Chapter Twenty-Nine

Quinn

I've made my mind up. I can't let Drake or anyone take my mother and brother away from me. I've already lost two members of my family. I'm not going to lose two more.

All night long, I stayed awake trying to come up with a plan, and now I have one.

There's not much chance Eli is keeping a million dollars in his safe. I don't even know if his office has a safe. I've only been there a few times. More likely, his money is in his bank and he does most of his transactions online. In fact, that's how he sends me my salary for teaching Marianne even though we see each other almost every day. I even saw him doing it once.

When he did, I saw him open up a document that contained all of his passwords, including the ones to his bank accounts. If I can access those, I can transfer the money Drake needs to my account and then I can transfer it to Drake's using Clive's laptop. And who knows? He may be right. Eli might not even notice.

I just have to get those passwords. And I have a plan.

I put on the leather arm warmers I wore the day I brought Isaac Banks to his knees. In fact, I'm wearing practically the same outfit I had on that day - black sports bra beneath a sheer red lace top, denim shorts with the thick belt and the shiny buckle. All I'm missing is the camera, fishnet stockings and leather boots. I'm even wearing the same lipstick. I no longer have the earrings, but that shouldn't matter.

Now that I'm all dressed up, I go to Eli's office. It's nine in the morning and I'm sure he's there. He's always there from breakfast until noon.

It's broad daylight, so I sneak around. I don't want Janice to see me and ask me questions. And I don't want Marianne to see me and beg me to play with her, especially since I've told her I can't give her lessons today because I'm still not feeling well.

I manage to get to Eli's office without anyone seeing. Good. I take a deep breath and knock on the door.

"Come in," Eli says.

I step inside. He doesn't look at me at first. He's too busy doing something on his laptop. When he does, though, his eyes grow wide. Then they narrow in a questioning glance.

"What's going on?"

I run my fingers through my arm. "I thought it would be obvious. I'm here to seduce you."

His eyebrows arch. "Seduce me?"

I flip my hair. "I thought that's what you wanted. No?"

"It's not that. I just - "

"Consider this my thanks for what you did yesterday."

Eli falls silent.

"What? Too busy?" I pout. "Or maybe you don't like this outfit after all. If that's the case, you only have to take it off me."

He taps his fingers on his desk. "Well, I am a bit busy..."

"Too busy for a little fun?" I run my hands between my breasts.

If I'm going to pull this off, I have to be as feminine and as seductive as I can be.

For a moment, he just stares. I can almost hear the debate going on inside his head. Then he sits back.

"Fine. Seduce me."

I grin. I search the pockets of my shorts under the pretense of looking for something. Then I frown.

"What?" Eli asks.

I sigh. "I guess I can't do it after all."

His eyebrows crease. "What do you mean?"

I roll my eyes and groan. "Ugh. This is so lame. I can't seem to do anything right."

Eli leans forward. "What's going on, Quinn?"

"I was supposed to do a dance with that riding crop," I explain. "And I thought I put it in one of my pockets, but..." I search my pockets again. "It's not here. I must have left it in the room where I changed."

I put my hands on my hips and stick out my lower lip in a pout.

"Can't you dance without it?"

I shake my head. "Nope. A dancer needs props."

Eli looks around the room.

"Special props," I say.

He meets my gaze. "And can't you go get it?"

"I was really careful coming here because I didn't want to be seen. I got lucky, but I don't think that will happen a second time, especially since I think my luck just ran out."

He looks disappointed. "I see."

I touch my chin. "Oh, I know. Could you get it for me, please?" I lean over his desk. "Pretty please?"

Eli sighs. "What room did you change in?"

"The one on the second floor," I tell him. "Left wing. The room closest to the stairs. I must have left the crop on the bedside table."

He stands up.

I give him the sweetest smile I can manage. "Thank you."

He walks to the door. I wait a few moments after he steps out and then go around his desk. I search his files for the document containing his passwords.

I find it, but the document itself is password-protected. Great.

I try to think of what his password might be.

Fuck. I don't even know his birthday. I know Marianne's, though.

That doesn't work. I begin to panic, but then I remember something.

What if it's Meredith's birthday? I saw it written somewhere in her room. What was it again?

I type those numbers and the document opens. Triumph swells in my chest.

Voila!

But it's all for nothing if I don't copy the passwords.

I take my phone out of my pocket and take a picture. Thank goodness Eli gave me a phone. It's just an irony that I have to use it against him right now. After the click, I check the picture to make sure it's clear, then I close the document as well as the File Explorer window and run outside the room. I deposit my phone behind the potted plant outside the office just as I hear Eli coming back up the stairs.

I rush back inside and sit on the edge of his desk. I've just decided on my pose when the door opens.

"Did you find it?" I ask.

Eli tosses the crop to me. I catch it.

He puts his hands in his pockets. "Now what?"

"We switch."

I jump off his desk and walk towards him. He meets me halfway and then proceeds in the opposite direction to lean on his desk. I check the door to make sure it's locked, then I stand across from him and extend the riding crop.

"Ready?" I ask Eli.

He gives me a puzzled look as he crosses his arms over his chest. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

No. He's right. I'm not doing this correctly, not even half as well as I did with Mr. Banks. I'm not supposed to ask Eli if he's ready. I'm just... supposed to seduce him.

Calm down, Quinn or he'll see through you.

I have to up my acting.

"Sorry. I must be more nervous than I thought. Maybe because it's you."

I see the flicker of appreciation in his eyes.

I give him a grin. "Don't worry, the real treat begins now."

I brush the tip of the riding crop against my palm before giving it a smack. The sound explodes into the room. Then I hold Eli's gaze as I bring the crop to my lips. I give the tip a reverent kiss and even a lick. Then I take the leather between my lips and bite.

No reaction. Eli is just watching me intently.

But I'm just starting.

I bend over and touch the tip of the crop to the tip of my boots. I straighten up slowly as I drag it across my boots, over my stockings and my shorts. I let it brush between my legs and suppress a shiver.

Eli's eyes narrow slightly.

I collapse the riding crop and tuck it inside one of my pockets to free my hands. As I sway my hips, I pull off my arm warmers one by one and toss them to the floor. I take off my belt and toss it as well. The buckle hits the carpet with a thud.

Next I take off my blouse. The red lace falls silently on top of my arm warmers. I turn my back to Eli and roll my shoulders. I glance over one of them to look into his eyes, which are still narrowed and watching me like a hawk. Then I bend my knees and touch my ankles. As I straighten up, I drag my hands up the backs of my legs, knees and thighs. I can feel his gaze following my fingers. They reach my ass and I give both cheeks a firm smack before bending over. I grab my crop, extend it, and move it between the mounds of flesh.

I don't even know what I'm doing. I've never done this before and I didn't plan this in detail. But I have to admit it's starting to get fun.

And an idea occurs to me. I may not be able to see Eli again, not after he discovers my crime. For all I know, this could be our last time together. I might as well have my fun.

I sit on the floor with my legs spread out in front of me. I set the crop down so I can take off my boots, kicking one off and then the other. Then I pick up the crop again. The tip touches my toes and travels again over my knee. I lie back down so I can drag it over my thigh and my waist, over my belly and between my breasts all the way up to my chin.

Eli's eyes darken.

I lift my hips to take off my shorts next. Once they've joined the pile of discarded clothes, I dip the tip of the crop between my legs.

I begin to stroke myself. As it brushes against a good spot, I throw my head back and close my eyes. I keep stroking, sending fire through my veins. I start trembling and gasping. My hips rise on their own.

The sound of a throat clearing reminds me that I'm not alone. I turn my head to see Eli with his hand on his chin. My gaze falls on the bulge in his pants.

Oops. It looks like I got carried away. But Eli seems to have enjoyed the show.

I lick my lips as I meet his gaze.

Playtime's over. Now for the work.

I toss the crop away, crawl over to him on hands and knees and stop right in front of him. I pop the button of his jeans and pull the zipper down with my teeth. The scent of his arousal drifts into my nostrils.

I pull Eli's boxers down next. His cock springs free. I've seen it before, and yet I still stare in fascination as I wrap my fingers around it. It quivers impatiently.

I lick the bead of moisture oozing out of the tip. Eli sucks in a deep breath. His arms leave his chest and grip the edge of the desk. I lick it a few more times and he trembles. I grin in triumph.

I drag my lips across his length. I give a light suck on the smooth skin and he grunts. Then I go back to the tip and plant a reverent kiss there as I look up to meet his gaze. I hold it as I take him between my lips.

Danger flickers in those eyes. I shiver in excitement.

I close my eyes as I take him slowly inside my mouth. I can only take a few inches. I give a suck and hear him gasp above me. Then I begin moving my head forward and back.

Eli gives another gasp. His knees tremble and his fingers grip my hair.

My lips begin to burn from the friction. Saliva trickles past them. My cheeks begin to feel numb beneath the strands of my hair as they sway to and fro with my rhythm. I ignore them all and move even faster.

This part isn't fun, but if I can make Eli gasp and shudder, if I can make him feel even a small portion of all the pleasure he's given me, then I'm happy. Who knows? If I do it well enough, he may never forget me.

His hands move to my shoulders and he pushes me off. I swallow the pool of saliva in my mouth and take a gulp of air.

He lifts me up. "Enough. You've had your fun. Now I'll have mine."

That's all the warning I get before his mouth descends on mine, robbing me of breath again. His hands slide down to my breasts and lift my bra. His fingers find my stiff nipples and play with them.

I clutch his shirt as I shudder.

Eli switches our positions so that I'm the one leaning on his desk. He hoists me up on it and pushes me back. I hear paper rustle and fall, but Eli doesn't seem to mind.

His tongue continues to plunge into my mouth as his fingers rub, twist and tug at my nipples. Then he dips his hand between my legs and strokes the hottest, wettest part of me. And not gently. I can sense his impatience, his urgency.

What have I done to him?

His hand slips beneath my black panties and two fingers enter me immediately. I moan into his mouth.

He withdraws them and pulls off my panties and my stockings just until they hang around my knees. Then he turns me around and grabs my hips. My feet touch the floor.

He bends me over his desk and enters me with one thrust. A cry escapes from my throat. More moans spill after as he pounds into me. The desk beneath me shakes. My exposed nipples rub against the mahogany.

My nails rake the surface as I reach the pinnacle of pleasure. My mouth gapes but no more sound comes out. Eli keeps moving behind me, then suddenly turns me over again. He captures my still gaping mouth as he buries himself inside me. His quivering cock explodes. The desk rattles as he jerks his hips.

Then he goes still, gasping for air. I lean against his shoulder, unable to move. When he pulls out, I slide down to the floor. He puts his boxers and pants back on before offering me his arm.

"Are you alright?" he asks.

I can't stand, so I sit on the chair. "Remind me never to seduce you again."

Eli chuckles. "I have to say you were a bit clumsy at first, but damn, you nearly made me come from just watching you."

I blush and smile as I lean back against the chair. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

He plants a kiss on my forehead and I close my eyes.

If only his lips would remain on my skin forever. If only this moment would last forever. If only time would stop so I wouldn't have to steal from him just to save my family.

But his lips leave and time goes on.

There's no turning back now.

~

I wait until Eli is snoring softly. I hold my breath and get out of bed as quietly as I can. The mattress gives a slight creak as my weight comes off it and I tense, but Eli doesn't stir.

I tiptoe to the bathroom first. It's a test to see if he'll stay asleep. When he does, I leave the room. It takes a few seconds for me to close the door, but it finally falls shut with just a light click. I let go of the knob and wait for a sound from the bedroom.

None.

Good, but I don't have time to rest or celebrate now. I go to Eli's office. I look both ways before opening the door.

One lamp keeps vigil over the room. I spot the laptop on his desk.

As I walk towards it, I try not to remember what happened earlier. I sit in his huge chair and lift the lid of his laptop.

I turn it on and wince as I hear a chime. Hopefully no one else heard it.

But now the screen is asking for a password.

Shit.

Why didn't I think that his laptop itself would require a password?

I put in Meredith's birthday, but it doesn't work this time. Marianne's birthday doesn't work either. And I still don't know his.

How on earth am I supposed to get to Eli's bank accounts if I can't even access his laptop? Maybe I can just give the whole laptop to Drake? Surely a thug like him would have something to crack the password. But there's no guarantee he's carrying it around. Besides, if I give him the laptop, he could steal all of Eli's fortune. I won't let him do that.

I give the password a few more tries, gripping my hair in frustration when I still don't succeed. I'm wasting time. There's less than two hours left before the deadline.

If I can't access Eli's accounts, how will I give Drake his money? Steven and my mother will...

I shake my head to get rid of those thoughts.

Now, more than ever, I have to think positive. I have to think, period.

There must be something I can do. There must be some way I can get Drake his money.

I pause. Wait. I may not be able to get Drake the money, but what if I can give him something valuable, something he can sell? Something rare, like an antique.

An antique.

I remember the teapots in Meredith's room. Eli himself said they cost a fortune. A few should be worth a million.

I turn off Eli's laptop, leave his office and head to the left wing. As soon as I enter Meredith's bedroom, I turn on the lights. I immediately see the teapots on the shelf.

But how do I transport them?

My eyes search the room and fall on the wicker toy chest. I can put the teapots inside after I wrap them in the pillow cases and then put pillows inside so they won't break.

I do that, working as fast as I can while still trying to be careful. I'm up against the worst opponent - time.

"What are you doing?"

Janice's voice makes me jump. I turn my head to see her standing in the doorway. I was so busy I didn't hear her open the door.

Have I been found out?

"Janice, I - "

My explanation trails off as Eli appears behind her. My heart stops. The teapot in my hand slips and crashes to the ground just as I feel everything crash down around me.