Black as Night_Black Star Security

by Cynthia Rayne

  And here she’d thought Jim was sexy. He was nothing compared to the big, bad sniper. Nox was enough to melt anyone’s panties.

  His hair was coal black, and he had big blue eyes. He had a square jaw and a full, sensual mouth. Nox was six feet tall, and his shoulders were broad. Best of all, he had the most scrumptious ass which filled his tight-fitting jeans.

  Lickable.

  That’s the word that came to mind when I first saw him. Followed by dangerous. He called on urges Maeve didn’t even know she possessed. He made her want to do things she’d be embarrassed to read about, let alone participate in.

  The man also had a distinct lack of boundaries. It should have made her nervous or angry. This whole thing was insane.

  She didn’t know him at all. And yet Maeve wondered what his mouth would taste like. She wanted to feel the crisp hairs along his jawline against her smooth skin, beneath her fingertips.

  Maeve should be concerned about finding her sister, and then getting back to her job. She shouldn’t be considering a kinky sexual encounter with a strange man.

  “What I said bothers you, doesn’t it?”

  “What?”

  “The lack of control, lettin’ go.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Sure, you do. What would happen if you eased up? Let someone else call the shots, at least in one aspect of your life?”

  She just stared at him, and her fingertips twitched. Did she want to slap him? Or caress his cheek?

  “Do I scare you?”

  “Of course not.” Maybe he did. Other men charmed her into bed with inventive dates and sophisticated small talk, followed by a hint of flirtation. This man wanted to hold her down and take Maeve on his own terms.

  Nox smirked. “I bet you scare other men, intimidate them. You’re smart, gorgeous, and powerful. But I bet you’d beg me to fuck you.”

  This time, she unconsciously raised a hand, ready to strike.

  His nostrils flared.

  “Go ahead, do it. Slap me.”

  Oh, she wanted to hit him, slap him right across his smug face. And then she wanted to kiss him.

  Clearly, I’ve lost my mind.

  He stepped closer, and she wouldn’t, couldn’t back down. So, she let him have it. Maeve hit him, and the sound was abnormally loud, almost obscene, as it reverberated against the wall.

  She’d left a pink mark on his cheek. His eyes were hooded, predatory. Nox didn’t seem upset at all. In fact, this felt like foreplay, a prelude to rough and angry sex.

  Good God. She could picture Nox pinning her on the meeting table, bending her over and taking her hard.

  The sexual tension simmered between them, as though it were a living thing.

  What the hell’s wrong with me?

  “You enjoyed it, didn’t you?”

  “No.” Yes.

  “And now it’s my turn.”

  She stepped back. “If you think I’m lettin’ you strike me, you’re out of your mind.”

  “No, I wouldn’t dream of it.” He chuckled darkly. “Not without your consent anyway.”

  Maeve swallowed. She had the sudden image of Nox bending her over his knee, spanking her backside until it was red.

  “Then what are you going to do?”

  “This.”

  And the next thing she knew, he’d pushed his hand up her shirt, and cupped her breast, kneading it. Nox outlined her nipple through the thin satin fabric of her bra, circled it with the pad of his thumb.

  “How dare you.” But the words came out husky, breathless.

  “Would you like me to stop? Just say the word, and I’ll let you go.”

  Somehow, she couldn’t tell him to stop. Instead, she bit her lower lip to stifle a moan. Maeve wanted him to touch her everywhere, rip off her clothes and do anything he wanted with her.

  She’d had many sexual encounters, and all of them had been pleasurable, but this was different. Maeve didn’t want a sweet seduction or even a quick screw. She wanted Nox to take her, “make” her do wicked things.

  Maeve shook her head to clear it. “What are you doing to me?”

  “Giving you a preview.” And then he pinched her nipple, twisted it slightly. It didn’t hurt, but he surprised Maeve, got her attention.

  She gasped.

  “You liked that, huh?”

  “Umm…”

  “I asked you a question.”

  “I plead the fifth.”

  He chuckled.

  Her eyes fell closed as he tweaked the nipple, gently rubbing his thumb over the nub.

  “You normally proposition women like this?”

  “Yes. I don’t believe in tellin’ pretty lies to get what I want.”

  Steeling herself, Maeve stepped back. But her body throbbed from the loss.

  He smirked. “Somehow, I think the odds are in my favor.”

  She cleared her throat and dragged her thoughts back to the reason she’d come here in the first place.

  “Back to my sister’s case. We have to find her.”

  “Absolutely. Let’s start in her dorm room and see if we can get a lead from there.”

  “I already checked with the front desk.”

  “Did you see her room?”

  “No, I don’t have her swipe card, and Amy’s technically an adult. They can’t let me into her space unless the police believe she’s missing. I even threatened to sue, but they didn’t budge.” Since Amy was technically an adult, Maeve didn’t have any rights without written authorization from her sister, which was maddening. The university didn’t have to inform her about Amy’s grades, let Maeve into the dorm room, or give her any information.

  “So, you didn’t get anything useful?”

  “The desk worker checked for me, and Amy hasn’t used it anywhere in the building for the past week. Campus police patrolled the parking lots on campus, and they didn’t find her vehicle either.”

  “I want to check it out just to be on the safe side. You never know, we might find a clue. You can go home if you like, or you can come with me.”

  Maeve hesitated.

  She should consider this handled. Maeve had hired someone to find Amy, and now she could go back to the office and focus on her other problem, saving the company. But even if she did, Maeve wouldn’t be able to concentrate.

  Or do you want to spend more time with Nox? Okay, maybe it’s both. Regardless, going back to Kent Bourbon wasn’t an option.

  “I’m coming with you. I won’t be able to think straight until I get Amy back.”

  Nox grinned. “I hoped you’d agree.”

  “My decision was based solely on finding my sister.” I’m such a liar.

  He winked. “Keep tellin’ yourself that.”

  She pulled out her phone and texted Jim.

  I’m with the security team I hired. We’re going to the university, so I probably won’t be in today.

  When she hadn’t found Amy last night, Maeve had told Jim she’d be hiring Black Star to find her. After all, money was no object, and the police were being less than helpful.

  I’m sure you’ll find her. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got everything covered.

  Thanks, Jim, I don’t know what I’d do without you.

  You’re welcome. Although, I can think of other ways you could show your gratitude…

  Rolling her eyes, Maeve tucked the phone away without replying. Make that three problems. When this was over, she’d have to sit Jim down and have a serious talk about this flirtation, and then she’d put some boundaries between them. No more late-night work sessions over dinner. And since she outranked him, Maeve would stop treating Jim like a peer.

  Besides, she doubted he was seriously interested in her, anyway. Maeve had a feeling it was all about the thrill of the chase.

  “Who did you text?” Nox asked.

  “My CFO. I was just checking in with him, and letting Jim know I wouldn’t be at work today.”

  “You’re spen
din’ the whole day with me then.”

  “Yes, to find my sister.” Ugh. Yet another conflict of interest. “Let’s get moving.”

  “Wait. I’m coming too.”

  Another man walked into the room. She hadn’t even heard him open the door. Thank God, Nox didn’t have his hand up her shirt anymore.

  Like Nox, he was handsome. Were any of these guys homely? He had a lean, muscular build and stood a bit over 6 feet tall, with dark brown hair and eyes.

  “Hello, Ms. Kent, I’m Travis Reynolds, but you can call me Storm. Everone does.”

  She shook his hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Storm. Please call me Maeve.” Since this office had an informal vibe, she decided to go with her first name. If he was anything like Nox, Storm would use it anyway.

  Nox scowled. “Nobody invited you.”

  “Au contraire. West did. He asked me to ride along.”

  Nox narrowed his eyes at her. “How come you told him to call you by your first name?”

  “He was polite.” She arched a brow.

  “Am I missing something here?” Storm asked, glancing at Nox, and then back at her.

  “Nope.” Maeve smiled brightly.

  “Let me get up to speed. I understand your sister’s missing. Her name’s Amy, right?”

  “Right.”

  Storm frowned. “Know what I don’t get?”

  “What?”

  “You’ve got a cool name. And your sister’s is Amy, which is pretty, but common.” He squinted at her. “What gives?”

  No one had ever asked her that before. She could see Storm had an analytical bent.

  “My mother was theatrical.”

  “She was an actress?”

  “No, a waitress who wanted to be an actress.”

  “And Amy’s mom?”

  Maeve squared her shoulders. “The maid.”

  It was a sensitive subject. Technically, she and Amy were half-sisters, but they’d grown up together. And neither one of their mothers were involved in their lives, so it didn’t feel like they weren’t full siblings.

  “Looks like your dad was, er, busy.”

  Nox slapped him upside the head.

  “Hey!”

  “No, he’s right, Nox. My dad was, um, free and easy with his time. At least when it came to women.”

  She could laugh about it now and even look back on some of his antics with bemusement. When she’d been 18 or 19 and came home from college to find her dad screwing around with some random chick, it had been a different story.

  He’d been terrible husband material, and as a father, he’d had many shortcomings, but Maeve’s dad loved her.

  “Now, let’s go to the university and see what we can find. You can both ride with me. My car’s outside, and my driver should be ready to go.”

  Maeve didn’t wait for the men to agree, she headed out the door, and they followed.

  ***

  I should be concentrating on Amy.

  And yet Maeve couldn’t stop thinking about Nox.

  It’s almost as if he'd put a spell on her or something. Or maybe her hormones were in high gear. Since he’d propositioned her in the office, Maeve hadn’t been able to think about anything else.

  Why not give in? Indulge yourself.

  Having a fling with Nox would be less complicated than taking Jim up on his offer. And Lord knows, she found Nox more attractive.

  Hmm. It was something to consider.

  After they arrived at the college, they walked past the common area and headed to the hallway leading to the dorm rooms when she ran into an electronic lock.

  Nox tugged on the door handle. “Damnation.”

  She glanced around. “Why don’t we talk to the staff? Maybe you two will have better luck with them than me.” This time it might go differently since she had some muscle to back her up.

  “Or, we could do this the easy way." Nox stepped aside, and Storm took over. He pulled the face off the lock, revealing a tangled nest of wires within.

  She tensed, waiting for a random college kid to catch them breaking in, but the place was quiet. It was a little after ten in the morning. Maybe they were all in class? Or asleep. Maeve’s college roommates hadn’t rolled out of bed before noon.

  After he tinkered with it for a minute or so, the light flashed green and the door opened for them. They slipped in the hallway without anyone being the wiser.

  “How did you get it to open?”

  “Magic." Storm grinned.

  “You’re like MacGyver or something.”

  “Yes, but I’m twice as handsome.”

  Maeve chuckled.

  On the way over, Nox had filled Storm in on the case, and he’d promised to track Amy down via technology whenever they returned to HQ. The Black Star guys called the barn they lived and worked in HQ, as though it were some military compound.

  “It wasn't that impressive."

  Nox seemed annoyed, and she stifled a laugh. At least she was able to get underneath his skin as well. When they reached Amy’s living space, Storm got them access just as easily.

  Amy had a single dorm room, so she didn’t have to share with a roommate. Although, she’d complained because Amy wanted to move off campus with her friends. Maeve had refused, thinking her sister needed more supervision. And since Maeve was paying the tuition bill, Amy didn’t have much choice.

  The place was a mess.

  Dirty laundry covered the floor, and the bed wasn’t made. Her trash cans were full. The desk in the corner was piled full of papers and books.

  And it smelled horrible, like sweaty gym socks and garbage. Sure enough, there were two discarded pizza boxes on the floor, and one of them had some fuzzy leftovers inside.

  Eww.

  Storm wrinkled his nose. “Ugh. Fast food.”

  Amy had never been a neat freak, but this was ridiculous. Maeve liked having her surroundings in order, everything in its place and clean. How could Amy live like this?

  Wait a minute. A terrible thought occurred to her. What if Amy hadn’t been living like this? What if she hadn’t been here in days?

  “Fan out,” Nox ordered. “Let’s take a look.” They methodically searched the room but came up empty-handed.

  “Does she have a laptop?” Storm asked.

  “Yes, but I don’t see it here.” Maeve had gotten her a brand new one for Christmas this past year.

  “Dammit. It could’ve have given us some clues.”

  “Maybe she did go on a trip.” Maeve blew out a breath. “Amy’s cell phone is gone, her purse, the laptop, and the car. Amy wouldn’t have left without any of those items.”

  Nox nodded. “Feel better?”

  “Slightly.”

  Just then, the door swung open and a college boy waltzed in the room like he owned the place.

  “Amy, where the hell have you—”

  Before he finished the sentence, Nox had him by the throat and pinned against the wall. It was no easy feat. The college boy was tall and muscled. And even though he tugged on Nox’s wrist, the kid couldn’t break his hold.

  “Who are you?” Nox demanded.

  “I’m Andy Williams. Who the fuck are you guys?”

  “Have you seen my sister?” Maeve asked, ignoring the question

  “That all depends,” he choked out. “Who’s your sister?”

  Nox loosened his hold and stepped back. “Answer the lady’s question.”

  Maeve recognized Andy from Amy’s posts. No wonder her sister was smitten with him. He was even better looking in person. She’d seen several selfies of them making puckered up fish faces for the camera.

  “Amy Kent. I’m her older sister, Maeve.”

  He nodded. “Oh, yeah, you left me a couple of voicemails.” She’d asked Amy for her friend’s contact information, which had made her sister really angry. Maeve was glad she’d insisted on it.

  “Yup. Now tell me what you know.”

  Andy attempted to give her a seductive glance, but it looked like he
had to pee. “If I’d known you were this hot, I would’ve called you back.”

  “Focus. When’s the last time you saw Amy?” She really didn’t have time for the chauvinistic crap today. All she wanted was information.

  “I'll tell you all about it. Maybe over dinner?”

  Nox slammed Andy into the wall again. “And maybe you’d like my fist in your—”

  Storm pried Nox away. “Hey, he's a college student, not a terrorist. Take it down a couple of notches.”

  “Have you seen her?” Maeve asked. “She’s not responding to my texts and voicemails.”

  “Yeah, mine either.”

  “When’s the last time you heard from her?”

  “Sunday.”

  Maeve closed her eyes. Dammit. “Did she drop any hints? Did Amy plan a getaway?”

  “Now that you mention it, she said something about going to your cabin by the lake, but I didn’t know if the plans were firm.”

  Maeve breathed a sigh of relief.

  “You have a cabin?” Nox asked.

  “Yeah, but we haven’t been there for years.”

  Maeve hadn’t thought to look for her there. When they were kids, Reggie used to take them away for long weekends. Of course, he’d bring his flavor of the week with him, too, but they’d enjoyed their time swimming and fishing with their dad.

  “Thank you so much. I could kiss you.”

  Full of hope, Maeve gave the kid a one-armed hug and headed out the door. The cabin was two hours away, and her driver would need to stop and get some gas before they left town.

  With any luck, Amy would be home by the end of the day.

  ***

  Nox waited for Maeve to leave and then backed Andy against the wall again.

  “If Amy checks in with you, I expect you to give Maeve a call.”

  “Sure.”

  Nox scowled but took a step back.

  “I mean, yes, sir.” He tossed off a salute. “And I’m gonna get out of here.” Andy slid down the wall and scampered out of the room.

  Nox turned to see Storm frowning at him. “What?”

  “You’ve got a thing for the hot millionaire lady.”

  “Yeah, who wouldn’t?” Storm acted like it was top secret information. What red-blooded American male wouldn’t want Maeve?