But Talia would come to me when Alex screwed up again. I was her security. She couldn't let me go for long.
Playing Nice
He'd follow me into the conference room. He had to or I'd go back out there and kill him. Alex walked in and closed the door while I booted up my laptop and waited for him to make a move. Would he grab my hair? Bite off a kiss? Shove me down on the table and pull my skirt up?
"Let's go out for dinner."
Okay, didn't see that coming. "Oh that's nice. Just walk in here and give me orders. No apology, no 'Hi Talia, I've missed you'. Just 'dinner, now.'" I grunted at him like a caveman.
He looked at me, his eyebrows raised and pinched together as if he didn't know whether to laugh or strangle me. "All right. I'm sorry, Talia. I've missed you like crazy. Would you like to go out to dinner with me?"
I stepped behind a chair and crossed my arms. "Do you even know what you're apologizing for?"
"For all the thousands of ways I've wronged you, and a hundred more I'll never know about."
Vague but sweet and so close to sincere. "And for the dozen or so yet to come."
He cracked a smile and shook his head. "I love your faith in me."
"Nice, isn't it?" I sat down and pretended to work.
"Yeah. So, dinner?"
I flipped through a file, not looking at him. "You have plans with Will tonight."
"Tomorrow then. I'll take you downtown."
I blinked at him. "Is that a euphemism?"
He scrubbed his hand over his face. "No. It's a real date. Reservations, valet parking, jacket and tie required."
"I don't look good in a tie."
He clenched his jaw and sputtered through his teeth. "Will you stop...? Just listen to me for once."
God, I love annoying him. I crossed my arms over my chest and tapped my foot.
"That's better." His shoulders loosened and he let out a huge breath. "I'll pick you up at your hotel. Six-thirty. Don't keep me waiting."
Thinks he can give me instructions? I stood and flattened my hands on the table, leaning toward him until I got right in his face. "Oh you'll wait. You'll wait for me, you'll wait on me. And you'll treat me like a Goddamn queen."
That familiar dirty grin reappeared. "Until we get to bed."
"Think you're gonna get laid tomorrow?"
"Duh. I'm going out with you."
My fingers twitched, itching to slap him. Instead, I tapped the table. "I don't put out on the first date."
"That's not what I heard."
I pushed back and tripped over the chair. He reached out to catch me, but I jerked away from his grasp and planted my feet, jabbing my finger into his chest. "We don't have to go out at all. You will treat me with respect. No more of this 'Talia is a horny slut' bullshit."
Until we get to bed.
His rattlesnake smile flickered a warning. "I like it when you boss me around." He grabbed my arm and pulled me into his body, breathing hard and close as if he intended to kiss me. But his gaze burned into mine and only a hot breath touched my lips. "Don't get used to it."
He let go and walked out the door, leaving me wondering if I could get away with rubbing out a quick orgasm. Maybe if I pull the chair close to the table and slip a hand under my skirt.... Ahh....
"Talia is a horny slut."
***
Alex knocked on my door at six twenty-nine. I probably should've put my dress on before I opened it, but since I'd spent most of my paycheck on a black lace bra and panties with a matching garter, I wanted to make sure he got a good look at me in them.
"You...." His voice trailed off as his gaze travelled over my uplifted breasts to my silk-encased legs. "Look good." His hand went to his crotch and he adjusted himself. "Real good. Um... hi."
"Hi yourself." Words weren't exactly my strong suit at the moment because he looked as hot as I felt.
He always wore a suit to work, but most of the time his tie hung loose, and his shirt skewed off-center. I'd had to help him find his jacket on more than one occasion. Usually he'd tossed it over the back of his chair and wrinkled it when he sat down, or it had slipped to the floor and gotten rolled over.
But tonight he wore a tailored charcoal suit that fit perfectly across his broad shoulders, and his tie and collar framed his sculpted face like a Renaissance masterpiece.
"Where's your dress?" He didn't bother looking for it. His gaze was glued to my ass.
"In the closet. I'll be right back." I opened the louvered doors and grabbed the hanger.
"Need some help?" He stepped behind me as I slipped the red satin garment over my head.
I tugged the tight halter-top into place while he zipped me up, sliding his fingers over my skin. A deep V dove down both front and back. "Thank you."
"My pleasure." He stroked my shoulder, brushing my hair back as he turned us toward the mirror. "You are beautiful. We look perfect together."
If only we could be perfect together. I turned in his arms and stepped back as he moved to kiss me.
His brow wrinkled. "What?"
"No kissing until after—"
"Seriously? Are you trying to re-virginize or something? Because I'm telling you, that's not gonna happen."
I slapped his shoulder. "Just play nice. It'll be fun." I slipped on a bracelet and earrings, but tossed the matching necklace aside. I can't stand having anything wrapped around my neck... except Alex's hands.
"If you say so." He grunted and offered his arm. He escorted me to the lobby, behaving like a perfect gentleman.
This will be fun, right?
A valet pulled up in a sporty little Audi and handed the keys to Alex.
"New car?" I ran my fingers over the fine finish as he opened my door.
He laughed. "I rented it. Valets don't like my beat-up old truck."
"But it's a classic. You'd think they'd love to get behind the wheel."
"They think I can't afford a good tip."
"Ah." My skirt slid up my thighs as I climbed in. Oops, butt first. I backed into the leather seat and crossed my ankles as I pulled my legs in.
Alex cleared his throat. "Nice tease." He jogged around to the other side. When we arrived at a high-class steakhouse downtown, a valet ran to meet us, smiling as Alex tossed him the keys.
The lovely hostess walked us to our table. Candlelight flickered off sparkling crystal and shining china. A string quartet played in the corner, and both patrons and servers spoke in hushed tones.
The hostess handed me a menu and gave the wine list to Alex. He ordered a bottle of my favorite chardonnay while I scanned the entrees. Something with mushrooms....
"Making any progress finding that payment?"
"We're not talking about work tonight."
He smiled, knowing I was avoiding the question. "Okay."
We waited for our server. Alex played with the silverware while I fought off the urge to bite my polished fingernails. Oh God, I haven't done that since junior high.
I pretended to debate over my dinner choices. Do we have anything to talk about?
"How did you get into forensic accounting?"
His out-of-the-blue question startled me, and the menu slipped from my hand. I laid it beside my plate and looked at him. He leaned back in his chair and loosened his tie just enough to let him breathe easier. My perfect gentleman date disappeared, and the predatory attorney took his place. He'd asked an open-ended question, something that would allow him to ask follow-up questions. And most likely lead me into a trap. But I'd played this game with him before.
I thanked the wine server and waited for him to disappear before submitting to Alex's interrogation. "I've always been good with numbers and computers."
"I know that. Give me something interesting."
"After I turned in Holland Spencer, the DA's office asked me to help them track down all his accounts. I found a mountain of evidence against him before they went to trial. He pled guilty."
"Nice job. That old bastard deserves to rot. Di
d you go to work for the DA?"
"No." I took a long sip of my chardonnay.
He realized his mistake and rephrased the question. "How did that lead you to forensic work?"
"I thought I'd solved that case so easily because I knew Holland, but the DA asked for my help on another case, and I discovered my gift for uncovering virtual evidence."
"Is Wes Abernathy still the DA?"
I nodded. Wes rivaled Alex in good looks and charm. But he had ethics Alex lacked, or maybe Wes cared to cover his tracks.
"Did you sleep with him?"
"Wes? What does that have to do with my job?"
"Not a damn thing, but you're avoiding my question."
"No. I didn't sleep with him."
The waiter appeared to take our order and that ended our conversation. What do we talk about now?
I grabbed my napkin and draped it across my lap. "Did you have a good time with Will last night?"
He grinned. "Yes." He picked up his wine glass and downed half of it in one long swallow.
Damn it. "Where did you go?"
"To a bar near my office." He loved fucking with me as much as I loved annoying him.
"What did you guys do?"
His eyes narrowed, and he set the glass down hard. "Why do you want to talk about Will?"
Oh shit. "I just wondered how you two are getting along." I rearranged my napkin.
He sighed and unbuttoned his collar. "We're fine. We had a few beers. Talked for a while."
"About me?"
"Yes."
"Good things?"
"Bad things, too." His eyes glittered.
"I'm sure you boys enjoyed that."
A deviant smile twitched his lips before he pounced. "Why'd you sleep with him last weekend?"
The napkin slipped off my skirt, and I threw it on my plate. "Does it matter?"
He shrugged. "Why'd you sleep with him after I left Chicago?"
"How did you know about that? Did he tell you?"
"No." Alex laughed, shaking his head. "I can't believe you fell for that. I thought I taught you better."
Jesus. "Stop the cross-examination. I can't win your game."
"No kidding."
This isn't going to work. No 'real date' I'd ever been on made me want to rip a man's throat out. But no other man had ever pissed me off and turned me on the way Alex did. I want this to work. "We need to lay down some rules."
"Why?"
"I need the protection. First, if we're going to really date, you can't sleep with anyone else."
He picked up his fork and pointed it at me. "Neither can you."
"I was just going to say that."
"Do I get to fuck your ass?"
"Where the hell that did come from? No."
He tossed the fork on the table. "So now that we're dating, you're turning prude on me?"
"No. I'm not ready to let you to go there."
"You let Will."
We stared at each other, his gazed locked with mine as if he dared me to answer. "That's different." Lame.
"How?"
"Rule number two, no digging up the past."
"Dodging the issue. Okay. Three, no cheating."
"We already covered that with rule one and two."
"Right...."
The waiter appeared with our dinner, glancing between the two of us as he set our plates down. He stiffened as if the tension had gotten to him, too. "Enjoy your meal," he mumbled as he scurried away from the table.
I snatched my fork and stabbed at the juicy roasted mushrooms which were smothered in an amazing sauce that should've made my mouth water. "This isn't going to be easy."
Alex reached across the table and touched my hand. "Never said it would be."
The fork thumped on the tablecloth as I dropped it to squeeze his fingers. "It is worth the trouble?"
He smiled and scooted his chair next to me. "baby, you've been nothing but trouble since... forever. And I've loved every minute of it." He slid his hand down the V on my back, pulling me close and kissing me.
Just when I was ready to give up on him, he had to go and turn all sweet. I grabbed his tie and parted my lips under his. His thigh brushed mine and we slid closer together, kissing and touching until some idiot cleared his throat.
Alex pressed a last tempting kiss on my lips. "We'd better get out of here before we get thrown out."
"Not before I devour these mushrooms." I grabbed my forgotten fork and stuffed a fat bite in my mouth. "Good God. These are wonderful."
His genuine laugh made my toes tingle. He pulled his plate over, staying close to me while we ate. Talking about work turned out to be the safest topic. He bragged about his achievements since leaving Chicago, and then he congratulated me as I told him about all the cases I'd helped win. We skipped dessert and ran a few yellow-turned-red lights on the way back to my hotel.
We scurried to the crowded elevator. If we'd been alone, we would've been all over each other, but even with people surrounding us, Alex snuck his hand up the back of my skirt and fondled my lacy ass.
When the elevator beeped for our floor, he snatched my hand and whisked me out the door. We practically ran down the hall to my door. "Where is my damn key?" I rummaged through my clutch, but the coded card eluded me.
"Need some help?" He wrapped his arms around me, slipping one hand into my top while the other gathered my hem up.
I brushed his wandering fingers off my skirt. "Didn't I tell you I don't fuck on the first date?"
His laugh tickled that treacherous spot where my neck met my shoulder, sending rebellious thrills down my spine. I melted back against him as he nibbled my skin.
"You'll fuck me." He caressed my breast, sneaking his fingers into my bra cup and teasing my nipple.
I fished his hand out of my cleavage and turned around. "Maybe we should try to do it right this time, wait until—"
His mouth closed on mine. He grabbed my ass with both hands and yanked me against his bulging erection. "Does it feel like I want to wait?"
Feels like he could break the door down with that thing if I don't find my key. "But we should...."
"Should what? Try to keep our hands off each other for months? You didn't have much luck with that before."
"Asshole."
He took a step back and held up his hands. "If you want me to play nice, I will. I need to treat you better, so if that's what it takes...." He straightened his tie and adjusted his pants.
"You're willing to wait?"
He ran his hand through his hair and nodded. "Yeah. Whatever you need." He put his hands on my shoulders, leaned forward and kissed my forehead.
I could love him. Giggles bubbled up inside me as I realized how stupid.... "What am I, nuts? Waiting would never work with you." I grabbed his collar with both hands, and he fell into me, crushing me against the door as I kissed him. Not on the forehead; not a sweet goodnight peck on the cheek, but a fuck-me-in-a-public-hallway mouth molesting.
I groped his crotch and he gripped my thighs. My skirt slid above my lace-topped stockings, and he unhooked a garter with one hand. "Nice skills," I panted on his neck.
"The best." He unzipped my dress and caught the strap as it slid down my arm, holding it over my breast as a gaping couple walked by. "Where's your Goddamn key?"
I unsnapped my purse and he grabbed the card and jammed it in the lock. In one swift motion, he opened the door and dragged me inside. I let my dress fall to the floor as he stripped his jacket off and flung it across the room. His belt, his pants, his tie, and his shirt all disappeared and he stood naked before me, his chest heaving while he stroked his erection and stared at me.
I took an involuntary step back against the wall, knowing he'd stalk me and trap me. My heart hammered, but he waited.
He moved close, and I felt his cock hit my stomach as he raised his hand and ran his fingers along my bra cups. Then they trailed down my ribs, over my hip and across my thigh, finally curling under the lace between my legs
and ripping it apart with one vicious pull.
"Oh God!" I cried out as he rammed his cock into me. He wrapped my leg around his waist and pounded my dripping pussy, lifting me up as I clung to his shoulders. I came in a crashing avalanche, tumbling head over heels while he held me, still driving that relentless cock.
When I regained my senses, I was on the floor, flat on my back while he stripped me. He shredded my stockings. Half of the garter belt hung from the TV and the other piece landed on the bed. I had no idea what had happened to my bra.
Alex lay between my legs, his bangs brushing my skin as he softly kissed my thighs, mumbling words both sweet and dirty. "Mmm... such a yummy cunt. I could eat you all night. Dessert. That's what I need."
I watched him nibble and lick, his tongue flickering in and out of my pink flesh. His nose brushed my clit as he thrust his tongue inside. A harsh moan escaped him, vibrating my entire body, starting at the core. I leaned up on my elbows and rolled my nipples between my fingers. His mouth plundered my pussy; lips, tongue, and even teeth battered my aching flesh. Tremors threatened to knock me down, but I wanted to see what he was doing to me. His tongue flitted over my clit and then his lips sucked it in. "Oh yes."
And then he looked up at me, his eyes hot and glazed as if he had no control over his mouth—and didn't care. I came staring into his scorching eyes. "Oh yes!" The inferno swept me to the floor where I lay helpless as he crawled over top of me.
"Yes, darlin'?" Alex kissed his way up my body, nipping my quivering abs, sucking my throbbing nipples. He pushed my thighs apart with his knees and sank into my clenching pussy. "Do you know how good it feels to hear you say that?"
I threaded my fingers through his hair and pulled him down for a kiss. "How good does hearing this feel?" I pushed him back so he could see the words on my lips. "Fuck me, Alex."
He grinned.
"Fuck me, please."
He groaned and wrapped his arms around me, lifting my ass up and driving down hard and fast. He lost control and his cock slipped out, rubbing against my clit as he pushed back in.
Their Twisted Love (The Twisted Mosaic - Book 2) Page 9