Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
ELENA
I’d just finished my shift at Let’s Ketchup and walked to my carwhen I spotted Orion leaning against a truck I didn’t recognize. I’d been fuming most of the day about him attending a banquet with Chantel. She’d posted pictures on her social media. Didn’t he know she was my nemesis? Did he know she tried to ruin my reputation?
He walked up to me. “You’ve been ignoring me.”
“I’m not,” I lied. “Just busy working.”
“Can we talk?” He eyed me.
“Go ahead.” I crossed my arms, irritation mounting inside me. “I’m listening.”
“Not here.”
I inhaled a breath. “Fine. Then you can follow me home.”
When I arrived home, I stalked into the house, and he was right behind me.
“Make yourself at home,” I said. “I need a shower.”
“Take your time. You seem to need it.”
I scoffed. “What does that mean?”
He shrugged, looking innocent. “That you need a shower to cool off. Water is healing. You’ve been running around delivering food and running tables. I’m sure you want to wash the day’s stress off, right?”
Jealousy of Chantel and of his ex swarmed my thoughts, and frustration clouded my judgment.
A small smile crept onto his lips. “Are you okay? You’re not acting like yourself.”
I locked the door to my bedroom because somehow that act created the space I needed from Orion. Leaning against the door, I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath. When I exhaled, I imagined the frustration leaving my body. Then I opened my eyes and pushed myself off the door, thinking about the compelling man overwhelming me.
He was a thief. A thrill skipped along my body. Why did I find that attractive? What was wrong with me?
I was a reporter who tried her best to stay on the right side of the law. But my body betrayed me when he was around.
Stripping off my clothes, I walked into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and hopped in. I lifted my face to the cool water, letting it beat against my face. The frustration subsided.
I needed answers tonight. It was the only way for me to further my investigation. Someone had killed The Condor, and that meant someone could be after Orion too. He had to know this. What was he doing about it?
Was he prepared? I didn’t know why this overwhelming need to make sure he was safe seized me. He’d made me feel safe, and I wanted the same for him.
But jealousy was making everything worse. As I toweled off and lathered lotion onto my skin, mischief sneaked into my thoughts.
Lingerie.
Seduce him.
Have fun.
This was probably from the conversation with Elliot and the girls about having fun. Mona’s words about life being too short increased my desire to take what I wanted.
I’d gotten more cautious with every heartbreak. What if I never got to experience the very thing I’d been dreaming about? What if the world ended tomorrow? Where would that leave me?
Was a dream effective if it was tucked away safely? I was trying my best to make excuses.
I had to know if he wanted me. This was the first step in my mission of The Thief Who Loved Me. We weren’t anywhere close to love, but it gave me hope. It sounded better than The Thief Who Liked Me.
The girls had sent me a fabulous self-care package that sat in my closet. The lingerie was still in the lovely box. I hadn’t had time to think of an occasion to wear it until tonight. I walked into my closet and pulled out the large bag, bringing it out to my bed.
My hand trembled as it slid out of the box. What was wrong with me? I’d never been this nervous with a man. I didn’t want to compare myself to the previous women he’d been with. They probably wore luxurious clothing for him all the time.
Most of all, I didn’t want to compare myself to his ex. What was she like?
I noticed he wasn’t wearing the necklace. Did he take it off to be cleaned? There was no way I could seduce him if he were still wearing that.
Stop the negative thoughts right now. Stop being too cautious. A courageous heart can conquer anything.
Courage dared me. “I’m going to have fun.”
With excitement, I lifted the lid to the box, and several lingerie sets were neatly folded in the box. I pulled out a black lacy thong with a matching bra. Nerves spiked in me at how tiny it was. Would my breasts fit into this bra?
Only one way to find out.
I slid on the bra and the thong, glanced at myself, and blinked. I’d never worn anything so revealing. The small patch covering my sex was sheer, with a single flower embroidered on it. The lacy edge along the upper cup just barely covered my nipples. If I bent over, he’d see everything . I’d never been this risqué. This was way out of my comfort zone.
Elliot had told me to lure Orion out of his element. But I was the one standing in an uncomfortable terrain right now.
Despite that, a thrill coursed through me. I looked at myself, twisting my body from side to side, admiring my curves. The lingerie hugged my body beautifully, accentuating my ass and breasts, making me feel feminine, sensual, and desirable.
I had the power to command him. But of course, this entire scenario was just in my head. I smiled as my imagination spiraled out of control. Just pretending that this intimate evening could happen brought a smile to my face.
I sprayed some perfume on because I felt like it. I wasn’t doing this for him. It was all for me . It was an exhausting day. No, it had been an exhausting couple of years. Tonight was just a reward for me for surviving and chugging forward.
Tonight, I want to feel . . . wanted.
I pulled on a pair of cotton shorts and threw on a T-shirt that read: I’m hot and I’m cold. Some call me bold when I make them jitter. What am I?
There had been a time when I had my riddles printed on T-shirts. I couldn’t afford that now. There was another time when I enjoyed blogging just for fun. But now I was too busy trying to make money.
I blow-dried my hair and walked out to the kitchen. I didn’t see him and assumed he’d left because I’d taken a while prepping myself. But then I heard a creaking sound from the back deck. I walked toward the deck as he was coming in.
“Hey . . .” He studied me. “Feeling better?”
“Yeah. Sorry I took longer than expected. What were you doing outside?”
“I kept busy.” He glanced at my shirt and arched an eyebrow. “Is it a fever or the flu?”
I smirked. “Nope. It’s coffee.”
He stepped closer, and my heart raced. The smoldering look in his eyes told me he was reading something provocative. “It could also be you . Hot and cold. You can be bold, and you certainly make my heart jitter.”
“You’re good at manipulating words.” I looked toward the back deck. “What were you doing outside?”
What was wrong with my voice?
“I found a dandelion puff and made a wish.” His fingers brushed across my cheek and traveled down to my chin, tipping it up.
The admission surprised and delighted me. I didn’t know any man who would admit to making a wish like that. Most would probably think it was cheesy. But this man standing in front of me didn’t care what others thought of him. He was a man in a world of his own, and I wanted an invitation to explore it.
“Do you want to know what I wished for?” He pressed his thumb on my bottom lip.
I swallowed as the scenario that had played out in my head flashed through my mind.
Unable to speak, I nodded.
“I want to kiss you . . . and have you tonight.”
My eyes immediately darted to his necklace. Still gone.
He noticed where I was looking and said, “I’m ready to move forward with you.”
He couldn’t have said anything better than that tonight.
“I’m a high-maintenance woman with several demands.” My arms looped around him.
“And I’m an even higher-maintenance man who can meet those demands.” His hands wrapped around my waist, then lowered to cup my ass. “Are you going to be the bold coffee that’ll keep me up all night?”
I laughed. “Maybe.”
His lips hovered over mine. Hot breath. A nip of my bottom lip. Then a moan escaped me.
He gripped the hem of my T-shirt. “I want to see all of you.”
This was really happening. I lifted my arms. “Be my guest.”
Lust sparked in his eyes as he lifted the T-shirt, whipping it aside. His eyes wandered all over me, making my body tingle.
“Are you trying to kill me with this bra?” His voice grew husky, and I loved it.
“I wouldn’t do that to a decent man.” Could he hear my heart pounding?
“There’s nothing decent about what I want to do to you.” He nudged the cup of my bra down, revealing my pebbled nipple. He groaned and rubbed it back and forth with his thumb, giving it too much attention. Then he captured one with his mouth and suckled.
I moaned as heat shot straight to my core. He reached to my back, removing my bra and whipping it aside. My breasts were now exposed to his mouth. My hands gripped his hair, loving the wet tongue all over me.
“Shorts off too,” he crooned.
I dropped my shorts, standing in front of him with just a teeny tiny thong barely covering anything. This captivating man explored my body with his eyes, making me shiver. Then his hands and mouth adored my breasts. I saw the erotic image of us reflected in the glass pantry cabinet. Muscles tightened in my core.
An idea sparked. “Let’s play a game, shall we?”