Lockout
Authors: Maya Cross
Lockout
(The Alpha Group Book Two)
by
Maya Cross
Copyright © 2013 by Maya Cross
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
CHAPTER ONE
The morning after fleeing the hotel I woke, bleary eyed and exhausted, to the sound of my phone buzzing in my purse. When I'd finally found my way home it had been well after midnight and in spite of everything that had happened, I'd passed out almost instantly. A quick look at the clock told me I'd overslept.
I slipped my phone from my bag just as the ringing stopped.
12 missed calls.
I didn't even have to look at the caller ID. There was only one person who had any reason to ring that many times. I was vaguely surprised that Sebastian was so frantic. I'd figured that since the game was up, he'd admit defeat and take the opportunity to slink away quietly, but for some reason he seemed intent on fighting it out.
A night's sleep had done little to temper my anger. I hate being lied to. A tiny part of me thought that perhaps I'd overreacted, that I should have given him a chance to explain, but my past mistakes were constantly looming in my mind. I'd seen signs before and I'd turned a blind eye. I wouldn't fall into that trap again.
The phone started ringing again before I even made it to the shower. Flicking it to silent, I shoved it into my purse. I figured if I ignored him for long enough he'd eventually get the message. But I was wrong. As I was trotting out the door, I felt it vibrating against my side. And again, three minutes later, in the taxi. Twelve calls became twenty.
There was only so much I could take.
"What?" I said, answering gruffly.
"Sophia, thank god. I've been calling all morning."
"Really? I hadn't noticed."
"I didn't know what else to do. What the hell happened to you? Why did you run off?" He sounded breathless and there was a faint crack running through his voice that I'd never heard before.
"What do you care? You got what you wanted. And judging by that text message, you don't need me anymore."
"Text messa... oh Christ. Why were you looking through my phone?"
"I wasn't. I got up to get a drink and it went off behind me. Bad luck for you, hey? You nearly got away with it."
"Listen, it's not what you think—"
"Save it. Look, Sebastian, this whole thing was a mistake. I should have trusted my gut to begin with. I need you to stop calling. This is my work number and I can't have you tying up the line all day." It was a lie, but a believable one.
"Please, if you just let me come and see you for five minutes I can explain." If I didn't know better I'd have said he almost sounded desperate. It was nearly enough. Even through the phone I could feel him pulling at me like gravity. The desire to see him again was almost overpowering. But I closed my eyes and steeled myself.
"So you can sweet talk me again? No thanks. I'm done listening to your lies. Say hi to her for me."
"But, Sophia—"
"Goodbye."
I mashed the end call button with more vehemence than necessary. I half expected him to ring back again, but the phone remained silent.
I should have felt happy, or at least relieved, but instead I just found myself second guessing my decision. It didn't make any sense. I barely knew Sebastian. I should have been able to cut him free without breaking a sweat. But try as I might, I couldn't ignore the strange sense of loss that was forming like a grey puddle in my stomach.
As the cab pulled up to my office, I did my best to compose myself. I couldn't afford to be distracted today. After my day off, I knew my inbox would be dangerously full, and it was going to take at least an hour just to sort through.
The rest of the morning was a blur of meetings, telephone calls, and emails. Immersed in work, Sebastian gradually slipped to the back of my mind. He was still there, like a niggling splinter, but I managed to ignore him and focus on the task at hand.
It was the sort of day that seems like it will never quite end. Calls streamed in one after the other, partners who wanted information tracked down or clients needing documents drafted. My original day's work fell to the wayside as I madly attempted to juggle the new requests that were flowing in faster than I could deal with them.
It was hectic, but I have to admit there's a certain thrill to be had when you're under the gun like that. The higher the pressure, the more I enjoy my job. It's an art balancing so many tasks at once, and it's an art I excel at.
By the time the dust began to settle, it was ten o'clock. Somehow, I'd finished everything that needed doing. My stomach rumbled as I stepped out onto the street, reminding me exactly how long ago my last meal had been. There hadn't been time for such trivial things as dinner.
After wolfing down a Pad Thai from a nearby restaurant, I flopped into a cab and headed home. As the afternoon's adrenaline began to fade, I realised how wiped out I was. My fitful night's sleep and twelve hour day were catching up with me, and I still ached in several places from Sebastian's games.
Sebastian.
He hadn't called again. I didn't know if I was pleased or frustrated by that. Knowing the effect he had on me, it was probably for the best. Who knew what other lies he might have spun if given the chance. This way I could put him out of my mind and focus on what was important.
However, when the car pulled up outside my house, that plan promptly went to shit. Standing on the front porch, looking as breathtaking as ever, was the man himself.
I cursed under my breath. He couldn't have chosen a worse time. My hormones put me at enough of a disadvantage when talking to him without adding tiredness to the equation. But there was no way to avoid him now.
"Sophia," he said, as I stepped out onto the footpath. His usual look of serene confidence was gone, replaced by something darker and more drawn.
"What are you doing here, Sebastian? It's ten thirty at night."
"You said not to call, and I didn't want to upset you any more."
"So, what, you've just been waiting for me to get home?"
He nodded.
"How long have you been standing there?"
He shrugged. "I'm not sure. A few hours. It's not important. I wanted to speak to you."
It was a strangely touching gesture. But my resolve held. "Well, I don't want to speak to you."
I took a step towards my door, but he slid in front of me, blocking my path. "Five minutes, Sophia. That's all I ask. Hear me out, and if you don't believe me, I'll leave you alone forever."
I knew from past experience how persistent he was. He wouldn't give up until I did as he wanted. I sighed. "Fine. Get on with it."
He nodded. "Thank you. Look, I'm sorry you saw what you saw, and I completely understand why you reacted the way you did. But I promise I haven't told any lies."
I raised my eyebrows and gestured for him to continue.
"That picture; it was from Hannah." I started to object, but he cut me off. "I ended things with her just like I said I had. I swear it. I had her transferred to someone else in the company, to avoid any professional conflict. I even blocked her old phone number. I did everything in my power to cut her off."
I snorted. "And so her revenge is to send you erotic photos of herself?"
He licked his lips. "She didn't take the news very well. To be honest, I've got several of those messages over the last few weeks. Judging by some of the things she's written, she thinks she can win me back, but I promise you that won't happen."
I stared at him, unsure what to think. It did make sense. I'd seen the way she looked at him. And at me, for that matter. But the best lies were always based on the truth.
"What about the girl on your wallpaper?" I asked.
He froze. For a brief moment, a look of pain crossed his face. It was gone almost as soon as it arrived, but there was no doubt I'd touched a nerve. "I didn't realise you'd seen that." He gave a small shake of his head. "She's an old flame. I'd rather not go into detail, but she's not in the picture anymore, I promise. The photo is just something to remember her by."
So he hadn't always been the uncompromising player he was now. Someone had gotten through those walls once. Interesting.
I weighed his defence. It sounded genuine, but that was no guarantee. I'd been lied to in the past, lied to by men with sincere eyes and silver tongues. "I'm not sure if I believe you."
He began pacing. "Why would I lie? You think I'm so hard up I need to trick girls into coming to bed with me? You think I stand on porches for hours on end on the off chance it might get me laid?"
He had a point. If he was trying to deceive me, he was going to an inordinate amount of effort. "I don't know what I think anymore." I closed my eyes and shook my head. "Why me? I mean, why go to all this effort for me? You just said it yourself, you're not exactly lacking feminine attention. Hell, if what you're saying is true, Hannah would basically do anything you asked."
He exhaled heavily. "I don't know. There's something about you Sophia. I can't explain it, but the moment I saw you at our party I knew I had to have you. And after last night..." He paused, as if gathering his thoughts. "The way you taste, the way you smell, the feeling of your body underneath mine; I'm not ready to give that up."
Swallowing suddenly became difficult. In spite of all my emotional turmoil, once again he'd managed to flick that switch inside me. I swear I felt the space between us crackle to life.
"I just don't kno—" I began, but the words died on my tongue as he took two big strides towards me and seized my hands in his. With our chests just inches from each other, I was once again reminded of how big he was. His towering frame dwarfed mine, that potent magnetism washing over me like a warm breeze.
"Sophia, listen to me. Last night, the things we did, the ropes, the blindfold; that takes an immense level of trust. You put yourself totally in my hands. Why can't you extend me the same trust now?"
And although I hadn't thought of it that way at the time, I realised he was right. I couldn't have done those things if I didn't trust him. Sure, I'd been afraid, but it was fear of pain, fear of the unknown, and in spite of that fear, I'd given myself to him anyway, trusting that he'd take care of me.
I realised then that I was afraid of something else too. I was afraid that Sebastian would get in his car and drive off and I'd never see him again. I didn't know why, but that fear was worse than anything I'd felt last night.
"Okay," I said quietly.
"You believe me?" The relief on his face was almost palpable.
I nodded slowly. I felt like an idiot. "I'm sorry. I should have given you a chance to explain. I don't have the best history when it comes to judging men. These days I tend to err on the side of caution... or possibly paranoia."
He looked like he wanted more details, but thankfully he didn't ask. I didn't want to have that conversation now. Later maybe, but not now. I'd already exposed him to enough of my crazy for one week. "There's nothing wrong with a little paranoia," he said instead, shooting me a smile. "It'll help keep me on my toes."
"Thanks, but I still feel stupid."
He took my hand. "Don't. I understand I'm not the easiest man to trust. I can't promise you much, Sophia, but I promise I'll never lie to you."
"That's all I can ask."
For a few seconds, I simply stood staring up into his eyes. I still didn't really understand what had transpired between us. For someone so intent on keeping his distance, the lengths he'd gone to seemed excessive. He was a puzzle, and despite my best efforts, it looked like I'd get a little more time to solve him after all.
"You want to come in for a drink?" I asked, flashing my best provocative smile. I could feel the makings of a killer makeup sex session brewing inside me. "Maybe I can find a way to make it up to you."
He grimaced. "I wish I could, but I actually have a trip to take. Something unfortunate has happened with one of our projects, and I'm being sent down to Melbourne to sort it out."
"You can't even spare twenty minutes?" I asked, running my hand slowly down his chest.
He closed his eyes and drew a slow breath. I could almost feel the battle that was being waged inside him. "Sorry, but the plane is sitting waiting on the tarmac right now."
