by Bloom, Nikki
Those eyes of his that never failed to set me on fire, swept over my top half. “Diet? Every inch of you is perfect.”
His eyes bore into mine and he didn’t even bat an eyelash. I was inclined to believe he meant what he said. When a man said things like that to a girl, he’d most likely end up between a girl’s legs. Erik just might end up between my legs. I most certainly wanted him there. Swallowing, I fought the urge to fan my hot face. “You’re too sweet.”
“I didn’t say that to be sweet. I meant it.” He lifted his glass of water to his lips to drink, but his maddening eyes never left me. I was held captive by his smoldering gaze, imagining doing all kinds of dirty things with him when I glimpsed someone and nearly suffered from heart failure.
I sucked in a breath and gave the dark-haired man I glimpsed strolling into the restaurant a second look. It wasn’t the man that plagued my dreams, but I was already too wound up to feel relief. My heart still pounded in my tightening chest and my palms began to sweat. I was on the verge of a panic attack. I didn’t want to lose my shit in front of Erik or a restaurant full of strangers.
“Crystal? Crystal? What is it?” Erik peered at me with concern twisting his features.
“I... I need to…” Was it just me or had the room become unbearably hot? I’m pretty sure it was just me. I stuck a finger into the collar of my dress and tugged at it to let a little air in.
“Let’s get out of here,” I heard Erik say.
I gave him a grateful look and nodded.
12
Erik
“Take me home with you, Erik.”
I didn’t think I heard Crystal correctly, so I turned to give her a quick glance. “Did you just tell me to—”
“Take me home with you.”
Fingers clamping around the steering wheel, I forced myself to remain focused on the road. Needless to say, I was shocked. After watching her freak out for some unknown reason, I wasn’t expecting her to make that request. I assumed she’d want me to take her home. It would have been a major disappointment, considering that my boner hadn’t quite disappeared from watching her indulge in dessert, but that’s what I would have done.
Minutes earlier she looked as if she’d seen a ghost and was about to keel over. I gave her another fleeting glance. Now, she looked much better. She wasn’t deathly pale as before. “Are you sure about that?”
“You said one date and I’d get to decide what I wanted. I want...a repeat of the first time we made love.”
My cock was ecstatic, practically jumping for joy in pants. But I was pretty sure she wasn’t thinking straight after her episode at the restaurant. She’d glanced over my shoulder and I’d watched pure terror flicker across her face. It killed me to refrain from asking her who she’d thought she saw.
I sighed. “Are you by any chance trying to use me as a distraction?”
She turned to me with an unreadable expression. “Do you mind?”
Hell no. “If I’m going to be used, I don’t mind it being by you.”
Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m not using you for sex, Erik. That would be awful.”
“Yet, I wouldn’t mind.”
Her soft giggle filled the car. “I don’t want to be alone tonight, and I really do want you.”
I needed no further explanation. I was already heading in the direction of my apartment. It didn’t take long to reach my place and board my private elevator. Silence stretched between us and I thought for sure that Crystal had changed her mind. Her eyes downcast, she clutched her tiny purse with white knuckles. I almost told her it wasn’t too late for me to take her home, but she glanced up and I saw raw sexual desire darkening her brown eyes. I had no choice but to step closer to her.
I held her gaze for a while, searching for the slightest sign of uncertainty. “In the morning, I want you to be there,” I said.
Her brows dipped. “But I have to work.”
Stepping closer still, eyes boring into hers, I clarified, “I know. I mean I don’t want you to run from me this time. I can’t just leave you alone after this.” I was losing myself too quickly in whatever I had going on with Crystal. I still had no idea who the hell she really was, but I didn’t care. I still wanted her.
There was concern evident in her eyes, but she swallowed and whispered her acceptance, “Okay, but I can’t promise you more.”
I shoved my fingers through my hair. “We’ll worry about where things lead after tonight.”
There were still quite a few floors left until we reached my apartment and I couldn’t go another second without touching her. She’d become my addiction. Lifting a hand, I caressed her pink-tinged cheeks and then trailed my fingertips across her lips. “What have you done to me, Crystal Scott?” Or whatever her real name was.
She frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“I don’t behave like my usual self with you.” My hand slipped lower to brush the column of her neck and she leaned into my touch.
“Is that bad?” Her gaze rested on my mouth and mine on hers.
“I haven’t decided yet. Right now, there’s only one thing I’m sure of.”
She leaned closer, her palms branding my chest. “What’s that?”
“That I want you.”
I dipped my head to graze her mouth with mine and the instant our lips touched, I lost all control. I wound one arm around her waist, holding her close, and the other gripping the nape of her neck, holding her captive for my hungry exploration. Her throaty moan drove me wild. I had to have her. Immediately. And I would have taken her right there in the elevator if the doors hadn’t slid open. I felt like a fiend.
I tore my mouth from hers.
We didn’t make it anywhere near my bedroom. Crystal had other plans. The second we stepped out of the elevator into the foyer, she dropped her purse and reached for my belt.
“What are you doing?”
Her sly smirk was beyond sexy. “Something I wanted to do the last time. I didn’t think I’d get the chance.”
I gulped as she pushed me backward until my back hit the wall. She undid my belt, then my zipper. She freed my cock from its prison, and it twitched joyfully in her hand. When she dropped to her knees, I groaned, “Oh, fuck.”
I watched mesmerized as she gazed at my pulsating shaft and licked her lips. The sight of her was almost enough to make me explode. Her hand was soft and warm as she stroked me slowly, tentatively. “I’ve never done this before,” she announced. “I don’t know why I’ve been dying to taste you like this. You make me feel so...daring.” She leaned closer until her mouth hovered over my tip. Finally, she took me into her mouth and I nearly erupted prematurely like an over-eager, inexperienced teen. I had to say, the sight of Crystal on her knees with my cock in her pretty mouth was the hottest thing I’d ever seen. Clearly, she was made for me. Sweet, sometimes shy, but a wild, passionate minx during sex. The perfect combination.
Despite her inexperience, I could barely hold myself together under her gentle touch and hesitant movements. Watching myself sliding between her lips, feeling her tongue on my sensitive flesh was too much. “Crystal, stop. I don’t want to come in your mouth.” She froze, but the interest that gleamed in her wide eyes made me groan. God, she wouldn’t mind if I did. Like I said, she was fucking perfect. “Another time,” I said huskily. She was driving me crazy. Pulling her to her feet, I adjusted my pants and led her into the living room. I had every intention of continuing up the stairs, but she distracted me yet again with a mere glance. All she did was look at me with a smile and lust in her eyes and I lost myself again.
Pulling her to me, I kissed her ravenously while tugging at the zipper of her dress. She tore at my clothes as if she too couldn’t control herself. Articles of clothes flew around the living room as Crystal and I ended up in a tangle of limbs on one of the sectionals. I made a silent promise that I’d take things slow next time. Right now, I needed to satisfy my almost painful hunger. I needed to be inside of her.
/> “Please, tell me you’re ready for me. I can’t wait.”
She laced her fingers in my hair and pulled me closer. “I’m more than ready.”
Without another thought, I slid home with a content sigh. She felt good. Too good. “I could stay buried in you forever.” How would I ever feel complete with another woman again? Did I even want to?
“If only that were possible,” she murmured. She wound her legs tighter around me and angled her hips upward, allowing me to drive deeper.
I tried to slow down, but her muscles gripping me so tightly was driving me over the edge. My name spilling from her lips in little moans and whimpers did nothing to help me regain my self-control. I gazed down at Crystal, overwhelmed by everything I was feeling with her—for her. Her eyes fluttered closed and I felt her inner muscles spasm around me. She was about to explode. I could feel her body speaking to me.
“Erik,” she gasped.
“Open your eyes,” I urged. I wanted to look into them when she was most vulnerable.
Her eyes fluttered open just as I gave a hard thrust and I watched her shatter seconds before I did. I held her gaze even as we rode the waves of our orgasms. It was almost as if her soul had been revealed to me for the briefest of moments. All of her guards were down. I don’t know how to explain it, but looking at her, I knew then that whoever Crystal was—she was good.
“Crystal Scott…” We were still connected, basking in aftersex bliss. I don’t know what possessed me to say, “Tell me your real name.”
All lingering passion cleared from her eyes to be replaced by shock and then terror. Her sharp gasp echoed in the eerily silent room. Shit! Why did I let that slip out? Our moment was ruined, it crumbled before my eyes.
“Crystal, I—”
“Get off.” She frantically shoved at my chest. I reluctantly broke our connection and it was then that I realized what I had done. I didn’t use any protection. I may have been called all kinds of names like “rake” and “playboy” in my lifetime, but one thing I could never be called was irresponsible when it came to sex. I don’t know how I could have messed up so epically. Or maybe I did—the naked woman on my couch drove me beyond distraction. Clearly, Crystal realized my mistake as well because she went deathly pale.
Immediately I began to apologize. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I was so careless…”
She shook her head. “All of the blame can’t be on you. I...forgot as well.” She was already scooting away from me. I wouldn’t let her get away this time.
Snagging her wrist, I held her in place. “Are you trying to run because I messed up with protection or because I asked you what your real name was?”
“Please, just let me go. This was a bad idea. I never should have—”
“Damn it, Crystal. Give it up. I know you aren’t who you say you are. Okay?” I was supposed to give her time to trust me, to tell me her secrets on her own, but to hell with it. “Look, I just want to know that you’re not a criminal running from the law. It’s hard to even think that you are. Deep down I know you can’t be, but I need you to say it.”
13
Crystal
Panic didn’t begin to describe what I felt. Erik knew. My mind raced just as fast as my pounding heart. How could he have known? Was he an undercover cop or something sent to find me? I gave myself a mental smack on the forehead. There’s no way Erik was sent from New York. He was a rich tech genius with no connection to anyone from my old life. I have no idea why my mind even went there.
I could only stare at him, silently, because I was in shock. Funnily enough, it wasn’t the discovery that Erik knew that I wasn’t who I said I was that made me feel horrible. It was the fact that he thought I might be a criminal. It occurred to me then that his opinion of me mattered.
“I’m not a bad person. I swear. I didn’t do anything wrong…” Well, except that I was running around Seattle under a fake identity. But that was a misdemeanor. Right? Oh, God. It didn’t matter how small the crime. If Erik decided to call the cops, I was screwed. My stomach lurched. “I’ll leave and you won’t ever see me again. Just please don’t call the cops. If you do, he’ll find me and—”
“Calm down. I’m not calling the cops.”
I looked down at his hand still circling my wrist, and for some reason, I felt comforted. Incredible, since the life I created was about to crumble. “H-how do you know Crystal isn’t my real name?”
His hand fell away then and I felt cold and bereft. How I wished our love-making hadn’t turned into this. I should be wrapped in Erik’s embrace, soaking up as much comfort and good memories as I could to take with me when I ran again. I was confused by the guilt that flickered across his face. The only guilty party in the room should be me.
“I, uh, don’t know much, just that Crystal Scott isn’t your real name. I had a background check done on you.”
I stared at him, feeling my outrage grow to epic proportions. “How dare you invade my privacy like that?” I hissed. Suddenly, I realized that I was still naked on his couch. Things couldn't get any more awkward.
“You stole some dead woman’s identity and you’re angry with me?”
He got me there. Clamping my mouth shut, I attempted to cover myself with my hands as I eyed my dress on the floor several feet away. Erik got up and moved toward our pile of clothes. To my disappointment, he grabbed his shirt and handed it to me instead of my dress.
“Put this on. You can’t flee in just my shirt.”
Grabbing the shirt, I glared. “That’s what you think.” I’d run away naked if I had to.
“Well, I guess I’ll have to keep you in my sight until you tell me who the hell you are. Put the shirt on.”
Even now, he had the audacity to try and boss me around. The level of arrogance in the man was unbelievable. But I grudgingly complied and put his shirt on. When I stood up, I felt something warm running down my inner thigh. Face on fire, reminded that we’d hadn’t used a condom, I cleared my throat, “I need to get cleaned up.”
Erik followed my gaze to our combined fluids on my skin. I thought I saw a flash of possessiveness in his eyes, but surely, I was mistaken. The man discovered that I was a liar, a fraud; he must hate me. “I truly am sorry for being so careless. I got caught up—”
“Yeah, me too.” Doing a quick mental calculation, I figured I’d be fine, but I was still a bit worried. Imagine being on the run while pregnant. It was a harrowing thought.
“I’ll follow you to the bathroom.”
Throwing my hands up, I sneered. “Oh come on. What am I going to do? Jump out the bathroom window? We’re on the fiftieth floor. I think you’ve invaded my privacy enough.”
The muscles in his jaw ticked and his eyes narrowed. “Touché, Crystal. Go ahead. I’ll be here waiting patiently for the truth.”
With a scowl, I wheeled around and scurried away. Damn him! I knew I should have stayed away from Erik Crawford.
* * *
When I returned to the living room, the scene that greeted me gave me pause. I’d almost expected to see a police officer or two waiting with handcuffs, but there was only Erik, sprawled comfortably on the couch casually sipping from a glass as if he hadn’t discovered that the woman he’d had sex with on more than one occasion was a potential criminal. I was a bit confused and stunned by the way he was handling everything.
He’d put on his pants and his chest was bare. What a sight. How could I still lust over him at a serious time like this? I cleared my throat lightly and he glanced my way. “You seem at ease. For all you know I’m a killer.”
“Hmm, you’re right, and I had you babysitting my nephew in my home. Scary thought.”
Head hung, I murmured, “I’d never hurt Mason.”
He lifted a brow. “Good to know. If you were a killer, surely you would have done me in the night I slept beside you. Right?” His mouth twitched and there was the usual teasing twinkle in his eyes.
“How do you joke about everything?” I envied h
im the ability to make light of dark situations.
He smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s a gift. Now, how about you start talking? Who are you? Who are you running from?”
“You’re surprisingly calm.” I eyed the door. “How do I know you don’t have cops waiting outside?”
“You said you’re not a bad person.”
“And you took my word for it?”
Erik let out a laugh. “I must have taken leave of my senses, but yes.”
I don’t know what happened. There I was, feeling as if I was standing before a judge and jury, ready to try and talk my way out. Ready to attempt an escape even. But the next thing I knew, I was in tears. The ugly, weeping kind of tears. I suppose the dam that I’d used to hold my emotions in check finally broke. “I am a good person, Erik. I feel horrible that you would even suspect that I’m anything but. I’m not running from the law. I’m running from my father.”
As Erik stared wide-eyed, my shoulders sagged and I dropped to the couch directly across from him. The jig was up. I might as well pour everything out. “My real name is Ava Romano. I’m from New York.”
“Ava,” Erik murmured as if testing the name out on his tongue.
I hated it—that name rolling off his tongue. I didn’t want to be her ever again. “Crystal,” I whispered. “My name is Crystal now.”
Eyes steady on me, he prompted me, “Keep going, Crystal.”
Taking a deep breath, I did. And, goodness, it felt good to finally be able to tell someone. “Eight months ago, I packed up and left New York, left my life behind. My father has always been involved in…criminal activities. I grew up in opulence and thought nothing of it. For all I knew, my father was a hardworking man who was able to give his family everything. My sheltered world came crashing down when my mother died. I was fourteen and without her shielding me from certain aspects of that life, I was old enough to notice and comprehend what was going on around me. I wanted no part of that lifestyle. As soon as I turned eighteen, I left home to start my life away from the ugliness. But it was too late. I’d already heard and seen too much.”
