Virgin Dancer (10 page)

She sighed. "It's okay, Alrik. Just pick me up later, and I'll come dressed for the occasion. You won't be embarrassed by my appearance," she snapped. In truth, she didn't feel offended at all; she knew that he wasn't a snob who cared too much about appearances. What made her really angry was the fact that when she had spoken about their relationship not being serious, he could have corrected her - but hadn't.

*****

The American Museum of Natural History was impressively decorated that night; with thousands of white and cream-colored roses that offered a softening contrast to the classical architecture of the building. The concert - a selection of Mozart's operas - was presented under the glass dome of the planetarium while pictures of planets and supernovas moved over the ceiling.

Alrik took Jade's hand in his larger one and kissed her fingertips, one after the other while they watched the show. Occasionally he lingered and took a finger into his mouth, suckling and playing it with his tongue until an unfamiliar heat spread between Jade's legs, leaving her wet and ready. Good Lord, how should she spend the whole evening engaging in small talk instead of making love to him, while he drove her crazy with want?

"Stop it," she hissed, and he chuckled, nuzzling her ear.

"Patience, little virgin," he said softly, "I'll make up for it later, I swear. I'll make you come over and over until you beg me to stop."

Never had she been more thankful for being in a darkened room so people couldn't see her deeply stained cheeks.

Two hours later, Jade had the impression that she had shaken hands with all the rich and beautiful citizens of New York City, including the mayor, the curators of the museum and several movie stars that would have made her friends scream with excitement if they had been able to be here with her. Alrik had spoken to some important-looking people who were obviously involved with the club's business while she stood by, smiling and doing her best to engage in polite conversation. And she had drunk a lot of champagne, indeed, so much that she felt quit tipsy, having to lean against Alrik's arm to keep her balance in her new black Louboutin high-heels he had sent to her flat earlier, after they had parted. They had been in a shining red presentation carton, and she had gasped when she had opened the lid. He had added a note.

Forgive my thoughtlessness, Jade. I'm looking forward to spending this evening with you. However, please accept this small gift. Since you've recently declared me a romantic, I just can't help myself sending the woman of my dreams some token of my undying admiration.

She had smiled at that, and what woman could have stopped herself accepting such awesome shoes? They matched perfectly with her deep red, floor-length dress. It clung to her body like a second skin, closed at her neck while leaving her arms bare. A high slit that almost reached up to the middle of her thigh completed the subtle but sexy style, and unsurprisingly, Marc had chosen a tone of red that looked great with the shade of her hair. She wore her curls up in a loose chignon, with a few loose strands at her temples that accentuated her face. Alrik was struck speechless when he picked her up and he'd briefly contemplated staying home with her because he said he didn't want to share the sight of her with anyone else. Giggling, she had made him take her to the car before he could ruin her make-up and hair with his kisses.

Now, as the evening progressed, the halls of the vast building weren't quite as crowded anymore. Alrik took her into the gloomy corner of an exhibition about ancient cultures of Northern Europe to steal a kiss.

"Now, what have we here? If this isn't Mr Larsson," a cold, cultured voice said suddenly, and Ascobar stepped into the light cast from a nearby showcase, containing Viking bronze jewelry, brooches, and decorated weapons. "One might have expected to find you here," he added, gesturing to the exhibition. "This must remind you of your ancestors, the brave Norsemen."

Jade glanced at Alrik, expecting to see an expression of cold fury, but it was just a shadow on his face, and he broke into a bright smile that indicated how pleased he was to meet the other man.

"Mr Ascobar," he said pleasantly. "What a surprise to meet you here. I wasn’t expecting to meet you again until next week. I hope to finish our deal shortly."

"Of course," Ascobar replied. "I believe that my latest delivery will meet all your expectations." His eyes wandered to Jade, watching her with close scrutiny. "But I see that you're in delightful company. My name's Iago Ascobar, young lady." He took her hand and kissed it gallantly. Jade felt Alrik stiffen beside her, and she could hardly contain herself from withdrawing her fingers from Ascobar’s slimy grasp.

"Jade Cameron," she said slowly. "Alrik, I'm very sorry, but I'm rather tired. Would you mind taking me home?"

"Sure," he said. "I'm sorry, Mr Ascobar, but we'll have to discuss business another time. When can I take a look at this newest delivery you mentioned? I'd like to complete the deal as soon as possible."

"Tomorrow," Ascobar said with a polite smile. "Meet me at ten at the previously discussed place, and please make sure to bring a financial guarantee."

"That won't be a problem," Alrik said, holding the gaze of the older man. "You need have no doubt about my sincere interest in your services."

"Then we have a deal," Ascobar said, and the men shook hands before they parted. Jade didn't know if she was mistaken, but she felt hatred oozing from the man. He had sent her a warning look before he turned away, making sure that Alrik didn't see it.

"Let's go home," he said and led her away, the smile suddenly wiped from his face. She didn't ask him any questions about Ascobar, knowing that he wouldn't answer them anyway, so she complied, relieved not to be in that man's presence any longer.

She felt desperate and frightened. Now that she had delivered the only information about Alrik she had been able to find to Ascobar, would he finally leave her alone and stop threatening her brother's life? And what exactly was going on between the two men? Whatever the deal was - and she hoped that it didn't involve what she feared it would - she didn't want to know anything about it. All she wanted was to know that Caleb was safe again, and no one would ever again force her to lie to the man she loved.

*****

Alrik walked up and down in the penthouse, with long, restless strides that reminded her of a caged tiger. All the time her mind was searching frantically for a solution to this dilemma - how could she warn him about Ascobar? What would he do with the information she had provided him with; would he use it to harm Alrik? She was sure that the man's intentions were even worse than she’d surmised. In the best case scenario, he was only after money and hoped to make more when completing the ‘deal’ the men had spoken about at the museum. But could she entrust Alrik with her brother's life?

All at once, she knew that she trusted this man, with all her heart. Whenever she was with him, she felt protected, and she felt that the only reason Alrik didn't tell her much about himself was to keep her out of danger. He didn't like lying to her, either, so he preferred not to say anything.

"Alrik …," she said, unsure about where to start. "After what happened tonight at the museum, I think I should tell you something …"

"Not now, Jade," he said, stopping her midsentence. "Whatever it is, let us talk about it tomorrow morning." He had ceased pacing and was typing a text message into his cell phone before sending it off. Then he went to one of the huge windows and stared out into the night, down to the countless lights of the city that never slept.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he said. "At night, this place looks so calm and peaceful, and I almost forget how rotten it is underneath the surface." He bowed his head and rested his brow against the cold glass as if he needed to cool off. "I know too much, Jade," he said, in a tone of voice that betrayed his desperate need to share what he felt with her. "And what's worse, I've seen too much. Sometimes it's hard to endure it and still see something that's worth living for."

     Silently, she walked up behind him and caressed his back. He was tense, and his muscles felt hard as stone under her fingertips.

"Please, Alrik, I need to …"

Turning around abruptly, he looked down, searching her face. "Like you," he continued, as if she had not spoken at all. "You are like a ray of light, Jade. When I'm with you, I forget it all."

She held her breath when she saw his eyes. They were tortured, deep, and blazing with blind, helpless fury. Suddenly, his strong hands were on her shoulders, drawing her nearer. She heard the faint sound of the zipper at the back of her dress as he unfastened it, slowly pushing it down over her body until it fell around her feet. She had stepped out of her stilettos when they had entered the apartment, so all that she wore was her bra and panties in red lace. After the fitting of her evening dress, she had rushed out to the nearest women's lingerie store in order to have something to wear underneath that breathtaking gown. He devoured her with his eyes before he helped her take her underwear off, as well.

"Make me forget, Jade," he said, and his words held a need that made her shiver with anticipation. Then, his hands were all over her body, and he claimed her with a fierce, passionate kiss that seemed to mark her as his, forever branding her to the taste, the feel of him. In that moment, she knew that she'd never be able to kiss another man and experience the same raw, primal desire she felt right now.

And she longed to forget, too - at least for a few moments of sheer bliss while touching and being touched by this man. She hadn't noticed that he had somehow moved her nearer to the bed while they kissed, but suddenly the back of her legs hit the mattress, and she fell back onto the silken sheets. They stopped kissing just long enough to get him out of his well-tailored suit and shirt, throwing them carelessly to the floor with his silken boxers. Jade sighed when his naked skin rubbed against hers.

"Finally," she whispered and wriggled under him, half-senseless with the need to have him inside of her again. He was ready and throbbing against the softness of her belly, but he didn't enter her. Instead, he lifted his head and looked into her eyes questioningly.

"Do you trust me, Jade?" he asked in a deep, rumbling voice that sent shivers down her spine.

"Yes," she breathed, not hesitating for a second. Even if she lost everything, she had decided to trust this man, knowing that he'd always protect her.

He bowed his head and rained kisses on her face, then proceeded to the sensitive area behind her ear. She moaned when his tongue traced the outline of her earlobe.

"You smell so delicious," he murmured. "It makes me want to touch you constantly. The night we met … it nearly drove me insane to let you go, not being able to love you. The sight of you, tied to my bed, so eager and willing …"

A moan escaped her lips, and she nodded.

"And you liked being tied up, didn't you?" he whispered, trailing hot kisses down her neck.

"Yes," Jade sighed.

"Did you touch yourself afterwards when you remembered? Did it make you come, Jade?" he continued his questioning while his naughty words did incredible things to her body.

"No," she whispered, barely audible. "It wasn't enough anymore. I wanted it to be with you …"

"You wanted more of it, didn't you? You wanted to know what would have happened if we'd finished what we had begun."

He grabbed her hips and gently shoved her upwards to the head of the bed, sliding her along its silken softness.

"Yes," she said, louder this time.

"Do you want me to show you how it feels?" he asked, his voice dripping with seduction. "Would you like me to tie you to my bed again, Jade?"

This time she only nodded, unable to breathe a single word.

"Whenever you want me to stop, simply say it and I'll stop. But first, I need you to tell me if you really want this. Tell me, Jade."

"Yes, I want this," she moaned. "Please …"

She didn't need to say more. He came over her like a storm, his strength overpowering her so easily. Yet he treated her with such tenderness that it made her relax completely, surrendering to his skillful hands. Swiftly he shackled her wrists above her head, then gently stroked along the insides of her thighs until she opened them wide, allowing him to tie up her ankles, too. He used some kind of soft rope that felt like silk on her skin, but when she playfully tried to free her leg, it only caused it to hold her tighter.

"Don't be afraid," he whispered against her neck, while his lips started to travel down her throat, along the sensitive area where her shoulder met her neck. All the time his large hands were caressing her, down her arms, outlining the curves of her breasts and waist. "I won't hurt you. All I want is to bring you pleasure. You are mine now, Jade. I know what you need."

And he kept his promise. Driven by some natural instinct, he knew exactly how she liked to be touched, where she wanted his lips, tongue or teeth, where to be rough or tender. His wicked, wicked, mouth seemed to be everywhere, devouring her breasts before taking one peak of her breast deep into its wet heat. He suckled her hard before he took her between his teeth, biting her gently. He never crossed the threshold to real pain, just applied enough pressure to heighten her sensations, to make her cry out with pleasure as a liquid heat raced right down to her core. He moved deeper, licking her navel and covering her stomach with more love bites, then the inside of one quivering thigh. It made her writhe beneath him, helplessly, while she raised her hips towards him, silently begging him to continue where she needed him so much. He chuckled and just hovered over her for a moment, breathing against her skin, making her wait for him. His hands were on her hips now, lifting her up to him.

Then, his tongue was touching her between her thighs and slowly parting her moist, silken folds. Jade's body went rigid, and a husky, primal noise escaped her lips. It felt too good to describe in words, intense and at the same time incredibly naughty. He dipped deep into her, tasting her with a groan of delight, and she shuddered. She was close, so close. He entered her with one, then two long fingers, then his tongue found her most sensitive part. When he began to circle the small, throbbing nub ever so gently, she cried out his name and arched against him. But his hands held her down so she had to surrender to his pace, only slowly increasing the speed and pressure, stopping now and then when she thought he'd finally allow her to come. He paused a few moments, his breath hot on her thigh. Then he started anew, repeating this cruel game until she whimpered, wordlessly begging him for mercy.