by Roxy Sloane
“Breathe,” Vaughn orders me gently. “Breathe through it, baby. I promise you, this is going to feel so fucking good.”
He reaches between my thighs, slowly rubbing my clit until the pleasure shudders through me. I relax into it, focusing on the sweetness, and I don’t even realize I’ve adjusted to his invasion until he pushes in a little more.
Jesus. He’s so big. I struggle for breath. A strange sensation is taking hold of me. Thick sweetness, a tide of pleasure curling at the base of my spine. It’s like nothing else, like a drug slowly seeping into every cell in my body.
“Is this OK?” Vaughn asks, softly rubbing against my clit.
I find it hard to even speak. “Yes.” I groan, falling into the pleasure. “More, please. More.”
Vaughn’s grip tightens on my hips. He pushes deeper, deeper inside. Fuck, so deep he’s filling me up, stretching me open, sending shockwaves racing to through every nerve.
Then he rocks back.
“Oh God,” I gasp. “Please, don’t stop.”
“Never,” Vaughn growls. “Fuck, you feel so good!”
He pushes deeper again, and then pulls back. The friction of his cock rubbing inside me drives me out of my mind. The sweetness seizes hold of me, paralyzing me in the depths of ecstasy.
“Vaughn,” I whimper, resting my cheek on the bench.
“You feel that, baby?” Vaughn demands. He speeds up his rhythm, rocking faster, fucking me harder. “That’s what it feels like to give me everything. I own this ass now, I own your sweet cunt. Every part of you. I’m all the way there, deep inside.”
“Yes,” I moan, “I’m yours, Vaughn. All yours.”
I can barely breathe with the pleasure crashing through me, can’t even find the strength to drive back the way I want. I lay there, gazing out at the dark city, at the lights, as Vaughn drives his thick cock deeper into my ass, all the way to the hilt.
It crashes over me, the forbidden pleasure, the dirty thrill. All of it driving me higher, opening me up to Vaughn’s demanding thrusts, making me moan with every one of his animal grunts.
“Dammit, Keely,” his voice is thick, drugged with lust. “I can’t hold on much longer. You’re too good, too fucking tight.”
“So don’t hold back,” I gasp, forcing myself up on my hands and knees again. I thrust back to meet his next stroke, impaling him even deeper. Oh God! Vaughn’s fingers bite into my skin with force. He lets out a roar, slamming into me now.
Yes!
I’m beyond pleasure, I don’t even know what’s possessing me now. All I know is fire and hunger, a raw animal frenzy taking me over, burning deep inside. Vaughn pounds his cock deeper, and I scream, feeling the force everywhere. Pleasure and pain explode together. I’m sobbing, chanting his name over and over, begging him to fuck me harder, push me over the edge, make me come undone.
“More!” I scream, as Vaughn slams inside me. I’m in free-fall, caught up in the madness, his cock the only thing that matters in the world. Those nine invading inches, splitting my most forbidden place wide open, claiming me with force and power. “Give me everything! I want it all!”
Vaughn curses a desperate yell, and then his hands are gripping me tight, pinning me in place as he slams his dick into me. I struggle for air, dizzy and raw. Fuck, the intensity is out of this world, my head spinning as my body hurtles to the brink. I can’t hold it back, I can’t even process the sensation, I’m helpless in his hands as it crashes over me, a pleasure so strong it blows my mind apart. I come screaming. My body breaks and shatters into ecstasy. The waves slam through me, so hard, so intense, I can’t take the pleasure. I scream his name again as he comes with a spasm, and then I’m falling, falling, and I hurtle into the dark.
14
VAUGHN
“We’re running out of time.”
I pace the apartment, frustrated as fuck despite the fact Keely’s just been down on her knees, giving me a gold-star blow-job. Usually her wet little mouth is enough to make me forget my name, but this is different. I can’t relax. “It’s only two days left until the big board meeting. Brent’s going to call a vote on the takeover, and if we don’t find something to stop them, it’ll go through.”
“Vaughn, try to calm down.” Keely gives me a worried smile. “You’ve barely slept in days.”
“How can I?” I demand. “Excaliber Finance will buy out the company, and Martin Ridley -- the man who blackmailed Ashcroft and ruined my father’s life -- will get what he’s wanted all along.”
“He hurt my family too,” Keely reminds me. “But Ridley and Brent must have been planning this for months. I don’t want you to take it personally if they manage to force the vote.”
“It doesn’t matter about the vote,” I say. “That bastard is going to suffer for what he did to my family. I’m getting answers, no matter what.”
Keely bites her lip. “Are you sure that’s the best idea? This has controlled your life for so long. Maybe it’s time to let it go.”
“What are you saying?” I scowl. “I let the guy walk without knowing the truth?”
Keely sighs. “No, I just wonder... If the past should stay that way, that’s all. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Ridley’s the one who’s going to hurt,” I vow. “Right after he tells me everything about my father.”
Keely doesn’t look happy, but she doesn’t argue. “I’m going to take a shower,” she says instead. She gives me a flirty grin. “Want to come help me clean off?”
I exhale. “Later. I’m going to go over the files again, see if we missed anything.”
Keely strokes my hair softly. “Don’t stay up too late. This will be over soon,” she adds, trying to comfort me before she goes down the hall to the bathroom. She doesn’t realize this will never be over. Not until I’m eye to eye with Ridley, and I know exactly what shady shit that guy was into that drove my father to suicide.
The doorbell goes. I check the security cameras. Cam. What the fuck is this guy doing on Keely’s doorstep at eleven at night?
I yank the door open. Cam looks surprised. “Vaughn?”
“What do you want?” I demand.
“Is Keely here?” he asks. “I want to talk to her.”
“She’s in the shower.”
“Can I come in?” he asks. “It’s important.”
I stare at him a moment before letting him in. I don’t trust him, especially not around Keely, but maybe he’s got information that can help us out.
“I didn’t know you were still in town,” Cam says, walking into the living room.
“Surprised to see me?” I watch him, wondering what he’s up to.
“Glad, actually,” Cam replies. “I’m happy Keely has you with her.”
“Sure,” I snort, going to fix a drink.
“Despite what you think, Vaughn, I’m not your rival.” Cam sounds amused. I turn. “Who do you think brought you together in the first place?” he asks. “I’m the one who gave Brent your details. He hired you to seduce her because I gave him the idea.”
Wait, what?
“You’re working with Brent?” I demand, ready to go smash his fucking face in.
Cam quickly holds up his hands. “I was working for Ashcroft,” he corrects me. “Back in the months before he died, Ashcroft got nostalgic. Guilt, I guess, wondering what happened to his old friends. He had me track down Keely’s mother, that’s how we found out he had a daughter after all this time. And he wanted me to find you and your family too. He never forgave himself for what happened to your father.”
I gulp down the whiskey, and pour another glass. “Go on,” I demand.
Cam sighs. “He knew things would be tough for Keely, inheriting the company. He thought maybe you could be a friend to her, watch out and protect her against Brent and all the rest. But when I found you...” He gives me a look. “We both know you wouldn’t have given her the time of day. Or if you did, you would have fucked her and moved on.”
I feel a rippl
e of guilt. He’s right. A couple of months ago, I would have shot a load over Keely’s ripe tits and walked straight out the door without another thought.
“I didn’t know how to make it work. It was one of Ashcroft’s final wishes, that the two of you be together somehow. So when Brent came sniffing, wanting to get Keely out of the picture, I realized he could hire you to seduce her.”
“That’s fucked up,” I say shortly.
Cam shrugs. “But it worked, didn’t it? You’re here, protecting her, just like Ashcroft wanted. He was a few cards short of a full deck by the end.” Cam grins. “But I guess his instincts were right about you.”
I try to process it. Old man Ashcroft was the one behind my seduction all along? What the fuck?
“So where does Brent come in?” I demand. “Sounds like you guys are pretty fucking friendly.”
Cam shakes his head. “I’ve been trying to keep an eye on him. Ashcroft had me playing double agent -- getting close to Brent, making him think I’d switch teams -- then reporting back. That’s why I’m here tonight.”
“You found something?”
“No, that’s the point.” Cam looks grim. “Ridley’s got the vote locked down. We’re all out of options to save the company.”
“Are you sure?”
Keely’s voice comes. We both turn. She’s in the doorway, wrapped in a bathrobe with wet hair.
“How long have you been there?” I ask.
“Long enough.” She moves to stand beside me, placing a hand on my arm. I wait for her to say something about Ashcroft, to get mad again over how I was hired to seduce her, but instead, she gives me a soft smile. She turns to Cam. “Are you sure it’s over?”
“I went to Brent myself,” he says. “Acted like I could be bought, if the price was right. Sway some votes in exchange for a job at the new company. But he said he didn’t need me. They had it all sewn up.”
“Dammit,” I curse. “That’s it then. We’re fucked.”
“Maybe not.” Keely looks thoughtful. “They might not need you on their side, Cam, but they would definitely want me. I mean, a hostile takeover doesn’t look good. It shows division, and could affect the share price. But if I go to them myself and offer to strike a deal, keep the company out of the headlines, they might take the bait.”
“And then what?” Cam frowns.
“Then I demand to see Ridley, to negotiate directly. Just the two of us, face to face.”
“Over my dead body,” I exclaim. “Fuck, Keely, someone tried to kill you!”
“This guy is dangerous,” Cam agrees. “You don’t know what he’s capable of.”
“I’ll be fine,” Keely insists. “We can set up the meeting so you’re right in the next room. Don’t you see? It’s our only shot. If I can get him to say anything incriminating about what happened with Ashcroft and your father, then it’ll be worth it.”
I scowl. Fuck. She’s making sense, but I don’t like it one bit.
“I’ll be right there,” I say. “And if he lays so much as a finger on you--”
“He won’t,” Keely decides. “Why would he? As far as he knows, I’m just some girl in way over her head. He thinks he’s gotten away with everything. That now Ashcroft is dead, there’s nobody to investigate what happened back then. So let’s use that, and make him talk.”
I exhale, fighting to control my anger and worry. Sending Keely straight into the lion’s den goes against every instinct in my body. But we’re running out of time. And she’s got that look in her eye like she won’t take no for an answer.
“Let’s do it,” I say. “But we do this my way. I’m not putting you in danger,” I growl. “I’m going to be right there with you, as close as possible. That bastard won’t hurt anyone again.”
15
KEELY
I call Brent, with Cam and Vaughn standing by the phone to hear.
“I need to meet with Excaliber,” I tell him, trying to sound worried. “I want to work out a deal.”
Brent gives a smug laugh. “Too late, sweetheart. You should have taken the million I offered when you had the chance. Come tomorrow afternoon, you’ll be out with nothing.”
“I can still make this difficult,” I point out. “Make waves in the press, launch a legal block. The share price will suffer, and who knows? Maybe some of the board will change their mind.”
Brent is silent. “What do you want?” he finally demands.
“I want to talk to the person who’s really in charge,” I say. “I’ll discuss my payoff with them, nobody else.”
Brent sounds pissed. “Fine, I’ll see.” He hangs up without a word.
“You think that was OK?” I ask Vaughn, nervous. He nods.
“I guess we’ll find out.”
Five minutes later, my phone buzzes with a text.
Crosby Street Hotel. Room 213. 2pm.
“That’s cutting it close,” Cam says. “The board vote is at three.”
“Then we better get what we need from Ridley,” I reply, but my head is spinning with doubt.
Ever since I found out I’d been named the sole heir of Ashcroft’s million’s, I’ve been in way over my head. Running the company, dealing with this new world. But all of that is nothing compared with the task ahead of me now. So much is at stake now, and it all depends on me.
How am I supposed to make Ridley confess when I don’t even know the whole truth myself? And what if he really is dangerous -- if he had Vaughn’s father killed the way I suspect?
“I’ll be there, baby.” Vaughn wraps his arms around me, like he can see how worried I am. The touch of him soothes me, reminds me I’m not alone.
“I promise, I’ll keep you safe.”
* * *
I don’t sleep a wink at night, and I’m a wreck all day in the office. I stare blankly at the wall and try to make out like everything’s OK, but really, my heart is pounding.
This is it. The most important thing I’ve ever tried to do.
It’s not just about the company anymore. I want to protect the people working here, and save Ashcroft’s noble legacy, but more than that, I want justice for Vaughn. He’s spent his life hurting and distrustful because of what happened to his father, and whether it was suicide or something worse, this guy Ridley is the one to blame.
I want Vaughn to find some peace and move on from that terrible day he found his father’s body. I want him to be happy and free.
Free to be with me.
At one thirty, Cam comes to collect me. “Ready?”
I give a grim nod. “Ready.”
We ride over to the hotel in silence. “Vaughn is already set up in the room next door,” Cam murmurs, as if we’re being overheard. “Wear this mic, it’ll transmit everything you say so we can listen -- and record for evidence.”
He opens a box and passes me a tiny microphone, smaller than a dime. I fix it to the lapel of my blouse and arrange my hair to cover it.
“Perfect.” Cam nods. “Now, remember, you can call for help at any time. If you feel like you’re in danger, we’ll be there right away. But...”
“But what?”
“This is your only chance to catch Ridley off-guard.” Cam looks conflicted. “He’s bad news, and if he thinks for a minute he’s busted... You’ll never have the chance to get close again.”
I shiver, realizing what he’s saying. That even if I’m in trouble, I shouldn’t call for help -- not until we have concrete evidence recorded. A confession, something that will stop him for good.
“Vaughn will go flying in there the moment he think’s you’re in danger,” Cam adds quietly. “And then we both know, there’s no chance Ridley will talk.”
He won’t have a chance. Vaughn will break every bone in his body -- and risk a lifetime behind bars.
I can’t depend on Vaughn to save me without destroying himself.
It’s all on me.
I nod. “I understand. But tell me something, why are you helping like this? You could have taken Brent�
��s side, and made a fortune slipping him information.”
Cam gives a grin. “That would have been the smart move, huh? But your father prized loyalty, and I do too. Besides, I’d bet against that asshole any day of the week.”
“Thank you. I think.”
“Good luck in there.”
The car stops. I climb out, and take a deep breath before heading inside. I step into the elevator and smooth down my clothes again, making sure the mic is hidden. I get out on the second floor and slowly walk down the hallway. I don’t know what’s waiting for me behind that hotel room door.
213.
I look at the room across the hall. Vaughn’s inside, I know, waiting for the word from me. But what if something’s wrong with the transmission? We haven’t had time to check it all.
I lean down to whisper in the mic.
“Tap on the door if you hear me.”
A moment later, a tap comes from inside the room.
I exhale with relief. He’s there. He’s listening. But still, I wish the wall wasn’t dividing us, that he could be at my side. Where he belongs.
You can’t risk it, I remind myself. When it comes to his father, Vaughn is a powder keg just waiting for a spark to blow. This is all on me right now.
I raise my hand and knock on Ridley’s door.
It opens on Carter, my asshole ex-boss. I should have guessed it. Wherever there’s a shady deal or scum to represent, he’s first on the scene.
“Well look who’s here,” he sneers. “Welcome, Miss Flaws.”
“Carter,” I say coolly. I refuse to rise to the bait of his old nickname for me. “I thought I said I wanted to talk to the guy who’s really in charge.”
Carter scowls at the insult. “He’s right inside.”
I swallow back my nerves, then follow him into the room. It’s a suite, really: a sitting area with couches and a desk, and then a separate bedroom with the door closed.
A man is waiting in the armchair. He rises to shake my hand.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Fawes.”
I shiver. The photos Vaughn snapped don’t come close to capturing Martin Ridley up close. He’s older, in his sixties, but where my father was bright and twinkling, Ridley is somber, with a black suit, shock of white hair, and ice-blue eyes that cut through me.
