3

She was going to die because of Lucian Conover. Tally Raines grimaced as he finished entering the last of the numbers he had requested into the informative database. There was a sale in the city's most upmarket shoe shop, Brighton's, and the entire afternoon was at her disposal.

Leaving the office undetected was becoming increasingly difficult. She was sure Lucian had concealed cameras in the workplace and was watching her time away from her desk. She was only permitted one hour for lunch. Even if she made it to her favourite café and bought a coffee, she wouldn't have had time to dine or peruse the sale racks. Being employed with Jesse had eased my work life substantially. Why did she think she could put up with working with Conover?

She had tried to protest the change, of course, but to no avail. Jesse had been relieved to see her depart his workplace. She gave out a snort of laughter. This new axe-wielder he recruited likely also took care of the paperwork. After he married Terrie, he became exceedingly pampered.

When she reminisced about her time with Terrie, she felt a flood of mixed feelings. Jesse had forbidden any further body modification, such as piercings or tattoos, and he insisted on accompanying her on all of her dates with the other woman. It's over, kids. But few of her pals shared her excitement for her more adventurous interests.

There hadn't been any for a long, however. For some reason, she had lost some of the glitter she had felt for combing her favourite spots. She persuaded herself that the fact that it had started the night she had walked in on the tiny ménage à trois between Jesse, Terrie, and Lucian was unimportant. Yet, the image kept playing in her thoughts.

Jesse's cock had speared up Terrie's ass, and Lucian's wild hunger had forced him to fuck her pussy. Tally had run hastily, but the horrors she had experienced would not let her forget them. The heightened sexual urge it caused was driving her mad, and she had no idea how to stop it.

She assured herself firmly, disregarding the increasing heat in the region between her thighs, that she did not want Conover. She could do much better than this pompous, condescending, and overconfident guy. Why couldn't she?

I need access to the Charter file, Tally. After a moment, Lucian emerged from his office, scowling at her.

She lifted an eyebrow in icy interest. Last Thursday, Charter chose to terminate the contract.

She went back to the computer, saved the data, and put the file she had been working on on the side of her desk, along with a dozen others. To her ear, Lucian's gnashing of teeth was audible.

When was it fell, he lightly poked. I don't think I did.

In any event, that's a pretty wonderful voice. To prevent the chill from flowing up her spine, Tally clenched. She had to concentrate all her resolve to preserve the illusion of sleepiness as she closed the programme, reclined back in her chair, and turned around to meet his attention again.

She leaned back, crossed her legs, and ignored the flutter of excitement as his gaze travelled over her silky skin and flared with want. And she wasn't wrong; he was horny.

She tried her best to mask her horror at the unexpected flames that danced in his green eyes. As his eyes returned to hers, he tightened the full curve of his lower lip, emphasising his rugged features in a way that was almost cruel.

She delicately lifted a brow, knowing full well that the way it arched into a wingtip would irritate him. It's possible that his fury has pushed him off-kilter. A crazed Lucian was something she could live with. The steady, unwavering Lucian had sent shivers down her spine.

His green eyes became gloomy and his brows furrowed for several seconds. After that, his face relaxed, as if the storm were about to commence. One never knows if anything like this won't be interesting. She grimaced and attempted to seem nonchalant, but his look intensified.

The Charter file, he said warily. “Now.”

She gave forth an unduly tolerant sigh. As for me, I'm doing fine. A week ago, it was evident that the contract had been dropped, hence I don't see the need in examining it again. In addition, the proprietor is a vermin. No, he's not someone you'd get along with.

In spite of her frustration, she got to her feet and made her way to the filing cabinet. She was reluctant to cope with the tall, scary metal cabinets, and while Jesse presumably understood her concern, Lucian did nothing but stand carelessly against the doorframe and observe her with narrowed eyes.

The file in the top drawer is the one he needs. Tally, who is only five feet and two inches tall, stood no more than a foot and a half away from the top of the cabinet. She pulled out the drawer and, on tiptoes, combed through the documents until she identified the one he required. She pulled it out, replaced it, and strolled calmly over to him.

His eyes were burning, but not with fury.

A reference to Mr. Conover's file was made. She offered it to him, attempting to contain the crimson that was building in her cheeks at the sight of his look on her breasts. But under his attention, she felt her breasts twitch and her nipples flare. She was taking deep, even breaths, but her heart was pounding wildly.

What's on your sleeve? He completely disregarded the file and reached out, sliding a finger under the slit in the fabric.

When his finger went beneath the edge of her lacy, low-cut bra, Tally diverted her gaze and nearly flinched. The two buttons on her white silk shirt had come undone, revealing practically all of her skin to his gaze. The sight of his black but not quite as dark as her own skin sent thrills of awakened awareness rushing through her veins.

The image of him sexily working his cock between Terrie's thighs while naked triggered a sudden outburst of rage in Terrie. Out of character, unexplainable animosity. She shouldn't give a damn about how frequently or with whom he fucked. That shouldn't be a factor.

When she ran her finger along one side of the slit, she peered at him from behind her eyelids and then raised her hand.

Do you want this file? she questioned him in a low, initially seductive tone. A split second later, she looked up and let the ice below free run. If you don't shake my hand, "or the one I'll present afterwards for sexual harassment?"

As his eyes climbed back to meet hers, the intensity in them nearly burned her. Because of that stare, her pussy swollen and her clit stung. She arched an arrogant brow in enquiry.

"Would you?" he finally asked her. "Tally, I never would have guessed you for a hypocrite. But if you want to play that way...

He removed his hand hesitation to take the file from hers. His seductive lips turned up in a tiny smile.

She wasn't a hypocrite, but she was clever and would utilise every advantage she could.

I'm going to lunch if that's all you need. She buttoned her shirt up without batting an eye and moved away from him.

Tally, we're still half an hour away from lunch,” he said nonchalantly. Your paycheck will be lowered.

Tally gave a casual shrug, showing no sign of concern. To put it simply, it would be worthwhile.

I'm going to make it. After she gathered her belongings, she stepped out the door.

I didn't notice any hint of weakness in you. I could be wrong, of course. When she heard his voice, she halted and turned back to face him, her fury pouring up.

"A chicken?" She put on an air of superior disdain by lifting the brows of her brows. "And what led you to this conclusion?"

To return his look, she crossed her arms in front of her chest and peered at him. Whoever he was, he was an arrogant jerk who deserves to be damned.

Because you're interested in having me around. Both you and I are aware of this, but you continue to resist. His tone of voice was deep, murky, and husky. When he spoke to her in that tone, she immediately became irritated. She detested the way it made her puss throb and pulse and beg for his touch. Yet, she also recognised that there was nil likelihood of success.

"Dear Mr. Conover," I welcomed. Mockingly, she let out a sigh. I've lived long enough to know that I won't be able to fulfil every goal of mine. Maybe you can take something away from this.

It was advice she genuinely considered. Men like Lucian were at the top of the list of things that were bad for one's emotional health and general well-being. Tally was quite confident in her steady nature. If she even entertained the notion that she could go to sleep with him, have some wild sex with him, and then wake up with the matter healed, that would be a different thing. But she had a sneaking suspicion that this wasn't the case.

She remained perfectly still as he methodically paced over to her. He was as tall and wide as he had been when he fucked Terrie, and if the bulge in his trousers was any sign, he was just as aroused and as huge.

He stood in front of her and peered down at her, making her glance up at him in surprise.

He whispered gently, "Strange," seemingly at a lost for words. She wasn't the least bit deceived. You stepped into that office while I was fucking Terrie, and that's when I acquired this suddenly aggressive attitude. How Jealous Are You, Tally?

Her brows tightened and she felt her gut twist at his surprise query.

"Oh, certainly, I noticed you walking in." When she retreated from him, he tossed the file onto a neighbouring shelf.

She felt small and defenceless in the company of someone so physically strong. There was nowhere to escape away from the danger. She was held solidly with her back against the door by his spread arms.

Tally, your nipples are rock solid, he hissed. You are fucking hot as hell right now, and that icy expression can't change that. So you want me, but you're too chicken to actually ask for me?

“Scared? Of you?" She failed badly at conveying her desired scorn. No way, Jose. What you're doing is letting your imagination go wild. Certainly you aren't the first man, and certainly won't be the last, to arouse a sexual response from me. Never have any doubts about that. To be clear, I get to pick and choose my fucking partners. In addition, I pledge not to f*ck you.

"Because you're terrified," he said. She noticed that the icy green of his gaze had begun to change as he looked at her. You're tiny, but you're strong enough to hold me.

The words he shouted were so outrageous that they sent bolts of indignation, or was it ardent lust, surging through her.

Please, please run away. Her tone was one of cynical amusement as she pushed him back, her hands flattening on his chest. You believe your dick is so enormous that I'm frightened of it? Her lips curled seductively as she straightened the shoulders of her silk blouse and ironed out the crease at the top of her skirt and gazed up at him again.

Conover, keep dreaming. I don't have a problem with your cock or your hedonistic habits. You were no match for me, and I refuse to cope with the ramifications of your wounded ego when you finally confess it. The opposite of fear is reality. Any further contact and I will have to resign. I am spared the double whammy of your advances and short temper. I'm the first to resign.

She seized the doorknob and yanked it open, preparing to run, but was stopped short by the appearance of the black, satanic counterpart to the dreadful spirit she had just left.

"Take it easy, honey." Devril The sound of Conover's voice was like a combination of intense sex, scotch at midnight, and your most hedonistic desires. Consonant with Lucian's. As Devril had entered the room in its entirety, he gripped her hips and pushed her backward, forcing her to stand with her back to Lucian.

How are you? While she was silent, Dev enquired. There was no sound coming out of her mouth. Devril rubbed against her breasts while Lucian wrapped her from behind. Her body felt like it was being consumed by heat. She felt as though she was being held in place by bands of invisible steel, and she was curiously astonished by the unexpected sense of safety and strength that came from the two guys. Their kindness encompassed her entirely. Covered in it.

She was completely taken aback by his presence and stared up at him. The man behind her was the spitting picture of the devil, gazing fiercely at her and serving as a continual reminder of what she was giving up by leaving through that door. Aside from Lucian's temptations, she also had to cope with Dev, the sin twin incarnate with his dark hair. So far as she was concerned, that was utterly unjust. She could only infer that fate was out to get her.

What I was looking for! She gazed up at Devril and sighed with mockingly phoney patience, all the while flicking her eyes seductively. Connecting Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee. Have you boys ever do something solo?”

“Where would the fun be in that?” Lucian asked her as his lips curled against her ear, his hands on her shoulders as she felt the hard length of his cock against the small of her back, Devril’s against her lower stomach. “Or the challenge? I’ll make you beg me to touch you again, Tally.”

The sexual tension rose as she realised the implication behind his words. The air stuck in her chest and passion sizzled through her veins. Both of them? Brothers? The temptation was damned near impossible to deny. She couldn’t have dreamt of any sexual experience that would have possibly been better. Maybe one that came closer to her desires.

Except.

Lucian was her supervisor. Her job as assistant to the vice president of Delacourte-Conover may become highly risky and even if she did quit, resign or walk out, the gossip that would circulate may hurt her career. They might ruin her heart.

“Ohhh, so confident,” she mocked him waspishly, well aware that she had lost her appearance of cool disinterest as she pushed her way past Devril and made it to the door again. “I could make you beg.” She rolled her eyes with forced patience. “Not hardly.”

She turned back to them. They were like night and day. Devril looked her with open yearning while Lucian watched her with a mix of predatory interest and a flash of fury.

“We’ll forget this event ever happened,” she drawled coolly as they eyed her with their ever-present amusement. Fighting aside the idea that she was walking away from the ultimate sexual fantasy, she choked back her sigh of grief and informed them instead, “I’m going shopping. I’ll be back when I get back.” Her gaze fixed on Lucian. “And if you dock my earnings then you best make certain you bring your own coffee to work. And anything you buy here won’t be safe to drink.”\sShe turned and walked sedately from the room, though she closed the door a bit harder than she desired. The blood was flowing through her veins, desire and longing slithering through her womb as her cunt spilled with her juices. Have things ever been so utterly carnal? Not that she knew about. Which was terrifying. They were a weakness she could ill afford.

She had turned them down. She sucked in a hard breath and gave herself a mental pat on the back even as the darker part of her desires mentally kicked her. Could there be anything more seductive than the prospect of being governed by the two fallen angels of Delacourte-Conover? Not to her mind there wasn’t. However, she told herself, was there anything more dangerous?