Dalliance in Darkness ( Dalliance #1) (9 page)

I shifted in my chair and pointed at James, whom looked reluctant to be here. “I want him.”

Dean didn’t dare express an inch of his surprise. I’m sure anger and jealousy smoldered just beneath his surface. His long pause told me everything I needed to know.

James made an ‘hmnph’ type noise and looked to his boss, who seemed to tunnel vision strictly on me. “She’s quick to ask my opinion.”

Dean motioned with his hands. “Why?”

I replied. “Because this is a job and I’m more comfortable around him.”

“The job requires that I train you,” Dean looked over to James. “And Mr.Friar does not actively teach anymore.”

James hummed in agreement. “There’s always Carina,” he suggested.

She wouldn’t do. “That’s not who I want.”

Dean got up from his chair. “This isn’t about what you want – you need a firm hand to teach you.” He immediately realized what he had just said, or at least partially so.

James tilted his head back and his jaw tensed. He said nothing, but clearly didn’t take kindly to Dean’s words. I myself felt somewhat belittled.

Dean glanced to James before returning his gaze to me. “This is your choice but make no mistake these are my rules and you will
submit to them. Willingly.” Dean took a breath. “Now you can walk out that door I’m not stopping you because that? That’s the easy way out. You can leave right now and never think about what happened here ever again.”

Dean paused. “But that’s not what’s going to happen if you make the wrong choice. Because you either live long enough to realize your regret or you die in it.

James closed his eyes and leaned his head downwards an inch.

Dean continued. “None of it will be easy and your life will be at risk but if this is truly what you want,” Dean smirked and pet back the strand of my hair before pinching my jaw between his fingers. “Sunshine
there isn’t a more addictive, consuming drug, than doing what you love and making every breath count.”

I bit down on my lower lip. “It’s my way or I walk.”

Dean looked away from me. “Then walk. James will escort you out. There are others.”

Fire wove through my every fiber and I straightened my back. “You mean Katherine Moira and Sabrina Winters?”

Dean scoffed. “Consider us amused Mrs. Arthur.” Dean snapped his fingers and gestured for James, who then grabbed me. “But your childish attempt to game us doesn’t impress me enough to break the rules.” Deans words came out like venom.

My heart sunk and my throated tightened. I hated to lose.

Shadow of the Black Heron

With my jaw wound tight I was flush with anger. I should have figured they would have known somehow. I looked over to James who was at the wheel. He was quiet, solemn as usual. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”

James cracked his knuckles against the dashboard. “Depends on how many askings you’re gonna be doing.”

 
“More than one,” I confessed. I couldn’t make much out in the darkness beyond the windows.

James cocked his head and flicked his hand to the CD player, turning it on and amping up the volume.

Cheeky bastard. I brought my fingers to the volume knob and promptly turned it down to almost nothing. “What did I do wrong?”

“Hmn,” he hummed. “Besides everything? What do ya mean?”

“I mean Katherine Moira and Sabrina Winters. My aliases. How did you guys know? What gave it away?”

“I don’t know why ya even bothered with that. What was your angle?”

I shifted in my seat. “I thought it might increase my chances and maybe even impress you guys.”

James held back a chortle, speeding up a bit. “Running your connection through Tor from a different café each time across town isn’t that impressive and doesn’t do much to help ya when we’ve been tracking every move you make without you noticing.”

I did not think that they would be physically monitoring us. “I still want in you know.”

“Rules are rules lass,” he glanced over at me. “Best if you follow them.”

No better down than a double. I placed my hand on James’ lap. “Do you always follow them?” I teased.

 
“No.” James brought his window down an inch or two.

Carefully my hand rubbed along his crotch. “He said you used to teach. I want you to show me what you know.”

His hand met mine and pushed it away. “No point. The man said no.” We turned to the right. I hadn’t a clue where we were, and there wasn’t a single car in sight.

“Maybe I can help you convince him,” I stretched my jaw with a hearty yawn. “You can prove to him that you’re still capable,” I added.

James gave off a rather slighted aura at that. “I am
capable,” There was venom to his tone. Some moments passed filled only by silence before he whistled for me and rubbed his fingers together. “Pop the glove box.”

I did so and shifted my hand around feeling over a bunch of miscellaneous items. “But does he believe that? That you’re capable I mean.”

James gripped the wheel of the car tightly. “Of course he does,” he was between normal conversation voice and yelling now. I’m the bloody one who taught him!” He pointed a finger at me. “You find it?”

“What? Find what?” I verbally tripped over myself. I had no idea what I was looking for, but I dug around further grabbing a small rectangular box. Cigarettes. “Do you really buy that?” I continued looking for the lighter.

James didn’t reply. He just sat that mute and contemplative. He glanced my way briefly maintaining vision on the road. “Smokes.”

I pulled the lighter and pack out, grabbing one and lighting it for him having a quick puff myself. I handed it off. “He gets jealous doesn’t he?” I said.

James pulled open the ash tray. “Just noticing that now?” To my surprise he started speeding up further. The road was deathly quiet. “He’d bend the rules if we switched places that I can promise ya.” The engine roared as the car continued along, moving faster and faster. Suddenly I was very thankful I had a seatbelt strapped around me – even if its effectiveness could be questioned. He turned the brights on.

I swallowed. “What are you doing?” I questioned.

James flicked his gaze back to me, a darker edge to his countenance. “Go on now,” He took another drag before placing his cigarette down on the tray over one of the cup holders. His eyes narrowed on me. “If you start the game than expect to finish it,” he said. “I want to see you cum.”

I found myself flush with embarrassment even despite my earlier advances, but complied with little hesitation and unbuttoned my jeans. Pulling down the zipper and tugging my pants down a few inches for both of our benefit. Blood was already rushing, so placing a finger against my clit and circling it slowly was instant gratification.

James pressed the end of his foot down further against the pedal. The engine screaming and the trees to my side becoming a distorted blur. My stomach churned and adrenaline pumped through me. This was starting to get fucking dangerous. Would he even stop if I told him to? I rubbed myself up and down while looking at him, imagining his hard cock slipping inside of my tight pink pussy.

Circling my clit I curled my toes up in nervousness. “Slow down,” I said, hoping this was enough. “Please,” twisting knots formed in my stomach.

He eased off the pedal, but did not look or acknowledge me in any other form.

Feeling slightly safer, I let my fingers slip inside my pussy, the walls of my sex closing tightly around them.

Biting down on my lower lip, I loved the way pressing down against my wet pussy felt, the thought of me being filled up inside was intoxicating. The way my body lit up with ecstasy as I worked my way closer and closer to the edge.

The car continued down the long road; I could feel tightness in my throat and in my chest as I did my best to stifle my own pleasure yet the moans escaped me all the same. I wailed as I felt my pussy convulse around my fingers, cumming hard.

Relief enveloped me as we slowly continued down to a sane speed.

Danger Game

The apartment didn’t look as impressive as you would think from the outside, for an important man in a private network of spies. Inside was a very modern and simplistic dark décor. Grey, cool flooring and muted walls with black leather couches and a sprawling glass coffee table. I found it passing strange the absence of a television considering even I had one.

James moved over to the wine holder and grabbed a bottle along with two glasses – opening it up first – before walking over to me with a saunter to his step and a look in his eye. He was determined. A thrilling sense of unease crept through my body like a sickness.

James placed the bottle on the coffee table and then the glasses. “Sit.”

“I knew there was a wild side to you,” we hadn’t spoken since after the stunt that he had pulled.

“You say that in confidence.” He poured us each a deep red glass.

“Shouldn’t I?” I said.

James finished the pour and sat the bottle down. He locked eyes with me and stepped closer. He grabbed me not entirely in the same way that Dean did – the way he touched me was so that his thumb pressed hard against the little pocket below my ear lobe.

His tone was crystal clear. “Just because you don’t see a leash,” he moved his thumb along the lines of my jaw. “Doesn’t mean that it isn’t there.”
 
He hesitated for just a moment, the slightest trembling beneath the surface of his countenance. Softly, abruptly, his fingers let go and he joined me on the couch.

We drank slowly as I cuddled up next to him. The wine was strong, full bodied and with each sip I could feel it taking me further and further away to a place I hadn’t been in some time. I wanted to unwind and to relax, to just let go. Changes seemed to be all that I wanted lately, and the comfort of a fine wine and a quiet serenity helped to fill the holes of my soul. Pangs of sorrow, that was what I felt. Because what had once been countable had since become immeasurable.

He smelled wonderful, truly. Some sort of subtle and elusive musk that begged me to become a shade more curious, to lean in closer to his chest.

I licked my lips quickly. “So,” I said. “Now that I’m here what’s it going to take to convince you to teach me.”

“I’ll think about it,” he mused. “It’d take an awful lot of convincing me though,” he warned playfully, sipping from his glass.

I carefully took a swig as well. “I see,” I looked away. “And what was that all about back there anyway speedfreak.”