Hack, page 14
I looked away for a long blink. It was our last chance to catch our breath, the final moment of incertitude.
But Marigold Pfeifer would have none of it. She crossed the room and peered at me for a long exhale. Then, bless her wicked heart, she slapped me again. The crack echoed between the otherwise silent walls. That time I caught her wrist and twisted it behind her back.
Heat spread like a wildfire over every inch of my skin. My dick strained against my fly and I pushed it hard into her ass. But she didn’t whimper or tense. No, not my Marigold. She relaxed, like my tight grip was the warm bath she’d been waiting for at the end of a long day.
Through gritted teeth, I said, “Just us.” I pushed her to the bed and she stumbled a little. Maybe it was for show, maybe not. Our lines of reality and fantasy were officially blurred. “Get undressed.”
She shot me a dirty look but sat on the bed, unlaced a boot then threw it at me. I ducked and she missed but the second one skimmed my head seconds later. I kicked off my own boots, pulled off my shirt and dropped my pants before stepping out of them. Only my black boxers remained.
Once she’d gotten down to the skimpy dark pink lace, I said, “That’s enough.” I walked over to the bed and shoved her down but she propped herself up on her elbows. All night. That was how long I was going to tease and torture her gorgeous little body.
I said, “I bet you think this is going to go all fast and furious again. Maybe this time you might even get a couple fingers in your tight ass while I fuck you from behind.”
She clicked her tongue. “You have other plans?” M pushed up and slid her knees behind her. She pressed her palms into my abs then my chest before glaring at me. “Because I want what’s mine.”
She kissed down my pec, twirled her warm tongue around my nipple and bit. Hard. Yes.
With one hand on my ass, she urged me closer while the other trailed down my stomach. Her fingers played with the waistband of my boxers, her thumb casually brushing over the head of my cock as she continued to suck and tease my nipple.
Her slow, deliberate movements of hand and mouth lulled me into a trance. My brain buzzed and I had to steady myself with her head and shoulder to remain upright. I was dying for her to grab my cock and yet didn’t want to rush the build-up.
With both of her hands on my stomach, she clawed her nails into my abs before yanking down my pants, my erection springing free. I was too dizzy and shocked to know how I landed with my back on the bed and her hovering over me.
A devilish grin from the gorgeous woman on top of me was the last thing I saw before I closed my eyes and dropped my head back in full surrender. If that is how she was officially staking her claim, she might have to remind the world I was hers until the end of time.
M nipped, licked and sucked her way down to my cock. She wrapped her hand around the base of the shaft and took it in her mouth without letting her lips touch. In a slow, painful yet deliciously torturous trail, she raked her teeth upward. But once she reached the tip, she swiped her tongue all the way around, sucked hard and repeated. She worked my shaft at a pace that matched her mouth, the saliva dripping down acting as a perfect lubricant.
She was taking her fucking time, keeping me hard but in no rush to make me come. She cupped my balls and tugged too much and just enough, teetering me on an edge she’d somehow mastered.
I lost track of time, location and maybe even a bit of my consciousness. I was nervous and safe, my favorite place. When her mouth took charge, I was sure I was going to blow. But the pressure she gave the space between my sac and my ass was the button to the countdown of my explosion. She sucked hard, fast, furious. She gripped my balls, massaged them, tugged and did it all over again.
My cells and all my energy swarmed together like a whirlpool at my base, spinning around her and what she was doing. They hummed until they shrieked to be let loose. I gripped her head and wove my fingers into her short hair. I thrust her down one last time on my aching cock as I came hard in the back of her throat.
Every muscle in my body froze before I twitched like I’d been electrocuted, the only thing grounding me my grip of her head. When I fell limp, spent and the best kind of used-up, M hummed over my cock, swirled her tongue around the shaft and gave a final suck that made me scream.
With a small thump, my dick flopped on my stomach, the cool air of the room already luring it back to its flaccid state. She stood, wiped her chin with the back of her hand and raked her eyes over me before toddling off the to the bathroom.
Yeah, point made, Miss M. I don’t need anybody else.
A few minutes later, I hadn’t moved and she came out in sweatpants and a tank top.
“We’re done?” I asked, hating the little creak in my voice.
“Yup. Gotta walk Spock.” M crossed the room and opened the door. She looked over her shoulder and grinned. “Wouldn’t want anyone to think you’re a gentleman.”
Chapter Sixteen
Marigold
He was still naked in my bed when I got back from my walk with Spock. The covers were under him as if he’d hadn’t moved a muscle. I admired his confidence. I would have snuggled up and hid myself away, but not because I wanted to run. It was the chase I was after.
His eyes were closed, but his breath was too forced for him to be asleep.
“You’re not going home?” I kicked off my boots.
Spock jumped on the bed and Rafa turned to the side, finally showing some modesty. I waited for an answer, but one never came. Was he brooding? Thinking?
“Suit yourself,” I said with a sneer. Deciding whether him staying pleased me or annoyed me was too much effort. He could make the choice and I would deal with it—but after a little work. On the way to the other side of the apartment, I grabbed a soda from the fridge and popped it open once I’d gotten to my desk.
I logged into all my programs and fucking finally Zapata Falls had paid their ransom. I unfroze all their servers like we’d never been there, the equivalent of a thief tiptoeing out the back door in the middle of the night, sack full and swung over his back. I was just missing the mask and striped shirt. We’d gotten plenty of data, even some personal credit cards—not that I would be using them to deliver a pizza to my front door. I was reckless but not stupid.
With a few clicks, the online bank account popped up and I verified the deposit. One hundred thousand dollars. My lips twitched. That should have been all mine. It sat in the virtual world, hidden in crypto currency waiting for Anton to do what with it? Sell more drugs? Breed more criminals? Not that I could judge… I wasn’t an outstanding citizen by any means.
But even so, the balance of the account pestered me like a chicken pecking at corn on the ground. I’d been the one who’d done all the work. I’d set my scheme into place long before I’d heard of Covington Heights. Why was it that I was sharing my loot?
Right, because I’d walked into a trap I’d laid for myself. My curiosity and fake swagger had wanted to be a part of something—anything. But, other than Rafa, I wasn’t. There were no female members of Anton’s crew. Even Lisa was an outsider to their business. Anton acted more like he owned me than respected anything I could do. Hell, he hadn’t even bothered to ask me how I was going to do anything. All his trust was in Rafa, not me.
I transferred the agreed-upon ten percent into one of my own accounts and logged out of everything. The next target would have a higher ransom. Rafa just wouldn’t know it. Then I would make what I should. My work with Covington would be like a little vacation with hot sex. Because I was starting to realize I was going to plan an exit strategy.
My phone lit up with a new message. My mom had been checking in with me ever since I’d left. She said she missed Spock and was worried I was only feeding him ‘fake crap’. She and my dad were the only wrench in my spokes of an otherwise brilliant criminal life. I sent a text back that I’d try to come home in the next few days with some smiley emojis to make her believe I was happy. I tossed the phone on my desk and swiveled in my chair.
Was I happy? I sure as shit was afraid I’d bitten off way more than I could chew.
A little real-life excitement… That was what I’d wanted. Well, Rafa was definitely helping with that goal. Make new friends… I thought Lisa and I were starting something. Be who I was without judgment? Total check there.
The change I’d craved had come. Why was I resisting the free fall? Why did I think I had to leave?
I powered everything down, nabbed my phone and headed for my bedroom. A sliver of light from the window drew a light blue line across Rafa’s bare stomach. Funny, he seemed almost docile on his back. Our eyes met for a long hold.
“Money came,” I said in a flat voice.
“Anton will be happy.” He was quiet, reserved. It didn’t suit him.
My eyelids were heavy as I crossed the room. “What about you? Does it make you happy?”
Rafael rolled to his side and lifted the covers but didn’t answer. His arm stayed in the air as I undressed and his light eyes scanned my naked body. I crawled into the bed and he tucked the covers around me. His warm thighs were the perfect landing for my cold ass.
“So we’re doing this, then? Fucking spooning? You and me?” I sighed out my disgrace in both of us. We were suckers. Fakers, suckers and I guessed angry lovers to boot.
Spock stood at the end of the bed and jumped off, panting. But that didn’t mean that Rafael uncrowded my space. Under the covers, he slinked an arm up my stomach and I couldn’t decide if I was relieved or disappointed when he didn’t kiss my bare shoulder.
My mind started spinning with what the hushed moment meant. A childish thought made me smirk and almost giggle. Was Rafa my boyfriend? Dear God, no. But whatever it was that was transpiring, one thing was clear. The gentle side of us? It was a secret.
And with that knowledge, a sense of safety blanketed me and some tension released from the top of my shoulders all the way down my back. My guard was down, but so was his.
He brushed his thumb back and forth over my ribcage and I closed my eyes.
“I need to see my parents. They’re not used to the separation.”
Rafa hummed. The low vibration warmed my neck and penetrated into my skin. His energy was drifting away. Actively hating each other was exhausting. And yet there we were, intertwined like we’d been together for years, neither of us objecting.
“I’m going to take Spock. We’ll be back by the afternoon.” Even as I whispered the words, I knew he’d never agree. The timing was too suspicious.
“I’ll take you. It’s the only way.”
The thread of hope that I’d be able to go home and come back unsupervised faded as he tugged me a little closer. I chewed my bottom lip. He would have to meet my parents, see their crazy. He’d want to see my basement…
“Don’t overthink it, M. Let tonight be tonight and tomorrow, tomorrow.”
His breathing slowed and his grip loosened. I was kinda surprised he didn’t make another move, but then again, we weren’t mad. I put the following day out of my mind and savored his strong arms around me. While horribly superficial, I liked that his body was tight and his muscles thick. In one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city, the security of his physical lock was a welcome sensation.
I yawned and nestled in deeper. He was right. Tomorrow would be tomorrow.
A deep sleep took over, and when I woke, he was gone. The blade of moonlight from the night before had warped into the yellow sun. It was going to be hot, and the air was heavy. I would need to take extra water for Spock on the train.
I stretched, liking the fact that I could be naked in bed. It wasn’t a luxury I’d allowed myself at my parents’ house. We had no locks on our internal doors. But I didn’t know if one of the crew would be lingering in my kitchen, so after I rolled out of bed, I threaded my legs through my pajama pants and found an oversized T-shirt I would have normally slept in.
After a few blinks, it occurred to me that Spock was also not in the room, and I couldn’t help but smile that Rafa had taken responsibility for my dog right away.
Coffee. I needed artificial energy to face my parents. I gave myself a little shake and headed for the kitchen. Once there, I loaded the coffee machine and watched it percolate drop by drop. A little hum erupted after a tuff of steam and the roasted blend began to wake up my brain.
I leaned on the counter with my forearms down, cup in hand, waiting for the coffee to make its final perk.
A tiny creek and pop came from the door before Spock shot through. He didn’t even look at me, just went straight to his water bowl and lapped it up, drool and excess water puddling around the dish.
Rafa, full of sweat, and—mother of mercy—shirtless, followed with a green apple lodged in his mouth. He took a crunchy bite and worked his jaw with a wide smile.
I glared over at him. He was entirely too perky for the morning.
Rafa swallowed. “Hey there. You know that shit is terrible for you, right?”
“Fuck off.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Mmm-m. Cranky. Bring it.”
I flipped him off, which only brought out his annoying dimples.
“So, I transferred the crypto to a new account where only I have the password. Don’t freak if you don’t see it there.”
Well, fuck me. That was a smart move. Respect. I poured my coffee, added three teaspoons of sugar and opened the fridge for the cream. Spock finished lapping up his water, walked over to the side of the couch and lay down, still panting.
I shot Rafa my best side-eye. “What the hell did you do to my dog?”
“Treadmill. He fucking loved it.” Rafael switched to a stupid voice and bent down to Spock. “Didn’t you, big boy?
I poured my cream and stirred the coffee then set the mug on the counter. Rafa continued to talk like an idiot to my dog, crunched down in front of him. I walked over, pushed on his shoulder and knocked him to the ground. The green apple fell to the floor and rolled past the sofa.
“I told you. No adorable shit. Go fucking shower. You’re gross.”
He licked his lips and narrowed his eyes. Oh, no. I lunged for the counter but he was too fast. Rafa grabbed my ankle with one hand then lurched for my waist and tugged me down from the elastic band of my pants. He spun me on my back and I was nose-to-nose with his sweaty, hot face before I could say, “Alakazam.”
But instead of kissing me, he rubbed his sweat all over my shirt and pants, Spock barking jealously overhead because he wasn’t playing with us. It was foul, disgusting and it tickled the shit out of me.
“You like my stank.”
I pushed his shoulders and kicked at his legs but he had me pinned and the giggles poured out of me. “I don’t like anything about you! Get off!”
He froze and jerked his head up. “Nothing?”
“Zero,” I lied.
“Well, in that case, I have nothing to lose.” He lifted my T-shirt and rubbed his wet, nasty head on my bare stomach.
“Oh my God. You are beyond repulsive.” I shoved him away again, still not making much impact. “Go away.”
Rafa crawled on top of me and pushed my shoulders down. “Kiss me and I’ll set you free.”
“Will you also shower? Cuz seriously, bro, you’re a new kind of foul.” Honestly, he wasn’t that bad, just sweaty. I’d smelled much worse from my parents’ friends who thought lemon juice was deodorant.
Spock barked one last time then grumbled as he lay down.
I flared my nostrils. “One kiss. No tongue.”
He laughed. “Marigold Pfeifer, you playin’ hard to get? After all we’ve already done?” The quick peck he gave me was gone too fast and completely out of character for both of us, an overall stupid idea on my part. But he rose and fetched his apple while I propped up on my elbows and frowned at the state of my clothes.
Rafa went to the sink and rinsed the piece of fruit then took another bite. “How long before you’re ready?”
“An hour?” Wake up, shower, makeup, organize. Yeah, I needed a bit of prep.
“Fine. I’ll be back in fifteen for the laptop and the hard drive. I’ll go throw them in the river while you get all goth nerdy.”
I pushed to my feet and shook my head. “You’re going to throw my laptop in the river?”
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “I’ll steal you a new one tomorrow.”
After another disturbing peck, he was out of the door and I could finally sip my coffee.
Shit. I’d never gotten rid of the computers I’d used to hack previous people or cities. They were in my parents’ basement, waiting to be discovered by anyone who bothered to look. Sure, I’d covered my steps with IP addresses in India and deleted all the fake accounts, but I’d never gotten actual new physical machines. Mad props to Rafa for his follow-through.
I made myself a second cup of coffee and was halfway through it when Rafa popped back in. He’d showered, his hair was still a little damp, and the crisp scent of his soap woke me up more than the caffeine pumping in my veins.
“Last chance to get anything off these babies. I’ll wipe them clean then chuck them over the bridge.” Rafa headed to the other bedroom and I followed him with my gaze.
A lesson about the planet and recycling blabbered between my ears, narrated by my mother’s voice. Maybe that was why I’d never thought to ditch my own. It would have raised too many questions. Probably stupid.
I finished my coffee and set the mug in the sink. Rafa was back with my laptop tucked under his arm and the internal hard drive of the other computer in his hand.
I asked, “How many computers have you thrown in the river?”
“Fifty?” He lifted a shoulder and stuck out his bottom lip. “Scooter used to bash them with a hammer. He got his rage out that way.”
“What’s he got to be mad about?”
