by Nana Malone
I grinned then. “I’m still not sure I do.”
“Well then, Miss Ashong, let me convince you.”
And he did. He convinced me so thoroughly I had three more orgasms before he roared and spilled inside me. “Jesus, woman, I really don’t think I can move.”
“I really don’t think I want to.”
Three hours later, after Ben had convinced me to shower with him and he’d fed me, he headed off to a meeting with East and Bridge. I called Telly from the comfort of the bathtub.
“So you finally got laid, huh?”
“What?”
“Please, I can hear it in your voice. Was it in Paris? Shit, please tell me it’s Ben and not Dexter.”
I hadn’t told her anything yet about Dexter. “Yeah, about that...” Once I got started, everything flowed out of me. I told her all of it. Even the part about how Ben’s nickname really was accurate.
She paused me several times along the story for typical Telly reactions. When I finished, she asked, “When do we pack you out?”
I shook my head. “I need to plan for when he’s not there. Maybe next week?”
“How is Tall Blond and Viking taking this? He says this is the real thing, and it feels that way, but I got so involved in Dexter’s world I didn’t even stop to think about what I wanted for myself. I’m not doing that anymore.”
“Well, okay. I’m glad you’re figuring it out. I do want to say something though.”
“What, that you were right?”
“I mean, I was, but something else.”
“What’s up?”
“Have you heard of something called the Elite?”
I frowned. “No, I don’t think so. Why?”
“Well, it’s a secret society out of Eton.”
I frowned and sat up straighter in the bath. “As in, the super posh all-boys school?” Ben and his friends had gone to Eton.
She nodded. “Yep, that’s the one.”
“I don’t know anything about it. Why?”
“You know how my mate, Matthias, who’s been working on decrypting those files from the flash drive you copied?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s a list of names and dates. Some of the corresponding dates match to major world events.”
“But why would that information be encrypted?”
“I have no idea, but I need you to be careful, okay? If Ben had that information, it’s worth something to him. Maybe he’s in the group. I want you to tread carefully with him.”
“Telly, are you serious?”
“At the risk of sounding cliché…as a heart attack.”
“Fine, I promise.” I hung up with her and got out of the bath and into my robe. As I padded into the bedroom, I considered calling Ben. All I needed to do was ask him about the Elite. He’d tell me.
Would he?
Would he lie? And then there was the slight problem of finding myself in close to danger since I’d met him.
Was I in more danger with him than on my own?
Last night, I’d let him screw me into complacency. He’d dickgasmed me. From the time I’d said yes and handed over the drive, I thought I’d been in control. But what if that wasn’t the case?
Or you’re paranoid and you’re freaking out and want an easy reason to run.
Damn it. Last night had been some kind of out of this world sex. It had meant something. It was certainly a shift in or relationship. Especially after Paris. He cared about me, and I well...I was dangerously close to falling.
So then talk to him before you freak.
I would. We were certainly past the point of keeping secrets. He’d seen all of my dirty laundry.
When my phone buzzed, I rolled over on the bed, tugging the robe around me, and grabbed my cell off the nightstand. I assumed it was Telly following up with a text about something she’d forgotten, but I frowned when I saw who it was.
Dexter: Where the hell are you? Where did you stay last night? Call me.
I immediately hit delete. Then pushed out of bed to find some clothes. I’d only managed a T-shirt and panties when another chime dinged. Dexter again.
Dexter: Just talk to me.
I couldn’t avoid him. If I did, he’d just keep calling and texting. And I was done avoiding. I called him instead of texting back.
He answered right away. “Oh my God, Livy, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. But you can’t keep calling me. You can’t text me. We’re done.”
“I made a mistake. Are you really going to throw away everything for a little mistake?”
“And therein lies the problem. To you, it was a little mistake. To me, you took everything that we were and you ruined it.”
“Jesus. Look, I’m just saying the wrong thing. If you would just meet with me, okay? I’ll come to you, or just come back to the flat. We’ll talk.”
“I’m pretty sure I told you to get the hell out of the flat.”
“You weren’t thinking straight.”
I sighed. “Let me make it perfectly clear to you, Dexter. I was thinking straight. I’m done with you. I never want to hear from you again. I never want to talk to you again. Do not be there when I come to collect my things. Matter of fact, I’ll send someone to do that.”
He cursed under his breath. “Fuck. Look we just need to talk this out. Where are you? I’ll come to you. I’m willing to start over and give you whatever you need.”
“What I need is not to talk to you again.”
His voice took on a sharp edge. “Tell me where the fuck you are. I’m done arguing. You’re acting like a spoiled bitch.”
I lifted my brows. So this was him. This was the real Dex. “Bitch is it? Fine call me what you need to. The more you talk, the more you cement my decision.”
There was a beat of silence. “You’re with him, aren’t you?”
“I’m not with Ben right now.” Technically the truth, but still, I wasn’t going to get into that with him. “Dexter, we’re done. I’m in love with someone else.”
Silence. “So, you shagged him then? To get back at me?”
Had he always been such a self-centered prick? Yes. Absolutely yes. “Everything I told you when I walked in the apartment yesterday was true. You’re the one who’s been having an affair.”
“Well the way you’re acting is making me wonder a few things too.”
“Wonder all you want. Let’s not forget, you practically threw me at your boss.”
Another beat of silence. “That’s not what that was. You’re overreacting. Typical. If you would just stop being so high-strung and listen—”
“Ah, and there’s the real Dexter. Ready and willing to blame me and call me names. I’m done. I don’t have to put up with that anymore. And while we’re at it, I’m going to call the investigators in the morning and let them know I wasn’t the one responsible for our accident. I’m not signing off on it.”
“God, you’re such a fucking cunt,” he spat out. “Do you know how much I hate you right now? If you would just—”
I hung up without letting him finish.
For three long moments I started at the phone waiting for the guilt and concern. It didn’t come. I felt so much better. Lighter. Like I’d taken charge of my own life again.
I was free.
I needed to find pants. I’d get dressed check in on work maybe, then give Ben a call. I heard a crash from somewhere in the house and I paused.
Frowning, I went to the door and listened. There was a loud thump coming from down the hall to the left. I opened the bedroom door and called out. “Ben, is that you?” I inched out, peering into the rooms I passed. Looking for signs of life.
It wasn’t until I made a left toward the living room that I felt it. The hairs at the back of my neck stood at attention, and I whipped around. Instead of Ben, it was the one person I didn’t expect to see. I opened my mouth to scream, but he grabbed me and planted his hand over my mouth. “You have been a very naughty girl.”
To
Be Continued in The Benefactor…
Thank you for reading BIG BEN, Book 1 in the SEE NO EVIL TRILOGY. The deliciously sexy thrill ride doesn’t end here though! Be the first to find out what happens to Livy!
He is many things. billionaire, rogue, rebel. But I never figured myself for a thief. Tonight he is no longer a billionaire. Tonight he keeps new secrets.
His name is Ben Covington and tonight, he is a thief.
READ The Benefactor now!
And you can read Nathan and Sophie’s story right now! Find out what happens when a seductive, jaded playboy with a filthy mouth meets his uptight neighbor and they strike a little ex payback bargain.
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“Mr. Dirty is a fun and flirty romance with complex characters and a great storyline." - Amazon Reviewer
Can’t get enough billionaires? Meet a cocky, billionaire prince that goes undercover in Cheeky Royal! He’s a prince with a secret to protect. The last distraction he can afford is his gorgeous as sin new neighbor.
His secrets could get them killed, but still, he can’t stay away…
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Turn the page for an excerpt from Cheeky Royal…
* * *
UPCOMING BOOKS
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The Benefactor
For Her Benefit
East End
Also from Nana Malone
Cheeky Royall
“You make a really good model. I’m sure dozens of artists have volunteered to paint you before.”
He shook his head. “Not that I can recall. Why? Are you offering?”
* * *
I grinned. “I usually do nudes.” Why did I say that? It wasn’t true. Because you’re hoping he’ll volunteer as tribute.
* * *
He shrugged then reached behind his back and pulled his shirt up, tugged it free, and tossed it aside. “How is this for nude?”
* * *
Fuck. Me. I stared for a moment, mouth open and looking like an idiot. Then, well, I snapped a picture. Okay fine, I snapped several. “Uh, that’s a start.”
* * *
He ran a hand through his hair and tussled it, so I snapped several of that. These were romance-cover gold. Getting into it, he started posing for me, making silly faces. I got closer to him, snapping more close-ups of his face. That incredible face.
* * *
Then suddenly he went deadly serious again, the intensity in his eyes going harder somehow, sharper. Like a razor. “You look nervous. I thought you said you were used to nudes.”
* * *
I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “Yeah, at school whenever we had a model, they were always nude. I got used to it.”
* * *
He narrowed his gaze. “Are you sure about that?”
Shit. He could tell. “Yeah, I am. It’s just a human form. Male. Female. No big deal.”
* * *
His lopsided grin flashed, and my stomach flipped. Stupid traitorous body…and damn him for being so damn good looking. I tried to keep the lens centered on his face, but I had to get several of his abs, for you know…research.
But when his hand rubbed over his stomach and then slid to the button on his jeans, I gasped, “What are you doing?”
“Well, you said you were used doing nudes. Will that make you more comfortable as a photographer?”
* * *
I swallowed again, unable to answer, wanting to know what he was doing, how far he would go. And how far would I go?
* * *
The button popped, and I swallowed the sawdust in my mouth. I snapped a picture of his hands.
* * *
Well yeah, and his abs. So sue me. He popped another button, giving me a hint of the forbidden thing I couldn’t have. I kept snapping away. We were locked in this odd, intimate game of chicken. I swung the lens up to capture his face. His gaze was slightly hooded. His lips parted…turned on. I stepped back a step to capture all of him. His jeans loose, his feet bare. Sitting on the stool, leaning back slightly and giving me the sex face, because that’s what it was—God’s honest truth—the sex face. And I was a total goner.
* * *
“You’re not taking pictures, Len.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
* * *
“Oh, sorry.” I snapped several in succession. Full body shots, face shots, torso shots. There were several torso shots. I wanted to fully capture what was happening.
He unbuttoned another button, taunting me, tantalizing me. Then he reached into his jeans, and my gaze snapped to meet his. I wanted to say something. Intervene in some way…help maybe…ask him what he was doing. But I couldn’t. We were locked in a game that I couldn’t break free from. Now I wanted more. I wanted to know just how far he would go.
* * *
Would he go nude? Or would he stay in this half-undressed state, teasing me, tempting me to do the thing that I shouldn’t do?
* * *
I snapped more photos, but this time I was close. I was looking down on him with the camera, angling so I could see his perfectly sculpted abs as they flexed. His hand was inside his jeans. From the bulge, I knew he was touching himself. And then I snapped my gaze up to his face.
Sebastian licked his lip, and I captured the moment that tongue met flesh.
* * *
Heat flooded my body, and I pressed my thighs together to abate the ache. At that point, I was just snapping photos, completely in the zone, wanting to see what he might do next.
* * *
“Len…”
“Sebastian.” My voice was so breathy I could barely get it past my lips.
“Do you want to come closer?”
“I--I think maybe I’m close enough?”
His teeth grazed his bottom lip. “Are you sure about that? I have another question for you.”
* * *
I snapped several more images, ranging from face shots to shoulders, to torso. Yeah, I also went back to the hand-around-his-dick thing because…wow. “Yeah? Go ahead.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about your boyfriend ‘til now?”
Oh shit. “I—I’m not sure. I didn’t think it mattered. It sort of feels like we’re supposed to be friends.” Lies all lies.
He stood, his big body crowding me. “Yeah, friends…”
I swallowed hard. I couldn’t bloody think with him so close. His scent assaulted me, sandalwood and something that was pure Sebastian wrapped around me, making me weak. Making me tingle as I inhaled his scent. Heat throbbed between my thighs, even as my knees went weak. “Sebastian, wh—what are you doing?”
“
Proving to you that we’re not friends. Will you let me?”
He was asking my permission. I knew what I wanted to say. I understood what was at stake. But then he raised his hand and traced his knuckles over my cheek, and a whimper escaped.
* * *
His voice went softer, so low when he spoke, his words were more like a rumble than anything intelligible. “Is that you telling me to stop?”
* * *
Seriously, there were supposed to be words. There were. But somehow I couldn’t manage them, so like an idiot I shook my head.
* * *
His hand slid into my curls as he gently angled my head. When he leaned down, his lips a whisper from mine, he whispered, “This is all I’ve been thinking about.”
Read Cheeky Royal now!
Nana Malone Reading List
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Shameless
Before Sin
Cheeky Royal
Protecting the Heiress
* * *
Royals
Royals Undercover
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Cheeky Royal
Cheeky King
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Royals Undone
Royal Bastard
Bastard Prince
* * *
Royals Unite
d
Royal Tease
Teasing the Princess
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Royal Elite
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The Heiress Duet
Protecting the Heiress
Tempting the Heiress
* * *
The Prince Duet
Return of the Prince
To Love a Prince
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The Bodyguard Duet
Billionaire to the Bodyguard
The Billionaire’s Secret
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London Royals
* * *
London Royal Duet
London Royal
London Soul
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Playboy Royal Duet