Checking my phone, I double check the address Max gave me. Mandarin Oriental. The hotel in Hyde Park is the best in London. Is this where we’re having dinner? He really does like waving his money around.

Guilt niggles at me for leaving the guys watching over Cassandra this evening. I should be with them. We’re being hunted and I’m out to have a good time. The thing is I want answers. Not knowing what Max is keeps bugging the hell out of me. I don’t understand why he calls to me. I also don’t believe in coincidence.

Walking along the street from Knightsbridge underground, I head to the location. The weight of my gun is heavy in the secret compartment in my bag. The over the shoulder kind with zips. Better safe than sorry.

I’m taking no risks. No way was I coming unarmed.

Glasses and a blonde wig are good camouflage along with the long, black, woollen coat. As disguises go it should keep most off my tail. Cade, on the other hand, that wolf won’t fall for it. Time is trickling through my fingers like grains of sand and we’re still no closer to contacting Gabriel.

Spending all afternoon leaving him voice messages and texts have wound my nerves tighter. I think I used every swearword in the book. Even made up a few just for him. If his phone hasn’t exploded by now his head will when he finally listens to them.

A prickle up my neck alerts me to the fact I’m being followed.

Continuing to walk, I give nothing away that I’ve been tipped off to the presence shadowing me. I should’ve known this was never going to work. Max makes me behave irrationally. If I’ve jeopardised my team I’ll never forgive myself.

Shoving a hand in my pocket, I caress the metal of the spike knuckle duster. It’s an effective piece. Noses are easily broken. With enough force you can have an opponent unconscious.

Gauging the traffic and the people bustling by me, I plot my next move. I need to time this right. Even though it’s dark and cold it hasn’t stopped people from enjoying the winter evening.

Slowing my pace, I wait until I’m nearer to a side street. Veering to my left, I take it.

Whoever it is has gotten closer. Senses vibrating at that fact, I smile to myself. I need to watch it. Cockiness is a downfall.

Without a pause, I turn on my heels. Fisting the front of a black coat, I send a slap to the side of his pale face. It catches him off guard. Letting go of the material, I shove him sideways.

He doesn’t put up a fight. Slamming him hard against the brick wall his gangly arms flail.

Fritz.

The soul taker’s expression is a picture of shock. It looks like he never expected me to realise he was tailing me.

“Give me a reason why I shouldn’t put a bullet through your heart?” I growl low, holding him in place with a hand around his throat. Beneath the touch his pulse leaps.

Red eyes widening, he licks his lips nervously. “I want to hire you. That’s the reason I’ve been stalking you.”

We’re drawing attention. Heads turn our way focusing on the scene we’re making.

Cocking my head to the side, I look at him as if he’s lost his mind. “I don’t work for demons.”

“I’d pay you well. Give you anything you want. Just name your price and it’s yours.”

“You must be desperate.”

He nods, causing his long black locks to fall across his spotty forehead. “I am. I need the best to fix my problem.”

Shoving away from him, I walk away. “Find someone else.”

“Mavi!”

I don’t look back. He’s fucking crazy. Gabriel arranges my jobs. If I ever jumped ship and worked for the other side he’d kick me out of the team. No way am I risking my career for a soul taker who’s probably pissed off about someone bigger and badder than he is.

Entering the foyer, I make my way to the desk. The hotel is chic and expensive. A place I could afford if I wanted to splash out. Not that I would ever waste the money. It’s better spent on things like the private home for my brother.

Thoughts shifting to Nathan, I push them aside. Cassandra’s words have left me unsettled, but I don’t want it to spoil this evening.

“Can I help you?”

I smile at the polite receptionist. “I’m meeting a Mr. Reed here. My name’s StClair.”

“Mr. Reed is expecting you in The Royal Suite.”

I’m barely aware of the directions she gives me. I’m too preoccupied with what we can get up to in an entire suite. Perhaps Max has decided to keep our arrangement strictly physical. Trying to ignore the odd pang of disappointment, I thank her.

It doesn’t take me long to find the right door.

Why am I so nervous? I kill people for a living without batting an eyelid, yet the thought of seeing Max again has my stomach in knots.

“Get a grip.” I mutter under my breath.

Knocking, I see my hand is shaking. Balling it into a fist as I lower it to my side I feel my nails cut into my palm.

Two beats and the door is swung open.

Max.

There’s something cruel looking about his chiselled features when he’s not smiling. A few careless buttons open at the top of his crisp white shirt give me a tantalising view of his firm muscled chest. Smart, black trousers encase his long muscular legs.

Delight brightens his face as he recognizes me under my disguise. “Mavi, I’m glad you could join me.”

“Hi.” I say awkwardly.

“Please, come in.” Gallantly, he gestures for me to enter with a sweep of his hand. “You look like you have something on your mind.”

Entering the elegant hallway, I tug the blonde wig from my head. “I thought we could talk.”

“About work.” He guesses correctly.

“Yes. What were you doing in Cease Fire the first time we met?” I don’t want to ask, but now I have to. Disappointment is heavy.

Lifting my hand, he presses it gently to his lips. “I promise to answer all your questions, but not tonight. I have something else planned.”

“Max, I need to know how close you are to this.” Freeing myself, I slip the glasses from my nose, my tone serious. “I shouldn’t be here right now with all the shit me and my team are dealing with, but I couldn’t stay away. I need to know this is worth it.”

Sighing, a look of resignation washes over his handsome features. “I know you work for Gabriel. We have...an arrangement between us.”

The revelation stuns me. “You work for my boss?”

“No. I am more of an outside consultant.” With an easy confidence, he relieves me of the wig and glasses, dumping them on an antique table. “Now if that has eased your mind lets amuse ourselves with something more pleasurable than business.”

Entwining his warm fingers with mine, he leads me into the main part of the suite.

I stop in my tracks. Dozens of candles illuminate the spacious sitting room in a soft welcoming glow. Dead centre is a table. Standing beside it is a topless male.

“This is Carlos. He’s going to give you a massage,” Max explains.

Eyeing the slender, muscled young man, I take in his handsome dark looks and clean shaven angular jaw.

“And where will you be?”

Max gestures toward a chair that has been strategically placed for a clear view. “Right over there, watching.”

I study his face. If this is something kinky his expression gives nothing away.

“Why would you arrange a massage for me?”

Stepping behind me, he helps me off with my jacket and bag. “Because you work far too hard and need pampering.”

It’s sweet. Unexpected. I’ve been anticipating dinner the whole time and he’s gone out of the way to do something so I can unwind.

“Strip.” It’s a command. One whispered against the shell of my ear, his hot breath making me shudder.

I hesitate. We aren’t alone. The sex in public was something I was mostly oblivious to in the heat of the moment. This is different.

Tugging me around to face him, Max rubs my shoulders soothingly. “Carlos does not have permission to look if you’re worried about your modesty.” He assures me with an amused twist of his mouth. “If he does anything you don’t like he will stop immediately or we can forego the massage all together if you’re not comfortable.”

Carlos remains in place, his gaze obediently lowered to the floor.

I’ve been given a choice. Stepping back, I bite my lower lip. I don’t want to disappointment. With that thought any reservations I feel dissipate.

Bending, I slip off my black heels. Unbuttoning the tiny white buttons on the front of my blouse, I slowly slip them free.

Max takes his chair, lounging back, watching me without a word.

I can tell he’s enjoying my show. Tongue dipping out, he runs it along his bottom lip. Shrugging out of the blouse, I let it flutter to the floor in a whisper of silk.

Reaching behind, the red lacy bra precedes it.

Lowering the zip on my skirt, I let it pool around my feet. The only thing covering me now is a red lacy thong.

One long finger pressed against his sexy lips, Max inspects me with a possessive look. “I want you naked, Mavi. If you don’t obey there will be a punishment.”

His words make me shiver with excitement. Why does he make that sound like a dark promise? It makes me wonder what he would do to me. The urge to defy him wriggles through me, but I stamp it down. Hooking my fingers on either side of my thong, I slide it down my legs.

In silence, Max admires me as if he’s committing every curve and dip to memory to savour at a later time.

Remaining still, I let him look his fill. It makes me feel desirable. Something coveted and exotic.

“You may cover yourself now.” He gestures toward the table.

Shaking out the fluffy white bath towel, I wrap it around my body.

Head raising, Carlos indicates in silence that he wants me on the table.

I manage to scoot onto the flat surface without exposing myself.

With more hand signals he tells me to lay on my front.

I have no idea why he’s not talking. One of Max’s orders? Or maybe he’s mute? Whatever the reason I don’t question it.

Pliant, cool padding greets me as I settle down. The table doesn’t have the face rest others do. It forces me to turn my head to the side to get comfortable.

My eyes find Max.

He hasn’t moved. Legs slightly apart, he’s sitting back arrogantly, the full force of his attention pinned on us.

A hand touches my shoulder. It’s warm and large. Carlos, I realise, is about to start. The smell of something exotic and sweet tantalises my nose.

Starting at my left shoulder he smoothly glides his hands over my bare skin with the use of some kind of oil.

I let myself relax under his skilled hands. Carlos has magic fingers. Massaging, rubbing, he finds every spot in need of attention, untangling the knots from my muscles with a practised ease.

A groan vibrates in my throat. I can’t stop it from escaping. He seems to be able to gauge the right amount of pressure needed in every exact point.

Max smiles. It’s more of a smirk of his sexy lips. He seems to be enjoying this session just as much as me.

Carlos’s thumbs needle a particular spot that makes my toes curl.

Purring, I’m a giant puddle of contentment. Losing track of time, my mind wanders to somewhere between consciousness and daydreaming. It could be minutes or hours. I don’t know. Not that I care.

Falling into the sensations and silence, I let myself go.

Sweeping up the back of my right thigh, he halts just below my buttock. I can’t stop my sharp intake of breath.

Locking my gaze with Max’s I see the way his eyes have darkened. They’re practically black.

They strip me of my will in just a look. Dominates my thoughts. Snared in his wicked seduction, my relaxed thoughts don’t stand a chance.

Jamming my thighs together, I try to contain the slick juices it invokes.

As the masseur squeezes my arse cheek, I bite my lip. I’m so aroused. Wet. Needy. The ache between my legs is growing by the second.

Carlos urges me to roll onto my back. As I shift, the towel falls free. Naked and exposed, my breathing becomes erratic. He doesn’t reach for it. Instead, he leaves it in a crumpled heap on the floor.

Dragging me down lower onto the table he spreads my legs wide. Pausing directly in front of my pussy his attention snaps to Max.

“Eat her out. Make her come all over your face.” Is the dark command.

I should be shocked. Appalled. But I’m not. This is high up on my scale of erotic experiences.

Fingers delicately part my folds. Squirming, my excitement builds as he finds my clit. Rubbing, he coaxes it harder.

Max continues to watch.

A teasing mouth is suddenly between my legs. Lazy, but insistent, Carlos’s tongue is taking no prisoners where my clit is concerned. Arching my pelvis, I push myself further into his foreplay.

The nip of his teeth on my inner thigh makes me squirm. He knows exactly how to touch me.

Bending my knees up and apart, he wedges his shoulders more firmly between the gap.

He’s good. Really good. Thrusting myself against his face, I bury my hands in his hair. It doesn’t take long for my entire body to stiffen up with an orgasm. Legs quivering, pussy pulsing, I ride it out.

Exhaling, I shudder, enjoying the aftershocks.

The masseur’s tongue is still lashing away along my soaking slit. Pleasuring me as if his life depends on it. Sucking on my swollen nub, he forces another release from my body.

Clutching the sides of the table, I cry out.

“It turns me on seeing another man fucking your cunt with his tongue. Knowing he wants to fuck you, but he’ll be punished if he does.”

Drawing in a heavy breath, I look down at the dark head between my legs.

Carols’s right arm is pumping up and down beneath the table.

Lust deepening even further, I bite my lip, imagining his skilled hand wrapped around his shaft as he masturbates. I’m lost in carnal hunger. Desperate for someone to screw me senseless, now.

“Enough. Leave us.” Max’s voice is raw.

Carlos scrambles up onto his feet. Hard dick still in hand, he quickly covers it under the waist band of his loose-fitting trousers. My pussy juices are all over his chin. Without even sparing me a glance, he scurries from the room, closing the door behind him.

“Come here.”

Sliding off the table, I pad naked towards Max as commanded.

Trousers already undone, his cock is rising magnificently, waiting and sheathed in a condom.

When I'm close enough, he grasps my hips. Tugging forward, he pulls me onto the chair. Legs spread, I end up kneeling over him, his lap beneath me. His dick slides against the cleft of my arse. In this position my pussy is vulnerable. Ready for his taking.

I can’t look away from his face. The sheer lust I see written there is enthralling.

“Beg me to fuck you.” He tells me, fingers flexing on my hips. “Tell me you want me buried deep in your cunt, that you’re hungry for my cock.”

At this point, I’m beyond caring about any control. All I want is Max. Right here. Right now. “Please, Max, fuck me. I need you to fuck me.” To emphasize how much I want him, I curl

my hand around his shaft, pulling it carefully to my entrance.

The smile he gives me in return is breathtakingly sexy. Pushing his hips up, the tip of his shaft nudges my waiting heat. Instead of going further he keeps me waiting on edge.

Growling, I bare my teeth.

Max laughs. He’s such a fucking tease.

Grip on me tightening, he thrust upwards.

Throwing my head back a long groan filters from my lips. Every nerve ending is alight as he stretches me with his massive cock. Intense. So mind-bogglingly intense.

Lifting me, he starts a rhythm. Moving me up and down, impaling me on his hardness. Putting my hands on his shoulders, I join the frenzy.

Looking into his eyes, I find them on my face. They’re smouldering. Black orbs tinge with a green rim.

I want him to consume me, fuck me hard until my limbs are limp and my body is spent. The chair thumps below us in tempo with our movements.

“You’re beautiful sitting on my cock.” He tells me between grunts. “I could fuck you to death right now.”

“It would be one hell of a way to go if you did.” I moan back.

A tingle at the base of my spine begins to grow. Stiffening up, I come hard. In waves, it smashes through me. Grinding myself against his pumping shaft, I feel my inner walls squeeze him tighter.

Max doesn’t stop. Drilling into me harder, he continues with more purpose.

I want to drive him over the edge. Send him coiling down into the insanity that takes me every time we come together like a force of God damn nature.

Panting, unintelligible cries keep breaking from my throat. Everything is sliding into something savage. More animalistic.

An orgasm envelops me. It’s so intense it sends a burst of light out from my core. I feel like I’m about to explode into a million pieces, the energy is so overwhelming.

Ecstasy. Max is like a magician. Bringing me to orgasm after orgasm. I can’t imagine anyone else as deep in me as he is at any point onwards. He’s infatuated me.

Placing a hand on the back of my head, he brings me down for a kiss. Falling into a fevered exploration, our tongues entwine.

I’m starting to crave Max more and more. He’s like a drug. Seducing me deliciously every time. One that only gets better and better. Spiralling me down into something I am not sure I will ever want to be free from. Heaven help me.

Crushing me tight against his chest, his whole-body tenses as I feel him pulse deep inside my pussy as he cums.

Collapsing against him, I try to catch my breath. My heart is beating frantically, mirrored by his own.

I’ve never felt so drained, yet so at peace. It’s weird, but I like it.

A hand strokes my hair. “Are you dead?”

Laughing softly, I nuzzle Max’s neck. “Would you be disappointed if I said no?”

After shocks shiver through me. Satisfied and drowsy, all I can do it lay exhausted in his arms.

“Not at all. I’m not into necrophilia.”

“Lucky for me then.”

Hand moving in circular motions along my spine, he doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to move.

“Thank you for the massage. I really enjoyed it.” Feeling so utterly physically relaxed is a first for me.

Stopping his languid movements, he cups my chin, tilting my face up to his. “You’re very welcome.”

Somehow Max has managed to get beneath my skin. Slip between my armour. It makes me feel powerful and vulnerable. A mix I have never had to deal with before. I’ve never felt safe. Not the way he makes me feel.

“Stay with me the whole night?”

I can hear the tiny thread of uncertainty in his voice. As if for all his self-assurance he’s frightened I might refuse.

“All right.” I whisper back.

Pressing a fleeting kiss to my lips, he releases me. “I’ll order room service later. This time we will have no interruptions before we want them.”

Squeezing my left arse cheek, his fingers ghost down to the cleft between my buttock. When he gingerly probes my tight ring of muscles with a finger I tense.

“I told you I want all of you.” He rumbles. “And I intend to possess this hole now.”

“And you think I’m going to let you take me there?” I tease, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes.” He replies with absolute certainty. “You’re curious. You want to experience my cock in your arse.”

He’s right. I do. It’s dark and naughty. A fantasy I haven’t been able to shake since he confessed he wanted me there the night at the kinkster club.

“Now, be a good girl and go get on the bed.” He growls, biting my earlobe.

Carefully untangling from his lap, I stand before him.

Removing the used condom, he rids himself of it in a waste paper bin at his side.Without waiting, he strips out of his own clothes.

Max is a sight to behold naked. An Adonis, wash board abs, firm muscled skin with not an ounce of fat to be seen on his tanned form. The lack of tan marks suggests he sunbathes nude.

Lingering where I am, I enjoy the view.

“I want you on your hands and knees on the mattress.” He orders. “I will spank you if you disobey.”

If he thinks that’s supposed to frighten me he’s wrong. I’ve been spanked before and enjoyed it.

Exploring, I find the bedroom. It’s beautifully decorated in shades of whites and greys. The furniture is minimalistic, but eye catching.

Crawling onto the wide mattress, I assume the position he’s requested.

I know he’s behind me. The heat of his eyes makes my skin feel alive with electricity.

Looking over my shoulder, I observe his movements.

Taking a bottle from the bedside table, he squirts a generous amount of lubricant into his palm.

He was ready for this, I realise. This was his plan all along.

Licking my lips, I watch mesmerized as he rubs it over his shaft.Watching him touch himself makes my sex clench hungrily.

“You have a beautiful arse, Mavi.” He comments, continuing to pump his hand up and down his length. “I can’t wait to feel it strangling my dick as I possess it. Eyes forward now.”

Dragging my attention to the front, I stare at the fancy head board. Nerves flutter in my stomach, a fine tremor racking my limbs.

The mattress dips behind me. Max spreads my legs with his knees.

Testing the resistance of my puckered entrance, his lubricated digit presses gently, but with insistence, working its way within.

“You need to relax.”

“I’m trying, but it’s uncomfortable.” I complain, feeling it pinch.

Penetrating deeper, another finger joins the first.

“Fuck.” I groan, feeling him trying to loosen up my channel with the oil. Breathing through my nose in one long exhalation, I try to relax.

He begins to fuck me with his fingers.

It’s uncomfortable. Not unpleasant. Just something I am far from used to.

Dropping my forehead to the cool blankets, I rock my hips back gently to meet him.

“Yes, that’s it, you know you want this.” Max coos, caressing my spine, making me moan.

The thought that he’s preparing me for something larger sends my anxiety spiking.

Gliding his free hand down between my legs, he fondles my slick slit before finding my clit. As he stimulates the nub, I grow wetter with pleasure.

The fingers still in my anus, slip free.

“You’re so perfect and I think you’re ready to receive me.” He tells me, tone taught with desire.

Closing my eyes, I feel the head of his cock against my arse.

Pressing it forwards, he pushes slowly in.

“Breathe, Mavi, you can take me all.”

I’m not sure that’s possible. He’s not even all the way in. It’s too much. He’s too much.

“You’re too big.”

I shift uneasily. Fisting the bed sheets, I grit my teeth and whimper. He feels bigger this way. The sensations as if I don’t have enough room for air and to fit his dick inside me at the same time. It’s intense.

Breathe in, breathe out. Each time he advances further, tunnelling into my tight channel, working his length in deeper.

Drawing partly out, he drives back in. “You take my cock beautifully.” He praises. “And suffer so exquisitely.”

I’ve never felt so full. Each stroke is pain and pleasure entwined, so steadfast it leaves me panting and shaking.

With a slow pace, he continues fucking my arse.

I’m not sure now if I want him to stop. I’m uncertain he would if I did.

A building pleasurable pressure radiates through my body.

Fingers find my clit, which is begging for attention. Max plays the bundle of nerves like a master pianist. Choking on inarticulate sounds in my throat, I convulse and writhe as my orgasm slams into me.

Balls deep, his steady pace doesn’t let up. Fluttering in need, the walls of my pussy ache with a sweet desire to be used again. Trickling down, my juices dampen my legs.

“We have all night long, my Flower.” Max growls. It’s a dark promise of more to come. Of more wicked delights. Just the thought has me coming again in a long yearning moan.

Crying out above me, Max comes to a shuddering finish, filling me with cum.