Rise (Dark and Dangerous Book 2) Page 6

  At the first brush of my fingers against his shaft, he hardened further, his thin, velvet-soft skin pulling tight. I used my finger to trace his shaft from root to crown, then followed that same path with the tip of my tongue.

  Aras breathed out harshly, the sound of his tortured breath making me smile.

  But that smile dropped and my focus shifted when I grazed my tongue along his slit, collecting the drops of fluid that gathered there.

  The taste of Aras on my tongue was unlike anything I had ever experienced, made me thirst for more.

  I lapped at him greedily, taking everything he offered. With my hands, I stroked his length while my mouth worked his crown, tasting and teasing him until we were both breathless.

  When I moved to take him deeper, he put a hand on my shoulder to stop me.

  “Not like this,” he whispered, his voice ragged and rough-edged. “I want to be inside you.”

  I released him and lay back, offering my body, my heart, somehow knowing I could trust my everything to him.

  At the touch of his body against mine, I sighed a deep breath, one that was cut short when he entered me in one smooth thrust.

  Perfection.

  Completion.

  Home.

  Those thoughts, others that faded away in the fire of Aras’s lovemaking, filled my brain as he filled my body.

  I didn’t know how I would live without this, without him, but at least for now, I didn’t have to.

  So I focused on that, focused on him, and let passion take me away.

  I lost track of how many times I climaxed, just held on Aras as took me, seeming to be possessed by some need he couldn’t shake.

  “Aras…no more. I can’t…”

  If anything, he thrust harder, but then suddenly stilled, spilling his seed inside me.

  When he finally collapsed against me, I held him tight and stroked his shoulders, sensing that he needed me and wanting more than anything to be there for him.

  We stayed that way for a long time until he finally turned me onto my side and lay behind me, his arms creating a shelter that I burrowed into.

  His breath was deep, even, so much so that I thought he had fallen asleep, so I was surprised when he spoke.

  “We leave tomorrow,” he whispered.

  There was so much in that statement, so many things I wanted to ask, but instead I turned in his arms, reached up to stroke his cheek, the stubble there deliciously rough against my fingers.

  “But we have tonight,” I said, and then I kissed him.

  Ten

  Aras

  Morning came far too soon.

  I had never been one to pretend, ignore what was directly in front of me, but I wanted to then. Wanted to stay here with Lake, forget about the outside world completely.

  But that wasn’t an option.

  Still, I lingered for longer than was advisable but finally got up.

  “It’s time,” I said to Lake, who was staring at me.

  “Breakfast first,” she said.

  I didn’t argue. Instead, we both showered and dressed, and then I watched her as she moved around the kitchen, wishing more than anything that this could be the rest of my life.

  It couldn’t, at least not yet. But maybe…

  I stopped that thought before it could form, not allowing myself to think of things that couldn’t be.

  “You should gather your stuff,” I said.

  We had finished eating but still lingered for a few moments longer.

  Lake looked at me, nodded, and then packed her small bag.

  “I’m ready,” she whispered ten minutes later.

  I wasn’t, but that didn’t change anything.

  We got into the car and began to make the drive.

  “We’re going back to the city?” Lake asked after we had been on the road for several minutes.

  “Yes.”

  I liked space, but being close to resources was more important, and though it wasn’t ideal, I knew Lake and I could stay on the move in the city in a way we couldn’t outside of it.

  I parked in front of an apartment building, one that was neither nice nor run-down.

  Lake looked at the building skeptically but didn’t say anything.

  She followed me up the stairs to the third floor, into the small studio, and looked around, her expression tense.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. I mean, I feel so…exposed,” she said.

  “Yeah. But it’s only temporary.”

  “Well, I hope I don’t get on your nerves in such close quarters,” she said, smiling.

  A smile that dropped when she looked at me.

  “Oh. You’re not going to be here,” she said, realization, disappointment, crossing her face.

  “I will eventually. But not now,” I said.

  “Okay,” she said, though I could see it was anything but. “I remember the rules. And you’ll give me that gun.”

  “Roman will be here. You won’t be alone. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” I said.

  “Should I ask where you’re going?”

  “Probably not. Just know that this will be over soon.”

  Her expression was tense, and I could see the worry all over her.

  Still, she gave me a smile then stretched up to kiss my cheek.

  “I’ll be fine. You take care of yourself,” she said.

  Her words were revealing, but the look in her eyes was even more so.

  I might have been seeing things, might have been dreaming, but when she looked at me I saw something real, something that my untrained eye could mistake for love.

  I wasn’t worthy of it, but I would take it, keep it forever if she let me.

  Eleven

  Lake

  I looked down at his watch, my watch now, for what had to be the millionth time.

  It had been about twelve hours since he had left, and I had checked the watch no fewer than a thousand times.

  Having it on my wrist was comforting. It was good to have at least some idea of what time it was, but that knowledge, which I had once been desperate for, was almost meaningless now.

  Why did it matter what time it was if I didn’t know where he was, or when—if—he would be back?

  “Don’t be so dramatic, Lake,” I muttered.

  It wasn’t like me to talk to myself, but the silence was getting to be deafening, and it was starting to rattle me.

  I knew he was a man of his word.

  He had proven that.

  But there were things outside of his control.

  The fact that I was even here was proof of that. So I couldn’t discount the possibility that something might happen, something that he couldn’t control.

  Which would be bad for me, but even worse was what could happen him.

  The fact that I might not see him again.

  It almost shocked me that seeing him again mattered, but it did.

  As insane as it was, as impossible to believe, Aras mattered to me.

  I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing him come to harm. Of not knowing what had happened to him.

  I began tidying the small space yet again.

  It was a studio, less than a thousand square feet, but I had systematically cleaned it, twice so far, and was about to do so again.

  “Place looks pretty good to me.”

  Roman had been so quiet, I almost forgot he was there, but at his words I turned to look at him.

  “Nervous habit,” I said, giving him a small smile.

  I didn’t feel it, not in the least, but I needed to do something.

  “There are worse habits you could have,” he said.

  “I guess so,” I said.

  He gave me a smile of his own and then stood.

  “Have a seat,” he said, gesturing at the two-person dining table.

  I moved toward it warily.

  “I can share with you what I do for a nervous habit,” he said, again gesturing at the chair.

&
nbsp; I took a seat then watched as he walked to the cupboards.

  “I made sure the place was stocked,” he said over his shoulder as he rummaged through the cabinets.

  “You cook?” I asked, unable to hide my surprise.

  He froze then turned to look at me, his massive arms still holding the cabinet knobs.

  “Do I cook, she asks?” he said, bright smile on his face.

  “I didn’t mean to sound so surprised,” I said, letting out an embarrassed laugh.

  “You could be forgiven for assuming it’s not one of my talents. But looks can be deceiving.”

  He seemed almost giddy, and I couldn’t help but be infected by his enthusiasm.

  “What are you making?” I asked.

  “A classic. Steak, potatoes, and asparagus,” he said.

  “I’ve never had asparagus,” I admitted.

  He froze, then turned to look at me again, his smile even brighter now.

  “You, my friend, are in for a treat.”

  “Okay,” I said, smiling even brighter now. “Can I help?”

  “You know how to slice potatoes?” he asked.

  His expression was serious, so serious that it made me smile. “I think I can manage,” I said.

  Lake

  “That was delicious!” I said, pushing my now-empty plate away for me.

  “You think so?” Roman asked.

  It would be easy to think the question was an attempt to fish for more compliments, but I could see he sincerely wondered.

  “That was amazing. And you’re right, if this is what asparagus is like, I have been missing out,” I said.

  “I’ll admit mine is better than most, but it’s an excellent side dish. Solid,” he said.

  “Where did you learn to cook like this again?” I asked.

  He shrugged.

  “The gig comes with a fair amount of downtime. I got sick of eating slop from diners and burger joints.”

  “Well, you did a great job,” I responded.

  I went quiet then, looked at my watch, and then back at him.

  “And thank you,” I added.

  “No problem,” he responded, giving me another smile.

  I hadn’t thought I’d be able to take my mind off Aras, but Roman had managed to do so, even if only for a couple of hours.

  And he hadn’t needed to.

  My mental state was none of his concern, but I appreciated the fact that he had taken it upon himself to try to make me feel better.

  I stifled a yawn then brushed my hand over my hair.

  “I guess I ate a lot,” I said, feeling almost instantly exhausted.

  “You all right?” Roman asked from where he stood at the sink.

  “Yeah. It’s just hitting me hard. Probably a mix of a good meal and stress,” I said.

  I stood, faltered, and only steadied myself by reaching for the table.

  “Easy there,” Roman said.

  I hadn’t even realized he had left the sink, but when I glanced over, he was standing next to me, not even arm’s distance away.

  I felt like everything was moving in slow motion, and the longer I stood there, the heavier my limbs got.

  “I’m not feeling so great,” I said, idly realizing that I was slurring my words, but unable to really focus on that, or anything.

  “Take it easy,” Roman said.

  He wrapped an arm around my waist, and I fell against him, unable to continue to hold myself up.

  “What? Wait…” I said, as he led me to the small sofa. “I…”

  My mind was swirling, my thoughts muddled, my tongue thick.

  “What’s happening to me?”

  Keeping my eyes open was a struggle, one that I didn’t know if I would beat.

  “Don’t fight it. Just go with it,” Roman said.

  “Go with…”

  I focused on breathing, feeling like I was having to make a conscious effort to lift my chest, to make no mention of keeping my eyes open.

  “You drugged me,” I said.

  I felt like I had come to that realization far too late, but the minute it hit me, it crystallized in my mind and was really the only thing I could latch onto.

  “Yeah. I need to return you intact, and I decided on a more sideways approach. I heard you’re quite the fighter, and I won’t risk damaging the merchandise.”

  He smiled, but this time none of the camaraderie that I’d thought I had seen before was there.

  I realized I was seeing the true him now, and I went with my first instinct.

  I swung at him, or at least I attempted to.

  But rather than causing him as much damage as I could, my hand landed flat against his solid shoulder then slid harmlessly down his chest to rest on my lap.

  It was the most bizarre sensation, my mind knowing what I wanted to do but my body unwilling, or unable, to comply.

  “Now why would you want to do that? I was nice enough to make you dinner,” Roman said.

  He was clearly taunting me, the menacing laughter in his eyes telling me that.

  “Screw you,” I said around my sick tongue.

  “Sorry, sweetheart. I’ll pass. You’re not my type,” he said.

  But in the next instant, all of his humor was gone.

  “Go to sleep,” he said, his voice low.

  Sleep.

  I couldn’t sleep now.

  I needed to get away, needed to…

  I could just close my eyes for a second. Just a minute to get myself together, and then I would fight.

  I knew that I shouldn’t, some small part of me telling me to keep my eyes open, begging me to.

  But I couldn’t.

  Just a second, I kept telling myself, repeating it over and over in my mind as my eyes slowly closed.

  Twelve

  Aras

  This day would never fucking end.

  On Yuri’s orders, I’d been across the city and back three times, and didn’t know what else he might want before the night was over.

  I nodded at the receptionist, who waved me in, and headed to Yuri’s office for the fourth time today.

  He was waiting, having changed from his suit and tie into a velour jogging suit, his “comfortable” attire.

  I handed him yet another envelope stuffed with cash and then waited.

  He didn’t seem in a hurry and instead counted the cash—twelve thousand, seven hundred, sixteen dollars exactly—before putting it in his safe.

  Though I kept my exterior impassive, the significance of that action wasn’t lost on me.

  It was yet another test in what I was suspecting had been a day full of them.

  I was always on alert when dealing with Yuri but was even more so now. I’d done something to get his attention, which was the last thing I needed.

  He closed the safe and then settled in his chair, not looking at me, though I knew without a doubt he was accessing my every movement, the lack thereof.

  Like always, I kept my cool, did so long after most would have cracked, and Yuri finally looked at me.

  “You have a girl?” Yuri asked.

  I allowed some of my surprise at his question to show through, knowing it would be more suspicious if I didn’t.

  “No,” I finally said.

  “Good,” he responded. “They make you lose focus.”

  “So I’ve heard,” I said, not at all showing Yuri how close to home his words hit or my wonder as to why we were having this conversation now.

  I waited, watching Yuri, who leveled an ice-cold stare at me.

  “Don’t ever betray me, Aras,” he said, his voice calm, but the promise of the consequences if I ever did loud and clear.

  I didn’t bother to tell him that his warning was coming far too late. Instead, I said, “I won’t, Yuri.”

  He nodded toward the door, my cue to leave.

  I took it and left without another word.

  On the drive back to the safe house, I considered this confounding night. Before, I’d planned to hand
le Vlad and then slip back into my life with Yuri none the wiser.

  I didn’t know if that was possible now. Something to keep in mind, but I couldn’t let it distract me, not when the endgame with Vlad was so near.

  I approached the safe house, noting that all looked good on the outside of the building but not lowering my defenses.

  I made my approach slowly, something not sitting right with me.

  Everything was quiet, maybe too quiet.

  I tried to dismiss my reaction as leftover adrenaline from meeting with Yuri, but I couldn’t.

  My instincts had served me well, kept me alive, and now they were screaming that something was wrong.

  Instantly, my thoughts turned to Lake, but I pushed them down, kept focused. If there was trouble, she would need me focused, and that was what I intended to be.

  I skipped the elevator and quickly made my way up the three flights of stairs. I still didn’t see anything out of place, but my instincts were screaming now, every fiber of my being telling me something was wrong.

  I wanted to call Roman but didn’t, not wanting to alert anyone to my presence. I did a quick scan of the hallway, the other six doors on this floor all looking as they should.

  But when I finally looked at the safe-house door, the calm I’d managed to hold onto began to slip.

  I approached slowly, cautiously, the partially open door confirming that my instincts had been right.

  I took in what I could through the cracked door and then stepped inside.

  The smart thing would have been to scout the area, make sure I wasn’t walking into a trap, but I didn’t give a shit about being smart, not when Lake was in danger.

  Still, I was on complete alert, ready to destroy anything that crossed my path.

  Nothing did.

  I quickly surveyed the apartment and just as quickly determined it was empty. Not wanting to believe that, I went in deeper, canvassing all the rooms in hopes I could find something, find her.

  I didn’t.

  Back in the living room, I turned a slow circle looking for any sign of her, hope warring with despair.

  “Lake,” I whispered.

  Silence was my only answer.

  Thirteen