Reckless (2 page)

And he would have her.

Three

              Another hand came down hard on her ass. She glared at the guy as she served him and his friends their drinks. She didn’t bother asking if they needed anything else. Instead, she headed back to the bar to pick up the order for her next table. Nights like this made her wish that she would have taken up her old social worker’s husband’s offer to work with him at the police station. She was an orphan, but they treated her and Jonathan like they were their own children. More so than their own foster parents.

              Less than an hour until closing and then she could get home and start studying for the test in her Business Psychology class that she had in less than eight hours. Thursday nights were just as bad as Friday and Saturday nights and she was so grateful that she had this particular weekend off. Spring break was starting and unlike most of her classmates, she was planning to spend the time in her new apartment, unpacking and catching up on sleep. She was a classic homebody and she didn’t mind that it set her apart from other people.

              “If one more hand goes up my skirt, I’m going to murder someone.” Jenna sighed as she slammed her serving tray down on the counter.

              “I wore jeans.” Brianna winked at her. Technically, jeans were against the rules, but hers were so tight, they were practically attached to her skin. And her top was cut low so her breasts were practically exposed along with her pierced navel.

              She checked her watch and picked up her tray. The crowd was getting restless because Lady Angela hadn’t graced the stage yet. She was always the last act, and she always brought all the men down to their knees. When they found out that Angie was out sick, things were going to get out of hand. After she dropped off the drinks at her last table, she was going to try to get out of there.

              “Bree, there’s a man outside asking for you.” Victor told her when she made it back to the bar.

              Vic was the club’s main security and he didn’t play games when it came to the girls’ safety. She was happy for the temporary distraction and followed Victor to the front door. She nearly groaned in frustration when she saw her roommate’s brother leaning against a black Maserati parked in front of the building. She was so tempted to just turn and go back inside, but there was a reason Lucian Spencer-Davenport was outside her job and curiosity was getting the best of her.

              His eyes widened as she approached him. Just the day before he saw her casually dressed all day. She wore her glasses, she wore her suitably cheap clothes that fit her but didn’t show her curves, and she wore her usual ponytail. Not tonight though. She was in one of her sluttiest outfits with her hair hanging down her back, and she was without the glasses thanks to contacts.

              He looked good too. He wasn’t in a suit this time. He was in jeans that hung low on his hips and a form fitting black t-shirt that showed off that he totally worked out. Probably daily. He was a good looking man with his longish dark hair, deep sapphire eyes, and sculpted face and body. But he was so arrogant and he screamed danger. She so didn’t need to touch him, even with a ten foot pole, but she found that she kind of wanted to.

              “Why do you work here?” he frowned.

              He had to go and open his sexy little mouth. With those words, she turned to head back to the club, but he grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her in front of him.

              “Let me go.” She demanded.

              “I apologize for being blunt, but I don’t understand. You’re a beautiful girl and I’m sure they’d pay you very well to dance, but you don’t. You’re smart with your four point oh grade point average. And, yes, I checked. You’re getting a degree in business, so why aren’t you interning for anyone?” he asked. She searched his eyes and he seemed genuinely curious.

              “I can’t afford to intern. If I don’t work, I can’t pay for anything. Not even the generously low rent your sister is charging me.” She said.

              She knew that Kelsey Davenport was highly into charity. She hated feeling like a charity case, but with everything that was going on with the band planning to do their own tour whether they had a contract or not, she knew that she would be homeless soon and would have to drop out and follow Jonathan around until she got on her feet again. Kelsey offered to let her stay there for less than three hundred a month with all bills included. Sometimes she made that in a night.

              He stared at her, considering her. She stood there trying not to fidget as his stare slowly went from thoughtful to predatory. His eyes roamed her body and she couldn’t help the flush that spread over her skin.

              “Come and work for me.” He said.

              “Nooo.” She said slowly.

              “Hear me out.” He said, taking her hands in his. “I’m just going to say this and I don’t want you to say a word until you’ve taken the time to really think about it.”

              “Okay.” She agreed.

              “I want you.” He said, simply.

              She opened her mouth to say something, but he placed a finger to her lips to silence her. “You’re incredibly sexy and from the moment I saw you, I decided that I wanted to taste you.” He pulled one of her hands to his lips and kissed it. “You will work for me and for me only. I will show you everything you need to know about the business world and introduce you to the right people. In return, you will be mine for the next few weeks.”

              “Yours?” her eyebrow cocked up.

              He dipped his finger into the waistband of her jeans and pulled her closer to him. “Mine.” He reiterated.

              “What does that mean?” she asked.

              “It means that I take care of you in the business world, and you take care of me in the bedroom. It’s a win/win, Brianna.” He shrugged.

              She gaped at him. He wanted her to sleep with him in order to get directly to the top. He was treating her like a high priced call girl! The arrogance! He was such a bastard and even though she was extremely tempted to take his offer and press her body against him and let him drag her off to his cave, she couldn’t do it. Shaking her head, she took a step backwards, well aware that his hand was still wrapped around her wrist. Her skin actually burned where he touched her, and she was starting to wonder if he was the devil incarnate.

              “I’m not for sale, Lucifer… I mean, Lucian.” She told him.

              “I’m not trying to buy you, Brianna.” He said.

              “What exactly is it that you
are
trying to do,
Lucian
?” She couldn’t hide the irritation that suddenly crept into her voice.

              He grinned and kissed her with so much heat that her knees buckled and he had to catch her before she fell. His body moved so that she was pressed against his car. She didn’t know what came over her but she was kissing him back and heat was pooling in her belly.

              He was going to hurt her. She knew it.

Four

              It wasn’t going as planned, but he’d take it. He didn’t mean it to sound like she’d be his paid prostitute, but it was definitely the way she took it. Damn was she cute when she was pissed off at him and he couldn’t help himself when he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. What he didn’t expect was what came next.

              She pulled away and slapped him.

              He watched her as she flared her nostrils at him. She looked like she wanted to kick his ass and he’d welcome her try. He wanted an excuse to tackle her to the floor, to pin her beneath him and have her beg for release…. In every sense of the word.

              Without a word she turned and stormed back towards the club. That damn bouncer held open the door for her, placing his hand on the small of her back as he guided her inside. Then he turned around and smirked at him before following her inside.

              He stood, contemplating if he should march in there and throw her over his shoulder and spank her for her defiance, or if he should just leave. He chose the latter, knowing in his gut that she was eventually going to come to him. Why else would she kiss him like that? She wanted him as much as he wanted her. It was a win/win.

              Starting his car, he noticed a figure in the shadows leaning against another vehicle, watching him. He didn’t like to be watched. He was a man with a lot of wealth, and with that wealth came enemies. He gave one last glance at the door to the club and pulled out his phone. Brianna wouldn’t appreciate him waiting for her after work, but he didn’t want her to be followed home.

              “Caleb, get down to Fire and Ice and follow Brianna. I’ve spotted a potential Bogie.” He said.

              With that, he headed home. He need to prepare for her. If he only got one night out of her, it was fine by him. He’d only pushed for more because he had a feeling that he may want another taste before moving on, but no matter. She’d be his for a night, maybe even a weekend. He just hoped that she didn’t take it out on his sister. Kelsey didn’t need to know about his sex life, which was why he never made it a habit to hit on her friends. This was actually a first.

              “And last.” He murmured as he turned onto the highway.

Five

              Brianna got the distinct impression that Kelsey’s best friend, Amira, didn’t like her. It was more the fact that she would shoot her nasty glares than the rude comments she would murmur whenever Kelsey invited her to join them for lunch, shopping, or whatever they were doing. She wasn’t very big on drama so she’d always turn them down. Besides, she wanted to spend as much time as she could with Jon before his big tour.

              She was sitting in the studio, watching the band record their new album. The number one song on the record was the one he’d written for her and she smiled as he sang the last verse and looked straight into her eyes. She loved him so much, she didn’t know how she was going to survive the summer without him.

              “That’s a wrap for the night.” Wayne The Producer (yes, that’s his name) announced.

              Jon came out of the booth and kissed her forehead. They were supposed to head to the police station to meet their old foster parents for dinner but she could see that Jonathan was hesitant as usual. Of course she wouldn’t make him go, but they’d made an agreement that they would try to resolve things with them. After all, their parents loved them. It wasn’t their fault that the rest of their family didn’t.

              So, she silently held his hand as he drove them into Denver and pulled into the parking lot of the police station. She silently held his hand as they walked into their old social worker, Janet’s, office and waited for their parents.

              They were greeted with all smiles and hugs from Janet and her husband, Bill, as they chatted about their childhood and their current lives. Jon announced that he’d just been signed to a record deal and the whole room exploded with Bill and Janet’s joy.

              “What did we miss?” Aaron Jamerson asked behind them. Standing next to him was his wife, Sarah, who looked like she was dying to get in on the hugging but was unsure if she’d be welcome.

              She was right. The room went silent as Jon and Brianna stared at their former foster parents. They could have easily passed for her biological parents. She had almost the exact same green eyes as Sarah, and though her hair was curly, it was only a shade darker than Sarah’s dark brown hair. Aaron was tall, dark skinned and handsome. He was also a cop, hence the meeting at the police station.

              Jon squeezed her hand and she knew that she had to speak first.

              “Jonathan just got signed to a record label. A major one.” She announced.

              “Congratulations!” Sarah smiled and hugged him.

              “Congratulations, son.” Aaron said, shaking his hand. She ignored the fact that she felt Jon stiffen beside her when Aaron called him, “Son”. Instead, she focused on smiling at their foster parents and playing nice.

              “I just moved into a new apartment.” She announced.

              Her mother grinned and hugged her. “You know you could always come…. Home.” She finished the last part slowly and looked up at Jon. “Both of you. We love you.”

              That was it for Jon. He stormed out of the building, leaving everyone in stunned silence. Brianna threw out a quick apology and followed her best friend. She climbed into the passenger seat of his car and watched him send a quick text message to someone before peeling out of the parking lot. She knew what he was going to do and she was powerless to stop him. She just hoped that he didn’t make another mistake. One child was enough for now.

              He dropped her off at home, but she didn’t move from the car. She sat there, waiting for him to say something, anything to her. She didn’t dare touch him, because all of his anger usually reverted to sexual energy and she didn’t need him trying to cross the line with her again. They’ve been down that road together and barely survived it.