by Calinda B
His hand snaked around her neck. He pulled her closer.
She rocked her hips into his thigh. Her core sizzled and throbbed.
Grinding his hips into her belly, he let her feel his stiff desire. He released her lips and fumbled with her top, drawing it over her head and flinging it on the elevator floor.
Consumed by need, she tugged his shirt from his waistband. She jammed her hands into his pants, cupping his muscled behind.
He pressed his lips to hers, moaning into her mouth.
The lift stopped, and the doors opened. Keeping his mouth pressed to hers, he guided her legs up and around his hips. With a firm grasp on her butt, he pivoted and strode from the lift, still kissing her.
She wanted to be devoured by him. She wanted to let this moment wipe away the hurt and heartache of a lifetime. She’d never belonged anywhere. She was never anyone’s child, anyone’s significant other, anyone’s anything. Now, at this moment, she belonged. Never mind it was all a fantasy—she wanted it to be real, more than she’d wanted anything.
She barely glanced at her surroundings, figuring it was his version of what every Diamond Club member had—expensive taste in everything.
He hefted her higher. Then he unbuckled his belt and unzipped. His pants fell to the floor with a soft thud and a clatter. He stepped free of his pants, kicking them from his socked feet. Then, he pushed her skirt up, tugged the thong aside, and used his fingers to stroke along her silken folds.
She arched into his caress, wondering if she’d come from his fingers. When have I ever been this aroused?
“Fuck, you’re so wet.” He withdrew his finger and slid it into his mouth. “Mmm, you taste unbelievable.” Reaching one hand around to guide himself into position, he unceremoniously lowered her onto his huge, rigid cock. “Oh, God,” he said through gritted teeth. He let out a long moan that vibrated into her heart.
Pain shot through her as he spread her wide with his thick erection.
She didn’t care. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. A niggling thought said, Use a condom. He’s probably had lovers galore.
He backed her against the wall, cushioning her with his arm, and rocked himself deep inside. “Christ, I’ve wanted to do this since I met you. I’ve been going out of my mind.”
“Shut up, Liam, and fuck me.”
He laughed and thrust himself inside her.
Slipping her fingers inside the front placket of his shirt, she ripped it apart, buttons flying everywhere. All she wanted was skin on skin. Pushing her fingers underneath his open shirt, she raked her nails along his back.
He gripped her derriere and pumped, driving himself inside.
Their skin slapped together.
He grunted as he ground into her, his body maintaining a relentless rhythm.
She moaned, greeting his movements with greedy want.
To her surprise, as if Master Steele had lit the fuse and the flame finally reached the bomb, she came hard and fast, pulsing around Liam. She cried out.
“Liam, oh, God, Liam.”
“Are you coming, huh? Are you coming around my hard cock?” His movements grew frantic, almost desperate. “Oh, yeah. Here I come. Here I come.” He grunt-groaned out the last words.
His forehead fell against the wall. “Sweet Jesus.” He pulled back his head and looked at her—really looked at her, as if he was probing inside her soul. “Tell me you’re real and I’m not dreaming.”
Guilt stabbed her insides. “I’m real live flesh and blood,” she said, improvising.
“I don’t believe it. God granted me an angel.” His eyes moistened before he fit his mouth to hers and gently kissed her. Then, he released her lips and hugged her tight. “Good God, tell me I did something right to deserve this.” He sighed. “I’ve got to put you down. I’m strong but…” A boyish smile flashed across his face.
“I can walk, you know.” She bit her lip, suddenly shy.
“Not on your life. I’m not letting you go until I have you where I want you.”
“Where’s that?” She smiled sweetly.
“In my bed. Now I can take my time with you.”
She shivered.
With her legs still wrapped around his hips, he strode through a doorway into his bedroom.
He trekked toward a big, brown, suede-covered platform bed. A wall of windows surrounded the room. City lights softly illuminated the space.
As he carried her across the room, her eyes fell on a grand piano in the corner. A lone dresser stood against the wall opposite the foot of the bed. A walk-in closet, with the door wide open, invited entrance. And the ginormous bed beckoned like a lovely invitation to bliss.
He let her slide from his body.
She landed on her feet at the edge of the bed, completely undone by him.
He reached for a remote sitting on his side stand. When he pressed it, dim lights cast a soft, golden glow throughout the room. “This moment deserves to be seen. You deserve to be seen.”
The words were spoken so tenderly, she wanted to cry. Too bad it’s going to end badly. I’ll have to tell him who I am.
He unhooked her bra.
Crouching, he drew one nipple into his mouth, tugging it until it ached.
She gasped, letting her fingers glide through his thick, glossy hair.
His hands gripped her waist. He let her hard, throbbing nub slide free from his mouth. Then, he sucked the other nipple. When that one popped free, he lifted his head to her, giving her a lusty, satisfied smile.
She hissed. “Liam…”
“Shhh.” He wriggled his fingers inside the waistband of her skirt, which was still bunched around her waist. Then, he slid the glittering fabric and the lacy thong from her hips, letting his palms glide along her skin. Along the way, he kissed her belly, her hips, her thighs, and her knees.
Joy flooded her heart. She couldn’t remember ever feeling this happy.
He reached around her and peeled back the bed covers. “Sit.”
She did so, sinking into the plush mattress.
“Lay back.” He gently pushed her belly.
She fell back into a mountain of softness.
He crawled next to her, scooped her in his arms, and positioned her lengthwise on the bed. Then, he made his way between her legs and knelt. Gazing softly at her, he stroked her inner thighs with his hands. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone, Naeva. I’ve never let anyone get this close to me.”
“Oh, Liam. I feel the same way.” She pushed back the reality threatening to pop her bliss bubble—he didn’t know who she was.
“Good. I’d hate to worry about the competition.” He lowered his head, pushing apart her thighs with his wide, strong hands. Then, he let his tongue glide, up and down.
“Oh, God. Jesus, Liam, that’s…”
He licked again, making her thoughts disappear.
Her fingertips gripped his scalp.
His tongue found a relentless rhythm. He flicked her clit with the tip and then plunged it into her core, driving her mad. He massaged her with his thumbs while he licked her senseless.
Her orgasm built with ferocity. She gave into it and rocketed off the edge, bucking against him, crying out his name. The intensity of the sweet bliss powering through her gave promise to possibilities. It gave hope to her future. For a split second, she thought maybe, just maybe, she and Liam could build a future together. She pushed away any protests lingering at the edge of her consciousness.
As she came down from her sexual high, he slid up her body, brushing against her, and fell to her side. “Lift up your head.”
She did, and he snaked his arm underneath her, cradling her against his shoulder.
“This can’t be happening. It’s too good to be true,” she whispered.
He kissed the top of her head. “Let’s enjoy it while we can.”
She let out a long sigh. “Yes. Let’s.”
She closed her eyes. She started to drift off but sensed his mind whirling, his thoughts
flying around the room like moths.
“What is it?” She lifted her head to look at him.
He gave a quick shake of his head. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
“You’re thinking about something. What is it?” She propped herself up on her elbow.
He shook his head again, causing a strand of dark, wavy hair to fall into his eyes.
Dark shards of apprehension nibbled at her contentment. Is this it? This is when he tells me he knows who I am? “Liam, what is it? You’re freaking me out.” She pushed up until she sat upright.
He nibbled his lower lip as he regarded her. “I keep debating whether I should tell you this.”
“Please tell me. I hate secrets.” She cringed, knowing she held the one that would destroy them.
He inhaled deeply and let his breath out slowly. “Want to know what my role is here at the club?”
She nodded. “I want to know everything about you.”
She stroked his solid abdomen.
Gazing at the ceiling, he said, “I’m a thief. A very, very, very skilled thief.”
Her breathing grew shallow. This is what we were waiting to hear before Adam died and I lost my job. Is it destiny that he told me now? I don’t have to turn him in. “Go on.”
He rolled his lips between his teeth, still hesitating. Pushing himself back, he leaned against two plush pillows at the head of his bed.
She wiggled up next to him. “I’m listening.”
He gave her a side-eyed glance. “You haven’t been here since forever, but do you remember Times Square on the 4th of July?”
She’d been there—the real her—last year. “Yes. It gets crazy. There are a lot of festivities that go on before the fireworks over the Statue of Liberty.”
He nodded. “Right. So, when the fireworks start, me and a crew of experts will be breaking into Swiss-Mark bank.”
Savannah tensed. “You’re kidding. They’re one of the largest banks in the world.”
He blew out his breath. “Right. They are. And right now, they’re housing the Wallingford Emerald in their vault. It’s one of the biggest emeralds in existence.”
She sat up straight. “You’re going to steal the Wallingford Emerald?”
He turned, so his eyes met hers, giving her a flat gaze, void of emotion. “Yes. My mother wants a bigger jewel to represent us.”
“So, she’s in on this, too?” Savannah’s stomach lurched. She knew Ambrosia to play a part in all this madness, but hearing it from his own lips, knowing it to be undeniably true, upset her.
“Yes. Mother arranges everything to her liking. I hate it.” He spat the words from his lips. “I hate the role I’m forced to play in this organization.”
“How will you get in?”
He shrugged. “We have systems in place. You know how helicopters and planes fly over the river to glimpse the fireworks?”
“Sure.” A memory from her dossier on Naeva surfaced. “My father took me up in one when I was nine.” As the lie slid from her lips, her old friend—depression—began to worm its way into her heart, obliterating the new found joy in her heart. How can I escape the pretense of who I am now? For a few seconds, she longed to play pretend forever, maintaining the illusion of Naeva Weathersby. I can be married to a thief, can’t I? Who will know? Marcus is dead. Adam is dead. Doucette is dead. What else have I got going for me?
“Right. So, one of them will be carrying my team. They’ll rappel down and land on the roof of the bank. The helicopter will take off after it drops them off. They’ll hide until it looks like the coast is clear. I’ll be on the ground. A designated team member will let me in once they’ve infiltrated the bank. I’m the safe cracker.” He wiggled his fingers in the air.
“I see,” she said, remembering him attaching that unlocking gizmo to the safe when he showed her the Diamond Club jewels.
“We have the best of the best working on this plan. They’ve been plotting for months.” His nose scrunched up. “If we need a diversion, we have an explosive expert who can set off a bomb somewhere away from the scene of the crime.”
Savannah gasped. “What if someone gets hurt?”
“I might care, but the club doesn’t. They consider anyone in the way as collateral damage.” He wiped his face with his palm. “I hate this shit.”
“You can leave, Liam. There are systems in place to protect the innocent.”
He shook his head. “I can’t leave. You don’t get it. Or, maybe now, you do. This club—they kill people for less. They tried to destroy you. Instead, they got the two people you were closest to.” His eyes grew moist. “I won’t let anything happen to you, even if it means you never leave my side.”
A shiver launched up her spine at the murderous cruelty this club possessed. “We can run. We can hide. I know people.”
“We can’t. They’d find us.” His shoulders slumped as if he were resigned to his fate. “This is…this is who I'm supposed to be. It’s what they groomed me to be.”
Savannah placed her hand on his chest. “You can be whoever you want. You can do whatever you want.”
“I wish that were true.” A wistful tone drifted through his words. He cast a melancholy gaze in her direction.
“It can be, Liam, I know it can. You can study medicine. Become the doctor you always wanted to be. We can move to Vermont.”
“Vermont?” He laughed. “I wish it was that simple.”
“It can happen. I can make it happen.”
He chuckled. “What can you, a billionaire’s daughter, possibly do to protect us both? No, Naeva, this is how it has to be.” He sighed.
She fell back into the pillows, her mind whirring. I can make some calls. Maybe the whole world doesn’t know I’ve been disavowed. I still have friends in high places.
“Tell you what.”
“What?” he said. He folded his arms behind his head.
“I’ll do my part to let you know there’s a possibility that exists outside of what you know.”
He gave her a quizzical look. “Enlighten me, oh, goddess. How will you do that?”
“Oh, I have my ways, master.”
He sucked in a breath. Then, he narrowed his eyes at her. “Do you?”
“Yes.” She sat up and rolled onto her hands and knees, assuming a posture of submission.
“What are you doing?” he asked, sounding alarmed.
Her eyebrows drew together. “I’m going to show you. Calm down.” She made her panther moves down to his hips. “First,” she said, reaching for his cock, “I’m going to…”
Her gaze tracked his smooth, shaved genitals. Then, it came to a sudden stop at the tiny mole at the base of his cock.
“You’re going to…?” he began, his erection already beginning to form.
“Liam Chartier,” she said.
“What?” He looked befuddled.
“Are you…” She sat straight. “Are you Master Steele?”
23
Savannah scrambled away from Liam, scuttling backward along the huge bed like a crab. “You’ve been deceiving me! You’re Master Steele!”
“Wait,” he said, sitting up. “It’s not like that.”
“What’s it like then? I screwed the notorious Master Steele, who’s probably jammed his dick inside every female in the Diamond Club.” A horrid thought flashed before her. “You fucked Monique. You fucked her tonight and then you plowed into me. I’m going to get whatever disease she got from my man-whore father.”
“Christ, Naeva, you’ve got it all wrong.”
“Have I? In case you haven’t noticed, you’ve got a reputation at the club as some kind of god. Who screws women. After he whips them into submission.”
Liam exploded with rage. It came out with arm waving, sweat-popping, red-skinned fury. “You know nothing. Nothing at all. I never do harm to the women, ever. I haven’t screwed anyone. Not for eight long years. You!”
She drew her arms back, cowering at the edge of the bed. “Me, what?”
Her limbs began to shake.
“The only person I’ve ever been inside since Charlotte, is you.” He dragged both hands through his hair.
“Me?” She grabbed the suede cover and tugged it over her naked body.
“Yes, you. I thought you were worth it.”
“And now you don’t?”
He didn’t answer. His face was contorted with harsh lines. His jaw worked back and forth like he was biting back angry retorts.
Tears pricked her eyes at his refusal to answer. He thought I was worth it and now he doesn’t? She thought of the sea of families who “claimed” her over the years. Some seemed to almost like her. When she showed her true, sullen, angry colors, however, not even a paltry tax-free check a month could convince them to keep her.
Her mind jumped in every direction. “Your mother said you arranged for me to train with Master Steele. What was that about? Did you want to dare me to do it? See how faithful I’d be to you? See if I could handle your kind of bedroom kink?”
Her heartbeat clattered around in her chest like a ping-pong ball.
Sighing, he slumped forward, hanging over his thighs. “I set up your ‘training’ before you got here.” He made air quotes around the word training. “After you arrived, I kept up the pretense. I didn’t want anyone else to touch you. The club excels at partner swapping, and you were a prime target. You’re mind-blowingly beautiful, and you don’t flaunt it around like the other women. I could tell you’d be a lamb at a slaughterhouse.”
Her mind whirled with confusion. “How would that keep me safe?”
His mouth formed a grim line. “Gossip spreads. Word was beginning to spread that you were one of Master Steele’s ‘chosen.’ When I—rather, my alter eg0—chooses someone, they keep their hands to themselves. They circle like vultures until I’ve made a new choice, however. Because then it would mean you’re properly trained and they can have a go at you.”
Her mouth fell open. “So, being married to you counts for nothing?”
A cold laugh escaped his lips. “Oh, I’m granted a measure of respect, but once you enter the club, there are club rules. Both men and women would beg to play with you. I’d have to work deals and transactions. It can be lucrative. But I didn’t want to play that way with you. I wanted you all to myself.”