Chapter Five Addie
As I make my way through the crowded ballroom, clocking the other players, I can feel Vaughn’s eyes on me. Just for fun, I give my hips an extra shake. I love pushing his buttons. It’s quickly become my new favorite thing to do.
The attraction between us is electric. And that could pose a big problem—if we acted on it. But I have no intention of letting that happen. Even though it could be the hottest experience of my life.
What is it about him that has my girly parts tingling?
He’s not like anyone I’ve ever dated. Not that my experience is vast or anything.
A few years ago, I spent a month in Paris and met Jean-Claude.
He was proof that, despite his well-intentioned attempts, Parisians aren’t the best lovers.
Then there was a brief fling with Miguel while I was scoping out a potential heist in Mexico.
He’d approached me while lying on the beach in Puerto Vallarta.
He got lucky that week, while I was reminded why I didn’t waste my time on dating and relationships.
The sad truth is that most men don’t excite me. My life excites me far more. Living on the edge, traveling around the world and pulling off the perfect heist. That’s what gets my blood pumping and keeps me happier than any man ever has.
Until Vaughn. Because even though we’re on different sides, he’s a lot like me—a boss—who takes on challenges and gets things done.
And something about him really gets my kitty purring.
I want to scratch my fingers over his permanent stubble and deal with the aftermath of beard burn on my thighs.
Know what it feels like to have those big, competent hands caressing my body while his lush lips whisper all the dirty things he’s going to do to me.
He’s rugged, stubborn and likes to be in charge.
A little grumpy, a lot broody. So very tempting.
Shaking my head, trying to clear my thoughts of Vaughn, I spot Ryder by the dessert table and saunter over.
“How’s it going?” he asks in a low voice.
I give him a confident smile. “Keeping eyes on Warrant. Have you seen Nyx or Diamond yet?”
“Not yet.”
I reach down and pluck a petit four from a silver tray. As I take a bite, the scent of jasmine tickles my nose, and I see a platinum blonde in a sexy, red dress move up on Ryder’s opposite side. She picks up a chocolate truffle, and I notice the gorgeous diamond bracelet sparkling on her wrist.
Tempting. But not tonight. Hopefully, it will serve as bait and attract some of the people we’re keeping tabs on.
I notice Ryder checking out the blonde. Or, more precisely, the high slit in her dress that reveals quite a bit of thigh. I’m about to elbow him, when the woman takes a step sideways, turns and runs straight into him.
Like she didn’t plan that. I can’t help but roll my eyes.
Ryder steadies her, holding onto her elbow a moment too long. “Whoa. Careful there.”
“Oh! I’m so very sorry. I’m such a klutz sometimes.” She bats her big green eyes at him, and I’m about to walk away and let him get his flirt on, when something snags my attention.
She’s covering an accent, but not well enough for my trained ear. She didn’t pronounce the “r” when she said “very.” Non-rhotic. A British accent maybe?
Bella Diamond has a British accent. I’ve run into her a few times but only heard it once—when she didn’t realize I was listening—which means she normally hides it.
I know she’s a master of disguise, and the more I study the woman in front of me, particularly her shoulder-length blonde hair, the more I start to think it might be a wig.
I’m on the verge of calling her out when someone moves up beside me.
Before I can turn to verify who, Vaughn’s scent tickles my senses.
A delicious combination of pine and peppermint.
I’m guessing it’s his aftershave and the gum he’s always chewing.
I love the way he smells. It reminds me of Christmas and the good ol’ days when my mom, Ryland and I were together.
“How’s it going?” he asks. Dammit, that low, deep voice of his hits the spot—the G spot— and my ovaries are ready to burst into Christmas carols despite it only being September.
“It’s definitely getting interesting,” I murmur, watching Ryder hit on Miss Diamond. Well, that needs to stop. “Excuse me.”
Sweeping over to Ryder’s side, I link my arm through his and smile.
“Making new friends, dear?” I ask.
Bella stops talking and looks from me to Ryder, a slow grin spreading across her face. “I’m sorry,” she says. “I didn’t know you were here with someone.”
Ryder frowns, but he doesn’t pull away or deny it. He knows I have a good reason for doing this, even if he doesn’t understand why yet.
I smirk. “That’s a beautiful bracelet, Miss…?” She doesn’t respond. “Miss Diamond, isn’t it?”
I’ve heard Bella has an obsession for the glittering stone. Hence, her moniker.
“Why, thank you, Miss Mills,” she responds, smooth as can be and not missing a beat. “I thought it might grab your attention.”
Beside me, Ryder tenses. “Bella Diamond,” he murmurs, and a muscle flexes in his cheek.
“I didn’t know you two were a thing.” She looks from me to Ryder, and I swear, I see a glimpse of disappointment. Or maybe it’s annoyance. I can’t be sure.
Sorry, Ms. Diamond, I am not letting you fuck with my friend. Consider this a total cock block. Or, in this case, clitorference.
Bella’s attention glides to Vaughn, who’s still hovering behind me, but not close enough to hear our conversation. “You do realize Denver PD’s finest is watching, right?”
“Of course,” I murmur.
“Hmm. Well, as nice as this has been, I have to make the rounds.” Bella casts one more look in Ryder’s direction then spins away in a flutter of crimson satin.
“That woman is trouble,” I mutter.
“Do you think her eyes are really green?” Ryder asks.
“They’re probably as authentic as her American accent,” I grumble. “Why do you care?”
He clears his throat. “So I can generate an accurate profile. Better to know the enemy, right?”
Uh huh. “Don’t forget that little fact. Bella Diamond is not on our side.”
“No shit, Addie,” he says, voice flat.
“Just a friendly reminder.” He finally drags his attention off Bella, who disappears into the crowd, and looks at me. “You looked a little starry-eyed there for a minute.”
“Forget Bella,” he hisses under his breath, recovering from his momentary lapse in judgment. “I’m more worried about the detective trying to nail all our asses.”
“I’ll take care of Vaughn.” I force a smile, keeping my voice even, but decisive.
“Counting on it.”
Ryder scoops up a fresh glass of champagne from a passing tray and walks away.
I shake my head and let out a soft sigh, hoping he stays away from Bella.
As much as I might try, I can’t control everything and everyone.
I just need to make sure they understand why we’re here and hope it’s enough to keep their heads in the game.
Because this is one game we cannot lose.
A hand lightly touches my back, pine and peppermint teasing my senses as Vaughn leans down, his lips brushing my ear. “We need to talk.”
“No,” I respond, ignoring the tingles and moving away from him. “You need to stay away from me, or people will think we’re working together.”
“Then we’ll talk fast.” He grabs hold of my arm, steering me down the nearest hallway and straight through the first doorway, shutting it quickly behind us.
A quick glance around and I see we’re in a game room. There’s a dart board on the wall, a pinball machine, an old arcade game and a billiards table. No other visible exits other than two windows which should overlook the side yard.
“Vaughn!” I jerk my arm away and glare up at him. Even though I’m wearing three-inch heels, he’s still a good six inches taller than me. It pisses me off and turns me on all at the same time.
“Was that Bella Diamond? Did you warn her off?” he demands, voice laced in suspicion.
“What?” I scoff, crossing my arms. “You dragged me in here, interrupting my attempts to identify key players in a scheme you’ve concocted, quite possibly causing a scene and drawing attention to me being here…all because you think I’m not living up to my end of the bargain?”
“I don’t trust you,” he growls. “Why were you both talking to her? What did you say? I thought tonight was strictly recon.”
I tilt my chin up and send him a narrowed look. “How dare you question my methods. I’m doing you a favor.”
“No, Addison, you’re protecting your little ring of thieves.”
“This is beginning to feel like blackmail,” I seethe.
He moves fast, and I take two surprised steps back, my ass bumping into the pool table.
His hands drop down onto the table’s edge, caging me.
We’re far too close, and my pulse thunders like a stampede of wild horses.
He’s breathing just as hard as I am, and I am one second away from kneeing him in the groin… or kissing him.
“You’re not fucking with me, are you, Addie?” His voice is low and lethal. He lifts his hand, lightly tracing his fingers along my jawline and then up to tuck a stray wave of hair behind my ear. Combined with his harsh words, the gentle gesture throws me.
Even though his touch sends a tremor through the entire length of my body, I am not going down without a fight. “What if I am?” I challenge him. “Fucking with you?”
The breathless words are a challenge, and when his attention dips to my mouth, I lick my lips, wanting his kiss more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.
As if he can hear my thoughts, his mouth slams against mine.
And…daaaamn…it’s even better than I imagined.
It’s hard, demanding. The kind of kiss that makes me crave more.
Rougher than I expected, but in the best possible way.
My tingles explode into jolts of pleasure, and before I can open my mouth, his tongue thrusts its way inside.
I shove my hands through his shaggy hair, trying to pull him closer, down to my level.
His big hands grip my waist and lift me up with ease, setting my ass on the green felt table.
My dress hikes up, and he moves between my legs, never breaking the kiss.
Angling me back, he deepens the kiss, stroking his tongue against mine.
He tastes like peppermint—crisp, sharp and vibrant—and I moan, unable to get enough.
God, who taught this man how to kiss? My pussy quivers and my nails slide through the hair at the nape of his neck, trailing down into his shirt collar, lightly scratching.
It’s too good.
Too intoxicating.
Too dangerous.
But I don’t do anything to stop it. Somehow, putting an end to this delicious moment seems wrong. Unnatural.
So instead, I give in to the pleasure rolling through me and arch my hips up, wrapping my legs around his waist, and digging my heels into the backs of his thighs.
Drawing him closer, feeling the answering hardness of his cock, I tell myself this is a horrible idea.
Tell myself to stop. Instead, I shamelessly rub myself against him and revel in the groan it provokes from him.
Without warning, he yanks his mouth away.
“Fuck,” he hisses, raking a hand through his too-long hair.
It’s always slightly mussed, but now it’s sticking up and out in every direction, a result of me running my fingers through it.
Tugging on those brown strands. I hadn’t realized his hair was so thick.
Slightly dazed, propped on an elbow, I look up and see the conflicting emotions on his rugged face. Wow. I knew there was an attraction there, but what just happened? It was like a warehouse of fireworks ignited, then blew sky high.
His gaze drops, zeroing in on my black satin panties, and I wonder if he can see they’re soaked. When he utters another curse and takes an unsteady step back, I’m thinking yes.
Pushing my dress back down, I sit up. My lashes flutter downward, and I see the massive hard-on tenting the front of his pants.
Glad I’m not the only one.
“That was…” His voice trails off, brow furrowing.
Magnificent? Sexy as hell? The best kiss I’ve ever had?
“...a mistake,” he finishes flatly.
Oh, well, I suppose that, too. But I was trying to focus on the positives.
“It shouldn’t have happened,” he reiterates, as though trying to convince himself.
I don’t say a word. My chest is still heaving from our earlier exertion, and his eyes focus on my breasts for a moment too long before he tears his gaze away. He makes a frustrated sound, grabs the back of his neck, squeezes, and then spins away.
Of course, I study his ass. While admiring all that hard, muscly temptation, I notice his suit is smooth. Not a wrinkle in sight. A rarity. I wonder what made him pull out the old iron?
Or maybe I’m reading too much into the situation. It’s not like he’s trying to impress me or anything. He just said our absolutely fantastic, world-tilting kiss was a mistake.
A loosey-goosey feeling washes over me. I’ve only had a few sips of champagne, so I know I’m drunk on his kisses rather than the alcohol.
Leaning back onto my elbows, my taut nipples press against the thin material of my dress.
When he turns back around, he definitely notices, because he releases a sharp breath.
I’m feeling seductive, reckless, and I want him to know I’m turned on. That my nipples are as hard as his cock. And even though that “shouldn’t have happened,” I refuse to regret it. In fact, I’m ready for seconds.
Averting his gaze, he adjusts his suit jacket. Seems to me like something else needs adjusting, I think, pulling my attention off his zipper.
“You’re going to help me bring in all the players,” he says coolly.
Wait, what? Are you kidding me right now? His words make any fire still lingering in my veins turn to ice. Can it be any clearer he’s using me?
What in the actual fuck? I’m ready to jump him, and he’s back to business? Like he just flipped a damn switch.
Sitting up ramrod straight, schooling my features, I smooth my hands over my dress, and tell myself not to be offended that he shut me down. I should be grateful for the wake-up call telling me to get my head out of the clouds and back into the game. Vaughn is doing his job, and I need to do mine.
But I can’t help feeling rejected. At least physically. But, hey, he still wants my help bringing down the thieves in his city, so yay me.
Fuck. That.