Dangerous Kiss

by Michelle Love

  Livia was shocked to her core and also conflicted. She and Nox had only been dating for two weeks … and this was beyond generous.

  One of the other students was looking at her enviously. “Damn, you must be good in bed.”

  “Tony.” Charvi glared at the student. “That’s enough.”

  “Sorry.”

  Livia shook her head. “It’s okay. Four Steinways, though?”

  Charvi looked at the other students. “Give us the room, will you?” After they had gone, Charvi sat Livia down on the new piano stool. “You look like you’re about to collapse. Sit, breathe.”

  “I just … I mean, what? What does this mean?”

  Charvi nodded, but she didn’t smile. “I think it means he’s smitten.”

  “This is too much, Charvi. I mean, God … it’s been two weeks. Not that I’m not happy for the university, but …” She opened the lid of the piano and began to press down on the keys. “God, listen to that tone …” She began to play her composition, listening to the deep bass of Swedish steel and copper wire, the treble so sweet and pure. She played through all she had written so far—twice—forgetting Charvi was in the room.

  Closing her eyes and moving her fingers over the smooth spruce keys, she lost herself in the composition. Livia thought not of the notes she had to play, but of Nox, and of making love with him, the fun and laughter they had shared over the last few days. They had become almost inseparable in such a short time …

  She sighed and finished playing, opening her eyes. Charvi gave her a round of applause. “That, sister, is coming along nicely.”

  Livia grinned. “My piano porn?”

  Charvi laughed. “I don’t think we’ll call it that in the program. Do you have another title?”

  Livia flushed. “Night.”

  Charvi sighed. “I guess it’s no use now to ask you to be cautious with this man.”

  Livia felt stung. “Charvi …what is it? Why are you so nervous about my relationship with Nox Renaud?”

  Charvi rubbed her eyes. “It’s not Nox himself so much as it is the people who surround him. I worry about them affecting you.”

  Livia snorted. “Charvi, I can look after myself in that respect. Why is it I think you’re keeping something from me? Tell me straight … is Nox dangerous? Tell me now before I fall in love with him, because that is a very real possibility.”

  Charvi looked upset, and as if she were about to say something, but then relented. “Just be cautious around his friends. If Nox is anything like Gabriella, then I wish you two nothing but happiness. She was the best person I ever knew.”

  “Then he is like his mother,” Livia said softly, trying to keep the tone of reproach out of her voice and Charvi smiled apologetically.

  “In that case …” Charvi patted her shoulder. “He might have donated the instruments, but you had already started to write that beautiful piece about him, and now you’ve given it his name. Have you invited him to the recital?”

  “Not yet, but I will. I just have to make sure it’s perfect.”

  “You will.”

  Livia looked at her watch. “I have to go thank him.”

  “Thank him for all of us, would you? Obviously, the dean will be writing to him to express his gratitude, but from me, from the music department and faculty, say thank you.”

  Livia hugged her teacher. “I will. And you know, I think he’d love to see you again.”

  Charvi’s smile faded. “I’m not sure I’m ready. Gabriella was like a sister to me. Her death still hurts and I …” She sighed. “I’m scared that if Nox has grown to look like his father too much, I might flip out on him and say all the terrible things I wanted to say to Tynan. So, not yet, please. Let me work my way up to it.”

  Livia nodded, sadness making her chest hurt. One moment in time and so many lives had been wrecked. “Of course. Let me just say … Nox is a wonderful man. You won’t find a more generous or kind and open man.”

  “I believe you. I just need time is all.”

  Roan stared at Nox, who looked back steadily. “After all that, just ‘no?’”

  “Roan, you knew this was a long shot coming in here. If you need money, just ask, but we both know you’re not cut out to be in this business.”

  “It’s food importing!” Roan threw his hands up in the air and stood up. Nox could see he was agitated and shot a glance at a silent Sandor. Sandor cleared his throat.

  “Roan, it’s purely from a business standpoint. We’ve made our reputation on no drama and no gossip, by being above board and transparent on everything. And while you’re a fantastic salesman, that’s not who we are.” He tried to lighten the mood. “It would be like Freddie Mercury joining … Coldplay.”

  “Or the Allman brothers.”

  “Sigur Rós.”

  “Snoop Dogg joining the Spice Girls.”

  “You’re Scary Spice.”

  “Am not.”

  Roan’s mouth hitched up at one side as he tried not to smile. “Don’t make me laugh. I’m mad at you guys.”

  “We’re just saying we’re too staid for you, buddy. Rather, this company is. Look, you want to talk about setting up a new company doing something entirely different, something that will suit you and that we could invest in, go for it.”

  Roan, mollified, sat back down. “You’d consider a new company?”

  “Sure thing. Something where you’d be the lead and we would be silent partners.”

  Roan chewed on his lip, and Nox shot Sandor a meaningful look. Sandor nodded. “Look, I have to make some calls. How about I come back for you in twenty minutes and we’ll grab some lunch?”

  “Sure thing.”

  When they were alone, Nox looked at his friend. Roan seemed diminished somehow, stressed, not his usual ebullient self. “What is it, Roan? There’s something going on with you, something more than wanting a new career.”

  Roan sighed and rubbed his face. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “I do worry about it.” Nox frowned. “Do you need money?”

  Roan stayed silent. “You just have to ask,” Nox said in a quiet, calm voice. Roan shook his head.

  “Thank you, man, but I have to find my own way out of this.”

  “Surely Odelle’s family …” Nox trailed off as Roan laughed.

  “Man, if I could keep it my pants maybe she wouldn’t hate me right now.”

  “Fuck, Roan.”

  “That’s what I do. Maybe I should start a male escort business.”

  Nox ignored that remark. “Odelle knows?”

  “Yup.”

  “Who?”

  Roan hesitated before looking at his friend. “Amber.”

  Nox rocked back. “You’re kidding?”

  “Nope.”

  “Jesus, Roan, don’t you know not to sh—”

  “Shit where you sleep? Yup. I’m that much of an idiot.”

  “Jeez.”

  Roan sighed. “Look, I’ll work on Odelle, apologize, make it up to her. Marry her.”

  “Odelle may be a strange fish, but she won’t fall for any fake sentiments or actions. If you marry her, you had better damn mean it. Or you’ll have me to answer to, as well as Odie.” Nox was irritated, but Roan held up his hands.

  “I hear you.” He studied his friend. “What about you? You made a move on the lovely Livia yet?”

  Nox couldn’t help his smile. “That is going very, very well, thanks. She’s adorable.”

  “You bringing her to Thanksgiving? You can, you know. She can meet the gang.”

  Nox smiled, but didn’t answer. “Look, get together an idea for the kind of business you’d like to run and we’ll talk more, make a business plan. There’s a couple of empty offices here you can use as a base. Don’t harass the female staff, is all I ask.”

  “Would I?”

  “Yes.”

  Roan laughed. “I promise to be good. Thanks, man. I appreciate this.”

  “Just take it seriously. This could be a tur
ning point.”

  Roan smiled at his friend. “You know, you’re an excellent big brother.”

  Nox ignored the pain that shot through him—an excellent big brother, just like Teague had been—and hid it with a smile. “Damn straight. And I will kick your ass if you screw this up.”

  Roan stood and shook Nox’s hand. “I swear to you, Nox, I won’t let you down.”

  “Go tell that to Odelle.”

  “I will. Thanks, brother.”

  Livia waited as the receptionist tried not to stare at her. She smiled at the young woman, who flushed slightly. “Sorry.”

  Livia shrugged. “It’s okay. What’s your name?”

  “Pia.”

  “Hey, Pia, I’m Liv. I’m kind of seeing your boss.”

  Pia smiled. She was young, early twenties, Livia guessed, with big blue eyes and jet-black hair. Gorgeous. “I know. He’s such a great guy, great boss, too.”

  Livia smiled and wondered if Pia had a crush on her boss. She couldn’t blame her. The next minute, Livia realized Nox wasn’t the object of Pia’s affection when Sandor came into the reception and handed her some notes. Pia flushed a deep scarlet and Livia hid a smile.

  Sandor grinned at her. “Hey, Livvy, great to see you. Does Nox know you’re here?”

  She shook her head. “I told Pia I’d wait until he was free.”

  Sandor threw a smile at Pia, which made the young woman light up. “Nah, come on, it’s only Roan who’s in with him.”

  Sandor led her back to Nox’s office. As she walked with him, she nudged his shoulder. “That girl has a king-sized crush on you.”

  Sandor rolled his eyes. “I’m old enough to be her father, Liv.”

  “So?”

  Sandor laughed. “I’m not a cradle snatcher.”

  Livia felt a little sting—after all, there were twelve years between her and Nox. Sandor saw her smile falter and guessed what she was thinking. “Totally different situation,” he said hurriedly. “I’m forty-five, Pia is nineteen.”

  “Ugh, okay, I get it. Don’t tell Pia I told you.”

  Sandor knocked at Nox’s door, grinning. “I won’t. She’s young, she’ll find some young boy to fall in love with next week.” He opened the door. “Hey, Renaud, found this little treasure in reception.”

  Nox looked delighted to see her. “Hey, beautiful, what a nice surprise.” He came to greet her, kissing her on the mouth, lingering over it.

  Roan snickered. “Get a room.”

  Livia, blushing, giggled. “Hey, Roan.”

  “I was just telling Nox here that we look forward to meeting you formally at Thanksgiving.”

  Livia rocked back a little. “Formally?”

  Nox rolled his eyes. “He means properly, all of us. We’ll talk about it over lunch. Guys, do you mind if I take a raincheck?”

  “Nope.”

  “Not at all.”

  Livia took him back to her apartment. He walked around the tiny kitchen/living space and nodded. “I like it. It suits you. Yeah, this is welcoming, warm. And even better, it smells like you—all soft flowers and fresh air.”

  Flushing, Livia was pleased. Her and Moriko’s home was small but they both loved it, decorating it with colored scarves and art pieces and books. The couch was big and squashy and Livia pushed Nox down on it before straddling him. “So, Mr. Renaud, before I feed you, there’s a little matter of a huge ‘thank you’ to be discussed. Nox, I cannot believe your generosity. Thank you, on behalf of the university, the faculty, the students, and the music department. I’m overwhelmed.”

  “I thought you might appreciate practicing on the same instrument as your heroine,” he said shyly, and Livia kissed him, crushing her lips against his.

  “You’re perfect,” she whispered and sat up, unbuttoning her dress one button at a time, slowing peeling it off. She was naked underneath and Nox groaned, fixing his mouth on her nipple, sucking and teasing them both until they were unbearably sensitive. Livia opened his shirt and his fly, running her hands over his taut muscles, his flat belly. “God, I want you so badly.”

  With a growl, Nox tipped her to the floor, pressing her knees to her chest and taking her clit into his mouth. Livia gasped at the sensations he sent flooding through her.

  “I’m supposed to be thanking you,” she gasped and felt the vibration from his laugh rumble through her sex.

  “You are,” he said, his voice muffled. As he brought her to orgasm, she trembled and cried out his name. He moved up to kiss her mouth.

  “When you call my name like that … God, Livvy.” He kissed her deeply, passionately. Livia pulled away from his kiss and made her way down his body, trailing her tongue down his chest, his belly, and then took his cock into her mouth, licking the salty pre-cum from the tip and running her tongue down the thick shaft. His fingers tangled in her hair as she worked on him, feeling his cock harden even more and quiver under her touch.

  “Jesus, Livvy …” She felt him jerk underneath her, and then his hands were under her shoulders, pulling her on top of him. He slid a condom on and she spread her legs wide for him as he thrust into her. She moaned softly as they began to move together—really, there was nothing like the way he felt inside her, his cock so thick and long, harder than steel, yet the skin silky and soft.

  They made love slowly, taking their time, their eyes never leaving the other’s face. Livia had never felt a connection like this, had never experienced this intimacy so quickly with someone. She already knew the planes of his face, his mannerisms, the way his eyes would become more intense as they made love—as if she was the only thing he could see, or wanted to see. When they were this close, she wished she could sink into him, become one with him. Her fingernails dug into his firm, rounded buttocks now as he plunged into her again and again. I could die right now and be happy, she thought, and then pulled herself up. Really? Oh shit. She was falling in love with him.

  No, no, no. It was too quick, too soon. Calm down, she told herself, burying her face in his neck and kissing his throat. Just let it happen. Nox is the man for you and you know it …

  “I’m crazy about you,” he whispered suddenly and she nodded.

  “And I, you, you gorgeous man.” She kissed him, feeling a surge of certainty before all other thoughts were swept away and she was coming, riding her orgasm like a wave as Nox climaxed with her. She wondered if she should tell him she was already on birth control. Something in her wanted to feel his seed deep inside her, to feel his cock inside without any barrier. She was sensible though—they weren’t yet at the stage where they could discuss that and she knew it. But God, to feel his skin against her … would that be something he would go for? Her brain was too endorphin-soaked to think straight right then.

  Nox’s lips were against hers. “God, you’re beautiful.” He smoothed the hair away from her face. “Chocolate eyes.”

  She grinned. “Ocean eyes.” He laughed and kissed her.

  “So … what were we talking about?”

  “Your incredible generosity. Nox, you didn’t need to do that.”

  Nox smiled good-naturedly. “I know, and it wasn’t a ‘thank you for screwing me’ gift, so don’t think that. It was time I did something for the university, and now I had a focus. Was Charvi pleased?”

  Livia nodded. “She was.”

  “Good, I’m glad. I hope that we can meet soon.”

  Livia wriggled into his arms. “I did speak to her about that. Nox … she’s not ready. She told me she still has so much anger towards your father that if she saw you, saw that you looked like him, she might have some kind of left-brain-hip-check and freak out on you.”

  Nox was silent for a while. Livia studied him, her brow furrowed. “I hope I haven’t upset you.”

  “No.” But he sat up and rubbed his face. He picked his shirt up and started to put it on. “I guess, well …”

  “What?”

  “I guess I should tell you. Charvi and my mom … way before she was married to my dad, the
y were close. Very close.”

  “Lovers?”

  Nox nodded. “I was the only one who knew. My mom used to confide in me and she always told me, although she never regretted marrying my dad and having Teague and me, that she hated being estranged from Charvi. That she had loved her entirely.”

  “Why did your mom leave her?”

  Nox gave her a sad smile. “Family.”

  “Enough said. God, the tragedy of it all.” She stroked his face. “Do you think that’s why your father went crazy? He found out?”

  “I don’t know, Liv, I honestly don’t. Dad was pretty open-minded, pretty progressive. I can’t imagine he would freak out over something like that. Then again, I never imagined he could kill my mother and brother in cold blood.”

  Livia shivered. “My father was, or is, a drunk asshole, but he never laid a hand on me. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for you.”

  He kissed her forehead. “That’s the thing. He was a great dad. Really great. None of that machismo you-are-boys-so-you-must-be-tough and women-belong-in-the-kitchen crap. I guess I’ll never understand.”

  Livia was quiet for a while. “Why did the police believe he was guilty so easily, then? Why didn’t they look into it further?”

  He looked surprised. “It was pretty cut and dried, sweetheart. They found Dad with the gun in his mouth, gunshot residue all over him.”

  “He could have been framed.”

  “Unlikely, according to the forensic team, but I appreciate you thinking well of him.” He kissed her again. “What about you? You don’t talk about your family that much.”

  She shrugged. “Not much to tell. Only child; Mom was amazing, but cancer doesn’t discriminate. If the world was fair, it would have taken Dad.”

  “Do you think you’ll ever see him again?”

  “I doubt it. It’s no loss, really. My family is here. Moriko and I met first semester in college and have been roommates ever since.” She checked her watch. “Speaking of which, she’s due home any minute so you might want to get dressed.”