“You’re wasting time trying to manipulate Jaimee Turner with a sad seduction, aren’t you?”
Anger roiled in Ronald’s gut at the disparagement. He gripped the receiver tightly and gritted his teeth against the desire to tell Zachary to get fucked. “Rest assured the matter will be dealt with and you’ll have the package in your hands soon,” Ronald managed bitterly.
“Soon isn’t acceptable, Marshall.” Zachary’s voice was calm, cold and eerie as the grave. It was that old slow southern accent, as smooth as Kentucky bourbon and just as destructive. “Your time is running out.”
“Yes, I know, sir. I apologize.”
“Only a weak man apologizes, Marshall. I don’t trust weak men.” Zachary sighed deeply. “I don’t employ weak men.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Are you a weak man, Marshall?”
“No, sir,” he answered tightly.
“No?”
“No.”
“Are you retracting your apology then?”
“The issue will be resolved immediately.”
Silence.
“You have my word, Mr. Zachary.”
“Your word?” Edward Zachary’s humorless chuckle was like cold claws on the back of Ronald’s neck. “Get this cleaned up, Marshall, or I’ll have your blood.”
Zachary disconnected before Ronald could respond, which was probably a good thing. Anything he said would have been the wrong thing. Quickly, Ronald punched in the number he’d been intending to call before Sandy, then Zachary, interrupted.
Fury and fear melded into pulsating, violent emotion in the pit of his stomach. He let the vision of his hand tightening around Edward Zachary’s throat swim in his mind. He fantasized the man’s bulging eyes pleading for mercy; his face mottled from fear and lack of oxygen…
“Yeah.” The harsh answer brought Ronald back to reality.
“I have a job for you.”
Edward Zachary set the phone on the side table and took a long draw from his cigar. He sat back, propped his legs up on the leather ottoman and crossed his ankles. “He’s gonna fuck it up.”
“Mr. Zachary, you know Vannie and I can take care of it.”
He opened his eyes and studied the man sitting across from him. Carl Cox was more than an associate. He was nearly a friend, not quite, but nearly. At any rate, Carl had earned his trust as much as anyone could. He could count on him. Otherwise he wouldn’t be in his home, sitting on his Italian leather sofa smoking one of his fine, expensive Cubans.
Vannie Holt was another story. He was big and not as stupid as some, but he was still just a redneck from central Kentucky. The boy just couldn’t rise above his raisings no matter how hard he tried. Still, he was useful and willing to do whatever he was asked. Ronald Marshall on the other hand had always been ambitious and willing to do the shit work as long as it meant he might achieve a higher status, but he lacked discretion and control, made bad choices and stupid mistakes. He was a colossal dumbass, and easily expendable…in time.
“Not yet. In due time. What have you discovered about the secretary?”
“Alice Sinclair has effectively disappeared.”
“People don’t just disappear, Carl.”
“Yes, sir, that’s true. But she hasn’t been home since she quit. It’s possible she went on vacation or something. I’m looking into it.”
“Oh? I was under the impression you were sitting here with me smoking one of my best cigars.”
Carl had the good sense to look abashed. “Yes, sir.” Carefully he stood, seemingly unsure of what to do with the cigar.
“Take it with you,” Edward said sharply, his voice tinged with disgust. “While you ‘look into’ Ms. Sinclair’s whereabouts, see what you can find out about the grieving widow’s new man, Lucas Grayson.”
“Yes, sir,” he said quietly and left the room quickly.
Jaimee Turner was a nice, well-bred, lovely lady. Much like his own baby girl. Probably didn’t know a damn thing about her idiot dead husband or what he had gotten himself, and ultimately her, into. He’d take no pleasure in hurting her, marring that pretty peach skin, taking her blood, her life. It was a real shame. However, Ronald Marshall was another story.
Edward put out his cigar with a sigh, leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes once more. Time to put business out of his mind. Family was coming for dinner. At sixty-seven years old he wasn’t as spry as he once was and he was going to need his rest to keep up with those grandbabies of his.
Chapter Fifteen
Eucalyptus-scented steam billowed thick and hot from the coals. Jaimee spread out her towel and sat on the top level of the tiered tiled benches, scooting all the way back to stretch out her legs and lean against the wall. She breathed in the humid air, closed her eyes and let go of the stress of the day, willing the tightness in her muscles to relax.
Three days had passed since Lucas made love to her. He called every night to ask her about her day, tell her about his and that he was thinking of her, missed her. Besides the short phone calls, she received a certificate in her mailbox proving he’d had a negative HIV test. It had made her feel a little weird and at the same time, in an odd way, she was touched that he didn’t want her to worry. Maybe he understood how uncharacteristic it was of her to fall into bed with a man she hardly knew. She hoped so. Still, she wanted him, ached for him in a way that was all too unfamiliar. A wicked curiosity that she didn’t even know existed inside her was let loose now.
Perhaps it really was a lapse in judgment that she gave in and had sex with Lucas, but she didn’t care and she didn’t regret it. However, she did reconcile herself to the possibility that he was easing away and she might never see him again. It was okay. Well, it would be okay eventually. No, it wasn’t okay, but she refused to beat herself up over it.
Sighing again, she shifted, adjusted her bathing suit and tried to change her train of thought. No such luck. Images of Lucas above her invaded her mind, memories of his hands, his mouth, his rock-hard body. It was still disconcerting how much she liked it when he delved into the taboo area of her backside. Damn, she was going to have to figure out a way to tamp down her raging libido. Seriously. If her mother was right she was a full-fledged reprobate. Just what did that mean anyway? It was definitely making her wonder what it would feel like to have his cock enter her instead of just his finger. But it would hurt, wouldn’t it? And that was the crux of her apprehension right there. She had to admit it to herself at least…she really liked the pain. Just a little anyway. And damn if she didn’t want to push to find out how much was too much. Man, she really was a freak. She shifted and scowled. Why in the hell did God make it feel so amazingly good if it was forbidden?
The soft whoosh of the door opening jarred her sensual reflections. She cleared her throat to let whoever had come in know she was there. A metallic click that sounded a lot like a key in a lock had her tensing. Immediately she thought of Ron and her mind scrambled for the best plan of defense. Before she could act two very familiar hands circled her ankles and pulled her forward until she was sitting on the edge.
“I’ve been watching you work out.” The husky, deep bass of his voice made her tremble.
“Sheesh, Lucas, you scared the hell outta me.” Relief poured over her. Relief that he wasn’t Ron or some other creep; relief that he was there with her, in the flesh, at least one more time. She scowled at him anyway. “I was ready to claw your eyes out.”
“I watched you swim,” he murmured, ignoring her threat as he kneeled on the lower bench, his lips a breath away from hers. His hands slowly slid up her damp thighs, easing them apart. Jaimee forgot to breathe. “Do you have any idea how fucking sexy you were gliding through the water?”
Every cell of her body seemed to come alive, alert to the onslaught of sensation. Oh man. Hard, muscled shoulders were hot and slick with steam and sweat under her palms. He pressed closer. Jaimee wanted to cry or sing or laugh with delight. The fact that this man wanted her, desired her the way he did was thrill
ing.
“Mmm, you smell so good,” he groaned. His tongue rasped over her prickling skin as he rotated his hips and his thick shaft ground against her pussy. Fire ignited between them and she tried to stifle a moan.
Droplets of sweat trickled between her breasts like a tiny caress as Lucas freed them from the clinging bathing suit. “Lift,” he urged. She complied, lifting her hips to allow him to rid her of the barrier.
“Oh my God. Someone could come in,” she managed to say as his mouth closed over one aching nipple. His hand cupped the other breast, kneading it slowly, massaging her nipple with his palm. He was driving her insane.
“No one will come in,” he whispered, blowing warm air across her wet skin. “I promise. The door’s locked.”
“How did you get a key?”
“Our buddy Blayne.”
Somewhere through the sensual fog it occurred to her that she should complain about Blayne’s willingness to help set her up. But, she couldn’t form a logical argument. Being set up wasn’t at all bad anymore. With a hoarse moan she let go, gave in to the wild desire clawing at her.
She clung to him, inhaled his scent. Her teeth closed on the tough, taut skin at the curve of his neck and tugged his shorts off his hips. Her tongue slowly soothed the bite, reveling in the taste of earthy male—salty, sexy. Exploring the planes and curves of his wet body was so erotic, so freeing; she wanted to feel him everywhere, all over, inside.
“You’re so hard, everywhere.”
“How well I know.” The growl vibrated through her.
Her fingers found his cock, slowly trailed down and then up to the tip. That rounded plum-like head was dewy soft and hot. She imagined how it would feel against her lips, her tongue, filling her mouth. How would it taste? His mouth descended hungrily on hers. Her thumb caressed the delicate spot beneath the flair and smoothed upward to glide over the tiny slit. A pearl of moisture had gathered there, silky and slick. She was mesmerized by the sensation and wanted to make it go on and on.
Her wishes were thwarted when Lucas grasped her wrists. “You’re killing me.”
“I can’t help it,” she whispered against his mouth. “I love the way you feel.” The heat, the arousal was intense and overwhelming. Her scalp prickled, her skin tingled, she trembled with need.
“Wrap your legs around me.”
His tongue swept the sensitive interior of her mouth as his lips nipped at hers. God, Lucas’s kisses were amazing; they curled her toes, made her wild. Never would she have guessed in a million years that just a kiss could make her wet and trembling. But that’s exactly what he did to her. Lucas groaned, poised the fully engorged head of his incredible cock against the spasming entrance of her vagina and squeezed her knees to remind her of his command. Damn, she was sick, she loved his commands.
She did as he asked and leaned back. Her moan was lusty, desperate, as he guided his cock inside, a slow thrust, inch by inch, gradually filling her. The walls of her channel clenched at the invasion, drawing a hiss of pleasure from Lucas. His hands gripped her hips and she tightened her legs around him, tilting upward to bring him deeper. Droplets of sweat trickled down her body like tiny caressing fingers. Her heart thudded against her ribs as pure erotic fire seemed to course through her relentlessly with every withdraw and surge. She held on to his biceps as she met his rhythm. Pleasure built to a nearly unbearable crescendo.
“Lucas.” She groaned as her hands slid up his arms to fist in his damp hair. The slick friction of his chest against her nipples only increased the intensity of the sensations firing through her.
He gently pressed her back, his hands gliding down her slick body between her breasts to her stomach and up again. Each achingly slow thrust of his cock pushed her closer to sensory overload. Her sheath tightened, convulsed with each withdraw, increasing the friction, the heat, the sensation. His palm pressed against her mound and moved down toward the hard knot of nerves. On the brink of explosion Jaimee shook her head as she gripped his wrist. “Don’t. Please.”
Lucas lifted her to him. Biting her neck, his hands moved down her back to her ass, gripping, his long fingers caressing deeper as he thrust hard into her. Her body quaked as finally the tension snapped and spun her into a bright vortex of ecstasy that took her breath away. She clenched her teeth against her need to cry out as the power of her orgasm washed over.
Her climax seemed to trigger his. Lucas held her tight against him as his own pleasure took control. His cock filled her, stretching the walls of her vagina to capacity. She could feel every ripple, every undulation of his shaft as he erupted. Still her channel contracted, wave after wave pulsing through her. As Lucas gained control he kissed her gently, brushing her wet hair back from her face. They were both panting for air.
“Are you all right?” Lucas asked hoarsely as he pulled away with a grimace, keeping his hands on her waist.
She could only nod.
His hands framed her face and made her meet his gaze. “I want you to leave first, okay, baby?”
She nodded again, mesmerized by his dark but gentle expression.
“I’ll be right behind you. Take a cool shower. We’re both too hot. I’ll meet you outside.”
“Okay,” she whispered. Her knees were wobbly as she stood. Lucas steadied her as she stepped into her bathing suit and pulled it up her damp body. He unlocked the door and kissed her one last time.
The cool air that greeted her as she stepped out of the steam room was a shock and made her feel a little dizzy. The realization of what she had just done both astonished and thrilled her. It was so exciting to be so impulsive. It had been incredible sex. Unlike anything she’d ever dreamed of experiencing. Thankfully there was no one around to hear her mischievous giggle or notice her unsteady footing. They’d probably think she was drunk.
The tepid shower did little to diminish the hunger Lucas had awakened within her. The nerve endings all over her body seemed hypersensitive. Despite her very recent, very powerful orgasm her clit was throbbing and ached when the soft cloth she washed with brushed over it. More, she needed more of him.
Jaimee left the locker room and scanned the club as she walked toward the front. No sign of Lucas. The only people sitting at the café tables in the juice bar area were three women who were chatting in hushed tones. She considered the possibility that he planned on literally meeting her outside but went ahead and asked the small group before leaving.
“Excuse me.” Three sets of eyes turned their attention on her and smiled. “I’m sorry to interrupt but by any chance have y’all seen a very tall, muscular guy with long dark hair come through here?”
The smallest of the three smiled warmly and offered her hand. “Hi, I’m Jasmine.”
She returned her smile. “Jaimee.”
“No, we haven’t. Listen. Jaimee, we…” she gestured to two other women sitting there watching attentively, “…wanted to tell you that we think it’s awesome that you’ve worked so hard. You look great.”
“Thanks.”
“I know it’s none of our business. It’s just that we really would hate to see you embarrassed. Lucas is the kind of guy who is all about appearances, you know? He’s looking for an arm decoration, not someone like you. It’s not that you’re not pretty. But…” her brows furrowed, “…he’s the type of guy who likes very thin, delicate, glamorous women.”
“I see.” How odd, she wasn’t offended at all.
“You really seem to be a lovely, wonderful person. That’s why I wanted to talk to you about it. You know?” Her hazel eyes were soft and held the same concern as her voice.
Jaimee nodded, searching for the right thing to say.
“Well, Lucas, isn’t at all what you think he is. You’ve misjudged him, he’s…” She should have known Lucas had walked up behind her when the ladies stared wide-eyed past her.
“Who’s been misjudged?” He growled against her neck as his hands clasped her waist and pulled her back against him. Deliberately pressing his straini
ng erection against her bottom. Jaimee’s heartbeat quickened and she struggled not to give in to the rush of lust, close her eyes and lean back against him. “Uh…Prince. I was saying that I thought he was more masculine than he appeared. That he’s been misjudged as being gay when I don’t believe he is at all. As a matter of fact I think the man has some alpha tendencies.”
“Ah.” His hands slid down just fractions to the curve of her hips, his fingers tensed. “Let’s go.” It was a dark, raspy demand that left no room for refusal. At his touch, his mouth on her neck, the pleasant hum pulsing through her body accelerated.
“Nice to meet you.” It was all she was able to say before Lucas took her hand and all but hauled her out of the building.
Moments later she found herself trapped between her car and Lucas’s barely restrained, hard body. “Prince, my ass. I have excellent hearing.” His mouth closed over hers, scorching her lips, drawing a tortured moan from her. When he stepped back she wanted to whimper in protest but resisted. His eyes held the promise of something powerful as he opened the car door. “Hurry home, I’m right behind you.”
They’d picked a bad time to leave. Traffic was backing up with people getting off work. It was cool outside but she was still so hot and thinking about the last hour had her leaning over to turn the air conditioner on. With a sigh she searched her purse for her ringing cell phone and kept her eyes on the bumper in front of her at the same time.
“Hello?”
“You defended me.” The deep bass of Lucas’s voice rumbled through her.
“Well yeah I guess so. But I had to say something. You aren’t shallow.”
“Then you covered for them.”
“What are you getting at?” She frowned at his silhouette in her rearview mirror.
“You’re amazing.”
The tone of his statement gave her goose bumps. It was silly, the pleasure his praise gave her. “You’re pretty amazing yourself. And quite creative.”
“You inspire me. Are you still wet?”
“How could I not be?” she answered. “You keep me in a constant state of arousal.”
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