Night Intrigue [Night 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  Gripping her shoulders, he smiled and pulled her closer to nibble at her lips. “I don’t need to read your mind. Your eyes are very expressive. Something made you very happy, and yet you don’t want to tell me about it. I’m intrigued.”

  Laughing softly, she bent to kiss him, nipping his bottom lip in playful retaliation. “Did you expect me to be anything but happy after making love?” She started to sit up, only to be pulled back down again.

  “I sure as hell hope not.” Grinning, Alastair held her face between his hands and leaned forward to kiss her again. “You’re really something. You’re happy because we made love, not because of the ruby necklace.”

  Serena jolted and reached for the necklace, running her finger over the large stone. “Oh! I forgot about the necklace. I’m sure it’ll get DuBois’s attention.”

  She started to scramble from his lap, pausing when he caught her with a curse and eased her from his cock. “Wait! This is real?”

  Setting her next to him, he grinned. “Of course it’s real.”

  “Hell, if I lose this before you can return it, I’ll never forgive myself. I guess you had to borrow a real one. Jean Paul would probably be able to spot a fake. Damn it, Alastair, I’ve got to do my hair and makeup all over again. We’re going to be late.”

  Delighted with her, Alastair smiled. “Oh, so that’s why you were making all that noise. You were objecting to being late to the party.”

  He watched her run into the bathroom, the sight of her delectable ass making his cock stir again.

  They’d bought the necklace for her, but he had a strong suspicion that if he confided that to her now, they’d be even later to the party.

  His smile fell when the door closed behind her, love for her hitting him hard.

  He’d just made love to her and already wanted her again. He never stopped wanting her.

  DuBois would want her, too, and it wouldn’t have a damned thing to do with the necklace. He’d want her for himself, and he’d proven himself a dangerous man, one who got nasty when thwarted.

  Serena’s determination to be a part of their covert lives meant that she would do everything in her power to get close to him.

  He’d have to keep a sharp eye on her.

  Chapter Four

  Despite the chill in the air, the large hand at her back warmed Serena as she and Alastair made their way toward the front door of Jean Paul DuBois’s large mansion. Still warm and loose after their recent lovemaking, she grinned up at him. “I think this place is even bigger than your house.”

  Alastair Wyndham laughed softly, his warm hand wrapping around her waist and pulling her closer. “I think that’s what he was going for. DuBois is very competitive and seems to want whatever I have. He’s been living on a trust fund for years, a trust fund that could have kept him comfortable for the rest of his life if he’d spent wisely. Instead, he goes through money like water.” Keeping his steps slow, he steadied her with the arm he’d tightened around her. “Are you going to be all right wearing those shoes?”

  “You don’t like my shoes?” Once she’d gotten her check from her showing, she’d gone on a spending spree buying paints and brushes she hadn’t been able to afford before—and shoes.

  She just couldn’t resist them.

  Chuckling softly, he bent from his considerable height to touch his lips to her hair. “For a woman who hates to wear shoes, you sure have a hell of a lot of them. You’re going to fill your closet in no time.”

  Poking his side, she giggled. “My closet wouldn’t be so full if you didn’t sneak clothes in there every chance you got. You afraid I might show up at one of your fancy parties in my cut-off shorts and T-shirt?” Looking around to make sure no one could overhear her, she smiled. “Ian seems to like when I dress in jeans and T-shirts.”

  Even though Alastair and Ian Wyndham were identical twins, they were as different in personality as day and night.

  Both men stood over six and a half feet tall, towering over every other men they met. With wide shoulders and narrow hips and their incredible good looks, they drew women like flies.

  With tawny, slightly longer than shoulder-length hair, and golden eyes that darkened to a deep shade of amber when they were aroused—or furious—they had an aura of danger surrounding them that intrigued women and made other men uneasy.

  She’d been able to tell them apart at once, and it still amazed her that people didn’t realize they were two completely different men.

  Ian hated parties and usually stayed in the background. He also hated shopping, which Alastair seemed to adore.

  “If Jean Paul doesn’t like you, why did he invite you to his party?”

  “Partly because he knows that people will wonder why he didn’t, and he doesn’t want them to know he feels threatened by me.”

  “And the other part?”

  “Because he’s interested in you. He wants to meet the woman who’s living with me.” The arm around her waist tightened. “He’ll do his best to take you away from me.”

  “We can use that, can’t we? That’ll help me get even closer to him.”

  “Hmm mmm.”

  Pausing at the door, she frowned. “You know that it’ll only be an act, don’t you?”

  His golden eyes narrowed. “Of course. Let’s get inside before you get chilled.”

  Snuggling closer, she smiled up at him. “You know, you never told me how you got into…this.”

  Alastair smiled and led her to the edge of the landing and out of the wind. “Unlike DuBois, we were poor and used our wits to make money. We made enough to survive, and then more. We found we were good at reading the stock market. We made more, and more, until we had more than we could ever spend.” He grinned, a flash of white in the semi-darkness, most of the light cut off by the tall bushes surrounding them. “It was no longer a challenge.”

  He flashed a devilish grin, one that made her heart beat faster. ”Of course, we still like to keep our hand in.”

  Looking out into the distance, he sighed. “We realized that we were bored out of our minds. When Ian was questioned by the FBI about an embezzlement case one of our acquaintances was involved in, he decided to use his computer skills to dig deeper. In addition, we both used some of the skills we’d learned over the years in order to survive the streets of New York, mostly because we’d gotten curious and it added a little excitement to our lives. When we got all the proof together, we gave it to the man in charge. A week later, that man, Jonathan Grimes, came to the door and gave me a check—a reward for helping them. Before you know it, he asked us to help again and again.” Leaning closer, he nibbled at her bottom lip. “We use the money we make from them for our toys. Ian loves them.”

  Smiling at that, Serena leaned into him as he turned her back toward the entrance. “But you’re the one who has to go to parties where you meet oodles of women.” Poking a fingertip at his chest, she stared into his eyes, fighting jealousy. “Have you two ever made love to the same woman?”

  Alastair hugged her, bending to touch his lips to her hair. “Yes. You.” His hand moved over her back as they approached the front door, his voice low and filled with the intimacy that never failed to thrill her. “Ian comes to parties at times, but he’s more comfortable in the background, wearing his jeans and T-shirt instead of a tuxedo.”

  “I still like my comfy clothes, but I’m starting to like dressing up.”

  “And buying shoes that you hate to wear.” He paused to show their invitations to the doorman before guiding her inside the large foyer. Bending low, he whispered in her ear. “Anything you say can be overheard now, so be careful.”

  Nodding, she held his arm and allowed him to lead her down a corridor and toward the doorway of what she suspected to be the ballroom.

  The sounds of laughter, conversation, and music poured into the foyer, so she had to raise her voice to be heard. “Since you’re complaining about my shoes taking up too much room, maybe I should look for a place of my own. After all
, I can afford it now.”

  Alastair smiled faintly. “You’re becoming well known as an artist. Your paintings are selling like hotcakes You’re a wealthy woman now, aren’t you?”

  Her face burned at the reminder. “I wouldn’t exactly call it wealthy, but I am excited about my next show. My paintings are selling for more now. Maybe one day I’ll be as rich as you.” She smiled up at him. “Shopping’s a hell of a lot more fun now. It’s nice to be able to shop in stores, instead of always having to do it online. I like the feel of it. The smells. I like the instant gratification of carrying my own bags out of the store instead of waiting for them to be delivered. I’m impatient.”

  Feigning shock, Alastair raised a brow. “Really? I never would have guessed.” Running his fingertips over her lower spine, he smiled. “I’ve noticed that you like trying on clothes and teasing me with them. I also noticed that your legs look incredible in those shoes.”

  Pulling her to a stop, he turned to face her, his great height allowing him to tower over her, even though she wore high heels. “You’re not moving out.” Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed her fingertips. “I need you. I need to know you’re there, and I need you sleeping beside me at night. Besides, you still need us to shield you.”

  Serena grinned, standing on her toes and pulling his head down to kiss him. “Thanks to you, I’m getting better at learning how to put those walls up. I like having some control. I just wish I could put those barriers up between me and all those voices better than you do.”

  Alastair yanked her back when she would have pulled away. “Sometimes you amaze me at how well you’re learning to do it on your own, but if ever try to put those walls between you and me, you’re going to watch me rip them to shreds. I love you, and I’m not about to let you get away.” Holding her face in his hands, he touched his lips to hers again. “Say it.”

  Stunned that such an incredible and compelling man could be so intense in his love for her, Serena lifted her hand to cup his jaw, blinking back tears. “Of course I love you. You don’t think I would stay here just because you can ward off those voices, do you? I could always go back to North Carolina. I can paint there as well as I paint here. I’m here because of you and…” Remembering what he’d said about being overheard, she shook her head. “Well, you know.” Averting her gaze, she shrugged. “I just wonder how long you’re going to put up with having me be so dependent on you.” Releasing him, she looked away and blew out a breath. “We’d better get inside. People are staring.”

  Alastair gripped her upper arm, yanking her back again. “I don’t give a damn who’s staring. I like that you need me. I don’t think of you as dependent.”

  Serena smiled, not quite believing him. “We’d better get inside. We have a job to do, don’t we?”

  Her heart raced with nerves, the thought of messing up Ian and Alastair’s operation making her stomach roll. Hoping the dress would keep Jean Paul DuBois distracted, she strode into the ballroom, unsurprised that Alastair caught her arm again.

  She scanned the beautifully decorated ballroom, enthralled by the gleaming chandeliers, ice sculptures, and the deep red roses bursting from vases on every table.

  The men, all dressed in black tuxedos, moved gracefully across the dance floor with women dressed in long, sparkling gowns in every color of the rainbow.

  Finding her gaze drawn to the right, she zeroed in on Jean Paul DuBois.

  His dark hair gleamed with blonde highlights, and she couldn’t help but wonder if they came from a bottle or his lavish vacations. Cut short, it curled at the ends, a style that might have made him look younger if not for the wrinkles around his eyes, or the hard glint in them.

  She judged him to be an inch or two under six feet tall, but the way he carried himself made him appear a little taller. He looked like he’d been born wearing a tuxedo, and moved as if always posing, nothing like the graceful way both Alastair and Ian moved.

  When his piercing blue eyes met hers across the distance of the large room, a chill went through her.

  He smiled, a practiced smile, which made him even more handsome, and that he probably practiced in the mirror.

  Excitement replaced some of the nerves.

  The weeks she’d spent living with Ian and Alastair had been an adventure, but the idea of helping them put criminals away promised the kind of excitement she couldn’t resist. “There he is.” Anxious to put their plan into action, she started in that direction, only to be pulled back against Alastair’s side. “Stop pulling me, damn it.”

  “I see him. Patience, love. We don’t want him to get suspicious. If I know DuBois, he’ll be dying to try to take you away from me.” Bending, he nuzzled her neck. “He’s watching you. He’s been watching you ever since you walked through the door. Make him come to you. Women fall all over themselves to get his attention. Your beauty, and the fact that you belong to me, already has him intrigued. Play hard to get. Give him that cool shoulder you gave me when we first met.”

  Straightening, he kept his voice just loud enough for her to hear him over the music and conversation around them, and he gripped her shoulders to pull her closer. “We’re going to have to teach you patience. You’re always in such a hurry.”

  She pressed a hand to his chest, loving the feel of warm muscle beneath her fingertips. “You two just like to torture me.”

  Alastair’s lips twitched, his eyes becoming hooded. “Hmm. There’s an idea.”

  “Very funny.” She poked him in the chest and turned away, shivering at the slide of his fingertips down her spine.

  Closing in behind her, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer and nuzzling her neck, much to the interest and amusement of the partygoers around them. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

  Leaning back against him, something that became more and more of a habit, she reached up to slide her fingers into his hair. “I got the message. I remember being dressed, and suddenly I found I had to get ready all over again.”

  He nipped her earlobe. “There was an important part between that.”

  Serena smiled teasingly, reaching up to touch the necklace. “Yes, the necklace. It’s beautiful. I promise to take good care of it so you can return it in one piece.”

  Alastair straightened, his lips curving in a slow smile as he nodded to several others who called out to him. “There’s no need to return it. The necklace is yours.”

  Serena stilled, spinning to face him and gripping his arm, careful to keep her voice low. “It’s mine? No. I’m not keeping this. I thought we were settling a trap for DuBois!”

  Alastair inclined his head and accepted a glass of champagne for each of them. After handing one to her, he took her other hand in his and led her away from the doorway and farther into the room. “We are, and DuBois would spot a fake right away.”

  “Oh. Then you’ll return it when this is over.” Blowing out a breath, she glanced toward Jean Paul DuBois, smiling shyly in his direction when she found him still watching her. “He’s still watching me.”

  “He wants me to notice. He’s hoping to piss me off. The necklace is yours. Ian and I saw it and wanted you to have it. It looks gorgeous on you. Don’t turn around. DuBois is coming over.” He bent to nuzzle her neck. “Don’t forget, darling, that I’m a rich, spoiled playboy.”

  “How could I ever forget?”

  “Brat.” Straightening, he smiled, a fake smile that held more than a hint of ice. “DuBois. It looks like a good turnout. I was surprised to get your invitation.”

  “I had my reasons.” His gaze raked over Serena, the sexual interest in his eyes leaving her cold. “I heard that you had a new woman in your life. Too bad that I was out of town when she arrived. I would have gotten to her first, and you wouldn’t have stood a chance. She’s a beauty.” Taking Serena’s hand in his, he lifted it to his lips, his gaze lingering on the ruby. “I should do my best, of course, to take her from you. You don’t deserve such a woman.”

&nbs
p; Hiding a smile, Serena pulled her hand away. “At least he pays attention to me when he kisses me, not my necklace. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go check out the hors d’oeuvres and leave the two of you to talk.”

  She turned and walked away, joined by Alastair before she got more than twenty feet.

  Holding her waist, Alastair guided her to the dance floor. “Very nice. DuBois loves a challenge and you just waved a red flag in front of him.” Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close, his gaze raking over her red dress. “Literally.”

  Flattening a hand against his chest, Serena pushed away from him, her face burning. “Stop.”

  Frowning down at her, he held her protectively. “What is it, darling?”

  “I don’t know how to dance.”

  Gripping her hand in his, Alastair frowned as if she’d spoken a foreign language. “What do you mean you don’t know how to dance?”

  Feeling silly for just standing on the dance floor, Serena tried to pull him to the side, but she might as well have tried to move a mountain. “I don’t know how I can say it any better. Think about it, Wyn.” She’d barely remembered to call him by the right name, conscious of the number of people who watched them. “Where the hell would I have learned how to dance?”

  Grateful when he led her to a private corner, she laid her hands on his chest and looked up at him. “You know that I lived alone and didn’t go around other people because I couldn’t protect myself from being bombarded with their thoughts. Touching them only made it more intense. Besides, I was a freak and had no friends.”

  Sliding a hand over her hair, he pulled her closer, raising the hand he held to his lips. “And yet you weren’t a virgin. But you were innocent. What was the other man who took you thinking about when he took you?”

  “That he’d won the bet. Can we talk about something else?”

  Grinning, he bent to touch his lips to her temple. “Like the fact that you’re dancing? Beautifully, too.”

  Serena stumbled, only to be caught against him, his hands warm on her back as he steadied her. Swallowing a sob, she leaned back to look up at him, smiling tremulously when he moved again. They swayed together as if they were making love, her body following his lead without her even thinking about it. “We’re dancing together.”