The Scene 3

by Roxy Sloane

  "I'm yours. All of me."

  His eyes flash with lust, and he runs his hands along my legs from hip to ankle. He gently spreads them apart and kneels between my legs.

  Our eyes stay locked on each other as he guides his cock into me. When he enters, it feels so right. Like everything led up to this moment. We fit together. After everything we've been through, it's clear, more now than ever.

  As he moves between my legs, I want to close my eyes in pleasure, but his fingers touch my chin.

  "Open your eyes, Nicole. I want to see you."

  The intensity of such intimate contact while our eyes search each other’s is almost too much. His emotions are laid bare before me. I know mine are too, and it scares me. This is more than I imagined it could be, and I'm afraid to lose it.

  As he continues to thrust into me, his cock grows harder, plunging into me, deeper and deeper.

  I’m still tied to the bed, my wrists crossed and bound to the bed. He pulls out of me and the absence is an affront. I need him to fill me.

  “I need you.” I murmur.

  He flips me over, so now I’m bound to the bed and completely at his mercy. I can’t see what he’s going to do.

  “Nicole, this body is mine now, and I’m going to use it,” he growls.

  “Yes, Xavier.” I say.

  He grabs my thighs and pulls them apart. I arch my back to allow him better access. He thrusts deep into me, grabbing my hips as he rams into my pussy, taking what he wants.

  “You are mine.” His voice is low, and as he continues to penetrate me, he grabs my hair in his hand, riding me and reminding me that he is in control.

  He’s fucking away his anger at me, and it’s liberating.

  He grinds into me and the pressure from him on me, pushes my clit into the bed. The pain of him pulling my hair, and the intensity on my clit and the way he fills me, brings me over the edge.

  He uses my pussy, thrusting deeper and harder, until I hear the ragged breathing that means he’s about to come. I squeeze him inside me and he moans.

  “Nicole, your body was made for me.” He grunts, and with one more hard thrust, he pulls out, and comes all over my back.

  I’m marked by him.

  He kneels down behind me, spreading my pussy lips wide. He begins to lick and hum against me. I’m slick with wetness and the burn from the way he used my pussy is eased by his skilled tongue. He laps at my pussy, and I arch my back against his mouth, my arms pulling at the rope that binds me.

  He takes my clit into his mouth and sucks and sucks until and I come in a release so intense, my body is shaking.

  Xavier stops sucking as the last shudders leave my body.

  “You taste so good Nicole.”

  I love hearing my name on his lips, still slick with my wetness.

  He kisses my ass cheeks, working his way up my back to my shoulders and neck.

  He stops to untie me and turns me around so we're facing each other, our faces inches away from each other.

  "I don't want to lose you, Nicole."

  "But what I did… how can you forgive me for that?"

  He strokes my face. "None of that matters. What matters is we're together."

  Relief floods through me, and I remember what Eli said about telling Xavier how I feel. "I don't want to lose you either. What if something happens tonight?"

  He leans his forehead against mine. "Shhhh. I'm not going to let anything happen to either of us. I'll always protect you, Nikki. I promise."

  It feels like the weight of the last few weeks has lifted. Tears come down my face, and he kisses them away. I run my hands over his arms, and he's kissing me. He twitches inside me, and I rock slightly to show him I'm ready to go on. I feel his grin as he kisses me and starts gently sliding in and out of me again.

  We're not fucking. This isn't about that. It's about both of us making a connection after a rocky start. It's a new beginning. It feels like we're consecrating a promise.

  I finally understand what people mean by love-making.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Xavier and I are getting ready when Eli comes back. He gives me a look that indicates his curiosity about how things went. I press my lips together tightly and act like I'm throwing away a key. This gets me a big grin.

  I go to the window to check out the beach below. The party is in full swing. Torches and white globes serve to light up the area and keep passerby out. The music is so loud that I can hear the bass from up here.

  "You think you're wearing a dress that short, young lady?"

  I turn to Eli and roll my eyes. He's giving me a disapproving frown, but I know he's teasing me.

  "Go to your room and change!" he says.

  Xavier comes out of the bedroom, laughing. "I happen to like when Nicole wears short dresses." He walks over to the window and plants a firm kiss on my mouth, smacking my butt as he walks back into the bedroom.

  "Hello! The brother over here. Don't need to see any of that,” Eli laughs. He shakes his head and catches my eye. His grin fades. "What's wrong, Niks?"

  I cross the room without speaking and throw my arms around him, hugging him hard, holding on like he's a life preserver and I can't swim.

  "You have to be careful, Eli. I can't lose you again."

  "Hey, hey, little sis." He pulls back but keeps his arms around me. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to annoy you for a long, long time."

  #

  Once everyone's ready, we run the plan again while Xavier puts the recording device on Eli. They're determined to get Barton’s confession. I'm not convinced it can be done, but both of them think he's so full of himself that he'll want to brag. I guess that wouldn't really surprise me.

  While Eli confronts Barton, Xavier will be on standby as backup. I have one job: find the mole and keep him safe, far away from Barton.

  I'm still nervous about figuring out who the mole is. It could be anyone. There were a lot of people at that party on Eduardo's yacht, and even more people at Club Ultra. How do I tell the mole apart from all the other party people on the beach?

  We decide it's best for Eli not to ride the elevator down with us, just in case someone spots us together. He decides to take a combination of stairs and elevators.

  There's nothing unusual about Xavier and I being together. Barton probably assumes I’m dead, so I’d like to avoid seeing him at all costs. If we do run into him, I imagine he’ll be surprised I’m alive, and then he'll just think Xavier doesn't know what I did. He would never in a million years think I’d admit to Xavier that I drugged him and spied on him.

  As we step into the elevator, I take Xavier’s hand and interlock our fingers. Now that everything is out in the open, I'm petrified something will happen to take him away from me.

  Xavier must sense my tension, because he turns me toward him and holds my face in his hands.

  "You know how I know that nothing will happen tonight?"

  I shake my head, but don't speak.

  "Because I'm not leaving you for anything. I just found you, and I will not lose you. Got it?"

  I search his eyes, and I can tell that he means it with all his heart. The emotion is intense, and the elevator's about to open, so I pull a move from my brother's playbook to diffuse the tension.

  "You're so needy sometimes," I tease.

  Xavier lets out a long laugh. "I'll work on it when we finish playing undercover cops."

  "I like to think of us as spies. It sounds much more glamorous."

  He pulls me into a deep kiss and then hugs me tightly as the elevator doors open. "Be safe."

  "You too."

  #

  Blending in with the crowd at the party on the beach is pretty effortless, as everyone there is dressed to impress. Xavier wanted me to pick out a dress from one of the hotel boutiques, but I was paranoid about ruining it with all the spying and sand and potential running. Instead, I have on a sleeveless little black dress, emphasis on the little. It's just fabulous enough to be appropriate
but not something that makes me stand out. Exactly what I need for finding a needle in a haystack.

  Standing at the entrance to the party area would make it easier to spot the mole, but we all agreed it was too conspicuous. The likelihood of Barton spotting me in the crowd is small. At the entrance, I’d be a sitting duck. I’m still a loose end for him to take care of if he realizes I’m alive.

  I ask one of the bartenders if he'll make me a sparkling water that appears to be a mojito. Drinking would take away my edge, and I might need it. But not having anything would make me stand out. He gives me curious look until I tell him I'm the designated driver but my drunk friend insists I drink something. Giving him the full price of a mojito as a tip probably doesn't hurt my case.

  Drink in hand, I scan the crowd for familiar faces. The organizers did a great job with the party. The theme is right out of one of those movies with Elvis in Hawaii. The torches and lights give just enough glow against the night sky. As usual at a party like this, the food is a reimagining of some low-brow cocktail party food. But even I have to admit that the grilled pork belly and pineapple skewers are pretty tasty.

  I’m not meant to really enjoy the party, and I can’t as the tension of tonight has adrenaline coursing through me. I try to balance looking like I’m having a good time with being observant. I say hello to a few people I’ve seen at prior events in passing, but I don’t engage in conversation. My nerves are still running high, and I think I see Barton everywhere. Maybe I should have had a real mojito.

  There are so many things that could go wrong with this plan. If something happened to Eli or Xavier… I can't even think about it. But even someone else, an innocent bystander like Kayla. I can't live with another death on my head.

  I know Eli and Xavier think Barton had her killed to force me to cooperate. But they'd never say it to my face.

  Looking at a sea of random faces isn't helping, so I head to the bouncers up front.

  "Did Bud Fox check in yet?"

  "You a friend?"

  I nod, and the guy laughs and pushes his dark bangs out of his eyes.

  "I almost didn't let your friend in, because Bud Fox? Really? But what the hell, right? And Bud's plus one was pretty hot, so sue me."

  A plus one? That was unexpected.

  "Do you remember how long ago?"

  "Maybe twenty minutes? I know they went to the bar on the right, because I enjoyed the view as they walked away."

  He must have seen something on my face because he quickly defended himself.

  "Hey, I gotta take advantage of any perks I can get. Do you know how much it sucks to work these parties while everyone else gets trashed? Especially a party on the beach?"

  I head to the bar he mentioned and spot someone I know. One of the V.I.P. party girls from the club, Sasha. She's got her hand on the arm of a guy with his back to me. Dark hair, well-built, expensive shirt. I will him to turn so I can see him.

  She leans into him, and they turn slightly. It's Eduardo.

  Could he really be the mole? He definitely has access to both sides, working for El Jefe and doing side businesses with Xavier. My instincts war within me. He seems more the type to actually do the illegal things rather than rat someone else out. Why would he be the mole, especially when it would hurt his business with El Jefe? But Xavier said all their work together is completely legit and they're on really good terms. Maybe he's trying to protect both his legitimate interests and Xavier.

  I've got to do something. If I don't warn him, Barton might kill him. I have to take the chance.

  I get my opportunity a few minutes later when Sasha walks away from him into the crowd. I rush over to the bar and intercept him before he can disappear too.

  "Eduardo, I need to talk to you." I grab his arm and pull him to the side behind the bar.

  "Nicole? What the hell?"

  "I know what you're doing here tonight. It's not safe. We have to get out of here."

  "What are you talking about? I just got here. I'm not going anywhere, especially with Xavier's chick."

  "I know about the meetup tonight. But you can't go through with it. He knows. You're in danger."

  Eduardo stares at me for a long moment. When he speaks, his words are slow and patronizing like he's speaking to a child.

  "Nicole, I really have no clue what you're talking about. I think you may need to talk to someone." He pats me on the shoulder. "I'm going back to the bar so when Sasha comes back, she can find me."

  As he walks away, I look down at my phone and realize that it's almost midnight. I have to get to the beach and stop the meeting. If it's not Eduardo, I have to figure out who it is, and quickly.

  I push through the crowd, dodging drinks and flailing arms as people dance. With each step I take, it feels like wheels in my brain turning one segment at a time.

  And then everything falls into place. I know who the mole is.

  #

  I push through the crowd, not caring who I piss off. I have to get out of the roped-off area and onto the beach.

  There's no back exit, so I pull my shoes off and duck down under the strings of lights in between two torches like I'm doing the limbo. My feet slip in the sand and I almost fall, but I quickly right myself and take off running. I catch up to her quickly and grab her.

  She yelps as my hand digs into her arm.

  "I know why you're here. Your cover is blown."

  "What the hell, Nikki? That fucking hurts!"

  "Listen, there's not much time. He knows about the meeting. He's going to come after you."

  She's still acting pissed at me, but she tones it down a little.

  "Honestly, Nikki, I don't know what—"

  "Dammit, Sasha. He knows everything. He's going to kill you like he killed Kayla."

  That stops her cold and her legs try to give out from under her. "How did he find out?" Her voice is low, but I can't read the emotion in it.

  "He tricked me, and I gave him files from Xavier's computer. But that's not important. We can take him down, Sasha. He won't be able to hurt anyone else."

  "No fucking way. I'm not interested in testifying. I want money and then I want to disappear. Period." She looks around and shakes her head. "I'm out of here."

  She tries to pull away from me, but I tighten my grip. There's no way she can fight it. Sasha is skinny, but she's not fit. She is very proud of how she never works out.

  "You're hurting me!" she cries.

  "I'm sorry, but I can't let you leave. It's not safe right now."

  She shakes her head. "It's not safe anywhere in Miami. That's why I need to get out."

  "What about witness protection?" I immediately want to take it back when I see the scorn on her face.

  "He's in the damn DEA, Nikki. You think he doesn't have informants everywhere? How do you think he got so big and stayed under their radar?"

  "We don't have to go to people in Miami. We can take everything to another office, we can—"

  "No. I want the payoff Xavier promised, and I'll give him the information. I'm not doing anything else. I want no part of it."

  The guys need more time. If I let her go now, Barton could find her if he's still waiting to see who shows up to meet Xavier. If I let her go now, she might disappear with all the evidence.

  I don't know how to keep her here. I can't strong arm her forever, but I can't let her go either.

  It turns out, fate makes my decision for me. A gunshot rings out from down the beach.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Keeping hold of Sasha doesn't matter anymore. I let go of her and take off running. At first I don't see anyone, but then a loud voice carries across the wind. Barton.

  Xavier and Barton stand opposite each other, and Barton has a gun pointed at Xavier's chest. My heart drops to the floor. Barton has his back to me, and Xavier hasn't seen me yet. I frantically look around trying to figure out what to do. Where the hell is Eli?

  "You'll never prove anything, you know. I set you up so good. Eve
rything leads to you."

  "You're a fucking bastard, Barton. I will take you down." I've never heard Xavier sound cold like this before. I never want to hear it again.

  "You can fucking try, Xavier." He spits out the name and gestures wildly with his hands. "I'm a fucking king in this town. I own Miami."

  I frantically look between them. I'm paralyzed with fear and indecision. There doesn't seem to be anything I can do, but I have to try something.

  "You're going down Barton, whether you believe it or not. You're a plague on this town, leaving bodies and destruction in your wake. I won't let you get away with it anymore."

  "And what the hell are you going to do, pretty boy? I'm about to get on a helicopter, and you won't see me again."

  I stare at the gun in Barton's hand. He could shoot Xavier right now, and my world would be turned upside down. I have to do something.

  I move closer even though I don't want to, ducking behind a shed that probably holds beach chairs. I'm really close to Barton now. If I can just—

  There's a body on the beach. My eyes scan it in disbelief. The hair, the clothes, the shoes. A cloud moves overhead, letting a little more moonlight onto the beach. Dark liquid trails out from the body.

  I drop to my knees, not caring what happens to me. This isn't real. It can't be real. Eli can't be dead, not after everything. The world stops, and I don't care about anything at all.

  A voice calling my name breaks through my daze. It’s Xavier. Screaming.

  I manage to tear my eyes away from Eli's body just as Barton throws an arm around my neck and half drags me across the sand with his gun to my head.

  "If you follow me, I'll kill your girlfriend. Yesterday, I wasn't able to make sure she was dead. That’s a mistake I won’t repeat."

  #

  As Barton drags me away from Xavier and Eli, my brain finally starts to catch up to my situation. I am freaking terrified, but I don't want to die. I won't let him kill me, too. I struggle against him, but he grips me tighter.

  "If you cooperate, I might let you live. If you don't, a bullet is going into that pretty little head of yours. Got it?"