Mastered by His Touch-Complete Box Set (8 page)

Doesn't matter. All that's important is that I have the key, which nobody knows. That removes me from the equation. I'm still an innocent bank employee who has nothing to do with this.

Until I do what I'm about to do, that is.

Chapter 2

The Bay Towers complex stood at the water's edge. Two glittering white pillars of glass and concrete reaching to the sky in the struggling sunshine. Very expensive address.

I looked around. Vendors sold trolley tours from kiosks. Rows of school buses on field trips were parked near the Aquarium. Food vendors sold sausage sandwiches. A tall craggy man in a gray suit with a Fedora leaned on a corner while smoking a cigar. He was looking at me.

My heart jumped a little at the guy in the Fedora. He looked way out of place. Actually, he looked like he belonged in the 1940s. His gaze didn't waver. He held my eyes when I looked directly at him.

I sped up my pace across the brick-lined walkway that led to the private entrance of Bay Towers. Right before I got there, I turned around. Fedora guy was following me.

Shit.

I straightened up and walked through the doors into the lobby. Elegant yet understated, it was decorated in off-white tones that bespoke wealth. Comfortable-looking couches were lined up under floor-to-ceiling windows with a view to the harbor.

There was a pretty blonde girl working the desk and a big security man in a blue suit standing by the elevator. Hmmm. My plan had been to just walk to the elevator like I lived there but the look on the big man's face told me I'd better not do that.

I turned to the desk, switching on my customer service charm.

"Hello, my name is Kiri Than," I said. "I'm here to see Mr. Storm."

She tapped some keys on her computer. I turned my head left and saw Fedora guy nearing the entrance. Fuck me.

"Hmmm," said the girl with a fake sad smile, "I don't see your name on the approved visitors list. I'm sorry."

"That's strange," I said. "I'm from QV Bank and we had an appointment to discuss some very important matters. Is there any way you could call Mr. Storm and tell him I'm here?"

"I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to confirm or deny whether or not anyone lives here and if you're not on the approved visitors list then there is nothing I can do."

Fedora guy walked in, heading directly toward me. I felt a chill drift through the lobby.

"Okay," I said. "But I really don't think Mr. Storm will appreciate this. He really wanted to go over–"

"It's okay, Jenny," said Fedora guy as he stood next to me. "You can let her up."

I turned and looked at him. Everything about him was gray. Gray eyes, gray suit, almost gray skin. His face looked like it was carved from stone. He could be anywhere from forty to seventy but I couldn't tell.

"My name is Forrester," he said without emotion, looking directly into my eyes. "I work for Mr. Storm."

He gestured toward the elevator. I turned and walked. He came with me. The burly security guy moved out of the way without smiling.

I didn't like the thought of getting in the elevator with this stranger but I didn't seem to have much of a choice. The door opened. I stepped in. Forrester joined me.

Of course, I could ask if Caden Storm would come down to meet me in the lobby. That would feel safer.

Too late. The elevator door closed and I was on my way up. Fine. Whatever happens, happens.

We said nothing as the numbers rose. Once they hit 44, they stopped but didn't open. Forrester put a round key into a keyhole underneath the floor buttons, turned it, and the door opened.

Forrester motioned me forward without a smile. I think his chin might fall off if he tried.

I stepped into a plain but elegant vestibule with a mirror over a low table. On the table sat a small lamp and a bouquet of spring flowers.

Directly ahead of me was a large oak door with elegant squares carved into it. To its left was a keypad with a red light.

Forrester walked up to the keypad, covered it with one hand, and typed a code in. There was a click. The red light turned green.

He opened the door and motioned me in.

I took a deep breath.

Here we go.

What I stepped into was unlike any apartment I had ever seen. Hell, it was unlike any private home I had ever seen.

Decorated in a modern masculine style with a white theme, it was a spacious and airy home with multiple rooms, gently separated by spaces and levels.

Each room was higher or lower than the other rooms. The huge kitchen was the highest with three steps leading down to a living area with a huge white couch and glass coffee table. Modern but non-pretentious art decorated the walls.

Another level down was a sitting area by huge windows leading to an outdoor patio that looked out at the vast ocean. A small bar with an array of liquors was built into the dividing wall between the sitting area and the kitchen. To my left and further down was another living area that led into a private hallway.

The place itself seemed to hum with sexual energy. It shouted
I am man.

"Mr. Storm is on his way," said Forrester. "I just called him. He said to help yourself to anything in the kitchen."

Before I had a chance to say anything, Forrester was out the door and I was alone in the vast kingdom of Caden Storm.

I'm pretty certain Forrester isn't a butler or typical personal assistant. He had no personality and there was a distinct energy inside him. Kind of like a coiled snake waiting to strike. The same feeling I got from Agent Henderson.

So here I am. What do I do now?

May as well wander around a bit. After all, he knows I'm here.

As I moved from room to room, I felt H's presence. Even though I now know his real name, he's still H to me. Addictive like heroin.

I thought of him here, doing whatever he does. In one of the living areas, I picked up a pillow from the couch and put it up to my face, breathing in a hint of musk and pine.

Ding!

Was that the elevator? No, that was my clit. She was firing up.
Down, girl.

I gently replaced the pillow and took a deep breath. But I couldn't stem the flow. All around me was the imprint of the most stunning man I had ever seen. I felt like I was alone with him right now in this empty cavern that is both rugged and elegant at the same time.

Nope, couldn't stop it. My girl was happy and when she gets happy she gushes uncontrollably.

Steel yourself, Kiri. You're here to find answers and return the damned key, not to lose control of yourself yet again. Get a grip!

I sat on the couch with my knees together and closed my eyes. I tried some deep breathing.

How many women have been here on this couch?

Shit, that's a bothersome thought. I saw pictures of H with an Asian girl, a blonde, and a Brazilian.

You
know
there are more. There must be more. Those three probably aren't even the tip of the iceberg. Not for a man like Caden Storm.

Breathe, Kiri, breathe!

I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths, attempting to calm both my thoughts and my liquid secretions.

The door clicked.

I shot up, pulling down my skirt and fluffing my hair. My heart went wild.

The door opened.

And there he was.

Chapter 3

A fire shot through me as Caden Storm's aquamarine eyes zapped me with their intensity. Each time was like the first. I just completely lost it. Again. And didn't care. Fuck it. Let the river run.

He wore another light gray spring suit today with a purple pin-striped shirt, shiny black shoes. No tie. He had a nice bit of stubble going on. I wondered what it would feel like brushing past my cheek.

"Kiri," he said as he closed the door and put down his briefcase. "You found me."

"Yes... um... hi."

Oh shit, not this again. Act like a goddamned woman, Kiri! Stop this starstruck teenager bullshit right fucking now!

"Although I'm glad you did," he said, "I wish you hadn't."

I couldn't process that so I just skipped over it.

"Caden Storm," I said.

"Yes," he said. He stared at me deeply like he couldn't avert his eyes.

"Not Horace Willoughby."

"No," he said with a laugh.

"Not Horace Willoughby who cons the con artists. Who gets back the gold so he can win over Antonia."

His eyes went wide. He smiled a big smile and took a step closer to me. I felt a buzzing electricity in the space between us. I think I moved toward him too. Or maybe the Universe just magnetically pulled us closer.

"You read the book," he said.

"Yes," I said. "I went to the library and read their copy. Well, not all of it. Parts. But I got the gist of it. I know I'm breaking all the rules by coming here. But you broke the rules by giving me this key."

I took the key out and handed it to him. He didn't move.

"The key is yours, Kiri," he said. "Everything in the box is yours."

"Look, no offense, but that's just crazy," I said. "I don't know what you're doing or what you're up to but I can't be a part of it. I need to return this key and get back to my regular life. I can't be a part of whatever scam you're running."

"What makes you think there's a scam?"

Should I tell him about Agent Henderson? No, I think I'll hold back on that.

"Well, it has to be," I said. "What kind of man puts a hundred thousand dollars in a safe deposit box under a fake name?"

He just kept looking at me. God, I wish he wouldn't do that. I can't seem to look away. The energy between us kept buzzing, energizing, electrifying.

"The kind of man who wants to return property to someone it belongs to," he said, "but who doesn't want prying eyes to know."

"That's why you walk in like you own the bank and attract all kinds of attention to yourself?"

He laughed.

"Well I admit, I could have been more discreet," he said. "And I shouldn't have flirted with you."

No, that part was okay. You can do that all you want. Don't you fucking understand me?

"I need answers, H," I said. "People are asking too many questions and I'm going a little crazy. I think I'm being followed too."

"Followed?" he said as his eyes squinted. I saw genuine concern in his face.

"So you've got to take back this damned key! That's why I'm here."

I put the key on the chair to the right of me.

There was a long pause as he just stared at me for a minute, like he was trying to figure out how he was going to handle this. I saw confusion in his eyes. I tried to swallow and realized my mouth was dry.

"Well, you're here and I'm glad you're here," he said.

He took another step toward me. I wanted to back up but couldn't. I was pulled to him by the now swirling magnetic energy pounding away in the space between us.

Oh God, he's going to kiss me!

I swear he looked at me like he was losing control too. Like neither of us were able to control ourselves. His left hand reached out to my right arm. My right arm involuntarily lifted to meet his.

But somehow we missed.

Something crossed his face. I couldn't read the emotion, but whatever it was made him turn and move away without completing the touch. His left hand went up behind his head and he walked toward the patio. Almost like he forced himself to break the electrical connection. Outside the window behind him, the gray-blue ocean stretched to Cape Cod, highlighting his powerful frame as he walked toward it.

What happened? What kept him from moving closer to me? I was sure he was going to kiss me. And I was going to let him. What the fuck?

Kiri, that's not what you came here for! You need answers! You need to find out what's going on so you can get yourself out of this mess!

"I heard you met Forrester," he said as he walked up to the bar.

"Yes," I said.

"Forrester is a good man. He's saved my life twice."

H... Caden... added some ice to a martini shaker.

"I wasn't sure what to think of him," I said. "I saw him following me right outside and he kind of freaked me out a little... until I learned he worked for you, that is."

"The only reason you saw Forrester is because he let you see him," he said. "When he follows somebody, he's like an invisible gray ghost."

Caden poured some Belvedere vodka and Bombay Sapphire gin into the shaker. Then he added Blue Curaçao, Midori, and some lemon juice. He took two martini glasses out of a small freezer and placed them on the bar top. He shook the shaker, then poured it into the two martini glasses. He held one out to me.

Oh, what the hell. Who cares if it's only one in the afternoon and I haven't had lunch yet? May as well make another bad decision. I'm getting good at it.

I stepped down to the balcony level and took the drink. He walked to the glass doors that led outside. He swung them open and walked out, motioning me to join him.

When I stepped outside, it was clear that the sun had won the battle with the clouds. What had started out as a cold gray day had magically transformed to a sunny delight. Near seventy degrees, I would guess.

Caden had walked around a small round table with four chairs around it. He was at the edge, leaning on the railing. I walked around the other side of the table, dazzled by the view as I stood next to him.

To my right the waterfront hotels and buildings stretched out toward the South Shore. A cruise ship was docked at one of the big wharves. The land beyond curled down to Plymouth and beyond to the Cape.

To my left Logan Airport sprawled out like a big flat pancake. A jumbo jet gracefully tipped into the air. Beyond I could see all the way up the North Shore. Is that Revere Beach up there at the end? Yes, I think it is.

But the most spectacular part of the view was the ocean itself. A vast canvas of bluish grey, it stretched a surreal magnificence all the way to the horizon. A smattering of all kinds of boats dotted its surface.

H... Caden... leaned on the railing. I moved to stand beside him. It felt weird, like I'm breaking the rules. He's a customer at my bank. And here I am in his apartment on his balcony.

I sipped my drink.

Damn, that's good! And fucking strong.

He turned and looked at me. The light spring wind picked up the little wavy endings of his hair in the breeze.

"You've become a beautiful young woman, Kiri," he said.

Become? Since when?

"Have we met before?" I said.

He looked at me puzzled.

"You don't remember me?" he said.

"No," I said.

The
no
seemed to hang in the air between us for an eternity. He kept looking at me. I didn't know how much more of that I could take before I threw myself at him.

Kiri, focus! Answers, come on now, answers.

"Where do we know each other from?" I said as I took another big sip.
Zing!
went the alcohol.

The disturbed painful look returned to his face. He withdrew again, like a bad memory hit him. He turned and stared out at the ocean, like he was contemplating something.

Just as quickly as the dark cloud passed over him, it vanished. Then he turned back to me with his fun and flirty smile.

"Well, from QV Bank on Boylston Street, of course," he said playfully. "Don't you remember me? I came in and you helped me open up a safe deposit box."

On my empty stomach, the alcohol was on the fast lane to my brain. Probably shouldn't be having it after fainting once already today. Oh, fuck it.

"I don't recall that at all," I said with a sly smile as I leaned on the railing and twirled my hair. "Maybe you can help me remember. What were you wearing?"

Uh-oh, now I've done it. I'm flirting back. It's my clit's fault. She's attempting a takeover. Silly clit. This is NOT what I came here for.

I felt myself drifting closer to him. I took another big sip. Only one left.

Easy, Kiri. Remember why you're here. Stay focused.

"I was the tall and incredibly good-looking man in the Anderson & Sheppard suit. You couldn't have missed me."

He swallowed his entire drink down and put the glass on the round table.

His eyes refocused on mine. The humming buzzing cloud of magnetism was back. Torrents of wet sparks gushed out of me uncontrollably. I didn't care anymore.

I wasn't sure if I was moving toward him or he was moving toward me. All I know is that neither of us could help it, apparently.

"Hmm, no, doesn't ring a bell," I said. "Give me some more details."

I chugged down the last of my drink and put the empty glass on the table next to his. I almost touched his arm.

"You melted when I put my key in the hole and our hands touched," he said. "I could smell your heat. I could almost taste you. Now do you remember?"

Somehow we had become about an inch apart. I felt the heat from his body on my chest. My nostrils filled with the scent of sea salt and musky pine. Tingles drifted all over my skin. My toes clamped up.

"Oh, yeah," I said, "I think it's coming back to me."

Kiri, stay focused.

Oh, fuck focus, I want this.

"Maybe this will fire up your memory," he says as he grabs me by the waist and kisses me full force on the mouth.

It was inevitable. There was no way either of us could be in the same space any longer and not become one.

I become a puddle of horny girl as I dissolve into him. His tongue becomes mine as it dances in my mouth.

Then he stops and pushes me away.

"No," he says. "This is wrong! It's just wrong, Kiri."

What the fuck? Nooooooooooo! It's so right, dammit.

"What do you mean?" I say.

He looks at me with a cruel squint from two feet away.

"You really don't remember, do you?" he says.

"Remember what?" I say.

His look becomes intense like he can't figure out what to do. Like he's being torn apart by something.