“Have you been here many times?” I smiled as he walked to the living room and I followed behind. I was always nervous around strangers but usually covered that with acting overly happy.
“Yes, more than I care to admit. I’ve worked on and off for Sebastian as a liaison for the last four years. Usually handling background checks on all new employees, easy stuff.” The housekeeper asked if we wanted drinks and since Thomas asked for a glass of water, I did, too.
“What made you go into the private eye business?” He didn’t seem like the type, but the only ones I knew were on television. Thomas was a very handsome man, maybe six feet tall, with kind brown eyes. His attitude was also very laid-back from what I’d seen so far.
“I was a federal agent until I handled a case that made me change my perspective. I discovered I didn’t like dealing with the horror stories that humanity offers, and needed to use my criminal justice background for another use.” He sat down in an oversized chair, and studied me. “What about you, how did you and Sebastian meet?”
“Wow. That must have been a hard job. I couldn’t imagine dealing with criminals all the time.” That thought brought Deshawn to mind, because that’s what he was now. It broke my heart to think of how much he’d changed.
“It was. I felt like I was on the verge of a heart attack at twenty-eight, definitely not worth it.” He paused as our water was brought in and I thanked the woman even though it seemed a little extravagant to give us bottled water, glasses full of ice and little lemon wedges. “So, you and Sebastian?”
I wanted to avoid the question, but knew it would come out if we were working together. “Deshawn basically sold me to Sebastian to not go to jail.” My face flushed bright red admitting that. It sounded as bad as it was, so I didn’t know how to defend what he’d done.
“Wait a minute. Sold you how? Is Sebastian keeping you here against your will?” I’d thought he was just a happy go lucky man, but the rage that filled his face made me change my mind quickly. I didn’t want to answer that question, so I shrugged. “Ashley it’s illegal to blackmail a person into having relations, you understand that, right?”
He was probably a good agent since he deciphered exactly what my relationship was with Sebastian with that information. “I didn’t have to agree.” But didn’t I? It was either that or let Deshawn spend the rest of his life in jail and I couldn’t do that to him, no matter what he’d done to me.
“I’m not working this case if he’s abusing his power that way. Do you want to file charges? You seem like a nice woman, I’d like to help if you’d let me.” Thomas was a true gentleman and I knew in that moment if I’d told him I needed help, he would have offered.
“Please don’t quit. I know this seems wrong, but Deshawn was really good to me before I moved to New York, and I want to help him.” I met his eyes, ashamed of what I’d done but not willing to back down. “I want to find these other men then go back to my old life. If you really want to help me, then let’s figure out how to do that together.”
“I’m not sure how I can with a good conscious knowing your being forced to do things not of your free will.” Thomas grasped my hand in his, patting it softly. “You don’t deserve to be treated this way.” Tears filled my eyes at the compassion he was giving me. Without Deshawn, I didn’t have anyone that cared about me, and it made me emotional.
“We’re leaving here. I’ll pay for your flight home if that’s what you want. Have you got somewhere to stay there?” This man. Why couldn’t I have met him years ago? He was the type of guy I could fall for easily. Even so, I wasn’t leaving until I cleared Deshawn and pocketed the money Sebastian was giving me. I knew it was wrong and made me little more than whore, but I’d never have to worry again.
“Thomas, you may be the sweetest man I’ve ever met, but I’m not leaving yet. Sebastian is paying me to help him and I can save my best friend at the same time. What Deshawn did was wrong, but I know there’s more to this than what we know. He was a good friend to me for many years.”
“You’re comfortable with that? Being paid to be his companion?” Those brown eyes of his looked like a puppy dog, and I didn’t want to admit that I was.
“Sometimes you do things for the right reasons even if they’re wrong. I hope you can understand.” I didn’t want this man to think I was a horrible person.
“I think you’re a very brave woman put in a very bad position. I’ll work the case, but you must promise me if you ever want to leave him, you’ll tell me immediately. He doesn’t deserve someone like you.” The grim look on his handsome face didn’t belong there.
“You have my word.” He gave me a sad smile while still holding my hand. Being with him felt comfortable now, even though only minutes ago I’d been worried to be alone together.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but if you do decide to walk away, I’d love to take you out one night. I don’t meet many beautiful southern women anymore.” He winked, making me blush and the awkwardness of our conversation seemed over as soon as it began.
“If that happens, I think I’d like that.” I didn’t want to lead him on with false promises, but I wouldn’t mind dating him if circumstances were different.
“I guess we need to get this case solved quickly then.” He squeezed my hand, then let it go and I missed the warmth. Why couldn’t Sebastian be more like him?
We went over details for the next hour, and I was sure my brain was going to explode from everything he was trying to get me to memorize. I considered myself intelligent, but this was some undercover cop stuff, and that wasn’t my skill set.
Thomas showed me the little recording device that I’d be wearing, which was nothing like the wiretapping you saw on television. The thing was the size of button and could easily be hidden in a pocket or a purse without even looking conspicuous. “That’s very James’s Bond.”
“Technology has come a long way since the old movies.” We both had a good laugh about that, and then decided tomorrow I would face Deshawn and let him know I forgave him. I didn’t, but eventually when this was all over I would. I’d never trust him again, but I could forgive.
“I guess that’s it then. Would it be horrible for me to say I wish I didn’t have to leave you alone here? Sebastian is not known for being gentle. He has a reputation with the ladies.” That he was worried for me made me smile.
“I’ll be fine. Promise.” He gave a brief nod, not looking like he believed me and pulled out a card.
“You call me anytime, day or night, and I’ll take you away from this.” He pulled me into his arms and hugged me, and instinctively, I hugged him back. Of course, Sebastian chose that moment to come back home and walk in on us.
“Should I come back later?” That smirk on his face told me he didn’t really care that we’d been hugging. I don’t know why that bothered me, but it did.
“I’ll talk to you soon, Ashley. Remember, I’m here if you want out of this arrangement.” He gave me a smile, then glared at Sebastian as he walked out the door.
“I take it you told him of our agreement. I’m a little surprised by that.” The expression on his face was neutral, so I could only guess it didn’t bother him.
“Unlike some people, I don’t need to lie.” I’d wanted to hide the truth from Thomas, but it wasn’t that easy with us working together.
“I’m not in the mood to argue with you. I could use a little stress release, though.” The look in his eyes told me just what he considered release, and I rolled my eyes.
“You know having sex doesn’t fix everything?” So, why was I turned on at the thought of being with him again?
“It’s a good start. Let’s go shower and see what you think after.” Part of me wanted to tell him to go jump off a cliff, the other was excited at the idea of having those hands and lips all over me again.
“Whatever.” I turned to walk up the stairs, not sure why I’m not telling him I’m not interested. Besides the obvious, my body wants him, even if my mind thinks he’s a complete jerk. I went to his room, walked into the bathroom, and even turned on the water.
“Somebody’s anxious.” That devilish smirk that I was begging to like more than hate, made me flush.
“Or wanting to get this over with. I remember our agreement. Whenever or however you want.” Let’s stick with that because to admit I was already damp between my legs at the thought of being with him again? I wasn’t ready to go there.
“Undress and climb in, I’ll even be generous since you’re so obliging.” He began undressing and I tried not to look at his tall, lean, athletic body that made me tremble when I know I should be repulsed. I quickly removed my clothes, and stepped in hoping the steam would give a little coverage. When he joined me, I jumped, startled.
“So tense. We’ll have to work on that.” He grabbed a bar of soap to later his large hands. My gaze moved south, taking in that large appendage pressing almost against his washboard abdominal muscles. He was very aroused, there was no denying that fact.
Those hands massaged my shoulders, and I wanted to melt into the tenderness. When they moved down my arms I ached for him to touch me in other ways. “You’re all dirty.” Lathering his hands, they moved over my stomach then back, ignoring all the places that craved his fingers.
“Sebastian, please.” Already I was aroused.
“Close your eyes.” I obeyed without question and then felt his fingers working my hair into a lather. Why was he doing this? He didn’t believe in tenderness, he’d told me that. It felt incredible to be pampered this way but it wasn’t what I wanted. When he carefully inched me under the water to rinse I was ready to scream in frustration.
“You want my hands somewhere else? You’ll have to tell me where.” He turned me and knelt as he lathered up my legs with infuriating patience. Moving to the other one, he gave it the same gentle attention. Then he stood and I knew he was playing with me, but two could do that.
After grabbing the soap from him I started at his shoulder and worked my way down to his hands, then moved to the other, mimicking the actions he’d done to me. I ran my hands over his smooth chest, teasing down to his happy trail before washing up those incredible muscles again. “Turn around,” I demanded softly, washing his back and even let my hands roam over his perfect ass.
“You’re playing with fire, lover.” He turned me quickly and pushed me against the shower stall, and I tensed. “Tell me you’re not still afraid of me.” He moved his hands to my sex, giving me the fingers I craved, sliding against my folds until I was quivering in need.
I pressed my hands against the cool tile as he pleasured me. I wasn’t sure how to answer or if I could. “I never know what you’re thinking.” A finger slid inside me then was joined by another and he rode me with a slow rhythm until I couldn’t form a coherent thought.
“All you need to do is feel.” He pulled those fingers free and brought them around to my ass, squeezing as my core clenched and released, begging to be filled.
A finger pressed against that back entrance and I tensed. “I’m not ready for that.” I was so turned on in that moment that I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t allow him to do it. It was like insanity the need this man brought out in me until I didn’t know who I was anymore.
“I’m not claiming your sweet ass yet, but I want to play with it. Now, relax, and bend over a little more.” I didn’t argue, I probably should have, but if this is what he needed to get back to the other stuff, I’d allow it.
Forcing my muscles not to tense, he inched his finger inched in and I wasn’t sure what to think of the sensation. It wasn’t horrible, only unfamiliar. He rode me with that finger, and I could feel it against my other walls which gave me some stimulation, though not nearly enough.
“I need more.” Not of his finger up my butt, but him between my legs.
“Greedy little thing, aren’t you?” He pulled that finger free, and lathered his hands, then rinsing them. “I need to be washed, too.” He gave me the bar of soap and glanced down at his shaft. I didn’t need to be told where he wanted me to clean.
I lathered my hands and studied him as my fingers traced the hard-velvety steel of his length. I still didn’t know how I’d taken him inside me, but I knew how good it would make me feel when I did again. Wanting to tease him as much as he teased me, I began pumping him slowly my other hand fondling his balls, hoping that was something men enjoyed.
He pulled free and turned to rinse off, then grabbed me out of the shower making me gasp at his rush. “I want you in my bed now!” He pulled a towel off the rack and dried me off, then himself and picked me up in his arms walking over to the bed.
“Hands and knees, now. I need to be inside you.” His voice was so forceful I was almost afraid but the need to have him was worth whatever he did. I felt awkward as I perched on the bed like a dog, but when his mouth fell between my legs suckling, plunging, and driving me insane, I didn’t care.
“Now, Sebastian,” I cried out my demand, wanting to fill me up.
“I’m not going to be gentle.” His words made me tremble but I didn’t pull away as he lined up and drove deep in one hard thrust.
I screamed but it was a mix of pain and pleasure. Instantly, he stilled. “Tell me to stop.” His hands grabbed my hips, and he rotated his and the last thing I was saying were those words. When I didn’t answer, he began thrusting quick and hard, until I could barely breathe as my body quickly came to the edge and fell over it.
“I’m nowhere near done with you yet.” He continued taking me savagely but I wanted it, even though I was coming down from one orgasm and he built another.
“Sebastian, I can’t. It’s too much.” It was but I wasn’t asking him to stop. How could I when each push and pull inside me made my toes curl and long for the next plunge?
“You’re going to take everything I give and love every minute of it.” My arms couldn’t hold up my weight and they wilted, my face touched the mattress as he continued to love my body with a mastery that left me dazed. I came again and I knew he was going to kill me with passion when he continued driving into me.
How was it possible for a man to have that much stamina? I arched my back and felt him even deeper. “Oh, please. Please!” I don’t know what I wanted from him, I just knew this was a world I was lost in with him.
“Don’t you stop on me now.” One hand kept my hip in an iron hold, the other slid between my legs, rubbing against my little nub as he pumped into me frantically. I couldn’t have another orgasm, I couldn’t. Whimpering as he continued, I was proven wrong as my body exploded into a thousand fragments of light once more.
I was sobbing as he pulled free and I felt the warmth of his release cover my back. The pleasure he’d given me had shown me things I’d never known possible. My legs gave out and I laid there trying to catch my breath, tears running down my cheeks in ecstasy.
“Shit, Ashley. Did I hurt you?” I couldn’t breathe yet but I shook my head. He’d overwhelmed me, maybe even frightened me a little at intensity of our lovemaking, but pain had nothing to do with it. “Then why are you crying?” He pulled me into his arms and lifted my chin.
“I. You. We.” What could I say? My mind was confused and my mouth wasn’t working right.
“That certainly clears things up.” His lips met mine and the way he kissed me was like being possessed. I met his tongue and sparred until he finally let me come up for air. “You okay?”
The fact that he was concerned told me had a heart in there somewhere. I nodded then wiped the tears from my cheeks. It was crazy but the way he’d taken me was almost spiritual in a sense because I felt like I’d come out of my body for a second or two.
We laid there in each other’s arms and I was shocked to find it comforting. I didn’t want the egotistical jerk back so I didn’t speak. I was covered in sweat and other things, but my body was so worn out, I didn’t care. He was holding me tightly and I was on fire but I was okay with that too.
He’d completely worn me out and my eyes closed as I tried to come back to myself again. I guess I fell asleep because the next time my eyes opened he wasn’t in the bed. Sliding from that comfort, I walked into his shower and bathed off again. I didn’t know how to feel about what we’d shared.
Physically, it was the most incredible experience of my life, emotionally, I was terrified of the addiction I was falling under. He was going to destroy me when this ended, and I knew it now. Already I was starting to pretend he was different from the monster I knew. I wasn’t the type of person who could make love without consequences. Basically? I was screwed.