by Ravenna Tate
She popped both containers in the microwave and then glanced at the beverage choices. As tempting as it was to select a couple of bottles of beer, she opted instead for the pitcher of lemonade. Pouring two glasses, she placed them on a tray she found and then emptied the contents of the containers onto plates, and placed those on the tray as well.
After adding silverware and napkins, she carried the tray into his office and frowned when she realized he was still on the video call. How did he get any work done? He ended it once she placed the tray on his desk, and then gave her an apologetic look. “They didn’t know you were in the same room before.”
“It’s all right.” She took her seat and placed a plate and glass in front of him, then took her own off the tray. “Boys will be boys.”
His grin almost made her decide she wasn’t very hungry or thirsty after all.
“We were talking about Emmett Radcliffe’s wedding just now. He’s getting married in June. Want to come to the wedding with me?”
Rissa almost dropped her fork. “Um, sure. I’d love to.”
He furrowed his brow. “Why so surprise I asked?”
“It’s three months away.”
“You don’t plan on being with me three months from now?”
He wasn’t teasing her. The tone of his voice and the look on his face told her that. “I plan on it. Just making sure you do, too.”
“I told you I did.” His voice was quiet now. “What do I have to do to prove to you that I’ve changed?”
She put down her fork and faced him. “Barclay, I’ve been in this apartment a mere twenty-four hours. Give me some time to get used to this, okay?”
The corners of his mouth turned up. “You’re right. It feels longer, though, in my defense.”
“I know. It does to me, too.” She stared into those beautiful eyes, so full of passion now, and wondered how in the hell they’d ever finish this project. When his computer pinged with another incoming call, Barclay sighed.
“Speak of the devil, that’s Emmett. I’ll call him back in a moment. I want to be sure you’re okay with this. With us, I mean.”
“I am, but I do have a question.” Barclay getting a call from another Weatherman reminded her of what she’d been thinking about while in the kitchen. “I’ve never seen pictures of you online with an employee.”
He cleared his throat slightly. “That’s because I don’t date them any longer. Had some bad experiences in my younger days.”
“Well, I hope that doesn’t mean I’m about to be fired.”
He took her hands. “Not a chance. I need you on this project, and when we’re done with it, I suspect we’ll all have a lot of work to do we didn’t have before.”
“But I am still your employee.”
His computer buzzed again, and Barclay released her hands as he swore under his breath. “I knew I should have called them all at the same time.”
“Do you want me to leave?”
“No. It’s time you met them. Even when this project is done, we have to find these bastards and then figure out what to do with them.”
“So you’re breaking your rule for me?”
“Yes.”
Barclay connected the call with Emmett while Rissa began to eat again. She’d seen Emmett’s pictures online, of course, but he was even better looking on the video. Barclay didn’t seem the least bit self-conscious eating as he told Emmett what they’d found so far, so Rissa finished her meal as well while he talked.
When Emmett disconnected the call, Barclay said he needed to set up a call with all the Weathermen because it was obvious they wanted to know every step of this recovery, rather than wait until something substantial had been found. While he did that, Rissa went back to work.
She said hello to each of them on the call once Barclay had it set up, and it was almost two hours before Barclay was finally done. It was late afternoon by the time they’d finished moving all the data on Rob’s laptop and the two external drives to one very large document on Barclay’s recovery machine. She made a copy for her own laptop so they both had the same one to work from, and then she printed them each a hard copy as well.
He rose and stretched. “How do you feel about country music?”
She laughed. “I was raised in Texas, just like you. How do you think I feel about it?”
“I can correctly assume, then, that you’re a fan of Dixie Boys?”
“Ah, yes!”
“I happen to have tickets to the Theater tonight. Would you care to accompany me?”
Her jaw dropped open. The Theater was short for SouthCentral Theater, and it was more of an outdoor concert venue than a theater in the traditional sense. Dixie Boys were local to SouthCentral, but they traveled to every city they could reach by an underground route, and when they were home, tickets were nearly impossible to get.
“Is that a ‘yes’?”
“Oh, you are so getting a blowjob later.”
The way his eyes flashed with lust and his delighted laugh sent her heart soaring. This man was way too charming. She’d already fallen under his spell, but there was no place else Rissa would rather be right now.
“It’s about time.”
Heat rose to her face, and before she lost her nerve, she sat on the desk in front of him. “On second thought, why wait until later?”
Chapter Thirteen
Barclay groaned when she unzipped his jeans and took out his dick. He reached around and closed his laptop, just in case the video kicked on by itself if another call came through. That earned him a cute giggle from Rissa.
“You don’t want your friends to watch you getting a blowjob?”
“Hmm, now that you mention it, maybe they’d enjoy that?”
She didn’t answer. Instead she took his cock into her mouth and wrapped her lips around it, sucking hard while she pulled it in and out of her mouth.
“Holy fuck…” Barclay could hardly breathe. He grasped her head, one hand on each side, and that apparently excited her further because she took more of him into her mouth. Now she moved her lips over his dick, up and down, making sexy noises in the back of her throat, and there was no way for him to hang on.
He exploded into her mouth while stars flashed behind his closed eyelids. He didn’t open his eyes again until he realized she’d released him. When he glanced down into her face, she had the sweetest smile on it he’d ever seen.
“Please tell me you enjoyed that.”
He bent his head and kissed her, tongue and all, knowing he’d taste his own cum and not caring. When he released her mouth, he kissed her forehead. “Best damn blowjob I’ve ever had. I shall repay you properly later, after there’s blood in my brain once again.”
****
The concert was packed, but Rissa didn’t seem to mind. She hollered and stomped her feet along with everyone else, and Barclay couldn’t stop watching her. Most women he went out with expected fancy dinners or places where they could dress up, and were assured there would be plenty of press. They were more interested in making sure they were seen out with him than in enjoying his company.
Rissa had run back to her apartment to grab her cowboy boots, and wore jeans and a plaid shirt. She had on no makeup, but had chosen to wear earrings large enough tug on and pull her around with like a ring through a bull’s nose. Barclay had never seen a woman look more beautiful or sexy, the crazy earrings notwithstanding.
She knew the words to all the songs, and wasn’t the least bit shy about singing along with the audience. After the concert, she asked if they could eat something fried and greasy, and he pulled her close to give her a tight hug. “Normally, I’d say no way, but you’re right. After that, greasy burgers and onion rings are perfect. I know just the place.”
He took her to Dirty Harry’s, an out of the way greasy spoon in a part of town she said she’d never been in before. From the outside, it looked like an old-fashioned dingy diner, but inside it was bright and cheery, and the food was the best kept secret in SouthCentral.
/> While they ate cheeseburgers loaded with everything and shared a mountain of onion rings, Barclay enjoyed listening to her talk about her favorite music, and the bands she’d seen in concert before everyone had to move underground.
Gradually, their talk turned back to the project, and Rissa asked if Rob would now make trouble for the Weathermen since he suspected it was one of them who had stolen his laptop.
“I doubt it. What can he do? If he comes forward with his suspicions, HCS will swoop in and detain him. We’re hoping he has enough sense to keep quiet about this.”
“Wouldn’t that be a good thing if HCS questioned him?”
“Not in this instance. If they question him about the hacking, he might alert the real hackers and we may never track them down. I’ve spoken to my contacts at HCS, but they told me Rob is on a list now and they can’t guarantee a field agent won’t decide to play hero and take him to a detention center if he tries anything stupid.”
Her eyes widened, and she leaned forward. “Does HCS know you stole the laptop?”
“No. I couldn’t tell them that. I wouldn’t expect my contacts there to protect me or my friends from involvement in a criminal act.”
She glanced around, but Barclay was sure no one had heard them. “You’re all playing with fire.”
“We realize that, but what other choice do we have? It’s been seven years, Rissa. And if even half of what Rob has said is true, the hackers are likely working for some of us right now.”
“Then we should get back to work as soon as we return to your apartment.”
He agreed with her, but his hormones had a more pressing engagement. Barclay reached across the table and took her hand. “I do plan on working, but I won’t need a computer for it.”
She grabbed his other hand and rubbed one finger against his palm, sending shivers down his spine. “What will you use instead?”
Her beautiful blue eyes were mesmerizing. He could hardly take a full breath. “My tongue and my fingers.”
“Sounds like you plan on having dessert at home.”
“Oh, baby. You have no idea.”
****
Rissa could hardly stand the walk back to Barclay’s apartment. They held hands and made small talk, but her mind was on the look in his eyes back at the diner. He’d been ready to jump across the tiny table and gobble her up. She’d never expected this from him. Every picture she’d ever seen of him made him look so stuffy and formal. She’d seen a lighter side of him at work from time to time, but she’d been wrong about every misconception.
He was charming, funny, and very easy to talk to. He seemed interested in everything she had to say, and it wasn’t surprising to her why women threw themselves at him. But despite all the looks he’d received tonight, she hadn’t seen one instance of flirting on his part. He’d been totally focused on her.
Once they were inside his apartment, Barclay ran a bath. Rissa had been eyeing the huge sunken tub in his bathroom for two days now, and as she stepped into the water, she sighed. “This is really nice.”
He sat on one of the built-in seats and pulled her against him, facing out, then wrapped his arms around her body and nuzzled her neck. “I’ve always enjoyed it, but now I’ll enjoy it even more. Lean back against me and close your eyes.”
Rissa did as he asked, shivers running down her spine when he began to wash her with a bath sponge. The contrast between the water trickling over her skin and the hardness of Barclay’s body next to hers sent Rissa’s desire to new heights once more. He’d filled the tub with scented oil, and as the smell of vanilla and lavender wafted past her nose, she breathed deeply and let her muscles relax.
When he washed her nipples, she moaned softly. He moved the sponge down between her legs, and Rissa spread them wider. Barclay put aside the sponge and teased her with his fingers, whispering softly against her skin as he tortured her with feathery touches.
“Baby, I’m going to lick your pussy and suck your clit until you beg me stop.”
His touch gradually changed from light to rubbing hard against her clit, the opening to her wetness, and her asshole. Rissa scooted her hips forward so she could raise them slightly, giving him easier access to everything.
She moaned louder now, lost in the sensations, but he stopped before she came. Barclay helped her stand, and then stepped out of the tub. “Be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
Rissa smiled at his wink, watched his gorgeous, wet, naked body retreat into the bedroom, then waited until he returned with several pillows. He placed them on the floor next to the tub and climbed back in.
“Lie back on these for me, sweetheart. I need my dessert now.”
Rissa positioned herself on the pillows and spread her legs wide. She cried out as he clamped his mouth on her, licking her clit while he pushed two fingers into her soaking wet pussy. He wasn’t wasting any time. She came so quickly it was almost disappointing, until she realized he wasn’t going to stop.
“Oh … oh fuck.”
He chuckled without taking his mouth off her or withdrawing his fingers. The pressure now was almost painful, but at the same time, she didn’t want him to stop. Each thrust of his fingers inside and each pass of his tongue over her clit sent the contractions coursing through her body once more. The orgasm went on and on, and she had no time to catch her breath.
She came a second time, and was sure he’d keep going, but finally he pulled his fingers out and licked up her abdomen, then over her breasts, until he came to her mouth. He kissed her, tongue and all, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him, never wanting to leave this place.
His dick rubbed against her sore pussy, and Rissa lost track of time and space. He kissed her neck, her face, her jaw, and then he sat up, his face filled with frustration.
“Goddamn. Fucking condoms are in the other room.”
“I’m on the pill.”
He stared down into her eyes for long moments, then finally he grinned. “You’re okay with not using one this time?”
“Barclay, if you don’t fuck me right now I’m going to lose my damn mind.”
“Oh baby, I’m going to fuck you. I’m going to fuck you hard.”
He turned her over, and before Rissa could process the fact he’d done it, he shoved his cock into her pussy from behind. She lay flat, and at this angle every thrust massaged that sweet spot inside, until a third climax washed over her. She could do nothing but lie there and let it happen. She’d never been fucked like this, and loved every second of it. This strong, sexy man had captivated her body and her heart in a few short days, and Rissa knew her life would never be the same again.
After he came, he turned her over and held her for long moments, stroking her hair and back. “That was incredible. You’re incredible. Please tell me you enjoyed it.”
“Perfect. It’s perfect. All of this is perfect.”
He kissed her tenderly. “I think we should work on the project here until it’s finished.”
“Don’t you have to go into the office once in a while?”
“Fuck it. I don’t want to be away from you.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“We won’t get anything done. I’ll be thinking about the next time I can make love to you. I’m likely to fuck you in my office if you’re there with me.”
She smiled, her heart filled with more excitement than she’d felt in a very long time. “Then I guess we’d better work on the project here.”
Rissa had begun to drift off to sleep when Barclay groaned loudly and helped her to her feet. They left the bathroom and put on comfy clothes. Then Barclay made them hot chocolate to enjoy while they sat down in his office, side by side, and returned to work.
Barclay concentrated on the names and dates, matching them against two databases he said all the Weathermen now used. He hadn’t told Rissa too much about the databases, and she understood it wasn’t her place to ask, but she knew enough to understand they contained names and other information about suspec
ted hackers who also posted on company message boards, and on boards where weather geeks and hackers hung out.
She took on the task of trying to decipher the bizarre relationship between Rafael and Rob. The messages between the two went back ten years at least. Rafael Torres had been using the names Ernest Hamilton and William Santiago for at least seven, from what Barclay had told her the Weathermen found.
They surmised he had taken on the aliases once everyone moved underground, but they didn’t know why other than to hide his identify inside the dummy companies they found he either owned or had a financial stake in.
He was involved up to the neck in pricing schemes, but the only one that had infiltrated the construction business in the US cities was the same one Damien had exposed. Barclay told her they hadn’t found evidence of any earlier ones in US cities.
Rissa organized the messages according to date, intending to start at the beginning and work her way forward. She wanted an overall picture of how and where these two had met, and why a computer programmer would continue an online relationship with a man involved with government-controlled pricing scams in another country. How had they met in the first place?
The earliest conversations were from a now-defunct weather geek board that Rob posted on under the first username they discovered linked to him. Ten years ago, he’d still been using Snake Man and had been an undergrad. Based on the first message she found, it appeared that Rafael was using a combination of the letters in his name as his moniker.
He and Rob had been on opposite sides of an argument about whether or not clouds could be seeded with electromagnetic pulses, and if such technology could harness the earth’s magnetic field to accomplish that.
They eventually took the discussion off the forum into a private chat when the forum moderators told them to tone it down, and Rob saved all the messages from the forum as well as the private chat.
Rissa’s blood ran cold as she read the initial private conversations several times. She wanted to be sure she wasn’t reading anything into it. She tapped Barclay on the arm. “Remind me again how The Madeline Project worked. In plain English and simple terms, please.”