The Gate (Dark Path Series) (3 page)

Chris released Erika, resting his hand on her lower back. A troubled look on his face, he drew her closer.

“I’m sorry by the way I overreacted,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m feeling a little possessive after what we shared together a few weeks ago.” His palm dipped lower, nearing the curve of her butt.

A warm, fuzzy feeling washed over her, and she wrapped her arm around his waist.
Who knew it took another man to make Chris jealous?

She smiled up at him. “I forgive you.” She placed a kiss under his jaw.

He nuzzled the side of her head. “If we were alone right now, I’d—”

“Have you two been listening to me?” Kim tapped her foot, her drink sloshing over the rim as she waved her arm around.

“Looks like someone’s cut off.” Snatching his sister’s drink, he gestured toward the French doors. “How about we go out on the balcony for a few minutes? The view is fantastic. I think we can brave the chill. Right, Erika?”

She nodded. When he held out his hand, she took it, and they went outside. Kim toddled along, speaking nonsense while Erika stared up at the night sky.

The stars dazzled, luminous above the city’s skyscrapers, giving her a sense of peace. A soft jazzy tune came from the ballroom, much like the one she’d heard from the piano in the other bar. Her thoughts went back to Max. Would their paths ever cross again?

***

The streetlights cast shadows across Max’s lap as his driver cruised down the West Side Highway. He spread his legs open, his erection tenting the front of his pants. All he needed to do was reach inside and jerk himself off for relief, but he wanted to wait, to feel the burn. His release would be all the sweeter for what he had planned.

He called Catherine on his cell.

“Hello, Maxwell. Have you finished playing nice at your boring party?”

“It wasn’t as boring as I thought it would be.” Slouching in the backseat, he groaned, his dick pulsing. He dug his fingers into the seat, taking deep breaths through his nose.

“You sound like you’re in pain. How can I help?” She sounded amused.

“Have a room ready for me in twenty minutes. I want candles, paddles, and not one but two gagged and tied up.”

“Gender?”

“Both women with a nice pair of tits, shoulder-length curly hair. If you can’t get both with the hair, I’ll take one, but I want them busty and willing for whatever I dish out. Warn them it’s going to hurt.”

“You’re the boss. It’s packed like always, so I’ll have no problem finding two ladies who’d love to service you.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for. I’ll see you in a few.” He ended the call. His entire body was strung tight, the throbbing in his groin increasing. He closed his eyes, losing himself in thoughts of Erika, tied to his bed as he straddled her face, and she deep throated his cock, swallowing his cum.

Chapter Three

“I didn’t expect to see you here today.” Erika clicked off the Internet browser and got up from her chair to hug Alyson, another author best known for her popular vampire romance series. She invited her to sit on the couch in the corner of her office. “It’s great to see you. How long are you staying?”

“Until Thanksgiving.” She tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear. “I’m visiting my parents and the rest of the Bristol clan.”

Erika hid her pang of envy. Her fellow author came from a large family with three older sisters and two older brothers. She’d always wondered why her own parents stopped after having one child. She would have loved at least a sister or brother.

“How did the awards ceremony go? Meet any interesting people?”

She thought of Max and his somber mood. “The ceremony was all right. No one too interesting.”

“You must have had a busy weekend.” The redhead narrowed her eyes. “Those shadows under your eyes tell me you didn’t get enough sleep.”

She wasn’t ready to bring up her interaction with Max or how she spent most of the night awake, confused about her attraction to him when she was still interested in Chris. “I spent the entire weekend finishing up the next Tammy and Whiskers book. That makes fifteen now. I already told my editor I want to take a break. I also did some prep work for the interview I have with the Mayor’s wife and her new puppy.”

“How do you handle it all with writing two books a year and penning articles on celebrities and their pets? I’m overwhelmed as it is with my current series as well as the new teen series I’m contracted for.”

“You sold it? Congratulations!” she said, more than happy for her friend.

Alyson beamed, her eyes sparkling with delight. “It’s going to be announced in Publishers Weekly next week. I’ll barely have time to celebrate because I’m under a deadline to finish the next book in time for its June release.”

“You’ll make it. You always do. This time you’ll reach number one in hardcover instead of number three.”

Her friend shrugged, twisting one of her colorful beaded bracelets. “Like you should talk.” She wagged a finger. “I bet the next Tammy and Whiskers book will crack the top ten in children’s fiction.”

“We’ll see.” The clock on the wall struck the top of the hour. “There’s a companywide meeting where lunch is being served. Dad’s officially announcing his retirement and introducing Chris as his the new CEO.” She stood. “Why don’t you join me, unless you have other plans?”

“Thanks for the invite. I didn’t have time for breakfast.” Alyson rose from the couch, smoothing the front of her brown dress. “With your dad stepping down, you can stop worrying about him and just seduce Chris.”

She stopped mid-step. “What are you talking about? We’re just friends.”

Alyson snorted. “Remember after a night when we drank one too many martinis, you admitted how much you lusted after him?” She rolled her eyes. “Tell him how you feel. What’s the worst that could happen? He says he’s not interested, and you move on. You’re a successful, smart, beautiful woman who should be dating and having lots of sex.”

She dropped her hand over her friend’s mouth. “Shh! Anyone walking by can hear you.”

“Anyone can hear you what?”

She whirled around as Chris entered her office. “Nothing. Just talking about our books.”

He gave her a look that said he didn’t believe her, but instead of pressing her for more information, he looped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. “Great to see you again, Alyson. How’s New Orleans treating you?”

When the redhead’s eyes widened, Erika shot her a meaningful look to behave. “Very well. I can’t believe it’s been five years since I moved there. Some people still need to come visit me.” She nudged him, and he laughed.

“I’ll plan on it sometime soon.” He turned to Erika. “Aren’t you going there for a visit?”

“Yup. I’m staying for two weeks in January. I’ve never been there, so it should be a lot of fun.” She glanced at her watch. “Oh, Dad’s announcement. We better go. He’s a stickler for time.”

“Hey, Alyson,” he said. “Do you mind going ahead? I need to ask Erika something.”

“Sure. I’ll meet you two later.” With a wave to them, she rushed to catch the elevator.

She faced Chris, curious as to what he wanted to talk to her about.
Maybe he’ll finally tell me about Maxwell Crawford and their past.

Setting his hand on her shoulder, he pulled her in for a hug. “Come here.”

She wrapped her arms around him, resting her cheek on his chest, the steady beat of his heart thumping in her ear.

“Thanks. I needed this.”

She moved back. “What’s going on?”

Reaching up, he tucked one of her curls behind her ear. “You’ve been so supportive. You were the first to congratulate me after Roger recommended me as his successor. You were also there for me after Natalie and I broke up. I really needed a friend during that time. I can’t ever thank you enough.”

Face heating under his praise, she scuffed the toe of her shoe across the carpet. “You’re one of my best friends. I…I love you. I want the best for you.”

“The same goes for me.” He kissed her cheek. “If you don’t have any plans tonight, why don’t we go out to dinner and discuss our…friendship? Afterward, you can come back to my place for a nightcap.”

Does he mean a sleepover, as in us having sex?
“Um, should I go home first, pack an overnight bag?”

“If you’d like.” He brushed his mouth over hers.

“It’s a date.” When their lips touched again, it lasted longer, but no tongue was involved like she expected.

He broke away and rubbed his palms together. “Great. I have a friend who works at
Del Fresco’s
. We shouldn’t have a problem getting a table. How does seven o’clock sound?”

Del Fresco’s
? She’d always wanted to go to the classy steakhouse where her father’s affluent friends wined and dined clients.

“Yes! I accept.” Excitement coursed through her veins.

“Wonderful. After lunch, I’ll make the reservation.”

“Awesome…I mean thanks.” She wanted to smack her head for her immature slang.

Not seeming to mind, he gave her another kiss. To her delight, this one involved some tongue action. If he was liberal with his affection in public, it had to mean something.

“We better get a move on before we miss my time to shine in the spotlight.” He adjusted his tan suit jacket’s lapel. “How do I look?”

She wished she was bold enough to run her palms down the front of his shirt in the guise of getting rid of the wrinkles. “You look like a million bucks.”

“That’s what I’m hoping.” With a wink, he walked her to the elevators.

The ride down was short, but just long enough for her to enjoy the way his fingers splayed over her hip, making her nipples bead in anticipation.

Tonight would be a memorable one.

***

When the knock sounded on the door, Max didn’t tell the person on the other side to enter. He liked to make them wait. He clicked off the author website of Rosie Harper, where he just bought all fourteen of the Tammy and Whiskers books. The door swung open, and Alden strolled in.

“Common courtesy calls for you to wait to be invited in.” He waved his assistant over to the empty chair in front of his desk.

“Common courtesy is something you were lacking Friday night when you left me to go to the bathroom and never came back.” Dropping a folder on the desk, he sat. “At least you were gracious enough to let me use the company credit card for drinks. The woman I took home made up for your rudeness.”

Opening the file, he scanned the pages. He’d heard enough of Alden’s sexual conquests, both male and female, to last him two lifetimes. He settled back in his chair, scanning the year old newspaper article written about Erika as Rosie Harper and the growing popularity of her children’s series.

“I don’t understand why you want more information on Walsh’s daughter. Everything you needed to know was there in the last report.” He brushed his bangs from his forehead. “Why such the interest in her now?”

“Rosie Harper is an interesting pen name she’s chosen as an author,” he said, side-stepping the question.

“It’s not surprising why. Rose is her middle name. Her mother’s maiden name was Harper. I guess she didn’t want people to associate her books with her father, although it’s obvious there’s major nepotism going on.”

“So what? She has the talent or she wouldn’t be popular with readers. Nepotism can get you so far. Your argument is moot.”

Alden leaned forward. “Okay, you might have a point, but she also writes a monthly article about celebrities and their pets for one of Walsh’s home and lifestyle magazines. They’re these sickeningly sweet interviews female readers love. It reminds me of the MTV show
Cribs
, but instead of highlighting million dollar homes, it’s all about the pampered pets of the rich and famous. I bet the animals eat better than I do.”

He bit down on his thumbnail as he read her professional accomplishments. “Give me the low down on Walsh’s daughter not found in the report.”

His aide took out a sheet of handwritten notes. “Erika Rose Walsh is twenty-nine, going on thirty in January. She lives in a two-story brownstone with good old dad near Central Park West. What you see is what you get with her. Nothing too fascinating. She’s very close with her father. They do a lot of things together like dinners, the movies, and the theater. She has anxiety attacks in large crowds, but she’s comfortable enough to go jogging in Central Park three times a week and has a membership at a yoga studio. She has a small group of friends, those being fellow author Alyson Whatshername, and Kimberley and Christopher Milton. Christopher is set to take over for Roger Walsh before the summer when he retires. Don’t be surprised if there are wedding bells in the future for Milton and Walsh’s beloved daughter.”

Max crumpled the newspaper article. “Milton was far from amused when he saw me talking to Erika at the ceremony. I expected him throw a punch at me.”

His assistant looked up from his notes. “There’s still hostility between the both of you?”

He shrugged, unconcerned. Milton had been a thorn in his side for years. “Apparently. But if I were in his shoes, I would react the same way if the woman I cared about fell victim to the man I believe ruined my sister’s life.”

“Which sister?”

“The older one who’s mentally imbalanced. She lives in Los Angeles with their parents, or so I’ve been told.” He slapped his palms on his knees, his way of ending the conversation. “I’ve decided Miss Walsh could use me as a friend. We had a nice conversation, and I’d like to see her again.”

Alden tapped his bottom lip with a thumb. “Just friends? I might’ve been drunk, but I noticed your reaction when you spotted her on stage. Plus, if you do become
friends
, how will you explain Walsh Publications’ financial problems and your plans to take over when the company files for bankruptcy?”

“I’ll have to wait and see if that happens. For now, I’m investigating, researching every angle to decide if acquiring the publishing company will benefit Crawford Media as well as bulk up my bank account.”

“And if you seduce your competitor’s daughter along the way…?” Alden paused with a coy smile.

“That will be between me and Miss Walsh.” He glanced at his watch. “I have to finish up some work here before my dinner meeting at eight at
Del Fresco’s
.”

“
Del Fresco’s
? Nice.” With another swipe to his bangs, the younger guy rose. “You always come out smelling like a rose anyway. I have no doubt you’ll do so again.”

“You think you know me, but you don’t.”

Alden stopped by the door. “You’re right M.L., I have no clue who’s the true man lurking under that suit you’re wearing. Which by the way, the color purple brings out your eyes.”

He laughed, waving the libertine away. “Leave me in peace.”

His assistant left, whistling under his breath.

He clicked his mouse to bring up the Rosie Harper website. Swiping his finger over Erika’s headshot, he imaged how soft her skin must be. He’d gotten a whiff of the slight floral scent on her wrists when he tried kissing her hand. Soon enough, he would sniff her all over while she lay naked under him, begging for release as he pounded into her without mercy.