Page 34 of Deadly Sights

She gives me a curt nod. “Ye?—”

I take her mouth before she finishes giving me her sweet consent. It’s my turn to tremble with the first touch of her full lips. I brush against her velvety texture, marveling how much better reality is than any dream I ever had.

Her lips part and I swallow the puff of air that escapes.

“Julian,” she moans with a passion that zaps through me and electrifies my blood as it pools in my cock.

When her tongue swipes against her bottom lip, subsequently swiping against mine, one of the many invisible chains I use to control my need breaks, weakening me. I thrust my tongue inside her mouth, exploring and committing to memory her texture and flavor and the hungry little growls she makes in the back of her throat.

With each plunge, another link breaks. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her body into mine, crushing her soft curves against my hard body.

Nadira sinks her fingers into my hair, scratching my scalp. The sensation races to my cock, causing me to harden even further. I raise her leg over my hip and grind my erection between her thighs. She twists her face away to gulp air, but I have no use for air with Nadira in my arms. I trail my lips down her throat, licking and sucking her skin. This is my air. I nip the vein protruding from her neck. She is my sustenance.

With my need driving me and the last chain on the brink of breaking loose, I grip the neck of her shirt.

“Julian, stop.”

My body seizes at her command. Competing desires rage within me. Between the need to fulfill every fantasy I’ve had since the night I found her at the club and my respect for Nadira, it takes me longer than it should to loosen my grip on her and release her from my embrace.

I swallow hard, wanting to taste more of Nadira’s body. While I focus on breathing to calm the storm inside me and reestablish the chains around my control, I fist my hands, digging my nails into my palms until the skin breaks. The sharp bite of pain allows me to concentrate on what’s important.

Nadira cups my cheek. “We don’t have time for this right now. Please understand, I’m not saying I’m unwilling. I’m saying I don’t want to rush things our first time together.” She trails her hand down my chest and cups my cock. “And when I get you alone, I’m going to drain you over and over until you can’t come anymore.”

CHAPTER 16

A CLOSE CALL AND A CLOSE CALL

Nadira

After Julian drops me off, I use the service entrance. Before racing up the stairs, I check the surveillance cameras. When I left earlier, I used an infrared laser to blind them, but the people at Luxe Continental are efficient. With their wealthy clientele, it behooves them to stay on point with their security. Although I’m wearing a different wig, there’s no such thing as too many precautions.

As I suspect, the cameras are working again. I point the lasers at each until I enter the suite I share with my friends. The silence is a sign no one is stirring, allowing me to race on silent feet to my room. I quickly shower and change into the complimentary silk pajamas and cashmere robe that came as a perk with the room.

By the time I dress for bed, the shuffling feet and sleepy voices greeting each other outside my bedroom door signal the other occupants are up. After my sleepless night, today will be ahigh-octane caffeine day. I take a deep breath and join them with a yawn that isn’t completely fake and a stretch to sell the story that I’ve just woken up. I’m the last to join the group.

Danae and Moni sit on either side of Tamara, who looks more relaxed than last night. She rests her feet on the coffee table and her head on Danae’s shoulder. Chelsea is on the phone placing breakfast orders without anyone’s input. Since she has the best culinary palette of all of us, we never complain about her food selections.

“So, Tamara…” Moni says. “Since Nadira’s got the suite for a week, how about I keep you company?”

Danae and Chelsea perk up, not bothering to hide their interest in Tamara’s response.

Tamara glances at me, silently requesting permission.

“If you want us to stay, we stay.” I sit on the sofa facing them.

She smiles her thanks, though because of the circumstances it isn’t her usual vivacious expression.

Before the other ladies start to celebrate, I pointedly stare at each of them. “Don’t think you can charge everything to the room now. Although my friendship is limitless, my wallet isn’t.”

“Girl, please.” Moni rolls her eyes. “We ain’t no freeloading friends. We got our own money. Maybe not Luxe Continental level, but we hold our own.”

“Speaking of holding our own, I’m starting to plan my Christmas blowout for next month. Who’s staying in town?” Danae asks.

Chelsea disconnects her call and plops down on the sofa beside me. “Sorry boo. You know Christmas is off limits. My parents are high maintenance and demand I spend Christmas week to New Year’s with them.”

“I’ll be here,” Tamara says.

“Sorry, babe. My fam’s got dibs this year, too. As much as I’d prefer to stick with my friends, I haven’t been home in fiveyears.” Moni pops up and walks over to the fridge where our chef left three pitchers of various flavored mimosas. She pours four glasses and serves one to each of us. “Pray for me. I just know one of my aunties will bring a shadchan to dinner and the entire night, everyone will chime in on what my perfect match will be.”

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