We got out, and he showed me inside. It was like one of those showrooms or staged homes. The modern styling had all the right touches, perfect framed artwork on the walls, sleek custom couches, and beautifully carved wooden tables and cabinets. All married well together and looked just right.
“I’m barely here when I’m undercover,” Elliott spoke as he took off his boots and suit jacket. “I lived in New York City, and usually worked at the bureau there.”
“Will you return?” I asked running my fingers lightly over the printed throw pillows on the leather sofa lounge.
“I’ve thought about it, but Seattle’s grown on me,” he responded and cleared his throat.
I glanced up and found him watching me steadily.
I took in a breath to calm myself as my pulse sped up. “I love living in Washington too. My dad’s in Palm Springs. I don’t get to see him as often as I’d like and would have wished him closer, but he loves living there. I’m a short flight away too…listen to me trying to make leaving him there without seeing him often seem okay when it’s not.”
“It is for him, and that makes it great,” he said to me.
A small smile formed on my lips at his encouragement. I needed that.
He then put my bag under his arm and had me follow him upstairs to a bedroom, I did a quick sweep and tried to push away my delight at finding a jacket of his on a chair. He had brought me to his bedroom. It was spacious and stylish of mostly dark browns, steel, and grey. His bed was a custom one, big enough for more than a few people and that was just about where I wanted to end that train of thought.
“I don’t bring anyone here,” he called over. “I had thought to use it but didn’t need to. Most mixers were at elite members’ homes.”
I nodded then picked up a worn book set aside from the pristine ones on the bookshelf, then a photo fell out. It was of him standing with a beautiful girl, who was smiling in a graduation gown. They looked a lot alike—the same square shaped face, pale blue eyes, and smile. “Is this your sister?”
He beamed with pride. “Yeah, Isabelle, she’s older than that now, but that was one of her best days, and I like to think of her doing good since I don’t get to see her when I’m working all over.”
I smiled down at it and set it back. “Where is she?”
“He went to a closet and showed me a place to hang up my garment bag. “Ithaca, New York. She loves it there. It’s near Cornell University where she went to college and works,” he said in a proud tone. “I like visiting her, but I’ve still got some big city living left in me.”
I licked my lips. “Me too.” I glimpsed him and found him staring intently at me, and a ripple of excitement went through me. I broke the connection by turning my head away from him.
“I’ll need to talk to my team.” He moved toward the door. “Call Dane. He’ll make you feel better.”
“You make me feel better,” I whispered to his back. He paused with his back to me before leaving the room.
I took a deep breath and sat down on the chair, then I called Dane. He answered on the first ring.
“Glad to hear from you, but I expected you’d be in bed since you’re just out of the hospital,” he scolded, and I smiled. He would have fussed over me if he’d been here and I was sure of it. Tonight, I’d have taken it.
“Did something happen?” he asked.
I told him everything, and when I finished, he let out a curse.
“I should’ve never trusted Vincent or any of them,” he said furiously. “I tried to keep you masked, and I wish I could assure you that they don’t have anything else, but I honestly don’t know. I didn’t think they would film their members. I’m sorry.”
“I know,” I replied and sighed heavily into the phone. “What’s your take on it?”
“My take is The Agency is under investigation and dealing with the bad press and PR. Their members are probably leaving, and they want this all to go away before they get charged with something. So, they want you to go away, but…”
“But what?” I asked.
“This man who taunted you seems impulsive and frantic in an already troubling situation. Maybe they have more than one ‘rogue’ members, as they like to call it. Someone that is arrogant and thinks he’s above reproach. He’s not though. If enough people are after you, you lose.”
My chest loosened. That was what I was counting on.
“Anyway, let’s focus on now. What’s your plan?” he asked.
I slumped in the chair. “I don’t know what I can do.” Dane didn’t accept that. He told me, “You most certainly do. You’re the quickest thinking woman I’ve ever known. You came straight to me when you found out your ex-husband had sold off your company and devised a way to take it back. Have you thought of any possible way out of this? You can trust me. Whatever you decide, I won’t judge you. Now, tell me what’s on your mind.”
I appreciated how well he put me at ease. “I’m thinking the image will ruin my father’s legacy and stellar reputation. I know he has dementia, but I don’t want to jeopardize the hard-earned respect he and my ancestors had managed to build over the years. I’m also thinking about the damage to the Perfetto brand and the three hundred employees throughout the world that might end up losing their jobs should we lose more money. We already have a thieving accountant to contend with. I’m thinking of my friends that work for me and my social standing. Patrick has already threatened to sue and will if it comes out. I’m also thinking about… me.”
“You mentioned yourself last,” he said despondently. “I’d put you first.”
“Dane,” I said my heart skipped a beat. He was ever the charmer, but jokes aside, I believed he would. “Seriously, I believe they will leak the video, and I won’t be of any use to Elliott or the Feds and I’m sure Elliott wants the case more than he cares about me.”
“I’ll stop you right there,” Dane cut me off. “Elliott cares about you, but he’s a cop too. I didn’t like all the decisions he made when I worked with him either, but he promised me he’d get Angel back, and he did. He delivers. If he thought he could save you by not turning the picture over, he would have.”
I blew out a breath. “Fine, but he also knows that people will judge me.” My voice thickened. “They will think I deserved what happened to me, especially when The Agency releases whatever they have on me.”
“Not everyone,” Dane replied firmly. “But are you considering not trying to work to stop and block the release, and allowing the photo or video to come out?” I could hear the pleasure in his voice. “That’s a bold and brave move.”
I blew out my breath. “Don’t tell me that. I may still take the money instead.”
“I understand that,” he replied evenly. “But let’s talk it out for either one of your choices. I can make some calls too. We can get top corporate lawyers and legal accountants to fix whatever you want to do. We can get PR consultants to work on your company brand. We should start now.”
“Dane, it’s the middle of the night,” I reminded him.
“But you’re not going to bed yet,” he replied. “I won’t keep you up long, but I bet you won’t be able to sleep until you fix it in your head. That’s how I’d be.”
I grinned. He was right. “Yes. All right, but you’re in the photo too.”
“I don’t care,” he replied. “Don’t worry about me. Now let me ask the first thing I wanted to when you called came in: how are you feeling?”
I swallowed hard. “Violated, stupid. Mostly angry.”
“I wish I was there with you,” he replied sympathetically. “I wish I had protected you more. You trusted me. If anything, it’ll prove that The Agency can’t be trusted. They’re keeping dirt on their members to use against them.”
I cleared my throat. “I’m done talking about them for now. How are you doing?”
“All right,” he answered. “Angel will be transferred to a hospital over here in New York City next week should the prosecutor decide not to p
ursue a case against her. I spent a couple of hours with Melinda today. Angel’s family are on my side. The results of the DNA test should take a week at most, but they are fighting to have her home with me.”
“I’m so happy to hear that,” I said cheerfully.
“Me too. It surprises me how much I’m taking to being a father… I want you here with me too, Gia.”
“Well, I might want to hide out in New York next,” I joked.
“Let’s work together to make whatever you decide your choice,” he responded.
Dane and I spent the rest of the call brainstorming a few scenarios and plans by phone. Afterward, Elliott came in and showed me to his office, and I got on it by sending emails. One to Stuart, to which he responded with a promise that he’ll give my plan an early start in the morning. Before I finished for the night, I sent a text to Astrid and my assistant informing them I’d arrive later in the afternoon. It wouldn’t all be solved in one night, but I had the workings of a solution. By the time I was finished, I was more than relieved. “Thank you so much, Dane. You’re amazing.”
“It’s a start,” Dane said modestly. He really was an incredible asset and a good friend besides a great lover. “Now go to sleep and please forgive Elliott.” As if on cue, Elliott walked in with a steaming mug in his hand when I hung up the call. He was so sexy in his sweats and T-shirt. I pressed my lips together and turned away. Stop looking.
“What’s that?” I frowned. “It’s too late for coffee.”
“Tea for sleep,” he answered with a straight face.
I scrunched up my face. “No, thanks.”
“It’s good the way I make it, promise,” he replied. “I’ve made up a guest room for you or…” he put the mug down on a wooden coaster on the desk.
I raised my brows. “Or what?”
“Or you could sleep with me,” he answered nonchalantly. “I don’t usually sleep with anyone, to warn you I snore and toss around all night.”
“Well if you put it like that.” I giggled, and he couldn’t keep his straight face for long and joined in with me. He wouldn’t sleep with Dane and me on the boat. Even though I was still mad at him, this meant something. “Your bed.”
“It’s good to see you smiling,” he added quietly.
I took a sip of the tea. It reminded me of chai tea, cardamom spice, and milk. I found it delicious.
His lips slightly turned upward. “See? I’m a jerk, but I make good things to drink.”
I smirked. “Yeah, you’re a jerk.”
“I did it because I care,” Elliott replied. His voice turning serious. “More than you know.” He lowered his head and walked toward the door.
My heart leaped, though I didn’t respond, I did get up to follow him back into the bedroom.
We changed for bed. I hadn’t brought along anything sexy, just a cotton tank and shorts to sleep in. I had a moment of self-consciousness that ended when I returned to the bedroom and saw Elliott. He was already there, stretched out on his back with the bedding turned down. He appeared deep in thought, having not reacted to my entry.
His nude body was a sight to admire in the stream of light seeping through the slats of blinds. He was athletic and strong from head to his feet. An attractive, tempting display of male physique. My body reacted, but it wasn’t just the way that he looked that drew me. It was Elliott. I never had to try with him. We just naturally synced. Even so, that didn’t make me go straight to him.
Call it stubbornness or shyness, but I went to the opposite side and climbed in drawing the cover over myself. My anger and disappointment had lessened. Still, I settled in on the opposite side of the bed. I found the mattress firm and the sheets, which smelled like him, comforting.
“You probably think that was easy; it wasn’t.” His voice was graveled. “I hated having to do that. I hate hurting you.”
I breathed out. “I understand.”
“I wish you did, sweetheart,” he whispered.
My heart ached at his sadness. I tried to put myself in his shoes and could only imagine the stark loneliness he endured in having to make hard decisions as an agent. I thought about the man I was coming to know. How hard it must be to have to live outside of one’s life for extended periods of time. It would be hard for any relationship to handle that.
I turned over and laid on my side facing him. I didn’t want to push him away. He accepted me as I am. I wanted to do the same. Even though Elliott remained on his back, what laid between us disappeared when I laid my hand on his chest—the distance completely evaporated. His large hand covered mine, and he pulled the back of it to his lips, That brought on the spark, and we quickly caught fire.
There was no structure or control; need drove us. We needed to get closer; we needed to touch every inch of each other.
He yanked off my top, and I wiggled out of my shorts. We kissed hard. His hands kneading my breasts, his mouth nibbling on my erect nipples, then soothing with long strokes of his tongue. I whimpered, running my hands through his hair, pulling back to kiss over his face down to his chest, the cut planes of his abs, down to the hard muscles of his thighs.
He watched as he gave me free reign and I relished it. The heat of his body under my hand; the fresh spice of his body gel, and the smell beneath that was his natural scent. I moaned. Everything about him was stimulating. I went as far as attempting to tease him, keeping my hand away from his cock, which had swollen, until he gripped my hand and closed it on his hot shaft.
He was hard and throbbing in my hand as I stroked up his shaft and moved my thumb over the spongy head, it was wet with precum. He rocked into my grip, then took my shoulders and flipped me over, grabbing my hips to take me from behind.
With every roll of his hips, I rode, moving, pushing him to fuck me harder, faster. Elliott's hand came down hard on my buttocks, it only made me push him for more. I moved faster, wanting him rougher.
He pulled his cock out and placed me on my back. “You’re too much.” His voice was all pleasure. He was enjoying it. Enjoying me. I wanted to please him.
I opened my legs to take him, and with one long, hot thrust he was deep inside of me. “Am I hurting you?” He asked.
“No,” I replied greedily. He wasn’t. “I need more.”
“Finger your pussy while I fuck you,” he commanded. He took my hand and moved it from his shoulder down between my legs. He put one of my fingers inside of me, and I gasped loudly when he then thrust in.
My head fell back, “Oh, my God.”
He leaned down to my breasts, taking a taut nipple between his lips and sucked. Turning to my other breast, he tugged my nipple between his teeth.
I wedged a second finger into my pussy, and I felt the pressure of his thick cock as he thrust to fuck me even harder.
“Oh, yes,” I moaned as I finger-fucked myself. He gave shallow bucks of his hips in time with my hand as I stroked myself. My core was tightening, and I was nearing my brink, but I fought off my orgasm. He gripped my hips tighter as we moved together at a frenzied pace.
Our bodies were slick with sweat. We slid against each other.
Arching. Pushing. Pressing as hard as we could against each other.
Even this joining didn’t feel close enough.
I didn’t want this to end, ever.
He went even deeper, making me accept more of his cock, the stretch was incredible. The fullness below my waist made it impossible to focus. I was so close.
“Eyes open. Look at me.” He demanded. His words were a harsh rasp.
My eyes darted over his taut face to please him. His jaw muscles bulged, the tendons in his neck strained. His eyes’ liquid blue fire ignited me. We burned together.
My breath shallowed as my body tightened. I was aching with the need to come. So in tune with each other that Elliott could feel it.
“Come with me, sweetheart,” he groaned.
I was almost there. With each thrust of my fingers, my pussy contracted more. Fingertips were biting into m
y curves; he wrenched me up to the tip of his cock. He hovered just as I hovered on the brink of my climax. When he descended, pushing me back onto his cock, his seed erupted. Grinding up into me, his head fell back, and a bellow burst from his chest. His cock rippled inside as I spasmed around him. Feeling the first shot of his hot cum spurt into me, my core clenched. I threw back my head and screamed, “Elliott.” I shuddered and jerked, gasping as ecstasy took control of my body.
My breath was stolen in a deep kiss as he held onto me as if I were in danger of falling.
Truly in his arms, I may have fallen.
CHAPTER SIX
I groaned when the alarm went off having only had three hours of sleep. It was going to be an early start at five in the morning, but I was the second one up. Elliott being an early bird took me by surprise. I vaguely recalled a sleepy kiss to Elliott before he left. We had fallen asleep holding each other. I savored it. And now as I turned off the alarm on my phone, I found another surprise. There was a house key on the nightstand—an open invitation to return to his place, and I wished I had time to think about the significance of it, but I didn’t. Therefore, focused on what to do next with my job and Perfetto.
I showered, then put on my black pants suit and swept my hair back in a tight twist chignon, carefully putting on Perfetto’s winter shades on my eyes and lips. Once I packed my work bag, I finished off my outfit with a pair of designer short boots that were only as good for the wintery weather from the car to the door. Although I hadn’t planned on doing much outside Perfetto. The previous night, I approved a press release for Stuart to release later in the morning. I’d sent a copy to Astrid too and hoped I’d get a chance to discuss it with her before I went in because parts of it involved her, and she wasn’t aware. That was what I told Tove when I met him downstairs.
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