Trust in Us

by Altonya Washington

  Just then, the man in charge was mixing work and play as he took part in an overseas conference call while trying to reach the next level on the newest military-themed video game in his collection.

  “I like that, Oscar. An in-person meeting sounds good,” Gage agreed, all the while wincing in response to the maneuver he was attempting to complete on screen.

  “Yes!” He celebrated the outcome of the risky gaming move. “We’ll make it happen soon!” Gage drew the call to a close, the luster with which he completed the conversation having more to do with his satisfaction over his gaming performance than with the upcoming meeting with his associates in the U.K.

  He removed the phone’s headset and was gearing up for a reentry when a knock landed on his door. The exciting game was totally forgotten.

  “They told me to come on up.” Alythia took a tentative step just past the doorway, her uncertainty evident. “Is this a bad time?”

  Slowly, Gage left the leather lounge chair where he’d taken the call. “Your timing’s never bad.”

  “You said you’d call.”

  “I know.” Gage maintained his spot by the chair. “Then I thought it might be better if you took the wheel on that.”

  She nodded. “That’s what I figured.”

  “So what’s the verdict?”

  “I’m scared.” Her response was simple and she accompanied it by slapping her hands to her thighs in a show of surrender. “Those feelings aren’t going to go anywhere anytime soon. But I’m not ready to let all that win.”

  Obvious relief softening his attractive, dark face, Gage began his journey toward her. “Can I take you out now? Show everyone you’re mine?”

  “That sounds rather possessive, Mr. Vincent.”

  “You’re damn right it is, Ms. Duffy.” He spanned her waist, squeezing her hips. He moved on then to skim her bare skin beneath the petal-pink drop-tail blouse she wore.

  “I don’t know if we can be trusted out and about on Charlotte’s city streets on our own, though. We may need chaperones.” She sighed.

  His mouth was at her neck. “What have you got in mind?” he murmured, the words holding an absent quality, as he was far more interested in ravaging the satiny flesh behind her ear.

  “Dinner and maybe...some dancing....” She waited for the last to capture his attention and smiled when he raised his head to watch her expectantly. “Angela and Owen have a date night at least once a month. They’d like to share this one with us.”

  “I like it.” He gave a singular nod and then the brilliant chocolate tone of his gaze grew heated. “I can’t promise to be on my best behavior, though, even with two chaperones.”

  He kissed her and Aly delighted in the lazy nudging of his tongue against hers.

  “What?” Gage read the weariness in her eyes when he pulled back.

  Alythia pressed her lips together to gather her resolve. “I know about the meeting Clive called with you and the guys after that thing with Zeke and Jeena.”

  “Hell.” Gage growled the curse and moved away.

  “Did you think I couldn’t handle knowing?” Aly followed him deeper into the office.

  “It was pretty stupid.” He leaned against his desk. “We were all at fault with it.”

  “But we were the unsavory element.” There was no accusation in her tone.

  Gage reached for her hands. “Clive’s soft heart is gonna get him in some real trouble one day. He knew the sort of drama he was letting himself in for when I called and told him about Jay getting married and us wanting to take a group trip to the resort. But he’s never been able to say no to a friend.”

  Alythia shook her head. “Well, that makes two of us since I just told Orchid I’d be her support system while she works on remodeling her character.”

  Gage kissed the back of her hand just as laughter burst out between them.

  * * *

  “Sorry for interrupting the cash flow.”

  Angela Hays’s vibrant hazel eyes sparkled with satisfaction. She raised her wineglass to toast her little sister. “No apologies necessary, Aly-cat. In Owen’s case an interrupted work flow signals free time to take his sexy wife on that Paris trip she’s been hinting at.”

  “And the hints haven’t been all that subtle.” Owen Hays clinked his glass to Gage’s as the two newfound friends shared a laugh.

  “But that was one case I didn’t mind walking away from.” Owen sobered and smoothed a hand over his shaved head. “Wouldn’t be good for anyone involved to follow up on it.” He sent his sister-in-law an encouraging smile. “How’d you leave things with her, Aly?”

  Alythia hid her hands in the bell sleeves of her emerald wrap dress. She had just told her dinner partners that Orchid might be of a mind to rethink her plans to sue her ex-fiancé. “I tried to get her to see what was right, tried to remind her that despite what anyone thinks, she did have a sense of right and wrong.”

  “Hey, now!” Owen rubbed his hands together. “That’s enough to bring back my appetite.”

  “Oh, Lord...” Angela rolled her eyes. “Whose appetite were you using to devour that slab of flesh over there?” she said, eyeing the remaining half of the massive rib eye that Owen had ordered.

  “This can wait till I take a break.” Owen stood and offered a hand to his wife. “Dance with me, girl.”

  Angela rolled her eyes again but giggled like a small girl and didn’t hesitate to accept her husband’s request.

  “Despite what anyone thinks, she did have a sense of right and wrong.” Gage replayed Alythia’s words when they were alone at the table. “Was that a dig at anybody in particular?”

  “No.” Aly pushed aside her dessert fork and rested her arms on the table. “But I do think it’s fair to wonder when our feelings about our friends will get the better of us.”

  “Well—” Gage was pushing back from the table then too “—until we reach that point, I’ll take you for a dance. Owen had the right idea.”

  Aly winked. “Told you he was quite a man.” She took the hand Gage offered.

  The music was sensuous but it kept a tempo not quite suited for the snug hold Gage kept her in.

  “Your possessive streak is showing again, Mr. Vincent.”

  “Good. I guess that means I’ve achieved my goal.” His hand firmed at the small of her back and he drew her into a kiss that grew deeper with each second that passed.

  Aly was first to regain consciousness of their surroundings. She tugged at his tie until he freed her mouth.

  “So what’s showing your possessive streak supposed to achieve?”

  “It’s supposed to remind me that it’s past time for me to get you out of here and into someplace with more privacy.”

  “We haven’t even had dessert yet, you know?” She bit her lip on a smile.

  “Well, well, Ms. Duffy.” He began to gnaw at her neck. “You’re so very right about that,” he muttered.

  * * *

  Alythia took a detour toward the ladies’ room when she and Gage left the dance floor. She was touching up her lipstick when a familiar voice caught her ear.

  “Well...well, they say the quiet ones are usually the freakiest.”

  “Mur!” Aly called, whirling from the mirror and happy to find her friend standing just inside the bathroom.

  “I see one of us came back with a man.” The remark could have been considered playful were it not for the distinct look of reproach in Myrna’s alluring eyes.

  “Mur...don’t.” Aly raised a hand wearily. “Can’t we just put all that petty stuff that happened in Anegada behind us?”

  “That’s sweet.” Myrna folded her arms across the square bodice of the black baby-doll dress that flattered her long legs. “And it’s easier for some than others.”

  “Honey, Dane—Dane wasn’t worth it. Orchid said that he had no qualms about sleeping with her and that he didn’t think twice about what she had going on with Jayson.”

  “Oh, please! Like she cared!” Myrna stalked
about on the open-toed stilettos she wore. “The only thing she probably gave him time to tell her was where his bed was.”

  “Myrna, stop.” Alythia slashed the air with a wave of her hand when she ventured forward. “We’ve been friends too damn long. Too much is invested in us for you to let some snake like Dane Spears ruin it.”

  “Oh, Dane didn’t ruin us, Aly. Our weird friendship has been circling the bowl for years.” She gave Alythia a judgmental once-over. “You don’t even want to associate with us, always using business as an excuse to get out of spending time with us.” She suddenly smiled. “But then again, I guess it was all worth it. I hear congrats are in order.”

  Aly frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “I guess all that private time you want everyone to think you weren’t giving to one of the most powerful men in town paid off. Seems you’re one of the lucky bastards about to grab digs in that swanky new downtown high-rise of his.”

  Alythia stilled noticeably. “How do you know that?”

  Myrna slowly threw up her hands. “Aly, please...you’re not the only one with powerful friends, or bed partners, I guess I should say....” She regarded Aly more closely then. “Whoa...you didn’t know you were in, did you? How interesting. I wonder why that is? Why hasn’t that cutie of yours told you what I’m sure you’ve been waiting to hear for months?”

  Myrna paced the outer area of the powder room, tapping a finger to her chin and presenting herself as a study in concentration. “Maybe he knows you were just screwing him for the building. Though that’s no hardship, as gorgeous as he is. Guess he just wants to...milk you a little longer before he gives you the good news and your walking papers.”

  Alythia blinked, assessing the new information.

  Myrna’s apologetic look was belied by a triumphant smile. “Forgive me, Aly. I’m not trying to hurt you, girl.” She shrugged and headed for the door. “You were a good friend, but you should be prepared for little run-ins like this, especially if you plan on holding to the claim that you would’ve gotten that space if you hadn’t upped the ante on your bid.” She winked and pulled open the powder room door. “Enjoy your dinner. Owen and Angela look great.”

  Then she was gone. Aly returned to studying her mirrored reflection.

  * * *

  The couples said their good-nights shortly after dessert. Alythia had enjoyed the entire evening in spite of her “toilet talk” with Myrna. Part of her mourned the loss of such an old friendship. Though it was indeed a lost friendship. She could accept that. Myrna was angry over a lot more than her, and it would take a very long time for her to come back around.

  Still, another part of her was wickedly peeved, but at Myrna or herself Alythia couldn’t be completely certain.

  She was so absorbed in her thoughts, in fact, that she didn’t realize they were parked outside her complex until Gage was at the passenger side of his truck and freeing her from the seat belt.

  She blinked and was suddenly all smiles. “What a great night, huh?” She took the hand he offered and stepped out of the car.

  “Owen and Angela are so much fun to hang out with. Thanks for coming with me....” Alythia rambled on so much that she didn’t take much notice of Gage’s extreme silence.

  They headed into her downtown apartment building and covered the ten-flight elevator ride to her floor.

  “Can I get you anything?” Aly offered once they were inside the apartment and she had tossed aside her things en route to the kitchen.

  “You can tell me what Myrna wanted.”

  Alythia stopped short, turning and frowning a bit when she discovered that he hadn’t left the foyer. Gage was still resting back on the front door, hands hidden in the deep pockets of his trousers. Alythia retraced her steps, her expression screaming a question she couldn’t form the words to ask.

  Gage read it easily enough and shrugged. “I saw her at the restaurant, figured she’d find a way to get time alone with you.”

  “She came to congratulate me.” Aly smiled dourly at the question coming to his handsome face and continued. “Seems I’ve been accepted into the new downtown space.” She ducked her head, fiddling with the edge of one of the wrist-hugging sleeves of her wrap dress. “Were you going to tell me, Gage?” She kept her head down.

  “No.” His answer was simply stated and he took her by the wrist before she could move away from him. “And I’m leaning toward us having a ‘do not discuss’ clause in all matters having to do with our businesses.”

  “A ‘do not discuss’ clause.” Aly ignored her desire to smile. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of one of those before.”

  “Good, ’cause I just came up with it.” He raised a broad shoulder, letting it slide up along the door where he still reclined. “I’m known for being innovative like that.”

  “Well, it’s definitely that.” She didn’t resist leaning in when he tugged.

  Gage made no effort to relinquish his stance against the door. He had a strong hold on her wrist, and his hand at her neck cradled her there with a gentleness. His kiss was a subtle cross between commanding and cajoling. Soon Aly’s fingers were entwined about the fabric of his jacket lapels, tiny moans escaping her as she took what he gave and reciprocated with her own brand of passion.

  With a pat to her cheek, Gage withdrew from the kiss but remained near. He studied her face, searching her bright eyes with a measuring fire. “You aren’t gonna do something crazy like refuse to take the space, are you?” He rested his head back against the door. “I’ll break my own rule this time and tell you that I left all of the decision making to my assistant and the rest of the team. Until you told me, I had no idea you were even connected to the bid pool.”

  “Thank you. And no, I’m not going to back out of accepting the space.” She shook her head when he gave her a mock look of surprise. “I’ve wanted a more upscale location for a long time and that was before I even knew you or knew that you were connected to it all.”

  “So we’re okay?” He pulled her closer into him.

  Alythia curved her hands about his tie. “We’re okay.”

  His sigh held a melodramatic flavor. “I’m sorry, but I’m gonna need more than your word on that, Ms. Duffy.”

  “More? What more do I have to give?” She played innocent with relish.

  The liquid-chocolate intensity of his stare harbored a more molten quality when it traveled the length of her. “You ask the best questions.” His lips closed on her earlobe, where he barely suckled.

  The move was hypnotic and so much so that Alythia didn’t even realize he’d located the ties and fastenings of her wrap dress until she felt the rush of cool air against her bare skin. The front of the chic dress hung open to reveal the lacy emerald-colored bra-and-panties ensemble she wore underneath.

  Gage’s branding touch spanned her waist, curving around to provide a cradle to her bottom as he lifted her off her feet. Aly didn’t care where he took her so long as he didn’t let her go. She let her nose trail the line of his jaw and the side of his neck adorned by the cologne he wore.

  She was jolted suddenly by the cool wood beneath her bare bottom. The sensation roused a gasp from her lips. She realized he’d somehow removed her panties on the way to the high message table in the foyer where he’d placed her.

  Aly needed but a moment to acclimate herself to her new position. She let Gage brush the dress from her shoulders while she worked to relieve him of his own clothing. As usual, he was more intent on having her naked first. He gave playful slaps to her hands when they got in the way of him achieving that. Alythia, however, was too determined to have him as bare as he wanted her. When he slapped at her hand, she retaliated with a slap to his and fixed him with a bold, saucy smile when he chuckled his surprise.

  Eventually they met on common ground, both gloriously nude and hungry for the sensual friction their bodies provided when they made contact. Gage braced suddenly weakened hands on the message desk. His long legs had gone rubber
y beneath Alythia’s attention. She was hungrily suckling his earlobe and emitting soft feminine sounds of desire that stirred his arousal and ego as deliciously as her thumbs stroked his nipples.

  When she let her mouth cascade over the rippling dark-coffee pecs of his stunning chest, he rested his forehead to the crook of her shoulder. He shuddered when she began a merciless assault on his nipples with her lips and tongue, while her hand closed over his sex and began working him with erotic fervor.

  “You’re killin’ me....” he moaned.

  Aly smiled and brushed her thumb across the tip of his erection. “I don’t think so,” she mused.

  “Alythia...please...”

  She shivered, wanting very much to extend that particular plan of foreplay, loving the power of driving such a man out of his mind. Still, she was just as much a slave to her own needs and wanted him inside her just as much as he wanted to be there.

  Gage had already taken a condom from a well-stocked jacket pocket before Alythia had unceremoniously tugged the garment from his shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Now the item lay on the message desk and Aly fumbled feverishly for it.

  He had hardly given her time to fully secure their protection when once again his hands were cupping her bottom. Focus unwavering, he positioned her as deftly as Aly guided him toward her core. Gasps and groans colored the foyer simultaneously. The volume of the fevered sounds heightened with every vigorous thrust from Gage or wicked twist of the hips from Alythia. The table added its own groans to the melee, creaking in protest of them enjoying one another so freely, inhibitions be damned.

  Gage finally took Aly off the table and held her to the wall, without ever breaking his connection to her. To ensure that, Aly locked her legs at his lean waist, her sensation cresting at the feel of him stretching her intimate walls and the delight of her bare nipples grazing his.

  Their moves had carried them to the doorway of the living room. Aly cursed the relentless press of the framework into her back but she wasn’t about to complain. It was of little importance; Gage had already grown tired of that venue and was depositing Alythia on the back of her sofa moments later. Still they were intimately connected and Aly luxuriated in both the soothing cushions beneath her bottom and his exploration of her body. He held her thighs apart, preventing her from locking her legs about his waist. Instead, he wanted to penetrate, to mark her as deeply as he could.