At His Mercy

by Tawny Taylor

  “Thanks.” Their fingers brushed as she took the glass from him, and a little buzz of energy licked up her arm. Their gazes met, and for a moment she wanted to forget all about the whole blackmailing thing and just pretend they were on a date, doing guy-and-girl kinds of things.

  Tearing her gaze from his, she turned to admire the living room as she took her first sip of the French bottled water she’d never bothered to buy before. It was good, but not great. Did the job okay, which was really all she cared about at the moment. Her mouth was so dry she could barely speak. She swallowed several more mouthfuls. Yeah, not bad at all, but hardly worth the ridiculous price.

  “How about a snack?” At the refrigerator again, he pulled some small plastic containers out and set them on the shiny black granite counter.

  “I’m still pretty full from dinner.” That was a lie. She’d barely touched her food. But she was too jittery to eat right now. Not to mention, she’d long ago made a rule against eating anything that could not be easily identified.

  Orange pasty stuff. White creamy stuff. That was most definitely not identifiable. So, instead of digging in, she leaned back against the counter, sipped her water, and watched Kyler work.

  “Would you like to sit?” He motioned to the row of bar stools lining the raised side of the kitchen island.

  “Sure.” She walked around the front of the island and sat, watched him collect a plate, knife, box of crackers.

  The guy seemed to get better looking with every second that ticked by. How was that possible?

  He sat beside her, and she was instantly aware of how close he was. The air between their bodies felt warmer than the rest of the room. And sort of zip-zappy, like little currents of electricity were jolting between their bodies.

  He pulled out a cracker, smeared some of the orange stuff on it and, smiling over his shoulder, offered it to her. “Are you sure you aren’t hungry?”

  She was, but her insides were kind of jumbled up, and she was a smidge afraid of putting something foreign—and potentially dangerous—into her stomach. There was no way she was going to tell him that though. So she just said, “I’m sure. Thanks anyway.”

  “Okay.” He popped the cracker into his mouth, chewed. Washed it down with a sip of wine.

  An uncomfortable silence hung between them, and despite the sensual awareness warming her skin and making her all tingly, a question hung from the tip of her tongue. A question that would totally put a dampener on the date-like vibe of the moment.

  How would she ever sleep? In a strange house, with the stress of a job loss—and maybe jail, gah!—looming over her head.

  She needed a little of that wine. Not a lot. She wasn’t a big drinker, had the occasional glass on special nights, holidays, that kind of thing. She hadn’t gotten loaded since college. Tempting as it was to do so tonight, there was no way she’d do something so idiotic.

  “Mind if I upgrade to something a little harder?” She lifted her glass, motioning toward his.

  “Sure. What can I get you?” He popped another loaded cracker into his mouth. A tiny smudge of orange clung to his upper lip, and she couldn’t help staring at it.

  “How about some of whatever you’re drinking?”

  “Coming right up.” He got her a fresh wineglass, grabbed the bottle sitting on the counter next to the wine cooler, and sat back in his seat. He poured her a full glass then handed it to her. “There you go.”

  “Thanks.” Her gaze still locked on that bit of orange on his lip, she took a cautious taste. Ooh, yum. She took several more swallows then pointed at her own mouth. “Um, you’ve got something there.”

  “Where?” He wiped the wrong spot, like people always did. And she was forced to lean closer and actually touch his face with her finger. “There.”

  A big jolt of electricity charged up her arm, almost feeling as though she’d just touched a live wire. She froze, unable to pull her hand away, unable to move at all. He leaned closer, and she realized he was looking at her mouth.

  Oh God, was he going to kiss her?

  “I…uh…have always admired your shoes,” she jabbered, so nervous she didn’t even know what she was saying. Her brain was stuck, like an old fashioned record, playing the same thought over and over.

  He’s going to kiss me. He’s going to kiss me. Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod!

  Then their mouths were touching. Just barely. And she quit breathing, which was not good. She closed her eyes, frozen in place, waiting, dizzy.

  He cupped her face in his hands and gently brushed his mouth back and forth over hers. It was the softest, most sensual kiss she’d ever experienced.

  “Oh God,” she heard herself say.

  He answered with a rumbling, sexy chuckle that made her warmer yet.

  Her heart started banging hard against her breastbone and she took a little frantic gasp of air.

  She felt as if she was melting inside, her bones softening, the rest of her turning into slick heat. A tingly warmth gathered between her legs.

  “You want this, don’t you?” he asked against her mouth.

  She did, most definitely. In fact, crazy or not, she wanted a whole lot more than a teasing, sultry kiss. But all she could say was, “Ahhh…”

  She slid her hands up the smooth material of his shirt until she felt the stiff collar. By the time she had her fingers wrapped around his silk tie, she was more than a little desperate for the kiss to deepen. Enough to take matters into her own hands. She climbed to her feet, so that she could wedge her body between his legs, and pressed against him. Her nipples were sensitive, hard little peaks, roughened against the lace cup of her bra.

  And still, he kept that kiss soft and fleeting, the worst kind of torture. She looped her arms around his neck, angling her mouth, “You’re so mean,” she murmured.

  “And you like that too, don’t you.”

  She did. In a way. And in another, she most definitely did not. She pulled on his neck, trying to force him to possess her more fully with his mouth. But instead, he skimmed his lips over her cheekbone then kissed a tingly path from her ear to her collarbone.

  He gently pulled her arms from his neck, pushing them down then forcing them behind her back. He used one fist as a handcuff, holding them together. With the other one, he supported the back of her neck.

  Oh…she was going to need a whole lot more support than that, very soon. Goosebumps tickled the skin of her neck and back, her chest and stomach. Her bones were melting, her muscles twitching.

  She could hardly believe this was happening. Kyler Pierce, the guy all the women in the office lusted after but no one got—including Nikki the office babe—was nibbling her neck right now. Hers!

  So much for the theory that he was gay.

  For the first time today, she was actually kind of glad she’d been blackmailed by Matt Becker. Look where it had led her. Into the arms of an absolute hunk. Gorgeous. Successful. Sexy.

  “Time for bed,” Kyler mumbled, tearing his lips from Elena’s neck. Damn, but if he didn’t put some distance between the sweet-tasting little lady and his hot self right now, he’d do something he’d seriously regret.

  Business first. He had to deal with the Becker thing before he let himself explore the sizzling chemistry between them. It was only fair.

  He jerked her against him one last time. Dammit, she fit against him so perfectly.

  She looked bewildered when he finally released her. “Uh, okay.” She caught the back of the stool, steadied herself.

  He licked his lower lip, tasting her. Raked his fingers through his hair. His balls were heavy and tight, like lead. Her hair was mussed, her cheeks flushed, lips swollen, and he could still see those two beautiful, hard nipples poking through the fabric of her top. A woman ripe and ready for a good, long fuck.

  But not tonight.

  Wondering if a guy could die from blue balls, he downed the rest of his wine and led her up the stairs to the guest bedroom. After making sure she had everything she’d
need for the night, he left, heading straight for the shower.

  It was a poor substitute, but he’d have to settle for his hand and a bar of soap to relieve the pressure. But someday—maybe—he’d have the real thing. With the first woman who’d intrigued him in a long, long time.

  * * * * *

  Elena didn’t sleep. It wasn’t because she was physically uncomfortable. How could she be in this bed? The mattress was like a freaking cloud, it was so soft. And the bedroom was absolutely beautiful.

  But the constant stream of thoughts running through her mind just wouldn’t stop. She lay there all night, trying to figure out what Kyler was thinking, how she’d keep her job, why he’d stopped kissing her when it was so obvious she’d wanted things to go much, much farther.

  She could taste him on her lips for hours afterward, smell his skin on her fingers. She’d always thought he was an attractive man. But now that she’d been this close, now that he’d looked at her like that—like he wanted her so bad it hurt—she found him absolutely irresistible.

  It was hard to remember that he might end up causing her to lose her job and the insurance she so desperately needed. She didn’t want to think about that right now. Not when she felt such an overwhelming connection with him. It was at least ten times more powerful than any she’d felt for a guy before.

  Their timing just plain sucked.

  Then again, she wondered, would she have ever realized how she felt about Kyler—or how he felt about her—if Matt hadn’t shoved them both into this corner?

  By sunrise, she was exhausted and ten times more confused than she’d been the night before. She ached to tell Kyler everything, including what Matt was holding over her head, and why she was so desperate to hold onto her job. But there were some secrets she simply couldn’t tell anyone, especially people from work.

  Only Ashley knew, and that was because they’d been friends for so long.

  She showered and donned the fluffy white robe Kyler had given her last night. There was a knock at the door, just as she’d exited the attached bathroom. A towel wrapped around her long hair, she padded barefoot across the world’s softest carpet to open the door.

  Kyler.

  Her heart did a weird little hop in her chest. “Hi.”

  “Good morning.” His gaze swept down her body then back up. “Do you need a little longer?”

  “Just a few minutes. Sorry, I didn’t realize we were on a schedule. I never sleep in this late.”

  “It’s okay.” He smiled and her heart did another lurch in her chest. It was the oddest sensation. Strange and yet kind of good too. “Whenever you’re ready, come on down for breakfast.”

  “Will do. Thanks.” She wanted to say more, but she didn’t. She just waited for him to turn away and then shut the door.

  Anxious to get downstairs, she rushed to dress, throwing on yesterday’s clothes—sans the used underwear—and hurried downstairs. She found him in the kitchen, looking all domestic, stirring something in a huge frying pan on the stove.

  Whatever it was, it smelled amazing.

  Talk about amazing, he was wearing a pair of sweats and a snug tank top that provided her very first view of bare arms and shoulders.

  Droooool!

  “What are you cooking there?” she asked, her gaze focused on his narrow waist. She could imagine herself smoothing her hands around his sides, and tucking herself against his back. Instead, she stopped at the raised counter and slipped into a bar stool.

  “It’s my own creation. Egg beaters, vegi sausage, and cheese, onions and peppers. Would you like to try some? Or can I make you something else?”

  Elena’s mouth was watering, and she realized just how starving she was. It seemed her jittery nerves weren’t going to stand in the way of eating this morning. “If that concoction tastes as great as it smells, you may need to make another batch. I might eat it all.”

  He chuckled. What a great sound it was. She could listen to him do that for hours.

  He served up two plates, poured a couple of glasses of orange juice, set the newspaper between their plates and joined her at the bar. Such a gentleman, he didn’t take a bite until she did.

  Was this guy for real?

  She stared at the Homes section of the paper as she ate, forced herself to pretend he wasn’t there, just to get something solid in her stomach. She had a feeling she was going to need it.

  Kyler seemed to respect her need for a little bit of quiet. He sat silent beside her, eating, reading the financial section. Just as she took her last bite, he folded the paper and cleared his throat. “Now that we’re both rested—and full—I want to talk to you about Becker.”

  She pushed her empty plate forward and set her elbows on the hard countertop. She flattened her hands on the cool surface. “Yeah.”

  If only she were there for a different reason, like on a date. This sucked.

  “I want to ask you again to tell me what Becker’s holding over your head.”

  Staring at the black stone, the flecks of brown and gold, she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.” A cordless phone sat within reach. She picked it up, weighed it in her hand, flipped it over and stared at the glowing keypad.

  She heard him sigh heavily.

  He gently took the phone from her and set it on the counter. “I’m trying to find a way to handle this situation so that neither of us gets hurt in the process. But if you don’t tell me, I can’t guarantee to do that.”

  How she wished he could handle Becker without her getting in the middle.

  She glanced up at him, noticed how serious his expression was. How focused he seemed to be. “That’s nice of you, but like I said last night, there’s nothing you can do. I’m screwed.”

  He pushed his fingers through his hair. “I’ve been thinking about this all night.”

  “Me too.”

  Their gazes met, and she swore sparks were flying through the air.

  Insanity. To be reacting this way when she was facing such a totally devastating threat to everything she cared about. It took her a few seconds to summon the strength to untangle her gaze from his, but she did. Went back to staring down at the countertop. And her thoughts took a swerve back in the right direction—toward the important stuff.

  If only there was a simple answer. But if life had taught her anything, it had taught her that simple answers usually led to lots of complications in the future.

  There was a loooong stretch of uncomfortable silence. Finally, Kyler said, “Okay, this is the deal. You’re going to…” He sighed. “Dammit.”

  She looked at him. He was obviously struggling with this, and for that she felt sorry for him. Here he was, trying to deal with an asshole, while doing his best to keep her out of things. He was a nice guy. A nice guy who didn’t deserve the shit he’d been dished.

  Life was so unfair sometimes.

  She’d lost the bet. He’d won. Fairly and squarely. But that didn’t stop her from wanting him to tell her to just leave, go to work, do what she’d planned, and he’d deal with the fallout when the time came.

  The insane part of her didn’t want to go anywhere.

  He sighed for the bazillionth time. “You’re going to stay here, and I’m going to handle whatever happens.”

  She wanted to believe he could do just that—take care of everything. Make all her problems go away. Just like she wanted to believe he wouldn’t totally freak out if she told him exactly what dirt Becker had on her.

  Maybe he’d believe it was a lie? Made up?

  No, probably not.

  She should just come clean. After all, he was bound to learn the truth soon enough. All the board members and vice presidents would know by lunchtime Monday. Wouldn’t it be better to tell him now? Prepare him?

  Oh God, she felt sick. She swiveled the stool, facing him. Took several deep breaths. Then a few more. “Okay. I’ll tell you.”

  “Okay. Good.” He didn’t smile. He just sat there, looking at her expectantly, patiently wai
ting for her to untie the knot from her tongue.

  God, this was hard. Where to start? She couldn’t look at him as she spoke. “This goes back a few years. My parents died. It was one of those freakish things that never should’ve happened but did.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She believed him. “Thanks.” Still not sure she could do this, actually confess to a crime that might land her in jail for years, she took a few more deep breaths. “This is hard to talk about. I haven’t told anyone, since what I did was against the law. But, well… I didn’t have any choice. My brother and I were sent to live with an older cousin and well…she…something happened to her too…and I knew my brother would end up getting sent—”

  The phone rang, interrupting the explanation she was trying so hard to get out. She was both glad and annoyed.

  Kyler glanced at the caller ID screen on the phone’s back. “Shit. I need to take this. Hang on.”

  He hit the button. “Hey. Give me a second,” he said to the caller. To Elena, he said, “I’ll be back in a minute.” Then he left the room.

  Oh. My. God. What am I thinking?

  She had just about told Kyler her darkest secret, a man she was not only really attracted to but also a vice president at her work. Had she lost her mind? She wasn’t telling him another word. She’d nearly made one of the biggest mistakes of her life.

  Saved by the phone.

  She needed to get out of there, before she did something she’d really regret.

  She hurried upstairs to her room, found her purse, dug out her cell phone, and flipped it open. Two bars. She hoped she had enough battery power to talk her prying best friend into driving over here to pick her up. Quickly, she scrolled down to Ashley’s phone number and hit send.

  But just as Ashley answered, there was a loud knock at the door, and then it swung open and Kyler barged into the room, looking like a bull seeing red.

  Shit. What now?

  She snapped her phone shut and dropped it into her purse.

  “Who’re you calling? Becker?” He snatched her purse out of her hands, and she shrieked, caught completely off guard, petrified. He threw it out into the hall and slammed the door, blocking the exit with his bulk. “We need to talk.”