Page 16

CHAPTER 16

A CLOSE CALL AND A CLOSE CALL

Nadira

A fter Julian drops me off, I use the service entrance. Before racing up the stairs, I check the surveillance cameras. When I left earlier, I used an infrared laser to blind them, but the people at Luxe Continental are efficient. With their wealthy clientele, it behooves them to stay on point with their security. Although I’m wearing a different wig, there’s no such thing as too many precautions.

As I suspect, the cameras are working again. I point the lasers at each until I enter the suite I share with my friends. The silence is a sign no one is stirring, allowing me to race on silent feet to my room. I quickly shower and change into the complimentary silk pajamas and cashmere robe that came as a perk with the room.

By the time I dress for bed, the shuffling feet and sleepy voices greeting each other outside my bedroom door signal the other occupants are up. After my sleepless night, today will be a high-octane caffeine day. I take a deep breath and join them with a yawn that isn’t completely fake and a stretch to sell the story that I’ve just woken up. I’m the last to join the group.

Danae and Moni sit on either side of Tamara, who looks more relaxed than last night. She rests her feet on the coffee table and her head on Danae’s shoulder. Chelsea is on the phone placing breakfast orders without anyone’s input. Since she has the best culinary palette of all of us, we never complain about her food selections.

“So, Tamara…” Moni says. “Since Nadira’s got the suite for a week, how about I keep you company?”

Danae and Chelsea perk up, not bothering to hide their interest in Tamara’s response.

Tamara glances at me, silently requesting permission.

“If you want us to stay, we stay.” I sit on the sofa facing them.

She smiles her thanks, though because of the circumstances it isn’t her usual vivacious expression.

Before the other ladies start to celebrate, I pointedly stare at each of them. “Don’t think you can charge everything to the room now. Although my friendship is limitless, my wallet isn’t.”

“Girl, please.” Moni rolls her eyes. “We ain’t no freeloading friends. We got our own money. Maybe not Luxe Continental level, but we hold our own.”

“Speaking of holding our own, I’m starting to plan my Christmas blowout for next month. Who’s staying in town?” Danae asks.

Chelsea disconnects her call and plops down on the sofa beside me. “Sorry boo. You know Christmas is off limits. My parents are high maintenance and demand I spend Christmas week to New Year’s with them.”

“I’ll be here,” Tamara says.

“Sorry, babe. My fam’s got dibs this year, too. As much as I’d prefer to stick with my friends, I haven’t been home in five years.” Moni pops up and walks over to the fridge where our chef left three pitchers of various flavored mimosas. She pours four glasses and serves one to each of us. “Pray for me. I just know one of my aunties will bring a shadchan to dinner and the entire night, everyone will chime in on what my perfect match will be.”

I raise my glass. “Here’s a toast in honor of your passing sanity.”

“Here here,” everyone says before sipping their cocktail.

“What about you?” Danae asks since I’m the only one who hasn’t responded.

“I’m tentative for the time being. As of right now, my calendar is clear and I want to attend, but you know my travel schedule is never consistent.” Although I’m on a leave of absence from my company, I want a cover to explain my absence in case Gary calls me with a new job.

A thought flashes across my mind. Why hasn’t Gary contacted me since I returned from the wedding? I’m the most demanded assassin in the organization.

“I’m crossing my fingers that you do and you’ll bring your mystery man with you.” Danae sends me an evil smirk and distracts me from my thoughts.

“Speaking of?—”

“There will be no speaking of anything.” I shut Chelsea down before this topic gets out of hand. “For the rest of the day, there will only be lighthearted Christmas movies and stuffing our faces. I vote for Violent Night to be the first one we watch,” I say to a reception of blank stares.

“I thought you said lighthearted. Like, what the fuck, Nadira?” Moni’s comment reflects everyone’s expression.

“Yeah. You don’t get more lighthearted than Santa protecting a little girl and handing out life lessons to deserving mercenaries.”

“Next she’ll say Die Hard is a Christmas movie,” Danae fakes a whisper, causing Tamara to giggle.

“How dare you malign one of the greatest Christmas films of all time? There was a Christmas tree, a miracle, and what better gift is there than John McClane saying yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker?”

Danae, Moni, and Tamara all turn to Chelsea who hides her mouth behind her hand as her shoulders shake uncontrollably.

When she finally calms enough, Chelsea says, “Don’t look at me for backup. I’m on Team Nadira. Die Hard for life.”

Danae shakes her head. “There is something seriously wrong with you two.”

After a spirited debate, we land on Love Actually to start our movie fest. The chef delivers the food Chelsea ordered and we demolish everything. At some point, the ladies fall asleep and I sneak away to check my messages.

Julian: I’ve taken care of everything. When are you coming home?

My heart thuds at the word home. Then the feelings I’ve been suppressing since our kiss surge forth, heating my blood and filling me with regrets.

I’m staying here for a few more days.

Julian: At least you’ll be off my company’s radar during your stay.

There is that.

I still have to set a trap for the people who are after me, but now I can’t see planning one without Julian’s input. After all, who better than my rival to point out flaws and make sure my plan removes all threats to my life and livelihood?

Three dots appear on my screen and I wait in breathless anticipation for Julian’s next text. And I wait. And I wait. When I think I’m about to rip off my wig, his response pops up.

Julian: Sneak out when everyone’s sleeping. I booked a room.

His words quicken the kindling burning inside me, causing a raging inferno to melt any resistance and common sense I once had. There’s no use. I’ve already admitted to wanting Julian, and it’s not just to satisfy my curiosity. I have genuine feelings for him and want to explore them. Plus, he’s fucking sexy and I’m tired of holding back when he’s finally willing to fulfill his silent promises.

Giddy and reckless, I undress, set the timer on my phone to take a picture, and pose provocatively. I send the photo with a message.

What are you going to do when I show up looking like this?

Julian: Taste every inch of you. Even after my tongue goes numb, I’ll continue to lick, suck, and tongue fuck you until you’re squirting your pleasure all over my face.

Well, damn. I crack the door to my room and peek into the suite. There’s no movement, which emboldens me to lock the door. I search through my bag until I find my earbuds, then I get into position on the bed and dial Julian’s number.

When his face appears on the screen, I whisper, “I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours.”

He glances around him and I recognize the room he’s in. It’s the one he prepared for me in his home.

“Did you sleep in my bed last night?” I keep my voice low to keep my friends from hearing what I’m about to do.

Pink stains his cheeks. “I wasn’t being creepy… I just… Being surrounded by things you’ve touched soothes me.”

“As much as I’d like to talk about how sweet that is and how not creeped out I am, I have a more pressing issue at hand.” I pull the phone away so he can see me as I trail my hand down my body and between my thighs.

When I raise my glistening fingers to the screen, he clenches his eyes and groans, “Nadira…”

“Don’t Nadira me. This is your fault. Now, I could take care of myself alone, but that’s not what I want.”

“And what is it you want?”

“You. On my bed. Naked.”

Julian opens his eyes and I gasp at the passion causing his irises to glow a molten gold. “I live to fulfill your desires.” The dark promise in his voice delivers a phantom stroke to my body.

My core clenches and my clit pulses with need.

Julian sets his phone down so I can watch him as he slowly disrobes, revealing inch by tantalizing inch of his muscled torso. As the hem of his shirt rises above his chest, the material uncovers a tattoo over his left pectoral muscle. Inked on his chest is Property of Trapper’s Keeper.

I’ve seen his tattoo before, but after discovering his letters, the words take on new meaning. Although he hasn’t called me Keeper since London, I haven’t forgotten. Is there any aspect of Julian’s life he hasn’t devoted to me? The realization humbles me, but more than that, it turns me on. Julian unabashedly belongs to me.

“Julian.” I lick my lips and circle my swollen nipple. “Can’t you go faster?”

In response, he rips open his pants and I hear the ping of his button hitting something in the room. Within seconds, Julian lies on the bed. “What will you have me do?” His strained voice is music to my ears.

“Show me… when you think about using your mouth on me, show me how you touch yourself.”

“I pretend you’re touching me,” he whimpers with his hand circling his dick.

“And I will. You have a beautiful dick. Now squeeze it gently for me.”

He bites his lip but follows my instructions. His dick is long and thick, curving toward his belly. Pre-cum wells at his tip.

Unable to hold back any longer, I rub slow circles into my clit and moan at the stimulation. “Now spread that delicious fluid around and start stroking yourself. And don’t keep quiet. I want to hear all your pleasure.”

“Yes, my queen.”

“That’s right. And that’s my dick you’re touching, isn’t it?”

“Yes, all of me is yours for the taking.”

Shit! Having this power over Julian sends a rush to my head that journeys to all my nerve endings. While stimulating my clitoris with my thumb, I plunge two fingers into my needy pussy.

“Do you hear that, Julian?” I widen my thighs and place the phone closer to my pussy while I thrust inside myself. I’m so wet. Sloshing sounds emit from between my legs.

“Fuck, Nadira.”

“This is what you do to me, Julian.” I pant and increase my pace. “When I see you, I’m going to want to ride that big dick of mine. You won’t deny me, will you?”

“Never.” He gasps my name and the wildness in his eyes tells me he’s on the brink.

“Do you want to come?”

“Not before you.” The sexy baritone of his voice makes me whimper and slam my feet against the bed.

“I’m close, but I want to see you come first. Show me how hard you come and how much cum you’re going to feed me when we do this in person.”

“Nadira, fuck!” Julian yells and spurts cum over his fist. Jet after jet flies in the air to land on his chest and belly.

Watching him orgasm causes a chain reaction in me, and my body seizes. I struggle to keep my eyes open to watch him as deliciously punishing waves of pleasure wash over me. For endless minutes, the only sound is our heavy breathing.

When I can finally form a coherent sentence, I open my mouth, but Julian preempts me.

“Nadira, promise me something.”

“What’s that?”

“When we see each other tonight, you let me get my fill before you destroy me with the vow you made.”

I lick my lips and toy with the idea of denying him. He does have a beautiful dick. One worth riding over and over until I break my pussy or his dick, whichever comes first. But then I look into his earnest gaze. If I want to be selfish, he’ll let me. He’s proven that time and again in our brief acquaintance. He’ll also let me be soft and vulnerable. For him, he cherishes every facet of my personality.

I smile when I give him my answer.