“You need help, Chase,” I said, handing the gun over to the cops. “You were going to kill two innocent girls. I couldn’t let you do that.”
Chase shook his head, the betrayal in his eyes now replaced with pure hatred. “You chose some piece of ass over me? Fuck you, Pierce.”
And then he was gone.
Pierce held his hands over my eyes, and I couldn’t stop smiling so big my cheeks hurt. For weeks he’d been talking about some big surprise, but I had no clue what it was. He’d been so attentive lately. So loving. At first, he’d closed himself off after Chase got hauled away. It was only until after he was sure his brother was finally getting the treatment he needed at a private mental facility that he started opening up to me again.
I hadn’t wanted to push him. I’d known how hard it had been for him to turn his younger brother in, and when he’d finally felt like he could open up again, it had been more than I could have dreamed. We spent almost every night together now, and lately, he’d been talking about me moving in on a more permanent basis. Pierce and I had turned out to be more than a one-night stand after all.
And I couldn’t wait to see what he had in store for me now.
“Okay,” he said, his lips tickling my ear. “You can open your eyes now.”
When I opened them, I gasped. He’d turned the rooftop of his apartment building into our own private restaurant. Rose petals littered the ground where a dark rug had been spread across the tarmac. A small round table sat in the middle of it all with a champagne bucket by its side. There was even a waiter. He stood there with a white cloth over his arm, smiling at us and gesturing toward the chairs.
“What do you think?” Pierce asked, leaning over my shoulder to drop a kiss on my forehead.
“It’s beautiful, Pierce,” I said, twisting to face him.
He smiled. “Three months ago today, I walked into a private investigator’s office and saw the most beautiful woman in the world. She’s changed my life, and I wanted to show her just how glad I am that I decided to walk into that office on that day. If I hadn’t, I’d still be that cold and lonely man I was before I met her.”
“Pierce.” I shook my head and smiled, reaching up to wrap my arms around his neck. My heart thumped hard, my whole chest full with the emotion of his words. Despite how much he’d opened up to me in the past couple of months, he’d never spoken to me this way. It was as if he was finally presenting all of himself to me, a different man than he’d been before that day we met.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s sit on this rooftop with a perfect view of the city, drinking champagne together. I have some food coming, too.”
“Okay.” I smiled and followed him to the table. The waiter pulled out my chair, and I settled across from Pierce. He gazed at me, his eyes dancing with the flickering flame of the candlelight. I never thought Pierce would be capable of something like this. It was so perfect, so much like something out of a romance movie, so unlike him.
“What are you thinking?” he asked as the waiter poured champagne into our glasses.
I shrugged and glanced around me, drinking in the cityscape. The buildings rose high all around us, twinkling with their bright lights. “It’s beautiful here. Thank you, Pierce.”
Pierce twitched his hand at the waiter, who leaned down toward his ear. He whispered something to him, and the man gave a nod. A moment later, he disappeared off the rooftop, leaving the two of us staring across the table at each other, the candle flickering between us.
“Come here,” he said, setting his glass on the table. “There’s something I want to tell you.”
Swallowing hard, I stood and moved to his side of the table. He pulled me onto his lap, spreading my legs so that I straddled him. I only wore a short little dress, and it rode up my thighs, my butt exposed. He ran his hands along my skin, smiling when he realized I had no panties on underneath.
“Emma,” he whispered, leaning forward to drop a hot kiss on my lips. “I know we met under some less than optimal conditions, but you’ve been the best thing to ever happen to me. I want a future with you. I want you to move into my place.” He took a deep breath and met my eyes. “I love you.”
My heart skipped a beat, and my whole body felt as light as the air around us. “I love you, too.”
“Oh, Emma.” He kissed me hard, his hands tightening on my ass. “So, is that a yes? You’ll move in with me?”
“Of course I will.” I moaned as his kiss grew deeper and the hardness of his cock pressed against my aching thighs. “I want to be with you.”
“I want you to be mine, Emma.” He unzipped his pants and slid his thick length into my wetness. “Say you’ll be mine. Forever. Never leave me.”
“I’ll be yours forever,” I gasped as he filled me up. The skyscrapers surrounding us were like stars, twinkling from above. For the first time since I’d arrived in the city, I felt like I was meant to be here. I’d found my place, here in Pierce’s strong arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck and moved against him, our tempo perfectly in sync.
I never wanted this moment to end. I wanted to stay like this forever, giving all of myself to Pierce while he gave all of himself to me. An emotion I’d never felt filled my heart as he made love to me on the rooftop, his lips pressed against my cheek and his arms holding me close to his chest. Whispers of love came from his mouth, words I’d always longed to hear. And coming from this man, they meant more to me than they ever possibly could.
When he’d walked into Max’s office, powerful and strong and fierce, I’d never thought that moment would lead to this. Pierce had opened himself to me in a way he’d never opened himself to anyone. And now we were here, in each other’s arms, our love flowing freely between us. As we both came, it no longer felt as if we were two separate people living two separate lives. I was no longer just Emma, and he was no longer just Pierce. We were one.
**** End of Deadly Desire ****
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Body of Proof
Copyright © 2015 Audrey Alexander
Jace Holt watched the pair of pouty pink lips as he took another sip of his gin and tonic, his ears tuned more into the bland pop music playing on the blonde’s stereo than on the words spilling from her pretty mouth. He’d gone out this fine Manhattan evening to finally score some scintillating and alluring company, and he’d thought he’d found it in the sweet girl sipping martinis at his favorite cocktail bar. But instead of feeling aroused, he was bored.
“What do you think?” she asked, leaning forward and placing a manicured hand on his knee. Under normal circumstances, he would have grabbed that hand and twisted it over her head, but he felt no desire to do such a thing tonight.
He blinked and gave her the faux-smile he tended to dole out during endless business meetings. “I don’t believe I’m following.”
She frowned, not even the hint of a wrinkle crinkling her forehead. She’s too young, Jace thought. That was his problem. Looking at her now, it was clear. She’d seemed so mature at the bar, but here at home in her tiny studio apartment, she came across much too innocent and worry-free. New to the city, probably. Most likely hoping to end up on Broadway like many of the other young transplants from places like Tennessee or Kansas or whatever state they came from.
He realized he knew nothing about her. I should probably ask, he thought. Instead, he noticed she was staring at him again, narrowing her eyes and pouting those full lips that would have usually done more to keep his attention. He’d stopped listening to her again.
“Beyonce,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I was asking what you think about Beyonce. Clearly not much.”
“I have to admit, I’ve never thought enough about Beyonce to form an opinion on her.” He flicked his wrist a
nd glanced at his Rolex. “I’m sorry. I know I must seem distant, but I forgot an important business matter I need to attend to tonight. I need to head back to my hotel.”
Her face fell. “You mean, right now?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” Jace swept up from the couch and buttoned his suit jacket. The blonde stood slowly and watched as he took one last swig of his gin and tonic. At least she made a good drink. He had to give her that. If only she were a tad more his type, he might stay and see what she had hidden under that tight little black dress. As it were, he just didn’t feel that spark he’d been looking for recently. Someone with a mind, someone with opinions, someone like…well, he couldn’t let himself go there. She was off-limits, and it was no sense comparing every girl he met to her.
Of course, did he really need someone interesting for a one-night stand? His eyes flicked over the blonde beauty, and he felt no arousal at all. No, he just couldn’t do it. Not tonight.
He gave the girl a quick kiss on the cheek and struggled to retrieve her name from his alcohol-addled brain. He’d had a few too many gins tonight. Madison, that was it. “Goodnight, Madison. It was nice meeting you.”
“Nice meeting you, too.” She slammed the door behind him, and he swore he heard her grumble “asshole” under her breath.
Funny, he usually got called an asshole for sleeping with women, not for leaving them home innocent and free from his telltale marks.
He smirked. I just can’t win, can I?
Jace headed outside and made his way back to his uptown penthouse, opting to walk the ten blocks rather than hail down a cab or call for his usual driver. It was a crisp night in Manhattan, and the cool air helped clear his mind as the familiar sounds of the vibrant city settled over him. He really didn’t know what had gotten into him lately. If he were looking for a wife, it would make sense. But he was Jace Holt—hotel tycoon, billionaire, and one of the most eligible bachelors in the five boroughs.
He could have any woman he wanted.
Except for one, he reminded himself. Shaking his head, he swiped his keycard at the back door of The Grand Rizzato, one of his many hotels. It was his preferred method of arriving home. Despite his very public life, he didn’t like the world knowing his every move. For the past few weeks, the paparazzi had been camping outside the front revolving doors to try and catch him out in some sort of scandal again. Ever since he’d slept with the daughter of his biggest rival last year, real estate developer Anders Holland, every photographer in the city had come out of the woodwork, hounding him down to find some new dirt.
He sighed and closed his eyes as his private elevator chugged up to the top floor. Maybe it was for the best anyway. He could have one last drink by the fire while reading the briefs for tomorrow’s meeting with the developers. He’d have more time for a fling when work wasn’t so busy.
When the elevator slid to a stop, Jace strode down the short hallway to his penthouse door and pressed the keycard against the lock. The door clicked open, and he stepped inside the loft, the glittering lights of the city sparkling through his floor-to-ceiling windows, highlighting the sleek black furniture and smooth stone walls.
He’d have to do a better job when scouting for his next fling. She needed to be smart, capable, strong. But not too strong. He liked them to bend to his commands, yet still be capable of having a mind of their own. It was just too damn hard to find a girl like that these days.
Something slick caught Jace’s eye as he slid his suit jacket from his shoulders. A dark splotch of red beside his marble kitchen island. Frowning, he glanced around the silent penthouse. He didn’t remember opening a glass of red recently, and even if he had, Priscilla usually took care of that kind of thing when he was out for the evening.
He took two steps closer to the kitchen island and sucked in a sharp breath when a pair of shoes shifted into view. A pair of shoes that also happened to be connected to a body stretched across his tiled kitchen floor, with arms and legs splayed in every direction.
Jace stayed silent as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. He peered at the lifeless body before him, his hands clenching by his sides. Jace didn’t quite understand what had happened here tonight. All he knew was that there was a dead man on his floor, and the blood seeping from the body’s head was a clear sign his death couldn’t have happened that long ago.
Jace took another step closer, and his shoe crunched on glass. Frowning, he crouched to see the man’s face. And when the view became clear, he almost had to recoil from the shock of it.
The dead man on his floor was his biggest rival, Anders Holland.
Carrie Simmons curled up on the couch next to her purring cat, Coco, as she read over the case notes. Things had been amping up lately at the firm, and she knew if she nailed the next few cases, she could make partner. Lately, rumors had been circling that several of the senior associates were being considered, Carrie included, and she was determined to do whatever it took to succeed. Even if that meant staying up late to pore over her notes every night before bed.
She rolled back her shoulders and got to work, but just as soon as her mind settled on the words on her laptop, her cellphone buzzed. Frowning, she set aside her laptop and reached for her phone. She usually didn’t get calls this late. It was well past midnight after all. When she saw the caller’s name on the display, her frown deepened. Why would Jace be calling her at this time of night? She hoped nothing had happened to someone in the family.
“Jace?” she answered the phone, her voice slightly hitched. Carrie wasn’t usually the kind of girl to let anyone see or hear her flustered, but she couldn’t stop the worry from creeping into her mind. And besides, Jace wasn’t just anyone. He never had been, even before their parents had gotten married.
“Carrie, I need your help.” His voice sounded low and strained, and she jerked up from the couch, startling Coco who let out a yelp. “Something’s happened.”
“What do you mean something’s happened?” She turned the volume down on her stereo to better hear his words. He was talking so quietly she could barely understand anything he said. “Is my mother okay? Is it my grandparents?”
“This has nothing to do with the family.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t think I should explain it to you over the phone. Come over to my place so I can show you.”
“Come over to your place? In the middle of the night?” Carrie swallowed and stared down at her hardwood floor. She hadn’t been alone with Jace in years. Not since their parents had been married, and they’d thrown up an emotional wall to block everything between them. “Jace, do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“Will you come over here?” Jace’s voice was strained, and her heart skipped a beat at how raw it sounded. “I wouldn’t have called you if you weren’t the only person who could help me with this. Don’t make me ask again.”
Breath seeped out from between Carrie’s lips, and she found herself nodding her head. She didn’t understand what was happening, but she knew that Jace wouldn’t ask her like this if it wasn’t important. He was the charming, suave, Upper East Side billionaire everyone either wanted to be or wanted to be sleeping with. Nothing ever fazed him. He didn’t ask anyone to do a damn thing. Until now.
“Okay, give me fifteen minutes, and I’ll be over.”
“Oh, and Carrie?” he said. “Come in through the back.”
Carrie’s stomach curled into tight knots. “Why?”
“Just trust me on this one. Come in through the back.”
It only took Carrie five minutes to swap her flannel pajamas for a pair of boyfriend jeans and a maroon sweater. She’d thought about wearing her usual go-to clothes: a skirt suit and heels. But then she thought better of it. Even though she rarely left the house in anything but a professional suit, all she was doing was going to Jace’s hotel to help him with…something.
Whatever that something was had her palms slick. Or maybe that was just the idea of being alone with Jace in his swanky penthouse.
&n
bsp; The five-star hotel on Fifth Avenue was only a few blocks away from Carrie’s own Upper East Side apartment, and when she reached the front archway of The Grand Rizzato, she swept past the line of limos idling outside the row of revolving glass doors and edged around the corner. It made her feel a little like a thief or a spy, especially when she reached an unmarked doorway devoid of a handle or even a lock. The only sign it actually led anywhere was the blinking security panel on the right.
She gave a quick knock on the door. A moment later, a buzz erupted into the night, and the door swung open. Steeling herself against the man she was about to see, she took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Jace Holt stood in a thin hallway, his rugged face pale and pulled down in a deep frown. The top few buttons of his shirt were undone, and it took all of Carrie’s control to keep her eyes from trailing down to what his open shirt would surely reveal. Jace had always been handsome, even in college when he’d been as skinny as a Manhattan lamp post. But as he’d aged and gotten more serious about his physique, his muscles had filled out in all the right places, and his face had become more defined. When she looked at him now, she couldn’t see the baby-faced freshmen she’d met at eighteen, not with his chiseled jaw covered in just the right amount of scruff.
The sight of him almost left her weak in the knees.
“Thanks for coming, Carrie,” he said, motioning for her to lead the way to his private elevator. That was one thing about him that hadn’t changed. He’d always been a gentleman, though a commanding one, a rarity amongst all the guys she’d met back in college.
“When are you going to tell me what this is about?” she asked, her sneakers squeaking as she slid into the pristine elevator.
“It’s upstairs in my penthouse.” He pushed the button, and the elevator doors whizzed shut. Carrie risked a glance at Jace’s face to try and get a better read on his emotions. He was acting so cagey, so ruffled, so spooked. She’d never seen him like this before.
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