Concealment (The Cassano Series Book 1) Page 9

  Her eyes come back to me, those puddles of deep green, brighter than a forest after a rainfall.

  God, I need to touch her.

  “OK, grumpy, I’m distracted by you.” Sticking her finger out, she pokes my leg. A coy smile builds from her lips, and the anger, along with the little distrust I felt toward her vanish.

  “You were supposed to show up here prepared for me to touch you, and now I can’t, so stop looking at me like you would let me.”

  She frowns and adjusts her head to stare up at the ceiling.

  “What would you like to eat?”

  “You don’t need to feed me, but I’ll let you take me home.”

  “You’re not going to be alone tonight.”

  Sitting up farther on the sofa, her cleavage leans forward, saying hello, and I’m more than willing to play the good host to them.

  “I can’t stay here,” she spouts.

  “Why not?”

  “We’ve been over this.”

  “You’re staying. I have several bedrooms and can get you anything you need. Now, what do you want to eat?”

  Her arms cross and lips purse.

  “Fine. Since the nurse thinks my iron is probably low, too, I want a steak, medium-well, a baked potato and vegetables.”

  I smirk. “Anything else?”

  “A dinner roll, a piece of pie and apple juice, preferably in a box.”

  My eyebrows raise. “Apple juice. You want a juice box?”

  “Is there a problem with my request?”

  “No, we feed children in this hotel, so I’m sure we have apple juice in at least one of the restaurants, but I can’t guarantee it’s in a box.”

  “I would also like to get my things from my locker.”

  “I’ll have Shannon gather your belongings.”

  Panic plagues her face for a few seconds before she calms. “I guess that’s OK.”

  I imagine she was taking a mental inventory of what she has with her. I leave her alone and go to my office to make a few calls.

  I won’t deny it felt good having the power to take her away from Rick Jacobs. I’m going to take care of her tonight.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Victoria

  I’m an idiot. If I had been hurt worse and ended up at the hospital, I could’ve blown my cover.

  I haven’t been myself ever since I stepped foot into Adrian’s office for the first time, and I don’t like it. People don’t take care of me. I take care of me.

  “I thought you might want something to sleep in,” he says, returning to the living room with a sweatshirt in hand. I can’t help but smirk.

  “I’m already in a nighty.”

  “And you look incredible in it, but I thought this might be more comfortable.”

  His eyes rake down my body before I stand and take hold of the shirt. He doesn’t let go, so I stare up at his handsome face.

  “Thank you.”

  His free hand clasps my chin.

  “You had me worried. Please take better care of yourself.”

  His head dips ever so slowly, my breath hitching from the anticipation. Warm lips barely land on mine.

  One soft kiss is placed before he’s blasting me once again with his intense gaze. The doorbell rings, and I pull away.

  “Can you direct me to the bathroom?”

  Adrian points toward a hallway.

  “It’s the first door on the right.”

  Stepping into the spacious room, I feel lightheaded. Gazing at myself in the mirror, I examine my pale, dull skin.

  What does he see in me? In his mind, I’m a poor server. I’m a woman who lives in a shady part of town, and aside from exercising regularly, puts little effort into how I appear.

  I guess that’s changing. I bring a hand up and admire my shiny painted nails. I like them. Somehow, it makes me feel more in control … more put together.

  After unclipping the hose from the garter part of my skirt, I slip the spaghetti straps from my shoulders and pull off my uniform.

  The thigh highs are removed next, and wearing only a black silky thong, I pull the sweatshirt over my head.

  It’s large but still barely covers my ass. I feel no less self-conscious, but it’s warm and comforting, which is nice since I’m feeling shitty physically.

  The plain grey sweatshirt has “USMC” on the front in black lettering. The United States Marine Corp.

  Glancing around the room, I’m taken aback from the size of it. There isn’t even a tub or shower in this bathroom yet it’s huge.

  The vanity is a tan and white swirl of marble, and there is an intricate row of copper light fixtures going across the top of the mirror. They have a soft glow to them, reminding me of candles.

  After I’ve folded my clothes and attempted to freshen up, I exit. I should’ve waited for my own clothing to arrive. He probably wanted to see me in only this damn sweatshirt.

  Mmm … I smell food the second my feet touch the living room. Not seeing Adrian, I pad across the wooden floor that is made up of a few different shades of brown.

  The furniture is beige, and although the space is wide open, it has a somewhat homey feel.

  There are framed photos of antique cars gracing the walls, and a high table against the back of the sofa is covered in what I’m guessing are family photographs.

  As much as I’m interested in looking at them, the aroma of food pulls me toward another room. I gasp when I round the corner.

  It’s the dining room, and windows line the entire back side. The Vegas Strip is lit up like a Christmas tree behind the glass.

  A rich hickory table matched with ten chairs, covered in a beige fabric, sit atop a light oak floor. At one end, Adrian is placing cutlery on a cloth napkin next to a spread of food.

  Covering my mouth, I chuckle when I spot the juice box. I feel kind of bad for the inconvenience I might’ve caused.

  He looks over, and after eyeing every inch of me, his Adam’s apple moves noticeably as he swallows. “Why are you laughing?”

  “The juice box. I was attempting to be playfully difficult when I asked for it.”

  He continues to stare at me with lustful eyes. I walk toward him to break the uncomfortableness, but the closer I get to the fancy table and plate of food, the more out of place I feel.

  Coming to a stop a few feet away, I chew on the inside of my mouth and stare at the evidence of his kind nature. His hands find the back of the chair. “Sit and eat.”

  “I’m sorry, but I feel out of place, and I’m barely dressed.”

  “You’ll be staying here another night if you don’t eat.” He’s giving me a stern look, so I scrunch my forehead and give one back as I cross my arms.

  This pulls up the sweatshirt I’m wearing, causing his eyes to momentarily drift to my thighs.

  “Alright, I’ll eat.” He helps scoot me up to the table, and I smile as I account for all the food. “Even living in Vegas, I don’t recall ever eating a steak dinner at midnight.”

  Peering up, I see him smile, but his expression abruptly changes to one of distress. Adrian is mercurial.

  I know why my mood dances back and forth when he’s near. My internal struggle over deceiving him only grows with every kind act he exhibits.

  Each sensual look and touch lures me in a little further. What is his internal struggle? That’s what I need to find out.

  Adrian

  Sweet comments and that damn smile are forging my reservations and desires into a ball of confusion.

  The doorbell rings, breaking my gaze at Victoria’s carefree smile and vivid, green eyes.

  Opening the door, Kruse hands me a clear bag that cinches with a white string.

  “Here are Ms. Stuart’s things.”

  “Thank you. I shouldn’t need anything else tonight.” Victoria’s phone begins vibrating the second I shut the door. Holding the bag up, I turn it until I find the screen lit up with a name.

  Reggie. What the fuck?

  Lowering her belongings, I
carry them through the house to the dining room.

  “Here are the things from your locker. Uh, your phone was ringing.”

  She looks up with the juice box in hand, and her high cheek bones turn pink.

  “Thank you, and thanks for the food. It’s delicious. I’m really running up a tab. Please deduct this meal from my check and whatever you paid the guy for his window.”

  “No, I will not do that.”

  She glares at me. “Yes, you will. I owe it.”

  “Are you always this difficult?”

  She turns back to her food and taps her nails on the side of her plate. “I must be, considering I’ve been told that since I was a child.”

  “Victoria, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to insult you. I don’t need the money, so I’d rather you let me cover it.”

  “The meal but not the window. I threw the rock, so I should pay for it. How much did you give him?”

  Looking away, I scratch my head.

  “I believe a few grand.”

  Her head swings back toward me.

  “A few grand?! For a window?”

  “It was for more than a window. It was to smooth over the mess you made.” She’s being a real pain in the ass.

  Pushing back from the table, she stands.

  “I won’t cause you any more messes. I’m calling a cab.”

  She reaches for her bag on the table, but I swipe it before she can. “Don’t leave.”

  “I shouldn’t be here in the first place.” Victoria is coming toward me, closing the few feet between us. “Give me my things.”

  “I told you that you’re not staying alone tonight.” I drop the bag into a chair at the table and yank her into my arms.

  Lowering my head to meet her mouth, I force it open with my tongue. I find hers eager to comply, and I soak up the flavor of apple as she whimpers, her tongue drifting along mine.

  The way she challenged me with her will has me lit ablaze, desiring her even more. I want to crack open her shell until I find that pearl encased in vulnerability.

  I imagine she hasn’t let any man that close, but I’m not any man. I don’t give up. She’ll spill her guts, wanting me to know the truth, so she can feel free to give her body over to me.

  I’ll explore every centimeter of its beauty with my greedy mouth and urgent fingertips.

  Fuck, as much as I want to sink my raging hard cock into her, I won’t until she’s revealed the truth.

  Not letting her lips go, I walk her to the other end of the table. Picking her up, I lay her body on it, and plant her feet on the shiny surface.

  She pants and gazes up at me with trepidation. My sweatshirt is at her waist, and I spot the black panties peeking out between her thighs.

  “Fuck. Me. Christ, Victoria, you’re sexy as hell.”

  “Adrian,” she says in a desperate tone, her eyelids weighted with lust. Pulling her thighs apart, I move between them and push the sweatshirt upward until her smooth stomach is visible.

  Starting at the top of her panties, my tongue twirls along her velvety skin, moving upward to her chest. She’s not close enough, so I grip her hips and yank her to me.

  Her lips part and eyes close as I lean over to take one of her tits into my mouth. Small bumps form around her nipple, and the tip of my tongue skims along them as the peak stiffens.

  I can’t resist nipping at it with my teeth before dragging it between them. She moans, and my engorged dick is aching, wanting to be warm inside her.

  I sail my wet lips over to her other tit and pay it equal attention. Rising up, I relish in watching her response. Her eyes are squeezed shut, and she pants as her body yearns for a release.

  My fingertips glide from the inside of her knee down her inner thigh. She flinches as they skim the front of her panties. The damp satin has me groaning simultaneously with her moans of pleasure.

  Fuck, I’ve got to have more of her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Victoria

  I’m sprawled out on Adrian Cassano’s dining room table. It’s now questionable if I’m worthy of my career in law enforcement.

  His fingers stroke my wet panties, causing me to gasp. My eyes open, and he’s piercing me with a lascivious gaze.

  Hooking his fingers over the top of the satin fabric, he inches them along my legs and up over my knees until he’s lifting each foot to remove them.

  Even though I’m headed straight toward a brick wall, I can’t bring myself to hit the brakes. Adrian will believe this was an act.

  I was truly engaged during our many in-depth conversations. He’s intelligent, interesting and caring.

  I genuinely find humor in his witty remarks and miss his presence when he’s not near, yet he won’t believe any of it. He’ll think it was all pretend.

  There is only a collision ahead, but I can’t stop it. I’m selfish, wanting the attention he gives me.

  Adrian’s touch is addictive, the anticipation alone igniting a high … an exhilarating rush to ride on.

  “Tell me to touch you, Victoria. Aside from your soaked pussy giving it away, convince me you want it.” His voice is controlled yet commanding.

  “I want you to touch me. Fuck, please, touch me now …” I’m breathless, my words uttered with desperation.

  Two fingers slip into me as his other hand slides up the outside of my leg. It snakes around my knee, and his lips tenderly kiss the inside of it.

  Fingers move in time with his thumb that is rubbing circles of pleasure, provoking shameless moans to leave my dry mouth.

  An animalistic sound rattles Adrian’s chest, his earnest stare still anchored to mine. His hand moves from my knee and massages my breast.

  “Mmmm,” I hum. The pleasure heightens as he twists my nipple and tugs on it. All at once, an orgasm takes hold. “Adrian.”

  “Come, Victoria. Come on my fingers. God, I’m dying to fuck you.”

  His hot words only add intensity to the sensations already owning me. Feeling slight pain, I notice my nails are curled into my hands, digging into my skin.

  Prying them open, I palm the table. Having heaved so much for air, my lungs feel as if they’re breathing in fire.

  Lips skim across the inside of my knee again before his mouth settles there, his gaze boring into me as if he’s in deep thought.

  “You need to feel better before we have sex, but I still want you in my bed tonight. Wrap your legs around me.”

  I do as Adrian says and circle my legs around his hips. Pulling me against him, I feel his erection and the thundering of his heart.

  I’m tired and close my eyes as he carries me. I don’t need a bed. This spot right here feels perfect.

  Hearing a door open, it’s not long before I’m being lowered to the floor. He turns on a lamp next to the bed, and I take in my surroundings. This must be the master bedroom.

  The space is taken up by massive, dark wood furniture, and wide stripes of brown, green and white cover the duvet.

  It’s piled with decorative pillows that he’s launching one by one. I lazily giggle. There is a fireplace opposite the wall of the bed and a filled bookcase on the far side of the room.

  His penthouse is decorated like a home, not a bachelor’s pad, which is not what I expected. His east coast upbringing is evident in his style, too.

  All at once, I recall that he’s about to have me in his bed. “Adrian, I can sleep in one of the other bedrooms.”

  He points to the sheets after pulling back the blankets. “I want you sleeping next to me. Now–get in.”

  “Bossy much?”

  “Yes, so get used to it.”

  He’s frustrated. I can sense his sexual tension. Going to a dresser, he pulls out a t-shirt and brings it back to me.

  “Here, you might get hot in that.”

  I take it from him and lay it on the bed before peeling off the sweatshirt. I’m already sweating from what he’s done to me, so the air hitting my skin is refreshing.

  I hear a light grumble befo
re he’s turning somewhat away from me. He unbuttons his white shirt and strips it off.

  Next, his loose hanging jeans are removed, and I admire him in black boxer briefs.

  “In,” he says after shifting toward me. I wet my lips and find it hard to look away from his chiseled body. He’s all muscle, and they’re sculpted to perfection.

  After close to a minute of ogling him, I feel my cheeks warm, so I climb into his king-size bed. “Scoot.” I smile over his bossiness and drag my butt sideways until I’m on the other side.

  Hearing our arduous breaths in unison, I consider what I should say after he climbs in and switches off the light. “Um, can I ask you something?”

  “Yes, Victoria, anytime.”

  “Have you dated a lot of employees?”

  “Never.”

  “Never?”

  “Never. It’s been a rule, and I’m enjoying breaking it with you.”

  I chuckle. “Then we have something else in common. I live to break rules.”

  “That might be grounds for firing. Then we won’t have to be concerned over rules being broken.”

  “No, no, no. I will abide by the rules here at Hotel Submission. I told you I need this job.” An awkward silence takes over as I conjure up the nerve to talk about what he did to me.

  “Thank you for tonight. For everything, really.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” He lets out a laborious breath. He’s going crazy. The knob is still cranked up on his desire, and I can turn it down.

  My fingers find his hard cock. He lets out a hiss from my unexpected touch. I stroke it once through his briefs before I’m trying to remove them. “Victoria, you passed out barely an hour ago. You should sleep.”

  “No, take these off.”

  “Bossy much?”

  “Yes, so get used to it.”

  I can’t see him, but I bet he’s grinning. He pulls off his briefs, and I’m soon wrapping my lips around his pulsing cock.

  “Holy fuck.” Hands shove into my hair and take hold. His instinct to bring me closer has my mouth sliding down his dick, taking it as far back as I can. It’s to my throat before I’m dragging my lips back up.