by Leah Brooke
Only years of training kept Steve from showing his surprise as he realized the truth of Mike’s words.
Looking out the side window, he thought about the sounds Julianna made as she came. Somewhere between a moan and a whimper, it was the most erotic sound he’d ever heard in his life.
He couldn’t wait to hear it again. That didn’t mean he wanted more than just an affair. Sure, he wanted her for more than just one night, but by the time she finished the hotel, he knew both he and Nick would be anxious to move on. He had no idea what had suddenly gotten into his best friend, but he’d seen women come and go in Nick’s life for years and couldn’t imagine him sticking with just one.
Nodding, Steve looked back at his longtime friend. “You’re right, Mike. We’re letting her get to us. Just keep an eye on Nick. He’s really taken with her, and with Munson around, it makes me nervous.”
The two men spent the next hour discussing their former leader and what steps they would take to increase security.
Winding down, Mike leaned back, eyeing Steve thoughtfully. “You don’t think she’s setting you up, do you?”
Steve jumped to his feet. “What the hell are you talking about? We found her, not the other way around. We spotted her driving erratically, and she was obviously upset. You were there. You saw her.”
Mike crossed his arms over his chest. “And the fact that she was one of the prospective decorators was just a coincidence?”
Defensive now, Steve stood over him with his hands on his hips and clenched his jaw. “Yes.”
“And the fact that the project was sabotaged? How do you know she didn’t fuck with the paint herself? She was one of the few people who could have. Paul Munson wouldn’t stoop to something like that and you know it. He wouldn’t take the chance of being caught. But having someone else create a distraction would amuse him.”
Steve’s stomach churned. “She was attacked tonight, or have you forgotten that?”
Mike came to his feet. “We haven’t seen or heard from him for years, but as soon as Miss Lovette shows up, so does he. A few scratches after a kidnapping attempt she miraculously escapes. No clear description of either man. When we went there, the place was boarded up. Was it a coincidence that her car didn’t start or that her cell phone died right then, too? You’d been calling her for hours and there was no answer, but her friend calls her and she talks to her and her cell phone quits right afterward. Why didn’t she go back into the hotel and call someone?”
Mike unfolded his arms and shook his head. “I don’t like coincidences, and this is far too many for my taste.”
Looking up as the door opened, Steve watched Nick come back from the cockpit just as Julianna stepped out of the bedroom. Steve’s stomach dropped when he saw the way Nick’s eyes lit up when they landed on Julianna. Julianna’s own sleepy smile as she met Nick’s eyes knotted his gut, until she turned that smile his way and it warmed him from within. His cock came to full attention, and he wanted nothing more than to take her back to the bed and make love to her on the sheets still warm from her body.
It couldn’t be more than coincidences. Despite her show of sophistication, Julianna was refreshingly innocent.
Was it all an act?
Is that why she let both of them touch her?
No, there’s no way she could have faked the way she responded to both of them.
She turned to smile at Mike politely, before lifting her head as Nick approached and held out a hand to her. “I couldn’t sleep any more. I’m starving.”
Jealousy was an emotion Steve didn’t have much experience with, but he recognized it all the same. The sexy huskiness in her voice had his cock standing at attention in a heartbeat, and he wanted her attention on him.
Disgusted with himself and sick at the thought that she might be playing them, Steve turned away.
Now that Mike had voiced what had been lingering in the back of Steve’s mind for days, the suspicion that perhaps Julianna had a hidden agenda had been brought to the forefront and wouldn’t go away.
As he watched Nick bend to kiss her forehead, Steve knew he would have to tread carefully. He’d been friends with Nick for too long to risk that friendship and business partnership over a woman.
One who might very well be setting them up for a hell of a fall.
The smart thing to do would be to walk away and let Nick have her, keeping her close enough to watch, yet remaining distant enough to see her clearly.
It’s not like he couldn’t find someone else to warm his bed and appease the hunger she’d created inside him.
Hunger for things best left unsatisfied.
Watching her smile at something Nick said, he wished he could be so noble. He had to have Julianna, if only to get her out of his system. He could watch her even more closely then and, at the same time, see if he could get her to betray herself.
Mike stood, greeting Julianna with a polite smile before turning to head back to the front of the plane, pausing to look pointedly at Nick, who wrapped his arm around her and laughed softly at something she said.
Steve nodded, his gaze drawn back to Julianna, breathing in her scent as Nick pulled her onto his lap beside him.
She looked over at Steve shyly, her face bright red. Staring at his lips, her tongue darted out to wet her own, making his cock throb.
She was a fucking temptress.
Munson couldn’t have made a better choice.
He looked down, his mouth watering when he saw that her nipples poked at the front of her shirt. Reacting without thinking, he leaned over to touch his lips to her ear, his cock jumping at her shiver. “As soon as I get the chance, I’m going to lick every inch of you.”
Her sharp intake of breath nearly made him come in his jeans. He hadn’t been so turned on by such light play since he was a teenager.
No, he wouldn’t be walking away from her anytime soon. Meeting Nick’s look, he nodded, earning him a knowing smile from his friend.
It looked like neither one of them would be walking away from Julianna anytime soon.
He only hoped she didn’t get him killed before he finished with her.
Chapter Nine
Julianna studied her reflection, more than a little surprised to see that the gown Nick and Steve had provided not only fit perfectly but also suited her.
The column of deep blue went well with her coloring and somehow managed to look both elegant and playful. The flirty hem swirled around her ankles with every step while the sleeveless bodice, with material gathered and clipped together by a gold clasp sprinkled with what appeared to be sapphires between her breasts, screamed sophistication.
Not something she would have been able to afford for herself, the gown made her feel ultrafeminine and sexy, giving her an added boost of confidence she would need for the night ahead. She couldn’t wear a bra with it, which left her breasts free for the silky material to caress each time she moved.
Her breasts appeared even fuller, as though they might spill free at any time, but there was nothing she could do about it now. She’d just have to move carefully.
Sighing, she wrapped her arms around herself and moved to the window, wondering at the restless unease she’d experienced ever since leaving the plane.
Both men had been a little too quiet on the way to the hotel, and Mike met her eyes often in the rearview mirror, his gaze searching. Nick shot several icy glares toward both Steve and Mike and spent most of the ride staring out the window. Steve appeared thoughtful as he kept glancing between her and Nick, not saying much at all.
He never once touched her.
It angered her that she’d allowed herself to get so carried away with them on the plane, but what woman could deny herself such pleasure? She’d become so lost in their arms that nothing else had mattered. She’d been completely swept up in being a woman, feminine and desirable, with no games or “scenes”.
Just a raw hunger that wouldn’t be denied.
Since they’d arrived at the ho
tel in the middle of the night, she’d expected one or both of them to sleep with her.
She’d slept alone.
She hadn’t seen either one of them since they’d introduced her to Victor, the head of their hotel security, and showed her to her room, telling her to get some sleep. As she’d drifted off, she hugged the pillows closely and snuggled into the blanket, wishing for their warmth on either side of her.
She’d awakened to a note on her pillow telling her that she had clothes in the closet to wear and to order herself up some breakfast and to be ready at seven tonight for the party. She’d spent the day wandering around the hotel taking notes and had expected them to show up when she stopped for lunch.
She’d eaten alone.
Of course, she would probably have had company if one of Steve’s men, who’d introduced himself as Ron, also known as Sniper, hadn’t scared away the man who’d tried to approach her while she ate lunch.
Ron moved fast for such a big man, cutting off the other man at his approach with what could only be described as a snarl. After a low conversation, the other man backed away, holding his hands up in a sign of surrender.
When she’d asked Ron to join her, just to have some company, and with the intention of questioning him about Nick and Steve, he’d politely refused. “No, thank you. I’m working, and I can’t afford to get distracted. I’ll be waiting when you’re finished.” His eyes never stopped moving as he spoke, flitting from person to person, as though dismissing them before moving on to the next.
Only to start over again.
Something had changed dramatically in their attitude toward her since last night, but for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what it could be.
Wondering if her exhaustion made her imagine things, she decided to put on a good face for tonight as though nothing was out of the ordinary.
Expecting them to arrive at any moment, she went back to the bed and opened her makeup case, the only luggage they’d allowed her to bring. She sprayed herself with her favorite perfume and swirled in front of the mirror, admiring the way the dress moved around her and unable to resist the feel of it brushing against her skin.
Already, her body hummed with the beginnings of desire in anticipation of seeing them both again. The seductive clothing she wore heightened her desire, the soft material feeling almost decadent against her thighs, bottom, and breasts as she moved.
She wondered if they’d had their assistant, Monica, pick it out, along with the matching thong she wore under her dress and the sexy lace nightgown she’d slept in.
The strappy heels they’d left made her taller than she liked, and clumsy, but looked perfect with the dress. Towering over a man didn’t exactly make her feminine and desirable, but right now she was alone and liked the way she looked.
Hearing the door to the other room open and close, and anxious about seeing Nick and Steve again, she hurriedly put away her makeup case. She’d heard them enter the penthouse a short while ago and knew they would be getting ready for the party. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she grabbed her small clutch and went out to wait for them.
Her steps faltered when she saw that Steve had already showered and dressed and stood in the sitting room.
He turned from the bar, a glass in one hand and a decanter in the other. “You look stunning. I knew that dress would suit you. Would you like a drink before we go down?”
Only sheer willpower kept her jaw from dropping at the sight of Steve wearing a tux, especially one that had obviously been tailored to accommodate his muscular frame. His hair looked even lighter against the dark material, reminding her very much of the night at her apartment when they’d first met.
She paused nervously, his deep, husky tone skittering over her skin like a warm caress. Trying not to think about stripping him out of the tux, she walked carefully across the room, concentrating on every step in her high heels, hoping she didn’t trip. She dropped her clutch onto a chair and moved around the coffee table to the sofa. The decadent sensation of the material of her dress sliding against her bare breasts and bottom while Steve’s gaze followed her caused her nipples to pebble even tighter and a fresh rush of moisture to coat her thighs.
Although Steve kept his smile polite, his eyes glittered as they moved over her. Startled to realize that, even though she wore high heels, they were at eye level, she turned away, not wanting him to see how easily he’d aroused her. “Yes, please. Some white wine if you have it.”
“Of course. So what do you think of the hotel? I know you covered every inch of it today.”
Surprised, Julianna spun back to him, accepting the glass of wine he held out. Her breath caught in her throat when his hand lingered on hers, the cool calculation in his eyes making her uneasy.
She backed away, careful not to trip, and took a seat on one of the plush sofas, following his lead by keeping her tone cool.
“It’s beautiful, but you already know that. The hotel is both elegant and welcoming, not an easy thing to do. I applaud your decorator.” Nervously, she played with the stem of her glass, unable to resist digging for reassurance, and pitifully hoping that they’d missed her. “How do you know where I was today? I haven’t seen either one of you since last night.”
Steve lowered himself onto the sofa next to her, placing his arm across the back of the sofa to caress her shoulder. “Because we keep an eye on you. Why do you insist on pulling your hair up that way?”
Julianna self-consciously touched the clip holding her hair. “It’s long and sometimes gets in the way. What do you mean you ‘keep an eye on me’?”
Steve set his glass on the table in front of him and turned to her, leaning in close, the silver streaks in his blue eyes holding her transfixed. “Would you take your hair down for me?”
The intimacy in his low tone was like a tug to her nipples and invited her to lean closer. His blatant masculine sexuality was a force to be reckoned with, his eyes raking over her with a cold intent she hadn’t seen in them before, one that reminded her too much of the look in David’s eyes. Something else shone in them, though, something strong and wild that tugged at her despite her internal struggle against it. The sexual tension in the room sizzled all around them, the kind of sexual tension that raised the hair on the back of her neck and made her nipples tingle.
Straightening, she cleared her throat and sipped her wine, prevented from answering by the door opening behind her.
Nick strolled in, charging the atmosphere even more with sexual tension, and she had to cross her legs against the throbbing of her clit. With his dark good looks, emphasized by the black tuxedo and crisp white shirt, he had to be the most unbelievably handsome man she’d ever seen in her life. The small amount of silver in his hair made him look even more sophisticated and sinfully delicious.
His size, the power and authority he wore with apparent ease, drew her just as strongly as the blatant, raw sexuality Steve exuded.
His gaze never faltered as he walked across the room and held out his hand. “Let me see.”
Julianna obeyed him without hesitation, the uncompromising steel in his tone demanding obedience. Putting her hand in his, she came to her feet to stand in front of him, locking her knees when they shook.
Nick’s eyes raked over her, dark and hypnotic, before he twirled his finger in the air, a silent demand for her to turn.
Her hand shook as she set the wineglass on the coffee table, gulping as she turned slowly, nearly melting under their combined gazes as she did. Although neither one of them touched her, they somehow managed to both arouse her and make her feel desirable, and created an atmosphere of sexual intent that made her very aware of her own sexuality.
With his arms folded across his chest, Steve’s half-smile seemed even more dangerous. The coolness had disappeared, leaving nothing but raw hunger in its place. “I want her hair down.”
They looked her over as if inspecting her, their eyes raking over her body as if she wore nothing at all, and no m
atter how hard she tried to feel insulted, she basked in their attention. Steve’s eyes lingered on her breasts, making them feel even more swollen and heavy.
Nick smiled, his eyes glittering. “You look stunning, darling. As soon as you take your hair down, we’ll be ready to go down to the party. I can’t wait to show you off.”
Julianna shuddered at the velvety steel in his tone, finding it totally irresistible. As much as something inside her fought his arrogance, another even bigger part of her wanted to explore the need inside her to please him, to see his eyes light up with appreciation.
His eyes held a hint of challenge now as he patiently waited for her to comply, the confidence in his half-smile telling her he knew how to handle whichever decision she made. When one brow went up expectantly, she knew she’d run out of time.
Wordlessly, she reached up and removed the pins from her hair, her nipples tight and tingling beneath the material that slid over them. Fighting the urge to undo the clasp between her breasts and bare herself to their gazes, she lowered her arms, shaking out her hair.
Nick held out his hand, his eyes lighting with amusement when she automatically leaned toward him. Shaking his head slightly, he wiggled his fingers in demand.
Feeling like an idiot, she straightened and obediently placed the pins in Nick’s outstretched hand, waiting in breathless anticipation for whatever came next.
Nick reached out and traced a finger over the jeweled clasp between her breasts, his indulgent smile causing her pussy to clench. “Good girl.”
Steve gracefully came to his feet, power in every line of his body, his eyes holding hers as he closed the distance between them.
Threading his hands through her hair, he arranged it around her shoulders, letting it fall down her back. With a fist beneath her chin, he tilted her face upward, smiling disarmingly. He searched her features, his voice low, almost a caress. “Much better. But something’s missing. Don’t you think so, Nick? She doesn’t have the same look she had last night.”