Cunning by Aleatha Romig
My handbag beside the martini glass vibrated, momentarily breaking my trance. I freed my phone and read the text.
Nox: “YOU TAKE MY BREATH AWAY.”
Before I could move my head to find him, another message came through.
Nox: “DON’T TURN AROUND.”
I shook my head, wondering again how he did that.
And another.
Nox: “ENTICING AND RADIANT. I KNOW IF IT WEREN’T FOR JERROD, EVERY MAN IN THIS BAR WOULD BE HITTING ON YOU. THEY’RE LOOKING AT YOU. IT’S ONLY HIS PRESENCE KEEPING THEM AWAY. IT MAKES ME WANT TO PUNCH EVERY ONE OF THEM AND GIVE JERROD A RAISE, BUT MORE THAN THAT, I WANT TO SHOW EVERYONE THAT YOU’RE MINE.”
I gasped.
Me: “I AM YOURS. YOU MARKED ME.”
As I waited for the next response, a warm hand caressed my bare shoulder. I didn’t turn. He hadn’t given me permission. I didn’t need to. His woodsy cologne combined with the possessiveness of his touch told me all I needed to know. My head to the side as his lips grazed my neck.
“I did,” he said, his deep voice rumbling through me like thunder. “You’re mine.”
“Yes, Nox.”
I stared at the sexiest man I knew as he eased onto the stool beside me. His gray suit coat accentuated his shoulders while the crisp white shirt glowed under the bar’s lights against the blue of his tie. My mind imagined other uses for his tie as his voice reverberated through the soft music playing in the background.
“How’s your martini?”
“I haven’t tasted it.”
With a knowing smirk, Nox picked up the glass and brought it to my lips. The cool liquid was both sweet and tart. It spread warmth over my tongue and down my throat. His other hand splayed across my knee.
“If I move my hand higher, what will I find?”
“Exactly what you ordered, Mr. Demetri.”
His grip didn’t move upward, but it tightened, the tips of his fingers blanching as they bit into the skin of my leg.
“I fucking wish we still had the suite here.”
“Does that mean you’re picking me up?”
“Oh, princess. I’m not picking you up. I’m keeping you.”
The bartender appeared. “Sir, may I get you a drink?”
I looked down and ran my finger along the rim of my glass as he ordered. When he was done, he asked, “Did you and Isaac make more plans, or is this it?”
“I didn’t make any more plans with Isaac. I thought I’d leave the rest of the evening to you…” I licked my lips. “…Mr. Demetri.”
He leaned closer. “Keep it up, princess. I’m getting fucking hard every time you call me that.”
I looked down at my shoes and then lowered my lids. “I disobeyed you again.”
He furrowed his brow. “Tell me.”
“It’s the shoes. They’re not the ones you bought with this outfit.”
His menacing grin twinkled in his pale blue eyes. “I recognize those shoes. I remember seeing them on the dashboard of a car. I think I’ll let you keep them on while I punish you.”
I closed my eyes, my breasts rubbing against the weight of the beaded dress as I exhaled.
“How was your first day of class?”
I kissed his cheek. “Do you have any idea how much it means to me that you even ask?”
“Why wouldn’t I ask?”
I shrugged. In all my years growing up, I couldn’t remember one time when Alton asked my mother about her day, unless there was something specific he was curious about. Did she call the florist or some other menial task he’d given her for the day.
“Lana has dinner for us,” I volunteered. “Or we can eat here. As I said, the rest of the night is at your discretion.”
Nox took a sip of his drink. “I’m sure they have wonderful food here, but I’d rather get you home to eat.”
I swallowed. There was something in his tone. The warm trail started by the martini was now ablaze with flames brought on by his thundering pitch and devious undertones. Blood rushed to my cheeks as my breathing hitched. “Yes, Mr. Demetri.”
He reached for some bills from his money clip and threw back the rest of his whiskey. With a menacing grin, he said, “You’re going to pay for making me uncomfortable.”
I picked up my purse. “I hope so.”
Nox nodded to Jerrod. It was a routine that was becoming familiar. It meant that Jerrod would call Isaac. By the time we reached the door, with Jerrod watching over us, Isaac would be waiting with the car.
As we settled into the back of the sedan, I thought about the present I had back at the apartment for Nox. It was my vibrator. Whoever moved our things to the apartment from the Mandarin, put it with my bras and panties. With all that had happened, Nox hadn’t mentioned it since the first morning when he told me not to use it. I hadn’t. I couldn’t imagine needing it with him in my bed. However, the morning he did mention it, he’d said he had some inventive ideas. I was ready to learn what those were.
As Isaac closed the door and Nox’s fingers stealthily moved to my inner thigh, I laid my head against the seat and stifled a moan.
The anticipation was almost painful.
“Spread your legs for me, princess.”
I did, thankful he’d whispered. This was a car, not a limousine. Nothing separated us from Isaac. Jerrod was driving the other car back to the apartment. My eyes darted to the rearview mirror. However as Nox lightly brushed the tips of his fingers against my folds, the world beyond us seemed inconsequential.
“Nox.” I drew his name out to an untold number of syllables.
His lips hovered near my ear as he brushed my hair aside. His warm breath laced with whiskey intoxicated me, sending goose bumps over my skin. “If I wanted to make you come, right here in the car on our way to our apartment, I would.”
I nodded with a whimper.
“If I wanted to make you scream my name, I could. Tell me, Miss Collins, would you object?”
From planning the evening, to sitting and running my finger over my glass, I was wound tighter than I ever remembered. His words were erotic but I needed more. I shifted toward his touch. It wouldn’t take much, a pinch of my clit, a finger or two inside of me, and I’d be gone. “No, sir. No protest from me.”
One hand stayed close, so close to where I needed it to be, while he continued his assault on my neck: from behind my ear to my collarbone and lower. Each kiss slow and warm as his teeth grazed my sensitive skin and the scruff of his cheeks abraded it. My tongue darted to my lips and eyes closed.
My head moved as he fisted my hair, exposing me to his desires. I winced at the tug against my scalp as I shifted toward his other hand. The pressure was too much. I no longer thought about Isaac in the front seat or that we were surrounded by other cars in one of the busiest cities in the world. Unabashed, I opened my legs wider, encouraging him to move higher.
“No, Charli.”
My eyes opened.
“My fantasy. My rules. I’ll touch you when I’m ready.”
“Shit,” the word came out breathily.
He grinned as his fingers possessed. More and more he teased and taunted. His grip of my thigh tightened blanching my skin as his kisses moved lower into the V of my dress.
“Please.” I heard my own plea, but couldn’t recall making it.
“What were you thinking about at the bar?” Nox’s warm breath skirted my tender flesh. “Tell me what you were thinking about as you ran your finger over the rim of your glass.”
“You.” I could barely form the words. “I was thinking about you.”
“What were you thinking about me doing?”
“This. More.” It was hard to concentrate.
Why is it taking so long to get to the apartment?
His fingers skimmed over my clit, touching yet offering no relief.
I couldn’t stifle the moan.
“More, Charli. I want more.”
“Fuck, Nox. So do I!”
His chest rumbled with sadi
My eyes opened again, and the brightly lit canopy of the apartment building came into focus.
“Thank God,” I said.
Nox laughed again. As Isaac parked and got out of the car to open our door, Nox said, “Trust me, princess. I plan to help you out the second we cross that threshold. But it won’t be a divine being you’ll be thanking. It’ll be me.”
I practically panted with anticipation as we made our way through the lobby.
PEOPLE. SO MANY PEOPLE.
The doorman, people in the lobby, and in the elevator. My feet staggered. I was drunk though I’d barely consumed more than a couple of sips of my martini. I was intoxicated on Nox and on life. His strong arm steadied me as he led me from the elevator and down the hallway to our apartment door. Each step reminded me of my arousal as my essence coated my thighs.
The key jiggled in the lock, the tumblers refusing to turn. Everything was happening in slow motion. I couldn’t speed it up.
Before opening the door, Nox leaned down and kissed me. My body melted against his as he pulled me close. “I’m hurrying.”
“Not fast enough.”
The living room flooded with light as he opened and closed the door and flipped the switch. His lips captured mine, their heat the final degree to my combustion. Some scrumptious aroma emanated from the kitchen, awakening a different hunger I didn’t realize I possessed.
My stomach growled—loudly.
The blush of embarrassment covered my cheeks as my arm crossed over my stomach.
A grin spread across Nox’s lips. “Hungry?” he asked, his eyes widening.
“I want to say no, but I think you know the answer.”
“I think I can satisfy both your needs. Go to the bedroom, take off the dress, but leave on the heels.” He reached for my chin and his demands slowed. “Climb on the bed and spread those sexy legs. When I walk in there, I want you positioned so I can see how much your pussy wants me.”
My mouth dried.
“I’ll bring in a plate of food.” He kissed me. “You may eat—after me. And princess, I’m not eating whatever Lana made.”
My heart thumped against my chest.
“Yes, Mr. Demetri.”
He rubbed his nose against mine. “Oh, just wait.” His lips softly brushed mine.
I didn’t want soft. I pushed myself toward him.
Nox shook his head. “So greedy. Remember, this is on my schedule. Now, go. I’ll be in the bedroom in a minute, and you’d better be ready.”
Excitement, curiosity, anxiousness… were only some of the many emotions flooding my bloodstream as I hurried toward our bedroom. Each step intensified the suspense. Being with Nox was like a high I never wanted to go away. If Nox were a pill, I’d sell my soul for a lifetime prescription.
I eased the dress from my shoulders and shimmied out. The urge to relieve my own tension fluttered across my mind. It would be so easy. I knew it wouldn’t take long. Then again, on the bed was my vibrator, right where I’d left it. I had confidence that relief would be coming soon, and often.
“Charli.” I turned toward the hallway, toward the sound of Nox’s voice.
This was sooner than I expected. Nox appeared in the doorway. The passion and command of moments ago were gone. Even his tone was different. His eyes did a sweep of my body. “Get dressed. We need to get out of here.”
“What? Why?”
“Now,” he said as he scooped my dress from the floor and handed it back to me.
“What happened?”
He held out his phone. “It’s the security system. Someone’s been in here.”
“Lana?”
“No. They didn’t use her code. It was a bogus code, something only a professional could do. The system didn’t catch it right away. It activated a delayed alarm. It only happened about twenty minutes ago. Deloris is on her way.”
I pulled the dress over my head as my hands began to tremble. Sometimes Nox worked late. I could’ve been here alone. What if? “Are you sure they’re gone?”
He looked down at the screen of his phone. “Yes. There are sensors throughout the apartment. No one’s here now but us.”
“You’re sure someone was in here? Is anything…” I turned a circle and looked around the bedroom. The damn vibrator mocked me from the middle of our bed. An intruder saw that. “…missing?”
Nox’s eyes followed mine. He quirked a brow. “I thought you didn’t have plans?”
“I was hoping you could come up with something.”
He reached for my hand and started to pull me out of the bedroom, but stopped. “We’re getting out of here. Go put something on under that dress and throw some things in an overnight bag. Try not to touch anything other than what you need. Deloris needs to be able to do what she does.”
I nodded. “You’re sure… no one.”
He kissed my forehead. “I wouldn’t fucking let you out of my sight if I wasn’t.”
Hurriedly, I did as he said. Fear replaced my desire. Clothes for tomorrow, a nightgown, underwear: I made a mental list as I threw things in my small suitcase. I rushed to the bathroom and gathered my cosmetics and toothbrush.
“Do you want me to pack things for you?” I yelled toward the hallway.
I didn’t hear his answer as I dashed across the hallway to my office and picked up the backpack I’d left there after class. It had all the books I’d need for tomorrow as well as my tablet.
As I turned to ask Nox again if he wanted me to pack for him, I saw the plain white envelope lying on the middle of my desk. Slowly, I moved forward, confident it hadn’t been there earlier in the evening. My feet barely moved as I made my way around the desk. It was like a dream as I floated closer, as if the envelope were a snake and would sense my sudden movement and strike.
Alexandria was scrolled across the front.
My heart did triple time as I reached for it. Blood coursed through my veins and through my ears, muting the world around me. With shaking fingers, I lifted it and opened the flap.
The first page was a picture. I’d never seen the woman before, but she looked familiar. It was because she looked like me. Her hair wasn’t auburn but beautiful rich shades of brown, long and flowing about the same length as mine. Her eyes were a soft brown, darker than mine, but with golden flecks. She was smiling at the camera and dressed in something red. It was only a headshot.
I sank to the chair. I didn’t want to keep looking, but like gawking at a train wreck, I couldn’t look away. My heart knew who she was, but it needed confirmation. I moved the picture to the back of the stack of pages and began to read.
Alexandria,
I’m sure you’re mad or even freaked out that I had this put where you’d find it. I’m sorry. I won’t say that I’m not trying to scare you. I am.
You won’t return my calls. You won’t return my text messages even when Adelaide explained how much I need you. Now I need you to listen. Please listen. Please keep reading.
You know who she is, don’t you? The woman in the picture?
Her name was Jocelyn Marie Matthews Demetri.
My stomach sank. I needed to stop, to show this to Nox, but I couldn’t.
Was, Alexandria, she was. She’s dead.
Your boyfriend killed her.
The Demetris are dangerous. I won’t go into all the illegal activities, including prostitution, but know that it’s there. I just want you to know about the man you’re sleeping with. The man she slept with. The man who killed her.
My empty stomach twisted violently.
Stop! Stop! Stop reading!
My heart screamed out, but my eyes continued to roam.
Lennox wouldn’t allow her family to see her body. He had her cremated before any evidence could be found.
Evidence. Her parents have both sworn statements about his abuse. On more than one occasion they witnessed bruises on her wrists. They’ve both testified to that.
I looked to my wrists. There was
He was a workaholic. They say she was sad and scared.
Their testimony is available. They have a civil suit pending against him. He bought off the judge for the petition of evidence in a criminal matter, but even the great Lennox Demetri can’t stop all the wheels of justice.
Get out. Leave. Come home or at least move back to your apartment.
Alexandria, I’m scared to death.
I also think he’s behind framing me with Melissa. He could be the reason she’s missing. By getting rid of her, he can remove me from your life.
Lennox is dangerous.
I’m begging you. Your mother is begging you.
Ask him if he’s responsible for Jocelyn’s death… and get out!
Bryce
Why couldn’t he let this go? Why would he think Nox was connected to Melissa? That didn’t make sense.
The letter consisted of two pages. Each handwritten page surrounded the picture. I didn’t want to move the last page of words. I didn’t want to see her again.
I hadn’t realized I was crying until a tear splashed against the paper.
When I looked up, my eyes met Nox’s. His pallor matched his cold icy eyes, so different than only minutes earlier.
“You shouldn’t have touched it.”
I couldn’t comprehend. “Touched what?”
“That letter, Charli. You’re destroying evidence. Deloris can dust it for fingerprints.”
My head moved slowly back and forth as I realized I was holding Jocelyn’s picture.