Alluring Attraction: Book 1 of Illicit Illusions Series

by A. F. Zoelle

  “No, sir,” Ryder denied, desperately wanting to pull free of the man’s grip, because it made his skin crawl to be touched by those hands.

  “Why don’t I believe you?” Christophe murmured, his eyes narrowing in disapproval.

  “It’s not like that!” Ryder vehemently protested, needing the man to believe what he didn’t even believe himself. It was that desperation that led him to further his argument. “Besides, what difference do my feelings make when he obviously doesn’t care about anything but the money?” It was a statement that made Ryder feel filthy, especially since it was a doubt that he had harbored since the beginning.

  Although Christophe had doubted Ryder’s sincerity, it was clear that he had a realistic grasp on the situation. It caused a plan to rapidly form in Christophe’s mind. After all, it was in Christophe’s nature to take advantage of others weaknesses. It was easier to extort something from a person when he possessed something they wanted more than anything else.

  Just as Christophe lorded Grayson’s freedom over Hunter to keep him employed, perhaps he could use his adopted son against Ryder. The man’s good looks would make him a popular choice in the brothel, and the closer he could keep Ryder, the easier it would be to break his fiery spirit. There was the added benefit that it might be an additional method of controlling Hunter, plus Christophe would make far more off of Ryder as an employee than as a client.

  Christophe’s hand drifted from Ryder’s chin down to the soft expanse of his neck in a deadly caress as he murmured, “Of course, there is another alternative solution here.”

  Everything inside of Ryder was screaming for him to pull away, to get away from the sadistic man in front of him, but he was frozen in his fear. “A-another solution?” Ryder stuttered, hating how meek it made him sound.

  “Since you seem to be so concerned about my boy and his role here at the brothel, come work for me at Cole Corporation,” Christophe offered, already imagining the things he could make Ryder do under his employment.

  Out of everything that Ryder had been expecting to hear, a job offer had been the last. “What?” Ryder incredulously responded, unable to control his reaction.

  “You would do very well here,” Christophe continued, as if Ryder had never spoken. However, the hand that had been caressing Ryder stilled, and for a split second Ryder wondered if he was about to be strangled by Christophe. “I would even be willing to train you myself. Only the most elite of my employees are offered such an honor.”

  Ryder thought he was actually going to throw up at what such a statement implied about Hunter’s past, and he was on his feet before he even realized it. His green eyes burned bright with a volatile hatred as he trembled, trying not to do something foolish in his rage. It didn’t help that Christophe looked amused by his reaction. Ryder clenched his hands into tight fists as he struggled against the emotions that were threatening to engulf him. “You will forgive me if I decline such an offer,” Ryder tersely replied, finding it within himself to maintain a facade of respectful decorum despite his disgust.

  “Of course,” Christophe said, somewhat impressed with Ryder’s restraint, given the situation. It was a little disappointing, since he was intentionally trying to provoke a reaction from Ryder, but it spoke volumes to him about the man.

  Ryder needed to get away from Christophe before he did or said something foolish that would get him permanently banned, so he coldly stated, “I believe we are done here.”

  “So long as you understand that there will not be another warning,” Christophe smoothly replied, his eyes narrowing as he resumed a serious demeanor once more.

  “Or else?” Ryder questioned with a sickening feeling of dread, easily able to discern the very real threat amongst the words.

  “There is no ‘Or else,’ as you say,” Christophe informed Ryder, looking at him with a cruel sadism. “You only have one choice: obey me.”

  “Obey or never come back?” Ryder guessed, although he doubted it was as simple as that.

  Closing the distance between himself and Ryder, Christophe nodded as he commented, “At least you’re smart enough to figure out that much.”

  Figuring that everything that needed to be said had been said, Ryder started to turn and walk away, only to be stopped and pulled back by Christophe grabbing his wrist. Ryder collided with Christophe’s broad chest and was prevented from pulling away by the strong arm that encircled his waist, causing his fear to shift to pure panic.

  “Remember, boy: I will not tolerate this,” Christophe murmured low in his ear as he slid his hand under Ryder’s shirt to brush his fingers over the hickey Hunter had left earlier. Ryder shuddered in disgust and had to bite down on a verbal reaction when Christophe’s touch went from teasing to painful, refusing to cry out as the older man’s fingers pressed hard on the mark and then raked his sharp fingernails over it. “If I find out that anything like this happened outside of these walls again, my boy will pay in painful ways that you can’t even begin to comprehend. Understood?”

  “Yes, sir,” Ryder quickly agreed, his heart hammering as he clamped down on his instinct to flee.

  “Good boy,” Christophe patronizingly sneered, stroking the mark for a final time before releasing Ryder. He had to admire Ryder’s impeccable self-control. It made it all the more exciting for Christophe to try and break Ryder’s will.

  Ryder stayed silent as Christophe left the room with a sinister laugh, remaining standing alone in the center of the room long after the door closed.

  When the door closed behind him, Jake looked at Hunter with the predatory glee of someone finally getting their revenge. He was momentarily distracted by the cloying smell in the room, but Jake didn’t allow it to deter him. It angered him that Hunter seemed decidedly nonplussed about the whole thing, but Jake wasn’t going to let that stop him from doing what he had come to do.

  Stalking over to Hunter, Jake pulled the towel off of his enemy’s waist. He’d hoped that Hunter would respond with shame or an attempt to cover himself, but all he received for his efforts was an arrogant look. “You don’t even have enough shame to be embarrassed?” Jake sneered, belated regretting that he had removed the towel from Hunter. It was too tempting to assess Hunter’s size, but Jake’s pride wouldn’t let him look.

  “What do I have to be ashamed of?” Hunter questioned with a shrug. “Other than being forced to endure your presence for an hour, of course.”

  Although it was a typical response, it still irked Jake. He was paying for Hunter, and he would damn well get the respect that was due to him. Acting out, Jake twisted the towel and snapped it to try and hurt Hunter, but his attack failed. Hunter was faster and caught the towel around his wrist before it hit him, grabbing hold of it, and using the force to pull Jake to him. Even though he was completely revolted by the contact, Hunter smugly said, “I wouldn’t recommend trying that again.” He tightened his grip when Jake tried to pull away. “After all, that’s not why you came here tonight.…”

  Shoving Hunter away from him and releasing the towel, Jake growled in irritation. “I came here to make you stay the hell away from Ryder!” Jake snapped.

  “Why?” Hunter asked as he threw the towel aside, wondering if he would actually get a serious answer. “And did you really think this was the best way to do it?”

  “Shut up!” Jake growled as he glared at Hunter. Even if Hunter was obligated by money, he still wasn’t going to make it easy for Jake. “Stop being so difficult,” Jake ordered, tightly clenching his fists in rage.

  “The only one being difficult is you,” Hunter countered, enjoying irritating Jake. The more worked up Jake was, the easier it would be to manipulate him.

  “I don’t want to hear that from a whore,” Jake hissed, wishing that there was something that he could say or do to make Hunter break.

  Jake hadn’t really planned his visit out in advance, and he was regretting not having a plan. He had called Ryder several times to invite him to the brothel. When reaching Ryder pr
oved impossible, Jake decided to go by himself, but when he was at the front desk, the thought crossed his mind that his friend might be with “Dragon,” and that was why he wasn’t answering any calls.

  There had been something deeply suspicious about the way that Ryder always dodged any questions regarding his brothel visits. Between that and Hunter’s sudden change in behavior when around Ryder, Jake had enough evidence to act—not to mention their encounter in the bathroom at the university. It was all much too suspicious for comfort.

  Jake decided the only way to get answers was to book Dragon for himself. He had almost thought it wouldn’t work because the front desk staff said he wasn’t qualified to meet with Dragon, but they finally relented after an intervening phone call reminded them about Jake’s connection to his father’s friend and VIP at Cole Corporation, Hugh Carter. Jake’s funds may have been limited, but he didn’t care how expensive it was to hire Dragon—he was going to have his answers at any cost. As long as it got Ryder away from Hunter, it would be worth it.

  Jake didn’t know what type of blackmail Hunter had used on Ryder to keep him coming back to the brothel, but it was obvious that his friend was in distress, and he was determined to put a stop to it. Hunter had clearly conned Ryder in some way, and Jake wouldn’t stop until his friend was free of such tyranny.

  Hunter merely shrugged the insult away; he had been called far worse. “What do you want to hear?” Hunter smoothly asked, assuming a casually defensive position.

  It once again drew Jake’s attention to Hunter’s nudity, which made his cheeks faintly flush. Part of him wanted to demand that Hunter put on clothes, but Jake refused to give his enemy the satisfaction of knowing he was bothered by the situation. Refocusing himself, Jake bluntly asked, “Why does Ryder keep coming back to see you?” Maybe if he was up front, Hunter would repay the favor—though Jake didn’t have that much faith in his most hated enemy.

  “Because I’m a good fuck?” Hunter perversely suggested, relishing the disgusted look on Jake’s face.

  Jake could tell that he was being baited, so he tried to clamp down on his anger; it would just be counterproductive. “Obviously you have some sort of information you’re using against Ryder to get him to keep coming back here and—”

  Hunter could only laugh at the simpleminded reasoning. He watched as Jake cracked under pressure. “You really think I’m blackmailing him?” Hunter scoffed.

  Growling low in his throat, Jake realized how farfetched it sounded. What information could Hunter even have on Ryder? It wasn’t like Ryder had a salacious past.

  When Jake failed to answer, Hunter goaded, “Is it really so hard for you to believe that he likes what I do for him? Likes what I do to him?”

  “Yo, shut your filthy fucking mouth!” Jake yelled, unable to restrain his reaction. “Ryder’s not like that!”

  Raising both of his eyebrows in surprise, Hunter carefully regarded the fuming man before him, who was practically panting with rage. “You seem to have misunderstood something, mutt. Although that’s hardly surprising,” Hunter arrogantly commented.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Jake demanded, infuriated.

  Approaching Jake with the seductive grace lent to him by years of practice, Hunter waited until he was right in front of Jake to point out, “You forget that he came to me willingly.”

  Hunter’s sensuous demeanor was freaking Jake out, and it didn’t help that it was a valid point. “You probably only fucked him because you were paid to,” Jake shot back, refusing to take a step back like his body was desperately screaming at him to do.

  “As long as it feels good, I don’t really care,” Hunter taunted, making Jake even more uncomfortable.

  “You’re disgusting,” Jake hatefully spat, his skin crawling at the implication.

  “You know what I think?” Hunter asked with a chuckle.

  “Who cares what you think?” Jake countered.

  Smirking victoriously and leaning closer to Jake, Hunter lowly murmured in his ear, “I think you’re jealous.”

  Shoving hard at Hunter’s chest to try and push him back, Jake demanded, “What the hell do I have to be jealous of?”

  Capturing Jake’s wrists and holding him in place, Hunter looked him in the eyes as he replied, “Either you’re jealous that you aren’t the one with me, or—”

  Unable to contain his reaction, Jake jerked out of Hunter’s hold as he interrupted, “That’s something to be grateful for, not jealous over, asshole!”

  Looking entirely too smug, Hunter voiced his true belief: “Then you’re jealous that I got to Ryder first.”

  “What?” Jake exploded, incapable of considering the full ramifications of what Hunter had said.

  Hunter was having fun. He continued taunting, “Otherwise, there’s no reason for you to be this worked up about him, unless you want him for yourself, mutt.”

  Knowing that denial was pointless with someone like Hunter, Jake snapped, “All I want is for you to stay the hell away from my friend, damn it!”

  “Why?” Hunter demanded, disappointed that he hadn’t gotten a stronger reaction out of Jake. When Jake continued to flounder in explanations, Hunter’s urge to provoke him grew stronger. “I’m obviously not the one that you need to be having this conversation with.”

  Jake was starting feel like Hunter was toying with him. “I’m being serious, asshole!” Jake exclaimed.

  Even though Hunter knew he would have to shower for a long time afterward, trying to get clean, he proceeded with his plan. Wrapping his arm around Jake’s waist and holding him tightly, Hunter pressed his body against his struggling enemy’s. “Then shall I show you the real reason he keeps coming back?” Hunter murmured in a devastatingly sexy tone of voice that paralyzed Jake as his heart started to pound.

  Jake struggled against the embrace while trying not to touch Hunter, which was proving decidedly difficult. “Let me go!” Jake commanded, feeling a bubble of panic when Hunter didn’t immediately comply.

  Rather than obeying, Hunter cupped Jake’s cheek with his hand in a gentle caress as he reminded him, “You might as well get your money’s worth, right?”

  “That’s not why I came here!” Jake protested as he slapped Hunter’s hand away.

  It was entirely too enjoyable to get Jake so riled up with so little effort. Hunter tipped Jake’s chin back with a crooked finger as he used the advantage of his height to physically dominate the shorter man. “So you didn’t come here to try and fuck me into submission?” Hunter asked in a disbelieving tone, reveling in his own vulgarity. “Wouldn’t being buried balls deep in me be the perfect revenge for you?”

  Jake couldn’t stand to picture himself fucking Hunter, even if he had to begrudgingly had to admit it would be the perfect revenge. But Hunter was trying to goad him into it, which made Jake stubbornly dig in even more. “You sick fuck! That’s what you want me to do, isn’t it?” Jake accused him. “You want me to fuck you like the whore you are!”

  “No,” Hunter denied as he sadistically ran his hands along Jake’s ass, before firmly groping it to pull their bodies closer together. “I’d much rather have you on all fours, ass up, and fuck you from behind like the loser dog that you are until you’re begging me for more.”

  It was such an outrageous description that Jake could only sputter fragments of words as he struggled to respond. Jake’s inability to come up with any retort made Hunter smirk at the small victory. He decided to take advantage of the shorter man’s upset, even though what he was about to do was distasteful to him.

  Hunter murmured in amusement, “Looks like I finally found a way to shut you up.” He then captured Jake’s lips in a punishing kiss.

  Jake tried to pull away, but Hunter forcibly held him closer as he continued dominating the kiss. When Jake tried to protest, Hunter used the opportunity to slip his tongue into the other man’s mouth and deepen the kiss while grabbing his ass hard at the same time. Hunter could feel Jake struggling against him,
but he refused to release his captive as he continued the demanding kiss.

  When Hunter kissed him, it felt like everything in Jake’s mind came to a screeching halt. He tried to get away and when that failed, his ego refused to let him back down from the challenge. He instinctively became competitive as he was drawn into Hunter’s dark passion, unaware of how he was being affected by the aphrodisiac in the incense that permeated the room.

  Hunter was more than surprised when Jake started to respond to the kiss, but he was careful not to lose sight of his real goal. He smirked when he felt Jake’s erection straining against his pants. Hunter reached out to firmly cup it as he taunted, “The thought of my dick up your ass turns you on this much?”

  Jake was humiliated when he realized his body had become aroused in their battle of wills. It was too much for Jake to endure, causing him to finally lose his temper. He tried throwing a punch at Hunter’s face while angrily shouting his name.

  Hunter smoothly captured the fist, then in a fluid motion he was behind Jake, kicking his knees out from under him and sending the man to the floor with his arm twisted painfully behind his back. Jake cried out as he tried to fight against Hunter, but it felt like his shoulder was going to come out of its socket.

  Feeling smug that his plan had worked, Hunter arrogantly taunted while keeping Jake pinned down, “You’re already screaming my name, and I haven’t even fucked you yet.”

  Jake gritted his teeth against the pain, but it was almost blinding because of the angle at which Hunter had him pinned. “I hate you so much,” Jake whispered before loudly swearing when Hunter tightened his grip further. Jake hated that he was still hard, and that it was all Hunter’s fault.

  “That’s not going to stop you from jerking off to the memory of this,” Hunter predicted with a dark chuckle. “Enjoy living with the knowledge that you’re this turned on by the thought of me fucking you.”