Three Dirty Secrets (Blindfold Club #4)

by Nikki Sloane

  Her blonde hair shimmered when she shook her head. “It’s the name of the company.”

  “No, Noemi, you misunderstand. You can keep your maiden name at the office or use a hyphen.”

  “You’ll give me a hyphen?” she teased, although she may have been serious. Her nervous voice made it difficult to tell.

  “If that’s what you need, of course. I’ll give you whatever you want.”

  She sucked in an enormous breath. “Then give me the fucking ring.”

  He grinned widely. “Telling me what to do? Do I need to correct this behavior?”

  “Joseph,” she whined. She held her shaky left hand out to him, eager for the ring to find its home. He pulled it free from the box, snagged her hand in his, and slipped the ring on her third finger.

  “When we met, I was living by the phrase ‘nothing lasts forever,’ but I was wrong. This lasts forever.” He held up her hand, giving her a better look at the ring. “Do you like it?”

  “I love it.” She shook off his hold, threaded her fingers through his dark hair, and yanked him up into her kiss.

  Witnessing this monumental turning point in their relationship made the earth tilt under my feet. The power knocked me back and I latched a hand on the table to steady myself. A force drove my gaze to Silas, who was busy snapping pictures, documenting Joseph’s proposal. I’d expected the evening to be about lust and sex, not love and romance.

  I wanted to storm over to Silas, to rip the camera from his hands, and demand he kiss me with the same passion the newly engaged couple had. They’d inflicted all these feelings on me. I was so out of my league and drowning in emotions for the first time in a long while.

  When Joseph and Noemi’s frantic kiss finally concluded, she stared at her hand on his chest, looking at her new ring much like she was in shock.

  “It’s beautiful,” she commented softly.

  He kissed her forehead and turned to Silas. “Did you get some good ones?”

  The camera lowered to his side. “Yeah, definitely.”

  “Great.”

  Noemi’s fingers tangled behind Joseph’s head. “This was why you were acting so weird on the drive over.”

  Joseph’s hands settled on her waist. “I thought you’d find the box in my pocket when you couldn’t keep your hands to yourself.”

  She gave a sheepish grin. “I’m not responsible for what happens when you wear this suit.”

  “Control yourself a little longer. We’re meeting your father and Claudia for dinner.”

  “We are?” She straightened and her expression fell.

  “I promised him. He said he wants to celebrate, but I’m fully expecting to be presented with a lengthy pre-nup. There might even be a team of lawyers waiting for us.”

  She sighed, but her focus went back to the ring. “These pictures were supposed to be your birthday present.”

  “They are. Now I have the moment you said yes forever.”

  Joseph and Noemi didn’t stay long after that. Silas took a few portrait shots, and then they were off, leaving Silas and me alone in the studio. The dirtiest side of me was disappointed I hadn’t gotten to see Joseph and Noemi play. I was wound tight as a spring, ready to snap. There was a throbbing ache between Silas and me. Could he feel it as strongly as I did?

  “I’m happy for them,” I whispered, unsure what to say.

  “Yeah.” Silas set his camera down on the desk and hooked his fingers in his belt loops, like he wanted to occupy his hands. “Me too.”

  His gaze locked on, sucking me in like a tractor beam. I should run before things got worse, but who was I kidding? It was already too late. I took a step toward him. Then another. All he did was stand there and wait. Flexing his power over me without doing a goddamn thing.

  His broad shoulders lifted in a deep breath as I moved closer. And closer. I took his reaction to my proximity as a tiny victory. At least I wasn’t the only one whose heart was threatening to beat out of their chest.

  My feet shuffled the final two steps until there was no space left between us.

  “Hi,” he whispered.

  “Hey,” I whispered back.

  I shut down my hesitant or nervous thoughts, and did only what I wanted. My hand slipped up his chest and curled around the back of his thick neck, and I lifted up to slant my lips on his.

  The kiss rivaled Joseph and Noemi’s somehow. I felt it all the way down to my toes when his soft, wet tongue tentatively slid over mine, asking for more. I loved the way he held me as he kissed. Trapping me as if he worried I’d bolt any moment, although that wasn’t an issue.

  I was greedy. My fingers burrowed beneath his t-shirt and walked over the smooth and hardened plain of his chest. The kiss deepened layer after layer, but in the pit of my stomach guilt balled into a stone and weighed me down. At every turn with Silas I’d drawn a line in the sand and then immediately stepped right over it.

  I could not fall in love with him. Not while I was lying.

  So I set my hands on his chest and eased him back, pasting a smile that covered the turmoil I felt beneath.

  “We should work out together,” I said, stepping out of his embrace. I needed distance ASAP. “I could spot you,” I joked.

  I’d swear I could hear the train wheels coming to a screeching halt on Silas’s seduction. “Get back over here, I wasn’t finished.”

  I was unstable around the romance, but when he shifted into lust, I was back in my element. “I don’t like being bossed around.”

  “I remember.” He grinned. “Don’t care.”

  It was such a lie. His actions and the way he looked at me said exactly how much he did care about me. My hands went to the bottom of my shirt and lifted it, casting it aside.

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  I ignored him and toed off my shoes. I undid the fly of my pants and pulled them down my legs so I could step out of them.

  Silas’s gaze hooded. “What happened to your underwear?”

  “It’s laundry day.” I reach behind and freed myself from the bra, so I stood before him completely naked. He’d seen me this way plenty of times, but his gaze . . . He’d told me he loved to look at beautiful things, and he always made me feel beautiful.

  I stalked back his direction, setting my hand right on the bulge that was swelling in his jeans, stroking firmly. As he leaned down to kiss me, I darted away and thudded to my knees.

  He didn’t stop me when I undid his pants. I stared up at him with hungry eyes, and was met with the same expression. I clasped his jeans and boxers and tugged them down over his hips, wadding them at his ankles.

  “Let’s make a deal,” I said, gripping his cock. I slipped him in my mouth, and he groaned when my tongue massaged.

  “Yes, whatever it is.” He said it on a low, hurried voice and his eyes fell shut.

  I pulled off of him. “Whichever of us is the first one naked in your bed gets to be in charge tonight.”

  “What?” His eyes popped open.

  I bolted to my feet and dashed for the stairs. When I hit the first step, I heard him moving swiftly and stumbling with the jeans around his ankles. He’d never catch up to me, and even if he did, I was ahead of him in the narrow stairway so he couldn’t get by. I pounded up the steps, skidded through his messy kitchen, and dove into his unmade bed.

  The sheets smelled like his deodorant and cologne, all woodsy and manly. I snuggled into them, draping my body, and waited as he plodded up the stairs. He took his time. Sore loser? I chuckled to myself.

  He came into view wearing an annoyed expression, and his pants were still undone. “You cheated, mouth raper.”

  “Don’t be mad at me. You’re the one who agreed without hearing terms. Take off your shirt.”

  Would he play along? It didn’t seem so. He went to the radio and flipped it on. More emo music. It tinkered softly, all filled with angst and acoustic guitar.

  Silas reached behind his back and tugged his shirt off. It dropped to the floor
and he stared at me expectantly. Awaiting my next command.

  I grew giddy in an instant. “Your pants. I want you naked right fucking now.”

  Shit, his forearms were sexy. Watching the muscles subtly flex while he slid his jeans and boxers down his legs was an impressive show. He stood naked beside the bed, staring down at me, and his hand went to his erection.

  “I didn’t give you permission to do that.” My tone was strict. I held the sheet pressed to cover my breasts, sat up on the mattress, and pushed his hand away. “You need to ask.”

  He actually grimaced, like the simple concept was painful to him. Maybe it was. I knew I’d be gritting the question out if the roles were reversed, which they usually were.

  “Can I touch myself?” His voice was tight.

  “Yes.” How far would he let me push? “Get on your knees.”

  He sighed, but did what I asked. The power I held had blood humming through my body, but it wasn’t quite the same as when I’d been with Tara. Silas’s reluctant submission wasn’t a complete exchange of power.

  The bed was low. I flung the sheet aside and moved to the edge by him, opening my legs wide. “Eat this pussy.”

  This was an order he clearly did not mind.

  He lunged forward, attacking my clit with his mouth. I instructed him the whole time, not that he needed guidance, but I wanted to feel like I was in control. I’d say, more pressure, or suck right there. I flopped onto my back and set my feet on his shoulders, trying not to come too soon so I could prolong this experience.

  “I need another finger,” I gasped. I was closing in on my climax, and I was sure he knew. He’d learned all the signs my body gave before he brought me to orgasm. He’d become incredible at it.

  His hand moved up to grab one of my breasts and I slapped it away. It was the final straw, apparently. The hot mouth on my pussy was gone, and as soon as it registered his cock was there, Silas slammed deep into me, all the way to the root.

  My mouth opened, but his hand slapped over it, silencing me. His expression was wild, like a man pushed to the brink. He looked dangerous, and fucking gorgeous.

  “I couldn’t wait any longer,” he muttered. “Deal with it.”

  Beneath his palm, I smiled. I’d met my match in Silas, hadn’t I?

  Julius and I had been watching Taylor and her client on the monitor for more than two hours. This guy had serious stamina.

  I turned in my chair to glance at my boss. “At this point, is she even enjoying it anymore?”

  “Guy’s getting his money’s worth.”

  And I’d gotten the client to agree to eight. On screen, the guy’s posture went stiff and he jerked, coming violently. I watched relief shimmer through Julius.

  “About fucking time,” he muttered under his breath and pressed the button for his comm. “Marquis, you’re up.” When I went to stand, Julius put a hand out and stopped me. “I gotta talk to you about something. Come see me when you’re done.”

  For one tiny moment, I panicked and worried I’d been made, but it faded instantly. There’s no way I would have sat beside him for two hours if he knew who I was. Honestly, I had no idea how Julius would react if he found out. He was a sweetheart underneath that impressive, intimidating package. I should be worried about him breaking my face, but I worried more about my lie breaking his heart.

  But whatever it was, it had to be important. Julius had decided to wait until the client wouldn’t be a distraction for either one of us. We watched the man dress and leave, and as Marquis escorted him to the payment room, I made my way down to help Taylor. She sighed as I undid her straps and then began to rub her shoulders.

  “Oh my God, Regan, that feels like heaven.”

  “If I see him again, I’ll tell him there needs to be a halftime break.”

  She let me rub her shoulders and arms for another minute, and I used the time to wonder what Julius was going to say. Was this the conversation where he asked me to get on the table if I wanted to keep working here? If so, this would be my last night at the club.

  When we were done and I was once again seated in Julius’s office, he set his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers together.

  “I got a call yesterday. A guy said you gave him your card at some art show.”

  Holy shit, yes. “Yeah, I did. Is he interested in coming by?”

  Julius’s expression was . . . weird. It was dimly lit in the office and with the flickering screens, it cast an eerie glow in the room. “Guess it depends on you, girl.”

  It set me on edge. “How’s that?”

  “I told him what we do here and he was all about it, till he found out you’re not one of the girls he can buy.”

  Shit. My hands instinctively clenched into fists. “Are you saying he won’t come in if I’m not on the table?”

  “He’s got a real hard-on for you. Only you.”

  My mouth went dry and I shook my head. “No. No way.”

  “You sure, girl? Guy who wants it that bad is gonna pay big money. Since it’d be your first, I’d only take ten percent.”

  My gaze dropped to my knees as I processed what I’d just been told.

  Fucking Roland. I’d come so close to what I wanted, and now it was unreachable. I was angry at the situation, and spat it out like fire. “I have a boyfriend.”

  Julius put his hands up in surrender and flashed a pleasant smile. “Just giving you options. Lemme know if you reconsider. You don’t need to audition,” he added, looking somewhat uncomfortable. “You’re like family. You didn’t get stage fright with Tara and the client last month.”

  No, I hadn’t. I also didn’t mention the client was now my current boyfriend, the one who I had powerfully strong feelings about.

  You’re like family, Julius had said. The guilt crashed into me and I was sick to my stomach. Walking away from this assignment wasn’t really an option anymore. The other major sting my office had been running just ended in a catastrophe of epic proportions, and sent people scrambling to defend this op. It was unspoken, but if I walked, I’d be letting down a number of my fellow agents. Jobs could be in jeopardy, not just Shane’s and mine.

  “I doubt I’ll reconsider, but thanks for letting me know.”

  He nodded, resigned. “Okay, see you tomorrow.” His expression brightened. “It’s gonna be a helluva party.”

  Chapter

  TWENTY

  Glasses clinked as they were tapped with cutlery from somewhere across the large ballroom, and the noise swelled as more tables joined in. The Japanese couple sitting across from me looked bewildered.

  A smile broke on my face. “Will you tell them it’s a custom?” I said to the couple’s hired translator. “The bride and groom are supposed to kiss.”

  I couldn’t hear much of my words repeated into Japanese over the sound, but the couple turned to glance at the head table and watched as Dominic leaned down and kissed his new wife on the lips.

  Payton looked exquisite. She’d worn an elegant and understated floor length dress for the ceremony, and had changed into a short party dress that was all cutout lace with a slit down the front of the bodice. It was conservative for her, but still sexy and cute.

  The wedding had been quick but beautiful. I hadn’t seen Dominic since my fake negotiations a year ago. I thought he’d been attractive then. Today, in a tuxedo and blushing at the altar while waiting for his bride, he was all of that and then some. Their chemistry was palpable.

  The chemistry of our table at the reception was a different story. Across from me were the Japanese couple, friends of Payton and Dominic’s who’d made their first trip to America to celebrate. Yuriko, the young woman, was shy. I got the feeling that even if she could speak English, she probably wouldn’t. Was it the man beside her who caused this? Akira was an overwhelming presence. His dark, evaluating eyes seemed to miss nothing, and although he wasn’t touching her, I could sense his possession of the stunning woman beside him.

  Welcomed possession, judging
by the diamond necklace she wore high and tight on her neck. Her collar. On the other side of Akira was a male translator who seemed thrilled to be seated beside Tara. She was hard to miss, not just because of her beauty, but the bright orange dress that clung to her curves and showed off her figure.

  I had been worried it would be awkward when Tara grabbed the seat beside me, but she flashed a carefree, friendly smile and her gaze went to Silas as she waited for me to introduce him.

  “This is Silas,” I said.

  He leaned over me and shook Tara’s hand. “Nice to meet you,” he said quickly. I felt comfortable with this, but Silas seemed to struggle.

  She laughed. “I think we’ve already met, but maybe you don’t recognize me with my clothes on.”

  The translator coughed as if he’d swallowed his drink wrong, and Silas’s mouth snapped shut.

  Tara nudged me with an elbow. “I don’t know what your last boyfriend looked like, but shit, you had to have traded up.”

  I couldn’t stop my smile, nor did I want to. “You better fucking believe it.”

  Tara’s gaze drifted past Silas and she nodded a warm hello to Joseph, then turned to the translator and began to shamelessly flirt.

  Noemi was sandwiched between Joseph and her father, and I had to wonder who at this table felt the most awkward. My money was on Mr. Red. Of course I knew his real name was Rosso. He was the wealthiest man in Chicago and a larger-than-life type. The FBI had examined him closely, curious if his enormous media company used blindfold club connections to make shady deals with the FTC, but Rosso had come up clean.

  I’d negotiated dozens of deals with Mr. Red at the club for the woman seated to his left. Claudia. By the time I’d started working there, Mr. Red was her regular, and she was already halfway in love with him.

  He’d swept her off her feet, and she’d done the same back to him. How else could you explain him coming to this wedding? He was a powerful man, but here he seemed on edge and uncomfortable. Maybe it was that he’d slept with the bride. He’d been Payton’s regular before Claudia. Or perhaps it was Joseph’s arm draped around Noemi. Good God, Joseph was poised to be Mr. Red’s son-in-law.