travel, and fame?
He'd hate me for this, sure, but...
He isn't here to judge me, I reminded myself. It was my life, and I had to take control of it. No one had ever swayed me from my path before.
Except for her.
Ellie had pushed me right into this office.
Glancing up, I saw Corbin was watching me expectantly. “Well?” he asked, suddenly quiet in the too-bright room. “What do you say?”
With languid, intentional curves, I signed my name on the last page. “I guess I say... when do I start?”
Corbin instantly relaxed into his chair. Reaching across, he beamed and shook my hand for the second time. It was brisk, vigorous. “How does Tuesday sound?”
Tuesday? That was only four days away. “You guys move fast.”
“Honestly, I was hoping to have you signed and ready faster. You gave us a bit of a run around, Pike.” His wink was supposed to be friendly, but I sensed his irritation. “I was relieved when Ellie called to say you'd be coming in to make it official. I phoned my guys in Dubai yesterday morning to arrange the shoot.”
Wait. If he'd called in the morning, that meant... Ellie told him I was in before we even did the skydive. What a cocky little sneak. Her confidence was flooding my core with a new appreciation for her.
I noticed I was smiling, so I rolled with it. “Sorry for the wait. Just wanted to make sure this was something I was up for. Miss Cutter was very... convincing.”
Corbin crinkled his lips together, voice low. “Huh. Was she, now. I did impress on her that I wanted her to do whatever she could to get you on board. She must have taken that to heart.”
And my mood soured, quick as that last jump—no, quicker. “How do you mean?”
He studied me closely, shuffling the contract. “I think that came out wrong. I only meant to say that we both wanted you here, and she had free reign to make that happen. You did go out to the World's Antenna, correct?”
My nod was wary.
“Right,” he went on. “We arranged for your jump that night—which was amazing, by the way. Oh! And the new helmet, that was another gift.” Standing, he cracked his back, smoothed his dark suit jacket. “Pike, we're here to give you whatever you need. We want you to be happy. If I can do it with my money, or Ellie can manage it with... other skills...”
Other skills. That sentence burned. I didn't think she'd done anything suspicious, but now, I wasn't sure. Watching him face away, his shoulders highlighted by the bright sun, I let my attention roam to the city-scape. The rich, blue sky reminded me of the skydive.
Then it hit me.
Corbin doesn't know about that.
Why else would he not mention it? He listed all the other ways Ellie had, apparently, 'won' me over.
Don't get bitter about this, I warned myself. You knew what she was trying to do. Still, I was haunted by Corbin's words. What skills did he think Ellie had used on me?
Clearing my throat, I rose to my feet. He turned, smiling at me like it was a brand new day. I said, very slowly, “Miss Cutter was very convincing. But I'm getting the impression you think she did something she shouldn't have, in order to get me in your door.”
He didn't react. The man was still as stone. “Oh, no. You misunderstand. She was allowed to do whatever she wanted. Ellie is my best recruiter, Pike. She's never disappointed me—I didn't think she'd break her streak with you.” Fingering his shiny, gelled hair, he sighed. “If you're worried about her getting in trouble for sleeping with you, let me assure you, that isn't—”
“Sleeping with me?” I laughed. “That's how you think she won me over? By fucking me?”
He folded his arms behind his back, joining my surprised laughter. “I just assumed—when you turned down all the typical perks, there had to be something else.” Lines spread over his forehead. “You're saying you two didn't...?”
Heat swirled, low in my gut. The smell of grass and sun and sweat flooded my memory. We hadn't fucked, but yesterday... out in that field...
We'd come very close.
“No,” I said, tightening my jaw. “We haven't.” Suddenly, a spark of righteousness rolled through my spine. I wanted to defend Ellie from whatever sordid implication Corbin was making about her. I didn't know why I gave a shit.
I wanted to fuck her—I was hungry for the taste of her mouth again. But this was different. His words were corrosive to my mood. “Miss Cutter never did anything like that. She was very professional.” Tempting. “And pleasant.” Decadent. “And understanding.”
Damn, the way she writhed under me...
Corbin's shoulders slid lower. “Now I'm curious. How did she convince you to sign with Maximal, then?”
Stepping towards the door, I hesitated. My answer wasn't the full truth. “She promised me that your company could take me anywhere I wanted. That I could jump from any location in the world.”
“That's correct,” he said, his smile finally showing again. “Let me promise the same. We really can take you anywhere, Pike. Now that you're with Maximal... the world is yours.”
Mine.
He spoke with saccharine-sweetness. “You name it, and we'll get you where you want to be.”
Shutting my eyes, I listened to another voice—one from so long ago.
There's one place I want to jump from, more than anything. Some day, we'll do it together.
Gripping the doorknob, I squeezed harder than I needed to. “Thanks. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Mathews. Guess I'll see you Tuesday.” I didn't wait for him to answer; I slid outside, the echo of the hall welcoming after the claustrophobic vibe of that office.
Inhaling until my lungs groaned, I took a moment—just standing there with no one else around. On the walls, I saw photos of other athletes. People snowboarding, surfing, and a few dirt bikers.
Maximal really did have the power to make anyone a star. Even me. I'd signed the contract, but it still didn't feel real. If this were a movie, there'd be some triumphant music blarin
g as I walked down the hall.
Instead, there was only my soft breathing.
The things Corbin had said about Ellie, they still cut at me. I didn't consider myself an easily angered person, but sitting there, I'd been struggling with the desire to rise up and knock him in the teeth.
He thought she'd slept with me so that I'd sign the contract.
Whatever he suspected about Ellie, he was wrong. I'd been the one making the first moves on her. That night—even if it had been to protect us both—I'd initiated the kiss. She'd been baffled, I could tell from her wide eyes.
Ellie was tempting me... but she wasn't doing it on purpose. I was sure of that.
Ruffling my hair, I strolled back into the main lobby. The receptionist, Becky, peeked up at my appearance. “Hey!” she shouted, waving me over. “How did it go in there?”
“Fine,” I said, not wanting to elaborate.
Her eyes narrowed behind her lenses. “You look a little warm. Here.” Reaching down, she lifted a bottle of water into view. “Have this. We keep a ton around for clients and stuff.”
Smiling gratefully, I took the water, cracking it open. “Thanks.” Downing a large mouthful, I breathed out in relief. The liquid was refreshing; I'd been more uncomfortable than I realized. Eyeing the wide room, I leaned on her desk. “It's kind of quiet in here, isn't it?”
“Well, unless we're hosting an event, not much happens here besides paperwork.” She propped her elbows on the desk. “All the fun stuff happens off site.”
Sliding my tongue on the edge of the bottle, I grinned. “Huh. Like what?”
Becky was fixated on my mouth; I knew that look. “Oh, you know. The recruiters like to entertain potential clients—like yourself—at parties, clubs, shows, that stuff. It can get wild.”
“I'm not a 'potential' client anymore,” I teased her.
“Right, right, sorry,” she giggled.
“Wild sounds nice. How wild are we talking?”
Something sparkled in Becky's eyes. “Pretty insane.”
“So you've gone to some of this stuff?”
Blushing, she gave me a wide smirk. “Of course. It's part of my job to help. Besides...” Her fingers, painted a lovely pink, slid over to brush my forearm. “It's really fun. A perk. You know?”
I was getting tired of hearing about all the 'perks' Maximal provided. Escaping Becky's wandering hand, I said flatly, “I can imagine.”
Her teeth glowed. Leaning away, she fished around in her purse. “I know you'll be gone for a bit—Dubai, right?” I nodded, and she went on. “Here, take my number. When you get back, I can show you what wild really means.”
I started to speak, but another voice rose up behind me. “Pike?”
Startled, I spun. I knew that voice well, but my senses weren't prepared for her presence.
Ellie stood a few feet away, dressed in black leggings and a pair of jean shorts that drew my eyes to her rounded hips. I was already imagining how I could get them off of her with my teeth, and I hadn't even said hello yet.
She adjusted her purse nervously—why was she nervous? “Are you here to sign the contract?” she asked, flicking a quick look over my shoulder at Becky.
“He already did,” the receptionist piped up.
“Oh.” Her lips slid low; I hungered to make them pucker with a kiss.
Pushing off of the desk, my fingers wiggled briefly at Becky. “She's right, I'm trapped now.” Sliding close to Ellie, I hooked my thumbs in my belt, smiling at the way she stood a bit taller. “Want to show me around, Warden?”
Ellie's sharp features smoothed. I was becoming addicted to that smile. “I didn't drag you here in cuffs.”
“No,” I agreed, my voice gritty. “But you still can.”
The centers of her eyes turned to pinpricks. Shooting an uneasy glance at Becky, Ellie motioned for me to follow her. “Uh, right. Let me show you my office.”
“Wait!” Becky called out, a pout firm on her mouth. She waved her phone at me. “Number exchange, remember?”
The muscles on Ellie's elegant neck went taut.
Smiling casually, I gave her a little nudge down the hall we were facing. “It'll have to be another time, Becky. Relax. I'm a prisoner for six years.”
She said nothing, just made a disgruntled noise as Ellie and I rounded the corner.
The new area looked much like the rest, except there were elevators here. Ellie pressed the button on one, the bell chime resounding over the marble. The way her hands were clenched by her hips, I knew what was happening.
Stepping into the open elevator, I leaned on the interior and watched Ellie. Once she'd picked a floor, locking us inside, I spoke. “You don't need to be jealous.”
She spun to face me, hands going up like I'd been on the attack. “I—excuse me?”
“Your receptionist back there. She was trying to give me her number.”
Ellie lifted an eyebrow. “So?”
“So, I said no.”
Her eyes crinkled at the edges. “You said 'later.'”
Grinning ear to ear, I took a step closer. “I'm right, you're jealous.”
“I'm not!” she blurted, laughing rather crazed. “Why would I be?”
Reaching into my pocket, I slid out my cellphone. “No clue. I already have your number. That fact should sooth you.”
“Should it?” she asked, crossing her arms.
“Well, it's a start.”
She stared me down, and for a while, the only noise was the gentle 'ding' of each passing floor. Finally, Ellie broke into a grin. “You're ridiculous.”
“Guilty, Warden. Are you adding that to my record?”
Chewing her bottom lip, she faced the doors. “I don't like you acting like you're in prison here. We're a good company.”
The doors spread; I followed her out. “Maybe. But your boss showed me the punishment for ending my contract early.”
Peering at me, Ellie walked faster down the hallway. “You'd be looking at actual prison time if you didn't sign with us, Pike. Remember?”
My steps faltered for a split second. She was right, of course. “That's true. Plus,” I said, keeping pace beside her, “I wouldn't be getting shipped off to Dubai on Tuesday if this was an actual arrest.”
Blinking, she stopped in front of a new door. “Your first commercial. Right. Are you excited?”
“I'm not sure yet. I don't even know what I'll be doing.”
Delight bloomed in her eyes. “Come inside, I'll show you.” Opening the door, Ellie led us into an office far smaller than Corbin's. It lacked the windows and sunshine, but somehow, with all the flowers around the place, it felt... warmer.
The walls were a soothing grey, yellow highlighting them in spots. A single desk rested on one side, a laptop open and humming away. I noticed that, in spite of the decorations, I didn't spot a single photo anywhere.
My place was grimy, but even I had pictures.
“Here,” she said, waving me towards a chair. She dropped into the one on the opposite side of the desk, clicking at her laptop.
I knew she wanted me to sit across from her. I had other plans.
In my chair, I rolled it around, bumping into her. She sat up, gasping. “What are you doing?”
“I want to see the screen, is that a problem?”
“You can see it over there,” she pointed.
“Maybe. But the view is better here,” I said, smiling crookedly.
Her pink cheeks were glorious. “Fine, whatever.” Those deft fingers darted over her keyboard. Unlike Becky, Ellie kept her nails plain, free of any bright colors.
Tapping the screen, she said, “Here we are, Bur Al Arab. Our home for the next week.”
The visuals on display were stunning. There was a building that was a giant curve; a white leaf against a jeweled background. Yellow tinged the sunset, the blues richer than midnight velvet. The place was so magnificent, I'd almost missed what she'd said. “Wait. 'Our' home?”
Shifting in her
chair, Ellie was subtle in how she rolled an inch away from me. “Sure. Corbin asked me to come along to make sure you were attended to. He really wants you to feel comfortable on your first commercial, I guess he figured I'd help.”
My mind flashed with the conversation from earlier. Other skills. He'd suspected we'd been sleeping together, and clearly planned for Ellie to come along to keep the status quo. I'd cleared that up with Corbin already, but it didn't matter; he'd arranged in advance for Ellie to come along on this trip.
Not that I minded. Thinking about the two of us traveling, enjoying the rare sights... it was plenty tempting. “You ever been to Dubai?” I asked.
She shook her head, loose hair flipping like flowers in a breeze. “Nope. It'll be great, though. Bur Al Arab is supposed to be the only seven star hotel in the entire world.”
My nod was thoughtful. “Nice. So where am I jumping from for this commercial or whatever?”
Ellie covered her mouth, giggling politely.
“What? What is it?”
“This is the place.” Poking the image on the laptop, she started to scroll through some emails. They detailed the plans for the trip; things I'd need to know for my first shoot. “We've paid for you to leap from the top of this. One thousand and ninety feet. It'll be amazing!”
I'd never jumped from anything so high before. The tempo in my heart began, pulsing as rapid as a drum line.
Inhaling as my senses woke, I caught Ellie's scent. That intoxicating mist of spice and cinnamon had me heady. “Amazing. Yeah.” Holy shit.
Tearing my eyes from the screen, I fixated on her; wandered over the dark edges of her concerned eyes, the indents in the corners of her thick lips. There was a deep urge growing in me, eager to knock our chairs to the floor and take us both down with them.
Rolling forward, I bumped my knee on the outside of her thigh. Her throat rippled in response, lips parting. “Are you okay, Pike?”
My mouth was painfully dry. Quenching it on Ellie was the only solution. In my lap, my fingers flexed. I was burning through her with my stare; scalding a path from her perfect mouth, to her collar bone, and down to the front of her shirt.
As if beckoned by my gaze, her nipples stood at attention. Dear god, I wanted to feel their firmness under my palms. I'd heard Ellie moan before, that made everything so much harder to resist. I was a man who'd drunk from the cup of sin, and I was ready for more than another sip.
