30

Maria
“Imagine what else we’re going to do to you, little pet? In the end, we’re going to fuck every hole, taking you over and over again.”
I could hear Clinton’s voice in the back of my mind, the promise sounding more like a warning during the middle of passion. While it should be unnerving as hell given the dream I’d had, my skin continued to tingle from the thought.
Deja vu.
I wasn’t certain why I had that feeling other than it had struck me the moment the three men were standing together. As if we’d been together before. But with one being from New York, another from Philadelphia and Clinton from Chicago, I couldn’t imagine where I could have possibly been in the same place at the same time with them.
Maybe I’d gotten the feeling from the intense sexual prowess they exuded, but it remained unnerving.
Even some of the words they’d used had presented a thick fog over my mind, leaving an eerie feeling that I’d yet to shake.
Little pet. I stared at myself, thinking about what that would mean. I was no prude. I’d seen enough movies, had read countless romance novels about BDSM and submissive women. I’d convinced myself I couldn’t stand the thought, but now, I wasn’t so certain given my reaction to being pulled into a man’s lap.
Like I was a little girl.
Whew, it was suddenly very hot in the bathroom. I spritzed some perfume, then grabbed my purse, uncertain why I was so nervous.
Maybe because it wasn’t every day that a girl was asked out by three gorgeous men. At the same time. I laughed softly and returned my attention to the mirror, making faces at my reflection. I’d enjoyed a delightful lunch with them, although Clinton was called away on business only minutes after sitting down at the table. What had shocked me was the intensity of the three men as well as the obvious camaraderie.
That alone had instantly made me comfortable around them. I found them more than just pleasant to be around, their banter keeping me laughing almost the entire time. It was funny that they were so different in their actions and demeanor, yet they were also very close, even able to finish each other’s sentences.
However, there was an electric charge humming through all three men that exuded danger, as if I were their prey. It was something else I couldn’t push aside. I knew who and what they were. Perhaps that was the only reason for feeling that way.
The fact that they’d been college buddies and had remained friends wasn’t that unusual, but their strong connection was. Or maybe I didn’t know what I was talking about. Being in Julliard hadn’t necessarily given me a true representation of the life of a college student, especially since I’d only attended for one year. That was okay. I’d met all the right people, and here I was today, a mega star.
It was strange, though. As I’d waited for them while they’d had a business discussion, and I’d observed their actions to try and learn more about them. There was no denying their closeness or the fact that they were attracted to me. However, their conversation had taken a darker turn. At one point, I’d been certain they were going to start fighting. The strangest thing of all was that I was certain they were arguing about me.
As to whether they wanted to share or whether they had to fight amongst themselves for a date with me? A girl could dream that she was the object of affection for three hunky, powerful men.
I rolled my eyes and took another look before spinning around, checking the time on my phone. I wasn’t entirely certain where we were going or who would pick me up, but I’d been told to be ready at seven sharp.
While both Weston and Christian had told me what they did for a living, I gathered a sense that both men were dangerous as well. It was the way they carried themselves, and the fact that I’d caught a glimpse of the weapon Christian carried. He’d also scanned the restaurant and bar several times. Maybe the dead giveaway had been the beefy looking man standing only fifteen feet from the table on the bottom deck.
What I hadn’t told them was that during their lengthy discussion, I’d searched the internet on my phone. The information I’d found had been enough to skyrocket my pulse and should have been the reason I walked away from the table before they returned. Two were from mafia families, although Clinton’s family had disguised their operations, his parents living in the lap of luxury in the Hamptons alongside senators and ‘A’ list actors. Their businesses were mostly legit, though it had been easy to sort through the glossy magazine spreads and realize that their underground businesses had made their fortune.
Christian’s family either didn’t have that luxury or had never wanted to. In South America, they were gods, ruling almost everything. The fact that his father had been recently murdered had allowed for his rise to power.
Weston was the anomaly. His father had built a textile empire that had limited competition. However, he’d taken the massive corporation to a darker side, using blackmail on a regular basis. Or so said the single article I’d been able to scan prior to their return to the table. It had been written recently, including on a university they’d all attended. I’d tagged it as a favorite to return to at a later time.
Everything I’d learned had given me the chills, although strangely enough, I’d been excited the entire time I’d spent with them after their return. I’d felt alive, free of the obnoxious tether to being a good girl I’d had my entire life. I had no idea what to expect for the night, but I was looking forward to it, nonetheless.
When I heard my cellphone ring, I groaned. I was a grown woman living on my own and had been for years, yet my mother had told me more than once that she required a once-a-week check-in like I was still in high school. I adored my parents, but it was getting ridiculous.
“Hello, Mom. Yes, I’m doing great, Mom. Of course, I’ve been eating, Mom.” I couldn’t help but laugh when she snorted.
“Is that any way to talk to your loving mother?”
“It depends. How are you and Dad?”
“If the man will ever stop finding excuses to go back to work, I’d be just fine.”
“I thought he was retired for good.”
She sighed. The poor woman had been dealing with daddy going out of town with limited notice for years. Granted, she lived in a gorgeous estate in San Diego, but I knew how much she wanted to travel.
“You know your father. He likes to have his hands in the middle of everything. That’s just the way he is.”
“Oh, yes. Your daddy is an assassin for some terrible men.”
What the hell? I glanced from one side of the room to the other. A man’s voice. Oh, God. I was absolutely losing my mind or needed some additional sleep.
“Maria, are you there?”
“Uh, yeah, mom. I’m right here.” I rubbed my arm, a cold chill lingering.
My father almost never talked about his work, but I knew he had wealthy clients all over the world who refused to accept his retirement.
“Anyway? I just wanted to see how everything was going there.”
“Fine, Mom. Just like it was the first day I got here. The resort is gorgeous, my suite bigger than my place in LA. I met the owner. He’s… fascinating.” I thought about Emerald’s comments from the night before and cringed. I had no intentions of telling her that I was going on a date with the man and his friends. I returned to the living room, walking towards the beautiful Marias.
Then my eyes settled on a single petal that had fallen. When I picked it up, a jarring memory rushed into the forefront of my mind.
“I think someone has been inside our suite.”
It was my voice even though it echoed. But who had I been talking to? What suite?
“Mmm… well, it sounds like you’re being treated very well. Just like you should be. I still worry though. I wish you hadn’t gone there.”
“Why? You’ve never once told me why.” I brought the petal to my nose, closing my eyes as I inhaled the lovely scent. Why were goosebumps popping down both arms?
“The city is dangerous. You know that.”
Danger. Danger. Danger.
“Mama. I’ve toured in New York,” I told her then walked toward the window, studying the gorgeous scenery below. The atrium was gorgeous, the greenery adding a special touch to the hotel.
“I know, but Chicago is different.”
“Okay. Whatever you say. I’ll take your word for it. Anyway, I have a date tonight.” Why did I tell her that?
“With the owner?” Now her voice sounded hopeful.
“Yes.” A little white lie never hurt anyone.
“What’s his name?”