Seductive Truths (Seductive Trilogy)

by Becky Cairns

  Our connection breaks when he moves around the desk. Like a male lion surveying his territory, he glides effortlessly towards his property and checks the damage. He crouches down in front of me and delicately, more delicately than I thought him capable of, inspects the splintered wood. He then leans forward and picks up the discarded letter opener placing it back in its rightful place before sharply turning around to face me, and just like that, I’m under his spell.

  God help me. His eyes are…his eyes are; well, just something else, something unique and individual.

  The intensity of it all causes my cheeks to burn, my stomach to tremble with uncontrolled lust and a scalding desire for him to rip me bare of my clothes and take me here and now, right over his desk. His pupils are like two black coals steaming red-hot energy into the atmosphere, melting me in place.

  Looking beyond I see a knowing glitter of something in the pigment of his eyes, like he instinctively understands what’s currently running through my brain. It’s unnerving. The connection’s unbreakable. Unbreakable until he turns sharply to retrieve his gun.

  ‘Come,’ he says shoving the dangerous weapon into the back of his trousers then making his way into the other room. I numbly follow.

  On the coffee table stands two tumblers filled with amber liquor. The enticing substance calls out to me, tempting me to gulp the contents down my throat with no consideration to its fine taste, anything to squelch the burning sensation gurgling in the pit on my stomach.

  Tentatively I sit down on the edge of the leather sofa after watching Gareth do the same. Reaching out, I quickly snap up the drink and down it in one. Before I have chance to place it back it’s refilled. This time I savour the drink, only taking casual sips to calm my nerves.

  Hmmm, quality stuff this.

  It’s a produce to be cherished in its refinement, not something you just knock back without a care in the world.

  I’m getting a rich, sweet, woody, full-bodied, almost fruity flavour accompanied by an oaky, with a hint of toasted nuts aroma and if I’m not careful, shortly I’ll be getting pissed. With lack of food the drink is going straight to my head.

  I was never a huge whiskey drinker, but being around Gareth, maybe it’s the constant linger of the stuff, I don’t know, but I find myself becoming more and more fond of the spirit.

  ‘You hungry?’ he asks.

  I mumble an affirmative.

  Gareth stealthily disappears off into the kitchen, but a second later he returns with a packet of crisps in hand. He chucks the item into my lap.

  ‘Sorry. That’s all I have. Don’t tend to stock much. More of an “eat out” type of man,’ he adds.

  My stomach growls but I make no attempt to open the packet of crisps.

  Time goes by in the stillness of the room with nothing but the sound of a clock ticking down the seconds. Every minute is another moment of my life being wasted away.

  Then a movement to my right captures my interest. Gareth rearranges himself, body turned in my direction with his arm resting along the back of the sofa, his hand inches away from my shoulder.

  Unnerved I go to take a sip of my drink when his voice cuts through the silence.

  ‘Why did you break into my drawer?’

  My heart skips a beat and I find it difficult to swallow the whiskey on my tongue. I fidget in my seat as nerves begin to set in.

  What am I to say? Do I go with the truth and risk angering him or tell a fib in hope he will believe me and won’t roar the place down? Either way, I don’t think it will have a positive outcome. Truth it is then.

  ‘I was…I wanted to find out more about you,’ I say into the glass, afraid to see the look in his eyes.

  I hold my breath in anticipation of his biting anger, but instead receive a heavy sigh filled with frustration and exhaustion. Gradually I turn my head to gauge his expression.

  Staring into his whiskey, sad look in his eyes, slightly hunched posture and rumpled clothing, he is every bit a defeated man. The strength he once held disperses in an instant. A part of me wants to reach out and cradle him in my arms, soothe him back to the man he once was, whoever that may have been, but all I do is stare, waiting for him to do something, anything.

  He leans forward to refill his glass and I notice the glistening object lying on the table. My eyes grow wide at the horrific sight. Gareth carries on as if it weren’t there. Turning his attention back to me he catches the frantic look on my face.

  ‘You’ve never seen a gun before?’

  I shake my head numbly, my eyes never once straying.

  ‘Movies yes, but not in reality.’

  ‘I thought you would have considering…’ he trails off.

  I see nothing but that firearm. Even as Gareth goes to pick it up, the item fitting comfortably in his hand, my eyes remain transfixed. It isn’t until he shoves it towards me saying, ‘Want a hold?’ do I react by leaping out of my seat, sloshing some whiskey over the side.

  My heart is pumping exceedingly fast. It is out of control and I’m quivering like a nervous wreck. I feel feverish, breathing becomes irregular and I open my mouth a bit to try and gain as much oxygen as I can.

  Slowly replacing the gun back onto the table, Gareth begins to approach me, as one would do when trying to calm down a scared animal.

  ‘It’s okay; I’m not going to hurt you. I have no intention to do anything of the sort. Please. Come sit back down.’

  I hear every word but take no notice of his whereabouts, too focused on the glittering object lying innocently on the wooden table. It’s not until he touches my arm, causing me to startle, do I realise he is right in front of me.

  With ease and little effort he manages to steer me back to the sofa. Turning my eyes away from the daunting presence in the room and taking a sip of my whiskey, I steadily regain my equilibrium.

  ‘Have…’ I take another sip. ‘Have you… Have you ever…’ Taking a deep breath I go to look in his eyes and ask, ‘Have you ever hurt anyone?’

  So many emotions cloud his crystal blue irises as he picks up his drink, gulps the rest back, refills then turns to face me with his penetrating stare. There is nothing but a black hole remaining.

  ‘Yes,’ he replies as blunt and emotionless as ever.

  ‘Have you…have you killed anyone?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Heart stills for a microsecond.

  ‘Who?’ I can’t help myself replying. Why would you want to know Alex? For Christ sakes woman!

  ‘If I told you that, I’m afraid I’d have to kill you,’ he chuckles. However there’s an underlining of menace. His words may have been said in jest, but deep down I know he’s capable of such an act and it terrifies me. I can see it in his eyes as they grow dark and his face shadowed.

  An uncomfortable quietness settles. I go to take another sip but find the glass empty, so instead place it onto the table and begin twiddling my thumbs, a habit of mine whenever I find myself in an awkward situation.

  ‘Are you a hit man?’ bursts from my mouth.

  What in devil’s name are you doing Alex? You can’t seriously be thinking on continuing questioning him?

  But once my mind starts flowing so do the questions.

  ‘No.’

  ‘Are you a spy?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Are you a policeman?’

  ‘No,’ he viciously spits, as if the very idea of being a copper repulses him.

  I pause momentarily to regain my thoughts, but it is not long before I branch off down another path of questioning, trying in vain to delve that little bit deeper to find out truth behind this man.

  ‘Do you have a wife?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Kids?’

  ‘Not anymore.’ The veil falls across his face.

  ‘What happened?’

  He turns his head away.

  ‘Gareth?’ and I lay my hand on top of his but he quickly withdraws.

  What’s hurting you Gareth, I wish you could tell me. />
  ‘Girlfriend?’

  His eyes are lost in thought. He is beginning to clam up. Just when I think I am getting somewhere the tables are turned and I find myself back to square one. All I want if for him to look at me.

  Fine, maybe this will get a reaction out of him.

  ‘Are you gay?’

  He sharply turns and pierces me with his intense stare, ‘Hell no!’

  That’s more like it!

  ‘You have any other brothers or sisters apart from Mark?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Parents?’

  ‘Dead.’

  ‘Friends?’

  ‘Worthless.’

  ‘Why am I here?’

  The steady flow of questions and then answers ceases and I’m left with silence along with an unsettling feeling in my gut as he continues to stare at me in that way. What are his eyes trying to tell me? What is he hiding?

  ‘Do you hate me?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Are you going to kill me?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Why can’t you just tell what it is you want from me?’ Nothing. ‘Please, tell me! All this not knowing is driving me insane. You’re driving me insane!’

  My voice begins to rise as I warm to the subject, driven by anger. The longer he stays silent the more irritated I get. Never before have I met a man who is so stubbornly withdrawn. Nothing I say seems to get through. He’s a brick wall.

  Finally it all gets too much and I snap.

  Grabbing hold of his lapels, I yell in his face, ‘For goodness sake, tell me!’

  It is only when I feel his hot breath ghost over my lips and the combination of spicy cologne, sweet whiskey and earthy tobacco drift up my nasal passage do I realise the predicament I am in.

  Lying beneath me is a very warm, and dare I add, willing body. His heart is racing, almost in time with mine. Staring into Gareth’s eyes my breath hitches. Rapid, hot air mixes with rapid, hot air causing the atmosphere to crackle with energy.

  If I were to lean a few inches forward…and that is all it takes.

  Tongues lashing, teeth nipping, hands groping anything and everything, trying to get that little bit closer.

  His lips aren’t enough, have to taste more.

  My lips are uncontrollable. First they glaze down his neck, sucking like a vampire as they move. His moan of passion and the touch of his rough lips upon my neck drive me forward. Hands dive into his golden mane, twisting this way and that, forcing him closer to my burning flesh. I want him to consume me, take me to the depths, and let me drown in his raging desire. I am his willing victim.

  Buttons ping in all sorts of directions of the room as I tear open his shirt, eager to reach the firm chest under my fingers. Roughly pushing the material aside, mouth-watering at the delectable delight before my eyes, I bend my head to taste him on my tongue, first gliding up and down the centre of his chest, agonisingly slow, then swirl the tip of my tongue round one firm nipple, hearing him purr under my ministrations before moving onto the next.

  While my mouth is engaged the hands do not remain idle. They snake their way southwards to his masculine hips, but do not stay for long. Forcing my hands between our welded bodies they come in contact with his engorged mass ready to explode any second. With each teasing touch he hardens. With each teasing touch my arousal grows wetter and warmer.

  As I fumble with his belt buckle and zip, his solid hands take a firm grab of each bum cheek and press me against the evidence of his appreciation. I groan in pleasure as hot, molten lava burns its way around my body starting at the fiery furnace of my core, before working its way to the tips of my toes.

  Mission accomplished, my right hand dives into his boxers to take a firm grip of his appendage, evoking a gasp from the inferno creature beneath and for him to push me up, taking off the polo top I’m wearing as he goes, and onto my back, all in one fluid motion.

  Shocked, I gaze up to the dominant figure above me, but it’s not long before his lips are tugging and nipping at the tenderness of my taut nipples. His hands are like spiders crawling everywhere, ravishing every part of my inflamed skin, and landing on the waistband of the tracksuit bottoms.

  Tugging the remaining offending items of clothing away, I find myself naked and open to the chill of the room, but the heat emanating from Gareth soon changes that. His lips engulf everything in sight, making me quiver with unrelenting passion, but also evoking a want to see more of him.

  Raking his trousers and boxers down his legs, I finally get the chance to behold his impressive manhood straining for the relief it’s desperately in need of. In awe with the sheer magnetism of the organ, the yearning hunger inside of me reaches out to touch him. However, it is stopped dead in its tracks with a firm growl, ‘Don’t.’

  As quick as a flash of lightening he is inside me to the hilt with a powerful thrust. It forces me to cry out in pleasure and pain. He fills me so desirably a small whimper escapes from the pit of my stomach, carrying the need for him to continue, to push me beyond the boundaries of ecstasy and into oblivion.

  Steadily he begins to create a magical rhythm as old as time. The exquisite pleasure of his member going back and forth, deep and shallow, forces me to join in the battle for completion, rocking my hips in time with his.

  Skin slapping skin and rough grinding smooth, chafing with every movement.

  Moving within me.

  Blinding me.

  Wearing me thin.

  The need is unstoppable.

  Grunts and puffs of air is all I can manage as he pounds into me, harder and harder, faster and faster. My fingernails dig into his back as my walls around him begin to tighten and I feel the liquid heat rise to excruciating temperatures.

  Body shaking and arching my back, a heart-wrenching cry of ecstasy trembles through my body and expels out of my mouth, vocalising my climax.

  One.

  Two.

  Three more demanding thrusts into my core and Gareth follows with pulsating white magma shooting into the depths of my soul.

  After coming down from my high, I open my eyes to see Gareth looming over me, hair tangled and sticking out at all angles, sweat gliding down the sides of his face with a drip falling from the tip of his nose to my heaving breasts. Lust hooded eyes beaming down at me, a gasping mouth, shirt ripped open, trousers and boxers in a tangle at his ankles and a hand at my hip, the other on the sofa for support.

  I gulp as realisation sets in.

  Shit! What have I done?

  Chapter Seventeen

  I’ve messed up. I’ve utterly and completely messed up.

  I walked to the edge, teetered, and blindly dived in only to be consumed by the dangerous waters. All rational thought drowned out by my increasing desire to have him satisfy my raging lust, no matter what.

  The freezing chill blowing against my naked skin brings me back to my situation. Without a second thought and embarrassment creeping in, I shove Gareth off me, not caring where he lands. Grabbing the clothes I leg it to his bedroom slamming the door behind me.

  

  ‘Stupid, stupid, stupid,’ I say, punctuating each word with a hit to the forehead.

  What was I thinking? Obviously that’s something I wasn’t doing otherwise I wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place! God Alex! Why did you have to give into the attraction? I thought you were made of stronger stuff. And with a guy you know bugger all about non-the less! Well done Alex Brown, you really did it this time! I kick the bed in anger then stifle a yell of pain.

  Hobbling, I go and sit on the edge of his bed and allow my head to fall into my hands in shame. Shameful for giving in and allowing my desire to rule my body. Shameful in having, in actuality, betrayed my fiancé, William. But most of all I am feeling shameful in wanting it to happen again.

  To have his lips caress my sensitive skin, leaving a trail of hot moisture in its wake. His adventurous fingers to explore every nook and cranny of my body, eliciting moans from within, making me crave
more of his touch. To feel his heat wrap around and cocoon me in a way that only skin touching skin can. I want to see his eyes light up with undisguised passion when they feast on my nakedness. I want to hear him purr as my tongue tastes the saltiness of his chest, his stomach. To hear him roar out in ultimate arousal when my tongue finally reaches his heat. To have my fingers run up and down his spine and grab fistfuls of hair as he sucks on my nipples. To scream his name for the entire world to hear when he brings me to the brink of…a knock at the door interrupts my thoughts.

  I open my eyes to discover a hand inside the jogging bottoms and the other cupping a breast, each teasing the body parts to a feverish state of arousal, leaving me flushed and wanting more…more of Gareth.

  Another knock is followed by a whisper, ‘Alex?’

  I yank my hands away from myself.

  ‘Alex?’ His voice is stronger this time. ‘Alex, are you alright in there?’

  Taking a couple of deep breaths I go to answer the door.

  Opening it enough to see his face I reply, ‘I’m fine.’

  ‘You don’t look it.’

  ‘Well what do you expect?’ I snap. ‘I’ve just done something I’ve vowed never to do!’

  ‘What? Have sex with a stranger?’

  ‘No! To betray someone I love.’ By this time the door is wide open, unconsciously done on my part through anger. ‘To the likes of a bastard like you!’ Words punctuated with a poke to his chest. ‘God!’ I growl in frustration and throw my hands up in the air. ‘Why is it you always seem to bring out the worst in me?’

  ‘I say I bring out the best,’ Gareth retaliates, eyeing the sofa to indicate his meaning.

  ‘Grrrr! Incorrigible!’ I push past him and over to where my glass and the bottle of whiskey lies on the table, thankful that the gun is nowhere to be seen.

  ‘I’d like to think so.’

  Before I am able to fill my glass, I launch the object at Gareth’s head, missing him by millimetres and instead it goes crashing into the wall behind him, falling in shards to the floor.