by Randi Ocean
“How could this be happening right under my nose?” I asked, not really expecting an answer. “I feel like such an idiot!” I was pacing. Tears welled up in my eyes again.
Adam got up from the computer and walked over to stop me in my tracks. He held my chin and wiped the tear that was running down my cheek. “You’re not an idiot! These are very cagy people engaged in high-level crime. They’re masters at deception.” He kissed my forehead. His voice was soft and calming, but I still felt as though I should have noticed something sooner, particularly since Adam had told me it had been going on for so long. I tried to dig deeper in my brain for any clues. I’d been regurgitating facts for over an hour.
“You need a break.” Adam walked over to the kitchenette and pulled out the bottle of port. He poured two short glasses, handing one to me. We clinked and sipped. He bent down, licked my lip, and nibbled at it. The intensity of the afternoon began falling away. “How about a hot bath? It might help you relax.”
“A bath! I haven’t taken a bath in years…I mean, not that I don’t bathe, it’s just that….”
He laughed. “You’re beautiful when you get tongue-tied. I’ll get the tub going.” He disappeared into the bedroom, and I flopped into the club chair by the window. Looking out on the city, I wondered how I was going to keep a game face when I got to work on Monday. I turned, and Adam was standing next to me, ready to escort me to a magnificent diversion. As we walked into the bedroom, I saw that he had laid out the two bathrobes. He sat down on the edge of the bed as he had the night before, and began undressing me. Button by button, he opened my sweater. When it was completely loose, he ran his hands up my back and pulled me into him. He buried his face between my breasts and took a deep breath.
“I love your fragrance,” he said softly. He licked the top edges of my breasts, which were swelling above my bra. He unhooked it, releasing them into his control. His hands felt cool against my warm skin, sending shivers up my spine. He slid my sweater off and let my bra fall away. He sat back for a moment and studied me. “You’re so beautiful,” he said softly. My heart skipped a beat. He reached for the button on my jean skirt, but I snatched his wrists to stop him.
“I have a little catching up to do….” He watched my hands closely as I ceremoniously unbuttoned his shirt. His chest was firm and beckoning. I tantalized his firm pecs with my fingernails, igniting the flame of desire in his eyes. He gazed into my eyes, transfixed as he held my cheek and leaned in to nibble my lips then engulfed my mouth with his.
He stopped abruptly. “I’d better check that water before we have a flood on our hands.”
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. How could this be happening? How did I get here? A rush of arousal swept through me when Adam reappeared, his naked, Adonis-like, body gliding toward me. He unzipped my fly, and tugged my skirt and panties off. He hovered over me, arms extended, his hard shaft swelling with every passing moment.
“Are you ready, Ms. Ryan?” he groaned.
“Oh, yes,” I breathed, and inched down to take his cock in my mouth. Sliding my tongue over his crown, I caressed his length with my fingers. He was so hard and hot. He moaned softly as I took him deeper. His hand was on top of my head, pushing gently, urging me to take more of him. I love tasting him, and taunting him and giving him pleasure.
He reached down and lifted me up. “We have all night,” he whispered, and kissed me tenderly. “Let’s get into that tub while it’s hot.” He carried the robes and took my hand, leading me into the bathroom. The room was filled with candlelight, reflecting off the shiny surfaces, and on the iridescent bubbles that floated on the surface of the steamy water. The port glasses were staged on the side of the tub. He steadied me as I stepped into the hot water, and guided me to sit in front of him as he sat down at the back of the tub. I leaned back against his chest and took a deep breath, finally beginning to relax.
He grazed my shoulder and neck with soft kisses. “It’s going to be okay, Emily,” he whispered in my ear, trying to reassure me. I didn’t respond, just patted his knee. I honestly didn’t know what to say. In that moment, I couldn’t imagine how everything was going to be okay?
After a few minutes of soaking and sipping the port, he took the glass from my hand and set my arms up on the edges of the tub. He wrapped his arms around me and rolled my pencil-hard nipples between his fingertips. I closed my eyes and relished the titillation of his sensual touch, the steamy water, and soft fragrance of the bubbles, trying to banish the discoveries of the day out of my consciousness. His impressive erection pushed against my back as his fingers danced down my belly, tickling me as he moved toward my sweet spot. Hi fingers skated through my folds, sending a shock wave through my core. He didn’t stop there, but reached farther to my knees, spreading my legs as far as they would go inside the tub. Working his hands back toward my epicenter, he gently massaged the insides of my thighs. His fingers summoned all my senses into his control. He reached over and pushed a button instantly sending the steaming water churning around us. A whirlpool! He parted my folds to expose my most sensitive spot, so the movement of the water was pulsing at my pudendum. His hand was moving in circular motions, working my clit to the surface. I gripped the edges of the tub tightly as the sensations exploded through me. I pushed hard against him, bracing against the inner shock waves, my legs trembling.
“Ahh, Adam,” I moaned uncontrollably as an orgasm pushed through me.
His movements slowed, and he slid his hands down my thighs, kissing my shoulders. “Slide forward,” he breathed, with total command over this dance. I moved forward, and he got out of the tub and right back in at the other end, facing me. His enormous erection glistened in the candlelight, with a few bubbles dangling from it as if they were ornaments. He slid down so his legs were under me and I was kneeling on either side of him. He methodically sheathed himself, and then slowly lifted me up maneuvering himself under me. I guided him to slide inside me. His penetration went deep, reaching my core in a way I had never experienced before. My head fell back in ecstasy. I moved up and down on him, bracing myself on the edges of the tub. The water was still swirling, amplifying the pleasure between us. More shock waves rifled through me as another orgasm shattered me to my core at the same moment he let loose. It was astounding. I fell against him, my heart pounding.
“You’re amazing,” he whispered as he reached up to switch off the swirling water.
“I feel very safe in your arms, Adam. Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
He kissed the top of my head, and we languished in the tub for a while longer. I could hear his racing heartbeat beginning to slow. The only other sound was the soft music from the other room. We didn’t speak, just held each other. It was enough.
**
After a while, the bubbles subsided, and the water was cooling off. We stepped out of the tub and he wrapped his arms around me engulfing me in the soft robe. He held me tightly and kissed my neck. “Are you hungry?” he asked. It seemed like it hadn’t been that long since lunch, but when I looked at the clock I realized it had been hours since we left TJ’s, and the bath had provided a complete escape from the realities of the day.
“I could probably eat a little something.” We ordered a fruit and cheese plate, plus a charcuterie assortment. The cool sparkling water that came with the snacks was refreshing after the steamy bath.
Adam noticed I was drifting deep into thought again. He held my chin and said, “Let it go for tonight. Nothing’s going to change in the next few hours, so let me fill all of the corners of your imagination for a while longer. Tonight is going to be all about you.”
He licked my lips, and kissed me gently, pulling all my attention right back to him. He loosened the tie of my robe and slid his velvety hands inside it. His forefinger slowly grazed a path up my torso and between my breasts, circling around my nipple. Caressing my breast, he drew the nipple between his lips. His tongue teased me as both nipples stood at full attention. He gently pushed
me back onto the couch and licked down my torso into my folds. I pushed my hands into the pockets of the robe and squeezed the soft fabric, holding on for the next wave of arousal. He spread my legs and lay down with his mouth positioned perfectly to taunt me. His tongue danced over me. In me. Around my clit. His thumb moved in titillating circles as his other hand held me open. He was in full control over the most sensitive corners of my being. My body writhed. I threw my hands over my head and held the arm of the couch tightly as my back arched, and my hips moved into him. He could tell when I was on the verge of coming, but rather than allow my climax, he would take me to the edge and shift his tongue at the last moment to prolong the arousal. My tipping point seemed to get higher and higher each time he brought me close. He pressed his mouth against me so his lips were holding mine open. His tongue worked feverishly as he held my ass, tilting me into him. The orgasm rippled through me like an earthquake. My entire body trembled. He continued lightly licking me to taunt me a little longer. He seemed to know just the right balance between pain and pleasure.
I could barely breathe from the intensity of the orgasm. My heart was pounding. “Oh, my God, Adam! I don’t even want to know how you learned how to do that!” I lay there for a moment, trying to breathe.
He smiled broadly and said, “You taste so sweet.”
“I want to feel you inside me.”
“Oh, no, tonight is all about you.”
“But that is for me. I want you!” I pleaded.
He stood up, loosened the tie on his robe, and held his arms in the air and smiled. “Okay, have your way with me. Whatever your pleasure.”
Taking his hand, I led him into the bedroom, slipped the robe off his shoulders and dropped mine to the floor. Climbing onto the bed, I reached for him. As he lay down, I rolled him on his back and climbed on top of him. Unwrapping a condom, I ceremoniously unrolled it slowly over his magnificent shaft as he studied my hands. I entwined my fingers with his, holding his hands over his head as I slowly and easily slid him inside me. He was so hard, and my folds were slick from the multiple orgasms moments earlier. His intense arousal excited me even more. I quickly moved up and down as he gazed at me. I slowed my pace for a moment so it would register when I clenched my core and squeezed him. His eyes lit up with surprise.
He broke free from my hands and wrapped an arm around my waist. In a blink he was on top of me and pumping me hard.
“Ohhh,” he called out as he climaxed quickly.
I rubbed my fingers up and down his spine as he lay on top of me, totally spent, and breathless. “I love exciting you,” I whispered. “It makes me very happy when you’re satisfied.”
He pushed himself up so our faces were inches apart. “I’d say that’s several levels beyond satisfaction.” He smiled and brushed the hair away from my face.
It had been a long day with a roller coaster of emotions. Exhaustion was setting in for both of us. We snuggled for a little while as our heartbeats returned to a normal rhythm.
Finally, Adam said quietly, “I’ll protect you the best way I can, Emily.”
“I know.”
We kissed tenderly, a more intimate kiss than I had felt from Adam before. As I fell asleep, I couldn’t help but wonder what the next few days would bring.
Chapter 7
Adam was awake before me on Sunday. He lay on top of the covers and ran his fingers down my back, gently bringing me into consciousness.
“Oh, that feels so nice.” I was trying to break through the sleepy fog in my head. He was perched on an elbow, looking down at me, when I rolled over.
“Good morning.” He beamed.
“Good morning,” I murmured, still trying to shake off sleep.
“I hope the distractions last night kept the demons out of your dreams.”
“I slept like a rock, no nightmares. Only delicious dreams of you,” I said wrapping my arms around his neck. “Did you sleep okay?”
“Like a baby.”
He pulled me close for a long, wet kiss. I could feel his excitement pressing against me through the blankets. He took a deep breath. “As much as I would love to spend the day right here with you, we’ve got some work to do.”
“I know, you’re right.”
He kissed my forehead then asked, “How ‘bout a shower?”
“Yes, please.”
We languished in the endless supply of hot water that only a hotel can guarantee. He stretched out, hands above his head, almost spread-eagled, leaning on the glass as I meticulously washed every inch of his toned body. I became aroused again just running my hands over his smooth skin and taut muscles. He lathered his hands, and began bathing me, cleansing and enticing at the same time. His silky hands glided over my skin like skates on ice. His touch was electric.
He turned me so I was facing away from him, then sheathed himself and squatted down so his full length could slide easily inside me. His hands reached around and stroked me in sync with his rhythm. The staccato of the warm water on our skin added to the exploding sensations. He grabbed my hips and pumped for a moment longer, squeezing me as he came hard. He leaned in and kissed my shoulder as he slid out of me. We embraced in the stream of warm water and kissed…a very deep, wanton kiss, running our hands up and down each other’s backs without saying a word. I felt very connected with him.
**
“Breakfast?” he asked as we dressed. “Do you want to eat here or go out?” My mind was drifting back to work. How was I was going to keep my eyes wide open for any signs of foul play, but go on with business as usual? Adam sensed my anxiety. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“How am I going be able to work and not let on that I know something’s up? I’m not much of a bluffer.”
“Okay, let’s stay here and talk about it, figure out a strategy that will help you get through the next few days. I want you to be safe and in control of the situation. Breakfast first, though. What other food groups beside bacon would you like this morning?”
I smiled at his attempt at humor. “How about oatmeal and fruit?”
“Oatmeal? Really?”
“Don’t you know that oatmeal is brain food?”
“Ahhh! Another food lesson learned,” he added, still attempting to be funny. He knew he was failing miserably.
He called downstairs and ordered oatmeal, fruit, and bacon for me and sausage and eggs for himself. And of course coffee. No Sunday morning, or any morning, for that matter, was complete without coffee. Breakfast arrived, and as we ate, Adam asked me about my duties at the studio. I realized in talking through it that I had no specific daily schedule, with the exception of a few minor tasks that didn’t take very long. In many ways, that was good. I wasn’t a slave to a routine. Our shoot wasn’t until Thursday, so I wouldn’t be in heavy prep mode until Wednesday, formatting drives and creating I.D. cards for each item. If it was as slow on Monday as it had been on Friday, I might not have much to do.
He pulled out a piece of paper and a pencil. “What’s the general layout of the studio?”
I drew a block diagram showing the relationship of spaces. “Here’s the entrance, and here’s my desk. Clint’s office is here. Sam sits toward the back, kind of near the warehouse. The cantina is here, and the office supply closet is here. When Myra is in to pay bills, she just works in Clint’s office. When we shoot in Clint’s studio, that happens over here.”
“What’s in the warehouse?”
“That’s where Clint keeps all of the cameras, lights, backdrops, big stuff like that. There used to be a darkroom in there, too, but he hasn’t shot real film in years. The room is still there, but he never uses it.”
“Have you been in that darkroom before?”
“No. On my first day, Clint gave me a tour of the place and pointed it out to me, but I never went inside and haven’t been back there since. I’m responsible for the drives and the computers where we store all of the digital shots. Those are all stored at my work station, so I work there, and frequent the cantin
a for my coffee fix. I’ve been in Clint’s office a few times, but that’s it.”
“So Clint is the only one who goes in and out of the warehouse?”
“No, Sam, the other full-time assistant, spends a lot of time back there. He maintains all of the gear, so he hangs out back there with his music blasting and tinkers with the cameras and stuff.”
“Are you close with Sam?”
“Not really. We’re sort of friends. We went out on a date one time, and it was awful. He’s a hard guy to get to know because he doesn’t talk with anybody much. Not even Clint. But he’s a smart guy and knows how to troubleshoot.”
“Can you get into the studio today?”
“I have a key and my own alarm code, but the alarm company registers every time someone disarms the system and reports it to Clint. I left a book there one Friday and stopped by on a Saturday to pick it up. Clint questioned me about why I was going into the studio on the weekend. It was kinda creepy.”
“Okay, no reason to go there today, then. Maybe we should go to the Jackson Gallery, since we never got there yesterday, and see if we can scope out where you will be shooting this week. If nothing else, you’ll at least know where you’re going on Thursday, and you’ll get to see the exhibit you wanted to see.”
“I’m not sure I can really focus on the exhibit right now, but checking out the surroundings might not be a bad idea.”
“Okay, let me just check my e-mail and see if there‘s anything new, and then we can head over there.”
I was finishing up my fourth or fifth cup of coffee as Adam checked his messages. He was making notes and spending enough time reading his e-mail that I knew something was up.
