Deception (Infidelity #3)(89)
“Her mother told me that she’s working for Montague Corporation. Do you think that’s coincidental or just plain weird?”
“I suppose it could be either.”
I tilted my head and stretched out my plea. “I was wondering… if in your spare time… you could do a little research? I just want to know that my family isn’t up to something.”
“I’ll see what I can learn.”
A weight lifted from my chest as if I’d passed the baton of concern from me to her. From the little she’d learned about my trust fund, I knew I was passing my distress to capable hands. “Thank you, Deloris. You’re the best.”
The sound of an incoming call rang through my phone. I looked at the screen.
NOX - PRIVATE NUMBER
I hadn’t changed the name he’d entered in Del Mar.
“I need to go. Nox’s calling.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know what I discover,” Deloris replied.
“Thanks again.”
I swiped the screen.
“Hey,” I said with more joy in my voice than I’d felt all afternoon.
“Princess,” Nox’s deep velvety voice rumbled through me, washing away the last traces of anxiety over Chelsea and filling me with his presence. “Tell me you’re home,” he demanded.
My fingers instinctively went to my necklace. “I’m sure you can look at your phone and figure out exactly where I am.”
“I can,” he confirmed. “But I like hearing it from you better.”
“I’m home.”
“Is Lana there?”
“She just arrived,” I said.
“Tell her not to worry about dinner. I’m taking the most gorgeous woman in New York City out to dinner tonight.”
“You are? What will I eat while you’re out?” I asked with a smirk.
“Have I mentioned how much I love that sassy mouth?”
“Is there a special occasion?” My thoughts volleyed between excitement to be out on a date and the reading assignment that was due on Monday.
“Yes,” his voice slowed. “I plan to wine and dine her so I can seduce her later.”
My heart fluttered as my cheeks rose. “Mr. Demetri, that sounds intriguing. However, I’d bet any woman would be open to the suggestion of your seduction, even without the wine and dine.”
“But you see, I don’t want any woman. I want the woman who takes my breath away on a daily basis. I want the enamoring and alluring woman who blows my mind with her stubborn, smartass replies. I want the woman who’s intelligent beyond my comprehension. I know that she is excessively gifted, because she reads these ridiculously thick law books that would put me to sleep with only one paragraph. And I know she reads those books, because even though she has her own office and I’ve told her not to, she leaves them lying around the apartment.”
My smile grew. “Maybe you should bring that up to her?”
“Yes, princess, reminding her of my rules was part of tonight’s plan.”
I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. “After the wine and dine?”
“Whenever I say, because let me tell you that right now even the thought of what I have planned is making me uncomfortable. You see, I’m lucky enough to know what it’s like to have that gorgeous woman near me, to listen to her sweet voice—her moans and cries.”
Fuck!
“I’ve seen her fine ass reddened and know how tight she is when she’s coming apart around me.”
“Jesus, Nox.” My words were more of a whimper as my ass tingled with phantom redness. I loved that even after my confession of childhood issues, Nox didn’t treat me with kid gloves. Instead, he made me feel strong and capable in the midst of his dominance.
“So be a good girl,” he said, “and tell Lana to leave, or she may be in for more of a show than she wants.”
I nodded, trying to moisten my tongue and lips, but it was quite obvious that my mouth had gone dry, sending all the moisture to another part of my body. “Yes, Mr. Demetri. And when will you be arriving?”
“Six sharp, but you have a delivery coming any minute.”
“I do?”
“Your clothes for our evening,” he said. “Listen carefully, because I expect to be obeyed. The only items I want added to the ensemble that will arrive are those fuck-me black shoes and your necklace.”
My insides torqued at the memory of the shoes he described planted on the dashboard of the Boxster on Highway 101.
“Do as you’re told,” Nox warned, “and I’ll be nice and let you come. I believe it’s time to bring your vibrator back to life.”
“And if I don’t do as you say?” I asked playfully.
Nox laughed. “Sassy and sexy. Don’t worry, princess, I have plans for that too.”
The line went dead.
I sat unmoving for a minute, my chest rising and falling with exaggerated breaths as I imagined the possibilities for Nox’s plans. And then, hearing the sound of pots and pans coming from the kitchen, I stood.
“Lana,” I called as I headed her direction.
I STARED NERVOUSLY at the full-length mirror in our dressing room. When I’d opened the large box that had arrived earlier in the day, I gasped, shocked at the dress Nox had ordered. It wasn’t the dress itself. It was beautiful: direct from Saks Fifth Avenue with a designer tag. What surprised me was the color.