by Smoke, Lucy
I sighed when I realized Lizzie had yet to say anything more. “Lizzie?”
“I’m still here,” she replied immediately sounding a bit winded.
“Are you okay?” I asked. “What—”
“No!” she snapped, interrupting my next question. “I am not okay. I’m still stuck on the fact that you’re in Australia.”
“What’s wrong with Australia?” I asked a bit defensively. “It’s perfectly nice.”
“Perfectly nice?” she repeated.
“Are you going to copy everything I say for the entire duration of this conversation?” I inquired.
“No, of course not,” she answered, “but you have to admit, I have a right to be shocked. The last time I talked to you, you were supposed to be heading to Key West. I don’t know how bad you are at geography but Key West is most certainly not in Australia.”
I winced before I even spoke—I knew what her reaction would be. “We decided to put off the honeymoon for another week or so,” I said. “We have—”
“You put off your honeymoon?” she snapped. “Someone better be either dead or dying.”
“They very well might be, you don’t know that.”
“Harlow,” she sounded as though she were trying to hold in a mountain of emotions, “just tell me one thing.”
Had she been in front of me, I would have squinted at her in suspicion. “What?” I asked hesitantly.
“Are you getting the dick?”
“Oh my God.” I rolled my eyes heavenward.
“Please, please tell me you’re at least having honeymoon sex even if you’re not having a honeymoon,” she persisted.
I shot a glance over my shoulder at where Bellamy exited the bathroom and then sprawled out on one of the mattresses. I bent my head and whirled to face the sliding glass doors before I hissed a response. “I swear to God,” I started, “you are more obsessed with my sex life than—”
“I’m just trying to make sure you’re taken care of,” she defended, “You’ve got how many husbands? You better be getting some at least five times a week,” she continued. “That’s one man per day. I mean, I’d prefer for—”
“I’m hanging up,” I cut her off. “I just wanted you to know where we were because I know you’ll get pissed if you find out later and I didn’t tell you.”
“You’re damned right I’d be pissed,” she replied without shame. “I’m your best friend.”
“Yes, you are. Now I gotta go.”
“I hope it’s so you can take a trip to bone town!”
I squeaked and jammed my finger against the end call, but it was too late, her last two words had been shrieked into the receiver and had definitely been more than audible. I turned, chancing a glance over my shoulder.
Both Texas and Bellamy had stopped and lifted their heads, turning in my direction. A flush stole over my cheeks, but I shoved down my irrational need to flee somewhere to live out the rest of my life as an embarrassed nun. Damn Lizzie.
Finally, the silence was broken by Bellamy’s deep chuckle. “Come on, Sweetheart,” he said, rolling to his side and straight off the bed, bounding to his feet in one long elegant movement—like a cat falling from a great height, always landing on his feet. “Why don’t we go down to the hotel pool.”
Texas shot him a sharp look and his lower lip stuck out. Unable to help myself, I crossed the room towards him, sliding my arms around his shoulders as I leaned down and pressed a kiss to his lips. He lifted his head willingly, his mouth opening under mine. One hand came up and cupped the back of my head as he held me to him, his tongue seeking entrance that I gave up willingly. Sparks danced between us, and the longer we kissed, the more firmly his hold became.
When I managed to turn my cheek—needing oxygen—I found myself panting. “Go,” I heard Texas say. “Lord knows I can’t get shit done with you here, looking like that.”
I frowned as he released me and I backed away, looking down at my shorts and tank top. “Looking like what?” I asked.
“Edible,” he said, his eyes hot.
My blush took on a whole new meaning, but I nodded anyway and when Bellamy moved to take my hand, I let him. Texas turned back to his computers as Bellamy urged me into the bathroom to change and we headed down to the pool with towels in hand. Surprisingly, there wasn’t a soul around as we climbed into the outdoor swimming pool, adjoined by a small circular jacuzzi hot tub.
“Do you think we’ll be able to find Clarissa’s niece?” I asked after several minutes wading and floating in the crystal clear water. My voice echoed up in the empty space between the two wings of the hotel.
Something slithered by me and I tipped my head up, realizing that Bellamy had come nearer. His arms closed around me, lifting me against his naked torso. I looked up into his face. He considered the question with a peculiar expression, one that was unsure, but enigmatic at the same time.
“We will do the best we can, Sweetheart,” he settled on saying.
I smiled, slipping my arms around his broad shoulders and linking my fingers behind his neck. Above us, twilight settled in an oversaturation of oranges, yellows, and reds. “It’s only five o’clock,” I said absently. “Why is the sun going down?”
“It’s winter here,” he reminded me. “It goes down earlier.”
“It’s weird to think of it as winter,” I replied as he carried me through the water towards the steps leading out of the pool and into the hot tub. “It’s still in the seventies.”
He flashed me an amused grin. “One man’s heat is another man’s cold.”
I pressed my lips together and lifted a brow. “You made that up,” I accused.
His shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Does it make it any less true?” he asked.
Having no reply, I merely rolled my eyes and clenched my limbs as we finally lifted out of the water and my body settled against him—gravity pulling me down as the buoyancy of the water was left behind. I needn’t have bothered though. Bellamy’s hands on me were rock solid as he carried me the short two foot distance up the steps and into the jacuzzi. A breath hissed through my teeth as my skin met with the too-warm water and we sank down. I sighed and snuggled closer and together, we stared up and watched as the sun slowly sank down over the horizon.
I turned when the outside lights came on and started when I realized Bellamy’s eyes were on me. Darkness had fallen over us and the only thing illuminating his face were the blurry yellowed lights in the corners of the outdoor area and the dim underwater bulbs beneath us. They reflected a strangeness in his features that made my breath catch as he lifted one hand out of the water. A finger stroked at the edge of my chest, just over my collarbone and under the string of my bikini.
“Bellamy?” I couldn’t say why I thought it was necessary to whisper when there was no one nearby, but I felt even that was too loud.
“Do you know how precious you are to me?” he asked. Mute, I shook my head. A smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he leaned forward. A shiver stole up my spine as he pressed a chaste kiss to my temple before tilting his head to the side so that his lips rested right before my ear. “Should I show you?”
“What do you want to show me?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
His hand moved up to cup my chin as he pulled his head back. Dark brown eyes glittered with intent. “I want to show you the world,” he said. “I want to lay dragons at your feet.”
“There are no dragons,” I replied.
White teeth flashed in a dark-skinned face. The olive tone of it was shadowed in the lack of light. He leaned forward and nipped my lower lip. I gasped, the sensation so abrupt that it made the entirety of my body arch upward in an automatic movement. “I think there are,” he said, “and I think I’m one of them.”
I mumbled something—though only God knew what it was. I meant for it to be encouragement though, and that intention obviously got through because he squeezed me closer. All I knew was that I had to kiss him. I turned fully, sliding one leg ov
er his lap and anchoring myself up until I was pressed to him—his chest against my breasts. He bared his teeth as I settled on his lap, feeling how hard he was beneath me.
“Harlow…” My name on his lips was a plea, a demand. One I happily wanted to comply with. I let my eyes slide closed as my arms encircled his neck. My fingers sank into the long dark strands gathered together in a hair tie at the base of his neck.
When his lips met mine, they did so gently at first, rubbing with restraint. I didn’t like that. I didn’t want restraint. I wanted him unbound. I fisted the hair tie and tugged it down, tossing it away as I sank my other hand into his hair and held his skull roughly, slanting my mouth over his.
It must have sparked whatever vein of aggression some men had because, in the next instant, Bellamy stood up and slid me across the hot tub until I was seated and he was leaning over me, blocking out everything else. His lips captured mine with intent, his tongue sinking past any perceived resistance and taking.
Wide hands, rough from hard work, slid over my sides, beneath the triangles of fabric of my top. My nipples stiffened despite the heat of the water and beneath my bottoms, I knew the wetness gathering was due to more than just the hot tub. I moaned when strong fingers stroked against the tips of my breasts, and then when a thumb and forefinger latched onto one and pinched down lightly, I jerked. Water sloshed over the side of the small enclosure and my eyes shot open as a gasp left me.
“Harlow…” Bellamy’s voice was gruff, a mere rasp in the darkness. I reached up and yanked him back down to my mouth as my chest arched forward, seeking more of that feeling. My legs scissored beneath the water. My tongue invaded his mouth, tasting him, loving him.
He continued to cup my breast in his palm, toying with my nipple in lazy simple movements that only served to heat my blood even more. I squirmed beneath him. It wasn’t enough. I could have wept with relief when I felt his other hand start to trace a path up my thigh. My legs spread so swiftly that it left him breaking off the kiss and chuckling in amusement.
“Don’t worry, Sweetheart,” he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll take care of you.”
“When?” I demanded.
His chuckles turned into a low laugh. “We’re in public,” he chastised.
I chanced a glance around and then gave him a baleful glare. “There’s no one else here.”
“There are probably cameras,” he said.
“So?” I replied tartly. “It’s not like they’ll be able to see anything.”
His eyes widened and I knew I’d surprised him. In fact, I’d surprised myself. I wasn’t usually so...adventurous. The fire of lust in my veins, however, was certainly entertaining the idea of doing it right here, out in the open, where anyone could walk by and see us. I knew Bellamy would shield me if anyone happened to come by, but the likelihood was low. We hadn’t seen a soul out here since we had arrived.
“Don’t tell me you’re scared?” I challenged softly.
“Oh, Sweetheart.” His gaze was dangerous as it slid over my face. “You could tempt a fucking eunuch.”
“I don’t want to tempt a fucking eunuch.” I repeated his words with a grin. “I want to tempt you. Is it working?”
Another hard kiss jarred me. Our teeth clanked unevenly as the hand on my breast shot up and held my head steady for his onslaught. I opened willingly, moaning as he took control, pressing me back into the tiled wall. “Yes,” he gasped, pulling away after a moment. “God, yes.”
“Good,” I whispered as I reached back and untied the knot holding my top up. I let it fall and relished the fire that grew in his eyes as he leaned forward and took one tender bud into his mouth.
With a sigh, I relaxed into his hold and let one of my hands drift up further into the strands of his hair, playing with them as he sucked my nipple between his teeth and bit down just enough for the pressure to send a shot of lust through my system. I groaned and wiggled against him.
“More,” I begged. “I want more.”
Bellamy reached beneath me and freed himself from the confines of his swim trunks. Strong fingers slid between my thighs, tugging the elastic fabric of my bikini bottoms to the side. His mouth released me as he lifted me up until I hovered a few inches above where his cock stood, tall and proud. And finally—finally—he lowered me down. I sank onto him, tightening as he pushed his way forward, powering into me.
“Bellamy…” I whispered his name as he buried his face in my neck and groaned. The vibrations of the needy sound sent me into overdrive. I clenched my muscles, eliciting another groan from him as I lifted up once more and slowly—oh so slowly—sank back down. I did this again, several times—each time more electric than the last.
I could feel my orgasm coming upon me like a freight train. I didn’t want to stop it. Not when I felt how barely controlled Bellamy was—his muscles shaking beneath me as I slid my hands down letting them rest on his shoulders as I pushed up abruptly and dropped. His lips parted and my mouth sought him out.
He returned the kiss with enthusiasm, gripping me to him as he came undone. My breath caught as I felt it. He jerked inside me and I moaned as he reached down with one hand on my back and the other snaking down my stomach towards the bundle of nerves just above where he was connected with me. He rubbed that place, shooting off sparks in my mind—behind my eyelids as I shut them. A wave of euphoria overtook me. I gasped, shuddered and let him catch me as I slowly fluttered back to Earth.
Panting and satisfied, he chuckled against my skin. “You are far too much, Sweetheart,” he said.
I grinned, pressing a soft kiss to his neck as I turned my head. “I’m never too much for you,” I whispered. Whether he agreed or not was lost, though, because the warmth of the water, combined with the feel of his naked skin against me was enough to lull me to sleep, my head pillowed between his chest and shoulder.
I should have been concerned about someone seeing me, but I wasn’t. I was in Bellamy’s arms and I knew that no matter what, he would take care of me.
Chapter 8
The scratching of pen on paper woke me. It was such an innocent sound—barely louder than someone’s breath and yet the force and speed of it somehow broke its way through my dreams and pulled me up from unconsciousness. I blinked my eyes open and poked my head out from beneath the sheets I was under.
Early morning sunlight streamed in through the sliding glass doors. Texas sat at the hotel desk scratching his pen against a notebook as he looked up to one of his computer screens and then down again. I scanned the room, but it seemed like we were the only two here.
Peeking underneath the covers, I determined that Bellamy had given me one of his shirts to sleep in before he had mysteriously disappeared. I vaguely recalled him carrying me back to the room and him sitting me half up on the bed as he tugged a shirt over my head, though he’d left me in my now damp bikini bottoms.
“What are you doing?” I mumbled as I yawned and stretched.
Texas’ scribbling paused and his head slowly came up. “Hey, you’re awake.” He smiled as I slipped out of the covers and made my way across the room.
I paused at his side and looked down, not quite sure what I was seeing. There were notes, numbers, dates, times, names of places I didn’t recognize, and arrows drawn through the margins. “What is this?” I asked. “Where are the others?”
“Knix found something at Jenna’s office. He called Bellamy to go with him. Marv and—”
“Did they not come back?” I was shocked. Had I not heard them?
“You were out,” Texas said. “Jetlag’s a bitch. The guys came back and caught a couple of hours each before they headed out again.
“Okay, so...you said Bellamy’s with Knix?” I asked, glancing back to the desk.
He nodded, reaching over and closing the notebook as he stood up. “Yup, and now that you’re up, we should probably get ready to meet them.”
I blinked as he took the notebook and moved to the bed furthest away from the ba
lcony, but followed anyway and reached between the mattresses for my bag as I rifled through it and pulled out clothes. I kept him in my sights as I changed, watching as he clicked away on his phone, keeping the notebook at his side.
“I called for a ride,” he said when I finished. “They’re here.”
“Where are we going?” I asked as we headed for the hallway.
“Knix and Bellamy are at Bricker and Stein. We’ll meet them there. They might have found something that can lead to Jenna’s whereabouts.”
I nodded and followed him out of our room, into the elevator, through the lobby, and out onto the streets, where a tinted blue sedan waited on the curb, it’s hazards flashing. We got into the backseat, Texas murmuring instructions as I scooted across to the other side. It wasn’t until we were well on our way that I prompted him about the notebook.
“What’s that?” I asked.
Texas glanced down as I gestured to where it sat in his lap. “I called Bricker and Stein last night while you and Bellamy were down by the pool,”—try as I might, I couldn’t stop the blush from coming to my cheeks, but if he noticed, he didn’t comment—“and they gave me access to security camera footage as well as Jenna’s timecard.”
I cleared my throat. “And they just gave it to you?”
He grinned boyishly. “I might have led them to believe that their home office had hired me as a PI to search for their missing employee. It’s not completely a lie,” he went on when I pursed my lips at him. “We are looking for her.”
“PI?” I said. “How are we going to prove that if we need to?”
“Bellamy actually is a licensed private investigator.”
“He is?” I blinked. “I didn’t know that.”
“Well…” Texas’ smile grew.
I narrowed my eyes on him. “What?” When he didn’t immediately answer me, I reached over and touched the notebook. “Don’t make me take this, you still haven’t answered my questions.”
“He’s only licensed in the United States,” Texas admitted.
