Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“I’m here,” I rushed out, breathing heavily into the mic of the earwig, trying to catch my bearings.
“Where the hell have you been?” Dennis questioned. I cut my eyes to Mr. Smith, then to the mayor as he welcomed his guest.
I blew out a breath, trying to calm the blood coursing through my veins.
Damn, I almost fucked up.
“I’m here now. What’s up?”
“We’ve got movement in the back gardens,” Aaden cut in.
“Could it be someone from the party, just walking the grounds?”
I made my way to the back of the room to two sets of French doors opening out into the gardens and looked out onto the lands.
“Doesn’t look like it,” Dennis chimed in. “They’re not dressed for it.”
“Okay, you boys close in and let me know when you’ve detained them,” I ordered, making my way back to Mr. Smith’s side. I grabbed his elbow. “We’ve got to move,” I said low so only he could hear me.
I didn’t want to alarm anyone else, especially if it turned out to be nothing.
“Where are we going?” he asked, letting me lead him through the crowd engulfed in whatever the mayor was saying, through the dining room and to the kitchen.
Mr. Smith slowed his pace, then refused to move another inch. “Tell me what the fuck is going on. I don’t run scared like a pussy. If someone is after me, I want to know who.”
He straightened his jacket. His face turned red with anger, that scar that drew me in now puckered slightly on his face.
“It’s not about you being a pussy,” I gritted out in frustration. “It’s about me doing my job.”
“Look around, Miss McLean.” He waved his hand back the way we came. “There are hundreds of people out there who are considered celebrities. They’re not panicking.”
“They”—I pointed toward the crowd as well—“have not had people trying to kill them either.” I stopped short, my attention drawn to a newcomer in the room.
“Can I help you?” I asked the handsome man in a tux leaning against the dining room entrance.
I didn’t know how long he’d been there, but it was rude and annoying as hell.
Mr. Smith turned to see who I was talking to.
“Collins, what the fuck do you want?” I recognized him now. It was the same man he was having words with earlier this evening.
“A lover’s quarrel?” Collins moved further into the room.
I moved slightly in next to Mr. Smith. I didn’t know this guy, but I wouldn’t allow him to get too close, not with what was happening outside. I’d missed most of their earlier conversation because Alex was in my ear.
“False alarm,” he said as the two men continued their stare-down. “Tisha, did you hear me?”
Turning my back to the two men in the room, “I heard you. What’s the guy’s problem, then?”
“Just some homeless guy. Drunk as hell. I have no clue how he got on the grounds.”
“Take him to the street and send him on his way,” I ordered.
“Will do,” he said, then went silent.
Relief washed over me, but I rather overreact than be sorry about it later. Again, I sidled up next to Mr. Smith, whispering in his ear about the false alarm. He nodded, then put an arm around my waist, pulling me close.
“Since you interrupted our alone time, we will be heading back to the party,” Mr. Smith announced, guiding me back to the room where everyone was gathered. The mayor’s speech was finished, and the attendees continued to mingle and drink.
I scanned the crowd, aware of the eyes that looked like storm clouds looming on me as I did. “Did I tell you how beautiful green looks against your skin?” he whispered.
I turned to him and nodded. “Thank you, sir.” I tried to bring back some professionalism into this situation.
The dance earlier threw me for a loop, as did his boldness to place a kiss on my neck in my hotel room.
Little by little, Mr. Smith was trying to wear down my resolve. And I was afraid it was working.
A chuckle from next to me jerked me back to reality. I’d spent too much time in my head thinking about Mr. Smith instead of what my team and I were going to do to keep him alive.
“How are things looking?” I whispered into the mic, trying to ignore the tall drink of water beside me. If I so much as glanced at him, I was going to be hypnotized by those eyes.
“Things are straight on my end.” Aaden popped in. He’d been quiet most of the night. “When are we gonna get to come in and get something to eat?”
“Right, I’m starving,” Jeremiah chimed.
I laughed. Their stomachs were like bottomless pits. They were always hungry.
“No one’s eaten yet, but you guys come in two at a time and head to the kitchen. Get a jump on everyone.” I snickered, shaking my head.
An hour later, dinner was served, and it was clear Mr. Smith was reaching his limit.
Several times I’d seen him turn his nose up at people trying to hold a conversation with him.
It was hard for him to keep up appearances.
From what I observed, Mr. Smith wasn’t easily approachable, and he didn’t like too many people.
He was efficient, obviously a good businessman, and relentless.
All good qualities in a man, not to mention he was attractive as hell with broad shoulders, smooth skin, despite his scar, a full beard and mustache, and muscles on top of muscles.
I shivered, thinking about how his body felt against mine.
“Careful now, you’re drooling,” a voice came from my right.
I smiled and faced him. “Mr. Collins, I didn’t hear you.”
I needed to play the coy, na?ve arm candy with this guy. It was obvious he was used to women fawning over him because of his money.
“I’m sure you didn’t.” He smirked. “So, what are you doing with him?”
Mr. Collins was direct, and it was clear from in his voice and the distaste on his face he was no friend of Mr. Smith’s. I doubted most people in this room even considered Mr. Smith an associate.
“I don’t know what you mean?”
“You’re a beautiful woman. It’s obvious you could have anyone you want,” he explained. “Why him?”
“Why not him?” I turned away and looked back at Mr. Smith. “He’s successful. Has money. He’s handsome and commands respect from others. People defer to him. Even you.” I chanced a glance at Mr. Collins from the corner of my eye. He was seething, and I was smiling inside.
Serves him right.
“You can see it as he walks around the room.”
It was almost like he sensed me talking about him. At that moment, he turned, and the most gorgeous smile formed on his face before he sauntered over to me. Even his walk was fucking sexy. I watched while the sea of people parted for him.
“Pompous ass,” Mr. Collins muttered and stormed away.
“What are you smiling at?” I asked when he finally reached me.
“The look on his face.” He nodded toward Mr. Collins. “Whatever you said to him, he was not happy.”
I shrugged. “He asked me a question, and I told him the truth.”
“I’m calling it a night. If I have to smile in another ass’s face one more time, I’m going to punch them in it.” He led me toward the foyer we entered while I relayed to the guys we were heading out.
We stepped through the door; his hand lay lightly on my lower back, guiding me down the steps. The man was on us before I knew what was happening. One shot, then another, before I could get Mr. Smith to the ground and pull my gun from my thigh holster.
“Shit, stay down,” I ordered, getting off two shots of my own.
I heard the guys through the earwig, talking all at once, so I ripped it out of my ear, kicked off my heels and took off in the direction of the guy. He was just ahead, dressed in all black, rounding the corner of the house, and heading back toward the gardens.
I slowed as I came to the corner. It was the perfect place to get my head blown off. I pushed the earwig back into place and told the guys what happened.
“I got Smith,” Jeremiah relayed.
“I’m coming up on the gardens,” Aaden said. “I see your guy.”
“Good. I’m coming around,” I replied, moving a little quicker now that I knew there was no danger lurking around the corner.
Two more shots rang out in the night. I vaguely made out Aaden, along with one other person, in the yellowish light from the light poles and fairy lights in the trees as they fought.
The sound of fists pounding flesh got louder the closer I got to the two men.
Aaden had the upper hand, but I trained my gun on the guy as the two men squared up once again.
I fired, hitting the stranger in the back of the thigh.
He went down, allowing Aaden to subdue him.
“Everyone all right?” the mayor asked from the patio doors. He and several guests were standing in the doors, and some spilled out into the gardens, trying to see what happened.
“Everything’s under control,” I yelled. “Please get everyone back inside.”
While Aaden pulled the man to his feet, I scanned the crowd, making sure everyone was going back inside, and I noticed Mr. Collins slowly making his way around the corner.
“Come on, let’s go,” Aaden growled at the guest.
“Do you recognize him from the guests?” I questioned, trying to see the man’s face.
“Yeah,” he jerked the guy further into the light so I could see him clearly. “It’s the homeless fucker from earlier.”
I shook my head, leading the way around the house. “Who put you up to do this?” I asked.
When we rounded the corner, Mr. Smith barreled our way. Before either of us could stop him, his fist smashed into the guy’s face. Alex was trailing him, and before Mr. Smith could get off another punch, Alex pulled him back with help from Aaden.
“Who the fuck ordered you to kill me?” he screamed.
The man lifted his head, but his gaze never connected with Mr. Smith. He watched someone over his shoulder. I followed his movements and saw Mr. Collins and his wife quickly moving—almost running—to a waiting car.
“Jeremiah. Dennis,” I screamed, “grab him!”
Collins didn’t put up the fight the stranger did.
My team had him in custody and waited for the cops to arrive.
Not long after the police arrived, Donavon pulled up to handle the press that was showing up.
After I filled in Donavon and the police, I made my way to Mr. Smith, who paced with clenched fists while his chest heaved rapidly.
The look he gave me stopped me in mid-stride. I took a deep breath and forged on.
“The police said you could leave. They’ll get your statement later.”
“I can’t believe that son of a bitch tried to kill me!!”
I’d never seen someone so angry. Every rumor about how tough he was and how no-nonsense he was unfolded right before my eyes. I went to him. It was like my feet were working on their own. I was pulled to him. My hands went to his chest when I reached him.
“Please, calm down,” I pleaded.
He took a deep breath, then blew it out several times, then put his hands on top of mine, staring into my eyes. I watched his stormy grays calm right before me. The lust my touch invoked replaced the fire of anger.
“Let’s go,” he commanded.
Mr. Smith grabbed my elbow and ushered me to the car.
The anticipation of what those eyes promised made my heart rate speed out of control.
I prided myself on being professional, not getting involved with coworkers, but the hold he had on me was incomprehensible.
I wanted to know what was underneath those designer suits.
I wanted to know what was behind the sexy smirks, twinkling eyes, and mischievous looks.
Steven Smith intrigued me, and I was excited to learn more.
He pulled open the back door to his waiting car and ushered me in. He followed close behind me, not giving the driver time to get out the car and close the door.
“Head back to the hotel,” he barked.
The driver nodded and pulled out of the parking spot, maneuvering through the cars and reporters looking for a story.
Mr. Smith pushed a button, and the partition rose.
He grasped the back of my neck, ripped the earwig from my ear, flinging it to the floor of the car, then crashed his lips to mine.
A groan slipped from me. I wanted more. I wanted him to seep into every facet of my body.
He yanked my dress up around my waist and pulled me into his lap, never relinquishing my lips. Mr. Smith grabbed my hips and rocked them over his long, hard erection. I couldn’t wait for him to be deep inside me.
I ground my hips against his shaft, trying to ease the ache while his fingers dug into my flesh.
His lips trailed kisses down my neck, leaving a fire in their wake.
His thumb found my sensitive nub. The slow circles only ramped up the heat.
If he kept it up, I was going to come. Finally opening my eyes and locking gazes with him, I realized that was his plan.
A moan ripped from me when he applied more pressure to my clit. He grabbed my panties. “These are in the way,” he growled, ripping them off me.
“Too bad. I really liked those,” I pushed out through bated breath. “You…” Whatever I was going to say was lost when he pushed a finger into my wet opening.
Another groan echoed through the back of the car.
“I’ll buy you some new ones,” he offered.
He filled me with two more of his thick digits and a firm grip on my ass with the other hand, helping me work on his fingers. With the added pressure, it wasn’t long before my body gave way to the intense pleasure.
“Come for me, Tisha,” he commanded.
The order reverberated through my body, and I was falling, clinging to a man I barely knew, hoping he would wring every bit of pleasure possible from my body.
I leaned forward, too tired to hold my head up, letting it fall on his shoulder.
My heavy breathing almost lulled me to sleep as he peppered gentle and tender kisses on my exposed body, a foreign concept when it came to this man, and I knew better.
This wasn’t tenderness, and I need not be fooled by it.
The sexual tension between us was so thick you could choke on it. It was only a matter of time before it evolved into this. I’d just broken one of my rules, and I was okay with it for now. I wanted to see him come undone and what he had in store for me.