Power Players Box Set- The Complete Series

by Cassia Leo

  He smiles as he shakes his head. “You’re going to have to come out of that shirt, young lady,” he says, reaching for the hem. “Lift your arms.”

  I draw in a deep breath and slowly do as he says. His gaze is locked on mine as he pulls the T-shirt above my head and tosses it over his shoulder. I don’t know if it lands in the paint because I’m too busy staring into his mesmerizing blue eyes and anticipating his next move.

  He licks his lips as he traces the tip of his index finger down the center of my chest. “Dirty girl,” he murmurs, holding up his paint-covered fingertip. “Let me clean you up.”

  His left hand cups my face as his right hand cups my breast. His eyes watch my facial expression as he uses his thumb to smear the paint over my nipple. The flesh puckers and I hold my breath as the throbbing ache between my legs intensifies.

  He rolls my nipple between his thumb and index finger, and warm arousal pools in my underwear. The hand cupping my face grips tighter as the other pinches harder, and he smiles as I let out a soft gasp.

  He leans forward, so his lips are brushing against my ear. “You like that?” he murmurs, cupping my breast again as he awaits my answer.

  “Yes,” I breathe, flinching slightly as he kisses my neck while pinching my nipple even harder this time. “Oh, fuck.”

  The hand that was on my face has moved to my lower back, and he pulls me closer to him as he kisses his way over my jaw. The size of the bulge in his jeans catches me by surprise as his hips press against my lower abdomen.

  His right hand falls away from my breast to join his other hand on my lower back. I reach up to coil my arms around his neck as his mouth lands on mine. His kiss is hungry, almost frantic, as he presses his hard body into mine, pinning me against the wet wall.

  I moan as he grinds his bulge against me. I’m about to let go of his neck so I can reach down to feel it when his hands slide below my ass. I yelp as he lifts me off the ground.

  “Yeehaw,” he murmurs against my lips, and I laugh as he tilts his head back and declares, “I think you need a shower, wiz.”

  I tighten my arms around his shoulders. “I think you’re right.”

  His lips curve against mine in what I’m sure is a gorgeous smile as he kisses me while carrying me toward the bathroom. When we arrive, he sets me down on the tile floor so he can turn on the shower. He peels off his T-shirt as he turns around, and I relish the look of surprise on his face when he finds I’ve already stepped out of my shorts and underwear.

  Colton’s gaze travels down the length of my new voluptuous figure, and I can’t help but feel self-conscious for a moment. What if I gained too much weight? But my worries are quickly assuaged when he opens his mouth.

  “Jesus Christ, woman. You look like a damn angel. Turn around,” he says, stepping toward me, and I oblige. “Holy hell. I’ve never seen an ass so perfect in all my life. Are you real?”

  I bite my lip as I turn around. “You’re not just saying that?”

  He looks at me like I’m crazy, shaking his head as he undoes the button and zipper on his jeans. I swallow hard as he lets them fall to the floor and kicks them aside. My eyes widen at the size of his erection.

  “Does it look like I’m kidding?” he says, and we both laugh, though mine is more like nervous laughter.

  Holy shit! That thing’s going to break me in half.

  “Condom,” I whisper because it’s all I can muster at this moment.

  He smiles at the look of shock on my face. “I’ll be right back.”

  The smell of his warm skin as he brushes past me startles me into consciousness. I glance down at the broad stripe of paint down the center of my chest, and I quickly open the glass door and step inside the stand-up shower to rinse it off. The taupe color is almost completely washed away when Colton enters the shower with a condom covering his monster erection.

  But the nervousness I felt a few minutes ago has mostly subsided. Now, I’m just eager to feel him inside me.

  He glances at my mostly-clean chest and lays a soft kiss on my forehead. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?” he asks.

  I stare at his cock for a couple seconds before I wrap my fingers around the base, my eyes widening as I realize he’s so thick I can’t close the circumference with my normal-sized hand. “Oh, yeah,” I murmur as I tilt my head back to look him in the eye. “I’m very ready for this.”

  His eyes roll back as I stroke his erection. “Fuck,” he whispers. “I’m so ready, too.”

  Without warning, he grabs my face and kisses me hard as he presses me against the tiled wall. One of his hands holds my jaw as his other hand slides between my legs, easily finding my clit. I moan as he seems to move his tongue inside my mouth in the same motion as his finger glides over my swollen bud.

  This combination of touching and kissing intensifies the pleasure, and soon I’m panting and trembling with an impending orgasm.

  “Oh, my God,” I gasp, turning my face away from his to catch my breath. “I’m gonna come. Oh, my God.”

  His hand tightens around my jaw, forcing me to look him in the eye as he brings me to orgasm. His black pupils dilate with satisfaction as he watches me come undone. My knees weaken, and my body convulses as I come hard.

  “Oh, God,” I cry out, my hand reaching down to push him away. “Okay, okay. I’m done… I’m done.”

  He smiles as he gently cups my pussy, presumably to feel my muscles twitching against his hand. “You’re beautiful when you come,” he says, sliding a finger inside me as he plants a kiss on my forehead. “And your pussy feels fucking amazing. Turn around. I want to see it.”

  I swallow hard as I turn around bend over slightly as he kneels down facing my ass. “Like what you see?” I ask.

  He chuckles as he spreads my lips. “Very much,” he murmurs, tracing his finger over my sensitive clit and upward until it slides back inside me.

  He slides two fingers in this time as his mouth falls over my clit. His fingers fuck me gently for a moment before he slips in a third. And it dawns on me that he’s trying to prepare me to receive his girth.

  He brings me to orgasm one more time before he seems to decide I’m ready. “It will be easier for you from behind,” he whispers in my ear as he presses me and my breasts against the wall. “But I’ll understand if you want to turn around. Your choice.”

  I can’t help but smile with anticipation. “I’ll take your word for it and stay just like this.”

  “Good call,” he says, as he kisses my neck. “Don’t hesitate to tell me if it hurts.”

  His hand reaches forward, and he traces the backs of his fingers over my hip bone, sending a frisson of excitement tingling over my scalp and down my neck. I moan as he uses his other hand to rub the tip of his erection over my clit. Sliding the tip over my slit, he slowly eases his way into me.

  I let out an eager gasp at the sharp burn.

  He stops immediately. “Are you okay?”

  I nod enthusiastically. “Yes. I’ll tell you if I need you to stop.”

  My eyes roll back in my head as he pushes farther inside with each controlled thrust. I reach back to grasp onto his damp hair as he works his way inside me. The sound of his grunts is like music to my ears.

  “Fuck me harder,” I plead.

  He chuckles as he digs his fingers into my soft hips and rams into me. “Like that?”

  “Harder.”

  With each hammering thrust, I let out a sharp gasp, which prompts an epiphany.

  “That’s your nickname,” I say between gasps.

  “What?” he grunts. “What are you talking about?”

  “Hammer,” I moan, as his cock digs so deep inside me I can feel it in my abdomen. “You are mighty good with that hammer, Hammer.”

  He laughs as he tightens his arms around my waist and holds his cock inside me. “I’m not too bad with a drill, either,” he says, grinding his hips in slow circles.

  I moan as his sac rubs against my clit. My pussy clenches around
his cock, and he picks up the pace of his thrusts again. Within seconds, his arms tighten even harder around my middle as he stops moving.

  His erection still twitching inside me, he presses his mouth to my ear and whispers, “I’m so happy you’re here, wiz.”

  A warm feeling surges up from my belly and explodes inside my chest. Before I know what’s happening, tears spill from my eyes.

  “So am I,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion as he kisses my neck. “So am I.”

  I smell like him.

  It’s all I can think as I slide out of bed to go the bathroom.

  Colton is asleep as I trek through the darkness. In the restroom, I resist the urge to look through his medicine cabinet for clues. Anything that will tell me he’s not as perfect as he seems.

  I manage to stop myself from peeking through his cabinets and head back to the bedroom, leaving Colton’s privacy intact. But as soon as I enter the bedroom and see him lying on his belly, the sheet barely covering the curve of his perfect ass, I have a change of heart.

  I’m not a normal girl. I’m on the run. And anyone who wants to get close to me has to be regarded as suspicious until I’ve proven otherwise.

  Clutching my chest, I sigh as I watch him sleep. How could I ever suspect that gorgeous man of being anything but genuine?

  I shake my head at this thought. I can’t be a silly girl who gets herself into dumb situations. I have to be smart. I have to look inside his nightstand.

  Besides, it’s probably nothing but a gun and condoms in there.

  I tiptoe to my side of the bed, where the nightstand sits, and I crouch in front of it. Slowly and quietly, I slide the drawer open. But as I suspected, there’s nothing in there except some condoms and socks.

  Then, I remember his jeans lying on the bathroom floor.

  Don’t do this. You’ll regret it.

  It’s too late. I’ve already looked inside his nightstand. Nothing’s stopping me from looking in his pants pockets now.

  I tiptoe back to the bathroom and softly close the door behind me. Picking up Colton's jeans off the floor, I reach into the back pockets and come up with a black leather wallet. Then I slip my hand into the left front pocket and come up with a few small black electronic devices, each about the size of a nickel.

  I stuff them back inside and slide my hand into the front right pocket. Feeling around a bit, I feel something that feels…familiar. I pull the object out of the pants, and the sight of it nearly stops my heart.

  There, inside Colton’s jeans that smell like him, is the necklace my father gave me.

  17. Izzy

  August 7th

  To give myself the extra time I need to move the suitcase, I tell Colton — or whatever the hell his real name is — I have a womanly appointment after work. But I don’t have an appointment, and I’ve called in sick to work. Edie seemed a bit concerned, but I faked a sore throat and assured her it was nothing serious. I hope she doesn’t use my illness as an excuse to check in on me at my house after she closes up The Junk Drawer tonight.

  As I drive to the medical office building where I supposedly have an appointment today, I check my rearview mirror regularly. Occasionally, I see a silver SUV about five cars or two lights back. I’ve felt like I was being followed since I arrived in Valdese, North Carolina. It’s only mildly comforting to know I haven’t imagined it.

  I stop at a red light, and my stomach twists with regret as I think of how stupid I’ve been not to see that Colton’s feelings for me weren’t sincere. The corners of my eyes sting with the threat of tears, but I slam my hand on the steering wheel in anger.

  I will not let him turn me into a blubbering mess. I need to keep my guard up and stay alert, or I’m going to end up broke or dead.

  Why did I take that stupid suitcase?

  I park my car in the parking lot of the Sunrise Medical Office in Morganton, then I grab my backpack and head inside, quickly finding a back exit. I hop over a block wall behind the building and cut across a residential neighborhood. When I’m about a half-mile away, I get on my phone and request an Uber to take me to a car rental shop.

  I drive my nondescript white sedan through the streets of Morganton until I’m satisfied I’m not being followed. Then I cross the Huffman Bridge to the other side of Rhodhiss Lake. Fifteen minutes of maneuvering the backroads, and I turn right onto a narrow dirt lane, which leads to a small roundabout at the entrance of a densely wooded area. From here, it’s a thirty-minute hike to get to the covered hole where I keep my diving equipment.

  I pull the suitcase — which is wrapped in four trash bags and sealed with two rolls of duct tape — onto the shore on the opposite side of the lake and a few hundred yards away from Colton’s property. Dragging the suitcase by a piece of loosened tape, I use my other hand to unzip the top of my scuba suit.

  No alligators in the lake today, just a large amount of striped bass, catfish, and more than a few dead birds. I didn’t look around for the jacket Colton and I reeled in while fishing. The fewer reminders I have of my naivety — and my mortality — the better.

  I can’t believe I questioned whether the scuba lessons I took in Michigan, during my road trip across America, were worth it.

  By the time I reach my hole with the suitcase, my lungs are burning and thighs trembling with exertion, but I don’t have time to rest. I quickly change back into my street clothes, tucking my gun into my waistband. Retrieving a small hunting knife from my backpack, I use it to remove all of the waterproofing material from the outside of the suitcase.

  I breathe a sigh of relief when I find the steel luggage is still perfectly dry. I consider hauling the suitcase back to the car to open it there, but I don’t want to take any chances. I have to search this thing from top to bottom, and I have to do it fast.

  The only reason I’m still alive right now has to be because there’s something in here Colton needs more than he needs me dead. And he hasn’t been able to find the suitcase, even with all the burglaries and broken pipes he undoubtedly orchestrated.

  I shake off my feelings of stupidity and set about the task at hand. I fan through every stack of bills as I place them one-by-one on the bottom of the dirt ditch. Most of the cash is hidden in various holes around my property, so checking the money doesn’t take long.

  I move on to running my hand along the satin interior of the suitcase. Everything feels normal until I reach a tiny rectangular bump on the bottom corner. I trace my fingers over the opposite corner to verify it’s not a standard feature. It’s not.

  I use my knife to open up the fabric and my heart races at the sight of a yellow and black Corsair USB flash drive. This must be what Colton is after. This is my life insurance.

  I slip the flash drive into my jeans pocket and close up the suitcase. Grabbing the stacks of cash off the bottom of the ditch, I hastily stuff them into my backpack and slide my arms through the straps.

  I put the scuba equipment and suitcase into the plastic tubs I keep in the hole. I don’t need to let the scuba suit air out now that I won’t be using it anymore. Then I cover up the ditch with netting, leaves, and branches.

  As I’m hiking back to my rental car, my body freezes at the sound of a twig snapping somewhere behind me. My gun is out of my waistband and pointed into the empty woods faster than I can take my next breath.

  With my heart thumping inside my skull, I spin around slowly, trying not to make any loud noises so I can listen for foreign sounds. But after a few tense minutes of nothing, I head back to my car with haste.

  18. King

  August 7th

  Eddie Shah, our tech guy, uses Hunt’s private jet to catch an early flight out from Las Vegas to Foothills Regional Airport in Morganton. After a quick morning fuck, where Izzy’s mind seems strangely preoccupied, she declares she has a gynecologist appointment after work. Announcing she’ll be back “home” in the early evening.

  Izzy left for work about an hour ago, and Santos has been following her, as he al
ways does. But she hasn’t gone anywhere near The Junk Drawer.

  “She’s been driving all over Morganton since nine o’clock this morning,” Santos says, sounding annoyed and slightly out of breath.

  I glance at the time on my phone. “She was driving around for ninety minutes? Nonstop?”

  “Non-fucking-stop. It’s a good thing I filled the tank last night. She just pulled into a doctor’s office and went inside. Should I follow her in?”

  “No, she’s obviously up to something. We don’t want to tip her off,” I reply as I stand on the back porch and gaze out across the grass toward Izzy’s dock. “Just keep an eye on her car, and I’ll keep watch over the dock.”

  I end the call and tuck the phone into my front pocket.

  Fuck. Izzy must have seen or heard something that made her suspicious. Why else would she lie to me and say she was going to work?

  I think back to when I got out of bed in the middle of the night to make a call to Eddie. I thought Izzy was asleep the whole time, but maybe she heard me telling him to fly out here as soon as possible. Though, I don’t remember mentioning “Vegas” or anything remotely linked to her stealing the suitcase.

  But Izzy has proven herself to be much smarter than anyone gives her credit for. This thought brings me a small amount of peace. She just might make it out of this alive if we both play our cards right.

  I have to decide what kind of project I’m going to work on in the backyard today so I don’t lose sight of Izzy’s dock. Almost immediately it dawns on me: I’ll install a swing on my back porch.

  I think Izzy will like that.

  By the time Izzy returns from “work” and her “appointment,” I’m sitting on the new back porch swing with an ice-cold beer and a smile. I can hear her setting down her purse and keys on the kitchen counter before she steps outside. My heart skids to a stop at the sight of her.