The Fire Within (4 page)

“I’m sure we can find the right man to do the job, for you. We want your first time to be…memorable.”

He glanced over at her and winked.

Sky’s breath caught. What did he mean by that remark? Had he changed his mind? Was he insinuating he was going to do the job? What if he offered? What if she accepted? Sky shook her head.

No! She couldn’t accept an offer from Loverboy, that is if he made one. She needed to stick to her principles. Besides, she still wanted Jim. But she couldn’t help remembering what her cover might require. That, if necessary, she actually become a sex slave in order to infiltrate Loverboy’s organization and to find the missing woman.

Sky drew her gaze to Loverboy’s long fingers curled around the steering wheel. Wetness pooled in her underwear as she remembered Jim’s fingers thrusting into her pussy.

To her surprise, Loverboy lifted his arm and curled it around her shoulders drawing her against him. The urge to pull away was great, but she didn’t. The gesture to escape his embrace would only tip him off. Best to stay right here and pretend she was truly interested in him.

Up ahead, in the darkness, a farmhouse appeared. The porch light shone across the yard giving Sky a good glimpse of the building. White paint curled off the walls in long strips, revealing an ugly dark gray beneath. Some shutters were missing, others were crooked. What once must have been a garden lining the front porch was now overgrown with weeds. Although the house appeared neglected, Sky saw the potential.

A few slaps of white paint, some rosy pink on the shutters, pretty wildflowers in the garden and the place would be friendly. A buttery glow splashed from most of the windows and as Loverboy drove the pickup truck into the yard, Sky spied a shadowy figure watching from a second floor window. It quickly vanished.

Two brunettes lounged on a couple of porch wicker chairs and when they spotted the truck, they raced down the stairs toward them. The women were young and very pretty and a niggle of low self-esteem slipped over Sky. They were gorgeous compared to her. They were thin with seductive curves and well toned. Model material. Slave material.

They wore very short shorts and halter tops that left nothing to her imagination. With those gorgeous creatures around him, no wonder Loverboy had refused to fuck her. The smile of appreciation on his face proved Sky’s point. She was surprised when annoyance skittered through her the instant the two women latched onto him as he stepped out of the truck. They wasted no time running their palms over his biceps and shoulders and by the smile on his face, Loverboy was enjoying their attention.

How cozy
.
They are just like clinging vines
.

Her cop brain shifted into gear. Who were these two young women? They were barely out of their teens and willing to become sex slaves. Why were they so happy to see him? And why couldn’t they seem to keep their hands off him?

“We’re glad you’re back.” The pretty brunette with a heart shaped face said.

“Hi Carmella. Hi Loren. You gals been practicing your lessons while I was away?”

“We have.” The brunette said. “Loren was showing the new guy some of what she’s learned so far with her tongue.” Sky didn’t miss the enthusiasm in both their eyes or the reddish glow to their cheeks as they spoke of the newcomer. He had to be her backup from Sex Squad Headquarters and this Carmella chick looked exactly like her photo in the Loverboy file. She had sparkling green eyes and a mole above her upper right lip.

“Did you bring the presents?” Carmella asked.

“In the back of the truck.”

The two women squealed and giggled as Loverboy led them to the back and lifted a large paper bag over the tailgate.

From the bag, he withdrew two long white boxes.

Long stemmed roses? Maybe. But she wouldn’t bet on it.

Sky climbed out of the truck and joined the happy trio and Carmella acknowledged Sky by giving her a quick visual once over. Without saying hello, she returned her attention to Loverboy.

“I see you’ve found another student,” she said as she tucked her white box behind her back.

Loverboy nodded. “Ladies, this is Sky. She’s going to try out some lessons and see if she’s interested.”

“She’s not sure she wants to be a sex slave?” Carmella asked.

“She’s pretty sure. It’s just she’s a virgin.” Loverboy said quickly.

Sky didn’t miss the pissed off expression Carmella threw at him.

“I see,” she said coldly.

“Lessons start in an hour. Spread the word.” Loverboy stated firmly.

Carmella stared at him for a long moment and Sky could see irritation flaring in her eyes, but she said nothing. Obviously, there was some discord between the two partners.

The two women brushed past Sky and she noticed the diagrams on one of the white boxes they each held. Loverboy had just given them vibrators.

When the two women slipped inside the farmhouse, he shifted the paper bag in his arms and grinned at her.

“I’ve already got a mistress lined up for Loren. She saw Loren’s photo and fell in love with her. How about you? Do you prefer women over men?”

Shit! What was the right answer?

“Depends who pays more,” she answered carefully.

“That’s what I like to hear. A woman who is open minded. You’ll go far in this business if you don’t limit your possibilities.”

Sky forced herself to return his smile. He waved his hand in a sweeping gesture toward the building.

“After you,” he said.

Sky swallowed nervously as she passed him and the full paper bag he clutched in his hands.

Vibrators! Were they the same kind she used? A delicious seven-inch long dong, one inch wide with the utmost in satisfying power.

Unbidden came a fantasy of Jim lying naked on a bed. Tangled sheets wrapped around his muscular thighs as he kneeled on a bed between her widespread thighs. A tempting glimpse of dark curly hair and a sizeable penis hung from him. Hooded dark eyes seared into hers as he thrust the vibrator into her pussy.

“Seems like the crew has already turned in to prepare,” Loverboy commented.

“Prepare?” Sky asked as they entered the farmhouse.

“For their lessons.”

Right. Should she ask him questions about the lessons? Or would she appear too curious?

“Don’t worry, Sky. I’ll introduce you to the lessons slowly. See if you like it. Then I’ll give you more details about the job.”

Oh dear. How in the world was she going to be able to go through with this? Or maybe the question would be, how far was she willing to go to get this guy?

“Ah, there is the new recruit.” Loverboy cooed as he peered up the steep staircase.

Sky followed his gaze and her mouth went dry with shock as she caught sight of a man standing in the shadows at the top of the stairs. Although she couldn’t see his face, she recognized his well-built physique. Slim hips, the lean torso, wide shoulders, and those lethal long fingers.

Oh-my-God!

Jim
!

Chapter Three

“Would you like something to eat? Or drink?” Loverboy broke into her thoughts.

Her heart pounded insanely in her ears and she realized she’d been holding her breath.

“No thanks…I’m tired. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to lie down for awhile. I must have drunk too many tequilas.”

The sooner she ditched Loverboy, the sooner Jim and she could look around and hopefully find something about the missing woman.

“Jim!” Loverboy called up the stairs. “Would you mind showing Sky to her room? It’s the last one on the end of the hall. Right side.”

“Sure. Come on up, Sky.”

Sky shivered at the sound of Jim’s husky voice curling out of the shadows. She was about to start up the stairs when Loverboy asked her to stay a moment.

“Here, this one is for you,” he said as he reached into the bag and produced a white box for her.

Her very own vibrator. How quaint.
Asshole
.

“Thank you. I’m sure this will come in very handy,” she said quickly, hiding her annoyance.

“Your welcome, Sky.”

She watched him stroll through a nearby doorway and disappear. A moment later she heard the excited squeal of females.

What was he? A sex magnate?

Screw Loverboy. She had her own hottie to deal with. Jim was her backup. Why the Chief had eluded to tell her, was a mystery but she was glad he was here. A sweet hum whipped through her at Jim’s hot stare as she ascended the stairs toward him. When she neared the top, she noticed he had a new look too. His medium length brown hair had been cut shorter and was now brushed and greased back off his face giving him a bad boy mafia appearance. He wore a black short-sleeved t-shirt, which showed off his powerful muscles. And his jeans being so tight, she easily saw the large bulge between his thighs.

He stood right there in front of her, barring her way with his muscular body. The intense way he gazed at her made her remember her new look as well and the revealing clothes she wore. She’d never seen him gazing at her like this before. It was a possessive stare. A wildly erotic glare. She liked how it made her feel. Feverish and needy and excessively feminine.

His intoxicating male scent swarmed over her, making a deep intimate part of her spark to life. Desire to curl her arms around his neck whipped through her. She craved to kiss away the leashed anger emanating from his magnificent body. She wanted to tell him she was sorry that they fought. But she kept her mouth shut. They had better things to do at the moment.

“You like what you see?” His voice was dangerously calm and low and it made her gaze snap back to those gorgeous brown eyes that oozed naked desire.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were the backup?” she whispered.

“Didn’t have the time.”

His gaze hungrily traveled to her sheer blouse. Then he spoke louder. “You’re room is this way, ma’am.”

She followed him down the long hallway and watched his nice looking butt cheeks shift against those tight jeans as he walked. Her vagina quivered when she envisioned herself cupping his bare ass as he pressed his hot penis into her.

She inhaled softly, trying to still the rapid beat of her heart. She’d better control herself and keep her mind on her job.

At the end of the hall, Jim stopped, opened a door and flicked on a light.

Sky inhaled at the beauty of the cozy room. Virgin white cutwork linens adorned large windows. Huge pillows edged in scalloped lace lay on the white bed comforter. The bed itself was made of knotty pine with an unusual headboard shaped like a wagon wheel.

Sky walked over to it and ran her fingers over the intricate design on the sturdy spindles.

“It’s beautiful. So rustic and romantic.”

“A room fit for a princess. And every beautiful princess should have one of those boxes.” Jim indicated the white box she held in her hand. Sky’s heart picked up speed as warmth once again flushed her face.

He grinned and his sexy smile made her heart do a little double flip. Then, he pressed his fingers to his lips in warning and she fell silent. Something was up.

Listening devices
, he mouthed the words.

She nodded her understanding.

“Thanks for showing me to my room. Um, perhaps we can see each other during the lessons tonight?” she teased.

“Looking forward to it ma’am.”

He strolled across the floor, opened the door, peeked out to see if anyone was there and then closed the door with enough noise to indicate he’d left her alone. He came back, took the box from her hand, tossed it onto the bed, and then he grabbed her by her elbow and led her into the bathroom.

Closing the door quietly, he turned on the water taps. She dumped her purse on the bathroom counter and followed Jim’s gaze as he scanned the bathroom for listening devices or other monitoring systems. When they found nothing, he switched on the bathroom fan as a precaution. Then he turned to her. His clean scent wrapped around her making her want to touch him, but she forced herself to keep her arms to her sides.

“I searched a couple of the bedrooms and found listening devices,” he said.

“Obviously Loverboy and Carmella don’t trust too easily,” she noted. “In their line of alleged illegal activities, I wouldn’t either, which makes me wonder why he brought me here without checking me out. And exactly how long have you been here?” she asked.

“Long enough to have not seen Sally Green.”

Sky shook her head. “I still can’t believe she’s the missing woman.”

“Daughter of our own Chief, who the hell knew. No wonder he wanted to keep her identity under wraps.”

“She is a beautiful young woman. I’m not surprised Loverboy targeted her.” Sky said as she remembered the photograph the Chief had given her of his daughter. Loverboy would have pounced on a gorgeous woman like Sally. Voluptuous curves and a seductive smile that screamed fuck me now.

“You did a good job getting Loverboy’s attention, Sky, but can you handle what’s coming next?”