Seeking Justice (9 page)

“Maybe you should let me drive,” I gasp when he suddenly changes lanes, whipping around a car.

He laughs. “I’m sure I’ve been driving longer than you.”

I snort softly. “How old are you?” I ask, knowing full well how old he is, from the info in Valerie’s file on him.

“Old enough.”

“That old, huh?” I look at him and catch his grin.

“Older and wiser than you,” he teases as he pulls up in front of a building that displays architecture clearly from another era then the other buildings on the block.

“Crap.” There’s a long line stretching back down the sidewalk. I sit back in dismay.
I’ll never get in.

“Don’t worry little girl, I’ll get you in.” He does another U-turn, as a car pulls out of a parking space across the street.

I reach for the grab handle. “Stop doing that!”

He deftly backs into the spot and kills the engine.

I exhale loudly as I open the door. “You must be a teenager, you certainly drive like one.”

I look up in surprise when he exits the SUV too. He further surprises me when he takes my hand, my heartbeat spiking as we cross the street.

I eye the overly large bouncer that stands in front of the door with his arms crossed over his chest. With his shiny bald head, he reminds me of a genie I once saw in a movie. All he needs is baggy pants and shoes with the toes curled to be the perfect genie. He’s huge, and I can see that the first few people in line are watching him carefully, intimidated by the man’s size.

“What the hell are you doing back here?” The genie’s voice booms out, clearly directed at us.

I try to let go of Liam’s hand, but his fingers tighten around mine as he pulls me along with him.

“Just thought I’d come slumming,” Liam growls, and I look at him as if he’s crazy.

The next thing I know the two men are shaking hands, and the genie is pounding Liam on the shoulder.

“How the hell have you been?” The genie asks his face breaking into a huge grin.

“I’m good. Is Jimbo here?”

“Does he ever leave?” The genie looks down at me. He really is intimidating up close, and I sidle a little closer to Liam.

“Darius, this is Caitlyn. Caitlyn, Darius. He’s the meanest, ugliest bouncer in the city, and one of these days he’s going to acquire some sense and come to work for me.”

The big guy snorts as he holds out his hand to me. “Nice to meet you, Caitlyn. What’s a pretty little girl like you doing with this low-life?”

“I’m… not really sure,” I answer as I tentatively put my hand in his large one.

Darius throws back his head and guffaws, loud and boisterous, his laughter echoing off the buildings around us. I look up at Liam, and he smirks down at me.

“She’s a smart one,” Darius says, and I wince as he squeezes my hand. When he lets go, I hide it behind my back as I flex the life back into my fingers.

Darius opens the door, motioning for us to enter, and Liam pulls me along with him as he walks briskly through the lobby.

“Hello, Mr. Justice.” The coat check girl calls to Liam, and he raises his hand in greeting, but I don’t think he even looks her way. She’s certainly looking at him though.

Another bouncer, positioned at the entry into the club greets Liam. “Mr. Justice, good to see you again, sir.”

Liam shakes his hand. “Thanks, Gary. We have friends inside.”

“Good luck finding them; it’s a packed house tonight.”

Liam leads the way, shouldering through the crowd.

I suddenly see Paul as he stands waving his arm. When we reach the table Paul gives me a hug, and I catch his puzzled expression.

“Where’s Julie?” I ask loudly near his ear as he squeezes my waist. Garbage’s
I Think I’m Paranoid
is blasting over the sound system, and I know the music will be so loud we won’t be able to have any kind of conversation.

“She’s running late,” he says loudly near my ear and shrugs.

He looks at Liam, and Liam steps closer. Paul doesn’t hesitate before shaking his hand and then motions for us to sit. I know he’s dying to know what Liam is doing here. Me too.

I sit, and as I slip my jacket from my shoulders, Liam reaches to help, draping the jacket on the back of my chair. I look up to tell him thanks, but the dark glare he turns on me, lodges the words in my mouth.

What?

A waitress with long, dark blonde hair stops at our table. She has a tray full of drinks, and she sets one down in front of each of us. I’m a little puzzled and glance at Paul. He shrugs.

She’s bending down close to Liam so he can hear her, and she puts her hand on his arm as she leans against him.

How does everyone working here seem to know him?

She laughs when Liam says something and swats him flirtatiously on the arm.

He’s slept with her.

I don’t know how I know this, but I have no doubt. Maybe it’s their body language. I’m not sure why this bothers me, but it does. When he glances at me, I quickly look away.

Damn!
I don’t like the idea of him with someone else. I know I’m totally out of line, considering the reason he’s in my life to begin with, but—I want him. And as impossible as it would seem, with him being who he is and how he looks, I think he wants me too.

Maybe.

A little.

At least sexually.

From the corner of my eye, I see Paul looking at me, and I give him a small smile. He lifts his eyebrow, and I shake my head. I really need to talk to him, find out if anyone from the magazine has heard from Valerie but obviously, not here.

The annoying waitress picks up her tray, preparing to leave, and I read her lips as she tells Liam to, “call me”. She then runs her hand up his arm before turning and walking away.

I watch her go. What a bitch. I’m sure she’s aware that I’m here with Liam; she just doesn’t need to know why, that’s not the point. The point is you don’t come on to a man who is clearly with another woman.

When Liam suddenly stands, I expect it’s to follow her, so I’m more than surprised when he grips my arm pulling me up from my chair. He pulls me along with him as he heads into the crowd.

Whoa!

I look back, but Paul’s already hidden from view by the mass of people.

I almost trip in my heels and Liam stops, pulling me to his side, his arm encircling my waist before moving on. My heart is pounding as we step into the lobby.
Where’s he taking me?
Before I have a chance to ask, Liam pushes me against the wall. Stepping close, he glares down at me.

“Don’t you
ever
fucking lie to me again.” His voice is hard, his eyes narrowed.

“What?”
What the hell is he talking about?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My voice sounds breathy.

He glowers down at me. “You told me he wasn’t your lover.” His vibrant blue eyes blaze into mine.

“Who?” I frown, confused. “Paul?” My eyes widen, realizing whom he’s talking about. Geez, I thought we’d cleared that up. “Paul’s not my lover, I told you that! Why would you think—”

He moves quickly, claiming my lips, pressing me hard against the wall with his body. Pleasure spikes through me as his mouth devours mine. I kiss him back, arching against him. I want to reach up and delve my hands into his hair, but he holds my arms down against the sides of my body. I moan as his tongue explores my mouth, and he grinds his erection into my lower belly.

Sounds of laughter pull us from our lustful moment, and Liam presses his forehead to mine as we both try to catch our breath.

“Fuck!” he whispers forcefully. “I knew you were trouble, the moment I saw you.” He steps back, releasing my arms. Feeling a little dejected by his comment, I bring my arms up to wrap protectively around my middle.

“What about you?” I mutter.

“What about me?” His voice sounds stern, and I can’t make eye contact with him, knowing his answer might be the end of us before we even begin.

“Do you have a girlfriend?” I need to hear him say that he’s not involved with Miranda.

He doesn’t answer, and my heart sinks.

When he uses his finger to tilt my face up, I meet his eyes.

“You don’t have a very high opinion of me do you?”

I frown. “What does that have to do with you having a girlfriend or not?” His breath exhales with a startled laugh. “And what does it say about your opinion of me, when you think I’m involved with Paul?”

He shakes his head and then runs a hand through his hair. “This isn’t the place to have this conversation.”

I look over at a group as they enter the club laughing, looking for a good time. When I look back at Liam, he’s watching me intently. As if he makes a decision, he suddenly grips my hand and leads me back toward the nightclub’s main room. Just before we reach the entrance where the bouncer stands, there’s a doorway and this is the direction Liam takes.

We walk down a dark hallway, and then Liam is opening a door for us to step into a small room that looks to be someone’s office. Filing cabinets, a couple of chairs, and a desk occupy the space. As soon as the door shuts, Liam is pushing me back against it.

He grips my hands and raises them above my head, bringing them together to hold in one large hand that’s like a manacle around my wrists. Pressing his hard body against mine, he holds me firmly in place as his free hand smooths the hair off my face and then encircles my throat.

I moan softly as he holds me securely. I like the feeling of him controlling my body like this. My nipples pucker in reaction, chafing against my suddenly too confining bra, and I squirm as much as he allows.

“I can feel your nipples harden, sweetheart.” He releases my throat to slide his hand down over my breast and tweaks my nipple through my clothes as he grinds his erection into me.

He leans in to nuzzle my ear, inhaling deeply. “You think I’d be chasing after you if I had someone in my life?”

Chasing after me?

His hand slides down over my belly, to cup me between my legs.

I mewl and try to press against his hand. The desire I felt for him earlier is back in full force, and I need relief.

“You’ve been hurting all evening, haven’t you darlin’? Needing me to satisfy that ache I started earlier.” His voice is low, erotic as he rubs the soft scruff on his jaw against my cheek. He applies more pressure between my legs, gripping me firmly.

I squeeze my eyes shut and cry out with pleasure. Oh! That feels good, but I need more.

His chuckle is dark and knowing. I gasp softly when he releases my hands to fist a handful of my hair, his other hand still gripping my sex. He pulls my head back, arching my neck.

“The thought of you with no panties, has kept me in a fucking state all night too,” he growls softly.

My eyes spring open in surprise at his admission.

He’s horny? Because of me?

His mouth comes down on mine then, and he kisses me hard, his tongue pushing into my mouth.

I’ve never been kissed like this. Consumed. With abandon, I give myself over to his sweet possession.

“Mmmm,” I hum. His mouth tastes like cinnamon, warm and spicy as my tongue tangles with his. Suddenly not able to get enough of him, my hands slide from his shoulders to the back of his neck, up into his thick hair. He releases his hold on my hair and moves his hand from between my legs. He wraps me in his arms as he pulls me close, one hand splayed across my bottom, holding me tightly against his rock hard erection.

By the time, he lets me come up for air we’re both breathing hard and gasping. He presses his mouth against my neck, nipping and sucking at my sensitive skin. One hand molds around a breast, squeezing firmly, the other works its way up under the skirt of my dress, sliding over my skin to the junction of my thighs.

I cry out, startled at the spark that seems to flow from his fingers straight to my clit.

He emits a dark, self-satisfied chuckle. His fingers move lightly over me, exploring with the barest of touch, and I tremble against him.

“Move your legs apart,” he orders as his knee nudges between them. This opens me more fully to him, and I hold onto his shoulders for support. His fingers continue to stroke me lightly as he watches me.

“I like this,” he says as his fingers move over me. “Neat and trimmed.”

I feel my cheeks heat.

When his fingers delve between my lips, my breathing escalates. I feel myself dampen as he slides a finger along my slit. He strokes back and forth, swirling his finger at my entrance, and then wraps his arm around my waist, inserting his finger slowly into me. I moan at the friction against my sensitive tissues.

“You’re swollen,” he moans against my throat. “I like how you’re swollen from me finger fucking you hard earlier.”

I blush at his crude words and immediately cry out when he thrusts a second finger deep inside of me.

“Fuck! I can’t get over how tight you are.” My core muscles tighten reflexively around his fingers as he moves them widely around inside of me. “I can’t wait to fuck you,” he growls, pinching my nipple again.

I want him to take me. I need him to take me, now. I lay my forehead against his chest as everything inside of me starts to tighten. My breathing becomes ragged, and when he pulls his fingers from me, I cry out in despair.

“No! Please, Liam,” I beg, clutching at his shoulders.

“Hold on.” He walks me backward until my backside meets the large desk.

He’s going to fuck me on the desk! A part of me quivers in anticipation. What girl hasn’t fantasized about being taken hard, bent over a desk?

“Look at me, Caitlyn.”

In my dazed state, I find his bright blue eyes particularly mesmerizing. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I smooth my hands down across his well-defined pecs, over the medallion he wears, sliding lower to his flat stomach. I can feel the ripple of muscles beneath his shirt in response to my touch.

He quickly grasps my hands pulling them to the small of my back, locking one large hand around both wrists. He brings his free hand up to cup my face.