Fatal Exposure (14 page)

He held her against him as his hot cum spurted the back of her throat. She stopped rocking and swallowed him whole, hating that she loved the taste of him.

And despising that the seduction was over. She’d gone too far too fast. He’d gotten what he’d wanted and she hadn’t gotten a thing.

One more piece of herself she’d given away. His words had definitely hit home.

Her heart twisted terribly, and she fell back onto her bottom. He followed her onto the floor, hovering over her body, slanting his wounded mouth lightly against hers.

“Forgive me,” he whispered and kissed her again. “Please.”

“I’ll forgive you when you let me go.” She stared into his pale blue eyes as she held her breath. Only momentarily questioning if she would have loved him under different circumstances.

“I...I can’t. It’s for your own good. You have to believe me.” He moved in to kiss her again, but Ava wasn’t having it.

“Fuck you,” she whispered and brought her feet up. She slammed them against his solar plexus as hard as she could. Surprisingly, he lurched back against the chair, like a tired old man.
Huh
. She supposed every man had a weakness, but what was so different about that particular instance she didn’t know and didn’t have time to guess.

He stood from the ground and quickly buttoned his jeans as he towered over her. “We’ll finish this later,” he said in a grave voice, but somehow she wasn’t frightened by his threat at all. She rose to her feet and straightened her shoulders. “Only if I let it happen.”

A sexy smirk curled his lips. He brought his hand up and brushed it against her pebbled nipple pointing shamefully against her snug T-shirt. “Oh, I think you will.”

Shocked by his words and embarrassed by how he could turn her into mush by one simple touch, she could only watch as he headed toward the door—just as someone began to knock.

****

Zack’s cell phone rang as Poppy was about to sit down on his latex-covered cock. He put up a finger.

“Hold on. I have to answer this.”

She sighed and sat back on his legs.

“This better be good,” he said into the phone while groping one of Poppy’s breasts with his callusfree, manicured hand. “He’s not here and neither is she, so where are they?” He released her and traveled down over her Bermuda-waxed mound to her wet heat. He slipped one finger in absently. “You got to be kidding me.” Growing impatient, Poppy slapped his hand away and slid on top of his hardness, guiding it into her. She began slowly driving up and down.

He didn’t object, but it was obvious he was irritated at the information he was receiving over the phone. “No, I don’t want you to go there. I’ve paid you morons enough money as it is,” he yelled.

“I’ll do it my goddamn self. It’s what I should’ve done in the first place before Gavin decided to screw me over.” He shut his phone with force and slammed it back into his jacket pocket. “Didn’t I tell you to wait?” he bellowed at Poppy.

“Time is money, pal.” She pumped him faster, grasping his shoulders as she began to climax. “Yes, yes, yes!” she called out as she worked overtime, clenching her walls tightly against his erection until she reached a full orgasm and then collapsed against him.

“Get off of me,” Zack barked into her ear. “I can’t believe this shit. I just got raped by a whore.”

“I didn’t rape you,” she shrieked. “And I’m not a whore.” She flung herself off his lap and his deflated cock and began searching for her panties. The jerk

was just looking for an excuse not to pay her, and she wasn’t going to let him off that easy.

“Yeah, well, I’m not a satisfied customer,” he grumbled and threw his rubber to the floor. “And I’ve got to get out of here.”

“I don’t think so, pal.” She was determined to get her money. She ran out of the room and quickly slid a chair under the knob, locking him and the briefcase inside.

“What the—” Zack’s shouts trailed off as she made her way across the club to the office. Jarred walked up behind her, nipping at her heels. “Pop,” he yelled, startling her. “Dean said you were in the backroom with some guy without cover. What the fuck were you doing?”

“It’s not what you think.” She dodged his hand as it came out to grasp her arm. She jerked the office door open and hurried to the desk.

“Don’t lie to me, Pop. I know the look you get after you’ve pulled a trick.”

“I didn’t do anything. I swear,” she lied. She couldn’t help it. That case of money was the answer to all her prayers and dreams...and she didn’t need to suck up to any two-bit loser to get it. Although she might have to kill one.

Frantically, she yanked out the drawers of the desk, sweeping her hand through each one. Where was the gun she always saw Jarred playing with?

He came up behind her and captured her arms, swinging her around and pinning her against the desk. “What are you doing?” he asked, piercing her with a stare. “Looking for a condom? Who you got in that room?”

“Nobody. And trust me. I’m not looking for a condom.” She already had a stash of those in the backroom.

Poppy scanned the room, making up time as Jarred held her down. And then she saw it. On top of the filing cabinet. “Do you want a blow job?” That usually distracted him.

He stood up and straightened his leather jacket.

“Uh, sure.”

As he sat down in the folding chair, Poppy sprung for the gun and attempted to dash out of the room.

Jarred was quicker than she’d anticipated. He grabbed her arm and flung her around.

“Let go!”

“Give me my goddamn gun, you bitch.” His free hand swung up and made potent contact with her cheek.

This is what Ava had warned her about.

Poppy brought the gun up and pulled back on the trigger. “Do you want to die today?” she asked him with all the authority she could muster. He dropped her arm. “Pop, that’s not funny. Give me that thing.”

“No. I’m in charge now. Get over there by the desk.” She clasped the gun with both hands and aimed at his head.

Slowly, he backed up, and she felt more powerful than ever.
This
is what it felt like to be in control.

“Throw me your jacket.”

He shrugged off the leather coat and reluctantly tossed it at her feet. “You going to pull this shit after all I’ve done for you?”

“Sorry.” She shrugged and picked the jacket off the floor. “I want more than a job at a strip joint.”

She walked backward. “See ya,” she whispered and left him there.

Stumbling only once on her spiked heels, she raced back across the club. She slipped the oversized jacket on, grasping tightly to the heavy weapon in her hands that hid underneath the long sleeve. But she stopped in her tracks when she saw the backroom door wide open with Zack no where in sight. Dean, one of the bouncers, stood by with a grin on his face. “Sorry, Pop. It’s goes against the fire codes to block these doors.”

“Fuck you, Dean.” She brought the gun out and waved it at him.

He jumped back, and Poppy laughed. She liked being in charge. Too bad she didn’t have the time to stick around and have some fun.

Zack with his shiny, black leather case was getting away.

****

Ava held her breath, expecting to see Zack walk in Kade’s front door. Instead, it was a tall, thin brunette with big, beautiful brown eyes and deep red lips. She wore a short red leather mini skirt with black thigh-high boots, a charcoal-colored stretchy turtleneck. And in her arms was a sleek black cat. She looked angry as she stomped in the door and held Kade’s stare. “You know what I’m going to say.”

“Yes, I know,” Kade answered. “I couldn’t help it.” He nodded toward Ava, and the woman turned her head and gave Ava the once over.

“Who’s that?” she asked Kade as if Ava wasn’t in the same room.

“It’s a long story.”

“Is that your target, Kade? Did you bring her home with you?” The woman let the cat drop to the floor, bending over to showcase her long legs. Ava felt smaller and less visible with every word they spoke. She wasn’t a target. She was a human being. “Who are you?” she asked the woman.

“This is Lucy,” Kade answered but didn’t meet either of their eyes. “Lucy, this is Ava.”

“I’m his girlfriend,” Lucy said, sticking her chin out. “And his overworked cat-sitter. Which, by the way,” she shot back to Kade, “I’m not doing anymore. I’m just as busy with missions as you are.”

A rush of heat crawled up into Ava’s cheeks. He had a girlfriend. What a great way to top off the day. Suddenly, the threat of seeing Zack was becoming less and less of an issue as her mind clouded with both anger and unwanted jealousy.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” Kade mumbled while looking at Ava. He shook his head and turned toward the kitchen.

“Oh, excuse me. I’m his lover.” Lucy threw a grin Ava’s way. “From the expression on your face, I’d guess you are, too.”

“No.” Ava pushed a lock of her mussed hair behind her ear. “I’m nothing to him. I just want to leave. He kidnapped me.” She thought maybe this woman could help her escape, but by the way Lucy rolled her eyes, it didn’t look like she cared much. But what the hell? Ava gave it one more try. “He kidnapped me against my will and brought me here. You have to help me.”

Ava watched as Kade pulled a box of cat food from the cupboard and poured some into a dish that rested against the wall. He didn’t seem concerned at all.

Lucy winked at Ava, walked up behind Kade, and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Why don’t you let her go, honey?”

He peeled the woman’s hands from him and forced them back to her side. “You know why, Luce. Don’t play stupid.”

She laughed and swerved toward Ava. “Did you give him that nice little cut on his lip? I bet he deserved it.”

“Time for you to leave, Luce. You’ve had your fun.”“Not nearly enough.” She walked over to Ava and swept her hand across her slightly bruised cheek. “Did he do this to you?”

Ava didn’t answer. Lucy’s up-close beauty was breathtaking, and her scent was heady and sexy. Her skin and makeup were flawless.

She was the perfect woman. And she was Kade’s. Ava fought the unwanted jealousy burning inside of her, attempting to turn it to anger. Kade was a deceiving, manipulative asshole.

Lucy smiled at her, emphasizing her blushed cheeks and full, crimson lips.

Ava was speechless and fully aware of her own lack of makeup. She felt like a complete and utter mess. And she was sure anything she said at that moment wouldn’t be enough to make up for it.

“Kade?” Lucy said, not taking her eyes off Ava.

“I thought you were against striking women? I mean with what happened with your mother and—”

“I didn’t hit her.” He strode across the room with heavy footsteps, stopping in front of the two women.

“You need to leave.”

“Why?” Lucy’s smirk was pure evil. “Want to beat her again? Like father, like—”

“Shut up.” Kade’s jaw visibly tightened. “I’d never hurt Ava. I’m in love with her.”

“What?” both woman said in unison.

Ava felt the blood rush from her face as she grew faint. She stared up at the distraught expression Kade held as he closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Never mind.” He shoved his hand through his hair. “Luce, you need to go. Okay?”

Ava took a step away from them. Clearly, he hadn’t meant to say he was in love with her. And if he had, it was just another deception. He wanted to get this woman, who was causing him obvious grief out of his home, and his bungling words were simply a tactic.

“Are you kidding me?” Lucy narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re in love with her? She’s your target, Kade.”

“I said never mind. Just go. I won’t bother you with the cat anymore.”

“Fuck the cat. You’ve known this woman for how long?”

Ava needed to lie down, scream into a pillow, splash cold water on her face...something. Anything as long as she wasn’t there next to Kade. Of course he didn’t love her. It wasn’t possible. He had abducted her so he could collect money, for God’s sake. How could that ever be confused with love?

As the pair continued to argue, Ava slipped away into the bathroom. She clicked the door shut behind her but was frustrated to see there wasn’t a lock on it. There was just no getting away from that man.

And everything he represented. Someone she fantasized she could have fallen in love with. Someone she could have woken up next to every morning for the rest of her life. Someone who could have saved her from Zack and her past.

But no. Within the past few hours, Kade had become the exact opposite, and Ava hated him for deceiving her and for getting her hopes up. A surge of loneliness fell like dead weight in the pit of her stomach, and she tried to shake off the feeling by taking in the room around her. Everything appeared to be remodeled, contrasting with the rest of the house. Dark blue and rust-colored slate covered the floor and ran up half the wall where a brownish tone of paint took over. The bathtub was new, but it looked like a vintage clawfoot tub. Its delicacy and elegance drew her near. Kade didn’t seem like a man who bothered with baths but rather used the standup shower in the corner of the room. Feeling the urge to pee, Ava pulled her pants down, sat on the toilet, and listened to the raised voices in the other room.

The mystery woman was obviously upset over Ava’s presence, and Kade wasn’t backing down or giving in. He must have really wanted to get paid. He was going through a lot of trouble for Zack Moreno, making Ava wonder exactly what amount had been put on her head. And why Kade had brought her to his home rather than deliver her to Zack’s front door.

She washed up and turned on the hot water in the tub. The rushing sound was what she needed to drown out the voices and calm her nerves. As she waited for the bath to fill, curiosity led her to the mirrored cabinet above the pedestal sink. It wouldn’t

hurt to find out a little more about the man who held her hostage.

The two shelves contained the usual hygienic products, but right behind the deodorant was a familiar brown prescription bottle. She opened it and spilled out four pills onto her hand. They were the exact same pink and white capsules Kade had fed to her.

These might come in handy
.

She stashed them in her jean pocket and hid the bottle behind a full bottle of hair gel. Maybe she’d get through this after all now that she had ammunition.

With new confidence, she undressed and slid into the warm bath.

****

Kade drew in a deep breath after Lucy slammed the door behind her. She was pissed off, of course, but he knew she’d get over it. She was a strong woman and their relationship had been based only on sex. He’d made that clear from the beginning, and she never questioned it until tonight.

His only regret was telling her about his parents after a few too many beers. How his father had beaten his mother until her last breath. How Kade wished every day of his life to have been able to protect her from his father’s unforgivable sins. Little had he known Lucy would slap him in the face with his drunken confessions, making him admit his love for Ava.

The look on Ava’s face had been horrifying, to say the least. Pale, frightened. As if it was her against the world and Kade was just another obstacle to overcome.

Damn it. He didn’t want to be her enemy. He wanted more. He wanted her to forgive him. Raven, his ten-year-old cat, purred at his feet, wrapping her body around his ankle, so Kade reached down to pick her up. The cat had belonged to his mother before she died. It was the only living link he had to hold on to.

His attention went to the steam rolling out from under the bathroom door. The woman liked her baths hot.

So did Kade. Well, he’d get used to the heat if it meant being entangled with her naked body. The image had him taking steps toward the bathroom. He couldn’t resist her, although every sensible bone in his body told him to stop and leave her alone. She deserved better than him or any other asshole who desired her.

If only he had the power to erase her from his thoughts, but it was useless. He wanted her. Every part of her, not just a piece. And after the way she’d taken him in her mouth and so eagerly made him come, there had to be some part of her that wanted him, too.

Lord, he hoped so because at that moment nothing was more important than the sight of her wet, bare body in his tub. He turned the handle and eased the door open.

Chapter Eight

Ava grabbed the washcloth draped over the towel rack and covered her sensitive breasts. Damn her body for wanting something it couldn’t have. She cupped her hand over her mound to both hide and to tame the pulses that were growing stronger as the door knob turned.

Kade’s large body entered the room and seemed to take up all the space. The cat was in his arms, but he gently let it drop to the floor as he sat down at the edge of the tub. His eyes swept over her body and met her stare.

“Shouldn’t you be watching the surveillance?”

she asked, hoping he’d take the hint and leave.

“I set it for the alarm to go off.” He pointed to a speaker near the ceiling.

“Your girlfriend leave?” Her voice sounded bitter even to her own ears.

He grinned at her. “She’s not my girlfriend, Ava. She’s nothing to me.” His hand dropped and landed on her bent knee where his fingers lightly circled.

“Can I join you?”

She tried to force herself to say no but, “What do you think?” was all that came out, and her voice wasn’t at all as harsh as she wanted it to be. He leaned over and began untying his boots.

“It’s...it’s not a good idea, Kade,” she managed to say.

He slipped off his boots, and they thunked to the floor. Then he stood and removed his shirt, showing her his broad chest, his lean, ribbed stomach. Two cabled muscles arrowed down into his pants. Ava knew too well where they led.

“I don’t want this,” she mumbled as he unbuckled his belt. “I don’t want you,” she said a second time more for herself than for him. His eyes devoured her as she clung tightly to the small white washcloth.

“It’s not that simple.” He unbuttoned his jeans and yanked them and his underwear to the floor. His cock was hard and erect, reminding her of the times it had filled her up and satisfied her unlike any other man ever had.

She gulped down a knot in her throat. “I despise you, Kade.”

“As you should, Ava.” He peeled off his socks and stepped into the water. “But I can’t let that stop me.”

After she pulled her legs into her chest, she dunked her head under the water and attempted to hold her breath. It was silly and childish, but what else could she do to distract her from the overwhelming urge to straddle his lap and ride him until she came?

He spread her knees apart and wedged his body between them. Oh God. This was too much. Losing control of her senses was not something she could handle. She brought her head above water and gasped for air.

Just as his tongue slid into her mouth.
Bite, bite, bite.
But she couldn’t gather the nerve. He tasted too good, so familiar and enticing all at once.

Her body was pinned against the tub as his mouth possessed hers. His lips were both soft and powerful. His tongue tousled back and forth with hers, each fighting for the upper hand. Only Ava didn’t know what the prize was. With her last bit of self-control, she clenched her mouth shut, forcing him out. “I can’t.”

He ignored her by moving on to her neck where he kissed and licked her sensitive skin. His erection rubbed against her thigh.

“Stop,” she said but closed her eyes, almost hoping he’d continue and dive into her without warning, without protection, without fear. “Stop,”

she said again while spreading her legs for his entry and tilting her neck for his mouth.

But suddenly both were vacant. A cool breeze swept across her damp neck as she heard the bath water swish. She opened her eyes to see him leaning against the other side of the tub. He stared at her with a narrowed gaze that matched the color of the water between them. A translucent blue she could have plunged headfirst into and swam in the passion that exuded from him.

He didn’t say a word, but Ava knew he wanted her and would probably be in her if she hadn’t opened her big mouth. It was for the best. The last thing she wanted was to get pregnant by a man who made his living kidnapping people...kidnapping her. What a vivid story she could tell her grandchildren. Ha!

She combed back a drenched lock of hair and avoided his intense stare. “Did you do all of this?”

she asked, hoping to break the tension. He didn’t respond so she elaborated. “Did you remodel this room?”

“Yep.” His deep voice echoed off the walls and fluttered in her belly. He was playing with her. Probably having a grand time of it, too.

“So you have a hobby outside of ruining people’s lives?”
There
.
That should put a damper on hismood
.

A wicked grin curved his lips. “Turn around and come here.”

“I may be your prisoner, but I’m not your servant.”

“Fine,” he said, losing his smile. He reached forward and grabbed her waist, spinning her around as easily as a rag doll.

Annoyed he had that power, she gripped the sides of the tub and attempted to take back control. His mouth touched her ear, and she quickly twisted her head to witness his next move.

“I’ll be your servant then,” he whispered and kissed her cheek.

Unwanted goose bumps rose on her skin. “I don’t want you to do anything but let me go.” But curiosity made her sit there and wait for whatever he had in mind.

From the corner of her eye, she watched as he squirted shampoo into his palm and rubbed his hands together. He scooped up her wet hair and lathered the suds into her scalp.

Ava faced forward and let his large hands work magic. Hoping he didn’t notice how much she was enjoying his touch, she closed her eyes and began to relax.

His fingers massaged her scalp, working out the tension and titillating her senses.

He brought two fingers up to sweep some bubbles off her forehead and then tilted her head

against his stone hard chest. Repositioning, she scooted her butt back and sat in between his solid thighs. If he wanted to give her pleasure, then she would let him. But that’s as far as she was going. Slowly, his hands curved down her jaw line and settled gently upon her neck, where his thumbs began kneading the tight muscles at her hairline.

“Is this all right?” he asked in a soothing voice as his thumb worked out a kink.

When she didn’t answer, he moved his hands over her shoulders, inward toward her collarbone, and down to the tops of her breasts where he lingered for a moment, teasing her. Making her wish he’d move on and give his attention to her sensitive nipples that ached for his touch. Just an inch and he could cup her heavy swollen breasts.

Instead, he reached for the portable showerhead. “Time to rinse.”

Attempting to clear her overexcited mind, Ava braced her hands on his legs and sat up. His muscles flexed at her fingertips, and she couldn’t help but take in the image. Dark hairs sparsely covered his powerfully chiseled thighs. There was no doubt his body was a perfectly sculpted machine. A beautiful sight she wouldn’t have minded kissing and licking on the way up to his hardened cock.

Ava ran her hands up to his knees and back down again.

“You okay?” he asked, and she swiveled her head to see him smiling.

Damn him. He had to know the effect he had on her.

The warm water squirted onto her back so she tilted her head, letting him rinse the shampoo from her hair. When he finished, he lowered the

showerhead into the bath and let the water rush against her abdomen.

“What are you doing?” She tensed.

He answered by grabbing her by the waist and gathering her against him. He lowered the pelting liquid in between her legs, against the inside of her thigh and then against her clit.

“Oh, God.” She started at the instant pleasure and widened her legs for more.

She figured her reaction must have ignited something in him because he dropped the device, slammed the faucet off, and lifted her chin for a deep kiss. Two of his fingers parted her folds and massaged her sensitive nub. His other hand left her chin, moved down to cup her wet swollen breast, and stroked her pebbled nipple.

Overwhelmed with ecstasy and adrenaline, Ava fell against him as if she were his puppet and his arms were the strings keeping her alive and thriving. At that moment, she would have allowed him to do anything he desired. He could have her, and she didn’t give a damn about the consequences. Her back slid against his damp, muscled chest as he stroked firm circles against her clit. She reached around and caressed his strong jaw, sucking eagerly on his tongue while it slipped in and out of her mouth. His erection hardened against her ass, showing her how much he wanted her.

She attempted to pivot on her butt and let him in bare and unprotected, but his arm held her in place as he massaged her breast and teased her nipple. Below, his two fingers dipped deep into her, milking
that
spot.

Wanting more, she clenched down on his fingers, causing her pussy to quake, her womb to heat. His

tongue darted into her mouth, echoing the stroking movement of his fingers.

Ava moaned, and he pulled his lips away, watching her with leaden eyes. His breath was as ragged as hers, his cheeks ruddy. She bit down on her lip and fully allowed her stimulated pussy to have its way. The wave rippled through her center. Stinging. Coursing. Freeing her.