Seduction: Book 3 (Strong Young Women Series) (14 page)

             
When Stefano agreed to the plan, Ana left him to take his shower. She quickly wrapped up her business and packed her laptop. She wasn’t sure if she was coming back. It all depended on what plans Manuel had for Stefano.

They ended up having lunch at a tiny bistro tucked away in a hidden corner that most people overlooked. Ana knew she’d be in trouble if Gabe found out that she had broken his rules and made the guards agree against his wishes. But then between the two of them, they had four guards
. Wasn’t that enough protection?

She looked everywhere as they walked to their lunch venue. Her eyes kept darting in every direction, looking for someone hiding out or following them. The weather was just perfect for walking. Ana hoped the day’s events wouldn’t
get back to Gabe. She breathed a sigh of relief when they got into the SUV, taking them to her new office. Danger averted, she thought to herself.

“This is Thomas Belcher. Tom. He’ll be wor
king with me starting today. Thomas, this is my friend, Stefano Kostas.” The two men shook hands and got to work. They worked together mostly in silence, broken when Ana pointed out where she wanted certain items placed.

Ana was impressed with Tom. She watched him as he did the majority of the set up of their equipment. Ana explained some of the pieces he didn’t know, telling him what they were for and how they worked.

He was a boy greedy for information. Ana hoped she would be able to dial it down a notch and steer him in the right direction. If he continued on the wrong path, it would only be a matter of time before he hacked into some government database and got caught. Most hackers just couldn’t resist that temptation.

Ana packed her mini fridge with soda cans and water bottles. As long as she had caffeine, she would be okay. She opened the cabinet beside that and stashed her junk food. Not able to resist she took a bag of chips and took a seat behind her desk.

Ana waved to Tom, as he took his back pack and slung it behind his back. “Bye, Tom. See you on Monday, right?”

Tom nodded.

“We should have everything set up and ready to go, then we can get into some interesting stuff.”

He grinned in excitement.
“Thanks Ana. Nate and Rafe told me it was you that asked for me to work with you. You won’t be sorry, I promise.”

“One day at a time, Tom.”

“Right. Bye,” he said to her. “Bye Stefano. It was nice meeting you.”

“Me too kid,” he replied.

Suddenly there was a commotion at the door. All three in the room looked up and saw a group of men making their way through the outer office into hers.

Tom made way and rushed out. He looked towards Gabe and seemed to remember him. Ana hoped Gabe wouldn’t say something to frighten him.

“Ana! What the hell were you thinking. Taking a walk as if you owned the sidewalk.” He reached her and leaned down. “Does Stefano understand the gravity of the situation? Or did you just tell him it would be okay?”

Ana looked at him in surprise. “Gabe what are you talking about? Nothing happened. We had four guards with us the whole time.”

“Everybody out!” he said to the room.

“You didn’t have to be so rude. What’s wrong with you today?”

“What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with me? I’ll tell you what’s wrong,” he said harshly. “This,” he said and threw a stack of 11 by 8 inch photographs on the desk. Was someone trying to make portraits or what?

Ana gasped as she saw herself walk from her apartment to the bistro and then get in the SUV after their lunch earlier that day. Most were of her, and some included Stefano and their guards. “Where did you get these? Who took them?” she asked, but already knew the answer and was afraid to hear that she was right.

“Who do you think took them? Who do you think sent them?” he asked her. “Tell me Ana, now do I sound that paranoid?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t…I just wanted to walk.”

“Fuck Ana. You agreed you wouldn’t take unnecessary risks. Do you know what I thought when I saw those pictures?”

Ana shook her head. Tears were sliding down her cheeks.

“I thought the last picture would be of you dead. Shot by that maniac. He’s still following you and for whatever reason decided to show me how weak my security is, and that he can get to you at any time.”

“I’m sorry Gabe.
Walking is my lifestyle. It’s what I’m used to,” she told him crying harder.

Gabe pulled her into his arms. “Ana, what in heaven’s name am I going to do with you?”

She hiccupped and cried harder.

He picked her up and took the seat she had been sitting on earlier. Gabe pulled her head to his chest and let her cry it out. What was he going to do with her
if at every turn she defied him? How did he end up with a woman who didn’t listen to her fiance? What were the chances that she would listen to him as her husband?

He kissed her forehead and hugged her tighter to his body. Did he really want a  ‘yes
woman’? Maybe not. But he wanted someone who at least didn’t court danger. Danger aimed at her. He didn’t know what he would do if he lost her. It was frightening to even think about it.

He took his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her tears then handed it to her when she held her hand out.
He looked at her teary but beautiful face. “Ana,” he whispered and pressed his lips to hers.

“I’m sorry Gabe. I endangered Stefano and the men guarding us. I realize
now that he could have shot one of us before we even knew what had hit us.”

“Baby, just promise me you’ll do everything I say, everything the guards tell you to do? It’s for your safety. At least until we get this situation under control.”

“Okay. I promise.”

“I’m sorry baby. Sorry you can’t do the walking that you love so much.”

Ana caressed his cheeks with her hands. “It’s okay. Safety comes first. And I’m sorry I scared you.” She leaned into him and kissed his lips, opening her lips and wetting his lips with her tongue.

“Let’s go home, baby. I missed you last night,” he said deepening the kiss.

“Stefano…”

“Manuel is taking him home,” he whispered against her lips. “We probably won’t see them for days.”

Ana laughed and hit him on the shoulder. “I’m sure they missed each other. You can’t stay away from me for more than one day, and they…”

He growled. “You’ve got that right. Last night the bed was cold and lonely. No more separate nights.”

“Ou! I don’t know about that,” Ana told him. “Ever heard of the expression, ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder’?”

Gabe took her lips in a hot and fiery kiss. Ana struggled to breathe, surprised at the sudden attack. She barely got a full second to take a deep breath before he took her lips again. He groaned against her lips and dueled his tongue with hers, drinking and demanding more of her sweet nectar.

“Gabe,” she cried against his lips.

“I don’t need to be absent from you,” he said and pushed her pant
ies to the side then inserted two fingers inside her, “to love you any more.”

“Ah!”

Gabe finger fucked her, just enough to get her excited, then he pulled his fingers out and made her presentable. “Let’s go home, Ana.”

“You are a mean old man,” she said with frustration showing on her face.

He laughed. “When we get home, I’ll show you just how young I am. And I promise to leave you satisfied.”

Ana blushed.

“Very satisfied,” he said, delighted at her blush. He stood up setting her down gently. “Can you finish this on Monday?” he asked waving his hand around her office.

Ana looked around and nodded. She would try and be at work early to finish the set up before Tom came in. Soon schools would close and he would be working eight hour shifts with her. She accepted Gabe’s hand as he led her out of her office, into the work area she and Tom would spend most of their time in. It was a large room with lots of machines, some of which she had always wanted but never had the pleasure of buying due to her limited space in their apartment.

Ana salivated at the thought of putting her hands on the keyboards and getting to work. She had missed most of this while she had been couped up recuperating and even after that, hadn’t really gotten into her work a hundred percent. That would soon change especially as she groomed Tom in the job.

The room was empty except for their bodyguards. Ana felt some relief at not having to face the brothers soon after her little thoughtless afternoon. She hoped Stefano would forgive her. She would have to call him on Manuel’s phone tomorrow and apologize.

Thirteen

Kelly was glad she was getting Saturday off. She intended on doing a lot of relaxing. She had a date with Ana and Gabe’s pool. If only she could get through the remaing four hours left in her shift. Brad had switched his shift with someone. She had been glad that she hadn’t seen him for the last few days, but suddenly today he was in her face.

Every corner she turned, every corridor she walked along, every patient room she went into, he seemed to
be a psychic or been somewhere very close by watching her movements. He came close to her, sometimes too close for her comfort. How does one prove that she is being stalked by someone she works with? Kelly could just imgaine how that conversation would go with the cops. They would surely think her delusional and have her checked into a psychiatric hospital.

Kelly walked into the supply closet. She had been tasked with placing some order to some of the shelves that had been left in disarray. Kelly welcomed the relief of that menial task
of re-arranging the shelves. If it could get her away from Brad, she was all for it. She had last seen him going into some patient room, and hoped he got to stay busy the rest of their shift. She breathed a sigh of relief as she closed the door, finding herself alone and effectively shutting her bodyguards outside.

She still couldn’t understand how that was possible. Walking along the hospital corridors with guards trailing her. Granted they had tried to blend in so it wasn’t so obvious, and for the most part it worked because most people couldn’t tell that they were not hospital personnel.
It wasn’t fool proof. Just the way they carried themselves was a dead giveaway. Nurses and doctors carried them selves a certain way, totally different from any bodyguards especially those that had once served in the police or army.

She walked to the first row and decided to start there and move down until she was done
with them all. She took the clipboard, intending on taking note of the supplies that were running low. No sooner she was grabbed from behind and an arm came around covering her mouth so she wasn't able to scream. She was pressed against a hard male body.

Kelly tried to scream and bite the hand at the same time.

“Shit Kelly,” he swore. “It’s me, Brad.”

Kelly relaxed a smidgen but not totally.

“I just didn’t want you to scream. I know you thought you were alone,” he explained his behaviour. “I’m going to release my hand now, just don’t make a sound otherwise those goons of yours will be in here so fast they will separate us before we talk.”

Kelly nodded her head. Whatever he thought they could or would be talking about, she had no idea. This thing between them had been over for weeks now. She had no
idea why that wouldn’t sink into his thick skull. Or maybe it was something else he wanted to talk about. Kelly could only wish.

As soon as she was free, she moved a little to the side and took a deep breath. She hoped she wouldn’t have to scream, it would be embarrassing, mostly for her. Most people loved Brad, and she didn’t think they would believe her. He was always smiling and being the good boy scout. Little did they know what kind of a person he was deep down. The little threats he kept up with her. The subtle threats he dished her way, at every opportunity he got.

“So, can we finally talk about our relationship?” he asked. “I’m sorry I let you go the first time you broke it off with me. I shouldn’t have. That was my fault, and I intend on rectifying that little mishap. I’ll never let you go, Kelly. I can’t. I love you too much.”

Kelly gaped at him and tried to speak, but nothing came
out of her mouth.

“We were good together, Kels. You and me. And we could be good again.”

Delusion much? Kelly looked at Brad and realized he believed what he was saying. “I’m sorry Brad. I don’t think you and me can ever be together again. It’s over. Has been over for weeks now.”

Kelly saw Brad move towards her, right into her personal space. She refused to show him her fear. She  stood still and tried to act casual as he leaned towards her. Kelly quickly moved her head to the side as soon as she saw his intent. His lips landed on her cheek instead.

“Brad. I’m seeing someone else.”

He tensed and grabbed hold of her wrists. “Say that again.”

“I said, I’m seeing someone.”

“What the fuck, Kelly. You are mine,” he snarled. “I want you to break it off with this guy, whoever he is. Clearly he’s a loser and you were lost for a while without me. But now that we are back together, everything will be fine, baby.” His calm and clear voice as he said the last couple of sentences is what really frightened Kelly. She realized Brad was really delusional. He needed serious help, but would never admit it.

And how does one have an adult committed into that psychiatric hospital she had just been thinking about? Would his parents have to be the ones to admit him, or did he have to volunteer himself? Kelly thought she needed to read about it and know what the New York law was on that issue.

Luckily she was saved from answering as two nurses came in looking for something.

Kelly took the chance granted to her. “You need to leave Brad, or I will.” Kelly placed the clipboard she was holding to her chest, down on the shelve in front of her. She started walking towards the door, then he raised his hands in surrender.

“Okay, okay. I’ll leave,” he agreed. “
I forgive you. It was a lapse in judgment on your part. Just go home and do what we discussed. Break it off with this loser dude.”

Kelly didn’t say a word, but breathed a huge sigh of relief wh
en he walked out, and then the nurses behind him. She waved to Hank when he popped his head in, telling him she was fine and thankfully alone this time. However, she wasn’t surprised when he came in and looked around, making sure no one else was hiding inside.

The menial task proved to be soothing. Kelly was glad to
do it and when she was done, almost sad about it. As much as she loved her job, this had been welcome. Sunday would be soon enough to get back into it.

The last couple of hours, she worked hard at evading Brad a
nd was glad when her shift was over. She literally ran to the exit door and into the Range Rover waiting for her at the curb. She was surprised to see Rafe waiting for her. It made her happy though, considering what she had just gone through. He was a welcome face, a face she would rather see any day compared to the one she had been trying to evade the last few hours.

“Bad day?”
Rafe asked her, after kissing her long and hard, then opening the door for her.

“Not anymore,” she answered with a tired smile. “Nothin
g a hot bath can’t cure,” she amended.

A bath her lover was glad to give her. He took great care of her, and Kelly felt so much love for this man who
m she had only known for a short period of time but was slowly being permanently embedded in her heart and thoughts. Not a day went by without her smiling or laughing. They had their share of problems, or rather disagreements, but through it all, Kelly knew she was loved and nothing was done out of spite.

She really hoped he loved her like he had said not so long ago. Because she loved him too. Very much. She hoped she could tell him about what had happened today with Brad, but knew if she did, he would flip and all hell would break lose. She hoped to spare him that pain.

Kelly fell asleep soon after dinner. She felt Rafe’s warm hands pull her against him. Kelly nestled against his front and smiled dreamily. She woke up in the early hours of the morning, gripped by a nightmare which seemed a little too real.

Rafe soothed her until she settled down again. “Shhhh, baby It’s just a dream,” he said to her. “Do you want to tell me about it?” he asked.

“No,” she whispered into his neck.

“Don’t keep secrets from me Kelly,” he said holding her tight against him. “I know something happened at work. And I have a suspicion that’s the reason you have been tense since I picked you up.”

Kelly tensed and sighed into his neck. Was she that transparent or was it just a lucky guess? “Rafe…”

“Don’t Rafe me. Just tell me what’s going on? If you don’t I’m just going to assume the worst,” he told her.

Kelly leaned back and looked into Rafe’s eyes. The side lamp he had switched on made it easy to see his eyes and face, and see how angry he was.  “You’re angry,” she stated the obvious. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to cause any trouble,” she said. “And I still don’t want to.” Kelly watched him and saw his nostrils flare with more anger. “I mean it Rafe. You have to promise me you won’t do anything to jeopardize my internship at the hospital.”

“Kelly, if he touched you. If…” he swore and pinched his nasal bridge. “Just tell me what happened.”

“Nothing really. He was just being a nuisance like always. He still wants me back and today I just had finally had enough so I told him I was seeing someone and he flipped.” Kelly yelped when she felt Rafe’s fingers tighten around her hip.

“Sorry,” he said and loosened his grip.

Kelly breathed hard then continued with her story. “He told me to break it off with you. I mean, he doesn’t know who it is. I didn’t tell him the name, because that would just add fuel to the fire.”

“Kelly, you can’t go on working in those type of conditions.”

“I know Rafe, but there’s not much I can do. Even if I report him, what do I say?” she asked and huffed in frustration. “Most of the women love Brad. He acts like the best thing since sliced bread, I guess because none of them have ever been the ones to break off a relationship with him. Or for whatever reason, he has this unhealthy fixation towards me.”

“I hate to interfere with your education, but can you switch hospitals?”

“That’s the best, I’d hate to go to another just because of some guy. And who is to say that I won’t come across the same situation there too? And what reason would I give towards my move? Whichever way you look at it, it doesn’t sound like a good idea for me to do anything,” she said and grimaced. “Maybe he’ll give up. I’ll just make more of an effort to stay away from him.”

“I don’t like this Kelly. I…”

“I know Rafe, but you need to promise me you won’t do anything to him,” she implored him.

“We’ll see,” Rafe said and pulled her to him, effectively shutting her next words as he kissed her hard.

“Make me forget about him, Rafe.”

He growled and pulled her underneath him, pushed her legs apart and brought his hand to touch her mound.

Kelly shivered and came alive underneath Rafe. She whimpered and pushed up to meet his hand. Her mouth felt empty without Rafe’s tongue as he lowered his head and grabbed hold of her nipple in his mouth. She reared off the bed when he pulled hard and bit her nipple. He dropped it and took care of the second one, the same way he had done the first. Kelly groaned and rubbed against Rafe’s hand, his two fingers pushing in and out of her.

He lowered his head further, kissing his way down her body. He got to her center and replaced his fingers with his tongue.

“Rafe,” she cried out when he kissed and licked her slowly. He smiled against her center and dipped his tongue inside her. Deep inside her. As far as his tongue would go. She whimpered and begged for release. Rafe grazed her lower lips and clit with his teeth. Kelly felt the tickling and overwhelming sensation and cried out as she came into his mouth.

Before she had come down to earth, Rafe rose up and entered her in one swift thrust. He pulled her legs high above his waist and moved slowly in and out of her cunt.
“Kelly, baby. I love you,” he whispered against her mouth. “You’re mine. Mine alone.”

Kelly cried. “Rafe, I love you too. Please, I …”

Rafe kissed her with wild abandon. He shivered and thrust hard in excitement. This woman who had come into his life. He would protect her against any and all threats. He needed her like he needed his next breath. He slowed his tempo, making sure she was well loved. Their coupling was always frenzied and harsh. Today he wanted to glory in her. He rode her slowly, very slowly and she cried out in frustration. Rafe laughed and kissed her, mimicking his cock deep inside her.

He lowered his head to take one breast into his mouth. Kelly grabbed his hair and pushed his head down as she pushed her chest higher. Rafe grunted and pulled her legs apart behind him. He pulled one leg high up with his arm and slammed hard agaist her hips, deep
ening the thrust and changing the angle slightly. He went deeper into her and she cried out in delight.

“Rafe, please.”

Rafe grunted. “Again?” he asked.

“
Yes please,” she whimpered and pleaded with him.

Rafe reared up and slammed again into her. He refused to go any faster, but he did go harder and unable to fight her orgasm anymore, she cried as she came fast thrashing wildly beneath him. Rafe snarled and pumped harder still, pushing hard and harder against her body. His release was long and he took Kelly along with him as she caught
onto his release that had gripped his body hard. Kelly joined him as she orgasmed again, crying out in joy.

“Baby,” he whispered and flip
ped their positions. “That wasn’t just a line. I love you.”