As he sat in meetings with his agents, clients and sponsors, Jason's mind wandered to how he was going to tell Carla that he wanted more than just a few dates after she had written the article about him. He wanted the real thing. Brooke's wise words reminded him that the real thing was more fulfilling than just filling a void with meaningless sex.
Jason just hoped that Carla felt the same way. It would break his heart if she walked away from him now but he was willing to find out.
As soon as his final meeting finished Jason was virtually running out, his employees giving each other confused looks. But Jason didn't care. He needed to find Carla.
And he found her on his floor making her way to his office.
"Hey."
Carla looked up and smiled. God, even her smile had Jason's body stirring.
"Hi."
"You okay?"
That sounded really lame. But Carla did look exhausted.
"I'm fine. It's just been a long day and it's only midday." Carla rubbed at her eyes. "How were your meetings? Danielle said you had a lot crammed into the morning."
"Boring." Jason gave in to the urge to touch her. He reached out and took her hand, relieved when Carla turned her hand over and linked her fingers with his. "How were the rest of the interviews?"
"I've finally finished. I've just got to finish off with Danielle as we were interrupted and then I'm done."
"And everything's fine?"
"Yes." Carla grinned, her eyes sparkling. "This is going to be a very positive article for you."
"I'm glad."
The touch of Carla's soft palm against his was getting too much for Jason. He had no idea just a simple touch would make him want more.
And she looked gorgeous in a black blouse buttoned to the neck and a floaty black skirt that went down to her knees. It looked librarian but Jason was finding it to be his favorite outfit.
He gave up. There was no way he could wait.
Carla squeaked as he pulled her over to a maintenance closet and pushed her inside, shutting the door behind them so they were encased in darkness.
"What are you doing?"
Jason found the light switch and flicked the light on. Finding a broom, he wedged it under the handle to jam it. Then he pressed Carla up against the door, pressing her in with his body as he buried his face in her neck breathing in her subtle perfume.
"I missed you."
Carla shuddered, dropping her bag and putting her hands on his biceps.
"I missed you, too." She whispered.
Jason let out a shuddering breath, his hands running over her thighs to her backside, filling his hands with her soft flesh. He gave her a squeeze and Carla whimpered, rubbing her hips against his erection. Jason groaned.
"God, Carla, you make me crazy."
Carla grabbed his head and brought him up. Jason returned her fierce kiss, his tongue tangling with hers. Her breasts rubbed against his chest and her hips rolled against his erection, which strained against the zipper of his trousers.
To hell with waiting until they were at his place. He needed her now.
Carla pulled back with a gasp as Jason brought her skirt up, running his hands along the outside of her thighs.
"Jason, don't." She was breathing heavily. "We're in a closet! Someone could come in."
But even as she protested, she didn't stop Jason from palming her breast as he kissed along her jaw. His other hand found her panties and slipped his hand inside, his fingers brushing against her curls. He groaned when he found her pussy was wet.
"Wouldn't that be interesting?" He murmured as he nibbled at her ear. "Someone coming in and finding us fucking." He heard a hitch in her breath, the way her body tensed against him, and he smiled against her neck. "You like the sound of that, don't you?"
"I wish I didn't." Carla gasped. She reached down and rubbed her hand over his erection. Jason groaned and pushed against her palm. "But we're not fucking yet."
"We will be."
Jason swooped in for another kiss, their actions frantic as their hands went everywhere. He used both hands to pull her panties down, plunging two of his fingers into her pussy and pumping. Carla's gasp was muffled by his mouth and turned into moans as Jason increased the pumping of his fingers. With his other hand he neatly unbuttoned her blouse until it was completely open, her bra the only thing between him and her breasts. Undoing the front clasp, Jason pushed the bra aside and tweaked a nipple, rolling it between his fingers.
Carla's hands weren't idle, either. She had managed to push his jacket off his shoulders and undo his tie and shirt, running her hands across his stomach. Jason groaned and lowered his head to her breast, sucking and nipping at her skin. Carla whimpered, her pussy contracting around his fingers.
When Jason couldn't take it anymore he pulled his hand away and undid his trousers, pushing them to his knees with his boxers. His cock sprang free. Carla was staring at it with wide eyes. She licked her lips and reached for him. Jason caught her hands and pushed her back against the wall. If she touched him he was going to go off like a rocket.
He wanted to be inside her when he came.
Pushing her skirt to her waist, Jason grabbed one leg and wrapped it around his waist. Carla held onto his shoulders and rubbed her pussy against his cock. Jason bent his knees, used his hand to place his cock at her entrance, and thrust. Carla bit back a yell as he entered her, pushing in to the hilt and pinning her against the wall.
Jason felt like he was in heaven. Her pussy was warm and soft and very wet. And it was clamping down on him.
He wasn't going to last very long.
His movements were hard and fast, pushing Carla against the door. He palmed her bottom to stop her bruising it against the door and thrust faster. Carla bit her lip and clutched onto him, biting his shoulder and neck as she met his thrusts with her own, meeting his speed just as frantically.
Jason's orgasm hit him unexpectedly and he let out a long groan. A moment later Carla was climaxing, her pussy tightening hard around Jason's cock. Jason felt like his head was about to explode.
He leaned against the door, wrapping his arms around Carla and holding her close as his heart slowed back to its usual steady pace. Carla was running her fingers through his hair, her breathing slowing back to normal.
Jason couldn't believe he had made love to her in a closet. That wasn't how he had imagined their first time. But he wouldn't change it; it had been amazing.
If they wouldn't be missed he would do it again. His cock was ready to go for another round but he knew that he would be missed if they stayed in there. Plus someone would need to come in to get something.
He pressed a kiss to Carla's neck.
"Meet me tonight." He pleaded.
Carla sighed.
"I'll have to take a rain check. I have another interview for a separate article."
"Rearrange. Cancel." Jason pulled back and looked down at her. "Just come and be with me."
Carla opened her eyes and looked up at him. Her eyes were glazed over, her hair mussed and her mouth was swollen. She looked well and truly loved.
She also looked well and truly his.
Carla smiled and touched his face with her fingers.
"Maybe afterwards?" She suggested.
Jason nodded. Reluctantly he pulled out and they dressed, trying not to touch each other. When they were more or less presentable, Jason pulled Carla in for another kiss.
"Text me when you're done." He whispered against her mouth. "I'll be waiting."
Chapter 7
"Are you sure about this?" Amy asked.
"Of course I'm sure." Carla pulled on a black sweater and checked herself in the mirror. "I'm not wading into a full-out war. I'm just going to be taking some pictures."
Amy shook her head. She had come over half an hour before to help Carla prepare for her surveillance of the meeting that was happening on the beach that evening. She was loaning her camera to Carla, something Carla was appreciative about since sh
e would have to sign out a camera at work and she wasn't going to explain what she needed it for.
Carla felt like she was lighter than normal. She couldn't believe she had fucked Jason in a maintenance closet with people walking past a few feet away. And she had found it exhilarating. Jason was a thorough lover; Carla's pussy was still throbbing from the encounter. It wanted more.
So did Carla. But what did that mean for them? Would Jason want to take their relationship further? Or would he say he had now got her out of his system and to say their goodbyes?
Or should she remember that he was an assignment and to focus on the job?
Despite her lightness, she was confused about her feelings and what she wanted. This was a mess.
Amy leaned against the door frame as she watched Carla put on her leather jacket.
"And you really think Jason is going to realize that he's doing something stupid when you show him the pictures?"
That sounded stupid when being said by somebody else. Carla closed her eyes and sighed.
"No."
"Then why are you going? It could be a hoax for all you know."
"Because I'm curious." Carla opened her eyes and zipped up her jacket. "I want to see what's going on and see what I can find when I get there."
"Do you honestly believe he's not done anything?"
Carla moved past Amy into the lounge. She picked up her gun, which lay on the coffee table, and checked the magazine. It felt better knowing she was going armed. At least she wouldn't be stuck without protection.
"I still believe he's innocent." She sat on the couch and put her gun into it holster, which she slotted onto her waistband. "Going tonight will confirm what I know; that he's not involved."
She looked up. Amy was staring at her like she was mad.
"What?"
"Are you really thinking clearly?" She demanded. "Or are you struggling to separate your feelings from your job?"
Carla didn't need to be a genius to know what she was talking about. While Amy didn't know about her having sex with Jason she knew how Carla felt about the man.
"You mean am I in denial that Jason's done something bad because I have feelings for him? Maybe. But I also stand by my original belief that he's innocent."
Amy shook her head. Like Luke she believed Jason had been up to something illegal.
"Well, it's your funeral."
"Charming."
Amy dropped into the armchair with a heavy sigh just as a cell phone started ringing. Amy held up her hands.
"Not mine."
Carla's phone was on the counter in the kitchen. Standing, she went into the kitchen and picked it up, answering as soon as she realized who was calling.
"Joanie? What's wrong?"
"It's Jason." Joanie sounded frantic, breathing fast. "He's just been here."
"What?"
Carla glanced at Amy, who had sat up and was watching with interest.
"He came to my house and started banging on the door. I didn't let him in but I heard him threatening me." Joanie was now starting to sound hysterical. "I'm scared, Carla."
"Okay, calm down." Carla put her phone on loudspeaker as Amy came to join her. "Have you called the police? They can drive by and make sure he's not there anymore."
"No. You told me to call you."
Carla sighed and closed her eyes. Things were getting more and more conflicting in her head and it was giving her a headache.
"Call them and ask if they can check. Then lock all your doors and windows and I'll be around later tonight."
"Okay."
Carla hung up and pressed the cell phone against her forehead, trying to push the headache back. Jason had been threatening Joanie? She didn't believe it, didn't want to believe it, but Joanie was claiming it had happened.
What was going on?
*****
It was colder than Carla had anticipated. The wind came in off the sea and whipped around her, making her eyes water. She wished she had brought her shades along but if anyone had happened to come along they would have wondered why she was wearing sunglasses in the middle of the night.
They would be here any minute now. She had decided to get there early and find the best hiding place where she could watch everything without being seen. There was a perfect place amongst the rocks just overlooking the spot so Carla had gone there. Now she was lying flat on a salt-soaked rock, sharp bits digging into her stomach, with Amy's camera in her hands.
While it wasn't the most comfortable spot Carla knew that this wasn't the worst she had had to endure before. She had followed one cheating husband into the Everglades once and thought the spot she had found was perfect until a crocodile had come along and decided it wanted a human for tea. Carla still had the scars from its teeth on her calf but they had been superficial; she had given it a good few kicks before it got a good grip.
The time came and went. Carla glanced at her watch, her agitation rising. If there was no definite time span, she was happy to lie in wait for hours without complaining. But put a time stamp on something and Carla expected everything to go like clockwork. If someone was a minute late she was jittery and getting angry. Everything was as it was for a reason and timekeeping was something that was seriously lacking in the world.
And these people were seriously lacking in punctuality. If Carla was their boss she would be kicking them out into the street.
Suddenly someone grabbed the back of her collar and hauled her up. In stunned surprise Carla dropped Amy's camera and reached back, trying to get a grip on the strong arm that lifted her up and turned her around. She barely had time to get her bearings before she felt something hit her in the face. Her nose exploded in pain and Carla sagged to the ground, steadying herself against a rock.
Her attacker grabbed her around the throat and pulled her to her feet. Carla tried to gasp for breath as someone leaned in, their foul breath wafting across her face.
"You should really mind your own business." She heard a soft whisper against her ear. "Back off or you'll end up like your apartment. Ripped to pieces."
Then everything went dark.
*****
Jason was furious. Carla had lied to him. She had smiled at him and lied to him. She wasn't what she claimed to be at all. He had asked his brother Edmund to check again but Edmund had insisted that he had already checked it twice and it didn't change what he had found.
Carla Romaine was a lie.
Maybe everything they had shared together was a lie as well. Maybe her feelings were false. All so she could get close to Jason and get the dirt on him.
Now he was feeling cheated. The first woman he had begun to open up to and feel love for the first time in his life and she had betrayed him. He wondered what else she had lied about.
Jason was going to have it out with her, see how long she could live up to the lie. But when he went to her apartment and managed to get in and up to her floor she wouldn't answer the door. He banged on the door with his fist.
"Carla? Carla, open up!"
But still nothing. Jason decided to check if her car was in the parking lot. He should've checked when he first arrived but he was too angry to think clearly.
Amazing what happened when you were thrown off your game.
Jason took the elevator down, still seething at how he had been cheated. But his thoughts on confronting Carla disappeared when the elevator doors opened and he saw Carla leaning against the wall. He stared at her bloody face, the cut eye and the ripped jacket. One sleeve had been pulled out of its seam at the shoulder and her left hand was bloody.
"Carla." Jason hurried forward and grabbed at her as Carla tried to stand and swayed. "My God, what happened to you?"
"I had a run in with a few fists." Carla winced and gingerly held her stomach. "And a few kicks."
"It looks like more than a few." Jason reached for her bag, which she was clutching against her chest. "Give me your key. I'll get you in."
"No!" Carla pulled away from him. "Don't t
ouch me."
Jason stared. Something had happened to Carla; that much was evident. What wasn't evident was why she was suddenly shunning his touch.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
"You think?" Carla snapped.
Jason wasn't in the mood to deal with her mood right now. Whether he liked it or not he loved this woman and she was hurt. He was going to make sure she was okay. Then she was going to do some explaining.
Snatching her bag away, Jason found the key card and opened the elevator doors. Pulling Carla in, they stood in stony silence as they rode up to Carla's floor. Still dragging Carla along behind him, Jason unlocked her apartment and pushed her inside, following her in. Carla switched the lights on and went into the kitchen, putting her bag on the counter. Then she burrowed under the sink for the first aid kit.
Jason looked around the apartment with a frown. Something was different. For a moment he thought they were in the wrong apartment. Then he blinked and realized it was Carla's apartment. It was just that everything inside had changed.
"What happened to your apartment? Wasn't there different furniture here last time?"
"There was." Carla banged the first aid kit down and opened it. "Until some of your goons tore the place up and destroyed everything I had when I was on that date with you in Boca Raton."
"You what?" Jason swung around and stared at her. "Someone destroyed your apartment?" Then something she had said sunk in. "Hang on, why do you think I did it?"
"I don't know." Carla huffed, sending him a glare and she leaned on the counter with her hands. "Maybe because I was snooping around and would find out you were laundering money through your publishing house."
"Excuse me? Laundering money?"
Jason thought he had entered an alternate dimension. Was Carla, his Carla, standing there accusing him of a crime he had never committed? This wasn't real, surely?
"You heard me." Carla snapped. "You're doing business with Taga and you found out I was poking my nose in. So you told your goons to draw me out with a fake meeting and beat me up to make me back off. Or were they Taga's goons?"
Never Let Go (Brothers From Money Book 9) Page 22