“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?”