Brooke, Leah - Crescendo [The Leah Brooke Collection] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Leah Brooke

  Mike smiled companionably, surprising her. “Nope. You have to be watched at all times. Let’s go upstairs, and since neither one of us got to have our coffee, I’ll order some from room service.”

  Thankful that he made no further comment about Steve staying behind with her sister, Julianna nodded and crossed the lobby with him toward the elevator. When they arrived upstairs, they found Doc in the sitting room talking on his cell phone with a game on television that had been muted in the background. He came to attention, gun in hand when they walked in the room and, at a look from Mike, nodded and turned away.

  Mike removed his jacket, showing that he was also armed. “I’ll call down for coffee.”

  Depressed at the reminder of her reason for being here, she looked away, fighting not to cry. “Thanks. I’ll be right back out.”

  She turned and headed toward the bedroom, swallowing a sob before it could erupt. Closing the door behind her, she slumped back against it, wondering where all the fucking tears kept coming from. Angrily blinking them back, she dropped her bag and went to take her shower. She’d long ago thought herself past letting her sister upset her this way.

  Trying to convince herself that Erica’s unexpected visit had just taken her by surprise, she took the time to rub in her scented lotion, hoping it would make her feel better. She’d just finished dressing in loose-fitting cotton pants and a tank top when Mike knocked on the door to tell her the coffee had arrived.

  She took a few minutes to compose herself, annoyed that she let Steve’s continued absence bother her. When her cell phone rang, she dug it out of her bag and answered before checking the display. “Hello.”

  “Hello, darling. How are you?”

  Nick’s silky tone had tears welling again. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of effect Erica would have on him.

  Fighting a wave of longing that made her crave the feel of his strong arms coming around her, she dropped onto the bed. “Hi, Nick. I’m fine. How’s everything there? Did they find out who called in the bomb threat?”

  His frustrated sigh made her want to wrap her arms around him, a fact that scared her just a little. He kept his voice low, and it hit her suddenly that the intimate tone gave her a warm feeling that had nothing to do with sex.

  “No. There’s nothing more I can do here. I’m on my way back.” A brief pause followed, and when he spoke again, the tenderness in his tone nearly undid her. “Would you tell me what’s wrong, little one?”

  Holding the phone close to her ear with her shoulder, she gathered her papers, determined not to cry at the endearment. “Nothing. I just have a lot of work to do. The work at the hotel’s moving at such a fast pace now that I want to make sure I don’t miss anything.” Realizing she was talking too fast, she snapped her mouth closed, wondering what Steve and Erica were doing right now.

  Nick’s pregnant pause made her stomach clench.

  When he spoke, his tone had an edge to it. “Um hmm. I guess that’s something we’ll have to talk about tonight. You’ve given clear instructions, and everyone seems to know what they’re doing. I don’t want you to wear yourself out.”

  Reluctantly amused, she curled one leg under her and sat on the edge of the bed. “This is my job, you know. Besides, I can see how busy you and Steve are. I’m sure you don’t want to stay here forever.”

  “No, we’ll be moving along right after the grand opening. If you remember from your contract, you’re obligated to attend.”

  Closing her eyes, Julianna gripped the phone tighter. When she’d agreed to that, she had no idea just how hard it would be to spend what would be the last night with them smiling and mingling with others while her heart was breaking. “Of course.”

  “I’ve already ordered you a beautiful dress for that, something…accessible.”

  Fighting a wave of longing, Julianna struggled to keep her voice steady. “Nick, I can buy my own clothes.”

  “That wasn’t our agreement.”

  Julianna sucked in a breath, the steel in his tone making her wish he was here so she could curl up against him. When he spoke that way to her, it felt like her veins were filled with little bubbles, like those in the finest champagne, and intoxicated her just as much. “I remember.”

  “I’m sure you do. You liked the way the silk felt against your skin in the dress you wore to the party, didn’t you?”

  Julianna swallowed heavily as memories of that night flooded her mind. “Yes, of course. What woman wouldn’t like—”

  “Don’t attempt to play games with me, Julianna. You know what I meant. You liked the way the silk caressed your nipples, didn’t you? It increased your awareness of your own sexuality.”

  Not sure how to respond, Julianna remained silent, the awareness he’d spoken of coming back with a vengeance.

  Nick sighed, his frustration evident. “Julianna, I dislike being lied to. When I ask what’s wrong, I expect the truth. When I ask you how something feels, I expect you to tell me. I know we haven’t been in this very long, but we are lovers. I have certain expectations from you, and I would think you’d feel the same.”

  Thinking of Steve and Erica sitting downstairs in the restaurant, Julianna struggled to breathe against what felt like a tight band squeezing her ribs. One tear fell and then another.

  Damn it to hell. She’d sworn not to get emotionally involved, and look at her.

  Nick’s voice, low and tender, came through the phone, the warmth of it washing over her. “Julianna, please tell me what’s wrong.”

  How could she tell him that Steve had fallen under her sister’s spell like every other man? How could she tell him that it hurt to lose Steve, even though she’d never really had him, and that she knew that the same thing would happen with him as soon as the hotel was finished?

  How could she tell him how much it hurt to never be good enough, feminine enough, desirable enough for any man? Or that even though she knew from the beginning that this was only an affair, she’d been stupid enough to fall for both of them?

  Drawing a deep breath, she said the only thing she could say.

  “Nothing’s wrong, Nick. You’re imagining things.”

  “Let me talk to Steve.”

  Julianna closed her eyes against the hurt and drew a deep, shuddering breath.

  “He’s not here.”

  * * * *

  Hearing the catch in Julianna’s voice, Nick clenched his jaw. Wishing he could be with her, to hold her, he pushed aside his unease at the punch of emotion to deal with it later. Right now, Julianna needed him.

  Why wasn’t Steve with her?

  “What do you mean, Steve’s not there? Where the hell is he?”

  “He’s, uh, down at the restaurant. We stopped to eat, and I wanted to come upstairs.”

  Fear hit him with the strength of a sledgehammer, knocking the breath out of him. “He didn’t come up to the suite with you? You’re alone?” Gripping the phone tighter, he came to his feet and began pacing the small confines of the jet.

  “Of course not. Mike’s here. We’re just getting ready to have coffee. I’d better go. Have a safe trip back.”

  He couldn’t believe she was actually going to dismiss him. “Julianna, if you hang up on me, I’ll turn you over my knee the second I get back.”

  Her stunned silence made him feel a little better. “I’d do it, Julianna. Make no mistake about that.”

  “Nick, are you, um, hell.”

  “Am I what, little one?”

  “Stop calling me that.”

  Smiling at her petulant tone, he sank back into his seat. It was a hell of a lot better than the sadness of a few minutes ago. “No. Am I what?”

  “AreyouaDom?”

  He didn’t bother to hide his grin at her hurried question. “Yes.”

  Uneasy at her continued silence, he was careful to keep his tone low and intimate. “Does a label matter so much to you?”

  “Yes. I think it does.”

  “We’re leaving tomorrow mornin
g for the island. After being there for a few days it won’t matter anymore.” Imagining her in the things he’d had made for her, he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, adjusting his trousers as his cock pressed insistently against his zipper. If she loved the island as much as he thought she would, he’d have to make arrangements to take her there whenever he got the chance.

  “Nick, I don’t think it’s a good idea. I don’t like that kind of thing and—”

  “It happens to be a great idea, one of my best.” Leaning back, he brushed a piece of lint from his trousers. “You’ll enjoy it, little one. I promise.”

  He wondered if she knew that her breath caught each time he called her that and it made it impossible to resist calling her that again.

  “You’re wrong. I don’t like pain and I don’t want to be—”

  “Have I ever hurt you?”

  “Well, no, but you just threatened to spank me. I won’t be spanked!”

  Picturing her delectable ass over his lap, he shifted in his seat again. “Oh, yes, little one. You will. I can’t imagine you going much longer without earning one. If you don’t want me to spank you, all you have to do is behave.”

  “Damn it, Nick. I’m not a fucking child.”

  Nick drew a deep breath and blew it out slowly, holding on to his temper. “Darling, if you ever take that tone with me again, your ass will be so red you won’t be able to sit down comfortably for days. I think you need to learn a little about yourself. I’m going to kidnap you, little one. No safe words. Just you and me on an island with no way of escaping. I think after the next few days, you’ll know yourself a lot better than you do now.”

  When she gasped, he disconnected, his cock hard enough to pound nails as he anticipated their trip to the island. His smile fell as he punched in the next series of numbers.

  “What up, boss?”

  “Mike, Julianna’s going to attempt to leave. If she manages to get past all of you, I’m going to be very upset.” He filled the other man in on his plans for kidnapping Julianna later.

  The laugh at the other end was followed by the sounds of a tussle. “I’ve got her. She was already attempting to make a break for it. We won’t let her out of our sight. Ow! Fuck, my balls are in my throat. I want hazard pay.”

  Smiling at the inventive string of curses coming from Julianna, Nick disconnected, his smile falling again as he made another call.

  “Vanguard.”

  “What the fuck did you do to Julianna?”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “I just spoke to her. She was trying to hide the fact that she’s crying. What’s going on?”

  “Crying? Fuck. Did she mention that her sister showed up?”

  Nick sat up, frowning. “No, she didn’t. I thought she wasn’t close to her family. What the hell was her sister doing there?”

  “That’s what I was trying to find out. I invited her to have dinner with us. The sister, Erica, is a hell of a flirt. She actually came on to me right in front of Julianna. I need a shower after being around her. Julianna got up and left the table, and I sent Mike with her. I wanted to find out what Erica wanted.”

  Remembering how upset Julianna sounded, Nick clenched his jaw. “So what did she want?”

  “Apparently whatever Julianna has. As soon as Julianna left the table she did nothing but bad-mouth her. Told me how all of Julianna’s boyfriends ditched Julianna and came to her, after a bit of prodding on her part, I’m sure. She seemed to think I would do the same. She told me how Julianna had always been a tomboy and how disappointed her mother and father, Julianna’s stepfather, were in her. Evidently, Julianna’s height seemed to be the main issue, as did her desire to work instead of hooking the right man to pay her way. It seems Julianna could never do anything right while Erica couldn’t do anything wrong. Erica’s tiny, giggles a lot, wears a ton of makeup, which is now all over my shirt, and enough perfume to gag you, a scent that I’m afraid is going to cling to me forever. I’ve got to take a shower before I can even deal with Julianna.”

  Nick turned his chair as the steward brought him the coffee he’d asked for. “Agreed. Seeing her sister’s makeup all over you and the fact that you smell like her is only going to make Julianna feel even worse. It certainly explains a lot, doesn’t it?”

  “Yeah, it does. How can somebody treat their own kid, their own little girl that way? No wonder Julianna has such a complex. From what I gathered from her sister, the entire family’s done their best to make her feel inferior. When I asked a few questions, I found out that apparently Julianna did more of the grunt work than anyone else, work that the princess and her mother were too frail and delicate to do. After all, they might have broken a nail or something.”

  Rubbing a hand over his face, Nick sighed. “Jesus. It’s going to take a while to get her to feel good about herself.” He let Steve in on his plans to kidnap Julianna. “I think being on the island will do her a lot of good.”

  “Well, everything’s almost ready there. But, uh, Nick?”

  Hearing the indecision in Steve’s voice, he paused with his cup halfway to his mouth. “What is it?”

  “You said that it’s going to take a while before Julianna feels good about herself.”

  Setting his cup back down, he stilled. “Yeah? So?”

  “What if she’s hooked up with Munson? What if this entire thing’s an act?”

  Nick didn’t bother to disguise his fury. “It’s not. Anything else?”

  Steve sighed. “Never mind. I guess I’ll see you in a few hours. I’m on my way up to shower and see to Julianna.”

  Relaxing, Nick smiled. “Be careful. I made her mad. I couldn’t stand to hear her sound so upset, so I threatened to spank her and then told her I was kidnapping her.”

  Steve chuckled. “You know, it’s probably not a good idea to let your victim know your intentions.”

  Nick laughed softly, anticipating the night ahead. “Julianna thinks I’m kidnapping her tomorrow. Just don’t shoot me when I come in to abduct her.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  After her tussle with Mike, Julianna went back into her room until she calmed down again, and it was several minutes before she felt in control enough to go out to the sitting room to have coffee with him.

  In the act of pouring himself a cup of coffee, he looked up. “I wondered if you’d join me or not.”

  Pouring her own, Julianna shrugged and added cream to her coffee. “I prefer tea, but what the hell. Besides, it’s not your fault you work for assholes.”

  Mike sat back, spreading his arms to rest them on the back of the sofa, his gaze steady on hers. “Actually it is. They’re good men, and we all trust each other implicitly. We watch out for each other. My first loyalty is to them, though. Not to you.”

  Making herself comfortable in a nearby chair and tucking her bare feet under her, Julianna sipped her coffee, staring over the rim at him.

  “I know that. Why do I have the feeling you’re trying to warn me of something?”

  Mike’s eyes hardened. “Perhaps I am.”

  Unused to having her emotions so close to the surface, she came to her feet again, unable to sit still. Angry at herself that she’d allowed Steve and Erica to rattle her, she fought to get her emotions under control.

  Blowing on her coffee, she smiled to hide the hurt. “You don’t have to worry. I’m not after their money, and I won’t be around long anyway.”

  Studying her over the rim of his own cup, he took a sip of his coffee and set the cup on the table in front of him. “Don’t get me wrong. I think everyone should go for all the pleasure they can get, but we just don’t trust you.”

  Glad to clear the air, Julianna raised a brow. “We? Does that include Nick and Steve?”

  He smiled coldly. “You’re going to have to ask them.”

  Drawing on her inner strength, she mentally locked the emotional wall she’d struggled to erect. Hiding her panic at the increasing difficulty in putting up a w
all that in the past had almost become automatic, she met his cold smile with one of her own.

  “I see. Well, if you think I’m so dangerous, why don’t you let me leave here before Steve gets back?”

  He shrugged and reached for his cup again. “They want you here. Besides, it’s easier to keep an eye on you this way—and, like I said, my loyalty’s to them. Not to you. You’ll be out of their lives soon enough.”

  The blow nearly staggered her, telling her the walls she’d erected weren’t as sturdy as she’d thought. Drawing in a breath, she looked away. “I’ve got work to do.” She paused at the doorway to her room and turned. “So, I have to stay here and trust people who hate me to protect me and make sure this Munson guy doesn’t use me to get to Steve.”

  Slamming his cup on the table, he shot to his feet and strode up to her, getting in her face. “We do our fucking jobs. We won’t let him get to you. Just because we don’t trust you doesn’t mean we’ll let you get hurt.”

  He took a deep breath and stepped back, smiling sardonically, all trace of temper gone as his eyes became cool again. “Besides, Nick and Steve wouldn’t be happy if something happened to you before we find out for sure if you’re in on this. If you are, they’ll want their own revenge.”

  Julianna blinked, shocked to the core. “In on this? You think I work with Munson? I thought you were just worried about me going after their money.”

  Mike’s cold smile sent a chill down her spine. “There’s no way you’d ever get a dime from either one of them if they didn’t want to give it. It’s funny, though, that these attacks started as soon as you showed up. It’s funny how you escaped that night against two of them with only a few scratches.”

  “I got lucky.” She couldn’t believe he believed such a thing about her. The thought of either Nick or Steve believing it, too, hurt like a kick to the stomach.

  That’s why they’d moved her in with them!

  It hadn’t been out of concern for her or because they’d wanted to be with her. They just wanted to keep her close enough to watch her.