by Ravenna Tate
“Oh, Harper. Oh, baby. That feels so fucking good!” His thrusting increased now, and within seconds he cried out. Harper smiled, so happy she’d been able to give him this much pleasure. And she’d never touched herself in front of anyone. This was a night of many first times. An erotic, sexy night filled with new pleasures and discoveries.
When he pulled out, he walked to the bathroom and returned with a warm washcloth. Harper was shocked when he gently cleaned her off. She’d never expected any of this from him. She’d pictured him simply fucking her and then falling asleep, or sending her home afterwards.
“That was magnificent,” he said. “I hope you enjoyed it.”
“I did.” She sat up face him. “Ace, I have to say this. Thank you for being so … I don’t even know what word I want. Kind. Gentle.”
She bit her lip, hoping it was right to tell him this. “I was picturing you cold and clinical. I thought you’d fuck me and then send me home, or mock me during it. I never expected you to be so kind and caring, or tell me I’m beautiful and sexy. I didn’t think you’d address me as ‘baby’ or ‘sweetheart’, and I sure as heck didn’t think you’d be so patient and gentle with me. This night has exceeded all my expectations.”
He didn’t say anything, and she couldn’t interpret the expression on his face. “I feel really guilty right now because I thought of you as a smug, arrogant man, and you’re not. I thought you’d simply use me for sex and then dismiss it, like it meant nothing to you. I was so wrong.”
“That’s not what I do,” he said quietly.
“I didn’t mean to upset you. I only wanted to tell you that I realize now you’re not the person I thought you were.”
“I know that. But I didn’t realize I had such a reputation.”
Why hadn’t she kept her big mouth shut? “You don’t. I mean, I’ve never heard anyone say you’re cruel to women, or careless with them, or I don’t know what word I’m searching for. These were my assumptions based on the way you come across at work.”
“We’ve been like this a long time. It’s who we are.”
“We?”
“My friends and I. The wealthy and influential friends I mentioned. We’re all like this.”
She swallowed hard as she remembered several photos of him with other men, all dressed the way he usually did, and all good-looking with an aura of confidence radiating from the images the camera had captured. “Is it like a club or something?”
He shook his head. “We don’t have meetings and sit around to discuss our conquests, if that’s what you mean. We manage our businesses, we make sure these cities stay up and running, and we back the Storm Troopers and the procurement teams who go to the surface and find all these rare items.”
He hesitated, giving her a long look. “And we each have a team of which you are now part. Hackers who are helping us look for ways to stop this virus and take back control of The Madeline Project. Oh, and if we could find the bastards responsible for writing the Tommy Twister virus and taking over the program to begin with, that would also be great.”
She didn’t miss the sarcasm in his voice, but knew it wasn’t directed at her. “So you’re all in this together. Trying to help the planet, I mean.”
“Yes. And we each just happen to enjoy women. Last time I checked, that wasn’t a crime. We don’t hurt anyone. I haven’t lied to you, Harper. You know up front what this is, and what it isn’t.”
“That’s true.” Then why did she suddenly feel deflated, as if she’d just received bad news?
He gave her a sheepish grin. “We even have a name.”
“So it is a club.”
He chuckled softly. “An unofficial one only.”
“What’s the name?”
“Don’t laugh.”
“I won’t.” This was what confused her. The way he laid it all out for her and then two seconds later, drew her into his confidence as if she were special.
“We all ourselves the Weathermen. Get it?”
“That’s actually very clever.”
“Thank you.” He barely stifled a yawn. “I’m afraid you’ve worn me out, which isn’t easy to do.”
“I’m tired, too.”
“Then let’s get some sleep. I have plans for you in the morning.”
“I’m staying overnight?”
He frowned. “I was hoping you would.”
“I didn’t want to assume anything.”
“While I appreciate that, in the future, assume you’re staying overnight.”
She curled up against his warm body. “All right.” Harper drifted off to sleep again, still a bit confused, but sated and happy. No matter what happened in the morning, she’d always have this night and its many new adventures to look back on. And she still had a job, and wasn’t going to jail.
Maybe her boss, the pretentious CEO and part of the Weathermen, wasn’t as cold and clinical as he liked everyone to believe?
Chapter Nine
Harper woke to the smell of coffee, eggs, and bacon. Ace wasn’t in the room, so she used his bathroom, and then wondered how in the hell she’d fix her face, and what she was supposed to wear. She hadn’t planned on spending the night, so she hadn’t brought along so much as a toothbrush.
“Good morning. I hope you’re hungry.”
She whirled around at the sound of his voice. He stood in the doorway, damp hair, looking so damn sexy in jeans and a polo shirt that she wanted to drop to her knees. She’d never seem him dressed so casually, and it changed his entire aura from uptight prick to sex god. “Hi. Wow. You look different.”
He strolled toward her, smiling. “Different good, or different bad?”
“Good. Very good.” Oh, shut up already. You sound like a lovesick teen.
“Come with me. I have something you can wear and a place for you to wash up if you want. But don’t take too long. Alena went out of her way with breakfast.”
“It smells incredible.” She followed him across the hall to another bedroom, where he pointed. “In that bathroom you’ll find hair and skin care products. In the closet are clothes that will fit you.”
“Pardon me for saying so, but that’s a little creepy.”
His laugh was easy and carefree. What the hell had happened while she’d slept? Had aliens taken the real Ace and replaced him with this lookalike? “I can understand why it would look that way, but over the years I’ve learned it’s best to be prepared for anything.”
His words brought back the reality of her situation, so she thanked him again and retreated into the bathroom. He told her he’d be waiting downstairs, and once she heard him leave the room, she sat on the edge of the tub and let her thoughts run wild.
Last night had been the most erotic and decadent of her entire life. But it would never have happened if she hadn’t been drunk and helped Traci hack into Ace’s personal accounts. All his lovely words had seduced her mind as well as her body, but why had he never tried anything before? Was it the thrill of having something to hold over her head? What else could explain it?
And had he meant all the compliments and reassurances, or were they part of the act? What would happen Monday morning at work? Would he reinstate her now on the top floor, or was she stuck hacking for a living until he decided she had worked off this debt?
Harper washed her face, brushed her teeth with a brand new toothbrush she took out of its package, and then took a very quick shower with the finest hair care and bath products money could buy. While that helped her feel better physically, she now felt used and cheap emotionally. This was nothing more than a business arrangement. And it was her own fault that she’d built it up into something else last night.
Well, all right. Maybe not entirely my fault. Ace was a master at seduction. That much was now crystal clear to her. He’d said all the right things, kissed her in all the right places, and plied her with wine, strawberries, and the reassurance that her ass wasn’t fat but instead “perfect”. Right. And that means what, exactly? Nothing.
When he’d had enough of her, it would be over and he’d move onto the next one.
He and his creepy friends did this all the time. She’d heard others at work use the name the Weathermen before, but had never made the connection. She’d always assumed they referred to the newscasters, or even the Storm Troopers. She didn’t know there were others just like Ace, doing the same things, all over the planet. How bizarre was that?
She had, however, known that he was like this. That he seduced women until he grew tired of them, or until something ended the relationship, and then he moved on. But he also had a way of making her feel like there was no one else on the planet he’d rather be with. Was he seeing other women right now? And how long would it take her to pay off this debt?
Harper put on a pair of jeans and a pretty summer top that she knew had cost a fortune. There were even really cute boots that fit her, so she wore those, too. And of course the underwear was designer. At least she’d get some great clothes out of this.
Unless he made her give them back when all this was over.
When she joined him downstairs, he smiled and rose, only taking his seat again once she took hers. “Dig in. And there’s plenty of coffee.”
“Are they close enough to hear us? Alena and Jasper?”
He frowned. “No. Why?”
“I have questions.”
“All right.” The clipped, hard voice was back. “But at least eat first. And have some coffee. Don’t know about you, but I think better with it.”
He shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth, but Harper didn’t want to be lulled into an easy, carefree state by the same charm and perfect manners as last night. She wasn’t eating or drinking a damn thing until she knew exactly where she stood. “Are you seeing other women at the same time as all this? Whatever this is with me?”
“What?” He glanced up, confusing filing his face. “You mean while we have this arrangement?”
“Yes.”
“No. I don’t do that. I see one woman at a time.”
“Until you grow tired of them.”
He sighed out loud and put down his fork. His eyes were cold now, and she fought the urge to cry. “Until something happens to end it, Harper. Okay? I told you I don’t do the happily ever after thing. It will end one day, when I say it’s done. That’s part of our arrangement, and you agreed to the terms last night.”
“You also said it’s about more than sex.”
“It is. Did I mistreat you last night?”
“No.”
“Did I leave you high and dry this morning, and send you home without so much as offering you something to eat?”
“No.”
“Did I say or do anything last night that made you feel as if you were nothing more than a body for me to enjoy, despite the fact that you owe me big time?”
She had to blink back tears now, and he would see that. That realization angered her more than his words, which were all true. She couldn’t argue one point he’d just made. “All right. No, you didn’t. You were … you were very romantic.” There. She’d said it. Fuck him if he didn’t like that word.
“I prefer gentlemanly. Just because we have an arrangement doesn’t mean I’m going to treat you like a prostitute. Is that what you want? Would it make this easier for you?”
“Of course not.” She wished now that she’d never told him she felt guilty for assuming things about him. She was even more confused this morning than she’d been last night.
He hesitated a second or two, and an emotion she couldn’t quite decipher passed across his features. “Then why don’t we both simply make the best of it, all right? We enjoyed each other last night. Immensely. Do you deny that?” His voice was softer now, less arrogant.
“No. We did have a great time.”
“And it’s not over. Not even close. Why isn’t that enough for you?” He gestured toward her very pretty and expensive top. “You’ve probably never bought yourself anything like that, have you?”
“I don’t care about designer clothes, Ace.”
“What do you care about? What do you want out of this?”
The question hung there in the air, mocking her. She had no fucking clue. To tell him she didn’t want to be at his beck and call, or have sex with him when he wanted, how he wanted, was a damn lie. She did want that. Even now, as conflicted as she was, the image of him fucking her again sent wetness to her sore pussy.
She could tell him she didn’t want to work as a hacker, but she didn’t think he was ready to restore her to her former position. And, after hearing him explain what he and his friends were trying to do, she also realized he hadn’t placed her there to punish her. Not completely, anyway. He honestly thought she could help in his quest.
It was noble of him and his friends. Did anyone know how much money they must have poured into this venture? But why did he and his cronies also have to be such selfish pricks?
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I’m confused about what I want, Ace.” That was the plain and simple truth.
He nodded. “Fair enough. When you figure it out, let’s talk about it. Okay?”
“Okay.” Once again, his answer surprised the hell out of her.
“But for now, let’s eat.”
****
Ace felt completely out of sorts after breakfast. This had never been so damn difficult before. Sure, he’d had his share of lovers who had wanted more than he’d been willing to give, but it usually happened further along. When they moved a few personal items into his bathroom and started making plans for their future together. Or after they started dropping hints about wanting to redecorate certain rooms in the apartment and he told them that was off limits. Things like that. He’d never felt this way after one night.
Well, perhaps that wasn’t entirely true. But when that had occurred, he’d simply not gone out with the woman again. Or sometimes after one date he’d simply realized the woman was all wrong for him. But that’s not what he felt right now. Harper wasn’t wrong for him at all. She never had been. Why the hell had he never gone out with her before?
Because you’ve always felt more for her than you were comfortable with, that’s why, genius.
It was true. He’d promoted her quickly so she’d work in close proximity to him. He’d gone out of his way to put her on projects and committees that would place her in the same meetings he normally attended, and give him excuses to speak to her throughout the day. And then she’d given him the perfect reason to force her into his bed.
No. It hadn’t been force.
Yes, it had been. At least, at first it had been. But not physical force. More like threats.
Call it what it is, Arturo. You gave her two choices. Your bed, or jail and no job.
He was a giant shit. Why had he done this? Why hadn’t he simply asked her out? As soon as the thought formed, he knew why. Because then he’d have had to deal with this. The realization that this was something new for him. Something different. Emotions he’d never felt before, and a longing he wasn’t used to. Blackmailing her into this hadn’t changed anything other than the reason she was here to begin with.
And it gave her a reason to hate him. That was the worst part. Last night, she’d looked at him with awe and respect. She’d told him how guilty she felt for having misjudged him. But this morning, as she finished her breakfast and sipped the last of the coffee in her cup, she had gazed at him over her lashes with uncertainty and one step shy of anger. She was confused, and he understood why.
Even though they both knew what she’d done was wrong, criminal even, what he’d done in response still wasn’t justified. He’d taken advantage of the situation. What had seemed like the right and fair thing to do in order to avenge his invasion of privacy now felt like a sleazy way to seduce a pretty girl.
Damn it all to hell and back!
He didn’t like feeling this way. He’d never felt this way, and Ace didn’t know how to deal with it.
“Thank y
ou for breakfast.”
Her wary tone of voice snapped him out of his reverie. “You’re welcome. What would you like to do today?”
She stared at him as if she hadn’t understood the question.
“Okay. Let’s try this. What do you usually do on Saturdays?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Clean, shop for groceries, go online to read the news or watch a movie.”
It hadn’t occurred to him before now how lonely she must be. Based on what she’d told him last night, she didn’t date, as he’d assumed she did. Everything about her would have set off warning bells for him before last night. Her age, her inexperience, and her almost solitary life. But instead of making him want to run for the hills, he had this overwhelming urge to shelter and protect her. He wanted to show her things she’d likely never seen, and teach her new, decadent ways to have fun in bed.
He didn’t date women like Harper. He’d never dated women like Harper. The first few women he’d made love to had been far more experienced than he was, and he’d sought them out for that very reason. He wanted to learn from others who had been there and done that. And from that point on, he hadn’t made love to women as inexperienced as she was.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. She owed him a debt. This was meant to be an arrangement that suited him, not her. He’d wanted to watch her squirm, and he’d wanted her to fight him on this. She’d done that last night at first, but it hadn’t had the emotional effect on him he’d hoped for. Instead of making him feel superior and vindicated for having had his privacy invaded, it had only made him feel like a pig.
And now this morning, she looked completely out of her element. That’s where he’d wanted her. But instead of satisfaction at her mental state, he only wanted to erase it for her. This was all wrong. What the hell was going on with him? What was it about this woman that had just turned his entire world upside down in one night?
