False Pretenses Read online

  “She and Cullen had been seeing each other for a couple years. Their relationship was off and on again. He loved her. I knew that.”

  Alyssa put a hand over her mouth. That’s why Cullen was so bitter about all Nathan owned. He must have felt like he could never measure up. “I can’t believe—”

  “It’s worse, Alyssa.”

  Make it stop.

  “I shouldn’t have asked.” She shut her eyes and lowered her head. The discomfort in her cheek intensified. “Do you have any pain meds?”

  “Damn it. I’m sorry. Let me get you something now.” He disappeared from the room. While she waited for him, she thought of the possibilities. Did she get pregnant and he had a child somewhere? Obviously, she and Cullen were no longer together.

  Nathan entered the room with a glass of water and pills. He handed them to her and stood over her while she swallowed them, and then took the glass to set on the nightstand. He raised her chin and examined her face. Concern darkened his eyes, and from the bulging vein in his temple, she guessed he’d like nothing more than to go to the police station and beat Cullen some more. Despite the sickening violence of it, knowing he’d protected her gave her a warm and cozy feeling.

  “Better?”

  She shrugged. “It’ll get there.” She lay in bed and pulled the sheets to her chin. Maybe if he thought she was too tired to listen, he wouldn’t continue his story. Curiosity won out over fear, and she had to ask. “What’s the worse thing you mentioned?”

  Nathan dropped to the bed beside her and stared at nothing. “I took her out on my yacht.”

  A cold chill raced down Alyssa’s spine.

  “She—we—were drinking and having a good time. Then she told me she’d fallen for me. I told her I didn’t feel that way about her. I thought she would take it in stride. I was wrong.”

  At the end, his voice went flat, unemotional, but instinct told her a lot more than indifference coursed through his mind.

  “The death was ruled an accident. I was below deck at the time. I don’t believe she killed herself—at least I tell myself that. One of the crewmen said he saw her leaning over the rail. He started toward her to try to convince her it wasn’t safe so late at night. Several of us heard a scream. Then she was gone.”

  Alyssa put a hand to her mouth, but the sob escaped. Nathan reached for her, but she shook her head. “I’m okay.”

  “I jumped in after her when I found out. So did the crewmen. We shined lights on the water and threw in a life preserver. Over and over we dove. Nothing. Now you know the true bastard that I am and how I destroyed two lives in one night.”

  “Nathan.”

  He watched her, but she couldn’t move, couldn’t reach out to him and hold him to tell him it was okay. Shock kept her immobile, clutching the sheets until her fingers hurt. After some moments, he stood up and walked to the door.

  “Why did Cullen single me out? I mean, I’d barely gotten here before he approached me.”

  He turned to face her. “For the simple fact that I’ve never brought a woman to meet my parents. It’s possible he saw us together in New York and made some inquiries, found out I intended to bring you here, and made sure to be down here at the same time.”

  “Oh.”

  He waited in silence, and then said, “I’ll arrange for you to return home tomorrow.”

  She didn’t answer, and he left the room without another word. Going home was the right thing to do. Nathan’s plan had not exactly backfired, but it hadn’t gone well. Her being here meant more stress on his dad. Who knew how the old man would react upon learning she’d been attacked in his home. He needed relaxation and to be surrounded by his family. She had to go, and yet…I’ve been dumb enough to fall for Nathan too—in just a few days.

  Unlike Monica Devereaux, however, she was not some weak woman who would drink herself silly or risk her life because of a broken heart. She would not confess to Nathan. After tossing back the covers, she stood to her feet and threw on a robe. The clock read four thirty. So little time had passed after so much happening. If she was going tomorrow, she wanted to spend her last hours with him. Maybe together they could forget the darkness, if just for a little while.

  Chapter Twelve

  Nathan swirled the amber liquid in his glass and took a swig. No matter how hard he tried to put it from his mind, he revisited the decision to tell Alyssa about Monica. Her eyes, full of shock and revulsion, clouded his mind until he could see nothing else. He’d thought…no, it didn’t matter what he thought. Cullen had hurt her because of him, and even while his blood boiled to get his hands on the man again, he deserved a beating as well. Five years ago, he had gotten off without a hitch. Correction—the law hadn’t punished him for his foolishness, but the guilt weighed without mercy. Now he would have to see Alyssa home and say good-bye to her.

  He downed the last of the drink and slammed it on the table before him.

  “Are you going to get drunk too?”

  He started, so absorbed in his thoughts he hadn’t heard her enter the room. She wore a robe, and he wondered about the nightie beneath and the body beyond that. Despite plans to wipe her from his mind, he couldn’t help wanting to touch and kiss her, to make love to her. Even with her bruises, she called to his lust.

  “Why are you up? You should be sleeping.”

  “I couldn’t. Not knowing you were down here alone beating yourself up.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’m not so delicate.”

  She approached, padding on bare feet. He focused on those long legs and sighed.

  “So you want me to leave?”

  “No.” Yes, get out of here while you still can.

  She sat down in front of him, almost in his lap. The mere act had her robe rising higher, and the expanse of her creamy brown thighs watered his mouth and hardened his dick. He ran a hand over his face and reconsidered that second drink. “I’m not in the mood for talking, Alyssa.”

  “Who said anything about talking?”

  He checked her eyes, soft and inviting. She couldn’t mean to tempt him. She’d just been manhandled, threatened with…and then he knew. Her lying beneath him, his cock driven deep into her heat, that’s what it would take to get through the rest of this night, until the memories receded to where he’d buried them. The same went for her. She wanted to erase the touch of a man he never should have allowed into his home. He’d known Cullen hated him because of their confrontation five years ago after Monica died, but him showing up at the house pretending to be Piper’s boyfriend? That had taken him by surprise.

  For a moment, he had believed it—until he saw his sister’s obvious misery. When she woke from her drunken slumber, he would confront her and find out the real problem. For now, Alyssa held all of his attention, and nothing could tear him from her side.

  “Come here.” He held out his hand and waited. She touched fingertips to his palm, sending arrows of need coursing through his body. Soon enough he’d place her beneath him and lose himself inside her sweetness.

  He leaned back on the couch, and she knelt between his legs. Her breasts strained against the thin material of her silk robe, the nipples pronounced. No way she wore a nightie, which added fire to his desire.

  “Open it. Let me see.”

  She reared back a little and did his bidding. First the smooth shoulders came into view, provoking a memory of him kissing there and nibbling at her neck. Then those luscious breasts popped free of the material, and he swore. Damn, those nipples were big, and the areolas so dark, he craved to lick and suck until she pleaded for him to take her. His hands itched to get a touch, but he held off.

  “More.”

  She unbelted the robe and let the filmy garment fall to the couch. A tiny waist, curvy hips, and a pussy shaved for his pleasure. Fuck yes!

  “Spread your legs, baby. Touch it. Let me see if you’re wet.”

  Again, she obeyed, and first ran a widespread hand over her belly, down across her navel, and lower to her heat.
She used the first and second finger to tease her clit and arched her back at the same time. The moan she uttered made him grit his teeth to stay where he was and not yank her to him. He liked her playing with herself for him.

  “Inside,” he commanded, and she pushed her fingers between her folds. He took it all in, watching as the digits disappeared, then slid out wet with her cream. Again, she pressed in, but he stopped her and pulled her hand away from her body. He raised it to suck on her fingers, enjoying the taste of her essence. She hissed and moaned his name. That did it. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He tugged, and she fell onto his chest. Holding her head at the angle he wanted, he devoured her mouth and thrust his tongue between her lips. A swift movement had her on her back and him above her, wedged pelvis to pelvis. His cock swelled all the more when he kneed her legs apart and planted himself between them.

  With fingers knotted in her hair, he kissed along her neck down to her chest. He explored lower to the beginning swell of one breast, but paused so he could enjoy the softness, the feel of the taut nipple on his cheek. Sliding a hand along her side, he leaned up to take his fill with the sight of her. So much smaller than he, Alyssa incited protectiveness, and yet, he was also the monster she needed to watch out for. He wanted to consume her, to take all she had to offer—and more.

  When he could stand it no longer, he licked her nipple and felt her shiver. Sucking it between his lips, he moaned, knowing the vibrations would drive her crazy. She squirmed and clutched at his shoulders.

  “Tell me you want more.”

  “M-More, Nathan. I want you inside me.”

  “Oh, you’ll get my cock, my love, but not yet. Right now, I’m going to eat your pussy. Tell me how you feel about that.”

  She whined and raised her hips. He laid a forearm on her thigh to hold her down.

  “Tell me, or you won’t get it.”

  “I want it. Eat my pussy, Nathan.”

  Explosive desire knocked him off-balance. She hadn’t spoken dirty to him in their previous sexual encounters. Not because he’d stopped her, but he hadn’t provoked it. “Yes! I like you talking dirty, baby. Say it again. Tell me what else you want.”

  “Eat my pussy, and I want you to fuck me. Nathan, I want your cock inside me as deep as it goes, and I want you to fuck me hard, really hard, until I can’t stand the stimulation.”

  His cock twitched so much he thought he’d come. He leaned down and sucked on her other nipple and let it pop from his mouth. Her thigh muscles quivered. “You’re a very good girl. For that, I’m going to have to give you a special present.”

  He slid lower and raised her legs. She stuffed the back of her hand to her mouth, and he knew it was to head off the coming scream. One lave at her nether lips had her keening. He took his time, first gathering the cream streaming from her sex and then working his tongue higher until he met her clit. She arched her back and cried out his name when he took the tiny bud into his mouth and gave it a little suck. When he let go, she protested, but he had to get his fill looking at her. Such dark chocolate, wet from his mouth and her juices. He stroked it from top to bottom and then sucked his own fingers so he could delve inside without hurting her. She whimpered and squirmed, but he pushed deeper. Her warmth surrounded him, and he remembered the feel cocooning his cock, milking it for his own juices.

  He let his head fall forward on her thigh, and he shut his eyes. A deep breath took in the scent of her essence. Alyssa didn’t know it, but she had full control of him. He’d give her whatever she wanted. How had he come to this place, wanting—no needing—a woman the way he did her. Thoughts of her consumed him, and to imagine letting her go once they were back in New York brought devastation and rage.

  Calm down, Nathan. To have a woman such as her, no, that didn’t bear fantasizing on. Just enjoy it for the time it lasts.

  He patted her pussy, giving it a light smack. She moaned and raised her hips. He pushed them back down and spanked her sweetness again. The slight sting seemed to take her to the edge. She would not last much longer. He leaned in and drew in her intoxicating aroma once more and then delved his tongue between her folds. With greedy hunger, he slid his tongue up her channel and pushed his nose against her clit. While he ate, he teased her bud, turning his head back and forth in tiny movements. She began fighting him, trying to raise her hips, tugging at his hair. A cry of pleasure left her throat, and then the quivering started and didn’t stop. Her thighs trapped his head between them. He didn’t let up but reached beneath her to cup her ass cheeks. Driving her tighter to his mouth, he ate and ate. Then it came—her raging orgasm, tearing through her, forcing control from her grip. He raised one of her thighs and kept laving that clit until she begged for mercy. Only then did he sit up and stare into her flushed face with satisfaction.

  “Now I take what you owe me,” he informed her.

  An eyebrow arched, and she put a foot in the middle of his chest. His cock strained for entry to her. The feigned resistance from her skyrocketed his desire.

  “You’re going to fight me?”

  She smirked. “I don’t think I have the energy.”

  He smacked her ass, making her yelp. “Good, because all I require you to do is spread your legs.”

  Her eyes flashed. “Bastard.”

  He grinned. “You love it.”

  “You’re telling me what I feel?”

  “Now you’re being a bad girl, sassing me. I think I need to punish you.”

  They stared at one another for a bit, and he waited for her reaction, hoping she’d try something. When she sat up as if to escape and grabbed for her robe, he snatched the garment from her and threw it to the floor. She twisted away from him, but this time he encouraged her in it by forcing her over until she lay flat on the couch facedown. He smacked her ass, and the hot and sexy part of her body rose, probably without her meaning for it to. Another thwack echoed in the room when he brought his hand down on the soft flesh. She scratched at the upholstery, trembling.

  He stroked that sweet little ass and then bent down to give each cheek a kiss. When he began kissing his way up her back, she moaned. He lay above her, spooning her ass. Rather than remove his robe and boxers, he shoved the material aside and knocked her legs wider with his knees. After all they’d done and how much they teased each other, he could not hold back. He stared down at her ass while he guided his cock into her pussy. So wet and inviting, it sucked him in until he lay buried to the hilt.

  “Fuck,” he growled and pushed harder. He covered her hands with his and curled her fingers into her palms. Leaning up, he pulled back almost to the tip of his cock and then jammed forward again. The impact of their bodies coming together sent bolts of pleasure throughout his groin. He withdrew and thrust once more, then again until he pounded nonstop into her pussy. He forgot everything—everything except the feel of claiming her body, making her his own, and not letting up until he found his release.

  “You want me to stop?” he demanded in her ear.

  “Never!”

  He crossed her arms over her chest, still holding her hands, and brought his weight down on her. The springs in the couch creaked in protest as he thrust inside her heat. Beneath him, Alyssa gasped and turned her head toward the door. He ignored the sound he’d heard as well. Daylight pierced the windows, and someone stirred in the house.

  “Nathan, someone’s awake.”

  He released her hand and ran fingers along her abdomen. Still, he drove his dick home. He would not stop even if his parents walked into the room. His orgasm began to build, and he gasped for breath. Something dropped in the hall. He raised one thigh to push Alyssa’s higher. Staring down at the their bodies, he took in the sight of how they molded together, her ass wedged into his pelvis as if they’d never separate again. Arching and pumping in unison, they fucked, and he loved every second, even the threat of being caught.

  “Nathan,” she moaned, and that did it. He thrust one last time and held it. His come exploded from his cock and flo
oded her channel. He pushed harder, deeper, then reached down her front to pinch her clit. She shouted through a second orgasm.

  “That’s better.” He rose and pulled her to her feet. She glared at him, but he only chuckled. “Didn’t you enjoy that?”

  She bent to grab her robe from the floor, and he enjoyed the curvy ass and the spreading of her pussy lips, now spilling with both their essences. To his disappointment, the view disappeared when she pulled her robe on and belted it with such vehemence, he couldn’t help laughing again.

  “Someone was probably out there listening, you know.”

  He shrugged. “I hope they enjoyed themselves. Now, come on. I want you to get some rest before eleven.”

  “Eleven?”

  He led her to the door and opened it. “Yes, the police station.”

  “Okay, I guess we have to do it.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll be there by your side the entire time. You can lean on me.”

  The softness in her eyes almost made him believe she loved him, but no, he’d told her the truth about what he did. Even if she had warm feelings before that, he’d killed them. Neither of them could deny the sexual desire, but it was all they had, and soon it would come to an end.

  * * * *

  Nathan leaned back in his seat with Alyssa at his side. His parents chatted across from him, and Piper occupied a chair near the window, away from the rest of them. He had an urge to pull Alyssa onto his lap, but resisted.

  “So how did everything go at the police station?” his dad asked, interrupting his thoughts.

  He considered how much to share in an effort to keep his dad from getting upset. “Fine. He was charged with felony assault and attempted kidnapping. I’m also going to talk to a doctor friend of mine and see if he can’t do up an affidavit stating he recommends Cullen get a psych eval and take it Tony Davis.”

  His father nodded in agreement. “The judge?”

  “Yes. He owes me a favor anyway.”