Cupid’s Surprises (A Valentine’s Day Romance Anthology Book 2), page 101
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Why should I?”
He didn’t get the time to answer, as they heard Greg on the stairs. Noor turned away from the men, not wanting Greg to see the turmoil in her face. What the hell was going on?
Noor knew, without a doubt, that she would keep that date with Orin Meyer tonight, even if it meant putting herself in danger.
She told Greg she was going to see Farah, and although he expressed surprise at the lateness of the hour, he didn’t seem suspicious. Noor drove into town, then parked down the block from the coffeehouse, waiting for Farah to leave. When she saw her friend lock the doors and walk down to her own car, Noor slipped out and along the block. She opened the backdoor and went inside, leaving it open. Inside, she flicked on the light, and with a slight thrill of fear, she opened one of the drawers and took out a small knife. She slipped it into the back pocket of her jeans.
She was about to sit down when the door opened and Orin Meyer walked into the room. He stopped when he saw her and gave her a half-smile. “Hello, beautiful.”
Noor gritted her teeth. “Don’t fucking ‘beautiful’ me, asshole. Who the fuck are you and why are you messing with Greg? Are you really his brother? Why the hell did you screw me and then disappear?”
She hated that her voice broke at the end of her rant and she looked away from him, her entire body trembling. Orin—or whatever his name was—saw her, and in a flash, he was pulling her into his arms. She fought with him for a moment, but he was too strong.
“Ssh, it’s okay. It’s okay.”
His arms were tight around her and Noor gave up her struggle. She felt his lips on her forehead, the warm scent of him enveloping her, and she could do nothing but slump against him. “What the hell is going on?”
Her voice was a whisper and she looked up at him. His green eyes were troubled, but to her surprise, they were soft as he gazed down at her. It was the most natural thing when he bent his head and kissed her tenderly. His lips moved against hers and Noor could not sense any other reason than desire in him. She kissed him back, sighing into the embrace, and when Orin slid his hands under her t-shirt and pulled it over her head, she didn’t fight it.
When they were both naked, Orin laid her back on the couch and moved his body on top of hers. Noor, although annoyed with herself for not sticking to her plan, couldn’t resist the feel of him as he kissed her body from her throat down to her navel. He looked up at her and smiled.
“Beautiful, I told you I would tell you as much as I could, and I will, but I cannot help myself …I want you.”
As he moved back to kiss her lips, she could feel his thick, diamond-hard cock pressing against her sex and her legs wound around him as he entered her. God, this was utter bliss. Being fucked by this man was like nothing she had every experienced. As they moved together, Noor forgot everything but the way her body was reacting to him. His arms, so thickly muscled and strong, cradled her as they fucked; Noor squeezed her thighs around his waist as his cock plunged in and out of her. He made her come again and again, and when, finally, they collapsed, exhausted, Noor caught her breath.
Orin stroked her long, dark hair away from her face. “You really are exquisite, you know?”
Noor flushed. “Don’t think you’re going to get out of this by flattering me.”
“Not flattering. Just telling the truth. And, just so you know, I will tell you the truth as much as I can from now on. But if the truth puts you in danger, then, baby, expect me to clam up.”
Noor sat up, confusion flooding through her. “Then start. Are you really Greg’s brother?”
Orin hesitated, then shook his head. “No.”
“Are you trying to con him?”
“Definitely not.”
Noor chewed her lip. “Are you here for him? Has he done something wrong?”
Orin tilted his head to one side. “I’m here for you, Noor.”
She couldn’t help but grin at his cheesy smile. “Loser. No, seriously, Orin—or whatever your name is—please. What’s going on?”
Orin sighed. “Something happened a while ago, and we are looking into Gregory Yates.”
“Who’s we?”
He was silent and Noor suddenly got it. “Oh my god …are you the Feds?”
“I can’t tell you. I shouldn’t have told you anything. If my bosses found out …”
Noor got up and started to tug her clothes on. “Jesus Christ.”
Orin stood and went to her. “Don’t leave.”
She sighed. “I’m not leaving. But I can’t discuss something, whatever this is, when I’m naked. Or when you’re naked. Get dressed. I’ll make us some coffee.”
Orin was pulling his sweater over his head when she brought the mugs of coffee to the table. “Thanks. Look, Noor, I want you to know. This isn’t part of the investigation, this thing with you and me.”
Noor sipped her coffee. “You say that, but I bet you won’t tell me your real name.”
“No. I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“So, is this ‘thing’ really any more than great sex?”
He didn’t answer and instead studied her. Noor Tamblyn was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. No, scratch that. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Café-au-lait skin and dark brown hair that fell in soft waves to the middle of her back. Curvaceous body and full breasts. When he was inside her, he lost himself in her. Since their first tryst, he hadn’t been able to think about anything else.
Orin Meyer wasn’t his name, not by a long way. But, then, he was a long way from home. Italy. He had managed to hire a voice coach so that he could smooth out his accent into a passable American accent whenever he wanted, but with Noor that first time, and now, he wanted her to know something about him.
Because he knew a lot about Noor Tamblyn—her age, her history. She had been orphaned at five years old after a car accident, brought up in children’s homes, and had won a scholarship to college. She had met Greg Yates there, but never formed a romantic relationship with him. She had dated a couple of guys, but after a horrific rape and stabbing, she had never been with anyone since. Moving to Oregon, she had started again, building a business and buying her own home. When Greg had returned from traveling around the world—so he said—she had been a good friend to him and offered her spare room. So far, from what Orin could tell, he hadn’t made a move to find his own place. Orin suspected Greg was just biding time until he and Noor ‘ended up together.’ God, the thought made Orin feel sick.
He reached over now and stroked Noor’s cheek. “As I said, Noor, I’ll tell you what I can, but this has to stay between us.”
“Orin, I’ve known Greg a long time. A long time. There’s nothing I could imagine him doing that could bring the FBI down on him. It’s just incredible to me.”
“Greg Yates is not who he says he is. You need to know that much.”
“You’re talking in riddles.”
Orin leaned forward. “Because I can’t tell you what you want to know. Not yet. We’re watching, Noor. And while we’re watching, you’re safe.”
“Why wouldn’t I be safe?”
Orin sighed. “Noor, Greg does not have a good record with women.”
Noor laughed. “Now I know you’re bullshitting. Greg is fine. He’s my best friend.”
“Ask his mother that.”
She stilled. “What do you mean?”
“Ask him why he doesn’t keep in touch with his adoptive parents. Ask him what happened to his friend. Noor …Greg Yates knows I’m not his brother. He knows it, and yet he can’t admit it, least of all to the woman he thinks he’s in love with.”
He watched Noor’s eyes open wide and saw the fear in them. She knew. She knew Greg was in love with her and she tried to deny it. “Noor …you’re are not safe in that house with him.”
Noor stood then. “I’m leaving now. Don’t follow me.”
She stalked out of the coffee house, not caring that she left it unlocked. Her mind was whirling with what Orin had told her—and what he’d left unspoken—and she could not get past the fact that he was telling her that Greg was a bad person. Her Greg. The Greg who sat with her in the hospital when she was fighting for her life. The Greg who sat with her as the police asked the same questions over and over and over. The Greg who wouldn’t let any man anywhere near her for the rest of their time in college.
Her Greg who, on the eve of his traveling to Europe, told her that he would always love her and that if, when he came back, she would consider being with him, he would be the luckiest man in the world.
Yeah, Tamblyn, you soon forgot about that, didn’t you? Shit …
At work a few days later, Norah still felt exhausted and hollow-eyed, and Farah noticed almost as soon as she came in for her shift. “Did you see the doctor?”
“I did. I’m just waiting for the tests to come back. I’m probably just depressed.”
“Huh.”
“What?”
“Well, I’m surprised you’re depressed …what with Mr. Sexy being almost a family member.”
Norah felt her heart sink. “Greg told you?”
“He did. Kept that secret, didn’t you?”
“What?”
Farah rolled her eyes. “The long-lost brother being your admirer …god, you are out of it.”
“Sorry.”
She still felt so confused about everything; she had gotten home that night and gone to see if Greg was awake or if she could sense anything amiss. Greg knew Orin couldn’t be his brother—so why the hell was he playing along with it? Was Orin who he said he was—someone investigating Greg? God, what a fucking mess.
“Hey, derp face, wake up.”
Norah started, then grinned at her friend, Doug, the town’s police chief. A tall, blonde man a few years older than her, he was known to, and he himself knew, everyone in their small town. He was the rock they all clung to. When Noor had first come to town, he had been her unofficial tour guide and they had been good friends ever since.
“Hey, Chief. “
“Hey, gorgeous. Hey!” Doug jumped as Farah appeared and flicked water at him.
“Chief, are you supposed to be protecting us from invaders and Vikings?”
“Vikings.” Doug shook his head in mock disapproval. “You learned nothing at school, did you? God, the youth of today.”
Noor snorted with laughter at his expression. Farah winked at her and took a seat next to Doug. He nudged her shoulder. They had a flirtatious friendship that had not yet amounted to anything, but Noor was hopeful they would eventually find their way to it. She loved the idea of them together. Doug grinned down at Farah.
“Well, I got the city pretty much covered. Now just on the lookout for any troublemakers here. Know any?”
Farah grinned into her coffee. “I might, Officer.” Noor made a gagging noise.
“God. You two wanna think about getting a room?” She ducked out of the way as Farah flicked coffee at her. Farah turned back to Doug.
“You met the long-lost brother yet?”
Doug’s smile faded a touch. “Yeah. He’s …different.”
Noor, alerted by his tone, studied his face. “Do you not like him?”
Doug shrugged. “Ah, y’know how it is. As a cop, I go a lot on instinct. Something just doesn’t sit right with the guy. But, hey, I only met him once.”
He and Noor shared a look, and she knew then—she had an ally. She felt her whole body relax, tempered by a creeping sadness prodding at the edges of her relief. She wanted and needed Doug to be that ally.
Doug interrupted her reverie. “What’s your impression?” Noor hesitated.
“I don’t know him that well …” repeating what she told Farah. She struggled to find the words, then sighed. “I’m just concerned about Greg’s well-being, that’s all.”
The three friends sat in silence for a moment, then a customer caught Noor’s eye and she moved away to serve him. When she returned, Farah and Doug were flirting up a storm, but she only half listened, thinking about what Doug had said.
The bell on the door jangled and she looked up. She smiled as Greg walked toward her. “This is a nice surprise.”
“Coffee, hun?”
“Um, maybe tea?”
He watched her as she prepared the drink. Noor glanced at him as she worked.
“Playing hooky?” She poured the tea into a cup and pushed it across to him. He blew on it and took a sip.
“Just ducked out to get some paperwork together for Orin. Look, it feels like we haven’t talked properly about all this. Can you spare some time?”
Noor nodded. “Is tonight okay? You and me, the couch, the imprints of our butts, the whole deal. Sound good?”
“Sounds good. Should I cook?”
Noor made a face, then grinned. “I’m too young to die.”
“Hey, my ramen a l’ orange is celebrated.”
Noor laughed at his mock-hurt. “Where, exactly, is it celebrated?”
“Um …” They both laughed then. “So …”
“That’s your I-need-a-favor-voice,” she accused. He nodded.
“Busted. Well, I have some papers that I need to get to Orin—only I don’t want to put them under the door or in the mail box. They’re kind of important and my passport is in there. Only thing is, Orin needs them today, but he won’t be at the hotel until six and I have this meeting at the school until seven …”
She interrupted him. “Okay, okay. No problem, I’ll bring them to –him—you got them here?”
Greg rummaged around in his pockets and pulled out a sheaf of papers, his passport, and a dog-eared envelope. “You’re the best.”
She rolled her eyes and grinned. “Oh, you’ll owe me big, Yates. Top dollar I think.”
He leaned across the counter and pulled her face to his. “Thank you, angel.” He squeezed her cheeks. “Better get back to the rabble.”
“Okay.” She threw her arms around him. “Don’t let those big boys bully you.”
“Ha ha. Later, babe.” Blowing her a kiss, he was gone.
Orin opened the door. “This is a nice surprise.”
Noor didn’t smile, but held out the papers to him. “Greg asked me to deliver these. I’ve delivered them. Goodbye.”
She turned to leave, but he caught her hand and pulled her into the room, locking the door behind her. Noor squirmed out of his hold. “What the hell do you think you’re—“
She didn’t get to finish the sentence before he pushed her up against the wall and kissed her, his hands rough on her body. Noor squeaked, almost in horror, but then his kiss was so intoxicating she couldn’t help herself but kiss him back.
Orin, his mouth hot on hers, pushed up her skirt, and she reached for his fly, freeing his cock from his pants, already hard and pulsing. Orin lifted her and plunged into her, making her groan again as he fucked her hard against the wall. Soon, in a state of delirium, Noor tried to keep a grasp on her senses. What the hell was wrong with her? With him? Every time she saw him, it was a feral need that overtook them both. She didn’t know this man, for the love of god, and yet she was prepared to do anything with him.
Anything.
The realization startled her and yet something inside her shifted—she felt freedom. Orin’s lips were against hers, his eyes riveted to her face, those green eyes dark and dangerous.
Is he dangerous?
Do you care?
Noor gasped as she came, and then Orin was tumbling her to the floor and pulling the rest of her clothes off. Greg’s papers had scattered across the room, but Orin didn’t seem to care.
“Wait, wait,” she said breathlessly. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”
Orin grinned down at her. “Principessa, I can’t think of anything else in the world I would rather be doing right now. Or ever. You have enchanted me, Noor Tamblyn.”
Noor stared up at him, his dark curls tumbling around his head, and she nodded. “Then don’t hold back,” she whispered, and Orin, smiling, bent his head and kissed her passionately.
He hitched her legs around his waist and thrust into her again, hard, pinning her hands to the floor. “I’m going to fuck you all night, beautiful girl, in every way I can think of. Don’t count on walking straight in the morning.”
His hips rammed against hers, his control over her body total. Noor was lost, utterly lost, and driven half-mad with pleasure as he took her over. He made her come, then deftly he flipped her on her stomach, and grabbing his tie, wound it around her wrists. His lips were at her ear. “Is this okay?”
She nodded, panting, so turned-on by being at his mercy she couldn’t speak.
Orin kissed her. “Good. But if you want to stop, just say stop.”
He gently parted her buttocks and pushed into her ass, and Noor nearly screamed at the feel of him. He thrust carefully, driving her toward the most intense and yet mellow orgasm of her life, leaving her weeping with joy.
He got up and lifted her gently onto the bed, untying her wrists. “Are you okay, mio caro?”
He had dropped the American accent entirely now; in its place, a sensual, deep purr that made her stomach flip and her legs shake. She nodded and he held out his hand. “Come join me in the bathroom.”
They lay in the huge tub, enjoying the hot, scented water. Noor lay back against his chest, his big arms wrapped around her, his fingers tracing a pattern on her belly.
“I’m a weak-willed woman,” she said with a laugh in her voice. “Every time I decide I won’t have anything to do with you, it always comes down to this.”
Orin pressed his lips against her shoulder. “Don’t decide that. Please, Principessa. You are the one good thing in my life.”
Touched, Noor sat up and turned around, facing him and studying his handsome face. “Tell me your name.” She said it softly. “Just here, now, between us. I swear I will never reveal it to anyone. Trust me that much and I will do the same for you.”
He hesitated, his green eyes intense on hers. “Cosimo. Cosimo Branca.”
