Bane

by Kristin Mayer

  “What’s yours?”

  Ugh, he had a way of out-maneuvering any personal question asked. I wondered if that was a defense mechanism. “Without a doubt, cheesecake. I could live without everything else in my life … except that.”

  Unexpected laughter came from Bane, which made me smile. He had a deep laugh and the matching smile enhanced his handsome features. From the stiffness of his posture at Discrete Encounters when we first met, Bane didn’t seem like the type who laughed much. Me being able to make him laugh pleased me more than it should.

  I gave a slight playful pout. “Your turn.”

  “My junk food of choice would be Cheetos.”

  Bane’s phone rung before I had a chance to comment. Answering, he said, “Yes. Okay.” There was a long lingering silence. “Give me an hour. No problem. Thanks.”

  Hanging up the phone, I knew our time was over and I was disappointed. “I need to leave. I’ve booked you for the next month if you’re up for more talking.”

  I had no idea that my month was filled. Jewel only mentioned I had a date tonight, and I wondered why that large detail was left out. First, I needed to understand what Bane wanted from me. This was not normal. “Why?”

  I wrung my hands in front of me as Bane watched me closely—caressing me with one sweep of my body.

  “Because you have no expectations. I enjoy it and I haven’t let myself enjoy anything in a long time.”

  Whoa.

  Biting my lip, I tried to determine what I should do. Bane stood. “Maren, there’s no strings. No pressure. We can meet here again if you want to keep up the illusion until you figure out how you want to handle things with your brother.”

  Bane figured so much out about me in the short time span of talking. “What are you expecting from me?”

  Another long pause, but the way Bane’s eyes burned through me had my body temperature rising. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say. “Thanks. I’ll think about it.”

  For a split second, his brow furrowed, but the blank mask quickly went back into place. “Sounds good. I guess tomorrow we’ll see.”

  Without another word, he left the room. I sat there, figuring out what in the world Bane wanted and if I thought he told the truth. Earning the money couldn’t be as simple as it seemed. Nothing was that easy in life.

  SHIT. ALL I thought about was Maren since I’d left the hotel room yesterday. I knew I was distracted and that was a bad thing. Jeremy, friend and head of security for my former employer, Damien Wales, needed an in depth review of a man wanting to meet with Damien for a new business venture.

  All had come back clear.

  From time to time, I helped Jeremy out when things got busier for the Wales. Football season was always stressful. So many people to watch and control. And of course, Damien wanted his family with him as much as possible when he was at the games. They had a private suite at the stadium, which helped. At some point, I needed to stop by and see them again. It’d been awhile.

  Tossing my keys to the valet, I gave him my name. “Bradley. Room 2314.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As I approached the elevator, I pushed an excited energy away and ignored it. The feeling felt foreign, nearly unrecognizable. There was no doubt, Maren was a fresh breath of air. A nice change. Someone I wanted more time with. But … that’s where it ended. Money wasn’t an issue, but eventually I’d have to break this habit so as not to endanger her. I never wanted anyone to think there was anything I couldn’t live without. If they found out … that person would have a death sentence, like Jasmine and Faith. I reminded myself of those final moments.

  The best thing I could do was turn around and leave, but I couldn’t. And that scared me. Maybe if I indulged the craving, it would vanish. If not, I’d force myself to stop.

  As I hit the button for the twenty-third floor, I wondered if Maren would come today. She was hard to read, which I guess would be the pot calling the kettle black. In the Discrete Encounters kitchen, Maren had been flirting, and yesterday she was a different girl completely. As I thought about her junk food question, a slight smile crept on my face.

  There were a million different things I figured she’d ask before that. I’d been expecting something more personal. That alone made me want to get to know her some. For now, she wasn’t giving me that moony-eyed giggly shit that girls do when they wanted something more. In fact, Maren had been pretty adamant about no sex. Though my dick wouldn’t mind some relief if she changed her mind. As long as whatever this became over the next month didn’t become complicated. I didn’t do complicated when it came to people.

  The door to the elevator dinged and I stepped out, eyes trained on the door down the hall. A fellow guest passed me and gave me a courtesy nod. I returned the gesture.

  For now, I booked this room for the month so I wouldn’t have to continue checking in each day. Why I was doing all this … there was no answer—at least not one I would entertain. I wasn’t sure what was going on with her brother, but I planned on getting more information to investigate. This whole situation was like a clusterfuck of questions. I mashed my teeth together at the thought of her own flesh and blood pimping Maren out. She was a good person. Even with my darkened soul, I could still see the goodness in others.

  Slipping the keycard in, I opened the door, holding my breath, wondering if the angelic brunette beauty would be here again. Much to my delight, Maren sat on the cream fabric couch, at the end, with a bottle of water. Today she was in some sort of dress that emphasized her tits. My dick pressed against my zipper, having a mind of its own around her.

  Calm the fuck down. This isn’t puberty.

  It wanted inside Maren. Badly. I wondered what her tight pussy would feel like as it clenched around me as I brought her pleasure beyond her wildest dreams. Fuck, why was I torturing myself with all this talking?

  “Hey, stranger.” Her cheery voice was similar to how she’d been in the kitchen at Discrete Encounters.

  I took the same place on the couch, but slightly turned Maren’s way. “Hey. Seems like you decided to come back.”

  Her genuine smile created an involuntary one on my face as well. This was the most odd and fucked up way to meet someone, but it did give us anonymity to escape … for a bit. At least that was what I wanted. Freedom from the past. Maybe I’d be able to flee from the nightmares even though I deserved each one.

  “It would seem so. I wasn’t sure if I would come back.”

  There was a small part of me that thought she wouldn’t, but hearing her voice the words created a desire within me to want to know more. Her leaving now would be the best for us. But, I had to know where her head was. “Why’s that?”

  She casted her eyes down. “Let’s say that I wasn’t prepared for the grilling I got.”

  “What kind of grilling?” Anger boiled under the surface, assuming her brother gave her a hard time.

  She gave a tired sigh and twisted the lid of her water bottle on and off. A nervous habit. “Jewel told my brother yesterday that you booked me for the entire month. He asked what I did to make you want me like that. He wanted me to do things.”

  “Things?”

  “Things to make you want me more, to pay more. This is so messed up. I wanted to come, but I don’t want to drag you into anything with my brother.”

  Fucking bastard. I bet the self-entitled prick didn’t even have a job while he mooched off his sister who had four, if you counted the escorting. “What’s his name?”

  Alarm shot through her eyes as they met mine. There was good reason for her to feel that way. “Why?”

  Stay calm. There was information I needed. “I’m curious. He obviously has my name now. Don’t you think it’s only fair we’re on equal footing?”

  I’d rather have the information from Maren. But, I’d get it regardless. I still had access to Discrete Encounters’ mainframe while the security team updated the system. From the front desk run-in at the dati
ng service, I knew his first name was Frankie, but that could be a nickname. It’d take me longer, but I’d still find out who he was.

  Leaning forward slightly, to look me straight in the eyes, the dress moved slightly revealing the side of her breast. And damn it, I wanted to run my fingers against the soft plumpness.

  “You promise you aren’t going to do anything?”

  Countering with a question generally distracted anyone and kept me from commitment to anything. “Why would I?”

  Maren shifted toward me and that intoxicating perfume came over me. “Because I think you can be dangerous if you want to be.”

  “Then why did you come back?”

  We leaned into each other, only a few inches separating us. “I don’t know.”

  Maren’s chest heaved as her breath quickened, eyes darting to my mouth. Hell, this was dangerous. Abruptly, I stood and made my way to the bar, pouring myself a glass of bourbon.

  Hesitantly, Maren approached as her hazel eyes watched me. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No.” I took a big sip and allowed the burn to cover my throat.

  “Our last name is Kincaid. He’s Frank Kincaid.”

  I nodded. Maren made her way around the bar and came within a few inches of me. “Listen, I’m sorry for whatever I did.”

  “Why are you dressed like that?”

  She looked down before looking back into my eyes. Her wrap-around dress needed to come off her body. “I had an interview after my shift at the vet clinic and changed there. I forgot more clothes and didn’t have time to run home. The bus route would have put me getting here an hour late and I didn’t want to miss seeing you again.

  I nodded as my thumb went to her cheek, slowly dragging its way down her neck. Her skin was as soft as I’d believed while jacking off in the shower this morning to the thought of Maren. I’m not sure what’s going on between us.

  Lust clouded her eyes as she watched me intently. Continuing to draw the line down the center in between her breasts, leaving a wake of goose bumps, I murmured, “You’re beautiful.”

  The fabric moved easily as my fingers descended.

  Shit! This woman made me lose all of my composure. She blushed, but didn’t back away as we stared at each other while my finger stopped level with the bottom of her breasts. “Thank you.”

  That same stare trance started, and I felt Maren lean in to my touch. She wanted this as badly as I did.

  Maren broke the silence. “I’m not taking your money. I’m going to call Jewel and tell her. It’s not right. You’re a good guy, Bane. I can sense it.”

  How wrong she was.

  “Why do you stay with your brother?”

  My words ended our moment as Maren took a step back, breaking the connection. Her nipples were beady points against the fabric. To keep from closing the gap, I took another large gulp of bourbon.

  Giving a tired sigh, Maren explained, “Because when Dad died, Frankie kept me from getting absorbed into foster care. He took care of me. When I turned eighteen, he changed. I took his youth. I owe him.”

  Like fuck she did. At this point, if he planned on pimping her, the odds would have been better with foster care. “What about your mom?”

  “She died giving birth to me. Frankie helped my dad raise me. I’m helping him out of this last bind and then I’m done. I’ve paid my debt to him. I realize he’s out of control with him willing to whore me out. It’ll only get worse from here. I’ve been a pushover for a while. It’s time I found myself again—the person my father raised. It took a big wake-up call for me to realize it.”

  This woman confused me. Did she have an alternative agenda? Watching her closely, she seemed innocent and sweet. Not someone out to fuck people over.

  Giving me a sweet smile, she said, “It was nice meeting you, Bane. It’s been awhile since anyone has been kind to me.” She touched my hand and warmth emanated from her. “Thank you.”

  She turned and walked toward the door. Propelled into motion by the thought of not seeing her again, I caught up to her and placed my hand on her back. “Wait.”

  A gasp of air escaped Maren. “Bane.”

  “Hear me out.”

  If she chose to leave, I would let her go, which would be best for us. When she turned, we were but a breath apart. The movement of her tongue touching her lips filled me with a need to taste them. I knew it’d be even better than feeling her soft skin.

  Patiently, Maren waited for me. What the hell was I doing? Why the hell was I even contemplating? I wasn’t even sure why I was drawn to this woman. “Stay. Let’s spend the month together.”

  Maren raised an eyebrow. “And what would we do?”

  “Whatever the hell we want to do. I’ll pay for your time to keep your brother off your ass. Use this month to recharge. Stay here at the hotel.”

  “Bane, I’m not a whore.”

  Her words infuriated me and I raised my voice. “Have I treated you like a whore?”

  “No.” She took a step back.

  I knew I needed to calm down. “I won’t touch you unless you want me to.”

  Maren massaged her temples and took another step back. “And what am I going to tell my brother we’re doing? What are we doing? I’m confused by all this.”

  A headache loomed at the base of my head. “Tell your brother we fuck like animals.” She gasped. “I don’t care what you tell him, Maren. Quite frankly, it’s none of his damned business.”

  “I can’t accept money.”

  “Then, accept a gift.”

  The breaths expelled from her body became quicker. Swallowing hard, she took a step back. “I can’t become a paid prostitute.”

  “You won’t. If we fuck, it will be because we want to. Not because I’m paying you.” I could feel Maren’s walls breaking down and I was happier than I should be about the fact that she was going to agree.

  “But—” Maren looked torn as she chewed on her lip, contemplating.

  I held my hands out to the side. “There are no but’s; I’ll leave and not come again. However, take this month and recharge. Tell your brother and Jewel whatever you want.” Rooted in place, I tried to decipher what Maren thought. “If you want me to leave I’ll go, Maren. No questions.”

  She took a step forward and a little tension eased out of her shoulders. “I don’t understand; why are you doing this?”

  “I don’t have a damn clue as to why, but I want to spend the next month away from all the nonsense of the outside world.” This was either going to be the best or one of the worst ideas I’d had.

  The familiar charge built around us as she asked, “Will we have sex?”

  I stayed in place. If Maren wanted me to touch her again, she’d have to make the first move. “If we want.”

  “Do you want?”

  Hell yes, I wanted this. “I’m a man, not a saint, Maren.”

  A small chuckle escaped her. “And if I don’t want to?”

  “Then, we don’t. It’s as simple as that.”

  Maren headed to the bar and took a sip of my bourbon, coughing as the amber liquid made its way down. “What happens at the end of the month?”

  This woman made my head spin.

  “We go our separate ways.” I took a few steps in her direction, but stopped a foot away.

  Maren took another sip of my drink. “What about staying friends?”

  It was best to get it all there up front. I would leave after the month. There was no way I would break my motto. “Maren, I don’t do relationships. I don’t do friends. I lead a solitary life with no connections.”

  A frown appeared. “That sounds lonely.”

  “It’s my life.” That was all I would say.

  She took a step toward me. “Okay. I can respect that. After the month, I’ll leave and never contact you again.”

  I believed her and that’s what made this perfect. She took another step toward me, now only inches from me. “I’ll see you tomorrow evening.”

  “T
omorrow.”

  Maren reached up on her tiptoes and kissed my lips. I thought she would pull back, but she pressed against my body.

  That was my cue.

  Things turned in an instant when we tasted each other. My arms surged around her as I sought entry into her mouth. Legs wrapped around my waist and I pushed my dick against her core, eliciting a moan. She tasted of sweet cherries. Hell, I wanted all the way in her.

  I sat her on the bar, putting her heat at the perfect fucking height. Reaching for the tie of her dress, I pulled it open. Blindly, my hands sought her nipples. As I rolled them between my fingers, she threw her head back, arching her tits into my hands. Sliding my hands down her stomach, I wanted to rip off her cotton panties. She breathed heavily as she watched my hand.

  Nearing the lips of her pussy, a knock came from the door.

  “Fuck!” Maren gave a frustrated sound. “I’ll be right back.”

  Whoever the hell was outside that door had a death wish. I wrenched the door open.

  “Housekeeping. Would you like the turn down service?”

  “No.”

  She nodded and turned. A turn down service cock-blocked me? Coming back in the room, ready to pick up where we’d left off, I found Maren dressed again.

  She wasn’t ready.

  “Why don’t you go home and pack? I’ll meet you back here tomorrow night.”

  My statement obviously threw Maren. She’d probably expected me to seduce her into having sex with me.

  “Okay. Thank you.” I needed to get out of here so I did the right thing. Starting for the door, she called, “Bane?”

  I turned my head back to her, but kept facing forward, fighting the urge to taste her again. “Yes.”

  “Can we keep this a secret? What we’re doing.”

  What the hell were we doing? “Absolutely.”

  ZIPPING UP MY suitcase, I prepared for the month ahead and what was to come after. The kiss from last night played in my head for the millionth time. Bane captivated me in a way I never thought possible. The moment he took control, I let go. When the knock interrupted us, I was grateful and disappointed at the same time. With those warring emotions, I knew I needed to leave.