by Blue Saffire
I have just been trying to figure out what to do with what I have. Nick is going to flip his shit, but I know this is going to bust things wide open for him. I just don’t know if this information will help more than it will do harm.
For weeks, I just keep hearing Nick’s voice in my head when he said that each time he gets close to the truth something bad happens. I just don’t know what can of worms I may be opening by giving him what I know. I don’t want to hurt Nick more than help him.
I haven’t built up the balls to ask Lucian what really happened with our dad. However, knowing what I know I think I have my own ideas. Some things just don’t add up. Kimmie has been too preoccupied with Lucian drama to focus on this stuff with me, which is fine. I don’t want to stress her out with it.
Kimmie always looks happy but…at the same time cautious, I guess you would say. Between digging for something to help Nick and crying over what people have been saying about me and our relationship I haven’t had time to find out what is really going on with my best friend and brother.
“Where’d you go,” Ryan asks with a concerned look on his face.
“Uh, nowhere,” I say plastering a smile on my face.
“Well, you have been going nowhere a lot lately,” Ryan says and twists his lips. He looks at me for a long time as if studying me. “You would tell me if something was going on with you wouldn’t you. I mean I’d like to think we are friends. Nick may want to kick my ass, but I’m not going anywhere. So I would hope you would talk to me if you needed someone to talk to.”
I reach to lock my arms through Ryan’s. I look up at him and smile. He is right. I do consider him a good friend. I am really grateful that Nick has respected that we are friends and hasn’t forced me to give up our friendship, which surprised me at first.
“Yes, Ryan, if I needed to talk I would talk to you. I have a lot on my mind, but it’s nothing you need to worry about,” I say with a smile.
Ryan lifts a suspicious brow at me. The thing about friends. They learn to read you. I know if I give Ryan the chance he will search out the truth, so I stop him in his tracks by offering to dance with him.
“Come on, show me some of your moves,” I say with a smile.
“Don’t tempt me. I am still thinking about stealing Nick’s girl. You are killing that dress,” Ryan says and bites his lip.
Those golden bedroom eyes of his glimmer with mischief. I fear for the girl that falls under their spell someday. Ryan Black is one sexy guy, but my heart already belongs to another.
Chapter 19
Secret Vultures
Sephora
I am having a ball on the dance floor with Ryan. He is making me laugh so much my stomach hurts. It is almost enough to make me forget that Nick hasn’t returned yet, almost.
I have been scanning the room for Nick every few seconds. I know Ryan can sense my tension and I am grateful to him for trying to ease my nerves. He really is a sweetheart.
“You should have seen your face when you finally took Noah down the other day,” Ryan snorts. “At first you looked like you were going to run. Like he was going to get up and kick your ass. I thought you were going to shit your pants. Then when it hit you that you actually took him down, you had this priceless smug face before you broke out into that adorable victory dance.”
I have to try to catch my breath I am laughing so hard. What he is describing is exactly how I felt. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to run or check to see if Noah was alright.
I was in awe that I actually took such a big guy down. Noah is huge. He is also a great teacher. Noah is also patient and thorough.
“You have no idea,” I giggle. “I thought…”
I trail off as Harvey Carver appears behind Ryan. Ryan stiffens and turns to see what has gotten my attention. I am not sure how I feel about Harvey Carver. I have met him a few times at a few other events.
Nick seems to trust him, but the jury is still out for me. For one, anyone with Jillian Carver as a spawn is not the greatest person in my book. That woman is pure evil and they say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Because of Jillian I am always cautious around her father. He swears to Nick that he hasn’t seen her since Nick fired her. Something in my gut tells me this is not entirely true.
“Do you mind if I cut in,” Harvey says to Ryan, who is glaring at the man, suspiciously. “I have wanted the opportunity to dance with this lovely lady. It is the first time Lincoln has left her side. I figured I’d grab a chance before it’s too late. You wouldn’t deny an old man his heart’s desire, now would you?”
I narrow my eyes at him. I am not buying the charm he is trying to put on for a minute. It seems neither is Ryan. However, I am curious. I touch Ryan’s arm and nod up at him.
Ryan reluctantly releases me. “I’ll be right over there if you need me,” Ryan says seriously, pointing over to the spot he intends to go and wait for me in.
I nod before turning my eyes back to Carver. He is looking at me as if he is looking for a secret or something. It makes me uneasy, but I fight to keep my discomfort hidden.
Harvey steps forward taking me into his arms. Harvey Carver is not a horrible looking man, but he is not terribly handsome either. He looks like he may have been more attractive in his younger years, but then again maybe not.
His blue eyes are sharp in his shrewd face. His thin lips make him look like he is always disapproving of everything around him. Carver stands at at least six feet. His lean frame and long nose makes me think of Mr. Burns from the Simpsons, just with a full head of red hair.
“I get the feeling you don’t like me very much, Sephora,” Carver says as we move to the music.
I shrug. “I don’t know you to like you or not,” I reply.
Carver laughs. “This is true, but you are not a silly girl. Now are you,” he says and looks me in the eyes.
An eerie chill runs through me. I don’t like where this is going. I press my lips, but I don’t answer him. He gives me a sly smile when he sees I am not going to answer him.
“You have been digging a hole for yourself, Sephora. As a friend, I am telling you to back off. You are putting everyone in danger. Enjoy your life with Nick. Leave the big bad world to the sharks. I would hate to see you get eaten,” Carver bends next to my ear to murmur.
I gasp and stiffen. I pull away to look up and narrow my eyes at him. Carver just stares at me. I close my mouth as I realize it is hanging open.
“I am a friend, Sephora. Whether you think it or not I am on your side. You mean a lot to Nick, don’t hurt him by getting yourself or him hurt,” Carver warns. “You never know who you can trust around these parts. There are eyes everywhere. You are lucky that the good guys have seen you first this time.”
“Is there a problem,” I hear Nick’s voice at my back.
“Nicholas my boy,” Carver croons with a smile that I see right through.
“Harvey, it is good to see you. Thank you for your generous donation this evening,” Nick says as he places a possessive arm around me and pulls me into his side.
Carver waves him off. “You know I will support wherever I can. Your father would be so proud of you, Son.”
Nick tenses and his hold on me tightens, at the mention of his father. I place a hand on his chest to soothe him. After a moment I feel him relax. Nick leans to place a kiss to the top of my head.
“If you will excuse me, Harvey,” I will need to make my excuses earlier than I planned. I hope to see you at the awards ceremony tomorrow evening for the girls. We are inviting all of our high donors out to see what the girls have accomplished,” Nick says, but the pride from earlier is gone.
Something else is going on. I study Nick’s face, but he is not revealing anything through his control mask. His eyes aren’t even giving any clues away.
“I’ll see you there. I am impressed by these little ladies. I can’t wait to hear all about all of their accomplishments. You have our future looking bright, Nicholas,” Carv
er smiles and I once again feel that chill run through me.
“Good night,” Nick says dismissing the conversation and leading me away.
Chapter 20
Own It
Nick
I haven’t felt this out of control in years. I started this evening hopeful. I needed to see if Sephora could handle my world. I have no intention of hiding her as my wife.
I am also tired of waiting to propose. So when I looked into her eyes in the closet and finally saw that she will be fine, I made my decision final. I just didn’t expect that tonight would turn into such a shit storm.
I didn’t mean to lose my shit on that reporter. I was just already on edge knowing I planned to propose tonight after the fundraiser. Those plans changed once those photos were shoved in our faces. I know I will have to smooth over that fiasco and I have just the plan to do so.
Just when I had that plan settled and worked out in my head. The shit hits the fan. This bastard is at it again. I just can’t figure out what has triggered him this time.
Joe and Wyatt swear to me that he is not onto them. None of the other guys have made a move as of yet. Everyone is sticking to the plan. I have yet to play my hand.
The only thing I can put my finger on is that this sick bastard has come out of hiding because I am seeing Sephora. My happiness must have set him off. I just don’t understand why. What the fuck does this guy have against me being happy?
I have a feeling going public with our relationship may be a problem with this asshole, but like I already stated I will not cower in a corner because of this motherfucker. Let him come for me. The sooner I know who I am dealing with, the sooner I can put his ass to rest once and for all.
“Nick, what’s going on,” Sephora’s sweet voice asks me for the millionth time as we sit in the back of the limo.
I swallow hard and turn away from the window I am staring out of to answer her. “Someone broke into the FLI offices tonight. They plastered pictures all over my office,” I reply emotionlessly.
Sephora wrinkles her brows at me. “Pictures, what kind of pictures,” she asks.
“The pictures from the scene of the accident. The ones of Ivana to be exact,” I swallow again trying to get pass the lump in my throat. “She…. Her body was thrown through the windshield in the accident. They plastered those photos all around my office along with the pictures that reporter shoved in our face.”
I watch as all the blood drains from Sephora’s face. She closes her eyes and turns away from me. “Is that why you make me wear my seatbelt all the time,” she whispers.
“Yes,” I choke out and slide across the seat to wrap my arms around her. “I have to know you are safe.”
“I’m sorry,” she murmurs.
I pull her head against my chest. “For what, none of this is your fault. You have nothing to be sorry about,” I murmur into her hair.
“Nick, I –,” her words are cutoff by the ringing of my phone.
“I have to take this call,” I say before answering it. I need to know who on my security staff at the FLI building is about to get fired. My office being broken into is unacceptable.
Sephora
I feel like a hundred percent, grade A shit. This is my fault. I know I have gotten in over my head. Carver’s words are ringing in my ears. Somehow others are on to me. I almost told Nick everything in the limo, but his phone stopped me from getting out the truth.
Nick has been on the phone since we arrived back home. I thought a bath would help me clear my mind, but it only allowed my mind to wonder even more. I just don’t know what to do.
What if telling Nick will only put us in more danger? There has to be something I can do. My mind is racing as a plan starts to form in my head. Wyatt! Ryan is always bragging about how Wyatt is the best at what they do.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. If I talk to Ryan, maybe he can at least ask his brother to help me or hear me out. He and Nick are close. Nick said himself, that his friends were the only ones that know of his past. Maybe Wyatt can fill in the gaps for me and I can finally figure out what to do from here.
I jump out of the tub and toss a towel around me. My hair is still dry since I pulled it into a messy bun on top of my head before getting into the shower. I look for my phone in the bedroom. I finally find it on the floor on my side of the bed, next to the shoes I kicked off.
I dial Ryan’s number and wait for it to ring. I frown when his voicemail picks up. With a sigh, I leave a rushed message. “Hey Ry, it’s me Sophi. I think I need to have that talk. Call me.”
No sooner than I hang up the phone, the door to the bedroom opens. I look up to see Nick standing in the doorway. He doesn’t say a word he just holds out his hand. I look at him for a moment, taking in everything about him.
I can read in his eyes that he is in turmoil. I know what he is asking me for. The old me may have shied away, but I trust Nick with my life and I know that I am a part of the cause of his turmoil.
I toss my phone, drop my towel from my body and stroll over to Nick. I am proud of my new body and I show it in the sway of my hips. It’s not that I feel like I lost weight so much. It is more of the fact that I have toned the body that I have and I like it.
Nick’s eyes roam hungrily over my body, emboldening me even further. I stop right before him and place my hand in his. His large hand is warm to the touch and engulfs mine.
Without a word he turns and leads me to the playroom. Thankfully, Kimmie and Luke’s rooms are on the other side of the house. I have gotten used to Nick leading me to the playroom naked when it suits him.
Nick pushes the door open once he unlocks it. “Step into the center of the room. Stand there and don’t move,” Nick commands.
“Yes, Sir,” I reply and follow orders.
I go to stand in the center of the room just as I am told. I am a bit curious. There is a sort of tarp on the floor underneath my feet. I ignore the tarp for now, Nick hasn’t requested that I not watch him which means he wants me to.
My eyes follow his every move and he moves to the edge of the tarp and pulls his already loosened tie from around his neck. He tosses it aside and starts to release the buttons of his shirt.
I involuntarily lick my lips as his muscled chest starts to peek out from underneath his shirt. Nick finishes with the buttons, his cufflinks must have been taken off in his office. He tosses the shirt over with his tie.
Nick’s shoes and socks are already gone, leaving him in just his tuxedo pants that hug his powerful legs. I moan when his penis twitches against the black fabric of his pants. My eyes flick up to his to see if I have disappointed him with my response.
Nick says nothing. I straighten and remind myself that we are in the playroom. Nick walks over to me, pressing his thumb to my lower lip. He drags his finger to the corner of my jaw. I am sure he has effectively smudged whatever was left of my red lipstick.
“I wish I had gotten to you before you took off that dress. I wanted to be the one to get you out of it,” Nick says in a deep rumble. “But I have a better idea.”
With that Nick kisses the corner of my mouth where he has smudged my lipstick across my face. He takes a step back and admires me standing before him before he turns and crosses the room to the hidden chest behind one of the toy shelves on the wall.
I watch him reach inside and place something in his pocket before he reaches in again and removes a glass vessel. His face is still blank when he moves back in my direction. I watch him move like a lion baring down on his prey. Nick comes to a stop before me and nods his head.
We have been in this room enough times for me to know he is silently asking me to get on my knees. I do as he has silently commanded me to do. Nick opens the vessel in his hands and tips the bottle over my right shoulder.
Warm liquid pours out over my shoulder, making me stifle a moan. Nick moves the bottle causing the liquid to spill down over my breasts and down my chest as he moves to the other shoulder. He walks around m
e allowing the oil to flow down my back.
The feel of the oil rolling down my skin is so sensual and has my senses heightened as the scent of peaches fills my nostrils. I want to squirm, but I won’t dare. I know Nick will reward me sooner with my first orgasm if I am on my best behavior. I also know we are in here because he needs to feel in control right now. That is something I know I can give him.
Nick returns to stand in front of me with his legs parted wide as he gazes at me. He recaps the bottle and walks it over to a table top nearby. When he returns he drops to his knees in front of me.
Placing my chin in between his forefinger and thumb, he lifts my face until I am staring up at him panting. He leans in to nip at my bottom lip. His other hand pinches my nipple.
“You will not come until I tell you to,” Nick commands. “Is that understood?”
“Yes, Sir,” I reply.
Nick releases my nipple and lets his finger run through the oil down my breast, over my belly and down between my legs. He stops just shy of touching me right where I need him most. His finger takes another trip through the oil to my thigh, over the globe of my ass and finally between the cheeks. “Tonight I’m going to claim all of you. I think you are more than ready,” Nick breathes against my lips.
Releasing my chin, Nick begins to rub the oil into the skin of my backside. When he is satisfied with his work there his hands slide up my sides right beneath my breasts. His thumbs run over my oil soaked skin on the underside of my full mounds. A shiver runs through me and travels down my spine.
I bite off a whimper when Nick backs away and lifts to his feet. He walks to the throne that he has moved to the center of the room as he has done a few times before. He takes a sit and it is sexy as hell how he slumps into the chair with one leg stretched out before him and the other bent as they fall wide apart. His hands rest on the arms of the throne chair.
