Inside the Lines: Without a Trace series, a contemporary erotic romance novel (14 page)

There’s a cool trickle of nerves down my back. Ella has yet to meet Fin, and while her approval is not critical…I want her to like him. Glancing behind me, I realize that he really
is
nervous. I take his hand, pulling him close. “They’re going to love you.” I look up into his dazzling blue-green eyes, and he smiles in return.

“Aye, well, there’s not much I can do if they don’t, I suppose.” His expression softens. “As long as ye do, that’s all that matters.”

We haven’t broached the “L” word, which, really, it’s only been…six weeks? Seven? Is there some criteria for when such things should be discussed? Nonetheless, fear snakes through my gut, and I force it away. I press my lips to his briefly, then lead him to my friends.

Ella wears a stunning red dress, complete with horns and a cape. When she sees me, she nearly squeals. “Oh my God, look at you. I love it! Come here.” She pulls me into an embrace, careful of the wings, but I feel her notice Fin over my shoulder. “So this is the hunk of Scottish lust behind you, eh?” she whispers in my ear.

I introduce Fin to Ella, and she nods approvingly in my direction. I roll my eyes, but inwardly, I’m pleased. When Ian finishes his conversation, he leans down to buss my cheek and greets Fin with a handshake.

“Wait—I’ve met you before. You were at my parents’ farm, working with the new filly.”

“Aye, sir, and a fine girl she was, too.”

The two men start talking horses, and Ella and I share a glance that says,
men.

“Where’s my adorable godchild?”

“Come with me.” Ella leads me to the library where she’s closed the doors to keep people out. “All the excitement was a bit too much for my darling. But she’s out like a light anyway.” She sighs, reaching down inside the travel crib. Her finger follows the curve of Mia’s cheek, and even in sleep, the baby turns towards it, her mouth curling in a half smile.

Babies are cute in general, but this child is especially beautiful, if I do say so myself. She’s dressed as a piece of candy corn, and I snag a photo of her with my cell phone. “Argh, I was hoping I’d get to hold her.”

Ella snorts lightly, careful not to wake Mia. “Trust me, you don’t want to.” She gestures to a small stain on her dress, unnoticeable until she points it out. “My child is adorable, but her need to mark every single damn piece of clothing is wearing thin quickly.” She levels a gaze at Mia, but her annoyance quickly fades to affection.

“Sit with me,” she says, gesturing to a small couch along the back wall of the room.

While the noise of the party permeates, there is a hushed stillness with a sleeping child, and it’s surprisingly relaxing.

“So…spill.” She narrows her light blue eyes, so similar to her brother’s that it’s a bit eerie at times. “Who’s the new guy? And hello, can we say hot
and
Scottish?”

I shrug, feeling the heat crawling into my cheeks. “There’s not much to say. We’ve been dating for…a month and a half? Maybe a little longer—”

“Wait, it’s been that long, and I’m just now meeting him? What’s with the secrecy, woman?” She’s teasing, but there’s a bit of hurt beneath it, I think.

“Hardly keeping him a secret. I told you about him when we went to dinner forever ago.” I nudge her shoulder with mine. “Last I checked, you’re swamped with motherhood, a full-time business, and a husband.”

Her face drops. “I’m a horrible friend.”

“No, no! That’s not what I mean. It’s just…you’ve been busy. And I get that. We haven’t hung out in a long time, like we used to. And it’s okay. That’s what happens when you have a family.”

She shakes her head. “No, Lux, it’s me. Ian’s pushed me to get out of the house more than just for work. We even have a nanny for the days I’m working with Noah. Between Mia running fevers, writing murder mysteries, and parties galore, I’ve been…” She stops herself, then seems to change her mind. “No, this is my fault. I know you’ve been trying to work on your own business, and I’ve been so consumed, I haven’t even asked about it. I’m sorry.”

This conversation is not turning out as I thought it would. “It’s okay, really. I get it, Ells. Truly.”

She hugs me, her arms strong, and she kisses the side of my head. “Love you. We need to have a standing date. Every week.” She thinks for a moment. “Maybe every other week?”

I laugh. “How about, we’ll pick a regular night, and we’ll take turns at each other’s abodes? That way, you don’t always have to leave the fort untended.”

She agrees, but her hand reaches for mine. “Are you feeling any better about things?”

I don’t know how to answer her question. Am I feeling better? When I’m with Fin, of course. When I’m working, I’m fine. But my worries over Kinked continue to mount—even though I’ve finally scheduled another date to meet with Nance one week from today. These aren’t topics for a party, however, so I squeeze her fingers. “I’m good.” I smile and nod to punctuate the statement, and that seems to satisfy her.

Returning to the party, Ella introduces me to more names and faces than I will ever remember, but then a dark-haired, tall man steps beside her, and I have no problem recognizing him.

“Mick!” Ella reaches for the A-list actor Mick Jeffries, hugging him close, then does the same with his wife, a well-known starlet who just won an award for best supporting actress. I’ve met them before, so more hugs are exchanged, and we chat for a while. He’s one of the many celebrities Ella and Noah have planned parties for.

I check on Fin out of the corner of my eye, but he and Ian are talking with a bunch of people, and he seems completely at ease. His kilt shows off his muscular calves, and the cream shirt ties in the front, revealing just a hint of his chiseled collarbone and chest. When he catches my eye, he smiles sweetly, but there’s suggestion beneath it, and my core heats up.

Down, girl.

It’s several hours later when I catch up to him. “Hey, social butterfly, we should probably get going,” I whisper when I track him down near the traditional punch bowl.

“I nearly forgot. Let me just say good-bye to Ian and his wife.”

We trail over to them, and with lots of hugs and kisses to send us on our way, we head for the BMW.

“Now, what might I expect at the next party?”

I take a breath. “The absolute opposite of this one.”

Chapter 17

When in Rome

Stephen’s house is on the Upper West Side, so by the time we finally find a spot to park—one of the many reasons I’ll never own a car in NYC—it’s just before midnight. I’m ready to shed this corset and tulle, but I paste a smile on my face as we traipse towards the door.

I grab Fin’s hand. “Just remember—anything goes. Try not to stare, unless it seems welcome. And don’t touch anyone, as you never know what that might get you into.” I think for a second. “Oh, and don’t agree to anything. He’ll have several slaves ready to submit to a willing Master, so whatever happens, don’t nod, say yes, or look interested. Unless you are, of course.”

He makes a manly noise that sounds suspiciously like the infamous Scottish grunt. “Hmphmm. I think I’ll let ye do the talking, just to be on the safe side.” He curls his fingers beneath my chin, feathering a light kiss against my lips. “Ye’re the only woman I wish to have mastering me…or submitting to me for that matter.” He winks.

I smile, but inside, I’m quivering. We’ve discussed the whole let-me-tie-you-up-like-you-did-to-me thing several times. Not because he’s pushed the issue, but because I don’t know that I’ll ever be ready for it. And I still don’t know what to do about it. Yet there’s a part of me that can’t stop thinking about it.

Inside Stephen’s large, one-story townhome, we’re ushered into a dark, sophisticated dream. There’s a hookah room, an artist’s alley, and when you walk further back, you discover what really makes Stephen’s parties a hit: the anything-goes event.

And I do mean anything.

I watch Fin’s face, enjoying the play of reactions as we step into the dusky space that is normally a game room. Tonight, it’s been cleared of all furniture, except for some plush chairs. Thick rugs line the hardwood floor, and given how many people are naked and in varied positions upon its lush fibers, that’s probably a good thing. Heavy bass fills the air, pumping a haunting rhythm that seems alive against a backdrop of sexual energy. From BDSM and fetish play to outright sex, the orgy before us moves to its own beats and kink.

Fin bites the inside of his lip, probably to keep his jaw from dropping. “You dinna adequately describe the level of debauchery, love,” he says softly in my ear.

“Have I offended your delicate sensibilities?” I return, teasing and sliding my leg between his, enjoying the feel of his cock stiffening against me.

“In many, many ways.” His mouth captures mine in a sensual kiss, and the din of the room is forgotten for the moment.

We escape to the relative quiet of the artist’s alley, where local creative minds offer some of their wares. It’s set in the dining room, while the caterers work at a frantic pace in the kitchen. Stephen wanders by, his blond hair a beacon in the dim mood lighting.

He spots us immediately. “My doves, you made it.” He wears a fashionable pair of jeans and a silk shirt, complete with leather slippers, which is so Stephen.

Stephen kisses my cheek, hugs Fin with exuberance, and then stands back. “Love the vibe you’ve got there, Lux. And damn, boy, you do clean up.” While costumes were optional for the party, given the reasons why most people attend, they’re generally not convenient. It’s likely we’re the only ones dressed up for the holiday.

Believe it or not, Stephen was—and still is, when a regular calls him up—a heterosexual escort, though he’s not straight or gay. He describes himself as pansexual, and for as long as I’ve known him—since high school—that’s as good a descriptor as any. When hired for a job, he’s as alpha male as they come, but left to his own devices, he tends towards a more boisterous, slightly effeminate flare.

“Drinks? Food? We’re just getting started.”

Fin clears his throat. “Aye, well, it looks like the backroom’s been going for a while.”

Stephen chuckles but waves a hand. “Not even. Well, I did say a few could get started early, but trust me, this is nothing. Give it another hour. I’ll have people fucking on the roof.”

Given that his home is a townhouse, I rather hope that isn’t the case, but I’ve been to Stephen’s parties before. They almost always have a sexual component, and they fill up fast. I wonder if he’s paid off his neighbors not to complain, because I’ve no idea how he gets away with this otherwise.

“How’s the wheels, Fin? Enjoying the feel of luxury?”

Fin reddens a touch. “Aye, it does the job.”

Stephen heaves a sigh and leans down towards me. “You can take the boy outta the country…”

I shake my head. “You think everyone should drive ridiculously expensive cars.”

“And the problem with that?”

I’m saved from answering when Stephen is called away by the caterers. “Have fun, my sweets! Do
everything
I would do.” With an air kiss, he heads for the kitchen.

“So…what do we do, exactly? This doesn’t seem the kind of place where you ‘mingle.’” Fin slips an arm around my waist.

I kiss him. “Well, we could watch. Or we could have some fun ourselves.” I gauge his expression, not wanting to push him too far.

He scratches the back of his neck, giving himself away. “How about, I’ll trust ye and let ye decide what we do?”

“God, you are such a man. But I love you anyway.” The minute the words are out of my mouth, I’d do anything to take them back. I’m not even sure I mean them. I said them, so therefore, on some level, I must mean them, right? Shit. I’m not supposed to say
it
first. Or at least, not without some very solid intuition that it’ll be returned. But I said the big “L” word. There’s no going back on it now.

If he sees the fear in my eyes, I don’t know. He definitely heard what I said, as when I dare to meet his gaze again, there’s a softness there to which I’m not sure how to respond.

With the loud music and commotion around us, it’s unlikely that I’ll hear him when he leans down. But he enunciates very carefully so I don’t miss a syllable.

“I love ye as well.”