by Jewel, Bella
I held Barb’s head while Vesper gave her the drugs.
Once it was done, I sucked in a breath. “Sooooo, about that date?”
Vesper deposited the syringe into the trash and shook her head. “Look, I’ve been thinking about it. And I do genuinely like you and I won’t admit the things you do to my body, but…I don’t think a date is a good idea.”
My mouth went dry. “First, you can’t say things like that to a guy and then follow it up with a refusal.” I swiped my hand through my hair. “Second, why is it a bad idea? We’re two consenting adults who like to have fun and lots of sex. We’ve already cleared all the bases. We’re practically coming up to our one week anniversary.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re doing that thing with no filter again.”
“No, if I hadn’t filtered they’d be a lot more cursing and some very explicit reasons on why you should agree to be mine. Go on; tell me why it wouldn’t be a good idea.”
She looked at her croc-covered feet. “Well, for one you’re my patient’s owner.”
“Who cares? It’s not like I’m your teacher or anything.” I leaned closer. “FYI, that wouldn’t stop me from asking you out, either. In fact, I love that concept of you being my student and me a naughty professor entirely too much and feel like giving out grades as rewards for sexual favours.”
She cracked a smile. “You’re so bad.”
“Oh, you don’t know the half of it.”
You really don’t, Vesper.
Christ, the things I want to do to you.
“Besides that.” She rubbed her nose. “I don’t know you.”
Is she real or just playing hard to get?
My cock hardened at the thought. “You knew me enough to let me into your apartment the other night.”
“I was sick and my common sense was drowning beneath germs. Besides, you gave me no choice.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Let’s forget about the germs for a second and focus on us.”
“There’s that word again.” She shook her head. “There is no us.”
“But there could be.”
“See, I don’t know about that. All I know is we’d have amazing sex together. Hell, you make me almost orgasm just by texting me or showing up here with your god like compassion. But apart from the mind-blowing sex, I don’t think we’d work together.”
My knees wobbled as I groaned. “The sex, Vesper, would be better than mind-blowing. It would be goddamn supernova. We make a pact right here and right now to be honest about what we like. No judging, no demeaning—we have fun and stop all that serious shit from messing it up.”
“But that serious shit is life. We can’t just stay in bed together for the rest of our days.”
“Who says we can’t?” I smirked.
She smiled. “You know what I mean.”
Moving around the table, I took her hand. We both stiffened at the heated electricity zinging between us. “Look, I’m not asking you to give me your soul. A few dates with exclusivity right from the start. If we work out, great—we go on another date and another and another. We don’t, we end it.”
“And what about your zoo that need my care? Will you still come to our practice?” She lowered her voice as a thread of that spitfire comedian reappeared. “Because Polly would literally spank me if you left our practice. We need your money, you see.”
“Shit, I’d spank you for free—you wouldn’t have to do anything naughty.”
Her cheeks pinked. “God, that sounds good.”
I backed away, rubbing the back of my neck. “Fuck, doesn’t it?” I scrubbed my face. My temper and amount of testosterone swimming in my blood made my balls ache and control waver. It would be too easy to slam her against the wall and kiss the hell out of her.
Then there would be no more playing hard to get. No more questions about a future that hadn’t even happened yet. It would just be us. Raw and free.
I need to get out of here before I do something stupid.
She shrugged. “You make a compelling argument, Mr. Carson. However, you haven’t answered my question about where you would send your dogs.”
I stared stone faced and desperate. “Polly.”
“Polly?”
I loved that she didn’t seem to appreciate that suggestion.
“You just told me I couldn’t leave the practice. Therefore, I’d make sure never to annoy you and deal only with Polly.”
Her jaw clenched. “I don’t like that idea.”
My heart leapt. “You don’t? Why?”
Her eyes narrowed. “You know why.”
My hand subtly rearranged the pounding cock in my trousers. “I want to hear you say it.”
She looked at the ceiling, wiping her hand over her mouth. “You’re pushing me past so many comfort levels; it’s not fair.”
“You shoved me from mine months ago.” I couldn’t control how my voice deepened as my craving intensified. “I have needs, Vesper. I have no doubt you could fulfil those needs so fucking well. And I’d do the same for you. That’s all I’m asking. Tell me why you wouldn’t want me dealing with Polly.”
For a moment, I expected her to deny me. Seconds ticked by with no promise of her doing what I wanted. But then she sucked in a heavy breath and something switched inside her.
Her gaze locked on mine, her lips parted, and the sexiest damn voice spilled from her lips. “I wouldn’t want you dealing with my business partner, because I’m possessive of you. I love the way you boss me around but let me argue at the same time. I love the way you make me feel alive even when I’m riddled with sickness. And I love the way you make me so wet, I have to keep a spare pair of knickers in my handbag to switch into after your visits.”
She never looked away as she licked her lips, almost bringing me to my damn knees.
“That is why I don’t want you using Polly.”
I crowded her around the bench. “You don’t want anyone else taking care of me?”
She shook her head vehemently. “No one. We do this, and as long as you’re mine, other women better watch out. I have claws.”
“What if I have lots and lots of needs?”
She panted as I looped my fingers around her throat.
“What about those?”
She froze in my hold, her pulse hammering in her neck. “I’d do my best to help you. However, I’m afraid my specialities might be a little rusty on some.”
“You don’t know. I haven’t told you what I need yet.”
Her skin flushed beneath my hold; her eyes latching onto my lips. “I think I can guess.”
I became hypnotised by her mouth. The mouth I very much wanted to kiss.
“You can? I do, after all, have elaborate tastes.”
She shivered as I bent and placed a teasing kiss where my thumb felt her pulse. Pulling away, I gritted my teeth. This game we were playing had suddenly become endlessly dangerous.
“I think I might match you in that department.” Her gaze dropped to my trousers. “I have a sudden need for experimentation.”
My heart bucked in my chest. “Want to face plant me again, gorgeous?”
She groaned. “Oh my God, it was an accident.”
“I like those sorts of accidents.” I half groaned, half chuckled. “Feel free to have another accident with your hand on it this time.”
She nibbled her bottom lip, her eyes wild and coltish. “You mean, the invitation to touch it is still open?”
I nodded, swiftly losing focus on playing and growing ridiculously hard. “Fuck, yes.”
“Well then, I suppose I’d better look after you. After all, I can’t leave an animal in pain.”
“You will?” My brain turned to fog at the thought of her bent over the table doggy style while I thrust into her. “Wait, did you just call me an animal?”
“Isn’t that what you are?”
I swallowed hard. “Vesper, that’s exactly what I’ll be if you ever let me get you naked.”
She laughed co
yly. “Well, I might have to collar you then because wild animals are known to be reckless.”
Our banter turned heavy with lust but we smiled at each other, both not wanting to break the spell. “I can be docile.”
“Prove it.”
Prove it?
How?
How could I do that when all I wanted to do was leap on this woman and fuck her?
She said, “Take me out, seeing as you asked so politely.”
“That I can do.” My gut clenched in joy. “Where do you want to go?”
“Surprise me. But I want it to be completely different to normal dates and I want it to be fun.”
“So you’re not into romantic meals or walks along the river hand in hand?”
She shook her head, placing her fingertips on my chest. My heart tore around like a moron beneath her touch.
“Not this time. You need to work for it. Wow me, Mr. Carson, then you might just get rewarded by seeing me naked.”
Chapter Thirteen
Vesper
I HAD NO IDEA WHERE my sex-kitten confidence came from yesterday but Ryder took me literally.
This morning, I’d awoken to a text.
Ryder: Tonight is the night. Wear sneakers and all black clothing. I’ll pick you up at seven.
What the hell was he planning? A high-stakes robbery?
All day at work I was distracted by the thought of what he would make us do. By the time I was back home and freaking out about what would happen, I wished desperately I’d ordered another battery operated friend.
I could really have used an orgasm or ten to relax my nervous energy.
Plus, his wardrobe rules curtailed what I could wear, making me even more on edge. In the end, I settled for black skinny jeans, a black tank top with an off the shoulder black sweater with light grey cat whiskers on the front and straightened my blonde curls as a one off.
He deserved to see me when I put an effort into my appearance.
Most days, I washed my hair and let it air dry into the curly chaos he knew. I hated wasting time on bathroom primping but I didn’t want Ryder to think I was a total slob. Hell, he’d already been in my apartment while it was a bombsite. This was my last chance to impress him.
At six forty, I fed Visa and looked longingly at the pink fluffy bed I’d brought home from our small gift shop at the surgery, ready for Barb (the Chinese Crested) when she’d healed enough to move in with me.
She was being monitored by our vet students for the next few days to ensure her blood work was okay and her healing muzzle had no complications.
I couldn’t believe I was taking on yet another animal but she was too special not to.
And she deserves a better name than Barb.
What should I call her?
What was considered a good name for a Chinese Crested? Something Chinese? Back in my past, I had a childhood friend called Aiko. It meant love, but that was Japanese.
At six fifty-five, my doorbell rang.
Holy crap, he’s early.
Was he always punctual or was this his chance to wow me like I was trying to wow him?
Visa took off into the bedroom to guard my pillows while I strode toward the door with my sneakers dangling from my fingers. I hadn’t worn these in a very long time. I used to jog most mornings while studying at university but that was before life got hectic and I opened my own business.
Now, my exercise came from standing all day and chasing after sick pets.
Opening the door, I couldn’t fight my smile. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
His grin was sinful but sweet, matching his all black wardrobe of jeans and t-shirt. We complimented each other in a cutesy gag-worthy way.
I frowned. “Can you tell me exactly what’s on the agenda tonight? I don’t feel like being arrested for breaking and entering.”
He laughed. “So now is a bad time to tell you I have two balaclavas in the back seat and a sledge hammer?”
I took a step back, unsure if he was joking. Perhaps he was a caring dog superhero by day and a masked robber vigilante by night?
Oh, that just ruins everything.
He held up his hands, laughing at my expense. “Relax, Veves, it’s not illegal.”
I froze. “What did you just call me?
He paused. “Shit, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”
“Say what?”
“In my mind, I call you Vet Vesper. But it’s a bit of a mouthful, so I’ve shortened it to Veves.” He looked away. “It’s stupid, I know. Don’t worry, I won’t use it. I know how women are about pet names.”
“That’s true, about words like Baby and Doll Face—they’re too generic. But I kind of like Veves.”
He brightened. “Okay, great. I might use it occasionally when you least expect it.” Stepping back from my doorway, he bowed like a gentleman. “Well, now you’re assured I have no criminal intentions, are you ready to go?”
Grabbing my credit card and shoving it into my back pocket (screw carrying a heavy purse tonight), I nodded. “Yep, let’s get this date over with.”
“Oh, you wound me.”
I smirked. “If you think that hurts, you don’t know me very well. I have unlimited access to scalpels and needles. So be careful what you say.”
He backed away with a chuckle. “We’ve escalated to threats already? Christ, you move fast. Lucky for you, I love a woman with claws.”
Chapter Fourteen
Ryder
“YOU’VE PLAYED THIS BEFORE, RIGHT?”
Vesper shook her head for the billionth time.
I had to admit, I’d had great fun laughing at her expense. Since the moment we arrived, she’d been uncomfortable. Then again, she had told me to think outside the box and take her on a random/fun date.
I chuckled. “I take it this is random enough for you?”
She scowled. “I don’t know why you’re doing this.”
“Because you told me to.”
“I didn’t mean literally take me to the most ridiculous place you can think of.” She hoisted her gun and rearranged her laser bulls-eye on the armed and ready to play vest. “I mean laser strike, really? What are we? School children?”
“You mean to tell me some boy already beat me and took you here when you were in school?”
She rolled her eyes. “No. I mean this is so juvenile.”
“Well, you banned dinner and romantic walks along the river, so…this is what you get.”
“All ready to go?” The attendant asked as I spun my weapon with cocky flair just to prove to Vesper that this might be a gimmick and purely stupid but I wouldn’t just sit and let her win.
When I played, I played.
The competitiveness of being the youngest brother meant I tried to outdo my sibling at every turn. Damn Rupert and his bloody arsenal of skills.
(And yes, you heard that right. Ryder and Rupert. My parents weren’t kind to us).
Rest in peace, Mum and Dad.
“How long does the game last?” Vesper asked timidly. “What if we want to just sit and watch?”
The pimply faced high-school student earning minimum wage scowled. “You come to play, not observe at Tag Team Target.”
“Why is it called Tag Team Target?” She tilted her chin. “I don’t see anyone else here but us.”
The kid rolled his eyes as if he couldn’t believe he was dealing with this. “Because you’re normally assigned to a group.”
Vesper looked around the empty entrance where racks of guns, bulls-eye vests, and black overalls hung on the available space. “Then where is everyone?”
Don’t do it, kid.
He did it anyway.
He ratted me out.
Pointing in my direction, he said, “He bought an hour for just the two of you.”
Vesper turned to face me. “You did?”
I smirked, trying to play it off as not a big deal. “Hey, I didn’t want to have to compete with pubescent horny teenagers rubbing you up in
the dark.” I winked. “That’s my job.”
The attendant cleared his throat, moving toward the large door spray painted with ‘Enter If You Dare.’
“Have a good time. First to be shot twenty times loses. If you don’t manage to shoot your opponent that many times in the sixty minutes, the person with the lowest shots on their tally wins.” He gave a half-hearted grin—no doubt wanting to text his latest girlfriend and forget about working for a living. “Have a rockin’ time.” He swung open the door, holding it wide as we smiled and headed inside.
“You’re lucky I didn’t ask for the zombie special.” I nudged Vesper’s shoulder with mine as we made our way into a pitch black maze.
She stiffened. “What zombies? You didn't say anything about zombies.”
“That’s ‘cause there isn’t any.” My eyes strained in the gloom. “At least, I don’t think so.”
Her teeth flashed white. “Once this is over, don’t call me again.”
I might’ve been worried if her tone didn’t border apprehensive but excited, too. The things I planned on doing to her in the dark ran through my mind. Unlike her, I’d studied an illegal map of this place on Google. It was an old aircraft hangar that’d been completely shut up with nooks and crannies, overhead stairs, bridges, and forts dotted around in the blackness.
The key was to get to the centre of the maze with the least amount of laser kills on your bulls-eye. I planned on shooting a lot tonight—including my other weapon.
Vesper opened her mouth to berate me again but the overhead speakers crackled to life. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to Tag Team Target. The aim of the game is to stay alive. Shoot your enemies but not those on your team and listen for the buzz when you score. Get to the centre and steal the trophy for extra points before the hour is up. And now, for the extra element to make this awesome game even harder.”
Vesper and I waited for the generic final instruction but heavy rock n’ roll fell through the speakers instead. The music disorientated us as we blinked in shock then dry ice smoke and strobe lights kicked in, turning a simple back box into a flashing torture chamber.