“Then you'll need to – ” Audra interrupts me again and sends my blood pressure skyrocketing.
“I've decided not to become one.” When she reaches for me again, I slap her hand away. Audra pouts her lips at me, but doesn't make any move to leave. What the hell is she playing at? “But I do have a proposition of my own for you.”
“If you're not becoming my client, I have no interest in what you have to say. Now, take your hideously unfashionable car and leave.” Audra laughs at me, drawing me to a point of ire that's so dark, so deep that I actually become calmer. I settle into the black depths of my darkness and let it bubble up and out, filling me back up and taking up all those little spaces that Robbie cleared away.
“But you don't really want me to leave, do you, Lucas?” Audra smirks at my erection and then reaches up under her dress, dropping her panties to the floor and leaving them tangled up around her ankles. My own mouth turns up into a smirk.
“Is this supposed to entice me? Because I've seen better.” Her laughter is bright and sharp, tinged with a terribly dark edge that worries me. Audra needs my guidance. I think about Mark and wonder what will happen next time because believe me, there will be a next time for this woman. I'm not helping her dispose of another botched murder, especially not if it's someone of a higher profile, someone that society will actually miss. She's a liability to me, this Audra Holiday, this woman who was referred to me by her own fucking mother. Pamela, you are one disturbed little bitch, aren't you?
“Yeah? Your cock seems pretty happy to see me.” Audra steps out of her panties and cups my crotch. I let her, digging my fingernails into my palms so she can't see how much her touch really does affect me. I'm better than this. I won't let anyone take advantage of or control me. It's not going to happen.
“I'm just thinking about the little tart in my shower.” I run my tongue across my lips and watch as Audra's pupils dilate in response. Her mouth is swollen and covered in bright red lipstick, emphasizing the gentle part of her lips. Delicious. “Not fifteen minutes ago we had a real good time right here in my kitchen.” I snap the last word off, make it sharp. “A place I'd never even dream of inviting you.”
“Oh, so I'm relegated to sucking dick in the living room then?” Audra bends down and retrieves her panties, tucking them into my pocket with a sultry smile. As she turns to walk away, her dress rides up and flashes me the most perfect ass I've ever seen. Damn her to hell. But I can't and won't fuck Audra while Robbie is here. I hate that the only reason I'm winning this game is because of my neighbor, but there it is. If Robbie wasn't here, I'd ram Audra over my dining room table. Even though she's not my client, doesn't want to be my fucking client.
I cross my arms and rest my chin in my hand. What to do … what to do …
The sound of the shower shutting off sends another spike of fear up my spine. What is it with Robbie and this emotion I thought was long gone and buried forever? Fear would imply I had something to lose. My friendship with Robbie perhaps?
I drop my arms and move towards the front door, passing by Audra and wrenching it open before she gets the chance to saunter over.
“If you change your mind, please give me a call,” I say, my voice even and my expression stoic. I can see the surprise register on her face a split second before the bathroom door opens. Fuck.
“Luke?” Robbie asks, appearing with her chocolate hair black with moisture, hanging gently around her face. Her blue eyes cut into me for a split second before flashing to Audra with abject fear and a touch of embarrassment. She's wearing nothing but a crimson towel, wrapped tight around her athlete's body, kissing her pale skin like blood. I suck in a small breath between my teeth. Audra glances at me briefly before turning back to Robbie. The bitch notices everything.
“One moment. Audra here was just leaving.”
“Oh, was I?” Audra asks, crossing her arms over her breasts, appraising Robbie with a curious eye. “But we're engaged. Why should I leave? What I want to know is who the hell this is?” She gives me a false glare over her shoulder. “And why she's in your – no, no, no our – house.” Audra spins and gives me a gentle slap on the cheek. “Lucas Carter, explain yourself!” I grind my teeth together gently to gain some semblance of control and step aside with a hand out the open door.
“Audra,” I warn, wondering how the hell she knew about my engagement story. Or even if she's just come up with that one on her own to piss me off. I have no idea, and that's not commonplace for me. I'm out of my element, but I'm bound and determined to get back into it. Nobody bests Lucas Carter, not for long. “You were on your way out, so go.” I keep my gaze on Audra to stop myself from looking at Robbie. Audra simply rolls her eyes at me and gives Robbie a once over, shaking her head like she can't quite believe what she's seeing.