Sleight of Hand

by BJ Bentley

  I took a deep breath and walked in on him pulling on a pair of perfectly worn jeans. I nearly whimpered when he covered his perfectly sculpted torso with a navy blue t-shirt.

  “Bertie?”

  The sound of my name snapped me out of my lusty daze. “Oh! Yeah, this. Here,” I said, holding the phone out to him. He looked at me quizzically, so I explained. “Burner phone. It came with the pictures.”

  His face looked like thunder. “You kept this from me?”

  “Not intentionally. I mean, at first, yeah. But, then...I sort of forgot about it.” I shrugged. “There’s a voicemail on it,” I squeaked out. He really did look pissed, and I hated having that look directed at me.

  “Is there anything else?” he growled.

  “No, sir.” I didn’t know where the ‘sir’ came from, it just slipped out, but I noticed the tension slip from Aleksander’s shoulders when it did.

  “Come here, sparrow,” he said silkily.

  I loved that voice, so I obeyed. When I got to him, he placed his index finger under my chin and brushed his thumb over my lips before giving me a soft, sweet kiss.

  “Who’s my good girl?” he said softly.

  I bit my lip. “I am,” I responded just as quietly.

  “Mmm. Now, go downstairs. I’ll be down shortly.”

  Once again, I did as I was told.

  Aleksander, with Bert trailing behind, drove us straight to the Starlight Resort and Casino. Both men escorted me inside the building and directly to the spa located inside.

  “This is my surprise?” I asked Aleksander. I might have been a tough street chick who had lived on her own and did what she had to in order to survive, but I was also girly enough to appreciate some high end pampering. Lord, please tell me they have one of those chocolate body wraps I’d read about in one of the magazines Elaina had given me, I thought.

  “This is phase one,” Aleksander acknowledged with a nod. “Robert will accompany you while I see to the arrangements for phase two.”

  Giving into the impulse, I reached up and gave Aleksander a wet, smacking kiss. “Thanks, baby.”

  He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me in tight, and kissed me back. Only, his kiss was deep and went on for much longer than mine did. “Go,” he rasped. So, I went.

  The inside of the spa did not boast the typical Zen decor found in most day spas. Instead, staying true to its southwest location, it was decked out in a mostly sand and terra cotta color scheme with gray-blue accents. Exposed wood beams adorned the ceiling and tribal art hung on the walls. It looked rustic, but it was obvious that a pretty penny was spent to make it look that way. Bert and I approached the receptionist at the front desk.

  “Hello. Welcome to the Starlight Spa, Mrs. Magnus. How can I help you today?”

  “Oh, I’m not Mrs. M-Magnus,” I stuttered.

  The receptionist looked stricken. “Oh, I’m sorry. I saw you with him, and I assumed...I was informed… Well, nevermind that.” If she thought she was flustered over her faux pas, she should feel it from my shoes. Yikes.

  “Do you have a menu of your services?” I asked to save her from herself.

  “Oh, yes, of course.” She practically shoved the menu into my hands, and I had to fight to hide my smile. Poor thing.

  I perused the menu and decided that I wanted one of everything. Unfortunately, I doubted I had that kind of time. “I’ll start with the prickly pear body scrub,” I decided. Then I’d get the full body chocolate wrap. And the rose petal facial. My hair could really use a deep conditioning, now that I thought about it.

  The receptionist led us into a set of rooms, and informed Bert that he was welcome to wait in the small seating area outside the room where I’d get my first treatment.

  Two hours later, I was scrubbed and buffed. I had just had the chocolate washed off and was wrapped in a silk robe when there was a knock at the door. “Come in,” I called.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Magnus. Mr. Magnus has asked that you take advantage of our beauty salon while you’re here, so whenever you’re ready, we’ll set you up with a mani-pedi, hair, and makeup services.” She smiled brightly at me.

  “That seems like a lot,” I said dubiously. Aleksander really was pulling out the stops today.

  “Oh. Of course, Mr. Magnus has instructed us to inform you that you should take advantage of whatever services please you. But he was adamant about the hair and makeup,” she added softly. “Perhaps he has a special evening planned?” she said gently, as if she were afraid she was upsetting me with her news.

  “Yes, perhaps,” I allowed. “I would really like that rose petal facial first, if that’s alright.”

  The woman’s face brightened considerably at my request. “Absolutely, Mrs. Magnus. If you’ll just follow me,” she chirped as she whirled around and sauntered down the hall, leaving me to follow.

  Why did everybody keep calling me ‘Mrs. Magnus?’

  Chapter 21

  Bertie

  Aleksander met Bert and me in the lobby once I was made up and coiffed. I left that spa feeling like a million bucks, even if the feather fascinator in my hair clashed with my yoga pants and tank top combo. I didn’t even care, because it was a thing of beauty. It was comprised of purple, teal, and ivory feathers around a bejeweled fabric flower. It was fancy as fuck, and I was never taking it off.

  “Hello, sweetheart. You look gorgeous,” Aleksander said, taking a moment to admire me from head to toe.

  “Thank you. And thank you for my spa day. I feel like a princess,” I said shyly. “Even if the accessory you chose clashes with my outfit,” I ribbed him.

  He smiled. “Don’t worry, sparrow, it will complement the final product perfectly.” He glanced down at his watch. “Come on, we don’t want to be late.” He grabbed my hand, nodded to Bert, and we were off.

  He led us down the corridor to the elevator which took us to the penthouse suite. I unceremoniously plopped myself down on the sofa in the sitting area. “So. Is this phase two, then?”

  “Not exactly. Come on,” he motioned for me to follow him back to one of the bedrooms. Hanging inside the open closet was a garment bag, and underneath that, lay a shoe box. On the bed behind me sat a bag with the name of a high end lingerie store on it.

  “Man, you really did go all out,” I murmured. “What’s the occasion, Sven?” I deliberately used the nickname he hated, because something was starting to feel heavy. I couldn’t explain why I felt that way. I just knew that something big was coming. Turned out to be the last thing I expected.

  Aleksander pulled a velvet ring box out of his pocket and popped the lid. Inside sat a large, emerald cut diamond on an antique-style band. Two smaller diamonds flanked the center stone, which was probably close to three carats in and of itself. My eyes flicked between the ring and Aleksander’s face, trying to comprehend just what the hell was happening.

  “Marry me.”

  “You’re joking.”

  “I’m dead serious.”

  I scoffed. “Is that what today was all about? Treat me to a day of pampering to butter me up, so I’d agree to marry you?” It sounded even crazier when I said it out loud.

  “No. Today was about treating you to a day of pampering before the ceremony.”

  “Ceremony? Oh, shit! You actually went ahead and planned our wedding?!” I bent over and placed my hands on my knees. I might have started hyperventilating. I lifted my head, so I could see him.

  I watched his jaw clench. “I thought it would be efficient if I just did it all myself. Well, Jensen and Charlotte helped, but…” he trailed off and started to fidget slightly.

  “Jensen and Charlotte helped?” I crowed. “Well, this is rich!”

  Aleksander seemed to lose his patience with my theatrics. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Roberta, we’re getting married today, and that’s final,” he snapped. He tore the ring from the box and grabbed my left hand, forcing the ring onto my finger. It was a perfect fit.

  “Aleks-”

&nbs
p; “No,” he cut me off. “No more, Roberta. This makes sense. I can protect you better this way. You’ll have more privileges if you’re tied to me. This is what we need to do.”

  It was my turn to clench my jaw.

  “Now, you’re going to put on that lingerie. Then you’re going to put on that dress and those shoes,” he said, pointing to the closet. “And in no more than one hour, you are going to meet me in the living area. We are going to walk down to the gazebo that Charlotte has spent the better part of the day decorating for us. We are going to get married, and then I’m taking you on a honeymoon. Any questions?”

  “Do you want me to sign a pre-nup?”

  His nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. He wrapped both of his hands around my neck, not in a threatening manner, but in a possessive one. “My sweet sparrow, when are you going to get it through your head? I’m never letting you go,” he said seductively.

  My body swayed towards his, drawn to the promise in is words and his eyes. “So...No pre-nup, then?”

  He nipped the tip of my nose. “Minx,” he muttered. “One hour,” he reminded me before exiting the bedroom.

  So, I guess I was going to be Mrs. Magnus after all.

  I stood just inside the bedroom door, deep breathing my way through a freak out. I had followed Aleksander’s instructions to the letter. I slipped into the satin and lace lingerie first, followed by the exquisitely crafted satin dress. It had short sleeves, a boatneck neckline, and ruching around the waist. It was classy, elegant, and understated. I absolutely adored it. I wondered if he picked it out himself or if Charlotte had helped with that too. The shoes he got me were a simple, strappy high heel. The fascinator in my hair suddenly made more sense, and the whole ensemble complemented the vaguely art deco style of my ring.

  I could hear him moving around somewhere in the suite, and I figured it was time to bite the bullet. I stepped out of the bedroom and nearly ran face first into Aleksander’s chest. “Oh! Sorry, I-”

  “You look stunning,” he rasped as he blatantly eye fucked me.

  “Um. You don’t look so bad yourself,” I mumbled. And he didn’t. Look bad, that is. He wore a simple, sand-colored suit and brown loafers. His shirt was an extremely pale lavender, which complemented some of the feathers in my fascinator. He looked edible, if I was being honest. I’m guessing Charlotte had a decisive hand in the color scheme, since she knew I loved purple.

  He offered me his elbow. “Shall we?”

  “Are we really doing this?” I asked, a bit bewildered.

  “Are you really going to fight me on this?” he countered.

  I swallowed. “No, sir.”

  His eyes became hooded, and he granted me a lazy smile. “Perfect,” he murmured.

  Chapter 22

  Bertie

  The ceremony was short and sweet. We said the standard vows and exchanged rings, even if I did almost choke on the word ‘love’ during that portion. The gazebo on the Starlight property overlooked a manmade lake and was decked out in an overabundance of flowers in every shade of purple from plum to lavender. Charlotte really went overboard, but it was beautiful, and she did it for me, so I was not going to complain. She and Jensen also acted as our witnesses. Afterward, we even cut a small cake and toasted with champagne.

  “You make a gorgeous bride, Bertie,” Charlotte said and Jensen murmured his agreement.

  “Thank you-”

  “And another one bites the dust,” Aleksander and Jensen’s friend Rafael said snidely.

  “Shut up, motherfucker,” Aleksander snapped. “Where have you been?”

  “I was here. Stood in the back,” he tilted his head to indicate where he’d be standing in the shadows.

  “Rafe, I’d like to introduce you to my wife. This is Bertie.”

  Rafe smirked. “Pleasure, Bertie. You ever get tired of this control freak asshole, you come to my place. I’ll take care of you.”

  I couldn’t tell if the offer was real or made in jest, but one thing I did know was that I didn’t like Rafe. He wasn’t just arrogant, he was arrogant and condescending. And he seemed to have a nasty attitude.

  “In your dreams, asshole. Did you come alone?” Aleksander asked.

  Rafe just grunted in response.

  “What happened to that redhead you were seeing?” Jensen asked, eyeing Rafe shrewdly.

  Rafe shrugged. “I moved on. Say, is there going to be a party? Or am I getting drunk by myself?”

  “Sorry, man. I have a wedding night to get to,” Aleksander said.

  Rafe waved him off and rolled his eyes.

  Jensen looked at Charlotte but spoke to Rafe, “Sorry, man, I think you’re on your own tonight.”

  “Married life has sucked the fun right out of both of you,” Rafe muttered. “If anybody needs me, I’ll be in the bar drinking your most expensive Scotch,” he gestured to Jensen, “and putting it on his tab,” he gestured to Aleksander.

  Aleksander and Jensen were both shaking their heads when Rafe wandered off.

  Once we were back in our room, we both opted to change into more comfortable clothing and order room service. Since we’d left Aleksander’s apartment that morning, the only thing I’d had to eat was some fresh fruit at the spa and a small slice of wedding cake. I was ravenous.

  Sitting at the small dining table near the French doors that led to our little balcony, I practically inhaled my burger and fries while surreptitiously stealing covetous glances at Aleksander’s steak. Flopping back against my chair, I let out a satisfied sigh and closed my eyes.

  “Finished?”

  I hummed in the affirmative.

  “Stand up,” he ordered.

  I cracked open one eye to look at him, to which he responded with one raised eyebrow. Giving in, I stood, even though my full belly protested.

  “Take off your shirt and shorts.”

  Once I was down to my lingerie, Aleksander looked me over but continued to eat. “Now what?” I asked, since I was just standing around in my underwear for no apparent reason.

  “Now, you stand there, wife, and let me admire you while I finish my meal.” He sat back in his chair and raised his wine glass to his lips as his eyes devoured me. I might as well have been naked for as exposed as I felt. The lingerie was relatively modest. The bottoms were cheeky style, so the curve of my ass was on display, but at least it wasn’t a thong. The demi bra accentuated my small breasts, but at least they weren’t spilling out. But it wasn’t really about what I was wearing or not wearing. It was all about the way he looked at me. Like I was the one thing in the whole world that he coveted above all else, and I was just within his grasp.

  I stood there, buzzing with anticipation, while Aleksander leisurely finished his meal. How was it that a simple look from this man melted my panties? I couldn’t wait to have his hands on me. I couldn’t wait to have my hands on him. He was officially mine now. My husband. How did a street urchin like me get here, married to a rich and powerful man? I pinched myself.

  “What are you doing?” Aleksander looked at me quizzically.

  “Nothing,” I blurted, embarrassed to have been caught actually pinching myself.

  Aleksander pushed his plate aside and downed the rest of the wine. Taking the two steps it took to get to me, he ghosted a fingertip over the apple of my cheek. “I did it,” he whispered. “I made you mine,” he said, almost as if in awe.

  My eyes drifted closed as his hands traveled lightly over my ribs to my hips but flew back open as he ripped my panties clean from my body, the satin and lace now just a scrap. My gasp was swallowed by his hungry mouth as he plundered and explored with his tongue. “Come.” He led me to the French doors that led to our small balcony.

  I tugged on his hand but failed to deter him. “I’m not going out there! I’m naked!”

  Quick as lightning, he got up in my face. “Wife?”

  I swallowed. “Yeah?”

  “What’s your job?” he gritted out.

  I inhaled sharply. />
  “Answer me.”

  Jutting my chin out, I answered. “To obey.”

  “Fuckin’ right it is.” In one sharp movement, he had me through the doors to the balcony and clutching the railing. He bent me over with a hand between my shoulders, yanked my hips back, and kicked my feet apart. A moment later he was surging into me and fucking me on the balcony of the penthouse suite of the Starlight Resort and Casino. “Do you like the idea of being watched, sparrow? Do you like that anyone looking up here right now might see me fucking you?” he grunted. “Taking what’s mine? Claiming you?”

  Dear, God, I think I did. The more he spoke, the wetter I became. He knew it too, based on his next words.

  “You love being mine, don’t you, sparrow?”

  “Yes,” I forced out in between moans.

  Afterward, up to our chests in bubbles, I tried to convince him to tell me about our honeymoon. After my third failed attempt at cracking him, he opened the drain in the giant soaking tub and ordered me out. He dried me off before he dried himself, and we both crawled into bed and slept wrapped around each other.

  Chapter 23

  Bertie

  Early the next morning I found myself doing yet another thing I’d never thought possible- boarding a chartered jet. “Will you finally tell me where we’re going?”

  “No.”

  “I don’t even have any luggage! I’m not at all prepared for this!”

  “I had Elaina pack you a bag; it’s already been loaded. We can buy whatever else we might need when we get there, sweetheart. Now, settle in. And buckle up.”

  I crossed my arms and threw myself into the plush leather seat in a decent imitation of a teenage temper tantrum. “Fine,” I huffed.

  In the seat across from me, Aleksander pulled out a tablet and began tapping the screen. I guessed he was going to work for however long this flight was. I shouldn’t be surprised, since he’d spent virtually no time in his actual office since I’ve known him. I made myself as comfortable as I could, glancing around for a book or a magazine or really anything at all to occupy myself with.