Quiver (a Suspenseful Romance Novel) (8 page)

M
ax kissed me back
. He kissed me like he’d been holding back for so long. His tongue slid into my mouth, and I swirled a welcome hello with my own. He embraced the sides of my face as we gasped for air and looked into my eyes before stealing another kiss. I longed to touch him, but my restraints held me back; he was in control now and I surrendered to the luscious contact of his skin.

The touch of his lips was a welcome relief from the pain emanating from my chest. His kiss was hot, heavy and passionate. I felt so much desire in the way he kissed me. I hadn’t been wrong; he did want me.

He pulled a stray curl away from my face.

“Oh god, Kate. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,” he said. “None of this would’ve happened if I’d just taken you home last night.”

Images of Eric interrupted my thoughts as guilt plagued my mind. I was so conflicted. I tried to remind myself of the anguish that both men had put me through, but it was no use. My body responded to Max’s words, his touch, his kiss.

“Don’t stop,” I said.

He kissed me again, softer this time; less desperate but still full of lust. I closed my eyes, revelling in the bliss. He took his time, licking the sensitive skin of my lips. Then he plunged his tongue within my hot, wet mouth, and I moaned.

I struggled with my restraints, wanting to be free.

Trailing a finger down towards my top, he popped open the buttons he was so reluctant to even look at only hours earlier.

He gazed at my cleavage and glided one of his fingertips over my flesh. Although his touch was as light as a feather, I winced; the delicate skin was still tender after its rough ordeal. Seeing my discomfort, he withdrew his hand and nuzzled into my neck instead. He kissed me all the way down to my collar bone, and my eyes rolled into the back of my head. A twinge of delight shuddered through me. His hands explored their way up and between my thighs, searching for the V at the top of my legs.

Finding what he was looking for, he pressed and kneaded his thumb against my pants, causing me to sigh into his ear.

Eric’s face flitted across my closed eyes again. I couldn’t do this, not now, not with Max. Not because I didn’t long to, but because it was only hours earlier that I’d been with Eric. I hadn’t showered, his scent was still on me. My wrists hurt. This was all wrong.

“Stop, Max, untie me,” I breathed.

He paid little attention to my request.

“Stop, please.” I pulled my head back, hoping I’d done the right thing. The last thing I wanted to do was anger him, but I couldn’t be with him so soon after Eric. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Please untie me, we can’t do this. Not now,” I responded.

A flash of understanding then anger struck his face. He swallowed a hard lump.

“It’s because of Eric, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but not in the way you think,” I said, attempting to do damage control.

“Then tell me,” he said, his words icy. He pushed himself up to a standing position and towered over me.

I tried to form the right words but anything I sounded out in my head came off as insincere and weak. Tied up I had no power, no control. How would he take anything that came out of my mouth as being genuine?

“Max,” I paused, “I want to be with you, I do. But –”

“Never mind. I don’t want to hear your excuses. This has all just been a game to you, to him, hasn’t it?” he said.

“That’s not true!”

“I can’t believe I nearly fell for it.” He shook his head, ignoring me, and started pacing again. “No. I will not let you go. My father was right. You’re a loose end that needs to be tied up.”

“
M
ax can’t
you see that this is crazy?” I pleaded with him. “Just let me go, please. I brought back the things I took, they’re in my bag over there. No harm done?”

That got his attention. As he walked over to investigate my bag I tried to flex my wrists, to create some space to enable my hands to slip out. Enough was enough; I needed to get out of here, and if he wasn’t going to let me go, I’d have to free myself. The knot was tight, and my fingertips barely reached it at the base of my wrist. The silk rubbed against my skin and I gave up twisting; I wouldn’t be able to pry it open with my fingernails. I needed something sharp to have any chance.

I glanced around but failed to see anything within reach that would help, except the scissors on the desk. Even if I was able to grip them with my feet there was no chance of me contorting myself and cutting myself free without him noticing. Goddamit!

He turned back around. “Look Kate, it’s good you brought the gun and ledger back. But you’re a liability. My dad wants you gone,” he said, slipping the book into his inner pocket. It made the lining of his suit jacket crooked.

“What are you going to do, Max? You going to hurt me? Teach me a lesson? Break my legs?” I yelled at him. I wasn’t the only guilty party here. “It’s what thugs do, right? Well, then, get on with it, tough guy!”

He looked away from me.

With his back turned, he replied, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you. If I let you go, my dad…”

“Stand up to him, Max!”

“You haven’t got a clue. I knew it was a mistake giving you a job here, getting you involved in all of this, but you were desperate and I wanted you… I wanted you close.” He shook his head. “I missed you.” He turned his wrist to look at his watch. Dawn had broken, and golden glints reflected off the ornaments on the desk.

“I need to get you out of here before any of the Saturday staff see you and ask questions.”

“I’m your friend Max, please don’t do this.”

“I don’t have a choice.”

He took the scissors from the desk, stood behind the chair, and glided the cold metal blades down my forearms towards the knotted silk tie.

“Remember Kate, I have a gun. Don’t even think of testing me.”

I nodded assent, not sure he could even see me from his angle.

“OK, let’s get this over and done with. No screaming, no pulling. Don’t fight me.”

We walked through the empty office with its quiet desks. No one had turned up yet; it was still too early for the Saturday workers who wouldn’t appear till at least 10am.

Stopping at the foot of the stairs, Max entered the alarm code again, and we stepped out onto the street in a vastly different manner than we had approximately 12 hours ago. His left hand was clamped down hard on my wrist. It throbbed from his grip – I imagined it turning blue.

“Max, you’re hurting me.”

He loosened his grip a fraction and continued to guide me to the passenger side of his car that waited by the curb. The occasional car drove past, people mingled on the pavement as they bought morning groceries, an elderly gentleman walked his equally elderly dog - but not one of them noticed the terror on my face. I wasn’t sure if Max’s threat was real, but I couldn’t force myself to scream for help.

We reached the car. “Get in, put the seatbelt on. I swear, Kate, don’t make me use this.”

He shut the passenger door with force and ran around the front to the driver’s side and got in. Almost immediately I heard a mechanical clunk as the locks slammed into place.

“Where are you taking me, Max?” I didn’t really expect him to tell me.

“The only place I can think of where you won’t be able to get away.”

“Great,” I muttered.

He pulled out into morning traffic, and we sped along in silence. I didn’t have many options; the doors were locked, and nudging the button of the electric windows resulted in nothing. Damn child-locks! I probably wouldn’t have been able to throw myself out the window anyway; I imagined my wiggling butt trying to squeeze its way out the tiny sport car’s window, while the car was moving, no less. That would’ve given him a pretty sight to aim at, not to mention plenty of time, too. Let’s not even consider the disastrous impact of my body on the road if I did manage to make it through the window. It would not have been a soft or comfortable landing… I’d probably break my ankle, or my neck. Or, knowing my luck, I’d get run over. There was always that.

I had to think of something else. If I wasn’t able to flee, then maybe I’d at least be able to use this time to unravel the mystery behind Max and Eric… and the ledger.

Max was concentrating on the road. Time to take a chance; my arm shook as I guided it over the gearstick, hoping he wouldn’t notice till it was too late, and I rested my hand upon his thigh. He flinched at my touch.

“What are you doing?”

I stroked and skirted my fingers up towards his crotch. The material beneath was soft and luxurious.

He shifted gear as the car came off the slip road and joined a busy main carriageway.

I could feel him stiffen beneath my hand.

“Stop. Kate, you’re going to get us killed.”

I didn’t dare stop. His hand grabbed mine and squeezed hard, crushing the bones together. He wasn’t able to turn to look at me, but he held my hand tight. The pain was almost unbearable. I bit my tongue to stop myself crying out.

He let it go; it seemed he was having second thoughts. My hand throbbed from the pain. I let it fall gently back into his lap, taking up where I left off.

“Oh, god,” he moaned, gripping the steering wheel with both hands; his knuckles turned white.

I slipped down his zip, reached in and found my prize, hard and stiff. I manoeuvred his cock out from his boxers and trousers.

Teasing him, I rubbed the pad of my thumb over the tip of his penis; its head swelled and turned a bright shade of pink. Motioning up and down with the palm of my hand I let him feel the beginnings of pure bliss before I slowed my rhythm to an agonising caress.

“Do you like that, Max?” I asked, whispering softly in his direction.

He moaned assertively.

“Do you want me to stop?”

He shook his head, keeping his eyes glued to the road in front.

“What’s in the ledger, Max?”

His eyes darted away from the busy road for a split second to lock with mine. I stroked a little faster, keeping him disoriented.

“Tell me,” I said. My hand paused and then squeezed his shaft.

“Don’t stop,” he panted.

I waited for what seemed to be an age.

“It contains records of payments, bribes,” he relinquished.

To his delight my hand started to move again, up and down. I shifted in my chair, released the seat belt and slithered down towards his lap.

“Do you want me to kiss it?”

“Yes!”

“What does the ledger have to do with Eric?” I allowed my tongue the tiniest of licks of his engorged lollipop. He moaned and arched his back.

“Tell me Max.” I licked again. “My hot mouth is waiting.”

“OK, OK! It proves we paid his superior to get him kicked off the force,” he said, “Please Kate, don’t stop, suck my cock.”

I licked my lips and swirled my eager wet tongue around and over the head of his cock. Wrapping my lips around the head I made a tight O with my mouth. I gently bobbed my head taking his entire shaft into my mouth.

Over the sounds of passing cars and the rumbling of tarmac beneath the carriage, Max gasped for air. He caressed the back of my head, tangling his fingers between my long curls.

I sucked harder, and he cried out. Reaching in with my other hand, I fondled and ran my fingertips over his writhing balls.

The car came to a sudden halt; we must’ve pulled in somewhere on the hard-shoulder, I thought. And just in time too – his legs, his arms, his whole torso went rigid. Leaning back against the headrest, his hips rose up, and his cock fully filled my mouth. I clasped the base of his cock with my thumb and forefinger and rapidly sucked him with my tight, sizzling lips.

I could feel him tense again beneath me; he was so close to exploding.

He cried as his body shook, and he came into my wanting mouth. The pulsations of his cock beat against my tongue as his body twisted beneath me. I took it all in and swallowed.

I
wiped
my mouth and sat back in my seat taking a first look at where were. Max had parked us directly in front of a white monstrosity. He’d managed to drive us all the way to the docks and to park just a few feet from the gangway of the MS Carousel: The boat.

“What are we doing here, Max?” I asked. This wasn’t good. I was going to be trapped on a ship, with nowhere to run, and a huge possibility that I was going to get chucked overboard while the ship cruised down the river during its nightly party excursion. This can’t be happening, I thought.

The car door clunked open. This was my chance; I launched for the door handle as Max grabbed my shoulder and displayed the steel he held in his hand.

“Just cooperate. It’ll be in your best interest, Kate.”

He got out of the car and walked around as I sat unmoving in the passenger seat. He opened my door and dragged me out.

“Let me go!” I screamed.

A few dockworkers looked our way, but they were too busy unpacking a wooden pallet on the dock to care. God he was strong; he pulled me without effort towards the wide covered gangway that ran up the starboard side of the ship.

The salt air filled my nose – earthy, full of life. Seagulls cawed above as the lapping waves slapped against the sides of the ship. But a thick pungent scent caught me off-guard; it was the smell of sour, acidic diesel, emanating from the ship and it stuck in my throat. I wanted to gag.

Two large men who had been guarding the top of the gangway came stomping down; the structure shook and rattled, grinding against the concrete surface of the dock.

“Need a hand, Mr.Quadrello?” the one with a full beard asked.

“Nope, we’re fine. Is my father on-board?” Max replied.

He shook his head. “Not expected till later this evening, before departure,” the bearded man said.

I struggled against Max’s grip and eyed the men, silently pleading with them to help me. But their allegiance was already decided and firmly placed within the control of the Quadrello family; they were paid generously to keep their mouths shut and not ask any questions.

A trail of men, marching like ants, passed us as they came up the gangway, laden with sealed crates.

“Why you loading them this way?” Max asked.

“Crane’s fucked,” a guy in blue overalls replied, not stopping, not wanting to get an earful.

Once aboard, we passed the large main entrance, a cloakroom and ticket booth off to one side, and Max led me through a cramped, narrow corridor that was off limits to the partying public – staff or special guests only.

“What are in the crates, Max?” I asked.

“Not alcohol, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Weapons? Drugs?”

“Just keep moving,” he replied.

“Using a floating nightclub as cover. If I wasn’t being held against my will, I would probably be impressed.” I said dryly.

We came to a steep staircase, and Max gestured to me to start climbing.

“Stop pushing, I’m going,” I spat at him.

He kept close, his hand pressed lightly against my back.

Here were more narrow corridors, but the decor of this deck was more pleasing; it was lighter, less drab, and with exquisite finishings. He motioned to one of the doors and opened it with a special key he plucked from his pocket.

We stepped into a generous sized cabin, complete with a large bed, varnished cabinets, a small seating area and its very own porthole.

“Make yourself comfortable, I’ll be back later.” And without another word, he left the room and locked the door.

I ran to pull on the handle; it was useless. It wouldn’t move, and the lock mechanism inside the door wouldn’t budge. I rattled it, hoping he’d hear the noise and come back. I rushed to check the porthole on the other side of the cabin; it, too, was completely sealed.

Trapped and defeated, I sat on the edge of the bed. The luxurious sheets, no doubt boasting a high thread count, crinkled under me.

The activities of the night and morning had taken a huge toll on me, and it was catching up fast; I could barely keep my eyes open. I tried to resist the temptation to rest my head upon the inviting pillows, but sleep called my name and pulled me down without mercy. I yielded and told myself I’d be better off having a quick nap to recover, and before I knew it, I’d drifted off to sleep.

T
he cabin was encased
in shadow when I woke up. I felt disoriented, and a rush of fear raced through me as I tried to remember where I was, as I didn’t recognise my surroundings.

Reflections from the outside bounced around the room through a porthole above me. My sleepy mind finally caught up with day’s events as I breathed slowly to calm myself down. I must’ve slept for hours, I thought. I looked around for a clock but found nothing. My wrists were bare; I never wore a watch, and I’d unwillingly left my bag, with my phone buried in it, at the office.

Taking a quick glance out the porthole, I could see the ship’s lights, white and twinkling upon the river’s surface. I was on the port side, looking out towards the opposite bank of the river. People in party dresses, suits, and Saturday night outfits were making their way across the bridge, heading for a night of drinking and dancing upon The Boat.

That put the time well into the evening, I thought. How could I have slept for so long?

There was no sign of Max. The room was still; nothing had been moved. It was exactly how it had been when he left. Had he washed his hands of me? Abandoned me? Given instructions to his thugs to deal with me?

I had no idea how long I would have to wait to find out my fate, but I knew I couldn’t just sit here doing nothing. I resolved to make myself busy; even if that just meant cleaning myself up. Finding the light switches, I proceeded to strip and let my clothes fall to the plush beige carpet. I left a trail of clothing behind me as I made my way to the small but luxurious bath and shower room. White Italian tiles covered the floor and walls, and chrome fixtures reflected the light. I headed straight for the walk-in shower.

I let the hard pressure of the hot water wash away the filth that clung to me. It would be good to feel clean and innocent again, I thought. The complimentary shampoo and shower gel frothed to life, creating suds all over my naked body. If I closed my eyes, I could pretend I was in some expensive hotel or on a grand yacht, holidaying in the Mediterranean.

The subtle click of the cabin door closing brought me reluctantly out of my daydreams.

Max stood leaning against the bathroom doorway, his eyes fixed upon my wet soapy body, streams of water trickling over every part of me.

I felt a familiar buzz run up and down my skin.

“Like what you see?” I asked, a slight bitterness in my tone. I was so angry with him for leaving me, for everything, but I was also relieved to see him; better him than the thugs.

He nodded. His buttery eyes glided up and down my body, studying every inch of me; his jaw muscles tensed.

I let my hands glide over my slippery soft skin, touching my breasts and tweaking my nipples. I allowed my hands to fall, tracing my torso, and then dipping them into the shallow beneath my bellybutton and finally combing through my curls, slipping my fingers between my legs.

I moaned and leaned back against the cold shower wall, letting the heavy torrent pound against my bare breasts as I dipped a finger in and out of my pussy.

Eyeing him, I reached a hand out for him to come to me, but knew the gesture was hopeless; he wouldn’t join me. He had already been tricked one too many times today.

I closed my eyes and let myself get caught up in the pleasing motion between my legs, rubbing quickly upon my sensitive clit, finding exactly the right spot to get me off. I squirmed as the pressure built, my fingers going in and out faster and faster.

I bit my lip, nearly drawing blood, as I watched him watching me masturbate.

My nipples stiffened as I ground against my hand. The soapsuds had all but washed away as I came to a thunderous climax, not letting my gaze waver from his golden brown eyes.

He swallowed and removed his hands from within his deep pockets. Turning from him, I switched the water to the coldest setting.

“When you’re quite done, we need to talk,” Max said, and walked away.

I put my head under the icy water; I needed to clear my head, cool my heels and come up with a plan to get me out of this mess. I forced myself to stay under the icy stream until shivers wracked my body and I couldn’t stand it any longer.

I took a fluffy bathrobe from a hook on the wall and draped it over my trembling body, leaving it untied at the waist.

Max sat on the couch with his head buried in his hands. I padded over to him and stroked his thick hair.

“It’s OK, we can get through this together,” I said, hopefully.

He tilted his head up and caught sight of my body, the curtains of the robe falling open to show my breasts, skin still wet as beads of water trickled down my stomach.

I took his hands, splayed them apart and manoeuvred myself onto his lap, straddling him. Droplets of water sprinkled over his dry suit.

“Kate, no,” he said, trying to resist. But as soon as I let go of his hands, they immediately took hold of my bare waist.

“Shh.” I held his face as his sad brown eyes pleaded with me. These were not the eyes of killer, how could I ever have thought that? He was stuck in an impossible situation, same as me.

I ran a finger over his eyebrow and kissed each of his eyelids. There was more than just tension between us, there was a history of friendship; a resistance of never crossing that line, till recently when I broke the spell. How had I never seen him for who he was before now? He’d been right there all these years, my closest friend. I felt a deep need to be with him; it would be more than just sex. Nothing like I’d experienced with Eric – it would be gentle, loving, different.

I felt torn in two. My heart and soul wanted to make love to one man, and my body and mind needed the carnal pleasure and the rush of being fucked senseless by another. I wanted, needed, them both. God, I was so confused.

His warm hands travelled up my back, pulling me closer towards his chest. Bending my head towards his mouth I heard him whisper, “I need you, Kate. I always have.”

I let the robe fall to my side, as he cradled the round of my bottom, and I kissed him hard. He returned the kiss with fervour, creating a blaze of emotion within me. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

My nipples responded to his touch as his fingers splayed and reached around from behind, searching for the gap between my throbbing lips.

I caught my breath as he buried his head between my breasts, placing soft kisses upon each rising mound.

A sharp knock caught us both by surprise and the door opened, uninvited.

“There you are! What the hell is she doing here? Taking your bloody time getting rid of her, that’s for sure!” Terry bellowed, but then he noticed our entwined embrace. “Ha! Saying your goodbyes are you? Well, I can hardly blame you, shame to waste a body like that. Last hurrah I suppose!”

I quickly reached for the robe and attempted to cover myself up as Max lifted me off his lap and stood to confront his father. I blushed fuchsia and scolded my body for betraying my emotions.

“No need to cover up on my account,” he leered.

“Outside, now,” Max demanded, pointing to the door.

Their voices rose in the corridor, and I had no doubt who they were arguing about. I couldn’t help but listen as the sound travelled through the thin panelling of the bulkheads.

“I told you, you have one chance. You have to get rid of her, Max.”

“Why the hell do you think I brought her here?” he replied.

I frowned, and my stomach dropped as if I’d just been pushed off a cliff. He can’t mean that, not after…

“Ah, OK. Good lad. Make it look like an accident, and don’t forget we have business to deal with tonight too.”