Wilde Rapture (5 page)

She had witnessed the kiss that Mia had shared with Remy. Their love was almost visible. It had created a pang in her stomach that she didn’t want to think about.

Afterwards, Ashton had escorted her and Mia down the hall and out through the lobby to the front. Thankfully, Ashton and Mia hadn’t had anything to say. Surprisingly, her car had already been waiting for her, as was Mia’s. Mia’s comment that Darius had probably called down to have it parked there had only mortified her more. But she’d held it together, since she didn’t plan on seeing them again. She had said goodbye to them and left.

Nia blinked, startled to realise that she was already at her apartment. She was glad to note that Gabe’s car wasn’t in her space. Carmen had already moved to a house with Nick. Getting out, she hurried inside and went to get ready for work. As she proceeded up the stairs, she pushed thoughts of Darius and their wild night together out of her mind.

Much later, at work, she rubbed the back of her neck. She re-read the report she was typing.

“Hey, Hudson. Someone is at the desk downstairs asking for you,” said a melodious voice.

Nia glanced up at Lauren Arnold. “Who is it?”

Lauren took a seat across from her and shrugged. “I have no clue. Just passing on the message, since I was coming up.”

Scowling, Nia saved her work and picked up her jacket.

She noted the time and said, “I’ll see who it is, then head out for some lunch. I called Mr Sanchez at the hospital and he said his son claimed he would be in at two to see him. We can finally talk to him—that is, if he actually shows up. I think he’s ducking us for some reason,” Nia said sarcastically.

“You think? Hasn’t been home and no one has seen him since his mother was murdered. His dad is in the hospital and he hasn’t seen him. Yeah, he has something to hide. See you after lunch,” Lauren said.

Nia left. She went down the steps. Glancing up, she paused on the stairs. Darius smiled warmly at her. Frowning, she continued down to him. Gripping his arm, she pulled him out of the precinct. She didn’t want the gossip if they spoke inside the building. Spotting some fellow detectives, officers and other personnel outside, she glanced both ways and held on to his arm, tugging him across the street and into a small park. Darius was silent as she led him away from her workplace. Finally, thinking no one would see or hear them in the little copse of trees to one side of the park, she turned to him. Immediately, her thoughts went to how good he looked. He had on a short-sleeved shirt. His slacks cupped his erection and moulded his thighs.

Stop that, Nia
.

“How did you find me? What are you doing here?” she snapped.

“I Googled you and found out what precinct you worked out of. Imagine my surprise that you were only a few blocks away from Wilde Hotel. As for why I’m here… I’m an old-fashioned man who likes to say goodbye to my bed partners.” Darius’ tone was mild.

“It was just sex. Just last night. I thought you understood that. No morning after and all that needed.” She ran her fingers through the back of her hair.

Darius reached up and took her hand. He held it in his. With his other, he raised her face and looked her in the eyes.

“I did understand, and I agreed to it for the night. But, in case you didn’t realise, it’s morning. So the night is past. And now I want you to stop running and think about this.”

He kissed her. All thoughts fled from her head. His kiss was soft and more devastating than if he had ravished her. That she could have handled and dismissed. The tenderness unravelled her. Holding her against his solid frame, he seduced her with a kiss. Made her forget all else but being in his arms. Nia sighed, moulding her body to his. Darius made a pleased sound and continued his sensual assault.

Nia gripped his shoulders, moaning. His fingers smoothed under her breasts, making them ache for him to taste them. They hadn’t got to that last night. She wanted him to bite them and suck them until they were sore and well used. Darius pulled back, hands laced loosely around her waist. His blue eyes were possessive and tender. Her pussy flooded even more at the look.

“We don’t even know anything about each other,” she whispered.

“Then get to know me. Be with me, Nia. The choice is yours. Next time you come by, plan on spending the night again. This time, bring a bag so you don’t have to rush away to get ready for work,” he said.

“That isn’t the reason I left,” she admitted.

“I know.” A small smiled curled his lips.

“You make me lose sense. I don’t like it,” she snarled.

“Ditto,” he countered.

Nia paused, biting the inside of her cheek. Darius raised one hand and gently rubbed it against her cheek, stopping her. She turned her head and kissed his palm. He went still. Nia glanced at him. Darius’ eyes were brimming with emotion. She lowered her gaze, not sure what was happening between them.

“When you’re ready, come to me,” he whispered.

Darius released her. Nia raised her head and frowned at his retreating figure.

“Why do I always have to come to you?” she yelled.

He turned to face her, walking backwards. “Because this time it’s your turn.”

Nia scowled. He was right, damn him. If she thought about it, in the alcove he had come to her. Then she had gone to him last night. Now, today, he had come to her. The next move would be hers.

Nia sat on a bench. Sweat rolled down her face. She didn’t know if she could make the move.

“Are you Nia?” a voice asked.

Startled, Nia glanced up, shifting cautiously in case she needed to defend herself. The park was a nice place, but you still had to be careful. A well-dressed man stood before her.

“Yes.”

“Darius sent this.” He held out a plastic bag and a drink.

She took it cautiously. The man dipped his head and walked away in the same direction Darius had taken. Nia glanced at the bag, noting it was marked with the same name as the restaurant in the hotel. She placed the bottle of kiwi and strawberry juice next to her on the bench and opened the bag. Scrumptious scents filtered out. She peeled off the note stuck to the container and opened it.

Maybe another time we can have lunch.

For now, enjoy. And keep hydrated. It’s hot.

Darius.

Folding the note closed, Nia fanned herself with it. She glanced in the direction Darius had gone. The infuriating man was making it difficult for her to keep her head and not go to him. Standing, Nia picked up her juice and threw it into the air, catching it as it fell. It was the same kind she had ordered last night. It was also her favourite flavour. He didn’t miss a trick. She strolled back to work.

Chapter Four

Exiting the elevator, Nia rolled her head to work out the kinks in her neck. It had been a long and rough day. She dropped her bag by the chair.

“I’m out on the terrace!” Darius called.

She scowled, pushing her hands into the front pockets of her jeans. When she had arrived at the hotel, a valet had taken her car and given her a note with codes for access to the office and elevator. As she had walked across the lobby, she’d wondered how Darius had known she would come the same day they had spoken in the park. His certainty was aggravating. The greeting she had got from the staff, like they knew her, had been unnerving, and another sign that he was sure of her. No one questioned her as she let herself into the office area. Thankfully, she hadn’t seen anyone as she had gone down the hall—all the offices had been empty. Well, that could be expected, since it was almost midnight. She had debated not coming, but had found she had to.

Nia strolled through the living room. It was spacious and comfortable, done in the same colours as his bedroom—dark browns, orange and burgundy. Surprisingly, they looked good together. At the open glass door, with curtains held back by decorative ties, she stepped outside. She caught her breath at the view. New York City from so high up at night was a marvellous sight. She turned her head and her breath whooshed out. Darius beckoned her over. Mesmerised, she did as he silently bade. As she neared, Darius pulled himself out of the large pool.

Water flowed off his muscular body as he strolled over to her. He held her chin between two fingers and studied her silently. With his other hand, he lightly touched the bruise under her eye.

“What happened?” he demanded.

“A perp tried to run, and we had to chase him. He was an elbowy prick. No big deal.” She shrugged.

“At least you all caught him. Do you want to talk about whatever has the shadows in your eyes?” he asked gently.

She gazed into his eyes. Usually, she didn’t want to. But with him the need to filled her. She nodded.

“Come. Let’s relax, and you can tell me. Purge it from your soul,” he said.

Darius led her across the terrace, into the shadows. The terrace was so large she couldn’t even see to the other end, though it was bathed in moonlight. He released her hand, and there was a scraping sound. A light flared, and he lit an oil lamp hanging next to what she now saw was a hot tub. The steaming, whirling water looked inviting. On the lip, near where they stood, was a tray with some sandwiches, fruit, and drinks—including, if she wasn’t mistaken, the juice she liked.

Darius turned to her and began to gently undress her.

“I need to put my gun in your safe,” she murmured.

“We’ll take care of it later.”

She didn’t say anything else. Darius led her to the tub and helped her in. She sank down into the water, moaning. Darius joined her, pulling her against his side. He sat them on a bench inside the tub. He rubbed her back. Nia told him of the perp they had gone to the hospital to question. When he had seen them, he had run. They had chased him and caught him, but not without some minor injuries to him and an elbow to her eye. They had taken him back to the precinct and questioned him. At first, he had denied any knowledge of the burglary at his parents’ house, which had led to his mother’s death and his father being in the hospital.

Then he had broken and admitted he had needed money for a gambling problem, that he had convinced a friend to rob his parents while he took them out to dinner. He had figured that they had insurance, so it was okay. Problem was, his parents, after a long day at their business, had cancelled and gone home. The friend had panicked and shot them both. The woman had died instantly, but her husband had survived.

“And guilt is why he didn’t come forward. He told us where to find the friend and we arrested him, too,” Nia said.

“It’s brutal what humans do to each other.”

His wording gave her pause, but she dismissed it. Lowering her head, she enjoyed him rubbing her stiff muscles. Darius kissed the back of her neck, then pulled his hands away.

“You need to eat. Missing dinner is not good,” he fussed.

“How’d you know I missed dinner?”

Nia took the sandwich he held out and bit into it. The perfect blend of corned beef layered with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing filled her mouth. Nia moaned and took another bite.

“Just a guess. Good sandwich?” Darius sounded amused.

She rolled her eyes up to meet his. A small, pleased smile was on his face.

“Do you want water, juice, beer or wine?” he asked.

“Water.”

He retrieved a bottle, opened it and held it to her lips. Nia opened her mouth, and he gave her a drink. He pulled back, holding on to the bottle.

“I love Reuben sandwiches.” She eyed him suspiciously.

He seemed to be very in tune with what she liked and wanted.

“I got my favourite. Hoped you liked it, too. I also have pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing. Ham with Swiss or cheddar. Or turkey, again with Swiss or cheddar. Got a few varieties, since I didn’t know what you liked.” He shrugged.

Nia went back to eating her sandwich, feeling bad for being suspicious.

“It’s okay, Nia. It’ll take time for us to get to know each other. I’m just glad you’re here,” Darius said gently.

Nia smiled, then returned to eating her food. Darius made a noise in his throat. She raised her head. He bit into a piece of pineapple, flashing strong, white teeth. Nia put her sandwich down and took the drink from his hand. Darius looked at her, his blue gaze questioning.

“Suck me,” she said.

Rising up off the bench, she stood, holding out her breasts to him. Darius widened his legs and she stepped between them. He settled his hands just under her ass. Nia held her globes steady in his face. He swirled his tongue over the area just around her turgid buds. He continued his caresses for a while.

“Suck me,” she demanded again, gripping his hair and pulling him to where she wanted him.

Darius growled and suckled her nipple, deep and hard. She moaned. He worried the nipple with his teeth, then pulled it into his mouth again. He alternated between swirl, nibble and suckle. Each movement made her pussy clench, wanting him. Darius slid his hands between her legs, widening her stance.

“Hmmm…yes…” he said, opening her legs wider.

A gasp ripped from her as a jet stream hit her aching slit. She tried to close her legs, but his firm grip kept her open.