Chapter 44
FORTY-FOUR
JULIET
LATE MAY
Ryan, Drew, and I are knee-deep in data. I’m not as much of a tech person as either of them, so I’m somewhat lost in this conversation.
“The metadata behind these cell tower reports has been manipulated,” Drew says.
“How is that possible?” Ryan replies.
“I have no fucking idea, but that’s why we can’t find whoever this is. One report says they’re in the city, the next report says they’re hours away at the same time.”
“What if it’s not wrong and it’s two people?” I mumble.
Drew pinches the bridge of his nose. “Juliet, we talked about this; that seems way too coincidental.”
“But does it?” I ask.
It’s not that Drew doesn’t believe me. He’s all about coding and data, so sometimes he can’t see what’s right in front of him.
“This data doesn’t say that,” Drew says.
“But as you said, it’s been manipulated. How did you get a hold of this?” I ask.
“I hacked into the cell data from your phone after we looked at the initial report from your phone and—”
He must see the look of shock on my face because he stops mid-sentence.
“What is it with the men in this friend group keeping secrets?”
I look at Ryan. He’s never lied to me or kept a secret that I know of. “Ryan, are you keeping any secrets you’d like to share?”
“Uh, nothing pertaining to this,” he replies.
“So you do have a secret?” I ask.
“I really don’t want to talk about this.”
“Talk about what?” Gino says as he strides into my office.
“Ryan’s keeping a secret,” I say, smiling at him.
“Oh, do tell,” Gino says as he walks to be next to me behind my desk.
“Okay, fine, I’ll tell you, but none of you can ask any additional questions,” Ryan relents.
Gino, Drew, and I all look at each other.
Ryan lets out a breath. “I found my dad.”
“What?” all three of us yell in unison.
Ryan doesn’t talk much about his upbringing, just that he grew up in a small town. His parents met at a bar and had a one-night stand. And all he knew of his dad was a note leaving his name and number. When his mother called the number, his dad never answered.
“This is why I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t want it to become a thing,” he says.
“Become a thing? Ryan, this is a big deal. You’ve been trying to find him your whole life,” I say, looking at him, hoping he can hear the sincerity in my voice.
“I know. I have a sister too,” he adds.
“Really? Have you met her?” I ask.
“Yeah, her mom is pretty nice too.” He gives a soft smile.
“That’s great,” I say.
He swallows. “Yeah, ok, now that I’ve spilled my secret, can we please go back to what we were doing?”
We all know how much Ryan doesn’t like to share too much, so we all let it go, despite our questions.
After a few minutes, we’re looking over data and trying to piece something together.
“Juliet,” I hear Gino call, “can I talk to you for a minute?”
I get up and follow him. He enters his office, and once I walk in, he closes the door and locks it.
I look at him.
I gasp as he pins me against the wall. “Gino,” I breathe out.
“What, Juliet?” he whispers in my ear.
“What are you doing?” I ask, breathless.
“Nothing.” He smiles at me as he leans down and kisses my neck, and I moan.
“This isn’t nothing, Gino; they're right across the hall.”
“Then we need to be quiet.” He pauses. “And fast.” He winks.
He lifts the hem of my shirt and takes it off me. He must see the red lace bra I’m wearing because the look on his face changes to absolute hunger.
I bite my lip. “Do you like it?”
“Like it? Bella—” he stops himself. He grabs my face between his hands. “You’re fucking perfect.”
I blush, and he kisses me, and it’s rough. He lightly bites my bottom lip.
Stepping back, he pulls his shirt over his head.
“Should we really be doing this in here?” I ask.
“Are you nervous?” he whispers.
“No,” I whisper back.
“Good,” he replies in a low voice. “They can’t hear us anyway, you know. Unless the door is open, this room is mostly soundproof.”
I swallow.
Before I can think of another response, he wraps his arm around my waist and hooks his other arm under my knees.
I yelp. “What are you doing?”
“We’re going over to the couch,” he says.
“I can walk, you know,” I reply.
“I know, but I want to carry you,” he replies softly.
He sets me down on the couch and grabs the top of my jeans. He unbuttons them and slowly takes them off. He’s now noticing that my panties are soaked in arousal, but they also match the lace bra.
“Bella,” he growls.
He stands and pulls at his pants. I can see his cock straining against his slacks.
Once he removes them, his cock springs free, and I lick my lips.
I can’t help myself, and I stand before I can do anything. Gino speaks in a low voice, “You got to be in control last night; it's my turn now.”
I know he’s referencing how last night I tied him to the bed with the silk tie and had my way with him.
“But—”
“We agreed to switch, did we not?” He waits for me to answer, but I don’t. “We did, so you know the rules. It’s my turn to take control. Which means I’m going to sit on the couch and you’re going to suck my cock,” he says sternly.
I bite my lip.
He smirks at me, then he walks past me and sits on the couch.
I turn and stare at him for a second. Since Mateo came back, he’s been a lot more relaxed. Looser.
Then I walk to him and sink to my knees.
His cock is leaking already, and I love it.
Licking my lips, I lean down and take his cock in my mouth.
He moans, and I look up, watching as his head falls back.
I continue to suck his cock. Then I feel his hand on my head.
That pulls a smile to my face. I keep going, not coming up for air.
My eyes start to water, and I can feel his cock pulsing.
I know he’s about to come.
Then he comes in my mouth, and I swallow every last drop.
“You look beautiful with my come in your mouth,” he says.
I’m panting, just staring at him.
“Get over here, Juliet,” he whispers.
I get up, and he pulls me into his lap.
“Now it’s my turn,” he says.
Before I can think, he moves me to sit next to him on the couch, then he grabs the waist of my panties and slides them down my leg.
He licks his lips.
“You’re dripping, bella.”
Then his tongue hits my clit, and I moan into his touch.
He doesn’t let up. He doesn’t come up for air.
I run my hands through his hair. Telling him to keep going.
And he does.
I’m trembling, then like a wave crashing on a beach.
I come.
He looks up with hooded eyes and smiles. I can see the wetness of my come all over his lips.
Before either of us says a word, my phone pings.
In rapid succession, Gino gets up and walks over to the table where I put my phone down.
Once he looks at the screen, his back tenses.
“What?” I ask, getting up from the couch.
Gino turns, and his face has a look of pure anger.
He hands me my phone, and I look down.
Unknown
Since you have your man back, you don’t need my help anymore.
I hope your business is successful.
I’ll be watching.
“What the fuck?” I whisper.
Gino has already started putting his pants on and throwing his shirt back on.
“Juliet, I know they haven’t texted you in months, but I won’t let this slide any longer.”
I swallow and nod.
I quickly get dressed, and I follow him out the door.
He walks through the threshold into my office, and I’m right behind him.
“Oh, what were you two up to?” Drew snickers.
“Not now,” Gino grits out.
“What happened?” Drew replies, his playful smirk vanishing.
Ryan has stopped what he was doing and looks at us, trying to hide a smirk.
“That stalker,” Gino looks to me, “texted Juliet again, and I want them found. This last message says ‘I'll be watching,’ which tells me whoever it is won’t let up.’”
Gino hands Drew my phone, and he plugs it into his computer.
“Ryan, call everyone and get them here. I don't care if they’re busy; we’re dealing with this,” Gino says.
Then everyone moves into action, while I remain frozen. I thought that person was done messaging me. The biggest question is, why are they messaging me again?