by Jodi Redford
“Yeah, whatever.” The hurt lurking in Avily’s green irises belied the bored disinterest she aired. “Sorry to tell you this, but you came all the way here for nothing. I’ve got too much going on right now to help you, even if I was willing. Which I’m not.”
He took in the stubborn set of her chin and steeled himself for a major display of groveling. A noise sounded behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted Lex poking his head through the doorway.
“There you are. I was beginning to think I’d lost you.”
If only I could be so lucky. “I told you to wait outside.”
Jerrick’s curt reminder fell on deaf ears. Lex scooted his glasses up the bridge of his nose and grinned. “Wow. Easy to see why you wanted her to be your bitch instead of me.”
He should have killed Lex while he had the chance. “Tarker, I advise making yourself scarce. Now.”
Giving a loud gulp, Lex scurried off. Holding his breath, Jerrick turned and met Avily’s fulminating glare.
“What the hell was he implying?”
“Not what you think.” He gave a low cough. “For the most part.”
She tapped her foot, the small motion carrying enough menace to put any sensible male on high alert. “Care to explain?”
“Only if you promise not to kick me in the balls.”
She rolled her lips in a tight line. “We’ll see.”
Her compromise was better than he’d expected. Flipping open his jacket, he pulled the ad from his pocket. Shooting him a suspicious glance, Avily plucked the paper from his outstretched fingers. She dropped her gaze and choked. “What the—?” Her stare jumped to him, bright and accusing. “This is your idea of an explanation? In what warped universe?”
Tweaking the bridge of his nose, he exhaled wearily. “Maybe I should fill in a few blanks.”
“You think?”
He gestured to the paper waving in her grip. “I need you to get me inside. It’s part of the job I was telling you about.”
“Do I even want to know what this place is?”
“Probably not.” He rubbed his forehead, digging hard into the ridge of his brow. The tension sitting there refused to budge. “It’s a sex club. Heavy into the master-and-slave scene.”
“If you think I’m going to play your slave, you’re out of your damn mind.”
Begging had never been his strong suit. It didn’t sit well on him to depend on others for anything. He’d suffered through too many disappointments and back stabbings to hang his trust or hope on anyone. But if he didn’t gain her cooperation on this, they were both fucked. “You’re my last hope. The only way I can get into that club is if I have a female human with me.”
“Why do you need in there? Granted, you’ve been involved in some bizarre jobs before, but nothing like this.”
“I don’t have the details to provide at this point.”
Suspicion hooded her eyes. “You just don’t want to tell me.”
Sooner or later he’d have to fill her in on the events that’d led to his taking on this heist, but not until he determined how to do it without revealing precisely how big a role she played in all of it. Hell, if there was a way of keeping her from ever finding out he was doing this to protect her, all the better.
Avily continued glaring at him for a long, silent moment before eying the paper in her hand. Deciding to risk any wrath she might unleash on his vulnerable privates, he stepped beside her and caressed her arm. She visibly stiffened and jerked her head up. Their gazes crashed into each other.
A lifetime passed before she took a shaky breath and licked her lips. The slow, enticing drag of her soft pink tongue riveted him. His cock thickened behind his fly, and he smothered a curse. Even now, with his fate—and hers—hanging on a precarious thread, his desire for her was as ill-timed and impossible as ever.
Avily’s attention flicked to the printout. “You said this is a slave-and-master club, right?”
He willed his head back into the game and away from the tempting visual of Avily garbed in a skintight leather corset and on her knees in front of him, his aching cock buried in her mouth. “It’s simply a job. Like any other we’ve done in the past.” Or not. “Don’t let it freak you out.”
“Oh, I’m not freaked out about it. At all.”
He blinked. “You’re not?”
“No. In fact, I’ve decided I’ll do it. But only on two conditions.”
Her unexpected capitulation floored him to the point it took a moment to track down his voice. “Go on.”
“This is the last time you ask for my help. Ever. That life is behind me. Main reason I’m doing this is to clean the slate between us once and for all.”
He nodded. “Done.”
Her expression shifted into the territory of sly and calculating. “The other reason I’m doing this is to settle a few things between us as well.”
Wariness fell over him. “How do you mean?”
She held up the photo. Her eyes twinkled with far too much calculation and wicked retribution. “Let’s put it this way, there’s only one of us here who’s gonna look extra charming in the ass-less chaps and collar. And it sure as hell isn’t me.”
Chapter Five
Witnessing Jerrick’s rattled look almost made up for him waltzing into her life and turning her world topsy-turvy with one tiny crook of his finger. In all the years she’d known him, he’d rarely become flustered by anything. Knowing she’d managed the near impossible? Best feeling ever.
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I understand your need to enact some kind of twisted revenge on me, but we both know there’s no way in hell your version will work.”
“Why? I’m as perfectly capable of bossing you around as you are of me.”
Those insufferably arrogant eyebrows of his winged upward. “Oh really?”
“Sure. How hard can it be?”
“You realize what goes on between a Dominant and a submissive, right?”
“I’m not naïve. I do have some experience with these things.” Holy hell, why did I say that? Talk about the most ridiculously untrue statement in history. Damn him and his condescending smirk, making her blurt out stupid-ass stuff.
Jerrick’s trademark scowl descended into place. “What, precisely, did you mean by you have experience with these things?”
It was tempting to lie through her teeth again and concoct an insane story involving a stable of adoring slave men who catered to her every whim, but no doubt Jerrick would see through that big, fat, hairy fib. “I meant in general. I’m not completely innocent to the ways of the world.”
A fraction of the fierceness eased from his features. After an aggravating period of silence where he scrutinized her with that hooded expression he so excelled at, he narrowed his eyes and stepped closer. “Fine. Then command me to do something.”
Would telling him to go fuck himself count? Damn. Probably not. “Very well. Get rid of that box for me. Trash receptacle is in the rear alley.” Resisting the urge to cackle in glee, she jutted her chin in the direction of the doorway behind them. This bossing-him-around business might be more enjoyable than she’d anticipated. Maybe when he was done with the box, she’d have him clean out the adjacent supply room.
“No, Avi. Order me to do something to you.”
Her apprehension must have flickered to the surface because his mouth hitched upward at one corner. “You can’t even do it when we’re alone. How do you think you’ll manage when we’re in a room full of people we’re attempting to fool?”
She rubbed her forearms, furious at herself for allowing the small show of weakness. She couldn’t let him know he affected her. Her battered ego would never survive such humiliation. Not again. She sucked in a steadying breath. “Touch me.”
His expression remained bland as a bowl of unseasoned potatoes. “Where?”
Bastard probably expected her to say something lame, like her shoulder. Or maybe—gasp!—her hand. Well she had news for him. If she was going t
o be faced with torturing herself, he was damn well going down with her. Digging her fingernails into her palms, she steeled her spine. “My breasts.”
An infinitesimal widening of his eyes was Jerrick’s only outward reaction. His gaze immediately strayed to her chest. Her traitorous nipples had the utter audacity to pebble under the encouragement of his stare.
He stood planted in place for an endless moment, leaving her with the certainty he was debating what he’d gotten himself into. Just as she was wavering between disappointment and relief at calling his bluff, he closed the distance between them and splayed his hands over her breasts. She jolted, a shallow breath lodging in her throat.
“React like that in front of the club members and you’ll blow our cover within seconds.”
She didn’t know which infuriated her more, acknowledging he was right, or his need to rub it in her face. “I wasn’t prepared for it. That’s all.”
“I don’t think that’s it.” His fingers flexed before curving beneath the fullness of her breasts, cupping their weight. Despite the thin layers of fabric separating them, his heat seeped into her flesh like a tangible branding. “My touch does something to you. Admit it.”
“Nice to see your ego is as over-bloated as ever.”
“Your smart mouth might say one thing, but the eager way your nipples strain against me tells a different story.”
“I can’t help it they’re sensitive, damn it.” Why did I tell him that? At this rate, she’d be better off sewing her stupid mouth shut.
A glint of awareness flared to life in Jerrick’s pupils. The tension buzzing between them kicked into overdrive. His thumbs brushed oh so temptingly over the rigid nubs of her nipples, and she struggled not to jump out of her skin.
“Better.”
It took a moment to realize the meaning behind that singular gruff word. He’d been testing her.
Well, duh. What other reason would the cold-hearted son of a bitch have for feeling her up? Certainly not for his jollies. He’d made it perfectly clear all those years ago he held zero interest in getting between the sheets with her. Why would he feel any differently now? “See? I’m capable of keeping my shit together.”
His gaze remained skeptical. “We can’t afford slip-ups on this.”
“I told you, I’ll be fine.”
“I’m not merely taking your word for it, Avi. I need to know you can handle the situation—no matter what gets thrown at you.” He glanced at the holographic timepiece suspended on the far wall. “I’ll swing by tonight around seven. We’ll begin training then.”
She frowned. “Training? What the hell does that mean?”
Rather than answer, he dropped his hands and pivoted toward the doorway. “I probably won’t have time to grab something to eat before then, so do me a favor and put in an order for us at the new sandwich shop down the street. I’ll pick the grub up on the way.”
She glared at his retreating back, wishing with every fiber of her being that she’d kneed him in the family jewels when she had the chance. “Did it occur to you I might be busy tonight? Or have a date planned?”
He stalled in the exit, his expression aggravatingly blank. “With who? Orange Shirt from last night? If so, I’m doing you a favor giving you an excuse to break the date with the assclown.”
She bit back a growl, more than a little miffed that he was dead-on with his assessment of Roger. “I hope this training involves whacking you with a paddle.”
“Only if you promise to give it to me hard.” His chuckle infuriatingly smoky enough to stir up provocative scenarios in her head, Jerrick ducked through the doorway and disappeared from sight.
For the next several hours she busied herself shelving the new shipment of handcrafted soaps while attempting to distract herself from the arresting visual of a hard Jerrick. Unfortunately, that line of thinking only led to her mentally dressing him in the tight leather chaps that’d been featured on the flyer from Club Rapture. Without question, he’d look mouthwateringly scrumptious in the outfit. Especially if he was kneeling at her feet.
Or better yet, kissing her feet. Considering the humiliation he put her through, commanding him to do it would be immeasurably satisfying and deserved.
“Hmm, I wonder if sex slaves actually kiss their masters’ feet.” Fetching the last fairy rose soap from the nearby box, she stacked the bar with its mates on the shelf. “Screw it, he’s kissing mine regardless.”
“Kissing your what?” an amused female voice inquired.
Jerking her head, Avily blinked at the woman approaching her. She took in the green eyes so like her own, and a dull roar pounded in her ears. “Leena?”
“Hey, baby sis. How’ve you been?”
Nearly fifteen years ago Leena took off after spinning a web of lies and deceit that broke up not only their family, but Jerrick’s family, and the best she could come up with was how’ve you been?
“What are you doing here?” Thank the gods Jerrick had left when he did. Who knew how he would have reacted to seeing his treacherous ex.
“I’ve missed you.”
“Really?” Avily hugged the basket to her chest. “Because I’ve been here all along. Wouldn’t have been too difficult stopping in and saying hello.”
Regret flickered across Leena’s face. Shoulders drooping, she picked at the split ends on her long blonde braid, her fingers restless. The bell sleeve of her olive-green top fell back, revealing a nasty bruise near her wrist.
“How did you get that?” The words blurted from Avily before she could corral them.
“It’s nothing.” Leena stuffed her hand in the pocket of her pants, a misguided attempt to hide the bruise. “I banged into my kitchen cupboard.”
Avily stared hard at her sister. She knew a flaming pile of dragon crap when she smelled it.
“Looks like you’ve done well for yourself, baby sis.” Leena reached for one of the fairy soaps and sniffed it. “I’m glad one of us has made something of ourselves.” Faint bitterness underscored her tone.
Don’t ask. Don’t ask. Don’t— “Everything okay with you?” Ugh, I’ll never learn.
Leena cupped the soap against her chest. “Well, since you asked, I was wondering if you might be able to float me some merca. Just for a month or two. Until I find a job.”
A twinge of pain lanced Avily’s heart. She wasn’t surprised that Leena’s sole reason for returning was based on finances. To say they’d never been close was an understatement. But it didn’t make it hurt any less knowing she was nothing more than a walking bank to Leena. “I don’t have a lot I can give you. Most of my merca is tied up in the shop.”
“Whatever you have is fine by me.”
Of course it is. Avily straddled the fine line between anger and guilt. In the end, guilt won out. Leena was obviously going through tough times, and family was family. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks.” Leena started to back up. “I’ll stop by again in a couple of days, okay?”
Avily maneuvered to block the aisle’s exit. “Have you seen our mother?”
Leena’s gaze skittered sideways. “Not yet. I was planning to go by the house later in the week.”
Sure. Not bothering to hide her skepticism, Avily stared her sister down. “It’d destroy her if you disappeared again without at least making one token appearance.”
“Sis, I said I’d stop by, all right?” Apparently realizing the shrillness of her voice outed her true colors, Leena tugged on a quick smile. “I don’t want her to see me like this. Not looking my best.”
“Why? She wouldn’t care about that.”
“But I do. I don’t want her to think I’ve become a complete failure. Even if I have.”
“Don’t talk about yourself like that.”
Leena dropped the soap back onto the shelf and sighed. “You don’t have to defend me. Especially to myself. I’ve not always been a good person, Avi. Maybe this is all my penance.”
Before an automatic denial could spri
ng to her lips, Avily’s thoughts shifted to Jerrick and the pain and turmoil her sister had inflicted on him with her lies and cheating. If Leena was paying some penance, it would never equal the level of her betrayal.
Leena returned to fidgeting with the end of her braid. “I have to get going, or I’ll be late for my next job interview. But I’ll be back in a few days.”
“I’ll try to get you some money. I can’t promise anything, though.”
“I know you’ll come through for me, baby sis. You always have.”
Nothing like shoveling the pressure on extra thick. Avily escorted her sister to the front door and watched Leena vanish into the crowds, her chest heavy. Despite how frustrating Leena could be, it didn’t sit well on Avily to see her sister this downtrodden. Leena had always been beautiful and radiant. No small wonder Jerrick had fallen hard for her. What male with functioning vision wouldn’t lose his heart to Leena?
Yeah, but she also stomped on his heart and left it to wither and die. Reminded of that fact, another twinge of guilt shuttled through her for her previous irritable thoughts regarding Jerrick. Until she remembered the cruel way he’d laughed at her virginity offering.
It’d taken almost a full case of Larry the Fairy to screw up enough tipsy courage to invite him over that night. Nerves and queasiness had nearly gotten the better of her, but the instant he’d strode through the door, looking like her every dream brought to life, her resolve had been sealed. There was no other for her. Jerrick was her everything, and no one else stood a chance of measuring up. For gods’ sake, she’d inked herself with his fae symbol, essentially branding herself as his.
Squeezing back tears, she pressed trembling fingers to her lips. If she closed her eyes, she could pretend the phantom remembrance of his long-ago kiss still lingered, along with the sweet warmth of his breath and the intoxicating graze of his tongue along hers. She could even fool herself that for one blissful, shining second in time he’d been swept up in the moment too.
The fantasy lasted a millisecond, before she crashed back to reality with a harsh jolt.