Breaching the Billionaire: Alethea's Redemption (Book 6) (Legacy Collection) (21 page)

Alethea shook her head in disgust and turned to leave.

Jake stopped Marc when Alethea was through the door. “Marc, you need to keep this contained until we can figure it out. Alethea is as potentially volatile as she is an asset. If it gets out that we’re onto this guy, he could disappear before we can nab him. And I want him.”

“Then I’d better catch up with her fast,” Marc said, and strode to the door. “I’ll do my best, but she’s not going to fall for the bunker thing twice.”

Seated beside Marc in his Lexus, Alethea closed her eyes for a moment to clear her head of the jumbled emotions surging through her. Stephan was where he needed to be. Dominic and Jake were aware of the gravity of the situation and would remain on high alert until whoever was doing this was caught. With Jeremy and Jake’s famous computer-geek parents working on the IP address that led back to Stephan, it wouldn’t be long before they could trace
it back to the true origin, and with Marc working the other end they should be able to flush out even the best alias. Whoever was doing this was close and he was getting cocky.

Which meant he’d probably slip up.

And we’ll catch him.

Tea with Abby and Lil? Bullshit.

I wish they’d say what they think.

They don’t
want me involved.

Does Marc seriously think I didn’t hear the exchange between Jake and him as he left?

Marc’s main job is to contain me, by whatever means necessary.

She thought back to the night before and a wave of nausea rose within her.
It’s still all about keeping me occupied and out of the way.
I knew it wasn’t real, but there is a difference between knowing it and hearing it said aloud.

With a slow, calming breath, Alethea opened her eyes and said coldly, “My car is still at Stephan’s building. I’d appreciate it if you took me there.”

Marc started the car and drove toward the exit of the garage. “I need your help with the research tonight.”

Gripping the clasp of her seat belt, Alethea kept the ice in her tone. “We both know you don’t. I heard what Jake said as we left.”

Marc’s jaw clenched, but he pulled out into the street traffic without hesitation. “That’s a shame, but it doesn’t change anything. You’re coming home with me tonight.”

“Really? So, we’re back to manhandling to get me where you want me to be?”

The hot look he gave her sent a flash of responding desire through her. The business-first Marc was gone, replaced by the man she’d woken next to in the bunker, who was looking at her like he wanted to pull the car over and take her right there.
Job or no job, he wants me.

A sexy smile stretched across his lips, and there was a glint in his eye that said he was enjoying their exchange. “Too late to pretend you don’t want this as much as I do. You will spend the night at my place. I’ll leave how you get there up to you.”

Alethea looked out the passenger window to give herself some distance. “Last night was fun, but not necessary to repeat. It’s been a long day. Drop me off at my place, and I’ll pick up my car myself tomorrow.”

He didn’t answer, just kept driving. Since he was headed toward neither Stephan’s office nor her apartment, she could only conclude that he was stubbornly driving to his place. She turned back toward him and snapped, “I don’t want to spend the night with you. Not even the evening. I’m not sure I can stand five more minutes in this car before I snap and grab the wheel.” When he looked at her quickly, she warned, “Don’t think I won’t do it. The risk of injury is worth it to get the hell away from you.”

However Alethea expected Marc to respond, she didn’t expect him to take one of her hands in his and chuckle as if she’d made a sweet joke. He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Now all I can picture is how you looked in that jujitsu stance when I took your clothes. You were so angry. I’ve never met a woman who could be that fierce while naked.”

Alethea tried to pull her hand free. “I’m extremely serious.”

He laid her hand on his thigh beneath his. “I know. That’s what makes it so hot.”

Alethea would have pulled away, but the heat from his thigh burned up her hand and through her. Memories of how that thigh had felt bare and rubbing against hers the night before sent a blush up her chest and warmed her cheeks. She wanted to be angry with him, but all she could picture was how he’d looked naked: confident and teasing. And how it had felt to wake in his arms, knowing that he was watching over her.

She wanted him as she’d never wanted anyone before.

And he knew it.

He also knew she would never hurt him.

No wonder he was laughing at her. She’d given him all the power.

She decided to try another method. Turning toward him, she deliberately looked down, then up at him from beneath her lashes, rubbing her hand ever so slightly up and down his thigh. “Take me to my place, Marc. Please.”

He studied her expression briefly as he drove. “You’re good. I wish I could say yes, but you know I can’t.”

“Because Jake told you to watch me.”

He didn’t look comfortable with answering, but he did. “Yes.”

She whipped her hand off him and clenched them in her lap. “And none of you think I should be part of this, do you? People pay me big money to test their security systems. My skills are in high demand internationally.”

With a slight frown, Marc said, “Next you’ll say we hurt your feelings today.”

She folded her arms over her chest and looked away.

“Seriously?” He chuckled again, patting her thigh. He spoke with the sweet tone one would use with a child when they find their actions adorable. “Oh, I didn’t know you were so sensitive.”

She looked out the window. “You’re such an asshole.”

He pulled up to valet parking in front of an uptown apartment building. “I can carry you upstairs. I doubt the valet will say anything—I already tip him outrageously well. I’ll tell him that we love to role-play. It won’t be the strangest thing he’s seen if he’s lived in New York for long. Or you can maintain your dignity and walk. Up to you. I’m easy.”

A young valet opened her passenger door. She stepped out. Marc was beside her in a flash. She said, “I could get away if I wanted to.”

He smiled. “Maybe.”

As they walked side by side into his apartment building, she said, “I’ll help you with your research tonight, but that’s it. You sleep on the couch. We’re not repeating last night.”

His hand settled on her lower back as they entered the elevator. As soon as the door closed he pulled her to him, his mouth hot and demanding. Her hands splayed across his strong chest. Everything she’d said, both to him and herself, faded away in the face of their intense desire for each other.

Maintaining their kiss, he carried her to his door and, after typing in a code with one hand, opened the door, swept her inside, and then slammed the door behind him. He returned her to her feet and ripped at her clothing. She tore at his with every bit as much enthusiasm. Buttons flew. It was an animalistic need to mate. No gentle foreplay. Only a burning desire that demanded to be sated.

Normally Alethea was acutely aware of her surroundings, naturally scanning and assessing, but right now she felt nothing beyond Marc. Marc’s lips on hers, on her neck, on her breasts. The feel of his pulsing shaft in her hands. His hands were everywhere, rough and demanding.

He lifted her so her legs wrapped around his waist and the room suddenly tilted. She put a hand out to steady herself and grabbed the banister. He perched her on the carpeted edge of a stair and sank to his knees, parting her legs roughly.

Alethea buried her hands in the plush rug and gasped as his tongue plunged deeply inside her. He slid a hand beneath her ass to position it as he wanted and lapped at her, suckled her, claimed her with his mouth.

She was gasping and close to orgasm when he stopped and repositioned himself above her. She hungrily took him deeply into her mouth, and he moaned. One of her hands gripped the back of one of his rock-hard thighs while her other cupped and caressed his balls. He surged and grew in her mouth. Feeling him shudder with pleasure, she welcomed him deeper, filling her with echoing pleasure.

When she thought he would come in her mouth, he withdrew, and she closed her eyes, knowing the pause in pleasure was temporary. She heard him open a wrapper and then he was kissing her neck again.

“Alethea,” he said roughly, and she opened her eyes.

He plunged deeply inside her, and she cried out his name. He lifted her so her shoulders bore some of her weight and held her before him so he could pound with a leverage that had her crying and begging for more. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Powerful. All consuming. Leaving both of them shaking from the intensity of their simultaneous orgasm.

He withdrew, lifted her gently in his arms, and carried her up the stairs to his loft bedroom. He disposed of the condom, then rolled onto the bed beside her, taking her into his arms and kissing her forehead.

His leisurely kiss rocked her to the core. It was tender and sweet and full of a promise she wasn’t ready for. Still, it was as impossible to deny as breathing.

Between kisses, he said, “We can’t fall asleep. I have a lot of research to do tonight. I really could use your help.”

She buried her face in his chest. “I told myself this wouldn’t happen.”

He raised himself above her and pushed her hair out of her eyes tenderly. “I didn’t promise myself that. You’re all I thought about all day. I shouldn’t let anything distract me right now. We have no idea how dangerous this situation is. But you’re all I can think about. How do you think that makes me feel?”

She laid a hand on his cheek. “So this isn’t about your job?”

He smiled down at her. “Hey, I’m dedicated, but not this dedicated. I know we don’t make sense. Career wise, I have everything I’ve ever wanted. I’m at the age when I could settle down with a nice woman, have some kids, and maybe get a dog.”

She glared up at him. “A nice woman, huh?” She went to roll away, but he held her beneath him. “Unlike me?”

He kissed her deeply, kissed her until she almost forgot what she was angry about. Almost. When he raised his head and saw she was still miffed, he said, “I used to think that being with that kind of woman would make me a better man. Instead I found myself dating one after another, not caring much about any of them. On the surface it was good, but when I look back they’ve blended into one sweet woman with a name I can’t remember because they didn’t matter.”

Don’t listen.

Don’t believe him.

“But it’s different with me?” she mocked. Believing would lead to wanting more from him, and he’d already said he didn’t want to be with her.

He kissed her collarbone. He put a leg between hers and ran a hand over her wet center. “I want you more each time I have you.” He dipped a finger between her lower lips. “I want you again. God, we have so much to do tonight and all I can think about is sinking into you again and again while you call out my name. That’s how you’re different.”

She almost scathingly told him that he was talking about lust—plain and simple. And that was natural, but his finger found her G-spot, and that inner caress wiped her head clear of all coherent thought. She dug her hands into his hair and pulled his face down to hers, delving into his mouth with the same boldness he’d claimed her with earlier. His fingers found a rhythm of pulling out and sinking into her that renewed the wild need within her.

Her rebuttal would have to wait.

It was three in the morning. He and Alethea were still hunting for anything they could find on the names Dominic had given them. He was at his desk on his main computer on one side of the living room, and she was seated on the couch with his laptop. Marc didn’t have a problem working on something through the night; in fact, that’s how he’d designed most of his bunker
.

Normally, however, a night of work didn’t overlap with marathon sex sessions. He was having trouble focusing on the last page of names. Partly because they’d gone through so many without finding anything notable, but mostly because he knew exactly what Alethea was wearing—or rather, not wearing—beneath the long T-shirt he’d offered her.

He was close to putting the list aside and carrying her back to his bed, which concerned him. His personal life and his work had never been at odds. His loyalty to Dominic and the security of his family and business had been his top priority for many years.

Someone sent him a photo of his baby, for God’s sake. This is serious.

He typed in the next name on the list and forced himself to look away from Alethea. Howard Voss. Net worth: $20 million. Majored in psychology before founding a network of online blogs. He’d accused Dominic of trashing him publicly, but it hadn’t hurt him too much because he’d turned around and sold his network for millions. He’d gone on to create software that bounced traffic from sites seamlessly and which had generated him a substantial income. He’d also started two online magazines. Nothing about Dominic since. No evidence that he’d been hurt long term. In fact, he was doing better now, than he’d been back when he’d made the accusation. No, Voss didn’t have the time or the motivation to go after Dominic. It was also doubtful that he had the hacking skills. Marc made a few quick notes beside his name and moved on to the next.