Seduction in Session (22 page)

If he didn’t corral her, she would go off on a tangent about the
Times
and big business destroying the little guy. “You were in Manhattan and . . . ?”

She refocused. “I got a call from a man. I still have no idea where he got my cell number. Or who the heck he was. Anyway, he tells me he knows all about Capitol Scandals.”

Now that was new information. He’d been running on the theory that she knew Deep Throat. But another person—a total stranger—was aware of her secret identity? That list was starting to get awfully crowded. “And you didn’t think that information was relevant to me?”

Every time he got cold, she seemed to warm up another degree. She curled her fingers over his arm, rubbing as if she petted him. Like she meant to soothe him? “I’ve had other things on my mind since then, but I can see now where it’s relevant. Anyway, when he called, he said he had information I needed to hear.”

“Tell me you didn’t meet with him.” He knew she had, but accepting that was different now. Lara had put herself in danger by secretly meeting a man she didn’t know, one who had valuable information about her.

She had the good sense to wince. “I would love to be able to tell you that, but I did. That’s where I found out about Natalia Kuilikov and her ties to Crawford Industries. My informant thinks Maddox Crawford was killed because he knew too much about her and a man named Sergei.”

A chill went up Connor’s spine. That Russian name came up a lot. He still didn’t know who the fucker was. And he sure as hell didn’t like it. “Who’s Sergei?”

“I don’t know. I was told to find him. He’s the smoking gun, I guess. To do that, I need to find Natalia Kuilikov first.”

“Does Everly Parker know Natalia? Is that why you’re meeting with her?” Everly would do just about anything to track down the Russian immigrant. She was sure Natalia would bring her closer to truly understanding why Mad had been killed by the Russian mob after he’d discovered the human trafficking ring. But Everly thought it went deeper, and every word out of Lara’s mouth made Connor believe that, too.

“Apparently she was contacted by the same man. He told her to get in touch with me, that we have different pieces of the same puzzle.”

“Why should we care about this, Lara?” Because it would be the kind of story that would garner her international exposure and credibility?

She frowned and took her time replying. He sat in stilted silence as she squirmed in her seat. He didn’t do a damn thing to break the tension. She should feel it, understand that he was serious.

“It goes back to the story I’m working on with Freddy.”

He stared, waiting for her to continue.

Lara frowned. “You know you can be very intimidating.”

“I can also be very nasty when I don’t get the answers I want. Tell me what you’re working on.”

“Joy Hayes’s death.”

She managed to surprise him. “Joy Hayes was killed by a whack job who was trying to get the president.”

Connor should know. He had chased the man down. He had shot and executed the assassin that day. All the press reports simply stated that one of the candidate’s bodyguards had killed the man. Roman had managed to keep Connor’s name out of the press.

“I don’t think so. I believe the president hired someone to assassinate his wife three days before Election Day because he was several points down in key battleground states and he was going to lose. I think the event was carefully orchestrated, right down to the way Hayes held his dying wife onstage, for maximum press exposure and
sympathy. Rumors are that their marriage was one of political convenience and that she intended to leave him if he didn’t win the White House. Americans poured their hearts out to him and swept him into office.” She shrugged. “I also believe that Sergei is the real assassin.”

Rage threatened to pour from Connor. He’d been there that day. He’d seen the devastation. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I do,” she said quietly, almost sympathetically. “I have proof and you can get it for me tonight. I know you like the man, but I believe he’s all kinds of dirty. I think he might even have ties to the Russian mob, and this Sergei person can prove it. I’m going to track down Natalia Kuilikov and then I’m going to find this mysterious guy. Once I dig up the truth, I’m going to make sure Zack Hayes can never hold political office again.”

She was embroiled in everything Roman had sworn she was. Lara was actively plotting against his president, his friend.

Connor knew he was going to have to choose. There was no choice, right? Zack had stood by him. He knew the guy, had known him since they were just children trying to make it in a world they didn’t understand. He’d seen Zack’s grief. No, their marriage hadn’t been perfect, but Zack and Joy had been friends and partners. He still mourned her to this day.

“Over my dead body.”

“What?” She sat straight up, blinking owlishly as if she couldn’t quite believe what she’d heard.

“You’re not going to make up shit and call it news, Lara.”

A flush stole across her skin. “I knew you wouldn’t like it, but you have to give me a chance to show you what I’ve found. Once you see the evidence, you’ll understand.”

“No, I won’t. I’ll just know that you’re good at crafting fiction. It’s one thing to write an exposé on the president’s dick, but you’re not going to drag a good man down because you think you can.” He pushed back from the table. “You’re going to drop this story.”

Her hands balled into fists, but she managed to keep her voice steady. “No, I’m not. And I don’t make stuff up. I’ve never run a story I wasn’t absolutely one hundred percent sure of.”

Roman would crucify her. There wouldn’t be any way to stop him, and Connor wasn’t sure he should. He believed in very few people in the world, but Zack Hayes was one of them. He needed to look at her evidence. “I’ll go get it.”

She popped out of her chair. “You can’t do it now.”

“Why?”

“Because Freddy’s place is right next to Mrs. Sullivan, and she calls the police when she sees anyone even walking near his unit. You have to wait until after eleven when she goes to sleep.”

“I can handle her.”

He wanted to see this evidence. He could probably take it apart forty different ways and prove it was bullshit. Once he did and he had her begging his forgiveness, he would take her back and make sure that she could not target Zack Hayes again.

“Please, Connor.”

Something about the way she looked at him made him stop. Just for a second he thought she might be hiding something. He stared, but she simply looked up at him with those clear blue eyes.

“Fine. But I want to see that evidence tonight.”

“Absolutely.” She moved to his side, her hand slipping into his. “I’ll show you anything you want to see. I’ll talk you through everything and if you still have doubts, I’ll listen. I know you admire him, but I want you to see everything we’ve collected with an open mind.”

Never. But being stubborn wouldn’t get him where he needed to be. Everly and Gabe would be here soon. This was a mission, not a relationship, and it never could be a relationship if she intended to spread lies about his friends.

“Of course,” he managed to say.

“You’re angry with me.” She eased closer, pressing her body against his.

Did she think she could control him with sex? One night of orgasms and she thought she was some kind of Mata Hari?

“Make me less angry with you.” If she wanted to misdirect him with sex, he would let her. He would take everything she offered and it wouldn’t change his mind at all. He could fuck her for days and still shut down everything she loved to protect his friends.

The morning hadn’t gone the way he thought it would. He’d had a few hours of something like peace before the world reminded him that everyone had secrets and a dark side, even fairy princesses. Especially the ones willing to do whatever it took to get what they wanted.

“Connor?”

He looked down at her. “You heard what I said. Make me less mad.”

“Why are you so angry with me?”

Because it fucking hurts to know that you’re willing to step all over my friends for your own gain. Because you’re just like all the others, a sweet lie.

He couldn’t tell her any of that. “You’ve kept very important facts from me. I can’t do my job if you don’t tell me the truth. I thought you trusted me.”

“I do. I really do, Connor. I’m sorry.” She plastered herself completely against him, raising her head so she could plead with him using those blue eyes.

He almost believed her. “I have to wonder what else you’re keeping from me.”

If he hadn’t been watching her so closely, he would have missed the way her eyes tightened just slightly and she looked to her left when she replied. “Nothing.”

She was lying to him again. He’d felt guilty about deceiving her, and all the while she’d been lying to his face. He hadn’t realized she was playing the game, too.

“Connor, I don’t want to fight with you. I’m crazy about you.” She laid her head against his chest. “I didn’t know you then the way I do now. I hope that you’re getting to know me better, too.”

He wrapped his arms around her. He told himself it was all for show, but she still felt right in his embrace. Chemistry. That was all it was. It made them good together in bed. It did not necessarily make them faithful or loyal lovers. “I think I definitely know you better this morning than I did yesterday.”

“I’ll tell you everything when we have the information in our hands. I promise. After tonight we won’t have any more secrets between us.”

He wasn’t an idiot. Lara was planning something, clearly after eleven p.m. What? And why was she so specific about the timing of his so-called heist?

“All right.” He kissed her softly.

No. Her lying didn’t change their chemistry one ounce. His cock was hard and ready for her. “Kiss me.”

Her lips curled up. “I’m already kissing you.”

“Not where I want you to.”

He’d been her supplicant the night before, giving her every bit of pleasure he could—and more—like a complete idiot. He’d been atoning for sullying the pristine princess. Oh, but now he knew better, and it was time to even the score. Because if she wanted to play the game, he would show her that he was the better player. “On your knees, princess.”

Her eyes widened and he was pleased to see the slightest bit of panic there. She might lie about her plans tonight, but he couldn’t bring himself to believe she’d lied to him in bed. She really hadn’t had much experience. He’d opened a new world to her, and it was going to be his pleasure to show her some of its darker, more twisted delights.

“Here?”

“I told you I would have you wherever and whenever I wanted. I was happy earlier. Now I’m not because you lied to me.”

Yes, he saw the irony of the situation, knew he wasn’t being honest, either. But he was protecting his friends, his country, his president. She was looking to get ahead and make a buck.

“I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell you everything.” She wouldn’t quite meet his eyes. Fuck, she was still lying to him.

It just made what he was about to do all the more easy. Every time she manipulated him or was dishonest, he would take it out on her sweet body. After this shit, distancing himself would be simple. Oh, he still had zero plans to leave her. But instead of the stability and affection he thought she needed to be happy, maybe all she required was sex and a very firm hand. He could give her those.

“You lied by omission and I still want you. Does that tell you anything?”

“I’m sorry.” Her hand went to the fly of his jeans. “I think I understand. You want me to make it up to you.”

She didn’t get it at all, and he needed to shut his mouth. He’d all but blurted that she mattered to him. Clearly, she didn’t grasp that fact. Better for him that she didn’t. Connor certainly didn’t intend to repeat the sentiment.

“I definitely think you should make it up to me.”

Lara bit her plump lower lip. “What if I’m not good at it?”

He cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look him right in the eyes. He refused to allow her to glance away when she answered this question. He would dig the truth out of her if he had to do it with the sharp edge of his tongue. “Are you telling me you’ve never given a man a blow job?”

“I was really sheltered as a kid. I didn’t date very much. I did manage to sleep with one guy in high school, but it was really hurried. Tom and I tried it once, but my teeth scraped him and he accused me of trying to bite him so we didn’t do that again. That’s why I’m worried I’m bad at it. Also, I think I have a small jaw so I might not be able to, you know . . .”

She was drawing him back in because he utterly believed her now. She had untapped sensuality and he intended to free it.

His cock jerked in his jeans, already anticipating the softness of those
lips closing around it. “He was a pansy ass and I’m going to teach you everything you need to know about how to suck my cock. By the time we’re done, you’ll be an expert.”

“So I’ll have a new talent to share with the world?” Her voice was light and teasing.

“Never.” He hated the jealous rage that threatened to take over every time she even joked about another man. “Don’t play with me.”

“I’m not. I was just teasing you. I don’t want anyone else.” She stared straight into his eyes, all open and earnest again.

No lies now. Damn, she had his head spinning. Maybe she didn’t have an agenda of her own. Maybe Freddy had dragged her into some fake conspiracy because she was too naive to see otherwise. If so, Connor vowed to handle the situation and make sure she never got taken again. But if she was the one behind the story, crafting lies because she didn’t like Zack’s policies or some shit, then he would take care of that, too. She would learn never to cross him again.

But no matter what happened, he would keep her because he couldn’t envision a world for himself where she wasn’t in it.

“Undo my jeans.” Maybe once he felt her lips around him, his mood would improve and he could deal with his friends showing up early.

With slightly shaky hands, she undid his fly and parted it. Her hand went straight to his erection, brushing against it beneath the cotton of his boxers. “You’re so beautiful.”