by Thalia Frost
“Someone came into my room last night.” I bit my lip.
“What?” Rock tensed up. “Who and how?”
“A man...a man in a mask who called himself Lucifer.”
Rock's mouth fell open. It was the first time I'd ever seen him shocked. “Are you serious?”
“Completely.” I shrugged tensely.
“What did he say?” Rock's voice rose, and I saw that he'd grasped the implications of such a visitor.
“That you aren't such a good man...for me not to go through with your plan—whatever it is. He didn't seem to know—or I was going to die.” I swallowed hard around the lump in my throat.
Rock bolted up from the bed and began pacing.
“Rock, please.” I moved to him, putting a hand on his good shoulder.
“I'm fine, Lacey. I can still walk.” He gave me a dark look, and I plopped back down on the bed.
“What are you thinking?”
“That I don't like this one bit and that he was bluffing...whoever he is. He doesn't know there is a plan, but he will tonight.” Rock's mouth was set in a grim line. “I'll have to tell George to step it up. Of course, I don't plan to let you out of my sight until this thing is over.”
Wetness pooled between my legs as Rock leaned toward me and took my face in his hands.
“Please be careful, Lacey. If you ever seen that man again, don't wait to tell me. I don't care if I'm laid up in the hospital.” Emotion lowered the timber of his voice, and his hands slid down either side of my throat in a sensual caress.
I moaned, wanting him more than I had to that point. “But when will it be over?”
“Soon, I hope. But in an hour we have a board meeting. I've called the group to Venice.”
I gasped. “Really?”
“Yes, they'll be the first to know of our engagement.”
I could hear the victorious note in Rock's words. “Oh.” My throat grew tight.
Is he happy or just glad he's going in for the kill?
“But first...I need you to administer your healing touch, Ms. Pate.” Rock squeezed my throat ever so lightly, and the world spun. “I see you do trust me, Lacey.”
I liked the hint of danger, of his owning me and doing what he wanted. I'd never have let any other man put his hands against my throat like that, applying even a bit of pressure, but Rock Weldon. He was different.
“Of course I do. And that healing...coming right up, Mr. Weldon,” I whispered and licked my lips.
He closed his eyes and groaned softly, tangling his hands in my hair as I lowered my head slightly and ran my fingers up his taut thighs. “I dreamt of this last night.”
I smiled as I trailed kisses up his thigh and squeezed the spot between his left thigh and his hip joint. “Umm. And what did I do in your dream?” I ran my fingers lightly over his stiff cock, still hidden in his briefs.
“You sucked me until I could hardly stand it anymore. I wanted to throw you down on the bed, tie you up and make you scream for hours, but even in the dream, I knew my shoulder was messed up, and that would be impossible.” Rock laughed softly and then gasped at my touch as I peeled his briefs back, letting his hard cock spring free.
“Did you dream of this?” I grasped him in my hand hard and ran my fingers up and down his prick.
“God, did I ever.” He closed his eyes and threw his head back.
I loved the look of bliss on his face, that I was the one who was giving him that feeling.
He's mine. For this moment, anyway...
A pang filled my chest. For a year or part of the year would be a false and probably painful engagement. How would I feel tonight when I knew the news of our impending marriage was a lie and that I'd have to let him go soon enough?
The questions nearly stopped me from flicking my tongue against the head of his cock. He groaned and ran his hands along my nape.
“I want that pantsuit off pronto,” Rock rasped.
I stood, forcing back tears as I stripped slowly and deliberately.
“You're gorgeous, Lacey. I hope you realize that. I can't even be in the same room with you without getting a hard-on.” Rock gave me a fierce look as I sank back on the bed, glad I'd chosen my lacy black panties and bra.
Me, gorgeous? Hardly.
“Thank you. You're not so bad yourself.” I licked the plum-shaped head of his cock, my tongue lingering there.
“Lacey.” Rock's tone made me look up. “You do know that, don't you?”
“Yeah.” Tears threatened again.
How can this be real? He's so sweet to me, and I'm a nobody in this world.
“Good.”
I took him into my mouth then, bearing down on his cock.
“My God, that feels good.” Rock massaged my shoulders as I ministered to his dick.
Cupping his balls, I teased him, circling the head of his cock again with my lips before plunging down on him. I squirmed with my own arousal.
“Turn around and straddle me. I want to see your pussy, dripping wet just for me.”
His command made me close my eyes. I climbed off him for a moment, and he lay down with a long sigh. I turned around, flushing a bit at the thought of his view of my backside in the thong panties as I straddled him backward.
“Are you all right? I don't want to hurt you.”
“You won't,” he ground out as I cupped his balls and grasped his cock in my hands again.
His fingers found my nubbin, and he circled it as I gasped for breath. “I can make you come, wounded or not, Lacey.” Rock chuckled, and I suppressed a moan as I took him in my mouth.
“But Lacey, I need to hear you tell me you want to come.” His voice was lazy and slow, and I closed my eyes as I sucked at the plum head of his cock.
I slowly lifted my head a bit. “I want to come, Rock, please.” My pussy throbbed for it as he inserted a finger inside me.
“I think you'll have to beg a bit more than that.” He smacked my ass with one hand and then gripped my hips, hard.
“That hurts.”
“But it hurts good, right?”
“Yes, but I don't want it to do you in, too.” I ran my tongue down the length of his rigid dick, working the base with my hand.
“You won't. I've been dreaming about this since they wheeled me into the hospital, bleeding shoulder be damned.”
I suppressed a giggle at the thought.
“I'm going to come, Lacey. I don't want to wait.”
The command in his voice sent a shiver rippling up my spine as I sucked at him harder, urging his orgasm on.
His own fingers were busy on my clit, stroking lightly and then more insistently until I squirmed, wanting my own release.
“I love it when you swallow, Lacey,” he said, and the rush of his thick fluid shot into my mouth. I took it all, enjoying it more than I ever had with another man. I wanted to please Rock as much as he did me.
Rock flicked his fingers over my clit and pushed inside me with two of his digits just as I licked the last drops of cum from his cock.
“You do it so good, baby,” he whispered, and at the urging of his fingers, I exploded, the light in the room going double for a moment. I cried out, unable to stop myself.
Rock chuckled. “George probably got an earful, but he's trustworthy.”
I sighed and climbed off of him, lying down next to him. “You're amazing and with one good arm.”
He grinned. “I know.” Rock closed his eyes, and I was struck by how peaceful he looked, how innocent. Tracing his jawline with my fingers, tears filled my eyes.
This. I want this...for real, not with strings attached.
Rock planted a lingering kiss on my lips. “We have to get ready. I'll come by and get you in about twenty minutes.”
I sighed, not wanting to let him go. I'd have to share him again soon.
“I'll be ready.”
“Oh, and Lacey?” Rock faced the door, and I admired his ass in the briefs.
“Yes?”
“Wea
r those panties. You'll need them tonight.”
“Yes, boss.” A zing of pleasure went through me.
He left without a look back, and I frowned, thinking of the board meeting and sham engagement to come.
* * * *
I dressed with care, putting the pantsuit away and choosing a conservative pink suit with black edging. It still showed a little leg and a bit of cleavage, but it wasn't over the top. Pulling the lacy, vibrating panties on made me grin.
“This outfit says ‘bookkeeper’ without saying ‘kept woman for the billionaire.’” I winked at myself in the mirror as I applied matching lipstick and fixed my hair. Being in love with Rock Weldon made being more than a bookkeeper something that didn't bother me. I didn't care if people whispered about us now, but I knew I'd care if he dumped me in a year, and the sham he was going to start tonight was shown to be just that.
I'm not going to let that happen.
I gripped my folders tightly, putting myself into numbers and accounting mode. I had people to impress.
When Rock tapped lightly on my door a few minutes early, my heart skipped a beat.
“Time for a quickie?” he growled, crossing the room toward me. All signs of tiredness were gone. His nap had worked wonders, and his old virility was back.
As if there was any question of my being willing and ready...
“But the meeting—”
“Hang the meeting. We have time. As the CEO, I can come in thirty minutes late if I want to, as long as I have a bullshit excuse,” Rock said, taking me into his arms. He threaded his hands through my hair, pulling it as he kissed me hard and deep.
I drank in the scent of him, unable to suppress a moan of longing. Rock tugged at my skirt, and he backed me up to the bed, pushing my ass against it.
“Turn around,” he rasped in my ear as he nipped at it. Rock jerked my skirt up without preamble and bent me over the bed, face down on the mattress. “I couldn't wait until later to taste you again.” He yanked my garters loose and pulled my hose down. His fingers lay lightly on my ass for a moment, and the room spun as I wondered what he had planned for me.
His hands cupping my ass and his lips on my cheeks, sucking and teasing didn't keep me in suspense for long. I whimpered as his fingers found my clit. “I have just enough time to make the world spin for you, Lacey.” Rock's lips moved to my cleft, and his tongue darted in places where no man's tongue had been before.
A wave of heat swept over me.
“Does this embarrass you? That I want to taste you all over?” Rock whispered, his fingers against my nubbin, sending sparks of sensation through me. My legs threatened to buckle, and I let them. Rock was holding on to me anyway as I allowed myself to collapse fully on the bed.
“No.”
He smacked my ass lightly. “I don't believe you. There's no reason to be ashamed. You taste sweet.” He gripped my hips—hard—as his tongue teased my entrance, and I sucked in a breath, hardly believing it.
“Rock—”
“Shh. Just let me make you feel good.”
I surrendered to him then, my eyes closed as waves of pleasure washed over me. The throbbing in my clit grew in time with the mastery of his hands on me. His tongue probed deeper inside me, and I gasped for breath.
“Just let go. Come for me, Lacey, like I'm all you've ever known or wanted.”
His words drove me over the edge. I gripped the sheets as I cried out in orgasm, stronger than I thought possible. Rock kissed his way up my backbone, his body pinning me to the bed in a not unpleasant captivity.
“I hate to say it, but we have to go. I guess it's best not to be late and rumpled. It might raise eyebrows.”
I groaned as Rock scooped me up against him and his cock pressed against my ass.
“I wish...” I trailed off as he caressed my breasts through the dress.
“I'm saving it for later tonight. I was shot recently, you know.”
I laughed as he helped me get my clothes back on straight.
* * * *
“Ms. Pate, this is the vice president of the company, Walter Marsh.”
I shook hands with a balding, affable gentleman.
“How are you, Ms. Pate? I know you'll keep Rock straight.” The man laughed, but I heard an edge to the sound.
Is he friend or foe?
He sat down at Rock's right. We were the only ones so far in the sterile meeting room in a building in downtown Venice.
“So, where have you worked in the past?”
I cleared my throat. “Several companies in California.”
Rock interjected smoothly. “Ms. Pate's resume is quite impressive, and I've been happy with her quick take on the company's finances.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
Mr. Marsh raised his eyebrow but said nothing.
The door of the conference room opened, and another well suited man sauntered in.
“John. Take a seat.” Rock rose and shook his hand.
“Of course.”
I studied Rock's handsome cousin, John Weldon. I'd met him briefly the same night I'd met Rock. It seemed like ages ago, but it had only been a week before.
“Ah, hello. You look familiar. Have we met?” John Weldon sank into a chair across from me at the long, rectangular table. He studied me, cocking his head as if puzzled, but his eyes held mirth.
He knows very well who I am.
Heat rose in my cheeks, and I waited a beat before replying. “I'm Lacey Pate. We met at the benefit at Mr. Weldon's last week.”
“Oh, that's right. Pleasure to see you again, Ms. Pate. Are you working for Regal now?” He steepled his fingers.
The man is getting under my skin.
“I am.”
“Yes, John. Ms. Pate is my personal bookkeeper. There were some things I wanted her to go over with the accounts.”
I heard a strange note in Rock's voice. Is he uncertain about something?
He always sounded so sure of himself.
“Great, Rock. I'm sure her work is stellar. And how are you? Quite the excitement last night.” John grinned, sliding his gaze toward Rock.
Something passed between the two men, a familiarity that went beyond being cousins. “I'm fine. Life goes on.”
“Do the police think it was a random shooting?” Walter Marsh asked.
“I think so. They have no leads.” Rock shrugged as if the whole issue was a minor one.
What is he playing at?
Something Rock had said to me before niggled at my memory. The man he suspected of stealing money from Regal had saved his life. Could that man be John Weldon, his cousin?
And for some reason he doesn't want to accuse him and deal with it in an impersonal way. But why? What does Rock have to hide? There has to be more to it than that.
I wanted to know that whole story now—about who it was who had saved Rock's life. There was so much about Rock Weldon that remained a mystery to me.
Eight other men filtered in, and I was introduced to each of them, but my mind wasn't on them.
I sat through the meeting, half listening until the end.
“And tonight, I'll have a very important announcement. I'm throwing a party at Ligotti's. Be there at 7:00. All of you. That's it.” He rose with a half smile, and the board members shuffled out, throwing questioning glances his way.
“I hope the surprise won't be too severe,” Walter Marsh said with a frown as he stood.
“Not severe at all.” Rock didn't smile when he spoke.
“See you later, cuz,” John threw over his shoulder.
“Later, John.” Rock stood with a tired sigh.
When the door closed, I allowed myself to think. Could Walter Marsh or John Weldon be Lucifer or my strange night caller? Or was someone else behind those incidents?
“Ms. Pate. Are you ready?” Rock watched me as I made my way toward him.
“Of course, Mr. Weldon.”
He brushed up against me as I opened the door. I shuddered at the contact, r
emembering he had the remote in his pocket. “I can't wait to try those panties out tonight.” His voice in my ear made me shiver.
“Right. I don't think that will be a good time to give them a test run.”
Rock strode beside me out into the late afternoon. “No? I think it's perfect, and it won't be the first time I'll use them.” His wicked grin made me wonder what he was up to.
George fell in with us as soon as we hit the sidewalk.
“We're just going across to the Canal. It's time for a gondola ride, don't you think?”
My heart leapt. “I'd love that.”
“We'll have to maintain some propriety for the sake of prying eyes, though.” Rock smiled.
“Of course.”
He led me down the street, where we passed a fleet of boats.
“Gondola?” a swarthy Italian man asked with a smile.
Rock nodded, and they bickered for a moment on price.
“We're going to ride from here back to the villa. Should be about twenty minutes.”
“Great.” We climbed gingerly into the lovely little boat. The air around me blew sticky and sweet, and the red, white and black of the gondolier's uniform brought a smile to my face. All the same, my muscles were tense.
“Relax, Lacey.” Rock touched my arm after I was settled in the boat across from him. It was more professional that way, should anyone see us on the Canal together.
“It's hard to do that when someone shot you yesterday.” I forced a smile.
“I know, but I'm not worried.” He glanced at George behind us in the gondola. The big man looked uncomfortable.
I stifled a giggle. “Right. I'm not either...well, not really.”
But I was. I didn't think I would make it through another attempt on Rock's life.
“Lacey, it will be okay. I promise.”
I nodded, tears springing to my eyes.
Rock tensed. My fear undid him for some reason.
“I need to ask you something,” I whispered in low tones.
“Aw, you're looking quite serious.” Rock pursed his lips, and a buzz hit my clit.
I gasped, pulling my legs tightly together. He'd used the remote control on me.
“Stop that.”
“If I must.”
“You can certainly continue later but right now, I need to ask you some things.” I took a deep breath, the smells of Venice filling my nostrils—leather, slightly dank water and pastries baking nearby.