Besieged (8 page)

A small voice in the back of mind alerts me to the possible consequences of this situation, but the raw need pulsing through me quickly quashes it away. As if in answer to me he kisses me back harder, and then bites my bottom lip. He grabs my arse and pulls me toward him, pushing his erection into my hip leaving me with absolutely no doubt as to my influence. He eventually pulls away from me, leaving me gasping and breathless. His eyes are blazing with need, clearly just as affected as I am.

He takes a deep breath and flashes me a wry smile. He leans in close again. “You taste as good as you look Lilly.” He breathes close to my ear and then grazes my ear lobe with his teeth. It sends shivers down my spine making my fingers dig into his back. I'm left gasping, my legs trembling, which I tell myself is from the alcohol and not his lips. I cling to him for support. I know in the morning I will regret having succumbed to his charms, but right now I want him so damn badly and I just can’t find the will power to pry myself away from his beautiful face, or his oh so capable lips, or the firm muscles under my fingers. Oh god I can just imagine how hot he looks naked. This is a dangerous line of thought when involved with this man. He just has the kind of lure that makes me want filthy sex with him, the kind of sex that would have me screaming out his name whilst clawing my nails down his back. His effect is worrying, he can make me completely forget all reason with just one look. I take a deep breath and clear my mind, without his lips touching my skin I’m able to form semi rational thoughts once again.

I just kissed Theodore Ellis, my firm’s biggest client. I've crossed a line. Shit! This is bad. This is really fucking bad.

I step back. “Um, I need to go and find my brother.” I manage to say.

He smiles tightly. “I’ll see you later then.” It’s almost a threat, but he releases me and I am grateful.

I turn and walk or rather stagger across the dance floor. I didn't realise how drunk I was, supported by Theo's strong arms, now it's hitting me like a freight train. That last round of shots has finished me off.

I spot Harry dancing with Molly less than innocently. I approach them and Molly beams at me. Harry is dressed in jeans and a blue striped shirt. His dark hair and tan almost make him look Italian, but his green eyes are a give-away. I notice him eyeing Molly’s arse. I slap him round the back of the head. He looks like a naughty little boy who’s been caught doing something he shouldn’t, he laughs. Keeping Harry and Molly apart has been my life’s mission. It would just be so wrong.

“Come dance Lill’s.” He grins.

I glance over Molly’s shoulder and notice Theo with another well-dressed blonde guy standing at the glass balcony above the club. They're surrounded by a group of beautiful women. One has her lips against Theo’s throat and her hand pressed against his crotch. His hand grabs her arse which is barely covered in a miniscule skirt. A feeling of unease stirs in me, let’s just say it’s a feeling I’m unaccustomed to and it freaks me the hell out. Through the entire exchange his eyes never leave mine, he smirks in a way that makes me clench my thighs together and winks at me. I turn away from him, keeping a mask of indifference on my face. It’s a skill at which I’m well practiced.

As I turn away from him the realisation of what I’ve just done starts to slowly sink through my alcohol induced haze. I kissed Theodore Ellis. Not only is he a client, but he's also a man whore. I groan inwardly to myself. Way to go Lilly, now he thinks you're just as easy as all the other girls he's managed to seduce in exactly the same way. Remember play, don't be played. That's the only way. You can't play this one’s game. Walk away.

The music changes again and I'm really drunk, not to mention the fact that I need to escape before Theo finds me and takes advantage of my inebriated state.

“I’m going.” I say to Molly and Harry.

“I’ll come with you.” Molly says.

“No, no it’s fine babes. You stay. I’ll get a taxi.” I don’t want to drag her away. She looks like she’s having a good time.

“You can’t go home alone Lilly” Harry says, doing his protective older brother routine.

“Harry the taxi’s are right outside. Jesus, calm down.” I roll my eyes. “I’ll see you guys later.” I leave before he can object.

I go and get my jacket from the cloakroom and stagger out of the club into the cold night air. I take a deep breath trying to clear my head.

“Are you ok?” One of the bouncers looks concerned.

“I’m fine.” I respond. God I must look worse than I thought.

I start walking down the pavement. I think I saw a taxi rank around the corner when we came in. I’m startled when someone grasps me firmly at my elbow. I whirl around tearing my arm away. I put my fists up into a well-practiced defensive position.

Theo stands there frowning at me, holding his hands up. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He frowns as his eyes search mine.

“It’s fine. I just need to go.” I manage to slur dropping my arms to my sides. My head spins violently and my stomach rolls, god I should not have drunk that much.

“Where are you going?” He asks gently.

“Home.” I respond. He frowns again and takes a deep breath.

“I can take you home.” He offers.

I sigh. “Look Theo, I’m sorry about tonight. I shouldn’t have acted like that with you. I…I’m sorry. Please can we just forget about it?” I plead with him, hoping desperately that he'll accept my apology and leave.

Suddenly I’m being moved and there’s a wall to my back. I’m so drunk that I’m left feeling very confused. Where there was street lighting there’s now just darkness. I think I’ve been pulled into a side alley off the main street. There is a faint glow coming from the left where the main street is. A surge of panic creeps up in my chest as I realise the situation I’m now in. My body tenses, ready to fight.

"It's okay. I just want to talk to you.” He whispers in the darkness. He’s too close. My breathing becomes shallow as an age old fear grips my throat. I try to gather my thoughts and remember my self-defence training, but my drunken state has made me weak and my mind useless. I’m shaking violently as my body locks down and braces for impact.

“Lilly.” He touches my face and I flinch. “Lilly, hey calm down. I would never hurt you." His voice is soft and quiet as he gently rubs my arm. As my eyes adjust to the light I can make out his features in the dim light. I can see sympathy in his eyes, which I hate, but behind that I can see something angry and deadly. My panic slowly subsides at his soothing tone, until I can breathe again.

“It’s okay, I’m fine.” I say dismissively. I really don’t want him to see my whole can of crazy right now.

“Okay, I’ll ignore whatever that was for now.” He can’t possibly know just how grateful I am for that. “But tell me…why are you sorry Lilly?” He breathes just inches from my face. His breath is intoxicating and my earlier panic easily gives way to much baser instincts. I can only just make out his features and without being able to see him properly my body becomes hyper aware of his presence. Every nerve ending is on edge, anticipating.

I drag in a ragged breath and swallow hard. “I… I shouldn’t have been so inappropriate.” Yeah, that’s one word for it.

He laughs. “Inappropriate? No. I like you Lilly, and I want you. I thought I made that pretty clear.” He places both his hands on either side of my head, caging me against the wall, then leans down and brushes his lips across my neck. I tremble against the wall and my heart leaps into a sprint. It takes everything in me to form some semblance of reason.

I would love to get hot and sweaty with him, but if there's one thing I'm not and never will be, it's a notch on someone’s bedpost. I don't like being played. I like casual sex, don't get me wrong, but he seems to have this ability to really get under my skin in a way no man ever has. Not good. I need to put some distance between us. I’m drunk and he’s affecting me more because of it.

“You don’t like me. You just want to get in my pants Theo.” I manage to put some conviction in my voice and sound stern, quite a feat considering my current state.

“Well I won't deny it. After all, we both know it would be explosive.” His tone is layered with seduction. I bite my lip nervously. I don't trust myself around him right now.

“I need to go home Theo. I’m sure there are plenty of women in the club who would be all too happy to indulge you.” I didn't mean to sound quite so acerbic, although I manage to sound relatively together despite my spinning head. He needs to know that I’m not one of 'those girls' he can flash a cute smile at and I’ll fall at his feet.

He sighs and presses himself closer to me so that his breath tickles my ear. He gently strokes one hand along my neck. I shiver at his touch. “I don't want anyone else. I want you Lilly. I need to be in you, it’s killing me every time I see you.” He whispers enticingly. Oh and I’d love you in me Theo, but I’m not telling you that. “I know you want it just as badly as I do.” I glare at him in the darkness. "You're just too damn stubborn to admit it." He murmurs under his breath.

“Wow, could your head be any further up your own arsehole.” I snap. Theo laughs loudly in the darkness, making my temper boil. He steps closer to me and tilts his head, gently skimming his nose along my jaw. I tense trying not to react, but my heart pounds along with my desperate breaths. He chuckles quietly.

“You can try and kid yourself all you like Lilly, but your entire body is screaming that you want it.” He purrs. Damn it, of course I want it, but I’m not about to lose all self-respect just for sex. Guaranteed amazing multiple orgasm sex I’m sure, but even so.

"I'm drunk. It doesn't count." I argue.

He leans closer still and whispers against my lips. "You are drunk, but you don't think I see the way you look at me when you're hiding behind your suits and professional courtesy. You may keep up that cool exterior, buy just under the surface you're burning up for me. I’ll bet you've pictured me between your legs a hundred different ways. God knows I have." His hot breath warms my lips, his words are brusque, almost aggressive in their delivery. My body trembles and burns for him as moisture pools rapidly between my thighs, and he's not even touching me. His words both infuriate me and turn me on so much. Fuck I am so screwed. "But the thing I can't understand is why you deny yourself Lilly. You tease me, only to deny me. I'll admit it's a turn on, but a man can only take so much. I'm dying here. You want me on my knees...I'm already there sugar." He whispers. His fingers wind into my hair as his voice drops, becoming husky and seductive. His fingers tighten as his lips brush my ear. "You want me just as much as I want you, even now I bet you're wet for me."

Really?! I push away from him quickly, leaving a few feet of space between us. “Okay! You're hot, I admit it. But don’t you think I see what you are?" Oh god, this is a full scale rant. It's like watching a train wreck, horrific but hopelessly unstoppable. "You’re hot and wealthy and you only have to click your fingers and a willing vagina appears before you. I hate to think how many women you've slept with, but I'm not one of those women Theo. Jesus. How weak do you think I am? I could never get drunk enough to have sex with you! I do have some fucking self-respect." It's as though alcohol has inhibited my brain to mouth filter, not that I normally keep tabs on it anyway, but this is Theodore Ellis. Essentially my boss' boss. He could ruin my career in a heartbeat if he wanted to. I take a deep breath to calm myself.

“Lilly.” He says my name like a command. I don’t look at him.

"No, please just stop.” I whisper. I’m drunk and irrational and I know tomorrow this will probably become the single most humiliating moment of my life to date. I shove past him and stagger back onto the main street.

“Lilly.” He calls after me.

I don’t turn around, I just keep walking for what seems like miles but in reality is probably about a hundred yards. I’m so drunk, my head is spinning violently and I just want to lie down on the pavement and pass out. I walk around the corner and onto another street.

“Lilly.” Oh why won’t he just leave it?

A very nice black Aston Martin pulls up beside me, it's engine purring softly as it crawls along beside the pavement. He’s leaning out of the window.

“Lilly, I’ll take you home.” He speaks softly as though he’s speaking to a child. I turn and look at him.

“I can get myself home. Thank you.” I say curtly.

“Lilly, for Christ sake get in the car.” He’s gritting his teeth, clearly trying to supress his anger. I wave a hand dismissively in his direction. I get to the end of the road and still can't see any taxis, ugh just typical! I stand for a second and look left and then right debating which way to go. He stops the car next to me.

“Really Lilly?” He growls. “This is childish.” I scowl at him. His eyes flash with anger and his jaw is clenched. He radiates that impenetrable energy of his. Why do I have to be so attracted to him, even now?!

He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a moment. “You’re hammered and staggering down a street in the middle of London at two in the morning. Now get in the fucking car!” He shouts and glares at me. “Before I get out and put you in the car forcibly.” He lowers his voice. The look in his eyes tells me that he is deadly serious.

I glare at him, but he has a point. “Fine.” I huff and stomp over to the car. “You’re taking me home and then you’re leaving.” I try to snap at him, but the effect is marred by my slurring. My head is really spinning now.

"With pleasure." He mutters.

I get in the car, its interior is finer than most houses. The dash board is all fine stitched leather and fancy gadgetry. I turn and face him, he’s glaring at me, visibly fuming.

I look around. "Well you know what they say about men who drive cars like this." I gesture at the dash board and glance at him, he has a wry smile on his face, but otherwise ignores my comment.

“Where do you live?”

“The Westside of Holland Park Square, number twelve.” I recite the address. He begins to drive, and I begin to feel very ill.

“It seems you're even more feisty than first thought. It's...different.” He glances in my direction smiling again, it seems angry Theo has gone back in his box.