by Paula Cox
As he prowled his apartment, Riley resisted the urge to hit his hand on the wall. He’d done it once and had the bruises to prove it. Where could he go next to look for her? He was contemplating registering a missing persons report but, if he did so, his gang would get into trouble and they wouldn’t like it. Riley wasn’t scared of them and if he ran out of options, he would have to do it. Up until now, he’d wanted to sit tight and see if he could trace her through some other means.
It was nearly midnight. He’d prowled the streets, looking for her at her favorite haunts, restaurants, and bars, but it was as if she disappeared by magic. How far could a lone woman go? Tania was, of course, a very resourceful girl. If she set her mind on not being found, he wouldn’t find her. But what if she were in trouble? What if she needed his help and he couldn’t give it because he was unable to reach her? The thought killed him.
Finally, restless and tired, he lay down on the bed. Tomorrow, he would go to the police station. He didn’t have any other choice. The police would help him look for her. They had better resources. If they tracked down her credit cards or her phone, they would discover where she was and what her last movements were.
Riley closed his eyes, but he couldn’t sleep. His mind raced with thoughts. What else could he do? Surely he hadn’t exhausted all the options. What else could he do? Where could he go other than contacting the police? Nothing came to his mind. He tossed and turned, unable to clear his thoughts. Worry gnawed in the pit of his stomach. If something happened to Tania, he would never be able to forgive himself. He loved her. Why the hell didn’t he tell her this when they were together? Why didn’t he take her in confidence?
If he had done so, she would’ve been safe. She wouldn’t have come to the warehouse looking for him and she wouldn’t have been kidnapped. It was his fault. He blamed himself for everything. And now there was nothing else to do but wait for another morning so that he could resume his search.
Riley heard a click. Someone slowly opened the door. He sat and was astounded when he saw Tania slide into the room. She looked gorgeous. Her hair, silky and soft, framed her face. A big smile lifted her lips as if she knew perfectly well the hell she put him through and relished the idea of it.
He couldn’t move, couldn’t shift. Was she real or a figment of his imagination? Of course, she was real. He could smell the perfume she wore. It permeated the room and filled his nostrils. “You?”
She sauntered closer, remaining tantalizingly out of reach. “Yes, it’s me. Were you expecting someone else?”
“Of course not.” He blurted out the words. Although he should’ve been angry that she put him through so much misery, all the anger faded away as he feasted on the sight of her glowing face. She looked resplendent. It was only now that he noticed that she wore a silk, cream nightgown that reached down to her ankles. It swished around her as she moved, taking baby steps as she came closer to his bed. “Where were you?”
“Here and there, sweetheart.”
She used the endearment that he often called her. His lips lifted in a smile. She was all right, and she didn’t lose any of her sass. He was happy. Seeing her, his heart filled with joy. He forgot all his earlier ire with her. It didn’t matter where she had been, what she’d done, and why she didn’t contact him for days. She was here now, and that was enough to make him the happiest man on earth.
He lifted his hand. “Come here.”
After a brief moment of hesitation, she put her hand in his. Her skin felt warm and smooth. He tugged her closer. With her hand in his, he felt the familiar desire build inside his body. His veins contracted as passion careened through them at high speed. His blood boiled as if he were on fire. Need was a strong tempest that consumed him. “I love you,” he said.
She raised an eyebrow. “Now you say it. After all this time.”
“It’s not too late, sweetheart.” He brought her hand to his lips and deposited a kiss on her warm skin. “I love you,” he said again.
“You drive me mad, Riley, but I love you, too.”
His heart bloomed. He’d longed to hear those words but never thought he would do so. Tugging her forward, he made her drop in his lap. His fingers caressed her smooth cheek and his lips claimed her. The kiss was hot, wild, and passionate. He put his feelings into it, letting them soak into her with all the fervor that he could manage. It was so long since he felt her body in his arms. She fit perfectly; they were made for each other and, now that he found her, he wouldn’t let anyone tear them apart.
His tongue dove inside to taste the recesses of her mouth. She was sweet, and he relished each moment as he took his time. Her breath was hot as she matched him stroke for stroke while their tongues engaged in an erotic dance. His arms slid up her bare arms until he reached the straps that held her gown. He slipped them off and she slipped out even while their lips remained fused together.
Finally, she drew away to take a deep breath. Her breasts lay naked in front of him, and he couldn’t help running his fingers over their firm contours. Her nipples swelled as his fingers played with the hard buds that begged for his attention. Bending his head, he captured one nipple in his mouth. She gasped and arched back, giving him more access. He sucked on the bud greedily, hungrily.
His hand squeezed her other breast while he played homage to her bud. Desire exploded in his gut. His lips trailed a line down her taut stomach. The gown got in the way and, with a quick move of his hand, he ripped it off her body. She gasped and laughed as he quickly shrugged out of the shorts he’d worn to bed. His cock was hard already. He longed to plunge it in her body and make her squeal with desire, but he was determined to take his time.
Her body, lush and sexy, spread out before him, like a bouquet of delights. He wanted to take full advantage of it. His lips trailed a line of kisses down her torso until he reached the tangle of curls that guarded her pussy. He could smell her arousal, the musky, sweet smell of it, and it served to heighten his own need. His balls tightened and hardened but he didn’t want to find release yet. Instead, he wanted to savor and plunder every inch of her body.
Riley put his hands under her buttocks and positioned her so that she laid spread out before her. Pushing up her legs, he allowed himself a moment to gaze down at the beauty of her pink pussy.
“Riley, please,” she begged.
As if responding to her command, he bent his head and licked her pussy. She shuddered under him. Her wetness filled his mouth. She was ready, and he was eager to please her. He took his time, caressing and fondling her lips until she was vibrating under him. When she began to moan and pant, he pushed his tongue deep inside. With a scream, she exploded and the scent of her climax hit his nostrils.
As she shuddered under him, he slid over her body until his cock was positioned on her mouth. He rubbed the tip of his penis over her soft, luscious lips and she parted them with a sigh. Accepting the gift he offered, she opened her mouth wide while he pushed his cock deep inside her throat. She sucked on it, fondling and caressing it with her mouth until he thought he’d come in her mouth. His hips moved up and down as he put his knees on the bed. In and out, he jerked until finally he was quivering on top of her. Her tongue twisted over his cock and rubbed his balls until his blood boiled. Riley had enough. He pulled himself out.
“No, wait,” she gasped.
But he wanted more now. Quickly, he slipped down her body and took position on top of her. His cock brushed her pussy and rubbed. She arched her back as if she were eager to take him in but he wanted more time. Putting his hands on the bed, he rocked back and forth. She cried out in frustration. The ache that expanded in his heart took over all his senses. She opened her legs under him and thrust up her hips. Understanding her silent plea, he thrust his cock deep inside her. He felt her muscles clench and unclench around his blood-engorged cock. Riley took a moment to enjoy this blissful unity.
He stole a kiss. Her mouth clung to him with a desperation that matched his. Her tongue delved inside his mouth and
she tasted him. While their lips remained fused together, he began to move his hips in a piston-like movement. Up and down, in and out, each stroke sent desire careening through veins. The need for release was a fire inside his gut.
Tania mimicked his movements as she struggled to keep pace. He rode her good and hard, enjoying the way her muscles quivered and shivered under him. She was his, and he wanted to put his stamp on her. No other man would ever be good enough for her – and if anyone as much as laid a hand on her, he would kill that man with his bare hands.
Her hands slipped up his arms and clutched his shoulders. He felt her nails rake over her back, demanding more from him. Happily, he complied and picked up the pace. He was a blur of motion, and, suddenly, she exploded under him.
“Riley!” she screamed his name out so loud that his ears ached from the sound.
She shuddered under him. He thrust in and out some more and, finally, Riley burst inside her. With a loud growl, he rolled off her and closed his eyes for a few seconds.
When he opened his eyes, he was alone.
Damn it! Fuck all!
Riley sat up. Shit! Where did she go? It took him a few moments to realize that she had been a figment of his subconscious mind. He’d dreamt the whole thing. His body still felt as if it were on fire. He could actually smell her perfume on his skin but none of it had been real.
“Tania,” he breathed out her name as if it was a prayer. “Where are you?”
Once more, he was lost, alone. He didn’t have a clue what to do next. Exhausted by the ordeal created by his mind, he closed his eyes. Where was Tania? If he didn’t find her soon, he knew he would go mad. It was imperative that he discover where she was or else he risked losing his sanity along with his heart.
The next morning, Riley woke up, got dressed, and went out. He’d decided on his course of action. Today, he would file a missing person complaint and allow the police to take over this matter. They would find her. Sure, his gang wouldn’t be happy with him but that didn’t concern him anymore. He was beyond concerned for Tania and needed to focus his attention on her.
As he reached the police station, he parked his car. He missed his bike. Once he found Tania, he would buy a new one and he would even get her one so they could ride together. It was her dream to do so and he would make it happen for her. Riley strolled inside the place. It was teeming with police. Men and women in unform milled about, yelled on the phone, and talked to each other.
Where was he supposed to go?
He saw a policeman sitting quietly writing on a sheet of paper. Perhaps he could ask him for help. As he strode forward, Riley forced away the doubts that plagued him. What would his gang members say? They were bound to get into a lot of trouble. He didn’t care. They brought this on themselves. He was willing to turn his life upside down to find Tania, and leaving the gang might be the first step in the right direction.
As he reached the guy, Riley smiled. “Sir, excuse me.”
As the man looked up, Riley’s attention was drawn to the paper that lay open on the desk. It was one of the society pages and the big colored photo right on top took his breath away. He picked up the paper. “What can I do for you, sir?” asked the policeman.
Riley’s gaze was fixed on the picture. Tania was standing, holding hands, with a man who was grinning at the camera. She was looking away but he could identify her easily enough. The man was tall and good-looking, and the way his gaze rested on Tania, Riley could tell he wasn’t just a friend. He turned the paper towards the policeman. “Who is this guy?”
“That’s Jason, a hotshot director. Lives nearby. He is very famous.”
Riley read the tagline that accompanied the picture. “Jason, Director of Flaming Hot and Ruby Red, with his new girlfriend.”
Girlfriend? Anger exploded inside him with great force. What the hell was she doing? While he went nuts looking for her everywhere, she was shacking up with another man. Riley was so livid he couldn't think straight. He threw the paper on the desk and turned. When he found her, he would make her regret this. She had only seen the nice side of him, but Riley was now on a stampede and he wouldn’t leave anyone who got in his path.
“Hey, sir,” said the officer, but Riley strode out of the police station.
The limits of his patience were reached, and now there was no guarantee as to what he would do next.
Chapter Fifteen
Tania didn’t have a clue as to what Jason planned. All she knew was that she’d never faced so much media interest in all her life. Every day they went out and whenever they stepped out of the restaurant, a couple of photographers clicked their picture together.
She smiled gamely as they stood waiting for their car. When the vehicle slid to a stop, she sat inside with a sigh of relief. “How do you live like this?”
“I don’t, darling. This is in your honor. Usually I avoid the media like a plague.” He laughed. “Don’t worry. It’s not bound to last for long.”
“I thought I was supposed to hide, and now I find you’re parading me in front of photographers and society columnists every day,” she complained. Tania was feeling grouchy. It wasn’t just that she’d lost her job and was in desperate need to find employment but she also missed Riley. Sure, the man was a cad. He broke her heart and then stomped on it. He bloody tried to kill her. But, yet, she couldn’t keep thoughts of him out of her mind. He was the first person she thought about when she woke up and the last man she dreamt of when she went to sleep. The days she spent in his company were delightful and fun. He’d shown her the lighter side of life, and she enjoyed it.
Of course if she ever saw him again, she would like to do something that would make him cry in pain for hours, maybe days.
“I have to go out of town for a couple of days,” he said as the car slid inside his estate. “Why don’t you come with me?”
She wasn’t particularly interested in traveling right now. “Where are you going?”
“To LA.”
She pulled a face. “More publicity. More photographers, paparazzi. I am not that demented yet.”
“You’ll love it.”
She stepped out of the car and stretched. His gardens were beautiful. She cast an eye out at the lush greenery that surrounded the house. “I don’t think so.”
Together, they walked into his lavish house. Living here had been easy, comfortable. But now that he wouldn’t be here, she wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to live there.
“Come on, try. It will be fun. We would go to all these movie premiers and you’ll meet famous people.”
Tania laughed as she turned to face him. “Jason, are you actually trying to entice me? Because let me tell you straight out that it won’t work.”
“You’re a hard nut to crack, Tania. Always were.” He gazed at her with a serious look on his face. “I remember the time when I was making my second movie and we were dating. You didn’t like being around the main leads because you said that they spent too much time gazing into the mirrors.”
She recalled those days. Jason had been obsessed with his work. She could understand that kind of drive because she’d experienced the same with her work. Now that she left it behind, Tania felt a little lost, a little out of place. “Yeah well, I bet that hasn’t changed.”
He took a step forward. The intent look on his face made her a little nervous. What was going through his head? He took her hands in his. “Come with me, Tania. It will be a good laugh.”
She gulped. There was something more to what he said with his words. Tania didn’t want to go down this road again. She liked Jason, admired, and respected him, but more than that, she didn’t want much. “Jason, I really don’t want to.”
His hands squeezed her fingers ever so gently. “Tania, I have to admit that being with you has sort of rekindled my feelings. We’ve always been friends…but what if I wanted something more?”
Her heart slammed into her chest with enough force to make it hurt. She didn’t want this, not at all,
but she also didn’t want to hurt him. He was a good friend, and a great guy. “Jason…I’m just recovering from a bad breakup…well, it wasn’t really a breakup, more of a quick demise of a relationship on which I had pinned too many of my hopes.”
“Did you love that guy?”
She sucked in a deep breath of air. Even thinking about it hurt far more than she was prepared to deal with. “I think I did. Yeah, I did. Crazy, huh? He was only luring me in so he could finish the deal and then move on and here I was, making all these plans inside my head. It was stupid.”
“I’m sorry that you’re hurting. Perhaps when…you have recovered enough, you might think about it some more.”
