Pierced (19 page)

Over the next couple of days, I do stuff for a woman I’ve never done before; I change her clothes, sponge off her face, sit her on the toilet and hold her in place so she doesn’t fall off onto the floor. I coax medicine down her throat, and hold her in my arms when she’s burning with fever but freezing to death. Then I do it all over again…and again. There is one bonus, though: she is fucking adorable on Nyquil. I don’t think she even remembers how she would talk ninety miles a minute and suddenly pass out in mid-sentence. I swear, one moment, she was asking me a question and before I could get the answer out, she was snoring with her mouth hanging open. One of the funniest things I’ve ever witnessed.

The office is in some kind of uproar, though. After being out sick a few days myself, then staying home to be with Lia, Cindy is convinced I have some kind of terminal illness I’m not telling them about. Aidan is also calling every hour, ‘just checking in.’ Yeah, when the hell has he called that much in a twenty-four hour period? Sam is the only one who actually believes me since he has been witness to most of it. It doesn’t say much for me as a person if those closest to me can't freaking grasp that I could care about someone enough to doctor them back to health. Maybe care isn’t the right word; returning the favor might be more accurate. It is definitely less terrifying.

Well, fuck, Aidan is standing on the sidewalk smoking when Sam drops me at the curb. Being interrogated before I even walk in the door is not something I’m looking forward to. “Hey, man.” He grins, taking in my impatient stance.

“Aidan,” I say in return. Looking at my watch, I add, “We’ve got a meeting in twenty minutes. Are you ready?”

He almost looks offended as he says, “Of course, aren’t I always? We should be wrapping up around lunch; where do you want Cindy to make reservations?”

“Wherever you want. I’m leaving as soon as we are finished.” Aidan takes another drag off the cigarette as he seems to consider my answer.

“The girl still sick then?” I know him well. His manner looks casual and relaxed, but he’s anything but.

“She’s better. I’m going to work from home again this afternoon just in case.”

I jerk in shock when he growls, “What about Cassie? You replace her with a new-and-improved model?” As the shock wears off, I want to take my friend and pummel his ass right where he stands. How dare he ask me that; how fucking dare the bastard.

“That’s none of your goddamn business. Lia has nothing to do with that.”

Aidan, ever the chameleon, smiles, slapping me on the back. “Sure, I didn’t mean anything by it. Just seems this girl is different for you. Strangely familiar, you know?” He stubs his cigarette out under his toe, saying, “I’m just going to get a cup of coffee before coming up.” He walks off looking agitated. No matter how many years we have been friends, Cassie is always between us. For Aidan, she’ll always be the one who got away. I wonder if he would still carry that fantasy in his head and his heart if he had been the one involved with her beyond friendship. I barely survived her love, and God knows I hadn’t been as emotionally invested as Aidan. Maybe if I had, things would have ended differently. Who the hell knows; it’s too damn painful to even think about, and it’s been done to death already.

I make it to my office after collecting some messages from Cindy. She, too, asks about Lia, but seems genuinely concerned. I’m sure Sam has given her all the details by now. She is probably just thrilled to see I’ve been with the same woman for more than a week. The urge to snort a line is strong as I shut the door behind me, but I refrain; I need to stop using it as a crutch to deal with everything that is fucked-up in my life. Maybe that resolve comes from imagining what Lia would think if she knew. Of course, with her screwed-up background, it would take a lot to surprise her.

Cindy buzzes my phone to let me know everyone is in the conference room. I wonder fleetingly what I’ll find when I get home. Shifting my hard cock to a more-comfortable position, I walk toward the door. Time to take care of business so I can get out of here and see what’s waiting for me at home.

Chapter Eleven

Lia

“Well, I don’t believe it. Look who finally learned how to use a phone.” Uh oh, do I detect a tone of sarcasm in Rose’s voice when she answers on the first ring. “Do you have any idea how close I’ve been to calling the cops to come rescue your ass? Jake had almost convinced me you were in a ditch somewhere, dead and dismembered. I kept holding out hope you were just being held hostage as a sex slave.” I start laughing, liking her idea better than she could ever know.

“I’m sorry. I should have called you sooner. Truthfully, I have been out of it until today. I woke up this morning feeling like shit but thinking maybe I was going to live after all. I’ve never had anything come on so fast and hit me so hard.” Rose makes sympathetic clucks in the background.

“Well, now,” she says, “tell me all about Mr. Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down and Fuck Me Raw. I hate to admit this, but while he was kidnapping you, I was ogling his ass the entire time. I’m almost sure he caught me staring at his dick when he was talking to me. I want you to know, though, I put up a token protest before allowing him to leave with you. Give me points for that, because what I really wanted to do was rip you from his arms and wrap myself around him like a freaking ivy vine. Is it cheating to hump another guy’s leg? Because I’d totally do it.”

That’s it for me; hysterical laughter pours out, and I fear I will pee Lucian’s 1000-thread-count sheets before I am able to get myself under control. “Oh, my God, Rose; that is so messed up!”

“What? You get to have possession of what’s hanging between his legs, and I’ll take the leg itself. Do you think he’s interested in that three-way?”

“No,” I answer hastily, not knowing if that’s true or not. I am discovering he has some kinky tendencies, but there is no way I would ever consent to sharing Lucian with my friend. I sigh, “He is beautiful, isn’t he? I’ve never thought of a man that way, but he is. The best part is it’s even better under his clothes.”

“Oh, shut up,” Rose groans. “That’s just bragging.”

We talk for a few more minutes, and I agree to let her know if I’m going to be home that evening. I have a feeling she and Jake having been enjoying some privacy, and there is no way I’m walking in the apartment without them knowing; I have no desire to see Jake in action.

Oh, no, he’s early! I was in the bathroom trying to fix my hair when I heard the front door. I am so turned-on I can’t imagine Lucian depriving me of sex for disobeying him. I haven’t touched myself again, but I’m not on the chaise like he asked. The startled look on his face is comical as I slide sideways through the living room, running to the chaise and literally falling down on it. I quickly spread my legs and look no doubt absurd. I have been excited but embarrassed all morning imagining myself here, naked. Lucian coming home early has made the decision for me. Without thinking about it, I run to do as he asked.

My stomach twists as the room remains quiet. Surely, he won’t walk off and leave me like this. There is probably nothing remotely sexy about the way my chest is heaving from the run through the apartment. I look up to see him standing in the same spot, his expression intense as he takes me in. Lying in this position, completely exposed to him, is unnerving, and I find myself wanting to break the silence. “You’re early…I was just on my way to…do what you wanted.” When he still doesn’t say anything, I add, “I had ten minutes left!” A grins pulls at the corners of his mouth, and I find myself relaxing slightly. If I were an uninhibited person, I would be completely happy bringing myself to orgasm while just looking at him. He is just…delicious.

He strolls over to me as if he has all the time in the world. He moves like a sleek jungle cat, and I am his prey. When he reaches me, he trails a finger down my chest and over the tip of my breast. The nipple hardens immediately, begging for his attention, and my breath catches. “You have to be prepared for last-minute…changes, Lia. Were you a good girl while I was gone?” When I nod my head, he trails his finger lower, over my belly button and to my mound. He pauses there, looking back at me. “You do know I can tell if you’re lying. Your pussy will be swollen and weeping for me if you haven’t been satisfied. Now, spread those beautiful legs and let me see.”

Oh, my! My legs part automatically as he runs a finger idly over my slit. “Luc,” I groan.

“You only ever call me that when you’re wet,” he muses. “I wonder why that is.” Before I can formulate a reply, he moves between my legs. I should be self-conscious, but each moment that passes just makes me want what he can give me even more. As he drops to his knees, I raise my hips, seeking his touch. His hand touches my inner thigh before going straight to where I need him. “You’re soaking wet; have you been thinking of me? Thinking of what I’m going to do to you?”

“Yes,” I whisper, wanting to beg him to take me now. One touch to my clit, one finger inside me will set me off.

He parts me and traces the lines of my inner lips. He reaches to take one of my hands, rubbing my finger where his were. “Feel how swollen you are. Moisture is seeping out of your pussy and pooling here.” He lowers my finger against the pucker of my ass, and I jump. “Don’t like being touched there, baby?”

“No,” I answer automatically. Even though Rose and I have discussed it, I’m still not sure how I feel about it. He uses my finger to caress my tight hole for another moment before releasing it. Without thinking, I move to touch my clit, but his hand stops me before I can make contact. I growl in frustration, pulling against his hold.

“Oh, no, baby, this is mine. You’ve waited this long; I know you don’t want to go another day without being fucked, do you?” Losing what’s left of my pride, I frantically say no, and he grins down at me. “Good girl.” He stands and pulls off his suit jacket, dropping it to the floor. He then pulls his dress shirt from the waistband of his slacks, unbuttoning it so slowly I want to scream. Finally, he shrugs it off and reaches down to pull his undershirt off behind it. His tattoo ripples as his big shoulders flex. My mouth has gone dry, and I am waiting with bated breath as his hands drop to his belt. When his gaze locks on my breast, I look down to find myself flicking my nipple. He would never believe I hadn’t been aware of the action until now. His eyes smolder, but he doesn’t comment. He pulls his belt from his trousers and drops it lightly across my stomach. Alarmed, I look at him for an indication as to what it’s for. He never said anything about hitting me. I…no, he wouldn’t.

“Luc…please…don’t.” He looks at the belt, then back at me, and his eyes soften.

He runs a soothing hand over my head, saying, “Baby, I’d never hurt you.” I relax slightly, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. As he straightens to remove the rest of his clothing, I am fixated on his belt. Why hasn’t he moved it if he’s telling the truth. My hand has long released my nipple as I focus on the leather strap lying across my stomach. “Lia…” I look up to see his huge cock jutting out, moisture glistening at the tip. All thoughts leave me and need takes over. “I had planned for you to suck my cock, but I think we both need to take the edge off now.” His hand encircles his girth, pumping lightly before saying, “Put your hands above your head and cross them at the wrists.”