CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Danielle

I spread my legs a little more and he wrapped one arm around me to hold me still. He thrust two fingers inside of me, sucking my clit until he’d apparently decided I’d had enough. He stood, lifting me in his arms, carrying me to the office and laying me on the sofa. He tapped one of my knees and I dropped it so he could return to what he was doing before. God, what this man could do with his tongue. I tilted my hips in an effort to get closer.

“Fuckin’ soaked,” he said, and slipped his fingers inside me again.

I felt my climax build as his mouth covered my center and I gripped his hair as my orgasm hit. Austin kissed my inner thighs, slid his fingers out of me and rose to his feet. I watched through hooded eyes as he walked into the bathroom and washed up.

***

I could barely move, but I managed to slide my dress back down to cover my nakedness and roll onto my side. Austin walked back toward me and I saw the rock-hard evidence of his arousal pressing against his zipper, but I was disappointed to discover that we weren’t going any further. At least not right at the moment.

“I have to get back downstairs.” He sat down next to me and smiled as he stroked my cheek. “More of this later.”

“I want to yell at you right now, but I can’t move.” I slid my hand up his leg. “Give me a few minutes and I’ll be back to fighting form.”

Austin grinned, leaning down to kiss me quickly. “If you need anything, press the button by the door. Someone will assist you. But no one’s gonna let you leave, Dani, so don’t bother trying.”

“See? Now you’re pissing me off again.” I scowled. “You’re essentially keeping me prisoner and not telling me why.”

“I can’t tell you why.”

“I know, club business,” I ground out.

He sighed and rose to his feet. “I have to go.”

“Fine, go.” I closed my eyes and forced back my frustration as he walked out the door.

I didn’t get up until my bladder insisted I move, so I did. After that, I wandered back into the bar area, found my panties, and slid them back on. Surveying the racks of alcohol, I found what looked like really good Tequila and opened the bottle. Common sense would have suggested I pour a shot or two, or even mix the spirit with coke, however, I wasn’t feeling very common sensy, so I decided to drink directly from the bottle. And it was fantastic.

I’d taken a couple of long pulls from the bottle and figured I should find some food, so I pressed the little button by the door. Then I pressed it again and again, giggling maniacally as I did it again… then once more, just for fun.

“You only need to ring once, Miss Harris,” a female voice came through the little speaker above the button. “What can I get for you?”

“Well, since I’m drinking, I think I should eat something.”

“Good idea. What would you like?”

“Filet mignon, medium rare with braised asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes,” I rattled off.

“As you wish.”

“Wait, I was kidding,” I jumped to say. “Can you really do that?”

“We can do whatever you’d like, Miss Harris.”

“Well, okay. Um, how about some hummus and pita, please?” I asked.

“Of course.”

“Thank you,” I said, and sat back on the sofa, taking another swig of my delicious drink.

Ten minutes later, the door opened, and a young, good-looking man walked in with my food. I saw the open door and glanced at him.

He smiled. “Please don’t try, Miss Harris. You won’t get far, and you’ll just make Mr. Carver angry.”

I scowled. “I think I could take you.”

“You could try.” He chuckled. “I see you found the Barrique de Ponciano Porfidio.”

“Huh?”

He pointed to the bottle of tequila.

“Oh, yes,” I said. “The tequila.”

“The two-thousand-dollar bottle of tequila.”

“Shut up!” I added in a whisper, “Is it really?”

He chuckled with a nod. “Enjoy your refreshments, Miss Harris.”

And then he was gone. I flopped back onto the sofa and grabbed a piece of flatbread, scooping the warm hummus onto it and devouring it within seconds. I couldn’t remember a time I’d ever tasted anything better and I knew it wasn’t just because I was rapidly approaching drunkenness. It was damn good food.

I took another few bites before sitting back and evaluating my current state. I decided it would be a good idea to take a break from the tequila and maybe rest a bit. My head was foggy and I was no longer feeling tipsy and happy. I was rapidly approaching drunk… that is, if I wasn’t already… and I was back to feeling frustrated and angry.

I couldn’t believe that Austin would just leave me here. He had no right. I walked to the button again and this time a man’s voice came over the loudspeaker.

“Will someone let me know when I’ll be released from my cell?” I asked.

“Mister Carver didn’t give me that information, Miss Harris. I’m sorry.”

“Well, tell Aus—Mister Carver that if someone doesn’t fill me in on what the hell is going on, I’m going to call my brother.”

No one responded, so I decided to give them five minutes before I was going to pull out my cell phone and call down the wrath of Dani in the form of Elliot Harris, badass detective with a heart of gold. I giggled at the thought. Maybe I should switch careers. Be an ad person. My brilliance was obviously wasted on five-year-olds.

I was pulled from my thoughts when Austin walked into the room. “What the fuck, Dani?”

“You got my message I see,” I slurred, swaying a little on my feet.

“I can’t deal with you right now.”

“Then let me go home!” I snapped.

He swept past me and grabbed my purse. Taking my cell out of it, he slid the device into his pocket.

“What are you doing?” I squeaked.

“Protecting you from yourself.”

I forced back tears of frustration. “I hate you so much right now.”

He sighed. Making his way to the door, he opened it, handed my phone to who the hell knows, nodded, and then closed the door again. He pulled me into his arms and stroked my hair. “I know you don’t get what’s happening, baby, and if I could explain it, I would. But I need you to trust me.” He lifted my chin. “I’m trying to keep you safe.”

“By having me locked up in a strange place?”

“By having you close.” He cupped my cheek. “Please, Dani. Trust that I’ve got your back. Kim’s safe—”

“Was she not safe before?” I demanded.

“That’s something I wasn’t willing to find out. Mack’s got her.”

I snorted. “Knowing Kim, Mack’s probably tied up to the bed while she fucks him senseless.”

Austin burst out laughing. “Babe.”

“What? It’s true. She’s perfect and awesome and sweet, but she loves sex and she goes through men like underwear.” I shrugged. “They love every minute of it, but she doesn’t tend to stay with one guy for very long.”

“Well, knowing Mack, he’ll be happy to oblige whatever fantasy she can dream up.”

I licked my lips. “Can I really not go home?”

“Not right now. I will make this up to you, but if you’ll just be patient for a little while longer, I’d appreciate it.”

“I drank your two-thousand-dollar tequila,” I challenged.

“I know.”

“You’re not mad?”

He smiled. “No, baby, I’m not mad. Just pace yourself.”

“It made me tired.”

“I bet.”

“It also made me horny.” I bit my lip, sliding my hand under the waistband of his trousers.

“Fuck, baby,” he rasped, grabbing my wrist. “I can’t do this right now.”

“Five minutes,” I argued.

“No.” He cupped my face. “One, I’m not having our first night together be when you’re wasted out of your mind and, two, I have shit to do.” He turned away from me and opened a cabinet door against the wall. Pulling out a blanket and pillow, he dropped them on the sofa and then closed the distance between us again. “Hydrate, Dani, okay? If you get tired, go to sleep. I don’t know how long this is going to take. If you want to watch television, do so. Do your best to make yourself at home and if you need anything, press the button. But try not to pull me away again, yeah? I need to focus.”

“Fine. Go.” I pulled away and flopped onto the couch.

He sighed again and leaned down. “Rest, baby. You’ll feel better once you sleep off the alcohol.”

“Do I need to remind you of the fact you’re not the boss of me?” I asked.

Austin smiled. “God, you’re gorgeous.”

“Don’t get all cute and sexy right now, Austin Carver. I’m not in the mood.”

He kissed my forehead. “Forgive me. I’ll see you in a bit.”

I waved my hand in the air and stuck my tongue out at him. “’Bye. Don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.”

He grinned and walked out the door.