Centerfold

by Kris Norris

  The moan that greeted her intrusion had her dripping juice, desperate to feel him come around her finger as she pumped it back and forth, reveling in the sporadic contractions that clamped around her penetration. She moved faster, loving how his ass clenched, daring her to withdraw, to deny him. A light sweat broke across his back as he arched under the attack, his thighs quivering from the apparent strain.

  She glanced at his shaft, humming as it pulsed against his stomach, the head flaring in response to her touch. She moved faster, wanting to see that one moment when he gave himself over to her. Allowed himself to be completely vulnerable. But just when she thought he’d come, Roman stopped her with a firm hand across hers.

  “You said you wanted to watch.” He shook his head, smacking her ass. “So be a good girl and let me have a turn, or we’ll stop and concentrate on that spanking we promised you.”

  Scarlet pouted but removed her hand, sighing at the sudden loss of heat. She thought about begging for one more turn, until Roman lifted the tube again, this time squeezing a long line of lubricant the length of his shaft. A dizzy feeling swam through her head as he swirled the slick fluid around then placed the head of his cock against Aiden’s tight pucker.

  “Oh. My. God.”

  The words emerged as nothing more than a raspy whisper, stalling completely when Roman inched his way inside, pausing crown-deep in Aiden’s ass. Aiden groaned and levered back, sinking Roman deeper inside him.

  “Ah shit, Aiden. Don’t do that. You know I can’t control myself when you fuck yourself on me.”

  “Then stop babying me and fuck me hard!”

  Roman bowed his head, a hint of defeat in the hunch of his shoulders before he reared back, pulling all but the bulbous head free before pistoning forward, claiming the man’s ass in one forceful stroke.

  Aiden tilted his head, the cords in his next straining. “Fuck. Yes.”

  Roman dragged his cock out again, slapping Aiden’s muscles with enough force the man shuffled across the bed as Roman drove in again, locking his balls against the man’s hard flesh.

  The act had Roman clenching his jaw, the vein in his temple twitching. “Damn, you’re so fucking tight.” He repeated the punishing stroke. “So hot and tight, I feel like my head’s going to explode.”

  Aiden huffed out his breath and reached for the headboard, using it as an anchor against each forceful stroke. “Damn it, Roman. I said to stop babying me. Go. Harder.”

  Another slap landed on Aiden’s ass. “Looks like Scarlet isn’t the only one due for a spanking.” He bent over Aiden’s back, scraping his teeth along the taut muscle threading into the man’s shoulder. “Maybe she’d like…”

  Roman’s voice keened into a strangled wail as Scarlet pressed against him, slipping one lube-coated finger down his buttocks, rimming his anus. Though she’d tried to remain passive, seeing the men move was too tempting and too fucking hot just to watch. Roman snapped his head around, releasing one hand from Aiden’s hips to drag her closer, twisting her lips open as he thrust his tongue inside her mouth, mimicking the motion of his cock. She submitted, surrendering her body as she fingered his ass, reveling in his muted curse.

  “Fuck, Scarlet.” He squeezed his eyes shut, slamming his hips against Aiden’s flesh. “So fucking good.”

  She moaned against his mouth as he kissed her again, forging her finger back and forth as she reached for Aiden. Her name bounced off the walls when she wrapped her hand around his cock, pumping it hard, using the slippery fluid leaking from the tip to ease her way.

  His body tensed beneath them, every muscle flexing in turn as Aiden’s head bowed toward his chest, his breath a raspy growl. “Fuck. Now. Finish me now, damn it.”

  Roman pounded into him, his motion blurring beside her as Aiden’s cock stiffened in her hand. His shaft flared, contracting against her fist as he creamed her hand, his harsh shout rising above the creaking of the mattress.

  Scarlet’s heart thundered, her muscles tensing to the point of pain as she watched Aiden climax, his eyes rolling back in his head as his orgasm pulled him completely under. She fought for breath, turning to witness Roman’s surrender when the man reached a hand between her thighs and pinched her clit.

  “Yes.” Her release caught her by surprise, the kaleidoscope of color flickering across her vision making her scream.

  Roman echoed her cry, punching his hips forward as he locked himself deep inside Aiden, jerking his hips against the man’s flesh. The heady scent of sex wafted around them, the familiar aroma easing something deep inside her.

  Scarlet gloried in their release as she eased back on her heels, watching Roman hunch over Aiden, resting some of his weight on Aiden’s body. She had every intension of moving back—allowing them both to catch their breath—when Roman pulled her in for one more drugging kiss. She gave herself over to the rush of desire, resting her forehead against his when he finally released her.

  He nuzzled her nose, giving her a chaste kiss. “So much for just watching, huh, darling?”

  “Could you have just watched if Aiden had fucked me in the ass?”

  “Touché. But you’ll still get a spanking for not following instructions.”

  “Sounds like I get a spanking for simply breathing around you two.”

  “That might very well be the case.”

  She winked at them as she raised her hand, licking the remnants of Aiden’s release from her fingers.

  Aiden groaned then pulled her down, sliding her between them as Roman eased free, plopping onto the bed beside her.

  Aiden linked his hand with Roman’s then draped their clasped fingers across her hip. “Get some rest. ’Cause once we catch our breath, you’re going to wish you had.”

  Chapter Nine

  “I don’t like this. We have rules. We should stick to them.” Roman crossed his arms, glancing at the other models as they shuffled through the door then disappeared into the studio.

  Glade wanted all of the models to do some collective shots—without their partners standing watch. Allow the photographer more creative latitude, the older man had said.

  Roman called it fucking bullshit and just another opportunity for Nick to fondle their girl.

  Scarlet smiled, moving into his embrace. She wrapped her arms around his neck, lightly scratching his nape. “It’s a group session. All the models are in there, not just me. I’ll be fine. There’s no way this creep can take out all of us together—not in the way he has been. Besides, I’m better than that.”

  “I’m not doubting you.” He clenched his jaw. “But if anything happened…”

  She nodded, leaning her head against his chest, seemingly content just to stay in his arms. He tightened his hold, trying to breathe past the thick feeling constricting his heart. Fuck, he hated this. Putting her life at risk when they weren’t any closer to identifying a suspect than when they’d arrived. They didn’t know how to protect her properly when they couldn’t pinpoint any kind of concrete lead.

  Aiden walked up behind him, raising an eyebrow in question. Roman simply closed his eyes. Since their encounters the last few nights, he hadn’t been able to look at her without seeing his future—everything he could lose if he and Aiden didn’t keep her safe. Didn’t protect her from the unseen enemy lurking within the walls. And he could tell by the way Aiden had been shadowing her every move, the man felt the same.

  Scarlet kissed Roman’s chest, gently pushing back. “I appreciate that you boys want to keep me safe, but I’ll raise suspicion if I don’t go in there. Alone. Like everyone else.” She brushed her thumb along his cheek. “I promise I’ll be careful. I might not be the black belt Aiden is, but I can hold my own.”

  Aiden leaned in over her shoulder. “Which reminds me… When this is over, I’ll be personally seeing to it your martial arts abilities improve.”

  She turned in Roman’s arms, resting some of her weight against him. Fuck, he loved how she’d adjusted to having them both as her lovers so easily. How sh
e allowed them to be strong for her without actually giving an inch. Though he suspected watching them fuck had helped ease any residual doubts she might have still been harboring.

  She chuckled. “Sounds kinky, baby. Will we be alone when I pin you to the ground? Or does Roman get to help?”

  Aiden moved, crushing her between them as he claimed her mouth. The kiss was savage, and Roman suspected Aiden was dealing with his own apprehensions regarding the current situation. Group or not, leaving her side felt wrong.

  Aiden tapped his fingers against her arms when he pulled back, staying intimately close. “I know you can handle yourself, but shit…we promised not to leave your side.”

  Roman nuzzled her neck, needing to touch her skin, feel her breath. To her credit, she just went with it, wrapping one hand around his head as she draped the other over Aiden’s shoulder, connecting them in a way only she could.

  “Look at it this way. While I’m in there with five other women and the photographer, one of you can do a search of the dark room. See if the man has any damning evidence hidden away in there. And whoever doesn’t go hunting can hang out in the lounge with the other guys.” She looked at both of them. “We need this. It might give us a break. And I can talk to the other ladies without anyone else being around. Maybe they’ve seen someone watching them? It’s been impossible to isolate them, what with all the parties going on. And with Glade’s rule…”

  Aiden sighed. “They’re always with a partner.”

  “Which makes confiding difficult.” She eased out of their embrace. “It’s only an hour.” She smiled sweetly at them. “You guys let this go and we can forgo the dinner Glade has planned immediately following and play.”

  “Tease.” Roman huffed, reluctantly releasing her. “Fine. You’re right. But watch your back. Just because you’re not alone doesn’t mean this creep won’t try something. He’s found a way to get to these women. Two together last time.”

  “Won’t let my guard down for a second.”

  “Go. We’ll be waiting.”

  She tiptoed up and gave them both a kiss then headed for the door, pausing at the threshold. Roman nodded as she gave them a smile, finally slipping inside. He ignored the voice in his head shouting at him to go after to her, shoving his hands in his pockets before he marched over to the door and beat the damn thing down.

  Aiden shouldered up beside him, giving his arm a nudge. “She’ll be okay.”

  “Damn straight, because you’ll be sitting outside that door until she comes back out. And if you hear so much as a sniffle, you bust that fucking thing down.”

  Aiden glanced sideways at him. “Tell me…are you this possessive and protective about me?”

  Roman chuckled in spite of himself. “You have three black belts and are a crack shot. Even I’m intimidated at times. And as much as I’d like to think I could kick your ass if needed, we both know you’d just be humoring me. But as far as possessive goes…” He turned and grabbed the man by the back of the neck before slapping a hard kiss on his lips. He thrust his tongue inside, tasting every inch of his mouth before easing back, releasing Aiden with a punch to the man’s shoulder. “You’re mine. Don’t think otherwise.”

  “Good to know.” Aiden cracked a smile. “And I might let you win, if the reward was worth it.”

  “Bastard.”

  “But I’m all yours. And Scarlet’s.” He scanned the area. “So I assume by your little speech that you want me to stay here while you go hunting?”

  “If anything happens in there, you’re the best at hand-to-hand fighting. I’m not too proud to admit that.”

  “And if you run into a problem…”

  He smiled. “I’ve been sparring with you. I’m bound to have the advantage.”

  Aiden pursed his lips, his unrest palpable. “You’re not the only one who feels possessive or protective. Watch your back. And remember to stay low if you are jumped—target your opponent’s feet. Hard as hell to fight if you’re on your ass.”

  “Yours is the only ass I want.”

  “Let’s keep it that way.” He rolled his shoulders as if attempting to release some tension. “Don’t be long. No telling who might be roaming around. Just because this creep hasn’t killed anyone other than the models doesn’t mean he won’t.”

  “I’ll be vigilant. You just ensure our Christmas angel doesn’t put that ass of hers at risk.”

  Aiden nodded, punching him in the shoulder this time before striking off to mingle with the other men gathered around the adjoining door. Roman made a mental picture of his lover, praying he wasn’t leaving them both to face some kind of trap as he headed down the hallway. Glade had constructed a separate wing to house the studio, keeping it and the sessions isolated. Roman suspected the purpose was to further guard against industrial espionage, even if the items in question were proofs of naked women.

  He cursed. That fucking photographer, Nick, had free rein over the shoot this time. And Roman knew Scarlet would do whatever was necessary to maintain her cover—even if it tore at her soul.

  He fisted his hands, gathering back his composure. He wouldn’t be much good to the team running around half-cocked about circumstances beyond his control. Scarlet was right. She’d been a cop for over a decade. She could handle herself and some slimy photographer if needed. Besides, Aiden was there. He’d know if Scarlet felt threatened. Roman had no doubt that the man would feel it.

  He tucked aside his emotions, picking his way down the corridor. The dark room was located at the other end of the wing and, with everyone else occupied, he should be able to access the place without worrying about others interrupting him. He paused at the next intersection, taking the hall off to his right. The left led to Nick’s suite. He’d try there next if he had time.

  The door loomed into view halfway down the hall, a telltale light hanging over the jam. Though digital photos seemed to be the norm now, some diehard professionals still clung to their film-based roots and he’d heard Nick Fitzpatrick was one of them. Roman checked each direction, removing the small set of tools he’d managed to smuggle inside. He jiggled the ends in the lock, moving them around until the bolt slid sideways, a soft click sounding in the hallway.

  Roman darted inside, quietly locking the door behind him. He removed a pencil flashlight from his pocket, checking the walls to see if the place was alarmed, smiling at the blatant absence of security. Of course, the panel could be hidden.

  He headed straight to the adjoining room, picking that lock before gaining access. He bounced the small beam around the space, settling on some proofs hanging over a counter. The images were flawless, the edges sharp. The guy obviously knew how to take a picture, though that didn’t mean he didn’t kill women as a sick hobby.

  He studied the photographs suspended from clips, trying to place where each picture had been taken. He recognized a few from the studio, and some from the candid shots he’d seen the man taking in the parlor the previous night during Glade’s little sex games. He growled when Scarlet’s image appeared beneath the light, her silhouette impossible to miss. At least she’d had her back to the camera, nothing more risqué than her ass visible in the frame as she kneeled in front of Aiden. Though he had to admit, the girl was incredibly photogenic, her natural beauty more than showing through. Even with Aiden’s fingers scrunching her hair, it looked sexy, the slightly messy locks just adding to the overall appeal of the picture.

  He moved to the next, cursing under his breath. Another image of his girl, only the bastard had shifted to the side, catching a shot of her working Aiden’s cock, her pretty lips stretched around his lover’s girth. He had half a mind to take that one, but he continued down the row, silently vowing to burn the damn things once they’d solved the case. The rest were more glimpses of the various parties, none of which seemed out of place.

  Roman searched the other counters then he headed to a desk off to one side. He opened a drawer, removing a collection of photos. He thumbed through the first few, stoppi
ng at a shot of one of the ladies standing with Glade, the entranceway in full view. He flipped through more, mentally cataloguing each couple. The man had definitely taken pictures of all of them arriving, though none was a match for the close-ups found at the crime scene.

  He skimmed over another pile, drawing a harsh breath when he happened on a particularly graphic one. Seems one of the ladies was doing more than just posing in that room, and Roman wondered if her partner was aware of the affair. Not that sex was the driving force behind the murders. But it was a lead worth further investigation.

  Roman placed the photos back in the drawer, scouring the rest of the room before leaning against the counter. Nothing. Not a damn thing to link the man to the murders other than the fact he had the means to take the photos and the ability to move freely within the manor without drawing attention. But so did every other staff member, not to mention Glade’s security personnel.

  He kicked at the floor, checking his watch. If he headed out now, he’d have enough time to do a quick search of the Nick’s suite before the session ended. He started forward but caught his foot, tripping into a shelving unit.

  “Fuck.”

  He flashed his light on the floor, shaking his head. A pair of purple lace panties. Most likely belonging to the lady noticeably missing them in the photos. He released a weary breath, taking a step before stopping short. A brown envelope peeked out from behind a couple of books, the edge just visible in the bright circle. He eased the folder out, opening the flap before shaking the contents into his hand. More pictures of the models glared back at him, only these were different. Something about the studio looked…out of place.

  He shook his head, grabbing a few to study later. Hell, even if the creep realized some of his photos were missing, Roman doubted the man would make the knowledge public—or go to Glade. Not with some of the shit he’d get caught with. On a whim, Roman darted back over to the counter, exchanging the pictures of Aiden and Scarlet with others sitting on the surface. Then he rummaged through the desk again, taking some of the sexual ones as evidence. The angle of the pictures hid most of the woman’s face, but maybe Scarlet would be able to deduce who the woman was. Either way, it was worth looking into, especially since they still had nothing concrete. He grabbed an envelope and tucked the photos in, slipping them inside his shirt before making his way to the door. He’d just opened the damn thing when the outer door rattled.