Page 15 of Strings Attached
His smirk was somehow scarier than when he looked annoyed seconds ago. “Don’t tempt me.” He motioned over my shoulder. “Don’t look now, but your real mark is just where you want him.”
So he did want to use me as bait but wanted to get seeing him out of the way first. Part of me deflated a little, imagining trying to bait him, of all people. He spun me, pulling me closer to his chest as he leaned in toward my ear. “One of the men who came to say hello... by the bar. You’re going to tell him how I was ungentlemanly toward you and how you just want good company for once.”
I wasn’t sure I breathed as he spoke. He was close. Too close. His smell would be all over me by the end of the night. All I could think of was how I couldn’t wait to get home so I could have some alone time with my dildo.
Swallowing hard, I moved to the music with him, then spun back to face him. “Okay, and then what?” I asked in a small voice. Somehow, the thought of disappointing him scared me more than anything else I was about to do.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of the rest.” He leaned forward, his gaze burning into mine. “Now, look insulted, and walk away.”
I gawked at him. “You’re such an asshole,” I said loudly enough that a few people turned in their direction. Without waiting for his reaction, I strode to the bar, stopping near the man with the blond hair.
“I can’t believe some...men,” I hissed the word through my teeth as though it was a curse.
“Everything alright? Did??”
“We didn’t even get towhat are some of your hobbies,” I said in a mimicking low voice. “No. Straight to have you ever squirted with a man?”
The man nearly choked on his drink; whatever he expected, it wasn’t that. “Really? Jack?” he said, eyes wide as he glanced back toward Jack.
I could barely hide my smile as he glared toward me, obviously having heard what I’d said. Too bad. If he was going to play mind games with me, I’d do the same with him.
Yeah, but he’ll kill you if you pisshimoff too much.
“What can I say... all men are pigs. Is it too much to ask to get a drink with someone and just... talk?” I asked.
“Larry,” the man called out at the bartender, who made his way toward them. He stared at me and gave me a charming smile. “What’ll you have?”
I straightened as though the night was suddenly going my way, but in reality, I wished I was still dancing with Jack. “Rye and coke, please. Thank you.”
“I’m Michael,” he said, putting out his hand.
“Jill,” I said, and instead of shaking my hand, he brought my fingers to his lips and brushed them with a kiss.
The room was suddenly chilly, and I had a strange feeling; it was because of the icy stare Jack was giving Michael. If he was Jack’s next victim, I pitied him because Jack wouldn’t make his death swift.
“Excuse me a second,” I said, pulling out my phone and making a note about asking Jack how he picked his victims. He seemed to hate Michael with a passion, and I wondered why, but right then and there wasn’t the time to ask. “Sorry about that. Work stuff.”
The rye and Coke arrived as I put away my phone and clicked my purse closed. Michael pushed the drink toward me, and I relaxed a little as I took a gulp of my drink. At least the night wouldn’t be dull, thanks to a bit of alcohol. I almost snorted out loud at my own train of thought; Jack would make this anything but boring.
11
Reward
Ileaned against the bar as warmth infused my body. A pool of heat seemed to settle between my legs, and I smiled ear to ear as Michael said something. I wasn’t listening and, instead, I was thinking about Jack. How would he react if I went over there and kissed him? It didn’t seem as impossible as before... Who cared about the ethics of the interview? Why did I even care about my report? In the end, the final result would be the same, wouldn’t it? That has always been the plan.
My heart raced at the thought. This wasn’t right. A familiar weightlessness filled my body. When had I felt like this before?
“You want to head out?” Michael asked; he was much too close to me. I didn’t care for him. Yet my stomach fluttered at the way he looked at me. As though he wanted to fuck me right then and there.
I nodded and giggled, allowing him to lead me toward the exit. But where was Jack? Was I supposed to leave with Michael?
The summer air was hot and sticky. I raised my arms above my head and twirled a few times, laughing. Life was such a wonderful thing. And if I kept spinning, maybe I’d float away. Michael stopped me, and I pouted as he led me toward a red car. I was buckled in, and he got into the driver’s seat then started the engine. Where were we going?
I glanced back, checking to see if I could spot Jack. Should I get out? My head lightened, and I decided against it; I was too comfy to move. The vehicle was warm, but the scents... it was as though everything smelled so good.
He drove for some time, but I didn’t mind at all. The lights were so pretty as they passed by. It was as though they all shined on me, and I basked in their spotlights. I lifted my hand and moved my fingers around as they tingled. This was nice.
Michael pulled into a private road, then stopped in an underground parking lot. I tried opening the door to get out, but my limbs were heavy. It was the strangest feeling, but I could only laugh at it.
