“It’s hard to explain.” I rested my hand on his chest, his heart thumping strong under my palm.

  “Try your best. I saw some scary shit between you and Duarte. Also, you disappeared for forty-eight hours after the drama at the bar, didn’t call me or text to tell me you’re okay.” He set his hand over mine. “Instead, that Victoria woman I met for a hot second at the park answered your phone and told me she’s taking good care of you. What gives?”

  “That woman runs one of the biggest media companies in the US. She’s not a bad person.”

  “Yeah, and?” He lifted my chin. “What the hell is going on, then?”

  “Colette and Victoria have a past. They were once…lovers, and it ended badly. When Colette offered the interview to me, she failed to mention that. Now I’m kind of stuck in between them.”

  He flicked my hair aside and ran his fingers down my neck then rubbed his thumb over inside of my sore wrist. “When you say you’re stuck in the middle, it’s not professional.”

  I lowered my chin to my chest. “Colette wanted to use me in her sick retribution against Victoria. I’m not sure why she chose me, but I guess I was gullible enough to believe it was part of the requirement for the assistant position. This isn’t the first time she’s used young, inexperienced women to get to Victoria. But Victoria saw something special in me, unlike the others. She still wants me to do the interview but her way, in order to get back at Colette.”

  He bent forward, rubbing his face. “This is fucked up. You need to tell someone what’s going on.”

  “Like who?”

  “Human Resources. They’ll know—”

  “What the hell is HR going to do? They’ll laugh me out of their office if I throw accusation around about Colette.” I tossed the blanket aside and folded my arms behind my head.

  “You might lose your job,” he pointed out.

  I laughed. Like that was the least of my worries. “It’s pretty much a given I’ll lose my job. If I stay, I’ll be under Colette’s thumb. She knows I was with Victoria this weekend, and it wasn’t because I was trying to get the inside scoop for her.”

  “You’re not giving me the full picture about these two women.” He hung his arms over the back of the couch and stared up at the ceiling with a troubled expression.

  “Victoria told me things in confidence,” I said in way of explanation.

  “After you became lovers?” He squeezed the bridge of his nose. “Is that what you two are now?”

  “I think so.” I fingered one of my hickies. “She’s taking me out on a date tomorrow night.”

  “Is she going to offer you a job somewhere in her company, or has she already given you one as her mistress?”

  I flinched at his bitterness. I couldn’t be angry at him for being honest. I was taking a big chance with Victoria that might get me burned.

  “She isn’t like Colette. I trust her not to hurt me,” I said.

  He cupped the side of my neck, pressing his thumb on one of my love bites. “From what I see, she already has.”

  I dropped my hand over his and squeezed. “I can’t run away from Victoria. She needs me.” And I think I need her.

  He stood. “I could sit here and argue with you until I’m blue in the face, but I’ll lose. If I think you’re in trouble, I’m calling your parents. Then you’ll have to answer to them.”

  “You’re pulling that card?” One call from him, and my parents would be on the next flight out here, ready to drag me home.

  “Don’t test me.” He kissed the top of my head and walked into the kitchen, just far enough to give me space but close enough if I needed him.

  Huddling under the blanket, I closed my eyes. Remembering each kiss and touch of Victoria’s chased away the panic, if only for a short time.

  ***

  “I’m going out for a while. Will you be okay if I leave you alone?” Jayden appeared in the doorway of the bathroom while I finished with my makeup. Ever since he came home from work, he had been hovering, which grew annoying fast.

  “Victoria should be here in a few minutes.” I had spent the entire day in our apartment. When I called my supervisor to tell her I wasn’t feeling well, she didn’t find it suspicious and told me to work from home until I felt better. In my five years at Virago, I rarely took a sick day, so I now took advantage until Colette got rid of me or I left on my own.

  “You look nice,” he said, nodding in approval. “Good call with the scarf.”

  A blush rose up my face. I had two noticeable hickies on my neck, and no amount of cover-up would hide them. I was lucky to find a sheer silver fringe scarf in my dresser. It matched well with the plum sweater-knit dress I wore.

  “Where’s Nox taking you?” he asked.

  “Not sure. It’s a surprise.” I left the bathroom, hiding the fact I was really nervous about seeing Victoria again.

  He blocked my way, setting his hands on my shoulders and studying my face. “There are dark circles under your eyes. You didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  I shrugged. “I have a lot on my mind.”

  “You don’t say?” He lifted an eyebrow.

  “Please don’t start.” I nudged him away and went over to the hall closet to grab a jacket.

  “I’m hanging out with Maxine, but if at any point you want to call me to pick you up, I’ll drop everything and get you.”

  “Jayden, there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll be fine with Victoria. Right now, your sister is more important. How’s she dealing with the impact of the shooting at the bar?”

  He fisted his hands on his hips. “She’s doing okay. The shooting has done some interesting things for Hutson’s reputation. It’s been really busy there because of the press. You should call her. She’d love to hear from you. Maybe she can give you advice on this crazy situation you’re in now.”

  Things were unresolved between Maxine and me. He didn’t know about the kiss she gave me outside the bar right before the shooting. Sometime soon I would see her again, and we would have to talk about it. I just had too much drama in my life. I snorted, part of me wishing the only problem I had to deal with was my relationship with Maxine.

  A knock on the door startled me more than it should have.

  “I’ll answer the door.” He peered through the peephole. “Your date is here.” He unlocked the door and opened it.

  Holy smokes! Victoria looked amazing. Hot. She was dressed for a night on the town in a short-sleeve black minidress and strappy high-heeled sandals that made me lock my thighs together from the tugging sensation lodged there.

  “Lindsay.” Her purr made my heart skip a beat.

  “Victoria.” I fixated on kissing her until we both couldn’t breathe.

  If Jayden noticed the sexual tension in the air, he didn’t acknowledge it. He stayed in the doorway, not letting Victoria enter. “How did you get inside? The door downstairs is locked.”

  “It was unlocked,” she said.

  He tugged on his dreads and cursed. “This is ridiculous. I’m going to talk to the super.”

  “Something wrong?” She looked at me.

  “We’re having a problem with unwanted visitors recently. Lindsay can tell you all about it.” He backed away, finally letting Victoria inside. He snagged his jacket from a chair, came over to my side, and kissed my cheek. “Be careful, and call me if you run into any problems.”

  Stop it, I mouthed and pushed him away.

  With a frustrated sigh, he nodded at Victoria then left.

  She approached me. “Nice dress.” She kept her eyes on me the entire time.

  “Thanks.” I took a step toward her.

  She reached me first and smirked. “Nice scarf.”

  “Shut up and kiss me,” I said with more force than I had intended.

  “Give me your mouth, and I will,” she shot back, adding a sexy croon to her order.

  Hauling her in close, I pressed my mouth to hers. Her breath was warm and tasted of mint. I sucked down on her bottom lip and moaned. She seized my ass and inserted her tongue in my mouth. We circled our tongues together in an intimate dance that made me damp and needy.

  “Forget going out. We can stay here and find something else to do,” I said around her mouth.

  Her lips tickled mine as she snorted. “Like get naked?”

  “Exactly.” I started to tug her toward my bedroom, but she wouldn’t budge.

  “I want to take you out. After the last few stressful days, we deserve some fun.” She gave me a quick kiss and headed to the door.

  “What type of fun?” I pushed aside my disappointment at not taking her to my bed.

  “The kind you’ll remember for a very long time.” She beckoned me forward. “Let’s go.”

  I locked the apartment, and we walked down the three flights of stairs, holding hands. I liked holding hands with Victoria more than I should. It was a sweet gesture I would have never applied to this woman who was only affectionate when it was a means to seduce. Maybe this was a part of the process between us, to establish more trust. Whatever it was, it made me giddy. If only Colette wasn’t in the picture.

  When we reached the first-floor landing, she turned to me as if about to say something. Her gaze searched my face, and she tightened her grip on my hand. “You’re thinking too hard. Stop it.”

  “You have a subtle way with words,” I said.

  “Direct and to the point works best.” She kissed my cheek, softening the blow of her words. “I want us to be honest with one another.”

  “How honest? You’re willing to tell me everything about your past?” I took her advice and tried the direct approach.

  She dropped my hand. “Eventually, but not tonight.”

  I wouldn’t press the issue. She would tell me on her own terms. I smiled brightly, ignoring the clawing tension in the air, and opened the front door. I almost lost my footing when I spied the long white stretch limo parked in front.

  “Is that for us?” I asked.

  “Yes,” she said, as if it was no big deal. “When was the last time you rode in a limo?”

  “This will be my first time.” I continued viewing the limo in awestruck wonder.

  A man dressed in a suit opened the back door. Victoria hustled me in. White and red rose pedals covered the seats and floor. A bottle of champagne chilled in a bucket.

  “What’s all this?” Dazed, I sat down.

  “I’m giving you romance because it’s what you want.” She pointed to the champagne. “Want a glass?”

  “I don’t know!” I burst into happy tears.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “I can’t believe I started crying. How embarrassing.” I clutched an untouched flute of champagne and blotted my eyes with a tissue Victoria had given me.

  “Are you still emotional because of your period?” She hadn’t taken me in her arms and comforted me or even acted perplexed at my crying. She patted my knee then left her hand there.

  “It’s pretty much done with.” I sipped my champagne then proceeded to sneeze when the carbonated bubbles hit my nose. I wished I had a rewind button to redo the last few minutes.

  “Maybe I should cancel the surprise I have before dinner. I wouldn’t want you swooning on me,” she said in good humor and handed me another tissue.

  “Swooning? Like in a romance novel?” I asked, sniffing.

  “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never read one.” She stroked my cheek. “Your eyes are still glossy, and your face is red.”

  I pressed my fingers to my forehead. “I’m a total mess.”

  “Not at all.” She kissed the side of my mouth. “You look exactly like the first time we had sex.”

  My belly clenched. “Is it a good thing?”

  “A very good thing.” Her eyes had become drowsy, and she sipped from her glass.

  “Oh.” I couldn’t think of another response. I blew my nose then finished my champagne.

  The limo came to a stop in front of Nox headquarters.

  “What are we doing here?” I asked.

  “It’s part of the surprise.” The driver opened the door on her side, and she climbed out. I followed her into the building.

  “Good evening, Miss Nox.” A middle-aged man behind the security desk met us, and he and Victoria shook hands.

  “Same to you, Denzel.” She looped her arm around mine. “Is everything ready?”

  “Yes. The pilot is waiting.” He motioned for us to walk ahead.

  “Pilot?” I asked her.

  “We’re going up to the launch pad on the roof. That’s where the helicopter is.”

  “Helicopter?” I squeaked, trying to wrap my mind around all of this.

  Denzel swiped a card over a silver pad to an elevator next to the one I’d taken the first time to Victoria’s office. The doors opened, and we all went inside.

  “We’re taking a helicopter ride around the city. I thought you’d enjoy the view,” she announced, looking all too satisfied.

  Holy smokes! A helicopter ride had to be crazy expensive.

  “You reserved a helicopter ride for us around the city?” I asked, blinking away any tears before they formed.

  She must have noticed how emotional I had become again. She curved her arm around my waist and kissed my cheek. “The helicopter is owned by Nox. It’s available any time I want to use it.”

  The doors pinged and then opened to the roof. The view of the city from forty stories up was breathtaking. The sun began setting, casting a glow over the skyscrapers and buildings. Victoria didn’t rush me while I viewed the majestic urban landscape.

  “This is amazing,” I said, bowled over.

  “I didn’t think to ask if you’re afraid of heights.” She sounded disgruntled.

  I wanted nothing more than to kiss her, but we had witnesses, two pilots waiting near the helicopter. Instead, I hugged her. “Thank you for doing this.”

  She hugged me back. “I’ve never taken a helicopter ride around the city with anyone else. You’re the first.”

  Damn. A tear slipped from the corner of my eye. I’d blame it on the wind.

  She drew me toward the helicopter. A woman opened the door for us and we were belted in. As the woman and her counterpart started up the helicopter, Victoria kissed me.

  We rose in the air, and my stomach lurched. She took my hand and held it the entire time we flew through the sky.

  ***

  “You’re trying to get me drunk.” I wagged a finger at Victoria as I finished off my glass of wine. I had lost count of the glasses the server poured us. But it was a lot. A warm, fuzzy feeling had taken over my body.

  She speared our shared salted-caramel torte with her fork. “You should eat more to soak up the alcohol. I don’t want you passing out on me. We still have a full night ahead.”

  She lifted the fork to my mouth, and I took a bite, moaning as the rich caramel invaded my mouth. “More surprises?”

  “Many more.” She had a healthy glow to her face and was completely relaxed. We shared a booth in a faraway corner in one of the most exclusive restaurants in Manhattan. The food had been decadent and plentiful. I didn’t have a clue to the price of things because we weren’t given menus. She informed me she had ordered the dishes prior to our arrival.

  “Does this include us getting naked?” I dipped my finger in the sweet sauce.

  Catching my finger, she sucked it into her mouth. A surge of pulsating pressure landed in my core.

  She tickled my finger with her tongue and then pulled it out of her mouth. Lust flared in her eyes, making my vagina clench with need. “You want me as much as I want you?”

  “I ache so much it hurts.” I lowered my hand to my stomach, as if it would calm the storm inside of me.

  “Open your legs,” she commanded, curling her hand around my knee.

  “People will see,” I complained in a shaky whisper, my eyes closing as she glided her hand under my skirt.

  “We’re hidden in the back with a tablecloth covering us. No one will notice I’m fingering you.”

  “Oh god.” I dug the back of my head into the cushion behind me and lifted my hips when she cupped me through my underwear.

  “You’re soaking wet,” she murmured in approval and stroked my center.

  I inhaled through my nose and gripped the table. My hips wouldn’t obey as I thrust up into her hand.

  “Spread your legs,” she whispered in my ear.

  I obeyed, opening them wide. She rewarded me by inserting her hand inside my underwear and nestling her finger in my feminine folds.

  “Tell me where my fingers are. Give me the words.” She flicked a spot that made me stiffen and jolt.

  “Pu-pussy.” I bit down on my lip, trying to not squirm from each stroke.

  “Say the word cunt.” Two more fingers joined in, tracing and circling my swollen flesh.

  “Cunt. Put your fingers inside my cu-cunt.” My voice, hoarse with strain was drowned out by the blood rushing to my head and my heart beating loudly in my ears.

  “Good girl.” She licked around my ear and pumped her fingers inside me. I cinched my legs around her hand and squeezed.

  “Let go. Now,” she ordered.

  My climax crashed down on me. My body jerked up, and my head ground into the back of the booth as I came. Whimpers fell from my mouth, muffled by Victoria’s mouth, as she kissed me, possessing me from top to bottom. Her fingers moved in time with her searching tongue as I orgasmed long and hard, seeming to go on forever with the intensity.

  When the purple dots in front of my eyes disappeared and I became aware of my surroundings, I flexed my fingers and toes, and shifted on the seat, relieved all my body parts still worked. “Holy smokes,” I giggled and covered my face.

  She removed her hand from in between my legs. “Look at me,” she ordered, sounding out of breath.

  I lowered my hands and pushed down my skirt. She waved her fingers, still damp with my release, under her nose. She then stuck her two fingers in her mouth and licked away my juices.

  I wanted to be disgusted by her show, but I was too turned on. She batted her eyelashes, unashamed, and then wiped her hands with her napkin.