God, his tongue … it lashed around the sensitive cluster of nerve endings in her clit and sent her wild. The fact that she was nude while he was still fully dressed was a turn on that she’d never expected she would feel. She felt vulnerable in his arms, a lost thing to be pleasured, to be adored. Jesus, she felt an orgasm building already, his face buried in her sex, the animalistic growls she heard from him sending her over the edge.
As she came, her legs wobbled and gave way, and then they were on the floor, Max smiling down at her. She reached for his shirt, eager now to see him, all of him. When he was naked, Clem sucked in a breath. His body was broad, well-muscled, as elegant as he was. His cock, already hard, stood proud against his belly and she took the wide crest into her mouth, trailing her tongue around the sensitive head, hearing his sharp intake of breath. She stroked the long shaft of it, feeling the silky soft skin over the hardness of him.
He pulled away before he came and pressed her legs wide apart, making her hips burn, but she couldn’t have cared less; Maximo launched his huge cock into her, and she moaned loudly at the feel of him inside her, filling her, plowing her deep. Her legs curled around his slim hips, her mouth open in a gasp as he buried his face in her neck, kissing, biting, murmuring her name again and again, his accent making her name almost musical.
Clementine lost herself as they fucked, throwing every inhibition away. Maximo was a rough lover, making her come, then not letting her rest before he took her again in every position, even winding his necktie around her wrists at one point before going down on her, leaving her panting and shivering.
Clem looked up at this glorious man above her and, even though her brain told her he was trouble, her body didn’t care. She didn’t care.
He was just what she needed, right then, at that moment …
Portland
Zea Azano opened her eyes slowly. She’d been deeply asleep, but the floorboards in her kitchenette were loose and when they rattled, her eyes flew open, and she caught her breath.
Squeak.
Shit. There was someone in the house. Quietly, she got up and went to the bedroom door. Sure enough, there was someone in the shadows, creeping around. A year ago, Zea might have screamed, might have panicked but now, after all, she had been through … she carefully hoisted a glass vase into her hand and crept up behind the intruder. At the last moment, he turned and saw her and as she brought the vase down, he ducked away.
The vase smashed against the intruder’s forearm, and he gave a small oof as a desperate Zea rammed her head into his stomach. He picked her up easily and threw her across the room. She crashed into her coffee table, groaning as her body screamed with the impact. She expected him to come after her, kill her, but, astonished, she watched him walk quickly to the door and leave. She scrambled up, slamming the door behind him, shooting the deadlocks. How the hell had he gotten in? And what had he wanted?
Zea caught her breath, starting to tremble now that the adrenaline rush was passing. Should she call the police? If she did, the press might get involved, and her cover would be blown.
But, hell, she didn’t want to be alone, and there was only one person she could think of to call, one person who she would feel safe with.
Jared.
Emory Dutta, formerly Mrs. Emory Grace, stared out at the inky Seattle night. She loved this city, but couldn’t help yearning for the little cottage she’d moved into at the college after she’d finally left Ray. It had been a couple of hours since Bree had left and now Emory heard Luca arrive home. She greeted him with a kiss.
Luca smoothed her hair away from her face. “You look more relaxed. It’s good to see.”
“How about you? How was your day?”
He rolled his eyes but smiled. “I’m seriously thinking of stepping back, leaving the guys to run the place. They virtually do anyway. Take you away, a trip around the world, maybe.”
She half smiled. “Baby, I hope to go back to work soon.”
Luca grinned. “Of course. Which reminds me … today we arranged for the best security system on offer to be installed at the college. Courtesy of SaffraPharm. Dedicated to the bravest woman I know.” He kissed her again, smiling at her surprise. He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “I love you, Em.”
Her eyes widened with surprise and joy. “I love you too, big guy,” but then she got choked up, and he chuckled.
“Took me by surprise, too. I’ve wanted to say it for a while, but I didn’t want to scare you off or have you think I was saying it because of what you did for my daughter. Obviously, I’ll be forever grateful, but that’s not what this is. I love you, Emory, for your mind, your humor, your smokin’ hot body.”
She burst out laughing. “Oh, and you were so close to being Prince Charming, but you had to go make it dirty.” Luca grinned, hugging her tightly.
“Listen, I’m starving. I know this little burger joint—gourmet burgers, of course—what do you say?”
“Meat, carbs and greasy shit? I’m in,” she smiled but stopped him. “Luca … before we go … Bree came by earlier.”
Luca’s smile faded. “Is she okay?”
“Oh, she’s fine, baby, don’t worry. She says she’s mad at you, but not because we’re together. Just because, I guess, Clem was hurt. But here’s the thing. She says she’ll call you soon. It’s not irretrievable. She said to say she loves you.”
Luca nodded but stayed silent, and Emory saw a muscle flex in his jaw.
“Luca, are you mad you’re hearing this from me? Instead of from Bree directly?”
He shook his head. “No, sweetheart, I’m just processing. Well, I guess that’s good news.”
Emory slid her arms around his waist. “It’s great news.”
He smiled down at her. “Okay. Okay, I’m going to hop in the shower and then we’ll go out.”
Emory glanced at the clock. “It’s nearly midnight. Are you sure they’ll be open?”
He grinned. “Oh, I’m sure.”
***
Clementine was coming down from her fifth orgasm of the night. Max, grinning down at her, pulled out slowly and rolled onto his back next to her.
They both lay, catching their breaths. “Well,” he said after a beat, “hello.”
Clem laughed. She felt as if her entire body had been uncoiled, freed from the tension that had plagued her of late. This man was incredible. He never seemed to tire and when he was inside her … wow. She loved the way his size made her feel so thoroughly fucked. She looked over at him. He had dark shadows under his green eyes, but they fit with his personality; elegance and sensuality mixed with that arrogance, that machismo. She would never tell him so, but she would let him do anything to her that he wanted … anything.
He met her gaze and began to smile. “Well, that was a night to remember. Tell me, Clementine, why did you accept my invitation? Was it merely a revenge fuck? I saw the pictures of your ex-husband and his new flame. It’s okay if it was—I’m happy to be of help.”
All of this was said with such an infectious grin that Clem couldn’t help but smile. “Kind of. Also, I really wanted to check out if you were as good as you obviously think you are.”
“And what was your final judgment?” She loved the way he drawled his words, his warm, sensual voice making her sex quiver.
“So far … acceptable.” She tried to hide a grin. How he took her joke would tell her whether this man was worth any more than one night of her life.
He laughed. Loudly. The merriment in his face told her everything she needed to know. “Well, then,” he said, moving his body on top of hers again, “I’d better get to work.”
Portland
“Zea? It’s me.”
She opened the door and grinned wryly at Jared. He looked as if he’d dressed in a hurry, sweatshirt, and jeans; hair mussed up. “Jared, I’m so sorry to call you.”
“Don’t be silly; we’re family.” He stepped into the room and pulled her into a hug. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?�
��
Uncomfortable with the new intimacy, Zea pulled away, smiling at him to soften the slight. “Not really, just some bruises. I think I did him more damage.” She’d tidied up since the attack, on edge, unable to rest. “I’m sorry, Jared, it’s just … you know who I am, who David was, and I thought maybe … maybe it was someone from the school, a parent, wanting revenge.”
She was babbling now, and he led her to the couch and sat her down. “Zea, breathe. Take a minute.”
He got up and she heard him in the kitchen making tea. He brought the steaming cup to her.
“Now,” he said, “what’s this about a revenge plot?”
Zea blew out her cheeks. “It’s just … I keep thinking, what if someone finds me? Like a family member of one of the people David killed? What if they come after me for revenge?”
Jared chewed his bottom lip for a few moments. “Do you think you should perhaps move on? Maybe you’re right.”
Zea smiled suddenly. “That’s not helping.”
“Sorry, but we need to be realistic here.” He sighed, rubbing his head. “Look, I have a suggestion, if you want to stay … maybe you should get a roommate.” He flushed red then, and Zea realized where he was going.
“Jared, I … don’t know. We barely know each other.”
He nodded. “I know. But I have a duty to you, to David. I need to protect you.”
Zea smiled and took his hand. “You’re a sweetheart, and I promise, I will think about it. If it means staying in Portland, then, yeah, maybe we could make it work.”
She let go of his hand. “Jared … there’s something I have to tell you. Since being in Portland, I … I’ve been … with someone.”
His expression didn’t change. “With?”
Zea felt her face burn. “Physically with. It’s very casual. Ha,” she gave a short laugh, “very casual. I don’t even like the guy. But I didn’t want us to move forward without you knowing that.”
“Zea, what you do with your life is up to you.” Jared got up and went to the window. “Should we call the police about the intruder?”
Zea shook her head. “No. Look, Jared, I would never want you to feel that I’m using you.”
He turned and gave her a strange look. “Why on earth would you think that? Now, look, have you got a spare blanket and pillow? I’ll spend the rest of the night on the couch.”
Zea went back to bed, and she couldn’t deny she felt better with Jared around. Don’t tell the sisterhood. But Jared was right; they were family. She fell asleep almost immediately.
Seattle
Emory and Luca walked back from the burger place, chatting and laughing. It wasn’t until they were almost at the apartment that Luca stopped, frowning.
“What is it?” Emory, nestled in the crook of his arm, looked up at him.
“I think I left something in my car. Something for us to enjoy,” he grinned suddenly, a sexy, wicked smile, and she laughed.
“Well, let’s go get it, soldier. I’m feeling really rather overdressed…”
Luca laughed. “Let’s go quickly, then.”
They took the elevator down to the parking lot, kissing and fooling around. As Luca made his way over to his Mercedes, Emory suddenly stopped. “Luca.”
He turned and looked to where, ashen and pale, Emory was pointing.
Bree’s car.
“What the hell?”
It was well after midnight; there was no way Bree would interrupt them at this late hour. They walked over to the car, and as Emory rounded the car to the driver’s side, she gave a cry of distress and ducked down. When she came up, she handed Bree’s cell phone to Luca.
“Oh, God…”
Emory was trembling. “Luca, look.”
On the wall of the garage, written in block letters …
Emory for your daughter. I will call.
Emory looked bleak as Luca groaned. “It’s Ray. He’s taken Bree. He’s trading my life for hers.”
Clem was exhausted but happy. She and Max had made love all night, and now, as dawn began to poke its fingers across the sky, she lay in his arms, not wanting the moment to end.
Across the room, she heard her cell phone buzz. “Do you want to get that?”
She loved the way Maximo’s voice seemed to rumble through her, the deep, luscious baritone of it so sexy and mellifluous. “No, leave it. It’ll go to voicemail.”
But it didn’t stop and sighing, Clem got up. She squinted at the caller ID. “It’s my ex-husband. I’d better take it; it might be something about my daughter and him.”
Luca’s first words changed everything. “Bree’s been taken.”
Clem felt all the blood drain from her face and her legs gave way beneath her. Maximo was up, out of bed instantly, his strong arms around her. Clem still had the phone clamped to her ear as she looked up at him, panic, fear, terror in her eyes. She spoke briefly to Luca, then hung up.
“Bree’s been abducted. Emory Grace’s ex-husband took her—he wants to swap her for Emory. Oh God, oh God … he just called them. He wants Emory or he’ll kill Bree.”
Maximo was horrified. “Che cazzo? What the fuck? And then what happens to Emory when Grace has her?”
Clem looked at him, her eyes full of pain. “She dies.”
Emory was very calm. Too calm, Luca thought, too calm for this nightmare.
“It’s a no-brainer,” she had said to him earlier. “I will not let Ray hurt Bree. This is between him and me, Luca.”
“No. No way,” Luca had raged, almost out of his mind with grief and rage, “That man has hurt you enough.”
“There’s nothing more to be discussed,” Emory had said, but her voice shook, and he took her in his arms.
“He will kill you; do you understand that?” He buried his face in her hair, his arms firmly around the woman he had fallen so deeply in love with over these last few weeks. She was his destiny; he knew this with all his heart. He couldn’t let her go; he couldn’t let her die.
He felt her nod. “I know. But what else can we do?”
“We can call the police, we can…” He cut off as his cellphone rang. “It’s him.”
His arm tightened around her as he answered the call. “Saffran.”
A rough laugh. “Good. This will be easy, Saffran. Emory for your daughter.”
“I want to speak to Bree.”
He expected Ray to argue with him, but a moment later his heart dropped and his chest clenched as Bree came onto the phone. “Dad?”
“Baby…” his voice broke, “Are you okay? Has he hurt you?”
“No, Dad, I’m fine. Look … don’t give him what he wants…”
Luca heard her break off with a cry, the sound of flesh hitting flesh. “Bree!’
Ray laughed softly. “Don’t worry, Saffran, that was just a little tap. She's a brave little soldier, but listen to me. There’s nothing I won’t do to her if Emory doesn’t come back to me. Your little girl will suffer in the worst ways before she dies.”
Luca was frozen, and Emory gently took the phone from him. “Where do you want me to come to, Ray?”
Ray laughed again. “Good to hear your voice, Em. How about we meet at the dockyard, tonight, midnight?” He named a particular row. “Bree will be kept in one of the containers away from there. When I have you, I’ll call Saffran and tell him which one. Don’t even think of calling the police, Em, or I’ll kill her.”
“Fine.” Her voice was steady, but her heart was pounding in her chest. “I’ll meet you tonight.”
Ray hung up the phone, and Emory put Luca’s phone down on the coffee table. Luca pulled her into his arms. “I won’t let him kill you.”
Emory pressed her lips to his. “Just focus on getting Bree back. I’ll handle Ray. But now, Luca … please, take me to bed. I want to remember these last hours together…”
“Don’t say that,” he groaned, but he swept her into his arms and took her to his bed, knowing it might be the last time.
Clem was
numb. Maximo moved around the hotel suite, phone clamped to his ear, barking out orders in Italian. Occasionally he would touch her, comforting, keeping her from screaming. Now, he sat by her and took her hands in his. “Bella, we will find her, I promise. We need to go see your ex, see what he is doing to recover your daughter. It would be bad if we sabotaged each other’s efforts.
Clem looked at him and blinked. “I shouldn't involve you in this,” she whispered. “You should not feel obliged to help.”
Maximo looked stung. “I don’t feel obliged, Clementine; it’s what any decent person would do.”
Clem felt her skin vibrate, a desperate need to get out of here, not to sully their evening together with this horror. “Maximo, no. I must go. I must get to Luca. He’ll be devastated.”
Max rocked back a little. “If that’s what you want, I can take you there.”
“No.” Clem stood. She still felt so numb, so robotlike. “I must go. Thank you for a lovely evening, Maximo. I must go.”
As she started to walk away, he stopped her, pulling her into his arms. “Don’t push me away, Clem. I can be of help.”
She shook her head. “We don’t know each other, Maximo. Please, just walk away.”
She freed herself from his arms and opened the door. Before she left, she turned back and looked at him. “You really are a wonderful man,” she said softly, “but I just can’t do this right now.”
Maximo, his face blank now, nodded. “My driver will take you wherever you need to go, Clem.”
“Thank you, Goodbye, Maximo.”
“Arrivederci, Clementine.”
Portland
Zea told Jared gently that she didn’t think him staying with her was a good idea and he nodded and said, “Okay.”. She was thankful he didn’t press the matter and that he didn’t hold a grudge.
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