Dark knight, p.11
Dark Knight, page 11
He walks over and pulls me into his arms, bending to nuzzle my neck.
“I’ll do more than pinch you.”
The desire in his voice makes me shiver. It has been a few weeks since that first Sunday morning in Adrian’s kitchen. But every time he touches me it feels like the first time all over again. Somehow, when that weekend ended, we were a sort of ‘couple’, especially when we are out in public. As Adrian puts it, it is for my protection. No one messes with any woman affiliated with him.
I look up at him. “Promises promises,” I tease and try to skip away. But he tightens his hold on me.
“Don’t ask for what you can’t manage sweetheart.” He thrusts his pelvis against me, and I feel the hard ridge of his cock through his trousers. I slide my hand down and grip him gently.
“What makes you think I can’t handle it?” I squeeze for emphasis and am pleased to hear him groan low in his throat.
“Aurora-”
“Yes?” I smile up at him sweetly while continuing to rub his cock.
“Don’t fucking tempt me.” He drops a quick kiss on my mouth then steps back.
“Coward,” I mutter under my breath as he heads to the bathroom.
“I heard that!”
“You were supposed to!” I stick my tongue out at his retreating figure.
“I’ll show you where to stick that tongue later,” he continues, not missing a beat.
I laugh and begin to take off the cap and gown. I put them back in the suit bag and hang it in the closet. I trail a hand down the bag, still smiling. And my family arrives tomorrow. What more could I ask for in my life? I listen to the shower running and my smile slips slightly as I think of one more thing that would make my life complete or close to it: a man. And not just any man: Adrian Drakos. Trust me to pick the most dangerous underworld criminal to be all goo-goo about. That first week I had put my laptop to good use by finding every scrap of information I could about him. There was nothing more than a few articles outlining his business endeavours. After all, anything else would-be speculation and libel. So, a ‘businessman’ was a suitable title. But I know differently. I overhear snippets of conversation when we are in the club lofts. I see the kinds of people he meets and the guns he carries. And if the coffee shop shoot out is anything to go by, he does not carry them for show. I feel the sheer terror others display when in his presence. I feel the danger in the air when he is around. I know all of this, yet I feel a strange pull to him. And it is not just sexual.
I see an Adrian that is different. Especially on a Sunday which he has declared as his day off because ‘even God took a day off’, I see an Adrian who is relaxed, sociable, charming and funny. The Adrian who cooks and does laundry though he has a helper who comes in three times a week. I see the Adrian who has started working on his art again. I badgered him about getting a hobby and he finally caved one weekend and came home with a shitload of art supplies. A corner of the gym is now his makeshift studio.
The shower stops and I snap out of my reverie. I look up as he emerges with a towel slung low on his lean waist and one wrapped around his neck. I smile shyly, and he smiles back, walks over and pecks me on the lips. I watch him move around the room getting dressed, my eyes transfixed in the flex and dip of his sexy muscles. Yes. I like-like Adrian Drakos – a lot.
***
“They checked in this morning. Could you zip me up please? I turn my back to Adrian and move my hair out of the way.
“Someone’s nervous,” Adrian comments.
“Just excited. I haven’t seen my family for a while. I can’t believe they’re just a few blocks away!” I giggle excitedly.
“Relax.” Adrian pulls me back against his chest and wraps his arms around my torso. “Or I’ll make you. Matter of fact, the choice is no longer yours.”
Adrian wastes no time in raising the hemline of my dress and I feel cool air touch my legs.
“I bet she’s just twitching for me. And you’re wet as fuck. Are you?” he murmurs in my ear. I shiver and lean back into his warmth, allowing him to do as he pleases. I moan softly as his hand slides into my panties, and he finds my button. One stroke of his finger has me bucking back against him. I feel the ridge of his cock on my ass and grind back on him. He laughs softly. “Do you want it, baby?”
“Yes,” I grind on him shamelessly as he continues to stroke me.
“You want me to deflower you just before meeting your family? Nope. Not going to happen. When I pick this cherry, it will be an all-night into the next day affair.”
“Tease,” I say.
“I’ll show you who’s a tease.” Adrian lifts me into the air and spins so that I am facing the bed. He walks me over to it and puts me to sit. Instantly he drops to his knees. Our eyes meet and I do not have to be told what to do. I part my knees as his hands slide up my thighs. He pulls my panties down and off. A shiver courses through me when he devours me with his smouldering gaze.
“Lie back and enjoy,” he says huskily.
I close my eyes briefly then gasp his name when I feel his tongue lapping at my slit. He continues to lick me, occasionally dipping the tip of his tongue inside me. I feel that same tip come up and circle my clit. Then he moves up to take my clit fully in his mouth. I whimper and tremble under his skilful ministration. He strokes me and lick me. The combination soon has me on the edge.
“Come for me, Aurora,” he croons softly. He knows that is all it takes for me to cream and gush. My entire body is vibrating as my orgasm crashes over me. I close my eyes as I try to catch my breath. It never ceases to amaze me how Adrian is able to please me orally and it makes me want to go all the way with him even more.
“Look at me Aurora.”
I sit up and open my eyes to find him standing and looking down at me. Still holding my gaze, his hands go to his waist, and he undoes his belt. The button and zipper are next. I lick my lips in anticipation as I watch him pull out his erect cock. The head is dripping with precum, and I reach out a finger to touch him. He groans and closes his eyes momentarily. I take the opportunity to lean forward for a quick taste. He never allows me to go further than that.
“Fuck! Aurora!” Adrian steps back and takes his cock in hand. Biting my lip, I watch him fish my panties out of his pocket and place it over his cock head. Then he begins to jerk himself off. I watch in fascination as his hands moves hard, fast and rough on his cock. I can tell when he is about to come as his eyes darken almost to brown. He groans and then goes still. My eyes are transfixed on his swelling cock and my panties becoming translucent as he empties his seed into the fabric. He moves his hand slowly, milking himself. When he is done, he tucks the panties into his pocket and rearranges his clothing with a smile and drawls. “I love it when you watch me.”
I smile in return, “I love watching you.”
He leans down to kiss me then says, “Your parents and sister are waiting.”
I scurry to find another pair of panties and we are soon out the door.
***
I quickly place the cap and gown in the suit bag and straighten my dress a bit before walking out of the auditorium. It is finally over. I kiss the canister in my hand bearing the piece of paper for which I have worked so hard. It is not hard to spot my parents and Adrian as we have the only limousine in the parking lot. I had told him that we would have been fine in two separate vehicles.
“We drive together. End of discussion.”
As I approach the group, I smile from ear to ear. Adrian had really hit it off with my family the evening before. Rose had even asked if he had a younger brother and could hook her up.
“Hey! You’ve already got one daughter. You can’t have both in the Blake family,” my father had interjected. Yeah. Blake. Adrian and I had decided it was best my family, especially my father, not know his surname.
“Here she comes! Miss Graduate!” My mother chirps, clapping.
I rush to them. My mother and father hug me as Adrian takes the suit bag from my hands and presents me with a bouquet of red roses.
“These are beautiful!” I accept his kiss on my cheek.
“Shall we?” Adrian gestures to the car, and we all get in. We are soon at the restaurant and halfway through dinner when Adrian’s demeanour changes. He is looking at his phone. I catch a flash of irritation and smouldering anger cross his face but he masks it well and immediately when he lifts his head and looks around the table. He stands and I feel my heart drop. Not tonight. I know how his ‘business’ can be.
“I must apologize. I must run and take care of some urgent business matters.” He shoots my parents an apologetic look before leaning down and brushing his lips across mine while slipping me his card. “I’ll see you at home, baby.”
“Okay.”
I watch as he strides across the room and out the door. I sigh and turn to find three pairs of eyes on me.
“What?” I ask.
“Aurora’s in lo-ove!” Rose singsong.
“I’m not,” I giggle.
“I’m afraid she’s right, Aurora,” my mother chimes in with a knowing grin. “And he’s smitten as well.”
I snort, “Now that I disagree with. Adrian is not the mushy type.”
“He may not be. But his actions and eyes say it all,” my father reaches over to pat my hand. “He’s a nice chap and I approve.”
Dinner arrives and we dig in. I order something for Adrian as well, intending to take it home for him.
“Aurora, do you know that man? He keeps staring over here. And I think I saw him sitting near us at graduation as well.” She gestures to a spot just beyond my shoulder.
Trust Rose with her skills of observation to pick the bodyguard Adrian had selected for me out of a crowd. I turn and look at Gustav sitting a few tables away. He pretends to ignore me.
I shake my head, “I’ve never seen him before in my life.”
“No, no. Not that tall Viking looking one. That one.” She jerks her chin once more and I have to twist in my seat to look. I find myself staring at a dark man with curly black hair. As soon as I turn, he looks away. An inexplicable shiver runs down my spine.
My brows furrow slightly, “I don’t know him. Are you sure you saw him at graduation?”
“Positive.” Rose nods vigorously.
We finish our meal. According to Rose who has a clear view of our observer, he has not moved. When we head downstairs to the limo, I see Gustav discreetly get into his car. If only there was a way, I could alert him to the other man’s presence.
“There he is again,” Rose leans in and whispers. “Girl, you’ve got a secret admirer or something?”
I roll my eyes, “More like a stalker.”
“Adrian’s not going to like that.” Rose tsks.
“What have you two been whispering about all night?” my mother asks.
“Nothing!” We answer in unison and then crack up with laughter.
I take a quick look around and mark the kind of vehicle this strange man is driving. If Rose is correct and this man has been watching us all night, what is he up to?
The drive back to the hotel is not a long one. We make plans for lunch the following as they have decided to stay in the city for a few more days. As the limo pulls away from the curb, I crane my neck to look back. Shit! That man is following me! Raw panic takes hold of me. there is no Adrian to protect me. Adrian.
I pick up my phone and dial, praying that he will answer.
“Yes,” He answers.
“Adrian, I think someone is following me,” I tell him.
“Where are you now?” He asks, sounding worried.
“I just dropped them off at the hotel. Rose says he’s been following since graduation as she remembers seeing him sitting close by. Then he was at the restaurant,” I tell him.
“Meet me at Stefan’s club,” he orders.
“Okay.”
“See you soon.”
The call ends and I lean forward and tap on the connecting glass. I give the driver the new destination and he nods. I keep looking back, confirming that the tail is still on me. I will not feel safe until I am with Adrian. I can only hope this man does not make a move before I can get to him.
Chapter 25
Adrian
I strip off the latex gloves and drop them into the same metal box as the bat I had just used. I step around the bloody pulp of what remains of Alex Jackson. No one steals from me and gets away with it. For the sake of my warehouse workers, I hope he acted alone otherwise, we will have to round up the others and mete out a similar consequence.
I continue to undress as I walk out of the room, Dmitri on my tail. My bloody clothes are taken and join the gloves and bat. I step into the waiting shower and allow two of my men to hose me down thoroughly. Not a speck of blood or marrow can be found on me when they are done.
A fresh set of clothing is waiting in the office, and I am halfway through dressing when Aurora calls. The phone calls leave me feeling me uneasy. I wonder who smoked out with our ‘relationship’. I have made no secret of getting the word out on the street that we were living together. I knew I was setting her up as a target. But with Gustav watching her around the clock, she is as safe as the crown jewels. Whoever has come sniffing around now, it has taken them long enough.
I put on a brand-new pair of socks and shoes. Before standing and strapping my guns back onto my body.
“Anything this week as yet?” I ask Troy as he enters the office.
He shakes his head, “Not since the last two stiffs turned up on Saturday.”
“Any word from Jon and Oscar on their end?” I ask.
“They got one night before last.”
“Same mo.?”
Troy nods.
The body count has been growing. By the fourth body in a box with a red rose in its mouth, the Marcos brothers and I smelled a rat. There must be a third party involved and they are going to a shit load of trouble to get us going at each other’s throats. And so, we did just that – publicly. But behind closed doors, we have pooled our resources to smoke out this instigator. And now this person trailing Aurora reminds me that she is a key element in this matter as well.
I sense her presence before she walks into the room. She comes straight into my arms and buries her face in my neck. Troy and Dmitri grin at me as I jerk my head indicating that they should leave. As soon as the door closes behind them, I slant my mouth over hers, kissing her deeply. I feel her anxiety begin to slip away. I raise my head and kiss her forehead before releasing her completely.
“Now tell me about this man who’s been following you.”
“It’s Rose who pointed him out. He’s dark and stocky with curly black hair,” she replies.
“Troy!” I shout.
He pops his head in almost immediately, followed by Dmitri. I run my hand along Aurora’s cheek.
“Go on.”
“He’s driving a tan sedan. It’s got a sunroof and the front plate is hanging a bit crooked. It’s Illinois plates as well.”
“Got that?”
Troy and Dmitri nod and leave.
Aurora buries her face in my shoulder once more and I feel her trembling. I kiss the top of her head and hug her tightly. “You’re safe, sweetheart. You know no one dares lay a finger on you when you’re with me right?”
“I know,” she nods. She looks at me and takes a deep breath. There is an expression I cannot fathom.
“What is it?”
She smiles and my heart does a somersault. It has been doing that a lot lately whenever she is around.
“I graduated today.”
I laugh. “Yes, you did. I’m proud of you.”
“I’m proud of me too.” She adjusts my ties and frowns. “Did you change ties? This is not the one you had on at dinner.”
“It got wet. You’re very observant,” I say.
“You don’t live with a police officer with a specialisation in investigation without picking up a few skills. That’s how Rose noticed that guy.”
“I wonder what he has surmised about me.”
She looks up at me again, giving me that same secretive look.”
I raise an eyebrow, “What?”
“He loves you, actually.”
I smile, “That’s good to know.”
“Did you get your business taken care of here?” She goes back to toying with my tie.
“Yes. I had just completed the transaction when you called.”
“So, are you going to be here much longer? Or are you coming home tonight?” She asks softly. Her fingers are trembling slightly as she keeps her gaze on my tie.
“I’m coming home tonight. As soon as Troy and Dmitri pick up your tail we’ll go home.”
She smiles up at me. “Good.”
Half an hour later we pull into the parking garage. I take her suit bag in one hand and her hand in the other as we make our way to the elevator. She has been quiet for most of the ride home and has a small smile on her lips. I squeeze her hand slightly and she looks at me. I can swear I see her blush as she looks away with that little smile.
We get to the door and Dmitri goes through his routine. We say our goodnights and I arm the alarm. I turn to Aurora and kiss her lightly on the lips. “Close your eyes, baby. I have a graduation gift for you.”
“You do? Adrian, you know you didn’t have to get me anything, right?”
I place my finger on her lips and smile. “Close them.”
I stare at her for a split second as she obeys. I peck her lips once more.
“Don’t move and don’t open them.”
“Okay.”
I walk over to the dining table and find the box I had placed there this afternoon after she had left. I go back to the living room and find her standing in the same place, her eyes closed and a grin on her face.
“Hold out your hands.”
I place the box on her palms.
“Open.”
Chapter 26
Aurora
I open my eyes and find a rectangular box in my hands. I open it and gasp.
