His prey. Oh, hell. The spicy Indian food did a dirty-dance move with all the wine in her stomach. Regret and self-loathing fought for supremacy in her mind. What had she done? Why had she let Kellogg escape unscathed? At the time, she’d been nineteen, poor and alone in the world except for Karen. They’d made the wrong choice, and she’d discuss that with Karen tomorrow, but right now, she couldn’t do this anymore. Couldn’t discuss Kellogg Brown. She didn’t want him tainting her time with Aiden. Seeking a change of subject, she flicked a hand at Aiden’s shirt. “Was he your inspiration?”
“Who? Adams?” Glancing at his shirt, his brow furrowed then he took a sip from her wineglass. “Yes. All the great photographers. Karsh, Lange, Maisel. I love them all.” He tucked in beside her on the wide brown couch. “But you are my inspiration tonight.”
“Really?” She arched a brow and removed her glass from his hand before taking a drink, grateful she’d distracted him from further discussing that bastard, Kellogg Brown.
“You spent this afternoon taking pictures of me. Now it’s my turn.”
Whether her immediate agreement was due to the multiple glasses of wine, the atmosphere, or the adrenaline, she didn’t know, but she was totally on board. After swallowing another mouthful of the robust red wine, she closed her eyes at the explosion of cherry with a hint of plum on her tongue, but she wanted a different flavor. She wanted Aiden. In the elevator, she’d taken him deep down her throat, but she wanted more. She wanted her tongue in his mouth. Wanted to lick every inch of his body. And she wanted it right now. Flicking a glance his way, she arched a brow. “You want to take pictures?”
“Yes.” He lifted his camera from the table.
With a sly grin, she rose to her feet then tugged the zipper on the side of her red leather skirt and let it fall to the floor. “These kinds of pictures?” She lifted her heel onto his table and ran her fingers up the inside of her leg.
The camera click-clicked.
She smiled, unbuttoned her shirt slowly, and then sank onto the plush soft-yellow carpet.
Aiden stood then settled onto the coffee table, snapping pictures the whole time.
Licking her lips, she tugged one bra strap down her shoulder before easing away her white bra cup and revealing her peaked nipple.
“Very good, Imina. Now, run your fingers along your stomach.”
Aiden’s voice had turned husky and deep, yet soft, as if not to disturb the moment. She glanced from beneath lowered lids and lifted her hips while doing as he’d directed. Her heart thundered, and she moaned a little at the feel of her soft touch across her skin. She knew how to pleasure herself, but tonight she wanted Aiden’s hands to bring her bliss. She rubbed two fingers across the front of her lace panties.
“Show me what’s beneath, Imina.” Aiden dropped to his knees beside her, clicking away.
Her lips parted with a slight gasp as she wiggled free of her panties and tossed them to the side. But she wouldn’t go any farther. Not yet. He’d teased her for years. Now it was her turn. She stood before him, running her hands through his hair. Then she turned and released each hook on her bra.
“Fuck, you have an amazing ass. I’m going to bend you over my couch so I can see it while I’m fucking you.” Aiden trailed a finger over one cheek.
Fighting a shiver, she twisted and slapped his hand, keeping the other in place over her bra. “Since you can’t keep your hands to yourself, stay there on your knees and watch. And click.” She strutted around him, and then placed one leg on the table, letting her bra fall to the floor. Using both hands, she plumped her breasts before running her hands up to her neck and through her hair. Sheer need shot straight to her core.
“That’s it.” Aiden took a few more shots then adjusted his erection in his jeans.
Imina shimmied down to her knees and took the camera from his hand. “I think we’re done with this for now. Don’t you?”
He nodded then locked a hand around the back of her neck and kissed her hard.
She ran her hand along his thick cock still hidden behind his jeans. “I want this. I want it hard. I want it soft. I want you to fuck me on every available surface, and then I want you to do it all again.”
He bit her bottom lip then tugged on it, adding a slight edge to the moment. “Right here.”
She’d swat his ass for that bite…but that’d come later. “Yes, right here, right now.”
“Might take you more than one trip to get every surface.” His deep brown eyes searched hers.
She knew what he was asking, what he meant. “Well then, we better get started.”
A grin split his face before he pressed her back on the carpet and kissed her. That smile she wouldn’t need to catch with the camera, because she’d remember it for the rest of her life.
As the night stretched on, as their bodies entwined and heated words were whispered, as she found pleasure more times than she could count, she knew she’d be back again. Knew that in a life filled with pain and heartache, she’d found something real and true in Aiden’s arms. She’d found passion, bliss, and a different vision of her future.
Not that she was ready to capture those moments in metal frames and hang them on the wall. She wasn’t that much of a sap. However, she did admit…would admit, those images were already bound together in an album deep within her heart. Next thing she knew, she’d be photographing puppies and rainbows. She made a mental note to punch Aiden for that thought before closing her eyes and drifting to sleep with the sound of his steady heartbeat thumping against her ear.
Chapter 7
The next morning, Imina knocked on Karen’s door. She was sore in so many places, yet absolutely refreshed. Aiden had made her breakfast, loaded her up with coffee then made sure she’d gotten off in the cab. No morning sex, though, which only heightened her anticipation. Tonight. She rolled her eyes at her ridiculous need for the man.
Tonight? Again? Yes and yes. However, his questions about Kellogg worried her. Aiden was too good at making connections. She’d signed legal documents stating she wouldn’t tell anyone about her experience with Kellogg. And Aiden ran with Kellogg’s crowd. If she told Aiden, she believed he might slip up one day. Somewhere, sometime, he’d make his feelings for Kellogg known. Then Kellogg would blame her. And follow through on all his threats to maim and dismember her. Lovely.
And yet, she wanted to tell Aiden. Wanted to tell someone, because Kellogg hadn’t stopped, and she held herself responsible for what he’d done. If she had to go to jail for breaking her contract, maybe she deserved that. When she received no response at Karen’s door, she opened it slightly. “Karen?”
“What?”
Her boss’s voice sounded a little raspy. Was she sick? Imina stepped inside.
Karen was slumped over her desk, still wearing the same clothes she’d had on yesterday. Her mascara had run down her cheeks, and her eyes were puffy and red. An empty bottle of scotch and a half-full tumbler sat on her desk. Spent tissues were dotted across the top with a few surrounding her overflowing garbage can.
What in the world? “Karen? Are you all right?”
“Good morning, Imina. I’m sorry. I fell asleep.” Karen waved her to a seat. “Sit a minute.” She closed her eyes and rested her head back on her leather office chair then sighed. “The inside of my mouth tastes like dog shit.”
“Would you like some coffee?” Imina hovered just over the seat then decided to make coffee instead.
Karen had a coffee station by a small conference table set up with four chairs. All black and glass. She preferred the ultra-modern look.
“I wonder why so many people turn to liquids as a way to solve their problems. Wine, coffee, scotch. Nothing helps though, does it? Nothing takes away the pain from our hearts and minds. We have to live with it, and I must say, that really sucks.” Karen opened her eyes and met Imina’s gaze. “Yesterday was my anniversary.”
Imina frowned as she removed the half-full coffee pot from the machine. Her boss never talked like th
is. Never opened up. Maybe they were stuck in some sort of crazy opposites zone. Made sense, since they were both acting far from their normal selves. “An anniversary of what?” As far as Imina knew, Karen was single.
“He died, you know?” Karen swirled the liquid in her tumbler before swallowing it down.
“Who?” Imina needed to sit for this conversation. Needed more coffee. This was huge.
“My husband. He went to Afghanistan after 9/11 and didn’t come back. He died over there…without me by his side.” Karen blinked as a single tear ran down her cheek. “Without me.”
“I never knew.” Imina settled into a chair in front of Karen’s desk. “How long were you married?”
“I thought I’d just be a career woman, you know? I’m bisexual, too, so I thought I’d play on both sides, but then I met Andrew and everything stopped. I was satisfied. He made me laugh…and yeah, he sometimes made me cry, but he was just so…hmm…how can I even describe him? He was a mountain of a man. A bit older than me. A colonel with the Marines. A career man. We lived in Washington, D.C. at the time. He was so gregarious. Could talk to anyone at any time. I envied that. Everything I lacked, he had. We were a perfect match. And the sex…let me tell you, the man was hung, and he knew how to use that thing. Jesus.” She sniffed. “I miss him every day.”
“I’m sorry.” Imina tilted the coffee pot in her hand, watching a few coffee grounds swirl and dance within the remaining liquid. Biting her lip, she met Karen’s gaze. “Love hurts, right? That’s why I’m not interested. No, thank you.”
Karen shrugged. “Life is fleeting. Love ends. Begins again. Friends come and go. That’s why I do this job. Some may see me as a Madame of a high-priced whorehouse, but that isn’t what Infidelity is.”
“I know that. I get that. It’s companionship.”
“Yes. Having someone is nice. Someone you can rely on. And, even if you start with a contract, sometimes the relationship works out. I connect people. I fulfill something for others that I can’t find for myself.”
“Have you looked?”
“Sure. But there’s not another Andrew, not in a million years.”
Imina studied her normally reserved boss. Karen deserved a break. The woman never quit, but maybe today she could stop for a moment and relax. Do something fun. Get a massage or pedicure. Imina furrowed her brow. Yeah, like she knew how to ease mental strain. She’d been trying herself for far too long. “Why don’t you go home? Schedule’s light today. I can handle things here.”
“I will go home. Thank you, but I’ll be back.” Karen stood, rounded her desk, and then cupped Imina’s chin. “How was last night?”
“Exhausting.” Imina sighed, and then bit back a grin.
“Enjoy that. Let him in.”
“Isn’t easy.”
“Why not? You’re too alone. And Aiden’s a good man.”
“He is. Deserves better than me.” Which was something she’d wanted to speak to Karen about but couldn’t. Not now. Not when Karen seemed so broken and sad. She’d work on a way to trap Kellogg on her own. Maybe even discuss a strategy with Aiden without revealing what she knew. Something.
Karen tapped Imina’s face with her hand. “Stop thinking that way. Fuck what you deserve and take what you need.”
“I like that mantra. Take what you need. Should we get that quote framed and hung behind my desk?”
“Absolutely.” Karen straightened, tugging on the bottom of her jacket. “I mean it, Imina. Stick with Aiden. He’s worth it.”
“Maybe.” The maybe wasn’t in question of Aiden being worthy, but on doubts about herself. The secrets from her past were burying her. She had to get past all the shame and guilt because women were still being hurt. Kellogg’s actions had to stop. “I know you’re right about Aiden. I get it.”
“That’s my girl.” Karen headed for the door then glanced over her shoulder. “I’ll be back shortly.”
Imina remained in the chair, contemplating Karen’s words. Not only was this opposites week, but apparently also revelations week. Karen had been married. Wow! They rarely discussed their personal lives. Sure, they had cocktails after work at times, but the conversation generally centered on Infidelity.
Imina sighed then meandered over to the coffee pot. What would she do about Aiden? He’d charmed her from the very beginning. For three years, he’d handled her admittedly reserved…okay, somewhat bitchy and yes, back-up-off-me-now behavior. Plus, the man was very well-versed in the sack. That alone had her practically panting for more. So, why not? He was a good match, so she’d let this play out for a while. Regular sex. Hot guy. Dinner companion. “Stop mooning over him already. You’ve got work to do.” She rinsed out the coffee pot then shoved it back in place.
Still…Karen was right, Imina was alone. She’d withdrawn. Shielded herself from everything and everyone, and what kind of life was that? Yet, she had to wonder, was she prepared for a fight against Kellogg Brown? Against Infidelity?
Imina thought of the saying, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” She didn’t know who’d originally said the quote, but it was overused, and much better said as, hell hath no fury like a scorned woman who was about to kick some ass.
Yeah, much better.
Chapter 8
He’d watched them. Sickened by their disgusting displays while drinking coffee. Holding hands in the park. Kissing in the back of a cab. They were too happy. Too close.
Leaning against a brick building, Kellogg rubbed his temple. For two weeks, a trickle of unease pecked away at his brain, giving him a constant headache. Kellogg didn’t have time for this surveillance gig, but he couldn’t trust the job to anyone else. Not when his secret had already been revealed to his friend. Why was Aiden sidling up to that whore, Imina, anyway? What had she told him?
Wouldn’t matter. He’d end it. Do something. Their little lovefest had to stop. If she hadn’t already, Imina would spill her whole stupid story. Women did that. Thought they were in love and, because of that, had to share all the shit in their hearts. Ridiculous, but true.
Kellogg waited a week for their relationship to end, but when another week passed, he realized he couldn’t wait any longer. He hadn’t tried contacting Aiden since the day they’d fought. No sense putting himself in a position where he’d be questioned again. They were college friends, not colleagues or coworkers. Sure, they ran with the same crowd, but Kellogg could easily avoid Aiden at social functions.
He palmed the cold steel blade in his hand, running his finger along the sharp edge. He’d never killed anyone. Sometimes wondered if he was capable. Tonight, he’d find out.
Imina took a boxing class every Thursday night then walked home. She thought she was some kind of badass with her gloves and shit. But, he knew how to tap someone in the jaw just the right way, and they’d tumble to the ground, sometimes shaking, sometimes completely out.
Waiting across the street, he saw her exit then grinned, pushed off the wall, and followed. His dick was like a hound dog on a scent—perked up and ready to find its prey. His entire body hummed on an edge. He’d never felt this jazzed before. Sure, he enjoyed giving pain, but with the knife in his hand, his excitement rose to an obscene level.
Imina wore a red zip-up sweatshirt and black workout pants. Her head was down as she read her phone and laughed.
Probably some stupid text from Aiden. He’d checked on the asshole. His ex-friend had a job across town at a fashion show. Realizing he’d gotten too close, Kellogg slowed his pace. He’d taken this path twice in the past couple days, searching for the right spot to corner her. Once they passed into a quieter area, he marched up behind her and stuck the knife’s tip against her throat. “Don’t scream.”
“Kellogg?” She halted, lifting her hands. “I’d stop if I were you, I will hurt you.”
He pressed the point until the tip pierced her skin. Blood—warm and wet, beaded on her neck.
She hissed.
“Drop your phone.”
“No.”
“Wrong answer.” He’d been domineering women the wrong way his whole life. His erection was like steel. Though not in his initial plan, maybe he’d take another piece of Imina. He’d had her before. Many times. But this time, things would get really messy. This time, he wanted to smell copper in the air, wanted to make her scream. This time, he’d leave a forever mark with deep slices across her skin.
He shivered as her blood trickled down the knife and onto his hand. Panting, he arched his hips against her. “I’ve been watching you, my brown beauty. I know what you’ve been up to.”
Imina stiffened before glancing over her shoulder. “What do you want?”
“Don’t you dare use that tone with me.” After studying the area, he grabbed a hunk of her hair and forced her between two buildings, ramming her back against the brick wall. “I’ve made you see red before. How about you see it again?” He shoved the knife into her right side, straight through her sweatshirt and into her ribs.
Screaming, she twisted and pressed a palm against his face, trying to force her fingers into his eyes.
In retaliation, he jabbed the knife deeper, wishing he could see it entering her. “Shut your stupid mouth and listen. That fucker, Aiden, thinks he has everything figured out. But you won’t talk, will you? Because if you do”—he lifted the blade to her neck and pierced her skin again—“I will end you. I almost did it before, remember? But this time, I’ll finish it. Am I clear?” Heart racing, he pressed his hard cock against her bottom. “Is he taking you?” Tightening his grip in her hair, he wrenched her head to the side. “Does he make you scream like I did? Does he make you beg?”
Imina smiled through gritted teeth. “Poor Kellogg, I hear you’re up to your old tricks. I made a mistake before, but I won’t this time.” She threw back her head and bashed into his jaw.
He blinked against the pain shooting up the side of his face.
With both hands, she grabbed his arm around her neck, jerked down hard, and then bent her body.
Infidelity: Insider (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 5