Secrets: Web of Sin

by Aleatha Romig

  His dark eyes smoldered as the asshole had the audacity to smile. It took all my self-control not to slap the smirk from his arrogant and too-fucking-handsome face.

  Sterling took a step closer, his beautiful cock still free and bobbing heavily with each step, and reached for my ass. “Sunshine, I was angry. I still am. And as for your ass, you will trust me with it.” He ran his thumb over my lips. “And this mouth too.”

  A long breath exited my nose as the fever within me burned. It wasn’t the lust and desire of minutes ago. No, this was pure, unadulterated irritation, like a small pebble in the bottom of your shoe that you couldn’t dislodge. Sterling Sparrow was like that to me—no matter my concessions, he still continued to rub me the wrong way. “You don’t get it. I’m here for one reason.”

  “To protect your friends.”

  “Two reasons,” I corrected. “There’s that, but you promised me information and so far, it seems that you’re falling short.”

  In reality there was nothing short about Sterling Sparrow. And even though I’d just had the absolute best sex of my life, I wasn’t giving in.

  “You still aren’t seeing what’s right in front of you.”

  I refused the temptation to look down at what had just been inside me. “Then tell me. Tell me everything.” When he started to respond, I lifted a finger to his lips. “No, Mr. Sparrow. It’s your turn. I’m going back upstairs and cleaning up. I suggest you do the same. When I come back, you owe me.”

  He stepped back from my touch as he tucked himself back into his jeans. Licking my lips, I tried not to notice that he wasn’t wearing underwear or that his shirt was still gone and his six-pack abs were really eight.

  Obviously, I noticed.

  He eyed me up and down. “Don’t leave this office until you put your clothes back on.” His gaze narrowed. “No one gets to see that pussy but me.”

  He had no idea how close I was to opening the door just as God had made me and walking naked up to my room. Hell, I was almost ready to take off the bra. And I would, except pissing Sterling Sparrow off more than he currently was wasn’t my goal. I pulled the sweater over my head. “Fine.”

  “Tell me, Ms. McCrie, what do you think I owe you?” He lifted his brow. “After all, I just gave you the best orgasm of your life.”

  The words to argue were on the tip of my tongue. I could tell him that it wasn’t even close, that I could give myself a better orgasm even without a vibrator, but it would all be a lie. My knees were still weak from what we’d just done.

  Peering down at the floor, I reached for my jeans. To the side of them was what used to be my panties. They were now rendered useless; one leg having been ripped before he pulled them from my body. I stepped into my jeans, closed the button and zipper, and picked up my socks and boots.

  Sterling eyed the destroyed lace still on the floor. “It appears my collection is growing.”

  “Fuck you.” I stood straighter. “You owe me my secrets. You owe me the truth of who I am and why you are now a part of my upside-down life. And today you’re going to give me answers.”

  Sterling

  The smile I’d been fighting bloomed, covering my face as Araneae turned her regal jeans-covered little ass to me, and after making her demands, walked away, slamming the door in her wake.

  My siren, my temptress, my sunshine—I wasn’t sure exactly what she was, other than mine. I’d known that when I had her, it would be better than any other sex of my life, and I’d been right about that. What I hadn’t expected as I watched her walk away was my uncertainty. I wasn’t one hundred percent certain if I’d been the one to take her or if she’d taken me.

  Lifting her ruined panties from the floor, I reached the edge of the table and cleaned the shiny surface with the lace, wiping the remnants of our connection. With each swipe, I heard her melody of a voice as she made her choice: fuck me. I saw her nearly naked body lying back, her legs wide as she opened herself to me.

  I saw her pouty lips and shimmering coffee-colored eyes as I drilled into her. My God, she was so snug that my balls grew tight, and I worried I’d blow as soon as her taut walls contracted around me. And then after all of that, after letting her—making her—come undone, Araneae had the audacity to question me about the condom, to make demands of me.

  My cock stirred at the sight of her standing in only a white lace bra, her silky hair disheveled, and her fair skin reddened by my grasp, telling me what I would and wouldn’t do. She was infuriating in a way I’d never known.

  I couldn’t remember any other woman to walk out on me after sex, to tell me to clean up. That was my modus operandi. I made demands. I gave orders and they were carried out.

  Araneae wanted answers, and I’d give them to her, just not all at once. She might think she was ready to learn all her secrets, but she wasn’t.

  I’d screwed up when I mentioned the plane crash. That was what she did to me. So fucking defiant, turning her back to me and talking on the phone without the speaker, I was hard in the living room just watching her.

  From my angle all I could see was that long yellow hair lying over her slender sensual shoulder. As she spoke, my mind was elsewhere, with her on her knees, my cock buried in her throat as I fisted that ponytail. It was why I couldn’t resist twisting my fingers in her silky locks the moment I took her lips with mine.

  Damn, she tasted so sweet.

  I shook my head. Araneae wasn’t all sweet. Yes, her lips, tongue, and essence were, but the woman herself was a fucking hellion. The way she came at me, ripping off my shirt, was like nothing I expected. Her fire pushed me in ways I wasn’t used to being pushed, and all it did was make me want her more.

  I’d been upfront with her about my desires. And I would have her, in every way possible. Of that she could be certain. After this morning, I was more eager than ever. Her little display showed me that despite her hesitation, she wanted it as much as I did. The fire when we touched was a mere candle compared to the roaring inferno when we were joined together.

  Together we could decimate the forests surrounding this cabin for miles and miles.

  Tucking her panties into the pocket of my jeans, I reached for my phone and sent a quick text to Patrick. I wanted more information on the pilot’s sudden demise. I didn’t care that the office reeked of sex or that the papers he had organized were now on the floor. Patrick could deal with that later when Araneae and I went for the walk I promised.

  My hope was that being surrounded by crisp clean air and the beauty of this place would ease a bit of the heartache my words—her secrets—would inflict.

  A knock on the door refocused my attention. Slipping my shirt back over my head, I pushed it into the waist of my jeans and answered, “Patrick, come in.”

  Araneae

  This time when I reached Sterling’s office, in fresh jeans, underwear, and a t-shirt covered with a light jacket, I didn’t hesitate. I also didn’t knock. I’m not sure if that was what Sterling expected; however, from the stares I received from both him and Patrick, walking in and declaring it was time for us to talk was also not what was expected.

  Whether it was or not, it did the trick. A few minutes later, we were out of the cabin.

  The fresh, warm breeze blew my hair as we stood at the crest of the hill and peered down toward the lake. Was his cabin built upon a hill or a small mountain? I couldn’t be sure. Either way, with our eyes covered by sunglasses, we took in the spectacular view. Greens and blues dominated the scene as wildlife flew and scampered about.

  “We could walk,” Sterling said, “but you were right about the hike up. It takes almost three times as long as the hike down.”

  “Unless we’re being chased by that mother bear,” I said with a grin. “I’m pretty sure I could find some speed.” I turned to Sterling. “I ran track in high school...well, back in Chicago.” Looking off to the distance, I added, “You probably already knew that.”

  Sterling reached for my chin, bringing me back to his gaze.
“I didn’t. Thanks for sharing.”

  “I wasn’t that good, but I believe a bear would be the proper motivation.”

  “I have a better idea,” Sterling said as he took my hand and led me away from the crest, back toward the cabin.

  I peered back over my shoulder. “I thought we were going to the lake. We’re headed the wrong direction.”

  A deep chuckle filled the air. “And here I thought you weren’t perceptive. We’re going to the garages. How are you at driving an ATV?”

  “Kick-ass, actually.”

  Sterling stopped and turned my way, his lips agape. “Seriously?”

  “Wow, two things about me that you didn’t know. Hell yes. I love to go with friends up into the mountains and ride. It’s especially great above the tree line. No obstacles.”

  He shook his head. “I believe you. I do. The thing is that there are a lot of obstacles here. How about we ride together?”

  “Okay.”

  He led me around the other side of the cabin. The cobblestone driveway created a circle with a sidewalk that led to an entry, complete with two grand extra-tall doors.

  The garages were a series of outbuildings off to the side of the driveway, connected by a gravel service road. We came to a stop outside of one building as Sterling entered a code into a security pad. The garage-style door opened to a large concrete space, and as my eyes adjusted to its contents, I sucked in a breath. There was an assortment of all-terrain vehicles as well as minibikes and other recreational vehicles. As my eyes adjusted, I zeroed in on one model, silver with air control suspension, Fox air assist shocks, heavy-duty bumpers, and 14-inch tires. “Oh my God. You have a Can-Am Outlander MAX 1000 Limited,” I practically squealed as I hurried toward the limited-edition ATV.

  When I looked up, Sterling was staring at me like I’d grown an additional head.

  “What? Didn’t you believe me?”

  Shaking his head, he walked away toward a cabinet near the back of the garage before returning with two helmets.

  “Here, Evel Knievel, no stunts on today’s drive.”

  “You’re no fun.”

  His grin quirked as he ran a finger over my cheek. “I believe I could argue that you weren’t saying that an hour ago.”

  No, I could barely talk an hour ago. Shrugging, I didn’t say that. I wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction.

  As I secured my helmet over my head, he flipped a switch on the side that just as in the helicopter, gave us an audible connection.

  After tugging at my chin strap, he stepped forward and swung his leg over the wide seat of the model I’d just ogled and with his hands on the handlebars gestured behind him. “Jump on, sunshine. We’ll take this one.”

  Placing my fists on my hips, I tried to ignore how hot he looked straddling the king of the beast machine, wearing sunglasses, jeans, boots, and the same gray t-shirt that earlier I’d ripped from his toned torso. “When you said ride together, I thought you meant I’d be driving.”

  Sterling’s laugh was the most genuine I’d heard since I met him as he shook his head. “No way. Get on and hold on tight.”

  A sexy, quick move with his feet, kick-starting what I knew could be done with a button, and he revved the engine.

  After the roar of the motor filled the space, I climbed onto the rear seat. A large hand landed on my knee as his raspy tenor came through my helmet. “Squeeze those legs tight. I like having your legs around me.”

  The ATV bucked as Sterling hit the gas, causing me to scream as I wrapped my arms around his torso. “You did that on purpose.”

  My comment was met with another laugh.

  Leaning forward with my face against his back and my arms around his waist, I closed my eyes and inhaled his masculine scent: spicy cologne as well as the faint aroma of fresh air and musk.

  After taking a quick lap of the property high on the hill, Sterling pulled to the front of his cabin. Waiting on the porch in front of the giant doors was Rita with a basket in her hand. Before I could ask what it was, Sterling had the Can-Am Outlander in neutral, was off the seat, and securing the basket behind me. “Thank you, Rita,” I heard through the helmet. As he got back on, he gave me a wink. “Lunch. I know that after my morning activities I could use some sustenance.”

  “Asshole,” I muttered.

  Once again the ATV bucked and I held on tight.

  My seat had a back, and once Sterling stopped bucking the ATV and maneuvered us to a partially overgrown path, taking us between giant conifers, I was able to sit back and enjoy the ride. The way to the lake was mostly quiet, minus the roar and vibration of the machine between our legs. Occasionally, the path would lead to open fields. When that happened, he’d increase the speed as wind and sunshine bathed our faces. Along the way, occasionally Sterling slowed to point out different species of birds and other wildlife. There were deer, moose, and a variety of smaller mammals—wolverines, pika, rabbits, and squirrels. Luckily, at no point did he show me a bear.

  As we got closer to the shore, the breeze picked up and the scent of fresh water overpowered the pine from within the trails in the forest. Once we stopped, I waited as Sterling pulled out a blanket from the basket and covered a soft area of long grass, smashing it down and creating a more comfortable place to sit.

  “How long are you going to make me wait?” I asked as he handed me a bottle of water.

  “Araneae, if I could, my answer would be forever.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I like you the way you are right now. I don’t want that to change. I thought I did, but now that you’re here...” His large hand reached out to cover mine, the connection sparking as it had since the first time. “Now that you’re mine completely, I don’t want to ruin it.”

  A lump formed in my throat as I took him in, really looked at him. “Sterling, what are you going to tell me?”

  “I’ve been debating.”

  I sprang to my feet. “What the hell are you debating? My life is covered in a veil of secrets, and you have the ability to rip it off, to shed light on what I’ve never known.”

  “What if it isn’t light? People are determined to silence you. The plane crash I didn’t tell you about...”

  I nodded as I sat again.

  “There were a few more serious injuries. A few broken bones from the landing and evacuation, but overall, it could have been much worse.”

  “I heard someone say that the pilot died? He was hit in a subway tunnel.” I didn’t want to remind Sterling of my eavesdropping, but at this point it was water under the bridge.

  “The day of the crash, his wife filed for divorce. She also received a large financial infusion into an offshore account. She has a small business and without going into a lot of detail, that business is connected to a shell company. The thing I can’t understand is that you didn’t fly on the flight we’d booked a week earlier.”

  “No, I flew on your plane.”

  “Not officially. Officially, you’re still in the United States. The ticket for that particular flight wasn’t purchased until Wednesday morning.”

  “How can you do that, make it appear that I wasn’t here?” Queasiness tugged at my stomach, as anxiety brought my small hairs to life. “Why would you do that?” I scooted away from the man in front of me. “No one knows I’m here.” Panic grew as my fingers came to my lips. “Oh God, are you...? Was my mom right?”

  Sterling reached out and took my hand, stopping my retreat. “That’s a lot of questions.”

  “Sterling Sparrow, look me in the fucking eye.” I ripped off my sunglasses as moisture overflowed my lids and waited for him to do the same. Once he did, I went on, “Are you the one targeting me? Are you going to... am I ever going home?”

  His dark eyes fluttered closed as he took a deep breath, his nostrils flared, and the cords of his neck pulled tight.

  “Am I targeting you? I have been for a long time.” He reached for my knee. “Not to kill you. That’s not me. And for your secon
d question, I suppose it depends on your definition of home.”

  “Boulder.”

  “Then, no.”

  “The United States?” I asked, my voice less steady.

  He nodded. “The first time I ever saw you I was about thirteen. You said it was fucked up that Rita was calling you McCrie. Imagine what it’s like to be called into your father’s office. I don’t mean the one at the firm, the one with the fucking windows with the view of Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan. I mean the one in our house, the one where he met with the real people who made the Sparrow name mean power as well as wealth.”

  Sterling

  Nineteen years ago~

  “Get over here, boy. Pick one.”

  The office reeked of smoke and stale whiskey as if every old book on each regal shelf had taken those scents and infused them within their pages. The windows were covered with heavy drapes as the main source of light came from my father’s computer screen. He was putting on a show to the room full of men who worked the Sparrow outfit.

  I didn’t like being around my father, much less the men who worked for him. There was something about them that made my skin crawl. The way they looked at me in a way I knew they shouldn’t. I was too young to realize that I was a threat. The thought hadn’t even occurred to me. My mother didn’t like me to be around them either, but even she couldn’t stop a direct summons from Allister Sparrow.

  At thirteen years of age I was beginning to develop, to mature. My shoulders were growing wider. I was six inches taller than at the beginning of school the previous year. Lifting weights in football helped with the muscles as well as my strength. I could bench-press double my weight, one of the few accomplishments my father ever praised.

  I was pretty sure I would need to start shaving soon, but my mother only laughed when I mentioned it. My face wasn’t the only place that hair was growing.