Sutton

Jason either didn't suspect a thing about where I'd been all afternoon or he didn't care because when I came in, all he did was ask me how I felt and what the diagnosis was.

"Food poisoning," I say, the lie rolling smoothly off my tongue. "They said it'll pass and I should be back to 100% within the next 36 hours or so."

"No meds then, huh?" he asks, leaning against the counter where I just set down my purse.

"Nah, but it's all good. I'm already feeling better after Dom made me eat. There was a long wait at the restaurant. That's why I'm so late. Sorry about that."

He shakes his head and grips my shoulder as he pushes off the island with one foot. "No apology necessary. I'm just glad you're feeling better."

This seems too easy.

But before I know it, it's time for bed, and he even lets me sleep alone again.

When I'm sure he's asleep, I pull out my phone and text Nicolai.

Hey, did you make it home okay?

He answers right away.

I did. Was Jason mad?

No, actually. It was weird, he didn't really question me at all.

Well, let's not try to figure out why, just take the win.

I am, I am. He let me sleep in my own bed again tonight, so that's another win for me.

Fuck, me too. I hate the idea of you sleeping with that asshole.

Don't worry. He knows not to touch me. Not like that.

He better not lay a finger on you. You'll tell me if he does, right?

Of course. But I'll kick his ass before you get the chance, lol.

I don't doubt it, mala tigrica. You tired?

Yeah, you kinda tired me out this afternoon, Nic.

Well, I didn't hear any complaints from you...

Oh, I'm absolutely not complaining. It was the best afternoon I've had in a long, long time.

Same, babygirl. I love you. Get some rest and we will talk tomorrow.

I love you. Goodnight, Nicolai. xoxo

Night, Sutton.

Being able to talk to Nicolai again makes this life bearable. I just hope we can figure everything out before the wedding so I don't have to sneak around for the rest of my life. I don't know if I can handle that.

But I also know I can't handle being apart from Nicolai.

So I'll do whatever I have to do. Even if it means putting myself in danger.

***

"Sutton, I'm headed out to the club. You need anything?" Jason calls from down the hall.

I look up from the computer screen where I've been balancing the books for the past hour. There's barely enough money to cover all the costs, and I'm trying to decide if I need to broach the topic with Jason or just leave it be.

"No, I'm good," I say, hoping he'll just leave without coming in.

But of course, I'm not that lucky, and he appears in the doorway. "You sure, princess?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Just trying to get the books balanced."

"How's it looking for last week?"

I chew on the corner of my lip and scrunch my face up. "I—uh, not that great, to be honest."

"What do you mean?" he asks, coming to my desk and squatting down next to me so he can look at the screen.

I scoot aside so he can see, and luckily he doesn't see my movement for what it is; an excuse to put space between us.

"We barely had enough to stay in the black last week. There's money going into some weird places, and I'm not really sure—"

Jason looks at me and shakes his head. "You don't need to worry about that, Sutton," he snaps.

I rear back and look down at him. "What? What do you mean I don't need to worry about it? I'm the accountant for the company."

"Sutton. Listen to what I'm telling you. You. Do. Not. Need. To. Worry. About it." He pauses dramatically between each word and the condescending tone makes me want to grab him by the shoulders and shake him. But of course, I don't.

"But—"

He stands and I mirror his action, following him to the door as he stalks away. "But nothing, Sutton," he says as he whirls around, gripping my biceps. "It's explainable. You just don't need to know about it. Do you understand?"

I jerk out of his grasp and glare at him as I take a step back. "Yes, sir," I mutter, turning away and stalking back to my desk, sitting back down in my chair and resuming my work.

He starts back toward me but must think better of it because he disappears into the hallway, and I take a deep breath when he's out of sight, glaring at the doorway long after he's gone.

Now I am definitely going to figure out where the hell that money is going. Before I do anything else, I jump out of my chair and lock my office door.

Picking up my phone, I FaceTime Nicolai and he picks up on the first ring.

"Hey babygirl," he says, lifting the hem of his shirt to wipe his face, and I'm momentarily struck speechless by the sight of his abs. "What are you doing?"

"I—uh, I'm just working."

He grins and lets his shirt fall back in place. "Working, huh? You look like you're drooling. You might wanna close your mouth before you—"

I cock my head to the side. "Yeah yeah, shut up," I say, but the grin on my face is undeniable. "No, really, I needed to tell you something."

"What is it?"

I replay the last five minutes for him and he narrows his eyes.

"Did he hurt you?"

"What? No!"

"He put his hands on you, mala tigrica," he growls, and liquid fire pools in my belly.

"Nic, no. He didn't hurt me. I'm worried about the money! Where is it going? Could that be something to do with my dad and what's going on with him? The ring they're running?"

"It could be. Let me do some digging and see what I can find out."

"Where are you, anyway?" I ask, getting up from my chair and moving to the sofa in my office.

"In my gym at my house. Just got done working out," he says, taking a swig from a water bottle as he enters the bathroom.

"Oh yeah? That's nice..." I say, lifting one arm over my head and toying with the loose strands of my hair, the neck of my tank top drooping low and exposing more of my breast than necessary.

"Did you say you're home alone?" he asks, setting the phone down on the counter and reaching behind him to pull his shirt off by the collar.

Clenching my thighs together at the motion, I nod. "Yeah, he just left to go to the club for the day. That's why I felt like I could FaceTime you."

He runs his hand across his chest thoughtfully before looking down at the camera. "Were you wearing that skimpy little tank top in front of him?"

I glance down at my chest and see that half of my tit is on display and I look back at the phone. "Well, I didn't expect to see him today, not to mention I wasn't exactly in this position when I talked to him either." I smirk and sit up, leaning forward on my elbows, showing him even more. "Why? You jealous?"

His jaw ticks and he adjusts the crotch of his joggers before he leans forward, gripping the edge of the counter with both hands. His hazel eyes bore into mine; even through the screen, I can feel the heat of his stare.

"Are you fucking kidding me? I am jealous as fuck of him, Sutton. That he gets to be in the same house as you day in and day out? Jealous isn't even the word. And that you're not wearing a fucking bra?" He blows out a breath that rattles his lips as he steps back and leans against the wall, slipping his hand beneath his waistband and palming his cock that is now tenting the cotton of his joggers. "Yeah, baby. I'd say I'm jealous."

I raise my eyebrows and lean back, propping the phone against the arm of the couch, pulling the tank top over my head in one swoop, dropping it on the floor beside me.

"Why be jealous when you're the only one who has ever gotten to see me like this? The only one who ever will?" I ask, lifting one hand and placing it over my breast, rolling my nipple until it's a hard peak between my fingers.

"Fuck, Sutton," Nicolai growls, shoving his joggers all the way down, his erection springing free. "You're so fucking sexy."

"You are," I murmur, lifting my other hand to my other breast. "I wish you were here so I could feel you inside me. I need you."

"Soon. But for now, pull on those nipples for me. I know you like it when I'm rough with you," he says, pumping his cock without taking his eyes off me.

I do as he says and hiss with pleasure, rubbing my thighs together for some relief.

"But that sweet little pussy needs some attention, don't you think?" he asks, moving into the shower directly behind him and sitting on the stone bench inside. He spreads his knees in that sexy way of his, and I nod.

"Yes, please. Tell me what to do."

"Sit back and lean against the arm of the couch...then spread those pretty legs so I can see how wet you are for me."

I groan and do as he says, making sure I move my phone so he has a good view, leaning it against the stack of blankets at the end of the couch.

"Oh fuck, mala tigrica. I can see already how fucking soaked you are. But I want more. Open yourself up for me, Sutton. Let me see you," he says, and I swear I can see the pre-cum leaking from his tip from way back here.

"Fuck, Nicolai," I breathe, sliding my hand down my belly, taking two fingers and spreading myself apart, gliding another finger along my slit. "Oh, my god."

"How wet are you, Sutton? Tell me."

"So fucking wet," I whisper. "Your cock would slide in so fucking easy."

"Goddamnit, Sutton," he grits out, pumping faster. "I was going to try to make this last."

I strum my clit, looking him in the eyes as I speed up my efforts. "I won't last long, Nicolai. I want to come. I need to come."

"Fuck it," he says, speeding up on his cock, tugging faster until he's panting, I'm panting, and we are both on the edge.

"I'm so close, Nic," I breathe as I slide two fingers in and out of me and press my thumb against my clit, relishing in the throbbing sensation. "Come with me."

"I'm right there, Sutton," he says. "Let me see you fall apart. Let me see that pussy come for me."

With his name on my lips, I do as he says, and he's right behind me.

It's so intense, like we're in the same room, except I wish more than anything he were actually here so I could feel his body trembling against mine. Nothing is like actually touching him.

When we've both finally come down, he says, "You okay, Sutton?"

I grin sleepily and nod. "Yeah, I'm perfect. You?"

"Better than okay. I needed that, apparently."

I laugh. "Me too. I guess we should clean up though...and I have some work to finish up."

"Yeah, I need to do some digging. Text me later?"

"Okay. Tell me as soon as you find anything."

"I will. I love you."

"I love you."

After I've cleaned up and I'm back to work, I wonder if I'm being too careless. What if Jason had forgotten something and come back home? I know I locked the door but he has a key to every room.

I can't bring myself to care right now. I've had everything taken from me. Nicolai is the man I love. The one thing I thought I'd never have again.

I'll be damned if I let this business take him from me.