Dangerous Love

by E. B. Walters

  Faith focused on her surrounding instead of the blushing young man, who sat facing them, his left bandaged leg propped on a wooden box. To his left were computer screens on a long narrow bench, each with four panels showing different rooms. Under the screens were an array of machines, presumably the trans-receivers. Ken sat on the leather bench on the left side of Sly’s then patted the area beside him for Faith to join him. He introduced her to Sly.

  “How’s the reception?” he asked, draping an arm on Sly’s shoulder, his gaze sweeping the screens.

  “Clear. Watch this.” He touched a key and one of the screens showed different corners of the foyer, where the auction was being held. He zoomed in on a section of the room. “There’s your gown, Ms. Fitzgerald.”

  Faith leaned forward and smiled. There was ‘sold’ sign next to it, but it still appeared to draw a crowd. Hopefully that would translate into more publicity for her fall collection.

  “Show her the vault,” Ken instructed.

  Sly leaned back, so Faith could see the first screen better, and tapped on its keyboard. The panels showed a room made of marble with display cases, racks, and mannequins. Sly zoomed in on a gown.

  It was the replica of Mrs. VanderMarck’s gown. Sean had copied her outfit down to the sequins on the hem. It wasn’t the only design he’d stolen. Faith took a shaky breath, her heart pounding with anger mixed with dread.

  “Those four are made from my designs.” Faith pointed at couture gowns displayed on translucent fiberglass mannequins. “Show me more.”

  The next panel showed more one-of-a-kind gowns. Not very original, she recognized his signature design, which tended to be silky, sexy, and fluidy. He was recycling designs with minor modifications. No wonder he stole hers.

  The opposite wall had pants and tops with matching shoes, jewelry, and bags, all different from hers. She sighed with relief, but in the next second, her heart sank when she saw the jackets and blazers with whittled-in-at-the-waist silhouettes. Just like hers. While she used bamboo, emberglow, phlox, and teal colors, Sean had gone for neutral coffee liqueur, nougat, and various shades of gray—orchid hush and quarry. Not that the different colors mattered. The designs were the same. Hers. It took her months of tweaking to get the desired results. Her breath hitched. The thieving bastard.

  “Faith?”

  Ken’s voice reached from afar, but she couldn’t respond. Her thoughts were jumbled up. What was she going to do? How could she possibly salvage her collection? Without the blazers and jackets, her collection would be nothing, incomplete.

  Hands palmed her face and turned it until her gaze connected with Ken’s. When he swore, she knew her emotions were written on her face.

  “The bastard,” he growled.

  “Take me home.” She couldn’t think now. Didn’t want to, was more like that. For one night, she wanted to block out her pain, her rage, and her misery. Only Ken could make her forget. She started out of the van, paused to look back at the screen then Sly. “Thank you.”

  The younger man gave her a hesitant smile. “Uh, no problem.”

  Faith went straight to Ken’s SUV and waited as he spoke to his people. When he joined her, he didn’t start the engine right away.

  “We have enough evidence to nail him,” he said.

  Faith shook her head. “No, we can’t.”

  “Think about it. How many people saw his outfit before Mrs. VanderMarck wore yours on the show tonight? The model, the make-up artists, his assistant, and the people who worked on the dress are all potential witnesses.”

  “I know, but he has part of my Fashion Week collection. I need time to think, come up with a solution.” She turned and faced him. “Right now, I need…need...”

  Ken cupped her face and stared into her eyes, his green eyes intense. “I’m here.”

  He kissed her, a whisper of touch on her brow that weakened her defenses. She tried to swallow through the block in her throat and fought hard to stop the tears from falling. As though aware of her struggle to stay calm, Ken let her go and gunned the engine.

  The drive to his place was a blur though she was aware of his hand holding hers. Cold crawled under her skin and everything seemed surreal as though she was outside looking in, like all this nightmare was happening to someone else.

  ***

  Ken hadn’t expected their evening to end like this. He wondered if Faith was aware she was gripping his hand. There had to be something he could do to stop O’Neal from taking credit for her work. Threaten to expose the bastard? Destroy his collection? How far was he willing to go to even the score? He too had some thinking to do, but first things first. His Faith needed him.

  At his place, Faith threw the itty-bitty purse she had carried on the couch and literally jumped him, kissing him, hands sliding under his shirt to touch his skin. Blood surged to his groin, his heart picking up tempo.

  “Whoa, baby. Slow down.”

  She paused, leaned back, and cocked her brow at him. “Really? Now?”

  She looked exquisite in her provocative dress, the neckline plunging deep in the front, revealing the golden tops of her breasts. His palm itched to touch her, but he reeled his desire in. Making love to Faith was like sprinting. Pace fast and furious, senses exploding, then she was out the door. He planned to take it slow tonight, make their joining special, memorable. A marathon.

  “Yes, Faith. Slow.” He scooped her up and started up the stairs to his bedroom, taking his time, nibbling on her shoulder. He set her to her feet. Street lights outside his window spilled into the room, caressing her features and making her look ethereal. He closed the slats, turned on the bedside lamp, and peeled back the covers from the bed.

  “Don’t,” he said when she started to unzip her dress. “I’ll do that.”

  Her hands went to her hips. She pouted, her lush lips inviting. “So what am I supposed to do?”

  “Sit back and wait.” He didn’t give her a chance to respond, just nudged her until she sat. He was determined to do this his way, no matter how painful. He traced the edge of her dress. She arched her back, inviting him to dip his fingers under her bodice and cup her breast.

  “Not yet.” He stepped back and started to unbutton his shirt, his gaze locked with hers. Watching her as she watched him, knowing she wanted him as desperately as he wanted her, was the most erotic thing he’d ever experienced.

  She ran a tongue over her lower lip. “You really are a tease.”

  “We have the whole night, baby. I want to savor this.” She had power over him he hoped she’d never realize.

  She sucked in a breath and sat up when he shrugged off his shirt and his chest came into view. Her gaze ran from his chest to where the skin met his waist band.

  “You’re beautiful,” she said, awe in her voice.

  Ken chuckled. He reached down to remove his shoes and socks, lifted his head and froze.

  Faith was on her feet, her dress pooled at her feet. She stepped away from it. His gaze ran up the endless stocking-clad legs to where the black lacy garter belt kissed satiny skin. Lacy panties, matching bra, hands on her hips, seductive smile on her lips, she had him. His erection throbbed mercilessly.

  To hell with slow. He closed the gap between them.

  She laughed. The sound was both seductive and triumphant. She knew the power she wielded over him. Knew and reveled in it.

  He lowered her to the bed and undid her bra, the golden mounds topped with taut berries begging him to taste them. He dipped his head, followed the curve of one breast from the top, loving the change in texture when he reached her nipples. He drew the velvety nub in his mouth, used his other hand to stimulate the other, circling it with his finger, carefully scraping it with his nail across the center. He lifted his head, blew a breath on her breast, causing her to moan before kissing it again, using his teeth to torment her.

  Faith shuddered and undulated against him, her hands moving up and down his spine. She was divine, her response uninhibited, and he couldn’t wai
t to make love to her over and over again. Fast. Slow.

  He slid his mouth down her body, licking and teasing every part of her, loving every little shiver, twitch, and murmur that escaped her. He slowly peeled off her skimpy thong, his lips followed. The scent of her went straight to his head. Her enthusiasm was driving him insane.

  Her fingers and palms danced all over his body. She fumbled with his belt, unzipped him, and reached under his underwear to find him. His erection sprang into her waiting hand, and Ken stopped breathing. Instead of grasping the length of him, she ran her fingers up and down the side of his shaft, teasing him.

  Ken moved back. He dispensed with his pants and underwear, then started from where the stocking met the garter, nibbling and suckling her responsive skin. One hand slid under to cup one firm butt cheek while the other skimmed over her thighs to the short curls between her legs.

  Faith gasped when Ken stroked the folds and found that part of her that came alive at his touch. Her knees parted to accommodate him, and she hissed when he sank one long finger inside her, then another. She pushed her hips up to meet his hand, her fingers digging into his shoulders. He rained kisses across her stomach then rose to give himself room to maneuver. He bent her legs back against her body, exposing her to him. Leaning down, he tasted her.

  “Ken,” she moaned, thighs trembling.

  She was sweeter and more addictive than anything he’d ever tasted. He suckled and licked her, his strokes languid. Her hips rose again and her hands clenched in his hair. He reached under her, cupped her ass, and pressed her against his mouth. Her movements became frenzied. She arched her back, flung her head so far back it nearly hit the headboard. It was time.

  “No,” she moaned in protest when he lifted his head. “Why are you tormenting me?”

  “I want to be inside you when you come,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her, letting her taste herself on his lips. He reached inside the bedside drawer and retrieved a condom.

  “Hurry,” she urged him, pushing him onto his back. She raised kisses all over his chest, closed a hand around him this time, pumped him, and brushed the blunt tip.

  Ken groaned.

  She took the condom from his hand, rolled it on, and positioned herself on top of him. He gripped her waist as she slowly took him in, inch by inch. The line between pleasure and exquisite torture blurred. Ken hissed, sweat forming on his brow. When they were completely joined, he rolled them until she was under him.

  He expected her to protest. He’d noticed that she liked being on top and hated having him behind her. Pleasure shot up his spine and his mind became foggy when she wrapped her thighs around his waist and clenched her nether muscles. He lifted his hips, sinking into her, his movements deliberately measured. She rotated her hips with each thrust, giving and taking, his match in every way. He kissed her, his tongue imitating the same movement. Soon they were gasping for breath, their movement picking up tempo. He lifted her legs to his shoulders, somehow managed to drag a pillow and slide it under her then held her still and reared back, so he could go deeper.

  Her eyes flew open and locked with his, surprise and something else he couldn’t read in their depth. She tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and cried out, her muscles spasming around him. He thrust deeper, prolonging her orgasm.

  A tingle started at the base of his spine and grew in intensity as he joined her. His growl filled the room as absolute pleasure tore through him, leaving him drained, satisfied.

  ***

  Faith was still catching her breath when Ken moved to the side and folded her in his arms. She curled around him, her mind racing.

  What the hell just happened? Ken was magnificent lover, but tonight he’d taken her to a new level, blind-sided her. It was bad enough her business was falling apart, now she had to deal with him storming through her defenses with sexual tricks. Every time he touched her, she wanted more. She needed to have some control of something. Anything.

  “You okay?” he whispered against her temple

  “Yes.” She wasn’t. Ken wanted them to be friends with benefits, while she…she didn’t know what she wanted anymore. She just knew sex wasn’t enough. How could she crave something she didn’t fully understand?

  Ken lifted her chin and kissed her, his erection pressing her stomach. She rubbed against him, wanting him again.

  “I’ll be right back.” He slid off the bed and padded barefoot to the bathroom.

  The sheer perfection of his lean, masculine body—broad shoulders, taut abs, narrow hips and powerful thighs—never failed to mesmerize her. He had the body of a swimmer. She wanted to know how he got the scars on his arms and back. Unfortunately, that would mean opening up about her personal demons. Not what she already shared with him, but the really dark ones hovering over her like an executioner’s axe.

  As though aware of her scrutiny, Ken glanced back and winked, then he disappeared into the bathroom.

  Arrogant man. He knew how much he fascinated her, how much power he wielded over her body. He made her feel like no other man ever did, not even Sean. The toilet flushed and Faith started to panic. She needed alone time to think things through.

  She hopped off the bed and gathered her things. She still had on her stockings and garter belt, just like the first time they made love after Ashley’s wedding. Ken had removed them from her then, kissing her skin as he peeled off the stockings. It never crossed her mind to remove them this time around either.

  The door open and she paused in the process of putting on her bra, waiting for the explosion. Ken had a short fuse, and she knew how this would look—like she was running out of him. Again.

  Silence.

  Slowly, she turned and faced him. Ken leaned against the bathroom doorway, arms and legs crossed. Her gaze ran up his gorgeous body, and her eyes widened when his erection jerked. A sexy smile tilted the corner of his lips. Only Ken could pull off that pose naked without looking corny.

  “I’m leaving,” she said, her voice a bit defensive.

  “I know.”

  “You’re not mad?” she asked.

  He paused as though thinking about it, then shook his head. “No. I knew you would.”

  Her eyes narrowed. The first time they hooked up, he had made love to her or fed her something every time she mentioned leaving. She ended up spending the night.

  “Am I that predictable?” she asked.

  “No, just scared.”

  She bristled. “I’m not.”

  “You are,” he said firmly. “You’re scared that if you stay long enough and talked to me, you might get to know me better and like what you find.”

  “I know and like you.”

  “In the biblical sense, yes, but there’s more to me than this body you use whenever you’re stressed out.”

  That stung. “Are you saying that I use you?”

  He chuckled, pushed against the wall, and sauntered toward without an ounce of shame in his nakedness. “Don’t misunderstand. You can use me any time and as often as you want, but one day you’ll stop running because this,” he wiggled his finger to indicate them, “thing we have between us is never going away.”

  “What thing?”

  “Chemistry. Unparalleled attraction.” He stopped in front of her and ran a finger down the column of her neck and chest, a teasing caress that left heat in its wake. He stopped before touching her nipple, sending anticipation through her body. “The reason you tremble when I touch you and run when I stop.”

  Faith ground her teeth, hating the fact that he knew her so well. “I don’t run.”

  “Yes, you do, sweetheart.” He pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering. “When you’re ready to stay and allow me to allay your fears, I’ll be here.”

  Faith sighed and watched him as he stepped back, scooped up his pants from the floor, and moved away from her. “What do you want from me, Ken?”

  He squinted at her. “You. All of you.”

  “That does
n’t sound like friends with benefits.”

  “I hate that term,” he snapped and shoved one leg through his pants, his movements for once ungraceful.

  “You suggested it,” she reminded him.

  “I was willing to have you any way I could, Faith. Not anymore. Call me greedy, selfish. I want more.” He finished pulling on his pants then planted his hands on his hips, his eyes narrowed with determination. “A chance to explore what we have, see where it takes us.”

  Faith swallowed, realization dawning. This was what she wanted and couldn’t put it into words, a relationship. She wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment. Her life was a mess. No, her business was a mess. For so long, she’d let her work dictate her private life. Maybe it was time to separate the two with this wonderful man. This gorgeous, amazing, and patient man.

  “Come here,” Ken said, cutting into her thoughts.

  She hated to be ordered around, yet found herself obeying. Even as she took that first step forward, Faith realized she was out of her element, out of her freakin’ mind. She didn’t do relationships. The one time she did, she ended up with the jerk now hell bent on destroying her.

  “I don’t like your tone,” she griped, her protest sounding weak even to her ears.

  “I know, but you need to trust me to never do or say anything to hurt you.” He extended his hand toward her.

  Faith swallowed. He was so sure of himself while she was a jittery bundle of nerves. She wasn’t used to not being in control, yet the promise in his voice said he’d be there with her all the way. She took the last steps that brought her in front of him, lifted her chin, and stared into his eyes.

  “Do you trust me, Faith?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  “Then turn around.”

  She didn’t hesitate. Her breath lodged in her throat as she waited, every muscle in her body alive and quivering. Then he touched her, his deft fingers grazing her skin as he undid the clasps of her garter belt and removed the lacy piece. She shivered. He rolled down her stockings, his mouth paying homage to the exposed skin. Her toes curled when he touched the sensitive arch on her feet. His hands crept up her thighs, caressed her hips, the touch light, loving, arousing.