In For the Kill

by Shannon McKenna

  And oh, what a weird melody it was.

  CHAPTER 15

  The hotel Sam took her to in San Anselmo was very luxurious. She followed Sam into the baroque palazzo, where a graceful atrium opened right out of the lobby, and palm fronds waved over people seated at wrought-iron tables, sipping drinks in the late-afternoon sun. It was not, of course, the hotel where she had a room paid for by Illuxit, but she was too exhausted and preoccupied to make a fuss.

  Sam dealt with check-in, and Sveti listened with half an ear to his sexy, perfect Italian while staring into a display case that showcased a local jewelry artisan. The pieces reminded her of museum displays of Byzantine jewelry that Erin, Connor’s wife, had curated. Spirals of beaten gold, round cut stones. It reminded her of Deadly Beauty, though Tam’s style was more edgy and modern. The similarity lay in the pieces’ savage sensuality. They were beautiful, fierce, menacing. An emerald ring and matching pendant earrings were particularly gorgeous.

  Sam slid a possessive hand around her waist from behind. She wanted to melt into him. And she fought the impulse, on pure principle.

  “You like those earrings?” he murmured into her ear.

  “They’re beautiful,” she said. “The ring, too. Stunning. The jeweler is very talented.”

  “Do you want them?” he asked, his voice elaborately casual.

  She jerked, as if shocked with electricity. “Get out! They’re emeralds, Sam! They cost eighteen thousand euros! I can think of a hundred things I’d rather do with eighteen thousand euros!”

  He snorted. “Of course you can.”

  His attitude bothered her. “You think I’m being sanctimonious and humorless because I don’t value fine jewelry?”

  “Fine jewelry has its place in the grand scheme of life.”

  “Not in my scheme,” she said vehemently.

  Their room was a fresh shock to her sensibilities. It wasn’t a room at all. It was a freaking ducal apartment. A huge baroque sitting room with complicated molding, stunning mosaic tilework, and French doors that opened onto a private terrace overlooking the sapphire sea. The bedroom had a massive carved teak four-poster swathed in dreamy folds of mosquito netting. The bathroom had a sunken marble tub, a two-person shower. Antique frescoes of shepherds and chubby angels.

  “What the hell?” She turned on him. “I can’t afford this place!”

  “I never asked you to,” he said.

  “Yes, and that’s why it pisses me off! Where are we?”

  “The Hotel Aurelio. I thought of it right away when you said this thing was in San Anselmo. I stayed here with my sister and mom when I was a kid. In this very suite.” He looked around, his eyes faraway. “I have good memories of this hotel. I wanted to be here with you.”

  Oh, great. Cut her off at the knees, why didn’t he. “It’s lovely, but there are plenty of perfectly nice pensioni that cost a fraction—”

  “I like this place,” he said. “It’s my choice, so obviously, it’s my expense. You asked a whole hell of a lot from me, back in Rome. Now you can return the favor and start acting like a fucking grown-up.”

  She stared at him for a moment, stung. Fine. So she would. She sat down in one of the wingback chairs and pulled out her phone.

  “Who are you calling?” he asked.

  “Hazlett, of course,” she said. “To tell him I’m here. It’s rude, that he sent someone to pick me up and I never showed. Or even called.”

  “Don’t tell him where we are,” Sam said.

  “Don’t be absurd,” she snapped. “What am I supposed to say? I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you my hotel. You might be an assassin, so I’ll just meet you at the party, ’kay? See you there!”

  “You just love to make it hard for me, don’t you, Sveti?”

  His unconscious play on words roped her into it. Her gaze flicked to his crotch and just as quickly away. His erection strained against the denim. His eyebrow tilted up, asking what she wanted to make of it.

  She turned away. “No distractions, please.”

  “Fine,” Sam said. “Tell everyone. Post our location on the Internet. Don’t forget our room number. The Ukrainian mob can triangulate your phone signal now, so fuck it, what’s the worst that can happen?”

  “Shhh.” She focused all her attention on the ringing phone.

  “Illuxit Transnational,” a low female voice answered.

  “Can I speak to Michael Hazlett? This is Svetlana Ardova.”

  “Oh, good! I’m so glad you’ve finally gotten in touch. Mr. Hazlett was beside himself when you didn’t arrive this morning! This is Nadine.”

  “Hi, Nadine. I’m so sorry about that. I ended up coming on a later flight, and, of course, my phone was turned off. Can I speak to him?”

  “Of course. We’re glad you decided to come at all, after having such a horrific experience. One moment, while I track him down.”

  She kept her eyes averted from Sam’s still figure as she waited.

  “Svetlana!” Hazlett’s deep, booming voice jolted her nerves. “Just in time for the gala! We missed you on the panels.”

  “I’m so sorry I missed everything,” she said.

  “I’m relieved you’re here for the awards ceremony. It would have been embarrassing to make excuses to the donors. I expect to get sizable contributions to Illuxit’s anti-trafficking foundation from my friends, after they see you speak! And not to be crass, but the attack you suffered certainly does ratchet up the drama factor, hmm?”

  “ Ah . . . I . . . ”

  “Drama sells! But I don’t have to teach you any tricks, not after the way you played up the shock value on your video log to crowdsource funding for the victims! Brilliant job, brilliant. Silver linings, right?”

  “Ah, yes,” she said weakly. “Of course.”

  “I’ll send Nadine over as soon as she’s free, and a man from my security team as well. Where are you located?”

  “Oh. Ah, I . . .” Her eyes slid to Sam, who watched intently. “That won’t be necessary. I’ve brought a friend with me, and he’s—”

  “Is he a professional bodyguard?”

  “Well, actually, he’s—”

  “Whatever he is, he could use backup. I had rooms reserved for you at La Perla Del Doge, my dear. You could still move into them.”

  “Thank you, but I’m fine where I am,” she said. “I thought you would change your mind about having me associated with Illuxit now.”

  “On the contrary. I anticipated this. Anyone who actually changes the status quo will make enemies. That’s the cost of contracting experts who genuinely walk the walk. I’ll send my people right over.” He paused. “Assuming that you tell me where you’re located.”

  Sam’s gaze burned the side of her face. She knew exactly how he was going to react to Hazlett’s security descending upon them, and cringed at the thought. “We’re at the Hotel Aurelio,” she said. “But don’t send a security agent. I’m quite safe with my friend—”

  “Nonsense. I invited you, so your safety is my responsibility. Corporate security is a pain in the ass, but I’ve gotten used to it, and so will you. Excellent, then. Nadine will be there soon to help you with anything that you might need. Until tonight, then!”

  “Yes, thank you, but about security, please don’t—”

  “Wonderful talking to you. I must run. The conference is in full swing. A presto, Svetlana. Can’t wait.” The connection broke.

  Sveti let the phone drop, feeling Sam seethe. With all she had to stress about, she had to feel intimidated because the man with her might throw a sexually charged temper tantrum? To hell with that.

  “So,” she said. “We’re on, then. For tonight.”

  “Yeah, I heard. With the big man’s security team all over us.”

  “I tried to tell him no,” she said.

  “I guess he doesn’t listen too well. It’s something he and I have in common. Was the mutual ass-kissing session pleasurable?”

  The hairs on her neck all stood on en
d. “Don’t be ugly, Sam.”

  “You think that’s ugly?” he asked. “Babe, you have no clue.”

  “I don’t want to,” she said. “You crossed the line a long time ago.”

  “Are you going to put me in my place now? The Sveti smack-down. My dick is tingling at the thought. I love it when you’re stern, baby.”

  “You’re being an asshole,” Sveti said. “One more comment like that, and we part company. I’ll take my chances with the Illuxit team.”

  His eyes burned. “And you think I can be dismissed like that?”

  She couldn’t withstand the seething heat in his glance sitting down. She got up and threw her shoulders back. “I have enough problems, Sam,” she said. “Do not become another problem for me.”

  “But you’re attracted to problems. You exist to solve problems. The bigger the better. And I’m plenty big enough for you, Sveti.”

  She stared at him. “The only reason we’re still in the same room is because that thing with Misha stressed you out,” she said quietly. “I was grateful for your company. I wouldn’t have had the nerve to do that alone. For that reason only, I’ll cut you some slack. But no more.”

  “Thanks for the pity points,” he said. “That’s real sweet.”

  The intense glow in his eyes was palpable, on her skin, in her mind. That electric tingle, that liquid melting.

  The absolute inevitability of sex, about to happen.

  Her knees wobbled, and her thighs clenched, and she was getting wet. She was furious with her body’s helpless animal response, preparing for sex just because a man looked at her that way. It gave him too much power. She kept her back to him as she rummaged for her toiletries. “I’m taking a shower.” She fled into the bathroom.

  The hot water pounded down as his words on the plane echoed in her mind. I’m going to pound that nail, babe. I’ll pound it, and pound it. Until you’re so stuck on me, you can’t move.

  It wasn’t just sexy blather to make her pant and squirm. It was literally true. She had to take back control. Before this destroyed her.

  She took her time, blowing her hair dry. Some lip gloss and mascara, some scented cream. She wished she’d brought some pretty lingerie into the bathroom with her, but she would have to put her faith in the shock value of stark nudity, used as a blunt force instrument.

  One last panicked look in the mirror, a few deep breaths to drag in some oxygen to compensate for when he took her breath away.

  She flung her hair back and slapped the door open.

  Sam turned when he heard the bathroom door open. The shirt in his hand fell to the floor, forgotten.

  He couldn’t get used to how beautiful she was. His mind went into apeshit overload—bells ringing, lights flashing, steam shooting out his ears. All the blood in his body racing down to the party spot. She lifted her arms and spun, with the sinuous grace of a prima ballerina, back arched, tits out. That fierce, I-own-you-sucker glow in her eyes. Wow.

  He cleared his dry throat. “Is there a point to this floor show?”

  Her brows lifted. “If you have to ask, maybe it’s wasted on you.”

  His hands clenched. “No,” he said. “That will never be wasted on me. Count on it.”

  “That’s comforting. Certain assertions were made, on the plane, Sam. I’m holding you to them. Take off your jeans.”

  He hastened to obey. Jerking the jeans down, kicking them to join the shirt. He walked over to her, higher mental functions hijacked by the power radiating from her. “So. How do you want this to go?”

  She considered the question. “Make me wet.”

  Whoa. Time out, while his head exploded. “Happy to comply, but I’ve never seen the bitch goddess persona. Where did she come from?”

  “You talk too much. I suggest you put your mouth to better use.”

  He was obscurely delighted by this, but kept his cool as he swept the mosquito netting aside. “Lie back,” he said. “I live to serve.”

  “No, you come to me,” she commanded. “And get on your knees.”

  He let out a low whistle. “Wow. You sure you want to play with this vibe right now? You can’t take it back, Sveti.”

  “If you’re not up to it, I have a lot to do,” she said crisply. “I need to shop for a dress anyway, so I’ll just be on my—”

  “No, no, no.” He was over there on his knees before he was even conscious of moving. “I’m up to anything. Always. Know it.”

  Who cared. On his knees, on his back. Anything that got that sweet little pussy warmed up and ready for action was fine with him. He gripped her ass, stroking the warm, silken skin of her thighs with his cheek, tongue straining eagerly to probe up that tender, juicy cleft.

  He pressed up her mound, to open the shiny pink secrets and leave them naked to the artistry of his lashing tongue. He wallowed, nose rubbing her clit as his tongue delved, licking and stroking and probing the magic spots that made her moan, and melt, and yield.

  So good, to score that sweet, shivering surrender.

  She swayed, whimpered. Her hands twisted in his hair. His senses dilated into something new, to suck up more details, more data, subtle nuances. With that inner eye wide open, he could sense the energy rising in her body, and pilot it. He could take her right where she needed to go. She was afraid, but there was no stopping it now. They tumbled through inner space . . . and oh, sweet God.

  What a beautiful sight. Sveti coming, against his face, around his hand. Clenching his fingers. He was dazzled, drunk. Wet with her lube.

  And so, so ready to fuck.

  He rose to his feet, tossed mosquito netting out of his way to make space, but she put out an arm as he was about to push her down.

  “Wait,” she said.

  Impressive, that she could maintain that imperious voice, after that orgasm. A rosy mist of sweat made her dewy and soft, and her face pink. The copious lube made the ringlets on her mound gleam black and wet. Juicy sweet. “Wait for what?”

  “Lie down on the bed,” she said. “On your back.”

  His jaw dropped. “Still? You’re still in that place?”

  “Just do it, Sam.”

  Fuck it. As long as she was naked and touching him, it was all good. He wrenched the coverlet off and reclined. She gazed at his stiff, empurpled cock against his belly, taking her own sweet time.

  He massaged his cock as he stared up at her. “So? What now?”

  She clambered onto him, her perfect tits bouncing and swaying as she straddled his thighs, and ran a slow, appraising finger up the shiny, reddened length of his cock, stopping for a moment to swirl her palm over his cockhead. She gave him a few tight, bold squeezes, root to tip.

  He arched beneath her, groaning. “Oh, God. Sveti. Please.”

  “Hold it up for me.” Her voice was utterly cool, remote.

  He gripped his cock in his fist and presented it to her with silent pleading, but she wasn’t done with the torment. She poised herself over him, one hand braced on his chest, the other opening herself. Brushing her hot pussy lips over his aching cockhead. Wet, teasing little kisses. Languorous, undulating. Taking him in, making him wet, shiny.

  Making him wait. This was payback. There would be no mercy.

  She rolled his cockhead sensually around her clit, eyes closed, head flung back. Intent on her own pleasure. Then she opened her eyes and gave him a challenging stare. Goading him.

  Something nameless and dangerous stirred inside him. They could crash and burn if they went too far down this road, but she just kept pushing, and he was too jacked out of his mind to stop her.

  “It’s dangerous to tease,” he said, thickly.

  “You should have thought of that on the plane,” she replied.

  “That was different.”

  “Of course, since you were the one doing it. Poor Sam. Feeling put-upon?” She pulsed her hips, sliding his shaft between her slick folds. It emerged happy and gleaming from that hot, voluptuous kiss. She swayed, head tossed back, dancing over
him. Pleasing herself.

  As if he weren’t about to flip her over and fuck her hard.

  He fought it. Wary of scaring her. He wasn’t going to last much longer. Her scent fogged his senses. The little wet sounds, that scalding, voluptuous lick of contact, it was driving him to the screaming edge of reason. But she’d said at the start that she chose him for a lover because he wasn’t afraid of her.

  She cried out as he rolled her over, and struggled furiously beneath his weight. “Sam! I didn’t say you could do that!”

  “Nope, you pushed me here on purpose. Because you like me this way.” He cut off her response with a kiss, ravaging the moist sweetness of her mouth. She slapped his chest. He barely felt it, he was so intent upon sinking his stiff cock into her quivering sheath.

  She was primed. One deep, deliberate thrust into her slick depths and she went off. Her cunt clenched and fluttered, the muscular pulses clenching like a fist. She almost dragged him over the edge with her. He held back, by some supreme effort of inner balance.

  He waited, rocking tenderly in her tight little nest to silently remind her that this was not over. When her eyes fluttered open, they were smeared with mascara. He loved that look. Disheveled, undone, sprawled wide and yielding. That naked look in her eyes. No games, no walls. Just the feelings she had for him that she could not hide. Not when he had mastery over her body. He loved those moments.

  Fleeting though they always were.

  Her pink tongue darted out to wet her soft, full lips, and his cock twitched eagerly in response, begging for action. He thrust, swiveling.

  “I’m not done,” he said.

  Her gaze fluttered up, met his eyes. “I know,” she whispered.

  He cupped her face in his hand, gently forcing her to meet his eyes. “I want to fuck you from behind again.”

  Her pussy tightened around him, a little fluttering clench. He loved being able to read her. Knowing what she secretly liked.

  “Still playing power games?” she asked.

  “You started it,” he said. “It worked for you. Spectacularly.”

  “No, it was you who started it,” she pointed out. “On the plane.”