Julian.
I stared at the screen of my phone, my grip on the device so tight I'm surprised it didn't shatter into pieces. Loosening the tie around my neck, I gritted my teeth, trying to control the storm of emotions swirling in me.
What the hell?
What the actual fuck?! Is Ivy crazy or something?
Against my better judgment, I clicked on the recording, listening to the obscene sounds Ivy made, forever etching them into my mind. Once... twice... thrice, the audio played over and over again until I was heaving, fighting a war between lust and self-loathing.
I knew it was fake, I mean the signs were all over it. The controlled breathing, perfectly timed moans, and whispered words but it didn't stop my body from responding nonetheless. I already had a bulge in my pants and, coupled with the events that occurred earlier today, I wanted to take the edge off.
For a moment, I considered jerking off to the audio but instantly changed my mind the moment the thought took root. That was beyond appalling, even for me. With a growl, I deleted the audio, discarded the phone carelessly, and scrubbed my face with my hands in frustration. Shooting to my feet, I paced around the room, my body still taut with tension, then poured myself a glass of whiskey.
Taking several swigs of the potent liquid, I stared out the window, feeling the liquor burn its way down to my stomach. The audio still lingered in my mind - tormenting, ensnaring me. For the first time, I hated the feeling it caused in me. Wanting something I shouldn't have. She was forbidden fruit, far from reach, yet I still craved her. She's playing me like a flute, and like a fool, I'm dancing to her tune.
Should I perhaps drop all this act and cancel the engagement? This is more than I bargained for. No, I thought to myself as I gritted my teeth in determination. I won't let her get to me. She won't win this battle. If this is her tactic to get me to crumble, I won't give her the satisfaction.
Picking my phone back up, I phoned Luther, tapping my foot impatiently as I waited for him to pick up. He answered on the third ring.
"Yes, boss..." he answered, his voice professional as always.
"What have you gathered about Valkaryon?" I asked, taking another swig of the whiskey.
There was some hesitation. "Unfortunately, sir, there isn't any information about them anywhere. Not online or even in the dark web. Even our sources don't have any information concerning that name."
My brows furrowed - that didn't sound good. "How come they know about us? Is it a code name, perhaps?"
"I suspect so, but I'll need to look into it and keep searching. I'll inform you if I discover anything," he said. I let out a breath, rubbing my forehead. If only that monitor hadn't self-destructed immediately, I might have found the chip that gave it its signal and used it to track that fucker.
"You think we have a mole within us?" I asked, my voice quieter this time. Luther's heavy breathing filtered through the phone and I held my breath.
"I... don't think there is, boss. But I will run a check right away."
"Do that immediately," I said.
"Yes, boss." He answered and I ended the call, slipping the phone into my pocket, racking my head to try and find any leaks that may have compromised us. Could it be Clarissa? It was too soon to tell.
I have to keep digging.
.
.
.
I finally managed to sleep in the early hours of dawn only to have X-rated dreams of Ivy, tangled in my arms. When I jerked awake, I discovered I had gotten my release that way. I scowled in disgust at the smear in my briefs. I couldn't believe I was acting like a pubescent teenage boy because of a girl - my stepdaughter and late best friend's child, to be exact. I quickly got dressed and headed to the dining table, where I met Clarissa giving instructions to the chef.
"Good morning," she greeted cheerfully when she caught sight of me, coming closer to give me a peck on the cheek.
"Good morning to you too..." I greeted, my voice not as light as I would have liked. Clarissa's expression wavered slightly, but she soon plastered a smile on her face.
Food was soon served, and while we were eating, Ivy came to join us. Tension immediately set in as she took her seat, dishing out her meal - but as always, Ivy ignored everything.
Clarissa cleared her throat, breaking the silence. Clapping her hands, she glanced at me. "Um, Julian? I'll be attending an event later today, and I would love for you to come with me. Do you think you can make the time?"
I chewed and swallowed the morsel in my mouth, scrunching my brows in thought. "I'll consider it and let you know if I'll be able to make it. I need to check in on my companies first."
"Great. I'll be expecting your message then," she said, giving me a genial smile. I nodded, finished eating my meal, and caught Ivy's gaze.
It cut through me like a blade, and I looked away, standing to my feet. Bidding them goodbye, I turned on my heels and left the house.
That girl unsettles me.
.
.
.
After my routine checks with my companies and several meetings with investors and stakeholders, I called on Luther to get an update.
"The search is leading nowhere, boss. We might have to lay low for a bit , let the dust clear. But one thing's for sure, they know we're tracking them and are doing everything possible to avoid any confrontation. I've also run a check on our men, so far, no mole."
I let out a sigh, feeling disgruntled. "Thanks, Luther. Continue to keep me posted."
"Yes, boss," he said and ended the call. That was disappointing. Not wanting to dwell on it further, I decided to ask Clarissa if the event would just be a regular one.
C: Yes. Would you be coming?
She replied almost instantly. I shrugged. Perhaps I should go with her. Maybe I can find something.
J: I'll be on my way.
I made to go home to pick her up so we could go together, but unfortunately got stuck in traffic, making me arrive even later. When I entered, however, I couldn't find Clarissa only Ivy, who was sitting in the living room, presumably watching TV.
"Where's Clarissa?" I asked, glancing around the house.
"She already left," Ivy answered, turning her head to look at me. "She didn't tell you?"
I checked my phone then and saw she had left a message. Shit.
"I have to meet her there then. Sorry for interrupting..." I started to say but cut off when Ivy stood to her feet, walking toward me.
"What are you sorry about?" she asked, cocking her head to the side, her steps slow and steady. *Seductive.* "You're here, aren't you?"
I almost took a step back. "Yes, but I'm supposed to be with Clarissa..."
"Shh..." Ivy murmured, placing a finger on my lips. I froze, my heart beginning to pound. "I don't want to hear another word."
Smiling coyly, she leaned even closer. "It's just us now. How about we have a little fun?"
Bad idea, Julian. Bad idea. Retreat. Get out.
Evacuate.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, trying to feign ignorance but of course, she saw right through it.
"Oh, you know exactly what I'm talking about. You want to tell me the audio recording of last night didn't get you all hot and bothered?"
I chuckled. It held no mirth. "It wasn't even real." What the hell am I saying!?
"Oops. You caught that. You're right, it wasn't real. How about we do the real thing?" she asked, her fingers threading up my jacket.
"Stop it," I growled, seizing her hands and stepping away. She gave a sinister smile and pressed her body against mine.
"You're poking me with your dick."
Damn it all!
Then, her expression turned sultry, almost pleading. "Five minutes is all I ask. Maybe ten. Take the edge off, then you can go back to your pretty little party and some pretty little fun," she murmured, sniffing my clothes. My grip on her hands loosened at the act.
Before I could say another word, she reached up, grabbed my collar, and kissed me. All my senses evaporated as her tongue pushed into my parted lips, and before I knew it, I was kissing her back, a hand encircling her neck and pulling her closer.
There was nothing gentle about the kiss, nothing tender. It felt possessive. Dominating. I've never felt such intense desire kissing someone before. We both devoured each other, taking and giving and taking, until we were both out of breath, trembling with desire.
"We should not be doing this," I groaned, trying to pull away, but she grabbed onto me, pressing her feverish body against mine.
"It's okay... no one has to know," she whispered, rubbing her lips against my neck and breathing me in.
"What about your mother?" I muttered, an undercurrent of panic in my voice.
"Forget about her," she murmured before slamming her lips on mine again, kissing me deeply.
