by C. J. Thomas
Nothing.
She wasn’t here and I couldn’t get her to answer her phone. Where could she be?
Soon, I found myself on the couch, removing my shoes and leaning back. The morning sun broke the horizon and streamed through my many windows. That was when Alex’s gold watch caught my eye.
I leaned forward and picked it up off the coffee table, letting my mind go back to the precinct.
This gold watch reminded me of the man I’d seen come through. He was Mr. Lopez’s associate. The man was impossible to forget. His gold tooth and the cocky glimmer in his eye had me thinking it wasn’t coincidence we were both there at the same time.
But, why?
The door creaked behind me. I twisted around and found Alex stumbling down the hallway with sleep in her eye. “Nash?” Her voice cracked.
I stood and jumped over the couch, hurrying toward her.
She blinked, ran, and jumped into my arms.
As I held her tight, staring into her gorgeous eyes, I felt more optimistic that this would all work out.
Our lips crashed into each other.
Her tongue darted into my mouth and flicked over mine.
She giggled, and I laughed.
Alex held onto me like she thought she’d lost me forever.
“Now I see why your waxing appointment was so urgent.” Kendra stepped into the room joining us.
My eyes narrowed and I got hard just thinking about her bare pussy in my mouth. Alex pushed her fingers through my hair and peppered me with kisses. “How did you get out?”
My hands found the soft flesh that made up the globes of her ass, and squeezed. Suddenly, the weight of the situation was back on my shoulders as I looked her straight in the eye and said, “I’m out, but this isn’t over.”
“So…I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” Kendra slung her handbag over her shoulder.
“Yeah. I’ll be at your place. Help you get ready,” Alex whispered, barely looking in Kendra’s direction.
Kendra shut the door behind her, and not a second later, I picked Alex up and crashed my mouth over hers. Our hot muscles tangled until we were both out of breath.
“She sleep over?” I asked.
“I didn’t want to be alone.”
I cupped the back of her skull and kissed her forehead. “You’re not alone, baby.”
Her forehead wrinkled. “Did Wes post bail? He told me not to worry, that he’d take care of everything. Why didn’t you tell me where you were? I’m so mad at you!” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me.
I tipped my head back and laughed. Fuck, it felt good to be home. “I couldn’t tell you where I was. They wouldn’t let me. I knew Wes would keep you informed.”
She cast her gaze down and frowned. “He told me everything.”
“As I wanted him to.” My fingers closed a tight clamp around her wrist.
“I’m sorry, Nash. I had no idea just how fucked up this all was. I feel so stupid for being taken advantage of by all these people.”
My fingers raked down her spine. “You couldn’t have known. If it wasn’t you who took that money, then who knows what might have happened.”
She was silent for a while as I just held her in my arms, her head resting over my beating heart, too afraid to tell her that I was still a suspect in the murder of Maria Greer.
“If this isn’t over,” she looked up at me from beneath her brow, “how are you going to get out of this?”
My eyebrows squished together and I knew she saw the confusion lining my face.
“Nash, baby. You will be okay, right?” Her eyes watered. “Please tell me you’ll be okay.”
I swallowed and sighed. “First, tell me about the men who kidnapped you.”
She tilted her head to the side.
“Then I’ll tell you if I’m going to be okay or not.”
114
Alex
WES AND KAMI were Hollywood royalty.
Kami looked incredible in her floral-embellished, long sleeve illusion ball gown. The way the soft colored tone matched Wes’s dark designer suit and bright blue tie, it was no wonder the tabloids couldn’t stop covering their lives.
She turned her head to steal a glimpse at Nash and me. I smiled back and batted my lashes behind my masquerade mask—similar to the one she was wearing. Wes’s hand squeezed her waist and brought her closer to his side.
They were perfect.
As she and Wes led Nash and me up the stairs to the VIP section at Mint, I couldn’t keep my eyes off of them. Everyone in Hollywood would die to be inside their circle. It was their dream—to live the high life of the rich and famous—and here we were, taking it for granted like it was no big deal.
Nash’s thick fingers slid down the inside of my forearm and laced through mine before lifting my hand to his lips. Butterflies fluttered and I was so happy to be here, away from the stresses of the outside, and to have Nash by my side, together as one.
Security greeted Wes as he dropped the rope. Then he did the same to Nash.
I kept watching how Wes held, guided, and kissed Kami. He was amazing. She truly was lucky to have found him and I promised myself to ask her to share her story with me sometime. I’d die to hear it.
It wasn’t like I wanted exactly what they had. No, I was extremely happy with the man Nash was. He was amazing in his own right.
I tipped my head back and peered up at him. His full lips caught my eye and prickled my scalp. I loved him.
I felt more complete now, with where I was in life, than I’d ever felt before. I didn’t want to lose that feeling.
I was starting to see Wes for the man the media made him out to be. He had more connections, power, and clout than anyone in the industry. I realized that now. He represented the biggest players in sports, film, TV, and anything considered popular. Premier Agency was just that good.
And he’d built it himself, with the help of Adrianna Eastman, the woman everyone in Hollywood wanted to be. From the ground up, their empire sprouted from nothing more than an idea.
It didn’t matter that both he and Nash were billionaires. Wes held the connections, could make things happen, and knew just how to own whatever it was he set his eyes on.
That was why we were really here tonight.
If it wasn’t for Wes, I wasn’t sure Nash would be here with me now.
The music pumped below. People swayed, waved their hands in the air, and grinded against their partners.
Nash kissed me before letting go of my hand to pull out a chair for me to sit in at the table Wes led us to.
The club was crazy busy. Apparently, Wes was catering to some big-time poker player—Vance Cruz—whose name I’d never heard, but Nash thought I should have. Turned out, he won a lot. Like, all the time. Millions of dollars worth in jackpot winnings, and was most likely in the billionaire bad boy club, like these two.
Wes flashed a smile in my direction.
It seemed to be a prerequisite just to get inside.
“Nash, it’s really great to know you’re out.” Kami’s light voice traveled over the loud music.
“What? As opposed to be behind bars?” Nash laughed.
A young waitress with a full bust came with a tray of drinks. She set them down, one in front of each of us, and I wondered how she knew what we liked. Because we all had what we wanted without ever having to order.
But that was what happened when Wes was around. Things just came together so naturally.
I smiled at the woman who had to be similar in age to me, and lifted my cranberry vodka to my lips.
“I have some great news.” Wes locked eyes with Nash.
The way Wes was looking at Nash, I was certain his news had something to do with Nash being a person of interest in the murder of Maria.
I didn’t like having to relive my kidnapping this morning. But Nash insisted he needed to know the specifics. It made me sick to my stomach to realize just how bad it could have been.
By the time I was finish
ed describing every last detail, I was sobbing and I’d completely forgotten why he’d even asked in the first place. It was something I didn’t want to ever have to go through again, but if it meant that that was what had to be done so Nash and I could be together, then I knew that it would be worth every agonizing minute.
“What’s the good news, Wes?” I asked. Nash leaned back and snaked his arm over my shoulder.
Wes glanced at Kami and they both smiled.
“Enough with the suspense already.” Nash rolled his eyes.
Wes nipped Kami’s lips before turning to face Nash. “You were right.”
“Usually am.” Nash chuckled. “But what am I right about this time?”
“That gold-toothed son of bitch took the fall.”
Nash choked on his drink. Then I remembered why he wanted to know everything I could remember about my kidnapping. It couldn’t be coincidence. I knew exactly who they were talking about. The same man who stole my fish sandwich and told me my debt with Mr. Lopez had been cleared.
“What an asshole.” Nash turned his head away. Then he leaned in and told me how he saw that man come through the precinct last night.
I knew I was right.
“So what does that mean? Is it over for Nash?” I asked Wes, as my hand drifted to Nash’s thigh.
Wes lifted his glass of bourbon, turned his head, and stole a sip. “Not quite.” He looked me in the eye.
“What do you mean? Your lawyer said the storm has passed.” Nash squeezed my shoulder.
“I mean, there’s too much unknown still. You’re no longer taking a direct hit in the eye of the storm.” Wes set his glass down off to the side and rooted his elbows onto the table. “But, we don’t know how involved—if he even is at all—Ted has been.” Wes leaned back. “And if he ever was.”
“Nash unknowingly made himself Ted’s accomplice.” My voice fell flat. “This isn’t his fault,” I whispered, knowing that I was only thinking out loud.
Wes finished his bourbon before whispering something into Kami’s ear. “Well, we’ll leave you to it.” He stood and tugged on his suit jacket. “Enjoy the night.” He took Kami by the hand. “Oh, and remember. People come to Mint to forget about their problems. I suggest you do the same.”
Just like that, we were alone.
Nash hooked my chin with his finger and nipped at my lips. My body purred as I closed my eyes, fighting my inner demons to just let go of all the worry I held inside. “Wes is right,” he said.
I nodded.
I didn’t want to talk about it anymore, either. There was nothing I could do to change the outcome. Nash’s fate was in the hands of God. It was up to Him to get Nash cleared, not me.
Nash was a breath away before demanding entrance with his tongue. My lids hooded over and my lips parted easily before my tongue curled over his. And with his arm snaked over my shoulder and his thumb stroking my bare shoulder, I felt safe, protected, like nothing could tear us apart.
When the club lights dimmed, we both pulled back, watching the entire place go dark. “Did you know this was going to happen? Is this normal?” My weight fell heavy into his solid chest as he held me tight.
“A show is about to begin,” Nash’s hot breath whispered in my ear.
“Show? What show?” My heart hammered in my chest.
Then, suddenly, drums started beating and music kicked in. It blared loud, shaking the walls, and had me riddled with anticipation. The audience below clapped—the room full of excitement. Then, when the lights flashed back on, the place went silent.
A spotlight highlighted a man and a woman onstage. The man sat, blindfolded and bound, on a simple, wooden chair.
My breath hitched, not knowing what to expect. I’d never seen anything like it in my life.
Nash pulled me closer and smiled down at me. Slowly, my hand inched up his thigh, suddenly having the urge to feel his rock solid muscles that held all his power.
My focus went back to the stage. The naked woman circled the aroused, and naked, man. She lifted her hand above her head and cracked the whip over the man’s back. Snap!
I drew my knees together, feeling my sex begin to throb. My hand inched further up Nash’s leg and I felt his manhood twitch and swell.
It was strange—and hot—to watch two others duel and position themselves, gearing up for sex. At least Nash seemed to be equally as turned on as I was. It dampened the shame burning inside, but only a little.
I leaned closer to Nash and asked how he got into this lifestyle. “I’m a sucker for pain and a good challenge.” His face pulled his smile to one side. “Like that runner’s high after completing a grueling long distance run. It hurts, but once it’s over, it’s fucking ecstasy.”
I curled my fingers over the bulb of his bicep and cast my gaze back to the show.
The woman stepped in front the man, widened her stance, and reached behind his head, guiding him to her slit. Not more than a minute later, she threw her head back and cried through a mesmerizing orgasm.
Nash’s cock was granite. “And I’m not sure you noticed,” he leaned close to my ear, “but I have a stressful job.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off the couple. I wanted to be her. Have the control. Guide my man to where I wanted him to take me.
My lace panties were soaked. I was so wet, so embarrassed I could drown in my own humiliation.
When the woman shuddered and cooled, she cracked the whip a few more times, working the man hard. Then she took his hardness in her hands and guided it to her channel as she rode him backwards.
The crowd watched.
She moaned.
The man grunted.
And I thought how I didn’t know shit.
Nash had barely brought me into this lifestyle when all hell broke loose.
The more I watched, the more I was dying to understand. I was still curious, and wanted Nash to teach me. I wanted to know everything. What it felt like to let go, to trust someone else to have the power over my own stimulation.
My tongue slid over my lips as I peered up at Nash behind hooded eyes. “Take me to a back room. I can’t take it anymore.”
His eyes narrowed and a fire lit inside them. “My pleasure.”
115
Nash
MY FINGERS RAKED over her elbow and traveled down her inner arm until our fingers threaded as one.
She smiled up at me, a glimmer of excitement sparkling in her eye. My cock twitched at the sight of her flush cheeks glowing a sexy, deep red.
I bent down and kissed her temple.
I knew all too well the eagerness a show like the one we just watched created. There was nothing like watching two highly trained individuals bring release so intensely while in front of hundreds of staring eyes.
We walked, Alex following one step behind.
When she’d asked me to bring her to a back room, I couldn’t fucking wait. It was what was going to happen regardless of whether or not she asked. But the fact that she asked was enough to steel my cock.
She was mine.
Forever, and always.
We passed security, headed down the stairs, and weaved through tables of patrons drinking and socializing. Eyes lifted and gravitated to us as if they knew who we were, why we were here, and where it was I was leading her.
Alex’s hand sweated inside my palm and I knew she was nervous. It seemed forever ago I asked her to be my Sub, and then our world turned upside down. I never had the chance to truly teach her. She needed to be taught.
I glanced over my shoulder and caught a glimpse of her thin smile just before shadows darkened her face as we headed through the darker back hallway.
Perhaps it was better this way. There was more to our relationship than me fucking her in an alleyway or inside my car. Now she knew just what she meant to me.
I’d made sure of that.
She wasn’t just a quick, easy lay. No, she was my world and I’d do anything to make sure that I kept it that way.
The further back we walked, the more the music muffled and eventually became drowned out.
Time seemed to slow. As if the world wanted to remind me to live in the now, and not dwell on the past or worry about the future.
We walked, and when I squeezed Alex’s hand, she squeezed back.
I was hers.
I was the lucky bastard. And not only because I had this beautiful woman following me around. That was amazing. She was incredible. But, no, that wasn’t all there was to it.
I was fortunate because I was so fucking close to be given a second chance at taking Alex behind the scenes and into the only world I knew—the world of power and domination.
My body temperature rose another degree as we walked closer to the room. My blood pumped fiercely, excitement coursing through my veins.
This, here, what I was about to do to her, was the only way I knew to fully embrace the pleasure and let my mind go free.
I pulled on Alex’s arm and swung her out in front of me before I pushed her back up against the wall. I dipped my head down to her neck and planted open-mouth kisses across her sweet smelling skin.
She tasted like fruit and had that scent like a girl about to get fucked. The pheromones were out of control and my groin was painfully hard. “Fuck, you taste amazing.”
She lifted her leg and hooked her ankle behind my knee as she mewed.
My tongue darted out and I licked her jaw line until I found her mouth. She flicked her tongue against mine. Shoving her hand in my hair, she tugged at the roots and my abs flexed forward.
I sucked her in deeper and lifted her up off the floor. She hung on and tilted her head to the side as she circled her tongue over mine.
She was so hot and willing and there was no place I’d rather be.
I pulled back and clamped my teeth on her earlobe. She dropped her feet to the floor and desperately worked my cock free, taking it inside her palm. She started to pump me.
A low rumble escaped from deep within and the tingle at the base of my spine started to spin.
My lips crashed over hers again and she pumped my cock to the same tune my tongue flicked against hers. Hard, desperate circles. Somehow I managed to open the door, taking us inside, and kicking it shut as we both stumbled through the threshold. I had her out of her dress in one smooth motion and said, “I’ll start slow.”