Stolen Love

by Heather Hart

  "I don't know—" Robert was deeply engrossed in his conversation with Shez, and appeared not to have heard. "I don't think we have plans. But if Alex doesn't mind—”

  "Ahem. Robert, I've just invited your lovely lady to spend the day shopping with Shez tomorrow. You won't mind will you? I have a little business I have to see to. and I was worried about leaving her alone. Kassandra would be the perfect solution. They can keep each other company."

  Robert didn't appear to mind at all. "No, no. We can stay in town another day, no problem. Kassie might like spending a day with one of her own sex for a change. It will do her good."

  Alex finished his wine and smiled. "Well, that was easy enough. Perhaps you and I can get together for drinks when my business is concluded. What do you say?"

  "That would be great, sure," said Robert.

  "Deal. Shall we say noon tomorrow?"

  "Sure," said Kassie.

  She too pushed her finished plate away. She had what she'd come for. There was no need to drag this out. She sipped thoughtfully at her wine glass and considered what she'd accomplished. Robert had told her this job was going to be tricky. Well, so far it had been a walk in the park. Alex was playing into her lap, and if things continued like this, their business would be concluded in record time.

  Alex held the half-empty bottle out toward her. "Another glass?"

  "Why not?" she said.

  She held out her glass and let him fill it to the brim. Might as well relax and enjoy herself for a bit. Her real work would start tomorrow afternoon. Right now, she might as well kick back and have a little fun.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The Jewelers

  The hotel was only a few blocks from the marina. It was a nice day, so Kassie walked the short distance, wearing a backless summer dress and one-strap stilettos. She hoped it would be enticing, but not too over the top. Robert had implanted a GPS tracking device into the heel of her shoe, just in case anything bad happened to her. It gave her a little sense of security, as long as she was able to hold onto her shoes.

  Naturally Alex had taken the best suite of rooms in the hotel. While Shez finished applying her makeup, Kassie walked over to the window to admire the view. A few hundred feet below them, the Double Entendre was anchored out in the marina. She had left Robert on board, researching the boats that had arrived in the marina in the last few hours. Sooner or later Alex's contact would arrive to either deposit his acquisitions in America, or smuggle whatever contraband Alex had to send to distant shores. A small boat was arriving in the marina now. As it cruised toward its mooring, she wondered if that boat could be the one. Hell, it could be anyone. It wasn't as if they raised the Jolly Roger or anything. Quite the opposite. The most innocent looking vessel could be the messenger for the worst kind of mischief.

  "How do you like my view?"

  Shez's silken voice was oddly cutting. It made the hairs tingle on Kassie's arm, and she steeled herself in case her body betrayed her total dislike.

  "I like it very much. I was trying to see Robert on the boat, but I think he must be below deck. Where is Alex?"

  She turned to find that Shez had chosen a pair of navy silk trousers with a crisp white halter-neck blouse. Her hair was slicked back into a tidy up-do, which perfectly set off her middle-eastern features. She looked like a million dollars, and she knew it. Her Louis Vuitton shoulder bag was hooked over a chair. She grabbed it and spun her perfectly toned ass over toward the door.

  "Coming?"

  "Sure."

  The two bustled out of the room and walked toward the elevator. Shez didn't look Kassie's way, but focused on the floor indicator.

  "So, tell me, how long have you and Robert been together? I can't imagine it's been long. You weren't on the scene last year, as far as I know."

  "It's been a few months now. Seems like forever, but in a good way."

  Shez stole a glance at her sideways. "I can imagine."

  The idea of this woman and Robert playing hide the salami made her stomach flip. But she was here to win her friendship and trust, so she attempted something of a smile.

  "What about you and Alex? You two been together long?"

  "Long enough."

  "He's a very handsome man."

  Shez's smile reminded Kassie of an indulged cat. "Yes, yes he is, isn't he? One might say, disarming."

  "How did you meet? Any chance of wedding bells or something?"

  For a second Shez's smug smile faltered, but she quickly recovered her composure as the elevator doors slid open and the two women popped inside. Shez hit the lobby button and repositioned the strap of her bag on her shoulder.

  "We met at a party."

  Her lips were tight, and Kassie also noticed how she sidestepped the question of matrimony. She decided it was best not to press right now. It would probably piss her off, which would achieve nothing.

  "I haven't been on a girl shopping spree for some time. I imagine it will be fun."

  Shez's superior smile returned. "I imagine it will."

  The elevator slowed on the fourth floor, and a cropped-haired, stocky man with dark skin stepped inside. For an instant he caught Shez's eye, and Kassie thought he nodded, but Shez quickly looked down to the elevator floor and didn't acknowledge him at all. Do they know each other? It looked like it to Kassie. The bald man looked her way, nodded politely, then turned to face the doors as they continued down toward the lobby.

  Perhaps she had been mistaken, but she doubted it. When the doors opened, they all stepped out, and the stranger went off about his business.

  "Where shall we begin?" Kassie asked.

  "I just want to leave a note for Alex at the desk. I won't be a minute. Then we can think about where to go."

  Kassie sat down in a lounge chair to wait while Shez went over to the reception desk. It was clear to her that she and Shez would never be bosom friends, and not just because she'd slept with her boyfriend. She instinctively disliked her, and wondered why Shez wasn't feeling the same way, too. Then again, she was probably only doing this because Alex willed it so. She imagined that was the motive for much of what Shez did. Master and slave rather than boyfriend and girlfriend.

  Shez returned, her focus now on the street outside.

  "There, that's done. Now to spend a lot of Alex's hard earned money. I'm in the mood to buy a new watch. This one's looking a little dated."

  She held out her arm so Kassie could admire the slim Rolex wrapped around her wrist. Its face was unscratched, and it looked positively brand new.

  "If you say so, though that's a beautiful watch you have there."

  "I'm bored with it. Let's go find another."

  "Okay. Where did you have in mind?"

  "Oh, there's a lovely little family jewelers off Gay Street. Its one of those quaint little basement shops that always makes me think of old movies. We should probably take a taxi. It's more than a fair walk away, and our heels would get ruined. You don't mind, do you?"

  Since Kassie had no agenda of her own, she shook her head. "No. I'm good. Lead the way."

  Outside, the porter flagged down a passing yellow cab, and the two girls bustled inside. Kassie's backside singed a bit as she scraped over the hot leather seat, so she rearranged the fabric of her skirt to protect her skin. Shez was all grace and elegance, sitting with composure just behind the driver.

  "Have you shopped at Graystone and Goldman's before?"

  Kassie shook her head. "Can't say that I have."

  "They specialize in estate jewelry. You can get some fabulous pieces there, and the gems are flawless. I drop a lot of money in that store whenever I'm in town."

  "Wearing rings from dead people?"

  "I have them reset, of course. Like this one." She flashed a two-karat diamond under Kassie's nose. "What was in fashion twenty years ago is rarely worth wearing today. Better to have your own design, don't you think?"

  "I suppose so."

  Robert was pretty wealthy, but Kassie had never been one to blo
w their cash on trifles. Such things didn't move her at all. Maybe one day things might change, especially if she found herself in the market for a special diamond, but that day seemed a long way off, as yet.

  They were only in the taxi for a few minutes when it pulled up at the corner of a block on Gay Street. Both women climbed out and walked down the steps leading to a small jewelry store below street level. A tall young man with pleasantly smiling eyes met them. He recognized Shez immediately, and greeted her by name. Yup, looks like she does drop a bucket of cash here.

  "So wonderful to see you again, Ms. Nazari. I trust you are quite well?"

  "Very, Harvey. This is my new friend, Kassie Shannon. She hasn't been here before, so you need to wow her if you want to win a new customer."

  "How do you do?" he said, turning to Kassie and blasting her with his most charming smile.

  "Very well, thank you."

  Both women began leaning over cabinets, though Kassie noticed Harvey remained glued to Shez, no doubt following the smell of money.

  "Is there anything you're particularly looking for today. Ms. Nazari?"

  "As a matter of fact, I am. I'm in the mood for a brand new watch. Nothing old, something shiny and new. What do you have?"

  "In that case, step this way."

  He led her over to a glass case in the far corner of the store. It contained some incredibly fabulous looking pieces, and Kassie almost peed herself looking at some of the price tags. With the greatest effort she closed her mouth to stop it trailing on the floor behind her.

  Shez ran her critical eye over the selection, but seemed singularly unimpressed. "Is this everything? Don't you have anything new in? I would swear I've seen all these designs before."

  Harvey never skipped a beat, his smile intact. "As a matter of fact, I do have something in, but it's locked away, unpacked, in the backroom. Take a seat, and I will get it for you. I shall just be a few minutes. Would you like some tea or coffee while you wait?"

  "Yes, please, that would be lovely."

  Kassie expected a polystyrene cup with some coffee machine disaster, but after a quick nod from Harvey, a gangling teenage girl came over and took their orders for Starbucks. Both women threw caution to the wind and ordered lattes.

  "I do love being a little indulgent when I'm being indulgent," Shez explained.

  She continued to browse the glass cases while Kassie took the opportunity to sit down.

  Tired of shopping, she watched the steps outside, looking out for the young girl who assured them she would only be a minute or two. A pair of short legs walked by, and for some reason, she leaned forward to get a better look. Odd. It was the man from the elevator. What was he doing here? She had learned from experience not to trust coincidences, and followed him until he passed the stairs. His feet paused, and for a minute she thought he might join them in the shop, but then he changed direction and disappeared. She deduced he'd either gone to the end of the street, or found some other way into the building.

  Shez drew her attention away from the stairs by sitting next to her. "They have some very beautiful pieces here. You should treat yourself. I am sure Robert can afford it. Live a little. Considering what they put us through, it seems a small price to pay."

  "Er, no. Nice idea, but there's nothing I particularly need at the moment."

  Shez laughed. "Need? What has need got to do with anything?"

  The girl returned with their lattes, and a few minutes later, Harvey reappeared from the back room. His smile was still intact, and he carried a small velvet pouch in his hand. Shez rose from her seat and went to join him, her face alight with expectation, and Kassie got up to follow her. Once she stood across from him, he slipped something shiny and silver out of the pouch and into his palm. The wristband tinkled as the links crossed over each other, and Kassie leaned forward, curious in spite of herself.

  The watch was curious, with a pale face the color of the moon.

  "The perimeter is decorated with half-carat diamonds, and the hands are pure oyster. The casing is steel and white gold. This is a special edition Rolex. I believe only one hundred were ever made. We were very lucky to get it."

  Shez's eyes burned with desire. "It is beautiful."

  Harvey's eyes lit with the confidence of a sale. He put the watch down on the glass and stepped back so she could inspect it properly. Shez lifted it up and put it on her wrist, but her mind was already made up.

  “I'll take it. Will you register it for me?"

  "Of course, Ms. Nazari. Cash or charge?"

  "Please add it to Mr. Weber's account."

  "Very good. I'll just be a few moments."

  The job done, Kassie turned to finish her coffee in peace. It was such a beautiful watch, and the transaction had been completed with no mention of price. She turned back, intending to ask Shez that question when she saw the jeweler slip something like a note to her. It was done quickly, and from his body language it was clear to Kassie he hadn't meant to be seen. It was the only time that smile wasn't plastered on his face. Luckily, neither of them was looking at her, and she lowered her head quickly, pretending to be taken by a rather beautiful emerald ring in the display below her.

  "Well, that's me done!" said Shez. "I have what I came for."

  She tucked the watch, now secured in a smart presentation box, into her bag and turned toward the exit.

  "Have you seen anything that tickles your fancy?"

  "Not especially."

  "Then let's go get a drink. I'm positively gasping."

  And without looking back, she let herself out of the store and walked up to street level. Kassie followed quickly behind her, her head full of what she'd seen and wondering how that knowledge would be helpful for their mission. She figured she would find out soon enough.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Back on the Boat

  "Well, at least you weren't abducted."

  Robert poured Kassie a large scotch and topped it off with Sprite, just the way she liked it. He handed it to her where she sat at the end of the berth, kicking off her shoes.

  "They were hardly going to snatch me in Baltimore. They know I'm with you. Anyway, I got a good lead. The jewelry shop is involved somehow, I just know it."

  He sat on the berth beside her and ran his hand over her back. "Yeah, you did good, babe." He fell back on the mattress, exhausted. He had spent most of the day in front of his monitor, and his eyes were spent.

  "So what knocked you out? Didn't you meet Alex for drinks, like he said?"

  "No, he never called. And I don't know how these kids spend hours in front of those things, I really don't."

  She laughed. "That's rich, coming from a former hacker."

  "Maybe I'm just getting old."

  She turned and pushed his shirt back, exposing a set of perfectly chiseled abs. "I think not." She put the glass on the floor by his feet and pulled her dress over her head, exposing her full breasts and a pair of flimsy panties.

  "You're a wanton hussy, you know that?"

  "Aren't you the lucky one, sir?"

  He pulled her down beside him and swung on top of her. Gently he kissed along the line of her clavicle, then swooped down to take the pearl of a nipple between his lips. He bit harder, and she yelped but smiled at the same time.

  "So you want to play?"

  "Yes, sir."

  He pulled away and lay on his side, supporting his head in his hand. "Well, then, slip your hand into those teeny, tiny panties and come for me."

  In the old days Kassie would have hesitated, but she loved to please him. He settled into his comfortable position and followed her hand as it slipped under her panties, heading straight for the magic button. He loved to orally please her, but there was something erotically efficient in the way she went straight to her mark, working herself like a well-tuned machine, stoking her own fires to the point of ecstasy. Like himself, most guys would lick the entire sandwich before heading for the filling, but Kassie went straight for the meat, and feasted h
eartily.

  Her back arched as she sought the optimum position, and he toyed with her nipple as she pleasured herself, helping her speed her way directly to the finish line. After a few seconds he slid down between her legs and gently pulled her panties down for a better view. She had recently shaved herself entirely, and he loved to see her exposed pussy and the small, loose flesh of her labia. He wanted to suck on those lips now, but first he would wait. Watching her make herself come was a massive turn on.

  When her hips began to rise off the bed, he knew she was close, and he got up to remove his pants to be ready for action when the moment arrived.

  "Tell me when you're coming, Kassie."

  Breathless, she nodded, her mind somewhere else but mindful of the requests of her master. Droplets of light perspiration covered her body, and her fingers began to rotate with an increased sense of urgency. And then she took a sharp intake of breath. Her hips were high now, and he knew she would cry out at any moment.

  "Oh, my God, I'm coming! I'm coming, sir. Yes, oh, Lord, I'm coming, sir, oh!"

  And then she let go with a passion that always took him by surprise, no matter how many times he saw it. Her vulva glistened, moist with the currency of sex, and he thrust his middle finger into her, pushing her to the edge.

  Her hips lowered, and her breathing became more normal. She was coming down, but she would still be ready to take him. He flipped her over, pulling a pair of perfect peaches toward his cock, and he plunged into her, making her cry out once more.

  He held onto her hips and pulled her onto him, maximizing his penetration, spreading her ass cheeks apart to allow greater depth. He loved her body. It was so feminine, both firm and round at the same time. He closed his eyes and imagined fucking her over and over, fucking her until she could take no more. But then another image entered his head, and it wasn't him fucking her, it was Alex. At once the urgency went from his erection, and though he thrust into her over and over, it was no use; he couldn't get it back.