Flawless Desire

I straighten. Cross my legs.

David pauses. “You think that’s a good idea?”

I smile. No clue what he said. “Yeah. Sure.”

More buzzing. This time, longer.

David continues, totally unaware. There’s a break in Caleb’s torment, long enough for me to catch my breath and recover, feeling human again.

Maybe that was just a preview, and he’ll leave me guessing for the rest of the afternoon. Maybe—

Another deep throb rolls through me, like an ocean wave. On, and on, and—

Oh my God, I think I might come!

I push back my chair. “Be right back!”

I jump up and scurry away, face hot. David must think I have stomach problems. After a moment’s panic, I finally find the ladies’ room and dash inside, rushing past an old lady who is exiting.

My phone starts to ring. Caleb. I answer it, and desperately breathe his name.

“I want to hear you come.”

I look around. The bathroom’s empty, thank goodness, because I’m coming even before I get to the stall, my nipples tight, my body buzzing like a live wire. I let out a little moan as the vibrations get ever more intense, collapsing against the wall as pleasure rockets through me.

Oh. My. God.

I gasp, shaken and spent. “Bastard,” I manage to mutter, and Caleb laughs down the line.

“Fuck, I miss you. Next time, you’re going to be coming on my tongue.”

I don’t knowhow I make it through the rest of the day, but thanks to the time difference, Caleb heads to bed, and I can finally head home alone.

The things that man makes me feel, and he’s not even in the room!

It’s a marvel—and a liability. Because again, Caleb’s sexual escapades have successfully distracted me from Olivia’s demands, and the data I found on that flash drive.

I sigh, climbing the stairs to my apartment. One day soon, I know, I’m going to have to come clean—to one of them.

I’m just not sure which one.

I emerge from the stairwell, my keys out, but there’s someone standing in the shadows by my door.

“Caleb?” I ask, my heart leaping. Is he here to surprise me?

But the man who steps into the dim light isn’t Caleb. Not even close.

I freeze. He’s massive, over six feet tall and built with lean muscle. Tattoos scroll down his arms, and there’s a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Juliet Nichols?” he asks, taking a menacing step closer.

I back up. “Who wants to know?”

He closes the distance between us. I back up again, until I hit the wall. What do I do? There’s nobody around, the dim hallway is totally empty.

Fear kicks, like ice in my veins.

I open my mouth to scream.

“I have a message for Caleb,” he growls, towering over me.

I stare, wide-eyed. “C-- Caleb?” I stammer.

“Yeah. Tell him Nero Barretti isn’t a man you keep waiting.”

The words make me swallow my scream. He comes closer, closer… And right when I’m sure he’s going to grab me, he sidesteps me and continues on his way down the stairs. Sauntering, hands in pockets, as if he didn’t just issue that threat.

Every hair on my body standing on end, I rush for the door to my apartment.

It’s open.