In Too Deep(71)

"Mark Snow," I said, both of us chuckling at the similar nature of our last names. I thought about giving her one of my five different aliases, but I decided against it. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Sophie White."

I headed back to my car before remembering that I promised Sophie my card. Reaching into the slot in between the cell phone holder and my stereo, I grabbed the slim metal case that I kept my cards in. I flipped it open and considered which of my different cards to hand her. Finally, for reasons I still don't fully understand, I handed her my professional card, the one that read "Mark Snow, troubleshooter," along with my cell phone number. I had never given it out to a regular person before.

"Here, just in case you thought I wasn't telling you the truth earlier," I joked, handing her my card. "Call me when you get off work tomorrow?"

Sophie's smile was worth the niggling little voice in my head that was telling me I should have given her one of my aliases. As I drove away into the night, I only hoped my appointment in the North Side wouldn't take me too long.





* * *



Mark



I had bought my Mercedes not for the performance, although it was a great car, but, like Sophie said, for its ability to be totally silent when I wanted it to be. Driving slowly, I crept up until I was about two hundred yards away from my destination before I pulled over and waited. It's one of the advantages of an electric car. I can sit in idle mode in total silence and very few people will notice me.

I have a very hard and fast rule in my line of work, one I've adopted personally. I always make sure the problem is present before I go in and do anything. Too many operators in my profession just go in there regardless of the mess they make. I prefer to prevent future problems for me and my employers, and for that reason, I was highly sought after.

It took me almost thirty minutes to verify that the problem was there, and that I wouldn't be creating a scene or causing more mess by going in. Fine. I reached under the passenger seat of my car and took out my tools.

Time to go to work.





Chapter 6


Sophie





I barely was aware of walking up the steps to my apartment, or going inside and locking the door behind me. When I got to my living room, I flopped down on the couch, trying to find something to watch on TV to wind down. But my mind was still whirling with the feel of Mark's lips on mine, and his strong arms pulling me into him. The confident feel of his kiss was different than any other first kiss I'd ever had, and my body betrayed my morals. I'd never slept with a guy on the first meeting, but I wanted him so badly it literally hurt. If he asked to come in, I'd have most definitely said yes.

"I gotta get a shower," I said to myself, pushing myself up off the couch. "For f*ck's sake, I have work in the morning."

Taking off my clothes, I had to literally peel my panties away from my body they were so soaked. The scent of my arousal smacked me in the face, and I moaned, wishing there was something I could do about it. The way my body was feeling, however, I knew that anything I did would be empty. It's kind of like when you know you want a real drink, but all you have around is Diet Dr. Pepper. It's just not good enough.

The cool water of the shower cascaded over my shoulders and hair, which at first helped with my arousal, but when my already tight nipples got bathed in the water, the painful pleasure had me gasping, my head leaning against the tile of the shower, silently begging for something to help release the pressure inside me. I could feel the warm wetness dripping down the insides of my thighs, and knew that if my hands went anywhere near my waist, I'd be masturbating like crazy within seconds. The thing is, if I did, I'd be left frustrated and unsatisfied.

Taking deep, shuddering breaths, I quickly washed the areas that I could without increasing my arousal, and at least getting the sweat washed off of my arms, legs and shoulders. Finally, I did what almost every other time calmed me down. I massaged shampoo into my long hair, an herbal blend that I always use whenever I need inner peace. It takes a long time to wash my hair because it's so thick, so by the time I finished, I thought I might have myself under control.

At least, I thought I was under control, until I got out of the shower. The first sign to me that things weren't as calm as I had hoped was when my nipples tightened again as I pulled my terrycloth robe on. Fireworks sparkled in front of my eyes when the cotton scraped over my breasts, and I had to lean on my sink while I tried to regain control.

"Fuck this," I groaned, looking up into the mirror. The woman who looked back at me was desperate with lust and needed sex, regardless of if it was good or not. "I guess I'm going through a few batteries tonight."

I was heading back to my bedroom, my mind filled with thoughts of Mark's body and my vibrator trying to blend themselves, when a knock came at the door. I stopped and considered ignoring the knock, when it came again. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I could see it was almost eleven thirty.

Tabby, you better be out of cash and smashed out of your mind, I muttered to myself as I headed for the door. Because if you just came to see if I went home with Mark or not.....

My quiet monolog cut short when I opened the door, and I saw Mark standing, leaning against the door frame. "Sorry, did I interrupt you?"

I stood there like an idiot for at least five seconds, until Mark's face broke out in a bit of a cocky grin. "I guess I did. How was your shower?"