Animalistic Galley Fin (10 page)

“I’d like to have a word with you,” she said. “My office, please.”

So Arielle followed her to her office.

“We have a problem,” said Sabrina right after Arielle closed the door. “We’ve received a formal complaint from Frank Darbo. It appeared you and your friend injured him right after you served him the summons.”

That piece of shit; the next time I see him, I’ll make sure I kick him in the nuts
. Arielle was filled with murderous thoughts. “I had nothing to do with it.”

“Tell me what happened,” said Sabrina.

“My friends and I served him at a party. Since he was always with his bodyguard, we lured Darbo out underfalse pretenses and we served him the paper. After I left, apparently he wasn’t happy about being tricked. He became incredibly upset and attacked my friend. And my friend defended himself, appropriately. That’s it.”

Sabrina skirted around her desk and sank herself in to her office chair. “Who is he? The one who assaulted Frank Darbo?”

“I wouldn’t say assaulted; he was defending himself. His name is John Alexander.”

“John Alexander? He sounds like that music producer.”

“He
is
that music producer.”

“Are you serious? This changes everything.” Sabrina pushed her chair until the back hit the wall. “How do you know John Alexander, anyway?”

Arielle shrugged it off, playing it like it wasn’t a big deal. “Let’s just say, I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy. Call it extensive networking.”

Sabrina pulled the chair forward and tapped her Mont Blanc pen against her desk. She was unusually fidgety today. “I already handled this complaint, but I must warn you, Frank Darbo likes to play dirty. Darbo has ties with the mob.”

“Well, whose fault was that? You told me to serve him no matter what.”

Sabrina’s expression turned petulant. “I didn’t think you’d enlist your friends to attack him.”

“As I explained, it was self-defense. Darbo swung first. He obviously wasn’t thinking that John would hit him back.”

Sabrina sighed hard. “What’s done is done. But I have a bad feeling about this. Frank Darbo is a very sleazy guy. You should be careful.”

“Why? Did he threaten you?”

“Not me. His lawyer relayed to me off the record:
I’ll get that bitch one way or another.
Those were his exact words. I safely assumed that he meant the bitch in question is you.”

“Why am I the bitch?”

“I didn’t say you’re the bitch. Darbo did.”

“Sabrina, we’re too old to have this kind of juvenile conversation. What does any of this have to do with me? I’m not the one who hit him.”

“Who knows? Darbo is a lunatic. I’d watch my back if I were you.”

“Uh-huh. I can take care of myself, so don’t you worry.” Arielle let the sarcasm drip from her voice.

A brief silence passed between them.

“And I’m sorry,” Sabrina added in a quiet voice, “for dumping this case on you.”

What? Sabrina apologized to her? Had pigs learned to fly?

“No problem. Is there anything else?”

“No.”

“I need to get back to work.” Arielle turned around, and started to leave when Sabrina called out again.

This time, Sabrina didn’t face her head on. Her boss hunched over her desk like she was about to cry.

Whoa, whoa, what happened here?

Before she could open her mouth to ask, Sabrina beat her to the punch. “Please don’t take Chris away from me. He’s all I’ve got left.”

So, this was what the fuss was about?

Arielle didn’t think she had ever seen Sabrina in this state. She looked so vulnerable and fragile. It was a rare opportunity, and Arielle was tempted to say something snarky to get back to her for all of the misery she had put her through. But in the end, she just couldn’t do it.

“I wouldn’t dream of it. Chris and I are over. He’s all yours.”

Chapter Eight

The delivery guys picked up the last piece of the cardboard box and left. Trent studied the new bedroom furniture with satisfaction. “Think she’ll like it?” Trent asked John as his brother wandered in from the kitchen. He had asked for John’s help shopping for a bedroom set. John had connections with a personal shopper at Barney’s who could get him the complete set in a day, even if it meant dismantling the floor models. Less than three hours after he paid, his purchase was delivered and installed. Trent wanted to make it a surprise for Arielle. Since they were a couple at last, he wanted for them to share a bed. They had ordered some furniture but it wouldn’t have been delivered for another three weeks. Arielle was sleeping on an air mattress in her small room while he crashed on a futon. Having a fully furnished room was only proper now that they were officially together.

John surveyed the room with satisfaction. “It’s better than where you’re sleeping right now. I can already see all the filthy things you’re going to do in here,” he said with a grin. “Shall I accessorize this dungeon of love too? I know a lady in Soho who owns a specialty leather shop. Some whips, blindfolds, or a spanking bench should do fine.”

Trent gave him a dirty look. “I’m not like you, horndog. Arielle is a good girl. Get your mind out of the gutter once in a while.”

“Don’t judge it until you’ve tried it yourself. A little kink will spice up your love live.”

“I’m not going to take sex advice from a serial womanizer. Now shut up, get me three dozen red roses, and I’ll pretend I haven’t heard everything you just said.”

John snorted. “If you’re going to order me around, the least you could do is ask nicely.”

“Why should I? You’re the youngest. By birth hierarchy, you’re technically our gopher. And while you’re at it, pick up some takeout too. I don’t know, something fancy perhaps? Date night food?”

“If you want fancy stuff, you’d better take her to a real restaurant. What kind of food does she like?”

“Chinese, I think.”

John sneered. “She’s your mate and you don’t even know what her favorite food is?”

“She likes everything; you know? But she’s never told me specifically. I think she really enjoyed it when I took her to a Chinese restaurant.”

“Chinese food it is.” John snapped his fingers. “Take her to Philippe then. It’s on the Upper East Side. Their chicken satay is to die for.”

“Do I need to make a reservation?”

John waved him off. “I’ll take care of it. You just take her there. Dinner at six, maybe?”

“Sounds good. That way I can pick her up at her office at five.”

“Leave everything to me. Doctor Love is in the house and he’ll make sure your special sexy night goes smoothly.” John patted Trent’s shoulder in mocking sympathy. “Don’t fuck this up, brother.”

“Shut up. Just, shut the hell up.”

~~~

He picked her up from the office and they went to have a dinner at Philippe. It was a little after nine when they finally get back to the apartment. Over dinner, Trent had told her he had a surprise for her and she couldn’t wait to find out what it was.

“I smell candles,” she said as he opened the apartment door.

“Just wait—don’t ruin the surprise,” he called back. He gave everything a once over and came back to collect her. Arielle was curious. “Close your eyes and don’t you dare take a peek.”

“Okay.” She closed her eyes obediently.

Trent took her hand and guided her into the bedroom. “You can open your eyes now.”

“Whoa! Trent! When did you do all this?”

“Today. John helped me. He knows a lot of people that can make things happen on short notice. What do you think?”

“I love it. I love everything, even the lamps. You have great taste.”

“I can’t take the credit. John picked all those out. I know nothing about decorating and furniture.”

“Something tells me you have an ulterior motive to all of this.”

“Oh God, yes, woman. I do. Guilty as charged.” He turned her around and pulled her into his arms. “I want to wake up next to you every morning and have you by my side before I go to sleep at night. It’s only proper now that you are mine.”

“You’re so sweet.” Arielle kissed him before a huge bouquet of roses on the dresser stole her attention. “Are those for me?”

“Yes. John picked them out,” he confessed. Taking credit for his brother’s work didn’t seem fair.

Regardless of the fact that he hadn’t bought them, she looked happy.

“They’re so beautiful. Thank you. Oh, I see you have some champagne too.”

He didn’t even notice. John had put his thought into this. He would have to remember to thank him later. He released her. They’d had a bottle of wine during dinner already, and a little champagne wouldn’t hurt. “I’ll open it.”

He uncorked the bottle and poured some into the glasses while Arielle admired the roses. She touched the petals and inhaled their scent. He gave her the champagne and they clinked glasses.

She sipped it delicately. “Ooh, this is the good stuff.”

He tried it, “I think so, too.” John deserved more credit than he gave him. That pervy bastard was so well versed in seduction.

Arielle sat her glass next to the champagne bucket. “I’m going to slip into something more comfortable.”

“Something comfortable? I know just the thing; nothing! Allow me.” Trent kissed her neck. She smelled amazing. The musk beneath her perfume was a mixture of strawberries and peaches. His cock stirred and hardened beneath his jeans. He cursed inwardly. He had gone commando today and it was hard to hide his erection. Thank god, she hadn’t noticed yet. He stroked her shoulder and tilted her chin up with the tip of his finger. He kissed her deeply. Damn. She even tasted good, like expensive champagne. Her face flushed prettily. He stopped her when she reached up to unbutton her blouse. “No.” He shook his head. “Stay still. Getting you naked is part of my fantasy. Don’t deprive me of that pleasure.”

He unwrapped her like a kid diving into his gifts on Christmas morning and Arielle was the present he had been waiting for all his life. He slid off her jacket and unbuttoned her shirt. His mouth watered instantly. Her voluptuous, fantastic breasts were covered in a powder blue lacy bra. After he removed her skirt, he discovered her matching panties. His cock throbbed achingly. He licked his lips at the thought of what he was going to do to her. He’d take her, taste her, and then fuck her until he and his beast were truly sated.

“Sit,” he ordered. His voice was rough and dripping with lust. His thoughts were heavy with unholy things.

She swallowed hard, and the small motion didn’t escape his attention. Even her smallest reaction made him want to jump on her with abandon.
Control your beast!

She obeyed his command.

Trent kneeled and removed her pumps. Then her hosiery. There was nothing sexier than peeling a stocking from a woman’s leg. The anticipation. The discovery. And the knowledge that she was all his for the taking.

“Now. Where were we?” His eyes roamed all over her body.

“I believe it’s my turn.” She tugged at the shirt he was wearing. “Take this off.”

“Sorry, babe, but you don’t tell me what to do. You’re mine tonight, so that means I’m in charge.”

“That doesn’t sound fair.”

“Life hardly is.” He stroked her hair. “One thing is for sure, I only want you to feel pleasure tonight.”

Her lingerie looked so pretty on her. It seemed a shame to take them off of her, but tonight he wanted to explore every inch of her body. He unhooked her bra and banished it. Her panties met the same fate.

He kissed her sweet mouth and slipped his hand down over her pussy. He was delighted to find her already wet. Arielle gasped when he slipped a finger inside her. The viscous liquid of arousal slickened his entry. Her scent hit his nostrils, it was so heady that he could almost taste it. The memory of their lovemaking in the car surfaced and suddenly, his hunger was rabid. He pushed her knees apart and zeroed his attention on his prize.

He gave her pussy a long, wet lick. He flicked his tongue on her pussy lips and sucked them as if they were delicious treat. Arielle moaned and closed her eyes; encouraged, he latched his mouth onto her succulent bud.

A little scream curled from her lips. She whipped her head backward as her back hit the mattress. Her body shook and writhed with the rhythm of his tongue. The combination of her scent and the taste of her pussy made his cock hard to the point of pain. He swirled his tongue deeper into her opening, feasting on her. She came twice in a short amount of time.

His cock throbbed unmercifully; he unbuckled his belt and unzipped his jeans, letting his erection out. He stroked himself as he fucked her with his tongue. Would she be this wet if he fucked her pussy with his cock? Which one did she like better, his tongue or his cock? He was pleased that he had all time in the world tonight.

“Trent, I’m…” She screamed again as another sexual storm consumed her body.

Satisfied with his feast, he wiped his mouth and stood up. He took his shirt off, stepped out of his jeans, and threw them aside. At the sight of his nakedness, Arielle sat up and eyed him with hunger. Her mouth fell open as she stared at his massive erection.

With a wicked smile, he pumped his hips in her direction, teasing. “Do you want have a taste, babe? Want to suck my cock?”

He knew his words sound vulgar, but this was beyond sex; this was a primal mating ritual saved for the actual marking of a mate. A weretiger could only claim his mate by biting his female on the nape of her neck. But he couldn’t do that without her consent.

She swallowed hard. Eyes wide. She licked her lips. “Please…”

“Suck me,” His voice was thick.

With a smile, she crawled forward on the bed towards him. She wrapped both hands around his rock-hard shaft and stroked him tentatively. Her fingers looked so small and delicate on his reddened flesh.

“Harder,” he mumbled. He cleared his throat. “You won’t hurt me. Harder.”

She worked her hands faster. She kissed the tip and his cock jerked to attention. Her sweet lips enveloped the head and her soft, velvety tongue caressed his most sensitive part.

He groaned aloud, threading his fingers in her lush hair. She sucked him good and she definitely wasn’t a stranger in giving head. His cock shuddered inside her mouth as she worshipped and pleased him.