“They’re gone.” Nick’s gruff whisper crashed-landed her back to earth.
“What?”
“They’re gone.”
She opened her eyes and squinted to peer through the slats. He was right. The room was empty. How silly to be disappointed.
“We need to get out of here.” Even to her ears, her whispered words sounded disappointed.
“I know.” His voice was thick.
Forcing herself to take the initiative, she pushed the door open and took a step out.
“Wait.” Before she could guess his intent, he grabbed her shoulders, spun her around and slammed his mouth over hers.
With a small whimper of gratitude, Kennedy opened for him and let those fantasies she’d just had become reality. Plastering her body against his, her hands roamed his body, loving the feel of him, the heat of his skin beneath his clothes burned hot, almost scorching her fingers.
Without warning, he pulled away abruptly, looked down at her. Was he going to end this so soon? Would he go cold on her again? No, she wouldn’t allow it.
Breathless with need, she asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I… Nothing. Not a damn thing.”
He covered her mouth again. This time he kept a steady pressure, not moving. It wasn’t so much a kiss as much as it was a gentle drawing, as if he were taking her essence into him. She wanted more…the fire, the heat. She had to taste him completely. Her tongue flicked out, licking his mouth. The catch she heard in his breathing told her he liked what she’d done.
Taking another chance, she licked again. A groan came from deep within his chest as he covered her mouth and plunged deep.
Yes…she had to have him. Here. Now. Her hands went to the zipper of his jeans. Cupping him, she stroked, loving the feel of him, delighting that he grew even harder, longer. Her fingers grabbed the tab of his zipper, but before she could go further, he covered her hand. “Not here.”
She froze. Good heavens, he was right. What was she thinking? And now she had the difficult task of going back to the party looking normal when all she wanted to do was strip naked and let Nick have her here, on the floor, on the desk. It didn’t matter. She wanted, had to have him.
Any second, this would be over. Her eyes closed, dreading the end of this intimacy that had told her so much more than he probably even realized.
His body shifted, and Kennedy tensed, waiting for it to end. Instead, he whispered, “Just one more taste.” This time he gave her the kiss she wanted, needed. Delicious, decadent, thrilling. His tongue plunged, retreated…he traced her lips with the tip of his tongue and then kissed her once more. His body ground against hers, and when she moaned at the lack of friction on the place she needed him most, he dropped one hand to her bottom, lifted her up and fit himself into her. Yes, this was it…what her body needed. Arousal, sharp and wild, zinged through her, and Kennedy found herself on the edge of orgasm. She never wanted him to stop moving into her. She—
“Excuse me, but I think it’s time for Kennedy to return to the party.”
They were in close enough proximity that she clearly heard Grey’s voice in Nick’s ear. A blush almost consumed her. While they’d been making out, practically having sex and most likely panting like two out-of-control animals, Grey and his team had heard every sound. And, oh dear heavens, she had a camera on her shoulder. What had they seen?
Mortified, Kennedy backed out of the closet.
Nick’s eyes, burning with a fierce light, held hers captive as he put a finger to his ear. “Be out in a minute. Kennedy’s headed back to the party.” He dropped his hand from his ear and then correctly interpreting her look, reassured her, “The mic was off. And I had my hand on your shoulder most of the time. They couldn’t hear or see anything.”
Relieved, she nodded. That still didn’t excuse her behavior. Here she was in the middle of the most important job of her life, and she couldn’t control her hormones. “I’d better get back. I’m sure Eli’s run out of excuses for me.” She gazed around the office. “Did you get anything we can use?”
“I don’t know. Based on what’s here, you’d never know the guy was even in charge of the family budget much less multimillion-dollar companies.”
Disappointed, she sighed. There had to be something somewhere.
“I’ll see you when you get home.”
Nick’s words sounded like a promise. She hoped so, because she wasn’t about to allow him to return to his coolness of the last few weeks. She gave him a heated look that in no way could be misinterpreted and then hurried out of the office. On her way back to the party, she made a brief but necessary stop at the powder room to make sure she didn’t look as hot and needy as she felt. Surprisingly, though her cheeks were flushed and her swollen mouth no longer held a trace of lipstick, she looked almost normal. Way more normal than she felt inside.
She returned to the parlor, knowing that everyone had congregated there as Irelyn had described. Sure enough, the men were on one side, the women on the other. Though they eyed her speculatively when she seated herself, no one mentioned her absence. She listened as they chatted among themselves, once again a polite smile frozen on her face. If any of them talked of something she could use, she never caught on. For the most part, they chatted about fashion, where their lover was taking them after they left Texas and the jewelry they’d been unable to bring when they were traveling.
When they finally reconnected with the men, she was glad to hear Eli tell his brother that they must leave. What would happen when she opened the door to her house? Would Nick, the passionate man she’d just made out with, be there? Or would it be the cool, polite Nick who barely looked at her anymore? She didn’t care which one greeted her. Whether he knew it or not, he’d opened something inside her. She wanted him unlike anyone she’d ever wanted in her life. No matter what excuse he gave, he would not be able to deny he wanted her. And he was going to have her, as she was going to have him.
Nick stood in the middle of the living room, waiting for Kennedy. He knew she and Eli had left Slater’s house, that they were on their way home. How would she react when she saw him? Would she be embarrassed or as hot and needy as she’d been inside that closet?
For the first time in his life, he’d almost lost complete control. The men in the room, only a few feet away, had stopped being anything but a small, irritating noise in his head. The only thing that had mattered was Kennedy in his arms, all soft, warm, and so damn ready for him. It had been good that the closet had been so small, because if there’d been any way he could have unzipped his pants and had her…nothing would have stopped him. The need to drive into her had been the only thing on his mind.
Justice’s voice in his ear had been a freezing splash of reality. He hadn’t mentioned to Kennedy that the man might not have been able to hear or see them, but the infrared camera would have shown their two bodies glued together. Hopefully she wouldn’t realize that, because he knew she was already embarrassed by what happened.
But no matter how she was feeling when she got home, embarrassed or not, he was going to have her tonight. Regrets and recriminations would wait until tomorrow. Tonight, she would be his.
The flood of headlights shone through the window. Seconds later, the door opened and she was there. A litany of words crossed his mind. Apologies for acting like a jerk for the past few weeks, excuses for his lack of control in the closet, reasons he would go insane if he didn’t kiss her within the next second. Nick did none of those. He simply held out his arms.
Happiness flooding through her, Kennedy didn’t hesitate. She threw herself at him, almost sobbing in relief as his arms closed around her. He held her close for several long seconds and then pulled away slightly. She looked up at him, wanting to see his face this time, needing to see the desire she’d only been able to feel earlier. Yes, it was there. Need, heat, desire, but most of all love.
She’d been burning for what seemed like hours. “I need you right now.”
He g
rinned. “Yes, ma’am.” Lifting her off her feet, he walked a few steps forward and pressed her against the wall. “Tell me what you want.”
Any other time, she might have been hesitant or shy. Not tonight. With urgent hands, she tugged at his T-shirt, and he helped her by raising his arms, allowing her to pull the shirt over his head. When he was bare, she buried her face against his chest, licking, nibbling. Yes, this was her dream, her fantasy. He tasted incredible…salty, musky, sexy…. Hers.
Nick was vaguely aware of dropping his pants and flinging them behind him, his total focus on the woman whose tongue was licking his bare chest, driving him to insanity.
“Oh hell, Kennedy. I don’t think…” He sucked in his breath when her teeth scraped his nipple.
“I love the way you taste.”
Those sexy words almost ruined his plans to let her take what she wanted. Only by filling his hands with her clothes was he able to keep from laying her on the floor and devouring her like candy. As if her dress had been made of paper, the material practically disintegrated as he pulled it from her body. His fingers dipped beneath her throng underwear and ripped them away. At last she was completely nude. Nick stepped back to take in the sight and groaned at the beauty before him.
“Nick?” She was breathing heavily, looking up at him, beautiful whiskey-colored eyes dark with desire.
His voice guttural, he gave her an ultimatum. “Here…now.”
Thank sweet heaven, she whispered, “Yes,” because he knew for a fact he couldn’t last another second.
Placing her arms around his shoulders, he muttered, “Hang on.” The instant she complied, he lifted her legs, wrapped them around his waist and buried himself deep inside her heat. She climaxed on his first thrust, and Nick followed her with his second.
Panting, gasping, his forehead against hers, he growled, “Not enough. Need more.”
“Me, too.”
“Don’t want to move…can’t let go.”
“Then don’t…so good.” She pressed soft frantic kisses to his face, his neck and chest.
“Yes,” he breathed and then drove into her again. She gasped out a sob, and he set his mouth over hers, swallowing the sound. His hands grabbed her hips and held her still as he hammered into her softness, thrust, retreat, thrust. Never enough…would never be enough.
A distant sound buzzed in his head. Nick ignored it…couldn’t think of anything other than the woman in his arms, sobbing his name, asking for more. An electric tingle zipping up his spine told him he was within seconds of another release. Wanting to make sure Kennedy came first, he pressed deep into her, pinning her to the wall and grinding. Sure that she would be screaming in ecstasy in seconds, instead he heard her gasp out, “What’s that sound?”
He thrust…nipped at her neck, muttered, “Hmm?”
“I hear something.”
“Cat…probably. Ignore it.”
“I don’t have a cat.”
“Dog, then.”
She laughed softly. “I don’t have a dog, either. I think it’s coming from your pants.”
His pants? His pants were on the floor. Why would— Oh hell, she was right. With a ragged sigh of deepest regret, he pulled from her warmth and lowered her legs until her feet hit the floor. When he was assured she could stand on her own, he twisted round and snagged his jeans that somehow were almost halfway across the room.
Phone to his ear, he barked, “What?”
“I need to see you and Kennedy immediately,” Justice said tersely.
“Your office?”
“No, my apartment.”
Nick shot a quick glance over at a naked, glistening Kennedy, still slumped against the wall, her breathing slowly returning to normal, a dazed look on her beautiful face. He ground his teeth and turned away from temptation. Any other time, he might’ve told the man whatever it was could wait until tomorrow. The stark urgency in Justice’s voice told him this wasn’t something that could be put off.
Closing his eyes, Nick took in a ragged breath and said, “Be there in ten.”
Chapter Thirty-one
For the first time in years, Grey wanted to kill someone. The violent life he’d left behind usually sickened him to remember, but right now he would have taken great pleasure in beating the ever-living shit out of Mathias Slater until the man lay bloodied and dying. Even then he doubted he’d feel any better, but at least the world would be cleaner.
Irelyn sat several feet away from him, the look on her face one he hadn’t seen in a long while. He didn’t like seeing it now but could do nothing but play the cards he had been dealt.
“I didn’t know, Grey.”
“I know you didn’t.”
“Do you want me to leave?”
The dull, emotionless voice sounded nothing like the self-assured woman Irelyn had become. Once again, she sounded like the scared young girl who had learned the fate of her many sins.
“No. Both Kennedy and Gallagher should know. It’s time to come clean with your source.”
“Are you going to kill him?”
Though her voice sounded only slightly curious, he knew better. Gathering up all the fury he had stored away for days like this, Grey said coolly, “No. You are.”
“What?” Shock flared in her eyes. She shook her head. “No, Grey…you can’t ask me to do that. You can’t.”
“I can, and you will. You knew this day would come.”
“But he can still be useful to us. There’s no need to—”
“There’s every need. He’s outlived his usefulness. We should have done away with him years ago. This time we have no choice.”
“Do you hate me that much?”
“I feel many things for you, Irelyn. Hate is too mild a word for what I’m feeling right now.”
“I—” She broke off at the sound of the buzzer announcing the arrival of Kennedy and Gallagher. Since Eli was otherwise occupied, Grey had asked them to come to his penthouse. If anyone saw them, they’d have to come up with a feasible excuse. Maybe he was getting soft, but he just didn’t want to deliver this news in a damn warehouse.
“Do you want me to tell Kennedy what I know about her husband’s death?”
“I’m leaving that up to you.”
“How thoughtful.”
Though the sarcasm was mild, he was glad to hear it. Despite his words and uncompromising position, he did have sympathy for what Irelyn faced. And the last thing he wanted to do was destroy her. However, she had known this time would come. If he’d had any inkling it would have come down to this, he would have had the man killed long ago. But then again, there were plenty of other hired killers more than happy to take his place. If there was one thing this world didn’t lack, it was assholes willing to destroy lives for money.
Kennedy and Gallagher entered, both looking as grim as he felt. Of course being called out of bed at one o’clock in the morning for a meeting was rarely a good-tidings event. And considering what he had seen on the infrared when they’d been in the closet, neither of them had been sleeping.
“Would either of you like coffee?”
Kennedy shook her head, but Gallagher went to the coffee service and poured two cups of coffee, liberally sweetening one of the cups. Yeah, he’d been around this block before…he knew bad news was coming.
Grey waited until Kennedy was holding her coffee mug and Gallagher had taken a seat beside her. He looked at them and said the words that twisted his insides. “Jonah Slater was murdered tonight.”
Nick breathed out a curse, knowing without having to ask what had happened. He caught Kennedy’s expression. She looked sad but slightly confused, too. Despite all that she’d been through, she was still an innocent about so many things. When this was over, just how much of that innocence would she retain?
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” she said softly. “I know you thought a lot of him, Grey. I’m sure Eli must be devastated.”
“Yes, he is.”
“Do they know what happened? Wh
o did it? Another prisoner?”
Surprise and then a hint of compassion crossed the other man’s face. He gave Nick a quick glance, as if to ask him if he’d like to explain.
“Either his father or brother were responsible, Kennedy,” Nick said.
“What?” She moved her gaze from each person to the next as if to verify his words. “No, that’s not possible. No father or brother would have a family member killed like that, no matter how much they hated him.”
“Oh, get a clue, girl,” Irelyn snapped. “Are you really so naïve that you don’t know that families kill each other every damn day? It’s the world we live in, and if you’re going to survive, you’d better get used to it. You can’t bury your head—”
“That’s enough, Irelyn.” Justice’s hard voice slashed like a knife. “Kennedy doesn’t need a life lesson from you.”
“She needs it from someone.”
“No, she’s right to tell me that, Grey. If Mathias or Adam were responsible for this, then I am stupidly naïve. I just cannot fathom such evil.”
“How’s Eli taking it?” Nick asked.
“About the way you’d expect. He feels like he failed his little brother.”
“So where do we go from here?” Kennedy asked.
“This changes nothing,” Justice said. “I’m sure Adam will approach you soon for a job. When he does, express your sympathy for his brother’s death but don’t go overboard. Adam has you pegged as an ambitious, cold-hearted bitch. Showing too much compassion—something he can’t comprehend anyway—might make him reconsider his opinion of you.”
Nothing To Lose: A Grey Justice Novel Page 25
