As Brody took my hand and led me behind the cheap shower curtain into the warm water, I shrugged in response and asked, “Before I told you, did you know that Stewart wanted Travis to have my contract?”
Brody nodded.
I went on, “Travis said that was what Stewart wanted. He said that Parker was the one fighting it.”
Brody reached for the hotel shampoo. “Look at this. Even at sixty bucks a night, you get shampoo. Oh…” He read the bottle. “…and the conditioner is mixed in.”
I turned as he poured the mixture onto my head and began massaging it into my hair. “Brody?”
“Yes, baby?”
“I don’t want either one of them to have it.”
“They can’t. It’s over. By dying when he did, Stewart saved you from that.”
Saved me? Why did people keep saying that?
“But the way Travis sounded, if it doesn’t belong to someone, there could be others, others who claim it.”
Brody spun me around to face him. “Vik, no one can claim anything. You’re a wealthy woman. No one can make you do anything you don’t want to do. Hire the best: the best bodyguards, the best accountants, the best attorneys—that’s me by the way…” He smiled a mischievous smile. “…and I work for benefits.”
My cheeks rose in a smiling expression as I leaned closer, our slippery bodies sliding against one another.
“What if…” I began.
Brody’s finger came gently to my lips.
“Shush. Tonight we’ll celebrate your freedom. Tomorrow we’ll worry about what if.” Leaving his finger in place, he added, “Nod if you agree.”
Nod if you understand. The words reverberated through my mind.
Turning away, I nodded. Under the guise of the shower, I allowed the tears I’d kept bottled up for too long to flow. It wasn’t until my shoulders shuddered that Brody realized I was crying. Without a word, his strong arms surrounded me and he gently kissed my freshly washed hair.
I WOKE TO the sound of Brody’s alarm, feeling anxious and nervous about the funeral, yet also rested for the first time in ages. “What time is it?” I asked sleepily.
Fumbling for his phone, Brody answered, “Four-thirty. I wanted to have you back to Val’s before anyone was out and about.”
My body ached in the most wonderful way as I stretched and started to sit. Before I could, my gaze settled on the handsome, warm man nuzzling closer.
“Where are you going, Vik?”
“To take a quick shower,” I giggled, as he leaned over me, his strawberry blonde hair sticking up in the sexiest of bedheads.
“How about if first I help you get ready for your big day?”
My eyebrow peaked. “Help me get ready? Whatever do you have in mind?”
With kisses to my neck, chest, and stomach, Brody moved slowly down my body, his fingers taking the lead as he spread my legs. “Just a little something to start your day off right.”
Before I could comment about the little something, I fell back to the pillows and whimpered as his tongue lapped my slit.
“You taste so fucking good,” he moaned between taunts, pushing my legs farther apart, torturing my already swollen lips and tender thighs.
Fuck! I won’t be able to walk at the damn funeral. Just as my mind started to leave the room, Brody’s thumb circled my clit, bringing me back to present. My legs involuntarily closed as my insides tightened to a painful pitch.
“That’s it, Vik,” his words encouraged and pushed me upward as my fingers wove through his hair, craving his touch.
His tongue assaulted my clit, flicking and taunting, until whimpers of words spewed involuntarily from my lips. The heat of my core intensified, and my body took on a mind of its own. My hips bucked and my legs grew rigid. The entire world disappeared as Brody sucked my clit, electrifying me from head to toe. Screaming out his name, my hands flew to the sheets grabbing for something, anything, to keep this incredible ascent from coming to an end.
Just as I was about to fall, Brody stopped and covered my body with his. “I can’t take it, Vik, I love being inside of you without protection. I want to feel that tight pussy squeeze my cock as you come.”
The next thing I knew, he was gliding into me, pumping and pumping, hitting me in that perfect sweet-spot each time. With each thrust my body seemed to take him deeper. It was as if he knew exactly what to do to make my body react. The freedom of letting myself go and running my hands over his warm skin pulled me higher. There was nothing—no blindfold nor protection—between us. It was raw skin on skin and I couldn’t get enough.
When the mountain reappeared, I craved the peak. However, each time he drove into me, I couldn’t deny the pleasure of the climb. With our goal in sight, Brody reached between us and pinched my clit as he simultaneously leaned down and sucked my hard nipples. The combination sent me flying. No longer breathing, only sounds escaped my lips. My core detonated and waves of heat radiated from our bodies, dispersing the anxiety from earlier and leaving me satiated.
“Fucking fantastic!” Brody growled as he too fell from our mountain. His shoulders relaxed and his cheek, soft with a day’s beard growth, rubbed mine, before he rolled to my side. When I turned toward him, I found myself momentarily lost in the aquamarine.
“Vik,” he said, his voice soft and tender, “today at the funeral, I wish I could be with you, holding your hand, supporting you.”
We both knew that wasn’t possible. “Brody, you don’t owe me…”
“It has nothing to do with obligation. I want to be there.” His gaze shimmered. “And I will.”
My eyes opened in question.
“I’ll be there in the crowd. You can count on that. But most importantly, know I’m in you. As you’re listening to the amazing attributes of the great Stewart Harrington, remember it’s my come inside of you. And if I have anything to say about it, that’s not just today.” He reached for my hand and kissed my fingers. “I’m not pressuring you. It’s just that I want you to know that I’ve wanted to be the only man in your life for a long time. I want it even more now.”
I didn’t know what to say. I kissed his soft, fuzzy cheek. “I’ll remember.”
A quick shower, and twenty minutes later, I went out into the dark, still morning and slipped into Val’s car. I wondered once again about Brody’s car. Maybe I should have offered him a ride. Before I could process the thought, Travis’ SUV pulled up behind me, blocking me in my space. Sucking in my breath, my neck straightened in rage. What the fuck!
I wasn’t the only one upset. Watching him get out of the vehicle and stalk over in my direction, I could see the anger emanating from him. I flirted with the idea of hitting the gas and ramming into his SUV, but all that would do was turn Val’s car into an accordion, and besides, I owned that SUV. Instead, I tried for my most obvious bitch face, allowed my indignation to flow, and rolled down the window. “What the fuck are you doing?” I asked.
With his teeth together and the vein pulsating in his forehead, Travis nodded. “Mrs. Harrington, I could ask you the same question, but since you reek of sex, I don’t need to.”
I didn’t fucking reek. I showered!
Undaunted by my expression, he went on, “I assume you’re on your way to return your sister’s car? You might want to wipe down her seat before you do.”
Maintaining my glare, I replied, “Need I remind you that you work for me?”
“No,” he leaned down and inhaled. Shaking his head, he lowered his voice. “You don’t need to remind me. I should’ve fucking accepted your dismissal, but I didn’t. My goddamn job is to keep you safe, just as it was to keep Mr. Harrington safe. Why don’t you get your slutty little ass back to Dr. Conway’s and then we can be on our way home? I’ll explain how you just about fucked up my job for good. Oh…” he added, with a tilt of his head toward the motel. “…you’re lucky I found you.”
“I’m tired of you talking in riddles. If you have something to say to me, fucking say it.”<
br />
Travis stood tall. In the light of early dawn, his muscular body in the tight black t-shirt and black slacks looked ominous. His characteristic glare that came at me through the narrowed eyes of disapproval only made him look more daunting. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Harrington, I have every intention of saying it. By the way, if you weren’t so busy getting fucked, you might have looked at your phone. Call your sister before you drop off her car.” He reached in his pocket, pulled out a tissue, and threw it toward the open window. “Take this. The good doctor doesn’t want to sit in your come.” With that, he turned and walked back to his SUV.
I stared as he backed up and waited for me to lead. He was right about one thing: I hadn’t looked at my phone. As a matter of fact, I’d turned it off as I entered the motel. I was tired of everyone and everything. And I’d had one goal—but I didn’t reek!
At the stop sign, I checked the newly lit screen: four text messages and two voicemails. I hit the voicemail as I accelerated.
First voicemail, from Lisa:
“Mrs. Harrington, I’m concerned. You should be home. Is everything all right? When may we expect you?”
Well, shit. I should have called her.
Second voicemail, from Val:
“Vik, call me. I know where you are, but call me. I just had some weird visitor asking about you. Here! At my apartment! What’s happening?”
I hit the CALL button and looked at the clock. It wasn’t even half past five, but she was a doctor. They didn’t need sleep. Did they?
“Vik,” her sleepy voice mixed with alarm. “Are you all right?”
“Shit, Val. Me? I’m fine. Are you all right? I turned off my phone last night. I just turned it on and heard your message.”
Through the phone, I heard her moving around before she said, “It was really weird. It happened about an hour or two after you left. This man came to the door.” She paused. “I’ll be honest: I’m kind of freaked out that he knew where I lived.”
“God, Val, I’m sorry.” My gaze fluttered to my rearview mirror, seeing mostly the grill of Travis’ large black SUV.
Val went on, “He was persistent. He wasn’t obnoxious. He said that he needed to speak with you. I told him you were sleeping.”
“He didn’t believe you?”
“I think he did at first, but he didn’t care. He was determined for me to go get you. He said his business couldn’t wait.”
“I told him I was your sister and your doctor, and you needed rest. Finally, I said I’d given you something to help you sleep. I was getting pissed—he just wouldn’t leave.”
“What did he look like,” I asked.
“Tall, dark hair, a little gray, clean-shaven.”
Well, shit, that described about fifty percent of the men I knew.
“He kept referring to you as Mrs. Harrington, never Vik, Vikki, or Victoria.”
“He didn’t give you his name?”
“No,” she replied. “He said you’d know him. I was about ready to call security when Travis showed up.”
“What?” I asked, alarm evident in my voice.
“Weird, I know. I mean, usually he freaks me out, but I see why you keep him around. I was glad to see him.”
I glanced back again to the SUV. It was a little farther back, and I could see Travis through the windshield. “What did Travis do?”
“What he always does. He talked, all business-like. You know, like ‘Dr. Conway, may I be of any assistance? I’m sure Mrs. Harrington has had a difficult day… ’You know, yada yada.”
“And this guy left?”
“He did. I invited Travis in. I mean, I didn’t feel right saying, hey, thanks for saving me from that scary dude. Now go away.”
The temples of my head began to pound. “What did you tell Travis?”
“I started to tell him the same thing, about my giving you a sleep aid… but there was something about the way he looked at me and around the apartment. I’m sorry, Vik. I told him the truth. I told him that I let you borrow my car, and you wanted some alone time.”
“Alone time?” I repeated.
“Well, since you’re technically a widow, whatever happened with horizontal-friend is legal. I’m assuming. In most states?”
“Go on,” I encouraged.
“But I didn’t think he needed to know this wasn’t a new thing. I just didn’t say one way or the other.”
I looked around at my surroundings. “Val, I think I’ll need something to help me sleep once today is done. I’m almost to your apartment. Is it all right if I leave your car on the street?”
“Sure, sis. What about getting home? Do you need a ride?”
As I slowed down I saw Travis do the same. “No, I’m good. Travis is here.”
“Okay, drop the keys in my mailbox. Hey, maybe he’s not so creepy?”
I shook my head. “He’s still creepy.” I thought about his help with Parker. “It just comes in handy sometimes. Will you be over before the funeral? I really liked having you with me yesterday. I know it’s not a lot of fun, but if you don’t mind…”
“Of course, don’t even think about it. I’m there for you.”
I hung up as I eased into a parking space right in front of Val’s building. Before I locked the doors, I unconsciously checked the seat. Travis can suck it! I didn’t need his damn tissue. The sound of doors unlocking brought my attention to the big black SUV. Straightening my shoulders, I shoved the tissue in my purse with my phone and walked toward Val’s building.
After dropping her keys in her mailbox, I turned back toward the waiting SUV. Taking a deep breath, I walked around to the passenger side door; with each step I was keenly aware that my panties were MIA. Climbing up into the passenger’s seat, I made a concerted effort to keep the skirt of my dress tucked around my legs.
“You know, your husband’s only been dead for a few days. You might at least consider taking a change of clothes if you’re going to go out whoring, especially if you plan to continue to do it in the slums.”
I hated his condescending tone, not to mention his words. Straightening my neck, I declared, “I decided at the last minute to spend the night with my sister.”
Travis feigned a laugh. “If I’m going to spend my time dealing with your shit, I guess I should get the lingo down. Spend the night with my sister means whoring? Do I have that right, Mrs. Harrington?”
My body flew back against the seat as he hit the accelerator. Almost as fast, the SUV swung into a parking lot and I flew forward as he pounded the brake. Instinctively, I reached forward and braced myself on the dashboard. “Jesus Christ, what is your fucking—”
Before I could complete my question, Travis threw the SUV into park, unsnapped his seatbelt and lunged toward me. Faster than I could pull away, he reached my seatbelt, pulled it over my body and latched it in place. Shaking his head, he leaned back, secured his own and put the SUV back into drive. Under his breath, he muttered, “I fucking need a goddamned raise for this shit.” Raising his voice, he turned toward me. “Safety. That’s my job. Do you think you could help me out a little?”
I felt like a two-year-old being reprimanded. “If you’d given me a fucking chance before you pulled out into traffic like a bat out of hell, I would have done that myself.”
“Next time, I’ll say ready, set, go. Will that work for you?”
I stared at this man’s profile. I’d known him for over a decade, but I’d never really looked at him. If I were to be honest that was because he scared me, even more than Stewart. Perhaps it was because with Stewart, from the beginning, I’d felt a small semblance of power. It wasn’t much, but even with what he made me do, I felt that part of him cared. I never had that feeling from Travis. From the first time I saw him, when he picked me up at the academy and brought me to the apartment, I had the feeling I was an annoyance, someone he’d rather do without. And then there was the creepy predator feeling: the one that gave me goose bumps and made my stomach lurch. Hell, just the other day he’d ad
mitted to watching me have my brains fucked out by all the different men. He’d also admitted to wanting his turn. We both knew how that had turned out the first time.
Lost in my own train of thought, I asked, “Travis? Were you there, at the warehouse, or were there always cameras?”
He didn’t look my way; his eyes fixed on the road. “I was there.”
“Every time?”
“Almost. I wasn’t there the last time. Mr. Harrington had just… I couldn’t leave him.”
“The time before? The first time Stewart wasn’t… were you?”
“Yes.”
I inhaled deeply, thinking about that. “Why?” I asked with genuine curiosity.
“It’s my job. Mr. Harrington had the contract with those men: I didn’t. I was there to make sure things didn’t get out of hand. I was upstairs and watched through a closed-circuit network. The other men didn’t even know I was there.”
“Closed-circuit—like cameras? Did it record?”
“No. Mr. Harrington wouldn’t allow that. It was part of the do-not-disclose. The friends wouldn’t have allowed that either. As you can imagine, many of them have wives and careers. They didn’t want to have their pastime come back on the six o’clock news.”
“But,” I questioned, “you said you had video? I heard the audio.”
“I recorded it on my own, with my phone. I saved it all to flash drives.”
Resting my elbow against the window, I stared out toward the road, my eyes wide open, yet seeing nothing. “Why did you record it? Did Stewart know?”
“He didn’t. I didn’t start doing it until Mr. Harrington began to get sick, and I did it for insurance.”
“Blackmail.”
“Insurance.” His volume rose. “Yours and mine.”
“If there was no evidence, why would I need insurance?”
His dark eyes looked my direction for the first time since the beginning of this conversation. “Tell me that you’re fucking listening. Tell me you understand what’s happening.”
“I’m listening. I don’t understand one goddamned thing! I don’t know why all of a sudden you feel this obligation to protect me. I don’t know who those other men were or are. As you know, Stewart made sure of that. And I don’t know why you think I’m suddenly in danger.”
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